HAYS, Kan.-The TMP Lady Monarchs showed why they are the number one seed in the Minneapolis 3A Sub-State on Tuesday night. TMP used a 29-3 run that spanned the first and second quarter to take complete control of the quarterfinal contest. The Lady Monarchs led 46-19 at the half behind 15 points from Kayla Vitztum, 10 from Savannah Yost and 9 from Kyleigh Allen.
TMP continued to push the lead in the third quarter. The Lady Monarchs led by 37 points a couple of times in the third quarter and took a 67-32 lead to the fourth quarter. The final quarter was a running clock as TMP picked up the 69-36 win. Vitztum finished the game with 17, Adell Riedel and Allen 11 and Yost 10.
Southeast of Saline finishes their season at 5-15. TMP improves to 18-2 and will face Riley County in Friday’s semi-finals. The Lady Falcons defeated Ellsworth 43-37 Tuesday.
MANHATTAN—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of rape and asking the public for help to find two suspects.
On Saturday, February 17th a 24 year-old woman was raped in the bathroom at O’Malley’s bar, 1210 Moro Street in Manhattan, according to a social media report from Riley County Police.
The woman was using the restroom when two unknown white males entered the room and raped her.
Police are asking for anyone who went to O’Malley’s that night who has pictures or videos from inside the bar to please contact RCPD.
Google image
You can reach Detective Johnson directly at (785) 537-2112 ext. 2323. If you would like to make an anonymous tip, you can contact Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District has sent a case over a stalled multi-state transmission line to the state Supreme Court.
The overview map depicts the proposed route of the Grain Belt Express Clean Line in Kansas- Image Clean Line Energy Partners.- click to expand
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the 780-mile Grain Belt Express wind energy line has been held up since the Missouri Public Service Commission said last year that all counties along its path must agree to the project.
Presiding Judge Lisa Page wrote Tuesday that the commission erred when it said it could not authorize the project. The court ordered the case sent to the state Supreme Court.
The line would run from wind farms in western Kansas through Missouri and Illinois to Indiana, where it would connect with a power grid for eastern states. All the other states on the route have approved the $2.3 billion project.
Fort Hays State will be well represented at the 2018 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships as four Tigers have been selected to compete. The championships will be held on the campus of Pittsburg State University March 9-10.
Heading to nationals for FHSU will be Decano Cronin, Sam Dreiling, Brett Meyer and Jake Morrow. The four athletes all hold national rankings to their name in their individual events.
Cronin heads into the championships at No. 4 in Division II in the 800-meter run. With his best mark of 1:49.45, which was good for an automatic at the MIAA Indoor Championships last week, Cronin looks to better his time again on the big stage. Also competing on the track is Meyer who boasts a No. 22 national ranking in the mile run, reaching a 4:06.07 time. This will be the second-straight national appearance for both Cronin and Meyer.
FHSU brings two pole vaulters to the national scene with both Dreiling and Morrow. Dreiling heads back to Pittsburg with a No. 9 ranking on the national performance list in the event with a mark of 16 feet, 8 ¾ inches. For Morrow, he comes in with the thirteenth best height in the nation at 16 feet, 7 ¼ inches.
Meyer will be set to run in the men’s mile at 3:30 p.m. Friday with the finals in that event aimed for 5:40 on Saturday. Cronin takes off in the 800-meter prelims at 4:40 p.m. on Friday, with the finals in that event scheduled for 6:25 p.m. Saturday. Both Dreiling and Morrow look for their event to start at 4 p.m. on Saturday .
Crews on the scene of the fatal fire-photo courtesy Jackson County Sheriff
JACKSON COUNTY — Authorities have identified two people killed in a February 16, Kansas house fire.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the victims are Richard D. Willits, 55, and Denise Willits, 47, of Netawaka.
Autopsies were conducted at Frontier Forensics in Kansas City, Kansas.
Just after 10 a.m. February 16, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a structure fire at 421 Whiteway Street in Netawaka, Kansas.
A dozen fire departments from surrounding areas including the Netawaka Fire Department responded to the scene. Upon arrival, the two-story residence was fully engulfed with fire.
The fire threatened a residence to the east. The fire was brought under control in a little over an hour. A family dog was rescued from the fire. Following the fire, two deceased persons were found inside.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time.
The brackets for the NCAA Division II Championships were released on Tuesday (Feb. 27). The Tigers have four wrestlers that qualified for nationals which is set to take place in ten days (Mar. 9-10). No. 3 Brandon Ball (141), No. 4 Efe Osaghae (149), Ryne Cokeley (157) and Rakim Dean (197) earned at least fourth place at the West Super Regional last weekend.
