One morning a woman said to her husband, “I bet you don’t know what day this is.”
“Of course I do,” he quickly answered, then ran off to work.
At 10 AM, the doorbell rang and when the woman opened the door, she was handed a box containing a dozen long stemmed red roses. At 1 PM, a foil wrapped, two pound box of her favorite chocolates arrived. Later, a boutique delivered a designer dress.
The woman couldn’t wait for her husband to come home.
“First the flowers, then the chocolates and then the dress!” she exclaimed when he arrived.
WICHITA — Wichita State University has announced the names of more than 2,900 students who were on the WSU dean’s honor roll for fall 2017.
To be included on the dean’s honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
WSU enrolls about 15,000 students and offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges.
The Graduate School offers an extensive program including 42 master’s degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas; a specialist in education degree; and doctoral degrees in applied mathematics; chemistry; communication sciences and disorders; human factors and community/clinical psychology; educational administration; physical therapy; and aerospace, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering.
The following students from northwest Kansas were honored:
Bird City, KS
Bergan W Bock
Tiffany M Hamilton
Downs, KS
Rachel C Renken
Goodland, KS
Amanda R Coon
Kaitlyn K Daise
Hays, KS
Ragan N Arnold
Brianna M Burns
Maci M Gerhard
Ashlyn M Parrish
Thanks to an innovative agreement between USD 489 and Fort Hays State University, USD 489 teachers who want master’s degrees now have an opportunity for a break on tuition.
The new program, titled Teachers Empowered to Achieving Masters, or TEAM, was developed through a collaborative process involving leadership at both organizations.
“This is an example of two organizations coming together to create a program that benefits the local community,” said Dr. Joey Linn, vice president of student affairs at FHSU.
The agreement was approved by the USD 489 Board of Education in December and was signed by FHSU President Tisa Mason on Jan. 2.
Under the agreement, teachers approved by their building and district administrators will be able to get $75 per credit hour from the district and another $75 per credit hour from Fort Hays State. Teachers will be responsible for paying enrollment and student fees and the remaining tuition costs.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the district and FHSU says teachers must be full time and have approval from their building and district administration to seek a graduate degree from FHSU. An alternative is for teachers to get up to 18 graduate credit hours in an area designated by the district as “high need,” based on open positions for which qualified applicants are lacking.
The district will provide the university with a list of approved teachers by Aug. 1 for the fall semester and Intersession (the break between the fall and spring semesters), and by Dec. 20 for the spring semester and summer session.
Hays Mayor James Meier (left) shares his frustration with fellow commissioners about the slow regulatory process by the state in the R9 water project.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays Mayor James Meier is frustrated.
He’s also disappointed the incoming Kansas governor, Jeff Colyer, who visited his hometown of Hays Wednesday, did not meet with city officials.
“We do have something going on that does involve the governor’s office and that’s the R9 water project, which has been slow in getting regulatory approval,” Meier said Thursday evening during closing comments of the city commission work session.
“We filed the change applications with the Division of Water Resources (DWR) nearly three years ago.”
The cities of Hays and Russell are co-owners of the R9 Ranch in Edwards County, purchased in 1994 as a long-term solution to water needs for the towns. Hays owns 82% of the ranch; Russell owns 18%.
Meier acknowledged the state’s Water Transfer Act has never been triggered and Hays is the first entity to make such a request.
“In order to get to that point of discussion, the change applications have to be approved. I think DWR has had ample time to really fetter out this project. It started long before any of us were here.”
“We’ve looked everywhere (for a long term water supply) and this is the best option moving forward for the town. This is a project that needs to be supported for the local community and the region. It needs to be ushered through the bureaucratic process,” Meier stressed.
“The chief engineer at DWR works for the governor, indirectly. It’s become clear to me proper resources have not been allocated to our change application process at DWR.
“I personally was somewhat disappointed the governor came to Hays to kick off his governorship and we were given no opportunity to discuss R9 or our change application process with the governor.”
