POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Wednesday in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chevy Blazer driven by Ann Marie Lochner, 67, Manhattan, was southbound on Elbo Ridge Drive.

Due to snow and ice, the vehicle left the road at the intersection of Elbo Ridge View landed on its top in a ravine.

Lochner was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jazrick Black-photo Marshall Co. Sheriff

KADE WESLEY SCHULZE, 23, Wakefield, Probation Violation; Bond $5000

TIMOTHY EVAN LANSAW, 26, Manhattan, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv, Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Bond $5000

JAZRICK WALLACE BLACK, 34, Manhattan, Failure to Appear; Held without Bond

CITATION REPORT

CODY COLLINS, 19, MANHATTAN, KS WAS CITED WHILE IN THE 1900 BLK PILLSBURY DR IN MANHATTAN FOR X MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS (08-1558) ON FEBRUARY 18, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY10:12 PM.

SANGJIN KIM, 51,  RIVER EDGE, NJ WAS CITED WHILE IN THE 1900 BLK PILLSBURY DR IN MANHATTAN FOR X MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS (08-1558) ON FEBRUARY 18, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY10:42 PM.

MEGAN ROBERTS, 25, MANHATTAN, KS WAS CITED WHILE IN THE 2300 BLK CASEMENT RD IN MANHATTAN FOR SPEEDING (7-33) ON FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:32 PM.

THERESA ST JOHN, 45, MANHATTAN, KS WAS CITED WHILE AT POYNTZ AVE & N 11TH ST IN MANHATTAN FOR FAIL TO STOP AT RED LIGHT (4-13(C)) ON FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:12 PM.

SARAH DESMET, 52,  MANHATTAN, KS WAS CITED WHILE AT POYNTZ AVE & N 11TH ST IN MANHATTAN FOR FAIL TO STOP AT RED LIGHT (4-13(C))AND  FOR NO DRIVERS LICENSE (19-192) ON FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:38 PM.

JENNIFER THOMAS, 40, ST GEORGE, KS WAS CITED WHILE AT 601 3RD PL; HY-VEE IN MANHATTAN FOR X THEFT (PETTY) (22-26) ON FEBRUARY 1, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 PM.

JUSTIN DAVIS, 20,  MANHATTAN, KS WAS CITED WHILE IN THE 1500 BLK COLLEGE AVE IN MANHATTAN FOR SPEEDING (7-33) ON FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY12:40 PM.

By JOHN HANNA

Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican
FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Rural state lawmakers are pushing a plan to allow the Kansas Farm Bureau to offer health insurance coverage to members without having to comply with federal Affordable Care Act mandates in hopes that the influential agriculture group can offer a lower-cost product.

But the proposal is drawing strong criticism from Democrats and health groups because the Farm Bureau would not be required to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. The Farm Bureau also would face relatively little regulation, and critics of the bill worry that the group could lure healthy individuals away from other, more-regulated plans, making them less affordable.

The state Senate approved the bill Wednesday on a 28-11 vote , sending it to the House. The bill’s support came mostly from Republicans, who see it as an opportunity to give consumers a choice after spikes in health insurance rates that they blame on the 2010 federal health overhaul championed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

The Kansas bill also was inspired by a long-standing law in Tennessee and new ones in Iowa and Nebraska.

“The goal has been stated many times, to increase the number of Kansans with coverage,” said state Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican. “Let’s allow Farm Bureau members across the state to help reach these people, who find the ACA plans unaffordable.”

The bill would allow the Kansas Farm Bureau to provide “benefit coverage” to members and their dependents to cover their health costs.

While its coverage might work like health insurance, the measure, like the Iowa law enacted last year, declares that the coverage “shall not be considered insurance.” That would effectively exempt it from federal mandates and most state insurance regulations.

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, a Republican, have not yet taken a public position on the legislation.

The Kansas Farm Bureau has about 100,000 members, and the Senate vote was a testament to its political clout, particularly with rural Republicans. All but one GOP senator — Majority Leader Jim Denning, an Overland Park Republican — supported the bill.

Farm Bureau officials said they expect about 42,000 people eventually to take its coverage if the law passes and that rates will be significantly lower than plans that comply with Affordable Care Act mandates. They said their coverage would be targeted to individuals who either have no coverage now or people who are struggling to find or pay for individual coverage.

