RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and are working to identify an individual who may have details on the crime.
photos courtesy RCPD
Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, police responded to United Bank and Trust in the 2000 Block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard after report of the bank robbery.
On Thursday, the Riley County Police Department released a photo of someone who may have information on the robbery. If anyone recognizes this person they should contact the Riley County Police Department at (785) 537-2112
ELLIS – Following a lengthy discussion during a special meeting Tuesday, the Ellis City Council voted 3-2 to approve an engineering contract with Larkin Aquatics, Kansas City.
The firm will develop a preliminary engineering report of the Ellis swimming pool in pursuit of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the state. The Kansas Department of Commerce has up to $20 million dollars for small cities to invest in pools. Cities must provide 40 percent of a project cost with the state paying 60 percent.
The proposal from Larkin Aquatics is not to exceed $9,200. It will be paid from the Capital Improvement – Special Projects fund.
Applications for the CDBG are due May 15.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes
January 29, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Clerk Amy Burton. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Verda Flinn and Gary Luea.
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor David McDaniel stated the purpose of the special meeting is to consider a contract for engineering services for the swimming pool and for Council orientation.
Swimming Pool: Contract
Council reviewed a contract from Larkin Aquatics, Kansas City, for engineering services to develop a preliminary engineering report in order for the City to apply for a Community Development Block Grant. The Department of Commerce has released up to $20 million dollars for small cities to invest in pools. The grant is a 60/40 grant and applications are due May 15th. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Clerk Amy Burton spoke on the current condition of the pool. Council discussed possible funding sources and Red Cross and ADA requirements. After a lengthy discussion, Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the proposal from Larkin Aquatics in an amount not to exceed $9,200, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Special Projects fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Bret Andries, Steve Ferland and Jolene Niernberger voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Martin LaBarge and Bob Redger voting opposed.
Council Orientation
Ms. Burton reviewed the Council Orientation Handbook.
Adjournment
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Steve Ferland seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
PAWNEE COUNTY — A Pawnee County jury Wednesday took twenty minutes to find a Kansas man guilty of aggravated sexual battery for an incident that took place in 2018, according to a media release from Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett.
McFarland -photo Pawnee Co.
According to testimony during the one-day trial, on May 3, 2018, 65-year-old Russell McFarland followed a 19-year-old female staff member into a staff-only area of Larned State Hospital, forced her into a corner and tried to kiss her on the lips.
The staff member was able to get free once another patient on the unit intervened. At the time, the McFarland was a patient in the sexual predator treatment program. Additional testimony was presented that other patients on the unit were aware of McFarland’s intense infatuation of the staff member and were keeping an eye out for her once they saw her on the unit that day.
Sentencing in the case is scheduled for March 18. McFarland was returned to the custody of Larned State Hospital pending sentencing.
Depending on his criminal history, McFarland faces between 31 and 136 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections, according to McNett.
David Norlin is Chairman of the Salina Planning Commission, former President of Salina Access TV, and a former College Director of Broadcasting and English Department Chair. He has twice run for Kansas State Office.By DAVID NORLIN
Let’s stop sighing and size it up.
The totally unnecessary cruelty and arbitrary punishments brought down like fire on the heads of our public workers give us a message: It could happen to us, if we get in the way of the Master Money-Maker—and Taker.
Those with money, get money (and power). Those who don’t, don’t. And when they do, and we don’t, here’s what happens:
Transportation Security Administration workers, who determine the safety of your flight, aren’t paid. Feel safe?
After blaming California Forest Management for not stopping wildfires, the Master stops their funding. No funding during vital planning time means they are not prepared. He writes off California.
Prison workers, including corrections officers, case managers, and secretaries can’t afford to pick up their Walgreen prescriptions, have to sleep on a cot overnight, because they can’t afford gas to get home, and don’t know where their next meal will come from—yet face the daily challenges of guarding inmates. The Master doesn’t care. Just release the prisoners, right?