Meier said the city has “used its local lobbyist to try several times to set up a meeting with the governor and have been unsuccessful in doing so in order to discuss our needs and our challenges to get this through the bureaucratic process.”
Meier actually knows the DWR Chief Engineer, David Barfield, who lives in Lawrence. Meier attended the same church as Barfield when he was a student at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
“He’s a good guy,” Meier quickly noted. “While I’ve never met Governor Colyer, everything I’ve heard and seen about him says he’s a person of character. I believe they both want to do the right thing.
“But it needs to be pointed out that this is the right thing to do. The resources need to be allocated. This is a priority for the city of Hays and the region, and they need to be ushering this through the bureaucratic process sooner rather than later.
“More than two years is long enough, if you ask me. If we don’t have water we’re not going to grow.”
Meier added he hoped Colyer would “listen to local officials, the community, and to the needs that we have” as the new governor and as he campaigns for re-election.
In an email to Hays Post following the commission work session, Meier recalled a meeting last year in Washington, D.C., between city commissioners and federal representatives. Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, as well as Congressman Roger Marshall “personally met with us for the sole purpose of discussing the R9. They took time out of their very busy schedules to make us and the R9 project a priority.
“For over a month we’ve been unsuccessful in arranging a meeting with the then-Lt. Gov. to discuss the R9 regulatory delays, so I just find it troubling that he would come to Hays for a photo op and yet not find time to discuss an issue that will affect our community for the next 50 years.”
While in Hays Wednesday morning, Colyer attended Mass at TMP-Marian, his alma mater, held a roundtable discussion with team members at Westside Alternative School, and then ate lunch at Al’s Chickenette. He was back in Topeka for his swearing-in ceremony at 3 p.m.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.On average, the educational aspirations of Asian immigrant children and Asian international students
surpass all other students in American schools. While there is some variation within ethnic groups in
America, interviews detailed in “The Asian American Achievement Paradox” by Jennifer Lee and Min
Zhou show an upward educational trajectory for second generation immigrants.
“Overachievement” by Asian-American students has long been recognized. Considered the “model
minority,” both temporary Asian international students and second generation Asian-American students
have long excelled in American schools.
Lee and Zhou define this achievement mindset as a “success frame,” or the general way in which
each ethnic culture frames success. This includes both family expectations and how each minority may
provide resources for others within their group to achieve that success frame.
American teachers really enjoy having Asian students. When they get a “B” on the first quiz or exam,
some Asian students drop a college class to take it over again. Simply, a “B” is an Asian “F.” Nothing
less than straight “As” is acceptable. Success is often framed as entry into the top tier of elite
universities—a public university is second choice.
This Asian view focuses on achieving a higher paying job. Medicine, law or engineering are viewed
as successful careers. Not teaching. Not police work.
Success is also framed as being a matter of effort, not innate ability. While Asian students overall
outperform all other groups, the failure of some of them to hit these super-high targets also gives them
the lowest self-esteem of all ethnic groups surveyed. When an Asian student fails to meet ethnic
expectations, the sense of failure can result in suicide at the college level–-more common in Asia than in
the United States—but also not found to any significant extent in students from other cultures. However,
these cultural values also result in the lowest rates of delinquency, incarceration and teenage births of all groups.
Asian immigrants to the U.S. are over-selected for high degrees; that is, Asians who come here
average higher levels of education than was found on average back in their home countries of China,
Vietnam, Korea, etc. In 1970, the Asian population was barely one percent of the American population;
today it exceeds 6 percent. This growth is due to the influx of Vietnamese refugees following that war,
and to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. In addition, nearly all of the U.S. growth in
engineering, physics and medical/pharmacy degrees since then can be attributed to Asian American
students, or to Asian international students who earn a large proportion of those degrees and are then
recruited to remain and work in the United States.
The Asian sub-communities found in larger cities likewise provide after-school resources that are
available to both affluent and economically poor Asian students, thereby providing extra help not
generated by other ethnic groups. This includes not only after-hour cram schools, but also counseling and
networking that directs students down these career paths and makes college entrance easier.
