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Previous stories as seen on KVOE.com
GRADUATIONS, CAR SHOW AMONG WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Commencement
activities are taking place Saturday for
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 17, 2013
A lot of people are headed to
The Flatland Cruisers Car Show officially
begins in downtown
KVOE will broadcast live from 3 to 6 p.m.
The Granada Theatre will have a beer garden and will show the movie
"American Graffiti" at 4 p.m.
Also, Safe Kids Emporia volunteers and
Emporia Police will be at Staples for the first child safety seat inspection
checkpoint of 2013. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their primary
vehicle, child safety seat and their children for a free check. The inspection
runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There are graduations aplenty, both on
Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday,
Meanwhile, the largest class in
On Sunday, Emporia High has its commencement
at White Auditorium. Principal Scott Sheldon says this was a great group
of students and individuals. Close to 320 students are graduating this year
from Emporia High.
Most area schools are also having
commencements on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the area's Miss
Find out details on community events by
going to KVOE.com and clicking on Community Events under the
"Upcoming" tab.
Monday: Gas prices could dip, then jump again
By
Posted May 13, 2013
Have you noticed gas prices these days?
Gas prices have jumped 20 cents over the
past week. Kansas AAA Vice President Jim Hanni says higher crude oil prices are
the product of unrest in several sensitive locations worldwide.
“News of the Syrian problems over the
weekend created some possible disruptions and possible problems,” he said.
Gas prices locally range from $3.55 to $3.72
a gallon. This may be a temporary bump, but Hanni admits we're nearing the
summer travel season -- a time when gas prices increase as refineries change to
summer blends and demand for gas increases.
PAIN AT THE PUMP:
Thanks to a pipeline issue, several gas stations are now
charging just under $4 a gallon for regular unleaded. Others in
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted
Top-end gas prices saw another spike late
Wednesday, with at least one gas station charging $3.85 a gallon for regular
unleaded and another charging $3.99.
Prices continue to trend toward the higher
price Thursday, with several stations charging $3.99 and another as high as
$3.87.
The lowest price for regular unleaded is
currently $3.69. Gas ranged from $3.55 to $3.72 a gallon to start the week.
Gas prices have now jumped as much as 60
cents in town over the past two weeks. Unrest in the Middle East started the
steep increase, but S&S Oil and Propane's Larry Mechtley says that's not
the case now.
“My information is it’s a temporary glitch,”
Mechtley told KVOE News. “There was some gas which was supposed to get up the
pipeline but was delayed. Some major oil companies then had to buy the gas on
the open market.”
The summer driving season, which typically
means higher gas prices, is also ahead with Memorial Day on the 27th.
However, Mechtley believes prices should stabilize soon and then drop before the
Memorial Day weekend.
GIS FEES DISCUSSED AT COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 16, 2013
Lyon County commissioners discussed policy
for setting GIS fees at their action meeting Thursday.
County Appraiser Gary Stapp says a non-local
business recently asked for geographic information data on parcel boundary
lines and ownership records and later said the county's fees were too high.
Stapp says the county's not trying to hide anything. Rather, it's a matter of
recouping some costs.
“In the past, the fees that have been
charged aren’t necessarily a huge amount in terms of cost and value of the
data. It’s just a little way to recoup some of the annual maintenance costs
from the private sector,” Stapp said. “Therein lies the question of whether we
can do that under the Kansas Open Records Act.”
County commissioners are also continuing
their discussions on a memorandum of understanding and host plan in case of a
major disaster at Wolf Creek.
Commissioners discussed their ongoing review
as part of an executive session during the action meeting before tabling
further talk indefinitely. Commissioners Rollie Martin and Scott Briggs say the
current MOU has been in place for 30 years, and the review is underway now to
ensure Lyon County has the resources to adequately assist Coffey County and
Wolf Creek in case of a major incident at the nuclear facility. Briggs and
Martin say they will continue negotiating with Coffey County and Wolf Creek.
In other business, commissioners authorized
County Engineer Chip Woods to gravel part of Burlingame Road between Roads 250
and 270, helping to reduce sediment buildup in the Lyon County Fishing Lake per
a request from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
Commissioners decided to wait on authorizing a similar request from Harold Cole
affecting Road 115 near Road "B" until they could research the matter
further.
MENEFEE OUTLINES SUMMER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
By Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 16, 2013
Road crews will be busy this summer, working
on several infrastructure improvement projects around Emporia.
City Engineer Jerry Menefee said traffic
along Highway 50 and Industrial will be affected, as workers will change the
traffic signal lights, and install opticom emitters for police and emergency
workers traveling through the area.
“We are going to be putting in preemption
detectors, which will allow the police and fire to convert those to green
signals in the direction they are traveling,” Menefee said.
Menefee said the city will open bids on a
road rehabilitation project affecting the area around the former Lowther South
building. He said this is an ongoing project, a result of the one-cent
sales tax increase, allowing crews to rate one-quarter of the roads, and decide
which roads need upgrading.
Crews will be concurrently working on a
sewer repair project along East Highway 50, closing one lane at the west
railroad crossing. He expects both projects to start in early June.
The city is in the process of bidding
out a paving project along Mechanic from 2nd to 4th. Menefee said
crews will also install a new six to eight-inch water line for the area.
Contractors finished a crosswalk and traffic
signal improvement plan at the U.S. Highway 50 and Industrial Road intersection
Wednesday. Menefee said crews also eliminated a driveway in the area. He
hopes this arrangement improves safety for pedestrians and drivers in the area.
‘CLICK IT OR TICKET’ SET TO BEGIN
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 16, 2013
"Click It or Ticket" starts next
week, just in time to give drivers a big safety reminder before the Memorial
Day weekend and the start of the summer driving season.
Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope says you can
expect more law enforcement presence on county roads starting Monday and
continuing through June 2.
“You’ll see some extra units out as part of
this,” Cope said. “The Kansas Department of Transportation provides overtime
for officers to specifically do seat belt enforcement and moving violation
enforcement to try to prevent accidents during this heavily-traveled holiday,”
he added.
Typically, law enforcement has a second
"Click It or Ticket" effort around Labor Day.
‘ELVIS ROCK N’ ROLL REMEMBER’ HEADLINER JOINS KVOE
MORNING SHOW
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 16, 2013
"Elvis Rock N' Roll Remember"
is now less than 10 days away at the Granada Theatre.
Joseph Hall will bring his Elvis Presley
show to the Granada on May 25, and he's covering all 30-plus years of Presley's
music career -- both musically and stylistically. Hall has the endorsement of
Elvis Presley Enterprises after placing in the top three of an Elvis
competition five years ago. He says that endorsement, a Top-10 finish on
America's Got Talent and time with Elvis band members have helped to
springboard his career.
“That was really cool to me to hear stories
from them,” Hall said on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Thursday. “They said he was
unpredictable on stage. His charisma, his stage presence, he brought so much
energy. Everybody I have ever talked to who ever went to an Elvis concert says
before the show ever started, when the 2001
music started, you could just feel the energy in the auditorium.”
Tickets run $20 to $45. They are available
at the Granada Theatre box office or online at www.emporiagranada.com.
EMPORIA SALVATION OFFICE CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS
By Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 16, 2013
National Salvation Army Week celebrates the
organization's history and continued assistance to those in need across the United
States.
Salvation Army Lt. Lynn Lopez said Kansas
native and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower dedicated the week in
1954. It originated from a World War I support group known as the
"Donut Girls."
“The first day, they made 100 donuts, and they were
taken out to the men because they were lonesome and away from home,” Lopez
said.
“Once we really started up, we started an
assembly line, and they created up to 9,000 fresh made donuts daily, to hand
out to the guys out on the field, just to give them a little piece of home and
make them know that they were not alone,” Lopez added.
Since then, the Salvation Army has spun off
several programs in the community, including youth programs, a food pantry and
thrift store. Lopez said none of these programs would be possible without
the countless volunteers.
Lopez said the Emporia Salvation Army office
needs volunteers, specifically with sorting through donations for the thrift
store.
Residents interested in volunteering can go
online to www.myvolunteerpage.com,
and sign up for the Emporia Salvation Army.
HOSTESS BEGINS TRAINING FOR SUMMER PRODUCTION START
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Hostess officials aren't commenting, but training is underway as the
Emporia plant revs up its preliminary operations and thus resume
production after months of shutdown.
Sources close to the situation tell
KVOE News training has been underway for several days as hiring continues
through The Arnold Group.
