Eagle Communications and Hays Post want to give you the “Best Seat in the House” for Thursday’s Fort Hays State University basketball games.
Tipoff for the women’s game against Nebraska-Kearney is at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s game scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Sign up to win the Eagle Best Seat in the House by sending an email with name and daytime or cellphone number to [email protected]. Please use the subject line “Best Seat.”
One lucky winner will receive four courtside tickets to the game, complete with Eagle cups and coupons for concession stand items.
Those registering must be able to attend the game to be eligible to win.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans in the Kansas House have elected a Bonner Springs lawmaker to serve as majority party whip.
Rep. Willie Dove received 47 votes on the third and final ballot Wednesday, compared with 44 votes for Rep. Brett Hildabrand of Shawnee. The whip counts votes and lines up support for GOP leaders on major legislation.
Dove is an insurance salesman first elected to the House in 2012.
Republican Reps. Bill Sutton of Gardner and Erin Davis of Olathe also sought the whip’s job but were eliminated on the first and second ballots.
The position was open because Rep. Ron Ryckman Jr. of Olathe stepped down.
Ryckman was elected to the post in December, but House Speaker Ray Merrick later named him chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.
Hayden Kreutzer signed his letter of intent to play football for Fort Hays State University Wednesday at Hays High School. The six foot, 177 pound senior was a two-time all Western Athletic Conference selection and is one of the best pole vaulters in the state clearing 13’6” at 5A state last year to finish second.
Kreutzer had 52 career receptions for over 900 yards and 12 touchdowns. 36 of those receptions came during his senior year. Kreutzer also flashed his skill to run with the football carrying the ball 15 times for 206 yards and a touchdown. He also threw for a touchdown during his senior season.
Hayden Kreutzer
Defensively Kreutzer recorded 68 tackles his senior year and 119 for his career.
Kreutzer has been recruited as both a wide receiver and defensive back.
Brandon Hardwick, Butler Community College
Brandon Hardwick signed his letter of intent with Butler Community College Wednesday at Hays High School. The 6’3”, 236 pound senior recorded 94 tackles in two seasons with his time split between defensive line and linebacker. Hardwick also recorded seven tackles for loss in his career.
Brandon Hardwick
Hardwick was a three year starter on an offensive line that compiled more than 3900 combined rushing and passing yards his senior year.
He said that the coaches at Butler will have him working at the defensive end position in college.
FHSU Head Football Coach Chris Brown talks to Hays media on National Signing Day, Feb. 4, 2015.
Fort Hays State football coach Chris Brown has announced the signing of 20 student-athletes on National Signing Day. 17 of the signees are high school seniors with eight from Kansas and four from Colorado. 12 of the signees are on the defensive side of the ball.
Among the area signees are Layne Bieberle from Central Plains HS, Hayden Kreutzer from Hays HS and Sheldon Schmidt out of La Crosse. The three transfers, Wr Andrew Flory out of Central Michigan, DL Nathan Shephard from Simon Frasor University in Canada and TJ Thomas a running back from Fresno State, are already on campus and will take part in spring practice.
Brown also announced the hiring of Jeff Bryant as the Tigers offensive coordinator. Bryant was an offensive line coach at Fort Hays State under then coach Kevin Verdugo in 2009. He left to become offensive line coach at North Texas and has been the offensive coordinator at Texarkana HS in Texas the last four years. Brown says the new quarterback coach will be announced in the coming days.
2015 High School Signees Layne Bieberle 6-2, 170, WR/DB
Claflin, Kan. (Central Plains HS) Planned Major: Construction Science Notes: 2013 First-Team All-League (CPL) selection as a wide receiver, defensive back, punt returner and kick returner … All-District (5) selection in 2013 … Named to Kpreps District 5 All-District Team (2013) … First Team 8-Man All-Class by Topeka Capital Journal (junior year) … Wichita Eagle Varsity Ks.com 8-Man All Class First Team (End) and Honorable Mention (DB) … National Honor Society member … Offensive career stats included 4,927 all-purpose yards, over 2,500 receiving yards, 74 career touchdowns (57 receiving), 118 receptions and a 21.9 yards-per-catch average … Defensively, had 21 interceptions and 300 tackles in his career … Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball and tennis … Lettered three years in powerlifting.
