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Month: October 2018

WKHRMA meeting features ‘Difficult Conversations’

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Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association will hold its monthly meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Thu., November 14 at the Robbins Center (Eagle Communication Hall), One Tiger Place, Fort Hays State University.

Registration is from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m., with a short business meeting starting at 11:30 a.m.

The program for the November meeting will be “Difficult Conversations” presented by LeAnn Brown, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. The program will be submitted for HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits.

WKHRMA members can RSVP at wkhrma.shrm.org. The deadline to RSVP is noon on November 9.

WKHRMA is an affiliate chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), a local professional organization for persons engaged in personal or human resource management. For more information on WKHRMA, visit wkhrma.shrm.org.

Kansas woman’s arm severed in workplace accident

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SALINE COUNTY — A Kansas woman lost an arm and severely damaged the other while helping put in fence posts Tuesday afternoon in Saline County.

The 50-year-old Salina woman was helping put in fence posts at Salina KOA, 1109 W. Diamond Drive when her jacket got caught in the power take-off shaft of the tractor that was running the post hole digger, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

She lost her left arm and her right arm was severely damaged above the elbow.

The woman, who was not identified, was transported to Salina Regional Health Center and later transferred to a Wichita hospital, according to Soldan.

Floodwaters recede in Kansas after last week’s deluge

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Floodwaters are receding in Kansas after several creeks and rivers overflowed in the state.

Reno County flooding photo courtesy Nick Hemphill photo video

Water levels on the Cow Creek and the Arkansas River in the Hutchinson area had shown a 2.5 foot drop Tuesday from their peaks last week. First responders need the levels to drop even further before the damages can be assessed.

Reno County Emergency Management listed 37 road closures on Thursday, but the dangerous situations that led to six water rescue calls last Thursday have diminished.

Last week, Gov. Jeff Colyer has issued a state of disaster declaration, Amtrak rerouted some passengers on buses and some farmland was inundated. The flooding also claimed the life of 78-year-old Hazel Phillips, who was found dead Friday inside her car near Osawatomie.

James Thomas Riggles

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James Thomas Riggles, 82, of Oak Harbor, Washington, died on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

Services are pending at this time. Please check back later for a full obituary as well as funeral service date and time.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

KU announces summer 2018 graduates

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LAWRENCE — The names of 915 graduates from the University of Kansas this summer — representing 41 Kansas counties, 40 other states and 24 other countries and territories — have been announced by the KU registrar.

 Some graduates already have participated in KU recognition events, while others will choose to participate in KU’s 2019 Commencement ceremony, which will take place May 19. More Commencement information is available online.

Ellis County

Lucas G Brull, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Christina Marie Tippy, Hays, Certificate of Family Practice

Ryan J Wooldridge, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies.

Police: Kansas man wanted for attempted murder jailed in Texas

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CRAWFORD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Cravey -photo Hill County Texas Sheriff

Eric James Cravey,  34, wanted in connection with a shooting on Saturday that injured Vanessa Rae McWhirt-Martin, 37, Chetopa, Kansas was arrested early Wednesday by the Hill County, Texas Sheriff’s Department, according to a social media report from the Pittsburg, Kansas police department.

On Saturday, McWhirt-Martin was a passenger in a black, 2011 Dodge Nitro driven by Cravey.  She got out of the SUV during an argument with Cravey and was shot with a handgun, according to witnesses. 

McWhirt was taken to the hospital in critical condition for emergency surgery, according to police.

Cravey is being held on a warrant issued for his arrest for attempted murder and will face extradition proceedings in the coming days, according to police.

Semi strikes Cathedral Avenue railroad bridge in Tuesday accident

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(Photo courtesy Steve Arthur)

VICTORIA — At 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, Ellis County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a non-injury accident located in the 300 block of Cathedral Avenue in Ellis County.

Upon their arrival, Deputies found that Fritz Kiteck, 19, of Overland Park was driving southbound in a 2017 white Freightliner semi with box trailer. Kiteck failed to see the posted truck route sign or the posted bridge clearance sign notifying the 12’6″ clearance ahead.

As the vehicle passed under the railroad crossing bridge, the trailer struck the bridge, causing damage. Representatives from Union Pacific Railroad responded and inspected the bridge.

The Victoria Police Department also assisted with the incident.

— Ellis County Sheriff’s Office

HPD Activity Log Oct. 12-16

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The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 27 traffic stops Fri., Oct. 12, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Open Door/Window–300 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:58 AM
Animal At Large–210 block Milner St, Hays; 9:08 AM
Civil Dispute–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 9:46 AM
Harassment (All Other)–700 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:01 AM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block  Canal Blvd, Hays; 12 AM; 11:36 AM
Harassment (All Other)–600 block E 15th St, Hays; 11:47 AM
Theft (general)–1700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:54 AM
Theft (general)–600 block  Pine St, Hays; 12:04 AM; 12:08 AM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:01 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:03 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block Halladay St, Hays; 10/10 11 PM; 10/12 1 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1200 block Main St, Hays; 1:24 PM
Mental Health Call–1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 1:44 PM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:55 PM; 2:10 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 2:19 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2400 block Adelaide Dr, Thompsons Station; 9/3/15 3:04 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 3:07 PM; 3:07 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 4:23 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 12 AM
Trash Dumping–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 5:55 PM; 6:25 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1700 block Felten Dr, Hays; 7:40 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 11:08 PM
Animal Call–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 11:09 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 39 traffic stops Sat., Oct. 13, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 12:53 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:49 AM; 2:15 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–500 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:21 AM
Drug Offenses–3300 block Elm St, Hays; 9:19 AM
Welfare Check–400 block W 32nd St, Hays; 9:47 AM; 1 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:24 PM
Animal At Large–2700 block Ash St, Hays; 4:11 PM
Civil Dispute–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 5:29 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2100 block Fort St, Hays; 6:26 PM
Domestic Disturbance–300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8 PM; 8:30 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 10:08 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–500 block W 7th, Hays; 10:34 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:33 PM
Obstruction of Legal Process–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:45 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 8:30 PM; 11:20 PM
Stalking–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 8:24 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 22 traffic stops Sun., Oct. 14, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:08 AM; 12:15 AM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 12th St, Hays; 12:42 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Disturbance – General–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 12:509 AM
Intoxicated Subject–4500 block Larned Cir, Hays; 12:56 AM
Water Use Violation–1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 1:25 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 2:52 AM
Suicidal Subject–400 block W 17th St, Hays; 4:04 AM
Animal At Large–1800 block Fort St, Hays; 12:12 PM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 12:58 PM
Welfare Check–300 block W 12th St, Hays; 6 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 10:19 PM
Animal Call–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 10:45 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Mon., Oct. 15, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–800 block Park St, Hays; 1:56 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3300 block Hall St, Hays; 10:18 AM
Suspicious Activity–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 10:45 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block Haney Dr, Hays; 12:23 PM
Aggravated Battery–200 block W 17th St, Hays; 4:07 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 10/12 12:01 AM; 10/14 11:59 PM
Suspicious Activity–1400 block Fort St, Hays; 6:25 PM
Suspicious Vehicle–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 11:15 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 11:44 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 37 traffic stops Tue., Oct. 16, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–2500 block General Lawton Rd, Hays; 5:30 AM
Missing Person–1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 7:07 AM; 7:19 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:20 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 8:20 AM; 8:22 AM
Drug Offenses–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 10:29 AM; 11:25 AM
Found/Lost Property–400 block W 14th St, Hays; 12:49 PM
Animal At Large–2500 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 2:21 PM
Theft (general)–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 10/14 8 AM; 9 AM
Burglary/vehicle–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 10/12 11:30 PM; 10/13 10 AM
Animal Injured–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 3:54 PM
Water Use Violation–3400 block Summer Ln, Hays; 5:09 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 5:19 PM
Dead Animal Call–Hays; 5:35 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 5:50 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–1700 block Fort St, Hays; 6:16 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1300 block W 44th St, Hays; 6:57 PM
Missing Person–Hays; 7:43 PM

John W. Jaco Sr.

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On October 14, 2018, John W. Jaco Sr. passed peacefully at his home in Great Bend, Kansas, surrounded by friends and family after a short illness.

The son of Harry M. Jaco and Inez (Brown) Jaco. John was born March 27, 1929 at Nowata, Oklahoma. He married Dorothy Ruth Miller, March 9, 1952 at Plainville, Kansas. She preceded him in death May 6, 2006. He later married Carrol (Brumbaugh) Burkholder, August 18, 2007 in Great Bend, Kansas. He is survived by wife Carrol of the home; son, John W Jaco Jr. also of Great Bend. Other survivors include brothers, Gene C. Jaco and wife, Phyllis of Plainville, Kansas, Michael G. Jaco and wife, Bonnie of Springfield, Colorado., and nieces, Jana J. Kuhn and husband Raymond of Overland Park, Kansas and Jill J. Brin and husband Mark of Godley, Texas.

John was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was posted at various locations around the United States including Washington D.C. John served the Air Force as a cryptographer during his tenure in the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After moving to Great Bend in 1961 John began a career in the real estate and insurance industry. In 1967 John partnered with Luther Moore and formed the Moore-Jaco Agency. In 1976 he became president of John Jaco Insurance, Real Estate and Financial Services. In 1980 his son JW Jaco joined the agency and continues the legacy of his father. This agency grew to be one of the largest in the Great Bend area.

John was a very active community member he participated in many local organizations. John was instrumental in starting many organizations in Barton County such as Hospice and Crime Stoppers. John was president of the Barton County Association of Independent Insurance Agents, chairman of the Cancer Fund drive, president of the Great Bend Board of Realtors, Realtor of the year 1989, director of Barton County Crime Stoppers, chairman Great Bend 3i Show, chairman of the Pari-mutuel Task Force, served on the Real Estate Advisory Committee for Barton County Community College, president of the Independent Insurance Agents Barton County, 1992 president Great Bend Board of Realtors. John’s emergency and protective services included chairman of Barton County Civil Defense in the 1960s and 70s as well as reserve officers for both Barton County Sheriff’s Office and the Great Bend Police Department. Until his time of passing, John was an elder in the First Christian Church of Great Bend, Kansas.

Services for John W. Jaco Sr. will be held Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the First Christian Church at K96 and Broadway in Great Bend at 10:30 A.M. Visitation will be Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Kansas Honor Flights or the Water #4 Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Interment will take place at the Great Bend Cemetery on Broadway with Military Honors by McConnell AFB Honor Guard.

Leonard Joseph Augustine Sr.

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Leonard Joseph Augustine Sr., age 88, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Monday, October 15, 2018 at Hays Medical Center with his twelve children by his side. He was born November 5, 1929 in Ellis to Joseph and Sophia (Flax) Augustine. He married Otillia “Tillie” Flax on August 21, 1950 at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis. She preceded him in death on August 17, 2015.

Leonard started the family dairy farm in 1953 until his retirement. Along with the dairy farm he worked at Trego County Soil Conservation Office, Cedar Bluff Reservoir Survey Crew and Oil Refinery, Golden Belt Coop in Ellis where he delivered feed and worked at the service station, and Mid-America Dairyman Milk Plant in Ellis until his retirement.

His favorite hobby was music. He played with the Dutchmasters polka band, the Hermanettes, the Leonard Variety Band as well as numerous other bands spanning 31 years. This was something Leonard and Tillie enjoyed spending weekends in music halls. The Catholic church was very important to Leonard in his faith life being very active in the church. Leonard was drafted into the US Army in 1951 and served until 1953. He was stationed in Aberdeen, Maryland where he earned a diploma in bakery school. It was common for him to cook for 1,300 servicemen daily.

He is survived by his children, Loretta (Elmer) Zerr, Melvin (Becky) Augustine all of Salina, Dewayne “Dewey” (Pam) Augustine, Kenneth “Luther”(Donna) Augustine all of Colby, Richard (Deanna) Augustine of Hays, Michael (Linda) Augustine of Ellis, Randy (Elaine) Augustine of Hays, Darrell Augustine, Leonard Jr. (Cheryl) Augustine all of Ellis, Kathy (Rod) Stack of Salina, Timothy (Lori) Augustine of Ellis and Mark (Noalee) Augustine of Hays; a brother, Harold (Kay) Augustine of Hutchinson, two sisters, Dorothy (Eddie) Younger of McPherson and Janie (George) Daniels of Laramie, Wyoming; two sisters-in-law, Margie Augustine of Hays, Phyllis Augustine of Hutchinson and Rosita Augustine of Topeka; 24 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Eric Augustine; brothers, Elmer, Donald, Larry and Robert and a sister, Martha Beer and her husband William Beer.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday, October 19, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a combined rosary and parish vigil at 7:00 PM all at St. Mary’s Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Condolences may be sent by guest book to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

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