October 2016 – Page 23 – Hays Post Archive

Sheriff: 2 Kansas men arrested for alleged $300K arson fire

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County including the State Fire Marshal are investigating suspects in connection with an alleged arson fire.

Travis Novak, 23, and Justin Beetch, 24, both of Salina are in custody in connection with the August 4, fire that destroyed thousands of dollars in farm equipment and over 700 bales of alfalfa hay, according to Saline County Undersherrif Roger Soldan.

August fire in Saline County- photo Saline Co. Sheriff

Authorities say the two ignited a fire that consumed a shed in the 10500 Block of South Gypsum Valley Road that held the hay and farm equipment.

Total loss was estimated at $341,350.

Gladys Marie Brungardt

Posted on October 24, 2016

Hays, Kansas – Gladys Marie Brungardt, age 81, died Sunday, October 23, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

She was born August 20, 1935, in Hays, Kansas to Gerald and Agnes (Wolf) Leiker. She married Vitus Brungardt on August 25, 1977, at Hutchinson, Kansas. He died April 28, 2014.

She was a waitress for over 25 years working at The Lamar Hotel, Woolworths, The Coney Island Drive-In, The Mall Restaurant and was a prep cook at Arby’s for 10 years. She grew up in Hays, attended Hays High School and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing cards, puzzles, watching birds, going to the casinos and spending time with her family.

Survivors include three sons, LuVern Lang Jr. and wife, Pam, Tribune, KS; Norman Lang and wife, Rose Marie, LaCrosse, KS; Mark Lang and wife Lori, Hays, KS; one daughter, Mary Engel and companion, Brian Jacques, Hays, KS; one step-son, Keith Brungardt and wife, Beverly, Vincent, KS; one step-daughter, Cindy Huser and husband, Bryan, Hays, KS; one daughter-in-law, Terri Brungardt, Hutchinson, KS; one brother, Norman Leiker and wife, Rita, Hays, KS; one sister, Barbara Clarke, Hays, KS; 10 grandchildren: Jenny Spear (Mike), Joshua Kehn (Lisa), Trevor Engel (Susie Obholz), Keaton Lang (Lexi),Chris Lang, Mindy Lang, Jessica Normandin (Kyle), Faith Desbien, Quincy Robben, Kelsey Morrow (Lance); 11 great grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren and 14 step-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Patrick Lang; one son-in-law, Clifford V. “Cliff” Engel; her first husband, LuVern Lang; one step-son, Larry Brungardt.

Services are at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18 and Vine, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Thursday, at the church. Memorial to the Brungardt Family in care of Mary Engel to be designated at a later time. Condolences can be left at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail at [email protected]

2 Monday morning earthquakes shake portions of Kansas

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016

USGS image of Monday morning Kansas earthquake

HARPER COUNTY – A pair of earthquakes shook portions of Kansas early Monday morning.

Just after 8:25 a.m., a 3.5 magnitude quake hit approximately 11 miles northeast of Anthony, Kansas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A few minutes later at 8:50 a.m., a 2.5 magnitude quake was reported near the same area approximately 10 miles northeast of Anthony.

A staff member at the police department in Anthony reported they felt the quake. No damage or injuries reported early Monday, according to the Harper County Sheriff’s Department.

K-State’s Willis Named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016

MANHATTAN, Kan. – After climbing up the Kansas State career sack list once again on Saturday in the Wildcats’ 24-21 victory over Texas, senior defensive end Jordan Willis was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

Willis picked up his first-career Big 12 weekly honor and the second by a Wildcat defender this season. K-State ranks second in the Big 12 with 43 conference player of the week honors since 2011, including six in 2016.

A product of Kansas City, Missouri, Willis filled up the stat sheet as he carded seven tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. The senior, who leads the Big 12 in both sacks and TFLs, improved his season sack total to 8.0 to rank third in the nation, while he now has 11.5 TFLs this year to stand seventh nationally.

Willis now has 22.5 career sacks as he moved into fourth place in Kansas State history, the most by a Wildcat since Darren Howard set the school record with 29.5 from 1996-99. He also has 34.5 career TFLs, just 4.5 shy of entering the school’s top-10 list that does not include anyone that has played in the last 15 years.

Herman Henry Fellhoelter Jr.

