A project to seal 22 miles of Kansas 9, Kansas 123 and Kansas 223 in Decatur and Sheridan counties is scheduled to begin Tuesday, weather permitting.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane and controlled by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours. Minor delays should be expected during construction, not exceeding 15 minutes. The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through the construction zone.
KDOT awarded the construction contract – totaling $522,000 – to Mid America Road Builders Inc. The project should be completed by August, weather permitting.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, have identified a 53-year-old woman who died in a recent house fire.
Police on Monday said Carole Young died at a hospital after firefighters found her Thursday night inside the burning home.
The Kansas City Star reports that fire officials haven’t said how the fire started. The blaze caused about $35,000 in damage to the house and its contents.
Freedom of Speech has lost one of its most eloquent voices.
Freedom of Religion is today without one of its truest believers.
Gene Policinski is senior vice president of the First Amendment Center
Freedom of the Press has one less compelling writer — and one of its most exceptional editors.
Freedom of Assembly has one less person to stand with others — 50 years after he risked his life as a young man in defense of those marching peaceably for justice.
And the Right to Petition peaceably for change has one less champion to call out to those in power for positive change.
John Seigenthaler, 86, led The Tennessean newspaper in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn., was the first editorial director of USA Today, and was the founder of the Newseum Institute’s First Amendment Center.
Seigenthaler died July 11 after being hospitalized briefly. More than 4,000 people lined up for the visitation at the First Amendment Center on July 13, and his funeral was conducted on July 14.
During John’s 40-plus year tenure as a journalist, he more than lived up to the old charge of that profession to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Even in his later years, when he left daily newspaper work for his beloved First Amendment Center, his voice and his passion for justice raged on.
Whether it was lobbying for long-delayed college diplomas for now-aged former students denied graduation because of their civil rights work, or parole and then freedom, rather than the death penalty, for a woman he felt was unjustly sentenced — he worked, advised, strategized and inspired others to demand fairness and action.
He helped integrate Nashville churches by assigning a black reporter for the first time to do The Tennessean’s weekly report on Sunday sermons — just one of the many ways he took a larger-than-life role as editor in opposing bigotry, and pursuing claims of corruption, cheating, and back-room dealing in local and state government.
History notes that Seigenthaler was knocked unconscious in Montgomery, Ala., while attempting to rescue two Freedom Riders from a Klan-led mob, while serving as a personal representative of President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
His friendship with the Kennedys led to the only real departure from journalism, in the early Sixties during JFK’s campaign and later as a top aide to RFK. For decades he led the selection committees for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in Courage Award and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights’ Robert F. Kennedy Book Award.
As host of “A Word on Words,” one of public broadcasting’s longest-running programs, he interviewed hundreds of authors — and may have terrorized more than a few by having actually read the books he wanted to discuss.
A yellow Post-it-Note-filled desk and credenza, jammed with notes, papers, books-to-be-read, and letters dominated his office at the Center — with walls filled with photos that held the journalism-First Amendment-family triad that filled his years.
Rising high above him on the wall behind his desk chair is a large, faux copy of a painting of the signing by the nation’s founders of the Declaration of Independence, framed and presented by his Center colleagues. Visitors often did a double take when they realized the historically incorrect painting had one more inconsistency — John’s face had been artfully painted-in where the painting portrayed Thomas Jefferson. As he entered his 80s, Seigenthaler joked that he felt old enough to have been around for the signing.
But age was not that kind of barrier to Seigenthaler, known for having several projects in the air at one time — and for a meeting and travel schedule that would exhaust those half his age. Whether debating the finer points of First Amendment law or relishing in the ins and outs of Nashville political life or researching books or preparing for TV programs, Seigenthaler was the embodiment of the concept that supports the First Amendment: The “marketplace of ideas.”
John Seigenthaler lived a life dedicated to encouraging the greatest possible number of his fellow citizens to participate in that marketplace and to using their First Amendment freedoms to the fullest. Each year, he’d review the results of the annual State of the First Amendment national survey, showing that most Americans can’t name all five freedoms in the First Amendment — and redouble his efforts to raise the score.
Just recently, Nashville named a downtown walking bridge across the Cumberland River in Seigenthaler’s name — to recognize his work in seeking equality for all, but also to note an incident in which 50 years ago as a young reporter he grasped the clothing of a man attempting to jump from the bridge railing — holding him until police rushed up to assist.
