By FRED GOUGH
Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — The trial for a former Mulvane area man accused in a case in Reno County on charges of rape, aggravated sexual battery and breach of privacy continues in District Court with the state resting its case Wednesday afternoon.

Jodie Mosier is accused of raping the victim, committing a sexual battery and taking pictures of the victim when she should have had the expectation of privacy. These alleged crimes occurring on a then 32-year-old woman at M&M Point at Cheney Lake on May 30, 2010.

The last witness was the victim who had apparently had been drinking at the lake and might have passed out, and that’s when the alleged sexual assault occurred. She said she started sleeping in a tent near a trailer, but then moved into the trailer, where that sexual incident allegedly occurred.

The victim also testified to what she alleges happened not only at Cheney Lake, but two other alleged incidents in Sedgwick County, one at a home where she was staying in April 2009 and the other in March 2012 while stopped at I-135 and 53rd Street North. In both cases, she alleged that she was awaken with the defendant either touching her or on top of her. She said on cross examination that “a big guy was on top of me and I wanted it to stop.”

Earlier, the defendant’s ex-wife was on the stand and told of learning of what had happened to the victim, as well as turning over one of the couple’s computers. One of the hard drives allegedly had pictures of the victim. There was also evidence presented of alleged inappropriate touching of a small child by the defendant, but that allegedly occurred in Sedgwick County.

The defense was expected to start their case Thursday morning, but it doesn’t appear the defendant will take the stand in his own defense.

Mosier also faces charges associated with the female victim and the small child in Sedgwick County.

LAWRENCE (AP) — The University of Kansas is planning a $17.5 million apartment complex to house up to 32 men’s and women’s basketball players.

The complex is scheduled to open near Allen Fieldhouse for the 2016-17 school year.

The estimated cost for each of the students would be $265,000, compared with $68,000 per student in two freshman halls being built on campus at a cost of $47.8 million.

The Kansas City Star reported each apartment in the basketball complex would have a full kitchen and living and dining rooms. There would be lounges on each floor, two team meeting rooms, tutoring space and a multipurpose room.

The university will pay for the project through private donors and bonds that would be paid from revenues generated by the apartment complex.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Kansas ranked third in the nation in fiscal year 2013 in the number of federal firearms cases prosecuted, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today in a press release.

Justice Department statistics show that among the 94 judicial districts nationwide only the District of Puerto Rico and the Western District of Missouri filed more federal firearms cases in FY 2013.

“Fighting gun violence and protecting the safety of our law enforcement officers are two of our top priorities,” Grissom said.

In FY 2013, Grissom’s office filed 298 firearms cases, compared to 291 cases in FY 2012, when the District of Kansas also ranked third in the nation. In FY 2011, the District of Kansas ranked first in the nation with 279 firearms cases filed.

Justice Department statistics show that in FY 2013 the District of Puerto Rico filed 349 firearms cases and the Western District of Missouri filed 299 firearms cases.

The totals include charges filed under federal statutes 18 U.S.C. 922 and 924, which prohibit convicted felons from possessing firearms and make it a federal crime to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking or crimes of violence.

FAIRMONT, Neb. (AP) — A concrete grain silo in southern Nebraska has partially collapsed, but no injuries have been reported.

One of eight 150-foot-tall silos was involved in Tuesday afternoon’s incident at the CPI-Lansing elevator near Fairmont. Some of the grain spilled from the silo, which can hold 140,000 bushels of grain. The eight-silo operation opened in March.

Elevator employees had spotted a crack in the silo on Tuesday, but the concrete gave way before the workers could act.

Structural engineers are inspecting the silo to determine what went wrong and how the silo can be repaired.

MANHATTAN — U.S. News & World Report recognized Kansas State University as a great place to earn an online graduate degree in education and engineering, moving both programs up in its rankings released this week.

Kansas State University ranks No. 72 for best online graduate education programs, up 57 places from No. 129 in last year’s survey. The university ranks No. 27 in best online graduate engineering programs, up 10 places from No. 37 in the previous survey.

The university offers online engineering master’s degrees in software engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering management, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, operations research and nuclear engineering. Online education master’s degrees include academic advising, adult and continuing education, and curriculum and instruction.

“We have experienced growth in our online programs because a high-quality education is in high demand,” said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. “People have many online degree choices today, but the integrity of our program is rooted in a faculty who is committed to their students and advancing scholarship.”

