ELLIS — Due to a lack of quorum, the regular Ellis City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been rescheduled to Monday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Month: September 2015
Adventure seekers rappel 13-story Topeka building
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Raising money for charity has turned into an adrenal producing adventure in Topeka.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that adventure seekers turned out Saturday morning to rappel down a 13-story Westar Energy building. The event was a fundraiser for the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center.
Each participant is responsible for raising $1,000 for the center. The Children’s Discovery Center and Over the Edge, a Canadian company that works with nonprofits, hosted the event.
The participants included newlyweds Madison and Jenni Ruelle, who exchanged a kiss after making their way down building. Another participant, 33-year-old Chris Rogers, of Lawrence, said he had pure adrenaline running through his veins when he stepped off the edge of the building.
The money raised will go toward educational programs, exhibits and camps that the center provides.
Another small earthquake rattles Kansas
CALDWELL, Kan. (AP) — Another small earthquake has shaken south-central Kansas.
The Kansas Geological Survey says the latest quake struck Saturday night near the small Sumner County town of Caldwell. It had a preliminary magnitude of 2.5. At least one earthquake a day has rattled the area since Tuesday, with magnitudes ranging from 2.2 to 3.1.
More than 200 earthquakes have been recorded in Kansas since Jan. 1, 2013. Only five were detected in the previous 10 years. Many have been centered in Sumner and Harper Counties. The Kansas Geological Survey said last month that the increase in the two counties was linked to saltwater injection after oil and natural gas drilling.
SW Kansas man dies after SUV hits a semi
KISMET- A Kansas man died in an accident just after 6:30a.m. on Sunday in Seward County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Ford SUV driven by Jon Steven Wiggins, 27, Dodge City, was westbound on U.S. 54 one mile west of Kismet.
The SUV drifted across the centerline and struck an eastbound 2015 Volvo semi driven by James Ray Lemley, 60, Laredo, Texas.
Wiggins was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miller’s Mortuary.
A passenger in the SUV Christopher Borges, 29, Magnolia, TX., was transported to Wesley Medical Center.
Lemley and a passenger in the semi were not injured.
The passenger in the semi was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
County ask for help to replace aging Kansas River bridge
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Shawnee County officials have been working to make sure that state and federal officials are aware of efforts to replace a decaying bridge.
The latest effort was from Shawnee County Commissioner Bob Archer, who spoke with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner about the $24.7 million project to replace Willard Bridge while Boehner was attending a recent fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports said the bridge, built in 1955, has structural issues, including decay. The county has lowered the weight limit to deal with the decay.
The commission also approved a letter requesting the Kansas Department of Transportation float up to $10 million to help replace the bridge and has written to Jenkins and Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts requesting their help get federal assistance.
Adam Eaton helps White Sox beat Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — (AP) — Adam Eaton homered and scored three times, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-5 on Sunday for their fourth straight win.
Eaton collected three more hits and is batting .517 (15 for 29) in his last seven games. Erik Johnson (1-0), one of Chicago’s top prospects, pitched six innings of three-run ball in his first major league appearance of the season.
The AL-leading Royals were swept at home for the first time this season. Johnny Cueto (2-5) was pulled after three innings in his fourth straight loss.
Kan. man gets unexpected sentence for attempted murder of wife, sons
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has been ordered to spend 89 years in prison for trying to kill his wife and two sons.
The Wichita Eagle reports that 40-year-old Pettix McMillan was sentenced Friday for three counts of attempted first-degree murder. The sentence is more than double what McMillan was expected to receive under Kansas sentencing guidelines.
McMillan was accused of shooting his wife during an argument in the garage of their west Wichita home, then of shooting his 5- and 13-year-old sons in the head. All survived the March 14, 2014, attack.
McMillan’s attorney asked in a court document for a shorter sentence, saying his client was “remorseful” and “not a danger to society.” The document said McMillan had “momentarily lost his bearings” when he shot his family.
Kansas man dies in violent rollover accident
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just after 4a.m. on Sunday in Pottawatomie County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chevy 1500 driven by Colby Scott Mathies, 27, Manhattan, was southbound on Carnahan from Wildflower Road.
The vehicle left the roadway toward the east and rolled. The driver was ejected.
Mathies was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Yorgensen Meloan funeral home.
He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Audit continues to see problems at Kansas juvenile center
Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new state audit says Kansas’ complex for juvenile offenders in Topeka still does not adequately supervise young offenders three years after a report found problems there.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports auditors found that video shows that officers at the Kansas Juvenile Corrections did not complete required checks for young offenders considered suicide risks multiple times despite recording in a log that they had.
The report from the Legislature’s auditing division said the complex addressed most problems disclosed in an earlier 2012 audit but not all of them. The maximum-security complex houses about 140 juveniles.
Auditors recommended that the complex establish a more formal and documented process to verify that officers perform required checks on offenders.
Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts promised to focus on improvements.
Silence of The High Plains ElectroRally scheduled this month
FHSU University Relations
No gas, just battery and maybe a solar panel, high school students craft electric cars for the 16th annual High Plains ElectroRally at West Frontier Park in Hays on Thursday, Sept. 24.
One student drives on the quarter-mile track to complete the most laps within an hour. This endurance test is enjoyable for drivers and viewers because it’s not just an oval, it has left and right turns and goes up and down, said Joe Chretien, associate professor of applied technology at Fort Hays State University.
