Elizabeth R. Koster, 100, died Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Logan County Manor, Oakley. She was born June 12, 1916 in rural Studley to Leote P. and Mary Ann (Treu) Ponath. Elizabeth married Edward J. Koster on July 24, 1940 at Leoville. She was an assistant funeral director and co-owner of Koster Funeral Home in Oakley.
Preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and sister Alice Jackson.
Survivors include many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley, with burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation: Sunday from 5 – 8 p.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, with rosary/wake service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials to St. Joseph’s Church and St. Joseph Cemetery Fund in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Lottery says a ticket worth $3.16 million has been sold in northeast Kansas.
Lottery officials announced Thursday that the winning numbers of the Super Kansas Cash jackpot are 07-08-14-28-29 Cashball 07. The ticket was drawn Wednesday.
The jackpot surpasses the previous Super Kansas Cash record from 2006 of $3.14 million.
The lottery says in a news release that the Super Kansas Cash jackpot had been rolling since the Jan. 9 drawing in which a Republic County resident claimed a $565,887 jackpot. Super Kansas Cash jackpots are paid in a cash lump sum, minus federal and state withholding taxes.
UPDATE: According to the Hays Police Department Ryan Paul Thompson, 31, Hays was arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of stolen property and interference wit law enforcement.
A chase Wednesday afternoon in Hays resulted in the arrest of a Hays man in connection with a stolen vehicle.
According to the Hays Police Department, a 2005 Buick Rendezvous was reported stolen from EZ Autos in Hays on Sept. 19. Lt. Tim Greenwood said two people went into the dealership in the 400 block of E. Eighth to test drive a vehicle and never returned. The people allegedly gave the dealership false identification, and the owners reported the vehicle stolen.
On Wednesday, the owner of the dealership spotted the vehicle with a different license plate and informed the police.
Officers located the vehicle in the 800 block of Vine just after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Greenwood said the suspect fled down an alley but was blocked into the alley by another person. The suspect attempted to drive through a yard before exiting the vehicle on foot.
Greenwood said Ryan Paul Thompson, 31, Hays was then taken into custody in connection with the vehicle theft and chase.
A passenger in the vehicle was interviewed and released, according to Greenwood.
Like a supernova, Donald Trump has illuminated the electoral universe in 2016. Win or lose, he is likely to explode, showering his light and heat upon thousands of other races across the country, from county commissioner to U.S. senator.
Like a red dwarf, Sam Brownback’s presence has shrunk, to the point that his abysmal levels of support are what define him within both national and – far more importantly – state politics.
Burdett Loomis
Although the governor’s name is not on the ballot, both the August primaries and the November 8th general election constitute, in large part, referenda on his record of taxation, declining revenues, and threats to myriad programs throughout the state.
In short, Kansas Republican voters are faced with a Trump-Brownback ticket. It’s not that a lot of GOP candidates identify with Trump. Many are appalled, and most just stay silent. But the magnetic field of his candidacy continues to affect our entire galaxy of races.
Last week, I chatted up a long-time Republican Party official, as we compared notes on the election. He was apoplectic about Trump, seeing him as bombastic, narcissistic, and utterly unqualified. At the same time, he said he could not vote for Hillary Clinton, arguing that she was congenitally dishonest. Still, he noted, she is sane, and could be trusted far more than Trump.
At the state level, Sam Brownback stands as the governor with the lowest approval rating in the nation.
So every GOP state legislative candidate must contend with both Trump and his penchant for outrageous statements and the least popular governor in modern Kansas history.
Over the past thirty years, voters have increasingly cast straight-party ballots, as opposed to more traditionally splitting their tickets.
So what will be the impact of Trump and Brownback on turnout and the election results in November?
It’s highly unlikely that Trump will lose Kansas, nor that any congressional incumbent will be defeated, despite some wishful thinking that Rep. Kevin Yoder is in trouble. More significant, however, is how a lack of enthusiasm for Trump and the disdain of Brownback will affect the hotly contested state legislative and judicial retention races.
Neither presidential candidate prevailed in the Kansas caucuses, where Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders won convincing victories, so there has been little to build on. In deep-red Kansas, however, it’s the GOP enthusiasm that matters most for down-ballot races, especially in an era when straight-ticket voting has become the norm.
