October 2016 – Page 2 – Hays Post Archive

2 suspects jailed, marijuana seized after I-70 traffic stop

Posted on October 31, 2016

Items seized in a drug arrest on I-70 early Saturday morning (Photo: Saline County Sheriff)

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating two suspects on drug charges.

Just after midnight on Saturday, a deputy sheriff stopped a speeding 2005 Pontiac Grand Am just west of Hedville Interstate 70, according to Saline County Undersheriff Roger Soldan.

The deputy noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and discovered 72.9 grams of the drug inside the car in several individually labeled bags as well as several pieces of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies arrested Jerry Townsend, 19, Shell Knob, Missouri, and Brandon Wisely, 18, Holiday Island, Arkansas.

Both men were booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Soldan.

🎥 New retail development CID request moves on to public hearing

Posted on October 31, 2016

dave-christie — Developer Dave Christie with Ellis Co. Coalition Exec. Dir. Aaron White (L) and project attorney Ferdinand Niemann (R) at Thursday’s Hays City Commission meeting.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners voted Thursday 4-1 to move forward with another CID (Community Improvement District) request for economic development north of I-70, although this CID petition is somewhat different than previous ones. The petition requests the district be created prior to the identification of a specific project. The CID would allow the developer to more aggressively market the property.

retail-cid-request-map — The proposed retail development would be located on 9.1 acres at the northeast corner of I-70 and Vine Street.

Developer Dave Christie of Hays Investors, LLC, Stillwell, Kan., wants to construct a building with approximately 73,000 square feet of retail space directly north of the Home Depot. The development would consist of a 50,000 square foot building to be used by a national retailer and another 23,000 square feet of retail space. Estimated cost of the retail project is $13.67 million.

Hays Investors requests a 22-year, 1% CID sales tax to reimburse the developer on a pay‐as‐you‐go basis for $3.6 million of CID‐eligible expenses. The CID sales tax is estimated to generate approximately $3.7 million for CID‐eligible expenses over the 22 years.

Christie told city commissioners he “currently has two signed letters of intent on this property for about 35,000 feet and I’m working on one other anchor and then I can start the project. I’m really excited about this.”

There will be a restriction in the development agreement that would dissolve the district if certificates of occupancy for 73,000 square feet of retail space are not issued within 36 months of approval of the CID. That restriction is somewhat reassuring to the commission.

“I hope we don’t have to wait three years before we know what’s coming,” Mayor Shaun Musil said. “We did this (approved a CID) and haven’t really seen a lot even though it’s starting to look nice but we haven’t really heard a lot from them.

“My whole goal is we would bring some retail (shops) to our community and get our city sales tax revenues to where they need to be,” Musil added. “Hopefully, you’ll let us know as soon as possible.”

rupp-102716 — Ten of the last twelve months experienced a notable decrease in city sales tax receipts, down $365,156 or 4.85 %, according Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp.

Sales tax collections for Hays have been down ten of the past 12 months, as reported by City Finance Director Kim Rupp during his September Financial Statement review earlier in the meeting. Rupp called it “a notable decrease” of $365,156 or 4.85 %.

Commissioner Henry Schwaller voted against the CID request. “This is the second time at the well. We were promised this development when the Home Depot was built. When Home Depot was built, the commission asked and received a letter of intent from the retailer that they would occupy the building. We have no letters of intent tonight.

“Most troubling is we have a lot of commercial vacancies….It’s really a renter’s market, not an owner’s market. Even with the incentive, this is going to be tough,” Schwaller believes.

“In my opinion, if nothing happens within 36 months and nothing is built, the city is really out nothing. Unfortunately, moving into the future, if that would be the case, that makes it a bad situation to talk about this type of incentive,” said Commissioner James Meier, who voted in favor of the CID request.

The public hearing for the retail development CID request is Tue., Nov. 22, during the city commission meeting. Commissioners will not meet Thursday of that week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hays, Ellis high schools to host blood drives

Posted on October 31, 2016

ARC

The high schools in Hays and Ellis will sponsor blood drives next month for the American Red Cross.

