April 2015 – Hays Post

FHSU softball sees season end on first day of MIAA tournament

Posted on April 30, 2015May 1, 2015

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State softball team lost both of their games Thursday at the MIAA tournament to end their season. The eighth-seeded Tigers lost their opener 5-3 to regular season champ Central Missouri then fell 8-0 in five innings to Missouri Western, ending their season at 26-27. It’s just the second time the Tigers have finished 0-2 in the MIAA tournament and the first since their first tourney in 2007.

Adrian Mohr Postgame Interview

Game 1 Highlights

The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against the Jennies in the opener, scoring a run in the first and two in the second but were held hitless over the final five innings by UCM reliever Katie Shockley. The Jennies scored single runs in the third and fourth then tied the game in the sixth on a throwing error by right fielder Rilee Krier. UCM followed with back to back hits to take their first lead of the game.

Kelsey Kimminau (13-11) takes the loss, allowuing all five runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking one.

FHSU was held to just three hits against Missouri Western. The Griffons scored a run in the first then added four inteh third and three in the fifth. Paxton Duran (16-11) takes the loss, allowing eight runs (four earned) on 12 hits, striking out six and walking four.

Six of the Griffons 12 hits went for extra bases including five doubles.

Tiger softball lands seven on All-MIAA team

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Softball had seven players named to the All-MIAA Team, released on Thursday (Apr. 30). All seven earned honorable mention selections, which included Kelsey Kimminau and Paxton Duran at pitcher, Tori Beltz at first base, Amanda Vaupel and Samantha Villarreal in the outfield, and Courtey Dobson and Kylie Strand as utility/non-pitcher.

The complete list of the All-MIAA team is listed below.

Kimminau earned her first All-MIAA honor as a Tiger. The Aurora, Colo., senior led the team in wins in the regular season, going 13-10 in the circle with a 3.00 ERA. She has also thrown 16 complete games and three shutouts, striking out 72 in 144.2 innings pitched.

Duran earned the second All-MIAA honor of her career. She was named to the All-MIAA Second Team last year. So far this year, she has a 3.21 ERA with an 11-13 record, two shutouts, and 142 strikeouts in a team-high 154.2 innings.

Beltz earned the second All-MIAA of her career at first base. She was also an honorable mention selection in 2013 as a freshman. Beltz leads the Tiger offense with a .323 batting average and 26 extra-base hits (16 doubles, 10 home runs). She has a team-best 42 RBI and has crossed the plate 30 times this year. She has also drawn a team-high 29 walks this year.

Vaupel earned her fourth All-MIAA selection in the outfield. This is the third time she has been given an honorable mention nod and she was a second-team selection in 2013 as a sophomore. So far this year, she has a .258 batting average with 16 extra-base hits (nine doubles, seven home runs), 30 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

Villarreal earned the second All-MIAA honor of her career. Last year, she was an honorable mention selection at utility/non-pitcher. Villarreal ranks second on the team in batting average at .314 with 10 doubles and one home run. She has also produced 19 RBI and 16 runs.

Dobson earned the third All-MIAA honor of her career. The previous two years, she was an honorable mention selection at second base. Making the switch to shortstop halfway through the year, Dobson had several starts at both positions this year. She has a .271 average with eight doubles and 12 RBI. She leads the team in defensive assists with 110.

Strand earned the first All-MIAA honor of her career. Strand started several games at both second base and shortstop this year. So far in 2015, she is hitting .271 with 18 extra-base hits (11 doubles, seven home runs), 23 RBI, and a team-best 35 runs.

