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Month: July 2017

Eddith Josephine (Jo) Deines

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Eddith Josephine (Jo) Deines, 87, Pharr, TX died Tuesday, July 11th at Amara Hospice Hospital in McAllen, TX.

She was born November 26, 1929 in Ransom, KS. Daughter of Nathaniel Starmer Jr. and Lila Hope (Hanks) Starmer. She grew up in California. Later she married Raymond Deines on September 11, 1949 in Mission KS at the Trinity Lutheran Church. She worked numerous jobs but her primary vocation was homemaker. She was an avid bridge player. She and Raymond played in numerous clubs including MasterPoint bridge at various locations. She was a member of the WaKeeney Chapter Gama Eta Nu and loved her sorority work. She always had a beautiful garden full of flowers and vegetables. She loved to dance and play cards with her family. She derived much happiness from her beloved pets.

Survivors include two sons: Ricky and wife Leta, Keith and wife Cheryl all of WaKeeney; three grandchildren Tyson Deines and wife Beth of Lawrence, KS, Sally Standard and husband Brett of Overland Park, KS, Casey Shepperd and husband Douglas of Lawrence, KS; two great grandchildren Lincoln and Leah McEntarfer of Overland Park and five step grandchildren Sophia, Joseph and Samuel Standard of Overland Park, KS, Brianna Riceweber and husband Isaac and Kiera Rice; she also had a great-great granddaughter Kaylee all of Seattle WA; and a sister-in-law Ruth Scott, and many nieces and nephews.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her two brothers Bill and Reid Starmer.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday July 28th at the Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS. Memorials are suggested in Jo’s memory to the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS, The Laurie P. Andrews PAWS Center, 2451 N. Expr. 281 Edinburg, TX 78541 or Food Pantry “Star of Hope” center of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 1108 W. Hackberry Ave, McAllen, TX 78501-4370.

Bernina dealer to host a BEAR-NINA Sew-In event Saturday

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BERNINA of America, the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines announced Sew Easy Stitch Lounge, a BERNINA store in Hays, will host a BEAR-NINA Sew-In event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the store located at 2506 Vine.

The dealer invites the community to the store to make stuffed bears that will be donated to children with rare diseases through the RARE Science program.

RARE Science is a non-profit organization that works globally with patient families and foundations to help aid in finding cures for children with rare diseases.

The event costs $8 and includes fabric, the bear pattern, fiberfill, special fabric feet and the registration tag.  Refreshments will be served. Registration is required as seats are limited.  To register, call 785-628-1001 or stop by the store.

 “We are so excited to invite the community into our store to enjoy sewing for a good cause,” said Annis Werth, owner of Sew Easy Stitch Lounge. 

Sew Easy Stitch Lounge is an authorized BERNINA Dealer which provides top-quality service to area residents.  The Dealer offers BERNINA sewing machines, software, and accessories, and also provides a variety of sewing, embroidery and quilting classes for people of all skill levels.  For more information, visit www.seweasystitchlounge.com

 About RARE Science, Inc.

RARE Science Inc. is a non-profit research organization that focuses on accelerating identification of more immediate therapeutic solutions for kids with rare disease by empowering patient families and lowering the barriers to rare disease medical research.

The RARE Bear Program is supported by the ever-growing RARE Bear Army of volunteers that span 15 countries and partners including BERNINA, The Quilt Show, Spoonflower, Mountain Mist and Simplicity that help make one-of-a-kind bears for special one-of-a-kind “rare” kids.

The RARE Bears are instrumental in worldwide patient community outreach enabling research for rare disease.  Each unique RARE Bear is matched to a child’s favorite hobby and colors and is identified by a unique serial number on the tag of authenticity.  For more information on RARE Science and the RARE Bear Program, visit https://www.rarescience.org, or contact [email protected].

Sentenced reduced for Kansas man convicted of attack on ex-wife

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DWERLKOTTE- photo KDOC

RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man convicted of sex crimes and serving a 22-year prison term saw the sentence reduced Wednesday.

Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers called Robert Dwerlkotte, 48, Hutchinson, a persistent sex offender after convictions of aggravated burglary and aggravated sexual battery. He has previous convictions in the 90s for Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child and burglary.

In May of 2007, police reported Dwerlkotte broke into his ex-wife’s home, laid down on the floor beside her bed while she slept and then jumped on top of her. He held her down and tried to convince her to have sex.

At sentencing, the defendant filed an appeal over the scoring of his criminal history.

The appeals court ruled that his criminal history score was improper even though the state had put in the complaint that the burglary involved a dwelling. So, his case came back to District Court for re-sentencing. The judge reduced the sentence to 14-years.

Even with the lower sentence, that doesn’t mean he will be set free at the end of that sentence. There is apparently a hold where he could be deemed a sexually violent offender. That would extend his time in custody.

