January 2016 – Page 66 – Hays Post Archive

Police use Special Response Unit to arrest Kansas man

Posted on January 7, 2016

LIBERAL- Law enforcement authorities in Seward County are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged aggravated assault.

Just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, officers were called to a residence in the 200 Block of South Roosevelt in Liberal for a reported domestic disturbance, according to a media release from Liberal police.

A 35-year-old woman reported her 35-year-old male partner would not let her leave the residence.

Officers observed the man shove the woman outside. He locked himself in the residence and refused to come out.

The officers learned the man had threatened the woman with a knife during the earlier dispute. She was not injured.

The Liberal Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) was summoned to the scene.

After an aerosol irritant was introduced inside the residence, the man surrendered peacefully

He was taken into custody and transported to the Seward County Jail.

He was booked on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated intimidation of a victim, domestic violence battery and interference with law enforcement. An affidavit will be submitted to the Seward County Attorney for the filing of formal charges.

There were no injuries to the suspect or any officers. Liberal Police have not responded to a request for a name of the suspect.

Martha Mae (Augustine) Beer

Posted on January 7, 2016

Martha Mae (Augustine) Beer, 84, our beautiful, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas. Martha was born December 1, 1931, in Ellis, KS to Joseph and Sophie (Weber) Augustine. She married William Beer on October 17, 1949, where they began their lives in WaKeeney, KS.

Martha was a devoted, long-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was actively involved with the Altar Society, CCD teacher, the choir, and Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered as a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader for all her children. For over fifty years, she was a member of the Gamma Eta chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha where she held various officer positions. She loved playing bridge and belonged to several card clubs. Education was something she strongly believed in thus she spent many years as a World Book Consultant. This gave her the opportunity to work in schools and share her love of learning. Later in life, Martha comforted many people by working at Schmitt Funeral Home. She loved her flower gardens, canning pickles from Bill’s garden and cooking for family and friends. She always kept her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to her heart and shared her lovely smile with everyone.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Bill and her children: Bernadette (husband Tom) Crayton of La Grande, OR, Arlin (wife Debbie) Beer of Wichita, KS, Daniel Beer of New York, NY, Sheila (husband Tim) Shaw of Wichita, KS; six grandchildren: Tadd (wife Sarah) Crayton of Austin, TX, Shandi (husband Brian) Ricciotti of Dana Point, CA, Kellen Beer, CA, Connor Beer of Denver, CO, Arisa Shaw of Wichita, KS, and Casey Beer, Wichita, KS; four great-grandchildren: Concetta and Valentino Ricciotti, Abigale Crayton and Eden Eberle Beer; sisters: Dorothy Younger of McPherson, KS and Janie Daniels of Laramie, WY; brothers: Leonard Augustine and Elmer Augustine, both of Hays, KS and Harold Augustine of Hutchinson, KS and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sons, and brothers Robert, Donald and Larry Augustine.

Visitation will be Friday, January 8, 2016, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS. Rosary will follow that evening at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. Private family burial will be at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family has requested memorials made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation. Checks made to the church or hospital may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

14 dogs die in Kansas house fire

Posted on January 7, 2016

Image- Lawrence Journal World — Image- courtesy Nick Krug, Lawrence Journal World

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Fourteen dogs have died in a northeast Kansas house fire that their owner narrowly escaped.

Watch firefighters battle the blaze here.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Kevin Matthews awoke Tuesday morning to smoke filling his room. He broke through a bedroom window of his home near the Douglas County town of Baldwin and jumped out.

Matthews says he then flagged down a driver, who helped him call 911. The fire was under control within an hour, but the house is considered a total loss. Willow Springs Fire Department Assistant Chief Clint Hornberger says the cause appears to be accidental.

Matthews says nine adult dogs and five puppies died in the fire. Several of the dogs were personal pets. He says he had rescued others and was working to find people to adopt them.

Now That’s Rural: Clyde Cessna

Posted on January 7, 2016

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

The world’s most popular airplanes. That’s one description of the planes built by the Cessna Aircraft Company, maker of more light aircraft than any company in the world. It was all started by a rural Kansas farmboy. And he’s the subject of today’s Kansas Profile.

Clyde Cessna was born in Iowa. When he was one year old, his family moved to Kansas and lived on a farm near the rural community of Rago in Kingman County. Rago is unincorporated. It’s located east of the town of Spivey, population 79 people. Now, that’s rural.