Romello Burke
6-0, 285, OT
Sarasota, Fla. (Booker HS) Planned Major: Business Notes: Named Offensive Line MVP at the 2014 Orlando Nike Football Training Camp, competing with several five-star prospects and the nation’s top recruit (Martez Ivey) … Took fourth in regions and second at districts while wrestling his sophomore season … Took second in districts and second in region in weightlifting … Had 55 tackles, 10 sacks, 19 tackles of loss, three forced fumbles and two blocked punts during senior year … Lettered four years in football and three years in wrestling.
Jeron Caraway
6-2, 200, LB/S
Topeka, Kan. (Topeka HS) Planned Major: Marketing Notes: Two-time All-League Honorable Mention … Two-time All-Conference (Centennial/6A) … Two-time All-City selection … Had 133 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup in 10 games during his senior season … Four-year letterwinner in football and track/field.
Jose Delgado
5-11, 200, DB
Derby, Kan. (Derby HS) Planned Major: Sports Medicine Notes: Two-time all-state first team selection…Two-time all-metro and all-league selection…Selected to compete in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Zach Duncan
6-0, 260, DL
Oologah, Okla. (Oologah HS) Planned Major: Political Science Notes: All-State 4A selection … All-District honoree … All-Conference All-Star by class … First receipient of the All Grind No Shine award at Oologah HS … Three-year letterwinner in football and track and field … Finished 2014 season with 63 tackles, five sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Ben Ewing
6-1, 220, LB
Olathe, Kan. (Saint Thomas Aquinas HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Picked as First Team All-State in 2014, First Team All-Conference (EKL) in 2014 and 2013 … Second Team All-KC-MO Metro Team (2014) … Selected to compete in the Kansas Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl Kansas vs Missouri (KC All-Star Metro Team) … Named team MVP in 2013 … Picked Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2012 … Racked up 93 tackles and a team-high 17 sacks during senior season … Two-time Rocky Mountain National Champ in wrestling … Kansas State Wrestling Champion … Currently 20-0 this season at 220 pounds for Kansas High School Wrestling (ranked No. 1) … Letterwinner in football (three) and wrestling (four).
Tanner Hoekman
6-1, 195, S
Abilene, Kan. (Abilene HS) Planned Major: Undecided
Notes: Two-time All-State Honorable Mention (2014 and 2013) … All-League (NCKL) as RB and SS in 2014 … Honorable Mention All-Leauge in 2013 … Team Co-MVP in 2014 and Offensive MVP in 2013 … All-League (NCKL) Honorable Mention for Basketball in 2013 … Senior year, rushed for 537 yards and nine touchdowns on 113 carries, had 27 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 2014 … For junior year (2013), rushed for 913 yards and 14 touchdowns on 143 carries, caught 18 passes for 452 yards and seven touchdowns … Four-year letterwinner in football, three letters in basketball and two letters in baseball…Brother of former FHSU volleyball player, Tara Hoekman
Hayden Kreutzer
6-0, 177, WR/FS
Hays, Kan. (Hays HS) Planned Major: Criminal Justice Notes: Two-time All-State Honorable Mention … Two-time All-WAC (All-Conference) … Voted Hays HS Offensive MVP … Offensively, senior year included 36 receptions, 636 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns, one passing and one rushing touchdown … Defensively, had 68 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in 2014 … Letterwinner in football (three years) and track/field (four years).
Justice Littrell
6-0, 205, LB
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Doherty HS) Planned Major: Justice Studies Notes: Two-time First Team All-State Selection (2014 and 2013) … Three-time All-Conference First Team selection (2014, 2013 and 2012) … Three-time All-Area First Team selection (2014, 2013 and 2012) … Voted 5A MVP … Finished senior season with 113 tackles, four sacks, 759 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns … Lettered three years in football, wrestling and track/field.
