2016 – Page 930 – Hays Post Archive

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home

Posted on January 23, 2016January 23, 2016

By Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, Kansas House District 109

January 22, 2016

Kansas State Efficiency Study
In last week’s newsletter, I mentioned some of the recommendations that were made by the consulting firm that conducted the financial audit for the state of Kansas. This week, I felt compelled to extensively explain in more detail some of those recommendations. Also, the committee I am chairman of will most likely be reviewing, discussing, and deciding whether or not these recommendations are plausible.

The auditing firm that conducted the audit recommends that the state create a newly formed Governor’s Grants Office to enable a coordinated, prioritized, and compliance driven approach to maximizing the amount and effective use of federal funds in the state’s agency budgets and expenditures. This newly formed office would provide the needed support to identify grant opportunities, prioritizing the state’s strategic goals, sharing best practices, and developing a compliance function to ensure proper execution of grant dollars received.

Another recommendation is that the Kansas Department of Children and Family would coordinate with the Kansas Department of Labor to take further steps to increase the number of employers self-reporting new hires so that additional Employment Withholding Orders can be established to collect court-ordered child support payments. They have also suggested that KDCF also partner with the Kansas Department of Revenue to deny issuances or renewal of car, boat, or recreational vehicle registration until an Employment Withholding Order or child support payment is in place.

In regards to the Department of Administration, which has received the majority of the recommendations, the auditing firm suggests liquidating surplus buildings and land inventory within the state’s portfolio, which has an estimated value of $9 million. They did indicate that the state agencies might be reluctant to sell any excess property.

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, there are a proposed 105 recommendations that have been made by the auditing firm with a state savings of over $2 billion over the next five years. In subsequent newsletters, there will be more discussion on the other recommendations.

HCR 5010: The Call of a Constitutional Convention
Many bills and resolutions that have carried over from the 2015 legislative session, one of those resolutions is House Concurrent Resolution 5010 which I have cosponsored. HCR 5010 would serve as Kansas’ application to Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the U.S. Constitution, for the calling of a convention of states. The convention would be limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution that impose fiscal restraints and limit the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government. The Convention can also limit the terms of office for members of Congress and officials. The concurrent resolution would be a continuing application to Congress for the convention of States until two-thirds of state legislatures have made application to Congress on the same subject. At this point, there is no indication whether or not this concurrent resolution will be debated and voted upon.

Special Committee on K-12 Student Success
During the interim, a special committee was formed from both the House and Senate, and the Special Committee on Education was created. I had hoped that the main focus and driver of this committee would have been a deliberation and creation of a new school finance formula, however, that did not materialize.

This week the Special Committee on Education released their report on K-12 Student Success to the Kansas Legislature. The committee was challenged with studying the following; however, they were not just limited to these items: the Rose Standards (a set of standards to determine student development); best funding mechanism, definition of “suitable” education; outcomes to ensure that students are well-prepared for their future endeavors; and uniform accounting across all districts.

The special committee structured their conclusions and recommendations based on those items. They recommend that the new school funding formula should be focused on each individual student, include accountability and reporting measures to ensure aid is being distributed according to the needs of each individual student, and to provide for a multi-year funding to provide budget stability to the state and local school districts.

The K-12 Student Success report commissioned the Education committee to form special subcommittees to examine and report back on some of the following topics: teacher pay; at risk funding; special education; bond and interest state aid eligibility; the cost-benefit ratio of the receipt of federal funds; the relationship between school districts and interlocals, cooperatives, and service centers; the current and future implications of school district staffing levels on KPERS; establishing the Rose capacities as the definition of “suitable” education; and investigating all extracurricular and co-curricular activities on the basis of efficiency and efficacy for a suitable education to students.

This is only a report and not pending legislation, we will see if these proposals proceed through the legislative process.

Visitors and Contact Information
This past week I had many visitors to either my office or to Topeka. On Tuesday, the Kansas Hospital Association had meetings in Topeka and I visited with Allen Van Driel with Smith County Memorial Hospital and Kiley Floyd with Osborne County Memorial Hospital.

