September 2016 – Page 61 – Hays Post Archive

FHSU volleyball improves to 8-0 with two wins Saturday

Posted on September 10, 2016September 12, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It took a different road to get there, but the Fort Hays State University volleyball team ended with a familiar result Saturday afternoon at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Volleyball Invitational. The Tigers extended their season-opening winning streak to eight matches with a pair of victories, opening the day with a thrilling five-set victory over tournament host Westminster College (2-5) before outlasting Minot State (4-4) in four sets.

The Tigers were the only team to finish the tournament 4-0, leading the competition with a .242 hitting percentage on the weekend and 42 total blocks. FHSU is now 8-0 for the first time since 2003 (14-0) and for the sixth time in program history.

With one match yet to play, Rebekah Spainhour led all players in the tournament with a .378 attack percentage, 22 total blocks and 72.0 points while ranking second with 55 kills, five behind teammate Crystal Whitten.

The squad will return to action next weekend for four matches in Denver, Colo. The Tigers will open the weekend against Central Christian at 9 a.m. (CDT) on Friday (Sept. 16) before a 3 p.m. duel with Graceland. The tournament continues Saturday with a match against Haskell at 11 a.m. before wrapping up with tournament hosts Johnson & Wales at 7 p.m.

Fort Hays State 3, Westminster 2 (18-25, 28-26, 25-13, 19-25, 15-7)
In a matchup between the only teams to go 2-0 on Friday, the Tigers emerged victorious in a five-set duel against the Westminster Griffins. FHSU hit .200 for the match while holding the Griffins to a .127 attack percentage. The Tigers brought the match home with a blazing .389 hitting effort in the fifth set, recording nine kills to just two errors.

Senior Rebekah Spainhour matched her career record with 19 kills in the match, also leading the way with an unstoppable .415 attack percentage and seven total blocks (one solo). Crystal Whitten contributed 18 kills, two service aces and a team-high 21 digs. Setter Hannah Wagy tossed up a personal-best 61 assists for the third time in her career at FHSU, adding five total blocks (one solo) and seven digs. Callie Christensen turned in five block assists and five kills while Megan Anderson tallied 12 kills and three total blocks.

After taking the first set, 25-18, the Griffins scored the first point in the second set and seemed to be on the way to a two-set lead. But the Tigers kept things close, never falling behind by more than four, before finally taking the lead at 23-22 on a big block from Christensen and Spainhour. The Griffins managed three set points after taking the next two rallies, but two kills from Spainhour and a Westminster attack error kept the Tigers alive. After Spainhour returned serve to the Tigers at 26-26, back-to-back attacks from Whitten and Anderson leveled the match at one set apiece.

The Tigers found their groove in the third set, winning 25-13 after taking eight of the first 10 points in the frame. Spainhour extended the lead to 20-10 with a kill on a pass from Wagy after a solo block. Kailey Klibbe came in to serve for the final four points, recording one service ace before a block from Spainhour and Wagy made the score 23-13. Two Griffin attack errors put the Tigers within one set of victory.

The Griffins leveled the match after taking the fourth set, 25-19, with Westminster going on multiple five-point runs. The teams traded points to open the final frame before a kill from Spainhour returned serve to FHSU trailing 7-6. Klibbe then subbed in to serve, helping the Tigers score nine-straight points to win the match. Wagy and Spainhour combined for a block before each recorded a kill to extend the lead to 12-7. After a pair of Griffin attack errors, Whitten ended the match on a kill after a pass from Wagy.

Fort Hays State 3, Minot State 1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19)
The Tigers returned to the floor after a two-hour break and struggled to find a rhythm against Minot State. The Beavers kept the first set within reach before making their move late in the game, scoring five of the last six points to take the set, 25-21. But the momentum quickly shifted back to Fort Hays State, with the Tigers limiting MSU to just 12, 15 and 19 points in the final three sets, respectively.

The Tigers hit an eye-popping .314 for the match, including three sets with an attack percentage above .355 (2nd .357, 3rd .390, 4th .355). Just as impressive was the Tigers’ season-high 14 total blocks while the Beavers managed just three blocks in the match.

