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OU president Boren says Big 12 is strong, on positive track

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) – Oklahoma President David Boren says the Big 12 board of directors is in a data-gathering mode and would rather be right than hasty while considering the possibility of expansion.

Boren, serving as chair of the league’s board that will make the final decisions, described the 10-team league as very strong Thursday and on a “very positive track.”

Oklahoma’s president once described the Big 12 as “psychologically disadvantaged” as the smallest of the five power conferences, without a football championship game or league-wide television network.

Boren said it is time for the league to make decisions, but is in a position of strength with time to be careful in making them.

The Big 12 directors meet again Friday, the last day of the league’s spring meetings.

Royals 3B Mike Moustakas has season-ending knee surgery

Mike Moustakas celebrates after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals).
Mike Moustakas celebrates after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals).

CLEVELAND (AP) – Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas has had season-ending surgery on his right knee.

Moustakas tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a May 22 collision with teammate Alex Gordon. The team says Thursday that the operation was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Florida.

Moustakas was a key player in helping Kansas City win the World Series last season and was selected to the AL All-Star team. He batted .240 with seven home runs in 27 games this year.

Gordon broke his wrist in the collision and the left fielder also is on the disabled list.

KBI: Use of synthetic opioid poses risk to Kansas citizens

KBITOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is warning the public of a rapidly emerging drug threat that is believed to have contributed to a number of accidental drug overdose deaths in Kansas within the past month. This drug, “U-47700”, has no accepted medical use and poses a risk to Kansas citizens.

Across the country, opioids, including prescription pain relievers and heroin, remain the driving factor behind the drug overdose epidemic. U-47700 is a synthetic opioid analgesic drug that is reportedly nearly eight times more potent than morphine. It may cause eye, skin, or respiratory system irritation and is harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. U-47700 produces strong effects including sedation and respiratory depression which could be harmful or fatal.

Although U-47700 is not currently controlled in Kansas, contact with or use of this substance is strongly discouraged. It can be obtained from a variety of sources, including the internet, and is available in various forms. Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to be watchful of packages and mailing labels that indicate shipments from overseas, particularly China. This substance is often sold in containers – vials or plastic zippered baggies – that are labeled “Not for Human Consumption” or “For Research Purposes Only”. This is a tactic frequently utilized by manufacturers of illegal drugs; unknown substances with these marking should be considered suspicious.

The public should be advised of the potential serious harm resulting from exposure to U- 47700. If you or someone you know is suspected of ingesting U-47700, seek medical attention immediately.

Ohio, Wyoming, and Georgia have recently undergone procedures for emergency scheduling of U-47700 in order to make consumption, possession, and distribution illegal. In recognition of the rapidly emerging drug threat U-47700 poses to Kansas citizens, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is actively working with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy and a number of affected jurisdictions to initiate the procedure for emergency scheduling of U-47700 in Kansas.

Kansas school officials uncertain amid funding fight

School funding smallSHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — School administrators across Kansas are trying to figure out how a recent state Supreme Court ruling will affect their ability to provide critical summer programs and prepare for the fall semester that begins in August.

Some districts are taking a wait-and-see approach to a stalemate between the Legislature and the court, which threatened last week to cease all school functions on July 1 if lawmakers don’t find a way to resolve shortcomings in the current funding formula.

Other districts are busy creating contingency plans for what they will do if the issue is not resolved and the court follows through with its threat.

Kansas Association of School Boards lobbyist Mark Tallman says the problem for most school districts is that they aren’t sure what the court’s ruling means

Kan. health warning issued over algae bloom in Rooks Co., 2 other lakes

kdheTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials say three of the state’s lakes are under health warnings because of high levels of toxic blue-green algae blooms.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said in a statement that the lakes under warning aren’t closed, but that contact with the water can cause serious illness and should be avoided.

KDHE says elevated algae levels have been found in Hiawatha City Lake in Brown County, Marion Reservoir in Marion County, and Plainville Township Lake in Rooks County.

