TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas lawmakers and animal welfare advocates are holding up a bill increasing fees on pet stores, breeders and kennels in hopes that they can also pass more stringent oversight of breeders.
House and Senate negotiators couldn’t agree last week on a bill increasing fees and oversight. They moved forward with only the fee increase. But House members rejected that Thursday and sent the bill back to the negotiating committee.
At issue is a measure to require surprise inspections of breeders, a move supporters say would help address problem breeders, or “puppy mills” that mistreat animals.
Those who oppose surprise inspections say alerting breeders about an inspection ensures someone will be at the facility when inspectors arrive, but doesn’t allow breeders time to hide wrongdoing.
TOPEKA – May 7-13 marks National Travel and Tourism Week across the U.S, and there’s no better time to make plans to join the more than 35 million people who enjoy traveling and visiting in Kansas each year.
“Studies indicate that a vacation helps reduce stress and bolsters the immune system,” said Linda Craghead, Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. “Kansas offers so many unique experiences for visitors and residents alike. Not only does a vacation feel wonderful, time away also benefits creativity, cultural awareness, education, happiness, productivity and relationships. We encourage all Kansans to get away from the rat race and explore their beautiful state.”
A great way to start planning a trip is to download the new TravelKS app available free from the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play Store. Search the store for “Kansas Tourism” or download the app from TravelKS.com. You can create and save your own unique itinerary, and thanks to a geotracking feature, you can easily find things to see and do near you.
There’s no place like Kansas, so don’t forget to snap pictures of your experiences and enter your best shots in the #NoPlaceLikeKS Photo Contest. All you have to do is show your favorite thing to do in Kansas, then share the image on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #NoPlaceLikeKS. You could have your masterpiece published in a national ad. Visit TravelKS.com for more information.
As if feeling great isn’t enough, traveling in Kansas is a $10.4 billion industry that helps boost the state’s economy. Travel in Kansas sustained 94,126 jobs in 2015 with an income of $2.9 billion, and traveler-supported employment represents 4.9 percent of all employment in the state. Travelers’ spending directly generated $1 billion in total tourism-supported tax revenues for Kansas and $588 million in state and local government revenues in our state.
Learn more about Kansas tourism at www.travelks.com, download the TravelKS app or call (785) 296-2009. Find Kansas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TravelKS and on Twitter at @TravelKS.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City man was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on additional charges related to the armed robbery of a Jimmy John’s restaurant and a carjacking, according to Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Terry K. Rayford, 54, of Kansas City, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Rayford on April 28, 2017, and includes additional charges.
The federal indictment contains the original charge of being a felon in possession of firearms. Rayford is also charged with one count of carjacking, one count of armed robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the federal indictment, the charges stem from two incidents that occurred on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Rayford allegedly robbed the Jimmy John’s restaurant, located at 3900 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., at gunpoint. Rayford is also charged with brandishing a Witness-P .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun during that robbery.
Rayford allegedly stole a 1998 Ford Econoline E350 van at gunpoint on the same day. Rayford is also charged with using or brandishing a Witness-P .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a Jimenez 9mm semi-automatic handgun during the carjacking.
Caught on camera: robbery at Jimmy Johns, 39th & Broadway, last night. VERY clear video. Can you help ID suspect? https://t.co/AlbgmPFe0n
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Rayford has 13 felony convictions for robbery and he was on parole at the time of the alleged offenses.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the firearms were found in Rayford’s vehicle after he was stopped by Independence, Mo., police officers at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Officers received information about a person matching the description of the suspect in the Jimmy John’s restaurant the day before. A retired major with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department had seen video of the robbery broadcast on the news and saw Rayford – who appeared to be the robbery suspect – driving in the area of 40 Highway and Crysler in Independence.
Independence police officers responded to the area and stopped Rayford’s vehicle. When they ordered him to get out of his vehicle, officers found the Witness-P .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun lying on the driver’s side floorboard. Rayford was arrested and his vehicle towed. During an inventory of the vehicle, the Jimenez 9mm semi-automatic handgun was found in the back pouch of the front passenger seat.
Rayford told investigators he had stolen both of the handguns from his source of supply for crack cocaine, to whom he owed money.
Joseph W. “Joe” McGonagle, age 88, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on June 2, 1928 in Fairview, Oklahoma the son of Charles Frank and Ruth Gertrude Pettitt McGonagle. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1965 moving from Syracuse, Kansas, he was a Power Plant Manager and Operator for Wheatland Electric and Sunflower Electric and served in the Merchant Marines attached to the US Navy during World War II.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scott City, IOOF Lodge, Masonic Lodge & Shrine Club of Scott City, Past Scout Master Troop 77, National President of REA.
