SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.
photos courtesy Wichita Police
Just before noon December 21, police responded to an aggravated robbery at the Southwest National Bank, in the 3100 block of South Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz.
Bank employees reported an unknown suspect entered the business pointing a handgun at them and demanding money. Money was given to the suspect who also peppered sprayed the employees prior to fleeing.
The suspect is described as a black male, 5-foot-9, medium to heavy set, wearing a skull mask, black hoodie, gray sweat pants and black shoes.
The suspect is believed to be driving a Ford Explorer with Kansas tag number 297KYP. The tag is reported stolen.
Anyone with information is asked to please call Crime Stoppers at 316 267-2111 or 911.
Mary Jane (Knoll) Davidson – age 72, of Hays, Kansas died Friday, December 28, 2018, at her home in Hays, Kansas.
She was born September 14, 1946, in Hays, Kansas to George J. and Mary (Giebler) Knoll. She married Donald D. Davidson on October 5, 1968 at Hays, Kansas.
She was a bookkeeper at the Hays Home Depot for twelve years. She previously worked at Baxter Lab Travenol, Food Bonanza and Apple Market all of Hays. She grew up in Voda and Hays, Kansas. She was a 1964 graduate of Hays High School, enjoyed polka dancing, cooking and her family.
Survivors include one son, William and wife, Kim, Wichita, KS; one daughter, Cheryl Chambers and James Pfaff, Hays, KS; one sister, Shirley Loyd, Logan, KS; Donald D. Davidson, Lucas, KS; special friend, Lyle Webb, Hays, KS; step-mother, Lucille Huser-Knoll, Hays, KS; one step-brother, Larry Huser and wife, Ruth, Hutchinson, KS; one step-sister, Deborah Huser-Allen, Hays, KS; four grandchildren, Charles Howell, Cydney Howell, Brandon Davidson and Logan Chambers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, George Knoll Jr.
Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 31, 2018, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M. Monday, at St. Michael Cemetery, Collyer, Kansas.
A vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, December 30 at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Memorials may be made to ARC of Central Plains-Playground.
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of a suspicious death and have identified the victim.
Investigators on the scene in Pottawatomie County -photo courtesy WIBW TV
The body of 19-year-old Jacob D. Bouck was located approximately one mile west of Wamego on the Kansas River on Christmas Eve, according to Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Rait.
Sheriff’s Detectives believe that foul play may be involved in Bouck’s death.
He was last seen in the Wamego area in the early morning hours of Friday December 21st.
Thee Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting with this investigation, according to Riat.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone with information in the case is urged to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353, online at ptsheriff.com or the Kansas Bureau of Investigations at 1-800-KS-CRIME.
NEW YORK (AP) — Sears is closing 80 more stores as it teeters on the brink of liquidation. The 130-year old retailer set a deadline of Friday for bids for its remaining stores to avert closing down completely.
This Sears 7700 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita’s Town East Mall is on the list to close-google map
The retailer that began out as a mail order catalog in the 1880s has been in a slow death spiral, hobbled by the Great Recession and then overwhelmed by rivals both down the street and across the internet.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a Topeka house fire has left a man dead and a woman critically injured.
Fatal Friday house fire -photo by Deneysha Richard-courtesy WIBW TV
The fire started Friday morning in a neighborhood in the northeast part of the city. Fire Department Christ Commander Chris Herrera says crews responded after someone knocked on the door of the nearby fire station to report the blaze.
He says the woman was rescued and rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
No other details were immediately released, including the man’s name and the cause of the fire.
DESOTO, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas businessman is opening a new academy to train farmers to grow industrial hemp now that its production is legal.
photo courtesy office of Gov. Colyer
Joe Bisogno’s belief in the crop’s potential inspired him to open America’s Hemp Academy in DeSoto, about 20 miles southwest of Kansas City. It plans to offer four-day courses led by agronomists and botanists starting in January.
