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Great Bend standoff suspect charged with assault in shooting of wife

Solida
Solida- Photo Barton Co. Sheriff

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) — A 43-year-old Woodward County man is facing a felony charge after investigators say he shot his wife and then fled to Kansas with the couple’s two young children.

Online court records indicate that Chris Leslie Solida was formally charged Monday with assault and battery with a deadly weapon in Woodward County District Court. Solida’s bond was set at $500,000, but the records do not indicate whether Solida is represented by an attorney.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of investigation says Solida allegedly shot his wife in the head on Friday before fleeing to Kansas with the children. The OSBI says police in Great Bend, Kansas, arrested Solida after a brief standoff Friday night.

The OSBI says Solida’s wife has been discharged from a hospital and the children are in state custody.

Sabina ‘Toby’ Ostmeyer

Sabina “Toby” Ostmeyer, 94, died August 16, 2015. She was born August 25, 1920 In St. Peter to Michael and Margaret (Braun) Graf. She was a homemaker.

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Preceded in death by parents, husband Robert J. Ostmeyer, daughter Janet Egbert, brothers Bonnie, Adolph and Bob, sister Liddy Schoenfeld, sons-in-law George Wolf and Cliff Tillett.

Survivors include sons: Ralph (Kay) of Grinnell, Mike (Charlene) of Oakley, Randy (Judy) of Oberlin, Bob (Annette) of Ozawkie, Bill (Lesa) of Topeka, and Gary (Cheryl) of Oakley, and daughters Carole Wolf of Hays and Connie Tillett of Augusta; 28 grandchildren,47 great- grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, August 21 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Angelus. Visitation 5 – 9 Thursday at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, with Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials to St. Paul’s Cemetery Fund and masses may be sent to Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley, 67748.

Online condolences to www.kennedykosterfh.com.

Ford recalling trucks to fix seat belts

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford is recalling just over 26,000 trucks in the U.S. and Canada because some front seat belts may not be anchored in the right position.

The recall covers F-650 and F-750 trucks from the 2011, 2013 and 2015 model years that were built in Mexico from Feb. 14, 2011, through April 28, 2015.

Ford says the front passenger and center seat belts may not be anchored in the correct spot relative to the seat. The problem could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The company says it knows of no crashes or injuries from the problem. Ford says engineers are developing repair procedures.

13th annual Rock Chalk Roadshow makes its way to Hays

KU logo 001KU News

LAWRENCE — The 13th annual Rock Chalk Roadshow from Kansas’ flagship university will hit the road from Sunday, Aug. 23, to Thursday, Aug. 27, with tour events in Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Garden City and Hays. It will include visits with students and families from 157 Kansas schools.

University of Kansas representatives will visit area schools to meet with counselors and students during the day about all things KU. Evening receptions with interested students and families are planned in the five aforementioned cities. Current KU students who graduated from those area high schools and area KU alumni will be present to talk about their Jayhawk experiences and to answer questions.

Faculty and staff will also be on hand to speak about academic and experiential learning opportunities.

The Hays stop is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Smoky Hill Country Club, 3303 Hall.

Event registration is open for students and parents at admissions.ku.edu/roadshow. If you have any questions about Rock Chalk Roadshow, contact the KU Office of Admissions at (785) 864-3911.

Parachute team cancels KC appearance after fatal accident

KANSAS CITY- For the first time ever, the U.S. Army’s parachute team, The Golden Knights, will not perform at the Kansas City Air Show.

On Monday night, the air show facebook page confirmed, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of the performance by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.”

One of the Golden Knights team members died from injuries suffered in a jumping accident at the Chicago Air & Water Show on Sunday.

Sgt. 1st Class Corey Hood died when he collided with another jumper and smashed into a high-rise apartment.

The show will be this Saturday and Sunday at the Wheeler Downtown Airport. The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels is one of the main attractions.

-The Associated Press contributed to this story.

USD 489 superintendent talks enrollment, school year prep at BOE meeting

USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt
USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 Board of Education met immediately after the 2015-2016 budget hearing, with the only report from the night coming from Superintendent Dean Katt.

During his report, Katt highlighted preliminary enrollment numbers, noting the numbers likely will change by the official 20-day count.

