October 2016 – Page 47 – Hays Post Archive

KIFA Faith and Public Policy forum to examine moral implications of govt. decisions

Posted on October 16, 2016October 11, 2016

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The final in a series of Faith and Public Policy Forums sponsored by Kansas Interfaith Action, Lawrence, will be held in Hays, Mon., Oct 17.

The event is scheduled 7-9 p.m. in Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 3000 Sternberg Drive.

“As a faith-based public advocacy organization, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) sees the decisions of government as having an important moral component. Public policy issues often have clear spiritual implications, and it is our role to spell those out and to help the public get good fact- and values-based information on the issues of the day,” said Rabbi Moti Rieber, KIFA Executive Director.

“In this election season, KIFA will be holding four “Faith and Public Policy” issue forums at locations around the state, where experts in the issues of taxation and budget; assistance to the poor; healing the sick; and the safety of our university environments will make presentations. These will be non-partisan, facts-only events; we won’t tell you who to vote for, but we will help you get the information you need to make educated, values-based decisions in the voting booth.

Reiber is urging the public to attend and get involved. “Join us to hear about some of the most pressing issues facing Kansas with local policy experts, and to discuss how we can best advocate for effective action from a faith perspective.”

Panelists include:
– Budget and Tax: Heidi Holliday – Executive Director, Kansas Council on Economic Growth
– KanCare Expansion: David Jordan – Director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas
– “Campus Carry”: Megan Jones – Kansans Against Campus Carry
– Climate and Clean Energy: Dorothy Barnett – Executive Director, Climate & Energy Project
– Moderator: Rabbi Moti Rieber – Executive Director, Kansas Interfaith Action

Kansas Interfaith Action/Kansas IPL is a statewide, multifaith issue-advocacy organization that addresses and advances public policies consistent with the values of our various faith traditions. We put faith into action by educating and engaging people of faith and the public regarding critical social, economic, and environmental justice issues.

Study: Impact of Colorado marijuana in Kansas not all negative

Posted on October 16, 2016

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Responses from nearly 400 Kansas law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to a survey by the state’s attorney general suggest legal Colorado marijuana is having a big impact on Kansas — and not all of it negative.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the responses indicate less marijuana is flowing into the state, but what is coming in is more potent than pot smuggled in from Mexico.

The survey also shows the legal system has been affected by changing attitudes toward marijuana, with some jurisdictions no longer enforcing pot laws.

Schmidt says he’s concerned about the growing popularly of edibles, which are foods made with marijuana or marijuana oil.

Colorado is one of four states that have legalized marijuana. Five others will vote on legalization this fall.

Astronomy Club to host free stargazing event

Posted on October 16, 2016October 11, 2016

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Fort Hays State University Astronomy Club invites the public to a night of stargazing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 Highway on the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

The FHSU Astronomy Club will provide a variety of telescopes and equipment to view celestial objects, including the International Space State, nebulas and distant stars. Refreshments and hot chocolate will be provided.

The event is free and open to the public. Participants should dress warmly. For more information, contact the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.

2nd inmate enters plea in Kansas prison trafficking case

Posted on October 16, 2016October 15, 2016

RENO COUNTY — One of two inmates charged in a trafficking in contraband case at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility entered a plea in the case on Friday.

Bryant Colbert, 47, entered pleas of trafficking in contraband in a correctional facility and conspiracy to commit trafficking in contraband.

Colbert admits that he was involved with bringing items into the prison with Kevin Wilson. Items included cell phones and cash.

Colbert is already serving time for aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated burglary and rape. Those convictions from Montgomery County.

Wilson is serving time on numerous burglary and theft convictions and had earlier entered a plea in this case to conspiracy to traffic contraband and was given an additional year and nine months in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 18.

KDWPT public meeting to be held Oct. 20 in SW Kan.

Posted on October 16, 2016October 6, 2016

KDWPT

PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20 in Liberal at the Seward County Event Center, 810 Stadium Road. The afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m. The evening session will convene at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend both sessions and time will be set aside for public comment at the beginning of each for discussion of non-agenda items.

The afternoon session will begin with a report on the agency and state fiscal status and a preview of the 2017 Kansas Legislative Session. The General Discussion portion of the meeting will include a report on the Powderhook mobile app and its digital mentor feature, antelope and elk regulations, public lands regulations, and an update on the Blue Ribbon Panel for wildlife conservation funding and signing of a resolution.

The evening portion of the meeting will convene at 6:30 p.m. for the Public Hearing. Commissioners will hear and vote on recommendations for fall and spring turkey seasons and bag limits; motor vehicle permit fees in state parks; camping and utility fees; authorized motorized vehicles in state parks; and regulations concerning commercial sale of bait fish, tournament black bass pass, and fishing methods of take, and creel, size and possession limits.

