KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Kansas City Chiefs fan in an Arrowhead Stadium parking lot.
Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced the charge Friday against 23-year-old Joshua T. Bradley of Independence. He was arrested early Friday and is being held on $75,000 bond.
Smithville resident Kyle Van Winkle died after being confronted by a group of fans Dec. 1 when he was found in the wrong vehicle in the parking lot. Police say the Jeep looked like one that Van Winkle rode in to the game.
Peters Baker said Friday that Bradley hit Van Winkle more than once during the confrontation.
An autopsy found that Van Winkle died from a blow to the head.
The Hays Arts Council has issued a call for entries for the 45th annual Smoky Hill Art Exhibition.
The deadline for entries is March 7, and the juried exhibition will anchor the HAC’s 2014 spring art walk from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 25.
A total of $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded. The juror will be Sherry Leedy, director and curator of Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art in Kansas City. She holds an MFA degree from the University of Kansas and a BFA degree from the Kansas City Art Institute.
An entry form and complete rules is available HERE.
Director of Police at Fort Hays State University Ed Howell now has another title.
Howell won a recent election making him Sergeant of Arms of Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. The position enables him to step up to vice president of the KACP next year.
Howell says he is honored to be representing northwest Kansas in his new role.
“Four other well-qualified gentleman ran for the same office I did and, fortunately, I was elected,” Howell said.
Howell is a fifth-generation law enforcement officer and has worn the badge for more than 20 years.
Howell noted he thought his dad would be proud of his new position.
The KACP has more than 500 members from across the state. Howell said the association’s functions include law enforcement training regulations, legislative activities and homeland security.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill to end Nebraska’s mountain lion hunting season has cleared a first-round vote in the Legislature.
Lawmakers advanced the measure Friday on a 31-5 vote.
Sen. Ernie Chambers says he introduced the bill because the animals were native to the region, and they pose no real threat to humans. He says hunters only want to kill them for sport.
Opponents say the mountain lion population should be regulated by experts at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
The bill includes exceptions that allow farmers and ranchers to kill mountain lions that threaten their property. People could also kill the animals to defend themselves if attacked.
Two more votes are required before the bill goes to Gov. Dave Heineman.
Hays public safety officials responded to a precautionary landing Friday morning at Hays Regional Airport after receiving reports of a plane with engine trouble.
Airport Manager Robert Johnson said this morning the private Cessna called in reporting a problems and landed safely.
Johnson added the plane was looked at and the pilot departed without incident.
He did not have information about where the plane originated.
The Hays Fire Department, Ellis County Rural Fire Department, Ellis County EMS, Hays Police Department and Ellis County Sheriff’s Department all deployed to the scene as a precautionary measure — prepositioning assets in accordance with a standard plan for airport emergencies.
A accidental fire February 19 caused severe damage to a house at 1910 Fort Street in Hays.
Investigators have determined Wednesday afternoon’s house fire at 1910 Fort Street was accidental.
In a Friday morning news release, Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown said the fire most probably originated from an unknown but accidental cause in the void space between the wood ceiling in the basement and the floor above.”
“It’s believed the fire smoldered in this area for some time, weakening the floor joists until it burned through the floor and, with adequate air, began to spread rapidly on the first floor,” he added.
The investigating team included the City of Hays Police Department, City of Hays Fire Department and Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office.
No one was at home when the blaze broke out. There were no injuries.
Phillipsburg resident Pauline E. Hanson passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, KS, at the age of 92.
She was born September 17, 1921, in Phillips County, the daughter of Roy M. and Nellie (Robinson) Van Allen. Her husband, Edward, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sons, Bob of Lawrence, KS, and Gary of Christiansburg, VA; sister, Cleo Wilson of Phillipsburg; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Gary Davison officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Visitation will be Saturday from 5 – 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the UMC Thrift Shop or Hospice Services. Online condolences may be sent to: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The top Democrat in the Kansas House is calling on leaders of the Legislature’s Republican majorities to shorten lawmakers’ annual session by 20 days.
House Minority Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence said Friday that the GOP-dominated Legislature isn’t doing anything to create jobs, rein in local property taxes or boost funding for public schools. He says it should therefore go home early and save taxpayers money.
His proposal is to shorten the session to 70 days from its traditional 90 days. That would save $1.3 million in costs.
