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Community settlement in Great Bend? Time will tell.

Bryan Harris speaking at the Great Bend City Council meeting Sept. 5, 2017.

Not that anyone is expecting things to completely go back to normal right away, but after the reinstatement of Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch Tuesday night it does feel a vocal portion of the community feels progress is being made.

After getting suspended on July 24 for calling out city administration for misconduct and unethical procedures, Couch was reinstated with a 4-3 vote from the Great Bend City Council.

Citizen Bryan Harris gave a presentation at the end of the meeting at the Great Bend Events Center, and mentioned the chaos over the past six weeks is both the city’s and community’s fault.

Bryan Harris Audio


Harris presented a nine-step program to regain trust in the city council. One of the steps was to live stream all council meetings discussing the use of taxpayer’s money and to install town hall meetings.

Bryan Harris Audio


Many blue and white signs were painted and placed in yards throughout Great Bend in support of Couch. Harris urged citizens to keep the signs out as a reminder when they go to vote in the upcoming election.

A city audit was approved by the council to look into the city administrator’s office, street department, city loans, police department, and department-wide surveys.

Commission sues over pay inequality at Kansas restaurant

Jensen Walcott and Jake Reed spoke at the 2016 Democrat National Convention -image YouTube

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing the former operator of a Kansas pizza restaurant that offered a higher wage to a 17-year-old boy than to a female applicant of the same age.

The Kansas City Star reports that the commission filed suit Tuesday against PS Holding LLC, the former owner of a Pizza Studio restaurant in Kansas City.

Jensen Walcott raised questions after learning in 2016 that her friend, Jake Reed, was told he would be paid 25 cents an hour more. The Pizza Studio manager then withdrew both job offers, telling the friends it was against company policy to discuss wages.

The pizza chain later said the manager was wrong and had been dismissed.

The teens told their story of pay inequality at the Democratic National Convention.

Western Kansas woman dies in 2-vehicle crash

MCPHERSON COUNTY — A western Kansas woman died in an accident just before 2p.m Wednesday in McPherson County.

The McPherson County Sheriff’s Office reported a vehicle driven by Emily Lightner, 37, Scott City, was northbound on Plum Street.

A car driven by a 16-year-old who ran a stop sign at the intersection with Avenue V hit Lightner’s vehicle.

The impact sent Lightner’s vehicle through a fence, where it rolled onto its top. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle, whose name was not released, was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Both were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Inman Fire, Hutchinson Fire, and the Reno County Sheriff’s Department all assisted in the accident, which occurred where McPherson, Reno and Rice Counties intersect along Plum Street.

Report: Kansas wheat crop had lower protein levels

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A report shows Kansas farmers harvested a winter wheat crop this year that had lower than usual protein levels.

The report issued Thursday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service and Kansas Grain Inspection Service showed protein content averaged 11.6 percent. That is down from 11.7 percent last year as well as the 10-year average of 12.5 percent.

Wheat crops with protein levels of 12 percent or more fetch premium prices for farmers because that higher quality wheat is used to make bread. The protein in flour is what gives it strength when mixed with water and yeast, allowing the bread to rise better for fluffier loaves.

The average test weight in Kansas was 60.5 pounds per bushel.

About 67 percent of the crop was graded No. 1, the highest rating.

Ed Secretary DeVos will end Obama rules on campus sex assault

The Latest on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ speech on campus sexual assault and enforcement of Title IX, the federal law that bars discrimination in education on the basis of gender.

1:30p.m.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos plans to end the Obama administration’s rules for investigating allegations of sexual violence on campus.

DeVos said Thursday, “The era of ‘rule by letter’ is over,” as she announced plans to review and replace the way colleges and university handle investigations.

The Obama administration guidance was originally delivered in a letter to schools. She says it has failed many students and done a “disservice to everyone involved.”

The letter details what schools must do to investigate allegations of sexual violence.

DeVos makes clear that “acts of sexual misconduct are reprehensible, disgusting, and unacceptable.”

But she says, “Instead of working with schools on behalf of students, the prior administration weaponized the Office for Civil Rights to work against schools and against students.”

She says the department will seek public comment and university expertise to develop rules to replace the current policy.

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11:35 a.m.

About two dozen protesters have gathered outside the auditorium where Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will speak about enforcement of rules governing how colleges investigate sexual assault on campus.

The protesters include women who said they were assaulted on campus and victims’ advocates.

They’re carrying signs, and one says: “Donald Trump supports Betsy DeVos supports perpetrators.”

DeVos has said Obama-era rules on investigating campus sexual assault aren’t working and suggested that revisions were necessary.

The Education Department has described DeVos’ address as a major policy speech on Title IX enforcement. Title IX bars discrimination on the basis of sex in education.

She’s speaking at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.

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10:50 a.m.

