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Davis Named to D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team

MINOT, N.D. – Fort Hays State senior guard Rob Davis was named to the D2CCA All-Central Region Team on Monday (Mar. 13), earning second team honors. Davis is one of 10 players in the Central Region named to the team. The team is voted on by sports information directors in the Central Region of the NCAA.

Davis had a tremendous year for the Tigers, averaging 21.4 points per game. He became the first FHSU player to average at least 20 points per game since the 1995-96 season, when Alonzo Goldston averaged 20.4 helping lead the Tigers to an undefeated national championship. He is the first player under head coach Mark Johnson to average at least 20 per game. Davis finished the year scoring 30 or more points in a game eight times and 20 or more 17 times. He scored 1,140 points over two years with Fort Hays State, finishing 15th on the all-time scoring list.

Davis scored a career-high 42 points at Emporia State on February 1, 2017, matching the sixth-highest scoring game in Tiger history. Dennis Edwards owns the top five single-game scoring performances in Tiger history and was the last to break the 40-point barrier before Davis, doing it three times in 1995.

Davis finished the year shooting 49.9 percent from the field, making 207-of-415 attempts from the field. He shot 45.3 percent beyond the 3-point line (82-of-181) and 85.1 percent at the free-throw line (126-of-148). He added 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

For his career, Davis ranks fourth all-time in Tiger history for 3-point field goal percentage and free-throw percentage. He was very consistent in his rate of shooting from the field, hitting exactly at a .499 clip overall and .453 clip beyond the 3-point line both seasons at FHSU. His performance at the free-throw line this year improved as his career percentage settled at 82.2 percent.

Davis is the first all-region selection for the Tigers since the 2013-14 season when Craig Nicholson earned the distinction as a sophomore.

2016-17 D2 Conference Commissioner’s Men’s Basketball All-Central Region
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Pitts, Northwest Missouri State

FIRST TEAM
Gage Davis, St. Cloud State University
Aaron Lien, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Justin Pitts, Northwest Missouri State University
Braxton Reeves, East Central University
Jordan Spencer, Augustana University

SECOND TEAM
Rob Davis, Fort Hays State University
Derylton Hill, University of Arkansas at Monticello
Tyler Rudolph, Minot State University
Brady Skeens, Washburn University
Anthony Virdure, Lincoln University

FHSU Sports Information

Encore Series presents ‘Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue’

screen-shot-2017-03-13-at-4-04-37-pmFHSU University Relations

Tickets are now on sale for Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue, the next performance of the 2016-2017 Encore Series at Fort Hays State University, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday March 29, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Taj Express will bring the sounds of India and Bollywood to Hays, capturing the vibrant, expressive spirit of the world of Bollywood movies that have been entertaining billions of people in India for generations.

Through a fusion of film, dance, and music, Taj Express is taking audiences on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society during its 2017 U.S. tour. The production is a high energy celebration of new India’s pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions featuring colorful costumes, joyful dance, and thrilling live music.

This performance is sponsored by Todd and Andrea Sandoval on behalf of The Humane Society of the High Plains.

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 general 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.

US Attorney for Kan. not among those asked to resign

Beal- photo U.S. Dept. of Justice District of Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. attorney for the District of Kansas, Tom Beall, is not among federal prosecutors who were asked to resign.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports Beall will stay in office for the time being.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week asked 46 prosecutors who were holdovers from the Obama administration to resign.

Beall took over the job in April 2016 after Barry Grissom resigned. Grissom was appointed by President Barack Obama but Beall was not a political appointee.

Beall joined the office in April 2011 and was named first assistant U.S. attorney two years later. After becoming acting U.S. attorney when Grissom resigned, the Justice Department later promoted him to his current position.

Teen sentenced in Kansas deputy-involved shooting

Binnick-photo Geary Co.

GEARY COUNTY –A Nebraska man was sentenced Friday in connection with a September shooting by a Geary County Sheriff’s Deputy.

A judge sentenced Dylan Binnick, 19, Beatrice, to 59-months in prison after he pleaded no contest and was found guilty of attempted second degree murder, according to Geary County Attorney Krista Blaisdell,

Binnick was shot and wounded by a Geary County sheriff’s deputy in September in an incident on Skiddy Road.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a rural Geary County in response to a report of a possible vehicle accident, with three suspicious subjects walking in the area of Skiddy Road and Skiddy West, according to Sheriff Toney Wolf.

When Deputies arrived in the area about one mile north of Skiddy Cemetery they made contact with two male subjects, and one female subject. “Deputies met the subjects in the roadway, got out, started to do some investigation on the accident that occurred and tried to find out who these individuals were,” said Wolf.

“Binnick was very apprehensive about giving up any identification or anything.

