FINNEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Finney County are investigating the possible use of skimmers on ATM machines throughout Garden City and the surrounding area in southwest Kansas.
The Garden City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with the investigation, according to a social media report.
Police believe that there are devices being placed on the ATM machines that will not only record the card information but will record the PIN number as it is typed in.
The Garden City Police Department warned the public to use ATM machines that they are familiar with and inspect the machine prior to using it.
They reminded the public that if it looks like something has been added or just does not look right please contact police and stay at the ATM until they arrive.
Garden City Police Department is also requesting those who use an ATM machine that they monitor their bank account to make sure no other transactions were made in a different location. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
A century ago when this state consisted mainly of farm and ranch families, it was a common sight to see neighbors helping neighbors. They swapped farm machinery. They loaned labor back and forth to work harvest thrashing crews. A barn raising presented another opportunity for friends to help build and support the community.
Kansans have always been an active bunch. Citizens of this state have always believed they can, “Get the job done.”
Today, Kansas farmers and ranchers do their barn raising by supporting those in need across the state. A recent example is the monster wildfire that burned more than 500,000 acres of grassland in Barber and Comanche counties.
While farmers and ranchers in these counties continue to look to better times and a renewed commitment to their farm and ranch operations, they marvel at the overwhelming support they’ve received from people across Kansas and neighboring states.
In addition to encouragement and well wishes, hay and fencing equipment has arrived by the semi loads. Volunteers have offered their support and help as well.
With natural disasters there has always been a tremendous outpouring of neighbors helping neighbors. Such action warms the soul.
But this is not a new or recent phenomenon. Since Kansas was settled, farmers and ranchers have supported their communities. They’ve always appreciated main streets that are bright, clean and well maintained. They’ve actively participated in the school system, served on the county planning board, taught Sunday school and worked with other community organizations and activities. Farmers and ranchers have been part of the fabric that has made Kansas the viable state it is today.
Some people have the mistaken belief that government can control the economy and provide a better life for its citizens. This is unrealistic, and in the case of Kansas, unnecessary. Both for theoretical and practical reasons, governments are unable to control the economy or create jobs.
Kansans know this. Our communities have never stood idly by and waited for the federal government to care for them. Instead they form alliances to tackle community issues, foster business development and ensure an environment where they will continue to grow.
Still, with the number of farm families dwindling each year, it is not enough for rural Kansas communities to have and follow a strategic plan for economic development. Such communities must not forget they need institutions that bring farmers into the communities on a regular basis.
This means places where rural and townsfolk can gather. This means a place where they can talk about mutual interests – children, the high school football team, the remodeled library – just about anything that relates to the welfare and well-being of the area.
Restaurants, grocery stores, a church, active participation in the school system and involvement in farm and community organizations are all ways to rekindle interest.
Vibrant communities thrive and grow when farmers participate in their towns or become actively involved in local affairs. Farmers, ranchers and businesses remain the key to growth and vitality in any rural area.
Agriculture has always been the crucial ingredient driving the economic machinery of our state. Kansans are proud of the leadership our agricultural community provides. Working together in rural and urban areas, with progressive community leadership, we can improve our standard of living and the quality of life in Kansas.
John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.
HAYS, Kan. – The TMP-Marian girls’ soccer team had no problem handling the rain or Rose Hill in their 4-1A regional opener Monday at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex. The Monarchs cruised past the Rockets 10-0 to advance to Thursday’s regional final.
Aubrey Koeningsman had three goals. Megan Koeningsman and Bailey Hageman both scored twice. Taylor Gabel, Ashley Ostrander and Tyra Younie also added goals.
Gracie Schmidt had two saves in goal in the second half helping the Monarchs to their eighth shutout of the season.
TMP-M is now 11-3-1 and will host the winner of Tuesday’s match between Topeka-Hayden (8-8) and Wichita Collegiate (3-6-1) at 4:30 pm Thursday at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.
The Fort Hays State University Business Workshop Series, The Emotionally Intelligent Leader: Understanding Personality and Conflict, will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at the Stouffer Lounge on the campus of Fort Hays State University. With a preview of what is taking place, Mike Cooper visits with Sabrina William and Dr. Jeni McRay.
SYRACUSE, Kan. – The TMP-Marian boys golf team is headed to state for a sixth straight year after a second place finish at the Syracuse 3A regional at the Tamerisk Golf Club. The Moanrchs shot a 368, one shot ahead of third place Cimarron and seven behind first place Syracuse.
Hayden Rohr finished third with an 80 and Collin Werth was fifth with an 85.
The 3A state tournament is at the Salina Municipal Golf Course on Monday.
GOODLAND, Kan. – For an eighth consecutive year, the Hays High boys golf team is headed to the state tournament. The Indians shot a 335 and won the team title by 24 shots over Goodland at the Goodland 4A regional Monday at the Sugar Hill Golf Club. It is the fourth consecutive regional title for Hays High.
The Indians placed four in the top-10 led by freshman Tradgon McCrae who won the individual title with an 80, edging Goodland freshman Garin Ihrig by one stroke. Payton Ruder finished third with an 83, Allen Zollinger finished eighth with an 85 and Peyton Keiffer came in ninth with an 87. Justin McCullick shot an 89 and finished 11th.
