March 2016 – Page 55 – Hays Post Archive

Brownback’s warning on Kan. bond rating stalls move to override his veto

Posted on March 11, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has stalled an effort by Kansas legislators to override one of his vetoes by warning that it could hurt the state’s credit ratings.

The developments Thursday in the Senate involved a bill to protect the aging Docking State Office Building near the Statehouse from demolition.

The demolition was part of a $20 million project to replace Docking’s power plant for nearby government buildings with a new plant. Bipartisan opposition prompted Brownback to cancel it.

The bill tied the project’s cancellation to lawmakers’ refusal to provide money for it. Brownback vetoed it last week, saying it was unnecessary.

Supporters of the bill wanted to vote to override the veto Thursday, but Brownback’s warning about the state’s credit ratings caused them to drop the effort until next week.

Wilber Martin Romeiser

Posted on March 11, 2016

Wilber Martin Romeiser left this world to be with our Lord on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 99. He was born on December 25, 1916 in a saddle and harness shop in Palco, Kansas to the late Herman and Eleanor (Grecian) Romeiser. He graduated from Stockton High School with the Class of 1937 in Stockton, Kansas and was President of the High School Alumni Association in 1965. He was united in marriage to Lodeska Darnell from Plainville, Kansas on March 9, 1943. Together they raised three children, Lodeska Marlene, Douglas Wilber, and Rebecca Rae.

Wilber worked at the Wright Hardware Store on the south side of Main Street in Stockton for 16 years. When Mr. Wright’s son Irwin began working in his father’s store it was Wilber who taught Irwin the Hardware business. In 1931 he proudly began rebuilding his first car, a Ford Model T, with parts he gathered from here and there. Later, in 1945, he built his own building on South Seventh Street in Stockton and started a mechanic shop. He worked on all kinds of machinery, from lawnmowers to combines and everything in between, for approximately 67 years; and was instrumental in the design and development of “Snapper” lawnmowers.

Wilber loved to dance, fish, and hunt. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always loved a good joke or story. He was a wise man in many ways and could tell you what was wrong with your mower or vehicle engine just by the sound it was making. Of course if he didn’t have the tool he needed to fix something, he just made it himself. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America Fraternal Benefit Society for over 68 years, was a lifetime member of the Masonic Paradise Lodge #290 of Plainville, and was a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Wilber is survived by his three children Lodeska Lovin of Overland Park, Douglas Romeiser of Antioch, TN, and Becky Heckman of Stockton; two grandsons Mikel Lovin and wife Amory, and Kevin Lovin all of Kansas City; and third wife Ione Hill-Romeiser of Logan.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Eleanor Romeiser, stepfather Henry Beck, first wife Lodeska in 1975, second wife Alma Rogers of Zurich in 1987, grandson Alan Lovin, and son-in-law William Lovin.

Wilber lived his life as a continual example of brotherly love, relief, and truth. He was always caring, always willing to help, and always seeking wisdom and happiness for others as well as himself. The impact of his life will be remembered until we are all reunited, in that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2016 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Memorials are suggested to Phillips County Retirement Center or Paradise Lodge #290 and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. First Street, Stockton, Kansas 67669. Condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.

Ralph G. Schlick

Posted on March 11, 2016

Goodland, Kansas, resident Ralph G. Schlick, 85, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

He was born January 14, 1931, at Grainfield, Kansas, the son of Emma (Heier) and Peter Joseph Schlick. He graduated from Grainfield High School and from Fort Hays State University in 1968, with a masters degree in social studies.

He served his country in the United States Navy, from March 25, 1952 through March 19, 1956. On November 22, 1962, he and Julie Lee Saffa were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas. He was a high school social studies teacher at Sacred Heart High School in Salina, and at Hays High School in Hays. He was a lifelong learner, with a sharp wit, who enjoyed politics, history, gardening and landscaping, woodworking, Bingo and Pokeno. Ralph was very proud of his wife of fifty-three years, as well as his family. He would make whatever sacrifice necessary for those he loved.

Preceding him in death were his parents; siblings Bill, Pius, Ted, Joe, Cecilia, Walter, Leo, Esther Haffner, Andy, Emanuel; and son-in-law Tom Rohr.

Surviving family includes his wife Julie Schlick of Goodland; daughters Mary Warren and her husband Craig of Salina; Betty Rohr of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Suzie Butts and her husband Rod of Goodland; five grandchildren Anthony Warren, Jessica Warren, Anthony Rohr, Katrina Rohr, Sheldon Nelson; two step-grandchildren Summer Smith and her husband Joe; and Nathan Butts; and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Saturday, March 12, at 1:30 PM MT, at Koons Chapel in Goodland, with Father Norbert Dlabal presiding. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Friends may share their respects on Saturday, from 9:00 until 11:00 AM MT, at Koons Chapel in Goodland.

