Two teenagers from Little River were injured in a Friday accdent in Rice County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2011 Ford F250 pickup driven by 53-year old Rex Ramage of Collinsville, Oklahoma, pulled away north-bound from stop sign on 28th road crossing Avenue J. A 1999 F-250 pickup driven by 19-year old Bryce Sears of Little River was traveling west-bound on Avenue J and struck the front of the Ramage vehicle in a side-swipe manner. The Sears vehicle entered the north-west ditch, overturned, and came to a rest on its drivers side on J road facing south while the Ramage vehicle came to a stop on the north side of the intersection on 28th road.

Sears was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. A passenger in the Sears vehicle, 16-year old Rios Arnulfo, was transported to Wesley Medical Center also with serious injuries. Ramage was not injured.

According to KHP, Sears and Ramage were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident while Arnulfo was not.

by Mary Lou Peter

Perspective. One’s perspective on how he or she sees things can make all the difference. Today we’ll meet a Kansas broadcaster who has shared an educational perspective with hundreds of students and thousands of listeners across our state.

Richard Baker is a longtime news director for the K-State Radio Network where he produced daily news plus a weekly radio program called Perspective. Richard is also an instructor in the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education.

Richard’s father was career military and served in World War II and Korea.  Richard was born in the rural community of Seneca, population 2,039 people.  Now, that’s rural. The family later moved to Manhattan when his father served at Fort Riley.

Richard went to Manhattan High. As a kid, he mowed lawns, and that’s how he met a man named Ralph Titus who would become a lifelong mentor. Ralph worked for the K-State Radio Network.

Richard went to K-State but was unsure of his career choice. “I had not a clue,” Richard said. “I didn’t enjoy studying and I didn’t enjoy tests, but I loved learning things.”

One day a fraternity brother said to him, “You talk all the time. Have you ever considered radio?” With that inauspicious encouragement, Richard decided to give radio a try. He found he enjoyed it. He took some classes and in the summer, got his first radio job at KGNO in Dodge City for $85 a week. He later worked for KVGB in Great Bend.

Richard came back to northeast Kansas to take a job with KJCK in Junction City, where he was also able to finish his degree. He went on to graduate school at K-State and got a job as a student reporter doing news for the K-State Radio Network.

His next career step was a fascinating one. He went to work for a historically black music radio station in Omaha. “I’ve always loved soul music,” Richard said.  He was typically the only Caucasian in the room, but he got to emcee concerts for groups such as The Spinners and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

In 1977, he returned to Manhattan where he joined the K-State Radio Network as news director. The university’s public radio station was called KSAC and was later called KKSU.

At this station, he was re-united with his mentor, the late Ralph Titus.  “Everything I do was influenced by Ralph,” Richard said. “He had a way of asking thoughtful questions which really helped me improve.”

In addition to the one o’clock and five o’clock news on each weekday, Richard produced a weekly half-hour program called Perspective. This allowed a more in-depth exploration of key issues of the day.

Of all the interviews he has done through the years, which is his favorite one?  “Every time I do an interview, it’s my new favorite,” Richard said. He has never lost that zest for learning.

In 2002, he took on the additional responsibility of teaching a communications class. “I try to incorporate diversity, management, and ethics into my classes,” Richard said.

In December 2018, Richard is retiring from K-State after 41 years. At 41 years times 52 Perspective programs produced weekly, that means he has produced more than 2,000 of those programs.

“There’s probably no one who has touched the lives of more Kansans than Richard Baker,” said Dr. Steve Smethers, associate director of K-State’s A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications. “Whether through local broadcasting or through extension’s radio outreach, Richard has been a longstanding voice in Kansas community journalism and he has provided information that has affected the lives of every man, woman and child in this state. Just as so many who have been part of K-State’s radio legacy, Richard was a valued voice of the KSAC/KKSU radio station, and he will never be forgotten.”

Perspective. It makes a huge difference in how we see issues. We commend Richard Baker for making a difference by keeping listeners informed and students enlightened about the key issues of the day. Through the years, his programming has provided a very important perspective.

TOPEKA, Kan. – If your holiday travels include car rental, AAA Kansas urges you to think twice before syncing your phone to the vehicle’s infotainment system. While syncing allows you to make hands-free calls and texts, stream music, and even browse the web, the personal information stored on your phone may be shared in order to do this.

