Report: Nearly 1 in 4 lawmakers are appointees

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Nearly one-fourth of Kansas lawmakers began serving in the Legislature after they were appointed to fill vacancies, under a system used in just three states.

Under the system, party officials choose a replacement and the governor appoints that person, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Party officials help pick legislative replacements in about a dozen states in total. By contrast, 25 states use special elections to fill vacant legislative seats, The Wichita Eagle reports.

The typically little-noticed replacement process is drawing attention after three senators were elected to statewide office, including Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly as governor. And more vacancies are possible if other lawmakers resign to join Kelly’s administration.

“It is fairly common to see people get appointed to a seat and then the advantages of incumbency mean they can go a long time before they ever actually have a challenger of any kind, in a primary or a general election,” said Patrick Miller, a political scientist at the University of Kansas. His research found that 24 percent of current Kansas lawmakers first entered the Legislature through an appointment.

Some lawmakers say the system works well, while others contend that ideally all lawmakers would be elected. Senators who resign early in their four-year terms are replaced through a special election held at the next general election. That doesn’t apply to Kelly’s seats, along with Democrat Lynn Rogers, who was elected lieutenant governor and Republican Vicki Schmidt, who was elected insurance commissioner. All three are past the mid-point in their state senate terms.

“I would much rather see these people elected, but again, I just don’t know the ramifications of the costs. You kind of have to weigh that with that,” said Sen. John Skubal, R-Overland Park. “But I think when you have people in those positions, that they should be elected by the populace.”

Precinct committee members, who hold the most basic office in the parties, select the legislative replacements. Democrats and Republicans voted for precinct committee members during the August primary. While some races were competitive, many were decided by just a few votes — and others went unfilled.

Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, said the replacement process demonstrates the importance of precinct committee members. Williams also said she hasn’t heard complaints about the current system for filling vacancies.

“Let’s think of the alternative: another election. Would you really want to go through that process of another election when we just went through people spending thousands and thousands of dollars on it,” Williams said.

High-stakes G-20 summit in spotlight

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — World leaders began arriving in Buenos Aires today for the summit of the globe’s largest economies, with attention expected to focus on issues including a trade war between the United States and China, a new North American trade deal and the conflict in Ukraine.

Heads of state from Italy, Canada, South Korea, Singapore and Turkey were among the first in the country, joining the French president and Saudi crown prince who arrived the previous day.

The meeting could be a defining moment for the Group of 20, for better or for worse, said Thomas Bernes of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, a Canada-based think tank focusing on global governance.

“The G-20 Leader’s Summit is at risk of falling into disarray with the summit being overshadowed by items not on agenda, such as the United States and China trade war, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the presence of the Saudi crown prince,” Bernes said. “The true test will be whether the other members of the G-20 will act resolutely or whether will we witness the crumbling of the G-20 as a forum for international economic cooperation.”

The crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been accused by Human Rights Watch of war crimes in Yemen and responsibility for the gruesome slaying of newspaper columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month. On Wednesday, Argentine legal authorities took initial action to consider a request from Human Rights Watch to prosecute him for alleged crimes against humanity, a move apparently aimed at embarrassing him as he attends the summit.

In Moscow, the Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump would discuss an array of issues, including nuclear arms control at their meeting Saturday on the sidelines of the summit.

Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the two leaders will start with one-on-one talks and then continue broader negotiations involving officials from both sides. Peskov said Russia and the U.S. need to discuss strategic stability, arms control and regional conflicts.

“We don’t have to agree on all issues, and it wouldn’t possible anyway, but we need to talk,” he said, adding that “it’s not only in the interests of our two countries, but the entire world.”

It was no accident that Macron arrived early. He envisions himself as a new leader of the free world and desperately wants to salvage the idea of international cooperation that the G-20 represents.

France fears that Trump, who was scheduled to arrive tonight, will block or eclipse any progress at the G-20. So Macron is fashioning himself at this summit as the anti-Trump — a champion of the Paris climate accord, defender of the postwar system of global trade and crusader against multinational tax evaders.

Macron initially tried to befriend Trump despite their deep differences, but the two have increasingly clashed, most recently over wine tariffs, Trump’s nationalism and Macron’s idea of a European army.

At 40, Macron is one of the youngest leaders at the summit and sees himself as representing a new generation of world statesmen. As leader of a country ravaged by two world wars, he feels strongly about preventing a new one, and has warned that current battles over trade sound dangerously like those of the 1930s.

He also came to Buenos Aires early in hopes of clinching a 360 million euro warship deal with Argentina’s navy. Some French CEOs are also on the trip, as French companies bid for other deals such as one for managing the Buenos Aires subway system.

Taking the world stage at the G-20 is a welcome relief for Macron, who has faced mass protests at home over rising fuel taxes that are the biggest challenge yet to his presidency. But his party dominates parliament and neither faces re-election until 2022.

Other European leaders at the summit are facing domestic struggles of their own. Britain’s Theresa May is fighting for political survival as she tries to pull her country out of the European Union. Germany’s Angela Merkel is preparing to leave politics after announcing last month she would give up leadership of her party, a post she has held since 2000. Italy’s Giuseppe Conti heads a populist coalition that is clashing with the EU and suffers internal divisions.

