Month: May 2016
Largest automotive recall in US history is growing
TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) — The biggest automotive recall in U.S. history is about to get much larger.
U.S. safety regulators are expected to announce Wednesday that Japanese air bag maker Takata will recall over 35 million more air bag inflators that can potentially explode with too much force and injure people.
This latest action will more than double the size of the existing recall. Automakers have replaced only 28 percent of the 28.8 million inflators that have been recalled starting over two years ago, so the move raises questions about how quickly car owners can expect to get replacement parts.
Takata and other companies have been unable to make new inflators fast enough. Automakers also face difficulty in contacting owners and getting them to take cars to dealers for repairs.
KHP: Truck’s brake not set before damaging track, train derailment
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Highway Patrol investigator says a truck driver failed to set the emergency brakes on a truck and likely caused an Amtrak train derailment west of Dodge City.
The Wichita Eagle reports the truck owned by Cimarron Crossing Feeders rolled downhill, broke through two fences, crossed U.S. 50 and struck the railroad bed. That displaced ties and tracks on the railroad where a train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed shortly after midnight March 14.
Six of the train’s 10 cars derailed, injuring 28 of the 144 people on board.
Technical trooper Herb Bradley wrote that the driver either didn’t set the truck’s parking brake or didn’t completely apply it before it rolled down the hill.
Damage from the derailment was estimated at more than $1.4 million.
Auction of Kansas embezzler’s vehicles raises more than $1.4M
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A fleet of expensive cars and motorcycles seized from a Kansas City-area accountant has sold for more than $1.4 million. See all the vehicle here.
The U.S. Marshals Service announced the results of last week’s auction on Wednesday. The Kansas City Star reports that more than 700 bidders from 30 states participated.
The machines that were sold had belonged to Thomas Hauk, who defrauded more than $4 million from clients. Hauk, of Overland Park, Kansas, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty last December to federal fraud charges linked to his on-the-job theft at a financial services company.
The highest winning bid at the auction was $285,000 for a 2006 Ford GT. A Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Mosler MT900S and McLaren 12C were also among the vehicle available.
Most of the money raised during the auction at KCI Auto Auction in Kansas City, Missouri, will be returned to the theft victims.
Nationals rout Royals to take interleague series
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Daniel Murphy finished a triple shy of the cycle, slumping slugger Bryce Harper also went deep and the Washington Nationals routed the floundering Kansas City Royals 13-2 on Wednesday.
Murphy and Clint Robinson drove in three runs apiece, and just about everyone else in a gray jersey did something at the plate to help the Nationals post one of their best offensive performances in years.
Stephen Strasburg merely had to show up to push his career-best start to 5-0. The big righty wound up allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in six tidy innings.
Kris Medlen (1-3) allowed nine runs, six of them earned, and six hits in two-plus innings for Kansas City. His home ERA rose to 20.65 in two starts at Kauffman Stadium this season.
Man fined for voting in Kansas, Colorado in same election
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says a Wichita man who voted in Kansas and Colorado during the same election has agreed to pay $5,500 in fines.
The guilty pleas to two misdemeanor counts against Ron R. Weems mark the fourth conviction Kobach has obtained since receiving prosecutorial authority from the Kansas Legislature last year. In exchange for those pleas, Kobach dismissed two felony charges of election perjury.
Weems was convicted of voting without being qualified and unlawful advance voting.
The complaint alleges he voted illegally in Kansas in the 2012 and 2014 general elections, while also voting in Teller County in the same elections.
Kobach says in a news release that the prosecutions demonstrate the commitment to ensuring Kansas has the most secure elections in the country.
CORRECTION: FHSU faculty receive tenure, promotion; retiring faculty, staff honored
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
(Editor’s note: Two people were inadvertently omitted from the original FHSU news release – Janice Basgall and Connie Ernst.)
Two ceremonies, one to honor faculty who have been tenured, promoted or both by Fort Hays State University, and another to honor retiring faculty and staff, are planned for the Black and Gold Room in Fort Hays State University’s Memorial Union on Friday, May 6.
The tenure and promotion recognition will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Seven faculty members were granted tenure and promoted to the listed academic rank.
Dr. Hendratta Ali, associate professor of geosciences.
Dr. Ivalah Allen, associate professor of music and theatre.
Dr. Timothy Rolls, associate professor of music and theatre.
