By Dewey Terrill
GEARY COUNTY —The Geary County Sheriff’s Department rescued two youth at Milford Lake Sunday afternoon.
According to Sheriff Tony Wolf, the girls, ages 8 and 13 from Junction City, were on a raft in the East Rolling Hills area.
The raft was pushed out by the wind onto the lake. A passer by’s boat was used to rescue the girls, who were returned to their parents in the East Rolling Hills area.
The girls were checked by EMS and there were no injuries.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police say the crash that killed a 37-year-old off-duty officer has also claimed the life of his 9-year-old son.
Police say the crash happened around 8:15 p.m. Friday when a pickup truck pulled out in front of a motorcycle operated by Officer Stacy Woodson. The officer’s son was riding on the back of the bike.
The 35-year-old driver of the truck has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Police Lt. Tim Myers says Braeden Woodson died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the crash.
Woodson was a 16-year veteran of the Wichita Police Department.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Authorities have identified the off-duty Wichita Police Department (WPD) Officer fatally injured on Friday evening in an accident at 21st Street North and 167th Street West in Wichita as 37-year-old Stacy Woodson.
According to police, Woodson was operating the motorcycle and his 10-year-old son was a passenger. The boy remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of investigating the accident.
Woodson was a 16-year-veteran of the WPD. He is remembered for his leadership, professionalism, and selflessness.
“He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and WPD family,” WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “Our thoughts and prayers continue for Stacy’s family, friends, and others affected by this tragedy.”
In lieu of flowers and cards, please send donations for the family in Woodson’s name to:
The Honore Adversis Foundation
477 N. Seneca St.
Wichita, KS 67203
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —An off-duty Wichita Police Department (WPD) Officer on Friday evening suffered fatal injuries in an accident.
The off-duty officer was operating a motorcycle at 21st Street North and 167th Street West and was involved in an accident with a truck, according to a media release. The off-duty officer was pronounced dead at the scene.
His ten-year-old son was a passenger and was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries.
“The WPD family is greatly saddened by this tragic news,” WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Officer’s family and those affected by this awful accident.”
The accident is being investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
The Officer’s name is being withheld at this time out of respect for his family
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team was unable to bounce back from a slow start Sunday afternoon (April 29) against Missouri Western, dropping the series finale 13-5. The Tigers honored the 2018 senior class before their final home game of the season.
Fort Hays State is now 13-34 on the year and 5-28 in MIAA play, while the Griffons are now 26-21 overall and 18-15 in league acton, all but locking up a spot in the MIAA tournament.
Missouri Western took control early, sending 10 to the plate in the top of the first to accumulate six runs. They stretched the lead to 9-0 with three more runs in the third.
After struggling to solve Griffon starter Jacob Miller (8-2) over the first five innings, collecting just two hits, the Tiger offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth. An MWSU error kicked off the big inning with Alex Weiss following with a double to right center, extending his career-long hitting streak to 15 games.
Dayton Pomeroy worked a walk to load the bases before Ryan Grasser came to the plate with the bases loaded. The junior punched a single to right, plating the first Tiger run of the game. Jordan Wilkerson followed with a towering grand slam over the fence in left field, fighting the wind blowing in all the way. With one swing of the bat, the centerfielder drove in four RBI for just the second game this season, crushing his ninth home run of the season in the process and closing the gap to 9-5.
Missouri Western added four runs over the final two innings off the Tiger bullpen, while the Griffon bullpen thwarted the Tiger offense over the final three frames, not allowing a baserunner. Wilkerson added a highlight reel catch in the top of the ninth, diving to make a grab just before the ball hit the grass in left center.
Grasser was the lone Tiger with multiple hits, collecting two of FHSU’s six base knocks on the day. Ben Ramberg (2-6) took the loss while Tanner Smith tossed 4.1 effective innings out of the pen, striking out seven and allowing just one unearned run. Senior Alex Ruxlow struck out three over three innings in his final home game.
