Airlines canceled and delayed fewer flights in March and consumer complaints were down.
The Department of Transportation said Monday that 81.5 percent of flights on the main airlines arrived on time during March, up from 78.7 percent in March 2015. Hawaiian Airlines was the best performer, while Spirit Airlines finished last.
About 1 percent of flights were canceled during the month, an improvement from 2.2 percent a year earlier.
The figures don’t include more recent periods, in which thousands of passengers have missed their flights because they were stuck in long security-checkpoint lines.
The government says it got 1,055 consumer complaints about U.S. airlines, down from 1,378 in March 2015 — a reversal from rising complaint rates earlier this year.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Federal Election Commission data shows that Kansas residents have donated more than $1.8 million to presidential candidates and hundreds of millions more through PACs and super PACs.
The Wichita Eagle reports that Kansas ranks in the bottom 10 among states’ donations between January 2015 and March 2016.
Less than 4,000 Kansas residents made donations to individual candidates. The most common individual donation was $50. About two-thirds of all donations were $50 or less.
But the average donor gave money to their candidate five times, and the most common total amount given was $250.
At this point in the 2012 campaign, Kansas residents had donated $2.4 million. Nearly twice as many Kansas residents gave money in this election cycle than in 2012, although each person has given less.
ELLIS COUNTY–Ellis County is seeking community assistance in a death investigation.
Ellis County Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek is requesting the public’s assistance in the investigation of a fatality accident that occurred in the 700 block of 240th Avenue (Hays Main Street – South) approximately 5 miles south of Hays, a half-mile north of Antonino Road.
On Sunday at approximately 10:15 p.m., a traveling motorist observed the body of Dylan Weiser, age 22, Thornton, Colo., formerly of LaCrosse, lying deceased in the west ditch in the 700 block of 240th Avenue.
Anyone who has information concerning this incident, or who may have traveled at or by this location on Sunday between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., is requested and encouraged to call the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 625-1040, or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-KS-CRIME (1-800-572-7463).
This fatality investigation is under the direction of Noordhoek, who is being assisted by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the Hays Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Noordhoek and law enforcement send their condolences to the family of Dylan Weiser, and request the public’s help in this investigation.
BARTON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities and fire investigators in Barton County are investigating an alleged arson and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.
On Monday April 9, a suspect was seen walking away from the scene of a confirmed arson fire in the 400 block of East 4th in Ellinwood.
The suspect is described as a white male 30 to 45 years of age, 5’11” and 230 pounds.
He was wearing red mesh shorts and a dark hoodie covering his head. The suspect was seen walking in an alley at the time the fire was reported.
Loss in the arson is in excess of $12,000.
If you have information about this crime or any other crime, please call crime stoppers at 620-792- 1300 or 888-305- 1300, remember we don’t want your name, just your information.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill Monday that he said is aimed at freeing more people from poverty, but opponents argue the new welfare restrictions leave families without a safety net during financial difficulties.
Under the new law Kansans will be limited to 24 months on cash assistance over their lifetime. The previous limit was 36 months.
Able-bodied recipients of food assistance also will be required to participate in an employment or training program and not quit a job that offers at least 30 hours of work per week.
The Brownback administration estimates that about 9 percent of the approximately 4,900 households receiving cash assistance will reach the new lifetime limit within the next year.
SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a reported Sunday afternoon robbery.
Just after 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Mary Jones, 51, Salina, went to the home of an acquaintance, in the 1400 block of Beverly in Salina and demanded that that the homeowner give her his credit cards, according to Police Captain Mike Sweeney.
When he homeowner refused, Jones allegedly picked up a candlestick holder and threatened to hit him with it.
The homeowner then picked up a .22 caliber revolver.
A struggle for the gun ensued, causing the weapon to discharge three shots into a ceiling inside the home.
After the struggle, the homeowner locked himself inside a room and Jones fled the home with several items including the gun, the candlestick, a holster and a Samsung flip phone.
She was located Sunday evening at her home in the 700 block of Fairdale. The items were recovered and she booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of robbery and criminal trespassing.
