Click below to listen to Tiger Talk with “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock and Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown as they review Saturday’s homecoming win over Lindenwood take a look ahead at this Saturday’s game in Pittsburg against Pittsburg State.
Tiger Talk airs on Monday evening at 6 p.m. on Tiger Radio Mix-103.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Following an arrest of a juvenile following a clown threat against schools in USD 259, Wichita Public Schools, other high schools are alerting parents of an online threat.
On Monday morning, the Maize Police Department became aware of photos of a clown in front of Maize South High School, which were being circulated via social media, according to a report from police.
Police took the photos seriously and immediately notified the Maize school district and increased the number of officers patrolling around schools.
The investigation ultimately identified three students of Maize South High School who had both taken the photos and circulated them on various social media sites. The students did this solely as a prank and were not aware at the time of the other threats being circulated. We are confident in talking with the students that there was and is no connection to the “creepy clown” threats that have been made towards other schools.
USD 262 Superintendent Cory Gibson sent a note to parents on Monday.
“As you may know, there have been several reports in the area and nationally about “creepy clowns.”
Over the past couple of days, area schools have been dealing with potentially threatening social media posts related to clowns.
Valley Center is not immune to these posts.
On Monday, the school district was made aware that a Valley Center High School student made one or more posts that may be viewed as threatening.
The post was not directed at anyone specifically and the district does not believe there is any imminent danger.
October 3, 2016
Dear Valley Center USD 262 Families,
As you may know, there have been several reports in the area… https://t.co/zC4Dgr9LlK— USD262 Valley Center (@USD262) October 3, 2016
USD 262 administrators and Valley Center Police Department are working collaboratively to investigate any and all posts that may be viewed as a safety concern.”
Gibson encouraged parents and children aware of any threats (social media or otherwise) that make you question the safety of students or staff to report it to your child’s school principal immediately. If it is after school hours, please report the threat directly to law enforcement.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that professional racecar driver Scott Tucker and others deceived payday loan consumers and owe the Federal Trade Commission about $1.2 billion.
The Kansas City Star reports that the commission brought charges against Scott Tucker, of Leawood, Kansas, and others on claims that their payday loan operations charged exorbitant interest rates.
U.S. District Court of Nevada Judge Gloria Navarro issued a judgment Friday that found consumers of Tucker’s payday loan businesses were harmed because of misleading loan terms.
Tucker denied wrongdoing in the case. He also has pleaded not guilty to criminal exploitation charges and is scheduled for trial in April.
The Associated Press sent an email early Monday seeking comment from an attorney for two lending companies with ties to Tucker.
HUTCHINSON. — The Kansas Supreme Court on Monday denied District Attorney Keith Schroeder’s motion asking for a stay or injunction to prevent a new mental evaluation completed for a teen convicted for killing his mother and sister.
The Reno County District Attorney had filed a second motion with the Kansas Supreme Court asking for a stay or injunction over any plans to have a new mental evaluation completed for a teen convicted of setting the fire that killed his mother and sister.
Keith Schroeder had already filed a petition against Judge Trish Rose and the Public Defender’s Office for writs of mandamus in connection with the Samuel Vonachen case.
The high court ordered Judge Rose to present a brief over what legal reason she used for denying the state’s request that the 17-year-old be moved to adult jail after being convicted of two counts of murder, attempted murder and aggravated arson as an adult and also asking for another mental evaluation be conducted.
The high court is giving Judge Rose until Oct. 11, to file the brief with the court.
However, in the latest filing by Schroeder, he alleged that the judge may be trying to arrange a mental evaluation in Hutchinson.
Schroeder says in his motion that the teen told officials with Reno County Youth Services that he learned through his attorney that he may have the evaluation done in Hutchinson rather then being sent to the state mental hospital in Larned.
According to the filing, Judge Rose called officials at Larned to see if something could be set done in Reno County.
