CHICAGO (AP) – Deadheads will not be allowed to camp for the final Grateful Dead shows in Chicago in July.
Soldier Field spokesman Luca Serra tells The Chicago Tribune the requests from fans for overnight permits for parking lots were denied for safety reasons.
Serra says there will be increased security for traffic management.
Soldier Field has allowed overnight parking just once, for a 2007 college football game.
Meanwhile, promoter Peter Shapiro says he’s working on a way for fans who didn’t get tickets to view the show.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Lobbyists in Kansas would be required to report payments they receive from government agencies to finance efforts to influence state officials under a bill approved by a legislative committee.
The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee endorsed the measure on a voice vote Wednesday. It goes next to the full Senate for debate.
The bill would require lobbyists to disclose the taxpayer funds they receive from cities, counties, school districts and other government agencies in reports they file with the secretary of state’s office.
Lobbyists now report what they spend on meals, drinks and small gifts for state officials and on media advertising or other campaigns to influence state decisions.
No one spoke against the measure. Committee Chairman and St. John Republican Mitch Holmes said it would promote transparency.
KENDALL, Kan. (AP) — This weekend’s time change can be rough on some people. But consider Ron and Sherry Finlay.
Their home near Kendall in western Kansas sits on the line that divides the Mountain and Central time zones, about 1½ miles from the Kearny County line. So, when a person walks through the Kendall’s east door, it’s Central Time. Go through the west door, and it’s Mountain Time.
The Hutchinson News says the confusion’s nothing new. It’s been going on since mid-1980, when Kearny County asked the U.S. Department of Transportation, which oversees the nation’s time zones, to change from Mountain to Central time.
Sherry Finlay says her family has adapted but the change can confuse visitors.
Currently, only Hamilton, Greeley, Wallace and Sherman counties in Kansas remain on Mountain Time.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee plans to examine vacant jobs within state government and wants to begin a long-term hunt for budget efficiencies.
The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a proposed $27 million budget for the Legislature for the fiscal year beginning July 1. It includes a requirement for lawmakers to hire a consultant to examine state government and find ways to trim spending in 2016 and 2017.
The committee also directed legislative researchers to compile statistics on vacant jobs in executive branch agencies to determine whether budgets can be trimmed by eliminating them.
Legislators must close a projected shortfall of nearly $600 million for the next fiscal year. The deficit arose after lawmakers aggressively cut personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 to stimulate the economy.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate’s top Republican is telling states to ignore a central part of President Barack Obama’s plans to curb the pollution blamed for global warming.
In an op-ed published Tuesday in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says states should hold off on submitting plans to cut carbon dioxide from power plants, as the rule would require.
McConnell says “refusing to go along” will give the courts time to figure out if it’s legal, and would give Congress more time to fight back.
The rule is expected to be final this summer. McConnell has long vowed to try to block the rules because of their toll on the coal industry.
Meanwhile, the EPA has requested $3.5 million in its budget to hire more lawyers to defend them.
USD 489 Director of Curriculum Shanna Dinkel presents the “Plan for Digital Learning” at Monday’s BOE work session.
BY KARI BLURTON Hays Post
USD 489 Director of Curriculum Shanna Dinkel presented a detailed “digital learning plan” at Monday’s USD 489 work session, designed to serve as a framework for leading the district to “successful learning in a global, digital learning society.”
In November, the District’s Technology Committee recommended the purchase of 152 iPads for K-12 teachers to begin testing this year — a step Dinkel said has teachers excited about engaging students in the digital environment — something that is second nature for young learners.
Assistant Superintendent of Special Services Mark Hauptman said the plan is meant to be implemented over time with consideration of the district’s budget.
“Every time teachers are learning more about (digital learning), it just builds upon itself. … We are starting on professional development, and it will continue in some fashion over years,” Hauptman said. “Day one is not what we are after. We are about having those expectations in place and then growing and evolving over time.”
Most of the board members praised the committee, but board member Greg Schwartz asked for specific “measurables” that would ensure whatever technology the district buys actually helps improves grades in the classroom.
Board member Sarah Rankin, Lance Bickle and Josh Waddell thanked the committee for their work, with Rankin calling the plan an “excellent initial step” to help guide the district as further decisions regarding the purchase of technology are made.
The Technology Committee was formed last summer. Other members include Wilson Elementary Principal Tom Meagher; teachers Jeanie Michaelis, Ted Foster and Bobbie Dinkel; FHSU Network Administrator Derek Johnson; and Alan Wamser of Hays Medical Center. Superintendent Dean Katt also attends some meetings for informational purposes.
Twenty-one projects have been selected to receive funding to enhance safety and service at public-use airports in the state through the Kansas Airport Improvement Program.
The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation, which manages the program, received 118 applications for projects totaling more than $42 million.
Mike King
Recognizing the needs of continued investment in aviation infrastructure, the 2010 Kansas Legislature passed the T-WORKS transportation program and gave the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) a funding level of $5 million a year.
“The project selection process remains highly competitive,” said Jesse R. Romo, KDOT Director of Aviation. “One of the challenges is to balance the needs of local growth while maintaining the existing system at a high level; and the selected projects help us do just that.”
Under guidelines of the program, project sponsors are required to pay a minimum of five percent of the total project costs up to a maximum of 50 percent, depending on project category. The awarded projects represent approximately $1.4 million in total state contributions. The remaining projects will be announced at a later date under Phase II of the program.
“We are excited to announce these projects that demonstrate our commitment as a state to the airport system,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King. “These are great projects to kick off the 2016 KAIP program.”