The 4A state tournament is at the Bentwood Golf Course in Ulysses Monday.
HUTCHINSON -A woman who worked for the Kansas Department of Corrections faces a felony charge for sexual contact with an inmate at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
Amy D. Hapner, Hutchinson, is charged with unlawful sexual relations for the encounter where she’s accused of consensual lewd fondling or touching of the inmate, Donell Williams.
The alleged crime occurring on May 7, according to court records.
Williams, 32, is serving time for two counts of murder in the first degree for crimes in Wyandotte County.
With the charge filed against Hapner, the case will now move to a future waiver-status docket.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Four students at a middle school near Wichita, Kansas, are charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with a supposed bomb-and-shooting plot.
Names of the Haysville Middle School eighth-graders charged Monday in Sedgwick County were not released. It was not immediately clear if they were charged as adults, or if they have attorneys.
School officials have said the alleged threat surfaced last Thursday after social media posts indicated someone was plotting to bomb and shoot people on school grounds. Police identified the students behind the alleged threat and took them into custody.
The four defendants remain in custody, awaiting hearings.
HAYS – TMP scored three runs in the 6th and Bailey Lacy struck out seven in relief as the Monarchs advanced to the regional semifinal with a 6-4 win over Lakin Monday at TMP Softball Complex.
Lakin took advantage of an infield single and a passed ball in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.
The Monarchs tied the game at one in the second inning, scoring on an error and then an RBI double by Allison Helget put TMP up 2-1 after two innings.
Brianna Romme’s third inning RBI single put the Monarchs up 3-1 after three.
TMP turned to Bailey Lacy in relief in the fourth inning and she retired six straight, striking five in-a-row, earning her ninth win of the season.
Leading 3-2 the Monarchs scored three runs on two errors and a Meagan Brin run scoring single to go up 6-2 after six innings.
The Broncs scored two in the seventh and got the game-tying run on base but Lacy was able to strand two runners as the Monarchs pick up the win.
TMP moved to 15-6 on the season and will play Scott Community in Tuesday semifinals at 4:30.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The former controller of a Kansas company has been ordered to serve a year and three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $135,000 from his employer.
Forty-three-year-old Alan Wenk was sentenced Monday in Kansas City, Kansas. That’s where he pleaded guilty in February to two counts of bank fraud.
Wenk has admitted the crimes happened while he was working as regional controller and corporate accounts payable manager for Performance Contracting Group Inc. in Lenexa.
Prosecutors say Wenk caused the company to issue 20 fraudulent checks to him and business entities he controlled.
The Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) moved into a downtown location Feb. 1 where the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting Thu., May 26.
The move to 109 E. 11th is somewhat bittersweet for DHDC Executive Director Sara Bloom. “It’s kind of hidden but we’re glad to be here.”
“We are right between the Paisley Pair Cafe and Gella’s,” she explained. “We’re so excited to finally be downtown. This is something that DHDC has been striving to accomplish for several years now. One, because we’re the Downtown Hays Development Corporation we feel that we need to be in the location that we serve and with the people we serve–that was a huge priority of ours. And also because a couple of years ago the city commissioners really encouraged us to move downtown–fit in and find a place where we could thrive.”
However, the new location is likely temporary.
“We’d been looking for a place that was big enough and in our price range for a long, long time and then discovered this little nook.”
DHDC is renting the office from The Liberty Group, a major developer in downtown Hays.
“They realize the importance of us being downtown,” Bloom said, “and when we approached them about this location, they were very open to us moving in.”
So supportive was The Liberty Group, they gave DHDC six months free rent on the space. “We were very thankful for that,” Bloom added with a smile on her face.
There were a lot of costs with the move from the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine, and other entities helped out.
“We were fortunate to get a lot of the furniture donated from the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development. Insurance Planning also donated some large board tables and chairs. Area rugs were donated and so many volunteers were in here painting.
“The whole community has come together to get us down here where we belong, and we’re so appreciative of that.”
Not much more sprucing up will be done though, according to Bloom.
“The building that we are in is actually earmarked for when a hotel project in downtown Hays gets approved. So eventually this will kind of be a breezeway between Gella’s and the hotel.
“So we’re here for a year or two, while we find another home in downtown.”
Despite the physical removal of the DHDC from the Hays Welcome Center, Bloom said the partnership between the other offices at the Welcome Center and DHDC is as strong as ever.
“We will still actively collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce, the Coalition, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. I have made it a goal of mine to meet with those three entities at least on a monthly basis, where we all four are sitting in the same room again, driving around town talking about the developments, about potential businesses we can get into downtown and the area at large.
“Downtown is vital to the Hays community and so are those other three organizations,” Bloom said firmly.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The former controller of a Kansas company has been ordered to serve a year and three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $135,000 from his employer.
Forty-three-year-old Alan Wenk was sentenced Monday in Kansas City, Kansas. That’s where he pleaded guilty in February to two counts of bank fraud.
Wenk has admitted the crimes happened while he was working as regional controller and corporate accounts payable manager for Performance Contracting Group Inc. in Lenexa.
Prosecutors say Wenk caused the company to issue 20 fraudulent checks to him and business entities he controlled.
FINNEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Finney County are investigating the possible use of skimmers on ATM machines throughout Garden City and the surrounding area in southwest Kansas.
