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Month: November 2015

Kansans who love history can celebrate their interest via contests

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ks historical society logoKansas Historical Society

TOPEKA–Kansans of all ages who love history will have the opportunity to celebrate their interest in several upcoming photography and essay contests.

The annual Kansas Factual Story Contest, sponsored by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, encourages preserving factual, unpublished happenings and anecdotes from today and yesterday. The contest is open to everyone with one entry per person. Stories must be true and unpublished, take place in Kansas, and limited to 750 words. Entries are submitted electronically via email by 5 p.m. December 11, 2015, to Terry Marmet, Kansas Historical Foundation, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. Submissions should use “Beech Memorial Contest” in the subject line, and include the author’s name, mailing address, and phone number, and email.

Olive Ann Beech, of Wichita, provided essay contest winners with cash awards for more than 30 years. Following her death, her daughter, Mary Lynn Oliver, Wichita, has continued this support. The Beech Memorial cash awards are: first place, $175; second place, $125; third place, $100; and $50 each for two honorable mentions. Entries will be judged on quality of writing and interesting anecdotal stories of Kansas.

The annual essay contest, /Kansas! Say It Above a Whisper, /sponsored by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, is open to Kansas students in grades eight through 12. Essays are limited to 250 words and should celebrate and express pride in the state. Entries are submitted electronically via email by 5 p.m. December 11, 2015, to Terry Marmet, Kansas Historical Foundation, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. Submissions should use “Boyd Essay Contest” in the subject line, and include the author’s name, school, grade, mailing address, and phone number.

Early day Kansas newspaperwoman Mamie Boyd coined the phrase used for the contest title. Her family continues to provide the cash award for the first place winner. Past essays have described interesting and strong-hearted Kansans, the state’s vast grain crops and grasslands, diversities in population, and the emotions and pride called to mind by the state’s unique beauty. Entries will be judged on quality of writing, originality, creativity, and sincerity in expressing pride in the state of Kansas.

Winners of both essay contests will be announced and recognized at the annual meeting of the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas Friday, January 29, 2016, in Topeka.

happy_birthday_ks_08The Happy Birthday, Kansas! student photo contest is in its second year and open to Kansas students from first through 12th grade. The contest encourages students to capture images that depict everyday life in their communities. Students can submit up to five entries online, the contest deadline has been extended to December 11, 2015. Submit entries at happybirthdayks.org, where further information and contest rules are available. Winners will be announced as part of the state’s 155th birthday commemoration at the Kansas State Capitol on January 29, 2016. The 12 first place winner will receive iPads; the 12 second place winners will receive Kindles. The inaugural contest in 2014 drew more than 570 entries from 55 Kansas counties. Contest is sponsored by the Kansas legislative spouses in conjunction with the Kansas Historical Society.

The Kansas Historical Society will preserve the essays and photographs in their collections.

Tigers come up short in exhibition opener at Kansas State

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MANHATTAN, Kan – Fort Hays State opened the second half on a 10-2 run to pull within five points of Kansas State, but the Wildcats responded with a 10-2 run to push the lead back to 13 and beat the Tigers 70-52 in an exhibition game Friday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

 

Craig Nicholson Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

 

K-State hit their first three 3-pointers to grab a 9-0 lead to start the game but the Tigers regrouped to pull within nine late in the first half. KSU scored the final four points to close out the first half and led 37-24 at halftime.

FHSU was held to 34-percent shooting and were just 5-for-25 from 3-point range. Kansas State hit 42-percent and was 6-for-22 from beyond the arc. FHSU was only outrebounded by the bigger Wildcats by three.

Craig Nicholson and Dom Samac both scored nine points to lead FHSU in scoring. Hadley Gillum added seven. Wesley Iwundo led the Wildcats with 17 points, Justin Edwards added 14 and Stephen Hurt 13.

FHSU volleyball squanders lead; falls in five sets to Missouri Western

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FHSU Athletics

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State squandered a golden opportunity to knock off Missouri Western on Friday evening. Up 2-1 in the match, FHSU had a four-point fourth set lead vanish as MWSU evened the match and then took the final set 15-11 to escape Hays with a win. Hitting and serving errors were a sore thumb for the Tigers in a match where they dominated almost every major stat category.

