FORD COUNTY — Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple is still in custody Wednesday, according to the Ford County Sheriff office records.
Whipple, 47, was arrested Monday for alleged violations of the terms and condition of his bond, according to Ness County Attorney Kevin Salzman.
Whipple contacted a person associated with his initial case, according to Melissa Underwood with the KBI.
Authorities arrested Whipple December 21, for alleged perjury, making false information, criminal distribution of firearms to a felon, and official misconduct. There are no additional charges against the sheriff, according to Salzman.
The alleged crimes are suspected to have occurred over the past four years. The voters of Ness County elected Whipple to serve as sheriff in 2000.
Wilma Lee Cunningham, 81, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, Kansas.
Wilma was born on January 12, 1937, in Pensacola, Florida, the daughter of Arrie Lee and Cora Peak. She grew up in Hayward, California and attended local schools there. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to George Thomas Cunningham on November 20, 1954, in Alameda, California. From this union Wilma and George were blessed with 3 children Steven, Terrie and Karen. She and George moved to Russell, Kansas in 2000. She worked as a full time homemaker, wife and mother to her family. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, her dogs and working with ceramics. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her son Steven Cunningham (Kathy) of Hays, Kansas, daughter Terrie Blick (Al) of San Leandro, California and daughter Karen Cunningham of Russell, Kansas; 3 grandchildren Michael, Ryan and Christopher and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, husband George on October 23, 2006, and a sister.
A memorial service to celebrate Wilma’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, February 02, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Family will greet guests before and after the memorial service. Cremation has been selected by the family and services will conclude at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Wilma Cunningham Funeral Fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Virginia Ann Dinkel, 87, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, February 03, 2018, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Russell. A vigil and rosary will be held at 7 P.M. on Friday, February 02, 2018, at the Catholic Church. Visitation will be on Friday, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. at the mortuary.
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangments.
By Dr. TISA MASON Fort Hays State University president
I recently returned from a meeting of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and I was impressed with the number of Division II presidents who were actively engaged in the meeting. The focus on the successes, opportunities and challenges facing our student athletes was informative. As a former vice president for student affairs, I especially enjoyed the involvement and perspectives of the student athletes who participated in the governance of the association. They spoke with passion, purpose and eloquence about the privileges and challenges unique to student athletes. They were inspiring.
It is not easy being a student athlete. Our student athletes often maintain very hectic schedules, relying on perfecting time management skills and a relentless focus on prioritizing as they attempt to balance classes, study, workouts, practices, games, team travel, internships, campus leadership responsibilities – and for many, jobs – which means fewer social events and not a whole lot of “me time.”
In fact, one of the issues discussed at the meeting was helping student athletes find balance amid a growing number of “voluntold” activities (activities that are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged, and in which nonparticipation may result in consequences). In the end, at FHSU, the drive, determination and character of each of our student athletes pays off. But don’t take just my word for it – check out the 2016-17 evidence:
• 16 individuals earned All-America accolades in their respective sports.
• FHSU enjoyed its most successful fall season overall in school history and ranked seventh nationally in the Learfield Directors’ Cup at the end of the fall sports season.
• Football made a bowl game appearance and finished 8-4 for the second consecutive year. FHSU picked up its first-ever win in a postseason game by winning the Heart of Texas Bowl 45-12 over Eastern New Mexico. The team had 14 All-MIAA performers and four All-Americans. (And of course the many accolades of the fall of 2017 included an undefeated 11-0 regular season earning our first MIAA Championship, first NCAA Playoff appearance since 1995 and the most wins by a team in school history – breaking the previous record of 8.)
• Volleyball finished the year 25-9 and fourth in the MIAA standings, its highest finish since joining the conference in 2006. The 25 wins tied for second most in the program’s Division II history. Five players earned All-MIAA honors and Crystal Whitten earned All-America honors.
