Mona Deann Holub, age 56, of Hays, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at Hays Medical Center.
Arrangements are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.
Month: September 2015
Ellis Co. buildings will be closed to public to allow contractors to work
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Beginning this week, the public will not be allowed at either the Ellis County courthouse, Law Enforcement Center or the Emergency Services building construction sites for a period of time to allow the contractors to work on the projects without interruption.
During Tuesday evening’s Public Building Commission meeting, Ellis County Commissioner Dean Haselhorst said Commercial Builders, the contractor on the EMS project, has requested public access to the building be cut off for the next 15 days.
“They have too many people stopping by for tours, taking up people’s time,” he said.
At this time, the county expects to take over the building on Oct. 13 with the ribbon-cutting Oct. 27.
Public access will also be cut off for the next 30 days at the courthouse, Law Enforcement Center and jail. MW Builders and project superintendent Mike Wilson asked for the move to allow his contractors to work without interruption.
Haselhorst said there have been county employees bypassing him and going to straight to Wilson, asking him to make changes because Haselhorst said he has been telling people no.
“They think they can go to Mike and he will give them the ‘yes’ word,” Haselhost said. “Mike has told these individuals they have to go through me from now on.”
According to Haselhorst, one area where there has been employees requesting changes is the break room of the county attorney’s office. Haselhorst said they were told if they want more changes, they would have to pay for them out of the department’s budget — and they agreed.
To which Commissioner Barb Wasinger asked, “I thought that budget was super-tight?”
Haselhorst said, it appears many of the county department budget are not as tight as previously portrayed, adding, “I’m the bad guy, which I really don’t care.”
The contract said the county has a set a tentative date of Nov. 1 to begin housing a few prisoners in the jail. Wilson said they hope to have to project complete by Dec. 24.
Extension’s vegetable trial field night set for Sept. 17
By HOLLY DICKMAN
Ellis County Horticulture Extension Agent
Every year, a vegetable trial garden, consisting of at least ten varieties of tomatoes and peppers, is planted and maintained by the Ellis County Extension Master Gardener volunteers.
Throughout the growing season, data is taken on overall plant health and vigor as well as yield.
Data collected is then compiled with other trial data from across the state and used for vegetable variety recommendations here in Kansas.
Those interested in gardening are encouraged to attend the Vegetable Trial Field Night on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Ag Research Center in Hays.
Holly Dickman, Ellis County Horticulture Extension Agent, and Extension Master Gardeners will share information about the vegetable trials as well as some general gardening tips.
Samples for taste testing will also be provided! This event is FREE to the public and all are invited.
Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6 p.m.
TMP-Marian boys soccer loses at Maize South tourney
The TMP-Marian boys soccer team lost 5-3 to Wichita Independent in their first match of the Maize South Invitational Wednesday. Michael Braun, Armel Valois and Ryan Karlin scored for the Monarchs who fall to 0-2 on the season.
TMP, who received a first round bye, is back in action Thrusday night against Maize South in the semifinals at 6pm.
Hays High, who dropped their opener 5-0 to McPherson Tuesday, takes on Life Prep at 2pm Thursday. Life Prep lost 10-0 to Salina South Wednesday.
Partly sunny, chance for Thursday thunderstorms
It will be warm with a chance of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early tonight. Turning cooler for the weekend.
Today A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 
9 mph.
Tonight A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 10 to 13 mph.
FridayA slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a slight chance of showers between 7am and 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 11 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 53. East southeast wind 7 to 13 mph.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 54.
SundaySunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 61.
MondaySunny, with a high near 91.
Arrest made in death of woman found in Reno County creek
HUTCHINSON – A Kansas woman has been arrested on a charge of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, according to the Reno County Sheriff’s office.
Jamie Hatfield, 27, is jailed on a half million-dollar bond in connection with the death of Mary Ann Arnett, 38, Hutchinson.
Arnett’s body was found in a creek bed near Nickerson on June 22.
Sano’s homer sends Twins past Royals in 12 innings
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Pinch-hitter Miguel Sano homered with two outs in the 12th inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Sano was stuck in an 0-for-14 slump that included 11 strikeouts when he stepped to the plate against Franklin Morales (3-2), the Royals’ sixth reliever of the night. Sano worked a full count before sending a soaring shot over the bullpen in left field.
Blaine Boyer (3-4) pitched 1 2-3 innings of relief for Minnesota, and Kevin Jepsen got three outs for his 12th save while Glen Perkins sat out again with a back injury.
Perkins received a second cortisone shot Wednesday and was still unavailable.
Kansas State to enclose lower bowl in next phase of renovations
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Kansas State has announced plans for the next phase of its renovation to Bill Snyder Family Stadium, a $15 million project that will complete the lower bowl and provide other fan amenities.