Rebekah Spainhour continued a tremendous day on the floor, hitting .480 with 14 kills compared to just two attack errors. The senior added four total blocks and one service ace. Callie Christensen tied a personal-best with nine total blocks, while Megan Anderson added eight blocks and 10 kills. Crystal Whitten led the team with 16 kills, adding eight digs and two blocks. Ari Jacobson led the team with 16 kills wit Hannah Wagy leading the way with 49 assists.

The Tigers quickly bounced back after dropping the opening set, jumping out to an 8-2 lead in the second frame. A pair of Whitten kills and service aces from Kailey Klibbe and Spainhour helped FHSU score nine of the final 10 points in the set to capture a dominating 25-12 victory.

The Tigers never trailed in the third set after a block from Anderson and Christensen set the tone on the first point. Three kills from Sydney Dixon gave FHSU a quick 5-2 lead before Whitten knocked down four kills in five points, extending the advantage to 13-5. The set was bookended with Anderson and Whitten going up for a block to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth set belonged to Megan Anderson, who recorded six kills, zero attack errors and two blocks in the frame. Multiple kills from Anderson and Dixon alongside two blocks from Christensen and Anderson put the Tigers in front, 17-10. Later, Anderson gave the Tigers a shot at match point with a kill and ended the contest two rallies later with an attack on a pass from Wagy.

Man sentenced in killing of 17-year-old Kansas girl

Posted on September 10, 2016

SALINA, Kan. (AP) — One of five men convicted in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old Salina girl will spend at least 25 years in prison.

The Salina Journal reports 19-year-old Andrew Woodring was sentenced Friday to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Woodring was 17 in May 2015 when Allie Saum was shot as she rode in a pickup truck. He was prosecuted as an adult and pleaded no contest to felony murder.

Prosecutors say Woodring drove the shooter, Macio D. Palacio Jr., to and from the site where Saum was shot.

Woodring and the other men were seeking revenge against two men Woodring had fought with earlier. Saum was shot because she was riding in a pickup similar to one the men were seeking.

Ohio builds big early lead, knocks off Kansas

Posted on September 10, 2016

By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Greg Windham threw for 167 yards and a touchdown, ran for 146 yards and another score, and led Ohio to a 37-21 victory over mistake-prone Kansas on a sun-splashed Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Dorian Brown added 122 yards rushing, Louie Zervos was 5-for-5 on field goals, and Papi White and Mason Morgan also scored for the Bobcats (1-1), who rebounded from a triple-overtime loss to Texas State a week ago to beat a Kansas (1-1) team coming off its first win in more than a year.

LaQuvionte Gonzalez had a 99-yard kickoff return for the Jayhawks, but he also muffed a pair of punts that led to field goals. Montell Cozart threw for 198 yards and hit Steven Sims Jr. for a pair of TDs, but the dual-threat quarterback also struggled to deal with constant pressure.

The Jayhawks did everything they could to give the game away.

Along with Gonzalez’s punt return trouble, the Jayhawks had a snap go awry on their own punt that led to another field goal. Ke’aun Kinner was stacked up in the end zone for a safety in the first quarter. And a series of penalties at the most inopportune of times kept Ohio scoring drives alive.

The result was a first half about as lopsided as they come: The Bobcats out-gained the Jayhawks 359 to 21, had 18 first downs to one, and controlled the ball for 22 minutes, 56 seconds.

Yet the Jayhawks managed to make it interesting.

Cozart connected with Sims on a 74-yard touchdown pass on the second play out of the locker room, and then hit Sims from 22 yards out a few minutes later to trim a 28-7 halftime lead to 31-21.

But an Ohio defense that allowed 630 yards to Texas State held the Jayhawks to three straight punts, deflating a crowd that began to dwindle. And Windham showed the poise of a fifth-year senior rather than a quarterback making his second career start, scrambling for a crucial first down midway through the fourth quarter that kept the clock moving and the Kansas offense on the sideline.

The outcome was nothing new for Ohio coach Frank Solich, who went 6-0 against the Jayhawks when he was with former Big 12 rival Nebraska. He beat them by an average of 40-9 over that stretch.

