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Month: August 2015

German heritage will be honored at annual Herzogfest celebration

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herzogfest logoBy JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

VICTORIA — Herzogfest, an annual celebration of German heritage, gets underway Friday evening in Victoria.

The 33rd annual event started by businesses in Victoria as a sidewalk sale, according to Board of Directors President Marge Rome and, as it spread through downtown, organizers chose to move the event to Victoria City Park.

“It’s kind of the last hurrah before school starts,” Rome said. “We have a lot of people that come in from out of town, and we celebrate our German heritage.”

Victoria was founded by the ethnic German immigrants from the Volga River area of Russia. Rome said the Germans called their settlement Herzog, while English immigrants settled in Victoria. The two colonies later merged to form Victoria.

Rome added the founders of the event chose to name the celebration Herzogfest to honor their heritage.2015 Car Show Poster

The grounds open and there is free swimming at 5 p.m. with the welcome ceremony at 6:30 p.m., followed by musical entertainment featuring county music recording artist Charlie Worsham at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday morning at 8 a.m. is the 5K run/walk, and the sixth annual rod, custom and cycle show runs from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

There will also be basketball, soccer and tennis tournaments Saturday morning. Other events on Saturday include horseshoes, bingo and Polka Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday.

There will be a number of vendors with different kinds of food including many German favorites such as bierocks, green bean dumpling soup and galushkies.

You can find a complete schedule of events at herzogfest.com.

Ellis adopts 2016 budget; no public comments

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ellis city logoELLIS–The city of ELlis held a public hearing Aug. 10 for the 2016 budget.

The minutes of the special meeting follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes August 10, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman. Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Heather Luea were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor David McDaniel stated the purpose of the special meeting is to hear public comments on the proposed 2016 budget and to consider approval of the budget document.
2015 BUDGET HEARING
General Government: Financial – 2016 City of Ellis Budget – Budget Hearing
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to enter into the 2016 City of Ellis Budget Hearing. The motion carried 4-0. The budget hearing began at 7:02 p.m. Mayor David McDaniel stated the proposed budget for the City has been published the required amount of time and that tonight is an opportunity for the citizens of Ellis to comment on the proposed budget for 2016. No one from the public wished to speak on the budget, therefore Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to adjourn the budget hearing. The motion carried 4-0. The budget hearing adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
General Government: Financial – 2016 City of Ellis Budget – Budget Approval
Council member John Walz moved to approve the 2016 budget as published. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for further discussion, Council member Gary Luea inquired of the reserve balances in some of the funds, what the balances can be used for, and how much money is enough to put in reserves. Mayor David McDaniel stated that both Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Heather Luea have voiced support of the 2016 budget document. Upon a call for the vote, the motion to approve the 2016 budget document as published passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

Kan. school investigating dangerous sinkhole

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photos courtesy USD 266
photos courtesy USD 266

MAIZE– School officials in Maize are investigating what caused a sinkhole on one of the school’s paved roads by Maize South High School

The sinkhole measures about seven feet across and six feet deep.

USD 266 officials reported in a media release, a school bus which was about to transport students home from Maize South Middle School and Maize South High School, was parked.

Its left rear tire began to sink through the paved roadway. There were no injuries, but it did lead to a bus route delay.

Screen Shot 2015-08-14 at 11.03.04 AMMaize USD 266 staff members quickly evacuated the students on board and transported them to another bus. Maize Schools communicated via email with parents of those students to explain the situation.
Maize USD 266 administrators will continue to evaluate the apparent sinkhole and related traffic flow patterns.

7 pounds of meth, pipe bomb and weapons seized in Kan. drug bust

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JUSTIN DEAN BULK – Picture Date 6/19/15 – Courtesy KBI
JUSTIN DEAN BULK – Picture Date 6/19/15 – Courtesy KBI
Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities in Riley County made several drug related arrests and seized a sizable amount of methamphetamine on Thursday, according to a media release.

