We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Month: October 2017

Kansas gas prices fifth lowest in America

Posted on

Average Kansas per gallon price $2.34

AAA

TOPEKA – Kansas’ average price at the pump continued its recent decline, falling another two cents this week to $2.34 a gallon, the fifth lowest state average in the country, reports AAA Kansas. Only Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana have less expensive gas.

“Our part of the country has enjoyed the lowest prices in the nation of late, but from a national perspective, we’re seeing the highest cost for gas as we head into October in the past two years,” said AAA Kansas spokesperson Shawn Steward. “We still expect to see our usual autumn drop in gas prices, but it looks like that is happening slower than normal, as oil refineries continue to recover and return to full operations after the recent hurricanes.”

Click to expand

According to AAA Kansas, this week’s Kansas gas price extremes are:
HIGH: Lincoln (Lincoln County) – $2.65
LOW: Haven (Reno County) – $2.15

AAA Kansas reports that Wichita, with $2.27/gallon pump prices ranks as the 11th lowest metro area in the nation, while Topeka ($2.34/gallon) ranks 32nd lowest. Of the 10 Kansas cities regularly highlighted by AAA Kansas (see chart below), Lawrence (-6 cents), Kansas City, Kan. (-5) and Pittsburg (-4) saw the largest price decreases, while prices in Salina (+3) and Hays (+1) actually rose slightly.

National Perspective
At $2.55, the national gas price average is just two cents cheaper on the week and the most expensive pump price seen at start of October since 2015, when motorists where paying $2.29 for a gallon of unleaded.

“When fall arrives, motorists expect gas prices to be cheaper than they were in the summer. That’s just not the case this year,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesperson. “Back-to-back hurricanes packed a punch to Gulf Coast refineries’ gasoline production and inventory levels. As they play catch-up, gas prices are going to be higher than we’d like to see.”

Today, Gulf Coast refineries are building toward resuming normal operations, but it could take some longer than others to return to pre-hurricane production rates. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that Gulf Coast utilization rates are up nearly 12 percent to 85 percent of capacity since last week. As utilization rates increase and operations improve, gas prices will drop.

“While the market continues to be volatile, post-hurricanes, AAA expects gas prices to slowly, but steadily drop by up to ten cents in the coming month,” added Steward.
Today, motorists can find gas for $2.50 or less at 56 percent of gas stations in the country.

Great Lakes and Central States Report
Unlike any other region in the country, five Great Lakes and Central states are paying more for a gallon of gasoline on the week: Indiana (+11 cents), Ohio (+9 cents), Michigan (+9 cents), Illinois (+7 cents) and Wisconsin (+2 cent). Of note, last week Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois saw gas prices drop almost as much as they increased this week. As stated in previous reports, the region often sees volatile drops and increases from week to week. All other states in the region (including Kansas) are paying five to one cents less at the pump compared to one week ago.

Gasoline inventories took a small drop, about 500,000 bbl, on the week. The South and Southeast was the only other region to see levels drop, according to the EIA.

SCHLAGECK: Weather sayings

Posted on
John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau

For the first time last week a touch of fall filled the early morning air. With the coming of autumn and approach of winter, it’s fun to recall some of the time-tested weather sayings.

Many of the following weather signs were collected while talking to farmers and ranchers across the state. It seems there is very little people would rather talk about than the weather.

So let’s talk weather.

Clear moon, frost soon.

Dense fog at dawn is a sign of clearing skies by mid-morning.

The absence of birds around water denotes an approaching storm.

White, fluffy, small clouds are a sign of fair weather ahead.

During the winter season, strong northerly winds indicate snow and sometimes a blizzard within 24 hours. Southerly winds are a sign of dry, warmer weather.

When cattle stand in a line with their backs toward the northwest, you can figure on a heavy, driving snow.

Odors become easier to detect just before rain. High pressure usually traps odors like a lid due to air density, while lowering pressure releases odors.

When you see lightning in the north, rain is likely within 24 hours.

When distant sounds appear louder, rain is usually on the way.

Rising smoke is a fair-weather sign. When you see smoke going downward or showing very little rise, rain is likely.

Birds perch more before a storm because the low barometric pressure makes it more difficult for them to fly. When you see hawks circling high in the sky, this is a fair-weather sign.

When frogs begin to croak, look out for rain.

Hens and other barnyard foul pick at themselves – oiling their feathers – just before a rain.

Lots of dead skunks on the road mean plenty of moisture is on the way. Another good sign of approaching wet weather is the aggravation of corns, bunions or arthritis pains.

