May 2017 – Page 19 – Hays Post Archive

Kansas House avoids debate on transgender ‘bathroom’ policy

Posted on May 24, 2017

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has refused to debate a transgender “bathroom bill.”

Freshman Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott offered the proposal Wednesday as an amendment to an education funding bill. It would have mandated that transgender students use restrooms, locker rooms or other facilities according to the gender on their birth certificates. Under the measure, transgender and other students could ask to use separate, single-occupancy restrooms.

His measure was similar to a bill in committee that has not received a hearing.

The House Rules Committee declared Jacobs’ amendment out of order. The House upheld that ruling on a lopsided voice vote.

Kan. police department warns residents of increase in burglaries

Posted on May 24, 2017May 24, 2017

HARVEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County investigating a dramatic increase in burglaries.

Since March 1, police reported 33 instances of burglaries to homes, businesses, and vehicles, according to a social media report.

Police say the good news is most of these offenses could have been prevented if a little extra care had been taken to make sure doors were locked.

They urged residents to keep an eye out for your friends and neighbors and “If officers find property in a non-secure state, they will attempt to contact residents to provide the opportunity to secure it.”

“If you love it; Lock it, or Lose it.”

Jim Gaines

Posted on May 24, 2017

(May 17, 1935 – May 22, 2017)

Graveside Service: Saturday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. at the Oberlin Cemetery with Pastor Shelly Holle officiating

Memorial Fund: Jim Gaines Memorial Fund

Visitation: There will be no visitation, but friends may sign the memorial book during business hours Wednesday-Friday

Charles Richard Roemer

Posted on May 24, 2017

Charles Richard Roemer, age 94, of Quinter (formerly of Gove) passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Gove County Medical Center- Long Term Care, Quinter, KS. He was born August 19, 1922 in Hays KS, the son of Charles William and Jacqueline (Strong) Roemer.

He attended Gove Rural Schools. After finishing one year at Fort Hays State College he enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps and was called to duty in 1943. After serving in WWII, he was honorably discharged, receiving the Purple Heart. He came home and completed his college education at FHSC, receiving a degree in Agriculture and Industrial Arts.

On December 20, 1947, Richard married Florence Elizabeth Dietz in Hays, KS. After their marriage they began farming on the Roemer Ranch west of Gove. He was a member of the Gove County Farm Bureau, KS Livestock Association, V.F.W., American Legion, Gove International Order of Oddfellows Lodge, Gove Lions Club, Gove High School Board, Trustee of FHSU Endowment Assoc., FHSU Phi Kappa Phi, Gove County Commissioner, FHSU Endowment and Scholarship Committee Chair, Gove County Red Cross and Gove Community Bible Church.

Richard worked hard, played hard, and never met a stranger. His joy was boating and camping with family and friends at Cedar Bluff where he taught many to ski. He was a WWII buff and enjoyed the annual convention of the Third Armored Division. Through the FHSU Endowment he worked to ensure others were able to get a higher education.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Jacqueline Roemer; two sisters Mary Roemer and Lola Reed; and a brother, Raymond F. Roemer.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Florence Roemer of the Long Term Care, Quinter; one son, Douglas Roemer, Gove; and two daughters, Janet Schmidt, Minnesota and Tima and husband, Terry Burris, Oregon.

Grandchildren include Sam Schmidt, Sarah and husband, Ryan McCoy, Maggie and husband, Dominick Schneganz, Aubrey Schmidt, Jessica Burris, Jared Burris and wife Cristy, Lydia Burris and Alexis Burris.

Great-grandchildren include Camilla Schneganz, Leila Schneganz, Ivonne Roch- Burris, Aiden Roche-Burris and many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Gove Community Bible Church with Pastor Chris Thomas officiating. Burial will be at Gove City Cemetery with military honors.

There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gove Community Bible Church, Gove County Long Term Care or FHSU Foundation for Richard and Florence Roemer Scholarship Fund for graduates of Gove and Trego counties. Checks made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Vernon E. Meckel

Posted on May 24, 2017

Vernon E. Meckel, 96, retired manager of the Hays Music Company entered eternal rest on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Vernon served in the Army Air Corp from 1944-1945, were he flew 124 missions over the Himalayans. He managed the River View Condos, was an active member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, helping in the Lord’s Pantry and raised the highest bid for the Bachler auction for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Preceded by parents, brothers Vivian and Ozie Meckel, his loving wife of 66 years Evelyn, son-in-law Dee Hoyt, great grandson Dalton Palmer. Survived by his children Vernon (Kaori) Meckel, II of Ash Grove, MO, daughter Sheryle Hoyt of Mabank, TX, grandchildren Mathew Meckel, Jennifer Palmer, Lea Nicholson, Brenda Stenovitch, Michael Hoyt, 10 great grandchildren with one on the way.

