On Wednesday, Gov. Jeff Colyer will be touring three northwest Kansas communities that have been designated as rural opportunity zones.
The stops will include:
9:45 a.m.CDT: Greeley County Community Development
510 Broadway, Tribune
10:30 a.m. MDT: Northwest Tech Administration Building
1209 Harrison, Goodland
2 p.m. CDT: Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
1125 Williams, Great Bend
MANHATTAN — Officials say Kansas State University’s Hale Library suffered significant damage during a fire.
Library dean Lori Goetsch said the university has contracted with an international disaster recovery business to restore the library following the May 22 blaze.
Goetsch says the library has extensive water and smoke damage. The fire was contained to the building’s roof, but hundreds of thousands of gallons of water were used to control the blaze.
The library also contained the university’s data center, and work remains to get the system fully back online.
Goetsch says about 250 library staff and students will be moved to temporary offices until repair work is complete.
Insurance adjusters will need about a month to assess the damage. It’s unclear when the library will reopen.
In the interim, KU Libraries extended borrowing privileges to the K-State Family, according to the K-State Libraries Facebook page. Wildcats simply need to visit one of their Lawrence campus library locations and use a Wildcat ID to check out materials.
-The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The judicial procedure is moving forward for the case charging Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir with a Class-A misdemeanor. Tuesday morning another motion hearing was conducted at the Barton County Courthouse to determine if the special prosecutor should be disqualified and whether or not Bellendir’s attorney should be allowed to see emails between the Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor and Special Prosecutor Bill Halvorsen.
The Judge ruled that Halvorsen is not disqualified and that Defense Attorney Jess Hoeme is allowed to look at the emails. A pre-trial has been scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m.
On November 1, 2017, Bellendir was issued a summons to appear in court following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Bellendir was accused of “ill-treating a man in handcuffs by speaking to him in a vulgar, insulting, rude or angry manner” while serving an arrest warrant on August 10, 2017 to Nathan Manley of Ellinwood.
Hoeme felt there was discussion via email between Mellor and Halvorsen prior to the complaint being made. Hoeme stated before Mellor recused herself from prosecuting the case because of a conflict of interest, she recruited Halvorson, a like-minded attorney to handle the prosecution. Hoeme felt it was odd that Chase County attorney Halvorsen was appointed and not an attorney closer in proximity. Hoeme also felt that Judge Mike Keeley made a mistake appointing Halvorsen based on abuse of discretion because Mellor did not present all the facts and her connection with Halvorsen. Hoeme was prepared to subpoena Keeley if necessary, but the Judge noted he had no problems with the conversations and whatever connection that may exist between Mellor and Halvorsen.
The Judge also mentioned there may very well be a conflict or animosity between Bellendir and Mellor, and for that reason she should not be prosecuting the case.
Both councils will have until July 1st to file any motions in the case prior to the pre-trial on July 12. A wide net will be cast to select a jury with 100 candidates being notified and summoned to the court and then narrowing the list to include those that can best serve in an unbiased jury. A three-day trial is scheduled to begin on July 16.
For the past 14 years, Golden Belt Bank has been proud to award a $1,000 scholarship to one senior from each of the four high schools in Ellis County.
“Golden Belt Bank is proud of our Ellis County students and believes strongly in using this scholarship to invest in the future of our community,” the bank said.
This year’s recipients were Ali Weber, Ellis High School; Zachary Wagner, Hays High School; Jasmine Zerr, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School; and Aspen Schoenrock, Victoria High School.
“Golden Belt Bank congratulates the 2018 Golden Belt Bank Scholarship recipients and wishes them future success as they begin their journey towards a college degree,” the bank said.
Pittsburg State has turned to the winningest coach of two MIAA school’s to be their new head baseball coach. Bob Fornelli, who is the winningest coach at both Fort Hays State and Emporia State, announced Tuesday he’s leaving the Hornet program after 15 years to take over the Gorillas.
Fornelli replaces Tom Myers who stepped down after two seasons as head coach.
At his alma mater Emporia State, Fornelli guided the Hornets to a 599-266 (.692) record in 15 seasons. He led the Hornets to 13 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and two trips to the D2 World Series and a national runner-up finish in 2009. Under his guidance, ESU won five MIAA regular season crowns (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017) and a pair of MIAA Tournament titles (2007, 2014).
Fornelli compiled a 306-113 (.730) record in seven seasons at Fort Hays State. He led the Tigers to four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the D2 national championship game in 2000. He remains the winningest head coach in FHSU program history.
Fornelli has a 905-379 (.705) record in 22 years as a collegiate head coach with 19 NCAA II Tournament appearances.
