Doug and Roger Thompson host this series featuring news and notes from the world of local motor sports.
Month: May 2014
As filing deadline looms, eyes are on Kan. House incumbents
We have three weeks to the deadline for filing for office in the state, and many of us Statehouse insiders are watching every day to see who has filed, who hasn’t and who just might have filed as part of a ruse to select their successors.
The statewide state offices, of course, are filling up. Only Republican Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger is retiring, meaning that whatever happens, there’s going to be a new face there.
Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach hasn’t filed, though his Democratic opponent, former State Sen. and former Republican Jean Schodorf of Wichita, has filed. Kobach? He could just wander downstairs in his office building on a coffee break and sign up.
Neither of the likely major party gubernatorial contenders—Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and Democratic House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence—has formally filed yet. Neither has Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, though his Democratic challenger A.J. Kotich has. Republican State Treasurer Ron Estes has filed and he’s alone in the race so far.
But we figure the statewide offices will take care of themselves…it’s the Kansas House where the insiders’ curiosity is focused.
There have been a few announcements of retirement from the House, notably its experienced Tax Chair Rep. Richard Carlson, R-St. Marys, and of course Davis, who can’t be on the ballot twice in case his gubernatorial bid goes south.
But when business closed down Friday, there were 23 House members who hadn’t either filed or formally announced they won’t seek another term.
And it is the House members—remember the full Senate isn’t up for election this year, just two races there due to retirements—we’re watching.
Some very frankly were recruited two years ago in a hurry after a federal court reapportioned state districts and both parties scrambled for candidates. This year, they all know the boundaries of their districts and incumbents can decide whether they are actually having a good time in Topeka, or whether they’d rather be home to carry out the trash.
But what many are watching for on filing deadline day are those slam-bam removal/replacements that can, with a little secret planning, see a filed candidate—especially one without an opposite party challenger—virtually appoint his/her successor.
It happened a few years ago when a Senate member who had filed withdrew his candidacy and a friend filed moments before the deadline for an unopposed run for office. It’s a switcheroo that just might occur again this year.
There are some incumbents who just aren’t having a good time who have filed, ready for the switch if they choose. And some incumbents haven’t filed and are so far unopposed. That last-minute stuff can mean a candidate files just before the noon June 2 deadline and virtually be guaranteed election.
But, remember, sine die adjournment of the Legislature is May 30, and some of those un-filed House members may just be waiting…because the state pays their mileage to come to Topeka for the final adjournment.
Syndicated by Hawver News Co. of Topeka, Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. To learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit www.hawvernews.com.
Hays Rec calls off practices, reschedules games
Due to sloppy field conditions after a bout of rain, the Hays Recreation Commission has canceled all baseball, softball and T-ball practices scheduled for Monday.
In addition, men’s intermediate softball games have been postponed until Wednesday, at the same times and field locations.
Ellis County Sheriff’s activity log, May 9 to 11
May 9
Motor vehicle accident, Interstate 70, 4:30 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident/deer, 2000 block 180th Avenue, 5:55 a..m.
Animal call, 1500 block 220th Avenue, 9:05 a.m.
Canine deployment, St. Marys Catholic Grade School, 12:55 p.m.
Transport, Salina, 1:25 p.m.
Criminal transport, Ellis-Rooks county line, 8:12 p.m.
May 11
Criminal threat, 2300 block 260th Avenue, 2:29 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 1800 Butterfield Trail, 7:47 a.m.
Assist, 2300 block East Seventh, 8:47 a.m.
Civil transport, Russell County line to Ellis County line, 8:32 p.m.
Salina Police: Door kicked in, man shot in groin
SALINA —The Salina Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred just after 10 p.m. Sunday and sent one man to the hospital.
According to police, Darrell Carter was in his apartment when an unidentified black male kicked in his front door and shot him in the groin. The gunshot wound was not believed to be life-threatening, and police said Carter was shot for not paying services rendered. Additional details on the motive were available Monday morning.
Police said the shooting occurred at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Chapel Ridge Place.
Rose Linenberger
Funeral services for Rose Linenberger, 94, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays.
Brock’s Funeral Chapel of Hays is in charge of arrangements.
BoB Templeton
Funeral services for BoB Templeton, 80, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Brock’s Funeral Chapel of Hays is in charge of arrangements.
