February 2015 – Page 11 – Hays Post Archive

Three wrestlers ranked, Tigers 17th in latest poll

Posted on February 25, 2015February 26, 2015

FHSU Sports Information
Two weeks removed from a third-place finish at the MIAA Championships, Fort Hays State Wrestling is headed into the NCAA Super Regionals with a No. 17 national ranking, up two spots from the previous poll. FHSU grabbed 33 votes in this week’s rankings, up from 30 last week.

Individually, three Tigers stayed in the rankings while Josh Rodriguez (174) fell out for the first time this season. Noah Killip (141) entered the rankings last week at No. 8 and jumped two spots to No. 6 headed into NCAA postseason. At 184 pounds, Jon Inman stayed put at No. 89, while Trey Page remained fifth at 285 pounds. Rodriguez was previously seventh.

The complete Division II Wrestling Coaches Association rankings for Feb. 25 are below…

Rank School (State) Points Last Ranking
1 St. Cloud State (Minn.) 154 1st
2 Maryville (Mo.) 151 2nd
3 Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 150 4th
4 Notre Dame (Ohio) 136 3rd
5 McKendree (Ill.) 119 8th
6 Mercyhurst (Pa.) 108 5th
7 Nebraska-Kearney 99 9th
8 Western State (Colo.) 91 7th
9 North Carolina-Pembroke 78 11th
10 Colorado Mesa 67 6th
11 Central Oklahoma 63 14th
12 Augustana (S.D.) 61 NR
13 Minnesota State-Mankato 60 NR
14 Upper Iowa 54 10th
T15. Lindenwood (Mo.) 39 12th
T15. Newberry (S.C.) 39 13th
17 Fort Hays State (Kan.) 33 19th
18 Kutztown (Pa.) 32 15th
19 Lake Erie (Ohio) 30 17th
20 Findlay (Ohio) 28 20th

Others receiving votes: Ashland (Ohio), California Baptist, Central Missouri, Indianapolis (Ind.), Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.), Tiffin (Ohio).

125 Pounds
1. T.J. North, Augustana (S.D.)
2. Matt Turek, Gannon (Pa.)
3. Jerry Huff, Adams State (Colo.)
4. Willie Bohince, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
5. Garrett Evans, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
6. Da’Wayne Robertson, Minnesota State-Mankato
7. Tim Prescott, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
8. Josh Kieffer, Indianapolis (Ind.)

133 Pounds
1. Daniel DeShazer, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Michael Labry, Ashland (Ohio)
3. Nate Rodriguez, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
4. Dustin Reed, Central Oklahoma
5. Mike Rhone, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
6. Nick Crume, Indianapolis (Ind.)
7. Zak Hale, Anderson (S.C.)
8. Eric Hughes, Colorado State-Pueblo

141 Pounds
1. Daniel Ownbey, North Carolina-Pembroke
2. Josh Myers, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
3. Darren Wynn, McKendree (Ill.)
4. Maurice Miller, Notre Dame (Ohio)
5. Sam Hanau, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
6. Noah Killip, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
7. Jeremiah Peterson, Augustana (S.D.)
8. Alphonso Vruno, Minnesota State-Mankato

149 Pounds
1. Keenan Hagerty, Maryville (Mo.)
2. Frank Cagnina, Central Missouri
3. Terrel Wilbourn, Lindenwood (Mo.)
4. Cameron Throckmorton, Shippensburg (Pa.)
5. Nick Goebel, Findlay (Ohio)
6. Tyler Mies, Newman (Kan.)
7. Destin McCauley, Nebraska-Kearney
8. Jeremy Landowski, Mercyhurst (Pa.)

