WASHINGTON – Diego Martinez, 28, pleaded guilty Thu., March 16, to making false statements to the FBI during a federal hate crime investigation arising from a June 19, 2015, bias-motivated assault of three black Somali men in Dodge City, Kansas. Martinez pleaded guilty in the District of Kansas to one count of making materially false statements to the FBI during an October 2015 voluntary interview.
During the plea hearing, Martinez admitted that, during the interview, he had provided the FBI with a false alibi for the time of the assault—specifically, that although he had told the FBI that he had been with an unknown woman at the time that the Somali men were attacked, this alibi was false. He further admitted that he falsely told the FBI that his cell phone had stopped working shortly after the assault, when, in fact, Martinez had used his phone to contact, and to attempt to contact, one of the men who perpetrated the attack. Martinez admitted that he knew these statements were false at the time he made them to the FBI, and that they were material to the FBI’s investigation into the attack.
“Hate violence not only harms individuals but also threatens the diversity of our society and the well-being of our communities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes, and to pursue defendants who, like Mr. Martinez, obstruct the investigations into those crimes.”
Martinez will be sentenced on June 1, 2017, and faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Garden City Resident Agency with assistance from the Dodge City Police and the Ford County, Kansas, Sheriff’s Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Risa Berkower and Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst of the District of Kansas.
The hard work of Fort Hays State University’s Orientation and Transition team earned FHSU numerous awards at NODA’s 2017 Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education: Region IV Conference.
The recognition includes the title of 2017 Outstanding Innovative Program of the Year.
The Program of the Year Award specifically recognized FHSU’s Lighthouse Project First-Generation College Student Transition Program for its effective approach at assisting first-generation students through their college careers. Brett Bruner, director of transition and student conduct, accepted the award on behalf of the office.
Kaylie Towles, El Dorado senior majoring in organizational leadership, was honored as the 2017 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year in the category of four-year institutions. The award recognizes an undergraduate student who has demonstrated service and commitment to orientation, transition and retention programs.
FHSU also took home the 2017 Best Poster Session Presentation Award for its poster session “Where the Males At?,” which identified the need to recruit and retain males in new student orientation leader positions. The poster was presented by Colin McIver, Council Grove senior majoring in management information systems, Jacob Schoenfeld, Salida, Colo., junior majoring in physics, and John Gettemyer, graduate student majoring in higher education student affairs.
Corrine Quick, Larned junior majoring in biology, was on the winning team of the 2017 Undergraduate First-Time Case Study Competition. Undergraduates attending the conference for the first time were partnered with students from other institutions to analyze a case study and develop and present solutions.
In addition, two FHSU students graduated from NODA’s Returning Orientation Leader Institute: Carla Parra, Hays junior majoring in communication studies, and Haydee Reyes, Olathe junior majoring in organizational leadership.
Other presentations by the FHSU team are listed alphabetically by title with presenters:
“Assembling Your Own Team of Avengers,” Gettemeyer and Jacob Patrick, 2016 FHSU alumus of the higher education student affairs master’s program.
“Being More Normal: Clark Kent is Just as Important as Superman,” Daniel Fisher, Paola sophomore majoring in human resource management, Gettemeyer and Reyes.
“Beyond the First-Year Experience,” Regina Tolbert, Columbus, Ga., graduate student majoring in higher education student affairs.
“Committing to Community Service,” John Nicholson, Glenview, Ill., graduate student majoring in higher education student affairs, Towles and Ricardo Zamora, Kansas City senior majoring in management.
“Continuing to Make an Impact for Over 10 Years: The Evolution of Extended Orientation Programs,” Bruner and Jeina Stoumbaugh, 2016 FHSU organizational leadership alumna.
“Do you Want to Color Victor? Orientation and Transition Programming for Students,” Bruner and Kayla Reid, Lyons junior majoring in organizational leadership.
“Expanding Our View of Extended Orientation to Include Pre-Orientation,” Bruner, Jasmine Hernandez, Liberal sophomore majoring in athletic training, Morgan Klaus, Hays sophomore majoring in nursing, and Parra.
“First Generation Kryptonite: Feeling Like an Imposter,” Parra and Patrick.
“Focus on Self and Others: Reframing Peer Leadership in Orientation,” Bruner.
“Harnessing the Power of Technology,” Gettemeyer, Towles and Zamora.
“How Do I Country,” Reyes and Zamora.