On June 9, 1949 he married Reba M. Veach in Syracuse, Kansas. She passed away on December 2, 2007 in Scott City, Kansas.
Survivors include his Two Sons – Tim & Patrina McGonagle of Scott City, Kansas, Scott & Lynette McGonagle of Houston, Texas, One Daughter – Sheri & Jeff Hinman of Snohomish, Washington, Nine Grandchildren – Sam & Evan Graber of Wichita, Kansas, Kaylene McGonagle of Scott City, Kansas, Katie McGonagle of Scott City, Kansas, Matthew & Kelli McGonagle of Clayton, North Carolina, Megan & Brandon Moor of Lyons, Kansas, Shae & Becca Hinman of Canton, Georgia, Abby & Garett Henson of Gardner, Kansas, Dru & Brittney Hinman of Wichita, Kansas, Molly & Will Hinds of Plano, Texas & Eight Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, Two Sisters – Dorothy & Jean, Three Brothers – Howard, Mike and Gerald.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. John Lewis & Rev. Evan Graber presiding.
Memorials may be given to Camp Lakeside or United Methodist Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Patricia Joan (Morton) Tremblay, 84, of Colby, passed away, May 5, 2017, at Colby Health & Rehab, in Colby. She was born February 11, 1933, in Palco, KS, to Roy G. & Irene (Gibson) Morton.
Pat graduated in 1952 from Palco High School. During her high school years she participated as a Cheerleader, Drum Majorette/Twirler as well as other activities.
On November 10, 1952, she was united in marriage to Elric Alfred “Rick” Tremblay at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, in Damar. To this union five children were born, Deborah, Kevin, Karen, Shelly and Lisa. During their married life, they lived in Palco, Hoxie and Colby. She worked at various places during her life such as her brother’s Drug Store in Palco, Hoxie Bowling Alley and Daylight Donuts in Colby.
She was a Girl Scout Leader, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Colby and the Queen Mary Altar Society Circle. She enjoyed sewing, scrap bookkeeping, crocheting, camping, traveling, playing cards, helping Rick with woodworking projects for the grandkids and planning family reunions. Pat was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She treasured her family and especially “spoiling” her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Deborah Kay Tremblay; her parents; brother, Don Morton and sister, Ginger Baker.
Members of her legacy of life include her devoted husband, Rick, of Colby; son, Kevin (Joyce) of Hoxie; daughters, Karen (Ed) Rimmer, of Salina, Shelly (Jim) Harms, of Colby, and Lisa Johnson, of Salina; grandchildren, Kyle (Shayla) Tremblay, Wade (Amanda) Tremblay, Bryan (Tiffani) Johnson, Bret (Nicole) Tremblay, Justin Harms, Thomas (Amy) Rimmer, Amanda (Chris) White, Tammy Johnson, Elizabeth Rimmer (Elliott) and Christina (Kenneth) Frank, 14 great grandchildren and the expectant arrival of three more great grandchildren to be added soon. She is also survived by her brother, Gerald (Isla) Morton of Casper, WY; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be 4-7:00 p.m. Monday, May 8, 2017 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colby, with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials will be accepted in her name to be designated later by the family in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
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RUSH CENTER–The Walnut Valley Senior Center at Rush Center, 220 Washington Street, will serve a Potato Bar the third Sunday of each month through June 2017.
The Potato Bar meals will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all to enjoy.
The remaining dates are:
May 21
June 4
For more information call (785) 372-1212 or (785) 222-2746.
Hours of Business:
Monday to Saturday: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
J D’s Country Style Chicken is a chicken restaurant and the name you can trust in providing catering services to Hays, KS. We have been offering great tasting food and the best catering services at reasonable prices. Let us satisfy your cravings; enjoy our freshly made dishes every day, and let us help you with all your catering services needs.
Contact J D’s Country Style Chicken today at 785-625-3013 for all of your catering services needs
A workshop on customer service will be offered in June as part of the summer workshop series from the Management Development Center at Fort Hays State University.
“First Impressions Matter: A Customer Service Workshop” will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, in the Expeditions Room at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays.
This training will assist participants in implementing a service culture within their organization. The workshop will also help develop individual professional and personal aptitudes in the areas of customer service, telephone etiquette, communication and listening, written and email communication.
