February 2014 – Page 72 – Hays Post Archive

FHSU signs 31 on national signing day

Posted on February 5, 2014

The Fort Hays State football coach Chris Brown announced Wednesday they have signed 31 players for the 2014-15 season.

FHSU signed 13 kids from the state of Kansas, six from Colorado, five from Florida, three from Nebraska, two from Missouri, one from Oklahoma and one from Arizona.

Chris Brown Presser – Part 1

Chris Brown Presser – Part 2

Below is a list of the players who have signed so far…

Britton Bishop
6’4 285 OL
Oologah, Okla. (Oologah HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: All-District and All-Conference in 2013…Played in Green County and Jim Thorpe All-Star Games…Nominee for Oil Bowl…Had 47 pancakes in 2013…Four-year letterwinner in football, one letter in track/field.

Austin Buhl
5’11 190 OLB
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Liberty HS)
Planned Major: Athletic Training
Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football at Liberty High School…All-Conference First Team selection and All-Area Second Team in 2013…Named school’s defensive player of the year in 2013…All-Conference honorable mention in 2012.

Cade Calvert
6’0 165 FS
Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS)
Planned Major: Finance
Notes: Senior year (2013) had 107 tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, six fumble recoveries (three forced fumbles)…Two-sport letterwinner (football and track/field)…two-time First Team All-AVCTL…2013 First Team All-State (5A)…Holds school record for fumbles recovered and takeaways in a career…2-time state qualifier in hurdles.

Derek Campbell
6’0 205 RB
Manhattan, Kan. (Hutchinson CC)
Planned Major: Health and Human Performance
Notes: All-Conference at Hutchinson CC in 2012…All-State Running Back at Manhattan High School in 2010…Two-sport letterwinner in Track and Field and Football.

Dyantre Colston
6’3 190 WR
Belleview, Fla. (Belleview HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Two-year letterwinner in football…In 2013, had 41 catches for 630 yards and three touchdowns…In 2012, had 25 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns…First Team All-County in 2013…Rated 3-Star prospect by 247sports, and 2-star prospect by Rivals.com…Finished second all-time in school history for career touchdowns, third all-time in school history for career catches, and third all-time in school history for career yards.

Tevin Evans
6’1 200 LB/DE
Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: 125 tackles and eight sacks in 2013…First Team All-Dade County…2-star athlete by 247Sports…Played in Dade County vs. Florida All-Star Game…Booker T. Washington HS ranked No. 1 nationally, won HS National Championship in 2013.

Erin Gaither
6’0 190 QB
Wichita, Kan. (Wichita Northwest HS)
Planned Major: Biology, Pre-Med
Notes: Threw for 1,119 yards and rushed for 814 yards in 2013…Four-year letterwinner in football, two-year letterwinner in wrestling, one letter in baseball…All-City Honorable Mention in 2014…Made honor roll all four years at Wichita Northwest…National Honor Society member.

Brandon Halperin
6’1 205 LB
Thornton, Colo. (Horizon HS)
Planned Major: Athletic Training
Notes: Two-time First Team All-Conference…Two-time First Team All-Region and Player of the Year (2013)…As a senior, had 85 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a blocked punt.

Colby Hamel
6’3 305 OL
Lakin, Kan. (Garden City CC)
Planned Major: Justice Studies
Notes: 2012 and 2013 All-Jayhawk Conference honoree…Had 120 pancake blocks in 2013 at Garden City CC…Was a three-sport letterwinner at Lakin High School (Football, Basketball and Track)…Two-time All-State member in football (junior and senior seasons).

Hunter Hewitt
6’3 310 OL
Sterling, Kan. (Sterling HS)
Planned Major: Agriculture Business
Notes: All-League for OL and DL in 2012 and 2013…Three-year letterwinner in football, four-year letterwinner in track/field…District 5 All-District Honorable Mention in 2013, First Team in 2012…Named Top Offensive Lineman at Sterling HS…Honor Roll Member, Kansas Honor Scholar…Ranked No. 3 in class.

Doyin Jibowu
6’1 171 FS
Denver, Colo. (George Washington HS)
Planned Major: Athletic Training
Notes: Three interceptions, 57 tackles, two forced fumbles and three touchdowns…Three-year letterwinner in football, Second Team All-League…Honor Roll and National Honors Society Member…Team Captain

Gage Kirwan
6’1 185 WR/DB
Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football at Gretna HS…Three-sport letterwinner in HS (Football, Wrestling and Track and Field)…National Honor Society member for three years…Two-time Academic All-Conference in football…Two-time All-Conference and All-District Honorable Mention.