To celebrate Vernon’s life the family requests you to wear red, white and blue to the services.

Rosary, 7:30pm, Thursday, May 25, Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30am, Friday, May 26 both at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2 007 Arkansas, Wichita with Graveside Service, 10:30am, Saturday, May 27 at St. Mary Cemetery in Russell, KS.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lord’s Pantry at St. Patrick Catholic Church or Make-A-Wish Foundation

Third annual First Responders Appreciation Barbecue set for June 3

Posted on May 24, 2017

By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post

The annual First Responders Appreciation Barbecue is set to take place on Saturday, June 3, in Frontier Park. The event was started in 2015 by a Knights of Columbus council member in Hays as a way to show appreciation to emergency first responders.

“The Grand Knights for all the Knights of Columbus Councils in Ellis County at the time got together and came up with this, got it all put together and it has continued to grow every year. We just really enjoy doing it for the first responders, and hopefully it continues to grow and get bigger,” said Tim Dickman, member of the Schoenchen Knights of Columbus.

The idea for the appreciation barbecue spawned from a “Blue Mass” that the Catholic Church used to put on to honor emergency first responders. The Knights of Columbus wanted to find a way to include first responders of all religions and the idea of hosting an appreciation barbecue was born.

“By doing the barbecue, we could have an appreciation for all first responders, no matter what religion they were, and it was just a way to cover everyone. It was a way to keep honoring them and what they do for us,” Dickman said. “We come down and feed them, visit with them and thank them for their service.”

The event continues to grow and is open to police, firefighters, highway patrol, EMTs and any other emergency first responders and their families.

“The first year, we did not know what to expect, and it has continued to slowly grow, and we’re just hoping that more and more first responders can come down and have a meal and bring their families,” said Dickman. “We usually serve 20 to 30 more people than we did the year before, so it’s good growth.”

The First Responders Appreciation Barbecue will be on Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is for all active and retired responders and their families. The barbecue will be at Frontier Park at the east shelterhouse. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Activity Center.

Kan. man accused in alleged drive by shooting skips court appearance

Posted on May 24, 2017

RENO COUNTY –— A Kansas man arrested after he allegedly fired a gun at a man at his home in the 5300 block of North Old Kansas 61 failed to show up for a preliminary hearing in Reno County Wednesday.

Michael Sifuentes, 38, is charged with attempted aggravated battery, two counts of criminal threat and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.

Just after 11p.m. on January 29, Deputies with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a rural area in 5300 Block of north Old Kansas 61 Highway north of Hutchinson for the report of a shooting, according to Captain Steve Lutz, with the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.

When deputies arrived a resident at the scene, Patrick Hill, told them
he had noticed a truck out on the road in front of his house revving its engine.

Hill told deputies he recognized the truck and went outside of his residence to investigate.

When he exited his residence, someone from the truck began shooting. Hill returned fire with his own weapon and the truck sped away.

Although there were three other occupants at the residence in addition to Hill there were no injuries.

With the assistance of the Hutchinson Police Department, deputies arrested Sifuentes.

Hays attorney earns bar association’s Outstanding Service Award

Posted on May 24, 2017

Submitted

John T. Bird, a native of Hays and Senior Partner in the law firm of Glassman, Bird, Brown & Powell, L.L.P., has been selected to receive the Kansas Bar Association’s 2017 Outstanding Service Award. The Outstanding Service Award recognizes service to the legal profession for especially meritorious deeds or service that significantly advance the administration of justice or the goals of the legal profession. The award will be presented on June 8th in conjunction with the Kansas Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in Manhattan.

Bird is a graduate of Washburn University (1970) and Washburn University School of Law (1974), having graduated from both with honors. He has practiced law in Hays since 1974 and has appeared in the courthouses of 97 of Kansas’ 105 counties in his 43 years of practice.

Bird has served as the Hays City Attorney since 1987, and has a civil practice with an emphasis on family law matters involving complex issues and large marital estates. As a Member of the Kansas Supreme Court Child Support Guidelines Committee from 1983-2012, Bird helped develop the Child Support Guidelines which have helped millions of Kansas children achieve regular and meaningful support.

Bird’s work with natural resources, especially water, has assisted Hays, Ellis County and Northwest Kansas establish secure and plentiful municipal water supplies and he heads the legal team working with various State agencies in developing a water ranch purchased 25 years ago to provide the region with reliable potable water for the next 100 years.

Bird has held numerous membership and leadership positions in public and private entities and charities, including Hays Arts Council, KOOD Public Television, Northwest Kansas Vocational College, Washburn University, Fort Hays State University, the Democratic Party and numerous conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy. Bird is a member of the Bar Associations of Ellis County and of Kansas, and the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association. He is admitted to practice law in the Courts of Kansas, the United States District Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Insurer pulls out of Kansas, Missouri health care exchanges

Posted on May 24, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City is pulling out of the federal health care exchanges in Kansas and Missouri next year because of mounting financial losses.