If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., Oct. 21, to complete any unfinished business. Information about the Commission, as well as the Oct. 20 meeting agenda and briefing book, can be downloaded at ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings.

Live video and audio streaming of the Oct. 20 meeting will be available at ksoutdoors.com. If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2017, in Emporia.

FHSU students visit Haskell Indian Pow Wow

Posted on October 16, 2016October 14, 2016

fhsu haskell indians pow wow — Native American dancers at a Haskell Indian Pow Wow in Lawrence.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

More than 40 international and American Fort Hays State University students and two faculty members visited a Haskell Indian Pow Wow in Lawrence earlier this semester as part of a field trip set up by the office of Intercultural Integration.

Students visited the Haskell Indian Art Market, saw a performance by Native American dancers and sampled Native American foods. The Haskell Indian Art Market attracts hundreds of visitors each year. The market provides an economic opportunity for Native American artists as well as encouraging cross-cultural understanding and exchange.

Director of intercultural integration Mehran Shahidi invites FHSU students to attend the next field trip on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the 36th annual Wichita Asian Festival. The festival celebrates the culture and customs of Asia with stage presentations, authentic food and wares from about 15 Asian countries.

The festival features live performances highlighting a variety of elements from Asian culture as well as the Miss Wichita Asian Festival pageant. Vendors will have booths offering authentic art and cuisine. Activities for children and adults will provide an opportunity to learn about Asian customs, clothing and culture. The festival is at the Century II Convention Hall from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is free; a free-will offering is appreciated. Please RSVP by Friday, Oct., 21, to [email protected] or call (785)-365-6304.

The goals of the office of Intercultural Integration include helping international students adapt to living in America, especially Hays, as well as introducing international and American students to each other’s cultures. Students are also assisted in adapting to the environment in American classrooms while practicing and improving their English language skills. This office provides cultural and settlement support for international students in order to facilitate their integration into the FHSU environment and the Hays community. This office also concentrates on mentoring, advising, guiding and helping international students with different academic, social and behavioral issues while integrating into FHSU’s existing culture.

HaysMed Foundation to sponsor free drive-through flu shots today

Posted on October 16, 2016October 16, 2016

flu-shot-drive-through-clinic-haysmed-2011 — A woman gets a free flu shot during the 2015 HaysMed drive through clinic.

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

With flu season approaching, the HaysMed Foundation will sponsor a free drive-through from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. The vaccine will be made available to adults and children 6 months and older.

It is recommended that children 6 months and older get an annual influenza vaccine.

For those who wish to receive a flu shot, HaysMed asks that you enter through the north entrance of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive and to wear a short-sleeved shirt.

In conjunction with the event, HaysMed associates will sponsor an optional food drive. People are asked to bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Community Assistance Center.

Partly sunny, warm Sunday

Posted on October 16, 2016October 16, 2016

Fog will affect much of the region this morning and a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 9am. Visibilities will improve by late morning and the remaining low clouds will gradually lift. Summer will then pay us a visit today and Monday with record/near record highs likely in many areas.

It won’t be nearly as warm on Tuesday as a southeast-moving cold front crosses Kansas late Monday Night and early Tuesday Morning. Clouds will increase Wednesday and bring even cooler temperatures. The coolest day of the week will be Thursday then a warming trend occuring late week.

Today: Widespread dense fog, mainly before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 6 to 13 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 9 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91. West southwest wind 9 to 11 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Man hospitalized after driver from Ellis swerves to miss deer

Posted on October 16, 2016October 16, 2016

BARTON COUNTY – A Great Bend Man was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. on Saturday in Barton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Nissan Altima driven by Alexis R. Mattheyer, 20, Ellis, was northbound in 800 Block of NE 10th Avenue two miles southeast of Hoisington.

The driver swerved to miss a deer and lost control of the vehicle It entered the east ditch and struck the embankment.

A passenger Nathan D. Hilleguist, 24, Great Bend, was transported to the hospital in Hoisington.
Mattheyer was not injured.

They were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Now That’s Rural: Brett Pfizenmaier

Posted on October 16, 2016October 12, 2016

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

“The perfect pumpkin.” That’s the objective of a young farm entrepreneur whose interest in a pumpkin seedling 4-H project has grown into a business of its own.

Brett Pfizenmaier and his brother Eric are owner/operators of the Pfizenmaier Pumpkin Patch. Their parents, Pat and Maureen Pfizenmaier, farm west of Clay Center.

Bobby Bulk, a family friend, helped the Pfizenmaiers with their field crops. He also loved to garden, and that knowledge would prove helpful in the future.

Brett and his brother were active in 4-H. One year Brett tried a 4-H project to learn about germination of seedlings using a nice, big pumpkin seed as an example. He planted and watered the seed and watched it grow.

