May 2016 – Page 2 – Hays Post Archive

Kan. man arrested after alleged wild drive in front end loader

Posted on May 31, 2016May 31, 2016

BARTON COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Barton County are investigating a suspect

Just before 11 p.m. on May 27, Barton County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the south side of the Arkansas River after they had received reports of an alleged intoxicated person operating a front end loader and destroying property, according to a media release.

Evidently the suspect had run over several fences and posts belonging to the city of Great Bend along the flood control project.

Upon arrival, Sheriff’s officers located the front end loader but the operator fled.

The deputies determined the suspect took the loader from a local concrete company where he was employed.

The suspect was identified by several witnesses at the scene. He was later apprehended at his residence in Great Bend.

Jeremy W. Northcutt, 26, was arrested and charged with burglary, felony criminal damage to property and attempting to flee and elude a law enforcement officer. He is currently being held in the Barton County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.

Kan. lawmakers in no hurry to issue response on school funding

Posted on May 31, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle says lawmakers won’t attempt this week to address the state Supreme Court’s most recent ruling on education funding.

The Wichita Republican issued a statement Tuesday saying the state’s attorneys have not had enough time to analyze the decision.

Lawmakers reconvene Wednesday to formally adjourn their annual session.

Wagle said she’s consulted with Republican House Speaker Ray Merrick and GOP Gov. Sam Brownback about Friday’s court decision and they’ve agreed on taking no action yet.

Their stance means the Legislature could have a special session in June.

The court rejected changes made by legislators earlier this year and said the school finance system remains unfair to poor districts. The justices gave lawmakers until June 30 to fix the remaining problems or face having schools remain closed.

Kansas teen sentenced in sister’s stabbing death

Posted on May 31, 2016

SALINA, Kan. (AP) — A 16-year-old Kansas girl has been ordered to spend nearly 16 years in prison in connection with the stabbing death of her younger sister.

Sierra Neihaus was sentenced Tuesday in Saline County. That’s where she pleaded no contest in March to amended charges of second-degree murder, felony theft, and two counts of interference with law enforcement.

Prosecutors allege Niehaus fatally stabbed her 13-year-old sister, Galazia, at the family’s rural home on Aug. 1, 2014.

FHSU men’s golf signs Willey and Ayres for the 2016-17 season

Posted on May 31, 2016

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Men’s Golf announced the signing of two student-athletes for the 2016-17 season. Joining the Tigers next season will be Marcus Willey and Dalton Ayres. Willey will be a freshman, while Ayres is a junior transfer from Kansas City (Kan.) Community College.

Willey comes to Fort Hays State from Abilene High School in Abilene, Kan. He was a three-time state qualifier, most recently tying for third at the 2016 Kansas Class 4A State Championship. He tied for 15^th as a junior. Willey is the son Mark Willey, who played both basketball and golf at Fort Hays State.

Ayres is a native of Newton, Kan., who played two years at Kansas City (Kan.) Community College. He helped his team to the NJCAA National Tournament this season as KCKCC won the regional tournament to qualify for nationals. At nationals, KCKCC finished ninth as a team and Ayres fired four consecutive rounds in the 70s to finish 47th individually.

Movie prop money reported being used in Kansas

Posted on May 31, 2016

BUTLER COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Butler County are investigating a report of fake money in the area.

Last week the fake money was passed twice in El Dorado, according to El Dorado Crime Stoppers.

The money used is “prop money,” typically used in movies.

Authorities urged residents to check your bills. The bill shown is prop money, and it says “Motion Picture Use Only” in place of “United States of America” on the front and backs of the bills.

Also, on a real bill, the blue line is reflective and is not on the prop money.

If you have any information about this crime call crime stoppers at 316-321-1080 or make a report online at eldoradocrimestoppers.com.

Community Connection: Jason Riegel

Posted on May 31, 2016

Billinger announces run for vacated 40th Dist. Senate seat

Posted on May 31, 2016

Rep. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, announced his bid Tuesday for the 40th Dist. Senate Seat.

Submitted

GOODLAND–Representative Rick Billinger (R-Goodland) announced Tuesday he is running for the Kansas Senate to represent the 40th Kansas Senate District. Rep. Billinger is serving his second term, now representing the 120th House District and previously serving the 121st House District from 2011-2012 prior to redistricting.

Rep. Billinger currently serves on the Committees for Insurance and Financial Institutions, Commerce, Labor and Economic Development, and Pensions and Benefits. He has previously served on the Education and Local Government Committees.

