September 2017 – Page 68 – Hays Post Archive

Kansas homicide victim’s dog found in California

Posted on September 8, 2017September 9, 2017

Zeus-photo courtesy Ventura Co. Animal Shelter

TESCOTT, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas homicide victim’s Australian shepherd has been found in California where it had been adopted out by an animal shelter.

The dog, named Zeus, and a pickup truck were missing when a family member found Matthew Schoshke’s body at his rural home on Aug. 12.

Thirty-four-year-old Robert Colson, of Bucksport, Maine, is charged with second-degree intentional murder in the killing. He was arrested about two weeks after the killing in Martinez, California. He had been injured while trying to escape from an Amtrak train after a person was stabbed.

Meanwhile, Schoshke’s family took to social media to search for Zeus. They posted this week that Zeus had been located. The newspaper reports that the dog will be reunited soon with Schoshke’s family.

Police ask for help to find driver in Kan. hit-and-run pedestrian crash

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

SEDGWICK COUTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident and asking the public for help to identify the driver.

Just after 3a .m. Friday, police responded to an injury hit-and-run accident near the intersection of Kellogg and Webb in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. A 25-year-old man told police a 22-year-old man was involved with a disturbance at Club Rodeo.

The victim left the club, was walking on Kellogg and westbound possibly, red, Chevy Silverado HD pickup hit him. The driver of the pickup fled the accident scene. Emergency crews transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition, according to Davidson. Police have few additional details on the accident but want the public to contact them if they can help find the driver or the pickup.

Troy Gentry, half of country duo Montgomery Gentry, dies in New Jersey helicopter crash

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

LUMBERTON, N.J. (AP) — The official website for Montgomery Gentry says Troy Gentry, half of the country duo, has died in a New Jersey helicopter crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter crashed into a wooded area Friday afternoon at approximately 1 p.m. near the Flying W Airport in Medford.

The airport also houses a resort and was scheduled to host a concert by the country duo on Friday night. The airport announced the cancellation of the gig Friday afternoon.

The pilot of the helicopter also died.

Gentry was born April 5, 1967, in Lexington, Kentucky, where he met bandmate Eddie Montgomery and formed a group based off their last names.

The duo had success on the country charts, scoring five No. 1 hits. The band was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2009.

A Medford Police Department spokesman says the helicopter pilot was 30-year-old James Evan Robinson, of Meigs, Georgia. Crews removed Robinson’s body from the mangled wreckage after several hours.

Authorities say Gentry was a passenger in the helicopter and crews removed him from the wreckage but he was pronounced dead at a hospital. Gentry was from Kentucky.

The band’s website calls Gentry’s death “tragic” and says details of the crash are unknown.

Cutest Pet Contest WINNERS!

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

Congratulations to the winners of the first Hays Post Cutest Pets Contest!

The following pets were chosen in the categories of dogs, cats and “other.”

Dog
Courtney Killip: Kuddie

Cat
Brandon Arrington: Sasha

Other
Andi Karlin: Shammy

Alexis Lewis also will receive a gift card from Petsense of Hays just for entering!

Entries with the most votes in each category will recieve:
Dogs – Dog Themed Gift Basket from Petsense ($75 Value)
Cats – Cat Themed Gift Basket from Petsense ($75 Value)
Other – $50 Gift Card to Petsense

The contest was made possible by the support of Petsense of Hays and the Humane Society of the High Plains.

UPDATE: McMindes Hall reopened; no injuries in smoke, water investigation

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

UPDATE: 4:45 P.M. Utility services have been restored to McMindes Hall and students and staff are now allowed back in the Fort Hays State University building, according to reports from the scene.

Crews remain on the scene at 4 p.m. Friday at McMindes residential hall where Hays firefighters responded to a report of smoke and and water in heating tunnels beneath the building late this morning.

The building remains empty as Fort Hays State University students and staff wait for word when they may be allowed back in.

According Lisa Karlin, director of University Relations and Marketing, no one was injured. “We don’t know when residents will be allowed to return but Student Affairs will keep them informed by email,” Karlin said.

Students and staff were evacuated from the residents hall as firefighters investigated a possible electrical malfunction with a boiler, necessitating the shut off of the building’s water supply and the kitchen’s gas supply.

Firefighters have checked the structure for hazards.

Two trucks from Hertel’s Tank Service are pumping water out of the building tunnel, a process that was expected to take several hours.

Because the electrical power was shut off, Chartwells removed food from the McMindes kitchen and transported it to the student union.

Hays USD 489 school board still in holding pattern on insurance issue

Posted on September 8, 2017

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board plans to discuss a change in its insurance provider again on Monday, but Superintendent John Thissen said he did not know Friday if there will be anything to report.

