Kansas.com: News

Wichita nonprofits offer help to more people in need as economy worsens

JOE RODRIGUEZ — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:07 CST

In its Christmas fundraising campaigns from 2003 to 2007, the Salvation Army gradually increased its annual goal from $1 million to $1.35 million. But earlier this month, when the nonprofit organization announced this year's goal, the amount was $1.3 million, slightly less than last year's goal.

And while many factors were at work -- last year's campaign fell about $180,000 short of its goal -- when setting this year's goal, one factor was crucial, organization leaders said.

"The economy was a real factor in that decision," said Tim Brown, the Salvation Army's development director.

In the nonprofit world, nearly everyone is feeling the effect of a shaky economy.

Several leaders of local nonprofits say they are concerned about the economy's impact on giving at a time when many are seeing a greater demand for their services.

Highway patrol's chase policy is looser than city's, county's

TIM POTTER — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:10 CST

When a state trooper chased a speeding motorist early Nov. 15 onto East 21st Street, resulting in a fatal crash, he was operating under a policy that appears to be less restrictive than those that guide other local law enforcement agencies.

Wichita police and Sedgwick County sheriff's vehicle pursuit policies distinguish between chases involving traffic violators and those suspected of violent crimes such as murder or rape. The Kansas Highway Patrol's does not, according to a comparison of the policies.

Police and sheriff's deputies also face specific restrictions with traffic violators that are not spelled out in the Highway Patrol policy.

The Highway Patrol chase around 1 a.m. ended in a crash that killed the fleeing driver and two women in a vehicle that was struck by the fleeing car. Another woman in the second car was critically injured.

Two criminologists disagree on whether the chase was justified, based on information provided so far.

Volunteers dress Botanica for holidays

STAN FINGER — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

More than two dozen people turned out on a cold, windy morning Saturday, each perhaps with a different motivation but united by a common mission: to dress Botanica up for the holidays.

They scattered throughout the grounds, doing what they could to help set up the 4,000 luminarias and thousands of lights that will line paths and structures in the gardens for Illuminations 2008, which will run from Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 10-14.

Matt Clarke was among a group of men hanging wisteria lights along a path in the Beverly Blue Teaching Garden.

A student at Derby High School, Clarke couldn't keep a smile off his face, despite the morning chill and the fresh memory of Derby's loss in the state football playoffs Friday night.

His late grandfather, Douglas Clarke, loved Botanica -- so much so that a memorial stone bears his name in the park.

Will voting on all tax increases fly here?

DEB GRUVER — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Voters across the nation approved tax increases earlier this month to pay for projects ranging from high-speed rail networks to new schools to a mortgage program for veterans.

New Sedgwick County commissioner Karl Peterjohn, a Republican, made voter approval of county tax increases part of his campaign platform. Now he hopes to sway enough of his colleagues on the board to that viewpoint.

"Hopefully we won't have any increases proposed in the near future," he said of the county's portion of property taxes. "But if we do, I think there should be voter approval."

Other commissioners say they're willing to talk about the concept. None of the four has said they are definitely on board, although commissioner Kelly Parks is close.

"I'm not interested in a resolution that any tax increase whatsoever will only be done by a vote of the people," said commissioner Gwen Welshimer, a Democrat.

Mislabeled foods imperil kids

SAM ROE — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

American children with food allergies are suffering life-threatening -- and completely avoidable -- reactions because manufacturers mislabel their products and regulators fail to police store shelves, a Chicago Tribune investigation has found.

In effect, children are used as guinea pigs, with the government and industry often taking steps to properly label a product only after a child has been harmed.

The Tribune investigation revealed that the government rarely inspects food to find problems and doesn't punish companies that repeatedly violate labeling laws.

In disclosing ingredients, labels must clearly identify major allergens such as peanuts, milk, eggs and wheat. Millions of parents, teachers and baby-sitters scrutinize these labels to ensure that they are not giving children unsafe food.

