We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Year: 2016

Planning Commission to consider final plat of Creekside Estates tonight

Posted on

hays city logo new sizeCITY OF HAYS

The Hays Area Planning Commission will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Agenda items include the final plat of Creekside Estates, the former Arbor Valley Estates Addition located west of Augusta Lane between West 26th and 27th Streets. If approved, it will then move to the Hays City Commission for consideration.

The property is located west of the intersection of 27th and Hall Street on the south side of 27th behind Bank of Hays and Eagle Communications. The property is annexed into the city and zoned for residential development.

The commission will also review an update of the street classification system.

The complete Dec. 19 agenda is available here.

Irene Marie Jackson

Posted on

irene-jackson-picIrene Marie Jackson was extraordinarily special with her unique personality. She was a cowgirl at heart and loved all things old western. She had a calm, charming personality and was quick to chat up a stranger if they were willing to listen. She was a beautiful woman and most people had a difficult time guessing her actual age. She had a soft heart and a very loving demeanor for her loved ones and her close friends. She often put others needs in front of her own.

Irene was born in Hays, Kansas on November 30th, 1950. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Eula Schreiner (Jamison); brothers, Ronald Schreiner and Daniel Schreiner; sister, Theresa Schwartz.

Surviving members include her husband, Jerry Jackson; her two sons, Allen Windholz, and his son, AJ, Tim Windholz, and his daughter, Stacy; her daughter, Rae Ann and husband Scott Green, and their children, Tristan and Alayna; her stepson, Martin Jackson and his wife, Rebecca, and their son, Brian; her stepdaughter, Holly and husband, Mark Corgan, and their daughter Hannah; her deceased brother Ron’s wife, Barbara Schreiner; her brother, John Schreiner and wife, Betty; sister Viola and husband Bob Zimmerman; her deceased brother Daniel’s wife, Jackie Schreiner; her sister, Trish and husband, Randy Albin; her deceased sister, Theresa’s husband, Danny; and her sister, Carol and husband Dave Luetters; and many more nephews and nieces.

Irene passed away on December 13, 2016. Her last moments were surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her own home. She was loved by many and will be in our hearts forever.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Burial will be in Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney.

Services were initially placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home for services in Arizona at their chapel, 10 a.m., on Sunday, December 18, 2016, then transferred to Schmitt Funeral Home for services announced above.

Memorial contributions may be made and sent directly to Cancer Association of Havasu, 2126 McCulloch Blvd, Ste 7, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 with Irene Jackson Memorial in memo, or online at https://havisucommunityhealth.org/Page/aa-donate-now.

Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the Jackson family at either lietz-frazefuneralhome.com, or schmittfuneral.com.

Exploring Kan. Outdoors: The Night Before Christmas

Posted on

BullCityBlack500x125 (1)

Twas the night before Christmas and out in the country
I climbed into my deer stand and made myself comfy.
I was waiting for Santa and his grain fed reindeer
Hoping to catch them as they flew through here.

The economy was shot and my cupboard was empty,
Reindeer meat in the freezer seemed pretty tempting.
As I sat in my stand and considered my options
A text was sent to the phone in my pocket.

Steve Gilliland
Steve Gilliland

My wife was reporting that it said on the news
Santa might not be coming tonight as we snooze.
It seemed someone had heard that in Santa’s pocket
Was a little gold cross on a chain with a locket.

Inside of the locket was a picture of Christ
Whose birth, after all is what we celebrate tonight.
So because of that cross someone was offended
And determined to see Santa’s visit was ended.

So much for fresh reindeer on the shelves of my freezer
Thanks to the thinking of some lost unbeliever.
I sat there in silence, stunned and dismayed
Wondering how anyone could feel that way.

If one person has decided that they don’t need Christ
Should the rest of the world’s joy be sacrificed?
It once was the norm that if you didn’t agree
You stated your feelings then let it be.

But today the minority seems to believe
They should hold all the power to make the majority grieve.
As I gathered my things to climb down from my tree
A bright light in the dark sky shown all around me.

The Christmas star, I believed was what I could see
But it grew closer and closer till it hovered above me.
I could see it was Santa and on the front of his sleigh
Was a huge glowing cross that lighted his way.

As he sped out of sight he exclaimed from a distance
“Blessed evening to all and keep Christ in your Christmas.”
Generations from now it will still be expounded
How St Nick had the courage to stand up and be counted.

So much for the hope of reindeer meat in my dish
I guess I’ll just have a salad or a nice piece of fish.

Merry Christmas from Steve and Joyce at Exploring Kansas Outdoors

BullCityBlack500x125 (1)

MADORIN: Temperature is relative

Posted on

It’s funny how different bodies react to weather this time of year. Take a gander next time you’re in a public parking lot and study folks wandering to and from vehicles. You’ll see eccentric sorts wearing Bermuda shorts and flip-flops like it’s the middle of July. Someone else will cruise from warm store to vehicle in jeans and a sweater– lips and hands rosy with not a goose bump to indicate it’s below freezing. The woman shuffling to the car parked next to you might be covered Eskimo style so that you can’t tell a human is bundled inside that ski mask, sweatshirt, parka, snow pants, and boots. During your watch, you’ll see every fashion variable in between.

