KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Pittsburg State set a new MIAA Tournament record with 16 three-pointers as the 16th-ranked Gorillas knocked off 12th-ranked Fort Hays State 90-74 in the semifinals Saturday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium. The Gorillas (26-4) also set a tournament record for 3-pointers in a half with 11 as they extend their school record win streak to 15 games. PSU knocked down 11 from beyond the arc in the first half as the two teams combine to set a tournament records for points in a half at 92 (51-41).
Pitt State hit 8-of-10 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, racing out to a 35-20 lead. They were up 18 in the second quarter before the Tigers (25-5) rallied within 10 at halftime. The Tigers closed the gap to six several times in the third quarter but a 13-0 Gorilla run over the late stages of the third quarter and first four minutes of the fourth pushed the lead to 19.
FHSU Postgame Press Conference
Game Highlights
Pitt State shot 54-percent for the game including 16-of-31 from beyond the arc. The Tigers knocked down 42-percent and were 8-of-21 from 3-point range.
Nikola Kacperska led six Tigers in double-figures with 14 points. Paige Lunsford and Jill Faxon both scored 13 while Taylor Chandler, Beth Bohuslavsky and Chelsea Mason all added 10.
Mikeala Burgess hit four 3-pointers and led the Gorillas with 21 points.
CDC image Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET by state or territory — United States, 2015–2016 (as of March 2, 2016) CLICK TO ENLARGE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Researchers say the Zika virus may be linked to a wider variety of “grave outcomes” for developing babies than previously reported and that threats can come at any stage of pregnancy.
Friday’s findings are preliminary results from the first study tracking pregnant women in Brazil from the time they were infected, and do not prove that Zika is responsible. Dr. Karin Nielsen of the University of California, Los Angeles says the study suggests Zika can act on multiple fronts.
The mosquito-borne virus is spreading in Latin America and the Caribbean. It normally causes only mild symptoms, if any, in adults. But it has been linked to babies in hard-hit Brazil being born with abnormally small heads.
Separate laboratory research strengthens that case by showing the virus targets fetal brain cells.
By Diane Gasper-O’Brien
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
It’s not uncommon for students to change their majors a time or two, or even more, over the course of their college careers.
The same holds true in the real world.
A change in professions led Justin Coffey to pursue a graduate degree through Fort Hays State University’s Virtual College, and now he is traveling the state giving presentations with a new title — Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Coffey, a 2011 FHSU graduate with a Master of Science in Education degree through its Transition to Teaching Program, is a high school math teacher in Dodge City. He and his team of regional teachers of the year are spending the spring semester speaking to teachers in Kansas school districts and colleges and universities.
They were on the FHSU campus this week, sharing their passion for teaching.
Coffey, Kansas Teacher of the Year for 2016, held the attention of both students and instructors at his table as they visited during a luncheon that preceded the KTOY team’s presentation.
“This gave some great insight into teaching,” said Nick Wolfe, an FHSU freshman from Hays. “I can’t wait to get involved in the teaching program.”
Coincidentally, Wolfe came to Fort Hays State as a physics major but decided to change his major to education after his work study position ended up being at a preschool.
“I love spending time with those little kids and watching them learn,” Wolfe said. “The thing that lights up my life is working with kids. I want to be an inspiration like so many teachers have been to me.”
Then, he’s on the right track of becoming a teacher, Coffey said.
“Going into college I thought, ‘There’s no way I want to be a teacher; they don’t get paid enough,’ ” Coffey said. “It took me many years to realize that it’s not all about the money. Helping student make good decisions and finding the right path means much more than making a couple of extra bucks.”
Coffey grew up in Omaha, Neb., and met his wife, Amanda, while attending the University of Wyoming. An education major, Amanda’s first teaching job ended up being in Dodge City, where she has taught elementary school since 2003.
Coffey, who was managing a retail store in Dodge City, said he wasn’t really happy with his job and would notice how invigorated his wife would be after school, even after a long day at work.
“She thought I should try teaching,” said Coffey, who checked into the Transition to Teaching Program at Fort Hays State.
The mission of the program, referred to as T2T, is “designed to fill secondary teaching vacancies in school districts through an alternate route to teacher licensure.” It allows an individual with a bachelor’s degree in a content area approved by the Kansas State Department of Education to obtain a teaching license through a two-year program.
The T2T program that began with four participants in 2003-04 is booming at Fort Hays State. It brought in 85 new students in the fall of 2014 and added 95 more last fall.
