TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman has been placed on three years of intensive supervised probation for aiding a man convicted of abducting, drugging and raping an 8-year-old girl.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 24-year-old Michelle Lee Harris, of Topeka, was sentenced Monday for attempted kidnapping and obstruction of a felony.
She testified at the trial of Jeremy James Lindsey. He was sentenced to three consecutive life terms for removing a sleeping girl from her Topeka home in 2014 and transporting her in a car trunk. He raped her twice before calling Harris, who gave him and the girl a ride. Lindsey raped the child again before she managed to free herself and escape.
Harris says she didn’t question Lindsey because he sometimes became violent. Lindsey and Harris have a child together.
Kansas Congressman Kevin Yoder urged colleagues on Monday to pass the legislation
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. House has voted down legislation that would require cellphone carriers to provide call location information to law enforcement in dire situations without a search warrant.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the measure rejected Monday is similar to laws enacted in more than 20 states since the 2007 abduction and murder of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith, of Overland Park, Kansas.
Cellphone signals helped lead police to her body in a wooded area of Missouri four days after her abduction from a Target store parking lot.
Smith’s parents have pointed to a delay in getting their daughter’s cellphone provider to cooperate with police. The couple has said they don’t believe their daughter’s life would have been saved had the information been released quicker, but they say it could help others.
Joyce A. McIntyre, 74, of Hill City, Kansas, passed away May 22, 2016 in Hill City. She was born on July 19, 1944 to Harold Eugene and Helen (Erickson) Hunter. She married Loyal E. McIntyre, May 19, 1989. He preceded her in death on November 17, 2004.
She is survived by: Sons, Terry and wife Lisa Benyon ~ Conifer, Colorado. Daughters: Kameo and husband Jim Smith ~ Hill City, Kansas. Kris and husband Jim Smith ~ Hill City, Kansas. Brothers: Eugene and wife Argie Hunter ~ Garretson, South Dakota, Donnie and wife Seim ~ Watertown, South Dakota, Ronnie and wife Connie Seim ~ Tea, South Dakota, Dennis and wife Nancy Seim ~ Lincoln, Nebraska, Sisters: Marlene and husband Russell Good ~ Waseca, Minnesota, Eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2016, Hill City Christian Church, Hill City. There is no visitation.
Molly (Nichols) Brown went to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 22, 2016, passing away peacefully at the Sheridan County Health Complex Long Term Care Center , at Hoxie, Kansas, at the age of 89. Molly was born in Carter County, Kentucky on March 14, 1927. She was the sixth child born to Walter and Josie (Mabry) Nichols. Molly grew up on “Tick Ridge” and was baptized as a young girl in the Church of God Faith at Soldier, Kentucky.
Molly had many fond memories of the hard work in the large garden and fields, working along with her brothers and sisters. As a young adult, Molly worked as a seamstress at the “Garment Factory” in Olive Hill, Kentucky, as well as helping care for her family. Molly was especially close to her family as evidenced by the many joyful visits to Kansas by them over the years. She loved going to the reunions and reliving all the stories of yesteryear.
On November 2, 1953, in Morehead, Kentucky, Molly married her “Knight in Shining Armor”, becoming the young bride of Glen R. Brown. Molly moved to Kansas to become a part of the family farm. Molly and Glen were blessed with three sons, Louie Dale (Janice), Terry Wade (Julie), and Brant Mickey (Jeannie) all of Hoxie, Kansas. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren, and thirty-two great-grandchildren to mourn her passing. Also surviving are one sister, Madge Holbrook and one sister-in-law, Mary Doris Nichols both of Olive Hill, Kentucky, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death is her husband, Glen; grandson, Timothy Levi Brown; her parents, Walter and Josie Nichols, Glen’s parents W.W. and Sarah Brown; brothers and sisters and their spouses, Orville and Elaine Brown, Elbert and Leona Brown, Junior and Maxine Richards, Harv and Firl Holbrook, Roy and Detta Davis, Emory and Sally Gearheart, Harlis and Jewel Nichols, Bernard and Marie Sparks, Jette and Opal Reynolds, Virgie Nichols, Thirl Nichols and Aldridge Holbrook.
Funeral Services for Molly will be held Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas, at 2:00 P.M. with Stan Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Hoxie City Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Thursday, May 26, 2016, from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M., with family receiving friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Friday , May 27, 2016, visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com
Molly continually showed her devotion to family and friends by loving and serving them every day of her life. She always cared more for others than she did for herself. Her daily life of selfless love has left an eternal legacy in the lives of all who knew her.
Phillipsburg resident Lotte A. Balthazor passed away Sunday, May 22 in Orleans, Ne at the age of 87.
She was born Aug. 26, 1928 in Wurzburg, Germany, the daughter of August & Kathrine (Trout) Horn. Survivors include her husband Dale of Phillipsburg; 2 sons, Brad Balthazor of Topeka, KS & Gary Horn of Horseheads, NY; her daughter, Jana Jacobs of Orleans, NE; 5 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren & 1 great great grandchild.