KVC Angel Tree tradition returns

A family tradition continues this year with the KVC Angel Tree set up in the Bank of Gas.

There, donors can find ornaments affixed with the names and wish lists of youngsters within KVC’s foster care system.

To participate, simply grab an ornament as a guide to purchase gifts for a youngster in need for Christmas.

The project is a special one for the Menzie family, which began its participation 16 years ago in honor of the late Chuck and Shirley Menzie.

Their children, Debi, Tomi, Pat and Shelly, started a memorial in their parents’ names, with the purpose of benefiting children in need. (Chuck was adopted as a young child.)

Since then, the Menzie Memorial has supported a number of projects, including KVC Health Systems, Inc., of Iola, the Wichita Children’s Home and Dr. Rosen’s Cancer Kids.

And each year, the memorial funds gifts for 10 foster children through the Angel Tree campaign.

“We started with choosing one angel for each of Mom and Dad’s children and children,” explained Tomi.

As the number of descendants continued to grow, the family agreed to cap the number at 10.

To replenish the memorial, the Menzies host a garage sale each year in Wichita.

 

EACH PERSON who retrieves a tag also will be given a bag in which the unwrapped gifts can be placed. The tag should be taped to the bag, organizers said.

Donors aren’t required to spend a certain amount, organizers said.

Gifts should be returned to the bank by Dec. 14.

Lynn Royce Goodnight

Lynn Royce Goodnight, 83, formerly of Iola, died on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Joan Payne Goodnight of Dewey, Ariz.; son, Michael Lynn Goodnight, Neenah, Wisc., and other family members. 

He was born on Sept. 9, 1935, in Arkansas City. 

Final arrangements were made through Science Care. No services will be held.

Helen Lankton

Helen Lankton, 83, Iola, formerly of Le Roy, died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, at the Coffey County Hospital in Burlington.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Christian Church in Le Roy, with burial in Le Roy Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made To American Cancer Fund Topeka Chapter, and may be sent in care of the Van Arsdale Funeral Home, P. O. Box 8 Le Roy, KS 66857.

Incidents lead to arrests

Officers arrested Alanis Stine-Burris, 17, Erie, and Deandre Hedrick, 24, Wichita, for a host of charges Friday following a pair of incidents in Iola.

The first was reported Friday morning at Iola Walmart, in which Barbara Perry told officers her purse had been stolen from her vehicle.

Officers said Perry’s credit card was used three times at a pair of locations in Iola.

Following the investigation, Hedrick was arrested for suspicion of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, interfering with law enforcement, possessing stolen property, contributing to a child’s misconduct and sheltering or concealing a runaway.

Officers are requesting Stine-Burris be charged with three counts of forgery as well as theft, criminal uses of a financial card, possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, possessing a firearm with a barrel under 12 inches as a minor and multiple counts of possessing stolen property.

The second incident was reported Friday evening, when Terrance Newman said his vehicle had been forcibly taken, and he was dragged by the suspect, receiving multiple bruises and abrasions in the process.

From that incident, officers are requesting Stine-Burris be charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and interfering with law enforcement.

 

Police Reports

Arrests reported

Iola police officers arrested Zachary Hutton, 37, Iola, in the 200 block of South Tennessee Street Saturday for a warrant out of Johnson County District Court.

Susan Springeman, 67, Iola, was arrested Nov. 20 for suspicion of making a criminal threat against a law enforcement officer, feloniously interfering with law enforcement and disorderly conduct. Officers had been called to the 800 block of North Chestnut Street, where Springeman was accused of threatening a code enforcement officer.

 

Citation issued

Leo A.W. Bass, 37, Iola, was cited for suspicion of criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct Nov. 19 following an incident in the 400 block of Mustang Circle, officers said.

 

Passenger hurt in accident

A passenger in a pickup suffered injuries in a Nov. 19 traffic accident in the 200 block of South State Street.

Iola police officers said Edna A. Renyer, 63, was riding in a pickup driven by Scott J. Renyer, 55, who was attempting to turn from State Street into a parking lot. Renyer’s pickup struck another pickup driven by Cynthia S. McGhee, 59.

Edna Renyer was transported via ambulance to Allen County Regional Hospital. Scott Renyer and McGhee were unhurt, as was a passenger in McGhee’s vehicle.

All were wearing seat belts, officers said.

 

Items missing

Keith Casner, Fort Scott, told Iola police officers Nov. 20 several of his items were missing from a residence in the 300 block of North Walnut Street.

 

 

Correction: Concert time

The Iola High School and Iola Middle School strings bands will perform at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.

An article in Monday’s paper incorrectly reported the time of the event.

We regret the error.

 

Area News

Survey says: Support businesses

YATES CENTER — The results of a RevitalizeYC survey have been collected, the Yates Center News reported. Responses had a common theme: “Don’t forget about the businesses we already have.” The RevitalizeYC group responded: “Our goal is to help existing businesses thrive. New businesses and industries will drive more traffic to the area, benefitting existing businesses.” Responses also called for restaurants open past 9 p.m., more lodging including rentals above businesses on the square, extended business hours, and clean-up of buildings on the square.

