January 2017 – Page 3 – Hays Post Archive

Search underway for another director at Sunflower Diversified

Posted on January 31, 2017

BARTON COUNTY –Sunflower Diversified Services, the non-profit organization that serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities in central Kansas is looking for a new executive director.

Debbie Reynolds, hired in November to replace Jim Johnson as executive director is no longer on the staff, according to Sunflower Board of Directors President Travis Thompson.
Decky Makings, Chief Operations Officer will take over as interim executive director.

Jim Johnson who retired in November will also act as advisor until a permanent replace is found, according to Thompson.

Reynolds was the general manager of the Golf Club at Southwind in Garden City before coming to Great Bend.

She spent 13 years as the executive director of Mosaic in Garden City, a similar non-profit agency supporting individuals with disabilities.

LETTER: Improving the way the state addresses juvenile offenders

Posted on January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

Terri Williams, Kansas Dept. of Corrections

February marks one year of the implementation of an innovative approach to juvenile justice in southeast Kansas, with effects already improving the way the state addresses juvenile offenders.

For the past year, courts in southeast Kansas have been employing an effective alternative to removing youth from their homes or confining them, known as Functional Family Therapy (FFT). Now this data-driven combination of therapy and supervision for juvenile offenders is about to reshape the way Kansas addresses crime committed by youth statewide. Extending this innovative approach statewide will further advance the state’s goal to keep juveniles in their homes by using alternatives to sentencing.

As Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) over Juvenile Services, I could not be more impressed by the results we are witnessing in southeast Kansas. Working with our contract partner Eckerd Kids, we have for the past year employed FFT, a treatment strategy that has proven in other states for more than four decades to be effective at preventing juvenile offenders from committing more crimes.

In February we will celebrate with Eckerd Kids the successes seen in their region of the state in just one year. Already 89 juvenile-justice-involved youth and their families entered the FFT program instead of experiencing an out-of-home placement or secure confinement. Of those, just three were placed in out-of-home settings during FFT treatment, much improved from results of a 2014 study that found more than 51% of Kansas youth who were discharged from a Youth Residential Center II remained out of home six months post discharge.

What this means is that youth who are supervised by the FFT program in Southeast Kansas are responding better to treatment, not committing additional crimes, maintaining their bonds to family, and costing the state less by staying out of more restrictive settings.

While the state incarcerates about 200 juvenile offenders, there are more than 1,200 juvenile offenders across the state who are managed outside of a prison-type setting. It is essential that there be sufficient services within our communities to serve these at-risk youth.

FFT provides therapy and supervision of youth still in their homes to help them become more adaptive and successful. This program has proven over more than 40 years in numerous states to reduce reliance on out-of-home placement and its negative effects on the youth and family.

By giving families help to develop a supportive and structured environment, FFT has proven it saves families, while at the same time preventing crime and victimization in communities, not to mention reducing the cost to the public. State by state, FFT has proven over decades to reduce recidivism among youthful offenders – by 25 to 60 percent in some cases. We are so excited to now be able to offer this service to the entire state of Kansas.

The agency plans to hold kickoff events in Garden City and Salina soon for the partners contracted to serve those areas – Cornerstones of Care in northeast Kansas, and Emberhope in western Kansas. Based on the results we’ve seen in southeast Kansas, I can’t wait to meet with leaders from across the state to discuss the positive impact FFT will make in their communities.

Terri Williams is Deputy Secretary of Juvenile Services with the Kansas Department of Corrections.

USGS reports Tuesday morning Kansas earthquake

Posted on January 31, 2017

Location of Tuesday morning quake-USGS image

RENO COUNTY — An earthquake shook South Central Kansas just after 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The quake measured a magnitude 2.9, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and was centered approximately 2 miles west, southwest of Hutchinson.

There were no reports of damage early Tuesday, according to Officials with the Reno County Emergency Management.

Tebo Village adds two new tenants at Hays development

Posted on January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

Boulder, Colo.-based Tebo Properties has announced the addition of two new tenants to Tebo Village at 43rd and Vine in Hays.

“You can’t build a 12-storefront retail development overnight, but we were able to sign two new businesses with good names,” said Stephen Tebo, owner of Tebo Properties.

Tebo Village will be adding Tandy’s Gift and Billy Sims BBQ, an Oklahoma-based BBQ franchise.

