COFFEY COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident during a police pursuit just after 7a.m. Friday in Coffey County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Lyon County Deputies were involved a chase northbound on Interstate 35 five miles south of Waverly with a 2004 Jaguar X-type driven by London Leroy Blaylock, 24, Overland Park,
The driver swerved to avoid the stop sticks overturned and rolled. Blaylock was transported to Newman Regional Health Center. A passenger Raven Deon Anderson, 28, Grandview, MO., was transported to a hospital in Topeka.
The two-county chase started after deputies noticed the incorrect tag on the vehicle. They were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Blaylock is being held for Felony Flee and Elude, Reckless Driving and other traffic violations, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department.
PAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on felony drug charges.
Allen Bauer, 54 Larned, made a first appearance in the Pawnee County District Court Thursday, according to a media release.
On Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies arrested Bauer without incident at his home in Larned.
He is charged with (1) Possession of between 3.5 grams and 100 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property; (2) Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia suitable for distribution; (3) Unlawful use of a telecommunication device to distribute a controlled substance; and (4) Unlawful use of drug paraphernalia suitable for ingesting a controlled substance.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 28. The defendant remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff with bond set at $90,000.
Bauer has previous convictions for drugs in Pawnee County and Ellis County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Depending of his criminal history, if convicted as charged the defendant faces a presumptive prison sentence of between 138 and 204 months with the department of corrections.
EUDORA – Drawing on foreign policy experience in the Reagan White House, and his background growing jobs as Kansas Secretary of Commerce, Antonio Soave announced his campaign for the U.S. Congress Thursday. Soave is seeking the seat currently held by Republican Lynn Jenkins, who is not seeking reelection.
“After prayerful consideration with my family, and so much encouragement from the business community in the second district, I believe now is the time to put my experience to work for Kansas,” said Soave. “I know what it takes to grow jobs, both as a business owner, and from my experience as Secretary of Commerce, recruiting businesses to our state.”
Soave served as Kansas Secretary of Commerce from 2015 to 2017. He is also the founder and CEO of an international business transactions firm that assists companies with exporting their products and creating corporate alliances. Soave has worked extensively throughout North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Serving as an intern in the Office of Public Liaison, Department of Foreign Policy and Defense in the Reagan White House, Soave began a career in international relations. He currently serves on an advisory board for a foreign policy institute funded by Congress.
“We live in a world where tyrants have nuclear weapons capable of striking our homeland,” said Soave. “I have been working in foreign policy for three decades. I know what it takes to keep America safe.”
Soave currently serves as the executive director of the One Heart Project Kansas City Mentoring Initiative. The One Heart Project is a nonprofit organization that mentors at-risk youth in inner cities.
A Parade Magazine High School All-American, Soave married Ft. Scott native Ann Benage Soave in 2008 at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Ft. Scott. Together, they have four children.
The Hays USD 489 school board has accepted contracts from both of the custodians’ and teachers’ unions as of the this morning.
The board met in a special meeting this morning to accept the contracts. The board also voted to end its participation in the state insurance plan that is administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield in favor of an Aetna plan.
In the latest negotiations with the Service Employee International Union, which represents the custodians, the district was able to bargain the removal of specific language that required the district to provide the state plan.
The SEIU contract also included a 3 percent raise, adding language to the vacation and sick leave policy regarding leave start date and proration, and adding shift differentials.
Esau Freeman of SEIU said this morning by email, “SEIU has tentatively agreed on a contract with the school district. After extensively reviewing the information on the proposed health insurance changes, and securing a commitment that said the health plan will be equal to or better than the current state plan coverage we feel comfortable moving forward. We have always been open to the discussion of insurance benefits, and we are glad that we were able to come to an agreement that allows us to move forward willingly.”
The teachers ratified a contract last week.
“We are happy that the board voted to accept the tentative agreements that were brought forth to them from their bargaining team. As for the health insurance, we look forward to bargaining the health insurance benefits as set forth in the Professional Negotiations Act,” Kathy Rome of the Hays NEA said.
Kim Schneweis, teacher negotiations co-chair, added, “The teachers ratified the contract last week with a large majority in favor of the changes. I am glad the BOE also ratified the agreement. We have agreed to return to the bargaining table to discuss the health insurance benefits. We have always been, and continue to be willing to discuss important issues which affect our employees. The health care benefits impact hundreds of our employees and their loved ones. They also directly affect the ability of our community to attract and retain quality staff members for the benefit of our students.”
The district will be forming an insurance committee on the request of the unions, and the details of this will be worked out in the next several days.
The district proposed ending its participation in the state insurance plan after Blue Cross Blue Shield increased its premiums for the district by $1.4 million over two years. The district hopes the change will save the district money and give it more flexibility.
The district was having difficulty getting bids on its insurance policy, because the state plan does not require Blue Cross Blue Shield to provide claims histories.