These signs are surprisingly accurate because they are based on generations of farmers, ranchers and other people who have observed cyclical changes in the weather.

Today, meteorologists watch weather patterns via satellites. Much of what these satellites detect while orbiting the earth hundreds of miles overhead, we can see by listening to the radio, watching television or checking our smart phones.

There is plenty to be said for the folk wisdom of our ancestors. They watched and charted weather patterns for generations rather than just a few hours or days. It’s fun to hear their conclusions handed down from one generation to the next, and anyway, what would we have to talk about if not for the weather?

John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

Volunteers assemble crisis bags for Hays public schools

Posted on
Submitted photo

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Crisis bags were created last week for every classroom in the Hays school district.

The USD 489 Foundation for Education Excellence, in partnership with Sunflower Bank’s ABC Program, funded the crisis bags, which will be used to address both natural and manmade disasters. The cost of the kits was $7,500.

Each classroom crisis bag includes a backpack filled with a clipboard, an abridged copy of the district crisis plan, water, granola bars, a first-aid kit with tourniquets, scissors, sanitizer, medical gloves, gauze and a whistle.

Submitted photo

Each school will also have a duffel bag with the same contents plus a bullhorn, binoculars, weather radio, drop cloth and flashlights.

The Hays school board approved a crisis plan in December that includes the public schools and Thomas More Prep-Marian and Holy Family Elementary School.

“If the situation should arise,” said Sarah Wasinger, assistant to the USD 489 superintendent, “heaven forbid either a manmade or natural disaster, we only have four ambulances in Ellis County. If multiple people were injured, a tourniquet could potentially save a life.”

Submitted photo

Not all teachers and staff in the district have first-aid training, but many of the administrators do, as well as the school nurses.

“I think as a foundation, we are always trying to do positive things for our school,” Wasinger said. “We are thankful for the projects and donations we have received that can be used to support student safety and learning and make the schools better overall.”

If you would like to donate to the USD 489 Foundation online with a credit or debit card, click here for a donation link.

Cool, wet Tuesday

Posted on

Today A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 61 by 1pm. North wind 10 to 13 mph.

Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 53. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 63. East northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
ThursdayShowers likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

FridayA 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.

UPDATE: Police still work to find motive in shooting that killed 59

Posted on

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Hospitals were overflowing with victims of a gunman who fired on a concert from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel.

Emergency personnel scrambled to deal with the aftermath of a Sunday attack by 64-year-old retired accountant Stephen Paddock that would kill 59 and wound 527.

  Doctors say some of the gunshot wounds were so severe they knew they had come from high-powered weapons not usually seen on the street.


Concert-goers described scenes of horror and heroism.

One man grasped the hand of a dying stranger to comfort him as he died, unable to pull himself away despite the danger.

Many carried the wounded to their own cars to drive to the hospital where they waited in lines of ambulances at emergency rooms.

 

KHP: 2 dead, 2 hospitalized after crash during police chase

Posted on
Law enforcement authorities on the scene of Monday’s fatal crash-photo courtesy KCTV

WYANDOTTE COUNTY— Two people died in an accident during a police pursuit just before 4p.m. Monday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Lexus ES driven by Zackery Smith, 20, Kansas City, was fleeing from law enforcement northbound on 94th Street.

The driver attempted a right hand turn on to Parallel Parkway. The Lexus struck a 2015 Ford F150 driven by Dale Myers, 55, Kansas City, that was westbound on Parallel Parkway.

Passengers in the Lexus Jason Edwards, 27, Kansas City, MO., and Amber Bledsoe, 23, Prairie Village were pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith was transported to KU Medical Center. Myers was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.  Edwards and Smith were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

KHP: 2 hospitalized after I-70 semi crash

Posted on

LOGAN COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Monday in Logan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Freightliner semi driven by Jesus M. Cardenas-Murrieta, 43, Mexicali, Mexico, was eastbound on Interstate 70 in the driving lane.

The driver was unable to slow quickly enough behind a 2007 Honda Civic driven by Gary B. Wesler, 64, Lakewood, CO. that slowed suddenly.

The semi driver over-corrected. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right struck the Toyota and jackknifed in the south ditch.

Cardenas-Murrieta and Wesler were transported to Logan County Hospital. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Rock superstar Tom Petty dies; sold 80 million records

Posted on

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rock superstar Tom Petty has died at age 66.

Spokeswoman Carla Sacks says Petty died Monday night at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after he suffered cardiac arrest.

