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Month: July 2018

ACLU scrambles to check if Kobach registered Kan. voters

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By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN

With less than a month until the 2018 primaries, the question of whether Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is in compliance with a federal court order to fix its voter registration practices is still up for debate.

After a federal court ruling, county election offices in Kansas have to make sure that voters appear correctly in their poll books.
CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

Kansas can no longer ask would-be voters to dig up documents like passports or birth certificates after a court ruled that unconstitutional and in violation of federal election law last month.

Judge Julie Robinson ordered Kobach’s office to make sure that tens of thousands of previously blocked voters are now on the active voter rolls.

Any outdated notices about Kansans needing to supply citizenship papers also had to come down from official websites to prevent public confusion.

Some of the steps were supposed to be completed in 2016. The fact that they weren’t came out during a heated hearing in March and landed Kobach in contempt of court.

Here’s where things stand now…

The voter rolls

As of Monday, lawyers for the plaintiffs were scouring a copy of Kansas voter records to see if all those once-blocked applicants appear to be good to go.

That check should have been finished by now, but the American Civil Liberties Union says it was delayed last week when its lawyers discovered Kobach’s office had sent incomplete records. The secretary of state’s office says that was an error and has since sent more records.

In a progress report filed Friday, lawyers for the office assured Judge Robinson that Kansas is in full compliance with her ruling and that the voters who have been unblocked will receive the same information and mailed notices — for example, regarding their polling locations — that all other voters receive.

Are you registered to vote? CLICK HERE to check online. The deadline is July 17 if you want to vote in the Aug. 7 primaries.

Online instructions

Kobach’s office has been scrubbing references to citizenship documentation from voter registration instructions online.

The ACLU is mostly satisfied with the updates to state websites but will likely continue to push back on county election websites. The Kansas News Service found outdated 2016 and 2017 notices on at least one county’s website on Monday. The ACLU says notices like those were supposed to be pulled already to avoid confusion.

The wording that McPherson County still had online as of Monday stems from a preliminary court order issued in 2016 that forced Kobach to stop demanding citizenship papers from people who register to vote at local motor vehicle offices. At that point, voters no longer needed those documents to register at the DMV. The newest court order goes far beyond that, which is why the ACLU wants those old explanations deleted. Today Kansans don’t need to show citizenship documents regardless of where they register to vote.

Recording citizenship documents

After Kobach lost his case last month, his office told county election officials to keep accepting citizenship papers if people offer them. That upset the ACLU, which thinks that, too, could cause confusion if people leave the office with the impression those documents were required for registration, and then tell their friends or family.

Kobach’s office says the election officials aren’t demanding the documents, just recording them when they are provided voluntarily. The office argues the documents could be helpful to its search for voter fraud. The office also notes it is appealing Robinson’s ruling striking down Kansas’ voter registration requirement.

Disagreement over statistics

Another key sticking point as of Friday’s court filing involved statistics on the secretary of state’s website. Kobach’s office wanted to keep tallies online of the number of people who didn’t provide citizenship papers with their voter registrations. The ACLU argues that perpetuates confusion since those documents are no longer needed. Kobach’s office argues the statistics are a public record that they would have to turn over if a member of the public asked for them.

As of Monday the statistics had disappeared from the website, but the ACLU expects they may soon be reposted.

Poll books and manuals

Kobach’s office told Judge Robinson on Friday that registered voters in Kansas will be able to use standard ballots instead of provisional ones — regardless of whether they showed the office any citizenship papers. Their names will appear in the standard manner in poll books.

County officials, meanwhile, are receiving updated instructions — including revisions to the state’s election handbook — making clear that citizenship documents aren’t required anymore.  As with many of the other items that Kobach was ordered to fix, the ACLU seems tentatively satisfied but has reserved the right to let the judge know if anything of concern turns up.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen is a reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can reach her on Twitter @Celia_LJ.

Robert G. Withington

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Former Logan resident Robert G. Withington of Tonganoxie, KS, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018 at the Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS at the age of 76.

He was born August 23, 1941 in Densmore, KS, son of the late Leo & Nola (Smith) Withington. Robert had a barbershop in Phillipsburg, KS for several years prior to his retirement in 2013.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda, of Tonganoxie; his son, Troy, of Raytown, MO; daughters, Elizabeth Bacon of Bonner Springs, KS and Mindy Cormier of Bonaparte, IA; seven grandchildren; sister, Wanda DeBeer of Thornton, CO and brother, Lynn Withington of Norton, KS.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. in the United Methodist Church, Logan, KS with Rev. Delbert Stanton officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.

