May 2015 – Page 94

KAMS prepares to honor fifth graduating class

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

FHSU University Relations

The 18 members of the 2015 class of the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will walk across the stage at Commencement beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, in the Fort Hays Ballroom on the second floor of the Memorial Union on the Fort Hays State University campus.

This is the Academy’s fifth graduating class. Members voted to name their class the Seekers.

“The Seekers’ dedication to academic excellence has earned them significant scholarship packages to universities throughout Kansas as well as admission placement to highly competitive institutions across the country,” said Dr. Roger Schieferecke, director of KAMS. “The KAMS class of 2015 will undoubtedly be instrumental in leading the state of Kansas, and our country, into the future.”

Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president, will give the address.

The Kansas Board of Regents sited KAMS on the FHSU campus in 2008 following a selection process. The Kansas Legislature established the Academy to promote mathematics and science education, to reduce the “brain drain” in which many of the best and brightest young Kansans go away to out-of-state universities and never return, and to promote economic development by providing a well-educated workforce.

“The 2015 graduating class of KAMS students has performed at a high level throughout its time at FHSU. They have been leaders throughout campus and in the community, and their impact will endure forever,” said Schieferecke,

The Seekers are listed by hometown with their parents and sending high schools.

Anshun, China: Shan Zhong.
Beijing, China: Xiao Wang.
Xining Li.
Derby: Cooper Cummings, son of John and Tracy Cummings, Derby, Derby High School.
Emporia=: Tayler Kriss, son of Thomas and Michelle Kriss, Emporia, Emporia High School.
Guangzhou, China: Wenkai Shu.
Xiaoying Lin.
Hoyt: MaRyka Smith, daughter of Kevin and Lisa Smith, Hoyt, Royal Valley High School.
Hutchinson: Victoria Kist, daughter of Brian Kist, McPherson, and Kathryn Downing, Hutchinson, Horton High School.
Jeonmindong, South Korea: Yeongsu Han.
Lyons: Evan Shanelec, son of Daniel and Catherine Shanelec, Lyons, Lyons High School.
Russell: Tammy Nguyen, daughter of Tom Nguyen and Nga Ngo, Russell, Russell High School.
Seneca: Kayce Feldkamp, daughter of Stanley and Dawn Feldkamp, Seneca, Nemaha Valley High School.
Seoul, South Korea: Minsoo Choi.
Tecumseh: Patrick Duensing, son of Edward and Amy Duensing, Tecumseh, Shawnee Heights High School.
Topeka: Tanner Reece, son of Michael Reece and Ginger Oroke, Topeka, Washburn Rural High School; and Gregory Kenyon, son of Greg and Maryann Kenyon, Topeka, Seaman High School.
Yeongtong, South Korea: Seonyeong Ha.

The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science is an early-entry-to-college program that focuses on advanced mathematics. While studying at KAMS, students live on campus in a residence hall with other KAMS students from across Kansas and around the world. Over the course of two years, students take 68 hours of college credit. These college classes are taken alongside traditional college undergraduates and taught by college professors, simultaneously contributing to the students’ high school and college graduation requirements.

HHS grad, Nashville artist performs at school prior to benefit concert

Posted on May 1, 2015

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Hays High School class of 2012 and Nashville singer/songwriter Max Walker, 21, is and Alex Renbarger, a 2015 “American Idol” contestant, warmed up for a benefit concert with a performance at Hays High School late Friday morning.

As a student at HHS, Walker was a percussionist in the Hays High Band and a member of the Chamber Singers.

HHS Principal Martin Straub said he was not surprised to see Max performing.

“He was always talented when he was here,” Straub said. “It’s very cool to see someone following their dream.”

In between venues for their “No Rest Midwest Tour,” the two singers and songwriters arranged a stop in Hays to help local woman Mary Grizzell in her fight against cancer.

“It’s always fun to help people in need and, when you’re doing music, it’s always good to do it in a positive way,” Walker said.

