It’s a letter from 59 Kansas sheriffs to Governor Laura Kelly and they’re demanding changes at Larned State Hospital. They criticized management and the state policies, and said the leaders “created a culture that has become a quagmire of red tape and bureaucracy.” One of the problems highlighted in the letter explains what happened during the John Colt escape. However, they said there are other problems that put the public in danger, and bring disservice to the mentally ill. John Colt was in the “Sexual Predator Treatment Program” at LSH, and escaped in June. Authorities didn’t capture him until late September, when they found him in Utah. Three women, who were all employees at LSH are accused of helping Colt escape.
Source: KSN-TV

A new grant program announced by the Kansas Department of Commerce intends to revitalize historic buildings in rural Kansas communities. The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program is designed to renovate downtown buildings that are underutilized to boost community engagement. “We have a shortage of ready to occupy buildings across the state, but also an abundance of historic buildings with good bones that make them great candidates for rehabilitation,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary David Toland said. “The HEAL program provides an immediate opportunity to close financial gaps in restoring these properties and making downtown districts throughout our state more economically vibrant, while also creating new jobs and services for Kansans.” The HEAL program has two categories for funding, emergency and non-emergency. Emergency HEAL grants will provide immediate relief for buildings at risk of collapse, and applications will be accepted from Nov. 8-19, with awards being announced on Nov. 23.
Source: KSN-TV