RDA President Kent Heermann says Hostess
leaders are finalizing plans for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony this
summer. Company spokesman Mike Cramer has said Hostess would like to start
production in late July.
The Hostess plant shut down in November
after a lengthy battle between the company and the Bakers and Confectioners
Union. The Emporia plant had over 500 employees at one point before
the shutdown. Company officials estimate at least 250 will be on board
when production starts, with another 50 or more added in two years.
JOINT AGREEMENT AWAITS ERC APPROVAL
Newman Regional Health emergency department director John
Grady (center) and members of the Emporia Fire Department accepted a
proclamation naming May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week at the city
commission’s action meeting Wednesday. Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
City commissioners approved a seven-month
agreement with the Emporia Recreation Commission for operations at the Jones
Aquatic Center at their action meeting Wednesday.
Commissioner Danny Giefer voted against the contract. He believes the
funding should come from another source.
“I would like for us to move towards getting
the money from the tax base of the Rec Commission, which is a larger tax base,
and covers a lot of the users of our facilities,” Giefer said.
Commissioner Steve Harmon said this gives
the commission more time to research a long-term contract. He would like
to see a three to five-year agreement.
Under the agreement, the ERC agrees to run the Center from Memorial Day, taking
care of day-to-day operations. The 2013 summer season starts Memorial Day,
May 25. The agreement runs from May 27
until December 31, 2013. The ERC could approve it at their next meeting May 20.
Commissioners approved the purchase of
emergency radios for the fire department and emergency services from Ka-Comm
for $30,950.05.
Commissioner Jon Geitz said the old radios were becoming out of date. He
appreciated how the two departments bid on the items together, leading to a
discount for all parties involved.
The agreement allows the departments to
purchase 15 portable radios and five lapel microphones.
Commissioner Bobbi Mlynar abstained from the
vote, as her husband works for Ka-Comm.
In other business, commissioners awarded bids for two new multi-use vehicles
for the Water Treatment and Waste Water Plants.
They also made several appointments: Susan
Thompson to the Natural Resources Advisory Board, and Jameson Green, Kayla
Maxfield and Michelle Ponce to the Human Relations Commission. The commission
reappointed Maxfield and Ponce.
CRASH SENDS THREE TO NRH
A two-vehicle accident at the corner of South Commercial and
East Kansas sent three people to Newman Regional Health Wednesday. Photo by
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Three people were taken to Newman Regional
Health after a two-vehicle accident at the corner of South Commercial and East
Kansas Wednesday.
Three passengers from a black Chevy sedan
suffered minor injuries in the accident after 2:30 p.m. A man was cut on
the hand, and a woman suffered lacerations to the head when the airbag
deployed.
Details from the crash are still pending.
EMPORIA CHILD CARE CONTINUES RAISING MONEY FOR MOVE
Emporia Child Care has a matching grant in hand from the
Jones Trust as it plans to move in to the former National Teachers Hall of Fame
building in the 1300 block of C of E Drive. KVOE News file photo.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Emporia Child Care has less than seven
months to generate $750,000 for its planned move to the former National
Teachers Hall of Fame headquarters.
Child Care Director Deb Crowl will have
a fundraising update later, but she tells KVOE News things are off to a
fast start. Crowl says the move will coordinate all the current Emporia Child
Care Center facilities in one spot, opening up more available slots for infants
and toddlers.
For more information, call Crowl at 343-2888,
go online to www.emporiachildcare.org
or find the network on Facebook. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 545 in
Emporia or taken to ESB Financial.
LANDFILL OPERATORS DIGESTING NEW INFORMATION
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Close to 100 operators of private and public
landfills attended a special seminar from the Kansas Department of Health and
Environment on the topic of financial assurance Tuesday.
Event leader Bill Bider tells KVOE News KDHE
is telling landfill owners and operators to update their financial assurance
amounts now, especially when it comes to so-called closure and post-closure
costs.
KDHE regulates three kinds of landfills
across the state -- solid waste, construction-demolition and industrial --
regardless of whether they are privately or publicly owned. The Lyon-Chase
County Transfer Station handles solid waste and certain construction-demolition
debris. Solid Waste Supervisor Keith Senn says there was a lot to digest. Most
operations won't change as a result of this effort.
Hamm's Quarries spokesman Charlie Sedlock
agrees that little will change for his business, but he says smaller private
operations may be forced to consider whether to stay in business.
Bider says it could take two years for new
regulations and guidelines to take full effect.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CONTINUES
Wildcat Concrete Services workers stripe the crosswalk at
the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Industrial Wednesday. Photo by Ryan
Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Crews finished configuring the new
pedestrian crossing signals at the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and
Industrial in Emporia Wednesday, after installing new cameras and signal heads
Tuesday.
Topeka-based Wildcat Concrete Services
superintendent Donnie Leonard said these are not red-light cameras; rather,
they are intended to detect cars at the intersection to improve traffic flow.
Traffic was down to one lane in all directions,
but all traffic signals were functioning properly. Meanwhile,
representatives from Wichita-based Gades Sales are syncing the traffic signals.
AREA RANCHERS REACT TO STUDY RESULTS
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Drought conditions continue to have a big
impact on farming and ranching operations in Lyon County, highlighted by the
results from the latest Bluestem Pasture Survey.
Rancher Brian Keith tends to 10,000 acres of
native grasses and a cow-calfing operation just north of Allen. He decided
to reduce his stocking rate- the number of animals on a given piece of land-by
20 percent last winter. He said the study reaffirms his and other
ranchers' decisions on how to adjust their ranching efforts.
“We are going to give those pastures a little
more chance to grow a little more grass and top growth on that plant,” Keith
said.
“Hopefully we will get some more root
stimulation underneath to get us through the summer, and just in case we are
dryer this summer, to ensure we have enough forage for our cattle,” Keith
added.
Keith said his stockwater supplies are at 70
percent capacity, a direct result of the drought.
Rancher Roger Potter manages grass-fed
cattle in Lyon and Chase counties. He has noticed a disparity in the
amount of rainwater in both counties, with Lyon receiving plenty of water,
compared to southwest Chase County, where ponds are only 1/3 of the capacity,
compared to pre-drought conditions. Potter anticipates taking his cattle
off the land early this year, unless the area experiences sustained drought
conditions.
The survey, which was conducted for the
first time since 2009 due to budgetary restraints, was sent to 2,200 ranchers
in the Flint Hills and collected data related pasture availability, pasture use
and practices, pasture leasing rates, pasture condition and fence building
rates.
STEWART REPLACING SANBORN AS ECS PRINCIPAL
Sherilyn Stewart (left) will replace outgoing principal
James Sanborn (right) at Emporia Christian School for the 2013-14 school year.
Photo by Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By
Roger Hartsook/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Representatives from the Emporia Christian
School appeared on the Talk of Emporia Wednesday, discussing the school’s new
three-year strategic plan.
Next fall the school will have a new principal,
as seventh and eighth grader teacher Sherilyn Stewart will take over for
current principal James Sanborn.
“The more I look at this job and think about
this job, and think about all that Mr. Sanborn does in his day, it is a little
scary,” Stewart said.
“I know I will have lots of help and support
from the teachers,” Stewart added.
The school’s strategic plan is broken down
into five parts, one of which is staff development. That involves identifying
parent representatives for each classroom.
“One of the joys and blessings of being a
small school is that we have a lot of parent volunteers. I would like to see
that develop more,” Stewart said.
Sanborn is leaving the Christian School
after ten years to pursue other interests in ministry.
MUNICIPAL BAND TO HAVE AUDITIONS THURSDAY
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
The Emporia Municipal Band is holding
auditions for its summer concert season Thursday night.
Director Gary McCarty is looking for
musicians in all sections, notably percussion, trumpet and French horn.
Interested musicians should go to Emporia State's Beach Music Hall instrumental
rehearsal room for auditions at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
The band kicks off its summer schedule
with the Memorial Day performance May 27 before the concert season opens at
Fremont Park on May 30.
For more information, call McCarty at
794-5520 or go online to www.emporiaband.org.
EHS EMPLOYEE RECEIVES NATIONAL FOOD SERVICE AWARD
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 15, 2013
Food service employees are a vital part of
making sure your kids receive a well-balanced and nutritious meal at
school. One USD 253 employee was recently honored for her work.
Emporia High School fruit and vegetable
department team leader Debbie Wilhite received the School Nutrition
Association's Heart of the Program award.