Each family has a mixture of these thermo-types to establish the range. Polar avoiders hate being cold and layer outdoor wear from top to bottom even on mild days. Auto-insulated folks, on the other hand, travel with a heavy coat in the car in case of bad weather but actually put it on only once or twice a winter. As long as those individuals wear long sleeves and pants, they don’t mind the cold wind’s bite, and they stride happily in brisk breezes that cause flags to fly at a 90 degree angle.

Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.

How two people with the same genes can have entirely different internal thermostats is a mystery, but it happens often. Schoolteachers see examples daily. Siblings arrive at school– one in a tee shirt and no jacket while brother or sis sports long johns peeking from edges of multi-layered sweatshirts and jeans.

Knowing this, remain alert to see who thrives in frigid weather. These folks are never happier than finding themselves somewhere that cool dawns and dusks require folks to wear jackets. Once temperatures go arctic, these individuals are in hog heaven. They come home from hunting, sledding, or feeding cattle with fogged up glasses, icicles hanging from eyebrows or mustaches, and Rudolph-style noses. As they peel away outer layers of clothing, they complain the house is too hot at 68 degrees.

Polar avoiders need to take advantage of such friends when temps plunge. Those early shiverers can stir up soup and cinnamon rolls while frostbite addicts cover heads with Stormy Kromer caps, zip insulated Carhartts, slip into heavy-duty mittens, and grab a big shovel. After an hour or so, the heat lovers can glance outside to see cleared driveways and evenly cut trails to garages and sheds. True cold devotees stay out long enough to scoop good size openings in the yard where pets can relieve themselves. They scrape snow and ice to the point wimpier loved ones could leave coats in the car because they won’t be outside long enough to need them.

This brings to mind a Wyoming road crewman. On a sizzling August day, he answered the question, “Do you prefer working outdoors in summer or winter?” After a moment’s thought, he grinned and said, “Winter. You can always add layers. In summer you’re limited to what you can take off.”

Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.

Edna Mae Kuhn

Posted on

Edna Mae Kuhn, age 92, of Ellis passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Hays Medical Center.

Arrangements are pending with Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis.

Verla M. Staab

Posted on

Verla M. Staab, age 82, of Hays, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays.

Arrangements are pending with Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS.

Francis J. Haas

Posted on

francis-haas-photoFrancis J. Haas, 88, Lakin, died Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, KS.

He was born January 21, 1928 in Antonino, Kansas the son of Jacob and Pauline (Dechant) Haas. He married Rose M. Baier on June 4, 1951 in Vincent, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 3, 1996. He was a golf course superintendent for numerous golf courses in Kansas and Oklahoma. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include four sons; Daniel Haas and wife Shelly of Plainville, Terrence Haas of Salina, Patrick Haas and wife Chris of Garden City, and Jude Haas and wife Alicia of Garden City, two daughters; Ruth (Haas) Sager of Salina, and Mary (Haas) McCoy and husband David of Perryton, TX, nineteen grandchildren, thirty two great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, six brothers; Alfred, Celestine, Alexander, Aloysius, Robert, and Norbert, and four sisters; Adeline Fisher, Martina Reichert, Philomene Schuckman, and Irene Pfeifer, one daughter; Jean Haas, two grandchildren; Tera Augustine and Derrick McCoy, and one great grandchild; Fletcher DeShepper.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation and rosary will be from 9:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. Hays, KS 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Kansas teen hospitalized after car hits semi’s trailer

Posted on

screen-shot-2016-11-19-at-7-31-35-amSALINE COUNTY – A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. on Sunday in Saline County.

Pontiac G6 driven by Maycee Nichole Jones, 19, Newton, was north bound on Interstate 135 three miles south of Assaria.

The Pontiac struck the trailer of a northbound semi, crossed the center median and came to rest on the southbound side of Interstate135.

Jones was transported to the hospital in Salina. Two passengers in the Pontiac and the semi driver from Oklahoma were not injured.

All four were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Sunny, warmer Monday

Posted on


Today Sunny, with a high near 31. Wind chill values as low as -14. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

screen-shot-2016-12-19-at-6-06-33-amTonight Mostly clear, with a low around 17. South wind 8 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind around 7 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tuesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 21. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

WednesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 46. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon.

Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Wednesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 20.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 26.

FridayMostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Record cold weekend across Kansas

Posted on

Temperatures fell well below zero around Kansas on Sunday morning and record low temperatures were recorded across the state. It was one of the coldest mornings ever in Kansas.

Garden City -19, Dodge City and Hays and Russell – 16, Medicine Lodge -11, Hutchinson -13, and Wichita -10, all set new record low temperatures, according to National Weather Service.

