2016 – Page 754 – Hays Post Archive

Prosecutor seeks death penalty for fatal Kan. shooting of 3 adults, toddler

Posted on March 28, 2016

OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors are calling the crimes of an eastern Kansas man convicted in a quadruple homicide “extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile.”

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the sentencing phase of Kyle Flack’s trial began Monday. The jury is hearing testimony to determine if the 30-year-old should be sentenced to death.

Flack was found guilty last week of capital murder in the 2013 deaths of Kaylie Bailey and her toddler daughter, Lana. Flack also was convicted in the deaths of Bailey’s boyfriend, Andrew Stout, and his roommate, Steven White, at a rural Ottawa farmhouse.

Senior assistant attorney general Vic Braden says the killings of mother and daughter were done in an “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner.” The defense hasn’t yet made its case for life imprisonment.

Kansas man arrested after alleged attack with a wooden club

Posted on March 28, 2016

SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a Kansas man in connection with a Sunday evening altercation in the 200 Block of East Pacific in Salina.

Just after 6 p.m., Eric Moman, 37, Salina, was involved in an argument with an acquaintance Edward Burns, 31, when Burns struck Moman in the left arm and head with a 2-foot long wooden club, according to Police Captain Mike Sweeney

Moman had no visible injuries and he declined medical treatment at the scene.

Burns was arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of aggravated battery.

Ellis County hosts meet-and-greet for new administrator

Posted on March 28, 2016March 29, 2016

Ellis County residents will get an opportunity to meet the new county administrator on Tuesday.

The county is holding a meet-and-greet with Phillip Smith-Hanes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the County Administrative Center, 718 Main.

Smith-Hanes, a native of Marion, was hired as the new administrator in December, replacing Greg Sund. He previously served as the county administrative officer of Humboldt County, Calif. He began working in Ellis County on March 1.

Burn ban issued in Trego County

Posted on March 28, 2016

TCRF

TREGO COUNTY–There is a burn ban in Trego County on all open land burning effective today, Mon., March 28, until further notice by authority of Trego County Rural Fire Chief Larry Eberle.

Community Connection: Dr. Calvin Harbin

Posted on March 28, 2016

On a very special Community Connection, Mike Cooper visits with Dr. Calvin Harbin, who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Dr. Harbin has made many contributions to our nation, our region and our community during his lifetime.

Pesticides’ effects on pollinators to be discussed

Posted on March 28, 2016

EL CO EXTENSION

K-State Research and Extension of Ellis County invites you to attend “Pesticides and Pollinators”. This program will be held on Thursday, April 21st, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the back meeting room of the Ellis County Extension Office at 601 Main St. in Hays.

K-State Research and Extension Entomology Specialist, Dr. Raymond Cloyd, will cover the major issues associated with bee decline in the USA in relation to the many interacting stressors, how pesticides may directly and indirectly affect bees and other pollinators, and then what strategies can be implemented to protect bees and pollinators in landscapes. Dr. Cloyd will also address the characteristics of so-called “organic pesticides” including benefits and limitations, and provide detailed information on some of the common pesticides commonly used in “organic” production systems.

The Pesticides and Pollinators program is free to the public but it is requested that those interested in attending pre-register with the Ellis County Extension Office at (785) 628-9430, no later than Wednesday, April 20th.

RAHJES REPORT: March 28

Posted on March 28, 2016

We have made it to adjournment of the regular session; thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the Kansas House of Representatives.

The House approved 71 house bills and 63 senate bills so far. The veto session will begin on Wednesday, April 27th.

The biggest news of the last week was school finance. The House passed HB 2655, which is a response to the latest equity ruling in the Gannon school finance case. The bill gives school boards new flexibility using a formula that has already been found to pass the constitutional equity standard. Further flexibility on top of that will allow districts to raise extra money locally, keep property tax collections at the current rate, or give property tax relief to their district.

