Zack Pistora of the Kansas Sierra Club was worried about the number of earthquakes in the state and wanted to do something about it.
Saltwater injection wells, like this one in southeast Kansas, are the focus of proposed legislation aimed at reducing the earthquakes linked to them. The industry says targeted regulations in specific counties already address the issue. KANSAS GEOLOGICAL SURVE
“Those earthquakes can cause damage to people’s homes, businesses, public buildings,” he said. “Right now there’s no recourse for those Kansans who get affected.”
So Pistora and a few others brought the issue to legislators. The result is several bills aimed at putting stricter regulations on the wells oil and gas producers use to inject wastewater back into the ground. The slate of bills makes changes to the public notice requirements for new wells and would create a fund to help pay for damage caused by the earthquakes tied to drilling.
“If we still have earthquakes caused by the industry,” Pistora said, “ the industry should be accountable for that.”
One of the bills would also put a statewide cap on the amount of wastewater that can be injected into the ground each day. On Thursday, that bill, HB2641, received a hearing before the House Water and Environment Committee.
Kansas regulators told legislators that a statewide cap isn’t necessary. They say the only injection wells linked directly to earthquakes are in Harper and Sumner counties, which already have caps in place.
Ryan Hoffman, director of the Kansas Corporation Commission Conservation Division, said scores of wells that would be impacted scattered across the state show no connection to increased earthquakes.
That’s why, the industry says, a statewide cap would hurt oil production without reducing earthquakes.
“All these bills are based on misleading and inaccurate data,” Ed Cross, the president of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association, “that provide very little benefit but are an attempt to advance a political agenda.”
Meanwhile, Pistora says he hopes the bills will start a productive conversation, even if they don’t all get hearings this year.
Brian Grimmett is a reporter focusing on the environment and energy for the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett.
Fort Hays State University’s student affairs ACCESS to Success Plan was recently awarded the 2018 National Student Affairs Technology Emerging Practice Award from NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education – Technology Knowledge Community.
Dr. Brett Bruner, director of transition and student conduct, will receive the award on March 6 at the Technology Knowledge Community’s annual meeting at the NASPA annual conference in Philadelphia.
“Technology is shifting the way that students and institutions are approaching educating today’s students,” said Bruner. “As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and ubiquitous, so do the programs and services that arise on college campuses and in higher education.”
The award recognizes members who are leveraging technology to make differences at their institutions in addition to highlighting strategies, programs and techniques that contribute to greater development and support of technological advancement.
Fort Hays State University thanked the donors for the new video boards for Lewis Field and Gross Memorial Coliseum at a press conference Friday.
Verlin and Elaine Pfannenstiel, Don and Chris Bickle, the Bob and Patricia Schmidt Foundation, and Eagle Communications donated $1 million toward the $1.2 million cost of the video boards.
“Athletics is what unites us,” said JasonWilliby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation, “It unites us as a university, as a community, as a state. We are proud to be Tiger Gold on Fridays and black and gold on Saturdays. Spectators at Gross Memorial are going to be treated for decades to a beautiful, four-sided video board that would not have been possible without the Pfannenstiel family.”
In a prepared statement, the Pfannenstiels thanked the athletic director and FHSU for allowing them to be a part of the video board project.
The video board at Lewis Field was thanks to the donations from the Bickles, Schmidt Foundation and Eagle Communications.
Curtis Hammeke, FHSU athletics director, said there was no doubt the scoreboards, which had been in place since the early ’90s, needed to be replaced.
“The common denominator with these people, I think, is their work ethic and their principals, and these are the things they are bringing to us that are great examples for our athletes to see,” Hammeke said. “We are trying to accomplish great things in the arena. We are out there in front of everybody all the time and putting ourselves at risk. These people did that with their businesses. They have gone through that and excelled, and now they are giving it back.”
FHSU head football coach Chris Brown thanked all the donors to the project. He noted the new video board has helped in recruiting efforts by showing potential players the commitment donors have to Tiger athletics.
“I can’t tell you what a privilege it is to be up here to thank such wonderful people — a group of people who bleed black and gold, through and through — a group of people who have truly supported FHSU for many, many years. I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for us,” Brown said.
Tony Hobson, FHSU head women’s basketball coach, said, “We have one of the nicest historic arenas to play in. It is one of the best in the country, but it is going on 50 years old. When we get a video board, it is like taking a beautiful classic car and putting a new engine in it. It is just better. You take something that is good already and make it better.”
