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Month: January 2018
Matching donations make your gift to Ellis County ‘Twice as Nice’
HCF
The Heartland Community Foundation, a charitable foundation serving Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties, has an opportunity through the generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation to earn up to $50,000 for HCF’s granting-making endowment targeted to Ellis County. The Hansen Foundation will match any gifts that the public makes to the Ellis County fund dollar for dollar up to $5,000 per donor, and up to $50,000 total for each of the three counties in HCF’s service area, including Ellis County. The Hansen Foundation will truly make these charitable, tax-deductible donations TWICE AS NICE by doubling them in size through the month of February.
Through the generosity of the City of Hays and of Ellis County, in the form of Leadership gifts to the Twice as Nice Campaign, the Ellis County Field of Interest Fund was jump-started with $10,000.00.
“Hansen has given HCF and all of our communities an opportunity to create a grant-making fund for each county that will make an immediate impact,“ stated HCF Executive Director Sandy Jacobs. “All money raised during the month of February will go to an endowment for each county to help improve quality of life now and in the future. By matching these gifts so quickly, each of our counties will have an immediately available fund for annual grants that help right in the counties where your donations are given. The Leadership Gifts of the City of Hays and of Ellis County got us off to a great start!”
In recent years, HCF has partnered with the Hansen Foundation to fund many grant requests in all three counties, including Ellis County grants for fire-fighting equipment for the Victoria Fire Department, equipment at the Hays Area Children’s Center to assist the families of young children with disabilities, interactive technology for students at TMP-Marian High School, and an outdoor learning pavilion at Lincoln Elementary School in Hays.
No donation is too small, and by making the tax-deductible donation during the month of February, you can double its impact. To help make a brighter future for Ellis County, make a donation, or ask questions, contact Sandy Jacobs at the Heartland Community Foundation by email at [email protected] or calling 785-621-4090.
SCHLAGECK: Prepare for winter driving
Dad lived by this creed for more than 70 years in northwestern Kansas. He’d seen his share of blowing and drifting snow. When he talked about western Kansas blizzards, the years of ’31 and ’57 come to mind.
The ’31 blizzard hit on April Fool’s Day and killed hundreds of cattle, Dad said. One of his neighbors lost 80 head of cattle in a pasture less than a mile west of the small community of Seguin in Sheridan County.
When I was a youngster, I experienced the blizzard of ’57. Snow drifted as high as the roof on my friend, Vernon Rietcheck’s two-story home. We sledded down the drifts and played in the snow all day.
Our parents weren’t so lucky. There were roads to open and cattle to feed and water. Our homes were without electricity for five days.
My father and those hearty souls who lived on the High Plains learned from these storms. They learned to travel only when necessary – to feed, water and care for livestock.
They rarely traveled anywhere in their pickups without several pairs of gloves, a scoop shovel, a log chain as well as chains for the rear tires. Four-wheel drive vehicles in the ‘50s and ‘60s were uncommon in those days.
Dad always wore a cap with ear protection and carried a couple extra on the front seat of his pickup in the winter. The trunk of our car also had extras. He knew a person couldn’t last long outside in freezing weather with all your body heat escaping through the top of a bare head.
If we traveled anywhere during the winter months, the trunk of the family car was always packed with extra warm clothes, blankets, overalls, gloves, a flashlight, fresh batteries, chains and a shovel to clear the snow from in front or back of the tires.
Dad had been stuck in snow many times. He’d heard of, and known of a neighbor who was stranded and froze to death in one of the fierce northwestern Kansas blizzards. Before every winter season began, and often throughout, he’d remind us of these stories.
My father always topped off his fuel tanks for winter travel as well. He believed a full tank provided extra weight on the rear wheels.
“Besides, it runs better on the top half (of the tank),” he always said.
Although Dad never carried sand bags in the back of his car or trucks, he did carry extra weight during the winter. He always lugged around tractor tire weights while some of his neighbors preferred sand and sprinkled the gritty stuff in front of their tires for extra traction in snow and ice.
If someone absolutely had to go out during a winter storm, Dad preached extra time and patience.
“If you’re frightened or overly concerned about weather conditions – don’t drive,” he’d always say. “Wait the storm out.”
Dad’s advice was sound then and it’s sound today. Remember, it takes a while to find your “driving legs” each new winter season, he’d say.
Relax. Sit back in the seat. From time to time take deep breaths. Don’t grip the wheel until your knuckles turn white.
Try to anticipate what other drivers intend to do. At the same time, keep an eye on them as well.
