July 2014 – Page 37 – Hays Post Archive

Task force wants to bring Amtrak back to Emporia

Posted on July 21, 2014

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — A group of Emporia residents is exploring the possibility of returning Amtrak to the southheast Kansas city.

The Emporia Amtrak Task Force recently filed for nonprofit status with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office. It’s trying to raise funds for an impact study to build a train depot to replace one that was destroyed by fire in 1999.

Supporters say Amtrak would improve the city’s economic development efforts and provide transportation for the elderly and international students at Emporia State University. They say it also could bring people into the city to shop or visit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports members of the task force have been talking to Amtrak and BNSF railroad staff, Emporia State University and community leaders. BSNF owns the tracks on which Amtrak’s Southwest Chief runs.

Kansas gets $31.8 million from federal program

Posted on July 21, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A U.S. Treasury Department program brought $31.8 million to Kansas last year, and that number could grow in the future.

The Treasury Offset Program helps states collect debts owed by tax deadbeats and welfare cheats. The Wichita Eagle reports Kansas plans to join a part of the program that helps states recover improperly paid unemployment benefits.

The program intercepts all or part of federal tax refunds or other federal payments to pay debts to the state. It can also garnish vendor payments, part of federal employees’ salaries and capture up to 15 percent of a person’s Social Security check.

Most of the money Kansas collects through the program is from delinquent child support, which made up $23 million of the $31.8 million sent to the state last year.

Museum exhibit will focus on history of the American flag

Posted on July 21, 2014

LOGAN — “Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag” will open Aug. 22 at the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum and run through Nov. 16.

Among the most recognizable icons in the world today, the American flag has enjoyed a long history of graphic renderings and artistic re-interpretations.

The flag design was so hastily adopted that it did not specify the arrangement of the stars. As a result, Americans interpreted the stars and stripes freely on everything from quilts and jewelry to games and commercial products.

From Civil War-era flags and Native American moccasins to political campaign buttons and original flag art, “Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag” assembles thousands of American flag-related objects and artifacts from the private collection of Kit Hinrichs, one of the world’s leading graphic designers and a partner in the international design firm, Pentagram. Together, the range of objects and memorabilia presented comprise their own genre of folk art and are a unique part of American heritage.

For more information on the exhibit and other museum activities, click HERE.

HPD activity log, July 18 to 20

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

The Hays Police Department conducted 10 traffic stops on Friday, 18 on Saturday and nine on Sunday, according to the HPD activity log. The department also received 19 animal calls over the three-day period.

July 18
Assist, 2500 block Sherman, 6:52 a.m.
Death/natural causes, 1500 block Canterbury, 9:10 a.m.
Burglary/business, 1100 block East 27th, 9:21 a.m.
Telephone harassment, 200 block East Eighth, 11:44 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 200 block East 32nd, 11:45 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 400 block East 23rd, 11:50 a.m.
Animal at large, 1000 block Reservation, 12:56 p.m.
Noise disturbance, 1400 block East 29th, 1:28 p.m.
Violation of restraining order, 500 block East 16th, 1:34 p.m.
NCIC hit, 100 block West 12th, 3:40 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 1300 block Vin, 3:55 p.m.
Welfare check, 1900 block Holmes, 9:12 a.m.
Found/lost property, 2900 block Broadway, 8:50 p.m.
Noise disturbance, 500 block East 20th, 8:53 p.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 100 block West Fourth, 9:33 p.m.

July 19
Battery, 300 block West Seventh, 1:01 a.m.
Drug offenses, 500 block West Seventh, 1:47 a.m.
Weapon offense, 100 block East Seventh, 3:13 a.m.
Domestic disturbance, 3500 block Canal, 7:29 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 1900 block Vine, 8:36 a.m.
Animal at large, 1000 block Vine, 8:41 a.m.
Theft, 1900 block Vine, 11:03 p.m.
Disturbance, 200 block East 14th, 1:14 p.m.
Animal at large, 1400 block U.S. 183 Alternate, 1:34 p.m.
Warrant service/failure to appear, 100 block West 12th, 4:30 p.m.
Warrant service/failure to appear, 100 block West 12th, 4:58 p.m.
Domestic disturbance, 2600 block General Custer, 6:08 p.m.
Disorderly conduct, 500 block East 20th, 10:16 a.m.
Found/lost property, 100 block West Seventh, 10:51 p.m.
Noise disturbance, 200 block West 22nd, 11:22 p.m.

