2016 – Page 765 – Hays Post Archive

Supreme Court divided over health law birth control plan

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems deeply divided over the arrangement devised by the Obama administration to spare faith-based groups from having to pay for birth control for women covered under their health plans.

The court’s conservative justices are sounding supportive Wednesday of the groups’ complaint that the administration’s effort violates their religious rights.

The four liberal justices seem likely to vote to uphold the accommodation offered to faith-based colleges, charities and advocacy groups.

A 4-4 tie would uphold four appeals court rulings in favor of the administration. But different rules would apply in parts of the country in which another appeals court has sided with the challengers.

Suspect in alleged Kansas assault, kidnapping in custody

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

SEWARD COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Seward County are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged assault and kidnapping.

Just before 4 a.m. on Wednesday, officers with the Liberal Police Department were called to a residence at the 700 block of South Webster Avenue in LIberal for a report of Philip Rine holding others at gunpoint, according to a media release.

While officers were responding, witnesses reported Rine fired a gun as he was fleeing.

No one was injured. Responding officers conducted an extensive search of the area, but Rine was not located.

Investigators learned that Rine and his roommates were involved in a verbal dispute when Rine brandished a gun. Witnesses reported Rine threatened to shoot his roommates and threatened to shoot law enforcement.

Philip Clifford Rine, 24, is in custody.

The Liberal Police Department will be seeking charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping, battery and weapons violations in connection with his arrest.

Cowboys’ Preston Weigel finds success in 2016

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post

In December 2015, the trajectory of Preston Weigel’s wrestling career at Oklahoma State seemed to be in question. In fact, Weigel questioned it himself for a brief time. Weigel though realized, “You can’t quit everything” and found himself on the other side of injuries his freshman year and staph infection his sophomore year one match away from becoming an All-American.

The three-time 5A state champion out of Hays High only lost four matches in the entirety of his high school years. During his junior and senior season, Weigel finished undefeated. A childhood dream was realized when Weigel signed his letter of intent with Oklahoma State to wrestling for a legendary Cowboy program.

Weigel battled through injuries is true freshman year of 2014-15 and wrestled just seven times. In that short span, he went 5-2 and won the Missouri Valley Open. The season, though, resulted in a redshirt tag that allowed the Russell native to still have four years of competition ahead of him.

For the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the 197-pound weight class was a spot in limbo the entire season. Eventually, Weigel earned his opportunity to crack the lineup and took advantage. Weigel locked up a OSU victory in the Bedlam Rivalry versus Oklahoma following his own victory and carried the momentum into the Big 12 tournament.

Preston Weigel

With a fifth-place seeding and 16-12 record, Weigel seemed like a long shot to be in the finals of the bracket let alone win the entire thing and qualify for nationals. Weigel won two matches the first day 9-0 and 6-2 qualifying for the finals. He then won the 197-pound championship with a 4-3 win, with the deciding point for Weigel coming on riding time at the end of the match.

The NCAA Division 1 Championships were held in none other than Madison Square Garden in New York City. Weigel fell in the first round 5-0 to the 3rd seed wrestler at 197 pounds. He had to win two more matches in the first day in order to qualify for day two. Weigel did so with a 18-1 technical fall victory and 4-0 shutout to cap the day. Day two saw Weigel keep his day alive with a 3-2 win but fall one match short of All-American status, losing by pin in his 5th match of the two days.

Through it all, Weigel said he is a better person and better wrestler because of all he has gone through. He has cut down on the time he spends hunting to focus even more on improving his wrestling skills. With three more years of eligibility remaining, Weigel sees himself not only pushing for an All-American finish at the national tournament but also a national title.

Photo Courtesy of OSU Communications

Kansas legislative panels approve school funding plans

Posted on March 23, 2016

JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislative committees have approved school funding plans that would attempt to satisfy a state Supreme Court order without a big increase in state spending.

The bills approved Wednesday by the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee are similar but not identical.

Both redistribute about $83 million of the state’s $4 billion-plus in annual aid to its 286 school districts.