157 Pounds
1. Clint Poster, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
2. Jon Rivera, Notre Dame (Ohio)
3. James Martinez, Colorado Mesa
4. Jordan Rinken, Upper Iowa
5. Adam Cooling, Minnesota State-Mankato
6. Francis Mizia, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
7. Alex Abono, San Francisco State (Calif.)
8. Chase White, Nebraska-Kearney

165 Pounds
1. Chris Watson, Central Oklahoma
2. Gabe Fogarty, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Nick Haferkamp, McKendree (Ill.)
4. Cody Quinn, Minnesota State-Mankato
5. Dimitri Willis, Maryville (Mo.)
6. Tyler Reinhart, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
7. Angelo Bortoluzzi, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
8. Nick Fishback, Wisconsin-Parkside

174 Pounds
1. Joey Davis, Notre Dame (Ohio)
2. Elliot Copeland, Western State (Colo.)
3. Zeb Wahle, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Terrence Zaleski, North Carolina-Pembroke
5. August Mizia, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
6. Payne Hatter, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
7. Jacob Begin, Southwest Minnesota
8. Archie Williams, Central Missouri

184 Pounds
1. Dallas Smith, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
2. Blake Sorensen, Upper Iowa
3. John Vogt, McKendree (Ill.)
4. Nick Burghardt, Maryville (Mo.)
5. Garrett Lineberger, Notre Dame (Ohio)
6. Terrence Smith, Shorter (Ga.)
7. Kyle Piatt, Western State (Colo.)
8. Jon Inman, Fort Hays State (Kan.)

197 Pounds
1. Romero Cotton, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Julian Smith, McKendree (Ill.)
3. Ryan Beltz, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Kenny Breaux, Lindenwood (Mo.)
5. Jayd Docken, Augustana (S.D.)
6. Sam Mangum, Western State (Colo.)
7. Huston Evans, Newberry (S.C.)
8. Jake Cramer, Tiffin (Ohio)

285 Pounds
1. Ziad Haddad, Kutztown (Pa.)
2. Garrett Gray, Tiffin (Ohio)
3. Austin Goergen, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
4. Donnell Walker, Maryville (Mo.)
5. Trey Page, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Chris Giddens, North Carolina-Pembroke
7. Jordan Passehl, Colorado Mesa
8. Ross Janey, McKendree (Ill.)

Inmate Death at Kansas County Jail Under Investigation

Posted on February 25, 2015

WESTMORLAND- An inmate died at the Pottawatomie County Jail on Wednesday.

The Sheriff’s office reported in a media release a jail deputy making rounds found a 24-year-old prisoner in his cell who was unresponsive.

Pottawatomie County EMS was notified and the inmate was transported to Wamego City Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was immediately notified and is conducting an investigation.

Authorities say at this time, no foul play is suspected.

The identity will be released pending notification of family according to the sheriff.

Hays Post News for 2/25/15

Posted on February 25, 2015February 26, 2015

Proposed legislation would increase seat belt penalties

Posted on February 25, 2015February 26, 2015

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Both the Kansas House and Senate are scheduled to hear legislation increasing the adult seat belt fine from just $10 dollars to $60 dollars.

An increase was recommended Tuesday in a report from the Senate Committee on Transportation.

The hearing comes just as law enforcement from across the state began the annual Seatbelts Are For Everyone program Monday, in which extra patrols are set up around high schools to enforce seat belt usage among teens.

Kansas Highway Patrol Public Resource Officer Technical Trooper Tod Hileman said he is in favor of the change because the increase makes sense.

“I go stop one teen at 17 (years old) and write him a $60 ticket, five seconds later, I go stop another teen that is 18, and they are both going to the same high school and he’s a $10 (ticket.) It’s really not that fair,” Hileman said, adding that $10 is also “not a deterrent.”

Hileman said part of Senate Bill 82 legislation includes that a portion of the extra funds from seat belt citations will go toward expanding the SAFE program to more schools across the state.

The SAFE program begins in October with high school students spreading awareness on the importance of seat belt usage.

Enforcement by officers began Monday and lasts through March 6.

TJ Maxx, Marshalls to follow Wal-Mart in raising pay

Posted on February 25, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — TJX Cos., the owner of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods stores, says it will boost pay for U.S. workers to at least $9 per hour.

The announcement comes a week after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it would increase wages for its employees. Low-paying retailers are having a harder time retaining workers as the job market improves.

A TJX spokeswoman declined to say what workers currently earn. A recent Credit Suisse report estimates TJX’s current hourly pay at about $8.24.

Hourly workers will start to receive the pay increase in June. In 2016, the company plans to pay all associates that have work at its stores for more than six months at least $10 per hour.

TJX, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, operates 3,395 stores and has about 191,000 associates.

