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Month: January 2018

Kansas man accused of abuse of 7-month-old son

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Hill-photo Saline Co.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged child abuse and have a suspect in custody.

On October 20, police were called to Salina Regional Health Center after a woman took her infant son to the emergency room, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The 7-month-old had severe bruising on his bottom.

An investigation revealed the child’s father 21-year-old Quintavian L. Hill had just returned the boy to the mother after a stay with him. Hill told police he dropped the child in the shower, according to Forrester.

In December, police issued a warrant for Hill’s arrest and took him into custody Thursday. He is being held on requested charges of child abuse, according to Forrester.

Jo Ann Jarrett

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Jo Ann Jarrett, 89, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, December 08, 2017, at her home in Russell.

Jo Ann was born on July 10, 1928, in southern Cherokee County in Columbus, Kansas, the daughter of Russell Scott and Mildred Faye Jarrett. She grew up in Columbus, Kansas, attended Frontier Grade School and graduated from Cherokee County High School in the class of 1946.

After high school she attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor in Elementary Education. She received her master’s degree in science from Pittsburg State Teachers College of Pittsburg, Kansas. She accepted her first teaching job with USD 407 in Russell, Kansas, working as an elementary teacher. She was awarded Teacher Of The Year in 1988. She continued working with USD 407 for her entire teaching career until her retirement in 1993. She loved working with the children of the Russell community. She enjoyed it so much that she continued mentoring and working with the Russell schools and teachers even after retiring from teaching. Her experience and knowledge working with children was a valuable resource to the school system and community.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Russell. She also worked with the Fullbright Exchange and granted positions in Ontario, Canada and Northern Ireland. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and enjoyed the many sorority trips that took her across the country. She enjoyed embroidery, sewing, piecing quilts, traveling and spending time with her family. She also truly cherished her friendship and care she received from the Oste Family.

Surviving family include her nephew Michael Jarrett (Teresa) of Arlington, Texas; nieces Mary C. Mervyn of Norman, Oklahoma, Barbara Williams of Ft. Worth, Texas and Mary E. Nielsen of Lorton, Virginia and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step mother Louise Stockton Jarrett; brother Donald Lee Jarrett and sister Mary L. Nielsen.

A memorial service to celebrate Jo Ann’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the First Congregational Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the mortuary in Russell, with family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.
A graveside inurnment of the ashes will take place at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Kansas. Memorials may be given to the First Congregational Church of Russell and sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, and Bath-Naylor of Pittsburg, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Louise Alice Wallace

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Louise Alice Wallace, 84, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, January 04, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas after a brief illness.

Louise was born on June 25, 1933, in Dispatch, Kansas, the daughter of Martin and Marcia (Lessenden) Verhage. She grew up on a farm in Jewell County, Kansas with her 10 siblings. She attended country schools before graduating from High School in Downs, Kansas. Louise married John A. Wallace of Luray on August 19, 1951, in Osborne, Kansas. Louise and John had three children, Patricia, Vicki and Roger. Louise was a homemaker and farmer, working side by side with John, on the Wallace farm north of Luray. She was an active member of the Cheyenne United Methodist Church. In 2009, Louise and John retired and moved to Russell where Louise spent most of her time caring for John who received dialysis three days a week. Louise enjoyed quilting, gardening, reading, sewing, needlework and researching family genealogy. Louise loved animals and could be seen walking her dogs through the neighborhood almost every day. In her last few years she had joined an exercise class and continued to volunteer for local organizations. But most of all, Louise was delighted to keep in touch with her large extended family by letters, phone calls and visits. Louise maintained an active life until the week preceding her death.

Surviving family include Patricia Colglazier of Rozel, Kansas, Vicki Hemmerling (Dwight) of Hutchinson, Kansas and Roger Wallace (Mara) of Elkhorn, Nebraska. She is survived by 5 brothers, 2 sisters, 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John on April 27, 2016, son in-law Daniel Colglazier, and 3 brothers.