Jesse James Larkins

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Jesse lost his courageous battle with a rare brain cancer at the age of 40, on July 17, 2017 at his home in Hays, KS. He was born the son of Jolene and James Larkins on September 9, 1976 in Belleville, KS.

Jesse graduated from Concordia High School in 1995. In 1997 he graduated from the mortuary science department at Kansas City Kansas Community College. He then earned his B.S. degree in Psychology from Fort Hays State University, the a B.S. in Justice Studies from F.H.S.U. and Masters degree in 2005 at F.H.S.U.

Jesse taught Justice Studies until May 2017.

Jesse was a successful businessman; he owned and operated 3 smoke shop businesses for the past 10 years.

Jesse was united in marriage to Laci Barratt October 25, 2012 at Estes Park, Co. They made their home in Hays where they were blessed with a daughter, Riley Elizabeth in 2008.

Jesse had a passion for golf which he shared with his step father Rod Crotinger, who raised Jesse from the age of 6 months.

Jesse could do anything with a little help from YouTube. He enjoyed cooking, landscaping/gardening, and remodeling his home.

In his free time he enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, cheering on the Denver Broncos, listening to Willie Nelson and playing fantasy football.

He is survived by his wife Laci and daughter Riley of Hays, KS. Mother Jolene Crotinger and step father Rod Crotinger of Concordia, KS. Two sisters, Tosha Larkins of Concordia, KS and Melody Adair & husband Derrik. Grandmother, Delores Deneault of Concordia, KS. And numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was preceded in death by his father James Larkins, grandfathers Harold Larkins and Levi Deneault.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father David Metz officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Nutter Mortuary 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Memorials are to Dreiling Schmidt Cancer Center – Hays, KS or to Hospice of Hays at Hays Medical Center.

Burial will be at St. Concordia Catholic Cemetery.

To leave online condolences, please visit [email protected]

Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. 6th St. Concordia, KS in charge of arrangements.

ACLU Wants Changes To Voter Registration Info on Kansas Website

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The ACLU of Kansas wants Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to change the wording about voter registration on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
STEPHEN KORANDA / KPR

By Stephen Koranda

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas says wording on a state website might leave voters confused about whether they’re eligible to cast a ballot. The group wants Secretary of State Kris Kobach to make changes.

At issue is information about Kansas’ requirement that new voters prove their citizenship with a document such as a birth certificate or passport. Court rulings say that requirement currently doesn’t apply to people who register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles or use the federal voter registration form.

The secretary of state’s office revised wording on the site after Kansas Public Radioand the Kansas News Service raised questions about inconsistencies.

ACLU of Kansas Legal Director Doug Bonney says those revisions are not enough. The ACLU has sent Kobach a letter asking for further action.

“They’re going in the right direction, but it’s still not adequate,” says Bonney. “It’s misleading and doesn’t take into account the court orders we have from both state and federal judges.”

In particular, the ACLU has a problem with a notice on the website. It says language included in the notice is strikingly similar to wording a federal judge previously said should be stricken from the page.

In October, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ordered that this language be removed from the secretary of state’s website:

“For elections that take place after the November 8, 2016, general election, it is at this time unknown whether you will be registered to vote depending on subsequent court rulings and should provide an acceptable form of proof of citizenship to your local county election office or to the Secretary of State to ensure future registration.”

As of Wednesday, a notice on Secretary Kobach’s site included the following language:

“In future elections, it is unknown whether you will be registered to vote depending on subsequent court rulings and should provide an acceptable form of proof of citizenship to your local county election office or to the Secretary of State to ensure future registration.”

Bonney says that language is too similar to what the judge ordered removed.

“It still makes it seem like no matter how you register you have to provide proof of citizenship,” Bonney says. “That’s inconsistent with our federal court rulings.”

The ACLU also is asking for changes on forms mailed to people who have registered to vote but who have not provided a proof of citizenship document.

Samantha Poetter, a spokeswoman for Kobach’s office, says it has received the ACLU letter but has no comment.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service.

Mary L. Bos

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Mary L. Bos passed away on Friday, July 14, 2017 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, Kansas at the age of 92. She was born on February 17, 1925 in Ellis County, Kansas to the late Charles and Louisa (Reedy) Dougherty. On August 5, 1943 she was united in marriage to Bud Corwin. Together they had four children, Evelyn, Lou, Connie, and Roger. Later, on March 18, 1963, she married Duane Bos and had her fifth child, Theresa.

Mary retired from the Osborne County Memorial Hospital in Osborne, Kansas where she worked doing one of her favorite things, cooking. She was especially famous for her pies and breads, as well as making ice cream. She enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, working puzzles, playing cards, bowling, and gambling. Around her home she liked sewing, crafts, and embroidery. She even made little doll beds out of clothes pins. She was a member of Osborne United Methodist Church, the VFW Auxiliary in Plainville and Osborne, and the United Methodist Women.