In the 141-pound weight class, third-ranked Brandon Ball (34-5) is set to begin his tournament by taking on fifth-ranked Nick Crume (20-3) of Indianapolis. There are three other wrestlers that Ball has faced this season, all on the top half of the 16-man bracket. Including Ball, nine of the 16 players are currently ranked in the nation.
In the 149-pound weight class, fourth-ranked Efe Osaghae (29-11) will begin his first national championships by facing Logan Grass of Mercyhurst. If Osaghae were to win in the first round, he could potentially go against the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country, James Pleski (26-1) of St. Cloud State. Three other wrestlers in the bracket are previous guys the redshirt-sophomore has faced this season. Of the 16 wrestlers in this weight class, nine are ranked individually in the country.
In the 157-pound weight class, junior Ryne Cokeley (12-10) will battle No. 4 Ryan Strope (38-11) of McKendree. This is Cokeley’s first appearance at the DII Championships. There are seven wrestlers among the top 12 wrestlers in the nation at this weight class.
Senior Rakim Dean (32-10) qualified for nationals in the 197-pound weight class. In the first round, Dean is taking on No. 9 Matthew Rudy (20-4) of Limestone. Nine of the top 12 wrestlers are in this 16-man weight class for nationals.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State senior forward Hadley Gillum earned All-MIAA Second Team honors for the 2017-18 season, released on Tuesday (Feb. 27) by the conference office. This is Gillum’s second all-conference honor after earning an honorable mention nod last year.
Gillum leads Fort Hays State at 16.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. He ranks eighth in the MIAA in scoring and 10th in rebounding. He ranks fourth in the conference in free-throw percentage, hitting at an 88.1 percent clip. With 468 points this year, Gillum pushed his career total over the 1,000 mark at Fort Hays State and now has 1,026 entering the MIAA Tournament. He became the 20th player to reach the 1,000-point milestone in a Tiger uniform and has since moved to 19th on the all-time scoring list. In his career, Gillum is averaging 10.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Earlier this season, Gillum scored a career-high 36 points in a double-overtime game at Colorado School of Mines. He has scored in double figures 44 times in his career, including 23 this season. He has 10 career double-doubles.
Below is the 2017-18 All-MIAA Men’s Basketball Team.
Player of the Year
Justin Pitts, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Defensive Player of the Year
Brady Skeens, Sr., Washburn
Freshman of the Year
Chris Rossow, Fr., Southwest Baptist
Coach of the Year
Jeff Boschee, Missouri Southern
All-MIAA First Team
CJ Carr, Sr., Missouri Southern
Trey Lansman, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Justin Pitts, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Spencer Reaves, Sr., Central Missouri
Brady Skeens, Sr., Washburn
All-MIAA Second Team
Corbin Byford, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Elyjah Clark, So., Missouri Southern Hadley Gillum, Sr., Fort Hays State
Logan Hovey, Sr., Southwest Baptist
Chris-Ebou Ndow, Sr., Northwest Missouri
All-MIAA Third Team
Xavier Adams, Sr., Pittsburg State
Brett Dougherty, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Jakob Lowrance, Jr., Central Missouri
Terrance Smith, Jr., Lincoln
Joey Witthus Jr., Northwest Missouri
All-Defensive Team
CJ Carr, Sr., Missouri Southern
Brett Dougherty, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Jake Hammond, Sr., Central Oklahoma
DJ Richardson, Sr., Central Missouri
Brady Skeens, Sr., Washburn
Honorable Mention All-MIAA
DJ Richardson, Sr., Central Missouri
Marqueese Grayson, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Brandon Hall, Jr., Emporia State
Stephaun Limuel, Sr., Emporia State
Amariontez Ivory, Jr., Lincoln
Maurice Mason, Sr., Lincoln
Chandler Diekvoss, Jr., Lindenwood
Brad Newman, Jr., Lindenwood
Jackson Price, Jr., Lindenwood
Kinzer Lambert, So., Missouri Southern
Lavon Hightower, Jr., Missouri Western
Ty Danielson, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Lane Rohrich, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Jamir Andrews, Gr., Northeastern State
Donovan Franklin, Jr., Pittsburg State
Javion Blake, Jr., Washburn
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State senior forward Hadley Gillum earned All-MIAA Second Team honors for the 2017-18 season, released on Tuesday (Feb. 27) by the conference office. This is Gillum’s second all-conference honor after earning an honorable mention nod last year.
