SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery that allegedly occurred during the sale of shoes via an online app.
Just after 1p.m. Monday, police responded to report of an aggravated robbery at a home in the 1600 Block of North Emporia in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
A 19-year-old man told police he was selling a pair of shoes on the OfferUp app. Two unknown men described as in their 20s or early 30s arrived at the home in a grey Chevy Impala.
During the transaction, one of the suspects pointed a gun at the teen victim. During a struggle, the victim was shot one time in the shoulder, according to Davidson. The teen was transported to a local hospital for treatment and has been released, according to Davidson.
Investigators have developed two potential suspects in the case. They are working to locate them.
Davidson released no additional details on Tuesday.
Kansas Common Crude at CHS in McPherson starts the new year at $50.75/bbl, compared to $44 last year at this time, $27.25 in 2016, and $73.25 on January 1, 2014.
The final weekly rig count summary of the year from Baker Hughes showed the oil rig count unchanged for the second week in a row. The nationwide total for the week ending December 29 was 929, reflecting a drop of two rigs seeking natural gas. Canada reports a seasonal drop of 74 to 136 active rigs.
The Kansas Corporation Commission reports 112 new intent-to-drill notices filed last month, bring the total for the year to 1,561. That’s an improvement over last year’s dismal 1,166, but far below the 7,104 intents filed statewide in 2014. There were two new intents filed in Barton County, which makes 47 for the year. One new intent in Ellis County brings the annual total to 47. There were no new intents filed in Russell County, where operators filed 24 during the rest of the year. There were three new intent notices filed in Stafford County, which makes 34 for the year.
A labor headhunter in Midland, Texas tells Bloomberg that Permian Basin oil producers will need to hire more than 3,000 more truck drivers at the rate the play is growing today. That could be a tough sell to those fired during the oil-price collapse of 2014. About 3,000 oil truckers are currently at work in the region. That’s more than the tally before the price bust.
The Interior Department has quietly rolled back an Obama-era policy aimed at protecting migratory birds, stating in a solicitor’s opinion that it will no longer prosecute oil and gas, wind and solar operators that accidentally kill birds.
Regulators in the Trump administration are proposing to roll back safety measures put in place after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a revision that would reduce the role of government in offshore oil production and return more responsibility to private companies.
The prolific Permian Basin in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico reached a new oil-production record, beating it’s previous record, set in 1973, by more than 25 million barrels. IHS Markit says it will revise final production figures after year-end production reports are in, but the company asserts the Permian will produce roughly 2.75 million barrels per day, or more than 815 million barrels for the year.
In a recent survey by the British bank Barclays, 90 percent of U.S. oil producers said they expect oil field costs to climb next year. The Houston Chronicle reports that increased revenue will be good news for oil field service companies, which have slashed payrolls and prices to keep business alive during the price downturn.
Industry analysts warn that because of the recent downturn in the oil and gas industry, global energy companies have focused on cost cuts and not on conventional or off-shore exploration. A report in the Daily Oklahoman notes that global discoveries have dropped to the lowest levels in at least 70 years, seven billion barrels. In 2012 the totals for new conventional discoveries were more than four times higher.
Russia led all nations in crude exports to China for the ninth month in a row last month. Russia’s shipments to China were up 11 percent from a year ago.
Arguments mounted over China’s alleged transfer of crude oil to ships bound for North Korea. The South Koreans acknowledged they have seized one of the ships believed involved. The Lighthouse Winmore was intercepted on its return trip, and remained in South Korea. Officials say that on October 19, instead of going to Taiwan as scheduled, the vessel transferred its crude cargo to a North Korean ship and three others in international waters. The transfer was one of more than 30 reportedly captured in US satellite photographs. Numerous Chinese officials said China said there had been no sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese ships to North Korea.
In Loving Memory
Delores Joan Jennings passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017, in Kearney, Nebraska, at the age of 74. She was born to Arthur and Wilma (Chancellor) Dimond on September 10, 1941, at home in Fairbury, Nebraska.
After the passing of her mother when Delores was the age of five, she was adopted by her maternal grandparents, Vernon and Rose Chancellor and grew in McCook, Nebraska. While in her teens, Delores worked at the dime store in McCook and graduated from McCook High School.
On July 2, 1960, she married James Jennings at the Oberlin Covenant Church. They soon moved to Houston, Texas, where they started a family and attended Gulf Coast Bible College together while James studied for the ministry.
James was assigned to his first church in Anthony, Kansas. While living there, Delores received her practical nurse certificate and worked at the Anthony Hospital. She was also very active in the church as a minister’s wife.
