September 2013 – Hays Post Archive

Kansas Tax Revenue Down

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

(AP) — A new report says Kansas collected slightly less in taxes than expected in the first quarter of the fiscal year, but officials believe the shortfall may actually be a positive economic sign.

The Department of Revenue reported Monday the state collected $1.37 billion in taxes from July through September, about $8.5 million below expectations.

Corporate income tax collections during those three months fell nearly 12 percent short of projections. The state had expected to take in $97 million and instead collected less than $86 million.

The department says the shortfall might reflect businesses buying more equipment than expected and claiming bigger tax breaks as a result.

(AUDIO) Tiger Talk

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

Suspect on trial in store killings

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

The suspect in last year’s fatal shootings of two people at a Dollar General store in Wichita is going on trial.

Jury selection for the case against 20-year-old Marquis Marshall began Monday in Sedgwick County District Court.

Marshall is accused of killing 22-year-old store employee Zachary Hunt and 79-year-old customer Henry Harvey on Nov. 30, 2012. Harvey was at the counter buying candy for his grandchildren when he and Hunt were both shot several times.

Wichita police have not speculated on a motive for the killings.

Marshall was arrested several days later in a traffic stop. He’s charged with capital murder, but prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.

The trial is expected to take several days.

Nicodemus to expand educational outreach

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

The National Park Service is changing its visitor center hours at Nicodemus National Historic Site.

The visitor center will be closed on all Sundays and federal holidays beginning this Sunday, October 6. The visitor center will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and will continue to offer the park film, tours, and interpretive programs.

According to Phyllis Howard, National Park Service Ranger, “this closure will maximize the use of our anticipated funding levels to reach a greater number of visitors and enhance visitor experience through special programs and events as well as educational programs. The park hopes to expand its educational outreach in the coming fiscal year to get more local schools to the park, as well as virtually through distance education.”

The town of Nicodemus is symbolic of the pioneer spirit of African Americans.

They dared to leave the only region they had been familiar with to seek personal freedom and the opportunity to develop their talents and capabilities.

Nicodemus NHS represents the western expansion and settlement of the Great Plains, and includes five buildings: The First Baptist Church, St. Francis Hotel, Nicodemus School District Number One, African Episcopal Church, and Township Hall.

Ab exhibit in the Nicodemus Visitors Center — An exhibit in the Nicodemus Visitor Center

Man Sentenced In Kansas Bank Robbery

Posted on September 30, 2013

A man who was armed with a shotgun when he robbed a bank in Cloud County, Kan., has been sentenced to federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Eric Lee Strait, 24, formerly of Concordia, Kan., was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison. Strait was indicted in June 2012. The indictment alleged that on Nov. 14, 2008, he carried a shotgun when he robbed the Jamestown State Bank at 422 Walnut Street in Jamestown, Kan.

In May 2013, 24-year-old Ryan Michael Steinert of Concordia, Kan., was indicted on charges of conspiring with Strait to rob the bank. The indictment of Steinert alleged the two men worked together to plan the robbery. Strait was to do the robbery alone. Steinert agreed with Strait to steal a car to use in the robbery and to destroy the car after the robbery. On Nov. 13, 2008, Strait stole a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu in Clyde, Kan., to use in the robbery. Steinert helped prepare the car for the robbery. The two would later split the proceeds of the robbery.

In July 2013, Steinert pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery. He is set for sentencing Oct. 9.

Grissom commended the FBI, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.

(Video) Tiger Talk

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

Businesses Interested in Downtown Hays

Posted on September 30, 2013October 1, 2013

Couture for Men is opening in a new location. Around November 1st, the store that has sat in the Centennial Mall in Hays for 6 years will be moving to Downtown Hays. The store will relocate to 1109 and 1111 Main St. The move will provide approximately 1500 square feet of additional space. The additional space will allow Couture for Men to add room “For Ladies” both to their name and and to their selection. The move is planned to take place November 1st.

In addition to Couture for Men & Women, two other retailers are taking a strong look at Downtown Hays. Aaron White, Executive Director for the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, told Hays Post that both interested stores specialize in clothing. White said that one store in particular is targeted more towards the FHSU / young adult crowd, though White wasn’t able to release any further details on the identity of the stores. The potential developers have looked strongly at multiple locations and are in the early phases of negotiations.

White had mentioned previously that Hays has a very strong retail pull, a factor that is extremely attractive to potential businesses when considering where to expand next. He added that many businesses that overlooked Hays in the past are now coming back and having serious discussions about available locations. Some of the locations currently available that are generating interest are located on Main St.

