A Hays Community Theatre murder mystery dinner show:
When a busload of passengers is stranded by a blizzard in upstate New York, they find their way to an old mansion in the woods, now St. Mary’s Convent, where the Reverend Mother Mary Cecilia provides them lodging for the night.
Unfortunately, she soon realizes that among her guests is likely to be a serial killer known as ’the Mary Murderer’ whose victims are all named Mary! Though most of the sisters have been stranded in Buffalo, the four nuns remaining with her all have the first name Mary, as do two of the women on the bus.
To add to the list of potential victims, one passenger is a flamboyant actress whose TV character is named Mary and another is a retired school teacher who was formerly… you guessed it!… a nun named Mary!
Before the night is over, the killer strikes! Which person from the bus could be the Mary Murderer? The college professor? The newspaper columnist? The bus driver? Luckily, police detective Patrick McDougal was also on the bus and takes charge of solving the case.
Providing as many laughs as chills, Murder Can Be Habit Forming is a lighthearted mystery comedy that reveals the very human side of the nuns as they attempt to stay one step ahead of a killer.
Fri., Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 16, 7-9 p.m. at Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. 8th Street, Hays.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.hctks.com.
Friday – Pork Tenderloin Dinner
Saturday – Spaghetti Dinner
Meal includes water, tea and coffee. Other drinks available for purchase.
This is a dinner show, so advanced tickets are required.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say wind gusts have toppled power lines and overturned at least one vehicle in northeast Kansas.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning for an area that included Topeka, where it predicted wind chill index readings would be between minus 10 degrees and minus 25 degrees.
Highest wind gusts observed so far today in northeast Kansas–up to 63 mph in Topeka/Lawrence: https://t.co/PYGOpALyCB#kswx
The Kansas Highway Patrol says a tractor-trailer “flipped” Monday on the Kansas Turnpike about 1 mile east of Lawrence as gusts of up to 56 mph were reported. Also Monday, downed lines left more than 2,600 Westar Energy customers without power, although only a handful remained in the dark by Tuesday.
RUSSELL — Police arrested a Russell man on Monday in connection with a string of alleged burglaries in the Russell over the past month.
The RPD said the department had received several calls beginning Jan. 1 regarding burglaries and thefts from Russell homes and businesses.
On Monday, an an anonymous tip was received about the location of the suspect in the recent burglaries, the department said in a news release.
RPD officers responded and found the suspect — Devon Maurice Page, Russell — who was placed under arrest for two outstanding warrants, through Russell District Court, for aggravated burglary and theft, forgery, theft, and criminal use of financial card. Page was taken to the Russell County Sheriff’s Office for processing. More charges are expected.
“The Russell Police Department wants to thank the citizens of Russell for all their help and understanding,” the RPD said. “As a general suggestion, citizens should be reminded to always have your residence, out buildings, and vehicles locked. Also, if you see something that doesn’t look right, call the Police Department at 785-483-2121.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A twice convicted Kansas rapist who has spent more than half his life in prison has been arrested in another sexual assault.
Billy Jack Hayes has previous convictions for aggravated burglary, sodomy, obstruction and two for rape, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Shawnee County
Shawnee County Jail records show that 58-year-old Billy Jack Hayes was booked early Monday on suspicion of rape in one case and aggravated burglary and misdemeanor sexual battery in another case. No charges were immediately filed.
Kansas Department of Corrections records show that Hayes has been in and out of prison for the past four decades. He has convictions for rapes and other crimes committed in 1974 and 1984 in Shawnee County. He was paroled most recently in September.
As we get settled into the second week of the 2019 legislative session, most of our work is concentrated in committees where bills are being prioritized and vetted. The Senate has 13 standing committees which cover many different topics, including education, agriculture, judiciary, and utilities—to name a few. In observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the legislature and state offices were closed Monday, January 21st. However, the abbreviated week did not slow committees from introducing and holding hearings on proposed legislation. Once a committee completes hearings and votes on a bill, if passed, it will then make its way to the Senate floor and the full body will begin to debate and vote on the measure. Floor debates and votes will begin in the coming weeks. If you’re interested in tracking our work, you can head to our website at https://www.kslegislature.org.
Committee Assignments
My committees will remain the same as last year with one addition which is Transportation. I am the Chairman of Ethics, Elections and Local Government; I will serve on the Judiciary and Utility committees and will remain on the Historical Preservation Committee. I also was assigned to serve on the joint Legislative Post Audit Committee. This committee will not meet often during session but during summer and fall to consider specific subjects assigned to us. The Senate President assigned me to fill a vacancy on the Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund which meets quarterly and is directed by state statute to fund and evaluate key children’s programs across the state. As it is an elected position by the Republican Senators – I will remain the Senate Majority Whip for the next two years.
