HAYS – Hays fire crews extinguished a small fire in the attached carport of a single family home in the 2000 block of Walnut Street early Friday morning.
According to Fire Chief Gary Brown crews were called to a fire in the building at 2011 Walnut St. just after 3 a.m.
When firefighters arrived they found the small fire and were able to use one hoseline to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. The carport suffered minor fire damage.
A neighbor discovered the fire, promptly called 911 and alerted the occupants to get out of the house.
Brown said the most probable cause of the fire was the improper disposal of smoking materials.
Ellis County residents are encouraged to attend a public brainstorming session to discuss their ideas for sustainable, strategic community improvement projects.
The meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, September 25, at Robbins Center on the campus of Fort Hays State University.
Hosted by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Heartland Community Foundation, the event is the first in a series of “Strategic Doing” meetings that will guide Ellis County through the process of prioritizing, planning and implementing community improvement projects in a short time frame.
Funding for these strategic projects will be provided by the Hansen Foundation over the next five years.
The community at-large is invited, including government, business owners, farmers, ranchers, educators, clergy, students, retired persons, young professionals, volunteers, health officials, stay-at-home parents and all others who have a passion for growth and a rich quality of life in Ellis County.
This event is free and open to the public. A meal will be served. To reserve your space, please RSVP to Sandy Jacobs at 785-621-4090 or [email protected].
CIA Director Pompeo Before becoming Director, Pompeo was serving in his fourth term as congressman from Kansas’ 4th District.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Harvard and Chelsea Manning (all times local):
Harvard University has reversed its decision to name Chelsea Manning a visiting fellow, one day after CIA Director Mike Pompeo scrapped a planned appearance over the designation for the soldier who was convicted of leaking classified information.
In a statement posted to the university’s website early Friday, Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf writes that naming Manning a visiting fellow was a mistake even though he says the title carries no special honor. He says Manning is still invited to spend a day at the school and speak to students.
Manning responded on Twitter , writing that Harvard chills “marginalized voices under @cia pressure.”
Bradley “Chelsea” Manning-courtesy photo
Manning’s publicist didn’t immediately respond when asked if she would still accept Harvard’s invitation to visit the school.
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CIA Director Mike Pompeo says he scrapped his appearance Thursday at Harvard University over the school’s decision to make Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of leaking classified information, a visiting fellow.
Pompeo calls Manning an “American traitor.”
Pompeo, a Harvard graduate, says he didn’t make the decision lightly. He is citing military and intelligence officials who believe that the leaks endangered the lives of CIA employees.
He was supposed to speak at the university Thursday night, but was a no-show. The CIA released a letter Pompeo wrote to Harvard explaining his decision.
Earlier Thursday, Mike Morell, former deputy director and acting director of the CIA, sent a resignation
letter to Harvard saying he could not be part of an organization that “honors a convicted felon and leaker of classified information.”
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3 p.m.
A former top CIA official has abruptly resigned as a senior fellow at Harvard University over the school’s decision to hire Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of leaking classified information.
Mike Morell, former deputy director and acting director of the CIA, sent a resignation letter Thursday to the dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Morell, who was a non-resident senior fellow, says he cannot be part of an organization that “honors a convicted felon and leaker of classified information.” He says leaking classified information is “disgraceful.”
Manning has been invited to be a visiting fellow at the Kennedy school’s Institute of Politics.
She is a transgender woman who was convicted in 2013 of leaking more than 700,000 U.S. documents. Her sentence was commuted by former President Barack Obama.
Repair of a slide on a downstream embankment at Lake Wilson
USACE
SYLVAN GROVE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wilson Lake Dam recently repaired a slide on a downstream embankment.
Project staff performing routine monitoring observed a slide on the Wilson Dam downstream embankment on May 20, 2017. Geotechnical engineers, geologists, and project staff determined that the cause of the slide was the prolonged drought conditions in recent years and then the large amounts of rainfall in May. The Wilson project office received over nine inches of rain in May. The slide was not related to the elevated lake levels experienced in May.
An in-house construction team from the Kansas City District – Napoleon office mobilized and removed the damaged material and reconstructed the area. Construction included the removal, replacement and compaction of the soils and the installation of a drainage system to help prevent future slides in this area.
Construction was substantially completed on August 31 and the area was hydro-seeded on September 7. The Corps considers the dam fully repaired at this time and has returned to normal monitoring and inspection practices. Project staff continues to water the grass seed placed on the repaired area. Until the grass seed gets established, daily traffic detouring will continue. Project staff will also place turf reinforcement matting on the repaired area to protect against future erosion.
