Lyon County emergency managment confident in emergency operations plans

By John Robinson john @ emporia . com

The world was shaken Sunday when news broke of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U . S . history .

Forty-nine people were killed and many more were injured when a lone gunman opened fire with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle

in a crowded Orlando , Florida , nightclub . In the wake of the tragedy , many Americans were left wondering , “ What if it happened here ?”

“ Lyon County has an emergency operations plan ,” Jarrod Fell , emergency manager for Lyon County said . “ That includes planning , prevention , response , preparedness , mitigation — and it identifies resources and responsibilities during events .”

According to Fell , the plan is put together by Emergency Management and the “ essential emergency support functions ,” like area hospitals . For the mass casualty plan , there are three “ key partners .”

“ Flint Hills Community Health Center as well as Newman Regional Health and the Lyon County Coroner ,” Fell said . “ During a mass casualty event , each one of those groups will be a stakeholder and things will come into play like hospital capacity , treatment , triage and transport of the victims .”

“ Lyon County has an emergency operations plan . That includes planning , prevention , response , preparedness , mitigation — and it identifies resources and responsibilities during events .”

JARROD FELL , Lyon County emergency manager

Because the plan is funded by the Emergency Management Performance Grant , the county must hold three exercises a year to validate the emergency operation plan .

“ The exercise process is a really big piece when it comes to our emergency operations plan ,” Fell said . “ Just to validate it and see where our training gaps are — or where our equipment gaps are . As well as building relationships outside of Lyon County are very important , because the plan is there to find out what resources we have and what are we going to do when we need more resources .

“ I can tell you that your first responders in Lyon County are trained for an event like this ; they ’ re prepared to address the situation .”

Fell also said the emergency operations plan is set to undergo updates in 2016 .

“ We update those plans all the time ,” Fell said . “ Because our capabilities — our county resources — change , as well as capabilities for our emergency support functions . Law enforcement , fire , EMS , public works — all of those resources are changing as we go .”

Those are updates to a plan Fell hopes he never has to put into action .

Please see Plans , Page 3

By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com

The jury trial for Tyler Pettigrew began Monday . Pettigrew is charged with reckless involuntary manslaughter , reckless aggravated battery and several traffic violations related to an automobile accident that occurred on Oct . 16 , 2012 , in which Mark Harrison , 59 , of Madison died .

Gregory Benefiel , with the Kansas Attorney General ’ s office is prosecuting the case while Monte Miller is serving as defense attorney . Eighth Judicial District Judge Steven Hornbaker is presiding over the trial as all Lyon County District Court judges have recused themselves from the case .

Testimony began with the state calling Mike Argabright , USD 252 Southern Lyon County Schools superintendent . Argabright was driving north on K-99 and preparing to turn left the day of the collision . He was driving a 1999 Dodge pickup and towing a livestock trailer . Argabright said he was slowing down to make the turn and was driving between 35 to 40 miles per hour .

Argabright testified he saw the truck driven by Pettigrew in his rearview mirror . He said he became concerned when he saw that the truck was not slowing . He said “ the truck was coming up fast and I didn ’ t feel like it was acknowledging what I was doing .” Benefiel : Then what did you do ? Argabright : I let off the break but I ’ m

Pettigrew not sure I made it to the gas , it all happened so fast . Benefiel : Then what happened ? Argabright : That truck bumped my trailer and then the collision happened , it sounded like an explosion .

Following the accident Argabright called 911 and attempted to comfort the Harrisons and Pettigrew while waiting for responders to arrive . Argabright also submitted a blood sample , which showed he was not under the influence of any illegal substances or alcohol . The Kansas Highway Patrol did inspect Argabright ’ s vehicle and trailer to ensure that his brake lights and turn signals were operational .

Kerri Haag-Kueser was the next witness called to testify . She was driving south toward Olpe at the time of the collision .

“ I saw two vehicles collide and saw a lot of dust ,” Haag-Kueser said .

Following the collision , Haag-Kueser parked her vehicle and called 911 . She reports that she called 911 at 6:42 p . m ., which was the time stamp recorded on her cell phone .

During cross examination , Miller asked Haag- Kueser if she witnessed Pettigrew make any driving violations . She advised she did not . She also testified her phone indicated 6:42 p . m ., but did not provide a breakdown by seconds .

Please see Pettigrew , Page 3

June 13 , 2016 Trial begins . Judge Hornbaker is presiding .

March 31 , 2016 Pretrial hearing is canceled .

December 9 , 2015 Pettigrew makes his first appearance in Lyon County District Court . A preliminary hearing date is set .

May 14 , 2015 Pettigrew is one of several Lyon County Sheriff ’ s Deputies awarded the Silver Award by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police Awards . The Silver Award was given for their actions of saving the lives of residents of Sterling House during a fire on July 4 , 2014 .

October 16 , 2012 Accident occurred ; Mark Harrison died . James Harrison and Tyler Pettigrew are seriously injured .

May 2 , 2016 The prosecution is granted a continuance due to witnesses being unable to testify .

January 22 , 2016 Preliminary hearing is held and Pettigrew is bound over for trial on two felony counts of reckless involuntary manslaughter and reckless aggravated battery . He is also charged with several traffic violations .

November 20 , 2015 Pettigrew is arrested and posts bond . He is placed on a leave of absence from the Lyon County Sheriff ’ s Department as a result of the charges .

By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com

Emporia City Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the advisability of creating the Emporia Pavilions Community Improvement District .

The public hearing will take place during the City Commission action session at 7 p . m . Wednesday at the Municipal Court Room at 518 Mechanic Street .

The petition to establish the Emporia Pavilions Community Improvement District was filed on April 20 .

The cost of the project is estimated at $ 36,836,951 with $ 3,000,000 financed through CID revenues over the life of the district .

The petitioner , Thomson Walker , LLC , is proposing financing the eligible project costs through pay-as-you-go financing and to propose levying a onepercent CID sales tax on retail sales within the district .

VOL . 124 , NO . 296