The Tigers are set to wrap up the regular season next weekend with a three-game series against Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. (May 4-6). First pitch in Friday’s opener is set for 6 p.m.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man shot during an attempted robbery at a Wichita restaurant has been convicted of attempted murder for shooting the restaurant’s owner.
A Sedgwick County jury found 27-year-old Reginald Kane guilty Friday of that and other charges in the June 2017 confrontation at Ruben’s Mexican Grill in Wichita.
Prosecutors say Kane entered the restaurant as it was closing and demanded money. The owner, Ruben Acosta, testified that Kane took the money and was leaving when he suddenly turned and fired at Acosta.
Acosta also was armed and fired back, wounding Kane. Acosta spent three weeks in a coma and says he likely will never be able to use one of his arms again.
Kane’s attorneys contended the gunman’s face was completely covered and no one had a clear description of the shooter.
Soil organic matter is an indicator of how healthy a soil is and serves many important functions. The higher the organic matter the better the soil is. OM, as we typically call it, comes from plant residue and roots that have been broken down and decomposed by soil microorganisms. Only about 10% of organic material is converted to stable OM, so it takes a lot of plant residue, roots and time to increase the amount in the soil significantly. This is especially true in warmer and drier climates where the amount of material that can be grown is limited and the OM is mineralized quicker by the microorganisms.
Originally western Kansas soils had fairly high OM levels, between 3.5 to 4%, because they formed under prairie vegetation that supplied organic material from both the top growth and the roots. We usually don’t think about roots supplying organic material but they actually provide about four times more than the plant material on the soil surface.
OM is a reservoir of nutrients that are mineralized by microorganisms and released in the soil that plants can use. For each percent of OM in the soil about 25 pounds of nitrogen, 5 pounds of P2O5, and 3 pounds of sulfur become plant available annually. In high OM level soils this can lead to significant fertilizer savings. The warmer the soil temperature the more nutrients are released, so summer crops benefit more from OM mineralization than winter crops.
OM behaves like a sponge and increases the water holding capacity of the soil. It can and hold up to 90 percent of its weight in water. This is especially important in drier climates where soil moisture is almost always the most limiting factor when it comes to crop yields.
High OM soils have a higher percentage of stable soil aggregates which don’t break down, consolidate or condense when it rains. This improved soil structure increases the pore space in the soil which helps the soil take in more water. It also decreases runoff and erosion.
It is not easy, and it takes years to see a significant improvement, but there are ways that we can increase OM levels in the soil.
Here are just a few:
It makes economic sense to do what you can to maintain and improve organic matter levels in your soils. The higher the organic matter the less fertilizer you will need because more plant nutrients are released in the soil. High OM soils can help keep a crop growing and healthier longer during prolonged dry periods because of the higher water holding capacity. In some years this can be the difference between growing a profitable crop and not growing one so it can affect the bottom line.
Consider using these practices on your operation to build and maintain organic matter levels in your soil.
For more information about this or other soil health practices you can contact me at [email protected] or any local NRCS office.
Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Female inmates at the Topeka Correctional Facility are training service dogs to assist individuals with disabilities in more than 30 states.
KSDS Assistance Dogs has partnered with the women’s prison to offer the Pooches and Pals program since 2009.
Eleven dogs graduated from KSDS Assistance last week, all of which spent time in the women’s prison, said the nonprofit’s executive director Glenda Keller. The dogs were matched with people with disabilities in six states, she said.
Inmates teach the dogs practical tasks, such as opening a door and pulling a wheelchair.
The nonprofit trains the inmates to guide the service dogs. Participants can progress from an apprentice, to a secondary and then a primary.
Stephani Simon became involved in Pooches and Pals four years ago. Now, she’s president of the group in the women’s prison.
She called the program a comforting way to give back.
She said she’s learned patience, communication and leadership through the initiative. Simon said it has helped her rise above her past.
Clara Crosser recently earned “primaryship,” which allows her to take the lead on a dog’s progress.
