Phillipsburg resident Marilyn June Minkler passed away Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 86.
She was born June 19, 1928 in Courtland, KS, the daughter of Melvin & Fern (Sojandler) Kellogg. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband Milburn of Phillipsburg; 4 sons, Terry of Tyro, KS, Wallace of Hays, KS, Gerald & James of Phillipsburg; 1 daughter, Adina Brown of Neosho, MO; 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren & 8 great great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Tues, Feb. 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cedar Cemetery, Cedar, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Retirement Center.
Visitation will be from noon to 9:00 Monday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Developers and local officials are concerned about how a pending federal decision on the status of a small bat could affect construction projects in eastern Kansas.
The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife is expected to decide in April whether the northern long-eared bat should be listed as an endangered or threatened species.
The Wichita Eagle reports Kansas is on the periphery of the bat’s range. But last week, Wichita city engineer Gary Janzen told the city council not to delay any decisions on an interchange project for too long because the decision on the bat could affect tree removal at the site.
The bat lives mostly in the eastern U.S. but 66 Kansas counties could be affected if the animal is listed.
ELLIS–During their Monday meeting, Ellis USD 388 board members will discuss the possibility of moving the Junior High 7th and 8th grade classes to Ellis High School.
The move has been considered and discussed over recent years to look at various scenarios of how this could be implemented. At tonight’s meeting, the Board of Education may take action to move forward with the reorganization.
Over the past two years, two bond elections failed which contained options of adding space at EHS for a small Junior High wing.
Despite those bonds failing, the issues that have been reported concerning space issues at Washington Grade School and transporting students between attendance centers have not improved, according to Superintendent Bob Young.
At the current time at WGS, every classroom in the building is being used. Just two classes have not been split due to lower numbers of students in those respective classes. With new students constantly moving into the school district, this presents a problem if either of those two classes saw significant increases in enrollment requiring the class to be split, there would be no room available for that split.
Since the Christmas break, WGS has had 7 new students enroll. With this type of transition into
the district, the Board and administration are looking to be proactive in having the necessary classroom space for students.
A concern that has been voiced over the recent years in opposition to moving the Junior High has been segregating those students from the High School students.
Administration has been working with the teaching staff to devise a plan that would maintain a high level of separation and have devised a plan that should work well. Primarily, the north hallway would be used for Junior High classes while the west hallway would be for High School. Concepts of classroom maps were shared at the January Board meeting.
No decision to make the move has been made at this time. The Board will deliberate the idea during their meeting tonight, which starts at 6:30p.m. in the Ellis Highs School library.
A motion to move forward, to not move at all, or table the discussion to a future meeting could be made at that time.
Bob Young is the Ellis USD 388 Superintendent
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee is reviewing Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal to issue $1.5 billion in bonds to help lower the state’s annual costs in funding pensions for teachers and government workers.
The House Pensions and Benefits Committee’s will discuss a bill authorizing the bonds if the state would pay interest of 5 percent or less to bondholders. A meeting scheduled for Monday was postponed so members could attend a funeral.
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System has a projected long-term funding gap of $9.8 billion, and the state has committed to raising annual contributions to eliminate it by 2033.
The bonds would give KPERS an infusion of cash, boost its investment earnings and allow the state to lower annual contributions of tax dollars.
Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, R-Palco is a co-sponsor of the bill.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two state representatives are proposing a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to hunt, fish and trap in Kansas. Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, A Republican from Palco, is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Rep. Adam Lusker, a Democrat from Frontenac, says the amendment is a reaction to bans or restrictions pushed by animal rights supporters in other states. For example, trapping is banned in Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Washington.
The Joplin Globe reports 18 states have constitutional amendments guaranteeing the right to hunt and fish. A similar effort failed in Missouri last year but a sponsor says he plans to pursue the idea again.
Kristin Simon, who works with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says the group opposes such amendments because they make it difficult to ban hunting and trapping methods the some people consider cruel.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence police are searching for two men after a shooting injured three people near the University of Kansas campus.
Police spokesman Sgt. Trent McKinley says police think the suspects and victims in Sunday’s shooting know each other but a motive for the shooting has not been released.
McKinley says the search for the shooters was continuing Monday morning.
The victims were taken to Kansas City area hospitals with injuries that were considered life threatening. Their identities weren’t released.
The shooting occurred in a residence just south of the University of Kansas campus and a few blocks from Schwegler Elementary School.
The college issued an alert late in the afternoon after authorities said one of the suspects was seen running toward the campus.
TOPEKA–Kansas Insurance Department personnel continue to monitor and assess the impact of the online data breach of Anthem, Inc., the second-largest health insurance company in the United States.
Ken Selzer, Commissioner of Insurance, said Friday in a news release that some Kansans’ personal information may have been compromised as part of the overall cyberattack on Anthem, which exposed approximately 80 million records.
