ELLSWORTH COUNTY— A man who was shot and wounded during a central Kansas law enforcement chase continues to recuperate in a Wichita hospital.
Authorities have not released the condition of Alberto J. Garcia-Tapia, 35, or said where on his body he was wounded.
He was charged Friday in Ellsworth County District Court with felony fleeing, felony aggravated assault on law enforcement officers and felony DUI.
No court date has been scheduled.
Three officers from two jurisdictions fired their weapons during the chase Thursday night with Garcia-Tapia, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Garcia- Tapia will remain in custody in lieu of bond, according to a media release from the Ellsworth County District Attorney.
Garcia-Tapia has previous convictions in Edwards County for Aggravated Battery and Assault and in Stafford County for DUI and Flee and Attempt to Flee and Elude Law Enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The former president of a troubled union district office in Wichita has been banned from holding an officer position for five years.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the ban affecting Frank Molina follows a union determination of “financial mismanagement.” International Association of Machinists spokesman Frank Larkin says Molina can appeal.
Molina is the former leader of the union’s District 70. It represents 8,000 Machinists members in the Wichita area.
Earlier this year, the IAM took over the operations of the District 70 office under a process it calls trusteeship. Larkin says the trusteeship could be lifted following an election of new officers, but it isn’t clear when that would happen.
Molina and another fired union employee previously sued for wrongful termination, breach of contract and defamation.
During the past four years, three of the four clarifier basins at the Hays Water Treatment Plant, 1000 Vine Street, have been sandblasted and painted as part of regular maintenance. The east primary basin, built in 1975, will soon undergo the same work.
City commissioners will consider four bids for the project during their meeting Thu., Sept 22.
According to a memo from Jeff Crispin, Assistant Utilities Director, after years of submersion in water, the paint coatings are failing to protect the metal parts. Maintenance staff drains, power washes and cleans all surfaces yearly on all basins.
Staff is recommending the low bid of $55,000 from DEM Enterprises; $75,000 was budgeted in 2016 as part of the Capital Improvement Plan.
Other agenda items include adoption of the 2016 Uniform Public Offense Code and the 2016 Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas cities.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Hays City Hall. See the complete agenda here.
Citing unanswered questions and a lack of input from those affected, the Ellis County Commission tabled a discussion on the 3-mile zone – Extraterritorial Jurisdiction – surrounding Hays at Monday’s meeting.
In May, the county expressed interest in changing the 3-mile zone for the city of Hays. Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes and City Manager Toby Dougherty worked together on a new proposal that included reductions to all but the east boundary.
The proposed ETJ boundary, which removes 19 square miles, in in blue. The current boundary is in yellow.
Dougherty told the commission at their Aug. 4 work session the proposed boundary change removes 19 square miles.
The city commission and the city’s zoning board agreed the changes, but the county commission expressed issue with the proposal.
“I’m not ready to move forward with what the city has drawn up,” said Commissioner Dean Haselhorst. “I think there’s a lot of interested parties (who) want to chime in on the discussion.”
Haselhorst said he wants to hear from real estate agents and other interested parties before they finalize a plan.
“The Realtors of the community know which way the city’s growing and know what the needs are,” he said.
Commissioner Barb Wasinger agreed with Haselhorst and said the county needs to have more say on property outside of the city.
“I have no problem working with the city,” Wasinger said. “However, I think the county needs more control over their property.”
Commissioners also want to look further into the rules of the joint planning commission before voting on the issue. The county commission has final say on the 3-mile zone and the city has control of zoning within that zone.
The 3-mile zone became an issue of discussion when the Hays City Commission went against recommendations of the Hays Area Planning Commission and city staff and approved rezoning an area south of Hays from agriculture to residential to allow for the proposed Blue Sky Acres Addition.
The planning commission voted against the zone change because it was not in the city’s comprehensive plan.
