Outdoor watering is prohibited between noon and 7 p.m. June 1 through Sept. 30 in Hays.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Additional outdoor watering restrictions in Hays will go into effect Fri., June 1 and continue through Sun., Sept. 30.
Outdoor water use will be prohibited between noon and 7 p.m. for city of Hays water customers and for those with private wells. The control order for private wells was signed April 6 by the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources.
The measure is part of a greater interest to reduce water waste and to improve conservation practices in the Intensive Groundwater Use Control Area (IGUCA) located in Hays. It was established in 1985 at the request of the city to help implement water conservation measures and provide a mechanism to address preventable water waste by privately-owned wells.
By restricting daytime outdoor water use – including the watering of lawns, landscapes and gardens – unnecessary water loss due to wind and evaporation can be reduced, according to Hays Water Conservation Specialist Holly Dickman.
“Typically the evaporation is much higher during that time of day,” Dickman explained, “and also a lot of times the wind is a little bit higher during that time frame – the heat of the day.”
Year-round the city of Hays prohibits washing down of sidewalks, parking lots and driveways; the known loss of water through breaks or leaks in plumbing systems; and the escape of water from landscape irrigation on private property onto public property such as sidewalks or into the street.
Those found to be in violation of the outdoor water prohibitions and restrictions can be fined after an initial warning.
Local law enforcement and domestic violence services advocates are praising a new Kansas law that prohibits those convicted of domestic violence or restrained under a protection order from possessing firearms.
The law went into effect the beginning of May and also bars illegal immigrants and fugitives from possessing guns.
Jennifer Hecker, director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, said the law was a positive step in keeping domestic abuse survivors safe.
In 2016, the most recent year for which data was available, 19 people died in Kansas as a result of domestic violence, according to the KBI. Half of those homicides involved firearms. Seventy percent of those women who were killed died when they were actively leaving their abusers or within of the first two weeks of leaving.
Federal law already prohibits convicted domestic abusers from possessing firearms, but Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said a lack of state law created an issue with enforcement. Because the law was federal, all cases had to be prosecuted in federal court. The federal system is so overburdened with higher-level cases, the gun law was seldom prosecuted. The passage of the state law will allow violators to be prosecuted in local courts.
“I think anything we can to do in an effort by the state to prevent domestic violence and make families safer, I think we need to do those things,” Scheibler said.
Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin said he also supported the law. However, he noted some prohibited individuals will likely continue to own and use firearms.
Undersheriff Scott Braun noted most of the calls the department respond to involve physical altercations and not weapons. However, Harbin said when weapons are present during domestic disturbances, the incident becomes more dangerous for officers as well as victims.
Although the law affects those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, those prohibited individuals found in possession of firearms can be charged with a level 8 non-person felony, Harbin said. Under the law, law enforcement officers are allowed to confiscate the weapon as evidence and the violators can be arrested.
After five years, offenders would be able to legally own firearms again. Harbin said he thought this was reasonable for people who may have had a single incident.
Hecker said she would like to see the prohibition be longer.
Not only did the state NRA support the bill, they helped draft it. Travis Couture-Lovelady, state director with the National Rifle Association and northwest quadrant director for the Kansas State Rifle Association, worked for three years with Kansas Peace Officers Association leaders to develop the bill.
In an email Couture-Lovelady said, “This bill makes it so state law mirrors federal law to provide a more timely and efficient resolution. Rather than having to wait for the feds to handle the issue, this law now empowers state and local law enforcement to be able to handle the situation.
“This will increase efficiency and make sure that far fewer incidents fall through the cracks. We were happy to work with law enforcement to give them the tools they felt they needed to make Kansas a safer place while also making sure that the constitutional rights of Kansans were protected.”
Ed Klumpp with the Kansas Peace Officers Association said he thought the law will help protect victims.
