Three-day weather outlook
Month: October 2019
Hays PD to conduct SSRT training today
HPD
The Hays Police Department will be conducting training on Tuesday between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at 203 E. 17th.
Police officers will be training with special tactical equipment. This training is being done with great care and safety.
As a home or business owner, you may see law enforcement officers move through your area. There is no need to be alarmed. The officers are merely conducting a realistic training exercise and there is no danger to the community.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the on-site supervisor Team Commander Tim Greenwood or Chief Don Scheibler at 785-625-1030.
Hays Symphony Orchestra presents fourth annual Halloween concert
FHSU University Relations
Looking for a fun, free and educational Halloween celebration that people of all ages will enjoy? Join the Hays Symphony Orchestra at the upcoming Halloween Children’s Concert at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Fort Hays State University’s Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
This year’s program is titled “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” and features a delightful combination of music, story and theatre.
The story begins when young Christoph writes to his uncle about a wild-haired, cranky stranger who has moved into the apartment upstairs. Who could it be? None other than Ludwig van Beethoven! Christoph comes to understand the genius of Beethoven, the beauty of his music and the torment of his deafness.
Isaac Bloom, son of Kale and Sarah Bloom, and Everett Roberts, Hays Community Theater, will play the roles of Christoph and Uncle Kurt with Meredith Cory, Hays Community Theater, directing.
The orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Brian Buckstead, assistant professor of music and theatre at FHSU, will perform alongside these actors with excerpts from some of Beethoven’s best-known works.
While the program is especially designed for kids, the beauty of the music and the charm of the story are appropriate for all ages.
Pre-concert activities will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will include an instrument petting zoo, drum circle, arts and crafts, story time with the Hays Public Library and a How We Hear presentation by the FHSU Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
The instrument petting zoo gives children the opportunity to play string, wind and brass instruments with the assistance of a music educator in the community.
Children may also participate in group lessons on the violin or cello led by Buckstead and Ben Cline, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre. Students who enroll in advance for the group lessons are assigned their own kid-sized instrument for the 20–minute lesson.
Participation is limited and advance registration for this activity is strongly encouraged. To register visit www.hayssymphony.org.
The pre-concert activities will conclude with a children’s costume march led by FHSU music students. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes to participate in the march.
The concert offers an extensive amount of educational exposure for all who attend. It provides children with the opportunity to have hands-on experience with a vast number of instruments and leave with a deeper appreciation of music.
A special thanks to the following supporters and organizations for making this event possible: Hays Symphony Guild; FHSU Department of Music and Theatre; Sandra Gottschalk; Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau; FHSU National Association of Music Educators; Sigma Alpha Iota; Hays Arts Council; Hays Community Theater; Hays Public Library; FHSU Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders; McDonalds of Hays; KC Strings; USD 489 music teachers; and numerous local musicians and actors.
Tickets for this free event may be reserved at www.hayssymphong.org.
For additional information about this event or the Hays Symphony Orchestra contact Cathy Drabkin at 785-639-3060 or by email at [email protected].
HAWVER: Primary change and its effect on Democratic Senate race
In one of the more interesting political machinations in recent memory, Kansas Democrats have virtually eliminated a costly and party-divisive primary election campaign for the nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being retired by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.
That whirlwind change? State Sen. Barbara Bollier, D-Mission Hills, formally announced she will run for the U.S. Senate. Former U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom — a couple of months into his campaign for the nomination — about the time most of us were walking back in from the driveway with our newspapers with the Bollier-in story, got out of the race.
Bollier immediately became the No. 1 Democrat candidate to take Roberts’ chair. There are a couple other Democrat candidates for the Senate nomination: Manhattan city councilwoman and former mayor Usha Reddi and retired Sedgwick County Court Services Officer Robert Tillman, of Wichita.
But…we’re thinking that Reddi and Tillman aren’t going to get a lot of cosigners for their races with most of the attention directed to Bollier. The Democratic nomination is essentially locked up for her, especially after the leading candidates, Grissom and former 2nd District U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda D-Kan., looked and then dropped out of the contest.
So, for Democrats in Kansas, it’s pretty well wrapped up. Reddi and Tillman can have a good time campaigning, meeting people, probably spending less than $100,000 on their races, and generally getting free dinners and drinks at Democratic events until next August.
Republicans? Well, they have a real scrap on their hands to select a nominee, with former Kansas Secretary of State — and pretty well healed-up after his beating by Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly last year — Kris Kobach, State Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, 1st District U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former KC Chiefs football player and restaurant owner Dave Lindstrom, Manhattan political consultant Bryan Pruitt and already-filed Gabriel Mark Robles, of Topeka, in the race.
But, practically, we’re wondering whether Pruitt and Robles would have to offer free drinks to attract enough voters to fill a room at a campaign rally.
Count on Kobach to be worth maybe 35% of the GOP primary vote, Marshall to have to introduce himself to Republicans in three congressional districts, Wagle to have to manage a typically divisive election-year Senate, and Lindstrom may have to dig out his old football jersey because, well, who knows him for owning a few Burger Kings?
At this point in the GOP campaign, Kobach’s supporters will be loyal to him, and represent the biggest identifiable portion of GOP primary voters…for now. But he’ll have a spirited and expensive and likely exhaustive primary that if he manages to win, will see him spend a lot of money that he’s going to need in the general election.
Wagle? Marshall? Lindstrom? They will spend probably better-used campaign funds trying to defeat Kobach. Now, the party will, of course, gather behind the GOP primary winner, but the contest will be not only expensive but divisive.
