HARVEY COUNTY —The final results for USD 373 Newton Bond election results are in and neither question passed.
According to the Harvey County Election office the votes for Question 1 = 3,359 Yes, 4,040 No.
The votes for Question 2 = 2,388 Yes, 4,986 No.
The two questions were to help prepare USD 373 for the future.
The first question ($61,320,000):was an update to Newton High School that included
Safety and security upgrades
A science wing addition
A remodel of the auditorium and district kitchen
A new storm shelter/gym
Remodel of classrooms
Safety and security at Chisholm Middle School and Santa Fe 5/6 Center
Safety and security at the elementary schools
Santa Fe and Chisholm deferred maintenance
Deferred maintenance at all elementary schools
The second question ($24,420,000) was for a new school south of town and would be a kindergarten through sixth-grade building. The building will have three sections so there is room for growth.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A government snapshot of crop conditions shows the harvest of corn is now under way in Kansas.
photo courtesy Kansas Corn
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Tuesday that 1% of the corn in the state has been harvested, near the 4% average at this point in the growing season.
The agency rates half of the corn out in fields in good to excellent condition, with 34% of the crop in fair shape. About 16% is in poor to very poor condition.
Other crops are also making progress.
About 83% of the soybeans in Kansas are setting pods, with 3% of soybean crops already dropping leaves. About 1% of the Kansas sorghum crop has now matured.
Just before 7p.m. Friday, police responded to report of an injury accident in the 1500 Block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to office Charley Davidson.
A 2004 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle driven by David Nguyen, 22, Wichita, was westbound on Pawnee at a high rate of speed, according to Davidson.
The motorcycle struck a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by a 45-year-old man who had pulled out of a private drive to travel eastbound on Pawnee.
Nguyen was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Davidson.
The accident remains under investigation. It is the 19th fatality accident in Wichita in 2019 and the third motorcycle fatality accident, according to Davidson.
The final figures are in for a rainy August in Hays.
According to official records from the K-State Agriculture Research Center south of town,the total amount of rain during August in Hays is 10.64 inches. The normal amount is 2.97 inches.
Year-to-date moisture is 25.21 inches. The average precipitation through the month of September is just shy of 20 inches.
Total annual moisture in Hays averages 23.46 inches.
TOPEKA – The state’s August collections are slightly above estimates with total tax collections at $497.2 million; $2.9 million or 0.59% more than the estimate, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue. Those collections are also $2.8 million more than the same month in Fiscal Year 2019.
Retail sales tax collections were $205.3 million; up 3.67% from the $198.0 million estimate. Compensating use tax collections came in at $32.6 million; $2.4 million below the estimate.
Individual income tax collections were $231.3 million. This is $6.3 million, or 2.78%, more than the estimate and $10.5 million more than August 2018. Corporate income tax collections were $6.6 million; $5.4 million below the estimate.
“We continue to hold steady with the estimates,” Secretary Mark Burghart said. “I’m encouraged by both the improved sales tax collections and the stability of individual tax collections as we have now finished the second month of the fiscal year.”
Online national magazine Slate has published an article examining defrocked former Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and the impact his presence in Victoria has had.
The former archbishop of Washington was defrocked in February and has been housed at the friary St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria for approximately a year.
Carla J. Ziegler, 62, of Salina, passed away Monday, August 26, 2019. She was born in WaKeeney, July 18, 1957 to Clarence and Eileen Ziegler. She graduated from Salina Central High School and Marymount College.
She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Michael.
She is survived by her siblings, Randy (B. Eileen) Ziegler, of Russellville, AR, Marian McNally, of Salina, Rosalind (Rick) Lewis, Cindy Ziegler, John Ziegler, and Patrick Ziegler, all of Salina; sister in law, Pamela, of Hutchinson; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial mass will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 7, at Sacred Heart Cathedral with Fr. Gatschet as celebrant. Visitation will begin at 9:30 and rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina Animal Shelter or Carla Ziegler Memorial Fund and are in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.
Craig L. Russell, 58 went to his heavenly home on September 3, 2019.
He was born October 12, 1960, in Larned, the son of Clinton and Bonnie Murray Russell.
A lifetime area resident, he was a truck driver. He was a member of United Methodist Church, Trousdale, Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, and the American Legion Riders, Larned. He played football for Dodge City Community College from 1978 to 1980. He then played football from 1980 to 1982 at Kansas State University where he was also a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the K-State Alumni Association.
Survivors include; his parents, Clinton and Bonnie Russell, Belpre; one daughter, Robyn (Adam) Love, Olathe; one son Drew Russell and fiancé Erikka Schuck, West Des Moines, Iowa; sister, Diane Winter, Wichita; brother, Ryan (Julie) Russell, Trousdale; and one grandson, Parker Love, Olathe; nephews, Luke Winter, Adam Winter, Bridgon Russell; nieces, Ashton Winter, Jenna Russell, Mayce Russell.
He was preceded in death by a son, Matthew Russell.
Funeral service 10:00 a.m. Saturday, at United Methodist Church, Trousdale with Pastor Bill Stapleton presiding. Visitation 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa.
Memorials may be given to the American Legion Riders or Trousdale United Methodist Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.
Trey Samuel Wallace, age 15 of Alton, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born to Chris and Clarisa Wallace on August 28, 2004 in Wichita, Kansas.
