The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team will take a break from conference play when the Tabor Bluejays make the trip to Hays on Wednesday (Dec. 13). First tip is set for 7 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigers will gladly return home, where they are 5-0 this season, after dropping a pair of road contests last week. FHSU enters the non-conference affair 7-2 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA, while Tabor is 8-3 on the year and 6-1 in KCAC. The Bluejays rank 17th in the latest NAIA Division II Coaches’ Poll.
Tony Hobson Weekly Press Conference
Emma Stroyan
Fort Hays State has dominated the all-time series with Tabor in every sense of the word, winning all 18 contests. The Bluejays lost by just three points twice in the ’70s, but FHSU has won 15-straight by double-figures. The Tigers are 14-0 against Tabor at home and 6-0 in the series under head coach Tony Hobson.
The Tigers easily dispatched of the Bluejays in their most recent meeting last season, cruising to a wire-to-wire 71-38 victory. FHSU made 15 steals in the win, with 11 different Tigers recording a takeaway. Kacey Kennett led all returners with 13 points while Emma Stroyan added 11 points and a career-high five blocks.
The well-balanced Tiger offense now features six players averaging seven or more points, with all six leading the Tigers in scoring in at least one game so far this season. Stroyan led the team with points per game last week thanks to a 7-for-7 effort from the charity stripe and a trio of 3-pointers, giving her more in the last two games than she had in her first 36 games as a Tiger (2).
Tabor has reached the NAIA Division II tournament each of the last four years, reaching the Sweet 16 three years in a row after advancing to the Elite Eight in 2015 and 2016. Morgan Ediger leads Tabor with 16.5 points and 1.7 steals per game. Taylor Deniston dishes out three assists each night while ranking second on the team with 10.3 points per outing. Kristyn Wedel grabs a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game while recording one block per contest.
On Dec. 7, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays offered child care for the first Holly Jolly Night of Shopping of the year year. They haven’t had anyone show up as of yet, and Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, which organized the event, was planning on 15 to 20 kids each night.
Cost of participation in the event is one donation per child of an unwrapped gift for one of Options’ clients or their children. This will include families in the Options’ shelter. Those not participating in Holly Jolly Nights of Shopping can also bring donations to Options at 2716 Plaza Ave., Hays, KS 67601.
“Even if someone doesn’t need the two hours without their children to shop, they could maybe just donate a small gift or a monetary donation for teens, moms or dads,” said Kelsey Hogan, Options shelter services coordinator.
The goal of the event is to help give back to their clients by providing a nice and enjoyable Christmas for their clients.
The next Holly Jolly Night of Shopping is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and the last shopping night is 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21. Pre-registration is requested by calling (785) 625-4202.
“We hope to have more people show up at the next shopping night,” said Hogan.
MANHATTAN —The Riley County Police Department along with the Lawrence Police Department continue their intensified efforts into solving multiple incidents of rape committed in both Manhattan and Lawrence since 2000 that appear to be connected.
On Tuesday, authorities released a sketch of an individual that may have been seen in the vicinity shortly before the first incident in October 2000.
In July police released new information about a serial rapist who is believed to have attacked 13 women from 2000 to 2008 in the college towns of Manhattan and Lawrence.
In a media release, police reported that in March of 2009, then Kansas Attorney General Steve Six announced that multiple incidents of rape committed over the course of eight years in both Manhattan and Lawrence appeared to be connected. These incidents began in October of 2000 and ended in December of 2008, involved the victimization of women in Manhattan and Lawrence, and all of them were students at either Kansas State University or the University of Kansas. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Each incident involved a masked intruder entering the victim’s off-campus residence, mostly between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. as the victim slept, and all but one coincided with a break in the academic calendar. The residences themselves varied from apartment complexes to duplexes to single dwellings. While the point of entry was frequently identified, the means by which the suspect made entry were sometimes unknown. Many of the survivors reported having locked their door(s), yet there were no signs of forced entry. There were also indications that the survivors were surveilled by the assailant prior the incident. In all but two cases, the victim was alone.
The assailant was typically described as a white male between 5’9” and 6’0”, with various descriptions of build and estimations of weight and age. We have no confirmed description of the assailant from anyone other than the survivors of these crimes. In most cases a handgun was displayed, with which the assailant threatened the survivors as a means to gain compliance. While the physical violence of the assaults was usually limited to the rape itself, these were all violent acts carried out by an assailant who did so in a cold, calm, calculated manner.
Even before the Attorney General’s announcement in 2009, The Riley County Police Department and the Lawrence Police Department worked closely together to determine if these cases were related, and the join investigation ultimately established a number of similarities, and a lack of significant dissimilarities, existed between the incidents to conclude that they were likely committed by the same suspect. Nothing in their continued investigation since that time has suggested otherwise.
