Today Patchy fog before 8am. Patchy freezing fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 41. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. South wind 7 to 15 mph.
FridayRain likely, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all snow after 4pm. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 41 by 10am, then falling to around 32 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming north 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday NightA 50 percent chance of snow before midnight. Patchy blowing snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Wind chill values as low as -2. Windy, with a north wind 23 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 26. Blustery, with a north wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph in the afternoon.
TOPEKA – At today’s annual Kansas Corporation Commission Organizational Meeting, Commissioner Dwight D. Keen was elected to serve as Chairman of the Commission. Keen was appointed to the KCC by Governor Colyer on April 7, 2018 to a four year term, which expires March 15, 2022.
“We will remain dedicated to enhancing the public safety and well-being of Kansans through our commitment to delivering results that advance the public interest,” said Keen in accepting the Chairmanship.
Commissioner Keen has experience in business, law and government. His prior legal, finance and business experience includes serving as a securities attorney with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (presently FINRA) in Washington, D.C.; serving as the Senior Financial Analyst and Counsel to the Director of Corporation Finance for a large money center bank in New York City; practicing corporate and securities law with two prominent Wichita law firms; and serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. From 1998 to 2010, Keen was an Adjunct Professor of Business for the Graduate School at Friends University in Wichita where he taught five graduate level business courses.
Commissioner Keen’s prior state government service includes: serving for six years as Kansas Securities Commissioner; serving two terms as a Commissioner on the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs; and serving one four year term as a member of the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. Keen presently serves as the Kansas representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and is a member of NARUC, serving on the Gas Committee.
Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and serve staggered four-year terms. State law provides that no more than two of the three commissioners may belong to the same political party. The Commission acts as an independent regulatory agency with authority to render judgments and decisions on regulated utilities.
The KCC regulates the state’s electric, natural gas, telecommunications, oil and gas, and transportation industries with the responsibility of ensuring safe, adequate, and reliable services at reasonable rates for the citizens of Kansas.
EMPORIA, Kan. – Aaron Nicholson scored a career-high 24 points and hit seven of Fort Hays State’s 17 three-pointers as the Tigers rally from 15 down in the second half to beat Emporia State 82-71 Wednesday night at White Auditorium.
The Hornets (7-8, 2-4 MIAA) scored on their first possession of the second half to go up 15 but FHSU (12-4, 6-1 MIAA) responded with a 26-6 run to go up five. They pushed the lead to 12 with a little over eight minutes then hit some big threes down the stretch after the Hornets closed the gap to four.
Mark Johnson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
After shooting 37-percent in the first half, the Tigers hit 70-percent of their shots in the second half and finished 56-percent for the game including 17-of-29 from beyond the arc.
Nicholson hit seven threes and Jared Vitztum added six. The two combine to go 13-for-16 from beyond the arc.
Brady Werth scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half as the Tigers win their seventh straight at White Auditorium.
ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two individuals in connection with a report of the shots fired call at Walmart in Hays.
Lipe photo Ellis Co.Lipe -photo Ellis Co.
Just before 7p.m. police dispatch received multiple calls of shots being fired inside the Walmart store, 4301 Vine Street in Hays, according to a media release.
Officers responded to Walmart for an active shooter situation. Upon their arrival people were running from the store. Eye-witnesses identified two suspects as being involved in the shooting incident. Officers quickly apprehended the suspects identified as Linda J. Lipe 45, and Phillip L. Lipe, 68, both from Norcatur, Kansas.
Customers and employees were evacuated and waiting outside of the Hays Walmart store Wednesday evening
Walmart was closed while the scene was processed and the building was searched.
The investigation has determined there was only one bullet discharged from a pistol owned by the Lipes, and that the gun went off after it was accidentally dropped on the floor. The discharged bullet did not injure anyone.
Phillip and Linda Lipe were arrested on the following charges: criminal use of a weapon, endangerment, unlawful discharge of a firearm within city limits, interference with a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were booked into the Ellis County Jail.
HAYS POST
Update: The Hays Police Department posted the following on its Facebook page as of about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
The Walmart store has been cleared and there is no further danger to the community. The scene has been released by law enforcement and the store is now open for business. The initial investigation indicates that one shot was fired inside the store and that it was an accidental discharge. There were no injuries. Two people remain in custody and are held for weapon and drug violations. The Hays Police Department would like to thank the City of Hays Communication Center, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Kanas Highway Patrol, Fort Hays State University Police Department, Hays Fire Department, and the Ellis County EMS for their professional response to this incident. Their service and assistance was greatly appreciated.
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Update: 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16 from the Hays Police Department:
At 6:48 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2019, there were multiple reports of gunshots and people running from the Hays Walmart store. The Hays Police Dept, Kansas Highway Patrol, Fort Hays State University Police Department, and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office responded. Two people have been detained with no injuries. The scene is now secure. Walmart is closed while the crime scene is processed and the store cleared. The public is asked to please avoid the area. The investigation is ongoing.
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Update: 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16
Morris and Danielle Esprit of Houston, Texas, were shopping in the Hays Walmart in the automotive section Wednesday night when a firearm was discharged.
