Fargo, N.D. – The Great Bend Braves lost both of their games Friday at the American Legion Mid-State State Regional in Fargo, North Dakota, falling to Sioux Falls, South Dakota 17-7 and host Fargo 12-2. The Braves finished pool play 0-3 and were eliminated from the 6-team field.
Against Sioux Falls, the Braves took a 5-0 lead in the top of the third inning but could only watch as the South Dakota state champs scored 15-runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 15-5 lead. Great Bend would add single runs in the fourth and fifth but Sioux Falls plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game by way of the 10-run rule.
Agaisnt Fargo, Great Bend fell behind 7-0 and never threated as the Bombers advanced on to Saturday’s semi-finals.
The Braves end their season with a record of 31-18.
BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting August 7, 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. Minutes of the July 31, 2017, Regular Meeting, are not available at this time.
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 July 24, 2017, and ending August 7, 2017.
III. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
A. COMMUNICATIONS: Updated Lease Agreement with Brad Demel:
-The County currently holds an existing lease for land in Section 21, Township 16 South, Range 13 West. The 350’ by 300’ plot is the site of the Susank Tower which is used for 911 telecommunications. The Commission approved a lease agreement with Brad Demel on June 19, 2017. When presented with the agreement, Mr. Demel asked for certain revisions to be made to include increasing the rent from $300.00 per year to $500.00 per year. The updated agreement runs through 2026, with an option to renew until 2036. Dena Popp, 911 Director, will provide details on the updated agreement. This item was tabled on July 17, 2017.
IV. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk, will present a listing of Added / Abated /
Escaped / Refunded Taxes. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the
County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested
by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.
B. MEMORIAL PARKS: Bagworm Infestation:
-It was discovered that bagworms had infested the trees in the County’s
Memorial Parks. Management requested quotes from Pro-Green and Miller
Lawns to spray pesticides at the Memorial Parks. Miller Lawns provided a quote
of $2,325.00, which best fits the needs of the County. Miller Lawns was given the
authorization to perform the work as the health of the trees was in jeopardy. The
Commission will be asked to ratify the action. Darren Williams, County Works
Director, will present details.
C. COUNTY ENGINEER: Repair of Guardrails on Bridge #110:
-Bridge #110 is located south of Ellinwood on the Arkansas River. On June 10,
2017, a vehicle accident destroyed the guardrail on one corner of the bridge.
Barry McManaman, County Engineer, received two quotes for the work to
remove and replace 62.5 feet of rail and posts. The bid best meeting the needs
of the County was submitted by Fulsom Brothers, Inc. for a total of $8,740.32. Mr.
McManaman will ask that the Commission approve payment using Capital
Improvement Funds. Once the repairs are complete, Amy Miller, Emergency
Management Director, will send the invoice to the driver’s insurance company
for reimbursement.
D. COUNTY SERVICES: Informational Update:
-Phil Hathcock, Operations Director, will provide the informational report of work
completed during the last period. The report, which will be made available to
the media, will serve as a public reminder of the services provided by the
County on a regular basis.
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.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-Subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
AUGUST 7, 2017
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Carey Hipp, County
Counselor, will discuss regular business. Immediately following Ms. Hipp’s time,
Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk, will discuss regular business, will discuss regular
business as well as Phil Hathcock, Operations Director.
10:00 a.m. – Road Maintenance – South Homestead Township Officials
10:15 a.m. – Equipment Replacement – Darren Williams, County Works Director
10:30 a.m. – Program Update – Barry McManaman, County Engineer
11:00 a.m. – Camera System for the Treasurer’s Office – Jim Jordan, Treasurer-
Elect
11:30 a.m. – Program Update – Employee Relations Committee
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Members of the
Health Department are scheduled for August 10, 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 14, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – James Paxton tied a Mariners’ record by winning his seventh straight start, and Seattle beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 Friday night to move back over .500.
Paxton (12-3) did not allow a hit until Mike Moustakas’ single with one out in the fifth, and Brandon Moss’ two-out single ended Paxton’s scoreless streak at 21 innings.
