ABILENE, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas police chief accused of disseminating or requesting criminal history information without a legitimate need is scheduled to make his first appearance next month on misdemeanor criminal charges.

The Salina Journal (https://bit.ly/29BUiyv ) reports that Bronson Campbell’s Dickinson County District Court appearance has been rescheduled for Aug. 18. His first appearance initially was scheduled for July 21. Campbell declined to discuss the case with The Associated Press.

Campbell was the Enterprise police chief from May 2013 until May 2014, when his appointment wasn’t renewed. He is currently the Valley Falls police chief and is seeking the Republican nomination for Jefferson County sheriff.

The complaint alleges that in 2014, Campbell disseminated criminal history information, or requested such information from the central repository of another criminal justice agency, without a legitimate need.

Kansas Department of Health & Environment samples taken from Milford Lake this past Monday indicate lower levels of blue green algae cells in Zones A and B at the reservoir.

The Corps of Engineers reports that for the coming week Zone A on the south end of the lake will be clear, Zone B in the middle portion of the reservoir will be under a watch, and Zone C on the north end of the lake will be in a warning. In a warning situation boating and fishing are still allowed, but direct contact with the water such as swimming or jet skiing are discouraged.

Designated beaches operated by the Corps of Engineers and Milford State Park will remain open.

Lake users are reminded that blue green algae may move as the wind shifts and boaters should use cautiuon and move to a clear portion of the lake.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A class-action lawsuit has been filed saying that Westar Energy executives undervalued the company when selling it to Great Plains Energy.

The Topeka-Capital Journal  reports that Westar’s board of directors agreed to sell the company for about $12.2 billion on May 29. According to the agreemen, stockholders will receive $51 in cash and $9 in Great Plains stock.

Westar stockholder Troy Miller says that is unacceptable and filed the suit against the two companies and eight executives Wednesday. Miller says Westar’s stock price increased 55 percent in the year before its sale, but the $60 stock price Great Plains paid is only a 13 percent increase in Westar’s stock price.

He says Great Plains will get an increasingly valuable company, but will pay much less than what it is worth.

Westar spokeswoman Gina Penzig says the company cannot comment on pending litigation.

When it comes to the best place in Kansas to get a college education, Money Magazine says it’s Kansas State University.

The home of the Wildcats and purple pride is the highest-ranking university from Kansas on the magazine’s annual list of best colleges and its list of best colleges by state. The article notes that K-State is one of the first land-grant colleges in the nation; offers more than 250 majors and options through its nine colleges; works closely with military members and their families; and is nationally recognized for such programs as K-State Proud, the student-run philanthropy that has raised more than $1 million to help Kansas State University students in need.

With campuses in Manhattan, Olathe and the polytechnic campus in Salina, as well as K-State Global Campus for distance education, K-State leads the way in Kansas by providing options in higher education that fit the needs of any student, said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students.

“K-State is the college of choice among Kansas high school seniors and the largest undergraduate university in the state, so we’re not surprised to be ranked as the best college in Kansas by Money magazine,” Bosco said. “With our nationally ranked programs, outstanding faculty and staff, and services that help students achieve and succeed, K-State is known for its family atmosphere and as a place where students from Kansas and across the nation and world can thrive.”

Bosco also said K-State leads the state’s universities in freshmen-to-sophomore retention rates, helps students afford college by awarding more than $230 million annually in financial aid, and encourages students to get involved through its more than 475 student organizations, active Student Governing Association and Greek system, a leadership studies program that emphasizes community engagement and more.

With an eye on the future, the university is working toward becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025. Opportunities for undergraduate research abound in both the arts and sciences, Bosco said. Students also can broaden their horizons through K-State’s study abroad program, which offers learning opportunities in more than 85 countries.

K-State also is building for the future. Bosco noted that spring and summer 2016 saw the opening of Engineering Hall, the newest addition to the university’s engineering complex, and the Berney Family Welcome Center, home to New Student Services and Career Center. Opening this fall will be the new College of Business Administration building and Wefald Hall, K-State’s new residence hall. Among major projects set to open in 2017 include the K-State Student Union expansion and renovation and Seaton Hall expansion and renovation for the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.

The Corps of Engineers has reported that the dewatering process has been completed at the Milford Lake Dam.  This inspection of the dam is done once every five year.

The Corps said they are now going to an outflow of 500 cubic feet of water per second from the lake.

On average, a child dies from heatstroke in the back seat of a parked car every 10 days, and the death toll typically rises to two per week from May to September, according to the International Parking Institute.

Julie Hettinger, Community Health Planner for the Geary County Health Department says that this year alone there have been 18 heat related child deaths.

“On a day that it’s only 72 degrees, the temperature inside the car can increase 30 to 40 degrees in just an hour, but 70% of that occurs within the first 30 minutes; it really can only take less than 10 minutes for the car to heat up,” said Hettinger.

Hettinger says she uses the A.C.T. model to help parents remember their children in the back seat of their cars.

A – Avoiding heat stroke related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in the car. This includes keeping your car locked when parked at your home so if kids are out playing they can’t get in to the car alone.

C –  Creating reminders; making sure you don’t forget they’re back there when you are driving. Hettinger suggests leaving a purse or cellphone in the back seat to create those reminders.

T – Take action; if you ever see a child alone in a car call 911.

Hettinger says the Geary County Health Department does offer help with parenting skills and other services if needed.

For more information visit https://www.jcgchealthdept.org/.