“The safety and performance of our dams is a top priority for the Corps of Engineers. The slide repair was completed with diligence and care to ensure the dam is ready to perform during any future flood events,” said Scott Mensing, dam safety program manager, Kansas City District.
The Kansas City District is a team of dedicated professionals with a strong heritage and proven results who, in collaboration with our partners, proudly serve in the Heartland providing leadership, technical excellence, and innovative solutions to the nation’s most complex problems.
A double roundabout is proposed for 32nd and 33rd Streets. (Click to enlarge)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Improving traffic flow along the north Vine Street business corridor was mentioned during last week’s city commission work session as a key to helping grow sales tax revenues in Hays.
Thursday night, newly appointed Project Director John Braun presented an updated concept for three traffic roundabouts to be built at 33rd, 37th and 41st Streets. The proposed street improvements have the conditional support of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and federal highway officials.
A few concepts have been developed at least since the early 1990s to improve the configuration of the roads accessing Vine Street, including the 2012 Hays Comprehensive Plan which would have aligned 32nd and 33rd Streets. But all “fall short in solving the root of the problem,” Braun said.
A KDOT-funded Traffic Engineering Assistance Project study (TEAP) was also conducted at the time the Comprehensive Program was being finalized.
“The major problem is the close proximity of the frontage roads to Vine Street at the access points, the intersections of 32nd, 33rd, and 37th and 41st Streets,” Braun declared. All the commissioners agreed.
The demolition underway of the Ambassador Hotel, 3603 Vine, and clearing of the 5-acre lot will soon open redevelopment of that land. City staff has been worked with WSP Engineering the past two years to conduct a traffic impact study and create a concept plan to improve the north Vine Street corridor.
“The important point is that the frontage roads are disconnected from Vine at these intersections and the stacking capability is increased for vehicles wanting to enter Vine Street on the west side,” Braun explained. Right-turn-only lanes would be created at the east and west-bound I-70 off ramps. Stoplights at 32nd, 33rd and the I-70 exit ramps would be removed, leaving only those at 29th and 43rd Streets.
Braun cautioned many tweaks would be needed if the project goes ahead. Business owners along the corridor have been advised of the proposal. Representatives of The Pheasant Run restaurant were in the audience Thursday, listening carefully.
“This makes so much sense,” Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said enthusiastically.
A double roundabout or “peanut” is proposed at 32nd and 33rd. Access points at 35th Street would be reduced to 3/4 access intersections, increasing traffic safety by significantly reducing the current number of conflict points from 66 to 28.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic also would be made safer. Vehicle traffic will be slower at the roundabouts which have pedestrian refuges in the centers.
“The locals avoid these areas because they know the back ways.” said City Manager Toby Dougherty. “We have a lot of visitors coming in off I-70. They’re the ones having problems getting in and out. It will have to be very well signed.” Commissioners agreed traffic roundabouts are becoming more common in many towns and drivers are more familiar with them. “People learn to get in the correct lane to get in the roundabout and get in the correct lane to get out of them,” Jacobs added.
As yet, there is no cost estimate of the work. “This is not going to be cheap,” said Commissioner Henry Schwaller. Commissioners gave permission to Dougherty and Braun to get a firm cost estimate from WSP.
“We’re going to explore some grant opportunities,” Dougherty assured the commission. “KDOT might have a little money to throw at it. If certain types of redevelopment take place along the corridor you could use the TIFF money to help fund it, possibly some CID or Transportation Development District money. There’s possible other monies for the greenways and pedestrian infrastructures. You might be able to use some CVB money for that.
“It depends on what redevelops and how. This is about visitors and pedestrians and getting people around in the corridor. You might have to pull money from a lot of different sources.”
Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood is looking into the possibility of a federal TIGER grant for infrastructure.
“The 80/20 grant monies from KDOT are no more,” Dougherty said. “Going to them and asking to pay for 80 percent, that’s not going to happen, as you guys well know. The 41st Street project, that was our last project funded that way.”
“KDOT is indicating it may still have some Corridor Management money,” interjected Braun. “There may be a slight possibility there.” Hays used some of those monies on the Vine Street improvement project between 13th and 27th.
A video simulation of the proposed roundabout corridor (see above) is available on the city’s website, www.haysusa.com. The model is based on actual peak-hour traffic in Hays.