“We surely hope all laws like this improve public safety,” he said. “Persons who have engaged in a domestic violence incident or ones who have a protection order based on a violent act have the propensity when they have a gun in their hands to engage in a higher level of crime or assault. We take that seriously. We think this law is important to public safety, and we want to do everything we can to protect domestic violence victims.”
Reflection is a good thing. It allows you to see where you’ve been and hopefully chart a better course on where you’re going. While on vacation recently I had a chance to think about the small community where I grew up.
Located in northwestern Kansas, Seguin was a small farm/ranch community of approximately 50 hearty souls. Located in Sheridan County, three miles south of Highway 24, the Union Pacific railroad used to run through our small town.
Seguin was a community where families were raised and values – good and sometimes bad – were instilled. Looking back, those fortunate enough to grow up there – like I did in the ‘50s and ‘60s – were surrounded by people with core values that helped guide us throughout our lives.
Human spiritual nature topped the list. A spiritual quality like, seek ye first this kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be given unto you.
We all grew up with Monsignor Mulvihill and the Sisters of St. Joseph, went to mass six days a week and learned to abide by the golden rule.
Next, was the courtesy level of our town. This was measured by the ordinary civilities a total stranger could expect. Residents of Seguin and the outlying community always welcomed family and friends back for special events – many centered around our church and its congregation. Other celebrations included wheat harvest, a wedding or graduation from school.
Transient laborers, especially during wheat, milo and corn harvest, were also treated well because of their valuable contributions during these critical periods.
Rootedness or a sense of commitment on the part of a town’s people was another cornerstone in our little community. Dependent on the fertile, sandy loam soil of the High Plains, Seguin’s families lived by the unspoken agreement that this was a place to stay, put down roots and build a family, a farm, a business and a future.
This quality is closely related to a sense of place, which now grows rarer with each passing day.
Diversity – not necessarily in the form of many nationalities – but rather in the form of creative disagreement was another building block in our community. This meant our little town enjoyed a certain confidence that all its inhabitants didn’t have to echo one another to make progress.
On the contrary, a community, like a country, can profit by its differences. Believe me, nearly everyone I ever knew in Seguin spoke up, voiced their opinions and let their ideas be heard.
Loyalty was the fifth attribute our community was blessed with. Loyalty is often confused with conformity, though the two are really opposites.
It is precisely loyalty to the community, to posterity and to principle that moves a citizen not to conform. A dissenter may never be so loyal as when refusing to go along quietly.
Loyalty is a virtue, but not a simple one. Certainly, it is not as simple as those who use it as a club to enforce their will on an individual or a community.
Generosity was the sixth attribute and not just with material support but a generosity of spirit akin to humility. This broader, deeper attribute sets aside not only personal interests for the sake of community, but personal grudges, slights and obsessions.
One might call this trait charity, but charity in our society has acquired an unfortunate connotation of being optional – not obligatory. Some believe charity is what you do with what you have left over. Those who believe they owe a debt to their community and embrace the opportunity to repay it practice charity, the real thing.
Pride in our little burg was also clear. Self-respect may be a better word for this civic virtue. It has to do with much more than clean streets, green lawns and painted buildings. It also explains good schools, honest law enforcement and other amenities that make for a proud, self-respecting community.
Openness was the final attribute in our small northwestern Kansas community. Without openness all of these other virtues would only be a facade. Our community was an open book. Everyone knew everyone else and everything that was going on. Candor, candidness, frankness, sincerity and plain dealing were the only way of doing business and conducting each day of your life.
Everyone who lived in Seguin was a member of the community and part of our town. Didn’t matter who you were, where you lived, how old you were or whatever else. Our community was a place of human and humane values.
Sometimes in the rush of everyday life we forget to live by such values. Know your neighbors, coworkers and the members of your community. And, yes, it’s all right to argue with them and disagree with them about what is best for the community.
What is important is to care about your community. Think of its best interests and don’t let your mind be diverted by lesser concerns or scattered holdings.
