SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a stabbing.
Just before 6 a.m. on Thursday, police were dispatched to the 1800 Block of Southwest 14th Street, according to a media release.
A victim told officers they knew the suspect. First responders transported the victim to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The victim has not been cooperative with investigators, according to police.
No additional details were released.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
An inch of snow was on the ground in Hays by 8 a.m. Thursday morning, and it was still snowing lightly when the official measurement was taken at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.
The snow yielded 0.04” of moisture. So far for the winter season, Hays has seen 2.2” of snow.
After a high of 23° Wednesday, the low dipped to 7°. Cold, but not a record. That was a bone-chilling -21° on Jan. 5, 1947.
The final official amount of precipitation in Hays during 2016 was 27.60”.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A western Kansas family is outraged after game wardens killed a deer that was allowed inside their house and took walks with the family.
Kim Mcgaughey, of rural Ulysses, described the deer as “very much a big pet.”
The 2-year-old mule deer was named Faline, after Bambi’s friend and future mate in the cartoon movie.
But it’s illegal to keep a wild animal as a pet in Kansas, and wildlife officials said something had to be done.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism says pet deer have killed at least two people. The department said it was trying to protect people from being physically injured by the deer, and eliminate the possibility of disease being passed to humans, livestock and other deer.
By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post
A stressful part of the wedding process for engaged couples is the tedious task of planning for the big day. It is time-consuming, and the wedding planning check list can be extensive.
To alleviate some the worries, Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine, each year hosts its Wedding Showcase, which gives couples the opportunity to check out the latest trends, ideas and fashions from various different vendors as they plan for their special day.
“It’s a tradition that has been going on for several years here in Hays, and it gives local businesses an opportunity to come in and showcase their products and services to potential brides and grooms,” said James Younger, BCC marketing director.
This year’s event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18.
Last year, the showcase saw approximately 50 vendors with services such as registry information, music, travel, catering, photography, video, decorations, attire and more. Younger is expecting there to be more vendors for this year’s showcase.
“From a bride and groom’s perspective, this is a very useful tool because we have everything from caterers to DJs to complete wedding planners, decor, photography, and honeymoon information. Just everything that you need for your wedding is in one spot,” Younger said.
Younger said registration for prospective vendors is open until Feb. 10. To register for a spot at the showcase, call (785) 625-3314.
The wedding showcase at BCC is the largest wedding showcase in western Kansas, Younger said. With it being so big and such a popular event for the area, Younger recommends brides and grooms register at the register hub at center court and show up early.
“Brides get excited about the giveaways, and they get excited because of all the different vendors so they show up right at 10 a.m. … I would say its beneficial to you if you show up as early as you can,” Younger said.
By registering, the couples will receive a passport they can take around to different vendors on location. The passport has each vendor’s name written on it and, once a vendor is visited, the passport will receive a stamp.
The passport is then turned in for a drawing, including the grand prize of a $1,000 wedding voucher.
“The money from the voucher can be used for anything wedding-related, whether its wedding services or the honeymoon,” Younger said.
There will also be door prizes available provided by some of the participating vendors, added Younger.
Last year, Rose Garden gave away 40 percent off catering services as a door prize.
“There is substantial savings and substantial prizes to give away at this event,” Younger said.
Held in conjunction with the showcase is a wedding fashion show, which starts at 3 p.m. Younger said this is a time where vendors display lines of tuxes and bridal dresses.
“Couples will be shown what’s in season, and you may get a couple of ideas,” Younger said.
The fashion show takes place in the former Midwest Drug location, which is a 27,000 square feet area. A runway is brought in, and Wedding Connections decorates the location, Younger said.
For more information on Wedding Showcase 2017 you can check out the Facebook page.
FHSU University Relations
Contest entries are now being accepted by the Tiger Gold on Friday Committee at Fort Hays State University for the 2017 TGOF graphic.
The competition is open to designs from anyone on campus, students in the Virtual College, alumni, and members of the Tiger community wherever they live. Members of the TGOF Committee are not eligible.