But an alarming number of products sold as allergen-free actually contain harmful amounts, the Tribune found.

Fewer Thanksgiving travelers expected

DEB GRUVER — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:17 CST

Because of the economy, fewer people are expected to travel this week for Thanksgiving. Still, perhaps buoyed by cheaper gas prices, about 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home on Thanksgiving. That's about 600,000 less than last year and the first time AAA has predicted a travel decline for the holiday since 2002.

"I know the economy is a major concern for all of us," said AAA Kansas spokeswoman Betty Oliva. "Everyone is looking for ways to save money."

One plus is that nationwide, people are paying less for gas than they have since March 2005, Oliva said. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Wichita on Friday was $1.78, AAA's Fuel Gauge Report said.

WAYS TO TRAVEL AND SAVE

• Budget how much you'll spend on gas if you're driving to your destination. Visit www.fuelcostcalculator.com to estimate how much it will cost to fuel your vehicle for the trip. You'll enter your starting point, destination and vehicle make and model. You also can check gas prices nationwide at www.gasbuddy.com.

Thieves swipe Salvation Army kettles

STAN FINGER — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:11 CST

Someone is stealing Salvation Army holiday kettles in east Wichita in an act one police official called "despicable" Friday.

"My first reaction was anger," Salvation Army spokesman Tim Brown said. "Boy, if you're to the point that you're so low that you have to steal a kettle, you must be in pretty dire straits."

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign raises money for food, toys and clothing during the holidays and beyond. The charity hopes to raise $1.3 million this year.

One kettle and its stand were stolen from in front of the Dillons at Central and Rock Road on Thursday afternoon. Another was stolen Friday from next to the Sears at Towne East Square, police said.

"Those are both high-traffic areas," Brown said. "We're trying to access security camera footage to see if we can see anything."

Murder case dismissed against southwest Kansas pair

RON SYLVESTER — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:18 CST

Next week, Chad and Shannon Floyd will be able to relax in western Kansas free of the murder charges that dogged them for the past three years.

The husband and wife are set to meet with a judge in Johnson City, about five hours west of Wichita in southwest Kansas, on Monday to sign a final order of dismissal in a murder case against them that's dragged through two trials that ended without a verdict.

"Chad and Shannon Floyd and their families have had to endure three years of accusations, innuendo and rumor that have been absolutely false," said Wichita attorney Dan Monnat, who represented Chad Floyd.

The body of Michael Golub, 27, has never been found.

Golub was a former boyfriend of Shannon Floyd, now 30. The two were involved in a custody dispute over their son.

Layton to say Monday if he wants Wichita city manager job

BRENT D. WISTROM — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:20 CST

Robert Layton plans to tell Mayor Carl Brewer first thing Monday whether he wants the city manager job he has been offered.

He is leaning in one direction, he said Friday, but he declined to say what that is out of fairness to the mayor.

Layton, city manager of Urbandale, Iowa, has been calling Wichita City Council members to gauge whether he could be productive here after the council's 4-3 vote to hire him Tuesday.

He said he has talked to Brewer, but promised him one more call to announce his decision.

If Layton accepts the council's vote, he will begin contract negotiations. If not, council members -- already split three ways over who should become manager -- will have to reassess their options.

Tiahrt explores Senate run

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Rep. Todd Tiahrt is making "very serious" preparations to run for the Senate in 2010, something that could lead to an intense Republican primary contest between the state's two most senior congressmen.

Tiahrt, who represents the 4th District covering Wichita and south-central Kansas, stopped just short of declaring his candidacy Friday. But he said he has made numerous phone calls and is receiving plenty of support.

"I'm putting together a steering committee and, at the appropriate time, I'll make an announcement about that," said Tiahrt, R-Goddard. "I'm very serious about doing this."

Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, who represents the 1st District of western Kansas, has told constituents for months that he will run for the Senate. He has filed the state and federal paperwork necessary to start collecting contributions.

Both men would seek the seat held by Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, who is widely expected to run for governor in 2010. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who cannot run again because of term limits, is the Democrats' best potential Senate candidate, but officials in both parties expect President-elect Barack Obama to offer her a Cabinet job.

Prisons in El Dorado could close

DEB GRUVER AND BRENT D. WISTROM — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Two minimum-security prison facilities in El Dorado are part of the discussion about possible closure as the Kansas Department of Corrections looks for ways to cut its budget.

"Every aspect of our operation is under review for potential reductions or eliminations in funding" because of state revenue shortfalls, department spokesman Bill Miskell said Friday. He noted that there are no plans to close the El Dorado facilities right now.

Community leaders said any cuts at the minimum-security units, which employ 37, would hurt the local economy. El Dorado also could feel the loss of hundreds of volunteer hours from inmates.

The state corrections department must cut more than $5 million this fiscal year and more than $13 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

It announced this week that it is terminating contracts for its day reporting centers in Wichita and Topeka and for the women's camp in Labette County. Inmates at the day reporting centers will remain on parole.

Doubt infects holiday hiring

SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:24 CST

If you're looking for a job this holiday season -- for extra income or to supplement your gift-giving budget -- Wichita's job outlook is a little better than the rest of the country's.

But the rest of the country looks pretty pathetic.

"Jobs are going to be much harder to come by this year than they have in the past -- even in Wichita," said Jim Clark, associate dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University.

"If you don't have anything yet, there might not be anything left to get."

Nationally, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits hit a 16-year high last month, according to Labor Department data released Thursday.

Wichita City Council waits to hear if Layton still wants job

BRENT D. WISTROM — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:22 CST

Some Wichita City Council members are waiting to hear whether the man they selected by the slimmest of margins still wants to be city manager before they begin contract negotiations.

"I get the feeling he's just trying to get as much information as he can," said Vice Mayor Sue Schlapp, who spoke with Robert Layton by phone. "I really don't know what direction he'll be going."

The council voted 4-3 Tuesday to offer the job to Layton, city manager of Urbandale, Iowa. Schlapp, Mayor Carl Brewer and council member Lavonta Williams voted no. Schlapp and Brewer preferred Sedgwick County Manager William Buchanan, one of the other finalists.

Schlapp said she maintained that stance when she talked to Layton this week.

"I'm saying I think the best candidate is Bill Buchanan," she said. "I think he understands that."

Kline deputy: No allegation prompted Tiller inquiry

ROXANA HEGEMAN — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

George Tiller's pretrial hearing regarding alleged prosecutorial misconduct was continued Thursday until next year, winding up four days of testimony without much, if any, word from the major players.

The hearing is scheduled to resume Jan. 6 in Sedgwick County District Court, with former Attorney General Phill Kline expected to return to the stand.

Kline, who launched the investigation of Tiller, the Wichita abortion provider, testified for three hours Monday before a scheduling conflict cut off questioning.

Still left to take the stand is former Attorney General Paul Morrison, who filed 19 misdemeanor charges against Tiller before resigning amid a sex scandal.

Defense attorneys also hope to find Morrison's former mistress, Linda Carter, who worked at one time for both Morrison and Kline. The defense claims she pressured Morrison to file charges against Tiller.

Shipping costs swell as pirates grow bolder

JULIE SELL — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

When Somali pirates last weekend seized the Sirius Star, a Saudi Arabian supertanker carrying $100 million worth of oil, they jolted a global shipping industry that's long coped with threats on the high seas.

Now, in the face of increasingly bold and frequent pirate attacks off the east coast of Africa, the industry is facing spiraling costs and calling for a more forceful and coordinated response from governments that have sent naval vessels to the region.

"I've never experienced anything like this" says Soren Skou, a senior executive at Maersk, who has 25 years in the industry. "Pretty much for everybody, this is bad news."

One vessel owned by the Dutch shipping line, one of the world's biggest, had a near miss two weeks ago when pirates attacked it off Yemen, he said, but the buccaneers eventually gave up.