Jon Kohlscheen
6’2 245 OL/TE
Pleasanton, Neb. (Pleasanton HS)
Planned Major: Agriculture
Notes: Three-sport letterwinner at Pleasanton HS (Football, Track/Field and Basketball)…All-District and All-Region honoree in 2-13…All-State Honorable Mention his senior season (2013).

Aquil Knowles
6’1 170 DB
Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Senior year had 70 tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups…Three-year letterwinner in football… Booker T. Washington HS ranked No. 1 nationally, won HS National Championship in 2013.

Maverick LeRock
6’2 200 LB
Osborne, Kan. (Osborne HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: All-State Linebacker and Defensive Line in 2013…Won 8-man Division I State Championship in 2013…Selected to Kansas 8-Man All Star Game…Racked up 1,732 All-Purpose yards, 32 touchdowns, 72 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles in 2013…Three-sport letterwinner (football, basketball and track/field).

Coby Lindsey
6’0 230 LB
Coldwater, Kan. (South Central HS)
Planned Major: Agronomy
Notes: Four-year letterwinner in football and track/field…Defensive Player of the Year for SPIAA…First Team All-District LB in 2013…Second Team All-District RB in 2013.

Brock Long
5’11 210 LB
Assaria, Kan. (Hutchinson CC)
Planned Major: Management
Notes: Member of the 2013 All-Conference Second Team…Had 100 tackles and two interceptions in 2013…Totaled 88 tackles in 2012…At Southeast of Saline High School, grabbed First Team All-League honors twice…Was a two-time First Team All-League honoree for football…Three-sport letterwinner in HS (Football, Wrestling and Baseball).

Cole Lorenzen
5’11 190 DE
Smith Center, Kan. (Smith Center HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Senior season had 27 solo tackles, 47 assisted tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries…160 receiving yards, eight catches and one touchdown in 2013…Lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and track/field at Smith Center HS…All-MCL Selection (TE/DE) in 2012 and 2013…Team Captain (2013)…State qualifier for javelin (Class 2A), took fifth.

Grant McConnell
6’2 220 DE
Thornton, Colo. (Mountain Range HS)
Planned Major: Business Marketing
Notes: All-State honors in 2013…First Team All-Conference in 2013…Second Team All-Conference in 2011 and 2012…Lead the state in sacks in 2013 (17 sacks)…Had 93 tackles senior season…Front Range League MVP (2013)…Academic All-State in 2011 and 2012…Two-sport letterwinner in football (three years) and track and field (two years).

Cordaryl Pandolfo
5’11 170 WR
Davenport, Fla. (Ridge Community HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Three-sport letterwinner (Football, Baseball and Track/Field)…Second Team All-County in 2012 and 2013…In 2013 had 1,064 all-purpose yards (675 receiving yards, 389 rushing yards) and five touchdowns.

Wyatt Parker
6’3 210 DE
Blue Springs, Mo. (Blue Springs South HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football…All-Conference and All-Area honoree in football…All-District and State qualifier in wrestling…Senior year had 73 tackles, four fumble recoveries, nine sacks and four tackles for loss (-17 yards).

Trever Powell
5’9 170 RB/WR/DB
Greensburg, Kan. (Kiowa County HS)
Planned Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Notes: Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball and track/field…rushed for 4,871 yards, 77 touchdowns…Had 6,058 all-purpose yards and 88 total touchdowns…racked up 262 tackles and 17 interceptions…As a senior, named Sports in Kansas 8-man Division I Offensive Player of the Year, K-Preps Offensive MVP, Topeka Capital Journal First-Team All-State, First Team SPIAA and K-Preps as RB and DB…Honor roll member.

Micquille Robinson
6’0 180 LB
Wichita, Kan. (Northwest HS)
Planned Major: Health and Human Performance
Notes: 2013 stats included 70 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, five sacks (42 yards) and two forced fumbles…Three time honor roll member at Northwest HS…Two-sport letterwinner (Football and Wrestling)…Team captain.

Aujonte (AJ) Roper
5’11 200 WR/SS
Aurora, Colo. (Overland HS)
Planned Major: Physical Therapy
Notes: First Team All-Conference in 2013…Four-year letterwinner in football…Three-sport letterwinner in HS (Football, Track/Field and Basketball).

Christian Sanders
5’11 180 RB
Wichita, Kan. (Wichita Northwest HS)
Planned Major: Industrial Technologies
Notes: Four-year letterwinner in football, one letter in track/field…Averaged 7.3 yards per carry on 94 rushes (687 rushing yards) with three touchdowns…GWAL All-Conference Honorable Mention (2013).