Kansas moving toward allowing concealed guns without permit

Posted on February 25, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate is expected to approve a bill that would allow people to carry concealed guns without requiring them to get a state permit or take training classes.

Senators were debating the measure Wednesday and expected to take a final vote Thursday. The measure is sponsored by 26 of the chamber’s 40 members, led by Majority Leader Terry Bruce.

A state concealed carry permit costs $132.50, and a person must undergo eight hours of training to get one.

Gun-rights groups note Kansas has long allowed the open carrying of weapons without a state permit. The bill’s critics say training should be mandated for people carrying concealed weapons.

The National Rifle Association says Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming don’t require permits to carry concealed anywhere in the state.

Kansas anti-strip club bill does not advance before deadline

Posted on February 25, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill that would heavily restrict sexually oriented businesses did not advance as Kansas lawmakers face key deadlines.

The Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee debated the bill Wednesday. It was the last day the panel could meet before the Legislature’s annual “turnaround” deadline. With a 3-3 tie in voting on the measure, it will not advance.

Most bills must clear their original chamber by Friday or be discarded for the year.

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee also deferred action on a bill that would suspend the state’s next presidential primary elections.

Lawmakers have canceled every one since 1992 because of the cost. Republicans and Democrats have held caucuses instead.

Senate President Sen. Susan Wagle, a Republican from Wichita, says Kansas should try to form a regional primary.

Osawatomie State Hospital avoids losing federal funds

Posted on February 25, 2015

OSAWATOMIE, Kan. (AP) — Federal authorities are no longer threatening to end Medicare and Medicaid funding for the Osawatomie State Hospital after work began on $3 million worth safety improvements.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Department of Health and Human Services told the psychiatric facility Monday that it had made sufficient progress and payments that amount to about one-fourth of the hospital’s $26 million annual budget would continue.

Osawatomie was threatened with the loss of funding after the department inspected the facility in January and found that it was not in compliance with several safety standards to prevent patient injuries and suicides.

The hospital has been replacing beds, installing new bathroom fixtures and replacing suspended ceilings. They have also been eliminating items that could be used for hanging or as a weapon.

Kansas House panel rejects raise in public pension benefits

Posted on February 25, 2015February 25, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee has rejected a bill that would give retired teachers and government workers small increases in their pension benefits.

The Pensions and Benefits Committee’s vote Wednesday was 7-5 against the measure.

Chairman and Republican Rep. Steve Johnson of Assaria said the biggest concern was the long-term cost of boosting benefits.

The state is working to close a projected $9.8 billion shortfall in funding for benefits promised into 2033.

The bill was designed to boost benefits for retirees to help them deal with increases in the cost of living. Increases would have ranged from 0.5 percent to 3 percent.

Kansas Coalition of Public Retirees Vice Chairman Ernie Claudel said the vote was disappointing because 70 percent of retirees have not received any adjustments in their benefits.

KFIX Rock News: Jon Bon Jovi Helps Provide Meals

Posted on February 25, 2015February 25, 2015

Jon_Bon_Jovi_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival_3 — Photo credit: David Shankbone

UNION BEACH, N.J. (AP) – Jon Bon Jovi is sponsoring a community restaurant on the Jersey shore near his childhood home.

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is giving financial backing to the church project Spoon Full of Hope in Union Beach, near Bon Jovi’s hometown of Sayreville.

It lost its funding last summer.

Patrons can either pay a donation for a meal or give an hour of time working off the cost.

It’s similar to Bon Jovi’s community restaurant JBJ Soul Kitchen, which opened in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 2011.

“Like” KFIX on Facebook.

Cover photo: Rosana Prada

Kansas teen hospitalized after pickup hits semi’s trailer

Posted on February 25, 2015

TOPEKA – A Kansas teenager was injured in an accident just after 8 a.m. on Wednesday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Volvo semi driven by Joseph Kanaha Palaile, 53, Nashport, OH., was making a U-turn on U.S. 24 at NW Huxman Road.

A 1995 Ford F150 driven by Jordan Alexis Sharpe, 16, Topeka, struck the trailer of the semi and came to rest in the westbound lanes of the highway.