What makes the Sirius Star attack so shocking to industry officials is the size of the tanker and the distance the pirates traveled to reach it, making previously safe routes seem dangerous: The ship was about 450 miles offshore, southeast of Mogadishu.

Regents to appeal cuts, may raise costs

JEANNINE KORANDA — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:25 CST

State universities plan to appeal some proposed budget cuts, but they also are suggesting that students pay more to live and eat on campus.

The Kansas Board of Regents voted Thursday to accept most of the 3 percent budget cut proposed by the governor's staff for this year, but to challenge a possible 4 percent cut for fiscal 2010, which starts July 1. The cuts to be appealed include money for aviation, pharmacy and medical training in Wichita.

Regents also discussed plans to increase the cost of food and housing an average of nearly $300 annually. Some worried that it isn't a good time because many families face financial struggles of their own.

"At this point, I have a real discomfort with what we are doing, given the time we're in," said regent Gary Sherrer.

Students at Wichita State University would pay $6,060 for food and housing next year, up $200 from this year. That is the smallest proposed increase.

Chinese student enrollment hits record levels

LORI YOUNT — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:40 CST

Fei Li first learned of Wichita State University from a friend of a friend when she was considering leaving China to study at an American university. She was told the people in Wichita are "very nice."

"He said it's not like New York. It's suitable for study here," Li said.

Li, who enrolled three months ago and is earning a master's degree in economics, is one of 132 Chinese students at WSU this fall.

The number of Chinese students at WSU has more than quadrupled in the past two years, up from 28 in the fall of 2006.

Nationally, Chinese students are enrolling in U.S. universities in record numbers, encouraged by aggressive recruiting combined with China's booming economy and growing middle class.

Boeing to cut 800 Wichita jobs in 2009

MOLLY MCMILLIN — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:05 CST

Wichita's aviation industry took another hit Wednesday when Boeing said it would cut 800 jobs -- about a quarter of its Wichita work force -- in the first half of next year.

A handful of layoff notices will be issued Friday. The remainder will be distributed early in 2009.

Wednesday's announcement was the third major layoff by a Wichita aviation company this month.

Hawker Beechcraft announced Nov. 3 that it was cutting about 490 jobs this month. Less than 10 days later, Cessna Aircraft said it would lay off 500 employees in early January.

Unlike Hawker Beechcraft and Cessna, Boeing officials said its cuts aren't related to the current economic downturn. The layoffs are due to work winding down on some military programs and a delay in a program to replace aging U.S. Air Force refueling tankers.

10-year-old's abortion is center of Tiller hearing

RON SYLVESTER — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

A 10-year-old girl who received an abortion became the center of a Kansas attorney general's argument to obtain patient records from a Wichita clinic.

Here was a possible child-rape victim, officers for then-Attorney General Phill Kline told a Topeka judge in 2006 -- and a crime that abortion provider George Tiller didn't report, as required by law.

They wanted to find out whether Tiller hadn't reported other crimes, and they needed his records to do that.

But their claims about Tiller weren't true, his attorneys argued Wednesday in Wichita.

Tiller's lawyers are in Sedgwick County District Court this week arguing that 19 misdemeanor charges he faces should be dismissed. They contend the charges are based on evidence obtained by Kline and his officers through false pretenses and abuses of power.

Sedgwick County commits $1.75 million for growth

DEB GRUVER — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:57 CST

Sedgwick County agreed Wednesday to spend $1.75 million over five years with the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition to lure and keep businesses in the area.

The coalition, a public-private partnership, provides economic development services for the city, the county and the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce.

The city and county each plan to pay $1.75 million over the new five-year contract, which starts Jan. 1 and goes through Dec. 31, 2013.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to support the contract and funding, with Kelly Parks citing financial concerns as his reason for voting no.

The contract for next year is $50,000 more than was planned in the county's 2009 adopted budget, he noted.