Schroeder says in the motion that he was never notified of the judge’s attempt to have the evaluation done in Reno County.
Schroeder has argued that there have been a number of other evaluations and that the jury rejected the mental disease and defect argument.
In August, a jury convicted the teen of the two counts of murder for the killing of his mother and sister who died after he set fire to the family home on Sept. 26, 2013.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas says its tax collections fell nearly $45 million short of expectations in September.
The report Monday from the state Department of Revenue complicates the state’s budget picture five weeks before the election. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s fiscal policies are a major issue in legislative races.
The department said tax collections were $521 million last month, 7.9 percent below the official projection of $566 million.
Since the budget year began July 1, tax collections have been $68 million less than anticipated. That’s a 4.7 percent shortfall.
Kansas has struggled to balance its budget since Republican legislators slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013. Brownback pushed for the cuts as an economic stimulus.
Tax collections have fallen short 32 of the 45 months since the first cuts took effect.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State middle hitter Rebekah Spainhour and setter Hannah Wagy were named the MIAA Volleyball Athletes of the Week on Monday. Spainhour was named the Hitter of the Week, while Wagy earned Specialist of the Week honors.
Spainhour helped the Tigers to a 2-1 record last week (2-0 in MIAA play), beating No. 6 Central Missouri for just the second time in program history on Friday then Lindenwood on Saturday. The senior let the team with a .405 attack percentage for the week, picking up 35 kills to just five errors. Spainhour led the team with 14 total blocks, five of which were solo swats. The middle hitter is the only student-athlete in the MIAA ranked in the top four in both attack percentage and blocks per set. For the season, she is hitting .360, averaging 3.27 kills and 1.03 blocks per set.
Wagy orchestrated the Tiger offense in going 2-0 in MIAA play, while producing a double-double of 39 assists and 10 digs in the upset of No. 6 ranked Central Missouri. The setter tossed up an average of 11.1 assists per set over three matches, adding 11 kills, 25 digs and five blocks (one solo). The senior continues to lead the conference in both total assists and assists per set. This is the second time this year Wagy has earned the Specialist of the Week honor.
HARVEY COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. on Monday in Harvey County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge passenger car driven by Frank T. Haas, 55, Hutchinson, was northbound on Ridge Road approaching U.S. 50 three miles west of Newton.
The driver ran the stop sign at U.S. 50.
A westbound 2010 Freightliner truck driven by Jose A. Valdivia Navarro, 25, Newton, hit the Dodge in the intersection.
Both vehicles traveled northwest through the intersection, went through the guardrail and came to rest in the creek.
Valdivia Navarro was transported to the hospital in Newton.
Haas was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a suspect for a weekend attack on a woman her home.
Just after 3a.m. on Saturday, Sawyer Reinert, 25, Salina, is alleged to have gone to the south Salina home of a woman in her 20’s and entered the residence through an unlocked door, according to Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney.
Once inside, Reinert allegedly assaulted the woman and strangled her.
Police say she had red marks on her neck, as well as cuts and bruising to her face, a bite mark on the back her of neck and a small fracture in the eye socket area of her face.
She was treated at Salina Regional Health Center and later released.
Sweeney said a toddler in the home was also battered during the incident. He had bruising to his face near his ear that did not require treatment.
Officers also found damage inside the home that apparently occurred during the struggle.
A television valued at $400 and a flower vase valued at $30 were also damaged during the assault.
Reinert fled the home after the incident and was later located by authorities in Ellsworth County and returned to Salina and booked into jail late Sunday night.
He now faces several charges including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated burglary, child abuse, child endangerment and criminal damage to property, according to Sweeney.
BARTON COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 2:30 a.m. on Saturday in Barton County.
A 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup driven by Chantz Clawson, 23, Ellinwood, was southbound on Southeast 105 Avenue just south of Ellinwood, according to a media release.
The driver failed to negotiate the curve onto Southeast 20 Road.
