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Month: October 2015

Ellis County, state officials begin process of purging voters from rolls

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Kansas residents with incomplete voter registrations now have 90 days to complete that registration before they are removed from the voter rolls.

The rule by Kansas Secretary of State’s office went into effect Friday, directing county election officials to remove those voters who are in suspense at the end of the 90 days.

Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus said, as of last week, there were 274 Ellis County registrations that her office is not able to process because of a lack of proof of citizenship.

Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus
Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus

Maskus said registrations that do not include proof of U.S. citizenship are not considered a registration, and are considered incomplete or inactive.

In April 2011, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law the Kansas Secure and Fair Elections Act, which required anyone registering to vote in Kansas after Jan 1, 2013, to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

Maskus said those with incomplete a registration can provide a birth certificate, a passport or naturalization documentation to meet the citizenship requirement.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, one of the reasons for removing the incomplete registrations is to save money. Elections offices send out reminders to those with incomplete registrations, and Maskus said in some cases her office has sent five reminder letters.

“I feel like we have really reached out to those voters, and if they signed the registration card,” she said, “I want to get them registered.”

Maskus said it has been discouraging for her office because it is hard to get in contact with some of the people on the list and, because people move more often, they might not be able to get in touch with them. Some of those on the Ellis County list may not even live in Ellis County anymore, Maskus said.

In Ellis County, the number of incomplete registrations covers all ages, according to Maskus.

With the presidential election in 2016, Maskus said those who have incomplete registrations should not wait to finish the process.

She also said if you are not sure if you are on the list, you can call the county clerk’s office at (785) 628-9410 or stop by the County Administration Office at 718 Main in Hays.

Once the 90 days is up, those who have not completed the registration will have to register all over again.

The Secretary of State’s office said there are more than 31,000 incomplete registrations statewide.

Lobbyists spent $500K on Kansas lawmakers

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cash moneyTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Lobbyists have spent more than $500,000 entertaining Kansas lawmakers so far this year.

Kansas law prohibits lobbyists from making campaign donations during the session and limits their spending to $100 on lawmaker gifts. But Kansas doesn’t limit the amount of food and drink a lobbyist can buy lawmakers.

The Wichita Eagle reports lobbyists have spent more than $500,000 since January treating Kansas lawmakers to dinner, drinks and other entertainment.

The Kansas Bankers Association spent the most on food and entertainment for lawmakers, at $26,135. The Kansas Chamber of Commerce was second with $20,139.

Advocates for transparency say such spending can help sway lawmakers’ votes, but lawmakers say free food doesn’t influence their votes.

Kansas teen dies after pickup hits a semi

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fatal-accident1WILSON COUNTY – A Kansas teen died in an accident just before midnight on Sunday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup driven by William Earl Jones, 15, Parsons, was eastbound on U.S. 400 at 15th Street.

The pickup crossed the centerline into the path of an westbound semi.

Jones was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

The semi driver William C. Southerland, 54, Noble, MO., and a passenger were not injured.

The accident remains under investigation.

Search continues for suspect in fatal Kansas shooting

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Frank Asebedo Jr.-photo Kan. Dept. of Corrections
Frank Asebedo Jr.-photo Kan. Dept. of Corrections

COLDWATER- Law enforcement authorities in Comanche County continue to search for a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting on Friday night.

Few details on the shooting have been released.

Police in Coldwater reported they believe the suspect Frank Asebedo Jr. fled the south central Kansas community.

He is 5 ‘4″ tall, 140 pounds and considered armed and dangerous.

Asebedo Jr. has prior convictions for aggravated assault and drug charges in Ford County and has spent time in the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility and been in jail in Norton, Hutchinson, and elsewhere in the state, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Raises in limbo for Kansas University employees

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas won’t give out employee raises while there’s still a chance for last-minute state budget cuts.

Provost Jeff Vitter says the university budgeted midyear, merit-based salary increases for select employees that would comprise about 1 percent of the university’s salary budget.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Vitter wrote in a recent memo to university faculty and staff that extending the raises will depend on a few things, including avoiding any possible state budget cuts. He says the decision will be made later this semester.

Vitter says many employees had asked about the raises.

