Investigators on the scene of Tuesday’s fatal house fire-photo courtesy KCTV
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the deaths of three people found in the rubble of a burned Kansas City, Kansas, home as homicides.
Police announced the homicide investigation Wednesday in a tweet. The early Tuesday fire initially was labeled as suspicious.
Firefighters searching the single-story home found two bodies at that time. A third body was found later in the day as firefighters sifted through the house.
The names of the victims weren’t immediately released. A police spokesman says the coroner is working to identify the remains.
Member of the Hays High School DECA chapter are raising money to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Wichita and will host a day of giving on Thursday.
Each year, for the past 18 years, members of the Hays High DECA Chapter have worked to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Wichita. Juniors Kallie Leiker, Isabelle Braun and Brianna Forinash are leading this year’s project.
Ronald McDonald Houses provide temporary housing and support to families of children who are undergoing medical treatment in Wichita.
As part of the Gifts from the Heart fundraising project Hays High DECA students will be collecting donations on Thursday at both north and south McDonald’s locations in Hays and the Eagle Media Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Donations can also be made online through the Ronald McDonald House Charities website at donate.rmhcwichita.org and clicking on the Gifts From the Heart link on the left-hand side.
By donating through the Gifts From the Heart link that count towards the DECA student’s goal.
The students had previously set a goal of $50,000 but have since altered that slightly but Isabelle Braun meeting their goal would be “amazing.”
“Especially since they want to build their new house it would really help them,” Braun said.
Ronald McDonald officials in Wichita are building a new house that will combine two other houses that will be connected to Wesley Medical Center. The project is expected to cost $3.4 million.
A donation of $80 provides a one night stay for a family in the Ronald McDonald House and the money raised by the DECA students helps cover that cost for families who cannot afford to stay in the house.
Hays High DECA students have also took part in several other fundraising efforts including a pull tab competition at Hays Middle School, made tie blankets with Wilson Elementary students and collected donations during the Hays High versus Great Bend football game.
In January the students will travel to Wichita to tour the Ronald McDonald House and deliver the blankets they made and the pull tabs they collected.
Bieker, a Garder Kansas resident spent most of his early life in Trego County
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A third man has been convicted in the killing of a suburban Kansas City gun shop owner during an attempted robbery.
The trial for 22 -year-old Nicquan Midgyett, of Kansas City, Missouri, was underway when he pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. He previously pleaded guilty to aggravated battery. Sentencing is set for March 8.
Gunfire erupted during the January 2015 attempt to rob a Shawnee, Kansas, gun store called She’s a Pistol, which catered to women. Forty-four-year-old Jon Bieker was killed and three would-be robbers, including Midgyett, were wounded.
Midgyett-photo Johnson Co.
Two other defendants, Hakeem Malik and Londro Emanuel Patterson, have been sentenced to life in prison. A mistrial was declared last month in the case of the fourth defendant, De’Anthony Wiley.
Max D. Stieben, C/Capt, AFROTC Detachment 270, junior at Kansas State University, recently received the 9th Air Force Association Memorial Scholarship, making him one of the top four Junior ROTC Air Force cadets in the nation. Stieben is a 2015 graduate of Hays High School.
He is the son of John and Jenny Klaus and Darren and Angie Stieben, all of Hays.
The 9th Air Force Association Memorial Scholarship
This award recognizes leadership, citizenship, patriotism, professionalism, academic achievement, and ROTC accomplishments.
Eligibility: AS300 (Junior or third-year) cadets will compete for the award. Cadets must be in the top 10% of their Aerospace Studies (ROTC) Class, top 25% of their Degree program, have a PT score of 90 or higher, and demonstrate leadership qualities within the detachment and community.
Due to the uniqueness of this award, Commanders and Commandants of Cadets across the nation will select their top AS300 cadet, with unwavering dedication and the highest probability of completing the ROTC program. Of the selected cadets, the top four will be selected to receive the scholarship.
Description: The 9th AFA has elected to sponsor 4 exceptional cadets across the nation through their junior year in the ROTC program. These cadets will receive $500 for their first semester and $500 for their second semester of their Junior year.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Sarah Rooney of Hays, Kansas, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Rooney is pursuing a degree in psychology at the University of Kansas.
Rooney is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”
Claire Nickerson, learning initiatives and open educational resources librarian in Forsyth Library at Fort Hays State University, recently published an article in Educause Review.
Educause Review is an open-access digital and bimonthly print flagship publication for the higher education information technology community.
“Using Grant Funding to Promote Open Textbooks” describes the creation, development and successful implementation of a unique grant program. Administered through Forsyth, the program encourages FHSU faculty to create or adapt open resource textbooks.