The pickup left the roadway, traveled into the south ditch, struck a field drive, became airborne and rolled approximately 2 ½ times.
Clawson was transported by Ellinwood EMS to Great Bend Regional Hospital.
FHSU Sports Information
WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State remains among the teams receiving votes in the AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, released on Monday (Oct. 3). The Tigers are now the fourth-highest receiving votes team, gaining seven votes in the poll this week.
The MIAA boasts two top 25 teams and three among the receiving votes section. Northwest Missouri State continues its reign as the No. 1 team in the nation, while Emporia State moved up five spots to No. 18. Pittsburg State is the highest receiving votes team from the MIAA, with the Tigers right behind. FHSU travels to Pittsburg State this week. Central Missouri fell from the top 25 and sits behind the Tigers in the receiving votes section.
Fort Hays State looks for its second straight win in Pittsburg. The Tigers shocked a then No. 8 ranked Gorilla team in Pittsburg by a score of 7-6. The last time FHSU won consecutive games in Pittsburg was in 1970 and 1972. The Gorillas won last year’s meeting in Hays by a score of 31-24.
Below is the AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll for October 3, 2016.
Rank School (1st votes) Record Pts. Prev.
1. Northwest Missouri St. (30) 5-0 750 1
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 5-0 717 2
3. Shepherd (W.Va.) 4-0 684 4
4. Texas A&M-Commerce 4-0 655 6
5. Henderson St. (Ark.) 5-0 623 7
6. Indiana (Pa.) 4-0 574 8
7. Midwestern St. (Texas) 4-0 564 10
8. Tuskegee (Ala.) 5-0 528 11
9. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 5-0 474 12
10. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 5-0 436 14
11. North Alabama 3-1 421 18
12. West Georgia 4-1 387 3
13. Colorado Mesa 5-0 380 17
14. Ferris St. (Mich.) 4-1 352 13
15. California (Pa.) 4-0 315 24
16. Harding (Ark.) 5-0 312 20
17. Ashland (Ohio) 4-1 305 5
18. Emporia St. (Kan.) 4-1 208 23
19. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 4-1 185 9
20. Southwest Baptist (Mo.) 5-0 148 NR
21. LIU-Post (N.Y.) 5-0 134 NR
22. Assumption (Mass.) 4-1 94 15
23. Florida Tech 4-1 90 16
24. North Carolina-Pembroke 4-1 81 21
25t. Bemidji St. (Minn.) 4-1 73 NR
25t. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 3-1 73 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Wayne St. (Mich.), 64; Minnesota-Duluth, 55; Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 39; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 8; Central Missouri, 5; Notre Dame (Ohio), 5; Bloomsburg (Pa.), 4; Newberry (S.C.), 4; Southern Arkansas, 2; Colorado School of Mines, 1.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating a juvenile for an alleged clown threat made on social media.
On Sunday, USD 259 reported they observed and received reports of several “creepy clown” messages on social media.
A juvenile was arrested as a suspect in connection with the case, according to Wichita Police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow during Monday’s online media briefing.
The juvenile was booked for criminal threat.
Several online messages have gone so far as to reference specific schools in Wichita including some high schools and a middle school, according to Executive Director of safety services for Wichita Public Schools Terry Moses.
The school district has shared all messages with local law enforcement.
We have received reports of several “creepy clown” messages on social media. Law enforcement is investigating.https://t.co/FDArw0EWSq
— WichitaPublicSchools (@WichitaUSD259) October 3, 2016
School officials believe the messages to be a hoax but they are being extra-vigilant and have asked police for additional patrols, according to Moses. ———————- SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities and school officials in Sedgwick County are investigating after USD 259 reported they observed and received reports of several “creepy clown” messages on social media. Several have gone so far as to reference specific schools in Wichita. The school district has shared all messages with local law enforcement. School officials believe the messages to be a hoax but they will be extra-vigilant on Monday as students and staff return to school.
