July 2016 – Page 53 – Hays Post Archive

Amazon announces plan to bring more jobs to Kansas

Posted on July 12, 2016

EDGERTON, Kan. (AP) — Amazon is adding a 1,000-job fulfillment center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Kansas City, Kan., Mayor Mark Holland confirmed Monday that the e-commerce powerhouse will occupy an 856,000-square-foot industrial building. It is expected to open in late 2017 near Interstate 70.

The Kansas City Star reports that the developer asked for a tax abatement in June and said an “online sales fulfillment business” would be the tenant. However, the company was not publicly identified then.

In March, Amazon announced a similar center in Edgerton. Amazon now has five facilities in Kansas. Brownback says the Kansas City, Kansas, center shouldn’t affect them. The company decided in 2014 to close a facility in Coffeyville.

The new center will feature classrooms to help employees earn their associate degrees.

FHSU’s online programs continue to earn spots in national rankings

Posted on July 12, 2016July 7, 2016

FHSU University Relations

An online education is on the minds of more students, parents and caregivers each day as balancing full-time jobs and life’s challenges makes earning a degree on campus seem impossible.

With more than 20 years of online experience and more than 40 online programs, Fort Hays State University makes its mark on more ranking sites each month as one of the top online choices for earning an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree from home.

This month, four different sites ranked the overall programs, the computer science and the RN-to-BSN program offered through FHSU’s Virtual College as top choices in the nation.

CollegeValuesOnline.com

No. 2, Top 50 Computer Science Degrees for International Students

According to College Values Online, FHSU’s Bachelor of Science in computer science, available online and on campus, ranks as the No. 2 choice for international students.

“Many of the challenges international students face when seeking to study in the U.S. are obvious,” says College Values Online. “From the logistics of obtaining all the right paperwork and visas to dealing with admissions policies that often prioritize domestic students over international.”

“The ranking considered tuition rates, return on investment, percentage of international students, and distinguishing characteristics using data that was gathered from the Institute of Education Science and Payscale.com,” said Jamie Bond, communications manager for College Values Online.

College Values Online estimates $229,500 as the the average 20-year ROI on a computer science degree from FHSU.

“Students in the computer science program at Fort Hays State will find themselves well positioned to pursue jobs with many industry leaders including Apple, Boeing, Facebook, Intel, Netflix, and various federal intelligence agencies and national labs,” says College Values Online.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2929Uft.

CollegeChoice.net

No. 3, Best Online RN-to-BSN Programs, 2016

College Choice ranks the online RN-to-BSN program at FHSU third in a list of 50. Using College Choice’s ranking methodology, FHSU’s program earned a score of 99.63 out of 100.

As registered nurses, online students can enroll in FHSU’s Bachelor of Science nursing program. Students don’t need to move to Hays and are able to fulfill the clinical portion of the program in their hometowns.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/291iDQ4.

Last month, this same program was ranked No. 9 by BestCollegeReviews.org.

BestDegreePrograms.org

No. 10, 50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs for In-State Students 2016

While the tuition for on-campus courses increase for out-of-state students, the online courses at FHSU are the same cost per credit hour whether a student is from Kansas, New York, Canada or Thailand.

For the 2015-16 academic year, Fort Hays State University was the only state university in Kansas that did not increase online tuition rates. Tuition per credit hour for the 2015-16 academic year was $194.14 for undergraduates, $253.07 for graduates and $400 for M.B.A. students. The 2016-17 academic year, however, students can expect a 6-percent tuition increase, still making FHSU the top affordability choice for online Kansas students.

“The ranking was created using the National Center for Educational Statistics College Navigator database to narrow our list down to schools based on in-state net price and accreditation,” said Jamie Agamalian, manager of online communications for Best Degree Programs. “We then ranked the schools in order of affordability.”

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/1UAWq8K.