Blue Sky Acres would be adjacent to the VonFeldt subdivision but a petition has been filed to vacate Randall Road. It runs through the subdivision and would provide the only access from Highway 183 to the Blue Sky Addition.
As part of the vacation process, the county commission appointed three people who will view the road with two of the three commissioners and a surveyor. Wasinger has recused herself because of a conflict of interest.
At Monday’s meeting, the commission voted to appoint Wes Debey, Dennis Pfannenstiel and Ernest Pfeifer as the three “disinterested householders” who will view the road and then present their opinions in a report.
The viewing has been scheduled for Oct. 7 at 8:30 a.m.
In other business, the commission agreed to begin the process of selling the Tholen Building at 209 W. 12th. The building has served as storage for county records.
The commission also heard a progress report on the progress of the Courthouse Preservation Committee and got monthly reports from the health and the public works departments.
KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to his role in a bank fraud conspiracy in which he operated a flop house where he paid drug addicts for stolen identity information that was used to create counterfeit checks, according to Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Tyler Sutton, 54, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud, possession of counterfeit securities, possession of stolen mail, and identity theft. Sutton also pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Sutton was a property manager residing in the 400 block of Gladstone Boulevard in Kansas City, although he only paid rent for one month and was evicted in October 2014. He used the house to conduct his illegal business by operating it as a flop house where he offered cash and/or drugs to drug addicts who brought him stolen mail, identities, addresses, credit card numbers and bank account information. Sutton often allowed the addicts to stay at the residence.
Sutton also unlawfully obtained identity and account information belonging to other persons and businesses by stealing these items from businesses and from the mail. Sutton and co-conspirators used the stolen identity information to create counterfeit identifications and checks, which were cashed at retail stores and financial institutions.
Sutton did not usually create counterfeit identifications and checks himself, nor did he personally present counterfeit identifications and cash checks. Rather, he instructed others in the making and presenting of counterfeit identifications and checks, and shared the illegal proceeds with his co-conspirators. In this manner, Sutton attempted to insulate himself from liability.
Sutton admitted that the intended loss amount was $83,981.
He has previous convictions for drugs, forgery, and computer crimes.
From left: Phelps, Lowry, Kiser and Boldra.BUNKER HILL — Last week, Smoky Hills Public Television hosted a forum featuring candidates for the 111th District State House of Representatives.
Incumbent state Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, is facing off against former state Rep. Eber Phelps, D-Hays, in the November general election. The forum was moderated by Eagle’s Becky Kiser, and Patrick Lowry, editor/publisher of the Hays Daily News, asked questions of the candidates.
The forum will air on Eagle Ch. 14 and 614 at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and midnight Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. It will re-air at the same times Oct. 10, 13 and 16. The forum also will be published on Hays Post next week.
Hays Post offers its appreciation to SHPTV for making this forum available for viewers.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
A favorite activity for the Charles and Kim Kirschbaum family is to go fishing in the mountains.
This past weekend, three Kirschbaum family members enjoyed fishing on the banks of Big Creek in northwest Kansas.
Charles and Kim were in Hays to take part in Family Weekend at Fort Hays State University with their middle child, Kayelani, a freshman majoring in biology and chemistry.
The Kirschbaums usually go fishing in the Rockies, and when Kayelani saw that Saturday morning’s fishing derby would be part of Family Weekend, “I told them we would be doing this,” she said, nodding toward her parents.
Kayelani, a student in the L3: Live. Learn. Lead. learning community, said she chose Fort Hays State for a variety of reasons. The principal at her high school in tiny Merino, Colo., is Lonnie Brungardt, a native of Hays and an FHSU alum, and she liked the biology and chemistry department when she came for a college visit.
Kayelani graduated from high school in a class of 30 and wanted something smaller than a state university of 30,000-plus students.
“My brother went to a lot bigger college, and I wanted something smaller,” she said. “I thought this would be a good size.”