Sharpe was transported to Stormont Vail.
Palaile was not injured.

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

Hays High Student Council advisor honored on Kansas House floor

Posted on February 25, 2015

melinda cross 2 — Hays High School Student Council Advisor Melinda Cross is congratulated by Rep. Troy Waymaster, Bunker Hill, for being named the 2014-2015 Dr. Earl Reum Kansas Advisor of the Year.

TOPEKA–Melinda Cross, Russell, was honored and congratulated Tuesday, Feb. 24, by the Kansas House of Representatives for her recognition by the Kansas High School Activities Association for being named the 2014-2015 Dr. Earl Reum Kansas Advisor of the Year.

Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, 109th District, R-Bunker Hill, invited Cross to the House of Representatives and recognized her accomplishment on the House floor.

“We are blessed with an educator who was compelled to not only teach us in the classroom, but also to develop our leadership skills and guide us as a devoted advisor in student government. I want to recognize that educator who was so instrumental in my own personal leadership development, Melinda Cross, and the honor that she recently received,” Waymaster said.

Rep. Sue Boldra, 111th District, R-Hays, also stood with Rep. Waymaster to recognize the accomplishment by Cross.

Melinda Cross has been a foreign language teacher and Student Council advisor for Hays High School for fifteen years, and before that she was an English and Spanish teacher and the Student Council advisor for Russell High School.

Those also in attendance to honor Cross in the chamber of the Kansas House of Representatives were: Jim Cross, husband; Jackson Cross, grandson; daughters Andrea Cross and Sarah Frost; and son in law, Michael Frost. Also on the House floor were, Lisa Renz, Co-Sponsor of Hays High School Student Council, and members of the executive committee of the HHS Student Council: Amber Klaus, Elissa Jensen, Jake Thorell, Sydney Vahling and Allyson Flax.

Gary Musselman, Executive Director of KHSAA and David Cherry, Assistant Executive Director of KHSAA, also attended the ceremony.

Area high school basketball sub-state brackets released by KSHSAA

Posted on February 25, 2015February 26, 2015

Brackets for next week’s high school basketball sub-state tournaments are being released today by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Winners of those tournaments advance to the state tournament March 11-14.

Hill City 2A [Boys] [Girls]
The Ellis boys are the No. 1 seed and will host Atwood-Rawlins County Monday (3/2) at 6pm. Hill City is the No. 2 seed and hosts Leoti-Wichita County at 6pm Monday. Trego is the five-seed and travels to Oberlin for a 7pm game Monday.

The Hill City girls are the No. 1 seed and host Oakley in the first round at 7pm Tuesday (3/3). Ellis is the No. 2 seed and plays Leoti-Wichita County at home at 6pm Tuesday. Trego is the four-seed and hosts Ness City at 7pm Tuesday.

Claflin-Central Plains [Boys] [Girls]
The Plainville boys are the 5 seed and will travel to Little River, the No. 4 seed on Monday at 6pm Monday. No. 8 seed Smith Center is at No. 1 seed Central Plains at 6:30 pm Monday.

The Smith Center girls host Plainville in the 3 vs. 6 matchup at 7pm on Tuesday.

Quinter 1A Division I [Boys] [Girls]
The Stockton boys are the No. 1 seed, Hoxie No. 2 and Victoria No. 3. All three receive first-round byes. Stockton will face the winner of Monday’s St. Francis/Quinter game. Victoria and Hoxie will play in the other semifinal game Friday.

The Hoxie girls are the No. 1 seed , Stockton No. 2 and Quinter No. 3. All receive byes. Hoxie will play the winner of Monday night’s game between No. 5 Victoria and No. 4 St. Francis. That game is at 6pm in Quinter. Stockton and Quinter will face each other in the other semifinal on Thursday (3/5).

Pratt-Skyline 1A Division I [Boys] [Girls]
The Otis-Bison boys are the No. 1 seed and receives a first-round bye. La Crosse is the No. 2 seed and also receives a bye in the first round. Both will play in the semifinals Friday in Pratt. The La Crosse girls are the No. 1 seed and receives a bye. Otis-Bison is the No. 4 seed and travels to Pratt to play Skyline in the first round Monday (3/2) at 6pm.