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UPDATE: Kansas man pulled from Colorado lake drowned

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say a man drowned after he slipped below the surface of a northern Colorado lake.

Park rangers search the lake Friday -image courtesy Steamboat Today

Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg tells Steamboat Today that 64-year-old David Bass, of Hutchinson, Kansas, did not have any heart issues and was “a very healthy man” when he drowned at Steamboat Lake on Friday.

Bass was with another man on the shore trying to fix a problem with their boat’s trolling motor. The boat drifted away, and Bass swam after it before disappearing.

His body was recovered just after midnight early Saturday morning.

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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities have recovered the body of a man who went missing in a northern Colorado lake.

Steamboat Today reports 64-year-old David Bass, of Hutchinson was with another man on the shore of Steamboat Lake trying to fix a problem with their boat’s trolling motor Friday afternoon. The boat drifted away, and Bass swam after it before disappearing under the surface.

Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg says, “We don’t really know a lot about why he went down.”

Bass’ body was recovered just after midnight early Saturday morning, and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

District continues school funding lawsuit against Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita school district’s battle over state funding has surpassed $2 million in legal bills as it heads into another year.

School board members voted Monday for a resolution continuing Wichita Public Schools’ membership in Schools for Fair Funding, a coalition of districts suing the state. The lawsuit alleges school funding levels violate the state constitution and deprive students of a proper education.

The resolution calls for Wichita to spend up to $6 per student annually on the lawsuit, putting the district’s total spending so far on the case at more than $2 million.

School leaders say the cost is unfortunate but necessary in the fight for more funding.

The coalition had over 70 districts when filing the lawsuit in 2010. There are now 40.

Sheriff asks for help with Kansas arson investigation

JEWELL COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged arson and asking the public for help with information.

During the overnight hours of June14, there were two fires which burned three buildings in the Jewell area, according to the sheriff’s department.

All three buildings were a total loss. They are being investigated as arson by the Jewell County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas State Fire Marshal.

If anyone has any information please call the Jewell County Sheriff’s Office at 785-378-3194 or you can message us on facebook at Jewell County Sheriff’s Department. No tip is too small. Any and all information is welcomed and will be taken seriously.

New Deines art exhibitions open June 22

DCC

RUSSELL – Friday, June 22, two new exhibitions open at the Deines Cultural Center in Russell.

Steve Read is a painter from McPherson who loves color. His paintings along with poetry written by Valerie Boersma will be on exhibition in the north gallery.

Greg Rud is a photographer living in Russell County. His scenic photography focuses on the unique, the abstract, and the under-appreciated. His photographs will be on exhibition in the second floor gallery.

The artist-attended reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 22.

Both exhibits will be on display until August 3rd. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Regular gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Deines Cultural Center is located at 820 North Main Street in Russell. Call 785-483-3742 for information.

Kansas Leadership Center state tour in Hays June 27

The Kansas Leadership Center is going on a road trip across the state, looking for people who want to be a part of creating a different kind of leadership culture in Kansas. Is that you or your organization?

Join us for this free, one-hour event to learn more about KLC and how you can connect with us!

Wednesday, June 27 at 9 AM – 10 AM

Breathe Coffee House
703b Main St, Hays, Kansas 67601

RSVP to Olga Detrixhe at [email protected] by June 26.

The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), based in Wichita, is a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities.

Autopsy released for Kansas man killed in swatting case

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County authorities say a man who died after being shot by a Wichita police officer in a “swatting” case had no drugs or alcohol in his system.

Finch-photo courtesy Hillside Funeral Home

The county’s autopsy shows 28-year-old Andrew Finch died in December from a single gunshot wound.

Officers were responding to a report of a shooting and kidnapping at a Wichita address when Finch was shot. The officer who shot Finch testified that he believed Finch had a weapon and was going to fire. Finch was unarmed.

Prosecutors say Tyler Barriss called in the fake report to police to “swat” another man because of a dispute over a video game bet. Finch’s home was the old address for one person allegedly involved in the dispute.

Barriss is charged in state court with involuntary manslaughter.

YOUNKER: Summer Planted Cover Crops

Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.

If you are thinking of planting cover crop in wheat stubble after harvest, now is the time to start planning and making arrangements so you are ready to plant when the time comes. So here are a few things to think about before putting the seed in the ground.

