Montana Repertory TheatreFHSU University Relations
Continuing the tradition of telling great American stories, the Montana Repertory Theatre returns to the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center with the Neil Simon classic “Barefoot in the Park” as part of the 2016-2017 Encore Series at Fort Hays State University.
The performance is set for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13.
The main characters Corie and Paul Bratter, are newlyweds living in New York City. Corie is an impulsive, independent free spirit. Paul is a levelheaded, conservative young lawyer. As the honeymoon ends and reality sets in, the bliss of marriage turns to comical discord.
Corie’s mother arrives as an unexpected guest, at loose ends and a bit loopy. Their situation is further complicated by their eccentric, bohemian neighbor, “The Bluebeard of 48th Street.” In the midst of all the craziness, quarreling and misunderstanding, the young couple learns to live together and meet each other halfway. “Barefoot in the Park” is a warm and hysterical comedy, beloved by critics and audiences alike.
This performance is sponsored by ABC Seamless Siding.
Tickets are available at the Memorial Union Student Service Center, by calling 785-628-5306, or by visiting www.fhsu.edu/encore. Tickets for the public are $30 reserved and $26 unreserved; for seniors and children ages 5-17, tickets are $28 reserved and $24 unreserved; and for FHSU students, tickets are $21 reserved and $17 unreserved with a Tiger Card.
High yields and low prices characterize Kansas commodities. Discouraged, pure and simple. The family farm: Withering on the vine. There will be a moment of truth.
The current economic headlines proclaiming our farmer’s plight are as numerous as the extra bushels of corn, beans, wheat and other crops that have helped depress prices.
Today’s farmer is faced with major hurdles. Trade competition is fierce. Continuing consolidations and mergers loom as a major concern. Operating expenses continue to escalate and outstrip the margin of profit. Dry conditions loom just over the horizon and threaten a vulnerable corn, bean and milo crop.
These are challenging times for farmers and ranchers.
While there are Kansas farmers facing foreclosure on a farm that has been in the family for two, three, four or maybe even five generations, there are also others who have tightened their belts one more time and continue to plan and point to next year.
One thing is certain, farmers across our state are all individuals – all have different operations and different challenges. All of them have a determination to succeed.
A farmer I visited with recently summed up his situation this way: “Times are tough, but I keep my perspective and look ahead – my farm, family and entire livelihood are at stake.”
Although this farmer understood better than most the struggle production agriculture is facing today, his major concern continues to be how in the world he will be able to weather the current economic storm. As I listened, and we visited back and forth, he talked about several things that might be of help to others.
Don’t spend time and energy seeking to shun your responsibilities, he said. “No one forced me to choose this occupation and try to make a living. It was my decision then, and it is today.”
Keep in touch with your creditors, he offered. Farmers and lenders are in this predicament together. If enough farmers go under, then banks will be in trouble, too.
If you find yourself in trouble, don’t wait too long to do something about it. Don’t let fear and ego blind you. If your operation does not have cash flow, there is not much to work with. Look for alternatives. You can’t make something out of nothing.
The majority of present situations are not a lost cause. Many can be saved with a creative plan but this depends on how quickly you do something about it.
Seek outside help. Others can sometimes see a solution that may not have occurred to you. Remember to consider all the alternatives. You may not have to implement them, but at least consider them.
Take a look at your own operation and see what can be done to streamline it and make it work so as much debt can be paid as possible.
Never sell assets if sales will hurt cash flow and the ability to reorganize. Never sign or agree to something under pressure. Take time to reflect.
Never blame others, and never give up. Don’t curse your neighbors, creditors or anyone else for these hard times – if matters seem as bad as they can be, chances are they will improve.
Keep your faith in God and fellow man. Times have been difficult in agriculture before.
There are no simple solutions to the problems facing agriculture. Farmers must find strength in one another and those concerned about farming. Keep open the lines of communication between family, friends and those you do business with.
Remember that when your back is against the wall you can do almost anything. Look for positive solutions to problems now facing your farming operation.
In spite of all these challenges, most farmers are still talking, smiling and willing to address their situation. These farmers still have a burning desire to succeed. They are by no means ready to give up. They continue to plan for the upcoming fall planting and harvest and another year on the farm.
John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.
As an honorably discharged member of the United States Navy, I am baffled at the Kansas Army National Guard’s expenditure of time and money to travel to Washington DC to participate in the inauguration of a draft-dodging, hero-bashing supporter of using torture on enemy combatants.
Not that Trump was the first in the oval office to have found a way around the draft or to support torturing our enemies, but the first time our country needed the young, athletic Donald Trump to help defend our country, he found a doctor that diagnosed a mysterious foot disease that would make him ineligible to serve. The disease mysteriously went away when the draft ended. Now he will lead our armed forces favoring the soldiers that won’t get captured and maligning the ones that will.
