HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A group of Chinese students is visiting Kansas as part of a two-week trip to experience American education and see some sites.
The students from Shanghai Southwest Weiyu Middle School are studying at The Independent School in Wichita.
Teacher Helen Huang Xujuan says the program might someday lead to a semester- or year-long exchange program between the Chinese middle school and Kansas schools.
The Hutchinson News reports the students are staying with host families in Wichita. They visited the Comosphere in Hutchinson Saturday.
The teacher says the students aren’t sure what they will do after school but many may try to attend college in the U.S.
The students will fly to Denver Friday before flying home to China.
According to the latest finalized federal review, Kansas has one of the safest child welfare systems in the country—ranking second among the 50 states in the category of “children are first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect”. This success is attributed to many individuals who make up the child welfare system in Kansas—including Kansas Department for Children and Families social workers, foster care contractors, foster parents, law enforcement, judges, Guardians Ad Litem, CASAs, and those who make it a priority to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect, including family, friends, teachers, counselors, medical professionals, pastors and more.
Although less than one percent of children in Kansas are in foster care, each of these more than 6,500 children relies on this network of people to keep them safe. Without all involved working together toward a common goal of protecting the child and minimizing trauma, the system will fail this young, innocent person who deserves more. And no one wants that to happen, ever.
The child welfare system is complex and each case presents its own unique circumstances and challenges that are ever changing. Fortunately decisions made to remove a child from his/her home are not made in a vacuum. They involve a step-by-step process that is meant to ensure the best interest of the child is served, which is our only concern.
The process begins when a concerned citizen or mandated reporter calls the Kansas Protection Reporting Center. We receive approximately 65,000 calls to the hotline each year. Our trained staff assesses the case and determines if further investigation is warranted. From there, DCF will make necessary contact with law enforcement, the family and others involved. If there is concern of immediate harm, law enforcement may take the child/children into protective custody. DCF does not have authority to remove a child from his/her home. This action can only be taken by law enforcement and the court. From there, DCF will present its information to the district attorney, and the district attorney will evaluate the evidence and may take the case before the court. The judge will ultimately decide whether removal into foster care is warranted. DCF and its contractors then work quickly to achieve a permanency plan for the child—whether that’s reintegration with his/her family or adoption.
Our child welfare system is safe, but only because Kansans care. We urge you to continue to be vigilant. If you suspect abuse or neglect, don’t hesitate to call us. Your call could save a life. Report abuse or neglect at 1-800-922-5330.
Phyllis Gilmore
Secretary, Kansas Department for Children and Families
Mark your calendars now to attend one of K-State Research and Extension’s “Preserving the Family with Estate Planning” workshops set for three locations in northwest Kansas in February. Attorneys and K-State specialists will cover a range of topics including estate planning basics, trusts and asset protection, long-term care planning, farm succession planning, and family communication.
An abbreviated evening workshop will be Monday, February 22, 2016, in Hill City at the Graham County 4-H Building. The workshop will start at 6 pm and wrap up at 9 pm. Cost for this workshop will be $10 per person, with $5 for each additional family members (families must register together to receive the discount).
Tuesday, February 23, the workshop will be held at The Gateway Civic Center in Oberlin, starting at 9 am and ending at 4 pm. The cost for this day-long event will be $20 per person, and $15 each for additional family members who register together. This cost will include lunch and all materials.
The day-long workshop will be repeated on Wednesday, February 24, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, in Oakley at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. The cost for this workshop will also be $20 with $15 for each additional family member.
The registration deadline for all workshops is February 16th. The cost increases to $30/person for those who register after February 16 or on site. Lunch cannot be guaranteed for walk-ins.
For more information call the Graham County Extension Office at 785-421-3411, the Twin Creeks District – Oberlin Office at 785-475-8121 or the Golden Prairie Extension District – Oakley Office at 785-671-3245. To register online or see the brochure for agenda and details, go to www.northwest.ksu.edu under Events.
As a youth, the after-deer-season joke between me and my buddies was the question “Well, are you eatin’ venison or bologna?” Just last week I offered to help provide meat for a Sunday school get-together and the joke became “Yup, Steve will probably be bringin’ squirrel since he didn’t get a deer.”
Steve Gilliland
There is absolutely nothing wrong with squirrel meat; our forefathers relied heavily on squirrels as a protein source. Squirrel meat is very similar to rabbit meat and can be prepared the same ways, and even though Cousin Eddy from the National Lampoon movie “Christmas Vacation” says squirrels are high in cholesterol, they are not. Bentonville Ark., headquarters of Walmart, has an annual World Champion Squirrel Cook-Off that draws TV crews, executive chefs and visitors from around the world. Their theme is “Squirrel – its’s for Supper,” and they offer “organic tree-to-table squirrel” in dishes like squirrel pizza and squirrel flavored ice cream.
