SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for possession of stolen documents in 7 Kansas cases.
On Saturday, a police officer on patrol in Wichita noticed a Toyota Corolla with a tag that had been reported stolen, according to officer Charley Davidson. The officer stopped the vehicle in the 1000 Block of South Ellis and made contact with the 54-year-old male driver and two passengers including a 37-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man.
Upon further investigation, officers located illegal weapons, drug paraphernalia, and multiple stolen documents including mail, debit cards, identity cards, Social Security cards and birth certificates. The documents came from six cases in 2017 and one from 2013, according to Davidson.
Police arrested the 37-year-old passenger identified as Danielle Tilcock, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. She was jailed for an aggravated weapons violation, seven stolen property violations and a drug violation.
The driver was arrested for a suspended license and a tag violation, according to Davidson. The other passenger in the vehicle was released.
Tilcock has 5 previous convictions for theft, burglary and battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
SALINE COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident during a chase just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Saline County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chrysler Town & Country driven by Robert Austin Moore, 27, Spirit Lake, ID., was westbound on Interstate 70 at the Interstate 135 Junction being pursued by the Kansas Highway Patrol Units.
The KHP threw stop sticks and the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid them.
The vehicle left the road and rolled into the ditch.
Moore was transported to the hospital in Salina. Moore was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. Authorities did not released details on what prompted the chase.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect involved in a Thursday, February 1, police pursuit and have made an arrest.
On Tuesday, police reported the arrest of 50-year-old Jeffery Thomas Parsons in Wichita.
Parsons was sought by the Topeka Police Department for numerous charges regarding his involvement in a police pursuit in which he drove the wrong way on the Interstate and struck a vehicle. He is also wanted several felony warrants through Shawnee County.
Parson’s criminal history includes convictions in Shawnee, Sedgwick, Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee County for: Manufacturing of Narcotics, Forgery, Aggravated Assault, Fleeing and Eluding LEO, and Aggravated Escape from Custody.
A pair of Kansas shoe store employees were lauded for their actions after one of them found a 2-year-old locked inside a sweltering car in a Kansas City parking lot in July of 2015-photo of the rescue by Karamel Krissty
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas bill would legally protect Good Samaritans who break into vehicles to save overheating children and animals.
Lawmakers heard testimony Monday for the potential legislation.
The bill states it would provide immunity from civil liability when a vehicle is damaged by a person trying to aid a “vulnerable person or domestic animal” in situations where there is “imminent danger of harm” and law enforcement has been notified.
Greg Smith of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department says the bill could cause confusion with its definitions of a vulnerable person and of signs of impairment.
Carla Lewis of the Kansas Animal Control Association says the bill could increase public awareness about the dangers of leaving a child or pet in a car during dangerously hot weather.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After both posting marks good enough for provisionals over the weekend, Decano Cronin and Jake Morrow swept the MIAA’s Track & Field Athletes of the Week honors. Cronin claimed track athlete after hitting a provisional in the 800-meter, while Morrow earned field honors with his provisional in the pole vault.
Cronin is now seventh in the nation after boasting his time of 1:50.55 in the 800-meters while at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invite in Lincoln, Neb., this past Saturday. Cronin topped a field of 28 runners in the event to move up in the performance rankings. This honor is Cronin’s second mention as track athlete of the week for the conference in his career.
Morrow earns his mention of the week after winning the pole vault at the UNK Indoor Invitational over the weekend. Not only did Morrow earn another provisional on the season, but he set a new personal best of 16 feet, 7 ¼ inches in his specialty. With this effort, Morrow now sits at No. 6 in the nation for the pole vault.
