After winning nine-straight matches, Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer is in position to make a seventh straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers stayed at No. 1 in the latest set of NCAA Central Region Rankings, released Wednesday (Oct. 24). The top two teams in the Central Region are chosen to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers picked up a non-conference win at the University of Mary this past Sunday and have already clinched their second-consecutive MIAA title with three more regular season matches to play. The No. 2 team in the region, Northeastern State, sits at 11-2-1 overall and has four matches to finish the regular season.
Tabbed at No. 3 is Lindenwood, keeping three MIAA schools in the mix. Harding rounds out the top four in the region.
Below are the NCAA Central Region Rankings for October 24, 2018.
Rank Team Division II Record In-Region Record
1 Fort Hays State 12-2-1 11-1
2 Northeastern State 11-2-1 10-2-1
3 Lindenwood 7-4-3 7-4-2
4 Harding 7-5-1 7-5-1
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the horrific abuse and slaying of a 3-year-old boy whose body was found encased in concrete in the laundry room of his home four months after his death.
Stephen Bodine, 41, of Wichita, was convicted Wednesday in the May 2017 death of Evan Brewer. Bodine was also found guilty of child abuse, aggravated child endangerment and two counts of kidnapping. He will be sentenced December 17.
Bodine faces a potential sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years on the murder conviction.
Prosecutors called dozens of witnesses and presented more than 550 pieces of evidence during six days of trial, including parts of the concrete tomb found in the rental home where the boy had lived with his mother, Miranda Miller, and Bodine. Jurors saw videos and photos showing Evan being abused, including footage of him chained and naked in a basement, being berated by Bodine and Miller, and forced to stand in a corner for hours.
Carlo Brewer, Evan’s father, celebrated the verdict but said his joy was tempered by sadness because of the cruelty his son had endured. Brewer had been fighting for custody of Evan in the months leading up to his death, and authorities had been alerted at least six times that Evan was being abused .
Evan Brewer- courtesy photo
“(Evan) didn’t get to have the imagination like other children, where they think there’s monsters in their closets or under their beds,” Brewer said. “He had real monsters.”
Miller is also charged with murder in her son’s death. In exchange for testifying against Bodine, she will be allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder.
Much of the evidence at trial came from a cache of 16,000 photos and video files collected by the couple’s home surveillance system. In one video, Bodine and Miller are heard chastising Evan over the course of several hours, less than two months before he was killed.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said the jury performed an extraordinary service to the community for enduring the sometimes grisly testimony.
“I can’t really overstate what a difficult task it was to sit and absorb the kind of wretched details of how this little boy lost his life and the role this defendant had in it,” Bennett said.
Miller testified that Bodine had been punishing Evan for not eating on May 19, 2017, when he took the screaming boy into the bathroom. She said he soon came out with her son’s wet and lifeless body in his arms.
She said during a preliminary hearing that a few days later Bodine told her that he wanted “to take care of Evan before he started to smell.” She said he mixed up several bags of concrete and buried the boy’s body in it.
Evan was discovered entombed in the concrete in early September, after Miller and Bodine had moved out of the property.
An autopsy couldn’t determine the cause and manner of Evan’s death because his body was so badly decomposed by the time he was chipped out of the block of concrete. He had Benadryl in his system, and Miller said she thinks Bodine sickened him in the days leading up to his death by force-feeding him large amounts of salt.
Bodine’s own daughter, Samantha Johnson, also testified about the physical abuse she suffered from her father, saying her experience was similar to Evan’s.
Brewer said he hopes his son’s death will lead to more efforts to confront child abuse.
“Take a step back and question what you’re doing as a parent, question if it’s the right way to discipline or not or if it’s abuse,” Brewer said. “Because it’s got to stop. It’s got to stop.”
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder in the killing of a 3-year-old boy whose body was found encased in concrete in the laundry room of his home four months after his death.
Stephen Bodine, 41, of Wichita, was accused in the May 2017 death of Evan Brewer.
Prosecutors called dozens of witnesses and presented more than 550 pieces of evidence, including parts of the concrete tomb found in the rental home where the boy had lived with his mother, Miranda Miller, and Bodine.
Miller is also charged with murder in her son’s death.