There’s been speculation about the possibility of additional budget cuts since the Department of Revenue reported last week that the state collected $31 million less in taxes than anticipated for September.

13th Street traffic flow changes as rebuilding project progresses

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Screen Shot 2015-10-05 at 7.18.19 AMWork continues on the reconstruction of 13th Street from Main to Milner. Beginning Tuesday, the intersection of 13th and Allen along with the stretch of 13th Street between Milner and Allen will be open to traffic.

13th Street will remain closed from just west of Allen through Pine Street. An additional stretch of 13th Street between Pine and Oak will be closed as well. This will result in 13th Street being closed between Allen and Oak Streets. Oak Street will remain open to north and south bound traffic. See the map above for the traffic flow.

Since the construction involves the replacement of all of the pavement including the sidewalk, curb & gutter, and parking area, there will be no on-street parking allowed in the construction zone. Residents should find alternate means of accessing their property, such as alleys and side roads. If necessary to walk near areas of construction, please use caution. Also, since there will be displaced parking and more traffic in alleys and side roads, motorists are asked to use caution and be sure not to park in such a way as to block traffic.

The City appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during the course of this project. If there are any questions, contact the Public Works Department at (785) 628-7350 or the contractor, APAC, at (785) 625-3459.

HPD Activity Log Oct. 2-4

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The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 45 traffic stops Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Noise–200 block W 36th St, Hays; 2:32 AM
Stalking–500 block W 36th St, Hays; 9:48 AM
Child in Need of Care–2400 block Oak St, Hays; 10:07 AM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 19th St, Hays; 10:24 AM
Harassment (All Other)–1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 12:13 PM
Animal Call–100 block W 35th St, Hays; 12:21 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block Main St, Hays; 1:32 PM
Burglary/vehicle–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:41 PM
Welfare Check–3500 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:25 PM
Unwanted Person–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 3:33 PM
Criminal Damage to Property; 700 block W 12th St, Hays; 10/1 3 PM; 10/2 4 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 4:12 PM
Theft of Vehicle–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9/28 5:34 PM; 10/2 5:13 PM
Animal At Large–3000 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 5:51 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 6:20 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:45 PM
Civil Dispute–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 7:19 PM
Criminal Trespass–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:30 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 9:38 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–1400 block Main St, Hays; 10:07 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1100 block Main St, Hays; 10:37 PM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Main St, Hays; 10:57 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:11 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 48 traffic stops Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 12 AM
Parking Complaint–100 block E 16th St, Hays; 12:11 AM
Criminal Trespass–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:39 AM
Disperse Crowd–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:03 AM
Disorderly Conduct–4th and Elm, Hays; 1:38 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:40 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block W 9th St, Hays; 2:10 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 5:52 AM
Animal At Large–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 8:48 AM
Animal At Large–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:51 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–500 block E 19th St, Hays; 10:16 AM
Welfare Check–500 block W 21st St, Hays; 11:19 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block Fort St, Hays; 10/2 12 AM; 10/3 11:30 AM
Found/Lost Property–15th and Walnut, Hays; 12:33 PM
Theft (general)–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:37 PM
Found/Lost Property–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 12 PM; 1 PM
Criminal Trespass–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:20 PM; 3:27 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2900 bock Barclay Dr, Hays; 4:10 PM
Driving Under the Influence–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:40 PM; 7:45 PM
Parking Complaint–400 block E 17th St, Hays; 6:13 PM
Aggravated Assault–2000 block Metro Ln, Hays; 8:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–3700 block Fairway Dr, Hays; 9:51 PM
Juvenile Complaint–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 11:07 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 11:14 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 11:33 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and 17 traffic stops Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:03 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–600 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:21 AM
Domestic Disturbance–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:32 AM
Battery – simple–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 12:32 AM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–200 block Main St, Hay; 12:39 AM
Drug Offenses/DUI–100 block W 6th St, Hays; 12:59 AM
Disturbance – Fight–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:25 AM; 1:34 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:51 AM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 3:04 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block Ash St, Hays; 3:53 AM
Missing Person–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10/3 9:45 PM; 10/4 4:12 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1300 block Ash St, Hays; 8:32 AM
Create Public Nuisance–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 9:36 AM
Create Public Nuisance–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 9:49 AM
Create Public Nuisance–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 9:50 AM
Create Public Nuisance–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 9:58 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–600 block Ash St, Hays; 12 AM; 10 AM
Battery – Domestic; 500 block E 20th St, Hays; 10:40 AM; 10:47 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 12:40 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block Elm St, Hays; 2:05 PM
Animal At Large–100 block E 28th St, Hays; 2:56 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 5:23 PM
Missing Person–Hays; 9:49 PM

