Month: May 2017
Jeffrey Patrick Mason
Jeffrey Patrick Mason was born March 17, 1963, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Arnold and Sharon (Hickman) Mason. He lost his courageous battle with pancreatic/liver cancer on April 28, 2017, in WaKeeney, Kansas. He moved to Anchorage, Alaska, as an infant in May of 1963. He grew up and received his education in Alaska. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and gold mining.
Jeff loved warm weather and eventually migrated to the southwest living in Arizonsa and later in Texas. After the death of his stepfather, Del Turner, Jeff moved to WaKeeney, Kansas, where he became the caregiver of his ailing mother until her death in November 2016. In recent years, he discovered wintering in Hawaii with his Auntie Phyl and made many friends there as well.
Jeff married Judy McKinley in 1982 in Peters Creek, Alaska, and has a stepson James McKinley. He later married Michelle Hare in Anchorage, Alaska, who gave him a son, Jeffrey on July 6, 1990. He married Genelle Bunney who gave him a daughter, Krystelle on March 28, 1993. He married Karen Oberg on April 7, 2002, who had three children, Eric and Toni Oberg, and Austin Gamez.
Jeff was associated with the KOA campground in WaKeeney and was a member of the Crosspoint Church there. Jeff loved life and was a jokester. He fought cancer with all his might never giving up until the very end.
Jeff is survived by his childhood sweetheart, caregiver, and fiance, Annette, his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren, two brothers, John of Petersburg, Alaska, and James, of Phoenix, Arizona, his “paw” son and sidekick of 14 years, Dooley, and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends who mourn his passing. His parents predeceased him within the past year.
The family wishes to acknowledge the medical community who treated Jeff and the people of Hospice who helped care for him in his final hours.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the cancer organization of your choice.
Court documents detail settlement for family of boy killed on Kan. waterslide
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Court documents say the family of a 10-year-old boy who died on a giant waterslide at a Kansas water park will receive nearly $20 million in settlement payments.
The Kansas City Star reports that $14 million of the payment to Caleb Schwab’s family will come from SVV 1 and KC Water Park. The two companies are associated with Texas-based water park company Schlitterbahn.
The rest of the money will come from the general contractor, the raft manufacturer and a company that consulted on the 17-story “Verruckt” waterslide that was dubbed the tallest in the world.
The waterslide at the park in Kansas City has been closed since Caleb’s death on Aug. 7, 2016.
The settlements were announced previously, but the amount involved wasn’t disclosed.
Dr. John L. ‘Doc’ Watson
Dr. John L. “Doc” Watson, 80, died Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, in Hays. He was born May 17, 1936, in rural southeast Kansas to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Watson. He was a graduate of Wayside High School, Kansas University and Emporia State Teachers College. He married his wife, Sheryl, in 1979.
He began teaching his first professional position at Lawrence High School. He later earned his PhD at Kansas State University and started his career at Fort Hays State University. During those early years, he led the youth Conservation Corp. He served a term as faculty senate president. He retired in 1998 at FHSU after 28 years. He was a member of Hays Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; a daughter, Leslie, of the home; a brother, Bill Watson and wife, Karen, Eureka; two sisters-in-law, Donna Watson, Sedan, and Gayle Lee, Reno, Nev.; a mother-in-law, Betty Lee, Oakley; two brothers-in-law, Rory Lee and wife, Cheryl, Oakley, and Jeff Lee, Bessemer, Ala.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Mark Watson; a niece, Carol Watson; a father-in-law, Robert Lee; and a nephew, Kody Krug.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. May 17 at Hays Christian Church, 22nd and Marshall, Hays, KS 67601.
Memorials are suggested to your local junior high school’s science department.
Condolence can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithleyfuneral [email protected].
Jimmy D. Kennedy
Jimmy D. Kennedy, age 74, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at The Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on November 29, 1942 in Scott City, Kansas, the son of Charles Ector and Forest Lula King Kennedy. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, he was a farmer and did contract labor.
He was a member of the First Christian Church in Scott City, Kansas and was a past member of the Scott City Shrine Club, Masonic Lodge and Scott City Golf Course.
On November 29, 1964 he married Peggy L. Chvilicek in Raton, New Mexico.
Survivors Include his One Son – James & Deanna Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, One Grandson – Cody & Tisha Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, One Granddaughter – Amanda Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, Three Sisters – Mary Lou Oeser of Scott City, Kansas, Joan & Scotty Showalter of Garden City, Kansas, Barbara Drew of Garden City, Kansas and One Sister In Law Dixie Kennedy of Danville, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Five Brothers – Charles Jr., Bobbie Lee, Duane, Max, Jerry, One Sister – Shirley Ann, and Two Nephews – Billy Kennedy and Johnnie Eitel.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Memorials In Lieu Of Flowers may be given to Jimmy D. Kennedy Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Inurnment will be in the Modoc Cemetery in Modoc, Kansas.
There will be no calling times.
