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KNOLL: Cutting to the chase about the world’s weather

Les Knoll
Les Knoll

Man does not cause global warming or climate change. That it does is speculation and not fact. It’s a theory yet to be proven with facts.

This issue is more about politics, not science. It’s a liberal/progressive agenda.

There are only computer models to date attempting to prove man causes climate change by emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Computer models are unable to take into account all that is involved.

There is no consensus among scientists, in spite of what we are told, that emitting carbon into the atmosphere affects our weather. The claim that there is consensus, is a falsehood. Far too many scientists have sold out to a theory as fact, but not all by any stretch.

Let’s not forget CO2 in the atmosphere is needed by humans and plants to live. CO2 is not the culprit we are led to believe by proponents of climate change.

How many billions have we as taxpayers given to control climate already, with no results.

How do we, as a country, affect climate change when our population represents less than 5% of the world’s? Getting other countries to reduce carbon emissions are schemes that do not work no matter how many agreements are signed.

Even if we could affect our climate, the negatives like cost, regulations, loss of liberties, etc. would far outweigh any positives.

The earth’s surface (global warming) was greater during the Middle Ages prior to the Industrial Revolution at which time emitting carbon into the atmosphere was greatly increased. Nor has there been any significant warming in the past 17 years.

Ice caps have not been melting and polar bears dying. Nor have sea levels been on the rise. Nor have hurricanes been on the rise.

I, for one, became very suspicious when global warming could not be proven, therefore, liberals/progressives changed the narrative to climate change to encompass all weather.

Here’s a 64 thousand dollar question. Why have scientists, their data, their claims been caught time and again corrupting results if there is undeniable proof? Even U.S. government agencies have corrupted data.

The science community has lost integrity among Americans over the issue of man causing climate change with too many claims that have been proven to be false. In fact the many false claims about this issue have given the science community a black eye unfortunately.

When Obama and former Secretary of State Kerry claimed climate change is a greater threat to our security than ISIS any sensible person can clearly surmise this is all about politics having nothing to do with reality.

Prior to Trump’s presidency, climate change was a big thing with Obama, but not most Americans, nor is it today for most Americans. Most Americans would prefer our government concentrate on more jobs, lower taxes, border security, etc.

The climate change mantra is nothing more than a scheme or excuse to control more of our lives. Call it a power grab by politicians for bigger government. Call it socialism. Politicians and their cronies stand to make billions by changing how we function as a country.

What did Obama, in a major way, accomplish in his eight years? Had Hillary succeeded in following Obama this would have been another boondoggle like all of his other agendas. And, a gov’t agenda we may not ever recover from economically or as a free nation.

The climate change hoax by liberals/progressives is one more reason, among many, that Trump won the presidency. Most Americans (and most reading my letter) know what is important and what isn’t.

That being said, I rest my case.

Les Knoll lives in Victoria and Gilbert, Ariz.

Sunny, windy Wednesday with a chance for storms

car-zone-enjoy-the-drive

Today A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Windy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph becoming west 19 to 29 mph in the afternoon.

screen-shot-2017-05-17-at-4-51-02-amTonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 7 to 17 mph becoming north northeast after midnight.

Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 9 to 16 mph.

Thursday NightShowers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Low around 51. East wind 7 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind 10 to 13 mph.

Friday NightA 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
SaturdayPartly sunny, with a high near 64.

Yankees’ home runs back Sabathia in rout of Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer, Chris Carter added a two-run shot and CC Sabathia got back on track as the New York Yankees rolled to a 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Pitching on six days’ rest, Sabathia (3-2) went 6 2/3 shutout innings to win for the first time since April 15. He struck out five and walked two before leaving with the bases loaded, but Tyler Clippard promptly fanned Whit Merrifield to escape the jam.

Clippard also handled the eighth before Jonathan Holder gave up a run in the ninth.

Sanchez drilled an 0-1 pitch from Jason Hammel (1-5) to center field with nobody out in the third, and Carter pounded a 1-1 pitch to almost the same place with two down in the fourth.

