Kansas Klips

Kansas man hospitalized after car runs over his legs

GREAT BEND—The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident that left a man with serious injuries. The sheriff’s office said around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, August 25th, deputies responded to the 100 block of NW 100 Road, just west of Hoisington, for an injury accident involving a pedestrian. Deputies arrived to find 20-year-old Kaden Baird of Ellinwood being loaded into an ambulance. The sheriff’s office said, for unknown reasons, Baird laid down in the eastbound lane on the blacktop road. The driver of a 1997 Buick Century did not see Baird lying in the roadway and tried to avoid him but ended up running over Baird’s legs. Baird was transported to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington and later to a Wichita area hospital with serious injuries. A witness who had been with Baird earlier in the day said he was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident. No one in the car was hurt. The accident is still under investigation. (12 News)

First cases of West Nile Virus confirmed in Kansas horses

MANHATTAN—The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health has received notification of multiple confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in horses across the state over the past few weeks. Confirmed cases have been reported in Barber, Butler, Douglas, and Pratt Counties.

West Nile Virus is a preventable disease, with annual vaccinations that have proven highly effective. All confirmed WNV cases in Kansas are in unvaccinated horses or horses with an unknown vaccination history, so they were assumed unvaccinated. All horse owners should consult with their local veterinarians and make a vaccination plan for their horses. It is a virus that can infect humans, horses, birds, and other species. Horses infected with West Nile Virus can have symptoms that range from depression, loss of appetite, and fever to severe neurologic signs such as incoordination, weakness, inability to rise, and hypersensitivity to touch or sound. West Nile Virus can be fatal in horses. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see West Nile Virus symptoms in your horse. The virus is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes; it is not directly contagious from horse to horse or from horse to human. West Nile Virus is a reportable disease In Kansas, which means veterinarians are legally required to report any confirmed cases to the state veterinarian. (Hays Post)

Voters reject bond issues in four Kansas school districts

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Sedgwick County Election Commissioner reported that the $73,900,000.00 school bond issue in USD 262 Valley Center did not pass. According to a statement on the Valley Center School District website, “Those who live in the communities we serve have decided that now is not the time to move forward with additional classroom space and accommodations for every student. While the bond did not pass, the needs remain. Because several USD 262 schools are at or over capacity with students and our district continues to grow, classroom space will have to be addressed.” According to the county election office, Oberlin USD 294 voters said no to a $29 million bond issue for significant elementary and high school upgrades. USD 24 Ulysses voters rejected a $44.75 million project to build a new middle school wing at Ulysses High School and transition it to a 7-132 grade campus. It also included new science labs and a weight room, upgrades to all classrooms, and expanded shop areas, kitchen, and music rooms. The project also addresses ADA and safety concerns and mechanical system upgrades district-wide. The elementary buildings will also see renovations to classrooms and hallways, improved security, and student safety. (Hays Post)

Hays native named starting linebacker for Sooners

WICHITA—Ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners' Week 1 matchup against Arkansas State, Hays native Jaran Kanak was named a starter. Kanak has been with the Oklahoma program since 2022. He initially committed to play for Clemson out of high school in Hays. Still, he flipped his commitment after Brent Venables, the defensive coordinator at Clemson, took the Oklahoma head coaching position. Kanak played in all 13 games last season for the Sooners in a backup role and on special teams. This time, he is rolling out with the first team, though Venables said he plans to use a rotation at the position to keep things fresh. At Hays, Kanak played both linebacker and quarterback his senior year. He set single-season school records for rushing yards with 1,615 and scoring 142 points. For his career, he compiled a school record of 5,608 yards. (KSN News)