BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — Clint Bowyer won’t tip his hand about his future plans in NASCAR.
Bowyer hardly seems like a driver afraid he won’t find a job now that he has a release from his obligations to Michael Waltrip Racing and team co-owner Rob Kauffman.
Kauffman recently purchased a stake in Chip Ganassi Racing and will focus on that investment in 2016. It means MWR will essentially cease operations at the end of the season, and Bowyer won’t follow Kauffman to the Ganassi shop.
Asked Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway if he’s looking for a one-year contract for 2016 to wait for an opening at a powerhouse team, or if he wants a multi-year contract, Bowyer grinned and said: “Yes. Those are all systems go.”
A national search to fill the enrollment management and retention officer/assistant vice president for Student Affairs position at Fort Hays State University has been completed with the hiring of Dennis King.
King has been director of the FHSU Virtual College and learning technologies since July 2004.
Dennis King
“After an extensive national search where three finalists were brought to campus, I am pleased that Dennis King has accepted this extremely important position,” said Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for Student Affairs.
“Dennis emerged as the clear choice with his extensive background in higher education and his impressive track record,” Linn said. “I am confident he will lead Fort Hays State University into the future as we look to grow the enrollment footprint of the campus both online and on campus. Our goal is to continue to attract more qualified students to FHSU, retain them and ultimately graduate them as proud alumni.”
Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president, said enrollment and retention were two areas of emphasis for the future of the university. “Last year, for the first time in history, revenues generated by tuition and fees, at 31.7 percent, were greater than revenues received from state appropriations, at 27.3 percent,” she said. “Therefore, more than ever, Fort Hays State is heavily dependent on tuition dollars and must continue to grow.”
President Martin said retention — the rate at which students successfully complete their degrees — was also of utmost importance. “We are committed to helping our students maximize their potential by graduating and enjoying successful careers,” she said. “Now, with the selection of Dennis King as our new chief enrollment management and retention officer, all the pieces are in place. He brings proven talents and experience to the job, and I know our students will achieve even greater success thanks to his leadership.”
King will continue to have a role overseeing operations in the Virtual College. “It is important for people to know that we are not breaking up the Virtual College or changing its operation,” he said. “Rather, we are drawing together the enrollment management functions from units across the campus. We will have all-encompassing enrollment management operations, which will allow us to serve our students better and make us more efficient in meeting the needs of the state work force to help Kansas grow.”
King is already making the transition into his new role. “My years of leading the Virtual College have been extremely rewarding, and I will always be thankful for the assistance of the highly talented staff there,” he said. “It’s exciting to take on this new challenge and gratifying to know that part of my duties will continue to include working with them. I am confident this position will be a great help to our students and will make a major contribution to the continuing growth of Fort Hays State.”
As assistant vice president for Student Affairs, King serves as a member of the Student Affairs executive leadership team responsible for enrollment and retention. King will be directly responsible for all undergraduate enrollment and will work collaboratively with the Graduate School, FHSU’s international partnership programs, and all enrollment and retention initiatives. He will benchmark and identify best practices and implement a wide range of recruitment, retention, and outreach projects and initiatives as well as increasing the percentage of students who graduate.
Other pressing initiatives include assuring the effective use of technology and analysis of data in achieving enrollment objectives; monitoring trends in the economy to identify and capitalize on potential growth markets; and enhancing the university’s visibility and market position. King will work with the university’s leadership team to advance academic quality and diversity of the student body. He also will direct the assessment efforts for the Division of Student Affairs.
King was director of FHSU’s Center for Teaching Excellence and Learning Technology from January 1998 to July 2004; an adjunct professor for the Department of Information Networking and Telecommunications from August 1999 to the present; interim assistant dean for the Virtual College from August 1997 to July 1998; and media production specialist for CTELT from January 1996 to August 1997.
King received a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Technology Management at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in May 1992 and a Master’s of Communicating Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in May 2000. This fall he received his Ed.S. from Fort Hays State and is completing an Ed.D. at Lamar University.
Kenton Oliff, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, chaired the search committee, assisted by Bev Schmeidler, administrative assistant. Other members of the committee were Dr. Brenda Hoopingarner, chair of the Department of Allied Health; Craig Karlin, registrar; Debbie Staab, assistant director for student success in the Virtual College; Dixie Balman, assistant athletic director for compliance; Dr. John Greathouse, chair of the Department of Agriculture; Dr. Keegan Nichols, assistant vice president for Student Affairs; Phil Wittkorn, director of operations for Chinese partnerships; Dr. Tim Crowley, dean of the Graduate School; Tricia Cline, admissions director; and Ulises Gonzalez, president of the Student Government Association.
TOPEKA – Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general, has outlined his plan to increase force protection measures within the Kansas National Guard, according to a media release.
