We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Month: May 2017

2 face trial in deaths of UN experts including son of Kan. family

Posted on
photo Courtesy WNDU

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Authorities in Congo say two suspects soon will face trial in the gruesome killings of two United Nations experts and their interpreter.

The bodies of American Michael Sharp, Swedish national Zaida Catalan and colleague Betu Tshintela were found in March after they went missing while investigating human rights abuses.

Sharp is the son of Hesston Kansas College Bible faculty members John and Michele Sharp.

The Congolese government later obtained a cell phone video showing them being killed. It blamed members of the Kamwina Nsapu militia that is active in central Congo’s Kasai provinces. At least 400 people have died in the region since August.

Military prosecutor Col. Odon Makutu Mwendele said Saturday two of the 16 suspects will face trial on war crimes charges including murder and mutilation. They also face charges of terrorism and supporting a rebel group.

There was no immediate Swedish response.

Police investigate 4 similar homicides on KC-area hiking trail

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City police say they are investigating whether four homicides along a popular hiking and biking trail are related.

Police said Friday no evidence has linked the deaths of four white men along the Indian Creek Trail system since last August. The men were between the ages of 54 and 67. Three of them were walking their dogs on or near the trail.

Spokeswoman Capt. Stacey Graves said in an email that detectives are aware of the similarities and are reviewing the possibility the cases are related.

The latest homicide occurred Thursday, when 61-year-old Mike Darby was found dead.

Indian Creek Trail stretches 26 miles between Jackson County, Missouri, in south Kansas City to Johnson County, Kansas, in Olathe.

Kansas woman dies after van hits guardrail, crashes into ditch

Posted on

NESS COUNTY – A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 8a.m. Saturday in Ness County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1993 Chevy passenger van driven by Cody Wayne Buller, 37, Dodge City, was north bound on U.S. 283 five miles south of Ness City.

The vehicle left roadway to the west, hit a guardrail and came to rest nose down in ditch on top of a culvert.

A passenger in the van Rosemarie Buller, 37, Dodge City, was pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Cody Buller to the hospital in Ness City.

They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

KBI and sheriff’s deputies find stolen property, drugs

Posted on
Novotny
Rick E. Novotny

BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug and theft charges.

Just before 7 a.m. Friday, May 19 deputies from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at  161 Southwest 10 Avenue,  south of the City of Great Bend, according to a media release.

Sheriff’s officers were looking for stolen property.

Upon entry to the residence, officers observed what appeared to be drug paraphernalia and controlled substances. Another search warrant was obtained for the drug violations. Deputies had to force entry into the residence and the sole occupant was taken into custody.

While conducting the search, deputies discovered a stolen motorcycle as well as other stolen property. Quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also seized. Multiple firearms were also found in the residence.

Search warrant
Search warrant executed at 161 SW 10 Avenue.

Sheriff’s detectives and agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation were still on the scene investigating until the late afternoon.

Arrested at the scene, was the resident, Rick E. Novotny, 59 of rural Great Bend. Novotny was transported to the Barton County jail and booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property and criminal use of a firearm.

Novotny is being held in the Barton County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and a K-9 officer from the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

Denny ‘Max’ Currey

Posted on

Kensington resident Denny “Max” Currey passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 78.

He was born in Norton, Kansas on March 6, 1939, the son of Lennie & Florence (Wilson) Currey. On Feb. 19, 1966, he married Sharilyn Struckhoff in Athol, KS. She survives of the home in Kensington, KS.

Also surviving are his son, Michael & wife, Angie, of Kearney, MO; brother, Joe Currey & wife, Patty, of Hays, KS, sister, Kathy Currey of Colorado Springs, CO; and 3 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Becky Saddler officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Athol, KS with military honors.

Mr. Currey will lie in-state on Sunday, May 21, from noon – 9 p.m. and again Monday, May 22, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Chapel in Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Kensington Community Store or the Smith County Memorial Hospital Building Fund.

Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Dale J. Brooks

Posted on

screen-shot-2017-05-20-at-10-48-14-amHays, Kansas – Dale J. Brooks, age 66, died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home. He was born July 18, 1950, in Logan, Kansas to Cecil and Irene (Meadow) Brooks. He married Marilyn K. (Brown) on June 6, 1970, in Prairie View, Kansas.

