July 2017 – Page 49 – Hays Post Archive

One Kansas Senator supports revised Senate health bill

Posted on July 13, 2017July 13, 2017

Floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday as discussion centered on a healthcare replacement bill-photo CSPAN

WASHINGTON — The Latest on the Republican effort to replace the Obama health care law (all times local):

The United States Senate released a revamped Republican health care bill Thursday, and it seeks out conservative support by letting insurers sell low-premium policies with skimpy coverage.

The bill is aimed at repealing much of President Barack Obama’s health law. But the GOP plan remains in deep jeopardy because of divisions within the party.

Kansas Senator Pat Roberts supports the changes to the revised draft. In an email he said, “Kansans are losing choices in care, and their costs and premiums are still rising. If we are going to finally reverse the damage of Obamacare – we must act.

“I will support a motion to proceed. To amend and improve the bill, you have vote to get on the bill, which is the only way to begin the process of addressing Obamacare’s failures and making further improvements on behalf of our nation’s health care.

“Since the first draft was released, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I have continued working with Senate leadership to make further improvements to lower the cost of care, ensure Kansans have more coverage options, and to support providers in rural areas.

“Kansans don’t like mandates or taxes. This bill rolls back both.”

Senator Jerry Moran has yet to make a comment on the bill. It’s unclear whether the measure will survive a showdown vote next week.

The revised legislation includes added money for states to help insurers curb consumers’ increasing premiums and out of pocket costs. And it has $45 billion to help states combat drug abuse.

The bill retains a plan to cut Medicaid, the health care program for the poor. GOP moderates have fought to ease those reductions.

Kan. home in padlock case prompted by 84 police calls is sold

Posted on July 13, 2017

The home in question at 2415 SW Beverly google image

SHAWNEE COUNTY- The owners of a Topeka home involved a “padlock” case decided to sell the residence in the 2400 Block of SW Beverly and settle their difference with the city.

After police were involved in 84 incidents at a home including many involving drugs, the Topeka City Attorney announced June 22, the city was going to court to “padlock” the residence for up to two years.

The owners of the property, Randy and Peggy Patton responded swiftly once the lawsuit was filed by finding a buyer for the property and asking the residents to go elsewhere, according to a media release from Topeka City Attorney Lisa Robertson.

The Pattons agreed to a payment of $10,000 to the city, secured the home, cleaned up the yard, and submitted documentation of the sale of the property. Since all city utility payments were current, the city agreed to dismiss the case against the Pattons.

This was the first ever nuisance abatement case in Topeka, commonly referred to as a “padlock” case, is authorized under Kansas statutes when real or personal property is being used to carry on certain types of unlawful activities.

Kan. man jailed after samurai sword confrontation with police

Posted on July 13, 2017

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on numerous charges after a confrontation with police.

Just before 5:30 Wednesday, police were dispatched to the Econo Lodge, 636 Westport in Salina. The desk clerk told police that a man identified as 27-year-old Ngamo Debo wielding a samurai sword broke a computer monitor and a cordless phone in the lobby, according to Police Sgt. Brent Rupert.

Debo allegedly squared off with police in the parking lot. He was asked to drop the weapon but began approaching the officer, allegedly waving the sheathed sword. Sgt. Rupert said the officer pulled out his Taser, again instructing Debo to drop the weapon.

To defend against the Taser, Debo grabbed a trash can, using it as a shield. Sgt. Rupert said that the officer deployed the Taser when Debo lowered the trash can but it was not effective.

A backup officer finally tackled Debo. Police booked him into the Saline County Jail for criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and obstruction. Sgt. Rupert said Debo has no known address.

Thelma Yehle Jennings

Posted on July 13, 2017

Lifelong Wallace County resident Thelma Yehle Jennings departed this life on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, KS. She was 93 years old.

Thelma was born February 23, 1924 to William and Nina Trusler Yehle, south of the Fort Wallace Cemetery on what was the old Fort Wallace Military Reservation. She was the next to the youngest of six children.