I also had the pleasure of visiting with Angela Lawrence, USD 407 Superintendent, and Char Sohm, USD 407 Board Member, on Thursday afternoon. Also on Thursday, Mendi Alexander with Nex-Tech stopped by to converse. During the morning on Thursday, Andrew Sigle, with the Kansas Agriculture & Rural Leadership, served as a legislative shadow in the House during the morning and in the Senate during the afternoon.

If you have any concerns, feel free to contact my office at (785) 296-7672, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]

The honor to serve you in the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas is one I do not take lightly. Do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns and questions. I appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas.

Troy L. Waymaster,
State Representative
109th Kansas House
300 SW 10th
Topeka, KS 66612

How big a problem is Colorado pot in Kansas?

Posted on January 23, 2016January 23, 2016

photo Kansas Highway Patrol — (Photo courtesty Kansas Highway Patrol)

By STEVE WEBSTER
Great Bend Post

BARTON COUNTY -Last month, the federal government sided with Colorado in a lawsuit filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by Oklahoma and Nebraska, which claim that Colorado marijuana laws should be dismantled due to residual harm being caused across state lines. Kansas hasn’t joined the suit, but Attorney General Derek Schmidt, appears to be gathering evidence that would bolster the case being made by these states. Earlier this month, his office announced that it was sending surveys to prosecutors and law-enforcement officials in an effort to determine how much Colorado cannabis is negatively impacting the state of Kansas.

“It used to be we thought all of our marijuana was coming from Mexico,” said Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

“I’m convinced it’s all coming from Colorado and I don’t have any proof of that. It’s a much higher grade, more potent product than we saw coming from Mexico and the people we bust tell us it’s coming from Colorado.”

Bellendir has his opinion on what impact Colorado pot is having on the state.

Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch knows all about Colorado pot moving through Kansas. Before coming to Great Bend he was the Chief of Police in Goodland on Interstate 70.

“Highway Patrol Officers would tell me they’d pull someone over and the driver would tell them I’ve got marijuana in my car I bought in Colorado, it’s okay. No it’s not you’re in Kansas so you’re going to jail, explained Couch.

“It’s an issue and I think even before they legalized it we tended to think most of it was coming from Colorado because they already had medicinal use of it.”

As for that survey, Schmidt’s staffers have distributed more than 500 surveys, with one version tailored to sheriffs and police chiefs and the other created with county and district attorneys in mind.

Cause of a Kansas house fire under investigation

Posted on January 23, 2016

HUTCHINSON – Officials in Hutchinson are investigating the cause of a Saturday morning fire at a home in Hutchinson.

Just after 2 a.m. on Saturday the Hutchinson Fire Department under direction of Battalion Chief R. Albright responded to the 900 block of East 5th Ave for a reported structure fire, according to a media release.

When fire crews arrived, they found light smoke within the structure due to an exterior fire found on the backside of the home.

The fire was extinguished rapidly and contained to the exterior of the home.

Residents were home at the time and reported the fire. Damage is estimated at $500.00 and the cause remains undetermined.

Residents were able to return to the home after the incident.
Hutchinson Fire Department responded 6 units with no injuries reported.

ECTV Forum: Melanie Urban, RN, BSN, HACP; Patient Quality Services Director at HaysMed

Posted on January 23, 2016January 4, 2016

Disability group: Stop citing waiting lists to oppose Kan. Medicaid expansion

Posted on January 23, 2016

By ANDY MARSO

Kansas’ largest disability advocacy group urged Gov. Sam Brownback and legislators Thursday to stop citing waiting lists for disability services as a reason to refuse Medicaid expansion.

The Big Tent Coalition, which represents Kansans with all types of disabilities, said the argument is disingenuous and is being used “as a method of evading sincere debate on the merits of a customized KanCare expansion plan.”

For a year Brownback’s administration has said the state should not accept Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act while the waiting lists exist — one Brownback staffer sent a mass email saying it would be “morally reprehensible” to do so.

But Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Topeka-based Disability Rights Center, said the budget the governor proposed last week proves that’s empty rhetoric.

