JOHNSON COUNTY — Police are investigating a burglary and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.
The woman victim was visiting a Kansas cemetery gravesite in Lenexa when her purse was stolen, according to Lenexa Police.
The alleged suspect seen in security camera images used her credit cards numerous times.
Anyone with information to help identify him is asked to contact or message them at 913-825-8120
What do you call an Irishman who keeps bouncing off the walls?
Rick O’Shea
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The Brake Breakdown
Sherry was exasperated with her younger sister, who bought an unreliable
car and called for a ride every time it broke down.
One day Sherry got yet another one of those calls.
“What happened this time?” she asked.
“My brakes went out,” her sister said. “Can you come to get me?”
“Where are you?” Sherry asked.
“I’m in the drugstore,” her sister responded.
“And where’s the car?”
“It’s in here with me.”
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WASHINGTON — Eagle Communications Inc. has been selected by The ESOP Association as the 2018 Intranet Annual Award for Communications Excellence. The AACE Awards are sponsored each year by the Association to recognize the outstanding communications and educational programs of its members. The awards are presented each May at the Association’s Annual Conference in Washingtonto companies who have excelled in communicating the ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) and its meaning to the company’s employees.
This is the second year in a row Eagle has been recognized by the national ESOP Association in the intranet category. This award recognizes excellence in ESOP communication efforts through use of a company intranet. The awards are split into two Divisions. Division A: 250 or Fewer Employees and Division B: Over 250 Employees. Eagle falls under the Over 250 Employees division.
“We are pleased to have been selected as a 2018 AACE Award winner by The ESOP Association,” President and CEO Gary Shorman said. “We are proud to be an ESOP company and strongly believe in the power of employee ownership and share that belief with all our employees.”
AACE Award winners are chosen by a panel of five judges made up of both management and non-management employee owners, each of whom has demonstrated active experience and interest in the field of ESOPs and employee ownership communications. Awards are based on: overall quality and quantity of employee owner education, contributions of employee owners, integration of the ESOP into company culture, frequency of ownership communications, involvement and/or response of employee owners, encouragement of ownership attitudes, clear explanations, creative ideas, graphic design, and technical quality.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Monday, Fort Hays State University’s Dr. Jeff Burnett received the 2018 MIAA SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) Mentor of the Year Award at the MIAA Awards Celebration in Kansas City. Burnett, now in his 16th year at FHSU, is an adviser and faculty member in the Department of Health and Human Performance and a minister/director for Encounter, a spiritual group for college students.
The MIAA SAAC Mentor of the Year Award is in its ninth year as it started during the 2009-10 school year. This award aims to recognize an individual who has had an immense impact on student-athletes within their campus throughout their career. Each SAAC institute nominates someone on their campus each year, and a selection committee decides which individual has had the greatest impact during that year.
The FHSU SAAC nominated Dr. Burnett based on his support throughout their lives on and off the court. According to his students, motivation is a common word used to describe the impact of Dr. Burnett. Whether he is teaching, ministering, or just visiting with a student or team, his focus is to help them find motivation to get to where they want to be. Dr. Burnett, while he serves as a mentor to a majority of student-athletes on campus, also holds the role of team chaplain for the football team. In addition to his on-campus impact, Dr. Burnett sponsors a mission trip each year to Haiti to promote community service.
According to his nomination letter, a freshman athlete quotes Dr. Burnett as someone who “cares about my future. He has a very enlightening personality, he’s a great person to talk to and he’s a great all around person and I know that he has benefited other students in similar ways.” Dr. Burnett supports students academically, athletically and personally.
Jackie Creamer’s The Dance Studio has scheduled the following summer camps and classes for the coming weeks.
• Princess Dance Camp
June 18 to 22
9 to 10 a.m.
Performance Friday at noon
$50 per dancer, includes T-shirt
• Cheer Pom Dance Camp with a KU Rock Chalk Dancer
June 18 to 22
10 to 11 a.m.
Performance Friday at noon
$50 per dancer, includes T-shirt
• Couples Social Dancing
July 18 and 19
6 to 8 p.m.
$50 per couple
Vision Dance Company Camp and Auditions also are scheduled for Aug. 7 to 9.
For more information, call (785) 623-1939 or email [email protected].