Every contestant will receive a Tiger lapel pin. The top three designs will be posted on FHSU’s social media and in the Memorial Union from Feb. 17 to Feb. 24 for a public vote. The creator of the winning design will receive a $100 Visa card from Eagle Communications.
Each entrant can submit up to three entries. Entries will be accepted until midnight, Feb. 14. The winner will be announced March 1.
Requirements, guidelines and contact information can be found at https://www.fhsu.edu/TGOF/graphic-contest/.
JEWELL COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Jewell County are investigating a suspect for alleged child abuse.
Cody Michael Showers, 26, Mankato, is scheduled for a court appearance on Thursday.
On December 21, deputies arrested Showers for allegedly shaking a 7-week-old baby and causing “great bodily harm” during an incident on December 15, according to a media release.
Showers remains jailed on a $100,000 bond, according to the Jewell County Sheriff’s office.
The baby was hospitalized in Wichita. No additional details were released.
Steve and Marilyn Wood have been named the latest Covenant Builders Hometown Heroes. They will be honored at Thursday’s Fort Hays State University basketball games.
Steve worked 27 years at FHSU as the Memorial Union Director & also Director of Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center for 14 years. He is a past president of Tiger Club & long-time member. Steve is also heavily involved with the FHSU Tiger Auction and Dinner as committee member for the past 6 years.
Marilyn was a teacher at USD 489 for 18 years & was a member of the FHSU Education Dept. for 5 years. She also volunteer’s at the Alumni Center, Big Brothers- Big Sisters, and Youth Friends. The two of them are also members of the FHSU Athletics Difference Maker’s group and they very rarely miss an FHSU function.
Harold Edward Myers, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Prairie Living Senior Complex in Colby, Kansas.
Harold was born April 13, 1924 in Plains, Kansas, the son of Paul Archie & Carrie Inez (Malone) Myers. He graduated from Plains, Kansas High School in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Army, serving on Okinawa in the Philippines during World War Two as a crane operator moving supplies. After watching him work, one world traveled Merchant Marine said he was the best crane operator he had ever seen.
Following his return to civilian life, he accepted Christ as his Savior while talking with a pastor who gave him a ride home. Harold worked as a crane operator building bridges for Rhodes Construction Company for many years, helping build the Kansas Turnpike System. Moving to Wichita County in 1960, he began his career as a farmer. He was an innovator with cropping systems such as the Orthman Bedder and the first in the area to use center pivot technology on flat ground. He was a member of Parks Presbyterian Church, (now called Carwood Community Church) where he served as Sunday School Teacher and on the Board of Elders. He was part of several Men’s discipleship groups and he and Lila enjoyed hosting Missionaries in their home. He was also the treasurer for Augustine Township in Logan County, Kansas for over 40 years. Most important to him was his faith in Jesus Christ and spending time with his family.
On June 22, 1958 he married Lila Marie Niswonger in Wichita County, Kansas. Lila passed away on November 18, 1999 in Tribune, Kansas.
Harold’s surviving family includes-
Four sons-
Mark & Ronda Myers- Colby, Kansas
Paul & Martha Myers- Leoti, Kansas
Craig & Shannon Myers- Colby, Kansas
Stephen & Kathy Myers- Colby, Kansas
One sister-
Mary Farley- Hutchinson, Kansas
Sister in law
Ann Myers- Smyrna, Tennessee
13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
His parents, Wife, siblings- Verda Remick, Olive Alder, Kathleen Keller, Dan Myers, Kenneth Myers, Lewis Myers and a grandson, Jacob Alan Myers precede him in death. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, January 7, 2017 at West Bethany Free Methodist Church in rural Wichita County, Kansas with Pastors Paul McNall, Tom Peyton and Justin Ingram officiating. Burial will be in Carwood Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm Thursday and Friday with the family in attendance from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday evening at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to Carwood Community Church or Heartland Christian School in Colby, Kansas in care of the funeral home.
Max L. Rumpel, 80, Hays, died Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Ellis Good Samaritan Society.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Jonathan R. Wuytack, Hays, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at the age of 53. He was born in April of 1963 in Evanston, Illinois.