The effect of having your whole ethnic community behind you, encouraging you as a student to
achieve high goals, has a tremendous effect on achievement. The high school dropout rate for white
students has gone from 9 percent in 1993 to 5 percent in 2014. For Asian students, it was always under
one percent.
College enrollment of 18-to-24 year-olds in 2014 was 33 percent for blacks, 35 percent for Hispanics,
42 percent for whites and 64 percent for Asians. State and national goals exhort students to achieve a 60
percent college completion rate. Asian students are already beyond that. When it comes to completing a
bachelor’s degree within the age bracket of 25-29, Hispanics are at 15 percent, blacks at 22, whites are at
41 and Asians are at 63 percent.
Bottomline? If the U.S. reduces Asian immigration, it will reduce a critical supply line of future
engineers, doctors, pharmacists and physicists America needs for its future. But Asian students are not
the only ethnic group that is moving upward in U.S. schools.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
GARDEN CITY, Kan. – The Hays High wrestling team dropped their dual in Garden City Thursday, 41-29. The Indians won five matches, three by fall, one by major decision and one by forfeit.
Corey Hale needed only 46 seconds to defeat Orion Craig by fall at 120. Landon Summers pinned Troy Havens at 152, Kreighton Meyers won by major decision over Jacob Sims and Chase Voth won by fall at 182 over Nathan Ebert. Colter Conger won by forfeit.
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values as low as -1 early. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South wind 8 to 11 mph.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 60. South southwest wind 9 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. North northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Sunday A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Blustery, with a north northeast wind 10 to 20 mph.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas collected $165 million in taxes more than expected in January, raising some legislators’ hopes that they’ll have more money than they thought for meeting a court mandate to increase spending on public schools.
The state Department of Revenue’s report Thursday of a more than 28 percent surplus in monthly tax collections came a day after new Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer took office facing a contentious debate in the GOP-controlled Legislature over education funding. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that spending on schools is inadequate under the state constitution.
Lawmakers in both parties have little appetite for increasing taxes after boosting income taxes last year by an estimated $600 million annually to help stabilize the budget. They also oppose making deep cuts elsewhere in the budget so that new dollars can be transferred to public schools.
A surplus in tax collections could help them avoid either unpalatable choice, though key legislators said they want to see whether the trend sticks or whether they’re seeing a temporary spike tied to changes in federal tax laws.
“We probably won’t know for a few months,” said Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore, of Kansas City, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. “Hopefully, that’s what it means.”
The department’s report came with a warning from Revenue Secretary Sam Williams that the surplus in revenues is tied to the federal income tax cuts and accompanying changes enacted by Congress at the end of last year.
One change will limit the federal income tax deduction for state and local taxes. Williams said the change encouraged filers to pay state and local taxes early, by the end last year, before the change took effect. Williams said officials need to “temper our expectations.”
“I’m cautious about it,” Colyer said during a news conference. “It’s not a windfall.”
The Department of Revenue said Kansas took in nearly $747 million in taxes last month, when the state’s official forecast issued in November projected tax collections of $582 million.
It was the eighth consecutive month tax collections have exceeded expectations. Since the current fiscal year began July 1, the state has collected $3.9 billion in taxes, or $249 million more than anticipated for a surplus of 6.7 percent.
House Taxation Committee Chairman Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican, agreed that federal tax changes are a key reason.
He said the state’s tax increase last year may also have prompted some business owners to make early payments, too. Kansas ended its personal income tax exemption for more than 330,000 farmers and business owners and raised tax rates.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Carolyn McGinn, a Sedgwick Republican added: “We’re going to have, probably, some highs and lows, and we’re not going to have a good average number or a predictable number for a few months.”
RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating 2 suspects captured after a high-speed chase.
Just before 1:30 a.m. Thursday when a Reno County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to make a routine traffic stop in Nickerson. The driver later identified as 31-year-old Joshua Borst of Colorado took off at a high rate of speed down K-14 toward Hutchinson, eventually pulling off onto 6th Street in South Hutchinson.