Hays High School, 2300 E. 13th, Hays, will host its blood drive Tue., Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Ellis High School, 1706 Monroe, Ellis, will be the site of a blood drive Thu., Nov. 10 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Blood donations may also be made at the ARC Blood Donation Center in Hays, 208 E. 8th, 1 800-733-2767.

At age 16-17 depending on state, individuals in generally good health who meet weight and height requirements may become eligible to donate blood. Please review our eligibility requirements as some states require parental consent.

In Kansas, 16-year-olds may donate with signed parental consent.

When donating, bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of ID.

Blood drive locations and hours are subject to change. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Roberta Kay Plante

Posted on October 31, 2016

Roberta Kay Plante, 54, Salina, died Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Kay was born March 22, 1962 in Colby to Agnes E. Meissen Plante and Edmond F. (Pete) Plante, Damar, KS.

Kay retired from UPS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and father; Fred E. Nurse.

Kay enjoyed design and sewing gifts for the Children’s Christmas Gift Program and for Catholic Charities.
Survivors include Kay’s son, Joe Geske of Seattle WA, 3 brothers; Fred E. Nurse, George H. (Jeanna) Plante and Chris (Rhonda) Plante, all of Salina, 3 sisters, Belinda Shannon of Denver, Jody Patten of Hays, Marcy Schlitter of Denver and 3 nieces, 5 nephews and their families.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at St. Mary’s Queen of the Universe Church, 230 E. Cloud, Salina.

In lieu of flowers, family suggest memorials be made to Kay Plante in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402.

LaVina L. Erbes

Posted on October 31, 2016

LaVina L. Erbes, 98, La Crosse, Kansas, died Sunday, October 30, 2016, at Rush County Memorial Hospital, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Erbes was born May 29, 1918, in Bison, Kansas, the daughter of Adam and Eve (Krug) Kleweno. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1936 graduate of Bison High School, Bison, Kansas, she was a homemaker, farm wife, and bookkeeper for Erbes Meat Market, which she and her husband, Loris, owned and operated from 1939 to 1953.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

On November 29, 1939, she married Loris E. Erbes at La Crosse, Kansas. He preceded her in death March 1, 2000.
Survivors include: one son, Lawrence E. Erbes, La Crosse, Kansas; two daughters, Lucinda Lazarus (Lloyd) Kansas City, Missouri, and Rita Copenhafer (Robert), Mendon, Michigan; four grandchildren, Jennifer Lazarus, New York City, New York, Jason Lazarus, Tampa, Florida, Nathan Copenhafer, Battle Creek, Michigan, and Tracy Scheffler, Gainesville, Florida; and three great grandchildren, Ryder J. Liou, Kyla Copenhafer, and Mya Copenhafer.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Harvey Kleweno, Harry Kleweno; and an infant brother, Milton Kleweno.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 3, 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.

Funeral service will be Friday, November 4, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Angie Vertz officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the Rush County Memorial Hospital Foundation, or the Rush County EMTs.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

SELZER: Insurance fraud case is a cautionary tale

Posted on October 31, 2016

Ken Selzer, Kansas Insurance Commissioner

An insurance fraud case in Saline County can serve as a cautionary tale for those having property insurance.

Saline County officials and Anti-Fraud personnel from the Kansas Insurance Department were successful in a court conviction in September against a Saline County woman for one count of insurance fraud. The conviction came after the woman plead guilty to taking cash upon returning merchandise she purchased as insurance replacements for items stolen in a burglary.

When a person has an insurance policy that covers the cost of replacing the depreciated value of the items stolen or damaged, then the money the insurance company pays to that person is expected to be used for purchasing the replacement items. Any other use of that money is contrary to the terms of the policy contract between the company and the insured person.