Mary Grizzle Benifit — Mary Grizzle Benefit

The Mary Grizzle Benefit Concert is at Union Station Coffee and Roastery, 1007 Vine, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday.

All proceeds from the freewill donation concert and raffle will go toward Grizzle’s medical expenses.

Following the benefit, both Walker and Renbarger also will perform at Singers, 114 E. 12th, at 10 p.m.

AG Schmidt sues Texas pavers for violating Kansas Consumer Protection Act

Posted on May 1, 2015August 6, 2015

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has sued a group of Texas pavers for violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

Between 2011 and 2014, the attorney general’s office received multiple complaints from Kansas consumers who had done business with Bartholomew “Bud” Jude Daley, Fort Worth, Texas; Mike Gorman, Fort Worth, Texas; and Patrick Dougherty, Houston; all of whom were doing business as Pave All Asphalt Paving. In 2015, Bartholomew “Bud” Daley, who may also identify himself as “Bartley Davis,” has done business as Pave-A-Lot and Daley Contracting. Allegations against the defendants included failing to complete promised work after receiving payment in full, failing to provide consumers with a three day right to cancel the transaction as required by law, not providing consumers with refunds due and making false representations about the work that would be done. In addition, the defendants failed to respond to investigators and left the state.

Schmidt filed suit this week in Shawnee County District Court against Daley, Gorman and Dougherty doing business as Pave All Asphalt Paving, Pave-A-Lot and Daley Contracting. The lawsuit alleges the defendants violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Law by making false and deceptive statements while going door-to-door soliciting paving and home improvement work, repeatedly engaging in deceptive business practices, unconscionable acts and failing to provide notice to consumers about their right to cancel transactions within three business days. The attorney general alleges transactions occurred in Ellis, Gove, McPherson, Ness, Ottawa, Riley, Saline, and Sedgwick counties.

The lawsuit seeks $112,000 in civil penalties, court costs and investigative fees, and restitution for the named consumers. District Court Judge Franklin R. Theis granted Schmidt’s request for a temporary injunction prohibiting the individuals from the solicitation and sale of asphalt paving and home improvement services in the state and Schmidt’s request to sequester various property from the defendants. A hearing in the case is set for June 5.

Consumers who have been contacted by or done business with any of the individuals or companies identified above are encouraged to file a complaint with the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or (800) 432-2310.

Ford expands door latch recall

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

DETROIT (AP) — Under pressure from U.S. safety regulators, Ford is expanding a recall of small and midsize cars to fix door latches that may not stay closed.

The recall now covers almost 546,000 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs from the 2013 and 2014 model years, and Ford Fiestas from 2011 to 2014.

Ford says a broken spring part can stop the doors from latching properly. The doors also can unlatch while the cars are in motion, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford reported two minor injuries from unlatched doors bouncing into people when they tried to close them. There also was one crash when a door opened and hit another vehicle in a parking lot.

Dealers will replace all four door latches for free.

No charges for Cowboys RB Randle in Kan. domestic dispute

Posted on May 1, 2015

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Wichita city attorney’s office says it will not bring any charges against Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle after a domestic disturbance in Kansas.

A brief press release Friday says the city has completed its review of the Feb. 3 incident involving Randle and the mother of his child at a hotel in Wichita.

Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said earlier this week there was not sufficient evidence to bring felony charges, leaving open the possibility of misdemeanor charges from the city prosecutor’s office.

A former girlfriend told police Randle brandished a gun and broke a car window during the altercation.

Randle could still face punishment from the NFL under terms of its revised personal conduct policy.

New restaurant will offer blend of Greek/Italian cuisine

Posted on May 1, 2015June 24, 2015

George Plaku Photo courtesy Lincoln Journal Star — George Plaku
*Photo courtesy Lincoln Journal Star*

After months of speculation, the owner of a new restaurant set to open on Vine Street has finalized his plans.