Also known as tree bacon, limb chicken and bird feeder vandals, I know of no wild animal in our society today more pampered than the squirrel. We buy corn to feed them, and then buy feeders to hold the corn. We teach them to take peanuts from our hands, and I even heard of someone who had taught the little beggars to tap on the front door when they wanted a handout.
Some years back, I did a story about two local brothers who cash-in on our squirrel feeding frenzy by growing and harvesting upwards of one thousand bushels of ear corn every year which they sell for squirrel corn.
I have to admit squirrels are fun to watch as they roll around in those glass jar feeders and cling upside down to the side of a tree. This year we bought a rig that suspends two ears of corn on a wire with a spring on it a couple feet off the ground, making them jump up and cling onto the ears long enough to get a mouthful before dropping back to the ground.
But they have a dark side too. They eat the fruit off fruit trees, the grapes off grape vines, and they litter my front lawn with acorn shells from the nearby Pin Oaks. The bird feeder industry works overtime to make their products “squirrel proof,” but I doubt there is such a thing. They will chew on about anything, and I read where their appetite for electrical wiring has caused the shut-down of the NASDAQ twice in its history.
The 2015-2016 squirrel season in KS opened June 1 and runs through Feb 28, 2016, extraordinarily long for any hunting season. Yet, the sport of squirrel hunting seems tremendously underutilized here in Kansas. Granted, we don’t have the woods and forests that make squirrel hunting so popular in some other states, but we do have plenty of squirrels (besides the zillions that inhabit our towns.)
From deer stands, I have often watched squirrels rustle about in the leaves beneath me, or heard them in the trees above and behind me as they scold me as an intruder, so I believe that our countryside has no squirrel deficiency. Smaller gauge shotguns and .22 rifles have always been the favored weapons for squirrel hunting, but many of the newer air-powered rifles would be excellent choices as squirrel guns.
Naturally nut trees are the biggest draw, but in the fall and winter, Osage Oranges (Hedge Apples) become an important food source too. Squirrel hunting is a waiting game, so find a spot in the trees along the river or near a thick fencerow where small chips of hedge apple or nut shells litter the ground, and pick yourself a comfortable seat.
Your patience will be rewarded as Mr. Bushy Tail will soon come out of hiding and begin scampering about, or scolding you from a nearby branch. In either case, bide your time, and you’ll eventually get a shot. Squirrel hunting is a good way to hone your rifle marksmanship, as they don’t stand still very long.
So dust off the old .22, sight in the scope (or adjust the open sights for you purists,) and head to the woods. Find yourself a comfy’ seat against a big tree, and don’t be surprised if the serenity of the situation puts you to sleep. The worst case scenario will be some quiet time to yourself and a nice nap. The best case scenario will be both of the above plus a squirrel dinner. Either way, you’ll Explore Kansas Outdoors, so how can you lose?
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — Newton police are urging residents to lock their doors as they search for a man suspected of at least 16 burglaries since mid-September.
Police Lt. Scott Powell says the burglar always enters homes through open garage or sliding glass doors. He generally steals only cash and has been seen inside homes only three times. He is about 5-foot-8, 200 pounds and in his 50s or 60s, with shaggy gray hair and a scruffy gray beard.
The Wichita Eagle reports the last burglary was Jan. 7.
During one burglary, the family was at home and confronted the man but he was able to get to a car and drive away.
Powell says despite publicity of the crimes, officers still find between six and 15 garage doors open every night.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man has been taken into custody after authorities say he threatened several people with a knife in a university residence hall in Lawrence.
Lawrence Police Department Sgt. Ted Bordman says the 23-year-old was arrested around 5 p.m. Sunday.
Bordman says several people were threatened with a knife in a dorm room in a Haskell Indian Nations University residence hall. No one was injured.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the suspect was being held without bond in the Douglas County Jail on Sunday night.
The suspect doesn’t have any criminal history listed in Douglas County Court records or in the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The 18th Annual Soup ‘r Bowl for Humane Society of the High Plains will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Unrein Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
Admission is $5. Tickets are available at Hays Veterinary Hospital,1016 East 8th; Fur Is Flying, 2204 Vine Street; Back to Nature, 2707 Vine Street; Humane Society of the High Plains, or at the door.
There will be 17 tables: 15 soups and two dessert tables (Debbie Weber-cookies, cupcakes, etc. and Sheriff Ed Harbin-pie). A baggie with a small cup, large cup, spoon, napkin and voting tickets are given to each guest. The small cup is for tasting the soups, and the large cup is for eating the favorite.
