|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous stories as seen on KVOE.com
‘THE
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Emporia High Senior Mariah Serrano receiving
her diploma was one of the highlights of this year's Emporia High School
Graduation ceremony. Serrano, once limited to a wheel chair after a car
accident
Her father, Ed Serrano, said graduation has
been a goal for her.
Emporia High Principal Scott Sheldon said
the 292 seniors have done very well in scholarships, receiving about $516,000.
That’s ahead of last year's class by about $100,000 at this same time last
year.
Sheldon said they are looking at future enrollments at the high school and see
the next three years as fairly stable.
51 students were in the honors group this
year; up from years past.
ESU graduates told about responsibilities, honored for hard work
Decorated
mortarboards were prominent at White Auditorium during
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Commencement activities honored
ESU Foundation board chair Lana Oleen says graduates have a responsibility to change the
world -- and to keep growing in the process.
Oleen also lauded the graduates for obtaining their
degrees. She says barely half the students that start college will finish with
a degree in hand.
Commencement activities were moved indoors
and split between White Auditorium and Albert Taylor because of the threat of
rain.
Emporia High has its graduation at
Other Schools in the listening area will
have their graduations this weekend.
CHALLENGE OFFERED IN
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY AT EHS
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE
News
Posted
Fund raising efforts will begin soon to help
match a Jones Trust Challenge to raise enough money to build an indoor practice
facility at
Superintendent Theresa Davidson said there
are a number of sports booster clubs and interested parents who could help
raise the money. The building would be available to the community as
well as sports teams.
The building would be located on the
EGGS
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Late spring and early summer is typically
when budget discussions take center stage for local governments, and that was
one of the topics at Saturday’s Eggs and Issues forum for
Commissioner Kevin Nelson says the budget
process is starting in fairly good shape, but city leaders will be watching
closely to see if any adjustments are needed if revenues dip.
Mayor Bobbi Mlynar says the city is watching
for budgetary pressures both now and later. There is a concern developing for
later -- funding the multi-year plan by July 2014. A special sales tax designed
to give property tax relief at the county level and money for infrastructure
improvements at the city level is set to end then if it is not extended. Mlynar
says that tax has helped pay for around $2.5 million in improvements locally,
and while commissioners would adjust if the tax ends, it would be very
difficult to cut that amount of money elsewhere to fund needed projects.
City commissioners seem pleased with the
latest draft of a property enforcement ordinance designed to clean up the
city’s appearance in several ways. Commissioners have been working hard on the
plan since November and appear ready to vote on it early next month.
The forum series has let local residents
quiz legislators and policy makers at the city, county and school board levels
this year. It was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and League of Women
Voters.
TRACTOR DESTROYED IN
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
A large tractor is
a total loss after fire developed in the vehicle Friday night.
Fire Capt. Ron
Ewing says firefighters were called out to Roads 280 and "G," roughly
three miles northeast of
The cause hasn't
been specified but appears electrical in nature.
STAMP OUT HUNGER
Postal
carriers look for room inside the Salvation Army box truck after filling it
with non-perishable food items as part of Stamp Out
Hunger. Photo by Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
By the time the final numbers are tallied
later this month, Stamp Out Hunger may set a new
standard for the event.
The food drive for the Salvation Army food
pantry is already at over 10,000 pounds collected, and postal carrier
The drive normally averages between 5,000
and 6,000 pounds.
Way was especially pleased to see the
community response because the pantry shelves are getting bare at a time when
school is letting out, so there is increased demand among area youth, and there
has also been a steady increase in demand among the elderly.
If you didn't get to participate but want
to, there is still time. Letter carriers will be picking up your food donations
for the upcoming week.
Left:
A
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
One of those gave tours inside a
piece of history -- the locomotive and caboose at
Years ago, several retired railroaders began
raising money for a canopy to protect the engine and caboose from the elements.
Those efforts may resume at some point.
Other activities locally included model
trains, courtesy of the Emporia Model Railroad Club, and displays at the
Emporia Public Library.
National Train Day marks the completion of
the first transcontinental railroad in 1869.
FORMER LEGISLATOR WARNS OF FUTURE PROBLEMS IF CHANGES
IN TAX STRUCTURE
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
As the final days of the Kansas Legislative
session remain, a longtime former Emporia legislator has some advice for
legislators in income tax matters -- cutting taxes is not always what it
appears. Jim Lowther, a House member for 21 years
before retiring, says he is a member of a group of former legislators who don't
see the outcome for tax restructuring that Governor Brownback does. Lowther said that other states, which have gravitated to
the reduced or no income tax structure, have other sources of income like high
tourism, severances taxes on oil and gas, or higher income taxes.
Lowther said that the approximately 191,000 businesses could
have some very highly paid principals or employees who don’t get paid in the
normal channels who may not pay tax at all if the governor’s plans come about.
In the meantime, Lowther
and others fear that schools could be hard hit; highway programs will also take
a hit, along with other state agencies. And the state may not see any growth in
the economy.
ADDITIONAL SYMPHONY IN
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Tickets for the Symphony in the Flint Hills
have been sold out for nearly two months. However, concert organizers have now
set aside a limited number of more tickets for the event June 9.
Two hundred tickets were made available
because the site capacity allows it, according to spokesperson Carrie Lindeman. The tickets are available at www.kcsymphony.org or by calling
816-471-0400. Tickets are $68 for adults and $36 for youth. Some were still
available as of late Friday morning.