Dr. Stacey Smith, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies, and Sabrina William, director of the Management Development Center, will facilitate.
Each person who completes the workshop will receive a completion certificate. The cost is $119 and includes a complimentary lunch. Registrations received prior to June 6 are appreciated. Hays Area Chamber of Commerce members are eligible for a 15-percent discount.
On Feb. 25, students from TMP-Marian High School and Junior High participated at the Fort Hays State University Science and Engineering Fair at the Memorial Union on the Fort Hays campus.
Participants were Creighton Renz, junior; Isabel Peine, eighth grade; Sophia Balthazor, Whitney Befort, Sophia Linenberger, Kenton Ginther, Hayli Meier, Madelyn Seiler, Emilee Lane and Divya Somayaji, seventh grade.
They had various projects ranging from medicating plants to analyzing the cleanliness of fuels. Students competed with other students in the area. There were a total of 42 projects.
Ginther, Balthazor, and Lane received bronze medals; Meier, Linenberger, Somayaji and Renz, received silver; and Befort, Seiler and Peine received gold.
Those who received gold medals qualified for the Kansas Science and Engineering Fair in Wichita on March 31 at Exploration Place.
Seilern’s project earned a bronze medal in physical science and astronomy.
Peine earned first place with her chemical energy project on how clean ethanol burns when it is added to unleaded gas. She also received high honors with a Kansas Academy of Math and Science summer camp scholarship and was a nominee for the Broadcom Masters Recognition and invitation to Masters 2017 Top Science Fair Nationals.
This venue provides students with experience in critical thinking, leadership and creative problem solving. Students from around the state are given an opportunity to showcase their talents in this academic setting, and earn rewards and honors. Attending one of the six regional science fairs within the state is a prerequisite of attending the state fair. The Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair competition involved students in dynamic scientific investigations. The participating students gain perspective of the world through science and math and develop skills necessary to persist in today’s society.
In the Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair competition, the main emphasis is on individual scientific research. Students learn how to conduct valid scientific research and how to communicate their findings both written and orally. The Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair is part of a progressive opportunity for students to compete at local, regional, state and international levels. Students who participate in the fairs have the opportunity to win numerous awards that include trophies, cash and scholarships.
ABILENE – A new temporary exhibit titled “Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House” opens at the Eisenhower Presidential Library on Friday, May 12. The opening reception will be held that evening in the Library Courtyard from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and includes a meet and greet with Marlin Fitzwater. RSVP by May 9 to the Eisenhower Foundation at [email protected] or (785) 263-6771.
Fitzwater grew up in Abilene and graduated from K-State in 1965. He rose through the ranks of civil service in Washington, D.C., serving as spokesperson and speechwriter for several agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, and Department of Treasury.
In 1983, Fitzwater joined the White House staff, where he remained for ten years including six years as press secretary. He is the only press secretary in history to be appointed by two Presidents. He is a best selling author and consulted for the award-winning television show, West Wing.
The exhibit in collaboration with K-State Libraries will remain on display until Aug. 20. Fitzwater, who received an honorary doctorate from Kansas State University in 2015, recently donated his personal papers to the Richard L. D. & Marjorie J. Morse Department of Special Collections at K-State Libraries. The items in the exhibit represent a small sample of the donation. Visitors will be able to examine correspondence, publications, photos, memorabilia and official government documents. The collection is available to researchers at K-State Libraries.
Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland has more than 120 summer camps and activities planned across the state, and all K-12 girls are invited to attend and experience leading the way like a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader).
Registration for Girl Scout summer camps and activities is now open. Girls and their families can find upcoming camps and activities, including a link to register, by going to kansasgirlscouts.org/events. Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is committed to providing camp opportunities for every girl, regardless of her financial situation. Camp scholarships are available, thanks to the generosity of donors.
At camp, girls develop a sense of responsibility, become more independent, and most importantly, have fun. Camping, a Girl Scout tradition since 1912, gives girls the opportunity to develop leadership and outdoor skills, lifelong friendships, and a deep appreciation for nature. From day camps to weeklong adventures in a cabin or under the stars, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland offers a variety of activities to fit the interests of every girl.
Here are examples of upcoming Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland camps and activities in northwest Kansas:
· Enriching the Animals, Enriching You – 1 to 3:30 p.m. June 25 at Brit Spaugh Zoo, 2123 Main St., Great Bend. K-3 girls will help make enrichment tools for the animals, learn about animal habitats, and discover how to be a friend to wildlife. $3 per girl member/$18 per girl non-member. Register by June 12.
