LOGAN – The Dane G. Hansen Museum is pleased to announce the now-open exhibit featuring Eckman Fine Arts’ collection of cast paper sculptures. Cast paper sculpture, (not to be confused with papier mâché), was invented as late as the 1950s.
The two Eckmans have developed a careful process that is now trademarked by them. Accordingly, Allen and Patty Eckman of Eckman Fine Art are internationally recognized as masters in this intricate, time-consuming medium.
Allen Eckman touching up “Sitting Bulls Vision.”
Sculpting from their home in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Marine veteran Allen Eckman’s Cherokee heritage originally spurred him to greatly broaden his knowledge of Native American history, especially beginning with the Westward Expansion in the early 1800’s.
This exhibit not only pays tribute to several aspects of Native American culture, but ties in another special focus, closely related – nature itself.
Complementing Allen’s attention to Native American history, Patty has a detailed awareness of natural beauty, especially wildlife and flowers, and has remarked that color is sometimes a distraction to the underlying intricate forms in nature. As Allen and Patty’s sculptures are typically unpainted, this purity lends itself wholly to the detail of these exquisite pieces.
Patty Eckman discussing the exhibition with Museum Director Shari Buss.
Eckman Fine Art – Cast Paper Sculptures will be on display through June 2, 2019, at the Dane G. Hansen Museum located at 110 W. Main Street, Logan, Kansas.
Museum hours are Monday through Friday 9-12 & 1-4; Saturdays 9-12 & 1-5; Sundays & holidays 1-5. We are handicapped accessible and thanks to the generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, there is never an admission fee.
For more information, please contact us at 785-689-4846.
First of all, I would like to thank Kansas Farm Bureau for setting up the fifteen town hall meetings held in the 40th Senate district. Representative Adam Smith, Representative Ken Rahjes, Representative Barbara Wasinger, Representative Don Hineman and I were glad to hear from our constituents about their questions and concerns.
SB9 becomes law. The $115 million pays back a previously missed KPERS payment, bringing the funding ratio to the highest point it has been in 25 years. This is the first time in 25 years that we have made the actual required contribution. This payment will save the State of Kansas $630,000 per month and according to KPERS, the actuarial effect of repaying the contribution would be net savings of $186.1 million from all funds over 30 years.
Last week the House passed SB22. SB22 originally passed the Senate and was created in response to federal tax reform. The legislation was created to return the unexpected windfall from the Trump tax cuts back to taxpayers while allowing Kansans to deduct interest on their mortgage, property taxes and health care expenses through decoupling from federal law. For individuals-SB22 adjusts the Kansas tax code so that Kansans with itemized deductions that total between $7,000 and $24,000 can continue to itemize on their state income taxes even if they no longer itemize on their federal income taxes. Some middle-income tax filers might not itemize at the federal level this year due to recent changes Congress made to the federal tax code to raise the standard deduction. Without this bill, these middle-income tax filers would no longer be able to itemize at the state level triggering a higher state income tax liability for these families.
SB22 provides Kansas businesses with the full benefits of federal tax breaks on foreign income, allowing Kansas to remain competitive with neighboring states who have already done this. Right now, Kansas companies that do business outside the United States pay taxes on those profits at the federal level. Those profits are not taxed at the state level and never have been. Without this bill, these Kansas companies would be subjected to additional taxes at the state level, making Kansas a more expensive state for businesses to operate in. Kansas is only one of seven states that has not decoupled from the federal tax law.
The House added two amendments to SB22. They included a 1% reduction in the state’s 6.5% sales tax on food. The House also included an internet sales tax amendment that would require out-of-state online retailers to pay sales tax which they have not been required to do in the past. The Senate will have the opportunity to concur with the House’s adjustments or engage in compromises during conference committees.
SB32, the Farm Bureau Health Benefit plan passed out the House committee and will advance to the House floor for a full debate. I will keep everyone informed as this bill moves through the process.
Congratulations to the Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team. It was a fun afternoon to cheer on the Lady Tigers for their first MIAA Tournament championship.
Thank you to those who stopped by my office last week to visit. It is always good to see constituents from the 40th Senate District.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact or call me with your questions and concerns, my office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka stop by my office at 236-E.
Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the Kansas state senator for the 40th District, which includes Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties as well as portions of Phillips County.