July 20
Motor vehicle accident/private property/hit and run, 2100 block Vine, 12:15 a.m.
Noise disturbance, 3100 block Eldorado, 12:38 a.m.
Theft, 1600 block East 27th, 1:29 a.m.
Driving under the influence, 3000 block East 22nd, 5:33 a.m.
Open door/window, 100 block East 13th, 2:41 a.m.
Theft, 4000 block General Hays, 3:30 a.m.
Identity theft, 1000 block Reservation, 8:01 p.m.
Suspicious person, 600 block East Sixth, 1:05 p.m.
Criminal damage to property, 3200 block Vine, 1:45 p.m.
Driving while suspended/revoked, 1300 block Canterbury, 9:52 p.m.
Telephone harassment, 2700 block Epworth, 10:06 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 4300 block Vine, 10:22 p.m.

USD 489 board expected to rule on proposal to decrease fees

Posted on July 21, 2014

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

At Monday’s meeting, the USD 489 Board of Education will discuss whether to keep increased enrollment fees as is, or decrease the fees and add a pay-to-play fee.

At last week’s work session meeting, board member Susan Rankin suggested decreasing the activity fees to $25, the workbook/materials fee to $30, and adding a $25 dollar “pay-to-participate” fee.

Facing a budget shortfall of more than $1 million, board members voted in May to increase workbook/materials fees by $60, approved an activity fee increase of $50, a kindergarten fee of $150, and agreed to the the non-renewal of 16 teaching positions.

The fee increases would provide nearly $195,000 in revenue for the district, but because of last month’s rejection of a local option budget increase by voters, the board’s vow to bring teachers back into the fold likely won’t come about.

Superintendent Dean Katt and USD 489 administration is recommending the board not make changes to the fees.

The board meeting also will include a financial report from the administration and a decision to sell or keep land the district owns located on 33rd Street.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The meetings are live-streamed here and broadcast live on Eagle Channel 13.

For a full agenda, visit the USD 489 website HERE.

Ellis Jr. Free Fair ready to kick off another year of ‘tradition’

Posted on July 21, 2014

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

ELLIS — The 82nd annual Ellis Junior Free Fair starts Tuesday. Fair Board President Brandon Pfiefer said the board has been meeting for the last year to ensure the fair is a good time for the entire family.

“There is a lot of tradition,” he said. “People … remember the ways things were in the past and what keeps new dreams and visions alive. When we have our meetings, we sit and brainstorm and think how they used to do it and try to improve on it every year.”

This year’s new idea is BB gun target shooting for kids.

Pfeifer said this week’s events also include hog wrestling, mechanical bull rides and activities for the kids each night.

All events at the fair or free or minimal cost. The fair runs through Sunday, July 27.

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22 and 23
Frozen Frog Snow-cones Shack Tuesday-Saturday………………………………5-10:oo p.m.
Kids Sand Box-Wednesday..……………………….…………..…..……6:30 p.m.
EJFF Photo OP Cut Outs-Tuesday-Saturday…………………………………………All Day
Eagle Golden Egg Hunt Tuesday-Saturday……………………………………………….TBA
Air Brush Tattoos-Wednesday……………………………….……….6:30-8:30 p.m.
Hair Coloring…… Wednesday ………………………………..6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Kid’s Coloring Corner and Contest (Free)-Wednesday………………..6:30 p.m.
Washer Tourney-Singles-Tuesday………………………………….5:30 p.m. -7:oo p.m.
Washer Tourney-Doubles-Tuesday………….……………………7:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
Sand Volleyball-Tuesday and Wednesday…………………..………..6:30 p.m.
Horseshoe Tourney-Singles-Wednesday……………………..……….7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 24
Exhibits to be entered…………………………………………….Noon-6:00 p.m.
Free Ice Cream Eagle Comm………………………………………………………6:00 p.m.
Rocket Launch……………………………..…………………………….6:00 p.m.
Judging of Exhibits of Main Bldg. and Rabbits/Poultry… (Buildings Closed)…6:00 p.m.
Children’s Games……………………………………………………….7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 25
Concession Stand ……………………………………………11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
Exhibits Building Opens…………………………………………….…Noon
Judging of All Livestock……………………………………………..…6:00 p.m.
(1.Sheep, 2.Beef, 3.Swine)
Horseshoe Tourney-Doubles…………………………………………7:00 p.m.
Mechanical Bull………………………………………………………7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Shooting Event…………………………………………………………………………..6:00 p.m.
Touch a Truck…………………………………………………………6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Verlin-Dance……………………………………………………………….9:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 26
5K Walk/Run Check In……….(See Insert in Fair book)………………7:30 a.m.
5K Walk/Run………….……………..……………………………………..8:00 a.m.
Horse Judging in Arena………….…………………………………….…8:00 a.m.
Parade Line-Up-Swimming Pool Park…….…………..……….…10:30 a.m.
Parade………………………………………………………………………..…11:00 a.m.
Scavenger Hunt Registration-………………………………………12:30 p.m.
Scavenger Hunt-…………..………..…………………………………….1:oo p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Concession Stand………………………………..Following Parade to 10:00 p.m.
Exhibit Building Opens……………………….…………………………11:00 a.m.
Free BBQ & Watermelon Feed-………………………………….5:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m.
Engine Blow-(Purchase Time Slots)…………………………………………….6:00 p.m.
Hog Wrestling Waiver Sign up…………………………………………….4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hog Wrestling………………………………………………….…6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 27
ALL ANIMALS RELEASED……………………………………..8:00 a.m. – NOON
Removal of all exhibits (PICK UP CHECKS)……………..……10:00 a.m. – Noon
All entries not picked up will be discarded.