MastersProgramsGuide.com

No. 31, 50 Best Online Graduate Programs 2015-2016

FHSU’s graduate degree programs offered through the Virtual College rank as the 31st best choice for online students, beating out Kansas State University, the University of Missouri, Texas Tech University and Pennsylvania State University.

Master’s Programs Guide says that while online students need to be self-motivated and organized, it is also a university’s job to provide a wide range of technological tools and resources to help students succeed.

To create this ranking, Master’s Programs Guide used information from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. News and World Report, and school websites. Criteria considered in the rankings includes accreditation, offering more than 10 graduate degrees that are 100-percent online, average level of student debt at graduation, student support services available remotely and student access to technology.

“It’s terrific that you are able to offer high-quality education combined with the flexibility of online coursework so that people who are unable to take advantage of traditional college are still able to obtain the knowledge and degrees to better themselves and excel in their chosen fields,” said Anne Velusa with Master’s Programs Guide.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/1XYrmqo.

Monarchs Jr. Legion drops zone tournament opener

Posted on July 12, 2016

SALINA – The Hays Monarchs Jr. American Legion baseball team put together a late inning comeback in their Class A Zone Tournament opener against McPherson Monday evening at Dean Evans Stadium in Salina, but the comeback bid fell short in an 8-7 loss.

The top-seeded Monarchs (18-6) scored twice in the first inning but McPherson answered with seven unanswered runs to build a 7-2 lead after four.

The Monarchs scored a run in the fifth then two in the sixth on RBI doubles from Karl Rack and Zane Staab to close the gap to 7-5.

McPherson (6-18) tacked on a key run in the top of the seventh. The Monarchs would get two in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball and an error but that would be it.

Carlos Schwindt allowed five runs on six hits over three innings took the loss.

The Monarchs will now face Salina in an elimination game Tuesday at 5pm. If they win they move on to play the loser between Great Bend and McPherson at 8pm. If they lose, they are eliminated.

HAWVER: Medicaid expansion might be gaining traction in Kansas

Posted on July 12, 2016July 11, 2016

It’s pretty standard for conservative candidates for the Legislature—mostly Republicans—to blast “Obamacare” as they have labeled the Affordable Care Act. It’s pretty catchy in some circles.

The idea of forcing people to buy health insurance which subsidizes health insurance, thereby making more health care available to the poor who can’t afford it, does sound a little…well…heavy-handed to many.

But the upcoming session of the Legislature which hundreds of Kansans are campaigning to join may be the first in which chances are just a little less than even Kansas might jump into the ACA and its expansion of health care for the poor. No, not good, but at least a little less dismal than this year.

Last session, recall, House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, pulled four Republicans off the House Health and Human Services Committee because they liked the idea of using the ACA to expand eligibility for Medicaid (in Kansas we now catchily call it “KanCare”).

And so Republican Reps. Susan Concannon, Beloit (who had been vice chair of the committee), Barbara Bollier, Mission Hills, Don Hill, Emporia, and Kevin Jones, Wellsville, were taken off the 17-member committee, making sure that the 13 Republicans on the panel couldn’t join with Democrats to pass an Obamacare expansion bill to the full House.

Merrick isn’t seeking re-election and after this fall’s election, there will be a new House Speaker who will single-handedly make appointments to the Health and Human Services Committee in the House.

In the Senate, well, we’ll see how the elections go…

Practically, though, while in most districts it’s hard to go wrong blasting Obamacare on a strictly partisan basis, outgoing President, Democrat-based and all that, this might just be the year that it comes down to a pocketbook issue and public health care issue for Kansans.

Buy your own health insurance? Or have it provided by your employer?

Most private health insurance premiums have risen in the past year, partly because hospitals take care of the sick and injured…whether those patients have health insurance or not. That’s what hospital emergency rooms do—help whoever shows up.

