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3203 N. Vine
Hays, KS 67601
(785) 621-2662
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Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am 10:00 pm
Friday-Saturday: 11:00 am 11:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am 10:00 pm
Month: June 2018
Maxine Walker
Phillipsburg resident Maxine Walker passed away Monday, June 11, 2018 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 87.
She was born June 26, 1930 in Oberlin, KS, the daughter of Orville & Opal (Sweet) Smallberger. She married Verle L. Walker on June 14, 1953. He preceded her in death on April 4, 1995.
Survivors include her daughter, Jean Stapel (David) of Phillipsburg, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Chris Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 14, from noon – 9 p.m. and again Friday, June 15, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Maxine Walker Memorial Fund.
Marvin Deckert
Marvin Deckert, 86, of Blue Springs, MO passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
Marvin was born on February 7, 1932 in Montezuma, KS to Albun and Mabel (Miller) Deckert. He grew up on a farm near Burdett, KS.
After graduating high school he attended Garden City Junior College where he was named All-American Basketball Player; he then was recruited to the University of Kansas by Dr. Phog Allen and played on the 1953 basketball team that competed for the National Title. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Kansas. Marvin began his career at Prudential as a Mortgage Loan Appraiser and helped it develop many areas in eastern Jackson County, including Noland Road. He later went into the building and development business. He married the love of his life, Nancy Atkinson, in 1963.
In his spare time, he enjoyed flying and golfing. He was a qualified multi-engine pilot and enjoyed flying his Cessna 310 throughout the United States and Canada. Marvin was also one of the original members of the Wolf Creek Golf Club. He developed many friendships over his time there that are still important today.
In accordance with Marvin’s wishes a memorial service will not be held. He would like each of you to remember him as he was when you knew him best. Cremation is planned. A private gathering to remember his life will be held. He is survived by his siblings Marcia Ryder of Olathe, KS, Ron Deckert and wife Barbara of Boise, ID, Jim Deckert and wife Dianne of Kansas City, MO, Ken Deckert of Larned, KS; plus several nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy in 2009. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
C. Monte Phinney
Larned – C. Monte Phinney, 62, passed away June 9, 2018, at his home in Denver, CO.
He was born April 1, 1956 in Lima, Ohio, the son of Clyde Montgomery and Marylee Meals Phinney Jr. He was the lot manager at Denver Auto Auction in Denver, CO.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Larned.
Survivors include: mother, Marylee Phinney, Larned, KS; sister, Deb Phinney, Clifton, TX; companion for 22 years, Shelby McFee, Denver, CO and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde M. Phinney Jr.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with Pastor Bill Stapleton presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Belpre Cemetery, Belpre, KS.
Memorials may be given to Pawnee County 4-H Foundation in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
State judges organization honors Rooks County judge
TOPEKA—District Magistrate Judge Douglas Bigge of Rooks County received the Lee Nusser Award for Outstanding Magistrate Judge of 2018.
The award was presented June 8 in Overland Park at the annual meeting of the Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award.” Bigge said. “I know that all of our magistrate judges work hard for the residents of the state of Kansas, and to be the one to be honored with this award is very humbling.”
Bigge, who serves in the 23rd Judicial District, also was re-elected president of KDMJA.
Bigge founded the Rooks County Courthouse Coat Exchange program 17 years ago and established Seatbelt Awareness Days for preschoolers through sixth-graders in Rooks County schools. He is a past leader for the Eager Beaver 4-H Club and has coached youth sports in Stockton and Plainville. He and his wife, Kori, have a daughter Kourtney.
District Magistrate Judge Blaine Carter from Wabaunsee County of the 2nd Judicial District presented the award.
Carter said Bigge met all the criteria of the award, which is given to a judge who has exhibited support of the Kansas judiciary and the dignity and integrity of the magistrate judges association.
However, Bigge exceeded those qualities when he took over legislative liaison duties for KDMJA, Carter said.
At the start of the legislative session in January, the organization’s longtime legislative liaison, Judge Taylor Wine, left his district magistrate judge position when he was appointed a district judge for the 4th Judicial District.
“Judge Bigge took over the reins, with the help of other committee members. He did a fantastic job, both as legislative liaison and president,” Carter said. “It was a lot of work and dedication from him to get that job done.”
