Tag Archives: kansas

US agrees to $7M settlement in Kansas VA hospital abuse case

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LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. government has agreed to pay nearly $7 million to settle claims from eight veterans that they were sexually abused by a former physician assistant at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Kansas.

The veterans, who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, alleged they were subjected to unnecessary genital exams and other procedures by Mark Wisner while he was a physician assistant at the Dwight Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth between 2008 and 2014.

About 100 veterans have sued Wisner. More than 80 veterans settled their lawsuits against the government over Wisner’s abuse for $6.7 million in 2019, KCUR reported.

Wisner was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and related charges in 2017 and sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. He surrendered his license to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in February 2015.

“The Department of Justice fought these cases tooth and nail for years. They treated these veterans like dirt,” said attorney Danny Thomas, who represented the veterans in the latest cases. “They accused them of lying, they attacked their character in court and in pleadings. And we just weren’t going to stand for it.”

The eight veterans will receive amounts ranging from $706,250 to $1.4 million, Thomas said.

The latest settlements came after three of the veterans took their cases to trial. As part of the settlement, the government agreed to drop its appeals in those cases, Thomas said.

In those cases, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree awarded one veteran $538,000, another veteran $1.5 million and the third veteran more than $1 million.

The government didn’t dispute that Wisner sexually molested the veterans, but it argued it was not liable because his conduct occurred outside the scope of his employment.

Thomas, who has represented veterans in the cases for more than four years, criticized U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, accusing him of “not lifting a finger” for the veterans.

He said Moran, the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, never sought an investigation of what happened at the Leavenworth VA or inquired about the veterans’ well-being.

Moran’s office responded that the senator had raised concerns about the allegations against Wisner with then-VA Secretary Robert McDonald in 2016 and later publicly questioned him about them.

He also introduced the Accountability to Safeguard Veterans from Violent Crimes Act of 2016 to reduce pensions earned by certain VA hospital employees convicted of violent crimes, his office said.

COPYRIGHT 2021 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Kobach representing Texas sheriffs in immigration lawsuit

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kris Kobach is representing four Texas sheriffs and a law enforcement group in a federal lawsuit against President Joe Biden and his administration. It’s over a policy discouraging the deportation of some immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

Kobach is seeking the Republican nomination for Kansas attorney general in 2022 after failed bids for governor in 2018 and the U.S. Senate in 2020. He is a former Kansas secretary of state who built a national profile by advocating more restrictive immigration policies and advising former President Donald Trump.

He is listed as the general counsel for the Alliance for Free Citizens in a statement announcing the lawsuit’s filing Thursday, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports. Its website says the alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to “individual liberties, communities, families, and shared patriotic values.”

The lawsuit challenges a policy requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to get a superior’s approval before attempting to deport anyone who hasn’t recently crossed the border or who isn’t deemed a criminal or national security threat. The group involved in the lawsuit represents ICE officers.

The lawsuit says the policies violates federal law and increases demands on local law enforcement.

ICE argues that it’s focusing limited resources on national security and public safety threats.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

KDOT to close US-169 near Chanute

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CHANUTE, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announces it will close US-169 north of K-47 beginning sometime next week.

The closure runs from 130th Street North to 35th Street at Chanute.

KDOT didn’t say exactly when the closure would begin next week, but they did say the work should be finished before the end of the year.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

News to Know (06/30/2021)

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Surfside, FL- In Surfside, Florida, rescue efforts continue six days after the collapse of a 12-story beachfront condo. The official death toll rose by 1 yesterday, with 149 people still unaccounted for.

Pea Ridge, AR- Officials have charged a second suspect in connection with the death of a Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Police Officer. 22-year-old, Shawna Cash, is charged with a number of crimes including capital murder, criminal mischief and aggravated assault. The other suspect 18-year-old Elijah Andazola is also charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Officer Kevin Apple. Authorities say the two ran over Apple, with a car.

Edna, KS- Authorities are investigating the cause of a mattress factory fire in Edna, Kansas. It happened around 9:30 Tuesday morning. Authorities say the factory is a complete loss. The nearby retail facility did not appear to be damaged. No one was hurt in the fire.