That’s how primary elections work: Candidates tout their best ideas, their most politically attractive actions…and a laundry list of reasons to vote against their party’s other candidates. Chances are good that whoever survives the primary will have some flesh wounds from his/her own Republican Party voting base.
And don’t forget that every primary election issue that Republicans use to win the nomination is a primer for the Democrat who runs in the general election. Yes, Democrats will politely hold the coats of Republicans as they punch each other in the primary.
Might just make the GOP primary more interesting to Bollier and Democrats who work to win a Kansas seat in the U.S. Senate for the first time since the 1930s.
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
Kansas mail truck driver admits stealing money from mail
WICHITA, KAN. – A contract mail truck driver for the U.S. Postal Service pleaded guilty Monday to stealing money from the mail, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
David A. Logan, 50, Fort Scott, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of mail theft. In his plea, he admitted stealing money from pieces of mail on his route. In one count, he admitted stealing two pieces of mail containing $50 and $675. In the other count, he admitted stealing three pieces of mail containing $100, $130 and $70. The crimes occurred in Chanute, Kan.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 13. He could face a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. McAllister commended the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.
Update: Sheriff identifies 3 who died in Kansas head-on crash
RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have identified three people who died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Sunday in Reno County
The crash involved two pickups that collided head-on in the 3400 Block of South Yoder Road, according the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.
James L. Paige, 59, Haven, was the sole occupant of his vehicle. Bruce C Gottwald, 61, Richmond Virginia and 65-year old Michael K. Burnett of Lynchburg Virginia were in the other vehicle.
Firefighters with the Hutchinson Fire Department had to extricate all three victims due the extensive damage to the vehicles.
Authorities have released no additional details
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RENO COUNTY — Three people died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Sunday in Reno County.
The crash involved two pickups that collided head-on in the 3400 Block of South Yoder Road, according the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.
Firefighters with the Hutchinson Fire Department had to extricate all three victims due the extensive damage to the vehicles.
Kansas Highway Patrol chart team responded to the scene for the accident diagram.
The sheriff’s department has not released the names of the deceased. The accident remains under investigation.
Sheriff: Dog dies in rural Saline County fire
Salina Post
SALINE COUNTY — A dog died during a house fire Monday afternoon in the rural Saline County community of Brookville.
Just after 2p.m. Monday, a neighbor noticed smoke coming from a house at 210 West Anderson Street and called 911, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander.
Saline County Rural Fire District No. 3 responded.
The owners of the house, Brian and Sharon Florke, had recently moved to rural New Cambria and were in the process of moving the rest of their belongings from the house.
The couple’s dog, Gizmo, remained in the house and died of smoke inhalation, according to Melander.
Firefighters attempted to locate Gizmo, but were only able to find the dog in a back bedroom after it was too late.
The fire appeared to have started near an electrical box with old wiring. Smoke and fire damage to the house was estimated at $30,000.
Trucker working for Kan. company sentenced for stealing load of meat
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A trucker working for a Kansas freight brokerage was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison for stealing a load of meat valued at more than $160,000, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Gegham Avetisyan, 37, Valley Village, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Avetisyan contracted with a trucking freight brokerage business in Olathe to deliver a load of meat to three locations in California. He faxed documents to the company in which he used the name Robert Ivanov. He picked up the meat at a packing plant in Omaha, but never delivered it.
Kansas man arrested for July crash that killed 21-year-old
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash and have made an arrest.
Just before 1a.m. Saturday, police arrested 21-year-old Eric Lane Turner, Jr. in connection with a fatal July 5 crash, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.
On Saturday Turner was the passenger of a vehicle that was stopped by officers for a traffic violation.
Officers determined Turner had outstanding warrants. Two of which were Sedgwick County Warrants. Turner was charged by the Sedgwick County DA’s office in September for a fatal accident on July 5, in the 2600 block of East Mossman, according to Wheeler.
Turner was identified as the driver of a silver Pontiac G6 that struck two unoccupied parked vehicles. A passenger in the Pontiac identified as Leon Turner, 21, Wichita, was critically injured and later died from his injuries. Police have not released information on the relationship between the two men.
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Police: 7th grader admits threat to ‘shoot up’ Kan. middle school
FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 457 are investigating an alleged school threat and have made an arrest.
Just after 1:30p.m. Monday, police were called to Kenneth Henderson Middle School, 2406 Flemming in Garden City, for report of a student making a threat to school students and staff, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.
During the investigation, police learned several students at the school had come forward to school administration stating they heard another student comment about, “shooting up the school.”
A 7th grade student admitted to making the comments. USD 457 suspended the student and police will file a report with the Finney County Attorney requesting charges of criminal threat, according to Urteaga.
Pizza Hut Dine Out Day to benefit Hays Salvation Army Paper Pantry
Hays Pizza Hut will be sponsoring the local Salvation Army in a Dine Out Day. Ten percent of all purchases from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 29 will be donated to the Salvation Army office and its Paper Pantry in Hays.
Individuals must bring in flyer, (physical or electronic), or Salvation Army slip for donations to be accepted.
This event is organized by the Fort Hays State University Tigers Community Leadership team.
Ivanka Trump scheduled for visit to Kansas this week
WICHITA— After a stop in Kansas City earlier this month, Ivanka Trump is scheduled for a trip to Wichita this week.
President Trump’s daughter and senior advisor will accompany Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for a roundtable on workforce development, according to a media release from the White House.
The trip will include a tour of WSU Tech and Textron Aviation where a group of Wichita-based aviation companies will sign the Pledge to America’s Workers.
The pledge is an initiative that boasts pledges from over 360 companies who have so far committed to over 14 million new or enhanced career and job training opportunities for American workers, according to the release.
Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech is a member of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board.