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Month: July 2017

Kansas man jailed after high-speed motorcycle chase

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Curtice photo KDOC

BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on new drug and driving charges after a high-speed chase.

Just after 10:30 Friday, Hoisington Police Officer Ryan Conley observed a motorcycle on Main Street near Railroad Street and recognized it as possibly belonging to a subject currently being sought in reference to an earlier report of a domestic disturbance, according to a social media report.

Officer Conley followed the motorcycle until he could confirm it did in fact belong to that subject and then attempted to stop the motorcycle near East Third Street on North Pine Street.

The driver, ultimately identified as 34-year-old Nicholas Curtice refused to yield and increased his speed, traveling north to East Seventh Street, then east to North Cedar Street and finally headed east out of town on Kansas 4 Highway.

Officer Conley later advised during the chase speeds reached 125 mph. At one point the driver of the motorcycle reached a dead end and Officer Conley took the opportunity to use his patrol car as a makeshift roadblock and had the driver at gunpoint. However, the driver ignored Officer Conley’s commands and drove the motorcycle around the patrol car.
At one point the chase went into Rush County and then the suspect returned to Barton County. During the chase the suspect was observed discarding what was believed to be narcotics which were later recovered.
The chase ended in the 1200 block of Northwest 140 Avenue when the motorcycle ran out of gas and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Police arrested Curtice and charged him with unlawful possession of controlled substances, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving, driving while revoked and expired registration.
The motorcycle was impounded and the owner, wanted in connection with the earlier report of a domestic disturbance, has not yet been located.

Curtice has previous convictions for drugs, flee and attempt to elude, criminal damage and driving while suspended in Barton County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. junior college student sentenced for fire from chemical experiment

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Coble

HUTCHINSON — A judge Friday sentenced a Hutchinson college student to five years in prison for starting a fire while conducting chemical experiments in his apartment.

District Judge Trish Rose sentenced 23-year-old Chase Coble, a Hutchinson Community College chemistry student, who was convicted last month of aggravated arson.

Coble contends that he was conducting experiments in his 12th-floor apartment, creating chemical heat to meld metal to plastic. He says there was nothing nefarious about what it. The flash fire set off sprinklers and alarms, which alerted authorities.

Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder says Coble had done at least 50 experiments in the apartment, with ingredients including chlorine gas. He says Coble also removed a window and threw items in the alley below in an apparent attempt to hide them.  Coble, who is from the Salina area, was attending Hutchinson Community College at the time of the explosion and fire.

O’Loughlin fourth grader to be published in ‘Treasured’

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O’Loughlin fourth grader Grace Glover’s poem titled “Earth” will be featured in the America Library of Poetry book “Treasured” later this year.

Glover’s work was submitted by her teacher Kenda Leiker.

Fewer than 20 percent of the poems submitted were selected to be showcased in this publication. Students enrolled in grades three through 12 were eligible for submission.

“We are truly proud of Grace for her wonderful work. Thank you to Kenda for recognizing Grace’s talent and submitting the poem to the America Library of Poetry,” Superintendent John Thissen said during the School Spotlight at Monday’s school board meeting.

Hays ends season on walk-off loss

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Hays saw their season come to a close on Saturday at the AAA State Legion tournament as they lose 6-5 to the Ottawa Arrows.  Hays took the lead in the top of the seventh inning on a Cole Murphy single to plate Trey Riggs.  Hays just missed a double play to end the game with runners at first and second.  Brock Huddleston who is headed to Emporia State as an offensive lineman hit a ball to the gap in right center field that rolled to the wall and scored two runs, the winning run from first.

Highlights

Hays was not hit through the first five innings.  The Eagles scored a single run in the second on an Ottawa error.  The Arrows answered back with a home run on the first pitch of the bottom of the second.

Ottawa scored another run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.  Hays finally broke through in the sixth inning on a Grant Coffman two run single.  Coffman later scored on a fielding error to tie the game at four.

Coach Dustin Schumacher

Palmer Hutchison went six and two-thirds innings in the loss.  The tournament and summer for Hays comes to a close one game shy of the state title game.

Each team had three errors in the contest.  Ottawa scored their six runs on seven hits and received four walks and a hit batter.  Hays scored their five runs on four hits and received six walks and one hit batter.