“Anthem has yet to disclose the number of Kansans who might be affected,” Commissioner Selzer said, “but those people who have insurance through Anthem should contact the company.”
Commissioner Selzer has been informed that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City are working closely with Anthem to identify any potential information breaches of their members. Any impacted members will be notified in writing.
Anthem and the two local Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations are independent companies; however, all are licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
“Cybersecurity is something everyone needs to practice,” Commissioner Selzer said. “We need to be vigilant in making sure our personal information is kept secure. Kansas consumers should always be aware of activity on their banking and financial accounts and let their institutions know if something appears suspicious.”
Issues surrounding school finance and the budget took center stage at the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce’s first Eggs & Issues forum on Saturday morning.
State legislators recently passed a budget for the 2015 fiscal year that diverts highway and other special funds into the state’s general fund to cover a near $350 million shortfall. As revenues continue to fall away from projections and bond ratings get lower, 110th District Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, and 40th District Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, were asked what should be done with the income tax cuts signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback.
“I don’t see how we can come out of this without raising the income taxes a little bit,” Boldra said.
On the other hand, Ostmeyer, a 10-year veteran in the Senate chamber, had a different opinion, due to the weak economy in Kansas. Over the past few months, Kansas has lagged behind other neighboring states in job growth and other factors.
“I don’t want to raise any new taxes. I don’t think the economy needs it right now, and I don’t think it could stand it either,” he said.
Ostmeyer also said he was “totally against” raising sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes in the state.
After Brownback slashed education funding earlier this week, community members also made it clear they continue to worry about the state’s funding of education. At the beginning of 2015, a Shawnee County District Court panel found that the state does not fund education at an adequate level.
“We all know the state Constitution tells us we have to fund an adequate education, but nobody can tell us what that means,” Boldra said. “The court didn’t put a dollar amount in there.”
Both legislators did agree the school finance formula needs to be revamped. Brownback emphasized a plan to change the funding formula during this year’s State of the State address.
“There are some changes that need to be made and I know (our rural schools) are worried that they’ll lose if it’s changed,” Boldra said. “We’ve changed (the formula) and haven’t gone back to look at the whole thing. … I know it’s going to create a lot of angst for many of us, but it’s something we have to do.”
“The formula was good when it came out in 1992,” Ostmeyer added. “We’re sending a lot of money toward education that’s not getting back to the classroom. … In Goddard, they replaced a high school that was barely 10 years old and now it looks like a junior college.”
Legislators also discussed a bill that would bring hard liquor and full-strength beer to grocery stores by 2018. Boldra is seeking the opinion of her constituents while Ostmeyer does not support the legislation.
GREAT BEND -The Jeffrey Wade Chapman murder trial is in its second week at the Barton County Courthouse.
Chapman is accused of killing 25-year old Damon Galyart in 2011.
Hunters in a field west of Great Bend found Galyart’s body.
It took three days to select a jury from a pool of over 200 people.
Testimony began on Thursday and the jury was sent home for the weekend at noon on Friday to allow defense attorney Kurt Kerns to attend to a death in his family.
Kerns told the jury last week that he will not argue that Chapman didn’t kill Galyart, instead arguing that his client killed Galyart because he was in reasonable fear for his own life.
The self-defense argument brings less serious charges, and according to state law, deadly force is permitted when a person feels their life is in jeopardy.
This time of year tends to bring out the organization skills in some people. I hear a lot about freezing meals ahead of time to make dinner easier when everyone arrives home. I support this concept, but as I scroll through creative web pages, blogs and other social media, I become concerned that what was started as an idea to create time-saving meals may sometimes become a problem if careful thought and planning aren’t applied to the concept.
On Thursday, February 12, the Ellis County Extension Office will offer a free noon-hour program on “Freezer-Ready Slow Cooker Meals.” The guest speaker will be Jamie Rathbun, Midway Extension District Agent from Ellsworth. Jamie will share tips and recipes for preparing safe and delicious slow cooker meals for the freezer.
The program will be held at noon at the Extension meeting room, 601 Main Street in Hays. Bring a lunch to enjoy during the program, if desired. Pre-register for this program by calling the Ellis County Extension Office at 785-628-9430.
Here are a few key ideas to keep in mind as you consider making meals for the freezer:
• How long do foods stay good in the freezer? A freezer is not designed to hold food forever. Freezing at zero degree inactivates microbes, bacteria, yeasts and molds present in food, but quality may decline over time. As you prepare meals for the freezer, also plan to use them while at the peak of quality.
• Do I have enough freezer space? A rule of thumb to remember is a food two inches thick should freeze completely in about two hours. Don’t stack packages to be frozen; instead, spread them out in on various shelves to freeze rapidly, then stack them after they have frozen solid. Be aware of how much space you have and what you already have prepared. It is always a good idea to keep a freezer inventory list of what is on hand.
