TOPEKA – An Olathe man from was sentenced today to four years in federal prison for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. He also was ordered to pay a $12,500 fine.
James Christmas, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted he possessed more than 12,000 images and 26 videos of child pornography on computer media.
The investigation began in September 2010 when his estranged wife told the Olathe Police Department that she found child pornography on computer media belonging to Christmas. Investigators obtained a search warrant and found the images. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified more than 1,300 images of known child victims living outside of Kansas in Christmas’ collection.
Grissom commended the Olathe Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.
WAKEENEY — A man arrested last week in Trego County has been formally charged with murder.
Scott Robert Bollig
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today filed formal criminal charges against Scott Robert Bollig, WaKeeney, who was arrested Feb. 20.
Bollig, 30, has been charged with first-degree murder for what the complaint says was the killing of an unborn child, “believed to be between 8 and 10 weeks gestation.” The complaint cites KSA 21-5419, commonly known as Alexa’s Law.
The crime is alleged to have occurred on or about Jan. 26 in Trego County. The filing said Bollig is accused of putting a crushed form of medication used to terminate a pregnancy on food. The complaint, filed in Trego County District Court, called the allegation “intentional and premeditated.”
Bollig also was charged with alternate counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and distribution of adulterated food, which the complaint said was a pancake.
The state’s witness list includes several law enforcement and medical professionals, as well as the mother of the unborn child.
Bollig made a first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon in Ellis County in front of Judge Glenn Braun, according to Clint Blaes, spokesman for Schmidt’s office.
Blaes said the defense withdrew a request to modify bond, which remains set at $500,000. A preliminary hearing has not been scheduled.
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case at the request of the Trego County Attorney Tony Potter, who will assist with the prosecution. Assistant Attorney General Jessica Domme filed the charges on behalf of Schmidt.
TRIBUNE — In the summer of 2005, Dr. Randy Fahrenholtz came to Greeley County to help serve the health care needs in the farthest reaches of western Kansas. Now, after his death at age 63, he leaves behind a legacy of care and community.
Dr. Randall Fahrenholtz
Fahrenholtz died Saturday when his small, private airplane crashed outside of Tribune.
The community, which has a population of fewer than 800 people, is still reeling after the sudden tragedy.
“We are all doing the best we can,” said Chrysanne Grund, project director for Greeley County Health Services. “This is a small community, and Dr. Randy was involved in so many areas of the community.
“It is like a family here, and he was an important part of our small family.”
Fahrenholtz worked at the 18-bed Greeley County Hospital and saw patients at the family practice offices in Tribune and in the Wallace County community of Sharon Springs.
The community is preparing for Thursday’s 10 a.m. funeral services at First Presbyterian Church, Tribune.
“Dr. Fahrenholtz has a very close family beyond our community, and we are expecting most of them to be here,” Grund said.
The medical clinics also will be closed Thursday.
“We’ll have minimal staffing at the hospital to accommodate those who want to attend the service,” Grund said. “Just enough staff will be working to make sure the patients are well taken care of.”
Fahrenholtz would expect that.
“We are very fortunate to have the kind of physicians we have here at Greeley County Health Services,” Henry Garvin, interim hospital CEO, said in a statement on the hospital’s website. “Dr. Fahrenholtz cared greatly for his patients and was very invested in providing excellent care to all he came into contact with.”
Fahrenholtz and his wife, Janice, were active in the small community members. Fahrenholtz supported the arts, and was a part of the community band and would often volunteer and attend movies at Tribune’s Star Theater.
Janice Fahrenholtz serves on the Greeley and Wallace County Foundation and is president of the Greeley County school board.
“Dr. Fahrenholtz will surely leave a legacy of honor in our health system and our community. He was a kind man, an excellent doctor and a beloved community member and friend, both to his patients and the colleagues,” said Katy Reynolds, hospital human resource director. “His legacy will leave a lasting impact on the continued mission of Greeley County Health Services — to provide trusted care close to home.”
Water continues to be a primary topic among Hays city officials. The Hays City Commission will discuss ramping up its water-conservation efforts at meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.
