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Month: July 2017

Ellis County fire crews called to two fires Wednesday

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County fire crews responded to two fires Wednesday, including one on Interstate 70.

The first fire was reported on Interstate 70 at mile marker 167. Ellis County Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said when crews arrived, they found a semi and a flatbed trailer on fire. The fire was contained to the back half of the semi, and Myers said crews were able to save the cab of the truck.

Because of the location of the fire, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office was forced to close the interstate and reroute traffic onto Old Highway 40 for approximately 15 minutes.

Myers said the most likely cause of the fire was a mechanical malfunction.

On Wednesday evening, crews were called to a second fire to 330th Avenue southwest of Victoria.

Myers said when crews arrived on scene, they found a tractor that was fully engulfed. The tractor was considered a total loss, according to Myers. It was attached to a mowing implement, which might have also sustained damage.

The cause of the fire was undetermined.

Kansas woman hospitalized after UTV rolls

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SALINE COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.

The Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan reported a 2017 Polaris Ranger UTV driven by Cherielynn Mahoney, 22 Salina, was traveling near Gypsum Valley Shooting Sports in the 7200 Block of South Niles Road.

The  driver took a sharp turn, the UTV rolled and pinned passenger Katrina San Nicolas, 21, McPherson, according to Soldan.

First responders transported San Nicolas to Salina Regional Health Center for a broken leg.

Mahoney was not injured.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Jerry’s Choice

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Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah, offering each the bloom or blight,
Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the sheep upon the right,
And the choice goes by forever ‘twixt that darkness and that light.
— James Russell Lowell, “The Present Crisis” (1844)

Memorialized as an iconic hymn and used by the NAACP in 1910 as inspiration for its newspaper, “The Crisis,” Lowell’s powerful words should not be used lightly in addressing the issues of the day. Still, his verse focuses our attention on decisions made by those in power at critical junctures.

Burdett Loomis, Professor, Political Science, College of Liberal Arts and Science

Without question, these words apply directly and profoundly to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran in July, 2017. Never in his three decades of public service has the senator faced a more important choice than his vote on the bill to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act.

Of course, this vote is important in determining the ultimate fate of the ACA. But Moran’s decision may be even more important in determining the ultimate assessment of his overall Senate career. Will he forever be a safe GOP vote, with modest impact, as was the case with Sam Brownback? Or will he be a legislator of real consequence, like Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum, or Frank Carlson?

Great legislators are not born, but made. Dole is widely and rightly remembered for his 15 years in leadership between 1981 and 1996. But his early Senate years, while dotted with some significant accomplishments, such as working with George McGovern to pass the initial food stamp law, scarcely indicated that he would become one of the Senate’s great lawmakers.

One can argue that Dole, Kassebaum, and Carlson served in a different, less partisan era. True, to a point, but Dole’s strong, even virulent, partisanship was balanced by an overriding desire to pass legislation – especially on major issues like Social Security, tax reform, and disability rights. To that end, he often worked effectively with that great Democratic partisan and legislator, Ted Kennedy.

Jerry Moran’s willingness to challenge his party leaders and president stands out because he has rarely taken such a step. Nevertheless, as a House member in 2003, he did oppose Medicare D, a poorly designed drug bill. On policy grounds he was right, but his vote earned him the lasting enmity of Speaker Dennis Hastert. In that sense, he took a major stand and reaped the consequences.

The American Health Care Act (ACHA) is a far more pernicious proposal than Medicare D ever was. To his credit, Senator Moran is one of only two GOP senators to face his constituents in public meetings this week as he wrestles with how to vote on whatever the final bill will be.

If he stays the course and opposes this legislation, he will, like Senator Kassebaum, provide some cover to other, wavering Republican senators. This is how power, influence, and respect can accumulate. Such a course of action is not electorally risk-free, but Moran has five years to work on behalf of Kansans to improve their health care.

Legislating is not easy, but that did not dissuade his noteworthy Senate predecessors. In visiting with Jerry over the next few days and weeks, we should encourage him to continue to exhibit the independence and (as he likes to call it) common sense that Kansans expect, appreciate, and deserve. Echoing James Russell Lowell, this is his time and our nation.

Burdett Loomis is a professor of political science at the University of Kansas.

Police: Suspect used baseball bat in Kansas robbery

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Location of Thursday morning robbery adjacent to a popular shopping area in Topeka-Google image

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.

Just before 6 a.m. Thursday, police responded to report of robbery in the 1500 Block of SW Wanamaker in Topeka, according to a media release. The suspect described as a black male in his 20s wearing grey clothing and a ski mask entered the store with a baseball bat and demanded money.

The clerk gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect left on foot eastbound from the north side of the business.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact Topeka police.

FHSU-sponsored blood drive Friday

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ARC

Fort Hays State University and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today! Walk-ins are also welcome!

