After opening up this morning’s mail, that’s how close the United Way of Ellis County is to this year’s fundraising goal of $490,000.
Executive Director Jason Rauch says all the donations from major employers are in. “Now we’re sending out some reminder letters to smaller employers and a few individuals.”
Campaign chairman Josh Dreher, Bank of Hays, is also recording a final reminder to air on Hays radio stations.
“We increased our goal $20,000 from last year,” says Rauch. “That’s because we added two new organizations. Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency has a children’s program United Way will fund, and we’ll help fund the Northwest Kansas Community Corrections housing program.”
So far, $470,081.36 of the $490,000 goal has been raised.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 27-year-old Lawrence woman has been charged with second-degree murder in a stabbing death.
Marci Deshayna Cully was charged Thursday in the death of Wayne Francisco, who was stabbed to death early Wednesday.
Douglas County District Court Judge James George appointed Courtney Henderson to represent Cully, who’s being held on $150,000 bond. Henderson didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment Friday.
These belt buckles are sold to raise money for WKMA scholarships. (Photo courtesy of Western Kansas Manufacturers Association)
Two Hays students and one from Victoria are winners of scholarships from the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association (WKMA). WKMA sponsors the annual 3i SHOW in Dodge City.
The scholarships are available to Western Kansas residents who are going to start their freshman year of college. Preference is given to students enrolling in Industrial Engineering, Pre-Engineering or Business Administration.
The following are 2013-2014 school year scholarship recipients:
– Lauren Pallister, a Hays High School graduate, awarded a $500 scholarship at Barton Community College
– Tate Bartlett, a Minneola High School graduate, awarded a $500 scholarship at Dodge City Community College – Isaac Dreiling, a Victoria High School graduate, awarded a $500 scholarship at NCK Tech
– Martha Rangel, a Liberal High School graduate, awarded a $500 scholarship at Seward County Community College/ATS – Braden Splichal, a Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, awarded a $700 scholarship at Fort Hays State University
– Jennifer Ochs, a Jetmore High School graduate, awarded a $700 scholarship at Kansas State University
– Ethan Long, a Saint John High School graduate, awarded a $700 scholarship at the University of Kansas
WKMA says in a news release there are still scholarships available for students attending Colby Community College, Garden City Community College and Northwest Kansas Technical College.
The scholarships are funded through the sale of 3i SHOW belt buckles.
On Saturday night, the Hays Police Department will be conducting DUI saturation patrols in an effort to deter and decrease the number of impaired and intoxicated drivers on the street.
The purpose of the program is to saturate the city with roving police officers who continually monitor vehicular traffic for signs of impaired driving. Officers will place an emphasis on speeding, safety belt and alcohol-related violations.
The Hays Police Department has a zero tolerance policy on drunk driving. You are encouraged to call Safe Ride at (785) 621-2580 or have a Designated Driver to help you get home safely.
Dan Frick, Ness City weather observer and Matt Gerard, NWS Dodge City (Photo by Jesse Lee)
Cooperative Weather Observer Dan Frick of Ness City has been presented with a 15 year length of service award by Matt Gerard, Senior Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Dodge City.
Frick records daily temperature and precipitation data for the National Weather Service. He and Gerard are pictured (at right) standing at the official NWS precipitation gauge used by Frick.
Today’s announcement comes from the NWS-Dodge City office Facebook page.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas is set to begin a drug testing program next year for some welfare recipients similar to a Missouri program that cost about $500,000 and turned up fewer than half a dozen people who tested positive.
After eight months, and 636 drug test requests, Missouri’s program this year cost nearly $500,000 and found 20 people who tested positive. About 200 others refused to comply.
Like Missouri, Kansas will test welfare recipients who are suspected of drug use, sometimes flagged by tests or a questionnaire.
Kansas Sen. Jeff King, who authored the state’s testing plan, says some people will not apply for benefits if they think they will test positive. He says that should be considered in evaluating any drug testing plan.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is asking a federal judge to stay a lawsuit over the state’s voter proof-of-citizenship law while another case he initiated is being heard.
Kobach filed a request Thursday in federal court in a lawsuit filed against him in November in state court by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU wants to prevent Kobach from setting up different registration systems for voters based on whether they use state or federal forms. The federal form doesn’t require proof of U.S. citizenship.
Kobach is pursuing his own federal lawsuit to force a change in the national form. He’s also moved to pull the ACLU case into federal court.
ACLU Chief Counsel Doug Bonney said the federal court has no jurisdiction to intervene in its case.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Transportation is soliciting comments on proposed changes in projects it already has scheduled through June 2017.
The department released a list of more than 100 proposed changes earlier this month. In most cases, the department is revising cost estimates, adjusting its schedule for accepting bids from contractors or changing how projects will be financed.
KDOT says it will take comments through Jan. 8. People interested in commenting should contact the agency’s Bureau of Program and Project Management in Topeka.
The list of changes in transportation programs posted on the department’s website.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs are paying Chase Daniel more than $4 million in salary and bonuses this season, yet the backup quarterback has not taking a meaningful snap in a game.
There’s an argument to be made that fact won’t change Sunday, when the Chiefs head to San Diego to play a game that can’t affect their playoff situation. Kansas City is already locked into the No. 5 seed and is merely waiting to find out who it will face the following weekend.
But there’s also an argument to be made that every snap Daniel takes – and it stands to reason there will be many – is very important.
After winning their first nine games, the Chiefs have lost four of their last six. And any positive vibes that came with back-to-back wins over Washington and Oakland may have evaporated in a 23-7 rout last weekend by the Colts, a potential first-round playoff opponent.
So while most of the starters will likely sit out the majority of this one, it could be up to Daniel and a slew of backups to give Kansas City some momentum headed into the postseason.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Police in northeastern Kansas are seeking a woman suspected of charging at least $15,000 on stolen credit cards.
The latest theft took place in the Overland Park area. The victim left her purse in a shopping cart at a department store and discovered her wallet missing when she tried to make her purchases.
The victim’s bank told her that three of her credit cards had quickly been used to buy more than $6,000 worth of gift cards at another store.
Police say it’s not the first such theft by the suspect. In all, she has charged more than $15,000 on stolen credit credits in the Kansas City area.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Wichita are looking for a man they say left his baby daughter on a street before running away from a minor traffic accident.
Two witnesses picked up the 1-year-old girl in her carrier and brought her to the mother’s house. Paramedics checked the baby and said she was unhurt.
Police Capt. Troy Livingston says the incident occurred around 9 p.m. Wednesday when one vehicle rear-ended another that was preparing to enter a driveway.
A confrontation followed, and police say the driver who hit the other vehicle got out of his car with the baby in her carrier. He dropped the carrier on the street, then ran from the scene.
One of the witnesses recognized the man and knew where the mother lived.
By Becky Kiser