In the midst of a persistent drought that shows no signs of relenting, commissioners will consider moving the city from a Stage 1 “watch” to a Stage 2 “warning,” a move that would kick off several changes in water-use policy.
If the elevated response is approved:
• Outdoor water use, including lawn watering and car washing, will be limited to 9 p.m. to 10 a.m.
• Newly seeded lawn permits would be issued for warm-season grasses only, and only during designated planting times.
• The city no longer would approve connections or upsizing for irrigation purposes.
• The city will enact its drought-response second-tier conservation rate. High-end water users would see their rate increase from $7.42 to $10.30.
• No permits will be issued for benefit car washes, house washing or the washing of hard surfaces.
• No additional new connections to potable water will be issued outside of city limits.
Upgrading the water-conservation status this early in the year will allow residents time to adjust plans for gardens and lawns for the upcoming growing season.
The city of Hays has been in a water “watch” since August 2012.
The next, and most severe, stage of the drought response would be a Stage 3 water “emergency,” which would heighten restrictions and lead to closure of municipal pools, a complete ban on outdoor watering, a prohibition on filling private swimming pools and a lockout on irrigation meters.
At the current rate of depletion, the city has the potential of reaching the need for a water “emergency” as soon as 2015, according to City Manager Toby Dougherty’s memo to commissioners.
The city recently adopted a resolution declaring the intent to develop a new water resource with the construction of a pipeline to Edwards County, south of Hays. Water from the R9 Ranch, however, is a long-term solution, and Dougherty has said the regulatory approval process alone could take between five and 15 years.
In the latest episode of Community Connections, host Mike Cooper talks with Christie Brungardt and Brenda Meder about an evocative exhibit at Hays Arts Council designed to bring awareness to the issue of gender-based violence.
TOPEKA — After a 6-6 vote Monday, House Elections Committee Chairman Rep. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe, broke the tie by voting in favor of HB 2227 to move municipal elections to the fall of odd-numbered years.
Schwab introduced the bill in February 2013 to move municipal primary elections to August and general elections to November of odd-numbered years. Rep. Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center, said in the House Elections Committee meeting Monday that the bill was proposed to improve voter turnout.
“This has nothing to do with current school board members, city council members or mayors,” Huebert said. “For me, this has always been about the fact that turnout was bad, and it has only gotten worse.”
Rep. Keith Esau, R-Olathe, agreed increasing voter turnout was a priority but also said the change will benefit military personnel serving abroad because currently there is not enough time between primary and general elections for those individuals to receive ballots.
Through HB 2227, elected officials would begin term in January of the year following election. Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, proposed an amendment to change term start date to July and maintain the current term commencement.
At the hearing for HB 2227 on Feb. 10, Frank Henderson, president of the Kansas Association of School Boards, said having newly elected board members begin their terms seven months into the fiscal year and halfway through the academic year could be counter-productive and create a platform for making poor decisions.
Huebert said there are benefits to starting a term in January since it allows members to actively take part in forming a budget. Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe, said beginning a term in July could be problematic if an incumbent is defeated and then stays on the board for another eight months.
The committee voted five in favor and seven opposed and the motion to amend the January term commencement failed.
The Feb. 10 bill hearing also included testimony from proponent Clay Barker, executive director of the Kansas Republican Party, who said the goals of the KRP include making municipal elections partisan. The amended bill passed with no changes to the non-partisan election standard.
Rep. Tom Phillips, R-Manhattan, said HB 2227 will only to lead to more confusion for the public since local elections have been held in spring for over 150 years.
“I think people are going to be wondering why and they’re going to be asking why elected officials in Topeka are getting so involved in local elections,” Phillips said. “I’m not sure why we have to change it here in Topeka.”
HB 2227 will move out of the House Elections Committee to the full House for consideration.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the public water supply located in the city of La Harpe in Allen County.
LaHarpe is just east of Iola on U.S. 54.
The city water supply experienced a loss of pressure in the water system due to planned system maintenance. When such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants to enter the system. Chlorine residuals may also drop to levels that are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination.
Effective immediately, customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure. Regardless of whether the supplier or the system announces the boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories.
