November 2014 – Page 43 – Hays Post Archive

Peck to challenge Merrick for Kan. House Speaker

Posted on November 16, 2014

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A southeast Kansas lawmaker plans to challenge Ray Merrick as speaker of the Kansas House.

After the election, Rep. Virgil Peck sent letters to victorious Republican House candidates. The Tyro Republican informed them of his intention to stand for speaker when lawmakers come to Topeka on Dec. 1 to hold leadership elections.

He says lawmakers have a responsibility to choose leaders “whom we feel are best equipped to represent the core beliefs of Kansas citizens and our party’s philosophy of limited government.”

Merrick’s spokeswoman, Rachel Whitten, said, “Any legislator is welcome to run for whatever leadership office they choose.”

Peck has served in the Legislature since 2005 and currently serves as chair of the Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee.

Chiefs defense preserves 24-20 win over Seahawks

Posted on November 16, 2014November 17, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs stopped the Seattle Seahawks on fourth down three times late in the fourth quarter Sunday, holding on for a tense 24-20 victory in a matchup of playoff contenders.

Jamaal Charles ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns, and Knile Davis also ran for a score, as the Chiefs (7-3) won their fifth straight game and moved into a tie for first in the AFC West.

Russell Wilson threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, and Marshawn Lynch had 124 yards rushing for Seattle (6-4). But the Seahawks’ star running back, fresh off a four-touchdown game, was stuffed twice by the Kansas City defense with the outcome hanging in the balance.

The Seahawks’ last-chance drive ended when Wilson threw incomplete on fourth-and-18 at their 20-yard line with 1:13 left in the game.

Kansas woman hospitalized after head-on crash

Posted on November 16, 2014

EUREKA – Two people were injured in an accident just before 11 a.m. on Sunday in Greenwood County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Honda SUV driven by , Janice M. Hansen, 60, Andover, was westbound on U.S. 400 seven miles west of the Kansas 99 Junction.

The vehicle was attempting to pass a vehicle and struck a 2003 Chevy pickup head on.

Hansen and the pickup driver Marco A. Hernandez-Ruiz, 39, Carnation, WA., were transported to Greenwood County Hospital.

The KHP reported both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident.

Kansas parents frustrated in disappearance case

Posted on November 16, 2014November 16, 2014

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Two northeast Kansas parents are increasingly frustrated with the investigation into their son’s disappearance 26 years ago.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Randy Leach was a teenager when he mysteriously disappeared in 1988 from a graduation party. He would now be 44.

Earlier this year, his parents, Harold and Alberta Leach, learned that law enforcement, including the KBI and the FBI, had had a suspect in the 1990s. That suspect, Eric Montgomery, died in prison four years ago.

Montgomery also had been a suspect in two 1990 homicides that occurred seven miles from the Leaches’ home in rural Linwood.

Harold Leach, now 73, said he was saddened when he found out law enforcement had withheld information from him and his wife.

Hammond named to commission to examine alcohol use in fraternities

Posted on November 16, 2014November 16, 2014

hammond cropped — Dr. Ed Hammond, former FHSU president and current faculty member

FHSU University Relations

The North-American Interfraternity Conference recently named Dr. Edward H. Hammond, former president and current faculty member at Fort Hays State University, to lead one of three independent commissions that will undertake forward-focused, action-oriented evaluations of issues critically important to the fraternity industry and higher education.

Hammond will lead a commission that will evaluate alcohol use. The other two commissions will examine hazing and sexual violence.

The NIC represents 74 international and national men’s fraternities in North America.

Over the next 18 months, each of the commissions will conduct in-depth, issue-specific research to identify innovative opportunities for the NIC and its member fraternities to tackle these issues.

“Fraternities have a vital role to play in creating safer student experiences and environments. These commissions are a bold step in identifying the best opportunities for impact,” said NIC President and CEO Pete Smithhisler. “We are extremely grateful to the commissioners who have volunteered their time and expertise to this initiative, and we look forward to a robust process built on a diverse body of research and knowledge.”