Katt also spoke about the work over the summer to prepare for this year.

“It’s been a great start to the year,” Katt said. “I honestly can say this is the best one that I’ve had. It’s been very positive.”

The summer was busy for teachers and administration as they prepared for new technology and systems throughout the district.

“The teachers logged over 2,100 hours in-service time this summer. We didn’t pay for that,” Katt said. “To me ,that spoke volumes about how committed they are to what direction we are going. I can’t compliment them enough.”

He also noted the custodial and maintenance staff worked extremely hard over the summer, as well.

“Many deferred maintenance projects were worked on, including stripping all of the floors at Hays High School and waxing on all of the floors,” Katt said. “Portions of O’Loughlin, Roosevelt and Wilson were also completed. Hays High School also has new seating in the little theater, as well as a new surface on the running track.”

Katt also thanked two local business for their contributions to the district.

“USD 489 would like to thank Gella’s Diner and Lb. Brewing Co. and Whiskey Creek Woodfire Grill for helping us honor that Best of the Best in student and staff performance last year,” he said. “We are pleased to announce that both establishments have agreed to continue honoring our Best of the Best students and staff this year.”

Kan. VA summit tackles mental health, sex abuse issues

By DAVE RANNEY

Photo by Dave Ranney Marcy Bilymsky, a suicide prevention worker with the Veterans Administration Eastern Kansas Health Care System, mans an information booth during a system-sponsored mental health summit Friday at the Scottish Rite Center in Topeka.
Photo by Dave Ranney Marcy Bilymsky, a suicide prevention worker with the Veterans Administration Eastern Kansas Health Care System, mans an information booth during a system-sponsored mental health summit Friday at the Scottish Rite Center in Topeka.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals in Topeka and Leavenworth met with 932 veterans who said they’d been sexually assaulted while they were in the military.

“That number has tripled in last six years,” said Gary Napier, who runs the hospitals’ Military Sexual Trauma Services program. Much of the increase, he said, appears to be driven by a corresponding increase in public awareness as well as the sexual trauma program’s outreach efforts.

Of the 932 who said they were sexually assaulted, 527 were women, 405 were men. Almost two-thirds of the women and 55 percent of the men received services through the program.

“We’re above the national average,” Napier said. “I think the word is out that this is a good program and that we can be trusted. But, still, I have to say it seems like we’re saving people who are drowning in this rapidly flowing river. I just wish there was some way we could build some kind of bridge that would keep people from falling in.”

Napier led a forum on veterans and sexual assault and domestic violence. The forum was part of a daylong mental health summit hosted by the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, which includes the two hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential programs, mental health clinics, and more than a dozen specialized treatment programs.

Other forums at the summit focused on stigma, caregivers’ needs, homelessness, and suicide prevention.

On any given day, the health care system’s suicide prevention program interacts with between 35 to 50 veterans, men and women, who are considered “high risk,” said Marcy Bilymsky, a prevention worker whose duties include calling patients after they are discharged from either of the hospitals.

“The highest risk of suicide for (veterans) is within seven to 30 days of their being discharged,” Bilymsky said. “So as a facility, we call everybody usually within 24 to 48 hours — definitely within a week – to check in with them, to see how they’re doing.”

In recent years, she said, the health system has recorded “two or three suicides” annually.

“So far this year, it’s probably five,” said Bilymsky, who did not have immediate access to the program’s statistics. “The biggest barrier for us is getting veterans to come into the VA,” she said. “We have a whole lot of people who are hesitant because they associate the VA with their military service and because it’s such a big system.

But once we get them past that and they find out that we really do care, they usually come back.” Bilymsky encouraged veterans who are considering harming themselves to call the Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, ext. 1. “Someone is there 24-7,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Christmas, New Year’s or Thanksgiving, someone — a clinician — is there.” Veterans who’ve experienced sexual trauma, Napier said, are encouraged to call his office: 785-350-3111, ext. 52068. Ken Schortmann, 65, said the VA saved his life.

“I did two tours in Viet Nam in the Marines, and I was in Desert Storm in the Army,” he said. “When I got out, I got two jobs and I just worked, and worked and worked. I didn’t know it, but I was covering up my PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). I got to where I wasn’t sleeping, and I was doing a lot of weird things.”