DONIPHAN COUNTY — Ken McCauley parked his Chevy pickup in the middle of a dirt road overlooking some of the world’s best corn growing acreage.
He examined a creek bed that was flanked by a narrow strip of woods and sloping hills covered with stubble from last year’s crop.
Ken McCauley, a Doniphan County farmer, said he doesn’t see the sense in building a 350 mile canal or aqueduct to carry water from the Missouri River to western Kansas so that farmers there can continue to irrigate corn. Photo by Trevor Graff, KHI.
McCauley said his family has farmed here six generations. The 4,600-acre operation includes corn and soybean production.
“They picked a good place to stop,” McCauley said of his ancestors.
But it wasn’t family history or 220 bushels-per-acre corn that was the hot topic this particular day on this particular piece of Missouri River bottomland.
“I’ve said since I was a kid that we’d be fighting over water,” McCauley said. “When you start talking about an aqueduct, open water going across the state it’s enough to get everybody riled up in a hurry.”
Kansas officials are studying the possibility of an aqueduct, pipeline or canal that would carry water — perhaps across McCauley’s land — from the Missouri River at White Cloud to Ness County, 360 miles to the southwest.
McCauley’s farm is closer to St. Louis or Cedar Rapids, Iowa, than it is to Ness City.
Pumping uphill
The audacious project, if realized, would surpass in distance and cost the 336-mile Central Arizona Project, which is still considered the most expensive water transfer system ever built in the United States.
The Arizona project — started in 1973 — took 20 years and $4 billion to construct. It carries 1.5 million acre-feet of water per year from the Colorado River to Tucson and irrigates about 1 million acres of farmland. The federal government paid for it.
An earlier U.S. Corps of Engineers study looking at the feasibility of tapping the Missouri River to water western Kansas estimated it would cost $4.4 billion to build a system and about $475 million a year to operate it. Those were 1982 estimates.
McCauley said he and others he knows consider the idea of moving massive quantities of water uphill across the state a bad one and he doesn’t understand why western Kansas farmers can’t find better solutions to their water problems.
But the part of Kansas where McCauley lives gets about 35 inches of rainfall a year, enough most years to grow corn without irrigation.
In Ness County, on the High Plains, average annual rainfall is 22 inches and that diminishes as you move west.
Irrigation from the Ogallala Aquifer is what has sustained corn and other water-gulping crops in western Kansas and other portions of the Great Plains for more than 60 years — but the end is in sight for what some have called “water mining.”
‘Some kind of changes’
“We’re looking at about 50 years to make some kind of changes in the way agriculture is done out there,” said Prof. James Sherow, an environmental historian at Kansas State University who wrote a 1990 book about the history of water use in the Arkansas River Valley.
“In other words, thinking about recapitalization and what new forms of agriculture need to take the place of this current one once the water situation no longer supports what’s going on today.”
Since the invention of center-pivot irrigation in the late 1940s, Kansas farmers have been drawing water from the aquifer far more rapidly than it is naturally recharged.
In some areas, the Ogallala, which is part of the larger High Plains Aquifer, can regain four to six inches of water a year. But that natural recharging falls well short of replacing what is being siphoned out of the ancient underground reservoir.
From 1996 to 2012, the average level of the aquifer in Kansas dropped 14 feet, according to the Kansas Geological Survey — and average of 9.33 inches per year. It dropped more than 51 inches in 2012 alone.
Scientists project that it would take more than 100,000 years to recharge some parts of the Ogallala that for practical purposes already have been tapped out.
Without the bounty of the Ogallala, western Kansas fields would revert to producing the relatively paltry yields of dry land farming and the natural aridity that prompted 19th century geographers to label it part of the Great American Desert — hence the strong interest in keeping the spigot on.
Getting past the ‘threshold of rejection’
Mark Rude, executive director of Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3, is a chief spokesman for the interests trying to revive the Missouri water transfer proposal.
GMD No. 3 and the Kansas Water Office have agreed to foot half the cost of a fresh, $300,000 feasibility study. The U.S. Corps of Engineers has agreed to pay the other half.