He was a barber and stylist at Continental Barber & Style Shop in Hays for many years and prior
to that he was at the Esquire Style Shop. He grew up in Logan, Kansas and was a1968 graduate of Logan High School. After school he attended the Wichita Barber School and has been in Hays since 1970. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church Hays, Kansas. Dale loved to hunt, his bird dogs, playing golf and tennis, until his health failed him. He enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s ballgames and spending time with is family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Brooks, of the home; three sons, Travis Brooks and wife, Nina, Impendence, MO; Corey Brooks, Hays, KS; Lance Brooks and wife, Brandi, Hays, KS; one daughter, Vanessa Clark and husband, Kevin, Abilene, Ks, four grandchildren, Harley Brooks, Hunter and Noah Clark, Peyton Brooks, and one on the way, Kaci Lynn Brooks; three sisters, Hilda Withington and husband, Bob, Tonganoxie, KS; Dorothy Crawford, El Dorado, KS; Becky Ubben, Phillipsburg, KS; his mother-in-law, Darline Brown, Logan, KS. two brothers-in-law, Bill Brown and wife, Nancy, Manhattan, KS; Larry brown and wife, Verda, Prairie View, KS; one sister-in-law, Rhonda Jacques, Wamego, KS; several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Max Dale Clark; his father-in-law, Walter Brown; a niece, Teresa Withington; and a brother-in-law, Brad Ubben.

Services are at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church 7th and Ash Street Hays, Kansas. A private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 and from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, at the First United Methodist Church Hays, Kansas.
Memorial are suggested to the Dale Brooks family.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Veterans representative in area cities June 7

Posted on

veterans affairsKS COMM ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

Hays Veterans Service Representative Douglas Storie of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs will meet with area veterans Wed., June 7, in WaKeeney, Ness City and LaCrosse.

The service is free for veterans and their families. Clients are seen on a first-come first-served basis. No appointments are taken.

Wednesday 7 June
WaKeeney Vet Cemetery 9-10:00 AM
Ness City Veterans Building 11-12 PM
LaCrosse Rush Co. Courthouse 1-2:30 PM

For more information contact:

Douglas Storie, VSR
Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs
207 E. 7th St., Suite C
Hays, Ks 67601
Ph: 785-625-8532
Fax: 785-650-0392
e-mail: [email protected]

Hays school board to take on bus, field lease Monday

Posted on

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Postusd489 rockwell

The Hays USD 489 school board will consider purchasing a bus for the early childhood program at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Rockwell Administration Center.

The new bus would cost $58,381. The school district was under budget with its other bus purchases this year by $35,000, and it would use that money toward the purchase of this bus.

An additional $15,000 would come from the early childhood program. The remaining funds would come from capital outlay.

Although the bus would be used to transport students for the preschool and Head Start programs, it also would be used at other times for busing small numbers of students in cases that a van would be too small and a large bus would be too large, said Superintendent John Thissen at the board’s last meeting.

The board also will vote on the lease agreement with Fort Hays State University on the use of the Lewis Field Stadium for Hays High football this fall.

The board was informed at its last meeting, game attendees would fall under the same rules as FHSU, which will include concealed carry beginning on July 1.

The district would pay FHSU $2,400 for each game played at the stadium under the agreement. The district has five home games and a scrimmage scheduled at Lewis Field during the 2017 season.

Also on the agenda for approval will be a $2,389 fire alarm testing contract, Kansas Educational Risk Management Pool property/casualty
insurance renewal and workers compensation bid.

In addition, the board will hear a presentation on the expansion of the Hays Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

The current revitalization area is about 200 acres; the revised plan would increase the area to 1,628 acres.

Elmer Brungardt

Posted on

screen-shot-2017-05-22-at-7-41-40-amElmer Brungardt, age 79, of Ellis, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. He was born January 13, 1938, in Hyacinth, Kansas to Bonaventure and Helen (Weber) Brungardt. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1956. On September 1, 1956, he married Norma (Senesac) in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Damar, Kansas.