Inaugurations
On Monday, January 14th, Laura Kelly was sworn in as the 48th Governor of the State of Kansas. Governor Kelly enters the Governor’s office after serving 14 years in the Kansas Senate, representing Topeka. State officials also sworn in were Lynn Rogers, Lieutenant Governor, Derek Schmidt, Attorney General, Scott Schwab, Secretary of State, Vicki Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner and Jake LaTurner, State Treasurer. All 125 House of Representatives were sworn-in and 4 new senators – Kevin Braun (R-Kansas City) replaces Steve Fitzgerald after he resigned from the Senate in September. Vic Miller (D-Topeka) took Laura Kelly’s seat in the Senate. Eric Rucker (R-Topeka) took Vicki Schmidt’s seat in the Senate as she is now Insurance Commissioner. Mary Ware (D-Wichita) was chosen to replace Lynn Rogers in the Senate. Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) was also sworn in after winning his special election in November.
State of the State
On Wednesday, January 16th, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her first State of the State address. The governor laid out her agenda as she began her first term as governor. Some of her main agenda items include more money to public education, increased funding to hire more social workers for DCF, and Medicaid expansion. While Governor Kelly launched her agenda of increased spending in numerous areas, she vowed to keep her campaign promise of no increased taxes. During her address, Kelly explained she would be proposing a one-year budget with a separate proposal for a two-year education plan. Watch the full State of the State address below:
Governor’s Budget Proposal
Thursday morning, Governor Kelly presented her one-year budget proposal. The $18.4 billion proposal includes increased spending for areas such as K-12 education, DCF, and Medicaid expansion. A few highlights include a recommended $92 million inflation adjustment to state aid for K-12 public schools. This would be a phase-in of $364 million over four years. With this increase, the state’s education funding would increase 5.5 percent during the next budget year, to nearly $4.4 billion. The budget proposed a 14 percent increase in spending on foster care programs. Governor Kelly’s agenda includes the hiring of 55 additional social workers. This would increase the department’s budget 8.7 percent, to $727 million. Kelly’s budget included $14 million to initiate Medicaid expansion in Kansas. She explained that an expansion plan would be submitted to the Legislature by the end of the month. The budget provided $22 million for a 2.5 percent salary increase for state employees, excluding the judicial system and legislative branch. An additional $3 million was earmarked to increase wages for officers of the Kansas Department of Corrections. The budget proposal would complete restoration of a 4 percent, or $30 million, cut in 2017 from the Board of Regents. Kelly’s budget was built around the re-amortization of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System which essentially refinances the remaining $8.9 billion debt over 30 years. This is meant to provide $160 million in “short-term savings” but will extend the system’s debt until the year 2049. Larry Campbell, Governor Kelly’s budget director, said the debt would become an additional cost of about $7 billion and finally the $200 million would continue to be drawn annually from KDOT to finance basic government.
Senate Floor Action
State law in Kansas requires that certain appointments by the Governor or other state officials be confirmed by the Senate prior to the appointee exercising any power, duty, or function of the office. On Thursday, January 17th, the Senate confirmed 17 governor nominated appointments and 2 attorney general nominated appointments.
If I were Mayor Contest
This year, Smith Center 7th Grader Luke Franklin, was the north central regional winner of the “If I Were Mayor” memo contest. Over 450 7th grade students submitted essays from 25 schools across Kansas. Luke attended the Topeka celebration and a special lunch recognizing Kansas Mayors in cities of all sizes during Local Government Day on January 23rd.
2019 Keep it Clean Kansas Calendar – Kansas Department of Health and Environment
This yearly calendar features the winning artwork of Kansas students grades K through 12 who entered the calendar contest. The Bureau of Waste Management has sponsored this contest since 2000 to encourage students, their families and other Kansans to respect and take care of our Kansas land, water and air. Lexi Meitler, a kindergartener at Minneapolis Grade School drew the artwork for the January calendar page. Jordyn Wisinger at Phillipsburg High School was the 2019 Grand Prize Winner and is the front cover artist of the KDHE calendar. Calendars are available at no cost at KDHE by calling Julie Coleman at 785-296-1600.
Following the Kansas Legislature
You can view video streaming of both chambers via the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. In addition, many committees are now audio streamed. The Kansas Legislature website is easy use with Senate and House calendars and journals as well as the rosters of both chambers. Here are the relevant links:
The Page program is designed for students in middle school, junior high or high school. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. I was a page in 1981 for Representative Bill Fuller and I still have my black and white photo as a memento in my office. The dates assigned to us are Tuesday, February 12th, Wednesday, February 27th, Monday, March 11th, and Monday, March 25th. Other dates may be available upon request. Please call my office and speak to Randi or email [email protected] or [email protected] to reserve a space.
