Etta Fern Ashcraft, age 83, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2015 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on July 15, 1931 in Copeland, Kansas, the daughter of Spencer and Jessie Shuman Glover. A lifetime resident of Limon, Colorado, she moved to Scott City, Kansas in March of 2014. She was a homemaker and an avid painter.
She was a member of the Central Bible Church in Remah, Colorado.
On December 28, 1946 she married Walter A. Ashcraft in Limon, Colorado. He passed away on May 31, 1997 in Satanta, Kansas.
Survivors include her One Son – Terry & Jayne Ashcraft of Limon, Colorado, One Daughter – Diana & Dick Jennison of Healy, Kansas, Three Brothers – Dale & Lynn Glover of Arizona, Edward & Linda Glover of Limon, Colorado, Gary & Georgiana Glover of Calhan, Colorado, One Sister – Edna Mae Boegher of Dodge City, Kansas, One Nephew – Mike & Heather Glover of Washington, Two Nieces – Dana Cranston of Park, Kansas, Donna Glover of New Mexico, Fourteen Grandchildren and Eight Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Two Brothers,Two Sisters and One Granddaughter.
Memorial Services will be held at Love Funeral Home in Limon, Colorado on Friday, April 10, 2015.
Memorials can be given to the American Cancer Society.
Inurnment will be in the Simla Cemetery in Simla, Colorado.
Longtime HHS band director Craig Manteuffel discusses “new challenge” ahead.
By KARI BLURTON Hays Post
Hays High School Band Director Craig Manteuffel admitted he probably “shocked” the community when it was announced early this week he was leaving the district after 19 years to join the Kansas State High School Activities Association this summer.
“I think a lot of people thought I would retire from here, and I really had plans to do that” Manteuffel said. “Then I had people contact me from around the state and said I should look into the (KSHAA) job, because is a very important job. It’s not dealing with kids directly, but it affects kids across the state of Kansas and that is what my whole life has been about — helping kids.”
Manteuffel’s job duties as assistant executive director will include administration of KSHAA sponsored high school events across the state from musical festivals to debate competitions.
Manteuffell and HHS Sophomore Rachelle Lumpkins discuss future of HHS band without longtime leader, “He has been a big influence in my life,” Lumpkins said.
Manteuffel said he is feeling a “whirlwind” of emotions these days, but said the hardest part was telling his students — many he has known since they were sixth graders — he would not be their band director next year.
”It’s tough to leave that type of situation. … job changes do come around, so you just have to deal with the emotions,” he said. “And it is really hard to leave the kids …. but you know the Hays kids — they will adjust. … We have some wonderful musicians here, so the new person can come in and take the ball and roll with it.”
HHS Sophomore Rachelle Lumpkins is one on those many students Manteuffel has taught since sixth grade. She said there were times she wanted to quit band, but it wasManteuffel who encouraged her to stick with band and fulfill her dream of becoming a music educator.
“Mr. Manteuffel, over the years, has tried to get to know each and every individual band person on a personal level, and that is just amazing as a teacher,” Lumpkins said. “I can handle this, but I’m not ready to let him go yet, but I know I will be.”
Hays High Senior Alex Crowley is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall as a music education major and said Manteuffel was a “great” influence on him.
Hays High Senior Alex Crowley waves from the band’s practice room, stating it was Mantueffel who taught him the importance of hard work and discipline.
“I learned a lot from him about discipline and improving yourself,” Crowley said. “I know he feels very sad about (leaving) and I do too, but I think (the new job) is a great thing for Mr. Manteuffel. I feel it will all work out in the end.”
Hays High School Principal Marty Straub already has assured the students the position will be filled, a gesture Manteuffel said he appreciated.
“That made me feel really good that (Straub) would come in to reassure (the students),” Manteuffel said. “In these times with all the cuts from Topeka … the kids are worried because they have had teachers leave and the job not be filled, and it says something about our district too that they want to keep the excellence going on the instrumental side of music.”
SALINA – Sunflower Bank is partnering with Make-A-Wish to help fulfill the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions. Sunflower has set a goal to donate $50,000 to Make-A-Wish chapters serving the Sunflower communities in Kansas, Colorado and Missouri. To reach this goal, Sunflower will donate 5 cents for every swipe of a Sunflower Bank debit card, now through June 30.
“We are thrilled to partner with Make-A-Wish,” said Mollie Carter, president and CEO of Sunflower Bank. “I can think of nothing more important than helping the children in our communities’ dreams come true with the assistance of Make-A-Wish. We are fortunate to be in a position to help.”