Sam Long
6-3, 270, OL
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Pine Creek HS) Planned Major: Business Notes: Named First Team All-State by Denver Post, Gazette Telegraph in 2014 … Two-time All-Conference First Team (2014 and 2013) … First Team All-Area (Gazette Telegraph) in 2014 … Participated in All-State Game (2015) … Participated in Down Under Bowl, held in Australia/Hawaii … Member of 2014 and 2013 State Championship teams and 2011 State Runner-Ups … Lettered four years in football.
Shannon Long
6-1, 190, S
Denver, Colo. (East HS) Planned Major: Business Notes: Two-time First Team All-Conference selection (2014 and 2013) … Recipient of school’s 2014 Iron Man Award … Picked up 76 tackles, three sacks, nine pass breakups, two defensive touchdowns and one fumble recovery in senior season … Two-year letterwinner in football, lettered once in basketball and track/field.
Bryce Lyons
6-0, 140, K
McCook, Neb. (McCook HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Two-time First Team Super State Kicker (Omaha World-Herald, Herald and Lincoln Journal Star) … Two-time First Team All-State Class B selection … Two-time All-Conference and District performer … Two-time First Team Huskerland Prep selection … Holds state record with 13 made field goals in a season … Finished his career hitting 23 of 27 field goals with nine over 40 yards (long of 50) … Three-time Football and track/field letterwinner, earned two letters in baseball.
Sheldon Schmidt
6-3, 230, DL
La Crosse, Kan. (La Crosse HS) Planned Major: Human Resources or Construction Management Notes: K-Preps.com All-State (2-1A) … All-District (CPL) First Team as DE and Second Team as RB … Hays Daily Top 11 selection … Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal First Team selection as DE … PIcked to KFBCA All-State Team (2-1A) … KansasSports.com 2-1A Defensive Player of the Year … Participated in Kansas Shrine Bowl … Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball and track/field.
Kiel Simas
6-0, 240, DL
McKinney, Texas (Boyd HS) Planned Major: History Notes: First Team All-District in 2013 and 2014, Second Team All-District in 2012 … Second Team All-Region selection in 2013 … Finished fifth in wrestling for junior season, currently ranked third in wrestling as a senior … Three-year letterwinner in football … Four-year letterwinner in wrestling … Racked up 194 tackles, eight saces, 50 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his career.
Sakima “KT” Smeby
6-1, 205, S
Ft. Worth, Texas (Keller Central HS) Planned Major: Undecided Notes: Two-time All-District RB … Seven-time MaxPreps Player of the Week … Won “Thunderbolt” award at Keller Central HS as team’s top offensive back … Rushed for 1,545 yards and 20 touchdowns in career … Two-time letterwinner in football and track/field.
Charles Tigner
5-9, 185, RB
Fountain, Colo. (Fountain-Fort Carson HS) Planned Major: Sports Medicine Notes: Three-time All-Conference honoree … Two-time Gazette Telegraph All-Area selection … 5A Track State Champion Over 1,000 all-purpose yards every season, led team with 32 receptions and 400 receiving yards in 2014 … Three-year letterwinner in football and track/field
Kolt Trachsel
5-11 / 190 / S
Goodland, Kan. (Goodland HS) Planned Major: Health and Human Performance Notes: 4A All-State Honorable Mention QB and DB (2014) … First Team All-League (GWAC) as All-Purpose Player, Honorable Mention as DB in senior season … All-League (GWAC) Honorable Mention as WR and DB in 2013 … National Honor Society Member and named to Principal’s Honor Roll … Ranked 10th in Kansas for total yardage (any division) … In nine games, had 1,667 passing yards and 706 rushing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown on offense and had three interceptions, 34 tackles and one fumble recovery on defense … Three-year letterwinner in football and basketball, one letter in track/field.
2015 Transfer Signees Andrew Flory
6-1, 185, WR, Sr.
