HODGEMAN COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Hodgeman County are investigating a theft and attempted sale of stolen property.
On Tuesday, the victim of a theft case involving a stolen truck, trailer, ATV, and lawnmower noticed his ATV on a website for sale, according to a media release.
The victim contacted the Hodgeman County Sheriff and that led to a large investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office contacted authorities in Oklahoma on the website post.
Officers from Oklahoma set up a sting operation to try and purchase the equipment.
On Wednesday, Oklahoma authorities arrested 3 suspects and recovered the ATV and lawnmower.
The trailer is still at large but may be recovered shortly.
No additional details on the case were released on Thursday.
HFD Chief Gary Brown and HPD Chief Don Scheibler reported a quiet July 4 holiday weekend in Hays.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
During the three days fireworks were allowed to be sold and used in Hays, the city fire department answered 25 calls but only one of those was related to fireworks use.
“We had a minor fire July 3 in some outdoor vegetation at 5th and Elm the firefighters put out with a fire extinguisher,” Fire Chief Gary Brown reported to Hays city commissioners last week. “We didn’t respond to any 911 calls about fireworks injuries,” he added.
Brown called it “a very good record for our community” while also acknowledging the wet weather played a role.
“There was an awful lot of fireworks use around town and obviously the rain kept some of the minor fires from starting. But we do give a lot of credit to the people using the fireworks safely.”
There were 10 fireworks stands in Hays which were checked daily by the fire department.
“We provided a handout with the rules about fireworks use including cleaning up after yourself,” Brown said.
“Both the police chief and I think that the people were very careful and tried to respect each other and use the fireworks properly.”
The annual Wild West Fest was also held during the long holiday weekend, “an extremely busy time for the Hays Police Department,” said Chief Don Scheibler.
HPD received 41 fireworks complaints.
“The majority of those occurred on the Fourth of July between 11 p.m. and midnight, when people were trying to get rid of those last fireworks,” Scheibler said with a chuckle.
“Really, fireworks for the Hays Police Department have become a non-issue. The community, as Chief Brown mentioned, are very responsible, very respectful, and for the most part, very patient. They wait until the curfew hour is passed before we start getting a lot of complaints.”
Fireworks were allowed to be sold and discharged in Hays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. July 2 through July 4.
Scheibler credited the city commission for the quiet holiday.
“I think the real important reason for that happening is because of the commission. Early in the year you decide if we’re going to have fireworks and they already know what days and what time–it’s a consistent time–so the whole public knows. I think you played an important part in helping HPD and HFD making this a safe and somewhat peaceful weekend,” Scheibler said.
“Maybe I’m getting older, but the fireworks do seem louder.”
The commissioners laughingly agreed. “It’s not your imagination,” said Mayor Eber Phelps. “I don’t recall my windows rattling like that.”
Commissioner Henry Schwaller asked the rest of the commission “do we want to take any action in the future about these really loud aerials?” The city previously had an ordinance allowing only ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks. “It was very unenforceable and we never knew what that meant. Is there any way we could regulate aerials?,” Schwaller asked Chiefs Brown and Scheibler.
“You’ll remember we tried limiting what was allowed…and the city attorney did a very good job in crafting a very limited ordinance,” Brown answered. “And we tried policing all the fireworks stands in the city to make sure the aerials weren’t being sold. But they can just hop in their car and drive a safe distance (outside city limits) and buy those things and bring them back.”
“The challenge will be as long as the state of Kansas allows those aerials to be sold, there’s a possibility those will be in town,” Scheibler added. “It would reduce the number but we’d still have that problem.”
“I know people who every year we allow fireworks, they buy theirs online,” said Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil. “I don’t know how you guys would ever enforce that.”
“I didn’t get very many emails or complaints this year,” Musil said as he knocked on the wood commissioners’ desk.
“Somebody actually came up to my wife and said ‘the city did a good job of enforcing–people quit at 11 o’clock.’ Well, we didn’t enforce that; people did it themselves.”
Karen Sue (Keller) Krug, 74, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at the Willow House in Hays, Kansas with her family by her side.
