By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
From wine tastings to wrestling matches, February is a fun-filled month in Hays.
Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Rick Rekoske has some highlights:
For a complete update of activities in Hays, check the Hays CVB website.
KS Dept. of Commerce
TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced that 25 communities will receive federal grants for sewer and water project, housing rehabilitation and community facilities projects.
Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program 11 Kansas communities will share a total of $4,940,100 in federal grants for water and sewer projects, three Kansas communities will share $886,000 for housing rehabilitation and 11 communities will share $2,735,214 for community facilities projects.
“We are very excited at the Department of Commerce to be involved in so many deserving communities receiving this much needed funding,” said Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. “These federal grants ensure that smaller and rural communities receive the necessary funds to keep their communities beautiful and thriving.”
The CDBG program provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives. The grant must benefit low and moderate-income persons, prevent or eliminate slums and blight or resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so.
The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. The Department has distributed more than $450 million in CDBG funding in the last decade.
The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants for water and sewer projects:
City of Edna, $500,000
The city of Edna will make major improvements to waste water collection system throughout the city. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office will provide $919,800 in matching funds.
City of Bogue, $318,000
The city of Bogue proposes to build a new water transmission line to Hill City and well as 785 linear feet water distribution lines in Bogue. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office will provide $726,330 and the City will provide $100,000 in matching funds.
City of Hoisington, $500,000
The city will make major repairs and improvements to the city’s aging waste water system. The Kansas Department of Health & Environment will provide $798,040 in matching funds.
City of Moline, $500,000
This project will consist of repainting the city’s water tower as well as replacing water lines throughout the city. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office will provide $3,036,965 in matching funds.
City of Williamsburg, $500,000
The project will improve sanitary sewer lines and manholes throughout the city. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office will provide $2,351,925 and the City will provide $20,000 in matching funds.
City of Osage City, $500,000
The city proposes to make improvements to its waste water collection system to include sewer line replacement, manhole repair and upgrades to a lift station. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office will provide $595,000 in matching funds.
City of Chanute, $500,000
The project will repair or replace sewer lines and manholes. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the city will jointly provide $961,378 in matching funds.
City of Colony, $307,000
The city will rehabilitate approximately 15,100 linear feet of clay sewer lines. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office will provide $307,000 in matching funds.
City of Cherokee, $315,100
This project will make improvements to the city’s waste water treatment lagoons. The Kansas Department of Health & Environment will provide $280,900 and the city will provide $34,200 in matching funds.
City of Argonia, $500,000
The project will consist of the construction of a new water treatment plant to serve the city of Argonia. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will provide $1,984,561 in matching funds.
City of Miltonvale, $500,000
This project will make major improvements to the city’s water distribution system. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will provide $510,134 in matching funds.
The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants for community facilities projects:
Anderson County, $60,000
Anderson County will purchase one Brush Truck for Anderson County Fire District #1. Anderson County will provide $60,000 in matching funds.
City of Norton, $400,000
The City of Norton will fully reconstruct a two block stretch of Crane Street and two blocks of North 2nd Ave. The city will contribute $439,200 in matching funds towards the project.
City of Russell, $400,000
The project will consist of reconstructing a half mile stretch of an existing four lane roadway on U.S. 281 in Russell. The city will contribute $2,278,100 in matching funds.
City of Harper, $115,572
The city will reconstruct four blocks of Pine Street from 10th to 14th streets. Work will include street reconstruction as well as ancillary drainage structures. The city will contribute $173,073 in matching funds.
City of Ellis, $400,000
The city will reconstruct portions of Cottonwood, Dorrance and Spruce Street. The city will contribute $413,859 in matching funds.
City of Yates Center, $80,430
The City of Yates Center plans to make sidewalk and parking lot improvements in three parks and ballfields to address American with Disabilities Act deficiencies. The city will contribute $80,430.
City of Lincoln Center, $400,000
The city plans to replace an electrical power generation engine and associated electrical and mechanical controls. The city will contribute $507,000 in matching funds.
Cherokee County, $193,836
This project will consist of a major reconstruction of bridge deck & rails of the Galena viaduct. The county will contribute $193,837 in matching funds.
City of Little River, $400,000
The city will reconstruct portions of Kansas Avenue and Main Street. The city will contribute $420,550 in matching funds.
