WICHITA — According to the office of U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said, Stormy Laflin, 48, Victoria, has been charged with stealing money orders while an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 10 in Ellis County.
If convicted, Laflin faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000, The U.S. Postal Service–Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.
— Office of the U.S. Attorney
WICHITA — According to the office of U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple, 47, Ness City, has been charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2013, 2016 and 2017.
The indictment alleges that Whipple faxed reports to the Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training falsely certifying that deputies had received training. The indictment also alleges he sold a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a man he knew was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior felony conviction.
If convicted, Whipple faces up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each wire fraud count and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.
— Office of the U.S. Attorney
Monty Michael Mlinek, age 66, passed away February 11, 2018, at the farm near Colyer, KS. He was born in WaKeeney, KS, on October 17, 1951, to Robert J. and Nona J. Mlinek.
He is survived by three brothers, Larry of Hays, KS, Randy of Lakeland, FL, and Jeffrey of Fayetville, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Monty was a Vietnam Veteran, lifetime farmer, and avid hunter who loved working with his dogs.
A graveside memorial and military service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Union Cemetery, Colyer, KS. The family requests casual attire as that would be Monty’s preference.
Memorial contributions may be made directly to any U.S. Veteran’s support group.
By JAYLINN PFEIFER
For Hays Post
The American Legion Auxiliary will be hosting the annual Poppy Patch Craft and Gift Fair. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the National Guard Armory, 200 Main.
The first Poppy Patch Craft and Gift Fair was held in 2012. The event is held once or twice a year to raise funds and awareness for the American Legion Auxiliary and the causes it supports.
“This event is one of the major fundraisers that we do throughout the year,” said Ruth Lang, ALA president.
The proceeds from the booth rent, bake sale and concession stand assess the American Legion Auxiliary to fulfill their mission of supporting veterans, active military and the youth of the communities they live in.
The Auxiliary donates funds or items to organizations including Ellis County Salvation Army, Fort Dodge Old Soldiers Home, Ellis County Community Assistance Center and the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center. The Auxiliary will also be having a bake sale, along with the gift and craft sale, with homemade goodies and a concession stand that will be offered throughout the day.
“My favorite part about the event is the sense of being a part of the community, knowing the funds will benefit other people and organizations within the community. As the members work to plan the event with all of the details, the concession stand, and the bake sale – it allows our members to know each other better,” said Lang.
Vendors at the event include Pink Zebra, Pampered Chef, Discovery Toys, GrapeVine Ceramics, Pat’s Magnetic Jewelry, Amyz Thingz, Scentsy, Stich’n Knitwits, Tupperware, Paparazzi Jewelry, Young Living Essential Oils, Mary Kay, Gramma K’s, and more.
The Casper J. Middlekauff, American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 173, Hays, meets each month. For information on meeting dates/times/location or joining the Auxiliary, see their Facebook page – American Legion Auxiliary Unit 173.
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
A 53-year-old Hays man was arrested this month and remains jailed on suspicion of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
According to the Hays Police Department, Edward Layton McElhaney Jr., 53, Hays, was arrested April 18 on suspicion of indecent liberties with a child.
Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said McElhaney was formally charged Wednesday in Ellis County District Court.
If convicted, McElhaney could face almost four years in prison and would be required to register as an offender, according to Drees.
McElhaney remains in the Ellis County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.
The filing of criminal charges are merely allegations of criminal wrong doing, Drees said. The defendant maintains a presumption of innocence unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
HFD
The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Thursday in the area of Highway 183 Alternate to Oak Street between 7th St. and 16th St.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Hey.” The horse replies, “Sure.”
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators reconvene Thursday and could lower the age for carrying concealed guns and grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that refuse on religious grounds to place children in LGBT homes.
Fiscal issues also are on lawmakers’ agenda when their annual spring break ends Thursday. They expect to fix a flaw in a new education funding law that would otherwise cost public schools $80 million, and they could debate income tax cuts.
Lawmakers could meet for up to 10 days. Here are key issues they face.
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A Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 class Friday presented Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas with a check for $9,000 for its “Dancing Together for DSNWK” event on Monday, April 16 at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Styles Dance Centre partnered with the Leadership 310 class. The Styles Dance students performed multiple numbers, and the event concluded with an ensemble dance that included DSNWK clients. The event also included a silent auction with items donated from individuals and area businesses.
Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president, received the check from the students Friday. This money will be used to support a children and adult fun day, as well as go toward DSNWK’s medical fund.
By C.D. DeSALVO
Hays Post
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County, together with Bank of Hays, is putting on Bowl For Kids’ Sake again this year. Nineteen years ago, the inaugural Bowl for Kids’ Sake was the first event that the BBBS did to help get the program started in Ellis County. Now, it is one of the biggest fundraisers for the organization and most popular, according to area director Jenny Bates.
“We’ve had good response. Most of our teams that have participated in the past are back, and we have some new ones this year also,” Bates said.
The funds raised from this event go to covering the costs of background checks and the process of matching littles with their mentors.
“The money is for helping find volunteers and matching the children on the waiting list with those volunteers, and then it also helps to support current matches that we have. … Right now, we have 125 active matches here in Ellis County,” Bates said.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake will be on Wednesday, May 2, at Centennial Lanes, 2400 Vine in Hays.
To donate to the cause or create a bowling team, you can visit www.4kidsake.org/EllisCounty
For more information on BBBS of Ellis County you can call the office at 785-625-6672 or visit their Facebook page.
RENO COUNTY — The suspect in a kidnapping and rape case entered a plea Wednesday to an amended complaint, which drops the rape charge.
Twenty-year-old Victor Hugo Pedraza entered a plea to kidnapping, five counts of aggravated sexual battery, domestic battery, and possession of marijuana. All of the counts will run concurrently. Both sides will recommend just over five years.
Pedraza is convicted for the beating and sexual battery of the victim from Japan who attended Hutchinson Community College. He set her passport and documents on fire. Police say the victim was tied to a bed and beaten, then forced into sex twice.
The victim testified from Japan by Facebook Messenger.
Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton agreed to the plea so the victim did not have to testify in the United States; she was allowed to stay home in Japan.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 15.