Many door prizes and gift certificates are available, and new T-shirts are on sale.
The Golden Ladle will be awarded after votes are counted at 1 p.m.
Proceeds are dedicated for medical treatment for animals at the shelter.
Kiley Klug and Tiffanie Krentz had just finished giving emotional testimony about their children’s persistent seizures during Wednesday’s hearing on legalizing cannabis oil when Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer spoke up.
Ostmeyer, a veteran Republican legislator from a sprawling rural district in western Kansas, told the women he understood, because he has a 36-year-old daughter who was only expected to live to age 10.
“She’s missing part of the brain, our daughter is, that controls all motor (skills) and so on,” said Ostmeyer, of Grinnell. “We think that she’s looking out at us, trying to tell us something, but she can’t talk. So I understand what you went through. I see all the different medications. We’ve been there, done that.”
Ostmeyer did not say whether he’d support House Bill 2049, which last session became the first medical marijuana bill to pass the Kansas House.
But momentum appears to be building for the narrow bill, which allows only cannabis oil solutions with less than 3 percent THC — too little to produce the “high” associated with recreational marijuana — to treat seizure disorders.
Rep. John Wilson, a Democrat from Lawrence, says he’s trying to craft a hemp oil bill that could provide some medical benefit but is narrow enough to have a chance of passing. ANDY MARSO / HEARTLAND HEALTH MONITOR
Advocacy groups pull support
The carrier of the bill, Rep. John Wilson, emphasized the bill’s differences from broader medical marijuana legislation that has never advanced in Kansas, where legislators fear legalization will increase drug abuse.
Those differences have split the medical marijuana community.
The state’s main advocacy groups supported an earlier version of Wilson’s bill that would have allowed Kansans to petition a state advisory board for higher THC marijuana compounds and permitted treatment of more medical conditions.
After that part was stripped from the bill, groups like Bleeding Kansas and the Kansas Association of Medical Cannabis Advocates pulled their support.
“We are just neutral on this whole issue at this point,” said Lisa Sublett, the leader of Bleeding Kansas.
Sublett said she believes her group has the same goals as many of those who support Wilson’s hemp oil legislation, but the current version of the bill leaves out too many people with other medical conditions.
Tracy Robles, who heads the Kansas Association of Medical Cannabis Advocates, said her daughter suffers from seizures but would not see any benefit from the oil allowed in HB 2049 unless more THC were permitted.
Wilson, a Democrat from Lawrence in a Legislature with overwhelming Republican majorities, said he’s trying to craft a bill that could provide some medical benefit but is narrow enough to have a chance of passing. He said dissatisfaction on both sides might signal the bill is reaching that tunnel.
“I recognize the bill may not go far enough for some,” Wilson said. “But I also recognize there’s only a certain type of bill that can pass right now in this political environment.”
Desperate to try
The benefits of treating seizures with cannabis oil high in cannabidoil, or CBD, but low in THC are still in dispute. Early studies showed improvement for as many as 80 percent of users, but sample sizes were extremely low and subsequent studies suggest only about 30 percent might benefit. More comprehensive study has been hamstrung by marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug at the federal level.
Klug and Krentz acknowledged that the oil allowed by HB 2049 might not help their children but said they’re desperate to try.
Klug was accompanied at Wednesday’s Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee hearing by her husband and their young son Owen, who uses a wheelchair and occasionally blurted out involuntary noises.
She said traditional medications, a special diet and a nerve-block transplant have reduced Owen’s seizures from hundreds a day to about 20. But those 20 seem intractable.
“Epilepsy is simply a prison that Owen cannot escape,” Klug said.
Krentz also was accompanied by her husband. But her son, J.J., was not able to attend the hearing. He’s an adolescent whose persistent seizures have kept him at the developmental level of a 3 or 4 year old. Because of J.J.’s cognitive and physical needs, the family was no longer able to care for him at home. He lives at Parsons State Hospital.
“That was not a decision we took lightly,” Krentz said.
Krentz said the staff at Parsons has been amazing and her son is doing well there. Although J.J.’s doctors have tried 16 medications, his seizures persist. Krentz said she and her husband recently signed a medical order instructing doctors not to resuscitate J.J. if he suffers a catastrophic seizure that leaves him comatose.
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
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration wants to expand the federal Pell grant program to help more students graduate from college — by providing them with more money to attend classes year-round and reward them for taking more credits.
Two new proposals announced by the Education Department would expand the $29 billion program by $2 billion in the new fiscal year. They’ll be part of President Barack Obama’s budget proposal next month.