Under the plan as passed, schools will continue to receive predictable and flexible funding at record high levels as the block grant was intended to provide. No schools lose money under the plan, and approximately 24 districts that lost money because of plunging oil & gas valuations will see additional funding.

This plan is designed to keep the Supreme Court from closing Kansas schools while the new system for financing education is developed. I do not believe anyone is truly committed to disrupting education.

Here is a quick look at how this school finance bill would work:

Under the previous school finance formula that the block grant replaced, capital outlay and the local option budget (aka LOB or supplemental general state aid) used two separate, different calculations to distribute money equitably to schools.
SB 59 equalizes school dollars by applying the capital outlay calculation contained in the old formula to both LOB and Capital Outlay funding.
Using the Capital Outlay (CO) funding calculation, both CO and LOB money is distributed in a method that has already been determined by the court to satisfy equity among districts.
Any money remaining after LOB has been equalized then goes to equalize capital outlay.
After capital outlay has been fully equalized (using the capital outlay calculation) there is still more money left over.
The leftover money (over $61 million) is the “hold harmless” funding, and is given back to school districts with no strings attached.
The hold harmless money is completely free and flexible for school districts to put into the classroom or use however they choose.
The bill gives distribution authority of $15 million in extraordinary needs money to the Kansas Board of Education, which will work better with school districts and their budget schedules.
The bill is designed to be severable so schools will not be shut down. If the Court strikes down a certain portion of the law, the rest will remain in effect.

This is all contingent on the Kansas Supreme Court approving this school finance plan and we move forward developing a new school finance formula during the next legislative session in January.

Please reach out to me if you have concerns, questions or issues that need to be addressed. You can keep up on things by following and liking Ken for Kansas on Facebook. During the session I can be reached: Ken Rahjes, Kansas State Capitol, 168-W, Topeka, KS 66612; Phone: (785) 296-7676; Email: [email protected]; or 1798 E 900 Rd, Agra, KS 67621; Cell: (785) 302-8416 or [email protected].

You can also track bills and get specific information by going to kslegislature.org.

HPD Activity Log March 25-27

Posted on March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and 22 traffic stops Friday, March 25, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Intoxicated Subject–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:16 AM
Animal At Large–3800 block Vine St, Hays; 4:34 AM
Animal At Large–25th and Pine, Hays; 8:33 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1000 block Vine St, Hays; 10 AM
Found/Lost Property–Centennial and General Custer, Hays; 10:12 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11 AM; 11:09 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–3200 block Willow St, Hays; 11:56 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 1:17 PM
Animal At Large–300 block E 25th St; 1:54 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 3:07 PM
Animal At Large–6th and Riley, Hays; 5:22 PM
Civil Dispute–1100 block E 15th St, Hays; 8:15 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:01 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3000 block Indian Trl, Hays; 10:51 PM
Driving Under the Influence–600 block Park St, Hays; 11:48 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 25 traffic stops Sat., March 26, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal Trespass–300 block Ash St, Hays; 12:09 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 12:44 AM
Battery – simple–200 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:22 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–100 block W 38th St, Hays; 1:35 AM
Theft (general)–400 block Ash St, Hays; 2:11 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:14 AM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:19 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:12 AM
Theft (general)–200 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:30 PM; 12 PM
Welfare Check–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 12:20 PM
Burglary/storage unit–800 block Allen St, Hays; 4:27 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–3700 block Fairway Dr, Hays; 10:32 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and 24 traffic stops Sun., March 27, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–27th and Vine, Hays; 12:53 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:39 AM
Criminal Trespass–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:43 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Ash St, Hays; 2:10 AM
Domestic Disturbance–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 3:20 AM
Child in Need of Care–1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 7:40 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1200 block Cedar St, Hays; 8:50 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–500 block W 36th St, Hays; 2:55 PM
Theft (general)–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 3:30 PM; 3:40 PM
Criminal Transport–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4:59 PM
Found/Lost Property–13th and Hall, Hays; 5:36 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1700 block Henry Dr, Hays; 7:34 PM
Mental Health Call–2100 block Elm St, Hays; 8:36 PM
Civil Dispute–600 block E 7th St, Hays; 11:48 PM

Police offer kids officer trading cards

Posted on March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

GREAT BEND -The Great Bend Police Department is conducting a trading card program for children in the community, according to a social media report.