We have received reports of several “creepy clown” messages on social media. Law enforcement is investigating.https://t.co/FDArw0EWSq
— WichitaPublicSchools (@WichitaUSD259) October 3, 2016
The district encouraged students and parents to send any posts of concern to the Wichita Public Schools (@wichitausd259), and those will be shared with law enforcement as well.
There have been similar clown reports to school districts across the country.
Last month, a suburban Cincinnati school district closed schools after a woman reported being grabbed around the neck by a male dressed as a clown who she said made a threat against students.
In Colorado, an 11-year-old boy brought a BB gun to Franklin Middle School in a backpack with an image of a clown on it. Police say the boy planned to wear clown gloves while using the weapon.
The Pennsylvania State Police and others are encouraging caution amid a rash of public complaints and social media reports in a number of states of people dressed like clowns acting suspiciously, even if they think many are knucklehead pranksters or downright bogus.
KDA
MANHATTAN–In September 2016, a Kansas beef producer took his first steps across international borders to take part in an agricultural trade mission to Uruguay. With the goal of exploring opportunities for U.S. and Kansas beef genetics abroad, Jason Pratt of Dwight, Kan., was interested in learning more. “I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Pratt. “You read publications, magazines and online articles, making you believe you have a picture of what international agriculture looks like, but it’s really hard to grasp until you see it in person.”
The trade mission was sponsored by the Kansas Department of Agriculture with assistance from funds from the U.S. Livestock Genetic Export, Inc. Pratt chose to submit an application to participate in the trade mission, was selected, and traveled along with three other Kansans: Russ Smith of RS Angus, Dodge City, Kan.; Galen Fink of Fink Beef Genetics, Randolph, Kan.; and Billy Brown, KDA agribusiness development coordinator.
During the three-day trade mission, the Kansas breeders attended Uruguay’s largest livestock exposition, Expo Prado, where they were able to interact with breeders and genetics companies to promote the use of U.S. beef genetics.
Smith said that these meetings were invaluable. “It was an opportunity to get a feel for the wants, needs and desires that Uruguay has for U.S. beef semen and genetics,” he said.
Kansas trade mission participants also fostered relationships with Uruguay producers by participating in field tours. Smith said he was surprised by the advanced use of artificial insemination in the average commercial cow operation. “This provides a great opportunity for semen sales and/or selling bulls for semen collection,” he said. “We’d really like to get a foothold in that market.”
KDA strives to encourage and enhance economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy by exploring and expanding both domestic and international marketing opportunities.
“The trade mission gave me and the other participants a firsthand grasp on the differences between the United States and Uruguay. We were given a better understanding of how cattle are sent to market, their selection criteria based on market demands, and even production management,” said Pratt. “This program provided by KDA was a great opportunity for beef producers to gain exposure and develop tools necessary to access markets around the world.”
For more information on this or other international trade missions, please contact Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, KDA international trade director, at [email protected] or (785) 564-6704.
The Hays Police Department responded to 24 traffic stops and 10 animal calls Thu., Sept. 29, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block Judith Dr, Hays; 3:04 AM
Found/Lost Property–2000 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 6:08 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 8:24 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 9:07 AM
Dead Animal Call–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 9:36 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–600 block Oak St, Hays; 11:02 AM
Animal Bite Investigation–1400 block E 29th St, Hay; 11:40 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2900 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 12:37 PM
Animal At Large–600 block E 11th St, Hays; 2:26 PM
Juvenile Complaint–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 3:19 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1000 block E 13th St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Disturbance – General–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 3:31 PM
Dangerous Animal–1400 block Milner St, Hays; 4:02 PM
Animal Call–2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 4:39 PM
Suspicious Activity–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:06 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block W 8th St, Hays; 5:30 PM; 5:40 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block W 33rd St, Hays; 6:31 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1100 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:23 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–500 block W 24th St, Hays; 9:38 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:24 PM
