LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The developer of the Keystone XL oil pipeline says it plans to start construction next year, after the U.S. State Department concluded major environmental damage from a leak is unlikely and could quickly be mitigated.
TransCanada spokesman Matthew John said Monday that the company remains committed to moving ahead with the project following years of reviews from federal and state regulators.
But the report issued Friday from the Trump administration’s State Department drew sharp criticism from environmental groups. They say they’ll continue to fight the project they view as an environmental threat.
The report says the pipeline would have a “negligible to moderate” environmental impact under its normal operations, and continuous monitoring and the company’s response plan would mitigate the effects of any spill.
Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in August. This was down from 3.4 percent in July and down from 3.6 percent in August 2017.
The unemployment rate in Ellis County fell nearly half a percentage point to 2.4 percent in August.
The jobless rate in July was 3 percent.
Every county in northwest Kansas posted rates below the 4 percent mark, with Rooks and Decatur having the highest unemployment rate at 3.6 percent.
Greeley County in far western Kansas posted the state’s lowest jobless rate at 1.9 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 3,600 from July. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 300 from the previous month.
“August estimates indicate a tightening labor market in Kansas. The number of private sector jobs continued to increase and employers reported over the year growth in average weekly earnings for both goods producing and service providing industries,” said Labor Economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The household survey also shows a tightening labor market, with the unemployment rate falling to 3.3 percent.”
Since August 2017, Kansas gained 26,600 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 21,000 private sector jobs.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – InVEST has awarded the 2018 InVEST Teacher of the Year Award to Linda Bruno, a business teacher at Dryden High School in upstate New York and the 2018 InVEST Volunteer of the Year award to John Scheck, a claims representative at Insurance Planning Inc. in Hays.
Founded in 1970, the InVEST program offers free online insurance education, lesson plans and activities to teachers and insurance professional volunteers nationwide. Currently there are 890 InVEST programs throughout the United States with over 31,000 students participating in the insurance education program. InVEST is a key driver in attracting new talent into the insurance industry which is estimated to have 400,000 open positions in the next decade.
Scheck, IIABA photo
The annual awards honor an InVEST teacher and an InVEST volunteer who have made substantial contributions to their students by teaching them about insurance through the InVEST online curriculum. Teachers and volunteers also work to highlight the diverse career options in the insurance industry by bringing professionals to speak in their classrooms and arrange field trips to insurance agencies and companies.
“Dedicated teachers and volunteers like Linda and John are key to the success of the InVEST program which provides much needed financial literacy education,” says Lindsey Shank, InVEST board chair and vice president at McGriff Insurance Services in St. Petersburg, Florida. ” InVEST is proud to have stellar instructors like Linda and John as part of our program.”
InVEST teachers educate their students about insurance through an interactive and engaging curriculum. Bruno’s students enjoy field trips to local insurance agencies where they can job shadow insurance professionals. They also role play with agents who visit their classroom in scenarios like buying auto or homeowners insurance or even starting their own (simulated) insurance agency.
“I’m so proud when InVEST graduates return to my class as active workers in the insurance industry to give presentations to my current students,” Bruno says.
As an InVEST volunteer, John Scheck has made a significant contribution in fostering the growth and development of young people in the insurance industry. Scheck currently champions the InVEST program in a local public school and is introducing the program to several other central Kansas high schools.
A strong advocate for inviting insurance representatives to get in front of students and share their experiences and expertise, Scheck even encourages his students to attend local conferences or seminars to learn even more about the industry.
“InVEST has given me the opportunity to give back to my community,” Scheck says. “I see the program helping to create a youth movement to develop new talent for the insurance industry.”
Founded in 1970 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, InVEST promotes insurance education to attract individuals to pursue a career in the insurance industry. Each year, the program prepares thousands of students for insurance-related careers with a hands-on curriculum taught in high schools, adult education centers and colleges. As a 501(c)(3) educational trust, InVEST benefits from the support of numerous insurance organizations, hundreds of agencies, brokers and volunteers.