Thelma attended all twelve years of school in Wallace and graduated in 1942. On May 24, 1942, she was united in marriage to Wayne E. Jennings in a civil ceremony at the Wallace County Courthouse. Wayne and Thelma lived with his parents Earl and Mabel Jennings on their farm until Wayne was drafted into the Army in July of 1942. Thelma continued to stay with Wayne’s parents while he was away serving his country.

Wayne finished his tour of duty in 1946. Wayne and Thelma then moved to their farm on Rose Creek and started their family. Together they raised four girls; Judy, Jolene, Janice and Wanda on the farm. Thelma was actively involved with the farming and ranching all of their married life.

Thelma enjoyed raising chickens and a garden. One of her goals was to have fresh fried chicken and fresh tomatoes by the fourth of July.

After her girls were older, Thelma helped with the lunch programs at the Sharon Springs and Wallace Schools. Thelma also cooked for Rotary, and at Prairie Village in Sharon Springs.

Thelma was involved with the Senior Center in Sharon Springs. She was elected president of the Senior Center and was president for several years. She helped plan programs for the Center and helped organize the monthly potluck meal served at the Center.

Thelma became the curator of the Fort Wallace Museum in 1988, and held that position until 2012. Thelma was exceptional as a curator of the museum. She liked to meet new people and because she was born and raised in the community, she retained a wealth of information about the people, places and happenings of Wallace County. She retired as curator of the Fort Wallace Museum at the age of 88.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Wayne, her mother and father-in-law, son-in-law Donnie Teichmer, three brothers, two sisters, one half brother and two grandchildren, Barry Stockamp and Jill Berry.

She is survived by her four daughters; Judy Berry of Sharon Springs, Jolene and Duane Letellier of Tupelo, Oklahoma, Janice and Henry Dinkel of Sharon Springs and Wanda and John Fixsen of Sharon Springs. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; Cory Jennings, Ward Stockamp, Thayne and Tristan Teichmer, Sara Ziegler, Lindsay Hartman and Ellen Fixsen; seventeen great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Thelma will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Memorial services for Thelma will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Sharon Springs Senior Citizen’s Center and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral service arrangements are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Carol Mae Auten

Posted on July 13, 2017

Carol Mae Auten, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas.

She was born on August 15, 1928 in Shields, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence T. “Pete” and Mary Sharp Hutchins.

A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the First Christian Church, PEO and Alpha Omega Sorority all of Scott City, Kansas.

On September 14, 1947 she married Kay D. Auten in Scott City, Kansas. He passed away on July 11, 1998 in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her Two Daughters – Jana & Fred Brittan of Scott City, Kansas, Dana & Rod Gardner of Hot Springs, Arkansas,
Two Grandsons – Rich & Cathy Brittan of Springfield, Missouri, Lance & Cami Brittan of Severance, Colorado, Three Granddaughters –
Lindsey Welliver of Silver Lake, Kansas, Amie Gardner of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Courtney & Drew Norman of Colombia, Tennessee,
Three Great Grandchildren – Madison Brittan & Morgan Brittan of Severance, Colorado, Grayson Hallerberg of Silver Lake, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband – Kay Auten and Three Brothers – Calvin Hutchins, Eugene Hutchins & Tom Hutchins.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Scott City, Kansas with Steve Payne presiding.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to First Christian Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

State Workers Object To ‘Hyperpartisan’ Email From Brownback Administration

Posted on July 13, 2017July 13, 2017

By JIM MCLEAN

Complaints from several workers at the Kansas Department for Children and Families alerted the Kansas Organization of State Employees about an email sent by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration that criticizes the Legislature’s decision to raise income taxes.
CREDIT FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

The head of an organization that represents Kansas state employees is criticizing Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration for using a state agency to deliver a political attack on the Legislature.

Robert Choromanski, executive director of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said it was inappropriate for the administration to send an email to employees of the Kansas Department for Children and Families that criticizes lawmakers for raising taxes.

“It was such a hyperpartisan email,” Choromanski said, adding that politics belongs on the campaign trail, not the inboxes of state employees.

Choromanski said complaints from several KOSE members who work for DCF alerted him to the email, which he shared Tuesday with several legislators and media outlets.