Rep. Billinger attended school in Park and graduated from Wheatland High School in Grainfield. An Army Veteran, Rep. Billinger was a member of the First Calvary Eighth Engineers. After his military service, he attended Colby Community College and Fort Hays State University where he graduated with a degree in General Business Studies.

In addition to opening Billinger Farm operations in Goodland in 1987, Rep. Billinger worked for over 30 years in the modular home business, starting as partner and eventually becoming owner/operator of the business.

Representing Northwest Kansas in a number of capacities for the past 20 years, Rep. Billinger has served as both City Commissioner and Mayor of Goodland. He currently serves as an executive board member of the Boy Scouts of America and is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, the National Rifle Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Wheat Growers Association, Pheasants Forever, American Legion and the Elks Lodge.

The 40th Senate District includes Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace Counties as well as part of Phillips County. The District is currently represented by Senator Ralph Ostmeyer (R-Grinnell), who today announced he will not seek re-election.

Ellis Co. restaurant and lodging inspections, 5/23 – 5/29

Posted on May 31, 2016May 31, 2016

Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:

Big John’s Saloon 2111 Catharine, Hays – May 26

A routine inspection found two violations.

Container of diced tomatoes in the whirlpool refrigerator had no date present.
Two spray cans of an aerosol fragrance were being stored directly above ready to eat food in the back storage area.

Brass Rail 114 E. 11th, Hays – May 26

A routine inspection found three violations.

No hand drying provisions at the bar hand sink.
No covered trash receptacle provided for female sanitary napkins.
Stir sticks that are present on the bar area do not have any type of cover present.

VFW 2106 Vine, Hays – May 26

A routine inspection found one violation.

In the walk in cooler there were raw ground beef patties that were being stored directly over ready-to-eat hamburger buns and butter.

The Library Bar and Grill 1102 3rd, Victoria – May 24

A routine inspection found one violation.

Business does not have a variance for a service sink.

Rose Garden Banquet Hall 2350 E. 8th, Hays – May 24

A routine inspection found two violations.

Ladle said to be clean by the person-in-charge stored in a drawer, not in use, with dried food debris in a weld joint of the utensil.
Spray nozzle at 3 vat sink in the prep area hanging below the flood rim of the sink.

Sno Shack 2509 260th Ave, Hays – May 24

A routine inspection found one violation.

Container of syrup, as said by the person-in-charge with no common name on the container.

Loves 200 Washington, Ellis – May 23

A routine inspection found three violations.

Plastic container of blue thick liquid was being stored next to the clothes washing machine.
Atmospheric pressure back flow device in the mop sink is leaking when the water is turned on.
Hand Soap was being stored directly above single use towels and single use plates.

Dairy Queen 200 Washington, Ellis – May 23

A routine inspection found two violations.

Case of single use cups are being stored directly on the floor in the back storage room.
Two rubber spatulas that were cleaned and put away had imperfections in the rubber heads.

SHPTV Share A Story starts Wednesday, Friday in Hays

Posted on May 31, 2016

BUNKER HILL – This summer Smoky Hills Public Television is working with public libraries throughout central and western Kansas to conduct summer reading programs through the Share a Story project.

Share a Story helps children become better readers by inspiring adults to read to children every day. Research shows that activities like these do make a difference. Children who are read to everyday, from birth on, do better in school, become good listeners and writers, and have better language, critical and imaginative skills.

Share a Story is a 45-60 minute program geared toward children ages 2-7. Each program consists of viewing a short clip from a PBS children’s program, reading a related book and doing a simple activity. Each participant receives his or her own book and related materials. The programs begin June 1. The schedule is available at smokyhillstv.org.

The Hays event is Friday, June 3, at 2 p.m. in the Hays Public Library.

Simple, fun daily activities like reading aloud, story telling, rhyming, singing, exercise, drawing and acting, teach young children language and literacy skills – and that’s what Smoky Hills Public Television’s Share A Story is all about.

