TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A judge has found sufficient evidence for three men to stand trial in a double homicide in Topeka.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 19-year-old Matthew Hutto, 31-year-old Richard Showalter and 41-year-old Bradley Sportsman were bound over for trial Tuesday. They’re each jailed on $1 million bond on charges that include first-degree murder in the deaths of Sportsman’s estranged wife, 28-year-old Lisa Sportsman, and her cousin, 17-year-old Jesse Polinskey.

Twenty-year-old Cole Pingel testified at the preliminary hearing that the three talked about “taking care of business” while making the two-hour drive from the small town of Greenleaf to Topeka on July 22. The victims were found stabbed and beaten to death the next day.

Pingel is charged with interference with law enforcement for allegedly making a false statement during the investigation.

Monday was a crazy game between Kansas City and Los Angeles. The boys hear a take on the Chiefs that is alarming concerning Andy Reid and prior close games.

Barton County is required to have all 370 bridges within the county inspected every two years. The last inspections done by Kirkham Michael were done in the spring of 2017. Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman went before the County Commissioners to inform them it is time to get the next wave of inspections started.

The Commission approved the bid from Kirkham Michael to conduct the inspections again, but Commission Chair Jennifer Schartz did ask McManaman if other bids were solicited. McManaman said no because it was hard to compete with Kirkham Michael’s location in Ellsworth and their price.

Barry McManaman Audio

Counties are federally mandated to inspect their bridges. Kirkham Michael charged $87 per bridge in 2017 and are charging $89 in 2019 for a total cost of $32,930.

The Barton County Health Department (BCHD), Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Agriculture are investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness associated with a meal delivered to a private business in Great Bend, Kansas on Friday, November 9, 2018. This is more than likely an isolated instance.

Preliminary results indicate Staphylococcus aureus was the cause of this outbreak. Staph food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by the Staph bacteria. Through this investigation, it was determined some of the food served may have been held at an unsafe temperature.

The best way to avoid food poisoning by Staph is to prevent food from being held at an unsafe temperature (between 40°F and 140°F) for more than two hours.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KDHE, and BCHD recommend the following food safety tips.
 Use a food thermometer and cook food to their safe minimum internal temperature.
 Keep hot foods hot (140°F or hotter) and cold foods cold (40°F or colder).
 Store cooked food in wide, shallow containers and refrigerate within 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s hotter than 90°F outside).
 Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food, and before eating.

More information on Staph food poisoning can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/diseases/staphylococcal.html.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A judge is barring an attorney from representing the man charged with fatally shooting three people and wounding two others in downtown Lawrence.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Douglas County District Court Judge Sally Pokorny says she has “grave concerns” about the competency of Jennifer Chaffee. Pokorny cited a laundry list of missteps that culminated with a mistrial four days into jury selection in the high-profile case.

Chaffee declined to comment. She was representing 21-year-old Anthony Roberts Jr., who is charged with three murder counts and one attempted murder count. Two other suspects face less series charges in the October 2017 shooting.

Pokorny has appointed a new attorney to represent Roberts and says she intends to appoint a second attorney soon. Roberts’ trial is now set for Feb. 4.

Scott Schwab

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — As a legislator, Scott Schwab supported Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s successful efforts to give Kansas some of the nation’s toughest voter identification laws. When Kobach ran for governor this year, he endorsed his fellow conservative Republican as a replacement.

Yet as Schwab prepares to take over as state elections chief in January, he promises to be less colorful and more focused on nuts-and-bolts administrative details, such as making sure county officials apply standards consistently when reviewing questionable ballots.

Kobach first won the office in 2010 on a platform of rewriting state election laws, while Schwab believes he prevailed this year by pledging to make the office less visible.

“People want things to calm down,” Schwab, a Kansas House member from Olathe, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

He may not escape a debate over major changes in election laws. A top Democrat wants to curb the office’s power over elections in the state’s four most populous counties and change how some election challenges are handled.

And Schwab has broken with Kobach by endorsing a proposal from Attorney General Derek Schmidt, another Republican, to strip the secretary of state’s office of its authority to prosecute election fraud cases. Kobach, an attorney, persuaded the GOP-controlled Legislature to grant the power in 2015, but Schwab, who is not a lawyer, had planned to forward cases to Schmidt’s office or local prosecutors anyway.

Schwab said he wants to concentrate on working with county officials on improving the administration of elections and to examining the security of data flowing into the office.

“Every time you have a person take over an office, it’s going to have somebody else’s, somebody new’s, fingerprints,” he said. “We want folk to know there’s a new secretary of state and things will be handled differently.”

Schwab served 14 years in the House, including as its Elections Committee chairman and speaker pro tem. He’s better known than most lawmakers because his 10-year-old son, Caleb, died in August 2016 while riding a giant waterslide at the Schlitterbahn park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kobach, who lost the governor’s race to Democrat Laura Kelly, was the state’s most visible ally of President Donald Trump and served as vice chairman of Trump’s short-lived commission on voter fraud. He is the nation’s only state elections chief with prosecution powers.

The voter ID laws Kobach championed prompted multiple legal challenges, and a federal judge in June struck down a requirement that new voters provide papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering.

Officials from both major parties said they welcome Schwab’s plans to focus more on administrative issues.

“A lot of it’s kind of the basics,” said Jamie Shew, the elected Douglas County clerk, a Democrat. “The focus has been elsewhere.”

But Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, said next year legislators need to tackle “the two biggest problems that we’ve had” with elections.

Hensley wants to strip the secretary of state of the power to appoint election commissioners in Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties and have the local county commissions appoint them. In the other 101 of the state’s 105 counties, the top elections official is an elected clerk; the four counties with appointed election chiefs together have almost half of the state’s 1.84 million registered voters.

Schwab said he’s open to a change, such as having county officials nominate three finalists for the secretary of state to consider.

But he is skeptical of Hensley’s second proposal to overhaul the state board that has for decades considered objections to candidates’ right to appear on the ballot.

It’s the secretary of state, attorney general and lieutenant governor. Democrats were upset this year after several of their challenges were rejected by the all-GOP board. Hensley would have the governor and legislative leaders appoint five retired judges, ensuring a bipartisan group.

“Those are topics that are ripe for discussion” said House Majority Leader Don Hineman, a moderate Dighton Republican.

Press release from the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office…

On Tuesday, Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett filed felony charges against two individuals in association with patient on patient attacks that occurred on the afternoon of October 22, 2018 at the Isaac Ray Building on the campus of Larned State Hospital (LSH).

Two patients sustained great bodily harm requiring transport to outside medical facilities. One of the patient’s injuries were life-threatening at the time due to severe head trauma.

Anthony Ruiz-Hernandez, 22 of Topeka, is charged with one count of Attempted First Degree Murder, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Battery. Hernandez is currently being housed on local charges in the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center. His First Appearance has been scheduled for December 19, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

Andres Gustavo Barrientos, 24 of Leavenworth, is charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Battery. Barrientos is currently being housed on local charges in the Leavenworth County Jail. His First Appearance has been scheduled for December 13, 2018 at 1:15 p.m.

For jurisdictional purposes, the Attempted First Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder counts were charged in the alternative to allow a trier of fact jurisdiction to consider the lesser charge of Aggravated Battery – Great Bodily Harm. Under Kansas law, Murder in the first degree requires a premeditated intent to kill.

The criminal investigation of the incident was conducted by Special Investigator Kevin Stegman with the LSH Safety and Security Department. All individuals involved were at LSH at the time for forensic evaluations related to out of county criminal charges.

The last incident at LSH resulting in criminal charges associated with the death of a patient occurred March 13, 2007. A jury later returned a verdict against Daniel T. Cook of Aggravated Battery – Great Bodily Harm in association with that incident. Cook argued self-defense.

It is the practice of the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office not to release the names of victims.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man jailed for more than a year in a murder case now faces charges in another death.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that 21-year-old Steven Drake III of Lawrence was charged this week with vehicular homicide in connection with a November 2016 accident that killed 24-year-old Taylor Lister.

Drake has been in jail since last year in the fatal September 2017 shooting of 26-year-old Bryce Holladay. The first-degree murder trial is scheduled to start Jan. 14. Drake has claimed he acted in self-defense.

The new charge is a misdemeanor that alleges Drake drove in a way that created “unreasonable risk of injury” when his pickup truck left the road, went into a ditch and struck a tree. Lister died at a hospital.

PRATT, Kan. (AP) — A man shot by police earlier this month near the small Kansas town of Pratt has died.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says 38-year-old Rene Prieto died Wednesday in a Wichita hospital, where he had been treated since the shooting on Nov. 13. An autopsy is planned and the bureau says in a brief news release that the investigation continues.

The shooting happened after Pratt police officers responded to a report of a man waving a gun on a street outside a home.

Authorities say Prieto fired at one of the responding officers. Three officers returned fire.

No officers were hurt.

Tony Gonzalez

Associated Press

Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed and Champ Bailey are among 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The three made the cut in their first year of eligibility.

Champ Bailey

In all, 13 defensive players, nine on offense and three coaches — Jimmy Johnson, Tom Flores and Don Coryell — are semifinalists. Contributors Gil Brandt and Pat Bowlen, and senior committee nominee Johnny Robinson are already finalists for the hall.

MANHATTAN – Kansas State senior offensive lineman Dalton Risner, who has earned numerous awards for community service during his senior campaign, was selected as one of three finalists for the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy, the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach (FL) announced Monday.

