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Month: January 2018

🎥 Wheels up at Hays Regional Airport for Chicago starting April 9

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A SkyWest jet taxiing at the Hays Regional Airport.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Instead of having to fly west out of Hays to Denver to then fly east on another plane, airline passengers will have another option this spring.

“We received official notice today from SkyWest Airlines that the flight to Chicago is in the United booking system, available April 9th,” City Manager Toby Dougherty reported to city commissioners Monday night.

“To the flying public, the Denver flights, the early morning flight and the late night arrival, are still roughly the same. The mid-day turnaround will be a little more advantageous for the flyer. It will happen a little earlier in the day than it did before,” Dougherty said.

Then he gave details about the flight many business and pleasure travelers alike have been asking for.

“There’ll be a Chicago flight that leaves at 11:30, or maybe 10:30 in the morning, arriving in Hays around 1:30 or 2 in the afternoon. There’s another flight that comes from Denver, stops in Hays, and then goes on to Chicago, arriving in Chicago a little after 5 p.m.,” said Dougherty.

Chicago flights can be booked online at united.com beginning April 9, 2018.

Dougherty told commissioners Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Melissa Dixon, who was in the audience, will work with SkyWest on ways the city can help promote the new flight and get the word out.

The additional flight at the Hays Regional Airport is part of a new SkyWest contract at the Salina Regional Airport.

SkyWest’s proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Salina passenger air service contract included adding a flight that would benefit both Salina and Hays. The swing flight from Chicago to Denver will stop in Salina and Hays each way.

Dixon said Friday the number of passenger boardings at the Hays Regional Airport in 2017 “just missed” the 10,000 mark, which would have made the city eligible for $1 million in airport funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) Otherwise, the city receives just $150,000 from the FAA annually.

Fly Hays Committee on Jan. 27, 2012.

The city is hoping the new flight to Chicago will help increase boardings enough in 2018 to surpass 10,000. The last year that happened was 2011, when 10,912 passengers flew out of the Hays Regional Airport.

SCHLAGECK: Grassroots’ participation

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John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.
The 2018 Kansas legislative session convenes this week as legislators will consider many health-related topics. At the same time, they will struggle with other complex issues, including development of a new school finance formula as ordered by the Kansas Supreme Court.

While some would argue the largest influence on our state’s legislature comes from special interest groups, members of the Kansas House and Senate maintain constituents exert the most.

In our nation’s capital, Congressional members will tell you the same thing. That said, this is where an active organization, like a farm, business or commodity group, can make a difference.

However, it’s not enough to be an organization with a large membership. While this has political impact, it can be felt only when the organization can deliver grassroots support that is seen, touched and felt by elected officials.

Having access to elected officials is not enough either. Unless an organization marshals people to act, it is a sleeping giant with little clout. Once an organization’s leaders deliver a grassroots’ message on a consistent basis, the perception the group delivers becomes reality.

One of the best ways a grassroots organization can impact politicians is to identify the strongest leaders. An effective grassroots organization is one that can encourage people to fill a room, write letters, send electronic messages, work on a campaign or seek people outside of the organization who will become allies and support its policies. With a network like this, the group can literally touch thousands of people across the state who will, in turn, notify legislators and members of Congress.

Two kinds of people comprise most grassroots organizations. The first is the “quality” contact. The second is the “quantity” contact.

Quality contacts are individuals who have a special rapport with elected officials. They know the legislator personally. When the legislator comes back to his/her district, the quality contact takes the time to visit with the elected official.

Quality contacts take trips to Topeka and Washington, D.C. to visit with elected officials on their political turf. They meet and develop a working relationship with the representative’s staff.

When issues that affect their organization arise, the staffer or politician will pick up the phone and ask, “What do you think of this issue? What would be a reasonable stance for me to take?”

Once quality leaders are surfaced, they must expand and seek other leaders. That is where quantity comes into play.

Winning is intoxicating. Nothing is more gratifying than to recognize people for their support in influencing and helping enact legislation.