Prior to his tenure at FHSU, Fornelli served as pitching coach at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., from 1992-96. The Grizzlies posted a 195-86 (.694) record during his five seasons on staff, finishing third in the NJCAA World Series in 1994.
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing $145,000 from the company where he worked, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Richard H. Yust, 65, Hutchinson, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he was working as controller for F&H Insulation Sales and Service, Inc., in Kechi, Kan. He used company credit cards to make unauthorized purchases of items for his personal use.
Sentencing is set for Aug. 20. He faces up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Residents in Schoenchen will see an reduction on insurance costs because of the continued improvements to the Ellis County Fire Department.
Ellis County Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers informed the county commission Monday that the Public Protection Classification for Company 8 in Schoenchen improved from a 7 and a 9 rating to a 6 for within 1,000 feet of a hydrant and a 6 X within 5 miles of a fire station.
“More good news to the community members of Ellis County,” Myers said. “Basically every incorporated town and most of the areas surrounding those have all got ISO improvements this year.”
Myers said the change in ratings starting going into effect June 1 and the last ones, in Ellis, will go into effect July 1.
The evaluation was done in December by the Insurance Services Office. Myers said in April that Company 4 Victoria, Company 5 Hays and Company 6 Ellis all saw a rating increase.
The city of Hays also received a rating increase earlier this year.
In other business the commission, with very little discussion, gave Myers the go-ahead to draft a resolution approving the discharge of fireworks within the unincorporated areas of Ellis County.
The county has allowed fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday each of the last three years and Myers said there were not any fireworks-related incidents in the county in 2017.
He also recommended the 2018 dates and times that fireworks are allowed as the same as the city of Hays.
The commission also gave Myers the approval to sign a memorandum of understanding between Ellis County Fire and EMS and RPM Speedway.
Both fire and EMS provide standby services during races at the racetrack and the updated memorandum added provisions that clarify what emergency personnel expect from track volunteers during “red flag” situations.
The commission also approved the promotion of Firefighter Shaun Burd to Fire Captain for Ellis County Fire District Company 6 Ellis.
Bryce Galen Morris, 26, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Bryce was born April 12, 1992 in Greensburg, Kansas, the son of Derek G. Morris and Michelle Kamenicky. He grew up in Greensburg until his family moved to Russell during his junior high years. Then he attended high school in Marion, Kansas.
Bryce worked in the oil field business on pulling units, as a pipe tester and water filtration. His love was the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, training dogs, and interacting with friends and family.
Surviving family include his mother and step father, Michelle & Brian Craven of Russell, Kansas; father and step mother, Derek & Joyce Morris of Goddard, Kansas; brother, Keltonn Morris of Russell, Kansas; sister, Kindra Morris of Hawaii; step brother, Cody Craven of Bucklin, Kansas; stepsister, Caitlyn Craven of Dodge City, Kansas; paternal grandmother, Virginia Hammond of Marion, Kansas; maternal grandfather, Harold Kamenicky of Houston, Texas; and numerous friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday, June 8, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday, June 8, 2018 at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 PM to service time. Cremation has preceded the services. A Memorial has been established as the Bryce Morris Memorial Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
The American Red Cross and the Hays High School American Red Cross Club is conducting a blood drive until 5:50 p.m. Tuesday at Hays High library.
Those who donate blood will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.
To make an appointment, call (785) 650-3143. Walk-ins are welcome.
On May 31, local members of the Society of 40 men and 8 Horses, otherwise known as the 40 & 8, were joined by several others from around the state to watch as Gov. Jeff Colyer signed a proclamation declaring June 16, 2018, Kansas Merci Boxcar Day.
The reason for the proclamation was to help the citizens of Kansas know about the uniquely historic boxcar and invite them to visit. June 16 is the date The Kansas Merci Boxcar and Museum is to be rededicated in its new home in Veterans Memorial Park in Hays behind Cloud Storage at 1305 Canterbury.
The public is invited to the rededication of the Kansas Merci Box Car in Veterans Park at 3 p.m. June 16. As part of the ceremony, the 40 & 8 will read the governor’s proclamation and make presentations to the city of Hays and others who have supported the move to Veterans Park.
In 1949, famous news reporter Drew Pearson came up with the idea to send a friendship train filled with much needed supplies to France after World War II. They ended up shipping more than 700 American boxcars filled with needed supplies. In gratitude of this assistance, the people of France filled 49 boxcars of the type of boxcars used to ship equipment and supplies to the front in WWI and WWII.
