The annual Hays Area Ducks Unlimited banquet will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
There will be a social hour, dinner and live auction.
Tickets are $60 for a couple or $50 for single. For tickets, call (785) 650-1543 or (785) 650-4074.
The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to temporarily close the eastbound I-70 off ramp at exit 54 in Thomas County (Country Club Drive at Colby) Thursday for patching and overlay work.
The closure is expected to be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Advance message boards will be in place to alert traffic of the closure, and drivers should plan to use alternate routes.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a shooting
Just after 2a.m. on Thursday, police responded to a residence in the 5200 Block of SW 31st in Topeka, according to a media release.
They found a man inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening wounds.
A K-9 team worked to locate the suspect and evidence. The suspect may have left the scene in a vehicle after the shooting.
No additional details were released early Thursday.
After wins over the former No. 3 and No. 4 ranked teams in the region last week, Fort Hays State jumped two spots to No. 3 in the second release of the NCAA Central Region Rankings released Wednesday (Oct. 26).
Fort Hays State, now 12-3-1 overall, was No. 5 in the first release of the rankings last week, but defeated then No. 3 Northeastern State and No. 4 Central Oklahoma in Hays to make the move in the latest release. The Tigers also are the only team to defeat Minot State, the current No. 2 ranked team, this year. Minot State is 12-1-1 overall.
Central Missouri remains the No. 1 ranked team in the region with an overall record of 14-1. Minnesota State made a big move in the rankings this week, jumping four spots to No. 4. Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma dropped to No. 5 and No. 6 respectively. Bemidji State remained No. 7 and Missouri Western moved into the rankings at No. 8.
Fort Hays State and Central Missouri are tied for first in MIAA play, both at 8-1. The conference regular season title will be determined this week as FHSU plays at Nebraska-Kearney and returns home to face Washburn in the regular season finale. Central Missouri plays Lindenwood and Missouri Western at home.
Below are the NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings for October 26, 2016.
| Rank | Team | In-Region Record |
Division II Record |
| 1 | Central Missouri | 14-1-0 | 14-1-0 |
| 2 | Minot State | 12-1-1 | 12-1-1 |
| 3 | Fort Hays State | 12-3-1 | 12-3-1 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 11-3-2 | 11-3-2 |
| 5 | Northeastern State | 12-3-1 | 12-3-1 |
| 6 | Central Oklahoma | 10-5-1 | 10-5-1 |
| 7 | Bemidji State | 12-4-0 | 12-4-0 |
| 8 | Missouri Western | 10-6-0 | 10-6-0 |
FHSU Sports Information
The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team remained the No. 2 ranked team in the second release of the NCAA Central Region Rankings, released on Wednesday. Lindenwood and Fort Hays State remained in the same position for the second straight week, while there was movement at the No. 3 and No. 4 rankings.
Lindenwood remains the No. 1 ranked team in the region and holds a national ranking of No. 13. The Lions are 11-2-2 overall. Fort Hays State is No. 2 at 10-3-1 overall and holds a national ranking of No. 20.
Harding moved up one spot in the latest rankings to No. 3 in the region, now at 8-4 overall. Ouachita Baptist is the new No. 4 in the region at 7-7 overall. Northeastern State, initially No. 3 in the rankings, fell out of the top four.
Two teams are selected to represent the Central Region in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are looking for their fifth straight appearance in the tournament. Below are the NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings for October 26, 2016.
| CENTRAL | Team | In-Region Record |
Division II Record |
| 1 | Lindenwood (MO) | 11-2-2 | 11-2-2 |
| 2 | Fort Hays State | 9-2 | 10-3-1 |
| 3 | Harding | 8-4 | 8-4 |
| 4 | Ouachita Baptist | 7-7 | 7-7 |
FHSU Sports Information
Hays Medical Center
The Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU), Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute, Environmental Services and Outpatient Rehabilitation were recently named the patient satisfaction award winners for the third quarter of 2016 at HaysMed.
Each quarter HaysMed recognizes the patient satisfaction award winners based on results from CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) surveys administrated by HealthStream. HealthStream is the research firm HaysMed contracts with to conduct the government required Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) hospital surveys on patient experience. The CAHPS survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care. The CAHPS Hospital Survey is a survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients’ perceptions of their hospital experience.
CPCU had the highest in-patient overall rating for the third quarter of 2016. Their unit score was 82.1% and that puts them at the 83rd percentile. This exceeds the hospital goal of the 75th percentile. Their top performance areas on the survey included providing written discharge instructions, courtesy/respect of nurses and nurses listening carefully to patients.
The Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute had the highest overall rating for the third quarter of 2016. Their overall rating was 94.7% and that puts them at the 97th percentile. This exceeds the hospital goal of the 75th percentile. Their top performance areas on the survey included clear communication by provider, provider listening clearly and courtesy/respect of clerks and receptionists
Environmental Services was recognized as one of the many ancillary departments that help support patient satisfaction in the hospital. This is the first time HaysMed has recognized an ancillary department with this award. For the third quarter of 2016 the inpatient cleanliness score was 80.4 % which is the 72nd percentile. The outpatient cleanliness score was 79.7% which is the 79th percentile. In addition in our recent DNV survey they were recognized for the cleanliness of the hospital for the patient areas, public areas and even the storage areas. The surveyors noted they had never seen a cleaner hospital.
Outpatient Rehab was recognized as the out-patient area with the highest patient overall rating for the third quarter of 2016. Their overall rating was 91.7% and that puts them at the 93rd percentile. This exceeds the hospital goal of the 75th percentile. Their top performance areas on the survey include patient involvement in treatment plan/goal setting, amount of time spent waiting at the facility and the ability to schedule visit on a convenient day and time.
Each area honored displays a patient satisfaction award winner banner in their department.
Record to near Record highs will be possible Today and Friday. Above average temperatures continue into the Weekend. Our average highs are around 66 and lows around 40 for this time of the year.
Today Sunny, with a high near 84. Light southwest wind becoming south southwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 57. South wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
FridaySunny, with a high near 85. South southwest wind 11 to 17 mph.
Friday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 8 to 10 mph.
SaturdaySunny, with a high near 79. South wind 7 to 11 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 45.
SundaySunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 54.
MondayMostly sunny, with a high near 82.
TREGO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Northwest Kansas are investigating a hunting violation and asking the public for help.
Game wardens with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks need help finding those involved in the poaching of deer in northeast Trego County near the Ellis county line.
The deer appears to have been shot with a firearm and was killed sometime around October 25th. Anyone with information is asked to call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-426-3843.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas inmate accused of making criminal threats has been charged with having a homemade knife while in the Reno County Correctional Facility.
Justin Reyna, 30, was sentenced to one year in the Reno County jail, but then granted probation for a conviction of giving a false alarm.
The second count of aggravated criminal threat was dismissed by the state as part of a plea agreement. The crime occurred in March of 2016.
The charge of trafficking in contraband in a correctional facility involving the homemade knife occurred on Sept. 21.
Reyna has served time in prison for convictions of criminal threat and aggravated criminal threat for crimes in Pratt County in 2010.
During that time he spent some time at the prisons in Hutchinson, El Dorado and the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility and, through all three, had an extensive disciplinary report, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
In court Tuesday, he requested a reduction of the bond, saying that he has set up appointments at Horizons Mental Health. The state opposed any reduction, but Judge Trish Rose agreed to lower the bond from $10,000 to $5,000.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Law enforcement authorities say that Sedgwick County is the victim of fraud.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday that the resulting loss to the county government was about $566,000.
The sheriff’s office was notified at about 5 p.m. Tuesday about the fraud.
Lt. Lin Dehning of the sheriff’s office says the offense report shows the fraud occurred between Sept. 23 and Oct. 26, and that right now investigators are looking at the loss as one offense.
Dehning says the investigation is just beginning and that is all the information they have to release right now.
LYON COUNTY- A Southwest Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. on Wednesday in Lyon County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta driven by Peter Marshall, 54, Dodge City, was eastbound on U.S. 56 two miles east of Allen.
The vehicle left the roadway to the right and rolled.
Marshall was transported to the hospital in Emporia. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) — The Latest on the search for an man accused of wounding two police officers (all times local):
4 a.m. Thursday
The search for an Oklahoma man wanted in a cross-state string of killings, shootings and carjackings is entering its fourth day, and authorities say they have no idea where the suspect may be.
Michael Dale Vance Jr. is wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder for the near-decapitations of two relatives in the town of Luther that Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel described as “rage killings.”
The 38-year-old Vance was last seen early Monday about 30 miles from the Texas border in western Oklahoma. Whetsel says by now, Vance could be anywhere from California to Florida.
Whetsel says it’s also possible that Vance has died if he hasn’t received medical treatment for a gunshot wound he suffered during a shootout with police in Wellston on Sunday.
1:45 p.m. Wednesday
An Oklahoma sheriff says a man suspected of killing two relatives and shooting two police officers during a violent rampage could be hundreds of miles away in another state or even another country.
Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel told The Associated Press on Wednesday that 38-year-old Michael Vance could be “anywhere from California to Mexico to Florida.” Whetsel says it’s also possible Vance died if he hasn’t received medical treatment since being wounded during a shootout with police in Wellston on Sunday.
Whetsel says the last known sighting of Vance was about 2:30 a.m. Monday at a convenience store in the far western Oklahoma town of Sayre. Authorities say he shot a man in the leg while trying to steal a vehicle in the town that’s about 30 miles from the Texas border.