Several times, Bigge made the nearly 500-mile roundtrip from his home in Stockton to Topeka to meet with legislators, Carter said.
“He is most definitely deserving of this award,” Carter said.
Bigge was elected magistrate judge in 1996 to serve Rooks County of the 23rd Judicial District. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in history and has attended the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. He received his certificate of qualification from the Kansas Supreme Court on July 10, 1997.
The award is named for Judge Lee Nusser, who served as a district magistrate judge in Stafford County from 1976 to 1999. He died in 2003.
— Office of Judicial Administration
Man guilty in road rage slaying of Kansas City area mother
KANSAS CITY (AP) – A man has been convicted in the fatal road rage killing of a Kansas City area mother after she stopped for groceries.
Forty-year-old Christopher Taylor was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the 2016 death of 22-year-old Whitney Gray, of Independence.
Gray was driving a minivan with a 16-year-old, a 3-year-old and an 8-month-old inside when Taylor began following her closely and nearly caused an accident while trying to pass her in Independence. At a light, a liquid was thrown from the passenger side of Gray’s van onto Taylor’s sport utility vehicle, and then a loud “pop” was heard. Gray died at the scene. Not one else was hurt.
Taylor was later arrested in Box Elder, South Dakota. Sentencing is set for Aug. 24.
Six Kan. artists featured in new School of Medicine building in Salina
LAWRENCE — Six Kansas artists have created site-specific artwork for the Salina Health Education Center — the new home of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina and the KU School of Nursing-Salina — which will have its grand opening June 21.
According to a media release, the selected artists come from across the state, and their respective installations are inspired by the missions of the two schools located in the Health Education Center.
Dr. William Cathcart-Rake, director of the School of Medicine-Salina, said commissioning new artwork for the building where students and employees spend so many hours makes it a less sterile environment.
“Adding artwork to the hallowed halls of health care education can expand students’ horizons and help them consider their chosen career in more holistic terms,” Cathcart-Rake said.
Geraldine Craig and Nelson Smith of Lindsborg designed a mixed-media work focused on the theme of healing for walls outside second-floor classrooms. A. Mary Kay of Lindsborg created four paintings for the main lobby that reflect the natural processes of birth, growth, death and renewal. Dylan Mortimer of Westwood installed a collage of brightly colored cellular formations in the building’s community room. Alan Tollakson of Emporia created a sculpture using stone and light that symbolizes the layered relationships involved in medicine for the second-floor study lounge. Dierk Van Keppel of Merriam installed a glasswork piece in the east entrance depicting a sunset and horizon as images of hope.
Van Keppel, a KU alumnus who studied sociology and glassmaking, said this opportunity allowed him to achieve his goal of integrating his artwork into the fabric of KU.
“I believe in the mission of the school, which is to believe in rural America,” Van Keppel said. “This school represents hope for rural medicine. The goal of my work is to complement the environment of the school with transcendence and hope.”
Spencer Museum Director Saralyn Reece Hardy served on the project review panel that selected artist projects.
“Art and medicine are necessities for quality of life throughout Kansas,” Reece Hardy said. “Artists nurture the communities they work in, as will this next generation of nurses and doctors educated in this building.”
In addition to the artworks created for the building, the artist team of Anne Arkebauer from Leawood and Carolyn Wedel from Salina is creating a commemorative print for the building’s opening.
The grand opening of the Salina Health Education Center is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, June 21. The new campus is located in a historic former bank building at 138 N. Santa Fe Ave.
Affidavit: Kan. teacher had sex with student at school
MAIZE, Kan. (AP) — Newly released court documents say a former Kansas teacher who also worked as a law enforcement officer had sex with a 17-year-old girl at school.
The affidavit released Wednesday says 44-year-old Johnny Yelverton told a Wichita police detective that he started a romantic involvement with the girl who was in some of his classes in late March.
The affidavit also says explicit photos of the girl were found on his phone after the girl’s family went to police.
Yelverton is charged with sexual exploitation of a child and having unlawful sexual relations with a student. Before his resignation last month, he taught fire science and law and public safety courses to Maize High School and Maize South High School students at the Maize Career Academy.
FHSU student group receives award from world’s largest human resource association
FHSU University Relations
Fort Hays State University’s Society for Human Resource Management student chapter was recently awarded a 2017-2018 Superior Merit Award from the Society for Human Resource Management.