Dr. Craig Smith, associate professor of agriculture.
Dr. Jeffery Solheim, associate professor of computer science and information systems engineering.
Dr. Janet Stramel, associate professor of teacher education.
Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, associate professor of communication studies.
Two faculty members were granted tenure:
Dr. Paul Nienkamp, assistant professor of history.
Dr. David Tostenson, assistant professor of philosophy.
Dr. Christine Hober, chair of the Department of Nursing, was promoted to professor.
The retirement ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. Faculty and staff retiring during this current academic year will be recognized:
Barbara Bieker, Business Office.
Janice Basgall, Forsyth Library.
Tim Chapman, FHSU Foundation.
Randy Collins, Kansas Wetlands Education Center.
Connie Ernst, Department of Advanced Education Programs.
Dr. Dorothy Fulton, Advanced Education Programs.
David Giebler, Department of Chemistry.
Dr. Jean Gleichsner, Department of Agriculture.
Dr. John Greathouse, Department of Agriculture.
Paulette Harp, Residential Life.
Gary Hoffman, Department of Informatics.
Dr. James Hohman, Department of Chemistry.
Dorothy Klaus, FHSU Foundation.
Sharolyn Legleiter, Forsyth Library.
Terry Leiker, Business Office.
Dr. Robert Meier, Department of Informatics.
Gloria Mlinek, College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Ron Newman, Kansas Small Business Development Center Regional Center.
Dr. Carl Parker, Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting.
Catherine Reeves, Office of the Registrar.
Darlene Schippers, Business Office.
Dr. Robert Stephenson, Department of Agriculture.
Kent Steward, University Relations and Marketing.
Dr. Rory Terry, Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting.
Rhonda Tutak, Memorial Union.
Rosalie Weber, Custodial Services.
Dr. Regi Wieland, Department of Advanced Education Programs.
Beverly Wilkens, Department of Teacher Education.
Joseph Yanda, Custodial Services.
O’Loughlin ‘Billionaires’: First time players are best in Kansas Stock Market Game
Submitted
All four teams at O’Loughlin Elementary School placed in the top 15 of the Kansas Stock Market Game’s 10-week spring session that ended April 22, 2016.
Fifth grade class 5B, self-named “The Billionaires,” is the state champion, placing first out of 111 teams that competed at the elementary level across Kansas.
Along with a well-diversified portfolio, student Quinton McGuire’s investment in Marathon Oil (MRO) gained the most for this team. He bought nearly 500 shares of MRO at $8.10 each which quickly grew to $14.34 per share.
Each team got $100,000 symbolic dollars to invest (approximately $4,000 per student), and each student got to analyze and pick which company they wanted to invest in.
O’Loughlin started the game two weeks late so in only eight short weeks, The Billionaires ended the game with a 4.87% gain of $4,868.
Fourth grade class 4B, the self-named “Tech Warriors”, came in right behind 5B with a strong second place finish.
Along with a well-diversified portfolio of 11 stocks including Apple, Home Depot and McDonald’s, they also chose to retain 23% of their equity in interest-earning cash, ending the game with a 4.67% gain of $4,665, only $203 behind first place.
Fifth grade class 5A “Tech Eagles” finished in fifth place and fourth grade class 4A “Fort Hays Tigers” finished in 15th place, with gains of $3,872 and $2,180 respectively.
O’Loughlin’s top two teams received invitations to the 2016 KCEE Regional Awards Dinner, but since the event takes place after the last day of school, students are celebrating locally with a picnic party during class.
In addition to the class party, each student in the top 5% gets their choice of a prize (drawstring backpack or t-shirt) sponsored by the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner’s Investor Education & Protection Fund, the Cloud L. Cray Foundation, and the Kansas Council for Economic Education (KCEE) Donors.
“Students learned the stock market can be volatile, up one day and down the next,” O’Loughlin technology teacher Starla Gano said in a news release. “So we celebrated our little victories along the way with weekly rankings while learning the fundamentals of investing and real world skills in technology, math, social studies, and economics.
“Considering this was our first time to play the Kansas Stock Market Game, we are very excited to have all four O’Loughlin teams place in the Top 15 statewide,” said Gano.
For more information about the Kansas Stock Market game, visit https://kansas.councilforeconed.org/ and https://stockmarketgame.org.