The program challenges children of all ages to collect a complete set of 32 Great Bend Police Department trading cards.

The set of cards includes all 21 police officers assigned to patrol, the detective K9 officer, a Special Service Team card, a DARE card, a police vehicle fleet card, the K9’s, a bike patrol unit card, and a Chief of Police card. The complete set of cards is a total of 32 different ones to collect.

The project started as the result of a call from a citizen who was wondering if the police department still had Kansas City Royals and Chiefs cards that were offered to kids by officers.

The Great Bend Police Department had success with that project several years ago and it was decided to look at it again.

After initially making trading cards for the K9’s, Kia and Lazer, the department saw the overwhelming response from youth and thought that by expanding the project they could further bonds between the two.

The trading card contest is designed to help officers break the ice when talking to children, and the cards encourage children to interact with the officers.

“I believe that it is important for the youth of the community to feel comfortable enough to come into the police department or contact any officer if they need help,” said Chief Cliff Couch. “The challenge provides the opportunity for the children to have a positive experience with the officers and for them to realize that they are regular people, just like their families.”

Kansas wildfire largely contained; some costs more than $1M

Posted on March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

Gov. Sam Brownback and Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, Kansas Adjutant General's Department, meet with 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment Soldiers fighting the wildfire-photo Kan. National Guard — Gov. Sam Brownback and Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, Kansas Adjutant General’s Department, meet with 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment Soldiers fighting the wildfire-photo Kan. National Guard

MEDICINE LODGE, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the wildfire that has burned at least 620 square miles of land in Kansas and Oklahoma since last week.

10:30 a.m.

Some costs of battling the largest wildfire in Kansas history have so far been tallied at more than $1 million.

Barber County Attorney Gaten Wood told The Wichita Eagle that full damage estimates from the fire haven’t been totaled. But he says the cost of resources from outside fire departments and the use of Kansas National Guard Black Hawk helicopters to dump water on the fire had mounted to more than $1 million.

Wood says that estimate doesn’t include Barber County’s costs, some state costs or damage to homes, property and livestock.

The Kansas Forest Service says crews will patrol areas Monday hit by the wildfire that has burned at least 620 square miles in Oklahoma and Kansas since last week.

The service says the fire was 90 percent contained Sunday, and 81 percent contained in Barber County, Kansas, where most of the damage has occurred.

Kansas Army National Guard Soldiers cleared nearly three inches of snow from Black Hawk helicopters March 27 to prepare them for more reconnaissance and fire suppression missions throughout the day.-photo Kan. National Guard

The National Weather Service says winds up to 30 mph, with 40 mph gusts, are expected to hit the sparsely populated fire zone Monday and Tuesday. However an increase in humidity Tuesday coupled with 4 inches of snow that fell Sunday could help firefighters.

The Kansas Adjutant General’s Office says six homes were destroyed. No one has been seriously injured.

Dane G. Hansen Foundation announces new funding for community foundations

Posted on March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

LOGAN — The Dane G. Hansen Foundation has announced a commitment to infuse up to $150,000 in new funds for 2016 in each of the 26 counties in its service area. The funds will support immediate needs for local community grants and build or grow permanent funds for future community grants.

The foundation’s total commitment for this initiative will be from $2.6 million to $3.9 million. Funds will be disbursed in each county through its community foundation or grant advisory committee.

“We recognize that local communities are in the best position to recognize their own needs, and the Hansen Foundation is pleased to be able to provide the resources to assist them in meeting those needs,” said Hansen Trustee Gary Poore.