George Plaku told Hays Post Friday he hopes Peter Mandys will open in the former K’s Diner, 3402 Vine, on this summer.

The menu will consist of a nontraditional blend of two traditional cuisines — Greek and Italian.

“People are really going to like it,” said Plaku, who will serve as chef as well as owner-operator. “It’s going to be a casual place with a menu that I believe is going to please my clientele. And the price is going to be affordable.”

Plaku currently is in the process of selling his interest in a Lincoln, Neb., restaurant to a business partner, but plans on making the move to Hays this weekend.

Hays was an attractive community for the restaurateur for many reasons.

“It’s a town that I believe is growing, it’s near the highway, the local economy seems to be doing well,” he said. “It’s a college town and definitely needs some different ethnic foods.

“People are really going to like it,” said Plaku, who has been a chef for more than 20 years.

He expects to employ about a dozen workers at the restaurant. Click HERE for more information on openings.

Peter Mandys will be the second restaurant to announce plans to locate in Hays recently. Click HERE for more on that restaurant and the accompanying shopping complex.

Kansas man hospitalized after vehicle overturns

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

WYANDOTTE COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 6:30 a.m. on Friday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Saturn passenger vehicle driven by Dylan C. Brown, 32, Lawrence, was northbound on U.S.73 near Parallel.

The driver attempted to avoid another unknown vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It entered the left median and overturned.

Brown was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

The KHP reported he was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

Wade M. Dreiling

Posted on May 1, 2015May 2, 2015

Wade M. Dreiling, 22, Hays, died Thursday, April 30, 2015 at his home in Hays.

He was born July 29, 1992 in Hays the son of Bruce M. and Mary Beth (Dechant) Dreiling. He was a 2010 graduate of Hays High School and worked for Service Master of Hays. He enjoyed hanging out with his brother, loved animals and took great care of the rose bushes at the shop. He also enjoyed camping, canoeing and woodworking.

Survivors include his parents, of the home in Hays, a brother Dane M. Dreiling of Hays, grandparents Marvin M. and Kathleen A. Dreiling of Hays, and Dorothy M. Dechant of Hays, numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, and his beloved cat Rascal and dog, Yukon.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Alfred W. Dechant.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 4, 2015 at the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.

Visitation will be from 6:30 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 1:00 pm until 1:45 on Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Kansas court puts capital case from sheriff’s death on hold

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court has halted its review of the capital murder case stemming from a sheriff’s death because the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing other death penalty cases from the state.

The Kansas Supreme Court issued an order this week stopping proceedings in the case of Scott Cheever. He was sentenced to die for the 2005 shooting of Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels during a drug raid.

The Kansas court said both sides agreed the delay is appropriate because U.S. Supreme Court decisions in other cases could apply to Cheever’s case.

The nation’s highest court has agreed to review Kansas Supreme Court rulings last year that overturned death sentences for three men. They included brothers Jonathan and Reginald Carr, who faced lethal injection over four killings in Wichita in 2000.

Police identify man found dead in downtown Salina

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

SALINA –Authorities have identified the man whose body was found in a lean-to in downtown Salina on Tuesday afternoon.

Police Captain Mike Sweeney said a preliminary autopsy report does not show that Robert A. Bade, 31 Salina died of any type of trauma that would indicate foul play.

He said officers were called to the 200 block of South 4th Street just before 3 p.m. Tuesday after a property owner found Bade dead in the lean-to.

The cause of death is still under investigation.

KFIX Rock News: Van Halen to Perform on 2015 “Billboard” Music Awards

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

And Las Vegas will rock! Van Halen has been added to the lineup of artists who will perform on the 2015 Billboard Music Awards, which ABC will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas on May 17 at 8 p.m. ET.

This will mark the first-ever awards-show performance by the legendary rock group’s current lineup — singer David Lee Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen.