Just like the little community I grew up in and the family and neighbors who helped shape who I am today, each of us live in communities that have values and fine traditions to uphold. Be part of yours.
John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.
GRAHAM COUNTY— The Memorial Day storm brought hail, high winds, tornado watches, warnings, torrential rainfall and flooding to portions of Kansas.
Drivers in heavy rain in Graham County Monday-image courtesy Graham County Sheriff.
Monday morning, the National Weather Service in Goodland issued the day’s first thunderstorm warning in Rawlins County. A couple of hours later, the National Weather Service in Dodge City issued storm warnings in Trego and Graham County.
Heavy rain and flooding prompted officials to close roads. U.S. 283 between WaKeeney and Hill City was reopened just after midnight.
Some flooding was reported in portions of Trego, Graham, Rooks and Phillips County. The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood warning for Ellis County.
There are no reports of injury.
Authorities will work to assess damage and begin cleanup Tuesday.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for more storms on Tuesday afternoon and evening across the state.
Officials report 6 and nearly 7 inches of rain in Graham and Trego County. Portions of Rooks County received over 4 inches of moisture.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Miguel Sano belted a two-run homer, Eddie Rosario hit a three-run double and the Minnesota Twins snapped a four-game skid with an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
Lance Lynn (3-4) pitched six effective innings to win his second consecutive start after a dreadful stretch in his first season with the Twins.
Sano extended his hitting streak against the Royals to 15 games. He is batting .373 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in those 15 games.
The slugger drove a 1-1 pitch from Jakob Junis out to center field with Brian Dozier aboard in the fifth inning.
Rosario drilled a three-run double in the eighth off Burch Smith. Dozier’s sixth-inning single scored Mitch Garver, who added a two-run double in the ninth.
Lynn allowed two runs and six hits. He’s given up two runs and 11 hits over 12 2/3 innings in his past two outings.
The right-hander worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the second by striking out Alcides Escobar and retiring Ramon Torres on a grounder. The Royals went 4 for 19 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 overall.
Fernando Rodney got four outs for his 11th save in 14 chances. He gave up a ninth-inning homer to Jorge Soler.
Jon Jay had four hits for Kansas City, including three doubles, to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.
Junis (5-4) permitted three runs on six hits and walked a career-high four. He struck out seven.
The Royals tied it at 2 in the fifth when Mike Moustakas’ double scored Jay and Whit Merrifield, who walked.
Kansas City got two runs in the eighth. Zach Duke’s throwing error on Jay’s bunt single allowed Escobar to score. Merrifield’s single knocked in Torres with the second run.
NOT SO SWEET AT HOME
The Royals have lost 19 of 26 at Kauffman Stadium.
ROSTER MOVES
Twins: Claimed INF Taylor Motter off waivers from Seattle. Motter has a .197 batting average in 132 games over three major league seasons with the Mariners and Rays. He will report to Triple-A Rochester.
Royals: RHP Scott Barlow was recalled from Triple-A Omaha, where he was 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in seven games. LHP Eric Stout, who yielded two homers and three runs in one-third of an inning Sunday at Texas, was optioned to Omaha.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: RHP Ervin Santana (right middle finger surgery) will make his second minor league rehab start Tuesday for Class A Fort Myers. . 1B Joe Mauer (neck strain) has been taking batting practice and grounders at Target Field. “He hasn’t had any setbacks,” manager Paul Molitor said. “We don’t want to get too excited about the potential of him being ready sooner than later.” Mauer could be activated Thursday when the Twins return home.
Royals: LHP Eric Skoglund (Grade 1 UCL strain) was relieved after an MRI revealed he won’t need Tommy John surgery. “They said the UCL looks strong, it was just the fluid buildup,” Skoglund said. “It’s exciting news that nothing was going on with the UCL. Just kind of get strong now in that area and let that fluid get out and get back to work. I was freaking out when I was in Texas. It wasn’t a good feeling, especially when I found out it (surgery) was a possibility.”