Kansas has seen the number of individual coverage plans offered through the federal ACA marketplace decline to 23 for 2019 from 42 in 2016, according to the Kansas Insurance Department. While average rate increases for 2019 were smaller than in past years, they’ve sometimes previously topped 25 percent, according to the department’s annual reports .

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said the bill has appeal among GOP lawmakers outside rural areas because, “a lot of people look at that as a free market thing, giving people choice.”

But Democrats noted that people don’t have to be farmers or work in agriculture to join the Farm Bureau, only pay a $50 annual membership fee. Also, the bill requires only that Farm Bureau file a certified statement of its coverage plan’s reserves annually with the Kansas Insurance Department.

And they honed in on how Farm Bureau would be able to set higher rates or reject coverage for people who have pre-existing medical conditions, a feature of the Iowa law . Groups including the American Diabetes Association, the Cancer Action Network and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have opposed the bill for that reason.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, proposed an amendment to require the Farm Bureau’s plan to cover pre-existing conditions. But it was voted down, 24-15 , with Republicans arguing that such a requirement would eliminate the flexibility Farm Bureau needs to offer an affordable product.

“Consumers with pre-existing conditions will almost certainly surely be turned away or offered excessive prices,” said Sen. Tom Hawk, a Democrat from Manhattan, where the Kansas Farm Bureau has its headquarters.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Nemeth has previous convictions for burglary, battery, drugs, DUI and criminal damage to property, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections

RENEE ELIZABETH NEMETH, 44, Manhattan, Battery on LEO; Physical contact with county or city officer on duty, Battery; Physical contact in rude, insulting, angry manner, Criminal damage to property; Without consent value < $1000, Disorderly conduct; Brawling or fighting Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution; Bond $5000

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A conservative Kansas legislator has apologized and said he has asked that he be removed as a sponsor of a bill calling same-sex marriages a “parody” after his LGBTQ daughter posted a letter to him on Facebook that ended with, “Shame on you.”

Rep. Ron Highland

Republican state Rep. Ron Highland of Wamego said in a letter Thursday to his hometown newspaper that he should not have signed on to the bill because it contained “hateful language” that he does not condone, The Manhattan Mercury reports . The bill seeks to prevent the state from endorsing any policy in line with what it calls the “LGBT secular humanist religion.”

Highland’s letter came hours after the Facebook post from his daughter, Christel Highland , a Kansas City-area artist, mother and “partner to the love of my life.” In her letter, she told her father that, “It is time for you to change.”

“I love you, I always will, in spite of your flaws,” she wrote. “I cannot, however, condone your cruel actions. Shame on you.”

She said in the post that her father had not responded to an email she sent him on the subject. Her post was first reported by The Topeka Capital-Journal .

Highland is a retired veterinarian who was first elected to the House in 2012, and he serves as chairman of its Agriculture Committee. He previously has served as Education Committee chairman.

The proposed “Marriage and Constitution Restoration Act” has drawn the strong condemnation of LGBTQ-rights advocates and lawmakers and most of its nine pages are a polemic against same-sex marriage. It was introduced after Kansas elected its first two openly LGBT lawmakers to the House last year.

Christel Highland did not immediately respond to a Facebook message seeking comment Friday, and her father declined to comment when approached by a reporter at the Statehouse.

But in his statement, Ron Highland said he trusted the bill’s primary sponsor before seeing the text but that it “goes against our Lord’s command to love our neighbors.”

“I must admit it was a mistake, and apologize,” he said.

Christel Highland responded with a Facebook post Friday morning: “Now I have to write another letter,” followed with a heart emoji.

The anti-LGBTQ marriage bill was part of a package of six measures introduced by conservative Republicans. None of them are expected to get even a committee hearing.

They include bills that would impose a $3-per-entry tax on admissions to sexually oriented businesses, require anti-pornography filters on all devices sold in Kansas that provide internet access and to give social media users a right to suein Kansas courts if their political posts on social media are deleted or censored.

The bills have been promoted in various state legislatures by activist Chris Sevier , who once made news for trying to marry his laptop as a way to publicize his opposition to same-sex marriage. Rep. Randy Garber, a Sabetha Republican, agreed to sponsor the package of bills in Kansas.