Some of the 3,794 Fort Hays State University graduates in 2016
By RANDY GONZALES FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Jeina Stoumbaugh was one of 3,794 Fort Hays State University graduates in 2016. She couldn’t have done it without the support she received the last four years from the FHSU community.
“They helped me out tremendously,” said Stoumbaugh, who received a degree in organizational leadership. “First person I met on campus was Joey Linn. He’s been one of my biggest supporters all four years.”
Dr. Linn was associate vice president for student affairs and registrar at the time and has since been promoted to vice president of the Division of Student Affairs.
“In these very contentious times, the life’s work of Sen. Bob Dole reminds us we must find ways to come together, to move forward, to accomplish together what no one of us can do alone,” FHSU President Mirta M. Martin said. “He shares the same western Kansas values that sustain our exploration on the Great American frontier. His life is a life lived large, and his influence is even larger. His life’s journey is distinguished by courage, by sacrifice, by compassion and by public service. He remains one of the nation’s greatest and most visible leaders.”
Michael Beach and his wife, Pat, traveled from South Carolina to attend Friday’s graduation of their nephew, Austin Linden-Lowell. About a dozen family members gathered for the big occasion, and a family picnic was planned afterward. Beach, who is retired from the telecommunications industry, has his own consulting business. Linden-Lowell, from Deer Trail, Colo., graduated with a degree in technology studies.
“I was an engineer,” Beach said. “I’m interested to see what he’s planning to do.”
Linden-Lowell and Stoumbaugh, like the 3,792 other graduates, will take that next step Dole alluded to in his speech, a step Martin emphasized in her remarks.
“Today, we are on the cusp of one of the greatest generational shifts of all time. You, the millennial generation, 81 million strong, are the largest generation in American history. You will not have the luxury of a long apprenticeship. In just four short years, you will comprise 46 percent of the workforce,” Martin said. “Don’t live a life that’s too small for you. Live large, be courageous, be compassionate, be a leader.
“To be a leader, you must be visible,” Martin added. “To make a difference, you must be seen. To be seen; to have the world find you – you must give of yourself.”
Stoumbaugh, who is from Westminster, Colo., gave of herself in her four years at Fort Hays State. She worked with student orientation in the student affairs office and was active in Delta Zeta sorority. She also worked nights as a certified nursing assistant at Cedar View Assisted Living. Now it’s on to the University of Central Missouri to be a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in college student personnel administration.
“It’s a little scary, but I know I still have those people who supported me all these four years,” said Stoumbaugh, who moves to Warrensburg, Mo., in July. “They’re again going to be my biggest cheerleaders when I make the move.”
Being the Superintendent of USD 489 since September 2013 has given me so many wonderful memories to take with me as I retire from Kansas. It was a difficult decision to make because I have enjoyed the community of Hays and working with exceptionally talented colleagues.
I am proud of the accomplishments the district and students have made over the past three years. There is something truly special about the students of USD 489. The students continue to perform over the state standards for academic testing. We have seen the HHS journalism team repeat in state titles, DECA competing at the national level, outstanding performances from all of the students that participate in music and visual arts programs, incredible performances from all of the USD 489 athletes, too many National Honor’s Society students to mention individually, FFA placing at the national level, the HHS News Team taking home state accolades, two Hays Middle School students qualifying for the National Social Studies Bee, and a Hays Middle School student winning an international award for the Lion’s Club Peace Poster Contest. This list could go on and on, but these few accomplishments attest to the talent that lives and breathes in Hays.
At the heart of the accomplishments of all of our exceptional students lies the heart and soul of USD 489, the staff. Whether it is the amazing teachers and para-educators that take the extra time to give individual attention to our students, , nurses, counselors, OT/PT staff, and psychologists for keeping students mentally and physically healthy, administration for providing positive leadership, clerical staff for helping the buildings run efficiently, nutrition services staff for feeding students and staff, or the transportation department for ensuring the students make it to school safely, or the hard-working custodial and maintenance staff for keeping the aging facilities in order, it is no wonder our students are so successful. Every staff member in the district can take pride in knowing that they individually make a difference for all of our students.