Let them speed, spin, slip and slide. Allow at least twice as long to reach your destination. Concentrate on the road ahead, behind and on your right and left.
While driving during hazardous weather brings out the worst in some drivers, it can also bring out the best in others. Some welcome the chance to brave the elements. To drive safely under such conditions can provide a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Drive safely and know your limitations. Remember, if you must take a chance that could result in an accident or worse, “Stay off the road.”
John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.
Fort Hays State’s Bruner receives national ACPA award
Dr. Brett Bruner, director of transition and student conduct at Fort Hays State University, recently received the 2018 National Student Success Award from the American College Personnel Association: College Student Educators International Coalition for Multicultural Affairs – Latin@/x Network.
The award is given to a campus program or office that has significantly impacted the collegiate experience of Latino or Latina students.
“Over the past two years, FHSU’s Hispanic College Institute has done amazing things to focus on providing access to Hispanic college students,” said Bruner. “We are very excited and feel extremely honored to receive this award from the ACPA.”
The ACPA, according to its website, is the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
Bruner will receive the award Monday, March 12 at the ACPA Annual Convention in Houston.
Kan. middle school teacher arrested for alleged child sex crimes
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.
An investigation by the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff joint Internet Crimes against Children Task Force into allegations of child pornography led to a search warrant being served Tuesday in Derby, according to officer Charley Davidson.
During the search warrant, the suspect identified as Cody Chitwood, 37, was contacted. Police then booked Chitwoood a Derby Middle School teacher into the Sedgwick County Jail for two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, according to the jail booking report.
The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office upon completion of the investigation, according to Davidson.
The school district said Chitwood was not in school Tuesday and was not taken into custody on school property. He has been suspended with pay. School officials believe the matter doesn’t involve any students or staff.
Sunny, mild Wednesday
Today Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 23. South southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 23 mph.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.
Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 51.
Cause of Kansas hotel fire still a mystery
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Investigators say it is too dangerous and would be too expensive to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a Lawrence hotel.
The city announced the cause of the Jan. 15 fire at the Americas Best Value Inn was officially undetermined. No one was injured.
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Marshal James King said Monday extensive excavation would be needed before investigators could go inside the three-story building, which largely collapsed after the fire.
He says investigators so far found no evidence of arson, so officials decided the expense of the excavation wouldn’t be justified.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports King said investigators would have pursued the excavation if they strongly suspected criminal activity.
The building is a total loss but investigators had not yet calculated a dollar figure for the damages.
Tuesday high school basketball scores
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Abilene 62, Concordia 41
Andale 52, Augusta 50
Andover Central 73, Rose Hill 48
Argonia 42, Burden Central 39
Barstow, Mo. 62, KC Sumner 53
Bonner Springs 53, Paola 50
BV Randolph 64, Wakefield 38
Caney Valley 79, Eureka 43
Chase 49, Natoma 42
Cheney 74, Chaparral 50
Cherryvale 49, Neodesha 34
Colby 65, Oakley 54
Columbus 62, Southeast 52
Conway Springs 55, Winfield 26
Derby 71, Maize South 56
Doniphan West 55, Troy 30
Erie 75, Fredonia 44
Galena 58, Frontenac 47