Details on Hays/Ellis Co. Sesquicentennial events released
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays Convention and Visitor’s Bureau along with community partners have announced the schedule for the Hays/Ellis County Sesquicentennial July 20-23.
Hays, Ellis County and Fort Hays were all founded in 1867.
The summer celebration is to honor the area’s history.
“The collaboration and work that is going into putting this together is pretty amazing in and of itself,” said Sara Bloom, executive director of Downtown Hays Development Corp. “The DHDC is working with the CVB and city to really commemorate the history of city, and we look forward to celebrating with everyone.”
The events will kick off the night of Thursday, July 20 when the Hays Larks will take on the El Dorado Broncos at Larks Park.
Organizers hope to have a live gun fight with re-enactors at the pitcher’s mound.
Hedrick’s Petting Zoo and the Pride of Texas Carnival will be at the Ellis County Fair Grounds Thursday through Saturday nights.
Participants of all ages will be able to participate in the Ag Olympics at the Fairgrounds on Thursday night. This event has been resurrected at the fair after a long hiatus.
Events will include water trough relays and other ag-related fun. The entry fee will be $25 per team. There will be four different age divisions, including adults.
The Ellis County fair opens July 15, and the 4-H portion of the fair will open July 18.
For a full list of fair activities visit the fair website by clicking here.
The Hays Arts Council will host a special sesquicentennial art exhibit titled “A Place in Time,” which will open June 16 during the Summer Art Walk and run through mid August. It will include historical references and a replica of the iconic mural on the side of the historic Fox Pavilion Theatre.
The arts council also will feature a Pete Felten exhibit, which will include some of his limestone sculptures and models for the four two-ton limestone sculptures he was commissioned to create for the state capitol.
“In the history of this community, he is one of the community’s most important figures,” said Brenda Meder, Hays Arts Council executive director. “He is as an important icon as Cody, Custer or Hickok.”
The Hays Arts Council also will be sponsoring a coloring contest for area youth. More details on this will be announced at a later date.
The Sister Cities organization will sponsor an art show with a reception at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hays Public Library. It will feature pieces from Paraguay.
Friday night, Downtown Hays Development Corp. has added a Main Street Cruise to coincide with the annual Thunder on the Bricks Car, Truck and Cycle Show, which will be Saturday, July 22.
Bloom said she hopes car enthusiast in town for the show will cruise downtown, play some classic music and show off their classic vehicles.
The Jimmy Dee Band, a regional blues group, will play for the street dance, starting at 7 p.m. Friday at 10th and Main streets. The dance and all downtown events are free.
The Hays Cancer Council will have its annual 5K fundraiser at 7 a.m. Saturday downtown. Money raised from the event helps finance an assistance fund for people suffering from cancer in Hays. The fund assists with medical bills, medication costs and costs associated with transportation to medical appointments.
More on registration for the event will be released at a later date, but registrations will be taken up to and including the day of the event.
Events will conclude Saturday night with country artist Ned LeDoux, Chris LeDoux’s son, performing at the fairgrounds. Admission is free.
The Hays Ministerial Alliance will have a city-wide church service at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 23 at Municipal Park. Several community churches are canceling or shortening their services and encouraging members to attend the community event instead.
Other events Sunday include a free hot dog picnic sponsored by the city of Hays, inflatable bounce village, free museum visits at the Ellis County Historical Society Museum, a free swim day and a demolition derby at the fairgrounds.
Re-enactors from the Hays Community Theater will portray historical figures in costume Sunday at Municipal Park during the community picnic.
“This is a special date,” said Melissa Dixon, director of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We hope people will black it out on their calendars and bring their friends and family.”
For more information, visit downtownhays.com or visithays.com.
TMP to add FFA chapter this fall
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Thomas More Prep-Marian will be the first private school in the state to have an FFA chapter beginning this fall.
FFA, formerly Future Farmers of America, focuses on agriculture education.
Jay Harris was brought to TMP this school year to teach agriculture classes. Those classes included introduction to agriculture for junior high students and introduction to animal and crop production for high school students.
Mid-level courses will be offered next year.
“The junior high classes are geared to where food comes from. A lot of students in this generation think that food comes from a grocery store,” Harris said.
The students’ level of experience with agriculture have been mixed. Some students have grown up on farms, some students have grandparents or relatives who have farms, and some students have little experience with agriculture.
“The majority of the students have a least one parent that do something that has to do with agriculture, and the students didn’t realize it,” he said. “They work at HaysMed. Who are a number of their clients? Farmers. They work at Carrico Implement or they work at one of the coops. There are a lot of ag-related careers and jobs in this area.”
Harris and Principal Chad Meitner said agriculture is so prevalent in this area of the state, most careers are affected by agriculture.
“If you are a lawyer,” Meitner said. “you are probably going to have clients who are farmers.”
Harris said the formation of the chapter was student driven with a couple of dozen students expressing serious interest.
Jacob Schmeidler, sophomore, was one of those students.
