TOPEKA -In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Governor Sam Brownback has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sun-up to sun-down on Friday, June 5, 2015 in honor of Marine Captain Chris Norgren. His funeral will be Friday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
“We are grieved at the loss of Capt. Norgren who gave his life in the service of others,” said Governor Brownback. “Our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time are with his parents, family, and all who knew him.”
Norgren, a Wichita native, lost his life May 12 while piloting a “Huey” helicopter on a relief mission in northeastern Nepal following the disastrous April 25 earthquake. Norgren previously served in Afghanistan and had been awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star. He was commissioned in August, 2009.
CHICAGO (AP) — Alcohol problems affect almost 33 million adults and most have never sought treatment. That’s according to a government survey indicating that rates have increased in recent years.
It’s the first national estimate based on a new definition of “alcohol use disorders” in a widely used psychiatric handbook that was updated two years ago. Fourteen percent of adults are affected.
The new definition combines alcohol abuse and dependence, which had been two separate disorders. It adds craving as one symptom and eliminates alcohol-related legal problems as another. Problem drinkers have at least two of 11 symptoms, including drinking that harms performance at work, school or home and frequent hangovers.
The study was published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
Photo by Andy Marso House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs and other Democrats unveiled a plan Wednesday to stave off state employee furloughs by funding salaries for two months.
By Andy Marso
The impact of impending state employee furloughs remains unclear.
House Democrats unveiled a proposal Wednesday to fund two months’ worth of state salaries at a cost of almost $200 million. The plan is meant to bridge the gap between now and when the Legislature’s Republican supermajorities come to agreement on a $406 million tax increase to help close the $800 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
“State employees should not be used as political pawns and held hostage during this budget debate,” said House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs, a Democrat from Baldwin City. “Democrats want to ensure hard working state employees get paid and that state government continues to operate uninterrupted.”
Shawn Sullivan, the state budget director, warned more than a week ago that non-essential state workers would be furloughed if a tax and budget deal aren’t reached by Saturday night.
But agreement on a tax increase remains elusive. The Senate voted to send a tax bill across to the House Wednesday, but it is a stripped down bill meant only to be used as a vehicle for conference committee negotiations.
Burroughs said the Democrats have requested information from the administration on which of the state’s 35,000 to 40,000 state workers will be deemed “non-essential” and targeted for furlough, but not received it.
“We asked for it three days ago,” Burroughs said.
Earlier this week, public information officers for health-related agencies said they were still making those determinations. “KDHE has an existing Continuity of Operations Plan that includes identifying essential employees,” Sara Belfry, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Monday.
“We are in the process of reviewing this list of employees in the event the Legislature does not pass a budget before midnight Saturday, June 6 and a furlough needs to be implemented.”
Theresa Freed, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families, said the agency’s child protection responsibilities would continue unabated.
“Should furloughs be necessary, the Kansas Protection Reporting Center will continue to be staffed to take abuse and neglect reports 24-7,” Freed said. “We are reviewing our list of essential workers to determine if additional employees should be added to the list to ensure safety needs are met.”
Angela de Rocha, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Aging and disability Services, said state hospitals also won’t be affected. “We’re still working on the numbers (of employees who would be affected by furloughs),” de Rocha said. “But I can say that the care staff at the state hospitals will not be furloughed. The individuals at the state hospitals have to be taken care of, so the staff will not be furloughed.”
KDADS is charged with managing state’s two hospitals, in Topeka and Parsons, for people with severe developmental disabilities, and the two hospitals, in Larned and Osawatomie, for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
The Democrats’ bill would only fund state worker salaries, not other costs of operating government like utilities, supplies and gasoline. Some of those are purchased in bulk, Burroughs said, and so the workers would be able to continue doing their jobs for an undetermined amount of time.
Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Democrat from Lawrence who works for the University of Kansas, said the Democrats’ bill was essential to keeping about 15,000 people on the job at the state’s public universities. Otherwise, Ballard said, things like summer classes, new student orientation and research could be at risk. “This is a serious dilemma for our state,” Ballard said.
Andy Marso is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
Doerflers’ Harley-Davidson will have a block party Saturday to honor 40 years in business — and it couldn’t happen at a better time.
Recently on the company’s Facebook page, a customer put a heartwarming story praising the customer service they received from Doerflers’ last year. The customer explained how owner Brian Doerfler went above and beyond.
The customer’s bike broke down, so he was stranded a few hours from the Hays business. The customer had purchased some parts over the phone and was going to wait for a friend to bring him the parts. They thought they could get the bike going, but they did not have any luck.
Though it was a Saturday evening after the business had closed, General Merchandise Manager Kelsi Pfannenstiel said, “Brian told the customer, ‘If this does not work, then give me a call.’ ”
So, he did.
Although, Doerfler had a house full of people, he hooked up a trailer and headed out to help the stranded motorist.