Although some political science research suggests that voters will “balance” their votes, with Trump defectors thus returning to the GOP fold down ballot, the Brownback factor may then kick in.
Kansas Democrats, who understand that their votes will not provide Hillary with the state’s electoral votes, also understand that they have the chance to defeat a number of far-right Republicans, thus amplifying the effects of the August primaries. And will moderate Republican voters really seek to “balance” their disdain for Trump by voting for conservative GOP legislative candidates?
In all likelihood, turnout will take a beating this fall, given the nature of the presidential contest. And most far-right Republicans will remain stalwart at the polls, although their enthusiasm is in doubt.
It may well be that those Kansas Republicans who are willing to reject Donald Trump and to react to the damaging policies of the Brownback administration will help diminish Trump’s margin and reject the governor’s legislative allies.
Trump-Brownback. Not quite the ticket that Sam Brownback had hoped for when he first ran for governor in 2010, but one that might just push Kansas a few more steps on the road back to thoughtful, moderate-conservative government.
Burdett Loomis is a political science professor at the University of Kansas.
Fatal crash Wednesday on the Kansas turnpike-photo courtesy KAKE
ANDOVER, Kan. (AP) — A woman has died after a tractor-trailer struck her sport utility when it stopped for a second time in about two hours on a Kansas highway.
The Wichita Eagle reports that Luvenia Bovi Lewis, 50, Shawnee, was hit Wednesday while stopped in the right-hand lane on the Kansas Turnpike near Andover. The Kansas Highway Patrol says Lewis died at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured.
Patrol Lt. John Lenherr says she initially was stranded when she ran out of gas about 10 miles north of the Matfield Green service area. Lenherr says a trooper gave her 2 gallons of fuel to get her going.
The patrol is trying to determine what caused her to stop again. Lenherr says she passed two gas stations before the deadly crash.
Allergies are a menace to tens of millions of Americans each year and, with above-average rainfall, many northwestern Kansas residents have seen increased symptoms this fall.
While the increased symptoms can be unnerving, preventative measures can make a significant difference in helping keep the effects of pollen under control, according to Dr. Katheryn Black of the Allergy Clinic of Western Kansas. The clinic has served residents through northwest Kansas since 1994 and recently relocated to a new office in the Potter Plastic Surgery Center, 217 E. 32nd.
“This time in the fall, it’s our weed pollens,” Black said.
Pollens are the largest group of allergens and affect people until the first hard freeze, usually by the end of October.
One weed, in particular, can aggravate allergy symptoms.
“There are multiple weeds, but ragweed is one of the biggest,” Black said.
And heavier than normal rains have caused expanded growth of troublesome plants
“The more rain you get, the more plants you get. The more plants you get, the more pollen you get,” Black said. “I think we have a wetter summer than usual so things are going to grow better and, when they grow better, they pollinate more.”
While the pollen produced is a major cause of allergies, it’s not be the only one being amplified by recent rains.
Damp weather also affects mold, which can affect people year round.
Common allergies develop into two major symptoms, inflammation of the nose and sinuses and inflammation of the eyes.
“Those are probably the two most common symptoms, the typical hay fever people suffer from,” Black said.
Even with the symptoms, common treatments such as antihistamines and nasal sprays can offer relief, with many being offered over the counter.
“By in large, fortunately, allergy medicines, if you take them according to dosing directions, are very safe,” Black said. Over the counter medication is also available from children over the age of 2 and are safe when dosing recommendations are followed.
She also said a combination of the two medicines might help for persistent symptoms, but the best way to treat allergies is to take proactive measures.
“With allergies, what they say is an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you know spring through fall you’re going to have problems, start taking them daily, and just take them through the season you know you have problems,” Black said.
In more extreme cases, eye drops and saline rinses can also be helpful.
In-home solutions such as an allergy filters can also minimize the exposure to pollen, although with this time of year people generally want to be outside to enjoy the seasonal temperatures, Black said — but limiting exposure to pollen outdoors can also limit allergies.
She recommends if you are going to be in a situation that might aggravate allergies outside, such as mowing, wearing a mask and goggles and showering immediately afterward could be helpful.
“Other than that, once you are outdoors unless you take your preventative meds, you’re going to be exposed,” Black said.