Former Kansas Agriculture Secretary Announces Bid For Governor

By JIM MCLEAN

Joshua Svaty, 37, announced he would seek the Democratic nomination for Kansas governor during a news conference Tuesday outside the Ellsworth Co-op.
BRYAN THOMPSON / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

A former Kansas legislator who also served as the state agriculture secretary and as a regional official in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is running for governor.

Joshua Svaty, 37, launched his bid for the Democratic nomination Tuesday at the Ellsworth Co-op, not far from the farm where he grew up.

Dressed casually in jeans and an open-collared shirt, Svaty told a small crowd of supporters that he was running to “undo the damage” done to education, health care and the state’s transportation system by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s economic policies.

“We have to fix the problem,” Svaty said. “We can no longer be a petri dish for economic theory. We can no longer sacrifice the future of our children or the future viability of this state.”

Kansas voters showed their desire for change last fall by replacing many of Brownback’s conservative allies in the Legislature with more moderate Republicans and Democrats, Svaty said. But he said Brownback’s February veto of a bill that would have rolled back many of the income tax cuts he pushed through the Legislature in 2012 signaled a need for new leadership in the governor’s office.

“Leadership at the top matters and the governor matters,” Svaty said in an interview before his announcement.

Svaty was 22 when first elected in 2002 to the Kansas House. He was 29 when former Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson named him to lead the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

He worked briefly as a “senior advisor” for EPA before being named vice president of The Land Institute, a nonprofit agriculture research organization based in Salina.

Asked how he would defend his EPA tenure to rural voters concerned about regulatory overreach, Svaty went on the offensive.

“My service there was building relationships with the ag community around the four-state region of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri,” he said. “Our federal agencies belong to the people, and either you can complain from a distance or you can get inside, figure out how they work and find out how to make them better.”

Svaty has the backing of several prominent Democrats in his race for the nomination against former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer.

Brewer, who has worked in government relations for Spirit AeroSystems since stepping down as mayor in 2015, didn’t mention Svaty in a statement issued late Tuesday.

“My focus at this time is to reach out to as many Kansans as possible,” Brewer said, pledging to “travel to every corner of the state” over the next several months.

House Minority Leader Jim Ward, a Democrat from Wichita, could make it a three-way race for the Democratic nomination. It would be the party’s first gubernatorial primary since 1998 when then House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer easily defeated the late Fred Phelps, the Topeka pastor who gained notoriety as a crusader against gay rights.

About one-third of Kansans surveyed by the Docking Institute at Ft. Hays State University for the spring edition of its Kansas Speaks Survey released Tuesday had heard of Brewer. Only about 10 percent recognized Svaty’s name.

On the Republican side, former state Rep. Ed O’Malley, now president and CEO of the Wichita-based Kansas Leadership Center, and Wichita oil executive Wink Hartman each have formed campaign committees. Several other high-profile Republicans also are considering bids to succeed Brownback as the party’s standard-bearer. They include Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, 3rd District Congressman Kevin Yoder and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Among the potential Republican field, Kobach had the highest name recognition in Docking Institute survey at 77 percent. He was followed by Schmidt, 46 percent, Colyer, 32 percent, Hartman, 27 percent, and O’Malley, who was recognized by 22 percent of respondents.

Johnson County businessman Greg Orman is said to be considering an independent run for governor. He narrowly lost a primary challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts in 2014.

Svaty and his wife, Kimberly, are expecting their fourth child in the fall. The family splits time between a home in Topeka and their farm in Ellsworth County.

Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of kcur.org, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks

6 survive Kansas rollover crash thanks to seat belts

Photos courtesy Ford County Fire and EMS

FORD COUNTY – First responders are crediting seat belts with saving the occupants of rollover accident from serious injury.

Early Monday, emergency crews were dispatched to 6 people involved in one vehicle rollover accident on U.S. 283 near Dodge City, according to a social media report from Ford County Fire and EMS.

Upon arrival, all six including one-year-old twins were out of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported.