The -10 in Salina tied a record from 1983. The -10 in Wichita was the third coldest December temperature ever.

 

 

🎥 Drowsy Kansas driver narrowly misses head-on semi crash

Posted on

GREENWOOD COUNTY – A Kansas driver and his passengers narrowly avoided a head-on semi crash on Sunday on U.S. 54 in Greenwood County.

A Greenwood County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped the vehicle and learned the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel, according to a social media report.  They reminded drowsy driving can kill you just as quickly as driving drunk.

 

 

UPDATE: Train carrying coal derails in Russell Co.

Posted on

RUSSELL COUNTY The investigation into a derailment of a Union Pacific coal train in Russell County continues.

According to UP Spokesperson Calli Hite twenty five rail cars on an eastbound coal train derailed near Wilson, Kansas around 8 a.m. There were no injuries to the crew or the public.

Crews worked overnight to clear and repair the rail line. Union Pacific crews and contractors also are focused on removing debris to clean up the site.

Hite says they hope to reopen the rail line for train traffic late Monday or early Tuesday.

———–

RUSSELL COUNTY – Union Pacific officials in Russell County reported several cars carrying coal derailed in Dorrance on Sunday, according to the police department in Wilson.

There were no injuries and it was believed to be a malfunction and not a serious accident.

No additional details were available on Sunday evening.

The accident remains under investigation

Dorrance is located just south of Interstate 70 twenty miles east of Russell.

Brady leads Patriots to win over Broncos

Posted on

DENVER (AP) — Tom Brady overcame a slow start to lead the New England Patriots to a rare win in Denver on Sunday, a 16-3 grinder that dealt a crushing blow to the Broncos’ playoff hopes.

Brady missed his first six passes for just the second time his career — the first was way back on Oct. 12, 2003, against the Giants — but he came back to lead the Patriots (12-2) to a record eighth consecutive division title and a first-round bye.

Brady returned to the site of his worst beating, a 20-18 loss in the AFC championship 11 months ago when he was hit a career-high 23 times. This time, he brought a power run game and a much-improved O-line with him.

The result was just his third win in Denver in 10 tries, and it was the Broncos’ hopes of defending their Super Bowl title that took a beating.

The Broncos (8-6) lost for the third time in four games and were supplanted by the Dolphins for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC race with two weeks remaining.

Brady completed just half of his 32 passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 68.2. That was actually worse that Broncos’ QB Trevor Siemian, who was 25 for 40 for 282 yards with an interception for a rating of 73.1.

Those numbers alone belied the Patriots’ all-around dominance of their nemesis.

Behind Dion Lewis’ 95-yard effort, New England outrushed Denver 136 yards to 58.

Brady’s first completion was a 17-yarder to Julian Edelman a minute into the second quarter, which ignited a touchdown drive that ended with LeGarrette Blount powering his way in from the one. That was his 15th rushing touchdown, which set a single-season franchise record and broke a 3-3 tie.

The Patriots put the ball on the ground twice on that drive. Brady was sack-stripped on the first snap with left guard Joe Thuney pouncing on the fumble, and Lewis recovered his own fumble at the Denver 1 just before Blount scored.

The Broncos outgained New England 146 yards to 39 in the first quarter, but Siemian made two bad decisions that thwarted promising drives.

His throw to Emmanuel Sanders from the New England 14 was both poorly timed and poorly placed. Cornerback Ryan Logan picked it off and returned it to midfield, setting up Blount’s TD run.

The Broncos reached the New England 31 on the ensuing drive but Siemian was pressured and instead of throwing the ball away dumped it off to running back Justin Forsett for a 6-yard loss that pushed Denver out of field goal range.

Denver trailed 10-3 at the half and had five consecutive three-and-outs before its initial first down, which came with about eight minutes left in the game on a drive that stalled at the New England 30, where the Broncos gave up the ball on downs.

That, and temperatures in the teens, sent the crowd streaming the exits.

PUNT RETURN PROBLEMS: Jordan Norwood, who’d been benched in favor of rookie speedster Kalif Raymond after two muffed punts in a loss against Kansas City last month, muffed his first chance Sunday when Raymond was a surprise scratch.

Norwood allowed Ryan Allen’s punt to go through his arms and legs, giving the ball to the Patriots at the Denver 21. That resulted in a 45-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.

Norwood also fumbled away his only catch of the day, with 14 seconds left in the game.

SLOW DOWN: Brandon McManus’ 33-yard field goal accounted for Denver’s only points. They came in the first quarter, where the Broncos are the slowest starters in the NFL with just 26 points this season. But Denver limited the Patriots to just a field goal in the first quarter, and New England came in with a league-leading 103-point tally in the first 15 minutes of games.

INJURIES: Broncos TE Virgil Green left with a concussion in the first quarter and the Broncos announced early in the second half that DE Derek Wolfe was out with a neck injury. That left Denver with just four D-linemen to defend New England’s run game. Patriots DT Malcom Brown went out in the second quarter with a stomach issue.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File