· What Kind of Citizen Are YOU? – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 1 at First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th St., Hays. K-12 girls will learn what it means to be a good citizen, including the importance of the American flag. They will earn a patch, play games, make flag friendship pins, and have a patriotic tea party with lunch provided. $10 per girl member/$25 per girl non-member. Register by June 19.
· Spirit of Nature Camp – 10 a.m. July 10 to 3 p.m. July 13 at Camp Lakeside, 300 E. Scott Lake Dr., Scott City. Bring your friends for a three-night adventure at camp! Girls in grades 2-10 will enjoy hiking, canoeing, swimming and other traditional camp activities as they make memories to last a lifetime. All meals provided. $162 per girl member/$146 per adult member; $177 per girl non-member/$161 per adult non-member. Register by May 26.
· Wild About Water! – 9 a.m. to noon July 22 at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 Hwy, Great Bend. Girls in grades 6-12 will explore the world of water, which is a vital part of our planet. Girls will earn a Water Fun patch as they discover Cheyenne Bottoms! $3 per girl or adult member/$18 per girl or adult non-member. Register by July 10.
Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland’s camp season is June 1 through July 31. Other fun summer events planned include programs with the Hays Public Library, the Hays Academy of Hair Design, Pasta Jay’s, and Sternberg Museum.
Camp Four Winds
Regional busing will also be provided from the Girl Scout office in Hays to select overnight camps at Camp Starwoods, 7800 S. 103rd St. W., Clearwater, and Camp Four Winds, 9236 SE Quivera Rd., Leon; at least six campers must be registered.
For additional information and a complete list of summer activities, go to kansasgirlscouts.org, email [email protected], or call toll-free (888) 686-6468.
About Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland serves more than 14,500 girls and adults in 80 Kansas counties through its operational headquarters in Wichita, Kan., and regional offices in Salina, Hays, Emporia and Garden City.
Tim SchumacherWe’ll start with a simple statement. Every penny that every retiree receives from every defined benefit plan comes from two sources: 1) Cash contributions, mostly from the employers but often from workers, too. 2) Interest, dividends, and capital gains earned on the investments into which those cash contributions are placed.
Unlike the federal government, cities and states can’t print currency, so when the money is gone, it’s gone.
Here lies the basic problem as neither of these two is producing at the level necessary to deliver the promised benefits. And the longer we go without fixing the problem, the smaller the chance becomes.
Underfunding a pension plan, along with over-stating the expected returns is a basic formula for disaster. The KPERS pension plan has been an expert at both of these strategies.
As much as we’d like to single out Gov. Brownback for his lack of funding to the pension plan, in reality the underfunding has been happening for years. An underfunded pension plan can only pay claims with dollars that exist. No one gets anything if the money isn’t there.
And the low funding levels would be far lower if they didn’t assume investment returns that are unreachable. How can an 8% return be reached each and every year when most pension plans typically have only 40-50% of their assets in equities, something life 40% in bonds, and the rest in real estate and alternative asset classes? Keeping 40% in bonds at 3% (on a good year) means everything else has to make 15%. Do you really want to bet that stock returns will average 15% over your retirement lifetime? And the scary part is that although financial markets have posted impressive gains since 2008, the pension plan funding ratios have been declining, although you wouldn’t know that with the rosy reports coming out of Topeka.
And keep in mind that if we do have another correction and the pension fund loses billions, then it will take more that the already ridiculous 8% assumption, just get back to where we were. (A 50% loss requires a 100% return just to get back to even).
Workers have every right to demand higher retirement benefits because to them, a promise to have a retirement benefit is in lieu of a higher salary, today. Elected officials have every incentive to promise those benefits, because the immediate cost of doing so is much smaller than the perceived value they give to workers, and they get the votes and cooperation of the workers. The problems that come down the road will be dealt with by other politicians, hence the phrase, “kicking the can down the road.”
The problem in Kansas (and probably many other states) and we’ve actually seen this, is that it is easy to shop around for a consultant who gives them whatever numbers they desire, but as time goes on, the bogus numbers get bigger and bigger. This has held true for budget numbers in general, and has been witnessed, personally, in the KPERS seminars given by representatives from Topeka. Although, understandably, some don’t want to hear that their state pension program is, or soon will be, insolvent, you certainly won’t get that indication from the KPERS representatives.
Where in other areas of financial planning there may be some sort of solution, the only one this author can recommend is “Start Saving. You may be on your Own.”
Tim Schumacher represents Strategic Financial Partners in Hays.
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