TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House is considering reducing sentences for the first two marijuana possession offenses.
The full chamber will consider the bill Thursday. It would make it unlikely that an offender would face prison time until their third marijuana conviction.
Supporters have said that the bill would divert more marijuana offenders to treatment and would save money and space in the state’s prisons. Kansas prisons are already overcrowded and are expected to stretch to 107 percent capacity by 2024.
Republican Rep. Steve Brunk of Wichita said in a party caucus meeting Thursday that he opposed the bill because it would move the state closer to marijuana decriminalization.
He said the move would be inconsistent with parallel measures to stiffen prison time for some offenses.
MANHATTAN- Police in Manhattan are investigating a report of possible criminal threat at Marlatt Elementary School.
The Riley County Police Department reported they received a call of a ‘Criminal Threat’ just after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the school.
Officer Matthew Droge of the Riley County Police Department said, “Vaguely worded comments were received by USD 383 school officials in the 2700 block of Hobbs Drive.
There were no specific threats made to the school or staff.”
Vincent Bowhay takes pride in bringing events that give goosebumps to the Fort Hays State University community.
Bowhay oversees the FHSU Center for Student Involvement. In this role he directly advises the University Activities Board, in addition supervising the Encore Series and the Center for Student Involvement. Bowhay was the catalyst for the launch of the FHSU Sebelius Lecture Series.
On Feb. 14, Bowhay, assistant director of the Memorial Union, won the 2015 Patsy Morley Outstanding Programmer Award at the National Association for Campus Activities conference in Minneapolis, Minn.
“I can’t put into words how humbling this experience is, which is unusual for me,” Bowhay said. “I truly can’t describe how honored it felt to be the recipient of this prestigious award.”
The Patsy Morley Outstanding Programmer Award was established to honor an individual who best exemplifies outstanding achievement in the field of campus activities advisement. This annual award honors the late Patsy Morley, a former chair of the National Association for Campus Activities Board of Directors, who died in 1981.
In addition to winning the Patsy Morley Outstanding Programmer Award, Bowhay was also recognized with the 2014 Outstanding Diversity Programming Award at the conference for the World Ready Curriculum Program.
“It’s important that FHSU continue to challenge stereotypical perceptions of diverse populations and continue to create meaningful relationships among our students,” Bowhay said. “This award recognizes a program that promotes diversity in and out of the classroom and helps make FHSU students truly world ready.”
The World Ready Curriculum is a track of learning that connects classroom learning with out-of-classroom experiences as tracked through FHSU’s co-curricular portal, TigerLink. By attending events and participating in certain courses, students will understand and respect the diversity of ideas, cultures and people. This program was co-developed by the Center for Student Involvement, the vice president for Student Affairs and International Student Services.
SALINA – Police in Salina have arrested a man for an alleged sexual assault on another man.
Scott D. Widler, 47, Abilene, was arrested Wednesday on requested charges of sexual battery and aggravated criminal sodomy.
Police began their investigation on February 13th when the victim, in his 30s, was being treated at the hospital for injuries received during the incident.
Police say Widler and the victim are acquaintances.
The Entrepreneur Direct Speaker Series at Fort Hays State University will feature both the chief operating officer and largest franchisee of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers from 10:30 to 11:45 am Tuesday, March 3, in the Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union.
Scott Redler, COO, co-founded Freddy’s with Bill and Randy Simon, whose father, Freddy Simon, was the inspiration for the restaurant, founded in 2002 in Wichita. Today there are more than 122 stores across America, said Mark Bannister, dean of the FHSU College of Business and Entrepreneurship and professor of informatics.
Jason Ingermanson is the largest franchisee of Freddy’s in the country. Ingermanson is also the franchisee of the local Freddy’s and of Moka’s.
Entrepreneur Direct is a speaker series that features successful entrepreneurs in an informal setting aimed at FHSU students. The program is intended to connect students with successful entrepreneurs who have stories and advice to share.
“Research has shown that franchises have a much higher success rate than other new businesses and are a special form of entrepreneurship,” said Bannister. “The College of Business and Entrepreneurship is pleased to bring the founder of a restaurant franchise company to campus as well as a franchisee who has successfully benefited from this business model.”
It often is no surprise to cancer patients when they hear radiation treatments will take nine weeks.
However, in the near future some may be surprised to learn treatment will take only one week thanks to new equipment at the Hays Medical Center Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.
The 14-year-old equipment was removed in late January and the new linear accelerator installed this week.
The advantages to its Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) capability include pinpoint precision, reduced cost and fewer treatments.
Workers prepare to remove the 14-year-old linear accelerator at the HaysMed Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute to make way for new equipment that includes Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy capability.
“The decreased number of treatments is especially appealing to patients and families,” said Dr. Babu Prasad, radiation oncologist. “Patients are busy with their lives and their jobs, and traveling for nine weeks is difficult.
