January 2017 – Page 12 – Hays Post Archive

KU Vice Chancellor named President at WKU

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Western Kentucky University’s Board of Regents has chosen Timothy C. Caboni from the University of Kansas to become Western’s 10th president this summer.

The 47-year-old Caboni will start work July 1, succeeding Gary A. Ransdell, who is retiring.

Caboni is vice chancellor of public affairs at Kansas. He earned a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communication from Western in 1994, a bachelor’s from Louisiana State and a doctorate from Vanderbilt. He said in a news release from Western he is excited about returning to lead his alma mater.

Before going to Kansas, Caboni was associate dean of Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt.

Ransdell is retiring after 20 years as Western’s president.

Sheriff: Kan. teen in protective custody after drug bust

Posted on January 27, 2017

RENO COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are investigating a teen on drug charges.

On Thursday, members of the Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit served a warrant at a residence in the 800 Block of E 3rd in Hutchinson, according to a social media report.

During the search, deputies found about a quarter pound of meth, and about 19 grams of marijuana or marijuana hash, a small baggie with an unidentified substance that needs to be tested by the KBI lab, packaging material, working scales, and multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia.

A 16-year-old was placed into Police Protective Custody and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia due to items found in her room.

No additional details were released.

KDHE: Widespread Influenza reported in Kansas

Posted on January 27, 2017

TOPEKA – Kansas is now experiencing widespread influenza activity, with increased influenza cases seen in most regions of the state. Reports of outbreaks in long-term care facilities, schools and day cares have been made to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Five outbreaks have been identified during the 2016-2017 season, according to a media release.

“It is not too late to get your seasonal influenza vaccine,” said Susan Mosier, MD, MBA, FACS, KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer. “I urge Kansans who have not yet taken this precaution to do so as soon as possible.”

Nationally, this season’s influenza vaccine appears to be a very good match to the circulating influenza viruses.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for nearly everyone six months of age and older. Infants less than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated and are more vulnerable to the complications from influenza. Being vaccinated against influenza is especially important for anyone at high risk of complications and for anyone who is caring for children younger than five years of age. It is also important for persons caring for those with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications.

Symptoms of influenza include fever, dry cough, extreme tiredness and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and dehydration. Influenza may also worsen other chronic conditions.

Depending on the severity of the influenza season, five percent to 20 percent of the population may get influenza each year. During the peak of the 2015-2016 influenza season in Kansas, approximately three percent of all health care visits in clinics were due to influenza-like illness. Influenza or pneumonia contributed to or was the direct cause of 903 deaths among Kansas residents during the 2015-2016 influenza season. Influenza and pneumonia were eighth among leading causes of death in 2015 in Kansas.

Additional ways to avoid spreading influenza include covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze, washing your hands and staying home when you are sick.

For information on receiving the influenza vaccine, please contact your health care provider or your local health department. Please visit www.kdheks.gov/flu for influenza facts.

POLL: How would you rate President Trump’s performance in his first week?

Posted on January 27, 2017

In his first week in office, President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of orders reversing Obama administration decisions or beginning new initiatives. What do YOU think?

[polldaddy poll=9649350]

Kansas man jailed for fatal head-on crash

Posted on January 27, 2017

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a fatal crash and have made an arrest.

On Thursday, police booked Aaron Finch, 29, Riley County, into the Saline County jail for a fatal, July head-on crash

Just after 6:30 a.m. on July 20, a car driven by Finch was westbound on Interstate 70 at Niles Road.
The vehicle traveled through the median and hit an eastbound vehicle driven by David Widner, 45, Salina, head-on, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

Widner was pronounced dead at the scene.

Finch, who was trapped in the wreckage for a time, was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment of injuries.

He was booked Thursday on charges of improper crossover on a divided highway, improper driving on laned roadway and involuntary manslaughter.