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln.
There will be no services held. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to; The Humane Society of the High Plains, 2050 E. Old Hwy 40, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.
CITY OF HAYS
The city of Hays will host a reception for Hays City Commissioner Eber Phelps Thursday, January 5, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
The public is invited to attend and wish Phelps well as he takes his seat representing the 111th District in the Kansas House of Representatives on January 9.
Phelps’ final city commission meeting is Thursday.
TOPEKA — Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents.
In addition to calling the hotline, residents can also text questions to 785-256-0733 (standard text message rates may apply), email, or instant message at kslib.info/ask, or visit the State Library. The State Library is located on the third floor, north wing of the Kansas Capitol Building. The library’s hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
Reuse, recycle, rebuckle. That’s not exactly the popular environmental slogan, but it describes a remarkable therapeutic riding center that is using creative ways to benefit the lives of its students.
Last week we met Joy and Brian Miller, co-founders of New Horizon Ranch near Rantoul. New Horizon Ranch is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding center which offers various kinds of equine-assisted activities and learning, psychotherapy, and summer day camp programs for individuals of all ages with physical and mental disabilities.
In therapeutic riding, people with disabilities learn horsemanship and riding skills which can also benefit communication, social skills, decision-making, balance, and strength. For example, if someone is wheelchair-bound, the horse’s gait simulates the movement and benefit of walking. Joy has also observed how horses can bond with the rider in beneficial ways.
“A horse has a magical ability to connect with people,” Joy said. “Macho kids from inner Kansas City will come out here and say, `This is dumb,’ but within thirty minutes they’re petting the horses….every time!”
There are also educational benefits of riding. “When they’re on the horse, the brain is open in a different way,” Joy said. “It is very kinesthetic and it stimulates motor skills. The right and left brain are working together.”
New Horizon Ranch also offers Silver Saddles for older adults, summer day camps, and a program called Mending Fences which helps kids repair relationships or remedy problems. The ranch also offers programs in character development which help with trust, boundary, or relationship issues. Certified therapists or mental health professionals are brought in as needed. A teacher is on staff for educational components.
There is even a program for reading to horses which helps kids gain confidence and reading skills.
When New Horizon Ranch hosted one horse show for their riders, the local Christian Youth Rodeo Association (CYRA) came to watch one of their members – a girl with a disability – ride in the show. The child rode the horse while her mom walked beside her. The girl beamed as nearly 50 people watched.
Another girl named Paige Wiseman, also a CYRA member, observed this interaction. Paige was a young rider and rodeo competitor from nearby Paola. She was a very accomplished barrel racer herself who would go on to compete in college. Paige considered how much this ride meant to that girl and pondered how to help.
“Paige contacted us and asked if it would be okay for her to donate her old rodeo buckles for the kids,” Joy Miller said. “The buckles are gathering dust anyway. Why not use them?”
“Paige was 12 or 13 at the time. She could have been self-absorbed with her own success, but she chose to take this step to help others,” Joy said.
So, New Horizon Ranch started presenting those trophy buckles at their horse shows. They were a huge hit.
“It went so well that Paige set up a Facebook page and solicited more buckles from her friends,” Joy said. Buckles came in from all over.
According to an article in America’s Horse magazine, there were donors from such rural towns in Kansas as Plains and Kincaid, population 179 people. Now, that’s rural.
The donors found it rewarding to donate their old buckles. The kids who received them were overjoyed. “Paige said it was more meaningful to give it away than it was when she won it,” Joy said. “We put a pre-addressed card in with the buckle when it’s presented so that the donor can know where it went and the impact of their donation.” After one of New Horizon’s clients died tragically from pneumonia, his buckle meant so much to his mother that she placed it on top of the casket.
For more ranch information, see www.newhorizonranch.org.
Reuse, recycle, rebuckle. It’s not an environmental slogan, but it describes how rodeo riders are donating their old trophy buckles and making a difference for deserving kids. We commend Paige Wiseman, Joy and Brian Miller and all those involved with New Horizon Ranch for using horses – and buckles – to benefit children.