Gillum leads Fort Hays State at 16.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. He ranks eighth in the MIAA in scoring and 10th in rebounding. He ranks fourth in the conference in free-throw percentage, hitting at an 88.1 percent clip. With 468 points this year, Gillum pushed his career total over the 1,000 mark at Fort Hays State and now has 1,026 entering the MIAA Tournament. He became the 20th player to reach the 1,000-point milestone in a Tiger uniform and has since moved to 19th on the all-time scoring list. In his career, Gillum is averaging 10.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Earlier this season, Gillum scored a career-high 36 points in a double-overtime game at Colorado School of Mines. He has scored in double figures 44 times in his career, including 23 this season. He has 10 career double-doubles.
Below is the 2017-18 All-MIAA Men’s Basketball Team.
Player of the Year
Justin Pitts, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Defensive Player of the Year
Brady Skeens, Sr., Washburn
Freshman of the Year
Chris Rossow, Fr., Southwest Baptist
Coach of the Year
Jeff Boschee, Missouri Southern
All-MIAA First Team
CJ Carr, Sr., Missouri Southern
Trey Lansman, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Justin Pitts, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Spencer Reaves, Sr., Central Missouri
Brady Skeens, Sr., Washburn
All-MIAA Second Team
Corbin Byford, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Elyjah Clark, So., Missouri Southern
Hadley Gillum, Sr., Fort Hays State
Logan Hovey, Sr., Southwest Baptist
Chris-Ebou Ndow, Sr., Northwest Missouri
All-MIAA Third Team
Xavier Adams, Sr., Pittsburg State
Brett Dougherty, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Jakob Lowrance, Jr., Central Missouri
Terrance Smith, Jr., Lincoln
Joey Witthus Jr., Northwest Missouri
All-Defensive Team
CJ Carr, Sr., Missouri Southern
Brett Dougherty, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Jake Hammond, Sr., Central Oklahoma
DJ Richardson, Sr., Central Missouri
Brady Skeens, Sr., Washburn
Honorable Mention All-MIAA
DJ Richardson, Sr., Central Missouri
Marqueese Grayson, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Brandon Hall, Jr., Emporia State
Stephaun Limuel, Sr., Emporia State
Amariontez Ivory, Jr., Lincoln
Maurice Mason, Sr., Lincoln
Chandler Diekvoss, Jr., Lindenwood
Brad Newman, Jr., Lindenwood
Jackson Price, Jr., Lindenwood
Kinzer Lambert, So., Missouri Southern
Lavon Hightower, Jr., Missouri Western
Ty Danielson, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Lane Rohrich, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Jamir Andrews, Gr., Northeastern State
Donovan Franklin, Jr., Pittsburg State
Javion Blake, Jr., Washburn
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police say they will stop searching city parks for a missing 5-year-old boy unless new information comes in.
Law enforcement officers, using dogs, horses, drones and divers, have searched four parks since Lucas Hernandez was reported missing Feb. 17.
Police have not said what led them to search the parks.
Officer Charley Davidson said Tuesday no further searches are planned but police detectives are going through information they have already received. Police are asking the public to continue to provide any tips.
Police aren’t discouraging citizen searchers from looking for evidence in the parks but ask that people not disturb anything that might be evidence.
Lucas’ stepmom, Emily Glass, was charged Monday with one count of endangering a child. She remains jailed on $50,000 bond.
———–
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The stepmother of a missing 5-year-old Kansas boy was criminally charged Monday with endangering a child while the search for the boy stretched into its second week.
Emily Glass, 26, stepmother of Lucas Hernandez, made a brief appearance via video conference to hear the charge against her. She will continue to be held on $50,000 bond. She said she planned to hire her own attorney before her next court appearance March 13.
Glass was originally booked into jail Feb. 21 on two counts of child endangerment, with police saying the counts related to Lucas and a 1-year-old child. It wasn’t immediately clear Monday if the child endangerment charge was related to Lucas or the other child.
The boy has been missing since Feb. 17, when Glass reported he disappeared while she showered and took a nap in their Wichita home.
Extensive searches involving more than 100 officers, along with dogs and helicopters, have been conducted in Wichita parks, nearby streams and the neighborhood where Glass lived. Citizens groups joined the search on Monday but have found no sign of the boy. Police have not said why they focused on the parks.
Investigators have said they found no evidence the boy was abducted.
Police reports show officers have been called to the family’s home in the past when the boy’s father and stepmother fought. Relatives have alleged that Lucas was abused but no other charges have been filed in the boy’s disappearance.
Lucas has brown hair and brown eyes, is about 4-feet tall and weighs about 60 pounds. He was last seen wearing black sweats, white socks and a gray shirt with a bear on it.