Tebo expressed great interest in Tandy’s because of how unique it is and because of its ties to Hays and the area.

“Tandy’s is Hallmark, and it is a great staple of Hays,” Tebo said. “We are trying to fill up the area with unique companies to draw in better businesses and more people. Tandy’s is a good name to have.”

In addition to exclusive Hallmark gifts, party supplies can be purchased at Tandy’s, which is currently located at Big Creek Crossing.

As for Billy Sims, it is a high-quality BBQ restaurant, said Tebo.

“Once again, we are just trying to fill up with businesses that we trust and that will stay around. A place like Billy Sims BBQ will be unique to the area and will bring in more people and more businesses,” Tebo said.

Billy Sims is an award-winning BBQ restaurant chain that has won numerous awards and accolades in recent years, including a Franchisee Satisfaction Award Winner for 2015 by Franchise Business Review and a Future 50 fastest-growing small chain restaurant in 2015 by Restaurant Business. It was named by USA Today as one of the top athletic-themed restaurant chains.

It also offers a menu of nine different types of meat that are smoked daily in-house.

According to Tebo, Tandy’s and Billy Sims will both be moved in by April. With the two additions, it puts Tebo Village almost at half full.

Currently, Tebo Village is home to standalone restaurant Pasta Jays, UPS and Nex-Tech Wireless. Tebo said that two more letters of intent have been sent out and expects to hear back on them soon, but could not comment any further on the issue.

“We are very careful on who we want to sign. It could be a restaurant, it could be a drive-in, or it could be something different,” Tebo said.

Margaret Anna (Rietz) Halbleib

Posted on January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

Margaret Anna (Reitz) Halbleib, age 77 of WaKeeney, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017.

She was born October 15, 1939 in Roth, Germany, to George Reitz and Karoline (Koehler) Reitz. She attended school in Roth, Germany, for nine years. She went on to work as a nanny and then worked in a cigar factory.

In January of 1959, Margaret was enjoying a night at the Guest House Bar, when she was blown away by the sound of an accordion being played by a handsome military man named Fred. Little did she know she had met the love of her life that night. On July 25, 1959, Margaret was united in marriage to Fred Halbleib in Gelnhausen, Germany. They resided there until March 1960 when they moved to the United States.

After moving to the U.S. they made their home in WaKeeney, Kansas where they began their journey together. As Fred worked hard supporting the family, Margaret took pride in being a mother and homemaker. She was very well known for her love of cooking and baking. Margaret could always be found in the kitchen wearing her apron and a big smile on her face at family get togethers. She took pride in her crochet work, making blankets, towels, potholders, and booties for all to enjoy. Margaret was a very active member in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering to help with dinners. Margaret was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her husband, Fred Halbleib of the home; a sister Anneliese Ries, Roth, Germany; one son Harold (Tu) Halbleib, Henderson, NV; two daughters; Tammae (Gene) Stenzel, WaKeeney, KS, Connie (Kevin) Fox, Ellis; nine grandchildren, Christina (John) Hughes, Raymore, MO, Brandi Nowlin, WaKeeney, Bryan (Megan) Flax, Snyder, CO, Derek Fox, Olathe, Austin Fox, Hays, Kyle Fox, Hays, Darlin Martin, Henderson, NV, Tori Martin, Henderson, NV, Kim (John) Martin-Woods, Henderson, NV; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Caroline Reitz, and two brothers Willi and Heinrich; grandson-in-law, Tony Nowlin.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 2, 2017, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney. Burial will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.

There will be no public visitation.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Donations made to the church may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be left online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

🎥 Watch This Week’s Tiger Talk

Posted on January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

Gloria (Goetz) Teel

Posted on January 31, 2017

Gloria (Goetz) Teel, 86, of Russell, Kansas passed away at her home in Russell on Saturday, January 28, 2017.

Gloria was born June 14, 1930, one of five children born to William and Helen (Herman) Goetz. She grew up and attended school in Victoria, Kansas.

Gloria was united in marriage to the love of her life, Raymond Hugh Teel on January 7, 1946 in Russell. This union was blessed with two daughters, Lana and Mickey. They made their home in Russell. Raymond preceded her in death on October 18, 2002.