A vigil service will be held Wed. May 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thurs. May 26 at 10:00 a.m. in the SS Philip & James Catholic Church with Father George Chalbhagam officiating.
A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the MT Calvary Cemetery, Clyde, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Health Dept. Mrs. Balthazor will lie in state from 12:00 to 9:00 Tuesday & 9:00 to 9:00 Wed. at the funeral home.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a flood warning for portions of Trego and Ellis counties.
The warning expires at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday and is in effect for northeast Trego County and northern Ellis County.
There were reports of 3 to 5 inches in the area. The NWS is warning that excessive runoff will cause flooding of small creeks, country roads, farmland and low-lying spots.
WICHITA -After a 6-month study, Agribusiness giant Cargill announced today they are going to keep their Wichita headquarters.
At a news conference from the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and attended by Governor Sam Brownback, Cargill Vice President Brian Sikes said the company considered locations in Colorado and Texas but believe they will thrive in Wichita, according to a social media report.
— WichitaMetroChamber (@VentureBoldly) May 24, 2016
The company has 4,000 employees in Kansas.
Wichita is home to the company’s beef business; its turkey and cooked meat business, which includes deli meats; its value-added protein services, including its North American egg business; and its food distribution.
Most of the 900 employees that work in those Wichita-based operations are housed in a 10-story building on North Main Street.
On Monday, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education interviewed its third candidate for the superintendent position, Fred Dierkson.
During his hour-long session with the public, he said it was likely his length of service at other schools would set him apart from other candidates.
“My intention in any move is not to be a job hopper, and so I think my continuity is what I can offer,” Dierkson said.
He also cited his familiarity with the area as a benefit.
Dierkson has family throughout western Kansas, including a son who teaches in La Crosse, and has spent time at Fort Hays State University, earning several endorsements and a master’s degree from the school.
“I’ve always loved Hays. It’s been a place I’m very familiar with and have enjoyed my time here today,” he said.
He also said his professors at FHSU had a lot to do with the direction of his career.
Dierkson currently serves as the Sterling USD 376 superintendent, a position he has held since 2003. He previously served as principal at Jetmore Grade School for eight of his 15 years in that district.
While the appreciation for the area is a driving factor his interest in Hays, Dierkson said, more importantly, a move to Hays would be a way to further his professional goals.
“I desire for personal and professional growth, and I see that opportunity here,” he said, noting he loves the Sterling district, but at only 520 students opportunities for growth are limited.
But that smaller size, he said, is not a factor in the difference between Hays and Sterling district operations as processes and procedures are the same.
“The size of the school isn’t as important as making sure all of the accomplishments are met,” he said.
An additional bonus Dierkson would bring to USD 489 is his familiarity with bond issues, after passing a bond to build a new K-6 facility in the Sterling district.
“It was just a matter of timing, but the need was definitely there,” he said as community members in Sterling weighed facilities needs against the fondness for the old building.
Hays, too, he said, was in a similar situation, but the need to pass a bond issue to address facilities was evident after touring the district.
“In going through the district, I saw facilities and the maintenance and facilities crews were doing the best that they can, doing all that they can, but I have no question now having seen it that the need exists for the bond issue,” he said.
Dierkson said people in the Hays community who might doubt the need for the bond to pass should visit the facilities to see the needs for themselves.
“You’re to a point that Band-Aids are not going to solve all the problems, and I definitely hope this is something the community is aware of,” he said.
FORT LEAVENWORTH – Stockton freshmen Brady Beougher shot a nine-over 80 to finish third at the 1A state golf tournament at Trails West Golf Course at Fort Leavenworth Monday.
Beougher opened with a 37 on the front nine and finished with a 43 on the back nine to finish three shots back of the individual champion Ryan Gfeller of Triplains.
Osborne’s Justin Burch finished in sixth after shooting an 82.
Easton Slipke from Hoxie shot an 87 to finish 11th and Dayde Mader was tied for 12th with an 88.
Hoxie finished third as a team scored of 367 and Osborne placed sixth with a 411.
Deb Alvarez, RN, was recently awarded the Fort Hays State University Department of Nursing Leora B. Stroup Award for outstanding outreach student.
The outreach award goes to a student in the RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Course work for the nurses in this program is conducted through the Virtual College.
Leora B. Stroup Awards, named for the founder of FHSU’s nursing program, are given for outstanding clinical performance, community involvement and academic achievement in three categories.
Alvarez works at the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute at HaysMed and has been an associate of HaysMed for nine years.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, say a man is dead after being run over by his own car outside his home.
Authorities say the man was getting to leave for work shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday when he tried to adjust something with the engine to get the car running. Police say that’s when the vehicle popped into gear and ran over him.
Ellis County emergency responders were called to a report of a vehicle fire at 240th Ave and Munjor Road shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday.
