The Cygnus spacecraft is released from the International Space Station’s Canadarm2. Credit: NASA TV
MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The International Space Station just got a lot tidier.
A pair of NASA astronauts released a capsule loaded with 1.5 tons of trash Friday. The spacecraft should re-enter the atmosphere and burn up harmlessly over the Pacific on Saturday.
NASA supplier Orbital ATK launched the capsule to the space station in December, full of food, clothes and other goods. The astronauts removed the precious contents, then filled it with garbage for incineration.
Commander Scott Kelly and Timothy Kopra, the two Americans on board, sent computer commands to set the Cygnus free.
Orbital ATK plans to launch another Cygnus from Cape Canaveral, Florida, late next month. The flight was delayed a few weeks after black mold contaminated some of the cargo bags. Technicians had to disinfect everything.
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Fort Hays State bounced back on Friday (Feb. 19) with a big victory over No. 20 ranked Augustana (S.D.) by a score of 5-1. The Tigers dropped three straight games heading into the contest, but look to use the win as a springboard to success after a slow start to the season.
Carrie Clarke earned her first win in the pitching circle as a Tiger and now sits 1-2 overall on the season. Clarke went the distance allowing just one run on eight hits, two walks, while striking out four.
Despite not scoring until the fourth inning, the Tigers applied pressure early, as they had at least one runner reach base safely in every inning up to that point. FHSU had at least one runner reach in six of the seven innings in the game. Clarke also did her part out of the gate, sitting down the first seven Vikings to come to the plate.
The scoring started in the fourth inning when Kylie Strand led the Inning off with a double and advanced to third on a bunt base hit from Paxton Duran. After a fly out, Rilee Krier singled in Strand and the Tigers took a 1-0 lead. Claudia Vasquez roped a base hit up the middle that scored Krier and Madeline LaPolla delivered a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle extending the Fort Hays State lead to 4-0.
Augustana put two runners on in the fourth and the fifth, but Clarke and the Tiger defense were able to thwart the threat.
The majority of the game was quiet until the final inning when, for the third time in two games, Tori Beltz connected with a pitch and sent it over the fence giving the Tigers an insurance run and a 5-0 lead.
Augustana would not go down without a fight as the very first batter of the seventh inning, Kaylea Schorr, put the Vikings on the board with her first homerun of the year. Clarke was able to get the next two batters via ground out and line out, but Augustana loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. But Clarke got 2015 First Team All-American Sarah Kennedy to ground out ending the game.
With the victory, Fort Hays State moved to 2-5 on the season and Augustana dropped to 7-6.
The Tigers look to build off the victory as they play their final two games at the Kelly Lass Memorial Tournament on Saturday. The first game will take place at 7 am when they take on Minnesota State-Mankato and the second will be a 9:30 am game against the host team St. Cloud State.
Viola (Wilhelm) Schneider, of WaKeeney, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Trego Manor, WaKeeney. She was 92 years of age. Viola was born January 20, 1924, in Barton County, to Heinrich and Amelia “Mollie” (Miller) Wilhelm.
Viola was united in marriage on November 10, 1945 to Bernhardt Schneider in Trego Center. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage before he passed away on August 10, 2001. She is survived by four children, Richard Kimm (Susan) Schneider of Harker Heights, Texas, Michael Lee (Kathy) Schneider of Collyer, Sherryl Ann (Jeff) DiLallo of St. Louis, Missouri, and Mark Allen Schneider of Springfield, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Troy (Lisa) Schneider of Arvada, Colorado, Tabitha (David) Albertson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tamara Schneider of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Adam (Jannelle) Schneider of Lawson, Missouri, Kahl (Heather) Schneider of Adair, Iowa, Chauncy (Liz) Schneider of WaKeeney, Becky (Aaron) Hanneke of Great Bend, Mary (Joe) Herskowitz of Hoxie, Jon (Chelsea) DiLallo of Kansas City, Missouri, Sarah DiLallo of St. Louis, Jennifer DiLallo of Bagè, Brazil, and Amerie Schneider of Littleton, Colorado; twenty five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jeanie Bailey of Russell. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Connie Schneider, a grandson, Tate Aaron Schneider, six sisters, and nine brothers.
Viola was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church Women’s Group, and the VFW Auxiliary. She worked at the Boeing Factory in Wichita during World War II and was nicknamed
“Blondie” –which was embroidered on her factory uniforms.
Viola was a proud homemaker, who cherished time spent together with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed a good fishing trip, cooking, quilting, gardening, and trips to the casino. She was an accomplished checkers player who relished a challenging match with family and friends. She was known for her feisty spirit, giving heart, and joyous nature. She made and gave many hand sewn quilts and home-cooked meals to those she loved and were in need. Her unconditional love and forgiveness were constant throughout her life.
Her entire life was guided by her forgiving nature and unconditional love.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Trego Center.
Visitation will be Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church. Donations made to the church may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.
One year has already passed since I took over as the Director of Downtown Hays Development Corporation and what a year it was! It was a year of change,
Sara Bloom is the Downtown Hays Development Corporation Executive Director.
growth, and new adventures and 2016 will be no different.
