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Victim identified in Kansas homicide investigation

Police at the scene of Saturday morning investigation-photo courtesy KWCH

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder scene and have identified the victim.

Just after 8 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 15th and Topeka Blvd. in Topeka after report of an unresponsive man later identified as 44-year-old Kenneth Leray Vetaw, according to a media release. He had wounds consistent with being shot. Authorities have not confirmed how he died.

An investigation determined Vetaw was injured in the 1400 Block of SW Harrison, left that area on foot and died where first responders found him.

No additional details were released. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call police.

Kansas lawmaker joins crowded race to replace Brownback

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A top Democratic lawmaker says he is joining the crowded race to replace Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.

House Minority Leader Jim Ward of Wichita announced his candidacy Saturday. He had named former Democratic Party chairman Lee Kinch as his campaign treasurer earlier this week.

Brownback is serving his second term and is expected to leave office early to become U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Ward was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2002, and is the ranking Democrat on the House committee on Education.

Other Democrats in the race include former Wichita mayor Carl Brewer and former state representative Josh Svaty. GOP candidates include Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer.

Monday USD 428 Budget Hearing Agenda

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 428
Barton County, 201 South Patton Road, Great Bend, Kansas 67530-4613

August 21, 2017 7:30 a.m.

BUDGET HEARING

1. Call to Order of Budget Hearing / Roll Call Mr. Umphres

2. Recognition of Visitors at the Budget Hearing Mr. Umphres

3. Budget Hearing / Budget Approval Mr. Umphres
There will be a summative review of USD 428’s 2017-2018 budget, which was published in the Tribune on 8/11/17. The administration recommends approval / adoption of the FY 2017-2018 budget

4. Adjournment of Budget Hearing Mr. Umphres

Police search for 2 suspects after Kansas carjacking

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and continue the search for two suspects.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the area of SE 6th and Gilmore in Topeka after reports of an aggravated robbery and car theft, according to a media release.

A woman told police she had been parked inside her black 2008 Dodge Caliber when a white Mercury passenger car pulled up beside her.

Two white males, one armed with a handgun got out of the vehicle fired the gun and forced her from her car.  She was not injured. The suspects drove away in her car that had a temporary tag.

The suspects are described as white males. The first is 6-foot 2-inches tall and weighing approximately 250-pounds. He wore a black shirt, blue jeans and was armed with handgun.

The second suspect is described as skinny and wearing a multi-colored mask.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call police.

Barton Community College will host two total eclipse events

Story by Micah Oelze-gobarton.com

A total solar eclipse will occur over the United States on Aug. 21, visible on a path from Oregon to South Carolina, crossing over northeast Kansas. Barton County is expected to experience 94 percent of a full eclipse at about 1 p.m.

In celebration of this spectacular event, the Barton Community College Planetarium will host a preview event with multiple viewings at 4, 5, 7 and 8 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Barton Planetarium. A viewing event will be held from 11 a.m.-2.pm. Aug. 21 on the lawn between the Union and Library on the college campus. These events are free and open to the public.

Those who attend the preview event can expect to learn how Solar and Lunar eclipses happen, hear the mythology surrounding eclipses and learn everything you need to know to safely see the astronomical event.

On the day of the eclipse, viewing attendees will gather on the lawn between the Union and Library at 11:30 a.m. The first 100 attendees will receive free eclipse glasses which allow people to view the event in a simple and safe manner. Staring at the eclipse without the proper protection is harmful to the viewer’s eyes. Sunglasses are not safe when it comes to viewing the eclipse. Astronomy Instructor Dr. Tim Folkerts is planning on having other safe methods of viewing the eclipse through techniques using small holes and mirrors.

6 horses in SW Kansas contract incurable disease

Annual total number of equine cases of EIA and number of affected premises in each State, 2001 – 2016.
52 positive horses, 34 positive premises- USDA MAP

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Six horses at a Finney County facility will be euthanized after becoming infected with equine infectious anemia.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture said in a news release Friday that it was contacted this month about a positive test for the disease. All the exposed horses were tested and five other horses tested positive. Because the disease isn’t curable, the animals will be euthanized.

The remaining horses at the facility will be observed and retested in 60 days. The facility is under quarantine.

EIA is most commonly spread by biting flies and ticks. It doesn’t affect people but can be spread to horses, mules and donkeys.

Celtics to retire Paul Pierce’s No. 34

BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Celtics will retire Paul Pierce’s No. 34 during their Feb. 11 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The longtime Celtics forward will be the 22nd player so honored – the first since 2003.

Pierce was drafted by Boston in 1998 and played 15 seasons for the Celtics. Only John Havlicek played longer in a Celtics uniform. Pierce helped the team win its NBA-record 17th title in 2008 and was named the finals MVP.

Pierce is the franchise leader in three-point field goals, free throws and steals and is the Celtics’ No. 2 career scorer with 24,021 points. His number has already been retired by the University of Kansas.

Deputies catch Barton Co. man with collectible coins, thousands of rounds of ammo

Mai -photo Jackson Co.

JACKSON COUNTY—  Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug, theft and weapons charges.

On Thursday afternoon, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies stopped Stephen Mai, 33, of Ellinwood, for a traffic violation near Mayetta.

A caller reported a 2002 Honda DRV matching Mai’s vehicle description driving recklessly, according to a media release.