Man killed when motorcycle crashes into tree in Kansas

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First responders on the scene of the accident-photo courtesy KCTV

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, say a man was killed when the motorcycle he was driving crashed into a tree.

Police did not immediately identify the victim of the crash Friday night.

Investigators say the man died at the scene.

MARSHALL: Doctor’s Note July 29

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Check out a few clips of my conversation on foreign policy, military readiness and family with my friend and fellow freshman, Rep. Liz Cheney.

In the House
Meetings at the Pentagon

General James McConville

This week, I went to the Pentagon to meet with General James McConville, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Chief of Army Legislative Liaison, Brig. Gen. Brian E. Winski. While there, I advocated for Fort Riley and discussed the installation’s strengths. I was also given a tour of the “Eisenhower Corridor” in the Pentagon, where they discussed the President’s achievements.

Trade Letter
This week, I lead a letter with Rep. Gallagher (R-WI) to the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Bob Lighthizer.

It is great to see my Republican freshman colleagues take a strong stand on an issue like trade, which is critical to the economic wellbeing of Kansas, and the country.

In a time such as this, where the ag economy is trying to see itself out of a slump, we must be doing all we can to ensure we open every possible market to our producers. I am confident that Ambassador Lighthizer will be a great ally in this mission.

Make America Secure Appropriations Act
Yesterday, the house passed the Make America Secure Appropriations Act.

This Act secures our nation’s borders, freezes pay for Members of Congress, allocates more funds to the VA than ever before, gives our troops the highest pay raise in 8 years, and rebuilds our military.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson

Meeting with Secretary Ben Carson
Great to hear from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson (shown left) this week. Secretary Carson told us about the work he is doing to roll back onerous regulatory burdens, promote home ownership, allow credit-worthy borrowers access to capital, and to help others – like him – achieve the American Dream.

Reaction to President’s Military Transgender Announcement
When it comes to military strategy and readiness, I trust our generals. The President made clear that this decision came after consultation from his generals, and I support them.

Kendall Frazier

Kansan testifies before the House Ag Committee
It was great to welcome Kansas native and cattle industry leader, Kendall Frazier, to the House Ag Committee on Wednesday. Kendall testified on how crucial international markets, like Canada and Mexico, are to U.S. cattle producers. He also highlighted the challenges facing the cattle industry since the demise of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which left U.S. producers at a significant disadvantage to Australian producers.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or know of ways my office can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.

2017 Total Solar Eclipse viewing party will be at Sternberg

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From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History will be the place to be to view the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Brought to you by Sternberg, the Fort Hays State University Foundation, The Meckenstock Group and Dock’s Boat & RV. The staff at Sternberg will have a variety of eclipse-related activities and exhibits set up for children and adults, and viewing glasses will be available for purchase. Smokin’ Co. BBQ and Taco Riendo will be on hand offering their lunch specialties and Ice Cream Express will be on site for cool desserts.

Check back for updated fun facts, videos and explanations of the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event!

Eclipse Fast Facts

• Carbondale, Ill., will experience the longest total eclipse duration, clocking in at two
minutes, 43 seconds, beginning at 1:20 p.m. CDT.
• Hopkinsville, Ky., will view the greatest eclipse – that is, where the sun, the moon
and Earth line up the most precisely. The eclipse begins there at 1:24 p.m. CDT.


Video courtesy NASA

SW Kan. man accused of holding judge hostage is guilty of terrorism

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Nichols-photo Finney Co.

GARDEN CITY – A Kansas man accused of forcing himself at gunpoint into a state judge’s home and holding the judge hostage for several hours while making demands of other state officials has been convicted of terrorism, according to Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

A Finney County jury Friday found Jason Linn Nichols, 34, of Garden City, guilty of one count of terrorism, one count of kidnapping, one count of aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of criminal threat and one count of criminal restraint. The jury also found Nichols not guilty of a second count of terrorism. Senior Judge Jack Burr presided over the trial. Sentencing has been set for September 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Finney County District Court.

Schmidt filed criminal charges in June 2016 in connection with the incident that occurred May 31, 2016, in Garden City. Evidence presented at trial showed that while Nichols held the judge in his Garden City home he demanded a phone call be placed to the Kansas secretary of revenue. During that call, Nichols demanded the Department of Revenue provide to Nichols various types of information related to state taxes.

