WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say foul play is not suspected in the death of a man whose body was found in a Wichita park.
The Wichita Eagle reports that police were called to McAdams Park around 5:30 p.m. Thursday after someone reported finding the body.
The man was in his late 60s. Witnesses say he was homeless and was camping out in the park in an area across the street from the tennis courts.
The temperature in Wichita was around 45 degrees Thursday evening.
WESTMORELAND, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2014 death of his uncle.
Christopher Arand was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without a chance for parole for at least 25 years.
He pleaded guilty in October to premeditated first-degree murder in the November 2014 death of his uncle, 70-year-old Larry Arand, who was found dead in his Belvue home.
Authorities say Larry Arand died after he was struck in the back of the head several times and suffocated.
Trust me when I say the issue of today’s government in America is huge versus how our Founders envisioned it. Today’s government is different than in past history. It is not the same and we all should be worried to death unless it changes big time with a new president in 2017.
Obama was not kidding about transforming America. Past presidents may have over reached as to their constitutional and executive authority, but nothing like Barack Obama!
Growing up, we were schooled about “checks and balances” and “separation of powers” regarding our three branches of government. Our Founders are turning over in their graves as these safeguards no longer exist. One branch, namely the executive one, is calling all the shots. The three branches appear to be one and the same in that Obama does what he wants.
What does that mean? It means we are no longer a democratic republic. The ultimate authority and power of “we the people” in a democratic republic has gone to a lawless president, an incompetent and complicit Congress, and even a complicit Supreme Court.
Polls show that on almost all major issues our entire government is ignoring the wishes of a majority of voters.
For example, most Americans did not want the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. It was shoved down our throat by the Obama administration in spite of major public opposition to it. To save it as a constitutional piece of legislation, the Supreme Court, out of thin air, called it a tax even though it was passed by a Democrat Congress as not being a tax.
Speaking of Congress, those elected to this body as Democrats give Obama whatever he wants regardless of constituent wishes. And, wouldn’t you know it, the current Republican controlled Congress is doing the same. The House is supposed to control the purse strings, but it turns out that Obama does. Voters in the last election went to the polls to stop Obama’s many destructive agendas, but it is not happening, and further proof we are no longer a democratic republic.
Speaking of the Supreme Court, there are four liberal justices (maybe five out of the nine) that will give Obama whatever he wants. Our president is just a phone call away. So much for an independent branch of government.
Speaking of Obama, he has gone hog wild with executive authority that far too often violates constitutional authority. Many orders should go through Congress, but don’t. Worse yet, are the 18,000 regulations per year on the average coming from his office that affect everybody’s life. Those too, in many instances, should go through Congress, but don’t. One of the latest regs prevents employers from doing a criminal background check on new hires.
How much do you think a president can get to carry out his agendas if there is rampant fraud and corruption in government agencies; probably pretty much anything he wants! It is worse now then ever before in our history! If there was anything our Founders wanted to guard against, it was an all-powerful federal government, that now exists in this country as we speak.
Along with issues mentioned above, the majority of Americans do not want more national debt, more welfare and fewer jobs, more taxes, nukes for Iran, a downsized military, open borders, thousands of Muslim refugees not being vetted by the Obama administration, etcetera.
And, it’s insanity to think most Americans, even before the Paris attacks, prefer Obama’s climate change agenda over fighting radical Islamic terrorists!
Not in a million years can our Commander in Chief prove climate change or global warming is a greater threat to our security than ISIS.
So what, as our government will continue to thumb its nose at us!
Les Knoll lives in Victoria and Gilbert, Ariz.
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By Randy Gonzales
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
The players on the Tiger football team won’t be the only Fort Hays State University students who will be extra busy the next couple of weeks before first-semester finals.
The Fort Hays State University football team plays its first post-season game in 20 years on Saturday, Dec. 5, when the Tigers battle the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the Mineral Water Bowl.
Kickoff is at noon in Excelsior Springs, Mo., about a 300-mile trip from Hays. Ticket and game information is available on the university’s Mineral Water Bowl page at https://goo.gl/KGakKt (case sensitive).
Leaving town early that morning on the day of the game will be the FHSU marching band, said Dr. Lane Weaver, marching band director. The band — including the color guard and Tiger Debs, the university’s dance team — will send about 140 students to the game.
The night before the game, many of those band members will perform at a symphonic winds concert on campus. The day after the game, several marching band members and other FHSU students will be part of the annual Cathedral Concert in Victoria. Some marching band members will perform in both concerts, plus at the game.
“It’s certainly added to our plate,” Weaver said. “What a lot of people don’t realize is the marching band members here are also the people involved in all of our different ensembles. It’s going to be a busy, busy weekend for us.”