“Industrial hemp is not pot, but it is a pot of gold for Kansas farmers,” Bisogno said during the academy’s recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Industrial hemp and marijuana come from the same species of plant, but hemp is cultivated to produce small amounts of THC, the main component in the cannabis plant that produces a high.
Legislators approved legislation nearly unanimously this year to allow for the production of industrial hemp for research purposes. Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer signed it in April and said the goal is encourage the resurgence of hemp as a production crop and promote economic development in rural Kansas.
President Donald Trump recently signed a massive federal farm bill that legalized hemp farming. U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican who serves as Senate Agriculture Committee chairman, helped negotiate the measure’s final version.
Colyer said farmers have expressed an interest, but that “there is a lot of work to do it right. It’s not going to be for everyone.”
Industrial hemp stalks can be converted to clothing, rope, carpeting, caulking, insulation, cardboard and newsprint. Seeds can be processed into coatings, solvents, varnishes, inks and fuel. Lotions, soaps and shampoos can be produced from stems, and CBD oil can be extracted from its flowers, an option for pain relief without the marijuana high.
Bisogno started the Mr. Goodcents sandwich-shop chain in 1988 and said his interest in hemp started five years ago when he asked the Kansas attorney general’s office whether hemp cookies could be produced at a DeSoto plant. The answer was no, but Bisogno didn’t drop the idea, studied the hemp business and formed a company, KMC, for Kansas Miracle Crop.
The state’s climate and soil are right for hemp because “Kansas can grow two crops a year. One in the spring and one in late summer or early fall,” Bisogno said.
Tammy Jo Hayes, 59, passed away Dec. 26, 2018, at her home in Great Bend. She was born August 24, 1959, at Spearman, Texas, to Ambrose and Victoria (Brack) Kramer.
Tammy grew up in Great Bend, moved to Larned where she lived for 17 years and then four years ago, she moved back to Great Bend. She worked for the Larned State Hospital as a mental health tech. Tammy loved to crochet, garden and collect cookie jars.
Survivors include, three sons, Heath Kramer of Benton, Louisiana, Jamie Sparks and wife Ashley of Wichita, and Terry Sparks and wife Kimberly of Otis; two daughters, Bobbie Driscoll of Salina and Tracy Vsetecka and husband Jason of Great Bend; three brothers, Robert Patrick of Topeka, Ross Kramer and wife Jennifer of Kansas City, Kansas, and Michael Bradley Kramer and wife Angie of Larned; five sisters, Rose Lind of WaKeeney, Becky Kramer Lloyd of Larned, Cindy Schetrom of Great Bend, Patricia Garner of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sandra Thompson of Russell; and 20 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose and Victoria Brack; her step-mother, Anna May Kramer; one brother, David Walker; and one sister, Fatima Simpson.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Curt Reinhardt presiding.
Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend.
Memorials are suggested to the Tammy Jo Hayes Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Kenneth Herbert Bieker, 81, of Hoisington, Kansas, former Wallace, Kansas, resident, passed away at his home Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.
He was born Oct. 26, 1937, in Hays, Kansas, to Herbert Leo and Amelia Josephine (Staab) Bieker. He was the second born child out of six and the only son.
He attended school through first grade at Coddell, Kansas, where he had to walk to school uphill, in the cold, both ways. Then he moved to grade school in Wallace, Kansas, until the sixth grade, then attended school in Sharon Springs until he graduated in 1955.
When he was young, he was a member of 4-H, raising beef calves. He enjoyed playing football and running track in school.
After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and traveled the world, earning a rank of Petty Officer First Class E6 (Engineman). He was aboard the USS Comstock and sailed to places such as Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines, and earned his certificate for crossing the equator. While in the service, Ken attended Nashville Auto-Diesel College in Tennessee for diesel mechanics. After his honorable discharge in October 1961, he returned home and worked for his dad on the farm near Wallace, Kansas.
