Month: January 2017
Dish Network drops KWCH 12, KSCW
Gray Television
WICHITA — KWCH 12 and KSCW, the local CBS and CW affiliates found over-the-air on channels 12 and 33 respectively, today announced that pay-TV provider Dish Network has decided to stop carrying our programming on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.
“We are shocked and disappointed to learn that Dish Network has decided to impose yet another blackout on its customers by taking away our stations, which broadcast some of the most highly rated programming on any broadcast or cable channel in their market,” said KWCH 12Vice-President and General Manager Brad Moses.
Parent company, Gray Television, owns the number one- or number two-ranked television station in over 50 markets. In many of these markets, Gray’s television station has higher ratings than every other broadcast station and cable channel combined in certain time periods. Despite the obvious popularity of Gray’s stations, Dish has refused after many months to even begin negotiating carriage terms that are consistent with those that Dish has provided to other broadcasters and cable channels.
Recently, Gray offered Dish an extension that would have allowed them to carry KWCH 12 and KSCW beyond tomorrow’s deadline, but Dish refused to accept it. Unfortunately, neither our stations nor the government nor Dish’s millions of fee-paying customers can force Dish to continue carrying our stations when, as here, it chooses to take leading stations off of its system for perceived leverage in private carriage negotiations
For these reasons, it is not likely that the blackout imposed by Dish today will end soon. Sadly, Dish customers who wish to receive KWCH 12’s award winning newscasts and CBS’ highly rated programming over the next several months will most likely need to switch to another pay-TV provider.
Dish’s actions will not affect customers of Directv, Cox Cable, AT&T U-verse, and other local providers. Gray has reached long term agreements with several hundred other major cable and satellite distributor, virtually all without any disruptions or even public statements about our negotiations. In contrast, in just the last two years alone, Dish has dropped more than 200 local television stations.
“It is unfortunate that Dish does not see the same value in our programming as every other operator. Regardless, we will continue to offer the same high quality programming as we always have, and we will continue to serve our community as we have done for decades,” said Moses.
For more information, visit keeptvlocal.com.
Blood drive tomorrow in Ellis
SUBMITTED
ELLIS–A Community Blood Drive will be held in Ellis Wed., Jan. 18 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the VFW, 813 Jefferson Street.
According to the American Red Cross, there is a critical need for blood.
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-in donations are also welcome.
4 remain jailed after Kansas drug bust
JACKSON COUNTY – Four suspects arrested on drug and weapons charges remain jailed in Jackson County.
On January 12, The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Holton Police Department served a search warrant at a home in the 400 Block of Wisconsin in Holton, according to a media release.
Deputies arrested Jordan Monaghan, 31, of Holton, Tamatha Hearn, 25, of Holton, Waymon Parsons, 30, of Topeka and Dustin Montgomery, 27, of Osage City, Kansas.
They were booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of distribution of methamphetamine,
possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession of controlled substance and criminal use of weapons.
Waymon Parsons also faces a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property and felony interference with law enforcement. Parsons is also believed to be a parole absconder from Missouri.
They remain jailed in Jackson County and could make court appearances this week.
NW Kan. students named to Dean’s List at Bethany College
LINDSBORG — More than 200 Bethany College students have earned semester honors for their academic performance during the fall 2016 semester and have been named to the Dean’s List.
To qualify for the academic honor, students must be enrolled full-time and earn a semester grade point average of 3.5.
The list included the following students:
Atwood, KS
Rhett Mizer, Sports Management
Colby, KS
Shaila Giebler, Chemistry
Damar, KS
Elizabeth Benoit, Management
Hoxie, KS
Lisa Stone, Pre-Profession Art Thera
Norton, KS
Hailey Branek, Music Liberal Arts
Phillipsburg, KS
Hannah Imm, English Teaching 6-12
Russell, KS
Anna Plante, Biology
Saint Francis, KS
Journey Lee, Elementary Education K-6
WaKeeney, KS
Kristen Hanks, Mathematics Teaching
Winona, KS
Eric Gfeller, Health Phys Ed PreK-12
SCHLAGECK: Navel oranges and seedless watermelons
With some of the negative publicity about this country’s food supply, some folks have concluded the best plate may be an empty plate. How else are they going to avoid killer popcorn, monster tomatoes, drug-treated cattle, radioactive chicken and toenail hotdogs?