He finally gave up his identification, then drew a gun out of his waistband. The Deputy drew his weapon and shot Binnick,” said Wolf.

He was transported to a hospital in Topeka but required no surgery.

Kan. Senate President: School Funding Formula Should Focus On At-Risk Students

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle says just pouring additional money into a new school funding formula is not the best way to serve at-risk students.
CREDIT STEPHEN KORANDA

By SAM ZEFF

The president of the Kansas Senate says a new school funding formula needs to focus on the quarter of students who are at-risk and not meeting state standards. And simply adding money to a funding formula won’t solve the problem, she says.

Sen. Susan Wagle, a Republican from Wichita, says the federal Head Start program is a good model on how to help at-risk children.

“That at-risk student doesn’t have the advantage of going home and having mom and dad say, ‘It’s time to do homework. Turn off the television and let me help you with it,’” Wagle said on the KCUR political podcast Statehouse Blend Kansas.

Wagle’s comments come as the Legislature is facing a June 30 deadline to write a new school funding formula that meets the state Supreme Court’s test for adequacy and equity. In its ruling last week in the Gannon case, the court said schools will be closed if lawmakers fail to pass a formula that meets constitutional muster.

However, the justices didn’t specify an amount the Legislature must spend. “We have previously held that total spending is not the touchstone of adequacy,” according to the ruling. But the justices also focused much of their ruling on making sure that the 25 percent of children in Kansas whose work is below standards get much of the attention.

Wagle suggested that additional money could be spent beefing up other programs rather than just pouring it into a school funding formula.

“It’s almost an intervention in the home that helps you be successful in dealing with at-risk (students). You have to get the kids into the classroom. Some of them don’t come on a daily basis. Some of them are hungry,” Wagle says.

Wagle also says she has directed her staff to make sure Kansas is getting all the federal money it’s due for at-risk education from the federal government.

On Wednesday Wagle formed a new Senate committee to work on a new school funding formula as a response to the Gannon case.

Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Republican from Louisburg and chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, was one of those appointed. She says it would be “folly” for the Legislature to ignore Wagle’s worries about at-risk children as they discuss education funding.

“Our goal is that we have a formula that doesn’t put us in perpetual litigation,” Baumgardner says.

Attorney Alan Rupe, who represented the school districts in the case, says lawmakers don’t have to reinvent the wheel to help kids in poverty or those who are English language learners.

“There’s a mechanism to do it: the old formula,” he says.

Rupe also worries that Wagle might want to move money around so at-risk students get a bigger share of the pot. “The money has to come from somewhere, and if you take it from other kids you’re right back in court.”

Some estimates say an additional $800 million might be needed to solve adequacy, while other estimates are lower. But any additional money for education will be a burden as lawmakers scramble to fix a $1 billion deficit over the next two years.

Sam Zeff covers education and politics for kcur.org and the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @SamZeff.

Kansas faith leaders gather for Muslim advocacy day

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Faith leaders are urging Kansans to support Muslims in the state during an advocacy day at the state Capitol.

About 130 people gathered Monday morning for the event held by the Kansas branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Kansas Interfaith Action, a multi-faith advocacy group.

Moussa Elbayoumy chairs the Kansas branch of the council. He says he’s heartened by people who have “stood up with” the Muslim community and Muslims who offered to help protect recently vandalized Jewish cemeteries.

He told the crowd that members of faith communities would oppose any parts of President Donald Trump’s new executive order banning travel from six majority-Muslim countries that they think are unconstitutional.

Fahey Delaine Jacka

screen-shot-2017-03-13-at-11-06-11-amFahey Delaine Jacka, 95, the youngest son of Ward and Oma (McCartee) Jacka, was born on December 25, 1921, south of Utica, Kansas. He departed this life on Wednesday, March 08, 2017 at the Long Term Care in Quinter, Kansas.

Delaine attended country school in rural Gove County.

He married his devoted wife in Wakeeney, Kansas on May 31, 1941. They were lifelong residents of Gove County. To this union, three daughters were born — Kay and twin daughters, Donita and Wanita.

Delaine was a lifelong farmer and rancher.

In 1956, he graduated from Roesch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. He auctioned at Quinter Livestock for over thirty years, also handling many household, farm, and estate sales. He often volunteered his services for 4-H, school and church functions, and many other public events, including announcing parades and Little Britches Rodeos.

Delaine served on boards for both the Citizens State Bank, Utica, Kansas, and the First State Bank, Ransom, Kansas. After retiring as a board member of the First State Bank, he became an advisor.

He attended church at both Utica and Quinter throughout the years.