The concert will be held near Bushong. This is the first year the concert will be held in
By
Chuck Samples and Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
USD 251 North
The district held its Star Performer and
WOW! award presentations at
There were four winners at
At
Announcements were also made at
At
The foundation has been honoring
COUNTY TO WAIT FOR ELECTION BEFORE DECIDING ON EXTENSION LEGAL
OPINION
Ability to cap levy authority under
discussion
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Feeling it's premature at this time,
The question was broached after Lyon County
Extension members said they have had some discussions with the Frontier
District on that topic. Lyon County Extension wants to join the district, which
currently includes Osage and
Shortly after Extension mentioned that
option during a meeting early this month, County Attorney Marc Goodman said the
district could legally set a mil levy limit by way of a majority vote by the
district board. The board could also vote later to adjust the limit or remove
it entirely. This week, Goodman said an attorney general's opinion would be
advisory, not binding.
The Extension district is on the primary
ballot tentatively set for Aug. 7. Should voters approve, Schmidt would have to
approve the district agreement before it returns to county commissioners, who
approved a district "theory" in a 2-1 vote back in January.
USPS
DECISION A SOUND
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
The Postal Service's decision this week to back away from closing
over 3,700 rural post offices nationwide and almost 140 in
Moran made several amendments to a postal
reform bill that has passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House. The
Moran amendments include setting criteria for shutdowns like customer numbers,
distance, demographics, proximity of other post offices and other benchmarks.
The Postal Service has lost over $8 billion
the past two years, largely because of changing communication habits, and
it has projected losses nearly doubling that amount by 2016 unless major
changes are made. Moran says the $500 million savings estimated by adjusting
office hours would be double the savings noted by shutting down the offices
entirely.
Several area towns had their post offices
under consideration for closure, including Admire, Cassoday,
Neosho Rapids,
HENSON REMAINS AT LARGE FOR ALLEGED KIDNAPPING
Jordan Henson is wanted by Ottawa Police after allegedly
kidnapping a woman, hitting her and stealing both money and her pickup.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Authorities are still searching for Jordan
Henson, a 26-year-old
Henson allegedly took a 32-year-old woman
from a residence in
Ottawa Police Lt. Adam Weingartner
tells KVOE News the two had a prior relationship but were not seeing each other
as of last weekend. Henson allegedly had a knife during the incident, so
he is considered armed and dangerous.
Henson has ties to both
Henson is described as a white male, 6-foot,
260 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He may be wearing wire-rimmed
glasses. If you have information, call your local law enforcement office,
Ottawa Police at 785-242-1700 or Franklin County Crime Stoppers at
888-311-8477.
Information
from KVOE News reporter Jeff O’Dell and the
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
County commissioners have been mulling a
plan from the Natural Resource and Conservation Service, which was offering to
pay 75 percent of the cleanup costs for Mud Creek, estimated at $110,000
total, if the county paid for the rest. Commissioners were hoping area
landowners would either defray or pay completely for the county share, but they
have declined.
This does not mean cleanup efforts are done.
Commissioners
In other business, commissioners approved
almost $60,000 in county funds for a bridge replacement project on Road
"L" over Hill Creek just north of U.S. Highway 56. The total price
tag is around $282,000.
BROWNBACK TO LAWMAKERS: KEEP WORKING ON TAX CUTS
By
The Associated Press
Posted
reducing income and sales taxes.
The measure cleared the House Wednesday on a 64-59 vote, and Brownback says
he's prepared to sign it. The Senate had approved it earlier, though many
members didn't like much of it and worried it could create budget problems.
The bill reduces individual income tax rates, eliminates income taxes for 191,000
businesses and lowers the 6.3 percent sales tax to 5.7 percent in July 2013.
But the Legislature's staff has predicted the cuts will create a budget
shortfall that could exceed $2.7 billion by July 2017.
The House's action prevented the Senate from voting on a less aggressive
alternative.
House approves Kobach’s
proof of citizenship date change
By
The Associated Press
Posted
The vote Wednesday was 72-51. The measure goes next to the Senate.
The House approved an earlier version of Kobach's
plan in February, but the measure stalled in a Senate committee. Kobach's allies hope senators will vote on the latest
version without sending it to committee.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
A proposal for r redrawing the
state Senate's 40 districts won final House passage Thursday on a vote of
67-50 and moved to the Senate, where approval, some say, is unlikely. The
Senate's moderate GOP leadership is pursuing its own redistricting plans, and
many lawmakers believe the House version would help conservatives gain control
of the chamber. State Representative Peggy Mast said they dealt with the
disparity issues such as splitting the district in the Garden City area,
reducing the impact of Hispanic votes.
She believes
they have helped offer amendments that would give
The
Associated Press contributed information to this report.
Emporia’s water has now been honored as best in Kansas six
times, but it has never won the national competition. File photo by Chuck
Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
At its 45th annual conference recently, the
Kansas Rural Water Association honored
The area was also represented in other top
honors. Council Grove City Administrator Danny Matthews was named as best in
the state. Carol Retzer of Osage Rural Water District
No. 3 was named best bookkeeper.
BUZZ:
ESU’s classified employees enjoy lunch as part of a special “Picnic with the
President” recognition event last week. Photo by Chuck
Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
The work of classified employees at Emporia
State has gotten a lot of mention recently, with President Dr. Michael Shonrock
holding a special lunch for the workers along with a fundraising lunch and
auction all last week. The work of the Classified Assembly was highlighted
Thursday on the ESU Buzz.
Current chair Karla Rodgers says the board stays
active throughout the year with different initiatives. Many of those have to do
with improving salaries and maintaining pension benefits, but it also hosts
seminars on various topics like nutrition and healthy eating.