Kansas law defines terrorism to include the commission of a felony with the intent to influence government policy by intimidation or coercion or with the intent to affect the operation of any unit of government. Under Kansas law, a terrorism conviction carries a possible life prison sentence.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Garden City Police Department, Finney County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Dodge City Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Jessica Domme of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case.

Gov. candidate Barnett talks ag, health care in Hays

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By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

Republican candidate for governor Dr. Jim Barnett stopped in Hays on a statewide ag tour Friday to discuss the importance of agriculture to growing the state economy.

“You have to help to find ways to help the economy grow,” he said. “That has been one of our focuses. … It is obvious to us that the next governor has to understand and promote the value and importance of agriculture. It is a core of our state and the root of our economy. It actually represents the personality of Kansas as well.”

Aaron White, local farmer and director for the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, brought several concerns to Barnett about improving the ag economy in Kansas.

White, who also worked for Cargill for a time, said there are issues with logistics in shipping and processing ag commodities in the state.

Some railroad spurs have closed, and the lines that are left have a minimum of 110 cars. This makes it difficult for small elevators to ship their commodities.

White told Barnett he would like to see the governor increase the maximum weight load for shipping by semi-truck during harvest. Colorado, Oklahoma and Nebraska all do this, and some carriers avoid Kansas because they are carrying heavier loads.

“This would help farmers and elevators get their products out faster,” he said.

The current system discourages farmers from diversifying their crops, White said.

Farmers who try to produce nontraditional crops have no local destinations to take their harvests. He gave the example of a state program that offered incentives for white wheat. Producers were offered 22 cents per bushel to produce the crop, but the farmers stopped using the program because the local elevators wouldn’t take it.

White also said he would like to see more opportunities for local commodity processing — whether that be local milling, ethanol production or other products.

Barnett said Kansas ag is crucial to the success of the state economy.

“That is why I am here today,” he said. “I understand how important agriculture and livestock is to Kansas. We can’t afford to lose a $5 billion industry from Kansas because we don’t have water or we don’t have roads …

“We put all our eggs in one basket, which was the zeroing out of taxes, and the rest went to the wayside. As a result, we got behind. We are behind. We are behind border states and the rest of states in economic growth, and we developed a huge budget shortfall.”

Barnett said he supports returning to the three-legged stool approach to taxes, which relies equally on property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes.

He is not supporting increases in taxes. He said stabilizing the state’s budget could take as much as 10 years.

“In my opinion, long-term, the only way to get out of it is through economic growth. I don’t think we can increase taxes enough to solve any of our budget issue long-term. We are going to have to build on the foundation we have now with the legislature,” he said.

One attendee asked Barnett about immigration. Barnett said legal immigration is necessary to farming in Kansas.

“The immigrant workforce, and we want those to be legal immigrants, are crucial to the ag economy,” Barnett said.

He added, “If the next governor of Kansas works in a restrictive way or gets too far into the issue of blaming our economy on illegal immigration, we are going to hurt ourselves.”

Barnett said the federal government’s attempt to pass comprehensive immigration reform had been a “maddening failure.”

Barnett, who has been a physician for 35 years, was asked several questions about health care.

Barnett said hospitals are going to need to stay open if the state is going to keep its communities alive. He said he supported the expansion of Medicaid in Kansas, but the real reform needs to come in reducing the high cost of medical care.

Dawn Berry of Hays said her mother, who is in nursing home care, is paying more on private pay than those who were on Medicaid. Barnett noted when Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for the full cost of care or someone is treated in an emergency room and can’t pay, those with insurance or private pay have to share the cost.

“Medicaid is a program with many, many problems, as our entire health care system is,” Barnett said. “Many people are caught in the intersection of higher and higher and higher health care costs, really out-of-control health care costs, and the intersection of low wages. It is not because they don’t want to work. They are working. Many of them are working two jobs, and they still can’t afford health care.”

Barnett said he favors a system known as value-based purchasing that rewards health care systems for keeping people healthy rather than running expensive tests and keeping hospital beds full.

BEECH: Keys to embracing aging

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Linda Beech

I celebrated a birthday this week. It was another of those milestones which cause us to pause and reflect on growing older.