Taylor Scott
5’11 175 RB/WR
Cheraw, Colo. (Cheraw HS)
Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Played both sides of the ball for Cheraw HS…In 2013 had 47 rushes for 390 yards and four touchdowns, caught 19 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns…Defensively his senior season, had 56 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Connor Shedeed
5’11 185 DB
Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS)
Planned Major: Criminal Justice
Notes: Three-year letterwinner at Gretna HS in Football and Wrestling…Played Rugby and Lacrosee (non-school sponsored)…2014 Blue-Grey All-American (senior season)…2013 Shrine Bowl (Nebraska) as a senior…All-State Honorable Mention (Safety) in 2013…First Team All-Metro Area Safety as a junior and senior…First Team All-Conference, All-District as sophomore, junior and senior…Racked up 1,300 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns…Had 65 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups on defense in 2013.

Kevin Spain
6’2 215 QB
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC)
Planned Major: Justice Studies
Notes: Redshirted in 2013…Threw for 669 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012…Three-sport letterwinner at Paradise Valley HS (Football, Baseball and Lacrosse)…Two-time National Underclassman Combine QB MVP…All-State Safety, All-Region Quarterback in 2009-10…2-star prospect by ESPN in 2010.

Justin Stonebraker
5’11 170 FS
Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS)
Planned Major: Secondary Education
Notes: Three-year letterwinner in football, basketball and track/field…Passed for 1,847 yards (102-of-177) and 23 touchdowns in 2013…Rushed 137 times for 876 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013…First Team All-State (5A) for KFBCA…AVCTL Offensive MVP in 2013…Honorable Mention All-State (5A) for Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital…All-League First Team in 2013, Second Team in 2012…Qualified for State Track and Field in 2011, 2012 and 2013…All-State in Basketball 2012-13.

Malik Thomas
5’10 190 RB
Miami, Fla. (Miami Springs HS)
Planned Major: Forensic Science
Notes: Finished 2013 with 1,416 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns…Second Team All-Dade County and All-State Honorable Mention (2013)…Honor Roll student…Two-sport letterwinner (football and track/field)…Miami Springs HS reached playoffs for first time since 1995 and were district runner-ups with Thomas on the team.

John Wilson
6’0 175 DB
Kansas City, Mo. (Hogan Prep Academy)
Planned Major: Sports Medicine
Notes: Three-sport letterwinner at Hogan Prep Academy (Football, Wrestling, Track/Field)…First Team All-State in 2013…First Team All-District in 2013…Had 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown in 2013…Senior season returned two punts for touchdowns.

USDA chief: Climate change already hurting farmers

Posted on February 5, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he’s convinced the effects of climate change have already had a negative impact on agriculture and forestry in the United States.

Vilsack is citing the intensity and frequency of recent storms, plus droughts, snowstorms and subzero weather. He says the nation must play an active role in preparing for climate change.

Vilsack spoke at the White House as the Obama administration announced it is creating seven regional hubs to help coordinate and distribute information about the effects of climate change.

The hubs will be based at Agriculture Department facilities. They’ll assess local climate risks, such as drought and wildfire, then develop plans for dealing with them.

Taking tailgate patrol to the next level

Posted on February 5, 2014

In the ever-escalating competition to be the No. 1 big-time college football program in the nation, Ohio State University bulked up last fall with a monster recruit named Maxx.

OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer and public speaker.

Actually, it’s not the coaching staff that signed this brute, but the OSU campus police department. And the recruit’s full name is MaxxPro — not a football player, but a 19-ton armored fighting vehicle built by a Pentagon contractor to withstand “ballistic arms fire, mine fields, IEDs, and nuclear, biological and chemical environments.”

Wow, college games really have gotten rough.

But the campus police department, which received the MaxxPro as a gift from the Pentagon (i.e., us taxpayers), says it’s not just playing games. Maxx is available for big actions, like hostage scenarios, killers loose on campus, and extreme flooding of up to three feet.

Well, have such things been a problem at OSU? Uh … no.

Would a huge, slow, gas-guzzling vehicle designed for warfare be effective if any of the above were actually to occur? No one in the department wanted to tackle that question.

Oh, by the way, operating and maintaining these machines requires specially trained and licensed personnel. So, are any of OSU’s officers qualified? Again, no answer from headquarters.

Also, the vehicles are subject to frequent rollovers, and they lack the ability to go off-road or to maneuver in confined areas. That doesn’t sound ideal for a college campus. But the gendarmerie say they’ve adjusted Maxx to fit their needs. How? By removing the top gun turret and repainting the vehicle.

OSU police finally admitted that Maxx’s chief role would be to provide a police “presence” on football game days. Isn’t that great?

Police authorities now believe they need a show of military force to keep tailgaters in check.

OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer and public speaker. He’s also editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown.

Fire prompts evacuation of nuclear repository

Posted on February 5, 2014

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Emergency crews are battling a fire in the federal government’s underground nuclear waste repository in southeastern New Mexico.

Officials say a truck hauling salt caught fire about 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad, N.M.

According to a press release and a spokeswoman who answered the emergency line, all employees have been evacuated and none of the radioactive waste has been impacted. But a press release says “multiple employees” are being taken to a hospital for potential smoke inhalation.

Emergency officials say all waste handling operations are suspended and rescue teams have been activated.

The repository takes plutonium-contaminated waste like clothing, tools and other debris from Los Alamos National Laboratory and defense projects. The waste is then buried in rooms cut from underground salt beds.

Mo. lawmakers hear plans to end Kan. tax break war

Posted on February 5, 2014

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers appear ready to embrace a proposed truce with Kansas in a tax-break battle for businesses.

Missouri House and Senate committees each heard testimony Wednesday on legislation that would call for a moratorium on tax incentives for businesses in the Kansas City region relocating from one side of the state line to another.

The legislation would apply to businesses moving between the Missouri counties of Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass and the Kansas counties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas and Miami.

Missouri’s bill says its moratorium will kick in as soon as Kansas takes a similar action. No one testified against it Wednesday.

A study by the Hall Family Foundation found that Kansas and Missouri have waived $217 million of taxes through two programs to shuffle businesses in recent years.

Moran calls on Vilsack to expedite livestock disaster programs

Posted on February 5, 2014February 5, 2014

Letter to Ag Sec. Vilsack page 1 (click for a closer look)

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., along with Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and a bipartisan group of senators, called on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to expedite implementation of the livestock disaster programs reauthorized in the 2014 Farm Bill.

A letter to Vilsack said, “In 2012, U.S. grazing livestock producers experienced the most devastating loss of pasture, rangeland and forage in decades due to the widespread drought, which resulted in more than 80 percent of all U.S. counties determined as ‘abnormally’ to ‘exceptionally’ dry by the U.S. Drought Monitor. By August 2012, you had designated more than 1,400 counties in 33 states as disaster counties due to drought … Due to the magnitude of pasture, forage and livestock losses and the urgent need for financial assistance these losses have created, we strongly urge you to place implementation of 2014 Farm Bill livestock disaster programs as a top priority.”

Snow days: Two down, two to go before calendar change

Posted on February 5, 2014February 5, 2014

Hays USD 489 used its first two snow days of the winter season Tuesday and Wednesday as a result of the snowstorm that dumped 6 inches of snow on Hays.

According to district spokeswoman Elizabeth Jaeger, the district wrote two snow days into its calendar for the 2013-14 school year, and the state “matches” the number of days a district anticipates using as snow days.

That means USD 489 has two more days left before the district would be required to extend the school year.

The last full day of school in 2013-14 is scheduled on May 19, with a half day for most schools on May 20. Hays High School graduation is scheduled for May 18.

1,500-plus hours of Winter Olympics programming available

Posted on February 5, 2014February 5, 2014

The XXII Olympic Winter Games from Sochi, Russia, begin Thursday and run through Feb. 23. Eagle Communications video subscribers have access to NBCUniversal’s unprecedented 1,500-plus hours of Winter Olympic programming, including every Olympic competition, live and on-demand and across multiple platforms.

To take part, visit NBCOlympics.com/LiveExtra and click the “Verify Now” button. Select Eagle Communications as your cable provider, and enter the username and password that corresponds with your account. If you don’t have one, visit www.watchTVeverywhere.com to register account and obtain your watchTVeverywhere username and password. Customers with questions can call Eagle Communications at (877) 613-2453.

Upon verification of your subscription to an Olympics-eligible package, you will be signed in throughout the Games on that device.

The opening ceremony for the Sochi Olympics will be broadcast Friday.

Brownback says Kan. state offices will be open Thursday

Posted on February 5, 2014

Gov. Brownback with KDOT snow plow operator Tuesday to see conditions on I-70. — Gov. Sam Brownback rode with a KDOT snow plow operator Tuesday to see conditions on Interstate 70.

TOPEKA (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says state government offices will resume normal operating hours Thursday after being closed for two days because of a winter storm.

The governor had ordered state offices in the Topeka area shut down Tuesday, when the storm dumped more than a foot of snow on the state capital. He gave agencies the discretion to close offices elsewhere across the state.

Brownback kept offices in the Topeka area closed Wednesday because of frigid temperatures and winds that could cause snow drifts on roads.

