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County treasures complain about Kan. toll collection measure

KTA- camera view
KTA- camera view

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — County treasurers are complaining about a bill that would help the Kansas Turnpike Authority collect fines.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the KTA would like the authority to place holds on vehicle registrations as a way to ensure revenue. Shawnee County Treasurer Larry Mah is among the treasurers who have said the plan would bog down local motor vehicle offices.

Turnpike spokeswoman Rachel Bell says the bill is part of a larger turnpike modernization plan. At some stations, the state is transitioning to an open-tolling system, where cameras scan license plates as cars pass. Bills are sent to drivers who don’t have an electronic toll collection device known as a K-TAG.

Mah says he likes the open-toll plan, but revoking vehicle registration shifts the responsibility to motor vehicle offices.

Sewer structure repairs begin tonight on Main Street between 7th and 8th

sewer manholeCity of Hays

Please be advised for the next two consecutive nights beginning approximately at 10:00 p.m. each night, Layne Christensen Company will be working on the sewer structure on Main Street from 7th Street to 8th Street.

The City of Hays is advising travelers in this area to be cautious of the work zones.

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If you have any questions please contact the Utilities Department at (785) 628-7380.

Democrats see close race in Kansas between Clinton, Sanders

Dems democratsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic elected officials and party establishment figures like former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius are working to see that Hillary Clinton wins Kansas’ presidential caucuses.

But they acknowledge that Clinton is in a tough race against Bernie Sanders.

Party activists who gathered in Topeka for a recent two-day state convention described the support for Sanders as “organic.” The Vermont senator’s supporters say the nation needs a progressive political overhaul.

Clinton’s allies argue that the former U.S. secretary of state’s experience and pragmatism are more likely to advance progressive goals on issues such as wages and health care.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Kansas have presidential caucuses Saturday.

In the GOP race, supporters of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz don’t know whether they can prevent a Donald Trump victory.

Five Tigers named to All-MIAA women’s basketball team; Hobson Co-Coach of the Year

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State had five players named to the All-MIAA Women’s Basketball Team on Monday (Feb. 29). Earning all-conference honors are Beth Bohuslavsky, Jill Faxon, Paige Lunsford, Chelsea Mason and Nikola Kacperska. Head coach Tony Hobson was honored with Lane Lord of Pittsburg State as Co-Coaches of the Year.

Bohuslavsky earned second team honors, Faxon was a third team selection, and Lunsford, Mason, and Kacperska were honorable mention selections. Lunsford was also named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team.

Bohuslavsky earned the third all-conference honor of her career after third team honors last year and an honorable mention selection as a sophomore. She has started all 28 games at point guard this season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. She has been a model of consistency throughout her career, ranking among the top players nationally in assist/turnover ratio the last three years. She now has a total of 900 points, 367 assists, 350 rebounds and 155 steals in her career. She was named the MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week once this season.

Faxon earns the second all-conference honor of her career after collecting an honorable mention selection last year. She has also started all 28 games this year and averages 12.1 points and a team-best 5.4 rebounds per game. Faxon shot 41.1 percent from the field in the regular season, while tying for a team high in 3-point field goals made with 41. She has three double-doubles in points and rebounds so far this year.

Lunsford earns the first all-conference honors of her career. She was solid in all facets of the game during the regular season, averaging 10.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while starting every contest. She leads the team in field goal percentage (for players with at least 100 attempts) at 51 percent. She ranks fourth on the team in 3-point field goals made with 25 and second in free-throws made with 69. She also has two double-doubles in points and rebounds this season. The MIAA All-Defensive Team selection is the first of her career. She was named MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week once this season.

Mason earns her first All-MIAA honor as the team’s leading scorer. Starting every contest this year, Mason is averaging 13.3 points per game and is tied for the team lead in 3-point field goals made. She has 1,175 points in her three years at Fort Hays State, which ranks 12th on the all-time scoring list. She has averaged 13 points per game throughout her career at FHSU and ranks third all-time in 3-point field goals made.

Kacperska earns the first All-MIAA nod of her career. She leads the team in steals with 52, ranking among the top players in the conference. She also adds 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. She is the team’s top free-throw shooter at 83.6 percent and ranks third on the team in 3-point field goals made with 33.