They did not see the firearm or the person who fired it, but they did hear the shot.
Danielle said she thought someone had dropped something.
Morris said he realized the sound was a gunshot but noticed no one was running or seemed frightened.
He estimated within about 10 or 15 minutes the store was evacuated.
Morris, who is a truck driver, said the couple was on the road and just stopped in Hays to pick up supplies. They were waiting outside the store, hoping it would reopen soon so they could purchase the items they needed.
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Evacuated customers and employees stand outside of the Hays Walmart store Wednesday night.
Update: 7:33 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16.
Law enforcement officials are at the scene at the Hays Walmart investigating the discharge of a firearm.
Employees who had been evacuated from the building said that a woman had accidentally discharged a firearm inside of the store.
Officers were still investigating the scene as of 7:30 p.m. Employees were allowed to reenter the building, but the store remained closed. Officers said they did not know when the store would be able to reopen. The parking lot entranced are being blocked by officers, and shoppers are urged to stay away until officers can conclude their investigation.
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Numerous law enforcement officers and emergency responders are on the scene at the Hays Walmart, 4301 Vine, responding to a report of multiple gun shots at 6:48 p.m.
Authorities are asking people to stay away from the store and its parking lot.
At this time, the situation has been downgraded, although the Special Situation Response Team is gathered nearby at Great Clips.
Hays Post has a reporter on the scene and will have updates as soon as they are available.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection – and Bob Casey (D-Penn.) – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging – introduced the Stop Senior Scams Act to ensure retailers, financial institutions and wire transfer companies have the resources to train employees to help stop financial frauds and scams on seniors.
“Our nation’s seniors are among the most vulnerable consumers in this digital age—mistakenly falling victim to scammers that steal their money, identity and dignity,” said Sen. Moran.
“This legislation would bring key industry and government leaders together to make certain we are doing all we can to protect seniors. I’m proud to introduce this widely-supported, bipartisan bill with Senator Casey that would provide resources, materials and programs on fraud prevention.”
“Far too many older Americans have been targeted and victimized by scam artists who steal more than $3 billion annually from seniors,” said Senator Casey. “These criminals coerce and threaten legal action against our elder loved ones if ‘payment’ is not made immediately, often through a wire transfer or gift card. The Stop Senior Scams Act is a common sense proposal that would help stop a payment before it is made so seniors don’t lose one more penny to a fraud or scam.”
The bipartisan Stop Senior Scams Act was introduced during a Senate Aging Committee hearing this morning on fighting elder fraud. The bill would create a federal advisory council to develop educational materials for retailers, financial institutions and wire transfer companies to use to train employees on how to spot and stop financial scams at the point of sale.
This legislation is endorsed by AARP, Amazon, Best Buy, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Reports, MoneyGram, National Consumers League, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Target, Walmart and Western Union.
If you or a loved one receives a suspicious call, hang up the phone immediately and contact the Aging Committee’s toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.
EMPORIA, Kan. – No. 3 Fort Hays State rallied from a 12-point second half deficit to take a late two-point lead but Addie Lackey hit a 3-pointer with 16 seconds to play to lift Emporia State to a 54-51 win over the Tigers Wednesday night at White Auditorium. Its’s the first loss of the season for FHSU (15-1, 6-1 MIAA) after opening the season with a school record 15 straight wins.
The Hornets (12-4, 3-3 MIAA) scored the first 12 points of the third quarter to take a 12-point lead and led by nine after three quarters.
The Tigers rallied with a 17-4 run and took a 51-49 lead on a Taylor Rolf three with 1:51 to play but the Hornets scored the final five points
Tony Hobson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers hit their first two 3-pointers and raced out to an early 9-0 lead but would miss 16 of their next 17 from long range before hitting three of five from long range in the fourth quarter.
FHSU shot 30-percent from the floor and went 6-for-24 from beyond the arc.
Taylor Rolfs led the Tigers with 13 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter. Kacey Kennett and Lanie Page both added 10.
Tyra Jones led ESU with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Emily Miller added 10.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — A University of Missouri-Kansas City professor has resigned after being accused of coercing foreign graduate students to perform work and personal tasks for him.
Mitra -photo courtesy UMKC
University officials announced Wednesday that Ashim Mitra resigned from the School of Pharmacy one day before a hearing was scheduled to determine his future at the university.
Mitra was put on paid suspension in November after The Kansas City Star reported former students accused him of forcing students from India to do his lawn work, care for his dog and other tasks. One student likened the work to “slave labor.”
The students said they feared losing their visas if they refused Mitra’s demands.
Mitra has denied any wrongdoing.
Mitra joined the university’s faculty in 1994 and was chairman of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division until last year.
ANDOVER, Kan. (AP) — Members of the Andover Public Library board are considering a request to move books that include transgender characters out of the children’s section.
image courtesy Random House
Andover resident Marci Laffen said in a written request that the books “George,” ”Lily and Dunkin,” and “I am Jazz” should be moved to the library’s adult section, or at least to the young adult section. She cited the “sexual content” of the books, along with issues such as bullying, rebelling against police and refusing to take medications.