Clarence F. Bieker

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Clarence Bieker - Picture #2Hays, Kansas – Clarence F. Bieker, age 85, died Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born July 9, 1930, in Ellis, Kansas, to Sylvester and Barbara (Aschenbrenner) Bieker. He married Luella (Herrman) on April 25, 1950, in Hays, Kansas.

He worked 36 years at Heartland Building Center in Hays, as an estimate manager and sales clerk. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Joseph Knights of Columbus Council both of Hays, Kansas. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in his yard and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Luella Bieker, of the home; two sons, Thomas Bieker and wife, Dina, Battlefield, MO; Brian Bieker and wife, April, Dayton, OH; one daughter, Claudia Rader and husband, Ronald, Topeka, KS; one brother, Frank Bieker and wife, Nadine, Salina, KS; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Albert, Martin and John Bieker.

Services are at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 8, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas. Inurnment at St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. Thursday, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.
Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Glenn A. Pfaff

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3338709_wlppGlenn A. Pfaff, age 63, passed away at Grisell Memorial Hospital, Ransom, Kansas on Saturday, October 3, 2015.

He was born June 25, 1952, the son of John and Silvina Hammerschmidt Pfaff.

He was a farmer and stockman who loved to hunt, tell jokes, and BS.

On August 5, 1978, he married Mary Beth Young. She preceded him in death on March 11, 2003.

He is survived by his special friend and companion, Jean Solze; step-son, John; step-daughter, Melissa; brothers, Walter (Judy) Pfaff, Miland, CA, Leon (Pat) Pfaff, Brownell, KS, Roy (Kay) Pfaff, McCracken, KS, Ralph Pfaff, Hutchinson, KS, Bennie (Cindy) Boley, Myra, TX; sisters, Lucille Young, Ness City, KS, Betty Miller, Ellinwood, KS, Eileen (Larry) Backstrom, Great Bend, KS, Laura (Duane) Morgan, Wakeeney, KS, Rebecca (Doran) Kinyon, Holcomb, KS; step-grandchildren, Zachary, Marissa, Amanda, Brett, Selena; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; and sisters, Mary Mask, Hazel Oppel, and Nancy Pfaff.

Viewing will be Monday, October 5, 1:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. and Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, KS.

Funeral will be Wednesday, October 7, 2015 10:30 A.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, KS.

Burial at Vansburg Cemetery, Brownell, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given to Dreiling Schmidt Cancer Center, Hays, KS, or Pheasants Forever.

Legal fight focuses on western Kansas millionaire’s estate

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HAYS (AP) — A legal fight is brewing over the $20.6 million estate of a western Kansas man whose will was changed shortly before his January 2013 death.

At issue is a letter typed on 98-year-old Earl O. Field’s stationary that said he had decided to strip the Fort Hays State University Foundation as the primary beneficiary and instead give the largest portion of his estate to his part-time bookkeeper and caretaker. It described her as “like my daughter.”

The Hutchinson News reports that the foundation considers it fake. Field owned farmland and mineral rights, as well as a business.

A friend of the caretaker told Field’s attorney that he and his wife signed a document with such changes as witnesses. The couple died in a homicide-suicide in August.

Driver hospitalized after semi hits a cow, calf and overturns

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KHPCUBA – One person was injured in an accident just before 2a.m. on Monday in Republic County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Peterbilt semi driven by Jaime Ocampo-Hernandez, 36, Nashville, TN., was westbound on U.S. 36 three miles east of Cuba.

The driver was unable to avoid striking a cow & calf in the roadway.

The semi left the roadway on the north side, struck a driveway entrance, overturned and came to rest in a pasture.

Ocampo-Hernandez was transported to Republic County Hospital.
He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

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