Each commission will include 10 to 12 subject matter experts, policy makers, researchers, higher education leaders and practitioners with content area expertise. Their work will culminate in a comprehensive, action-oriented report that will be delivered to the NIC president by April 1, 2016.

The NIC named the following higher education and fraternity industry experts as commission leaders:
· Commission on Alcohol Use within Fraternity Culture — Dr. Hammond.
· Commission on Hazing Awareness and Prevention — Dr. Walter Kimbrough, president, Dillard University.
· Commission on Sexual Violence and Abuse Prevention — Allen Groves, dean of students, University of Virginia.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to provide leadership for this important national initiative,” Dr. Hammond said of his appointment. “I look forward to working with experts in the field and the higher education leadership to develop recommendations for improvement in this important area of collegiate life.”

The NIC Presidential Commissions are part of the conference’s ongoing commitment to create environments that foster the success of member fraternities while providing leadership to address the environmental and behavioral challenges that affect fraternity members and undergraduate students throughout North America.

“We must find new ways to help address these challenges for the broader campus community and to preserve all that is good about fraternities,” said Smithhisler. “When fraternity is done right, there is no better experience to promote the development of men into committed, ethical leaders who, in turn, have positive influence on their communities.”

For more information, contact Jen Kilian, director of member services for NIC, at [email protected] or call 317-872-1112.

About the North-American Interfraternity Conference
Founded in 1909, the NIC is the trade association representing 74 International and National Men’s Fraternities. Through advocacy, collaboration and education, the NIC works to ensure that fraternities can operate in an environment conducive to their success.

3 hospitalized after Sunday morning accidents

Posted on November 16, 2014

KANSAS CITY- Three people were injured in three accidents early Sunday morning in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just after 5:30 a.m. a 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by Jose Manuel Morales-Olguin, 42, Shawnee, was northbound on Interstate 35 just south of 7th Street. The driver lost control and hit the barrier wall.

Just after 6 a.m. a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by Wanda C. Allred, 50, Shawnee, was northbound on Interstate 35 between 19th and Southwest Blvd. The driver lost control and hit the barrier wall.

Just before 6:10 a.m. a 2009 Buick driven by Charles E. Chesher, 66, Overland Park was northbound on Interstate 35 at Roe. The vehicle slid on the ice and hit a parked 2004 Chevy pickup.

Morales-Olguin, Allred and Chesher were transported to KU Medical Center.

The KHP reported all were properly restrained at the time of the accidents.

Voter ID fight heads to state courts, Legislature

Posted on November 16, 2014

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The fight over a voter proof-of-citizenship law that prevented about 22,000 Kansas residents from casting ballots on Election Day has shifted back to state courts and lawmakers.

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals recently overturned a judge’s order adding citizenship documentation requirements on national voter registration forms used by Kansas and Arizona voters.

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach has championed the state law as a way to limit fraud, opponents planned to argue that it wrongfully disenfranchise voters.

Democratic State Rep. Jim Ward says any law that denies the right to vote to over 20,000 Kansas citizens is a bad law.

Kobach has vowed to defend it, saying his re-election proved it was the will of the people. He also plans to challenge the appeals court ruling.

Study: U.S., Chinese students respond differently to climate change issue

Posted on November 16, 2014November 16, 2014

Dr. Carrol Haggard, FHSU Associate Professor of Communication Studies

FHSU University Relations

An article by Dr. Carrol R. Haggard, associate professor of communication studies at Fort Hays State University, and two collaborating faculty members was the lead article in a recent issue of the Journal of International Business Research.

“Impact of Gender and Political Ideology on Chinese and U.S. College Student’s Responses to Climate Change Advocacy Advertisements” was written by Haggard; Dr. Qingjiang (Q. J.) Yao, a former FHSU faculty member who now teaches at Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas; and Luyan Cai, Guangdong Teachers’ College of Foreign Language and Arts, Guangzhou, China.