Their next move was to Mountain Grove, Missouri, where she was a doctor’s personal nurse and very active in the church teaching Sunday school and working with the ladies’ group. Delores enjoyed camping at the Ozarks and camping out while attending the International Church of God Camp meetings in Anderson, Indiana.
In 1989 the couple moved to Littleton, Colorado, where Delores went to teach at the Concorde Career Institute. There she developed the pharmacy technician program. She was named the Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Allied Health in 1993. This was co-sponsored by the Denver Post and KMGH TV, in conjunction with the Colorado Private School Association.
James and Delores moved to Oberlin in 1997 to be closer to James’s mother. While in Oberlin, she got involved in quilting and loved every minute of it, deeply enjoying her quilting friends. They moved to their current home in 2003, and Delores was able to set up a special quilting room where she would spend as much time as she could making quilts, wall hangings and table runners. She always tried to keep busy and pushed herself to finish projects. Delores loved to collect anything that had to do with angels and made a special angel tree to display many of her collectibles. She was a member of the local Ornament Club, Quilt Club, and the Heart to Heart sewing group. In addition, she did Sunday Songs of Faith for the radio and would not miss a program.
Delores is survived by her husband, James of Oberlin; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Clinton and Cathy Jennings of Greenfield, Indiana, and Christopher Jennings of Sparks, Nevada; one daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Terry Coalter of St. Joseph, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Helen Chancellor of Bruning, Nebraska; and two grandchildren, Corbin and Corina Jennings.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Raymond Chancellor.
Memorial Service: No services are planned at this time
Funeral Service: Wednesday, January 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin with Pastor Gordon Pettibone officiating
Burial: Oberlin Cemetery
Memorial Funds: Oberlin United Methodist Church and Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County
Visitation: Tuesday from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Wednesday after 8:00 a.m.
In Loving Memory
Rowena Mae Cathcart was born August 29, 1925, to Albert and Maude (Loomis) Lacey at their farm home near Hayes Center, Nebraska. She passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 92.
Rowena attended a country grade school near her family’s farm and graduated from high school in Hayes Center. Her family attended Bethel Missionary Church. Before her marriage, Rowena worked at the McCook Montgomery Ward and McCook Equity, where she met her future husband.
On May 15, 1958, Rowena married Virgil Clarence Cathcart in Oberlin. They resided on the Cathcart Family farm southeast of Danbury, Nebraska, where they raised their two daughters. Rowena was a loving and devoted farm wife, mother and homemaker who took pleasure in helping around the farm and making a home for her family.
Her faith, family and friends were the highlights of her life. Virgil and Rowena were active members of Prairie Chapel Church near their home for many years. They also enjoyed attending activities their girls and grandchildren were involved in, and Rowena liked to keep in touch with her grandchildren and others through letter-writing. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed embroidery work, and took an interest in what was happening around the farm, especially the cattle.
After living on the family farm for almost 35 years, Virgil and Rowena moved to Oberlin. They continued to enjoy their Prairie Chapel community and later became members of the Oberlin United Methodist Church. They also took time to do some traveling.
Rowena is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Carolyn Hackney, of Oberlin, and Joyce and Lynn Rippe, of Danbury, NE; one brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Karen Lacey, of Culbertson, NE; eight grandchildren: Julie Plotts, Leslie Fox (Travis), Amie Burge (Darin), Lorie Kaczmarek (Kevin), Lewis Plotts (Tina), Marie Klee (Rob), Buddy Plotts, and Alyssa Rippe (Cole May); in addition to 20 great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil on February 26, 2008; parents, Albert and Maude Lacey; two brothers, Loren Lacey and Donald Lacey (in infancy); and a sister, Alpha Kinsey.
Hess Services of Hays is in the process of hiring 50 new employees to add a night shift at the company.
Allyssa Kraich, Hess director of human resources, said the company has seen an increase in business and needs the extra shift to meet the demand.
Some of the new positions have already been filled. Hess currently has 285 employees.
Hess Services designs, fabricates, repairs, grit blasts and paints oilfield and industrial equipment. This equipment includes storage tanks, pressure vessels, piping truck mounted service rigs, well servicing rigs and drilling rigs. The company services multiple business segments including: blasting, painting, trucking, crane and rigging service, welding and fabrication, engineering, quality control, sales, fiberglass tank manufacturing and machining.
Hess hopes to have the new night shift up and running by mid-January, Kraich said.
Kraich said two of the most difficult positions to fill at this point have been drivers and welders. A complete list of openings can be found on the Hess Services website. Go to the Career tab. Kraich said applicants can apply using the online application link. Applications can also be dropped off in person at Hess’ south location at 2670 E. Ninth, Hays.
RICE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have confirmed the identity of a body found in rural Rice County on December 22.