Courthouses seriously consider closing. Says one Judge, “If in fact the buildings can’t stay open, we literally will have judges at their kitchen tables with a laptop computer, camera on top, looking at a defendant sitting at a U.S. marshals’ holding cell somewhere, conducting these hearings.” One contracted public defender calls it a betrayal of public servants, who already sacrifice, working for less than the private sector. “It feels like we’re on the front lines trying to fight a battle while our own forces are shooting us in the back.” The Master doesn’t care. After all, who needs a fair, just legal system?
IRS workers get their food from the local Catholic food bank, and battle serious depression. What’s their job? Collecting rightfully owed taxes necessary to sustain the nation—yet they aren’t paid to do their job. The Master and his fellow tax-dodgers grin. IRS won’t be fully functional for a year.
One of our primary national security concerns is cyber-security. (Not THE WALL.) At the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, normally 3,500 people are on the job. Under the shutdown, only around 2,000 man the breaches.
Threats more visible locally are Farm Services offices, the threat to WIC (women/infant/child) grants, air traffic controllers—the list goes on. Workers stand in 30-degree weather to get food.
Some “Independent Kansans” cheer the Masters on. Forgotten are the Billion or two we get back in excess of our Federal tax annual contributions. On top of that (because of our legislators), we have lost $3 Billion in Federal Medicaid dollars, paying for 90% of care for needy Kansans. But the Masters don’t care.
And the whole SNAFU may start again February 15, right after Valentine’s Day.
Even though it should be crystal clear that we, the people, are losers in this situation, some will no doubt appear on this site supporting our Clueless Commander and encouraging him to crash the ship of state onto the rocks yet again.
They are joined by our alleged Representatives Jerry Moran, Pat Roberts, and Roger Marshall. Only this morning, Moran and Marshall bleated their support for Trump’s irrational wall-at-any-cost.
One word describes a system where people are forced to work without pay, where one man (white, wealthy, non-working) calls the shots and no one objects, where the entire structure seems to rely on bullying and intimidation, where few available exits exist, where all human resourcefulness has been exhausted, and the atmosphere is so despair-laden that few think they can fight back.
What word? Slavery. (Or, your choice, Dictatorship.)
David Norlin is past Chairman of the Salina Planning Commission, former President of Salina Access TV, and an occasional Salina Journal columnist. He is a retired College English Department Chair and Director of Broadcasting. He has twice run for the Kansas Legislature.
Vickie Lynn (Boman) Osborne passed from this life Monday, January 28, 2019 at Salina Regional Health Center with her family by her side at the age of 71 years.
Vickie was born on January 11, 1948 in Belleville, Kansas to Wallace and Vida (Elliott) Boman.
She graduated from Republic High School in 1966, where she met her future husband Paul during their freshman year. They were married on June 29, 1969, and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They raised two sons, Chad and Bret, at their home in Formoso, Kansas.
Vickie enjoyed her career as a cosmetologist for nearly 30 years, and after selling “Vickie’s House of Style” in 1994, she continued to share her beauty talents with close friends and family.
She was also very fond of working in her yard, tending to her flowers and plants, helping them thrive despite the hot Kansas summers.
Her homemaking skills were constantly on display, as she meticulously cared for and maintained her family’s home.
She was always on the move, and enjoyed traveling to Manhattan to attend countless K-State athletic events with her family over the years.
Vickie’s true passion, however, was her family. She was an absolutely devoted mother and wife, taking great care of her three boys. When she was blessed with her first grandchild, a whole new adventure started. She simply adored and cherished her time with her two granddaughters and grandson, spoiling them every chance she got. Her time spent caring for all three of them while they were infants was one of the greatest joys she could have. To say that she was a wonderful Grandma would be an incredible understatement.
Vickie was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Vida Boman.
She will be forever remembered by her husband Paul Osborne, Formoso, KS; her sons, Chad (Lindsay) Osborne, Wamego, KS and Bret (Kimberly) Osborne, Derby, KS; three grandchildren Bellamy, Cambrie and Brayden; siblings Barbara Hurley and friend Leon, Hays, KS, Nancy (Larry) Larson, Junction City, KS, Wallace “Sonny” (Joyce) Boman, Topeka, KS, Pamela (Ron) Schmit, Wichita, KS, David (Carol) Boman, Columbus, NE, Jan (Tim) Davis, Belleville, KS, and Sheila (Leo) Blanding, Courtland, KS; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a great many good friends.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the United Methodist Church, Republic, Kansas with Pastors Lance Rundus and Wade Moss officiating. Direct cremation was chosen and they will have a private inurnment service. Memorials may be made to the Solomon Valley Hospice or the Republic Methodist Church. There will be no visitation. These arrangements were under the direction of Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas.