According to court records, the woman reported a theft from her home in Salina in August 2014 and filed a homeowners insurance claim with Allstate Insurance Company. In December 2014 Allstate stipulated that the woman purchase replacement items of no more than $3,648, which was the depreciated value of her belongings. She was then to turn in the purchase receipts of those items to the company for reimbursement.

The woman made six purchases of items, totaling $3,157. However, according to the court report, she returned those items within three hours of purchase on each occasion, pocketing the money, but she still sent the receipts to Allstate. Allstate questioned the discrepancies, and the insurance department anti-fraud unit stepped in.

Following her guilty plea, the woman was ordered to pay a $500 fine and almost $500 in court and administrative fees. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail, but that was suspended to six months’ probation. Among other conditions, she was to spend 48 hours in jail or complete 50 hours of community service.

This is just one example of the type of fraudulent activity the insurance department’s anti-fraud unit deals with on a daily basis. Our staff takes cases like this seriously because they effect insurance policy owners through higher premiums and increased claims activity. We urge all Kansans to be alert to potential scams.

Ken Selzer, CPA, is the Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.

HAWVER: Check the fine print on those election mailers

Posted on October 31, 2016

Remember when mom told you she didn’t want you hanging out with “that crowd”?

When you were growing up, “that crowd” might have been the guys with tattoos, or car without mufflers, or for girls it was “that crowd” that wore their skirts too short or wore mascara to junior high school.

Well, we’re in the final week of campaigning for Kansas House and Senate seats and your mailbox is going to be filled with flyers either for or against your local candidates.

Now, of course, if you live down the street from a candidate, you can literally toss out the campaign mailers. You know whether he/she keeps the yard mowed or has obnoxious yard art.

And you know based on seeing the candidate around town and maybe from talking to him/her about taxes or schools or the off-ramp into your town.

Those personal relationships, or maybe just seeing them at the parade or city festival, are the most solid bases on which to cast your vote. But many Kansans couldn’t pick their local senator or representative—and much less a new candidate—out of a group photo of the local Rotary.

So, it is probably time to bring out the reading glasses to see the tiny type at the bottom of those flyers in your mailbox or stuffed in the screen door or which wind up in your e-mail.

Very practically, if that flyer says it was sponsored by the candidate, and his/her campaign treasurer, you know it is the candidate and PR consultants painting the rosiest possible picture of the candidate. That’s direct selling, and you can easily sort out the candidates by what they say about themselves. If they are for issues that you aren’t, well, that makes things pretty simple, doesn’t it?

But it gets different when the flyer or advertisement is sponsored by someone else.

Now, we can figure out that if the Kansas Rifle Association supports a candidate, that candidate is likely going to be OK with the right to have guns. But even 2nd Amendment folks probably need to make a phone call to the candidate or the KRA to see just where guns are OK. Should criminals be able to carry guns? College freshmen carry them to class which is likely after next July 1, or are there little provisions that are important to you?

That might mean a little more investigation if it turns out that your district’s candidates get a gun lobby endorsement.

And everyone’s for good schools, but it is probably worth a call to that political action committee that talks about schools to see just what it is that it is encouraging a legislator to do. Raise taxes, or at least divert money from something else in state government to school districts? Encourage proliferation of private schools by letting students take the money that the state spends on their education to a private school?

Just examples, but “that crowd” becomes something that will take some extra work if you want a legislator to take issues where you want them, regardless of the catchy and friendly name of the group supporting the candidate.

So, in the last week of the campaign, while candidates are making their final round of door-knocking and campaigning anywhere they can find a crowd, voters probably ought to be spending some time doing research on what an endorsement really means—to what you want your legislator to be voting for or against, or amending this way or that.

With the national campaigns pulling the oxygen out of the room this year, the energy level for electing legislators who deal most closely with you and your district and your home is ebbing. So, you might want to doublecheck what crowd you’re hanging with.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com.