Today Isolated showers between 8am and 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Hot today but some cooler temperatures along with a chance for thunderstorms can be expected over the weekend. #kswxpic.twitter.com/feLMLOSh4k
RENO COUNTY— A Reno County jury deliberated for about an hour before finding 54-year-old Leroy Randall guilty Thursday of all charges associated with an armed robbery of Dollar General in Hutchinson.
The jury agreed that Randall was guilty of two counts of kidnapping, one count of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault. He chose not to be in court for most of the trial, but was brought in early Thursday to indicate to the court that he wouldn’t testify for his own defense.
The state argued that the evidence pointed to him and his girlfriend because they gave investigators details of the crime that were not released publicly. Clothing that matched what the suspect was wearing in the video was found when a search warrant was issued on Randall’s residence.
The defense argued that Randall was seen talking with another individual and believe that individual wearing a red shirt could be the real suspect.
The case involved a store employee hearing a knock at a back office door. Thinking it was the other employee she was working with, she opened the door and a man came in, stuck a gun in her face and demanded money.
She screamed, causing the other employee to come out of the bathroom. The suspect then allegedly pointed the gun at him as well. Both stated they were scared. One thought the man was going to shoot him after being ordered to lay face down in the bathroom.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Thursday held a hearing, titled, “Nutrition Programs: Perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill.”
“As we conduct this review, it is important to remember the purpose of these critical nutrition programs,” said Chairman Roberts. “They are not about long-term dependency; they are about giving aid in times of trouble. They are about ensuring our nation’s security, helping folks become productive members of our economy, and assisting the vulnerable among us who cannot help themselves.”
“Unfortunately, we have learned of some significant issues regarding the administration and oversight of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.”
“Investigations by the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, the Department’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Justice have revealed that states have purposely used ‘whatever means necessary’ to mislead the federal government to obtain bonuses or avoid financial penalties.”
“Simply put, no one knows the error rate of SNAP, and that is unacceptable. And, the federal government does not even know the basic elements of the problem, such as how long this has been occurring.”
“This program accounts for over 75 percent of Farm Bill spending. If we are unable to verify that this program is making every dollar count, and ensure that the right amount of assistance is going to those that need it, then something needs to change. And something will change.”
This marks the eighth hearing in preparation for the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization.
SEATTLE – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team took a heartbreaking loss Thursday evening (Sept. 14), falling to Seattle Pacific in the final minute of the second overtime period, 2-1. The Tigers dip to 0-4-1 on the season with the loss, while the Falcons improve to 4-1 overall.
The Tiger offense was aggressive in the first half for the second game in a row, with four different Tigers slipping through the defense for an opportunity to score. Four of the five shots FHSU attempted in the opening half were off the mark, but one was able to find the back of the net. The Tigers were on the board first after a corner kick from Luis Mendez found Derick Gonzalez just outside the six-yard box. Gonzalez delivered a perfect header just to the inside the left post to give the Tigers the early advantage in the 17th minute of the match. It was the senior’s team-leading second goal of the season.
The Falcons evened the match less than two minutes later when Mori Tsuchiya found the top shelf on a 12-yarder in the 19th minute. The equalizer was Tsuchiya’s third goal of the season to lead SPU.
Seattle Pacific controlled possession for the duration of the match after the break, limiting the Tigers to one shot in the second half and no shots in overtime. Meanwhile, the Falcons attempted two shots in the second half, four more in the first overtime and five in the second extra period. The Tigers were forced to play the final 22 minutes of regulation and overtime with 10 men after Abdoulaye Cisse received his second yellow card and was sent off in the 68th minute.
The Falcons appeared poised to steal the match in the first overtime, rifling off four shots over the final three minutes. The first attempt was blocked before Tiger goalie Alex Rodela made a diving save. Another SPU shot bounced off the post just seconds later before being cleared away by the Tiger defense. The Falcons had one final push in the period, but Rodela made another save with 16 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Tiger defense continued to feel the pressure in the second overtime period, keeping the Falcons at bay until they finally broke through with less than 30 seconds remaining in the match. After FHSU blocked a pair of shots and two more attempts sailed wide, Ryan Higgins picked up the golden goal off the left post from just in front of the net.
Rodela (0-1) made his first start of the season in goal, making two timely saves in the first overtime period to keep the score all square. They were the only two saves for either team in the match, with every other shot either finding the net or being off target. Gonzalez attempted two shots with Brian Ness, Arsenio Chamorro, Caden Frank and Paul Luna all adding one shot.
The Tigers are back in action Saturday (Sept. 16) as they travel to Bellingham, Wash., for a 9 p.m. (CT) kickoff with the Western Washington Vikings.
