STANTON COUNTY – One person died in an accident just before 1p.m. on Friday in Stanton County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chrysler 200 driven by Brenda Lasley, 45, Springfield, CO., was southbound on Kansas 27 twenty-two miles south of the U.S. 50 Junction.
The vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound semi
Lasley was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Garnand Funeral Home.
The semi driver Antonio Galaviz, 45, Guymon, OK., was transported to the Stanton County Hospital.
He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
FINNEY COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Finney County are investigating a shooting.
Just after 4:30 on Thursday, officers of the Garden City Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of Ida Street for a reported shooting, according to a media release.
When Officers arrived on scene they located Victor Irigoyen, 19, 4170 E Hwy 50 in the rear of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds.
Irigoyen was transported to St Catherine Hospital and then flown to Via Christi in Wichita for additional treatment.
A person of interest in the case has been identified, according to police.
If anybody has any information related to this incident you should call the Garden City Police Department (620) 276-1300, Crime Stoppers (620) 275-7807, or text your tip to Garden City PD, text GCTIP and your tip to Tip411 (847411).
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A divided Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that the lifetime registration for sex offenders does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
The ruling Friday comes in the case of Henry Petersen-Beard, who was convicted at age 19 of raping a 13-year-old girl. He had challenged the lifetime registration requirement as unconstitutional under the Kansas Bill of Rights and the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
In an opinion written by Judge Caleb Stegall the court found the registration requirement was not a form of punishment.
But three other cases released on Friday — that had decided before Stegall took office — found the requirement constituted punishment and therefore a 2011 amendment to the law couldn’t be applied retroactively. However, those rulings applied only to the three defendants in those cases.
NEW YORK (AP) — Life expectancy for white women has fallen a bit.
That’s according to a new government report that finds that in 2014, the predicted life span for white women was about five weeks shorter than it was a year earlier.
It held steady for black women and white men, and it increased for black men, Hispanic men and Hispanic women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously reported that life expectancy for all Americans born in 2014 was 78 years and nine and a-half months. That’s the same prediction made for the previous two years.
The new report gives a breakdown by race and gender. It predicts that a white girl born in 2014 could expect to live about 81 years and one month.
The last time there was a decline in life expectancy for white women was in 2008. A CDC official says that was considered a statistical blip. He says the same could be true this time, or it could be “a harbinger of things to come.”
Some recent reports have shown rising suicide and drug overdose death rates for white women, particularly middle-aged women.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is facing strong bipartisan criticism over his proposal to use bonds backed by tobacco settlement funds to help plug short-term budget gaps.
The Republican governor wants to sell off the rights to collect part of Kansas’ annual payments from a national legal settlement in the 1990s between states and tobacco companies.
Such a deal would generate a one-time cash payment of $158 million to the state.
The governor outlined the plan this week as one of several alternatives for closing budget gaps totaling more than $290 million. Budget Director Shawn Sullivan said the governor believes the proposal would do less harm to state programs than other proposals.
But legislators in both parties see the plan as using long-term debt to fix budget problems over two fiscal years.
Members of Stripes for Hope at Fort Hays State University spent their spring break at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis to see exactly what the $200,000 raised by the organization since 2007 does for childhood cancer.
The FHSU volunteers engaged the cancer patients with crafts in the hospital, Tri Delta House and Target House. The Tri Delta House is a short-term stay facility on the hospital’s campus for patients and family, and the Target House is a longer-term stay facility located off campus.
“The activities were paper plate crafts, and participants were able to make paper plates into animals — frogs, dogs, cats,
et cetera,” said Korby Boswell, graduate student sponsor for Stripes for Hope. “These activities gave the kids a stress-free environment to be kids and also gave parents the opportunity to relax, call family members and catch up on other daily tasks.”
Volunteers also received a tour of the hospital, but working closely with the children was the most rewarding part of the experience.
“I would say my favorite part about the trip was seeing the joy in the kids’ faces when they were making the plate animals. They go through some very tough times, and it was amazing to see how strong and happy the kids really are,” said Clay Kear, Colwich senior majoring in mathematics.
“It was an amazing experience getting to interact with the kids and their families,” said Brianna Wooldridge, Hays senior majoring in mathematics. “I enjoyed hearing how much we meant to the parents and how thankful they were for us volunteering. It was awesome to see how happy just a little craft made some of them.”
“St. Jude was an incredible, humbling experience. My favorite part of the trip had to be getting to do crafts with the kids. Helping to put a smile on their faces was priceless,” said Marcella McCluskey, Great Bend graduate student earning a Master of Science in communication.
Stripes for Hope has one mission — to raise money and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“We think it’s very important for our members to see where the money we raise goes. We work extremely hard throughout the entire school year, and it’s rewarding to be able to visit the place we raise funds and awareness for,” said Boswell.
What does the $200,000 buy? It can buy 20 CT scans, 40 days in the ICU, 140 rounds of chemo, 650 chest x-rays, 400 hours of physical therapy or 800 red blood cell transfusions.
Boswell and Jami Carlson, FHSU admissions counselor, served as trip advisors. Students who volunteered at the hospital are:
Jordanna Beikman, Washington sophomore majoring in nursing.
Jessica Bryant, Eudora freshman majoring in foreign language.
Dalyn Chapman, McPherson freshman majoring in nursing.
Hannah Heinz, Fowler sophomore majoring in biology.
Abby Hughes, McPherson freshman majoring in health and human performance.
Clay Kear, Colwich senior majoring in mathematics.
Marcella McCluskey, Great Bend graduate earning a Master of Science in communication.
Arrica Overmiller, Beloit sophomore majoring radiologic technology.
Emilie Pearson, Wakefield freshman majoring in nursing. Brianna Wooldridge, Hays senior majoring in mathematics.
BARTON COUNTY – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. on Friday in Barton County.
Sheriff’s Officers responded to an injury accident on K-96 Highway near milepost 178 just northwest of the City of Great Bend.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Department reported a 2015 GMC truck pulling a utility trailer, driven by Richard L. Kasselman, a64, of rural Great Bend was westbound on K-96 just north of Great Bend.
The trailer came unhitched from the truck. It crossed left of center and hit an eastbound 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven Loretta L. Lauer, 52 of rural Pawnee Rock.
The trailer went under the Dodge pickup causing it to roll two times.
Lauer sustained numerous injuries and was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
(L to R) Marie Reveles, Skyler Denio, Grady Dickerson, Tierney Kester, Conrad Vajnar, Jaylinn Pfeifer (Photos courtesy April Pfeifer)
Submitted
FFA members from Hays and Ellis high schools were named to the 2016-2017 Kansas Northwest District Officer Team Thursday during the Northwest District FFA banquet at Stockton High School.
According to Hays High School FFA Advisor Curt Vajnar, the K-State College of Agriculture will be hosting the 91st Kansas FFA Career Development Events May 1-3 inn Manhattan. The National Land and Homesite Career Development Event is in Oklahoma City May 5.
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.1 million cars and midsize SUVs worldwide because their gear shifters may confuse drivers and allow them to exit their vehicles without placing them in “park.”
The recall covers the 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and the 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. FCA is recalling 811,586 vehicles in the U.S. and 317,616 elsewhere.
An investigation by FCA and the U.S. government found that the electronic gear shifters in the vehicles were confusing and might lead people to believe that they were parked even if they weren’t. FCA is aware of 41 injuries potentially related to the problem.
Owners will be notified. Dealers will update the transmissions so they won’t move once the driver has exited. They will also add enhanced warning signals.
Richard Alexander Rodie, age 88, passed away at Cedar Village Care Center, Ness City on April 21, 2016.
He was born on February 23, 1928, the son of Alex and Clara (Scherman) Rodie.
He enjoyed farming and helping with the Future Farmers of America organization.
On November 30, 1949, he married Virginia Lee Perkins. She preceded him in death on August 14, 2014.
He is survived by special niece, Sue (Carroll) Bennett, Larned; sister-in-law, Ann Rodie; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and several other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step son, Stephen Rathbun; and brothers, Vernon Sr., Wayne, Robert, and Alexander “Junior”.
Cremation has taken place.
Friends may sign the book at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 27, 9 A.M. – 9 P.M.
Graveside service for Rich and Virginia Rodie will be Thursday, April 28, 11:00 A.M. at Otis Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Ness City Future Farmers of America, or Ness City Lutheran Church.
Vince Bowhay has had a successful six years at Fort Hays State University. What he wasn’t quite as successful at on Thursday was holding back his emotions at a farewell reception.