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson, a Missouri product, is 6-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 16 career starts against the Royals.
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy is coming off his best outing of the year, when he allowed one run in a season-high 7 2/3 innings to beat the Rangers.
LeeAnne Emmons, 67, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
LeeAnne was born on November 24, 1950, in Marion, Indiana, the daughter of Leon and Mary Ann (Sparks) Atkerson. At a young age she moved to the Russell area and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1969. She then attended Academy of Hair, in Salina, Kansas. LeeAnne and Kenny then moved to Brattleboro, Vermont where she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Alfred E. Emmons on June 26, 1984 in Russell, Kansas. They then moved to Russell, Kansas where she worked as a secretary for Leon’s Tank Service for several years and then the family business Francis-Urban Tank Service for many years. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell where she was the Nursery coordinator for several years until she was unable to climb the stairs and had to stop working with the little ones she enjoyed so much. She was also the Custodian for a couple years, she also worked as a cook for Russell High School. She enjoyed working with arts and crafts and collecting Noah’s ark items. She loved seashells and jewelry. She took a night class at Russell High School for Silversmith, which she enjoyed making different items. She prepared the Nativity pieces of clay for firing and glazing for years to be given away to the youth at church. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Surviving family include her husband Alfred E. Emmons of the home, son Kenny L. Cain wife Melanie of Lucas, Kansas, daughter Amy Hoss and husband Cody of Russell, Kansas and son Robert D. Emmons and companion Kimberly Forest of Russell, Kansas; grandchildren Kevin Cain, Kendra Harp and Slayde Hoss and great grandchild Kinsley Harp, step grandchildren Brody, Blake, Kaylee Hoss. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service to celebrate LeeAnne’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Les Rye officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment of the cremains will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening. Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church, Nursery Fund or to the Russell Playpark and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Today Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South southeast wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
There is an enhanced risk for severe t-storms this afternoon into this evening with the potential for up to baseball hail and 70+ mph winds. pic.twitter.com/QfrQUUH06Q
Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 88. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday Nigh tPartly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 6 mph.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 95.
GEARY COUNTY —The victim in the Sunday drowning at Milford Lake has been identified as Jonathan Rivera, 28, Grandview Plaza, according to the Geary County Sheriff’s Department.
Milford Lake
On Sunday afternoon, authorities responded to the situation to the south end of the lake and at the north end of Milford Lake Road, according to Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf.
Wolf said, “We received a 911 call of a subject swimming in the lake. He went down and they couldn’t find him. When we got out there on scene, story was that he tried to swim across the cove and he was unable to make it, and he went down and they didn’t see him any more.”
Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism authorities were used boats Sunday evening to drag the lake to try find the body.
The water in the area where the incident occurred is about nine feet deep, but the water is muddy making the visibility about zero at that location, according to Wolf.
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GEARY COUNTY —Authorities recovered the body of a man who drowned Sunday at Milford Lake.
The name of the 28-year-old victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The man was a Grandview Plaza resident who had just gotten out of the military, according to Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf.
———–
GEARY COUNTY — A man drowned Sunday at Milford Lake.
Authorities responded to the situation to the south end of the lake and at the north end of Milford Lake Road, according to Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf.
The victim was a 28-year old man. His identity has not yet been released.
Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism authorities were using boats Sunday evening to drag the lake to try to find the body of the victim.
Wolf said, “We received a 911 call of a subject swimming in the lake. He went down and they couldn’t find him. When we got out there on scene, story was that he tried to swim across the cove and he was unable to make it, and he went down and they didn’t see him any more.”
The water in the area where the incident occurred is about nine feet deep, but the water is muddy making the visibility about zero at that location, according to Wolf.
UPDATE AT 9:24 p.m.: FLASH FLOOD WARNING UNTIL 3:15 A.M.
EVENT: Flash Flood Warning
ALERT:
The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Trego County in west central Kansas...
Ellis County in central Kansas...