Miramar, Fla. (Central Michigan) Planned Major: Sport Management Notes: In 2013, played in 12 games and made five starts, while ranking second on the team in receptions (32) and receiving yards (384)…In 2012, played in 12 games and made one start, while averaging 20.0 yards per reception with 17 catches for 340 yards…Redshirted in 2011.
Nathan Shepherd
6-5, 305, DL, So.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Simon Fraser University) Planned Major: Political Science Notes: In 2012, recorded 20 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 2.5 sacks…Redshirted in 2011.
TJ Thomas
5-11, 210, RB, Jr.
Mesa, Ariz. (Fresno State) Planned Major: Psychology Notes: Played in 11 of 14 games in 2014, carrying the ball 11 times for 71 yards with 1 TD…In 2013, carried the ball 17 times for 69 yards…Recorded seven tackles as a special teamer over two seasons…Redshirted in 2012.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 33-year-old Kansas man has pleaded guilty in the death of a former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader in a traffic crash while he was fleeing from police.
The Kansas City Star reports Roy Lee Maney of Shawnee pleaded guilty Wednesday to reckless second-degree murder and leaving the accident scene in the collision that killed 30-year-old dance instructor Tiffany Mogenson in October 2013.
In a plea deal, Johnson County prosecutors dismissed charges of aggravated battery and obstructing the legal process.
Mogenson’s husband called the plea agreement “absolutely sickening” and has hired attorneys to ask the judge to not accept the plea.
Mogenson was stopped at a Prairie Village intersection when Maney’s car hit the back of her vehicle at an estimated 90 mph, killing her instantly.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors say a 55-year-old Kansas man accused of killing a member of his commune more than a decade ago was a brutal leader whose 15-year reign was marked by sexual violence and the deaths of six people.
Daniel Perez is charged with first-degree murder in the 2003 drowning death of Patricia Hughes at the group’s compound in Valley Center.
During opening statements in his trial on Wednesday, Perez’s attorney, Alice Osburn, told jurors her client did not kill Hughes and that all of the deaths at the commune were coincidental.
Osburn said the group shared $4 million in insurance payments from the dead members.
Perez also is accused of lying on life insurance applications, rape, sodomy, criminal threat, making false statements on credit applications and sexual exploitation of a child.
TOPEKA-Nominations for the Kansas Department of Commerce’s 2015 Business Appreciation Month awards are now open. The awards recognize successful Kansas companies that create jobs, support their local communities and enhance the quality of life in Kansas.
Regional finalists are recognized in June during the Team Kansas awards banquet, with the top nominee receiving the Governor’s Award of Excellence, the highest award given to a business by the state. The 2014 winner was Galaxy Technologies of Winfield.
Nominations are accepted from chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, small business development centers, organizations and individuals. Companies may also nominate themselves.
Nominations will be accepted through 5 p.m., Friday, March 20. Regional winners will be selected in the manufacturing/distribution, service, retail and hospital/non-profit sectors. Regional winners will then give presentations about their companies and community involvement to a panel of judges. The recipient of the Governor’s Award of Excellence will be announced at the Team Kansas awards ceremony. Late nominations cannot be accepted.
Award qualifications include:
Business expansion in Kansas.
Successful employee retention and recruitment practices.
Employee training/educational programs.
Capital investment in Kansas.
Support of local activities including school activities, community events, economic development and leadership programs.
To submit an online nomination, visit KansasCommerce.com/BAM. For more information, contact Sarah Heinen at (785) 296-3805 or [email protected]
The Fort Hays State Police Department is investigating a Monday night assault at Lot J near the Stadium Place Apartments on the FHSU campus. Police say the incident happened approximately 10:45 p.m.
According to Ed Howell, FHSU Police director, the female victim reported five men confronted and restrained her against her own vehicle until she was able to escape. She says two of the men were white males and the other three were African-American. Both of the white males were wearing T-shirts with hoodies at the time of the incident. One African-American was wearing a tank top and has a tattoo running from his wrist to the mid-bicep of his right arm; the other was wearing a long-sleeved shirt that was “yellowish in color.” No description is available for the fifth male.