Petty, usually backed by his longtime band the Heartbreakers, was known for such hits as “Free Fallin,'” “Refugee” and “American Girl.” The Gainesville, Florida native with the shaggy blond hair and gaunt features drew upon the Byrds, the Beatles and other musicians he loved while growing up in the 1960s. He was also a member of the impromptu supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, which included Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne.

Petty and the Heartbreakers had recently completed a 40th anniversary tour, one he hinted would be their last. Petty, whose worldwide sales topped 80 million records, was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jeep and Dodge SUVs recalled; braking could be limited

Posted on

DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling nearly 710,000 Jeep and Dodge SUVs in North America because an improperly installed brake shield could let water leak in and limit braking ability.

The recall covers 2011 to 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos.

The company says brake booster shields were added as part of a 2014 recall, but a check of warranty claims found that some weren’t installed correctly. In those cases water can cause corrosion or get inside the booster and freeze. That can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fiat Chrysler says it knows of one potentially related crash but no injuries.

Dealers will inspect the shields and correct the installation if needed. The recall is expected to start Nov. 7.

Butker’s field goals send Chiefs to win over Redskins

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker drilled a 43-yard field goal with 8 seconds left in his first career game, atoning for an earlier miss and helping Kansas City to a 29-20 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

Signed off the Carolina practice squad earlier in the week, Butker missed a 46-yarder in the first half before hitting three attempts in the second. The first tied the score 17-all, the next gave the Chiefs the lead and the last made Kansas City (4-0) the league’s only undefeated team.

The Chiefs put an exclamation point on the win when linebacker Justin Houston picked up a fumble as the Redskins (3-2) were trying to keep the game alive and returned it for a game-ending touchdown.

The last time there was only one unbeaten team through the first four weeks of the season was 2010, when the Chiefs were the final team standing. They went on to win the AFC West.

Alex Smith threw for 293 yards with touchdowns on the ground and through the air, and it was his 37-yard strike to Albert Wilson on a broken play that set up Butker’s go-ahead kick.

Travis Kelce hauled in seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, while Chiefs rookie Kareem Hunt pounded away 21 times for 101 yards against the Redskins’ stout defensive front.

Kirk Cousins had 220 yards passing and two touchdowns for Washington, but his throw to the end zone with 50 seconds left was dropped by Josh Doctson and forced the Redskins to kick a field goal.

That missed opportunity came back to haunt them less than a minute later.

The Redskins stunned the Chiefs early when Cousins found Terrelle Pryor over star cornerback Marcus Peters for a 44-yard touchdown pass, then drove to the goal line before settling for a field goal.

But the plucky Chiefs slowly fought their way back into the game.

Smith started to find his athletic tight end down the seam, then hit Kelce with a 17-yard TD strike late in the first half. The two connected again on third down shortly after the break, and Smith scored a few plays later when he fooled the defense with a quarterback-keeper.

The Redskins needed fewer than 2 minutes to answer: Cousins’ 69-yard pass to Vernon Davis set up a short throw to Ryan Grant, who also beat Peters, for a touchdown and a 17-14 lead.

It was 17-all after Butker, signed to replace the injured Cairo Santos off Carolina’s practice squad, made his first career field goal. Then, the Chiefs picked apart a Redskins defense down to four healthy defensive backs to set up his 32-yard kick.

After the Redskins tied the game once more, Butker delivered the biggest kick of his life.

PREGAME TRIBUTE

Flags flew at half-staff and there was a moment of silence before the game for victims of the Las Vegas shooting. The Redskins then locked arms for the national anthem, while everyone on the Chiefs side stood with the exception of cornerback Peters and linebacker Ukeme Eligwe.

INJURY WATCH

Redskins cornerback Josh Norman departed in the second quarter with a rib injury , and his backup Quinton Dunbar left early in the fourth. Running back Rob Kelley and safety Deshazor Everett also left with injuries for Washington, while Chiefs right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was sidelined by a left knee injury on their second offensive play.

UP NEXT

Washington gets a bye week before hosting San Francisco on Oct. 13.

Kansas City returns to the road to face Houston on Sunday night.

Insurance department issues overview of 2018 Kansas health insurance market

Posted on

KID

TOPEKA – Kansas consumers will have choices of health insurance companies when open enrollment begins Nov. 1, according to the Kansas Insurance Department.

An online department document shows health plans available through the federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM) are from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Medica Insurance Company; and Sunflower State Health, Inc. All three companies signed agreements Sept. 27 with the federal government to offer 23 individual marketplace plans online through www.healthcare.gov. Also, all three companies will offer plans off the online marketplace as well.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas products are available in all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. Medica will have plans available in all counties, and the Sunflower State Health Plan coverage is for Johnson and Wyandotte counties only.

