OSBORNE COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Monday in Osborne County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Chevy Silverado driven by Kevin Craig Saylor, 54, Osborne, was stopped at the posted stop sign at U.S. 24 at South 115 Avenue just west of Osborne.
The Silverado started to drive forward. A 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Stephen Allen Pfeifer, 54, Stockton, assumed the Silverado was going to enter the roadway and applied the brakes. That caused a 2000 Harley Davidson driven by Timothy Charles Fry, 63, Plainville to rear-end the 2007 Harley. The collision caused Fry and a passenger on the 2007 Harley Stephanie Ann Pfeifer, 52, Stockton, to be ejected from the motorcycles.
Both vehicles skid across U.S. 24 into the north ditch. Stephen Pfeifer stayed with Harley as it skid across the highway. He was not injured.
StephaniePfeifer was transported to the hospital in Osborne. Fry was transported to the hospital in Hays. Saylor was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WABAUNSEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Wabaunsee County.
A group of individuals were having a holiday gathering and were riding various types of all terrain and off-road vehicles on private rural property west of Alma near west Spring Creek and Panther Roads, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff. One of the vehicles overturned on a rider and he was reported to be injured.
Members of the Alma Fire Department; A.M.R. and Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
The injured man identified as Jordan Lee Miller, 27, McFarland, Kansas, was transported by ambulance to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka where died from his injuries, according to the sheriff’s department.
The accident is being investigated by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office.
Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting the 25th annual Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, June 9. All area youth are encouraged to attend this free event. Activities will occur from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Cottonwood Grove, east of the North Shore boat ramp on the north side of the Refuge. Follow the signs beginning at the Refuge entrance along Highway 9.
Refuge staff and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks & Tourism along with volunteers from Fishing’s Future will be teaching the kids about knot tying, casting, baiting hooks, identifying fish, and boat safety, laws and ethics. Kids will have an opportunity to fish after the activities. Fishing poles and bait will be provided.
A free lunch will be provided by the Kirwin Lions Club. Kids will receive some free tackle for attending, and there will be a drawing for prizes.
For driving directions and further information, please contact the Refuge at 785-543-6673.
WASHINGTON — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report that a malware system from Russia infected routers in the U.S.
A similar malware compromised half-million internet-connected routers in the Ukraine.
The U.S. Justice Department said the malware “could be used for a variety of malicious purposes, including intelligence gathering, theft of valuable information, destructive or disruptive attacks, and the misattribution of such activities.”
According to the FBI, they “recommend homes and businesses reset routers. “Any owner of small office and home office routers power cycle (reboot) the devices. Foreign cyber actors have compromised hundreds of thousands of home and office routers and other networked devices worldwide.
The actors used VPNFilter malware to target small office and home office routers. The malware is able to perform multiple functions, including possible information collection, device exploitation, and blocking network traffic.
The size and scope of the infrastructure impacted by VPNFilter malware is significant. The malware targets routers produced by several manufacturers and network-attached storage devices by at least one manufacturer. The initial infection vector for this malware is currently unknown.
VPNFilter is able to render small office and home office routers inoperable. The malware can potentially also collect information passing through the router. Detection and analysis of the malware’s network activity is complicated by its use of encryption and misattributable networks.”
TOPEKA – The summer months mean a welcomed break from school for Kansas kids, but they also signal a shift in the family’s daily routine. Families may be considering leaving children home alone during the summer, instead of opting for a sitter.
Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have some tips on how to decide if your child is ready to be home alone. And if you decide to keep the kids home, we have some important advice on keeping them safe.
“Developmentally, children are generally ready to be home alone around the age of 12 or 13,” said Cherie Sage, State Director of Safe Kids Kansas. “However, children develop at different rates, so use your own discretion to determine your child’s maturity level and capabilities. For example, if you have an impulsive 13-year-old who is a big risk taker, you might be hesitant to leave him/her alone. On the other hand, a thoughtful 11-year-old, who has a good track record of following household rules might be ready. Most states, including Kansas, don’t have regulations or laws about when a child is considered old enough to stay at home alone or babysit another child.”
DCF has some general guidelines to help you make the decision when your child is ready to be home alone:
Age—Young children through age six, should never be left alone for even a short period of time. Kids six to nine can be left alone for only short periods of time, depending on their level of maturity. Children 10 and older can be left alone, depending on other factors.
Length of time alone—Consider whether your child is ready to spend the whole day alone or if only a couple of hours is more appropriate.
Maturity—Consider your child’s ability to fend for himself/herself and your child’s level of common sense. Certainly, children with developmental disabilities and emotion issues should be monitored closely.
Knowledge of emergency preparedness—Ask your child if he/she knows what to do in the event of a fire, tornado, stranger at the door, etc. Ask “what ifs”.