The proposal cuts money from Medicaid services for Kansans who are frail and elderly or have physical or developmental disabilities, he said. “You can’t say we won’t expand Medicaid unless and until we eliminate the waiting lists … at the same time that you’re actually cutting funding for HCBS (home and community-based services),” Nichols said.

“If that’s important to you, then you need to do what? You need to put your money where your mouth is.” The governor’s spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, said funding is not being cut for the disability services that have waiting lists.

The governor’s budget, on page 84, proposes to increase funding for physical disability services by almost $2 million in the current fiscal year but then decrease it by about $1.6 million in the fiscal year that begins in July. Developmental disability services would get a $1.2 million decrease in the current fiscal year and a $500,000 increase in the next.

The changes represent less than 2 percent of the total budgets for the programs. Hawley said the differences are a function of transfers between the medical programs of the waiver populations and their support programs, but the total money remains the same.

“We have not cut, nor are we considering a cut to, HCBS,” Hawley said. Medicaid in Kansas, known as KanCare, provides coverage for medical care mainly for people with disabilities and lower-income children and pregnant women.

The waiting lists are for Medicaid waiver services that provide supports for Kansans with disabilities who already may be receiving their medical care through Medicaid.

Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act would extend coverage to an estimated 150,000 low-income Kansans. Nichols said telling Kansans they must choose one or the other is a “false narrative.”

Medicaid expansion is fully federally funded until next year.

Then the federal share begins gradually decreasing to 90 percent, although President Barack Obama has proposed an extension of the full funding for states such as Kansas that haven’t yet expanded Medicaid.

Nichols said expanding Medicaid could help make the waiver services more accessible by improving the job market for direct care workers and personal attendants. He said ending the waiting lists has long been the coalition’s main goal, but the group also advocates Medicaid expansion.

“We can walk and chew gum at the same time, and we expect Kansas policymakers to do the same,” Nichols said.

He contrasted Brownback’s proposed budget with that of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, who Nichols said proposed sinking an extra $131 million into that state’s waiting list for developmental disability support services.

Nichols said the Missouri proposal received bipartisan support, with one Republican committee chairman even suggesting $131 million was not enough. The waiting lists have existed in Kansas throughout several administrations.

Mike Oxford, executive director of the Topeka Independent Living Center, said the Big Tent Coalition protested their growth under Republican Gov. Bill Graves and Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Brownback’s administration used savings from the switch to Medicaid managed care under KanCare to reduce the lists when KanCare first rolled out.

But Oxford said the governor has lately fallen short on that promise, which is written into the KanCare contract Kansas signed with federal officials.

Kansas man hospitalized after pickup overturns

Posted on January 23, 2016

RILEY COUNTY- A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 2 a.m. on Saturday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 GMC Sierra driven by Brandon Scott Tucker, Fort Riley, 28, was westbound on K18 three miles west of the Manhattan airport.

The vehicle left the roadway entered the median, struck a culvert and overturned.

Tucker was transported to Via Christi in Manhattan.
He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Five-year hunt/fish licenses offer savings and convenience

Posted on January 23, 2016January 22, 2016

KDWPT

PRATT–Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism license and permit fee increases took effect Jan. 1, 2016 and with those fee changes, some new licenses are being offered. Five-year hunting, fishing and hunt/fish combination licenses are now available and offer significant savings compared to purchasing licenses individually each year. A five-year hunting or fishing license is $102.50, compared to purchasing the $27.50 annual hunting or fishing license each year for five years – $137.50. A five-year hunt/fish combination license is $182.50, compared to buying an annual combination hunt/fish license for five years – $212.50 if purchased before Feb. 1, or $237.50 if purchased after Jan. 31.

The five-year licenses offer convenience and savings; however, they do not provide the holder resident status if they should move from Kansas before the license expires. The license is valid through its expiration date, even if the holder moves to another state, but a five-year hunting license holder who becomes a nonresident is required to purchase nonresident deer and turkey permits. And therein lies the difference and perhaps confusion when comparing the five-year licenses to lifetime licenses. The holders of lifetime hunting licenses are always considered Kansas residents when purchasing turkey and big game permits, regardless of where they live.