Officials reminded this is a good reason why everyone needs to be properly restrained. Had improper or no restraints at all been used, the results of the accident would have been very different.

Hays baseball punches ticket to state

The Hays High Indians entered Tuesday’s regional tournament in Buhler on a six game losing streak.  They left with back to back wins and a spot in the 4A-D1 state tournament, beating McPherson 16-2 and Buhler 9-7.

Hays scored eight runs in the top of the first inning as McPherson committed two errors in the inning to keep the Indians at the plate.  The Bullpups answered back with two runs in the home half of the first inning.  After pushing two across the plate, starting pitcher Trey Riggs fielded a ground ball that started an inning ending double play with the bases loaded.  Hays plated five more runs in the top of the second inning to firmly grasp control of the game and were never threatened again.

Trey Riggs went the distance in the five inning run rule victory.  It is his fourth win of the season.  Tryone Wynn drove in seven runs, hitting a two run home run, a two run single and then a three run double.  He went 4-4 in the game.  Hays took seven walks and was hit once in the game.  Trey VanPelt and Trey Riggs each homered for the first time on the season.  In the game Hays hit three home runs after having just two through the twenty game regular season.

Highlights v McPherson

Grant Coffman took the mound in game two and kept the bats of Buhler quiet through his six and two-thirds innings of work.  Buhler had scored 21 runs in the just innings in a 21-0, three inning win against Ulysses earlier in the day.  Hays took a one run lead in the first inning on a bases loaded walk.  That lead held until the third when the Crusaders hit a pair of doubles to tie the game at one.  Hays again used the other teams errors to a big inning.

In the top of the fourth inning with one on and two out, Buhler looked to be getting out of the inning on a ground ball to third base.  The ball was bobbled though and Tyrone Wynn beat out a late throw to first.  After a walk to load the bases, Trey Riggs ripped a three run double to push the Hays lead up to 4-1.  Later in the inning Jace Armstrong struck out for the third out of the inning, but the catcher threw over the head of the first baseman after dropping the third strike.  The errant throw allowed two more runs to score and Hays added one more running following that to lead 7-1.

Highlights v Buhler

Hays scratched across two more runs on a Jace Armstrong RBI sacrifice bunt in the sixth and Dawson Harman single in the seventh.  Those single tallies turned out to be the difference in the game.  Coffman started the potential final batter of the game with his 105th pitch, allowing him to finish the at bat.  He ended up walking the batter and had to leave the game due to the KSHSAA pitch count rule.  Tyrone Wynn came on in relief and allowed two inherited runners to score and then four more of his own on a grand slam tightening the game to 9-7.  Palmer Hutchison then earned his first career save, inducing a ground ball out from the only batter he faced.

Coach Frank Leo

The two wins put Hays in the state tournament in Salina, which Buhler had won the year before.  It is the first trip to state for the Hays High Indians baseball team since 2012.  With the wins, Hays is now 10-12 on the year.

Hays will be the eight seed at the state tournament that still has one more spot to fill.  Andover Central (16-4) and Augusta (16-5) will have their regional championship game on Wednesday.  Other teams claiming spots on Tuesday:
Maize South (17-5)
Ottawa (16-5)
Topeka-Hayden (13-7)
Independence (10-8)
Bishop Miege (11-11)
Basehor-Linwood (10-11)
Hays (10-12)

Sen. Moran and bipartisan group of senators introduce legislation to honor first responders

2017_police-week-white-bkgd-web-fwOFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act to honor first responders who make the ultimate sacrifice.

The legislation would amend the U.S. flag code to allow the governor of a state to order the American flag to be lowered to half-staff in the event that a local first responder dies while serving in the line of duty. Currently, Governors only have the ability to order the flag to fly at half-staff after the death of a government official or the death of a member of the armed forces during combat.

“The police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect us deserve not only our gratitude but also our recognition,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will make certain that state leaders are empowered to honor and recognize the sacrifices of our first responders. As we commemorate National Police Week, we reflect on ways to show our appreciation – flying our flag at half-staff to honor those who have given their lives is a simple way to begin.”