Paxton gave up two runs and four hits in six innings with one walk, seven strikeouts and a pair of wild pitches. Scott Bankhead won seven straight starts in 1989 and Jamie Moyer in 2003.
David Phelps, Nick Vincent and Edwin Diaz each followed with a perfect inning as Seattle improved to 13-8 since the All-Star break. Diaz got his 22nd save in 26 chances.
Jason Hammel (5-9) gave up three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
CINCINNATI (AP) – Joey Votto drove home a pair of runs with a double and a single, and Asher Wojciechowski went five innings in his return to the rotation on Friday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds have won all five games against St. Louis at Great American Ball Park this season. They lead 8-3 in their season series.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – James Paxton tied a Mariners’ record by winning his seventh straight start, and Seattle beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 Friday night to move back over .500. Jason Hammel gave up three runs and six hits in six and one third innings.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is back at training camp after another Achilles’ tendon injury. The 34-year-old star was sorely missed after he was hurt last December, especially in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh. But despite the quick turnaround time from his injury, the Chiefs believe Johnson is back to playing at his same old level.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is heading to Ohio to celebrate Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ entry into the NFL Hall of Fame. Christie is scheduled to be in Canton Saturday to see Jones’ induction. Christie is a lifelong Cowboys fan despite most New Jersey football fans favoring two of the Cowboys’ biggest rivals: the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska receiver Stanley Morgan Junior said he is committed to doing the right thing after a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge against him was dropped. The junior from New Orleans is the Cornhuskers’ top returning receiver. Morgan said he wants to atone for a number of passes he dropped last season.
Gov. Sam Brownback and staff members visited the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in February 2015. Seated at left is Mark Dodd, who fills two roles in the governor’s office. CREDIT SUZANNE HECK / COURTESY PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION
Two Democrats in the Kansas Legislature want to know more about why Gov. Sam Brownback appointed the same individual to two high-level positions, allowing him to collect two paychecks since 2014.
In 2011, Brownback appointed Mark Dodd to head the State Gaming Agency, which oversees gaming facilities operated by Native American tribes. Three years later, he made Dodd executive director of the Native American Affairs Office, which is part of the governor’s office.
Asked about the arrangement Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Brownback described it as efficient.
“The two roles share similar areas of expertise,” Melika Willoughby said. “As a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a lawyer, Mark Dodd is well-equipped to complete both, ultimately serving both constituencies well and stewarding taxpayer dollars through this efficiency.”
Dodd is earning a full salary as executive director of the gaming agency and half the listed salary for the position at the Native American Affairs Office.
According to the Legislature’s auditing arm, Dodd will earn an estimated combined salary of $136,000 in 2017. With benefits — which can include costs to the state such as health insurance and Social Security and retirement contributions — Dodd’s total estimated compensation is $177,000.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley and Sen. Laura Kelly, both Topeka Democrats, raised concerns about the dual appointments Monday during a meeting of the Legislative Post Audit Committee, instructing auditors to collect more information about how many hours Dodd works per week and whether holding the two jobs is appropriate.
“It seems to me that he gets paid pretty generously,” Hensley said Wednesday. “And if it’s $40,000 for a part-time job, I’d have to question just how many hours he’s actually putting in in that job.”
Dodd receives a salary of $40,000 for the part-time Native American Affairs Office position and $96,000 for his full-time job heading the gaming agency.
“This was the first that we knew about it,” Hensley said. “It certainly caught me by surprise.”
When contacted Wednesday by phone, Dodd declined to discuss the issue but said he is working with auditors to ensure lawmakers’ questions are answered.
“Those questions will be addressed with Legislative Post Audit,” Dodd said.
Willoughby didn’t respond to questions about whether the arrangement is in line with state laws and regulations and how many hours Dodd works weekly.
The governor appointed Dodd in March 2011 to head the gaming agency and the Senate approved that appointment in May 2011. Brownback hired Dodd to head the Native American Affairs Office in November 2014.
