Preliminary hearing for man accused of killing farmer postponed

OSBORNE CO., Kansas, September 3, 2008 – The man accused of killing an Osborne County farmer this spring did not appear in court as scheduled Wednesday.

The preliminary hearing for 44-year-old Salina resident Kenneth Wilson has been postponed.

Wilson is accused of killing 55-year-old Jeffrey “Scott” Noel. Prosecutors allege Wilson broke into Noel’s home near Portis, KS, took $50 and a cell phone and then killed him.

His preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for November 17th.

Man injured in GB accident

GREAT BEND, Kansas, September 3, 2008 – A rush hour accident in Great Bend Tuesday afternoon sent one man to the hospital.

It happened at the intersection of 10th and Main when a semi truck hit a pick-up driven by 48-year-old Randy Fisher. He was taken to CKMC and later flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Group gets enough signatures for sports complex

HAYS, Kansas, September 3, 2008 – A group of Hays residents is one step closer to getting an initiative on the November ballot for a new sports complex.

The group collected more than 2,400 signatures to put a half cent sales tax increase before voters in November. The county clerk’s office is now tasked with verifying those names. Once that happens, it will be put before voters in November.

The sales tax money would be used to build an $8 million dollar complex with football, baseball and soccer fields. It would also pay for maintaining the facility for 10 years.

Students taught lesson in bullying

GREAT BEND, Kansas, September 3, 2008 – Great Bend students had a lesson on how to stop bullying Wednesday.

Joe Coles, from the Southwest Regional Service Center, encouraged students to recognize, refuse and report bully behavior. He also taught students to turn negative rumors they hear into something positive.

“If we get in the habit, and I work with habits a lot, of teaching people the right way to treat people, and give them put "ups" instead of put "downs" we all feel good about it,” Coles said. “So, the key is getting people to respect one another.”

Coles also discussed how bullying has evolved with modern technology like cell phones and computers. Students often don’t realize those messages are traceable and can lead to serious punishments.