The article compares Chinese and U.S. students in their responses to and perceptions of advertisements which advocate action in regard to the climate change issue. The article examines the effect that gender and political ideology have on the positions the students selected to support.

The results indicate that U.S. liberals are more likely to agree that climate change is happening and indicate a personal intention to do something about it than are conservatives.

This study, in contrast to previous research, did not find a sex difference in environmental attitudes in the United States. In China, results indicated that males were more likely to agree that climate is changing and express a personal intention to do something about it. Ideological differences along liberal-conservative lines were not evident in the Chinese sample.

The sample was 162 Chinese students and 156 U.S. students.

Lady Tigers comeback bid falls short at No. 10 Concordia

Posted on November 16, 2014November 16, 2014

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State rallied late but came up two points short of a Top 10 upset, falling to No. 10 Concordia-St. Paul, 70-68, on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Radisson Hotel Roseville Classic in St. Paul, Minn.

A physical game that saw a combined 53 fouls called, the Tigers (1-1) lost the rebounding battle, 44-34 and were undone by CU’s 46.8 percent field goal percentage. FHSU shot 32.3 percent from the field and were much improved from the free throw line, hitting 20-of-29 (69 percent).

FHSU’s largest lead of the night came early in the first (17:17) after a jumper from Keriann Shaw made it 3-0. The Golden Bears answered to tie it at 5-all before climbing to an 8-5 lead. A three-pointer from Chelsea Mason stopped a 5-0 burst for CU and set in motion back-and-forth play that brought the game near the six-minute mark with FHSU trailing, 23-21. At that point, CU pulled away on a 9-3 run to take a 32-24 lead.

A three-pointer from Mason stopped the spurt, and two free throws by the Golden Bears sent the game to the break with FHSU trailing, 34-27.

Out of the pause, a three-pointer from CU’s Amanda Barton gave the Golden Bears their largest lead of the night (10), 37-27, but Bohuslavsky answered with a jumper of her own at 18:47 to start the Tigers climb back into contention. Over the next 6:40 of game time, FHSU doubled up CU in scoring (14-7) to cut the deficit to one, eventually taking the lead on a jumper from Nikola Kacperska (47-46) at 10:11.

FHSU stayed close over the next five minutes of action, when Shaw’s free throw at 5:36 gave FHSU its final lead of the night (54-53), as CU answered on free throws from Lauren Shiflett less than 30 seconds later to start an 8-2 run for the Golden Bears, during which six points came from Anika Whiting. CU soon stretched that lead to eight (65-57) with 2:17 to play in the game, but the Tigers would not go quietly.

Free throws from Kate Lehman brought the game to 67-61, the pressing defense of Beth Bohuslavsky yielded a steal and two free throws for FHSU – shrinking the deficit to four with 1:16 on the clock. The Tigers forced another turnover less than 10 seconds later – this time coming on a steal for Shaw, but three missed field goals on the ensuing possession (which lasted over 30 seconds) proved fatal for FHSU.

After a foul, CU’s Ameshia Kearney made just one of two free throws with 21 seconds to go, Bohuslavsky raced down the court to hit a layup (68-65) with 15 seconds to go, but Mishayla Jones’ free throws on the other end put CU back up by five (70-65). As time expired, Bohuslavsky found the net on a three-pointer, sending the game to final at 70-68.

FHSU forced 23 turnovers and scored 15 points off turnovers in the game, totaling nine steals as a team.

Bohuslavsky led the Tigers with 16 points on the evening, adding two assits with two steals while playing a team-high 32 minutes. Chelsea Mason (13 points) and Kacperska (10 points) were the other Tigers to hit double-digits, as each added two assists. Kacperska’s three steals was tied for the team-lead with Shaw, who had six points and four rebounds.

Lehman fell just short of a double-double in her second consecutive game – scoring nine points with 10 rebounds in the loss (after scoring 24 points with nine rebounds on Friday evening). She was voted to the All-Tournament Team for her performance on the weekend, joining Lizzy Jeronimus (Pittsburg State), Kylie Gafford (Pittsburg State), Mishayla Jones (CU) and Whiting (voted most valuable player) on the honor roll.