“In some cases, five treatments that take only one week is the best course of radiation therapy,” he continued. “It will be much more convenient, less intrusive and less stressful emotionally and financially.”
SBRT uses rapid arc features for selected cancers. For example, selected lung, liver and prostate cancers, as well as highly selected brain cancers can be treated with SBRT.
“While this is not for everyone, patients that qualify may have their treatments condensed into one week,” Dr. Prasad said. “It is just as effective, maybe even more so, than other conventional treatments.
“In addition,” he noted, “SBRT causes no increase in toxicity or side effects, and the new machine can still do conventional treatments.”
During the next few weeks, it will be subjected to a series of rigorous tests and ready for the first patient in late March. In the interim, Dr. Prasad has continued to see patients for consultations and follow-ups. Patients needing treatment have been referred to a cancer center in Kansas, Nebraska or Colorado – whichever is geographically closest.
“With some low-risk cancers, however, a patient may be able to wait a few weeks until the new machine is up and running,” Dr. Prasad said.
Lindsey Fox, medical physicist, helps ensure the safety and quality of radiation treatments by managing the technical aspects. These include reviewing dose calculations, performing machine calibration and testing equipment routinely.
“Purchasing a new linear accelerator is similar to purchasing a new car,” Fox commented. “You don’t just choose the make and model; you also consider options that improve comfort and safety.
“We are upgrading treatment planning software, and investing in advanced imaging, positioning and testing equipment to improve the accuracy, comfort and safety of our treatments,” Fox explained.
With the advanced technology, come more rigorous testing and quality-assurance requirements.
“Equally important,” Fox said, “we have a caring, well-trained staff. Every person here is committed to excellence, as evidenced by our recent accreditation through the American College of Radiation Oncology.
“We will have state-of-the-art equipment that some larger institutes still don’t have,” Fox noted. “Western Kansans can receive the same or better care at HaysMed than at larger facilities far from home.”
Leo Elms, medical dosimetrist/operations manager, also is looking forward to the new linear accelerator and VisionRT equipment.
“The combination of these two pieces of equipment and additional software give us the ability to offer this advanced treatment,” Elms said. “The shorter courses of treatment are especially important because we serve such a large geographic area, which requires some patients to travel quite a distance to HaysMed.”
Elms mentioned the cancer institute’s radiation therapist has told patients about the new equipment. “They have voiced strong support for it,” Elms said. “We have even received thank-you cards from patients.
“Our department, the cancer institute and HaysMed are truly driven to provide the highest level of care,” he continued. “SBRT puts us on the leading edge of technology. Western Kansans are fortunate to have this level of technology and expertise available in their own backyard.”
The HaysMed Foundation is conducting a campaign called “Envision a Future Without Cancer” to raise funds for the $3 million project.
Donations are encouraged and HaysMed has committed to paying the balance.
Those who have made $100,000 contributions include Dr. Prasad and his family, Lillian Schumacher of Hays and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The Hadley Foundation has donated $1 million.
Donations can be sent to the HaysMed Foundation, 2220 Canterbury Drive, Hays, Ks. 67601 or by visiting www.haysmedfoundation.org/envision.
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling nearly 26,000 midsize cars in North America to fix automatic transmissions that might not shift into park.
The recall covers the Chrysler 200 with V-6 engines from the 2015 model year. The company says manufacturing problems at a parts supplier’s factory can cause the nine-speed transmissions to malfunction. Cars could roll away unexpectedly if the cars won’t shift into park.
The company says owners should activate the parking brake before shutting off the engine, until repairs can be made.
Chrysler says it has five customer complaints about the problem, but it knows of no crashes or injuries.
Dealers will inspect and replace transmissions if needed. Customers will be told when they can bring the cars in for service.
ELLIS — The city of Ellis will be looking for its residents and the Kansas PRIDE program to come up with ideas and funds to improve the community at a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Ellis City Hall, 815 Jefferson.
The Pride Program, in partnership with K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce, serves small communities across the state to identify improvements and find possible grants to fund their ideas, according to Ellis resident and Ellis County Extension Agent Susan Schlichting.
“I see lots of really positive things happening in Ellis right now,” she said. “There is some major building renovations going on on Main Street, we’ve had some new businesses move in, just good movement towards making our community look more vibrant and vital. So if we can bring in some more resources to help train community members to have a stronger, more vibrant community, I think its a great thing.”
Ellis City Council member John Walz said he has been wanting to start the PRIDE program for years.
“It a good way for the community to gather ideas for things they would like to see … from something as big as a community center to things like park benches,” he said.
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Congressman Ron Kind’s (D-WI) legislation, H.R. 529 with a veto-proof majority of 401-20. This legislation would expand, modernize, and strengthen tax-free 529 college savings plans to help more Americans save for their children’s education.