Cheyenne County, $116,376
With this grant, Cheyenne County will purchase a new ambulance for Cheyenne County Emergency Medical Service District #1. The county will contribute $85,000 in matching funds.
City of Atchison, $169,000
The city will make general sidewalk and accessibility improvements in an area bounded by Eighth and Main Streets, and 10th and Kansas Streets. The city will contribute $205,665 in matching funds.
The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants for housing rehabilitation:
City of McPherson, $300,000
The City of McPherson has a population of 13,155 and is located in McPherson County. This grant will rehabilitate 13 homes for owned and rental units. The project also includes demolition of four unoccupied units. The city will contribute $71,000 in local funds.
City of Minneapolis, $286,000
The City of Minneapolis has a population of 1,737 and is located in McPherson County. This grant will rehabilitate eight homes for low-to-moderate income families and demolish three unoccupied housing units. The city will contribute $7,500 in local funds.
City of Moundridge, $300,000
The city of Moundridge has a population of 1,885 and is located in Ottawa County. This grant will rehabilitate 12 homes for owner occupied and rent residents of Moundridge. The city will contribute $38,000 in local funds.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Bret Michaels is hoping when you’re thinking of getting out of town, you’ll think of him.
Michaels has teamed up with online retailer Overstock to create a line of luggage.
One set is black with silver flames, while the other is black with gray paisley accents.
Michaels says he travels 200 days a year and had that in mind when he designed the luggage.
More details are available here.
“Like” KFIX on Facebook.
DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says faith is the “great cure” for the fear that sometimes leads people to do “funny things.”
Watch the President’s address here.
He says his faith also helps him deal with the “unique elements of my job.”
The president made the comments at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. It’s his final address as president to the annual nondenominational gathering.
He says fear of change and the uncertainty it often brings can lead people to lash out against anyone who’s different.
He says fear can also lead people to give in to despair and it can feed man’s most selfish impulses.
The president says faith and Jesus are good cures for fear. Obama also spoke about tolerance for different religions.
KS Fire Marshal
TOPEKA–February 1-7 is recognized as National Burn Awareness Week, and Safe Kids Kansas and the Office of the State Fire Marshal aim to focus this week on reminding parents and caregivers that fire is just one cause of burn injuries to children. Scalding hot water, hot foods and beverages, heating appliances, hot pots and pans, fireworks, electrical currents and chemicals can all be the cause of serious burns to children.
Of the total child burn injuries reported to the Kansas Burn Injury Reporting System since 2010, 17% have been caused by touching hot metal objects such as furnace registers and grills. The rest of the top 5 causes of child burns are hot liquids (16%), fireworks (14%), fires (13%) and stove/oven (10%).
While fewer children are injured in bathtubs from hot water, those injuries pose the highest danger, with higher than normal percentages of burned skin and more days in the hospital than any other cause.
“During National Burn Awareness Week, we want to remind all parents to take simple precautions to prevent burn injuries,” said Doug Jorgensen, Kansas Fire Marshal. “While our office is dedicated to reducing property loss, deaths and injuries due to fire, the majority of burn injuries aren’t due to fire. By using common sense precautions, we can keep ourselves and our children safe from tragic burn injuries.”
Safe Kids Kansas and the Office of the State Fire Marshal recommend the following 4 tips to prevent scalds.
If a child is burned, the burned area should be placed in, or flushed with, cool water. Keep the burned area in the cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. Never use ice, ointments or butter. If the burn is severe, immediately seek emergency assistance.
For more safety tips to prevent fires and burns, visit https://firemarshal.ks.gov/agency-resources/education/burn-awareness.
KCC
TOPEKA–The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold an educational meeting to discuss Kansas’ path towards compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan rule. The educational session will be conducted at a special Commission Meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, and will be held in the First Floor Hearing Room of the Commission’s Offices located at 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas 66604. The meeting is open to the public.
Presentations will be given by stakeholders, including: Kansas City Power and Light, Westar Energy, Empire Electric, Sunflower Electric, ITC Great Plains, Southwest Power Pool, Midwest Energy, Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Kansas Municipal Utilities, Clean Energy Project and the American Wind Energy Association.
In December 2015, the Kansas Corporation Commission opened a General Investigation Docket to begin analyzing options for compliance. As a part of the docket, the Commission will host public hearings, as well providing a mechanism for members of the public to include comments on-the-record.