Karen was born March 24, 1942 in Waldo, Kansas, the daughter of Everett and Edith (Tabler) Keller. She grew up on the family farm near Waldo and graduated from Waldo High School. She then attended Ft. Hays State College where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Karen grew up attending the Waldo United Methodist Church.
Karen was united in marriage to Donald F. Krug on June 9, 1963 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.
They made their home in the Russell area.
Karen was an Educator for U.S.D. 407 for many years. She started out working as a first grade teacher in 1964. When she retired in 2004, she had been a third grade teacher for many years. Karen was also active in helping Don on the farm and dairy. Karen was a member of the Waldo United Methodist Church growing up, and then after marriage, became an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church, as a member of the Altar Guild, Ladies’ Circle and the Bell Choir. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She enjoyed reading, tending her flower garden, and researching tips and hints on Pinterest. She loved attending her children and grandchildren’s activities.
Surviving family include her husband of 53 years, Donald F. of the home; son, Justin Krug of Waldo, Kansas; daughter, Sheryl Krug of Russell, Kansas; sister, Barbara Jeroue (Ken) of Russell, Kansas; sister-in-law, Frances Wilhelm of Augusta, Kansas; three grandchildren, Zackery Krug, Shae-Lyn Krug and Keller Krug; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Michelle Lyn Krug, and sister-in-law Eileen Vladar.
Celebration of Karen’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 25, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, July 24, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with the St. John Lutheran Church Secret Garden or Caring Hands Humane Society in Newton. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
Myrtle Belle (Drown) Briscoe, 92, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 18, 2016 at Main Street Manor of Russell.
Myrtle was born September 29, 1923 in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of George Lester and Margaret Belle (Ross) Drown. She grew up in Jamaica Plain and Weymouth, Massachusetts. She graduated from Weymouth High School in 1941.
Myrtle was the manager of the Russell Elks Lodge for over 25 years. Before that, she was a waitress for many of the restaurants in the Russell area. She was a five time President of the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary. She loved to read, play cards, bingo, cross stitching and collect butterflies.
Surviving family include three daughters, Deborah Pickens (Larry) of Russell, Kansas, Kathy Norris (Shawn) of Las Vegas, Nevada and Becky Jamison (Dennis) of Buda, Texas; four sons, Gary Briscoe (Donna) of Gouverneour, New York, Wayne Briscoe (Kathryn) of Eudora, Kansas, Bill Briscoe of Preston, Connecticut, and Edward Briscoe of Leavenworth, Kansas; 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Bruce Briscoe, brothers, Donald Drown and William Drown; and four nephews.
Celebration of Myrtle’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, July 22, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Burial will follow in the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with the Russell V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
You’ve no doubt seen the series of yellow signs around town. It’s a reminder of the first Hays Duck Derby benefiting Ellis County Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS).
More than 5,000 bright yellow rubber duckies are available “for adoption” costing five dollars for one duck all the way up to a 25-duck colony for $100.
They’ll be racing down the Lazy River at Hays Aquatic Park Wed., Aug. 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the BBBS new fundraiser.
Duck Derby Grand Prize is this 2014 Ford Fiesta
The fastest duck and his/her owner in the Championship Race will win a bright red 2014 Ford Fiesta provided by James Motor Company, Hays Chevrolet, Auto World, Car Zone, Lewis Automotive Group of Hays, Happy’s Auto, Mid Kansas Auto Auction, and Lang Diesel.
Prizes for other races include everything from a one week stay at a cabin in the South Dakota Black Hills to a $250 Walmart gift card.
The ducks for kids are $2 each and each entrant will get to keep one duck.
A separate Duck Race 4 Kids will be held for children younger than 13. There’s more family fun with a hot dog picnic for $3.00 per person and Kids Quacktivities.
The Duck Derby also will feature a Soggy Bottom Challenge Cardboard Boat Regatta for groups paying the $500 entry fee to race their handmade cardboard canoes.
Duck adoptions are available at the Hays Big Brothers Big Sisters office, 1301 Pine,and the following businesses:
Bank of Hays
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Car Zone
Carrico Implement
Cerv’s – 2701 Vine St.