KEARNEY, Neb. – In their third-consecutive overtime match, the Tigers fell to Nebraska-Kearney 1-0 on a golden goal from Megan Cook for the Lopers. This is also the first loss of the season for Fort Hays State as they now sit at 2-1-2 on the year.
Both teams were scoreless heading into overtime, with this being six-straight halves the Tigers were held scoreless. Although the Tigers outshot the Lopers 8-5, Nebraska-Kearney came into the extra time with an offensive mind as they earned two-consecutive shots early in the extra time. It wasn’t until the 98:49 minute mark when Cook netted the winning goal for the Lopers.
In goal for the Tigers was Megan Kneefel who picked up her first loss of the season with three saves to her name in the match. Ali Hirschman collected the win behind the net for Nebraska-Kearney also with three individual saves.
The Tigers will be on the road for two more matches with a trip to Emporia State on Sunday (Sept. 17) slated for a 2 p.m. start.
ADA, Okla. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team cruised to a straight-set victory against East Central Thursday evening (Sept. 14), opening a five-match weekend in Oklahoma. FHSU improved to 5-5 on the year, while East Central dipped to 3-6 overall. It was the first match under interim head coach Brandi Fairbank, who moves to 1-0 in her head coaching career.
The Black and Gold posted a .219 attack percentage while holding ECU to a .081 swing rate. FHSU put things on ice by swinging at a .441 clip in the final set, picking up 18 kills to just three errors.
Magan Alexander matched her career-high with 12 kills, leading the way with a .400 attack percentage. Kylie Rollman also reached double figures in kills, adding 10 kills and two blocks. Kailey Klibbe picked up a match-high three service aces, also chipping in eight digs.
East Central grabbed an early 5-1 lead in the first set, but FHSU bounced back with Tatum Bartels serving the team to seven-straight points. ECU kept things close for the majority of the set, but Fort Hays State secured the opening set victory with a 7-2 run after leading 18-17, capped off by a kill from Sydney Dixon.
The teams traded points to open the second set, with neither side leading by more than two until FHSU scored four in a row to jump in front 9-6. The Black and Gold would lead the rest of the way, fending off multiple ECU runs with a block or a big kill. Ultimately, Rollman secured the 25-21 set victory with a kill on a pass from Taylor White.
Fort Hays State came out on a mission in the third set, jumping out to a quick 11-4 lead behind a six-point run. Azlyn Cassaday picked up two service aces in the stretch and Madison Elwood added two of her seven kills to open the string of FHSU points. ECU used a 5-1 run to close as close as four points down, 20-16, but Fort Hays State scored the final five points of the match to capture set three, 25-16.
FHSU returns to action Friday (Sept. 15) when it travels to Bethany, Okla. to begin play in the MIAA-GAC Crossover. The Tigers will face off with Southwest Oklahoma State at noon before going up against Northwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m.
HAYS, Kan.-The Hays High Lady Indian volleyball team finished 2-1 in their first home matches of the season. HHS opened with Western Athletic Conference rival Garden City. The first set was dominated by Garden City, 25-18. It was a different story in the second set as they two teams battled neck and neck. Hays tied the set at 24-24 but the Lady Buffaloes scored the final two points to take the set and the match.
The second match of the day was all Hays High as they took down Pratt (#8 4A-D2) in straight sets. The Lady Indians controlled the first set winning 25-15. Pratt kept the second set close but Hays High pulled away late to win the set 25-19 and the match.
In match three Hays High faced off with Ulysses (#6 4A-D1). The Lady Indians won a tight first set, 25-23. Ulysses controlled the second set, winning 25-19. The Lady Tigers were controlling the third and final set with a 17-10 lead when Hays High caught fire. The Lady Indians used a good dose of home energy to finish the set on a 15-4 run to win the set (25-21) and the match.
Hays High, ranked 10th (4A-D1) in the latest KVCA (Kansas Volleyball Coaches Association) rankings improves to 7-2 on the year. They are off until next Saturday when they will travel to Ulysses for tournament play.
First responders on the scene of Monday explosion in Butler Co.-photo courtesy KWCH
ROSE HILL, Kan. (AP) — Butler County authorities say an explosion that destroyed a rural home and critically injured a man was caused by a propane leak.
The home near Rose Hill exploded on Monday. A 67-year-old man suffered severe burns.
Andover Deputy Fire Chief Mike Roosevelt said investigators are sure propane caused the explosion but are still investigating the exact ignition source.
Propane is a common home fuel source in rural Kansas.
A family member said the injured man remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