Eventually, a VA worker recognized Schortmann’s symptoms and encouraged him to see one of the mental health counselors at the Topeka hospital.

“I’m a combat veteran. They saved my life,” he said. “There isn’t any doubt about that.” About 60 people – a mix of VA officials, social service providers, and law enforcement officers — attended the summit. “The goal for today was to reach out to our partners in the community because, many times, we’re serving the same population,” said Stephanie Davis, suicide prevention coordinator for the VA’s eastern Kansas health care system.

“Our veterans aren’t just coming to the VA, they’re out in their communities. And that’s what we want, we want them living them own lives in their communities. This is all about improving the lives of veterans and their families.”

 

Dave Ranney is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.

HPD Activity Log Aug. 17

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hpd actvity log sponsor hess bittel fletcher

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and 9 traffic stops Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle–2500 block Gen Hancock Rd, Hays; 8:06 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3000 block New Way, Hays; 9:09 AM
Animal At Large–1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 9:41 AM
Parking Complaint–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:14 AM
Parking Complaint–300 block E 16th St, Hays; 12:50 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 1:01 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–800 block Ash St, Hays; 10:30 AM; 1 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block Castillian Blvd, Hays; 4:17 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1700 block Hall St, Hays; 5:51 PM
Disturbance – General–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:58 PM
Disorderly Conduct–3000 block Indian Trl, Hays; 6 PM; 6:06 PM
Animal Call–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 6:45 PM
Credit Card Violations–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:53 PM
Aggravated Assault–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 7:57 PM
Harassment (All Other)–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 7:58 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–500 block E 13th Sq, Hays; 8:10 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block E 27th St, Hays; 9:51 PM
Unwanted Person–2000 block E 21st St, Hays; 10:10 PM

Officials: Kansas man drowns in Buffalo River

MARSHALL, Ark. (AP) — Officials say a Kansas man has drowned in the Buffalo National River.

The National Park Service said 25-year-old Ravi Teja Reddy Yemalla of Overland Park, Kansas, died Sunday afternoon. Yemalla disappeared after falling into a deep underwater hole upstream from the U.S. 65 bridge.

The service said people traveling with Yemalia and other floaters nearby found him after about 10 minutes of searching.

Buffalo National River rangers and Searcy County first responders tried to revive Yemalla for about 45 minutes.

Hays USD 489 budget hearing goes smoothly

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Monday night at the Rockwell Administration Center, 323 W. 12th, the USD 489 Board of Education hosted its required public budget hearing. At the meeting, there was no public participation or discussion, likely due to budget staying close to last year, despite lower revenues for the district and no surprises in the budget document.

Tracy Kiser, executive director of finance and support services, presented the full budget document at the beginning of the meeting.

“Sixty-six percent of our budget goes to instruction,” Kiser said to open the meeting.

With a $299 million dollar valuation – down from $310 million last year, the district was forced to trim the budget, but did not increase mills to adjust to the cut.

The mill will be at 45.609 for the year.

Per pupil expenditures are down from $14,538 to $13,494 from last year, due to the lower valuation and decreased state spending.

The total capital outlay budget for the upcoming year total $3,789,568 – the amount approved for spending by the state – which is likely to be only fully utilized “in case something catastrophic should happen,” Kiser said.

The board unanimously approved the budget.

The budget can be found here.

Otillia Elizabeth ‘Tillie’ Augustine

Otillia Elizabeth “Tillie” Augustine, age 84 of Ellis, passed away Monday, August 17, 2015 at Via Christi Village, Hays.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.

Visitation will be Thursday 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM with a D of I rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil at 7:00 PM all at St. Mary’s Church.

A complete obituary is pending with Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis.

Joe Edwards Smith

Joe Edwards Smith, age 87, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Wallace County Community Care Center in Sharon Springs, Kansas.

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Joe was born August 29, 1927 in Scott City, Kansas, the third child of A.E. & Margaret ( Murphy ) Smith. Joe attended primary school at Greeley County Elementary and graduated from Kemper Military School at Booneville, Missouri in 1945. In June of 1945, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in Subic Bay, Philippines as a motor machinist mate. He then attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduating in 1950 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry.

