2016 – Page 806 – Hays Post Archive

Kan. veterans seek help with education from legislature, universities

Posted on March 8, 2016

By Johanna Hecht

KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA – Lt. Col. Evan Holt, a Kansas native and veteran, was shocked to find his daughter was ineligible to attend a Kansas college and pay in-state tuition.

That’s why he is working to close a loophole in state law that allows members of the military serving in Kansas to get in-state tuition for themselves and their families but doesn’t allow Kansas natives and their families the same benefit.

House Bill 2567, which passed the House 124-0 on Feb. 22, would reinstate resident tuition for families who permanently live in Kansas. The provision for in-state tuition was inadvertently eliminated a year ago when lawmakers passed HB 2154, a bill that brought Kansas into compliance with federal laws. HB 2567 also would reimburse families if they were denied in-state tuition. The bill is now in the Senate.

Holt’s daughter did not receive in-state tuition because Holt, who served in the military for 21 years, and his family returned to Kansas after he had retired. HB 2154 allowed in-state tuition for veterans, spouses, and dependents of individuals stationed in Kansas while they were serving in the military. But it accidentally excluded veterans, spouses and dependents from receiving in-state tuition if they lived in Kansas before their military service.

Holt, who testified before legislators, said the current law allows non-Kansan veterans who served in Kansas for as little as two years to receive in-state benefits.

“There’s always going to be people who slip through the loopholes, in a sense you get strange cases like that. I’d say there’s definitely frustrations with the bureaucracy as far as trying to navigate the different avenues and trying to get the benefits,” William Rector, Kansas State University (KSU) graduate research assistant in Non-Traditional & Veteran Student Services, said.

Helping veterans and their families navigate college can be a challenge for veterans’ advocates.

Creating an awareness of these issues is one of the biggest hurdles, Rector said.

On a statewide level, Wayne Bollig, deputy director of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office, said it’s difficult to even identify who is a veteran in the state of Kansas because veterans have to identify themselves.

“Many veterans don’t participate in clubs as much as they used to, so we have a harder time determining what communities they’re in, where they’re at and where they need help,” Bollig said.

More than 220,000 veterans live in the state of Kansas, according to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.

Bollig explained that trying to create an awareness of various veteran services is continuously difficult, due to the high costs of advertising and the limited budget his organization has to work with.

The University of Kansas (KU) is taking steps to help veterans. To improve awareness and help veterans and their dependents, KU is opening a 3,000-square foot Student Veteran Center in January 2017. The center will be a hub for all veteran activities on campus and be located in Summerfield Hall. It will offer a lounge area, offices for a variety of veteran services and potentially include members from the state district attorney’s office to offer advice. KU will also hire a center director.

“KU is making a big step forward by hiring a Student Veteran Center director because that person will be responsible for recruiting, retaining and graduating our student veteran population,” Lt. Col. Randy Masten, program assistant for the KU Office of Graduate Military Programs, said. “They’re ensuring that they will get all the support they’ve earned through their military service and all the benefits they’ve earned as well.”

This center is the next phase in creating a stronger presence for veterans on campus and will provide opportunities for non-traditional student veterans who need help structuring their KU experience.

“Some (veterans) come in and are older, and they feel a little bit out of touch with the undergrad populace, and they want to find that community where they feel a little bit more belonging and grounding,” Derek Kandt, president of the KU Collegiate Veterans Association, said.

Kandt said there are some 800 KU students using some type of GI Bill benefits. These students could also be dependents of veterans, such as Holt’s daughter.

The KU Collegiate Veterans Association focuses on helping student veterans through the process of receiving their GI Bill benefits.

“We want to make sure people who are being frustrated by the process know that this is an avenue for their voices to be heard. And by enlargement we could be very successful for getting policy changes,” Kandt said.

Edited by Leah Sitz

Hays USD 489 Board contemplates separating gyms from main bond question

Posted on March 8, 2016

Video Courtesy USD 489 News

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

“We are listening.” That was the message from the Hays USD 489 administration and Board of Education during Monday’s work session, as they contemplated separating out the Hays Middle and High School gyms from the $94 million bond issue, along with a variety of other issues facing the district.

“We’ve heard the public loud and clear,” said Lance Bickle, board president, as additional gyms have been a frequent topic of concern heard by board members.