It was all-too-familiar for Kansas coach David Beaty, too. He was hoping to build on a victory over Rhode Island last week that ended the Jayhawks’ 15-game losing streak.

THE TAKEAWAY

Ohio: The Bobcats ran for 334 yards without top running back A.J. Ouellette, who hurt his foot the previous week. He was on crutches when the captains went on the field for the coin toss.

Kansas: The Jayhawks were 0 for 8 on third down, failed to pick up both fourth downs and still could not settle on a quarterback. Ryan Willis threw a pick late in the fourth quarter in relief.

UP NEXT

Ohio: Tries to beat another power-five opponent when it visits Tennessee on Saturday.

Kansas: Heads to Memphis on Saturday to face a team that beat the Jayhawks 55-23 a year ago.

KU seeks dismissal of student’s sexual assault lawsuit

Posted on September 10, 2016

Sarah McClure's father speaking out about the lawsuit in June-image courtesy KSHB — Sarah McClure’s father speaking out about the lawsuit in June-image courtesy KSHB

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former student who claims the school didn’t do enough to protect students from sexual assault.

Former Kansas rower Sarah McClure filed the lawsuit after she reported being raped by a former football player. Another former rower, Daisy Tackett, later filed a similar lawsuit, claiming she was raped by the same person.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the university filed a motion Friday arguing McClure’s lawsuit should be dismissed. The university has filed a similar motion in Tackett’s lawsuit.

Spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Paterson said the university believes it met its obligations to both women.

The university investigated the reports and the suspected assailant was expelled. He has not been charged with any crimes.

COLUMN: Thank a farmer at the Kansas State Fair

Posted on September 10, 2016September 9, 2016

By MARSHA BOSWELL
Kansas Wheat

This year’s Kansas Wheat state fair booth once again pays homage to Kansas wheat farmers. The theme of the booth is #ThankAFarmer.

Visitors to the Kansas Wheat booth in the Pride of Kansas building are encouraged to stop by and sign a thank you card for the wheat farmers of the state, who work long and hard to grow the healthy grains that feed a hungry world.

In years like this one, farmers may find it difficult to remain optimistic about the future of farming, with depressed prices and struggling markets. But there is a rose among the thorns in the form of improved productivity with record yields due to good management practices, good weather and improved varieties.

Farmer-leaders of the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers will be on hand to answer questions from their fellow farmers.

Fairgoers will also get a chance to learn about the many products that contain wheat. The “Bread, Bath & Beyond” display highlights the many products made from wheat, from foods to pet litter to bath products to industrial adhesives to many things in between.

The 2016 Kansas Wheat Recipe Book is hot off the presses, making its debut at the Kansas State Fair booth. The annual recipe book, a staple in kitchens statewide, features recipes developed by Cindy Falk and Julene DeRouchey, nutrition educators at Kansas Wheat. The recipes have been thoroughly tested and perfected, as the staff members of Kansas Wheat can confirm. Recipes include Speedy Pesto-Garlic Skillet Bread, Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Pretzel Balls, Blueberry-Lemon Wheat Rolls, Twisted Honey Nut Loaves and many more! This year’s recipe book, along with a limited quantity of the 2015 recipe book, will be available for free at the Kansas Wheat booth. These recipes are also available at nationalfestivalofbreads.com.

Young visitors to the booth will enjoy getting their photo taken in one of the new cutouts this year. Kids and other visitors can pose in a Kansas wheat field or inside a combine cab to have their photos taken.

Farmers are also encouraged to attend a forum at the state fair on Saturday, September 10, with ag economist Dr. Allen Featherstone from Kansas State University, to detail the current problems with low commodity prices. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee, and Representative Mike Conaway, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, will be there to hear this first-hand. This is one avenue to let people know of the difficulties Kansas growers are facing.

Other exhibits include the market wheat show, 4-H Wheat Variety Plot Display Awards, Kansas wheat photography contest and Kansas Wheat Breadbasket. On September 13 at 2:00 p.m., nutrition educators Falk and DeRouchey will be giving a presentation in the domestic arts building entitled, “National Festival of Breads tips and trends.”

On Governor’s Day, September 15, winners of the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest will receive their awards. The top record-breaking yield was 121.48 bushels per acre, achieved by Alec Horton of Horton Seed Services in Leoti, Kansas, on his plot of Joe, a new hard white wheat variety from the Kansas Wheat Alliance. The governor will also announce the winner of the quality initiative, which achieved the highest overall quality, mill and bake scores.

Kansas Wheat representatives will man the Agriland exhibit on Saturday, September 17. Fairgoers will have the chance to ride in a virtual combine, sift grain between their fingers, milk Blossom – the mechanical dairy cow, learn about livestock feed rations and walk through the soil tunnel trailer for an under-the-scenes look at Kansas soils.

The Kansas State Fair runs September 9-18, 2016. While visiting the State Fair, take the opportunity to stop by the Pride of Kansas building to visit the Kansas Wheat booth and learn more about our number one crop, from research to production to wheat foods, which provide about 20% of global calories for human consumption and ensure that the world has enough to eat.

Marsha Boswell is Director of Communications at Kansas Wheat.

Man admits aiming laser pointer at KC police helicopter

Posted on September 10, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to aiming his laser pointer at a Kansas City Police Department helicopter, according to Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Jordon Clarence Rogers, 26, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer to the charge contained in an Oct 29, 2014, superseding indictment.

By pleading guilty, Rogers admitted that he aimed the beam of a laser pointer at a Kansas City Police Department helicopter on Oct. 8, 2013.

Rogers struck the helicopter three times with a green laser light. He twice hit the eye of one of the pilots, causing eye strain that lasted for hours after the incident.

Under federal statutes, Rogers is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

🎥 Hays High senior helps classmates learn about, remember 9/11

Posted on September 10, 2016September 10, 2016

Alanna Hansen, HHS senior, organized an all-school assembly to remember the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. — Alanna Hansen, HHS senior, organized an all-school assembly to remember Sunday’s 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

She was just two years old on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorist attacks hit America in New York City, Washington, D.C., and rural Shanksville, Pa. More than 3,000 people died.

Fifteen years later, Hays High School senior Alanna Hansen, 17, organized an all-school assembly in remembrance of that tragic day.

She knows most of the HHS students were only 3 years old or younger — or not even yet born then, “like my sister who is a freshman.” But Hansen says it’s important to learn about “something that was such an impact on America and was unexpected and it wasn’t about a certain race or religion. It was America as a whole. We were attacked and then during that time, we just kind of came together,” said Hansen.

It seems different today, she believes.

“Especially now, everybody’s kind of separating, and I think remembering days like this where we can be united again and be proud to be an American, is something that’s very important,” she said.

hfd 2 090916 — Some of the Ellis Co. first responders awaiting the start of Friday’s assembly.

She also wanted to recognize and thank local first responders and military veterans for their service.

Hansen approached HHS Principal Marty Straub last December to ask permission to work on the 9/11 project. With Straub’s support, Hansen spent the past nine months planning the event.

Kiwanis Club members placed U.S. flags around Hays High School early Friday morning.

“At first, I thought it was just gonna be something little — like a moment of silence after the announcements came on,” Hansen said. “And then I thought it was going to be maybe 20 minutes. But now, it’s come to be an hour,” she said while standing outside the school where a huge American flag was flying from Hess Crane Services in the parking lot and more U.S. flags, placed by Hays Kiwanis members, lined the sidewalks.

“It really became such a great thing and I’m so excited about today. I just want to thank everyone, especially my principal. It’s amazing what the community of Hays has brought to this,” she said with a big smile. “There’s no way I could have done this without them.”

Seth Kastle, U.S. Army Reserve-Retired, was the featured speaker.

Friday morning, HHS Gym A was filled with students and faculty, local first responders and military members, city dignitaries and state legislators who heard from guest speaker Seth Kastle, a Leadership Studies instructor at Fort Hays State University and a military veteran.

Kastle retired after 15 years from the Army Reserve as a First Sergeant in July 2014. He served substantial time in Germany, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, and spent 24 months in combat zones. He deals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and has written two children’s books about PTSD for military families.