Gloria was the owner and operator of Glamour Boutique here in Russell for over 52 years. She also was a devoted wife and homemaker for her daughters and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Guild. She enjoyed walking, gardening, watching sports and visiting with family and friends. Her passion in life was her grandsons and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her two daughters, Lana Brock (Sam) and Mickey Teel all of Russell, Kansas; brother, Bill Goetz (Nancy) of Houston, Texas; sister, Betty Wagner of Russell, Kansas; sister-in-law, Jackie Goetz of Hallettsville, Texas; brother-in-law, Tom Sturman of Rusell, Kansas; four grandsons, Douglas Foster (Bonnie), David Foster (Summer), Heath Long (Terri Jane) and Jerod Long; and five great grandchildren, Syndey Foster, Beau Foster, Mary Kay Foster, Tanner Long and Bryce Long. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Raymond, brother Donald Goetz and sister Arlene Sturman.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, February 2, 2017 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Handicap Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Myrna Joyce Brandenburg-Christiansen

Posted on January 31, 2017

Myrna Joyce Brandenburg-Christiansen, 87, passed away January 27, 2017 at Trinity Manor, Dodge City. She was born November 24, 1929 in Luray, to Howard and Lulu (Weese) Griffin. Myrna grew up on a farm nine miles north of Bunker Hill, along the Saline River.

Myrna attended elementary school at a small country school across the road from their house and for many years the teacher lived with them. Myrna graduated from Bunker Hill High School in May 1947.

She married her best friend Robert D. (Bob) Brandenburg on June 8, 1947. After living in Russell County for about 20 years they moved to Dodge City. Eventually they returned to Russell. Myrna loved dancing and helping others.

After the death of her husband Bob on November 13, 1987, she married Virgil Christiansen of Lincoln, January 13, 1989. She and her husband spent time in Lincoln before moving to Salina. She returned to Dodge City earlier this year.

Myrna is survived by her husband, Virgil Christiansen of Salina. She is also survived by three children, Alan Brandenburg and wife Deana of Salina, Beverly Pohl and husband Terry of Louisville, Kentucky, and Eldon Brandenburg and wife Patty of Dodge City; and one brother, Howard Griffin and wife Shirley of Arkansas City. She had 8 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two nephews, and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Lulu Griffin, her husband Bob Brandenburg, her youngest daughter, Sandra K. Reynolds; and nephew, Monte Griffin.

Funeral will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Dodge City with Dr. Michael Burns presiding. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday with the family present at Swaim Funeral Chapel. A second funeral will be at 10 AM on Friday, February 03, 2017, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell with Pastor Gary Carlson. Visitation will be from 5 PM to 8 PM on Thursday, February 02, 2017, with the family greeting guests at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Burial will follow the funeral on Friday at Russell City Cemetery in Russell. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Prairie or Gideon’s International both in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.

Annette A. Flanders

Posted on January 31, 2017

Annette was born with the name of Adabell Annette on December 9th, 1936 to Victor Llewellyn Follett and Velva Fae Halley Follett in Goodland, Kansas at the Boothroy Hospital. She was the second of three daughters, her oldest sister Amelia Fae Elder and youngest sister Virginia Cole Wheeler. Annette resided in Goodland until age 6 when the family was relocated to Laramie Wyoming. She wasn’t happy with this relocation and cried every day before going to school. She eventually settled in after going on a school trip to a farm. This was the beginning of her appreciation for farm life. The Follett family moved back to the Goodland area when she was 8 years old where she attended school and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1954. She went to Emporia State Teachers College where she received a provisional teaching certificate. She taught several different grades at the Edson School after college.

She married Kenneth Franklin April 21st, 1956 and had four children Leland LeRoy (Eloisa) Franklin of Goodland, Lisa Lorraine (Ric) Morrow of Olathe, Liana Lynn (Jeff) Pauli of Derby, and LaRee Lynnette (Shawn) Smith of Denton, TX. She moved into town in 1975 and went to work at the Northwest Kansas Regional Medical Center and later McKenzie Implement.

In 1982 she married Robert Boehme and they moved to Rapid City, South Dakota and lived there briefly until relocating back to Goodland in 1983. She worked at the Case Implement Dealer in St. Francis, KS.