Sunflower Bank works with organizations and schools in their communities to provide them much needed attention and resources. In addition, Sunflower team members volunteer several thousand hours of service each year.
“Our vision is to make every eligible child’s wish come true,” said Dr. April Abernethy, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Kansas. “The inspiration and creativity it takes to grant a wish doesn’t come from a process or formula, it comes from the heart and community engagement. We applaud Sunflower Bank for making such a bold statement that community and our wish kids matter. Their commitment to helping Make-A-Wish will have such a positive impact.”
A child can be referred to Make-A-Wish by an immediate family member, guardian, healthcare professional, or a child can refer themselves. Following referral, a certified medical professional must verify that the child has a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish volunteers work with the family to ensure the wish is memorable for the wish kid and their family.
The Make-A-Wish Kansas chapter will be the beneficiary of all funds raised in Kansas. Customers and non-customers can also make donations to Make-A-Wish Kansas at any Sunflower Bank branch.
For more information on Make-A-Wish and to learn how you can support this worthy cause, visit www.SunflowerBank.com.
WAKEENEY — Bosselman Energy Inc., formerly Schreiner’s Inc., announced this week it has relocated its WaKeeney office to 24078 U.S. 40, WaKeeney.
The company had an existing building at this location and decided to add on to centralize all its services. The original building was mainly used for truck maintenance and repairs. Now Bosselman has propane, lubricants, trucks and offices all in one place.
Bosselman Energy completed a 40-by-55-square-foot addition in December. Both new and old are fully insulated and are connected with a cut out between the existing and original buildings.
“This facility will provide us with an office, storage for oils, lubricants and propane. It’s nice to have everything close together in one location.” said Bryce Woodall, manager of Bosselman Energy, WaKeeney.
For more information, visit www.bosselmanenergy.com.
Photo by Jim McLean About 100 people attended a Statehouse rally on Wednesday to call attention to budget problems they believe are being caused by Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts.
By Jim McLean
About 100 people rallied Wednesday within earshot of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s office to demand the repeal of income tax cuts they say are crippling the state.
The Rev Up Kansas coalition staged the event to call attention to the state’s ongoing budget problems, which organizers said are the result of tax cuts that Brownback championed in the mistaken belief that they would jump-start the Kansas economy.
Shannon Cotsoradis, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the steep drop in revenue is forcing cuts in programs that are essential to low-income children and their families.
“I simply don’t believe that Kansans want tax policies that short-circuit investments in the next generation,” Cotsoradis said.
“Let’s reverse course before it’s too late for an entire generation of Kansas children.” News of additional revenue shortfalls added urgency to the rally.
Late Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Revenue reported that the state had collected $11.2 million less than estimated in March. With three months left to go in the 2015 fiscal year, tax collections are running a total of $48 million behind already lowered estimates.
“When one is in a hole, one is advised to stop digging,” said Mark Farr, a Nickerson High School science teacher on leave to serve as president of the Kansas National Education Association. Noting that the hole had just become $11.2 million deeper, Farr said, “We must agree to end the governor’s failed experiment.”
Just before the legislative session started in January, plummeting revenues forced Brownback to order allotments — a combination of cuts and cash transfers — to close a projected $300 million budget gap. But only weeks later, continued revenue shortfalls forced him to make another $44.5 million in cuts to state universities and public schools.
If tax collections continue to fall short of projections in April and May, additional cuts will be necessary to ensure the state ends the fiscal year in the black.
Photo by Jim McLean Literature from the Mainstream Coalition and other organizations that staged a rally Wednesday to draw attention to budget problems they believe are being caused by the income tax cuts championed by Gov. Sam Brownback.
Bigger problems lie ahead in the budget year that begins July 1. Brownback and lawmakers are facing a projected deficit of at least $600 million. A Senate-passed budget bill partially closes the gap but would require tax increases of $141 million to balance. Speakers at the rally said repealing the income tax cuts would be the best way to solve the budget problems.
Former state budget director Duane Goossen said the first year the tax cuts were in effect, the state collected $700 million less in revenue than the year before and that collections have continued to drop.
“Kansas does not have nearly enough revenue to cover normal, reasonable expenses,” said Goossen, now a senior fellow at the Kansas Center for Economic Growth and the author of the Kansas Budget blog. K
ansas Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan continues to say that the revenue shortfalls are a “temporary” byproduct of the tax cuts. Both he and Brownback point to improving employment numbers as evidence that the administration’s tax policies are spurring economic growth.