And according to Superintendent Dean Katt, separating out a piece of the issue is not uncommon and could help residents understand the need for the bond. Katt also noted that putting the gyms on a separate question did not mean they are not needed.

The tax impact for the two gyms is $2.52 a month for a $150,000 home with a stand-alone cost of $8.8 million.

The board also discussed the need to get the resolution for the election set at the next meeting.

The resolution was pushed back in an effort to collect enough signatures to allow for a sales tax question that would fund a portion of the bond to be put on the ballot.

An effort to collect the required 10 percent of registered voters in Hays would put a sales tax question on the ballot.

“We should know soon,” Katt said, if enough signatures were collected to put the put the sales tax question on the bond issue ballot. The county election office is currently canvassing the over 1,600 signatures collected for verification. Ten percent – or slightly over 1,200 signatures – will need to be certified to put the question on the ballot.

The board plans on presenting the signatures to the Hays City Commission later this month.

While the public relations portion of the bond issue is just beginning, collecting the sales tax signatures is a big win for the district.

“It’s been the opposite of the town-hall meetings,” Bickle said. Community members have been saying that with the sales tax question on the ballot, more people have been supportive of the bond.

The board will take up the question at their next meeting, as well as discussing the resolution that would allow a June 7 bond issue election.

In the meantime, the board is looking forward, discussing options for construction if the bond issue is successful.

There are three options available, according to Jon Pahl, executive vice president of operations for Nabholz Construction — design-bid-build, construction manager-agent and construction manager-at risk.

The significant difference between the three is the way the district would interact with the construction workforce.

The more traditional design-bid-build, Pahl said, is not very transparent and would operate as a “lump-sum contract,” meaning the contractor would be the only one to see subcontractor costs – and would benefit from any project savings.

If a construction manager is selected instead, that person would work with the district, more like an employee.

Either a manager-agent or manager-at risk option would allow the district to recoup any savings during construction and a manager-at risk would also allow the manager to oversee the hiring of subcontractors, meaning the manager would be responsible for cost overruns.

Paul also informed the Board the sooner a construction manager is hired, the more potential the manager has to reduce cost, due to decisions being made before designs are finalized.

Other action items:

The Board unanimously approved bills in the amount of $142,782.94.

The Board unanimously approved the Kansas Early Head Start Partnership grant application.

The Board unanimously approved a bid for the purchase of nutrition services point-of-sale software.

The Board unanimously approved Consent agenda items:

Board Meeting Minutes February 15, 2016
Financial Report: Petty Cash Report
Early Childhood Connections Eligibility Recruitment Priority Grids
Federal Early Head Start Grant
Early Childhood Connections 1-25-2016 Minutes
Early Childhood Connections 2-29-2016 Director’s Report
Approval of Bills in the Amount of
Personnel Transactions
Surplus Items

SCHLAGECK: Don’t be a road hog

Posted on March 8, 2016

John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Travel on our highways and country roads should be a two-way street. Motorists and farmers alike need to be cautious during the busy spring farming season.

Seems Kansas farmers are always doing something in their fields. No matter where you travel in our state you’ll probably wind up approaching farm tractors, trucks and other large ag equipment on the roads.

In 2014, Kansas recorded 94 accidents and three deaths as a result of roadway crashes involving motor vehicles and farm equipment.

Tractors, combines and other equipment traveling on our public roadways are required to display slow-moving vehicle (SMV) reflective triangles, and most must also display hazard lights. The SMV markers signify that the equipment is moving at less than 25 miles per hour.

Farmers should check to make sure their SMV markers are clean, bright and still reflective. Always check to make sure that reflectors and hazard lights are not blocked by equipment that is being towed. After dark, motorized equipment must have properly working headlights.

Motorists must also ensure our highways and country roads are safe.
The National Safety Council reports that even if you’re following a tractor from a distance, you’re closing the safety gap between the two of you at an average rate of about 59 feet per second. That’s the length of a football field in just five seconds.

Remember these two words while traveling on rural roads and highways – slow down. Plenty of people travel these roads today – bikers, joggers horseback riders – you name it, they’re out there. With more and more people from urban areas moving to rural areas, there’s more traffic on our roads and many of them don’t have shoulders to pull over on.

Motorists remember, relax while driving no matter which roads you travel – busy Interstate highways or a nearly deserted country road. Enjoy the beautiful countryside – but be alert. Impatience is often partly responsible for accidents involving farm vehicles.