Mr. Withington will lie in-state on Thursday from noon – 9 p.m. at the Logan Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Kansas Society for Children with Challenges. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

Logan Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Man admits cheating Chiefs, other players in charity fraud

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – An Ohio man has admitted defrauding NFL players out of money meant for charities.

Thirty-nine-year-old Camario Richardson, of Maple Heights, Ohio, pleaded guilty Monday to mail fraud in federal court in Kansas City.

Prosecutors say Richardson told the players he could deliver Nike-branded merchandise to charitable events. The five players involved weren’t identified in the indictment.

Richardson pleaded guilty to one charge involving a Kansas City Chiefs player who paid Richardson $6,000 to provide 300 Nike-branded backpacks for a charitable event for the 2016 school year. The backpacks were never delivered. He admitted to similar schemes involving players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals. He also didn’t deliver athletic shoes he promised for a San Diego Chargers player’s charity.

Richardson was ordered to pay $24,780 in restitution.

Hays father, daughter team to create dinosaur books

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Josh Dechant of Hays reading his book “Hello Roara” to students at the Hays USD 489 Summer Reading Camp.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

What started out as just a fun project for Josh Dechant and his daughter, Marley, to explore reading and science has blossomed into a series of books about a giant, friendly, red dinosaur named Roara.

Dechant, 32, has three books that have been published: “Hello Roara,” “Where’s Roara,” and “Macara’s Treasure.”

Dechant did not start out with the intent to be an author. He is an app designer.

When Marley, now 6, was a baby, he began to read to her. He eventually started to have Marley do small activities with the books. He asked her to look for a cloud or look for a tree. The father and daughter also made up some of their own stories.

Dechant started the Roara project with the intent of creating a hunt-and-find app, but it evolved into a book. Dechant worked side by side with his daughter in the creation of the book and its characters.

“Every piece of Roara, she had a hand in,” Dechant said.

Marley with a “Hello Roara” book

Marley liked to visit the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and specifically enjoyed the T-Rex, although she was initially scared of it. The father and daughter decided their main character would be a dinosaur.

Dechant sketched pictures of the character and other illustrators he had worked with on apps did the same. Marley chose the images she liked best, including Roara’s red color. She also picked the dinosaur’s name.

“All of this time, she was still 2. Basically everything was designed for her,” Dechant said.

He had help creating the characters and original illustrations on the first Roara book. He took those beginnings and reillustrated the first book. Tamara Forge wrote the story after Josh and Marley had worked out the characters. Dechant then self published.

Dechant intended to just create the first book, but a second book was soon in the works.

“People like it, and it was a lot of fun to do,” he said. “I really enjoy it, and Marley really enjoys it, so we ended up doing more than going past that first book. It has really been a fun journey. ”

Dechant does all of his own marketing. He has been selling his books through book fairs and Amazon, and at museums, including Sternberg in Hays and the and Smoky Hill Museum in Salina.

“I really like to talk face to face with people about the book,” he said. “It is not just another book on a shelf. It is something me and my daughter created. It is just a really cool thing for me to talk about.”

They have attended book fairs in Topeka, Las Vegas, and Dechant was invited to speak to a classroom in Berkley, California.

Dechant recently read the Roara books to children in Hays USD 489 Summer Reading Camps at O’Loughlin and Wilson schools. He also told the children the story behind creating Roara and gave them the opportunity to create their own books.

“We had some really cool stories between both schools in all the classrooms that we visited,” he said. “There were just really funny stories that these kids came up with. They are so creative, and they are so awesome at telling their own stuff. It was fun.”

“I had a great time. It was an awesome experience, and I am glad Marley got to come with me,” he said.

Dechant said the Roara books have been popular enough he plans to publish more. He has three more books that have been written and are waiting for illustrations.

“Macara’s Treasure” is the first in a series. Dechant wrote this book and had it illustrated by someone else. The series includes STEAM activities. He has created Adventure Crates to go with the books that include science experiments.

In “Macara’s Treasure,” Macara has been looking for a magical treasure. She finally finds the island where the treasure is hidden, but she forgets her supplies. The reader has to help her create items, such as a compass. The child also goes through a map maze.

Dechant has several of these STEAM books in the works, but they are not yet ready for publication.

“This was just a little project, a fun thing to do with Marley,” he said of the books. “I never thought it would be that big. I never thought I would be invited to classrooms.”

Dechant’s wife owns a dance studio in town. A mother of one of her students realized Josh had written the Roara books. She told his wife “Hello Roara” is her son’s favorite book, and they read it every night before bed.

“How cool is that?” Dechant said. “I think that is just awesome that people are reading it to their kids and they love it just as much as we do.”

Find out more about Roara and print out coloring pages at roararex.com.

🎥 ‘Roll Out The Rain Barrel’ project surpasses 6,500 barrels

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City of Hays employees help build rain barrels Tuesday morning at the KSU Ag Research Center.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The same day Hays received more than three inches of rain in just a couple  hours, resulting in flash flooding, the state issued its July 6 drought map.

Ellis County remains in a Drought Warning. All of Kansas’ 105 counties are either in an Emergency, Warning or Watch status.

Water is precious in western Kansas and building rain barrels has become a big project for Stacie Minson, KSU Watershed Specialist.

A rain barrel is the simplest way to collect and store rain water runoff from a roof gutter downspout which can then be used in gardens and landscaping.

Rain barrels offer other benefits which make it preferable to tap water. Because the water is straight from nature, no chemicals or chlorination contaminate the water. Also, any pollutants in tap water — such as nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment and E.coli — will not run off into local water sources when using rain water to irrigate.

Since 2006, more than 6,500 rain barrels have been put together by Minson and dozens of local volunteers.

She was at it again Tuesday morning, this time working with city of Hays employees at the K-State Agricultural Research Center, where the rain barrels are constructed and distributed.

The first year the barrels were built inside the Hays Rec Center. It was a pilot project with now retired Fort Hays State University agricultural professor Dr. Jean Gleichsner and her landscaping students. “We quickly realized we didn’t have near enough barrels, and it’s grown ever since,” Minson laughed.

The rain barrels became a partnership project among the city of Hays, Coca-Cola Enterprise, Inc., Ellis and Ellsworth County Conservation Districts, the Smoky Hill River Kanopolis Lake Watershed, Gleichsner and the FHSU Ag Department, Ellis County K-State Research & Extension (now the Cottonwood District), KSU Ag Research Center and Ellis County Master Gardeners.

The 55-gallon plastic barrels, emptied of soda pop syrup, are donated by Lenexa Coca-Cola, brought to the Victoria Coca-Cola plant, and then stacked three high in a work shed at the research center.

Starting at 7 a.m. this morning, Eric Borger, an employee in the Hays Stormwater Division, A.J. Wickham in the Service Division, and John Braun, Project Manager, first drilled circular holes in the barrels which then advanced to Holly Dickman, Water Conservation Specialist, and Minson who fitted the hardware onto the barrels. Grant monies are used to purchase hardware to convert the large clear barrels which are sold for $26.

The project’s popularity has spread, thanks in part to a Youtube video Minson helped produce years ago for the Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE), part of K-State Research and Extension. The video, which demonstrates how to build your own inexpensive rain barrel, has had more than 100,000 hits, according to Minson.

She’s had inquiries from water conservation groups and agencies in 15 states, including Alaska. Minson has shipped some hardware parts to Alaska “because they just can’t get them there.”

Minson and representatives of the city of Hays presented the “Roll Out The Rain Barrel” project three years ago at a Kansas City regional conference of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “The Chicago region EPA then asked for a hundred of the hardware kits so we shipped them and they built rain barrels there in Chicago,” Minson said.

The latest batch of rain barrels, some of which have been pre-sold, will be housed at the Cottonwood Extension District office in Hays, 601 Main.

For information about purchasing a rain barrel, call the extension office at 785-628-9430.

 

 

 

UPDATE: Alcohol found at scene of fatal Kansas crash

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident and have identified one of the victims.

First responders on the fatal accident scene Sunday night -photo courtesy KWCH

According to Lt. Tim Myers, Just before 8:30 p.m. Sunday, a 1993 Honda Accord driven by Bryan P. Langille, 29, Valley Center, was westbound on 63rd Street North from Clifton.

The Honda crossed the center line and collided with an eastbound Chrysler driven by 53-year-old Kelly Lynn Houlton.

First responders found Langille unresponsive. He and Houlton were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Myers.

The passenger of the Honda identified as 32-year-old Elesha L. Kossak and a passenger in the Chryser 71-year-old Mary A. Watts were transported to Wesley Hospital.

Alcohol was present in the Honda, according to Myers.  

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident and have identified one of the victims.

According to Lt. Tim Myers, Just before 8:30 p.m. Sunday, a 1993 Honda Accord driven by a 29-year-old man was westbound on 63rd Street North from Clifton.