Looking at the final box score, one would think FHSU ran away with the match. FHSU had 69 kills compared to 44 for MWSU. The Tigers outhit the Griffons .179 to .104. FHSU had 111 digs to 96 for MWSU. FHSU tallied 82 points in the match to just 64 for MWSU. But it still was not enough as mental mistakes and errors proved too costly.

Missouri Western (20-6, 11-3 MIAA) recorded 14 blocks in the match, but 18 of Fort Hays State’s hitting errors were unforced. The Tigers had eight blocks in the match as 16 of Missouri Western’s attacking errors were unforced. There were just too many errors of other varieties for FHSU, including eight servce errors, six reception errors, five blocking errors, and eight ball-handling errors.

The match was a defensive battle with massive amounts of digs racked up by both teams. Ari Jacobsen tied the third-most digs recorded in a match during the rally scoring era at FHSU with 39, just six shy of the school record. Crystal Whitten finished with 25 and Mallory Flagor had 17 for the Tigers. On the Missouri Western side, five players reached double figures in digs with Kayla Ruff’s 24 leading the way.

After Missouri Western took the opening set 25-21, FHSU dominated the second and third sets by scores of 25-15 and 25-18. The Tigers outhit the Griffons .227 to .059 in the second set and .225 to .000 in the third set. It felt as though the Tigers were going to run away with the match in four sets, but the momentum shifted back to the Griffons midway through the fourth. The Tigers even took a 5-1 lead in the fifth set and looked to be running away again, but the Griffons stormed back once more. Unfortunately, the Tigers committed three consecutive errors for the final three points of the match.

Rebekah Spainhour had a great match offensively with 17 kills and just two errors to hit .441. Whitten and Flagor each had 16 kills to record double-doubles with their dig counts. Sydney Dixon had 11 kills. Hannah Wagy had 61 assists, but struggled with control at times recording seven ball-handling errors.

Shellby Taylor led the Griffons with 12 kills, while Blair Russell added 10. Jordon Chohon had a double-double of 36 assists and 21 digs.

The Tigers, now 18-12 overall and 7-8 in the MIAA, look to bounce back on Saturday (Nov. 7) when they host Northwest Missouri State at 2 pm.

Kansas Vietnam veterans welcomed home

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JC POST

FORT RILEY-The crowd cheered, the band played, and there were standing ovations for approximately 150 Vietnam veterans at Fort Riley on Friday.

The occasion….a Welcome Home Ceremony hosted by Fort Riley.

This is the 50th anniversary year of the Vietnam War. During the Welcome Home event Major General Wayne Grigsby Jr. told the veterans they were part of the long legacy of warriors that graced the history of this country.

“We honor here the burdens borne by our brothers and sisters that served in Vietnam fully knowing that they were not embraced as they should have been when they came home. The failure of our nation to care for the Vietnam veterans did not keep them from caring for one another, and all our veterans. Vietnam veterans have gone above beyond to make sure that the current generation….my generation, of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, do not have the same experience they did.”

The audience at Building 853 at Marshall Army Airfield joined inthe singing of the Big Red One song and the Armed Forces Medley during the program.

Afterwards, Vietnam Veteran Buzz Bruzina of Junction City called the ceremony “Unforgettable absolutely. It brings tears, chokes me up.”

Vietnam veteran Jim Fawcett felt the ceremony helped. “Oh yeah, I still got some ghosts I got to get rid of, but it helps.” On his message to fellow Vietnam veterans Fawcett stated simply, “Welcome home!”

 

Upper Iowa defeats FHSU men’s soccer; takes MIAA title

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HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team saw their MIAA Championship hopes disappear on Friday night. The 25th-ranked Tigers needed two wins in their last two regular season games to clinch the title for the first time in school history, but came up short suffering a 1-0 loss to 20th-ranked Upper Iowa.

The first half was a defensive battle with only two shots in the half, both from the Peacocks. The Tigers had a couple good looks, but the Peacock defense was able to thwart the opportunities before the Tigers could get a shot off.

In the second half the Tigers were able to get off eight shots, including three on goal, but Upper Iowa goalkeeper Connor Rortvedt was up to the task of saving everything sent his way.

