Bernice Zweifel, 100 years old, originally from Waldo, KS died on March 6, 2016 in Hays, KS. Bernice was born on November 23, 1915, to Ross & Myrtle (O’Conner) Clow in Covert, KS. Bernice was one of 5 daughters and one son.
Bernice lived in Waldo, KS all her life. She graduated from Waldo High School in 1932.
Bernice married the love of her life, Robert G. Zweifel. They made their home in Waldo. She was a homemaker. To this union, 4 children were born, 3 daughters and 1 son. They attended the Amherst United Methodist Church.
Bernice is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Robert, two sisters and one brother. She is survived by daughters: Betty (Orville) Pruter of Natoma, KS; Barbara (Jim) Tyree of Wilson, KS; Peggy (Douglas) Martin of Nixa, Missouri; Bob (Kathy) Zweifel of Waldo, KS: sisters; Wilma Bear of Waldo, KS; Leona Fink of Phillipsburg, KS: 16 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
In 2012, Gov. Sam Brownback badgered Tim Owens, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, with a clear message: “let us change the way we select judges so we can get judges who will vote the way we want them to.”
In plain English the governor and allied Republican state legislators aim to pack Kansas courts with partisan judges. To date they have been largely thwarted, but Kansans should remain wary. Another round of assaults on an independent judicial branch can be expected in the remaining days of the legislative session as well as in campaigns against individual judges this coming November.
H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.
Public attention has been consumed for now with the disastrous condition of state finance—unbalanced budgets, unfair taxation, and excessive debt, plus unconstitutional school finance, but the rendering of impartial justice by Kansas courts deserves equal concern and protection.
Ruling state lawmakers have unleashed a rising crescendo of political threats at the courts over the past five years. Led by the governor and top legislative leaders they are constantly subjecting judges and court rulings to verbal abuse.
They have threatened to shut down the courts with budget cuts.
They have tried to abolish the constitutional procedures for selecting judges on the basis of merit.
They have tried to undo administration of the courts with threats of eliminating court funding.
And last week they advanced legislation of questionable constitutionality that subjects state judges to impeachment for rulings that “usurp legislative or executive authority,” in other words, rulings that legislators do not like.
What is at stake here? These ideologues gained control of the governorship and the Kansas House in 2010, took command of the Kansas Senate in 2012, and now want to commandeer Kansas courts.
Thus far, state legislators who believe in constitutional government have helped state courts withstand this political onslaught. And the courts have proceeded with diligence in interpreting the Kansas Constitution on behalf of all Kansans and providing a check on executive and legislative actions that violate the constitution. These checks and balances represent the hallmark of democracy in the U.S., and an impartial judicial branch stands as a bedrock for our form of government.
But, this legislative session is not over. Majority lawmakers may try again to put forward constitutional amendments that eliminate or politicize procedures for selecting judges on the basis of merit or take actions that threaten court funding or impartial justice in various ways.
If court intimidation through legislative action fails, which now seems likely, Kansans should next expect these lawmakers and their allied groups to campaign against judges who stand for retention in November. Five of the seven Supreme Court justices and six of the fourteen Court of Appeals judges will appear on the ballot for voters to determine whether or not to retain those judges on the courts. Kansans for Life has already targeted a number of judges for non-retention. Groups opposing court rulings on school finance may weigh in as well.
Sorting through these retention elections will require extra vigilance on the part of voters. Ballot fatigue may occur in that judicial retention appears at the very bottom of a long ballot. Groups will be campaigning for and against individual judges, and confusion over largely unknown judges will easily arise. Moreover, state campaign laws do not apply to these statewide retention elections, so voters will not know who is advocating for or against individual judges or financing various campaigns.
In the face of a noisy presidential contest plus critical races involving all 165 state legislative seats, Kansas voters should remain aware that impartial justice and judicial independence are at risk and stand ready to oppose these attempts to pack state courts.
H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.
KANSAS CITY. – Two men and a woman were charged here today in a federal criminal complaint alleging they robbed a bank, engaged in a high-speed chase with a 19-month-old child in their car, and fired at police officers who were pursuing them, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.
