Kansas Missing & Unsolved Missing posted a flyer on their social media site of a missing person that may be in the Barton County area.
Father Marvin Reif went missing from Protection on April 3, 2017. He walked away from Protection Valley Manor and suffers from mental illness.
Father Reif is 53 years old, is 5’8″, and weighs 265 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Reif was last known to be wearing a blue polo shirt, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.
The Comanche County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the missing/endangered status of Reif.
If you have information regarding Father Reif’s disappearance or you know of his whereabouts, please call the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department at 620-582-2511.
Trump met on Nov. 20 with Kobach at Trump’s New Jersey golf course. photo courtesy Fox
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered Kansas’ top elections official to produce a plan on homeland security issues that he took to a meeting with President Donald Trump.
U.S. Magistrate James O’Hara ruled Wednesday that the document from Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach could be relevant to a federal lawsuit challenging a state law requiring new voters to provide proof of their U.S. citizenship when registering.
O’Hara also ordered Kobach to produce a second, related document.
The magistrate plans to review both privately. Kobach must produce them Thursday.
Kobach met with Trump in November. An Associated Press photo showed Kobach holding a paper outlining a plan that could include changes in federal voting laws.
The second document Kobach must produce is an internal proposal for changes in federal voting laws.
Gary Wayne Henson passed away Tuesday, April 04, 2017 at his home near Stockton, Kansas at the age of 69. He was born on July 29, 1947 in Pratt, Kansas to the late Carl and Gladys (Trotter) Henson. Raised in Woodston, Kansas, he grew up in the Methodist Church, and graduated from Woodston High School with the Class of 1965. He went on to attend Fort Hays State College for one year. On June 19, 1999 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Barbara Wilson, at the Congregational Church in Stockton.
Gary served in the United States Army National Guard and hung out at the local V.F.W. to enjoy a cup of coffee and visit with friends. He loved driving truck, having worked on custom harvest crews, and hauling grain. He also worked for Rooks County, running the snow plow whenever it was needed. For fun he liked trapping, was an avid car buff (he seemed to know everything about them), and always took opportunity to visit with pilots that flew into the local airport.
Gary is survived by his wife Barbara Henson of the home near Stockton; brothers Keith Henson and wife Beth of Hesparia, CA, and Troy Henson and wife Cathy of Robinson; sisters Myrna Russ of Hiawatha, and Glenda Carver and husband Stan of Westminster, CO; father-in-law Harold W. Wilson of Kingman; and his faithful companion Dundee.
He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Gladys Henson.
Gary was a hardworking, fun loving man, who loved his wife, family, friends, and dog more than anything in the world. His dry sense of humor and quick one-liners never failed to bring plenty of smiles and laughter. His joyful heart, ornery smile, and triumphant spirit will leave a legacy that will last forever, and keep his memory alive for eternity.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30am on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Stockton. Burial will follow in the Woodston City Cemetery in Woodston. Visitation will be from 1:00-8:00pm on Thursday at the funeral home.
NOBLE COUNTY – Two Kansas women died in an accident just before 2a.m. Wednesday in Noble County, Oklahoma.
A 2014 Dodge Caravan driven by Ryan James Fulcher, 22, South Hutchinson, was westbound on U.S. 412 Cimarron Turnpike one mile west of Red Rock, according to Deputy Dwight Durant with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The van left the road and hit the trailer of a Volvo semi that was parked on the westbound shoulder four feet from the lane of traffic.
A passenger Rebecca Nicole Fulcher, 21, McPherson, was pronounced dead at the scene from a head injury.
Another passenger Beth Ratley, 20, South Hutchinson also died at the scene from internal injuries
The women were transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Oklahoma City.
A third passenger Leah Marie Ratley, 24, South Hutchinson, was transported to Stillwater Medical Center in serious condition with head, leg and external injuries.
Ryan Fulcher was also transported to Stillwater Medical Center in serious condition with external and leg injuries.
The driver of the semi Dhafer M. Awad, 26, Scottsdale, AZ., was not injured.
The main concern stemmed from her receiving her masters and doctoral degrees from Corlinns University, an unaccredited, online school. Robertson said she received her degree before the university lost accreditation.
Superintendent Destry Brown says the district will probably be making changes to its vetting process. He also praised reporters with the student newspaper, “The Booster Redux,” saying “our kids ask questions and don’t just accept something because somebody told them.”
An anonymously circulated letter also raised questions about Robertson’s qualifications. Robertson is currently working in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Plainville’s photo entry in the Kansas Hometown Showdown has made it to the Championship Final Round 6.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It’s all come down to the “Battle Between The Villes.”
It’s Plainville vs. Haysville in the sixth and final round of the Kansas Hometown Showdown presented by the Kansas League of Municipalities (KLM).
This is the third year for the online photo competition among Kansas cities. It’s set up to mimic a sports competition with brackets and cities going head-to-head with each other in an effort to get the most “Likes” on the League’s Facebook photo album.
The picture entry from Haysville.
Plainville defeated another “Ville”–Marysville–in Round 5 to make it to the final Round 6 and take on Haysville. Haysville beat out Newton.
The Rooks County town is the lone holdout among a handful of northwest Kansas towns that started in the competition including Hays, Lucas, Hoxie, Wilson and Ellis.
Plainville’s patriotic entry is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The picture was taken November 11, 2016 during the dedication of the veterans’ memorial in Plainville.
According to the KLM Facebook page, voters should look at the photo description to see which city submitted the photo. Once you like a photo, your vote has been cast for the final round.