Handing down a mixed verdict, after a trial lasting two full days followed by almost three hours of deliberations, a Phillips County jury has convicted Craig Speake, Phillipsburg, on two charges and acquitted him on three more.
In the aftermath of that incident, Craig Speake, who resides at the address in question, was charged with attempted involuntary manslaughter.
That charge was subsequently amended to aggravated assault, with additional drug-related charges added on resulting from a search of Speake’s residence during the investigation that ensued.
Those additional charges included illegal possession of morphine and percocet, illegal possession of Xanax, illegal possession of marijuana, and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia.
The trial on those five charges got underway last week at Phillips County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Wed., March 6.
Defense and prosecution attorneys spent that morning questioning a potential jury pool of several dozen county residents, which was narrowed down to 13 individuals — 12 jurors and one alternate.
After lunch that day, Phillips County Attorney Melissa Schoen opened the prosecution’s case and ultimately called several Phillips County deputies to the witness stand, as well as Phillips County Sheriff Charlie Radabaugh, Phillips County EMS first responders, a Phillips County Hospital emergency room physician, and a Phillipsburg pharmacist.
Schoen’s direct examination of each witness was followed by a cross examination by Speake’s defense attorney, Alex Herman of Hays.
The questioning of the prosecution’s witnesses took all of Wednesday afternoon, as well as Thursday morning, after which the prosecution rested.
During this phase of the trial the undisputed evidence indicated that several people were at Speake’s house on the night in question, including Speake and Stacey.
The testimony indicated that around 9:30 p.m. on the day in question, Speake asked those present at his house to leave.
The testimony further indicated–
•The guests left except for Stacey, who, it was testified, appeared to be in a state of intoxication
•The investigating law enforcement officers said Speake afterwards advised them that Stacey refused to leave, was somewhat belligerent, and poked Speake in the chest a couple times when Speake persisted in asking Stacey to leave his home
•The law enforcement officers testified Speake said after Stacey poked him in the chest, he punched Stacey once or twice, resulting in Stacey falling to the ground, after which Speake said he “bounced” Stacey from his house
•There was body cam footage played of an in-custody law enforcement interview with Speake where Speake stated he had advised Stacey to leave his house, Stacey refused to leave, Stacey poked Speake in the chest, and that Stacey reached behind his back and Speake feared Stacey was reaching for a knife
•Also on the body cam footage was a statement, not heard by the jury, wherein Speake said Stacey had pulled a knife on him twice previously. This part of the footage had been the subject of a legal skirmish between the prosecution and defense outside the presence of the jury. The court ruled this portion of the video to be inadmissible, with the judge saying it appeared the defense was attempting to have it introduced in order to establish Stacey’s character. With the prosecution not being able to cross-examine a statement made on video, Speake’s on-camera statement regarding Stacey’s alleged past conduct was ruled to be insufficient to establish Stacey’s character, and insufficient to offer as evidence of past conduct
Other testimony by law enforcement indicated that after Speake hit Stacey and then removed Stacey from his house, Speake got on his bicycle and rode it to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office and advised law enforcement that Stacey was laying in his yard.
With Phillips County deputies responding to the scene, they subsequently called in Phillips County EMS.
At the trial, sheriff’s deputies and EMS responders stated that shortly after they arrived they found Stacey outside the house at the bottom of cement steps exiting the residence, with Stacey’s body positioned so his head was nearest to the steps and his feet farthest away from them.
EMS responders testified that they quickly discovered that one of Stacey’s pupils was dilated, indicating a brain injury. Stacey was transported to Phillips County Hospital.
Dr. Jeff McKinley was the Phillips County Hospital emergency room physician on duty that night. McKinley testified at the trial that when Stacey was brought in his left side was paralyzed and his right side was flailing. The doctor said a CT Scan indicated a large amount of bleeding between Stacey’s brain and his skull, and that the bleeding was exerting pressure on one side of the brain, threatening to collapse it.
The testimony indicated that after Stacey was stabilized, he was transported to Holdrege because weather did not allow for air transport to Kearney. The Phillips County EMS team transporting Stacey was met at Holdrege by Kearney medical personnel, and Stacey was handed off to them.
Both Dr. McKinley and Phillips County EMS director Pete Rogers stated they did not expect Stacey to live. Rogers further testified that Stacey’s condition was deteriorating so badly en route to Holdrege that he took out the defibrillator paddles and placed them at the ready on Stacey’s chest in case they had to be used.
