Suspect charged with first degree attempted murder

LARNED —A Larned man has been charged in Pawnee County District Court with first degree attempted murder and other crimes for a March 11 incident in Larned.
Clifford Gene Lewis, 54, 614 Tolle, was formerly charged by the Pawnee County attorney for additional counts of aggravated battery, criminal threat and battery. He is being held in Pawnee County jail on $100,000 bond.
Lewis is accused of choking a female acquaintance, according to an arrest report from the Larned police department. Larned Police Chief Chuck Orth said a 50-year-old female reported that she was injured after an alleged choking incident.
Lewis said the victim and a witness identified Lewis as the suspect.

Pawnee County commission

LARNED — Pawnee County commissioners will hear two proposals regarding financing of the proposed $18 million Pawnee Valley Community Hospital at Monday’s weekly meeting.
Scott Crist, investment banker for UMB, Kansas City, Mo., will offer financing options for the hospital starting at 10:30 a.m.
At 3 p.m., Todd Vanderventer, Piper Jaffrey banking, Lenexa, will address the commission regarding bond financing for Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.  Piper Jaffrey recently worked on similar financing for a $10.5 million Lawrence Memorial Hospital project.
Additional Hays Medical updates will be delivered from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Kurt Demel, Pawnee County highway administrator, will address the commission at 10 a.m.
At 11 a.m., Diana Coggin, Clean Line Energy, will provide information on proposed electrical transmission lines. The 3,500-megawatt transmission line project, Grain Belt Express, will route power from near Spearville, to St. Francois County, south of St. Louis. Clean Line expects new wind farms will generate more than 4,000 MW to be built by a variety of wind energy developers. Wind farm investments could be worth $7 billion.

Larned city council

LARNED — The Larned city council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at city hall.
Agenda items:
Report by County Legislative Committee, Review and Award Bid for Rescue Vehicle, Request from Assembly of God Church to Hold Skate Board Event at Schnack Par, Renewal of Membership with National League of Cities and Review of Prescription Drug Program, Review Process for City Manager Search, Review and Award Bid for Fishing Pond Outhouse, Letter of Support for Clean Line Energy Partners, City Manager’s Report.
Old Business will involve Doerr Vernon Park Renovation and Recycling Services for Larned State Complex.   

Public Building Commission

LARNED — The newly-formed Public Building Commission approved a resolution moving forward with future financing of $18 million in revenue bonds for the proposed Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.
Tom Giessel, president of the board, joins Tim George, vice president, and Dick King, secretary, on the three-member Public Building Commission. The new hospital will be built at the site of the current PVCH facility.
“It’s very important for Pawnee County to have a local hospital,” Giessel said. “I am impressed with the commitment the city and county have made. This process has galvanized our city.”