Shonrock says the classified workers are
critical to
The pay raises are something that has been
very hard to come by in recent years -- and something that is in lawmaker
hands. Shonrock has said he will continue working to get raises for ESU
employees.
The scholarship auction last week raised
$5,000. Totals aren't available for the lunch, but attendance was up around 50
from last year. Last year's event helped to fund five $400 scholarships for
dependents and children of classified workers.
ROTARY GROUP FROM
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
A group of Rotary members from
The Rotary's Group Study Exchange has
brought Finns from District 1380, representing the Pohjanmaa
province, to
The group toured
Both Kultalahti
and Sihto say Finns are much more reserved than
Americans -- and if you ask a Finn how they are, you had better be prepared for
a 15-minute answer.
District 1380 has been in
The Rotary's group study exchange program
brought in a group from
MONTE SELBY CONCERT PRODUCES GREAT MUSIC BUT NOT
GREAT ATTENDANCE
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Three events going on last Friday night in
But two other events were going say board
member Carol Strickland and Board Chair Lindy Whetzel. Monte Selby is a guitarist, and he and his
two children played in
About 30 to 40 people attended the
concert and around $400 was raised. Selby, a former Professor
at
USPS
TO KEEP RURAL POST OFFICES OPEN
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
For months, speculation has swirled about
that thousands of rural post offices may close as part of the U.S. Postal
Service's massive budget problems.
Several area towns have been on the list for
possible closure, including Admire, Cassoday, Elmdale, Neosho Rapids,
For Mayor Rich Gould, shorter hours are
better than no hours at all. Reading Mayor Kevin Sorensen agrees. He says he
would be glad to have something definitely in place for his residents, who now
pick up their mail in Lebo after having almost full-service hours prior to last
year's tornado.
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe tells a news conference the new plan will save the
mail agency half a billion dollars each year while addressing concerns of rural
residents most opposed to post office closings.
Agency leaders have been mulling bankruptcy
with the Postal Service losing over $8 billion the past two years and projected
losses nearly doubling that amount by 2016 unless major changes are made.
BUDGET
By
The Associated Press
Posted
Completing the process on the $14 billion bill is central to ending the
legislative session on time.
House members finished work on their budget version late Tuesday, voting for
increases in public schools and social services. The Senate approved a similar
measure last week.
Negotiators who are meeting Wednesday say 80 percent of each chamber's bills
should be quickly settled. The main obstacle is differences over education
policies.
House budget chairman Marc Rhoades, a Newton Republican, says the House is
agreeable to boosting school spending but wants changes in policies related to
teacher evaluations and other issues.
Tax cut plan might benefit all
taxpayer classes
By
The Associated Press
Posted
The department released the figures Wednesday just hours before the Senate was
to vote on the plan. The Associated Press obtained the figures from the agency
before they were turned over to the Legislature.
The figures show that some of the state's poorest taxpayers, who now receive
income tax refunds, would receive smaller refunds under the plan. However, the
department projects that change would be offset by a reduction in the sales
tax.
The plan reduces individual income tax rates; phases out income taxes for
191,000 businesses and drops the sales tax to 5.7 percent in July 2013 from its
current 6.3 percent.
Mast urges passage of bill aimed at
clarifying certain legal issues
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Emporia Rep. Peggy Mast is urging passage of a Senate bill she says will
help to protect the constitutional rights of Kansans, especially women and
children who could be threatened with foreign law possibly being applied here
if Senate Bill 79 does not pass.
Mast tells KVOE News residents of several
nations seeking to come to the
SB 79 passed the House unanimously Monday.
Its future in the Senate, though, is uncertain.
POWERED BY PINK NEARS GOAL
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
The Powered by Pink campaign is closing in
on its fundraising goal.
The drive has $577,000 in the bank with goal of $600,000. On KVOE’s Talk
of Emporia recently, Newman Regional Foundation Director Jodi Heermann credited
the area's response for the campaign's success.
The funds helped to start the W.S. and
For more information or to donate, call Heermann at
341-7781 or go online to www.newmanrh.org
ESU STUDENTS TO CONTINUE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Wednesday, ESU
student Holli Schletzbaum
said the student-led part of the campaign will resume next semester, but
there's still time to help out now. Funds will benefit outreach programs like
future teachers academies as well as mentoring programs for new teachers.
Schletzbaum and other student organizers were hoping to raise $1
million this semester.
The One in a Million program started in
2008. With the help of
For more information, call
National Teacher Hall of Fame inductees are in
Washington D.C.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
This year’s class of National Teacher Hall
of Fame inductees is in
The National Education Association, or NEA, has gotten on board with the National Teacher Hall of
Fame. Strickland said they are really looking forward to their induction in
They will be in Emporia from June 13 through
15 for a series of recognition events, meeting students attending the
Future Teacher Academy, a roundtable discussion and community events, along
with the recognition banquet and induction ceremony.
MOTOR VEHICLE OFFICES REOPEN AFTER SOFTWARE
UPGRADE
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
This was the first day for use of new
software by the Motor Vehicle Department in the Lyon County Treasurers
office. Lyon County Treasurer Dora Hartig said
people had not been able to get in for a week so some were ready and waiting.
Being the first day, Hartig
said small events always occur, but they have been able to get them worked out.
REDISTRICTING DEBATE
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
On KVOE’s Morning Show with Ron Thomas on Tuesday, County Clerk Tammy Vopat reminded voters they will need to have their photo ID
when they vote from here on out. If you show up to vote without an ID, there
are a couple avenues you can take. You can either go to the
Residents 65 and older can use an expired
ID.