Garden City 56, Ulysses 39
Girard 55, Baxter Springs 52
Goddard-Eisenhower 88, Maize 68
Goodland 67, Wray, Colo. 54
Hanover 61, Centralia 45
Haven 72, Sedgwick 57
Hooker, Okla. 76, Meade 48
Hoxie 44, Hill City 39
Humboldt 69, Bluestem 63
Hutchinson Trinity 66, Smoky Valley 56
Jayhawk Linn 56, Uniontown 34
KC Harmon 66, KC Bishop Ward 50
KC Piper 72, KC Turner 54
La Crosse 54, Ellinwood 33
Lakeside 35, Lincoln 32
Lakin 73, Scott City 65
Larned 45, Kingman 35
Lee’s Summit Community Christian, Mo. 65, KC Christian 58
Manhattan CHIEF 65, St. John’s Military 35
Marmaton Valley 69, Oswego 54
Maur Hill – Mount Academy 58, Bishop Seabury Academy 50
McPherson 71, Newton 52
Minneapolis 42, Ell-Saline 33
Mission Valley 58, Northern Heights 42
Moscow 59, Deerfield 46
Northeast-Arma 67, Chetopa 54
Northern Valley 50, Stockton 33
Norton 49, Trego 41
Osawatomie 60, Central Heights 52
Osborne 60, Wilson 44
Otis-Bison 39, Dighton 38
Palco 52, Western Plains-Healy 45
Parsons 78, Coffeyville 71
Perry-Lecompton 65, Nemaha Central 53
Phillipsburg 60, Hoisington 38
Pike Valley 73, Thunder Ridge 44
Plainville 68, Logan 28
Quinter 57, Golden Plains 55
Rock Hills 55, Tescott 23
Russell 54, Smith Center 49
Salina Central 62, Hays 48
Salina Sacred Heart 57, Beloit 33
Santa Fe Trail 69, Silver Lake 52
Southwestern Hts. 60, Forgan, Okla. 55
Stanton County 49, Sublette 43
Sylvan-Lucas 57, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 25
Tonganoxie 55, Heritage Christian 19
Wamego 58, Council Grove 45
Washington County 71, Linn 57
Wichita Bishop Carroll 80, Wichita North 64
Wichita Heights 55, Kapaun Mount Carmel 49
Wichita Northwest 65, Wichita West 51
Wichita Southeast 63, Wichita South 60
Yates Center 69, Pleasanton 34
Lyon County League Tournament
Madison/Hamilton 55, Lebo 41
Olpe 66, Marais des Cygnes Valley 33
SPIAA Tournament
Hodgeman County 51, Ashland 31
South Central 64, Pawnee Heights 32
South Gray 66, Satanta 34
Spearville 57, Kiowa County 42
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Argonia 61, Burden Central 22
Barstow, Mo. 57, Olathe North 23
Beloit 51, Salina Sacred Heart 37
Bishop Miege 73, Topeka Hayden 32
Bluestem 60, Humboldt 55
Burlington 53, Chase County 36
BV Randolph 47, Wakefield 27
Cair Paravel 44, Christ Preparatory Academy 35
Central Heights 49, Osawatomie 43
Chase 35, Natoma 19
Cherryvale 44, Neodesha 40
Chetopa 45, Northeast-Arma 36
Colby 40, Oakley 30
Columbus 51, Southeast 21
Concordia 48, Abilene 39
Council Grove 30, Wamego 27
Doniphan West 59, Troy 34
Elkhart 55, Walsh, Colo. 29
Erie 46, Fredonia 35
Eureka 40, Caney Valley 39
Galena 42, Frontenac 38
Girard 54, Baxter Springs 49
Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 56, Sylvan-Lucas 25
Hanover 52, Centralia 51
Highland Park 67, Ottawa 46
Hooker, Okla. 65, Meade 41
Hoxie 44, Hill City 39
Hutchinson Trinity 55, Smoky Valley 37
Jayhawk Linn 49, Uniontown 17
La Crosse 52, Ellinwood 30
Lakeside 43, Lincoln 36
Lee’s Summit Community Christian, Mo. 66, KC Christian 18
Maur Hill – Mount Academy 66, Bishop Seabury Academy 19
Mission Valley 42, Northern Heights 40
Moscow 49, Deerfield 31
Norton 55, Trego 49
Oswego 46, Marmaton Valley 33
Otis-Bison 39, Dighton 35
Palco 45, Western Plains-Healy 29
Paola 59, Bonner Springs 32
Parsons 44, Coffeyville 20
Phillipsburg 56, Hoisington 50
Plainville 60, Logan 37
Quinter 39, Golden Plains 33
Rock Hills 41, Tescott 37
Russell 56, Smith Center 37
Salina Central 60, Hays 55
Scott City 64, Lakin 32
Silver Lake 63, Santa Fe Trail 44
Stockton 80, Northern Heights 62
Sublette 51, Stanton County 25
Thunder Ridge 58, Pike Valley 22
Tonganoxie 47, Heritage Christian 35
Valley Heights 58, Onaga 13
Wallace County 64, Triplains-Brewster 49
Washington County 57, Linn 42
Wichita Bishop Carroll 73, Wichita North 20
Wilson 42, Osborne 27
Wray, Colo. 64, Goodland 39
Yates Center 58, Pleasanton 39
Berean Academy/Eli Walter Tournament
Berean Academy 42, Douglass 25
Halstead 63, Burrton 26
Minneapolis 56, Goessel 44
Wichita Trinity 45, Hutchinson Central Christian 36
Cunningham Tournament
Attica 47, Norwich 42
Cunningham 49, Pratt Skyline 31
Pretty Prairie 59, Kinsley 48
South Barber 47, Medicine Lodge 32
Hiawatha Tournament
Jackson Heights 67, Atchison 38
Marysville 54, Hiawatha 19
St. Mary’s 41, Falls City, Neb. 30
Valley Center 61, Horton 41
Hilltop Hoops Classic
Central Plains 94, Ness City 14