A celebration of Louise’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 16, at the Luray United Methodist Church in Luray, Kansas, with Pastor Les Rye officiating. A lunch will be provided at the church after the service. A private family inurnment will take place later at Vincent Cemetery. Visitation with family greeting guests will be from 6 pm to 8 pm on January 15, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner- Peeler mortuary in Russell. Memorials may be given to the Luray Library and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Don D. Casper

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Don D. Casper, 88, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Wilson, Kansas, died on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, January 15, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Wilson City Cemetery in Wilson, Kansas. Military rites will be performed at the graveside by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the mortuary.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Morutary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Kansas woman sentenced for calling in school bomb threats

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Leckrone-photo Sumner County

WELLLINGTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman who made bomb threats because she wanted her son to stay home from school and her fiancé home from work has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

KAKE-TV report s 32-year-old Helen Leckrone of Wellington was sentenced Thursday to five years and nine months in prison. She pleaded guilty in November to two counts of aggravated criminal threat.

Prosecutors say the woman called in bomb threats to Eisenhower Elementary in Wellington and Triumph Accessories in February 2017 so they could stay home for the day.

The elementary school and the business both were evacuated and Leckrone’s son and fiancé were sent home for the day.

Hays school board to discuss PEERA, relations with custodian’s union

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will talk about opting out of the PEERA program and ending negotiations with the custodian’s Union at its meeting Monday.

SEIU (Service Employees International Union) covers 28 staff members of the about 500 people employed by the Hays school district. Nineteen of those staff members pay dues and are a part of the union.

Although the city of Hays and Ellis County both voted in December to opt out of PEERA (Public Employer-Employee Relations Act), the addition of the PEERA item to Monday’s school board agenda has nothing to do with the actions of those other governing bodies.

Related story: City commission votes 3-2 to exit PEERA and employee union negotiations

Related story: Ellis County Commission votes to end union negotiations

Superintendent John Thissen said there had been some irritation expressed by certain board members when SEIU took action last year that stalled the district’s move from a state insurance plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield to a non-state plan administered by Aetna.

Related story: Unions threaten to sue district over health insurance

Related story: Unions respond on Hays USD 489 insurance issue

The school board hoped the move would save the district money and give it more flexibility in negotiating future insurance contracts.

SEIU had a provision in its contract that specifically required the district to provide the state plan and sent a letter to the district saying if it voted to leave Blue Cross Blue Shield the district could open itself up to future lawsuits. The district was able to negotiate an agreement with SEIU, and the district moved its insurance contract to Aetna.

However, the board asked the administration to revisit the union issue after the first of the year.

The district administration has not made a recommendation on the PEERA issue. Thissen said the issue would be open for discussion Monday and is not expected to be voted on. He noted that three new board members have come onto the board since the insurance issue was discussed last year, including Greg Schwartz, who was appointed in the fall and Sophia Young and Mike Walker, who were elected in November. Monday night will be their first official meeting as board members.

Esau Freeman, SEIU representative, released the following statement Friday: “The custodians of USD 489 value their collective bargaining rights and are hopeful that the school board will remain under PEERA. We appreciate that we were able to come to a fair and equitable agreement this year. We also understand that negotiations can be frustrating at times; however, collective bargaining aids in securing harmony in the workplace and allows employees to focus on their work rather than their grievances.” 

Any action the district would take on PEERA would not affect teacher negotiations. The district would still be legally required to negotiate with the Hays NEA.

High school HVAC upgrades

The board is set to vote on a proposal to spend $778,000 on the first phase of improvements to the HVAC system at Hays High School. The whole high school HVAC project is estimated to cost $4 million to $5 million. The district should have enough money in its capital outlay fund to pay for this first phase of the project.

The work will add roof-top units for the main gym, auxiliary gym and wrestling room. The program will also improve controls for other parts of the high school. The district would like to complete construction on the project this summer.

Thissen said these areas were chosen because they are the areas that are most used by the district during the summer.

Related story: Hays USD 489 set to spend $778,000 to improve HHS HVAC

School bond

The board will also continue to discuss a $78.5 million bond issue that failed in November. The bond was the second to fail in the last two years.