If you’re totally disgusted about what you read or overwhelmed by news reports that question the safety of your food, you’re not alone.
What can you do?
To begin with, exercise common sense. In our country, people are living longer and healthier lives than ever before. Over consumption can indeed pose a health hazard, but scientists do not believe specific foods are health villains.
To provide an abundant, safe, reliable and inexpensive food supply, most of us are dependent on modern agricultural practices and food techniques. Some would argue we do not need GMOs (genetically modified organisms), fresh produce like tomatoes because there is already too much food and we don’t need some of these items because they are luxuries anyway.
This is a shortsighted, naïve attitude. This country, and hungry people around the world, will always need more food. We must always find ways to produce more efficiently in this country. Continued change and advances in technology will be the only thing that provides answers to an ever-growing population with additional food demands.
Anyway, why shouldn’t we have access to delicious vegetables all year round? Especially when the increased intake of fresh fruits and vegetables has been scientifically proven to be healthy and reduce the risk of health problems.
Critics of technology have been around since the first caveman rounded off the square edges of a stone block and chiseled out the first wheel. Most people fought the coming of steam locomotives and buggy makers cried out against the coming of the Model T.
In agriculture, new plant varieties created with these techniques will offer foods with better taste, more nutrition and longer shelf life. Farmers will be able to grow these new varieties more efficiently, leading to lower consumer costs and greater environmental protection.
Soybeans that produce high oleic oil containing less saturated fat and require less processing, cotton plants that fight pests or produce naturally colored cotton, reducing the need for chemical dyes and bananas that deliver vaccines to fight enteric diseases are just a few examples of what’s in store.
Sound far-fetched?
Probably the same reaction my father would have had if someone told him his son would go to a supermarket and buy things like navel oranges and seedless watermelons.
Steam pasteurization, food irradiation, genetically modified grains can best be summed up in one word – PROGRESS.
Food safety has always been an emotional issue. Reactions to some of these food scares confirm the adage that a rumor can travel half way around the world before the truth pulls on its boots.
Too often today, most news translates into “bad” news. The prospect of scare headlines is often irresistible.
The agricultural industry must continue to step forward to tell its story. Scientists must step forward to clear up some of the misinformation in the press.
Until this occurs, be wary of food scares. On the other hand, don’t forget to eat and drink from our food supply. It is the safest, best tasting in the world.
John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.
Partly sunny, warmer Tuesday
Today Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind 6 to 8 mph.
ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 47. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
Thursday NightA 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
FridayA 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.
Friday NightA 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 46.
Hundreds still without power from ice damage
FORD COUNTY -Crews continue working around the clock to restore power to thousands of residents in central and western Kansas.
Energy companies estimate some 16,000 customers are still without electricity due to the ice storm that brought down trees, damaged homes and snapped power lines.
In addition to 29 linemen, an additional 40 linemen and tree trimmers are on site and helping to restore power for Victory Electric, according to a social media report.
At 6 a.m. Tuesday, crews came in for a hot breakfast and returned to work.
Officials opened the Dodge City Community College Dome on Monday as a warming station. The Red Cross is assisting residents there.
Late Monday, Power was restored in the Hodgeman County community of Hanston, according to the sheriff’s department. Officials were checking the water well to confirm it was working correctly. Power had been off to the entire community.
Stafford County Emergency Management opened up a temporary shelter at the First Christian Church, 100 block of North Boston in Stafford. They encouraged residents to bring blankets and snacks.
Victory Electric serves Ford and Gray Counties and parts of seven other counties, Kiowa, Edwards, Hodgeman, Finney, Haskell, Meade, and Clark.
No. 2 Kansas beats Iowa State for 17th straight win
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Frank Mason III had 16 points, Landen Lucas scored 14 and No. 2 Kansas held off Iowa State 76-72 on Monday night for its 17th straight win.
Svi Mykhailiuk added 13 for the Jayhawks (17-1, 6-0 Big 12), who snapped a two-game skid in Ames and opened 6-0 in the Big 12 for the 10th time.
Though it was never comfortable for Kansas, the Jayhawks led the entire second half. Iowa State star Monte Morris drilled a long 3 and two free throws to make it 75-72 with 14.6 seconds left. But then Devonte Graham’s free throw made it a two-possession game and Morris missed a 3 that would’ve made for an interesting finish.