For some, however, even if those steps are taken and are not helping prescription medications and allergy testing by a doctor might be needed.
Most times, she said, allergy sufferers will be aware when it is time to seek professional medical assistance, but with allergies sometimes presenting the same symptoms as the early stages of a cold or flu, it might be easy to mistake allergies for other maladies.
In those cases, colored draining or a fever, Black said, would indicate symptoms are not allergy related.
While the Allergy Clinic sometimes gets referrals, direct appointments can be made for prescription medication or allergy testing.
Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
The people stood on their front lawn, looked at their house, and they began to cry. Does that sound like a story about the devastation resulting from a flood or tornado? In this case, the story has a whole different focus, because these are tears of joy. Today we’ll learn about a rural Kansas entrepreneur who is using his painting skills to create happiness through improvement.
Todd Trzcinski is owner of SCR Professional Services which includes SCR Painting and SCR Tree Services. Todd grew up in Denver but he spent summers working with his grandfather back east. “He had a handyman service which included painting, and I gravitated to the painting part,” Todd said.
After a couple of years in corporate life, he went into painting professionally in Denver. “I painted all the way along the front range, mostly commercial painting,” Todd said.
Eventually, living in an urban area wore Todd down. “I got tired of the rat race,” Todd said. “I didn’t want to sit in traffic for 1-1/2 hours each day. Then one day two kids were shot on their way to school in my neighbourhood, and that was the last straw.”
Todd decided he would take a drive. He drove to a small town in eastern Colorado, picked up a local newspaper, and saw that there was a house for rent in Kanorado. Todd not only rented the house, he went to work for the farmer who was offering it.
This was truly a rural setting. The house was actually 14 miles north of the town of Kanorado, population 240 people. Now, that’s rural.
Then in 2011, life took a sudden turn. Todd was diagnosed with cancer. He went through treatment in Hays and ultimately the cancer was cured. “I’ve been in remission for six years,” Todd said. “It’s amazing. God is good.”
He moved to another place in the country. “Everybody told me, `This is your second chance,’” Todd said. “I started calling my place Second Chance Ranch.”
Meanwhile, Todd started a painting business again. He relocated to Goodland so as to be closer to his doctors. Using the initials from Second Chance Ranch, he called his new business SCR Painting.
While in the process of getting his business started, Todd got in touch with the regional business consultants from the Kansas Small Business Development Center. “That was one of the best things I ever did,” Todd said. “They helped me with bookkeeping, recordkeeping, and long-term planning.” The SBDC helped him develop his business plan which helped him get bank financing.
Today, SCR Painting is a full-service painting company, working on everything from commercial to industrial to residential and farm and ranch applications.
Todd is proud of his adopted hometown. “I’d like to give a great thanks to the city of Goodland,” Todd said. “They have welcomed me and my company with open arms.” Todd has done all kinds of projects around Goodland, including the challenging process of painting the interior dome of Max Jones Fieldhouse at the school. He’s especially proud of the work he did on the historic Ennis-Handy house in Goodland.
More recently, Todd has diversified his business. Because he had the hydraulic lifts which he uses for painting high places, he could use those for tree trimming as well. He took online classes to become a professional arborist and now offers SCR Tree Services.
Helping people is rewarding to Todd. Of his painting, he said, “My greatest satisfaction is how happy it makes people when they see the final product. I’ve worked on houses that had been in such bad shape that when the people saw how good it looked (when I was done), they stood on the front lawn and cried,” he said.
The people stood on their front lawn, looked at their house, and cried. But they weren’t weeping after a tornado, they were rejoicing about the new look of their home. We commend Todd Trzcinski of SCR Professional Services, SCR Painting, and SCR Tree Services for making a difference with his hard work and skills. Thank goodness for second chances.
James J. Kronewitter, age 78, of Hays, passed away Monday, September 19, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born August 5, 1938 in LaCrosse, Kansas to Joseph and Julia (Gottschalk) Kronewitter. He graduated from Schoenchen High School in 1956 and he attended Fort Hays State University. He married Patricia Louise Brungardt on November 19, 1960 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays.
Jim was a part owner of Hays State Bank and had worked at various other area financial institutions as well as being the Ellis County Treasurer. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3rd degree Knights of Columbus Schoenchen Council and the Elks Lodge where he served as Exalted Ruler.