While it is understandable that motorists become annoyed when caught behind slow-moving equipment, they need to understand that such delays are unavoidable, particularly during busy farm seasons like planting and harvest.

Today’s farmers continues to farm more acres. Often their fields are scattered throughout the county. There is no way most farmers can do their job without driving public roads. Just like so many motorists, farmers must travel to their place of business.

Give them a break. Give yourself a break. Don’t be a road hog.

John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

HAWVER: Debating gun checks, Gitmo in Topeka

Posted on March 8, 2016

Sometimes us folks who spend way too much time watching the Legislature have to wonder how many different political layers there are to virtually everything that happens here — especially in an election year.

Take last week, when the House was debating an all-Republican sponsored concurrent resolution dealing with the possibility of Guantanamo Bay detainees—presumably from the Mideast—being moved to the United States, possibly the military prison at Leavenworth.

Now that’s pretty simple, and there aren’t many Kansans of voting age who if they think about it want those terrorist suspects moved into the state, even though Leavenworth has a pretty stout military prison where we’re probably safe from them. But, then their families might move into the state, or to the United States wherever those prisoners might be moved if President Barack Obama closes Guantanamo as he’s wanted to do for the last seven years and still wants to do as his term wanes.

So many political bubbles emerging from this stew.

The resolution itself tends to anger Democrats as disrespectful. “Whereas this president has continually sought to weaken our standing in the world…” is one of the phrases that rubs Democrats the wrong way.

But Republicans, especially those from the Leavenworth area, don’t want those Gitmo folks coming to town, even into a high-security prison, which some feel might be targeted for terrorist activities. Fairly simple stuff.

Republicans were reminded, though, that if the Gitmo folks wind up in this country, and even at Leavenworth, Kansas, might be slighting its duty to the nation by refusing to hold those prisoners. Lots of mention of German war prisoners held in Kansas during World War II, and if Gitmo is closed, Kansas has the patriotic duty to hold those prisoners and keep Kansans and the rest of the nation safe.

While the debate was heating up, Democrats offered an amendment to get rid of that Gitmo stuff and instead make the resolution about prohibiting folks on the national terrorist watch list from buying guns. Another not-bad idea, but sharply different than a resolution that slams Obama.

It did have a cultural problem, though, because what if that terror list was wrong, and some upstanding Kansan couldn’t buy a gun because he/she was mistakenly on the list? It’s always politically tough to mess with guns. Kansans like their guns, don’t want terrorists wandering around with guns, but what if someone wound up on that watch list accidentally who ought to be able to carry a gun?

See how this goes both ways?

But it gets more complicated. The House rules committee rejected that Democrat gun amendment because it didn’t deal with the same topic as the original resolution. And, that decision went to a vote, too.

Vote for the rules committee decision which maintained the original resolution, and you’re against moving those Gitmo prisoners and maybe their friends who might be sympathizers or terrorists into Kansas. Vote against the rules committee decision and you’re for the gun check and not-so-much the Gitmo language.

Replace the Gitmo language with the “watch list” gun prohibition? It didn’t happen. The House’s rules panel decided that the amendment to substitute the gun stuff was not germane to the Gitmo stuff, so it came to a vote. And, the Gitmo stuff won, but it required supporters to vote against prohibiting terrorists from buying guns and carrying them around the state.

Now, many people are against both the gun checks and the Gitmo transfers, and can play their votes however they think their constituents want…and put it on their websites and campaign cards.

***

Or, they might just leave it alone. The effect of either resolution would be printing it out nicely and sending copies to President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and the six members of the Kansas congressional delegation.

That ought to keep the Gitmo folks out of Kansas.

Syndicated by Hawver News Co. of Topeka, Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. To learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit www.hawvernews.com.

Freewill donation pancake feed is fundraiser for CHS Harvest for Hunger drive in the area

Posted on March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

Submitted

OBERLIN – The CHS operation, based out of Oberlin, is hosting a pancake feed at 9 a.m. March 18 at the Gateway Civic Center. The event will be a freewill donation and include a raffle. Raffle tickets are one for $5, five for $20. All proceeds will go to the 2016 CHS Harvest for Hunger drive, an annual fundraiser to help fight hunger in local communities.