Another new license offered this year is the early-purchase annual hunting/fishing combination license. If purchased before Feb. 1, the price is $42.50. If purchased after Jan. 31, the price is $47.50. If you purchase your hunting and fishing licenses individually, you’ll spend $55.

The license fee increases were necessary to maintain and enhance pivotal hunting and fishing programs. Deer and turkey permit prices had not increased since 1984 and general hunting and fishing license fees had remained the same since 2002. Youth and senior lifetime pass license fees were not increased.

For more information on 2016 license and permit fees, go to www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Licenses & Permits” in the top menu.

Kansas teen hospitalized after 4-vehicle crash

Posted on January 23, 2016

WICHITA – A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. on Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F250 driven by Schmidt, Tamara D. Schmidt, 17, Wichita, was westbound on U.S. 54 at Meridan and struck a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Demi M. Webber, 25, Wichita.

The pickup continued to the right and struck a 2004 Nissan Xterra driven by Troy D. Eck, 51, Wichita, and a 2014 Chevy Cruz driven by Ronnie P. Torrez Jr., 29, El Dorado.

Then the pickup left the roadway and overturned on the on ramp from Meridian to Westbound Kellogg.

Schmidt was transported to St. Francis Medical Center.

Webber, Eck and Torrez Jr., were not injured.