Gary Shorman, Eagle Communications president and CEO, talked about the teamwork that brought the project together.
“When you talk about teamwork, you can do it on the field, you can do it on the court, you can do it with your customers, you can do it with your listeners, but you do it as a community, and that is one of the things we see happen,” Shorman said. “We at Eagle carry around a coin. On the front of the coin, it says Eagle, of course. You have to have that there, and then it says ‘Our Community Connected.’ That is exactly what we are doing here today, connecting our community with those in the area and being a partner with the Pfannenstiels and the Bickles.”
Donor Dan Bickle speaks to the press conference audience Friday. Photo courtesy of FHSU
Don Bickle remembered his friend Bob Schmidt fondly. Schmidt died in 2017. He said the friends had something in common.
“We are firmly, staunchly in favor of God and country, and we believe that from the bottom of our hearts. If you look at the projects we have been involved in, in every one of those, that is there or we are not there,” Bickle said.
FHSU President Tisa Mason concluded the press conference with her remarks.
“I wanted to remind everyone today that it is not just a scoreboard,” she said. “It is about so many other things. It is about fan engagement whether it is a kissing cam or the crazy games by Matt Cook. It is about engagement of the community. It is also, in my mind’s eye, about the athletes who fight with determination and resilience in every competition. I picture them looking out of the corner of their eye and being that much more motivated to go for the win and pull it out and fight with strength and courage for our institution.”
Mason said the FHSU student athletes are a special class of people.
“As we watch the Olympics right now, we watch people who have to have the courage to get up after a fall—to fight to work hard to have an amazing win,” Mason said. “Our student athletes not only do that every day as athletes, but they also go to class and they study and they get a college degree at the same time. The way athletics impacts this community is profound, and it brings us together, as all the speakers have said, as a true family, so thank you for being a part of our true family and making us get better every day.”
TOPEKA – Business Appreciation Month will again be recognized statewide in June, serving as a tribute to Kansas businesses for their contributions to our state. The Kansas Department of Commerce is now accepting nominations for Business Appreciation Month awards, affording the opportunity for individuals and organizations to nominate Kansas businesses that grow jobs and support their local communities.
Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce, says, “Kansas businesses are the engines of economic growth. They better the quality of life in our state by creating jobs, investing in our communities and supporting local activities. In 2018, we are once again excited to honor the businesses in our state and invite you to join us by nominating the successful businesses in your community for the 2018 Kansas Business Appreciation Month Awards.”
The top nominees will be recognized at the Team Kansas awards banquet on June 5 at the DoubleTree hotel in Lawrence, and the winner will take home the 2018 Governor’s Award of Excellence, the highest award given to a business by the state.
Nominations will be accepted in four categories: manufacturing/distribution, retail, service and hospital/non-profit. Businesses can be nominated by an individual or organization, and nominators may submit multiple companies for consideration. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 30 at 5 p.m.
SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have released security camera images.
Photos courtesy Topeka Police
Just after 1a.m. Friday, police responded Dimple Donuts, 4201 SW 21 Street in Topeka in reference a robbery to the business, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
A clerk told police that 4 unknown age, race men wearing all dark clothing entered the business. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun and ordered the clerk to the ground. The four suspects took money from the business and fled south out of the business, possibly to a awaiting vehicle. There were no injuries reported.
There have been no arrests made. Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call Topeka Police.
HAYS, Kan.-Stockton scored the first six points in Friday night’s Mid Continent League battle with TMP at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in Hays. The Lady Tigers would hold that lead through most of the first quarter. TMP would edge their way back into the game thanks to nine first quarter points from Aubrey Koenigsman. The Lady Monarchs took their first lead, 14-13, at the end of the first quarter.
There was not a lot of offense from either team in the second quarter with TMP outscoring Stockton 9-4 and led 23-17 at the break. Koenigsman hit five three pointers in the first half to lead all scorers with 15 points. Haven Hamilton led the way for Stockton with eight points.
TMP would open up the offense in the third quarter as they outscored Stockton 21-12 in the third quarter to take control of the game. The two teams played fairly even in the fourth quarter with TMP picking up the 64-45 win. Hamilton led the Lady Tigers with 15 points. Koenigsman finished with 17 to lead TMP.