Davis also is running for governor, hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Sam Brownback.
Senate President and Wichita Republican Susan Wagle said Davis appears to be eager to ramp up his campaigning against a popular GOP governor.
WICHITA — Meet Kim McDowell, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in Wichita State University’s College of Education. She has a Ph.D., is a mother of seven – and a beauty queen.
Kim McDowell
She knows what you’re thinking, but it’s for a good cause. McDowell is a long-time advocate for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a cause that is as much a passion as it is her profession, and in July she’ll compete for the title of Mrs. International, a beauty pageant for married, professional women who champion important causes.
“When I first decided to do this,” said McDowell, “I was worried that it would reflect negatively on me professionally. A lot of people have misperceptions about pageantry and what it is, especially involving a married woman who is 41, but when they see that this is just an extension of what I already do they’re very supportive.”
McDowell’s area of expertise is elementary and early childhood education, as well as communication sciences and disorders. She’s a graduate of Wichita State, and she attributes her passion to an experience as a 19-year-old undergraduate tutoring for a group called Partnership Assisting Student Success.
“We were going to the homes of at-risk kids in the community,” she said. “Ever since then, my entire professional career and all of my philanthropic activities have revolved around kids who are at risk – kids who need help or assistance – and their families.”
‘I was kind of hooked’
McDowell was involved in her first pageant in 2006 when she won the title of Mrs. Kansas. She entered the contest as a way to motivate herself to get back in shape after the birth of her sixth child. She was surprised to win the state title and went on to place in the top 10 at the Mrs. USA pageant.
“After that I was kind of hooked,” she said. “I’m a bit competitive, so this is a nice way to continue to do what I love, which is working with kids and families, but then, occasionally, I get to put on a pretty dress, some fake eyelashes and a big smile.”
McDowell says her involvement with CMN Hospitals started off as a parent in need of services. Her now 10-year-old was born preterm and spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which resulted in developmental delays and a need for speech therapy.
“As we needed less and less help,” she said, “I realized the need for increased advocacy and fundraising was great. I’ve spent several years being an advocate and spokesperson for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. As a mother of a child with exceptionalities and a professor preparing teachers to teach children with exceptionalities, I feel like my work with CMN Hospitals and the pageant is an extension of what I do in the classroom.”
Additionally, McDowell is executive director for Models for Miracles, which is having a fashion show of its own at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Doubletree Hilton in Wichita. Local teens will participate in the event, each raising $50 as part of the community service. The event has already raised $15,000 for CMN Hospitals.
The Mrs. International pageant will take place in Jacksonville, Fla. McDowell says she’ll be in Florida for five days with her husband, doing some sightseeing, lots of rehearsals and the pageant itself. The areas of competition will include an interview, eveningwear and fitness wear – but no swimsuits.
“It will be a great opportunity to talk about my platform and the things I believe strongly in,” said McDowell. “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been great in letting me continue to champion them in my crown and sash.”
Of course, McDowell still hasn’t picked out her evening gown for the pageant.
“I tend to wait until the last minute for wardrobe,” she said. “I’m busy doing the things that mean the most to me, which is working with the kids and their families.”
February is a great time to think about money — holiday expenses are not far past, and tax season is on the horizon. It’s no wonder that the last week of February has been designated as America Saves Week, a national campaign which encourages individuals and families to save money in order to build wealth or reduce debt.
Linda Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences with Kansas State Research and Extension.
In the next few weeks, K-State Research and Extension will offer several educational opportunities which focus on smart money management to help participants build financial stability and security. You may find just the right topic of interest to you and your family. Please save the date for these programs and call the Ellis County Extension office at (785) 628-9430 to register or for more information.
• Know Your Credit: The Ellis County Extension Office will host a noon-hour program on “Know Your Credit” on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at noon at the Ellis County Extension Office Meeting Room, 601 Main, Hays. Enter the rear door from the north parking lot.
This free program will explain the difference between a credit report and credit score, provide tips to manage credit behavior and understand the costs involved with using credit. Jamie Rathbun, Midway District Extension Agent, will be the guest speaker.Bring a lunch to enjoy during the program if desired. Beverages will be provided.