MANHATTAN — In its ongoing support of Kansas FFA Association, Kansas Farm Bureau awarded 10 grants worth $5,000 to FFA chapters across the state. The grants were provided to help fund chapters partnering with county Farm Bureaus on local projects.
Chapters receiving $500 for a joint project in partnership with a county Farm Bureau include:
Atchison County and Atchison County Farm Bureau
Inman and McPherson County Farm Bureau
Junction City and Geary County Farm Bureau
La Crosse and Rush County Farm Bureau
Lyndon and Osage County Farm Bureau
Marais des Cygnes Valley and Osage County Farm Bureau
Skyline and Pratt County Farm Bureau
Southwestern Heights and Seward County Farm Bureau
Valley Heights and Marshall County Farm Bureau
Wellington and Sumner County Farm Bureau
These chapters were recognized on stage during the 90th Kansas FFA Convention on Wed., May 30 at McCain Auditorium on the Kansas State University Campus.
FHSU University Relations
A presentation by Dr. Robert Scott, assistant professor of teacher education at Fort Hays State University, was recently selected for a session at the upcoming University of Kansas 2018 Summer Strategies Conference.
“Carpe Diem: Using Individual Plans of Study to Build Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy Skills” suggests ways for Kansas middle school teachers, high school teachers and counselors to use individual plans of study to support key transition skills for all students in full-inclusion educational settings.
“Going back to 1990, special educators have worked to promote autonomy and free-will for adolescent students,” said Scott. “This key aspect of preparation for post-secondary success must be conscientiously incorporated in the IPS process for college and career readiness.”
Scott teaches the introductory course and professional procedures in the undergraduate special education minor program in FHSU’s Department of Teacher Education.
MANHATTAN, Kan. — A total of 19 students from the Northwest District FFA were awarded their State FFA Degree at the 90th Kansas FFA State Convention, May 30–June 1, 2018, on the Kansas State University campus.
The State Degree is the highest honor the Kansas FFA Association can bestow upon its members. In order to achieve this award, members must meet the following requirements: have received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000 or worked 600 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, given a six-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement.
The members who met these qualifications and their respective FFA Chapters from the Northwest District are: Atwood — Natalie Hawkins, Cauy Hayes; Ellis — Lane Fischer, Cameryn Kinderknecht, Lane Kohl; Hoxie — Samuel Bretz, Sean Robben, Cami Schamberger; Lakeside — Madison Schindler, Nicholas Schmitt, Isaac Schoen; Plainville — Noah Hansen, Willow Hunt; St. Francis — Coy De Waal, Emileigh Dinkel, Echoe Lennox, Mason Schmid, Matthisen Witzel; WaKeeney — Codi Bliss.
The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Tue., June 5, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 20th St, Hays; 1:26 AM
Disturbance – Noise–100 block W 15th St, Hays; 4:50 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–6th St and Fort St, Hays; 9:16 AM
Animal At Large–300 block E 25th St, Hays; 9:49 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 14th St, Hays; 11 AM
Water Use Violation–2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 11:31 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block E 4th St, Hays; 12:11 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:22 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:39 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2700 block Plaza Ave, Hays; 1:14 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–33rd St and Ash St, Hays; 1:19 PM
Computer Crime–1700 block Henry Dr, Hays; 1:33 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–35th St and Hall St, Hays; 1:48 PM
Animal At Large–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 2:17 PM
Theft (general)–1600 block Main St, Hays; 2:22 PM
Suspicious Activity–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 1:15 PM; 1:25 PM
Suspicious Activity–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 3:08 PM
Fraud–100 block W 12th St, Hays–3:41 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:56 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block Riley St, Hays; 4:29 PM
Credit Card Violations–4500 block Larned Cir, Hays; 6:30 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 7:59 PM
TOPEKA, KAN. – Three indictments were unsealed Tuesday alleging massage parlors in Topeka and Lawrence were fronts for prostitution, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Five people were charged in federal grand jury indictments alleging prostitution businesses generated millions of dollars in revenue. Charges included conspiracy, interstate racketeering, bank fraud and money laundering.
Defendants charged include:
Ma Li Vanskike, 67, operator of ABC Massage (formerly Naima Therapy) in Lawrence is charged with one count of interstate racketeering and five counts of money laundering. An indictment alleges she laundered more than $1 million in revenues over a period of five years at Harrah’s Casino in North Kansas City, Mo.
Weiling Nielsen, 53, and Erik Nielsen, operators of Jasmine Massage in Topeka, Naima Asian Massage in Lawrence and Serenity Health Spa in Lawrence, are charged with two counts of conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud, five counts of money laundering, and one count of racketeering. An indictment alleges they bought and sold California real estate worth millions of dollars while falsely representing themselves to lenders as restaurant managers in Lawrence.
Lian Hua Li, 55, and Michael Mills, 61, are charged with two counts of conspiracy, two counts of interstate racketeering and four counts of money laundering. An indictment alleges Li operated Sunflower Massage (formerly Jasmine Massage) in Topeka and S-Therapy in Salina, and that Mills worked with her. The indictment alleges Mills transported female sex workers from the airport to massage parlors and assisted Li in laundering cash proceeds of prostitution. The indictment alleges some of the money was laundered through casinos in Kansas.
Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: Up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Racketeering: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Money laundering and money launder conspiracy: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
Bank fraud: Up to 30 years and a fine up to $1 million.
The FBI investigated with the assistance of the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office and Salina Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.
ATCHISON — Two people died in an accident just after 5p.m. Tuesday in Atchison County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Mercury Cougar driven by Elaine L. Drennon, 55, Atchison, was northbound on U.S. 59 just east of Center Township.
The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a semi head-on in the southbound lanes.
Drennon and a passenger in the Cougar Karen Sue Keil, 59, Kansas City, MO. were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to First Call. The semi driver William R. Wilson, 48, Annville, KY., was transported to the hospital in St. Joseph.
Keil was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The understanding of the causes of depression and anxiety has evolved over the last 50 years, but a new book suggests we might have some power to combat the debilitating illnesses.
Johann Hari, in his book “Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes for Depression — And the Unexpected Solutions,” suggests reconnecting with other people and our environment can hep people suffering from depression and anxiety.
Ken Windholz, psychologist and a faculty member at Fort Hays State University, gave a presentation on the book to the Hays National Alliance on Mental Illness on Monday.
For 50 years, the medical field has relied heavily on the theory that depression is caused by a lack of the brain chemical serotonin. To combat this, medication known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs were prescribed.
Exposure to light, exercise and a healthy diet have also all been found to increase serotonin levels in the brain.
However, Hari suggests there are psychological and social factors that also can influence mental health.
Some of the those psychological factors include learning, emotions, thinking attitudes, memory, perceptions, beliefs and stress management strategies.
Social factors include social support, family background, interpersonal relationships, cultural traditions, medical care, socioeconomic status, poverty, physical exercise and biofeedback.
Psychological, social and biologic factors all intersect to affect a person’s physical and mental health.
“This is how we have been doing this in modern treatment,” Windholz said. “We separate things out. We start to think of ourselves as separated also. This is my brain. This is my social relationship. This is my psychological relationship. This brain stuff must not be impacting my social relationships, or my social relationships might have a little bit to do with my psychological stuff, but not much.
“That is the key to understanding this and understanding treatment is to understand all these things interact. We are not half a person walking around. Every one of us is a whole, blessed, integrated human being.”
The author suggests depression is a function of our lost natural and intended internal and external connections —biologically, psychologically and socially.
Windholz posed this is simpler language.
“What he is saying is that one or more of these features of ourselves is out of sync. The chance is when we are really depressed, all of these things are out of sync,” he said.
These changes tend to feed off each other. If you are off physically, then you can be off psychologically and/or socially.
Mental health treatment is coming full circle to understand brain chemistry is not the only cause of depression.
“Since the use of antidepressants came along, it has not significantly reduced the instance of depression,” Windholz said. “It has relieved a good bit of it. People still get depressed even when they are taking anti-depressant medication. Even when they have been switched to two or three antidepressants, they still get depressed. We didn’t understand why.”
Depression and anxiety are the most common complaints among those seeking mental health treatment, but Windholz said they are probably the illnesses science understands the least because there is such a wide range of factors they encompass.
Hari said we are disconnected in a variety of ways. He said we are disconnected from meaningful work. Windholz presented some statistics.
Sixty-three percent of people polled by Gallup say they’re “not engaged” in their day’s work, that they’re “sleepwalking” through their day and 87 percent of people in the poll say they dislike their jobs.
Hari argues our society is outwardly motivated on rewards.
