With an update on the pools and other recreation offered thru the Hays Recreation Commission, is Roger Bixenman.
Month: June 2015
Homeland Security raid leads to Kansas drug bust
SALINA -A tip made to Homeland Security Investigators led to the arrest of two people in Salina on Thursday afternoon and the recovery of a significant amount of methamphetamine.
Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney said the Salina Police Swat Team, Homeland Security officers and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at a residence in the 600 Block of Morrison Street.
Michael Stewart, 38, Salina and Tina Nienke, 48, Hutchinson, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
When asked about the amount of meth recovered, Sweeney referred questions to the Homeland Security Office in Dallas, Texas.
Homeland Security Investigations Public Information Officer Shawn Neudauer said since it was an ongoing investigation, they could not comment.
Earthquakes in Kansas, Oklahoma prompt meeting over fracking
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Environmental groups from Kansas and Oklahoma are hosting a public event this weekend that aimed at raising awareness about earthquakes and a hydraulic fracturing process commonly known as fracking.
The Sierra Club chapters from the two states have scheduled the meeting Saturday at the Medford Civic Center in Medford, Oklahoma. Both states have seen a rise in earthquake activity.
On tap for the event is the screening of the film, “Groundswell Rising,” and a discussion with Todd Halihan, hydrogeology professor at Oklahoma State University.
Fracking is the practice of injecting high-pressure water, sand and chemicals into oil- or gas-bearing rock to increase the flow. Injection wells are used to push waste fluids deep underground.
The environmental groups have been pushing for a moratorium on injection wells in the states.
Plainville authorities investigate break-in at Pizza Hut
PLAINVILLE — The Plainville Pizza Hut was the scene of a break-in in the early morning hours of June 11.
Plainville Police Chief Troy Rudman said although Thursday’s incident is being considered an attempted burglary, nothing was removed from the restaurant at 611 S. Washington.
Rudman said damage was done to the exterior of the building to gain entrance, which happened approximately 3:30 a.m., which was when the power was shut off. Police believe the intruders cut power to the building. There are persons of interest.
He also said at this time there is no indication this incident is tied to the shooting and attempted robbery at Plainville Short Stop on June 7. There is no new information on that case as of Friday morning.
Rudman urged residents to report any suspicious activity to the Plainville Police Department at (785) 434-2222.
KFIX Rock News: Jim Morrison Poem To Be Auctioned
NEW YORK (AP) – A handwritten Jim Morrison poem that eerily foretells of his death is for sale.
The poem was written on the last page torn out of a notebook with phrases like, “Last words, last words out,” and “I have drunk the drug of forgetfulness.”
The notebook originally was intact but broken apart and sold through the years.
It was found among Morrison’s possessions in the Paris hotel room where he died in 1971.
Auctioneer Paddle8 says bidding is expected to go as high as $80,000.
The auction ends June 25.
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Men jailed — after allegedly trespassing at Ellis County jail
Two men were arrested this weekend for trespassing — at the jail.
The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 4 a.m. Sunday from its own communications center, located at the basement of the downtown Law Enforcement Center, after dispatchers reported hearing suspicious noises from the construction site.
The LEC is in the midst of a major reconstruction effort, and a temporary LEC is in operation at 3000 New Way.
Upon arrival, the deputy discovered two men in the jail floor of the site, said Ellis County Undersheriff Bruce Hertel. The men were taken into custody without incident on suspicion of criminal trespass.
Matthew B. Anderson, 44, Lawrence, and John M. Bird, 42, Topeka, were released on bond hours after their arrest.
With the steel work for the jail expansion still underway, portions of the building remain accessible, although fences surround the construction site.
Hertel said while there was no apparent damage, some equipment was tampered with, including radio and phone systems.
Several radios on a rack were out of place and a panel was removed from a phone interchange, he said.
“As far as I know, no damage per se was done, but definitely someone went into there and was messing around with things they shouldn’t have,” he said.
However, the countywide pager system, used to call out emergency services, was down for a time after the incident. The county has a backup for the system, but any delay in dispatch is cause for concern, Hertel said. He was unaware of any incidents while the pager system was down. Technicians checked the equipment on Monday.
The case has been forwarded to Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees.
