BROWN COUNTY- A Kansas man died in an accident just after 12:30a.m Sunday in Brown County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Buick Century driven by Bruce A. Duncanson, 51, Sabetha, was southbound on U.S.75 three miles north of Sabetha.
The vehicle drifted left of center off of the roadway to the east. It struck a guardrail and vaulted into the creek bed.
Duncanson was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
BY SAM ZEFF
Educators and some lawmakers weren’t sure which Jeff King they were going to hear from Thursday.
Would the House K-12 Budget Committee hear from the conservative former Senate vice president who pushed through block grants and tried to defund the courts? Or would they hear from a constitutional lawyer with experience litigating school finance cases in Kansas?
Turns out it was the latter.
“I don’t think there’s anything he said that really threatens where the bill is going,” said Mark Tallman, the top lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards.
Sen. Barbara Bollier, a Republican from Mission Hills who will help write the Senate’s school funding plan, said she was reassured by King’s analysis.
“He did a very nice job in presenting a good, solid legal foundation,” Bollier said.
The K-12 Budget Committee has been working on a school funding formula for months. It looks very much like a formula that was scrapped for block grants two years ago. But it also calls for an additional $750 million in new money for public schools over the next five years.
King was hired for $50,000 to help the Legislature write a bill and present its case for constitutionality to the state Supreme Court.
He made two main points to the committee about school finance.
First, more money is better than less.
“The more money that is put in, the greater chance the court finds it constitutional,” he told the committee. “And what that limit is, I don’t know.”
And second, he said, the certainty of the revenue used to fund schools may be more important to the high court than the dollar figure.
“Funding that occurs today, next year, two years is more certain by definition than funding that occurs in five or six years,” King said.
The Legislature faces a projected $900 million budget hole in the next two fiscal years, so finding more money for education will be a challenge.
“Raising money sooner may be more difficult,” Tallman said. “Yet on the other hand, phasing in a plan means you also have to have a plan for that phased-in money.”
The committee has yet to approve the measure. Rep. Larry Campbell of Olathe, the committee’s chairman, said he hopes to work the bill Friday and maybe approve it then.
Any school funding bill still faces a long, hard slog after it gains the committee’s approval. Next up will be the Senate, whose members may have some different ideas. Most likely the bill will go to conference committee.
Whatever lawmakers do, they have to have a constitutional formula in place by June 30 — or the high court has said it will shut down schools.
Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR.org and the Kansas News Service and is co-host of the political podcast Statehouse Blend Kansas. Follow him on Twitter @SamZeff.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Students at Lincoln Elementary School had their first taste of golf lessons Thursday.
PE teacher Gay Flax was able to purchase a Start New At Golf (SNAP) set with the assistance of the Lincoln’s and O’Loughlin’s PTAs, her husband’s business Bieker Insurance, and a $2,000 grant. Students in grades kindergarten through fifth grades at both schools will be using the SNAP set.
The students are learning basic club grips and shots. The clubs are color coded to assist the children in remembering where to put their hands.
Students stand inside color-coded and numbered rings that help them adjust their swing for different types of strokes, including putting, chipping and driving.
The students use plastic clubs and large balls that resemble tennis balls. However, both the balls and clubs are weighted just as a standard golf clubs or balls.
The children can aim for putting targets or a large, round chipping and driving target that resembles an archery target.
The SNAGazoo is a shaft that makes a noise when the students use the correct swing. Other shafts have flags attached that make a snapping noise when the stroke is correctly executed.
“It gives them immediate feedback,” Flax said.
Flax said the program gives students an alternative to more athletic team sports.
“Kids need a lifelong skill,” she said. “Some students get tired of football, basketball and soccer.”
Golf is a skill that the students can use the rest of their lives, Flax said. It is also an activity that can get students who are less athletic interested in PE.
“One of the girls ran up to me and said, ‘I did it. I did it,’” Flax said. … “That is what I want. I want kids who are not interested in PE to have a reason to get excited.”
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
Being fit: That should be a goal for everyone. Health and physical fitness should be important to every individual. Today we’ll learn about a family fitness center which is working hard to involve people of all ages and to make their rural community even more healthy and physically fit.