DHDC was established 15 years ago and since its onset has felt the need to locate our office in Downtown Hays. We had not been successful in locating a property of the right size and price until now.
We are happy to announce our new address as of February 1 is 109 West 11th Street.
The need to locate Downtown was not one of discontent with our current location. We have appreciated the synergy/partnership we have shared with our Welcome Center building mates, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Heartland Community Foundation, Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition for Economic Development, but we serve Downtown. I have made a commitment that despite our move Downtown, I will continue to collaborate with each of these entities and continue consistent conversations with all.
Our goal is to continually bring awareness to what’s happening on The Bricks of Downtown Hays. We want to see Downtown become a gathering place, an environment that enhances the quality of life, and an area that is an economic driver for our community. I feel DHDC can’t fully commit to these goals unless we are located in the area we serve.
The new location will allow us to improve connections with downtown merchants as well as local and out of town patrons, provide an avenue to focus on development opportunities, and room for growth.
You probably hear this all the time now. The Bricks in Downtown Hays is home to shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, and the historic Chestnut Street District. Now it’s finally our home too.
I hope you can all be excited with us and visit us in our new home soon because Downtown belongs to all of you as too. Your contributions have helped make Downtown Hays the premier shopping district in Northwest Kansas. We are so grateful to you for helping to create and support the heart and soul of our community.
Our work in Downtown Hays is never done. We promise to continue to work for the betterment of our community. We will be accountable to the coming generations who will be the judges of what we do today, and we will not disappoint. If you’d like to know more about the difference DHDC makes or partner in our efforts please don’t ever hesitate to call or email me. Thank you for supporting our mission.
Sara D. Bloom
Executive Director, DHDC
O. 785-621-4171
C. 785-639-6671
109 E 11th, Hays, KS 67601 www.downtownhays.com
SHERMAN COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Sherman County were involved in a high-speed chase on Friday.
The driver of the vehicle lost control on the dirt road just before the sheriff, deputies, and Kansas Highway Patrol arrived on scene, according to a report on social media.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the accident scene.
Two individuals were transported to Goodland Regional Medical Center.
No additional details on what prompted the chase or the arrest have been released.
Amanda Gress, director of government relations for Kansas Action for Children, testifies in opposition to HB 2600, a bill to revise criteria for receiving public assistance in Kansas. Gress says the bill could create additional barriers for children needing a safety net.- photo by Miranda Davis, KU Statehouse Wire Service
By Miranda Davis
KU Statehouse Wire Service
TOPEKA – A bill designed to improve the state’s welfare system could create barriers for public assistance recipients, some lawmakers and children’s advocates say.
House Bill 2600 aims to revise criteria for receiving government assistance. The bill would require an individual who receives receive Kansas Food Assistance to work 20 hours per week. It would reduce the time period an individual can receive benefits from the Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) from 42 months to 30 months.
Also, the bill would require recipients of public assistance to self-report any fraud or be denied assistance.
Rep. John Whitmer, R-Wichita, called the bill “common-sense legislation,” when he spoke Tuesday at a meeting of the House Committee on Health and Human Services. Whitmer is a member of the committee.
However, Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, and Rep. John Wilson, D-Lawrence, also committee members, expressed concerns about the negative effect that requirements could have on applicants who did not commit fraud with malicious intent. Ward said the legislation assumes bad motivations of those applying for benefits and is meant to shame welfare recipients instead of help them.
“Does it give you any sense of problem that you’re forcing people at the risk of losing their benefits to give evidence that might be against them and that right against self-incrimination?” Ward asked.
Committee member Rep. Dick Jones, R-Topeka, said it is reasonable for people to be silent when they don’t understand the welfare system or the repercussions of their answers to questions from the Department for Families and Children (DCF).
“So the question is, what do you do to protect those people who are confused and worried about saying the wrong thing that might get their husband or their wife thrown in jail?” Jones asked.
Wilson told the committee he is worried that children may be accidentally punished if their parents have committed fraud.
“I think what’s getting lost in all of this are the children, whose lives depend on these benefits. I don’t think they can control whether their parents play by the rules,” Wilson said.
Sandra Kimmons, the director of economic and employment services for DCF, said there are still ways to get aid to children even if the parents are denied benefits. She said the legislation is a way to make sure the people who need assistance the most are getting it.
“It is our ultimate goal to help individuals move from poverty to prosperity through self-reliance,” Kimmons said.
Kimmons also said fraud investigations are not randomized and only happen once DCF receives a tip about possible wrongdoing.
Ken Thompson, director of fraud investigations for DCF, said that investigations ensure fairness and keep people from abusing the system.
“If you want the assistance, play by the rules,” Thompson said.
In addition to the fraud-reporting requirement, the bill would also require that the Kansas Lottery send a monthly list of anyone who wins more than $10,000 so the DCF can check that list to make sure no TANF recipients have won.
Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, opposed the legislation and agreed with Ward’s belief that the legislation is “mean-spirited.”
