The TMP-Marian Annual Service Day is quickly approaching. This year’s Service Day will be held April 22, 2013.
The school is looking for service projects to benefit the church and/or our community.
If you have any suggestions please contact Campus Minister Barb Wagoner or Stacie Rupp. (785) 625-6577.
A financially struggling operator of more than 2,000 U.S. portrait studios in locations such as Wal-Mart and Sears stores has abruptly shuttered those outlets, leaving some laid-off workers scrambling – without pay – to make good on customers’ orders.
It was not immediately clear how many employees were affected. CPI’s website as of Friday was purged of everything but the statement. Calls by The Associated Press and by Hays Post to the company, in business for more than 60 years, were not answered. Jennifer Gray, former studio manager for the Hays Location, told Hays Post, “ I found out of the closings through Face Book. We were told not to come back to work and there were financial problems.”
As the popularity of digital photography cut into its sales, CPI revealed last month in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing it had received a fourth forbearance agreement from its lenders and that it had until Saturday to meet its loan obligations. CPI said in mid-March that it owed $98.5 million, including unpaid principal of $76.1 million.
CPI had warned in earlier SEC filings that failing to buy more time from lenders could force it to liquidate, and the company last year hired an investment bank to explore a possible selloff. Last month, CPI’s chief marketing officer and executive vice president resigned after a 7-year tenure.
Sears Holding Corp. said in an emailed statement Friday that it was working with CPI “to ensure that it fulfills its outstanding orders and provides ordered pictures to our members and customers.” CPI managed and operated Sears Portrait Studios as a licensed business, Sears said.
“We are currently exploring all options to potentially provide these services to our members and customers as soon as possible,” Sears said, expressing regret about any inconvenience.
But some suddenly displaced CPI employees, believing the company could wrongly foist the responsibility of filling outstanding customers’ orders onto Wal-Mart and Sears, were hustling Friday trying to make good with the clients while absorbing the shock of losing their jobs and related benefits, including insurance coverage.
“There’s almost no word to describe this. It’s devastating,” said Jennifer McDowell, a three-year CPI employee who until Thursday managed a four-employee studio in a Wal-Mart in St. Charles, a St. Louis suburb. “We gave so much for this company and worked so hard.”
McDowell, 34, hastily burned as many undelivered portrait packages as she could onto compact discs on Thursday. By Friday, she tried to spread the word to those customers that she’d be at a nearby pet store’s parking lot Saturday with those CDs.
“There’s a chance (CPI) was not going to make good on their promises to customers, and if they don’t they make us look like liars,” McDowell, of Alton, Ill., said. “Leaving the clients in the lurch is not right. My dad always told me that evil persists when good men stand by and do nothing. So we’re trying to do our best to take care of our customers even now. That’s where our loyalty lies.”
TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) — Kansas has enacted a wave of stricter abortion laws in recent years, but those successes now have abortion opponents reconsidering their tactics.
Some abortion foes want to pursue measures to ban most abortions as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. Others support amending the state constitution to declare that it protects the rights of individual starting at fertilization.
Legislators have been encouraged to pursue less dramatic changes by Kansans for Life, the most influential anti-abortion group at the Statehouse. It argues that such an approach is more effective than enacting headline-grabbing measures that will be challenged in court.
But with last week’s approval of another annual round of anti-abortion legislation, some abortion opponents wonder whether the pursuit of incremental changes has run its course
In an effort to prevent further spread of emerald ash borer in Kansas, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will set 441 traps to detect whether the plant pest is present.
Kansas is participating in the USDA survey to monitor known emerald ash borer infestations and detect unknown beetle populations.
“Emerald ash borer was detected in Wyandotte County in August 2012, but we are hopeful that we do not find any additional infestations in the state” said Laurinda Ramonda, KDA state cooperative agriculture pest survey coordinator. “These traps are an important monitoring tool. In the event of infestation, early detection would help KDA limit the spread of emerald ash borer.”
KDA will set up 65 traps in nine counties, including Butler, Jewell, Leavenworth, Neosho, Osborne, Pottawatomie, Russell, Shawnee and Smith. The rest are being put up by USDA. The purple, prism-shaped traps are coated with nontoxic glue. They pose no risk to humans, pets or wildlife.
KDA has implemented a permanent intrastate quarantine for certain firewood, nursery plants and mulch that is shipped in and out of Wyandotte County to prevent further spread of emerald ash borer in Kansas. The quarantine applies to any corporation, company, society, association, partnership, governmental agency, and any individual or combination of individuals. It prohibits movement of regulated items from the quarantined area, except under specific conditions established in the quarantine order.
Regulated items under quarantine include the following:
Emerald ash borer, which is a pest of ash trees that is native to Asia, was first discovered in North America near Detroit, Mich., in summer 2002. Since that time, the pest has killed millions of ash trees in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky, New York, Iowa, Tennessee and Connecticut. Financially, the United States risks an economic loss of $20 billion to $60 billion because of this pest.
To learn more about the emerald ash borer, visit www.emeraldashborer.info.
For more on this year’s USDA survey visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/emerald_ash_b/.
The results from last week’s Election are still unofficial, but that will change today when the county will canvass ballots and finalize the votes. County Election Officer Donna Maskus expects official results to be made official during the County Commission meeting this evening.