Schmidt was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

HS Basketball Scores Week 8

Posted on January 22, 2016

Friday’s Scores
By The Associated Press
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Arkansas City 61, Kingman 37
Chaparral 72, Mulvane 69, OT
Conway Springs 63, Belle Plaine 57
Logan 62, Healy 16
Northeast-Arma 68, Thomas Jefferson, Mo. 57
South Haven 60, Central Burden 50
Yates Center 69, Waverly 56
Baldwin Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Wellsville 60, Louisburg 55
Semifinal
Bonner Springs 74, Baldwin 44
KC Harmon 56, Augusta 51
Basehor Linwood Invitational
Semifinal
Blue Valley Stillwell 62, Topeka Hayden 60
Burlington Tournament
Burlington 78, Manhattan JC 51
Paola 55, Independence 44
Rock Creek 76, Labette County 54
Sabetha 49, Iola 44
Canton-Galva Tournament
Sedgwick 47, Wichita Home School 42
St. John’s Military 63, Derby Invasion 44
Centre Tournament
Salina Sacred Heart 80, Peabody-Burns 12
Solomon 65, Centre 33
Wakefield 51, Elyria Christian 44
Chanute Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Goddard 72, Winfield 36
Shawnee Heights 76, Chanute 41
Semifinal
Olathe North 56, Andover Central 53
SM South 67, Emporia 51
Cherokee Southeast Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Erie 47, Columbus 33
Coffeyville Tournament
Semifinal
Bishop Miege 71, Owasso, Okla. 44
Colby Classic Tournament
Semifinal
McCook, Neb. 47, Wichita West 46
Scott City 48, Fountain-Fort Carson, Colo. 45
Dodge City Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Dodge City 60, Leavenworth 50
Hays 71, Hutchinson 32
Semifinal
Wichita East 55, Manhattan 53
El Dorado Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Newton 70, Circle 50
Wichita Collegiate 51, Great Bend 31
Semifinal
El Dorado 40, Wichita Trinity 37
Kapaun Mount Carmel 55, Wichita Campus 43
Flint Hills League Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Mission Valley 56, Herington 43
Frontenac Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Riverton 38, Prairie View 28
Semifinal
Fort Scott 56, Pacific, Mo. 54, 2OT
Halstead Tournament
Semifinal
Andale 42, Cheney 32
Haven 46, Douglass 40
Hi-Plains League Tournament
Consolation
Syracuse 47, Elkhart 43
Semifinal
Lakin 58, Johnson-Stanton County 38
Southwestern Hts. 51, Cimarron 50
Hillsboro Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Hillsboro 61, Riley County 52
Republic County 43, Clay Center 38
Semifinal
Hesston 62, Bennington 35
Holcomb 52, Wichita Sunrise 47
Hoisington Tournament
Semifinal
Minneapolis 72, Russell 65
McLouth Invitational Tournament
Championship
Riverside 73, Veritas Christian 65
McPherson Invitational Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Derby 57, Wichita North 53
SM East 53, BV West 44
Semifinal
Lawrence Free State 61, Junction City 53
McPherson 57, Wichita Bishop Carroll 36
Mid Continent League Tournament
Semifinal
Hays-TMP-Marian 55, Hill City 28
Norton 55, Plainville 43
Nemaha Central Tournament
Semifinal
Falls City, Neb. 55, St. Mary’s Academy 45
Nemaha Central 60, Marysville 43
Northern Plains League Tournament
Third Place
Osborne 44, Pike Valley 30
Championship
St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 57, Lincoln 33
Northwest Kansas League Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Quinter 52, Greeley County 45
Semifinal
St. Francis 56, Dighton 33
Pleasanton Tournament
Oswego 69, Pleasanton 47
Consolation Semifinal
Heritage Christian 64, Altoona-Midway 7
Semifinal
Humboldt 75, Oswego 40
Royal Valley Tournament
Chapman 47, Santa Fe Trail 37
Royal Valley 46, Wabaunsee 42
Salina Invitational Tournament
Abilene 60, Buhler 50
Andover 64, Liberal 51
Salina South 57, Goodland 30
Shawnee Mission West Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
KC Wyandotte 57, KC African Prep, Mo. 52
Semifinal
Blue Springs South, Mo. 69, SM West 37
Skyline Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Cunningham 60, South Barber 53
Norwich 54, Stafford 35
Semifinal
Attica 61, Medicine Lodge 55
Pratt Skyline 56, Kinsley 42
South Central Border League Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Argonia 48, Oxford 37
Cedar Vale/Dexter 54, Udall 47
Semifinal
Sedan 64, Caldwell 47
Spring Hill Tournament
Seventh Place
Osawatomie 61, Veritas Christian 53
Fifth Place
KC Sumner 45, KC Piper 43, OT
Third Place
Blue Valley Southwest 52, Spring Hill 33
Championship
Goddard-Eisenhower 60, Gardner-Edgerton 50
St Thomas Aquinas Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Washburn Rural 56, SM Northwest 45
Semifinal
Mill Valley 45, St. Thomas Aquinas 43
Olathe East 43, St. James Academy 35
St. John Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Macksville 71, Nickerson 51
Semifinal
Central Plains 56, Pratt 32
St. John 58, Larned 50
Sterling Tournament
Seventh Place
Lyons 59, Remington 54
Third Place
Beloit 54, Sterling 53