One proposal would help low-income students earn Pell money for a third semester in an academic year. Many exhaust their eligibility after two semesters. The other proposal would give a $300 bonus to students taking at least 15 credits per semester in an academic year.
Pell grants are for low-income people. They don’t have to be repaid.
Courtesy FHSU AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. – Fort Hays State claimed its third consecutive Kansas Cup title on Sunday hosted by Newman University. After winning the title last year by a very narrow margin, FHSU left no doubt this year winning by 21.5 points over the tournament’s host. Every Tiger wrestler except for one (due to injury) finished in the top four in their respected weight class, including two champions – Jon Inman (184) and Dakota Gulley (285), and four runner-ups – Adam Ludwin(125), Bradley Little (149), William Homalon (157), and Dylan Weisner (174).
Fort Hays State pulled away in the team scoring, winning the tournament with a score of 133.5. Newman was second with 112 points and Baker finished third with 107.5 points.
Inman, ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II, added another tournament title to his outstanding season for the Tigers going 3-0 on his way to first place. He generated 19 points, which tied for the team high on the day. Inman won by pin (0:47) over Benedictine’s Connor Kenyon in the quarterfinal and by pin (4:57) again in the semifinals over Newman’s Kyle Ryan. Inman took the championship bout with an 11-6 decision over Pratt Community College’s Micah Felton.
Gulley also generated 19 team points and went 3-0 on his way to the title at 285 pounds. Gulley defeated Pratt’s Tommy Vu by fall (1:44) and Colby Community College’s Zell Beiberle with a 5-1 decision. In the championship bout, Gulley scored another fall, this time over Ottawa University’s Armondo Contreas at the 6:04 mark.
Ludwin cruised through his first two matches, scoring a fall and a major decision, but dropped the championship bout to Newman’s Dustin Reed in a tight 3-1 decision.
Little won his first three matches of the day with a pair of pins and a technical fall shutout, but the championship match was a defensive battle with Baker’s Victor Hughes. No points were scored during the match, but Hughes came away with the 1-0 decision with a riding time point.
Homalon, like Little, started the day hot winning his first three matches. A pin and a tech fall before a 12-6 decision over Baker’s Colby Crank put him in the final against Newman’s Colton Duhr. Despite a good effort by Homalon, Duhr walked away with a 10-6 decision.
Dylan Wiesner went 2-1 on the day for his second-place finish. He posted back-to-back major decisions, but dropped the championship match to Newman’s Heath Gray 3-2 after suffering a late takedown in the third period.
Cash Drylie took third at 197 pounds and Matt Ziegler was fourth at 165 pounds. Noah Killip had to pull out of the tournament due to injury in his first match of the day.
Next up for the Tigers is an MIAA dual meet at Lindenwood on Friday (Jan. 29) at 7 pm. Below are the results from the Kansas Cup.
Team Scores
1.
Fort Hays State
133.5
2.
Newman
112.0
3.
Baker
107.5
4.
Ottawa
94.0
5.
Barton Community College
74.0
6.
Northwest Technical College
61.5
7.
Pratt
52.5
8.
Bethany (Kan.)
43.0
9.
Labette Community College
42.0
10.
Benedictine
29.0
11.
Neosho County Community College
22.0
12.
Colby
18.5
Kansas Cup Results for Fort Hays State
125 – Adam Ludwin (17-6) placed 2nd and scored 16.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Adam Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 17-6 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Adam Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 17-6 won by fall over Clay Bodenheimer (Pratt) 2-8 (Fall 5:18)
Semifinal – Adam Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 17-6 won by major decision over Levi Maes (Northwest Technical College) 30-14 (MD 11-2)
1st Place Match – Dustin Reed (Newman) 13-1 won by decision over Adam Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 17-6 (Dec 3-1)
141 – Noah Killip (10-4) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Shaquille Wright (Labette Community College) 2-4 won by injury default over Noah Killip (Fort Hays State) 10-4 (Inj. 0:18)
Cons. Round 1 – Noah Killip (Fort Hays State) 10-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Jaden McRoberts (Barton Community College) 9-13 won by forfeit over Noah Killip (Fort Hays State) 10-4 (For.)