The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Fri., Feb. 2, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Animal At Large–1500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:53 AM
Drug Offenses–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:19 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–600 block Main St, Hays; 2:44 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1000 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:20 PM
Suspicious Person–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 1:30 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1200 block Tamarac Cir, Hays; 3:55 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block W 27th St, Hays; 4:50 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 8:40 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 10:11 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 24 traffic stops Sat., Feb. 3, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–8th and Elm St, Hays; 1:58 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–700 block Elm St, Hays; 2:10 AM
Driving Under the Influence–900 block Ash St, Hays; 2:16 AM; 2:17 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 2:17 AM
Suicidal Subject–1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 2:44 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–4th and Main, Hays; 1:16 PM
Found/Lost Property–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 1:46 PM
Animal At Large–600 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:10 PM
Animal At Large–100 block Main St, Hays; 2:12 PM
Suspicious Activity–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:30 PM; 3:10 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–Main and 27th St, Hays; 3:42 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Judith Dr, Hays; 4:48 PM
Animal Call–1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:51 PM
Found/Lost Property–600 block W 8th St, Hays; 6:27 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 6:24 PM
Intoxicated Subject–12th and Hall St, Hays; 7:13 PM
Intoxicated Subject–800 block Milner St, Hays; 9:09 PM; 9:32 PM
Animal At Large–1000 block Vine St, Hays; 10:06 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:42 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 13th St, Hays; 11:21 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–10th and Elm St, Hays; 11:35 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 11:52 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sun., Feb. 4, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 12:03 AM
Battery – simple–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 12:24 AM
Disturbance – Noise–900 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:33 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:48 AM
Theft (general)–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:36 AM
Drug Offenses–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:12 AM
Animal At Large-3000 block Cherry Hill Dr, Hays; 5:11 PM
Burglary/business–600 block Main St, Hays; 7:02 PM
Credit Card Violations–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:38 PM
Credit Card Violations–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:38 PM
Credit Card Violations–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:38 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 17th St, Hays; 10:44 PM; 11:53 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Mon., Feb. 5, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Theft (general)–1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 6 AM; 8 AM
Theft (general)–700 block Main St, Hays; 2/2 7 AM; 2/3 9 AM
Animal At Large–2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 12:03 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Haney Dr, Hays; 1:46 PM
Domestic Disturbance–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:01 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 5:15 PM; 5:20 PM
Suspicious Person–1800 block Walnut St, Hays; 9:21 PM
RENO COUNTY — Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home in Hutchinson.
Just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, fire crews responded to 2713 Timber Lane in Hutchinson for a report of a structure fire, according to a media release.
Upon arrival, crews found a heavy smoke and flames coming from an attached three car garage. Fire crews were able to quickly contain the fire by mounting an aggressive interior attack. This allowed fire crews to stop the spread of the fire before the fire entered the interior of the home.
Crews were able contain the fire damage to the garage, however, some smoke damage was noted throughout. The garage sustained heavy damage.
The homeowner and family were home at the time of the incident and alerted by the sound of the smoke detectors.
Battalion Chief Rex Albright states that “yet this is another reminder that smoke detectors do work, make sure yours are operational.”
The owner reported seeing fire coming from the garage and called 911. The entire family evacuated safely.
Officials did not have an estimate on damage from the fire.
A local knitting circle donated hats and scarves to the Fort Hays State campus.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Shane Keller grew up in the south central Kansas town of St. John and was well aware of how unpredictable Kansas weather is.
Nonetheless, Keller – now a senior at Fort Hays State University – admits that he doesn’t always know when to carry a stocking cap, what with Hays temperatures varying from 50 degrees early in the week to single digits just a few days later.
So he knows there are students from other parts of the United States such as California or Arizona, and other countries as well, who can get caught without proper headgear while walking to class on any given day.
That’s why Keller – a student employee at the Tiger Food Exchange at FHSU – was excited when he learned a local knitting circle wanted to donate hats and scarves to the Fort Hays State campus.
An avid knitter, Andrée Brisson got the idea from the “I’m Not Lost” project in Anchorage, Alaska, where knitters placed colorful scarves and hats in trees near a park. That project was a spinoff from the international “yarn bombing” movement where knitters around the world wrap yarn around trees as a creative way to use their leftover and unfinished knitting projects.
“Knitters have projects, and we get done and we have leftovers. Those leftovers are very easily knitted into a scarf or hat,” explained Brisson, who is part of the knitting group that meets once a week at the Quilt Cottage in Hays. “This is a useful way to get rid of our leftover yarn.”
So Brisson suggested donating items to Fort Hays State, where her husband, Dr. Greg Farley, is dean of the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics.
“Some of the Fort Hays state students come from other countries and don’t have warm clothes we need for our climate,” Brisson said. “I saw the ‘I’m Not Lost’ article, and I thought, ‘wouldn’t this be a great way to help students.’ It’s a great Fort Hays State-community bond, too.”
Bob Duffy, co-chair of FHSU’s Food and Hunger Initiatives committee, said the committee decided the best place to display the knitted materials would be the Food Pantry.
Brisson delivered a couple dozen scarves and hats to FHSU’s Food Pantry late last month. Each bore a tag that read “I’m Not Lost.” Within only a few days, there were only four hats left, and about a third of the scarves also had been taken.
“I think this is an awesome gesture on the part of the knitting club,” Duffy said. “Students sometimes struggle financially, and something like this can remove some of the stress about how to stay warm, which in turn can make it easier to succeed academically.”
Yeyette Houfek, a knitting instructor for the Quilt Cottage Knitters, said that “knitters love to knit,” and her local group is thrilled to be able to help.
“This is a wonderful project. Our knitters have donated blankets and scarves to other organizations, and this provides them another outlet to do what they love,” Houlek said. “It’s nice that this ties in with a national movement, too, and we hope as the need goes, we can share more with the Fort Hays State community.”