As a farmboy, Clyde learned to be a good mechanic and handyman. He helped area farmers with their equipment and then branched out into working on automobiles. He became an auto mechanic and then a car salesman in Enid, Oklahoma.

One day in 1910, he went to Oklahoma City and saw what was called an “air circus”: An exhibition by a group of touring stunt pilots. He was so intrigued by the airplanes that he quit his job and moved to New York to take a job in aircraft construction.

He learned the craft of airplane manufacturing and then moved back to Oklahoma to build his own planes. Cessna crashed on his first flight attempt but made his first successful flight in 1911, eight years after the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk. With that flight, he became the first person to build and fly a powered aircraft in the heartland of America, between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.

Clyde Cessna tried to generate income by flying exhibitions, but money was scarce in those times. He finally moved his family back to the farm in Kansas, where the only building still standing was a barn. Believe it or not, the family moved into that barn temporarily. The family literally lived in the hayloft while Clyde worked on trying to build better airplanes. Each year he built a new and improved model.

In 1916, Cessna had a unique opportunity. A Wichita car-building company named “Jones Six” invited him to build an airplane in its auto factory to publicize the company. So, Cessna came to Wichita and built a new plane with the words “Jones Six” painted on the wings in giant letters which could be read from a thousand feet below.

It was the first airplane ever built in Wichita, Kansas – the first of more than a quarter million airplanes, which would help earn Wichita the name of Air Capital. Cessna continued to build and upgrade his planes. In 1917, his plane named Comet set the U.S.-national speed record of 124 miles per hour.

After World War I, Cessna joined with two legendary partners: Lloyd Stearman and Walter Beech, who was also a test pilot. In 1925, they formed a company called Travel Air Manufacturing.

This company became one of the nation’s leading airplane manufacturers. Two years later, Clyde Cessna set out on his own, to build a high-performance, single-wing plane that could outperform the biplanes of the time. His monoplane model would be able to reach speeds of 145 miles per hour and fly more than seven hours in length, a remarkable achievement for the time.

However, the Great Depression hit and the company put the business on hold. Clyde Cessna went back to the farm, but his nephew Dwayne Wallace was still working in aviation. Dwayne encouraged Clyde to restart the business and together, they did so. Clyde retired in 1936 but his nephew would continue to build the company.

The company grew and changed through the years. For example, the 1956 Cessna Skyhawk would outsell every other light airplane in the world. Today, the Cessna Aircraft Company is considered one of the world’s largest makers of small aircraft.

The world’s most popular airplanes. That was one description of the planes built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. We salute its founder and namesake Clyde Cessna for making a difference with entrepreneurship in aviation.

And there’s more. Before revitalizing Cessna, Dwayne Wallace had been working for none other than Clyde’s former partner Walter Beech who founded his own airplane company. We’ll learn about that next week.

HPD Activity Log Jan. 6

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and 29 traffic stops Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal At Large–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 8:26 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block Fort St, Hays; 9:37 AM
Welfare Check–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 10:36 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 25th Terr, Hays; 11:32 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block W 22nd St, Hays; 12 AM; 11:55 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:30 AM; 12:31 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–Hays; 12:34 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block E 43rd St, Hays; 1:05 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 1:10 PM
Disorderly Conduct–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:14 PM
Burglary/vehicle–2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 11/30 8 AM; 12/6 8 AM
Shoplifting–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 2:04 PM
Found/Lost Property–700 block Jefferson St, Ellis; 2:18 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1000 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:49 PM
Welfare Check–200 block W 37th St, Hays; 3:28 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block Main St, Hays; 4:05 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block Indian Trl, Hays; 4:25 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–2500 block Indian Trl, Hays; 4:46 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:39 PM
Unwanted Person–700 block Vine St, Hays; 9:15 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:23 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 37th St, Hays; 11:13 PM

Arraignment set for Kan. man accused in grocery store sting operation

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

HUTCHINSON— A Kansas Convenience store owner was bound over for trial on Wednesday, accused of selling items police believed were stolen from Dillons and for being in possession of K-2 or synthetic marijuana.

In May of 2015, Chris Patel, 43, was arrested in Hutchinson and charged with possession of K-2 with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school, no drug tax stamp, and possession of stolen property.

His arraignment is set for February 2.

