WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Wichita are searching for would-be robbers who fired a gun through a hotel room door, narrowly missing two people.
The Wichita Eagle reports that a 19-year-old man and 23-year-old woman were confronted at gunpoint by two men just after midnight Saturday. The robbers demanded money.
The man slammed the door of the hotel room. Police Sgt. Roger Runft says a robber fired one shot through the door. No one was hurt.
MONUMENT – Three people were injured in 2 accidents just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in Logan County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Passenger vehicle driven by Leroy David Pierce, 84, WaKeeney, was traveling on U.S. 40 two miles west of Monument.
The driver lost control of the vehicle due to west and slushy road conditions. The vehicle left the road, entered a field and rolled.
A few minutes after the crash a 2004 GMC passenger vehicle driven by Todd M. Brown, 30, Lamar, CO., slowed to help the Chevy. Brown lost control of the vehicle in the wet, slushy conditions. The vehicle entered the ditch and rolled.
Brown, Pierce and a passenger in the Chevy Luella F. Pierce, 80, were transported to Logan County Hospital.
The KHP reported all were properly restrained at the time of the accidents.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Young offenders incarcerated at Topeka’s juvenile detention facility are learning technical skills to make them more marketable and less likely to get into trouble after they are released.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex offenders who are still in high school can earn credit through Washburn Institute of Technology.
The principal of the facility’s high school is Steve Dackman. He says students can take classes in basic electrical work, carpentry and something called production technology, which covers basic manufacturing skills and safety.
Those who already have finished high school can take classes on operating water and wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems through a partnership with Fort Scott Community College.
Offenders also get help learning to write a resume and interviewing for jobs.
WACO, Texas — Taurean Prince scored 14 points, Rico Gathers had 13 points and 10 rebounds and No. 20 Baylor secured another 20-win season under coach Scott Drew, beating Kansas State 69-42 Saturday.
Prince also had five steals and five assists for the Bears, who have seven of the school’s 10 seasons with 20 wins since Drew arrived in 2003.
With consecutive wins since a two-game skid that interrupted a hot streak, Baylor (20-7, 8-6 Big 12) is looking solid for a fifth trip to the NCAA tournament under Drew after winning for the 18th time in 20 home games.
Thomas Gipson scored 11 points to lead the Wildcats (13-15, 6-9), who set a season low for points and dropped two games under .500 for the first time since the end of the 2003 season.
Lester Medford scored 12 and Al Freeman had 11 on 5-of-6 shooting for the Bears, who won despite going almost 8 minutes without a field goal to start the second half before Gathers hit a layup on a feed from Kenny Chery.
The Wildcats, who were swept on a two-game trip to Texas that started with a loss to lowly TCU, got within 39-31 with six quick points after falling behind by 14 at halftime but had just four field goals the rest of the game. Kansas State shot 39 percent.
Baylor took a comfortable first-half lead thanks to strong 3-point shooting from several players. The Bears were 7 of 14 from long range in the first half and 8 of 16 for the game, while Kansas State was just 1 of 16 from beyond the arc.
The Bears recovered from a slow start to the second half with a 15-5 run that expanded the halftime lead and ran away from there.
Prince hit layups 15 seconds apart to put the Bears up 54-36, and baskets by Royce O’Neale, who scored 10 points, and Medford pushed the margin to 21 with about 6 minutes left.
TIP-INS
Kansas State: The Wildcats had a rough February in Texas. The month started with a 64-47 loss at Texas Tech, the only team below TCU in the Big 12 standings. … Kansas State’s previous scoring low came in a 50-46 loss to Georgia on Dec. 31.
Baylor: Gathers was honored before the game for his Big 12-record 28 rebounds against Huston-Tillotson on Jan 21. He broke Baylor’s oldest individual game record, held by Jerry Mallett with 27 against North Texas on Feb. 1, 1955. Mallett presented Gathers with a commemorative ball. … Baylor’s seven 20-win seasons have come in the past eight years under Drew.
UP NEXT
Kansas State: Home against No. 8 Kansas on Monday.
Baylor: At No. 14 Iowa State on Wednesday.
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Six students from Barton Community College in the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society were recognized Thursday for being selected as members of the PTK All-Kansas Academic Team during an award luncheon at the Ramada Inn in Topeka.