The announcement of the additional dollars was revealed to community foundations March 16 in Hays at the Hansen Foundation’s first-ever Community Foundation Forum. More than a hundred community-minded people from across northwest Kansas gathered for the event.
Attendees included representatives from community foundation boards, grant advisory boards, economic development professionals and other civic professionals from the Hansen Foundation’s service area.

At the forum, the Trustees announced a commitment to renew $100,000 in expendable grants to each county for projects to be determined by local community foundations or advisory boards. In 2015, the Foundation made similar awards to community foundations: $50,000 was awarded in April and again in September. The dates will be the same for 2016.

In addition, Trustees announced a new initiative designed to encourage the growth of permanent funds in each county. Each community foundation will select a particular month in which it will host a matching-event or campaign.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation then will provide a 100 percent match for every dollar raised for the participating community foundation’s endowed, unrestricted community grant fund, up to a maximum of $50,000 per county.

“The money provided by the Hansen foundation has enhanced our community greatly and has brought great publicity to our community foundation,” said Sandy Labertew, Post Rock Community Foundation, Lincoln.

“Our community, its leaders and our citizens have chosen to succeed,” said Ashley Hutchinson, Cloud County Economic Development Corporation. “I’m excited the Hansen Foundation is providing a role in helping with that mission.”

For counties that do not have a community foundation, the Hansen Foundation will provide a matching grant, following the same guidelines and process, for a permanent grant fund, restricted for that county, to be held by a host community foundation.

In addition to the funding announcements, the Hays event included a session on community vitality efforts, presented by K-State Extension agent Nadine Sigle; board recruitment, by consultant Bill Riley; and the grant review process, by Betsy Wearing, Hansen coordinator of programs, communications and new initiatives.

In addition, Trustees shared information on new and renewing initiatives for community foundations. Scott Sproul, President of the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, shared information about the work this new organization will be doing. Attendees also enjoyed a presentation on the life and history of Mr. Hansen.

For more information, contact Betsy Wearing, Coordinator of Programs, Communications and New Initiatives, 785-452-8888.

For more information on the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, visit www.danehansenfoundation.org.

Reduction in EMS education hours proposed to Kan. legislators

Posted on March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

By Johanna Hecht

KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA – The Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) wants to reduce the number of continuing education hours for emergency workers.

Curt Shreckengaust, deputy director of the Kansas Board of EMS, proposed the new regulations for review by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations.

The changes would require that:

emergency medical responder (EMR) continuing education hours would be reduced from 20 hours to 16;
emergency medical technician (EMT) continuing education hours would be reduced from 40 to 28; and,
intermediate and advanced-level EMTs would see a reduction from 50 hours to 44.

“The EMS community received a few comments from larger fire-based EMS organizations in the state and other small departments explaining that it costs more money to provide those extra hours,” Shreckengaust said.

Shreckengaust said the organizations did not specify costs, but he explained costs vary around the state.

If an individual currently works for EMS in the state of Kansas, he or she is required to recertify every two years by going through continuing education. This includes Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs), EMTs, EMRs, and paramedics.

Sen. Tom Hawk, D-Manhattan, who sits on the state’s EMS Board, said he is comfortable with the change.

“Sometimes we overkill in requiring more than we need to, but I want to make sure we don’t require too little,” Hawk said.

Most states have some form of prescribed continuing education plan, Shreckengaust said.

“(We) would still focus on what the board of EMS believes are the essential needs of daily practice in the field,” Shreckengaust said.

The next public hearing is scheduled April 26^.The Kansas Board of EMS will vote on the changes on June 3.

Edited by Leah Sitz

Hays Striders sign-up meeting will be April 3

Posted on March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

The Hays Striders Track Club will have its annual information and sign-up meeting on Sunday, April 3, at 4 p.m. at the Hays Recreation Commission, 1105 Canterbury.

If interested, attendance at the meeting is encouraged. For more information, visit www.haysstriders.com.