“It’s grown dramatically the last couple of years,” said Dr. Jim Barrett, chair of Advanced Education Programs at FHSU. “It helps a lot of people. It’s a great program.”
And now FHSU’s T2T program can boast of having a Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Coffey was able to immediately begin teaching at Dodge City High School while working on his degree through FHSU’s Virtual College, graduating in 2011.
He has never regretted that decision.
“Through my work experience in sales, I found that my favorite component was hiring and training new employees,” Coffey said. “I knew I wanted to help people and make an impact. As a teacher, you are able to build a special relationship with a lot of human beings. With my new-found passion, hopefully I can make an impact.”
This marks the second consecutive year that a Fort Hays State graduate has been named Kansas Teacher of the Year, a program in its 25th year and sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education. Shannon Ralph, also from the Dodge City school district, was the 2015 KTOY winner.
Teachers are nominated from their local school districts, and two teachers are chosen to represent each of four regions across the state. The teacher of the year is picked from that group of eight regional finalists. This year’s nomination pool totaled 105 candidates.
Each regional winner receives $2,000, and as the KTOY winner, Coffey also received $4,000, free enrollment for life at several Kansas universities and the use of a car from one of the sponsors, Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
The KTOY team will give up to 30 presentations across the state this semester, and Coffey also makes trips around the state for professional development in Kansas school districts.
Faculty members from the Teacher Education Department and Advanced Education Programs Department, as well as several students, attended the KTOY presentation.
“It was nice to see so many staff there,” said Nona Mason, a kindergarten teacher at West Elementary School in Goodland. “It’s great to see that kind of support.”
“That’s part of what makes Fort Hays State’s program so great,” Coffey said, “that kind of support.”
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Dr. Jeff Curtis from Medical Specialists at HaysMed, with the topic of “Adult Medicine” by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
Trump addresses a large crowd on Saturday in Wichita. photo courtesy Mark Cowin
WICHITA- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump brought his campaign to Wichita on Saturday.
A large crowd gathered outside Century II Auditorium, site of the Sedgwick County caucus, early Saturday morning. The event started at 9 a.m.
A large line of supporters waits for Trump on Saturday in Wichita- photo courtesy Mark Cowin
Trump was originally scheduled to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland Saturday alongside fellow candidate Marco Rubio, but canceled on Friday with the announcement of plans for the Kansas rally instead.
A St. Louis man was flown to a Wichita hospital following an accident on I-70 west of Ellis Friday evening. (Photo courtesy Darrel Goheen)
ELLIS COUNTY- One person was injured in an accident just before 6 p.m. on Friday in Ellis County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Honda passenger car driven by Eugene Kim, 29, St. Louis, MO., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Ellis.
The vehicle ran into the rear of a broken down U-Haul truck and caught on fire.
Kim was transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita. The Kansas Highway Patrol did not know if he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
Rescue workers on the scene of the trench collapse on Main Street in downtown Hays Tuesday afternoon.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance is organizing a community candlelight vigil Sunday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. following Tuesday’s tragedy in Hays when a sewer trench collapse killed two men and injured a third.
“This is a time for our community to come together to grieve and support each other in the aftermath of the tragic trench accident,” said Celeste Lasich, ECMA president. “ECMA is working with the city of Hays, Ellis County and Ellis County EMS,” she added.
The ceremony will be held in front of the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main Street. The accident occurred on Main Street just in front of the Center.
Two J Corp Construction Company employees died–44-year-old Aaron Pfannenstiel, the owner/operator of J Corp, and 66-year-old James “Jake” Jacobs, a construction supervisor at J Corp. A third J Corp employee was rescued and transported to HaysMed.
According to Lasich, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Hays, guest speakers will include Kerry McCue, Ellis County EMS director. McCue was at the accident scene throughout the rescue and recovery search. Hays Mayor Eber Phelps will also participate. Representing the staff and employees who work in the Ellis County Administrative Center will be Ellis County Commissioners Dean Haselhorst and Barb Wasinger.
The vigil will include familiar hymns and special music.
Some candles will be provided, but Lasich suggested attendees bring their own.
A memorial fund for the Pfannenstiel family has been organized on gofundme.
Dr. Emi Moriuchi, assistant professor of marketing at Fort Hays State University, has published a textbook, “Social Media Marketing: Strategies in Utilizing Consumer-Generated Content,” published by Business Expert Press.