The district had hoped to leave the state-run health plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield in favor of Aetna.

Blue Cross Blue Shield had raised the district premiums by $1.4 million over the last two years. The district is having difficulty getting bids from new providers because under the state plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield does not have to provide claims histories.

If the district leaves the state plan, it can’t go back for seven years. It could contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield through an independent contractor.

The custodians’ and teachers’ unions sent a letter to the district on Aug. 28 saying if the district left Blue Cross Blue Shield, the unions would sue. The custodians’ contract specifically calls for the district to provide the sate plan.

The two groups said they are concerned about the service Aetna may provide and the district’s inability to get back in the state plan.

Members of the school board expressed frustration at their Aug. 28 meeting, arguing the new plan would not only save the district money and give it more flexibility in the future, but the new plan had fewer out-of-pocket expenses for employees and covered more providers.

The custodians’ bargaining unit has not yet met with the district since the last school board meeting. They have had contact with a representative from the Gallagher group, a consultant that was hired to evaluate the district’s insurance plan. The group conducted a survey this summer of all the district staff about the change in insurance providers.

“It was a nice opportunity to present information and to have a Q&A session. We look forward to future discussions and assume that they will follow this coming Monday evening’s school board meeting,” said Esau Freeman of the custodians’ union.

The teachers left the bargaining table with a tentative agreement on Aug. 28. That agreement, which left the language on the insurance plan intact, was approved by the teachers on Wednesday. Kathy Rome of the teachers’ union said she hoped the school board would accept the current contract and realize that the insurance plan needed to be bargained.

Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, will give a report on an LED lighting project at the high school. Most of the bulbs there have been replaced, and the district is hoping to reap energy savings from the replacement project.

Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent, will discuss the 2016-17 science assessment scores. USD 489’s median scores were above those of the state for all the grades tested—grades five, eight and 11.

The school board will also:

• Hear a report on KASB policy recommendations

• Hear a report on the Hays High School HVAC system

• Discuss the district’s capital outlay project plan

KBI names suspects arrested in NW Kansas drug bust

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

KBI

WALLACE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Wallace County Attorney’s Office, the Greeley County Attorney’s Office and the Sherman County Attorney’s Office named the subjects arrested and charged in a recent western Kansas narcotics operation. The operation represented a coordinated law enforcement response to combating drug violence and reducing the accessibility of illegal drugs impacting western Kansas and Eastern Colorado.

SUBJECTS CHARGED IN WALLACE COUNTY COURT:
Miles Ackerman, 30, Colby, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Brandon Boutee, 38, Colby, KS, Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 4
Jonathan Louis Brandon, 37, Stratton, CO, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Dante Brown, 39, Colby, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Jacob Dabney, 41, Thornton, CO, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Adam Ford, 29 , Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Crystal Garner, 39, Hays, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Doug Gibbs, 60, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 3
Megan Gibbs, 28,, Goodland, KS, Conspiracy to Distribute Methadone- Level 3
Kristi Baxter Hartzell, 47, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Tyler Heskett, 26, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 3
Matthew Hessler, 24, Colby, KS, Distribution of Marijuana- Level 4
Ashley Hildebrand, 30, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Michael Hillis, 46, Colby, KS, Distribution of Percocet- Level 4
Tara Howard, 24, Colby, KS, Distribution of Marijuana- Level 2
Kody Huff, 30, Colby, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Christopher Hurd, 39, Levant, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 3
Wendy Huthansel, 42, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Autumn Johnson, 18, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Terrin Keith, 19, Goodland, KS, Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 3
Joseph Kreger, 26, Weskan, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Alyssa Lamb, 25, Sharon Springs, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Bryan Lee, 28, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Braden Lucas, 26, Sharon Springs, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Tyson Owings, 38, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 3
Andrew Shubert, 19, Colby, KS, Attempted Distribution of Marijuana- Level 4
Jennifer Traxel, 23, Goodland, KS, Distribution of Marijuana- Level 3
Rene Trevino, 46, Sharon Springs, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 3
Angela Tubbs, 30, Colby, KS, Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 4
Charlene Valdez, 30, Burlington, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine- Level 2
Jose Vasquez, 45, Hays, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1
Ryan White, 29, Colby, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Kyllian Wright, 21, Colby, KS, Distribution of Marijuana- Level 2

SUBJECTS CHARGED IN GREELEY COUNTY COURT:
Jessie Hess, 42, Tribune, KS, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine- Level 2
Keenan Holmes, 20, Colorado Springs, CO, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Winter Womak, 25, Colorado Springs, CO, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 1

SUBJECTS CHARGED IN SHERMAN COUNTY COURT:
Shelly Feldt, 24, Colby, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2
Ladonna Moss, 30, Colby, KS, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine- Level 2
Kyllian Wright, 21, Colby, KS, Distribution of Methamphetamine- Level 2

UPDATE: Suspect found in north-central Kansas; faces 2nd-degree murder charge

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

REPUBLIC COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have captured a suspect wanted in connection with an August 30 murder in Kansas City.