The plan is in response to the increased threat from homegrown extremists and the recent shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Governor Sam Brownback had directed the adjutant general to review security measures and provide recommendations on security enhancements. The additional security practices will not be revealed in detail for operational security purposes, but focus areas include access control, increased security personnel presence and enhanced incident response.
“We are taking a wide-angle view of security measures, looking at every aspect,” said Tafanelli. “But among the first things we are addressing is the safety and security of our recruiters.”
Certain security measures were put in place at recruiting locations immediately following the tragedy in Tennessee. One additional aspect of increased security will include the arming of select individuals at each of the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Air National Guard recruiting locations.
“Arming individuals at recruiting locations is an important component of ensuring the safety of those who serve and the communities in which they live and work,” said Brownback. “I remain committed to making sure we take every possible action to confront potential threats and protect Kansans across the state.”
The Kansas National Guard will continue to assess its security posture based on an ongoing threat assessment and will implement other changes as necessary.
The Adjutant General’s Department has submitted a supplemental budget request for additional state funding for the initial security enhancement measures.
BILL DRAPER, Associated Press
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Eight women and nine men have been chosen from a pool of 200 to hear the case of a Missouri white supremacist accused of killing three people at two suburban Kansas City Jewish sites.
Twelve of the 17 Johnson County, Kansas, residents picked Friday will serve as jurors and the other five will be alternates. They won’t know which role they’ll be given until after the capital murder trial has ended.
Frazier Glenn Miller Jr. of Aurora, Missouri, has admitted killing a 69-year-old man, his 14-year-old grandson and a 43-year-old woman in Overland Park, Kansas, on April 13, 2014. The 74-year-old says it was his duty to kill Jewish people because they’re endangering the existence of the white race.
Opening statements are slated to begin Monday morning.
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OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Jury selection is nearly complete in the capital murder trial of a Missouri white supremacist accused of killing three Christians at two Kansas Jewish sites.
Prosecutors and defendant Frazier Glenn Miller Jr. have spent the week trying to cull 17 jurors from a pool of 200 and are expected to be finished on Friday.
The Aurora, Missouri, man has pleaded not guilty but admits killing three people in April 2014.
Miller could face the death penalty if convicted.
His courtroom behavior during the weeklong jury selection process has been more subdued than at earlier hearings in which he frequently interrupted the judge and made disparaging remarks toward members of the court.
He has been warned that any outbursts in front of jurors could result in his removal from the courtroom.
NEW YORK (AP) — A barrel of U.S. crude oil fell below $40 per barrel for the first time since the end of the global economic crisis.
Friday’s fall, to $39.86, was just the latest indicator of a vast shift in the energy landscape over the past year. U.S. Oil bounced back a bit to close down 87 cents at $40.45, the lowest close since March 3, 2009.
The price of oil has fallen for eight consecutive weeks, the longest streak since 1986. Oil is down 34 percent from its high of $61.43 this year, and 62 percent from its high of $107.26 last year.
A boom in production has outpaced growth in global oil demand. The U.S. is churning out oil at a rate not seen in decades. Meanwhile, even with sharply lower prices, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations haven’t cut production.
Production in the U.S. averaged 9.4 million barrels in the four weeks ending Aug. 14, up nearly 11 percent from a year ago, according to data released this week by the Energy Department. U.S. oil held in storage has reached levels not seen in at least 80 years. Meanwhile, OPEC production averaged 31.5 million barrels a day in July, a three-year high.
Adding to the downward pressure on oil prices is a steady drumbeat of economic data out of China suggesting that the world’s second largest economy is slowing. Data released Friday showed a further contraction in China’s manufacturing sector and it sent ripples through global stock markets.
The world’s biggest oil producers are getting hit by falling prices and pessimism about China and other economies that have not recovered from the recession like the U.S. has.
Almost all oil companies, from Exxon Mobil to BP PLC, have cut spending on exploration in anticipation of a prolonged period of lower prices. Over the past 12 months, Chevron shares have lost nearly 40 percent, while Exxon shares are down 26 percent. Companies that primarily drill for oil onshore in the U.S., such as Continental Resources, have suffered even steeper declines.
Energy companies make up roughly 7 percent of the market value of the Standard & Poor’s 500, but that amount was much higher earlier this year. While the S&P 500 is down 3 percent this year, the energy sector is down almost 20 percent.
While energy investors feel the pain, U.S. drivers are saving an average of 80 cents on each gallon of gasoline they buy at the pump. Gasoline is averaging $2.63 a gallon, compared with $3.44 a year ago. Analysts say gas prices could drop below $2 a gallon in many areas of the country later this year.
Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, fell $1.07 to $45.55 in London.