Moriuchi is known for her extensive knowledge of social media marketing. Her book is available in both hard copy and as an e-book.
Photo by Megan Hart/KHI News Service Sheryl Crosier spoke Thursday at the Kansas Statehouse in favor of a bill named for her son Simon, who died with a “do not resuscitate” order in place that she and her husband did not know about.
By MEGAN HART
Sheryl Crosier only found out after her infant son had died that he had a “do not resuscitate” order — a measure she said she and her husband never would have agreed to. Crosier, who is from the St. Louis area, spoke Thursday to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee in support of Senate Bill 437, also known as Simon’s Law.
It would forbid health care facilities or providers from withholding “life-sustaining procedures, food, medication or nutrition” from any patient younger than 18 without written permission from one of the patient’s parents or a legal guardian.
“When Simon’s oxygen levels began to fall, we were told it was the end and we could do nothing,” she said. “If somebody in this audience was struggling to breathe, how many of you would stand here and do nothing?”
A similar bill was introduced in Missouri but has yet to receive a hearing.
Crosier said she and her husband wanted to do everything medically possible for their son Simon, who was born in September 2010 and diagnosed with Trisomy 18 after three days.
Trisomy 18 often causes problems with the heart and other organs, as well as developmental delays, though the effects can vary widely. According to the Trisomy 18 Foundation, about 10 percent of children with the condition survive their first year of life. Some live into adulthood, however.
After Simon was diagnosed, the hospital turned off his heart monitor and only provided “comfort feedings”— minimal nutrition typically used with dementia patients — which the Crosiers didn’t find out about until after his death. “Someone decided our son’s life didn’t have any value,” she said.
The one-page bill would require doctors and facilities to provide patients with a copy of any policies they have regarding life-sustaining treatment or treatments not deemed to be beneficial.
A physician also couldn’t institute a do-not-resuscitate order without permission from at least one of the patient’s parents or a guardian.
Kathy Ostrowski, legislative director of Kansans for Life, testified in favor of the bill but suggested some amendments. The amended language would allow providers to withhold treatments if “reasonable medical judgment” dictated withholding the treatment wouldn’t hasten the patient’s death or if providing the treatment would create a greater risk to the patient than withholding it.
Ostrowski said children with disabilities were more likely to be denied medical interventions, even if their parents wanted them, and the bill would prevent doctors from making “value judgments” about treatment. No one testified in opposition to the bill.
The American Medical Association’s Code of Ethics says that physicians should consult with the patient, or his or her representative, before making decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment.
Megan Hart is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach her on Twitter @meganhartMC
RENO COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are investigating a school bus accident.
Reno County Sheriff’s Department reported a 2005 GMC pickup driven by Shelby Spence, 57, Hutchinson, was eastbound on 6th Avenue just after 7:15 a.m. on Friday.
The pickup rear-ended a Nickerson School District Bus driven by Elizabeth Martin, 56, Hutchinson, with 23 children on board.
The bus was stopped with all lights and warning lights on and signs out after picking up a student at 6th Avenue and Town and Country.
No injuries were reported. USD 309 was already in the process of informing the parents of the students on board when deputies arrived.
Spence was cited for following too closely, according to Deputy David Radke.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the Reno County Sheriff’s office.
Trying to keep up with the election process for the next U.S president is no easy task.
What we see happening as candidates campaign for the most powerful office in the world seems to be unprecedented in American history. Call it a roller coaster. Call it surreal.
Media has gone bonkers covering the campaigns 24/7. It makes my head spin with 95% of the news about the upcoming November election.
One thing that’s real – people are divided like never before about what is needed to fix this country. Political pundits claim there are two Americas, the division is that huge.
On the one hand there’s Hillary Clinton, the Democrat socialist, and there’s Bernie Sanders, the ultra socialist. Hillary is running on Obama’s record, perhaps even left of him, and Bernie is far left of Hillary and our president.
On the other hand are conservatives Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Donald Trump claims to be a conservative but that’s open to debate. Trump, who has never held national political office before is, therefore, considered an “outsider” and has the media’s attention like no other presidential candidate in modern U.S. history.
GOP candidates John Kasich and Ben Carson have a lot to offer voters, but hanging on by a thread.