Delaine is survived by his three daughters, Kay and husband Robert Curtis of Ransom, Kansas; Donita and husband Larry Boles of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and Wanita Cook of the home. Grandchildren –Shad and wife Bonnie Cook, Shawn Cook all of Gove, Kansas; Sindi Baker of Blue Mound, Kansas; Shaylon Cook of Quinter, Kansas; Garold and wife Nancy Baker of Basehor, Kansas; Neil and wife Ranae Baker of Scott City, Kansas; Greg Curtis of Ransom, Kansas; and Dana Pierce of Winnsboro, Texas.

He is also survived by 30 great grandchildren, 11 great great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Loris in November 2013, his parents, his brother, Dwane, granddaughter, Sheree Chestnut, and great-granddaughter, Tristan Baker.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday, March 11, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Utica with burial following in the Utica Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City on Friday, March 10, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and at the church prior to the service.

The family suggests memorials to Gove County Medical Center, Gove County Long Term Care, First Christian Church, or donor’s choice.

Memories and words of sympathy and support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.

Parents: Body inside car is missing Kansas woman

Officials pulled Anderson’s car from the river on Friday-photo courtesy KCTV

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The parents of a Wichita woman who was missing since Jan. 15 say a body found in a car pulled from the Missouri River was that of their daughter.

A car belonging to 20-year-old Toni Anderson, a Missouri-Kansas City student, was pulled from the river near Parkville Friday.

Police have not confirmed the identity of a body inside the car. But Anderson’s mother and father told Kansas City-area media the body was Toni’s.

Her mother, Liz Anderson, says no foul play is suspected in her daughter’s death.

Anderson -courtesy photo

Liz Anderson says it appears Toni became got lost while driving in the dark and ended up on a boat ramp in park. She says her daughter apparently tried to back off the icy ramp and the car slid into the water.

Department store chain with locations in Kan. files for bankruptcy

Gordmans on Rock Road in Wichita -google image

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Department store operator Gordmans is filing for bankruptcy protection and plans to liquidate inventory of its 106 discount stores.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based company announced Monday it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Gordmans had posted losses in five of its last six quarters. It’s stock price fell to 6 cents a share Monday after the announcement.

Gordmans did not give a time frame for the liquidation sale. It has 2 stores in Wichita, 1 in Topeka, six in the Kansas City area and locations in 21 other states

Velma Lucille (Evans) Briggs

velma-briggsVelma Lucille (Evans) Briggs entered her heavenly home on March 11, 2017 at the Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care Facility, Quinter, KS at the age of 93.

She was born at the home of her parents, Will (Bill) and Blanche (nee Walt) Evans, in the Missouri Flats community of rural Gove County on September 8, 1923, the second of three daughters. When Velma was 6 years old and her maternal grandmother died, Blanche and Bill took in Blanche’s youngest sister Alberta to raise. Alberta was Velma’s age and grew up as a sister to the Evans girls: Louise, Velma and, later, baby sister Opal, whose arrival was a delightful surprise to her older sisters. Velma grew up deeply appreciating the gift of family.

Velma attended Wild Rose Grade School in Missouri Flats and graduated from Gove High School in 1940. After obtaining a teaching certificate at Ft. Hays State College, she taught in the Grandview and Wild Rose country grade schools in Gove County. Then, seeking new adventures, she attended Strickler’s Business College in Topeka and was hired as a secretary in the Quinter 1st National Bank. While living in Quinter, she was blessed to meet Raymond Briggs of Collyer, KS. They were married on April 2, 1945, and began life on the Bill Evans farm. They had two children, Bill and Karen, and enjoyed 59 happy years together before Raymond passed away in June 2004. Velma was a loving wife and mother, an avid reader, excellent cook and housekeeper, enthusiastic amateur artist, devoted animal lover, and fan of classic westerns, in print and on film. She was always ready to help her family and many friends whenever they were in need. Velma was a long-term member of the Missouri Flats Modern Homemakers Club and the Gyne Fealti Club of Quinter. After her children were grown, she worked as a teacher’s aide for a number of years at the Missouri Flats School. She cherished time with her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities. Velma loved farm life, but embraced new experiences when she moved to Quinter in 2005. She was a member of the Gove Community Bible Church and found joy and comfort in her Christian faith.