Just after 10:30a.m. Friday authorities arrested 25-year-old Zachary Barnes on 260 Road between Shady and Timber south of the small Republic County town of Cuba, according to the Republic County Sheriff’s office.

Officials in Wyandotte County are charging Barnes with 2nd-degree murder, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies took him back to Wyandotte County Friday.

A woman with Barnes, Shannon Dace is still missing.

The sheriff’s department did not release any addition details on the arrest.

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REPUBLIC COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue a search in north-central Kansas for a suspect wanted in connection with an August 30 murder in Kansas City.

The Republic County Sheriff’s office in a media release reported authorities believe 25-year-old Zachary Barnes and Shannon Dace are still in the region. They are both severely diabetic and are believed to be looking for someone to drive them from the area.

Barnes is described as a white male, 5-foot 7-inches tall, 160- pounds, brown hair and green eyes. Dace is described a white female with reddish, brown hair and a slim build.

In addition to searching for Barnes at homes in Scandia and in Concordia, officials with U.S. Marshal’s Service searched locations in the small Republic County communities of Cuba and Agenda, according to the sheriff’s department.

Agenda is just south of Cuba, Kansas in Republic County- google map

After a lockdown Thursday, schools are open in Republic and Cloud County. However, USD 109 reported they will keep students inside during recess, according to the district social media page.

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REPUBLIC COUNTY — Schools officials in Cloud and Republic County are taking appropriate precautions as the law enforcement authorities report they have yet to find a Kansas City murder suspect believed to be in north-central Kansas.

All field trips and activities are still planned as normal at USD 109 in Belleville, according to the district social media page.

Schools will remain secured as usual. However, students will be kept inside for recess simply as a responsible action according to the situation. In case there are concerns caused through social media messages, the district contacted local law enforcement early Friday morning. It was determined that the situation did not deem it necessary to cancel schools.

On Thursday, the Republic County Sheriff’s Dept. received an arrest warrant for 25-year-old Zachary Barnes wanted for a murder that was committed in the Kansas City area, according to a media release from Sheriff Ron Blad.

Deputies went to Scandia to a residence to execute the warrant. The subject fled before they could make an arrest.

The subject was then spotted in Belleville and officers responded to the area of 18th and G. Street where the subject was believed to be in a house. As of 7a.m. subject was still at large.

Zachary Barnes is described as a white male, 5-foot 7-inches tall, 160- pounds, brown hair and green eyes.

There have been no shots fired in this county, no hostages, and no school shootings, according to the sheriff’s department. Schools in Cloud and Republic County were notified as a precautionary measure to lock down

Responding agencies include Troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Republic County Sheriff Deputies, Belleville Police Department officers, SRT out of Salina, US Marshalls, and Kansas Wildlife and Park officers.

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REPUBLIC COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue to search for a suspect wanted in connection with a murder.

Deputies went to Scandia to a residence to execute the warrant. The subject fled before they could make an arrest.

The subject was then spotted in Belleville and officers responded to the area of 18th and G. Street where the subject was believed to be in a house. As of 5a.m. subject was still at large at this time.
Zachary Barnes is described as a white male, 5-foot 7-inches tall, 160- pounds, brown hair and green eyes.

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CLOUD COUNTY — Schools and business are on lockdown in north central Kansas due to police activity and the search for a wanted suspect, according to the Republic County Sheriff’s office. Few details are available.

The Concordia campus of Cloud County Community College reported lockdown procedures were in place just before 4 p.m. Thursday because of a situation in the community.

Just after 5p.m. the college reported that due to the continuing lock down situation, evening classes at the Concordia campus were canceled.

In addition, local law enforcement advised USD 333 in Concordia to remain in lock down until further notice. Students will not be released until the issue is resolved. According to the school district, this procedure is for the safety of all involved.

Check Hays Post for additional details as they become available.

UPDATE: Pair of earthquakes shake Kansas

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

MEDFORD, Okla. (AP) — An earthquake that rattled parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas has been upgraded to magnitude 4.3.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake as magnitude 3.9 after it struck at 9:26 p.m. Thursday near Medford, Oklahoma, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.

The USGS upgraded the magnitude Friday after further review.

Grant County Emergency Management Director Brandon Fetters called the quake “stout,” but said there are no injuries or damage.

Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years, with many linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production operations.

State regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.

