Elizabeth A. “Betty” Keller, born July 31, 1928, died Thu., May 24, 2018, in Oakley, Kansas.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Baalmann Mortuary, 190 S. Franklin Ave., Colby, Kansas.
Month: May 2018
🎥 Summer watering should be infrequently and deeply
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
When the temperature warms up, it may be tempting to water your lawn or garden every day.
That’s too often, according to Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist for the city of Hays, and it can be unhealthy for plants.
“It’s important to water correctly to create water efficient plants,” Dickman said. “Watering deeply and infrequently is the key to encouraging deep, more drought tolerant roots.”
“If you do water more frequently but not as deeply, what happens is you wind up encouraging those roots to stay right in that top layer of moist soil. And then when we do get to those hot dry summer months of July and August, those are the first lawns to drought-stress and look bad,” Dickman warned. “Then the response a lot of times is to go out and water them more.”
Here are the best watering depths:
- Turfgrass and Lawns: At least 6-8 inches
- Flowers and Vegetable Gardens: At least 8-12 inches
- Trees and Shrubs: At least 12-18 inches (where the bulk of their roots are located)
“Watering much deeper than these depths is a waste of water,” she emphasized.
The exception is a newly planted garden or lawn. “You will have to water more often.”
A permit may be obtained at Hays City Hall that, for a period of 10 days, will allow outdoor watering during summer’s restricted hours for newly seeded, sodded, plugged, or sprigged lawns.
The watering depth can be checked by using a probe such as a long screwdriver, a piece of rebar, or a strong wire.
When the probe hits resistance, you’ve likely hit dry soil, and determined the depth to which the moisture has reached.
Drip or sub-surface irrigation is the most efficient method. “It places the water exactly where you need it,” said Dickman.
If you water using sprinkler systems or by hand, Dickman suggests irrigating early in the morning. “That’s when you can usually take advantage of lower wind speeds, less evaporation, and higher humidity levels.”
“Watering in the morning also allows plant leaves to dry off quickly,” she added, “lessening the threat of potential disease problems.”
Area shoppers invited to Russell Community Garage Sale
RUSSELL – During the Russell Community Garage Sale on Sat., June 2, over 30 individuals, non-profit organizations and businesses will be offering a great opportunity for shoppers to enjoy a day of bargain hunting and treasure seeking. The Russell Community Garage Sale will feature traditional and multi-family garage sales, baked goods and refreshments, in-store sales and more. Registered participants may have additional days or hours, but all participants will be open Saturday.
Garage Sale Guides, including a detailed map of all registered participants, will be available starting Tuesday, May 29. Each participant’s sale dates and hours will be listed, as well as a general description of their items. Guides may be picked up at Encore Antiques & Collectables (590 S. Fossil), Advantage Realty (811 N. Kansas) or KRSL Russell Radio (1984 N. Main).
All proceeds from registrations directly benefit Russell Community Theater.
RCT, Advantage Realty and KRSL Russell Radio have partnered to sponsor the Russell Community Garage Sale. Printing and outreach support were provided by Russell County Economic Development & CVB, Russell County GIS & Mapping and Office Products, Inc. – Russell.
Find the latest news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RussellGarageSale.
For additional information, contact Russell Community Theater at 785-483-4057 or stop by 590 S. Fossil, Russell.
Police: Body identified as Lucas Hernandez; stepmom held on $250K Bond
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on a 5-year-old Kansas boy who was reported missing in February (all times local):
3p.m.
WICHITA —The Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office has identified the body of an unknown child discovered Thursday evening in Harvey County as 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez.
According to a media release, the boy’s identity was confirmed through an autopsy and dental records. A thorough exam of evidence continues, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Lucas’ stepmother, 27-year-old Emily Glass, has been arrested and booked into Sedgwick County jail for felony obstruction of justice. She is being held on a $250,000 Bond, according to the jail booking report. Lucas has been missing since Feb. 17.
Lucas’ body was discovered under a bridge near Southeast 96th Street and Woodlawn in Harvey County. Glass had taken a private investigator to the location. The private investigator had been hired by Lucas’ family.