“U.S. News & World Report consistently recognizes Kansas State University as a great institution for engineering education,” said Gary Clark, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “It is rewarding to see this recognition applied to our student experience whether studying in person or online.”

Such online programs are administered through the university’s Division of Continuing Education.

“Kansas State University works hard to extend our quality programs to adults who are not able to be part of our on-campus community,” said Sue Maes, dean of Continuing Education.

WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.,  spoke on the Senate floor Wednesday in tribute to Emil F. “Sonny” Zetmeir of Parsons, who died in September.

Zetmeir, owner of Grandview Products, grew the family-owned cabinet manufacturing company from a small, local business with 24 employees to a $50 million company with 430 employees shipping cabinets from coast to coast. Moran said Zetmeir’s legacy as a businessman is rivaled only by his commitment to his community and improving the lives of those around him.

“Sonny was a person with such optimism and so engaged in improving the lives of others,” Moran said. “The community of Parsons lost one of their greatest champions when Sonny Zetmeir passed away. His humor and selflessness truly made an indelible impact on the community. … If one’s value in life is determined by whether or not you made a difference while you were here on this earth, Sonny’s life was priceless.”

Click HERE watch Moran’s full remarks.

DENVER (AP) — The National Western Stock Show is formally getting underway with its traditional parade and cattle drive in downtown Denver.

Longhorn steers will be driven 13 blocks along 17th Street from Union Station to Tremont Place starting at noon today.

The 108th edition of the show runs 16 days. Events began Sunday with a quarter horse show. Rodeo performances start Saturday.

More than 15,000 animals from alpacas to yaks are brought to the show.,

Attendance last year was about 628,000, down from a record 727,000 in 2006.

Salina Post

SALINA — Salina Rescue Mission Executive Director Steve Kmetz has alerted the public to a fundraising scam, using the name of the Rescue Mission.

According to a news release from the Rescue Mission, there is an individual or individuals going door-to-door in the Salina area claiming to be volunteers raising funds for a Rescue Mission. They are offering jewelry and other trinkets for sale as their fundraiser.

The Salina Rescue Mission does not solicit funds in a door-to-door manner, nor have they authorized anyone to do this on behalf of the Salina Rescue Mission. If you encounter a person who is doing so, contact local law enforcement.

Topeka — The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2014 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, which is presented to a single Kansas business for excellence in international trade and marketing.

According to a news release, the winner of the 26^th annual installment of the award will be announced in June during Business Appreciation Month.

Nominated companies will be evaluated on the totality of their international efforts. Qualifications include:

• Number and/or percentage increase in jobs due to international activities
• Innovations in global marketing
• Number of countries exported to
• Effective use of international distributors
• Long-range international strategies and prospects for future growth
• Commitment to the state and local community
• Foreign language promotional materials and general promotional activities
• Trade shows and/or international expositions

Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by any other organization or individual. Visit KansasCommerce.com/Exporter to learn more about the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award and to download nomination forms.

The nomination deadline is Monday, Jan. 27, 2014.

FORT RILEY (AP) — Officials at Fort Riley say a soldier has died at the northeast Kansas Army post in what was described as a vehicle-related incident.

The soldier was identified Wednesday as 29-year-old Spc. Ryan T. Christensen, of Layton, Utah. Christensen was a petroleum supply specialist assigned to Company A, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

Officials issued a brief statement saying Christensen died Tuesday at a motor pool at Fort Riley. The incident is under investigation, and no other details were released.

Topeka — The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has implemented 12 new business licensing guides and updates to existing guides.

“As KDA works to encourage farms, ranches and other agriculture businesses to expand in or relocate to Kansas, the KDA Agriculture Advocacy, Marketing and Outreach team identified that understanding the application and regulatory process for establishing a new business can be overwhelming,” said Acting Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey in a news release.

“These business licensing guides were developed to assist people in building and operating successful businesses.”

The new licensing guides cover agritourism destinations; feed and pet food sales; fertilizer sales, blending and storage; food wholesale and distribution; greenhouses; nurseries and garden stores; home kitchens used for retail food sales; livestock markets and sales; lodging facilities; microbreweries; mobile food units; pesticide applicators, sales and businesses; poultry farm and egg sales; and seed sales.

More information about all 24 business licensing guides is available on the KDA website.