Memorials may be designated to the Ralph Schlick Memorial, and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.

Online condolences to www.koonsfuneralhome.com.

Bernice Zweifel

Posted on March 11, 2016

Bernice Zweifel, 100 years old, originally from Waldo, KS died on March 6, 2016 in Hays, KS. Bernice was born on November 23, 1915, to Ross & Myrtle (O’Conner) Clow in Covert, KS. Bernice was one of 5 daughters and one son.

Bernice lived in Waldo, KS all her life. She graduated from Waldo High School in 1932.

Bernice married the love of her life, Robert G. Zweifel. They made their home in Waldo. She was a homemaker. To this union, 4 children were born, 3 daughters and 1 son. They attended the Amherst United Methodist Church.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Robert, two sisters and one brother. She is survived by daughters: Betty (Orville) Pruter of Natoma, KS; Barbara (Jim) Tyree of Wilson, KS; Peggy (Douglas) Martin of Nixa, Missouri; Bob (Kathy) Zweifel of Waldo, KS: sisters; Wilma Bear of Waldo, KS; Leona Fink of Phillipsburg, KS: 16 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

INSIGHT KANSAS: GOP lawmakers aim to pack the courts

Posted on March 11, 2016

In 2012, Gov. Sam Brownback badgered Tim Owens, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, with a clear message: “let us change the way we select judges so we can get judges who will vote the way we want them to.”

In plain English the governor and allied Republican state legislators aim to pack Kansas courts with partisan judges. To date they have been largely thwarted, but Kansans should remain wary. Another round of assaults on an independent judicial branch can be expected in the remaining days of the legislative session as well as in campaigns against individual judges this coming November.

H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.

Public attention has been consumed for now with the disastrous condition of state finance—unbalanced budgets, unfair taxation, and excessive debt, plus unconstitutional school finance, but the rendering of impartial justice by Kansas courts deserves equal concern and protection.

Ruling state lawmakers have unleashed a rising crescendo of political threats at the courts over the past five years. Led by the governor and top legislative leaders they are constantly subjecting judges and court rulings to verbal abuse.

They have threatened to shut down the courts with budget cuts.

They have tried to abolish the constitutional procedures for selecting judges on the basis of merit.

They have tried to undo administration of the courts with threats of eliminating court funding.

And last week they advanced legislation of questionable constitutionality that subjects state judges to impeachment for rulings that “usurp legislative or executive authority,” in other words, rulings that legislators do not like.

What is at stake here? These ideologues gained control of the governorship and the Kansas House in 2010, took command of the Kansas Senate in 2012, and now want to commandeer Kansas courts.

Thus far, state legislators who believe in constitutional government have helped state courts withstand this political onslaught. And the courts have proceeded with diligence in interpreting the Kansas Constitution on behalf of all Kansans and providing a check on executive and legislative actions that violate the constitution. These checks and balances represent the hallmark of democracy in the U.S., and an impartial judicial branch stands as a bedrock for our form of government.

But, this legislative session is not over. Majority lawmakers may try again to put forward constitutional amendments that eliminate or politicize procedures for selecting judges on the basis of merit or take actions that threaten court funding or impartial justice in various ways.

If court intimidation through legislative action fails, which now seems likely, Kansans should next expect these lawmakers and their allied groups to campaign against judges who stand for retention in November. Five of the seven Supreme Court justices and six of the fourteen Court of Appeals judges will appear on the ballot for voters to determine whether or not to retain those judges on the courts. Kansans for Life has already targeted a number of judges for non-retention. Groups opposing court rulings on school finance may weigh in as well.

Sorting through these retention elections will require extra vigilance on the part of voters. Ballot fatigue may occur in that judicial retention appears at the very bottom of a long ballot. Groups will be campaigning for and against individual judges, and confusion over largely unknown judges will easily arise. Moreover, state campaign laws do not apply to these statewide retention elections, so voters will not know who is advocating for or against individual judges or financing various campaigns.

In the face of a noisy presidential contest plus critical races involving all 165 state legislative seats, Kansas voters should remain aware that impartial justice and judicial independence are at risk and stand ready to oppose these attempts to pack state courts.

H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.