The report, expected to be complete by early 2015, would look at several things overlooked in the Corps’ original 1982 report, including the potential costs of litigation with Missouri and other states.
“It’s a brand new concept for some, just how valuable water is and what we can do with it in the western part of the state where it’s not so common,” Rude said. “So people have to think about it a while. It’s almost trying to get past that threshold of rejection and getting people to keep their minds open.
“It’s what the aqueduct can do for all those areas along the way that’s really the story. It’s not just Missouri water to western Kansas, it’s really an infrastructure for the whole state,” he said.
Rude said the canal or aqueduct could carry water to every stream along its course with potential to also provide water for Wichita and southeast Kansas. And, of course, once the Missouri’s flow reaches a major destination reservoir in Ness County, additional infrastructure could carry the vital liquid farther into southwest Kansas.
Others eye the Missouri
GMD No. 3 isn’t the only western entity with a covetous eye on the Missouri River.
The U.S. Department of the Interior in 2012 released a study of future water needs in the Colorado River Basin, which includes two Mexican and seven U.S. states, and concluded there wouldn’t be enough.
One of the proposed solutions was a pipeline from the Missouri River to help supply the Colorado Front Range, including Denver, which happens to be the largest city in the Missouri River Basin
But given the history of water struggles in the western U.S., no one can imagine major diversions from the Missouri could occur without a fight.
Shortly after the Kansas aqueduct idea was revived for discussion, Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri responded with threats of litigation.
Kansas water officials say they haven’t started talking about it with their counterparts in Missouri or the several other states that bank North America’s longest stream.
“We haven’t had an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with our downstream neighbors,” said Tracy Streeter, director of the Kansas Water Office. “I’d anticipate that their first move would be negative. I’d like to think that we could explain what we’re talking about and maybe find some benefit.”
‘Long shot’
The Kansas Rural Center — which promotes sustainable, small-scale farming — is among those already raising questions about the idea.
Most of the crops grown in western Kansas are used to fatten livestock, and irrigating feed grains with Missouri River water would compound already existing problems ranging from bad eating habits to climate change, according to Paul Johnson, a member of the center’s board of directors.
“Is growing feed grains on irrigated acres the best use of this precious water,” Johnson wrote in the center’s recent newsletter. “Is it best for a healthier diet?
The updated aqueduct study is occurring against the backdrop of broader discussions underway across the state and nation regarding climate change and the adequacy of Kansas and U.S. water resources in the years and decades to come.
Gov. Sam Brownback, with an eye on the Ogallala’s predicted depletion and the silt that is filling in the large reservoirs that help keep water flowing in the eastern part of the state, has called for a new 50-year water plan.
Discussions about the plan have been underway across the state among various water officials and other experts. The final version of it is scheduled for release in November.
Federal officials are working on a national water census, after concluding they lacked enough up-to-date information about how much water there is and how it is used to be ready for the challenges expected from the 21st century.
Meanwhile, some see in the aqueduct plan an example of the desperation that could become more common as the demands for water, particularly in the nation’s southwest, continue to outpace supply.
“To me (the aqueduct proposal) is a desperation measure. I can’t even imagine the costs of that kind of system.” K-State’s Sherow said.
“The costs will be staggering,” Streeter of the Kansas Water Office said, “and I’ll venture to say it’s a long shot. I think even the staunchest of advocates know it’s a long shot.”
TOPEKA (AP) — A bill that would make some police records available to the public will go before the Kansas House.
The House Judiciary committee on Monday approved the bill, which would make police documents that explain reasons to arrest people open to the public. The bill would also make affidavits to justify search warrants open to the parties involved.
The Wichita Eagle reportsed that people whose home is searched would have 30 days to request documentation that explained the reasons for the search.
Kansas is one of the few states in the country that seals probable-cause affidavits.
The bill would allow prosecutors to seal or redact the records if releasing them would jeopardize “the safety or well-being” of a victim or witness.
Marcella McCluskey, a junior at Fort Hays State University studying communications with an emphasis in advertising, has announced the launch of her new business with the Clever Container company.
She is hosting a kick-off party from 1 to 3 p.m. March 8 at Indigo Cafe in Hays, on Eighth Street across from the U.S. Post Office.