Risner is the first Wildcat to be named a finalist for the “nation’s premier award for community service.” He is joined on the finalist list by Purdue quarterback David Blough and Notre Dame linebacker Drue Tranquill.

It is the third award that Risner is a finalist for this year as he is on the final ballot for the Campbell Trophy, presented by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. The Wiggins, Colorado, product was also named to the Allstate/American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.

A 2017 First Team All-American and 2018 Midseason All-American by multiple outlets, Risner has made it a priority to make a positive impact on those in the community. He has taken it to another level by starting the RiseUp Foundation, which has started in both a blog and v-log form to “encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others.” The ultimate goal for the foundation is to motivate people through his words and actions, through his stories and his relationships.

He also visits Buttonwood Special Needs Home and has bonded with one member in particular, Mike, by spending time about once per week. He is also a Big Brother to Kayden, who was battling leukemia but is in remission. After originally meeting in April, Risner and Kayden have spent time together on multiple occasions.

The winner of the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy will be announced on December 4, at the NFF press conference in New York City. The winner will be invited to attend The Home Depot College Football Award Red Carpet Show on December 6, while the presentation of the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy will take place at the 50^th Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 15, 2019, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Barton Community College Foundation presents scholarships each year from funds received through its fundraising events, endowments and annual scholarship gifts. For the 2018-19 academic year, the Foundation has selected the following students (listed by hometown) for scholarship offers:

KANSAS

Bazine

Kerri Bruntz, Tony & Edna Schartz Memorial Scholarship

Bennington

Caleb Koehn, Barton Foundation Memorial Scholarship

Bison

Megan Erb, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Lacey Mitchell, W. G. & Beatrice Nicholson Memorial Scholarship

Cedar

Ross Ifland, Carl W. Sebits Business Scholarship

Claflin

Kirsten Gunder, J. A. Mermis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Kassidy Pflughoeft, Kirkman Scholarship for Academic Studies

Colwich

Rory Smith, Ralph & Michael Raffelock Memorial Scholarship

Derby

Ariana Taylor, Elsa Hiatt Scholarship

Ellinwood

Cailey Carman, Stanley & Elizabeth Post-Kimple Memorial Scholarship

Phylleicia Clawson, Emmett & Elizabeth Koelsch Scholarship

Drew Dannar, Clarence & Lucile Lebbin Memorial Scholarship

Cassandra Dimitt, Glen & Dorothy Schuetz Family Scholarship

Stacy Kimuyu, William & Johanna Rinker Nursing Scholarship

Haleigh Martin, Marian Isern Scholarship

Paige Morgan, Larry & Kathy Schugart Scholarship

Katelyn Robinson, Karen Jensen Ireland Memorial Scholarship

Mikayla Wirth-Menges, L. E. “Gus” Shafer Memorial Scholarship

Ellsworth

Jordan Base, Loren and Gayle Unruh Scholarship

Kolby Davis, Bank of America Scholarship

Ann Ridinger, Murphy Family Enterprises Scholarship

Shelbey Talbott, Maloy & Pauline Breitenbach Allied Health Scholarship

Fort Riley

Justina Akhamie, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Denise Cansler, Lisa Spatz-Smith Memorial Scholarship

Yang Fu, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Garden City

Lacey Barnett, Donna Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

Garden Plain

Haley Hays, Grant Lee Hoener Memorial Scholarship

Geneseo

Peyton Harvey, Central Prairie Coop Scholarship

Goodland

Katie Purvis, Melvin O. Nuss Scholarship

Gorham

Eustacia Waldschmidt, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur & Leadership Scholarship

Vashti Waldschmidt, Mary C. Krause Memorial Scholarship

Great Bend

Kaitlin Adams, Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball CPA Scholarship

Wendy Aguilar, Leila Hamilton Scholarship

Ellie Anspaugh, Jess E. Darnall Scholarship

Gladis Arellanes, Bank of America Scholarship

Felipe Baeza, Bryan & LaVerne McCullough Scholarship

Michelle Barber, Gus & Ethel Gagleman Memorial Scholarship

Joshua Bolding, Graydon Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Kyndall Brooks, Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship

Josephina Calzada-Flores, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Carrie Carl, Craig & Jolene Biggs Scholarship

Larry Carl, Lisa Spatz-Smith Memorial Scholarship

Valeria Castillo, Bank of America Scholarship

Malia Clark, Danny & Darlene Biggs Nursing Scholarship

Bailey Creamer, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship

Valentin Delgadillo, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Jewelia Depperschmidt, Ira & Eunice Farmer Memorial Scholarship

Angelica Escobedo, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship

Larissa Fagundes, Larry Zinn Scholarship

Venessa Favela, Clifford & Pauline Getz Scholarship

Robert Frizell, Regina Ault Scholarship

Alejandra Galindo, Roger & Mary Lou Murphy Scholarship

Lizeth Galindo, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Juvenal Garay, Fred & Renee Schmitt Memorial Scholarship