Statewide health advisory issued for flooding streams
KDHE
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a health advisory for all portions of the state that may experience high stream flows or flooding. In addition to the physical dangers 
associated with entering swift moving waters, there is also a potential for high levels of pathogens to exist in the water. Pathogens can cause illness in humans and animals.
Waters can carry pathogens from surface runoff as well as from partially treated sewage. At flood levels, wastewater treatment systems in low lying areas are prone to flooding. Once flooded, wastewater systems are compromised and pathogens can escape to the surrounding floodwaters and carried downstream.
The potential for pathogens to cause illness is often measured by an indicator bacterium called E. coli. While all rivers contain bacteria, some bacteria are naturally occurring whereas others can cause illness or can indicate the presence of other illness causing pathogens such as viruses and protozoa. These illnesses can cause a variety of symptoms including skin, ear, respiratory, eye, wound infections and diarrhea.
KDHE anticipates elevated levels of pathogens in state surface waters as a result of excessive runoff and flooding in Kansas and upstream of Kansas. Kansans are advised to avoid contact with waters experiencing high flows and flooding. Pets and livestock should also be restricted from contact with flood water. These precautions should be observed until flooding is no longer present.
Fire on the Frontier set for this weekend in downtown Hays
Downtown Hays Development Corporation
Big time BBQ fun returns to Hays June Friday and Saturday.
The seventh annual Fire on the Frontier BBQ Classic — formerly Blues, BBQ & Bargains — will feature BBQ, bands, and family fun all at the Municipal Park, 1st and Main.
Friday night, bring your appetite! Starting at 5 p.m., spectators and fans are invited to exchange BBQ Bucks for great BBQ cuisine exquisitely prepared by the participating teams. BBQ Bucks work just like cash and will be the only form of payment accepted by participants.
“What makes this event special is that it’s not just a contest for the teams that are competing,” Sabrina William, Event Co-Chair said. “If this event is one thing, it’s an eating event. It’s the perfect opportunity to try some of the best barbecue around.”
Friday night also boasts a beer garden, live music, children’s play area and prizes.
Someone will take home a Traeger BBQ Grill (Courtesy of Crawford Supply Co), Sushi for a Year (Courtesy of Sake 2 Me Sushi Rolls), Four Express Facials (Courtesy of Rejuvenations), Downtown Event Tickets (DHDC) and Cheesecake for a Month (Courtesy of Chestnut Street Kitchens). BBQ Bucks and Drawing Slips will be available in advance at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine, or at the park Friday night while supplies last.
Saturday is when the event really fires up! The park is closed to the public so the teams can focus on finishing their entries into four food categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork butt, and brisket. The BBQ contest awards ceremony will take place Saturday, June 13 at 3:30p.m.
This Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned competition has one of the lowest entry fees on the BBQ competition circuit with only $150 per team and a great payout with over $8,000 in guaranteed prize money.
The Downtown Hays Development Corporation has organized this event each year with the help of hundreds of volunteers and sponsors and takes pride in running an top-quality competition year after year.
“This is a great event and the perfect competition for BBQ teams of all levels,” Sara Bloom Executive Director of DHDC said. “Whether you’re an old pro with lots of awards under your belt or a novice griller wanting to test your skills you should be at this competition.”
For more information, click HERE.
Sens. Moran and King Introduce Bill to Restore Trade with Cuba
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) on Thursday introduced legislation to restore trade with Cuba. The Cuba Trade Act of 2015 (S. 1543) would grant the private sector the freedom to export U.S. goods and services to Cuba while protecting U.S. taxpayers from any risk or exposure associated with such trade.
“I am proud to have my colleague Senator King join me in introducing the Cuba Trade Act of 2015,” Sen. Moran said. “Cuba is only 90 miles from our border, making it a natural market for our nation’s farmers and ranchers. By lifting the embargo and opening up the market for U.S. agricultural commodities, we will not only boost the U.S. economy but also help bring about reforms in the repressive Cuban government. I am hopeful that increasing the standard of living among Cuban citizens will enable them to make greater demands on their own government to increase individual and political rights.”
“For far too long, the Cuban people and American businesses have suffered at the hands of an antiquated trade embargo,” Sen. King said. “Like the Cold War that created it, the embargo should be put in the history books. The Cuba Trade Act would finally end our outdated embargo policy and establish a new economic relationship with Cuba that will support increased trade for American businesses and help the Cuban economy and its people to flourish. It’s past time we take this step forward, and I hope Congress will act to help bring our relationship with Cuba into the 21st century.”
