KVOE News

 

PO Box 968  Emporia, KS 66801             Phone:  620-342-1400

 

   

 

Oct. 6, 2008

 

 

KVOE NEWS LINKS

 

·         Click here to see photos of the September flood from KVOE listeners.

·         Click here to see photos of the September flood from KVOE staffers.

·         Click here to see photos of the Granada Theatre with gala grand opening events Oct. 3 and Oct. 10-12.

·         Click here for the KVOE Archives page with various photos and links.

 

 

The Emporia Smoking Debate

 

·         Click here to view a draft of the proposed non-smoking ordinance from Clean Air Emporia.

·         Click here to view a draft of the provisions that Clean Air Emporia will not agree to.

·         Click here to view the smoking ordinance as proposed by Emporia’s Open For Business.

·         Click here to read current statewide smoking regulations in light of Emporia’s debate over a smoking ban in public places.

 

 

For the latest weather-related information, including advisories, watches and warnings, stay tuned to KVOE-AM, KVOE-FM and Mix 104.9. For additional information, visit www.weather.gov/topeka, www.weather.gov/wichita or www.spc.noaa.gov.

 

INTERSTATE BAKERIES LOOKS AT ENDING BANKRUPTCY

 

 

U-s Bankruptcy judge Jerry Venters has given Interstate Bakeries---the operator of the Dolly Madison plant in Emporia---permission to commit to $600 million in financing agreements that will allow Interstate to finally come out of nearly four years of bankruptcy.  The Kansas City Star reports that the arrangements will give a New York investment fund majority ownership in the newly restructured company. Interstate has agreed to chip in something for its unsecured creditors, who had been slated to get nothing under the re-organization. Ripplewood Holdings has agreed to invest $130 million in Interstate, consisting of $44-point-2 million in cash, and $86 million in convertible debt.  In exchange, it will receive a 50 percent equity stake in the re-organized company. It will also get warrants to acquire an additional 15 percent stake at a price of $12.50 a share. Also, Silver Point Capital LP and three other lenders that together hold about $450 million or about 53 percent of IBC's pre-petition secured debt have agree to swap that $147-point-3 million in notes, and about $86 million in debt. The lenders have also agreed to a $339 million loan to help finance interstates exit from bankruptcy. That would supplement a $125 million dollar revolving loan from general electric credit corp. To further finance interstate once it comes out of protection of the bankruptcy court.

 

LYON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS, INCLUDING APPARENT ROBBERY

 

By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News

 

Lyon County Sheriffs officers say that two women have been taken into custody after an incident over what was said to be missing money, and another woman was struck in the face. Lyon County Undersheriff Richard Old told KVOE News that a 17 year old female told officers that she was approached by two others, identified as 18 year old Lyrissa Alanis of Emporia and 22 year old Debbie Ultreris of Emporia, regarding missing money. The three were in a car that went to an area west of Emporia where the 17-year-old victim said she was confronted, and then struck in the face, and her cell phone taken. She was found walking in the 400 block of West Highway 50 by a sheriff’s deputy, and a description of the car was put out by the deputy. Alanis and Ultreris were later taken to the Lyon County Jail. The case is being investigated by the Lyon County Sheriffs Department and the case has been forwarded to the Lyon County Attorneys Office. Old said possible charges include robbery and battery.

 

 

 

In another case, Old said that two juveniles have been detained after a number of cases involving spray paint and vandalism occurred in the Olpe area. The cases involved painted windows, mailboxes, cars, and buildings. The two juveniles were said to be 14 and 15 years old from Olpe, and were released to their parents. Lyon county Undersheriff Richard Old said that they are collecting cases and incident reports now.

 

TRUCK OVERTURNS; INJURES MANHATTEN MAN IN NORTH LYON COUNTY

 

By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News

 

One person was taken to a Topeka hospital after a truck ran off the road on highway 56 in north Lyon county Monday morning. The accident happened about 10:30 am on Highway 56 near County road "L", just west of Allen, when a Schwann's truck driven by 22 year old Kevin C. Scott of Manhattan ran off the road, went into a ditch, throwing Scott out of the truck. The truck rolled over several times. Scott was taken by Lifestar helicopter to Storemont Vail hospital in Topeka. 

 

 

CITY COMMISSION FACES HEFTY AGENDA

 

By Jeff O'Dell/KVOE News

 

The Emporia City Commission this week talks about a proposal to rezone property at 1839 North Merchant, the location of a former motel, from C-2 to R-3 for multiple family apartments. The location has been the site of several attempts at redevelopment, and discussion this week looks at its potentional use for college oriented housing. The city commission also looks at an amendment to the Neighborhood Revitalization Area to include that property. The commission gets a report on the proposed Tax Incremental Financing district for a retail development project at 24th and Industrial that could include a Lowe's home improvement store. Plans for the proposed Planned Unit Development at the location are also on the agenda. The planning commission recently voted to recommend to the City Commission that the PUD not be put in place. The commission reviews the status of the emergency siren system. And they review the proposed Community Development Block Grant program grants to demolish dilapidated structures.

 

 

ESU NAMES ALUMNI DIRECTOR

 

By Chuck Samples/KVOE News

 

Emporia State University has tabbed the alumni relations director of a New Hampshire university to the same post.

 

Peter Brodie, the alumni relations director at Franklin Pierce since 2004, will start at ESU on Nov. 24 and will be on campus for Homecoming week starting Oct. 22.

 

University Advancement director Judith Heasley says Brodie's depth of experience and many years of working in higher education -- especially in developing alumni chapters and creating revenue streams -- was exactly what the university needed.

 

In a statement released by Emporia State, Brodie said he was amazed by the support the university has within the Emporia community, the passion and dedication of the staff and the dedication of the administration to provide high-quality educational opportunities.

 

Brodie has also served as alumni relations director at Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y. 

 

 

SMALL BLAZES ALONG TURNPIKE KEEP FIREFIGHTERS BUSY

 

By Chuck Samples/KVOE News

 

Emporia firefighters had to put out a string of small fires along the Kansas Turnpike south of town Sunday.

 

Firefighters dealt with at least six small fires -- burning less than an acre each -- from mileposts 124 to 117, or about three to 10 miles southwest of Emporia. Firefighters also had to put out another small fire at milepost 128, or a mile north of the Emporia exit.

 

The first fire occurred shortly before 5 pm. The cause of all the fires is currently undetermined.

 

 

MEMORY WALK HAS RECORD TURNOUT

 

By Chuck Samples/KVOE News

 

Organizers of the annual Alzheimer's Memory Walk are overwhelmed by the turnout for Sunday's event at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. On KVOE's Morning Show with Ron Thomas on Monday, Paula Sauder said the runners and walkers raised $16,000 and counting.

 

All the money goes to the Heart of America chapter of the Alzheimer's Association to help research efforts, victim care and local support groups. The chapter has $500 grants available so victims can pay for medications, respite care and other items.

 

A record 200 people participated.

 

 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY PLEASED WITH SUNDAY CROWD

 

By Chuck Samples/KVOE News

 

The Lyon County Historical Society is happy with the turnout for Sunday's Music and Dining at Sunset at the historic Richard Howe Farmstead. On KVOE's Morning Show with Ron Thomas on Honday, Historical Museum director Greg Jordan said nearly 70 people attended the fundraiser for the Historical Society and the Emporia High Orchestra.

 

Fundraising totals should be announced this week. The Historical Society portion goes to programming, and Jordan said the society wants to change stereotypes about history through exhibits on relatively recent events.   

    

Jordan says the Historical Museum still has a major space crunch, which has worsened with time. It has been looking for a new facility for years, but is now seriously considering a fundraising drive to build a new facility. That could cost $2 million to $3 million, but Jordan says the Historical Society's mission could be cramped if the space limitations aren't solved soon.

 

 

WAW CHILDRENS BOOK AWARD WINNERS MEET KIDS WHO SELECTED FAVORITE BOOKS

 

By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News

 

   

 

Lisa Harkrader, left, signs autographs for kids at Emporia State University in the WAW Childrens Book Awards. Right, Ann Martin talks with KVOE’S Jeff O’Dell.

 

The William Allen White Children's Book Award ceremonies drew up to 900 Kansas school kids to Emporia. Saturday, the two writers and award winners, Lisa Harkrader of Tonganoxie, and Ann Martin of Woodstock, New York were signing autographs for kids.

 

Harkrader’s current book talks about a boy searching for his father, whom he believes to be an NBA star.

 

Martin's book is called "A Dogs Life" and takes a look at life from the viewpoint of a stray dog.  