Drive Details:
Site: Comeau Campus Center
Address: 506 W. 6th, Comeau Campus Center, Hays, KS, 67601
Room Name: Activity Center
Date: Fri., Jul 7, 2017
Time: 11:30 AM – 5:15: PM
Coordinator Name: Bill Dinkel
Coordinator Phone Number: 785-656-4202
Click here to make an appointment

The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives. Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply.

The Hays Taco Shop, 333 W. 8th, is generously donating a coupon for a free taco for all who present to donate at this drive.

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, get rewards and invite friends to join you on a lifesaving team.

Verlene Lucille Mohler

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Verlene Lucille Mohler, age 98, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on June 1, 1919 in Holt County, Missouri, the daughter of Ernest and Pearl Bender Kurtz. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1940 moving from Missouri, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the Prairie View Church of The Brethren in Friend, Kansas.

On October 6, 1940 she married George L. Mohler in St. Joseph, Missouri. He passed away on December 5, 2007 in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her One Son – Rodney & Kay Mohler of Scott City, Kansas, Four Grandsons – Kevin Mohler of Bellavista, Arkansas, Todd Mohler of Katy, Texas, Darrin Mohler of Chandler, Arizona, Shawn Mohler of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Ivan Kurtz of Oregon, Missouri, Ten Great Grandchildren and Five Great Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Parents and Two Brothers – Herbert Kurtz, Emmett Kurtz, and One Grandson – Mark Mohler.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2017 at the Prairie View Church of The Brethren in Friend, Kansas with Rev. Jon Tuttle presiding.

Memorials may be given and made to Prairie View Church of The Brethren in Friend, Kansas in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Prairie View Church Cemetery in Friend, Kansas in Scott City, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Perez homers in 10th to give Royals win over Mariners

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SEATTLE (AP) – Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the 10th, Alex Gordon added a two-out RBI single later in the inning and the Kansas City Royals completed a three-game sweep with a 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Perez drove the second pitch from reliever James Pazos (2-2) out to right field for his 17th homer of the season. It was the third home run of the game for Kansas City, adding to earlier two-run shots by Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain.

Mike Minor (5-1) pitched the ninth to get the victory and Kelvin Herrera threw the 10th for his 19th save. Minor had a scare when Mike Zunino led off the ninth with a flyball to deep left field that Gordon caught one step in front of the wall.

Kansas City won for the sixth time in seven games and handed Seattle its seventh straight loss at home.

Larks split in Great Bend

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GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Hays Larks scored five runs in the fifth inning then added two more in the sixth as they rally for a 7-3 win in game two of their doubleheader in Great Bend and settle for a split with the Bat Cats Wednesday at Al Burns Field. The Bat Cats (14-15, 14-15 Jayhawk League) exploded for nine runs in the first three innings and won the opener 9-4.

Clayton Rasbeary tied the second game with a two-run double. Colin Simpson gave the Larks (19-9, 19-8 Jayhawk League) the lead with a sacrifice fly. Mikey Gangwish and Max Remy followed with runs scoring singles. Simpson added a two-run single an inning later.

Dylan Schneider (1-0) allowed two earned runs on six hits over four innings for the win. Chad Smith pitched three scoreless frames for his first save.

Trevor Boone hit a three-run homer in the Larks four-run sixth in game one. Jake Norton (1-2) allowed five runs on no hits with four walks in one inning and suffered the loss.

Despite the split, the Larks gain ground on Liberal in the Jayhawk League race after the Bee Jays were swept by Dodge City. Hays and the Athletics are now one-game out of first place with Derby a game and a half back.

The Larks close out the four-game set with the Bat Cats Thursday night. It’s Stand Up To Cancer Night. There will be a special ceremony in the top of the 7th inning to honor cancer survivors and people who have fallen to cancer and Larks payers will be wearing pink jerseys and a pink autographed bat and two pink Larks autographed baseballs will be raffled.

Free Admission courtesy of the Hays Rotary, Simply Charmed and Emprise Bank for the 7pm contest.

Library’s Community Threads program offers free clothing Saturday

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By Cristina Janney
Hays Post

The Hays Public Library will offer its first Community Threads program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Schmidt Gallery on the main floor of the library.

Katie Meitner, library assistant for the adult department, said the library has received about 15 large garbage bags full of clothing for the giveaway.

Free clothing for men and women — youth, adult and teen — will be offered. Both summer and winter clothing will be available. Also some business clothing will be offered.

Other items available include shoes, purses and belts.

A couple of baby shoes have been donated, but no baby or toddler clothing. However, Meitner said she had not gone through all of the bags of clothing as of Wednesday afternoon.

There is no limit to the number of items a person can take. People of all ages are encouraged to attend.

There are no income requirements for the giveaway.

The library has been taking donations since May for the event, but will not be taking anymore donations between now and Saturday.

Members of Friends of the Library will be assisting with the clothing giveaway.

The library came up with the Community Threads idea from a library in California that did a similar giveaway

Meitner said this is the first year for the Community Threads program, but if it is successful, the library would like to bring it back for future years.

Any clothing that is not given away Saturday will be donated to The Arc of Central Plains.