2016 Share A Story Schedule

June 1: 10:00am @ Spearville
10:30am @ Luray
3:00pm @ Sublette

June 3: 2:00pm @ Hays

June 6: 10:00am @ Ashland

June 7: 10:30am @ Oakley
1:00pm @ Claflin
2:00pm @ Elkhart

June 8: 10:00am @ Plainville

June 9: 10:00am @ Stockton
10:30am @ Belleville
1:00pm @ Dighton

June 10: 1:00pm @ Little River

June 13: 10:00am @ Johnson
10:00am @ Hill City
11:00am @ Great Bend
1:00pm @ Great Bend

June 14: 10:00am @ Sterling
10:30am @ Phillipsburg
1:00pm @ Tribune (MT)

June 15: 9:00am @ Lenora
10:00am @ Beloit
1:00pm @ Satanta

June 16: 10:00am @ Logan
10:15am @ Lincoln
1:00pm @ Minneapolis
2:30pm @ Copeland
7:00pm @ Agra

June 17: 10:00am @ Sterling
1:00pm @ Almena

June 20: 10:30am @ Plains

June 21: 2:00pm @ Kismet

June 23: 1:00pm @ Leoti
1:30pm @ Atwood

June 28: 10:00am @ Concordia
3:00pm @ Cimarron

June 29: 10:15am @ Salina
1:00pm @ Liberal
1:00pm @ Bennington

June 30: 10:30pm @ Norton
2:00pm @ Norton
2:00pm @ Montezuma

July 5: 10:30am @ Ellsworth

July 7: 10:00am @ Kensington
10:30am @ Osborne

HPD Activity Log May 27-30

Posted on May 31, 2016May 31, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 38 traffic stops Friday, May 27, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block W 13th St, Hays; 12:11 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:09 AM
Disorderly Conduct–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:19 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1100 block E 17th St, Hays; 2:14 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1000 block E 13th St, Hays; 11:19 AM
Animal At Large–27th St and Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 11:36 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–1200 block Main St, Hays; 11:19 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:45 PM
Animal At Large–1700 block Felten Dr, Hays; 12:40 PM
Identity Theft–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:15 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 1:29 PM
Mental Health Call–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 2:31 PM
Animal Call–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 3:57 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 40th St, Hays; 4:03 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–100 block E 12th St, Hays; 5/26 6 PM; 5/27 3:20 PM
Found/Lost Property–1800 block Ash St, Hays; 4:50 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 4:56 PM
Mental Health Call–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 5:03 PM
Animal Call–100 block W 38th St, Hays; 5:25 PM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block Allen St, Hays; 5:45 PM
Suicidal Subject–2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 5:44 PM
Burglary/vehicle–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 5/26 12 AM; 5/27 7:05 PM
Found/Lost Property–22nd and Vine St, Hays; 6:55 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 7:02 PM
Disturbance – Noise; 700 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:30 PM; 10:39 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:12 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 32 traffic stops Sat., May 28, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Fight–100 W 7th St, Hays; 2 AM
Battery – simple–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:50 AM; 2 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7 AM; 7:15 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7 AM; 7:15 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 7:44 AM
Theft (general)–1000 block Hwy 40 Bypass, Hays; 12 PM; 1 PM
Animal At Large–3700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 1:40 PM
Found/Lost Property–1100 block Commerce Pkwy, Hays; 3:36 PM
Disturbance – Noise–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 3:53 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–28th and Vine St Frontage Rd, Hays; 3:53 PM
Dead Animal Call–2900 block Skyline Dr, Hays; 4:12 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 6th St, Hays; 4:20 PM; 4:35 PM
Drug Offenses–1700 block Ash St, Hays; 5:17 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–200 block Ash St, Hays; 5:35 PM
Suspicious Activity–4800 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 5:20 PM; 6:16 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 9:20 PM; 9:26 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–4300 block Roth Ave, Hays; 10:13 PM; 10:19 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 10:25 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 5/27 12 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and 20 traffic stops Sun., May 29, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 12:05 AM
Theft (general)–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:30 AM; 12:38 AM
Suspicious Activity–1100 block Drum Ave, Hays; 9:47 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–500 block W 20th St, Hays; 2:03 PM
Suspicious Activity–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 2:38 PM
Shoplifting–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 2:47 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 18th St, Hays; 1 PM; 3 PM
Found/Lost Property–13th and Vine, Hays; 6:10 PM
Civil Dispute–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 6:30 PM
Battery – simple–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 7:10 PM; 7:16 PM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 AM; 7 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–400 block E 17th St, Hays; 7:24 PM; 9:11 PM
Suspicious Person–19th and Walnut, Hays; 8:19 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 9:05 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–4400 block Larned Cir, Hays; 12 AM; 11:27 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and 14 traffic stops Mon., May 30, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–700 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:25 AM
Suspicious Activity–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 10:30 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1900 block E 24th St, Hays; 11:04 AM
Animal Call–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 11:58 AM
Mental Health Call–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 12:48 PM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:10 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block E 18th St, Hays; 1:30 PM; 2 PM
Mental Health Call–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 2:32 PM
Credit Card Violations–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 6/4/15; 10/15/15
Animal Call–2900 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 3:47 PM
Disorderly Conduct–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 6:19 PM; 6:25 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:10 PM
Suspicious Activity–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:33 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block Felten Dr, Hays; 9:58 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block Felten Dr, Hays; 10:03 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–700 block E 7th St, Hays; 10:19 PM

State’s largest utility company sold to Great Plains Energy

Posted on May 31, 2016May 31, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Great Plains Energy plans to buy Westar Energy, the largest utility company in Kansas. Great Plains in the parent company of KCP&L.