Last week, Brownback said adjusted statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor showed Kansas ranked second in its five-state region for private sector job growth in 2014. “These corrected numbers show that our tax policy is working, bringing jobs and people to Kansas,” the governor said in a news release.
Brownback has said he believes higher sales tax receipts eventually will replace some of the revenue being lost because of the income tax cuts. So far this fiscal year, sales and use tax receipts are $40 million higher than estimated. However, they were $7.8 million short of projections in March.
Jim McLean is executive editor of KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.
HUTCHINSON — The Kansas State Fair has announced that in celebration of “Ye Old Mill’s” 100th birthday, the 2015 Kansas State Fair Museum’s exhibit will be “The Year Of The Ride.”
“It is a perfect theme” says State Fair Museum Director, Charlotte Summers. “There is so much history and great stories about Ye Old Mill, Royal American Shows, and the other featured fair rides.”
Summers and the museum volunteers are busy collecting and identifying artifacts. If anyone is willing to loan or donate information or artifacts for the display contact The Kansas State Fair [email protected] or 620.669.3600
The Kansas State Fair Museum, located in the Lair White House, opened in 2014 with the inaugural exhibit dedicated to J.B. Holdren, “Bardo the Clown”.
Even though it is the “Year of the Ride,” Holdren’s work, as it relates to the rides, will be featured.
Additional museum items will include a Ye Old Mill original boat, vintage photos, history of the carousel horse and much more.
The State Fair Museum will be open during the Fair and admission to the museum is free.
Gregg Marshall will remain Wichita State’s head basketball coach. Sources say he’s verbally agreed to a new seven-year contract that will pay him nearly $3-million per season.
Marshall interviewed with Alabama on Monday but their athletic director Bill Battle released a statement Wednesday night saying they are moving on with their search.
Marshall has 204 wins in his eight years at Wichita State and has led the Shockers to four straight NCAA tournament appearances including the 2013 Final Four.
Gusty north winds will continue across western Kansas overnight as a cold front moves through the region. Look for lows down into the 40s tonight.
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 10 to 14 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Tonight Showers likely, mainly between midnight and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Breezy, with a north wind 14 to 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Friday A chance of rain and snow, mainly before 7am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 45. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 76. Monday Sunny, with a high near 82.
Fort Hays State picked up its second-straight conference victory on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 1) against Emporia State at the FHSU Tennis Courts in Hays. The Tigers edged the Hornets 5-4 to move to 9-7 overall and 2-5 in the MIAA.
Emporia State (8-6, 2-2 MIAA) had only four players on Wednesday as two were unavailable for the dual. The Tigers took advantage, taking one doubles match and one singles match in order to grab the win.
FHSU took a 2-1 lead on the Hornets after doubles play as the teams split the two contested matches. The No. 3 team of Jessica Johnson and Michelle Miller picked up the forfeit win. At No. 2 doubles, Brittney Ricci and Katie Harp defeated Fugit and Khounsombath 8-5. The No. 1 team of Camille Caron-Bedard and Rienette Strydom had a close match, but fell 8-6 to Griffey and Smith.
FHSU immediately took a 4-1 lead in the match at the start of singles play with the No. 5 and No. 6 positions open for ESU. Ricci had a hand in both wins that were contested for FHSU. She went on to defeat Amy Fugit at No. 2 singles 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the match for the Tigers.
Caron-Bedard had a great battle with Tawni Griffey at No. 1 singles. Caron-Bedard took a big first-set lead and held on 6-4, but Griffey pulled out the second set by a score of 7-5. The third set came down to a win-by-two situation, but Griffey was able to pick up the final two points to escape with an 11-9 win over Caron-Bedard.
At No. 3 singles, Taylor Smith of ESU defeated Miller 6-0, 6-2, while at No. 4 singles, Tiffany Khounsombath of ESU defeated Hipp 6-2, 6-3.
The Tigers host Washburn in conference action on Friday (Apr. 3) at 2 pm.
Fort Hays State Women’s Basketball was picked eighth in the final version of the 2014-15 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 poll, released this week by the organization.
California University of Pennsylvania was the top-ranked squad after winning the NCAA Championship last month, and runner-up California Baptist was picked second. From there, semifinalists Limestone College and Emporia State were slotted third and fourth while Lewis University closed out the Top 5.
FHSU and ESU were joined in the final poll by Pittsburg State (No. 16) from the MIAA, while Central Region opponents Wayne State College (No. 18), Arkansas Tech (receiving 16 votes), Harding (receiving 16 votes), Northern State (receiving 15 votes) and Minnesota State (receiving nine votes) were also mentioned in the rankings.