Finally concluding the prosecution’s case-in-chief, there was testimony that the following morning Phillips County law enforcement arrested Speake and executed a search warrant on his residence. Law enforcement testified they found a few marijuana plants growing in Speake’s back yard, and found rolling papers, without any loose marijuana, inside the house.
They also testified that they found suspected loose prescription drugs, with no pill bottles. Those medications were afterwards identified by a Phillipsburg pharmacist as being morphine, percocet, and Xanax.
After lunch on Thursday, Speake’s defense attorney, Alex Herman, presented his case.
Calling two witnesses to the stand, the first testified he regularly went fishing with Speake three or four times a week, and had been fishing with Speake on the day in question. The witness stated he has prescriptions for morphine and percocet, and showed the prescription bottles to the court. He said he takes the medication three times a day for neuropathy, lower back pain, and pain due to knee replacements.
He further stated he had been in Speake’s vehicle that day, and had spilled his pills in it. He said he thought he had recovered them all, but when he got home he did a count. When he came up short, he said he called Speake and asked him to see if he could find the rest. He said he heard back from Speake that the lost pills had been found, and that he could come pick them up. The witness subsequently said Speake told him the next day “the cops confiscated them.”
The second defense witness stated he had been over at Speake’s house on the evening in question, and that Stacey was also there.
The witness testified that Stacey was drinking whiskey out of a large mason jar, and that in his opinion Stacey was very intoxicated and erratic.
He also said Speake told everybody to leave, but that Stacey refused to go. The witness stated he himself tried and failed to get Stacey to go, and then left before the physical altercation, but as he was leaving he saw Stacey belligerent, stumbling, wobbling, and falling into furniture.
Verdict Analyzed
The case went to the jury shortly before 5 p.m. on Thurs., March 7. With the jurors recessing for the night and returning Friday morning, after around three hours total deliberations a verdict of guilty was returned on two counts–aggravated assault and illegal possession of Xanax; and not guilty on three counts–illegal possession of morphine, illegal possession of marijuana, and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia/rolling papers.
In analyzing the verdict, it appears the jury’s decisions were based on the following–
•Aggravated Assault
There was no testimony countering the statements that Stacey was belligerent, refused to leave Speake’s home, and poked Speake in the chest, all of which arguably allowed Speake to respond.
However what came next — the manner in which Stacey was removed from the home — was problematic. Based on how Stacey’s unconscious body was positioned outside the residence, the conviction for aggravated assault appears to hinge on the fact that Stacey looked to have been pulled out of Speake’s home by his feet, with his head hitting multiple cement steps as he ended up in the yard.
Speake’s own words — that he “bounced” Stacey from the house — do not convey a favorable mental image to others in relation to Stacey’s head and the cement steps.
•Morphine and Percocet
Regarding the acquital on the charge of possession of morphine and percocet — a third party with a valid prescription testified the pills were his, that he had accidentally dropped them just hours before the incident, that he discovered later on he had not recovered all the pills, that he called and asked Speake to see if Speake could find the lost pills, that he heard back from Speake and was told the pills had been found, and that he had fully intended to go get them but the events in question intervened
•Xanax
Regarding the conviction for Xanax — no testimony was presented regarding why Xanax was on the premises
•Marijuana
Regarding the acquittal for the marijuana — an argument that ditchweed can be found everywhere in Phillips County and is difficult to control here appears to have been effective
•Paraphernalia
Regarding acquittal for drug paraphernalia — no loose marijuana was found on the premises. An argument that rolling papers by themselves can be used for legal purposes appears to have been effective.
Five couples from around the state recognized at Manhattan banquet
K-State Research and Extension
MANHATTAN – Five couples have been honored as the 2018 class of Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers in recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship and service to their communities. They were recognized at a banquet March 8 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan.
The statewide award program is in its 92nd year and is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension and Kansas Farmer magazine.
The honorees in the Class of 2018 are:
Gary and Rebecca Hatesohl – Washington County
After graduating from Washington High School, Gary Hatesohl focused on production agriculture and carpentry at North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit.