The Hays USD 489 Board of Education has chosen to take no action on a tax incentive district for a proposed Hays hotel, ostensibly allowing the project to go forward.
The school district and county have until March 12 to pass resolutions in opposition of a tax incremental financing district for the $19.3 million Hilton Garden Inn that is set to be built west of Walmart. However, neither entity has expressed plans to do so.
The school board heard more on the project at its meeting Monday and asked questions, but opposition was voiced.
The district is a public financing mechanism. A TIF figures the difference between the original value of the land and new value of the developed property. The taxing entities still collect the taxes on the original value, but the taxes on the increased value go back to the developer to use on financing and infrastructure improvements, such as water, sewer, roads and parking. The TIF would be in effect for 20 years.
The school district would see a partial increase in the funds it receives on the new development under the TIF district. The developers would still have to pay the general fund school mill level of 20 mills and the Hays district’s capital outlay fund of 8 mills on the improvements.
The project would mean an additional $15,000 per year for schools. However, the majority of that would be for the general fund school mill levy, which goes back to the state to be redistributed.
The district would not receive an increase in property tax for its supplemental levy of 14.92 mills or its .646 mill declining enrollment levy. However, there is only one more year left on the declining enrollment levy, and the first phase of the hotel project might not be completed by the time that levy expires.
At the meeting, board member Greg Schwartz asked Jacob Wood, assistant city manager, if the TIF would include bond financing.
He said if a school bond passed, the hotel improvements would be exempt for 20 years under the TIF district.
Wood said the district could further benefit as infrastructure improvements associated with the project open up new areas to development.
School board member Paul Adams asked Wood about employment at the hotel and if he thought the project might bring any new families to the school district.
Developers estimate the hotel will employ 80 to 90 people, with a portion of those part-time. Wood said it is hard to tell how many people might move to Hays because of the project. He said the hotel will likely bring management in from outside of Hays, but many of the part-time workers will likely be from the area.
Schwartz asked why the city was supporting the hotel, which includes a convention center, at this time.
Wood said the city has sought a convention center for some time, but all the proposals included the city being part owner in the project, which the city did not want to do.
Economic research indicates convention centers bring in $190 in revenue per night per attendee to communities. That revenue generates sales tax for the city and helps support jobs in the community, said Aaron White, Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development executive director, who was present at the meeting.
The developer is scheduled to file a final project plan with the city clerk today for the TIF. It is also scheduled to file its community improvement district petition with city clerk today. The city has a work session on the TIF project plan and CID set for Thursday, March 15.
In other business: the board:
• Set a long-range facilities planning meeting for 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 5, at the Rockwell Administration Center.
• Heard a report on a bid for concrete for the Hays High School parking lot. Staff has recommended a low bid from Brian’s Concrete of Hays for $96,900.
• Approved two grant applications for Early Childhood Connections. ECC is requesting six more slots at its infant to 18 months program at Munjor and three more slots in its childcare program.
• Received a recommendation on building level administration contract renewals. Lincoln Elementary School Principal Elaine Rohleder has announced her retirement.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Bailey and Brody Lewis didn’t have to wrestle very hard with the decision of where to attend college.
The youngest siblings of a close-knit farming family from south central Nebraska, Bailey and Brody trusted what other family members had been learning for four generations – that Fort Hays State University was the right fit for them.
Now, Bailey and Brody think so much of FHSU – and its wrestling program – that they stayed in Hays last weekend rather than head home for their favorite time of year: calving season.
The Lewis siblings, in their first year at Fort Hays State, decided to help work tables at the Class 3-2-1A State High School Championships at FHSU’s Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Brody, a freshman who wrestled some varsity matches for the Tigers this season, and Bailey, a junior who served as one of the FHSU wrestling team managers, jumped at the chance to be around their favorite sport and to experience the difference between state tournaments in Kansas and their native state.
The Lewis siblings – children of a long-time high school wrestling coach in Nebraska – have been around the sport their entire lives. Over the years, the Lewis family saw a lot of quality wrestling in Century Link Center Omaha, home to the state prep wrestling tourney for all four prep classifications.
After watching their dad’s teams compete at state for several years, Bailey and the rest of her family then got to cheer on Brody, who qualified for state all four years of his high school career. Both Bailey and Brody enjoyed Kansas’ version of high school state competition, too.
“It was pretty competitive for the most part,” Brody said. “There were some really close matches, and one of the finals went to overtime.”
“Here, it seemed like the whole town travels to state,” Bailey said. “It was nice to see all the families and community members who came to support their wrestlers.”
