KS - December 6 2024

1 - Washburn Tech to open manufacturing institute at former Kmart in North Topeka
2 - Bird flu found in Kansas City area waterfowl, hawk as human cases continue elsewhere
3 - Kansas’ traffic laws are safer than most neighboring states, new report shows
4 - Sheriff’s office investigating thefts of 50 missing calves from Kingman County
5 - Non-traditional school plans to use traditional rural values

1 - Washburn Tech to open manufacturing institute at former Kmart in North Topeka

Washburn Institute of Technology is opening a manufacturing institute in North Topeka. On Thursday afternoon, the Washburn University Board of Regents unanimously approved the purchase of the former Kmart building at 2240 N.W. Tyler St. The purchase price was $2 million.

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

2 - Bird flu found in Kansas City area waterfowl, hawk as human cases continue elsewhere

A highly contagious bird flu, officially called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or HPAI, is spreading rapidly among wild birds around the U.S. — including in the Kansas City area. In recent months, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified the bird flu in six geese and a red-shouldered hawk found dead in Jackson and Clay counties in late 2023. The bird flu has been detected in Missouri waterfowl, raptors, seabirds and shore birds — so far, it hasn’t been detected in songbirds.

Article Source: KC Star

3 - Kansas’ traffic laws are safer than most neighboring states, new report shows

The state of Kansas ranks better than most of its neighboring states on traffic safety, according to a new report on U.S. road laws. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its “Roadmap to Safety” report card Dec. 5, which grades all 50 states and D.C. on driving laws. Overall, the state of Kansas was ranked yellow. Looking at Kansas’ neighboring states, Missouri got a red overall, as did Oklahoma and Nebraska. Colorado joined Kansas as yellow. Only six states were given the green rating — Washington, Oregon, Louisiana, Maryland, and Rhode Island as well as Washington, D.C.

Article Source: Wichita Eagle

4 - Sheriff’s office investigating thefts of 50 missing calves from Kingman County

The Kingman County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after 50 calves were discovered missing from two separate incidents. The first incident happened in southeast Kingman County, where 13 calves were reported missing. The second happened in the northwest part of the county and 37 calves were reported missing. The sheriff’s office did not specify when the incidents happened, if there are any suspects or what led to the calves’ disappearance, but with the price and demand for beef skyrocketing, there’s added incentive for thieves.

Article Source: KWCH

5 - Non-traditional school plans to use traditional rural values

Jim Curl believes that and draws on his experience to teach boys how to become men as he spearheads the Plains Preparatory Institute at Braman, Oklahoma. Curl, 71, the PPI founder and board chairman, said the small school in his community closed due to low enrollment, an unfortunate trend he has seen in other High Plains states. He said the closures devastate communities. However, they do not reduce the need to educate students. That led to the dream of Plains Preparatory Institute with a focus on turning boys into leaders. The institute is in the fundraising mode with an initial goal to raise $10 million to build a comprehensive teaching facility with an eye to open in 2027. Students will be taught by experienced professionals in their respective fields, Curl said. Differing techniques will be encouraged with an emphasis on laboratory programs and hands-on learning. The first-year goal would be to enroll ninth- through 11th-graders with 15 per class. The next year those 11th-graders would become the first senior class, he said. “The final goal is of enrollment of 200 high-intellect young men to feed the land-grant universities of the Plains area,” Curl said.

Article Source: HPJ

Sources

1. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/education/2024/12/05/washburn-to-buy-former-kmart-building-for-tech-manufacturing-institute/76806283007/

2. https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article296692999.html

3. https://www.kansas.com/news/state/article296577514.html

4. https://www.kwch.com/2024/12/05/sheriffs-office-investigating-possible-thefts-50-calves-missing-kingman-county/

5. https://hpj.com/2024/12/06/non-traditional-school-plans-to-use-traditional-rural-values/