Dodd is not on the Native American Affairs Office website, which lists an executive director who is no longer in that position. In written testimony to the Legislature as recently as March 2017, the governor’s office letterhead listed Dodd as interim director of the Native American Affairs Office.
The governor’s office created the Native American Affairs Office, which facilitates communication between state officials and tribal governments. According to its website, it opened in the summer of 2011.
A spokeswoman for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System said Wednesday if a person holds two KPERS-eligible jobs at the same time, he or she only receives credit for one.
The dual directorship caught lawmakers’ attention as they were briefed on the results of a broader audit published Monday, prompting them to request more details. That broader audit was done at the request of Rep. John Alcala, a Topeka Democrat, and Rep. Louis Ruiz, a Kansas City Democrat.
The audit reviewed staffing and spending at three liaison units within the governor’s office: the Native American Affairs Office, the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission, and the Kansas African American Affairs Commission.
The three liaison offices or commissions each spent less than $100,000 in fiscal 2016, including salary expenses. Each has only one staffer, who serves as executive director.
The auditors said they experienced some difficulty contacting the liaison units but did not determine “what impact these problems might have on constituents.”
Among their concerns, the auditors noted the director on the Native American Affairs Office website left more than two years ago. The voicemail box for one of the other liaisons was full and an email error prevented one liaison from sending or receiving messages, the auditors wrote in their report.
Though some information on the Native American Affairs Office website is not up to date, the phone number is correct.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen is a reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics. You can reach her on Twitter @Celia_LJ.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man serving a Kansas prison sentence of 20 years to life for wounding two Topeka police officers with a shotgun in 1985 has been denied parole.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Kansas Prisoner Review Board rejected 75-year-old Ithiel Lawton’s parole. The inmate at the maximum-security Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility will next be eligible for release in August 2019.
Lawton wounded Topeka police officers Pat Reed and Randy Horn with a shotgun as they responded to a reported dispute between Lawton and his father. The shooting led to a five-hour standoff.
Reed required reconstructive surgery to rebuild his left ear. Horn and Reed both left the department soon afterward.
Lawton claimed he heard voices from his television set telling him to protect himself from the officers.
KINGMAN COUNTY – Two people were injured in an accident just before 6p.m. on Friday in Kingman County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Polaris Ranger 800 driven by Christopher A. Cox, 31, Grove, OK., was eastbound on SE 60 Street just north of Norwich.
The driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned on the roadway.
A passenger Troy A. Cox, 50, Norwich, was transported to St. Francis.
Christopher A. Cox was injured. The KHP did not report where he was treated.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Catholic priest has been returned from Maryland to face Kansas charges that he had inappropriate sexual contact with children.
The Kansas City Star reported that 35-year-old Scott Kallal was processed Thursday night at the Wyandotte County Detention Center in Kansas City, Kansas, where he is jailed on $250,000 bond.
Kallal was arrested in Maryland last month after being charged in Wyandotte County with two felony counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Prosecutors allege that misconduct took place in 2015.
Kallal has been suspended from his duties at Overland Park’s Holy Spirit Church and St. Patrick Church in Kansas City, Kansas.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas police officer is out of a job in the wake of a government watchdog’s complaint to regulators about a 1995 conviction in a California misdemeanor domestic violence case.
Marion Police Officer Michael A. Stone’s last day on the job is Saturday. The city says he worked there since September 2012, and it appreciates his many contributions.
Stone declined comment, saying in a Facebook response to The Associated Press that he wants to move on.
A July 5 complaint filed by blogger Lee White with the state Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Trainings alleges the California conviction disqualifies Stone from serving as a police officer or even from legally possessing a gun.
His ex-wife also filed a protection from abuse petition in 2006 in Kansas that was dismissed.
Fargo, N.D. – The Great Bend Braves lost both of their games Friday at the American Legion Mid-State State Regional in Fargo, North Dakota, falling to Sioux Falls, South Dakota 17-7 and host Fargo 12-2. The Braves finished pool play 0-3 and were eliminated from the 6-team field.
