2016 – Page 861 – Hays Post Archive

HPD Activity Log Feb. 15

Posted on February 16, 2016February 16, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 12 traffic stops Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Civil Transport–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 12:24 AM
Animal At Large-1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 9:07 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:19 AM
Animal At Large–26th St and Haney Dr, Hays; 9:24 AM
Counterfeit currency/documents–4700 block Roth Ave, Hays; 9:27 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–700 block Elm St, Hays; 12:12 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–27th Street Terr and Indian Trl, Hays; 1:16 PM
Welfare Check–200 block W 11th St, Hays; 2:32 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2700 block Plaza Ave, Hays; 3:29 PM
Disturbance – General–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 3:35 PM

Students screened after tuberculosis confirmed at KU

Posted on February 16, 2016February 16, 2016

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Health officials say about 50 University of Kansas students have been screened for tuberculosis after a case was confirmed.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the student with the confirmed case has started therapy. Watkins Health Services director and chief of staff Douglas Dechairo says the student will remain quarantined until he tests free of the disease.

Dechairo says the student contracted the disease in his home country, outside of the United States. The student lives alone off campus.

Dechairo says none of the students who potentially were exposed have developed symptoms. Those students will be screened again in eight weeks.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs and can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics. It is generally spread by coughing and sneezing.

Watch This Week’s Tiger Talk

Posted on February 16, 2016February 15, 2016

William John Rupke

Posted on February 16, 2016

Hays, Kansas – William John Rupke, age 85, died Sunday, February 14, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas after suffering a lengthy illness.

He was born June 25, 1930, in Long Island, Kansas, to Christian and Grace (Smith) Rupke. He married Deloris (Baker) on August 2, 1950, in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

He worked for a farmer 18 1/2 years at Prairie View, Kansas, before moving to Hays, Kansas, in 1970. He also worked at the Hays-Toulon-Yocemento Coop Elevators for 17 1//2 years.

William was an active member and deacon of the Luctor Christian Reformed Church at Prairie View, Kansas, before moving to Hays. He then became a member of the First Baptist Church of Hays. He enjoyed his family, bowling, and serving on the Hays Bowling Association Board.

Survivors include his wife, Deloris Rupke, of 65 years, of the home; two sons, Kenneth Rupke and wife, Debbie, Robert Rupke and wife, Bonnie, both of Hays, KS; three daughters, Linda Eggers and husband, Terry, Plainville, KS; Charlyn Coleman, Port St Lucie, FL; Jacque Massaglia and husband, Matt, Hays, KS; 12 grandchildren, Glen McClurg, Patrick McClurg (Kim), Michael Coleman (Erin), Shanna Zimmerman (Michael), Curtis Rupke (Tori), Tamara Rupke (Willie Carter), Bryan Rupke (Miriam), Dustin Rupke (Sheila), Daisha Alderson (Matt), Nichole Peck (Josh), Steven Massaglia (Danielle), Brina Gerstner (Lance); 28 great grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; numerous step great grandchildren; one sister, Carolyn Dillon and husband Dwight, Corpus Christi, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John Rupke; four sisters, Wilma Kuiper, June Carter, Gertrude Priest, Angeline Sterling; one son-in-law, Wally Coleman; great granddaughter, Carleah Jo and one step grandson.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 19, 2016, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Burial in Mount Allen Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials are suggested for Camp Christy, Scott City, KS or Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Hays USD 489 decides to push forward with bond — with or without sales tax

Posted on February 16, 2016February 16, 2016

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Watch the full meeting here.

At Monday night’s meeting, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education decided to push forward with the bond election and now will work to pin down specifics in a timeline for an election that is currently slated for June.

“Any time you select has pro and cons,” said Zach Snethen, project manager at HTK Architects, but recommended keeping a June election goal.

The sales tax would help offset a proposed $94 million bond issues for building upgrades, reducing the amount of the total costs put on property tax bills.

The district moved back its initial timelines of April and May elections after the Hays city commissioners declined to put a sales tax question on a special election ballot. Since then, the district has worked to collect a required 10 percent of registered voters to sign a petition that would allow for the question to be presented to voters.

The goal set by the district to collect those signatures was Feb. 19, but Superintendent Dean Katt said that deadline could be stretched for a few days.

The board shared the belief that the focus on the sales tax question had taken away from the original message of the bond.

“The real issue is the bond issue,” said Paul Adams, board member. “It’s the bond issue we care about.”

Board Member Sarah Rankin agreed the sales tax question was a complication and may be taking away from the important message of the bond.

Other actions taken by the Board:

The Board approved the HRC lease agreement, an action that is simply a pass-through for the district and has no effect on USD 489.

The Board approved a $50 reduction for driver education fee, an adjustment that was made due to lower gas prices.

The Board approved bidding process policy revisions.

The Board approved a change to Physical Education requirement for Hays High students. Only one credit will be required for graduation, the same as Kansas requirements.

The Board approved board term change due to a change in the Kansas election schedule.

The Board approved a financing bid for the HVAC financing from Commerce Bank.

The Board approved the payment to the architects for the HVAC system.

The Board approved the contract for Mark Hauptman, assistant superintendent for special services.

Animal-rights group moves to block import of elephants to Kansas zoo

Posted on February 16, 2016

Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley under construction at the Sedgwick County Zoo- courtesy image

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An animal rights group has sued to stop zoos in Kansas, Nebraska and Texas from bringing in new elephants from Africa.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Friends of Animals filed a lawsuit last week in federal court against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Last month, the agency issued permits allowing the importation of 18 African elephants from Swaziland. The elephants would be divided among the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, the Dallas Zoo in Texas and the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska.

The three zoos agreed to spend $450,000 over several years on black rhino conservation.

The environmental lawsuit argues the service did not take into account how the transfer would negatively hurt the social, mental and physical well-being of the 18 elephants.

Former NBA player Jason Collins to lecture at FHSU

Posted on February 16, 2016February 16, 2016

Fort Hays State University will host former National Basketball Association player Jason Collins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Collins will focus on his career in the NBA in addressing how to overcome adversity to live an authentic life. The event is sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement, the Department of Residential Life, the Gay-Straight Alliance and the University Activities Board.

During his 13-year career in the NBA, Collins played center for New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston, Washington and, most recently, the Brooklyn Nets.

At the conclusion of the 2012-2013 NBA season, Collins publicly came out as gay in a cover story for Sports Illustrated, becoming the first active male player in any four major American professional sports to announce that he was gay. President Obama expressed his gratitude to Collins for his courageous announcement and said he “couldn’t be prouder” of Collins, recognizing this as a point of progress for the LGBT community.

In April 2014, Collins was featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s “100 most Influential People of the World.” He currently serves on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, which works to motivate Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle via physical activity and nutrition.

SCHLAGECK: Advocate for agriculture

Posted on February 16, 2016February 15, 2016

John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Today, almost half of the state’s 2.9 million people live in five counties. Four are located in eastern Kansas and one in south-central Kansas.

More than 1.4 million Kansans reside in the counties of Douglas (111,000), Johnson (544,000), Leavenworth (76,000), Sedgwick (498,000) and Shawnee (178,000).

This demographic snapshot illustrates how important it is for farmers and ranchers to speak on behalf of agriculture and their rural communities. Urban and suburban residents who are one, two and three generations removed from the farm, continue to become less knowledgeable about agriculture and rural Kansas.

At the same time, they have the numbers and voting clout to impact issues and legislation near and dear to this state’s number one industry. Every day and every way, more and more of what agriculture is able to accomplish is controlled by those making decisions in Topeka.

Farmers and ranchers must carry the agricultural story to our state’s lawmakers. This dwindling population must talk about the jobs and industries this vital industry provides, the mouths we feed and the natural resources we care for.

Agriculture is essential and farmers and ranchers will strive to keep this legacy alive. Without question, our state’s agriculture faces unique challenges, concerns and experiences that remain difficult to relate to unless we actually discuss and champion them.

The best way for our Topeka lawmakers to understand the concerns of rural Kansans is to tell them our story ourselves. This will help them understand agriculture’s unique view of our great state.

Organizations like Farm Bureau help farmer rancher members advocate in the legislature by providing tools to tell this story. This list includes action alerts, spokesperson training and assistance in writing testimony to share individual farm stories.

Kansas farmers and ranchers must also cultivate a first-name relationship with their legislators. Making such connections can make a difference.

With the internet and the many forms of social media, ag producers can advocate in their shops, tractors, kitchen table over a cup of coffee – almost anywhere they have internet access. It’s important to respond when your commodity group or general farm organization sends out an action request.

Never underestimate the importance of a short note, phone call or a personal visit. Find out how your legislators like to communicate and follow up.

In addition to urging lawmakers to oppose or support a bill, remember to write or e-mail thank you notes when they do a good job for agriculture.

This state’s farmers and ranchers know others in the ag industry from all corners of Kansas. All of them share a passion for agriculture that most outside this industry can only imagine. They truly care about the sustainability of their vocation and rural communities and want to see them thrive.

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

Sunny, breezy Tuesday

Posted on February 16, 2016

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 16 to 21 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the evening.

WednesdaySunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.

Wednesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 41. Southeast wind 6 to 15 mph.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 16 to 24 mph.

Thursday NightMostly clear, with a low around 47. Breezy.

FridaySunny, with a high near 65.

Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 37.

SaturdaySunny, with a high near 67.

