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Month: October 2014

Orman releases small business plan to grow jobs

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Orman and Roberts
Orman and Roberts

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Independent Greg Orman has released a plan that he says would create a better climate for small businesses. The U.S. Senate candidate says his proposal seeks to spur investment, streamline regulations and reform student loans to create a skilled work force.

The plan was unveiled Friday as Orman toured small businesses across central Kansas. In Wichita, Orman said a U.S. senator is obligated to be an ambassador for economic development in his state.

His proposal calls for fixing financial regulations to increase small business lending and streamlining federal business programs. He also seeks a review of every federal regulation at least once a decade.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts’ campaign quickly dismissed Orman’s plan, saying it was full of hypocrisy, fluff and deception.

 

Arbutus Topliff

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Memorial services for lifelong Sherman County, Kansas, resident Arbutus Topliff, 87, will be held Monday, October 6, at 10 AM MT at First United Methodist Church, Goodland, Kansas.

Inurnment will be at Goodland Cemetery.

Friends may share their respects on Sunday, from 4—7 PM MT, at Koons Chapel in Goodland. The family will be present from 5—7 PM MT
to visit with friends.

Memorials to Arbutus Topliff Memorial may be left at the service or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.

Online condolences can be left at www.koonsfuneralhome.com.

2014 Kansas Speaks Survey finds tight races for governor, sec’y of state

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FHSU University Relations

One finding in the upcoming Kansas Speaks Survey 2014, conducted by Fort Hays State University’s Docking Institute of Public Affairs, is that the two highest profile races in the election are tight tight tight.

Gary Brinker
Gary Brinker

Of likely voters — people who voted in the 2012 election — 36.5 percent said that if the election were held today, they would vote for the Brownback/Collier ticket, 38.8 percent said they would vote for the Davis/Docking ticket, and 8.5 percent said they would vote for the Umbehr/Umbehr ticket. Sixteen percent were undecided.

When asked who their choice would be for secretary of state if the election were held today, 45.3 percent said they would vote for Republican Kris Kobach while 40.4 percent said they would vote for Democrat Jean Schodorf. Fourteen percent are undecided.

Between Sept. 10 and Sept. 27, 952 random adult residents of Kansas were contacted by telephone and asked a series of questions to measure their opinions of elected officials and preferences for public policies. The response rate was 53.6 percent.

Of these 952 respondents, 685 said that they voted in the 2012 election. The margin of error for these estimates is plus or minus 3.8 percent, which means there are no clear leaders in the governor’s race, but Kobach holds a statistically significant lead over Schodorf.

“However, with 16 percent undecided in the governor’s race and 14 percent undecided in the race for secretary of state, predicting a likely winner in either race is risky,” said Dr. Gary Brinker, director of the Docking Institute.

Full results of this year’s Kansas Speaks Survey will be available Oct. 17 on HaysPost.com. On Sunday, Oct. 19, Brinker and Dr. Chapman Rackaway, professor of political science at FHSU, also are scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. on “This Week in Kansas” on KAKE-TV, Wichita.

KFIX Rock News: Roger Waters Reminds Fans He’s Not A Member Of Pink Floyd, Not Involved In New Album

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5660947778_89b46c8787_mRoger Walters left Pink Floyd nearly 30 years ago, but some people apparently never got the memo.

In a post on Facebook, Waters says he wants fans to know he has nothing to do with the upcoming Pink Floyd album, The Endless River.

In the post Waters writes, “Some people have been asking Laurie, my wife, about a new album I have coming out in November. Errhh? I don’t have an album coming out, they are probably confused.”

Waters, who left the group as a result of creative differences, goes on to explain, “David Gilmour and Nick Mason have an album coming out. It’s called Endless River. David and Nick constitute the group Pink Floyd. I on the other hand, am not part of Pink Floyd. I left Pink Floyd in 1985, that’s 29 years ago.”

“I had nothing to do with either of the Pink Floyd studio albums, Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell, nor the Pink Floyd tours of 1987 and 1994, and I have nothing to do with Endless River,” Waters explains, adding “Phew! This is not rocket science people, get a grip.”

The Endless River is a collection of tracks that have been reworked from the 1993 sessions for The Division Bell. Mason has described the new album as a “tribute” to Pink Floyd keyboard player Rick Wright, who died in 2008.  The Endless River will be available November 10.

Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio

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Salina man arrested on suspicion of raping 9-year-old girl

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Basil-Scott-McNelly

Salina Post

SALINA — A 43-year-old Salina man was arrested on suspicion of several sex related crimes for his alleged sexual involvement with a 9-year-old girl.

Salina Police Capt. Chris Trocheck said Basil S. McNelly was arrested Thursday after the mother of the girl reported the case to police.

Trocheck said the incidents took place at a south Salina home. Charges requested against McNelly include four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one count of rape and battery.

McNelly is an acquaintance of the girl, police said.