Since 1982, Gary has volunteered at the Greenleaf Fire Department. He has been president of the Washington County Fair Board. Also, he is a lifelong member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he has been the youth group leader, congregation chairman, and church elder. In the River Valley Extension District, Gary served as a board member and volunteer.
Gary and his wife, Rebecca, were active members of 4-H and FFA. As alumni they still continue to donate their time by chaperoning trips, organizing livestock clinics and judging contests, and helping at the Washington County Fair. Their efforts earned Rebecca the Outstanding Washington County Alumni Award and gave Gary the chance to serve as president of the Kansas FFA Alumni Board.
Rebecca graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught elementary school for 31 years and retired in 2014. As a teacher, she served as a district trainer and a member of the school district’s professional development team. Five different years she was nominated for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Rebecca also chaperoned students to the National FBLA Convention in Georgia.
The Hatesohls’ farming operation consists of cropland and beef cattle production. Water quality is an important variable on their farm. They use terraces, waterways, and soil sampling to continually monitor water quality. Gary and Rebecca attend informational meetings held by K-State Research and Extension and seed companies to better understand technology and farming management.
Son Adam graduated from Kansas State University in 2009 with a doctorate from the College of Veterinary Medicine. He and his wife, Lindsey, have two children, Noah and Natalie.
Daughter Kelsey graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in horticulture and landscape design. She has worked for the River Valley Extension District as a horticulture agent for the past two years.
Tom and Judy McCarty – Thomas County
Tom McCarty graduated from Penn State University with a degree in agricultural education. After teaching special education for three years, he returned to his family’s dairy in Pennysvania.
Judy McCarty earned a teaching degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. She served on the Thomas County Foundation Board and volunteers at the Colby Citizens Medical Center.
When Tom purchased his father’s dairy it was 70 cows and today the operation milks 13,000 cows across five different dairies in Kansas, Nebraska, and Ohio. In the early 90s, the couple decided to relocate the dairy to northwest Kansas because of the growth opportunities that location held. They built their farm in Rexford with approximately 700 cows.
During the following years, McCarty Dairy partnered with The Dannon Company. The goal of this partnership was to create an atypical cooperation that was innovative and quick growing. Soon after, a dairy in Scott City was added to their operation. In 2012, the Rexford Dairy completed a milk processing plant that was the first of its kind in the United States.
Due to their advanced practices and expansion, International Dairy Foods Association named McCarty’s operation the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year. The dairy has also received the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development Agricultural Leader of the Year. McCarty Dairy continues to use new technologies including A.I. breeding, genetic testing, cooling systems, and heath abatement systems to increase their productivity.
Son Mike owns and manages the Bird City Dairy. He and his wife, Amy, have three children, Colton, Logan, and Taylor.
Son Clay partners with his brother, Ken, to manage the dairy in Rexford. He is married to Kristy and they have three children, Paeton, Prestyn, and Kennedy.
Son Dave manages finances for all five McCarty Dairies and purchases feed commodities. He lives in northwest Kansas with his wife, Lisa, and two children, Maddie and Ellie.
Son Ken helps manage the diary in Rexford along with overseeing the milk processing plant. Ken is married to Courtney and they have three sons, Kaden, Kohen, and Krew.
James and Miriam Nelson – McPherson County
James Nelson went to Windom High School and continued his education at Kansas State University, studying agricultural economics. Before returning to his family’s farm, he worked in banking and served in the Kansas National Guard.
James is an avid learner of all things agriculture and crop related. In 2011, he attended a three-week agricultural tour of Brazil as part of No-Till on the Plains. James hosted farmers from Australia and reciprocated a visit to their operation. He served on the McPherson County Extension Council and was the director for the McPherson County Soil Conservation District.
In the Windom community, both James and Miriam are active members in church, school, government, and farm organizations. They are part of the Aid Association for Lutherans in McPherson County. James helped write a Monsato grant to build a greenhouse for the elementary school.
Miriam graduated from Riley County High School and Kansas State University. She worked for Phillips County Extension as a home economist for several years. Education has always been a passion of Miriam’s, and she served in multiple leadership roles for the Little River-Windom School District. Also, Miriam has been a pianist for many organizations in her community.