Open educational resources are course materials that are available for free under an open license. The article includes an overview of the OER movement, the benefits and cost-savings to students and advice to others interest in creating a similar program.
TMP-Marian Advancement Director Troy Ruda announces a $500,000 gift from the estate of Bob and Pat Schmidt Wednesday afternoon.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Many of the community members attending Wednesday afternoon’s reception at Thomas More Prep-Marian School had a special relationship with Hays residents Bob and Pat Schmidt and their family.
“You more than anyone know the generous spirit of Bob and Pat which drove their philanthropy throughout their lives to which our community owes a debt of gratitude,” said TMP-Marian Advancement Director Troy Ruda.
“Investing at the high school level is an investment in the future, which Bob and Pat believed,” Ruda continued, “and with their strong Catholic faith they knew TMP-Marian was a worthy contribution. We are eternally grateful.”
Ruda welcomed the Schmidt’s son Tony and his wife Loreta of Lawrence.
“They continue the generosity that was so important to Bob and Pat with the investment of $500,000 to the TMP-Marian Endowment Foundation,” Ruda announced.
Tony Schmidt made his way to the podium amid a standing ovation from the audience which also included TMP-Marian Jr. and Sr. High STUCO members, school faculty and staff, representatives of the school’s finance and advisory councils, endowment board and alumni association, and clergy from the Heartland parishes.
Tony and Loreta Schmidt, Lawrence, visit with TMP-Marian supporters.
“The Catholic faith was a very large part of our family growing up in LaCrosse,” Schmidt said, “and it was also a very large part of our family in Lawrence.” He noted two former priests at TMP-M, Father Mike Scully and Father Charles Polifka, went on to serve at Schmidt’s parish in Lawrence.
According to Volga German genealogy from the TMP Alumni Association, Tony Schmidt is a fifth-generation member of the Schmidt family in Ellis County who emigrated from Russia to the United States.
“It started with Peter Schmidt, who came to Russia from Germany back in the 1700s. Approximately 141 years ago, Jacob Schmidt and his wife traveled from Catherinestadt, Russia with 16 immediate family members. As I understand it, they met a man named Dreiling in Kansas City who then guided them out here…goes way back to 1876.
“I believe Jacob Schmidt helped found Catherine (located in eastern Ellis County). He became known as the school master as he’d been in Russia. There was no Catholic priest available when they arrived so he actually had to lead some of the early Catholic religious services.
“I know Dad was a friend with each of you and I hope you know that we are too. He’d be pleased to know that this gift I’m delivering will help forward the mission here at TMP,” Schmidt said. “Like you, he believed in Catholic education, in faith, in ethical principles, and in leadership. He was proud to support TMP.”
Chad Meitner, TMP-M principal
“This gift makes it possible for us to improve our society via the youth who will learn, who will live, who will love, who will serve in our hallways and classrooms, and who ultimately, serve in our community,” said TMP-Marian Principal Chad Meitner as he thanked the Schmidts for their donation and commitment.
Fr. Earl Befort, TMP Alumni Association president
Before leading a closing prayer of thanks, Father Earl Befort, president of the TMP Alumni Association, told the Schmidts he “has the honor to serve the Catherine parish for nearly 25 years, which is the home to your ancestors. We thank you for that gift as well, the gift of your family.”
Robert E. “Bob” Schmidt, 90, philanthropist, renowned broadcaster and retired chairman of the board of Eagle Communications passed away Aug. 8 at his home. His wife, Pat, died in August 2015. The city of Hays declared Aug. 12 as ‘Bob Schmidt Day’ to honor his leadership and many contributions in the region.
Les KnollLiberals claim that the investigation into Trump Russia collusion is just getting started and it may take as much as seven years to get to the bottom of all of this.
What? This is totally ludicrous and here is why.
The United States of America is supposed to have the best intelligence agencies on planet earth. That includes the FBI, CIA, and many other agencies.
To date, after nearly a year of investigating, there is no evidence of collusion. How much time is needed? Do these agencies need seven, maybe ten years?
Obviously, all the agencies have everything at their disposal such as budget and staff to get to the bottom of anything. There’s nothing to hold them back.
Embedded in all of these agencies are Obama holdovers wanting to protect his legacy and destroy Trump – yet, after nearly a year, there is no evidence of collusion even with highly motivated anti Trump agents doing everything in their power to find something.
If there really was collusion as so many claim, wouldn’t that make our intelligence agencies by now the most incompetent on planet earth?
Add Robert Mueller, former FBI Director under Obama, to the mix with a “Special Counsel” that has an unlimited budget of taxpayer monies and freedom to investigate anybody or anything – yet, can’t come up with any evidence of collusion even with an army of partisan lawyers that donated to Hillary.