Now in its sixth year, CHS Harvest for Hunger accepts donations of cash, crops or canned goods and other non-perishable items for local food shelves. Last year across all its communities, CHS raised $550,000 and nearly 270,000 pounds of food for hungry families. In addition to its local pancake feed, CHS will accept contributions from March 1 through March 20 at its locations in Oberlin.

“Hunger is a reality for more than 50 million people in America. That’s one in six who doesn’t have access to enough food,” said Brandon Kuykendall, general manager for the CHS Oberlin locations. “We’re working together to make a difference for those in need.”

Financial donations are encouraged because they enable food banks to leverage their buying power to provide nutritious food at deeply discounted rates.

“Our local communities are the winners as CHS makes an additional contribution to help friends and neighbors right here in the area. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to multiply the impact of every donation we make,” adds Kuykendall.

The CHS elevator location in Oberlin, Kan., is part of CHS Inc., a leading U.S. farmer-owned cooperative and Fortune 100 company. For nearly 80 years, the CHS system has valued volunteerism and been a responsible steward in its communities; the CHS Harvest for Hunger food and fund drive is designed to harness the power of the 60+ locally governed CHS retail operations to address America’s hunger problem.

Ellis Co. restaurant and lodging inspections, 2/29 – 3/06

Posted on March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:

Ellis High School 1706 Monroe, Ellis – March 3

A routine inspection found 2 violations.

Hand utensils, tongs and spoons, stored in a container with the handles in the down position.
Three rubber scrapers, not in use, with cracks and imperfections in the food contact surface.

St. Mary’s Elementary 605 Monroe, Ellis – March 3

A routine inspection found three violations.

Ground beef thawing in a sink with no running water. Product was in the sink with water over the product.
Two doors, middle and right door, on the True RIC with long cracks in the door seals.
Box of foam cups stored directly on the floor in the prep area.

Vernie’s Hamburger House 527 E. 17th, Hays – March 3

A routine inspection found one violation.

Pop in a Box stored directly on the floor near box rack.

Snow Cone Express 2918 Vine, STE 150, Hays – March 2

A licensing inspection found three violations.

Test kit for sanitizer is not provided.
The restroom door is not self closing.
The Magic Chef does not have a thermometer.

Victoria Elementary School 602 10th, Victoria – March 2

A routine inspection found no violations.

Victoria High School 1107 10th, Victoria – March 2

A routine inspection found no violations.

Kansas sheriff investigating free car scam

Posted on March 8, 2016

PRATT – Law enforcement authorities in Pratt County are investigating a free car scam.

The Sheriff’s Department in Pratt reported a resident received a call on Monday from an individual claiming they had won a free car and some money.

However, in order to receive the car and money the winner needed to meet the caller at Walmart.

The resident notified the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office, and detectives were unsuccessful in attempting to make contact with that number.

The Pratt County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents, no one is going to give you money, cars, or expensive gifts for nothing. Never arrange to meet these people.

For any meetings you may arrange through Craigslist, Ebay, and etc., arrange to meet them at the Pratt Law Enforcement Center, arrange to be at the Law Enforcement building early and let officers know who you are meeting and what the meeting is for.

The Law Enforcement Center is a much safer environment than a parking lot somewhere.

Police seek ‘person of interest’ in quadruple Kan. killing UPDATE

Posted on March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A pickup truck linked to Kansas City, Kansas, quadruple homicide suspect has been found abandoned about 170 miles away in Missouri.

Police said in a news release Tuesday that the vehicle was discovered on the shoulder of Interstate 70 in Montgomery County, Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is searching the area for the suspect. Police said the suspect was thought to be driving the truck after the Monday night shootings at a neighbor’s home.

Three men were found dead at the home, and the fourth victim died at a hospital. Their names weren’t immediately released.

Police officer Thomas Tomasic says one of the men managed to call police before he died. Tomasic said he didn’t know how the men know one another or what prompted the shooting.

———-

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police are looking for a 36-year-old man after four people were fatally shot in Kansas City, Kansas.

Police say the shooting happened late Monday. Three men were found dead at the scene, and the fourth victim died at a hospital. Their names weren’t immediately released.

A news release from police identified the man who is being sought as a “person of interest.” The release says the man may be driving a pickup truck.