Only 18% of registered voters cast ballots last week. In Great Bend, only 16% voted and only 12% in Saline county.
The United States Postal Services continues to find ways to save money by reducing services. They are reducing hours at post offices around the state. Listening to customers and gathering input via public meetings and surveys is a critical part of their plan. The photo to the left has schedule of public meetings this week. Click on the box to take a closer look.
Since 1950, Ellis County has had 53 tornadoes. No fatalities, but 6 injuries have been reported to the National Weather Service.
As we move into the volatile spring weather, the city of Hays, including the fire department, is prepared for a tornado disaster, says Captain Chris Stegman.
“National Weather Service scientists tell us to expect an ‘active season’,” he says.
(video may require flash)
Last year, there was one tornado in Ellis County; Rush County had 12, the most in the entire state.
Former TMP-Marian student Elizabeth Rupp,
a sophomore from Hays, is the the 2013 SALB president at the University of Kansas and is featured on the alumni association web site.
Student Alumni Leadership Board (SALB) members serve as the official student representatives and volunteers of the KU Alumni Association. Members also facilitate spirit functions, serve as campus ambassadors and organize community service projects. SALB is governed by eight executive board members, who have the opportunity to interact with some of the best student leaders, campus officials and alumni.
The SALB web site features this interview with Rupp. A portion is show here with permission of the Alumni Association.
What’s your favorite KU tradition or KU memory?
I don’t know if I could pick a favorite tradition or memory because I love them all! When I look back though, the thing I remember most is the camaraderie between KU students, alumni, and fans. I’m not a legacy of KU so I didn’t grow up with a strong connection to the Jayhawks. To me, it’s amazing to see that bond between fellow Jayhawks. I love going out of town wearing a KU T-shirt or jacket and getting a “Rock Chalk” from complete strangers; because of where we went to school, we have an immediate connection.
What do you think is KU’s best kept secret?
I think this ties back into KU’s traditions. Until students are part of the KU family and get to experience campus, as well basketball and football games as a student, there is no way to imagine the immediate bond you grow with your fellow Jayhawks. Whether you’re waving the wheat at a football game or singing “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” at the end of a basketball game, you feel the connection with fellow students, alumni and fans. Since I didn’t grow up with those KU traditions, I feel that I treasure those experiences more now that I get to experience them first hand as a student.
How did you become involved with SAA and SALB?
I first found out about Student Alumni Leadership Board (SALB) and the Student Alumni Association (SAA) the summer before my freshman year when I attended a Jayhawk Generations Picnic. I met both alumni and KU Alumni Association staff who explained what SAA was and the benefits it offered. I was excited by the networking opportunities so I signed up right at the event. I also talked to an SALB member who told me about all of the additional benefits and leadership opportunities that SALB offered. After hearing from that student and some of the alumni I decided to apply for SALB and was accepted onto the board. I am so thankful for those that encouraged me to apply to SALB, because not only are the leadership experiences wonderful, but the opportunities I’ve had are one of a kind.
What made you decide to attend KU?
When I visited KU as a senior in high school, it was my first time in Lawrence. From the moment I stepped on campus, KU felt like home and a place where I could spend the next part of my life. I chose KU for a number of reasons, but most importantly because KU offers academic excellence in many areas. I also loved that I could be a part of KU’s rich history and long standing traditions. Whenever I heard a KU student or alumni speak I could tell how proud they were to be a Jayhawk, and I wanted to experience that pride too!
Storm clouds on Sunday evening from the Midland Marketing Eagle Eye. Let’s hope they bring some rain.
This camera gives a LIVE STREAMING, 360 degree view of the entire area.
This high-tech camera has full-range pan, tilt and zoom capabilities.
While the camera allows us to cover breaking news events within view, its main purpose will be to serve as a safety tool when severe/winter weather rolls into the Hays area.
MANHATTAN, Kansas (AP) — One person has been taken into custody after an early morning shooting in Manhattan left one person dead and three others hospitalized.
The Riley County Police Department said the shooting happened around 4:10 a.m. Sunday at an apartment complex. Police reassured the public that there didn’t appear to be “any further danger.” Anyone with information was urged to call Manhattan/Riley County Crime Stoppers.
No other details were immediately released, including the name of the victim or the person who was arrested.
Fort Hays State used a three-run sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit and defeat Lincoln 5-2 for the three-game series sweep Sunday afternoon at Larks Park in Hays. The Tigers improve to 19-14 and 15-13 in the MIAA.
Steve Johnson Postgame Interview
Lincoln scored two in the fourth to grab the 2-0 lead. The Tigers cut the lead in half, scoring a run on a Chris Santoscoy ground ball to short.
The Tigers would take the lead an inning later. Ryan Busboom’s double off the left field wall tied the game, scoring Clayton Garland who opened the inning with a double. Kelton Rule drove in Busboom with a double then scored on Chris Santoscoy’s two-out single to center.
Busboom knocked in an insurance run in the seventh for the final margin.
Michael Edlefson (2-1) picks up the win in an emergency start, going a season-high seven innings allowing two runs on five hits. Kyle Leroy worked around a leadoff walk to nail down his fourth save.