Redistricting may push back the candidate
filing deadline to mid-June and the primary election to late August if
lawmakers can't agree to a solution by Friday. Delays shouldn't affect
preparations in the
The photo ID law is related to a separate
drive to have first-time voters in
For more information, go online to www.gotphotoID.com.
SCHOOL FINANCE REMAINS A PUZZLE TO BE SOLVED –
EMPORIA SCHOOLS OK
By Jeff
O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
There have been ups and downs in school finance,
in the legislative arena and in the court system. But, no
concerns are being expressed at this point by the
Scheib said he continues to monitor school
finance legislative activity. One thing he is watching is weighted money for
"at-risk kids." .
Scheib said he feels reasonably
confident the legislature will pass the
supplemental funding. But he is wondering about the action taken by the state
regarding payments, sending them half of the May payment for schools, and then
the other half of the May payment will come in June. This is occurring
even though the state has a 7 percent ending balance.
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
The noted blues musician will have a fundraising concert May 25 for the Granada
District involving both the Granada Theatre and the Emporia Arts Council. On
KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Tuesday, Arts Council Director Melissa Windsor said
she's glad Hunt has stepped up to help.
The Hunt concert is at the
HAYS HOUSE RESTURAUNT TO
REOPEN SOON
By The Council
Grove Republican
Posted
Five months after a devastating fire, the
Historic Hays House 1857 Restaurant in Council Grove is about to reopen.
The restaurant is believed to be the oldest continuously operated restaurant
west of the
A fire on Dec. 14 destroyed the kitchen and caused soot and smoke damage
throughout the building. No one was injured in the fire, which began in a
grease fryer.
The Council Grove Republican reports the restaurant will reopen May 18. A group
of 25 Council Grove residents bought the restaurant after the fire. Rick Paul,
who owned and operated the business from 1988 to 2002, will return as general
manager and head chef.
MOTIONS HEARING HELD IN DEVINE CASE
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
A motions hearing in the Christina Devine
case focused on the admission of unspecified evidence Tuesday.
Lyon County District Judge Merlin Wheeler
denied a prosecution motion towards that end. County Attorney Marc Goodman says
the evidence was ruled as possibly prejudicial to the defendant.
Devine faces an attempted murder charge for
allegedly put her newborn son in a trash bag before leaving him in a dumpster
back in October 2010. Trial is set for June 25.
LOCATION CHANGED FOR EGGS
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Saturday's Eggs and Issues forum will still
be held, but it is changing locations.
The forum involving
The forum gives policymakers a chance to
update residents on important issues of the day while giving constituents a
chance to ask questions or get their concerns addressed.
The forum will start at 8:30 a.m. Coffee and
rolls will be served starting at
TOAD HOLLOW TOURS TO CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND WITHOUT
IRIS
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Toad Hollow will be open this weekend, but
the iris tours that were planned have now been canceled.
Property owner Nina West says recent heat
and wind have eliminated the flowers.
TIMMERMAN TEACHERS REWARDED FOR STUDENT DONATIONS
Several Timmerman teachers enjoyed brief balloon rides
Tuesday after their students bolstered KVOE’s Drive For Food in October. Photo
by Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Lori Rainey and Shirley McCloud were among
several teachers who got short rides in the RE/
It was Rainey's second ride in the balloon
and McCloud's first. They got the honor of the first ride because Timmerman
raised over 5,000 of the more than 21,000 food items for the Salvation Army --
and their classes gathered the most food of any classes at the school.
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEETS; A BOOST FOR ESU
By
Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
The Kansas House Appropriations Committee is
meeting today and
Also they are deleting $173,000 for
repair work and renovation at Cedar Crest, the governor’s home:
something that almost never happens and is noteworthy.
Mast said that they added $700,000 for
problem gambling and gambling addiction treatment for mental health.
The Highway Patrol will get some extra money
as well; another agency that has seen cuts in previous years.
Mast said the entire house must
approve the appropriations bills, it may be amended, then goes to a conference
committee where it will be blended with a Senate version, but then go to the
full legislature for a vote.
Redistricting
work to resume
By
The Associated Press
Posted
TOPEKA -- A Kansas House committee plans to
start the week trying to do what lawmakers couldn't do last week draw a new map
of state Senate districts that both chambers can accept.
Boundaries of the 40 Senate districts are being adjusted to account for changes
in population. By tradition, each chamber of the Kansas Legislatures revises
its own map, and the other chamber goes along. But the House has become
involved in Senate redistricting this year.
House Speaker Mike O'Neal says his chamber's Redistricting Committee will consider
a Senate map similar to one drawn by Sen. Steve Abrams of
That map has already been narrowly voted down by the Senate and the House has
rejected a version that the Senate approved.
LYON
Recent
disasters such as the tornadoes in
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Two of
Emporia Fire Chief Jack Taylor heads the
Kansas Commission on Emergency Planning and Response, while Lyon County
Commissioner
There will always be questions about how
in-depth a mitigation plan should be. Briggs says the more intensive, the
better.
METH
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is noting
a big spike in meth labs. It also says the increase
isn't as bad as it may sound.
The KBI says meth manufacturing cases increased 43 percent between 2010
and 2011 from 143 in 2010 to 204 last year, but Deputy KBI
Director Kyle Smith says the increase is partly due to changes in how reports
are counted. He also says most of the busts involved small operations.
Here locally, Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope
says the overall numbers have held fairly steady, although the activity is
"sporadic."
Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith says
officers know meth cookers are "out and
about."
Kyle Smith says the number of meth labs now isn't close to the 600 to 800 that were being
found every year in the early 2000s. He credited the passage of a 2005 law
restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine medicines for
the decrease.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
If you have been driving around recently,
you may have noticed a gradual makeover of the Emporia Police Department.
The newest cruisers to the fold have an
entirely new paint scheme, according to Police Chief Gary Smith. He says costs
and graphic durability were main reasons the switch was considered. The new
design also stands out when compared to paint schemes used by other regional
law enforcement agencies
Two Dodges and a Ford have the new design,
and the plan is to add the new paint scheme to the new cruisers as older
vehicles get retired. Smith says it's not cost-effective to change the current
vehicles all at once.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Dr. Joseph Wen
came to ESU in 2008 and since then has overseen several major achievements, including
accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Wen also led the business school to a pair of special
designations from U.S. News and World Report last summer. ESU was named to the
lists of least expensive schools for in-state and out-of-state students.
Wen's resignation is effective June 30. He is leaving to
become the Dean of College of Business Administration and Public Policy at Cal
State-Dominquez Hills, which is about 20 miles south of downtown
HEALTH
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE
News
Posted
Insurance
situations are getting more complex for many people -- but employers --
especially those with a minimal number of employees, can still offer health
insurance at a reasonable rate, under the Affordable Care Act.
Jay
Anghoff, Acting Regional Director for Health and
Human Services was a recent guest on the Talk of Emporia. He says despite what seems to be the popular
notion, Anghoff
said that health care costs are going down.
Anghoff said through tax credits, smaller employers with
fewer than 10 ten employees and who have average wages of less than $25,000
must pay at least half the cost of insurance to get the maximum
benefit. The credit phases out as numbers of employees rises beyond 10 and
average wages rise beyond $25,000 a year. The credit ends at 25 full time
employees or average annual wages of $50,000.
SALVATION ARMY AUCTION
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
The Salvation Army's Fund raising auction
went very well according to organizers. Youth Director Rose Colunga
said they had about 200 people attend at the
The money will go for sending kids to
residential camps. They have Sports camps, Elementary school camp, and Teen
camps. The camps, in the
Items sold by auction were donated by local
people and businesses.
By
Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
The Regional Development Association
meets Friday morning at
Members go over the proposed budget for
2013; they get a chairman's report and they will get a report on revision of
incentive policy. The
The
BUSINESS OWNER, FORMER COACH PASSES AWAY
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
He operated a local sporting goods store for
better than three decades and was part of a state championship football team at
Born in Southgate, Calif., Shane graduated
high school from Elkhart in 1963 and later got both his bachelor's and masters
degrees from Kansas State Teachers College, now known as Emporia State
University. Shane was an assistant football coach in the
Shane is survived by his wife, Shawna, as well as a daughter and sister.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m.
Thursday at First United Methodist. Shane has donated his body to the KU School
of Medicine.
WALK TOTAL GROWS FOR KENYAN ORPHANAGE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Saturday's walk to benefit a home for
abandoned children in
First Congregational Pastor Andrew McHenry
says the total now is approaching $520.
The walk Saturday raised money for the Happy
Life Children's Home in
Information
from KVOE News reporter Jeff O’Dell was used in this report.
STORMS DOUSE SOME AREA RESIDENTS
Evening storms Sunday dumped heavy rain south and east of
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Some area residents got heavy rain from
storm activity Sunday night into Monday morning. Others? Not so much.
Storm Team spotters reported 2.2 inches of
rain near Allen and 2.1 inches between Olpe and
Other area totals:
KVOE
studios: 0.20 inches
Miller area: 0.90 inches
Storms also dropped small to marginally severe
hail, with quarter-sized hail reported near Admire and smaller hail at BETO Junction, near
Most of this week should be dry and mild,
but there is a chance of showers and storms Friday and into the weekend.
Regardless of the weather, stay updated on
KVOE and KVOE.com. Also get instant watch and warning information, along with
storm reports, on our Twitter and
WE
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Parts of the listening area are back in the
drought watch strata as summer approaches. The Governors office has updated the
drought declaration for
Tracy Streeter is director of the Kansas
Water Office and Chair of the Governor's Drought Response team. An executive
order by the Governor places Lyon, Morris, Osage,
The Governors order will direct all agencies
under the Governors jurisdiction to implement the appropriate actions assigned
in the Operations plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. The team will
continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects the
drought has on Kansans. Those counties in the drought warnings are in the
far southwestern
GRANADA THEATRE FEATURES PIANO
BAR THEME FOR FUNDRAISER
Keyboard skill and spontaneity were part of this
troupe’s strong points as they performed Friday night at the
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE
News
Posted
Long time favorites and spontaneous songs
about local people were part of the repertoire at the Dueling Pianos event
at the Granada Theatre. Two pianists and a drummer from a piano bar
in the
They
were performing requests and the audience was taking part almost as much as the
performers.
CINCO DE MAYO TAKES PLACE SATURDAY
Milo Trujillo, left, and Marcos Tellus,
right pose with “Chucky” the horse just before a segment of horsemanship skills
and dancing horses at Cinco De Mayo Saturday. Photo
by Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
It was a good day for the
annual Cinco De Mayo celebration at Las Casitas Park
Saturday. Traditional food and music were part of the entertainment, along with
Roller Derby, and Zumba Dancers.
A new event was Vaqueros
and dancing horses. Marcos Tellez has a four-year-old horse named "Chuckie". Horses don't normally dance, but they can be
taught to do so. Milo Trujillo helps Tellez train the horse. The number one
priority,
Organizer
Victor Rodriguez said they are thinking about bringing back the “Little King
and Queen” event next year.
2013 BUDGET THROUGH SENATE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Emporia Sen. Jeff Longbine is pleased with
the Senate's version of the 2013 budget.
Longbine says it enhances education with an
additional $74 spent per K-12 student. It also adds a one-percent pay raise for
all state employees, including those at universities -- and it gives the
go-ahead for major upgrades to
Meanwhile, House and Senate negotiators have
revised a tax-cutting plan to address concerns about possible future budget problems.
The negotiators agreed Thursday on language reducing individual income tax
rates less aggressively than earlier planned.
The measure will also phase out income taxes
for 191,000 businesses and reduce the state sales tax to 5.7 percent from the
current 6.3 percent in July 2013. Negotiators revised the plan after
legislative analysts said an earlier version could create a budget shortfall of
$712 million by mid- 2018.
The
Associated Press contributed to this report.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECK BY ‘
Safe Kids Volunteer Harry Goza checks
over a car and child car seat for proper installation Saturday. Photo by Jeff
O’Dell/KVOE News.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
People were getting their cars and child
safety seats checked over at the parking lot of Staples Saturday. The Safe Kids
organization was doing the checks.
President of Safe Kids, Jeff Illk, said many
parents may think their kids are strapped in right in the child safety seat,
but they may not have the child safety seat in correctly, or the child strapped
in right, and that may not become apparent until there is an accident. Illk
said they also want to talk to parents about their range of vision in the rear
view mirror. You can't see nearly as well as you might think.
Bicycle helmets were being sold at a low cost basis and being fitted.
BREAKFAST HELPS LEBO CANCER VICTIM IN MORE
By Jeff
O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Friends say the turnout for a fund raising
breakfast has really helped the outlook on life for a woman recovering from
cancer. Area residents really turned out for a fund raising breakfast to help
Lebo resident Alicia Stracener, who has esophageal
cancer.
Alicia Stracener was
diagnosed two months ago, and since then has been undergoing a regimen of
chemotherapy and radiation. A fund raising breakfast was held at
The breakfast and a bake sale raised over
$5,000. She said it was a boost to Stracener's
outlook on life a hundredfold.
HOSTESS SENDS ‘WARN’ NOTICES TO EMPLOYEES
Company:
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Hostess corporate management has sent
conditional "WARN" notices to all its employees, including the
nearly 500 in
Company spokesman Erik Halvorson says
Hostess' goal is still to emerge from bankruptcy as "a growing
company" and there are no immediate actions to sell or wind down Hostess.
The notices are being sent to alert employees a sale or "wind
down" is possible.
Halvorson says the company's financing agreement contains several
milestones the company has to meet, including the resolution of labor
negotiations within an unspecified timeframe. Halvorson says Hostess is still
negotiating in good faith with both the Bakery and Confectioners Union, which
represents about 90 percent of the company's
Local union representatives have not been
available for comment.
Back in January, Hostess filed for Chapter
11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than a decade. The company has
cited a maze of relationships with various unions, rising competition and
increasing benefit costs as reasons for the move. Halvorson says a "wind
down" may be necessary if a bankruptcy judge rules against Hostess -- or
if there is a "significant" strike, which is possible if the judge
grants the Hostess request. A decision is pending and may not come until
summer.
EMPORIA BANK BUYS THREE LOCATIONS FROM ANOTHER
BANK
By Jeff
O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Lyon County State Bank President Tom
Thompson says the bank has entered into an agreement to buy the First Community
Bank-Emporia locations and also its Madison Bank branch. There are two
locations in
First Community Bank was chartered as First
National Bank in 1900 in
The seller, Wes Condron
is also a majority owner in
POLICE WILL HONOR FALLEN OFFICERS IN A CEREMONY
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE
News
Posted
Emporia Police Department will be honoring officers
fallen in the line of duty with a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
Wednesday,
PROJECTIONS FOR WINTER WHEAT UP SHARPLY
By
The Associated Press
Posted
KANSAS
Participants in the Kansas Wheat Quality tour on Thursday forecast total
production of 403.9 bushels 40 percent higher than the 276.5 million bushels
harvested last year.
Average yields across
Members of the tour traveled about 4,000 miles throughout
The warm spring has hastened ripening by two to three weeks, making it easier
to predict potential production more accurately.
Kansas Wheat marketing director Aaron Harries says the crop looks better than
average. But he also says drought-stressed southwestern
Corn growers advised to watch weeds
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
With the spring growing season well ahead of
schedule, corn growers need to take extra care to monitor their weed
situations, according to K-State weed control specialist Curtis Thompson. This
especially applies for farmers who haven't applied a pre-emergent herbicide.
Thompson says growers have to go to a
post-emergent herbicide faster if they haven't already treated with a
pre-emergent. He also says there are options for farmers who decide to go with
the early post-emergent, but pre-emergents can be
applied in some cases even with just a couple of corn leaves sprouting.
HALVORSEN FILES FOR CHASE
By
Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
A rural Elmdale
man has announced that he is a candidate for the Republican nomination for
the Chase County Commission.
Bill Halvorsen has
extensive experience in government including a term on the Chase County School
Board. He was
Halvorsen believes his life experiences suit him well to serve
as Chase County Commissioner, and he is confident he can work with department
heads and other county officials, as well as legislators, state departments and
others who decisions regularly affect the county's daily operations.
Halvorsen said he believes he is well suited to use his
traditional conservative approach in working with others to search for
realistic solutions for the county.
There will be a primary election race for the
Republican nomination for Lyon County Sheriff
Another
filing has come for the position of Lyon County Sheriff. The Lyon County Clerks
office said that Stanley R. Schroeder of
On
March 20 of this year, Current Sheriff Jeff Cope filed
for re-election. He also filed as a Republican.
The primarily election is scheduled for August 7.
FARMERS MARKETS JUMPS TO A GOOD START IN A NEW SEASON
The
By
Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Twenty Five sellers showed up for the
first Summer Farmers Market in downtown Emporia Saturday morning Market manager Tracy Simmons said the 25
seller is a lot for this time of the year, and for the market overall.
The early growing season was a real boost
for sellers. This is the 30th year for the Farmers Market. They are back
to taking place in the parking lot in the 700 block of Merchant.
By
Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted
Friday, a group of Chinese music educators were
touring
The group watched classroom activities and
took in some concerts in
LEADERCAST
BRINGS NEARLY 70 PEOPLE TO FHTC
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 4, 2012
Chamber of Commerce President Jeanine
McKenna is quite pleased with the turnout for the Chick-fil-A
Leadercast at
World-renowned public figures like CNN
anchor Soledad O'Brien, football player Tim Tebow
and MacArthur Foundation Genius Award winner
Roland Fryer have been giving their thoughts about life in general and also
specific circumstances.
This is the second straight year the Chamber
has provided this opportunity to area residents, and McKenna would like to
continue
HETLINGER TO RUN ZOO CONCESSION STAND FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 4, 2012
Starting Monday, Hetlinger clients will be
staffing the David Traylor Zoo's concession stand.
Hetlinger spokesperson Brandy Nance says the
program has grown since the partnership began three years ago.
Hetlinger will operate the
stand through July 27. The concession stand will be closed on holidays. Food
items will include hot dogs, barbecue beef sandwiches, ice cream, candy, chips
and soft drinks.
EXTENSION DISTRICT EFFORT DISCUSSED
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 3, 2012
Update May 4, 2012
Would a cap on mill levy authority help Lyon
County Extension's chances of joining the Frontier District?
That's ultimately up to the county's voters, but that thought has been
discussed between Extension and the district leadership.
Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman says the
situation warrants further study, but an initial look indicates the district
could legally set a mil levy limit by way of a majority vote by the district
board. The board could also vote later to adjust the limit or remove it
entirely.
The move could well alleviate a major concern of some residents who fear
"unlimited taxing authority." Frontier District Director Fran
So far, two of the 14 Extension districts have installed a cap into their
operating agreements.
Extension Ag agent Brian Rees says lawmakers used to have a 2.5 mil cap for all
taxing authorities but removed it because counties with higher valuations fared
much better than other counties. Rees says the current projections would be for
1.3 mils going across the district should
The other main concern voiced by residents has been the additional tax dollars
needed to operate Extension if it joins Osage and Franklin counties.
Opponents say the additional tax money could
be anywhere from $125,000 to $160,000. Extension says the increase would be
$8,500 to $10,000.
KVOE News Reporter Jeff O’Dell contributed to this report.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 3, 2012
A strong increase in planned giving at
Clothier said, for the year they are
currently at $5.3 million so far this versus $3.5 million this same time last
year. April, he said was a very good month for planned gifts and cash. They
received $1.5 million versus $165,000 in April a year ago. He said a different
approach has really helped.
Clothier said he will remain at the
Foundation until June 30. Interestingly enough, he is from
JONES EDUCATIONAL CENTER TO OPEN LATER THIS SUMMER
AT THE
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 3, 2012
The
end of construction is within sight at the
Crouch
said the two-story building will serve different uses; the first floor will be
used to teach life skills to special needs students ages 17 to 21 from the
Downstairs,
the
Crouch said it is a unique partnership
between several institutions. They are still fund raising to pay
final costs.
CARAPEZZA,
Goodman: New investigation to resemble
cold case
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
Two people convicted in the death of
On Wednesday, District Judge Merlin Wheeler approved Lyon County
Attorney Marc Goodman's request to dismiss the cases against Marcy Carapezza and Jason Hughes without prejudice. This means
Goodman retains the right to file charges later -- and Goodman plans to have
the
Hughes' defense attorney, Steve Atherton,
says he's glad things are over for now. Carapezza's
attorney, Julia Spainhour, has not been reached for
comment.
Goodman says certain evidence was allowed
during the original trial but then suppressed after a so-called Kastigar hearing to determine both the admissibility of
immunized testimony and the admissibility of any evidence derived from that
testimony. Judge Wheeler, the presiding judge throughout the cases, says the
Kansas Supreme Court demanded further review of the evidence -- and a lot of
evidence was not challenged initially until the cases were remanded for appeal.
ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES SEEN WITH PROPOSED FEDERAL CELL PHONE
BAN WHILE DRIVING
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood hasn't
offered any specifics yet, but he says he wants a federal ban on all cell phone
use for drivers.
Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith says it will
be tough to enforce, with different states having their own exceptions for
emergency situations and law enforcement activities to name a few.
Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope says there are
many forms of distracted driving, including eating, applying makeup and even
reading behind the wheel. However, he says cell phone use is a major
distraction.
Both Cope and Smith discourage the
use of cell phones by their officers while driving unless they have to field
calls.
Emporia’s Radio Stations General Manager Ron
Thomas, center, accepts proclamation from Mayor Bobbi Mlynar, right,
congratulating KVOE AM for being one of ten stations nationwide to receive the
National Association of Broadcaster Crystal Award, the top award for public
service. Owner
By Jeff
O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
Commissioners have, for some time, been looking for people to fill positions on
several city boards and commissions. Today they appointed Kala
Maxfield to the Human Relations Commission to fill a
position that came open with the resignation of Steven Ihde.
The Commission is still trying to fill
positions on two boards---the Fire Code Board of Appeals, and the William Allen
White Community Partnership Board. City manager Matt Zimmerman said it could be
an interesting position if you are interested in historic properties.
They are still looking for people to fill
positions on the Fire Code board of Appeals. That board
arbitrates appeals regarding decisions by the city Fire Marshall. If
you are interested, contact the City Managers office at 343-4250.
The Commission also honored KVOE Radio for
its winning of the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award for
Community Service. General Manager Ron Thomas and station owner
Commissioners awarded a contract for the
2012 crack seal and slurry seal program. that will go to Vance Brothers of
The commission okayed a request to change parking on the west side of
Commissioners also approved allowing beer gardens along
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
The county has received some $28,000 with
one state grant each of the past two years, using that money to at least
partially fund the salary of Emergency Management Coordinator Rick Frevert.
Staffer Glenda Sunter says a lot of counties are
opting not to pursue the grant money because the paperwork regulations have
gotten much more intensive the past two years, so there could be more money for
Commissioners also got a progress report on
the Symphony in the Flint Hills. Symphony spokesman Brandon Cole says land
modifications started last week and should go until late May or early June. The
Symphony in the Flint Hills is June 9, with Emporia Celebrates the Flint Hills
starting June 2.
RSVP HONORS VOLUNTEERS
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
Director Kendra White has close to 200
volunteers in the RSVP program, but there is always room for more.
White coordinates volunteers for over 60
projects. White says the Historical Society, Friendship Meals program and Red
Cross are all looking for volunteers as well. Call 342-6119 for information.
SOFTWARE UPGRADE UNDERWAY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE OFFICES
Signs are up all over the
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 1, 2012
State motor vehicle offices are now shut
down through Monday as a major software upgrade gets underway.
Lyon County Treasurer Dora Hartig says the upgrade will replace a system that's at
least 20 years old.
Hartig says the rest of the operations in her office will
remain open as scheduled, and she reminds residents May 10 is the deadline for
turning in the second half of personal property and/or real estate taxes.
CHARGES STARTING TO COME AGAINST
MAN DRIVING IN 105 MPH CHASE SATURDAY
Officers say he
taunted them on their own radio frequencies during the chase.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
A 27 year old
Christopher K. Mosby
was charged with 10 counts including Fleeing or attempting to elude Law
enforcement officers by engaging in reckless driving, two counts of failure to
yield at a stop sign, speeding, improper lane changes, reckless driving
and operating a vehicle without the license tag assigned.
The charges stem from a chase that
began in the 1400 block of Road P, about 5 miles southeast of
Sheriffs Deputies
later apprehended Mosby after another chase
that went into northeast Chase county on Monday. He was allegedly
discovered sleeping in an SUV at Roads 50 and "C." in south western
Lyon County
Sheriffs Detective Jarrod Fell talked with Mosby
who admitted he was involved in the chase. At last report, Mosby remained in the Lyon County Jail awaiting
the judicial process. His bond was set at $7,500.
LAW DAY
FEATURED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LEGAL PROCESS AND SENTENCINGS
IN PARTICULAR
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
Lyon County District Court Judges, along
with those involve in parole and probation were talking about the sentencing
process for those traveling in the court system. The discussion was called
"Why did the judge do what they did?.
It was an event to commemorate Law
Day, and was sponsored by the Lyon County Law Library, the Emporia
Public Library, the League of Women Voters. About 50 people
attended. The primary speaker was District Court Judge Merlin
Wheeler who talked about the sentencing process, and guidelines developed by
the Kansas Legislature.
The grid, or schedule of sentence ranges for
different crimes is one developed 19 years ago, and is modeled after one
used in
Wheeler said that he is in agreement with
the estimate that alcohol or drugs are part of the scenario of 90 percent of
the crimes committed.
By Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 2, 2012
March 29, large hail, some as big as
baseballs, pummeled the town of
Madison Mayor Paul Dean said the community
seemed to come out ok. Some windows may have been broken; Dean said he
can't imagine all windows in town getting by unscathed.
Dean said he was out right after the storm
to make sure the streets were open and to check if anything needed to be dealt
with immediately. But nothing arose right away. Dean said emergency management was
there that night to assess damage.
But he doesn't think that the damage amounts
were high enough to get any help through FEMA.
KC COUPLE SENTENCED FOR ADOPTION SCAM
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 1, 2012
A
Roxanne Jones, 35, had already pleaded
guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and a
count of aggravated identity theft. Her partner, 29-year-old Taj Isaiah, also of
Jones admitted she claimed to be pregnant
when she contacted adoption agencies seeking to meet adoptive couples for rent
and other living expenses. Isaiah sometimes pretended to be her landlord,
picking up money orders and wire transfers from prospective adoptive families.
The
HUELSKAMP
SETS UP MOBILE OFFICE HOURS IN
By
Jeff O’Dell/KVOE News
Posted May 1, 2012
A representative will be available to help
constituents who need help with federal agencies and programs including Social
Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and visas.
One of Huelskamp’s staffers
will be in
