LARNED – The Larned Police Department is notifying the community in a social media post about a high volume of vehicle break-ins within the last week.
The LPD asks the community to please lock your vehicles, homes, outbuildings, etc. LPD asks that you don’t leave anything of value in your vehicles such as cash, phones, laptops, jewelry, or any type of weapons or firearms.
Larned Policed ask if you observe any suspicious activity to please call immediately.
If anyone has any information of the recent vehicle burglaries is encouraged to call the Larned Police Department at 620-285-8545 or Pawnee County Crimestoppers at 620-285-3277.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The fate of Missouri’s only abortion clinic is at stake starting Monday, when a member of the state’s Administrative Hearing Commission will begin hearing arguments over whether the clinic can keep its abortion license.
The hearing at a downtown St. Louis state office building is expected to last five days. Missouri officials have asked St. Louis police for heightened security since the licensing issue has generated protests from those on both sides of the debate.
Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi will preside over the hearing. A commission official said that in his role, Dandamudi “acts as an independent trial judge.” A ruling isn’t expected until February at the earliest.
Missouri would become the first state since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, without a functioning abortion clinic if the license revocation is allowed. The battle also comes as abortion rights supporters raise concerns that conservative-led states, including Missouri, are attempting to end abortion through tough new laws and tighter regulation.
Planned Parenthood has been battling the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for months to try to keep open its St. Louis clinic.
The state said concerns arose from inspections in March. Among the problems health department investigators cited were three “failed abortions” requiring additional surgeries and another that led to life-threatening complications for the mother.
The health department has sought to interview physicians involved in those abortions, including medical residents who no longer work there. Planned Parenthood has said it can’t force them to talk and that the state’s concerns were addressed long ago. Attorneys for the health department wrote in legal filings to the commission that physicians’ refusal to talk “presents the final, critical obstacle.”
Missouri is among several states to pass new restrictions on abortions in the hope that the increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court will eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. Republican Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation in May banning abortions at or beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest.
A federal judge in August temporarily blocked implementation of the law until the legal challenge plays out in court, which could take several months.
While the Missouri case unfolded, Planned Parenthood quietly built a new abortion clinic in Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. The 18,000-square-foot clinic in Fairview Heights, 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of St. Louis, opened Wednesday, in part to meet the demand for abortions from Missouri residents.
Missouri women have been increasingly getting abortions at the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, Illinois, another St. Louis suburb. Deputy Director Alison Dreith said 58% of the abortions performed at the Hope Clinic through August of this year involved Missouri women, compared with 37% involving Illinois women.
Another abortion clinic sits in Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb. The clinic is 2 miles from the state line. Information from the state of Kansas shows about 3,300 of the 7,000 abortions performed there last year involved Missouri residents.
Duane V. “Arkie” Belisle, age 91, of Damar, Kansas passed away Friday, October 25, 2019 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas. He was born January 22, 1928 in Damar to Arthur and Cordelia (Brin) Belisle. On April 15, 1951 he married Patricia Newell at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar.
Duane owned Belisle Decorating which specialized in commercial and residential painting. He was a US Army veteran serving in WWII. He was a member of St. Joseph Church and the 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, square dancing, playing pool “snooker” in league play traveling to different communities.
He is survived by his wife Patricia of Damar; a son, Paul Belisle and wife Mary of Damar; three daughters, Donna Towns and husband Michael of Palco, Christy Seib and husband Jake of Ness City and Lisa Belisle and Cammi Raab of Overland Park; ten grandchildren, Sarah, Joshua, Mark, Eric, Rachel, Aaron, Ashly, Brent, Karen and Brooke as well as 25 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Amber Seib and Blake Munsch; a brother, Delmer Belisle and two sisters, Anna Mae Normandin and Sharyl Moos.Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday 5 PM – 8 PM and Tuesday 9:30 AM until service time all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Damar.
A combined parish vigil and rosary service will be Monday at 7 PM at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Church or Masses
Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be sent by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
SALINA — The interim CEO and dean of Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus has earned the job permanently.
