SEWARD COUNTY – A teen driver died in an accident just after 6p.m. on Tuesday in Seward County.
On Wednesday, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Honda Civic driven by Moses Jerimiah Arevalo, 19, El Paso, TX., was eastbound on U.S. 54 eleven miles east of Liberal.
The vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with a semi.
After impact both vehicles came to rest in the westbound ditch.
Arevalo was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miller Mortuary.
The semi driver from Illinois was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WICHITA – A registered sex offender living in Kearny County Kansas was sentenced Monday to 20 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.
Mark A. Wireman, 44, Lakin, Kan., pleaded guilty in July 2015 to five federal counts of distributing child pornography.
Wireman was indicted in Kansas in February 2015.
Prosecutors alleged he used his Gmail account to send a photograph of a toddler being sexually assaulted by an adult to another man in Michigan.
Google identified the photo as child pornography and filed a CyberTipline report. Investigators followed an electronic trail to Wireman, who made unauthorized use of his neighbor’s wireless Internet service to send the photograph. On Wireman’s phone, investigators found more child pornography he had distributed. Investigators learned Wiremen and the man to whom Wireman sent child pornography became friends in prison while Wireman was serving time for a sex offense.
Wireman has prior convictions in 2007 and 1994 in Michigan for sex offenses.
Grissom commended the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Wichita Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.
SALINA- Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating four suspects being held on alleged drug charges.
The suspects were arrested Tuesday following the execution of search warrants at three locations in the 400 block of Baker Street in Salina, according to Interstate135/Interstate 70 Drug Task Force commander Lt. Bill Cox.
At 425 Baker, the DTF and Salina Police SWAT team found 115 tablets of ecstasy, personal use methamphetamines, marijuana, and recovered two handguns.
They arrested 26-year-old Roland T. Chatmon and Nytaia N. Rich.
Nytaia Rich
At 423 Baker officers found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and recoverd two handguns, one which had the serial number defaced. They arreted 40-year-old Boyakeo Nonalasy and 20-year-old Elizabeth Denholm.
At 421 Baker, no one was at home, but DTF members found several types of ammunition.
Elizabeth Denholm
Authorities say more arrests are possible in the case.
GARDEN CITY – Law enforcement authorities in Finney County are investigating an alleged aggravated assault.
Officers were dispatched just after 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday to the 1900 Block of East Mary Street in Garden City in reference to a domestic disturbance, according to a police department media release.
It was reported that a vehicle was chasing another vehicle, driving recklessly and attempting to ram a victim.
The suspect’s vehicle was located at Taylor and Mary Street and stopped by police.
The driver, Manuel Melendez-Davila, 22, Garden City, was stopped and arrested without incident.
The investigation revealed that the suspect was driving recklessly, almost striking other vehicles and the victim’s vehicle.
A 2 year-old child was inside the victim’s vehicle at the time of the incident.
Melendez-Davila is being held at the Finney County Jail and could face the possible charges of: Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Endangering a Child Driving while License Suspended (2nd)and Reckless Driving
The case has been turned over to the Finney County Attorney’s Office.
KDOT camera view on I-70 at Kanorado just after 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday
GOODLAND, Kan. (AP) — A winter storm system packing snow and high winds is expected to hit sections of northwest Kansas.
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for counties in northwest Kansas near the Colorado and Nebraska borders early Wednesday. The weather service says the warning remains in effect through Wednesday evening.
Forecasters are expecting strong winds with gusts up to 65 miles per hour to combine with blowing snow to reduce visibility in the area, making travel hazardous. Forecasts call for 2 inches to 6 inches of snow, with temperatures in the low to mid-30s.
I-70 at Burlington, Co just after 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday
Brian Warren, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Goodland, says the snow began in western Kansas early Wednesday and more is likely by late afternoon.
Brandon Ray Younker, age 23, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in Ludowici, Georgia. He was born on September 26, 1992 in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Blair Younker and Roberta “Bobbi” Dearden.
Survivors include his Father – Blair Younker of Aberdeen, South Dakota accompanied by Irene Younker of Denton, Texas, Mother – Roberta “Bobbi” Strait of Alexander, North Dakota, One Brother – Dallas & Regina Younker of San Angelo, Texas, Five Sisters – Stephanie & Michael Woods of Glennville, Georgia, Michelle Richards of Colby, Kansas, Desiree Younker & Robert Perkins of Saginaw, Texas, Amber Gonzales of Denton, Texas, Megan Younker of Denton, Texas, Grandmothers – Connie Dearden of Abilene, Texas, Alma Dearden of Scott City, Kansas, Grandfather – Robert & Mary Dearden of Scott City, Kansas and Thirteen Nieces & Nephews.
He was preceded in death by One Uncle – Kevin Younker.
Graveside Services will be held at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 with the Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Memorials may be given to the Brandon Younker Memorial Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
HARTFORD, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have identified a person killed in a weekend house fire in eastern Kansas.
The Emporia Gazette reports that the fire was reported Sunday at a home in Hartford. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Department says in a release that the coroner’s office identified the person found dead at the scene as 53-year-old Mearl Edvin Whillock II.
The cause of the fire and the cause of death are under investigation.
Denver Museum prep labFHSU University Relations and Marketing
The third time was the charm.
David Levering, the education director at Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History, wanted to share his passion for science — and throw in some craft and specialty beers, too. But Levering was having difficulty finding enough adults wanting to take a trip to Denver to explore his passion for both science and crafty and specialty beer. Twice before, not enough people signed up.
Hoping for eight this time, Levering settled for four to accompany him for the trip “Sternberg Outbound: Denver” last month.