Hobson earns MIAA Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. He shares the honor this year with Pittsburg State’s Lane Lord. FHSU and Pittsburg State tied for second in the MIAA standings. Hobson has guided the Tigers to five consecutive 20-win seasons and the Tigers have a record of 117-32 in that stretch. The Tigers were 30-4 last year and sit at 24-4 so far this year.

Below is the 2016 All-MIAA Women’s Basketball Team.

Player of the Year
LaQuinta Jefferson, G, Sr., MWSU

Defensive Player of the Year
Kylie Gafford, C, Sr., PSU

Freshman of the Year
Caylee Richardson, F, Fr., SBU

Co-Coaches of the Year
Tony Hobson, FHSU & Lane Lord, PSU

All-MIAA First Team
LaQuinta Jefferson, G, Sr., MWSU**[r2]
Kelly Moten, G, Jr., ESU[r2]
Mikaela Burgess, So., G, PSU
Sharese Jones, Sr., G/F, MSSU
Shelby Winkelmann, Sr., G, UCM[r2]
**Unanimous Selection
[r2] Two time repeat First Team Selection

All-MIAA Second Team
Kylie Gafford, C, Sr., PSU
Sarafina Handy, G, Sr., MWSU
Beth Bohuslavsky, G, Sr., FHSU

Laramey Becker, G, Sr., UNK
McKenzie Solberg, G, Sr., UCO

All-MIAA Third Team
Jill Faxon, G, Jr., FHSU
Kathryn Flott, F, Jr., ESU
Sandra Ngoie, F, Sr., ESU
Deb Holcomb, G, Jr., MSSU
Erika Lane, G, Jr., WU

All-MIAA Defensive Team
Kylie Gafford, C, Sr., PSU

Kelly Moten, G, Jr., ESU
Kathryn Flott, F, Jr., ESU
Laramy Becker, G, Sr., UNK

Paige Lunsford, G, Sr., FHSU

All-MIAA Honorable Mention
Ashley Jones, UCM

Julia Mason, UCO
Kelsey Barnwell, ESU 
Chelsea Mason, FHSU
Nikola Kacperska, FHSU
Paige Lunsford, FHSU

Zuri Hill, LU
Kassidy Gengenbacher, LWU
Jenny Rocha, LWU

Miliakere Koyamainavure, MWSU
Chelsea Dewey, MWSU
Alexa Hogberg, UNK
Kate Bellamy, NSU
Tember Schechinger, NWMSU
Cathy Brugman, PSU
Hadyn Herlocker, PSU
Dilonna Johnson, SBU
Caylee Richardson, SBU
Felisha Gibbs, WU
Alyxis Bowens, WU

Court lets woman who bought guns used in Hesston shooting out on bond

Hopkins-photo Sedgwick County
Hopkins-photo Sedgwick County

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal magistrate judge has set a $10,000 bond for the woman accused of buying the guns used in last week’s mass shooting at the Excel Industries factory in Hesston.

More than a dozen family members and friends of Sarah Hopkins came to her hearing Monday in U.S. District Court in Wichita, but refused to talk to the media. Her attorney, Douglas Adams, declined comment. Prosecutors did not seek her detention.

The 28-year-old Newton woman is charged with knowingly transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. Prosecutors say she gave shooter Cedric Ford an AK-47 type semi-automatic rifle and a 40-caliber handgun. Four people, including Ford, were killed and 14 others were injured.

Adams told the court he expected Hopkins would be indicted Tuesday. Her next hearing is March 9.

KHP: Driver hospitalized after semi rolls, burns

Emergency responders work to clean up a scene and detour traffic from U.S. 54 on Monday -courtesy photo/Robert Pierce- Leader and Times
Emergency responders work to clean up a scene and detour traffic from U.S. 54 on Monday -courtesy photo/Robert Pierce- Leader and Times

SEWARD COUNTY – A semi driver was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. on Monday in Seward County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner semi driven by Stephen Craig Boeding, Kansas City, was westbound on U.S. 54 two miles west of Plains.

The truck traveled left of center, entered the south ditch, rolled and caught fire.

Boeding was transported to Southwest Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kan. drug suspects arrested after 2-month investigation

Michael Washington
Michael Washington-photo Geary County

GEARY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Geary County have made an arrest following a 2-month drug investigation.

The Junction City – Geary County Drug Operations Group assisted by the Riley County Police Department Special Investigations Unit executed search warrants on Friday at two Junction City locations, 1310 South Jackson Street and 621 South Jefferson Street, Apartment #111, according to a media release.