Kelli Hansen with Liberty Group, Inc., which owns multiple addresses in Downtown Hays, stated that in addition to Couture for Men moving into two of their buildings, several restaurants have expressed interest in the area as well. Additional details weren’t able to released, and won’t be made public until agreements are made with the incoming businesses. She did confirm that the interested parties may move forward with plans, but she had nothing official to report or comment on at this time.

Lake searched amid Kansas man’s death investigation

Posted on September 30, 2013

(AP) — Divers are searching a northeast Kansas lake as part of the investigation into the 2012 shooting death of a developer.

Officers investigating the death of 39-year-old Corey Michael Brown retrieved several items by noon Monday from Lake Shawnee. The retrieved items included lawn chairs, fishing poles, old bottles and cans.

Forty-year-old Monroe E. Lockhart is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his friend and business partner. Lockhart also faces a felony arson charge in Shawnee County District Court.

Lockhart is already incarcerated for other crimes. Earlier this year, he was sentenced to serve nearly 10 years in prison in connection with a November 2011 home invasion.

The dive team comes from Douglas County. It was requested by the Topeka Police Department.

Federal indicments for marijuana sales and money laundering

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

Five people have been indicted and more indictments are possible in connection with money laundering and marijuana sales in cases that date back 18 months.

Lt. Jim Norton, commander of the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force said a drug case in January 2011 was tied to sources in other cases, that eventually led to seizure of packaged marijuana, live marijuana plants, prescription medication, two vehicles, and $62,200 in drug proceeds.

The five indicted in federal court in Wichita on August 15th. included Geary Michael Vaughan, Casey Ryan Nickelson, Alyssa L. Nickelson (Mosburg),Nickolas Wayne Berthelson, and Luis R. Beltran. The five either live or at one time had lived in Salina.

On August 30th the Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Marshal’s Service used a search warrant at Geary Vaughan’s home in Conifer,Colorado and recovered live marijuana plants, growing equipment, packaged marijuana, and two handguns.

Records obtained indicate that Vaughan is responsible for more than 100 pounds of marijuana being shipped into Salina, Newton and Wichita. Vaughan also responsible for obtaining more than $122,000 in currency, which was deposited into his bank account by co-conspirators involved in the drug conspiracy.

Braille and audio reading download app available

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

The State Library of Kansas Talking Books announced Monday the newly available Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) Mobile app.

The free app (available through the Apple App Store) allows readers to download and access nearly 50,000 books, magazines, and music scores in audio and braille formats, with new selections added daily.

“The State Library of Kansas is excited about the opportunity BARD Mobile brings to Kansas,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. “With BARD Mobile, patrons will be able to receive their reading materials faster than our digital playback equipment allows, however, Talking Books digital players and cartridges will remain available without cost to the reader.”

Kansas Talking Books provides personalized library support and materials in a specialized format to eligible Kansas residents to ensure that all may read. This library service is available to Kansas residents who are unable to read or use standard printed materials due to visual impairment, physical impairment or reading disabilities.

If you aren’t a registered Talking Books patron but think you qualify for this no-cost library service visit www.kslib.info/talking-books. Kansas Talking Books is coordinated through the State Library of Kansas and the Library of Congress, National Library Service.

More information on the App: https://tinyurl.com/bardios
Video introduction: https://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5955
Direct link to app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bard-mobile/id705229586?ls=1&mt=8

Kansas Team claims laser-powered drone flight record

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

AP) — A team of Kansas City robotics enthusiasts is celebrating after achieving an aeronautical feat using solar panels.

The KC Space pirates used the panels to keep a toy helicopter airborne for more than 24 hours. They achieved the feat this weekend at the Vox Theatre in Kansas City, Kan.

The whole weekend was broadcast live online and recorded with time clocks running. But Brian Turner of the KC Space Pirates, says no organization officially recognized the achievement or that of the previous record holders.