The two companies announced Tuesday that the transaction has an estimated value of $12.2 billion. Westar Energy will be sold for $51 per share in cash and $9 per share in stock. The purchase price includes Great Plains assuming $3.6 billion in debt.

The transaction is expected to be completed by next spring.

The companies said in a news release that when the transaction is complete, Great Plains will have more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. It also will have the capacity to generate nearly 13,000 megawatts of electricity.

Rosie F. Peschka

Posted on May 31, 2016

Rosie F. Peschka, 92, passed away May 27, 2016 at Heartland Haven in Inman.

Born January 12, 1924 in Barton County, she was the daughter of Frank and Mary T. (Schreiber) Pelz. She grew up in rural Barton County and attended country grade school then graduated from Hoisington High School. She moved to her farmstead south of Wilson in 1951. In her later years, Rosie was a dedicated employee of Eschbaugh Advertising in Wilson.

She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Altar Society in Wilson. Rosie’s life was about her family. She was the caretaker and peacemaker of her sisters, children, and grandchildren. Although she wore many hats, farm woman, mom, and grandma were the ones which brought her the most joy.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons; Michael (Karen) Peschka of Wilson, Randall (Nancy) Peschka of Ellsworth, daughters; Linda Nowlin (Al Slechten) of Burleson, TX, Karen Peschka (Bea Gotschall) of Geneseo, KS, six grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and a sister Kathryn Mater. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Eleanor Riedl and Shirley Pelz.

Memorials are suggested to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or Wilson Senior Center, in care of the funeral home.

Carl Wilson Nonamaker

Posted on May 31, 2016

OSBORNE, KS – Carl Wilson Nonamaker, the only son of Wilson and Clista (McCormick) Nonamaker, was born on a farm five miles southwest of Cedar, Kan., on September 28, 1919. He died at the age of 96 at Parkview Care Center, Osborne, Kan., on May 24, 2016.

In 1920, Carl’s family moved a mile west, onto their own 320 acres that they built a farm and home on. Carl’s primary education was received a mile north of home, at Pleasant View, District #72. In 1937 he graduated from Cedar Rural High School. The next three years he worked the farm with his dad in the summers and held jobs through the winters.

Carl registered for the draft on Oct. 16, 1940 and was with the first group of men that left Smith County on Ground Hog Day, 1941. Army training began with the 127th Field Artillery, which later became the 195th Field Artillery Battalion. In Feb. 1944, Carl left America for England and on June 15, 1944, the 195th became the first heavy artillery battalion to land on Utah Beach in France. The 195th served in five major battles in the European Theater before Carl, a Staff Sgt. in HQ Battery, was honorably discharged on Oct. 21, 1945.

Carl married Laura Williams of Alton, Kan., at the Rooks County Courthouse on August 27, 1948. For the next 44 years they farmed side by side while raising six children on the Cronn 80, the farm located next to Carl’s parents, which he bought while serving in Germany.

After Laura’s death he remained working on his beloved farm until failing health required a move to Parkview Care Center in January 2008.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, son Arden in 1984, wife Laura in 1993, and his three sisters, Velma Draper, Letha Nedrow and Frieda Hagman Campbell. He is survived by daughters Sheila (Kenton) Krehbiel, Colby; Deanna (Stan) Roach, Alton; Carla (Van) Dettmer, Agra; sons Thane of Gardner; Gary (Amber), Cedar; 13 grandchildren (Sharon, Theresa, Sherrie, Brenda, Rachel, Jason, Amanda, Amber, Keith, Russell, Renee, Kaitlin and Melissa), 17 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); several nieces and nephews and brother-in-law Bill (Carolyn) Williams, Alton.

Visitation will be held on Monday evening May 30, 2016 from 5PM until 7PM at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:00AM Tuesday May 31, 2016 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center.

Burial will follow in the Cedar Cemetery with military honors.

The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be given to the Bull City Community Foundation in Alton and/or the Cedar Cemetery Fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.