Morris scored 23 points with seven rebounds and seven assists for the Cyclones (11-6, 3-3), who saw their recent string of success against the Jayhawks come to an end.
Wal-Mart to add thousands of retail, construction jobs
NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart plans to add about 10,000 retail jobs in the U.S. as it opens new stores and expands existing locations.
The world’s biggest retailer said Tuesday that there will also be about 24,000 construction jobs as well.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says there will be 59 new, expanded and relocated Walmart and Sam’s Clubs facilities.
The chain is planning $6.8 billion in capital investments in the U.S. in the coming fiscal year, which starts on Feb. 1. The investments include construction and remodeling of stores, clubs and distribution centers, and the expansion of new services such as online grocery pickup.
Last week Amazon announced that it would add 100,000 full-time jobs over the next 18 months.
🎥 Midwest Energy: Melting ice causing more problems
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The service area for Hays-based Midwest Energy covers territory from Reno County near Hutchinson, all the way northwest to the Kansas/Colorado border in Rawlins County. That’s 41 counties where MWE provides electricity and/or gas to its customers.
“And most of them have been in some kind of outage-type scenario because of the ice storm that blew through this weekend,” MWE Communications Manager Mike Morley said late Monday afternoon.
Morley and his Midwest Energy colleagues monitor the weather forecast carefully when severe weather is predicted and try to anticipate where the worst damage will be. They assign crews and hold some crews on reserve if there’s going to be a particularly bad outage.
“That’s what we did with this storm,” Morley said. “We held a couple crews back and also brought in some contract crews and had them standing by in Great Bend. So when the trouble started on Sunday afternoon, we sent the Midwest crews first. They worked into Sunday evening. And then today, Monday, it’s just gone crazy. As the ice has melted, it’s brought down lines all over the service area.
“All the Midwest crews are out. We’ve got a dozen contract crews helping us. It looks like we’re going to be working on this for several days before we’ve got the system back up to normal.”
Midwest Energy brought in contract crews from Ward Electric and PAR Electric to help repair this storm’s damage.
“They have more specialized equipment which can help put up the large transmission poles,” Morley said, “and they’re helping out in the southern part of our service area where we have several transmission lines down.”
An OMS-Outage Management System-indicates where certain circuits have opened and alerts Midwest Energy that “somewhere in this general area, there are 300 to 400 customers who are out.
“So the first thing we do is send out crews to patrol the lines, looking for obvious things like breakage on a cross-arm, maybe a tree that’s laying on some wires, or even a pole that’s broken off. Once we find that, we make the repairs as quickly as we safely can, then patrol the rest of the line and then we energize that line,” he explained.
There are 50,000 electric customers in the Midwest Energy system. As of late Monday afternoon, about 8,500 of those customers were without power.
Ice is the culprit.
An inch of ice on a power line on a 300 foot span between two poles adds about a thousand pounds of weight to that section. A pole with wires going both directions adds two thousand pounds of weight–a ton–per line on the cross arm.
“Fortunately, the cross arms are designed to stand up to a fair amount of ice,” Morley said. “Where it becomes problematic is when the wind blows. The lines begin ‘galloping,’ whipping up and down just like a jump rope. That’s what happens to the system. It basically shakes itself until it breaks.”
More problems will occur as the temperatures warm up.
“When the ice begins to melt, particularly on tiered poles where there are transmission lines on the upper part of the pole and distribution wires on the bottom, as the distribution wires melt off that weight, it’s gonna shoot up–just like a rubber band–and vibrate back and forth. As that weight comes off, the lines will snap up and hit some of the heavier lines above.
“That gives us what we call ‘blinks,’ where your lights cut in and out for just a second.”
All the utilities in Kansas sign into mutual aid, according to Morley.
Federal lawsuit filed in death of Kansas prison inmate
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The family of a Topeka man who died while under supervision of the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth contends in a federal lawsuit that he died because of improper medical care.
The lawsuit says Otis Bradley collapsed in his cell in December 2014 and died in February 2015. Bradley was serving a nearly five-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the family alleges that after Bradley collapsed, doctors at a Leavenworth hospital said he needed further evaluation.
It alleges a physician working for the prison said no further intervention was needed but Bradley’s condition continued to deteriorate before he was hospitalized again and eventually died.
Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesman Justin Long said the agency doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation.
Listen to Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State basketball coaches Tony Hobson and Mark Johnson
Click below to listen to Tiger Talk with “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.