The Honda crossed the center line and collided with an eastbound Chrysler driven by 53-year-old Kelly Lynn Houlton.

The driver of the Honda was found unresponsive. He and Houlton were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Myers.

The passenger of the Honda identified as 32-year-old Elesha L. Kossak and a passenger in the Chryser 71-year-old Mary A. Watts were transported to Wesley Hospital.

Alcohol was present in the Honda, according to Myers.  The name of the man driving the Honda was withheld pending notification of his family. 

Ruth Ann Nilhas

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Ruth Ann Nilhas, 90 died Friday, July  6, 2018 at the Trego County Long Term Care Facility in WaKeeney. Ruth Ann was born September 2, 1927 in rural Trego County, the daughter of John Biehler and Leta Merle (Hitt) Biehler.  She was a teacher following her graduation from Fort Hays State University in 1950 and a loving mother and wife devoted to the family farm and the lives of her family in the years that followed.

On August 6, 1955 she married Lloyd Nilhas at the First United Methodist Church in Collyer, KS.  Lloyd preceded her in death on September 18, 2016. Survivors include 2 sons, Steve Nilhas and wife Elena, Littleton, New Hampshire; John Nilhas and wife Vae, WaKeeney, Kansas; and 1 daughter Jill McReynolds and husband Jeff, Hays, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, Amy Lewis and husband Mike, Tyrel Nilhas and wife Breanne, Blake Nilhas and wife Erin,  Aaron Nilhas and wife Sara, Kaitlyn McReynolds and husband Lance Sauer, and Morgan Nilhas; 2 step grandchildren, Paula and Sofia Mendez-Sanchez; and 6 great grandchildren, Brenna Flax, Braden and Ryann Lewis, Adalyn and Aubree Nilhas, and Kalie Nilhas. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Wayne Biehler.

Ruth Ann took great pride that she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Teacher Certification from Fort Hays State University in 1950 and put her knowledge to great use while teaching accounting and shorthand at Bazine High School for three years and Dighton High School for one year. During her time at Fort Hays State, she was active in several campus organizations including the Tigerettes, YWCA, Campus Booster Council, and Alpha Sigma Alpha which then was a professional sorority made up of teachers.

Upon her marriage to Lloyd, Ruth Ann moved to rural Gove County, Kansas and lived on a farm until 1961 when they purchased a ranch located East of Wakeeney in Trego County Kansas. Upon moving to Trego County, Lloyd and Ruth Ann immediately began to refurbish the house that was located on the property. Together, they made a home for themselves along with their sons Steve and John and a few years later they welcomed Jill, their third child. Lloyd and Ruth Ann lived on the ranch until 1980 when they moved to WaKeeney. She went to live in the Assisted Living at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in 2011 and recently the Long Term Care where she remained until her death.

During Ruth Ann’s  years on the farm, she was a homemaker who prepared and delivered many meals to the harvest fields, made parts runs to help keep the machinery running, and raised her children making sure they always did their school work.  Her commitment was vital to making the farming and ranching operation a success. She was active in the Ogallah Christian Church, the Cooperative Extension Services, Ladies Aide, TOPS Club, 4-H and many other local civic organizations. She could always be counted on to help out whenever needed.

Ruth Ann was known for her love of knitting, crocheting, and other handiworks which made their way to the homes of her family and friends. She took a special joy in making afghans for her children and grandchildren, and her famous “scrubbies” found their way around the country and the world. During her last years at the Assisted Living, she enriched the lives of others with her generosity and her positive presence. She will be missed by her friends, family, and others whose lives she touched.  

Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Ogallah Christian Church, Ogallah. Inurnment will be in the Ogallah Cemetery. 

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Humane Society of the High Plains in Hays, Kansas, the Wakeeney City Library, or  the Ogallah Christian Church. Checks made to the organization my be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Wilma Dietz

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Wilma Dietz, age 88, of Ogallah, passed away, Monday, July 9, 2018 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.

Arrangements are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeeney.

Melvin ‘Mel’ James Pfannenstiel

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Melvin “Mel” James Pfannenstiel, age 76, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 at HaysMed. He was born February 27, 1942 in Munjor, Kansas to Theodore “Ted” J. and Pauline (Wittman) Pfannenstiel. He was a graduate of Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.

Mel was a car salesman for Happy’s Auto in Hays. He was an avid sports fan particularly the KU Jayhawks.