Area legislators on state finances: ‘The sky is not falling’
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Saturday’s final Eggs and Issues breakfast with area legislators was the first time in three years the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce was actually able to host the third meeting.
“The past two years the Legislature was still in session at this time,” explained Tammy Wellbrock, chamber executive director.
Still, 40th District Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, was unable to attend. He was traveling to high school graduation ceremonies in Grinnell and Hoxie for two of his grandsons.
The audience was happy to hear a session wrap-up from 111th District Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, and 110th District Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, R-Palco.
Despite last Thursday’s downgrade of the state’s bond rating by Moody’s Investment Service, which said the move was triggered by Wednesday’s announcement the state collected $93 million less than expected in April, Couture-Lovelady isn’t overly concerned.
“Overall, (the budget) is generally as expected, even better than projected,” Couture-Loveday said. “It’s easy to make this political.”
Both legislators contend what Kansas is experiencing is the “effect of tax increases implemented by the Obama administration resulting in lower income tax payments.”
“People moved their money around,” Boldra said. “A change in capital gains tax rates at the federal level reduced income tax revenue in states across the country.”
“When Gov. Brownback took office, there was $876.05 left in the state’s checkbook,” Boldra pointed out.
“As of Friday, according to state treasurer Ron Estes, we have nearly $400 million in the checkbook,” said Travis Couture-Lovelady. “The sky is not falling.”
718 Main renovation bids could be awarded Monday by county
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission will consider awarding the bid on the 718 Main Administrative Building renovation project after receiving three bids last week.
The commission will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at the Ellis County Courthouse.
The county received three bids ranging from $630,000 to $648,000 but Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund said those were for just the base bids.
There were three alternates along with the bid, although Sund said two of the three should not have been considered as optional. A security grill and front counter built-ins were listed as alternates, to identify to cost and they will be paid for through the motor vehicle fund.
With the addition of the two alternatives, the bid from Paul-Wertenberger Construction for $709,000 was the low bid, and Sund recommended in his memo to commissioners to award the bid to the Hays-based company.
Factoring in the two alternatives, the bid from Conco Construction, Wichita, was $717,695, and Commercial Builders, Hays, submitted a bid of $723,700.
The county’s target for the remodeling cost was $700,000.
The commission also will consider four lease/purchase agreements to buy 38 self-contained breathing apparatus units for Ellis County Rural Fire District No. 1.
Last week, the commission awarded the bid to Hays Fire and Rescue Sales and Service for $187,950.
The commission will also get an update on a potential place to locate courthouse and Law Enforcement Center staff during reconstruction.
The commission will convene as the Public Building Commission for a short meeting set to begin at 4:55 p.m. Monday at the courthouse to consider accounts payable.
Crime down sharply at University of Kansas
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas police say crime at the school last year was down significantly from the year before.
The university’s public safety office says it handled 670 criminal offenses during 2013, compared with 818 the previous year.
Violent crimes accounted for only 1 percent of all offenses, while property crimes such theft and burglary made up the majority.
There were 36 burglaries reported in 2013, including 10 auto burglaries.
Campus police chief Ralph Oliver says increased use of closed-circuit cameras on campus allows his department to monitor parking lots for suspicious activity.
Family tests Kansas water law, claims impairment
SUBLETTE, Kan. (AP) — A western Kansas family concerned about the future of the Ogallala aquifer is testing a state water law that allows senior water rights holders to force junior rights holders to reduce irrigation or be shut off completely.
Fifth-generation farmer Jay Garetson and his brother Jarvis first filed an impairment claim in 2005 in Haskell County but dropped it two years later because of backlash and threats from the community.
The Hutchinson News reports the brothers filed another impairment claim in 2012. Last week a judge issued a temporary injunction against a plaintiff forbidding him from pumping water from his junior wells to irrigate crops.
Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration has said the state’s water resources could be nearly exhausted in 50 years if pumping continues at the current pace.
HPD activity log, May 9 to 11
The Hays Police Department conducted 39 traffic stops on Friday, 26 on Saturday, and nine on Sunday, according to the HPD activity log. The department also received 18 animal calls in the three-day period.
May 9
Battery, 2800 block Vine, 12:14 a.m.
Water use violation, 4300 block Vine, 12:54 a.m.
