Fort Hays State University’s Forsyth Library, in conjunction with the Ellis County Historical Society and the Hays Public Library, will host the first “Heritage Harvest” event from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, May 20, at Forsyth Library.
The day-long event is dedicated to preserving family and community histories, creating opportunities to share the histories, and celebrating Ellis County’s past in anticipation of the sesquicentennial.
Staff from Forsyth Library, the Ellis County Historical Society, Hays Public Library, and volunteers will introduce local research opportunities and resources while offering informative sessions and hands-on workshops covering topics such as conducting genealogical research, preserving family heirlooms, and digitizing photos and documents.
Local historians and notables will also discuss Ellis County’s past during the panel and story swap.
Attendees are invited to share their letters, photographs, objects, and stories.
Opportunities will be available for attendees to share their research interests with each other and utilize library equipment to digitize personal photos and documents.
Throughout the day staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions about photos and heirlooms, as well as specific research questions.
Registration will be accepted through the event, and includes lunch and a flash drive.
Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
It’s the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. As the beautiful thoroughbreds race down in the track in the historic run for the roses, owners and fans cheer from the stands. In 2017, one of those owners was from rural Kansas. In fact, her Derby horse bears the name of a rural Kansas town.
Janis Whitham is the owner of this wonderful Kentucky Derby horse. Janis’s son Clay Whitham told us this remarkable story.
Janis grew up at Scott City. She met and married Frank Whitham who worked in farming, cattle feeding, and banking. The Whithams moved to Leoti and had five children.
In 1993, Frank Whitham was tragically killed in a private plane crash in western Kansas. Janis continued the family’s interest in horses.
“My mom is a horse lover,” Clay said. “My parents owned quarter horses in the 1960s, when a lot of county fairs had quarter horse races.” Their interest in racing led them to become interested in thoroughbreds. In the 1970s, the Whithams bought their first thoroughbreds, and they have developed their line of racehorses over time.
“Mom never wavered,” Clay said. “She has kept our horse activity going through the years.”
Clay got a double major from K-State in accounting and finance, and later got a master’s degree from K-State. He worked in business and in banking, and is now president of Frontier Bank in Lamar, Colorado.
“Mom still manages the horse breeding,” Clay said. “She looks at the pedigrees, looks at the traits, and picks the breeding lines we want.” The Whithams constantly work to improve their bloodlines. The horses are boarded in the heart of racehorse country in Kentucky.
“I think Mom gets as much enjoyment in raising the mares and foals as she does in racing them,” Clay said. “It is always fun to see the new foals and then to see how they grow.”
Another part of Janis’ job was to name the horses. In honor of her state, she has chosen to use Kansas place names. For example, a few years ago, the Whithams raised an excellent bay horse they named Fort Larned. That horse won three races, including the prestigious Breeders Cup in 2012.
In 2013, another outstanding foal surfaced among the high quality colts produced by the Whithams. Janis chose to name this colt McCracken after a rural town in Rush County. McCracken is a community of 209 people. Now, that’s rural.
However, a typo occurred somewhere in the process of submitting the horse name to the Jockey Club online and the last letter “c” was dropped from the name. As a result, the official name assigned to the horse was McCraken – M-C-C-R-A-K-E-N.
Whatever the name, this was one amazing horse. The Whithams used the same trainer and jockey they had used to win the Breeders Cup, and the horse developed quickly. He was described as a “closer,” because he tended to finish strong. The bay horse had four starts as a racehorse and won every race. His record was so successful that he qualified for the Kentucky Derby.
In the 20-horse field of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, McCraken finished eighth. Muddy conditions on the rain-soaked track probably did not help his performance, but he ran well.
“It was a neat experience,” Clay Whitham said. “The Kentucky Derby is the one event in horse racing that everybody knows. With grandkids and everybody, we had about 50 people there. Having a horse in there made you nervous, but it was enjoyable just to soak it in.”
It must have been especially rewarding to know that this was a home-bred horse. In other words, rather than simply buying a top horse at an auction somewhere, the Whithams bred and raised McCraken themselves.