The school has aggressively upgraded its football facility over the past several years.
First came a $90 million renovation to the west side that includes luxury suites, a training table and other improvements. Then last weekend, the school unveiled a $68 million renovation to the north side that includes new locker rooms, meeting spaces and enhanced fan experiences.
The next phase announced Wednesday will enclose the northwest corner, allowing fans to walk around the entire stadium concourse. The school has already raised $9 million for the privately financed project. Construction is expected to begin in December.
Kansas Supreme Court to hear Wichita pot ordinance arguments
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’s highest court is considering the legality of Wichita’s marijuana ordinance next week.
Oral arguments are set for Sept. 17 in Topeka in the legal challenge brought by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. At issue is the state’s effort to invalidate a voter-approved ordinance in Wichita lessening criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
Among the issues the Kansas Supreme Court will consider is whether the ordinance conflicts with state law. Also at issue is whether the ordinance was filed properly.
The ordinance imposes no more than a $50 fine for first-time possession of a small amount of pot. State law deems it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Wichita voters approved the measure in April.
1.5M Dodge trucks recalled for air bag problems
TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.5 million trucks to fix problems with side-impact and driver’s air bags.
The biggest of two recalls announced Thursday covers 1.35 million Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups and 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs, mainly in North America. They’re from 2012 through 2014.
Some may have steering wheel wires that can wear from hitting a spring. That can cause a short circuit that could make the driver’s air bag inflate without a crash. Dealers will isolate wires and put caps on the springs.
The second recall covers 188,000 Ram Quad Cab pickups in the U.S. from 2014 and 2015.
The side air bags don’t meet regulations that protect rear passengers in a rollover crash.
Owners will be told when to make an appointment to fix the problem.
FHSU women’s golf takes 18th in Central Region Preview
OLATHE, Kan. – Fort Hays State opened its 2015-16 season on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Central Region Preview in Olathe, Kan., at Prairie Highlands Golf Course. The Tigers finished 18th as a team, led by Hannah Perkins.
The Tigers had an entire roster of freshmen compete at the tournament. Perkins, the 2014 Kansas Class 5A Individual State Champion, led the Tigers by shooting rounds of 88 and 77 at the par-72 course. She finished in a tie for 49th individually. Kelsey McCarthy finished 83rd with rounds of 87 and 93. Hannah Karasiuk was one stroke back of McCarthy in a tie for 84th with rounds of 90 and 91. Bailey Jones was consistent, shooting two rounds of 92 to finish 89th. Lexie Schaben tied for 91st with rounds of 96 and 91.
As a team, the Tigers shot a total of 708. Augustana won the tournament, shooting 599 as a team, just 23-over par as a team. Emily Israelson of Augustana and Marla Souvannasing of Central Oklahoma tied for first, each shooting even par overall.
The Tigers return to action next week at the NSU Women’s Golf Classic in Tahlequah, Okla., Sept. 14-15.
(FHSU Athletics)
Find out if you’re owed part of $301 million
Office of the State Treasurer
TOPEKA–State Treasurer Ron Estes is urging this year’s 2015 Kansas State Fair attendees to visit his unclaimed property booth to check if a portion of $301 million in missing money belongs to them.
The State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property booth will be located in the Meadowlark Building and fully equipped with a computerized database and staff ready to assist Kansans as they search for and claim property during the fair from Sept. 11 – 20th.
“We had great success during last year’s Kansas State Fair, where we matched more than $750,000 to respective owners,” said Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes. “This year we hope to achieve even better results. I encourage everyone to stop by and check for their name and the names of family and friends. Already in 2015 we have returned more than $13 million to Kansans.”
Unclaimed property comes from forgotten bank accounts, stocks, bonds, insurance premium overpayments, refunds, abandoned safe deposit boxes and other property. It is the treasurer’s goal to locate as many rightful owners and heirs as possible for unclaimed assets currently held by the state of Kansas.
Kansans are encouraged to continue searching for unclaimed property throughout the year by visiting www.KansasCash.com or calling 1-800-432-0386.
Justice Dept. pressing for changes to computer crime law
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is looking to change a computer crime law that critics have long maligned as overly broad.
The government’s proposal comes amid a series of court decisions that have interpreted the statute in ways that prosecutors don’t like.
The 1986 law, known as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, was intended to punish hackers. But the government has had difficulty applying it to company insiders who have permission to access a computer, but then abuse that right.
The concerns aren’t new, but they’ve attracted attention this year after President Barack Obama suggested changes to the law as part of a broader cybersecurity package.
The Senate is expected to take up cybersecurity measures soon, but it’s not clear if lawmakers will address the problem.