The EPA released the Clean Power Plan rule in August 2015. The rule calls for states to develop a plan to reduce the proportion of energy that is produced with coal and fossil fuels. If a state fails to implement a plan that complies with the rule, the federal government will impose its own plan. A state compliance plan is due to the EPA by 2018, and initial targets for carbon reduction will begin in 2022.
The docket may be found at https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kcc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=52496f90-07e1-4b21-bac1-ebc1a3118b3d.
To make comments on this docket, visit: https://kcc.ks.gov/pi/public_comment.htm.
HUTCHINSON— A Kansas man arrested January 27, on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child is back in jail after the state requested the bond be increased.
Douglas A. Kennel, 45, Hutchinson, was arrested following an investigation that began when he took an old phone to have data transferred to a new phone.
The phone store employee transferred the data and saw images that he thought to be child porn.
In court, Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell argued that the state has charged Kennel with sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated violation of the offender registration act.
Maxwell told the court of Kennel’s two convictions in Harvey County for aggravated indecent liberties with a child, but also two federal convictions for receipt of materials depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
He also argued that due to the prior convictions, he’s looking at a life sentence with no chance of parole under the aggravated habitual sex offender statute. He asked for a 1-million dollar bond.
The Defense attorney argued that the images in question in this case were found on a damaged disk and that he believes his client had deleted them and no longer had access to them. He also argued that the old convictions are nearly 20-years old and said Kennel is not a flight risk.
Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen after hearing the arguments increased the bond to $250,000.
She also ordered that Kennel have no contact with any child under the age of 18 and not be within a thousand feet of any school.
Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton reported that after the investigation officers allegedly found over 4,000 images on the phone’s SD card, which they believed were downloaded from a file-sharing site.
The convictions in Harvey County for two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child are from 1997.
No date was set for the preliminary hearing.
KDWPT
PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, in cooperation with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ranchland Trust of Kansas, and Kansas Grazing Coalition, are excited to announce a new partnership designed to assist landowners with range management and improvement projects.
Termed the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the newly-formed partnership will aim to improve overall range health in the Smoky Hills region of Kansas by providing cost-share assistance to landowners. The Smoky Hills are important to cattle producers and numerous wildlife species, but both are being threatened by invasive trees, noxious weeds and other sources of degradation. The RCPP seeks to address some of these issues and ultimately improve the health of Smoky Hill rangelands.
The RCPP will focus on 16 counties within the core of the Smoky Hills, with wildlife biologists designated for specific areas. Some land management practices that will be available for cost share under this collaborative effort include brush management, herbaceous weed control, prescribed burning and prescribed grazing. Landowners interested in more information about this partnership are encouraged to contact their local wildlife biologist for the county in which their land is located.
For counties Ellsworth, Russell, Lincoln, Saline, and Ottawa, contact James Svaty at (785) 658-2465 ext. 204. For counties Smith, Osborne, Jewell, Mitchell, Republic, and Cloud, contact Lucas Kramer at (785) 545-3345. For counties Washington, Clay, and Dickinson, contact Clint Thornton at (785) 461-5095. For Marion County, contact Jeff Rue at (316) 772-2706. For McPherson County, contact Kyle McDonald at (620) 662-2799.
Golden Belt Community Concert Association
Billy Dean, country music guitarist/vocalist who gained fame in the early 1990s, will perform for the Golden Belt Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Great Bend
Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone.
This GBCCA event is available to concert association members. Full-time students will be admitted to the concert for a $5 donation at the door when they show their school I.D. The auditorium will open at 6:30 p.m.
Dean’s versatility as an entertainer, has garnered him more than two decades of hits and numerous awards. Shortly after high school, a worldwide talent search landed him in Nashville in the early 1980s, and he finished in the top 10.
In 1988, Dean entered another talent show, won his first episode of Ed McMahan’s “Star Search and received national recognition and the attention of music executives. His debut album, “Young Man,” was released on Capital Records in 1990, along with his single “Only Here for a Little While,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard charts.
Dean co-authored his second single, “Somewhere in My Broken Heart,” with Hall of Fame songwriter Richard Leigh and it soared all the way to No. 1. “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” was nominated for a Grammy and went on to become the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year in 1992, earning Dean his first platinum album and Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist of the Year award.
