A state task force will study the Kansas transportation system under a mandate signed into law on May 16 by Governor Jeff Colyer. Kansas is at the tail-end of a 10-year transportation plan, and the panel will make recommendations for the next long-term proposal.

Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters says the study will include public meetings throughout the state.

Jan Peters Audio

Peters announced that the task force will include two local representatives from the Golden Belt. Troy Waymaster, a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, and Kip Spray from Venture Corporation in Great Bend will be on the committee. Peters was hopeful that the task force would find a way to bring back a highway program.

Lawmakers have swept billions of dollars from the highway fund to help balance the state budget. The new spending plan signed continues that practice, but less so than in some past years.

BOOKED: Travis Leech of Great Bend on Kiowa County District Court warrant for DWS, bond set at $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Angela Nelson of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for probation violation, she is to serve three days.

BOOKED: Allyssia Jackson on Barton County District Court warrant for criminal threat with a bond of $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: John Stevenson on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation with a $50,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Tina Creamer of Ellinwood on EPD case for possession of methamphetamine, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Larry Carpenter of Ellinwood on EPD case for possession of methampethamine, and possession of paraphernalia, bond is set in the amount of $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Antonio Brison of Ellinwood on EPD case for possessinon of methamphetamine, bond is set in the amount of $10,000 C/S. Russell County warrant for FTA, bond is set in the amount of $100 cash only.

BOOKED: Cierra Most of Ellinwood on BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, bond is set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: James Cline of Ellinwood on EPD case for possession of methamphetamine with a $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Ricky L. Myers on BCDC warrant to KDOC.

RELEASED: Hope N. Huslig on GBMC case with a serve sentence.

RELEASED: Travis Leech of Great Bend on Kiowa County District Court warrant for DWS after posting a $500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Allyssia Jackson on BCDC warrant for criminal threat with a bond of $5,000 posted through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Tina Creamer of Ellinwood on EPD case for possession of methamphetamine with $10,000 bond posted through Ace Bail Bonding.

The past four decades the City of Lyons has always associated Chris Detmer’s name with law enforcement. After 40 years with the Lyons Police Department, Chief Detmer is retiring on June 16.

Detmer grew up in Lyons, went to Barton Community College to receive an associate’s degree in criminal justice, and was became a full-time officer in Lyons in 1978.

Detmer says a lot has changed in the department over the years.

Chris Detmer Audio

Detmer worked his way up to positions of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and then was named Chief of Police in 2003. The Chief says keeping busy following retirement should not be a problem.

Chris Detmer Audio

A reception for Detmer will be held June 15 at 9 a.m. at Lyons City Hall.

Detmer expected the City of Lyons to work on his replacement later this month, a position that oversees a department of six full-time and two part-time employees.

Funding, purchases, and requests from the Great Bend Public Library to the Great Bend City Council have been shaky over the past few years. There were a few questions that popped up Monday night as local agencies went before the City Council to request funding for the 2019 fiscal year.

Gail Santy took over as Library Director in January, replacing Harry Willems, and asked the Council for $755,050 in 2019. According to a memo sent out by City Clerk Shawna Schafer, $727,000 was allotted to the Library in 2018. Santy mentioned it is important to keep their funding at the same level or higher to receive support from the state and grants.

Gail Santy Audio

The concern that was brought up by councilmember Jolene Biggs was in 2017, the City funded the Library $555,000. There was an excess cash balance in the library fund, so the City raised the 2018 budget to $727,000 to allow for the one-time cash dispersal. Schafer says that one-time dispersal is no longer available, meaning the Library would be asking for a roughly $200,000 increase in their budget for 2019.

Shawna Schafer Audio

The Library received $3,500 in state aid and $21,000 from systems grants.

The other unclear part of the Library’s 2019 budget request came from the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) payment to the city. In 2015, the library purchased a $920,000 HVAC, and since the Library and its board had the final decision, the City paid for HVAC and put the Library on an 8-and-a-quarter year loan with a two percent interest rate. The payment plan has equated to the Library paying $100,000 back to the City each year so far. In the Library’s 2019 budget request, part of their $755,050 proposal includes $100,000 for contracted services (HVAC). If the City chooses to fund the Library the full amount, the City would be funding their own payment received by the Library.

Budget discussions will continue throughout the summer for the City Council.

After a long discussion Monday, Barton County Commissioners elected to go with the recommendation of their Public Works Director in regard to the purchase and replacement of two John Deere front end loaders.

Darren Williams recommended going with Foley Tractor’s bid of $282,800 for the purchase of two Cat 950M loaders. Foley would buyback the two loaders currently used by the Road and Bridge Department. Foley’s bid was $9,140 more than the bid of Murphy Tractor that included the buy back.

Williams says he made his decision based on Foley’s rebuild program and the Caterpillar’s features that include a parallel Height lift and an auto lube feature. He added that in this case, the Caterpillars fit the county’s needs better. But Murphy Tractor’s Glen Dewey says the bid specs didn’t ask for any information on a rebuild program, something his company also offers.

Glen Dewey Audio

The board contemplated tabling the item until they could review the information provided in more detail, but eventually went with the suggestion of Commissioner Kenny Schremmer.

Kenny Schremmer Audio

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the bid from Foley.

The judicial procedure is moving forward for the case charging Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir with a Class-A misdemeanor. Tuesday morning another motion hearing was conducted at the Barton County Courthouse to determine if the special prosecutor should be disqualified and whether or not Bellendir’s attorney should be allowed to see emails between Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor and Special Prosecutor Bill Halvorsen.

The Judge ruled that Halvorsen is not disqualified and that Defense Attorney Jess Hoeme is allowed to look at the emails. A pre-trial has been scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m.

On November 1, 2017, Bellendir was issued a summons to appear in court following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Bellendir was accused of “ill-treating a man in handcuffs by speaking to him in a vulgar, insulting, rude or angry manner” while serving an arrest warrant on August 10, 2017 to Nathan Manley of Ellinwood.

Hoeme felt there was discussion via email between Mellor and Halvorsen prior to the complaint being made. Hoeme stated before Mellor recused herself from prosecuting the case because of a conflict of interest, she recruited Halvorson, a like-minded attorney to handle the prosecution. Hoeme felt it was odd that Chase County attorney Halvorsen was appointed and not an attorney closer in proximity. Hoeme also felt that Judge Mike Keeley made a mistake appointing Halvorsen based on abuse of discretion because Mellor did not present all the facts and her connection with Halvorsen. Hoeme was prepared to subpoena Keeley if necessary, but the Judge noted he had no problems with the conversations and whatever connection that may exist between Mellor and Halvorsen.

The Judge also mentioned there may very well be a conflict or animosity between Bellendir and Mellor, and for that reason she should not be prosecuting the case.

Both councils will have until July 1 to file any motions in the case prior to the pre-trial on July 12. A wide net will be cast to select a jury with 100 candidates being notified and summoned to the court and then narrowing the list to include those that can best serve in an unbiased jury. A three-day trial is scheduled to begin on July 16.