No doubt many words will be spoken of John’s many roles as editor, publisher, founder, author, TV host, lecturer, educator and more. But I think he’d be very happy if we remembered him with just five: Religion. Press. Speech. Assembly. Petition.
And while the customary end for a news story was the proofreader’s mark “-30-” … I think the more appropriate one for John is (based on the number of words in his beloved First Amendment) is this: “-45-”
Gene Policinski is chief operating officer of the Washingon-based Newseum Institute and senior vice president of the Institute’s First Amendment Center. [email protected]
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 42-year-old Neosho County woman has been sentenced to about a year in federal prison for embezzling more than $278,000 from a bank branch and two customers.
The office of U.S. Attorney for Kansas said in a release Monday that Sherrie Landell of Erie, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee and admitted that from September 2007 to May 2013 she embezzled from Exchange State Bank. She worked at the bank’s branch in St. Paul, Kansas.
Landell’s also accused of fraudulently altering the bank’s records to conceal the crime.
The prosecutor’s office says the shortage was discovered during a bank regulatory exam and subsequent audit in 2013.
KANSAS CITY- A Kansas cement truck driver was injured in an accident just before 10:30 a.m. on Monday in Wyandotte County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Chevy pickup pulling a flatbed trailer and driven by Michael Wayne Smith, 30, Harrisonville, Miss., was westbound on the ramp from Interstate 70 to Central Street.
The Chevy merged onto Central and made an unsafe lane change to the left and failed to yield to a westbound cement truck driven by Ricky V. Stone, 55, Louisburg. The cement truck struck the side of the pickup and overturned.
Stone was transported to KU Medical Center for treatment. Smith was not injured.
The KHP reported both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident.
TOPEKA – A public hearing on the proposed permanent gun signage regulations has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 17, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release Monday.
The hearing will be in the second floor auditorium of Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Ave., Topeka.
Last month, Attorney General Schmidt released his proposed regulations for signage that may be used to restrict the carrying of firearms – open, concealed or both – into buildings, in compliance with a new law passed by the Kansas Legislature earlier this year. Temporary regulations adopting these signage rules were approved by the State Rules and Regulations Board and took effect July 1.
State law requires a 60-day comment period and a public hearing before the regulations become permanent.
The proposed regulations are available at https://1.usa.gov/1tFyBof. Members of the public may submit comments on the proposed regulations on the website, by email to [email protected] or by mail to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, 120 SW 10th Ave., 2nd Floor, Topeka, KS 66612.
TOPEKA — Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced in a news release over the last fiscal year they gave more than $8.7 million in cash and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations throughout Kansas. Globally, the company and its Foundation donated more than $1.3 billion to nonprofit groups, surpassing the previous year’s total by more than $244 million.
“Walmart aims to cultivate steadfast relationships with organizations across the globe in order to tackle issues that matter most to our customers and associates,” said Mindy Ellis, Walmart regional general manager. “In Kansas, we’ve partnered with many different types of organizations, though each share our same value of bettering the lives of those around us. We’ve taken on challenging initiatives such as hunger relief and economic empowerment, but know that our resources along with the expertise of each individual nonprofit, will achieve results to help people live better in Kansas.”
Additionally, since announcing the historic Fighting Hunger Together commitment in 2010 to donate 1.1 billion pounds of food and $250 million in cash by 2015, Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities have surpassed both goals one year earlier than projected. As of January 2014, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated 1.58 billion pounds of food, the equivalent of approximately 1.32 billion meals, and have awarded $260 million in grants to hunger relief programs in the United States, exceeding their original commitment by four percent. Overall, Walmart has exceeded $2 billion of cash and in-kind commitments to fight hunger at the local, state and national levels.
In Kansas, Walmart donated 3.8 million pounds of food to local food banks—nearly 3.2 million meals in the last fiscal year. The retailer and its Foundation have partnered with the Topeka Rescue Mission in the state of Kansas to provide meals to those in need across Topeka.
“For over 22 years, Walmart has been a faithful and significant contributor to the Topeka Rescue Mission’s challenge to fight poverty and hunger,” said Barry Feaker, Topeka Rescue Mission. “With rising food costs, a growing number of families experience hunger, and without the generosity of many donors, we would not have been able to provide 545,048 meals to the hungry throughout Topeka in 2013. We are extremely grateful to partner with Walmart, as we fight hunger together in our community.”