Kristina Kaufman is executive director of Blythe Family Fitness in Pratt. She studied at McPherson College and met her husband through friends. He was a competitive bodybuilder and she gained interest in fitness and health through him. She later earned degrees in nutrition and business.
In 1996, Kristina and her husband opened a fitness center in Kingman. In 2004, they opened a second fitness center in downtown Pratt, upstairs from the Sears store, with approximately 15,000 square feet of space. Ultimately, Kristina and her husband were recruited to combine their business with the Blythe Family Fitness center as it began, and to manage and operate it as they do today.
“The Blythe family was from Pratt,” Kristina said. “Their dream was to have a facility that would benefit the entire community.” The family contributed funds which were combined with support from the community to build the fitness center. A plaque inside the front door recognizes Roy and Elsie Blythe who “quietly strove to live the Golden Rule, graciously sharing their generous hearts, patience and encouragement.”
In August 2011, Blythe Family Fitness opened its doors. The facility is a beautiful two-story building with approximately 50,000 square feet of space. This includes three basketball courts, a tennis court, a multi-purpose or training room, a racquetball court, tanning and spray tanning beds, and an extensive weight room. A walking track encircles one of the basketball courts. The center serves individual members and also hosts sporting events.
“We host gymnastics, volleyball and basketball tournaments,” Kristina said. “Last week we even had archery.”
True to its mission, the fitness center has opportunities for all ages. The center offers child care and summertime crafts for schoolchildren, a Retirefit program for age 60-plus, Tai Chi (I thought that was a flavor of tea), Pilates, yoga, Dance2Fit, group cycling, Execufit advanced weight training, classes, and more. There are offerings from competitive racquetball leagues to a smoothie bar and supplements.
“It’s a good problem to have, but I’m running out of space,” Kristina said. “We have people on waiting lists for our trainers.” She still does some training herself but now works mostly on management of the business.
In honor of one local leader, Jack Ewing, an offering called Jack’s after school program is provided for third through sixth graders. This includes games, exercise, homework time, leadership development, and healthy snacks developed in consultation with the local K-State Research and Extension office.
“We are part of a Healthy Coalition committee which is working on a grant to encourage a more healthy community,” Kristina said.
“The community is so supportive,” Kristina said. “We work with the city, the high schools, the grade schools, the parks and rec department, and Pratt Community College.”
Blythe Family Fitness has grown to more than 2,000 members. “Every year I try to find something new that we can offer,” Kristina said. “This is a very family-oriented place. That’s why I love it here.”
For more information, go to www.blythefamilyfitness.org.
Guests from out of town are often quite impressed with Blythe Family Fitness. “People from bigger cities tell us that they don’t have as nice a facility as we have here in Pratt,” Kristina said. That’s a high compliment to Pratt, a rural community of 6,495 people. Now, that’s rural.
“Our community has wonderful people, beautiful parks, and a terrific sports complex,” Kristina said. “I’m proud of Pratt.”
Being fit: That’s a goal which should be important to everyone. We commend Kristina Kaufman and all those involved with Blythe Family Fitness for making a difference by offering exercise alternatives for all ages. For the community of Pratt, this enterprise is a good fit.
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Breezy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 87. South southwest wind 11 to 14 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 7 to 13 mph.
Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday
Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – A child was hospitalized in critical condition after an a near drowning at motel pool on Saturday.
Police were dispatched to 605 Southwest Fairlawn in Topeka for report of a juvenile girl pulled from a swimming pool, unresponsive, according to a media release.
Patrons of the pool began to perform life saving measures until emergency medical crews arrived. She was transported to a local hospital.
The incident remains under investigation, according to police.
OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs and Related Agencies – convened a hearing May 4 to receive testimony from federal government and non-government witnesses regarding telemedicine and ways to increase access to healthcare, improve health outcomes, and lower costs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through telemedicine programs.
“Telehealth creates a bridge between our rural and urban centers – providers at an urban site can now diagnose and provide a care plan for veterans hundreds of miles away,” Sen. Moran said. “Telehealth can offer a veteran the means and flexibility to access care through the VA, especially when they struggle to physically visit a VA hospital. I look forward to seeing how VA telehealth improves the lives of veterans.”