Read the email sent to state employees by Gov. Sam Brownback’s communications director.

“They were appalled that they (the administration) would be so political,” he said.

The email, written in the form of a memo with a subject line of “Smaller paycheck, bigger government,” also went to a general audience, including the media.

Written by Melika Willoughby, communications director for Brownback, the memo stated: “The 2017 legislative session is now over, but the pain to your pocketbook is just beginning. This legislature made history to the tune of a $1.2 billion tax hike on working Kansans.”

The memo went on to say that “spend happy” lawmakers misled the public by saying the tax increases were needed to address shortfalls of more than $900 million in this and next year’s state budgets.

“That is simply false,” it states. “They chose to spend brand new dollars, more than $200 million, on a legislative wish list.”

That wish list included $26 million to provide raises for state employees — their first across-the-board pay increase since 2008.

“State employees thought the governor’s office would maybe be more positive about the budget and pay raises,” Choromanski said. “Instead they decided to take a hyperpartisan turn and basically attack state employees indirectly.”

Despite having concerns about “excessive spending,” Brownback signed the budget the day before the memo was sent to avoid disrupting core functions of government and because he said it provided state workers with “well-deserved pay increases.”

The bill authorized $6.3 billion in state general fund spending in the current fiscal year and $6.6 billion next year.

Willoughby defended the memo, saying in an email Tuesday that state workers “deserved to know” how the tax increases would affect them.

“Many state employees will actually see their paychecks decrease due to the legislature’s historically large tax hike of $1.2 billion,” Willoughby said.

Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of kcur.org, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks.

Mary Hammond joins Fort Hays State University Foundation

Posted on July 13, 2017

FHSU University Relations

The Fort Hays State University Foundation announced today that Mary Hammond has joined its staff as a director of development. Hammond will work primarily to raise funds for Fort Hays State’s College of Education.

“I am excited for this opportunity in representing Fort Hays State University, the College of Education and the Foundation,” said Hammond.

“I have great pride in all aspects of the university and I enjoy sharing with others the progress being made. I appreciate the Foundation giving me this opportunity and I look forward to being a representative of the university,” she said.

As one of the Foundation’s directors of development, Hammond is responsible for raising endowment, capital, and other financial support to meet the funding needs of the university. Fort Hays State is currently in the midst of its largest fundraising campaign in school history. The Journey Campaign seeks to raise $100 million to support scholarships, programs of distinction, student life and athletics.

“Mary’s drive and focus on the College of Education will help students and faculty throughout the college,” said Dr. Paul Adams, dean of the college.

“The addition and support of funds for scholarships through the Foundation is critical to our students being able to focus on their studies – and to become some of the best teachers in Kansas,” he said. “Mary will help us reach out to our alumni and the community to support future teachers and support college initiatives and innovations.”

Private support through the FHSU Foundation helps engage current and past students through on-going programs such as the Young Readers Conference and the Educational Law Symposium. Gifts also play an important role in recruiting and retaining teachers through the Tiger Teacher Nation.

Hammond brings a true passion for Fort Hays State and an extensive background in public relations. Through her volunteer work, Hammond has successfully raised funds for Kansas Court Appointed Special Advocates and for the Kiwanis. Hammond was honored as a Covenant Builders Hometown Hero earlier this year for her community involvement and leadership.

“I look forward to having Mary join our team at the Foundation,” said Jason Williby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation.

“Her enthusiasm for the College of Education’s philanthropic goals and her contagious charisma will help us grow the scholarship opportunities for tomorrow’s Kansas teachers,” he said.

Hammond will begin on Monday, July 17.

Established in 1945, the FHSU Foundation is committed to cultivating lasting relationships with alumni, friends, corporations and other organizations who have a passion for Fort Hays State University and who want to continue its legacy of excellence. As an independent, non-profit organization, their donors have an impact on all facets of university life, and their support continues to translate into success for students and the FHSU learning environment.