It’s time to leave the Kentucky Derby, where a horse owner from rural Kansas saw her horse finish in the upper half of the world’s most famous horse race. We commend Janis, Clay and all the Whitham family for making a difference with homegrown equine entrepreneurship. By selecting names from her home state, Janis is making rural Kansas a winner.
Today A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Areas of fog before 1pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 57. North wind 13 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
SaturdayA 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph.
Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the evening.
SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 72. West northwest wind around 6 mph.
Sunday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
MondayA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
SALINA -Thursday’s storm brought heavy rain, large hail, high winds, funnel clouds and seven tornadoes to Kansas.
According to the National Weather Service there were two tornadoes in Barton County.
One was 3 miles north of Great Bend and another approximately one mile southwest of the city. Two were reported in Barber County, one in Pawnee County northwest of Larned, another south of the town of Seward in Stafford County
A tornado one mile west of the airport in Salina did the most damage.
The Salina Speedway, 2841 S Burma Road, reported heavy damage to buildings and track equipment. The roof of the press box had been partially blown off and the catch fence on the north side of the track was pushed over. Power line poles had also been broken off down Burma Road.
Tornado damage at Salina Speedway
Westar Energy reported 1200 Saline County customers without power following the storm.
In addition to the tornadoes, officials reported large hail responsible for most of the damage in Barton County.
The National Weather service reported hail across the state Thursday night. In addition, many communities reported street flooding and damage to trees. There were no injuries reported.
The cleanup will begin on Friday in preparation for more severe weather is in the forecast.
Mike Moustakas celbrates after hitting a 3-run homer. (Courtesy Kansas City Royals/Jason Hanna)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Danny Duffy tossed seven innings of three-hit ball, Mike Moustakas hit a three-run homer and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-1 on Thursday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Duffy (3-3) struck out a season-best 10 while walking two and earning his first win since April 14, against the Angels. Duffy had been 0-3 with two no-decisions in his last five starts.
Mike Minor handled the eighth before Kelvin Herrera surrendered a run in the ninth.
The Royals scored twice in the second off Jordan Montgomery (2-3) before Moustakas deposited his pitch into the bullpen in right in the fifth inning to break the game open.
BUTLER COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities have made an arrest in connection with the fatal hit and run near Andover early Saturday May 13, according to a social media report.
Authorities say it appears that a man was run over in rural Butler County and his body dumped six miles away
Detectives later found the missing clothing items and a cell phone in a ditch near the Andover YMCA. Sheriff Kelly Herzet says the man was last seen alive walking away from a nearby Arby’s restaurant just after midnight Friday.
Virginia Moore, 33, Augusta, is begin held in the Butler County Jail. The arrest and a successful conclusion to this case was the result of a tip from a citizen, according to the sheriff’s department.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Board of Regents says the University of Kansas must change one clause from its concealed weapons policy.
Kansas wanted to require anyone carrying a concealed handgun in a handbag, purse or backpack to keep those items physically with them at all times.
The regents voted Wednesday that the university needed to remove that clause.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the university’s policy will read “Each individual who lawfully possesses a handgun on any of the University campuses shall at all times have that handgun in the person’s custody and control.”
Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said the clause was meant to reduce the chance of accidental discharge or of others from gaining control of the weapon.
Critics, including the National Rifle Association, said the clause unreasonably limited guns.
SHERIDAN COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Sheridan County are investigating a reported vehicle theft and looking for a 1985 Cadillac Deville. It is blue, 4-door with Kansas plate 478DOH.
It was reported stolen from a rural farm house in southwest Sheridan County.
Officials asked the public to contact the sheriff’s department if they observe any suspicious activity or see this vehicle.
REPUBLIC COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issue a statewide Silver Alert for an 81-year-old man who is missing from Cuba, Kansas.
On Tuesday, May 16, Charles “CL” Adams, age 81, went missing from his home in the rural Cuba area of Republic County. Charles recently suffered a stroke, and his family has not heard from him since Tuesday.