The private investigator called the WPD to report the discovery of what he believed was Lucas’ body. The WPD and Harvey County Sheriff Office officials arrived at the scene.
WPD officials have interviewed the private investigator, David Marshburn of North Carolina, who said he arrived earlier this week. Marshburn told WPD investigators that Glass led him to the boy’s body on Thursday.
WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay said the investigation into Lucas’ disappearance continues; anyone with information related to the case should call WPD Homicide Detectives at 268-4181.
The WPD has mobilized significant personnel and volunteers and searched thousands of acres to find Lucas. Ramsay thanked the numerous volunteers and groups who have contributed to the search.
2p.m.
A small, decomposing body found under a bridge in rural central Kansas is likely that of 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez, a Wichita boy who has been missing since February, police said Friday.
An autopsy to be performed Friday will confirm the body’s identity but “it is likely Lucas,” Wichita police chief Gordon Ramsay said at a news conference.
Law enforcement officers were called to the scene in Harvey County Thursday night after Lucas’ 27-year-old stepmother, Emily Glass, led a private investigator to the remains under the bridge on a gravel road near the town of Sedgwick, about 20 miles north of Wichita.
Ramsay said there were other details that indicate the body is Lucas, but that police cannot share that information.
The investigator, David Marshburn, called police about the body, and officers met him and Glass at the scene. Ramsay said Marshburn was hired by Lucas’ family. Marshburn told local media that Lucas’ paternal grandmother first contacted him for assistance.
Marshburn told police he arrived in Wichita from Smithfield, North Carolina, this week.
Pressed as to how Marshburn was able to locate the body so quickly when police have been searching unsuccessfully for months, Ramsay would only say that police are bound by “very strict rules” that do not apply to private citizens.
Glass was jailed Thursday on suspicion of felony obstruction of justice, but no charges are expected to be filed this week. She is being held on a $250, 000 Bond, according to the Sedgwick County Booking report.
Investigators are awaiting results of the autopsy later Friday before they can make a positive identification.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said in an emailed statement Friday that his office will review early next week the results of the autopsy currently being conducted, as well as evidence gathered by law enforcement throughout this investigation.
When asked if other arrests are possible, Ramsay said only that the investigation is still “very active.”
Glass reported Lucas missing from their home on Feb. 17. Glass told police she last saw Lucas playing in his bedroom before she took a shower and fell asleep. He was gone when she woke up from her nap. She has not been charged in the boy’s disappearance, but Bennett had previously said she is a person of interest in the case.
The boy’s father, Jonathan Hernandez, was not at home when Lucas disappeared. Glass cared for her daughter and Lucas while he worked out of state for weeks at a time. Lucas’ biological mother didn’t live in the Wichita area when he disappeared.
Glass was found not guilty in May in an unrelated case accusing her of child endangerment involving her own 1-year-old daughter. Prosecutors alleged she smoked marijuana before driving the child to a restaurant.
Lucas was reported missing the day after that trip.
A court document related to that case said Lucas was frequently seen with bruises and cuts before he disappeared. The Sedgwick County juvenile court document indicated the state of Kansas was told at least twice that Lucas was being abused and was living in a dysfunctional and violent situation.
___
10:40 a.m.
Police say the stepmother of a 5-year-old boy missing since February led a private investigator to a body that detectives believe is the missing child.
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said at a news conference Friday that Emily Glass showed David Mashburn where the remains were hidden, under a bridge on a gravel road in Sedgwick, about 20 miles north of Wichita.
Ramsay says Mashburn contacted police. Police retrieved the body and arrested Glass on Thursday.
Ramsay says police believe the body is that of Lucas Hernandez.
Glass is being held on suspicion of interfering with a law enforcement officer and obstruction.
The stepmother reported Lucas missing Feb. 17, saying she fell asleep after a shower and woke up to find him missing.
___
10:30 a.m.
Police say a decomposed body found under a bridge in rural central Kansas is probably a 5-year-old boy who has been missing since February.
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said at a news conference Friday that investigators believe the body found a day earlier on a county road about 20 miles north of Wichita, is Lucas Hernandez.