• Men’s soccer won the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament and made the national quarterfinals for the third consecutive year. FHSU served as host of the NCAA Super Regional. The team had 12 All-MIAA selections and Luis Torres earned All-America honors. (In the fall of 2017, the team earned its first MIAA championship and made its sixth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament.)
• Women’s soccer made its deepest run in the NCAA Tournament in program history, advancing to the Central Regional Championship against Central Missouri. FHSU shared the MIAA regular season title with Central Missouri. The team had 11 members named All-MIAA.
• Women’s cross country qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in 20 years and placed 18th nationally. The squad had four All-MIAA performers.
• Men’s cross country finished fourth in the MIAA and had one All-MIAA performer.
• Women’s basketball posted its sixth consecutive 20-win season in 2016-17, going 22-8 overall. The team had four All-MIAA selections.
• Men’s basketball had another successful season, going 18-11. Rob Davis earned All-America honors, averaging 21.4 points per game, and three Tigers were named All-MIAA.
• Wrestling had four national qualifiers and six All-MIAA performers. Jon Inman was national runner-up at 197 pounds, while Brandon Ball finished sixth at 141 pounds, each earning All-America honors. Head Coach Chas Thompson was named the MIAA Coach of the Year.
• Men’s track and field spent time in the national rankings for the indoor season, and Dillando Allotey and Brett Meyer earned All-America honors in the 200 meters and 800 meters respectively for the indoor season. Dean Cronin won the national title and gained All-America status in the 800 meters for the outdoor season. Meyer also was an All-America performer in the 800 meters for the outdoor season. T.J. Dozier was an All-America performer in the discus for the outdoor season.
• Women’s track and field spent time in the national rankings for the outdoor season. Micki Krzesinski (10,000 meters), Alexcia Deutscher (javelin), and Kelly Wycoff (400 meters) were All-America performers for the outdoor season.
• Tennis reached 10 wins in a season for the ninth time under head coach Brian Flax and the team had three All-MIAA selections.
• Women’s golf finished eighth at the MIAA Championship. Hannah Perkins qualified for the NCAA Regional and NCAA Championships as an individual.
• Men’s golf finished 11th in the MIAA. Two players finished in the Top 15 at events at least once this season.
• Baseball and softball each had two All-MIAA selections, and former baseball student-athlete Giles Fox was the recipient of the FHSU Torch Award as the outstanding graduating senior of 2017.
I really admire our student athletes and am thankful for an outstanding coaching staff, caring faculty and a community that believes wholeheartedly in our students. Our athletics program is another great example of how FHSU creates an environment of heart and home!
Dr. Tisa Mason is the 10th president of Fort Hays State University.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the spring season right around the corner, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association released the 2018 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday (Jan. 31). The Fort Hays State Tigers were picked to finish 13th according to the coaches around the league.
The Tigers finished 13th in the conference standings in 2017, turning in a 10-39 record overall and a 3-33 mark in conference play. Fort Hays State looks to return to postseason play for the first time since 2013 this year with the help of 22 experienced returners and 12 talented newcomers.
Eleven Tigers make up this year’s senior class, including eight players that have been regular starters for FHSU over the last two years. For an in-depth preview of this year’s club, click the window below.
Fort Hays State kicks off the season this weekend with a three-game set against Texas-Permian Basin. The Tigers open things up against the Falcons on Friday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. in Odessa, Texas. FHSU will make its home debut one week later (Feb. 9) when it hosts Newman at Larks Park.
LeRoy James Berens passed away on Friday January 26th. LeRoy is preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, Philomena Berens. He is survived by his brother Ronald Berens, his five daughters: Michelle Wiora, Hope Berens, Sonja Chuprinko, Laura Pfeil, and Philomena Brady. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren and his two great-grandchildren.