HPD Activity Log March 10

Posted on March 11, 2016March 11, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and 9 traffic stops Thursday, March 10, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-Pedestrian–900 block Elm St, Hays; 8:16 AM
Drug Offenses–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 2:22 AM
Burglary/business–100 block E 27th St, Hays; 5:10 AM
Burglary/business–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 5:52 AM
Burglary/business—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 5:53 AM
Burglary/business—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 5:57 AM
Burglary/business—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:04 AM
Burglary/business—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:03 AM
Burglary/business–100 block E 27th St, Hays; 6:11 AM
Burglary/business–1000 E 29th St, Hays; 3/9 6 PM; 3/10 6:24 AM
Burglary/business–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 6:48 AM
Burglary/business–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 7:59 AM
Juvenile Complaint–300 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:26 AM
Animal At Large–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:36 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:51 AM
Found/Lost Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:29 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2900 block Hall St, Hays; 1:20 PM
Civil Dispute–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:54 PM
Wildlife Incident–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 3:36 PM
Drug Offenses–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 3/9 6 PM; 3/10 4:21 PM
Mental Health Call–1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 4:48 PM
Animal At Large–2400 block Vine St, Hays; 5:14 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 5:26 PM
Suicidal Subject–2700 block Ash St, Hays; 6:16 PM
Burglary/residence–2000 block Walnut St, Hays; 3/6 5:30 PM; 3/10 7:30 PM

Teen, 2 adults charged with robbing Kan. bank with toddler in getaway SUV

Posted on March 11, 2016

KANSAS CITY. – Two men and a woman were charged here today in a federal criminal complaint alleging they robbed a bank, engaged in a high-speed chase with a 19-month-old child in their car, and fired at police officers who were pursuing them, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Jacob L. Smith, 18, Kansas City, Kan.; Gary Jordan, 39, Kansas City, Kan.; and Danille Morris, 26, Kansas City, Kan.; are charged with one count of bank robbery and one count of brandishing firearms during the robbery

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., alleges Jordan and Smith were armed with handguns on March 9 when they entered the First National Bank at 7460 W. 199th Street in Stilwell, Kan.

Morris and her 19-month-old daughter waited outside in the getaway car. Morris had helped to case the bank before the robbery.

Smith and Jordan held the tellers at gunpoint before fleeing with cash stuffed in a backpack. Jordan took the wheel of the getaway car. During the next 25 minutes, the robbers were pursued by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Leawood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies as they fled across the Kansas/Missouri state line. During the chase, Smith fired at officers from the car. After the car overturned on a sharp turn, the defendants were arrested. Throughout the chase, the child was in a car seat fastened to the back seat of the defendants’ car.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 25 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the bank robbery charge, and a penalty of not less than seven years and not more than life on the brandishing charge. Agencies assisting in the investigation include the FBI, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Leawood Police Department and the Kansas City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

Gregory James Lambrecht

Posted on March 11, 2016

Gregory James Lambrecht, age 54, of Hays, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016 in Hays. He was born April 12, 1961 in Denver, CO to Earl James and Luella Mae (Begler) Lambrecht. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1979. He married Kimberly Ann Turner February 12, 1983 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.

Greg had worked in a variety of oilfield positions with Production Drilling, Mercury Wireline, Western Well Service and currently was an Oilfield Chemical Salesman for Multi-Chem which is a division of Halliburton. He also worked in the grocery business as assistant manager at Food Bonanza and owner/operator of a Little Debbie distributorship. Greg was an avid outdoorsman enjoying fishing, boating and bow hunting. He enjoyed spending time at Cedar Bluff and was active in the Cedar Bluff North Shore Cabin Association. He enjoyed his family and friends but he was especially a proud husband, father and grandfather. Greg was a member of and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis and St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays.

Greg is survived by wife Kim of Hays, KS, daughter Dani and Kyle Ricke, grandchildren Noah and Ella Ricke all of Pratt, KS; his sisters Deb Williams and Fiance Fred Johnson of Sand Springs OK, Joan Yunker and husband Dan of Andover, KS , Gail Dreiling and husband Dave of Ellis; sister and brother in laws-Nancy McDonald and husband Mack of Salina, KS, Linda Depperschmidt and husband Darrell of Lake Wilson, KS ; brother and sister-in- law, John Turner and wife Sharon of Colby, KS ; nieces and nephews: Natalie (Justin) Silkey, Emily Williams, Trevor Williams, Crystal Yunker-Groen (Matt), Candice (Justin) Sullivan, Nicole (Korey) Maxwell, Jake Dreiling, Joan Dreiling (fiance Alex), Michelle (Scott) Ahrenholtz, Jeremy (Melissa) McDonald, Chad (Gina) Depperschmidt, Darcie (Jeremy) Capo, and Shayne (Will) Evans.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jacob and Lydia (Bieker) Begler, George and Bridget (Zimmerman) Lambrecht, his in-laws George and Roberta Turner.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 14, 2016 with a rosary service at 10:00 AM all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Inurnment will follow services at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.

