COLBY, Kan. – The Hays Monarchs Senior American Legion will have a chance to defend their state title from a year ago. The Monarchs scored four runs in the fourth inning to break open a one-run game then added three in the sixth to go up seven and beat Hoisington 12-7 to win the Colby Zone Tournament Thursday night.
Chase Werth had three of the Monarchs 11 hits and drove in four. He also picked up the win allowing five runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and four walks over five innings.
The Monarchs improve to 15-4-1 on the season and will play sometime Wednesday at the AA State Tournament in Sabetha.
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – There’s good starts then there are good starts. Thursday the Hays Eagles Junior American Legion scored 14 runs in the first inning then added eight in the second for good measure and rolled past host Leavenworth 24-0 to move to 2-0 in pool play at the A State Tournament.
Josh Haynes went 4-for-4 with five RBIs. Tyson Dinkel had a couple of hits and drove in foru while Remington Cox and Blake Herman both had three RBIs.
Andrew Moore and Tyson Dinkel combined on a three hitter.
The Junior Eagles close out pool play Friday night against Clay Center. The top two from each pool advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
By ALEXIS SCHABEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
A novel by a Fort Hays State University instructor is the story of a Chinese character attempting to live an American dream.
Cathy Adams, instructor of English, is an American dreamer now living in Chinese culture.
“A Body’s Just as Dead” depicts the 21st-century frustration of small-town families who feel the American dream is in shreds and who resent having to share its remnants with people who “aren’t like us.”
“America exists for me now through a new lens that wasn’t there before I left the country,” said Adams. “’A Body’s Just as Dead’ is one of my first experiences melding those cultures together in a significant way.”
Adams lives in Shenyang, China, where she teaches English at Shenyang Normal University as part of Fort Hays State’s dual program.
The novel, to be released August 2018 by SFK Press, Atlanta, shows a Chinese character becoming a part of an Alabama family. Their life stories intertwine, resulting in a skewed American dream.
“Now I see the American dream damaged deeply by loss and fear – loss of the promise, whether real or imagined, that life was going to give you certain things like security or success, and then fear when you realize that life is not going to be easy and that control is an illusion,” said Adams.
Set in fictional Drayton, Ala., her novel tells the story of a town where manufacturing jobs are replaced by nail salons, bail bonds and pawn shops. Adams created Drayton to reflect her northeastern Alabama hometown, Gadsden.
“I needed a setting that reflected that general area, so I created Drayton as a kind of conglomeration of several places that had ultimately the same geographical and cultural feel as the area I grew up in,” she said.
The Gadsden Times is specifically mentioned more than once in the story. “It is a bit of a running joke among the characters that various family members get mentioned in that newspaper each time they either kill someone or die,” said Adams.
The words “a body’s just as dead” originally comes from a character who is commenting, after someone is killed in the story, on the variety of ways a person can be killed, concluding that it just doesn’t matter because in the end, “a body’s just as dead.”
“When those words came, they jumped at me,” said Adams. “I knew that was the title.”
Her novel was initially inspired by a news story years ago about a shooting in Walmart.
“When I read it I wondered, how does something like this even happen? What kind of person ends up shooting somebody out of rage at a Walmart when all they set out to do was buy some double-A batteries and toilet paper? What has changed in America from when I was growing up?”
“A Body’s Just as Dead” isn’t her first story motivated by Walmart shootings.
“I wrote a short story about a Walmart shooting called ‘Daryl and Pete-O Go to Walmart,’ and after it was published the characters stuck with me. I kept wondering what was happening to average American people that is driving them to so much violence, so I created an entire family around Pete-O and it became the novel ‘A Body’s Just as Dead.’”
Adams wrote her novel in the pre-Trump era, not knowing where it would lead.
“What I could not possibly know at that time was that the growing cultural divide in that era was leading us to where we are now,” she said. “I think this is why ‘A Body’s Just as Dead’ is so timely because it examines a single dysfunctional family (which, by the way, I think all families are in their own ways) at a time before our Trump culture war threw a spotlight on them.”
Adams has also written “This is What It Smells Like,” a story about a man who is diagnosed with cancer and returns to the family he abandoned 25 years earlier to find forgiveness and die in peace. It was published by New Libri Press, Mercer Island, Wash., in 2012.
“I teach writing, so it’s important to me that my students see me as a working writer,” said Adams. “I want them to see that I immerse myself on a daily basis in what I am teaching them to do, and I’m always working to improve my own writing just the way I push them to do with their writing.”
“I love writing and I love to teach writing,” she said.
Before teaching in China for FHSU, Adams lived in Asheville, N.C., for 10 years, teaching at Montreat College, Asheville-Buncombe Community College and the University of North Carolina. She spent 20 years in America writing stories almost exclusively about the south.
Her novel will be available online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
The Kansas Constitution requires all gubernatorial nominees to run on a ticket with their lieutenant governor nominees. Much more fanfare has surrounded the process this year than it has in the past. Why?