Marilu Garcia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Scholarship

Isaac Gonzalez, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Kayanna Hammeke, Lee Turner Scholarship

Madyson Hayden, Nell Lyons Scholarship

Fawntana Henkle, Jeanette K. Haak Memorial Scholarship

Ayleen Hernandez, Danny & Darlene Biggs Nursing Scholarship

Takoa Johnston, Rosalie Jean Pennington Memorial Scholarship

Lee Ann June, Silver Cougar Club Scholarship

Brice Kaiser, G J. A. Mermis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Ginny Klitzing, Rosalie Jean Pennington Memorial Scholarship

Tommie Lankerd, BEST Scholarship

Joanna Lockwood, Kirkman Scholarship for Academic Studies

Thales Machado de Souza, BEST Scholarship

Paulina Martinez, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Kyler Merten, American State Bank Scholarship

Taylor Mohr, Jess E. Darnall Scholarship

Andrea Montes, Jerry E. Felkel Memorial Scholarship

Leiver Morales, Frank (Ryan) Vondra Scholarship

Eden Mulligan, Tony & Marguerite McAnulla Memorial Scholarship

Priscilla Munoz, LaOportunidad Scholarship

Kelsey Neeland, Ramona J. Goering Keenan Memorial Music Scholarship

Christopher Pafford Marcum, Jerry & Theda Jo Wendel Scholarship

Isaac Panzer, Harold Hudnall Scholarship

Diana Quiroz, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Uriel Renteria, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Trenton Roat, Murphy Family Enterprises Scholarship

Jacqueline Rodriguez, LaOportunidad Scholarship

Jessenia Rodriguez, Danny & Darlene Biggs Scholarship

Katelyn Scherer, Nancy Bartley Scholarship

Caitlin Schilowsky, Don & Phyllis Whelan Scholarship

Katie Schlochtermeier, Kirkman Scholarship for Academic Studies

Shaley Sciacca, Kirkman Scholarship for Academic Studies

Edith Solorzano, Fred & Renee Schmitt Memorial Scholarship

Karah Stewart, Don & Phyllis Whelan Scholarship

Elena Taboada, Clair & Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship

Ana Velazco, C. R. Schauf Nursing Scholarship

Maryann Whaley, Les & Carol Hopkins Scholarship

Kenroy Williams, Tony & Edna Schartz Memorial Scholarship

Trista Wilt, Elsa Hiatt Scholarship

Hays

Alexie Chairez, BEST Scholarship

Shannon Schumacher, Barton Foundation Memorial Scholarship

Hoisington

Brooke Bachar, Louis S. & Mary L. Kinzel Family Memorial Scholarship

Skyra Blackburn, Wilfred B. Marquis Memorial Scholarship

MyKayla Burgess, Virgil & Eloise Belford Scholarship

BreAnna Burns, Barbara Jordan Memorial Scholarship

Tristan Byers, George & Ruth Murdy Memorial Scholarship

Dorian Lueth, George & Cleo Tregellas Music Scholarship

Madison Pata, Barton County Bar Association Scholarship

Jocelynn Pedigo, Ed & Cheryl Heier Scholarship

Thomas Potter, Western Kansas Manufacturing Association Scholarship

Brooke Reif, Louis S. & Mary L. Kinzel Family Memorial Scholarship

Brianna Rose, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur & Leadership Scholarship

Alexis Rubio, Barton County Medical Society Scholarship

Taylor Schwartz, Charlie Brown Life Sciences Scholarship

Delaney Smith, Larry & Kathy Schugart Scholarship

Rheanna Spires, Leonard J. & Betty L. Miller Memorial Scholarship

Kaylin Tobias, BEST Scholarship

Inman

Taylor Everett, Carl W. Sebits Business Scholarship

Junction City

Jaden Bradney, Frank & Leila Smith Scholarship

Charles Peyla, G. E. & Lois Alban Scholarship

Jensen Porter, Barton Foundation Memorial Scholarship

Kinsley

Andrea Menard, Ira & Eunice Farmer Memorial Scholarship

LaCrosse

Kara Lonnon, M. E. “Eustace” Marmie Memorial Scholarship

Larned

Hunter Fitzpatrick, Barton Foundation Alumni Scholarship

Alyssa Flory, Carr Auction & Real Estate Scholarship

Ashley Minor, Mamie Robl Memorial Scholarship

Megan Stelter, Keith & Marian Mull Scholarship

Gabriel Toon, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Kelsie Toon, Isbell Wesley Scholarship