Consumers wishing to look at the complete overview of the 2018 plan information prior to online enrollment can go to http://www.ksinsurance.org/documents/healthlife/health/KID-Issue-Brief.pdf. on the insurance department’s website, www.ksinsurance.org.

“The insurance department was instrumental in bringing new companies to the marketplace with offerings in 2017 and 2018,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.

Approximately four percent of Kansans are covered by individual major medical insurance purchased either through the federal marketplace or off marketplace.

The federal government has not indicated whether consumers will be able to “window shop” for all plans on the federal website prior to November 1, 2017, the official date for 2018 open enrollment to begin.

“During open enrollment, Kansans need to evaluate whether to enroll in coverage, stay on their current policies, if available, or enroll in different policies,” said Commissioner Selzer. “It is also important for consumers to understand the network requirements of the various plans and to check that all of their providers of medical services are in the plan’s network.”

Open enrollment for the 2018 plan year ends December 15, 2017. This is a shorter open enrollment period than in years past. The federal government established this open enrollment period for coverage purchased on the FFM or off.

“We know that consumers will have questions about open enrollment,” Commissioner Selzer said. “We will assist callers through our Consumer Assistance Division by answering questions they have or by referring them to the proper agencies for help.”

The department’s Consumer Assistance Hotline is 800-432-2484. Questions can also be answered through the department’s online chat feature at www.ksinsurance.org.

Kansas man charged with fatal shooting of sleeping victim

Posted on
Moore -photo Reno Co.

RENO COUNTY — The suspect in the fatal September 22, shooting in Hutchison was back before a judge Monday for the reading of formal charges. 

Prosecutors charged Quinton Moore, 43, with first-degree murder for the shooting of 42-year-old Clarence D. Allen. The state is calling the shooting intentional and premeditated. 

Moore is accused of going to a residence at 1701 E. 30th in Hutchinson, shooting Allen multiple times with a handgun and leaving the scene.

A friend later found Allen was found in bed with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face.

The charge is an off-grid felony with a sentencing of life with no chance of parole for 25-years if he’s convicted. 

Moore remains jailed on half million-dollar bond.  He has previous convictions for and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Brownback: Court decision on school funding ‘regrettable’

Posted on
The State Supreme Court listens to augments during a July hearing-image courtesy Kan. Supreme Court

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling on public school funding (all times local):

6:45 p.m.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is calling a Kansas Supreme Court decision on school funding “yet another regrettable chapter in the never ending cycle of litigation” over education funding.

Brownback issued his statement Monday after the court rejected a school funding law enacted earlier this year.

The law phased in a $293 million increase in spending on schools over two years, and the court said the spending is inadequate to provide a suitable education for every child.

But Brownback said the court should not have substituted its judgment for the Legislature’s.

___

3:20 p.m.

The Kansas House’s top Democrat says a state Supreme Court ruling against a new school funding law is no surprise.

House Minority Leader Jim Ward of Wichita said Monday that many lawmakers in both parties identified some of the same flaws cited by the seven-member court.

The law phased in a $293 million increase in spending on public schools over two years, and the court said the spending is inadequate to provide a suitable education for every child.

Ward and other Democrats had argued the increase was far too low.

The court also said rejected the new per-student formula for distributing aid as being unfair to poor districts.

Ward is running for governor next year.

Fellow Democratic candidate Joshua Svaty praised the ruling and called for higher teacher salaries.

___

2:45 p.m.

An attorney representing four Kansas school districts that sued the state over education funding says a state Supreme Court ruling is bittersweet.

Attorney Alan Rupe said the decision Monday by the Supreme Court confirms that public schools in Kansas are significantly underfunded. He said the Dodge City, Hutchinson, Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas, districts proved that during a lower-court trial four years ago.

But Rupe also noted that the court directed legislators to fix the problem before July 2018 and that three of its seven members would have mandated quicker action.

Rupe said significant damage has been done as the state has ignored its obligations under the Kansas Constitution.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback said his office is reviewing the decision and will comment after a full review.

2:20 p.m.

The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that legislators did not increase spending on public schools enough this year and ordered a bigger increase.

The high court on Monday rejected the state’s arguments that a new law phasing in a $293 million increase in funding over two years was enough to provide a suitable education for every child. The state is projected to spend about $4.3 billion on aid to its 286 school districts during the 2018-19 school year under the new law.

The court ruled in a lawsuit filed in 2010 by four school districts and told lawmakers to write a new school funding law before July 2018.

The districts argued that the increase approved by lawmakers was at least $600 million short of what was necessary.

___

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File