Sophomore clarinet player Carlie Snethen said she considers it “a compliment” to be so sought after to perform and doesn’t mind the added stress to an already busy time of year for college students.
“It will be high stress in that time in order to perform well in a concert setting and in a traditional band setting, but we have talented leadership within both ensembles,” said Snethen, an organizational leadership major from Ottawa. “So I have no doubt in my mind that we will perform beautifully just as normal, even under these challenging circumstances. The FHSU bands are resilient and flexible in the work they do, so the challenge is welcomed.”
The marching band is continuing rehearsals for its pre-game and halftime performances at the bowl game.
“At this point of the year we normally transition out of marching band mode into concert season,” Weaver said. “The rehearsals we’re using to prepare for this game are added rehearsals.”
The performance at the bowl game will look much like the shows Tiger fans see at home games. But that doesn’t mean the band members won’t be putting in extra rehearsal hours for the post-season appearance.
Typically, the marching band practices twice a week during the season, with each rehearsal lasting two hours. Band members will go through the choreography of different formations needed for the halftime show.
Olathe sophomore Steven Bolin, who plays the mellophone, said formations used depends on the show. Some are more difficult than others.
“Formations, with diagonals and circles — it’s difficult,” Bolin said. “We have to constantly rehearse.”
After an 8-3 regular season, the Tigers were selected to make an appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl. It’s the first post-season game since 1995 for the football team.
“It’s a chance to be a little bit involved in history,” Weaver said. “We always want to represent the university the best we can.”
Weaver said it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the students in the band.
“I’m pretty proud of these students,” Weaver said. “For them to step up in an increasingly busy time of the year really speaks to the character and the willingness to support the university. It’s going to be a long day, but they will come through and do a great job.”
Bolin, who will play in both the concert before and after the game, plans to study for finals while on the bus. Ditto for Snethen.
“This opportunity can sometimes be once in a lifetime, and there is plenty of time on the bus to study for some finals ” Snethen said. “But my academics are high priority, so I plan on working over fall break as much as I can.”
Snethen said she thinks her entire band “family” realizes it is going to be part of FHSU history.
“I am able to cheer on my university in a bowl game, and I get to perform at the game with my band family,” she said. “This is pretty special, and not everyone gets to say that they have been able to do this. These are the memories that make college so wonderful.”
For more information, contact FHSU Sports Information Director Ryan Prickett at (785) 628-5903 or email [email protected].
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas student government has taken steps to impeach three top leaders after concerns were raised about their handling of racial issues.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the Student Senate introduced a bill of impeachment Wednesday night against Student Body President Jessie Pringle, Student Body Vice President Zach George and Chief of Staff Adam Moon. The process could take weeks.
The three leaders said Wednesday that they wanted to remain in the Student Senate. On Monday, they issued a joint statement outlining 11 proposals for increasing diversity within student government.
A student government committee is pushing for their departure, based in part on what members see as an inadequate response to diversity demands to the university from a campus protest group called Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk.
By James Bell
Hays Post
At around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, members of the Hays Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to a vehicle fire in the parking lot of Walmart, 4301 Vine St.
The fire had fully engulfed the engine compartment of the vehicle when crews arrived, despite efforts of store employees to extinguish the blaze.
By 6 p.m. the fire had been extinguished and nearby cars parked near the burning vehicle were being slowly moved out of the lot under the direction of the HPD.
Minor damage was reported to at least one vehicle parked next to the burning vehicle.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but no injuries were reported.
SHERMAN COUNTY- Two people were injured in a school bus accident just before 8a.m. on Thursday in Sherman County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Ford School Bus driven by Ronald Jerry Dautel, 68, Goodland, was westbound on County Road 64 two miles east of Goodland.
The driver failed to yield the right of way and struck a 2013 Ford pickup driven by Ryan L. Taylor, 24, Goodland, that was southbound on County Road 23.
The bus came to rest in the southwest corner of the intersection on its side.
Dautel and the only passenger Billy Eckhardt, 8, Goodland, were transported to Goodland Regional Medical Center.
Taylor was not transported for treatment. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident.
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SHERMAN COUNTY – Two people were injured in a school bus accident at approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday in Sherman County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a pickup was also involved in the accident at the intersection of Sherman County Roads 23 and 64.
The school bus driver and one student were on the bus. They were being treated at Goodland Regional Medical Center, according to the KHP.
The bus was on its side. Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) responded to investigate the crash.
Check Hays Post for additional details as they become available.
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Eight students from Fort Hays State University sang their way to awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing West Central Region Student Auditions. The singers competed against students from Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.