After it sprouted and emerged, Brett didn’t want to just throw the seedling away, so he brought it home and planted it. In fact, he ultimately planted an 80 x 100 square-foot field of pumpkins. Unfortunately, it seemed that about everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

“That first year was close to a flop,” Brett said. “We had bugs and weeds.” In the end, they produced about 100 pumpkins and gourds altogether, and they learned a lot. They tried again the next year, and with help from family friend and garden guru Bobby Bulk, they expanded production. They have grown and produced pumpkins ever since.

Brett got a degree in agronomy from K-State and returned to the farm. He married Jenna and they now have a two year old named Will. Brett’s brother Eric is now a sophomore in agronomy. He works on weekends.

The Pfizenmaiers farm the traditional crops of wheat, soybeans, grain sorghum and corn and operate a cow-calf herd. Brett and Eric also produce and market the pumpkins.

The Pfizenmaier family farmhouse is located directly on Highway 24, so it is a visible and convenient place for customers to stop. Each fall Brett and Eric set up a stand with straw bales and attractive displays to market the pumpkins. It is known as the Pfizenmaier Pumpkin Patch.

About 25 percent of their production is sold wholesale to other vendors, but most of it is sold directly to retail customers at the stand on the farm.

Every year the Pfizenmaiers rotate the growing fields to a different part of the farm so as to help control insects. Once the stand opens, Brett inventories the stand daily and picks and replenishes products as needed.

“Our customers seem to like the fact that our pumpkins are pre-picked and convenient for them to pick up,” Brett said. Another remarkable factor is the number of alternatives. These are not all plain, orange pumpkins. The Pfizenmaiers offer various sizes, colors and related types, such as gourds, squash, jack-o-lanterns, pie pumpkins, giants, and more.

“We offer around 26 different varieties of pumpkins and gourds each year, and we are always upgrading and changing them,” Brett said. “The perfect pumpkin is out there somewhere, and we’re working on it.”

Brett especially enjoys interaction with repeat customers through the years. He’s sold to visitors from as far away as Colorado and Texas. Sales are also strong to customers from large and small communities in the region, such as Manhattan and Beloit plus rural towns such as Clifton, population 542, and Glasco, population 520. Now, that’s rural.

The Pfizenmaiers work hard to care for their pumpkins. “We do it all by hand,” Brett said. That includes planting and weeding. “It’s not easy to do. It requires constant monitoring for fungus, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles.”

Pfizenmaier Pumpkin Patch is now in its 14th year. That first plot of 100 pumpkins has grown to three to five acres producing several thousand pumpkins annually. For more information, go to Facebook and search for Pfizenmaier Pumpkin Patch.

The perfect pumpkin and a great customer experience: That’s the goal of Brett and Eric from Pfizenmaier Pumpkin Patch. They are making a difference by diversifying their farming operation and responding to this market. Now the fall season is here. It’s a perfect time to go on a quest for the perfect pumpkin.

Death penalty debate may determine who is on the Kansas Supreme Court

Posted on October 16, 2016October 14, 2016

Kansas Supreme Court Seated left to right: Hon. Marla J. Luckert, Hon. Lawton R. Nuss, Chief Justice; Hon. Carol A. Beier. Standing left to right: Hon. Dan Biles, Hon. Eric S. Rosen, Hon. Lee A. Johnson, and Hon. Caleb Stegall. — Kansas Supreme Court
Seated left to right: Hon. Marla J. Luckert, Hon. Lawton R. Nuss, Chief Justice; Hon. Carol A. Beier.
Standing left to right: Hon. Dan Biles, Hon. Eric S. Rosen, Hon. Lee A. Johnson, and Hon. Caleb Stegall.

By SAM ZEFF

It’s been a half century since Kansas has executed a convicted killer and generally speaking, it’s not much of a political issue in the state.

But conservatives are banking on capital punishment in their campaign to oust four state Supreme Court justices.

When it comes to whether or not the Supreme Court justices should be kept on the bench or voted out, we’ve heard mostly about school finance and whether the high court should even be a player in that.

But lurking in the background, especially around Wichita and in western Kansas, is the death penalty.

“There are a number of issues that are before this court that have to be decided that impact every Kansan. So the death penalty is definitely one piece of that,” says Ryan Wright from Kansans for Fair Courts, the group leading the effort to retain the justices on the ballot in November.

The other piece is abortion. Over the years the justices have overturned some restrictions.

That resonates with pro-life voters but probably won’t lure many others to oppose the justices.

But, the death penalty just might.

“I think good political consultants know which emotional buttons to push and fear is one of the most popular because it’s one of the most effective,” says Michael Smith, a political scientist from Emporia State.

School finance, he says, is too complicated. Voters just want their schools open, class sizes relatively small and stable funding. “Whereas when you talk about ‘they let murders off,’ which is not technically correct, but when you frame it that way that pushes an immediate and very visceral button.”