The body of 42-year-old Dennis Galliart of Reno County was found in a wooded area near Sterling, according to Rice County Sheriff Bryant Evans.
Authorities still have a lot of unanswered questions and have not determined the cause of death.
“We are still waiting toxicology results,” said Evans.
Ruth Scott, 98, of Wakeeney, passed away Monday, January 1, 2018, at Trego-Lemke Memorial Long Term Care. Schmitt Funeral Home, Wakeeney, is handling arrangements.
The Downtown Hays Development Corporation and the Hays Welcome Center ask first responders to join them as they recognize first responders for all they do for the community of Hays.
There will be a free waffle bar from 6 to 8 a.m. Jan. 10 at The Golden Griddle, 230 W. Ninth St. for first responders. The food will include Belgian waffles with fruit topping and whip cream, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and fresh coffee.
For first responders only, carry out will be available. Just drive up to the front of the building and let the staff know you need it to go.
The general public is invited too if you would like to say thank you to first responders. Members of the public can eat for $10.69. Wear blue for a 10 percent discount.
photo courtesy Hutchinson Deputy Fire Chief Doug Hannen
RENO COUNTY — One person was injured in a New Year’s Day fire in Reno County.
Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, the Hutchinson Fire Department responded to the residential fire in the 1200 Block E. 3rd Street, according to a media release.
Initial arriving units reported heavy smoke coming from the single-story residential home. Crews worked quickly to contain the fire to the kitchen area of the structure, but not before the home sustained moderate damage.
The homeowner was home at the time of the fire and called 911. The homeowner was treated by crews on scene for possible smoke inhalation. The occupant was later transported to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center by Reno County EMS. The condition of the patient was unknown early Tuesday.
The home did not have a working smoke detector, according to the media release. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
As we begin 2018, it is a good idea to evaluate your insurance and investment coverage. With the changing insurance needs of families, and the changing landscape of the insurance industry, it is now even more important that you stay on top of your financial decisions for choices and coverage.
Our staff at the Kansas Insurance Department (KID) and the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner offer these tips and reminders to help with your review.
Homeowners/Renters Insurance
This is a great time to update your home inventory and make sure your homeowners or renters policy is current for your needs. For example, if your holiday decorations are still out of storage, take some photos or video of them. Note any antique items and their value so you can talk with your insurance agent to ensure that they are properly covered.
Now that your gifts are open, remember to add them to your home inventory, too. Include as many details as you can and take a photo of each item. Most basic home insurance policies have standard limits for big-ticket items like electronics, art, jewelry or sporting equipment. You may need special coverage, so be sure to call your agent as soon as possible to discuss changes for your policy.
If you are starting a home inventory from scratch, the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s (NAIC) free smartphone app, myHOME Scr.APP.book, takes some of the headache out of the process. Download the app for your smartphones. Also, on our ksinsurance.org website, you can print a hard copy of our Personal Home Inventory booklet; or, you can call us at 800-432-2484 to request a mailed hard copy.
Auto Insurance
Winter can be a challenge for all drivers. Whether you are trying to escape the weather for some place warmer or just preparing for another drive to work in the snow, there are a few insurance items you should review.
Make sure your coverage is appropriate for your life situation. Liability is the part of the policy that pays for any injury or damage if you cause an accident. If your liability insurance is too low, it is possible that you could be sued for any damages above your liability limits.
Also take a look at your deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. This is the amount you will pay if your car is damaged or totaled without fault of another driver. Raising or lowering deductible amounts can affect your premium.
Before hitting the road, make sure you have a copy of your insurance card and your insurance agent or company’s number in the car. It is also a good idea to have a way to record details of an accident if you are in one. The NAIC smartphone application WreckCheck walks you through the process of gathering information following an accident. You can then email your notes directly to your agent.
Health Insurance
Many families recently went through the open enrollment process for their health insurance at work, through the online insurance marketplace or through Medicare Open Enrollment. This means you may have new insurance cards and paperwork coming in the mail. It is a good idea to get all this information together before winter illnesses or accidents happen.
Make sure to check your medical provider lists to verify that visits to your doctor and any specialists are still covered by your policy, because in-network or preferred provider lists could change. Also read through your documents and make note of your copays for in-network and out-of-network providers so you are not surprised later.
When you are planning a vacation away from home, check with your insurance carrier to identify urgent care centers and hospitals that accept your insurance coverage near your destination and along the way. Be sure to ask your carrier about applicable co-pays and deductibles.
Investments
The start of the new year is a great time to evaluate your investments and determine whether you are on track to meet your goals. Schedule an appointment with your financial professional to review your investment objectives and your portfolio’s performance; re-evaluate your asset allocation to determine if adjustments are needed; and ask questions about investments.