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) was founded in 1896 and is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of approximately a quarter of a million agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance — property, casualty, life and health — as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police have ruled that a woman found dead inside a vehicle after a police chase died of injuries suffered in the head-on collision that ended the pursuit.
Cross -photo Johnson Co.
Police on Monday disclosed the cause of death of 29-year-old Chrissy Saale. Her body was found early Thursday on Interstate 70 in Kansas City, Kansas. She was a passenger. The driver, 24-year-old Collan Leigh Cross faces several charges.
The chase began when police followed a car onto a dead end street before the driver struck a police car and drove off, crossing into Missouri before returning to Kansas.
The car eventually drove the wrong way on the interstate and collided with another car.
Goodland resident, Patricia Ann Smith, 63, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Goodland on Thursday, September 20, 2018.
Patricia was born on July 20, 1955 in Cleveland, Mississippi to Billy Tom and Mary Olene (Beach) Dempsey. She was one of 3 children. She grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi and graduated from Pillow Academy in 1973. She then went on and completed one year of college.
She enjoyed crafts, sewing and cooking. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Goodland.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Surviving family includes her 4 children; Chris Dawdy of Cheyenne, WY, Anthony Dawdy (Ashley) of Manhattan, KS, Brian Dawdy (Brhandi) of Goodland, KS and Debra McEachron (Christopher) of Cheyenne, WY; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also survived by her brother Billy Tom (Peggy) Dempsey, Jr. of Greenwood, MS and a sister Linda (Roy) McCrory of Ethel, MS.
Memorial services for Patricia will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be designated to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.
Van Luke Zerr, 64, of Gove, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, September 23, 2018. Van was born April 23, 1954, to Nickolas and Frances Zerr, in Quinter, KS.
He married Claudia Gaye Zerr on March 14, 1981. Gaye took a big part of his heart when she passed away July 13, 2005. They had two sons, Tim & Nick.
Van retired, after being a truck driver for the Gove County Road and Bridge Department for 30 years, to farm and ranch. Van loved cows and being active on the farm. He was the best story-teller, had a witty sense of humor and loved being the life of the party.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Claudia Gaye; his parents, Nick and Frances; an infant brother Nickolas Zerr Jr; brother-in-law Elmer Brungardt and nephew Robert Brungardt.
Van is survived by his two sons, Tim (Megan), of Colby, and Nick (Dusty Ann), of Gove; grandchildren, Madison, Luke, Kendall, Claudia and Clara and a sister, Twona Brungardt.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2018 at the St. Agnes Education Center, Grainfield, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 28, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield with burial in the Grainfield City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Van Zerr Grandchild Education Fund and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas attorney general’s office has determined that the Salina City Commission violated the state’s open records law.
Former Salina City Commissioner Jon Blanchard
The finding comes after former Salina City Commissioner John Blanchard made a request in November for copies of documents concerning a contract between the city and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce for economic development services. Blanchard says he received some of the requested documents but one contained redacted information.
The attorney general’s office declined to pursue formal enforcement action, but requested the city commission release the unredacted copy of the letter Blanchard requested.
Blanchard has since received the document. He says the commission “disregarded the rights of the press and public to know the business of their government.”
HUTCHINSON – More than 800 youth from 93 counties, including Ellis County, have entered 2,026 head of livestock in the 86th annual Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS). The total includes 125 market steers, 363 breeding heifers, 245 market hogs, 313 breeding gilts, 308 market lambs, 294 breeding ewes, 203 market goats and 175 commercial doe kids. The statewide event will be held October 5-7 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
For the fifth consecutive year, Douglas County leads the state with the most exhibitors, 34, and the largest number of total livestock entries, 90. Youth from Douglas County also have entered the most breeding gilts, 20, and market lambs, 20. Douglas and Montgomery counties are tied for the most market hog entries at 17. Linn County has entered the most steers, six. The largest number of heifers, 27, was entered by Pottawatomie County. Miami County competitors have entered the most market goats, 14, and the largest number of breeding ewes, 16. Elk County has the most commercial doe kid entries at nine.