Court: Prison properly punished inmate for threat against Kan. abortion provider

Posted on February 16, 2016

Scott Roeder- photo Kan. Dpt. of Corrections

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Court of Appeals says Lansing Correctional Facility officials acted properly when they punished Scott Roeder for making a threat against a woman who reopened a Wichita abortion clinic.

Roeder is serving a life sentence for killing abortion provider George Tiller on May 31, 2009, while Tiller was serving as an usher at a Wichita church.

Roeder suggested during an interview in April 2013 with an anti-abortion activist that Julie Burkhart had a target on her back for reopening Tiller’s clinic.

The Wichita Eagle reports Roeder was given 45 days in solitary confinement, 60 days of restricted privileges and a $20 fine after the interview was aired on YouTube.

Prison records show Roeder has been disciplined 22 times by prison officials since 2011 for a variety of offenses

Selden leads No. 2 Kansas to win over Oklahoma State

Posted on February 16, 2016

By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Wayne Selden Jr. scored 18 points, Landen Lucas added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and second-ranked Kansas rolled to a 94-67 victory over Oklahoma State on Monday night.

Perry Ellis shrugged off a sluggish start to finish with 15 points, and Frank Mason III had 14 for the balanced Jayhawks (22-4, 10-3 Big 12), who avenged a surprising loss to the Cowboys last month.

Oklahoma State (12-13, 3-10) led much of the first half, fell behind by 18 early in the second, then trimmed their deficit to 62-56 with about 11 minutes to go. But the Jayhawks got hot down the stretch, pulling away for a lopsided victory over coach Bill Self’s alma mater.

The Jayhawks finished the first half on a 30-9 run. They finished the second on a 32-11 run.

Jeff Newberry scored 19 points and Jeffrey Carroll had 13 for the Cowboys, who again played without leading scorer Jawun Evans.

Students handcuffed during school protest in Great Bend (VIDEO)

Posted on February 16, 2016February 16, 2016

Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND -Despite the prepared statement by USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed, on the alleged sexual assault of a student on a school activity bus, hundreds of students and community members were not happy what the superintendent was saying. They organized a protest outside the District Education Center on South Patton Road in Great Bend.

Students gathered in front of the First Assembly of God church and began to walk south towards the district office. The crowd initially remained near the street holding signs demanding justice and answers from the district.

Reed even went out to greet the protesters and engaged in conversation with many members in what appeared to be an attempt to calm the waters. When an attempt to march into the district office was thwarted by law enforcement, the crowd began to yell questions Reed’s way and ask for clear answers and punishments for those that were involved in the alleged sexual assault of a freshman swimmer on February 6.

Students eventually decided to sit in front of the entrance. Upon refusal to move, Barton County Sheriff’s Officers warned the protesters to move and later arrested three female students placing them in handcuffs. USD 428 elected to not press charges and the students were later released.

Reed mentioned in his statement that based on the district’s research into the case, they do not believe criminal activity occurred…something that did not settle well with the alleged victim’s mom and the hundreds of protesters outside.

Reed also addressed reports of students being allowed to participate in the state swim meet this weekend even though they had committed serious infractions. Reed said no student in USD 428 who should receive discipline would ever be allowed to represent the school or the district.

Reed said swim coach Steve Beaumont, Principal Tim Friess and Athletic Director David Meter have been on top of the incident from the time it happened, and have handled it in an appropriate and swift manner.

Michele O’Neil, mother of the alleged victim, said her son’s backpack was thrown to the back of the school bus and when he went to retrieve the bag he was thrown down to the floor. His teammates eventually pulled his pants down and proceeded to sexually assault the victim according to O’Neil.

Since the alleged assault happened on a highway in Ellsworth County, the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office is handling the case. The Sheriff’s Office will file their investigation with the Ellsworth County Attorney to determine what criminal charges to seek.

Baker gets 100th win; Wichita State tops New Mexico State

Posted on February 16, 2016

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Ron Baker scored 13 points to move up Wichita State’s career scoring list and the Shockers beat New Mexico State 71-41 Monday night in a rare February non-conference matchup.

Baker moved into 12th place in program history with 1,503 points. He also became the fifth Shocker to reach 100 career wins.

Fred VanVleet added 12 points with seven assists for Wichita State (19-7), which rebounded after having its 43-game home winning streak come to an end last Saturday. The Shockers forced 20 turnovers and held the Aggies to 16-of-40 shooting.

Conner Frankamp nailed a deep 3-pointer with two seconds left before halftime to extend Wichita State’s lead to 37-24.

Pascal Siakam recorded his 22nd double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds for New Mexico State (18-9), which had its nine-game winning streak halted.

The game was originally scheduled for Dec. 28 but it was postponed when winter weather caused travel issues for the Aggies.