Complete All-MIAA team…

Player of the Year: Stephanie Goodwin, Sr., Emporia State
Pitcher of the Year: Emmie Robertson, Fr., Pittsburg State
Defensive Player of the Year: Taylor Zordel, Sr., Emporia State
Freshman of the Year: Emmie Robertson, Fr., Pittsburg State
Coach of the Year: Susan Anderson, Central Missouri

1st Team
Pitcher: Emmie Robertson, Fr., Pittsburg State
Pitcher: Katie Shockley, Sr., Central Missouri
Catcher: Ashleigh Tramel, So., Central Oklahoma
First Base: Lauren Mabe, So., Central Missouri
Second Base: Tiffany Gillaspy, Sr., Missouri Western$
Shortstop: Taylor Zordel, Sr., Emporia State#
Third Base: Ashton Smith, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Stephanie Goodwin, Sr., Emporia State**$
Outfield: Kaylee Brunson, Sr., Central Oklahoma$

Outfield: Cheslyn Mitchell, Sr., Pittsburg State
Designated Player: McKenzie Rynard, Sr., Pittsburg State$
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Danielle Sprinkle, Fr., Emporia State
Utility/Pitcher: Lauren Thimmesch, Sr., Washburn
**= Unanimous Selection
$= Repeat First Team Selection
#= Three-time repeat selection

2nd Team
Pitcher: Kendle Schieber, Jr., Northwest Missouri
Pitcher: Janie Smith, Jr., Missouri Western
Catcher: Nicole Nease, So., Pittsburg State
First Base: Stephanie Mark, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Second Base: Ally Dziadula, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Shortstop: Morgan Heard, Fr., Central Oklahoma
Third Base: Jessica Gragg, Sr., Emporia State
Outfield: Brooke Zukerman, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Morgan Rathmann, So., Missouri Western
Outfield: Rebecca Wyatt, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney
Designated Player: Paige Shifflett, Fr., Missouri Western
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Kylie Guthier, So., Pittsburg State
Utility/Pitcher: Jakki Prater, Sr., Central Missouri

Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Kelsey Berlin, Sr., Central Oklahoma; Nicole Brady, Jr., Central Oklahoma; Kesley Kimminau, Sr., Fort Hays State; Paxton Duran, Jr., Fort Hays State; Kendall Ryndak, Sr., Lindenwood; Cassie Roessing, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney; Kacey Ayres, So., Southwest Baptist.
Catcher: Carlie Rose, Jr., Central Missouri; Jacie Stephens, So., Emporia State; Alexandra Newcomb, Sr., Lindenwood; Alli Eales, Sr., Northeastern State; Erin Dwyer, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney; Kristen Bell, Jr., Washburn
First Base: Emily Ditmore, Sr., Central Oklahoma; Tori Beltz, Jr., Fort Hays State; Alexis Theis, So., Lindenwood; Kate Ruwe, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney; Paige Gann, Fr., Northeastern State; Caitlyn Cooner, Jr., Southwest Baptist; Marina Quimby, Jr., Washburn.
Second Base: Jessica Wolken, Jr., Lincoln; Brooke Swadley, Sr., Missouri Southern; Megan Ewton, Jr., Northeastern State; Torri Blythe, So., Northwest Missouri; Taylor Zimmerman, Jr., Washburn.

Shortstop: Ali Jo Rogers, Jr., Central Missouri; Sam Kircher, Sr., Lincoln; Cassidy Merriman, Fr., Washburn.
Third Base: Lindsey Dawson, So., Central Missouri; Myranda Stewart, Fr., Missouri Southern; Katie Klosterman, So., Missouri Western; Chantel Adams, So., Northwest Missouri; Brittanie Halquist, Jr., Southwest Baptist.
Outfield: Caitlin VanVleck, Fr., Emporia State; Samantha Villarreal, So., Fort Hays State; Amanda Vaupel, Sr., Fort Hays State; Megan Heimbaugh, So., Lincoln; Allyson Corry, Sr., Lincoln; Madison Huot, So., Lindenwood; Alana Hester, Jr., Missouri Southern; Jessica Boone, Fr., Northeastern State; Ashton Pratt, Jr., Pittsburg State; Catlin Evans, So., Southwest Baptist; Megan Stegman, So., Washburn; Haylee Marsteller, Jr., Washburn; Jordan Erickson, So., Washburn.