Trey was an inquisitive, bright, and kind young man. He didn’t know a stranger because he wouldn’t LET anyone be a stranger. His big smile and bubbly personality were contagious to those who knew him. If he had a question, he would ask it, and he asked a lot of questions, especially when it came to his curiosities on how things worked. Trey really liked to tinker, and anything that had to do with science and mechanics peaked his interests the most. Away from academics he enjoyed his pets, music and movies, and time with friends and family. He had a strong passion for his church and loved his church family deeply. He belonged to the Assembly of God Church in Stockton.
Trey will be missed everyday by his parents, Chris and Clarisa Wallace of Alton, Kansas; siblings, Brianna Thurman and husband Clint of Wichita, KS, and Faith Wallace, Brayden Wallace, and Ashlyn Wallace of the home in Alton; grandparents, Denise and John Martin of Portis, KS, Melveen Dodson and husband Donald of El Dorado, KS, and Rodney and Rita Pressnell of Leon, KS; great-grandma, Marjorie Wallace of Augusta, Kansas; niece and nephew, Elizabeth and Elias Thurman; and many others who had the privilege of calling Trey a friend.
Trey is preceded in death by his grand parents, Willie Leedy and wife Betty and great-grandparents, Barney and Irene Phillips, and C.V. and Esther Pressnell.
Although Trey is no longer with us in the flesh, we can keep him in spirit by reminiscing on his ever-present smiling face, and the sheer joy we got from just being in his presence. Trey had so much goodness within him and a capacity to bring so much happiness to others that we can be reminded to do as he would have done, and spread more smiles, love a little deeper, and trust in our Lord and Savior. Trey truly loved all and was loved by all.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Stockton High School Gym at 10:30 A.M. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home in Stockton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Assembly of God Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 North 1st St, Stockton, KS 67669.
SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly 2014 shooting after another man was previously charged.
Edwards photo Sedgwick Co.
On Sunday, police arrested 57-year-old James Leon Edwards on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of Nathaniel Jackson, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. His bond is set at $500,000.
Michael Davis was originally charged with first-degree murder in Jackson’s death. Prosecutors say the killing happened while in the commission of an inherently dangerous felony — a cocaine sale, an aggravated robbery or both. Edwards was listed as a witness for the prosecution.
The case was ultimately dropped at the request of prosecutors in January 2015, and Davis was released from jail. Edwards has past weapon, theft, battery and robbery convictions.
-The AP contributed to this report.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon for murder after a weekend arrest.
On Sunday police arrested 57-year-old James L. Edwards on a requested charge of first-degree murder and a state parole violation, according to the Sedgwick County booking report.
The state reported Edwards as an absconder in July, according to online records from the Kansas Department of Corrections.
He has previous convictions for theft, robbery, criminal possession of a firearm and aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
He was booked into jail just before 2a.m. Monday and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union has picked General Motors as the target company for this year’s contract talks with Detroit’s three automakers.
The General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Susan McSpadden for Chevrolet)
The move announced Tuesday means that GM will be the focus of bargaining, and any deal with the company will set the pattern for Ford and Fiat Chrysler. It also means that if the union decides to go on strike, it be against GM.
Contracts between the union representing about 152,000 workers and GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14.
Earlier Tuesday the union announced that over 96% of its members voted to authorize strikes against the companies.
The strike authorization vote is a normal part of the bargaining process, and it doesn’t mean that there will be a work stoppage. But tensions are high in contract talks this year because the automakers are making billions in profits and workers want a bigger slice. The companies, though, want to get closer to parity with foreign automakers with U.S. factories that are mainly in the South.
In a statement, the union said 96.4% of workers at General Motors voted to authorize a strike, while it was 95.98% at Ford and 96% at Fiat Chrysler.
Picking GM as the target is no surprise because it’s the most profitable of the three companies, and it also has announced plans to shutter four factories in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. The union has pledged to fight the closures at two Detroit-area factories, in Lordstown, Ohio, and near Baltimore. Production already has stopped in Lordstown, Baltimore and one of the Detroit-area factories.
“We are focused. We are prepared and we are all ready to stand up for our members, our communities and our manufacturing future,” union President Gary Jones said in a statement Tuesday.
GM said it looks forward to “constructive discussions” with the union to build a strong future for employees and its business.
GM, the nation’s largest automaker, likely was picked because talks there will be the most difficult of the Detroit Three, said Kristin Dziczek, vice president of labor, industry and economics at the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think tank.
Although she doesn’t know how negotiations have been going so far, the likelihood of a strike was high even before the union picked GM, Dziczek said. The union raised strike pay for workers and has said it will use all tools in its toolbox during contract talks.
In addition to the four plants that GM has slated to close, it also has three other factories in Michigan and Kansas that aren’t being fully utilized, and the union will seek new products for those plants, she said. GM also leads all automakers in production of vehicles in Mexico, another thorny issue for the union.
It’s also possible there will be an economic downturn within the term of the next four-year contract, so the union will seek job and income security, Dziczek said.
Adding to the tension is the automakers’ quest to trim hourly labor costs, which have grown when compared with Southern U.S. factories run by Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai-Kia, Volkswagen and others.
Fiat Chrysler pays about $55 per hour in wages and benefits to UAW workers, while it’s $61 at Ford and $63 at GM. That compares with an average of $50 per hour at plants owned by foreign-based automakers, according to the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think tank.
Also playing into the talks is a corruption investigation into the union’s leadership. Last week federal agents searched Jones’ suburban Detroit home, and several union leaders and executives have been found guilty of taking money from a training center run jointly by the UAW and Fiat Chrysler.
Jones, who has not been charged, marched in Detroit’s Labor Day parade but exited the route before its completion and didn’t speak to union members. About 20 marchers carried signs calling for the union to be reformed.