Police didn’t immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Hydrant inspections, flushing continues by HFD

Posted on March 8, 2016March 7, 2016

hydrant test map march 8 — (Click to enlarge)

HFD

The Hays Fire Department continues its inspection of fire hydrants and flushing water mains today, Tuesday, March 8, in the area of 8th Street to 20th Street between Hall Street and Vine Street.

This is part of a coordinated effort by the City of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.

Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.

For more information please contact the Hays Fire Department at 628-7330.

Partly sunny, mild Tuesday

Posted on March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

There is a small chance of t-storms in south central Kansas this afternoon. Hail as large as quarters is possible.

Today Increasing clouds, with a high near 62. West northwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.

WednesdayPartly sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind 8 to 11 mph.

Wednesday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.

ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 8 to 14 mph.

Thursday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 36.

FridayA 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Big 12 awards announced

Posted on March 8, 2016

Big 12 Release

For just the second time in Big 12 history, the Conference has a repeat choice for Player of the Year as Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield has earned the honor for the second straight campaign. Prince Ibeh of Texas has been named Defensive Player of the Year, while Deonte Burton of Iowa State is Newcomer of the Year. Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans is the Freshman of the Year, with Jaysean Paige from West Virginia capturing the Sixth Man Award. Tubby Smith of Texas Tech was selected as Big 12 Coach of the Year for the first time.

Three players who are finalists on multiple national awards lists – Hield, Georges Niang (Iowa State) and Perry Ellis (Kansas) all repeated as unanimous picks on the All-Big 12 First Team. It marks the only time in the past 12 years (since 2004-05) that the league has had three unanimous first team honorees.

Hield tops the list of national player of the year candidates after leading the Big 12 and ranking second nationally with 25.3 points per game. He finished conference play as the career scoring leader for league games with 1,202 points. The Bahamas native has scored at least 20 points in 22 contests and is shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 47.3 percent from 3-point range and 89.3 percent from the line.

Ibeh is the third Longhorn in conference history to win defensive honors. The senior had 60 blocked shots in 2015-16, including 44 in conference competition. After an injury sidelined teammate Cameron Ridley, Ibeh entered the starting lineup on December 29 and had at lead one block in all but three outings. He is averaging 6.3 boards since in that time while shooting 61.4 percent from the floor.

Burton is the fourth Cyclone in the past five seasons to be named the top newcomer. The junior guard, a transfer from Marquette, became eligible on December 19 and proceeded to score in double digits 11 times. He had seven starts and was in double figures in six of those games while finishing the regular season with a .538 field goal mark.

Evans gives Oklahoma State the Big 12 Freshman of the Year for the third time in the past five campaigns. Despite missing the last nine OSU games due to an injury, he led all Cowboy regulars with 12.9 points per contest. He boasted 108 assists, the second-highest total for a freshman in school history.

Paige is the first player to win a major award since the Mountaineers began Big 12 competition in 2012-13. The senior guard led West Virginia in scoring (14.3 ppg) despite coming off the bench in all but one outing. He ranked fourth in the league in conference play with 16.3 points per game, including setting a school record for most points by a non-starter with 34 versus Iowa State on February 22.

Smith is the first Texas Tech mentor to win the coaching honor. The Red Raiders posted their highest overall victory total since 2009-10 and finished with a .500 league mark in the toughest conference in America. He has Tech poised to be the first team in Big 12 history to be picked 10th in the preseason poll and then earn a NCAA bid.

The All-Big 12 first, second, third and honorable mention teams were also announced, along with the all-defensive and all-newcomer teams. In addition to the three repeat picks on the first team, Monté Morris (Iowa State) and Frank Mason III (Kansas) are repeat choices on the second team. WVU guard Jevon Carter is the ninth player in Big 12 history to be a two-time member of the All-Defensive Team.

The official All-Big 12 awards are selected by the league’s head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.