At the hearing, Sen. Moran discussed access to TeleBenefits in Parsons, Kan. The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Parsons is the first site to offer TeleBenefits in Kansas where a veteran can connect virtually with a claim analyst and even submit supporting documents to their benefits claim.
As VA Outreach Coordinator Tara Cisneros told the Parsons Sun, “Anything we can do to reach our rural veterans, that’s what I’m aiming for. I just want them to know this service is here.”
Click here to watch the hearing.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Cleveland Indians to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.
Kelvin Herrera (1-1) gave up the home runs in a span of three pitches. Santana took a 2-0 pitch out to right-center. Lindor hit his eighth, which landed in the Indians’ bullpen.
Andrew Miller (2-0) picked up the victory, while Cody Allen earned his eighth save in as many opportunities, but had to work around a walk and a single.
The Royals led 1-0 going into the eighth, but the bullpen could not hold it.
Joakim Soria, the third Kansas City pitcher, gave up three hits and the tying run in the eighth for his second blown save. Kipnis’ two-out single scored Michael Brantley.
HAYS, Kan. – The Hays High baseball team scored three runs in the fourth inning and two in the fifth to rally past Goddard Eisenhower 6-2 Saturday afternoon in the final game of the 2017 Diamond Classic at the Hays High Field. The Indians (8-6) went 2-2 in the tournament.
The Indians used a single and three walks including one to Willie Sennet with the bases loaded to tie the game 2-2 in the third. Jace Armstrong followed with a two-run double to give Hays the lead for good.
They added two more runs in the fifth on a wild pitch and an error.
Trey Riggs (3-0) allowed two runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and four walks for the win. Easton Wamser pitched an 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for his first save.
The Indians had three players named to the All-Tournament team in Trey Riggs, Tyrone Winn and Grand Coffman.
Diamond Classic All-Tournament Team
MVP: Andrew Stratman, Salina Central
Salina Central: Andrew Stratman, Gleason Williams, Ethan Kickhaefer, Ben Driver
Goddard Eisenhower: Tanner Congleton, Mason Elston, Wade Reynolds
Great Bend: Bryce Lytle, Koy Brack, Brayden Smith
Hays High: Trey Riggs, Tyrone Wynn, Grant Coffman
BILL BARROW, Associated Press
STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — It’s “Trumpcare” now, and Republicans have to answer for it.
House Republicans finally pushed through a bill to gut Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. President Donald Trump hailed the replacement as “a great plan” that has “really brought the Republican Party together.”
Democrats are giddy about what could be severe political consequences for the GOP.
Republicans now own a measure that would curtail, and in some cases take away completely, benefits Americans have embraced after seven years. Chief among them: a guarantee of paying the same amount for coverage regardless of health history.
Democrats need to flip 24 seats between now and the 2018 elections to take control of the House. Of the 217 Republicans who backed the bill, 14 come from districts carried by Democrat Hillary Clinton last fall.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat the Fort Hays State baseball team 5-2.
The Bearcats strung together three straight singles off of starter Alex Ruxlow after he retired the first two batters of the inning to go up 4-2. A fourth hit following a stolen base and an error closed out the Northwest scoring.
Ruxlow allowed all five runs, three earned, on 12 hits over 7 2/3 innings and takes the loss.
Down 2-0, the Tigers got on the board on Ty Redington’s single to right center field which scored Clayton Basgall in the fifth. Dayton Pomeroy hit a solo homer an inning later to tie the game 2-2.
The Tigers close out their season Sunday in the series finale at 1pm.
FHSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND MARKETING
Megan Dougherty, a Wichita junior majoring in biology at Fort Hays State University, was awarded an Integrative Organismal Systems Physiology Fellowship from the American Physiological Society.
The prestigious $4,000 fellowship provides hands-on summer research experience and exposure to IOS mission areas of comparative and evolutionary biology for undergraduate students. In addition, Dougherty will receive housing compensation and a travel stipend to attend the APS Experimental Biology Meeting in San Diego, Calif.
Dougherty is one of seven students from across the nation to receive the fellowship. She will conduct research this summer with Dr. Yasuhiro Kobayashi, associate professor of biological sciences at FHSU.