The Honoring Hometown Heroes Act is supported by police officers and firefighters from across the nation.

“Everyday our law enforcement officers act heroically to save and help people they have never met before from all walks of life,” said President of the Fraternal Order of Police Chuck Canterbury. “These officers take an oath to protect and service their communities to make it a better and safer place for all those that live there. They are even willing to lay down their lives in the service of others.”

“First responders knowingly place their lives in jeopardy to preserve the lives of others. Sadly, not all of these first responders return to their families and homes,” said President and Chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs John D. Sinclair. “This simple yet effective and profound action will allow residents across the United States to honor first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“Every community across America relies on fire fighters and emergency medical technicians to respond to a variety of emergency situations. Sadly, more than one hundred times annually, these dedicated emergency responders pay the ultimate price by selflessly giving their very life for the service and protection of their community,” said President of the International Association of Firefighters Harold A. Schaitberger. “The Honoring Hometown Heroes Act is an important piece of legislation that recognizes the sacrifices made by our emergency response professionals.”

The bipartisan bill is also supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Honor Guard Commanders Association, National Honor Guard Academy and National Fire Academy Alumni Association.

National Police Week started on Sunday, May 14th and ends on Saturday, May 20th.

Eight Tigers selected to compete at NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Fort Hays State Track and Field will have eight athletes compete at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Bradenton, Florida, May 25-27. FHSU had five men and three women selected to compete.

FHSU men receiving the invitation include Dillando Allotey, Decano Cronin, Brett Meyer, Kolt Newell and TJ Dozier. FHSU women receiving the invitation are Alexcia Deutscher, Micki Krzesinski and Kelly Wycoff. Allotey and Wycoff will both compete in two events at the championships.

Allotey will compete in the 200 and 400 meters. He owns the eighth fastest time in the nation this year in the 200 meters (20.91 seconds) and the 11th fastest time in the 400 meters (47.09 seconds). He was an All-America performer in the 200 meters during the indoor season. Wycoff will compete in the same events on the women’s side. She owns the 16th fastest time in the nation in the 400 meters (54.80 seconds) and the 21st fastest time in the 200 meters (24.01 seconds).

Cronin and Meyer are a force for the Tigers in the 800 meters. Meyer already gained All-America honors earlier this year for the indoor season in the event, while Cronin was invited to nationals but unable to compete due to illness. Cronin moved to third on the national performance list this past weekend with an altitude adjusted time of 1:48.94, while Meyer is ninth on the performance list with a top time of 1:49.43 this year.

Newell continues to improve in the high jump, clearing a personal best 6 feet, 11 inches this past weekend. His effort ties for ninth best in the nation so far this year.

Dozier ranks 17th on the national performance list in the discus with his best effort at 172 feet, 3 inches this season.

Deutscher owns the fourth-best throw in the women’s javelin this year with a mark of 156 feet, 11 inches. Unfortunately, teammate Estefania Lopez, who owns the nation’s top mark this year, will not be able to compete at the championships due to an injury sustained in mid-April. Deutscher looks to carry on the strong tradition of recent women’s javelin throwers at FHSU.

Krzesinski will compete in the 10,000 meters at the championships. She ranks 11th on the national performance list with a time of 35:02.67.

Here is the schedule for the Tigers at the championships…

Thursday, May 25
Women’s 400 meter prelims (Wycoff) – 6:25 pm ET
Men’s 400 meter prelims (Allotey) – 6:40 pm ET
Women’s 10,000 meters (Krzesinski) – 8:55 pm ET

Friday, May 26
Men’s Discus (Dozier) – 5:00 pm ET
Women’s 200 meter prelims (Wycoff) –5:35 pm ET
Men’s 200 meter prelims (Allotey) –5:50 pm ET
Men’s 800 meter prelims (Cronin & Meyer) –6:20 pm ET