The box cars were able to hold 40 men or 8 horses, which is the origin of The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses name. The French people filled them with 50,000 gifts of cultural significance. There was one boxcar for each of the 48 states, and the District of Columbia and Hawaii shared one. The Kansas boxcar toured 120 cities in 140 days and ended in Hays on Nov. 11, 1949. After it was paraded through town during the Armistice Day Parade, it was relocated to Fort Hays State College for permanent display and awarded to the local 40 & 8 chapter to maintain and preserve the historic monument for the state of Kansas.
From its original location at Fort Hays State College, it was moved to the American Legion in 1975 where it was rebuilt and turned into a museum of the wars of the 20th century on. Because the American Legion sold its building, the Kansas Merci Box Car needed a new home. The city of Hays has approved for the boxcar to move to Hays Veterans Park, which will give the Kansas Merci Box Car a permanent home. This will help us preserve this unique piece of history here in Hays for the entire state and nation to enjoy and learn of its history.
“We encourage the citizens of Hays and the surrounding area to come and learn about the boxcar,” said Vance Chartier, Chef de Train.
Chartier and Ed Holzmeister, grand director of the Kansas Merci Boxcar, extended a personal invitation to the rededication to Hays city commissioners.
(Video by Hays Post)
“In December, the city commission graciously supported the boxcar and its relocation to Veterans Park. We’re very close to finishing it up right now,” Chartier reported. “We’re doing the final touches, doing our own repainting and stuff inside.”
Tours will be available after the ceremony. To schedule a tour of The Kansas Merci Boxcar and Museum, call Chartier at 785-623-6747 or email [email protected] to schedule your tour. Check out the group’s Facebook page for more details. Just search for Kansas Merci Boxcar on Facebook.
— Submitted
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Two people were injured in a propane fire Monday in Sedgwick County.
Just before 8p.m., fire crews responded to the medical emergency at 10613 West Ponderosa, according Lt. Jose Ocadiz.
Crews found a man and woman with second and third degree burns to their extremities. They were transported, code red to the burn unit at Via Christi St. Francis.
The flash fire occurred from a possible leak in a propane tank in a pull-type travel trailer, according to Ocadiz. The couple were testing the propane tank before leaving for vacation.
The two victims remain hospitalized but are expected to make a full recovery, according to Ocadiz.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
By DENA WEIGEL BELL
WaKeeney Travel Blog
Grab your fishing pole and pack your sunscreen because the rangers at Cedar Bluff State Park have put together another great day of outdoor adventuring for kids!
The 9th annual O.K. (Outdoor Kansas) Kids Day is a one-day camp filled with activities that will introduce your child to the great outdoors and inspire them to continue exploring nature throughout the summer months.
Trego County’s largest nature park is the perfect setting for a wilderness camp, with trails to explore, a stocked fishing pond, and all the sunshine you could ever want.
The Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism rangers have created a day filled with cool events for active girls and boys.
Minnow catching and a fishing derby, train rides provided by Nex-Tech, a laser shooting simulator, and a thrilling photo scavenger hunt are on the schedule. They are also bringing back the popular pheasant feather darts from 2015 and offering a new challenge – trap shoot archery.
Getting kids out into nature and introducing them to the many fun activities they can enjoy at Cedar Bluff State Park is a great way to initiate them into all the summer fun a kid should experience during their vacation from school. There will be plenty of rangers on hand to monitor their activities and bathroom facilities are available in the park.
This is a free event for kids up to age 14 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
A lunch of hot dogs will be provided but you will want to make sure your kids come with plenty of sunscreens, appropriate clothing for the event, and fishing gear if they are interested in hooking the “big one.”
Registration is done on-site the day of the event and you can call the park office at 785-726-3212 for more information.
Start your kids’ summer off with a day of outdoor play at “O.K. Kids Day,” Cedar Bluff State Park’s summer day camp!
Registration is done on-site the day of the event, June 9th at 9 am and the first 150 kids get shirts and bags.
A 1985 graduate of the Southern College of Optometry, Dr. Krug was recognized for his work with the Kansas Optometric Association, including his service through the organization’s Low Vision and Third Party committees, as well as his contributions as a lecturer on low vision and other topics around the country.
Dr. Krug has also played a key role in the KanLoveKids Program. Through this program, which is coordinated through the Kansas Lions Club and Lions Club International Foundation, Dr. Krug provides low vision services to children in their communities. Dr. Krug was recognized through his contributions to this program with the Claude DeVorss Fellowship, a humanitarian service award presented by the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation.
Dr. Krug is currently part of a task force working to update the school screening standards in the state and is active in educating policy makers about vision care issues affecting patients across Kansas.
Previously, Dr. Krug was recognized by the Kansas Optometric Association with the Distinguished Service and Legislative Service awards.
— Kansas Optometric Association