Active participation, even on the losing side, will bring satisfaction and will encourage volunteers to come back again and again.

But winning requires an organization’s time, energy and leadership. It requires power, a willingness to participate and the resolve to do the job.

Any organization with such a structure, power and enterprise can persuade its Legislature and Congress to protect its interests – if it marshals a grassroots campaign built on active, involved members.

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

Colby Community College to host next Democratic gubernatorial candidate forum

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TOPEKA – On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Thomas County Democratic Party will sponsor the Colby Democratic gubernatorial candidate forum. The event will be held at the Frahm Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, located on the Colby Community College campus, 1255 S. Range Ave.

Confirmed forum candidates include former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, Sen. Laura Kelly, former Kansas Agriculture Secretary Joshua Svaty, Kansas House Minority Leader Jim Ward, Arden Andersen, and Robert Klingenberg.

“It’s exciting that all of our candidates will be coming to Western Kansas,” Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director Ethan Corson said Friday. “Democrats have to compete all over the state, not just in a handful of counties. This forum is a sign of that commitment.”

WHEN:
Saturday, January 20, 2018 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Frahm Theatre and Cultural Arts Center
Colby Community College
1255 S. Range Ave.
Colby, KS 67701

LETTER: Former Eagle president portraits need homes

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Last summer, the Fraternal Order of Eagles closed its doors after more then 60 years of service to Hays and the area.

We were able to obtain the picture of the F.O.E. Presidents. We have found family members and friends of all the Presidents to give them these pictures. Currently, we have four pictures remaining.

The names and the years they served as President are: Joe L. Staab: 1951-1952; John L. Wilkerson: 1952-1953; K.A. Leiker (Antonino, Ks. Leiker:) 1953-1954 and Isidor F. Schmidt: 1954-1955.

If you are a friend or family member, please call me at 785 650 7844 or email me at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your help on this project.

Dave Rupp, President of F.O.E.

Wounded Kansas officer sends a thank you to the community

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photo courtesy RCPD

MANHATTAN – The Riley County Police Department officer who was injured when responding to a domestic disturbance January 5 is sending his appreciation to the community for their support. RCPD Sergeant Pat Tiede’s thumbs up appeared late Monday on social media.

The 18-year veteran of the department, presently serving in the Patrol Division and his family thanked the community for the outpouring of support and concern that has been shown during this time, as detailed in a media release from RCPD.

Tiede was shot after responding to the report of a domestic situation at a home in the 3700 block of Hawthorne Woods Circle. He received a non-life threatening gunshot wound. He is continuing his recovery at home.

The shooting suspected identified as 38-year-old Mark Jason Harrison was charged Monday with three counts of attempted capital murder., according to Riley County District Attorney Barry Wilkerson.

Harrison worked as a research associate at K-State, according to the university web site.

Sunny, mild Tuesday

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Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. South wind 7 to 11 mph.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 33. South wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Wednesday NightRain likely before 1am, then rain likely, possibly mixed with snow between 1am and 2am, then snow likely after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. Very windy, with a south southeast wind 11 to 21 mph becoming north northwest 21 to 31 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Very windy, with a north northwest wind 22 to 30 mph.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 11. Blustery.

Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Sheriff: Deputies locate, arrest missing Kansas stabbing suspect

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Harvey Burris-photo Greenwood Co.

GREENWOOD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have another suspect in custody.

In the early morning hours of January 6, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office responded to 120 N. 3rd St in Madison Greenwood County Kansas for a report of a possible stabbing, according to a media release.

Deputies arrived on scene and made contact with victim, Steven Warden of Madison.

Deputies learned that Steven and his roommate Harvey Burris, also of Madison had been involved in a physical altercation. The altercation led to Burris stabbing Warden with a broken beer bottle in the left side of his neck and the back of his head.

Warden was later transported to Newman Regional Hospital in Emporia and treated for his injuries. A search warrant was granted and executed at that address.

During the execution of the search warrant deputies arrested John Burris, 47, Emporia, for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia and Transporting open container.