• Home address, work address, and other saved or frequently used GPS locations
• Your home phone number
• Your call and message logs
• Personal contacts
• Text messages
• Garage opener programming

• Check your phone’s permissions to learn what information your car can access. When syncing your phone, if your infotainment system allows you to choose which types of information you share, restrict it to only what’s necessary. For instance, if you’re only syncing your phone to play music, the car only needs to access your music library, not your personal contacts.
• Before handing your keys over to a valet, check to see if your car has a Valet Mode you can set the infotainment system to that will protect your sensitive data.
• When renting a car, if you’re plugging your phone in to charge it, use the cigarette lighter adapter port (if you have the cable for it) instead of the USB, because that port doesn’t access your information. Use your phone’s GPS without syncing up with the rental car.
• Before trading in your car or returning a rental car, go to the settings menu on the car’s infotainment system to find a list of synced devices. When you find your devices, follow the prompts to delete them. If you can’t figure out how to do this, check the owner’s manual or an online tutorial.

Great Bend City offices will be closed on Monday, December 24 to allow employees to enjoy Christmas Eve. Barton County offices will also be closed on Monday.

Police, fire and 911 will all be operating as usual.

The 2018 Farm Bill is now ready for implementation. Crop producers will find that the new legislation created subtle, yet welcome, improvements in the commodity price support program. That’s according to two K-State agricultural economists who will be conducting informational sessions on the changes in early 2019. Robin Reid says that producers will now have greater flexibility as they choose between the A-R-C and P-L-C program payment options, as Robin Reid explains.

Robin Reid Audio

Robin’s colleague, Mykel Taylor, agrees that this is a notable upgrade in how A-R-C and P-L-C are administered.

Mykel Taylor Audio

Reid also points out that changes have been made in the commodity reference prices used to calculate these program payments are also in the producer’s favor.

President Trump signed the new $867 billion farm bill into law on Thursday that provides billions in aid to U.S. farmers while rejecting deep cuts to the federal food stamp programs sought by some House Republicans.

BUSINESS NEWS

written by: Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice

I am like most people.  I tend to do the same things the same way, over and over. Even in church, I gravitate to the east side, sitting in about the same pew each Sunday.

Sunday (December 9) I was running a little late. So as to disturb as few people as possible, I slipped in on the west side of the United Methodist Church, and sat in a west side pew.

Many of you know that the Hays Methodist Church has beautiful stained glass windows. By moving to a new location, I was able to see a set of windows that I do not ordinarily see—the east windows. This was not the first time I had this view.  While the view was the same as it was on those rare other occasions, it was just as spectacular, as if it was a new sight.

As I sat there, with the church decorated for Christmas, I thought about Christmas past and my family. I always lived miles from my grandparents—the closest being 250 miles, the longest, 560 miles.  But as a child, regardless of the distance, my parents packed us up and we headed to Fort Worth for our annual celebration.

Even after my parents divorced, my mom and step-father continued the tradition. And every time, every time, we were greeted with my grandparents coming out of their house, whether early morning or late at night.  My grandmother would pull me into her, hugging and kissing me, telling me how “handsome” I was.  My sister would go to my grandfather, “Poppa”, who would pick her up in his giant arms and call her “sissy”.  Then we switched. In the house we were met with smells of macaroni and cheese, pumpkin pie, turkey dressing, and much more.

After I married Barbara, we had three sons.  Barb’s parents lived in Wichita. They had their own traditions for Christmas.  When we went to their home, we were met with the bustle of preparations for a large gathering.  Many foods and their smells were of Mennonite origin, including bohne-beroggi and pfeffernusse. Soon a turkey would be placed in the smoker, and Barb’s dad and I would check it throughout the night to be sure it was ready for the noon meal the next day.  Tradition.

After we married, each year Barbara and I coordinated visits between my grandparents and my wife’s parents. Many times it saw us on the road on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or the day after Christmas. And it was with three little active boys in the Suburban for hours!  But we made it to both places, every year. Gosh, it was hard.  And it was special and wonderful and meaningful. It was just another Christmas.

Sunday, as I sat in church, all those memories rushed at me.  Barb’s parents, and my grandparents and parents, are now gone.  I wish I had one more Christmas with all of them—just another Christmas. But our memories, and those of my sons, are still here. They still warm me.

As I was looking out the east windows of our church, through the stained glass, with the sun streaming in, we sang a song “People, Look to the East.”  Just as we finished the last line of the song, the dark shadow of several birds flew by the windows headed to the North.  I felt like it was my grandparents, my parents, and Barb’s parents, flying free, but letting me know they are still with us.

Christmas is here again.  As the stain glass windows, it is the same.  But I hope you will look at it from a different angle and see how spectacular it is.  I hope you will appreciate that all the effort you put in to be together is worth it. Now and for generations to come.

Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To contact him, please send an email to randy@clinkscaleslaw.com. Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

The Barton County Campus offices are closed for the holiday break and will re-open Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

RELEASED: Devonte Lewis of Great Bend on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt. Posted $302.50 Bond

BOOKED: Jeremy Armstrong of Claflin on a Claflin Municipal Court case for battery and domestic violence. Bond set at $1,000.

RELEASED: Jeremy Armstrong of Claflin on a Claflin Municipal Court case for battery and domestic violence. Posted $1,000 bond

RELEASED: William R. Gray on a Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery and domestic violence. Posted $1,000 bond.

BOOKED: Bryan Roberts of Hutchinson on a Barton County District Court case for failure to appear. Bond set at $1,000.

RELEASED: Timothy Richardson on a Barton County District Court warrant by order of the court.

BOOKED: Justin Christians on a Barton County District Court case as a habitual violator. Bond set at $2,500.

RELEASED: Ari Hooley of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp. Bond reduced to $30,000.

BOOKED: Eligus Ricketts of Salina on a Barton County District Court warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Bond set at $2,500.

BOOKED: Kyle Stroud on a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear. NO BOND

RELEASED: Justin Christians on a Barton County District Court case as a habitual violator. Posted $2,500 bond.

RELEASED: Eligus Ricketts of Salina on a Barton County District Court warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Posted $2,500 bond.

RELEASED: Zachariah Dittrick on a Barton County District Court warrant for aggravated arson, aggravated domestic battery. Posted $50,000 bond.

BOOKED: Dudley Littrel of Ellinwood on a Barton County District Court case for DUI and driving left of center. Bond set at $2,500.

BOOKED: Nicholas Hicks of Hoisington on a Barton County District Court warrant for two probation violations. NO BOND

Released: Dudley Littrel of Ellinwood on a Barton County District Court case for DUI and driving left of center. Posted $2,500 bond.

The project to pave 8th Street between McKinley and Grant streets in Great Bend has presented its challenges. Once complete, the street will be paved with three lanes that will provide a connecting corridor between two of the biggest retail businesses in town, Walmart and Dillons. But work continues to behind schedule thanks to some unexpected developments. Here’s Great Bend City Attorney Bob Suelter.

Bob Suelter Audio

Despite those setbacks, Suelter says the work is progressing and will continue right up until Christmas Day.

Bob Suelter Audio

The 8th Street extension is expected to be beneficial to development in the area and will be especially useful next spring. A Geo-metric design project will begin on the intersection at 10th and Grant. The K-DOT project will widen the intersection allowing larger trucks to turn onto Grant or onto 10th Street without the issues that are currently presented with the tight turning space.

Five people previously charged in Arkansas in connection to the murder of a Wichita couple at the Barton County Fair in July have been booked and are now in custody in Barton County.

54-year old Michael Fowler Jr., of Sarasota, Florida, 35-year old Rusty Fraiser of Aransas, Texas, and 52-year old Kimberly Younger of of McIntosh, Florida were charged Wednesday in Barton County District Court for capital murder, first degree murder and theft.

The trio were extradited back to Kansas from Arkansas where they also face capital murder charges in connection to the deaths of Alfred “Sonny” Carpenter and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita who were killed and their bodies transported back to Arkansas during the Barton County Fair in July.

Investigators believe the carnival workers used the couple’s recreational vehicle to drive the bodies 320 miles to Van Buren, Arkansas where the bodies were buried in a shallow grave in a national forest. The three are being held in the Barton County Jail in Lieu of a 1,000,000 bond.

Two other individuals, 38-year-old Christine Tenney, of Santa Fe, Texas, and 31-year-old Thomas Drake, of Van Buren, Arkansas were also charged in Barton County District Court and are charged with obstructing apprehension. Both Tenney and Drake are being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $300.000 bond.

Here are the charges that have been filed:

Michael Fowler Jr., of Sarasota, Florida on a Barton County District Court warrant for capital murder, two counts of murder in the first degree and theft. Bond set at $1,000,000.

Rusty Fraiser of Aransas, Texas on a Barton County District Court warrant for capital murder, two counts of murder in the first degree. Bond set at $1,000,000.

Kimberly Younger of of McIntosh, Florida Aransas, Texas for capital murder, two counts of murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, solicitation to commit first degree murder and theft. Bond set at $1,000,000.

Christine Tenney of Santa Fe, Texas on a Barton County District Court warrant for three counts of obstruction. Bond set at $300,000.

Thomas Drake of Van Buren, Arkansas on a Barton County District Court warrant for obstructing apprehension. Bond set at $300,000.