(Click to enlarge)
Voting for Round 6 is open until 9 a.m. Monday, April 10. The winner will be announced the same day.
Sara Bloom is the Downtown Hays Development Corporation Executive Director.Downtown Hays has come so far in just 15 short years. What was once considered a blight on our community is now a truly unique and sought after destination. While we have come so far, I never want to stop moving forward.
Moving forward is why Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) works so hard for the development of Downtown. Weekly, I am finding opportunities to meet with potential new businesses. DHDC works hard to be the welcoming committee for new businesses with support, advice, marketing tools and more. We even throw them a party with refreshments and a brick commemorating the fact they have joined us on The Bricks. You may remember me writing about our Business on the Brick receptions not so long ago.
Development is an important part of our organization’s name because we never want to see Downtown Hays stop improving. Part of our mission is to “work to prevent the deterioration and enhance the viability of the community’s cultural centers, historical landmarks and public infrastructure important to the economic and cultural well-being of Hays.”
With all that being said, DHDC is excited to announce that we will be privately funding the building of a 40’x80’ pavilion, a gathering space, at 10th and Main in Downtown Hays. And not just a pavilion, but public restrooms as well, something the community has requested for a long time. All privately funded by DHDC and its many, community partners including the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
The project has been talked about for a long time, even before I took on this job in February 2015. It’s changed and evolved a lot. DHDC formed a partnership with the Fort Hays State University Department of Applied Technology in the fall of 2016. A design class led by Kris Munsch took on redesigning the structure we envisioned for Downtown. They surveyed the site, met with City of Hays employees, received quotes from multiple contractors and more. They then presented a complete plan for the design and layout of the site including landscaping. Our combined vision gets to become a reality.
Working together with the City of Hays, Commercial Builders, and FHSU, the pavilion will begin construction this summer with a projected completion date of December 2017.
The pavilion is just the start though. After its completion, DHDC will continue to pursue development opportunities in Downtown Hays, encourage travel to our city via promotion of all our activities and lead continue development conversations. I’d like to give you the opportunity to dream and develop alongside us.
Downtown Hays is so much more than just Main Street as you can see in the map. What additions would you like to see in this area? New businesses? More outdoor seating? More residential options? We hope you’ll dream big with us! Please send your ideas to [email protected].
Protesters gathered Tuesday outside Wescoe Hall at the University of Kansas to oppose concealed firearms on Kansas campuses. Kansas House members declined to discuss the issue Tuesday. COURTNEY BIERMAI / KPR
Members of the Kansas House on Tuesday shot down a proposal to debate whether to allow concealed firearms on college campuses.
A motion by the chamber’s top Democrat would have forced the House to consider a bill regarding out-of-state concealed carry licenses. However, the real motivation was for critics of the state’s concealed carry law to propose changes during the debate.
House members rejected the idea of even bringing up the bill for debate with a 44-81 vote.
A 2013 state law says concealed firearms must be allowed in most public buildings, unless there are security measures in place to make sure no one brings guns into the facility. Universities, public hospitals and some other buildings have a temporary exemption that expires at the end of June.
Republican Majority Leader Don Hineman said Tuesday that lawmakers have been working on a compromise and most want to continue those negotiations.
“We’re still hopeful we can get to a resolution in that way,” he said. “That would be preferable to a wide-open debate with endless possibilities and a very indeterminate outcome.”
Hineman wouldn’t say if the compromise could include universities, hospitals or other facilities like mental health centers.
Most moderate-leaning Republicans, including Hineman, joined with conservatives in the vote to deny the debate.
“It’s a reflection of their desire to see the process of negotiations play out and see if we can come to an agreement that pretty much everyone is on board with,” Hineman said.
The top Democrat in the House, Jim Ward, introduced the motion to bring up the firearms bill and allow debate on concealed carry laws.
“There are a lot of people in the state of Kansas that are concerned about gun safety,” Ward said. “We had a perfect opportunity to have a full and vigorous debate, and it was rejected.”
The argument that there could be a compromise in the works wasn’t enough to satisfy Ward. He said the best way to forge a compromise would start with the House taking a stand on the issue.
“So when you have a compromise you know what you’re giving up,” Ward said.
Critics of the current law say concealed firearms shouldn’t be allowed at places like universities and public hospitals. They say it is unfeasible or very expensive to provide security so guns can continue to be barred.
Supporters of the current law say people have constitutional rights to carry guns and defend themselves. They say those rights should extend to places like college campuses, unless there are security measures in place to make sure no one is carrying a firearm.
Ellis County law enforcement reports scammers are calling residents and businesses, threatening disconnection of services by Midwest Energy unless immediate payment is made.
Don’t fall for it! Midwest Energy doesn’t operate this way.
1) You will ALWAYS get a notice in the mail from us if your account is behind. Your first contact will never be a phone call.
2) If your account is behind, we often work to make payment arrangements.
3) We NEVER accept pre-paid money cards as a form of payment.
If you’re ever in doubt it’s really Midwest Energy calling you, hang up and call us back at (800) 222-3121. Be safe, not sorry!
JOHNSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Johnson County are investigating a suspect for the death of a 2-year-old.
On Tuesday, police arrested Lindsey Nicole Thomasson in connection with the February 7, 2017 death of 2-year-old Presley Porting, according to a social media report from Gardner Police.
Thomasson lived with the girl and the child’s biological father at the time of the death, according to police.
Thomasson is charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held at the Johnson County Jail with a $2 million-dollar bond.