Law Enforcement used stop sticks and punctured three of the vehicle’s four tires. Borst kept traveling on the rims across the Frank Hart bridge The vehicle ultimately crashed through a fence at the Cargill Salt plant on East G street. Borst and his passenger then took off running.
Officers captured a passenger in the vehicle 36-year-old Jennifer Heckman about 30 yards from the vehicle. Officers couldn’t locate Borst. Heckman was jailed for possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute and felony interference.
Around 6:30 a.m., a Hutchinson Police Officer was called for suspicious activity at a home on Osborne Street. The homeowner said someone was outside her home yelling for help. The officer arrived and found Borst underneath a deck on the east side of the home. He was then taken into custody without further incident.
Joshua Borst is being held on an $8,000 Bond for numerous charges including felony flee and elude, theft or possession of stolen property, interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while suspended and criminal damage.
The vehicle they were in was reported stolen out of Westminster, Colorado.
Unless they make bond, both should make a first court appearance Friday
TOPEKA – With cryptocurrencies continuing to attract headlines, the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner reminds Kansas investors to be cautious about investments involving cryptocurrencies.
“Investors should go beyond the headlines and hype to understand the risks associated with investments in cryptocurrencies, as well as cryptocurrency futures contracts and other financial products where these virtual currencies are linked in some way to the underlying investment,” said John Wine, Securities Commissioner.
Logo for Bitcoin
Cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange created and stored electronically in the blockchain, a distributed public database that keeps a permanent record of digital transactions. Current common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.
Unlike traditional currency, these alternatives have no physical form and typically are not backed by tangible assets. They are not insured or controlled by a central bank or other governmental authority, cannot always be exchanged for other commodities, and are subject to little or no regulation.
A survey of state and provincial securities regulators by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner is a member, shows 94 percent believe there is a “high risk of fraud” involving cryptocurrencies. Regulators also were unanimous that more regulation is needed for cryptocurrency to provide greater investor protection.
“The recent wild price fluctuations and speculation in cryptocurrency-related investments can easily tempt unsuspecting investors to rush into an investment they may not fully understand,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance. “Cryptocurrencies and investments tied to them are high-risk products with an unproven track record and high price volatility.”
The securities office is a division of the Kansas Insurance Department.
Unlike an Initial Public Offering (IPO) when a company sells stocks in order to raise capital, an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) sells “tokens” in order to fund a project, usually related to the blockchain. The token likely has no value at the time of purchase. Some tokens constitute, or may be exchangeable for, a new cryptocurrency to be launched by the project, while others may give investors a discount, or early rights to a product or service proposed to be offered by the project.
Common Cryptocurrency Concerns
Some common concerns investors should consider before investing in any offering containing cryptocurrency include the following:
Cryptocurrency is subject to minimal regulatory oversight, susceptible to cybersecurity breaches or hacks, and there may be no recourse should the cryptocurrency disappear.
Cryptocurrency accounts are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
The high volatility of cryptocurrency investments makes them unsuitable for most investors, especially those investing for long-term goals or retirement.
Investors will have to rely upon the strength of their own computer security systems, as well as security systems provided by third parties, to protect purchased cryptocurrencies from theft.
Common Red Flags of Investment Fraud
Commissioner Wine also reminds investors to keep watch for these common red flags of investment fraud:
“Guaranteed” high investment returns. There is no such thing as guaranteed investment returns, and there is no guarantee that the cryptocurrency will increase in value.
Unsolicited offers. An unsolicited sales pitch may be part of a fraudulent investment scheme. Cryptocurrency investment opportunities are promoted aggressively through social media.
Sounds too good to be true. If the project sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for exaggerated claims about the project’s future success.
Pressure to buy immediately. Take time to research an investment opportunity before handing over your money.
Unlicensed sellers. Many fraudulent investment schemes involve unlicensed individuals or unregistered firms. The KSC can help investors research the background of those selling or advising the purchase of an investment. Call 800-232-9580 or go online at www.ksc.ks.gov.
PHILLIPS COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of suspicious activity and alerting the public to secure their property.
Between 5:00 – 6:30 a.m., Thursday, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office received two suspicious behavior calls in the 400 Block of Main Street and the 400 Block of Mill Street Logan, according to a social media report.
One call involved an unknown person(s) entering the home of an elderly woman.
The individual was spotted using a blanket or sheet to conceal their features by hiding behind it or wrapping it around themselves, according to the sheriff’s department.
The Individual was described as being approximately 5-foot-10, with a slim build.
Reporting parties stated that the individual moved swiftly, indicating that the subject is most likely a younger individual.
Residents of Logan and the rest of Phillips County should make sure their homes, outbuildings and vehicles are secure and report any suspicious activity immediately to the Sheriff’s Office.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Obi Enechionyia hit two free throws with 18.1 seconds left in overtime, and Temple beat No. 16 Wichita State 81-79 on Thursday night.
Quinton Rose scored 19 points for the Owls (12-10, 4-6 American Athletic Conference), and Josh Brown had 15. Shizz Alston Jr. shook off a poor shooting performance to score 12 points, including the tying bucket at the end of regulation.
Enechioinyia was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound. Markis McDuffie then missed a 3 at the other end, and the rebound caromed into the backcourt as time expired and Temple fans stormed the floor.
The Owls earned another big win alongside upsets of Clemson and Auburn early in the season.
Shaquille Morris had 24 points and nine rebounds and Austin Reaves added 20 points for the Shockers (17-5, 7-3), who have dropped three of five.
Alston, who was just 5 of 22 from the field, made a driving layup in traffic with 6.8 seconds left in regulation. Zach Brown then missed a corner 3 for Wichita State as time expired.
The Shockers led by as many as 12 points in first half, but nine second-half turnovers and Temple’s inspired play produced a comeback, with Alston tying it with a fadeaway with 2:15 left.
Morris barely beat the shot clock with a shot in the lane on the ensuing possession. But after an empty possession by each team, Alston delivered.
Temple entered with an odd resume — just a game above .500 and yet ranked No. 44 in the RPI —thanks to a brutal schedule and several quality wins.
And the Owls gave the Shockers all they could handle, despite Morris’ big night. The rugged big man eclipsed 1,000 career points in the second half and his dunk with 2:19 left in overtime made it 79-74.
Wichita State, which tumbled in the rankings after consecutive losses last month, didn’t score again despite 47-37 rebounding edge.
BIG PICTURE
Wichita State: The Shockers are learning the ropes in their first season in the AAC. Too many turnovers (16, with 10 after halftime) and 1-of-10 shooting from 3-point range in the second half were too much to overcome.
Temple: The record doesn’t show it, but the Owls can make a case for the NCAA Tournament thanks to their tough schedule, strong RPI and several big wins. A strong finish would put them in consideration despite the 10 losses.
FAMILY SQUABBLE
McDuffie scored 11 points as his sister sat behind the opposing bench. Sierra is in her second season as a graduate manager for Temple. She played basketball at Division II Felician in New Jersey.
ELITE 8 MEMORIES
Temple at halftime honored the Mark Macon-led team that reached the East Region final 30 years ago before falling to Duke.
Location of the November fatal fire-photo courtesy WIBW TV
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Two women are charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 34-year-old Eudora man whose body was found inside a burning house near Lawrence.
The Douglas County District Attorney said 38-year-old Tria Evans, of Lawrence, and 37-year-old Christina Towell, of Leavenworth, were charged Thursday. They are being held on $1 million bond.
Joel Wales was found dead Nov. 3 in the home south of Lawrence.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Evans is the mother of Wales’ child, and the two had several past domestic disputes. Towell does not have a record in the Douglas County court.
The sheriff’s office said it would not release further information about the homicide while the investigation is ongoing.
What a Wonderful Day