Dr. Alysia Starkey courtesy photo
Alysia Starkey, who has been serving as the interim leader of the campus in Salina since July 2018, has been appointed its new CEO and dean by Charles Taber, K-State provost and executive vice president, according to a media release from the school.
“In her service as interim CEO and dean, Dr. Starkey has proven to be a strong and effective leader of Kansas State Polytechnic,” Taber said. “Most notably, she has led the strategic planning on Polytechnic’s aviation program, building community and industry relationships that we will need to be successful.”
As the chief academic and administrative officer of Kansas State Polytechnic, Starkey is responsible for providing leadership, management and support for all academic programs and administrative units on the campus. She’s charged with ensuring high-quality undergraduate and graduate experiences, continued excellence and growth in Polytechnic’s research programs, and the recruitment and retention of high-caliber, diverse students. Effective fiscal stewardship and fundraising efforts on behalf of the campus are also key parts of her job responsibilities.
“Kansas State Polytechnic is a special place and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as CEO and dean,” Starkey said. “I am excited to continue working with students, faculty, staff and alumni to advance our mission and enhance our capabilities to meet the educational and workforce needs of the future.”
Before her appointment as interim CEO and dean, Starkey served as associate dean of academics at Kansas State Polytechnic. She has in-depth experience in the leadership, management and support needs of all aspects of the school, including student success, academic programs, faculty and budgetary matters. She joined Polytechnic in June 2002 as a technical services/automation coordinator and assistant professor. She was promoted to library director and associate professor in 2007, and named assistant dean of academics and distance education and director of libraries in 2010. She served as assistant dean of continuous improvement from 2012-2014 before being named associate dean of academics/undergraduate studies and promoted to full professor in 2014. She gained the additional duties of acting director for the School of Integrated Studies in June 2016. In October 2017, Starkey was named associate dean of academics and acting director of professional education and outreach.
Starkey earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Kansas State University; a master’s in library science from the University of North Texas; a bachelor’s in psychology from Fort Hays State University; and an associate degree in social work from Colby Community College.
TOPEKA – Victora is the No. 8 seed and will open pool play against top-seeded Rural Vista Friday at the 1A State Volleyball Tournament at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City.
The Knights (23-13), who upset top-seeded Golden Plains in the Ramson sub-state semifinals then beat Wallace County Saturday, will also face Minneola and Olpe in pool play.
The top two teams from each pool advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
Friday, November 1– Pool I (Top Bracket)
Seed 1: Rural Vista, 39-4
Seed 8: Victoria, 23-13
Seed 4: Minneola, 32-8
Seed 5: Olpe, 31-10
COURT A
8:30 AM Minneola (4) vs. Olpe (5)
9:30 AM Rural Vista (1) vs. Victoria (8)
10:30 AM Minneola (4) vs. Victoria (8)
11:30 AM Rural Vista (1) vs. Olpe (5)
12:30 PM Olpe (5) vs. Victoria (8)
1:30 PM Rural Vista (1) vs. Minneola (4)
Friday, November 1– Pool II (Bottom Bracket)
Seed 2: Chetopa, 38-5
Seed 7: Claflin-Central Plains, 29-11
Seed 3: Cunningham, 35-6
Seed 6: Clifton-Clyde, 30-11
COURT B
8:30 AM Cunningham (3) vs. Clifton-Clyde (6)
9:30 AM Chetopa (2) vs. Claflin-Central Plains (7)
10:30 AM Cunningham (3) vs. Claflin-Central Plains (7)
11:30 AM Chetopa (2) vs. Clifton-Clyde (6)
12:30 PM Clifton-Clyde (6) vs. Claflin-Central Plains (7)
1:30 PM Chetopa (2) vs. Cunningham (3)
Saturday, November 2
Saturday Bracket posted on KSHSAA website at the conclusion of pool play.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a theft and have a suspect in custody.
Funk photo Shawnee County
Shortly after midnight Saturday, officers responded to the area of NE River and NE Lime in Topeka after callers advised they saw construction equipment being driven in the area, according to Captain Colleen Stuart.
