The Concordia Blade
Transcription
The Concordia Blade
BLADE-EMPIRE CONCORDIA VOL. CX NO. 215 (USPS 127-880) CONCORDIA, KANSAS 66901 Thursday, March 31, 2016 Jurors recommend death for convicted killer Good Evening Concordia Forecast Tonight, colder. Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening. Friday, sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Friday night, mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Saturday, not as cool. Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Saturday night, clear. Lows in the upper 30s. Sunday, warmer, sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Sunday night, mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Monday, cooler, sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Monday night, mostly clear. Lows around 40. Tuesday, mostly sunny. Highs around 70. Tuesday night, partly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Wednesday, breezy. Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Across Kansas Parole considered for man serving life TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Prisoner Review Board will consider parole for a 58-year-old man serving a life sentence for killing a man in 1993. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Gregory L. Walls was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of 18year-old Timothy Orr in 1993 in Topeka. He’s a minimum-custody inmate at Lansing Correctional Facility. The review board will hear public comments April 22 about the possible parole of any of 28 eligible inmates, including Walls. The state Department of Corrections says Walls has twice been considered for parole. Sheriff says jail corporal arrested WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office says that a detention corporal has been arrested on multiple counts of unlawful sexual relations with an inmate. Sheriff Jeff Easter said Wednesday that authorities received a complaint from a third party on March 25 that a corporal at the Sedgwick County Jail and a female inmate had sexual contact. Easter said that the corporal, who has not been identified, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of unlawful sexual relations and one count of attempted unlawful sexual relations. The corporal, who is no longer with the sheriff’s office, had been an employee since October 2008. The woman is no longer in the custody of the Sedgwick County Jail. The case will be handed over to Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett’s office for review. Suspect arrested after fatal shooting OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a suspect in a fatal shooting outside a bar in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe. Police said in a news release that 38year-old man William Ray Schutkesting, of Olathe, was shot late Wednesday at the Double Nickel Bar & Grill and died at the scene. Police say a 28-year-old male suspect from Augusta was taken into custody near the area. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Visit us online at www.bladeempire.com Loading it up Dirt from a large pile is loaded into the back of a Koch Excavating dump truck as work continues at the south development Thursday morning. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell) Veteran: Marijuana use led to his kid’s removal TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Navy veteran seeking to get five of his children back from state custody in Kansas says his use of medical marijuana to treat PTSD — not the family’s past scrapes with the law — prompted the state’s action. Raymond Schwab, 40, said the Kansas Department of Children and Families took the children in April 2015, which he calls “illegally kidnapping” them, after his wife’s mother told police they had been abandoned. It happened as he was preparing to move the family to Colorado, where medical marijuana is legal. Schwab has recently campaigned on the Statehouse steps to get his children back, and drawn national attention as medical marijuana proponents describe the case as an example of government overreach against a disabled vet who used cannabis to treat mental and physical conditions. While the Department of Families and Children has declined to specify exactly why officials took custody of the children, ages 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16, it said last week Schwab is not being truthful in his contention that it was because of medical marijuana. Officials have declined to comment beyond that statement. In the five months before the children were removed from the home, Schwab’s wife, Amelia Schwab, was arrested for domestic battery after assaulting her husband at a strip club, police were called to the family’s home for a domestic disturbance, and Amelia Schwab was hospitalized for mental health issues, according to Topeka police reports and Shawnee County court documents obtained by The Associated Press. “None of those things were in the state’s allegation,” Schwab said, but added that marijuana was. He said the state ordered him not to use cannabis for four months if he wants the children back. He said he is complying, though it was not clear when that period began. Schwab said he ended a hunger strike Wednesday that began March 14. He said he ended it after a California attorney specializing in medical marijuana issues came to Topeka with plans to file a federal lawsuit against the state, DCF and several government officials. It had not been filed by the close of business Wednesday. The lawyer, Matthew Pappas, and Cheryl Shuman, a California resident whose website describes her as a “cannabis branding personality,” were among about 40 people at a rally for Schwab and his wife Wednesday. Schwab said he plans to continue the Statehouse vigil he began on March 14 and has permission from the state to stay for 30 days, with the possibility of applying for more time. Pappas said he was certain that the family’s other problems, “if they played a role in what’s going on in court, would be in the transcript, but they’re not.” Schwab said he was honorably discharged from the Navy after serving 18 months between 1994 and 1996, during which time an incident he said he didn’t want to discuss occurred that led to PTSD. Suffering from chronic joint and back issues, he said he became addicted to pain medications and then to heroin in 2009. He got treatment in 2011 and was able to kick the heroin addiction with the use of cannabis, he said. In 2013 he moved to Topeka from Colorado to take a job with the Veterans Administration, he said. Legal issues involving the family, however, were numerous. OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — A jury recommended a death sentence Thursday for a man who fatally shot three adults and an 18-month-old girl on an eastern Kansas farm in 2013, and then hid the adult bodies and stuffed the girl’s remains in a suitcase that was later found in a creek. Kyle Flack, 30, was sentenced by the same Franklin County jury that convicted him on March 23 of capital murder in the deaths of Kaylie Bailey, 21, and her 18month-old daughter, Lana. He also was convicted of premeditated first-degree murder for killing 31-year -old Steven White and second-degree murder for killing Andrew Stout, 30. Kansas, which has 10 men on death row, has not executed anyone since it reinstated capital punishment in 1994. Prosecutors have said it’s unclear what led to the shootings. Investigators believe White was killed around April 20, 2013, and his body was later found under a tarp in an outbuilding near the farmhouse. Stout, 30, apparently was shot April 29 and his body was found in his bedroom under a pile of clothes. Bailey’s partially-clothed body was found in a bedroom, with her hands bound behind her back. Authorities believe she and her daughter were killed on May 1. The adults’ bodies were found about a week later and search crews found the child’s body in a suitcase floating in the Tequa Creek the next week. Flack’s lead defense attorney, Timothy Frieden, urged the jury during the sentencing phase to recommend a life sentence without parole, saying Flack was not the “monster” they had heard about, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Testimony during the sentencing phase indicated Flack grew up in a chaotic home with several family members who suffered from mental illness, was sexually abused as a child, and suffered from depression, social anxiety and schizoaffective disorder. Frieden said Flack functioned well while in prison for a 2005 shooting, and if sentenced to life in this case, the public would be safe. “He is salvageable,” Frieden said. “Vote life when it comes down to the end.” Deputy Attorney General Victor Braden said during the sentencing phase that jurors had to decide what justice entails. “Each of you will have to ask yourself what is appropriate justice?” Braden said. He said the death penalty was justified by three aggravating circumstances, including a conviction for attempted second-degree murder in the May 2, 2005, shooting of Steve Free; the fact that Flack killed more than one person and the killings of Kaylie and her daughter were done in an “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner.” Prosecutors presented two weeks of testimony during the trial. The defense called no witnesses. Tornadoes touch down in Oklahoma, 7 injured NEW ORLEANS (AP) — rumbled Thunderstorms across parts of the South on Thursday, bringing the threat of possible tornadoes, a day after at least seven people were injured when severe storms spawned multiple tornado touchdowns in northeastern Oklahoma. Hail and damaging winds were moving across the lower Mississippi River Valley, and the National Weather Service said the heavy rain may produce flash flooding in some areas. The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center said the greatest threat of tornadoes and large hail was in northern Mississippi and Alabama, along with parts of Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Forecasters say more than 8 million people will be at an “enhanced” risk of severe weather in parts of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. The National Weather Ser- vice says it will investigate storm damage in Lamar County, Mississippi, that may have been caused by a tornado Thursday morning. Meteorologist Joanne Culin in Jackson said trees were down in two areas of Purvis and one crashed into a house. There were no reports of injuries. In Oklahoma, a tornado touched down and lifted up numerous times Wednesday night as it swept through the northern Tulsa and Owasso areas, according to weather service meteorologist Amy Jankowski. About a square mile of a mostly residential area sustained damage, with one home destroyed and other residences and businesses sustaining roof and structural damage, Tulsa Fire Department spokesman Stan May said. Police and fire officials were going door to door in the area. There were no immediate reports of anyone missing, May said. “We want to check each house,” he said. “We’ve got some elderly people in the area. We want to make sure people have the medicines they need.” Seven people were taken to hospitals by Emergency Medical Services Authority, an ambulance service provider, spokeswoman Kelli Bruer said. Bruer said one was in critical condition and several were in serious condition. May said a few other people suffered minor injuries but declined treatment. Tulsa streets and water departments were assisting with road barricades and debris removal. The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood watch for northern parts of Louisiana until 7 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters predicted multiple rounds of strong thunderstorms would produce 2 to 4 inches of rain, and perhaps 6 inches in some parts of the state. “Heavy rain from waves of storms could renew flooding over north Louisiana,” said Cynthia Palmer, a forecaster at the weather service’s office in Shreveport, Louisiana. The ground remains saturated in that part of the state, which saw record flooding earlier this month, Palmer said. In northern Mississippi, forecasters said thunderstorms would bring rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches. A flash-flood watch was in effect through Thursday evening. As the system moves east, strong storms were expected to develop Thursday over Alabama, where forecasters say the main threats will be tornadoes, winds of up to 70 mph, quarter -sized hail and heavy rains. In Georgia, forecasters said more than 4 inches of rain could fall in western parts of the state. Insure with Alliance Insurance Group 2 Blade-Empire, Thursday, March 31, 2016 OPINION DOONESBURY® by G.B. Trudeau Concordia Blade-Empire Published daily except Saturday and Sunday by THE BLADE-EMPIRE PUBLISHING COMPANY 510 Washington, Box 309 Concordia, Kansas 66901 Periodical Class Postage paid at Concordia, Kansas 66901 Subscription Rates: By mail, in trade area, Cloud, Republic, Ottawa, Mitchell, Washington, Jewell and Clay Counties, $98.24 one year. Out of trade area, $118.45. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Concordia Blade-Empire, Box 309, Concordia, Kansas 66901. Alabama governor’s top aide resigns MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A top political aide to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigned Wednesday, a week after he publicly admitted making inappropriate remarks to her but denied the two ever had an affair. Soon after, a GOP lawmaker said he planned to in- troduce a resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against the Republican governor. Rebekah Caldwell Mason announced her resignation in a statement sent by the governor’s office, saying she would no longer serve as Bentley’s senior political ad- Jacqueline Bigar’s Stars By Jacqueline Bigar A baby born today has a Sun in Aries and a Moon in Capricorn. HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, March 31, 2016: This year you could make some unusual friends who expose you to a unique philosophy about living. Your lifestyle, and even some of your priorities, might transform and benefit from the experience in ways that you never knew were possible. Your enthusiasm and willingness to learn how to communicate in different ways point to an exciting period. If you are single, you could meet someone who is assertive and quick-witted. Hopefully, the two of you will meet on a mental level; otherwise, boredom could set in. If you are attached, your spontaneity and willingness to let go of heavy issues adds to the caring between you and your sweetie. CAPRICORN can be controlling, but also can be wise. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult ARIES (March 21-April 19) ***** Anything can happen when you give in to spontaneity. Others will find you to be exciting. Your willingness to detach yet still find a solution makes you a winner. Stay focused, as you could be accident-prone. Tonight: Play a game online and meet new people. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) **** Take an overview of the situation. New options might appear. If you’re feeling a vague sense of irritation, dig deep for answers as to why. It might have nothing to do with what you thought was bothering you. Tonight: Someone is likely to surprise you. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) **** A friend’s idea could inspire you to reach for a goal in a unique way. Try it -- what do you have to lose? You’ll feel revitalized as a result. A friend’s thoughts will help you to solve a domestic problem. This issue needs some attention. Tonight: Respond to someone’s fun idea. CANCER (June 21-July 22) **** Continue to defer to others. You might not believe what comes out of someone’s mouth! In a few hours, you could decide that this person is more rational than you had originally thought. A friend is likely to be possessive. Tonight: Embrace the unexpected; you can’t control everything. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) *** You might not feel up to snuff in the morning. You’ll feel better as the day goes on. Taking an overview of a hassle could lead to some very interesting and exciting discoveries. Consider how to increase your income. A controlling associate has several ideas. Tonight: Early bedtime. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ***** A sudden discovery could change your perspective. Your positive attitude adds to your creativity. A loved one will try unsuccessfully to manipulate you. This person will learn through your resistance that he or she cannot control you. Tonight: Observe, then decide. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ***** Do you believe in love at first sight? You might after today. Love seems to be in the air. You might want to help someone less fortunate than yourself. It could be difficult to keep up with a friend’s quick and/or convoluted thinking. Tonight: Be careful with a family member. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) **** A close associate could have a brilliant idea. Give it time to sink in; you just might run with it. A discussion with a friend generates even more positive vibes. A neighbor or sibling could throw a temper tantrum; handle this diplomatically. Tonight: A cozy chat over dinner. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21) ***** A project gets a sudden boost today. Your expertise and ideas frequently help others, and they seek you out as a result. A personal matter could encourage some moping, but not for long. Walk out the door and get a breath of fresh air. Tonight: Say “no” to frivolous spending. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) ***** You could receive some excellent financial or tax advice from an older, more knowledgeable individual. Be grateful. This person might seem somewhat eccentric at times, as though he or she seems to live in another world. Let your intensity reign. Tonight: As you like it. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) ***** You might spend much of the day dealing with a personal matter. Nevertheless, a loved one could inspire you to take a risk, but only if he or she knows what is going on. A dear friend will present an adventuresome idea. Are you going to say “no”? Tonight: Make it early. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) **** A risk could become complicated. Stay financially independent right now, but listen to what others have to say. Remember that you are your own person, responsible only for yourself. Follow your intuition, and have an important talk with a loved one. Tonight: Hang with a friend. BORN TODAY Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (1940), singer Anita Carter (1933), actor Ewan McGregor (1971) *** Jacqueline Bigar is on the Internet at www.jacquelinebigar.com. (c) 2016 by King Features Syndicate Inc. viser and would no longer be paid by his campaign fund or work for a nonprofit organization formed to promote the his agenda. “My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly. They are the most important people in my life,” she said. As Bentley’s confidante, sounding board, adviser and message molder, Mason has been there for the biggest moments of his political career, from his improbable 2010 election to the development of his major policy initiatives. More recently, she has been at the center of the lowest moment of his political career. Last week, Mason was thrust into the spotlight when former Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier– a day after being fired by Bentley – accused the 73-year-old governor of having an inappropriate relationship with Mason. Collier, in making the claim, cited a recording he heard in 2014. The scandal has engulfed Bentley, a mildmannered dermatologist and former Baptist deacon whose political ascendency was based partly on his morally upright, honest reputation. Today in History 50 years ago March 31, 1966—Concordia businesses were closing from noon-2 p.m. for Good Friday services . . . Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Clark of Concordia announced the engagement of their daughter, Janet Sue, to Robert A. Layton, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Layton, also of Concordia. 25 years ago March 31, 1991— Boogaarts finished second in the Concordia Youth Basketball League tournament for fifth and sixth grade girls. Team members were Amber Strait, Cassi Carter, Andra Brosius, LeAn Brosius, Stacy Gering, Amanda Siebecker, Melissa Vopat, Shania Fitzgerald, Jill Caspers, Cara Dobberstein, Beth Anderson and Mary Frances Gregory . . . Members of the Concordia VFW Kids’ Wrestling Club who qualified for the state tournament in Salina were Brandon Mauch, Doug Zimmerman, Aaron Hake, Doug Miller, Darrel Zimmerman, Mike Wills, Chris Ngo, Travis Aggson, Jared LeDuc, Jordan Metro, John Hake, Steven Shanks, Austin Aggson, Gwen Lehman and Richard Kroulik. 10 years ago March 31, 2006—Peggy Powell, deputy Cloud SUDOKU Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contain the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Friday. County Clerk, was honored at a retirement reception at the Courthouse. She had worked at the Courthouse since 1972 . . . Concordia High School girls won the team title at the Belleville track and field meet. Christa Bergmann threw 115-4 to take first in the discus. 5 years ago March 31, 2011—Members of the Concordia Kids Wrestling Club who placed in the state tournament in Topeka were Briana Kennedy, Kassidy Leiszler, Zach Strait, Alec Ngo, Keyan Miller, Cameron Miller, Skyler Hittle, Drake Hake and Eyann Zimmerman . . . Nathan Koerber placed first for Concordia in number one singles and Joel Timme and James Tyler placed second in number one doubles at the Concordia High School tennis Quadrangular. 1 year ago March 31, 2015—Matt Farmer, assistant manager of the Jamestown and Lovewell Wildlife areas, received the 2014 Kansas Wetlands Manager of the Year Award at the Ducks Unlimited State convention in Olathe . . . Three candidates were seeking the open seat on the Concordia City Commission: Chuck Lambert, Marty Tatum and Sam Sacco. PEOPLE Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: I come from a large family. We haven't had any truly rough times, but our sister-in-law is proving to be a problem for me. "Jennifer" has never liked me. At her wedding, my other siblings were attendants, but not me. She often invites my siblings for dinner, but never me. I could live with that, but I am bothered by the way she treats my mother. My brother has five children. For years, my mother has babysat for free. She attends all their events to show her support. She invites the kids to fun activities. Mom recently took on a full-time job and can no longer babysit. Jennifer always seemed a little jealous of how close Mom is to the kids, and now she's found a way to exclude her. Jennifer has stopped communicating with either of my parents. She declines invitations to family events at my parents' house, and won't invite them anywhere. She won't tell them when the kids' events are. Last week, Mom saw Jennifer at the grocery, and she wouldn't look at her or say hello. Jennifer's attitude is having an effect on my brother. He's starting to behave the same way. This is awful for my mother and an injustice to the kids. Mom is too nice to say anything, and if I speak up, it will only make things worse. My older sister has told me that I will soon be excluded from any family event involving Jennifer if I don't "change my ways." I don't understand what I have done wrong or how to fix it. Could you please give me some suggestions? — Frustrated Dear Frustrated: We don't know what you have "done wrong," other than to respond to Jennifer in the same negative way she responds to you. But we can tell you that improving the relationship will require major effort from you, since Jennifer is unlikely to bother. Please talk to your older sister and ask her to explain what might help you get along better with Jennifer. Don't criticize her. Be sincere. Do this for your mother's sake, and see if anything works to get this sister-inlaw to behave with more compassion. (And shame on your brother for permitting his wife to treat Mom this way.) Dear Annie: I read the letter from "Mother-In-Law," who regrets the way she treated her husband's mother now that she is the recipient of her son's wife's disdain. I was happy to see you point out that many women have wonderful relationships with their mothers-in-law. I could not have asked for a better woman to fill this role in my life. My mother-inlaw did an outstanding job raising her son and accepted me into her family with grace and love. Sadly, she developed Alzheimer's and we had to watch a beautiful, active and engaging woman fall victim to the ravages of this insidious disease. It was heartbreaking to see this decline, but she was always happy to see us when we visited. She knew we belonged to her in some way. I learned a lot from her, and can only pray that I have the same type of relationship with my son's wife when that day comes. — Grateful Daughter-in-Law Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@creators.com, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. You can also find Annie on Facebook at Facebook.com/AskAnnies. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. 4-H news The Special meeting run by the parents of the Hill and Dale 4-H Club was called to order on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Church by President Taley Murdock’s mom, Megan Murdock. The Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H Pledge were led by Angel and Gunner Hale’s mom Myra Hale. There was no song. Roll Call was answered by your favorite vacation spot. There were 23 members, 2 leaders, 12 parents, and no Guests. Minutes for the last meeting were read by Ashley Bartlett’s dad, Jeff Morgan. There was no correspondence. The treasurer’s report was given. There were no reporter or historian reports. Council reports gave some important dates: Feb 27, Club days; March 19, regional 4-H days; Project fairs April 2nd and 23rd; May 14, tractor safety training. Council has also adopted new scholarship policies. Leader report was given by Nicole Collins’ son, Trey Collins. He reminded everyone that the Cuba rocka-thon was coming up if anyone wanted to perform. Senior Citizens Menu There will be a photography project meeting Feb 14 and March 13 at 2:30 in Washington. Feb 21 at 2 p.m. will be shooting sports meeting. Committee reports were given. The t-shirt committee placed an order and hoped to have t-shirts for 4-H days. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: Rachelle Anderson’s mom Charlotte Anderson, suggested that we make a spring educational tour committee. Program was Gunner Hale giving a demonstration on leather crafts. Angel Hale gave a project talk on “How to take a perfect picture,” and Mason Berk gave a project talk on “woodworking and shooting sports.” Announcements were beef kids meet after the meeting, and Junior gavel games practice will be held after the meeting. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday March 7, at the Lutheran Church. Meeting was adjourned by Gunner Hale. Treats and drinks were provided by Berk’s. Submitted by Lacie Duvall’s mom, Mary Frances Duvall Friday—Menu will be published next week. Looking Back Today is Thursday, March 31, the 91st day of 2016. There are 275 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson stunned the country by announcing during a televised address that he would not seek re-election. On this date: •In 1889, French engineer Gustave Eiffel unfurled the French tricolor from atop the Eiffel Tower, officially marking its completion. In 1923, the first U.S. dance marathon, held in New York City, ended with Alma Cummings, who had danced with six consecutive male partners, setting a world record of 27 hours on her feet. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Emergency Conservation Work Act, which created the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1943, “Oklahoma!,” the first musical play by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, opened on Broadway. In 1949, Newfoundland (now called Newfoundland and Labrador) entered confederation as Canada’s 10th province. In 1953, Stanley Kubrick’s first feature, a war drama titled “Fear and Desire,” premiered in New York. In 1976, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Karen Ann Quinlan, a young woman in a persistent vegetative state, could be disconnected from her respirator. (Quinlan, who remained unconscious, died in 1985.) In 1986, 167 people died when a Mexicana Airlines Boeing 727 crashed in a remote mountainous region of Mexico. In 1991, the Warsaw Pact was formally dissolved. In 1993, actor Brandon Lee, 28, was accidentally shot to death during the filming of a movie in Wilmington, North Carolina, when he was hit by a bullet fragment that had become lodged inside a prop gun. In 1995, Mexican-American singer Selena QuintanillaPerez, 23, was shot to death in Corpus Christi, Texas, by the founder of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 2005, Terri Schiavo, 41, died at a hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed in a wrenching right-to-die dispute. Ten years ago: Auto parts supplier Delphi Corp. unveiled a broad restructuring plan that would cut 8,500 salaried jobs and shut or sell a third of its plants worldwide. Seventy deaths were reported after three strong earthquakes struck western Iran. A Brazilian airliner crashed, killing all 19 people on board. Five years ago: Moammar Gadhafi struck a defiant stance after two high-profile defections from his regime, saying the Western leaders who had decimated his military with airstrikes should resign immediately – not him. (Gadhafi’s message was in the form of a scroll across the bottom of state TV as he remained out of sight.) Baseball fan Bryan Stow, a paramedic from Santa Cruz, California, suffered traumatic injuries and brain damage as he was brutally beaten following the Dodgers’ home opener against the Giants in Los Angeles. (Two men, Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood, pleaded guilty in the attack; Sanchez was sentenced to eight years in prison, while Norwood received a four-year sentence.) One year ago: Lawyers for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR’ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) rested their case in his federal death penalty trial, a day after they began presenting testimony designed to show his late older brother, Tamerlan, was the mastermind of the 2013 terror attack. Muhammadu Buhari (moo-HAH’-mah-doo booHAH’-ree), a former general who once rose to power in a military coup, won Nigeria’s presidential election, defeating President Goodluck Jonathan. Today’s Birthdays: Actor William Daniels is 89. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe is 88. Actor Richard Chamberlain is 82. Actress Shirley Jones is 82. Country singersongwriter John D. Loudermilk is 82. Musician Herb Alpert is 81. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is 76. Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., is 76. Actor Christopher Walken is 73. Comedian Gabe Kaplan is 72. Former Vice President Al Gore is 68. Author David Eisenhower is 68. Actress Rhea Perlman is 68. Actor Ed Marinaro is 66. Rock musician Angus Young (AC/DC) is 61. Actor Marc McClure is 59. Actor William McNamara is 51. Alt-country musician Bob Crawford (The Avett (AY’-veht) Brothers) is 45. Actor Ewan (YOO’en) McGregor is 45. Actress Judi Shekoni (TV: “Heroes Reborn”) is 38. Rapper Tony Yayo is 38. Actress Kate Micucci is 36. Jazz musician Christian Scott is 33. Pop musician Jack Antonoff (fun.) is 32. Actress Jessica Szohr is 31. Thought for Today: “An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” – Rene Descartes, French philosopher (born this date in 1596, died 1650). More Highlight in History: •In1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted in New York of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union. (They were executed in June 1953.) The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The King and I” opened on Broadway. •In 1638, Swedish colonists settled in present-day Delaware. •In 1790, the 10th president of the United States, John Tyler, was born in Charles City County, Virginia. •In 1936, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler claimed overwhelming victory in a plebiscite on his policies. •In 1943, World War II rationing of meat, fats and cheese began. •In 1962, Jack Paar hosted NBC’s “Tonight” show for the final time, although the network aired a repeat the following night. (Johnny Carson debuted as host the following October.) •In 1971, Army Lt. William L. Calley Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai (mee ly) massacre. (Calley ended up serving three years under house arrest.) A jury in Los Angeles recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers for the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders. (The sentences were later commuted.) •In 1973, the last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam War. Blade-Empire, Thursday, March 31, 2016 3 Johns Hopkins begins first HIV-positive organ transplants WASHINGTON (AP) –Surgeons in Baltimore for the first time have transplanted organs between an HIV-positive donor and HIV-positive recipients, a long-awaited new option for patients with the AIDS virus whose kidneys or livers also are failing. Johns Hopkins University announced Wednesday that both recipients are recovering well after one received a kidney and the other a liver from a deceased donor –organs that ordinarily would have been thrown away because of the HIV infection. Doctors in South Africa have reported successfully transplanting HIV-positive kidneys but Hopkins said the HIV-positive liver transplant is the first worldwide. Hopkins didn’t identify its patients, but said the kidney recipient is recuperating at home and the liver recipient is expected to be discharged soon. “This could mean a new chance at life,” said Dr. Dorry Segev, a Hopkins transplant specialist who pushed for legislation lifting a 25year U.S. ban on the approach and estimates that hundreds of HIV-positive patients may benefit. For patients who don’t already have the AIDS virus, nothing changes ‚Äî they wouldn’t be offered HIV-positive organs. Instead, the surgeries, performed earlier this month, are part of research to determine if HIV-to-HIV transplants really help. The reason: Modern anti-AIDS medications have turned HIV from a quick killer into a chronic disease ‚Äî meaning patients may live long enough to suffer organ failure, either because of the HIV or for some other reason. In the U.S., HIV-positive patients already are eligible to receive transplants from HIV-negative donors just like anyone else on the waiting list. That list is long – for kidneys, more than 100,000 people are in line – and thousands die waiting each year. There’s no count of how many of those waiting have HIV, but Segev said it increases the risk of death while waiting. If the new approach works, one hope is that it could free up space on the waiting list as HIV-positive patients take advantage of organs available only to them. Segev estimated that 300 to 500 would-be donors who are HIV-positive die each year, potentially enough kidneys and livers for 1,000 additional trans- plants. “It increases the pool of potential organ donors and allows more people to be transplanted. That’s the advantage of this whole thing, but it is a research project so we are going to monitor it very carefully,” said Dr. David Klassen of the United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation’s transplant system. Hopkins is the first hospital given permission for HIVto-HIV transplant research. Two others – Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York – also are approved for studies, according to the UNOS. Segev helped spur a 2013 law – the HIV Organ Policy Equity, or HOPE, Act – that lifted a federal ban on any use of HIV-infected organs and paved the way for that research. UNOS says at least 1,376 people with HIV have undergone transplants using HIV-negative organs since 2005. Special expertise is required to coordinate both the anti-HIV medications and anti-rejection drugs those patients require, but large studies have shown that HIV patients fare well after transplant. Using an HIV-positive organ adds an extra concern: Transplant recipients are exposed to a second strain of the virus from the donor, explained Dr. Christine Durand, a Hopkins infectious disease specialist. Doctors have to consider what antiAIDS medications the donor took to avoid introducing HIV drug resistance. Hopkins’ first HIV-to-HIV transplants were possible thanks to a deceased donor. The New England Organ Bank, which arranged for that donation, issued a statement from the unidentified woman’s family expressing gratitude that someone who fought HIV’s stigma was able to donate and help