Stockton drops to 13-6 on the season and 4-4 in the MCL. TMP improves to 16-2 on the year and 8-0 in the MCL. The Lady Monarchs will hit the road next week on Tuesday in Plainville and on Thursday at Hutch-Trinity.
BAILEY LACY INTERVIEW
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Boys: TMP 50, Stockton 21
HAYS, Kan.-TMP never trailed in their 50-21 win over Stockton on Friday night. The Monarchs had a 12-5 lead after the first quarter. TMP would outscore the Tigers 15-1 in the second quarter to nearly put the game away.
The Monarchs had only two first half turnovers. Stockton had six turnovers. Creighton Renz and Michael Lager led all scorers six first half points each.
The second half was very similar to the first half with a slow pace. TMP would pick up their second straight victory and improve to 13-5 on the season while Stockton drops to 6-12. Renz and Lager both finished with 12 to lead TMP and Kylar Williams was the only Tiger in double figures.
Hays High resumed Western Athletic Conference play on Friday night hosting Garden City. The Lady Indians entered the night tied with Liberal, who was idle, at the top of the conference standings. The Indians entered undefeated in the WAC play.
Girls
Garden City 50 – Hays 36
Like they did on Tuesday night, Hays jumped out to a big lead over the first four minutes of the game. The Lady Indians made five for their first seven shots on their way to a 12-2 lead over Garden City. Hays could not add to the lead though, missing their last 19 of the half. Garden City outscored Hays 12-2 over the final 12:10 of the first half to tie the game at 14 by halftime.
Highlights
Things were no better for Hays in the third quarter. Garden City pushed their advantage up to eight following a 10-3 run, taking a 29-23 to the fourth quarter. Hays closed the deficit down to five points in the fourth quarter but missed a three pointer to get closer. Garden City made 14 of 21 fourth quarter free throws to beat Hays 50-36.
The long drought from first quarter to third quarter for Hays went 13 minutes where the Lady Indians missed 20 consecutive shots.
Coach Kirk Maska
Savannah Schneider led the team with 11 points. Garden City’s Josie Calzonetti scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. She was 13-14 from the free throw line.
Hays falls to 11-7 and 4-2 in the WAC. Garden City improves to 6-13 and 2-5.
Boys
Hays 52 – Garden City 50
Hays and Garden City played to a 23-23 tie through a back and fourth first half. The Indians led just one time at 6-5. Garden City answered quickly with a 14-6 run. The run ended in the second quarter giving Garden City a 19-12 lead, their biggest of the first half. The Indians fought back for a 11-4 run that tied the game at halftime.
Highlights
Garden City started the second half on a 7-0 to go up 30-23. The Indian offense finally gained traction going on a 19-2 run that built Hays their first ten point lead of the night at 42-32. Hays held a ten point lead once again with 5:30 left in the game at 50-40. Garden City kept the Indians scoreless for nearly the remainder of the game. During the dry spell the Buffaloes went on a 10-0 and tied the game with :26.6 left on a free throw. Hays set up their final play as Kyler Koenke hit Cole Murphy on a baseline back cut for the game winning shot with :03.1. Garden City’s half court heave came up short and Hays took the win 52-50.
Coach Rick Keltner
Cole Murphy scored a game high 18 points all in the second half. Ethan Nunnery added 11 points. Dylan Ruder scored a career high nine off the bench. Kyler Koenke had a career high ten rebounds.
Hays improves to 12-6 on the year and is 6-0 in the WAC with two games remaining. The Indians have a two game lead on Garden City who is now 11-8 on the year and 5-2 in conference play.
Hays will host Dodge City on Tuesday for Senior Night.
PARSONS, Kan. (AP) — A former Montgomery County man was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the death of a southeast Kansas woman and her three children.
David Cornell Bennett, Jr-photo Montgomery Co.
The Kansas Attorney General says 26-year-old David Cornell Bennett Jr., formerly of Cherryvale, was sentenced Friday for capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty in December 2017 to killing 29-year-old Cami Umbarger and her three minor children in Parsons in November 2013.
The state dropped its intention to seek the death penalty as part of the plea deal.
Testimony at a preliminary hearing in October 2014 indicated the victims were strangled. Witnesses testified Bennett repeatedly tried to contact Umbarger after they met at a club in Independence. Family members said the two had dated briefly but Umbarger tried to end the relationship.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Fort Hays State baseball team rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat New Mexico Highlands in extra innings Friday afternoon (Feb. 16), 9-8. The Tigers improved to 6-2 with the win, while the Cowboys are now 2-6 on the year.