The event’s entertainment bill also includes Fall Out Boy, Hozier, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Iggy Azalea, John Legend, Meghan Trainor, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Nick Jonas and Wiz Khalifa, among others.

Rock acts in the running for awards at the ceremony include The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Santana, Coldplay,The Black Keys and Hozier. The show will be hosted by rapper/actor Ludacris and Legend’s wife, modelChrissy Teigen. For more details, visit Billboard.com.

Van Halen recently released a new live album titled Tokyo Dome: Live in Concert, which was recorded in the Japanese capital in June 2013. The rockers will launch a North American summer tour with support act theKenny Wayne Shepherd Band on July 5 in the Seattle suburb of Auburn, Washington.

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Kan. rally urges support for home and community based services

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

By Dave Ranney

As a child, David Beecham’s disabilities were so severe his family couldn’t care for him.

“When he was born, he didn’t have any muscles in his face, so the doctors had to make him face,” said Linda Lock, executive director at Brown County Developmental Services in Hiawatha.

“His family kept him as long as they could, but his mom died, his dad remarried, and with five kids they felt like they couldn’t keep him.”

Beecham, now 67, spent much of his childhood and early adult years living in nursing homes.

“Keep in mind this was back in the 1950s, the 1960s, and the early 1970s,” Lock said. Beecham’s circumstances changed about 30 years ago when BCDS started a community-based residential program for adults with developmental disabilities who were either living with family members or in institutions.

Today, Beecham lives in a supervised apartment in Hiawatha. He uses his Social Security check to pay his rent. The services that allow him to live semi-independently are financed through the state’s Medicaid program.

Beecham, who is non-verbal, goes to BCDS for day services, and has an “in-community job” shredding paper at the special education co-op.

“He’s where he belongs,” Lock said. “He’s part of the community.”

Lock brought Beecham and seven other BCDS clients to a Thursday morning rally outside the Statehouse.

“We’re here to protect the HCBS waiver,” she said, referring to funding attached to the Medicaid program’s home and community based services waiver.

“That’s 78 percent of our budget, so if gets cut, it would affect us enormously.” Lock said all but a handful of BCDS’s 42 clients are living in apartments similar to Beecham’s; half have supported-employment jobs in the community. “We’d have more people here, but it’s hard for them to miss work,” she said. “And they don’t want to miss work.”

Legislators, as yet, have not proposed using cuts in HCBS spending to fill a projected $422 million gap between anticipated spending and projected revenue in fiscal year that begins July 1. But that doesn’t mean they won’t, said Marilyn Bittenbender, whose 40-year-old daughter has a developmental disability and lives in a supervised apartment in Lawrence.

“We know legislators are looking for revenue,” Bittenbender said. “So we’re here to let them know that the vast majority of people on Medicaid are elderly, children, or people with disabilities, like my daughter. This is a very fragile population that would be very much affected by any cuts in Medicaid.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Sam Brownback proposed – and legislators, thus far, have agreed – to spend almost $368 million on home and community-based services for about 6,000 people with developmental disabilities in fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

That’s about $6 million more than lawmakers expect to spend in the current fiscal year. “What we’re being told is that this $6 million will move about 200 people off the waiting list,” said Tom Laing, executive director at Interhab, an association that represents most of the state’s community-based programs for people with developmental disabilities. “That’s good, that’s great,” Laing said.

“But at the same time, we’ve still got 3,000 people on the waiting list and, each year, 200 people go on the waiting list. So it’s good, but it’s not really progress.” Interhab organized the rally, which drew more than 700 people from across the state. Though the budget bill that’s passed the Senate is often characterized as “break even” for HCBS services, it’s actually a cut, Laing said.

“It’s a cut by attrition,” he said. “If what’s been proposed is adopted, it’ll ensure our 10th and 11th year of no rate adjustment. So when the costs of hiring employees goes up and the level of funding stays where it is, we lose ground.”