Championship
Hugoton 69, Southeast Saline 59
Tonganoxie Invitational
DeSoto 51, Jefferson West 38
Tonganoxie 49, Holton 45, OT
Topeka West Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
KC Washington 68, Wichita Northwest 61
Wichita South 65, Topeka West 54
Semifinal
Lawrence 57, Topeka 55
Twin Valley League Tournament
Consolation
Wetmore 47, Linn 40
Consolation Semifinal
Doniphan West 67, Axtell 48
Hanover 58, Frankfort 46
Semifinal
Troy 47, Washington County 44
Valley Heights 60, Centralia 57, OT
Valley Center Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
KC Turner 80, Ulysses 60
Valley Center 68, Garden City 60
Semifinal
Topeka Seaman 71, Maize South 59
Wichita Southeast 73, Olathe Northwest 60
Valley Falls Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Cair Paravel 74, Oskaloosa 71
Cornerstone Family 53, Atchison County 42
Semifinal
Jefferson North 44, Rossville 36
Valley Falls 56, Perry-Lecompton 37
Wilson County Classic
Cherryvale 72, Caney Valley 60
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Maize South 50, Hutchinson 25
Canton-Galva 51, Ell-Saline 50
Cheylin 40, Palco 35
Circle 59, Rose Hill 49
Emporia 46, Manhattan 34
Galena 41, Northeast-Arma 39
Gardner-Edgerton 52, SM East 49
Goddard 52, Goddard-Eisenhower 46
Golden Plains 59, Northern Valley 29
Hiawatha 48, Horton 34
Jasper, Texas 68, Riverton 28
KC Harmon 55, KC Bishop Ward 44
Kickapoo, Mo. 61, Chanute 39
Logan 43, Healy 18
Maize 55, Andover Central 44
Mill Valley 56, SM South 43
Moundridge 42, Goessel 3
Norwich 56, Hutchinson Central Christian 24
Pratt 50, Macksville 21
Shawnee Heights 67, Junction City 53
Topeka Seaman 52, Topeka West 20
Wheatland-Grinnell 63, Weskan 33
Basehor Linwood Invitational
Semifinal
Benton, Mo. 54, Holton 32
Blue Valley Stillwell 72, Topeka Hayden 55
Blue Valley North Tournament
Seventh Place
SM West 48, BV West 46
Fifth Place
Notre Dame de Sion 43, St. James Academy 33
Third Place
Staley, Mo. 62, Metro Academy 52
Championship
BV North 65, Lee’s Summit North, Mo. 60
Burlington Tournament
Labette County 59, Iola 28
Paola 60, Independence 37
Sabetha 52, Rock Creek 47
Centre Tournament
Elyria Christian 41, Salina Sacred Heart 37
Marion 61, Solomon 23
Wakefield 38, Peabody-Burns 18
Colby Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Scott City 58, Fountain-Fort Carson, Colo. 54
Semifinal
KC Schlagle 72, Colby 65
Flint Hills LeagueTournament
Consolation Semifinal
Herington 61, Lyndon 58, 3OT
Osage City 35, Mission Valley 31
Semifinal
Council Grove 57, West Franklin 27
Northern Heights 22, Chase County 12
Frontenac Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Fort Scott 63, Frontenac 54
Semifinal
Blue Springs, Mo. 47, Blue Valley Southwest 44
Nevada, Mo. 38, Prairie View 34
Hi-Plains League Tournament
Consolation
Cimarron 48, Wichita County 22
Hillsboro Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Holcomb 52, Wichita Sunrise 47
Republic County 43, Bennington 29
Semifinal
Clay Center 40, Riley County 33
Hesston 56, Hillsboro 37
Hoisington Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Ellsworth 51, Victoria 42
Semifinal
LaCrosse 42, Hoisington 39
Russell 51, Minneapolis 41
Mid Continent League Tournament
Semifinal
Hays-TMP-Marian 71, Stockton 48
Hill City 59, Phillipsburg 18
Northern Plains League Tournament
Lincoln 42, Lakeside 33
St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 56, Pike Valley 35
Thunder Ridge 51, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 31
Consolation
Osborne 45, Chase 29
Northwest Kansas League Tournament
Semifinal
Dighton 56, Wallace County 28
Hoxie 58, Quinter 29
Pittsburg Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
West Plains, Mo. 47, Pittsburg 45
Semifinal
Carl Junction, Mo. 35, BV Northwest 32
Neosho, Mo. 57, Atchison 32
Pleasanton Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Pleasanton 42, Marmaton Valley 31
Uniontown 53, Altoona-Midway 9
Semifinal
Humboldt 57, Heritage Christian 39
Oswego 37, Central Heights 27
Royal Valley Tournament
Chapman 61, Santa Fe Trail 52
Royal Valley 47, Wabaunsee 38
Salina Invitational Tournament
Andover 38, Goodland 33
Buhler 55, Abilene 54
Salina Central 67, Concordia 47
Salina South 47, Liberal 45
Southeast Cherokee Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Southeast 53, Erie 29
SPIAA Tournament
Play-In
Kiowa County 36, Bucklin 28
Sterling Tournament
Third Place
Southeast Saline 53, Beloit 51
Championship
Sterling 72, Hugoton 47
Tonganoxie Invitational
Semifinal
Silver Lake 50, Jefferson West 37
Fifth Place
Wamego 54, Eudora 25
Twin Valley League Tournament
Consolation
BV Randolph 39, Onaga 29
Consolation Semifinal
Clifton-Clyde 38, Wetmore 36
Valley Heights 47, Washington County 31
Semifinal
Centralia 67, Axtell 60
Hanover 47, Frankfort 39
Wilson County Classic
Caney Valley 58, Neodesha 44
Cherryvale 70, Bluestem 46