The Tigers scored two runs in the top of the ninth to tie things up before winning the game in the 13th inning. FHSU scored its nine runs on 13 hits and seven Cowboy errors, while NMHU pushed across eight runs on 10 hits and two Tiger errors.
The Cowboys scored single runs in each of the first four innings to take an early lead. The home team added two more runs in the home half of the sixth before the Tiger bullpen came on to calm the Cowboy bats. Cole Schumacher, Alex Ruxlow and Cody Rottinghaus combined to keep NMHU off the board until the 11th inning, giving the Tigers an opportunity to rally.
Fort Hays State started its comeback in the top of the third inning when Jason Nicholson reached on a two-out error and promptly swiped second base. Clayton Basgall made NMHU pay for the defensive miscue, driving a double to right to plate Nicholson and closing the gap to 2-1 at the time.
Trailing 6-1, the Tigers took advantage of two more Cowboy errors in the top of the seventh to narrow the deficit to two runs, 6-4. Addison Kaasch doubled to right to open the inning before Jordan Wilkerson put runners at the corners with a single to left. The pair came around to score with Ryan Grasser at the dish on two Cowboy errors, allowing Grasser to reach third base. The junior sprinted home two batters later when Marcus Altman punched an RBI groundout to short.
Wilkerson opened the ninth inning with his third base hit of the day, doubling to left field. Grasser followed with an RBI double to left center, helping the Tigers close within one, 6-5. Altman reached base two batters later on a hit by pitch before Nicholson worked a walk, loading the bases with one out. Basgall came through with an RBI fielder’s choice to short, beating out the double play to tie things up at 6-6.
The Tigers looked to be in control when they scored a pair of runs in the top of the 11th after Altman led off with a single. The sophomore came around to score two batters later when Basgall reached on an error. Alex Weiss followed with an RBI single to score Basgall, putting the Tigers in front 8-6.
New Mexico Highlands answered with two runs of their own, collecting three singles. Sam Capps came on to strand the winning run at second, giving the Tigers new life. The senior got out of another jam in the 12th, leaving a runner at third with a strikeout.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the 13th on another error and singles from Basgall and Weiss. Kaasch stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, coming through with an RBI when he was hit by a pitch. Capps mowed through the Cowboys in order in the bottom of the inning, securing the victory for the Tigers.
Basgall and Wilkerson both collected three hits, with Basgall knocking in two RBI. Capps (1-1) earned the win after giving up just one hit over 2.2 innings of work, striking out two. Schumacher did not allow a baserunner over 1.1 innings pitched while Ruxlow retired five of the six batters he faced. Rottinghaus came out of the bullpen to retire the side in order in the ninth and 10th innings before allowing the two runs in the 11th, giving up two runs on two hits over 2.1 innings of action.
The Tigers and Cowboys will face off in game two of the series on Saturday (Feb. 16) at 2 p.m. CT (1 p.m. MT).
SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department (WPD) is investigating two alleged threats made Friday on social media at local high schools and in one case a 17-year-old has been arrested.
According to officer Charlie Davidson, a Bishop Carroll school official notified police of a social media post involving a student threatening physical violence at a school.
The investigation led to the identification and arrest of a 17-year-old male suspect, according to Davidson. The suspect will be booked into jail for criminal threat
Also, a Southeast High student notified school administrators of a social media post that threatened violence on Snapchat, a popular youth communications platform. Southeast officials notified police and are currently investigating the case to determine the source and severity of the threat, according to Davidson.
Wichita Police will continue to work with school officials to ensure the safety of students.
Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association will hold its meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Wed., March 14 at the Fort Hays State University Robbins Center (Eagle Communications Hall), One Tiger Place. Registration is from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m., with a short business meeting starting at 11:30 a.m.
The program for the March meeting will be “Managing Organizational Change & the Significance of Assessments” presented by Sabrina William, Fort Hays State University. The program will be submitted for HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits. If interested in attending as a guest, RSVP to wkhrma.shrm.org no later than noon on March 9.
WKHRMA is an affiliate chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), a local professional organization for persons engaged in personal or human resource management. For more information on WKHRMA, visit wkhrma.shrm.org.
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