Sevier has pushed the bills this year in Missouri, where some lawmakers have complained that the meetings with him were uncomfortable. The Kansas City Star reported that Missouri Senate Administrator Patrick Baker sent an email Thursday to the entire Senate and staff with the subject line “security concern” and a picture of Sevier.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

…BLIZZARD EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTH-CENTRAL KANSAS AND FAR NORTHEAST KANSAS THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT… Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Riley-Pottawatomie-Dickinson-Geary- Including the cities of Marysville, Blue Rapids, Frankfort, Sabetha, Seneca, Hiawatha, Horton, Manhattan, Wamego, St. Marys, Abilene, Herington, and Junction City

…BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT… * WHAT…Blizzard conditions expected late in the afternoon into tonight. Total snow accumulations of up to three inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Significant blowing and drifting snow expected to produce whiteout conditions. * WHERE…Portions of central, east central and northeast Kansas. * WHEN…From 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST tonight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous.

Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for Kansas can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or visiting kandrive.org.

As of 6:30 p.m. there were a number of vehicle slide-off type accidents reported in Riley County due to the winter storm.

The Riley County Police Department implemented their emergency accident reporting phase until further notice. During this time if thee are no injuries to any individual parties, no hit and run, no DUI or alcohol / drug related crime you do not need to call the RCPD immediately.

Do remember to exchange insurance and contact information. A blizzard warning is in effect for Saturday evening.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

JOHN LEE PEVY III, 36, Manhattan, Aggravated battery; Knowingly cause great bodily 1 harm or disfigurementAggravated battery; Knowingly cause great bodily 1 harm or disfigurementAbuse of a child; Torture or cruelly beating child 1 <18; Bond $20,000

Anthony Conforti-photo Clay County

JOSHUA CHRISTOPHER MILLER, 22, Manhattan, Aggravated Robbery; Armed w/ dangerous 1 weaponAggravated burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, sex 1 Aggravated kidnapping 1 Aggravated assault; With intent to commit any 1 felonyKidnapping; Inflict bodily harm or terrorize the 1 victimCriminal damage to property; Without consent 1 value $1000 to $25,000; Bond $250,000

By Olivia Schmidt
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — A new bill proposed in the Senate on Thursday could take some financial burden off grandparents who are primary caregivers and providers for their grandchildren.

The Kansas Senate Judiciary held a committee meeting on Feb. 21 to discuss amendments made to SB166, which deems children as foster children under the grandparents as caregivers act.

The bill, which was introduced on Feb. 13, states, “If a person meets the financial eligibility requirements developed by the secretary, a grandparent shall be eligible to participate in the program if such grandparent: (1) Is 40 years of age or older (2) Has the grandchild placed in such grandparents custody by the state, is the legal guardian of the grandchild or has other legal custody of the grandchild; and (3) has an annual household income of less than 300 percent of the federal poverty line.”

The two amendments made to the bill previously required that the grandparent be 50 years of age or older and have an annual household income of less than 130 percent of the federal poverty line. The change in the percentage allows for more grandparents to qualify for the benefits of the program.

Some stipulations with the bill are that the grandparent is not eligible if the parent or parents of the child are living with said grandparent. The grandparents will be required to meet eligibility requirements each year to continue in the program.

With this bill, qualifying grandparents are reimbursed $200 per grandchild per month until they are 18 or reach the age of 21, if the child is in full-time attendance at a secondary school or postsecondary educational institution.

Sen. Randall Hardy (R-Salina) testified in support of the bill. He was invited to attend a group meeting called Grandparents as Parents, which met at the Child Advocacy and Parent Services (CAPS) agency in Salina. Here, he said was informed about the problem of parents who don’t work out to be adequate parents for their children.

“I attended one of their meetings and it was at the same time heartbreaking and hopeful,” he said.

The parents’ stories moved Hardy, which led to his increased support of the bill. He brought with him a copy of an email sent to him the night before, displaying a first-hand account of a grandparent’s experience.

In the email, Kimberly Dykes, 59, explained how difficult her and her husband’s lives have been without the assistance of this program from the federal government.

“We couldn’t get the parents to sign releases and they would not show up to do any of the needed things for the children,” Dykes wrote. “They did not provide any financial assistance for their children.”