Juanita Burris, 74,  Madison, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia and Felony Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

Harvey Burris, 46,  was not located at the residence.

Just after 1p.m. Monday, deputies took Harvey Burris into custody in Iola Kansas without incident. The case has been referred to the Greenwood County Attorney’s Office. Official charges on Burris not being released at this time.

Police: Kansas man charged with sex crimes involving 6 children

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Damian I. Fallacy-Photo Sedgwick Co.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on child sex crimes.

After a 4-month investigation led by the Wichita Police Department’s Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU), Detectives arrested 38-year-old Damian I. Hallacy on alleged child sex crimes, according to officer Charlie Davidson.

The investigation, involved six youth ranging in age from eight to 15 years old and alleged incidents dating back to 2011.

On Monday, Hallacy was charged with multiple counts.

 

 

LKM hires legal counsel

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Doug M. Taylor
LMK

TOPEKA – The League of Kansas Municipalities, the statewide association representing Kansas’ cities, is pleased to announce the hiring of Doug M. Taylor as the League’s new Legal Counsel. Taylor most recently served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Kansas Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

“We are very excited to bring Doug on board,” said Amanda Stanley, General Counsel for the League. “His prior experience in the Office of the Revisor of Statutes and his most recent tenure as an Assistant Attorney General with the Alcoholic Beverage Control will be a valuable addition to our legal department.”

Taylor joins the League’s legal staff and will counsel elected city officials and municipal employees on legal issues. He will also create and present trainings for League members to assist in their professional development and serve as a member of the League’s legislative staff.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the League,” said Taylor. “I have always been drawn to the legislative process and the policy side of law, so I look forward to using my skills and background for the benefit of our member cities.”

Taylor is well-suited for this position and brings a great deal of experience to the League. In addition to his work as an Assistant Attorney General, he worked as an Assistant Revisor of Statutes for the Office of the Revisor of Statutes from 2009 to 2012, served as Compliance Counsel for the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy, and was a Legislative Lobbyist for Hein Law Firm.

Taylor graduated in 2008 from the Washburn University School of Law and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kansas in Communication Studies. He lives in Topeka with his wife and children.

Man pleads guilty in brutal death of former Kansas educator

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Phillips- photo Topeka Police

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man accused of killing a former Topeka school principal has pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors say 24-year-old Calvin Phillips Jr. pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping for in May 2016 death of Curt Cochran. The pleas came as attorneys began picking jurors to hear Phillips’ trial.

As part of the plea deal, Phillips will be required to testify against a co-defendant, Michael Hall, who is charged with murder.

Co-workers discovered Cochran’s body in a Topeka warehouse. Investigators say he was tied to a chair and his head was wrapped in plastic. He was beaten and his throat was cut.

Cochran was part owner of a company that used the warehouse. He previously was a teacher and principal in the Seaman School District from 1975 to 2000.

Collyer man stopped for speeding, drug charges pending

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PHILLIPS CO. SHERIFF

PHILLIPS COUNTY – According to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Facebook page at approximately 12:10 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2018, a Phillips County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a vehicle speeding through Glade.

Upon stopping the vehicle, it was determined the driver, Brandon J. Rietcheck, 28, Collyer, had a suspended driver’s license. After Rietcheck was taken into custody, drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered in the vehicle.

Rietcheck is currently housed in the Phillips County Jail and pending charges include speeding, driving while license suspended, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

Brownback to get another shot at ambassador post for Trump

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Governor Brownback during his Senate confirmation hearing opening comments

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s nomination for an ambassador’s post will be resubmitted to the U.S. Senate.

The Kansas City Star reports the White House said Monday that Brownback is one of dozens of officials who will be renominated Monday by President Donald Trump.

Brownback was first nominated last July to become ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom but the nomination was opposed by Democrats and LGBT groups.

He is one of dozens of officials who will be renominated by the president on Monday because they were not confirmed by the Senate after Democrats refused to allow their nominations to roll over into the new year.

It is not clear when a vote on Brownback’s nomination will occur.

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