Once Kayelani visited FHSU’s campus, she said she was hooked. So she was particularly looking forward to showing her parents a good time on Family Weekend.
The fishing derby was billed as a friends-and-family event, and it was the first among many activities Saturday in which families could participate.
Preparation for the fishing derby began days before the event. A channel of Big Creek that runs under Hammond Hall was stocked with nearly 150 catfish, several of which were tagged for prizes that were given away. Ron Haag, director of intramural and recreational sports at FHSU, and some of his students made breakfast burritos Thursday for fishing participants to eat Saturday.
Helping out were about 60 students from Haag’s FHSU’s intramural programs class and from the university’s Wide World of Sports & Outdoor Adventure learning community. An additional 60 students that make up Haag’s intramural staff were also available to help in various ways.
“I’m not fishing; I’m just helping out,” said Megan Cornelsen, a nursing student from Hugoton in the Wide World of Sports & Outdoor Adventure learning community. Learning communities at FHSU are groups of 20 to 30 first-year students who share some common interests, take classes together and live on the same floor in McMindes Hall.
Megan was enjoying herself, sitting on the banks of Big Creek among a grove of trees, something there isn’t an abundance of in southwest Kansas.
“I really liked the town and the campus when I came for my college visit,” she said. “It’s definitely affordable, they have a good nursing program, and there are more trees up here.”
Numerous families visited the FHSU campus on Family Weekend. Among all the activities from which to choose, the most popular seemed to be an ice cream social Saturday afternoon and tailgating before the Tiger football game that evening.
Andre Vila, a freshman from Topeka, was busy late morning, posing for a photo with family members by the large bronze tiger outside the front doors of the Memorial Union.
Andre’s parents, Ralph and Tonya Vila, and his 10-year-old brother, Tristan, were visiting for the weekend.
While there are numerous universities in eastern Kansas, Andre said he went to a college fair and what he learned about Fort Hays State — particularly its political science program — “sounded really good.”
So Andre and his parents scheduled a visit to Hays.
“We’ve liked it ever since the first visit,” Andre’s mother said. “We’ve been very impressed with everything.”
Haag, in his 22nd year at Fort Hays State, was impressed with the turnout for the fishing derby, in just its second year. As fish were brought to the top of the hill to be weighed — prizes were given for the longest, heaviest, etc. — FHSU students cleaned, filleted and cooked the fish for participants to eat.
“I thought it was a great time,” Haag said. “It involved a lot of students, a lot of families. I think everyone involved enjoyed themselves.”
Robert Glenn Hafliger, 64, passed away on September 16, 2016, at the Rhode Island Suites in Ransom, Kansas. He was born on October 4, 1951, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Lyle and Wauneta (Blocksome) Hafliger.
He was a mechanic in the Lane County area for many years.
Survivors include sister, Phyllis Clark He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald Hafliger.
Elaine Ann Bittel, age 68, of Ellis, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. She was born January 5, 1948 in Hays, Kansas to Edgar and Rosemary (Buser) Bittel. She graduated from Ellis High School in 1966.
Elaine had worked as an inventory clerk at a bookstore. She also volunteered at the Good Samaritan Society in Ellis and at Hadley Hospital in the library. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Ellis. She was an avid reader and music lover, especially Neil Diamond. She loved animals and politics.
She is survived by two brothers, Stan Bittel and wife Kerry of Ellis, Kansas and Rod Bittel and wife Pat of Lawrence, Kansas; three sisters, Barbara King and husband Marvin of Ellis, Kansas, Cynthia Pfannenstiel and husband Bill of Pittsburg, Kansas and Mary Bittel and husband Mike Burdick of Chandler, Arizona. She is also survived by 9 nephews and 4 nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday, September 24, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis with inurnment to follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 7 PM with a combined parish vigil service and rosary at 7 PM all at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or the Hays Public Library.
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th in Ellis.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or email at [email protected].
