Criminal transport, Dodge City, 7:54 a.m.
Criminal transport, Ellsworth, 8:19 a.m.
Criminal transport, WaKeeney, 8:31 a.m.
Criminal transport, Great Bend, 12:27 p.m.
Found/lost property, Hays, 2:45 p.m.
Burglary, 2900 block Wiles Road, 8:36 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government is fining General Motors $35 million for delays in recalling small cars with faulty ignition switches.
The government also says Friday that GM will report safety issues faster in the future.
The fine is the maximum allowed by law. But it’s only a fraction of the $3.8 billion GM made last year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating GM’s delayed recall of older small cars with defective ignition switches. GM has acknowledged knowing about the problem for at least a decade, but it didn’t recall the cars until this year. The company says at least 13 people have died in crashes linked to the problem.
The Justice Department also is investigating.
Automakers are required to report safety defects within five days of discovering them.
By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
Dean Katt is looking more trim these days as he begins to lose the 20-plus pounds he said he gained as a result of stress since he first moved to Hays in August as interim superintendent.
Katt, whose role was made permanent by the school board in December, entered a district facing a series of issues, including administrative staff turnover and a looming budget crisis — more than a $1 million budget shortfall for the 2014-15 year.
Katt said his time in Hays has been both “rewarding” and “gut-wrenching” as he and the USD 489 Board of Education worked to balance the budget and maintain the standard of education for Hays students.
“Overall, you can’t beat the quality of education that is provided in Hays. It is second to none. You look at the graduation rates, success rate, test scores. Everything has been successful — music, athletics, everything — and I think we need to continue that tradition,” Katt said.
“But we have to change some things to be able to do that,” he added.
Those changes have come into focus in recent months, as the board has made moves to cut staff, increase student fees and dissect every aspect of the USD 489 budget. The district also will ask voters next month to approve an increase in the local option budget via a mail-in ballot.
Despite the turmoil and difficult decisions, Katt said he is feeling positive about the district’s future.
“(I) feel like we really have come to a point now that we can start looking at how we are going to rebuild,” he said.
Last week, the board approved raising activity and workbook/enrollment fees as well as reducing the number of bus routes — moves Katt said will bring approximately $316,000 dollars into the budget. It will be the first time since 1998 the district has not been $1 million in the red — a trend, Katt said, that began when state funding for education was cut “year after year.”
However, Katt said the budget is not at the point where the district could bring back some of the 16 teachers who received notice their contracts would not be renewed for the 2014-15 school year.
With contingency funds drained, Katt said “$316,000 dollars is not a huge amount, but it is a good start.”
“Our plan now is to get through the school year. We are spending all our contingency reserves and spending down all of our other funds therefore we have no carryover, which is a scary thought” he said. “We still have to make payroll and do all those things next year, so I am going to say that this isn’t enough right now to bring back staff until we know at the end of the year it (the budget) is higher.”
Katt said a decision about bringing staff back will most likely not be discussed until late July or August.
“With the local option budget election coming up — if that should pass to 31 percent — we would see an increase of $200,000, and I think we would definitely look at bringing back staff and re-assessing fees,” Katt said.
In fact, the board and Katt have said bringing teachers back and decreasing class size in elementary classes is the “number one priority” if the LOB passes. A full statement is on the USD 489 website here.
Katt is spreading the district’s message on a “talking tour,” hoping to educate the community on the budget and how the 1 percent LOB increase would affect residents.
Katt said so far the tours have been “positive,” but there are two concerns he hears about the most.
One is the fact that if the 1 percent increase to the LOB passes in June, the school board has the ability to raise it to 32 percent or 33 percent without another referendum, although that increase would sunset after one year.
He said another issue often raised is the opinion the district spends too much on athletics.
“Athletics is one that is an easy target,” Katt said, noting he often gets asked “Why don’t you just cut athletics?”
Katt said community boosters subsidize much of the cost of athletics and other extracurricular activities and what the district spends is “not really that big of amount in the big scheme of things.”
Katt the amount community boosters donate is “phenomenal — hundreds of thousands of dollars they subsidize as a direct result of the all the (state) cuts that have happened over the last 10 years.”
Katt spoke passionately about the importance of programs such as athletics and music, noting even with the recent reduction of music staff, the programs are not being cut.
“Those programs are just as important to those kids who participate in them as anything else. So you need to look at it globally as to what we need to do to provide a well-rounded education,” Katt said. “I personally believe all those programs are important from music to scholars bowl to athletics. All teach life lessons, and they all have a purpose.”
Regarding state funding cuts to education, “It has just been whittled away — and it has happened year after year,” said Katt, a reality affecting “a lot of districts statewide.”