Lawrence

Ian Henricks, Landon Unruh Memorial Scholarship

Hailey Jump, Great Bend Firefighters Social & Charity Scholarship

Lincoln

Mackenzie Romesburg, Ralph & Michael Raffelock Memorial Scholarship

Brianna-Marie Wilson, Virgil & Eloise Belford Scholarship

Little River

Bryce Sears, Ernest Grossardt Memorial Scholarship

Luray

Madison Cotterill, Ray “Jiggs” Schulz Scholarship

Lyons

Jeremiah Jamison, Frank & Leila Smith Scholarship

Sandybell Lehman, Elmer & Frances Amerine Scholarship

Denisse Rodriguez, LaOportunidad Scholarship

Grant Rowley, Frank J. Dome Memorial Scholarship

Taylor Wheat, Ashton Knorr Koelsch Memorial Scholarship

Macksville

Brennyn Woolf, Clifford & Pauline Getz Scholarship

Manhattan

Shavonne Bonner, Mary McKay Memorial Scholarship

Hayden Hirschey, Frank & Leila Smith Scholarship

Brian Willoughby, Frank & Leila Smith Scholarship

McCracken

Alexandra Anderson, Edith & Harry Darby Foundation Scholarship

Minneapolis

Clayton Goddard, BEST Scholarship

Moline

Dacia Barner, Ramona J. Goering Keenan Memorial Music Scholarship

Ness City

Mario Luna, LaOportunidad Scholarship

Oakley

Kelly Benefield, Golda Bailey Underhill Memorial Scholarship

Ogallah

Emily Buchholz, G. E. & Lois Alban Scholarship

Otis

Tristen Dean, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship

Tanner Loucks, Bill E. Sowles Memorial Scholarship

Ottawa

Chandler Bloomer, Landon Unruh Memorial Scholarship

Pawnee Rock

Colton Schmidt, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Penokee

Conner Keith, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Plainville

Maria Kilgore, George Tregellas Chairman’s Scholarship

Pratt

Samantha Kettering, Clifford & Pauline Getz Scholarship

Rush Center

Katie Knieling, Barton Office Professionals Scholarship

Marissa Wagner, C. R. Schauf Nursing Scholarship

Russell

Daisi Brand, Jackie Elliott Student Support Services Scholarship

Shawn Denault, American Gas Association Scholarship

Jaime Hanson, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Nick Miller, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Micah Nuss, Superior Essex Scholarship

