According to the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, there is a possible scam still circulating around the area centered around advertising on Fort Hays State University football schedules.
In addition, there have been reports that the sellers, who make contact via telephone, are falsely claiming the sponsorships will be promoted on Eagle Radio stations.
“The caller seeks immediate payment via credit card or telecheck, and has been known to represent other local businesses as an attempt to gain trust,” the chamber warned members this week. “Please note, this is not an authorized FHSU project, nor are they representing any Hays business or organization. Something similar occurred last year, and the chamber believes these calls may be related. If you choose to participate, be aware that your money is not supporting a local effort and may not be the best investment for your promotional goals.”
SALINA – Saline County residents peppered state and local health officials with questions about lead exposure at a public meeting in Salina Tuesday evening.
The meeting was organized by KDHE after tests done by local doctors found elevated lead levels in the blood of 32 Saline County children—most of them from Salina. Questions from the public reflected a lot of unease…
Some comments and questions from the public included: “The battery manufacturer who has, I know, been under investigation for lead contamination in the past—is that something you’re going to be looking into?” “So why didn’t we have a group like this in 2014, when we had 38, and now we have 32 more?” “The health department is going to do blood lead testing for the next two days, but you guys do not do that anymore. Do you see that changing in the future?”
So far, officials have not been able to identify any pattern to suggest where the lead exposure might be coming from. Next month, investigators hope to do three-hour interviews with each of the affected families. They’ll also be testing their homes and water samples for lead.
Bryan Thompson is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Key Republican legislators say they’re close to an agreement with Kansas school districts on a plan aimed at satisfying a court mandate to help poor schools.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ty Masterson said Wednesday that he’s optimistic about a deal on a $38 million proposal.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ron Ryckman Jr. said the plan is likely to shift some existing education dollars to poor districts to provide extra aid.
They said they’ve been negotiating with multiple districts.
The Legislature convenes Thursday for a special session to address a state Supreme Court ruling last month that the state’s school finance system remains unfair to poor school districts.
The justices warned that schools might not be able to reopen after June 30 if lawmakers don’t make more changes.
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are staging a sit-down protest, seeking a vote on gun control measures following the Orlando nightclub shooting.
A group of about 30 Democrats led by Georgia Rep. John Lewis demanded a vote on gun control measures before sitting down and “occupying” the House floor Wednesday.
Rep. John Larson of Connecticut says lawmakers are “calling for the simple dignity of a vote” in the House on measures to block gun purchases by some suspected terrorists.
Larson says, “Rise up Democrats, rise up Americans. We will occupy this chamber.”
Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland says, “We will not be shut up. We will not be shut down.”
The House was not in session when the Democrats held the demonstration. Republican leaders ordered C-SPAN cameras turned off.
Approximate location of Tuesday’s fatal harvest accident
MITCHELL COUNTY – Officials are investigating a fatal harvest accident in north central Kansas.
At 11:49 a.m. on Tuesday, first responders were called to a report of a man involved in a wheat harvest accident near the Northwest corner of P Road and Kansas 14 south of Beloit, according to the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael Alan Anderson, 43, Beloit, was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to McDonald Roberts Funeral Home.
No additional details were available on Wednesday.
The Hays Public Library, 1205 Main, will be hosting a “Zombie Barbie” crafts event Wednesday, June 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Trish Davies Room.
Acrylic paint, water and other art supplies will be used to create special-effects on the dolls that resemble the special effects used in movies and theater.
Dolls and acrylic paint will be provided by the library, but participants are also invited to bring their own dolls to zombify.
The event is free and open to anyone in grades 6-12. For more information or to register, contact the Young Adult Department at (785) 625-9014 or click HERE.
For a complete look at the library’s summer activities, click HERE.
The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 12 traffic stops Tue., June 21, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Water Use Violation–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 2:23 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:25 AM; 2:35 AM
Animal At Large–2500 block Oak St, Hays; 7:43 AM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–4000 block Vine St, Hays; 8:51 AM
Welfare Check–200 block W 15th St, Hays; 8:55 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–27th and Hall, Hays; 9 AM
Water Use Violation–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 11:16 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Allen St, Hays; 11:57 AM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5/11/16 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5/11/16 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 4/7/16 5 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5/2/16 5 PM
Domestic Disturbance–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 5 PM; 5:08 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–500 block Vine St, Hays; 5:59 PM
Found/Lost Property–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 7:44 PM
Missing Person–1300 block Felten Dr, Hays; 9:20 PM; 11:45 PM
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
They are thankful for the doors that Fort Hays State University opened for them, and they are excited about giving back to fellow Hispanics.