KJLS will award cash to exhibitors of the top five animals in both market and breeding shows in all four species. Direct cash payouts will range from $4,000 to $500 for steers; $1,000 to $300 for heifers; $2,000 to $500 for market hogs; $750 to $250 for breeding gilts; $2,000 to $300 for market lambs; $500 to $50 for registered ewes; $500 to $100 for commercial ewes; $2,000 to $400 for market goats; and $750 to $200 for commercial doe kids.
KJLS will present scholarships to exhibitors during the show who have excelled academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. This is the 26th year for the scholarship program, which has awarded a total of $431,000 to 313 exhibitors since 1993. Last year, a total of $20,000 was awarded to eight exhibitors.
Separate from the selection of species champions, a showmanship contest will be held. The top showman in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions of each species will receive a silver belt buckle. Prizes also will be awarded for second through fifth place in each division.
KJLS will again offer the LEAD Challenge, which is an educational and advocacy event that provides an opportunity for exhibitors to learn about current industry issues and apply that information in a competitive environment. Exhibitors will be divided into three age divisions: junior, intermediate and senior. All will participate in the LEAD Listen & Learn, showmanship, skills stations and an interview. There are 23 juniors, 47 intermediates and 31 seniors entered in this year’s challenge.
The Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) again will sponsor a club calf show and sale during KJLS. Steer and heifer prospects from some of the top club calf producers in the Midwest will be consigned. The event will take place October 6. Sale commission proceeds will go toward KLF Youth in Agriculture scholarships.
The Mid-America Classic Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest will be held October 5 in conjunction with KJLS. This event, which has been held for more than 30 years, provides competitors the opportunity to sharpen their livestock evaluation skills; develop their critical thinking and decision-making abilities; and refine their public speaking skills.
KLA and Kansas State University serve as the major sponsors of the show. Additional sponsors include Cargill, Merck Animal Health, Seaboard Foods, Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, Friends of KJLS, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and American AgCredit.
Kenneth F. Helton, age 77 of St. Francism passed away Friday 21, 2018 at Rose Memorial Hospital in Denver. Kenneth was born to Ben and Lavetta (Critchfield) Helton in Canon City, Colorado.
Kenneth graduated from Edson High School, in 1960. He attended college at Fort Hays State University. He married Sherry West on May 12, 1963 in Sabetha, Kansas.
For many years he was a member of the Wesleyan Church of Goodland. Kenneth worked as a farmer and implement dealer in the Sherman County and Cheyenne County areas. His favorite activities were his family, farming and watching football.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Levetta; sisters, Lois McClain, Lenora Somers and Pauline Spiker.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Sherry; his sons: Kendall of St. Francis, KS; Kevin of Denver, CO; Kahle (Lori) of Goodland, KS; sister, Carol Lisowski of Las Vegas, NV. Grandchildren: Garth of Hays, KS; Gunner of St. Francis, KS; Tanner of Manhattan, KS; Hunter, Garrett and Brayden of St. Francis, KS; Kelly Pearson of Norwalk, NE; and Travis Scollard of Denver, CO.
Graveside service will be Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. MT at the Goodland Cemetery, North Main Street in Goodland. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 25, 2018 from 4 to 6 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland. Memorials will be designated later and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. For condolences or information visit www.batemanfuneral.com
TOPEKA, Kan. – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have a suspect in custody. Just after 7:30p.m. Sunday, the police responded to a report of a robbery of the Conoco, 2045 N Kansas in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.
Holloman -photo KDOC
The clerk told police an African American man described as having freckles and wearing pantyhose over his face entered the store and demanded money.
The suspect was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and white/black shoes. He did not indicate he had any weapons. The suspect then left the store with an unknown amount of money running NE from the store.
Officers investigating the incident then found Edward E. Holloman running from the area. As officers attempted to stop him, he continued running and refused to comply with officer’s orders to stop. He was arrested minutes later without incident, according to Trimble.
Holloman was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on the charges of Robbery, Felony Obstruction, and Theft.
He has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, robbery and obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The developer of the Keystone XL oil pipeline says it plans to start construction next year, after the U.S. State Department concluded major environmental damage from a leak is unlikely and could quickly be mitigated.