Kami Maxwell and Branson Hoffman from the Barton County campus, Selina Beydili and Sina Carwell from the Ft. Riley campus and Julie Henderson and Kimberly Dutill from the Ft. Leavenworth campus all attended the award ceremony and luncheon, which included a keynote address from Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Dr. Rod Risley.
PTK is the international honor society for two-year colleges and symbolizes excellence in higher education. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to join PTK. The PTK group at Barton spends significant time sponsoring local events as well as volunteering to support others’ events.
The students had to go through an application process and their applications were reviewed by an anonymous selection panel on their respective campuses. All six students will have a chance at being named to PTK’s All-USA Academic Team, which will be announced in March.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man convicted for the 10th time for drunken driving has been sentenced to jail, but only for three days.
The Kansas City Star reports that Leavenworth County District Court Judge Gunnar Sunby on Friday sentenced 57-year-old Lloyd Henson of Kansas City, Kan. After three days in jail, he will spend the rest of his mandatory six-month sentence under house arrest. Prosecutors had asked for the maximum 12 months in jail.
Henson was arrested in 2011 while driving in the wrong lane on Kansas 7 with an open container of alcohol. His license had been suspended since 2006 and he had no insurance.
GODDARD, Kan. (AP) — A 20-year-old Kansas man is jailed on suspicion of carrying a loaded weapon into Goddard High School.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the incident happened Friday. Goddard schools spokesman Dane Baxa says two men went into the main office, and police were called. He says that through conversation with administrators and police, it was determined that one of the men had a loaded gun.
The suspect was taken into custody. His name has not been released and charges have not been filed. Baxa says the men, one of whom was a former student, never had contact with any students. However, school officials sent a letter to parents advising them of the incident.
BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Meeting, Monday, February 23, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. until Close
I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
B C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
C D. Consider Minutes of the February 17, 2015, Regular Meeting.
D E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
E F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media, should be shut off.
II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of February 9, 2015, and ending February 23, 2015.
III. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.
IV. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes for 2014:
-Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk, will present a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes for 2014. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.
B. PROCLAMATION 2015-01: FFA Week – February 21 – 28, 2015:
-FFA promotes premier leadership, personal growth and career success among its members and ensures a steady supply of young professionals to meet the growing demands in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Chairman Kenny Schremmer will be joined by Rollie Peter, Great Bend High School Vo-Ag teacher and the FFA sponsor, to ask for the adoption of Proclamation 2015-01, FFA Week, February 21 – 28, 2015.
C. GPS KIDS CLUB: Program Update:
-In March, 2014, the Commission sold what was known as the Hoisington Annex to GPS Kids Club. The goal of the program is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for kids, kindergarten through 6th grade, after school hours and evening hours while parents work. Debbie Stephens, Program Administrator, will provide a program update.
D. WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD: Overview of the 2015 Workforce Summit:
-Every community in the United States is associated with a Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB), whose main role is to direct federal, state and local funding to workforce development programs. Linda L. Bonewell, Human Resources Manager, Fuller Industries LLC, has been asked to join Commissioner Don Davis to report on the 2015 Workforce Summit held in Topeka.
E. INVENTORY OF COUNTY PROPERTY:
-Per KSA 19-2687, each County officer and head of a department shall make an inventory of the personal property owned by the County and located in such office or department. The inventory, which shall be taken during the month of December of each year, shall be filed with the County Clerk on or before December 31 of each year. The inventory shall not include books, records, files, stationery, writing materials and blank legal papers. The information will be presented to the Commission during February of each year. Per Resolution 2005-22, the mandated duties have been assigned to the Information Technology Department. John Debes, Director, will provide details.
F. SPECIAL BRIDGE FUND: Reimbursement to Capital Improvement:
-On July 21, 2014, the Commission received information relative to the 10th Street Bridge Approach Rehabilitation Construction Project. At that time, the Commission approved a motion, in order to offset the cost of the bridge, that “total of reimbursements ($266,598.00) to be transferred back to the Capital Improvement Fund by Resolution later in the year”. As of the close of 2014 business, there are not sufficient funds in Special Bridge to make that transfer. It is suggested that the motion be amended. Jessica Wilson, Financial Officer, will provide details.