He is survived by his wife Patricia of Hays; two sons, Brian Kronewitter and Mark Kronewitter and wife Kim all of Hays; two daughters, Colleen Gorden of Wichita and Joleen Pianalto and significant other Russell Johnston of Hutchinson; three sisters, Jane Kisner and husband Steve of Pfeifer, Ruth Zimmerman and Carol Legleiter both of Hays; two brother-in-laws, Marvin Rajewski of Great Bend and Linus Werth of Hays; eight grandchildren, Justin Pianalto and wife Heather, Jessica Sawatzky and husband Jake, Sheldon Kronewitter, Booker Rohlf, Keenan Rohlf, Dylan Smith, Melissa Goldsberry and husband Sean and Travis Gorden; 3 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Berniece Werth and Betty Rajewski and two brothers-in-law, Roy Zimmerman and Tony Legleiter.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday, September 23, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday 4 PM – 8 PM and Friday 9 AM – 9:30 AM at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
There will be a Schoenchen council Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 PM Thursday followed by a parish vigil at 7 PM.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Joseph Rectory Remodeling Fund.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].
A little history of Hays Veterinary Clinic, a look back in the life of Dr. Steve Mosier and his recent award from the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association are the topics of this Community Connection with Mike Cooper.
Helen E. Harper, age 91, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016 at the Keepsake Kottage in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on May 10, 1925 in Hominy, Oklahoma, the daughter of Donald Glenn and Mary Maude Gaines Varvil. A resident of Healy, Kansas since 1951 moving from Albert, Kansas, she was a homemaker and secretary.
She was a member of the Healy United Methodist Church of Healy, Kansas.
On October 11, 1951 she married Alvin Harper in Albert, Kansas. He passed away on May 4, 1978 in Garden City, Kansas.
Survivors Include her Two Sons – Glenn & Raina Harper of Valley Center, Kansas, Donald Harper of Park City, Kansas, Five Grandchildren and Fifteen Great Grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at the Healy United Methodist Church in Healy, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2016 with Marletta Wilkens presiding.
Memorials may be given to the Healy United Methodist Church, Keepsake Kottage or Humane Society % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Healy Cemetery in Healy, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
On Sept. 16, the Gove County Medical Center hosted an Open House for employees and the public to visit the new Cancer Exercise Therapy Rehabilitation Suite.
Painted a cheery apple green, the room’s decorations educate about cancer rehabilitation. One section of the wall illustrates the different toxicities which can occur as a result of cancer treatment. Another section explains specifically how the cancer exercise therapy combats those effects.
Cancer exercise rehabilitation therapy is based on cutting edge research which indicates that an individualized exercise program can improve balance and strength, help manage pain, fight cancer-related fatigue, and give a better quality of life. Patients and cancer survivors can benefit, even after cancer treatment is complete.
The cancer exercise rehabilitation therapy offered by Gove County Medical Center has truly been a community effort. Walk-a-Thon funds have been earmarked to the hospital to pay for all therapy. No patient is ever billed. The Talent Extravaganza 2015 raised funds to send two GCMC employees to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Institute to become certified exercise specialists. The Pierre C. Henry Foundation and the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation provided funds to purchase the equipment.
Visitors to the open house included Mr. and Mrs. Kenton Krehbiel representing the Pierre C. Henry Foundation, Kay Goetz and Cheryl Zimmerman of the Walk-a-Thon Committee, Dr. Hiesterman, and a number of patients and hospital employees.
Gove County Medical Center appreciates the generosity from the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, the Pierre C. Henry Foundation, and the Walk-a-Thon Committee.
Cancer exercise rehabilitation therapy is offered by physician referral. If you are interested in therapy, please visit with your physician.
Elizabeth R. Koster, 100, died Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Logan County Manor, Oakley. She was born June 12, 1916 in rural Studley to Leote P. and Mary Ann (Treu) Ponath. Elizabeth married Edward J. Koster on July 24, 1940 at Leoville. She was an assistant funeral director and co-owner of Koster Funeral Home in Oakley.
On Sept. 16, the Gove County Medical Center hosted an Open House for employees and the public to visit the new Cancer Exercise Therapy Rehabilitation Suite.