First off think about what you are wanting to accomplish? Do want to use it for livestock grazing? Is there a compaction layer that you want to break up? Do you want to increase the ground cover because of the short and thin wheat stubble? Use a seed mix meets your goals. Don’t plant a cover crop just to plant one.

Also ask yourself does it make economic sense for me to plant a cover crop. What is going to be my potential economic return of planting a cover crop, both short and long term, in comparison to not planting one? Try to keep seed cost reasonable at $20.00 or less.

Some herbicides that are used to spray wheat could prevent some cover crop species from coming up. Always check the herbicide label and if in doubt ask you’re your crop advisor or pesticide vendor.

One of the purposes of planting a cover crop after wheat harvest is to reduce evaporation, improve water infiltration and increase the water holding capacity of the soil. But realize upfront that cover crops do use moisture, just like any green growing plant. Depending on the amount of rainfall during the season they may use more then what they save. This could have a negative effect on the next cash crop yield. This is especially true as we move south and west across the state.

Always plant in a clean seedbed. If weeds are present spray to kill them. Cover crops can be very effective in suppressing difficult to control weeds but not if they are already present when the cover crop is being planted.

I like planting the cover crop as soon after harvest as possible. Preferably right behind the combine. This allows full advantage of the moisture and growing season available to grow the cover crop. If you are trying to control weeds you need to get the cover crop planted before a flush of weeds emerge.

Be prepared to spray the cover crop field if weeds become an issue. This is especially important if volunteer wheat becomes an issue since it provides a “green bridge” for the wheat streak mosaic virus. The last thing you want is this virus to spread to your or your neighbors newly planted wheat.

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.

HPD Activity Log June 18

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Mon., June 18, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle–2000 block Main St Terr, Hays; 4:21 AM
Parking Complaint–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 7:31 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:23 AM
Domestic Disturbance–100 block W 33rd St, Hays; 8:33 AM
Animal At Large–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 8:43 AM
Animal At Large–600 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:33 AM
Criminal Trespass–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 9:47 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:49 AM
Animal At Large–1500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 11:16 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:19 AM
Animal At Large–4600 block Roth Ave, Hays; 12:42 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–6th St and Pine St, Hays;  12:58 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:47 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:57 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Civil Transport–1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 7:03 PM; 8:03 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 6:08 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 6:26 PM
Unwanted Person–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:44 PM
Aggravated Battery–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 9:30 PM; 9:59 PM

Mike Mahorney

Mike Mahorney, age 59, passed away June 14, 2018, in the presence of loved ones at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, KS. Born in Colby, KS, June 14, 1959 to J. D. and Dorreen Mahorney. Mike was married and two sons, Micheal and Brett were born from that union.

Mike worked at many jobs during his life with the most recent as shop foreman for Northwest Fire Extinguishing.

Mike loved staying in touch with family and friends. Social media giving him the opportunity to catch up with all. He also enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends. He could be found hanging out at the Bee Hive catching up with friends.

Mike is survived by sons: sisters Melody (Larry) Higgins of Riverton, WY, and Tanya Grubb of Colby, KS. Step brother Dennis (Kathy) Mahorney and step sister Kim Urbanek. Niece Michelle (Mike) Nelson, nephews Matthew Higgins of Riverton, WY, and Lucas Higgins of Rock Springs, WY, and numerous aunt, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents J. D. and Dorreen Mahorney, grandparents Lloyd and Veneta Graham, Fred and Ethel Dean and Aunt Sandy Owen.

Memorial services will be held Monday, June 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel. Donations may be made to the Mike Mahorney Memorial Fund.

Clifford E. Roach

Clifford E. Roach, 95, of Alton, KS, died on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS. He was born to Orva & Lillian (Lampman) Roach in Osborne County, KS.

Clifford graduated from Harlan High School in 1944. He has lived in the Alton area all his life. He married Marcella Theresa Mans and to this union, several children were born. Clifford farmed in the Alton area.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marcella in 1998, a brother, Paul Evans, sisters, Beryl Schoenberg, Velva Reinking & Euleta Gregory. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryle (Jerry) Roach-Anderson of Highlands Ranch, CO; sons: Orvan Roach, Randy (Shelley) Roach, Stan (Deanna) Roach & Mark (Claudia) Roach, all of Alton, KS; sister: Avis Walker of Stockton, KS; 9 grandchildren & 20 great-grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

Don Michael Brown

Don Michael Brown, age 63, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2018, at his home near Hays, Kansas. He was born October 17, 1954 in Russell, Kansas, to Thomas Eugene “Gene” and Mary Lou (Sarver) Brown.