Joe was a member of the United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 7521 in Tribune, Kansas. He was also a 65-year member of the Anthem Masonic Lodge # 284 in Scott City, Kansas, Isis Shrine Club in Salina, Kansas, the Scottish Rite in Wichita, Kansas and the York Rite of Goodland, Kansas.

Joe was a lifelong farmer and rancher in Greeley County, Kansas. He was a 60-year plus member of the Kansas Livestock Association and a lifetime member of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association.

On June 17, 1951 he and the former Joan Ray married in Doon, Iowa. They returned to Tribune to work the family farm along with his brothers until 1995 and then in a farming partnership with his sons. Joe and Joan raised four sons and therefore became very involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He and his sons attended camps and jamborees, including trips to Japan, and together completed requirements for badges and thus earned the rank of Eagle Scout with all four boys. Joe was past president of the Santa Fe Trail Council in Garden City, Kansas and a lifetime board member of the National Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver, the Silver Antelope and was a member of the Vigil of the Order of the Arrow.

Joe’s biggest passion was flying his Cessna Twin 310. He logged over 3000 flight hours during his time as “Airplane Joe”. He and Joan were avid travelers and visited many domestic and international destinations through Joe’s membership with Kansas Livestock Association.

Joe’s surviving family includes

His wife-

Joan Smith – Sharon Springs, Kansas

Four sons-

Mark & Cindy Smith- Wallace, Kansas

Brett & Carol Smith- Frederick, Colorado

A. Bradford & Jennifer Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas

Ray Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas

Two siblings-

Don & Jeri Smith- Tribune, Kansas

Myra S. Hyde- Amarillo, Texas

Eleven grandchildren-

Angela Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas

Valerie & Oscar Smith-Rivera- Wallace, Kansas

Meghan & Matthew Smith-Ghiloni- Erie, Colorado

Andy & Valerie Sweet- Aurora, Colorado

Ben Sweet- Erie, Colorado

Preston Smith- Sherman, Texas

Alicia Smith- Tribune, Kansas

Nick Smith- Hays, Kansas

Lindy Smith- Sterling, Kansas

Taylor Sprinkle- Colorado Springs, Colorado

Corbin Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas

Four Great Grandchildren-

Natalie Sweet- Aurora, Colorado

Ryan Sweet- Aurora, Colorado

Ashlynn Ghiloni- Erie, Colorado

Aiden Ghiloni- Erie, Colorado

His parents, a brother, Bob Smith and a daughter-in-law , Lauri Smith preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. ( MST ) Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Tribune, Kansas with the Reverend Paul McNall officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery with Masonic Rites and Full Military Honors.

Friends may call from noon until 8:00 pm Thursday and from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Santa Fe Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America or Greeley County Library in care of

Price & Sons Funeral Home

PO 301

Tribune, Kansas 67879
– See more at: https://priceandsons.com/tribute/details/1606/Joe_Smith/obituary.html#sthash.eEZuzriv.dpuf

Arlene Iris Mishler

Arlene Iris Mishler, age 84, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas. Arlene was born July 10, 1931 in Jewell, Kansas, the daughter of Richard F. & Clara L. (McKenzie) McMinimy. A resident of Tribune, Kansas since 1968, she was a homemaker and retired bank teller in both Leoti & Tribune, Kansas

Arlene was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary of Tribune, Kansas.

On January 7, 1954 she married Jesse L. Mishler in Tribune, Kansas.

Arlene’s surviving family includes-

Her husband

Jesse L. Mishler- Tribune, Kansas

Five children-

Leslie & Pati Mishler- Lewis, Kansas

Debra & John Crayne- Grand Island, Nebraska

Roxie & John Dase- Pueblo, Colorado

Mike & Diana Mishler- Tribune, Kansas

Cheryl & Lance Buckman- Sterling, Kansas

Brother in Law-

Herb Marselus- Lenexa, Kansas

Nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren

Numerous nieces and nephews.

Her parents precede her in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am ( MST ) Friday, August 21, 2015 at Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas with Jerri Farmer Smith officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery

There will be no calling times.

Memorials may be given to Greeley County Long Term Care in care of

Price & Sons Funeral Home

PO 301

Tribune, Kansas 67879

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com.

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