Services in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis.

Memorials in Greg’s memory are suggested to be used for his grandchildren’s education fund established as the Noah and Ella Ricke Education Fund.

Maxine Pearl Binns

Posted on March 11, 2016

Maxine Pearl Binns, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on July 27, 1929 in Sterling, Kansas, the daughter of Walter & Pearl Whittaker Turner. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she worked in nutritional services at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas and at the Added Touch on main street in Scott City, Kansas for several years.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scott City, Kansas, the Dietician’s Association and was a Mary Kay Rep.

On February 7, 1949 she married Allen Lee Binns in Ellsworth, Kansas.

Survivors include her Three Sons – Mike & Debbie Binns of Scott City, Kansas, Tim & Calene Binns of Derby, Kansas, Julian & Karla Binns of Wichita, Kansas, Two Daughters – Susan & Harold Irwin of Scott City, Kansas, Julie & Troy Janssen of Scott City, Kansas, One Daughter In Law – Laurel Binns of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers – Clinton & Margaret Turner of Scott City, Kansas, Clayton & Wanda Turner of Hope, Kansas, Sixteen Grandchildren and Sixteen Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Two Sons – Richard Binns & Porter Binns and One Grandson – Matthew Binns.

Funeral Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 with Pastor John Lewis presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Scott County Library or Park Lane Nursing Home % Price & Sons Funeral Home.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 @ Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Kris Keith Dexter

Posted on March 11, 2016

Kris Keith Dexter, age 69, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas. Kris was born October 21, 1946 in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Harry & Eleanor Mae (Browning) Dexter. He had been a Tribune resident since October of 2015 moving from Garden City, Kansas. He was a retired Art Teacher. Kris served his country in the United States Navy from1968 through 1971.

He was a member of Tyrian Masonic Lodge # 246 in Garden City, Kansas. He was also a Knight’s Templar, and held both the Scottish & York Rites.

Kris surviving family includes

Two children-

Amy Beth Herron- Dighton, Kansas

Kent Dexter- Dodge City, Kansas

Four grandchildren-

Sidney Childers- Arlington, Texas

Levi Childers- Copperas, Texas

William Childers- Ness City, Kansas

Joshua Brookshire- Ness City, Kansas

Cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

At Kris’s request, his body was donated to medical research.

Services will be held at a future time and will be announced by Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Political signs not allowed on highway right of way

Posted on March 11, 2016

KDOT

It’s a sign of the season – campaigning to support your favorite political candidate. However, if your plans involve placing a political sign, the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds you to make sure it’s not located on highway right of way.

By law, all right of way on state highways is to be used exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs are allowed on the state highway system.

KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system. The public should be aware that all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited on the state right of way.

When KDOT maintenance crews find political or business advertising on state right of way, the signs will be removed immediately without notice. All such signs will then be taken to the closest KDOT subarea office where they can be picked up by the owner with the agreement they will not be placed on state right of way again.

All political campaign signs not picked up will be disposed of after the election.

Political campaign advertising is allowed on private property bordering state right of way. However, people erecting signs on private property must first obtain permission from the property owner.

Letter: Wasinger announces Ellis Co. Commission re-election bid

Posted on March 11, 2016March 11, 2016

During my four-year term, major changes have been indelibly etched in the county without raising your property taxes. The passage of the sales tax to finance three much-needed building projects brought progress without placing the burden on Ellis County taxpayers. All of this included moving to and renovating the Administrative Center, constructing the Emergency Services Building and remodeling the jail and Courthouse.

Today, the budget issues that face Ellis County continue to require a sharp pencil and sharp mind. I am filing again for the office of Ellis County Commissioner to address the new challenges and demands that the county will face in the future. This comes with my promise to act with the same determination as I have in the past.

Barbara Wasinger

Hydrant inspections, flushing continues today

Posted on March 11, 2016March 10, 2016

HFD

The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting fire hydrants and flushing water mains on Friday March 11, in the area of 12th Street to 20th Street between Oak Street and Vine St, then along Patio Drive and Metro Lane.

This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.

Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.

For more information contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.