The Riley County Police Department, after an investigation into the distribution and use of narcotics led to probable cause and initiated several search warrants. RCPD served a total of 5 search warrants and made the following arrests in Leonardville and

SIEBOLD, KEVIN DEAN Approx Picture Date 2015-05-22 – Courtesy KDOC
SIEBOLD, KEVIN DEAN Approx Picture Date 2015-05-22 – Courtesy KDOC

on Bala Road located north of Manhattan, Kansas. Two additional search warrants were served outside of Riley County with assistance from neighboring and federal jurisdictions.

  • Bryce Williams, 33, of 107 S. Nevada Street in Leonardville, Kansas was arrested for the offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), and possession of marijuana. Williams was given a bond of $10,000.00 and at the time of this release he was confined at the Riley County Jail. Williams was arrested while at 111 W. Barton Road in Riley County.
  • Cody Brown, 29, of 122 S. Erpelding Ave., Leonardville, Kansas was taken into custody for the offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), and possession of marijuana. Brown was issued a bond of $10,000.00 and at the time of this release was confined.
  • Police arrested Sara Boatman, 24, of 122. S. Erpelding Ave., Leonardville, Kansas for the offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), and possession of marijuana. Boatman was confined at the time of this report in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
  • Justin Bulk, 23, of 204 W. Graham, Leonardville, Kansas was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia (felony), and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor). Bulk’s bond was set at $4,000.00 and at the time of this release he was no longer confined.
  • SIEBOLD, RANDY WICK Approx Picture Date 2012-05-25- KDOC photo
    SIEBOLD, RANDY WICK Approx Picture Date 2012-05-25- KDOC photo

    Randy Siebold Sr., 54, of 17350 Bala Road, Riley County was given a bond of $7,000.00 when arrested on the offenses of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor). He was no longer confined at the time of this release.

  • Kevin Siebold, 51, of 17350 Bala Road, Riley County was also arrested on the offenses of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor). He was given a bond of $7,000.00 and at the time of this release he was confined at the Riley County Jail.
  • Tony Dugan, 35, of 205 N. Arizona Street, Leonardville, Kansas was arrested on the offenses of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia (felony), criminal use of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), and possession of marijuana. Dugan was given a bond of $20,000.00 and at the time of this release was also confined.
  • Katelyn Lovgren, 24, of 5393 Marlatt Ave. in Manhattan was arrested while at 205 N. Arizona Street, Leonardville, Kansas and given a bond of $4,000.00 after her arrest for the offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor). Lovgren was no longer confined at the time of this release.

 

Furthermore, a search warrant obtained by the Riley County Police Department was executed in Clay Center, Clay County, Kansas with the assistance of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Clay Center Police Department. During this search warrant law enforcement seized 1 homemade explosive device (a pipe-bomb) which was rendered safe by the Riley County Police Department Bomb Team.

Vance Mossburgh, 44, of 1313 8th Street, Clay Center, Kansas was arrested as a result of this search warrant. Mossburgh was arrested for the offenses of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, criminal possession of an explosive device, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a bond of $150,000.00 through the Clay County District Court.

Lastly, a Riley County Police Department search warrant related to this investigation was also served in Wichita, Kansas with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Police arrested Anthony Moore of 1306 S. Timber Ridge Circle, Wichita, Kansas for drug related offenses at the federal level. Moore was given no bond.

Throughout the course of these search warrants over 7 pounds of methamphetamine were seized. Police also seized US currency which was tied to illegal drug transactions as well as multiple AR-15 style rifles. As the investigation into the illegal distribution of narcotics in Riley County is ongoing, no further information was available at the time of this release.

 

 

 

 

Hays commission approves tripling sewer rate over six-year period

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option 1 for sewer rate increases
Hays residents sewer usage bills will increase from $13.83 to $36.44 a month over a six year period. (Click to enlarge)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Sewer rates for Hays residents will begin going up substantially starting September 1 with a 17 percent hike.

Hays city commissioners voted four to one Thursday night to approve the increases recommended by Springsted, the company hired by the city to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the new rates.