“When we talk about the word sacrifice, we usually just think of our men and women serving in the military. But that’s not all. Men and women in law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, first responders — all of these people sacrifice on a daily basis to preserve our way of life. … They’re putting themselves in harm’s way for our safety and security,” Kastle said, looking directly at the large contingent of first responders sitting in front of him.

Hansen and Straub visit with some of the invited guests.

“I’m here today to tell you America is great because of one word — freedom.

“It’s because men and women in public service make it so. We get to live in a land that is free from oppression. If you don’t think so, I would challenge you to speak to someone who comes from a less fortunate country. I’m sure they would gladly tell you how much better their life is here,” Kastle said.

“My dad, Trent Hansen, works at Fort Hays with him (Kastle) and went to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) with him after basic training–we kind of have connections. I asked him if he would talk and he said ‘Sure,'” Hansen explained.

Hansen's grandfather, Elden Hammerschmidt was the Hays Public Works Director, attending a work conference in Philadelphia on Sept 11, 2001. — Hansen’s grandfather, Elden Hammerschmidt was the Hays Public Works Director, attending a work conference in Philadelphia on Sept 11, 2001.

Hansen showed video interviews with people remembering where they were on that fateful day, including her grandfather Elden Hammerschmidt. He was the Hays Public Works Director at that time and attending a work-related conference in Philadelphia.

“There was a military presence on all street corners. All the planes were grounded. We had a rental car and drove it 24 hours straight from Philadelphia back home to Hays,” Hammerschmidt recalled.

Another video showed ABC’s Good Morning America live coverage as the news anchors scrambled to make sense of what they were seeing at the Twin Towers in New York City.

HHS students clap three times in recognition as each first responder's name is read. — HHS students clap three times in recognition as each first responder’s name is read.

In the audience sat members of the Hays Police Department, Hays and Ellis Co. Rural Fire Departments, Ellis Co. Sheriff’s Dept., Ellis Co. Emergency Medical Services, and the Kansas Highway Patrol, along with local military personnel and veterans. As their names were called out by Hansen and Straub, each stood and was recognized by three quick claps from the crowd.

Military recruiters were also invited to the assembly and to speak to interested students afterwards. SSgt. Aaron Darden is a U.S. Air Force recruiter based in Salina and covers much of western Kansas, including Hays.

SSgt. Aaron Darden, USAF Recruiter, Salina

“Awesome,” is how he described the assembly afterwards.

“An amazing amount of effort, time and thought went into this, keeping the memories fresh in the minds of these young adults.” Darden was in an 8th grade PE class in Franklin, Va., on Sept. 11, 2001. “We knew something tragic had happened, but had no idea of its magnitude and how America changed.

“The terrorist attacks are one reason why I serve,” Darden said.

The assembly opened with a Hays VFW color guard posting the colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Hansen. It ended with the national anthem sang by Hays High School’s elite Chamber Singers under the direction of Johnny Matlock.

The guests of honor were invited to join HHS students and staff for spaghetti in the school lunch room. As people filed out of the gymnasium, they were offered colorful red, white and blue wrist bands that read “9-11-2001 Freedom Is Not Free.”

Alanna Hansen is thanked by Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown for organizing the assembly.

Alanna Hansen will be 18 in February and graduate from Hays High in May. She plans to attend FHSU where she will major in wildlife biology and minor in criminal justice. She wants to become a game warden.

“I’m in government class right now and we’ve talked about 9/11. I wasn’t even thinking about this project to get class credit or anything,” she laughed.

This Flag of Honor, listing the names of all 3,??? killed on 9-11, is used by Sue Boldra in classes she teaches at FHSU. State Rep. Boldra is a former HHS government teacher. — This Flag of Honor, listing the names of the 3,092 people killed on Sept. 11, 2001, is used by Sue Boldra in classes she teaches at FHSU. State Rep. Boldra is a former HHS government teacher.

“I’ve been a proud American and patriotic since I was really little.

“I just like being able to show and share with my fellow classmates that we’re proud after 9/11, especially in Kansas,” Hansen said. “We’re not on one of the coasts. We’re right in the middle of the United States, showing people that we’re proud in tiny town Hays. It’s just awesome, I think. It’s incredible.”