Grove, OK- Oklahoma, is taking action aimed at getting people back to work. Starting this week, the sooner state is offering a one-time incentive for Oklahomans returning to work following the end of State Unemployment Benefits. Anyone returning to work at least 32-hours a week is eligible to apply for a 12 hundred dollar payment. For an area that relies heavily on tourism like Grove, Oklahoma, getting more people to work is crucial. The Area Chamber says some Grove, businesses have only a fraction of the employees they need, and hope this incentive will help fix that

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Report: Kansas wheat harvest going slower than usual so far

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – The government’s latest crop snapshot Monday shows the Kansas winter wheat harvest is running slower than usual for this time of year.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that about 41% of the state’s wheat has been cut. That is behind both the 44% at this time last year and the 48% five-year average. The report reflects crop conditions as of Sunday and comes amid recent rains that have kept many combines out of fields.

The agency also reported that 83% of the wheat had already matured. It rated the condition of the crop still in the ground as 12% excellent, 50% good, 25% fair and 13% as poor or very poor.

Planting for two other major Kansas crops also is nearly finished with 95% of the soybeans and 94% of the sorghum now seeded.

The state’s corn crop is also mostly in good shape with just 6% rated as poor or very poor.

Korean war soldier’s remains to be buried in Coffeyville Saturday

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COFFEYVILLE, Kan. – The remains of a Soldier killed during the Korean War will be interred at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Coffeyville, Kansas, June 26. The funeral for Army Pvt. 1st Class Bill F. Hobbs will be held at Ford Wulf Bruns Funeral Home, Coffeyville, preceding the interment.

A native of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, Hobbs was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action Nov. 30, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. He was just 20 years old.

Almost seventy years later, Hobbs’ remains were turned over by North Korea on July 27, 2018. He was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on April 20, 2020, after his remains were identified using circumstantial evidence and anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Hobbs’ name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

KHP reminds drivers to be extra cautious around farm vehicles

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CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. – Harvest is underway in the Four-States and hay season is in full swing. With that in mind, Kansas Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers to use caution when traveling around farm trucks, tractors, combines, or other implements. They provided some tips.

First, don’t assume the farmer knows you are there. Most farmers regularly check for vehicles behind them, however, most of their time must be spent looking ahead to stay on the road and watch for oncoming traffic.

Pass with extreme caution. When a farm vehicle pulls to the right side of the road, it does not mean it is turning right or allowing you to pass. Due to the size of some farm equipment, the farmer must execute wide left turns so allow it plenty of room and time to turn. Be alert to see if they might be turning into a driveway or field.

Be patient. Don’t assume that a farmer can move aside to let you pass.

Finally, pay attention. When not focused solely on the road, motorists increase their chances of a collision, especially if you should come upon a slow-moving farm vehicle.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Viewers submit photos of area flooding

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Local residents share their flood photos with KOAM News. You can submit yours below.

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COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Weir woman arrested for helping Cherokee County inmates escape

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WEIR, Kan. – Cherokee County, Kansas investigators arrest a woman for helping two inmates escape from the county jail.

(Previous Story: $5,000 reward offered for escaped Cherokee County inmates)

The 26 year old woman from Weir, Kansas was taken into custody after authorities served a search warrant at her home. She’s held on allegations of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Escape (2 counts), Felony Aiding a Fugitive (2 counts), and Obstructing Justice. Police say she helped Mark Hopkins II and Michael Martsolf escape from the Cherokee County Jail Monday night. Formal charges have not yet been filed against the woman.

Police are still searching for Hopkins, who is held on murder charges, and Martsolf, who is held on felony drug charges. A reward of up to $5,000.00 is being offered for information leading to the capture of either suspects. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 620-429-3992. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting 888777. Just type ‘tip cherokee’ followed by the information you have to provide.

$5,000 reward offered for escaped Cherokee County inmates

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COLUMBUS, Kan. – Cherokee County, Kansas authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of two escapees from the Cherokee County Jail.

(Previous Story: Two inmates escape Cherokee County jail overnight)

30-year-old Mark Hopkins II and 34-year-old Michael Martstolf escaped the Columbus facility at 11:00 p.m. Monday May 24, 2021. Hopkins was held in

connection to a June 2020 double homicide, and Martstolf was held on felony narcotic charges. Police believe they escaped through the jail’s sewer system. Both escapees are considered armed and dangerous.

Law enforcement also recovered the white passenger car they believe the inmates left the jail in.

Anyone with information on the escapees should call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 429-3992 or submit a tip through text at 888777. Just type “tip cherokee” followed by the information.