Schmeidler’s father raises cattle and row crops in the Hays area. Jacob has been involved in 4-H throughout his childhood, including public speaking and livestock judging.
He has considered a career in large-animal veterinary, but is now leaning toward cattle embryology and breeding.
“In the ag classes this year, I have learned so much,” he said, “and it taps into the field that I want to go into.”
The networking opportunities that FFA will provide also will be valuable, Schmeidler said, adding he hopes the program will help him find a good college where he can pursue his career aspirations.
This summer students will attend the state FFA conference. The students will be charged with writing a constitution for the chapter.
FFA supports three arms of academic study. Those include classroom instruction, labs and supervised agriculural experiences or SAEs.
The SAEs have the students working on practical ag projects, such as raising livestock or having an experience in ag journalism.
United Way of Ellis Co. will have bake sale this weekend
United Way
The United Way of Ellis County and its 13 partner agencies will be having a bake sale on Sunday at Big Creek Crossing from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The partner agencies will also have booths providing information of services and volunteer opportunities. This is a new event for the United Way for showcasing partner agencies prior to the campaign kickoff.
The partner agencies of the United Way are:
Court Appointed Special Advocates
Catholic Charities
Cancer Council
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
American Red Cross
First Call For Help
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas
Girl Scouts
Hays Area Children’s Center
Options
PACT
United Cerebral Palsy
Western Kansas Association on Concerns for the Disabled
Center for Health Improvement will host annual Senior Health & Fitness Day
Hays Medical Center
HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement will host its annual Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 31, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The come-and-go program begins with registration/coffee and welcome at 8:15 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., Sam Horacek will lead participants through a “Strong and Steady” balance class. Kelly Flaska and the Center interns will take participants through a Senior Circuit Workout at 9:10 a.m. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Gail Jensen will relax the participants with a 20-minute Hatha/Yin Yoga demonstration. From 10 to 11a.m., participants can choose to jump into the pool with Kelly Flaska for Water Aerobics or join Taylor Jones and the Center interns for bingo/cards/trivia. A light lunch will be served to all participants with special presenter, Carmen Winter from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
There is no charge for registration. Participants can join all the activities or just attend one or two. Members and non-members are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring a jacket as individual comfort levels may vary.
National Senior Health & Fitness Day is organized as a public/private good health partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center. It is a program which offers fitness activities for older adults at more than 1,500 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments and other community locations. This national event is held annually on the last Wednesday in May as part of Older Americans Month.
“Older adults at all levels of physical fitness are encouraged to make fitness a goal for life,” said Taylor Jones, Wellness Specialists and Certified Personal Trainer of The Center for Health Improvement. “Our goal is to keep older adults moving at whatever age they may be; by showing them that it is never too late to set fitness goals and to make regular exercise a part of their life.”
Please RSVP by Friday, May 26, by calling 785-623-5900.
Northwest Kansas Knights recognized with Golden Spotlight recognition
DSNWK
Area northwest Kansas Knights of Columbus organizations are receiving recognition through Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas’ 50th Anniversary Golden Spotlight program for their continued support of people with developmental disabilities.
Every year, Knights of Columbus organizations from across the state conduct their annual Tootsie Roll Drives for the benefit of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which includes those served by DSNWK. For many years, the generosity of the Knights have allowed DSNWK to offer additional support to those we serve through a variety of ways.
One of those ways is DSNWK’s Consumer Medical Fund. This fund was established due to the contributions made through the K of C Tootsie Roll Drive. Thanks to the Knights, DSNWK has been able to assist individuals with disabilities with the cost of medical items and care that are not covered by Medicaid such as dental expenses and adaptive equipment.
“DSNWK truly appreciates the kindness and support from our area Knights!” the organization said in a news release.
The purpose of Golden Spotlight is to recognize 50 people, businesses or organizations for their contribution and dedication during Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas’ 50th anniversary. Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is a non-profit serving 18 counties and more than 500 individuals in northwest Kansas.
🎥 Community Connection: Laura Wilson PhD
Mike Cooper visits withe the curator of paleontology of the Sternberg Museum, Dr. Laura Wilson, about the museum receiving grants to help support projects at the museum.
Sunny, windy Thursday
Today Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 42. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 74. West northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday NightClear, with a low around 47. East wind around 6 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
SaturdaySunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday NightClear, with a low around 54.
SundaySunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 61.
MondayMostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Kansas lawmakers to resume talks on income tax increase
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are resuming negotiations over increasing income taxes to fix the state budget and provide additional funds for public schools.
House and Senate negotiators planned to meet Thursday morning after top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature canceled a vote on tax legislation for the second consecutive day.
Kansas faces projected budget shortfalls totaling $887 million through June 2019 and the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in March that state education funding is inadequate.
A proposal drafted by negotiators Tuesday but scrapped Wednesday would have rolled back past income tax cuts championed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to raise more than $1 billion over two years. It was drafted after a similar but smaller plan fell flat.
Democrats and GOP moderates complained that neither plan raised enough new revenue.