Designated Player: Alex Leonhart, So., Central Missouri; Alyssa Aguilar, Sr., Northeastern State.
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Katie Giacone, Fr., Central Missouri; Courtney Dobson, Jr., Fort Hays State; Kylie Strand, Jr., Fort Hays State; Kathryn Goins-Osburn, Sr., Missouri Southern.
Utility/Pitcher: Kaitlyn Caston, Sr., Emporia State.

Report: IRS takes big steps to stop tea party targeting

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government watchdog says the IRS has taken significant steps to stop agents from targeting political groups based on their names and policy positions.

The agency’s inspector general says the IRS is doing a better job processing applications for tax-exempt status. In a report issued Thursday, he says the IRS has eliminated intrusive, unnecessary questions, and is processing applications faster.

The report is a follow-up to a 2013 audit that said agents had inappropriately singled out tea party and other conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status during the 2010 and 2012 elections.

The 2013 audit blamed poor management. It ignited a firestorm that led to numerous investigations and the replacement of most of the agency’s top management.

Kansas sex predator program could move due to labor shortage

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Staffing problems at Larned State Hospital are driving up costs and leading some lawmakers to consider moving its sexual predator treatment program to a new location.

House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs said Thursday that the Legislature needs to work on a “long-term, viable relocation” of the sexual predator program to an area that can support its workforce needs. The Kansas City Democrat declined to suggest a specific locale, saying any community potentially hosting it would need to be consulted first.

Kansas currently commits sex offenders deemed to be sexual predators to the hospital, and a state audit report released Tuesday said the facility is already understaffed and its rural location 100 miles west of Wichita does not have enough potential workers to serve the program’s increasing population.

Roberts Introduces Bill to Block EPA’s ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Proposed Rule

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today with a bipartisan group of senators introduced The Federal Water Quality Protection Act to halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ‘Waters of the United States’ proposed rule. Watch Sen. Robert’s comments here

“I’m proud to lead agriculture’s charge in pushing back against EPA’s egregious federal overreach. Complying with the ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule is consistently the number one concern I hear from farmers and ranchers across the country,” said Roberts. “The last thing rural America needs to worry about is more burdensome and costly federal oversight down on the farm. Our farmers and ranchers’ job is to take care of the land and natural resources. The federal government doesn’t have to tell them to do that.”

The bill, introduced by U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) members John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., with Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., will be referred to the EPW Committee.

The Federal Water Quality Protection Act requires EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the current proposed rule, which has received considerable criticism from a variety of industries – including agriculture – and restart the full rulemaking process to develop a new rule in consultation with stakeholders, state partners and regulated entities.

FHSU students will show appreciation with BIG Event

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

The Fort Hays State University Student Government Association’s annual “BIG Event” will be Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual BIG event is a way to say “Thank You” to the community of Hays for the support received towards our education,” the SGA said in a news release.

 “The BIG Event will consist of service projects within the city of Hays that FHSU students and community members can volunteer for,” said Gustavo Reyes, Garden City, senior, SGA’s campus relations director. “We currently have projects lined up with a great deal of nonprofit organizations in the Hays community, but we have not received many individual projects from community members.”

The BIG Event service projects are not based on socioeconomic status; anyone in the community can apply. Simple tasks such as raking leaves, weeding, planting flowers, cleaning gutters, washing windows, and picking up trash are just a few examples of how volunteers can help community members. 

“This year we want the community to get involved as a whole,” said Lizette Avalos, Liberal senior, SGA’s public and community relations director. “This event is important for FHSU students to get involved and give to the community that gives so much to us, but also for Hays residents to share their passion for their community by working alongside of the FHSU family.”  

To volunteer, sign up online at www.fhsustudents.org/resources/big-event.

Sunny, warm Friday

Posted on April 30, 2015May 1, 2015

Today Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a south wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 9 to 11 mph.