• Preserving the Family with Estate Planning: A team of Extension agents in northwest Kansas has planned the workshop “Preserving the Family with Estate Planning,” to aid families in beginning the process of transitioning assets from one generation to another. Attorneys and Extension experts will speak on estate planning basics, family communication, transfer of non-titled assets, charitable estate planning and farm transition planning. The goal of the workshop is to help families use estate planning to preserve the most valuable asset of all: the family itself.
The workshop will be held in two locations: Thursday, March 13, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hoxie, and Friday, March 14, at Thirsty’s Banquet Room in Hays. The cost for the all-day workshop is $15, due by March 7, and includes program handouts, refreshments and lunch. Late registration (after March 7) or walk-in cost is $20, however, the meal cannot be guaranteed for those who register late. Space is limited, so early registration is advised.
The workshop registration brochure is available on the Ellis County Extension Office website at www.ellis.ksu.edu, or your can contact us for more information at (785) 628-9430.
• America Saves Financial Challenge: To coincide with America Saves Week, the Cooperative Extension system is launching a free five-week online challenge. The program begins Sunday, February 23 and continues through Saturday, March 29.
The “America Saves Financial Challenge” is based on ten daily recommended financial practices. Points are given for performing personal actions such as tracking money spent, saving change and reading articles about financial issues. Paper tracking forms can be downloaded to keep track of daily activities until they are entered online, at least once a week. Participants can compare their progress to others across the country. Weekly and grand prizes will be awarded.
Doing even a few of the 10 recommended daily financial practices is a great way to get started on the path to financial security. To participate, visit https://goo.gl/Lsqb7A, create an account and enroll in the “2014 America Saves Challenge.”
If you need more information about any of these financial learning opportunities, contact us at the Ellis County Extension Office, (785) 628-9430. Remember, February is a great time to think about managing your money.
Linda Beech is Ellis County agent for Family and Consumer Sciences with K-State Research and Extension.
MANHATTAN — “Service” would be a common theme among the five Kansans who were recognized at a Feb. 19 luncheon by Kansas State University’s Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development as 2014 Leaders of the Year.
A scene from a Peterson brothers parody.
“Whether advocating for agriculture on social media, adding value to honey as an energy food, customizing flower arrangements for families, leading a statewide organization, or attracting hunters to our state from far away, these Kansans have demonstrated outstanding service in diverse ways,” said Clare Gustin, chairwoman of the board of directors of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development.
Gustin is a vice president at Sunflower Electric Cooperative in Hays.
This year’s award categories, winners and their home communities are:
• Agribusiness: Greg, Nathan and Kendal, the Peterson Brothers, Assaria;
• Business and Entrepreneurship: Jerry and Debbie Brown, RevHoney, Haddam;
• Leadership: Brenda Chance, city clerk, Phillipsburg (past president of League of Kansas Municipalities);
• Local Retail: Matt and Bronwyn Douglas, Kistner’s Flowers, Manhattan; and
• Tourism: Carlos Navarro, Santa Maria Ranch, Junction City.
As agriculture students from a farm near Assaria, Greg, Nathan and Kendal Peterson depicted agricultural life in a catchy Youtube video and music parody called “I’m Farming and I Grow It.” The video went viral, generating 7.6 million views in five months and paved the way for them to be flown to New York for an interview on Fox News. Another music parody called “Farmer Style” generated 13 million views. Altogether, their videos have generated some 30 million views. The Peterson Brothers see their ongoing efforts as a way to educate urban consumers and others about agriculture. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/PetersonFarmBros.
Jerry Brown’s grandfather started beekeeping in north central Kansas in 1948 and his father started Brown Honey Farms in 1963. They grew the business into the largest beekeeping operation in Kansas by the 1980s. In 2006, Jerry, his wife Debbie and son Nate launched an initiative to add value to that honey by using it as an energy food. They founded a company named RevHoney which offers flavored honey snacks and honey-based energy drinks. These products are now sold in more than 500 stores and coast to coast through online sales. For more information, see revhoney.com.
Brenda Chance joined the City of Phillipsburg as a waste water treatment facility operator in 1981 and gradually worked her way up through the organization. She was appointed city clerk in 1987 and became active in state municipal organizations. She was named Clerk of the Year in 2008, served as president of the City Clerks/Municipal Finance Officers Association, and president of the League of Kansas Municipalities in 2012-13. She is one of only eight women to have held that position since the organization was founded in 1910, and is the first female city clerk to ever be president of that organization. For more information, go to www.cityofphillipsburg.com.