Posted on October 24, 2016

Herman Henry Fellhoelter Jr. passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016 at his home in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 86. He was born March 29, 1930 in Angelus, Kansas to Herman J. and Odella (Comeau) Fellhoelter, Sr. He graduated from the 8th grade and joined the workforce to help support his family.

He married Irene Garvert on April 3, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Plainville. Herman worked and gained great respect in the oilfields for many years working for Kimbark Oil and Gas and owner of Jrs. Well Service and Fellhoelter Consulting. In 1983 he was founder and Co-Owner of H & C Oil Operating, Inc. of Plainville from which he retired, allowing him to enjoy his hobbies of fishing, traveling the areas of Rooks County where he loved checking oil wells and his cattle, and attending his grandchildren’s activities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1857 of Plainville.

Herman was a man whose kind smile and generous spirit led him through his 86 years of life. Whether he was sharing vivid stories of his childhood with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchild or inviting visitors into his home with a hearty, “Come into this house!” Herman’s inviting spirit warmed the room. He was always willing to help someone down on their luck, but never expected anything in return. He truly believed in helping the community he loved and inspired those around him to do the same. His benevolent legacy will live on through those who loved him most by doing small and considerate acts of kindness in his name.

Survivors include his wife Irene Fellhoelter of the home; daughters Linda Roberts and husband Gayle of Louisburg, Kathy Ramsay and husband Charles of Plainville, Eileen Plante and husband Bob of Plainville, Mary Meade and husband Paul of Olathe; sons Steve Fellhoelter and wife Tracy of Plainville, and Jerry Fellhoelter of Plainville; brothers Larry Fellhoelter and wife Sherry of Great Bend, Melvin Fellhoelter and wife Elizabeth of Medina, OH, Lee Fellhoelter and wife Carol of Shawnee; sisters Pauline Westhusing and husband Elden of Hays, and Doris Hale and husband Bill of Sutton, NE; 17 Grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren, which will soon be 32; and 1 great-great-granddaughter.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Odella Fellhoelter, brothers Donald and Dennis Fellhoelter, infant sister Mary Fellhoelter, son-in-law Myron Brin, and grandson Christopher Fellhoelter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2016 at Sacred Heart Church in Plainville, KS. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00-4:30pm on Sunday at the funeral home with Rosary at 3:00pm, and from 6:00-8:00pm at the church with Prayer Vigil at 7:00pm.

Ronald Dean McDougal

Posted on October 24, 2016

(April 5, 1944 – October 22, 2016)

Funeral Service: Wednesday, October 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin with Pastor Gordon Pettibone officiating

Visitation: Tuesday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Wednesday after 8 a.m.

Burial: Oberlin Cemetery

Memorial Fund: Ronald McDougal Memorial Fund

Donna M. Bradley

Posted on October 24, 2016

Donna M. Bradley, 90, Hays, died Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

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

Jeralyn M. Merritt

Posted on October 24, 2016

Jeralyn M. Merritt, 73, of Linn, KS, and formerly of Hays, KS, died October 22, 2016 at the Linn Nursing Home.

Visitation will be Monday, October 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25 at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn. Rev. David Gruoner will officiate. Eunice Beier will play the organ while the congregation sings “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”, “The Lamb”, and “How Great Thou Art”.

The pallbearers will be Nate Merritt, Blake Merritt, Austin Winter, Shayne Albert, Dalton Ganoung, and Jayce Ganoung.

Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Jeralyn was born April 19, 1943 at Clay Center, KS, daughter of Ervin and Martha (Peters) Boerger. She attended Zion Lutheran School and in 1961 graduated from Linn High School.

On July 28, 1961 she married Richard Merritt at Zion Lutheran Church. In 1973, they moved to Hays where she was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. In 1999, she returned to Linn.

Jeralyn enjoyed babysitting, delivering Meals on Wheels, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, cooking, baking, playing the organ, mowing the lawn, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Vicki (Mike) Jones, Plainville, KS, Gary Merritt, Lincoln, NE, Keith Merritt, Colorado Springs, CO, Scott (Amber) Merritt, Omaha, NE, and Karen (Sherwin) Pestka, Meridian, ID; former husband, Richard; sister, Shirley (Don) Winter, Linn; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials have been established to Linn Nursing Home or Zion Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 W 2nd, Washington, KS 66968.

Early voting is underway in Kansas; Here’s what you need to know

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016

ELLIS COUNTY – Advanced voting begins today in Ellis County and will continue until noon on Nov. 7. Registered voters can vote in advance at the Ellis County Administration Center located at 718 Main, Hays. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To vote, you must bring your voter I.D. Ellis County Clerk and Election officer Donna Maskus said it’s easiest to bring your driver’s license.

To see what is on the ballot, click HERE.

In-person voter ID requirement includes:

You must provide the following forms of unexpired photo ID (unless you are 65 or older, in which case the ID can be expired) when you vote:
• Drivers license or non-drivers ID card issued by Kansas or another state
• U.S. passport
• Concealed carry of handgun license issued by Kansas or another state
• Employee badge or ID document issued by a government office
• U.S. military ID
• Student ID card issued by an accredited Kansas postsecondary educational institution
• Public assistance ID card issued by a government office
• An ID card issued by an Indian tribe
• State Voter ID

You can also cast your ballot by mail. To do that, applications must be received by Nov. 4 and returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Get more information on voting in Kansas here.

The VoteKansas App is available for download to your iPhone or Android device. The app allows you to find your voting location, get directions to your voting location, and see what races and candidates will be on your ballot.

Search “Vote Kansas” in the AppStore or Google Play Store to download the app.

HPD Activity Log Oct. 21-23

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 26 traffic stops and 7 animal calls Fri., Oct. 21, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 12 AM; 12:20 AM
Suspicious Activity–1900 block Eisenhower Rd, Hays; 1 AM; 1:07 AM
Disturbance – General–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 2 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–20th St and Ash St, Hays; 2:32 AM
Aggravated Battery–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12 AM; 2 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 11:33 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:35 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1100 block W 36th St, Hays; 2:47 PM
Animal At Large–600 block Park St, Hays; 4:08 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 4:13 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block E 18th St, Hays; 10/20 11 PM; 10/21 12 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:20 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–2100 block Walnut St, Hays; 6:30 PM
Found/Lost Property–1200 block Main St, Hays; 9:12 PM
Animal Call–300 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:36 PM
Juvenile Complaint–400 block Oak St, Hays; 9:56 PM
Animal Call–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:40 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:24 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–2600 block General Hays St, Hays; 11:10 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 23 traffic stops and 3 animal calls Sat., Oct. 22, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Haney Dr, Hays; 12:43 AM
Drug Offenses/DUI–1500 block Elm St, Hays; 12:51 AM
Disorderly Conduct–800 block Elm St, Hays; 1:08 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Haysl; 1:58 AM; 2:01 AM
Drug Offenses–500 block Vine St, Hays; 1:38 AM
Disturbance – General–3300 block Hall St, Hays; 12 AM; 12:30 AM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 3:21 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:12 PM
Animal Call–27th and Walnut, Hays; 1:19 PM
Theft (general)–200 block Ash St, Hays; 10/20 11 AM; 5 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:41 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–500 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:50 PM
Suspicious Activity–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 6:50 PM; 6:57 PM
Suspicious Activity–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 7 AM; 9 PM
Theft (general)–400 block W 10th St, Hays; 2 AM; 10:53 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 15 traffic stops and 0 animal calls Sun., Oct. 23, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – General–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:13 AM
Found/Lost Property–400 block Ash St, Hays; 1:55 AM
Disturbance – General–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:16 AM; 2:30 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block Ash St, Hays; 2:36 AM; 2:40 AM
Miscellaneous Investigation–1200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 10:45 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 11:52 AM
Theft of Vehicle–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:58 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–3400 block Summer Ln, Hays; 4:18 PM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block E 25th St Terr, Hays; 4:34 PM
Animal Call–2900 block Sternberg Dr, Hays; 6:02 PM
Fraud–2200 block Centennial Blvd, Hays; 6:27 PM
Domestic Disturbance–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 6:30 PM; 6:52 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:26:09 PM
Animal Call–500 block W 19th St, Hays; 7:24 PM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:45 PM
Suspicious Activity–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 10:16 PM

SCHLAGECK: Look ahead, not back

Posted on October 24, 2016

John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Proponents of organic, labor-intensive farming contend we should go back to the days when every family owned 40 acres, farmed with hay burners (horses) and applied no chemicals.

You remember the good ole’ days when people were self-sufficient, owned a couple milk cows, tilled a garden and butchered 40 or 50 fryers each spring.

Some of these zealots propose each nation should also strive for self-sufficiency. No imports. No exports.