Jacob L. Smith, 18, Kansas City, Kan.; Gary Jordan, 39, Kansas City, Kan.; and Danille Morris, 26, Kansas City, Kan.; are charged with one count of bank robbery and one count of brandishing firearms during the robbery
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., alleges Jordan and Smith were armed with handguns on March 9 when they entered the First National Bank at 7460 W. 199th Street in Stilwell, Kan.
Morris and her 19-month-old daughter waited outside in the getaway car. Morris had helped to case the bank before the robbery.
Smith and Jordan held the tellers at gunpoint before fleeing with cash stuffed in a backpack. Jordan took the wheel of the getaway car. During the next 25 minutes, the robbers were pursued by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Leawood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies as they fled across the Kansas/Missouri state line. During the chase, Smith fired at officers from the car. After the car overturned on a sharp turn, the defendants were arrested. Throughout the chase, the child was in a car seat fastened to the back seat of the defendants’ car.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 25 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the bank robbery charge, and a penalty of not less than seven years and not more than life on the brandishing charge. Agencies assisting in the investigation include the FBI, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Leawood Police Department and the Kansas City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.
Gregory James Lambrecht, age 54, of Hays, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016 in Hays. He was born April 12, 1961 in Denver, CO to Earl James and Luella Mae (Begler) Lambrecht. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1979. He married Kimberly Ann Turner February 12, 1983 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.
Greg had worked in a variety of oilfield positions with Production Drilling, Mercury Wireline, Western Well Service and currently was an Oilfield Chemical Salesman for Multi-Chem which is a division of Halliburton. He also worked in the grocery business as assistant manager at Food Bonanza and owner/operator of a Little Debbie distributorship. Greg was an avid outdoorsman enjoying fishing, boating and bow hunting. He enjoyed spending time at Cedar Bluff and was active in the Cedar Bluff North Shore Cabin Association. He enjoyed his family and friends but he was especially a proud husband, father and grandfather. Greg was a member of and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis and St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays.
Greg is survived by wife Kim of Hays, KS, daughter Dani and Kyle Ricke, grandchildren Noah and Ella Ricke all of Pratt, KS; his sisters Deb Williams and Fiance Fred Johnson of Sand Springs OK, Joan Yunker and husband Dan of Andover, KS , Gail Dreiling and husband Dave of Ellis; sister and brother in laws-Nancy McDonald and husband Mack of Salina, KS, Linda Depperschmidt and husband Darrell of Lake Wilson, KS ; brother and sister-in- law, John Turner and wife Sharon of Colby, KS ; nieces and nephews: Natalie (Justin) Silkey, Emily Williams, Trevor Williams, Crystal Yunker-Groen (Matt), Candice (Justin) Sullivan, Nicole (Korey) Maxwell, Jake Dreiling, Joan Dreiling (fiance Alex), Michelle (Scott) Ahrenholtz, Jeremy (Melissa) McDonald, Chad (Gina) Depperschmidt, Darcie (Jeremy) Capo, and Shayne (Will) Evans.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jacob and Lydia (Bieker) Begler, George and Bridget (Zimmerman) Lambrecht, his in-laws George and Roberta Turner.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 14, 2016 with a rosary service at 10:00 AM all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Inurnment will follow services at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.
Services in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis.
Memorials in Greg’s memory are suggested to be used for his grandchildren’s education fund established as the Noah and Ella Ricke Education Fund.
Maxine Pearl Binns, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on July 27, 1929 in Sterling, Kansas, the daughter of Walter & Pearl Whittaker Turner. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she worked in nutritional services at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas and at the Added Touch on main street in Scott City, Kansas for several years.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scott City, Kansas, the Dietician’s Association and was a Mary Kay Rep.
On February 7, 1949 she married Allen Lee Binns in Ellsworth, Kansas.