And there is nothing more visceral around the death penalty in Kansas than the Carr brothers murder case.

The Carrs murdered five people in Wichita in 2000. They were sentenced to death but the Kansas Supreme Court overturned the sentence, though not the convictions. Eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death sentences and the Carrs are back on death row.

Republicans fiercely maintain that four of the justices up for retention ignored the law and struck down the Carrs’ death sentences for political reasons.

The state Republican Party passed a resolution at its convention in May calling for the ouster of justices Carol Beier, Dan Biles, Maria Lucket and Chief Justice Lawton Nuss. Though any mention of the death penalty was left out of the party platform.

The newest member of the high court, Caleb Stegall, has not been targeted by the conservatives because he’s seen as a conservative himself. Stegall was Gov. Sam Brownback’s chief legal counsel before being appointed to the Court of Appeals and then going through the merit selection process that landed him on the state Supreme Court.

House GOP leaders are leading the charge against the other four. Their Facebook page and Twitter feed are dotted with memes targeting the justices, including one with a red slash over their faces.

While House Republicans regularly send out incendiary emails and tweets, no one would agree to an interview. Not Speaker Ray Merrick from Stilwell. Not Majority Leader Jean Vickery from Louisburg. Not party director Clay Barker.

But Senate President Susan Wagle was tough on the high court on a recent episode of KCUR’s political podcast, Statehouse Blend. She’s from Wichita.

“My community is very upset with this court because of the Carr brothers murders,” Wagle says. “They overturned that death penalty and we had to go to the Supreme Court, spend a lot of money, to get our court back in line. So to me, they have overstepped their authority.”

In February, a Fort Hays State University poll showed only 21 percent of Kansans were dissatisfied with the high court, while 61 percent were dissatisfied with the Legislature.

Ryan Wright from Kansans for Fair Courts is pretty confident the justices will be kept on the bench. “Even with that case in Wichita I think that we’re going to see voters rally behind these courts because they think it’s important to have fair and impartial courts in Kansas.”

A bipartisan quartet of Kansas governors also think so and recently went on a barnstorming tour of the state to campaign in favor of retention.

Because there’s more politics surrounding the court this year than ever before, most believe this may be one of the closest judicial retention elections in Kansas ever.

Sam Zeff is co-host of the political podcast Statehouse Blend and covers education for KCUR, which is a partner in a statewide collaboration covering elections in Kansas. Follow Sam on Twitter @SamZeff.

Eulah F. (Chatham) Robbins

Posted on October 16, 2016October 16, 2016

Eulah F. (Chatham) Robbins, 96 of Paradise, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne.

Eulah was born December 21, 1919 on the family farm north of Waldo, Kansas. She was one of nine children born to Roy, Sr. and Edith (Lane) Chatham. She grew up and attended school north of Luray, Kansas. She then attended Ft. Hays Teacher College for 2 years. She taught at a country school south of Osborne and later she taught at Paradise School until it was closed.

Eulah was united in marriage to Bobbie Mac Robbins on August 21, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri. This union was blessed with four children; Harold, Cleta, Diana and William. They made their home on the farm where Bobbie was born.

Eulah was a devoted wife and farmer’s wife. She took great pride in their farm and in their children. She was a member of the Nazarene Church of Paradise, where she taught Sunday school and was past President of the Nazarene Missions. The last few years with her son, she attended the Westview Church in Hays, Kansas.

Surviving family include her two daughters, Cleta Johnson (Al) of Kenai, Alaska and Diane Blosser (Darrell) of Hays, Kansas; two sons, Harold Robbins (Mary) of Yakutat, Alaska and William Robbins of Paradise, Kansas; brother, Roy Chatham, Jr. of Osborne, Kansas; two sisters, Naomi Copeland of Topeka, Kansas and Virginia True of Kearney, Missouri; eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Randall Chatham, six sisters Lepha, Velma, Stella, Nadene, Izora and Wilma and adopted son, Merlin “Mac” Chesney.

Celebration of Eulah’s Life will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Mt. Herman Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Memorial has been established with the Nazarene Missions. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

KHP: 1 dead, 2 adults and 2 children hospitalized after head-on crash

Posted on October 16, 2016October 16, 2016

DONIPHAN COUNTY – One person died and four others injured in an accident just before 7p.m. on Saturday in Doniphan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1993 Nissan King Cab Truck driven by Antonio Santiago-Hernandez, 38, Kansas City, was westbound on U.S. 36 just south of First Street in Wathena.

The truck crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and struck a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Richard D. Smith, 43, Severance, head-on.

Santiago-Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

Smith was transported to KU Medical Center.

Passengers in the Chevy Smith, Katie Marie Smith, 33, Severance, and two children ages 9 and 10, were transported to Mosaic Life Care.

Santiago-Hernandez and the passengers in the Chevy were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.