Should such events occur, you may want to prepare yourself for milking each morning instead of that piping hot mug of coffee. Forget about sliced bananas on your bowl of corn flakes. These goodies we import into this country, and a lot more, won’t be on the kitchen table any more. Count on it.

God forbid we adopt these policies. If we cave in to those who spread hysteria about unsafe food and giant farms, be prepared to do without the services of all the non-agricultural types. This includes carpenters, painters, nurses, doctors, teachers, writers, musicians, etc. In case you haven’t heard, labor-intensive farming doesn’t permit time for many other pursuits. Neither does production agriculture.

Farmers run non-stop, from early morning to late at night, planting and harvesting crops, tilling the soil, feeding and caring for livestock. Their work seldom ends. It’s foolish to assume everyone would want to leave his or her jobs in the city to move to the farm. It ain’t all “Green Acres” out there folks.

And who’s to say all these people from other professions would become productive farmers?

A city friend remarked to me that he does not want to be a farmer. He contends he couldn’t feed himself, much less the rest of the country or world.

“I’d starve to death and so would the rest of us,” he told me. “If you want to till the soil, go for it. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us want to, thank you.”

If we return to a system where everyone farms, brace yourself for even more uncertain economic times. Manual labor and animal power could spell the return of food shortages and famine. A nation of farmers translates to a nation even more vulnerable to depressions and hunger. A drought, plague of insects or disease could trigger such tragedies because we’d have no chemicals to fight them with.

Today’s mechanized farmer provides us with the safest, most abundant food in the world. He works closely with crop consultants when applying herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers. He has cut his uses significantly in recent years — up to 50 percent in some cases.

Farmers work years to leave a legacy of beneficial soil practices. Most of the farmers I know would give up farming rather than ruin their land. They are proud of the crops they grow and the land they work.

Farmers continue to work to conserve water, plug abandoned wells, watch their grassland grazing and continue to adopt sound techniques that will ensure preservation of the land. Urban residents should also look at new ways to protect the environment where they live.

There’s an old saying that rings true today: “Don’t look back.”

Yes, we can never return to the good ole’ days. Besides, were they really all that good?

John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

Quilt show, raffle to benefit Ellis K of C building renovation

Posted on October 24, 2016September 21, 2016

Submitted

A fundraising quilt show and raffle will be held Sat., Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in Ellis with proceeds going toward rejuvenation of the Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall, 1013 Washington Street.

Admission is five dollars which includes a light luncheon.

The raffle quilt, featuring pictures of Ellis past, is being made and donated Colette Bucholz from the local store Seams Like Olde Times.

Raffle tickets are available at Equity Bank, Seams Like Olde Times, Knights of Columbus Insurance and Leonard Schoenberger. The drawing will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 29.

Solar panel carport will help Bank of Hays save green, go green

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

In an effort to save money and “go green,” Bank of Hays, 1000 W. 27th, is building a solar panel carport.

“I’ve always been intrigued about the going green aspect,” said John Clarke, president of Bank of Hays. “Ever since we built the building, I’ve been thinking about this.”

The carport will have 15 vehicle bays for employees with 176 solar panels. The solar panels will produce 47 kilowatts of power for the bank, which will be enough to supply the bank with half of its needed energy.

“The long run is to save money,” Clarke said.

The solar project itself will cost upwards of $200,000, but it is projected to pay itself off in seven years, he added.

“The projection we got said seven years, but that does not factor in the projected increases in utility rates,” Clarke said.

According to Clarke, the bank should save $8,000 in the first year and, by year 20, the bank could be saving $20,000 and will keep three million pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over the next 25 years.

“We feel like at this time the project makes economic sense,” Clarke said.

The solar panels have a life expectancy of 25 years and Clarke has been reassured that they can withstand softball-size hail.

Clarke began looking into the project two years ago. He originally looked at putting solar panels on the roof of the bank, but the weight the panels would not work with the roof.

He began looking at solar businesses in the Denver area, but rested on Cromwell Solar out of Lawrence.

Cromwell is largest and oldest solar installation firm in the Kansas region and has experience in residential and commercial design.

The project is still in the early stages as the solar panels have to be added, but Cromwell will begin adding in the solar panels in two weeks, Clarke said.

Once the installation process of the solar panels begins, it should take three or four days to finish that portion of the project. The whole carport should be completed in the next month.