“I was very surprised and honored to be
recognized,” Wilhite said.
A nearly 20-year district employee and
member of the National School Lunch Program association, Wilhite credits her
success to adapting to constant changes. The group had a national weeklong
event in January, and Wilhite encouraged student involvement by offering food
samples, and receiving feedback on those foods. She said the award tells
the district it is exceeding lunch program expectations.
Wilhite's job allows her to travel to other
schools across the district. She enjoys seeing the kids, especially her
granddaughter at Village School.
The School Nutrition Association, a national
non-profit organization, presents the award to a food service employee each
year. Wilhite has been a member of the organization since 2008.
CRASH IN SOUTH-CENTRAL EMPORIA HURTS ONE PERSON
An
accident between a minivan and car in the 900 block of East Logan blocked
traffic for better than half an hour after the car’s driver was hospitalized.
Photo by Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
A crash between a minivan and a car near
Logan Avenue School sent the car's driver to Newman Regional Health shortly
after noon Tuesday.
Early indications are a car was parked in
the eastbound lane but facing west in the 900 block of East Logan. An eastbound
minivan hit the car, then went across the westbound lane and overturned. The
car's driver was hospitalized, although the two minivan occupants were unhurt.
Names and additional circumstances were not
released. East Logan was blocked between Valley and Wild Turkey for close to an
hour before traffic resumed normal flow.
CRASH SENDS TWO DRIVERS TO NRH
Police
and fire personnel investigate a two-vehicle crash at 12th and
Sunnyslope, as bystanders react Tuesday. Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
Two people were taken to Newman Regional
Health after a collision at 12th and Sunnyslope Tuesday afternoon.
Emporia Police Department Sgt. Lisa Sage saw
the accident happen, calling dispatch services at 5:20 p.m. Sage
said the front vehicle was traveling eastbound, and was about to make a left
turn onto Sunnyslope, when another vehicle came from behind and struck the rear
bumper. Anita Van Fossen, age 45 of Emporia, and Alice Crowley, age 51,
also of Emporia, suffered minor injuries from the crash.
Both drivers and their passengers were
wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. Both vehicles suffered
significant damage, but neither was towed.
Sage says Crowley was ticketed for following
too closely.
Police blocked 12th down to Prairie,
diverting westbound traffic down Sunnyslope.
CROUCH DEFENDS DISTRICT’S PROGRESS
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
The Common Core Standards, which USD 253 and
other districts across the state have adopted, are coming under some criticism,
with opponents spending nearly two hours trying to persuade board members to
reconsider them Tuesday.
USD 253 board vice-president Mike Crouch
said the standards, at least in USD 253, are working.
“From the state level, we need to start making our
kids ‘college and career ready’ by the time they leave high school,” Crouch
said.
“We
know that the state assessment tests are going to be starting to test on the
Common Core standards, and so it is in the best interests of our kids to start
preparing them,” Crouch added.
In fact, Crouch said several surrounding
school districts have called the district, asking them for advice on how to
better implement the standards. He credits the success to teachers, staff
and even students for taking to the standards.
Kansas adopted the standards back in 2010,
and is one of 46 states following them.
Critics argue it is too expensive to keep
the program, and takes away local districts' control over education standards.
FIREFIGHTERS, DEPUTIES CONVERGE ON SMALL FIRE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
North Lyon County firefighters made quick
work of a small grass fire Tuesday.
Firefighters and Lyon County deputies were
called out to the property of Don Gill at Roads 320 and Kansas Highway 99
before 11 a.m. after fire developed near the intersection.
Less than an acre burned. The cause is
currently unclear.
SIGN INSTALLATION PROJECT IMPROVING INTERSECTION
A
Wildcat Concrete Services worker installs a new signal head at the intersection
of U.S. Highway 50 and Industrial Tuesday. Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
Crews are installing new cameras and signal
heads at the intersection of US Highway 50 and Industrial in Emporia.
Topeka-based Wildcat Concrete Services
superintendent Donnie Leonard said these are not red-light cameras; rather,
they are intended to detect cars at the intersection to improve traffic flow.
Leonard expects crews to restore full power
to the traffic signal Wednesday afternoon.
TAX TALKS
CONTINUE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
Once House and Senate leaders finalize their
budget recommendations with Gov. Sam Brownback, there is no guarantee that plan
will be accepted by the lawmaking rank and file.
Sen. Jeff Longbine says the limited
discussions take place as a matter of course, so concerns about this aspect of
budget negotiations are overblown. His main concern is a philosophical
difference between House and Senate dealing with sales taxes on the surface --
and budget policy on a deeper level.
“The Senate has set a clear direction in
they favor the sales tax over big cuts. The House is, by a strong vote, saying
they favor cuts over extending the sales tax,” he said.
Rep. Don Hill believes the Senate should
agree to a plan coming out of the current discussions, although it may be
much more difficult to gain agreement in the House. He also
anticipated a plan being released at the last possible minute.
“If they wait until the 11th
hour, that puts a lot of pressure on people to accept whatever’s tossed out
there,” he said. “If it isn’t they have to go to the drawing board and work on
a different approach.”
Rep. Peggy Mast says an agreement may be
closer than a lot of people think, although she realizes the sales tax is still
the main sticking point.
“We’ve already made a lot of concessions on
the tax policy. I think we have a chance of wrapping up things very quickly as
soon as we have assurance lawmakers are informed on the votes they are making,”
she told KVOE News.
Lawmakers are debating whether to keep the
sales tax at its current 6.3 percent rate, drop it to the prior rate of 5.7
percent or dip it a smaller amount. The Senate has passed a budget keeping the
sales tax where it is. The House is still waiting to pass a budget, although it
has voted down the Senate plan.
ESFCU BRINGS MONEY, SMILES TO DOWNTOWN SHOPPERS
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
Some area residents may not have been
looking for free breakfast or coffee Tuesday morning, but Emporia State Federal
Credit Union made that a reality for about 90 minutes.
Staffers went to Amanda's Bakery, the
Commercial Street Diner, Granada Coffee Company and JavaCat Coffeehouse,
handing out $5 bills to help pay for breakfast, coffee or other drinks.
Spokesperson Susie LeGault says this was part of a statewide information
effort.
“It was just a way for all the credit unions
in Kansas to do something at the same time to create more awareness across the
state,” LeGault said.
In all, the credit union handed out $1,000.
The giveaway locally follows a gas giveaway last fall. A third "Make
A Difference" project is tentatively set for October, but plans for that
event are pending.
GAS PRICES TIGHTENING UP
Filling
up vehicles has become more painful over the past seven days. Photo by Chuck
Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 14, 2013
Earlier this week, KVOE News noted a nearly
20-cent spread in local gas prices. The spread is narrowing, but only because
the low-end prices are coming up.
Gas prices are now ranging from $3.65 to
$3.72 a gallon. Prices had been as low as $3.55 a gallon as of noon Monday.
Experts say this recent spike of 20 to 30
cents is driven by unrest in the Middle East, not the Memorial Day weekend and
the start of the summer driving season.
FLACK APPEARS BRIEFLY IN COURT
DNA confirmation still pending on
remains
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
The man accused of killing four people in
eastern Kansas was in Franklin County District Court briefly Monday afternoon.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Kyle
Flack refused to have Judge Thomas Sachse read him the capital murder and other
charges. Flack was represented by attorney Ron Evans, head of the state's
death penalty defense unit.
Flack faces two capital murder counts.
One involves the deaths of Andrew Stout and Kaylie Bailey along with
the presumed death of Bailey's daughter, Lana. The other deals strictly with
Kaylie Bailey because Flack allegedly raped her near the time of her death.
Flack also faces four first-degree murder counts, although three of those
charges are alternates to the first capital murder count. The other deals with
the death of Steven White.
Meanwhile, authorities believe the body of
18-month-old Lana Bailey has been found, but they are still waiting for DNA
testing to prove their belief. Authorities found human remains in Osage County
late Saturday night, and Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards said additional
evidence collected at the site has led law enforcement to believe the remains
belong to the youngster.
Flack was arrested in Emporia last
Wednesday on an Osage County warrant for failure to register as a violent
offender. He was convicted in 2005 of intentional attempted murder in
Franklin County and paroled four years later.
The Ottawa Herald reports Flack's next court
appearance is a status conference set for July 8, at which time the judge could
schedule a preliminary hearing.
KVOE
News Director Chuck Samples contributed to this report.