Saturday, May 27
Women’s Javelin (Deutscher) – 11:30 am ET
Men’s High Jump (Newell) – 5:30 pm ET
Women’s 400 meter final (Wycoff) – 6:15 pm ET
Men’s 400 meter final (Allotey) – 6:25 pm ET
Men’s 800 meter final (Cronin & Meyer) – 7:05 pm ET
Women’s 200 meter final (Wycoff) – 7:45 pm ET
Men’s 400 meter final (Allotey) – 7:55 pm ET

HHS soccer postponed

HAYS, Kan. – The Hays High soccer team got a little over five minutes into their match with Augusta before lightning moved into the area. After trying to wait out the storm, the scoreless contest was postponed. It will resume Wednesday where it left off at a time and place to be determined Wednesday morning.

The winner will play McPherson who beat El Dorado 10-0.

 

TMP softball blanks Ellsworth, to Championship

By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

TMP 7, Ellsworth 0

RUSSELL, Kan.-The TMP Lady Monarchs capitalized on Ellsworth errors all afternoon long in their 7-0 win over the Lady Bearcats in 3A Regional Semi-final play on Tuesday in Russell.  TMP scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning on only one hit, one hit by pitch and three Ellsworth errors.  The score remained 3-0 as the game headed into the late innings.

The first two batters reached for Ellsworth in the top of the sixth but were left stranded after three consecutive strikeouts by Alison Helget ended the threat.  TMP would take advantage in the bottom of the sixth by putting four runs on the board thanks to two hits, a walk and two more Ellsworth errors.  Helget shut the door in the top of the 7th to seal the TMP victory, helping move their record to 16-6 on the season.

The Lady Monarchs were awaiting the winner of Russell and Hugoton for the championship game when weather intervened in the top of the 7th with one out and Russell leading 7-3.  After waiting for over an hour for lightning to clear rain came and washed the rest of the game out and the Lady Broncos were declared the winner.  TMP and Russell will meet for the Regional Championship on Thursday at 2pm in Russell.

 

Man charged in Kan. woman’s death to receive psych evaluation

Rontarus Washington, Jr. -courtesy photo

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man accused of killing his 19-year-old neighbor will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial.

Lawyers for 20-year-old Rontarus Washington Jr., was scheduled to go on trial Tuesday for first-degree murder in the November 2014 death of Justina Altamirano Mosso at an apartment in Lawrence.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports an earlier evaluation found Washington suffers from several significant mental disorders and determined he was incompetent to stand trial.

Because of those findings, Washington’s attorney requested he undergo the psychiatric evaluation.

Judge James McCabria granted the motion and suspended the trial until the evaluation is complete.

Washington will be committed to the Larned State Hospital for no more than 60 days for the evaluation.

Kansas woman charged in alleged bleach attack

Witt-photo Reno Co.

HUTCHINSON — A second suspect has been charged in an alleged attack from April.

Destiny Witt, 19,  was before a judge Monday where she was read the charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and battery.

Witt and Jamice Craig are charged in the case. The victim says the incident occurred in the 600 block of East 4th at a local laundry mat.

The victim was allegedly knocked down, had bleach poured on her and her ankle run over by a vehicle.

She was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Witt asked for a reduction of her $45,000 bond, but that was denied.

The cases against Witt and Craig will now move to a waiver-status docket.

Kansas Senate backs down from floor debate on concealed guns

Senator Carolyn McGinn chairs the Ways and Means Committee

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has backed away from a floor debate on the state’s controversial concealed carry law and opted to send a bill back to committee.

Senators on Tuesday voted to send back a bill that would allow public hospitals and nursing homes, community mental health centers, low-income health clinics and the University of Kansas Medical Center to ban guns in their facilities.

Under a law taking effect July 1, those health care providers will have to either allow guns on the premises or secure building entrances using metal detectors and armed guards. The bill would allow the facilities to ban guns without paying for the added security.

Ways and Means Committee Chair Sen. Carolyn McGinn says the committee could work on the bill as soon as Wednesday.

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