Moundridge 49, Macksville 34
Consolation Semifinal
Larned 47, Ell-Saline 31
Jefferson County North Tournament
Jefferson North 56, Perry-Lecompton 27
Pleasant Ridge 69, Cornerstone Family 58
Rossville 51, Oskaloosa 33
Valley Falls 42, Atchison County 27
Lyon County League Tournament
Olpe 79, Marais des Cygnes Valley 15
Waverly 57, Burlingame 40
Mulvane Tournament
Arkansas City 47, Mulvane 28
Conway Springs 55, Winfield 26
Sedgwick Tournament
Fairfield 52, Chaparral 47
Inman 60, Belle Plaine 22
Sedgwick 43, Canton-Galva 16
Wichita Independent 54, Clearwater 29
Wellsville Tournament
Baldwin 65, Anderson County 11
KC Piper 72, Louisburg 41
Nemaha Central 51, Spring Hill 39
Wellsville 57, Lansing 56
Hays hosts Salina Central
Girls
#6 5A Salina Central 60 – #6 #4A-1 Hays 55
After an 11 day layoff, the Hays High Lady Indians took the court at home Tuesday night versus Salina Central. The Lady Mustangs were coming off of three games in three days and a runner up finish on Saturday to Liberal in the Salina Invitational Tournament. Both teams entered ranked. Hays at #6 in 4A-1 and Salina Central at #6 in 5A.
Like two state ranked teams should, each team took big swings in the first half. The Lady Indians used a 11-3 run that built a 11-7 lead mid way through the first quarter. Central responded with a 9-3 run that closed the first quarter and enabled the Lady Mustangs to grab a 16-14 lead.
At one point Hays missed 12 straight shots and Central took advantage to build their biggest lead of the first half at 29-22. Over the final two minutes though the Lady Indians defense didn’t allow another point and baskets from Tasiah Nunnery, Jaycee Dale and Savannah Schneider tied the game at 29 as the teams hit locker room.
Highlights
Hays and Central were tied four more times in the third quarter and the lead changed hands twice with the Lady Mustangs taking a 43-41 lead into the fourth quarter. The Hays High Lady took what turned out to be their final lead of the night on five straight points from Nunnery, grabbing a 46-45 lead.
The deciding run came over the next 90 seconds. Central scored three quick baskets including two three pointers putting the Lady Mustangs up 53-46. Hays never got closer than five rest of the way. The Lady Indian’s best chance came down 56-51, where they had three consecutive possessions but could not score. Central held on for a 60-55 win over Hays.
Coach Haley Wolf
Hays falls 8-2 on the season. Salina Central is now 10-3. Savannah Schneider led all scoring with 21. Tasiah Nunnery scored 10 for a third consecutive game. The Lady Indians are headed to the McPherson Mid-America Classic on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Hays opens with 5-5 Wichita Northwest.
Boys
#9 5A Salina Central 62 – Hays 48
With both Hays and Salina Central coming off of mid-season tournaments, they showed little fatigue in the first quarter. The teams traded baskets through the first quarter with Hays taking a 15-14 lead after eight minutes. The second quarter was trouble for a third straight game for the Indians. Hays made just two field goals while Salina Central finished the half on a 12-2 run. The run came as Hays closed a six point gap down to one at 21-20. The run allowed the Mustangs to take a 33-22 lead at half time.
Highlights
Central turned the 12-2 run at the end of the third quarter into a 22-2 run that built the Mustangs a 21 points lead at 43-22. Hays scored just two points over a 7:20 span that help lead to the 21 point deficit. Hays did find a spark in the third quarter. Hays went on a 13-5 run over four minutes to get back within 13 at 48-35. The Indians has the ball at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth but missed shots on both possessions. Salina Central kept the Indians at arms length rest of the night for a 62-48 victory.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays falls in a third straight game, all to ranked opponents and is 8-5 on the season. Salina Central is now 10-3. Tradgon McCrae led the Indians with 13. Cole Murphy added 12. The Hays boys are off for a week when they resume play against Salina South.
Young’s 26 help No. 12 Oklahoma top No. 5 Kansas
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – Trae Young had 26 points and nine assists, and No. 12 Oklahoma rallied to beat No. 5 Kansas 85-80 on Tuesday night.