Rozella Marie (Wright) Trapp

Posted on January 27, 2017

Rozella Marie (Wright) Trapp passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse, Kansas at the age of 74. She was born in Morris County, Kansas on the Maple Ranch, to the late Leroy and Vivian (Van Middleworth) Wright. She grew up in Neodesha, Kansas and graduated from Neodesha High School with the Class of 1960. She had six children, and on December 15, 1978 was united in marriage to Wayne Trapp in Sylvan Grove, Kansas.

Rozella was a talented and hardworking woman who loved being active in her community and church. She retired as a Postmaster for the United States Postal Service, worked for H&R Block in Salina, did taxes for friends and family, and helped Wayne in the truck, over a million miles, on the road. She enjoyed crocheting and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Lincoln Senior Center, Lincoln County Council on Aging, Lions Club, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Sylvan Grove.

Gifted with great organizational skills, having strong opinions, and liking to get things done, Rozella maintained a well-organized calendar of community events online. She loved serving the church as Financial Secretary and especially donating her time, treasure, and talents to cooking for all of the kids during Mid-Week Services, and making Halloween and Christmas treats while Wayne played Santa.

The greatest love of Rozella’s life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was so very proud of them and loved to brag about them to friends and neighbors. They were the light of her life and her entire world. She especially loved attending their sporting events and telling of all of their other accomplishments whenever she had an opportunity.

Rozella is survived by her husband Wayne Trapp of the home in Sylvan Grove, six children, twenty-six grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leroy and Vivian Wright, sister Juanita Ross, twin sons, an infant son, and grandson Steven Tromble.

Rozella showed us by daily example how to love and care for one another more than ourselves. Through tireless acts of service, she leaves a legacy that has touched countless lives of children and adults alike. Although we are sad that she left us so soon, we rejoice, until we see her again, as she hears the words of her heavenly Father, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your eternal happiness.”

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Friday at the funeral home in Wilson.

Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Schmidt Hanson

Posted on January 27, 2017

When Kathleen “Kathy” Schmidt Hanson was a teenager, her dad Alvin would wait and watch inside the house as she would be saying goodbye to her dates. If he thought she might be lingering too long, he would begin flipping the light switch on the porch: her father’s way of saying, “Okay, come on home.”

Kathy was known for her infectious laugh and her sense of humor. Her warm and engaging spirit was a magnet that drew people to her. She befriended everyone and would create bonds that lasted a lifetime. Loyal and loving, Kathy was also quick to lend a hand to those in need. She retired from a 35-year career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 2012 and was able to spend the last five years of her life doing the things she enjoyed. While that did include a little bit of Days of Our Lives (that evil Stephano!) and a little more of gambling at the casino, she which she loved the most was simply spending time with family and friends.

Her grandkids were at the center of her life and she would do anything and everything with them. Including watching and talking about sports, though her grandson Patrick said it was clear she didn’t quite understand the games. Over the last couple of years, Kathy had some health challenges, yet was able to push through them with her fighting spirit and zest for life. But on January 25, it was her Heavenly Father this time who was flipping the switch on the front porch and telling her, “Okay, come on home.” Kathy is survived by children, Tricia (Patrick) Corcoran and Derek Hanson; brother, Warren (Beth) Schmidt; sister, Carol (Charles) Sanders; grandchildren, Tyler, Patrick, Dylan, Abby, Madalyn, Izaevion and Donovan; several nieces and nephews. Preceding Kathy in death were her parents, Alvin and Rose Schmidt, and daughter-in-law, Mayra.

Visitation, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, January 27; Memorial service, 2:30 pm, Saturday, January 28, both at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Immediately following the service, a reception will follow at the ARC of Sedgwick County, 2919 W. 2nd St. N., Wichita, KS 67203. In lieu of flowers, memorials established with KidzCope, 9415 E. Harry, S-501, Wichita, KS 67207 and Rettsyndrome.org in Cincinnati, OH.

Von Davis

Posted on January 27, 2017

Von Davis, age 95, of Oakley, passed away on January 26, 2017 at Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Hays, KS. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He attended Denver University and obtained a B.S. in Chemistry after his army service. He had been a mail carrier at the U.S. Post Office.

