Kansas.com: Top Stories

Boeing Machinists start strike

MOLLY MCMILLIN — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

A strike by Boeing Machinists began at 12:01 this morning after a last-ditch effort Friday by Boeing and its largest union to avoid a work stoppage failed.

The union represents about 750 of Boeing Wichita's 3,000 employees. Another 26,000 Machinists in the Seattle area and Portland, Ore. also are on strike.

Machinists on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected Boeing's contract offer and voted for a work stoppage. But the parties agreed to negotiate for another 48 hours at the request of a federal mediator and the governor of Washington.

"This company... disrespected the finest aerospace workers anywhere on the planet by failing to meet your expectations," union leaders said in a statement posted on their Web site.

Negotiators met Thursday night and throughout the day on Friday. But "continued contract talks with the Boeing company did not address our issues," the statement said.

Conventions over, candidates hit the road

WILLIAM DOUGLAS — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

John McCain and Sarah Palin tried Friday to ride whatever momentum they generated from this week's Republican convention, beginning their sprint to Election Day by campaigning together in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan.

Late in the day after the balloons and fanfare of the St. Paul convention, the Republican presidential ticket stood before a packed amphitheater in this suburban Detroit swing county of Macomb, known for its blue-collar "Reagan Democrats."

"These are tough times for many of you," McCain said. "In the state of Michigan, times are tough. You're worried about keeping your job or finding a new one. Many are struggling to put food on the table.... All you've ever asked of government is for it to stand on your side, not in your way, and that's what I intend to do, stand on your side and fight for you."

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, meanwhile, campaigned in the swing state of Pennsylvania, emphasizing economic issues amid Friday's news that the U.S. unemployment rate reached a five-year high of 6.1 percent in August as employers cut 84,000 jobs.

Earlier in the day, McCain and Palin stood before a crowd of thousands assembled along the main street of downtown Cedarburg, a suburb of Milwaukee. McCain said that it's places like this staunchly Republican enclave of 11,000 that will propel him and Palin into the White House.

A common thread joins lives, flags in Greensburg

DEB GRUVER — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:05 CDT

Hunched over rows of folding tables, the women -- some in their 90s, some in their teens, all clutching needles -- stitch together tattered pieces of one of the darkest moments in America's history.

They are patching pieces of a flag all but destroyed by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with flags battered by an EF-5 tornado that swept through Greensburg last year. When they are done, the 20-foot-by-32-foot flag will tell a story. While they stitch, they tell their own stories.

The project at the Carriage House assisted living center is one of several going on this week as volunteers from across the country work to build a barn, plant trees and bring hope to Greensburg.

The flag project started with Charlie Vitchers.

He was a construction superintendent at ground zero, called in to help clean up debris after terrorists attacked seven years ago. He noticed an American flag hanging in bits and pieces from scaffolding at a construction site at 90 West Street, across from the World Trade Center. The flag had been draped across the scaffolding by workers before Sept. 11.

Democrats will gather today at Hughes complex

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

Kansas Democrats will gather at 4 p.m. today for Demofest and an Obama open house at Wichita State University's Hughes Metropolitan Complex at 29th North and Oliver.

The keynote speakers are former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery and state Sen. Donald Betts. Slattery is running against incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Roberts while Betts is challenging incumbent Rep. Todd Tiahrt.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign will sign up volunteers. Voter registration and absentee ballot applications will be available.

The events are free and open to the public.

-- Eagle staff

Harrah's can move forward with casino

FRED MANN — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

A judge could have killed Sumner County's casino project on Friday.

Instead he told Harrah's Entertainment not to use a customer database it shares with the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe to lure visitors to its Mulvane casino for two years.

Shawnee County District Judge David Bruns also directed the two sides to try to resolve their differences through mediation within the next 30 days to avoid further court action.

If mediation doesn't work , the case could proceed to trial, where the project still could be stopped.

Both sides said they were satisfied with the judge's limited injunction.

FDA lists 20 drugs that could be unsafe

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:08 CDT

The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems in an effort to better inform doctors and patients.

The first list is a bare-bones compilation naming 20 medications and the potential issue for each. It provides no indication of how widespread or serious the problems might be, leading some consumer advocates to question its usefulness, and prompting industry worries that skittish patients might stop taking a useful medication if they see it listed.

Food and Drug Administration officials said they are trying to walk a fine line in being more open to the public while avoiding needless scares. Congress, in a drug safety bill passed last year, ordered the agency to post quarterly listings of medications under investigation.

"My message to patients is this: Don't stop taking your medicine," said Janet Woodcock, who heads the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "If your doctor has prescribed a drug that appears on this list, you should continue taking it unless your doctor advises you differently."

At least five of the drugs on the list had problems that already have been publicized. These included the blood thinner heparin, recalled earlier this year, and immune-suppressing medications being studied for a link to cancer in youngsters.

WEIRD, WACKY FUN State Fair adds duct tape competition and gator rassling

DENISE NEIL — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

The Kansas State Fair prides itself on its wild, weird, wonderfulness -- so much so that it touts the three w's in all of its advertising. And this year, the fair -- which started Friday and runs through Sept. 14 in Hutchinson -- is upping the weird and wild ante, packing the schedule with all sorts of wacky attractions, from a duct tape competition to an alligator wrestling demonstration.

"We certainly try to incorporate some things that people don't see in their everyday lives," said Denny Stoecklein, the fair's general manager.

Among the odder oddities the fair has added this year is a duct tape contest, which invited competitors to create clothes and accessories using the all-purpose adhesive. Fair organizers got the idea for the contest when visiting another fair last year and decided Kansans probably also possessed the stick-to-it-iveness to make the contest work.

As of Friday, officials in the Domestic Arts building had received 120 entries -- a lot for a first-year event -- from duct-tape baby bootees to purses to flyswatters. One entrant submitted a duct tape formal gown she created and wore to her prom.

The duct tape entries will be judged this morning, and the winners will be displayed in the Domestic Arts Building.

Outcry reverses decision to cut KU whistle

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

The steam whistle that signaled the end of class periods at the University of Kansas for nearly a century will toot once again.

Earlier this week, university officials said they were silencing the whistle to save the $3,000 it costs each year to operate atop the university power plant.

Following an outpouring of support for the whistle and criticism for ending its life, Chancellor Robert Hemenway reversed course Friday, announcing the whistle will be back on the job Monday.

"One way you know something is truly a tradition is the way people react when it's suddenly missing," Hemenway said in a statement. "Jayhawks have told us how important this tradition is to them and what a memorable part of their lives at KU it is and was."

Hemenway said finding ways to save money is important and called the decision to silence the whistle "a well-intentioned move to save money."

Zoobilee will go on, rain or not

BECCY TANNER — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:40 CDT

Friday's rain didn't delay preparations for Sedgwick County Zoo's Zoobilee.

"We will have Zoobilee come rain or shine," said Christan Baumer, spokeswoman for the zoo.

The annual fundraising event scheduled for tonight involves more than eight bands, 70 food and drink vendors and a silent auction with a list that includes gift certificates from Wichita's best restaurants and knickknacks and heirlooms for the home. Bidders also can win the privilege of financially supporting zoo animals.

Preparations for Zoobilee will continue throughout today.

"This is the one time of the year we pull out all the stops and join our friends to raise money to feed animals for the next year," said Steve Onken, the zoo's director of development.

Friday night scores

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:26 CDT

City League

East 33, North 7

Heights 24, Bishop Carroll 21 (Thurs.)

Northwest 41, Kapaun Mount Carmel 21

South 26, West 6

In-game high school football scores and highlights

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:24 CDT

Check back throughout the night for updated scores and highlights from tonight's action.

We will post verifiable scores from around the Wichita area including City League, AV-CTL, MCAA, Central Plains teams.

As final scores roll in see the story marked "FRIDAY NIGHT SCORES."

KC (Mo.) Rockhurst 28, Hutchinson 21 (F) --Hutchinson couldn't overcome a rash of mistakes in a meeting of the top teams in Kansas and Missouri. Hutchinson back Deveon Dinwiddie rushed for 130 yards, but just 11 came after halftime. Josh Smith ran for 122 yards for the Salt Hawks. For Rockhurst, quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase passed for 199 yards and ran for 92.

Ranked No. 10 nationally, Rockhurst snapped the Salt Hawks' 36-game winning streak.

KU whistle to blow again

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:40 CDT

The steam whistle that signaled the end of class periods at the University of Kansas for nearly a century will be tooting once again.

Earlier this week, university officials said they were silencing the whistle to save the $3,000 it costs each year to operate atop the university power plant.

Following an outpouring of support for the whistle and criticism for ending its life, Chancellor Robert Hemenway reversed course Friday, announcing the whistle will be back on the job starting Monday.

Hemenway said finding ways to save money is important and called the decision to silence the whistle "a well-intentioned move to save money."

Judge temporarily blocks Harrah's use of tribe's casino customer list

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:35 CDT

A district court judge today issued an order temporarily blocking Harrah's Entertainment Inc. from using a customer list from the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribal casino until 2010.

Shawnee County District Judge David Bruns urged both parties today to resolve their differences within the next 30 days through mediation. If not, the court then could set a date for further hearings to make the order permanent.

Harrah's managed the tribal casino north of Topeka for 10 years and the names of the tribal casino's customers went into Harrah's database.

The tribe is seeking to enforce a two-year noncompete agreement with Harrah's. It's concerned that Harrah's would use the tribe's customer database for the state-owned casino Harrah's will manage in Sumner County.

Return to Kansas.com for updates.

Ring stolen while clerk models it

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:20 CDT

A man walked up to a mall jewelry store, asked to see a 3.5-carat gold ring valued at $7,500, then snatched it off a clerk's finger, Wichita police say.

Wichita police are investigating the theft reported Thursday night at Kay Jewelers in Towne West.

After the man asked to see the ring, the clerk placed it on her finger to display it. The man reached across the counter, twisted the clerk's hand and snatched the ring, according to Gordon Bassham, spokesman for the Wichita Police Department.

The man ran from the north entrance of the mall, jumped into the passenger side of a waiting car, then sped off.

WSU sweeps Idaho State, goes to 6-0

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:24 CDT

Wichita State is off to best start in program history after a 3-0 win over Idaho State in the Best Western Volleyball Classic this morning at Koch Arena.

The 22nd-ranked Shockers (6-0) handled the Bengals (0-6) 25-15, 25-16, 25-13.

Emily Stockman led WSU with nine kills and hit .107. Katie Niggemeyer added five kills and hit .218. Lindsey Eckendrode contributed four kills and four service aces.

WSU hit .253 for the match and held Idaho State to minus-.027 hitting percentage.

The Shockers play Coastal Carolina at 8 tonight. They surpassed a 5-0 start in 1992 under coach Phil Shoemaker.

Machinists going on strike at Boeing

MOLLY MCMILLIN — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:20 CDT

Boeing and the Machinists union failed to reach an agreement today, and the union will go on strike as of 12:01 tonight, the union said on its Web site.

The Machinists union represents about 750 hourly workers at Boeing Wichita and about 26,000 near Seattle and Portland, Ore.

Members resoundingly rejected Boeing's contract offer on Wednesday and voted for a work stoppage.

However, the company and union agreed to negotiate for another 48 hours at the request of Washington's governor and a federal mediator.

"Continued contract talks with the Boeing Company did not address our issues," the union said on its Web site. "Armed with your strong strike vote, the IAM Negotiating Committee continues to try and convince the company to meet our members' demands."

Rain part of weekend plans

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:14 CDT

Remember that old wives' tale that goes: "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning?"

The glorious reds, oranges, purples and blues found in this morning's sunrise may give way later on in the morning to rain.

And the rainy forecast is with us through the weekend.

The National Weather Service is predicting showers and thunderstorms likely in the state through Sunday.

"We are going to see some rain perhaps by 9 a.m.," said Jerilyn Billings, meteorologist for the NWS in Wichita. "It could be wet this weekend. Nothing severe."

3 Wichita men waive extradition in homicide case

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:30 CDT

Reno County authorities aren't sure when the three Wichita men suspected of killing a Hutchinson man will be brought back to Kansas.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder said Thursday that the men have waived an extradition hearing. But he said he's still working out details with Oklahoma authorities on whether the men will face weapons charges there.

Ronald Beard, Felton Williams Jr. and Aubrey Oliver are accused in the shooting death of Kenneth Orlando White in his home early Monday.

The three were arrested that day after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper pulled them over in Stillwater for running a stop sign.

Officers reportedly found two guns stolen from Kansas in the vehicle and arrested the trio on allegations of knowingly concealing stolen property and transporting a loaded firearm.

McCain and Obama campaigns grapple for 'change'

ANDREW TAYLOR — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:45 CDT

Invigorated by back-to-back political conventions, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama grappled for the mantle of change Friday as the fall race for the presidency took off in states teeming with the independent voters they needed to win.

Within hours of accepting the Republican nomination, McCain sent an e-mail appeal for donations arguing that he and running mate Sarah Palin stood for reform in Washington. He also denounced "Democratic operatives" whom he said "have stooped lower than anyone could have imagined."

The dig appeared to be a reference to Palin's announcement earlier this week that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was five months' pregnant. Alaska's governor said Internet rumors about her family had led her to reveal her daughter's pregnancy.

Palin, who has stayed out of reach of reporters, was expected to continue making joint appearances with McCain through Saturday before returning to Alaska for a short visit. She was expected to begin campaigning on her own Monday in Florida.

McCain's selection of Palin as his running mate is drawing a mostly favorable though partisan response from the public, an ABC News poll said Friday. People also have substantial doubts about her experience, and her selection is having little impact on who they're likely to support.

Brownback exuberant in praise of McCain

BRENT D. WISTROM — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:39 CDT

Sen. Sam Brownback made a run for the presidency and he's eyeing the governor's seat. But Thursday night, he was all about Sen. John McCain.

Brownback leveled a passionate endorsement of McCain to Republicans here, drawing a repeated mantra of "Yes we will!" from the packed arena as he asked whether America would win in Iraq, develop cheaper energy and reform tax codes.

That powerful "Yes we will!" originated from the sunflower-clad Kansas delegation on the convention floor and quickly spilled through the Xcel Energy Center.

With rotating cityscapes cast on the jumbo screen behind him, Brownback rallied the crowd around McCain, depicting him in Washington, D.C., taking the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States.

"He will put his left hand on the Bible and raise his right hand about this high," he said, lifting his hand just short of his shoulder. "He can't raise it any higher because of the broken bones he suffered in Vietnam, serving his country and standing up for his men. I don't know about you, but where I come from that's called true grit."