Kansas Klips

Logan’s LIFE Project moves forward

LOGAN — The Dane G. Hansen Foundation announced that they have approved and given the go-ahead for the proposed Logan Intergenerational Facility, known as the LIFE project. At their December meeting, the Foundation Trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price (“GMP”) of $32 million presented by McCowen Gordon Construction Company based in Kansas City. Groundbreaking is tentavely scheduled for March, with a goal of a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August 2024, in time for classes that fall. The project is uniquely designed to integrate several community facilities into a single structure that encourages intergenerational connections. The design includes a new 36-bed nursing home that will replace the aging Logan Manor, a new Pre-K through 4th-grade elementary school, a gymnasium and locker room complex, a weight room and wellness facility which will be available to the public, a community room and a multipurpose room, which will double as a community storm shelter. Residents from the nursing home will have the ability to atend ballgames and other events, as well as participate in various school functions and classroom activities. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation has graciously committed to the total construction cost of the LIFE facility. (The Advocate of Phillips County)

Pit bull saves owner’s life, waking him to fire

WICHITA — A dog saved his owner by waking him up when their house caught fire. Tyler Revel, the man who was napping, attributes his safety to his dog, Monroe. Revel had fallen asleep while watching football. While he was asleep, a fire broke out. Monroe, a 6-year-old pit bull, woke up Revel by jumping onto the bed and crying for him to wake up. Once awake, Revel saw a cloud of smoke and barely made it out from the flames spreading throughout his home. The man said that without Monroe’s whimpers, he would not have woken up and or made it out of his burning home alive. He also has a cat named Boo, whom firefighters had not yet located. (KAKE News)

2 Kansans killed in separate rollover crashes on Christmas Eve

WICHITA — Two Kansas residents were killed in separate rollover crashes in the western part of the state on Christmas Eve, according to the state patrol. The first accident happened at around 6:15 p.m. on K-156 east of U.S. 83 in Finney County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 23-year-old Melina Chavez was heading west when her Ford Edge left the roadway to the right, went back across the road and went off the left side. The SUV spun as it entered a ditch and then rolled an unknown number of times. Chavez, of Great Bend, was taken to a Garden City hospital where she died. Saturday’s second fatal crash occurred at around 9 p.m. southwest of Hill City in Graham County. The patrol says 40-year-old Ali Swanson was eastbound on North Road and failed to negotiate a curve in the road. His Cadillac DeVille went of the road and rolled onto its top. Swanson, of Salina, died at the scene. According to the KHP, neither of these drivers were wearing their seatbelt. (KAKE News)

Officers raid hospital room of terminally ill patient

HAYS — Police raided the hospital room of a man who is terminally ill because he allegedly used a weed vape and THC paste to ease the symptoms of the cancer that will kill him within weeks. On Dec. 16, Hays Police officers raided the hospital room of 69-year-old Greg Bretz, who is suffering from terminal cancer, after a hospital worker at Hays Medical Center caught him vaping marijuana. Bretz, who is in the final stages of terminal, inoperable cancer, said he has been vaping, as well as eating THC paste with bread, to relieve symptoms of his condition since being hospitalized roughly three weeks ago. Bretz said his doctor told him to use whatever was necessary to relieve his pain, including products containing THC — the active ingredient in cannabis. Bretz was cited for drug possession and is set to appear in court after the new year on Jan. 2, 2023. Medicinal cannabis is currently illegal Kansas. (Kansas.com)

Felon accused of spitting on corrections officers

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after an incident while in custody in Riley County. On Dec. 27, the Riley County Police Department reported 36-year-old Daniel Weaver was arrested on requested charges of battery on law enforcement officers after he spit on three separate Corrections Officers while he was confined in the Riley County Jail. On Dec. 20, Weaver was arrested for alleged battery on a law enforcement officer, in addition to numerous other charges. Weaver has previous convictions for battery on a county employee, battery on a state corrections officer, indecent solicitation of child; commit or submit to unlawful sexual act and criminal threat. (JCPost.com)