Third re-sentencing for man who put kids in dryer

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A Hutchinson man convicted of putting two children in a hot clothes dryer as punishment will be resentenced for the third time.

An appellate court has ordered the third sentencing hearing for Aaron Pritchard, who was convicted of child abuse in 2008 after he put his girlfriend’s 2- and 3-year-old children in the dryer when the younger child wet his pants. The boy suffered second-degree burns on his back.

The Hutchinson News reports the appeals court found Friday that a district judge did not correct errors made in previous sentences, involving how long Pritchard should be imprisoned.

The court agreed with Pritchard’s attorney, who argued the maximum sentence allowed should be just over five years, which means Pritchard could be released soon. No new sentencing date was set.

Two Riley Co. men arrested for attempted murder

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

Little Apple Post

OGDEN — According to the booking information from the Riley County Police Department, two men from Ogden were arrested Sunday night for several potential charges, including attempted murder.

Johnny Jacob Cossey and Timothy Joseph Holmes each were arrested shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of 10th Street in Ogden.

Both were booked on suspicion of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and attempted murder in the first-degree. Cossey and Holmes are both confined by the RCPD, on a $1,000,000 and $500,000 bond, respectively.

Additional details are expected to be released Monday.

PAC dollars boost Yoder’s treasury in Kansas 3rd

Posted on July 21, 2014

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Contributions from political action committees have helped Republican congressman Kevin Yoder stockpile funds for his re-election campaign in Kansas’ 3rd District.

A finance report filed last week by Yoder’s campaign shows it received $131,000 from PACs from April through June. He also collected more than $110,000 in cash contributions from individuals.

He ended the period with more than $2.2 million in cash.

Yoder’s most active Democratic challenger in the Kansas City-area district is former state Sen. Kelly Kultala. She raised $85,000 during the quarter, ending June with nearly $100,000 in cash.

Kultala’s only PAC contribution was a $250 donation from a committee associated with a payday loan company.

She faces retired Lenexa electrician Reginald Marselus in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary. No report was available for him online.

Larks sweep Derby; wrap up second place in Jayhawk League

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

Since 2001, the Hays Larks have only finished worse than second in the Jayhawk League once. That was in 2010 when they came in third and missed the NBC World Series. Sunday night, the Larks clinched another top-two finish with a 7-3 victory over Derby to complete the weekend sweep which included the conclusion of a suspended game from earlier in the season. The win also secures the Larks a spot in the Championship Week of the NBC World Series in Wichita.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Evan Gruener had three hits including a home run and drove in two and Zair Koeiman added two doubles and scored two runs helping the Larks secure second place with their fifth straight win.

Spencer Applebach pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the win. DJ Carr worked a perfect ninth of his third save. Starter Blake Roley allowed two runs on two hits but left in the fourth with a back injury. He’s to be evaluated on Monday.

The Larks struck early scoring two in the first on a Tyler Detmer single and Derek Birginske double play ball. They added two more in the second on a Nate Olinger sacrifice bunt and Aaron Cornell double.

Derby cut the lead in half with two in the fourth, but the Larks answered when Zair Koeiman doubled to lead off the bottom of the inning. He scored on Evan Gruener’s single. The Larks added another run in the fifth. Both teams scored a run in the eighth, the Larks on an Evan Gruener homer.

Hays has won five straight to move 12-games over 500 (25-13) and six-games over 500 in league play (19-13).

They are back in action Monday night in Dodge City before returning home for a pair of non-league games Tuesday and Wednesday against Junction City then host Dodge City Thursday to close out the regular season.