Now, if all those patients had insurance, private or government-assisted, the hospitals would get paid at least something for delivering that care. Which means that those with private or company-sponsored health insurance don’t have to see their rates rise to help hospitals afford that care they are obligated to offer to those without insurance. For the individual insurance policy, it means lower hikes in rates, and for those with employer-provided health insurance it means rates are lower too, which translates either into continued coverage or coverage at a lower rate that might leave some room for other benefits—like maybe raises.

How’s that sound on the campaign doorstep?

And, that loss of revenue to hospitals from the ACA is severely pinching their budgets and might mean that some either close or dramatically reduce services, which means that some cities and towns might wind up with less hospital service, less health care, and all of that. Losing a hospital and health care services, or putting them an hour’s drive away, isn’t something most Kansans want, and isn’t something most candidates for the Legislature are willing to present as a byproduct of not expanding KanCare through the ACA.

Oh, and don’t forget that Kansans who can’t get health care in some way are shopping at the same stores you shop at, and sending their children to the same schools your children go to, where a sneeze can mean your children come home sniffling.

Wondering about the ACA? Probably worthwhile talking about it with those candidates or their supporters on your doorstep.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

Partly sunny, hot with a chance for overnight storms

Posted on July 12, 2016

Isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are possible across central and portions of southwest Kansas tonight.

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind 9 to 14 mph.

Tonight A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4am and 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. East southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

WednesdayA slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday NightA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 9 mph.

ThursdayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East northeast wind 8 to 17 mph.

Thursday NightA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

FridayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.

Hearing on drug charges against former Kan. school counselor delayed

Posted on July 12, 2016

HUTCHINSON -The preliminary hearing for a former Kansas middle school counselor arrested and charged after the Reno County Drug Unit served a search warrant on his home has been continued until July 19.

The search warrant was served on a home in the 1600 block of Aurora in December.

Terry Lamont McMurry, 49, at the time a counselor at Faris Elementary in Hutchinson, is accused of possessing cocaine and marijuana, both with intent to distribute, possession of drug proceeds, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package and two counts of no drug tax stamp.

Found inside the house was marijuana and cocaine packaged for sale, packaging material, scales and cash according to officials.

Marijuana was also found in McMurry’s Mustang and crack cocaine was found in his Mercedes convertible.

Three Mercedes cars and the Mustang were all seized during the search of the home.

A 2-month-old baby was at the residence at the time and was taken into custody by law enforcement.

Summer storms bring heavy rain, strong winds to Kansas

Posted on July 12, 2016

Trees down in Salina and many other areas of central Kansas

SALINE COUNTY -Thunderstorms that moved through central Kansas early Tuesday morning produced winds that toppled trees and knocked out power in Salina.

Strong winds moved into Salina about 2:45a.m.

A gust of 64miles per hour was reported at Salina Regional Airport at 3:09a.m.

A tree took down power lines on North Front Street just north of East Ash. Trees were reported down across the community

The Westar Energy website was reporting about 650 customers in Salina were without power.

National Weather Service Radar estimated heavy rainfall in portions of Saline, Ellsworth, Rice, McPherson, and Ottawa Counties prompting flash flood warnings.

U.S. Marshal’s task force arrests 2nd Kan. restaurant robbery suspect

Posted on July 12, 2016July 12, 2016

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating two suspects in connection with two robberies.

On Monday, the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force in Kansas City arrested 29-year-old Gary L. Gillom, according to a media release.

On July 7th the Topeka Police Department along with the US Marshals Task Force arrested 26-year-old Darien Fulton.

The suspects are being held for the robbery to Arby’s located at 1187 SW Gage on June

26th and the Long John Silver’s Robbery located at 2746 SW Fairlawn on June 27th.

Man sentenced for robbery, threatening to "shoot up a bank"

Posted on July 11, 2016

Robinson identified from FBI surveillance image

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison for robbing two Kansas banks and one in Missouri.

The U.S. attorney’s office says Robert Robinson, of Kansas City, was sentenced Monday. Prosecutors say that while robbing a Commerce Bank branch on May, 30, 2014, in Overland Park, Kansas, he threatened to “start shooting up the place” in a note.