Laing and others also spoke against a proposed reduction in support for the 27 community developmental disability organizations that help consumers find the services they need and make sure the services they receive are provided and are of high-quality.

A recent change in federal policies resulted in an 11 percent cut in CDDO funding, after which the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services proposed an additional 8 percent reduction.

“The CDDOs are the eyes and ears of the state when it comes to making sure that that the for-profit managed care companies that run KanCare are doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” Laing said. “So less money for the CDDOs means less oversight of KanCare.”

Kansas’ Medicaid programs, privatized since 2013, are called KanCare. “I came here to speak up for people who, it seems, have become invisible Kansans,” said Bart Bertzen, a retired data processer from Bonner Springs whose brother lives in a group home in Hill City after lengthy stays in the state-run hospitals in Larned, Winfield, and Norton.

“And my message is that we need to find the revenues to make this the state that people want to live in, to raise their families in, to educate their children in, and to run their businesses in – a state that meets people’s social-service needs,” Bertzen said. “There was a time, 20 years ago, when Kansas was a social-service model for the rest of the country. We need to get back to that.”

Dave Ranney is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.

Area high school senior places in Financial Scholars Essay Contest

Posted on May 1, 2015

ness ccity scholar — State Bank Commissioner Deryl Schuster, Sen. Mitch Holmes, Kaitlyn Dinges, Gov. Sam Brownback, Rep. John Ewy, Securities Commissioner Josh Ney

TOPEKA–Kansas Securities Commissioner Josh Ney and Kansas State Bank Commissioner Deryl Schuster announced the winners of the 2015 Financial Scholars Essay Contest Thursday in an awards ceremony held at the Kansas state capitol. The contest was jointly sponsored by the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner (KSC) and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC).

A total of five scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2500, were awarded to Kansas high school seniors to help cover the cost of tuition at a Kansas school of higher education.

Students were asked to submit an essay profiling an individual whose personal financial decisions impacted the lives of others and applying the wisdom or lessons from that person’s life to their own future financial plans. To be eligible, students must have participated in at least one of three financial literacy programs sponsored by the state agencies: EverFi, the Stock Market Game, or Life$marts.

Abby Oberle, a senior at De Soto High School, won the top prize of $2,500.

Other scholarship winners in attendance were: 2nd place: Kaitlyn Dinges, Ness City High School; 3rd place: Keeley Taylor, Haven High School; and 4th place: Paden Griffiths, Herington High School. The 5th place winner, Broque Short from Derby High School, was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

Dinges won a $2,000 scholarship.

She wrote her essay about her parents, who taught Kaitlyn many valuable lessons about business and money management. The following is an excerpt from her essay:

“My parents have made a huge positive impact on my future in numerous ways. With all of the information they instilled upon me at an early age, I feel ahead of many of my peers because of the monetary background I have. This will prove very useful in the near future when I’m living on my own and budgeting for college, living expenses, and my hobbies.”

Kaitlyn plans to attend Fort Hays State University next year, where she will compete on the rodeo team and dual-major in Business and Finance with an emphasis in Agricultural Economics.

She traveled to Topeka for the ceremony along with her mother Brenda Dinges and teacher Tonya Fenley. At the capitol, Kaitlyn was also recognized by Governor Sam Brownback and local legislators Senator Mitch Holmes and Representative John Ewy.

The commissioners for both of the sponsoring agencies were impressed with the quality of the winning essays and wished the recipients well. “It is inspiring to see so many of our young people making financial responsibility a priority in their lives,” said Ney. “Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all of the participants who entered.”

“I commend every student who participated in the Kansas Financial Scholars Essay Scholarship Contest. It is clear from the essays that students recognize the importance of making sound financial decisions and how those decisions will benefit them in the future,” said Schuster. “I extend my congratulations to our award winners and wish them every success as they pursue their higher education goals.”

All students who submitted an essay into the contest received a $10 Amazon gift card to be used toward the purchase of a financial app, tool, or book of their choice.