Availability of adults—Children must know how to reach a responsible adult at any point in the day for any reason, even if it’s just to provide reassurance if the child becomes fearful.
Insecurity—Children should feel comfortable with the idea that they will be home alone. The more fearful they are, the less likely they will be able to respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Behavior—Children who misbehave, vandalize, steal, intimidate neighbors, set fires or are a danger to themselves need close supervision.
“If you are unsure whether your child is ready to stay home alone, it is best to be cautious and take all measures necessary to ensure child safety,” DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel said. “Never assume your child is ready because he/she seems old enough.”
Each year, more than 3 million kids, ages 14 and under, get hurt at home—and more than 2,000 children die from unintentional injuries in the home. Fire, suffocation, drowning, choking, firearm and poisoning are among the top leading causes of unintentional home injury death for this age group.
“Teach your children about hazards around the home, and make sure they know what to do in an emergency,” says Sage. “The first time your kids stay home alone, it should be for a short time and you should be nearby.”
Safe Kids Kansas also recommends parents take the following precautions to ensure your child’s safety:
Carry a cell phone and keep it turned on. Make sure your children know where you will be and what time you will return. In addition to your cell phone number, post emergency numbers (police, fire, EMS, doctor and the poison control hotline, 800-222-1222) and a friend or neighbor’s number by every phone in the home. Teach your child their home address so they can tell emergency personnel where to dispatch assistance, if necessary.
Prepare a snack or meal in advance — preferably one that does not need to be heated. If your children will need to cook, remind them never to leave an oven or stove unattended while cooking and to turn it off when they are finished.
Make sure potentially poisonous or hazardous household items are locked up out of reach — especially medications, matches, lighters, weapons and cleaning products.
Review your family’s emergency plans and make sure your children know what to do if the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector goes off. Practice two escape routes from each room.
Review and practice plans for other types of emergencies, such as severe weather. Ensure they know where to go for emergency shelter.
Show your children where you keep your first aid kit and how to use basic first aid supplies.
Paul F. Brungardt, age 86, of Victoria, Kansas died at home Friday, May 25, 2018, on the farm where he was born and raised. The second son of Ambrose and Adelia (Dreiling) Brungardt, he entered the world on September 8, 1931. He married Mildred M. “Mickie” (Basgall) on January 22, 1952, at Loretto, Kansas. She preceded him in death on October 11, 2017.
He graduated from Victoria High School in 1949 and served a six years commitment as a Kansas National Guardsman. His love of mechanics led him initially to a 20 plus year career as an auto body mechanic, working at both O’laughlins and James Motor Company in Hays. Though his hands were gifted with machines, his heart and mind remained ever tied to the land. He began his dream job as full-time farmer in 1973. His days were spent stewarding land, crops, and animals. Paul and Mickie won awards for their efforts in Soil and Wildlife Habitat Conservation. In addition to many years of physical labor, his skill on the accordion and harmonious voice were well-known and loved, creating wonderful memories for friends and family alike. He enjoyed a good joke (and knew many), and together with Mickie excelled in the role of “good neighbor’’. He was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.
Survivors include one son, Leon Brungardt, Walker, KS; four daughters, Carol Cowger and husband, Chris, Topeka, KS; Lois Yunker, Munjor, KS; Wanda Brungardt and husband, Ron Staab, Victoria, KS; Paula Zwenger and husband, Patrick, Bellevue, NE; two sisters, Yvonne Rohleder-Braun and husband, Ken, Hays, KS; Ruth Polifka, Catharine, KS; 11 grandchildren, Cara Cowger, Cory Cowger and fiancé, Erica, Casey Cowger, Aaron Brungardt (Mikala), Jared Brungardt (Nettie), Kris Yunker (Angel), Nathan Yunker (Jedel), Nick Yunker, Sister John Marie Zwenger IHM, Alexandra Fry (Jon), Luke Zwenger; three step grandchildren, Terry Staab (Denna), Kristie Goodwin (Bobby), Jesse Staab and fiancé, Kristina; 12 great grandchildren and 8 step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mickie; two sons, Steve and Mark; one son-in-law, Tom Yunker; one grandchild, Matt Yunker; one great grandchild Landon Fry; one brother, Gilbert Brungardt and wife, Ann; four sisters, Sr. Valeria Brungardt, CSA; LuVerna Schulte and husband, Robert; Cecelia Brungardt, Patricia “Patt” Schmidt and husband, Howard; two brothers-in-law, Francis “Frank” Polifka and Ronald Rohleder.
Services are 9:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.
Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main, Victoria, Kansas 67671 and from 8:00 to 9:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.
A parish rosary will be at 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a vigil service will be at 8:30 P.M. Tuesday both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to: Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Wichita, KS; Emmeram Cemetery Fund, or Hospice of Hays Medical Center.