Katt said the solution is to work together.
“Instead of trying to pit one group against the other, whether it is home-schooling, private schools, whatever it is, we need to concentrate on educating every kid to the best we can, regardless of what program they are in.”
For more information on the LOB and the district’s budget the public is invited to attend one of the Talking Tour sessions.
More information on the LOB budget is available on the district’s website.
Katt said, he and USD 489 Coordinator of Information Elizabeth Jaeger, will answer constituent questions directly as well. They can be contacted at (785) 625-2400, [email protected] or [email protected].
The school board will meet next for a retreat. Click HERE for more on that meeting.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A sharp increase in the number of physical confrontations between inmates and correctional officers has prompted a central Kansas sheriff to purchase less lethal ammunition to subdue prisoners.
Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson says his deputies have to use force to restrain inmates at the jail two or three times a week, compared to almost never a few years ago.
The Hutchinson News reports the sheriff told county commissioners earlier this week his office would soon purchase less lethal ammunition that would allow deputies to restrain prisoners from a distance, rather than use hands-on measures.
Henderson said the ammo likely wouldn’t start being used in the jail for at least another six months.
I hope that nothing the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina or the Greensburg tornado ever strikes your family. Disasters can be devastating, not only to property, but also to family emotions. Being prepared in advance will help your family survive the disaster, ease the emotional impact and improve your ability to recover and rebuild your lives.
Experts say you should plan for “when” an emergency happens, rather than “if.” In severe weather season, it’s important to be prepared. Now is the time to assemble a disaster supply kit to help your family survive a storm or other emergency. The latest advice says to be sure your kit includes helmets and shoes.
When they did an analysis of the Joplin, Missouri tornado a couple of years ago, one of the things that came to the attention of emergency management professionals was that there were a lot of head injuries. Consequently, the latest recommendation is to add a bicycle helmet or similar protective head gear for each member of the family to your disaster supplies. Putting on a helmet during a tornado can reduce the risk of head injury from flying debris or falling structures.
Having shoes with your emergency supplies is another important recommendation. Shoes will protect your feet from the large amount of dangerous debris and broken glass following a storm. I’ve kept shoes for all members of my family with my disaster supplies ever since my Extension colleague in Kiowa County shared that she had to crawl out of her demolished home in bare feet after the Greensburg tornado.
Your family disaster supply kit should also include items to keep your family safe and healthy for two to three days. Assemble these items in a durable plastic tote, a heavy duffel bag or other weather-proof container and keep it in your “safe area”– the place where your family will go to weather a storm.
Start with necessities such as water, canned food and medications for at least three days. The recommendation is one gallon of water per person per day. Include formula and diapers if you have an infant, and pet food and extra water for pets.
Add items for first aid, safety and communication such as a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit and a battery-operated or hand-crank radio. If you’re a cell phone user, put in an extra car charger for recharging your phone. Include a small whistle which you can blow to signal for help.
Other useful supplies might include a small fire extinguisher, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, mess kits or disposable tableware and a change of clothing for each family member. In the event of a disaster, you may not have immediate access to your bank account, so a roll of quarters and a small amount of cash or travelers checks would be a useful addition as well.
Recent natural disasters in the news have emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness. Taking time now to assemble your disaster supplies may help to ensure that your family can survive a disaster and recover more quickly afterward.
For more information, see the steps for building a basic disaster kit at www.ready.gov.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
The Hays Police Department conducted 24 traffic stops and received 8 animal calls on Thursday, May 15, according to the HPD activity log.
Underage possession of alcohol, 500 block West Seventh, 12:50 a.m.
Drug offenses/DUI, 1900 block Ash, 1:33 a.m.
Drug offenses, 300 block E. Eighth, 2:32 a.m.
Mental health call, 700 East Sixth, 5:31 a.m.
Found/lost property, Hays Area, 9:21 a.m.
Water use violation, 2700 block Thunderbird, 10:05 a.m.
Water use violation, 2700 block Thunderbird, 10:32 a.m.
Warrant service/failure to appear, 600 block East Fifth, 10:57 a.m.
Lost animals, 1000 block East Eighth, 11:22 a.m.
Animal at large, 500 block West 33rd, 12:04 p.m.
Found/lost property, West 12th, 12:32 p.m.
Drug offenses, 400 block Halladay, 12:59 p.m.
Theft, 2100 block Canal, 1:01 p.m.
Found/lost property, Hays area, 1:20 p.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 1300 block East 21st, 1:51 p.m.
Animal at large, 22nd and Donald, 1:52 p.m.
