By James Bell
Hays Post

During the second day of a preliminary hearing that began in February, District Court Chief Judge Edward Bouker found there was probable cause on all counts against Holliann Marie Stramel, 24, and Trevor Jay Calvin, 27, stemming from a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of Ellis County resident John J. Befort, 67, on July 18, 2015.

With probable cause being established the case will now proceed to arraignment – where the defendants will enter pleas of not guilty, guilty or no contest – to be scheduled at a later date through the office of Ellis County Attorney Thomas Drees.

After the case was ordered to proceed, lawyers for the accused argued for changes to the no-contact order that was a condition of both defendants bonds.

Stramel’s attorney Ian Clark argued that despite Stramel and Calvin previously breaking conditions of their bonds, – including a no-contact order – that Stramel’s pregnancy should be taken into consideration.

The court had previously ordered that Calvin could attend medical appointments and the birth of the defendants’ child around June 22.

“It’s not rewarding them,” Clark said. Pregnancy “is hard work.”

Further, he argued that the purpose of keeping the two apart has run its course.

Drees, however, argued the order was put in place for reasons that are still viable concerns, including collusion in creating a defense and public safety.

Further, he argued previous violations of court orders should be considered.

Ultimately Bouker left the decision in the hands of Community Corrections after the birth but kept the order in place until that time.

He also noted Drees could request changes at that time if needed.

Calvin is charged with two counts: Concealing or altering evidence of a crime and impeding or obstructing an officer’s duty.

Stramel is being charged on three counts: Failure to stop and render aid at a fatality accident, concealing or altering evidence of a crime, and vehicular homicide.

The first two counts are felonies in Kansas and the third is a Class A misdemeanor.

Under Kansas sentencing guidelines the three counts together carry a punishment of 38 to 129 months in a state penitentiary, fines up to $402,500 and up to a year in county jail.

May is a busy month in Hays.

Rick Rekoske, executive director of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, has highlights of some of the many events this month.

For an updated list of activities in Hays, go to the CVB website www.haysusa.net.

KDA

MANHATTAN–Kansas wheat farmers should stay vigilant in scouting for wheat disease, especially flag smut, which was detected in Kansas in 2015 for the first time since the 1930s, although it was only found in low levels in a small portion of the wheat crop. The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), in coordination with the Kansas State University (KSU) Department of Plant Pathology, will be conducting a targeted flag smut survey throughout May and June in several counties within the state.

KDA will be surveying areas which showed previous signs of infestation to determine whether producers implemented best management practices to control the disease. Preliminary surveys conducted so far in 2016 have indicated that flag smut is present again this season, but it is not yet known to what extent. This survey will better determine the spread of the disease. The survey will cover the following counties: Stafford, Pratt, Kiowa, Edwards, Pawnee, Barton, Rush, Lincoln, Russell, Dickinson, Ottawa, Ellis, Trego, Graham, Rooks, Phillips, Smith, Ness, Wichita, Scott, and Decatur Counties.

Flag smut presents no human or animal health concern and has no impact on grain quality. It can have a negative impact on wheat yield, the severity of which is determined by the infestation level of the field.

KDA is working with KSU Research and Extension to continue to share flag smut best management practices through normal outreach activities, including online resources, newsletters and discussion at field days. KDA is committed to serving farmers and protecting plant health in order to ensure the continued strength of the agriculture industry in Kansas.

For more information about flag smut, go to the KDA website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/ppws. If you have questions about this year’s survey, contact Jeff Vogel, manager of the KDA Plant Protection and Weed Control program, at [email protected], or (785) 564-6699.

KDWPT

SCOTT COUNTY–At its meeting on Saturday, April 30, the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review voted to nominate the Steele House at Lake Scott State Park to the National Register of Historic Places. This action sends the nomination to the National Park Service for their consideration and final action. It also adds the home to the state’s Register of Kansas Historic Places.

The Steele House was built ca. 1894 by Herbert and Eliza Steele on the west bank of Ladder Creek in what later became Lake Scott State Park. They were among the earliest Euro-American settlers in the county. The seven-room, two-level limestone house was built into the side of a hill so the lower level is partly recessed into the hill. The nomination also includes a crude limestone spring house built by the Steeles over a still-active spring and a decorative pond and bench built with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps ca. 1934 after the Steeles had passed away.

Lake Scott State Park is located in Ladder Creek Canyon about 13 miles north of Scott City in Scott County.

Before Euro-American settlement, the canyon was home to several Central Plains Native American groups, dating to proto historic and early historic times. El Cuartelejo, the remains of the northeastern-most pueblo in the U.S., are located a short distance north of the Steele House. The El Cuartelejo Archaeological District National Historic Landmark established in 1964 – a concentration of remnants from these cultural groups – surrounds the Steele House and was made possible by the Steeles’ willingness to have their land investigated by archaeologists beginning in the late 1890s.

The Steeles were aware their picturesque property was an ideal setting for a park. In 1928, they sold 640 acres of their land to the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission – a forerunner of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) with the stipulation they be allowed to live in their home until their passing. In May 1930, the Commission completed a dam across Ladder Creek and created the 100-acre Lake McBride which later was renamed to Lake Scott.

Herbert Steele passed away in September 1929, having never seen the lake and park he helped create. Eliza Steele died in July 1930, one month after the park opened. Today, the house is a museum operated by volunteers.

Lake Scott State Park is a featured location along the Western Vistas Historic Byway. The National Register nomination application can be found online at https://www.kshs.org/p/hsbr-meeting-april-30-2016/14633. More information about the park is located at https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Scott. Information about the Western Vistas Historic Byway is at https://www.westernvistashistoricbyway.com/.