Hays board searches for new member

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By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

Sarah Rankin, Hays school board vice president, has made her resignation official as of July 14.

Rankin is resigning because her family is moving out of state.

The board approved a motion at its meeting Wednesday night to publish the vacancy.

The board has to wait at least 15 days after the publication of the vacancy before it can appoint Rankin’s replacement. The person who is appointed would serve the two and half years left on Rankin’s term.

The board also had its annual reorganization meeting Wednesday night. This included the re-election of Lance Bickle as board president. Board member Mandy Fox was elected as vice president.

This weekend’s Hays-area garage sales

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Hays-area garage sales

Made possible by our sponsors: Coldwell Banker Executive Realty, Midwest Energy, Nex-Tech Wireless, Northwestern Printers and RE/MAX Pro.

Scroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly. Having a sale next weekend? Click HERE for details.

Address: 3902 Country Lane, Hays
Items for sale: Teen clothing, maternity clothes, shoes, new sinks, faucet, ceramic tiles, glider with ottoman, books, DVDs, candle making supplies, toys, games and lots of miscellaneous.

Friday 4-7 pm, Saturday 7 am to noon

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Address: 2230 Southview Drive, Hays
Items for sale: 2230 Southview Drive, Hays (Directions are at the end of the ad.)
The 3-car garage is full! All items are from pet-free/non-smoking homes. Cash only, please.
*Two Britax Frontier 85 car seats with 3-point harnesses (A child can remain in the 3-point harness until he/she reaches 85 pounds and 57 inches in height. The seats can then be converted to booster seats for children weighing up to 120 pounds and 65 inches in height.)
*Girls’ Clothing sizes 6-12 (summer and winter; Gymboree, Children’s Place, Crazy 8, Justice, Xersion). Many items are new with tags or gently worn in excellent condition. Most are $1, or less.
*Girls’ Shoes sizes 13-4 (summer and winter; most are new or in excellent condition)
*11’ utility trailer
*Teaching materials, classroom supplies, and educational games (Preschool through grade 6)
*Two HO train sets
*Home décor and household items (6’x9’ new rug, kitchen, bedding, etc.)
*Antique wooden 4-drawer filing cabinet
*Vintage wooden typewriter desk
*Vintage wooden ironing board
*New and gently worn women’s shoes and women’s clothing (Dress Barn, Ann Taylor, Miss Me)
*Children’s picture books and young adult chapter books in excellent condition for Preschool-middle school. Most are 50 cents. Also, like new book sets with multiple copies.
*Sony DCR-DVD 308 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder in excellent condition: Includes camcorder, battery charger, car charger, 2 batteries, remote control, manual, heavy-duty Samsung case, all necessary cords, and 7 new 1.4 GB disks
*Toys, arts/crafts, games
*18” Kingsford kettle grill
*Miter saw stand
*Solid wood TV cart with doors

**Directions to 2230 Southview Drive: Go south on Canterbury, past the railroad tracks and Highway 40. Continue south past El Charro and the RV Center until you arrive at Reservation Road (the dirt road going east and west). Turn left (east) and go past Josephine and Big Creek Drive. Turn left (north) at the next corner. If the wind cooperates, we will have a garage sale sign at this corner. Continue north for about a block. 2230 is a green house on the corner.

Friday, July 7th 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, July 8th 8 a.m.-noon

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Address: 2203 Pine, Hays
Items for sale: Couch, 2013 Toyota Tundra seat covers brand new, Garmin, toys, wreaths, misc

7/8 from 8am to noon

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Address: 2813 Indian Trail, Hays
Momma says no more playing! Items in shade but deals are hot!
Tools (sockets, end wrenches, pipe wrenches, tool boxes, misc) electric smoker, furniture, fishing equipment, chairs, welder, power washer, table saw, stand, rain barrel, shovels, rakes, statues, panniers, waders, dc convertor, texturing tools and supplies, lawn ornaments, hedge trimmer, area rugs, sw primer and glue, more items to come. Small generator, car jacks stands, seat covers, hedge trimmers, chain saw and case, lawn care products, car care products,

Friday July 7th -9am to 3pm Sat July 8th – 8am to 3 pm

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SUBMIT your free garage sale listing where it will be SEEN! Deadline is noon each Wednesday, but, hey, we’re flexible here at Hays Post. Click HERE to submit your weekend garage sale.

Kansas man gets 2 life sentences on child sex charges

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Landeo-photo Johnson Co.

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been ordered to spend at least 50 years in prison for sexually attacking two 7-year-old children in 2013.

Forty-five-year-old Eric Landeo was sentenced Wednesday in Johnson County to two life sentences on two convictions of rape of a child and of aggravated indecent liberties of a child.

Landeo must serve at least 25 years on each life sentence, and a judge ordered him to serve each sentence one after the other.

Landeo was convicted in May of the sexual attacks that authorities say happened while he had been living with friends who had children. He was arrested in July 2013.

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