Payton Ruder knows that by signing with Baker University to golf he will be receiving much more than the chance to play 18. Ruder signed his letter of intent on Tuesday morning to golf for the Baker Wildcats out of Baldwin City, Kansas.
Ruder weighed the decision on what college to golf at and attend both on the athletic and academic side as well. He plans on heading into the engineering field. With Baker University’s connections to programs at the University of Kansas as well as opportunities in the Kansas City area, the fit was perfect.
Payton Ruder
Ruder has dropped three strokes per 18 holes off his score from freshman through junior seasons. A three time state qualifier, Ruder had his best season in 2015 firing a 72 and landing in 7th place. Ruder is also the back-to-back defending regional champion. He says though the goal this year is more about getting the entire team to state. Ruder will be the lone senior for this spring 2016 season, a season that got practices underway on Monday.
Coach Mark Watts
Ruder has placed in the top ten 15 times in his career including seven times last spring. He will also look to land on the All-WAC team for a fourth consecutive year after garnering 2nd team honors his freshman season and first team his sophomore and junior year.
But Baker will have to wait. For now Ruder is focused on the spring 2016 season and is glad to have his decision done and out of the way.
Photo by NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health poll “Patients’ Perspectives on Health Care in the United States.” –
A new poll from NPR, Harvard University and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation explores Americans’ experiences with the health care system in the two years since the Affordable Care Act was fully implemented. Kansas was one of seven states singled out for closer scrutiny.
And while much of what Sunflower State residents said followed national trends, there were some notable exceptions. Of all the states surveyed, Kansas is where the Affordable Care Act is the least popular.
Robert Blendon of Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health was primarily in charge of conducting the poll.
He said of Kansans surveyed, 26 percent thought things improved as a result of the ACA and 13 percent thought their own lives were helped. “But in terms of the overall figures, people were much more negative about the impact on Kansas as a whole and about individuals,” Blendon said.
More than a third of Kansans surveyed — 39 percent — thought the health care law has been detrimental to the state. That compares with 27 percent nationwide. Blendon sees two main factors behind these numbers for Kansans.
There is “a real concern, greater than the other states, about the cost of health care for them and the state,” he said. “And the other is this sense of concern that many Republicans have that the law wasn’t the right thing to do. The two together is why I think Kansas stands out as being more critical of the ACA than other states.”
The Kansans with the most negative views about the health care law tend to be older than 65, live in rural areas and identify as Republican. They also say their health care costs are unreasonable and they have experienced serious financial problems as a result. The extent of their worry about costs surprised Blendon.
“Kansans are much more concerned about rising health care costs than people in other states,” he said. “They think they’re going up. They’re more concerned about the future.”
The finding that a lot of Kansans are not happy with the Affordable Care Act comes as no surprise to Mike Walker, assistant director of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University. The institute has been doing its own polling of Kansans for seven years.
“We did see in our own data that Kansans were not favorable toward ACA overall,” he said. “There was a large portion that were favorable, but the majority of folks were not.” Walker said Kansans almost always vote Republican. What’s more, he said,
President Barack Obama is not popular in Kansas, and that carries over to his signature health care law, informally referred to as Obamacare. “A lot of Kansans just seem to dislike Obama, more specifically,” he said. “So I think those two things sort of lay a foundation for just opposing something that a Democratic president might come up with, and especially Obama.”
Walker said while it’s clear that Kansans are concerned about health care costs, it’s not clear whether those cost increases are real and actually caused by Obamacare.
“My experience tells me that people that have experienced their cost going up, or perceive that their costs are going up, are more likely to be vocal about the issue and complain about the ACA,” he said.
“Folks that aren’t impacted by it aren’t going to say anything about it.” If costs are increasing significantly, Walker said, it might be because people have more comprehensive coverage now thanks to the ACA — something they may not appreciate until they get sick or injured.
Walker said the health reform law is complicated, and it’s understandable that people might be confused about it, especially with persistent attacks on Obamacare from the state’s political leaders.
“But I kind of think that people don’t want to understand these issues, because it runs like a brick wall against their support for the Republican Party and their opposition to Obama in general,” he said. Walker said the real test will be to see how Kansans’ attitudes toward the ACA evolve over time as they have more experience with the health reform law and the health care system.
Bryan Thompson is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.
Three years ago, the death of Earl Field sparked a legal battle over his $20.6 million estate, now that battle has made it into a courtroom, with the first day of testimony heard Monday in Ellis County District Court.
During the first day of testimony, Judge William Lyle heard from Field’s physician and heard taped depositions from Steve and Kathy Little.