The district will face a penalty for leaving the state plan, but Aetna has agreed to reduce its first-year premium, and the district believes that the fee reduction will be at least what the penalty will be.
SEIU and the Hays NEA both expressed concerns the district will not be able to rejoin the state plan for seven years after it leaves. However, Superintendent John Thissen has said the district could go back to Blue Cross Blue Shield if it wished under an independent contract.
Yes, it was unusually hot Thursday in Hays, about 10 degrees warmer than average for this time of year.
According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, the high for Sept. 14 was 99 degrees. The record temperature for Sept. 14 is 102 degrees set in 1978. One year ago on Sept. 14, the high in Hays was 89 degrees.
Thursday’s overnight low was 70 degrees.
The weather forecast calls for an elevated fire danger Friday, with blowing wind and a another hot day. The weekend is expected to bring cooler temperatures and a chance of rain.
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina is seeking artists to develop original art for the new Medical Education Building that will house the Salina campuses of the KU schools of Medicine and Nursing. The building, a historic former bank, will open in summer 2018. The deadline for the first round of artist proposals is Oct. 13.
All visual artists and artist teams are eligible to apply, with preference given to artists residing in or with close ties to Salina and central Kansas. Up to four artists or teams will be selected to create new works of art for four areas in the Medical Education Building. The selected works will reflect and be inspired by the missions of the schools of Medicine and Nursing.
“The mission of the Salina campuses is to train health care professionals in a rural environment, hoping that many will choose to serve rural Kansans. It will be exciting to see how local artists interpret this mission in their proposed creations,” said Dr. William Cathcart-Rake, director of the School of Medicine-Salina.
Spencer Museum Director Saralyn Reece Hardy is on the project review panel that will select the artists. She also participated on the committee that selected artists to create work for a new building at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City.
“I was delighted to represent the Spencer Museum of Art on the selection committee for the Health Education Building in Kansas City, and I look forward to the project in Salina, as it is a community I care deeply about,” Reece Hardy said.
In preparation for the first-round deadline, Reece Hardy will lead a workshop for artists Oct. 3 about how to create a successful project proposal. First-round submissions should include a cover letter, images of recent work and an artist resume. Selected artists from the first round will be invited to create proposals specifically for installation.
The proposal workshop and subsequent development activities during the second round of proposals are co-sponsored by SPARK Artist Resource Exchange, which aims to offer professional development for artists and to integrate their work into downtown Salina and local healing environments. SPARK is a new project, formed in collaboration with Salina Arts & Humanities, and funded in part by the Greater Salina Community Foundation and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
Important dates:
Oct. 3
Workshop: Crafting Successful Proposals
5:30 p.m., Salina Innovation Foundation-Masonic Center, 336 S. Santa Fe, Salina
Learn how to create a successful artist proposal with Spencer Museum Director Saralyn Reece Hardy.
Oct. 13
Deadline: First-round artist proposals due by 5 p.m.
Submit electronic proposals to:
Dean William Cathcart-Rake, M.D. [email protected]
With subject line: Artist Submission
Submit complete proposals by mail to:
KU School of Medicine-Salina, Dean’s Office
ATTN: Dean William Cathcart‐Rake, M.D.
400 South Santa Fe
Salina KS 67401.
Winners: Don Burlison, Fred Friess, Amorette Windholz. Betty Mead and Joyce Sack
*****
We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul books “The Cat Really Did That?” and “The Dog Really Did That?”
Listen to Theresa Trapp Monday, September 11 – Friday, September 15, 2017 for chances to call 785-628-2995 and win a copy of each book.
No age requirement to win.
Winners will need to pick up their books at the KZ Country Studio, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS within 30 days of winning.
Remember, one win per household per 30 days!
*****
“The Cat Really Did That?”
Our cats make us smile every day, but some days they really outdo themselves! This book is full of those hilarious and heartwarming stories about the many ways our mischevious feline friends surprise us, make us laugh, and touch our
hearts.
With a focus on rescue cats, these 101 true, personal stories will make you laugh, nod your head in recognition, and sometimes tear up a little. Royalties from the book go to American Humane, one of the organizations that Chicken Soup for the Soul supports in its broad program to help care for shelter animals and promote adoption.
AND
“The Dog Really Did That?”
Our dogs make us smile every day, but some days they really outdo themselves! This book is full of those hilarious and heartwarming stories about the many ways our mischevious canine companions surprise us, make us laugh, and touch
our hearts.
With a focus on rescue dogs, these 101 true, personal stories will make you laugh, nod your head in recognition, and sometimes tear up a little. Royalties from the book go to American Humane, one of the organizations that Chicken Soup for the Soul supports in its broad program to help care for shelter animals and promote adoption.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued a public health warning for 11 lakes and a watch for three lakes due to harmful algal blooms.