Fort Hays State goalkeeper Michael Yantz was equally impressive on the night with three saves, including one impressive diving stop early in the first half to keep the game all square. At the 78:46 mark, the Peacocks were able to find a way to get the ball past Yantz. After a Tiger foul down the left side of the 18 yard box the Peacocks were awarded a free kick. The ball was crossed into the box by Rhys Williams and Yantz was able to get a piece of it but not enough as the ball bounced to Johnny McBeth and he was able to tap it in for his third goal of the season. That was all Upper Iowa needed to claim the 2015 MIAA Men’s Soccer Championship.

Fort Hays State has one remaining regular season game that takes place on Sunday against Lindenwood. Fort Hays State entered the week ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Central Region Rankings.

Kan. man who robbed businesses while his kids waited in car sentenced

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Reno County JailWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for robbing three businesses while his young children were in his getaway car.

The Sedgwick County prosecutor’s office says Charles Emerson, 26, Wichita, pleaded guilty in September to one count of aggravated robbery and three counts of robbery. He was sentenced Friday in Sedgwick County District Court to 59 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $1,100 in restitution.

Prosecutors say Emerson was armed with a pistol on April 21 when he robbed an X-Citement Video, Quik Trip and Petro America in Wichita within 90 minutes. His 10-month-old daughter and 5-year-old son were asleep in the back seat of the car during the robberies.

Emerson’s girlfriend is scheduled to be sentenced on similar charges in December.

Saturday craft sale supports cancer patients

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The non-profit group “Your Voice Through Cancer” will host a craft sale Saturday, Nov. 7, at Hays Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main,  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Homemade soups, including green bean dumpling, baked goods, and handmade crafts will be available at the fair.

The sale will include vendors, Nita’s Notions, Goats’n Honey, Jill’s Bowtique, Old Lady in the Shoe, Personalize It, T&T, Memory Lockets and others.

Drawings, door prizes and knitting lessons will also be offered.

“Your Voice Through Cancer” offers support to cancer patients by cancer survivors.

Kan. senators criticize Obama’s decision on Keystone pipeline

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran on Friday expressed disappointment in response to President Obama and his administration’s rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

 

 

Despite overwhelming support for #KeystoneXL from the American people and Congress, @POTUS has decided to act alone and ignore them.

— Pat Roberts (@SenPatRoberts) November 6, 2015

 

Roberts also issued a statement, “the president has lost an opportunity to create 42,000 jobs. Once again, despite the overwhelming support for this project among the American people, Congress and prominent labor unions, President Obama has again decided to ignore them and act alone. I had hoped the President would rise to the occasion, put commonsense above ideology, American jobs over a liberal agenda and make the long overdue Keystone Pipeline a reality.”

“Instead, it appears the President is posturing in advance of the Paris climate talks in a desperate attempt to strike a climate deal that will also not meet the approval of the American people.”

The Keystone XL Pipeline project took seven years to review. Senator Roberts voted for a bill, which was approved by the House and the Senate, to construct the Keystone Pipeline. President Obama vetoed the bill in February.

FHSU women’s soccer forces overtime; falls to No. 9 Central Missouri in MIAA Semifinals

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FHSU Athletics

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Fort Hays State rallied to force overtime against No. 9 Central Missouri in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on Friday, however, the rally came up short as the Jennies scored at 99:01 to end the match and the Tigers’ season by a score of 3-2. Fort Hays State finished the year with a record of 11-8-1.

The Jennies took the early lead when Hailey Womack was able to get her head on a free kick from Callie Henshaw into the back of the net in the 33rd minute.

Shortly afterwards the Jennies were able to extend their lead to 2-0 when Mikala Modiri took a pass from Emily Franchett and beat FHSU keeper Abbie Flax for her seventh goal of the season with 9:35 remaining in the half.

Before the half ended Kelsey Steffens was able to bring the Tigers back within one when Reagan Lawler launched a ball that found Steffens, and with an aggressive keeper out of position Steffens fired the ball across the line for her fourth goal of the season at the 41:35 mark.