The Littles claimed to witness Field sign a codicil that changed the Fort Hays State University Foundation from the sole beneficiary.
The codicil would split the estate – half would go to Oborny, and 25 percent each for Hays attorney Joe Jeter and the Foundation.
Testimony from the depositions described communications between Oborny and the Littles, including calls, text messages and in-person meetings around the time of Field’s death.
The Littles died in August in what was ruled a murder-suicide after a federal grand jury summons was delivered to the couple.
Oborny and the Littles attended Hays High together and, after moving from the area, testimony from Kathy Little’s deposition described how they had become reacquainted after Oborny moved back to Hays around 2011.
Kathy Little also said medical treatment had affected her memory – evident during the deposition, as she frequently testified she had no memory of several conversations with Oborny.
She did, however, testify to having a clear recollection of the day Field allegedly signed the codicil in her husband’s office at Lewis Automotive.
When she pulled up to Lewis on Jan. 22, she said she saw Steve Little and Field in Field’s vehicle. They proceeded inside, she said, Field signed the codicil, they then immediately signed as witnesses, and Field then left. Field also told them to keep the codicil secret, as it was supposed to be a surprise for Oborny, she said.
Phone records show Kathy Little placed a call to Oborny shortly before that incident. She said she had no memory of that call, like several others around the time of Field’s death, to Oborny.
Both Kathy and Steve testified they did not tell Oborny of the codicil initially, but finally relented and told Oborny on Feb. 25, when they traveled to Oborny’s home to break the news.
Days prior, Oborny presented an unsigned version of the codicil to Jeter and her lawyer, Donald Hoffman. She was told by both without the witness signatures, it would be invalid.
Another wrinkle in the story that came out during the deposition, however, questions the Littles’ stories.
Neither Steve nor Kathy could explain an almost exact copy of the codicil that had Field’s signature but not theirs that was discovered shredded in Field’s office.
The Kansas Small Business Development Center statewide network has announced the 2016 Existing, Emerging and Exporting Businesses of the Year. Each of the eight Kansas SBDC regional centers has selected one emerging and one existing business for the award. One exporter will be recognized for the first time this year.
A ceremony in Topeka on Tuesday, March 8, will recognize 17 Kansas small businesses. The businesses were selected from more than 2,000 that received Kansas SBDC services in 2015.
“The selected businesses were given careful consideration by our Kansas SBDC regional directors and consultants,” said Greg Panichello, Kansas SBDC state director. “Collectively, the Kansas SBDC team feels these 17 small businesses are excellent examples of small business adaptation and success in challenging times.”
WIBW-TV Anchor Melissa Brunner will emcee the evening ceremony and U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins will address the group to start the awards portion.
Colby Glass & Sign Co. Inc., Colby
Existing Businesses of the Year
DV Enterprises LLC, Don & Vicky Brunkhardt, Liberal Colby Glass & Sign Co. Inc., Rod Rodenbeck, Colby
Eric Fisher Academy Inc., Eric and Mary Fisher, Wichita
B&P Inc., Brett & Carly Fletcher, Holton
Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Amber Haag, Emporia
The Gun Guys, Tim VanLeiden, Ottawa
CTe Learning, Steve Waddell, Olathe
Progressive Products Inc., Todd Allison, Pittsburg
Sake2me Sushi Rolls LLC, Hays
Emerging Businesses of the Year
Duck Salt, Matthew Deighton, Greensburg Sake2me Sushi Rolls LLC, Michael Huskey and Stacie Rupp, Hays
Sleeptopia, Kevin Kunz, Wichita
Brickhouse Antiques, Tom & Mary Norskov, Topeka
Chisholm Trail Outfitters LLC, Craig Dodd, Hillsboro
Kids Calendar, Beth McKeon, Lawrence
Athletic Testing Solutions, David Kuluva and Eric Schroeder, Overland Park
Sleep Inn & Suites, Bill Michaud, Fort Scott
Exporting Business of the Year
Custom Storefronts Inc., Jon Roberts, Olathe
About Kansas Small Business Development Center: The Kansas Small Business Development Center is an advising, consulting, and training service for small businesses (generally less than 500 employees). The center is funded by federal, state, and local partners. Funding through your tax dollars allows the Kansas SBDC to provide advising and training (i.e. cash flow, marketing, and market data) to businesses across the state at low or no cost. The SBDC is part of a larger national association committed to helping small businesses reach their development, improvement, and transition goals.