Emily Glass, Lucas’ stepmother, was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of interfering with a law enforcement officer and obstruction.
Glass reported Lucas missing Feb. 17, saying she fell asleep after a shower and woke up to find him missing. She has not been charged in his disappearance.
Glass was acquitted in May of a child endangerment charge after authorities say she smoked marijuana before driving with her 1-year-old daughter in the car.
___
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The stepmother of a 5-year-old Wichita boy whom she reported missing in February was jailed Thursday evening, hours after a small, as-yet unidentified body was found under a bridge in a nearby county.
Emily Glass, the stepmother of Lucas Hernandez, was at a site in rural Harvey County hours before the body was found, Sedgwick County District Attorney Mark Bennett said. She was later booked into jail on suspicion of interfering with a law enforcement officer and obstruction.
Authorities have not identified the body, which was found under a bridge on a gravel road near the town of Sedgwick.
“When we arrived, there was a body underneath a bridge up there that appears to be a small human, but it’s unrecognizable,” Harvey County Sheriff Chad Gay said. No children have been reported missing in Harvey County, he said.
Glass reported Lucas missing from their home on Feb. 17. Glass told police she last saw Lucas playing in his bedroom before she took a shower and fell asleep. He was gone when she woke up from her nap. She has not been charged in the boy’s disappearance, but Bennett has said she is a person of interest in the case.
The boy’s father, Jonathan Hernandez, was not at home when Lucas disappeared. Glass cared for her daughter and Lucas while he worked out of state for weeks at a time. Lucas’ biological mother didn’t live in the Wichita area when he disappeared.
Glass was found not guilty in May in an unrelated case accusing her of child endangerment involving her own 1-year-old daughter. Prosecutors alleged she smoked marijuana before driving the child to a restaurant.
Lucas was reported missing the day after that trip.
A court document related to that case said Lucas was frequently seen with bruises and cuts before he disappeared. The Sedgwick County juvenile court document indicated the state of Kansas was told at least twice that Lucas was being abused and was living in a dysfunctional and violent situation.
———–
SEDGWICK COUNTY — The stepmother of 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez who has been missing since February is back in jail.
Just after 10:30p.m. Thursday Emily Glass was booked into jail, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. The requested charges included interference with law enforcement officer and obstruction. There was no bond listed, according to the booking details.
Law enforcement authorities have not confirmed that a body found in Harvey County Thursday is the missing boy.
The body was found under a bridge on a gravel road. Sedgwick County District Attorney Mark Bennett says Glass had been in the area hours earlier. Authorities have not released any information on the remains.
Glass reported Lucas missing from their home on Feb. 17. She told police she discovered he was missing after she woke up from a nap.
The boy’s father, Jonathan Hernandez, was not at home when his son disappeared.
On May 16, Glass was released from jail after she was found not guilty of child endangerment in an unrelated case involving her own daughter.
FHSU announces 2018 football schedule along with season ticket and tailgate info
Fort Hays State announces its football schedule for the 2018 season. The Tigers will play six games at home, coming off their best season in program history. FHSU went undefeated during the regular season in 2017, winning its first MIAA Championship. The Tigers begin defense of their title on Thursday, August 30, when they open the season against Central Missouri in Hays.
In-state rivals Washburn and Pittsburg State are slated to make the trip to Hays this season. Central Oklahoma will serve as the Homecoming opponent on September 29. Lindenwood and Northeastern State will also make the journey to Lewis Field Stadium.
2018 Home Games
August 30 – Central Missouri, 7 pm (Eagle Communications Kickoff Classic)
September 15 – Washburn, 7 pm
September 29 – Central Oklahoma, 7 pm (Homecoming – Fireworks following the game)
October 13 – Pittsburg State, 2 pm (Hall of Fame Game)
October 27 – Lindenwood, 2 pm
November 10 – Northeastern State, 2 pm (Senior Day)
All games in the regular season will be conference games for the fifth-straight year, with 12 schools in the MIAA for football (Southwest Baptist and Lincoln do not compete in the MIAA in football). The Tigers went a perfect 11-0 in MIAA play last year and made their first NCAA Playoff appearance since 1995. The Tigers enter their eighth year under the guidance of head coach Chris Brown, who owns a 49-31 mark at FHSU.
Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are now available to the public. Reserved seats on the west side of the stadium are $78 per seat for the season. New chairback seats were installed on the west side of the stadium in the summer of 2017. Supporters can donate an additional $250 to get their name engraved on a seat. Faculty/Staff/Alumni receive a 10% discount. Walk-up prices for reserved tickets on game days are $15. General admission tickets are $10 (East side seating only). Youth tickets (grades K-12) on game days are $5. Call (785) 628-4050 or fill out the 2018-19 season ticket form. Forms are available at the following link…
2018-19 Season Ticket Form (PDF)
Tiger Tailgate Spots
Reserved tailgate parking spots for the 2018 season are going fast, with only 45 spots remaining. The reserved tailgating spots are $100 for the year. The Tiger Tailgate on game days was a hit in 2017. Do not miss out on a great time this upcoming season! Stop by the FHSU Athletics office to see which spots remain.
Tailgating Map (PDF)
Tailgating Rules (PDF)
Tiger Football Autograph Day (Sponsored by Nex-Tech Wireless)
The annual Tiger Football Autograph Day will be on Saturday, August 25, from 1-3 pm at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Come out and meet the Tigers before the season kicks off the following week.
Snacks at Hays Library will be part of summer food program
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays USD 489 is expanding its summer food program to include snacks at the Hays Public Library.
The snacks will include healthy options, such as whole-grain items, cheese sticks and yogurt.
The snacks will be available from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the library’s children’s department. Youth need to be 18 or younger, but do not need to sign up, meet income requirements or even be from Hays.
The program, along with the district’s free summer lunch program, begins Tuesday and will run through Aug. 3. The lunches will be served at the Early Childhood Education Center, 305 Main Street, from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The meals are also available to any youth 18 or younger and you also do not need to sign up, meet income requirement or be from Hays.
The program is subsidized by the federal government. Adults can eat with their children at a cost of $3.75, but are not eligible for the snack program.
Jessica Younker, USD 489 nutrition services director, said the new snack program further seeks to fill a food gap for families.
“We have been wanting to expand the program to provide access to more kids,” Younker said. “We did not have enough to expand to another location for lunch, but thought snacks at the library would help those who need a little to get them through to evening or even breakfast the next day.”
In past years, the district has served between 100 and 250 people per day through its summer lunch program.
The snacks and lunch menus will be available online. Click here.
“We are excited to see how the new program goes and how kids react to it,” Younker said. “We hope we see kids come on a regular basis. We are looking forward to see how many kids come. It might even bring more kids to the library and get them reading over the summer. That would be an added bonus.”
Kearney County Hospital receives $100K grant to improve community health
SUBMITTED
LAKIN – Kearny County Hospital (KCH) and Tyson Foods jointly announced Thursday that KCH was awarded a $100,000 grant from Tyson Foods to increase care coordination services and activities to improve overall community health.
This investment will allow the Pioneer Care Advocacy Team (PCAT) of KCH to expand its population health efforts throughout the community and surrounding area. The partnership between KCH and Tyson Foods will increase the capacity of PCAT for providing care coordination services and resource acquisition. This increased capacity will improve health outcomes for individuals, families and the community.
Kendal Carswell, PCAT Director is very enthusiastic about the grant award from Tyson Foods. “PCAT was formed nearly three years ago and the team has continued to grow in an effort to expand our ability to effectively and efficiently deliver care coordination services to address social determinants of health,” he said. “This funding partnership will allow PCAT to engage with more people needing additional support services to overcome barriers for improving their health.”
Benjamin Anderson, CEO of Kearny County Hospital believes this is a transformative opportunity. “We are a health care delivery system that is committed to improving health outcomes for our patients. Through community-based research, we understand the way our patients define health and wellness and which services and systems they need to be healthier. This public-private partnership will allow us to address the social determinants of the health of our patients, with special attention to those who are most vulnerable.”