After nearly a full week of auditions and callbacks, the cast list for “Bye Bye Birdie” was posted on Sept. 16.
“Bye Bye Birdie” tells the story of a rock and roll singer, Conrad Birdie, who is about to be inducted into the army. Albert Peterson, his agent, is a very pleasant mild mannered young man. Albert’s faithful secretary Rose Alvarez keeps him and Birdie moving forward in the world. Rose is hopelessly in love with Albert, unfortunately he refuses to commit to her – partially because of his mother, Mae Peterson. In an attempt to get Albert’s mind back on college, Rosie concocts one final national publicity plan before Conrad’s induction.
Conrad will bid a typical American teen-age girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Kim MacAfee in Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor. This kiss creates drama with the boy who recently pinned her, Hugo Peabody.
The cast list for the 2016 musical “Bye Bye Birdie” is as follows:
Albert Peterson – senior Eric Rorstrom
Rosie Alverez – senior Anniston Weber
Kim MacAfee – senior Kristen Nease
Conrad Birdie – junior Ryan Will
Mrs. Doris MacAfee – senior Rachelle Lumpkins
Mr. Harry MacAfee – junior Eric Adams
Ursula Merkle – junior Erin Muirhead
Mrs. Mae Peterson – senior Madison Crees
Hugo Peabody – junior Michael Hernandez
Harvey Johnson – senior Hayden Sillmon
Mayor Smith – senior Mason Wellbrock
Edna Smith (The Mayor’s wife) – junior Kyra Polifka-Whilhelm
Alice Smith – junior Taya Randle
Deborah Sue Miller – junior Shelby Knoll
Margie Johnson – sophomore Kara Steininger
Mrs. Johnson – junior Erin Adams
Nancy Wilson – junior Ivy Walker
Susie Jones – junior Sara Rohleder
Freddie Merkle – senior Cooper Flores
Lee Garfein – freshman Nathan Leiker
Roger Miller – sophomore Cade Swayne
Mrs. Jones – sophomore Jessica Straight
Danny Jones – junior Dawson Rooney
Penelope Henkel – junior Emily Ricke
Charity Garfein – senior Jordyn Dake
Charles Maude/Mr. Johnson – sophomore Skyler Prickett
Mr. Henkel – junior Max Peine
Mrs. Wilson – sophomore Brittani Park
Mrs. Garfein – junior Kourtney Muench
Mr. Garfien – freshman Marshall Meyer
Gloria – junior Lucy Lin
Mrs. Henkel – junior Kayla Satomi
Mr. Jones – freshman Ethan Klausmeyer
Karl Wilson – junior Adam Klausmeyer
Mrs. Miller – junior Amiyah Gonzalez
Paul Henkel – junior Tanner Eiland
Mrs. Merkle – sophomore Rebecca Anderson
Teens – freshman Katelyn Engel, sophomore Madison Lisman, senior Gabby McLoughlin, freshman Ana States and sophomore Katie Vaughn
Townspeople – freshman Sam Allen, freshman Marie-Lyn Castaing, freshman Mariah Debey, junior Faith Ewert, senior Ashlen Lemon, freshman Kenia Macias, freshman Marshall Perryman, freshman Kari Satomi and senior Megan Scott.
“I’m very excited to play this role,” senior Anniston Weber, playing Rosie Alverez said. “Rose is such a lively character. It’s going to be a great show.”
This is senior Eric Rorstom’s first year participating as a cast member for musical. “There were so many good auditions,” Rorstrom said. “I was very surprised to get the part of Albert Peterson. I’m very excited for this year’s show.”
Senior Kristen Nease (Kim MacAfee) said she feels bittersweet about this being her last Hays High musical. “I’m very honored and thrilled to have received my part,” Nease said. “I can’t wait to see how the cast comes together as a team like we always do.”
Production dates for “Bye Bye Birdie” are Nov. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at 12th St. Auditorium.
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