The Kansas SBDC statewide host is Fort Hays State University.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska and Kansas have signed a two-year agreement to begin a home-and-home men’s basketball series starting next season.
The two schools were conference mates for more than a century before Nebraska joined the Big Ten. The teams last met in 2011 when both were in the Big 12.
Cornhuskers coach Tim Miles said Tuesday his program is excited to “revive a classic Big 12 matchup.” He said the games would strengthen the Huskers’ nonconference schedule and put the Huskers in better position for Big Ten and postseason play.
The Huskers will travel to Lawrence for the first game on Dec. 10. The Jayhawks will play in Lincoln on Dec. 16, 2017.
SALINA- Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating two suspects in connection with a Monday morning stabbing incident.
Police were sent to the intersection of 7th and Grand at 6:30 a.m. on a report of a stabbing, according to Police Captain Chris Trocheck
They found Jenifer Sharp, 18, inside a vehicle with a single stab wound in the abdomen. She was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment.
An investigation revealed the stabbing was the result of an altercation over property between Sharp, and 25-year-old Jamie Wood, at a residence in the 1200 block of Stack Avenue.
Wood was arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of aggravated battery.
After being treated for her wound, Sharp was also placed under arrest after she told officers and hospital staff that she was someone else.
She was booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated false impersonation and felony interference with law enforcement, according to Trocheck.
Sharp likely gave the false information due to having six active district court warrants for her arrest. She could also face charges stemming from those warrants.
Whether you are an ardent weather watcher or a casual sky gazer, it’s time for Kansans to begin preparing for any potential severe weather this spring.
March is the month when many of our state’s residents begin watching the skies for any potential weather problems. And it’s a good time to begin checking your insurance policies on personal property to make sure you have the coverage and information you need.
If 2015 is any indicator, Kansans need to be ready. The National Weather Service says there were 126 tornadoes in the state last year, 26 more than the 10-year average. Fortunately, only 11 of those tornadoes were rated strong (using the EF scale 2-3).
But twisters are only part of our potential weather problems. Our statistics at the Kansas Insurance Department (KID) have shown through the years that during the spring and summer there is hardly a day when hail damage is not reported somewhere in the state. Factor in the ever-present wind, and our citizens contend with weather problems almost daily from March through August—and sometimes beyond.
Our KID staff has come up with the following checklist of questions and statements that consumers and their insurance agents can review for determining whether your insurance is ready for spring weather-related events.
Ask yourself these questions.
Do you have the right homeowners or renters insurance? Do you know what your policy covers? Is the amount of coverage adequate? Does it cover new additions or recent remodeling?
Check all limits, including coverage for contents. Keep your agent’s name and number available and easy to find, and periodically discuss coverage options with him or her.
Know your policy coverage exclusions.
Not all policies cover the following: Water damage, including flood and surface damage, whether driven by wind or not; backup of sewer or drains; and sump pump failure. These are the most common exclusions. Riders for these situations may be available to add to your existing policy. Also, check your auto policy. Comprehensive coverage (other than collision) usually pays if damage is caused by wind, hail and/or flood.
Inventory your personal property.
KID can provide you with a “Personal Home Inventory” booklet to help you list the contents of your home. Go online at www.ksinsurance.org, under “Finding a Publication,” to print off a personal copy.
You can also download the MyHomeScr.APP.book application for your smartphone from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Keep a hard copy of your inventory, sales receipts and video or photographs of your personal property in a secure place outside of your home.
Recovering after a storm
If you suffer loss or damage because of severe weather damage, follow these tips:
• Contact your agent and/or insurance company immediately.
• Keep a record of conversations with your agent or company. Write down the date and time, the person’s name and a summary of the call.
• Make a list of all damaged property, and take photographs/video of it.
• Get instructions from your company’s adjuster before calling anyone to repair or replace damaged property. Your insurer’s visual inspection of your loss may be required before claims are paid.
• Keep a list of all damaged property with the date, price and place of purchase for the adjuster. Make a copy of the list and all insurance forms you fill out for your own records.
Settling your claim
If damage from a significant weather event occurs, adjusters will handle the largest losses first, but they should work to handle all claims as quickly as possible. Remember the following:
• Be present when your adjuster inspects your property.
• Insurance companies will have their own company or hired adjusters who should have appropriate employee identification. Be leery of any public adjuster who would charge you a percentage of your claim amount. Public adjusters in Kansas are not permitted to adjust personal homeowner losses.
• Beware of questionable or unfamiliar contractors in obtaining repair estimates. If possible, get more than one written estimate, and hire only local, reputable contractors to make the repairs once you get a written settlement from your insurance company.