HOPKINS FOUNDATION CONCLUDES AWARDS FOR AREA TEACHERS
Emporia Christian School teacher Sally Kaiser and aide Nola
McGill display large checks after being honored through the Hopkins Foundation
Star Performer and WOW! Award program Monday. Photo by Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
The Bud and Irene Hopkins Foundation
are done with their announcements of Star Performer and WOW! Award
winners after making stops at Lyon County's parochial schools
and across the North Lyon County district Monday.
There were two honorees each at Sacred Heart
and St. Joseph School. Teacher Tammi Garriott won $2,000 at Sacred Heart.
“I don’t think I work any harder than
anybody else, but it’s nice to be recognized, that’s for sure,” Garriott said.
Child care center director Monica Barnett
received $1,000. Teacher Cindy Kehres picked up $2,000 at St. Joseph and
secretary Karen Kehres was given $1,000.
Emporia Christian School had two staffers
honored -- teacher Sally Kaiser with $2,000 and teachers aide Nola McGill with
$1,000.
“I didn’t expect anything like this,” McGill
said. “I enjoy my work and I enjoy the kids.”
At Americus Elementary, retiring teacher
Sharon VanGundy was honored with a $2,500 Star Performer award.
“You realize people appreciate all you
dedicate to their children,” she said. “It’s such a team effort. It’s like
being on a basketball team and they pick a most valuable player. It’s not just
that one player. It’s the whole team,” she added.
At Reading School, learning resource teacher
Jacinda Vinduska won $1,000. At Northern Heights, Sarah Malcolm won $2,500,
Christy Schmitz won $1,000 and Amy Rhoads won $500.
The awards program honors the teaching
profession and the positive impact educators can have on individual students
and their communities as a whole. The program has honored over
150 teachers and handed out close to $320,000 over the last 11 years.
Announcements have also been made this month
for Emporia and South Lyon County.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO FILL OUT HOUSING SURVEY
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
City officials are asking for homeowners'
help to secure grant funding to improve the city's housing inventory.
Housing specialist Jeff Lynch said
interested residents must meet income guidelines set by the state to
participate in the survey.
“They will need to be the deeded owner of
the property that have to apply for the funding,” Lynch said.
“It may be possible to apply for some
‘rental rehab,’ in which the landlord has to apply for the funding,” Lynch
added.
Lynch said this will help his office decide
which areas will benefit from the funding. This includes whole-house
rehabilitation, emergency repairs, handicap access, and owner-occupied and
rental rehabilitation.
A partial listing from the Lyon County
appraiser's office lists about 4,600 housing units in the city limits,
including homes, apartments and mobile homes, which Lynch categorizes as
"less than average condition." Lynch estimates about 15-25
housing units will be addressed in the application, and would need those owners
to fill out a grant application.
Residents can click here to fill out
the survey online. They can also call Lynch at 343-4285, or e-mail jlynch@emporia-kansas.gov for an
application.
The deadline to turn in applications is May
23.
CITY COLLECTS NEARLY 400 TONS OF TRASH
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
Lyon and Chase County residents generated
about 360 tons of trash during the two-week free landfill days, which ended
Sunday.
Solid Waste supervisor Keith Senn said about
1,400 people participated in the event, held at the Lyon-Chase County Transfer
Station, but it did not match 2012's 500-ton haul. He attributed that to a
few factors, starting with about 93 fewer tons of trash, a result of fewer
construction demolition projects.
Senn says they have already started
separating the items, which will go off-site.
“E-waste and hazardous waste will go to the
county. All of the recyclables that we pulled off the floor will be sold to
scrap dealers,” Senn said.
Other items, including wood from the tipping
floor, will go to the on-site construction demolition landfill.
The next big recycling event will be the
annual Clean Sweep at the Lyon County Fairgrounds in late
September. Senn said it will be county-wide, expecting about the same
amount of debris in two days as they saw over the course of the free landfill
event.
Clean Sweep is September 27-29 at the
fairgrounds.
FHTC TABLES CONCEAL-CARRY DECISION
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
Flint Hills Technical College will wait for
a statement from the Kansas Board of Regents regarding a four-year exemption
from the state's new conceal-carry law.
Board of Trustees members voted to table the
action at their meeting Monday.
College president Dean Hollenbeck said the
board has concerns with the new law.
“It allows people with concealed weapons to
come into higher institutions. Of course, there are not any institutions in the
state of Kansas that are supportive of that,” Hollenbeck said.
“We are really concerned about how this comes
together,” Hollenbeck added.
Hollenbeck does not anticipate having a
subcommittee on the college's policy. He expects the Board of Regents to
lay out a streamlined plan for all Regents members, paving the way for an
exemption.
The board will discuss the issue at its June
meeting.
WATER DEPARTMENTS WORK TO LIMIT INVASIVE MUSSELS
Emporia and Council Grove water officials are introducing
new water treatments to prevent and eliminate zebra mussels from clogging water
lines in both communities. KVOE News file photo.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 12, 2013
With ongoing drought conditions, and a shift
to more summer-like temperatures anticipated in the coming weeks, local water
treatment officials are safeguarding their city's water supplies
from a common threat: zebra mussels.
Council Grove Lake has a significant amount
of mussels, due to below normal water levels. Water superintendent Derrick
Craige said the city has a plan to further prevent the organisms from
infiltrating the raw water line inside the lake's intake tower.
“We are going to inject sodium hypochlorite
near our tower. Hopefully that will take care of any zebra mussels, and should
not plug off our line at all once we get them treated and killed out of there,”
Craige said.
“Once we get the initial kill, the only
thing that should come through our intake structure should be microscopic zebra
[mussels],” Craige added.
Craige said the current plan is to inject
one part per million of the sodium hypochlorite to kill the bigger
mussels. Meanwhile they will flush the water supply, to prevent the dead
organisms from plugging up the line. Craige said this will continue for
about a month, with crews limiting the injections to one-half per million per
month until they do not notice any mussels coming out of the line. They
will then decrease the frequency of the process to two or three times a year.
Emporia water treatment plant supervisor
Phil Cooper has not seen any zebra mussels yet, but it has not stopped him from
taking precautionary measures. He will start a chemical treatment program,
designed to protect the plant's new filtering screens from the
mussels. He said the screens, which crews installed in February, have a
copper base, preventing the mussels from attaching to them. Cooper said
residents would not notice a difference in water quality if the organisms
attached to the screens, clogging the pumps and piping, as this is currently
treated during the filtration process.
Zebra mussels resemble a clam, except they
are more oblong and have stripes similar to a zebra, with an alternating
dark-light-dark pattern.
With the planned treatment, Craige expects
all of the larger mussels to be dead within one month.
CITY COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT, COUNTY COMMISSION
THURSDAY MORNING
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
Purchases will highlight the Emporia City
Commission action meeting Wednesday night.
Commissioners will discuss a bid for a pair
of multi-use vehicles along with the purchase of emergency radios for nearly
$31,000. Appointments to the Natural Resources Advisory Board and Human
Relations Commission are also scheduled.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the
Municipal Court Room.
Meanwhile, Lyon County commissioners are
skipping their study meeting for the week Wednesday.
They are holding an action meeting Thursday.
County Engineer Chip Woods will discuss a request to gravel part of Burlingame
Road from Roads 250 to 270 on behalf of the Kansas Department of Wildlife,
Parks and Tourism.
Zoning and Floodplain Manager Sam Seeley is
slated to give updates, and several executive sessions are planned.
The meeting starts at 8 a.m. in the County
Courthouse.
A WEEKEND OF FLYING MORTARBOARDS AWAITS
Graduations fill Saturday, Sunday
schedules
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 13, 2013
It's a busy weekend for graduations across
the KVOE listening area.
Emporia State will once again have two
ceremonies Saturday -- the undergraduate commencement starting at 9:30 a.m. at
White Auditorium and graduate commencement at 2 p.m. at Albert Taylor Hall.
Flint Hills Technical College will have its
annual dental hygiene pinning at 10 a.m., followed by graduation at 3 p.m. Both
ceremonies are in White Auditorium.
High school graduations -- and a lot of them
-- are coming Sunday. Emporia High's commencement is at 3 p.m. at White
Auditorium. Chase County, Olpe and Waverly have graduations at 2 p.m., with
Madison at 3 p.m., Lebo at 4 p.m. and Hartford at 5 p.m. Northern Heights had
its graduation activities Saturday.