Police say Patel, the owner of the Zip Trip located at 200 East Avenue A in Hutchinson was purchasing what he believed to be stolen goods from a member of Kroger’s organized retail crime unit.

The stolen goods, included cases of Red Bull energy drink, Tide laundry detergent and cigarettes.

Testimony from witnesses Wednesday showed that Patel made numerous purchases, then stored the items in another building.

The items were secretly marked and eventually showed up in Patel’s store. A search warrant of Patel’s home turned up more items as well as 45 bags of K-2.

Patel remains free on Bond.

Mitchell L. ‘Mitch’ Homburg

Posted on January 7, 2016

Mitchell L. “Mitch” Homburg, age 61, of Fort Worth, TX formerly of Ellis, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Downtown Health and Rehab Center in Fort Worth. He was born January 14, 1954 in Hays, Kansas to Harold A. and Uberta L. “Bert” (Warta) Homburg. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1972 and attended Central Missouri State University and Fort Hays State University.

Mitch had worked as a graphic designer and was an accomplished guitarist and keyboardist.

He is survived by his brother, Kevin Homburg and wife Marla and a niece, Abbey Homburg all of Hays.

Memorial services will be 11 AM Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601

Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in Hays or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be sent by guest book to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Robert J. Staab

Posted on January 7, 2016

Robert J. Staab, Hays, Kansas, age 89, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born January 17, 1926, at Catharine, Kansas, to Albert J. and Ida (Wiesner) Staab. He married Alice Marie (Windholz) on September 11, 1946 at Victoria, Kansas.

He was a driver and delivered freight for the Graves Truck Lines for over 25 years out of the Hays Office. He was a lifetime resident of Ellis County and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Knights of Columbus and V.F.W. Post No. 9076 all of Hays.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served in the battle of Iwo Jima where he witnessed the famous raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi. He was also involved in the liberation of Okinawa and observed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from aboard his ship. Bob was a avid sports fan and enjoyed fishing, golfing and baseball.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Staab, of the home; six sons, Robert Dean Staab and wife, Dorothy, Plainville, KS; William Staab and wife, Wendy, Hays, KS; Kenneth Staab and wife, Connie, Hays, KS; John Staab and wife, Debby, Orlando, FL; David Staab, Austin, TX; Randy Staab and wife, Paula, Hays, KS; one daughter, Sandy Staab, Garden City, KS; four brothers, Paul Staab, Firestone, CO; Frank Staab and wife, Irma Denver, CO; Norman Staab and wife, Barbara, Tucson, AZ; Joe Staab, Deertrail, CO; one sister-in-law, Catherine Staab, Brighton, CO; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Terry Staab; three brothers, Albert W. Staab; Fred “Buddy” Staab; Richard Staab; two sisters, Rita Billinger and Eileen Bollig; one granddaughter, Jessica Staab; one great grandchild, Rachel Alexander; and one great-great grandson, Kayden Weilert.

Service are at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.

Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 11:00 to 1:45 P.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Catholic Charities. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Firma Hammersmith

Posted on January 7, 2016

Firma Hammersmith, Gorham, Kansas, age 76, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas.

She was born April 1, 1939, in Victoria, Kansas to Alfred P. and Anna (Braun) Rohr. She married Joe A. Hammersmith on April 1, 1959, at Victoria, Kansas.

She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis at Victoria and the Daughters of Isabella at Gorham. She was a 1957 graduate of Victoria High School. Firma was a person full of life and zest.

She had a strong devotion for her faith, family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Joe A. Hammersmith, of the home; one son, Todd Hammersmith, Gorham, KS; one daughter, Carmen Lyczak and husband, Victor, Wichita, KS; two grandchildren, Victoria Lyczak and Cooper Hammersmith; two brothers, Jerry Rohr (Mary Ann), Russell, KS; Leon Rohr (Sandy), Lincoln, KS; five sisters, Bernita Schrant, Victoria, KS; Shirley Hammersmith (Marvin), Horton, KS; Vera Rohleder (Norman), Russell, KS; Mary Ann Kuhn, Kansas City, MO; Arlene Giebler (Ivan), Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Floyd Rohr; one infant brother, Larry Andrew Rohr; and one brother-in-law, Norman Schrant.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Daughters of Isabella rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 5:00 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to the Dreiling-Schmidt Cancer Center Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Colter J. Berry

Posted on January 7, 2016

Colter J. Berry, age 28, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 in south Finney County, Kansas as the result of an automobile accident. He was born on December 12, 1987 in Scott City, Kansas, the son of Harold Dean and Shannon Marie Dunagan Berry. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, he was a measurement technician for Northern Natural Gas.