“He trailered them back here. … They figured he was a service manager that picked the short straw to come out on a Saturday night. Brian told him he was the owner of the store. These guys were completely floored,” Pfannenstiel said. “They never expected for dealership to pick him up in the first place, let alone the owner come out and get him. That says something about his respect for us. He wouldn’t just call us on a Saturday night. He would just do it himself.”
The post had over 2,000 likes and 700 shares.
That story is one of many that helps explain Doerflers’ staying power.
“Its 100 percent customer service. It’s not run like a huge dealership. There’s no pressure, just good people, and over time you build up the trust in the customer, they’re going to keep coming back,” said General Manager Blair McPherson. “They know that you’re not just talking to them to sell them something — you really care about what they’re biking and what they are riding.”
The mentorship of owners Brian and Deanna Doerfler has shaped the culture of customer service at the dealership.
“We follow with their lead,” said Parts Manager B.J. Rupp. “When a situation arises, in the back of your mind (you think) ‘What would Brian do? What would Deanna do?’ ”
McPherson, who has been with the company for 10 years, said, “Just being able to work on about everything. Brian will still work on the older bikes. Some of the bigger dealerships, if it’s 10 years or older, they will turn it away. That’s what I like about Brian. He keeps the heritage going of the old bikes too.”
“For our location, I think it’s really impressive,” Pfannenstiel said. “For it to be the scale of store that it is, in the area that is in, it just blows travelers away. They never would have expected to walk into a store like this, kind of in the middle of nowhere. Even though, I feel people say ‘in the middle of nowhere’ is a negative thing, it’s really not for us. We are lifesaver to a lot of the travelers.”
Salesman and nephew Kyle Doerfler was not at all surprised by his uncle’s gesture.
“That’s the cool thing about Brian,” he said. “Anyone who needs him knows that he is going to help anybody he can. He’s been doing it for years.”
The Doerflers are inviting the public to a celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday at the dealership, 1100 E. 43rd.
Pfannenstiel said, “We will have a stunt team performing. ILL CONDUCT will have three performances at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.”
Several businesses will be participating in the party. Skaters from White Chocolate will be there performing tricks, and the Harley Hog Chapter will serve free pancakes all morning.
There will also be a vintage view in their parking lot including many classic bikes — all 40 years or older.
Scott City-based C-Mor-Butz will serve barbecue from its trailer, and the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce will host a beer garden. Aaron’s will have a bounce house for the kids, as well.
Pfannenstiel feels like the business is “a hidden gem, so unless you come and look for us, you don’t know what to expect — so you just have to come look.”
For a taste of what ILL CONDUCT brings to the party, check out the video below:
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Archaeologists from across the U.S. are in south-central Kansas this week searching for artifacts that would confirm a five-mile stretch once was home to a Native American tribe of 20,000 people.
KAKE-TV reports volunteers have found small pieces of tools and pottery in a dusty Arkansas City field that are believed to be from a settlement discovered by Spanish explorer Juan De Onate in 1601.
Another group just down the road is using a sensor that detects magnetic fields and has found what it believes to be homes, storage areas and a dancing ground.
A third site a few roads away is believed to be where Spanish explorers battled a Native American tribe.
Local residents hope the findings help the area become one of the country’s major historic sites.
Louis Raymond Andrasek, age 97 years, 9 months, and 3 days, died June 3, 2015 at Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. He was born on August 31, 1917, in Timken, Kansas, the son of Bohus And Matilda Bresperat Andrasek.
His Father came to the United States as a young man from Czechoslovakia and became a United States citizen. Louis was a member of the Assembly of God Church and the Finney County VIP Center both of Garden City, Kansas.
He worked at Century Refinery, on the railroad, farmer, carpet leaning, the Scott County Road Department, and as a custodian for the Scott Community High School.
He married Edna Mae Scott who passed away in March of 1981. Following Edna’s passing Louis married, Marjorie Boese Kitch who passed away in April of 2008.
Survivors include:
Three Children Minnie Mae and Jim Anderson of Santa Maria, California
George Everett Andrasek of Scott City, Kansas
One Sister Mildred and Riney Peters of Fort Collins, Colorado
One Daughter in Law Beth Ann (Ohnick) Andrasek Wilbur and Husband Gary of Leoti, Kansas
One Ex Daughter In Law Penny Lou (Rowe) Andrasek of Scott City, Kansas
Two Step Children Eilene Brady of Springfield, Missouri
Arlene and Walter Koehn of Springfield, Missouri
Several Grandchildren, Great Grand Children, and Step Grandchildren and Step Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, one son Richard Louis Andrasek, one step daughter Karen Boese, and one step son in law Keith Brady, three sisters, Anna, Rosie, and Marie, and three brothers Frank, Joe, and Bobbie.
Funeral Services will be held at the Assembly of God Church in Garden City, Kansas, Monday, June 8, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. Graveside Services will be held Monday, June 8, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Scott County Cemetery.
Visitation times will be from 1:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas.
The family has requested in Louis’ memory you take a friend out to eat.
BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills Public Television has announced the winners for the 2015 PBS Kids Writer’s Contest. Over 70 entries were submitted from January through March from across central and western Kansas. Children ages kindergarten through third grade were eligible to enter stories.
“We were impressed by the quality of the stories and creativity of the children,” said Michael Quade, SHPTV general manager. “Thank you to all of the teachers and parents who encouraged their kids to participate in the contest.”
Each story was judged with up to three places awarded in each grade level. The children, whose stories placed, received a prize pack and a trophy. They are listed below.
The winners at the local level are submitted to the national contest for judging this summer.
Kindergarten
1st Place – “The Princess Ballerina Saves the Day” – Janessa Miller – Gorham
1st Grade
1st Place – “Me and My Horse” – Zoe Nichols – Osborne
2nd Place – “Sleep” – Glen Baxa – Osborne
3rd Place – “The Christmas Story” – Hayley Graf – Osborne
2nd Grade
1st Place – “The Boy and The Pig’s Secret Identity” – Jaiden Bennett – Osborne
2nd Place – “Kylie and the Farm Animals” – Kylie Griffin – Osborne
3rd Place – “Clayton is Born” – Clay Guttery – Osborne
3rd Grade
1st Place – “The TV Travelers” – Conner Miller – Gorham
2nd Place – “The Puppy That Learned Math” – Aliviea Rothenberger – Osborne
3rd Place – “Cabela the Cat” – Mya Schweitzer – Osborne
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Douglas County commissioners are keeping a building code that requires a mandatory penalty for constructing a home without a permit amid claims of favoritism toward Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
The commission on Wednesday heard from a boisterous crowd who questioned why Kobach wasn’t fined after he started constructing a residence inside a building previously classified for agricultural use only.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports Kobach told the county’s codes department in 2013 he was planning to build a 2,250-square-foot steel barn on his 159 acres.
But in spring 2014 a county inspector found Kobach building a 1,250-square-foot, two-bedroom living space inside the barn.
Kobach later received an occupancy permit even though he didn’t have an approved water source and the plumbing beneath the concrete foundation hadn’t been inspected.
The first requests by outside agencies for funding from the city of Hays next year will be presented Thursday night during the city commission work session.
Seven groups from three areas–Social Services, Economic Development and Quality of Life–will make their appeals for a total of $468,755.
The Fort Hays State University Scholarship Program is asking for a $25,000 increase from last year’s award for a total $125,000.
Also requesting increased funds in 2016 are the Ellis County Historical Society, up $379 to a total $12,000, and the Hays Arts Council, up $818 to $12,000.
Funding requests from the four other groups remain the same as they received in 2015:
Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development–$87,550
Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC)–$53,655
Wild West Festival (WWF)–$9,500
Hays Sister Cities Advisory Board–$5,050
A $60,000 budget request was also submitted for Alcohol Tax funds by the United Way of Ellis County CARE Council.
City staff actually begins working on the annual budget process in March, according to Assistant Hays City Manager Paul Briseno.
“The outside agency requests are actually the beginning of the budget process for the public,” he explained. “From June through August there are a number of opportunities for residents to participate and comment or just listen to the process regarding our city budget.”
“City staff started working on the 2016 budget in March. It’s a six-month project and shortly after approval (by the city commissioners) in August, we start all over again.”
See the June 4, 2016, Hays City Commission work session agenda here.
The downtown Hays block of 11th street from Main to Oak will be blocked off Thursday, June 4, for the Bike Hays Ground Painting Ceremony and Gella’s Inaugural Block Party. Businesses in this area will remain open.
Please drive with caution as a considerable number of bicyclists will be in the area for the ceremony and Kandango Ellis Half-Pint.
The block party will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.
Come out and enjoy Hays with us and remember to bring your bike to be part of the photo opportunity celebrating our Bike Hays Ground Painting Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 11th and Main.
Eagle Web Services is seeking an additional Digital Advertising Account Executive with a proven success record.
Eagle Web Services is a Google Partner, who helps local businesses advertise their products and services online through a variety of platforms and systems. We are looking for a self-motivated individual with excellent direct selling skills, creativity, organizational skills and a client oriented focus. Experience with sales and a marketing background is preferred.
Compensation is commensurate with experience, along with a competitive benefits package. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Apply by sending your resume, cover letter and application to [email protected]. Applications can be found online atwww.eaglecom.net/careers/. Eagle Communications is a employee-owned company and an Equal Opportunity Employer. The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check.
Severe thunderstorms are possible today into tonight, mainly north of highway 96. Highs will be warm and around 90 ahead of the next cold front Sunday and Monday. A better chance for widespread showers and thunderstorms will come with the cold front.
Today A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Breezy, with an east southeast wind 7 to 12 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 10 to 18 mph.
Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph.
Friday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 9pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East southeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 8 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
TOPEKA -In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Governor Sam Brownback has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sun-up to sun-down on Friday, June 5, 2015 in honor of Marine Captain Chris Norgren. His funeral will be Friday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