Sunday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Monday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Ellis County Sheriff’s activity log, April 29

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

April 29
Fail to Register as an Offender, 3000 block New Way
Criminal Transport, Topeka, 8:14 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 8:56 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Stockton, 11:10 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Stockton, 1:55 p.m.
Theft, 2600 block Cathedral Ave, Victoria, 8:30 p.m.
Incident, Miscellaneous, 1700 block 230th Avenue, 3:13 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 4:30 p.m.
Juvenile Complaint, 800 block Moscow, Munjor, 6:46 p.m.
Disturbance, 2400 block East 7th, 7:05 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 8:10 p.m.

Kansas lawmakers pass bill to overhaul unemployment program

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved a bill setting a new cap on benefits for unemployed workers and overhauling the collection of taxes from businesses to finance the aid.

The Senate approved the bill on a 29-11 vote Thursday. The House approved it earlier this month, 85-36.

The measure goes next to Gov. Sam Brownback for his possible signature.

The bill is designed to make the taxes paid by businesses more predictable by setting fixed rates in state law. The state currently set rates annually based on what it thinks will be needed to finance benefits.

The maximum weekly benefit for workers would be 55 percent of the state’s average wage. The cap is now 60 percent, but the bill says the new cap couldn’t drop below the current figure of $474.

Truck driver charged in 100-pound meth bust in Kansas

Posted on April 30, 2015May 1, 2015

KANSAS CITY – Federal drug charges have been filed against a man arrested Tuesday in Kansas City, Kan., according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Domingo Uriarte, 41, Los Angeles, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. An investigator’s affidavit filed in the case alleges Uriarte had approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine in his truck when the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped him April 28 in Kansas City, Kan., for a traffic violation.

A trooper stopped Uriarte’s Ford F650 box truck near 10th and Kansas Avenue. In a large wooden crate containing a metal lathe, investigators found 15 tightly-wrapped bundles containing approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine. While the truck was being inspected, Uriarte attempted to flee but was quickly recaptured.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas City, Kan. Police Department investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

Ex-police chief accused in gun sale conspiracy speaks out

Posted on April 30, 2015

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The attorney for a former police chief indicted in a gun sale conspiracy at the Bel Aire Police Department says his client never intended to violate any law.

Ex-chief John R. Daily acknowledged in a statement Thursday he signed paperwork to purchase the tax-exempt firearms, and said he accepts his responsibility. He says he put his trust in his staff.

His attorney says hundreds of documents routinely came to the chief for his signature. He contends his client should have read every one more carefully, but he did not intend to defraud anyone.

Daily was indicted Tuesday on federal charges of wire fraud and mail fraud.

Prosecutors allege he and three other officers falsely represented the weapons were police department property to take advantage of special pricing and tax exemptions.

Kansas House speaker’s chief of staff departing for new job

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick’s chief of staff is taking a new job with a health insurance company and will be replaced by a Kansas Chamber of Commerce official.

The Stilwell Republican’s office announced Thursday that Chief of Staff Wade Hapgood will step down when the Legislature finishes its annual session next month. Hapgood has been Merrick’s top aide since June 2013.

Hapgood will become vice president of state government affairs for UnitedHealth Group Inc. It is the parent company for one of three firms managing the state’s Medicaid program for the needy and disabled.

He will be replaced by Christie Kriegshauser. She is the Kansas Chamber’s vice president for political affairs but was Merrick’s chief of staff before Hapgood.

The chamber’s CEO is former House Speaker Mike O’Neal.

Kansas collects $4.4M less in taxes than expected in April

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas says it collected $4.4 million less in taxes than anticipated this month.

But the Department of Revenue said Thursday that the lower-than-expected collections may be due to how tax returns have been processed since the April 15 filing deadline. Spokeswoman Jeannine Koranda said the agency can’t predict which returns will be processed first.

The state expected to collect nearly $516 million in taxes for the month. Instead, it collected $511.5 million. The shortfall was 0.9 percent.

It was the first monthly report on tax collections since state officials issued a new, more pessimistic fiscal forecast earlier this month.

Since the current fiscal year began in July, the state has collected about $4.5 billion in taxes. That’s also $4.4 million less than expect, for a shortfall of 0.1 percent.