The good news is that life does not have to diminish with age. In fact, research with 100-year-olds shows how the acceptance of aging can be positive, joyful, and exciting. They demonstrate that aging brings new experiences, knowledge, wisdom, and a greater ability to engineer a positive approach to the aging process. Many centenarians contribute their longevity to the following keys to embracing aging:

1. Positive Attitude- A positive attitude affects overall happiness, health, and well-being. A positive attitude can also help you better manage life’s transitions and challenges.

2. Eating Smart and Healthy- Eating a well-balanced diet can help prevent illness and chronic disease. It can also provide you with more energy so you can be alert and a better decision-maker.

3. Physical Activity- Regular exercise is associated with decreased death and disability from diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. It is also associated with positive psychological benefits. The most important thing to remember about exercise is to do it. Make exercise a habit.

4. Brain Activity- A healthy brain is crucial to survival, growth, and everyday successes. Similar to the rest of the body, the brain needs exercise and maintenance to optimize and protect its current and future health.

5. Social Activity- Engaged people are often healthier, happier, less depressed, and demonstrate enhanced brain vitality. Social activity also inspires a positive attitude, enhances self-esteem, connects you to family and peers, and reduces the risk of illnesses and disease.

6. Tuning-in to the Times- Staying in tune to the times throughout life promotes lifelong learning, which increases knowledge, problem-solving skills, and decision-making. Staying on top of the latest technology and keeping up with the news also enhances brain stimulation and helps broaden social opportunities and networks.

7. Safety- Practicing safety is important because it helps keep you out of harm’s way. From locking doors to learning how to prevent falls, it is important to be safe in the various realms of life including home, transportation, health, recreation, and emergency preparedness.

8. Know Your Health Numbers- Certain health numbers can save and extend your life. These numbers are associated with cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. A lifestyle including regular visits to a health-care provider, proper nutrition, and physical activity improves these numbers and contributes to healthy aging throughout the lifespan.

9. Stress Management- Appropriate stress is healthy and useful, but when stress overwhelms you, it can become distress, causing anxiety, tension, irritability, and a number of health problems. Learning what causes stress and how to manage it in positive ways helps you cope and live a more balanced, healthy life.

10. Financial Affairs- Good financial management is important whether you earn minimum wage or are a millionaire. The first step to healthy financial management is balancing income with expenses. With a money management and spending plan in place, you are more likely to meet your financial goals.

11. Sleep- Sleep has a major impact on overall health and quality of life, including the way you look, feel, and perform on a daily basis. Bodies need sleep to repair muscles, consolidate memories, and regulate hormones and appetite. When you sleep well, you wake up feeling refreshed and alert for daily activities

12. Taking Time for You- Taking time for yourself makes you a better family member, friend, co-worker, caregiver, or leader. Even if it is just for 10 minutes a day, a time out is good for your mind, body, and soul.

Since there is no magic potion to stop the aging process, it is important to take care of your body, mind, and spirit throughout your whole life. These 12 keys, and attention to healthy behaviors, encourage optimal aging throughout the life span.

More information is available in a series of twelve new publications from K-State Research and Extension. Contact the local Extension Office for the “Keys to Embracing Aging” series or find them at www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu.

Linda K. Beech is Cottonwood District Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Canning, music and social media programs on library schedule

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HPL

Head down to the library this August for a variety of free programs.

Basics of Home Canning: Join Linda Beech of the Ellis County Extension for a “basics of home canning” class on August 2 at 6:30 PM. Whether you’re new to food preservation of whether you’ve been “putting food by” for years, this class will help you learn the latest tips and techniques for safe and tasty food at home.

The Hollands!: Where can the whole family go for free live music? To the library, of course! On Thursday, August 3 at 6 PM the Hollands will give a free concert at the Hays Public Library. The Hollands are an internationally touring family who delight audiences with their modern take on Americana and folk music.

Social Media Workshop: The Hays Public Library is offering a social media workshop for adults on August 8 at 6:30 PM in the Young Adult computer lab. Whether you’d like to keep up with your kids on Facebook or improve your photography skills with Instagram, this workshop will teach you the ropes of the most popular social media platforms.

For more information on these and other programs, visit hayslibrary.org or call 785.625.9014.

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