Bowhay, who is moving to Buffalo Monday to start a new job, said goodbye to friends and co-workers at Cody Commons in the Memorial Union. He was the union’s assistant director the last four years. He was hired in 2010 as coordinator for student involvement and Greek life and was in that position for two years before becoming assistant director.
Bowhay told those assembled he was grateful for the support he has had at FHSU. “Thank you,” he said, then paused for several seconds before finally saying, “I love you guys.”
Edie McCracken, Memorial Union director, had a feeling these final few days could get emotional for both her and Bowhay.
“We’ve both all week avoided talking about it because we might get a little emotional,” McCracken said. “He’s a made a difference for me.
“It was a great working relationship that became a friendship,” she added. “I don’t know what Monday will be like. I haven’t worked here without him.”
Today is Bowhay’s last day on campus. He will be driving to Buffalo Monday for his new job at Campus Labs. Its website says Campus Labs is a business focused on collecting student feedback to help improve campus services. The company provided TigerLink for FHSU, an online system that helps connect students with organizations and activities.
“This is a passion of mine,” Bowhay said.
Passion also describes Bowhay’s tenure at Fort Hays State. He was instrumental in improving the Encore Series and re-instituting a campus lecture series. The Sebelius Lecture Series — named after former U.S. Rep. Keith Sebelius, who graduated from Fort Hays State in 1941 — debuted in November 2013. The latest of the series was just last week, with two of the Apollo 13 astronauts and their mission control director.
“We really worked to honor Keith Sebelius’ legacy,” Bowhay said. “I think we’ve really done justice to someone who has been so notable.”
The Encore Series reached a new level under Bowhay. Its latest performance was a sold-out production of the Broadway musical “Annie” on Wednesday.
“I think I’m really proud of the direction the Encore Series has taken,” Bowhay said. “I think we’ve seen a major success.”
Bowhay said he has been helped along the way with supportive co-workers at Fort Hays State. He will always remember them.
“I think the thing I’m going to remember the most is the people,” Bowhay said. “Fort Hays State is just full of welcoming, inclusive and inviting people that have made me feel more at home than anywhere I have been my entire life.”
With great pleasure comes great sorrow.
“I’ve cried probably five times today, people saying goodbye, because it’s such a hard transition when you love where you work and what you do and who you do it with,” Bowhay said. “You don’t get that very often.”
Aneli Delacruz, a sophomore from Salina who works in the recruitment and retention office for the Union Activities Board, said she will miss Bowhay.
“Just seeing him leave is really sad,” she said. “At the same time I’m happy for him. I know he’s going to do great things.”
Dr. Lanee Young, associate professor of mathematics, served with Bowhay on the special events committee. She knows how she will remember Bowhay.
“He’s just a fun guy,” Young said. “Vince is great; he always has a smile on his face – but he takes his job very seriously.
“Of course it’s a loss for us. Best of luck to Vince,” she added. “He’s excited to go to New York and try something completely different.”
McCracken said she and Bowhay share some of the same interests. Now she will have to find someone else to fill that void.
“We both love bad movies,” she said. “We both love pop culture.”
Bowhay loved his six years at Fort Hays State.
“I am leaving here with nothing but positive memories,” Bowhay said. “I’m always going to be a proud Tiger.”
SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a woman in connection with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property.
A Salina woman is arrested Thursday for allegedly using a rock to smash the windshield of a pickup owned by a rural Assaria man.
Tonya Stout, 33, Salina is accused of smashing the windshield of a 2002 F-150 pickup owned by Dustin Small, 35, while it was parked at 211 E. Borgmeyer Lane near Assaria, according to Lt. Mike Smith of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
Just after 8 a.m. on Thursday, Small’s roommate told deputies she heard a loud crash, looked out a window and saw Stout standing next to the pickup.
Stout then got into the passenger seat of a car that drove off as Small went outside.
Small got into his pickup and followed the car to the intersection of Kansas 4 and Ohio
When the car stopped, Stout allegedly got out of the car and pointed a gun at Small.
Small reported the incident to authorities and Stout was arrested late Thursday morning in Salina for aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, and criminal damage to property.
Small was also arrested on a charge of violation of a protect from abuse order after the confrontation with her.
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
2016 – 2017 Northwest District FFA Officer Team 
Richard Alexander Rodie, age 88, passed away at Cedar Village Care Center, Ness City on April 21, 2016.