Additionally, this large investment from Tyson Foods will allow PCAT to improve its efforts in specifically addressing diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These funds and partnership will also enhance its work in reducing non-emergent emergency department use by more readily connecting people with the right care, at the right place, at the right time.
“We’ve taken a close look at healthcare opportunities in Tyson Foods communities and this investment represents our willingness to listen to key stakeholders and understand where we can make the most impact,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods.
For more information, please visit www.kearnycountyhospital.com.
Ex-FBI agent in Kansas files sexual harassment lawsuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A former FBI agent in Kansas City contends in a lawsuit that she was sexually harassed by another agent and then punished when she reported it.
The Kansas City Star reports the former agent, Julie Meriano, says she contacted Kansas City police abou the male agent’s behavior, which included creating a fake profile on a dating website with her picture and spreading damaging rumors about her.
The lawsuit says the harassment eventually caused Merinao to take an extended medical leave. She alleges FBI management reprimanded her and told her not to talk about the situation, even to police.
She says a few months after she filed a filed a discrimination complaint with the agency, she was fired.
A spokeswoman for the FBI in Kansas City said Friday the agency won’t comment on pending litigation.
Overnight rain in Hays includes lively lightning
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Welcome rainfall in Hays late Thursday evening was accompanied by an impressive lightning storm which lingered longer than the rain.
The photos below, shot by Stephen Pate, were taken from the parking lot of Enersys in northwest Hays.
Hays received an official 0.32 inches of rain according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. There was also brief nickle-size hail which caused no damage.
At the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, 0.48 inches was measured.
So far in May, 1.63 inches of rain has fallen in Hays; the year-to-date total is 3.74 inches.
HaysMed CHI celebrates National Senior Health and Fitness
HaysMed
HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement will celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day.
During the week of May 28th – June 1st anyone can attend a Group Fitness or Water Class for free. On Wednesday, May 30, join us for a free class and refreshment as we celebrate the health and fitness of our seniors.
National Senior Health & Fitness Day is organized as a public/private good health partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center (MMRC). It is a program which offers fitness activities for older adults at more than 1,000 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments and other community locations.
This national event is held annually on the last Wednesday in May as part of Older Americans Month.
“Older adults at all levels of physical fitness are encouraged to make fitness a goal for life,” said Stephanie Howie, director at The Center for Health Improvement. “Our goal is to keep older adults moving at whatever age they may be by showing them that it is never too late to set fitness goals and to make regular exercise a part of their life.”
Betty Lou Irwin
Betty Lou Irwin, born June 24, 1927, died Thursday, May 24, 2018.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home.
Winners: Chicken Soup for the Soul book “The Empowered Woman” with 99 KZ Country
We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul book “The Empowered Woman.”
Listen during a KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, May 21- Friday, May 25, 2018 for the sounder with a rooster and chickens. Call 785-628-2995 when you hear the sounder.
No age requirement to win.
Winners will need to pick up their books at the KZ Country Studio, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS within 30 days of winning.
One win per contest per 30 days.
Today’s woman is confident, courageous and true to herself. And she has a story to tell, to help other women become empowered, too. These 101 true stories, told by women from all walks of life, will inspire you to be confident, courageous and true to your self.
The stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Empowered Woman represent women helping each other—to be come stronger, more self-confident, and more independent. They chronicle simple changes and complex transformations, and provide easy-to-implement tips and powerful motivation for women of all ages to say “yes” to their best lives.
Winners: Don Burlison, Pam Bieker, Angel Mellott and Linda Palmberg
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
Police work to ID man who took pictures of woman in Salina dressing room
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a crime involving a cell phone, a store dressing room and asking for help to identify a suspect.
On May 14, police responded to the D.A.V. Thrift Store, 901 W. Crawford, in Salina, in reference to a man who was observed using a cell phone to take pictures of an unsuspecting woman in a dressing room, according to a social media report from police.
The suspect was observed holding a phone over the dividing partition of the dressing room. When the suspect was observed committing the act, he fled the store and drove away in unknown type small white passenger car.
The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair, 5-foot-7 in height and weighs approximately 200.
Anyone with information concerning who committed this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.