LeRoy was a devout Catholic and an ordained deacon. Deacon Berens served the Diocese of Dallas for over 21 years, at Good Shepherd Parish in Garland and St. Mark’s Parish in Denton. He was a loyal and loving husband to his high school sweetheart, Philomena, for fifty-nine years. He often commented on how lucky he was that the “Beautiful red-haired angel picked me.” LeRoy was an amazing Dad, spending countless hours helping with homework, teaching his girls how to drive, coaching their childhood soccer teams, and so much more.
From 1957 – 1961 LeRoy served in the army, monitoring and protecting the 38th parallel immediately following the Korean War. He was a truck driver and a sharp shooter and reached the rank of Sargent. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in Chemistry, and he worked as a Forensic Chemist from 1962 to 1996. Afterwards he was a bus driver for the Garland ISD for five years. In his spare time, Deacon Berens loved to paint and woodwork. He had a weakness for his German whiskey, and he relished spending time in his workshop, turning bowls on his lathe or anything else that involved woodworking. Although somewhat of a quiet man, LeRoy was remarkably intelligent and he was incredibly patient and generous with his time, especially when it came to his ministry as a Deacon.
Deacon Berens will be missed by so many people, most especially his daughters. For all who were blessed to meet LeRoy, they came to know him as an honest and humble man, owing all of his success in life to the many, many blessings bestowed on him by God. While we are sad because the world is minus one more genuinely amazing daddy, husband, and servant to God, we are happy that he will be reunited again with his lovely Philomena and our God whom he has loved and served from the beginning of his life to the very end.
Crash scene in Virginia-photo courtesy Rep. Roger Marshall
CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA — A special, chartered Amtrak train taking GOP members of Congress to a planning retreat crashed Wednesday morning. Kansas congressman Roger Marshall is on the train.
We are on our way to our annual GOP retreat, the train carrying members and spouses hit something. Laina and I are ok, I am helping those that are injured, I will have Laina keep you updated as I know more.
Marshall reported in a text message that he had done CPR, etc. “One person gone and another has a chance.”
The train originated in Washington came into contact with a vehicle that was on the tracks at 11:20a.m. in Crozet, Virgina, according to Kimberly Wood with Amtrak media relations. There are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members. The accident is under investigation, according to Woods.
Franki and I are ok after this morning’s train accident. Our prayers go out to everyone who is injured. We are very grateful for all those who rushed to help.
The Ellis County Spelling Bee champion Mackenzie Hagerman, seventh grader from Hays Middle School, was crowned Tuesday night at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Hagerman won the competition by correctly spelling the word excruciating.
Second place went to Carson Brooksher, eighth grader at Hays Middle School.
The Fort Hays State University chapter of National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association sponsored the event.
Students from Hays and Ellis both public and Catholic schools competed in the contest.
Authorities on the scene of the investigation south of Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue the investigation of the death of a man whose body was found in a ditch on Monday.
The body of 26-year-old Ryan Bolen of Haysville, was found just after 2p.m. Monday by a passer-by south of Wichita in a ditch in the 8100 Block of South Hydraulic, according to a social media report from the sheriff’s department.
In addition, the sheriff’s department reported they are looking into Bolen’s activities last Sunday and Monday. The sheriff’s department reported no additional details late Tuesday.
After a six-month search, Rooks County Health Center (RCH) names new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anthony “AJ” Thomas of Hays. Thomas currently serves as RCH’s Director of Rehabilitation. He officially begins his new duties on February 5, according to Jeff Van Dyke, RCH Board Chairman.
A.J. Thomas
“AJ received unanimous board approval to become CEO, he has the board’s full support,” commented Van Dyke. “We’re also grateful to Frank Rajewski, RCH Chief Financial Officer and interim CEO, who stepped in last August to guide the hospital during the search process.” RCH’s former CEO, Mike Sinclair, passed away in August.
Thomas joined RCH nearly six years ago. He moved to western Kansas specifically to serve rural populations and promote the benefits of sports and orthopedic physical therapy. As RCH’s Director of Rehabilitation, Thomas oversees RCH’s departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and sports medicine outreach.