Fort Hays State hosts McPherson College this week for its home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.

IG: Improper disability claims cost taxpayers $2B

Posted on November 16, 2014

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigator says that over the past seven years, a small group of Social Security judges approved disability claims for nearly 25,000 people who didn’t qualify.

The cost to taxpayers: $2 billion.

Social Security’s office of inspector general is scheduled to release a report on the judges Monday. The Associated Press obtained a copy Friday.

Investigators examined cases decided by 44 judges who had been approving disability claims at unusually high rates. The judges represent about 4 percent of the administrative law judges who decide disability claims for Social Security.

The Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Four hospitalized after I-70 accident

Posted on November 16, 2014

JUNCTION CITY- Four people were injured in an accident just before 1 a.m. on Sunday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 HHR driven by Randy M. Irvin, 33, Kansas City, was involved in a collision on Interstate 70 two miles west of Kansas 18 with a 2010 Subaru Impreza driven by Tristan Alexander, 25, Colorado Springs

Alexander, a passenger in the Subaru Alyssa Alexander, 24, Junction City, Irvin and a passenger in the Chevy Damon Irvin, 49, Kansas City were transported to Geary County Hospital.

Another passenger in the Chevy Angela Marie Ortega, 39, Topeka, was not injured.

KHP reported all were properly restrained at the time of the accident.

International Education Week includes presentations in Hays schools

Posted on November 16, 2014November 12, 2014

FHSU University Relations

The International Student Service Office invites all of Fort Hays State University campus and the Hays community to encounter different cultures and countries by attending and participating in International Education Week from Nov. 17-20.

“This is a great opportunity for the international students on the FHSU campus to showcase their country and for those who participate in these events and activities to learn about other countries,” said Marnie Kohl, administrative specialist for the International Student Service Office.

FHSU will celebrate International Education Week with a variety of activities on campus.

Monday, Nov. 17
· International Education Week proclamation signing at 9 a.m. in Dreiling Lobby in Sheridan Hall. Refreshments will be served after the signing.
· International Faculty Spotlight and Stereotype Awareness, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the Feature Wall, Memorial Union.
· National and international exchange information bulletin board in Forsyth Library.
· A display of international items in the Memorial Union and Forsyth Library all week.
· International Student Union will host presentations in the Hays community schools throughout the week.
· International-themed movies will be showed in the residence halls

Tuesday, Nov. 18
· International Trivia, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in front of McMindes Hall Café.
· China Study Abroad presentation by student travelers at 5:30 p.m. in the Stouffer Lounge, Memorial Union.
· The first ever World Games from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Cunningham Hall, Gym 100.
Wednesday, Nov. 19
· Creation Station Handmade Bookmarks activity, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Cody Commons, Memorial Union.
Thursday, Nov. 20
· Food for Thought, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feature Wall, Memorial Union.
· International Student Exchange Program/National Student Exchange information meeting, 3:30 p.m., Trails Room, Memorial Union.

International Education Week is sponsored by International Student Services, Student Affairs, International Student Union, Memorial Union, University Activities Board, Chartwells and the Center for Student Involvement. For more information, call the office of International Student Services at 785-628-4276.

Prosecutors troubled by extent of military fraud

Posted on November 16, 2014

ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fabian Barrera found a way to make fast cash in the Texas National Guard, earning $181,000 for claiming to have steered 119 potential recruits to the military.

But the bonuses were ill-gotten because the former captain never actually referred anyone.

The case is an example of what prosecutors describe as a recurring pattern of corruption covering a cross section of the military.

The U.S. has spent freely to support wars on multiple fronts, and prosecutors say they’ve found plentiful targets: people who bill for services they do not provide, who steer lucrative contracts to select business partners and who use bribes to game a vast military enterprise.

Despite numerous cases that have produced prison sentences, the problems have continued abroad and at home with a frequency that officials consider troubling.