If a lake is under a public health warning for blue-green algae, activities such as boating and fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock. The lakes currently under a watch or warning status are:
· Warning: Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County
· Warning: Central Park Lake, Shawnee County
· Warning: Hiawatha City Lake, Brown County
· Closed: Hodgeman State Fishing Lake, Hodgeman County
· Warning: Marion County Lake, Marion County
· Warning: Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County
· Warning: Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County
· Warning: Memorial Park Lake, Barton County
· Warning: Lake Scott State Park, Scott County
· Watch: Overbrook City Lake, Osage County
· Warning: Sam’s Pond, Syracuse, Hamilton County
· Warning: South Lake, Johnson County
· Watch: Veteran’s Lake, Cowley County
· Warning: Webster Lake, Rooks County
Lakes under a warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a warning, but contact with the water should be avoided. It is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as the fish is rinsed with clean water. Only the fillet portion should be consumed, and all other parts should be discarded. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a warning.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
· Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
· Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
· Water contact should be avoided.
· Fish may be eaten as long as they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
· Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
· If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
· Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
KDHE samples publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
RENO COUNTY — Officials are working to determine the cause of a fire at Sonoco the packaging firm at 100 South Halstead Street in Hutchinson.
Just after 1p.m. Thursday, Fire crews responding to the fire in an outside recycling area on the south side of the Sonoco structure, according to a media release.
Strong southerly winds quickly fanned the fire through the paper and cardboard, which quickly spread to the building and cardboard pile north of the building.
In addition, crews had to contain spot fires that were igniting grass north of Sherman Street.
The deep-seated fires quickly created many challenges for firefighters. Those challenges included fighting fires in multiple locations, water supply, and high heat condition. Fire crews continued to monitor hot spots through the night.
Heavy equipment was utilized to assist in breaking up the tightly packed material.
Officials reported no injuries.
The Hutchinson Fire Department was assisted by Reno County EMS, South Hutchinson Mobile Incident Command Unit, Reno County Sheriff’s mobile lighting unit, and Sonoco employees.
Traveling down a remote country road one day, a motorist came to a stop
in front of a giant puddle covering the entire road. He noticed a farmer
leaning on a fence, contemplating the puddle. “Hey mister, do you think
it’s safe to cross?” he yelled.
“Oh, I reckon so.” The farmer replied.
The man drove on into the puddle, where his car was immediately
swallowed up. The puddle was so deep he had to escape through the window
and swim back to the edge. When he climbed out he was furious with the
farmer. “I thought you said it was safe to cross!”
The farmer stood back and scratched his head. “Well, heck, it only came
up chest-high on the ducks!”
When you think of a job fair, people generally think of a set-up similar to speed dating. The job fair at Hays High School did not resemble this image, but instead was a three-person panel from different professions who shared their ideas of how applicants should approach an interview.
The panel consisted of Len Melvin from the Hays Academy of Hair Design, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Joel Millerman, and Debbie Foster from Golden Plains Credit Union. They all had similar suggestions for how an employee should prepare and act for an interview, and how they should behave during the actual job.
“Resumes are a very important part in the interview process, if not the most important,” Melvin said. “It is the first thing that employers see.”
Melvin had many tips for preparing yourself for an interview. He said that an applicant would be more likely to be hired if they came in to the interview already knowing about the job.
“If someone walks in and can tell us our history since 2003, their status just rose in my mind,” Melvin said.
Each person on the panel made good points, although they had to rush slightly to meet the allotted time. The entire group agreed that there was no harm in dressing up more.
“You will rarely ever get docked points for wearing a shirt and tie,” Melvin said.
Debbie Foster agreed with his idea. “You should always dress like you already have the job,” Foster said. “Make sure to dress appropriately for the job you are applying for. Make sure your clothes have no wrinkles. If you don’t know how to press a shirt, it’s time for you to learn.”
Not only did the panel suggest that you dress well, they suggested that interviewees carry themselves well.
“If you can’t make eye contact during your interview, how are we supposed to know that you have that quality where you can converse well with customers?” Foster said.
“And if you cannot directly look at someone, it causes trust issues,” Joel Millerman said. “When you avoid meeting someone’s eye, it makes them assume that you are hiding something. Then they start looking harder into your background checks, your social media, anything that you could be hiding from them.”
Social media also plays a large roll in the interview process. Although you may think that your account is private, it can easily be accessed by anyone with the proper skill set.
Melvin said that he once knew a girl at the Hays Academy of Hair Design who showed the class that she knew how to access someone’s private account. Melvin said if a student at a school for hair design could do it, imagine how easy it would be for someone who is trained to hack into social media accounts.
The panel said an applicant should walk in with ambition and initiative. You need to be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up.
Along with showing your ambition, Foster said if a job-seeker has a bad attitude, they need to leave it at the door. It is unlikely that an employer will hire someone who has a bad attitude because that demonstrates how you may act during the job itself.
One of the points they stressed greatly was being yourself. “We don’t want to see an actor,” Melvin said. “We want to see the real person.”