Survivors include her Three Sons – Mike & Debbie Binns of Scott City, Kansas, Tim & Calene Binns of Derby, Kansas, Julian & Karla Binns of Wichita, Kansas, Two Daughters – Susan & Harold Irwin of Scott City, Kansas, Julie & Troy Janssen of Scott City, Kansas, One Daughter In Law – Laurel Binns of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers – Clinton & Margaret Turner of Scott City, Kansas, Clayton & Wanda Turner of Hope, Kansas, Sixteen Grandchildren and Sixteen Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Two Sons – Richard Binns & Porter Binns and One Grandson – Matthew Binns.
Funeral Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 with Pastor John Lewis presiding.
Memorials may be given to the Scott County Library or Park Lane Nursing Home % Price & Sons Funeral Home.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 @ Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Kris Keith Dexter, age 69, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas. Kris was born October 21, 1946 in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Harry & Eleanor Mae (Browning) Dexter. He had been a Tribune resident since October of 2015 moving from Garden City, Kansas. He was a retired Art Teacher. Kris served his country in the United States Navy from1968 through 1971.
He was a member of Tyrian Masonic Lodge # 246 in Garden City, Kansas. He was also a Knight’s Templar, and held both the Scottish & York Rites.
Kris surviving family includes
Two children-
Amy Beth Herron- Dighton, Kansas
Kent Dexter- Dodge City, Kansas
Four grandchildren-
Sidney Childers- Arlington, Texas
Levi Childers- Copperas, Texas
William Childers- Ness City, Kansas
Joshua Brookshire- Ness City, Kansas
Cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
At Kris’s request, his body was donated to medical research.
Services will be held at a future time and will be announced by Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.
It’s a sign of the season – campaigning to support your favorite political candidate. However, if your plans involve placing a political sign, the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds you to make sure it’s not located on highway right of way.
By law, all right of way on state highways is to be used exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs are allowed on the state highway system.
KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system. The public should be aware that all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited on the state right of way.
When KDOT maintenance crews find political or business advertising on state right of way, the signs will be removed immediately without notice. All such signs will then be taken to the closest KDOT subarea office where they can be picked up by the owner with the agreement they will not be placed on state right of way again.
All political campaign signs not picked up will be disposed of after the election.
Political campaign advertising is allowed on private property bordering state right of way. However, people erecting signs on private property must first obtain permission from the property owner.
During my four-year term, major changes have been indelibly etched in the county without raising your property taxes. The passage of the sales tax to finance three much-needed building projects brought progress without placing the burden on Ellis County taxpayers. All of this included moving to and renovating the Administrative Center, constructing the Emergency Services Building and remodeling the jail and Courthouse.
Today, the budget issues that face Ellis County continue to require a sharp pencil and sharp mind. I am filing again for the office of Ellis County Commissioner to address the new challenges and demands that the county will face in the future. This comes with my promise to act with the same determination as I have in the past.
The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting fire hydrants and flushing water mains on Friday March 11, in the area of 12th Street to 20th Street between Oak Street and Vine St, then along Patio Drive and Metro Lane.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.
Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.
For more information contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL Class 2A
Central Plains 77, Bishop Seabury Academy 56
Hill City 74, Sedan 69
Jackson Heights 53, Berean Academy 44
Salina Sacred Heart 75, South Gray 57 Class 4A Division I Bishop Miege 55, Eudora 49
McPherson 64, Rose Hill 45
Paola 78, Coffeyville 43
Wamego 87, Andover Central 60 Class 4A Division II
Girard 77, Baldwin 49
Hugoton 78, Anderson County 42
Rock Creek 65, Smoky Valley 43
Wichita Collegiate 83, Pratt 55 Class 6A
BV Northwest 70, Wichita South 51
Lawrence 55, Dodge City 46
SM North 55, Wichita East 52
Wichita Southeast 78, Olathe East 61
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Class 1A Division I
Centralia 53, South Barber 38
Hoxie 59, Hanover 46
St. Paul 43, Kinsley 28
Waverly 64, Thunder Ridge 42 Class 1A Division II Dighton 68, Golden Plains 39
Axtell 53, Elyria Christian 26
Ingalls 60, Sylvan-Lucas 40
Wetmore 47, Norwich 39 Class 3A
Sabetha 47, Southeast Saline 26
Hays-TMP-Marian 51, Garden Plain 29
Silver Lake 77, West Franklin 22
Sterling 70, Caney Valley 40 Class 5A
Leavenworth 42, Newton 40
Salina Central 55, Mill Valley 43
St. Thomas Aquinas 43, KC Schlagle 37
Wichita Bishop Carroll 47, Goddard 27
FHSU student volunteers during a previous BIG event.