“Is the Justice League Doing Justice for Everyone?,” Landon Younger, Ellis junior majoring in chemistry, and Zamora.
“Let’s Talk About Sex: Explaining American Values to New International Students,” Amy Gildemeister, Goodland graduate student majoring in higher education student affairs, and Towles.
“Parents are the Heroes: The Forgotten Partner in Sexual Assault Prevention,” Gildemeister.
“Reading Between the Lines of Tiger Impact Surveys,” Zamora.
“Supporting Hispanic and Latino Student Access and Success Through Pre-College Transition Institutes,” Melanie Arellano, Kansas City junior majoring in social work, Bruner and Marisol Regalado, Liberal senior majoring in organizational leadership.
“The Lighthouse Project: First Generation Heroes Shining Light on Others,” Parra and Tolbert.
HODGEMAN COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in southwest Kansas are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.
On March 10, Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Deputies with the help of Dodge City police located and arrested Tyler Setzkorn at a motel in Dodge City, according to a social media report.
He was transported to the Ford County Sheriff’s Office and is still being held without bond on a Hodgeman County warrant for Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child.
Setzkorn was expected to make a court appearance this week.
The Hodgeman County Attorney has not responded to requests for information in the case.
The last set of finalists for the Hays Post home opener ticket giveaway will be announced today.
At 9 a.m. at Nex-Tech Wireless, the third finalist for Royals tickets will be draw. At 10 a.m. from 8th Street Liquor, the last finalists for Royals and Rockies tickets will be announced.
Lang Diesel Inc. has issued a call for entries to all Kansas-based 4-H groups to showcase their creativity in the third annual LDI 4-H Video Contest starting April 1.
The video with the most fan votes when the contest ends will win a grand prize consisting of a $1,000 donation to their 4-H club and an LDI grill-out for the whole 4-H group.
Videos must be no longer then one and a half minutes and creatively describe why the group deserves to win the contest and what they would do with the donation to their club. If your club has won the LDI 4-H Video contest in the past, you are ineligible to win again. Video submissions run April 1 through 30 on the Lang Diesel Inc Facebook page. Voting runs for one week only — May 1 through May 6. Each Facebook user is limited to one vote per day.
Last year was the second year for LDI’s 4-H video contest with seven videos submitted from 4-H groups across the state. Good Hope 4H group of Ellis County was last years winners. Good Hope’s video, “So God Made a 4-H’er” featured pictures of members’ favorite 4-H moments and activities. The $1,000 donation went to help with new projects and activities.
LDI’s 4-H Video Contest is an example of LDI’s commitment to serving Kansas through its full-service dealerships, product support and a “doing what it takes” attitude to provide customers with the best quality products, parts and service.
“4-H programs make a positive impact on young people and provides them leadership and enrichment opportunities that last a lifetime,” stated Shelly Macumber, Marketing Director at LDI. “At LDI we strive to give back to the communities across Kansas in which we live and work and are thrilled to support our future leaders.”
For more information on the LDI 4-H Video Contest, visit Lang Diesel Inc Facebook page or stop by one of the twelve dealerships located throughout Kansas.
The winning 4-H group will be presented with a $1,000 check signed from LDI following the contest’s completion, and winning video will be posted to the LDI Facebook page.
At last month’s Fort Hays State University Faculty Senate meeting, Kerry Wasinger, FHSU general counsel, spoke on a new gun policy that would be implemented if the current concealed carry exemption does, in fact, expire July 1.
With the protest period passing, it appears assured the exemption period for FHSU and other Kansas Board of Regents schools — which allows the universities to prohibit concealed carry of handguns into public campus buildings including academic and residence halls — will expire.
According to Wasinger, in order to comply with the state law, the KBOR has created its own policy and has approved a gun policy for FHSU.
FHSU sent a resolution to Topeka in which they wanted to decided what kind of policy would be best for the university. The resolution stated, “the leadership of the various universities, having the clearest understanding of their particular campuses, are the people most likely to be able to identify the best interests of their students, faculty, and staff.”
In order to make its own gun policy, FHSU formed its own Gun Committee, which was in charge of coming up with the logistics of the new gun policy. It also worked with Duane Shepard, assistant professor at FHSU and head coach of the FHSU shooting team, in creating possible gun safety trainings.
Last month, Wasinger spoke on the initial plans for the gun policy, clarified some misinterpretations of the gun policy, and answered questions by concerned faculty members.