Some victim advocates and legal experts say they expect colleges to stay the course even if Education Secretary Betsy DeVos loosens Obama-era rules on investigating campus sexual assault.

DeVos is giving a policy address on Title IX enforcement later Thursday.

Central to the debate is a 2011 memo from the Education Department that laid out rules colleges must follow when responding to complaints of sexual assault from their students.

DeVos has said the rules aren’t working.

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3 a.m.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is expected to detail her plans for revising Obama administration guidance that governs how colleges handle sexual assault complaints.

The Education Department says DeVos will address Title IX enforcement in a speech at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.

Title IX is a federal law that forbids discrimination in education based on sex. In recent years, it’s been associated with efforts to address sexual assault and harassment at college campuses.

DeVos has said the Obama administration guidance isn’t working.

Police catch suspect for Kansas motel beating, robbery

Roberts

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with an aggravated robbery and battery of a Hays man.

The incident occurred sometime after 2 p.m. on August 22 at the Red Carpet Inn and Suites, 222 E. Diamond Drive in Salina. Police say four suspects, two men and two women, entered the room of a 69-year-old Hays man. They beat him and stole 2000 Cadillac Seville., according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The victim had severe facial lacerations and two black eyes.

Police collected video surveillance from the motel and the Central Mall, where the suspects used the victim’s stolen credit card.

Police also issued an attempt to locate on the victim’s Cadillac and photos of the suspects were distributed to agencies statewide.

A probation officer in Sedgwick County recognized two of the suspects, sending Salina Police mugshots of Robert Roberts, 36, and Angel Adams, 21, both of Wichita.

On Sept. 1, a deputy in Sedgwick County located Roberts and Adams still driving the victim’s Cadillac. Adams also had warrants in Sedgwick County, according to Forrester.

Police booked Roberts into the Saline County Jail Wednesday for aggravated battery, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and criminal threat.

Adams will be extradited to Salina at a later date. Police expect to make additional arrests in the case.

Differences in city and county government on display in Police Chief suspension

The recent flap between Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch and the Great Bend City Council, the mayor, and City Administrator is a classic example of the difference between city government and county government.

That’s according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir who says the dispute that happened at City Hall would not take place at the Barton County Courthouse.

Brian Bellendir Audio


Bellendir does say he appreciates the working relationship he has with Commissioners, one he feels is the same for all elected offices in the county.

Brian Bellendir Audio


While Couch was reinstated at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, it was a dispute that has reshaped city staff in Great Bend. Gone is a City Administrator who served 36 years, one city council member and a Fire Chief who had served the community for over 43 years.

Great Bend will also have a new mayor after the November election although Mike Allison had announced his intention not to run before the dispute between Couch and former City Administrator Howard Partington led to Couch’s suspension in July.

Police investigate attempted abduction of 11-year-old Kan. girl

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged attempted abduction.

Just after 6:30p.m. police responded to report of an abduction, kidnapping at a mobile home park in the 2200 Block of West MacArthur in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 31-year-old mother told police her 11-year old daughter was a few blocks from their residence when a man wearing a ski mask and black clothing grabbed her from behind.  The child kicked the suspect and ran home.

The suspect, who fled the area on foot, is described as an unknown Hispanic man and 5-foot 11-inches tall. In addition to the black clothing, the suspect had a ring tattoo on his left hand and tattoos around his eyebrows, according to officer Davidson.

Anyone in the area or with information is asked to call police.

Cherry Village raises funds for Alzheimer’s Association

Cherry Village Benevolence is offering the community an opportunity to get a head start on raising funds for Alzheimer’s research, support and education. The short- and long-term-care facility is preparing for the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s through the sale of T-shirts and Yoder meat sticks.

The Walk is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend. At least 23 Cherry Village employees will participate.

“The fact that 23 of our staff members already have signed up says a lot about who we are at Cherry Village,” said Erin Lewis, director of marketing. “We see first-hand what Alzheimer’s means for some of our residents and their families.

“We appreciate everyone on our Walk team, as well as other groups that will participate in the event,” she added. “The Alzheimer’s Walk is a great opportunity to help fight this horrible disorder.”

Cherry Village’s Alzheimer’s-themed T-shirts sell for $10 to $17; they come in sizes from small to 4XL and are available to order now. The meat sticks are one dollar each; they will be available at Cherry Village soon.

“All proceeds will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association for its many vital programs,” Lewis said. “The Central and Western Kansas Chapter has been a huge help in organizing the local event. We are grateful for all they do for us throughout the year.”

Anyone interested in the T-shirts and/or meat sticks is encouraged to call or stop by Cherry Village, 1401 Cherry Lane in Great Bend. Its phone number is 620-792-2165.

A local family has managed Cherry Village since it opened in 1978. It is a non-profit facility.

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