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Month: July 2018

Kansas zoo welcomes newborn giraffe

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Topeka Zoo is welcoming a newborn giraffe.

Abi, one of two pregnant giraffes at the zoo, gave birth Wednesday to a baby named Konza.

The calf has been expected since late June when staff first thought Abi could go into labor.

Zoo officials announced in March that Abi, who is 7, and 8-year-old Hope were pregnant. The calves were conceived with Sgt. Peppers, who was transferred to Topeka from Oklahoma City in 2013.

Hope is expected to give birth within a month.

Hope was born at the Topeka Zoo in 2010. Abi arrived in Topeka in 2015 from the Albuquerque, New Mexico, BioPark Zoo

Junior Eagles headed to state after comeback win over Salina

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GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Hays Eagles Junior American Legion is headed to the A State Tournament following an 18-8 rout of the Salina Hawks in the Great Bend Zone Tournament finals Wednesday afternoon at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

The Eagles overcame an early 8-0 deficit, scoring eight runs in the third inning then five in the fifth and sixth. Isaac Smith’s single on a 3-2 pitch in the fifth broke the 8-8 tie. Dalyn Schwarz followed with a two-run triple.

Schwarz finished with three hits and five RBIs. Blake Herman had four of the Eagles 18 hits and drove in three runs while Remington Cox had three hits and four RBIs.

Chance Murphy allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings relief for the win.

The single-A state tournament begins Wednesday in Leavenworth.

Courtesy photo

Police: Kan. suspect used knife during Walmart robbery

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SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Security camera image courtesy Wichita Police

Just after 11pm on Monday, police responded to an armed robbery call at the Walmart in the 10600 block of west 21st St. North in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 24-year-old male employee of Walmart who reported an unknown suspect entered the Walmart, brandished a knife, and demanded money from a 24-year-old female employee.

The employee gave the suspect money and he fled out of the store on foot. There were no injuries reported.

If anyone has any additional information on this robbery or the pictured suspect should call WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

UPDATE: University will remove altered flag art piece

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The chancellor at the University of Kansas agreed Wednesday to have an art display that includes an altered U.S. flag taken down, after Gov. Jeff Colyer and other GOP political candidates complained that it was disrespectful, Colyer’s spokesman said.

 

Colyer called Chancellor Doug Girod Wednesday to demand that the art display be removed and Girod agreed to take the flag down quickly, Colyer spokesman Kendall Marr said. The governor is pleased that the display is coming down, Marr said.

“It was disrespectful to have something like that on permanent display on campus,” he said.

 

Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is running against Colyer in the August GOP primary for governor, also had called for the artwork to be taken down.

The display, called “Untitled (Flag 2) is the last of a series of flag pieces that have flown on the Lawrence campus since last fall as part of a national art project called “Pledges of Allegiance,” which involves 11 institutions at 14 locations across the country. The current piece, which was installed July 5, shows two black shapes on the flag and a black-and-white sock. The artist, New York-based Josephine Meckseper, said it represents a deeply polarized country.

Kobach said it was “outrageous” that a public university would display a desecrated flag, although the university has said private money paid for the project.

“The fact that they call it art does not make it any less of a desecration of our flag. I call upon the university to take down that flag right away,” Kobach said.

University spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson said earlier Wednesday that the project was intended to encourage conversation about the current political climate.

Steve Watkins, a combat veteran and GOP candidate for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District, first drew attention to the artwork, saying the “defaced American flag” was disrespectful to the military. But he said he was not demanding that the flag be removed.

“To those who would trample, burn, or deface the flag, thank a soldier,” Watkins said in a statement. “It hurts me to see a defaced flag fly at the University of Kansas.”

Meckseper, who is based in New York City, was commissioned by public arts nonprofit Creative Time to create the piece.

In a statement on the Creative Time website, Meckseper said she divided the shape of the U.S. in two for the flag design to reflect divisions in the country. She said a black and white sock in the corner “takes on a new symbolic meaning in light of the recent imprisonment of immigrant children at the border … It’s about time for our differences to unite us rather than divide us.”

The “Pledges of Allegiance” project began at Kansas in November and will run until July 30.

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LAWRENCE — Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Kris Kobach are now calling for the removal of a public art project involving an altered U.S. flag at the University of Kansas.

 

The piece, called Untitled (Flag 2), is the last of a series of flag pieces that have flown on the Lawrence campus in the last several months as part of a national art project.

 

 

 

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas congressional candidate says a public art project involving an altered U.S. flag at the University of Kansas is disrespectful to the military.

The piece, called Untitled (Flag 2), is the last of a series of flag pieces that have flown on the Lawrence campus in the last several months as part of a national art project. Kansas is one of 11 institutions at 14 locations participating in “Pledges of Allegiance” project, which organizers say is designed to address social issues and inspire community among cultural institutions.

2nd Congressional District candidate Steve Watkins criticized the university in a statement Tuesday.

The flag includes two black shapes that the artist, Josephine Meckseper, says represents a deeply polarized country. It also includes a black and white sock that Meckseper says takes on new meaning during the current controversy over immigration.

Kansas intent on changing football culture under Long

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Jeff Long didn’t waste time making clear his focus as Kansas’ new athletic director.

“I’d like to say one message to the KU family specifically about our football team,” Long said. “It’s time to break the cycle.”

Long was introduced as the Jayhawks’ new leader nearly two months after chancellor Doug Girod fired Sheahon Zenger , who had served in the role for more than seven years. At the time, Girod called the school’s failure to find progress in football “elusive” in a letter to campus staff.

That progress will now be the focus for Long, who comes from a campus at Arkansas focused on keeping up with the other members of the football juggernaut known as the Southeastern Conference.

Long comes to one in severe need of change on the gridiron in Lawrence. And he understands the task ahead of him, to inject life into a program that has mustered just three wins in three seasons under coach David Beaty.

But even though he may be starting at the bottom, Long’s sights for the program rest far higher.

“Our goal is set to reach a bowl game,” Long said. “So we’ll strive to reach a bowl game, and once we reach that level, we won’t stop there. Then we’ll move on to more games, and then ultimately … someday down the road we’re going to win the Big 12 championship. We’ve done it here at Kansas in the past, and it’s something we’re certainly going to work every day and night to do.”

On paper, Long seems to fit the bill of Kansas’ football savior. His resume includes stops at tradition-tied schools such as Arkansas, Oklahoma and Michigan, and he was the chairman of the College Football Playoff committee.

That experience pulled Girod to Long, who, despite what was stressed to be a far-reaching and all-encompassing search, stood out above any other candidates.

“One name kind of surfaced almost immediately, and it was this gentleman to my left,” Girod said.

Long will not only be tasked with fixing the on-field product, however. He is also handed the departed Zenger’s $300-million plan to renovate the decaying Memorial Stadium and other athletic facilities across campus. He’ll certainly have to do some fundraising, but he’s already backed by a pledge of $50 million from university donor David Booth.

Long is determined to see the renovation through, but as he begins to transition into the role he will formally assume on August 1, he’s planning to take careful action in determining how he will truly make Zenger’s plans his own.

“I know we have a tremendous initial gift that is really going to help get this program off the ground, and it already has,” Long said. “But I need to understand more about that. I’m looking forward to understanding, behind the scenes, the rollout and what they hope to accomplish with the $300-million campaign.”

A losing football culture has settled itself firmly into the Kansas athletic culture by now, but potential problems with its coveted basketball program are on the horizon as well. Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that the university has been subpoenaed by the federal government in an investigation tied to its connections with Adidas.

Long’s contract reportedly includes a clause that will extend his deal equal to the length of any investigation of Kansas’ men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football or volleyball programs prior to his taking office.

That didn’t come at Long’s demand, however; the university added that language to the contract to double down on their insistence that the school isn’t in danger of penalties.

“We wanted to demonstrate our confidence in where we were with this … it was a way to reassure him that we are confident as well about where we are,” Girod said.

That feeling has rubbed off on Long.

“I’m very confident that Kansas, we’re going to work through this process and we’re going to be just fine,” Long said. “I think that was something I certainly considered as I decided to take the job, so I’m very confident that we’re going to work through this.”

Kan. man admits using Facebook to make child porn

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years and two months in federal prison for distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Ryan Andrew Rivera, 22, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography.

In his plea, he admitted he used Facebook to contact 10 minor females and urge them to send him sexually explicit images of themselves. In one instance, a 15-year-old girl sent him sexually explicit photos and he forwarded the photos to another 15-year-old girl.

 

Dozier, Twins power their way past Royals 8-5

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Brian Dozier hit a two-run home run, going deep for the second straight game to give the Minnesota Twins a boost on their way to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

Lance Lynn (7-7) recovered from a three-run homer by Salvador Perez in the first inning to win his second straight start for the Twins, who used the bottom third of their lineup to launch rallies in the second and the fourth against Royals starter Burch Smith (0-1).

Max Kepler, Jake Cave and Bobby Wilson went 6 for 11 with five runs scored. Wilson, whose batting average fell to .114 last week, had two RBIs and was one of three Twins with three hits, joining Dozier and Joe Mauer. Wilson, the backup catcher, is now hitting .169.

Mike Moustakas homered twice for the Royals, who have the fewest home runs in MLB, but took the Twins deep five times over the last two games of this series. Kansas City has lost 23 of its past 27 games.

Dozier sent his 15th homer of the season into the second deck above left field in the sixth inning against reliever Enny Romero. Logan Morrison hit a solo shot one out later, padding Minnesota’s lead.

BULL DOZIER

With the Twins trailing Cleveland by 8 1/2 games in the AL Central when the day began, Dozier is among the players on expiring contracts whose names are featured prominently in the annual July trade market speculation. His production at the plate is lower than it’s been in at least five years, but he has begun to warm up with a .375 batting average, three homers and seven RBIs over his past six games. Only four of his home runs have come at home this season. He hit 127 homers over the previous four years, with 63 of those at Target Field.

BURCH IS BACK

After 24 appearances in relief for the Royals this year, Smith made his first major league start since 2013, when he was with the San Diego Padres. Forearm and elbow injuries kept him from pitching in 2015 and 2016, and he spent last season with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: RHP Jason Adam was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take the spot of a discouraged RHP Ian Kennedy, who returned to the DL with a strained left oblique after an injury-shortened three-inning start on Tuesday night. Adam had been sent down the day before so Kennedy, who has gone 16 turns without a victory, could be reinstated.

Twins: RHP Addison Reed was placed on the DL with tightness in his right triceps, and RHP Alan Busenitz was recalled from Triple-A Rochester for the third time this season. … Utility IF Ehire Adrianza is on track to come off the DL on Thursday, after missing 10 games with a strained left hamstring.

UP NEXT

Royals: Following a day off, rookie RHP Brad Keller (2-3, 2.52 ERA) pitches in the opener of a three-game series at Chicago on Friday night for his eighth start of the season. Former Kansas City RHP James Shields (3-10, 4.53 ERA) takes the mound for the White Sox.

Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson (3-6, 3.59 ERA) starts a four-game series against Tampa Bay on Thursday night. LHP Blake Snell (12-4, 2.09 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays with the second-lowest ERA in league. Snell has won four straight starts with just two runs allowed in his past 28 2/3 innings.

Martina ‘Tina’ Staab

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Martina “Tina” Staab, 95, Hays, died Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Via Christi Village.

She was born March 22, 1923 in Munjor, Kansas one of 12 children to Michael and Eva (Degenhardt) Pfannenstiel. On November 10, 1941 she was united in marriage to Wendelin Staab at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. They celebrated over 62 years of marriage prior to him preceding her in death on June 15, 2004.

Martina was a cook at St. Joseph Military Academy/TMP-Marian High School and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Christian Mothers, and the St. Anthony Hospital/Hays Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a “noodle lady”, a volunteer at the Community Assistance Center, and was a sample lady at Dillons Grocery Store. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, quilting, cooking and trying new recipes, and she also loved to travel.

Survivors include two sons; Leon Staab and wife Ann and Tom Staab and wife Lenora, all of Hays, two daughters; Jolene Kreitler and husband Ralph of Greeley, CO and Margaret “Maggie” Leiker and husband Allen of Hays, two brothers; Frank Pfannenstiel and wife Celie and Marvin Pfannenstiel and wife Jane, all of Hays, a sister; Aggie Miller and husband Jim of Hays, two sisters-in-law; Esther Pfannenstiel of Billings, MT and Alice Gerstner of Hays, nine grandchildren; Christine Mellin and husband Rick, Laura Kreitler, Amy Gustafson and husband Marc, Jennifer Parsons and husband Bridger, Dara Thompson and husband Jason, Jared Staab and wife Julie, Ryan Leiker, Derek Leiker, and Austin Leiker, twelve great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wendelin, seven brothers; Victor, Eddie, Ted, Clarence, Julius, Walter, and Paul Pfannenstiel, and a sister; Marcella Eickbush.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A scripture rosary will be at 6:00 followed by a vigil service at 6:30, both on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Hays Community Assistance Center or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, and can be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Martina may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Raymond Fred Henry Grauerholz

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Phillipsburg resident Raymond Fred Henry Grauerholz passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, KS at the age of 89.

He was born in Kensington, KS on June 3, 1929, the son of Fritz & Ella (Norden) Grauerholz.
On April 29, 1955 he married Cecilia Seemann in Kensington, KS. She preceded him in death on May 14, 2011.

Survivors include his son, Marcus, of Olathe, KS; daughters: Melinda Ewing of Alliance, NE, Marcia Nelson of Almena, KS and Dian Tien of Prairie View, KS; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastors Lee Bennight and Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by the United States Marine Corp.

Mr. Grauerholz will lie in-state on Thursday, July 12, from noon – 9 p.m. and again Friday, July 13, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Tony Ray Harp

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Tony Ray Harp, 71, passed away on July 9, 2018 at his home in McCracken, Kansas. He was born in Closplint, Kentucky on January 12, 1947. He was the son of Claude Harp and Bernice (Bennett) Rollins.

Tony attended McCracken Elementary every year except 2nd and 7th grades. He loved playing Basketball, Football and Baseball. He received academic awards in Geometry and Algebra II. He was the senior class Vice President and graduated from McCracken High School in 1965.

Tony enlisted with the USMC – United States Marine Corps from May 21, 1965 – May 15, 1969.  He attended basic training at the San Diego MC Recruiting Depot. While in the Marines, he was a Sergeant as a Radar Fire Control Technician. He was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama and DaNang, Vietnam, later Albany, Georgia and back to DaNang, Vietnam for a second tour.  While on leave he was able to visit Bangkok, Thailand twice and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His awards with the Marines were: Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Civil Action with Palm Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Service Star, 1st Marine Air Wing, Expert Rifle Badge.

After returning home from Vietnam, Tony married Shirley Kinderknecht, Grinnell, Kansas, June 6, 1970 and welcomed four children, Lynnette, Bill, Brian, and Michael. He was a farmer and rancher in rural McCracken and raised many animals. He loved planting a large garden in the summer, playing poker, pool, and snooker. He graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. Tony married Paulette Nicholson, Ellis, Kansas July 30, 1991. He was like a father to Daniel Zeller and Will Zeller. He began his teaching career in Ellis, Kansas, Globe Arizona, Haxtun, Colorado, Pinedale Wyoming, and many years at LaCrosse High School. He was also the Girls Basketball coach for several schools. It was a must for Mr. Harp’s class to show your work on every math problem assignment.

He was loved by many friends, family, and students including: Shirley Harp, Hays, Kansas, Paulette Harp Ellis, Kansas, a daughter Lynnette and Don Doornbos, McCracken, Kansas children Katelyn, Taylor, & John, son Bill and Kelly Harp, Great Falls, Montana, grandson Adam and Maggie Brecht, great-grandsons Jackson & Cooper, son Brian Harp and Lisa Day, LaCrosse, Kansas children Keldon, McKaylee, & Kelby, son Michael and Jennifer Harp, Cedar Rapids, Iowa children Dylan and Madelyn, son Daniel Zeller, McCracken, Kansas children Jacob and Abby, son Will and Jana Zeller LaCrosse, Kansas grandson Bodie, sister Wanda Fe Bankhead, Morriston, Florida, brother Donnie and Jeannie Harp, Council Grove, Kansas, sister Pam Bankhead, Ocala, Florida, brother Ricky ‘Mac’ Harp, Ness City, Kansas, sister Mary Hattan, Ness City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father Claude Harp, mother Bernice Rollins, brother Ronnie Harp, brother Billy Harp, and niece Rosemarie “Marie” Buller.

Graveside memorial service will be Friday, July 13, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at the McCracken City Cemetery, McCracken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to Sons of the American Legion West-Burch, KS Post 59, McCracken, Kansas, or American Legion West-Burch, KS Post 59, McCracken, 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.

Stolen pickup totaled, Kansas felon arrested after chase

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SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on theft charges after a high-speed chase in a reported stolen pickup.

On Tuesday, police took a report of stolen 2014 Honda Ridgeline taken from a garage in the 1900 Block of Ruskin Road in Salina, according to Police Sgt. Jim Feldman. The owner left the keys in the vehicle.

Howard -photo KDOC

A short time later, an officer saw the pickup in the area of Brookwood and Marymount Road.

When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the driver identified as 20-year-old Stephen Howard drove off and a brief pursuit which reach speeds of near 80 mph began.

The chase ended in the 2400 Block of Cedar Ridge Drive when Howard lost control of the pickup and ran from the crash but was quickly apprehended, according to Feldman.

The pickup valued at $22,000 was totaled.

During a search of Howard, police also found credit cards stolen from the purse of a woman that had been left in her car parked in the garage of her home in the 100 block of Channel Road.

Police booked Howard into the Saline County jail on requested charges of aggravated burglary, felony and misdemeanor theft, felony flee and elude, driving while suspended, obstruction, reckless driving, and felony damage to property.

Howard has previous convictions for Aggravated Robbery, Battery and Burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Blood drive Thursday at Comeau Campus Center

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ARC

Fort Hays State University and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive Thu., July 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Comeau Campus Center, 506 W. 6th.

Right now, the American Red Cross has a critical need for blood donations to ensure blood types don’t go missing. Blood donations are being distributed to hospitals as fast as donations are coming in.

Click here to make an appointment

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, get rewards and invite friends to join you on a lifesaving team.

Kansas oilman fined for environmental violations

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita oilman has been fined $10,000 for violating state regulations involving oil and gas contamination.

Google image rural Butler County

The Kansas Corporation Commission on Tuesday fined Benjamin Giles for violations at two wells near Towanda in Butler County.

Giles says he didn’t do anything wrong and he plans to appeal.

The commission found Giles didn’t follow procedures for casing or plugging the two oil wells, which officials say can harm usable groundwater.

Commission documents and testimony indicate that Giles pulled the casing out of an old oil well in 2014 and didn’t replace it until 2016. The commission also said Giles hasn’t shown that another well is properly cased.

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