MELISSA HELLMAN, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Compacts between two Native American tribes and the state of Kansas approved by Gov. Sam Brownback this week will allow the state to audit cigarette sales on tribal lands and continue to receive $60 million in annual payments that benefit children’s programs.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says smokers go to reservations to buy cheap cigarettes.

Under a 1998 settlement with four tobacco companies, 46 states, including Kansas, must account for all cigarettes and pay into an escrow fund.

The companies said in 2003 that states weren’t keeping up their end of the deal. Kansas settled its dispute in 2012.

The state signed compacts with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and is in similar negotiations with two other tribes.

UPDATE:

Three people were transported to hospitals following a two-vehicle accident at the I-70 303 exit.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that Kevin T. Runions, 27, Lincoln, Nebraska was transported to Geary Community Hospital and two Manhattan residents, Ronald L. Montgomery, 81, and Marlene Montgomery, 78, to Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

KHP reported that the vehicles, a Toyota driven by Ronald Montgomery and a Maz automobile driven by Runions, collided after the vehicle driven by Runions ran a stop sign and collided with the Toyota. The accident was reported at 4:15 p.m. Thursday. All of those involved in the accident were wearing seat belts.

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Law enforcement authorities and emergency personnel responded late Thursday afternoon to a possible injury accident on I-70 east of Junction City near mile marker 303. That was confirmed by police dispatch.

An ambulance was sent to the scene.

JC Post will provide details as soon as they become available.

The GCH Medical Explorer group visited the hospital’s Surgery Center and toured one of the operating rooms Wednesday, April 6. Students put on proper scrubs and were taught how to precisely wash their hands. Jody Hittle, RN, and GCH Surgical Services Director taught the class and provided educational lessons while focusing on the importance of not allowing germs into the room.

“Our Medical Explorer Program was launched mid-January, 2016 and has gained incredible momentum,” said Joe Stratton, GCH Chief Executive Officer. “At GCH we believe in the importance of teaching our youth and educate them about the different types of careers in the healthcare. It’s been heavily noted that students tend to leave the Midwest rural areas and head for larger metropolitan cities after they graduate. This program is one way GCH can help reverse that effect by showing students the variety of great opportunities available in their own backyard.”

The GCH Medical Explorer program will continue through end of May and begin its second round in Fall, 2016. This session’s last three classes will consist of obstetrics, emergency medical services and a site visit to Life Star of Kansas by Freeman Airfield.

Nikki Davies

Director, Marketing and Public Relations

Geary Community Hospital

GEARY COUNTY- A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after 2 p.m. on Thursday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy 1500 driven by Michael E Roberts, 60, Junction City, was southbound on U.S. 77 six miles south of Junction City.

The vehicle traveled into the ditch, reentered the roadway, crossed the centerline and hit a northbound truck head-on.

Roberts was transported to Wesley Medical Center.

The driver of the northbound truck Robert Lee Gladney, 55, Junction City, and a passenger Jacob Scott Davis, White City, were not injured.

Gladney was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss has announced that the Supreme Court has reappointed Judge Michael Powers to a two-year term as chief judge of the 8th judicial district, effective from February 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.

Powers has served as district judge in the 8th judicial district since 1991. He presides over cases in Geary, Dickinson, Marion and Morris counties.

Powers is a native of Yates Center and graduated from Emporia State University and the University of Kansas School of Law. He practiced law in Council Grove and was Morris County attorney before becoming a district judge.

Geary County Clerk Rebecca Bossemeyer reports that she has verified signatures on the filing petition for Third District Geary County Commission candidate John Moyer.

Moyer has filed for election to the seat on the Commission that is currently held by Florence Whitebread. She has announced that she will not seek reelection.

Also, Keith Ascher of rural Geary County, has stated that he plans to seek the Third District seat as well. Ascher has not yet filed for election.

Topeka –Gov. Sam Brownback has signed an education funding bill designed to prevent the state Supreme Court from shutting down the state’s public schools.

The bill is a response to a Supreme Court ruling in February that the state isn’t providing enough aid to its poor districts. The justices threatened to shut down schools if lawmakers didn’t act by June 30.
The bill redistributes $83 million of the state’s $4 billion-plus in annual aid.
Critics contend that the bill doesn’t solve the problems identified by the court.

The Governor issued the following statement:

“The legislature has acted to keep Kansas schools open and I agree with its choice. I have signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2655 because I want to keep our schools open and ensure our students continue to have access to a quality education. I would remind those who criticized this bill as a ‘product of politics,’ that it is indeed the job of the legislature to address these issues. The legislature consists of 165 elected representatives of the people. I do not take their judgment lightly. This bill is the result of a delicate legislative compromise – one that I respectfully endorse and that the Court should review with appropriate deference.”

This bill adopts the capital outlay equalization formula previously approved by the Court itself. It includes a “hold harmless” provision so that no school district will see a reduction from its current funding level.

A copy of the Governor’s signing statement for Senate Substitute for House Bill 2655 may be found here.

From Geary Community Hospital: 

Congratulations to Cathy DeZago, GCH April Employee of the Month! Cathy works as a Receptionist in the Radiology Department.

Cathy’s colleagues write: “She has an amazing ability to juggle patients and techs, alerting us when there may be an issue, all with a smile on her face. She has a very professional attitude and is very enjoyable to work with. Cathy is always willing to help when needed and is extremely proficient at her job.”

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to mile marker 158 on US 77 Highway for a minor injury car – deer accident.

Alexandra Gilbody, Milford, reported that she had been driving her 2012 Nissan northbound on US 77, when the vehicle struck a deer which had run across the road from west to east.

The accident was reported at 9:35 p.m. Wednesday.