The victim sustained no injuries. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FHSU Police Department at (785) 628-5304 during daytime hours.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has approved a bill closing most of a projected $344 million shortfall in the state’s current budget.
The House vote Wednesday was 88-34. Republicans relied on their large majority to push it through.
The measure mostly diverts funds from highway projects and other special funds into the state’s main bank account to cover general government expenses.
The measure goes to the GOP-dominated Senate. Top Republicans there hope to vote on the plan Thursday.
Lawmakers believe they must pass a bill by Feb. 13 for the state to pay bills on time.
New figures from legislative researchers Tuesday showed that with tax collections short of expectations through January, the bill still would leave a budget deficit of about $800,000 at the end of June.
The Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan announced a $3 million gift to Fort Hays State University at a press conference Wednesday morning. Funds will be used to construct a new scholarship hall on the Fort Hays State University campus for students interested in entrepreneurship.
“This is another sign of an incredible partnership between the Hansen Foundation and FHSU,” President Mirta Martin said. “This will strengthen the ties to the community because for us to strengthen Kansas, the region and the communities that exist therein, it’s about importing and retaining talent while growing and retaining our talent.”
Located near the current Wiest Hall, the new hall will house approximately 30 upperclassmen who have an interest in entrepreneurship. It will feature single dorm rooms and other amenities that encourage entrepreneurship including collaboration and meeting rooms, guest speakers and workshops. Each student housed must be pursuing a certificate in entrepreneurship, and there will also be other academic stipulations in order to secure a spot.
“Our intent is that some of these students will start businesses that will create jobs while they’re in college. For others, it maybe after graduation or further down the road.” said Mark Bannister, Dean of the College of Business and entrepreneurship. “We want to equip them with the knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding for entrepreneurship because we know the future of business in this region is dependent upon startup businesses, new businesses and on our existing businesses acting in an entrepreneurial way.”
The dorm is projected to be completed by fall 2016. The gift is the second largest gift in the university’s 100-plus year history.
The city of Hays is ramping up its “Turf Conversion Rebate,” which Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno said has the “potential to be the city’s most successful water conservation program ever.”
During the 2015 budget process, city commissioners allocated $50,000 dollars from the water sales tax for development of the rebate program. It would encourage people to convert lawns and other turf to warm season grass, which is drought-tolerant, and according to Briseno, uses 75 percent less water than cool season grass.
“We use right around 1.5 million gallons of water a day during the winter time, mostly around the house. During the summer time, we use twice as much, right around 3 to 3.5 million gallons of water per day. So it’s pretty obvious we’re using most of that water on our turfs, on our lawns,” Briseno said.
Xeriscaping and artificial turf would also be eligible for the turf conversion rebate of $1 dollar per square foot with a maximum rebate of $1,000 thousand dollars.
Low-flow toilet installation is eligible for a rebate from the city of Hays.
“Right now the city has rebates for (low-flow) urinals, toilets, showerheads and washing machines. All of those combined will save about 20 acre feet of water if fully utilized by residents throughout the year.
“This program alone will save about 20 acre feet. We budgeted $50,000 for the turf conversion rebate program. If we had to go out and purchase water rights for that 20 acre feet, it would cost the city close to $600,000 dollars. So it’s a pretty good rate of return.
“If people people do this one year, this could be a compounding savings (in future years) for water customers themselves as well as the city,” Briseno added.
Water Conservation Specialist Jason Riegel will discuss the program implementation with city commissioners during their Thursday night work session.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top government regulator says Internet service providers — including those selling wireless broadband — should be regulated more heavily to prohibit them from slowing down or speeding up web traffic.
In an op-ed to Wired magazine posted online Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said his plan would regulate Internet service similar to phone service, by applying a section of the 1934 Communications Act. He wrote that using enforceable, defined rules will prevent broadband providers from blocking or throttling content.
The FCC will vote Feb. 26 on his proposal.
Net neutrality is the idea that Internet providers should not move some content faster than others or enter into paid agreements with companies such as Netflix to prioritize their data.
Broadband providers have questioned the fairness of this approach.