CASA of the High Plains hosted a ribbon-cutting Friday morning at Auto World, 722 E. Eighth, in conjunction with the Hays Chamber of Commerce, to unveil their new moving billboard, the CASA bug.
CASA of Kansas Bug
Intended to increase CASA awareness and aid in the recruitment of volunteers, the new Volkswagen Beetle with travel the state participating in CASA and community events.
“Kansas CASA is thrilled to have this unique opportunity to recruit more CASA volunteers,” said Janette Meis, Director of the Kansas CASA association. “We greatly appreciate the generosity of (our sponsors) to make this project come to life.”
The project is sponsored by Auto World, Eagle Communications and Westar Energy.
The CASA Association of Kansas advocates for abused and neglected children caught up in the legal or social service system, pairing them with volunteers who help victims through the process and eventually find safe and permanent homes. CASA of Kansas asks Kansans to “catch the CASA bug,” and volunteer today.
To volunteer, contact CASA of the High Plains at (785) 628-8641 or visit kansascasa.org to find a CASA program near you.
OWASSO, Okla. (AP) – A man wanted for the July death of a 10-month-old Owasso girl has been arrested in Kansas.
Owasso Police Chief Scott Chambless says the suspect Brandon Wade Nordstedt, 22, was arrested Thursday in Hutchinson. He was picked up by a Reno County Sheriff Deputy just before 10:30 p.m. on Westridge which is west of Hutchinson.
Court records do not show that formal charges have been filed in Oklahome and it doesn’t appear he’ll face any charges locally.
Chambless says the infant was the daughter of the suspect’s girlfriend. The child was taken to a hospital in Owasso on July 11 and transferred to a Tulsa hospital where she died on July 12.
Police say the child died of an apparent brain injury and that the suspect was the only adult present when the girl was injured.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka police say a body found near an assisted living facility appears to be that of a 65-year-old resident of the facility who had been missing more than a week.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports police were called Thursday to a wooded area where the body was found just west of the facility.
Police Lt. Colleen Stuart said Friday that evidence indicates the deceased person was Benedict Gerstner, who had been missing from the facility since Aug. 13. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Former Fort Hays State University wide receiver Ed Williams might be more than just a “camp body,” according to those covering camp for the Green Bay Packers.
Williams was signed by the Packers earlier this month.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The chairman of the Kansas Democratic Party has resigned amid a backlash over comments he made about the party’s message.
The party’s executive director, Kerry Gooch, confirmed to The Wichita Eagle that Larry Meeker resigned Friday shortly before the party’s annual convention in Wichita.
Meeker has been chairman since March. On Wednesday, he said the Kansas Democratic party should be “rebranded” to differentiate it from the national Democratic party. He said Kansas Democrats are fiscal conservatives and the party should include people who disagree on its stand on such issues as abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
His comments drew criticism from several Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley. Hensley said Friday that he believed Meeker made the right decision in resigning.
SALINA – Several hundred Bigfoot fans came out Thursday afternoon to see the original monster truck.
The truck, the original 1974 Ford built by monster truck pioneer and Bigfoot creator Bob Chandler, was on display in front of Chili’s near the Central Mall for three hours. Along with the truck, fans got the opportunity to see and visit Bigfoot driver Bob Brown, who signed autographs as well.
The original Bigfoot’s appearance was part of the 40th anniversary of Bigfoot and to kickoff ticket sales for the Toughest Monster Truck Tour, which returns to the Salina Bicentennial Center with two big shows in February.
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — A group that’s worked to reunite Baxter Springs residents with hundreds of photos displaced by the April 2014 tornado is turning the remaining photos over to a Baxter Springs museum.
The Joplin Globe reports a press conference to mark the transfer is scheduled for Saturday at the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum.
National Photo Disaster Rescue, based in Carthage, Missouri, returned more than 1,000 photos of those collected after the tornado. Officials with the group, which began after the 2011 Joplin tornado, hope to return additional photos Saturday to residents.
The photos were processed at NPDR headquarters.
In 2013, the group turned over to the Joplin Museum Complex some 17,000 photos displaced by the May 2011 Joplin tornado. They also reunited about 17,000 photos with individuals and families.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh defense attorney got a hearing postponed at the last minute after convincing a judge that his wife’s labor was a matter of life — or his death.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Marc Daffner was granted a continuance Thursday after filing a blunt request with a Pittsburgh City Court magistrate.
It read: “Defense counsel’s wife went into labor at approximately 11:15 a.m. today, and defense counsel will be killed by his wife if he does not get to the hospital immediately.”
Daffner says the district attorney and judge agreed to the move. His client is charged with receiving stolen property.
“I didn’t have a legal reason for the continuance, but that was the truth,” Daffner said.