others. But Segev said his team also is exploring how to safely attempt kidney transplants using living donors who have HIV. And advocates said it’s time for more people to ask about becoming organ donors. “If you have considered donation but think that no one would want your organs, let the doctors decide that,” said Morris Murray, an HIVpositive Maryland man who waited years before receiving an HIV-negative liver transplant in 2013. Blade-Empire Thursday, March 31, 2016 5 Sports A look at the Final Four March Madness lived up to its billing with all those upsets, crazy finishes and memorable performances. Now that the calendar is turning to April, it’s time for the main event: North Carolina, Oklahoma, Villanova and Syracuse in the Final Four. Houston, here they come — and it figures to be quite a show. To get you ready, we’ve got a rundown of the matchups, the top teams and players before the games start on Saturday: ___ THE MATCHUPS Oklahoma vs. Villanova. These teams met earlier in the season and the Sooners turned it into a laugher behind a barrage of 3-pointers, making 14 behind the arc in the 78-55 win. Expect this one to be much closer and more entertaining. Syracuse vs. North Carolina. Round 3 for the ACC rivals. The Tar Heels won both regular-season meetings by wrecking Orange’s zone with their strong post play. Fail to figure out how to stop North Carolina inside and the Tar Heels could sweep into the title game. ___ THE STARS Buddy Hield, Oklahoma. Don’t know who Buddy Buckets is, you haven’t been following college hoops — or sports, for that matter. Brice Johnson, North Carolina. All-American is a matchup nightmare on offense and has become a shot-blocking menace late in the season. Josh Hart, Villanova. On a team with no true stars, Hart stands out because of how hard he plays — on every play. Michael Gbinije, Syracuse. Need a basket, rebound, assist or steal? He’s the man for the Orange. ___ THE OTHERS Marcus Paige, North Car- olina. His senior season hasn’t lived up to his standards, but Paige is peaking at just the right time. Has made a big shot or two in his career. Kris Jenkins, Villanova. Wildcats’ second-leading scorer can fill it up from long range. Isaiah Cousins, Oklahoma. The perfect backcourt complement to Hield, he can shoot and is the Sooners’ best perimeter defender. Malachai Richardson, Syracuse. Scored 21 second-half points against one of the nation’s best defenses (Virginia’s). That’s pretty good. ___ THE COACHES Roy Williams, North Carolina. Hall of Famer vying for his third national title. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse. Was suspended the season’s first nine games season for NCAA violations. May have done the best coaching job of his Hall of Fame career after he came back. Lon Kruger, Oklahoma. Only coach to take five schools to the NCAA Tournament eyeing his first title. Jay Wright, Villanova. Proved the critics wrong by getting the Wildcats to the final dance after all those early exits as high seeds. ___ NUMBERS 8-Final Four appearances by Roy Williams, with Kansas and North Carolina. 10-Syracuse’s seed in the NCAA Tournament, making the Orange the first No. 10 and fourth double-digits seed to reach the Final Four. 13-Losses by Syracuse this season, most by a Final Four team since Wisconsin and North Carolina in 2000. 16-North Carolina’s average margin of victory in four NCAA Tournament games. 19-Times the Tar Heels have reached the Final Four. This is North Carolina’s first since 2009. 22-Years since Lon Kruger last coached in the Final Four, with Florida. 29.3-Hield’s scoring average in the NCAA Tournament. 2,835-Combined victories by the four Final Four coaches. ___ NOTABLE ALUMNI North Carolina: Actors Andy Griffith, Louise Fletcher and Jack Palance; comedian Lewis Black; composer Richard Adler; basketball player Michael Jordan; soccer player Mia Hamm; runner Jim Beatty; NFL player Dre Bly; twoterm West Virginia governor Gaston Caperton; Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney. Syracuse: Marmaduke creator Brad Anderson; NFL player Jim Brown; TV personality Dick Clark; sports announcers Bob Costas and Mike Tirico; actors Jerry Stiller and Taye Diggs; fashion designer Betsey Johnson; TV anchor Ted Koppel; playwright/screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Villanova: actors Maria Bello and Victor Buono; musicians Jim Croce and Toby Keith; astronaut Andrew M. Allen; Secret Service directory Joseph Clancy; second lady Jill Biden; NFL player Howie Long; New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte; former Pennsylvania Governor and chair of Democratic National Convention Ed Rendell; former Connecticut governor John G. Rowland; basketball player Paul Arizin. Oklahoma: Actors James Garner, Ed Harris and Olivia Munn; former House majority leader Dick Armey; New Mexico Governor Susan Martinez; astronauts James Alan Abrahamson and Shannon Lucid; Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen; football players Adrian Peterson and Troy Aikman. SALT LAKE CITY (AP)— Stephen Curry scored 31 points, including six straight in overtime, and the Golden State Warriors continued their historic run with a 10396 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. The Warriors (68-7) surpassed last season’s victory total and can break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72-10 with five wins in their last seven games. Golden State’s Klay Thompson hit a tying 3pointer with 15 seconds remaining in regulation after an offensive rebound and kick-out from Shaun Livingston after Thompson missed the previous attempt. The Jazz (37-38) fell into a tie with Houston for the No. 7 slot in the Western Conference playoff race. Curry had seven rebounds and four assists, while Thompson finished with 18 points. Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 21 points and Rodney Hood added 20. Spurs 100, Pelicans 92 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Manu Ginobili scored 20 points and the Spurs beat the injury-depleted Pelicans for their NBA-record 38th straight home victory to open a season. San Antonio topped the 37-0 start by the Chicago Bulls during their record 72victory season in 1995-96. Golden State has an existing 36-game home winning streak to open the season, giving the Warriors a chance to end up with the record. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard had 16 points in his return from a three-game absence, showing no discomfort after bruising his right quadriceps last Wednesday. Alexis Ajinca had 18 points for New Orleans, which was without nine players due to injury. Jordan Hamilton added 14 points in his first start in his third game with the team. Raptors 105, Hawks 97 TORONTO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Toronto earned its franchise-record 50th victory of the season. DeRozan added six assists and five rebounds, while Kyle Lowry finished with 17 points, 11 assists and six rebounds as the Raptors (5024) won for just the second time in five games. Jeff Teague had 18 points for the Hawks (45-31), who had won four in a row. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 15 points and Paul Millsap had seven points and nine rebounds. Lakers 102, Heat 100, OT LOS ANGELES (AP) — Julius Randle hit a tiebreaking hook shot in the paint with 1.9 seconds left in overtime, and Los Angeles rallied late in a tumultuous day to beat Miami. Jordan Clarkson scored six of his 26 points in overtime for the Lakers, who snapped a four-game skid with just their 16th win of the season. Los Angeles hung on when Joe Johnson badly missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Heat, who had won four of five. D’Angelo Russell scored five of his 16 points in overtime after receiving light boos from Lakers fans at several points early in the night. The rookie guard apologized profusely before the game for recording an unflattering video of teammate Nick Young. Nuggets 109, Grizzlies 105 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Will Barton scored 25 points, Emmanuel Mudiay had 17 and the Nuggets beat the reeling Grizzlies. Barton split a pair of freethrow attempts with 3.2 seconds left to help Denver hold on after Memphis pulled within three. The Grizzlies (41-34) have lost four in a row. Their advantage over idle Portland for the fifth seed in the Western Conference is down to two games. Zach Randolph led Memphis with 26 points, while Jordan Farmar finished with 14. Kings 120, Wizards 111 SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and four blocks, and the Kings hurt the Wizards’ playoff hopes. The Wizards dropped their second straight and fourth in five games, falling 3 1/2 games behind Indiana for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Warriors down Jazz in OT Devilering the pitch Cloud County Community College sophomore Kasey Biddle delivers a pitch in the first game of a doubleheader against the Hastings College junior varsity on Wednesday. (Photo by Jessica LeDuc) T-Birds sweep Hastings JV Racking up 25 runs, the Cloud County Community College baseball team swept a doubleheader from the Hastings College junior varsity Wednesday at the Concordia Sports Complex. Chris Langin and David Johns combined on a twohitter as Cloud County won the second game 15-1 in five innings. The Thunderbirds hung on to take the first game, 10-8. Langin gave up one run on two hits, struck out two and walked one in five innings to pick up the win in game two. Johns worked a perfect fifth inning. He struck out one. Cloud County got out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jacob Grady doubled to drive in Jake Wells and scored on a single by Ryan Cornell. The T-Birds extended the lead to 5-0 with three runs in the third inning. Wells led off with a single and Bryce Lievens doubled. A triple by Grady got two runs home. Grady scored on an error. Hastings scored its only run in the top of the fourth inning. Sending 15 batters to the plate, the T -Birds erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth. Wells led off with a double and Leivens singled. Grady hit a three-run home run. Cornell followed with a solo homer. Cloud County loaded the bases, and Sherwin Salim walked to force home a run. Lievens followed with a grand slam home run. Grady singled and scored on a base hit by Garrett Graveline. Cloud County pounded out 15 hits in the game. Grady was 4-for-4 at the plate with six runs batted in. He scored thee runs. Lievens had three hits in four at bats and drove in four runs. He scored three runs. Cornell had three hits and knocked in two runs. Wells was 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Graveline had two hits. Hastings got out to a 3-0 lead on Cloud County in the top of the first inning in game one. Wells led off the bottom of the first with a double, and Jose Chacin singled. A passed ball allowed Wells to score. Anthony Johnson singled to drive in Chacin. Two runs in the top of the second inning gave Hastings a 5-2 cushion. Wells tripled and scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the second, and Cloud County trailed 5-3. Hastings picked up two runs in the top of the fifth inning to go up 7-3. The T -Birds tied the game at 7-7 with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Chacin knocked in one run with a single. Trace Nelson homered with Emilio Escamilla and Alixon Herrera aboard in the sixth inning to give Cloud County its first lead in the game, 10-7. Hastings added one run in the seventh inning. Kasey Biddle pitched the first four innings for the TBirds and allowed five runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked one. John Stiger worked one inning to get the win. He gave up two runs on one hit, struck out four and walked two. Bryce Girdner allowed one run on one hit in twothirds of an inning. He struck out two and walked one. Cole Otto struck out the only batter he faced to get the save. Wells, Chacin and Salim had two hits each for the TBirds. Nelson drove in three runs. SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Cole Hamels pitched five solid innings in his final spring start, and the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Wednesday. Hamels, who is slated to start on opening day Monday against Seattle, allowed one run and two hits. The lefthander struck out five and walked none. “What I was trying to accomplish