HPD Activity Log July 10-12

Posted on July 13, 2017July 13, 2017

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 11 traffic stops Mon., July 10, 2017, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Burglary/vehicle–400 block W 20th St, Hays; 1:12 AM
Welfare Check–300 block W 21st St, Hays; 2:02 AM
Animal At Large–1200 block E 31st St, Hays; 8:10 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–300 block E 8th St, Hays; 7/7 5 PM; 7/10 8 AM
Civil Dispute–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 7/3 6 AM; 10 PM
Animal At Large–100 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:31 AM
Found/Lost Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 7/7 6 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block Fort St, Hays; 12:20 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:16 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:14 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–800 block E 11th St, Hays; 7/7 5 PM; 7/10 1:45 PM
Dead Animal Call–27th and Hickory, Hays; 2:09 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:48 PM; 2:50 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run, Hays; 2:53 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:15 PM
Animal Call–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 4:21 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 4:52 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block E 28th St, Hays; 6:15 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 7:52 PM
Suicidal Subject–1600 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 10:19 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–700 block Main St, Hays; 7/11 12:22 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and 15 traffic stops Tue., July 11, 2017, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental Health Call–600 block E 15th St, Hays; 12:56 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 10th St, Hays; 4:58 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2000 block E 21st St, Hays; 7/10 7 AM; 7/11 7 AM
Dead Animal Call–18th and Vine, Hays; 7:59 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:54 AM
Theft (general)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7/3 12 PM; 7/11 8 AM
Theft (general)–1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 7/7 7 PM; 7/10 5 PM
Drug Offenses–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:03 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1600 block E 29th St, Hays; 3:02 PM
Dead Animal Call–1300 block Haney Dr, Hays; 3:10 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1800 block E 25th St, Hays; 3:24 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–700 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:23 PM
Found/Lost Property–200 block W 13th St, Hays; 6:54 PM
Dead Animal Call–22nd and MacArthur, Hays; 7:43 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 13 animal calls and 14 traffic stops Wed., July 12, 2017, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Welfare Check–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 1:32 AM
Suspicious Activity–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 2:11 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block W 20th St, Hays; 12:30 AM; 6:06 AM
Animal At Large–2700 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 6:43 AM
Animal At Large–4600 block Roth Ave, Hays; 7:30 AM
Animal At Large–1700 block Hall St, Hays; 8:21 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 18th St, Hays; 9:18 AM
Animal At Large–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:33 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–300 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:48 AM
Animal At Large–Main St, Hays; 10:27 AM
Animal At Large–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 11:17 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1700 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 12:39 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 12:53 PM; 12:56 PM
Water Use Violation–2700 block Fort St, Hays; 1:12 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2400 block Vine St, Hays; 4:29 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1200 block Motz Ave, Hays; 4:29 PM
Battery – Domestic–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 6:06 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 6:18 PM
Mental Health Call–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 8:23 PM
Water Use Violation–500 block E 7th St, Hays; 9:13 PM
Unwanted Person–2500 block Felten Dr, Hays; 9:23 PM

St. Joseph Catholic Church launches new app

Posted on July 13, 2017July 13, 2017

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

St. Joseph Catholic Church is making a new venture into the tech age.

St. Joseph, which has 775 families, released a church app this week that not only allows parishioners to seek online news but to make their tithes online.

WeShare allows parishioners to schedule reoccurring tithes or a one-time donation from their bank accounts or credit cards. Parishioners can also donate to special missions or projects such as the food pantry or the rectory renovation project.

Parishioners can also access WeShare at https://stj-church.weshareonline.org/.

The app was built by Liturgical Publications Incorporated and is a new trend in religious life.

Millennials as well as older adults are connecting more through smartphones, and the app gives parishioners another way to connect to the church, Kevin Rupp, St. Joseph administrative assistant, said.

One of the first things that drew the church to the app was its ability to offer daily readings and connect liturgical ministers on mobile. The app allows liturgists to look up their readings for mass and find subs if they need them.

It also includes pictures of staff, mass times, contact information and the parish’s bulletin.

Rupp said the app will allow the parish to get news to its parishioners faster.