Office Information
My office remains in the same suite, 223E (East wing second floor) next to the cage elevator. Randi Walters who has worked in the Capitol for 16 years as an assistant and a committee assistant is in our office and Caitlin O’Toole is our Intern who is a KU Political Science major from Prairie Village. When visiting the Capitol, look for the kiosks in the Visitors Center where you will be able see the calendar of the day, events and directions to find the offices of Capitol staff and legislators.
As session progresses, not every bill introduced will make it to the governor’s desk, but that doesn’t mean opinions, facts and testimony weren’t heard. Your participation in the state legislature is vital. As we continue to weed through the different bills, I hope to hear from you. I want to know how legislation will impact you and our district, or the ideas you have to improve a bill. An email with your thoughts (not a form letter) is truly the best way to reach us as we sit in committees for most of the day and seldom get to stay at our desks for long periods.
Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Dist. state senator and serves as the Senate Majority Whip. The 36th Senate District includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties and portions of Marshall and Phillips counties.
Apple has made the group chat function in FaceTime unavailable after users said there was a bug that could allow callers to activate another user’s microphone remotely.
The bug was demonstrated through videos online and reported on this week by tech blogs. Reports say the bug in the video chat app could allow an iPhone user calling another iPhone through Group Facetime to hear the audio from the other handset — even if the receiver did not accept the call.
“We’re aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week,” Apple said in a statement Tuesday.
Its online support page noted there was a technical issuewith the application and that Group Facetime “is temporarily unavailable.”
The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, released a statement warning people about the bug and urging people to disable the app until Apple fixes the issue.
Apple is due to report its latest quarterly earnings later Tuesday amid intense investor interest in the company’s financial health. Earlier this month, Apple said that demand for iPhones was waning and that its earnings for the final quarter of 2018 would be below expectations — a rare downgrade from the company.
Leona Pfeifer, 89, Hays, died Monday, January 28, 2019 at the Methodist Nursing Home in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
She was born December 31, 1929 in Hays the daughter of Fidelis and Theckla (Schumacher) Wasinger. She graduated from Schoenchen High School and received her Bachelor and Masters degrees from Fort Hays State University. On October 15, 1960 she was united in marriage to Edward W. Pfeifer at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas. He preceded her in death on January 11, 2012. She taught at Hays High School and was a German Language Professor at Fort Hays State University for many years. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR). She enjoyed genealogy, gardening, bowling, spending time with her grandchildren, and she loved to travel.
Survivors include a daughter; Carol Harrison and husband Jeremy of Roland, Oklahoma, a brother; William Wasinger and wife Rose of Wichita, a granddaughter; Kayla Smith and husband Jacob of Fort Smith, Arkansas, a grandson; Joshua Harrison of Roland, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 8:30 am until 9:30 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A vigil and rosary service will be at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Francis Cemetery Fund, or to AHSGR, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Leona may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com
Velma Pfannenstiel, 90, Hays, died Sunday, January 27, 2019 at HaysMed.
She was born March 23, 1928 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of Alex and Adeline (Leiker) Klaus. In 1946, she graduated from Girls Catholic High School in Hays, Kansas. On June 11, 1947 she was united in marriage to Julius Pfannenstiel. He preceded her in death on November 25, 1971. She was a cattle and dairy farmwife and worked for many years at Kline’s Department Store in The Mall. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was a volunteer for many years at St. Anthony Hospital. She enjoyed bowling, playing pinochle, was an excellent cook, a devout catholic, and was very close to her sisters.
Survivors include a son; Bruce Pfannenstiel of Lawrence, Kansas, a brother; Joseph Klaus and wife Janet of Hays, three sisters; Ruby Binder and Lillian Schlyer, both of Hays, and Violet Mermis and husband Robert of Salina, three grandchildren; Calvert, Julia, and Matthew Pfannenstiel, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Julius, an infant daughter Mary, a brother Walter Klaus, and by a brother-in-law Paul Binder.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 6:00 pm until 8:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 pm until 1:45, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities. Condolences and memories of Velma may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com
John C. Winter, age 64, of Hoxie, KS, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at HaysMed in Hays.
He was born on December 6, 1954 in Hoxie to Joseph D. Winter, Jr., and Agnes (Campbell) Winter. John was a 1973 graduate from Sheridan County High School.
John was a lifetime farmer and avid hunter. He was employed by Hoxie Sprayers the last several years.
Survivors include his mother, Agnes Winter of Hoxie; sister, Mary Lou Jones and her husband Randall of Colby; brother, Vic Winter and his wife Joan of Ellis as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph D. Winter, Jr.; brothers, Dan, Mike and David Winter; nephew, Brad Winter.
Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 2 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 924 17th St., Hoxie, KS 67740. Inurnment will follow at Hoxie City Cemetery.
A memorial visitation/wake will be held on Friday, February 1, from 5-8:00 P.M. at the church.
The Recital of the Holy Rosary will take place at 6:30 P.M., Friday, at the church.
Memorial contributions can be made in John’s loving memory to the Sheridan County Amusement Company. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].
Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.
Keith Marvin, Marvin Planning Consultants, talks with Ellis Co. commissioners Monday about their ideas for future growth in the county.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Jobs and water.
That’s what Ellis County commissioners believe are the two most important factors affecting business and population growth in the county.
“We’ve been constantly growing, sometimes small steps at a time,” said Dean Haselhorst, commission chairman. “We have a lot to offer here in Ellis County.
“Water supply is always a big thing in western Kansas. I know the city of Hays has been working to address that issue. But for us to attract industry, we need water. And for growth, we need water also.”
The commission met in a special session Monday afternoon with Keith Marvin of Marvin Planning Consultants, David City, Neb., to give their input into an update of the county comprehensive plan.
Marvin and a representative of MSA Professional Services, Ankeny, Iowa, also met with the Ellis County Joint Planning Commission Monday evening.
County commissioners talked about bringing young people back to Ellis County who have moved to a large metropolis.
People with young families are attracted by the “top-notch schools” in Ellis County, believes Commissioner Dustin Roths, as well as the ability to keep a job using the internet.
“There has to be a financial possibility for those people when they come back.”
Commissioner Butch Schlyer said his daughter was job hunting in December and was able to remain in Ellis County when she was hired by an insurance company to work out of her home. “She makes a very good salary doing it.”
When he was the Ellis County Health Administrator, Schlyer said “many mature clientele ended up leaving the area to go be with their kids. … We have good wireless networks here in Eagle Communications and Nex-Tech and I think that whole technology issue needs to be marketed harder.”
Keith asked commissioners what their role would be in helping with affordable housing, although “most of the time that’s going to be up to the communities” Keith noted, “but I’m always curious to hear what county folks are thinking in that direction as well.”
“A lot of it is gonna go back to affordable ground to build housing on,” answered Haselhorst. “I know there’s different individuals now looking to put some additions in the northwest part of the county.
“That’s his reason (one individual) for doing it there. It’s more affordable. He owns the ground,” Haselhorst said. “He can put up affordable housing to accommodate just the people that work for him that he’s bringing in from out of county.”
“We’ve almost built a bottleneck in some businesses where they can’t expand because they can’t find help,” added Roths.
“I think we will grow in Ellis County over the next 20 years or so, but probably to the lessening of the rural communities around us.”
Roths also talked about the possibility of promoting Ellis County as a regional shipping hub, taking advantage of the major highways that intersect in Hays, the Hays regional airport, and an opportunity to increase railroad transport.
Fort Hays State University and HaysMed are great partners with the county, commissioners also agreed.
Town hall meetings will be held Tue. Jan. 29 and Wed., Jan. 30 for public input. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Ellis County Administration Building, 718 Main.
Marvin said more than 400 online surveys have been completed to date.
Paper copies of the survey are available at the Ellis County Administration Building, and the city halls in Hays, Ellis and Victoria.
The consultants will meet with other stakeholders this week including city officials in Hays, Ellis, and Victoria, Fort Hays State University, Grow Hays, Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, and other county officials.
A two-day CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) Course offered through NCK TECH will be held Feb. 18-19. The course will be eight hours per day and located on the Hays campus at 2205 Wheatland Ave.
Instruction will take place on obtaining a CDL learners permit. Upon successful completion, drive–time may be scheduled to complete the training.
Tuition cost is $750 plus $50 application fee. For details, contact NCK TECH, Hays Campus at 785-625-2437 or 1-888-567-4297.
For information and to learn more about NCK TECH, visit www.ncktc.edu.
A woman tells her priest, “Father, I have a problem. My two female parrots only say, ‘Hi, cutie. Wanna have some fun?'”
“Don’t worry,” says the priest. “I have two male parrots who only pray and read the Bible. We’ll put them in the same cage. Your parrots are sure to stop saying that horrid phrase.”
The next day, the woman takes her parrots to the priest’s home. The male parrots are inside their cage holding rosary beads and praying. When the woman places the female parrots in the cage, they cry out, “Hi, cutie. Wanna have some fun?”
One male parrot says to the other male parrot, “Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been answered!”
A Hays Community Theatre murder mystery dinner show:
