SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a bomb threat.
911 dispatchers received a call just after 7:45 a.m. on Friday from someone indicating a bomb was on one of the Salina CityGo buses and set to detonate at 8 a.m., according to a media release from Salina Police.
CityGo was immediately notified of the threat and six buses were evacuated.
Bus drivers and police officers searched the buses and nothing was found. Police suspect the threat was a prank.
Hodges University
The board of trustees of Hodges University is pleased to announce the first finalist for the position of President, Dr. Lawrence 
Gould, professor and former provost at Fort Hays State University in Fort Hays, Kan.
Dr. Gould will be on the Hodges campuses on Monday, Feb. 1.
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Gould has been one of the most well-known and respected chief academic officers in the 430 member American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Larry (as he likes to be called) served as provost/chief academic officer at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in central Kansas for over 15 years. While at FHSU, he served as a faculty member in Political Science, founding director of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, president of the Faculty Senate, executive assistant to the president and dean of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business and Entrepreneurship. Larry previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and was a research associate with the Centre for Foreign Policy Studies at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
His educational background includes a Ph.D. in political science-international relations from Purdue University in 1979, a master’s degree in political science from Eastern New Mexico University in 1973 and a B.A. in history from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 1971.
Larry spent nine years in the National Guard in Massachusetts, New Mexico and Indiana and left service as a captain in 1979. While serving as provost, the Kansas Small Business Development Center Network reported to his office. Larry served as chair of the Hays-Ellis County Planning Commission for 28 years and remains on the board of directors for Golden Belt Bank. He has been heavily involved in local economic development activities and was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and Hall of Fame awards. Larry wrote several strategic plans for the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development and completed a major telecommunications report for the governor of Kansas in 1992.
Whether playing a key role in the development of the FHSU domestic distance learning environment, initiating the internationalization of the campus or organizing the university’s participation in the Higher Learning Commission’s alternate regional accreditation track known as the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), Larry has been a leader in using innovation to help transform FHSU into one of the country’s most successful state comprehensive universities. The Chronicle of Higher Education recognized FHSU as the third fastest growing university in the United States from 2001-2011. His bold thinking has been instrumental in creating and managing the university’s distance learning dual degree programming in China and Turkey. U.S. News and World Report selected FHSU as having the 16th best set of online academic programs in the country for 2015.
As an entrepreneurial and enthusiastic representative of FHSU, Larry believes it is important to be visible and engaged at the state and national levels. This approach adds value to the FHSU brand and opens new opportunities for faculty and students. Accordingly, he has accepted invitations to serve on the executive board of the Network for Change and Continuous Innovation (NCCI), the Implementation Board for the American Democracy Project, the Red Balloon Teaching and Learning Initiative and spent 15 years involved in AASCU activities. His recent publications include articles on adult learners, leadership, distance education and academic quality work initiatives.
Larry’s success as an administrative and academic servant is why he has been the recipient of three recent prominent national awards for provosts/leadership—the 2015 Ingram’s Icon of Education for lifetime achievement; the 2008 William M. Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement; and the NCCI 2013 Brent D. Ruben Award.
Larry and his wife, Eva, have two children, Scott and Stacey, and five grandchildren.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Health officials say Kansas has not had any confirmed cases of the Zika virus.
However, two travel-related cases of Zika virus have been reported in Nebraska.
The Zika virus, which is generally so mild that it only causes symptoms in about one out of five cases, raised concerns recently when doctors in Brazil started to notice a possible link between the virus — spread by a particular mosquito — and the birth defect microcephaly.
Symptoms of the virus include rash and fever.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday in a release that it recommends that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
So far, the only recent case transmitted in the U.S. is believed to have occurred in Texas through sex.
By ANDY MARSO
AARP Kansas still believes the state needs a law requiring hospitals to notify designated caregivers of patient discharge instructions and, if necessary, demonstrate those instructions.
Kansas hospitals still disagree.
AARP introduced the Caregiver Act last year following a pre-session advertising blitz , but the bill ran into skepticism from lawmakers who questioned whether legislation was the best way to reach the goal of smoother transitions to home care.
Maren Turner, director of AARP Kansas, reiterated the need for the legislation Wednesday — this time to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
She said her organization has collected thousands of petitions from the state’s 345,000 caregivers, who agree they could use a hand.
“They’re saying they don’t have enough support,” Turner said.
Turner said her group met with officials from the Kansas Hospital Association and hammered out a compromise amendment that makes some concessions to the bill, like establishing a minimum age for patients’ designated caregivers.
But Deb Stern, the hospital association’s senior vice president for clinical services and general counsel, said some of the hospitals still aren’t on board.
Hospitals already face discharge regulations from private accreditors and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, she said. The hospital association would prefer an educational campaign rather than AARP’s proposed state mandate.
“Education can work; it has worked,” Stern said. “We have success stories.”
She cited a Kansas Department of Health and Environment campaign to ensure that hospitals screen newborns for heart conditions, which she said now has “100 percent compliance.”
Stern said breakdowns in communication between hospital staff and caregivers often occur because patients and caregivers are stressed at discharge time and just want to get home. A state law would do little to fix that, she said.
But Rep. Les Osterman, a Republican from Wichita, said in his experience, hurried and stressed hospital staff were just as responsible.
“There’s your breakdown,” Osterman said. “The nurses aren’t taking the time because they’re too busy and they need to get on to the next patient.”
The Caregiver Act, House Bill 2058, contains no penalties for hospitals that fail to comply with its mandates.
Turner said executive branch agencies might add penalties through the rules and regulations process if the bill passes.
Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @andymarso
SEWARD COUNTY – Investigators say the cause of the January 13, explosion and fire at Groendyke Transportation southwest of Liberal has been classified as undetermined, according to state Fire Marshal information manager Kevin Doel. The case remains open he reported in an email.
“We’ve heard nothing new on the investigation,” said Seward County Fire Chief Andrew Barkley.
A tanker truck and three employees were inside a large wash bay at the time of the explosion. The tank trailer was not loaded and was being externally washed. Its last contents were condensate, a natural gas processing byproduct, according to a Groendyke corporate media release.
One of the three employees flown to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita with critical burns was expected to be released from the hospital on Friday.
Two others are being transitioned to rehab in Wichita, according to Matthew Palmer with Groendyke.
The company’s terminal parking lot remains open but office operations continue at a church on nearby Kansas Avenue, according to Palmer.
By Dustin Armbruster
A pair of Hays High Indians signed their letter of intent to play football with Fort Hays State University on Friday. Maddux Winter and Brayden Delzeit will each continue their playing careers in the same stadium they played their home games, Lewis Field Stadium. Both cited the opportunity to play for an up and coming program in the MIAA was a big drawing point.
Coach Randall Rath
Maddux Winter isn’t sure where what position he will find himself at the collegiate level. But that isn’t anything new. Winter spent time at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver and linebacker…all during his senior season alone. The two time Western Athletic Conference Honorable Mention, ranked fourth this past season in the WAC with 88 tackles, was second with three fumble recoveries and first in interceptions with four. He also recorded eight tackles for loss.
Maddux Winter
Winter finished his career with 122 tackles, five interceptions, one blocked punt, three fumble recoveries, a blocked punt and a defensive touchdown. He recorded a career high 20 tackles during his final game versus McPherson.
Brayden Delzeit was a first team selection for the Western Athletic Conference this past season after earning honorable mention status is junior year. Delzeit finished his career with 81 tackles, 14 for loss, recorded five sacks, forced two fumbles ans recovered one. He was seventh in the WAC his senior season with 11 tackles for loss and eighth in sacks with three.
Brayden Delzeit
Delzeit was also a three year starter on the offensive line at center. He said it was extra work in addition to practice that helped him get to the collegiate level. Delzeit says the plan as of now is for him to compete on the defensive side of the ball. He is currently battle a knee injury that is keeping him off the wrestling mat where he was a state qualifier last season.
Both Winter and Delzeit are three sport athletes at Hays High School. Winter is a starter on the 12-2, #5 Hays High Indian basketball team and is also part of the track team. Delzeit qualified for state wrestling at 220 bpunds his junior year and earned Honorable Mention status in baseball last spring.
DETROIT (AP) — Bridgestone-Firestone North America is recalling more than 36,000 heavy truck tires in the U.S. and Canada because the tread can separate from the body and cause the tires to fail.
The recall covers 22.5-inch Firestone FS561 replacement tires made from Jan. 25, 2015 to Jan. 27, 2016. The company says in documents filed with the government that the recall covers tires used on trailers. Tread separation can cause sudden loss of air pressure and increase the risk of a crash.
Bridgestone-Firestone says its investigating what causes the problem. It was discovered in October of 2015 when the company noticed an unusual number of warranty returns. The company says it has no reports of injuries.
Bridgestone-Firestone will replace the tires at no cost to owners.
By Carter Moelk
KU Statehouse Wire Service
TOPEKA — A bill that would protect underage students who seek medical help after drinking is moving closer to becoming a reality.
The Senate’s Lifeline 911 bill, also known as the Medical Amnesty Act, has been approved by the House judiciary committee and now goes to the full House for debate.
“The law would be a great addition for the safety of all students in the state, whether it’s a university or a two-year institution,” said Jessie Pringle, University of Kansas Student Body President.
Pringle was among a group of students who showed their support Wednesday for the bill, which was introduced in the Senate in 2015. Students came to the Capitol as part of the state’s annual Higher Education Day.
Sen. Tom Hawk, D-Manhattan, a proponent of the bill, said it removes a barrier for students who need medical assistance or who want to get help for a friend.
“If students are afraid to call for help, they won’t make the smart choice,” he said.
“There’s a good chance this bill will pass if the students stay active.”
Many universities in Kansas have an amnesty policy in place, which says that the university will wave sanctions for those seeking medical help for underage drinking.
Campus leaders say they are excited there soon may be a state law offering that same protection.
“While we have university policies in place, I believe Lifeline 911 would further increase the likelihood of someone seeking help when truly need it,” said Clay Thomas, president of KU’s Interfraternity Council.
The University of Kansas has an amnesty policy, and it has benefitted students, campus leaders said.
“Having a similar policy here at KU has been incredible for the welfare of our students and contributes to a positive academic and social experience,” Pringle said.
As the bill moves forward in legislation, supporters, including Hawk, say they hope it will have enough momentum to become law.
“It’s all about the constituents pushing for the piece of legislation,” Hawk said. “That and timing . . . you’ve got to get the timing correct.”
If approved by the House, the bill would return to the Senate for approval.
Edited by Madeline Mikinski
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Opponents of a measure that would consolidate school districts have expressed their opinions in a Kansas House committee meeting.
House Bill 2504 would require 98 of Kansas’ 105 counties to have one unified school district per county.
The three area lawmakers who participated in this week’s Hays Area Chamber of Commerce legislative coffee believe the issue will never come to the House floor.
“I don’t think we want this much contention on this kind of an issue in a year where we’re working to fill a budget hole,” said Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays. “Reasonable people, and especially people in education and people in rural Kansas, understand that these kinds of things aren’t going to work.”
“There aren’t enough hours in the day to pass this,” quipped Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell. “I know a lot of rural legislators are going to fight that.”
Tom Benoit, a Palco USD 269 board member and a member of a coalition of rural districts called Schools for Quality Education, said at Wednesday’s House committee meeting in Topeka that any consolidation should be local patrons’ decision.
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, a former school board member, agrees. In Hays Saturday, he said he’s gotten a lot of email from concerned teachers, school board members and others.