Appeals court blocks Kansas proof-of-citizenship voting requirement

Posted on September 10, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has blocked Kansas, Georgia and Alabama from requiring residents to prove they are U.S. citizens when registering to vote using a national form.

The 2-1 ruling late Friday is a victory for voting rights groups who sued a U.S. election official after he changed proof-of-citizenship requirements on the federal registration form at the behest of the three states.

Other states only require people registering to vote to swear they are citizens, not show documentary proof.

A federal judge in July refused to block the requirement while the case was being decided.

The League of Women Voters and civil rights groups argued that the requirements could lead to the “mass disenfranchisement” of thousands of potential voters — many of them poor, African-American and living in rural areas.

POLL: Wild West Festival wants YOUR input on 2017 performers

Posted on September 10, 2016September 9, 2016

The Wild West Festival planning committee is seeking YOUR input on performers for the 2017 edition of the annual event. The 23rd annual Wild West Festival will be Independence Day weekend in Hays.

Below is a list of performers being considered by the committee in rock, newer country and older country categories. Check a performer if you would like to see them on the Wild West Festival stage June 29 to July 1. (You can cast up to three votes.)

[polldaddy poll=9515843]

—————-

[polldaddy poll=9515846]

——————

[polldaddy poll=9515847]

——————

[polldaddy poll=9516287]
If yes, answer WHO in comments

——————

[polldaddy poll=9516289]
If yes, answer WHO in comments

——————

Revenue secretary: Kansas will re-evaluate how it forecasts tax revenue

Posted on September 10, 2016September 9, 2016

By Secretary of Revenue Nick Jordan

There has been ongoing discussion and evaluation of the small business tax policy, which will continue.

We all interact with small businesses on a day-to-day basis, and every national statistic shows these are key components to our communities and are also significant job creators.

These small businesses have had a difficult time finding capital to grow. Many are entrepreneurs wanting to grow their business in Kansas and don’t qualify for many of the incentives available to large corporations.

To assist them, Kansas has created one of the best small business environments in the country, lowering individual income tax rates by an average 30 percent for Kansas since 2013. Seventy-one percent of the tax savings went to families and individuals, with income taxes eliminated for more than 300,000 of Kansas’ lowest income families. Only 29 percent of the tax savings went to small businesses.

There has been ongoing discussion and evaluation of the small business tax policy, which will continue. The policy has allowed many businesses to grow, and 20,000 first-time small business filers have come to Kansas. These are people and businesses whose Social Security number, name or name of the company has not previously appeared on a Kansas tax return.

The vast majority of the businesses taking advantage of the exemption are truly small. Ninety-three percent have a net income of less than $75,000

They have brought more than $1 billion in new income to Kansas and $899 million in taxable income because small businesses, even with the exemption, pay taxes on wages, capital gains, and dividends and guaranteed payments.

We recognize that people are frustrated and concerned that, while state revenues have been growing annually since fiscal year 2014, collections have not been meeting estimates.

The administration shares that concern and has assembled an external review team of accountants and bankers who are studying the Consensus Estimating Process to see if we can develop a new more reliable and accurate estimating formula.

The group will present their recommendations to the governor’s office by late October. Budget officials and the governor’s office will then begin planning the budget and present a workable, structured plan to the Legislature in January. We look forward to working with the Legislature to address higher than anticipated government expenditures.

There are some who argue that the solution to our challenges is to eliminate the exemption for small business, or even eliminate all the income tax cuts since 2013.

We have said all along that the answer is not higher taxes.

We must continue to put the people of Kansas before the growth of government by managing expenditures and being fiscally responsible while meeting our state’s core needs.

Public health warnings concerning blue-green algae in Kansas waters

Posted on September 10, 2016

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA, Kan. – (September 8, 2016) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment samples publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Lakes under a Warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a Warning, but contact with the water should be avoided. It is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as the fish is rinsed with clean water; only the fillet portion is consumed and all other parts are discarded. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a Warning.

Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

Public Health Warning: High levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Warning indicates that activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock.