Bailey served as manager of her high school wrestling team all four years and was a talented athlete herself. She attended Cloud County Community College in Concordia on a volleyball scholarship for two years and knew she was going to transfer to FHSU this year.
Following a stellar high school wrestling career highlighted by two state championships and a runner-up finish, Brody said he was strongly considering FHSU. Then a scholarship offer from Tiger wrestling coach Chas Thompson confirmed the deal.
“I looked at some options, but Fort Hays State was a school I had been to before with my parents and sisters, and I really liked the way the school is set up,” said Brody, a four-time state qualifier who recorded a 153-16 career record at Franklin High School.
Following both his older sisters to FHSU seemed as natural a family tradition for Brody to keep as wrestling. Oldest sister Brittany also attended FHSU right out high school. Brittany, now married with a family and living back home, is taking online courses through FHSU to finish her degree in elementary education.
The Lewis family connection to Fort Hays State goes back a lot farther than that, though.
The Lewis siblings’ parents, Aaron and Brook, were high school sweethearts from neighboring towns in Nebraska and came to Fort Hays State together. They graduated in 1995 and 1997, respectively – Aaron with a degree in agriculture business and Brook, elementary education, then returned home to Nebraska to raise their family.
Decades before that, Aaron’s maternal grandmother, Ruth Glover from Jewell County, attended FHSU in the 1940s and received her normal training for a teaching certificate. Aaron’s paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Dorothy Lewis, also attended Fort Hays State and received their degrees in elementary education in 1963.
While wrestling will always be a part of Bailey’s and Brody’s lives in one way or another – their 4-year-old nephew, Gracin, already is competing – they also have set the bar high for their career goals.
Bailey is an accounting major with aspirations to become a CPA. Brody is an animal science in the pre-vet program. He plans to earn his bachelor’s degree from FHSU before applying for veterinary school at a larger university.
“It was great to get a wrestling scholarship to Fort Hays State,” Brody said, “but I really came here for the academic part. Something that sold me on (FHSU) was the high acceptance rate to larger schools.”
Both Brody and Bailey are also involved in other ways on campus.
Brody is part of the “Athletes Today, Leaders Tomorrow” Learning Community and also helps run the chute for the rope typing events for the FHSU rodeo team practices.
Bailey works in the admissions office on campus, where she serves as a student ambassador and gives campus tours to potential students and their families. She learned just recently that she has been chosen to serve as a New Student and Family Orientation Leader. That group staffs pre-enrollment sessions for freshmen and transfer students during the spring as well as Tiger Impact Fall Orientation Weekend during August.
Brody, who said he would like to coach or referee wrestling someday, said he thought Fort Hays State suited him better right out of high school than a larger university, and Bailey said FHSU is “the perfect size.”
The Lewises have found there are several benefits of siblings attending the same university. They eat lunch together on Tuesdays and attend a church group on Wednesday evenings. At least one weekend a month, they travel home together to help out on their family farm.
“It’s nice to have someone to ride home with you,” said Bailey, who lives in an apartment near campus with some other former Cloud County teammates.
“On Sunday nights, we have supper together,” said Brody, who lives in the Victor E. Village residence hall. “Bailey can cook a pretty good meal.”
Harry “Conrad” Kough, age 87, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at his home in Scott City, Kansas.
He was born on October 1, 1930 in Wichita County, Kansas, the son of Blair & Thressa Whitham Kough. A lifelong resident of both Wichita County and Scott City, Kansas, he was a retired Farmer, Relator, and Motel Owner and Operator.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas and past member of the Pence Community Church in Pence, Kansas.
On June 1, 1952 he married Betty Ann Ryan in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.
Survivors include his Wife – Betty Ann Kough of Scott City, Kansas, Three Sons – Dan & Evelyn Kough of Scott City, Kansas, Steve & Flossie Kough of Scott City, Kansas, Bryan & Brenda Kough of Scott City, Kansas, Two Daughters – Sherri & Kenny Baker of Scott City, Kansas, Lisa & Kriss Schroeder of Colby, Kansas, Thirty One Grandchildren and Thirty Three Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, One Daughter – Nancy Kough, Two Grandsons – Justin Schroeder and Nicholas Kough.
Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2018 with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Memorials may be given to the VIP Center or First Baptist Churcc in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City.
The monthly Hays Community Acoustic Jam session will be held Saturday, March 3rd, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main in downtown Hays. The sessions are held on the first Saturday of each month.
The local acoustic jam is a fun place for people of all skill levels to play acoustical instruments (guitars, banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, bass guitars, etc.) and to invite friends to enjoy music, whether you’re playing, singing, or listening.
All are welcome to listen or participate as little or much as you’d like!