Elsewhere in Jayhawk League play Sunday… Wellington sweeps Liberal 7-6 and has won five of their last six… Dodge City salvages the final game of the series with El Dorado 5-2.

New minivan makes it easier to yell at kids

Posted on July 21, 2014

TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Toyota wants to help you scream at your unruly kids.

The latest version of the company’s Sienna minivan has a feature called “Driver Easy Speak.” It uses a built-in microphone to amplify a parent’s voice through speakers in the back seats. It works only one way, so the kids can’t talk back.

At least not with amplified voices.

The feature is an option on the 2015 Sienna, which is being refreshed with a totally new interior.

Analysts say such features are needed to help make out-of-fashion minivans more appealing to buyers.

Monarchs drop zone tournament opener

Posted on July 21, 2014

Larned scored four runs in the first then broke a 4-4 tie with a run in the fourth to beat the Hays Monarchs 5-4 in their zone tournament opener Sunday in Larned.

The Monarchs scored two in the first to grab the early lead, then took advantage of two errors and two walks to score two in the fourth to tie the game.

Dick Hockett takes the loss, allowing all five runs, two earned, on four hits while striking out four and walking five. Cameron Brin had two of the Monarchs five hits as they fall to 17-6 on the year. They’ve back in action today in an elimination game.

Royals shut down by Lester, Red Sox in loss

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

BOSTON (AP) — Kansas City’s Billy Butler summed up Jon Lester’s performance, paused for a few seconds, and realized it was a lost weekend for the Royals.

Lester allowed no earned runs for the third time in four starts, and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Royals with a 6-0 win Sunday.

“That was probably the best stuff he’s had all year,” Butler said. “It was their day — their weekend.”

One day after getting held to one run, the Royals were blanked for the eighth time this season. They have scored one run or none in four of their last six games.

“On a day like today, the only thing you can do is hope Jon Lester doesn’t bring his A-game, and he gets his pitch count up and makes mistakes, and you take advantage of it,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He was pretty good.”

Kansas City lost for the ninth time in 12 games and fell to 9-17 since a 10-game winning streak. The Royals have another tough matchup on Monday night when they open a three-game series against another All-Star lefty — Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox.

“You basically just shake it off and get right back out there,” Butler said. “We faced a tough left-hander today and it doesn’t get any easier.”

Yordano Ventura (7-8) gave up all six runs.

“Mostly command,” Yost said. “Just struggled with command a little. He got some pitches in the fat part of the strike zone.”

In eight innings, Lester struck out eight and gave up two walks and four hits. Only one Royals player reached third base.

Lester (10-7) is 4-0 with a 0.85 ERA over his last seven starts with 47 strikeouts and eight walks in a span of 52 2-3 innings. He has yielded just one earned run in 31 innings.

Lester extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings before Junichi Tazawa got the first out of the ninth. Edward Mujica retired the next two batters.

The first scored on Dustin Pedroia’s forceout at second base in the first, Daniel Nava hit a two-run double in the third, and Boston added three in the fourth on David Ross’ two-run homer and Nava’s sacrifice fly.

That was more than enough support for Lester as he keeps building a case for a lucrative contract following the one that expires after this season.

Boston entered the game in last place in the AL East, percentage points behind Tampa Bay, but won for the seventh time in eight games.

The Royals put runners at first and second in the first when Eric Hosmer was hit by a pitch with two outs, and Danny Valencia singled. But Alex Gordon flied to left.

Alcides Escobar was left on base after a one-out single in the second, and Lester retired eight consecutive batters before Escobar led off the fifth with a double. He reached third on a one-out groundout, but the threat ended when Lorenzo Cain flied out, leaving him hitless in 22 at bats.

Hosmer singled with one out in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. After Valencia struck out, Gordon drew a walk, the first issued by Lester in three starts. But Butler grounded out.

Cain walked leading off the eighth, but Lester finished his outing by getting Omar Infante to ground into a double play before fanning Hosmer.

Brock Holt scored Boston’s first run after he and Nava singled. Nava’s double in the third came after a walk to Ross and a single by Jackie Bradley Jr. In the fourth, Shane Victorino doubled and scored on Ross’ sixth homer. Nava’s sacrifice fly drove in Bradley, who had singled.

NOTES: Boston 1B Mike Napoli had the day off after hitting the go-ahead solo homer in the sixth inning Saturday. … SS Escobar made an error in each of the three games. … Jeremy Guthrie (5-8) pitches for Kansas City against Sale (8-1). John Lackey (9-4) takes the mound for Boston against Drew Hutchison (6-8) when the Red Sox start a four-game series at Toronto.