10:15 a.m.
Authorities say an Oklahoma man suspected of killing two relatives and shooting two police officers during a violent rampage may be planning to target people connected to a criminal case against him.
Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Opgrande says 38-year-old Michael Vance referenced some potential targets during videos he posted live on Facebook while on the run from police.
In one video, Vance mentions the name of a woman and says she knew that he would get his guns and come for her.
Opgrande says some of the people authorities fear may be targeted are connected to a pending criminal case against Vance that alleges he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl.
Opgrande says authorities have warned several people to take precautions while the manhunt for Vance continues.
6:40 a.m.
An Oklahoma police officer says he engaged in a “firefight” Sunday with a man later accused in the killing of two relatives and several carjackings.
Wellston Police Officer Jim Hampton is one of two officers who were wounded in the encounter with Michael Vance, who remains on the run. Hampton tells Oklahoma City television station KOCO that he shot Vance twice as they responded to a shots fired call in their area, about 35 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Hampton says that at one point, he and Vance were facing each other and shooting. Hampton was shot in the foot but has been released from the hospital. A second officer was shot and is also expected to recover.
Hampton says he hopes Vance is apprehended soon, adding: “It’s not safe out there until he’s caught.”
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The Oklahoma County sheriff says Michael Vance, the man wanted since Sunday in a string of violent crimes including two homicides, had a hit list targeting several more people.
Sheriff John Whetsel told The Oklahoman on Tuesday that authorities are “extremely concerned about those he may have indicated that he wishes harm to” and noted that the list was mostly people from outside of the county.
— Okla. Highway Patrol (@OHPtraffic) October 24, 2016
Authorities say the 38-year-old Vance posted live videos to social media during a violent rampage on Sunday that included the shooting of two police officers, armed car thefts and the killing of two relatives.
Whetsel also said that law enforcement is providing protection for the people on the alleged hit list.
The FBI is coordinating the search for Vance, who was last seen in western Oklahoma.
———–
Oklahoma authorities are still looking for a man who they say posted live videos to social media during a violent crime spree that included the shooting of two police officers, armed car thefts and the killing of his aunt and uncle.
An arrest warrant including two counts of first-degree murder has been issued for 38-year-old Michael Dale Vance Jr. of Chandler, Oklahoma. He’s been wanted for more than 24 hours.
Oklahoma County authorities say they believe Vance shot and wounded two police officers Sunday night and then posted Facebook Live videos documenting his run from police. Police say he then drove to the home of his aunt and uncle and killed them.
In one of the videos, a man wearing a blood-stained shirt pans to a long gun and says: “This is real.”
—
9:20 a.m.
An Oklahoma City television station is reporting that a man accused of shooting two Oklahoma police officers has been posting live videos while on the run.
TV station KWTV reports that Michael Vance posted two videos Sunday night on Facebook Live. The Associated Press couldn’t immediately verify the videos. The Lincoln County Oklahoma sheriff hasn’t returned a message Monday morning regarding the videos. See the video here. (caution very graphic)
In one video, a man wearing a backward baseball cap says he’s about to steal another vehicle and it’s “gonna be intense.” In another, the same man says: “Letting y’all know, look, this is real” before showing a long gun on the passenger seat.
He says: “If you want to know what’s up next, stay tuned to your local news.”
Vance is a suspect in the shooting of two Wellston police officers Sunday night and in a double slaying in Oklahoma County.
___
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WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) — Authorities are searching for a man suspected in a double slaying and accused of shooting and wounding two police officers near Oklahoma City.
The Lincoln County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office says the officers were shot Sunday night as they responded to a report of shots fired in the town of Wellston, 35 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. The sheriff’s office says they are recovering from their injuries.
The sheriff’s office says one person was arrested but that a second suspect, Michael Vance, stole a patrol car and remains missing.
— Okla. Highway Patrol (@OHPtraffic) October 24, 2016
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says authorities believe Vance is driving a silver 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse with an Oklahoma license plate of 943LQQ.
The sheriff in neighboring Oklahoma County said on Twitter that Vance is a suspect in two deaths in Oklahoma County, but no further details have been released.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 61-year-old scientist has pleaded guilty to a federal charge nearly three years after he was accused of stealing proprietary rice seeds developed in the U.S. and giving them to a visiting delegation from China.
The Justice Department said Wednesday in a release that Wengui Yan, of Stuttgart, Arkansas, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Kansas to one count of making false statements to the FBI.
Yan, who worked as a geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Dale Bumpers National Research Center in Stuttgart, was originally charged in December 2013 along with Weiqiang Zhang, a Kansas scientist, of conspiracy to steal trade secrets and theft of trade secrets.
According to the plea, Yan admitted knowing about plans to steal rice samples and send them to China.
