Kansas Klips

‘Air-ball’ chant at high school basketball game gets some students tossed out

OVERLAND PARK — When a basketball player attempts a shot that doesn’t hit the rim, fans from the opposing team often chant the word, “air-ball.” When a group of students from Blue Valley Northwest High School did that recently, it lead them to getting kicked out the game. During the second quarter of that contest, Northwest High School administrators ejected 20-30 students from the school’s spirit section for chanting, “air-ball.” Chris Daniel, a junior at the school, was one of them. Daniel told FOX4 News he and his friends are close to the player who missed the shot, and they meant the chant as gentle teasing among friends. School district leaders cited Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Rule 52, which regards conduct at sporting events. It specifically points to chanting “air-ball” and other taunting practices as being poor sportsmanship. Students complained that Rule 52 steals some innocent fun from high school sports. KSHSAA is among the governing bodies for high school sports that have cracked down on bad behavior at sporting events, in part, to retain game officials as the number of referees and umpires continues to shrink nationally. (KSNT News)

Suspect arrested after police chase, vehicle fire

NORTON — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a high speed chase and fire. Norton County Sheriff’s deputies assisted the Kansas Highway Patrol with a high speed chase that started in Phillips County, according to a media release from Norton Police. Officers in Norton were able to successfully deploy stop strips on the east edge of town. The vehicle came to a stop and caught fire. Officers made a felony traffic stop and took a suspect into custody. The Norton Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the vehicle fire. Police reported no injuries. The suspect’s name or possible charges have not been released. (HaysPost.com)

Hays USD 489 school board sends $143.5M bond to voters

HAYS — The Hays USD 489 school board unanimously voted to take a $143.5 million bond issue to the voters on May 10. The largest feature of the bond would be the construction of a new high school adjacent to the current high school on land already owned by the school district. Also included in the proposal is: The middle school moving into the renovated high school; Hays Middle School being renovated into a new elementary school; O’Loughlin and Roosevelt elementary schools would be renovated; Administrative offices and the Westside program would be moved to Wilson; Rockwell Administration Center and Lincoln Elementary School would be closed. The new high school, as well as the renovated spaces for the middle school and elementary schools, would have room for growth. If the bond is funded only through property tax, it would cost a taxpayer $35.94 per month on a $200,000 home, or about $431 per year. However, district officials have suggested using a half-cent sales tax to reduce the property tax rate. The use of a sales tax could reduce the property tax to $21.56 per month for a $200,000 home. The Hays City Commission has to approve the sales tax question before it can go to voters. The commission is set to consider that request at its next meeting. The sales tax and bond issue will be separate questions on the ballot, which means the bond issue could pass without the sales tax passing. However, the sales tax would be contingent on the bond issue passing. (HaysPost.com)

Sheriff’s offices to conduct enforcement campaign near high schools

HAYS — From Feb. 21 through March 4, the Ellis County Sheriff’s office will join other law enforcement agencies in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma with increased enforcement near high schools to raise awareness of roadway safety. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States — ahead of all other types of injury, disease or violence. “Even one teen death is unacceptable,” Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun said. “Please slow down, put the phone away or turn it off, and always buckle up.” Officers will issue citations to any individual who refuses to obey the traffic laws, whether it is for speeding, texting or failing to buckle up. Remind teens that driving is a privilege and encourage then to learn about the importance of driving safely. (HaysPost.com)

KSU supporting students affected by 2nd Aggieville shooting

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University is encouraging students affected by the second shooting in the Aggieville district in less than two months to get counseling. Just after midnight on Saturday, Feb. 5, three officers from RCPD were working in the police substation in Aggieville when they heard gunshots, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The officers immediately responded outside a bar near 12th and Moro Street and they found a 21-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. They also observed an armed man nearby who ran from the area. Two officers chased the suspect on foot, while the third officer remained with the shooting victim and rendered first-aid. The victim was later identified as Joshua J. Wardi, 21, of Fort Riley, who died. The shooting suspect was identified as Tremelle R. Montgomery, 19, of Fort Riley. EMS transported him to Ascension Via Christi hospital in Manhattan where he was then transferred to a Topeka hospital. On December 12, two 24-year-old men were injured during gunfire at Tate’s Bar in Aggieville. (JCPost.com)