In the early morning hours on this date in 2015, an unknown assailant entered a residence in the 1400 block of Watson Place in Manhattan with the intent to commit a sexual assault against the female resident, a student attending Kansas State University. A lengthy investigation into the incident has led us to conclude that there is a high probability that the assailant is the same assailant from the previous cases. In 2015, he was described as a white male, approximately 5’10”, and heavier set, most noticeably around the stomach and thighs. The prominent stomach was a frequently mentioned characteristic from previous cases. As to age, we believe the assailant was at minimum 33 years old at the time of the 2015 incident based upon the dates of the previous incidents.
We are announcing this connection between the 2015 case and the previous cases for three reasons. First, given the nearly seven-year gap between December of 2008 and July of 2015, we would like to know if there have been similar, unreported incidents during that time span. We cannot say enough about the courageous women who have already stepped forward to provide vital information about their assailant. If anyone feels they had an encounter with an individual matching this description, please know that we want to hear from you, and we want to provide help for you. Your information, even if it is several years old, may help bring justice to all the survivors.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Manhattan/Riley County Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-Tips
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges.
On Monday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office along with assistance from Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office K9 and the United States Postal Service executed a pair of search warrants in the city of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
Deputies found and confiscated approximately $7500 worth of marijuana was that was being sent through the US mail.
They also arrested one person was arrested, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
He did not release the name of the suspect or possible charges.
Hays, Kansas – Darin Alan Stiles, age 51, died Sunday, December 10, 2017, in rural Rush County.
He was born May 28, 1966, in Larned, Kansas to Ronald Joy Stiles and Josephine (Harr). He married Kelly A. (Gottschalk) on June 15, 1991, at Hays, Kansas.
He was a manager and supervisor of the convenience stores in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado for Gottschalk Enterprises. He grew up in Great Bend, Kansas and was a 1984 graduate of Great Bend High School. He worked in the oil fields from age 18 to age 25 then moved to Hays in 1991, and then went to work for his father-in-law. Darin loved the outdoors, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and making custom knives.
Survivors include his wife, Kelly Stiles, of the home; one son, Derek Stiles and wife, Mireya, Hays, KS; one daughter, Kaley Stiles, Hays, KS; one granddaughter, Emmie Stiles; his father, Ronald Stiles, Kinsley, KS; his mother, Josephine Stiles, Great Bend, KS; one brother, Dustin Stiles, Great Bend, KS; one sister, Kim Mason, Hoisington, KS; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ralph and Sharon Gottschalk, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Kim Briney, Hays, KS.
He was preceded by his grandson, Eli Joy Stiles.
Services are 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 15, 2017, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.
Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
The family suggest memorials to “Hays Big Creek Longbeards” in part of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) CEO Jerry Michaud, and John and Nancy Weber, Oakley, and will announce the creation of an endowment in memory of Joey Weber during a news conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the DSNWK Administrative Building, 2703 Hall St., Ste. 10, Hays.
Weber was a resident of Hays and Oakley who had autism spectrum disorder. Weber lost his life in an officer-involved shooting in 2016. Since then, Joey’s Law has passed in Kansas. This law allows for the voluntary identification on vehicles, drivers licenses, ID cards and placards for those needing assistance with cognition.
For additional information, contact Sophia Young at [email protected].
DSNWK is a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the 18 counties of northwest Kansas since 1967.
Lifelong WaKeeney resident Robert “Bob” Buchholz passed away Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.He was 77 years of age.Bob was born December 20, 1939, in Hays, Kansas, to August “Gus” and Emma (Schneider) Buchholz.
Bob proudly served our country in the United States Air Force after graduating from Trego Community High School.In 1966, Bob was united in marriage to Carole Ann Berry, in WaKeeney.They later divorced, but remained close friends.To say Bob was involved in car racing would be an understatement.He built, drove and was involved in almost every aspect of racing, and that was anything from super modified to go-carts.He was also an IMCA Tech (track inspector).He also owned and operated “Concrete Treasures”, a concrete statuary company.He was gifted with the ability to make or fix about anything with his hands.He loved to go to coffee and have lunch with his groups, both WaKeeney and Hays.Bob cherished his family, and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his five children, Blaine (Stephanie) Buchholz of WaKeeney, Carla (Kelly) Bujnoch of VanVleck, Texas, Paula (Ezra) Carter of Burlington, Colorado, Denise Billinger of Russell, and Julie (Jerry) Tynon of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brandon (Shelby) Knipp of Russell, Amanda Bujnoch of Kansas City, Missouri, Austin Wancura of Colby, and Demi Bujnoch of VanVleck, Texas; seven great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Onykah, and Krysta Bujnoch, and Kaitlyn, Mason, Braxton, and Skye Knipp; a brother, Jon “Mike” (Janet) Buchholz of Hays; and two sisters, Shirley (Everett) Lahmann of Nevada, and Penny (Glen) Hafliger of WaKeeney.He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Dennis “Gus” Buchholz.
Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 14, 2017 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.Inurnment will take place at a later date.There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Robert Buchholz Memorial Fund.Contributions to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS67672.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.
The Hays Middle School Wrestling concluded its season Saturday with a MSWAC title.