No, it’s not incompetence. Maybe lots of corruption, but not incompetence. The facts are that Trump did not collude with Russia. There is no evidence that he did.
The claim it may take until the next century to find the evidence is just a charade to have this hoax hanging over Trump’s head forever and appease Trump haters hanging on for dear life and eternity believing our president is guilty.
The guilt is with those that daily spew out false narratives, mostly mainstream media. The Trump Russia collusion story proves without a doubt whatsoever this country has a corrupt liberal media.
Media is still pushing a false narrative. It spends absolutely no time about the good things a Trump presidency is doing for this country — and just wait for the bombshells of Democrats colluding with Russia all over the place that media refuses to report.
Today A 20 percent chance of rain after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a northwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight A 20 percent chance of rain before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. North northwest wind 7 to 17 mph.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 56. West southwest wind 7 to 17 mph.
Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
THOMAS COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have recovered a stolen vehicle and found two teens after a chase in Thomas County.
Just before 3 a.m. Wednesday, an officer from the Colby Police Department patrolling westbound on 4th Street in Colby, observed a vehicle that failed to stop exiting the parking lot of a local business in the 200 Block W. 4th Street, according to a media release.
The officer ran the license plate through dispatch to check for registration status out of Illinois and learned the 2002 Buick Century was stolen from Illinois.
The Officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle (driver) while heading southbound on Range Avenue from 4th Street.
The occupants of the vehicle failed to stop, and proceeded at a high rate of speed as they continued south on Range Avenue. The driver attempted to make a right turn onto Zelfer Avenue when the vehicle collided with a building in the 1900 Block of S. Range Avenue.
The occupants of the vehicle fled on foot and were taken into custody shortly after the collision.
The occupants of the vehicle including a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old boy were found to be runaways from Illinois. Both were taken to Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas for treatment of injuries.
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women scored 17 unanswered points to open their game with Tabor College. After the Bluejays (9-3) scored five straight the Tigers (8-2) answered with a 23-0 run and cruised to a 90-44 win at Gross Coliseum. It was also head coach Tony Hobson’s 600th career win in his 26 years as a collegiate head coach, 187 of them at FHSU.
Tony Hobson Postgame Interview
Emma Stroyan Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers hit seven of their eight 3-pointers in the first half and finished 8-of-16 from beyond the arc. They shot 56-percent for the game and outrebounded the Bluejays by 20.
Emma Stroyan scored 11 points in the first quarter and tied her career-high with 29 points. Kacey Kennett scored 13 and Lindsey Shupe added a career-best 12.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence teenager who pleaded guilty to killing his grandmother wants to withdraw that plea.
Eighteen-year-old Jaered Long was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday for second-degree murder in the December 2015 death of 67-year-old Deborah Bretthauer.
Instead, Long’s attorney, Forrest Lowry, told the Douglas County court that his client wanted to withdraw his plea.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports a hearing was scheduled for Feb. 20 to consider the request, or to sentence Long if the request is denied.
Authorities said Bretthauer was stabbed dozens of times with a knife while she was in bed in her Lawrence apartment.
One of Long’s therapists previously testified that she asked Bretthauer to consider residential treatment for her grandson’s worsening abusive and threatening behavior but Bretthauer didn’t agree to the plan.
With persistent dry conditions affecting the region, Ellis County has once again implemented a burn ban.
Ellis County Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers announced Wednesday the ban will go into effect Thursday and continue for the “foreseeable future.”
Myers, who was given the authority earlier this year by the county commission to implement a burn ban, said the current conditions could lead to fires and they could spread quickly.
“Due to the lack of moisture, the continuously low levels of relative humidity and the wind … fire danger and rapid fire growth and spread are the major issues,” Myers said.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Ellis and the surrounding counties for the next several days. According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is typically issued when “a geographical area has been in a dry spell for a week or two” and when the average wind is greater than 15 mph and relative humidity is less than 25 percent.
Under a burn ban, all outdoor burning in prohibited within the unincorporated areas of Ellis County. That includes burning tree limbs, garden debris, waste or burn barrels and recreational fires such as bonfires and campfires, according to Myers.
On Tuesday, the Ellis County Fire Department was called to a small fire along Interstate 70 and they believe it was related to several fires along I-70 in Russell County, as well, Myers said.
He said especially during times of extreme dry conditions it’s important that people do anything they can to prevent fires from starting.
“Conditions are favorable enough from just a cigarette butt to a spark off a piece of machinery that could start a fire,” Myers said.
If you see a fire or accidentally start a fire, the first thing you should do is call 911 so first responders can be dispatched as quickly as possible, according to Myers.
Officials in Russell County adopted a burn ban last week and, on Monday, Rooks County officials also adopted a burn ban.