Kansas public waters currently under a Warning status:

MILFORD RESERVOIR (Zone C), Clay, Dickinson and Geary Counties
OVERBROOK CITY LAKE, Osage County
SOUTH LAKE (Overland Park), Johnson County

When a Warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

Lake water is not good to drink for pets or livestock
Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans
Water contact should be avoided
Fish can be eaten as long as they are rinsed with clean water, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all other parts
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae
If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible
Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation

Eldon Lee Luhman

Posted on September 10, 2016

Eldon Lee Luhman, 79, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Natoma, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.

Eldon was born August 5, 1937 in Rooks County, Kansas, the son of Henry and Alvina (Tatkenhorst) Luhman. He grew up in Natoma and graduated from Natoma High School in the class of 1955. He attended and graduated with a degree in business from Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas. He then served his country in the U.S. Army for two years. After his service, he resided in San Francisco, California, and Salina before returning to the Natoma area with his family.

Eldon worked as a bank examiner for a short time until eventually pursuing a career in insurance sales for most of his life. He also enjoyed and collected classic antique cars.

Surviving family include two sons, Michael Luhman of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kevin Luhman of State College, Pennsylvania; daughter, Janella Williams (Jeff) of Lawrence, Kansas; brother, Lyle Luhman (Betty Jo) of Natoma, Kansas; sister, Brenda Price of Salina, Kansas; and two grandsons, Matthew Luhman and Jacob Luhman (father Michael). He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Merlin Luhman, and sisters Byrdene Mason and Bonnie Schlesener.

Celebration of Eldon’s life and his burial will occur at 10:30 AM Monday, September 12, 2016 at the North Lutheran Cemetery north of Natoma. Visitation will be from Noon until 8:00 PM Sunday, September 11, 2016, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials may be given towards the North Lutheran Cemetery Fund and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, is in charge of these arrangements.

Rep. Boldra talks with constituents in first of several meetings

Posted on September 10, 2016

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

This week, state Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, met with constituents in Hays in the first in a series of meetings planned to allow her to hear directly what issues are on the minds of the people she represents. Boldra is facing a general election challenge from Democrat Eber Phelps, a former state representative.

Topics brought up during the meeting included healthcare, gun ownership rights, the state of the Kansas economy and the right to life movement.

One topic, however, dominated a large portion of the conversation – tax breaks for limited liability corporations ompanies in the state.

“I think it’s one of the first things we do,” Boldra said after the election, noting a potential change in House leadership after many conservative members of the party lost their seats in the primary election.

Boldra said she believes the tax break for LLCs has cost nearly four times original projections.

“It’s not going to fix the problem, but we would have some assurance of money coming it,” she said, further noting the pending changes in the House – along with state budget concerns – would create a situation in which stopping LLC tax breaks would be a “no-brainer.”

Boldra estimated the average tax break for an LLC to be $800 to $1,500 – not enough to hurt the LLCs.

“It really doesn’t have that much of an impact,” Boldra said. “It’s an unfair tax break.”

But those dollars would make a significant impact on state revenue, she said.

Boldra also speculated business owners in the Legislature might be putting their own interests above their constituents.

“I wonder if it’s their pocketbooks talking here,” she said.

Beyond the LLC loophole, Boldra believes budget problems have been – at least in part – created due to bad budget forecasting.

Tax revenue has missed projections 11 out of the 12 months, a problem Boldra attributes to the forecasters, noting the committee that creates the projections is made up of academics who fail to understand western Kansas.

“I think we need to change the makeup of who is on that committee,” she said.

State spending is based on those projects and so, when revenues have fallen short, Kansas has been left scrambling to find money.

“I don’t know how to we fix the projections,” Boldra said. “I think we need to fix the revenue.”

One way to alleviate revenue problems brought up by attendees was to embrace Medicaid/Medicare expansion, something Republican leadership in Kansas has stood firmly against, costing the state millions in revenue from the federal government.

While Boldra said she would not guarantee she would vote for such an expansion, she said the conversation needs to occur.

Additional town halls will be at Breathe Coffee House, 703 Main, at the following times:
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5th from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.