Beware Mom: Listeria is a Killer

Posted on September 30, 2013

Beware Mom: Listeria is a Killer

Linda K. Beech Ellis County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences — Linda K. Beech
Ellis County Extension Agent,
Family and Consumer Sciences

Mom, imagine that you are in a sci-fi movie, stalked by a relentless creature who has targeted you and your family. This deadly killer ignores others and focuses its wrath on you and your young children. It takes all of your knowledge and skill to survive and protect those you love.
Fiction? No! This killer with the scary-sounding name is Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne bacteria that is a very real threat to pregnant women and their young children.
Listeria is the 3rd leading cause of death from foodborne illness. Ninety percent of the people who get Listeria infections are either pregnant women and their newborns or older people over age 65. Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to get a Listeria infection than other healthy adults. Listeria can cause miscarriage, premature delivery and stillbirth. It can also cause serious bacterial infection and meningitis Most people who have a Listeria infection require hospital care, and 1 in 5 people die.
September is National Food Safety Education Month– a time to draw attention to foodborne illnesses and ways that consumers can keep food safe in order to keep themselves healthy.
A foodborne illness occurs when people eat or drink harmful microorganisms or contaminants in their food or beverages. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year– on average, that’s 1 in 6 Americans each year who get sick from something they eat.
Food safety is important to everyone, but it is especially important to groups that we know are at higher risk of serious consequences from foodborne illnesses. Those vulnerable groups include the very young, the very old, and people who are already in poor health or with weakened immune systems. Foodborne illness is a special risk for pregnant women whose immune systems are stressed due to pregnancy, and their unborn children, infants and young children whose immune systems are not developed enough to fight off harmful microorganisms.
The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is especially dangerous for several reasons. Listeria is a hardy germ which can survive at refrigerator temperatures where most other foodborne bacteria do not. So, it breaks the rules about keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold as a way to control microorganisms. When someone eats food contaminated with Listeria, sickness may not occur until weeks later when it is difficult to identify which food might have been the source. Listeria can contaminate many foods that we don’t usually cook, and Listeria can contaminate some foods that we don’t usually associate with foodborne illness problems, like cantaloupe and celery and sprouts
The most common culprits for Listeria are moist, high-protein foods which aren’t usually cooked. To prevent the risk of illness from Listeria, pregnant women and their young children should heed these cautions:
– Do not eat hot dogs or luncheon meats- unless they’re steaming hot.
– Do not eat soft cheese unless it’s made with pasteurized milk. These would include cheeses such as Feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined soft cheese, queso fresco or other soft ethnic cheeses. Check the labels to be sure.
– Do not eat refrigerated meat spreads or dips.
– Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it’s in a cooked dish. This would include gourmet smoked seafood products such as smoked salmon and related foods that might be labeled as lox or “nova-style” and sold in the refrigerated section of the deli or seafood counter of grocery stores.
– Do not eat raw sprouts.
– Do not drink raw milk or eat foods that contain unpasteurized milk.
– Do not eat homemade jerky unless it was prepared according to current recommendations to heat the product to 160 degrees before or after drying.
Reliable food safety information about Listeria is available online from the Centers for Disease Control, the US Department of Agriculture, the federal Food and Drug Administration and K-State Research and Extension. You may also contact the Ellis County Extension Office for the USDA publication “Food Safety for Pregnant Women” and other resources about food safety and how to protect your family from food-borne illness. Visit us at 601 Main Street in Hays, see our website at www.ellis.ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430.

Senator Moran meets with Acting IRS Commissioner

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week met with the Internal Revenue Service Acting Commissioner Daniel Werfel to discuss a number of issues including the

Sen. Moran Meets with Acting IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel

IRS’ attempt to audit veteran service organizations in Kansas and across the country.

“This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Commissioner Werfel to discuss the potential IRS targeting of veteran service organizations,” Sen. Moran said. “While I was pleased to hear Mr. Werfel’s assurance that the IRS is not making a concerted effort to target veteran service organizations, I still believe the IRS must provide greater clarification. It is my hope that for the sake of our veterans these legitimate concerns are quickly alleviated and fears of IRS audits put at ease. I will continue to pursue this issue closely to make certain the IRS is not overstepping its bounds of privacy and respect for America’s veterans.”

Last month, Sen. Moran sent a letter to Commissioner Werfel questioning potential IRS audits of veteran service organizations. Sen. Moran had significant concerns when he learned that an American Legion Post had been fined $12,000 by the IRS for presumably failing to supply military service documents to satisfy IRS auditor requirements. However, the military service of veterans is already verified upon application and admittance to an American Legion post. It appeared the IRS was trying to solve a problem that does not exist. Sen. Moran never received a written response from the Commissioner, and consequently asked for a face to face meeting at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Werfel agreed that the discrepancy between the 2011 Internal Revenue Manual and the 2013 Treasury Tax Guide for Veterans’ Organizations is confusing and needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. Sen. Moran requested that the IRS works to better communicate with the American Legion and other veteran service organizations to clarify requirements.