He also admitted through his plea to robbing another Commerce Bank branch that same day in St. Joseph, Missouri, and a Bank of America in Overland Park, Kansas, earlier that month.

Community Connection: Dr. Mirta Martin

Posted on July 11, 2016July 7, 2016

Mike Cooper visits with Dr. Mirta Martin on what is taking place on the campus of Fort Hays State University.

W. Kan Cargill cattle feed yard remains as others are sold

Posted on July 11, 2016July 11, 2016

CARGILL

WICHITA–Cargill is announcing the sale of its beef cattle feed yards at Bovina and Dalhart, Texas, to Amarillo-based Friona Industries, L.P. Terms of the pending sale are not being disclosed. Finalization of the transaction will take place upon the completion of definitive agreements and any required regulatory reviews. Cargill will retain its cattle feed yards at Yuma, Colo., and Leoti, Kan.

“Selling our feed yards in the Texas panhandle allows us to redeploy many tens of millions of dollars annually into investments that will help us grow our protein business money that otherwise would have been tied up as working capital used to purchase and feed cattle,” said John Keating, president of Cargill’s Wichita-based beef business. “This decision makes sense particularly because we have a terrific and longstanding business relationship with Friona Industries, which already supplies Cargill with excellent cattle from their four feed yards. The Texas feed yards we are selling will continue to supply cattle to our beef processing plants while also enhancing Friona Industries feed yard portfolio.”

Sale of Cargill’s Texas cattle feed yards aligns with the company’s evolving protein business strategy which emphasizes growth fueled by being the supplier of choice for customers and by providing them with superior products and services. “We are investing to better serve and delight our current and future customers,” stated Keating. “Anticipating the future direction protein demand is headed, we believe it is wise to redeploy capital away from feed yard and cattle ownership to projects that enhance our capabilities and provide greater value to our customers and consumers, now and in the future.”

Over the past 12 months, Cargill has announced approximately $500 million in acquisitions and capital investments to grow its North American protein business. Investments include: purchase of a beef processing plant in South Carolina and a custom cooked meats, soups and sauces business with plants in Texas and Tennessee; conversion of a Nebraska ground beef plant to a specialized cooked meats plant; a new beef distribution center at the company’s Dodge City, Kan., beef processing facility; and an expansion of egg processing capabilities at a Michigan plant.

“These are concrete examples of our ongoing commitment to grow our protein business,” said Keating. “We have a lot of positive momentum and are confident it will continue to build going forward as we continue to help our customers businesses thrive.”

The approximately 90 people who currently work at Cargill’s Bovina and Dalhart feed yards will be offered positions with Friona Industries.

Earlier US case of antibiotic resistant superbug precursor found

Posted on July 11, 2016

MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City patient was found to have been infected with bacteria last year that had a special type of resistance to antibiotics, the earliest known case in the U.S. of bacteria that could lead to a superbug impervious to medications.

The bacteria were found in a patient who was treated in May of 2015 and reported in a study published Monday in the American Society of Microbiology’s journal.

Researchers found bacteria that were resistant to colistin, an old, powerful antibiotic that is now seen as a drug of last resort.

A similar infection was reported in a Pennsylvania woman earlier this year and initially reported as the first known U.S. case, but the New York case happened almost a year before.

UPDATE Combine hitting pole the likely cause of Ellis Co. power outage

Posted on July 11, 2016July 12, 2016

Power has been restored to customers south of Interstate 70 between Hays and Ellis after a brief power outage.

Midwest Energy spokesman said the short-lived outage affected about 250 customers. The most likely cause, he said, was a combine that came into contact with a pole outside the Midwest service area, which opened a break at a Midwest substation.

Power was rerouted and was restored to all customers at about 7 p.m., according to the company’s outage viewer. The outage lasted only about a half hour.