Dean’s music has sold millions worldwide with 11 top 10 singles and five No. 1 hits. Along with his success in country music came several acting credits to his name. Dean’s true gift comes through during his signature solo acoustic performances. He has the ability to take his audiences on an emotional journey through his music. His personality, sense of humor, musicianship and vocals leave a lasting impression on his audiences.
For more information about the Golden Belt Community Concert Association, contact Linda Jerke, 620-793-9440, or visit the GBCCA web site, www.goldenbeltcca.org.
By DAN MARGOILES
The state of Kansas is asking the state’s highest court to review last month’s decision by the Kansas Court of Appeals finding that the Kansas Constitution creates a “fundamental right to abortion.”
The request for the Kansas Supreme Court to take up the case was expected after the court of appeals upheld a lower court decision blocking a Kansas law that bans the abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation. The measure was signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback in April 2015 and was set to take effect on July 1, 2015.
Kansas was the first state in the nation to prohibit the procedure, which is the most commonly used method for second-trimester abortions. Oklahoma passed a similar ban shortly afterward.
The Kansas ban was challenged by two Overland Park physicians, Dr. Herbert Hodes and his daughter, Dr. Traci Lynn Nauser. Their practice is one of only three abortion providers in the state.
Last July, Shawnee County District Judge Larry D. Hendricks found in their favor and blocked the law from taking effect. Hendricks ruled that the Kansas Bill of Rights “independently protects the fundamental right to abortion.”
The court of appeals, in a highly unusual decision on Jan. 22 involving all 14 sitting judges, upheld Hendricks in a split 7-7 vote. When an appeals court is equally divided, the trial court’s ruling is upheld.
The appeals court’s ruling marked the first time a Kansas appellate court had based the right to an abortion in the Kansas Constitution.
Six of the appeals court judges found that the first two sections of the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights mirror those in the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment. A seventh judge found that section 1 created a “natural law” protection broader than that provided by federal law.
In its appeal to the Kansas Supreme Court, the state argues that “(w)hether the Kansas Constitution creates a right to an abortion is a fundamental and compelling constitutional question of first impression, a question that can only be resolved definitively by this court.”
Dan Margolies is editor of the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies.
SHERMAN COUNTY -Residents of northwest Kansas are digging out from a winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on some areas.
The snow left many roads in the region packed with snow and icy.
While the Kansas Department of Transportation, county road and city crews have been doing a great job with repair and snow removal, another issues is making their job difficult, according to a social media report from the Sherman County Sheriff’s office.
Abandon vehicles on rural roads are creating problems for crews working in the snow.
The sheriff’s office wants individuals who had to abandon their vehicle during this storm to contact them.
DETROIT (AP) — Another problem has developed with automotive air bags, this one resulting in recalls of 5 million vehicles.
Continental Automotive Systems says in documents filed with the government that moisture can get inside its air bag control computers, causing the power supplies to corrode and fail. If that happens, air bags may not inflate in a crash or they could deploy without a crash.
Documents say Continental will notify automakers, who will recall cars dating to 2006. Already Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Mercedes have issued recalls.
Automakers will replace the computers at no cost to owners.
The announcement comes in the middle of a recall crisis involving Takata Corp. air bag inflators. About 24 million U.S. vehicles are being recalled for that problem. It’s the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.
Fort Hays State University Marketing and Relations
Before the actual introduction this summer of the online Bachelor of Science in computer science, this new program from Fort Hays State University’s Virtual College has been ranked No. 1 and No. 20 for best program of 2016 by two rating groups.
The computer science program, which is already offered on campus, earned the Students Before Profits Award from NonprofitsCollegesOnline.com, which ranks FHSU No. 1.
Nonprofits Colleges ranks accredited online programs according to their affordability.
The cost difference between FHSU and other colleges on the list are thousands. The difference between FHSU and the No. 2 spot, Western Governors University, is more than $2,000. The difference between FHSU and last ranked spot, DePaul University, is over $10,000.
However, Nonprofits Colleges is not the only publication site to rank FHSU’s computer online science program. ComputerScienceOnline.org ranks FHSU No. 20 for “2016’s Best Colleges for Online Computer Science Degrees.”
The No. 1 ranking is available under “Students Before Profits Rankings” at www.nonprofitscollegesonline.com.
The No. 20 ranking is available at www.computerscienceonline.org/degree-programs/.