No district would see its aid decrease, and 23 districts would see small increases.

The Supreme Court ruled last month that the state has shorted poor districts on their fair share of the aid.

Each bill goes to its full chamber for debates that could occur Thursday.

Senate committee Chairman Ty Masterson said he’s hoping the Legislature will give final approval to a plan Thursday.

Jury: Kansas man guilty in fatal shooting of 3 adults, toddler

Posted on March 23, 2016

OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — Jurors have convicted an eastern Kansas man in the fatal shootings of three adults and a toddler in 2013.

Franklin County court officials say the jury found 30-year-old Kyle Flack guilty of capital murder on Wednesday for the deaths of Kaylie Bailey and her 18-month-old daughter, Lana. That means Flack could face the death penalty when sentenced next week.

He also was convicted in the deaths of Bailey’s boyfriend, Andrew Stout, and his roommate, Steven White, who lived in a rural farmhouse where Flack sometimes stayed.

It’s unclear what led to the shootings. Investigators say Flack at one point told detectives that two drug dealers may have been involved, but detectives determined those people didn’t exist.

The defense called no witnesses during the trial. Jurors began deliberating Wednesday morning.

Helen June Kraemer

Posted on March 23, 2016

Helen June Kraemer, 94, Hays, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Via Christi Village, Hays.

She was born June 19, 1921 in Holton, Kansas the daughter of Harold F. and Blanche V. (Haas) Gordon. On March 29, 1943 she married Maurice William “Mo” Kraemer in Henderson, Kentucky. Shortly thereafter she was deployed to North Africa and Italy serving as an Army nurse until the conclusion of World War II. Upon her return to the United States, she and her husband moved to Hays. She was a homemaker, and a loving wife and caring Mother to three boys. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hays for over 60 years and a member of the PEO Chapter EC. She loved her family and her interests included travel, golf, and duplicate bridge.

She is survived by two sons, Richard G. Kraemer and wife Marty of Hays, Allen A. “Andy” Kraemer and wife Judy of LaCrosse, a brother Donald Gordon and wife Norma of Schenectady, NY, six grandchildren, Brandon Kraemer, Kasey Booth and husband Andrew, AJ Kraemer and Tina, Mitchell Kraemer, Tonya Normandin and husband Brian, Tate Gooden and wife AJ, and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Maurice “Mo” in December of 1997 and by her son Robert William in December of 1982.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Monday, March 28, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays.

Private family inurnment will take place at a later date. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until service time on Monday at the church and military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow the church services.

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Judge orders recall of magnets that could harm children

Posted on March 23, 2016

photo Consumer Product Safety Commission

DENVER (AP) — A federal judge has ordered a Colorado company to recall more than 900,000 powerful, small magnets that could harm children.

U.S. District Court Judge Christine Arguello ruled Tuesday that Zen Magnets LLC and its owner, Shihan Qu, violated the Consumer Product Safety Act by repackaging and selling magnets that were purchased from a New Jersey company shortly before the magnets were recalled.

The U.S. Justice Department said putting the magnets in a different box and calling them a different name does not permit a company to circumvent a recall.

Shihan Qu did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment, but he said previously the court was mistaken banning the magnets because consumers want the product and there was no evidence the repackaged magnets caused harm.

High winds blamed for I-70 semi accident

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

RUSSELL COUNTY –One person was injured in an accident just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Russell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Freightliner semi driven by Timothy A. May, 32, Cottonwood, CA, was eastbound on Interstate 70 four miles west of Russell.

A gust of wind caused the truck to enter the median where it came to rest on its side.

A passenger in the sleeper compartment Scott K. Hill, 47, Marysville, CA., was transported to Russell Regional Medical Center.

May was not injured.

The accident briefly backed up traffic on Interstate 70.

Wednesday afternoon semi accident on I-70 in Russell County

————-

RUSSELL COUNTY- First responders are on the scene of an accident in Russell County.

The accident occurred just before 2 p.m. and involved a semi that rolled in the eastbound lanes near Balta Road.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported there were no injuries in the accident.