Cerv’s – 1601 Main St.
Cerv’s – 2722 Hall St.
Downtown Hays Development
Eagle Customer Care Office Eagle Media Center
Golden Plains Credit Union
Happy’s Auto
Hays Hobby Shop
Hays Recreation Commission
Hays Welcome Center
James Motor Company
Mid Kansas Auto Auction
Precision Valley
Riverside Chiropractic
Snow Cone Express – Big Creek Crossing
For more information, call Ellis County Big Brothers Big Sisters at (785) 625-6672.
The Kansas Bioscience Authority will soon go on the auction block. A state panel Wednesday officially merged the KBA into the Kansas Department of Commerce, the first step in selling off the state-funded investment organization.
Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave says the agency will be taking bids to purchase the organization in the comings months. He says they’re hoping for a buyer with a connection to the state of Kansas.
“We’d like to make sure, to the extent that we can, that a potential buyer really has an interest in growing jobs in Kansas, growing investment in Kansas, Keeping a physical presence,” says Soave.
The State Finance Council approved the merger and will later review bids for the KBA’s assets.
The Bioscience Authority is a tax-funded organization created in 2004 to foster companies and economic growth in industries such as human and animal health.
Republican Senate President Susan Wagle says selling the organization is the right thing to do. She says tax dollars were squandered and the state shouldn’t dip into the investment sector.
Wagle compares the money the state invested over the last 12 years against an initial estimate that the sale might net just $25 million or more.
“It’s best that state taxpayer dollars do not go into private investments. I just think it’s a lesson learned. We actually have lost hundreds of millions of dollars,” says Wagle.
House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs says the KBA has benefitted Kansas by helping to attract development such as the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility and the National Cancer Institute designation for the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Burroughs hopes lawmakers will take time to determine what the KBA is really worth.
“It’s a prudent position to understand the true value of that portfolio and any innovative developments we may have moving forward,” says Burroughs.
Commerce Secretary Soave says the department is still reviewing the value of the organization, so he couldn’t say if the original $25 million estimate for the KBA sale is accurate.
The state will need to sell off the investment portfolio, building and land owned by the KBA. A final agreement could include a package deal or selling off the parts separately.
Soave says the sale could be completed by the end of the year.
Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse Bureau Chief for Kansas Public Radio, a partner with KCUR in a statewide collaboration covering elections in Kansas. Follow Stephen on Twitter@kprkoranda.
Hastings, 3300 Vine, will close its doors by the end of October after the chain was bought by a joint venture that plans to liquidate the entire company’s assets.
“Five weeks ago, Hastings filed for Chapter 11 protection with the goal of expediting our search for a buyer that would help us complete our remerchandising strategy and position our business for long-term success,” according to a release from the company. “At the completion of the sale process yesterday, the winning buyer was a joint venture that will instead oversee a liquidation of our stores to ensure we are maximizing the value of all of our remaining merchandise and assets as we prepare to close.”
As a part of the sale agreement, the chain will be authorized to sell merchandise through a going out of business sale, with at least 75 percent of the proceeds going towards the company’s debt.
“All Hastings stores, our e-Commerce business, and our corporate office will all discontinue operations at the end of this process,” the company said.
Specifics for the Hays location are not yet available, but all stores must complete their sales by Oct. 31 and could close at any time.
As part of the agreement employees must be given seven days notice before a store closure.
While the agreement has yet to be approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the company expects the agreement to be accepted Friday.
The chain’s new owners – Hilco Merchant Resources LLC and Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC – who bought the company in a joint venture, will oversee the closing sales, according to the company.
“We thank our customers and employees for their loyalty over the years, and we hope to see our customers at store closing sales,” the company said.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The chairman of Ted Cruz’s campaign in Kansas says the Texas senator has “harmed himself immeasurably” by not endorsing Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee.
Kansas state Rep. Mark Kahrs of Wichita said Thursday that he is disappointed in Cruz’s failing to endorse Trump.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback also said he was disappointed. Brownback said that at bottom, Cruz made a pledge to support the eventual nominee.