in spring, I feel pretty good and confident what I was able to do especially today,” Hamels said. “It was getting that four-seam fastball in the bottom half of the zone and get the groundouts. I wanted to establish early contact. It’s nice to at least have some quick innings.” Royals starter Ian Kennedy was led off the field by trainer Nick Kenney while making warmup tosses in the fourth inning. The preliminary diagnosis was left hamstring tightness. Kennedy, who signed a $70 million, five-year contract in January, was on the disabled list last April with the San Diego Padres with a left hamstring injury. “It’s slight. We were just being more precaution than anything right now,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He felt some tightness and a little bit of cramping in his leg. We said let’s get him out and see where we are the next day or two, but we don’t think it’s very serious. He caught a spike the inning before and felt it a little bit.” Delino DeShields tripled twice and scored two runs for Texas. “If it’s in the gap or down the line, just automatically I’m thinking triples,” he said. I’m just an aggressive runner. I don’t want to pull up at second base. I want to be on third base.” STARTING TIME Royals: Kennedy allowed two runs and three hits. He struck out four and walked none. The right-hander, who struck out the side in the third, is penciled in to start the second game of the season on Tuesday against the Mets, but that could be in jeopardy with the tight hamstring. “We’re going to wait and see how it feels tomorrow and the next day,” Yost said. “But as of right now (he’ll start). We’re going to see where he’s at. We’ve got 48 hours to make a decision if we want to adjust (Yordano) Ventura’s load or Chris Young’s.” Royals lose to Rangers, 5-1 6 Blade-Empire, Thursday, March 31, 2016 ONE PLACE HAS IT ALL THE CLASSIFIEDS For Rent CDL DRIVER FOR RENT- 2 bedroom houses in Concordia, each $395/mo. 785-447-3478. Champlin Tire Recycling Is hiring for a full time Class A CDL Driver to operate truck with self-loading boom. Sign-on bonus plus eligible for attendance/safety bonuses. Benefits available. Home weekends and most evenings. Apply in person at 301 Cedar, Concordia or call 785-243-3345. EOE. *$$AVING$! Up to 2 Month$ FREE RENT! 2 BR APTS. Near schools & town, roomy & warm! All electric, Hi-Eff & Kuddly! “Small” pets and kids welcomed. Call Frances or Trent and say “Awesome ‘Possum”. Office 785-8185028 or cell 785-614-1078. FOR RENT-Storage spaces, various sizes, reasonable, locally owned. 785-243-4105. FOR RENT Large spacious 1 & 2 bedroom apartments on-site laundry facilities, water and trash paid. Available now. HELP WANTED CNA/CMA for all Shifts Full or part time including every other weekend. Shift differential, paid holidays after probation period. Apply in person, Park Villa 114 S. High St., Clyde, Ks 785-446-2818 MD Properties 785-534-2070 FOR RENT- House, newly decorated, CA, taking applications. 785-827-2333. For Sale Housekeeping Positions Full & Part Time FOR SALE- Elevator for wheelchair, 785-818-5023. Multiple Nursing Positions Garage Sales INDOOR ESTATE/TAG SALE 705 W. 8th, Concordia Doors Open at 9:00am Saturday April 2nd Discounted! Furniture, Antiques, Mirrors, bedroom set, bookcase, wreaths, garden bench, Collectables. 785-323-7700 GARAGE SALE April 2, 8-? 1121 Hillside Dr. Lawnmowers- riders and push, baby items, infant to size 9mo. girls clothes. Boys to size 4T. Adult clothes, also household items and misc. No Checks. GARAGE SALE- 515 E. 11th, Fri. 5-7, Sat. 8-11. Toys, electronics, furniture. Help Wanted Accepting Applications for Full-time Office Manager/Accounting Position Duties include: Accounts Payable and Receivable, general accounting and financial statements, executing contract documents and assisting with bidding projects, project cost tracking and analysis plus various other office management duties. Selfstarter with attention to detail extremely important. Benefits include paid holiday, vacation, health insurance plus yearly bonus. Send resume to: Gerard Tank & Steel, Inc. P.O. Box 513 Concordia, KS 66901 For your Classified Ad needs, call the Blade-Empire, 785-243-2424. Various Shifts We offer benefits. Apply in person, M-F, 8:30-4:30. Legals (First published in the Blade-Empire on Thursday, March 31, 2016.) IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS GNB MORTGAGE COMPANY PLAINTIFF -vsNo. 2015-CV-000043 Div. No. K.S.A. 60 Mortgage Foreclosure DOUGLAS KROEGER, et. al.; DEFENDANTS NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the Clerk of the District Court in and for the said County of Cloud, in a certain cause in said Court Numbered 2015CV-000043, wherein the parties above named were respectively plaintiff and defendant, and to me, the undersigned Sheriff of said County, directed, I will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand at the front door of the courthouse in the City of Concordia in said County, on April 25, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., of said day the following described real estate located in the County of Cloud, State of Kansas, to wit: LOT ONE (1) TO FOURTEEN (14) INCLUSIVE, IN BLOCK SIXTY-TWO (62) AND LOTS ONE (1), TWO (2), THREE (3), FOUR (4), NINE (9), TEN (10), ELEVEN (11), AND TWELVE (12) IN BLOCK SIXTY-THREE (63), ALL IN COLLEGE ADDITION, AN ADDITION IN THE CITY OF MILTONVALE, CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS Commonly known as 705 Milton, Miltonvale, Kansas 67466 This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Brian K. Marks SHERIFF OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS SHAPIRO & KREISMAN, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 4220 Shawnee Mission Parkway Suite 418B Fairway, KS 66205 (913)831-3000 Fax No. (913)831-3320 Our File No. 15-008527/jm 3th Model 3 is Tesla’s biggest test DETROIT (AP) – Tesla Motors built its reputation making sporty, sexy and very expensive electric cars. It’s staking its future on something more affordable. Tesla plans to unveil its Model 3 electric car Thursday night at its Los Angeles design studio. At a starting price of $35,000 – before federal and state government incentives – the Model 3 is less than half the cost of Tesla’s previous models. The car is expected to have a range of at least 200 miles when fully charged, about double what drivers get from competitors in its price range, such as the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3. The Model 3 is the most serious test yet of 13-yearold Tesla’s ability to go from a niche player to a full-fledged automaker. It could be the car that finally makes electrics mainstream – or customers could be scared off by Tesla’s limited number of stores and service centers. Either way, the Model 3 is already changing the industry, spurring competitors to speed development of electric cars and improve their battery range. “The Model 3 is going to be a pivotal model for Tesla,” said Patrick Min, a senior analyst with the car buying site TrueCar.com. Tesla didn’t release details about the car before the event. Potential buyers could start putting down $1,000 deposits Thursday for the Model 3. It’s scheduled to go on sale at the end of next year. Right now, Tesla sells two vehicles: The Model S sedan, which starts at $71,000, and the Model X SUV, which starts around $80,000. But a lowerpriced car has been a longtime goal of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In a 2006 blog post, Musk said Tesla planned to build “a wide range of models, including affordably priced family cars” in order to speed the world toward a solar-powered future. The Model 3 puts Tesla within reach of millions more customers. Last year, only 2.1 percent of new cars purchased in the U.S. cost $75,000 or more, but 35 percent ‚Äî or 5.5 million ‚Äî cost $35,000 or more, according to TrueCar. The Model 3 is a critical part of the money-losing automaker’s plan to increase sales from around 85,000 this year to 500,000 by 2020. MUTTS® by Patrick McDonnell ZITS® by Scott and Borgman Sales Calendar Mount Joseph Senior Village 1110 W. 11th St. Concordia, KS. EOE 785-243-1347 •Saturday, April 2, 2016– Public Auction at the farm located 15 miles South of Concordia, Kansas on 81 Highway to Camp Road, 4 Concordia KS Post Office miles East to 180 Road and now hiring a 1 mile South. Tractor, ComPart-time bine, Equipment, Tools, ColRural Carrier Associate! lectibles, and Misc. Bill Gar- BABY BLUE® by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott Pay is $16.65/hr. Please rison, Seller. Larry Lagasse apply at USPS.com/ Auction. employment. Hurry! This job closes on •Saturday, April 2, 2016– 3/31/2016. Public Auction at 9:00 a.m. located at the Kearn Auction House, 220 West 5th Street, Concordia, Kansas. Full Time Vehicle, Coins, Antiques and Fleet Maintenance Misc. Dannie Kearn Auction. Technician •Monday, April 4, 2016– Applicant must meet the Land Auction at 10:00 a.m. following criteria: located at the Haddam City Hall, Haddam Kansas. 240 BARNEY GOOGLE AND SNUFFY SMITH® by John Rose *Have a working knowledge Acres m/l Grant Township, of Fleet Maintenance for Air Washington County, KanBrakes, Tire Repair, Annual sas. Burt Farm & Ranch ReDOT Requirements alty, LLC, Auction. * Have own hand Tools •Monday, April 11, 2016– * Be able to Travel Public Auction at 10:00 * Highly Motivated * Safety Oriented a.m. located at the Clinic 1 Mile South of Concordia, Salary will be based on Kansas on Highway 81. experience. We also offer Tractor, Equipment, Tools, Q u a r t e r l y A t t e n d a n c e Veterinary Equipment, Anbonuses, Paid Holidays, tiques, Household and HAGAR THE HORRIBLE® by Chris Browne p a i d Va c a t i o n D a y s , other. Walker Veterinary Life Insurance, AFLAC Clinic, Pat Walker, Seller. Supplemental Insurance, Thummel Auction. Simple IRA, Cell Phone •Monday, April 25, 2016– Allowance. Real Estate Auction at Apply in person at 301 10:00 a.m. located at the Cedar, Concordia, KS or American Legion in Concall for application. cordia, Kansas. 160+ Acres Cloud County Tillable CropWanted to Buy land. Dewey and Kathy NelWANTED TO BUY- Watchmakers/ son, Sellers. Larry Lagasse Auction. jewelers Estates/ 316-393-2871. Wanted to Rent WANTED TO RENT- Small farmhouse within 20 miles of Concordia. 785325-4133, text me during day, call me after 5pm. SHOP CONCORDIA !!!!!!!!!!! THURSDAY NIGHTS FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. VOTE Christy Hasch I would appreciate your vote for Concordia City Commissioner on April 5 • Resident of Concordia area since 1985 • School Psychologist for USD #333 for 31 years •Secretary of The Foundation Cloud County Health Center •Current Mayor of Concordia, 3 years on City Commission I believe Concordia is a great community in which to live & raise a family. I will be a positive influence for growth who supports existing business, & fosters new development. Your vote on April 5th will be appreciated! (Paid for by Hasch for City Commissioner.) Sponsored By Concordia Golf & Wellness, LLC Concert Association kicks off annual membership campaign Concordia Concert Association will kick off its annual membership campaign April 3-15 offering tickets for four performances that represent an outstanding variety of musical talent. All performances will be at the Brown Grand Theatre. WYLIE & THE WILD WEST The season will open with Wylie & the Wild West at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, Wylie Gustafson, the original world-famous Yahoo! Yodeler, and his band have played thousands of shows around the world with their unique brand of good-time cowboy music and are said to be a family favorite. In addition to The National Folk Festival, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and A Prairie Home Companion, the band has performed more than 50 times at the Grand Ole Opry. They got their start on Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood. WYLIE & THE WILD WEST A BAND CALLED HONALEE BRAVISSIMO BROADWAY Bravissimo Broadway is the program scheduled for Oct. 14, 2016. Taking the Brown Grand stage at 7 p.m. will be three talented performers, members of the O Sole Trio, who will present a unique mixture of Broadway favorites with solos, duets and some special piano-violin performances. This new musical ensemble based in NYC features the voices of soprano Erin Shields