Crosser said she takes pride in helping in the program because the dogs could potential save someone’s life.
“I have some time to do and I wanted to better myself, build myself up,” she said. “They (the dogs) heal you as much as you help them.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas agency says lawmakers approved an unconstitutional bill that may result in the state paying back $42 million to a former pizza magnate.
The Kansas Department of Revenue is accusing lawmakers of using a tactic attacked by transparency advocates and making other questionable moves to include more than one topic in the measure, which would violate the state constitution.
The agency’s argument comes as Gov. Jeff Colyer and lawmakers preach transparency values. Colyer and the Legislature have both tried to increase open government this year.
The 2016 law gives businessman Gene Bicknell a chance to fight a years-long dispute with the state over a $42 million tax bill stemming from the sale of hundreds of Pizza Hut franchises he owned.
HAYSMED
A Stars and Stripes Breakfast will be held Sunday, May 6 from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the VFW, 2106 Vine in Hays. Tickets must be purchased in advance in order to benefit Hospice.
The all-you-can-eat menu includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits, gravy, toast, coffee and juice.
Advance tickets are $8.50 for Adults. $3.50 for children 5-12 and children under 5 eat free. Tickets at the door are $9.00 for Adults, $4.00 for children 5-12 and children under 5 eat free.
Advance tickets are available from Hospice at 623-6200 or 1-800-248-0073. You can also email [email protected] or [email protected] for tickets or information.
HaysMed Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life when a cure is not possible, honoring the wishes of the person and their family. They provide services in Ellis, Rooks, Russell and Rush counties.
By Dr. Tony Sun
Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of Kansas
Up to half of adults don’t follow their medication regimen. The main reason? Forgetfulness. The next three reasons – running out of medication, being away from home, or skipping doses to save money – can be alleviated with a little planning and research.
Nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug, and more than a third of people over 45 take three or more prescription drugs. That can be a lot to juggle. Drug costs are no joke, either. In 2015, the U.S. spent $310 billion on prescription drugs – that’s about $1,000 per person.
Knowing how to get most from your prescription benefits can help you manage the logistics and costs of your family’s medications.
Enlist your team of prescription pros – your doctor, pharmacist and health plan – for help:
Sidestep the pitfalls of running out of medicine by:
Today, medication information is more accessible than ever. Check your enrollment materials or your health plan’s website for information on how to manage your pharmacy benefits online or on the go via your plan’s app.
Following your medication regimen is an important part of staying healthy. Don’t be shy about asking how to get medicine you can afford, in a way that’s convenient for you.
By BRIAN GRIMMETT
Kansas is about to make it through the end of April without a tornado for only the fourth time since record keeping began.
Storms have had a hard time forming this spring because several cold fronts have prevented moisture from the Gulf of Mexico from getting this far north.
“That’s an issue because you need moisture for thunderstorms,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Robb Lawson.
And it’s not just about tornadoes: The lack of storms has also led to significant drought in much of the state.
“That’s how we get most of our moisture is through thunderstorms,” Lawson said.
Weather patterns can change abruptly, though, and Lawson said he expects to see storms back in the forecast as early as Wednesday.
“It only takes one event with 15, 20 tornadoes and the next thing you know you’re at or above average,” he said.
During this same time period last year — January through April — Kansas had already experienced 15 tornadoes.
The last time Kansas went this long into a year without a tornado was almost 40 years ago in 1980. Before that, it happened only twice: in 1962 and 1967.
Brian Grimmett reports on the environment and energy for the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett.
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Very windy, with a south wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Windy, with a south wind 21 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Very windy, with a south wind 21 to 30 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Windy, with a south wind 23 to 28 mph decreasing to 17 to 22 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 14 to 16 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
After multiple moves during the last 17 years, Northglen Antiques hopes it has found its final home on south Vine Street in Hays.
The antique store opened Monday at its new location at 2010 Vine, moving from the former sale barn on north Vine Street north of Walmart.