Deputies were able to stop the vehicle and arrested Mai on the scene.

During the arrest, deputies found a handgun that had been reported stolen.  Mai also had in his possession, a large amount of substances believed to be methamphetamine, marijuana and other controlled substances. He had a large assortment of collectable coins and metals, firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition and other property.

Deputies booked Mai into the Jackson County Jail for the following charges: Possession and with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property, criminal use of a firearm, unlawfully in possession of a prescription drug with the intent to distribute, and driving while suspended.  Bond on Mai was set at $30,000.00.

Indians romp past Royals, 10-1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Corey Kluber put together another Cy Young-worthy performance before leaving with a sprained right ankle Friday night, and Jay Bruce homered twice to help the Cleveland Indians rout the Kansas City Royals 10-1 in the opener of their three-game series.

Kluber (12-3) was cruising along until there was one out in the sixth inning, and Eric Hosmer sent a grounder to the right side of the infield. Kluber winced coming off the mound to cover the bag.

The two-time All-Star faced one more batter before Andrew Miller relieved him. Kluber allowed a homer to Brandon Moss along with five more hits, striking out four and walking one.

Jason Kipnis and Bruce took Ian Kennedy (4-9) deep in the first inning, and Bruce added a three-run shot in the seventh to finish with five RBIs.

Edwin Encarnacion hit the Indians’ fourth homer of the night leading off the ninth.

Monday Barton County Commission Meeting Agenda

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting
August 21, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider Minutes of the August 7, and the August 14, 2017, Regular Meetings.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of August 7, 2017, and ending August 21, 2017.

III. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

IV. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

A. COMMUNICATIONS: Purchase of Replacement Camera and Intercom system:
-Dena Popp, 911 Director, solicited quotes to replace the camera and intercom system outside the Communications Office door. The bid best meeting the needs of the department was provided by Nex-Tech. For the quoted price of $2,331.94, Nex-Tech will install both a security camera and intercom system. It is noted that the security camera will be integrated in the County’s current security system. Ms. Popp will provide details.

B. BOARD APPOINTMENT: Barton County Planning Commission:
-The County has sought applicants for the Barton County Planning Commission.
The focus of the Planning Commission is to plan for the proper growth and
development of Barton County through the enactment of planning and zoning
laws for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Although all
applicants must reside in Barton County, the majority of members must be from
the unincorporated area. Phil Hathcock, Operations Director, will present an
application from Wilmer Wegele.

C. BOARD APPOINTMENT: Central Kansas Library System Board:
-The Central Kansas Library System supports library services in 17 counties in
Central Kansas: Barton, Cloud, Ellis, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne,
Ottawa Pawnee, Phillips, Republic, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, and Smith
counties. The Central Kansas Library System Board meets twice a year to
conduct the business of the System, to approve the budget, any resolutions, the
system plan, and elect members to the Executive Committee. The Executive
committee meets monthly to conduct the general business of the System. The
County appointee must be a resident of the regional library system taxing
district, this is, within Barton County but outside the district of any local legally
established public library. Melissa Nech has applied for the four-year,
uncompensated term. Mr. Hathcock will present.

D. BOARD APPOINTMENTS: Memorial Parks Advisory Committee:
-The Memorial Park Advisory Committee is charged with advising and assisting
the Commission regarding the care and maintenance of the Barton County
Owned and Operated Memorial Parks and Cemetery. With not less than five,
nor more than seven members, there is one position open, terming in July, 2020.
Dale Phillips has applied for appointment. Mr. Hathcock will present.

V. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following
items, including announcements, will be heard.
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the
authorization of personnel changes, sign any documentation approved during
the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular
County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.

-Barton County is participating in a Local Road Safety Plan that is being
administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). County
major collector routes are being studied by TranSystems to identify potential
safety improvements based on risk factors identified by the project. A Safety
Workshop with local officials will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 23,
2017, at the Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main, Room 101, Great Bend,
Kansas, to discuss the preliminary results of the project. County officials may
attend this meeting.

B. APPOINTMENTS: Subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
AUGUST 21, 2017
9:30 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Regular Business
Discussion – Phil Hathcock, Operations Director; Donna Zimmerman, County
Clerk; and Carey Hipp, County Counselor
9:45 a.m. – Veterans Day Program at Golden Belt Memorial Park – Mick Lang,
Memorial Parks Advisory Board Meeting
10:00 a.m. – Memorandum of Understanding, Reinvestment Grant, Kansas
Department of Corrections – Todd Hadnot, St. Francis Community Services –
785.914.5244 – todd.hadnot@st-francis.org
10:15 a.m. – Carrying Over Fiscal Year Funding, Program Update, Agreement
with the City of Stafford and Stafford County, Monitoring Equipment – Marissa
Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director
10:45 a.m. – Carrying Over Fiscal Year Funding – Amy Boxberger, CKCC Director
11:00 a.m. – Annual Emergency Preparedness Grant – Amy Miller, Emergency
Risk Manager
11:15 a.m. – Agreement with Terracon for Pavement Investigation – Barry
McManaman, County Engineer
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Members of the
Juvenile Services Department are scheduled for August 24, 2017.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial
consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular
business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments
related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be Monday, August 28, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.

VII. ADJOURN.

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