MOPED CRASH HURTS ONE PERSON
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
One person was hospitalized after a moped
accident in Soden's Grove on Saturday afternoon.
The accident happened around 1 p.m. at the
All Veterans Memorial. Fire Capt. Eron Steinlage says the moped apparently had
the kickstand down, making the driver lose control.
The driver was taken to Newman Regional
Health after the accident. The driver's name has not been released and
circumstances are under investigation.
Truck fire spreads to nearby
property
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Around 1:30 p.m., fire crews were called to
a combination vehicle-and-grass fire just northeast of
Emporia. Firefighters went to Roads 180 and "N" after fire
developed in a pickup. Steinlage says the truck was fully engulfed in
flames and had spread to nearby grass by the time crews arrived.
Steinlage estimates an acre of grass was
burned along with a few trees. The investigation continues into how the fire
started in the truck.
WEATHER DELAYS ONE ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Work has been delayed on a resurfacing
project affecting travelers just east of Emporia.
Resurfacing work was supposed to begin
Friday on Interstate 35 from the East Highway 50 junction to the Lyon-Coffey
county line. The threat of showers has pushed the project to a Monday start.
This will impact southbound travelers
through late June.
U.S. 50-Industrial Road
intersection to see four-way stop
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Emporia's traffic signal installation
project at Highway 50 and Industrial will start Tuesday. Signals will be shut
down at 9:30 a.m. until possibly Wednesday evening as new signals are put in
place.
A four-way stop will control traffic during
the upgrade. Drivers are advised to avoid the intersection while the project is
underway.
STAMP OUT HUNGER TOPS 2012 TOTAL
Salvation
Army Lt. Lynn Lopez (left) and organizer Sarah Goulden move a cart full of food
donations as part of Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday. Photo by Chuck Samples/KVOE
News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Early returns are promising for the 2013
Stamp Out Hunger drive.
Over 12,000 pounds of nonperishable food
were donated to the Salvation Army food pantry, making Salvation Army organizer
Sarah Goulden tickled pink.
“We were low on specific items. We didn’t
have much fruit or ramen noodles. Thank goodness we received an abundance of
items,” she said.
Letter carrier Janet Way was also pleased
with the initial results.
“This is just amazing,” she said. “Emporia
always comes through, and I’m so glad I’m a part of this community.”
The drive continues the momentum seen last
year, when nearly 12,000 pounds were collected. Way noted increases on rural
routes this year over past efforts.
Letter carriers will pick up food for the
next several days in case you forgot to take part.
ESU ASKING FOR INPUT ON VISUAL IMAGE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Emporia State University is well into its
150th year of changing lives. Now it's asking the campus and area community for
help with its branding image.
On the ESU Buzz with President Dr. Michael
Shonrock recently, Director of Marketing Umair Abbasi said the university's
visual identity project is just getting started -- but by the time it's done,
it will cover how ESU is marketed or presented for the next decade or longer.
“It’s a university-wide campaign on what the
logo, the visual identity, will look like,” he said.
This could mean alterations to the Power E
logo in appearance or scope of use beyond the athletic department. It could
also mean an appearance update for Corky, the university's longstanding
mascot.
Not counting the current 150th anniversary
branding effort, Emporia State has had at least five major visual identities,
but most of those have followed changes in the university's name from Kansas
State Normal School in 1863 to Kansas State Teachers College in 1924, then to
Emporia Kansas State College in 1974 and Emporia State University in 1977. The
current Power-E marketing effort has been in place since 1998. University
leaders are hoping to transition to the new visual identity early next year.
For more information or to participate, go
online to www.emporia.edu/visualidentity or
find surveys at the Sweet Granada, Java Cat 5 or the Memorial Union.
GOLFING FOR A GOOD CAUSE
By Kyle Thompson/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
The first Scramble for Special Olympics was
hosted by the Emporia Police Department on Saturday at the Municipal Golf
Course.
Emporian Brian Dorsey showed up to
participate and says he doesn't need an excuse to go golfing.
“It was a good time to get my buddies out
and the Special Olympics is a great cause. If there’s golf involved, I’m all
for it.”
Officer Matt Kelly was the main organizer
behind the tournament.
“I went to the international Special
Olympics torch run conference in November and this is one of the fundraiser that
they brought up at the conference and I thought it was a good idea. We’ve got a
lot of golfers in Emporia and everybody seems to be pretty giving.”
Kelly says 13 teams turned out for the
event. No fundraising totals have been released at this time.
SATURDAY RECYCLING SPECIAL
By Kyle Thompson/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Hetlinger Developmental Services may have
capitalized on the good weather Saturday as they held a recycling special from
9 to noon.
KVOE News asked Spokesperson Brandy Nance
how the idea came about.
“We like to offer a special price for people
to get them out here on a weekend and we usually are only open Monday through
Friday and normally we only pay 35 cents, so it’s a win/win for us and them.
Traffic lined the driveway from the building
to Commercial Street as area residents waited to cash in on the deal.
Nance estimated a few thousand pounds had
been dropped off by 10:40 a.m. and money raised will go to help with other
Hetlinger activities. No fundraising totals are known at this time.
EQUINE RESCUE OPERATION STOPS AT BLUESTEM
Shooting
Star Equine Rescue’s appearance at Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply let residents
get close to horses saved from a variety of unfortunate circumstances. Photo by
Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 11, 2013
Horses -- including one of a different
coloring talent than normal -- stopped at Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply on
Saturday.
The horses are part of Shooting Star Equine
Rescue sanctuary near Auburn. Owner Careen Cain says she has always had an
affinity for animals, especially those who needed a home, but she says the
sanctuary began by accident.
“I had a student at the school where I
worked ask if could look at some horses. Her family had a number of registered
quarter horses in very poor condition. There were 50 involved and we seized 23
through law enforcement,” she said.
Among the horses involved was Duni, who Cain
trained to paint by moving his head up and down. Duni, however, was a bit
reluctant to paint Saturday.
Cain says there are 19 horses on site now.
She says there had been a significant demand for sanctuary services after the
Great Recession began five years ago, but the demand has lessened the past two
years despite ongoing drought.
BULK OF VETO SESSION WORK MAY FINALIZE NEXT WEEK
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 10, 2013
Lawmakers won't have a budget passed by this
weekend as the veto session continues, but Emporia Sen. Jeff Longbine hopes one
could be settled by sometime next week.
Longbine says work continues as members of the House and Senate try to
resolve their differences, mainly surrounding the future sales tax rate.
Lawmakers raised the sales tax from 5.7
percent to 6.3 percent in 2010 as a temporary fix to the state's financial
issues then. They are discussing the future of the sales tax rate after cutting
income tax rates effective New Year's Day. The Senate passed a budget in the
regular session. The House didn't but voted down the Senate option before
lawmakers took a break between sessions.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BUDGET CUTS AFFECT
RDA
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 10, 2013
The Regional Development Association of East
Central Kansas' 2014 budget proposal includes an increase in club membership
fees.
Board members approved asking for an
additional $10,000 over a three-year period to continue their involvement in
the Kansas Department of Commerce. RDA president Kent Heermann said in the
past, he and other community representatives would pay a fee to attend an
individual event.
“That participation fee, whether it be
$1,000, $500 or $250, depending on the type of event, that is already covered
under that fee, and you are eligible for so many events to attend,” Heermann
said.
Heermann said KDOC has cut back on their
marketing budget over the years, and are asking local communities to contribute
more to make up for those cuts.
Heermann will present a budget proposal to
the City Commission at their next study session May 29.
Heermann gave board members an update on
Hostess.He is working with Hostess CEO Mike Cramer to organize a ribbon cutting
for the plant's reopening in early June.
Meanwhile, Heermann said Hostess is in
the process of hiring employees starting May 15 over a short-term period,
before offering full-time jobs, with another group at the end of the
month. Hostess is working with the Arnold Group to screen employees for
these probationary jobs.
In other news, city commissioner and RDA
chairman Jon Geitz said the RDA will devise new strategies for economic
development, in an effort to create new jobs for Emporia. He said they
will prioritize costs and needs, and present a plan to RDA members before the
end of the year.
WEBINAR BRINGS NATIONAL, LOCAL LEADERS TOGETHER
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 10, 2013
Students and community members seeking
leadership tips and motivation attended the 2013 Chick-fil-A Leadercast event
at Flint Hills Technical College Friday.
