Both the Hays High boys and girls’ cross country teams finish third at their own regional Saturday to qualify for the 4A state meet in Wamego.
Ethan Shippy finished 10th (17:41.90) to lead the Indian boys and Maria Reveles finished 10th (16:49.20) to lead the Indian girls.
TMP-Marian’s Andrew Hess finishes seventh (17:25.40) and is the only Monarch to qualify.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 17-year-old suspect has been charged as a juvenile with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of a Wichita couple.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the teen is accused of killing 70-year-old Martha Moreno and her husband, 72-year-old Godofredo Moreno. Court records also show the teen faces an aggravated robbery charge.
The Morenos’ son found their bodies Oct. 16 on a bedroom floor of their home. Police said they had been shot multiple times and that the motive was robbery.
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old who was also arrested in the killings is being jailed on a warrant accusing him of violating his probation from a 2013 robbery. Records show the 19-year-old has not been charged with the killings and is no longer being held on suspicion of murder.
By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
Volunteers and staff from the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging this month are delivering more than 400 emergency meals to the home-bound seniors they serve in Ellis County and beyond.
Homestead Nutrition director Kristen Schmidt said the non-perishable meals are vital for seniors who rely on the agency’s daily delivered meals when bad weather prevents volunteers from driving.
“(The seniors) are very appreciative of the meals,” Schmidt said. “They call us when we are closed even though the schools are closed and the weather is bad. They want to know where their meals are — they rely on them.”
Several other emergency meals may be delivered throughout the year.
Schmidt said more seniors in the 18 counties they serve could be helped by the program, but believes they do not sign up due to pride.
“I have heard many people say they think it’s welfare, but it is not,” Schmidt said, adding the program is funded with state and federal dollars required by the Older Americans Act, as well as contributions from their clients.
For further details regarding the Homestead Nutrition Project, contact the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, 510 W. 29th, Hays, at (785) 628-8204, or click HERE.
The Hays Economic Outlook Conference agenda has been scheduled for 8:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 31 at Fort Hays State University’s Robbins Center.
The program is sponsored by the Center for Economic Development and Business Research, Wichita State University, in cooperation with the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development.
Topics will range from local banking to real estate, from retail to air transportation.
Fred Bentley from the Kansas Housing Resource Corp. will talk housing, and Mike Briney from Sunflower Bank will present on the local economy.
In addition to these local experts, Jeremy Hill from WSU will provide a statewide employment forecast, and Stan Longhofer from the WSU’s Center for Real Estate will talk about the local and state real estate markets.
FHSU’s Charlie Wolfe is scheduled to deliver opening remarks and serve as moderator.
Tickets are $75, which includes breakfast.
For more information or to register, click HERE or call (316) 978-3225.
ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — A former Manhattan mayor little known to rural western Kansas voters is giving U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp an aggressive re-election challenge.
Democrat Jim Sherow has mounted a hard-fought challenge in the sprawling 1st District of Kansas despite seemingly overwhelming odds in a heavily Republican district against a well-funded incumbent. Sherow has crisscrossed the mostly rural district on bus tours to meet voters, stretching his already limited budget.
It remains unclear whether Huelskamp is vulnerable, largely because there is no reliable independent polling on the race.
While many statewide races are close, it is difficult for a Democrat to win in the 1st District, where 53 percent of registered voters are Republicans. By contrast, the number for registered Republican voters statewide is 44 percent.
LOUISBURG, Kan. (AP) — The husband of a state senator is working to oust a northeast Kansas trial judge who ordered the court clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The Kansas City Star reports Brian Baumgardner is targeting Johnson County Chief District Judge Kevin Moriarty.
Moriarty faces a retention vote Nov. 4 in the 10th Judicial Circuit,
which is made up of Johnson County. Baumgardner — husband of Republican state Sen. Molly Baumgardner — lives in neighboring Miami County but told The Star on Friday that “a bad judge harms everybody.”
Moriarty issued his order Oct. 8 after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand lower-court rulings striking down bans on gay marriage as unconstitutional. The Kansas Supreme Court has halted the issuance of any licenses pending a hearing scheduled Nov. 6.
Submitted
ELLIS — Mud drips off the fender of his Ford pickup as he turns onto the asphalt highway. His camo cap is soaked from walking the lines of an Ellis County farm with the property owner on an abnormally warm fall day. It’s another day at the office for Adam Hann.