“I would consider it a success,” Levering said. “I would consider it a greater success if we had more people, but all the feedback I’ve gotten back has been nothing but positive. Our participants had a really good time.”
The first day of the trip included a tour of the Sternberg Museum research collections, as well as a meeting with the brewers of Defiance Brewery, and Gellas Diner & Lb. Brewing Co., also in Hays, before the group traveled to Denver.
“Across the board, the favorite part was visiting the museum collections,” Levering said. “They really seemed to enjoy the behind-the-scenes stuff at the museums — as much if not more — than the beer science part.”
The first day in Denver, the group visited the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
The group also visited a couple of breweries — River North Brewery and Epic Brewing Denver before visiting De Steeg Brewing. On the last day of the trip, the group traveled to Boulder to visit Avery Brewing.
“I thought the trip was a great opportunity to get some friends together, explore the Denver Museum, local eateries and breweries, and of course, broaden my knowledge behind the science of beer and expand my palette for the numerous beer offerings and flavors out there,” said Karl Pratt, Hays.
Pratt knew what the highlight was for him.
“The behind-the-scenes tours at both the Sternberg and Denver museums were outstanding,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the ‘hidden’ collections first-hand.”
Levering said another trip to Denver might be considered in the future if there are more participants. He is working on other adult travel programs, including one in 2017 to the Galapagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean which Charles Darwin visited in 1835. His observation of Galápagos’ species later inspired his theory of evolution.
Levering’s goal is to make science more approachable to the everyday person.
“The appeal of doing stuff like this is at the basic level adults like doing cool stuff, too,” he said. “Going outside and exploring and looking at cool stuff isn’t something people stop enjoying when they turn 18.”
Levering is aware some people are scared off at the thought of science, remembering past bad experiences in school, for instance. That’s where Sternberg’s programs come in.
“In an informal setting — like the museum — we can talk about science in a way that is meant to be more approachable,” Levering said. “We want people to have a greater appreciation for how science gets done. At the same time, we’re going to have some themes about how beer gets made, because there’s a lot of science in that, too. But if we had done a class on that at the museum, we may or may not have had the same number of people.
“The advantage of our program, we don’t give you a test at the end,” he added. “We’re just excited to talk about it. The opportunity to get people excited about these things is just as important as anything else we’re doing.”
She received the second-place national award in Written News for a news column which appeared in the Hays Daily News and Hays Post last summer entitled “Canning Mistakes Can Be Deadly.” In the article, Beech reminded readers to avoid deadly canning mistakes in home food preservation with the slogan “just because it seals doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
She also received a third-place Television/Video Communications Award in the 12-state Central Region for a TV spot aired on “Extras From Extension” by Eagle Community TV of Hays. Jeff Durall of Eagle Communications was the video producer. The 10-minute TV broadcast reviewed food safety recommendations for thawing large pieces of meat or poultry and showed the four safe methods for thawing food at holiday time.
This national award competition encourages excellence in nine communication categories for Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agents across the nation. The awards are sponsored by the NEAFCS membership and awards fund.
The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 8:15 a.m. Thursday in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
Agenda items include a public hearing for a variance request by Ashley Neuburger to construct a detached garage at 620 E. 12th Street.
The board will also hear variance requests from Dan and Jennifer Hecker to construct a storage shed at 316 E. 6th Street, and from Bernard H. Werth to reduce the front yard building setback on a land parcel on General Custer Road.
Also scheduled are consideration of setting a public hearing from Luecke Properties LLC for a special use permit for construction of storage units at 780 E. 41st Street, and Dave Randa will request a variance for an off-premise advertising sign at 1104 E. 22nd Street.
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
TOPEKA–Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Kari Bruffett announced Tuesday that 10 adult care facilities throughout the state have been recognized with a 2015 PEAK 2.0 Award for sustaining person-centered care for their residents.
“KDADS remains committed to ensuring high quality services for Kansas nursing home residents,” Secretary Bruffett said. “I want to congratulate the management and staff of these winning facilities for their extraordinary effort and the excellent care they provide.”
Person-centered care nursing homes have moved away from the institutional model of nursing home care and toward a more homelike environment in which residents have a say in their day-to-day lives. Mentor Homes are PEAK 2.0 facilities that have mentored other adult care facilities in implementing person-centered care.
The following facilities were recognized:
Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade
· Brewster Health Center, Topeka – Mentor
· Evergreen Community of Johnson County, Olathe – Mentor
· Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, Manhattan – Mentor
· Pleasant View, Inman – Mentor
· Medicalodges Columbus, Columbus
· Schowalter Villa, Hesston
· Dooley Center, Atchison
· Parkside Homes, Hillsboro
· Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade (Meade District Hospital long-term care unit)
· Pine Village, Moundridge
For more than 10 years, the State of Kansas has recognized nursing homes for successfully implementing this positive, person-centered approach to caring for adults through the Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes (PEAK) program.
In 2012, PEAK was revised and became PEAK 2.0, a Medicaid pay-for-performance incentive program. Homes that engage in system changes to support person-centered care or who have demonstrated implementation of person-centered care receive financial incentives through Medicaid reimbursement. This initiative redesigned the performance incentives included in the Medicaid nursing home reimbursement formula to recognize achievement in the areas of resident choice, staff development, home environment and meaningful life. There are now 234 adult care home facilities participating in PEAK 2.0.
As a result of this culture-change movement, accommodating the personal preferences of residents has become as important as providing the vital care, services and supports they need.
SEWARD COUNTY – A teen driver died in an accident just after 6p.m. on Tuesday in Seward County.