Sen. Vic Miller (D-Topeka) asked about the age restriction at the end of the testimony.

“What would it matter if they were 39 or 40?” Miller asked.

Hardy responded that this was to make the bill palatable, but is something that could be revisited.

Hardy also said the bill is similar to one that didn’t pass in the House. If passed, this bill would take effect on July 1, 2019.

Olivia Schmidt is a University of Kansas senior from Lawrence studying journalism.

DICKINSON COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Sunday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Cruze driven by Jennifer Huerta, 24, Junction City, was westbound on Interstate 70 six miles west of Abilene.

The Cruze approached and swerved to avoid rear-ended two other westbound vehicles. The driver overcorrected and struck a 1991 Chevy Blazer driven by Samuel Payne, 60, Abilene.

Huerta was transported to the hospital in Salina. Payne was wearing a seat belt and not injured. The KHP did not report Huerta’s seat belt usage.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “BlacKkKlansman” is the winner of the best adapted screenplay Academy Award, delivering Spike Lee his first competitive Academy Award. It also was an Oscar win for Marymount College graduate Kevin Willmott.

And the Oscar goes to. . . @kufms professor Kevin Willmott and @BlackKkKlansman co-writers Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz for Best Adapted Screenplay! #Oscars #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/KMJpPf2TMx

— University of Kansas (@KUnews) February 25, 2019

Lee started out his acceptance speech with some profanity, telling producers not to start the clock on his speech. Winners have been allotted 90 seconds for their speech from the time their names are called.

Lee ready from a two-page letter that tied together history and the years 1619 and 2019, along with his own story.

The writer-director shares the award with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, and Willmott.

Willmott grew up in Junction City, Kan., and graduated from St. Xavier High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Marymount College in Salina and a master’s degree from New York University. Willmott is an associate professor in the Film Studies Department at the University of Kansas.

We love this image of @KUFMS students watching as @BlacKkKlansman won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Kevin Willmott, a KU Film & Media Studies professor, co-wrote the film with Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz. #RockChalk #Oscars : @TrevorMowry pic.twitter.com/QHpGSH9vK1

— University of Kansas (@KUnews) February 25, 2019

Well deserved! Congratulations Kevin Willmott!! https://t.co/N7hXTOK9dO

— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) February 25, 2019

Lee received the award from Samuel L. Jackson, who has appeared in Lee’s film. Jackson ribbed Lee at the outset of his presentation along with actress Brie Larson, reciting the score of the Knicks game, who notched a rare win.

And the winner is…Our very own @KUFMS professor Kevin Willmott wins Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing @BlacKkKlansman w/ Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz. We couldn’t be more proud or excited. Congrats, Prof. Willmott! #KUarts #fmswatchparty pic.twitter.com/WRGEgQGGJj

— KU School of Arts (@KUSchoolofArts) February 25, 2019

RILEY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 5:30a.m. Sunday in Riley County.

A 2006 Chevy Malibu driven by  Ranae Diederich-Akins, 50 of Manhattan , slid on the ice and struck a concrete divider in the 5000 block of Highway K18 in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Diederich-Akins was transported to Via Christi for treatment of her injuries.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Teen drivers in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma might see more law enforcement officers near their schools in the next two weeks.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says law officers plan their annual special traffic enforcement to encourage teen drivers to wear seatbelts. The campaign will run from Monday to March 8.

Kansas patrol Col. Mark Bruce says the “High Visibility Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign” involves troopers working with local law enforcement agencies to education and enforce the use of seat belts.

The patrol said in a news release that last year, nearly half of all Kansas teens who died in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

RILEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged assault, robbery and kidnapping and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 2:15p.m. Saturday, police arrested 22-year-old Joshua Christopher Miller of Manhattan, in connection with a report of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, kidnapping and criminal damage to property in the 500 block of Moro in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police activity report.

Miller is being held on a total bond of $250,000.00 for Aggravated Robbery; Armed w/ dangerous 1 weaponAggravated burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, sex 1 Aggravated kidnapping 1 Aggravated assault; With intent to commit any 1 felonyKidnapping; Inflict bodily harm or terrorize the 1 victimCriminal damage to property; Without consent 1 value $1000 to $25,000.  Police released no additional details on Monday morning.