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
The Student Government Association at Fort Hays State University is seeking projects for the annual BIG Event, on Saturday, April 30, an SGA initiative to give back to the community by performing services for people who need them.
“The Big Event is designed to help all community members of Hays. It is the students’ way of saying ‘Thank You’ for all the support received from the community towards our education, and we want to help as many people as possible,” said Lizette Avalos, Liberal senior majoring in organizational leadership. She is the SGA community relations director.
Last year, the Big Event had nearly 200 participants and 26 different projects around Hays. The projects included painting, gardening, community clean up, sorting clothes and other activities. This year, SGA hopes to reach more people and increase the amount of projects in the Hays community.
“We want the community to get involved as a whole,” said Avalos. “This event is important for FHSU students to get involved and give to the community, but also for Hays residents to share their passion for their community by working alongside the FHSU family.”
SALINA – The top ranked professional championship bull riders in the world, two time CBR and PRCA World Champions Sage Steele Kimzey and Cody Teel are set to ride in Salina, Kansas. On March 26, 2016, at the Salina Bicentennial Center. Bull riding fans will have the rare opportunity to see these extraordinary cowboy athletes who set records at both CBR and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.
“Kimzey is a rare talent who rides fundamentally flawless and Teel has the heart and determination of a champion each and every time he pulls his rope,” said Tuff Hedeman, the 4 time World Champion Bull Rider who now produces the nationally televised Mahindra Road to Cheyenne Tour events.
With 30 years of bull riding history on his resume, Tuff Hedeman is one of the most recognizable cowboys in the history of rodeo, but he defers to the young super stars that are currently the CBR and PRCA World Champions and the best bull riding talent he has seen in over 15 years.
The former 4 time world titled Hedeman, who in recent years has made a name for himself in the production of great bull riding events, will serve as the “chute boss” and television commentator. Come early and enjoy the music and the concourse will be open with great shopping, products and autograph opportunities featuring the CBR Bull Riders.
This year’s event is the thirteenth stop on Championship Bull Riding’s (CBR) Mahindra Road to Cheyenne Tour which pits the industry’s elite riders against the best bulls in a three round tournament style action. Doors open at 6:30 and action gets underway at 8:00 PM.
There are no guarantees in bull riding; the only way for cowboys to earn a paycheck is to ride better than the rest of the 24- man field. The field of competition which starts with 24 riders, then 12 and finally 4 in the Shoot Out where they will battle for the lion’s share of $30,000 in prize money. The night’s excitement will culminate as the final four bull riders will get a third opportunity to ride in a winner take all ending. The format appeals to new spectators and established fans alike because riders can challenge as many as three bulls in one performance.
In addition to lucrative prize money, bull riders accumulate points which qualify them for the World Finals, part of the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration held in Wyoming next July. At the end of the World Finals, the contestant who has the most points will be crowned the world champion and receive a $100,000 bonus.
Championship Bull Riding Showdown In Salina will also feature the “other side of the ride”, CBR’s Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge. Bull owners from all around the country will bring three bulls that are featured during the first two rounds of competition. The bulls are competing for points based on their performance in the arena. Additionally, the time the bull rider stays on is added to the bull’s score. At the end of the night, the owner with the three highest-scoring bulls will receive $20,000.
CBR has become known for their action-packed performances that keep fans on the edge of their seats and with a new show debuting in Salina this year is set to impress. From having great bulls matched up with super star riders, to upbeat music and enthusiastic fans there is something for everyone at the Salina, Kansas event.
Activities begin on March 26, 2016 and bull riders will also be live at the Bicentennial Center prior to the event at 7:00 PM for fans to stop and get an autograph as well as after the conclusion of the performance. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 6 at the Bicentennial Center Box Office, BicentennialCenter.com and 888-826-7469. Prices start at $17 with a variety of options available.