Velma was preceded in death by her beloved husband Raymond, her parents Bill and Blanche Evans, her older sister Louise Pearce, her aunt raised as a sister Alberta (Walt) McCrate, and many dear friends and family members. Velma is survived by her son Bill (Kerry) Briggs, rural Gove, and her daughter Karen (Forrest) Erickson, Shawnee, KS; four grandchildren: Bart (Amy) Briggs and Joss (Megan) Briggs, rural Gove, and Amanda (Bruce) Harbord and Elizabeth (Steve) Friedman, Shawnee, KS; and seven great grandchildren: Addie, Anna, and Amelia Briggs and Avery and Mia Briggs all of rural Gove, and Bridget and Wesley Harbord, Shawnee, KS; her younger sister Opal Prather, rural Gove; wonderful nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Gove Community Bible Church, Gove. Burial will be in the Gove Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time at Gove Community Bible Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Gove Community Bible Church or the GCMC Long Term Care Facility. Donations made to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Injured Kansas officer transferred to rehab center

Police escort Monday as Officer Arterburn arrives at airport to be transported to. Rehabilitation center in Colorado-image Wichita Police

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas police officer who was injured when he was hit by a car will be moving to a rehabilitation center in Colorado.

Wichita police spokeswoman Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said officer Brian Arterburn is scheduled to leave Wichita Monday for Colorado.

Arterburn has been hospitalized since he was injured early February, when he was run over by a fleeing and stolen SUV.

The 25-year police veteran suffered chest, abdomen and brain injuries when the vehicle hit him as placed spike strips on a road in south Wichita.

A recent picture of Brian provided to Wichita Police by his family.

The man suspected of running over the officer, 31-year-old Justin Terrazas, remains jailed on several charges, including aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.

Hays Recreation Commission fitness center ready to move to expanded facility

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New front desk area

By C.D.DeSALVO
Hays Post

For employees and members of the Hays Recreation Commission, March 15, 2017, has been a long time coming. Since 2012-13, the HRC has been looking into a project to expand the fitness center to create a bigger area for members that use the facilities. On March 16, 2016, officials broke ground just north of the current HRC building to start the nearly 13,000-square-foot project.

Fast forward a year, and the new fitness center is built and waiting to be filled with equipment.

“The building has come along really nicely, and I am pleased with the final product,” said HRC Superintendent Roger Bixenman. “It is going to expand our current space by quadruple, and I think the patrons that come through the doors are going to be really happy with what we have.”

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Weight Room Area

But it is not just cardio and weight equipment that will take up space in the new building. The new facility also features two rooms for group fitness classes as well as bigger bathrooms with more showers and lockers.

“We will have two rooms for group fitness. Right now, we use one of the basketball gyms for group fitness so that will in turn help us free up that gym for what it was intended for originally like sports programs and practices in the evenings and games on the weekends,” Bixenman said. “A new spin class that we have never offered before will be in one of the group fitness rooms, and we will also have aerial yoga for the first time. There will definitely be some unique programming and just having more area and more space, bigger locker room facilities as well with bathrooms and showers, that is exciting.”

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Cardio Area

The staff also will have expanded space. The Wellness Director will have an office as will the Fitness Specialist to conduct better private consultation and fitness assessments. The HRC also features five certified personal trainers that will have more freedom and room for personal training after the move to the new building.

On Monday and Tuesday, some of the current equipment will be taken apart and moved to the new facility and about $100,000 worth of new cardio and weight equipment will arrive in time for the official opening on Wednesday.

With the new building will come new business hours as well. The facility will open from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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Group Fitness Room 1

“If there is a need or demand for people wanting to have us stay open later, we will entertain that,” Bixenman said.

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Group Fitness Room 2

With the new facility, the HRC will go through the process of hiring more part-time help, offering approximately 20 to 25 hours a week. For more information, contact Wellness Director Dave Quillin at [email protected].

Harold M. Windholz

Emporia, Kansas- Harold M. Windholz, age 68, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at the Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Salina, Kansas. He was born February 2, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Louis and Henrietta (Hoffman) Windholz. He married Paula (Estabrooks) in 1979. To this marriage brought their daughter, Leona and they had their son, TJ.

He owned and operated H & T Trucking Company in Emporia for over 35 years. He was an avid Jay Hawk fan. Before his illness he enjoyed camping, boating, his grandkids and being with his family and friends.

For those who have a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s Dementia we extend our hopes and prayers.

Survivors include his wife, Paula Windholz, of the home; one son, TJ Windholz, Emporia, Ks; one daughter, Leona Hernandez and husband, Robert, Kansas City, MO; his mother, Henrietta Windholz, Hays, KS; his twin brother, Gerald Windholz and wife, Mardi, Thornton, CO; two sisters, Carol Conway and Dick Pietro, Scottsdale AZ; Lisa Haffner and husband, Chuck, Wichita, KS; one sister-in-law, Vicky Phillips, Salina, KS; four grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and several nephews and nieces,

He was preceded in death by his father and one great granddaughter.

Services are at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 20, 2017, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 East 13th Street Hays, Kansas. A private family inurnment will be at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Monday, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with a rosary at 10:30 A.M. Monday.

Memorial to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

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