Kansas Giving Highlights
Total Walmart and Walmart Foundation contributions (cash and in-kind) – $8.7 million
Total customer and associate giving – $1.6 million
Total food donation – 3.8 million pounds
Meal equivalent – 3.2 million meals
Kansas nonprofits receiving grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation
Topeka Rescue Mission, Inc.
Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Inc.
Inter-Faith Ministries Wichita, Inc.
Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation
Dress for Success Wichita, Inc. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Inc.
Kansas City Kansas Community College Endowment Association
Senior Services of Southeast Kansas, Inc.
American National Red Cross
Union Rescue Mission of Wichita, Inc.
Flinthills Breadbasket, Inc.
Special Olympics Kansas, Inc.
First Kansas Bank announced in a news release Monday it has completed the acquisition of three banking locations in central Kansas from Bank of America Corp. The acquisition will add two new locations in Great Bend and a location on 27th Street in Hays and will result in more convenient banking options for customers.
First Kansas Bank has provided information to customers regarding the transition of their accounts and these locations over the past few months. Customers with questions can contact any First Kansas Bank location or visit www.firstkansasbank.com.
Paul Snapp, First Kansas Bank President, commented, “We are excited to add these customers to our Bank. We are also pleased to retain the staff at these locations who know the customer base well. This acquisition adds to our strength as a bank and our commitment to central Kansas. We are confident our community oriented principles and personal service will serve these new customers well.”
First Kansas Bank was founded in 1900 and with this acquisition has grown to $170million in total assets with a capital account of over $13 million and six bank locations in Hoisington, Claflin, Great Bend and Hays. First Kansas Bank offers loan and deposit services to consumers, commercial businesses and agricultural producers.
For many years, Bauer Financial Services, the bank rating agency, has given First Kansas Bank its highest 5 Star rating for financial safety and soundness.
First Kansas Bank is part of a group of banks owned by the Sutherland Family. They own banks in Hoisington, Salina, Emporia, and Parsons with branches in Great Bend, Hays, Claflin, Hutchinson, Ellsworth, Lindsborg, McPherson, Abilene, Chanute, Erie, Independence, Caney, Coffeyville, and Oswego, Kansas. As a group they have acquired ten Bank of America branches which will increase their total assets to approximately $1 billion.
First Kansas Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is an Equal Housing/Equal Opportunity Lender. For more information, including banking hours, visit the bank’s website at www.firstkansasbank.com.
Debra Billingsley, executive director of the Kansas Board of Pharmacy- photo KHI news
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Board of Pharmacy wants an ingredient used in prescription cough syrup to be tracked by the state because it’s being abused.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Debra Billingsley, executive secretary of the board of pharmacy, told lawmakers Monday that promethazine with codeine syrup is being increasingly abused as a recreational drug, particularly by high school students. She says when it’s mixed with soda or candy the mixture is often called by several slang names, including purple drank and sizzurp.
If it’s added to the Kansas Tracking and Reporting of Controlled Substances program, promethazine with codeine would join dozens of substances that pharmacists track and law enforcement can access with a search warrant.
Billingsley says officials recommended tracking the substance because of how quickly the mixture is selling.
A recent New York Times column by Paul Krugman titled “Charlatans, Cranks and Kansas” is a scolding diatribe about Kansas tax reform that’s loaded with politic opinions but devoid of economics.
Dave Trabert is president of Kansas Policy Institute.
Krugman takes the position that tax reform is a failure because Kansas is not experiencing the type of economic activity that Governor Brownback said would happen. That type of logic is commonplace in politics but is merely a non sequitur (a statement that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said, according to Merriam-Webster). The problem is one of over-promising early returns. It is far too early to judge the impact of tax reform on the Kansas economy, and an errant ‘promise’ has no relationship to whether tax reform ‘works.’
It is fair to criticize Governor Brownback for positioning tax reform as “a shot of adrenalin,” as that implies a very immediate and pronounced change. Tax reform will have a positive economic effect on Kansas but it will take several years to unfold, especially considering what is happening in the national economy and the ground to be made up. The superior economic performance of states with lower tax burdens, however, is well-documented.
The disparate performance of low-burden / high-burden and states that do or do not tax income skews the national average and creates an artificially high target for trailing states such as Kansas. It is more realistic to compare Kansas to its peer group of income-taxing states or high state-and-local tax burden states; once those groups are passed, the national average and low-burden states become the target.