TMP Girls and Boys advance to MCL Title Game

Posted on January 22, 2016

By JEREMY McGUIRE

Girls: TMP 71, Stockton 48

TMP used a 14-2 run to end the first quarter to take control of Friday night’s Mid Continent League Tournament semi-final match up with Stockton. The Lady Monarchs had a 25-12 lead at that point and increased it to 39-19 at halftime. Senior Melissa Pfeifer had a big first half for TMP with 12 points.

TMP continued to roll in the second half both offensively and defensively. TMP led by 31 points early in the fourth quarter which triggered a continuous clock. Stockton made a late charge but it was to little, to late for the Lady Tigers as TMP picked up the 71-48 win.

Haven Hamilton led Stockton with 13 points and Madyson Koerner scored 16 to lead TMP. Stockton will play Phillipsburg in the third place game Saturday afternoon in Plainville. TMP has set up a much anticipated re-match with Hill City for the championship on Saturday night.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Boys: TMP 55, Hill City 28

TMP used an incredible defensive performance against Hill City in Friday night’s semi-final round of the MCL Tournament in Plainville. The Monarchs held the Ringnecks to only 11 first half points and just 28 points for the entire game. The defensive effort was evident for all 32 minutes and Ryan Ruder spearheaded the effort by drawing five charges in the game.

TMP led 10-4 after the first quarter and extended the lead to 22-11 at halftime. The second half did not improve for Hill City as TMP was able to extend their lead to as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter with the Monarchs eventually coming out on top 55-28. TMP held Hill City’s leading scorer, Claiborne Kyles, to only 12 points for the game and the only Ringneck in double figures.

Jared Vitztum led the offensive charge tonight for TMP with 25 points. The win was the ninth straight for the Monarchs. Hill City will play Plainville in the third place game on Saturday while TMP will get the Norton Bluejays in the championship game.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Second man convicted in 1997 killing of Kansas woman

Posted on January 22, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been sentenced to life in prison in the death of a woman 18 years ago.

The Kansas City Star reports that the sentence was ordered Friday for 35-year-old Jason L. Rucker. He was convicted last year of first-degree murder in the October 1997 killing of 33-year-old Vicky Ernst.

Co-defendant Torry M. Johnson pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder. He was sentenced last month to life in prison.

Under the law in place at the time of the killing, they will have to serve 15 years before being considered for parole.

Rucker and Johnson were teenagers when Ernst was beaten and her throat slashed inside her Kansas City, Kansas, home.

A fresh review of the case led prosecutors to charge the two men.

Zoos, including 1 in Kansas get permission to bring in elephants from Africa

Posted on January 22, 2016

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

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Zoos in Kansas, Nebraska and Texas have received federal approval to bring in new elephants from Africa.

KFDI-AM reports the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, the Dallas Zoo in Texas and the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

in Omaha, Nebraska, were part of the joint application. They made the request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

ICYMI – The permit w/ @DallasZoo & @OmahaZoo to import elephants from Swaziland is APPROVED! Read more: https://t.co/Wuik0cQh48

— Sedgwick County Zoo (@SedgwickCoZoo) January 22, 2016

The three zoos want to bring a total of 18 elephants from Swaziland to their facilities. Importing the animals would allow the country to make room for critically endangered rhinos that have been threatened by drought conditions.

The Sedgwick County Zoo has a new elephant exhibit that will be opening in the spring. The facility is looking to get one male and five female elephants.

As Kansas court blocks law, governor is honored in Washington

Posted on January 22, 2016

Friday's rally in Washington- photo National Pro Life Religious Council — Friday’s rally in Washington- photo National Pro Life Religious Council

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has received an award from a national anti-abortion group as a court in his state blocked enforcement of the law that prompted the honor.

Brownback’s office confirmed that he was in Washington on Friday to receive the award from the New York-based National Pro-Life Religious Council.

The council honored the Republican governor over the state’s enactment last year of the nation’s first ban on a common second-trimester procedure that critics call “dismemberment abortion.”

But the Kansas Court of Appeals on Friday blocked enforcement of the law. It split 7-7, allowing a trial-court judge’s ruling against the law to stand.