“This particular bill seems like a solution in search of a problem, in that it imagines that someone has won $10,000 in the lottery, where I’d like to know if there’s actually been a case of that,” Rieber said.
Amanda Gress, director of government relations for Kansas Action for Children, also opposed the legislation because she said it creates additional barriers for children to access the state’s safety net.
Mosier Hall is current home to the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. -photo KSU
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A proposal to build a new veterinary laboratory at Kansas State University is one step closer to reality.
The Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday approved the university’s proposal for a Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, with an estimated cost of $43.2 million. The project still must be approved the Kansas Legislature.
The Manhattan Mercury reports the university plans an 80,000-square-foot facility. The new building will allow the university to consolidate its diagnostic and research labs with offices and support facilities.
Regent Bill Feuerborn said Kansas State will seek $10 million in private donations for the project.
A timeline for the construction, if the project is approved, has not been set.
Prairie View resident Anne Jansonius passed away Thurs. Feb. 18 at the Logan Manor Nursing Home in Logan at the age of 92. She was born July 21, 1923 in Phillips County, KS, the daughter of Albert & Weida (Jensma) Sprik. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her sons: David, Philip & ElWynn of Prairie View, Harvey of Hays & Randall of Ransom; her brother, Stanley Sprik of Worthington, MN; her sister, Hazel Nibbelink of Sioux Center, IA; 8 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren & 9 step great grandchildren.
A prayer service will be held Monday, Feb. 22 at 10:00 a.m. in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church, followed by a committal service at the Luctor Cemetery & Memorial service at the Church with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or Hospice Services.
Mrs. Jansonius will lie in state from 5:00 to 9:00 Sat. & noon to 9:00 Sun with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 Sunday evening.
Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
The Bargain Hut in downtown Hays, an expansion of the Ellis Thrift Shop, will celebrate two years of operation April 1.
The Ellis Thrift Shop, opened in 2007 by the local “Live to Give” ministry, is operated by volunteers with a mission to “Recycle, Reuse, Rebuild.”
Phase Three of the mission, “Rebuild,” has also been very successful at Bargain Hut, 125 E. Eighth. The Hays store has set up a nonprofit organization and begun giving grants to community groups.
“Due to the overwhelming generosity of the community of Hays and the surrounding communities, we are pleased to let everyone know that we have given out over $11,300 in cash donations in 2015,” said Vera Haver, ministry member.
A selection of clothing and artwork for sale at Bargain Hut.
According to Haver, the local non-profit groups receiving donations include Ellis Food Bank, DSNWK, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bethesda Place, Hosea’s Heart, Your Voice Through Cancer, CASA, OH4F, Random Ministries and Samaritan’s Purse.
Donated items and goods from Bargain Hut have been shared with other local agencies including Backpacks For Kids, Options, First Call For Help and the Salvation Army.
“Thanks everyone very much for your donations and for shopping with us,” Haver added.
Donations are accepted at the Bargain Hut warehouse just east of the store.
WESTON, Mo. (AP) — Firefighters in northwest Missouri are continuing to watch the site of a grass fire fueled by high winds that damaged up to 1,500 acres of land in Platte County and caused a brief firenado on Thursday.
Video courtesy Southern Platte Fire Protection District
Dean Cull, deputy chief of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District, says Thursday’s fire burned mostly on Federal Bureau of Prisons land.
Two old outbuildings were destroyed but no injuries were reported. Cull says the blaze was largely contained by late Thursday evening but firefighters returned to the site Friday morning to douse some hot spots. The fire was started when a large mower attached to a hauler malfunctioned and threw sparks. Cull says the hotspots likely will continue until the area gets some precipitation or colder temperatures. The region is experiencing unusually high temperatures, lack of precipitation and low humidity.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are discussing two separate proposals for lowering the state’s sales tax on groceries.
Twelve Kansas senators are sponsoring a proposal to offer voters a constitutional amendment that would reduce the sales tax to zero over three years. One of the sponsors, Democratic Sen. Tom Holland, says voters need to have a voice in how the state is handling its tax policies.
Unlike many other states, Kansas charges its full state sales tax rate on groceries. The rate was increased last year to 6.5 percent.
The Kansas City Star reports another proposal would reduce the grocery sales tax to 2.6 percent while also ending an income tax exemption for 330,000 businesses.
The House Taxation Committee plans to hold hearings on that proposal.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita mathematician who sued get voting machine tapes in order to audit statistical anomalies in the 2014 election plans to appeal a judge’s ruling that prohibits her from getting access to them.
Judge Tim Lahey denied on Thursday a motion by Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman to dismiss statistician Beth Clarkson’s open records case.
The Wichita Eagle reports that ruling is a hollow victory since the point of the lawsuit she filed last year was to check the accuracy of voting machines.
The judge told her attorney, Randy Rathbun, that he couldn’t order the county to turn over the tapes because Clarkson had presented the same issues in an earlier 2013 lawsuit she lost when she had no legal representation. The law prohibits fighting the same legal issue twice.