The business was originally located at the corner of 43rd and Vine streets, where Wendy’s now sits. The business was in the Wiesner Building downtown until that building was sold. The business was also in Ellis for a time.
Sue McRae Bickle said she has purchased their current building and has no intention of moving again. She said she hoped the new location will increase visibility and traffic.
“Here’s what I tell people,” Bickle said. “I have had a shop downtown. I have had a shop out of town. Today, I have a shop uptown. We are now uptown.”
Right now, she is occupying about 2,500 square feet of the building, but there is more space in the rear and a second attached building that she hopes to remodel and expand into. At the downtown location, she was able to have booth space for other antique vendors and said she would love to be able to offer that again.
“It brought a lot of people in,” she said of vendors, “and most everybody found something.”
Bickle began her business in 2001 by importing antiques from Scotland, her family’s ancestral home. She still has many pieces from Scotland, including art, furniture, clocks and stained glass, and carries new Celtic items, such as kilts, tartans and jewelry.
Bickle is the fifth generation to live in North America. Her family came from Scotland to Canada in the middle 1800s. The family settled in Hays, when Bickle was 4. The whole business started from one family trip to Scotland with her father and siblings. She said the trip was more than a vacation, but an education. She felt the history and the land and has had a special connection to the place ever since.
“I had a strong desire to go back, and this was my way,” she said of the antique shop.
She was talking to a Scottish cab driver during one of her trips about her desire to keep coming home to Scotland, and he said, “Aye, I know. You had a bloody spiritual connection, you did.”
In the early years of the business, Bickle was traveling to Scotland twice a year and sending a couple of semi boxes of Scottish antiques back to the States. The store was known regionally for its Scottish wares.
Once she gets the store established in its new locations, Bickle said she would like to resume her trips to Scotland.
However, she has expanded into American antiques. Many local families have come to Bickle to sell estate items, including furniture, glassware and quilts.
In the front section of the building, Bickle has set up a library area with her antique books. Above the main bookcase is a painting of the ancestral clan seat, Eilean Donan Castle. The famous landmark can be found in photographs and postcards all of the world. Bickle even saw a photo of castle on a TV box in the States.
With the rise of the digital age, some argue the printed word is becoming obsolete. However, Bickle is seeing a renewed interest in antique books. The collection is now categorized by subject, including poetry, history, military and more. Her oldest editions go back to the mid-1800s.
Northglen’s new location on Vine used to be a pool and spa dealer. The showroom space was designed with nooks to showcase hot tubs. Bickle has used those spaces to her advantage, setting them as vignettes.
The oldest item in shop is an oak and walnut European prayer cabinet that was likely carved in the 16th century. Bickle has spent years trying to interpret the meaning of the carvings on the piece, which depicts the crucifixion of Christ. She does not know but thinks it may have been carved by unskilled monks and, based on the design, may have held the sacraments for a small community church.
The cabinet is for sale to the right buyer. Bickle said she would love to see the piece in a museum.
The store also has a painting by John C. Thorns Jr. He was the chairman of the Fort Hays State art department from 1973 to 1990. The Moss-Thorns Gallery at FHSU was named for him.
On visiting the shop, you might also get to meet the store’s three mascots — Scotty dogs Heather May, Bonnie Bell and Bella Rae.
The shop is open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, except for Fridays when it closes at 5 p.m. The store is also open 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Bickle is 60 — a time when many people are looking forward to retirement — but she said she has no plans to retire any time soon.
“I can hear people saying, ‘She’s moving again.’ Most people are ready to retire when they hit 60, but I don’t feel like this has ever been a job. I love what I’m doing. I love the people I meet, and it’s not work. How do you retire from that?”
RUSSELL COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Russell County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F350 driven by Gerald J. Thouvenelle, 67, Russell, was west bound on K18 one mile east of the U.S. 281 Junction.
The vehicle went into the south ditch, collided with the guard rail, became airborne, landed in a creek bed and collided with a concrete wall. Thouvenelle was transported to the hospital in Russell where he died. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