The company’s announcement Wednesday makes it just the latest insurer to drop out of the government-backed marketplaces that were a pillar of the Obama-era federal health care overhaul law. The nation’s third-largest insurer, Aetna, announced earlier this month that it will completely leave the exchanges for 2018.

Blue KC President and CEO Danette Wilson said in a statement that the company had lost more than $100 million on the exchanges through 2016 and described the losses as “unsustainable.” The exchanges began operating in 2014.

The release says about 67,000 members in western Missouri and eastern Kansas would be affected.

Federal indictments made for alleged crimes in southwest Kansas

Posted on May 24, 2017May 24, 2017

U.S. ATTORNEY-KANSAS

WICHITA – Three people were indicted Wednesday in federal court for alleged crimes occurring recently in southwest Kansas, according to to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Xavier Jauregui Larios, 33, of Durango, Mexico, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 10.7 kilograms of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 10, 2017, in Clark County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh is prosecuting.

Victor Irigoyen, 20, Garden City, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 4, 2017, in Finney County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh is prosecuting.

Victoria M. Carlile, 30, Liberal, Kan., is charged with counterfeiting $50 and $100 bills. The crime is alleged to have occurred in January 2017 in Seward County, Kan.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

Walker files for Hays school board

Posted on May 24, 2017

ELLIS COUNTY CLERK

Hays resident Michael S. Walker has filed for a position on the Hays USD 489 school board.

There are three school board positions open. Incumbent Lance Bickle, Hays, has also filed for re-election.

Filing deadline is Thu., June 1, in the Ellis County Clerk’s office, 718 Main, Hays. The general election for Kansas school and city offices is Tue., Nov. 7.

🎥 Cash For Grass, the warm-season kind

Posted on May 24, 2017

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Annual outdoor watering restrictions in Hays will begin Thu., June 1 and remain in effect through Sat., Sept. 30. Outside watering will be prohibited between 12 noon and 7 p.m., when evaporation is at its peak. The directive affects city water customers and those with private water wells.

One exception to the restriction is a watering permit for a lawn newly planted with warm-season grass.

“We’re just in our prime time for buffalo and Bermuda grass. The soil temperature is warming up,” said Jason Riegel, Hays Water Conservation Specialist. “That stuff likes the heat.”

The city is again offering a “Cash For Grass” rebate program.

The program will pay $1 per square foot up to $1,000 per property for the conversion of well-maintained cool-season grass to a less-water intensive type landscape. Artificial turf is eligible as well as xeriscaping with mulch and rocks, and warm-season grasses such as buffalo and Bermuda.

Buffalo grass, a species native to the High Plains, has many benefits. It needs 73% less water than cool-season fescue (seen extensively in Hays) thanks to its deep root structure. It also boasts less fertilizer and mowing needs than cool-season grasses.

Both residential and commercial properties may apply for the program. There are a few rebates available for properties using a private property well, according to Riegel.

“The first year of the program we didn’t allow private well users. But in the last couple of years we decided to allow a limited number. We definitely don’t see as much water savings, of course. We have no way of metering that water,” he explained.

Residents interested in the rebate program need to have their property pre-inspected.

“We’ll come by and talk, take some measurements and let you know how much you’ll be eligible for,” Riegel said.

More information is available on the city’s website, www.haysusa.com, or calling Riegel at (785) 628-7350.

Police: Missing Kansas woman may be with murder suspect

Posted on May 24, 2017

RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a fatal shooting and searching for a suspect.

On Wednesday also filed a missing person report for Cora Brown, 37, Manhattan. Cora is approximately 5 foot 3inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, according to police.

She may be in danger, and may be with Steven Harris, who has a warrant for his arrest on murder and attempted murder charges, according to police.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police received several 911 calls stating there had been a shooting on Nelson’s Landing in Manhattan.

When officers arrived on scene to the 2800 block of Nelson’s Landing, they found one male, identified as German Gonzalez-Garcia, 39, of Manhattan, dead from gunshot wounds.

A second man was found on scene, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was lifeflighted to Stormont Vail in Topeka in critical condition.

Officers developed a person of interest in the case, identified as Steven Harris, 38, Manhattan. Harris is approximately 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 145 pounds.
He has short brown hair, brown eyes, and has distinctive tattoos on his head and neck.

On Monday, the Riley County Police Department conducted an operation in the 600 block of Frey Dr. in an attempt to locate Harris. Officers were unable to locate Harris at that time.

Officers are also looking for a gold 2004 Buick Rendezvous that may be connected with the case.

Harris is considered armed and dangerous. If you locate Harris, DO NOT APPROACH, call 911. If you have information on his whereabouts, you can contact dispatch at 785-537-2112 or you can remain anonymous by calling the Riley County Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777 or 1-800-222-8477.