It’s Hann’s favorite time of year. Early fall is when deer hunters all over North America begin hitting the woods in search of a trophy to put on the wall and meat to fill the freezer. Avid hunters nationwide spend several months leading up to deer season daydreaming of their first sit in a stand and where they will go to hunt. Many choose Kansas and that’s why Hann is excited.
He and the other Land Specialists at Whitetail Properties are the industry leaders for selling recreational hunting land in Kansas. As Hann canvasses his territory – which includes Barton, Ellis, Ness, Pawnee, Rooks, Rush, Russell, and Trego counties – he knows his next phone call could be a future Kansas landowner.
Hann has a simple message for farmers, ranchers and other property owners in his territory.
“Kansas land is in demand,” says Hann. “Our state has become one of the top destinations for hunters and sportsmen. Many of the landowners in our area don’t realize the true market value of their property and that’s where I come in. I’m hear to help farmers and ranchers capitalize on the current market.”
Hann is quick to point out that he isn’t your average real estate agent and Whitetail Properties is not an average company.
“As a national real estate company, Whitetail Properties has built a nationwide network of buyers and sellers whose supreme interests are hunting, farm and ranch land – it’s our specialty,” says Hann.
Since its founding in 2007, Whitetail Properties has exploded into North America’s top place to buy and sell recreational hunting and farmland. This fact was cemented in 2013 with nearly a half billion dollars in sales and being named one of “America’s Best Brokerages” by The Land Report. The growing staff of Whitetail Properties real estate agents in 20 states are hard-working, knowledgeable and passionate hunters and land managers. The team currently averages a farm sold every day throughout the year.
Whitetail Properties reaches more than 45 million households with Whitetail Properties TV, an award–winning show on The Sportsman Channel that showcases the benefits of owning recreational real estate.
To contact Kansas Land Specialist Adam Hann for a free, no obligation market analysis of your property, call (785) 259-2469 or email [email protected].
To learn more about Whitetail Properties, visit WhitetailProperties.com.
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Dr. Jeff Curtis from Medical Specialists, at HaysMed by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
By Hays Area Children’s Center
As the days grow shorter and the weather cooler, the holiday season also is drawing near.
Hays Area Children’s Center is getting in the holiday spirit as its annual fundraising event, Christmas Tree Auction (Bright Lights for Little Tykes) approaches. This year’s event will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. Eighth.
“This is an exciting opportunity to find great deals on highly sought-after gift items and ensure your precious dollars are going to a good cause as well,” said Kaley Conner, community relations coordinator. “Your support is essential to helping us help local families.”
Proceeds from the event benefit HACC’s early education and intervention efforts. HACC’s early intervention team provides services to children with various disabilities or developmental concerns. Services include special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology and health care from a registered nurse. All services are provided at no cost to qualifying families.
HACC also provides licensed childcare and early education services to children from birth to preschool. It is one of few centers in the area that provides care to infants and young children with disabilities.
Free developmental screenings also are offered monthly, with the goal of catching potential problems as early as possible.
“Many local families might find themselves in an overwhelming situation when their infant or toddler unexpectedly is diagnosed with a physical, communicative or cognitive disorder,” Conner said. “At the moment they need it most, our staff is there to provide assistance, support and reassurance.
“And our services are effective. Studies have shown proper early intervention greatly increases a child’s chance of success in school.”
Through the years, HACC families have reported improvement in children after receiving services. Among them are Hayley Bieker and her son, Owen. Owen’s parents realized something might be wrong when, at age 2, Owen had not yet spoken his first word.
Chronic ear infections had affected his hearing, making it difficult for him to learn to speak. After getting tubes put in his years, Owen began meeting regularly with speech-language pathologist Jennifer Sullivan. The progress he made while receiving HACC services was dramatic, Hayley Bieker said.
“Really, in a year’s time, he did a 180,” Bieker said, noting Sullivan was able to suggest specific ways the family could help him while offering support and reassurance.
Owen now is speaking in full sentences, and this summer was released from HACC due to the progress he had made.
This year, HACC also is unveiling a new name for the annual event – Bright Lights for Little Tykes.
“We wanted a name that was more reflective of our mission to help children,” Conner said.
Nearly 100 auction items have been donated, such as fine jewelry, electronics, signed sports memorabilia, vacation packages and Disney World tickets.
A $50 donation to Hays Area Children’s Center includes admission to Christmas Tree Auction, heavy hors d’ oeuvres buffet and complimentary wine. The deadline to RSVP is Nov. 15.
To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Conner at (785) 625-3257 or [email protected].