FHSU graduates Hector Villanueva and Alma Hidalgo were right in the thick of things Wednesday morning as high school students from across Kansas, Colorado and Missouri climbed off buses to participate in Fort Hays State’s first Hispanic College Institute.
So, too, was Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president, who was born in Cuba and grew up in Spain.
“I’ve been dreaming of this for two years,” Martin told the group of student volunteers — or leads — as they awaited the arrival of the buses.
Martin, in her second year as president of Fort Hays State, had created a state-wide Hispanic College Institute when she worked in higher education in Virginia. And she wanted to give Hispanics in Kansas the same opportunities.
The development of HCI on the FHSU campus is what kept Hidalgo in Hays after she graduated in 2015 with a master’s degree in student affairs.
“This was an incentive to stay one more year,” said Hidalgo, who is an FHSU admissions counselor for the southwest Kansas area and three other states as well. “I wanted to be a part of this.”
Students arrived in FHSU buses that drove around the state to bring them to campus. They will participate in leadership activities and numerous sessions that “will hopefully prepare them at least a little bit for college,” Hidalgo said.
Villanueva, multicultural recruitment admissions counselor at FHSU, said “recruiting minority students is fun for me.”
He is especially looking forward to this week, when he can hopefully make a difference for some first-generation college students from the Hispanic “familia.”
Nearly 90 students heading into their junior or senior year in high school are participating in the free residential program.
“I think this could really help a lot of students,” said Villanueva, one of 11 siblings and the only one to earn a college degree in the United States.
Villanueva was born in Mexico and didn’t come to the U.S. until he was a freshman in high school when his dad got a job at a meatpacking plant in Garden City.
Villanueva knew no English and was placed in the English as a Second Language program.
“It was hard,” he said. “I think this kind of thing helps students today get ahead faster.”
He also hopes the students on campus this week take a liking to Fort Hays State, much like he and Hidalgo did.
Villanueva participated in Upward Bound at Garden City Community College for first-generation college students when he was in high school and got the chance to visit college campuses.
“I really liked the Fort Hays State campus and the tuition prices,” said Villanueva, who graduated with dual degrees in business management and Spanish.
Ditto for Hidalgo, who grew up in Perryton, Texas, about an hour south of Liberal, where she attended Seward County Community College.
“I was scared to go to college, so I went to Seward, which was close to home,” said Hidalgo, who took advantage of the Access to Academic Opportunity Grant at FHSU, which is available to incoming freshmen and transfer students.
“I came here,” Hidalgo said, “and I fell in love with it.”
PRATT COUNTY – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. on Wednesday in Pratt County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford Taurus driven by Marian R. Bush, 91, Isabel, was northbound on SE 100th Avenue in the unincorporated community of Cairo.
The driver failed to yield at the top sign at U.S. 54.
A 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Bobby J. Cox, 32, Pratt, that was eastbound on U.S. 54 collided with the Ford.
Bush was transported to the hospital in Pratt.
Cox was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
William David “Bill” Paul, 80, of Hays, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016. Bill was born July 18, 1935 in Goodland to William and Inez (Giffen) Paul of Weskan, Kansas.
Bill joined the US Army and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. After serving, he worked for the Kansas Department of SRS for 30 years. Bill was also a proud member of the Masons and Lions Clubs.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Paul; daughter, Dr. Lisa Paul; son, Michael (Melinda) Paul; and grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kalene, and Kendale Paul.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Velma Deyoe.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 24, at First United Methodist Church of Hays. Visitation will be one hour prior, from 10-11 a.m., at the church.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Hays, Lions Club of Hays, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Marilyn (Saug) Goracke, daughter of William and Dorathy (Rigbers) Shugar, was born October 23, 1945 in Iowa Falls, IA. She passed away on June 18, 2016 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 70.
Marilyn grew up in Ackley, IA, graduating from Ackley High School with the class of 1963. She then completed the Practical Nursing Program at Hawkeye School of Technology. During her nursing career in Cedar Valley, Marilyn worked for Dr. Kerfoot at Parkview Gardens and Cedar Falls Health Care before retiring.
On October 22, 2000, Marilyn was united in marriage to Harvey Goracke. The couple made their home in Phillipsburg, KS. Marilyn served on the Phillipsburg City Council for 4 years and worked at Miles Furniture for 8 years. She was recently selected by the Phillips County Hospital to serve as a Patient Liaison, promoting hospital services that aligned patient needs.
Marilyn was also a homemaker. She took great pride in her gardens, pets, writing and her home. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her father and a daughter-in-law, Tanya Richards.