The Nelsons’ operation has seen many changes over the years as the farm has had a cow-calf operation, a farrow-to-finish hog system, and is now exclusively farming no-till crops. Conservation has always been a goal for their farm. Today, they use concrete structures, laser scraping, windbreaks, terraces, and tram rows to preserve their farmland. Their efforts earned them an award for no-till soil conservation in 2003. The Nelsons’ farm has hosted no-till tours and regularly plants seed test plots for new varieties.
Daughter Lori Bower owns BowerComm Marketing Communications. Her husband, Derek, and two children, Mia and Ian, live on the family farm in Windom. Derek joined the farming operation in spring of 2017.
In addition to being a full-time partner on the farm, son Darren works on the engineering team at Tribune Harvester. He lives in Hutchinson with his wife, Michelle. They have three children, Kara, Dean, and Elise.
Mark and Joanne Noll – Brown County
Mark Noll graduated from Kansas State University with a master’s in swine management. After graduation, he joined his father on their livestock and crop operation. Mark is a 35-year member of St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus Council. He volunteered his time to travel with 4-Hers to state geology events. Also, Mark was part of the Brown-Nemaha County Pork Producers Board.
Joanne Noll earned a nursing degree from Marymount College in Salina. She currently trains employees in Brown County Developmental Services. Joanne served on the Hiawatha School Board and was instrumental in starting an education foundation for the district. Currently, she is a member of the North East Kansas Library Systems Executive Board.
Both Mark and Joanne share the workload on the farm. Joanne is responsible for the financial aspects and bookkeeping of the farming operation. Their operation consists of crop farming, finishing beef cattle, and a farrow-to-finish hog system. Though their main crops are corn and soybeans, they also use cover crops such as oats and rye. The Nolls have been labeled a preferred supplier by Hormel because of their high-quality pigs.
The fifth-generation farm family centers their practices on improvement: “We take a practical, scientific approach to farming that puts focus on quality over quantity.”
Son Michael is the program director for the Texas Writers League of Austin. He lives with his wife, Stephanie, and their two sons, Xavier and Elias, in Austin, Texas.
Son Aaron is an architect for Populace Firm. Aaron and his wife, Annie, have a son named Harrison.
Son Byron works in construction in Chicago, Illinois. He and his wife, Stacia, have one daughter named Pippa.
Daughter Anna Akuretiya teaches eighth grade social sciences. She is married to Achala Akuretiya and they have a daughter, Zuri.
Son Ethan is an agronomist for Ag Partners Cooperative and works on the family farm. Ethan and his wife, Krista, live on the farm in Hiawatha.
Son Gabriel works in the telecom division for Black and Veatch. He and his wife, Cloe, live in Overland Park.
Gary and Delores Rieck – Osage County
Gary Rieck graduated from Burlingame High School and continued his education in animal husbandry at Kansas State University. He then worked as a hog buyer for Swift and Company in Kansas City. After a year in Kansas City, he returned home to farm with his father. Gary’s passion for farming led him to hold several leadership positions. He served as president of the Kansas Swine Seminar and Kansas Young Farmers.
Both Gary and his wife, Delores, are contributing members of area farming groups. Both have been members of the Southeast Farm Management Association for 54 years. Gary has also been a county director for that organization. Delores served as president of the Kansas Young Farm Wives Association.
Delores graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business education. She furthered her education by earning a master’s degree. Delores taught at Burlingame High School and Osage City Middle School. After retiring, she continues to educate students by teaching quilting classes. Delores has presented quilting programs across Kansas and started a business for her hobby.
The Riecks’ farming operation started out with 25 gilts in a farrow-to-finish system. Today, the Riecks have transitioned to feeding cattle and farming soybeans and grass hay. They also have acreage dedicated to the Conservation Reserve Program. The Goodyear Soil Conservation Award was given to the operation for their management practices. K-State Research and Extension programs, co-op crop seminars, and crop expositions help the Riecks constantly learn about practices that could improve their farm.
Son George works on statistical analysis for GPS crop mapping. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife, April, and two children, Holt and Cabe.
Daughter Gwen Hoy and her husband, Josh, operate an agritourism program in the Flint Hills. They have a daughter named Josie.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — If Kansas’ highest court is going to force state lawmakers to boost public education funding again, some conservative Republicans want something in return, including a say in how the extra money is spent and a voucher program to allow bullied kids to switch to private schools.