The city plans a $30 million rebuild of the wastewater treatment plant as well as replacement of aging sewer lines—some are 75 to 100 years old. The upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and must be in place by Jan. 1, 2018.

The average residential customer’s monthly bill will go from the current $13.83 to $36.44 a month over a six year period.

Commissioner Henry Schwaller’s motion for the second option–which started with a 15.5 percent hike the first year and allowed the sewer fund to dip below $500,000–was voted down.

“The ending balance will work itself out. It is on the edge of the city’s comfort level, but these are things (useage) we cannot predict. It meets the obligation for the state revolving loan fund and it gives us enough money to do the maintenance we need to do,” Schwaller said.

“There’s a certain amount our ratepayers can pay and a certain amount they cannot pay. Hitting them so hard up front is, I think, unconscionable and very difficult, and that’s why I will not support Option 1 under any circumstances, and I’m holding my nose on Option 2.

“I’d rather spread this out over a longer period of time. I understand the consequences of paying higher interest on the bonds–and it is pretty significant–but again, $2 million dollars 10 years from now is a lot less, particularly if we have inflation,” he concluded.

hdr
Stan Christopher of HDR Engineering, the city’s owner-representative for the rebuild of the wastewater treatment plant

Commissioners last night also accepted the wastewater facility plan presented by HDR engineering.

The city will apply for a Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan in the full amount for the project of $30,260,000 with a 20 year amortization and interest/fees ranging from 2.15 to 2.25 percent.

Volkswagen recalls 420,000 vehicles

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NEW YORK (AP) — Volkswagen is recalling 420,000 vehicles in the U.S. because of a problem with its front air bag that can prevent it from deploying in a crash.

The recall is for eight models, including the Jetta, Passat and Tiguan, with model years between 2010 and 2014. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says debris can rip a cable that keeps the front air bag powered, which could lead to a failure to deploy.

The NHTSA says that Volkswagen is still developing a fix for the problem. A representative from Volkswagen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Winners: Tickets to see Ronnie Milsap in Salina with 99 KZ Country!

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khaz ronnie milsap 20150806Congratulations to Craig Augustine, Gerald Knipp, Delores Bodine, Cody Von Lintel and Debbie Patzner!

*****

Ronnie Milsap will be in concert at The Stiefel Theatre in Salina on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 8 pm.  See https://stiefeltheatre.org/ for ticket availability. Tickets: $39, $49, $59.

Listen to Theresa Trapp August 10 – 14, 2015 for chances to call 785-628-2995 and register to win tickets for the show.  One registration per person!

Winners will be announced on Friday, August 14, 2015 and will need to pick up the tickets at the KHAZ Studio, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS.

Good luck from 99 KZ Country!

Ronnie Milsap ranks as the pre-eminent country soul singer of his generation. He also represents much more than any two-word definition can convey: a humble, overtly friendly fellow with a talent as vast and multi-dimensional as the American South. Milsap provided country music with one of its most important voices, as the genre was moving beyond its rural roots into the mainstream of modern entertainment. Country music couldn’t have found a man more suited to lead the charge. Steeped in the mountain music of the North Carolina hills and schooled in classical piano, Milsap early in life found inspiration in a wide variety of music. Even as he mastered Beethoven and Mozart, his heart belonged to hardcore country and rhythm-and-blues — music he heard beamed from powerful radio stations located in Nashville. Those earthy sounds about life and love provided a young, impoverished blind boy with a connection to a world beyond the harsh reality of his daily existence. Ronnie was in concert at the Stiefel in January 2011.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

 

 

 

Activist plans protest over Sherman County jail death

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Screen Shot 2015-08-14 at 8.25.39 AMTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka activist is planning a protest over the 2014 death of a 58-year-old woman in a western Kansas jail.

Brenda Sewell of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in Sherman County in January 2014 after a traffic stop on her way home from Colorado. She was arrested for possessing an ounce of marijuana. She collapsed and died in her cell.