Young, the nation’s leader in scoring and assists, struggled with efficiency in losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma State last week. Against Kansas, the freshman point guard made 7 of 9 field goals and 10 of 12 free throws.
Christian James scored 15 points and Brady Manek added 14 for the Sooners (15-4, 5-3 Big 12), who won their 13th straight at home.
Svi Mykhailiuk scored 24 points and Malik Newman added 20 for Kansas (16-4, 6-2), which had won five straight. Devonte’ Graham, Kansas’ leading scorer, finished with 11 points on 4-of-19 shooting.
Kansas led for most of the second half, but James’ 3-pointer with 1:09 remaining on an assist from Young put the Sooners up 82-80. Manek later drained a 3-pointer, also on an assist from Young, to make it 85-80 with 25 seconds to play.
Oklahoma effectively limited Kansas center Udoka Azubuike. The 7-footer scored nine points, all in the second half. He played with foul trouble and made just 1 of 7 free throws.
Oklahoma drew the second foul on Azubuike with 10:14 left in the first half and Kansas leading 19-13. The Sooners went on a 13-4 run in the next three minutes to take the lead.
The Sooners led 43-41 at halftime. Young took just four shots and had six assists before the break, and he didn’t attempt a 3-pointer. Newman led Kansas with 15 points in the half and Mykhailiuk added 11. Graham was held to 7 points on 2 for 9 shooting before the break.
Kansas took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. Azubuike made three consecutive buckets during one stretch to give Kansas a 55-47 lead.
Oklahoma intentionally fouled Azubuike, a 41-percent free throw shooter coming in, several times. He missed all five of his free throws in the final 3:37 to help the Sooners get back into the game.
BIG PICTURE
Kansas: The Jayhawks were two games ahead of the rest of the Big 12 in the loss column and missed a chance to take control of the conference race.
Oklahoma: The Sooners needed a win after the two losses to unranked opponents. Young trusted his teammates at crunch time, and they delivered.
UP NEXT
Kansas hosts Texas A&M on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
Oklahoma travels to Alabama on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
Father sues ICE over handling of Mexican national who killed 4 in Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The father of one of five people allegedly killed by a Mexican national who was in the country illegally is suing federal immigration authorities.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Kansas City, Kansas, claims Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had two chances to detain and deport 42-year-old Pablo Serrano-Vitorino before March 2016, when four men were killed in Kansas and one in Missouri.
Serrano-Vitorino is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths. The lawsuit was filed by the father of Austin Harter, one of the men killed.
The lawsuit says ICE didn’t follow proper procedures, allowing Serrano-Vitorino to be released from jail twice before March 2016.
A spokesman for ICE said Tuesday the agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
Man sentenced for sex abuse of 16-year-olds at Kan. air base
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man who lived in base housing at McConnell Air Force Base was sentenced Monday to 30 years in federal prison for sexually abusing two teenage girls, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.
Random Shane Smith, 38, Wichita, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. In his plea, Smith admitted using force to make the two 16-year-old victims have sex with him. The assaults took place in base housing.
Ellis County Sheriff’s activity log Jan. 18 – 22
11/22/2017
Indecent Act/Liberties w/Child, 500 block Dorrance Street, Ellis, 3:00 p.m.
12/01/2017
Sodomy, 1700 block West Monroe Street, Ellis, 11:00 p.m.
12/19/2017
Terroristic Threat, 1700 block West Monroe Street, Ellis, 11:30 a.m.
01/16/2018
Warrant Service, 100 block West 12th Street, Hays
01/18/2018
Criminal Transport, El Dorado, 7:03 a.m.
Warrant Service, 1350 block Highway 40, Hays, 10:22 a.m.
Found/Lost Property, 1200 block Fort Street, Hays, 11:01 a.m. > 12:10 p.m.
01/19/2018
Warrant Service, 100 block West 12th Street, Hays, 9:25 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Norton, 9:34 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Norton, 2:38 p.m.
Criminal Transport, Highway 40, 3:18 p.m.
Other, 1560 block Walker Avenue, Walker, 10:53 p.m.
01/20/2018
Juvenile Complaint, 1300 block Fairground Road, 5:30 p.m.
01/21/2018
Towed Vehicle, 250th Avenue Milepost 161, 6:41 a.m.
Civil Transport, Russell County, 9:52 a.m.
Criminal Transport, WaKeeney, 12:51 p.m.
01/22/2018
Motor vehicle accident, Ellis County, 4:13 p.m.
Warrant Service, 3400 block Vine Street, Hays, 8:22 p.m.