Theft, 3600 block Vine, 4:55 p.m.
Animal call, 400 block East 13th, 5 p.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 2000 block Anthony, 5:06 p.m.
Found/lost property, Hays area, 05:18 p.m.
Disorderly conduct, 1000 block Reservation Road, 2 p.m.
Water use violation, 2700 block Hillcrest, 7:40 p.m.
Animal at large, 32nd and Fort, 7:49 p.m.
Animal call, 2100 block Walnut, May 1
Suicidal subject, 2800 block Indian Trail, 9 p.m.
FINDLAY, Ohio (AP) — A university in northwest Ohio is being forced to replace almost all its grass after weedkiller was accidentally applied to lawns instead of fertilizer.
University of Findlay spokeswoman Brianna Patterson said the chemical was applied to campus lawns during the last week of April and it will take several weeks to reseed and re-sod the affected areas.
Patterson told the Findlay Courier the mistake is unfortunate because of how hard the university works to keep the campus looking nice.
Findlay University did not release the name of the company that made the mistake but is working with the business’ insurance company to pay for it to be fixed.
The university says grass was killed on as many as 54 of the campus’ 72 acres.
WALKER — Louise Virginia Sheets, age 64, died Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.
She was born December 3, 1949, in Cherry Hill, Maryland, to George Nelson and Dorothy Virginia (Strawbridge) Norris. She and her companion, Richard J. Webb III have been together for over 20 years.
She was a homemaker and moved to Walker, Kansas, in 1995 from Cherry Hill, Maryland, where she grew up. She was a very good cook and enjoyed canning, gardening, her flowers, her cats and spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her companion, Richard J. Webb III, of the home; a nephew, Adam Norris and wife, Angie, York, Penn; two brothers, Edward Norris and Donald Norris, both of Cherry Hill, MD; and several other nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Graveside services are 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Winterset Cemetery south of Gorham, Kansas.
A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main, Victoria, KS. 67671.
Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, and from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. Monday, at Cline’s Mortuary, Victoria, KS.
Memorial to Humane Society of the High Plains.
Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected]
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence officials say a shortage of lifeguards could mean portions of the city’s indoor and outdoor swimming pools might have to be idled this summer.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the city has only about 40 percent of the lifeguards it needs for the summer swim season, with little more than a week to go before opening day at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center.
City officials have announced the starting salary for lifeguards has been increased to $8.25 per hour, which is $1 higher than in the past.
Aquatics supervisor Lori Madaus says the city has about 100 positions it needs to fill for this year. Applicants have to be at least 16 years old and pass a lifeguard training course.
CHAPMAN –Chapman City Administrator Gerry Bieker will be leaving that post.
Chapman Mayor Phil Weishaar said Bieker was offered “an excellent opportunity to move to Goodland.”
Weishaar confirmed that Bieker recently turned in his notice in Chapman and it was announced at the City Council meeting Wednesday night. Bieker will be on duty in Chapman until June 20, and begin work in Goodland about July 1.
Weishaar said the search for a successor has involved putting an advertisement with the Kansas League of Municipalities. There will also be job advertisements in area newspapers.
The mayor noted Chapman is a small town. “We may be the beginning step for some people. We have to be kind of careful as to what we get, because we want to make sure we got somebody that’s going to be able to accomplish some things, and we may have to have people on staff who can cover everything.”
Bieker has worked for the Chapman as City Administrator since December of 2009. He was the first City Administrator hired in that city. Weishaar stated Bieker has done an excellent job. “It’s not surprising that other cities have noticed the accomplishments that he’s been involved with.”
By NICK BUDDHays Post
After Hays City Commissioners asked city staff to review the current funding level of the Hays Regional Airport, staff members decided that the current funding level “was not sufficient enough to complete to provide future operational and capital funding needs,” according to the memo sent out by city staff.
Commissioners discussed the current funding level at Thursday’s work session.
According to I.D. Creech, director of Public Works for the city of Hays, the city receives funding for the airport from four specific areas — the mill levy, use of land for rentals and farming, use of improvements such as the rental fee for hangers and fuel, and regulation of operations, which includes landing fees and business licenses.
The airport currently receives one mill out out of the mill levy for operations, which is equivalent to around $199,000. Creech said an increase in the amount of mills that the airport receives could be the most effective way to provide more funding for the airport.
“An increase in this particular revenue source would be the most substantial way to fund the airport because its steady and regular,” Creech said. “If you give us a quarter, half or whole entire mill, it would substantially fund the airport.”
Creech also said the city found a new funding source that could be used to fund the airport operations. The airport could charge up to $4.50 per passenger through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Passenger Facility Charge. These funds could be used for FAA approved projects such as safety, security and capacity enhancements, or improvements that would increase air carrier competition.