Her relatives contend jailers in Sherman County refused to give her prescription medication and were slow to help after she collapsed.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation declined to investigate Sewell’s death because Sewell died of natural causes. Authorities have also cleared the jailers of wrongdoing.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Sonny Scroggins is planning the demonstration Saturday in a Kansas City park. He says any deaths in custody raise concerns.

New York cops: Loaded gun found in hollowed-out Bible

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police say they found a loaded gun inside a hollowed-out lockbox that resembles the Bible during a traffic stop.

According to the New York Post, the container looked like a leather-bound King James Bible. But instead of the word of God, it contained a loaded Glock 17, 10 bullets and a magazine.

Officers made the discovery early Monday in Brooklyn after pulling over a car with tinted windows.

Police say they searched the car after smelling a strong odor of marijuana. They also found an open alcohol container and a knife.

The driver and two passengers were charged with weapon and marijuana possession.

Mary Klaus

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Mary Klaus, age 86, of Schoenchen, KS passed away Thursday, August 13, 2015 at her home. She was born June 7, 1929 on a farmstead west of Schoenchen to Jacob and Geneva (Zimmerman) Randa. She married Julius Klaus in LaCrosse on September 22, 1947. He preceded her in death October 3, 2001.

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Mary was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Schoenchen and St. Anthony Altar Society. She was an excellent cook and she enjoyed playing bingo and cards with family and friends. She also loved polka music, dancing and KU Basketball.

She is survived by two sons, Richard “Dick” Klaus and wife Mona of Schoenchen and Darrell Klaus of Hays; a brother, Elmer Randa of WaKeeney; two sisters, Jenny Rebel and Berniece Holmes both of Ness City; a half-sister, Mabel Schmidt of Hays; two grandchildren, Kristy Campbell of Salina and April Klaus of Hays as well as 7 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gerald “Dick” Randa; six half-brothers, Eugene “Lefty” Werth, Severin Werth, Sylvanus Randa, Victor Randa, Edwin Randa and Rich Randa and seven half-sisters, Loretta Dinges, Eleanor Pfannenstiel, Irene Herrman, Edna Dinges, Bertha Munsch, Sally Mills and Leona Wagner.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Monday, August 17, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen with Inurnment to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 4 PM – 8 PM with a St. Anthony Altar Society rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 7 PM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Anthony Cemetery Fund or Donor’s choice.

Former Lawrence mayor repays $1K before resigning

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Jeremy Farmer- Photo: City of Lawrence
Jeremy Farmer- Photo: City of Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The mayor of Lawrence used a government credit card for about $1,100 in personal expenses but repaid the city shortly before resigning this week.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports former Lawrence Mayor Jeremy Farmer reimbursed the city for items that included purchases at a sporting goods store after interim City Manager Diane Stoddard asked for an explanation of the charges.

Farmer paid the city $1,148.85 on Tuesday, and also wrote a memo to city staff members and commissioners explaining that he used the city’s credit card to pay for some personal expenses because his personal credit cards had been “compromised.”

Farmer resigned as mayor Wednesday, two days after resigning from his job as executive director at a food pantry.

‘Gunsmoke’ cast members to reunite in Dodge City

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DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — Six decades after “Gunsmoke” debuted on television, several actors who appeared in the show, including Burt Reynolds, are scheduled to reunite in Dodge City.

The Wichita Eagle reports the actors will attend Wild West Fest on Sept. 25-27. The event is hosted by the Boot Hill Casino & Resort, the Wild West Heritage Foundation and the Roundup Rodeo.

Besides Reynolds, who portrayed blacksmith Quint Asper from 1962 to 1965, also attending are Bruce Boxleitner, Buck Taylor, Jess Walton, Lane Bradbury and Merry Florene.

“Gunsmoke” ran on CBS from 1955 through 1975 and was nominated for more than a dozen Emmys.

Other key “Gunsmoke” actors have died, including James Arness, who starred as Matt Dillon; Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty, and Milburn Stone, who was Doc Adams.

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