The merit award program, originating in 1972, was created to encourage student chapters to require ongoing excellence in requirements, operations, programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession and SHRM engagement.
“It is truly an honor for our chapter to receive recognition from SHRM for the work we do on campus,” said Marina Arenivas, Liberal senior and FHSU’s SHRM chapter president. “This is a big accomplishment and only reaffirms the commitment our members have to this profession.”
“We have worked hard throughout the years to bring speakers and programs that benefit not only our members, but all students on campus,” said Arenivas.
The Society for Human Resource Management is the world’s largest human resource professional society, representing 285,000 members in more than 165 countries. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and the United Arab Emirates.
The society has been the leading provider of resources serving the needs of HR professionals and advancing the practice of human resource management for almost seven decades.
“As we move together forward, young professionals like these being honored at distinguished student chapters play a vital role in SHRM’s success,” said Johnny C. Taylor Jr., SHRM president and chief executive officer. “I’m especially honored to thank this year’s award winners because they offer excellent evidence that SHRM’s future is indeed in good hands.”
Seventh annual First Responders Night is Saturday at Larks Park
The Hays Baseball Association and Hays Larks Baseball are hosting the seventh annual “First Responders Night” at the Larks Park on Saturday, June 16, at 7 p.m.. everyone is invited to attend the game to help pay tribute to law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and all first responders for their commitment and contributions to our community. The Hays Larks will be playing the Oklahoma City Indians, and admission is free courtesy of the evening’s game sponsor, Nex-Tech.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler, a Hays Larks board member, praised the dedication of the area’s first responders.
“The Hays Larks are honored to recognize the hard work of these outstanding members of our community. These men and women have dedicated their lives to providing safety and security for us and we are pleased to pay tribute to them and their families,” he said.
All first responders are encouraged to attend the Larks baseball game with their families.
“This event should be a fun time for all, so let’s help the Larks pack the park and recognize our local first responders while cheering on the Larks to a victory,” Scheibler said.
— Submitted
City commission to vote on increased TGT to fund Vine St. roundabouts
CITY OF HAYS
A proposal for funding three proposed traffic roundabouts will be discussed at tonight’s Hays city commission meeting.
Commissioners will consider a recommended charter ordinance to increase the Transient Guest Tax (TGT) rate to 7% from 5% to fund the improvements in the north Vine Street corridor. Costs are estimated at $7.6 million.
If constructed, the roundabouts are expected to significantly improve accessibility for visitors, residents, and pedestrians; improve safety; and keep the area economically viable.
There are three agenda items regarding bid awards.
- Repainting the exteriors of both water towers
- Extension of water service on East 27th Street to be funded by the five customers requesting service
- Site work and concrete slab at the new Fire/Rescue Training Facility south of the Waste Water Treatment Plant
The complete June 14 agenda can be seen here.
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
Officials express concern after Kansas bridge collapse
RENO COUNTY — A bridge in northeast Reno County will be out of use for an extended period of time after a large wheat cart fell through the deck and into the North Fork Blaze Creek Wednesday.
Don Britton of Reno County Public Works says the single-axle cart was way too much for the 91-foot wooden structure to handle. He expressed frustration that people aren’t paying attention to, or simply disregarding, weight limits on the spans they are crossing.
Britton said it’s too early to tell if the bridge will be replaced or not. The structure is maintained by Reno County and shared by McPherson County. The north side the road is McPherson County. The south side in Reno County.
Toll, Bittel honored with nursing awards by HaysMed
HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently recognized several nursing Associates with awards. Shannon Toll, Patient Care Technician (PCT) in Acute Care was recognized with the Caring Hands PCT of the year award. The PCT is a very important part of the patient care team as they extend the care of the nurse through positive interaction with patients and visitors by anticipating needs.
The Lanita Smith LPN of the Year award was presented to Sharon Bittel, LPN at the Orthopedic Clinic. The LPN of the Year award is named after Smith, a former nurse that took pride in her role as an LPN and her ability to positively impact a patient’s life as a nurse in many different roles at HaysMed. This award honors an LPN who displays many of the same characteristics that Smith had including kindness, compassion, concern and friendliness all the while being a great member of the patient care team.
— HaysMed