Two former MCL coaches to be inducted into Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame

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A former Trego Community and Russell High School coach and teacher along with a former Plainville coach and teacher are headed into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. Wyatt Frohling, who coached at Trego Community High School from 1989-99 then at Russell High School from 2001-13 is joined by Brad Fredrickson, who guided the Plainville program, and Rick Bowden in the class of 2014.

Bowden served as an Assistant Executive Director at the Kansas State High School Activities Association from 1993-2011.

The KWCA Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Saturday, November 1. The photos of the three will be placed at the KWCA’s physical Hall of Fame located in Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State University.

 

Wyatt Frohling
KWCA-FrohlingCoach Wyatt Frohling spent 32 years as a head wrestling coach in three different states. After graduating from Guthrie Center High School in Iowa, he wrestled at Peru State College in Nebraska where he was a 1977 NAIA National Qualifier.

From Peru, coach Frohling moved on to Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa where he continued to wrestle and later became a BVC assistant wrestling coach for the 1981 season. He began his high school coaching career in Iowa for three years and Nebraska for seven years.

Coach Frohling continued his career in Kansas at Trego Community High School in WaKeeney as a P.E. teacher and head wrestling coach from 1989-1999. At Trego, he had 53 Kansas state qualifiers, 26 state medalists, and three state champions. With coach Frohling at the helm, the Golden Eagles earned three third-place team titles and competed to an 86-33-4 dual record. His efforts earned him the KWCA 3-2-1A Coach of the Year award in 1992.

From 2001-2013, Frohling was the head wresting coach and P.E. teacher at Russell High School where he guided 39 Kansas state qualifiers, seven state medalists, and had a 113-43 dual record for the Broncos. Overall, Frohling had a 253-107-5 dual record over his 32-year career. During that time, coach Frohling influenced Kansas wresting as a member of the KWCA executive board and as the KWCA Hall of Fame Chairperson.

Brad Fredrickson
KWCA-FredricksonBrad Fredrickson began his stellar wrestling career as a three-time Kansas state place winner and state champion competing for Decatur County High School. The 1978 Red Devil graduate continued his wrestling career competing for Colby Community College, lettering two years, and then on to Central Missouri State University where he again lettered two seasons and became a national qualifier.

After graduation from CMSU, Fredrickson continued his wrestling career as an assistant coach at Lawson High School in Lawson, MO during the 1984 season.

Coach furthered his career back in Kansas as the head coach at Topeka Hayden High School from 1985-1987. Perhaps the most significant impact that coach Fredrickson made to high school wrestling was during his tenure as head coach of Plainville High School.

Fredrickson’s Cardinals boasted 3-2-1A Kansas state team championships in 1988-1992, plus a state runner-up finish in 1989. Plainville finished as a top-3 team in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2000, resulting in Top-10 finishes in 13 of Fredrickson’s 14 years as Plainville head coach. In addition, his teams won five Mid-Continent League titles and eight regional titles, all while posting an outstanding 110-44-6 dual record. As a result, Fredrickson was awarded the KWCA Coach of the Year in 1988 and 2000, and the 1992 Kansas Wrestling Officials’ Association Coach of the Year.

Under Fredrickson’s guidance, individual wrestler achievements include 110 state qualifiers, 58 state medalists, 12 state champs, and two wrestlers who went on to become college All-Americans. Outside of the high school level, Fredrickson was head coach for the Kansas-Mexico Cultural Exchange Trip in 1987 and served on the USA Kansas Cadet and Junior Freestyle and Greco staff from 1985-1992.

Coach Fredrickson continues his career in education as a school administrator at Independence High School. He and his wife Gayle have two children, Cole and Carissa, and five grandchildren.

 

Rick Bowden
KWCA-BowdenTeacher, coach, official, legislator and administrator – Rick Bowden wore many hats in his lifetime and was a highly respected gentleman. And his impact on education and the students of Kansas is immeasurable.

From 1993-2011, Bowden served as an Assistant Executive Director at the Kansas State High School Activities Association. During his tenure with the KSHSAA he served as the administrator for football, wrestling, baseball, softball, and track & field. He was also responsible for the annual school enrollment classification and worked with KSHSAA registered football and wrestling officials.

He served as the liaison to Kansas Coaches Association, the Officials Policy Review Committee and the Wrestling Weight Management Committee.

Bowden served in several leadership positions with the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) including a member of Football Rules Committee (1994-2011), Football Editorial

Committee (2001-2004), Vice Chairman of the Equipment sub-committee (2006-2011), Softball Rules Committee (2001-2005) and Track & Field Rules Committee (2009-2012). In 2009 he received the NFHS Section 5 Citation for Contributions to State HS Activities.

A lifelong Kansan, Bowden was a standout athlete in high school (St. John) and in college (College of Emporia). He was a teacher and coach for 19 years (Goddard, Wichita-West, & Downtown Law & Public Service Magnet HS in Wichita). “Coach” experienced tremendous success with his track & field and cross-country teams. He was a highly respected KSHSAA registered official in football, basketball and wrestling and worked several post-season tournaments.