Jessica Schoech, L. E. “Gus” Shafer Memorial Scholarship

Amber Zordel, Clifford & Pauline Getz Scholarship

Salina

Marla Aguilar, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship

McKayla Berg, Chrissie Roe Evans & Dick B. Evans Memorial Scholarship

Kameron Davis, Genevie Schulz Memorial Scholarship

Rodolfo Diaz-Garay, Farmers Bank & Trust Financial Management Scholarship

Baleigh Griffin, Robert Bonomo Memorial Scholarship

Diana Lara,  Irva E. Fair Drews Memorial Scholarship

Scott City

Judith Gutierrez, Melvin O. Nuss Scholarship

Reagan Smyth, William C. Wells Memorial Scholarship

Sedgwick

Elyssa Barner, Donna Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

South Hutchinson

Elizabeth Schrock, Glen & Dorothy Schuetz Family Scholarship

St. John

Bailey Burns, Clara Barton Nursing Scholarship

Jeffrey Lyon, Frank & Leila Smith Scholarship

Anyela Valenzuela-Rosales, Neva and L. E. Brocher Scholarship

Stafford

Jessica Mitchell, Mamie Robl Memorial Scholarship

Morgan Sallabedra, Kummer Family Scholarship

Darci Vercher, S George Tregellas Chairman’s Scholarship

Sterling

Alexander Brasher, Dove Family Memorial Scholarship

Zachary Schissler, William C. Wells Memorial Scholarship

Sylvan Grove

Theresa Berger, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Scholarship

Timken

Gabriel Oddo, Ralph & Michael Raffelock Memorial Scholarship

Topeka

Adyson Crough, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Udall

Amanda Whiteman, Virgil & Eloise Belford Scholarship

Valley Center

Asa Unruh, Larry Harvey Memorial Scholarship

Wamego

Carson Zenger, Helen M. Koopman Memorial Scholarship

Weskan

Laisha Herrera, LaOportunidad Scholarship

Whitewater

Coleton Crisp, Lee Turner Scholarship

Wichita

Madison Angell, Marilyn K. Funk Charles Scholarship

Jaelyn Carter, Donna Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

Anna Hislop, Jim & Jo Ann Heaton Memorial Scholarship

Bailey Horsch, Isbell Wesley Scholarship

Selena Howard, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

Wilson

Tanner Reeves, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

COLORADO

Commerce City

Braden Carpenter, Roger & Mary Lou Murphy Scholarship

INDIANA

New Albany

Alicia Pardo, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

MISSOURI

Branson

Jordan Davis, Rob & Trisha Dove Honorarium Scholarship

NEBRASKA

Omaha

Tyler Bandiera, Landon Unruh Memorial Scholarship

OHIO

Dayton

Andrew Baney, Bryan & LaVerne McCullough Scholarship

OKLAHOMA

Broken Arrow

Stephanie Hunter, Dr. Raymond J. Leiker Scholarship for MLT Studies

Chandler

McKenna Solerg, Edward L. “Dusty” Jones MLT Scholarship

SOUTH CAROLINA

Summerville

Cherron Hayes, Lynn & Hazel Duke Scholarship

BAHAMAS

Nassau

Timothy Wilson, Grace Rowden Scholarship

BUENOS AIRES

Chascomus

Mariano Cabrera, Lynn & Hazel Duke Scholarship

MOZAMBIQUE

Maputo

Claudia Sumaia, Lynn & Hazel Duke Scholarship

The Post Rock Opportunities Foundation is pleased to announce that Kansas Originals is receiving the KAKE WINS for Kansas $500 grant provided in  partnership with DeVaughn James. Artist Wayne Wilson, Park City, represents Kansas Originals in the segment which will air during the KAKE 10 pm news on Sunday, November 25^th.  There will be a short follow-up piece on the noon news on November 29^th.  The Foundation is extremely pleased to receive this grant to help continue their mission to provide market places for Kansas Artists, craftsmen, food producers and authors.

By JOSEPH PISANI
AP Retail Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon says a technical error on its website exposed the names and email addresses of some customers.

The online retail giant says it has fixed the issue and emailed those affected. Amazon says its website and systems were not hacked.

An Amazon spokesman did not answer additional questions, like how many people were impacted or whether any of the information was stolen.

Avivah Litan, a senior analyst at Gartner, says email addresses can be used by bad actors for what’s known as phishing: contacting people by email and trying to trick them into providing additional sensitive information, like their passwords or Social Security numbers.

The disclosure from Amazon comes as it gears up for the busy holiday shopping season. The Seattle-based company is expected to grab as much as half of all online sales by the end of this year, according to Bain & Co.

Sunflower Diversified Services representatives make contacts during the recent Dialing for Dollars event at the non-profit agency.

The phones were ringing and text messages were flying recently throughout central Kansas and parts of Colorado, Texas, New Hampshire, Utah, Wisconsin and Georgia, resulting in almost $21,000 raised for the Invest in Kids Club at Sunflower Diversified Services.

The non-profit agency’s fifth annual Dialing for Dollars campaign collected $20,880 for infants and toddlers at its Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool.

“The generosity of central Kansans never ceases to amaze us,” said Connie Oetken, director of development. “Our supporters know the importance of early intervention for children ages birth to 3, along with an exceptional preschool curriculum.

“Our professional teachers and therapists make life-changing differences for children and their families every day,” she continued. “Since they can help alleviate or overcome developmental problems, children may not need expensive special education later.”

Oetken also noted Sunflower’s learning environment fosters sensitivity and respect for individual differences in others.

“Our staff realizes that early school experiences can leave an impression that lasts a lifetime,” Oetken said. “They work with families and community partners to help children interact appropriately with others as they reach developmental milestones.”

Members of Sunflower’s board of directors and its Foundation trustees made calls during the Dialing for Dollars event. Staff members also participated.

“We appreciate everyone who made calls and all of our generous donors,” Oetken said. “Nex-Tech Wireless, which sponsored this fifth-annual event, also has our heartfelt appreciation.”

Heather Quillin, Sunflower children’s services coordinator, also expressed her appreciation to all donors.

“The great response to Dialing for Dollars is so encouraging,” Quillin said. “Our supporters’ contributions will help us continue to serve so many children and their families right here in our local communities.”

For more information or to donate to the Invest in Kids Club, contact Oetken by calling 620-792-1325. All contributions remain in central Kansas.

Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. The non-profit agency is in its 52nd year.

Signe Cook

Signe Cook, a fifth-grade teacher at Park Elementary School, was honored as one of eight finalists from across the state at the annual Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) awards presentation held on Saturday, November 17 in Wichita. While Cook was not the top recipient, being named a finalist on the 2019 KTOY Team is an honor and provides ample opportunity to share her passion for teaching and influence the future of education in Kansas.

“I am honored to be a part of the 2019 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team,” said Cook.  “The team is comprised of the best of the best, representing all the hardworking and amazing teachers across the state. In the year ahead, I am excited to use my voice to advocate in a positive way for the teachers and students of Kansas.”

As a member of the 2019 KTOY Team, Cook will spend time this spring visiting her team members’ school districts, as well as traveling to all 25 colleges in Kansas to talk with pre-service teachers.

“Each member of the team will have a different message and focus when visiting with the college students,” said Cook. “I will focus on teaching to the whole child, building relationships and creating a positive environment in which students can learn. “Teaching is the profession that makes all other careers possible. Right now, teacher shortage and retention are big issues facing our state. We hope to put teaching in a more positive light and inspire others to join the profession and stay.”