In a email, Wasinger wrote that FHSU is continuing to work with constituency groups to implement the new gun policy and that future notices will be coming on opportunities to learn more about the policy and how it will be applied across campus.
Below are the KBOR gun policy and the FHSU gun policy.
Would you or your family be interested in serving as a host family for a Hays Larks player this summer? If so, you would be one of 26 families serving as a host family for little less than the two month Larks’ home season.
Presently, we are needing seven more host families. Host families are critical to maintaining this program in Hays. Hosting a player can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for your family.
If you have thought about it in the past, or would like additional information about hosting for this season, please contact Barb Leo at (785) 259-6180 or [email protected].
The Ellis County Extension Office will host a noon-hour program on “Fixing Funky Foods” on Tuesday, March 28, 12:00 p.m., at the Extension meeting room, 601 Main, Hays. Donna Krug, Barton County FCS agent, will present information on unusual fruits, vegetables and grains.
Each year over 20,000 new foods are introduced on grocery store shelves. Additionally, a larger variety of fruits, vegetables and grains are being added to even small town grocery stores.
This lesson will cover a variety of foods that date as far back in history as Babylon in 3000 BC. Included for each food are the nutritional benefits, a preparation method and history or interesting facts. The goal of this free program is for participants to add variety to their diet by choosing nutritious foods that were not familiar before the lesson.
Pre-registration is requested by Monday, March 27 to ensure adequate materials. A minimum attendance is required for this program to be held. Call the Ellis County Extension Office at 785-628-9430 to register.
ABILENE – Spend the day immersed in Chisholm Trail history at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. An author symposium begins at high noon on Saturday, April 1 in the Library building auditorium. The symposium concludes with the opening of the Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President exhibit opening.
A number of well-known authors and Chisholm Trail historians were selected to kick off the series of Chisholm Trail events set for this year marking the 150th anniversary. The event is held in partnership with the Dickinson County Heritage Center & Trails, Rails & Tales: Spirit of the Chisholm Trail.
SCHEDULE:
12 p.m. – Margaret & Gary Kraisinger: The Cattle Trails Before the Chisholm Trail
Award-winning authors, Gary & Margaret, have published three books and various articles on Texas cattle trails. The couple researches, lectures, and writes about the Texas cattle trail industry that lasted only about 50 years from 1846 to 1897. They have mapped all four south to north cattle trail systems. Their latest book addresses the Chisholm Trail.
1 p.m. – Roy Bird: Ike and the Chisholm Trail
Bird has been writing books for more than three decades focusing on the Civil War, the American West, and his beloved native Kansas.
2 p.m. – Rod Beemer: Mother Nature’s Impact on the Trail
Beemer is a writer, researcher, and speaker who has authored and co-authored 12 nonfiction books, an e-book novel, numerous magazine and newspaper articles. Originally from Minneapolis, Kansas, Beemer has conducted an extensive amount of research in the field of Mother Nature’s impact on the pioneers of the 19th Century.
3 p.m. – Jim Hoy: Outlaws and Legends of the Trail
An English professor and Director of the Center for Great Plains Studies at Emporia University, Hoy has lived the majority of his life in the Flint Hills. His published works and interests focus on Western American literature and Great Plains folklore.
4 p.m. – James Sherow: The Markets of the Chisholm Trail
Sherow is a history professor at Kansas State University and author of several books, chapters, and articles. His research and teaching interests are Kansas history, North American Indian history, and the history of the American West.
5 p.m. – Reception with light refreshments and unveiling of the new temporary exhibit “Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President.” The exhibit will be on display through May 2018.
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — A man originally charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer pleaded no contest to reduced charges after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict in his trial.
The Salina Journal reports 36-year-old Michael Ryan, of Salina, accepted the plea Thursday to attempted voluntary manslaughter of Salina detective Crystal Hornseth. He also pleaded no contest to aggravated assault of his daughter and one of her friends, and criminal discharge of a firearm.
Prosecutors say Ryan went to a home where his daughter was visiting friends. He pointed a rifle at 17-year-old and made his 15-year-old daughter go with him. Later, he fired 10 shots at Salina police who had surrounded his house.
A Saline County jury was dismissed Thursday after attorneys announced a plea was reached.
The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Fri., March 17, 2017 in the areas from 41st St. north to I-70 between Smoky Hill Dr. and Hall St. and I-70 north to 55th St. between Hall St. and Vine St.
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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 please contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.
DOJ
The last set of finalists for the Hays Post home opener ticket giveaway will be announced today.