He married Linda Louise Connolly on March 3, 1963. They moved to a dairy farm near Houston, Missouri and milked cows. In 1964, they moved back to Sharon Springs, Kansas, and Ken worked for Witzel & Rhea, working on tractors. In 1972, the family moved to the farm near Wallace where they lived and worked. Ken and Linda were blessed with eight wonderful children during their 55 years of marriage: Peggy Lynn, Barbara Sue, Larry Leon, Lori Ann, Angela Louise, Monte Lee, Melissa Kaye, and Martin William. They retired in 2003 and moved to Hoisington, Kansas, where they resided at the time of his death.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Peggy, and his sisters Yvonne Hileman and Joyce Engel.
He is survived by his wife Linda of Hoisington; children Bobbi Griffin of WaKeeney, Kansas, Larry (Susan) of Larned, Kansas, Lori Ann Ross of Okay, Oklahoma, Angie Meye of Bastrop, Texas, Monte of Salina, Kansas, Melissa White of Curtis, Nebraska, and Marty (Nicole) of Great Bend, Kansas; sisters Wanda Kupfner of Knoxville, Tennessee, Cheri (Bob) Thummel and Cindy (Bill) Foley, both of Salina, Kansas; 24 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and all who knew him.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m. Friday, all at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, celebrated by Father Don Bedore. Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Hoisington EMS in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Arlene Hix, daughter of Elmer and Velma States Carver, was born Feb. 20, 1919 at the family farm southwest of Logan, Kansas, and passed away at Hadley Memorial Hospital in Hays, Kansas on Dec. 24, 2018.
She married Harold Stanton of Parkville, Missouri, in 1936, to which three children were born: Harold, Lloyd and Marjorie.
In 1944 Arlene married Meryl Bailey and to this union a son, Gail Bailey, was born. They farmed and raised cattle near Logan, Kansas, then later lived in Norton and Clayton, Kansas. Meryl passed away in 1964.
Arlene married Francis Hix in 1965 and the couple moved to Norcatur, Kansas, where Francis farmed. Francis died in 2007.
Arlene was a member of the Norcatur Methodist Church, as well as the Royal Neighbors, Rebekah Lodge, Norcatur Quilting Club and Norton Bowling League. She loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens, and also enjoyed crocheting and quilting. Her favorite times were spent with family, especially with the grandchildren she adored.
Survivors include two sons, Lloyd (Leann) Stanton and Gail (Denise) Bailey; her daughter, Marjorie Prince; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lula Hix.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; one son, Harold Stanton, and one grandson, Larry; two great-grandsons, Keith and Jake Mulberry; her sister, Fredia VanDerWege; a half-sister, Rosalie Earl; and her brother, Lloyd Carver.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in the Whispering Pines in Norton, Kansas, with Bob Stevenson officiating. Burial will follow in Norcatur Cemetery, Norcatur, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Norcatur Citizens Alliance or Whispering Pines.
TOPEKA – On New Year’s Day, Kansas state park staff want to help you get some exercise and experience some of Kansas’ finest hiking trails. First Day Hike events will be held at 19 Kansas state parks, and all hikers get a free “Hike Local” long-sleeved t-shirt.
“It’s just an amazing way to get things started for a New Year,” said Linda Lanterman, Parks Division director for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. “It’s great for people to get out into nature on the first day of the year. We’ve found people who go on these First Day Hikes are very likely to come back and do more hiking throughout the year. For many, that First Day Hike has been the first time they’ve hiked in a state park. It’s a fantastic introduction.”
Kansas’ 28 state parks offer access to more than 1,000 miles of Kansas hiking, cycling and horseback trails – ranging from short, paved paths to the 117-mile Flint Hills Trail.
First Day Hike outings are generally a mile or two of family-friendly terrain. Park staff lead the treks to help educate hikers along the way. Many hikes will be along the shores of large lakes, pass through tall, rugged woodlands and across native prairie. Odds of seeing bald eagles and other wildlife are high, so bring your binoculars.
First Day Hikes began in Massachusetts about 25 years ago. All states, including Kansas, came on board in 2012. Many are held in Canada, too. At many First Day Hike events, participants are invited to the park office for refreshments and snacks at the end of the hike, but hikers are encouraged to bring their own water and snacks to enjoy during the outing. Leashed pets are also welcome. Children must have adult supervision.
The guided hikes are free but participants need a vehicle permit to drive into the park. Daily passes are $5 and sold at self-serve stations in the park. Some park offices will be open to sell daily passes or $25 annual passes. Parkgoers can also purchase a 12-month Kansas State Parks Passport (annual pass) when registering a vehicle.
Consider attending a First Day Hike near you. More information, including news if hikes are cancelled due to weather, may be found on select state park Facebook pages.
Cheney State Park – Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. for the three-quarter-mile West Side Nature Trail hike; easy to moderate terrain. All ages welcome.
Clinton State Park – Meet at the park office at 1 p.m. to hike on the North Shore Trail. The two-mile route is moderate terrain ideal for hikers age five and older.
Crawford State Park – Meet at the beach shelter house at 10 a.m. to hike the two-mile Spider Leg Bridge Trail, which includes moderate terrain suited for all ages.
Cross Timbers State Park – Meet at the Chautauqua Hills Trail trailhead at 2 p.m. to hike 1.5 miles over moderate terrain. Hikers of all ages are welcome.
El Dorado State Park – Meet at the Walnut River Cabins at 1 p.m. for a two-mile Walnut River Trail hike. The easy to moderate terrain is perfect for hikers of all ages.
Elk City State Park – Meet at 8 a.m. at the Green Thumb Trail trailhead for a 3-mile hike over moderate terrain open to hikers of all ages.
Fall River State Park – Meet at the Quarry Bay maintenance shop at 2 p.m. to hike the three-quarter-mile Post Oak Trail. The moderate terrain is ideal for all ages of hikers.
Flint Hills State Park – Meet at the old depot in Ottawa at 2 p.m. to hike 2 miles of easy terrain perfect for all ages.
Glen Elder State Park – Meet at the historic church at 9 a.m. to hike the 4-mile Waconda Trail. Hikers of all ages will enjoy this easy trail.
Hillsdale State Park – Meet at the park office at 10:30 a.m. to hike on the Hidden Springs Nature Trail. The 1.5 miles of easy terrain is recommended for hikers age six and up.
Kanopolis State Park – Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. to hike the Split Boulder Trail. The 1.6-mile trail can be negotiated by all ages of hikers.
Meade State Park – Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. for the Eagle Trail hike. All ages are welcome for the 1.25-mile trail of easy terrain.
Milford State Park – Meet at the group shelter parking at 1 p.m. to hike on the Eagle Ridge Trail. The 2.75-mile trail includes easy to moderate terrain and is open to hikers of all ages.
Perry State Park – Meet at the Lake View parking lot at10 a.m. to hike the 2.5-mile Nature Trail. The easy to moderate terrain is recommended for hikers age eight and older.
Pomona State Park – Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. for a 1.5-mile hike around several campgrounds. All ages of hikers are welcome to enjoy the easy to moderate terrain.
Prairie Dog (Norton) State Park – Meet at the Nature Trail parking lot at 9 a.m. for a 1.25-mile hike over easy terrain open to all ages.
Sand Hills State Park – Meet at the park office/cabin at 10 a.m. to hike the 1-mile Dune and Prairie trails, which include easy to moderate terrain.
Tuttle Creek State Park – Meet at the park office at 10:30 a.m. to hike the Western Heritage Trail. This hike is open to hikers of all ages and includes easy terrain over 1 to 1.5 miles.
Wilson State Park – Meet at the Cedar Trail parking lot at 1 p.m. to hike over easy terrain.
Just before noon December 21, police responded to an aggravated robbery at the Southwest National Bank, in the 3100 block of South Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz.