From 1985-1993 Bowden served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives. Assigned to numerous committees, his most notable impact was on the House Education Committee, which he chaired. Through his leadership, the school finance formula was created in 1992. His focus was always on what was best for Kansas and our students.

Anyone who worked with Rick quickly understood that everyday he modeled the values he taught his students and athletes – hard work, self-discipline, having a positive attitude, restraint, how to be gracious in defeat and to keep focused on improving.

(Bios courtesy KWCA)

One dead, one arrested after rollover accident

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Picture from Saline County Sheriff's Office
Picture from Saline County Sheriff’s Office

Salina Post

SALINA- A Salina man is dead following a crash on a county road just southwest of Salina on Thursday night.

Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said deputies were called to the area of Farrelly Road and Fairchild Road, on the report of a rollover accident.

When emergency crews arrived, they found a 1972 Chevrolet Silverado pickup on top of David Erik Spencer. Spencer, 33, the driver of the pickup, was pronounced dead at the scene. He had not been wearing a seatbelt.

Sheriff Kochanowski said alcohol was a factor in the wreck, and alcohol was found at the crash scene.

Witnesses who heard the crash, said a man who was a passenger in the truck, had asked for a ride from the area, because he was wanted by law enforcement.

After a search by law enforcement that included a Kansas Highway Patrol Helicopter, Salina Police found 26-year-old Adam Ratsakhy on foot near the intersection of Waterwell Road and Centennial Road. He was not injured.

Ratsakhy is wanted on felony probation violation warrants from Saline County District Court in a case of battery and aggravated assault. Additional requested charges in connection with the crash are failure to stop at an accident, and interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

Kansas man arrested after trying to set fire to a home

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Arson 2012Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan.- A Hutchinson man is in jail after police say he attempted to set fire to a home on East Sherman Street.

Emmett Hutton IV, 43, is being held on five counts of aggravated arson and one count of criminal damage to property.

Authorities say Hutton damaged a water meter belonging to the city of Hutchinson and attempted to set the residence ablaze.

Two adults and five children were inside the home at the time.

Hutton is being held on a bond in excess of $32,000.

FHSU will split spring commencement into two ceremonies

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FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University, one of the fastest growing universities in the nation, will make major changes in the way it conducts graduation ceremonies beginning in spring 2015.

Dr. Mirta Martin
Dr. Mirta Martin

On Friday, May 15, students earning both master’s degrees and undergraduate degrees from the College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the College of Health and Life Science will walk across the stage in Gross Memorial Coliseum during a Commencement ceremony that begins at 6 p.m.

The second Commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, also in Gross Memorial Coliseum. The participants on Saturday morning will be students earning both master’s degrees and undergraduate degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Technology.

“Our soaring enrollment growth has produced a corresponding growth in the number of students earning degrees. This new arrangement will allow plenty of space at both ceremonies so that we do not have to limit the number of people who can attend,” said Dr. Joey Linn, registrar and associate vice president for Student Affairs.

President Mirta M. Martin said the option of limiting attendees was rejected out of hand.

“Fort Hays State is a family, and the last thing we would do is tell some of the members of our graduates’ families that they cannot attend Commencement,” she said. “This is a day of celebration. Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in the success of our students. We hope that by making this announcement more than seven months ahead of the event, we will be giving the friends and families of our students plenty of time to mark their calendars and make their travel plans.”

FHSU has more than doubled its enrollment since the turn of the century, rising to 13,500 in the fall 2013 semester. On the 20th day of this semester, FHSU reported an enrollment of 13,850. In the year 2000, enrollment was about 5,800.

There has been a corresponding explosion in the number of graduates.

There were 2,083 graduates in May this year, which included associate, bachelor and graduate-level degrees. As recently as 2005, FHSU had only 1,374 graduates. The continuing growth meant the number of Commencement attendees would soon exceed the capacity of Gross Memorial Coliseum, which is the largest venue on the FHSU campus.

The decision was made to divide FHSU’s four colleges in half, with students from two of the colleges graduating on Friday night and students from the other two colleges graduating on Saturday morning.

‘Courage, confidence and character’ the focus of Girl Scouts program

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girl-scouts-logoBy KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is inviting the children and families to learn more about the benefits of Girl Scouts during an open house Saturday in Hays.

Nancy Haney, Girl Scouts regional manager, said the Girl Scout program begins in kindergarten and goes all the way through grade 12.

Haney said the Girl Scouts provide experiences and travels intended to build courage, confidence and character in girls.

“Girls struggle so much through the years of growing up — especially in today’s world — and (Girl Scouts) is just about giving them that courage and confidence so that each day they get that chance to discover more about themselves and they do that in a sisterhood Girl Scouts provides,” Haney said.

The open house is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Girl Scout Office in Hays, 2707 Vine.

Haney said the free open house will offer arts, crafts, a bounce house, fishing pond, music and games.

For more information, contact Haney at (785) 625-5671 or visit the website HERE.

 

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