Driving under the influence, 100 block West Seventh, 1:46 a.m.
Driving while suspended/revoked, 1300 block Hall, 1:54 a.m.
Animal at large, 25th St and Haney, 10:32 a.m.
Suspicious activity, 1400 block Hall, 3:25 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 13th and Vine, 3:40 p.m.
Shoplifting, 4300 block Vine, 3:52 p.m.
Lost Animals, 200 block East 25th Street Terrace, 4:18 p.m.
Suspicious person, 4300 block Vine, 5:36 p.m.
Shoplifting, 4300 block Vine, 5:57 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 100 block East 11th, 6:45 p.m.
Suspicious activity, 200 block East 17th, 7:38 p.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 800 block Fort, 8:34 p.m.
Civil transport, Larned, 12:10 a.m.
May 10
Domestic disturbance, 300 block Skyline, 7:09 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 100 block East 24th, 7:43 a.m.
Civil dispute, 1000 block Reservation Road, 10:11 a.m.
Drug offenses, 400 block West 33rd, 10:12 a.m.
Shoplifting, 2700 block Vine, 10:27 a.m.
Contempt of court/failure to pay. 100 block West 12th, 10:20 a.m.
Animal at large, General Custer Road and Downing, 10:49 a.m.
Found/lost property, 3700 block Vine, 11:13 a.m.
Phone/mail scam, 900 block Commerce, 11:53 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 33rd and Willow, 1:17 p.m.
Disturbance/fight, 600 block East 15th, 4:20 p.m.
Lost animals, 3300 block U.S. 183 Alternate, 4:23 p.m.
Animal at large, 1300 block MacArthur Road, 4:25 p.m.
Terroristic threat, 2000 block Walnut, 5:08 p.m.
Animal at large, 2700 block Epworth, 5:52 p.m.
Search warrant, 600 block East 15th, 6:58 p.m.
Warrant service/ failure to appear, 300 block West 33rd, 7:06 p.m.
Lost animals, 100 block East 15th, 7:21 p.m.
Civil dispute, 1700 block Oak, 8:43 p.m.
Assist, 100 block West 12th, 10:10 p.m.
Noise disturbance, 300 block West Seventh, 11:02 p.m.
Noise disturbance, 100 block West Fifth, 11:35 p.m.
May 11
Noise disturbance, 700 East Sixth, 12:07 a.m.
Disturbance, 100 block East Sixth, 2:27 a.m.
Noise disturbance, 500 block West 20th, 2:42 a.m.
Driving under the influence, Eighth and Elm, 3:13 a.m.
Unwanted person, 4000 block General Hays Road, 4:53 a.m.
Suspicious activity, 3200 block Vine, 4 a.m.
Found/lost property, 200 block West 10th, 7:50 a.m.
Suspicious activity, 2900 block Vine, 8:36 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 500 block East 19th, 11:57 a.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 600 block East 15th, 12:02 p.m.
Lost animals, 2400 block Virginia, 12:15 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/hit and run, 1300 block East 41st, 2:20 p.m.
Warrant service/ failure to appear, 4300 block Vine, 2:42 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 500 block West 27th, 4:02 p.m.
Harassment, 3600 block Vine, 4:57 p.m.
Found/lost property, 1900 block Vine, 5:49 p.m.
Welfare check, 500 block West 19th, 5:54 p.m.
Animal call, 1300 block Vine, 6 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/hit and run, 400 block East 18th, 6:10 p.m.
Animal at large, 1700 block Henry, 8:18 p.m.
Noise disturbance, 1300 block Lawrence, 9:51 p.m.
Spring snow falls on far NW Kan., blankets portions of Neb.
GOODLAND — Residents in Goodland had rain and high winds over the Mother’s Day weekend, and now they have a smattering of snow to start the work week.
According to the Associated Press, heavy spring snow also blanketed much of the Nebraska Panhandle.
National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Trudel said Monday up to a foot of snow fell near Harrison in Sioux County on Sunday. He says there was 4 to 6 inches on the ground as of 8 p.m. Sunday north of Kimball, and he expected 1-2 inches to fall there Monday as another portion of a storm system moves through.
Trudel said “it’s not too terribly unusual to have snowfall” on May 11 in Nebraska.