Related story: Hays USD 489 school bond fails; another bond likely on the horizon

In other business, the school board will:

• Vote on the audit report

• Hear a special education update

 

Blood drive set at First United Methodist Church in WaKeeney

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WAKEENEY—WaKeeney First United Methodist Church will join forces with Red Cross Community Blood Bank to help with winter blood shortages by hosting a community blood drive. The blood drive will be from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18  at the FUMC, 500 Summit Ave., WaKeeney.

The public will have an opportunity to donate blood to help local patients in the hospital during the busy holiday season. All blood donations will go directly to saving patients’ lives.

Every three seconds someone needs blood, and the only way to ensure that those needs are met is to rely on volunteer donors to donate blood. The need for local blood donors is immense. The Red Cross Blood Bank supplies over 550 units of blood each week to people in the various areas. Among those who benefit from donated blood are trauma and burn victims, cancer patients and persons undergoing surgery.

“January is National Blood Donor month and is one of the peak times for blood usage, as well as being one of the most difficult times to keep supplies at healthy levels,” state Blood Bank workers said. “With a consistent need for blood for many types of medical treatments, we are asking for the community’s help by giving blood at this event.”

Donors must be in good general health the day of the donation. Please bring an I.D.  It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. For more information, log onto www.redcrossblood.org or call Wakeeney First United Methodist Church at 785-743-2040.

David Wayne Sumpter

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David Wayne Sumpter, 69, Beloit, Ks., passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018. David was born May 25, 1948, to Erinstein (Lawson) and Richard Wayne Sumpter in Omaha Ne.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters; Diane, Josephine, Carol, Edith, grandparents Lloyd and Effie Sumpter.

He is Survived by wife Rose Sumpter of the home, children; Chad Sumpter, Beloit Ks, James (Lisa) Sumpter Atchison, Ks, Tracy (P.J) Kocher, Beloit, Ks; grandchildren; Joann Sumpter, Delmar Kocher, Brittni Sumpter, Amy Price, and one great grandson; siblings; Charolette Becker, Anthony, Ks, Lloyd Sumpter, Lorane, Ks, Richard (Penny) Sumpter, Downs Ks, Norman Sumpter, Downs, Ks, Liz (Tim) Benson, Brady Ne, Allan (Helen) Sumpter, Downs, Ks, Jerry Sumpter, Downs, Ks, Melvin Sumpter, Downs, Ks, Norleen Sumpter, Downs, Ks, Carl (Tammy) Sumpter, Tipton, Ks.; in laws; Rick (Ruth) Wegner, Mulberry, Ks, Bob (Sharon) Wegner, Beloit, Ks.; nieces and nephews; Pat Wegner, Wauconda, Il, Matt Wegner, Elgin, Il, Gary (Robin) Wegner, Pittsburg, Ks, Tonya Merrill, Concordia, Ks, Lacy Wegner, Hays, Erin (Wayne) Knapp, Beloit, Ks; and many other nieces and nephews from the Sumpter family.

Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Monday, January 15th with family present from 5-6 p.m. at Schoen Funeral Home and Monuments. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 16th at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at ElmWood Cemetery, Beloit. Cremation has been chosen. Memorials to David Sumpter Memorial Fund, to be designated at a later date. In care of Schoen Funeral Home and Monuments.

Sheriff: Patron injured after vehicle crash into Kansas restaurant

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RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man is recovering from injuries from an accident blamed on slick roads.

Just before 2p.m. Thursday, a vehicle driven by John Mayo III, 19, Wellington, was northbound on Nickerson Street, according to Reno County Deputy Wesley Vaughn.

The driver lost control of the vehicle on the snow packed pavement at Avenue A. The vehicle left the road and crashed into Flick’s Restaurant.

A restaurant patrol Bryan Almquist, 51, Nickerson, received a leg injury from the debris.  Mayo was not injured, according to Vaught.

Thursday’s crash scene -Photos courtesy Reno Co. Sheriff

The Sheriff’s Department did not release details on where Almquist was treated for injuries or Mayo’s seat belt usage.