A state House committee expects to hold hearings this week on a public-school funding billdrafted by its conservative chairwoman and introduced Tuesday. It’s an alternative to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposal for an increase of roughly $90 million in the state’s more than $4 billion a year in education funding.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled last yearthat the state’s education funding remains inadequate despite increases in recent years. It gave the state’s attorneys until April 15 to report in writing how lawmakers addressed the problem.
“Many of us don’t subscribe to that theory, that if you just add more money and you do the same thing you’ve always done, you’re going to get a different result,” said state Rep. Kristey Williams, a Wichita-area Republican who is the House committee’s chairwoman. “It’s not just how much money you put in. It’s how the money is used.”
The House bill shows that conservative Republicans haven’t given up on a long-standing goal to create a voucher program that would give tax money to parents with students in struggling public schools so they could send their children to other schools, including private ones. In 2014, legislators created a corporate tax credit to encourage contributions to scholarship funds for low-income students.
The new House bill would allow parents of bullied public school students to claim state tax dollars for their local public school as a scholarship for another school.
Williams unveiled the new legislation as the Senate prepared to debate Kelly’s plan this week. Even if the Senate approves the governor’s plan, negotiators for the two chambers are likely to draft the final version of the funding bill. Williams would lead the House’s team, so policy ideas could remain in play.
Such a scenario played out in 2014, when an earlier Supreme Court ruling forced lawmakers to increase education funding. Conservative Republicans used their leverage to strip teachers of guaranteed tenure.
“It’s that same kind of issue,” said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat. “It’s a horrible bill.”
The state Supreme Court has issued six rulings in the past five years requiring increases in education funding, saying lawmakers have a duty under the state constitution to provide a suitable education for every child.
A 2018 law phased in a $548 million increase in annual funding by the 2022-23 school year. The court said it was inadequate because it did not account for inflation.
“Just put the money in,” said Mark Desetti, a lobbyist for the state’s largest teachers union, summarizing the view of many educators.
The new House bill would provide $14 million more than Kelly’s plan for schools during the budget year that begins in July, but it would direct much of the new money into programs for students with behavioral or mental health problems and other at-risk kids.
The measure also would require school districts with large cash reserves to burn through some of those reserves instead of relying on state dollars to finance their operations.
And it would strike provisions of the 2018 funding law that promised increases in the state’s basic per-pupil aid to school districts for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a conservative Olathe Republican, said legislators only should make “promises that we can keep.”
The House bill would require the state to post data online about how well students perform and issue an annual “financial accountability” report detailing how districts spent their money — and what they spent on lawsuits against the state.
“We’re all wanting what’s best for kids,” Ryckman said.
But with the Supreme Court’s deadline looming and education groups advocating a narrow school funding bill, it’s not clear how many moderate Republicans will stick with conservative leaders.
“Clean and simple is always my preference,” said Rep. Brenda Dietrich, a moderate Topeka Republican and former school superintendent.
CYBERSPACE (AP) — Dick’s Sporting Goods says it will stop selling hunting rifles and ammunition at 125 of its stores — replacing those items with merchandise it believes will sell better at those locations.
Google image
CEO Edward Stack says the move comes after the retailer replaced hunting merchandise in 10 of its stores in last year’s third quarter.
Those stores posted strong sales and profit margin numbers in the fourth quarter. Dick’s made headlines last year after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida — when it banned the sale of assault rifles and the sale of all guns to anyone under 21.
Authorities have not released whether the store in Salina, Garden City or Wichita are included in the decision.
RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a reported domestic disturbance.
Martinez-photo KDOC
Police responding to the disturbance call stopped 41-year-old Andrew Martinez at 4th and Waldron in Hutchinson after he allegedly battered a person during a disagreement, according to court testimony Tuesday.
As police were set to arrest him on the misdemeanor charge, they discovered he had what they believe was a sellers quantity of methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia.
Martinez who has previous convictions for drugs and driving will suspended faces new charges that include possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, no tax stamp and battery – domestic violence.
He remains jailed on a $12,000 bond and should be back in court next week.
Wednesday Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 60. Very windy, with a south wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 28 to 33 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers after 11pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Very windy, with a south wind 28 to 36 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
ThursdayA chance of rain and snow showers before 2pm, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Very windy, with a northwest wind 36 to 39 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Very windy, with a north northwest wind 26 to 31 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A proposed Islamic center in Kansas that could serve as a centralized location for Muslims on both sides of the state line has gained approval from planning commissioners.