Michael Anthony Washington “Trouble,” 29, Junction City, was arrested on suspicion of one count Sale of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, six counts Sale of Methamphetamine, plus one count each of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $250,000.

Latasha Nicole Clayton, 29, Junction City, was arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $50,000.

The Drug Operations Group seized approximately 2.5 ounces of methamphetamine, one ounce of cocaine, one ounce of marijuana, U.S. currency, and drug paraphernalia.

The Drug Operations Group is a joint task force composed of members of the Junction City Police Department, Geary County Sheriff’s Department, and Grandview Plaza Police Department.

Kansas City ranked 7th for Women-Owned Business

2016-best-places-for-women-owned-businessesKS Dept. of Commerce

KANSAS CITY–The Kansas City Metropolitan Area was recently named the seventh best out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the nation for women-owned business by WalletHub, an online financial planning site.

WalletHub analysts compared the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas across three key dimensions: Overall New Business Friendliness, Female Entrepreneurship, and Business Climate for Women. Then WalletHub compiled 10 relevant metrics across those three dimensions that would indicate support toward women-owned businesses. These metrics include:

· Overall New Business Friendliness
· Percentage of Women-Owned Businesses
· Average Percentage Growth of Women-Owned Businesses
· Percentage of Employees in Women-Owned Businesses
· Average Revenue of Women-Owned Businesses
· Average Revenue Growth of Women-Owned Businesses
· Industry Variety for Women-Owned Firms
· Presence of Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Centers
· WalletHub “Working Moms”
· WalletHub “Gender Inequality”

Here are the top ten:

Nashville, Tenn.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Columbus, Ohio
Memphis, Tenn.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Rochester, N.Y.
Kansas City, Mo.
Spokane, Wash.
Greensboro, N.C.
Honolulu, Hawaii

“It is a true testament to our business climate in Kansas that Kansas City has been placed in such a prominent spot on this list,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. “In Kansas we support all types of businesses and look forward to bringing even more women-owned businesses to the rest of the state of Kansas as well.”

Kansas City, KS-MO also ranked 14th out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the nation for ‘female entrepreneurs’.

Deaths of 2 people in Kansas apartment deemed ‘suspicious’

investigationTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are investigating two deaths in a central Topeka apartment as “suspicious” in nature.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that police were notified Monday morning. Topeka police Lt. Colleen Stuart says foul play hasn’t been ruled out as a cause of the deaths.

The name of the victims weren’t immediately released. It wasn’t known how long the individuals had been dead.

An animal control officer was seen carrying a small pet crate out of the building shortly after detectives and officers had arrived at the scene. A representative of the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office also came to the apartment complex.

Target shooting blamed for starting 160 acre Kansas grass fire

Photo by Todd Welsh
Photo by Todd Welsh

SALINE COUNTY – Target practice on Saturday afternoon is being blamed for a fire which consumed 160 acres of grass and trees in Saline County, according to report from the sheriff’s department.

Individuals were target shooting at tannerite in the 3000 block of South Simpson Road, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Roger Soldan.

The fire quickly moved north to nearby Magnolia Road at around 4 p.m.

Saline County Rural Fire Districts 5 and 7 responded to the fire that damaged some fence posts.

Fire District 5 reported some damage to three fire trucks while fighting the fire. Some homes in the area were also threatened by the fire but not damaged.

Fire crews finished up at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday night.
There were no injuries.

2 Kansas women hospitalized after collision

KHPRENO COUNTY – Two Kansas woman were injured in an accident just before 8a.m. on Monday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Toyota Avalon driven by Jordon N. Williams, 22, Arlington, was stopped at a stop sign facing southbound on Haven Road at Kansas 96.

The vehicle pulled out in front of a 2012 Nissan Altima driven by Rebecca L. Winter, 29, Goddard. The Nissan collided with the Toyota.

Williams and Winter were transported to St. Francis Medical Center.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

FHSU student makes a difference with poster

Jill-Herbert-Karrie-Simpson-Voth-web
Jill Herbert (left) presented her winning poster at the Center for Combating Human Trafficking conference in Wichita last month. With her is interim chair of Department of Art and Design Karrie Simpson Voth.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Some people live to be old and gray and wonder if they made a difference in this world.

Jill Herbert won’t be one of those people. Herbert, a Fort Hays State University senior graphic design major from Wichita, already has made an impact.