Evan had been subject to a monthslong custody battle and authorities had been alerted at least six times that he was being abused.
Much of the evidence at trial came from a cache of 16,000 photos and video files shot by the couple’s home surveillance system, including images of Evan naked and chained up in the basement. In one video, Bodine and Miller are heard chastising Evan over the course of several hours, less than two months before he was killed.
Miller testified that Bodine took her screaming son into the bathroom on May 19, 2017, and came out with her son’s wet and lifeless body in his arms. Evan was discovered entombed in concrete in September after Miller and Bodine had moved out of the property.
An autopsy couldn’t determine the cause and manner of Evan’s death because of the condition of his body when he was chipped out of the block of concrete. He did have Benadryl in his system, and Miller said she thinks Bodine sickened him in the days leading up to his death by force-feeding him large amounts of salt.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Jurors deciding the fate of a man accused of killing a 3-year-old boy found encased in concrete were shown photos and video of the child chained up in the basement of his rental home in Kansas.
The judge sent the jury home Tuesday evening without a verdict after deliberations began that afternoon in the first-degree murder trial of 41-year-old Stephen Bodine. He’s accused in the May 2017 death of Evan Brewer.
Prosecutors called dozens of witnesses and presented more than 550 pieces of evidence over six days, including what’s left of the concrete tomb found in the rental home where the boy lived with his mother and Bodine in Wichita.
The defense rested its case without calling witnesses.
Bodine faces charges of child abuse and aggravated child endangerment, along with other crimes related to a threat against the boy’s biological father.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Both sides have rested in the trial of the Wichita man accused of killing a 3-year-old boy whose body was found encased in concrete.
Forty-one-year-old Stephen Bodine is on trial charged with first-degree murder in the May 19, 2017, death of Evan Brewer. He also faces charges of child abuse, aggravated child endangerment as well as other crimes related to an alleged hatchet threat against the boy’s biological father, Carlo Brewer.
Tuesday marked the sixth day of witness testimony and evidence presentation by prosecutors.
Defense attorney Casey Cotton rested his case without calling anyone to the witness stand.
Jurors watched on Monday photos and video of Evan chained naked in the basement of the rental home where he lived with Miller and Bodine in Wichita.
RENO COUNTY – A Kansas man faces charges in connection with a home invasion attack.
Thompson -photo Reno Co.
Titus Thompson 38, Hutchinson, faces potential charges, of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, criminal threat, burglary and theft.
On Monday, Thompson and an unknown white male forced their way into a home in the 400 block of East B in Hutchinson, according to police. They demanded prescription drugs from the homeowner believed to be in his 50s.
The homeowner tried to fight back, but was kicked repeatedly. The suspects took a knife the victim used to try to defend himself and put it to his neck and threatened him with his life.
Thompson then forced the man to search the home looking for prescription drugs. The suspects took some prescription medications as well as the victim’s wallet, cell phone, a big screen TV and clothing from the home.
They then blindfolded the victim and loaded him and the stolen items into the victim’s car.
The suspects left and at some point stopped a Kwik Shop, a liquor store in Burrton and traveled to a farmhouse in eastern Reno County.
This is where Thompson allegedly tried to sell some items to two individuals. The victim was still in the back seat and saw an opportunity to escape. He jumped into the front seat of the car and took off. During that time a TV fell off the top of the car where it had been placed.
The victim’s call 911 started the investigation.
Thompson was later found walking in the 1800 block of Landon in Hutchinson. Based on the description from the victims and surveillance video from Monday’s incident, police arrested Thompson.
The victim in the kidnapping suffered bruises and cuts according to police.
Thompson is jailed on a $167,000 bond and during a first court appearance was denied a bond reduction.
He has prior convictions for obstruction, domestic battery, and driving while suspended for a case in Reno County in 2008. He also has priors for convictions of aggravated burglary and criminal possession of a firearm for a case in Sedgwick County in 2001.
Luella Effie Purinton Kephart was born Dec 15, 1919 at Collyer Kansas to Ray and Leona Ward Purinton. She died at home October 23, 2018 in Buffalo, MO.
She was married to Hollie Lee Kephart October 23, 1938. To this union three children were born. Robert Lee Kephart, Ruby Carol Wallace and Cleo Mae Schneider.
Luella was a homemaker and nurse. She enjoyed making quilts on which she won several ribbons. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Buffalo, MO. She was also a lifetime member of the Eastern Star and also a member of the D.A.R. She was an active member of several quilt groups.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Leona Purinton; her husband, Hollie; a daughter, Cleo Mae; a son-in-law, George Wallace; a sister, Ruby and husband Elmer Cue; and a brother, Leonard and wife Irene Purinton.
She is survived by her son, Robert; daughter, Carol Wallace; granddaughter, Kim Routt and husband Melvin; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin Routt and wife Miranda, BJ Routt and wife Sharon; one great-great granddaughter, Bristol Routt; one sister, Hazel Mae and husband Sam Rocco. She is also survived by nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Graveside services and burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 26, 2018 at Union Cemetery (a.k.a. Collyer Cemetery), Collyer, KS. Service will be officiated by Pastor Bob Clemence with honors by Eastern Star.
Orletta Gerber, 93, died Saturday, October 20, 2018 on her 75th Wedding Anniversary.
Rosary will be at 6:00 pm, Thursday, October 25, 2018; Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Friday, October 26, 2018 both at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Graveside Service will be at 3:00 pm, Friday, October 26, 2018 at St. Louis Cemetery, Waterloo, KS.
Preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Rose Niedens; son-in-law, Daniel G. Rupp; grandson, Tejay Collins.
Survived by her husband, Robert Gerber of Wichita, KS; daughters, Sandra Rupp of Hays, KS, Mary Rose (Lynn) Butler of Annandale, VA, Rita (Mike) Gedney of Overland Park, KS, Carmen Gerber of Hays, KS; sons, Gregory (Denise) Gerber of Wichita, KS, Duane (June) Gerber of Weatherford, OK, Shane (Dianne) Gerber of Wichita, KS; sisters, Betty Wilson of Wichita, KS, Bernice Carson of Baltimore, MD; 13 Grandchildren; 14 Great-Grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with The Lord’s Diner 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214 and St. Louis Catholic Church 13015 E. Maple Grove, Mount Hope, KS 67108. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.
I love every opportunity I have to celebrate Fort Hays State University – and that keeps me both brimming with joy and very busy. Indeed, we have a lot to celebrate.
Recently, I had the honor of attending the FHSU Hall of Fame Celebration. The 2018 Hall of Fame inductees were Carolyn Bird, who was lovingly honored posthumously; Weston Harding (wrestling, 1987-91); Dave Nehls (baseball, 1985-86); Jose Salcido (football, 1993-95); and Ed Schumacher (men’s basketball, 1974-76).
I arrived filled with anticipation and eager to hear the stories of inspiration and excellence. I was not disappointed. I was inspired. I knew the event would be emotional. I smiled when I noticed that someone had discreetly placed a package of tissues at the podium. Story after story, athlete after athlete, demonstrated the character and incredible successes of the honorees.
Carolyn Bird spent 23 years of her career working with Fort Hays State’s student-athletes and 25 years total at the university. She started a study program for FHSU’s student-athletes in 1991 at the request of then FHSU President Dr. Edward H. Hammond and Athletic Director Tom Spicer. Working closely with coaches and administrators, her efforts made an impact on the lives of many through the years. Graduation rates and grade-point averages for our athletes improved significantly as a result of her leadership.
Weston Harding was a three-time All-America performer and four-time national qualifier for Tiger wrestling, compiling a career record of 130-40-4, winning 76 percent of his matches. Harding is now one of the top high school coaches in the state of Oklahoma, guiding Collinsville High School to seven 5A state championships over the last eight years (2011-16, 2018). Collinsville has also claimed five dual state championships in that run, and Harding has been named The Tulsa World’s All-Metro Coach of the Year seven times.
Dave Nehls earned NAIA All-America honors in 1985 as a shortstop, setting the single-season record for stolen bases at FHSU with 52, a record that still stands. He was a two-time all-conference and all-district performer and a member of Fort Hays State’s only two teams to win more than 40 games in a season during the program’s NAIA history. He helped the Tigers to a 45-21 record in 1985 and a 47-16-1 mark in 1986.
Ed Schumacher, as a junior, was an All-American for the Tigers in men’s basketball for the 1974-75 season. He averaged 18.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 73 percent at the free-throw line. Schumacher was a two-time All-GPAC First Team and All-District 10 selection alongside teammate Barton Snow.
A strong student-athlete program is core to who we are as an institution. We look to our student athletes to help us tell our story by how they practice and play, their character on and off the field, and their success in the classroom and in the boardroom. When you think about it, when we need inspiration, we often turn to athletes, who give us such visible and emotional examples of grit and determination, perseverance and triumph over adversity. These are all qualities and characteristics that are hallmarks of Fort Hays State University.
One story in particular drew me in – that of football player Jose Salcido. Jose played three years for the Tigers, from 1993 to 1995. He ranks third in tackles during the NCAA Division II era at Fort Hays State with 342 over three seasons (averaged 114 per season), leading the team in the category all three years. He also accumulated 35 tackles for loss, tied for fourth in the NCAA era, and 11 interceptions, tied for third most. He owns the FHSU career (nine) and single-season (five) records for blocked kicks in a season. He also had six interceptions in 1993, tied for second most in a season at FHSU.
Jose was introduced by former Tiger Head Coach Tim O’Connor, who was a linebacker coach when Jose was playing. After sharing a list of incredible statistics, Coach O’Connor described Jose as an exceptional player. But what really resonated with me is when Coach O’Connor shared that what made Jose exceptional was his ability to lead and inspire his teammates: Jose worked at practice, in the weight room, and in the classroom. He had God-given talent, but he worked to maximize that talent, and in doing so he made his teammates better.
That is the story line that fills my heart every day. Example after example of students, professors, staff and community members who work hard and excel through pure determination – maximizing their gifts – leaders who inspire by living lives defined by the impact they have on those around them. They provide illustration after illustration of how we triumph over adversity: We ROAR!
For me, these examples define what it means to be a Fort Hays Tiger. And I smile. I realize that our “hall of fame” is boundless, and that I am blessed to live among so many everyday heroes.
CLOUD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect who fled on foot from officers in Concordia on Tuesday afternoon and was hospitalized after a chase and crash in Clay County.
Trimble from an August arrest in Saline County
On Tuesday, the suspect wanted on felony warrants and identified as Brent Trimble, 33, Salina, was seen getting into a Ford Fusion near the area of 6th and Broadway in Concordia, according to Undersheriff Nick Patterson.
Just before 5:30p.m., a Cloud County Deputy located the vehicle in the Sonic parking lot in the 1300 Block of Lincoln Street and attempted to apprehend Trimble.
The suspect fled in the Fusion southbound on U.S. 81 and continued eastbound on U.S. 24 into Clay County, according to Patterson.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office as well as Clay Center Police Department assisted by deploying tire deflation devices at three different locations. Two of these deployments were successful. Trimble continued through Clay Center and then went southbound on K 15 Hwy. While southbound on K 15 Hwy the vehicle left the roadway in the 1300 section of K 15 Hwy where it struck a guardrail and then rolled several times before coming to a rest in the west ditch
Trimble was transported by Clay County EMS to Clay County Medical Center and was then airlifted to Salina Regional Health Center.
Trimble faces charges that include felony flee and attempt to elude law enforcement and aggravated robbery, according to Patterson.
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CLAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident during a chase just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Clay County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Brent Keith Trimble, 33, Salina, was southbound being pursued by deputies on Kansas 15 just north of 13th Road.
The car left the roadway to the west, struck a guard rail, overturned and came rest in the west ditch.
Trimble was transported to the hospital in Clay Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Authorities are expected to release additional details on what prompted the chase that started in Cloud County later Wednesday.
BARTON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Tuesday in Barton County.
Photo courtesy Barton Co. Sheriff
A Kenworth semi driven by Randy Schriner, 68, Albert, was eastbound on Northwest 90 Road approaching 130 Avenue, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
The driver was traveling too fast when he attempted to turn onto Northwest 130 Avenue. The truck and trailer filled with corn traveled into the east ditch and rolled onto its top, according to Bellendir.
Schriner was trapped inside the truck. The Albert Fire Department and Great Bend EMS responded to the location and were able to extract him after about 30 minutes and he was transported to the hospital in Great Bend.
Officers believe vehicle speed and a shift in the load were contributing factors in the accident, according to Bellendir.
The Kansas Department of Transportation started work this week on a mill and overlay project on K-383 in Norton County.
The project area covers a 10-mile portion from the east U.S. 36 junction to the Phillips County line. Flaggers and a pilot car operation will control traffic through the work zone during daylight hours and minor delays, not exceeding 15 minutes, should be anticipated. Work is expected to be complete in early November, weather permitting.
Venture Corporation is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $776,000. For more information, contact KDOT construction engineer Jim Riener at 785-543-2163 or [email protected].
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Kansas forward Silvio De Sousa, whose name has surface as part of the FBI’s investigation into corruption in college basketball, will be withheld from competition pending a review of his eligibility.
Jayhawks coach Bill Self said in a statement before appearing at the Big 12’s annual media day Wednesday that the sophomore forward would be held out beginning with Thursday’s exhibition game.
During the trial of former Adidas executive James Gatto, ex-AAU coach T.J. Gassnola testified that he facilitated payments to De Sousa’s guardian in an attempt to steer him toward Kansas.
Gassnola denied that the Jayhawks’ coaching staff knew about the payments.
De Sousa graduated from IMG Academy last December and joined the Jayhawks for the spring semester, providing valuable interior depth as the school made a run to the Final Four.
BROWNELL — At approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Ness County Sheriff’s Office went to 101 Ohio Avenue in Brownell to arrest Jonna Roop for an outstanding Trego County warrant.
When officers arrived, they located Jonna Roop preparing to get into a vehicle. Roop is wanted for failure to appear on narcotics violations and battery on law enforcement, according to a media release from the Ness County Sheriff’s Office. Roop was taken into custody on this warrant without further incident.
As a result of this contact, officers then took the driver of the vehicle, Noel Vohs, into custody for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In addition, officers spoke to Virginia A. Roop at a nearby camper. While speaking with her, officers were able to locate suspected illegal substances and paraphernalia in the camper, the sheriff’s office said. Virginia Roop was taken into custody for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. It was later discovered she also had a Missouri warrant for possession of controlled substances. She awaits extradition pending the Ness County case.
Jonna Roop was transported to the Trego County jail. Noel Vohs was transported to the Ness County jail and held in lieu of bond at $25,000. Virginia Roop was transported to the Ness County jail and held in lieu of bond at $50,000.
“The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol in the arrests of these subjects. We appreciate their help,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Formal charges are pending through the Ness County Attorney. This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may occur.”
Fort Hays State Football moved up to No. 23 in the latest D2Football.com Top 25 Poll, released on Tuesday (Oct. 23). The Tigers moved up two spots from No. 25 last week. Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State are also in this week’s Top 25.
Northwest Missouri State is No. 5 in the poll for a second straight week, though it holds the No. 11 ranking in the official AFCA Poll. Pittsburg State jumps into the Top 25 this week at No. 25. Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State are both among the top receiving votes teams in the AFCA Poll.
Nine of the 10 teams referenced in the first release of the NCAA Super Region 3 rankings are in the D2Football.com Top 25. Super Region 3 teams make up nearly 40 percent of the Top 25.
Below is the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll for October 23, 2018.
Team Record Previous
1 Minnesota State 8-0 1
2 Ferris State 8-0 2
3 West Georgia 8-0 3
4 Ouachita Baptist 8-0 4
5 Northwest Missouri State 7-1 5
6 Minnesota Duluth 8-0 6
7 Valdosta State 8-0 7
8 Grand Valley State 7-1 8
9 Colorado Mines 8-0 9
10 Tarleton State 7-0 10
11 Midwestern State 6-1 11
12 CSU-Pueblo 7-1 12
13 West Chester 7-0 13
14 Indianapolis 6-1 14
15 Kutztown 7-0 15
16 Notre Dame 8-0 16
17 Tiffin 8-0 19
18 LIU-Post 7-0 18
19 Central Washington 6-2 20
20 Texas A&M-Commerce 6-2 22
21 Southern Arkansas 7-1 21
22 Harding 6-2 23
23 Fort Hays State 6-2 25
24 Lenoir-Rhyne 7-1 NR
25 Pittsburg State 6-2 NR
