Month: August 2017

Former Kansas Lt. Gov. Tom Docking dies at 63

by Stephen Koranda, Kansas News Service

Former Kansas Lt. Gov. Tom Docking died Thursday night at age 63.

Docking served with Democratic Gov. John Carlin from 1983 to 1987. He was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1986 but lost to Republican Mike Hayden.

The Associated Press reports that Docking was living in Wichita and had been fighting cancer.
In a Friday Facebook post, Carlin recalled Docking’s legacy.

“He was an extraordinarily valuable member of the Carlin administration and, most importantly, a strong and dignified public servant for the State of Kansas,” Carlin said. “We are a better state because of the contributions of Tom and the entire Docking family, who have given so much to Kansas.”

State Rep. Brandon Whipple, a Wichita Democrat, recalled Friday how Docking donated his time and shared his experience with new candidates. Whipple sought that advice when he was first running for office.

“Nobody knew who I was,” he said. “He actually took the time, met with me and gave me some really good advice on how I could be a better servant to my community.”

Whipple said Docking was generous when it came to helping others.

“He led by example,” he said. “Tom was always one of those people who didn’t mind taking time out and giving back.”

Docking’s father and grandfather were both former governors of Kansas. His father, Robert Docking, was governor from 1967 to 1975 and his grandfather, George Docking, had the job from 1957 to 1961.

His wife, Jill Docking, ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1996 and lieutenant governor in 2014.

Docking’s death was confirmed by the law firm where he worked, the Morris Laing office in Wichita.

“Tom was the definition of a gentleman and a wonderful partner,” said A.J. Schwartz, CEO of the firm.

Earlier this year, the University of Kansas Law School gave Docking the Distinguished Alumni Award, calling him a “dedicated community servant.” The award noted his work on downtown development in Wichita and water conservation.

“He used his law degree to further the interests of his community and the state of Kansas. His contributions will be felt for years to come,” Stephen Mazza, dean of the KU Law School, said Friday.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to kcur.org.

See more at http://kcur.org/post/former-kansas-lt-gov-tom-docking-dies-63.

T-Bones can’t catch RailCats in series finale

The Kansas City T-Bones got off to a great start on Sunday then things turned quickly in favor of Gary SouthShore, which would go on to win the final game of the series 10-5 at U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.

In the top of the second Niko Vasquez took Alex Gunn deep off the scoreboard in left to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead.

The good vibes ended in the bottom of the second, when Billy Waltrip could not get out of the inning. The left-hander walked Jose Gonzalez and gave up a single to Ryan Fitzgerald to put runners at first and second.

Cole Fabio followed with a single to load the bases. Waltrip then walked Chase Harris to tie the game at one.

Colin Willis then hit a sacrifice fly to center to give the RailCats the lead at 2-1. Joey Havrilak doubled home two more runs part of a five RBI day for the outfielder.

Cameron Newell then hit a single to center to make it a 5-0 lead for Gary. Waltrip was relieved by Rich Mascheri, who got the final two outs of the second.

In the home half of the third Havrilak and Newell each had an RBI single to make it 7-1 Gary off reliever Gabe Perez. Perez surrendered another three runs only two earned in the fifth on three hits by Gary for a 10-1 lead.

Kansas City fought back with a two-run homer for Nike Vasquez, his second on the game, and a pair of RBI singles from Cedric Hunter, but the T-Bones could not get any closer in the 10-5 final.

The loss dropped both Kansas City and Gary a half-game behind Fargo-Moorhead in the American Association Wild Card race.

The T-Bones’ final road trip moves on to Sioux City Monday for the first of a four-game series against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network with the pregame at 6:45 p.m.

In the Wild Card race for a post-season spot, Gary will travel to Sioux Falls for four while Fargo will play host to Lincoln for five games including a double header Monday.

The T-Bones will send out right-handed pitcher Alex Blackford (1-1, 2.25) in the series opener and newly acquired righty Jared Mortensen (8-1, 2.57) on Tuesday in the second game of the series.

Tickets to home games are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.

– Story from T-Bones

Two injured in accident on I-70

An injury accident was reported at 11:42 a.m. Aug. 27 on westbound I-70 at the Indian Springs exit, according to a Kansas Turnpike Authority trooper’s report.

According to the trooper’s report, a Toyota Prius slowed in traffic and was struck in the rear by a Ford Ranger.

The driver of the Ranger, a 16-year-old Independence, Missouri, male, was injured and taken to a hospital, according to the report.

The driver of the Prius, a 36-year-old Newton, Kansas, woman, also was injured and taken to a hospital, the report stated.