Norman J. “Raschi” Pfeifer, age 84, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday, May 25, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. He was born February 8, 1934 in Hays to Anton “Tony” and Regina (Beilman) Pfeifer. He graduated from Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.
Norman was a long-time teacher in Hays having taught at Jefferson West and Kennedy Middle School. During the summer he had worked at the power company and the experiment station. He also was a juvenile probation officer for the Hays Police Department.
He is survived by two sisters, Harriet Nicholson of Topeka and Betty Lou Rife of Edgewater, Colorado as well as a brother, Kenneth Pfeifer of Phoenix, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Agnes Schumacher and Mary Geist and a brother, Anthony Pfeifer Jr.
Per his wishes cremation has taken place and private graveside services will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hays. Services in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Memorial contributions are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or Holy Family Elementary School
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
John Thomas Riffle, age 83, of Hays, Kansas, formerly of Cameron, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. He was born February 14, 1935 in Latour, Missouri to Fredrick Thomas and Glada (Plank) Riffle. On April 11, 1954 he married Barbara Jean Holt-Whiting in Garden City, Missouri. She preceded him in death on December 25, 2014.
John owned Riffle Carpet Installation in Grandview, Missouri. He enjoyed mowing his lawn and was known to be a people person.
He is survived by two daughters, Teresa Taylor and husband Doug of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Connie Curtis and husband Dr. Jeff Curtis of Hays, Kansas; three brothers, Jim Riffle of Latour, Missouri, Richard Riffle of Garden City, Missouri and Don Riffle of Harrisonville, Missouri and two sisters, Barbara Davis of Independence, Missouri and Beverly Andes of Garden City, Missouri. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Janette Hartley and Donna Moore as well as a brother, Raymond Riffle and great-grandson, Landon Michael.
Funeral services will be at a later date in Independence, Missouri.
Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, Kansas 67601
Madeline Lela Schoenthaler, age 94, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Friday, May 25, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays, Kansas. She was born June 17, 1923 in Ellis County, Kansas to John and Minnie (Schwab) Huck.
She graduated from Ellis High School in 1941 and from the Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas. On October 21, 1945 she married Raymond F. Schoenthaler. He preceded her in death on March 22, 2007.
Madeline was a homemaker and enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and baking especially her delicious pies. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church where she was very active in church activities including the quilting group. She was also a member of PEO.
She is survived by a son, Terry Schoenthaler and wife Pat of Ellis; a daughter-in-law, Linda Schoenthaler of Hays; a brother, Clayton Huck of Ellis; four grandchildren, Chad Schoenthaler and wife Kimberly of Mission Hills, Kansas, John T. Schoenthaler and wife Keriann of Gilroy, California, Scott Schoenthaler and wife Brianna of Salina, Kansas and Amy church and husband Bryan of Hays as well as twelve great grandchildren, Emma, Bode, Madison, Noah, Sophia, Jonah, Myja, Gabby, Dominic, Alyssa, Aydan and Anthony.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Lynn Schoenthaler; and a great granddaughter, Timberlynn.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church 106 E. 8th in Ellis. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday 5 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM and Wednesday 9 AM until service time all at Christ Lutheran Church.
Services in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church, Hospice at HaysMed or the Ellis Public Library.
I have a love-hate relationship with squirrels, also known as limb chickens or tree bacon in our neck of the woods. They taunt our two little pups from the top of my back fence or from the roof of our neighbor’s garage and work them into an absolute frenzy. They hang upside-down from their heels on the side of the tree, just out of reach and chatter away as if to say “Come and get me you yappy little mongrels!”
Squirrels are not to be trifled with and can give a nasty bite, but just once I wish my dumb mutts would learn to work together and snag one. Like maybe one pup could prance around the tree with a big grin on its face, clutching an acorn in its teeth, luring the little bird-feeder-vandal near the ground, while the other pup sneaks up from the other side, pounces on its back and cleans it off the side of tree. But it would be just my luck the squirrel would weigh more than the dog and instead of crumpling to the ground with the pooch on its back, it would head for the top of the tree with the pooch on its back. At that point I don’t know which would be worse, the hapless hound hangin’ on to end up somewhere in the treetops, or fallin’ off somewhere over the middle of the yard.
Pesky as they are, I know of no other wild critter in the US more pampered than the squirrel. I have to admit squirrels are fun to watch as they roll around inside those glass jar feeders. I’ve always wanted to catch a squirrel inside one and run out and screw the lid on before it could flee. We buy corn to feed them, and then buy feeders to hold the corn. We teach them to take peanuts from our hands, and I even heard of someone who had taught the little beggars to tap on the front door when they wanted a handout. Last year at the fair we bought a rig that suspends two ears of corn side-by-side above the ground, forcing them to jump up and hang onto the corn while they get a mouthful.