Officers encountered an occupied loader traveling in the 500 Block NE Lake, damaging property as it moved through yards and city streets.
The driver later identified as Shane D. Funk, 46, Topeka, refused to stop for officers. Numerous residences in the loaders path were evacuated for safety purposes. A perimeter was established in an attempt to contain the loader and damage.
Funk turned the vehicle toward officers, forcing a tactical intervention option by way of a kinetic energy impact munition to slow the loader down.
Once the loader stopped, officers were able to take him into custody. Medical response was called and Funk was transported to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries and then booked into the Department of Corrections requested charges that include Felony theft, Felony Criminal Damage, Aggravated Assault to Law Enforcement Officers and outstanding warrants.
Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, speaks to the Hays Regional Economic Outlook Conference Thursday in Hays.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
A recession is not imminent and northwest Kansas is expected to experience slow growth in the next year, according to panelists at the Hays Regional Economic Outlook Conference.
During the conference Thursday in Hays, Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, said the labor market will remain tight, but that tight labor market is also driving up wages for employees.
Unemployment in northwest Kansas still remains extremely low.
The ag and oil industries have both seen hits in the last three years. Ag product demand is being affected by the trade war, but income in that sector was up largely because of government and crop insurance payments.
“Farmers don’t want government payments,” he said. “You don’t know what to plan for.”
He compared the payments to farmers wearing oxygen masks.
“You feel good because you have an oxygen mask. I’ll take this cash, but does a farmer really want an oxygen mask?” Hill said. “Absolutely not. They want to go out and deal with the real market the way it is and have an understandable market where they can say right up and down and this is what is going on.”
For several years, the government sector experienced cuts, Hill said. However, now the sector is seeing increases, especially in its largest subgroup, which is school districts.
“I think labor markets are working pretty darn well,” Hill said.
Ellis County saw a dip in employment in 2015 and 2016 when oil prices fell sharply. However, the employment rate has increased the last two years.
Ellis County accounts for 21 percent of the population in northwest Kansas, 25 percent of the employment and 28 percent of retail sales.
Surveys of employers indicate they anticipate they will be hiring in the next year. Hill said a high demand exists for top-quality, skilled employees. Companies are finding themselves paying higher wages for B- and C-level employees, he said.
Northwest Kansas employers are finding themselves paying workers more to keep from losing them to other regions of the state.
Hill said the region is seeing more what he called “job hoppers.”
“[The business panel] said, ‘Yeah we had low-skill workers who would just jump for just a $1 more or a few cents more or they thought it would be a better company. They are just moving really quickly,'” he said. “This year they are saying that they are even having some middle-skill people who are job hoppers that are moving from one to the next to the next.”
He added, “In this area, if you are not thinking about that wage, you better be thinking about that wage or someone is going to get up and leave for a couple dollars more or just the promise of a better job somewhere else.”
Rising wages are not good for profit margins, but they are good for the economy as it puts more cash in consumers’ hands.
However, Hill said Kansas is experiencing a lack of confidence from investors. Even investors inside the state are wanting to invest outside of the state because they can get better returns.
Kansas has had a four-year decline in taxable retail sales as more items are purchased online. Ellis County’s retail sales peaked in 2013 and are flat in 2019.
Kansas has had a shift in the state to more middle income and low-come jobs. Purchasing power also has an affect on taxable retail sales.
Migration continues to be out of rural areas into metro areas. Almost all of the population growth in Kansas in 2018 was in Johnson County. This means labor is also moving out of rural areas.
Hill finally looked at possible factors on the horizon that could lead to a recession.
“Economic expansions do not die of old age,” he said. “We could grow forever potentially, and there are countries I mentioned earlier that grow, grow, grow. What causes recession is something out there that causes it. The problem is that it is never something that we are thinking about.”
He said he did not think it would be Brexit or trade wars.
“Companies in Kansas are hedging the risk,” he said. “I’ve talked to quite a few businesses that have just stopped exporting because they just didn’t want to deal with it anymore.”
He thought labor markets should also not affect the economy.
Some business owners said cyber attack or cyber warfare could bring on a recession.
Farm debt and bankruptcies and oil prices could be factors, as well, he said.
Some economists have been concerned interest rates being lower on long-term bonds than short-term bonds could spark a recession. This has happened in the past.
However, Hill noted international trade is so dependent on the American dollar, global entities are still buying U.S. Treasury notes despite the reversal in the interest rates.
Kansas businesses for the coming year are realistically optimist that the economy will be stable or have slow growth. Estimates are for about .6 percent growth in Kansas, with the state adding almost 9,000 jobs, Hill said. Wages are expected to expand, but retail taxable sales are expected to decline.
BY DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Bricks-and-mortar education was the only choice for formal instruction back in the days of one-room schoolhouses. In today’s digital age, students can study from anywhere at any time.
Alumni of Fort Hays State University got to enjoy a taste of both on Homecoming weekend 2019 as they gathered to help FHSU’s College of Education celebrate its first ever all-college reunion.
The reunion began on an unseasonably cold morning with the 40-year anniversary rededication of the Plymouth Schoolhouse. The crisp walk across campus to the schoolhouse gave people a little taste of what students had to endure back in the days of walking to school on the prairie.
The limestone building, built in 1874 in Russell County, was disassembled and moved to the FHSU campus in 1979. Tours, which include a multi-media show about its historical significance, are available year-round by contacting Ann Noble at 785-628-5449.
Alumnus Marcy Aycock from Conway Springs, who helped plan the College of Education reunion, thought an anniversary celebration of the schoolhouse would be a perfect part of the weekend because of the historical significance.
Friday of Homecoming was a great day to be a Tiger for Aycock, who graduated with a degree in art education in 1974. The new Center for Art and Design, completed in August, was dedicated that day. She was mesmerized with her tour of the building.
Her favorite event, though, might have been Saturday morning’s breakfast with fellow alums.
“What a great time to see a lot of people,” she said, “and to make connections as we support the great university that we love so much.”
Retired professors Nancy Vogel and Allan Miller are long-time supporters of FHSU.
They helped coordinate the moving project of the Plymouth Schoolhouse back in ’74 and returned to campus for the 2019 Homecoming festivities. They kicked off the rededication ceremony by giving the audience a trip down memory lane with a simultaneous history lesson.
The Vogel-Miller tandem talked about fundraising efforts and the challenges faced in the school’s 45-mile trip to its present home next to Big Creek, across the street east of Tomanek Hall.
Vogel referred to the classic children’s book, “The Little Engine That Could,” while describing the moving process and what the building says to us.
The little engine’s task was to pull a large train up a long, steep hill.
“I think I can. I think I can. I think I can,” she said, reading what the little engine kept repeating to itself. “With optimism and hard work, we too can succeed just like the little engine that thought it could.”
That tenacity mirrors the spirit of Fort Hays State through the decades, says another graduate from the 1970s.
Keith Ballard was a first-generation college student from Kiowa who graduated with his bachelor’s in 1971, propelling him into a highly successful career in education. Ballard, now an endowed professor in the Education Leadership and Policy Studies Department at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, takes every chance he gets to laud his life-changing experience at FHSU.
“Fort Hays State had a well-deserved reputation as being sensitive to the needs of all their students back then,” Ballard said, “and that hasn’t changed. Every single person at Fort Hays State was tuned in to the needs of every student. Their idea was – and is – that they are here to serve students, and they put students first.”
Visitors crowded in to tour the schoolhouse and talk about what a school might have been like back then. The pot-bellied stove, desks with ink wells, a bucket of drinking water with one dipper for everyone’s use, and well-worn books on a shelf are a stark contrast of today’s educational scene.
Nonetheless, Ballard insists that the school’s mission has never changed.
“A different time,” he said, “but still the same Fort Hays State culture.”
LARNED – The Larned Police Department is notifying the community in a social media post about a high volume of vehicle break-ins within the last week.