* Until 315 AM CDT
* At 922 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Up to three inches of rain have
already fallen over eastern Trego county. Flash flooding is
expected to begin shortly.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Hays, Ellis, Catherine, Schoenchen, Ogallah, Trego Center,
Yocemento, Cedar Bluff, Riga, Antonino, Toulon and Munjor.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
TARGET AREA: Ellis; Trego
NWS
DODGE CITY - EVENT: Flood Warning
ALERT:
The National Weather Service in Dodge City, Ks has issued a
* Flood Warning for
The Saline River Near Wakeeney 5N.
* from late tonight to Tuesday evening.
* At 8:31 PMMonday the stage was 12.2 feet.
* Flood stage is 13.0 feet.
* Minor flooding is forecast.
* Forecast...Rise above flood stage by after midnighttonight and continue to rise to near 14.4 feet by tomorrow morning.the river
will fall below flood stage by tomorrow afternoon.
* Impact...At 15.0 feet...Expect moderate lowland flooding along the Saline River throughout northern Trego and Ellis Counties. Flood depths may reach 2 feet or more as the river nears its crest. Some roads and bridge approaches near the river will be impassable.
* * Flood history...This crest compares to a previous crest of 15.5 feet on May 24 2016.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on a weapons charge.
Michael -photo Shawnee Co.
Just before 9p.m. Friday, a police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Tyron R. Michael near SW 21st and SW Fairlawn in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.
Michael was wanted in connection with illegally discharging a firearm on May 6, 2018.
Michael fled from the vehicle on foot. TPD officers were able to capture him after a brief foot pursuit near the north east corner of Topeka West High School.
TPD officers recovered a gun Michael had discarded during the foot pursuit, according to Ekis.
TPD Officers did pursue Michael onto Topeka West High School property but he never entered any buildings.
He remains in custody Monday on a $150,000 Bond, according to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A World War II plane that had just completed Memorial Day flyovers crash-landed in Kansas.
The plane that crash landed Memorial Day -photo courtesy KWCH
The 1943 Fairchild PT-23 plane crashed Monday afternoon near Wichita’s Westport Airport.
The plane was part of the Commemorative Air Force-Jayhawk Wing that was doing flyovers across the state.
Wichita Police Sgt. Kelly O’Brien says the plane was southbound for the airport when its engine failed after noon. The plane’s right wing clipped the ground and at least one pole.
O’Brien says a male pilot and female passenger suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for stiches. The Kansas Highway Patrol and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
The PT-23 was a trainer plane for the U.S. Army Air Force.
Robert “Bob” Schmeidler, of Wellington, Kansas, died Sunday, May 27, 2018 at his home in Wellington, Kansas at the age of 61.
Robert was born the son of Robert E. and Eleanor (Gueist) Schmeidler on Wednesday, December 12, 1956 in Hays, Kansas.
On September 11, 1987, Bob and Mavis Rains were united in marriage in Wellington, Kansas. Together they celebrated 30 years of marriage.
Bob served his country in the US Marines Corps during the Vietnam era. He was employed as a machinist at Kansas Plastics and retired in 2013.
Survivors include his wife, Mavis Schmeidler of Wellington, Kansas; son, Cavan Schmeidler (Stacy Burke) of Mayfield, Kansas; son, Eli Schmeidler of Rose Hill, Kansas; son Cale Schmeidler (Mercedez Farley) of Rose Hill, Kansas; daughter, Selene Schmeidler of Wellington, Kansas; sister, Beverly Brungartt of Hays, Kansas; sister, Barbara Sage of Thornton, Colorado and four grandchildren: William Schmeidler, Karen Schmeidler, Sadey Burke and Bailey Burke. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Savannah Schmeidler.
Visitation, with the family present, will be held at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Graveside services with Military Honors for Bob will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 1, 2018 at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington, Kansas.
A memorial has been established in his loving memory to the Wellington Humane Society. Contributions may be mailed or left with the funeral home.