Charles Alan Farr

Posted on October 31, 2016

Charles Alan Farr, 54, Hays, died Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born September 9, 1962 in Hays, Kansas the son of Charles Duane and Darlene B. (Buss) Farr. He graduated from Hays High School in 1981 and attended Fort Hays State University pursuing a degree in communications. He worked in the radio industry and was a DJ for his business, Big Al’s Toons. He was very smart and witty, had a wonderful sense of humor, and he loved music, the radio airwaves, and the oilfield. He enjoyed time with his family and friends and helping others.

Survivors include his parents, Charles and Darlene Farr of Hays, two sisters; Karol Chaffee and Jerry Wilson of WaKeeney and Cindy Farr of Ogallah, and two nephews; Brent Chaffee and Neal Chaffee.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy and Ellen Farr and Earl and Opal Buss.

A Celebration of Big Al’s life will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Allen Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm until service time on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains in memory of Al’s dog Duke “The Dukester,” in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].

Helen Meder

Posted on October 31, 2016

Helen C. Meder, 83, Hays, died Monday, October 31, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Alley cleanup enters second week

Posted on October 31, 2016

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual alley cleanup in Hays is starting to wind down. Collection of unwanted goods began Mon., Oct. 24.

Click on the map to see progress through Fri., Oct. 28.

KBI: 3 bodies found at rural Kan. home; suspicious vehicle located

Posted on October 31, 2016October 31, 2016

Law enforcement authorities on the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KWCH

HARVEY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office continue the investigation into the murder of three individuals who were found Sunday evening in the 8600 block of North Spring Lake Road, in rural Moundridge, Kansas.

Upon arriving at the scene, deputies discovered three bodies outside the residence. The preliminary investigation indicates that the victims died of gunshot wounds, according to a media release.

Also found at the residence was an 18 month old child who was unharmed. The names of the victims are not being released at this time, pending notification of families.

Immediately following the incident, law enforcement requested assistance locating a maroon vehicle. This vehicle has since been found due to the assistance of many concerned citizens of Harvey County.

Investigators do feel this is a targeted event and the public is not in danger.

If you have information related to this crime, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME or the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office at (316) 284-6960.

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HARVEY COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County are investigating after bodies of three people were found in front of a home in a rural area near Newton.

Just after 5pm Harvey County 911 received a call from a motorist who had just been flagged down and told about a shooting in the 8600 block of Spring Lake Road, west of Hesston, in rural Harvey County. The caller was advised there were multiple victims and a child left inside, according to a social media report.

Deputies and officers from several agencies responded to the residence. When they arrived they found the bodies of two men and a women who were deceased in front of the residence. The victim’s ages ranged from 30s- to a 50 year-old.

They entered the house and located an 18-month-old child. No suspects have been located.

Sheriff T. Walton says the case is being investigated as a homicide.

The KBI had been contacted and will be assisting the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.

Names of the victims have not been released.
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HARVEY COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County are investigating after bodies of three people were found in front of a home in a rural area near Newton.

The bodies were found just after 5 p.m. after a call from a motorist, according to a social media post from police.

When officers arrived the three bodies were found, as well as an 18-month-old child, who was not harmed.

No suspects have been located.

The names of the deceased will not be released until family is notified, according to police.

Kansas soldier wins annual Marine Corp Marathon

Posted on October 31, 2016October 31, 2016

ARLINGTON, VA. -A Kansas soldier won Sunday’s annual Marine Corp Marathon.

SPC Samuel Kosgei, Fort Riley, has won the Marine Corps Marathon. His time was 2:23.53.

Congratulations to the @Marine_Marathon first place finishers, Samuel Kosgei and Perry Shoemaker! pic.twitter.com/3TVq9SMMwa

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) October 30, 2016

In addition, U.S. Marine and 1964 Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills from the University of Kansas was inducted into the Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame.

The MCM is one of the largest marathons in the US and the world and stands as the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money, earning its nickname, “The People’s Marathon.” The MCM has been voted “Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic,” “Best Marathon for Charities” and “Best Spectator Event,” according to the event web site.

Contest Rules

Posted on October 31, 2016

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