The Tigers were able to tie the game up with just under 14 minutes to play in the second half when Cenayda Guzman leveled the score with her third goal of the season (all in consecutive games). Hannah Jurgens provided the pass as the Tigers had a top-10 ranked Central Missouri squad sweating once again. The Tigers upset the Jennies earlier this year in Hays when UCM was No. 1 in the nation by a score of 2-1.

A rally for a second victory over the Jennies this year came up short when Megan Wooley of UCM ended the game 59 seconds remaining in the first overtime period. She took an assist from Jada Scott for the game winner.

Fort Hays State had a tremendous run down the final stretch of the season, winning four consecutive matches before the loss to UCM. Impressively, the Tigers did it with limited subs due to several injuries. Fort Hays State finished in fourth place in the MIAA regular season standings at 7-4.

Kan. budget division recommends against emergency school aid

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Kansas State Board of EducationTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration is recommending against granting emergency state aid to most Kansas school districts that plan on seeking funds at an upcoming meeting with lawmakers.

The Topeka Capital-Journal  reports superintendents were sent a message from the Kansas State Department of Education on behalf of the Division of Budget. The message says giving certain districts extra aid would not benefit them until next year because school budgets for this fiscal year have already been set.

The message directed at 17 of 23 districts that applied for aid suggested they apply for money next year and that attending the State Finance Council meeting on Monday is not necessary.

The governor’s office said Thursday that the message was meant as a courtesy advance notice to the superintendents since many district representatives would be driving to Topeka from western Kansas.

Arrest for speeding on the Interstate leads to drug bust

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drugs arrest policeSALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a suspect arrested on drug charges after an interstate traffic stop.

Matthew Aitch, 29, Wichita, was driving a 2013 Nissan on Interstate 135 near the Interstate 70 Junction on Thursday just after 11:30 p.m. Deputies stopped him for driving 87 miles per hour, according to Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski

Aitch had several cigarettes lit in his car and he was acting nervous, according to deputies.

A K-9 indicated there were drugs in the car. Deputies found a baggie of 390 grams of processed marijuana, rolling papers and receipts for purchase of rolling papers were also found in the car.

Aitch was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of speeding, driving with a suspended drivers license, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

Downtown Hays is now ‘The Bricks’

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the bricks ribbon cutting by hays cvb
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting Thursday for the launch of “The Bricks,” the new cohesive marketing campaign for downtown Hays.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Red bricks are ubiquitous in downtown Hays–from the streets to the buildings.

“The Bricks,” a new branding and marketing strategy by the Downtown Hays Development Corporation, officially launched Thursday.  It’s designed to unify all of downtown, including the historic Chestnut Street District.

DHDC Executive Director Sara Bloom presented the concept to Hays City Commissioners in mid-September. Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil called it “awesome.”

“I personally love that you’ve gotten to all the stores and talked to people.  You’ve told me previously that the business owners haven’t worked together and they want to do that.  To me, that’s huge, ” Musil said.

“I think it’s unique for downtown.  It sets us apart and we can build on it,” Musil said, adding a “congratulations” to Bloom and her staff.

Sandy Jacobs, DHDC board president
Sandy Jacobs, DHDC board of directors president

Sandy Jacobs, DHDC board president, told commissioners all the marketing for “The Bricks” will include the information that it is “partially funded by the city of Hays.”

Bloom said DHDC expects the unifying brand “The Bricks” to “shift the community’s focus from thinking about what businesses need to come to downtown to thinking about how to bring people downtown.”


the bricks map

the bricks in downtown hays logo

Passenger who caused flight to be diverted to Kan. released on bond

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A magistrate judge has released on $25,000 bond the passenger who allegedly threatened to bring down an American Airlines flight after being refused a beer.

Thirty-eight-year-old Jason Baroletti of Holbrook, New York, was ordered on Friday as one of his release conditions not to travel by commercial airline. He is also is not to use alcohol while he awaits trial on one count of interfering with the performance of a flight crew.

 

 

 

The disruption caused American Airlines to divert a Phoenix-to-New York flight Tuesday evening to Wichita, Kansas.

An FBI affidavit contends an inflight dispute escalated after he was forbidden to smoke an electronic cigarette. Baroletti became agitated and allegedly threatened to kill a passenger after flight attendants refused to serve him beer, which he claimed he needed for anxiety.

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