Library board member Blake Cooper said that Laffen’s written request referred to the books as part of a “sexual revolution agenda, indoctrination of children.”
“I am Jazz,” a picture book biography of a transgender child, is classified as juvenile nonfiction at the library. It had been shelved with other picture books in the children’s section, but is now in the nonfiction books section on “institutions pertaining to relations of the sexes.”
“George” and “Lily and Dunkin” are both classified as juvenile fiction at the library. The books are about transgender children, one in fourth grade and one in eighth grade.
Library board members will decide where each of the books will be shelved on Feb. 13.
About 55 people attended a board meeting last week to discuss the issue.
Brenda Way, a transgender woman, said a child who wants to check out of one of the books “has something that makes them want to connect with that book.”
“That child has a question,” Way said. “Why are we saying that a child who is 7, 8 or 9 years old and has questions and wants to pick up that book should be denied finding that book in their section?”
Donna Lippoldt, executive director of the Culture Shield Network, said she supported moving the books to a higher level because she doesn’t believe libraries should teach sex education. She said just one experience being exposed to a confusing child can scar a child for life.
“(The books) will still be accessible, but maybe not just haphazardly found by children that would be confused,” she said.
TOPEKA —New Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is expected to make a pitch to the Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature for boosting spending on public schools and expanding Medicaid.
Watch her deliver her first State of the State address to to a joint session of the Legislature here.
Doris Marie (Cermak) Ptacek, 95, passed away at the Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living Facility in Shawnee, Kansas, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019.
On May 11, 1923, she was born in Bee, Nebraska, to James and Amelia (Bouska) Cermak. Her father passed away in 1927, and the family moved to Wilson, Kansas and later back to Bee, Nebraska, where she attended school. While she was in school, Doris and her sister used to sing and dance to Czech songs at programs.
After graduation from High School, she attended Lincoln Business College. Upon graduating from Business College, Doris worked at the Nebraska State Capitol for four years. In 1947, she married John Ptacek in Wilson, Kansas. John was a farmer in Wilson where they lived and raised their son Darell.
Doris helped her husband on the farm and continued to work at other jobs. During the construction of the Wilson Dam and Reservoir she worked for four years in the site office. Later, she worked in the Ellsworth County Hospital administrative office for over 27 years until she retired. In 1983, her beloved husband, John, passed away. After his death, Doris continued living on and running the family farm.
In 2000, Doris moved to Shawnee Heartland, Shawnee, Kansas, where she was one of the original residents when the facility opened. The move allowed her to be closer to her son Darell, his wife Linda and three active grandsons. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren. Doris enjoyed watching all of them grow-up and attended their sporting events whenever she could. Over the years, Doris had many hobbies, including dancing, growing flowers and a garden, raising chickens and ducks, collecting antique glassware and her specialty collection of butterfly-themed pins and jewelry. Doris was always an active member of the Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, Altar Society and was a 4-H volunteer leader for 10 years.
Doris is survived by her son, Darell and wife Linda of Lenexa; grandchildren, Russ Ptacek and wife Erin of Louisburg, Travis Ptacek and wife Stephanie of Overland Park, Cody Ptacek and wife Kerri of Olathe; seven great-grandchildren, Ethan, Nova, Blair, Marie, Camden, Derek, and Quincy; brother-In-Law, Frank Sisel of Raytown, Missouri, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Ptacek; parents, James and Amelia Cermak; and two infant sons; and sister, Rosalyn Sisel.
Doris worked hard, loved her Lord Jesus and her family. Be encouraged by her legacy, live an inspired, spiritual and happy life as you did when she was living. Live each day with encouragement knowing that Doris is smiling down on you from Heaven.
A Mass of Christian Burial is planned at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Kansas, Father Matthew Chacko presiding.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. with Vigil and Rosary Service at 7 p.m., all at the Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson, Kansas.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society or American Macular Degeneration Research Foundation (AMDF).
SEWARD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teacher for an alleged sex crime.
Wrobel -photo Liberal Police
On Sunday at the request of school administration, police initiated an investigation into allegations that 25-year-old Rachel Wrobel, a teacher the Liberal High School had sexual relations with an 18-year-old student, according to Police Captain Robert Rogers.
The investigation concluded that the incident had occurred Saturday at an address in the 1200 block of W. 10th Street in Liberal.
Police arrested Wrobel and she resigned from USD 480.
On Tuesday, the Seward County Attorney charged Wrobel with one count of unlawful sexual relations. She was issued a bond of $50,000, according to Rogers and is no longer in custody.
UPDATE: 7:45p.m. Police reported they have located 37-year-old Russell Allen. They released no additional details.
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RILEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and asking the public for information on the whereabouts of Russell Allen Jr., 37, of Manhattan, according to a media release.
Allen -photo RCPD
Police want to speak to Allen about an aggravated robbery that occurred in the 200 block of Leavenworth in Manhattan on January 15, 2019 at approximately 10:50 PM.
If you know where Allen may be or if located do not approach, please contact the Riley County Police Department at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