KDHE says the water should never be consumed by humans,

Dolores Anne Eilts

Dolores EiltsDolores Anne Eilts, 80, Hays, died Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at her home in Hays.

She was born November 13, 1935 in Russell, Kansas the daughter of Clarence E. and Nellie V. (Fry) Laizure.  On October 1, 1966 she married Ray Louis Eilts in Plainville, Kansas.  She graduated from Hays High School in 1953 and attended Fort Hays State University. She graduated from Brown Mackie College in Salina in 1978.  She was a legal secretary and then a free-lance certified court reporter (CSR). She was a member of the Kansas Court Reporters Association. 

She loved to garden and tend to her flowers, loved music and playing the oboe and piano, and she loved her dogs. She enjoyed reading, family gatherings, and she liked a good party.

Survivors include her husband, Hays, two sons; Mark R. Eilts and wife Chris of Hays and Keith E. Eilts and wife Renee of Hays, a daughter; Kathy J. Mitchell of Hays, two step sons; Leo D. Eilts and wife Rose of Kansas City, KS, and Roger L. Eilts and wife Deidre of Prairie Village, KS, a step daughter Rayleen B. Hufford and husband Dennis of San Antonio, TX, three sisters; Jeane Carole Smith and husband Don of Manhattan, Bette June Fiero of Niantic, CT, and Karen Louise Frydendall and husband Merrill of North Mankato, MN, thirteen grandchildren; David Mitchell and wife Amy of Orlando, FL, Kyle Eilts and wife Angela of Lee’s Summit, MO, Phillip L. Mitchell and wife Lauren of Lawrence, Natalie Moore and husband Jerry of Wichita, Elise Eilts-Blas and husband Drew of Topeka, Stephanie Brewster and husband Brandon of Olathe, Rachel Eilts-Bogert and husband Nate of Kansas City, MO, Mariah Messer and husband Pete of Minneapolis, MN, Aden Eilts and wife Joyce of Kansas City, KS, Jesse Hufford and wife Karyl of Ft. Lewis, WA, Justin Hufford and wife Catherine of San Antonio, TX , Jay David Hufford and wife Tricia of Austin, TX, and Juleen Sanftner and husband Roger of San Antonio, TX, 15 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters; Ruth Elaine Braly and Marjorie Mae Dreher, a brother Clarence James Laizure, and a son in law Gerald E. Mitchell.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Inurnment will be at 11:00 am on Monday, June 6, 2016 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Friday and from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday, all at the funeral home. 

Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains or to Boy Scout Troop #101, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Kan. Sex Offender Charged With Transporting Virginia Teen for Sex

Viquesney- photo KBI
Viquesney- photo KBI

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A registered sex offender from Kansas was charged in federal court Thursday with picking up a 16-year-old girl in Virginia and taking her across state lines to have sex with him, according to acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Logan Viquesney, 20, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of interstate transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

An affidavit filed in the case alleges the victim was staying with her grandparents in Virginia when she and Viquesney began communicating over the Internet. On May 30, the victim was reported missing from her grandparents’ home. Investigators learned that Viquesney had driven to Virginia, picked up the girl, and taken her with him on a trip that took them from Virginia to Maryland, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. While on the trip, Viquesney had sex with the girl.

Viquesney was arrested after he arrived in Kansas City, Kan., with the girl.

If convicted, he faces a penalty not less than 10 years in federal prison. Investigating agencies include the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Lenexa Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

Sheriff: Barton Co. recovers portion of $48K lost in email scam

ComputerScamBARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement officials in Barton County continue to investigate an expensive email scam but have recovered some of the money that was lost.

Barton County Treasurer Kevin Wondra reported $34,360.70 was being returned from Suntrust Bank of Georgia, according to a media release from the Sheriff’s Department.

The difference of $14,239.30 had already been withdrawn by parties on the receiving end of the crime.