Mr. Adams is a white male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with grey hair and hazel eyes. He weighs approximately 165 pounds. He was wearing overalls at the time he disappeared.
The Republic County Sheriff’s Office located Charles’ van, a white 2002 dodge caravan, in the area of K-148 highway, near his home. The Republic County Sheriff’s Office, numerous other state and local agencies, and volunteers have searched the area and found no sign of him. Authorities believe that Charles may have been picked up by a motorist and traveled outside of the immediate area. He could be confused or disoriented.
The Republic County Sheriff’s Office requests the public’s assistance locating anyone who may have seen Mr. Adams since Tuesday, or who has information regarding his whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Republic County Sheriff’s Office at 785-527-5655.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Work in the Kansas Legislature has stalled on a plan that would fully repeal past income tax cuts championed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
House and Senate negotiators failed to agree Thursday evening on a plan to raise taxes to fix the state budget and boost spending on public schools.
They reviewed a plan that would return Kansas to the income tax laws in place in 2012 before tax cuts touted by Brownback began. Rates would have risen and an exemption for farmers and business owners would have ended.
It was the most aggressive plan lawmakers have considered and would have raised $1.4 billion over two years.
Kansas faces projected budget shortfalls totaling $887 million through June 2019, and the state Supreme Court has ruled that education funding is inadequate.
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have dismissed charges against two Kansas men accused of plotting to kill people in Illinois.
Assistant Saline County Prosecutor Amy Norton dropped the charges Wednesday against 25-year-old Xavier Lewis and 22-year-old Xavier McCray, both of Salina. The Salina Journal reports the charges could be refiled.
The men were charged with conspiring with Alex Karcher to kill three people in Illinois. Charges were dropped in April against Karcher, who has been indicted Jackson County, Illinois, on allegations of being involved in a drug ring. McCry and Lewis were not indicted in Illinois.
A Carbondale, Illinois, police officer was wounded in the same time frame in which the men were accused of planning to travel to Illinois to kill three other men.
Marian E. Rohrbough, age 84, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on June 16, 1932 in Whiting, Kansas, the daughter of Howard Forshee and Esther Christian Miles Anderson. A resident of Leoti, Kansas since November of 2012 moving from Scott City, Kansas. She was a medical nurse for many years at Fort Lyon VA Medical Center in Fort Lyon, Colorado.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas.
Survivors Include her One Daughter – Earlene May of Gainsville, Texas; One Sister – Juanita Lewis of Kennewick, Washington; Two Grandsons – Tim May of Denver, Colorado, Shawn Rohrbough of Westerville, Ohio; Two Granddaughters – Donnell Atkinson of Gainsville, Texas, Traci Breckbill of Louisberg, Kansas; Seven Great Grandchildren; Three Great Great Grandchildren; Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, One Son – Terry Rohrbough, One Brother – Myron Anderson, One Granddaughter – Kelly May.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Memorials may be given to Donors Choice in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
A 21 year-old Missouri man was arrested following a chase that started in rural Ellis County and ended in Palco.
According to Ellis County Undersheriff Bruce Hertel, just after 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, a man reportedly stopped at a residence in the 2000 block of 240th Avenue and told the homeowner he was traveling to Colorado and wanted to stop and brush his teeth.
The homeowner denied access to the man and, suspecting something was suspicious, called law enforcement.
A Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper came across the vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 183. When the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, according to Hertel, the vehicle turned off on a country road and led the trooper and an Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputy on a chase that reached 120 mph.
Hertel said the man traveled across county to Ellis Avenue and north to Palco. Once in the city of Palco, the man’s vehicle hit a dip in the roadway and lost control of his car.
He then abandoned the vehicle and ran inside a residence in the 300 block of West Third Street in Palco, according to Hertel. He then jumped out a window of the house. There he was surrounded by the troopers and deputy. When he did not obey their commands, Hertel said they were forced to use a taser on the man.
The man was then taken into custody and booked into the Ellis County jail.
Hertel said the man’s identity is being withheld pending charges.
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