Image courtesy Muslim American Society-Kansas City
The Overland Park Planning Commission on Monday granted preliminary approval to the Islamic Center of Kansas for its plan to build a roughly 111,000-square-foot multi-use religious facility.
The move came after hundreds of residents petitioned for the proposal to be delayed or dismissed.
The center’s plans include a mosque, a K-8 school, a day care center and a banquet hall. The school would accommodate 270 students, while the day care could take in 110 children.
Neighbors are arguing that the size and scope of the Islamic center make it a bad fit for the area. Many expressed concerns about noise, traffic and the impact on wildlife and the area’s green space.
Residents have two weeks to file a protest petition.
Overland Park approved the site in 2007 for a proposed church, which was never built.
The Islamic Center’s attorney, John Petersen, said the project, in collaboration with the Muslim American Society-Kansas City, follows the code requirements previously approved for the church, including being subject to noise ordinances.
Attorney Doug Patterson, who spoke on behalf of about 50 residents Monday, questioned whether the proposed Islamic center is a “true place of worship” or a commercial endeavor. Patterson said that several residents wouldn’t have an issue if the space “was just a mosque.”
Residents said they’re worried about increased traffic diverting drivers to side streets or wearing out roadways, as well as noise on the weekends from the banquet hall.
“I wouldn’t mind the mosque,” said Wilderness resident Amy Korf. “I just believe as homeowners we deserve a good night’s sleep.”
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – The Fort Hays State women’s golf team finished fourth at the spring-portion opening SMSU Spring Invitational (March 11-12). The event was held at Wigwam Heritage Course (Red), a par-72, 5,806-yard course. The Tigers shot rounds of 326 and 336 to finish 86-over (662) for the tournament.
Seniors Hannah Perkins and Kelsey McCarthy led Fort Hays State as they finished in a tie for seventh individually. They both fired identical rounds of 9-over (81) and 10-over (82) to finish 19-over (163) for the week.
Taylor DeBoer tied for 15th individually with rounds of 85 and 83. Katie Brungardt was solo 17th after firing off rounds of 81 and 89. Kylie McCarthy shot 83 and 90.
Western New Mexico won the tournament, shooting 63-over par (639) as a team. Lindenwood finished second after shooting 648 as a team. Sioux Falls finished third with a total score of 656. Brenda Dominguez of Western New Mexico was the individual champion at 10-over par (154).
The Tigers are back in action this weekend as they will compete in the SMSU Spring Challenge (March 15-16) in Avondale, Ariz. at Coldwater Golf Club.
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison for robbing a local credit union, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Frazier -photo Shawnee Co.
Robert Charles Frazier, 63, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on Aug. 20, 2018, he robbed the Azura Credit Union at 1129 S. Kansas Avenue in Topeka.
He told a teller, “This is a robbery. Give me your twenties, fifties and hundreds.” After receiving the money, he left the building and sat down on a nearby wall. An off-duty Topeka police officer working security arrested him.
FULTON, Mo. (AP) — A woman is accused of accidentally killing her boyfriend as they acted out a movie scene involving a gun, only to have the gun go off.
Kalesha Marie Peterson photo Callaway Co.
Kalesha Marie Peterson of Fulton, Missouri is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in the death of David Dalton.
Peterson called 911 Thursday night and officers found Dalton in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.
Police say Peterson told investigators that the two were watching a movie and drinking when Dalton suggested they play out a movie scene involving a firearm. Police did not identify the movie.
Police say that in addition to drinking, Peterson was taking several prescription medications.
Peterson is jailed and does not yet have a listed attorney.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Romanian national who used skimming devices on ATMs to steal debit card information has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison without parole.
Pinhole camera discovered on ATM-file photo
Federal prosecutors say 24-year-old David Velcu, also known as Luca Antoni, was in the U.S. illegally when he committed the crimes on ATMs in Kansas and Missouri in April 2018.
He was sentenced Monday to three years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $5,904 in restitution.
Velcu pleaded guilty in September to possessing counterfeit unauthorized access devices. He admitted using skimmers and pin cameras at ATMs to capture account numbers and personal identification numbers. He transferred the information to 78 re-encoded magnetic strips on gift cards, and used the information to withdraw money from stolen accounts.
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