AWARD	RECIPIENT
Player of the Year	Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Coach of the Year	Tubby Smith, Texas Tech
Defensive Player of the Year	Prince Ibeh, Texas
Sixth man Award	Jaysean Paige, West Virginia**
Newcomer of the Year	Deonte Burton, Iowa State**
Freshman of the Year	Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State

** – Unanimous Selection

ALL-BIG 12 FIRST TEAM
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
Taurean Prince, Baylor	F	6-7	215	Sr.	San Antonio, Texas/Earl Warren
Georges Niang, Iowa State**	F	6-8	230	Sr.	Methuen, Mass./The Tilton School
Perry Ellis, Kansas**	F	6-8	225	Sr.	Wichita, Kan./Wichita Heights
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma**	G	6-4	214	Sr.	Freeport, Bahamas/Sunrise Christian Academy [Kan.]
Isaiah Taylor, Texas	G	6-3	185	Jr.	South Hayward, Calif./The Village School [Texas]

ALL-BIG 12 SECOND TEAM
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
Monté Morris, Iowa State	G	6-3	175	Jr.	Flint, Mich./Beecher
Frank Mason III, Kansas	G	5-11	185	Jr.	Petersburg, Va./Massanutten Military Academy
Wayne Selden Jr., Kansas	G	6-5	230	Jr.	Roxbury, Mass./Tilton School [N.H.]
Jaysean Paige, West Virginia	G	6-2	200	Sr.	Jamestown, N.Y./Perry County Central/Moberly Area CC
Devin Williams, West Virginia	F	6-9	255	Jr.	Cincinnati, Ohio/Montverde Academy

ALL-BIG 12 THIRD TEAM
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
Rico Gathers, Baylor	F	6-8	275	Sr.	LaPlace, La./Riverside Academy
Johnathan Motley, Baylor	F	6-9	230	So.	Houston, Texas/North Shore
Wesley Iwundu, Kansas State	F	6-7	210	Jr.	Houston, Texas/Westfield
Isaiah Cousins, Oklahoma	G	6-4	200	Sr.	Mount Vernon, N.Y./Mount Vernon
Ryan Spangler, Oklahoma	F	6-8	234	Sr.	Bridge Creek, Okla./Gonzaga University

ALL-BIG 12 HONORABLE MENTION (Listed alphabetically by school)
Lester Medford (Baylor), Jameel McKay (Iowa State), Abdel Nader (Iowa State), Matt Thomas (Iowa State), Devonte’ Graham (Kansas), Landen Lucas (Kansas), Jordan Woodard (Oklahoma), Jawun Evans (Oklahoma State), Jeff Newberry (Oklahoma State), Javan Felix (Texas), Toddrick Gotcher (Texas Tech), Aaron Ross (Texas Tech), Zach Smith (Texas Tech)

BIG 12 ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
Devonte’ Graham, Kansas	G	6-2	175	So.	Raleigh, N.C./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Frank Mason III, Kansas	G	5-11	185	Jr.	Petersburg, Va./Massanutten Military Academy
Wesley Iwundu, Kansas State	F	6-7	210	Jr.	Houston, Texas/Westfield
Khadeem Lattin, Oklahoma	F	6-9	208	So.	Houston, Texas/Redemption Christian Home School Academy
Prince Ibeh, Texas**	C	6-11	265	Sr.	Garland, Texas/Naaman Forest
Jevon Carter, West Virginia	G	6-2	185	So.	Maywood, Ill./Proviso East

BIG 12 ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
Deonte Burton, Iowa State**	G	6-4	250	Jr.	Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette/Vincent
Barry Brown, Kansas State	G	6-3	195	Fr.	St. Petersburg, Fla./Gibbs
Dean Wade, Kansas State	F	6-10	225	Fr.	St. John, Kan./St. John
Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State	G	6-0	180	Fr.	Dallas, Texas/Kimball
Eric Davis Jr., Texas	G	6-2	185	Fr.	Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw Arthur Hill
Kerwin Roach Jr., Texas	G	6-4	170	Fr.	Houston, Texas/North Shore

** – Unanimous Selection
Ties in the voting created additional spots on the All-Defensive and All-Newcomer Teams

Teen sentenced in fatal Kansas Christmas Eve stabbing

Posted on March 8, 2016

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A teenager who pleaded guilty in the fatal Christmas Eve 2014 stabbing of a Wichita man has been sentenced to five years in a juvenile correctional facility.

The Wichita Eagle reported Monday that the male teenager was sentenced Friday. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter last year in connection with the death of 32-year-old Steven D. Manuel.

Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Dan Dillon said that the teen, who was 16 at the time of the stabbing, will be subject to two years of “aftercare” once he is released.

Manuel died early Christmas Day after he was stabbed several times during a fight at his home on Dec. 24, 2014.

You and Your Young Child: Monica Ptacek; Early Childhood Connections

Posted on March 8, 2016March 8, 2016