“We do need to have those conversations about (improving) education,” Rahjes insisted.
“But it still goes back to local control. If there’s an issue, go to your local school board. If you’re concerned taxes are too high, they’re spending too much, you have to talk to them, instead of banging through the media or sending out letters instead of truly having a conversation.
“We can’t just say ‘so and so was wrong and so and so was right.’ There’s probably somewhere in the middle where we’re both probably right. That’s one of the things that is missing today and I guess I can say that because I’m the new guy.
“I haven’t been jaded enough to say ‘no, I don’t agree with you so I’m not going to talk to you about anything.’ How in the world do you get anything done that way? That’s not governing, that’s not legislating. That’s playing…games and we really can’t do that any more.
“This is an election year so there are a lot of these things that are stoking the fires,” Rahjes continued. “Find out who’s introducing the bills and why. Is it because someone wants to be in the media? Is it because they’re trying to do something? Are they trying hard to look better in the eyes of certain people?”
In Ellis County, the proposed realignment would move Ellis USD 388 and Victoria USD 432 into Hays USD 489.
The bill’s author, Rep. John Bradford, (R-Lansing) says Kansas residents are receiving incorrect information, making them believe the bill would close schools. Bradford defended his bill, saying it wouldn’t result what patrons of rural and small districts fear. He says it would not affect teachers, sell school buses, change school district boundaries, kill any school mascots, affect any students or football teams and wouldn’t increase the time students ride school buses.
Kansas’ seven most populous counties would be allowed to have multiple districts if each has more than 1,500 students.
KINGMAN COUNTY- A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 7 a.m. on Friday in Kingman County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Semi driven by Michael L. McCullough, 59, Kiowa, was southbound on Southwest 170th Avenue six miles south of Nashville.
The truck left the roadway, entered the east ditch and rolled.
McCullough was transported to St. Francis Medical Center.
He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the public water supply in the City of Lorraine located in Ellsworth County. KDHE officials issued the 
advisory because of a loss of pressure due to a water main break. Inadequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
The advisory took effect on Feb. 5 and will remain in effect until chlorine residuals are adequate and all other conditions which place the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be adequately resolved.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
DICKINSON COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Dickinson County are investigating a teenager in connection with an armed robbery.
Just before midnight on Thursday, police officers were sent to Casey’s General Store, 201 S. Buckeye in Abilene on a report of an armed robbery, according to a media release from the Abilene Police Department
Officers arriving at the scene learned that an unknown male suspect had entered the store with a handgun and demanded cigarettes and cash.
A short time later, a deputy with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect, a 15-year-old boy walking in the area of Northwest 2nd and Cedar Streets in Abilene.
A foot pursuit ensued, during which the suspect suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg.
He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Salina Regional Health Center, where he was treated and released back to the custody of Abilene authorities.
The suspect, who has not been named, could face charges that include aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.
Hollywood Vampires, the hard-rock supergroup featuring Alice Cooper,Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and actor Johnny Depp, will give their first television performance on the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, for a special yet sad occasion.
Cooper tells Rolling Stone his band will pay tribute to late Motörheadfrontman Lemmy Kilmister at the ceremony, and also will play a new original tune titled “As Bad as I Am.”
The song will appear as a bonus track on a deluxe digital edition of the group’s 2015 self-titled album that’s due Friday, February 12.
The Hollywood Vampires lineup for the Grammy performance also will include Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, former GN’R drummer Matt Sorum, and Cooper guitarist Tommy Henriksen.
Meanwhile, a number of other special Grammy perfomances have just been announced, including an homage to late blues legend B.B. King that will feature Bonnie Raitt, acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Gary Clark Jr. and country star Chris Stapleton.
As previously reported, Lady Gaga will give a tribute performance honoring the late David Bowie.
The 2016 Grammys, hosted by LL Cool J, airs Monday, February 15, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
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