In 1988 she attended Northwest Kansas Area Vocational Technology School where she got her business/accounting certificate which gained her employment at the Kansas State University Engineering Experiment Station. She lived in Manhattan, KS and worked at KSU where she retired after 15 years.

Shortly after retirement, Jim Flanders swept her off her feet and moved her back to country living at the Kuhrt Ranch where they were married. On December 29th, Jim and Annette celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary. She enjoyed Jim’s three children, Fawn (Charlie) Fulk, Blake (Risa) Flanders, Brent (Diana) Flanders and all of their kids and grandkids.

Something that was so fun and dear to her was her Avon business that she did for around 40 years. She so enjoyed visiting and getting to know all of her clients from the multiple locations she lived which then became her social life. Selling Avon was her passion and she earned many sales awards including the highest honor of President’s Club every year.

In September 2016 she was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, Multiple Myeloma. She was so full of life and fought to the very end because she wasn’t ready for her journey to end. Throughout her life, adversities never kept her down. Her family has so enjoyed hearing the communities words of her kindness, courage, style and ability to overcome and endure. Heaven has gained a remarkable woman.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. MT, Sunday, Jan. 29, at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 E. 11th, Goodland. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. MT, Monday, Jan. 30, at Bateman Funeral Home. Memorials will be donated to the Kansas State University Cancer Research Fund in Annette’s name and may be sent to the funeral home at P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online Condolences: www.batemanfuneral.com.

Jacqueline D. ‘Jacque’ (Rupke) Massaglia

Posted on January 31, 2017

Hays, Kansas – Jacqueline D. “Jacque” (Rupke) Massaglia, age 59, died Monday, January 30, 2017, at her home in Hays, Kansas.

Services are pending at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Kansas woman charged in ex-husband’s shooting death

Posted on January 31, 2017

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 50-year-old woman is charged with killing a Leavenworth man in a case involving domestic violence.

Barbara Marie Frantz, of Kansas City, Kansas, was charged Monday in Leavenworth County with first-degree murder in the killing of 54-year-old Gary Frantz.

Leavenworth police say Gary Frantz was shot several times Friday night in Leavenworth. Police said the case involved domestic violence but did not offer further details.

Barbara Frantz was arrested several hours later in Burlingame, Kansas.

Authorities on Monday said they weren’t sure of the Frantzes’ marital status.

The Kansas City Star reports (https://bit.ly/2jPxm62 ) Barbara Frantz referred to Gary Frantz as her ex-husband in a Facebook post in December. He listed his marital status on Facebook as separated.

Ellis mom and son to testify in favor of insurance coverage for eosinophilic medical nutrition

Posted on January 31, 2017January 30, 2017

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

An Ellis mother and her 14-year-old son plan to testify Tuesday in Topeka in favor of a bill that would require private insurance companies to cover costs of a life-sustaining formula prescribed to Kansas residents with eosinophilic disorders.

Kellie Crnkovich and her son Joey support House Bill 2103 (Insurance Coverage for Amino Acid-Based Formula) introduced Jan. 19 by 79th Dist. Rep. Ed Trimmer (D-Winfield) to the House Committee on Insurance.

Amino acid-based formula, also known as an elemental formula, is a type of hypoallergenic formula made from individual amino acids, the building blocks of protein needed for growth and development. The amino acids are in the simplest form, making it easy for the body to process and digest.

Eosinophilic disorders affect less than one percent of the population, and it is estimated fewer than 500 Kansans will need the formula long term. Joey Crnkovich is one of them.

“My son needs amino acid-based formula for nutrition. He has had to enroll in virtual school for his 8th grade year. We are hoping to get him healthy enough to return to regular high school in the fall at Ellis High where he misses his friends,” Crnkovich said. “Amino acid-based formula is necessary for him to do this.”

Joey is working with Dr. Stephanie Page, director of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and has been on the special nutrition for three months. “He’s finally started growing again and has gained 12 pounds,” his mother reported.

“Joey was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease (EGD) in July after months of tests. Eosinophils (white blood cells) are attacking his GI tract. It affects his esophagus, colon, and ileum,” she explained. “It causes severe pain and many times he can’t eat at all. Because the eosinophils are attacking the food proteins in the body, we have to keep eliminating foods to try to stop his body’s reactions.”

Joey takes amino acid-based formula every day to supplement his nutrition. It’s expensive.