Colter was a 2006 graduate of Scott Community High School, a Volunteer Fire Fighter for Scott City, Kansas and was a member of the NRA.

On June 4, 2011 he married Kelli Crouch in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Kelli Berry of Scott City, Kansas, One Son – Clay Thomas Berry of Scott City, Kansas, Parents – Harold & Shannon Berry of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Shelby Thomas Berry of Kansas City, Missouri, One Sister – Shantel Berry-Lobmeyer of Scott City, Kansas, One Niece – Cami Lobmeyer of Scott City, Kansas, Grandparents – Thurman & Delinda Dunagan of Scott City, Kansas, Grandmother – Martha Berry of Scott City, Kansas and a Great Grandmother – Cecile Billings of Scott City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by One Grandfather – Samuel Berry, Great Grandparents – Willard & Julia Dunagan and Nathan Billings and Two Cousins – Laura Dunagan and Olivia Dunagan.

Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Scott City, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016 with the Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to the Clay Berry & Cami Lobmeyer Scholarship Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Police: Kidnapping suspect captured, victim safe UPDATE

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016

Fechtler - photo Longmont Police — Thomas Fechtler (Photo: Longmont Police)

LONGMONT, CO- Thomas Fechtler was arrested in Alabama just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, according to police. The teenage victim is safe. No additional details have been released.

————–

LONGMONT, CO – Law enforcement in Colorado and Kansas are asking the public for help locating a kidnapping suspect who is reportedly headed to Missouri from Colorado, according to a Longmont Police media release.

Thomas Ludwig Fechtler AKA Thomas Kitchen, 51, is wanted on a felony arrest warrant for sexual assault on a child – position of trust, 2nd degree kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

He is believed to be driving a 2007 Toyota Rav4, light green, bearing Missouri plate WH9K2U. This vehicle has rear end damage and expired plates (November 2015). He is 5’10” tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has brown eyes and gray hair.

Fechtler is traveling with his victim, 16-year-old Abbagail Chance.

Chance is described as a white female, 5’3”, 120 lbs with blond hair and blue eyes.

Fechtler may be heading to one of the following cities in Missouri. St. Joseph, MO, Darlington, MO or Kingston, MO. If you have information leading to the location of these parties, please contact Longmont Police at 303-651-8501 or local law enforcement for the area in which they are located.

2 men arrested after shots fired at police in Kansas

Posted on January 7, 2016

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Two men have been arrested in suburban Kansas City after shots were fired at an officer in an unmarked vehicle.

Shawnee police said in a news release that no one was hurt in Wednesday night’s shooting. The shooting happened while an officer who was conducting surveillance followed a vehicle from Lenexa to nearby Shawnee.

The news release said the Lenexa officer tried to arrange for a marked police vehicle to intercept the suspect vehicle. But before that could happen, two people in the suspect vehicle are accused of shooting at the officer.

Police said several police officers responded, and the suspect vehicle was disabled with a tire-deflation device. The two suspects are jailed in Johnson County.

City to hear Coalition activity update, consider changes in eco-devo policy

Posted on January 7, 2016January 6, 2016

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

In addition to an update of the 2015 activities of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, Hays city commissioners will discuss modifications to the city’s economic development policy during tonight’s work session.

The 2016 budget for the city of Hays does not contain a direct allocation for the ECC. The allocation is listed as “Economic Development.” No funds will be released to the Coalition until approved by the city commission. ECCED Executive Director Aaron White is scheduled to present the activity update.

During consideration of a travel plaza development proposal, and subsequent economic development request by NWK Investments last year, the city commission suggested the economic development policy be revised to more clearly define the role of the Coalition. City staff met with White and the city’s bond counsel to develop the suggested revisions.

The result of those meetings, according to Assistant City Manager Jacob Woods, is the addition of a proposed new section, a “Statement of Process” to streamline the application process and make it consistent for all potential developers.

“If you’re somebody that wants to bring in a business to Hays, you’ll know exactly what the expectations are,” Woods explained. “It also will clarify the role of the Economic Development Coalition as far as what role they play in the policy.”

You can see the proposed Statement of Process and the entire Jan. 7 work session agenda here.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall.