Preliminary data shows the number of ‘felt’ earthquakes in Harper and Sumner counties has decreased since Kansas regulators set limits on drilling wastewater disposal. Regulators say they want to continue new limits on such disposal operations.

Early study findings suggest that as the amount of allowable wastewater disposal gradually decreased, there was a corresponding reduction in the strength of earthquakes.

Seismic monitoring also indicates the number of ‘unfelt’ earthquakes below magnitude of 2.5 have increased at the same time.
Staff from the Kansas Corporation Commission told the Harper County Commission Tuesday that it is recommending that KCC continue the existing limits.

The agency said in a news release that its staff also is recommending continued study of seismic activity and its relationship to large-volume disposal, but say the data is encouraging.

Oil wells typically produce a lot of saltwater, or brine, which is typically injected back underground. The average in Kansas ranges from 15 to 30 barrels of saltwater produced for every barrel of oil.

Data submitted by the KCC show more than 100,000 barrels (4.2 million gallons) were disposed in this manner in Harper County last year, nearly tripling the amount reported the year before.

KCC is expected to formally review the recommendations in mid-September.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State says it will pay a $5,000 fine after its marching band shaped itself into the rival Jayhawk mascot and what appeared to be a large phallus during a halftime show.

The school said Tuesday that band director Frank Tracz (trays) will miss the Nov. 28 game against Kansas and that university officials must approve future halftime shows.

The university says it decided to pay the self-imposed fine after the Big 12 Conference warned of potential sportsmanship and ethical conduct violations.

The controversy erupted after Saturday’s space-themed halftime show during the team’s home opener against South Dakota. One formation featured the Kansas State band forming the University of Kansas mascot and a phallic looking Starship Enterprise crashing into it.

Tracz has apologized for what he described as a “misinterpretation.”

More fatal crashes were reported over this year’s Labor Day holiday weekend on Missouri highways.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol eight people died over the holiday weekend, last year there were six.

The Labor Day holiday ran from 6 p.m., Friday, September 4, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 7, 2015.

During that time there were 348 traffic crashes, which included 167 injuries and eight fatalities.

Troopers also made 121 arrests for driving while intoxicated in 2015, compared to 77 arrests last year.

There was one boating fatality over the 2015 Labor Day holiday. Troopers investigated 10 boating crashes involving 13 injuries. There were three drownings reported. Troopers also arrested 23 people for boating while intoxicated over the weekend.

Of the eight traffic crash fatalities troopers investigated, two occurred in each of the following areas: Troop D, Springfield, MO, area; Troop E, Poplar Bluff, MO, area; and Troop F, Jefferson City, MO, area. One fatality occurred in Troop A, Lee’s Summit, MO; and Troop I, Rolla, MO, area.

One fatality occurred on Friday, September 4, 2015, during the counting period. Brian G. Rippeto, 48, of St. James, MO, died as the motorcycle he was driving traveled off the left side of the roadway striking a rock bluff before coming to rest. The crash occurred in Maries County on U.S. Highway 63 south of Missouri Highway A as his motorcycle was overtaking another vehicle. Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman pronounced Rippeto dead at the scene. The Maries County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.

Four fatalities occurred on Saturday, September 5, 2015. Patricia A. Pilcher, 52, of Fayette, MO, died when the motorcycle she was riding struck a deer in the roadway. Pilcher was ejected from the motorcycle. The crash occurred in Howard County on Missouri Highway 240 east of County Road 422. Dr. Tanner pronounced Pilcher dead at University Hospital. The Howard County Sheriff’s Department and Fayette Police Department responded to the scene.

Lane J. Holem, 11, of Florence, MO, died when he lost control of the John Deere tractor he was driving, traveled off the right side of the roadway, through a ditch, and up an embankment. Holem was ejected from the tractor, which then struck him. The tractor came to rest in the ditch. The crash occurred in Morgan County on Missouri Route DD west of Missouri Highway 135. Holem was pronounced deceased at the scene by authority of Dr. William Dennis at University Hospital. The Florence Fire Department, Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, and Morgan County Coroner Dr. Bill Jones responded to the scene.

Carmen N. Munoz, 78, of Bragg City, MO, died when another driver failed to yield and pulled into the path of Munoz’s vehicle. The crash occurred in Pemiscot County on Missouri Route J at Missouri Route C west of Deering, MO. Munoz was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the vehicle that failed to yield sustained serious injuries; that driver was wearing a seat belt. Dr. Walt Short pronounced Munoz dead at Twin Rivers Hospital.

Donald W. Egelston, 63, of Lincoln, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the left side of the roadway, crossed the median, and struck a northbound vehicle head on. The crash occurred in Pettis County on northbound U.S. 65 Highway at Manilla Road. Egelston was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. A passenger in Egelston’s vehicle sustained serious injuries; it is unknown whether or not he was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle Egelston’s vehicle struck sustained serious injuries; she was wearing a seat belt. A passenger in the vehicle Egelston’s vehicle struck sustained moderate injuries; she was wearing a seat belt. Dr. Jacob Quick pronounced Egelston dead at University Hospital. The Pettis County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene.

Two fatality crashes occurred on September 6, 2015. Joshua M. Hamilton, 21, of Rockaway Beach, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The crash occurred in Taney County on Missouri Highway 76 west of Bradleyville, MO. Hamilton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Dr. De Tar pronounced Hamilton dead at Cox Hospital.

Damian A. Winters, 14, of Oxly, MO, died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger ran off the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned. Winters, the driver, and another passenger were ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Ripley County on County Road T3 north of Oxly, MO. Winters was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle was not injured; a second passenger sustained moderate injuries; neither were wearing a seat belt. Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson pronounced Winters dead at the scene.

One crash occurred on Labor Day, September 7, 2015. Dakota R. Vest, 17, of Weableau, MO, died when he fell out of the bed of a truck in which he was a passenger. The crash occurred in St. Clair County on County Road 1131 north of Humansville, MO. Vest was taken to a paramedic’s residence where Deputy Polk County Coroner Melissa Britton pronounced him dead.

The one boating fatality occurred in Camden County on the Lake of the Ozarks on Labor Day, September 7, 2015. No further information is available at this time.

One person drowned on September 5, 2015. Cody D. Rush, 30, of Jefferson City, MO, was reported as missing. His body was recovered September 6, 2015. He drowned near the Bonnots Mill river access on the Osage River. Rush was not wearing a life jacket. Deputy Coroner Mike Thomas pronounced Rush dead.

Two people drowned on Labor Day, September 7, 2015. Danny G. Maddux, 64, of Barnhart, MO, was traveling in a canoe and floated onto a gravel bar. Maddux exited the canoe, fell and severely injured a leg, then traveled downstream for assistance. He attempted to cross the river, went under water, and failed to resurface. Maddux was not wearing a life jacket. The drowning occurred 100 yards downstream of the Meramec State Park boat ramp on the Meramec River. Missouri Baptist Ambulance personnel pronounced Maddux dead. Missouri State Park Rangers, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.

Joseph R. Borgschulte, 55, of Sedgewickville, MO, was swimming and began to struggle to stay afloat. Borgschulte then submerged and did not resurface. He was not wearing a life jacket. The drowning occurred in a private lake on County Road 204 near Sedgewickville. Bollinger County Deputy coroner Calvin Troxell pronounced Borgschulte dead at the scene.