On May 17, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office reported $48,600 was erroneously transferred from the Treasurer’s Office in the alleged scam.

“In my experience this is one of the very few times we have seen successful recovery of funds in this type of case,” said Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

No suspects have been identified.

Kansas apartment building construction site fire under investigation

photos Manhattan Fire Dept.
photos Manhattan Fire Dept.

MANHATTAN – Investigators are working to determine the cause of a Thursday morning fire at a construction site in Manhattan.

Just after 5 a.m., The Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of 8th and Moro Street and found a three-story apartment building under construction with fire showing from multiple floors, according to a media release.

The fire reached a second alarm before it was contained within approximately one hour.

The building was an approximately 8,000-square-foot, three-story apartment building under construction.

When finished, the building would contain 6 apartments with 17 bedrooms with an estimated value of more than $1 million.

The owner is listed as Fieldhouse Development Inc. and RF Benchmark Construction is the general contractor.

Early Thursday morning fire in Manhattan
Early Thursday morning fire in Manhattan

The Manhattan Fire Department, the Riley County Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will be conducting a joint fire investigation.

HCF receives record total for grant requests

American Legion Moore Post 197 received a $4,500 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation in partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Fund to place Personal Assistant Devices in the homes of 25 individuals in need - elderly, handicapped, and/or veterans.
American Legion Moore Post 197, WaKeeney, previously received a $4,500 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation in partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Fund to place Personal Assistant Devices in the homes of 25 individuals in need – elderly, handicapped, and/or veterans. (Photo courtesy HCF)

HCF

Heartland Community Foundation ended its current grant cycle May 15, 2016. Today, Sandy Jacobs, executive director, announced the Foundation has received 73 grant requests totaling $1,100,000. According to Jacobs, this total far exceeds any total of requests the Foundation has had in the past. “We are thrilled with the participation in our communities. What this tells us, unfortunately, is there is tremendous need in each county we serve. Additionally it tells us we are doing a good job of letting citizens know who we are and what we do.”

The generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation is allowing Heartland Community Foundation to award over $300,000.00 in grants during this cycle, $100,000.00 in each of the counties it serves – Ellis, Trego and Rooks Counties.

The grants will be announced later in June.

Jacobs added, “Heartland Community Foundation works to encourage philanthropic giving by donors in each of the 3 counties we serve. The fact the Dane G. Hansen Foundation recognizes the work of community foundations and chooses to partner with those foundations speaks to their overall mission of improving the quality of life for citizens of northwest Kansas. We believe we are in a unique position to find and fund projects that will have the most impact in local areas.”

Along with the Dane G. Hansen Grant Fund, Heartland Community Foundation administers the Heartland Area Action Fund and the Heartland Healthy Living Fund. The Heartland Area Action Fund is an unrestricted community grant fund.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965, with the primary goal of making the communities of northwest Kansas better places to live. The Foundation was established through a generous estate gift of Dane G. Hansen, an exceptional Kansas citizen who had a personal interest in promoting education and helping young people to succeed. In honor of Mr. Hansen’s memory, the Foundation awards grants and scholarships every year to qualified recipients who demonstrate a strong desire for community involvement. The Hansen Foundation serves 26 counties in northwest Kansas.

The Heartland Community Foundation was established in 2007 as an affiliate of the Great Salina Community Foundation. Heartland serves communities and their residents in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties. For more information on our foundation, visit our website at www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org.

NW Kansas woman among Libertarian candidates for general election

libertarian party of ks logoLPKS

TOPEKA – Rob Hodgkinson, Stilwell, the State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Kansas (LPKS), filed the Libertarian’s 2016 slate of candidates with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.

“I’m very proud of the list of candidates that we filed today (June 1),” said Hodgkinson in a news release. “The Libertarian Party have assured that every Kansan will have a third option on their ballot in the general election this November.”

The Libertarian stable of 16 candidates range from local offices such as the Oxford Township Trustee to the party’s candidates for President and Vice-President, Governor Gary Johnson and Governor William Weld.