149 – Bradley Little (15-6) placed 2nd and scored 18.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Bradley Little (Fort Hays State) 15-6 won by fall over Josh Romero (Benedictine) 0-2 (Fall 1:52)
Quarterfinal – Bradley Little (Fort Hays State) 15-6 won by tech fall over Bryan Burnett (Labette Community College) 4-15 (TF-1.5 6:43 (16-0))
Semifinal – Bradley Little (Fort Hays State) 15-6 won by fall over John Risewick (Bethany (Kan.)) 3-2 (Fall 6:43)
1st Place Match – Victor Hughes (Baker) 21-5 won by decision over Bradley Little (Fort Hays State) 15-6 (Dec 1-0)
157 – William Homalon (12-4) placed 2nd and scored 16.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – William Homalon(Fort Hays State) 12-4 won by fall over Trent Robb (Bethany (Kan.)) 0-2 (Fall 2:36)
Quarterfinal – William Homalon (Fort Hays State) 12-4 won by tech fall over Victor Haro (Northwest Technical College) 25-13 (TF-1.5 3:42 (21-4))
Semifinal – William Homalon (Fort Hays State) 12-4 won by decision over Colby Crank (Baker) 18-2 (Dec 12-6)
1st Place Match – Colton Duhr (Newman) 10-4 won by decision over William Homalon (Fort Hays State) 12-4 (Dec 10-6)
165 – Matt Ziegler (3-10) placed 4th and scored 12.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Matt Ziegler (Fort Hays State) 3-10 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Matt Ziegler (Fort Hays State) 3-10 won by tech fall over CJ Garcia (Bethany (Kan.)) 0-2 (TF-1.5 1:13 (16-0))
Semifinal – Colton Looper (Neosho County Community College) 16-4 won by tech fall over Matt Ziegler (Fort Hays State) 3-10 (TF-1.5 4:25 (18-1))
Cons. Semi – Matt Ziegler (Fort Hays State) 3-10 won by major decision over Sean Taborsky (Barton Community College) 13-20 (MD 17-5)
3rd Place Match – Noel Torres (Newman) 9-5 won by tech fall over Matt Ziegler (Fort Hays State) 3-10 (TF-1.5 3:53 (16-0))
174 – Dylan Wiesner (10-10) placed 2nd and scored 15.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 10-10 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 10-10 won by major decision over Darick Jones (Neosho County Community College) 9-15 (MD 12-2)
Semifinal – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 10-10 won by major decision over Trevor Sutton (Baker) 13-15 (MD 16-2)
1st Place Match – Heath Gray (Newman) 18-5 won by decision over Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 10-10 (Dec 3-2)
184 – Jon Inman (24-1) placed 1st and scored 19.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 24-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 24-1 won by fall over Connor Kenyon (Benedictine) 0-2 (Fall 0:47)
Semifinal – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 24-1 won by fall over Kyle Ryan (Newman) 2-2 (Fall 4:57)
1st Place Match – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 24-1 won by decision over Micah Felton (Pratt) 10-2 (Dec 11-6)
197 – Cash Drylie (9-7) placed 3rd and scored 17.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Cash Drylie (Fort Hays State) 9-7 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Cash Drylie(Fort Hays State) 9-7 won by fall over Travis Quarterman (Pratt) 3-4 (Fall 1:35)
Semifinal – Kasey Crump (Ottawa) 17-5 won by major decision over Cash Drylie (Fort Hays State) 9-7 (MD 11-2)
Cons. Semi – Cash Drylie (Fort Hays State) 9-7 won by fall over Jonathan Bowen (Barton Community College) 10-17 (Fall 2:15)
3rd Place Match – Cash Drylie (Fort Hays State) 9-7 won by fall over Travis Quarterman (Pratt) 3-4 (Fall 0:57)
285 – Dakota Gulley (15-15) placed 1st and scored 19.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 15-15 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 15-15 won by fall over Tommy Vu (Pratt) 5-14 (Fall 1:44)
Semifinal – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 15-15 won by decision over Zell Beiberle (Colby) 3-2 (Dec 5-1)
1st Place Match – Dakota Gulley(Fort Hays State) 15-15 won by fall over Armondo Contreas (Ottawa) 2-1 (Fall 6:04)
ST. JOHN, Kan. (AP) — A small central Kansas town is scrambling to find ways to respond when its only grocery store closes Feb. 6.
More than 200 people attended a town hall meeting Sunday to discuss the closing of a Dillon’s Market store.
KAKE-TV reports Mayor Juliann Owens says the store was closing for financial reasons and because the small store can’t be expanded.
When the store closes, St. John residents will have to drive more than 25 miles to Great Bend or Pratt, or 12 miles to a small grocery store in Stafford.
For now, residents are planning ways to help those who can’t drive to get groceries. The St. John city council will discuss funding a bus to take people to the other towns for groceries.
Today A slight chance of snow and freezing drizzle, mainly between 11am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Windy, with a north northwest wind 18 to 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 9 to 17 mph.
Cooler high pressure will push across the Central Plains today, then warming from midweek into Friday. #kswxpic.twitter.com/11sIFY1js4