The Tigers finished the season at 30-4 overall, winning the MIAA Regular Season Championship and reaching the 30-win margin for the second time in program history. FHSU closed out its campaign in the NCAA Tournament Central Region final. The squad was ranked as high as second in the nation this season and strung together a 21-game win streak between November and February.
The final WBCA Top 25 is below…
Rank
Institution – First Place Votes
Previous Rank
Record
Total Points
1
California University of Pennsylvania (Pa.) – 27
14
32-4
728
2
California Baptist University
NR
29-7
653
3
Limestone College (S.C.) – 2
2
34-2
629
4
Emporia State University (Kan.)
9
29-5
619
5
Lewis University (Ill.)
4
31-3
558
6
West Texas A&M University
5
30-3
541
7
Nova Southeastern University (Fla.)
18
27-6
514
8
Fort Hays State University (Kan.)
6
30-4
465
9
University of New Haven (Conn.)
23
26-6
462
10
Union University (Tenn.)
12
28-4
434
11
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
15
26-5
417
12
Stonehill College (Mass.)
13
24-5
379
13
University of Alaska – Anchorage – 1
1
29-2
332
14
Columbus State University (Ga.)
3
31-2
309
15
Michigan Technological University
8
28-3
288
16
Pittsburg State University (Kan.)
16
27-7
260
17
Drury University (Mo.)
7
26-4
205
18
Wayne State College (Neb.)
19
28-6
197
19
Adelphi University (N.Y.)
10
28-4
189
20
California State Polytechnic University – Pomona
NR
21-9
186
21
Wayne State University (Mich.)
19
23-6
156
22
Ashland University (Ohio)
NR
25-9
136
23
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Pa.)
11
25-4
134
24
Anderson University (S.C.)
NR
27-5
119
25
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
NR
26-7
111
Dropped Out: Seattle Pacific University (Wash.); Cedarville University (Ohio); University of District of Columbia; Humboldt State University (Calif.); Hawaii Pacific University.
Others receiving votes: Seattle Pacific University (Wash.) 108; Rollins College (Fla.) 92; Cedarville University (Ohio) 59; West Liberty University (W.Va.) 59; University of District of Columbia 52; University of West Florida 42; Humboldt State University (Calif.) 37; Hawaii Pacific University 35; Holy Family University (Pa.) 30; Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) 28; Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) 25; Shepherd University (W.Va.) 24; Arkansas Tech University 16; California State University – Dominguez Hills 16; Harding University (Ark.) 16; Northern State University (S.D.) 15; Gannon University (Pa.) 13; Benedict College (S.C.) 11; Eckerd College (Fla.) 11; Minnesota State University – Mankato 9; Colorado Mesa University 8; Kentucky State University 6; University of Southern Indiana 5; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 4; Wingate University (N.C.) 4; Midwestern State University (Texas) 2; University of Arkansas – Fort Smith 1.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate is preparing for a final vote on tighter rules for social services as lawmakers look toward their annual spring break.
The Senate was voting Thursday on a bill that would enshrine policies enacted since Republican Gov. Sam Brownback took office in January 2011 into law. The policies include a requirement that able-bodied adult recipients of cash assistance have jobs or seek work.
The measure also sets new rules that include a $25-a-day limit on ATM withdrawals with cash assistance cards.
Supporters said the bill furthers a goal of helping people move from state assistance into well-paying jobs. Critics see it as an attack on the poor.
Lawmakers hoped to begin their spring break Friday. They expected to reconvene April 29 to wrap up the year’s business.
GARDNER, Kan. (AP) — Olathe police say an investigation into an officer-involved fatal shooting of a Gardner woman last month indicates she refused police orders to drop a handgun.
The Kansas City Star reports the case will now be reviewed by the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities say Gardner police responded to a reported disturbance at a home on March 26. The boyfriend of 53-year-old Deanne Choate had called police to say she fired a gun inside the house. Two responding officers had shot Choate, who died at the scene.
According to a statement released Wednesday, the multijurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team looked into the case and concluded that Choate didn’t obey a police command involving a handgun.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan is scheduled to give a lecture on leadership at the University of Kansas.
The university announced Wednesday that the National Football League executive would speak on April 15 at KU’s Lied Center at an event that will be open to the public.
Donovan has been with the Chiefs since 2009 and previously served in leadership roles with the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the marketing teams for the NFL and NHL.
He was promoted from chief operating officer to president of the Chiefs in 2011.
The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. and is a part of the J.A. Vickers Sr. and Robert F. Vickers Memorial Lecture series, presented by the University of Kansas School of Business.