Kansas man hospitalized after transit vehicle rolls
RENO COUNTY -A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. on Wednesday in Reno County
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford transit vehicle driven by Jason Scott, 39, Wichita, was southbound on Salem Road three miles west of Nickerson
The vehicle struck ruts in the roadway and rolled on to the passenger side into the east ditch.
Scott was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Kansas motel fire under investigation
HUTCHINSON– Investigators are working to determine the cause of a Wednesday morning motel fire in Hutchinson.
Fire units responded to the Budget Host motel on West 4th for just after 7:30 a.m., according to a media release.
Crews found heavy fire involvement on the first floor with fire extension to the second story.
They made an aggressive attack on the room involved. Significant fire damage was sustained to in that room.
Preliminary damage is estimated at $75,000, to include the building and contents. No injuries were reported.
The fire was controlled in 10 minutes, while units remained on scene for an hour overhauling and monitoring for hot spots.
Marvin J. “Shorty” Kreutzer
Marvin J. “Shorty” Kreutzer, 80, Hays, died Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at his home.
He was born June 27, 1935 in Liebenthal, Kansas the son of Paul and Rose (Unrein) Kreutzer. He graduated from Hays High School and proudly served in the U.S. Army.
On July 23, 1960 he married Patricia Ann Karlin in Severin, Kansas. They celebrated 55 years of marriage.
He was a meat cutter at P&B Packers and LaCrosse Meat Processing. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, refurbishing fishing poles, gardening, fixing bicycles and tinkering in his work shop. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, of the home in Hays, two sons; Rick Kreutzer and companion Carmen Gerber of Hays and John Kreutzer and wife Mary of Ellis, two daughters; Cindy Dinkel and husband Mark of Hays, and Karen Klaus and husband Pete of Victoria, a brother Wilfred Kreutzer of Hays, thirteen grandchildren; Brandy Crawford and husband Bradley of Junction City, Elizabeth Jones and husband Logan of Bismark, ND, Adam and Rachel Kreutzer of Hays, Megan Schroeder and husband Josh of Hays, Michael Dinkel of Hays, Matt and Josh Kreutzer of Ellis, Nancy Dinges of Hays, Mackenzie Riedel of Russell, Pete Klaus and wife Merranda of Grand Island, NE, Amber Teel and husband Matt of Salina, Jennifer Klaus of Salina, twelve great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dennis Kreutzer and wife Kay, three sisters; Georgine Wahlmeier and husband Robert, Elsie Jacobs and husband Simon, and Viola “Olie” Weigel and husband LaVerne, a sister in law Patricia Kreutzer, and a great grandson Zander Dinges.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays. Inurnment will be at 1:00 pm in the St. Severin Cemetery in Severin.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 9:30 am until service time on Saturday at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to The ARC of Central Plains Thrift Shop, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.
Jake Gaughan signs to throw at FHSU
By Dustin Armbruster
A renewed dedication to the weight room did more that just improve the throwing marks of Hays High senior Jake Gaughan this spring. It also landed him a track and field scholarship with Fort Hays State University.
The senior signed his national letter of intent on Tuesday morning, joining his brother and sister as FHSU athletes. Kylie ran cross country and track while Zach just finished up his senior season with the football team.
Jake Gaughan
While a little bit of natural sibling rivalry pops up from time to time, Jake said watching his older sister and brother compete for the Tigers allowed him to become comfortable with the FHSU atmosphere.
Coach Mitch Harris
Gaughan threw just javelin on varsity last season leaving him off of college radars. Gaughan believed though he could be good enough to throw collegiality and knew that way there would take him through the weight room. This season Gaughan has steadily improved his distances landing him with the 13th best throw in the discus this season at 159′-6.5″. Discus naturally is also his favorite event.
Kansas woman hospitalized after SUV rolls into a ravine
SALINE COUNTY – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 7p.m. on Tuesday in Saline County.
The Saline County Sheriff’s Department reported a 2011 Chevy Equinox driven by Sandra French, 58, Salina, was northbound on Old 81 Highway near the Ottawa County line.
The vehicle drifted left and crashed into a ravine on the west side of the road.
French was able to call for help, according to Saline County Undersheriff Roger Soldan.
French was transported to Salina Regional Health Center and then flown to Wichita for treatment of possible internal injuries and a medical condition that may have contributed to the crash, according to Soldan.