“This is a good, sensible bill to improve a critical college savings tool to help more hardworking Kansans and Americans save for their children’s education,” said Rep. Jenkins. “I’m pleased H.R. 529 passed with overwhelming support and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to quickly approve this legislation. Today we sent a clear message to all families that Congress supports 529s, will keep them tax-free, and will work together to strengthen them so parents can secure a better future for their children.
“I am pleased to see the House pass this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help keep college affordable for families in Wisconsin and across the nation,” said Rep. Kind. “With 14 colleges and universities across western and central Wisconsin, I know the importance of saving in advance for higher education. With rising tuition costs and the growing crisis of student loan debt, we need to do everything we can to help students attend college so they can compete in the global marketplace.”
The Legislation:
H.R. 529 improves 529 savings plans by empowering students to use their savings for computers, eliminates an outdated and unnecessary aggregation rule, and allows taxpayers to re-deposit refunds from colleges without taxes or penalties. For more details on the bill, click here.
A Hays City Commission candidate hopes to give back to the community and provide a fresh set of eyes if he’s elected to the city’s governing body.
Lance Jones grew up in Sharon Springs and moved to Hays five years ago, following a stint in Manhattan to attend college. Jones has worked for the Kansas National Guard since his late teens and said his experience with several government contracts and a “fresh set of eyes” will help the commission.
“I think fiscal responsibility is something we owe to the citizens of Hays and the taxpayers,” Jones said. “We need to take into account and spend their tax dollars the best way we can.”
Jones said the city needs to be more stringent on tax incentives such as TIFs and CIDs, especially after the commission passed a Community Improvement District to help fund improvements the Hays Mall. Jones favors an approach that provides local businesses a fair shot to succeed.
“The mall is owned by people that aren’t from Hays and (DP Management) is a big corporation,” Jones said. “Unless we give that opportunity to every business in Hays, especially the smaller ones, (CIDs) really aren’t fair.”
The first-time candidate for elected office also said there is room for Hays to grow after the April elections. He said he’d like to see additional businesses, as well as growth in the parks department.
“There’s opportunity for businesses to come in. I see it in Great Bend and Garden City,” Jones said. “Both of those towns have zoos to go to and places for visitors to visit. (Hays) has a little bit to do but not an extreme amount.
“I want to keep the hometown feel … I don’t want it to become a big city.”
Over the next couple of years, commissioners will be making several decisions on a reconstructed wastewater treatment plan that is expected to cost close to $30 million, and Jones hopes the commission won’t have to raise utility rates by large margins.
“There’s no way around (reconstruction). We have to do it in order to comply with federal regulations,” Jones said. “We’ve just got to start saving and budgeting for it. … Hopefully, we won’t have to raise rates too much.”
The other candidates include incumbent mayor Henry Schwaller, along with James Meier and Scott Simpson. Commissioners Ron Mellick and Kent Steward have decided not to seek another term. The top two candidates will receive a four-year term on the commission and the third will serve a two-year term.
LENEXA–Sprint Corporation, headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2015 Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management – Goal Achievement.
The Climate Leadership Award recipients demonstrate how innovative actions to combat climate change lead to smart business decisions. Sixteen organizations and one individual representing a wide array of industries from finance and manufacturing to retail and technology were honored for their climate change and environmental work.
“I am proud to recognize our Climate Leadership Award winners for their actions to reduce the harmful carbon pollution that’s fueling climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Our winners are demonstrating that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand. These organizations are providing the leadership, commitment, and solutions needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet head on the challenge of a changing climate.”
Sprint Corporation offers wireless and wireline communications services for nearly 56 million customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., approximately 80 percent of Sprint’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the operation of its networks. Other sources include office buildings, data centers, and retail stores.
Sprint is being recognized by EPA for the following specific accomplishments:
Sprint set and exceeded its absolute GHG reduction goal of 20 percent from 2007 to 2017, achieving absolute reduction in GHG emissions of 29 percent in 2013. Sprint’s initial GHG reduction goal was 12 percent in 2008 under the EPA’s former Climate Leaders program, which the company subsequently increased to 15 percent in 2010 before setting its current goal – all with 2007 as the baseline.
The corporation achieved its GHG emission reductions by redesigning its networks to reduce electricity consumption. Its IT department has decreased its electricity use by 28 percent while increasing the number of new data centers. Sprint also implemented Building Automation Systems (BAS) to monitor heating and cooling activities which resulted in lowered electricity costs, reduced HVAC and lighting maintenance costs, and increased worker productivity (comfortable work environment).
In 2014, Sprint received two Climate Leadership Awards in the Organizational Leadership and Supply Chain Leadership categories.
EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership establishes norms of climate leadership by encouraging organizations with emerging climate objectives to identify and achieve cost-effective GHG emission reductions, while helping more advanced organizations drive innovations in reducing their greenhouse gas impacts in their supply chains and beyond. The Center provides technical tools, guidance, educational resources, and opportunities for information sharing and peer exchange among organizations interested in reducing the environmental impacts associated with climate change.