Khris Thexton Superintendent, USD 428, Signe Cook, 5th-Grade teacher at Park Elementary, and Phil Heeke, Pincipal at Park Elementary

Cook has been a teacher at Park Elementary School for three years. She has also taught in a number of Kansas communities including Fowler, Junction City, Dighton, Lakin, Horton, and Winchester for a combined 20 years. Cook is one of only three teachers from USD 428 to be named a finalist since the award program began in 1992. Crystal Cross was named a finalist in 2000, followed by Joyce Anschutz in 2005.

“Signe is phenomenal teacher and leader in our district,” said Park school Principal Phil Heeke. “We will miss her in the classroom this spring while she travels with the KTOY team, but we are excited about the knowledge and tools she will bring back to our district to benefit our students.”

If you are interested in following Mrs. Cook and the 2019 KTOY Team’s journey, connect with the Facebook page “2019 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team” or on Twitter @KTOY2019 or Instagram @ktoy2019.

LAWRENCE – Kansas football will conclude the 2018 season on Friday, Nov. 23 as the Jayhawks host No. 11/11 Texas for Senior Day. The game is set to kick off at 11 a.m. from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, with the television broadcast designated to FS1.

TRIPLE OPTION
Kansas freshman running back Pooka Williams Jr., has recorded touchdowns in three different ways: rushing, receiving and passing. He is one of 13 players in the FBS in 2018 to do so and is one of just three true freshman in Big 12 history to accomplish the fete.

BEND IT LIKE BENDER
Kansas quarterback Peyton Bender is moving up in the KU record books, despite only having two seasons in the Crimson and Blue. Bender currently ranks ninth on KU’s all-time passing chart with 3,344 yards. Additionally, Bender currently ranks third in the Big 12 Conference single-season record books for interception percentage (0.8) and tied for eighth for touchdown-to-interception ratio (6.0) for his efforts in 2018. Bender has completed 165-of-286 passes for 12 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions.

GOING SOLO
A pair of Jayhawks are among the NCAA’s active leaders on the defensive side of the ball as junior safety Mike Lee is the top current player in solo tackles per game (5.67) and senior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., ranks second among active players in total solo tackles (260) and third in solo tackles per game (5.42). Additionally, Dineen is the top active player among the Power 5 conferences in total tackles with 363 in his career.

POOKA MAGIC
–Pooka Williams’ 312 yards of all-purpose yards against Oklahoma marked the highest all-purpose output in the Big 12 in 2018 and the sixth-most in an FBS game this year.
–Pooka Williams’ 252 rushing yards at Oklahoma marked the highest rushing output in the Big 12 in 2018.
–Pooka Williams now has 1,022 rushing yards, marking the 15th 1,000 yard rushing season in KU history and the first since James Sims collected 1,110 yards on the ground in 2013.
–Pooka Williams 1,022 rushing yards ranks third on KU’s freshman rushing records behind June Henley (1993/1,127 yards) and Kerwin Bell (1980/1,112 yards). KU legend Gale Sayers recorded 1,125 yards in his rookie season as a sophomore.
–Pooka Williams is the first freshman in the Big 12 with 600+ rushing yards and 200+ receiving yards since Corey Avery also did so for Kansas in 2014.
–Pooka Williams became the first true freshman in Big 12 history and just the third player in the FBS in 2018 to have a 100-yard rushing game and 100-yard receiving game to his credit as he collected a career-high 102 receiving yards on a career-best seven receptions, including two touchdowns, in the win over TCU.

DEFENSE DEFENSE
Junior defensive back Hasan Defense has made his presence felt since making the move to safety from cornerback, as he has had his hand in forcing four turnovers. Defense recorded two interceptions off of Heisman Trophy candidate Will Grier of West Virginia (10.6.18) and then snagged another interception in KU’s game at Texas Tech (10.20.18) and also picked up a fumble against the Red Raiders, nearly returning it for a touchdown. Behind the the stellar play of Defense, Kansas’ defense continues to lead the Big 12 and ranks sixth in the FBS in turnovers gained with 25 on the season.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Hasan Defense has collected three interceptions and one fumble recovery on the season, and he turned those turnovers into yards. Defense has racked up 125 yards in interception returns, which ranks third all-time in KU single-season history and is the most since 2007 when Aqib Talib tallied 195 return yards on five interceptions. Defense has recorded interception returns of 28, 60 and 37. In addition, he returned his fumble recovery seven yards, narrowly missing the end zone.