S. 1543 would:
Lift the Cuba trade embargo to allow farmers, ranchers, small businesses and other private sector industries to freely conduct business with the island nation;
Grant U.S. financial institutions the freedom to extend credit to Cuba, while ensuring there is no financial risk to federal taxpayers; and
Maintain the current restrictions on federal taxpayer funds being used for trade promotion or market development in Cuba, while explicitly allowing private funds – including producer-funded checkoff programs – to be used for such purposes.
Nearly 150 U.S. organizations have voiced their strong support for commonsense reforms related to U.S.-Cuba relations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Foreign Trade Council, the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Farmers Union.
“The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba strongly supports the Cuba Trade Act because ending the embargo will foster new opportunities for agriculture in both our nations,” said U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba Spokeswoman Dianne Byrum. “We appreciate the commitment shown by Sen. Moran and Sen. King to develop this common-sense, bipartisan measure. We hope to see quick passage of this bill in the U.S. Senate, and an end to the embargo with Cuba as soon as possible.”
Sen. Moran has long fought for commonsense changes to U.S. trade policy with Cuba, which must import the vast majority of its food, to open up more markets for American farmers and ranchers. In July 2000, an amendment (H.Amdt.1031 to H.R.4871) offered by then Rep. Moran prohibiting funds from being used to enforce sanctions for food, medicine and agriculture products in a sale to Cuba passed the House of Representatives (301-116). The adoption of this amendment opened another needed market to farmers throughout the country. Unfortunately, changes in regulations by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2005 once again severely restricted this market for U.S. agriculture producers. Since that time, Sen. Moran has continued to fight to enable farmers and ranchers to compete on a level playing field with foreign competitors when trading with Cuba.
Sens. Moran and King are also sponsors of The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 (S. 299), which would loosen travel restrictions to Cuba and remove restrictions on banking transactions incidental to travel that have long been unfairly imposed on American citizens.
Earthquakes in Kansas, Oklahoma prompt meeting over fracking UPDATE
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Environmental groups from Kansas and Oklahoma are hosting a public event this weekend that aimed at raising awareness about earthquakes and a hydraulic fracturing process commonly known as fracking.
The Sierra Club chapters from the two states have scheduled the meeting Saturday at the Medford Civic Center in Medford, Oklahoma. Both states have seen a rise in earthquake activity.
On tap for the event is the screening of the film, “Groundswell Rising,” and a discussion with Todd Halihan, hydrogeology professor at Oklahoma State University.
Fracking is the practice of injecting high-pressure water, sand and chemicals into oil- or gas-bearing rock to increase the flow. Injection wells are used to push waste fluids deep underground.
The environmental groups have been pushing for a moratorium on injection wells in the states.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Environmental groups from Kansas and Oklahoma are hosting a public event this weekend that aimed at raising awareness about earthquakes and a hydraulic fracturing process commonly known as fracking that is used in drilling injection wells.
The Sierra Club chapters from the two states have scheduled the meeting Saturday at the Medford Civic Center in Medford, Oklahoma. Both states have seen a rise in earthquake activity.
On tap for the event is the screening of the film, “Groundswell Rising,” and a discussion with Todd Halihan, hydrogeology professor at Oklahoma State University.
The environmental groups have been pushing for a moratorium on injection wells in the states.
Susan Schlicting – 4-H Photo Day Camp
Susan Schlicting and 4-H teen volunteer, Rylee Torline, explain what the 4-H Day Camp is all about.
Kan. Catholic convent to shelter homeless families
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An order of nuns says it plans to allow a little-used convent in Wichita to become a shelter for homeless families.
The Sisters of St. Joseph says it will hand over its 100-year-old convent to Catholic Charities. The shelter, which will be called the Mount, is expected to partially open in October or November. When a final phase opens in 2018, the building will house up to 150 residents.
The Wichita Eagle reports the sisters decided to find a better use for the convent because of a dwindling congregation. Currently 75 sisters live in the convent but it could house 130 to 150 sisters.
The convent is ready for homeless families to move in but new buildings for the sisters need to be constructed on the grounds.
Stacy Campbell – Moths
If you’ve noticed a large amount of moths around your house the last few weeks, Stacy Campbell has the reason why.