Elmer was a pumper for various oilfield companies. He was a US Air Force veteran serving from 1957 until 1961. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Ellis Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree and a member of the Hays American Legion.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma of Hays; three sons, Dave (Joyce) Brungardt of Rosemount, Minnesota, Jerry (Mary) Brungardt and Mike (Jeanette) Brungardt all of Haysville, Kansas; three daughters, Sue (Duff) Watson and Connie (Rick) Brin all of Hays and Debbie (Daron) Watson of Montezuma, Kansas; a brother, Gilbert (Lorraine) Brungardt of Hays; two sisters, Anna Rita Weber of Hays and Helen “Jeanie” (Francis) Windholz of Victoria; eleven grandchildren, Amanda (Ramon) Lopez of San Antonio, Audra, Brandi and Nolan Watson of Hays, Rachel Brungardt of Kansas City, Cody, Cassy, and Cade Watson of Montezuma, Kaylee Brin of Hays, Justin and Brittany Brungardt of Haysville, and one great grandchild, David Lopez of San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edwin, Bonaventure “Sonny” and Anthony Brungardt; three sisters, Angela Kinderknecht, Esther Laws and Clara Walters and two grandchildren, Logan Watson and Monica Watson.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday, May 22, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis with burial to follow in the church cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be Sunday 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined rosary and parish vigil at 7 PM and Monday 1 PM until service time, all at St. Mary’s Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall or St. Mary’s School.
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

SCHROCK: Waltzing Matilda

Posted on
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.


As a middle school teacher many years ago, I remember breaking away from my science teaching. And I am proud I did. It was a middle school, where the classes moved as a whole group. I taught general science and my whole class came dragging in from social studies.

“What’s the matter?” I asked a rather forlorn student Matt, as he entered my classroom.

“We didn’t do very well on the test on Australia,” Matt confessed for his classmates. “But Mr. Church offered an extra credit point to anyone who knows what Australia’s unofficial national anthem is,” he continued.

“That would be Waltzing Matilda,” I suggested off-hand as I returned my attention to sorting my graded quizzes for handout.

As the bell rang, I looked up to find my room empty.  Books were on each desk, but there was not a student in the room.  I looked out my doorway. It was obvious where they had gone from the commotion coming from Mr. Church’s room down the hall.  A few steps more and I could look in his doorway: “Waltzing Matilda; one point for me too!” was the phrase on every students lips as they encircled Mr. Church’s desk.  He was busily recording each extra point in his notebook while his next class waited in their seats.  I returned to my room knowing my students would be back in half a minute.

They returned in a slightly better mood.  Several said “Thank you, Mr. Schrock!”  Each was individually grateful for the tip. They hustled to their seats. Several were muttering to each other: “Where can we find the words?”

“What words?” I asked.

“Mr. Church said that anyone who can sing Waltzing Matilda all the way through can get ten extra points!” they lamented.  “And we all did pretty bad.  We all need the ten points.”

Now they didn’t expect anything like that from me.  I was a straight-laced science teacher who is about as far from music teaching as you can get.  So, here I was, in front of my class, sitting on the edge of my desk, ready to start today’s lesson on respiration. Not one of my students suspected that there was only one song where I completely knew the words: Waltzing Matilda.  I scanned the faces of my 30 students, each expecting to learn about lungs and breathing.  I closed my textbook and slide it behind me.

“Okay class, today we will learn to sing Waltzing Matilda–all the way through.”

I can still recall the expressions, first of surprise and then joy, that flashed across every face in that next instant.  I am not a music teacher. And I do not suggest I can lead a class in choral singing.  But that day we took one whole period to learn it. 
Verse by verse I explained the words: “Once a jolly swag man, camped by a billabong….”  What is a swag man?  What is a billabong?

Waltzing Matilda is a quirky, wonderful song, reflecting Australia’s ex-convict history, the fate of a vagabond, and the burden of lugging a heavy knapsack or “matilda,” through the Outback.  I explained the meanings and had them sing each verse that I unfolded, all the way through “down rode the troopers, one, two, three.”

The next day, but one period earlier, I waited in the hallway, outside the door of Mr. Church’s social studies class as the bell rang and my students were seated in his social studies class. And they all gloriously sang together. The whole song.  All the way through. And they all got their extra ten points…as Mr. Church would later grumble to me.

But for the rest of that school year, that class and I had a special rapport.

They knew that I really cared about them.

A biology teacher doesn’t just teach biology; a teacher teaches students.

We are in an intellectual journey together.

And no state or national standards or assessments, nor my own daily class plan, should get in the way.
Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File