Matt and Bronwyn Douglas both worked at Kistner’s Flowers in Manhattan while students at K-State. The business had been founded by the Kistner family in 1946 and purchased by the Orr family in 1973. In 2006, Matt and Bronwyn came back and purchased the business themselves. Kistner’s Flowers now offers fresh flower arrangements, plants for indoor use, and interior plantscape for business clients. Matt and Bronwyn especially enjoy creating personalized, customized arrangements for weddings and funerals. Kistner’s won the Lux award for best outdoor weddings in northeast Kansas. For more information, go to www.kistnersflowers.com.
Carlos Navarro loved hunting as a boy in Mexico and arranged hunting trips with his friends. He moved to Kansas City, became a U.S. citizen, and took up bowhunting. In 2000, he bought the Santa Maria Ranch south of Junction City and began operating a guided hunting business. He now leases 10,000 acres for hunting for his clients. An accomplished hunter himself, he is one of approximately 300 people in the world who have accomplished a World Slam (bagging one bird from each of the six subspecies of wild turkeys) and one of only 10 people who have accomplished this task with a bow. For more information, go to wwwsantamariaranch.com.
The 2014 Huck Boyd Leaders of the Year winners were selected by students in an entrepreneurship class in K-State’s College of Business. Each year the Huck Boyd Institute selects its leaders of the year from among those featured on its weekly Kansas Profile radio program and column during the previous 12 months Kansas Profile is distributed by the K-State Radio Network and K-State Research and Extension News Media Services to radio stations and newspapers statewide.
The Huck Boyd Institute is a public/private partnership between K-State Research and Extension and the Huck Boyd Foundation. The foundation office is at the Huck Boyd Community Center in Phillipsburg. The Institute office is at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
The Hays MoKan Take Charge Challenge Leadership Team accepts a $10,000 winning check from Cassie Reimer, Climate and Energy Project, Hutchinson.
It’s official now. Hays has won the MoKan Take Charge Challenge for commercial businesses.
A $10,000 check was presented to the TCC Leadership Team Thursday evening by Cassie Reimer with the Hutchinson-based Climate and Energy Project.
Hays beat out Hutchinson, Kansas City, Kan., and Warrensburg, Mo., in the competition to reduce energy and water use. Eighteen Hays businesses and schools participated.
Northwestern Printers is the local winner. Two of the many changes made in the company’s two buildings directly affect the printing business, according to Green Team member Howard Droegemeier. Humidity control keeps static electricity from developing as paper runs through presses; overhead lighting is critical for color control:
Jennifer Rack and TMP-Marian Principal Kathy Taylor
Northwestern Printers owners Marvin and Jennifer Rack were presented a $5,000 check from Midwest Energy’s Mike Voelker.
The Racks immediately handed it over to Kathy Taylor, principal of TMP-Marian High School. Then, the couple made a $5,000 personal donation to Holy Family Elementary School and principal Rachel Wentling.
TMP came in second in the Hays MoKan competition; HFE was third. Both school principals were surprised by the donations from the Racks.
“We may get a new water-efficient dishwasher for our cafeteria,” Taylor said. “I know our cooks would be thrilled.”
Marvin and Jennifer Rack, Holy Family elementary school principal Rachel Wentling, and Bev Stark, HFE Green Team member
“Completely blown away” is how Wentling described her reaction to the unexpected donation.
“Our bathroom urinals are from the 1950s. We’re probably going to look at taking advantage of the city of Hays’ rebates to replace them with more water-efficient urinals,” she said.
The Rack children attend the local Catholic schools.
“We will be saving money, realizing savings, in our business from here on out,” Jennifer Rack said. “Marvin and I want to pass it along.”
The Hays MoKan Leadership Team voted to split the $10,000 winnings three ways.
LED lights for the city of Hays downtown Christmas lights and decorations-$2,000
LED lights for the Hays Arts Council galleries-$1,000
New bicycle racks throughout Hays-$7,000
Disclosure: Becky Kiser is a member of the Hays MoKan Take Charge Challenge Leadership Team.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Kansas City Chiefs fan in an Arrowhead Stadium parking lot.