The state Constitution and recent history do make one thing clear: the next lieutenant governor may become governor someday. Current Governor Jeff Colyer was elected as lieutenant governor on a ticket with Sam Brownback, then became governor when Brownback resigned for his new ambassador job. Former Governor Mark Parkinson took over when Kathleen Sebelius resigned to join the Obama Administration. In neighboring Missouri, Governor Mike Parson was elected lieutenant governor on a separate ticket, then became governor when Eric Greitens resigned due to scandals.
Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.
Parkinson made critical policy decisions during the Great Recession, and also brokered a compromise on the Sunflower Electric Plant which included renewable energy portfolios—quite a record for a two-year governorship. Colyer and Parson are now providing calm hands at the tiller, following tumultuous times under their very different predecessors.
Does all this matter politically, though? This year’s candidates seem to think it does. Political scientists are not buying it.
The most popular trend is to balance the ticket with a running mate from a different part of the state. Consider these candidate pairings:
Jeff Colyer- Johnson County, Tracey Mann- Gove County
Kris Kobach- Douglas County, Wink Hartman- Wichita
Ken Selzer- Johnson County, Jenifer Sanderson- Goodland
Laura Kelly- Topeka, Lynn Rogers- Wichita
Carl Brewer- Wichita, Chris Morrow- Johnson County
Greg Orman- Johnson County, John Doll- Garden City
Two candidates do not fit this region-balancing pattern. Under fire for his anti-abortion votes, Democrat Josh Svaty chose Katrina Lewison of Manhattan, who is pro-choice. Republican Jim Barnett chose his own wife, former foreign service officer Rosie Hansen.
There are other factors, too. A wealthy businessman, Hartman is helping Kobach raise money. Sanderson and Lewison are business professionals who have never before sought nor held elected office. Morrow is a Democratic mayor from a heavily-Republican suburb. Doll switched his affiliation from Republican to Independent for the run, while Lewison went from Independent to Democrat. Lewison is also a decorated Army combat veteran.
Alas, if U.S. vice-presidential politics is any guide, none of this is likely to matter.
Political scientists cannot find any significant relationship in our data, between vice presidential picks and presidential election outcomes. Presidential elections come down to factors like incumbent popularity and the state of the economy—unless the country is also in an unpopular war like Korea or Vietnam.
For example, Hillary Clinton’s VP nominee, U.S. Senator from Virginia Tom Kaine, touted his Kansas-Missouri roots during the campaign. Kaine grew up in Overland Park, attending high school in Kansas City, MO. His campaign stops and trips home did not help–Kansas and Missouri both went for Trump-Pence.
Another example occurred in 1988, when George H.W. Bush nominated the gaffe-prone Dan Quayle for VP. Quayle’s Democratic opponent, U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, had a double-digit lead in the polls. In the end, however, the Bush-Quayle ticket defeated Dukakis-Bentsen decisively, giving Quayle four years to keep late-night comedians busy.
Back at the state level, the lieutenant governor is usually eclipsed not only by the governor, but also by other elected state executives like the Attorney General and the Secretary of State. In fact, some states do not even have lieutenant governors, while others elect them separately from the governor.
These lieutenant governor nominees will probably not sway the election— but take heed: the winner may indeed become governor someday.
Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.
Sometimes, telling a story can save a person’s life. That’s what motivates internationally known speaker and mental health advocate Kevin Hines to tour the nation, telling audiences of the bleak day in September of 2000 when he catapulted himself over the side of the Golden Gate Bridge in an attempted suicide.
He describes the “instant regret” he immediately felt, and how in the seconds as he was free-falling, all he wanted to do was live. Hines brings a message of healing and hope to his audiences, and soon will be sharing his story with northwest Kansas.
Hines will speak at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at Hays Middle School, 201 W. 29th, in Hays. The event is free and open to the public; no need to obtain tickets or RSVP. A book signing of Hines’ personal memoir, “Cracked, Not Broken,” will follow the presentation. Books will be available to purchase on-site.
The event is sponsored by High Plains Mental Health Center and Heartland Community Foundation, with sup- port from Hays USD 489, Fort Hays State University’s Kelly Center, NAMI Hays, The Center for Life Experiences and Breathe Coffee House.
“Suicide prevention is a critically important topic, and these are the kinds of conversations our communities need to begin having. Kevin will address this difficult subject in a way that sheds light on the struggles of mental illness but also brings hope to those who need it,” said Walt Hill, executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center. “We are thrilled to bring Kevin to northwest Kansas. We believe his story will benefit people in all walks of life and encourage you all to join us for this exciting opportunity.”
This presentation is timely and relevant, given Kansas’ suicide rate is up 45 percent since 1999 — one of the high- est increases nationwide. Rural Kansas has been particularly affected, with the least populated counties having the highest rates of suicide deaths in 2016. Data indicates agricultural workers are particularly at risk for mental illness, perhaps partly due to high stress and economic difficulties.