“We expect to pull in two to three more schools from the east,” said Chretien. Last year, high schools from western and central Kansas came for race day, and so did Olathe North High School from the Kansas City metropolitan area. Chretien expects Olathe North High School to register again this year.
Two classes of cars, Standard and Solar, compete in two races, the first at 10:30 a.m. and a second at 12:30 p.m. Standard Class cars meet the criteria for standard Electrathon America cars. Solar Class cars are similar to standard but include solar panel power.
The races on Sept. 24 prepare students for the Kansas ElectroRally Championship Series in the spring.
“Drivers get practice, teams get to hone their skills,” said Chretien.
Each car has an electric motor and up to 74 pounds of battery, and each car must have at least 180 pounds of cargo. If the driver weighs less than 180 pounds then students add additional weight. Students from North Central Kansas Technical College will inspect the vehicles.
The cars can hit a top speed of 40 miles per hour. Cars are not likely to go any faster because the track is not a simple straightway, and driving too fast from the start eats up battery power, said Chretien. “Those who last the longest start off slow.”
The top two finishers in both car classifications receive plaques, and one team will receive a team spirit plaque.
In the past, FHSU students have brought their own electric cars to the race; however, they are not eligible to win. This year, only one or two FHSU members from last year remain, which is not enough to run the cars.
“Hopefully, this will be the first year we draw students from other departments within the college,” said Chretien. “We also hope to draw students from the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science. This is a way for us to show solidarity,” said Chretien. “We work together. We don’t work apart.”
Sponsors provide lunch: Midwest Energy Inc., Sunflower Electric Power Corp., Pioneer Electric Cooperative Inc., and Western Cooperative Electric.
Registration opens at 7 a.m. inside the shelter house at the west end of Frontier Park. Schools register at no cost.
Kevin Vering, an electronics instructor at NCK Tech, will serve as race steward, making sure that all is in order and that participants are aware of the rules and practice good sportsmanship.
“Fort Hays State’s grounds department supplies tables, chairs and barrels. Ellis County EMS also attends the race as onsite medical personal with an ambulance.”
“The City of Hays parks department does a great job of cleaning up the track,” said Chretien.
“Everyone in town is welcomed to come watch,” he said. “Bring lawn chairs.”
Woman, 2 children hospitalized after police chase, rollover crash
LA CYGNE – A woman and two children were injured in an accident following a police pursuit just after before 11 p.m. on Saturday in Miami County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the La Cygne Police Department was in pursuit of a Honda Accord.
The vehicle came around the curve at 407th and Somerset.
The driver could not navigate the curve and rolled the vehicle. The driver fled the scene of the accident on foot.
Passengers Samantha Kay Davis, 26, Hunter Spears, 4, Hayleigh Spears, 5, all of Harrisonville, MO., were transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
The children were not in car seats, according to the KHP.
The accident remains under investigation. The La Cygne police department has not responded to a request for additional details and whether the driver was located overnight Saturday.
State will seek Kansas Supreme Court review in child sex case
HUTCHINSON — After the Kansas Court appeals upheld the suppression of evidence ruling of Judge Trish Rose concerning the confession of a suspect in a child sex case; Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder says he will now seek a review by the Kansas Supreme Court.
Brandon Cousins, 21, Hutchinson, is currently charged with five off-grid felonies that could see him get life sentences on each count with no chance of parole for 25 years.
He’s charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
The alleged crimes involved a then 6-year-old girl and occurred between January 7 and July 23 of 2012. The investigation led to Cousins was arrested in December of 2012.
The defense was granted a suppression of the defendant’s statements to law enforcement with Attorney Sam Kepfield arguing that they were not given voluntarily.
District Judge Trish Rose agreed with the defense contention after taking it under advisement. She listened to the taped interview for herself and made her decision.
The trial was scheduled to begin in late September.
Energy Week in Kansas coincides with state fair
Office of the Governor
TOPEKA–To highlight the abundant energy resources in Kansas, and the benefits of efficient energy consumption, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a proclamation that recognizes September 11th – September 20th as Energy Week in Kansas.
Energy Week coincides with the Kansas Corporation Commission’s second annual Kansas Energy Expo to be held at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.
Currently, Kansas ranks 10th in the nation for oil production, and southwest Kansas is home to one of the top-producing natural gas fields in the United States. In addition, roughly one-fifth of net electricity generation in Kansas comes from wind energy.
“The Commissioners and I are thankful to Governor Brownback for highlighting the importance of energy issues in Kansas with this proclamation. We hope to continue educating Kansans about energy at the Energy Expo during the State Fair, and beyond. We encourage all Kansans to visit the Energy Expo when attending the Kansas State Fair,” said KCC Commission Chair Shari Feist Albrecht.
The Kansas Energy Expo will occupy nearly 14,000 square feet in the Ad Astra Pavilion on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The Expo will be organized into five sectors: Transportation, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Utilities, and Oil and Gas.
Altogether, there will be a total of more than 30 interactive displays that make up the Kansas Energy Expo. The Expo will provide an opportunity for Kansans of all ages to learn about the state’s vast energy resources and how those resources are harnessed.
The Kansas Energy Expo is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information about the Kansas Energy Expo, visit www.kansasenergyexpo.com.