The Legislature also called off two days of meetings at the Statehouse, but the House speaker’s office confirmed that the chamber would resume its normal schedule Thursday.

Brownback also scheduled a Thursday morning briefing on the storm.

City commission will discuss shipping container rules in April

Posted on February 5, 2014February 6, 2014

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Hays City Commissioners will review the city ordinance involving how long portable shipping containers can remain on commercial property.

Scott Simpson, owner of Best Radiator, addressed commissioners at Tuesday’s city commission work session stating it appears the ordinance is enforced “sporadically.” He questioned whether the regulations, which states the containers can remain on a property for only 10 days, is being enforced equally — specifically mentioning containers at Walmart.

Mayor Kent Steward said although he supports Walmart, the retailer is “in gross violation” and suggested the city revisit the ordinance.

According to Commissioner Eber Phelps, shipping containers make sense for businesses. Phelps said shipping containers are an affordable storage option, and commissioners should be able to come up with a “middle ground compromise.”

Commissioner Ron Mellick said he has “no problem” with shipping containers present on commercial property on a “rotating basis,” so long as they did not remain for extended periods of time.

City commissioners agreed to review the ordinance at a city commission meeting in April.

Local animal shelter to host Valentine Gala

Posted on February 5, 2014

By KARA HACKNEY
For the Western Plains Animal Refuge

Looking for a new way to spend Valentine’s Day? Want to find a way to give back to the community? Then come celebrate with the Western Plains Animal Refuge.

The “Grrrs and Prrrs Valentine Gala,” hosted by the Western Plains Animal Refuge, will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main.

The event will include appetizers, drinks, a dance and the chance to win great prizes. You must be 21 to attend, and semi-formal dress is requested.

“The gala has something for everyone,” said Brendon McCampbell, director of Western Plains Animal Refuge, “from great food and drinks to a dance floor with music by K10 Productions. There will also be a photo booth and the chance to win great prizes. The best part is the amazing cause it supports.”

Tickets can be purchased at: Hays Arts Center, 112 E. 11th; Hillside Veterinary Clinic, 5250 Vine; and White Chocolate, 810 Main. Cost is $25 per person or $45 a couple.

In order to promote the upcoming Gala, a group of students will be at Walmart from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, collecting donations for WPAR. Anyone who donates that day will be eligible to win a free couples ticket to the Gala.

Founded in 2006 by veterinarian Dr. Jessica Braun, WPAR began as a domestic animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation center in Hays. It operated through Braun’s veterinary clinic, the Animal Health Center, until she closed her practice in 2011 to focus on other career opportunities.

This nonprofit organization is now led by the elected director, McCampbell, along with a team of volunteers. Last spring, after months of fundraising and renovations, the refuge opened at its current location near Ellis, the donated Kopfman-Petco Foundation Animal Shelter building.

“I have always loved animals and began volunteering at the refuge with Dr. Braun when I was in high school,” McCampbell said.

Since its founding, WPAR has helped improve the lives of more than 1,500 animals.

The mission of WPAR is “to foster respect for all creatures, domestic and wild.” The refuge is “dedicated to helping animals and local community by providing shelter, foster, rehabilitation, adoption, and outreach services.”

To donate to WPAR or for more information on the organization, visit www.westernplainsanimalrefuge.org or mail donations to 1750 130th Ave., Ellis, KS 67637. Donations are tax-deductible.

To make a donation to the gala raffle or for more information, contact Lexi Copeland at [email protected] or (785) 259-6432. You can visit the WPAR website or its Facebook page. The Gala also has an event page on Facebook titled “Grrrs and Prrrs Valentine Gala.”

Weather linked to south-central Kan. fatal crash

Posted on February 5, 2014

HESSTON (AP) — The Kansas Highway Patrol said a fatal crash of two trucks on Interstate 135 in south-central Kansas appears to have been weather-related, making it the third fatality linked to a winter storm.

The patrol reported that a northbound Chevy truck went out of control Tuesday morning on I-135 just north of Hesston and spun through the median into the southbound lanes. Another Chevy truck struck it.

The driver of the first truck died Wednesday at a hospital. The patrol identified him as 58-year-old Richard Lynn Conquest of Moundridge.

Earlier, the patrol had reported that a weather-related, two-car crash Tuesday afternoon on U.S. 69 near Pittsburg left two people dead.

A winter storm hit Kansas on Tuesday, dumping heavy snow and making driving conditions hazardous.

Community Connection: Cooper talks with FHSU president

Posted on February 5, 2014February 7, 2014

Eagle Radio’s Mike Cooper sat down with Fort Hays State University President Edward Hammond recently for a monthly update on happenings at the university and beyond.

Check out their conversation HERE.