 

Woodworker’s work on display, for sale

FREDONIA — A Fredonia woodworker’s talent was on display at the Stone House Gallery, made from wood found in Wilson County, according to the Wilson County Citizen. Jerry Fink has taken up a woodworking hobby after retirement. The exhibit features more than 150 pieces with bowls, cutting boards and serving pieces. All items are for sale with proceeds to go to the Fredonia Arts Council and the Fredonia Food Bank.

 

City puts planning plans on hold

PARSONS — City commissioners decided to wait before approving a nearly $100,000 project to update zoning regulations and produce a new comprehensive plan for 2020 to 2030, according to The Parsons Sun. A Kansas City, Mo., planning firm would work with the city to develop the new comprehensive plan and zoning updates under a flexible, living document that can be changed to fit the developing needs of the city.

 

Shopping event was a success

CHANUTE – A holiday shopping event in downtown Chanute was helped by extra-mild temperatures. Retailers told The Chanute Tribune they were especially busy on the Black Friday and Small Business Saturday events.

 

Suicide, at 50-year peak, pushes down US life expectancy

NEW YORK (AP) — Suicides and drug overdoses pushed up U.S. deaths last year, and drove a continuing decline in how long Americans are expected to live.

Overall, there were more than 2.8 million U.S. deaths in 2017, or nearly 70,000 more than the previous year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. It was the most deaths in a single year since the government began counting more than a century ago.

The increase partly reflects the nation’s growing and aging population. But it’s deaths in younger age groups — particularly middle-aged people — that have had the largest impact on calculations of life expectancy, experts said.

“These sobering statistics are a wake-up call that we are losing too many Americans, too early and too often, to conditions that are preventable,” Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC’s director, said in a statement.

The suicide death rate last year was the highest it’s been in at least 50 years, according to U.S. government records. There were more than 47,000 suicides, up from a little under 45,000 the year before.

 

A GENERAL DECLINE

For decades, U.S. life expectancy was on the upswing, rising a few months nearly every year. Now it’s trending the other way: It fell in 2015, stayed level in 2016, and declined again last year, the CDC said.

The nation is in the longest period of a generally declining life expectancy since the late 1910s, when World War I and the worst flu pandemic in modern history combined to kill nearly 1 million Americans. Life expectancy in 1918 was 39.

Aside from that, “we’ve never really seen anything like this,” said Robert Anderson, who oversees CDC death statistics.

In the nation’s 10 leading causes of death, only the cancer death rate fell in 2017. Meanwhile, there were increases in seven others — suicide, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, flu/pneumonia, chronic lower respiratory diseases and unintentional injuries.

An underlying factor is that the death rate for heart disease — the nation’s No. 1 killer — has stopped falling. In years past, declines in heart disease deaths were enough to offset increases in some other kinds of death, but no longer, Anderson said.

(The CDC’s numbers do sometimes change. This week, CDC officials said they had revised their life expectancy estimate for 2016 after some additional data came in.)

 

WHAT’S DRIVING IT?

CDC officials did not speculate about what’s behind declining life expectancy, but Dr. William Dietz, a disease prevention expert at George Washington University, sees a sense of hopelessness.

Financial struggles, a widening income gap and divisive politics are all casting a pall over many Americans, he suggested. “I really do believe that people are increasingly hopeless, and that that leads to drug use, it leads potentially to suicide,” he said.

Drug overdose deaths also continued to climb, surpassing 70,000 last year, in the midst of the deadliest drug overdose epidemic in U.S. history. The death rate rose 10 percent from the previous year, smaller than the 21 percent jump seen between 2016 and 2017.

That’s not quite cause for celebration, said Dr. John Rowe, a professor of health policy and aging at Columbia University.

“Maybe it’s starting to slow down, but it hasn’t turned around yet,” Rowe said. “I think it will take several years.”

Accidental drug overdoses account for more than a third of the unintentional injury deaths, and intentional drug overdoses account for about a tenth of the suicides, said Dr. Holly Hedegaard, a CDC injury researcher.

 

OTHER FINDINGS

The CDC figures are based mainly on a review of 2017 death certificates. The life expectancy figure is based on current death trends and other factors.

The agency also said:

—A baby born last year in the U.S. is expected to live about 78 years and 7 months, on average. An American born in 2015 or 2016 was expected to live about a month longer, and one born in 2014 about two months longer than that.

—The suicide rate was 14 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s the highest since at least 1975.

—The percentage of suicides due to drug overdose has been inching downward.

—Deaths from flu and pneumonia rose by about 6 percent. The 2017-2018 flu season was one of the worst in more than a decade, and some of the deaths from early in that season appeared in the new death dates.

—West Virginia was once again the state with the highest rate of drug overdose deaths. The CDC did not release state rates for suicides.

—Death rates for heroin, methadone and prescription opioid painkillers were flat. But deaths from the powerful painkiller fentanyl and its close opioid cousins continued to soar in 2017.

The CDC did not discuss 2017 gun deaths in the reports released Thursday. But earlier CDC reports noted increase rates of suicide by gun and by suffocation or hanging.