Lately a squirrel with only half a tail has become a regular at our new feeder; we’ve named it “Ole’ Stumpy.” We thought at first that Stumpy was a male, but when they hang spread-eagled from the corn with both right feet on one ear and both left on the other and spin around in the process looking like a centerfold for PlaySquirrel, it becomes fairly simple to examine them anatomically. There are no bulging body parts on Stumpy’s underside so we’ve deemed her a girl.
We can only guess at how Stumpy lost the end of her tail. Perhaps at Stumpy’s last home, some yappy little mongrel did get a piece of her, proudly wagging its tail as it showed its master nothing but the back half of Ole’ Stumpy’s tail. Or maybe Stumpy was one of those squirrels that someone taught to knock on the front door for a treat. We have lots of seniors in our little town, and I can see it all now; old Mrs. Dinglemire up the street who’s partly deaf and mostly blind hears a tapping sound at her front door and when she opens it, there stands Ole’( Not Yet) Stumpy. Now Ole’ (Not Yet) Stumpy looks like a rat to her, so she grabs her broom and swings it at the innocent squirrel, entangling it’s thick tail in the broom, so when she lifts the broom the squirrel comes with it and……well you get the picture; somehow in the melee the little panhandler’s tail gets snapped off in the door and Ole’ (not yet) Stumpy becomes Ole’ Stumpy.
I did a little research on Ole’ Stumpy’s tail dilemma on a website named “The Squirrel Board” (I can’t make this stuff up!) It seems Ole’ Stumpy’s not alone and squirrel tails are made so they will “deglove” or snap off if a predator has hold of it. The jury seemed to still be out as to whether it would ever grow back and Stumpy would be whole again. The squirrel lovers on that site are out of my league. One guy said “If you’re feeding peanuts to your squirrels make sure they are roasted…I feed mine chopped almonds because they are healthier than peanuts.” (Really; sounds like his squirrels eat better than I do.) He goes on to say “Thanksgiving week we fed them almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts for a variety.” I have to admit that would make for some tasty squirrel if you roasted em’ while they were still full of nuts.
Now even though Cousin Eddy from the National Lampoon movie “Christmas Vacation” says squirrels are high in cholesterol, they are not. Bentonville Arkansas, headquarters of Walmart, has an annual World Champion Squirrel Cook-Off that draws TV crews, executive chefs and visitors from around the globe. Their theme is “Squirrel – it’s what’s for Supper,” and they offer “organic tree-to-table squirrel” in dishes like squirrel pizza and squirrel flavored ice cream. And are you aware there is actually an organization called “Squirrels Unlimited?”(SQU for short) Its mission statement reads: SQU is dedicated to the recognition and promotion of the squirrel as one of mankind’s greatest gifts.” Squirrel, it’s what’s for supper; You gotta love it! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
Wheat growers, make plans to attend the Cottonwood Extension District – Ellis County Wheat Plot Field Day on Thursday, May 31st beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Come hear what Extension specialist have to say about each variety. There is always something in the plot to see and learn from whether it is about the individual varieties, insects or diseases that are sometimes spotted in the plot.
The location of the field day is north of Victoria–from Cathedral Ave., go west 1.5 miles on Fairground Road.
A free meal will immediately follow the field day, thanks to the sponsorship of businesses. In case of inclement weather the field day will still be held at the VFW Hall, 204 E. Main Street in Victoria.
All interested people are invited to attend the Cottonwood District – Ellis County Wheat Plot Field Day on Thursday, May 31st beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Phi Delta Theta fraternity will open a new chapter at Fort Hays State University in the fall of 2019.
“The Greek community is growing and Phi Delta Theta will be a great addition to our community,” said Stephen Hopson, coordinator of student involvement and Greek life.
The fraternity sent an official letter of intent to expand to FHSU in March, and the vote was finalized on April 18. Phi Delta Theta will begin recruiting its initial new member class in the fall 2019 semester.
“Phi Delta Theta’s values of friendship, sound learning and good moral behavior align with our community values and the values of FHSU,” said Hopson.
Hopson said the fraternity has a great reputation around the country, strong national support and creates different alumni resources in the areas where it operates.
“We believe that this is a mutually-beneficial relationship for both parties involved and we are looking forward to our team coming to campus in search of high achieving young men to build our organization,” said Alex Atkinson, Phi Delt director of expansion.
Colin McIver, Interfraternity Council president at FHSU, said new fraternities are welcome because Greek Life helps students succeed, and he wants all students to have the same opportunity that Greek Life has provided for him.
“Phi Delta Theta,” said McIver, “opens up another door to success. Here at FHSU, it gives us nothing but pleasure to open our home to new students and new possibilities for those students.”