BALL HAWKS
Eleven different Jayhawks have snagged a total of 14 interceptions, with three being returned for touchdowns. Junior CB Hasan Defense leads the way with three picks. Seniors CB Shakial Taylor is next with two INTs, while seniors LB Joe Dineen Jr., and LB Keith Loneker Jr., juniors S Mike Lee, S Bryce Torneden, S Jeremiah McCullough and CB Elmore Hempstead Jr., sophomores S Davon Ferguson and S Ricky Thomas and freshman CB Corione Harris have each gotten in on the action. Taylor (55 yards), Torneden (39 yards) and Lee (31 yards) have each made their way to pay dirt following their interception.

TFL TANDEM
With 2.5 tackle-for-loss in KU’s loss at K-State, Joe Dineen Jr., pushed the Kansas career TFLs record up to 44.5. Dineen turned in a Big 12-best 25.0 TFLs in 2017, which also marked a new KU single-season record. Fellow senior Daniel Wise is right behind Dineen with 41.0 career TFLs, ranking third in Jayhawks history.

SIMSATIONAL
Senior wide receiver Steven Sims Jr., is approaching several career milestones. He currently ranks second in career receiving yards (2,569) and career touchdown receptions (19). Sims ranks third in career receptions (209).

PHENOMENAL FRESHMAN
Kansas running back Pooka Williams Jr., has had an impressive start as he leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks fifth in the FBS in all-purpose yards. Williams is averaging 154.5 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks second among true freshman in the FBS.

FLIPPING THE FIELD
Sophomore punter Kyle Thompson is having a strong 2018 season as he has booted the ball 62 times, averaging 43.0 yards per punt. He has recorded 15 punts of 50 or more yards, including a career-long 65-yarder at Baylor in the Big 12-opener. Additionally, he has dropped 23 punts inside the 20-yard line. Thompson is tops in the Big 12 Conference and 30th in the FBS.

GREAT START
Through the first 10 games of his career, Kansas freshman running back Pooka Williams Jr., has posted the third-best rushing output of any first-year player in KU history with 1,022 rushing yards.

MORE POOKA
Pooka Williams Jr., is the first player in FBS history (with records dating back to 1996) to have a 40+ yard rush in each of their first four games. Williams is also the first Kansas player (records dating back to 1996) of any class to have four-straight games with a 40+ yard-carry. The only Kansas player with a streak of three-consecutive games with a rush of 40+ yards is Khalil Herbert in 2017. Additionally, Williams and Memphis’ Darrell Henderson are the only players in the FBS to post a four-game streak with a 40+ yard rush in 2018.

OPPORTUNISTIC DEFENSE
Kansas has put together a +15 turnover margin through 11 games of the 2018 season, which ranks tied for third in the FBS. The Jayhawk defense and special teams have combined to force their opponents into 25 turnovers, including six in consecutive wins over Central Michigan and Rutgers, after producing just nine turnovers by its opponents in all of 2017.

2018 PLAYER HONORS
As the 2018 season rolls along, the following is a cumulative list of honors earned by Kansas players:

Hasan Defense
–CBS Sports Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 7)

Joe Dineen Jr.
–Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 12)
–Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week Nominee (Nov. 11)
–Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week Nominee (Oct. 28)
–Senior CLASS Award finalist (Oct. 24)
–Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist (Oct. 18)
—Sports Illustrated Midseason First Team All-American (Oct. 16)
–Senior CLASS Award top 30 candidate (Sept. 26)
–Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week Nominee (Sept. 18)
–Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Sept. 11)
–Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 10)

Gabriel Rui
–Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 29)

Pooka Williams Jr.
–Athlon True Freshman of the Week (Nov. 19)
–Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (Nov. 19)
–Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (Oct. 29)
–Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (Oct. 29)
–Midseason True Freshman of the Year by The Athletic (Oct. 16)
–ESPN Midseason Freshman All-American (Oct. 15)
–Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week (Oct. 1)
–Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (Sept. 10)
–ESPN True Freshman of the Week (Sept. 10)

Sunflower Diversified Services has been in the recycling business for 18 years. The last four years, the recycling center has averaged three million pounds of material that has been recycled per year. Sunflower Executive Director Jon Prescott says the organization hopes to double that intake per year and create six to eight new jobs for the clients.

Talking with the City of Great Bend and Barton County Young Professionals, one thing Prescott has heard is the desire to have a recycling receptacle placed in downtown Great Bend. Sometimes getting out to Sunflower’s recycling center on West 10^th Street is not always convenient based on their hours.

Great Bend has moved ahead with placing a recycling trailer downtown that will allow citizens to drop their recyclables off any time.

Jon Prescott Audio

Sunflower tracked down a recycling receptacle that will be placed at the city-owned parking lot at 18^th Street & Williams, to the south of “little” Dillons and across from Park Elementary School. The City of Great Bend purchased the trailer from Sunflower for $6,000, but Sunflower will handle the maintenance and emptying of the trailer.

Sunflower serves 125 clients with development delays or disabilities. Providing the adult clients with jobs is part of achieving the independence that they seek for each client.