August 2015 – Page 19 – Hays Post Archive

Kan. woman hospitalized after Thomas Co. rollover accident

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

COLBY – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. on Tuesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy HHR driven by Mary Louann Plumisto, 50, Colby, was eastbound on U.S. 24 on the west edge of Colby.

The vehicle went off the side of the road and the driver over corrected.

The vehicle struck a pole, rolled and came to rest in the south ditch. Plumisto was transported to Citizens Medical Center.

She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Marriage proposal at The Mall is big hit with crowd

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

Video by Cooper Slough, Ricky Kerr and James Bell — Hays Post

Visitors to The Mall in Hays last Wednesday evening got an added bonus to their shopping.

A surprise marriage proposal by way of a flash mob – composed of the Fort Hays State University Tiger Deb Dance Team – took place in center court.

Thomas Matheny asked Kiersha DeBey, both of Hays, to marry him. She said “Yes,” to the applause of the shoppers.

Kan. teen sentenced, showed ex-girlfriend’s nude pics on his phone

Posted on August 25, 2015

HUTCHINSON – A Kansas teenager was sentenced Monday on a single count of sexual exploitation of a child.

Trenton Knepp, 18, Haven, was convicted of showing nude photos of his ex-girlfriend to others after the two broke up.

The girl told Haven Police that she was coerced into sending him the photos through her cell phone.

Knepp was granted three years community corrections with an underlying sentence of two years, eight months in prison.

Smoky Hill Museum

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

Smoky Hill Museum in Salina, KS

Car stolen from local auto auction

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Local law enforcement officials are on the lookout for car taken from a Hays auto auction lot over the weekend.

According to Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin, sometime between Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 3:11 p.m. Monday, a gold 2007 Toyota Avalon was stolen from Mid Kansas Auto Auction north of Interstate 70, in the 700 block of 48th Street.

Harbin said the license plate on the car was a Kansas tag 775-FWB.

If you see the vehicle or have any information on the theft, contact the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 625-1040.

Kan. county considers releasing cremains to family

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Shawnee County leaders are weighing if they should release the ashes of people the county paid to cremate to their family.

County coroner Charles Glenn says the county cremates the bodies of an estimated 15 people free of charge annually, because they have no family, their family lacks the money to pay for a funeral service or the family doesn’t desire to provide a funeral service.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the county keeps the cremains at the coroner’s office, with the intent to scatter them later at Westlawn Memorial Gardens. Glenn says some family members are now asking for the ashes, which the county historically hasn’t handed over.

The commission’s chairman directed a county counselor Monday to prepare an analysis of the legalities involved in releasing the cremains.

Buffalo Bill Cultural Center receives grant to promote ag education

Posted on August 25, 2015

OAKLEY–Buffalo Bill Cultural Center is pleased to announce that DuPont Pioneer donated $5,000 toward the Corn on the Plains events focused on educating and engaging area youth about corn production and agricultural history.

The grant will specifically be used to fund educational programs like Kansas Day where over 700 students learned about Kansas corn this year. It will also assist in funding a corn maze and demonstration room at this year’s Oakley Corn Festival on Oct. 10, as well as underwrite a portion of the Smoky Hills Public Television show Traveling Kansas that will tell the story of Oakley and hand cornhusking.

“We’re excited the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center was selected for this grant. They’re putting a lot of energy into programs that provide outreach and education on agriculture topics,” said Chris Marshall, Oakley, Kansas, Pioneer sales representative.

“We’re thrilled to be selected as a recipient of the DuPont Pioneer grant. As a Travel Information Center we have the unique ability to engage visitors from across the U.S. and abroad as well as area youth in our programs, said Kylee Buzzell, Buffalo Bill Cultural Center Event Coordinator. “Corn plays such an interesting roll in our agriculture history and we’ve had so much fun sharing our passion during our Corn on the Plains events.”

Pioneer makes contributions to community-based organizations on behalf of the business and employees. Consideration for outreach grants are given to communities where Pioneer representatives, employees and customers live and work and that support quality-of-life initiatives to create an improved, sustainable lifestyle for people worldwide.

Sen. Moran named chairman of new Congressional Down Syndrome Task Force

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

moran down syndrome — Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Kevin Yoder with Olathe residents Jawanda Mast, Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society, and her daughter, Rachel Mast.

MANHATTAN–U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has been named U.S. Senate co-chairman of the new Congressional Down Syndrome Task Force – a bipartisan, bicameral group dedicated to making certain the needs of the Down syndrome community are a priority on Capitol Hill. Sen. Moran will work with co-chair Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and his counterparts in the U.S. House of Representatives – including U.S. Representative Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) who is also a member of the Task Force – to increase awareness about issues facing people with Down syndrome, their families and communities.

“Every person should have the opportunity to experience a full and satisfying life – to live, learn, work and pursue the American Dream,” Sen. Moran said. “Expanding the Congressional Down Syndrome Task Force to the Senate will increase our ability to build awareness of the issues important to those individuals with Down syndrome and their families, such as medical care, research, education, work opportunities, and independent living. Advancing policies that enable people with Down syndrome to have opportunities to realize their hopes and dreams takes bipartisan cooperation, and I am proud to join Senator Casey in founding the Senate counterpart of this valuable congressional task force.”

“As Americans, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to realize their dreams and be equipped with the tools to do so,” Rep. Yoder said. “Getting the ABLE Act signed into law in December was a critical step towards allowing some of the most vulnerable Americans among us to have that capability. I look forward to working with Senator Moran on the bipartisan Down Syndrome Task Force to help continue to raise awareness and provide assistance to those who need it most as they strive to achieve an independent and productive life.”

“The National Down Syndrome Society is very excited to have Sen. Moran championing our efforts to help members of Congress enhance their understanding of issues important to people with Down syndrome and their families by serving as the Senate Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome,” said Jawanda Mast, Olathe, Kan., resident and Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society. “In keeping with his history of supporting individuals with Down syndrome, Congressman Yoder has also joined the Congressional Task Force. I appreciate the leadership of Senator Moran and Congressman Yoder on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome and believe it is a great example of effective grassroots advocacy. Both Sen. Moran and Rep. Yoder have listened to constituents and taken initiative.”

Sen. Moran and Rep. Yoder were instrumental in the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, legislation to allow people with disabilities to set up tax-free savings accounts to help better provide for their future. Since the federal bill was signed into law in December 2014, 30 states, including Kansas, have passed legislation creating state ABLE savings programs

Friesen is newest Hays city firefighter

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

Hays firefighter ? Friesen — Hays firefighter Allison Friesen

Hays Fire Department

Allison Friesen was recently appointed to the position of Firefighter with the City of Hays Fire Department, according to HFD Chief Gary Brown. Firefighter Friesen is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician and holds a BS degree in General Studies from Fort Hays State University.

Prior to being assigned to regular duty, she completed an eight-week course of instruction to qualify as a basic firefighter and fire truck driver operator.

Friesen now starts an on-the-job training program for national certification as both a basic and advanced firefighter, including hazardous materials operations, and fire truck driver operator.

She will also complete advanced training to serve as an airport firefighter meeting FAA standards, and for technical rescue work including vehicle crash, machinery entanglement, building collapse, confined space, water and ice and trench cave-in rescue as well as rescue from heights.

Kan. project to focus on lesser known historical figures

Posted on August 25, 2015

PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Several groups are planning a statewide project that will combine history and art to spotlight lesser known but greatly influential figures and events from Kansas’ past.

The Kansas People’s History Project is a partnership between the Douglas County Historical Society and five arts and education organizations from across the state.

The Joplin Globe reports that the project will include the creation of a series of screen-printed broadsides with text narratives, a comprehensive website and a spring 2016 exhibition at the Watkins Museum of History.

David Loewenstein, the artist responsible for the “Butterfly Effect” mural in Joplin following a deadly 2011 tornado, will host a Thursday workshop at Pittsburg State University to kick off the project.

Obama pushing for more clean energy choices for you

Posted on August 25, 2015

NANCY BENAC, Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Barack Obama is pushing back against critics of his energy policies in a speech in Las Vegas.

The president used his speech at a green energy conference to make the case that renewable energy innovations are creating jobs, boosting the economy and helping to combat dangerous emissions that contribute to climate change.

The president said that after decades of being told that renewable energy doesn’t make economic sense, in his words, “today that’s no longer true.”

The president questioned the consistency of fossil fuel advocates who champion free-market solutions, except when the free market is finally pointing to the wisdom of solar power.

Obama criticized massive lobbying interests backed by the billionaire Koch brothers and others that are trying to “protect old ways of doing business.”

2 people charged in Kan. baby’s death

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A man and woman have been charged in the death of an Arkansas City child.

The Arkansas City Traveler reports 29-year-old Lindsey Abegg and 27-year-old Jacob Brickey, both of Arkansas City, were each charged Monday with first-degree murder during the commission of child abuse, and an alternative count of first-degree murder in the commission of aggravated endangerment of a child.

Police say 16-month-old Astra Abegg was found dead last Tuesday at an Arkansas City apartment. The cause of death has not been announced.

The next court date for both defendants was scheduled for Thursday.

Ethel Teresa (Billinger) Hillman

Posted on August 25, 2015

Ethel Teresa (Billinger) Hillman passed away August 22, 2015 at the age of 83 years, at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas.

Ethel was born to Raymond and Katherine (Flagler) Billinger on March 13, 1933 in WaKeeney, Kansas. She went to Collyer schools until high school where she graduated in 1951 from Trego Community High School. After high school, Ethel worked in Hays at the telephone company until she married her high school sweetheart, Dale Hillman, on October 18, 1952. Dale preceded her death on July 20, 1981. To this union, a daughter and three sons were born.

Ethel was a homemaker and volunteered at the schools her children attended as well as Brownies, Cub Scouts and the WaKeeney Willing Workers 4H Club. She enjoyed working at the Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Ethel was a member of the Town & Country Extension Club. She loved to play bridge and belonged to several card clubs. She and Dale enjoyed square dancing and could often be found at the VFW where dances were held. Ethel was a Librarian at the WaKeeney City Library from 1968 until she retired in 1994. She sang in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church choir. Ethel loved to travel and often hopped a bus with friends for tours across the country as well as traveling overseas. She also loved to attend all types of vocal and theater productions especially at Fort Hays State University. In later years, Ethel began to paint which brought her much joy, as well as doing needlework of all types.

Ethel is survived by her children Debbie Hillman Leiker (Leon), Olathe, KS; Rex (Becky), Bartlesville, OK; Mark (Gina), Bucyrus, KS; and Curtis, Merriam, KS; two grandsons Chad Leiker (Kelly), Edina, MN; Joel Leiker (Lindsey), Woodstock, GA; and four great-grandchildren Lauren and Jacob Leiker, Edina, MN; Noah and Chase Leiker, Woodstock, GA; sister Betty Hendrickson, Hutchinson, KS; and family.

Funeral Services will be at 10 AM Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney, with Pastor Randy Gibbs officiating. Burial will follow in the WaKeeney City Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital- LTC or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Checks made to the organization can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home 336 N. 12th St WaKeeney, KS 67672.