PRATT — With winter weather here, it’s hard to picture planning spring and summer fun, but the secret about Kansas state parks is out and reservations are a must for busy holiday weekends.

Consider making your 2015 camping and cabin reservations in advance and ensure your family and friends ample space at the lake for your next visit. Campsite reservations for 2015 can be made beginning at noon on Dec. 19, and cabin reservations can be made at any time. Simply visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click on the “Reserve A Cabin Or Campsite Now” button, choose the location you’d like to visit, and begin searching for your ideal date.

Camping and cabin reservations guarantee the holder their spot will be open and ready when they arrive at the park. Payment in full is required at the time a reservation is made. Reserving a cabin requires a non-refundable $14 reservation fee. Reserving a campsite requires a non-refundable $3 reservation fee per stay.

Daily vehicle entrance permits are $5. Annual vehicle permits are $25 or you can purchase a State Park Passport when you register your vehicle for $15. Annual vehicle permits for seniors and persons with disabilities are available through department offices for $13.75.

For more information about Kansas state parks and their amenities, visit ksoutdoors.com.

TOPEKA–County-level estimates for 2014 small grains are now available, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The estimates,based primarily on surveys conducted with farmers and ranchers last fall, can be accessed using the QuickStats online database, found here: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/

The commodity estimates released Thursday include winter wheat and oats. County-level estimates
for late season crops and hay will be published in February and April 2015, respectively.

Find agricultural statistics for your county, state and the nation at www.nass.usda.gov.

TOPEKA — The Kansas African American Affairs commission is promoting “A New Black Friday,” a project first launched last year to encourage African-American families to share their family histories the day or weekend after Thanksgiving.

“African-Americans have made important contributions to Kansas history,” said Dr. Mildred Edwards. “Gathering these family histories will help us appreciate and better understand that rich heritage.”

Families are encouraged to speak with grandparents, great-grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, or any other elders about their memories by selecting questions from the KAAAC brochure. After conducting the interview, participants are asked to write a short essay of 500 to 700 words and submit it to the Kansas African American Affairs Commission on or before Jan. 1.

For more information on this program, visit www.kaaac.ks.gov.

TOPEKA — Roughly 5,000 copies of the children’s book, “Is Everyone Ready for Fun?” have been distributed throughout Kansas and are waiting to be read to Kansas preschoolers during this year’s Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Week.

The State Library’s 10th annual one-book/one-state reading initiative, Kansas Reads to Preschoolers, highlights the importance of reading to children with a goal that every Kansas child from birth to age five is read to during the week of Nov. 16-22.

Each year, one age-appropriate book is selected for storytime in libraries, preschools, childcare centers and homes throughout Kansas. “Is Everyone Ready for Fun?” by Jan Thomas, is this year’s title. Kansas librarians have pooled together learning resources and tools that will be shared throughout the state during the entire month of November.

“Is Everyone Ready for Fun?” is also made available in audio and Braille format from our Talking Books Service for those unable to participate using standard print. Audio and Braille copies are available by calling (800) 362-0699.

The State Library of Kansas is committed to increasing reading readiness and on-grade reading while promoting reading, literacy and libraries. For more information on this year’s Kansas Reads to Preschooler’s week, visit www.kslib.info/ksreadstoprek.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has received two awards for KANSAS! magazine, adding to the popular magazine’s collection of industry honors.

The International Regional Magazine Association, Inc. (IRMA) bestowed Magazine of the Year honors on the publication, as well as the Gold Award for Best Cover for the Winter 2013 edition.

The Winter 2013 edition was entitled “Celebrating Sunflowers” and featured a cover photo of country music artist Logan Mize. Industry professionals served as judges and based their decisions on overall writing and design. The awards were given in the Under 35,000 Circulation category. KANSAS! magazine reaches 32,000 subscribers and readers.

“We are honored to receive these awards,” said Linda Craghead, Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism. “Readers from around the world enjoy KANSAS! magazine, and it has been a messenger for our great state since 1945. Our team works hard to bring our readers amazing photography and colorful stories that showcase Kansas at its best. Receiving national recognition as Magazine of the Year is a terrific achievement indicative of the talent on the team.”

KANSAS! is editorially produced and designed by Sunflower Publishing, Lawrence; and is printed by McCormick Armstrong, Wichita. A regional magazine is a general-interest publication that helps define, interpret and explore a specific, recognizable region for those living there or yearning to.

KANSAS! magazine is published quarterly in February, May, August and November. The magazine is available on newsstands in bookstores, grocery stores and museum gift shops across Kansas.

Subscribe to KANSAS! magazine online at KansasMag.com or call 800-678-6424.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal prosecutor will be on duty during election day to respond promptly to complaints of possible election fraud and voting rights violations in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton will be available to the public at 913-551-6730 while the polls are open on Nov. 4.

“Anyone who has evidence of possible electoral corruption or voting rights abuses should call my office immediately,” Grissom said.

Grissom said he does not expect any problems during the voting, but warned that there are penalties under federal law for any efforts to fraudulently influence the outcome of the election or to improperly prevent another person from exercising the right to vote.

As the lawyer in the Kansas U.S. Attorney’s Office responsible for election matters, Patton will join other federal prosecutors across the nation as part of the election-day program of the U.S. Department of Justice. They will be responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department headquarters.

The FBI’s Kansas City Field Office will also have Special Agents available to receive allegations of election fraud, intimidation, suppression, and other election abuses. The public can provide information regarding possible election crimes to the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office’s toll-free hotline, 1-855-527-2847, or email [email protected] .

Citizen complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767, by fax at 202-307-3961, by email to [email protected], or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

Any questions involving state or local issues may be referred to the Elections Division of the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office at 785-296-4561 or 1-800-262-8683, or to the pertinent county election office.

TOPEKA — An in-depth look at current trends and changes within the Kansas Department of Corrections has been published and is available to the public.

The KDOC Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2014 gives historical data and projections for the future in the areas of population, costs and services. While summarizing key data on growth, the report helps the agency plan and budget for the future. It also serves as a resource for the structure of the agency, including contact information for the state’s correctional facilities and parole offices.

“Compiling the annual report gives our agency an opportunity to take a big picture look at what we’re doing and where we’re headed,” said Secretary Ray Roberts. “It can be valuable to policy-makers, media and the public as we all work together to ensure public safety.”

The report can be viewed online at www.doc.ks.gov/publications/kdoc-annual-reports/2014.

Featured in the report are a message from Roberts, departmental developments within FY 2014, and a detailing of the history of capital punishment in the state. The FY 2014 report includes statistical information about both adult and juvenile offender populations.

The Kansas Supreme Court is considering whether to allow Democratic challenger Chad Taylor to have his name taken off the ballot for the Nov. 4 general election. The move, being contested by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, would leave incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Roberts facing Independent challenger Greg Orman and Libertarian Randall Batson.

Let us know what you think.

[polldaddy poll=8314261]

Have a suggestion for a Hays Post poll? Email it to us!

Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — At approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Great Bend Police Officers were dispatched to the area of the 1300 block of MacArthur Road in Great Bend in reference to shots fired.

Upon arrival, police said it was discovered Dennis Morrison had discharged a firearm at a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Jacob Keenan. Morrison was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Keenan was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and criminal threat.

The incident remains under investigation with the Great Bend Police Department. Check Hays Post for additional details as they become available.

HOISINGTON — A 63-year-old Hoisington man was injured this weekend after colliding with a deer while driving his motorcycle.

According to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 7:40 p.m. Friday, George M. Goddard was riding a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on the Cheyenne Bottoms blacktop when he struck a deer that had run out of an adjacent cornfield. The collision caused Goddard to lose control, and he slid approximately 165 feet before coming to rest.

Goddard was transported to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington with a head injury and injuries to his lower extremities. He was later transferred to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita in stable condition.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by Claflin EMS and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

According to the accident report, Goddard was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — The man who was found guilty of attacking District Attorney Keith Schroeder during a court hearing has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Michael Sherman, 27, was sentenced Monday before Judge Trish Rose. A Reno County jury convicted Sherman of attempted first-degree murder for attacking Schroeder as he was being sentenced in another case.

During Monday’s sentencing, the defense asked the court for a less sentence for Sherman stating the only reason so much time was being considered was the fact that the victim was the district attorney. He went on to say Sherman was simply frustrated. But Rose denied the motion noting that the attack was not just on Schroeder but on the court system — a place where people are suppose to feel safe. With that, she sentenced Sherman to a middle range term of 21 years.

That will be added to the 13 plus years he already is serving in a child molestation case.

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — The outcome is still unknown in the preliminary hearing for a 21-year-old Hutchinson man accused of numerous counts in solicitation of six girls, but he could see the charges add up to 18 counts.

Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen stated in court Monday he needed time to go over the evidence against Matthew O’Keefe introduced by the state, so he recessed until 4 p.m. Thursday when he’ll decide if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.

O’Keefe was already charged with six counts of electronic solicitation, attempted aggravated indecent liberties and aggravated indecent solicitation, but the state filed an amended complaint Monday adding four more counts of aggravated solicitation, three counts of rape and six counts of aggravated indecent liberties, making this a Jessica’s Law case. There are now a total of 18 counts filed against the defendant. Each Jessica’s Law count could see him sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

The solicitation of one of the victims started the investigation when a 13-year-old girl reported to police back on March 22, that he had solicited her for sex on Facebook. They then became involved and Detective Scott Carlton made contact with O’Keefe on the site as a 15-year-old girl and began chatting with him. They decided to meet on April 4, at Rice Park, on the city’s west side. O’Keefe showed up thinking he was going to meet the 15-year-old girl, but met police instead. O’Keefe apparently used the name John Curtis when contacting the six victims.

In one case, he is accused of meeting up with her, kissing, touching and having sex with her, which led to rape and indecent liberties charges. Each of the victims testified of the messaging that took place on the social media site. Detective Scott Carlton also testified to having the conversations with the man who was using the fake name John Curtis. Investigators said O’Keefe did agree to meet what he thought was the 15-year-old girl at Rice Park, but met police instead. Carlton told the court that after O’Keefe was arrested and read his Miranda rights, he told the detective he had two Facebook pages, one using his real name and the other the fake name.

Even though the judge didn’t rule on the evidence, the state did request the bond be increased to $500,000, considering the Jessica’s Law counts. However, the defense argued O’Keefe can’t make bond now, so there was no need to raise it. The judge wasn’t willing to go as high as the state wanted, but he did increase it to $250,000.