It has been my pleasure to participate in the Hays Rotary Club and the Hays Chamber of Commerce. Our local organizations are a great part of what makes Hays such a great place to live. The next superintendent will be lucky to be a part of this wonderful community.
As I reflect on all of the positive things that have happened over the past three years, I am thankful for the opportunity to see the bond issue election through on June 7th. The Facility Needs Committee, bond issue campaign volunteers, board of education, and countless staff members have toiled to provide the plan for continued success in all of our USD 489 schools. With facilities that have survived for 90+ years, the youngest being Hays High School, now 37 years old, it is hard to not notice that the bond issue would allow the district to thrive for the next 30 – 40 years.
We currently only have one school in the district with an engineered storm shelter at Hays Middle School. Safe and secure entrances do not exist at any of our buildings. Due to budget constraints, the district has not been able to keep up with deferred maintenance.
As I ready to move into my next chapter in life, I can think of no greater legacy than to have these improvements addressed in all of our Hays USD 489 schools. Early voting for the bond issue election begins on May 19th and will run through June 6th at noon. You can contact the Ellis County Clerk’s office at 785-628-9410 or visit 718 Main Street, Hays, to request the option to vote early. The polls will be open on June 7th from 7 am to 7 pm. Voters who reside in the Hays city limits will vote at the American Legion, 1305 Canterbury. District voters who reside outside of city limits will vote at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish at 2901 E. 13th Street. Hays City voters will vote on the following questions:
1.) $85,135,000 for deferred maintenance, construction of storm shelters at all schools (excluding Hays Middle School), installation of safe and secure entrances, and renovations/additions to district facilities
2.) $8,900,000 for the construction of gymnasiums at Hays Middle School and Hays High School
3.) A half-cent city sales tax that would be in place for ten years that would start at the sunset of the current county half-cent sales tax set to expire in 2018. This sales tax would help pay for the bond issue and reduce the impact on the mill levy.
District voters residing outside of city limits will vote for questions 1 and 2.
Please be sure to vote early or on June 7th. The future of Hays rests in your decision. Please consider the safety and security of all of the Hays students when you vote.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your superintendent of schools for the past three years. There is no other job I have enjoyed more than Hays. I wish all of the staff and board well and am confident that Hays will continue to achieve well and set a positive example for all school districts in Kansas.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The two-decade-old dissertation of Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp is being used against him as he seeks re-election.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Huelskamp rails against New Deal-era agriculture subsidies and price supports in his 400-page essay on congressional agriculture committees. He completed it while he was a Ph.D. student at American University in Washington.
To continue representing the 1st Congressional District of western and central Kansas, Huelskamp must overcome Great Bend obstetrician Roger Marshall in the Republican primary. One issue that’s emerged is Huelskamp’s removal from the House Agriculture Committee after he clashed with former Speaker John Boehner.
Marshall noted that Huelskamp, citing research from other scholars, said in his dissertation that the House and Senate agriculture committees “over-represent rural and agricultural interests.”
Huelskamp calls the dissertation questions “outrageous.”
HILL CITY — In November 2014, Anissa Pfeifer and Sonia Larcom discussed their shared dream of starting their own business. By the next fall, the sisters met their first goal and opened The Blue Heron Boutique in Hill City. Less than a year later, the sisters are expanding their business with a second store located at 1013 Main Street in downtown Hays’ Chestnut Street District.
The Blue Heron Boutique’s Hays store will continue to offer fashion savvy and affordable women’s clothes and accessories already offered at the Hill City location and online. With the opening of the Hays location, The Blue Heron Boutique will offer locally made merchandise and children’s clothes.
“Our customers are feminine, self-assured and fashion-aware. They explore their own style and expect value for their money. We also see the demand from mothers who’d like their children to have the same fashion options,” said Pfeifer. “We’re eager to share The Blue Heron Boutique’s unique collections with the Hays market.”
The sisters will work quickly to open the Hays store with a grand opening slated for 10 a.m. June 18. Following the grand opening, The Blue Heron Boutique will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Pfeifer and Larcom’s goals for The Blue Heron Boutique don’t end with just a second store in rural Kansas. The sisters plan to introduce a Blue Heron fashion line and open additional locations in urban cities.
“The Chestnut Street District is an area with the culture, character and charm that represents The Blue Heron Boutique well. We just love that we have the opportunity to plant ourselves in an area that has such rich, historic roots,” said Larcom.
Advocates for transgender rights are glad the Kansas legislature did not pass bills that would have determined which bathrooms transgender people can use. However, they are looking ahead toward an uncertain future.
Elliot DeCosta, a transgender man and recent Lawrence Free State High School graduate, said the Student Physical Privacy Act, introduced in House Bill 2737 and Senate Bill 513, would put transgender people in harm’s way.
“One of the biggest, most talked about, most well-known issues in the [transgender] community is finding spaces that are safe for [transgender] people to use,” DeCosta said.
Last session, the House and Senate bills proposed new laws that would have required public school and college students across the state to use restrooms that matched the biological sex they were assigned at birth, regardless of whether individuals identified as a man or woman.
The bills said if a transgender person used the wrong gendered bathroom, it could create “potential for disruption of educational activities and unsafe situations.” The bills proposed a $2,500 fine for individuals who disobeyed the bill. It also said students could request alternative or separate bathroom accommodations if their parents approved.
The bills were left in committee at the time the legislature adjourned. But advocates fear they could be reintroduced in the next session.
“There’s always a risk for [transgender] people, whether they’re in school or out of school. But in schools, [transgender] kids can be particularly vulnerable. High schools and middle schools are perfect places for harassment and bullying,” said Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas.
DeCosta said the alternative accommodations proposed by the legislature are not always available, and even if they are, they might cause transgender people to out themselves in order to use them.
This was DeCosta’s experience at his high school during the 2014-2015 school year.
He said the only option for a unisex bathroom was the one wheelchair accessible bathroom in the school, which required a key.
“I had to have a parent come in and support me with a statement so that the school would give me a key. Essentially, if you’re not out at home, then you have no hope of accessing these resources,” DeCosta said.
Such an arrangement makes bathrooms anything but accessible. DeCosta said he had to explain his whole life story and situation so access to the bathroom could even be considered.
“Anytime you are forced to out yourself where it is not your choice, or you have to talk about incredibly personal details of your life that are traumatizing and really damaging … and [have] to get documentation from a medical professional to document the need to use a bathroom, any bathroom, is too much work,” he said.
DeCosta said the sentiments in HB 2737 and SB 513 encourage people to be unkind those who do not align themselves with “who they think should be using that bathroom, especially [transgender] women.”
“That’s always how it is with anything in the trans community. People who don’t align with the cis-standard are going to be affected the most. But especially trans women – their safety is going to be put in a place that is so abysmal, that is just terrifying to think about,” DeCosta said. Cisgender refers to people whose sexual identity matches their biological sex.
Transgender women are already targeted at such alarmingly high rates, DeCosta said, that the reality of the idea of a trans women having to use a men’s restroom in order to comply with the law is incredibly dangerous.
“[These bills] are essentially telling trans women that it’s okay if anything happens to them,” DeCosta said.
Former University of Kansas student Leah Albee has argued that the he/she dichotomy in society isn’t necessary. Albee does not identify as male or female.
“The binary isn’t real, and all restrooms should be gender-neutral, period. You can’t tell what a person’s gender is by looking at them,” Albee said.
Albee said if there are no gender-neutral restrooms available, transgender students would have to decide whether to leave campus every time they need to use the restroom or be in fear for their safety.
“That’s if you can leave, if you can’t you’re forced to make the choice between harming your body by not going to the restroom when you need to or threaten your safety,” Albee said.
If any citizens are concerned about the future of bills like this being introduced into politics in Kansas, Witt encourages them to contact Equality Kansas to learn about how to get involved.
“[Equality Kansas] is the only LGBT+ organization in the state that works on these issues directly at the statehouse,” Witt said.
ELLIS COUNTY–Ellis County is seeking community assistance in a death investigation.