During his time as Rehabilitation Director, Thomas added occupational therapy and more than doubled the volume of all therapy patients served. As RCH’s needs grew he added more staff. He initiated athletic training services for four area high schools and two middle schools. He contracted with two area nursing homes for supervision and guidance of restorative aide programs for improved quality of life for their residents. And he contracted with Rooks County Home Health to provide rehab services to patients in the home.
Due to the successes of the rehabilitation departments, RCH recognized the county’s need to build a new dedicated wing to house all therapy services. Thomas played a vital role in designing the hospital expansion, which includes a zero-entry therapy pool and rubberized walking track that will service not only patients but the public as well. The new dedicated therapy wing is currently nearing completion of the fundraising phase before construction begins.
As CEO, Thomas sees even more growth opportunities for RCH, “We will work to constantly provide the highest quality health care possible, right here in our own backyard, growing the services that rural Kansans deserve. RCH offers something really special, a culture that cares more, and puts a premium on service. We not only do a great job providing the highest standard of health care, we do it with the best attitude.”
Thomas earned his Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Masters degree in Biology from Fort Hays State University (FHSU) before completing his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rockhurst University. Currently, Thomas serves as adjunct instructor for FHSU’s Biology and Athletic Training departments. A board certified Sports Clinical Specialist, Thomas serves on the U.S. Olympic Committee’s volunteer medical team, as well as a board member for the Kansas Physical Therapy Association, and Kansas’s Chief Delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association.
Thomas’ greatest pride comes from being the father of his three children and husband to his wife, Carla, whom he refers to as the “CEO of the Thomas household”. In addition to family he believes in giving back as much as possible through service to the community. Thomas offers his time serving on the Pastor Parish Committee of Hays’s United Methodist Church and as a coach for youth sports through the recreation department.
Lawrence L. Dudrey, 91, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Holiday Resort in Emporia, Kansas. Lawrence was born on February 6, 1926 in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of William Howard and Elsie Mae (Harris) Dudrey. He grew up in a farming family and graduated in 1943 from Antrim (Kansas) Rural High School.
Lawrence served in the United States Army, Company A, 1st Medical Division for portions of 1945 – 1946, including being stationed in Germany. On July 18, 1947 he married Anna Pearl (Foster) who preceded him in death on September 26, 2017. Surviving children include Leslie Dudrey and wife Christi of Liberty, Missouri; Calvin Dudrey and wife Debbie of Preston, Kansas; Sharon Martin and husband Raymond of Madison, Kansas; Ardyth Stone and husband Robert of Kearney, Missouri; and Debbie Hackler (Merrill) and husband Ralph of Buhler, Kansas. Eleven grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren also survive. Surviving siblings include one brother, Carl Dudrey of Stafford, Kansas and one sister, Gladys Hornbaker of St. John, Kansas.
One son, Merrill Dudrey of Hutchinson Kansas preceded him in death along with his parents William Howard and Elsie Mae (Harris) Dudrey. Also preceding him were three brothers, Wayne Dudrey of Stafford, Kansas; Larry Dudrey of St. John, Kansas; Donald Dudrey of Great Bend, Kansas; and one sister, Vera Mae Batton of Lyons, Kansas.
Lawrence moved from Morland, Kansas to Hartford, Kansas in August of 1966 when he became principal of the Hartford Schools. He earned multiple degrees (including a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters of Science in Education, Elementary Administration) from Fort Hays Kansas State College located in Hays, Kansas. Over the years he supported his family in a variety of ways including as a preacher (Church of Christ), farmer, teacher, school administrator, steel siding applicator, and salesman (World Book, Amway, Conklin).
Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Christian Church, 415 Mechanic St. Hartford, Kansas. Following the visitation, Pastor Bob Robison will officiate a Memorial Service. An inurnment for both Lawrence and his wife, Anna Pearl Dudrey will take place with military honors at the Hartford Cemetery following the Memorial Service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hartford Community Food Bank in care of Charter Funerals.