Don was a 1972 graduate of Plainville High School. He went on to serve our country in the United States Navy. On December 9, 1979, Don was united in marriage to Sharyl Gerber, in Plainville. He worked in his family’s oil business, and then became owner and operator of The Don Brown Company, an independent oil producer. In 2003, while living in Stockton, Don saw a community need for a good car wash. The result was “The Auto Wash”, which he was very proud of building. Most people who knew Don, know that he loved motorcycles. He was always up for a group ride to about anywhere. He loved the comradery that came with riding. He was a member of the American Motorcycle Association and a life member of Harley Owners Group. He was also a member of the American Legion. Don was also known for keeping a perfectly manicured and maintained lawn and landscape. His spirit will live on in the lives of many. He will be missed.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Lou Brown of Plainville; his wife, Sharyl of the home; a daughter, Gina and husband Ben Errebo of Topeka; a son, Jeremiah of Plainville; six grandchildren, Bradey Chard of Kansas City, Kansas; Noah Chard of Topeka, Kansas; Devin Brown of Plainville; Elizabeth Brown and Emily Norton, both of Plainville, and Emma Errebo of Topeka; two sisters, Kathy and husband Bob Wise of Plainville, and Debra Brown of Topeka; and numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Tom, a nephew, Michael Dreiling, and a niece Jessica Brown.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Burial will be in the Plainville City Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation and viewing will be Wednesday evening, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Plainville.

Memorial contributions are suggested toHospice at HaysMed and Cancer Council of Ellis County. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Betty Ann Porter

Betty Ann Porter, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2018 in her home, with family and loved ones by her side.

She was born January 5, 1932 in McPherson, KS to parents Chester and Pearl (Crumbpacker) Murrey of Conway, KS.

Betty Ann married Irwin Porter on December 16, 1951 at the Monitor Church of the Brethren. She and her husband, Irwin, raised four children; Randy Porter of Quinter, Jana Dee of Warrensburg, MO, Kay Ann of Rosemont, MN, and Denny Porter of Denver, CO. They were blessed with nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

She joined the Monitor Church of the Brethren by baptism at an early age and always kept her faith in God, Jesus, and eternal life.

Betty Ann attended a rural one-room schoolhouse, riding her pony three miles to school. Following High School graduation in McPherson, she attended McPherson College where she was inducted into the “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities,” after receiving a degree in Home Economics. She loved her Alma Mater and encouraged several students to attend there by paying for their tuition.

Her passion was her family and helping others. She sent hundreds of “Get Well” wishes and “Congratulations” cards to her many friends in the community, and she made many phone calls to her neighbors and friends in need.

The time spent in raising her four children was shared with teaching Sunday school, playing in the Bell Choir, in youth counselor leadership, and representing her church in various meetings and conferences.

Betty Ann kept a daily diary for many years. Her most notable entry was dated August 14, 1945: “What a historic day! It is really wonderful to be at peace once more with the world.”

Betty Ann was a life-long “4-H’er”, starting at an early age with her sewing and baking projects, and was always pleased with the blue ribbons she won at the Kansas State 4-H Fair. The motto she lived by was the 4-H pledge; “I pledge my heart to greater loyalty; my hands to larger service; and my heart to better living for my club, community, my country, and my world.”

Better Ann was a Hospice volunteer for several years at the LTCF, where she passed on her love to her many friends there.

She always reminded her family that God should come first, then your neighbor, and finally yourself.

Thank you, Betty Ann, for your presence here on planet Earth for a short time, to make a difference.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Quinter Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant St., Quinter, KS along with a display of Betty Ann’s personal memorabilia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Hospice Foundation. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Ervin J. ‘Tex’ Kober

Ervin J. “Tex” Kober, 78, La Crosse, Kansas, died Monday, June 11, 2018, in Hays, Kansas.

Mr. Kober was born October 16, 1939, in Bison, Kansas, the son of Frank and Viola (Krestine) Kober. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. He was a recycler before his retirement.

Survivors include: two brothers, Donald Kober (Dalene), La Crosse, Kansas, and Raymond Kober (Kathy), Great Bend, Kansas; and two sisters, Grace Harris (Carl), Mt. Gilead, North Carolina, and Lillian Cross (Steve), St. George, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Alvin Kober.

Cremation has been chosen. A private family graveside memorial service and inurnment was held.

Memorials are suggested to Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

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