One of only 34 people to survive a jump off the iconic bridge, Hines is the only one who regained full physical mo- bility. Hines, diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager, will share his remarkable story of survival and recovery.
Today, Kevin dedicates his life to saving others by spreading his message of hope and sharing his journey toward mental wellness. Thousands of people have told him his story helped save their lives.
Hines is one of the most respected and admired voices of lived experience. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to love the life we have. His personal mantra is, “Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always.”
Hines also is a filmmaker and is featured in a full-length documentary produced this year, “Suicide: The Ripple Effect.”
He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Council of Behavioral Health. Kevin also has been awarded by SAMSHA as a Voice Awards Fellow and Award Winner, an Achievement Winner by the U.S. Veterans Affairs and is a recipient of several military medals.
The event is intended to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to provide hope for those who might currently be struggling. Hines’ presentation also can offer hope and help for family members and friends to help iden- tify and support loved ones experiencing mental illness.
High Plains Mental Health Center is a licensed community mental health center dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of providing a comprehensive mental health program to residents of northwest Kansas. Embodied in this pursuit are fundamental principles of establishing quality services as close to home as possible, at an affordable fee and delivered in the least disruptive manner available. High Plains offers 24/7 emergency services to all residents within 20 north- west Kansas counties. Call toll free anytime at (800) 432-0333 for crisis support or to schedule an appointment with a qualified mental health professional.
The main office is located at 208 E. Seventh in Hays, with branch offices in Colby, Goodland, Norton, Osborne and Phillipsburg. Community outreach services are available in Atwood, Hoxie, Oberlin, Quinter, Russell, Smith Center, WaKeeney, Hill City, Plainville, La Crosse, St. Francis, Sharon Springs and Oakley.
SALINA —Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire Tuesday night in Salina and have identifed the five people who were injured.
Multiple people escaped a fire in this house on West Elm late Tuesday in Salina
Tammy Reinhold, 41, suffered burns escaping the fire. She was transported to the burn unit of a Wichita hospital for treatment.
Daily Reinhold, 13, suffered an arm injury when he jumped out of a second story window. Three others who jumped out of the window, 17-year-old Natasha Allen, 12-year-old Justice Cottell, and 19-year-old Kristionah Lippard were taken to a local hospital to be evaluated, according to police.
Just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters were dispatched to the residence in the 400 block of West Elm in Salina, according to Fire Marshal Troy Long.
When they arrived, fire was showing from windows on the south and west sides of the second story of the residence which is divided into multiple apartments. The fire was contained to the upstairs apartment, Long said.
Long said that based on guidelines from the State Fire Marshal’s office, damage to the structure was estimated at $112,000.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on arrests of three carnival workers in the deaths of a Kansas couple at a county fair. (all times local):
4 p.m.
Michael Fowler – photo Crawford Co.
A probable cause affidavit says a carnival worker admitted to killing a Kansas couple at a county fair.
The suspect, Michael Fowler, told investigators that he shot Sonny and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita at the Barton County fair in Great Bend.
Investigators believe they were killed Friday. Their bodies were found Monday in a forest near Van Buren, Arkansas. The three suspects were arrested Tuesday in Van Buren
According to the affidavit released Thursday, Fowler told Van Buren police that Rusty Frazier and Kimberly Younger, also known as Myrna Khan, were with him when the couple was killed.
No charges have been filed in the Carpenters’ deaths. The affidavit does not discuss a motive for the killings.
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CRAWFORD COUNTY, AR — Authorities have arrested three carnival workers in the deaths of two vendors who disappeared from the Barton County Fair and were found in a shallow grave in an Arkansas forest.
Police Cpl. Jonathan Wear says the three Kimberly Frazier (Aka Myrna Khan) , Rusty Frazier and Michael Fowler are jailed without bond in Van Buren, Arkansas, on suspicion of abuse of a corpse, felony theft and tampering with physical evidence in the deaths of Sonny and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita, Kansas.
No charges have been filed. The bodies were found Wednesday in the Ozark National Forest.
Kimberly Younger -photo Crawford Co.Rusty Frazier -photo Crawford County
Wear says authorities believe the couple was killed Friday after meeting the carnival workers at the fair in Great Bend.
He says the suspects on Saturday drove the bodies 320 miles to Arkansas in the couple’s recreational vehicle.
-The Associate Press contributed to this report
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GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say the bodies of a couple who recently disappeared from a Kansas fairground have been found in a shallow grave in northwest Arkansas.
Investigators on the scene in rural Crawford County Arkansas -photo courtesy KFSM TV
Van Buren, Arkansas, police spokesman Jonathan Ware says the bodies were found early Wednesday near Natural Dam in Crawford County.
Police identified the victims as Alfred “Sonny” and Pauline Carpenter
Van Buren police took three people identified as Kimberly Frazier (AkaMyrna Khan) , Rusty Frazier and Michael Fowler. into custody after the bodies were found.
Barton County Attorney Amy Mellow said the victims disappeared from the county fairgrounds west of Great Bend in the last few days.