“I think we should tell each other that we are good people and mean it, because that is the way we communicate our affections and recognition of one another in an honest way,” Windholz said. “You can give all the rewards and awards and diplomas and certificates and plaques and all the trophies and great things you want, give them the keys to the city and tell them what a great person they are. If they really don’t feel it in their heart, none of that matters. Status means nothing without authenticity behind it.”
Another way we disconnect is from other people.
“We are naturally social beings. … Our very nature is to be connected through friends, partners, families, neighborhoods, communities, clubs, organizations even municipalities. … ‘I am from the city of … and ‘I like the LA Raiders’ and civic pride, cultures … Whatever those cultural identities are, we put them into ourselves.”
Scientists have found that certain areas of the brain “light up” when people interact with other people.
Many Americans have no close friends, Windholz said. Loneliness is a key feature in depression and suicidal behavior. It correlates with anxiety, low self-esteem, pessimism and fear that others dislike us, he said.
The author also suggests that we disconnect from meaningful values.
“We have become a materially focused society,” Windholz said.
A 2017 survey of 10 grand lottery winners (winners of $3 million to $314 million) revealed two declared bankruptcy, three committed suicide, two went to prison, one married and divorced six times and two developed substance abuse dependencies.
“The more one thinks about having stuff and superiority and showing it off, the more unhappy, depressed and anxious one often is,” Windholz said.
Disconnection can be the result of child hood trauma. Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. in “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” estimated 50 percent of patients diagnosed with major depression also had abuse in their past. The earlier this occurs in life, the greater the likelihood of the diagnosis.
People can disconnect from the natural world.
“Nature by itself of its own accord is connected. Nature represents connection,” Windholz said. “We go look around outside and see how the wind blows through the trees. There is a connection. We see how the birds land in the trees. There is a connection. We see how the birds build nests. We see the cycles of life between seasons. We see migrations. Nature has its cycles. Nature is connected in every possible way.”
People who do not experience nature become trapped like an animal in a zoo, he said.
“Sometimes when you force yourself out among people, you might find yourself to just slightly feel a little bit better,” he said. “You can see how the other half lives, so to speak. Now I have something to compare that with. When I am locked in by myself, I don’t have anything to compare it with. All I have to compare it with is whatever is happening inside myself.”
Finally, the author suggests people can become disconnected from a hopeful and secure future. Central to suicidal thinking is a lost sense of the future.
The adolescent brain is notorious for its “immediacy thinking” and the belief that “However it is now is how it will always be.” The depressed person reverts to this thinking mode, Windholz said.
Although brain chemistry plays a role in depression and anxiety, some researches believe less than 30 percent of depressive and anxiety disorders are caused by genetics. Only one gene, 5-HTTLPR, has been linked to serotonin re-uptake transporters you have. Even if you have a genetic predisposition to have depression or anxiety, external forces may play a role in whether you develop the illnesses.
Windholz asked his audience how they isolate from other people. He suggested some of the ways we isolate include using social media, watching TV, staying inside all day, buying things and using online buying excessively, sleeping more, over use of the Internet, and playing video games.
We can reconnect by exercising (as little as 10 to 15 minutes per day can be beneficial) and engaging in meaningful work. This can be through a job, activity or volunteering.
“It is really a matter of how we balance all these factors in our lives. How do we stay connected but no too connected—just enough connected? How do I isolate, but not become too isolated? How do I take time for myself in a healthy sort of way?” Windholz said.
He encouraged his audience to do what you love and to find love in whatever we are doing. He also challenged the audience members to keep gratitude journals.
“If we are looking for a hopeful future, if we are looking for a connection or looking for a creative way to step outside of the box we find ourselves confined into, I think the first doorway is gratitude,” Windholz said. “Gratitude points me to the other rather than what I am struggling with. It points me to the gifts rather than the boxes that it all came in. I am looking for the gift rather than rocks.”
Ann Leiker, NAMI coordinator, said NAMI and its support groups can be a way to find connections for people with mental illness or who have loved ones with mental illness.
NAMI offers support groups for those with mental illness and their families. The support groups are from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Mondays of the month at Center for Life Experience at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St., in Hays unless there is a conflict with a holiday. Education programs are offered from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. For more information, call Leiker at 785-259-6859 or by email at [email protected]. See Center for Life Experiences online at www.cflehope.org.