Survivors include her husband Harvey of Phillipsburg, KS; her mother Dorathy Shugar of Iowa Falls, IA; 2 daughters, Sharon (David) McRae of Cedars Falls, IA & Jennifer (Dean) Eyler of Plymouth, MN; her son, Tom Richards of Johnston, IA; a step-daughter Tabetha Gray of Hutchinson, KS; a step-son Thurston Goracke of Phillipsburg; her sister, Carolyn (John) Ford of Humboldt, IA; her brother Larry (Pam) Shugar of Ackley, IA; 8 grandchildren: Carson, Jenna, Cullen, Liam McRae, Luke & Lauren Eyler, Noah & Ethan Richards; 3 step grandchildren: Alliyah, Tavian & D’Naeya Gray; 2 nieces, a nephew & cousins.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 24 at 10:00 a.m. in the Heartland Worship Center, Agra with Pastors Jay Brandon & Jonathan Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips Co. Medical Clinic or the Phillips Co. Hospital.
Phillipsburg, KS – Luella Ann (Dill) Zillinger was born on October 4, 1934 to Herman and Hilda (Bach) Dill. She went to be with her Lord on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the age of 81 at home on the farm.
Luella was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. She began playing the organ at church services when she was twelve and played throughout her life. Luella graduated from Phillipsburg High School and began working at Bell Telephone systems as a switchboard operator. She married Fred Everett Zillinger on January 24, 1954 and enjoyed 50 years together. Luella will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, eagerness to help others in need, attending Bible studies and serving in the FLC Ladies Guild, using her musical gifts at the church organ and singing in Easter/Christmas cantatas, enjoyment of reading biographies and historical fiction, visits with cousins, their many travels, time at their cabin in Colorado, and selfless care for her husband, sons and their families. Fred and Luella had four sons, Charles, Jeffrey, F. Everett, and Gregory.
Luella was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Hilda Dill; infant sister, Fern; Infant brother, Gerald; and husband, Fred Zillinger. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy (Patrick) Hull of Fort Collins, CO; sons, Charles (Kathleen) Zillinger of Troy, ID; Jeff (Joyce) Zillinger of Topeka, KS; F. Everett (Susan) Zillinger of Shepherdstown, WV; and Gregory (Sara) Zillinger of Castle Rock, CO; 14 grandchildren: Megan Hossain, Rebecca (B.J.) LaPlant, Ethan Zillinger, Aaron Zillinger, Lauren Zillinger, Rhett Zillinger, James Zillinger, Sabrina Zillinger, Joshua Zillinger, Faith Zillinger, Noah Zillinger, Jaina Zillinger, Elijah Zillinger, and Keira Zillinger; four great-grandchildren: Aidan Hossain, Remy Hossain, Adeline LaPlant, and Scarlette LaPlant; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to First Lutheran Church, FLC Ladies Guild, or Orphan Grain Train would be appreciated.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday evening.
Funeral at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 25th at First Lutheran Church, 1035 First Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661. Luella will be laid to rest with Fred following the service at Trinity-First Lutheran Cemetery west of Stuttgart, KS. Pastor Joel Hiesterman will be presiding. Lunch will be served at First Lutheran’s fellowship hall after interment.
Drusilla F. Fox, 97, Bison, Kansas, died Monday, June 20, 2016, at her home.
Mrs. Fox was born February 5, 1919, in Clinton, Missouri, the daughter of Herman and Emma (Betz) Schmidt. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas, living briefly in Arizona, and Kentucky. A 1937 graduate of Enterprise Academy, Enterprise, Kansas, she was a registered nurse before her retirement.
She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
She was known to her family and friends as the “card lady”. If she knew your birthday, it was a guarantee you would always receive a card for your special day. She loved to share her homemade cookies.
On February 7, 1943, she married Lynn W. Fox at Bison, Kansas. He preceded her in death March 22, 1984.
Survivors include: two sons, Charles “Eddie” Fox (Henrietta), Houston, Texas, and Donald Fox (Jo Ann), Peck, Kansas; two daughters, Carol Bales-Speer (John), Bison, Kansas, and Lois Fox-Felkel (John), Bison, Kansas; one grandson; seven granddaughters; eight step grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 22 step great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; three step great great grandchildren; and numerous relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband.
Visitation will be Friday, June 24, 2016, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
The family will conduct a memorial service Saturday, June 25, 2016, at 2:30 P.M. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Ed Jumper officiating.
Interment will be Sunday, June 26, 2016, at 9:00 A.M., in the SDA Cemetery, Bison, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Maranatha Christian School, Hays, Kansas, or Hospice at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Key Republican legislators say they’re close to an agreement with Kansas school districts on a plan aimed at satisfying a court mandate to help poor schools.
PRATT COUNTY – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. on Wednesday in Pratt County.