He is survived by a son, Theodore J. Pfannenstiel of Syracuse, NY; three brothers, Kenneth J. Pfannenstiel and wife Ann of Hays, Thomas J. Pfannenstiel of Kansas City, KS and Gordon F. Pfannenstiel and wife Lynn of Russell, KS and a sister, Annette Pfannenstiel-Brhel of Syracuse, NY.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services was 10:30 AM Monday, July 9, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. Inurnment followed in the church cemetery with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiated.

A Memorial visitation was Monday at the church 9:30 AM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Francis Church.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].

‘Christmas in July’ fundraiser for WaKeeney’s ‘Get Lit’ campaign

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By DENA WEIGEL BELL
WaKeeney Travel Blog

Who says Christmas only comes once a year? In the Christmas City of the High Plains we celebrate our favorite holiday year-round with a second celebration in July!

The mid-year “Christmas in July” festival will be held at everyone’s favorite summer spot, the WaKeeney Water Park, on Saturday, July 14th and there is a sleigh full of goodies that will get everyone into a festive spirit.

Christmas Activities

Kids can hone their gingerbread cookie decorating skills and enter their gingerbread house in a contest for the best decoration. The virtual reality “Santa’s Sleigh” ride from our winter festival is back to recapture Santa’s famous annual ride. Give this exciting adventure a try—it’s a great way to relive the cool weather on a hot summer day.

More game booths will challenge you and food vendors have tasty treats to try. Stick around after the sun sets for the blockbuster movie “Elf” that will be shown in the park at 8:30 and there is lawn seating for everyone.

“Get Lit” Campaign for a Brighter Main Street

All proceeds from the “Christmas in July” event will go to our “Get Lit” campaign for new LED color-changing perimeter lights from Inception Lighting of Irving, TX.  (The existing lights were severely damaged during the 2017 hail storm in WaKeeney.)

The programmable, color changing light strands will be attached to the top of the buildings along Main Street behind matching molding that will cover the mechanics and allow them to blend into the architecture.

(Photo by Inception Lighting)

After the lights are installed Main Street will be flooded with red, white and blue on July 4th and purple and gold on game days, along with other color combinations on different holidays. The whole system is guaranteed for up to ten years and we’re expecting the cost savings to be considerable for both electricity and maintenance—up to approximately $300 per year!

Join us at the Swimming Pool Park on Saturday, July 14th at 4:30 p.m. for this fun fundraising event—WaKeeney’s “Christmas in July!”

 

Police ID victim, arrest Kansas man for alleged murder

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TOPEKA – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Foster -photo Shawnee Co.

Just after 6 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of NE Madison in Topeka after report of a shooting, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

A male victim identified as 35-year-old David William Payne of Topeka was transported to a local hospital with life threating injuries, where he died.

Police arrested Tony Lee Foster, 32, Topeka, and booked him on requested charges of second-degree murder, according to Lt. Jennifer Cross.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Topeka Police.

Jana’s Campaign receives Nebraska Community Partnership Award

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Submitted

Jana’s Campaign Inc. was awarded the 2018 Partnership Award at the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers of Nebraska Recognition Banquet in Kearney, Nebraska. This award recognizes individuals or groups who help support FCS Education in Nebraska schools. Jana’s Campaign is proud to be chosen as this year’s recipient.

“The staff and board of directors at Jana’s Campaign are honored to receive this award. We know we are only able to do our work and share our prevention message with students because of the great partnerships we have with teachers and schools. Their invitations to classrooms and school assemblies means we can share information about the red flags of unhealthy relationships to help prevent dating and sexual violence before it begins,” said Kim Cebula, executive director for Jana’s Campaign.

Nebraska FCS integrates family and career readiness with technical skill instruction within a critical science perspective. Since 2015, Jana’s Campaign has collaborated with 72 Nebraska FCS teachers and 98 schools to provide education about teen dating violence in addition to their work in Kansas and Colorado.

Jana’s Campaign is a national education and gender violence prevention organization in Hays. The organization was created in honor of Jana Mackey who lost her life to domestic violence in 2008. Mackey, a law student at the University of Kansas at the time, spent years volunteering and helping victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

In addition to providing prevention education in middle and high schools, Jana’s Campaign also works with colleges and universities to prevent and respond to dating and sexual violence on campus. The organization similarly provides community prevention education through workshops, speaking engagements, community service projects and social media. In 2017, Jana’s Campaign also received the Merit Award from the Kansas Association of Teachers of FCS.

More information about Jana’s Campaign can be found at the website: janascampaign.org

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