Clever Container is a company dedicated to helping simplify and organize everyday life with products that help do just that. The kick-off party will be a no-pressure opportunity to see the products.
Indigo will have bubble tea available for purchase, and there will be cookies available as refreshments.
Work is nearing completion on the remodel of TMP’s Al Billinger Fieldhouse to satisfy fire code requirements.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Construction at Thomas More Prep-Marian’s Al Billinger Fieldhouse has continued to progress steadily since early November, when the school was notified by the state fire marshal of fire code deficiencies.
“We’ve made countless adjustments and schedule changes,” Development Director Jeff Brull told Hays Post on Monday. “Our students, athletes, faculty, staff, fans and parents have been very accommodating. They’ve certainly made the best of a bad situation.”
Activities such as sporting events have been moved off campus to several other Hays facilities.
As of Monday, the east exit of the building from the gym floor was nearly complete, and work on the exit from the top bleacher area continues.
Workers broke through the exterior brick wall Friday afternoon to create the opening for new fireproof doors. Electrical work began Monday, and Brull said the door and stair installation are next.
“Once that’s complete, we hope to get the OK from the office of the state fire marshal,” he said. “We’ve got a few events we’d still like to see hosted in the gym before the (school)year is out, and we’re doing everything we can to keep it on schedule.”
During the last couple months, winter had a tight grip on Kansas countryside. Seemed like whenever I’d look outside my office window I saw gray clouds, large flakes of snow and trees blowing in a bitterly cold wind. This made it easy to dream about the spring thaw or the warm summer sun.
John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.
Still there was work to be done – Insight columns to write, photos to take, radio programs to record and meetings to attend. Stacks of files waved to me from the corner.
Deadlines and commitments. What to leave in. What to leave out.
When experiences like this occur, I clear my mind and remember what makes this profession I’ve chosen rewarding.
For me, happiness comes in many forms:
• Seeing any story you’ve written adorned with your byline. You probably won’t rush home and show your spouse, mother or a good friend, but you consider it a job well done, a challenge met or another human interest story that comes to life on the printed page, Facebook or the web.
• Knowing you are creative. You think about things that cause others to say, “I wish I had thought of that” and for thinking of good stories, coming up with catchy headlines and “well-writ” and telling sentences. On top of that you’re being paid for that talent, even if you need less than a wheelbarrow to take into the bank.
• Wordsmithing, or working well with words. Whether it’s coaxing, educating, enlightening, urging or uncovering a wonderful story you have the ability. Still, you must look for the reality beyond the deadlines. You help people adjust to change. You show them dreams can become reality. You attempt to guide them away from trouble. And, you hold them up as examples of success in this business of farming and ranching.
• Sharing the excitement when the organization you work with is recognized for excellence. You enjoy the company you keep – the farmers and ranchers across Kansas. You admire the people you work for and write about, the folks who remain a part of this key industry called agriculture. Maybe you were once part of this vocation. Maybe you weren’t. In the end it makes no difference. By association, you are part of it.
• Understanding and valuing the weather and the four seasons. You’ve experienced the promising winds of spring, the blistering heat of summer, the brilliant colors of fall and the bleakness winter can bring. You know what it can do to crops and livestock. You know about the white combine. You’ve seen blizzards destroy a cow herd. Weather is like a wheel moving slowly while being prodded along by Mother Nature. Sure would be fun to spend more time watching her do so.
• Being recognized for your abilities. This usually includes certificates, a plaque, pin or that all too fleeting trip on stage and the applause that follows. The point is someone singled you out as a writer, photographer or editor. You’ve received an ‘atta boy or ‘atta girl. Accept it graciously and with gratitude.
• Finally, you are alive. You’re walking upright and enjoying this big adventure called life.
By the way, just yesterday I saw some green shoots in our yard poking their little heads out of the melting snow. That’s another reason for happiness.
A French writer from the early 1600s once said, “We are never so happy, nor so unhappy, as we suppose ourselves to be.”
This guy’s name was La Rochefoucauld.
Now that’s real happiness – remembering a name like that.
John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.