MEDFORD, Okla. (AP) — An earthquake that rattled parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas has been upgraded to magnitude 4.3.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake as magnitude 3.9 after it struck at 9:26 p.m. Thursday near Medford, Oklahoma, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.

The USGS upgraded the magnitude Friday after further review.

Grant County Emergency Management Director Brandon Fetters called the quake “stout,” but said there are no injuries or damage.

Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years, with many linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production operations.

State regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.

Location of Thursday’s quake-image Kansas Geological Survey

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MEDFORD, Okla. (AP) — An earthquake has rattled parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the magnitude-3.9 quake struck about 9 miles southeast of Medford, Oklahoma, on Thursday night.

No injuries or damage was immediately reported. Medford is more than 90 miles north of Oklahoma City.

A smaller 2.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded around 5 p.m. Thursday roughly 10 miles west of Harper, Kansas.

Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years. Many of them have been linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production operations.

State regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.
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HARRPER COUNTY — An earthquake shook portions of Kansas Thursday afternoon. The quake just before 5p.m. measured a magnitude 2.5 and was centered approximately 17 miles northwest of Harper, U.S. Geological Survey.

It is the first earthquake in Kansas since a 2.3 quake north of Cheney in Segwick County on September 2.

There are no reports of damage or injury from the Thursday’s quake, according to the Harper County Sheriff’s Department.

Emily E. Lightner

Posted on September 8, 2017

Emily E. Lightner, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 in McPherson County, Kansas. She was born on October 29, 1979 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of John Geissal & Dianne Geissal. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 2013 moving from Wichita, Kansas, she was a devoted follower of Christ, loving wife, mother and homemaker.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Scott City, Kansas where she had a passion for taking the Gospel to the nations.

On July 31, 2004 she married Matthew Lightner in Monticello, Illinois. He survives.

Survivors Include her Husband – Matthew Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Three Sons – John “Jack” Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Elijah Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Ezekiel Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Three Daughters – Lillian Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Abigail Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Kathryn Lightner of Scott City, Kansas, Parents – Dianne Geissal of Verona, Wisconsin, John Geissal & Andy Coyle of Urbana, Illinois, Brother – Ben & Lindsay Geissal of Madison, Wisconsin and her Father & Mother in Law – John & Cindy Lightner of Garden City, Kansas.

Funeral Services will be Monday, September 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Scott City Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.

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

Memorials in Lieu of Flowers are requested to the Fist Baptist Church for Global Missions through Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.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.

Chiefs’ Berry out for season with ruptured Achilles’ tendon

Posted on September 8, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs safety Eric Berry ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s victory in New England and the three-time All-Pro will miss the remainder of the season.

Berry was hurt while covering Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on a passing route. He hobbled at the end of the play and sat on the turf, and it took a cart to remove him from the field.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid suspected after the game that it was an Achilles injury, and he said Friday that an MRI exam confirmed the diagnosis.

Berry has overcome plenty of hurdles in his career. He missed most of the 2011 season after tearing the ACL in his left knee, then missed much of the 2014 season after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

He signed a $78 million, six-year contract this past offseason.

Fire department investigating smoke at FHSU McMindes Hall; building to be shut down

Posted on September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

UPDATE 12:49 p.m. Two trucks from Hertel’s Tank Service are pumping water out of the building tunnel, a process expected to take several hours.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m. Chartwells is removing food from the McMindes kitchen and transporting it to the student union as power to McMindes is shut off.

Hays firefighters are on the scene late Friday morning at McMindes residential hall on the campus of Fort Hays State University to determine the cause of smoke and water found in heating tunnels beneath the building.

Students and staff were evacuated from the resident hall.

They are investigating a possible electrical malfunction with a boiler and have temporarily shut off the building’s water supply and the kitchen gas supply.

Firefighters are checking the structure for hazards.

According FHSU officials at 2:30 p.m., no one is being allowed into the building. Officials did not yet know when residents will be allowed to return, but Student Affairs officials will keep the students informed by email.

Check back for updates on Hays Post.

Corrected 2:32 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2017.

Police want to talk to Kan. man who stabbed dog during disturbance

Posted on September 8, 2017

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an altercation with weapons and are looking for a suspect.

Just before noon Thursday, police were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in the 1900 Block of North Minneapolis in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

A 26-year-old woman told police she got into an argument with her 31-year-old boyfriend. During the disturbance, the woman went to her vehicle in the driveway. The suspect threw a rock that damaged the vehicle.

He also stabbed a dog that was in the front yard and fled the residence. Animal control transported the dog for treatment. The prognosis is that the dog will recover, according to Davidson. He did not release the name of the suspect.

Authorities want to talk to the suspect and ask that anyone with information to call police.