G. RESOLUTION 2015-09: Resolution Transferring and Carrying Over 2014 Unexpended Funds to the Capital Improvement and Equipment Replacement Funds:
-It is the County’s practice to transfer unexpended funds from one year to the next. After accounting of all the 2014 transactions, monies are generally transferred to the Capital Improvement and Equipment Replacement Funds. Jessica Wilson, Financial Officer, will present details.
V. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
B.
C. -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
FEBRUARY 23, 2015
10:00 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – The Commission will meet as the Board of Fire District No. One.
10:15 a.m. – Remodeling of the County Clerk’s Office – Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
10:30 a.m. – Review of Tax Bill and Training Opportunity – Barb Esfeld, County Appraiser, and Kathy Briney-Wagner, Deputy
10:45 a.m. – Road and Bridge Heating and Air Bid Review, Noxious Weed Copier Replacement and Cost Approximation for South Homestead / Wildlife and Parks Project on NE 20 Road from NE 50 Road to Highway 4 – Dale Phillips, Road and Bridge / Noxious Weed / Memorial Parks
11:15 a.m. – Program Update – Barton County / KSU Extension Council
11:30 a.m. – Financial Update – January – Jessica Wilson, Financial Officer
11:45 a.m. – Regular Business – Richard Boeckman, County Counselor / Administrator
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Amy Miller, Emergency Risk Manager, is scheduled for February 26, 2015.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. Announce the Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular business hours.
D. Announce that the Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
E. Announce next Regular Meeting will be Monday, March 2, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
VII. ADJOURN.
FIRE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE GOVERNING BODY
Agenda Meeting – Monday, February 23, 2015
10:00 a.m. Until Close
I. OPENING BUSINESS:
II.
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Consider Approval of Agenda.
C. Consider Minutes of the August 25, 2014, Regular Meeting.
D. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented, if any. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
II. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.
III. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. RESOLUTION 2015-01: Resolution Transferring and Carrying Over 2014 Fire District No. One Unexpended Funds to the Special Equipment Fund:
-Fire District No. One was created to provide fire protection to a large portion of the northeastern section of Barton County. Financing is provided by the City of Claflin and Cheyenne, Independent and Logan Townships. Consideration is for a request to transfer remaining 2014 funds to the Fire District’s Special Equipment Fund. Jessica Wilson, Barton County Financial Officer, will provide details.
IV. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. Announce next Regular Meeting of the Fire District will be announced at a later date.
V. ADJOURN.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Budget problems in Kansas prompted Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to propose siphoning off transportation dollars to help erase projected shortfalls.
But even before then, federal data showed that Kansas had the biggest decade-long decline in per-person spending on highways of any state.
Brownback is facing bipartisan criticism for proposals to divert $858 million from highway projects through June 2017 to deal with budget problems arising after lawmakers reduced personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at his urging.
But data compiled by the Federal Highway Administration shows per-capital highway spending was 29 percent lower during the state’s 2013 fiscal year than in fiscal 2003 — or $490 compared with nearly $695.
Kansas ranked fifth in per-capita spending in 2003 and dropped to 28th a decade later.
By Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College’s Silver Cougar Club will offer a continuation course on Google Drive from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays, March 4 – April 8, at the Center for Adult Education, 1025 Main St. in Great Bend. The first course is not required to enroll in this course.
Google is more than just a search engine and offers many different apps and services. Google Drive is Google’s “cloud storage” component. It was released in April of 2012 and is a free way to keep your files backed-up and easily accessible from any smart phone, tablet or computer. It is a unique file storage and synchronization system which offers users cloud storage, file sharing and collaborative editing. This continuation course will focus on spreadsheets and surveys created via Excel. For those computer users who are sometimes confused and overwhelmed by all of the bells and whistles of Microsoft Office, you will enjoy the simplicity and easy access of Google Drive.
Barton’s Technical Support System Administrator Rich Unrein will be the instructor.
Cost for the class is $32 for Silver Cougar Club members and $97 for non-members. The class is limited to 16. For more information or to enroll, please contact Barton’s Coordinator of Fundraising & Special Events Coleen Cape at capec@bartonccc.edu or (620) 786-1136.