Kahrs said during a telephone interview from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland that the GOP must focus on defeating presumed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
But Brownback said he’s not sure how much Cruz damaged his political future.
The governor was also in Cleveland. He endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio before the state’s March presidential caucuses. Cruz won handily.
Logan County Commissioner Clinton Kvasnicka must resign his seat on the commission after pleading guilty Thursday to disorderly election conduct in Ellis County District Court.
Kvasnicka represents western Logan County and won his seat on the commission in 2012 as a write-in candidate after he was defeated in the primary election.
In January 2012, the Kansas Attorney General’s office filed a complaint against Kvasnicka alleging he offered the use of his stock trailer to a Logan County resident in exchange for that person’s vote.
Following a mistrial for a hung jury in March, Kvasnicka’s attorney and the state’s attorney reached an agreement that would allow Kvasnicka to plead to a misdemeanor.
Under the agreement, Kvasnicka was sentenced to six months in prison, which was suspended in lieu of 12 months of unsupervised probation. He is required to pay a $1,000 fine and must resign his position on the Logan County Commission. He also will be disqualified from holding public office for the duration of his probation and possibly in the future.
The court proceedings were held in Ellis County because of a scheduling conflict in Logan County and the proceedings were live-streamed in Logan County.
Trista, 6, hands a glass of lemonade to a customer who also bought baked goods from the Summer Blast Day Camp.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It’s a lemonade kind of day.
Sales were brisk Thursday morning in Hays by youngsters in the Summer Blast Day Camp who positioned their lemonade/baked goods stand in the shade near the front entrance of the Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th.
Customers were lured in by brightly colored posters waved at passing traffic and there was good foot traffic as well, with people going in and out of the Hadley Center. Even one Hays Police officer stopped his patrol car for a quick visit with the group and bought a refreshingly cold glass of lemonade.
A Hays police officer takes a quick break to buy a cold lemonade.
Just 25 cents a cup, although nearly everyone was donating much more, especially when it came to the baked goods available for a free-will offering.
Proceeds will be given to the local cancer support group “Your Voice Through Cancer” for cancer research.
“We voted on it,” explained one girl working as the cashier.
Help with doing the math and making change–“How many quarters are in a dollar?”–was given by the camp directors Beth Bohuslavsky and Macy Younger.
Summer Blast Day Camp is operated by Eileen Phelps.
Hays is in a Heat Advisory issued by the Dodge City National Weather Service through Friday afternoon. Today’s high is expected to reach 105 degrees with heat index values as high as 108 degrees.
Summer Blast Day Camp operated a lemonade/baked goods stand Thu. morning.
(L to R) Macy Younger, Evangelin-6, Kori-almost 7, Beth Bohuslavsky, Trista-6, and Evan-9
Chase, 8 and Zayne, 8, with their signs used to draw in customers.
A Hays Police officer waits his turn to buy a lemonade.
The kids voted to donate proceeds to “Your Voice through Cancer” in Hays.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Ellis public water supply located in Ellis County. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Inadequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Ellis public water supply indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.
SALINE COUNTY -A Kansas man cited by police in January for battery of two female nurses at Salina Regional Health Center, was arrested on a warrant Wednesday after charges were revised to aggravated battery, according to Police Captain Mike Sweeney.
On January 23, David McDowell, 59, Salina, allegedly battered two nurses while a patient at the hospital.
McDowell is accused of punching one nurse and hitting her in the head, and battering the other nurse.
One suffered a possible concussion.
McDowell was booked into the Saline County Jail Wednesday morning.
(Video by Cooper Slough/Hays Post)
The Duck Derby also will feature a Soggy Bottom Challenge Cardboard Boat Regatta for groups paying the $500 entry fee to race their handmade cardboard canoes.
Eagle Media Center
Hastings, 3300 Vine, will close its doors by the end of October after the chain was bought by a joint venture that plans to liquidate the entire company’s assets.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Ellis public water supply located in Ellis County. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Inadequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