Emporia Christian School development
director Leo Pauls was interested in leadership qualities and characteristics,
and using these skills in a school setting.
“A lot of it deals with the kind of
relationships you develop with people, and being honest and trustworthy,” Pauls
said.
FHTC construction technology student Ross
Phillips was hoping to learn several skills from the seminar, applying them to
his field.
“With construction technology, you have to
work with a lot of contractors and subcontractors. You have to become a leader
and be able to work with your employees, even if you have a problem with them,”
Phillips said.
Fellow student Eddie Rangel was not too
excited about going this morning, but is glad he attended the event. He
said it all starts with self-motivation.
“If you can get people behind you, and you
can make a change in somebody else’s life, then anybody, or maybe even
everybody if you are lucky, will listen to you,” Rangel said.
This was the third time the Chamber of
Commerce partnered with area businesses and sponsors to bring Leadercast to
area residents.
TRIVIA NIGHT TO BE RESCHEDULED
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 10, 2013
Plans are being adjusted for the Historic
Preservation Trivia Night scheduled for Thursday night. This after nobody
showed up.
Organizer Becky Smith says a lot of people
originally planning to attend the trivia contest went to the B.J. Thomas
concert instead. The trivia night may be folded into the Emporia Main Street
annual meeting activities later this year.
COUNTRY LEGEND PLAYS TO PACKED HOUSE AT GRANADA
Country
artist B.J. Thomas performs during a concert at the Granada Theatre Thursday.
Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
The sounds of the late sixties and
mid-seventies filled the Granada Theatre, as a near-capacity crowd welcomed
B.J. Thomas to Emporia Thursday.
The 70-year-old Thomas played an
hour-and-a-half mix of pop, country and gospel, mixed in with some fun moments
with the crowd and his band, whose pianist was playing in his second-ever
concert with the band.
Thomas feels fortunate for his health and
being able to continue to tour the county, along with having people
continue to want to hear his music.
Emporia native Eric Murphy was
the concert's opening act. Thomas offered advice for Murphy and
other prospective musicians.
“Be the best writer you can be, and work on
that skill. Keep it personal. My connection with the music is almost completely
emotional, and that is the thing that motivates me to perform,” Thomas said.
“If you keep your music personal, and just
do the songs you identify with personally and emotionally, then you have it
made. You will not sound like anybody else; you will be like yourself,” Thomas
added.
Thomas is on tour promoting his recently
released CD, The Living Room Sessions, featuring acoustic versions of his hit
songs, and duets with some established and up-and-coming musicians.
TRAIN FATALITY VICTIM IDENTIFIED
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
An Emporia woman was killed after being hit
by a train in downtown Emporia late Wednesday night.
Police Lt. Ed Owens says Emporia dispatch
received a call of a person being hit by a train shortly before 11:45 p.m.
28-year-old Haylee Frazier was subsequently found in the 300 block of
Commercial and pronounced dead at the scene.
Additional details have not been released.
RUN-WALK, COOKOUT BENEFIT ESU SCHOLARSHIPS
ESU
and community members ran and walked in the eighth annual ESU Empowering
Scholars Run-Walk Thursday. Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
Two Emporia State traditions came together
for the first time, creating a street fair-like atmosphere in front
of ESU's Plumb Hall Thursday.
As runners and walkers in the ESU
Empowering Scholars Run-Walk powered through three miles around the ESU campus,
residents enjoyed an obstacle course, bratwursts and hotdogs from the
Classified Assembly.
ESU senior football player and run-walk
organizer Tyrone Weaver said it was challenging, but he was excited to see
the event come together.
“My degree is recreation, and I have a minor
in coaching. Putting on this 5K is really going to help me in my career,”
Weaver said.
“I was glad I got to do this, because my
next job is possibly trying to do the same thing,” Weaver added.
Organizer Jennifer Denton said this is the
first time the John Blaufuss family donated five $100 scholarships to ESU
students. Two scholarships went to the fastest male and female runners,
with the remaining scholarships raffled off. Fullen said this is a general
scholarship fund for current and prospective students.
Meanwhile the proceeds from the
Classified Assembly fundraising dinner benefit the Classified Dependency
Scholarship Fund.
TAX DEADLINE APPROACHING FRIDAY
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
If you haven't turned in your second-half
payments for personal property or real estate taxes, your deadline is fast
approaching.
The Lyon County Treasurer's Office says the
deadline is the close of business Friday. You can take your payments to the
office inside the County Courthouse. You can also mail – Friday’s postmarks
will be accepted -- or you can pay online at www.kansas.gov/propertytax.
For more information, call 341-3255.
KDOT PREPARES FOR I-35 RESURFACING WORK
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
Weather permitting, KDOT is planning to
start a resurfacing project on Interstate 35 just east of Emporia.
KDOT is ready to resurface a 10-mile stretch
from the East Highway 50 junction to the Lyon-Coffey county line. This will
affect southbound traffic, which will be reduced to one lane through the
project. However, the project will start at the Interstate 35-Highway 50
junction and move north. Work will take place during daylight hours on weekdays
with some Saturday work also involved.
Speeds will be reduced to 65 miles an hour
and there will also be a lane width restriction as well. Drivers should expect
minor delays.
COUNTY, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PARTNER ON FAIRGROUNDS FUND
Lyon
County leaders have been seeking ways to fund wide-ranging improvements to the
Fairgrounds for several years. They believe the establishment of a fund with
the Emporia Community Foundation will help that effort. Photo by Chuck
Samples/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
Large-scale improvements to the Lyon County
Fairgrounds have been wanted for years, and now a partnership between the
county and Emporia Community Foundation will make it easier for residents to
help the process.
That from Fairgrounds Manager Sam Seeley,
who anticipates donations of all sizes coming into the new Fairgrounds
Development Fund.
“This will allow people to give
tax-deductible donations to the Community Foundation. We can use that for
upgrades for anything we need at the Fairgrounds,” Seeley said.
Seeley says private donations are part of
the funding picture. The county also has several grant applications pending for
future projects.
Area residents have enjoyed the fruits of
one major improvement over the past 15 months with the use of the Bowyer
Community Building. Plans for improving the Anderson Building, the next major
project, were put on hold a few months ago when the state declined a request
for community block grant funding. County officials also want to see
above-ground improvements to the grandstand and livetock barns as well as
additional improvements like sewer and electrical matters below ground.
For more information, call the Fairgrounds
at 340-8282.
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT ENERGY, CONSERVATION PRACTICES
Emporia
Middle School sixth graders learn about Flint Hills Technical College’s power
plant at the first annual Sixth Grade Energy Camp at the Jones Education Center
Thursday. Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
150 Emporia Middle School sixth graders saw
energy come alive at the first annual Sixth Grade Energy Camp at the Flint
Hills Technical College Jones Education Center Thursday.
The students went to six different stations,
including energy and power, conservation and wind and solar power.
Thomas Leising learned how to conserve
energy and use different types of materials to save energy. He is going to
try being more conscious of the energy he uses.
“I will probably start taking a little bit of
time off my showers, and unplugging stuff I do not use in my house,” Leising
said.
FHTC power plant instructor and event
organizer Ben Coltrane said the idea came together after the sixth grade
teachers expressed an interest in bringing the students out to see the wind
turbine. That evolved into the six stations teaching about different
practices.
He would like to see the program reiterate
what the students are learning and take it to the next level.
“In the next five to ten years, we are going
to lose about forty to fifty percent of the workers in power plant generation.
Starting in sixth grade is the place to start, taking math and science
classes,” Coltrane said.
“If this is a career they are interested in,
they could come out here to Flint Hills Technical College and take the program.
They could even start as juniors in high school, and get into a great career
that would help them,” Coltrane added.
Coltrane says organizers will talk to the
teachers to gauge their interest in continuing the program on an annual basis.
Coltrane said 150 students from the middle
school and Sacred Heart School are coming to the center Friday.
LEADERCAST SET FOR FRIDAY
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 9, 2013
Flint Hills Technical College will be host
to some of the world's best-known motivational speakers Friday as the site of
the Chick-fil-A Leadercast.
This is the third year the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce has worked
with local sponsors to bring the day-long seminar to town. This year's
Leadercast features speakers like former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice,
authors Andy Stanley and David Allen and Navy SEAL Rorke Denver. Chamber board
member David Hurlocker says the event may change your mindset on what
leadership means.
“It’s a premier event for training and a
great day for motivation and thought-provoking matters,” he said.
The Leadercast runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at
Flint Hills Technical College. Registration is $75, including materials, snacks
and lunch. Call 342-1600 or go online to www.emporiakschamber.org for
information.
STORM ACTIVITY IMPACTS LISTENING AREA
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
Strong thunderstorms brought heavy rain to
much of the KVOE listening area Wednesday night.
Activity started in northern Greenwood
County around 7 p.m., affecting Madison and Hamilton residents for close to two
hours with heavy rain and funnel clouds. The weather forced both towns to
sound their civil defense sirens for a short time and also caused a flood
warning until early Thursday.
Hail and high winds were the main concerns,
but aside from quarter-sized hail near Americus, there were no confirmed severe
weather reports in Lyon or surrounding counties.
Showers and storms are possible Thursday, but
severe weather is not anticipated.
NWS notes powerful twister a decade
ago
An
EF-3 tornado approaches Lyndon on May 8, 2003. The storm passed roughly a mile
north of town, damaging several farmsteads before dissipating. National Weather
Service photo.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
Ten years ago Wednesday, portions of Osage
County were ripped up by an EF-3 tornado.
The twister, which at times was between a
quarter- and half-mile wide, didn't hit any communities, but it narrowly missed
Lyndon and Vassar. National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch
says there was an ideal setup for tornadic activity that afternoon.
“We had a strong dryline across all of
eastern Kansas, strong wind aloft, strong wind shear in the low levels and plenty
of moisture. Those are all conditions favorable for tornadoes, and most of
those were centered right over east central Kansas,” he said.
The Osage County tornado was actually the
second of five tornadoes produced by one parent supercell that day. The first
touched down about three miles south of Reading and tracked into western Osage
County before dissipating. The supercell also produced three short-lived
twisters, including one that touched down in southwest Lawrence.
PASSENGER RAIL BENEFITS DISCUSSED
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
Discussions about possible passenger rail
service for area residents have been going on behind the scenes for several
years, and Wednesday the Emporia Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau invited a
couple from Chase County to talk about the importance of transportation, and
how it could impact the area.
Pat and Kris Larkin lived in San Bernadino,
Calif., before moving to Strong City a few years ago. Kris Larkin says the
train helped spur tourism in and around their community. She envisions it
helping the regional economy, too. Pat Larkin says a regional rail network
could serve an aging population of Americans in their late 50s to early 70s,
also known as the baby boomers. He says this would allow them to travel
around the region and country, without having to drive.
The Larkins own and operate the LarkInn in Cottonwood Falls. Their
visit dovetails with National Train Day on May 11.
The Northern Flyer Alliance has been working
for years to bring passenger rail service to parts of Kansas, and last year it
finalized two options for service from Kansas City to Fort Worth. One route
would go through Emporia and Strong City, with the other taking travelers
through Newton.
There is another meeting from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Valu Net Smart
Room. Representatives from the Northern Flyer Alliance will be at the
meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.
KVOE
News Director Chuck Samples contributed to this report.
LYON COUNTY DECLINES KDOT OFFER ON K-78
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
KDOT would like Lyon County to take over the
maintenance of a short highway spur in the northeast part of the county. County
commissioners, though, are saying "no thanks" to a lump sum payment
and the resulting maintenance responsibilities for Kansas Highway 78 near
Miller.
Commissioner Scott Briggs said the costs
down the road don't justify accepting the estimated $211,000 payment.
“That would take maybe two cycles of overlay
and chip and seal, which would not be to the condition the state would do it,”
he said.
Following Wednesday’s study meeting, KDOT
engineer Steve Baalman said KDOT has been looking for counties to take over the
short spurs. So far, it hasn't had a lot of success.
“This was one of the routes looked at to see
if the county might be interested in running that route to their standards, to
meet their needs more than KDOT’s,” he said.
KDOT will continue maintaining the highway.
Baalman also updated county commissioners on
future projects impacting Lyon County, including a bridge and box culvert on
K-170 near Reading plus work on the U.S. Highway 50 passing lanes near the
Chase County line and extending the four-lane segment from Road "F"
west to Road "E." Current plans have these projects starting between
2015 and 2018 if there's enough available money.
LAWMAKERS CLOSING UP FIRST WEEK
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
All decisions rest on whether lawmakers can
pass a budget during this veto session.
Emporia Representative Peggy Mast expects the
session to go quickly, with a maximum of 10 days. She says the sales tax
policy debate all depends on which side is more willing to compromise.
Mast says both houses could work through the
weekend to finish the session.
House lawmakers haven't passed a budget yet,
but they have already voted down the Senate option. The current thought,
despite some strong income tax numbers, is the sales tax would have to be level
to avoid budget cuts of two to four percent.
NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK HALFWAY THROUGH
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
A wide variety of events and activities
bring people from all over to Emporia.
“Things have such an impact on Emporia
tourism like sports and meetings, tours, leisure travels, business travels,
fairs and festivals, people visiting with family and friends – everything that
involves a visitor coming to Emporia is tourism,” said Interim CVB Director
Susan Rathke.
This is National Tourism Week, and Emporia
is gearing up for two sporting events of a world-class nature next month with
the Dirty Kanza 200 and World Disc Golf Junior Amateur Championships both
scheduled. As far as meetings go, the third annual Chick-fil-A Leadercast is
coming to Flint Hills Technical College on Friday. Planning also continues for
community-initiated development and prospects for passenger rail, and last
year's historic district designations are expected to lead to increased tourism
as well.
BLAUFUSS RUN-WALK, CLASSIFIED ASSEMBLY MEAL MERGING
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
One of Emporia State's more popular
fundraisers for scholarships is evolving -- and merging with another on-campus
fundraiser.
The ESU Empowering Scholars Run-Walk starts
at 6 p.m. in front of William Allen White Library and ends in front of Plumb
Hall. In addition, the Classified Assembly will expand its annual cookout, with
hot dogs and bratwursts served by American Electric staffers beginning at 5
p.m. Manager of Annual Giving Angela Fullen says it will be a festive
atmosphere along Kellogg Circle.
“We’ll have an inflatable obstacle course,
all the games you would see at a football tailgate party, the cookout, the KVOE
Rolling Radio Show is playing music, so it will be like a big party on the
front lawn,” Fullen said.
Now in its ninth year, the run-walk has
honored former ESU controller John Blaufuss since he was killed while jogging
in 2005.
Runners and walkers can register online at www.emporia.edu/recsports. They can
also register at the Sauder Alumni Center or on site. Cost is $20, with all
funds benefiting the Empowering ESU Scholars Fund -- the top tool used to
recruit and retain students at the university. Several $100 scholarships will
also be handed out during the activities.
For more information, call Fullen at
341-6465 or Mike Wise at 341-5952. KVOE will broadcast live from the event
starting at 4:30 p.m.
TRIVIA NIGHT HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL HISTORY
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
Think you know your Emporia history? You're
invited to test your knowledge at the Historic Preservation Trivia Night on
Thursday night.
Organizer Becky Smith says the event will
help to mark Historic Preservation Month.
“It should take about two hours, so come on
down. There should be some very easy questions like when Emporia was founded to
some tougher questions,” she said.
Activities start at 6:30 p.m. at Town Crier.
Cost is $10 for a two-person team. Register at Town Crier or call 343-9649 for
information.
TOAD HOLLOW ANNOUNCES PUBLIC IRIS TOURS TO END IN 2014
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 8, 2013
Toad Hollow is preparing for its last set of
public iris tours this month.
Property owner Nina West, KVOE’s Newsmaker
guest Wednesday, said it will be difficult but necessary to close down the
tours after nearly two decades of displays.
“I promised [husband] Gaylord last year --
that drought last year took a toll on both of us, but especially him – that I
would not have the tours anymore after this year,” West said.
West says people can still tour the grounds
next year, but they will need to call 343-8685 in advance.
West also announced this year's annual iris
tour is getting pushed back a week from where it was last year. Cool, damp conditions
have prompted a schedule adjustment to the weekends of May 18-19 and 25-26. The
tours are free and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Toad Hollow is at 1534 Road 170, roughly
four miles east of Emporia.
LAWMAKERS RETURN TO WORK WEDNESDAY
Veto session to focus on budget
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Finish quickly.
That's what a lot of state lawmakers are hoping for as they get ready to
start the 2013 veto session Wednesday.
If the session is indeed short, Emporia Rep.
Don Hill anticipates a quick agreement on sales tax policy and a domino effect
for the rest of the 2014 budget. If that agreement doesn't happen quickly,
other matters like higher education, public safety and social services --
notably for the developmentally disabled -- will have more discussion.
“KanCare expansion is an issue with a lot of
interest. With the Department of Corrections and Juvenile Justice, there is a
lot of interest in dealing with that extensively before the next session,” Hill
told KVOE News on Tuesday.
Regardless of the side issues in play,
common ground on a sales tax policy is key to the budget moving forward after
lawmakers cut income tax rates effective New Year's Day.
“Obviously the tax package and the budget
will be at the forefront,” Hill said.
The Senate has already passed a budget
keeping the sales tax at 6.3 percent instead of dropping it to 5.7 percent as
was expected when lawmakers bumped up the sales tax rate three years ago. House
lawmakers haven't passed a budget yet, but they have already voted down the
Senate option.
The current thought, despite some strong
income tax numbers, is the sales tax would have to be level to avoid budget
cuts of two to four percent.
TEACHERS, STAFFERS HONORED WITH HOPKINS FOUNDATION AWARDS
Star
Performer award winner Amanda Arevalo talks with Logan Avenue students after
receiving $2,500 from the E.L. “Bud” and Irene Hopkins Foundation on Tuesday.
Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Chuck Samples and Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Teachers don't often get the treatment they
deserve. That changed Tuesday, if only for a day.
The Star Performer and WOW! Award
presentations across the Emporia district did its best to reverse that trend.
Logan Avenue Elementary School English Language Assistant teacher aide Rosa
Gonzalez was one of two WOW Award winners, receiving a $1,000 prize.
“I’ve been in the district 14 years and
never expected this,” she said.
Timmerman third-grade teacher Sara
Schwerdtfeger received $1,000. She works with the school's other winner, fellow
third-grade teacher Holli Hoelting
“It’s a huge honor,” Schwertdfeger said. “It
makes [teaching] worth it.”
The South Lyon County awards were handed out
recently as well. At Olpe High, physical education teacher and athletic
director Chris Schmidt received $1,000.
“We do a lot of things, but a lot of us do
things behind the scenes. It’s nice [the Bud and Irene Hopkins Foundation]
takes the time to go through the nominations and present that type of thing to
the people in this area,” he said.
The awards program through the Hopkins
Foundation honors the teaching profession and the positive impact educators can
have on individual students and their communities as a whole. The program has
honored over 150 teachers and handed out close to $320,000 over the
last 11 years.
USD 251 North Lyon County and the county's
private schools will have their announcements shortly.
USD 253 winners
Emporia
High
Stephanie
Beardslee: $5,000
Daniel Buller: $1,000
Lucy Juarez: $1,000
Dana Witten: $1,000
Logan
Avenue
Amanda
Arevalo: $2,500
Nathan Rytting: $1,000
Rosa Gonzalez: $1,000
John Madrigal: $1,000
Riverside
Fernando
Vergara: $1,000
Timmerman
Holli
Hoelting: $5,000
Sara Schwerdtfeger: $1,000
Village
Marcus
Cornelius: $1,000
Walnut
Judy
Bell: $1,000
Stephanie Yoho: $2,500
USD 252 winners
Hartford
Lorraine
Klumpe: $2,500
Neosho
Rapids
Sandy
McAvoy: $500
Deb Stein: $1,000
Olpe
Bill
Ballinger: $500
Marian Johnson: $500
Nancy King: $2,500
Chris Schmidt: $1,000
SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Lyon
County sheriff’s deputies explained the Tip a Deputy program to residents at
Bobby D’s Merchant Street BBQ Tuesday. Photo by Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Diners at Bobby D's noticed a high security
presence at the restaurant Tuesday night.
There was not any suspicious activity going
on. Members of the Lyon County Sheriff's Office were raising money for
Special Olympics with the second annual Tip a Deputy event.
Sheriff Jeff Cope enjoyed serving food to
residents.
“It is a great opportunity to get out and
interact with the community and visit with people outside of a work setting,”
Cope said.
“It gives them an opportunity to see us as a
community member supporting our community,” Cope added.
Cope has met the athletes at the Special
Olympics, saying this motivates him to continue fundraising for the
organization.
Just under $600 was raised. Part of the
proceeds will benefit health screenings for the athletes at the Special
Olympics.
On Saturday, the Scramble for Special
Olympics is taking place at the Municipal Golf Course. Cost is $65 per person
if you don't have an annual membership or $45 if you do.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is at the end
of the month -- May 31 -- and once again KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas will
join local law enforcement on a bike ride from Emporia State's Kellogg Circle
to Olpe. Fundraising is underway for the ride. To donate, call 342-1400 or
800-279-1964 or email kvoe@kvoe.com with
your pledge.
KVOE
News Director Chuck Samples contributed to this report.
CID PROJECT MOVING FORWARD
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Community and university members shared
their thoughts with community planners about the city's community-initiated development
project at an open house in Emporia State's Memorial Union Tuesday.
BG Consultants branch manager Bruce
Boettcher said students and faculty members had several ideas for the
area. He said it is important to have every party's interests in mind.
“We wanted to get the aspect straight from
the students themselves- what are they looking for, what are the barriers?”
Boettcher said.
“Part of the master plan is if we are
finding out crossing the street at 12th is a barrier, how do we fix
that, or how do we bring them across?” Boettcher added.
Transportation and traffic engineering
coordinator Jason Hoskinson said the firm will use information from surveys and
public comments to compile a first draft of the city's transportation plan,
which will go before the city commission this fall.
ESU GOES WEST TO HIRE BUSINESS DEAN
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Emporia State has hired Dr. Kristie Ogilvie
as the next dean for the university's School of Business. Ogilvie tells KVOE
News her leadership style is "high energy."
“I like to set strategy. I like to plan. I hold people accountable, but
I let them do what we’ve all come together and agreed upon,” Ogilvie said in an
interview with KVOE News. “I’ll do it myself, too. I get in the trenches and we’re
going to all do it together.”
Ogilvie comes to ESU after serving as an
associate dean of academics at Cal State-San Bernardino. She earned a
bachelor's degree from Cal State-Sacramento, following that with an MBA from
Tulsa. She has also worked as a senior business analyst at GenCorp/Aerojet and
taught at both Cal State-Sacramento and Cal State-Fullerton.
Ogilvie says the job was attractive from a
professional and a personal standpoint. Most of her family lives in Kansas, and
her mother, who passed away recently, grew up near Emporia.
Ogilvie plans to start at ESU no later than
July 1. She replaces Dr. Joseph Wen, who resigned last summer to move to
California.
CITY COMMISSION TO MULL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, JONES
AQUATIC CENTER RATE STRUCTURE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Emporia city commissioners will discuss
capital improvement projects at their study meeting Wednesday.
Commissioners will review the prioritized
capital improvement plan for the next three years. They will also look at the
hazardous sidewalk policy citywide and possible changes to sidewalk policy for
downtown.
In money matters, commissioners will discuss
the rates structure for the Jones Aquatic Center. They will also review possible
changes to the multi-year fund.
The meeting starts at 10 a.m. at White
Auditorium City Conference Room 1 AB. Commissioners will have a joint meeting
with the Regional Development Association and Emporia Enterprises afterward.
ROMANS TRIAL NOW ON HOLD
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
Trial has been delayed for a former
Greenwood County law enforcement official accused of child sex crimes.
Trial for Patrick Romans was supposed to
begin Tuesday in Greenwood County District Court. However, a pretrial hearing
will now be held July 25, according to Attorney General spokesman Don Brown. A
new trial date is pending.
Romans was serving as undersheriff when he
was arrested last year for allegedly possessing child pornography. He has been
charged with 20 counts of child sexual exploitation.
CHASE COUNTY PROPERTY RECOMMENDED FOR NATIONAL REGISTER
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 7, 2013
One area property is up for
consideration for the National Register of Historic Places.
The McNee Barns three miles south of Elmdale
include several historic barns, a dry-laid stone fence and a windmill. The
property has been owned by the family for nearly 100 years and was nominated as
part of the "Historic Agriculture-Related Resources of Kansas" for
what the Kansas State Historical Society says is its local significance for
agriculture and architecture.
Meanwhile, Red Rocks in Emporia is already
on the national registry, but the State Historical Society is looking to amend
the original designation by streamlining some information and noting recent
work on the property.
For more information, go online to www.nps.gov/nr/