The competitors were students of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of music, and Dr. Ivalah Allen, assistant professor of music. Three pianists, Pam McGowne, Hays, Leann Hillmer, Hays, and Lori Davidson, Russell, accompanied the students and worked with them in the weeks leading up to the competition.
Raeanna Peacock, Hays music education sophomore, student of Allen; Max Haverfield, Hays music performance senior, student of Perniciaro; Clayton Capra, Dighton music education senior, student of Perniciaro; and Jacob Woodmansee, Geneseo animal science sophomore, student of Perniciaro qualified to compete in the national NATS student auditions in spring 2016.
The regional finalists:
First place, College Sophomore Women’s Division — Peacock.
Second place, College Senior Men’s Classical Division — Haverfield.
Second place, College Junior Men’s Classical Division — Capra.
Third place, College Sophomore Men’s Division — Woodmansee.
Fourth place, College Senior Women’s Division — Hayley Shoemaker, Quinter music performance senior, student of Perniciaro.
Fourth place, Upper College Women’s Music Theatre Division — Hayley Shoemaker.
Fourth place, Upper College Men’s Music Theatre Division — Clayton Capra.
Fourth place, College Freshmen Men’s Division — Max Befort, Hays music education freshman, student of Perniciaro.
Fifth place, College Junior Women’s Division — Morgan Soldan, Salina music education junior, student of Perniciaro.
Fifth place, Lower College Men’s Music and Theatre Division — Adam Flax, Hays music education freshman, student of Allen.
Honorable Mention College Junior Women’s Division — Estella Schumacher, Great Bend music junior, student of Perniciaro.
The regional semi-finalists:
College Junior Women’s Division — Cassandra Canto, Oberlin music education sophomore, student of Allen.
College Freshman Women’s Division — Matea Gregg, Hays communications freshman, student of Allen.
Three singers Haverfield, Capra and Shoemaker performed at the concert finals competition, which students and regional members attended.
MANHATTAN – A Kansas man was convicted of first-degree attempted murder on Thursday in Riley County.
Samuel Dartez, 30, Manhattan, was arrested on November 13, 2014, after the Riley County Police Department received a 911 call in reference to a stabbing at the Manhattan Public Library.
Officers responded and found a 27-year-old woman, the mother of his children, with multiple puncture wounds to her neck and face.
She was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
The same day, Dartez was stopped by authorities in Morris County and arrested following a standoff with law enforcement.
Sentencing for Dartez is scheduled for January 5.
JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
https://www.facebook.com/93636424294/videos/10153768231914295/
(Video courtesy Ellis Co. Emergency Manager Bill Ring)
Ellis County rural fire crews spent more than six hours Wednesday night and Thursday morning battling a fire that destroyed a tractor-trailer on Interstate 70.
Fire Chief Darin Myers said crews received the report of a semi on fire in the westbound lane of I-70 at mile marker 151–two miles east of Yocemento–just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
According to Myers,the box trailer was loaded with mix of glues, tars and other roofing supplies. The hazardous materials inside the trailer made the fire difficult extinguish, Myers said, adding that the flumes from the fire caused explosions inside the trailer and kept reigniting, causing a dangerous situation for firefighters.
M&D Excavating of Hays supplied a loader to help break up the trailer and clear the roadway.
Both lanes of Interstate 70 were closed for a period of time and eastbound traffic was detoured onto Old Highway 40 at the Ellis exit.
The driver of the semi was not injured, and according to Myers, crews were able to save enough of the truck so the driver could retrieve his personal items. Myers said the trailer was a complete loss and the only thing left of the truck was the cab.
Interstate was reopened by 2 a.m. Thursday. Crews remained on scene until 3 a.m. to knock down any hot spots and finish clearing the wreckage.
The cause of the fire has not been released by law enforcement personnel.
KINGMAN COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. on Thursday in Kingman County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Ford Edge driven by Cooke, Dustin Phillip Cooke, 36, Kingman, was northbound on SE 70 Avenue seven miles west of Norwich.
The vehicle hit a deer. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned in the west ditch.
Cooke was transported to Kingman hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Muslim group wants Kansas political and religious leaders to repudiate views expressed by Sedgwick County Commissioner Karl Peterjohn at a county commission meeting.
The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations on Thursday condemned the Republican commissioner’s remarks a day earlier saying he was providing “a public warning for citizens.” Peterjohn put on a slide show at the session of people named “Mohammed,” or some derivation of that name, who committed crimes.
Commissioners also passed on a 4-1 vote two resolutions offering condolences to Russia and France for the recent attacks, while condemning U.S. leaders for not calling them “Islamic terrorism.”
CAIR spokesman Moussa Elbayoumy says people are concerned about a crescendo of calls from mostly Republican politicians racing to see who is more bigoted than the other.