As part of a fall semester competition that promotes awareness of social and political issues, one of Herbert’s poster designs went viral after the contest winners were posted on the university’s Facebook page. Her poster about human trafficking was one of four winning posters that, according to Facebook estimates, reached over 5.5 million users — one million in the first 36 hours.

Herbert’s work will be on display as part of the 2016 BFA Graphic Design Exhibition. The show’s opening reception was Friday in the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art. The exhibition will run from Feb. 26 to March 11. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Center for Combating Human Trafficking at Wichita State University asked to display Herbert’s poster at last month’s conference, where Herbert gave a speech.

“It was exciting, and Jill was really nervous,” said Karrie Simpson Voth, chair of the Department of Art and Design at FHSU. “She did an amazing job presenting the poster.”

human trafficking happens in kansasAfter her speech, Herbert was selling her poster when she learned just how much it has touched at least one person.

“A girl came up to me and looked me in the eye and said, ‘I’m a survivor, and I think this poster is beautiful,’ ” Herbert said. “It put the whole thing in perspective.

“She wanted to buy one, and she didn’t have any cash. It was like, ‘You take one.’ It was really, really heartwarming in a tragic kind of way. It’s unbelievable what these girls go through.”

For the past eight years, Simpson Voth has had one of her classes partner with the American Democracy Project for the poster contest. The ADP works to ensure that higher education graduates are informed and involved citizens.

“Every year, it gets bigger and better,” Simpson Voth said.

Students in last fall’s class displayed their posters at the Memorial Union, where they were voted on. Each student produced five posters, of which three had to be on social or political issues. Dr. Chapman Rackaway, professor of political science at FHSU, speaks to each class. That helps students come up with topics for their posters.

“It’s a great inter-disciplinary project,” Simpson Voth said. “It’s a great showcase all the way around for Fort Hays State.”

To see all 60 posters, visit the FHSU Facebook photo gallery “2015 ‘Let Your Voice Be Heard!’ poster competition” at https://ow.ly/U3rJx.

In addition to her human trafficking poster, Herbert designed posters ranging from water use during the California drought — one of her three with a social or political topic — to one for her brother’s band. She had her brother’s poster framed for him at Christmas.

Herbert, who is set to graduate in May with a degree in graphic design, recently came to understand what was her true passion — the theater. She eventually hopes to move to Portland, Ore., to take acting classes. Herbert has been active in the theater at FHSU, and will play a leading role in its next production.

“I didn’t realize I wanted to do that until this time last year,” Herbert said.

Herbert also realized she likes designing posters.

“Doing these posters for this project, I realized I really like doing poster design, and I’ve even given thought to doing movie posters in the future, kind of combining the two worlds,” she said.

Whatever lies in her future, the world of human trafficking will be something Herbert won’t soon forget.

“You really don’t think about that happening in your state,” Herbert said. “That’s one of the biggest reasons I wanted to do this poster — nobody thinks about it.”

With the attention Herbert’s poster has received, that’s not the case anymore.

HPD Activity Log Feb. 24

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The Hays Police Department responded 5 animal calls and 19 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 24, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental Health Call–2200 block Felten Dr, Hays; 12:58 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Walnut St, Hays; 2:05 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1700 block Ash St, Hays; 11 AM
Burglary/residence–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 2/21/16 4 PM; 11/22/15 12 PM
Burglary/storage unit–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:30 AM
Suspicious Activity–1700 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 1/28/16
Animal At Large–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 12:19 PM
Suspicious Activity–1700 block Henry Dr, Hays; 2/20 2:30 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 2:11 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–400 block 16th St, Hays; 2:13 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 2:21 PM
Burglary/vehicle–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:38 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:48 PM
Incident, Miscellaneous–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 3:26 PM
Harassment (All Other)–3000 block New Way, Hays; 3:41 PM
Terroristic Threat–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 2/11 9:01 PM
Welfare Check–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 3:58 PM
Credit Card Violations–1400 block W 46th St, Hays; 4:11 PM
Disorderly Conduct–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 1:40 PM; 1:45 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:38 PM
Theft of Vehicle–2000 block Hall St, Hays; 1:30 PM; 6 PM
Aggravated Assault–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7:30 PM; 7:32 PM
Drug Offenses–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:55 PM
Urinating in Public–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:59 PM
Domestic Disturbance–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 10:33 PM
Criminal Transport–1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 11:39 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1200 block Main St, Hays; 11:58 PM

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