Leadership Kansas
TOPEKA — On Friday, the 39 members of the 2014 Leadership Kansas Class celebrated the completion of the 2014 program at a reception and dinner hosted by the Kansas Chamber and the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees at the Topeka Country Club. Throughout the course of the six-month program, the 2014 class engaged in discussions and debates with top experts on the key issues facing Kansas while visiting Hays, the Kansas City Metro area, Garden City, Manhattan, Wichita and Topeka.
Among the graduates was Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller IV. Brad Cowan, Goodland, was the other northwest Kansas representative in the class of 2014.
Leadership Kansas is a nationally recognized program that aims to develop and motivate future leaders in the state. An affiliated program of the Kansas Chamber, Leadership Kansas is one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country. Leadership Kansas is celebrating its 36th year of educating and motivating leaders from all four corners of the state. The program remains committed to its original mission to inspire persons to maintain involvement in the social, business and political fabric of Kansas communities.
“The 39 graduates of the program now have a broader view and appreciation of our state, are more energized to shoulder leadership responsibilities in their communities and careers and have a much better understanding of statewide business, political and social issues” said Kansas Chamber President and CEO Mike O’Neal (Class of ’85).
Each year, close to 600 people are nominated to apply for the program. Upon the conclusion of a thorough and thoughtful application and selection process, 40 individuals are selected to participate in the class. Leadership Kansas makes every effort to ensure geographic, racial, occupational, and gender diversity so that each class is truly representative of the state. The class of 2014 was approved by the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees, chaired by Steve Johnson (Class of ’98). John Federico (Class of ’97) serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Kansas.
Class of 2014 graduates:
Jeffrey (Jeff) Beasley, Topeka
Kirby Brown, Fort Leavenworth
Denice Bruce, Wichita
Amy Burns, Topeka
Brad Cowan, Goodland
Virginia Crossland-Macha, Iola
Jennifer Cunningham, Garden City
Michelle De La Isla, Topeka
Lee Beth Dever, Lawrence
Ryan Gilliland, Topeka
Becky Gray, Pittsburg
Paul Grimes, Pittsburg
Vince Haines, El Dorado
David Harwood, Leawood
Cindy Hoover, Wichita
Schaunta James-Boyd, Wichita
Scott Jones, Overland Park
Timothy Keck, Topeka
Kimberly Krull, El Dorado
Christine Ladner, Lawrence
Danny Langerot, Jr., Columbus
Judd Liebau, Chapman
Janice Luth, Wichita
Patty McManus Corcoran, Overland Park
Stephanie Meyer, Shawnee
Joshua Ney, Lawrence
Daryl Pint, Shawnee
Joseph Reardon, Kansas City
Nathan Regier, Newton
Gabe Schlickau, Danville
Charles Schmidt, Independence
Henry Schwaller IV, Hays
David Steinmann, Independence
Jeff Sutton, Marysville
Jonathan Thomas, Fairway
Shawn Turner, Baxter Springs
Jeff Vaught, Shawnee
Eric Williams, Wichita
Kristey Williams, Augusta
DALLAS (AP) — A Texas company is stopping shipments of a common highway-guardrail system and conducting more crash tests after it lost a $175 million jury verdict.
Trinity Industries Inc. says that it would stop selling the ET-Plus system until testing is complete.
Earlier this week, a jury in federal district court in Marshall, Texas, decided Trinity should pay at least $175 million for misleading regulators. A whistle-blower charged that the company changed the design of caps that go on the ends of the guardrails but didn’t tell regulators until several years later. Trinity criticized the decision and hinted that it would appeal.
Critics say that when vehicles strike the guardrail ends, the guardrails don’t crumple as they should, but instead become spears that impale cars and their occupants.
THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press
LIBERAL, Kan. (AP) — Republican Sen. Pat Roberts isn’t saying much about his long record of advocating for the farmers that drive Kansas’ economy.
That worries some supporters of the three-term senator as he scrambles for re-election against a self-styled independent candidate, businessman Greg Orman, who’s become a real threat.
Roberts instead is banking on antipathy toward President Barack Obama, which runs high in the state.
A cattle farmer, Roger Slaven, credits Roberts for keeping a lot of farmers in business by supporting crop insurance. Slaven says the senator should be more vocal about it.
Republicans are counting on winning in Kansas as they reach for Senate control in the Nov. 4 election.
Mitch Holthus shares his thoughts and insights as the Chiefs face the St. Louis Rams Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday mornings at 8:30am on your home for Chiefs football, KFIX (96.9-FM).
Part 1
Part 2