Funeral service: 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, 2017 at the Oakley United Methodist Church. Visitation: 5 – 8 p.m., Sunday, January 29, 2016 at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley.

Memorials: Oakley Public Library.

Rose Zimmerman

Posted on January 27, 2017

Rose Zimmerman, 93, of Oakley, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Logan County Hospital. She was born November 22, 1923 to Theodore and Regina (Heier) in Gove County. On December 31, 1945 Rose married Joseph Zimmerman. She was a homemaker and worked hard on the family farm. Rose enjoyed quilting, sewing, making clothes and cooking for her family. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Joseph Alter Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joseph (1988); grandson Kevin Zimmerman; brothers, Andrew, Pete, George, and Clement Ziegler; sisters, Regina, Lutgard, and Johanna Ziegler, Frances Selenke, Julia Kimmett, Mary Maurath, Catherine King, and Cecilia Butler.

Survivors include her children, Larry (Pauline) Zimmerman, of Oakley, Lona (Frank) Munk, of Oakley, Lila Zimmerman, Chanhassen, MN, Marilee (Terry) Nickelson, of Overland Park, Pat (Ron) Clark, of Oakley, Daniel (Linda) Zimmerman, of Olathe and Karen (Ryan) Swart, of Olathe; sister in-law Audrey Zimmerman, of Newton: fifteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5-7:00pm on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley with Vigil service at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be 10:30am on Monday, January 30, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley. Memorials are suggested to the St. Joseph Catholic School, Justice for All or Masses in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley KS 67748. For online condolences or information visit: www.baalmannmortuary.com

FHSU softball picked ninth in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

Posted on January 27, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Softball has been picked ninth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Friday (Jan. 27). The Tigers are coming off a seventh place finish in the conference in 2016 and enter their third year under head coach Adrian Pilkington.

The Tigers are very young this year with just three seniors on the roster, which includes Kylie Strand, Claudia Vazquez and Ashley Beavers. Strand has the most experience of any player on the team at FHSU, now in her fourth year with the program. Vazquez and Beavers both transferred in last year. Nine of the 14 on the roster are newcomers this year, which includes seven freshmen and two junior transfers. Juniors Veronica Knittig and Carrie Clarke are the only other two with experience in an FHSU uniform beyond the three seniors.

Finding cohesiveness early in the season will be key to the team’s success with so many new faces. The Tigers are coming off a 21-30 season in 2016, which saw the team reach .500 just once early in the season at 6-6. Following that, the Tigers were never able to push their record north of the break-even mark, but they did finish the year strong by winning eight of their last 10 regular season games.

Fort Hays State lost its top seven hitters by batting average from last year, making Strand the top offensive returner. She hit .219 with four home runs, eight doubles, 25 RBI, and 20 runs scored. Vazquez was right behind in average at .212, adding five extra-base hits, 20 RBI, and 21 runs scored. Beavers was used mainly for defense and pinch running purposes in 2016.

Clarke is the only pitcher to return after going 5-11 with a 5.66 ERA in 118.2 innings pitched last year. Lexie Kimminau and Hailey Chapman are freshmen looking to make an immediate impact in the circle.

The Tigers open their season in Texas on Friday, February 10. They play five games at the West Texas Invitational in Canyon, Texas to kick off the season. They will be at home for the first time on February 22.

2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (12)         168
2. Missouri Western (2)              152
3. Pittsburg State                        151
4. Northwest Missouri                 128
5. Central Missouri                     105
6. Northeastern State                 101
7. Southwest Baptist                  90
8. Emporia State                     86
9. Fort Hays State                    75
10. Missouri Southern    62
11. Washburn    55
12. Nebraska-Kearney              46
13. Lindenwood                         40
14. Lincoln                                13

FHSU Sports Information

Hunter education helps reduce fatalities to zero in 2016

Posted on January 27, 2017January 28, 2017

KDWPT

PRATT – Thanks to the nearly 1,430 volunteer hunter education instructors who serve Kansas, zero hunting-related fatalities were reported in 2016 – a stark contrast to statistics from just 50 years ago when the state saw seven lives lost, two years in a row. Kansas Hunter Education instructors certified 7,692 students in 2016, bringing the total number of students certified to hunt in Kansas to just over half a million since the programs inception in 1973.