The party’s candidates for President and Vice President are their highest profile candidates. Gary Johnson is the former two-term governor of New Mexico and William Weld is the former two-term governor of Massachusetts. Demonstrating the candidates’ cross-party-line appeal, both were elected as Republicans in heavily Democrat states. Now both men have joined the Libertarian Party where their campaign’s message of fiscal responsibility and social acceptance has found a more natural political home.

It appears that the Libertarian candidate for President will be the only third party or independent candidate to appear on the general election ballot in all 50 states. Hodgkinson hopes that the high-profile nature of the party’s candidate for president will make people consider their local candidates as well. “The two party system is broken and we are all disgusted with ‘politics as usual’,” said Hodgkinson, “and I believe that this is the year that politics-as-usual changes in America. We expect that this is the year that will see mass conversions from both the Republicans and Democrats to the Libertarian Party where they will be welcome.”

The Libertarian Party of Kansas invites individuals and media to learn more about their candidates for office. All candidates and their contact information are listed below.

LPKS Confirmed Candidates List for 2016

United States Senator
Robert D. Garrard
2287 N. 300 Rd
Edgerton, KS 66021
913-956-9167
[email protected]

United States House of Representatives Dist. # 1
Kerry Burt
314 Robert St
Hutchinson, KS 67502
785-280-3507
[email protected]

United States House of Representatives Dist. # 2
James Houston Bales
4401 Adam Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66047
210-771-1463
[email protected]
Website: www.BalesForCongress.com

United States House of Representatives Dist. # 3
Steven A. Hohe
4760 Black Swan Dr
Shawnee, KS 66216
913-980-7731
[email protected]

United States House of Representatives Dist. # 4
Gorden J.Bakken
4323 E. Douglas Ave
Wichita, KS 67218
316-687-9402
[email protected]

Magistrate Judge – District 15 Position 1
A. Danielle Gardner
312 W Spencer Street
P.O. Box 1201
St Francis, KS 67756
573-470-5980
[email protected]

Kansas Senate – District 6
Jason Conley
9127 Ann Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
316-734-9650
[email protected]
Website: www.JasonLovesKansas.com

Kansas Senate – District 21
Michael Kerner
15515 W. 80th St
Lenexa, KS 66219
913-488-8856
[email protected]

Kansas House of Representatives – District 9
Patrick McMurray
1500 W Main Apt 111
Chanute, KS 66720
614-940-30581
[email protected]

Kansas House of Representatives – District 19
John Taube
8857 Broadmoor Ct Apt 3405
Overland Park, KS 66212
913-291-7912
[email protected]

Kansas House of Representatives – District 38
Frederick Caleb Cristopher
3111 N 155th Terrace
Bashor, KS 66007
(913) 961-5689
[email protected]

Kansas House of Representatives – District 71
Joey Frazier
722 E. Iron Ave
Salina, KS 67401
785-643-1481
[email protected]

Kansas House of Representatives – District 86
James Pruden
2918 East Morris Street
Wichita, KS 67211
316 686-0310
[email protected]

President / Vice President
Gary Johnson / William Weld
PO Box 4422
Salt Lake City, UT 84110-4422
801-303-7922
Emails:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Website: www.GaryJohnson2016.com

Kansas man accused of making, spending counterfeit money

counterfeit moneyHUTCHINSON— A Kansas man made a first appearance before a judge Wednesday on five counts of making false writing and theft.

Romero Lucio Jr., 26, Hutchinson, was arrested on the charges stemming from reports of phony $50 bills being passed at a number of local businesses in May.

Officials at Walmart were able to provide police with a picture of the suspect and also a tag number of the vehicle he was in.

That led to Lucio’s residence where police allegedly found the printer used as well as some printed phony money on a sheet of paper that hadn’t been cut yet.

Lucio is jailed on a $9,000 bond and is due back in court next week.

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