“The money would be collected immediately and would have to be used within two years,” Creech said. “According to SkyWest’s passenger estimates of 13,000 passengers per year, it’s an approximate revenue source of around $50,000 to $59,000 per year.”
Commissioner Ron Mellick said he favored the PFC as a revenue source.
“An increase in the mill levy will affect everybody whether they use the airport or not,” Mellick said. “The PFC is charged to the people that actually use the airport and those improvements go directly into the airport.”
A recommendation on budget enhancements will be made during the 2015 budget development.
ARKANSAS CITY—-A Kansas man was killed in a rollover crash at 11:23 p.m. Thursday in Cowley County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1986 Dodge pickup driven by Howard R. Beamer Jr., 42, Arkansas City was northbound on 71st Road just south of 252nd Road.
The driver lost control due to excessive speed going over a hill.
The truck rolled 1.5 times coming to rest against a tree on the passenger side.
Beamer was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported to Rindt-Endman Mortuary.
The KHP reported he was not wearing a seat belt.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Nelson Cruz has only two hits in 15 at-bats against the Kansas City Royals this season. Both are home runs.
Cruz hit a two-run homer and the first-place Baltimore Orioles beat the Royals 2-1 on Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.
Cruz homered in the fourth after Chris Davis drew a walk to lead off the inning. It was Cruz’s 12th home run, which is second in the American League to the 15 of Chicago White Sox rookie Jose Abreu. Cruz’s 35 RBIs are tied for second in the AL.
“He’s one of the best power hitters in the American League over the past five or six years,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s hit in a good hitter’s park in Texas, but he’s got power to all fields.”
Wei-Yin Chen (5-2) limited the Royals to one run and seven hits over 5 1-3 innings with one walk and one strikeout. Chen, who is 5-1 in his past seven starts, was removed in the sixth after Salvador Perez walked and Alex Gordon singled with one out. Darren O’Day replaced Chen and struck out Danny Valencia and retried Johnny Giavotella on a fly to right.
Royals rookie right-hander Yordano Ventura (2-3) struck out nine and walked one in 6 1-3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. After Cruz’s home run, Ventura retired the next 10 batters, striking out seven, including six straight at one stretch.
“He made a mistake to Nelson Cruz and it wasn’t even a mistake,” Yost said. “I think he threw a good fastball to Nelson. It was up and over the middle of the plate and he ambushed it.”
Cruz hit the first pitch out to right-center from Ventura, who has a fastball that routinely hits triple digits on radar guns.
“We know he’s got a great fastball,” Cruz said. “He can get you quick. He’s got great stuff. It was one of those at-bats that I got what I was looking for. We were trying to be aggressive and he was throwing a lot of first-pitch fastballs. I was looking for a fastball.”
With a northwest wind blowing 15 mph and gusting up to 28, it was less than ideal conditions to hit a home run.
“You could have made some money off me if you’d have bet me that somebody could have gotten a ball out of here tonight,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.
Valencia’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the fourth scored Eric Hosmer for the only run off Chen.
“Ventura pitched great,” Giavotella said. “We just couldn’t back him up with any runs.”
Left-hander Zach Britton, who had not allowed a run in 7 1-3 innings in his past eight appearances, worked a perfect ninth for his first major league save. Showalter elected to go to Britton after closer Tommy Hunter blew his past two save chances.
“Guys graduate,” Showalter said. “It was a good start and it’s good to know that if we need him for a given night he’ll be ready. We’ll see how it goes from here.”
The Royals did not have a baserunner off four Baltimore relievers, who retired 11 straight.
“Our pitchers did a really good job and we really needed this win,” Cruz said. “Anytime you can win a game by one run it’s huge. We feel like we can get something going.”
The Orioles, who went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position, threatened in the seventh and eighth innings, but came away empty.
Gordon, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, threw out J.J. Hardy at the plate to end the seventh for his fourth outfield assist this season and his 58th since moving to the outfield in 2011. Hardy attempted to score from second on Nick Markakis’ single.
Manny Machado and Adam Jones led off the Orioles eighth with singles off Louis Coleman, the third Kansas City pitcher. Kelvin Herrera replaced Coleman and struck out Davis and Cruz and retired Steve Clevenger on a grounder to strand the runners.
NOTES: The Orioles recalled RHP Evan Meek from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned RHP Kevin Gausman, who lost a Wednesday start to Detroit, to the same club. … Markakis snapped an 0-for-14 skid with three singles. … Royals RHP Wade Davis has a stiff neck and was not available.