FHSU’s Food Pantry, located on the first floor of Forsyth Library, is well stocked with canned goods from donations in addition to fresh vegetables from Victor E. Garden on the university campus and a small supply of meat (mostly raised at the University Farm.)
The Food and Hunger Initiatives began at FHSU in 2012, and in 2014 a Healthy Living Grant from the Kansas Health Foundation provided funds for the infrastructure; the program has remained viable even after the grant money was exhausted in 2016.
The pantry is open any time the library is open, and the committee asks that people who take an item leave a tally mark on a sheet on the desk.
“When they first started this, they visited other universities, and it seemed like they had rigid hours, like only two hours a week,” Keller said. “It just seemed like it should be more flexible, and I think we get a pretty good turnout of people. We consistently get about 3,000 tallies per year.”
The goal was to create an educational environment in which students, faculty and staff could readily access healthy food as well as nutrition information. Along the way, toiletries have been added, as well as laundry items.
Now, there are knitted hats and scarves, too.
“I think this is really cool to be part of the Tiger Food Exchange and see things happening that are helping our campus community in various ways, especially like this in the cold weather,” Keller said. “Seeing one of the ‘I’m Not Lost’ tags lying around in the library tells me that people are using the scarves and hats – and staying warm.”
NEW ORLEANS – The Fort Hays State men’s track and field team continues to climb in the USTFCCCA National Rankings as they now sit at No. 19 after a weekend of competition in both Lincoln and Kearney. The Tigers were previously No. 23 in the poll and make their way up four places in the latest installment released Tuesday (Feb. 6).
FHSU reaches the No. 19 spot after calculating a total of 37.12 points from the computer-based ranking system within the poll. The Tigers were one of three MIAA programs to earn a mention in the rankings alongside No. 8 Pittsburg State, No. 11 Missouri Southern and No. 24 Emporia State.
After a weekend with the team splitting their talent between the UNK Indoor Invitational and the Frank Sevigne Husker Invite in Lincoln, the Tigers increased their poll presence after earning several provisional marks to go with school records and personal bests. Jake Morrow and Sam Dreiling both earned provisional marks in the pole vault with Morrow winning the event and Dreiling taking third at UNK. In Lincoln, Decano Cronin captured a win in the 800-meter at 1:50.55 to claim a provisional. With this time, Cronin sits at No. 7 in the national performance list. The Tigers rounded out the strong competition by setting a school record in the 4×400 relay with a time of 3:18.20 with a team made up of Jacob Schumacher, Cronin, Brett Meyer and Malcom Gardner.
Below are the latest rankings for Division II Men.
Rank Institution Points
1 Colorado Mines 207.85
2 Grand Valley State 144.56
3 Tiffin 140.48
4 Ashland 124.75
5 Texas A&M-Commerce 116.99
6 Adams State 100.55
7 CSU-Pueblo 96.60
8 Pittsburg State 94.81
9 Findlay 82.55
10 Minnesota State 74.67
11 Missouri Southern 71.33
12 Texas A&M-Kingsville 70.28
13 Academy of Art 68.97
14 Saint Augustine’s 57.15
15 Western Oregon 47.82
16 West Texas A&M 45.28
17 Colorado Christian 43.88
18 Colorado Mesa 42.82
19 Fort Hays State 37.12
20 Wingate 36.65
21 American International 35.74
22 Queens (N.C.) 34.59
23 U-Mary 34.00
24 Emporia State 33.64
25 Eastern New Mexico 33.29
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for additional allegations of sexual battery at his home.
Just after 6:30a.m. January 28, police received a report from a girl in her late teens who told police she was inappropriately touch by 50-year-old Brian Hunter without her consent while she was sleeping at his residence in the 1900 Block of Glendale Road in Salina, according to Salina police captain Mike Sweeney.
Police booked Hunter on requested charges of Aggravated Sexual Battery; Victim is physically powerless.
Additional charges are now requested against Hunter for an incident that allegedly occurred at his residence in September of 2017, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.
The mother of a 16-year-old victim dropped the girl off at Hunter’s apartment. He gave the teen four beers and then offered for her to sleep in his bed while he slept on the couch.
The teen woke to Hunter sexually assaulting her, according to Forrester. The girl’s father reported the incident to police on January 31, according to Forrester.
Hunter is being held for Rape; Sexual intercourse with physically powerless victim, according to the Saline County booking report.
WABUNSEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating former University of Kansas basketball player Brannen Greene on multiple charges.
Just before 9p.m. Saturday, the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested the 23-year-old Green following a traffic stop for speeding eastbound on Interstate 70 at Tallgrass Road in Wabaunsee County, according Lt. Adam Winters of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
In addition to speeding, Greene was booked on requested charges involving an expired registration, driving without a valid license and distribution of marijuana, according to Winters.