Nine nonfatal hunting-related incidents were reported in 2016, making hunting still one of the safest outdoor activities and Kansas one of the safest places to enjoy it in. While nine incidents is a certainly a low number considering the more than 5 million hunter-days spent afield each year, it doesn’t lessen the impact made on the families and communities who may have suffered as a result of these incidents.

The majority of the hunting-related incidents reported last year were the result of hunters swinging on game with a shotgun and unintentionally hitting a fellow hunter in the line of fire. According to reports, some of the hunters injured in these incidents were not wearing a conspicuous amount of hunter orange, and as a result, were not easily seen in the field.

A minimal number of tree stand incidents were also reported last year, but luckily none were fatal. As in years past, these incidents were typically the result of hunters failing to use a full body harness/fall arrest system attached to the tree.

Hunting is safe and getting safer, but everyone must do their part to keep it that way. As any Kansas Hunter Education instructor will tell you, the best piece of equipment a hunter can have afield is right between his or her ears.

To find a Hunter Education class near you, visit ksoutdoors.com/Services/Education/Hunter.

Prosecutor to seek death penalty in Kan. triple homicide

Posted on January 27, 2017

NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor plans to seek the death penalty against one of two people accused of killing three people before fleeing to Mexico.

Harvey County Attorney David Yoder announced the plans to seek the death penalty against 35-year-old Jereme Nelson in a news release Friday. Yoder didn’t say whether he would seek the death penalty against 31-year-old Myrta Rangel.

Nelson and Rangel are charged with one count of capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 33-year-old Travis Street, 37-year-old Angela May Graves and 52-year-old Richard Prouty. The victims’ bodies were found in October outside a rural home near Moundridge. An

18-month-old child was found unharmed.

Nelson and Rangel were extradited Thursday to Kansas, and the prosecutor’s office declined to say whether they have attorneys.

SW Kan. police chief responds to Trump’s action on immigration

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

FORD COUNTY -On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders in keeping with campaign promises to boost border security and crack down on immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

The executive orders jumpstart construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall and strip funding for so-called sanctuary cities, which don’t arrest or detain immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

Dodge City Police Chief Drew Francis responded to the president’s actions.

“I’ve read the executive order President Trump signed on January 25th, 2017, “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.” I want all the people in Dodge City to know that this order does not change how we will serve the public.

“We are still here to serve and protect everyone, regardless of their immigration status. We’ve heard of some false information being spread in our community. To clear that up, please note, we cannot legally pull any person over based on race or ethnicity, for example.

“This new order by President Trump is targeting people who have already committed crimes. If you don’t commit any criminal acts, other than just being undocumented, you have nothing to worry about from the Dodge City Police Department.

“When any officer of the Dodge City Police Department makes an arrest, that arrestee is booked into the Ford County detention facility of the Ford County Sheriff’s Office. The detention center already fully complies with any ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) holds that come in regarding any inmate in their custody. Our community does not qualify as a ‘Sanctuary City.’

“This executive order does authorize federal entities’ broader action in relation to criminal aliens. What this means for us locally is if a subject is taken into custody for a criminal act, ICE has the ability to place a hold on that subject in a broader range of criminal actions and without the need for a conviction first. Again, the good news is, if you don’t commit any criminal acts aside from just being in the U.S. illegally, then you have nothing to worry about from the local police.

“We, the local police, are not interested in pursuing ‘undocumented’ members of the community for the immigration status crime alone. If you are a victim of a crime, please don’t hesitate to call us for help. As we’ve said before, everyone deserves to be safe.”