Do the homework of reviewing your brokerage account statements before you meet with your financial professional. Brokerage account statements, mailed either monthly or quarterly, help you “keep score” of your investment’s activity and performance. Report any discrepancies to your financial professional right away, and always put your concerns in writing. Also, maintain a copy of your correspondence. For more, go to www.KansasMoney.gov .
More Information
If you have further questions, call the KID Consumer Assistance Division toll free (in Kansas) at 800-432-2484.
Ken Selzer, CPA, is the Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A business conditions index for nine Midwest and Plains states rose over the past month, pointing to continuing improvement in regional economic conditions, an economist said in a report released Tuesday.
The Mid-America Business Conditions Index climbed to 59.0 from 57.2 in November, the report said. The October figure was 58.8.
In Kansas, the overall index climbed to 62.0 last month, a regional high, and up from November’s 58.0. Index components were new orders at 72.4, production or sales at 63.9, delivery lead time at 57.0, employment at 60.5 and inventories at 56.3.
“Although the inflation gauge is elevated, I would characterize the region as having a ‘goldilocks’ economy,” said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey. “That is not so hot as to push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at a stepped-up pace, but not so cool as to slow employment gains.”
The regional wholesale inflation gauge cooled to a still strong 71.3 from November’s 71.4, reflecting the regional inflationary pressures.
“Even though both our regional wholesale inflation index and the U.S. inflation gauge are elevated, I expect the Federal Reserve to forgo a short-term interest rate hike at the next meeting of their rate-setting committee on Feb. 1.” Goss said. But he also said he expected a quarter-point increase at the March 15 meeting.
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Looking ahead six months, the December business confidence index rose to 73.2 last month from 71.9 in November.
“Healthy profit growth, still low interest rates and the recently passed tax reform package pushed business confidence to its highest level since January 2011,” Goss said.
The regional jobs picture showed improvement as well, as the December employment index climbed to 57.7, compared with 53.6 in November.
“Over the past 12 months, the regional manufacturing sector has added approximately 29,000 jobs, a 2.1 percent expansion,” Goss said. “This annual regional manufacturing growth rate significantly exceeds the 1.5 percent growth for U.S. manufacturing.”
Deward Maxwell Deem Jr., 75, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at his home in Russell, surrounded by his family.
Max was born on September 18, 1942, in Cairo, West Virginia, the son of Deward Maxwell, Sr. and Mary (Jinkins) Deem. He grew up in the Smithville and Harrisville, West Virginia areas and graduated from Harrisville High School in the class of 1960. In 1961, he moved to Russell, Kansas at the age of 19. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Marjorie Ann Barton on April 16, 1966, Russell, Kansas, at St. John Lutheran Church. From this union they were blessed with two sons; Kevin and Keith. Max started working in the oilfield as a tool pusher and worked his way up to rig supervisor with Praden & Deem Drilling, Gabert & Jones Drilling, Shield Oil Company and Cheyenne Drilling. When he was younger he developed a love for working with wood by helping his father as a carpenter. He enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, cooking, old cars and spending time with his family.
Surviving family include his wife Marjorie of 51 years, sons Kevin and Keith Deem both of Wichita, Kansas; Brothers Roger Deem (Linda) of Smithville, West Virginia and Mike Deem of Harrisville, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Phillip Deen.
A funeral service for Max will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 04, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas with Pam Jenkinson officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, January 03, 2018 at the mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Eileen (Meyers) Chesney, 93, of Natoma, Kansas passed away Friday, December 29, 2017 at her son’s home in Stockton, Kansas.
Eileen was born May 9, 1924 in Woodston, Kansas, the daughter of Marcel and Amy (Guthrie) Meyers. She grew up in Woodston and graduated from Woodston High School. She then attended Ft. Hays State University.
Eileen met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Homer Bruce Chesney on April 6, 1947 in Woodston. This union was blessed with five children: Bruce, Ronald, Earl, Lawrence and Everett. They made their home in the Natoma, Kansas area. Homer preceded her in death on March 19, 2004.
Eileen was a devoted wife and homemaker. She also worked at the Plainville, Osborne and Russell Sale Barns. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Plainville. She enjoyed quilting and spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her four sons; Ronald M. Chesney, Earl L. Chesney and Lawrence W. Chesney all of Natoma, Kansas and Everett G. Chesney (Fay) of Stockton, Kansas; sister, Donalee Circle of Woodston, Kansas; six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and two great-great grandsons.
Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Bruce Chesney, two brothers, Merlin Meyers and Donald Meyers; and two sisters, Verla Chesney and Reba Meyers.
Celebration of Eileen’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Plainville, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Survey Cemetery south of Woodston, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the United Methodist Church of Plainville and Hospice of Hays Med. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
