The Great Bend school district is ready to send their proposed 2017-2018 budget to print. The estimated operating budget for the upcoming school year is $20,163,800 and total expenditures for all funds for the year is $52,610,802.
The mill levy essentially stayed flat at 45.931 mills, which is down .015 from the 2016-2017 school year.
USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says there was an increase in the local option budget (LOB) because of reduced state aid, but it was washed out by other decreases.
Khris Thexton Audio
Assessed valuation for the school district increased nearly $4.9 million for the 2017-2018 proposed budget. The district decreased their debt by over $1.7 million to $2,687,911.
Thexton warned the USD 428 Board of Education that there was a 102 percent increase in the capital improvement expenditures fund, but the district has no intention of spending the allotted money.
Khris Thexton Audio
The reserved cash funds went from $3,290,709 on July 1, 2016 to $3,427,322 on July 1, 2017. The average salary for administration is $92,872 while the average salary for full-time teachers is $41,904.
USD 428 will publish the proposed budget in the Great Bend Tribune today. There will be a 10-day wait for any district tax payer to comment or address concerns before the school board will adopt the budget on August 22.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas’ regulatory medical board is weighing disciplinary action against a doctor who Planned Parenthood self-reported may have violated state law in handling a 13-year-old girl’s abortion.
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts on Thursday was to discuss a petition alleging Dr. Allen Palmer illegally failed to preserve fetal tissue from the 2014 abortion and submit it to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The petition by the board’s deputy litigation counsel says Palmer was a part-time Planned Parenthood contractor solely tasked with performing abortions for patients in their first trimester.
The petition says Palmer’s attorney has insisted his client inadvertently violated the state law and regulations because he wasn’t aware of them.
A man who answered the phone at a Missouri listing for Palmer hung up on the reporter.
TREGO COUNTY – Thursday’s severe weather brought large hail, high winds, heavy rain and a report of a tornado.
Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Tod Hileman reported the tornado struck south of Interstate 70 between Cedar Bluff Lake and the Interstate, Power lines were reported down and across Kansas147 Hwy south of the Interstate. Hail and water covered several Trego County roads.
The Wakeeney Family Care Center closed Thursday afternoon and will be closed Friday due to storm damage, according to a Trego County Emergency Management. Residents were told to seek any medical assistance at the Trego County Lemke Hospital Emergency Room.
TOPEKA — Payless ShoeSource announced Thursday that it has successfully emerged from its Chapter 11 restructuring, according to a media release.
In April, the Topeka based shoe retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it would close nearly 400 stores including six in Kansas as part of the reorganization.
“We have accomplished our goals of strengthening our balance sheet and restructuring our debt load, positioning Payless to create substantial value for our stakeholders and achieve long-term success,” according to a statement from company CEO Paul Jones in a media release.
Jones will now retire as Chief Executive Officer. The post-emergence Board of Directors will begin a search to identify a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the company.
In the interim, Payless will be led by a newly appointed Executive Committee.
Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch speaking at the Aug. 7 Great Bend City Council meeting.
As the City of Great Bend staff, the governing body, and the citizens sort through the aftermath of Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch’s suspension, how do the employees of the Police Department feel about not having their police chief on staff? While very few officers have commented on the matter, Monday’s meeting gave everyone a glimpse of the opinions of a couple of employees through their family members.
Officer Paul Millard has been with the Police Department for 19 years and his wife, Laura Millard, spoke before the Great Bend City Council. Laura mentioned the last two years under Couch, have been the best years for work environment according to her husband.
Laura Millard Audio
The City of Great Bend still awaits a date for Couch’s hearing to his suspension that is expected late this month. According to the notice, Couch was suspended for “false or reckless” accusations, failing to conduct an ordered investigation, and inability to work with City Administrator Howard Partington because of their differences.
Lieutenant Scott Bieberle’s mother, Marge, spoke in favor of keeping Couch on the staff.
Marge Bieberle Audio
In late July, Lieutenant Bieberle stated Couch’s suspension with pay was a “blow to the guys” but the officers realized they are working for the citizens of Great Bend and will remain professional. Partington is serving as acting police chief for the time being.
Triston Werth, an Ellis County teen critically injured in three-story fall in Cancun on Tuesday, is being flown to a hospital in Houston today, according to family.
Triston’s parents, Douglas Werth and Misty Hynes, both of Hays, traveled to Cancun Wednesday to be with their son, according to Douglas’ fiance Lisa Schieve. The parents did not have passports and worked with Sen. Jerry Moran’s office to get the passport applications expedited so they could be with their son.
Triston was vacationing in Cancun with a group of friends at the time of the accident, which left him in a severe coma. Triston landed on his right side on concrete. Schieve said she did not know what might have caused the fall.
Triston underwent emergency surgery in Mexico and was deemed able to be transferred to the United States today.
Schieve said her last report on Triston’s condition was that he was improving and able to breathe on his own, but the extent of his injury is yet unknown.