FHSU listed in top level of 2018 U.S. News & World Report’s online rankings

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FHSU University Relations

Online bachelor’s degree programs from Fort Hays State University are still No. 1 in Kansas in the 2018 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

FHSU and the University of Kansas were the only Kansas institutions to be listed by the magazine in its graduate nursing program ranking. Fort Hays State was No. 35 in the nation in that category.

FHSU was also ranked 35th in the nation in the 2018 report for online bachelor’s programs. The university also ranked high in two other categories of the eight covered in the online rankings. FHSU was No. 62 in best online graduate education programs and No. 108 in best online MBA programs.

“These rankings are indicative of the commitment Fort Hays State University and our faculty have made to meet the needs of place-bound students in Kansas, throughout the United States, and around the world,” said Dr. Jeff Briggs, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Citizens can receive a meaningful education from anywhere in the world through our Virtual College programs.”

According to a recent report in the Digest of Education Statistics, the number of colleges and universities in the United States is more than 4,500.

The other four programs in the U.S. News list, not offered by the FHSU Virtual College, are graduate business, non-MBA; graduate engineering; graduate criminal justice; and graduate computer information technology.

The four programs offered by Fort Hays State are among a total of 51 degree programs offered through the FHSU Virtual College – 31 undergraduate, 16 master’s, one doctorate, one specialist and two associate degrees. Many emphases are available across the range of programs.

U.S. News based its bachelor’s degree ratings on student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, and peer reputation. Student engagement was given the most weight, at 35 percent. The student services and technology weighting was 25 percent, and the remaining two were given 20 percent.

For graduate education programs, student engagement again was given the most weight, 35 percent. In that category, student services and technology was given 20 percent, and admissions selectivity, faculty credentials and training, and peer reputation each received a 15-percent weighting.

For MBA programs, student engagement was weighted at 28 percent. Admissions selectivity and peer reputation were each rated at 25 percent; faculty credentials and training was weighted at 11 percent, as was student services and technology.

Graduate nursing programs criteria also gave student engagement the greatest weight at 30 percent. Faculty credentials and training and peer reputation were each weighted at 20 percent, and admissions selectivity and student services and technology were each given 15 percent.

Farmers invited to Kansas Commodity Classic on Jan. 26

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Kansas Wheat

MANHATTAN — All Kansas farmers are invited and encouraged to attend the Kansas Commodity Classic on Friday, Jan. 26.

The Commodity Classic is the annual convention of the Kansas Corn, Wheat and Grain Sorghum Associations, and will take place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 530 Richards Drive, Manhattan, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. It is free to attend and includes a complimentary lunch; however pre-registration is requested.

The Classic will be emceed by Greg Akagi of WIBW 580 Radio and Kansas Agriculture Network.

The program will begin at 9 a.m. Welcoming remarks will be given by the Executive Directors of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

At 9:15, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran will take the stage to give attendees an update on issues in Washington.

Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist for INTL FCStone will provide a markets update. During the 10:30 break, attendees will have an opportunity to visit with sponsors and growers from across Kansas.

Trade is an important topic for Kansas agriculture, and speakers from the national commodity organizations will address it. Molly O’Connor, Biotech, Food and Trade Policy Advisor with the National Association of Wheat Growers, and Mike Dwyer, Chief Economist with the U.S. Grains Council, will tackle the subject.

At 11:30, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, U.S. Senate Ag Committee Chairman, will provide an agriculture and Farm Bill update.

Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics, will be the featured keynote speaker during the lunch. Dr. Flinchbaugh is a renowned expert on agricultural policy and an award-winning professor of agricultural economics at KSU. He has been a long-time advisor on ag policy to politicians of both parties. Drawing on his authority and expertise, Dr. Flinchbaugh will look at lessons learned from the historically long debate on the 2014 farm bill and will look forward to the upcoming farm bill discussions.

The Kansas Commodity Classic is hosted by the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. The event is sponsored by the following: Kansas Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Monsanto, Syngenta, Shield Ag Equipment, AgriGold and Perten Instruments, Inc./Fairbanks Scales, Inc. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is requested. Visit kswheat.com/kscommodityclassic18 for an agenda and to register.

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