What Mr. Trump fails to realize is that it is the heroes on the front lines who are the first to get wounded and are the first to get captured. People who do not get captured, those that Trump prefers, are the ones who lay low, desert and care more about saving their own hide than winning the battle or helping their wounded comrades. So his comments only praise and encourage cowardice. The uncaptured are also the ones far behind the lines who push paper, move supplies and give the orders to die, not exactly what we think of as heroes.
To suggest that John McCain is not a hero was disgraceful. Although I was fortunate that President Reagan did not find a need to send my aircraft carrier into battle, even after terrorists blew up the Marine barracks in Beirut while we were on station in the Mediterranean, I learned from my older shipmates that Senator McCain was captured because he served one of the most dangerous combat roles imaginable, piloting ground attack aircraft launched from an aircraft carrier. The most valuable targets are the ones best defended with anti-aircraft weapons.
When you fly in closer to get a more accurate shot, it increases your odds of being shot down behind enemy lines, where you will almost certainly be captured. McCain was also tortured, which brings us to Trump’s support of waterboarding. Not only is torture an abhorrent tactic that, until Bush/Cheney, this country would never consider using on enemy combatants, it is morally reprehensible and justifies the use of torture on our own men and women captured in combat. Just ask John McCain.
I cannot understand any fellow veteran going to such extraordinary lengths to praise a man with no understanding of the dynamics of war and no respect for our true military heroes. For those of you with children considering serving in the military under Trump, I would think twice before supporting that option.
The New Kansas Crossing Casino is expected to open soon.- courtesy photo
TOPEKA– The Kansas Lottery agency submitted a budget proposal that projects increased revenue for 2017, assuming Kansas newest casino can survive litigation.
The Kansas Crossing Casino near Pittsburg was scheduled to be completed in June 2016, but the project has been delayed as a lawsuit involving the casino is being heard in the Kansas Supreme Court.
Despite the ongoing litigation, Sherriene Jones-Sontag, Kansas Lottery deputy executive director, said she expects the casino to open in February.
Jones-Sontag said she expects the site to generate revenue similar to the Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City, which generates about $40 million annually.
Mark Dapp, Kansas Legislative Research Department fiscal analyst, said the increase in expected gaming revenue is the reason for increased revenue projections for the next three budget years. The Kansas Lottery agency’s revenue estimates were increased to $372 million for FY 2017, up $23 million from the previous year. The FY 2017 budget reflects three months worth of revenue from Kansas Crossing Casino.
Sen. Dan Goddard (R-Parsons) expects the casino to keep his constituents from visiting casinos in Oklahoma.
“I’m tired of seeing the tour buses pull into our local gas station and load people up and give them a free ride to our friendly neighbors down there,” Goddard said.
The budget also calls for the Kansas Lottery agency to eliminate 10 employee positions that are currently vacant. The net salary for these positions are expected to save $800,000. The agency has 84 employees and the cuts will keep this number static.
Jones-Sontag said the loss of potential positions, such as those in marketing, could potentially affect revenue, but indicated the agency would make due with the cuts.
“We’ll have to work a little harder to grow those sales and meet those goals,” she said.
The Lottery budget estimates remain on the conservative side. Jones-Sontag said the revenue estimates are a three-to-four year average and do not reflect events such as last year’s billion dollar jackpot.
Mac Moore is a University of Kansas senior journalism major from Lawrence.
A workshop on Facebook marketing will be offered in February as part of the spring workshop series from the Management Development Center at Fort Hays State University.
“Facebook Marketing for Business” will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Memorial Union’s Trails Room on the FHSU campus.
The workshop is for anyone who wants to excel at driving traffic to and increasing engagements on their Facebook pages. Participants will learn how to curate content, get followers to their pages and how to use Facebook Insights and Ad Reports.
Dr. Mary Martin, associate professor of applied business studies, will facilitate.
Each person who completes the workshop will receive a completion certificate. The cost is $119. Registrations received prior to Feb. 9 are appreciated. Hays Area Chamber of Commerce members are eligible for a 15-percent discount.
RENO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are investigating a suspect for a shooting and have made an arrest.
Just after 11p.m. on Sunday, Deputies with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a rural area in 5300 Block of north Old Kansas 61 Highway north of Hutchinson for the report of a shooting, according to Captain Steve Lutz, with the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.
When deputies arrived a resident at the scene, Patrick Hill, told them
he had noticed a truck out on the road in front of his house revving its engine.
Hill told deputies he recognized the truck and went outside of his residence to investigate.
When he exited his residence, someone from the truck began shooting. Hill returned fire with his own weapon and the truck sped away.
Although there were three other occupants at the residence in addition to Hill there were no injuries.
With the assistance of the Hutchinson Police Department, deputies arrested Michael Sifuentes, 38, Hutchinson, on the charges of Aggravated Assault, Criminal Threat, and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at an Occupied Dwelling.
