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Rep. Waymaster selected to Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership

109th Dist. State Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill
109th Dist. State Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill

TOPEKA–The Council of State Government’s Midwest has announced that 109th Dist. Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, has been selected to participate in the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD), which is a leadership program for legislators from eleven states, including Kansas, and provinces from Canada.

Representative Waymaster is one of three Kansas legislators from the Kansas Legislature that has been selected to attend the leadership program this summer.

billdThe Bowhay Institute is the only leadership training program designed exclusively for Midwestern legislators.

This program focuses on developing legislators with the necessary skills to become effective leaders, informed decision-makers, and astute policy analysts. The program offers a unique opportunity for lawmakers to improve their leadership skills and explore the issues of the day with nationally renowned scholars, professional development experts, and legislative leaders and colleagues from across the region.

Three legislators are selected from the following states and Canadian provinces to participate in this legislative program: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.

The legislative leadership program is held in Madison, Wisconsin, and will be conducted this year from August 21-25, 2015.

Every summer, thirty-seven lawmakers from the eleven member states of the Midwestern Legislative Conference and its affiliate members, gather in Madison, Wisconsin, for a unique five-day educational experience.

In addition to its focus on leadership training, such as conflict resolution and negotiation, BILLD includes policy sessions on issues such as education, corrections, health care and economic development, as well as seminars on media relations, priority management and consensus building.

CSG-midwest_logo_color_finalThe BILLD program is conducted by the Council of State Government’s Midwestern Office in cooperation with The Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The program takes place each summer on the university’s campus. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive, nonpartisan basis by a Steering Committee of legislators from the region.

The other legislators from the Kansas Legislature that were also awarded Fellowships along with Representative Waymaster are Representatives Melissa Rooker and Nancy Lusk, both from Johnson County.

Representative Waymaster represents the 109th Kansas House District, which includes the counties of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln, Osborne, Rush, Russell, and Smith.

Airlines bring in big money from your bag, reservation fees

DAVID KOENIG, AP Airlines Writer

U.S. airlines are earning billions, and they’re collecting more in fees on checked bags and reservation changes.

Whether airlines are making more or less money than before depends on which figures you use.

The Department of Transportation said Monday that airline net income fell to $7.5 billion last year from $12.2 billion in 2013. However, net income can include one-time gains or losses, and analysts usually prefer to look at operating profit.

On that basis, the airlines did even better in 2014 than 2013. At 27 airlines in the government figures, pre-tax operating profit rose to $14.6 billion last year from $11.3 billion in 2013.

Airlines collected $3.5 billion in bag fees, a 5 percent increase over 2013, and $3 billion in reservation-change fees, a 6 percent hike.

Kan. woman hospitalized; dog blamed for collision

TONGANOXIE- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 6 p.m. on Monday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Tacoma driven by William Joseph Derzinski, 46, Tonganoxie, was westbound on U.S. 24 at 206th Street.

The driver slowed down to avoid a canine in the roadway and a 2002 Nissan Sentra driven by Janete Elenore Reed, 86, Tonganoxie, rear-ended the Toyota.

Reed was transported to KU Medical Center. Derzinski was not injured.

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

Kansas Senate approves bill legalizing fantasy sports

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Fantasy sports would be declared legal under a bill approved by the Kansas Senate.

The chamber voted 37-1 to send the bill to the House for consideration. Passage there will send the measure to Gov. Sam Brownback.

The bill is a response to the state Racing and Gaming Commission’s announcement in August that it views fantasy sports leagues as illegal lotteries. Under Kansas law, only the state can run lotteries.

The bill declares that the results of fantasy sports contests are determined by the skill and knowledge of the players. State Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued an opinion in April saying he believes fantasy sports to be legal games of skill.

Fantasy sports players make up digital teams from a pool of real athletes and track how well they play.

Gov. Brownback: Not everyone always agrees with me

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback says not everyone always agrees with his policies after a restaurant waitress left a message on his receipt promoting more funding for schools.

Chloe Hough says she waited on the governor Saturday night at Boss Hawg’s in Topeka. She later posted his receipt on Facebook, showing the line for the tip crossed out and the phrase “Tip the schools” written beside it.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Brownback weighed in on the Hough’s comment when asked about it at an unrelated news conference Monday. He says people approach him whenever he’s in public saying they agree with him on certain issues and disagree with him on others.

Schools across the state are facing tight or reduced budgets under funding changes supported by Brownback.

Ellis County Sheriff’s activity log, May 1 – May 3

AOBB

May 1
Suicidal Subject, 1500 block West 27th, 12:53 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 1:27 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:01 a.m.
Burglary of a residence, 2300 block East 7th, 8:28 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Great Bend, 8:40 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Stockton, 8:41 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 9:56 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Ellis/Rooks County Line, 12:20 p.m.
Criminal Transport, 2:37 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Great Bend, 3:32 p.m.
Animal Bite Investigation, 1800 block Buffalo Avenue, 5:49 p.m.
Cattle Out, 2600 block Yocemento Avenue, 6:18 p.m.
Burglary of a residence, 2300 block East 7th, 6:35 p.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident, Personal Injury, 1300 block 210th Avenue, 8:20 p.m.

May 2
Minor in Possession of cereal malt beverage/liquor, 2:58 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:19 a.m.
Welfare Check, 2600 block Vine, 8:37 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:09 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:40 p.m.

May 3
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:29 a.m.
Missing Person, 2300 block East 7th, 3:36 p.m.
Drug Offenses/Driving Under the Influence, 400 block East 22nd, 5:25 p.m.
Stray Livestock, 2200 block Southview Drive, 5:49 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:39 p.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident, West 19th, 9:36 p.m.

Kansas man charged with attempted burglary of city property

SALINA -A Salina man was arrested early Sunday morning after police respond to an alarm at the city water building at Indian Rock Park.

Police say Daniel C. Puckett, 20, and two 16-year-old boys were found outside the area of the building located on the southeast corner of the park just before 1 a.m.

Police recovered bolt cutters, a crowbar and a large bag near the building.

Puckett was wearing a black stocking cap and work gloves when apprehended according to police

Further investigation determined that Puckett had also tried to break into a concession stand at Bill Burke Park just south of Indian Rock Park.

Puckett was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of burglary, criminal damage to property and contributing to a child’s misconduct.

The teens were not charged.

Man facing child porn charges in Texas arrested in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A district attorney says a man facing child pornography charges in Texas fled to Kansas and worked as a school bus driver.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the 31-year-old was arrested shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday and is being held on a $50,000 bond.

According to the district attorney’s office in Coryell County, Texas, a warrant was issued for the suspect on Friday for possession of child pornography. Sgt. Patricia Griffith of the child exploitation unit in the district attorney’s office coordinated with the Topeka, Kansas, Police Department to help arrest the man.

Authorities say the suspect will be extradited to stand trial in Texas.

Flash flood warning issued for Rush County

flash flood warning rush countyTHE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DODGE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR…
SOUTHEASTERN RUSH COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS…

* UNTIL 830 PM CDT

* AT 434 PM CDT…LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED HEAVY RAIN SOUTHEAST RUSH
COUNTY. RADAR ESTIMATES AROUND TWO INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY
FALLEN AND LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED COUNTY ROADS 3 MILES SOUTH
SOUTHWEST OF SHAFFER WERE COMPLETELY UNDER WATER.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF AROUND 1 INCH ARE POSSIBLE IN THE
WARNED AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND NOW. ACT QUICKLY TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE.

DO NOT ENTER OR CROSS FLOWING WATER OR WATER OF UNKNOWN DEPTH.

Scrap theft bill approved by Kansas House panel

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Scrap thieves who do more than $5,000 worth of damage in stealing precious metals would face jail time under a bill endorsed by a House panel.

The House Judiciary Committee endorsed the measure on a voice vote Monday.

Supporters of the bill say that tougher penalties are needed because scrap thieves often do thousands of dollars in damage to worksites and agricultural equipment. The damage can sometimes disable equipment allowing crops to spoil before it can be repaired.

Current state laws give such offenders probation if they do not have serious criminal records. The measure would put most behind bars.

Some lawmakers expressed concern with the bill, however, because it is estimated that it would increase the state’s already overcapacity prison population by 20 to 57 prisoners by 2025.

Anti-smoking advocates voice support for cigarette tax hike

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Health advocates say they support a proposed state tax hike to cigarettes.

Representatives of Kansans for a Healthy Future said at a Monday news conference that increasing cigarette taxes would both bring in revenue and save the state money as it reduces smoking. The organization is a comprised of community anti-smoking advocates.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed increasing the cigarette tax to $2.29 a pack from 79 cents. He has also recommended raising the tax on other tobacco products to 25 percent from 10 percent as the state looks to fill budget shortfalls of roughly $422 million.

Terry Dunn, chairman of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said at the conference that the tax would make the state more proactive about health and competitiveness.

FHSU students win Kansas Professional Communicators awards

marston and becker
Jessica Marston and Macy Becker, KPC winners

FHSU University Relations

Three Fort Hays State University students were recognized at the Kansas Professional Communicators Conference and Awards Banquet in Salina on April 24 for their second-place finish in the public relations campaign competition.

Macy Becker, Cheney junior, Melissa Galvez, Garden City senior, and Jessica Marston, Great Bend senior, created “Now is the Time” for FHSU’s Campus Safe Initiative to raise awareness of gender-based violence and the campus resources available to students, faculty and staff.

Marston also received second place in Collegiate Writing-News for her story about one student’s reaction to the ebola outbreak and Hays Medical Center’s contingency planning. She also received second and third place in Collegiate Writing-Features for stories on the Envision Volcanes fundraising campaign for Volcanes Primary School and FHSU’s new president, Dr. Mirta Martin.

All three of Marston’s articles were published by Tiger Media Network during the summer and fall of 2014.

The North Dakota Professional Communicators judged more than 50 entries, and the 21 entries that received first place in the state contest will be judged in the National Federation of Press Women communications contest. Winners in the national contest will be recognized at the national conference Sept. 10 to 12, in Anchorage, Alaska.

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