and baritone Giuseppe Spoletini, along with David Shenton on violin and piano. Program highlights include songs from Les Miserables, Cabaret, Sound of Music and South Pacific, just to name a few. A BAND CALLED HONALEE O SOLE TRIO of BROVISSIMO BROADWAY power of these songs to inspire people and bring them together. A Band Called Honalee has a roster of eight different vocalists who are all members of the Honalee family. Each maintains an active solo career, in addition to frequently appearing with A Band Called Honalee. SERAPH BRASS Final concert of the season will be Seraph Brass at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 23, 2017. Featured will be a charismatic ensemble comprised of America’s top female brass players who have won international acclaim, performing in many of the world’s most prominent concert halls and prestigious competitions. On Friday, March 3, 2017, at 7 p.m., A Band Called Honalee will be presenting timeless music of the 60’s. The three talented young artists will take audience members for a stroll down memory lane. This modern-day folk trio is inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul and Mary and is said to keep crowds captivated by its love of the music and stories of the 60s. The group believes the melodies and messages of the 1960s folk/rock era are just as relevant today as they were when they were first sung, perhaps even more so. Their mission is to share this uniquely American music with new audiences, while rekindling the passion of lifelong fans. They celebrate the The five women of Seraph Brass represent a new generation of brass players committed to challenging audiences with engaging and exciting programming. Their program will include original transcriptions, newly commissioned works and well-known classics. Seraph members Mary Elizabeth Bowden and Amy McCabe, trumpet; Katy Ambrose, horn; Beth McDonald, Tuba; and Alexis Smith, trombone have performed with such esteemed ensembles as the San Francisco Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Musicians from Marlboro and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. _____ Admission to concerts is by membership only with options for adults, students, families and single parent families. No single performance tickets are sold. Membership cards will be delivered prior to the first concert. Volunteer workers will contact members about membership opportunities. Susan Regan (785) 275.1600 is membership chairman. Concerts for Beloit and Fairbury concerts with whom Concordia has reciprocity are: Tribute to the King, Piano Conversations, Acte II, New Odyssey, Beloit; Wylie & the Wild West, New Odyssey Christmas Show, Rhythm Future Quartet, Tribute to the King, Fairbury. SERAPH BRASS Heartland Chorus to sing in Salina Program explores history of Heartland Men’s Chorus, Kansas City’s gay men’s chorus, is hitting the road with their unique style of entertainment while promoting social justice, personal healing, and inspiration. In April, a motor coach filled with members of this nationally renowned chorus will be rolling west into Hays and Salina to perform songs that range from pop to classical, serious to fun, and everything in between. Fresh off a sold-out performance at Kansas City’s 1,000+ seat historic Folly Theater, the members of HMC are always using their music to fulfill their vision statement: Our Voices Enlighten, Inspire, Heal and Empower. About 65 singers will be appearing at at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Both concerts are open to the public, and any free-will offering will go to support a cause important to the hosting congregations. Heartland Men’s Chorus was founded in 1985 Arikaree Breaks at Pawnee The dramatic canyons of northwest Kansas contrast sharply with other topography in the state. There in the far corner with its deep ravines and gullies is a fascinating history that brings together the Pawnee, Cheyenne, and other tribes who went in search of bison herds. These stones include some well-known people like Black Kettle, Roman Nose, Buffalo Bill Cody and George Custer. Film producer and native Kansan Audrey Kalivoda explores these stories in a special program, Kansas Canyon Lands: The Arikaree Breaks, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, at Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site near Republic. Admission will be charged. The Friends of Pawnee Indian Museum will serve refreshments following the program. The Museum’s regular hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday. Upcoming events Heartland Men’s Chorus to make music, but quickly transformed to a safe and affirming creative space for a community scarred by discrimination and under siege by a virus. Thirty years later, HMC has become a leader in the international gay choral community and is a vital part of the robust arts and cultural scene of Kansas City. “When you consider the state of LGBT affairs in Kansas, with a governor who has rescinded civil rights protections from gay state employees, it is more important than ever that we go to a part of Kansas where residents need to hear our voices,” says HMC Artistic Director Dustin Cates. “If ever there was a place and time to sing out and give hope, it is in Kansas, and it is now!” The Testimony Tour is based upon one of the numbers to be performed, Testimony, which reflects the postings by a cross section of society to the famous “It Gets Better” website that encourages LGBT youth to overcome social and personal pressures to live a good and productive life. Sunday, April 3—Homemade chicken and noodles and lasagna, 11:30-2 p.m., bazaar items available for purchase, First United Methodist Church, 740 W. 11th, Concordia. Wednesday, April 6, Pawnee Indian Museum—Kansan Audrey Kalivoda explores stories of The Arikaree Breaks, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24, 2 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina—Heartland Men’s Chorus in concert. Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m., Brown Grand Theatre—Comedy Pet Show. Thank You for Reading the Blade-Empire 8 Blade-Empire, Thursday, March 31, 2016 Obituaries ZELLA I. HAMEL Zella I. Hamel, age 96, Concordia, left her earthly home on Wednesday, March 31, 2016, at Sunset Nursing Home, Concordia. She was born on Oct. 2, 1919, in Oakley, Kan., to Louis J. & Georgiana (Benoit) Hamel. Zella lived in Goodland, Kan. She worked as a waitress in the Goodland area and was a member of the Catholic Church in Goodland. She returned to Concordia in 1995. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Wilbert and Elmer Hamel and sisters, Leda Ribordy and Delena Marcotte. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., Sunday, April 3, 2016, with a Rosary at 6 p.m. Family will greet friends after the Rosary all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Zella I. Hamel Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday, April 4, 2016, at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, St. Joseph, Kan. The family suggests memorials to Guardians of the St. Joseph Church in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com. ROBERT “TED” RYSER Robert “Ted” Ryser, age 66, Clyde resident, died March 29, 2016, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was born on Jan. 6, 1950, to Edward C. and Ruth K. Ryser. Ted attended Dist. 59 grade school in Ames, Kan,, and graduated from Clyde High School in 1968. He also graduated from NCK Beloit AVTS Heavy Equipment Operator Program. Ted worked most all his life as a truck driver for several companies. He was an auxiliary member of the V.F.W. Post #7515. Ted enjoyed hunting, fishing, grilling and his dog Max. Survivors: wife, Jane of the home in Clyde; daughter, Sarah Brown (Jeff), Great Bend, Kan.; son, Ricky Tremblay, Navarre, Fla.; two brothers, Mark Ryser, Spanaway, Wash.; Dale Ryser, Concordia, Kan.; four sisters, Linda Hammans (John), Augusta, Kan.; Kay Friend (Buck), Clay Center, Neb.; Melody Hanchett (Leland), Phillipsburg, Kan.; Lisa Koch, Lawrence, Kan.; sister-in-law, Donna Ryser Pierce (Bob), Clyde, Kan.; brother-in-law, Darrel Conn, Asherville, Kan.; four grandchildren, Siriah, Alexis, Jasmine and Austin. He was preceded in death Robert “Ted” Ryser by his parents, brother, Wendell, two sisters, Rita Conn, Karla Cauley. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, 2 p.m., April 2, 2016, at the Chaput Mortuary in Clyde, with Pastor Jeff Nielsen officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later time in the Hawks Cemetery, Cuba, Kan. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Chaput Mortuary Clyde. Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to American Diabetes Association, in care of Chaput Mortuary, Clyde. Online condolences may be sent to www.chaputbuoy. com Weather Today’s weather artwork by Peyton Zadina, a 2nd grader in Mrs. Zimmerman’s class Have a Sun-Shiny Day and Thank You for Reading the Blade-Empire Average snowpack will likely prolong California water rules ECHO SUMMIT, California (AP) – A nearly average spring snowpack in the Sierra Nevada will likely prolong tough water conservation measures in drought-stricken California ‚Äî although the restrictions could be loosened in some areas after an El Nino storm system drenched the northern half of the state this winter, officials said Wednesday. “The message is still very strong: Conservation measures are still going to be important,” Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Survey Program, said after he trudged through the snow to manually measure the snowpack at nearly 95 percent of normal. A year ago, Gov. Jerry Brown stood on the same spot –then a dusty patch of ground with no snow – to announce that the dire drought required residents to cut back water use by 25 percent. Californians are now under orders to use at least 20 percent less water. To comply, many have let lawns turn brown, flushed toilets less often and taken other measures aimed at saving water. Northern California has seen the most rain and snow this winter, lifting its three largest reservoirs to above-normal levels. Southern California, meanwhile, saw relatively little precipitation leaving most of its reservoirs low and threatening to further deplete dwindling groundwater. George Kostyrko of the State Water Board said officials will consider the difference in those regions while setting new conservation targets in the months ahead. The snowpack in California – now in its fifth year of drought – is typically at its deepest on April 1 before the snow melts in the warm months, rushing down streams and rivers into lakes and reservoirs. The melted snow provides roughly one-third of the water consumed by thirsty cities and farms in the nation’s leading agricultural and most populous state. San Joaquin Valley farmer Shawn Stevenson said the nearly average snowpack provided a bit of encouragement after five tough years forced him to cut back his farming operation by nearly half. “It’s certainly not the kind of news where we can breathe a sigh of relief and think the drought’s over,” Stevenson said. “It’s going to take a number of years to recover.” Strong El Nino storms in early March led some water districts to question whether a drought emergency still existed and if residents should still be required to live under conservation orders. Leaders of local water districts say the state needs to save the emergency declaration for the true emergencies, fearing they will lose credibility with the public the next time drought hits and they are asked to conserve. “I think there is a strong case to be made that portions of the state are not in emergency conditions anymore,” said Deven Upadhyay of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which provides water to about 19 million residents. “I do think that needs to be considered.” Tracy Quinn, a senior policy analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the state should keep some conservation mandates in place in the south and make other measures permanent. For the Record EMS report Calls for March 30 At 5:23 p.m. M-1, T-2 went to the 400 block of East 5th and transported a 53-year-old female to Cloud County Health Center. At 7:29 p.m. M-2 went to Cloud County Health Center for long distance transfer of a 53-year-old female to Sa- lina Regional Health Center. At 11:56 p.m. M-1, T-2 went to Mt. Joseph and transported a 97-year-old female to Cloud County Health Center. At 3:25 a.m. M-1, T-2 went to the 200 block of West 1st and transported a 77-year-old female to Cloud County Health Center. Markets Today’s weather artwork by Alex McDaniel, a 3rd grader in Mrs. Balthazor’s class NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks are slightly higher Thursday afternoon, a tranquil start to the last trading day of what has been a stormy first quarter. Health care stocks, which have suffered this year, are inching higher. The gains are adding to a strong March that wiped away steep losses from the start of the year. KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average gained 37 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,743 as of 12:06 p.m. Eastern time. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index added four points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,067. The Nasdaq composite index rose 19 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,888. LOCAL MARKETS -EAST Wheat ...........................$4.06 Milo ......(per bushel) ....$2.79 Corn .............................$2.96 Soybeans .....................$8.36 CONCORDIA TERMINAL LOADING FACILITY LOCAL MARKETS - WEST Wheat ..........................$4.06 Milo .....(per bushel) .....$2.79 JAMESTOWN MARKETS Wheat ...........................$3.96 Milo ...(per bushel) ........$2.96 Soybeans .....................$8.26 Nusun .........................$13.75 Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Mark Galloway - Blacksmith Coffee By Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University. Bali. Brazil. Guatemala. Himalayan highlands. Kenya. Antigua. What do these diverse regions of the world have in common? The answer is, they all serve as sources of coffee for a remarkable coffee roasting business located in rural Kansas. Last week we learned about The Old Grind, a coffee shop located in Lindsborg. In the coming months, The Old Grind will be joining with an amazing coffee roastery which is also located in Lindsborg and is named Blacksmith Coffee Roastery. Mark Galloway is the founder of Blacksmith Coffee Roastery. Mark grew up in Colorado. His father loved to drink coffee. “I learned how to roast coffee and even worked for Starbucks for a while,” Mark said. Mark met and married a young Kansas woman who had gone to Bethany College in Lindsborg. “We were looking for a more authentic lifestyle,” Mark said. They moved to Lindsborg where his wife took a teaching position. Mark was looking for a place to start an artisan, coffee roasting business. In downtown Lindsborg, he found a historic blacksmith shop which was being restored and available for rent. In 2008, the Blacksmith Coffee Roastery opened its doors. “We wanted to bring great coffee to rural Kansas,” Mark said. The old brick building still has the blacksmith name painted in large letters on the outside. The brick forge still stands inside. A sliding rail still hangs on the wall where sliding doors opened so wagons could be pulled in, and there are iron rings on the wall where horses were tied. Also inside is a modern, coffee bean dual-fuel microroaster which utilizes both propane and electricity to roast coffee. The roastery has commercial coffee grinders, a bag weigh-and-fill machine and bag sealers. Rooftop solar panels provide 70 percent of the building’s energy needs. The wonderful aroma of coffee immediately wafts to anyone who enters. This is not your everyday coffee. “We specialize in the high end, the top one percent of coffees,” Mark said. “We use the finest Arabica beans, which only grow at high altitudes and result in the richest, most dynamic flavors.” Blacksmith Coffee is also very selective about its sources of coffee beans. “Our coffee is the best of the best,” Mark said. “We source from small, independent growers who produce it ethically, both in terms of environmental sustainability and how laborers are compensated and treated. In many ways, specialty coffee is becoming similar to wine.” Mark seeks the top quality varieties from around the world. For example, one variety is called Mt. Everest Supreme. It is grown 100 kilometers from the summit. Another variety is St. Helena coffee, which comes from an Atlantic Ocean island that is only accessible by boat. The beans are delivered to Lindsborg in burlap bags or barrels. Then comes the roasting process. “It is a cross between cooking a recipe and an art form. Sometimes it resembles a mad scientist experiment,” Mark said with a smile. With his years of experience, he is able to manage the roasting process so as to maximize richness and flavor. “We get it into the bag within two hours of roasting for maximum freshness,” he said. Blacksmith Coffee roasts, packages and ships both whole bean and ground coffee. The company also custompackages coffee for other customers. Exciting changes are ahead for Blacksmith Coffee. The company has been bought by the family which owns the nearby coffee shop that will be moving into the blacksmith shop with the roastery. The old brick building is being further remodelled so that the roasting operation can go into the back and the front can be a restaurant. The company’s product has been described as exquisite coffee, artisan roasted. Blacksmith Coffee has shipped coffee as far away as Indonesia and Munich, Germany – very impressive for a company in a rural community like Lindsborg, population 3,458 people. Now, that’s rural. For more information, go to http://blacksmithcoffee. com/. Bali. Brazil. Guatemala. Himalayan highlands. Kenya. Antigua. All these serve as sources for the top quality coffee being prepared at the Blacksmith Roastery in Lindsborg. We salute Mark Galloway for making a difference by serving those who are coffee connoisseurs. *** The gap in our economy is between what we have and what we think we ought to have—and that is a moral problem, not an economic one. —Paul Heyne *** Blade-Empire, Thursday, March 31, 2016 9 It’s Cleaning Time!! Please Help Us Clean The Blade ..... If you recognize a photo or photos, stop by the Blade-Empire office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday and pick up the photo or photos. Thanks! Extension Extra By Kelsey Hatesohl River Valley Extension Agent-Horticulture Ten Tips for Planting New Trees N.C. law could be decided in Virginia RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – The fate of North Carolina’s new law aimed at restricting restroom use by transgender people could be determined in Virginia, where a school board has ordered a teenager to stay out of the boys’ room. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond could rule any day now in the case of Gavin Grimm, who was born female but identifies as male. Grimm says he has to take a “walk of shame” to use a restroom at Gloucester High School. Whatever the judges decide, the impact will be far more sweeping than what Grimm envisioned when he challenged the policy last year. “I did not set out to make waves – I set out to use the bathroom,” Grimm says. North Carolina’s bathroom bill was unveiled, debated and signed into law in a single day last week, two months after the appeals court in Richmond heard arguments in Grimm’s case. But two workers and a transgender student at the University of North Carolina are making similar arguments as they seek a federal injunction preventing enforcement of the new law. Among other things, the law directs public schools, public universities and government agencies to designate bathrooms and locker rooms for use only by people based on their biological sex, and says transgender people can only use bathrooms matching their gender identity if they’ve had their birth certificates changed, which in North Carolina usually requires sexual reassignment surgery. The law has prompted a national backlash. Businesses and politicians have announced boycotts of North Carolina, and legal challenges ensure that the wedge issue will dominate the Republican gover- nor’s re-election campaign against his Democratic challenger. Advocates on all sides will closely read the ruling, since U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, an appointee of President George W. Bush, will have to adhere to any precedents set by the appellate court, said Joshua Block, the American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing Grimm. “One way or another, what happens in Gavin’s case is likely going to set the rules of the road for how the North Carolina case proceeds,” Block said. Our world is finally greening up just a bit. Isn’t it refreshing! Spring always gets me thinking about landscaping. Trees and shrubs are starting to leaf out and soon will be full of color. I’m sure some of you are thinking, “wow I need to plant some new trees”, well you are in luck, I have some helpful tips for you on planting your trees correctly. First, you want to make sure you have the right tree for your site. To avoid problems be sure to choose trees that are adapted to our location. Consider whether the tree produces nuisance fruit or if there are disease-resistant varieties available. For an example, there are a number of crabapple varieties that are resistant to apple scab and rust diseases. Also be sure to consider what the mature size of your tree will be. You want to make sure your tree has enough room to grow to its full size. Second, be sure to keep the tree watered and in a shady location until you are ready to plant. Keeping the tree wet, and in a cool shady location will keep the tree from getting to stressed out and will make the transplant transition easier. When you are moving the tree, lift it by the root ball or pot. Don’t lift the tree by the trunk because you could damage the trunk or the top of the root ball. Third, before you plant your tree, be sure to remove all wires, labels, cords or anything else tied to the tree. If left on, they could eventually girdle the branch, and kill that section of your tree. Fourth, you need to make sure you have dug a proper hole. Make sure the hole is deep enough so that the tree sits slightly above nursery level. Make sure the root flare of the tree (point where trunk and root meet) is visible when you plant the tree in the ground. If the root flare isn’t visible, remove any excess soil from the bottom of the hole. If the root flare still isn’t visible, then you need to dig a bigger hole. When you get the tree into its hole, be sure the tree is sitting on solid ground, not fill dirt. So in other words, don’t dig the hole too deep and then add soil back into the hole before placing the tree in the hole. You want the tree to be sitting on a solid base so it doesn’t move after you have it exactly the way you want it. The width of the planting hole is also very important. The hole should be three times the width of the root ball, and only deep enough to make the root flare be at ground level. Fifth, remove all containers from the root ball. Cut away plastic and peat pots; roll burlap and wire baskets back into the hole, cutting as much of the excess away as possible. If you can remove the wire basket completely without disturbing the root ball, do it. If the roots have started to circle around in the container, cut them and spread them out so they don’t continue to grow in a circle inside the hole. You want the roots to grow outward from the trunk to make a good support system for years to come. Sixth, you want to be sure you backfill the hole with the same soil that was removed from the hole. Soil amendments such as peat moss likely do more harm than good, and there is no need to fertilize at planting. Make the soil that you are adding back into the hole is loosen, with no clods or clumps. Add water to the hole as you fill the soil back in to insure good root to soil contact and to prevent air pockets. Seventh, after you have the tree planted, don’t cut back the branches of the tree, except those that are rubbing against each other or ones that are damaged. The leaf buds release a hormone that encourages root growth. So if the tree is cut back then there is a reduced number of leaf buds which results in less hormones released and therefore fewer roots are being formed. Eighth, you want to water the tree thoroughly right after you have planted it, and then once a week for the first season if there is