Sifuentes is being held at the Reno County Correctional Facility. Bond is set at $21,500..
TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Commerce will host the first of three Made in Kansas Days, featuring several manufacturers in the state. The first Made in Kansas Day will feature Mars Chocolate. The global brand maintains a flagship factory in Topeka. Made in Kansas Day will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the second floor rotunda of the Kansas Statehouse.
Made in Kansas Days are designed to promote the Made in Kansas the Heart of America initiative, which is designed to promote pride in manufacturing companies in Kansas. It will allow the companies in this sector to unite under the banner of mutual excellence that is manufacturing in the state of Kansas.
“It is so vital that we highlight our amazing Kansas businesses that are responsible for manufacturing global brands,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. “We are honored to partner with such a profound business and employer and we look forward to continuing to promote manufacturing in the state using Made in Kansas the Heart of America.”
Mars Chocolate opened its Kansas factory in 2014, where it manufactures various candy products, and made an initial $330 million capital investment. In 2015, Mars announced a $100 million expansion which will be completed in 2017. The company employs more than 390 associates statewide.
“At Mars we are proud to call Kansas home and are thrilled to be a member of the Topeka community. We are continuing to expand in Topeka thanks to the outstanding talent and support we’ve received,” said Topeka Site Director for Mars Chocolate North America Bret Spangler. “Mars is committed to continuing to grow and make America’s favorite treats in America’s heartland.”
Made in Kansas Day will take place at later dates as well, highlighting the excellent businesses that make the Kansas manufacturing industry second-to-none.
WICHITA -A Kansas man with a previous conviction for sexual abuse was sentenced Monday to 22 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.
Jonathan Curtis McClain, 37, Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. In his plea, McClain admitted he previously was convicted of sexual abuse in 1998 in Medford, Ore.
This investigation began when agents of the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations in Tennessee identified McClain’s user profile engaged in chats on the Internet telling other users about his interest in watching child pornography. In March 2016 McClain sent child pornography to an investigator.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A judge has set a joint hearing on the fate of two federal lawsuits in Kansas challenging the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration.
U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Monday granted the unopposed request to consolidate oral arguments on motions seeking partial summary judgment. She set March 3 as the hearing date.
At the crux of the lawsuits is a disputed voter registration law that requires Kansans to provide a document such as a birth certificate, naturalization papers or passport proving they are U.S. citizens.
Robinson will hear arguments from all parties over claims that the state’s requirement unconstitutionally burdens the right to vote and violates the right to travel because it allegedly discriminates against U.S. citizens who come to Kansas from other states.
Click below to listen to Tiger Talk with the “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock and Fort Hays State women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson and men’s coach Mark Johnson.
Tiger Talk airs on Monday evening at 6 p.m. on Tiger Radio Mix-103.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha woman who sold thousands of worthless airline vouchers has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison.
The Omaha World-Herald reports Patricia Urbanovsky was sentenced Monday.
Federal Judge Joseph Bataillon says the sentence was warranted because of the sophisticated scheme Urbanovsky ran, the number of victims and amount of the loss.
Urbanovsky was the owner of Creative Creations in Omaha. Authorities say she ran a scheme to sell discounted airline travel vouchers, most of which turned out to be worthless.
Urbanovsky pleaded guilty last year to 16 counts of wire fraud. In exchange, federal prosecutors dropped nine counts of money laundering.
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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A woman who sold thousands of worthless airline vouchers is set to learn whether her plea agreement will be accepted by a federal judge.
Patricia Urbanovsky’s sentencing and restitution hearing is set for Monday in Omaha’s federal court.
Last year, Urbanovsky pleaded guilty to 16 counts of wire fraud. In exchange, federal prosecutors dropped nine counts of money laundering. She faces up to six years in prison. She has asked the court for a sentence of three years, with her attorney, Steve Lefler, saying she “had no intention of stealing from anyone.”
Urbanovsky was the owner of Creative Creations in Omaha. Authorities say she ran a scheme to sell discounted airline travel vouchers, most of which turned out to be worthless.
GEARY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities have sent a Kansas man for mental health treatment following a near critical accident on Interstate 70.
Deputies arrested Tommie Lee Hoskins, Topeka, after he drove the wrong way Interstate 70. The incident temporarily closed a portion of the eastbound highway, according to the Geary County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were able to apprehend Hoskins before any major accidents occurred.
“There was a small accident that occurred, very minimal damage and the injury that happened because of that accident didn’t even really require medical treatment; Mr. Hoskins was taken to the hospital where it was deemed that he needed to speak with Pawnee Mental Health,” said Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf.
Hoskins was booked on requested charges of Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Driving wrong direction on one way road and Failure to yield to emergency vehicle.
Officials at Pawnee Mental Health evaluated Hoskins and recommended that he be sent to Osawatomie State Hospital. He is there to undergoing psychiatric evaluations and treatment.
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.