The following is a list of the FY 2016 airport improvement projects and the funding requested:
Benton, Stearman Field – pavement maintenance and repair, $7,850 Colby – pavement maintenance and repair, $5,175
Dodge City – planning, airspace protection, $38,000
Ellsworth – pavement maintenance and repair, $123,750
Fredonia – safety/mitigation, tree removal, $31,500 Jetmore – modernization, remark runway, $22,500
Kinsley – self-service fuel system, $93,500 La Crosse – pavement maintenance and repair, $22,500
Moundridge – pavement maintenance and repair, $88,881
Neodesha – self-service fuel system, $100,000 Oakley – self-service fuel system, $100,000 Oberlin – design/safety enhancement, runway intersection, $67,500 Oberlin – land acquisition, $135,000
Ottawa – on-site weather reporting system, $108,000
Pittsburg – design runway and taxiway, $100,000
Pratt – on-site weather reporting system, $108,000
Rose Hill, Cook Airfield – pavement maintenance and repair, $5,400 St. Francis – pavement maintenance and repair, $27,000
Sublette – pavement maintenance and repair, $36,000
Sublette – on-site weather reporting system, $108,000
Washington – pavement maintenance and repair, $59,130
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has a new ear to ear smile due to the generosity of a stranger.
The Wichita Eagle ) reports that Brian Maixner, a popular waiter at the Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita, had extensive dental work done Tuesday in Ponca City, Okla. The new smile was paid for by Oklahoma attorney Fred Boettcher, who was served by Maixner in January.
Maixner struggled with dental problems for quite some time, but could never afford the work he needed. He was fitted with a set of dentures, which will be replaced with implants in about six to eight months.
Boettcher had experienced serious dental problems of his own as a child, and remembers the relief he felt once those issues were resolved. Now that he is a successful lawyer, he feels obligated to pass on the good fortune.
MANHATTAN- Law enforcement authorities in Manhattan arrested two suspects on Tuesday night on various drug charges.
The Riley County Police Department reported officers arrested Jeremy Michael Spaur, 30, in the 700 Block of Riley Lane following a brief chase.
He is being held in the Riley County Jail on charges including sale and distribution of stimulants, possession of paraphernalia to grow less than 5 plants, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, criminal use of weapons, fleeing and attempting to elude, as well as eight counts of theft, seven counts of burglary of a vehicle or dwelling, and three counts of criminal damage to property.
Nicole Ann Holt was arrested at the same time and place for the sale and distribution of stimulants, possession of opiates, trafficking contraband into a correctional facility, unlawful possession of hallucinogens, possession of paraphernalia to grow less than 5 plants, use and possession of paraphernalia, criminal use of weapons, two counts of theft, and three counts of burglary.
She is confined on a $30,000 bond in the Riley County Jail.
Former Prairie View resident Kathleen Jane Wayman passed away February 25, 2015 in Augusta, GA at the age of 66.
She was born in Garden City, KS on September 18, 1948 to Claude & Mildred (Stebens) Irsik. Kathleen worked as a dispatcher in law enforcement.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; sons, David Huckins of Leavenworth, KS and Daniel Wayman of Topeka, KS; her daughter, Terrie Zimmerman of Augusta, GA; her sister, Trudy Strong of Garden City, KS; and 4 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie View Cemetery, Prairie View, KS.
Visitation will be Friday, March 6, from noon – 9 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family greeting friends from 6 – 8 p.m. that evening.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Kathleen Wayman Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be sent to: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget director says he’s not planning to back off cuts in funding for public schools and state universities even though tax collections were better than expected last month.
Budget Director Shawn Sullivan said Wednesday that the state’s revenue picture is still too uncertain.
The state collected $22 million more in taxes than expected in February after revenues fell short of expectations in December and January.
Brownback announced in late January that he’d cut aid to public schools in the current budget by $28 million and funding for state universities by $16 million. The reductions are scheduled to take effect Saturday.
The governor acted to avoid a budget deficit on June 30.
The state’s budget problems followed aggressive income tax cuts in 2012 and 2013.
LACYGNE – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday in Linn County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Focus driven by Mitchell J. Herl, 59, Stillwell, was southbound on U.S. 69 exiting to Kansas 152 three miles east of LaCygne.
Due to the slick road conditions, the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and slid into a 2008 Chevy Silverado that was eastbound on Kansas152.
Herl was transported to Miami County Hospital.
The driver of the Chevy Fred Edward Meisel, 65, LaCygne, was not injured.
The KHP reported Herl was not wearing a seat belt.
Stephen H. Roberts, age 69, of Garden City (formerly of Oakley and Hill City), passed away Monday, March 2, 2015 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. He was born June 8, 1945, in Hays, to Albert Mack and Phyllis Lucille (Gish) Roberts.
Stephen was a 1964 graduate of Trego Community High School. On April 26, 1974, Stephen was united in marriage to Sharon Ann Werth at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney. They enjoyed forty years of marriage together. He spent the last 35 years working for Baker Hughs, Inc. as an oilfield chemical service manager. He spent time with the company in Hill City, Oakley, and most currently in Garden City. More than anything else, Stephen enjoyed spending time with his sons and grandchildren. Whether it was taking them hunting and fishing or going for a ride in the Corvette, time spent with them is what mattered to him. He was also a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Garden City. Stephen will be dearly missed by many.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Darby of Riley, and Derek of Quinter; six grandchildren, Devin, Dalton, Emma, Kole, Kyler, and Kala Roberts; and a brother, David Roberts and wife Joan of Parker, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Norman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Collyer. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, with a parish vigil service immediately following at 7:00 p.m. Both will be at the funeral home in WaKeeney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. Checks made to the organization may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.
CHICAGO (AP) – Deadheads will not be allowed to camp for the final Grateful Dead shows in Chicago in July.