Now the bulletin has to be sent out of for publishing and is available to the parish on Sundays. With the new app, news can be published on the parish’s website or app immediately.

The app has a prayer request button that will send out requests to all of the parish’s prayer warriors.

The church will continue to have its regular printed bulletin, and Rupp said he doubted online giving will make the collection plate obsolete.

Although the apps the company St. Joseph has been working with have been for Catholic churches, Rupp said he thought other congregations would likely move to their own apps as well.

The app is so new the church has not received much feedback yet, but the little it has received has been positive, Rupp said.

The new app can be downloaded for free. For iPhones, text stjoehays01 to 555888. For Android, text stjoehays02 to 555888.

Information on the app and WeShare can also be found on the parish’s website or Facebook page.

Kan. man charged with attempted arson; brought gas cans inside house

Posted on July 13, 2017

RENO COUINTY — A Kansas man has been formally charged for allegedly attempting to set a fire and threatening the homeowner with a screwdriver.

Joseph Burton Jr., 52, Hutchinson, is now charged with attempted arson for bringing containers of gasoline into the residence with the intent to start a fire. He failed in that attempt.

He is also charged with threatening the homeowner with a screwdriver and criminal threat for threatening to burn the house down.

While Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen started to set the case for a waiver-status docket, the Regional Public

Defender’s Office was assigned and immediately requested a date be set for a preliminary hearing.

Irene Rose (Pelzel) Bollig

Posted on July 13, 2017

Irene Rose (Pelzel) Bollig, 100, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, after having lived a long and wonderful life.

She was born on October 29, 1916 in Catharine, Kansas the daughter and one of eleven children of Leo and Sophie (Staab) Pelzel. She attended school in both Hyacinth and Catharine through the 8th grade, and was an accomplished life-long student in her roles as a loving wife and mother, homemaker, friend and caregiver to her family and anyone in need of comfort. Her children share fond memories not only of her wonderful meals and desserts, but also her championship games in Pinochle, Sequence, and Scrabble, as well as a cherished collection of many quilts, lace, crafts and needlework lovingly made by hand. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was a 64 year member of the Daughters of Isabella.

Irene found her dance partner at the Gala Gardens, and was united in marriage to William A. “Bill” Bollig on September 9th, 1940 in Catharine. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before Bill’s passing in 2008.
At age 19, she ventured from the family farm to Hays and was employed at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Motz- the editor of the Hays Daily News, where she did housekeeping and some cooking in return for room and board. Irene worked as a Nurse’s Aide at St. Anthony’s Hospital for 25 years. After retiring, she regularly visited patients to read to them and delivered mail, and made crafts and sold items in the hospital gift shop.

She is survived by her brothers Bill and James Pelzel, a sister Marie Mermis, her children Dennis (Mary) Bollig of Delta, Co, Bill (Judy) Bollig of Poplar Bluff, MO, Sue Bollig of Sacramento, CA, and Arlin (Jodi) Bollig of Tempe, AZ as well as seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William A. Bollig, her sisters Beatrice, Alice, Clara, Edna and Frances, and her brothers Leo and Alphonse.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street. Private family inurnment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time and a Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 10:30 am, all on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the local Catholic Charities, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

The family of Irene Bollig wishes to thank her niece Diana Darnell and nephew Leon (Sonny) Pelzel for their steadfast care and friendship. Additionally we thank the professionals and staff of Hays Medical Center Hospice and Brookdale Senior Living.

🎥 You and Your Young Child – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Posted on July 13, 2017

Kansas third-grade teacher arrested on suspicion of dealing cocaine

Posted on July 13, 2017

Jones-photo Enders Open Magnet Elementary School.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a third-grade Wichita teacher has been arrested on suspicion of being a drug dealer after a two-month investigation.

Booking records show Heather Jones, a 48-year-old teacher was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on Tuesday. Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Lt. Lin Dehning says she was arrested on suspicion of seven counts of cocaine distribution. She is being held on $57,500 bond.

Wichita School District spokeswoman Susan Arensman says she is a teacher at Enders Open Magnet Elementary School. The school’s website lists her as a third-grade teacher there.