Greene bonded out of the Wabaunsee County jail Sunday, according to their booking report
The Wabaunsee County attorney’s office is waiting for a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol before a decision on possible charges.
Greene played three season at the University of Kansas. In March of 2016 he announced he was leaving school to play professional basketball, according to the team roster.
The Delaware 87ers originally selected the 6-foot-7 Greene in the October 2016 NBA Development League draft. He played a handful of games for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies during the summer league. He also briefly played for Salt Lake City in the NBA G-League last fall, according to the league web site.
E. Richard Heyl was born on Aug. 15, 1935 in Hays to Edgar Heyl and Marion Richards Heyl.
He graduated from Wallace County High School with the Class of 1953. He joined the Marines in August 1953 and was married to Edna Herl on Oct. 2, 1954 and three children were born to this union.
Richard participated in basic training in North Carolina, and was stationed at El Toro Marine Base in Santa Ana California.
He and Edna made Santa Ana their home, and welcomed their two sons Leland Dwight on Oct. 31, 1955 and Richard Lewellyn on Oct. 1, 1957. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in November 1958, and they moved back to Sharon Springs where their daughter Christine Annette joined their family on July 23, 1960.
Richard was in business with his father, Edgar, and was operator of Heyls Phillips 66 station and later a car dealer with Heyl Motor Company all in Sharon Springs. In the early ’70’s he purchased B & B Gas Company from Bailey Atkinson. He was in partnership with John and Nettie Lock for a few years and renamed his gas company L & H Gas. He dissolved this business relationship but was a lifelong friend to John and Nettie. He made amazing friends and customers over the years of delivering propane, and retired in 2007 selling his business to Henry Dinkel.
He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs, and he participated in many Bible studies over the years. He was a faithful man of God and his faith never wavered even in his times of suffering. He loved his kids and was their support throughout life. He supported them in all activities that he could, if he was not working. When he became a grandpa, he was overjoyed and was the best grandpa anyone could ask for. The grandkids called him gramps most of the time, and they definitely had the run of his house. They would eat him out of house and home, and he never complained about them eating all of his cereal. He was a man of amazing patience and love, and his grandkids learned so much from him. The rides in the propane truck, the time they went on trips with him and their grandmother.There are too many blessing to even count. When the great grandkids started coming, it was fast and furious. When he would ask their names and who they belong to, he would ask the spelling of their names. Some he was a little unsure of so he would just smile and say OK.
As his health failed in the last few years, he faced a lot of challenges. He never complained, and eventually he moved in with this daughter at her home. It was a big change after living in the same home for 47 years, but he made the changes and seemed at home. He faced every obstacle with a positive attitude and never was bitter or resentful. He was a friend to all that knew him and he never met a stranger. He had a smile and a handshake for everyone he had the pleasure of meeting. In his last few years of independence, he and Al Ryan had a lot of good times drinking coffee with the people at the 27/40 store and eating breakfast at Penny’s Diner and Stephens Restaurant. They were quite a pair and had a lot of good times together. Marsha Johnson was a classmate and a great friend to Richard, and as his health declined, she was an amazing part of his life. She visited him at his home and his daughter’s home and called him regularly to keep him updated on her latest escapades. Richard was very ill the last two weeks and was blessed to have his brother Guy and wife Kathy close to help support him and his daughter. He went to his Heavenly home on Feb. 2, 2018 at 5:20 a.m. He will be missed dearly by all that knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Marion Richards Heyl; wife Edna; sons, Leland and Richie; grandson-in-law Brett Spresser; great-grandson Ezra Welsh, and sister Mary Kay Brown.
He is survived by his daughter Christine Heyl Welsh; daughter-in-law Lois Heyl; brother Guy Heyl and wife Kathy of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren Amie Gibbs and husband Patrick, Marc Welsh and wife Kristen, Keara Richardson and husband Kenny, Brian Welsh and wife Lacey, Andrew Heyl and wife Lexi, Brock Heyl and wife Chanell, Kevin Heyl and wife Audrey, Mitchell Welsh and wife Audrielle, Matthew Welsh and wife Kelli, Nikki Chubb and husband Bradley, Aarika Welsh and husband Jesse; 38 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; two cousins David Woodrow and wife Nancy, and Kim Woodrow and wife Debbie; five nephews Nolan, Jon, Jay, Matthew and Nicholas; four nieces Paula, Katie, Marie and Melissa; and a host of amazing friends who he loved dearly. He will live forever in our hearts, and we will hold his memories close.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. MT on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs with Pastors Galen Crippen and Guy Rendoff officiating.Inurnment will follow with Military Honors in the Sharon Springs Cemetery, Sharon Springs, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard Heyl Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