“A box of his formula costs $132, the cheapest from Amazon. This box has 27 eight-ounce boxes of the formula. So far he only needs a few a day as a supplement but for many children this is their only nutrition so they would drink nine or more boxes a day to meet their daily nutrition needs. Insurance does not usually cover this except in states that passed medical nutrition bills.”

Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska have passed such bills. Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE also cover the costs.

According to the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, people with Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease (EGID) are allergic or sensitive to food. The body mistakes foods as if they are parasites. In trying to protect itself, the body attacks the GI tract with white blood cells called eosinophils. When the eosinophils attack the tissue, they can cause inflammation, tissue damage, scarring and bleeding. This leads to very serious health problems, including failure to grow and thrive, uncontrollable vomiting, severe stomach and throat pain, nausea, inability to sleep, severe headaches and joint pain.

“Amino acid-based formula is the only FDA-approved treatment for EGID,” added Crnkovich.

Crnkovich knows of some parents who pay “$2,000 to $5,000 a month to get this this when insurance doesn’t cover it, causing serious financial hardship. It’s emotionally devastating.”

“They are spending more time trying to figure out how to pay for the medical nutrition that their children need rather than the energy that could be spent on taking care of their families.”

Crnkovich has sent emails to her legislators, Rep. Ken Rahjes, (R-Agra) and Sen. Rick Billinger, (R-Goodland) asking for their support on House Bill 2103.

MADORIN: Perfectly designed to plow snow

Posted on January 31, 2017January 30, 2017

Mother Nature’s adaptations fascinate me. Think of chameleons that change color to blend into environments until they’re essentially invisible. Think of giraffes with extraordinarily long necks that allow them to wrap their tongues around leaves far out of reach of less endowed creatures. Think of skunks loaded with potent stink bombs ready to send attackers running. Think of bison perfectly designed to survive winter on the plains.

Kansas’ state mammal, which is also the iconic flag symbol of Wyoming, is perfectly designed to thrive both winters roaming over the prairie. Interested spectators can study small herds local ranchers raise in fenced pastures. They’ll note that due to limited acreage, producers supplement their feed. Until I saw great herds spread over miles of Teton and Yellowstone National Park grasslands, I didn’t have a true sense of what the first Kansas settlers saw. Then winter photos Wyoming photographers shared helped me understand Mother Nature specially adapted these critters to live in a harsh landscape.

Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.

Bison are similar enough to cattle to understand their family units and grazing habits. What I didn’t recognize were the purposes of that wooly, triangular head and broad chest. Once I saw snapshots of Yellowstone bison plowing through deep snowfields and even higher drifts, I realized those features guarantee winter survival. That curly, thick mane around the face, neck, and chest protects delicate skin as they shovel their lips down to grass buried under feet of frosty white stuff.

Seeing that triangle-shaped head cut through snow toward belly filling nutrition makes me wonder if the snowplow’s creator didn’t watch these beasts clearing their way to dinner. While that sculpted head serves as a precision machine, the broad chest works much like a cowcatcher on a train does. It shoves anything blocking a buffalo’s path to either side.

My friends’ photos didn’t reveal just bison. They also included shots of deer, elk, and antelope. Bony hips, spines, and too defined ribs make it clear harsh winters take a toll on narrow-bodied creatures. They don’t have that broadness that makes it easier to get to food. Clever ones, however, take advantage of the buffaloes’ strength. One picture revealed pronghorns following a trail a bison herd broke open. Not only is this range a place where species play, it also reveals one critter benefitting from another’s adaptation to the elements.

Snow photos lead viewers to think aha–winter wonderland! Forget that image. Snowfields hide landscape flaws. Viewers don’t see erosion, rotting carcasses, and mangled plants under that crystalline blanket. Frequently, those six-sided flakes land artfully, coating leaves and critters so they look like they’re trimmed with glitter. A frosted coat and horns makes a big ol’ buffalo look almost delicate. It’s easy to respond with a heartfelt, “How pretty!”

The reality is that winter creates harsh, hard-to-survive conditions. Those snow-tipped noses, ears, and lips make these grass-eating machines vulnerable. Without wiry, thick tresses and that broader than an axe handle chest, these creatures wouldn’t survive prairie blizzards as well as they do. They’re a fine example of Mother Nature’s best design skills.

Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.