 

Harkrader said she like's writing children’s books because fiction can be fiction and you can be lost in the world when you are a child. She usually has one or two, sometimes three book projects going at a time.   Kids around the state voted on the awards, and up to 900 kids from around Kansas are in Emporia for the book award presentations and the ceremonies.

 

 

ID THEFTS GROW AROUND THE STATE

 

The Associated Press

 

State officials are warning of a new target of identity theft -- the dead. And the State Attorney General’s Office said that similar thefts are occurring around the state and in Hartford. Attorney General Steve Six warned consumers that criminals appear to be trying to steal the identities of dead Kansas to open charge accounts through retail stores.   The schemes are appearing in Hartford, Topeka, Overland Park, Wichita, El Dorado, Lawrence, Abilene, Andover, Newton, Hays and Kansas City, Kansas.  Six says family members who believe a recently deceased relative's identity may be compromised should verify the information on retail credit accounts and make sure a debt is owed. They should report any fraud to law enforcement.    Six's office offers tips for repairing identity theft at www.ksag.org or calling 800-432-2310.  

 

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   KVOE Newsmakers  

 

During our 7 am Hour of News and Information on weekdays,
KVOE has special interviews on local and area news stories and events.


To highlight an event or news item, call Ron Thomas or Chuck Samples at 342-1400 in Emporia

or 800-279-1964 in Lyon County and surrounding counties. You can also email kvoe@kvoe.com.

·         Tuesday: Emporia Arts Council director Melissa Windsor updates Arts Council activities and fundraising for its new facility on Commercial Street.

·         Wednesday: Emporia Municipal Golf Course manager Rich Jaggard previews a busy October for tournaments.

·         Thursday: Newman Regional Health spokesperson Nancy LeClear talks about the hospital’s Drive Thru Flu Clinic that day.

·         Friday: Jesse Solis discusses the dedication of several Braille American flags on Oct. 15.

 

 

 AREA ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

 

KVOE will list road and bridge construction projects in Emporia, Lyon County and surrounding counties as they are made available.

 

 

Emporia/Lyon County

 

·         Graphic Arts Road bridge over Interstate 35. Closed until Dec. 15 as the Kansas Turnpike interchange is redesigned.

·         Road “K” north of Road 350. Closed until further notice as bridge is replaced.

·         Road “B” between 300 and 310. Closed until Oct. 10 as concrete box culvert is installed.

 

 

Talk Of Emporia

 

 

 

 

Ralph Schellhammer talks about Square Dancing lessons offered by the Bluestem Swingers. Photo by Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News.

 

 

ü       Wednesday, Oct. 8 Sue Blechl talks about the Public Library Book Sale.

ü       Friday, Oct. 10 – ESU media relations director Dave Sparks previews the Bonner and Bonner Diversity Lecture.

ü       Monday, Oct. 13 – Emporia State Homecoming activities.

ü       Wednesday, Oct. 15 – Main Street Kayla Oney talks about the Main Street Freedom Fest and annual auction.

ü        Friday, Oct. 17 – Lyon County Health director Lougene Marsh outlines the annual mass flu vaccination exercise at the Anderson Building on Oct. 21.

 

Talk of Emporia” airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:06 am. To schedule an event or activity, call the news department at 342-1400 or email Jeff O’Dell or  Chuck Samples.

 

 

 

  Candidate Forum 

 

With the general election on Nov. 6, KVOE will once again bring you special programming

to let you make a more informed choice when you vote.

 

Incumbents are listed first where applicable. Other candidates will be listed first by alphabetical last name.

 

The tentative schedule is as follows and is subject to change:

 

Ø       Oct. 20: Republican Jim Barnett and Democrat Kitty Frank, 17th District Kansas Senate

Ø       Oct. 21: Republican Peggy Mast and Democrat Carol Strickland, 76th District Kansas House

Ø       Oct. 22: Republican Theresa Walters and Democrat Phil Winter, First District Lyon County Commission

Ø       Oct. 23: Democrat Chris Bartel and Republican Rollie Martin, Third District Lyon County Commission

Ø       Oct. 24: Democrat Mike Dorcey and Republican Tammy Vopat, Lyon County Clerk

Ø       Oct. 27: Republican Jerry Moran and Democrat Jim Bordonaro, First District U.S. House

 

 

All programs begin at 10:06 am on 14 KVOE.