What readers should keep in mind is that Hillary and Bernie’s socialism (or call it liberalism and progressivism) represents a totally 180 degree opposite vision for this country than that of conservatism. Socialism and big government go hand in hand as is currently the case with our present Obama government. Conservatives want more liberty for individuals through free market capitalism and less government in our lives. That difference, my friends, is huge
Obama ran for president on transforming America, and in many ways has succeeded. Now we have Republican candidates who also want to transform America, but that goal is to change our government of today, back to a large extent, the way America was in its conservative past. However, one could argue the GOP establishment that has Republicans in a turmoil would prefer things as they have been the last seven years rather than support Trump or Cruz, both totally disliked by those elites in Washington. I have reason to feel like my head is spinning. Dems have their turmoil also with a radical Bernie versus Hillary the career politician currently being investigated by the FBI.
Voting Democrat or voting Republican in the upcoming November election is not presidential elections as usual. There’s far more at stake this time around. What kind of America do most voters want with a new president – and congress? As mentioned, the divide among voters is huge!
I believe this to be the most important election of my time as do many others. The belief is that making the right decision about our next White House occupant will make or break us as a country, perhaps forever.
Can Trump, the frontrunner for the GOP (disliked by the GOP establishment and elite) “make America great again,” as he claims? It makes my head spin thinking about it. Can he (or will he) make us great again if he becomes our next president? Can he unite the Republican Party?
If not for Republicans in congress last election Trump may not even be a candidate. Republicans were given the charge to stop Obama’s agendas, but reneged on that promise and Trump became a big factor. Not only are millions of voters fed up with Obama, but also fed up with all politicians in general, including Democrats and Republicans alike. Trump has weighed in on the anger and frustration of millions especially about runaway illegal immigration and our economy. He was an instant success weighing in on those two issues.
Yogi Berra said in one of his famous Yogi-isims “the future isn’t what it used to be.” That’s really funny, but does our past need to be stood on its head and not count for anything? Buyer beware regarding what kind of future you want for your children as you vote. Do you want a return to the past or an overreaching big government as you ponder the huge difference between the two?
We know what has worked in the past and it hasn’t been socialism.
The Kansas Republican Party is preparing for a larger-than-usual turnout at the state’s GOP presidential caucus Saturday.
“We’ve already had to double the normal amount of ballots to around 60,000,” said Clayton Barker, Kansas GOP executive director. “We’re even making more (ballots) in case more people decide to attend.”
The increased number of attendees means more education is necessary to explain the process to voters, Barker said.
“We’re trying to combat the low knowledge about how the system works,” he said.
Barker explained that a caucus is a meeting where all registered Kansas Republicans can discuss and vote on which candidate they believe should be the party’s nominee for president.
After voting has occurred, the 40 delegates and 37 alternative delegates allotted to Kansas by the National Republican Convention are divided among the candidates.
“Kansas proportionally allocates our delegates, instead of using a winner- take-all system,” Barker said. “This gives candidates a more accurate delegate representation.”
The Republican nominee needs a total of 1,237 delegates to secure the party’s nomination and face the Democratic challenger in the November election.
What many people don’t know is that any eligible citizen can, and is encouraged to, participate in the caucus.
Shelby Clothier, a University of Kansas student and registered Republican from Wichita, said she plans to vote in the caucus, and she’s pleased the GOP is working to keep voters informed.
“You have to go out and seek the knowledge to know how a caucus or a voting system works,” she said. “I’m happy to see the Kansas GOP is taking that initiative to help.”
For Clothier and other Kansans participating the caucuses, the stakes are high.
“Caucuses are hugely important,” she said. “You’re literally deciding the candidate who is going to potentially change you and your children’s futures.”
Barker agreed.
“Because the turnout at caucuses is smaller than a national vote, every individual has a higher effect,” he said.
Barker said that college students need to know that they can participate in the caucuses near their university campuses, even if they originally registered in a different county.
“It makes it easier for college kids who’ve traveled across the state to participate,” he said.
For Clothier, this makes all the difference.
“I really want to participate,” she said. “And instead of having to drive around three hours home, I can just drive five minutes to the Lawrence location.”
Marco Rubio was in Topeka on Friday and was planning to stop in Wichita. GOP front-runner Donald Trump is also planning a Saturday stop in Wichita.
Cruz was in Overland Park Wednesday for a campaign rally at Johnson County Community College.
Caucuses are March 5 in 126 counties throughout the state from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Kansas Republic caucuses will be held in at these locations.
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Dr. Jeff Curtis from Medical Specialists at HaysMed, with the topic of “Adult Medicine” by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