Douglas planned to accompany his son on the flight to Texas today.
Family and friends established the fundraising page to assist the family following the accident.
The Mexican hospital asked for all the costs up front, which Schieve said was about $40,000. The family will also owe for transportation costs to Houston.
Triston, 19, had just finished his first year of college at Fort Hays State. Schieve described him as a charming kid with a contagious smile and a big heart.
The last big event of the summer in Great Bend takes place Saturday as the 5th annual Party in the Park will be held in Veterans Park. The one-day city celebration that includes family oriented activities, a car show, concerts and a fireworks show begins Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with the first ever Wet/Dry Parade along 17th Street Terrace.
Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes has some parking tips for people who plan to attend Saturday’s activities.
Christina Hayes Audio
The concerts will take place once again at Al Burns Field and will include the music of Ricky Fugitt and Homebrew with gates opening at 6 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. and will be followed by more music from Jason Boland and the Stragglers.
Party in the Park Concert Tickets are on sale for $5 at City Hall, 1209 Williams in Great Bend. Ticket prices go up to $10 the day of the show.
Party in the Park schedule of events
10 am: Wet/Dry Parade on 17th St. Terrace
10:30 am: Oozefest Mud Volleyball
11 am: Dog Park Fun/Mega Kite Mania
12 pm: Lunch with vendors
2 pm: Optimist Kids Inflatable Fun Zone/Car show begins
3 pm: Eating contest
6 pm: Gates open for concerts
10 pm: Fireworks
SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a convicted Kansas felon on new charges.
Just after 5p.m. on May 29, David Carleton, 42, Abilene, was a passenger in a 2006 Mazda Tribute driven by a 42-year-old female acquaintance, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. The woman told deputies she pulled the vehicle over in the 2200 Block of Water Well. The two were having a verbal altercation, according to Soldan.
Authorities say Carleton allegedly struck the woman in the face, took the sport utility vehicle and left her on the side of the road. The victim had a witness report the incident. Authorities then issued a warrant for Carleton’s arrest. The woman’s SUV was recovered in Dickinson County on May 30.
On Tuesday, deputies arrested Carleton at a residence in Assaria. He was booked into the Saline County Jail for felony theft, domestic battery, criminal damage to property and aggravated battery.
Carleton has previous convictions for Aggravated Battery, theft and burglary dating back to 1996, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Candidates already are lining up for the 2018 Kansas governor’s race. STEPHEN KORANDA / KPR
A year from now, Kansans could be in the middle of the biggest primary battle for governor in recent history.
With Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer poised to finish the second term of Gov. Sam Brownback — likely to leave office soon for an ambassador job — candidates are lining up for the 2018 contest.
Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty said the state has seen crowded primaries in the past, but it’s unusual to have so many high-profile candidates in one race. At least seven Republican candidates, including four with statewide political experience, are formally exploring the race.
The crowded field could create a challenge when it comes to fundraising, Beatty said, because many of the candidates will be courting the same donors.
“I’ve been telling people that if you’re a traditional Republican political donor, you may want to go on vacation for a little bit to escape your ringing phone,” he said.
Emporia State University political scientist Michael Smith thinks the field could slim if some candidates start hitting a wall on fundraising.
“If they can’t get any money they’ll probably step aside, because the reality of politics is you need some money to run a statewide campaign,” Smith said.
Smith suspects Secretary of State Kris Kobach has the most name recognition right now among Republican candidates, because he has been attracting attention on a national stage. That’s why fundraising will be critical for others such as Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, he said.
“A lot of Kansans don’t know who the lieutenant governor is,” Smith said. “A lot of them don’t know who the insurance commissioner is. The number one challenge is just to raise enough money to advertise so people have heard your name.”
In past years, when there were clear frontrunners, Beatty said there wasn’t much incentive for candidates to participate in public debates. The 2018 race could be different.
“One thing we may see, and this is good, in my opinion, is lots and lots of forums and debates,” Beatty said.
With so many candidates, it can seem easier to keep track of who isn’t running.
Smith jokes about a button in his office reading “Not Running for Governor of California in 2003,” a reference to the crowded field in that state.
“Maybe we need to make up some for Kansas in 2018,” he said.
The slate of Republican candidates who have appointed treasurers includes:
Former state Sen. Jim Barnett, who also ran for governor in 2006
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer
Wichita businessman Wink Hartman
Secretary of State Kris Kobach
Leawood businessman Patrick Kucera
Former state Rep. Ed O’Malley
Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer
The Democratic field includes:
Olathe physician Arden Andersen
Wichita high school student Jack Bergeson
Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer
Former state Agriculture Secretary Josh Svaty
Others who have expressed interest or are rumored to be considering the race include:
Republican Senate President Susan Wagle
House Democratic Leader Jim Ward
Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service.
The Great Bend school district is ready to send their proposed 2017-2018 budget to print. The estimated operating budget for the upcoming school year is $20,163,800 and total expenditures for all funds for the year is $52,610,802.