Semi rollover on I-70 Wednesday afternoon.

Check Hays Post for more information as it becomes available.

I-70 closed from Goodland to Colorado; Hays airport flights canceled

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

KDOT

Interstate 70 at Goodland west to the Colorado border has been closed as of 2:30 p.m. CST because of winter weather conditions in moving into the area.

For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online at www.kandrive.org orhttps://511mm.ksdot.org on your mobile device.

The Hays Regional Airport reports all evening flights are canceled because of blizzard conditions in Denver. The Denver International Airport (DIA) has shut down operations at this time.

Kan. man arrested after alleged social media threat toward employer

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

Caterpillar Work Tools in Wamego -Google image

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Pottawatomie County are investigating a suspect in connection with a social media threat against his employer, according to a media release.

Just before 8 p.m. on Thursday March 17, police in Wamego responded to Caterpillar Work Tools, 600 Balderson Boulevard, Wamego, regarding possible threatening comments posted on a social media web page.

Wamego Police officers and Pottawatomie County Sheriff deputies arrived, assessed and investigated the report.

“I have officially snapped…. When a shooting spree sounds fun to go on at a place where you hate everyone…. oh the agony…..Lmao is that better or is everyone still butt hurt…😈😈😈😈

Posted by Erik Billis on Thursday, March 17, 2016

As a result, a Caterpillar employee, Erik Billis, was taken into custody without incident. The man was not armed and has cooperated with the investigation, according to police.

The case has been forwarded to the Pottawatomie County Attorney’s Office for review.

Kansas Senate approves bill to accelerate property tax lid

Posted on March 23, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas senators have passed a bill to accelerate a cap on city and county property tax increases.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Senate approved the bill with a 24-16 vote Tuesday.

The bill moves up the implementation of the property tax lid from 2018 to 2017. The lid was placed into law last year and requires voters to approve property tax increases above the rate of inflation.

Debate continued for more than four hours as lawmakers went through amendments seeking exemptions to the bill’s requirements.

The legislation already provided some exemptions that wouldn’t trigger the cap, such as construction of new buildings, increases in personal property valuation and property that has changed use. Federal mandates, court judgments and bond and interest payments also wouldn’t trigger the lidLo

Red Cross in significant need of type O negative blood

Posted on March 23, 2016

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has a significant need for type O negative blood donors to donate blood for patients.

Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is often used in emergency situations. While less than 7 percent of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, hospitals depend on frequent O negative donations to ensure it’s always available for patients in need.

Eligible donors with type O negative blood are encouraged to make a whole blood or double red cell donation, where available, through the Red Cross. During a double red cell donation, two units of red blood cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.

“Type O negative donors are an important part of the Red Cross trauma team,” said Jan Hale, communications manager of the Central Plains Blood Services Region. “While all blood types are needed, type O negative donations are necessary in emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type. Because there is such a high demand for type O negative blood, O negative donors are needed to donate often.”

Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

Those who come to donate now through May 15, 2016, will be entered to win four single-day tickets to any of 10 Cedar Fair theme parks in the U.S. For a full list of participating parks, visit redcross.cedarfair.com.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

KDA Announces Specialty Crop Grant Opportunity

Posted on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

KDA

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is accepting applications for the 2016 Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Funds for the program are awarded to the agency by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. The funds are in turn granted to projects and organizations that promote the competitiveness of specialty crops.

The purpose of the specialty crop program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” This opportunity supports the KDA’s mission of providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry in Kansas.

In 2015, Kansas received $319,420 for the grant program. Kansas is expected to receive approximately $284,000 in 2016.
Applications will be evaluated by a team of external reviewers. The team will rate proposals on their ability to successfully promote specialty crops in Kansas and to make a positive impact on the Kansas economy. Those recommendations will be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, who will make the final awards.

Applications are due to KDA no later than 5 p.m. on May 16, 2016. For more information and to download the 2016 application, go to bit.ly/KDAspecialtycropgrant.