insufficient amount of rain. Newly planted trees take more water than most people realize, so if it hasn’t rained a couple of inches total in few weeks, you need to water your new tree. Ninth, you need to mulch around the tree. Mulch should be two to four inches deep and cover an area two to three times the diameter of the root ball. Mulching reduces competition from other plants, conserves moisture and keeps the soil temperature cooler. When mulching be sure you don’t have a mulch volcano around the trunk of the tree. You want the area around the tree to be mulch, but not directly touching the base of the tree. Lastly, only stake a tree if it is necessary. Tress will establish more quickly and grow faster if they are not staked. However, larger trees or ones in windy locations may need to be staked the first year. Movement is necessary for the trunk to become strong. If you do decide your tree needs to be staked, it should be designed to limit movement of the root ball rather than immobilizing the trunk of the tree. Those are ten tips that I have for planting new trees into your landscape. Trees not only add character to your yard, but they also add color and shade. So if you are looking at your landscape this spring and thinking it needs something new, plant a tree! Saturday, April 2 36th Annual Cloud County Community College Foundation Scholarship Auction Hard Hats & High Heels Ames Gold Crystal & Pearl Bracelet & Matching Crystal Earrings Dr. Warren & Joann Freeborn Belleville Two Rounds of 18 Hole Golf & Cart Rental Belleville Country Club Four Tickets to August 27th Show Belleville High Banks Speedway Gift Certificate for One 8” Ice Cream Cake Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Rustic Black Old World Coffee Table Chuck Westin Live Floral Arrangement Crossroads Floral Creations Red Hall Tree Dr. Andy Walker Children’s Play Set Edward Jones Investments Kaleb Brzon Wood Framed Mirror The Feathered Nest Custom 1’x3’ Rock Fisher Rocks Photo Shoot & 1-11x14 Mounted Portrait Hedstrom Photography 100 30 Second Commercials KREP-FM Beloit Bud Light Super Bowl Mirror Pestinger Distributors Rustic Turquoise Box Décor Mark & Natalie Post Clay Center Paradise Spice Yankee Candle Central Office Service & Supply Sonicare Toothbrush Clay Center Family Dental Care Children’s Play Table Kansas Crossroads RC&D $50 Short Stop Gift Card Leiszler Oil Company Clyde Gold Crystal & Pearl Bracelet & Matching Crystal Earrings George Motor Co. Sterling Silver Amethyst & White Sapphire Pendant JoAnne Balthazor Assorted Popcorn Gift Basket Loveland Acres Decorative “Eat” Sign Reed & Chris Wilson Three Units of Pioneer Hybrid Corn Seed Reed Seed Sales Onyx & Diamond Pendant Seifert’s Jewelry Concordia Navy Purse 6th Street Fashion & Footwear Resin Wicker Outdoor Cooler Aaron & Jenny Acree Stepping Stones Abram Ready-Mix Essential Oil Basket Alliance Insurance Group Wine Picnic Basket American AgCredit Metal Thor & Kansas City Royals Signs ARVOS Inc. Tailgate Grill & Accessories Baumann’s Repair Therapeutic Water Pillow Blackwood Chiropractic Full Page Ad Blade-Empire Publishing Co., Inc. Gourmet Basket Britt’s Soda Fountain & Gifts One Free Four Wheel Alignment Budreau Muffler Automotive & Tow Moscow Mule Gift Basket Cairn’s Repair Assorted Harley Davidson & Motorcycle Cleaning Products California Phil’s Lake Tahoe Airfare OLPH Catholic Thrift Shop 6’ Green Bench Champlin Tire & Recycling Wichita Children’s Trip Central National Bank Brown Leather La-Z-Boy Recliner Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home Baggallini Purse & Two Scarves Christine Smith Rustic Farm Table & Two Chairs Cloud County Community College Administrative & Support Staff Handmade Wild Game Calling Kit Cloud County Community College Ag Department Trip to Puerto Rico Cloud County Community College Alumni Athletic Department Basket with Camp Passes & Apparel Cloud County Community College Athletic Department The Ultimate T-Bird Fan Package Cloud County Community College Bookstore Decorative Lamp Cloud County Community College Faculty Association News Sponsorship on KVCO 88.3 Cloud County Community College KVCO Radio Station Sofa Table & Décor Cloud County Community College Retired Faculty & Staff Rustic Porch Swing Cloud County Co-op Elevator Two Silver Coins Minted from Reclaimed Silver of Old X-Ray Film Cloud County Health Center “It’s a Good Day” Decorative Sign Cloud County Title Company Cattle Canvas Cloud County Travel & Tourism Spa Day at Urban Couture Coldwell Banker – Laura Krier Five Certificates for One Free Oil Change, Tire Rotation & Detail Concordia Chevrolet/Buick Black & Decker Circular Saw Concordia Homestore One Family pass to Concordia Municipal Pool Concordia Municipal Swimming Pool Three Nights Boarding Concordia Small Animal Clinic Pillow & Biofreeze Package Concordia Spine & Sport Crescent Anniversary Tool Bag Concordia Town & Country John Deere Pedal Tractor Concordia Tractor, Inc. T-Bird Rock Coppoc Sports, LLC Sauza Tequila Margarita Set & Two Bottles of Sandra Lee Cocktail Time Premium Tequila Corner Liquor Store Window Tinting for Car, Truck, or SUV Curt’s Body Shop “Believe There is Good in the World” Sign Dale & Madlyn Swenson Electric Oil Lamp Downtown Smoke Shop Long Gold Necklace & Beige & Gold Wallet Dragastin Insurance Company Connie Walenta Eight Tickets to Auction to Support & Administrative Staff Dr. Danette Toone Two Decorative Wall Hangings Dr. Everett & Marlene Miller Nesting Tables Dr. Greg Hattan, D.D.S. Hotel Stay & Restaurant Gift Card for KC Royals Trip Dr. Richard & Rachel Kueker 30 lb. Beef & Pork Bundle Duis Meat Processing Three Month Membership Dumbbells Fitness 500 lb. Water Softener Salt Ecowater of NCK Red Chalk Message Board with Hooks Elk State Bank Two $25 Gift Certificates to El Puerto El Puerto “Spookcase” Eric Andersen Children’s Play Set F&A Food Sales, Inc. Willow Tree ‘The Christmas Story’ Set Family Health Mart Pharmacy Patio Set Farm Management Services Inc. Decorative Candle Arrangement Floral Expressions & Modern Design Silk Floral Arrangement Flower Gallery Cloud County Fairgrounds Commercial Building 5:30 p.m. – Open Bar & Appetizers Silent Auction Begins 6-8 p.m. – Dinner 8 p.m. – Live Auction For more information, call the Foundation Office at 785.243.1435, ext. 235 Two Night Stay at Holiday Inn & Suites in Concordia, KS Frontier Lodging of Concordia, LLC Meridian Car Race Stopping Point at the Baron’s Hotel Funk Pharmacy Gift Certificate & Product from Fusions Fusions Hair Salon Four $25 Gift Cards Gambino’s Pizza 50’ of Seamless Guttering & Installation Greg Wiesner Construction Romantic Dinner for Two Heavy’s Whitewater Sales, Inc. One Night Stay at the Kansas Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast Kansas Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast American Tourister Carry-on Bag Kearn Auction House Craft Beer Basket Koch CPA Chartered Yeti Hopper 20 Cooler Krier Mower & Electric Two $50 Gift Certificates to Kristy’s Kristy’s Family Restaurant 14 K White Gold Peridot Ring Lavon Brosseau Custom Limestone Fire Pit LeDuc Memorial Design Mystery Mini Liquor Bottles Liquor Outlet Date Night for Two Marla’s Joy Tea House Granite Chess Set McDaniel Memorial Me & Ma’s Bakery Gift Basket Me & Ma’s Bakery Auto Transmission Flush with AC Evac & Recharge Miller’s Automotive Three Months of Unlimited Infrared Therapy Sessions for One Monique & Co. Salon & Day Spa National Orphan Train Complex Gift Basket National Orphan Train Complex Nex-Tech Gadget Basket Nex-Tech Wireless Traditional Area Rug NCK Carpet Plus Chime Clock Nutter Mortuary Chef Dinner for Two Paul Dillman Patio Set Peoples Exchange Bank Meridian Car Race Stopping Point at the Baron’s Hotel Picture This Free Pizza a Month for a Year Pizza Hut Produce & Meat Gift Basket Prairie Produce Masonry on Custom Limestone Fire Pit Republican Valley Landscape Lawn & Garden Set Rod’s Food Store Naughty Spot Chair Schendel Pest Control Blues, Brews & BBQs Scott & Mindy/Condray & Thompson, LLC Vacuum Sears 1,000 lb. of Shredding Secure Shred of N.C.K. Kansas Capitol Copper Earring & Bracelet Set, Kansas Seal Coasters & Tumblers & Decorative Kansas Seal Sen. Elaine Bowers Lady Bug Porcelain Tea Set Sheila Caspers Charging Station Sherwin Williams Four $25 Gift Cards Sonic Drive-In Six Gift Certificates for One 6” Sub Sandwich Subway Abyss Blue & Hazelnut Area Rug Square One Flooring & Hood Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electric Ten Breakfast Burrito Gift Certificates & Ten Taco Tokens Taco John’s Blues, Brews & BBQ Tim Halfhide Three Nights Boarding & Office Visit for Dog or Cat Tallgrass Veterinary Hospital, PA Custom Painted Life-size Santa Claus Ted & Carol Lillie Women’s K-State Apparel & Accessories The Luxe Leopard Wolverine Electric Guitar Tom’s Music House Christmas Carriage Ride for Eight United Bank & Trust His & Hers Urban Couture Gift Basket Urban Couture Custom Fire Pit U.S. Stone Three Pinterest Party Certificates & Three Moscato Monet Certificates Valley Rental Center Rolling Planter Womack Sunshine Ford Courtland Fire Pit Package Johnson Insurance Agency Rustic Black Old World Coffee Table Norman Hoard Kansas City Royals Trip Swedish American State Bank Cuba Dove Hunt for Three Czechland Outfitters Delphos Traeger Grill & Pellets Kevin Kline “Vino” Wine Box with Wine & Corkscrew Stephen & Jane Richard Glen Elder Six Months Free Extreme Level Highspeed Internet from Cunningham Communications Cunningham Communications Gypsum Four 10 Round Sporting Clays at Gypsum Valley Sporting Clays II, LLC Gypsum Valley Sporting Clays II, LLC Jamestown Blues, Brews & BBQ Big Stack BBQ Personal Protection Basket Opening Day Firearms Junction City Decorative Lantern Decor Robert Munson K-State Apparel Screen Machine Sports Kansas City Autographed Will Shields Photo Kansas City Chiefs Football Club Four Hy-Vee Infield Seats Kansas City Royals Baseball Club Lansing, Iowa Floral Chandelier Arrangement Robert & Susan Maxson Manhattan Rustic Star Blue River Traders Condo in Lake Tahoe Mark & Pamela Hatesohl Mayetta One Weekend Stay at Prairie Band Casino & Two Golf Passes at Firekeeper Golf Course Prairie Band Casino & Resort Miltonvale Ginger’s Uptown Basket Ayres Insurance Agency, LLC $50 Gift Certificate to Grassland Gardens Nursery & Flowers Grassland Gardens Nursery & Flowers “Happiness is” Crescent Sign Linda Richard Two $50 Gift Certificates to Any Miltonvale Business Miltonvale Senior Citizens Club $50 Gift Certificate to Miltonvale Lumber Company Miltonvale Lumber Company Minneapolis Sonicare Toothbrush All Smiles Dental Care Overland Park Trip to New York & Stihl Leaf Blower Zach Hamel Family Mankato Couples Kansas City Retreat Mark & Beth Whisler Salina Blue Miller Lite Golf Bag Crown Distributors Kindle Fire with Case Pepsi Bottling Company Electric Smoker with Smoke Chips, BBQ Rubs & Sauce Pickel & Bruckner, LLC Two Reserved Tickets to “Singing in the Rain” Salina Community Theatre Green Desk with Hutch Salina Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Four Children’s Passes to the Rolling Hills Wildlife Refuge Rolling Hills Wildlife Refuge Scandia Antique Iron Planter Scandia Antique Mall Smith Center Airfare to Lake Tahoe The Peoples Bank Washington Silk Floral Arrangement in Vase Owen Originals Floral Direct Scholarship Donations: • Anastasia Blundell, Phoenix, Ariz. • Alberta Neel, Jamestown • Brad & Lee Lowell, Concordia • EDP Renewables, Concordia • Luke Malone, Concordia • Tim & Julie Gottschalk, Belleville • KNCK AM/NCK 94.9 FM, Concordia Donations toward the evening’s success ARVOS Inc. – Use of equipment CCCC IT Department – IT Help CCCC Maintenance Staff – Assistance with setup CCCC Marketing Department – Auction Marketing Materials CCCC Students – Hosting & Serving the Meal Concordia Homestore – Use of Cinder Blocks & Wood Diane Leif – Arranged Auction Baskets Feldkamp’s Furniture – Window Display Kearn Auction House – Auctioneer KNCK AM/NCK 94.9 FM – Radio Advertisement KREP FM – Radio Advertisement The Peoples Bank (Smith Center) – Cashier Services Sarah Chavey – Display Window Painting Auction Committee Ashley Brzon Sheila Caspers Heather Gennette Jolene Harper Rachel Kueker Norlene Letourneau Joshua Meyer Carleen Nordell Seth Retter Kim Reynolds Alisha Sipe Molly Skocny Amanda Strait Landee Thyfault Scott Thyfault Rachel Zohn