• If you experience problems with your adjustment, you may file a written complaint with KID for assistance.
Get help if you need it.
KID has formed a department Catastrophe Team that will be at affected locations following very severe weather events. But for assistance at any time, call the KID Consumer Assistance Hotline, (in Kansas) 800-432-2484.
Please be advised effective immediately, traffic on Main Street between 7th and 8th Street will be reduced to one lane due to sewer line repairs.
Traffic control devices will be in place to direct the traveling public for approximately four days.
The City of Hays is advising travelers in this area to be cautious of the work zones.
Services should be restored for the affected area by the end of the day.
The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If you have any questions please contact the Utilities Department at (785) 628-7380.
Sens. Moran, Gardner and Daines meet Feb. 29 with Joint Task Force Guantanamo Commander Rear Adm. Peter J. Clarke, and Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Burkett.
WASHINGTON – On Monday, Feb. 29, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) led a congressional visit with U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“The visit to Guantanamo Bay was an important opportunity to speak with our military leaders and gain a better understanding of detention facility operations – their mission is difficult as they safeguard our nation from those who wish to do us harm,” Sen. Moran said. “The impressive men and women of the Joint Task Force Guantanamo are fully committed to serving and protecting our country. Unfortunately, the president is spending more energy fulfilling a campaign promise than focusing on the serious national security threats we face across the globe. I will continue to oppose the administration’s plan to move detainees to the United States.”
“My visit to Guantanamo Bay reaffirmed what Coloradans and Americans across the country already know: the detainees belong in Guantanamo Bay, a facility tailor-made for terrorists,” Sen. Gardner said. “In addition to the illegality of transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to U.S. soil through executive order, the President should recognize that moving dangerous terrorists to our backyard at a time when our country is facing emerging security challenges is both irresponsible and dangerous. I’ll continue to work to ensure that Guantanamo Bay detainees remain where they belong.”
“Visiting Guantanamo Bay was a humble reminder of the services our military provides overseas to get these terrorists off the battlefield and ensure we don’t have to bring them to Americans’ backyards,” Sen. Daines said. “The fact remains clear, President Obama signed multiple pieces of legislation into law that explicitly prohibits the transfer of enemy combatants from Guantanamo Bay to our shores. I’m exceedingly proud of our men and women serving at Guantanamo Bay and will continue working tirelessly to prohibit the transfer of these detainees to America.”
Sen. Moran also sponsors the Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act (S. 165), which prohibits the transfer to the United States of detainees designated medium- or high-risk for two years. S. 165 would also ban transfers to Yemen, where dozens of the remaining Guantanamo detainees are from.
HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say hypothermia killed a kidnapping suspect whose body was found in a wooded area of northeast Kansas.
On Monday, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse released the findings of an autopsy report on the death of 32-year-old Jon Sumpter, of Silver Lake.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a hunter found Sumpter’s body Jan. 31 about a half-mile south of the Nebo State Fishing Lake.
Morse said Sumpter was believed to be the suspect in a December kidnapping in which the victim escaped. The following day, the stolen sport utility vehicle that was believed to have been used in the kidnapping was found. It was located about three-fourths of a mile from where Sumpter’s shirtless body was later found.
Authorities believe Sumpter died weeks before his body was discovered.
LONDON (AP) — Scientists may have the first evidence that Zika can cause temporary paralysis. That’s according to a new study of patients who developed the rare mosquito-borne condition during an outbreak of the virus in Tahiti two years ago. Zika is rapidly spreading across the Americas. It’s been linked to birth defects. See the CDC report on Zika in the United States.
No vaccine exists to prevent Zika virus disease.
Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites (see below).
Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime.
Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, take the following steps:
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Always follow the product label instructions.
Reapply insect repellent as directed.
Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
If you have a baby or child:
Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.
Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or
Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.
HUTCHINSON – A Kansas man who was arrested on February 21 for the alleged kidnapping of a Hutchinson woman has been formally charged by the state.
Michael Meeks,46, Hutchinson, is charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, criminal threat and two counts of misdemeanor battery.
He is alleged to have battered two of the victims by choking them at a residence in the 300 block of West 14th.
He is also alleged to have forced a female victim into his truck where he apparently took her to the Wichita area. The two were located in the Wichita suburb of Haysville by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office.
In court, Meeks indicated that his family had hired a Wichita attorney to represent him, however couldn’t tell the judge who that was. So, Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen set a status hearing for next Monday.
Meeks remains jailed on a bond of $137,500.