Krugman also failed to mention that Kansas trailing the national economy is a long-standing situation; indeed, it was a driving force behind tax reform. Private sector GDP grew 61.1% between 1998 and 2008 nationwide but only 55.6% in Kansas. Private sector jobs increased by 7.9% nationwide but only by 5.3% in Kansas. State with low tax burdens had net gains in domestic migration; states with high tax burdens (including Kansas) lost population due to domestic migration.
If trailing the national average defines failure, Krugman should have excoriated the tax-and-spend policies of Bill Graves, Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Parkinson. Indeed, he could even make the case that Brownback’s policies are better because his national-average comparisons are somewhat better. Krugman isn’t making intellectually honest arguments; he’s trying to justify his opinion that low taxes are bad.
The root problem in Kansas…today and in at least the past fifteen years…is that the majority of legislators in both parties and every governor have not had the courage to force government to operate efficiently. One cannot reduce taxes without also making appropriate spending adjustments…not by cutting services, but by employing a Better Service, Better Price mentality.
Dave Trabert is president of Kansas Policy Institute. He is a frequent speaker to business, legislative and civic groups and also does research and writes on fiscal policy and education issues.
SALINA — A 28-year-old man was arrested late Sunday afternoon for allegedly beating a female acquaintance during a disturbance.
Police Captain Mike Sweeney said officers responded to a home in east Salina about 5:30 p.m.
When they arrived, they found the woman outside of the home who said the suspect struck her several times in the face, knocking her out. When she came to, she told police ran from the house, but the man grabbed her and dragged her back into the house.
She said was able to grab a knife and cut him on the upper right arm. She told police he then threatened her with the knife.
Officers found Jose Penado-Perez hiding inside the house in a dog kennel. Police said Penado-Perez was uncooperative while being taken into custody, threatening officers and scratching paint on the patrol car.
Penado-Perez was booked into the Saline County jail on suspicion of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, obstruction, criminal restraint, criminal threats and damage to property.
Pictured, front row, from left: Brooklyn Staab, Madelyn Waddell, Julia Werth and Emily Schulte; middle row, from left, Kallynn Petz, Lexi Gottschalk, Hannah Black, Jaysa Wichers, Tasiah Nunnery, Macee Altman and Kaitlyn Brown; and back row, from left, Joshua Waddell, Ryan Gottschalk, Randy Gottschalk and Les Brown. Courtesy photo by Julie Brown
Submitted
The Hays Heat fast-pitch softball team compiled a 5-0 record en route to championship honors at the 2014 Kansas ASA 12 and Under Class C State Tournament held in Emporia on July 13 to 15.
The Heat earned victories over the Fort Scott Mud Turtles, Great Bend Quicksilver, SEK Sluggers (Chanute) and Emporia Energy to advance to the title game.
In the finale, Hays scored a 9-1 win over Emporia.
Each of the Heat’s four opponents finished in the top seven of the 17 team field, with Emporia placing second and SEK placing third.
The complete tournament bracket is available HERE.
The Heat have now tallied a 15-3 loss record on the year and will close their season with two World Series events – the 5 State Border Showdown Series in Dodge City, Kansas July 18th-20th and the Heartland VIP World Series in Kansas City, Missouri on July 24th-27th.
A large crowd in Olathe to see Rick Santorum and Gov. Brownback- courtesy photo
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is working to energize his conservative Republican political base with events featuring former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
Santorum called Brownback a warrior for conservative social and fiscal ideas during a rally Monday in Olathe. Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, says the governor’s race in Kansas shouldn’t be close because of Brownback’s small government, low-tax philosophy and his opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
Santorum ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
Brownback casts the race between him and Democrat Paul Davis as a choice between Ronald Reagan-style conservatism and Barack Obama-style liberalism.
The Davis campaign issued a statement saying it’s looking for moderate, common sense policies.
Brownback also faces Wichita landscaping business owner Jennifer Winn in the Aug. 5 Republican primary.
Santorum and Gov. Brownback
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OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum plans to join Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback for re-election campaign rallies in Olathe and Wichita.
The first event Monday morning was at an Olathe car dealership, and the second in the afternoon was at a Wichita theater. Brownback’s campaign sent out an email to supporters last week urging them to attend and help spread what it called its conservative message.
Santorum has strong appeal among GOP conservatives in Kansas. Santorum ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 but won the Kansas caucuses by a wide margin. He is a former Pennsylvania senator.
Brownback has a potentially tough challenger in presumed Democratic nominee Paul Davis. But the governor also faces Wichita landscaping business owner Jennifer Winn in the Aug. 5 Republican primary.