Mary is survived by her children Evelyn Pywell and husband Roy of McPherson, Lou Kriley and husband Ray of Stockton, Connie Allen and husband Bob of Hays, Roger Corwin of hays, and Theresa Earls and fiancé Rick Bourne of El Dorado; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Louisa Dougherty; husband Duane Bos; brothers James Dougherty, Philip Dougherty, and Richard Dougherty; sisters Ruth Edwards, Esther Wise, and Florence Wedel; and grandsons Jacob Corwin, and John David Wickham.

It is said that butterflies cannot see their own wings, therefore they do not know how truly beautiful they are, only others can see it. Mary is a perfect example of one whose true beauty of life and character were seen by all who knew her. And like the butterfly, she has been eternally transformed, found her wings, and now her spirit flies with her heavenly Father, forever.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Osborne United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow in the Osborne City Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Boil order in Ellis rescinded

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the public water supply in the City of Ellis located in Ellis County. The advisory included residents between Washington Street and Dorrance Street, and 10th Street and 12th Street, and was issued because of a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it is the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Ellis indicate no evidence of contamination, and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

Ellis County Sheriff’s Office activity log July 19

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July 18
Driving under the Influence, 300 block Fairground Road, Ellis, 10:58 p.m.

July 19
K9 – Deployment/Narcotics, 3400 block Vine St, Hays, 1:13 a.m.
Criminal Transport, 2:09 p.m.
Unattended Death, 100 block Arapahoe St, Schoenchen, 6:13 p.m.
K9 – Deployment/Demonstration, 1300 block Fairground Road, Hays, 8:15 p.m.

FHSU women’s golf inks two for 2017-18 season

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HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State women’s golf coach Rich Guffey has announced his signing class for the 2017-18 season. This year’s group includes two incoming freshman.

“These two players will be strong additions to our team,” said Guffey. “They both consistently posted competitive scores in high school, and we’re excited to see them bring their game to the next level. This addition gives our team a great chance to compete in years to come.”

Hays native Katie Brungardt will join the Tigers next season after an illustrious career at Hays High School. Brungardt earned All-State honors three times, including a runner-up finish her junior season. She helped the Lady Indians to a state title as a sophomore. Brungardt earned first team All-Western Athletic Conference honors all four seasons, was named the WAC player of the year as a senior, competed in the state tournament four times, won eight tournaments and finished in the top three 18 times during her time at HHS.

Danielle Gaspar begins her collegiate career by returning to familiar territory. Gaspar graduated from Twin Falls HS in Twin Falls, Idaho after attending Garden City (Kan.) HS for two and a half years. She helped the Bruins to a state championship in her only competitive season in Idaho. Gaspar qualified for the Kansas state tournament three times at GCHS, finishing second as a junior in 2015.

FHSU Sports Information

Jack Whitman leaves KU basketball team

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Forward Jack Whitman has decided to leave the Kansas men’s basketball program, KU head coach Bill Self confirmed Thursday. Whitman was a graduate transfer from William & Mary who signed with KU in early May and practiced with the Jayhawks throughout the summer.

“Jack called me last night and informed me that he would not be playing basketball at Kansas for his fifth year,” Self said. “I do not know what his plans are moving forward. All I know is he will not be part of our basketball program. We wish Jack the best with his future endeavors.”

As a redshirt junior during the 2016-17 season, Whitman (6-foot-9, 235 pounds) started 26 of 30 games for the Tribe and averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds. The Lexington, Kentucky, native led William & Mary in field goal percentage at 66.0 percent from the field and was second on the team with 34 blocked shots. Whitman was a redshirt in 2013-14 and played in a reserve role his freshman and sophomore seasons at William & Mary.

Investigation underway after Kan. police officer forced to shoot dog

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SEDGWICK COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident involving an officer-involved shooting of a dog.

Just after 7pm, police responded to a call at a residence in the 500 Block of North Ash in Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz during Thursday’s police briefing.

When they arrived at an alley, a dog charged one of the officers. The officer fired his weapon. When the dog charged a second time, the officers shot and killed the animal.

The officer was not injured. Police released no additional details.

Woman dies after ejected in violent Kansas rollover crash

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SEWARD COUNTY – A woman died in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Seward County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Eddie E. Estes, 39, Liberal, was westbound on Road 13 three miles southeast of Kismet.

The SUV struck a deer in the roadway and traveled into the north ditch. The driver over-corrected across the center line and entered a field on south side of roadway.

When the driver attempted to pull back onto roadway, the SUV rolled once, flipped end over end, rolled two more times and a passenger identified as Lorrie D. Honea, 44, Turpin, Oklahoma.

Honea was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miller Mortuary. Estes was not injured. Honea was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

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