• How can I package freezer meals? Proper packaging helps maintain quality and prevent freezer burn. Consider how you will be preparing the food when you thaw it. Will it be cooked in the microwave, slow cooker, oven or by other means? This will determine what kinds of packaging materials you will use – freezer bags, disposable foil pans, plastic containers or other safe freezer material. Ensure the material is made for freezing (thick enough to withstand time in the freezer), can seal air-tight and does not leak. As you prepare foods for freezing, label items with the date, a description of the food product and cooking directions.
• How can I prepare freezer meals safely? When preparing meals for the freezer, leave perishable food in the refrigerator until you have read through the recipes and organized all other ingredients and packaging materials. Label bags or containers prior to beginning the assembly of meals. Working quickly and efficiently will keep potentially hazardous foods out of the temperature danger zone and help control the growth of bacteria that could cause foodborne illness.
USDA recommends that frozen slow cooker meals should be thawed in the refrigerator prior to putting them in the slow cooker to ensure food safety during the lengthy cooking process.
Planning ahead and working quickly to minimize the growth of harmful bacteria can provide safe and delicious freezer meals. When you can have a healthful meal from the freezer at the end of a busy day, you may be less likely to go through the drive-thru or buy convenience foods for your family. That’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Call the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-628-9430, to attend the free program on “Freezer-Ready Slow Cooker Meals” on Thursday, February 12 at noon at the Extension meeting room, 601 Main Street in Hays.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
The downtown streets of Hays will be a “rainbow of colors” March 7, when the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and the Hays Police Department partner for the Flash Dash 5K Walk and Run, a fundraiser for the Western Kansas Special Olympics.
Flash Dash co-coordinator and sheriff’s department records clerk Roberta Oborny said participants are encouraged to wear their flashiest and brightest colors for the event.
“It’s a great opportunity to show your support for the Special Olympics,” she said. “A lot of the (Special Olympic) athletes will be out there cheering you on or (participating) in the walk. … It’s just a fun time. (The athletes) enjoy it and we enjoy it.”
The Flash Dash is replacing the traditional Polar Plunge, a five-year tradition where teams dressed up in costumes and jumped into a cold pool in mid-winter.
“We just wanted to try something different this year. We may bring the Polar Plunge back next year,” Oborny said.
Registration by Feb. 20 is $20 and includes a T-shirt. The fee increases to $25 after Feb. 20, and a is not guaranteed.
Registration the day of Flash Dash begins at 6:45 a.m. at 200 W. 13th. The dash begins at 8 a.m.
I figure I’ve written this outdoor column long enough by now that I’ve earned license to ramble a little, so here goes. Most of you have heard by now, whether you’re outdoor enthusiasts or not, that a bald eagle was found shot to death last week near Marion Reservoir.
Each winter, several hundred bald eagles migrate through Kansas. They like our big reservoirs and rivers and they like to roost in the trees that line the north branch of the Cottonwood River where it flows into Marion Reservoir. It is a federal offense to kill any eagle or other raptor or to possess their parts, nor can you capture one without a special permit, so killing this eagle could earn the simpleton who did this upwards of a $5,000 fine and a year in the slammer. Although I have no idea why someone would shoot an eagle of any variety, I can picture a couple scenarios.
I work at a local nursing/retirement home and occasionally arrange programs for the residents. A few years ago I persuaded some friends from the Kansas Hawking Club to come and bring a few of their hawks for show and tell. As I was advertising the event, I talked to an old farmer I’ll call Kurt who lived in one of the apartments there. When I told him about the hawks, he replied “They just all need shootin’!”
Evidently he’d lost a chicken or two over the years to marauding hawks or owls, which happens occasionally, but is by no means the norm. Bald eagles follow migrating geese and eat mostly wounded or dying waterfowl and fish, not chickens, dogs or cats. But I can picture some farmer who had lost poultry over the years to hawks or owls spotting a bald eagle perched in a tree near his farm and deciding it looked mighty nice in the crosshairs of a rifle scope.
Another scenario I picture simply involves guys hangin’ out, maybe enjoying a little liquid refreshment and deciding someone should shoot an eagle just to see if they could get away with it. Lots of stupid deeds by groups of people begin with the four little words “Here, hold my beer!”
Bald eagles, as protected and regal as they are, would make pretty easy targets to the many unethical and unprofessional slob hunters that seem to roam the woods anymore.
I know from working in the prison for ten years that many prison inmates are animal lovers, so if they catch the guy who shot this eagle I guess we can always hope he becomes a popular guy in the pokey, if you know what I mean Anyway, I guess I’ve ranted enough, so if this old man can get down off his soapbox without fallin’ on his head, I’ll help you again next week Explore Kansas Outdoors.
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