HMS finished with 247.5 team points. Coming in second was Great Bend with 214 point, and Dodge City Middle finished third with 146. HMS finished with seven individual varsity champions and 17 medalists.
Brayden Hines, Roy Moroni, Dalton Dale, Gavin Meyers and Gavin Nutting finished their seasons undefeated. HMS went 11-1 in duals, finished second at the Great Bend Dual Tournament and first at Dodge City and Clay Center Dual Tournaments.
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer has named Diane DeBacker, former Kansas education commissioner, to a newly created role in the Commerce Department. CREDIT COURTESY PHOTO
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer continues to shape top levels of Kansas government amid anticipation that the U.S. Senate may soon confirm Gov. Sam Brownback for an ambassadorship at the State Department.
Although Colyer made the selection, Brownback — who may have just weeks left as governor — issued a news release Tuesday announcing that former Kansas education commissioner Diane DeBacker will serve as education liaison and adviser to the Governor’s Office.
“I think we need … a strong connection, a direct connection between the Governor’s Office and education,” Colyer said in an interview.
DeBacker is taking up a newly created position within the Kansas Department of Commerce. It includes an emphasis on strengthening connections and innovation among schools and the industries and businesses that hope to one day hire their students.
It’s unclear whether Colyer plans to build on a popular Brownback initiative that boosted career learning and opportunities by paying for high school students to study at technical colleges and earn industry credentials before graduation.
In an interview, Colyer indicated he has education-related initiatives waiting in the wings but declined to elaborate.
“That will come at the right time — I’m not announcing anything today,” Colyer said. “We still have one governor at a time.”
Connecting students to work experience — and education policy to workforce development — is a trend in the education sector, in Kansas and elsewhere.
Prior to Colyer selecting DeBacker, Brownback’s administration didn’t employ an education adviser, though it did communicate with the state’s education commissioner. The commissioner works for the elected members of the Kansas State Board of Education, however, and is not part of the governor’s administration.
DeBacker said Monday her position is meant to build bridges between the administration and education field.
Many public school educators are critical of the Brownback administration and Legislature. Kansas is embroiled in a years-long lawsuit — accused of underfunding public education — and in recent years elected officials made changes to teacher tenure, licensure and other statutes that critics perceived as hostile to schools or their employees.
“Those are things that over time can build a wedge,” DeBacker said. “So I think having this position with Commerce, directly working with education, will be a way to start building back some trust.”
DeBacker’s duties will include working with the education department to support the agency’s Kansans Can vision. Kansans Can includes having schools work with students to develop their long-term education and career goals and identify the classes and internship opportunities that can help them on the way.
“We have to open more of those doors” to careers after graduation, DeBacker said. “We know that kids need the real-life experience as they’re making decisions about what they want to do.”
DeBacker headed Kansas’ education department from October 2009 until April 2014. She left for a position as a consultant in the United Arab Emirates, where Abu Dhabi was seeking an international adviser on education matters.
During her time as Kansas education commissioner, DeBacker oversaw the adoption in Kansas of multistate math and English standards called the Common Core, which faced repeated attacks from conservative lawmakers over several years.
The Kansas State Board of Education that employed her included conservative Republicans, moderate Republicans and Democrats. Though the board disagreed at times on major policy questions, DeBacker maintained support among members from across that spectrum.
Prior to joining the education department, she was associate superintendent of the Topeka-area rural-suburban Shawnee Heights district.
For months, Brownback has been waiting for a confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate after President Donald Trump picked him in the summer to become the next leader of the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen is a reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can reach her on Twitter @Celia_LJ.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas brewing company reported one of their vehicles was stolen early Tuesday. According to a social media report, a 2006 Silver Honda Ridgeline owned by Wichita Brewing Company was stolen.
Please RT! Our 2006 silver ridgeline was stolen this morning. If you see it on the road or anywhere, please contact the authorities. pic.twitter.com/TgcYEUqMyD
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A new report shows that Kansas is experiencing a shortage of child care services.
The report was released Monday by Child Care Aware of Kansas. The agency administers the state’s child care referral service.
The agency found that Kansas counties on average have capacity to meet only about half the potential demand for child care. Sedgwick County can meet 45 percent of potential demand.
The lower the percentage, the less likely that parents will find the right child care provider.
The report says nearly 164,000 children under age 6 potentially need child care in Kansas.
The nonprofit Kansas Action for Children wants lawmakers to strengthen the state’s child care tax credit to improve access to child care. Lawmakers reinstated the credit in June.
Hays High’s athletic director Chris Michaelis has turned in his resignation effective July 1, 2018. The resignation was part of the personnel transactions at Monday night’s school board meeting.
Michaelis has spent 21 years in the USD 489 school district. He spent time as a teacher, boys and girls soccer coach, and most recently athletic director and assistant principal. Prior to coming to Hays, Michaelis spent five years in education in Manhattan. He also served five years in the Army prior to his career in education.
Michaelis will finish out his duties for the current school year, which include the process of finding a new football coach.