Linda Collins passed away Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at her home in Plainville at the age of 76. Linda was born on December 20, 1942 in Wewoka, OK to Lonzo and Ina (Richey) Hillegeist. She married Dan Collins on May 10, 1964 in Plainville. They were blessed with 5 children: Jim, John, Justin, Joel, and Casey.
Linda was a lifelong resident of Plainville. She graduated from Plainville High School and took some classes through Fort Hays State University. Linda spent much of her life taking care of her family, bringing meals to the boys while they worked, and keeping the house tidy. She was known to have a green thumb and enjoyed gardening. Linda also enjoyed time spent camping, shopping, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren.
A hardworking woman of faith, hope, and love, Linda showed us all by her life that the greatest of these is love. Although she will be greatly missed, she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her best, for they were greatly loved.
Linda is survived by her husband Dan Collins of the home; sons Jim of Texarkana, TX, Justin and wife Mary of Minneapolis, KS, and Joel and wife Lisa of Plainville, KS; daughter Casey and husband Brian Arnold of Plainville, KS; daughter-in-law Terri Collins of Codell, KS; twelve grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceding Linda in death are her parents Lonzo and Ina Hillegeist; son John Collins; brothers, Joel, Larry, and Linn Hillegeist; sisters Kathleen Waggoner and Mary Austin; and one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.
The fourth-annual First Responders Recognition Breakfast will be 6 to 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8 at the Paisley Pear, 1100 Main St., in Hays.
First responders are asked to join the Hays Downtown Development Corp., Hay Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and Grow Hays to be recognized for all they do for the community.
The responders can enjoy a free breakfast of ham and cheese quiche, sausage, fresh pastries, coffee and orange juice.
The general public is invited to also stop in and say thank you to the first responders for their service.
At the dog park, a lady had two rather large rottweiler dogs. On being
asked the dogs’ names by another park visitor she replied, “one is
called Timex and the other Rolex.”
“Wow, those are some strange names for dogs!” the visitor replied.
“Not really,” the dog owner replied, “they’re watch dogs.”
Hays Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) Legislative Forums are a series of meetings with state legislators that provide area residents the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and state issues.
Help us welcome our area Kansas legislators who will be present to meet you and answer questions Sat., Feb. 2, as they continue to work for you in Topeka.
Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.
Rep. Barbara Wasinger, R-Hays, 111th Dist.
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.
Rep. Leonard Mastroni, R-La Crosse, 117th Dist.
Fort Hays State University Memorial Union Black and Gold Room – 2nd Floor
This is a free event open to the public. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the program will begin around 8:30 a.m. with light pastries and beverages provided. It is free to all attendees and no RSVPs are necessary for this event.
If you have questions about this event please call the Chamber at 785-628-8201.
Thanks to AT&T and Midwest Energy for their sponsorship of the Legislative Coffee series.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a mother has been arrested after going to a Lawrence bar and leaving her two toddlers in a vehicle parked outside on a dangerously cold night.
Police responded around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday to a report that a customer was trying to get back into the bar after she was kicked out. Staff told police that the woman had been at the bar while her 2- and 3-year-old children stayed unattended in the vehicle as temperatures were in the single digits amid a polarvortex.
Officer Derrick Smith says the woman left before police arrived, but officers stopped her vehicle. He says the children weren’t hurt, although they were left “without heat for a substantial amount of time.” The woman has been booked into jail on suspicion of child endangerment and drunken driving.
NORTON — The Norton Police Department has been named a recipient of a $48,000, Bryne Justice Administration Grant for updating and improving the department’s current records management system.
The money will be spent on a new server and migration of records from the old records system to the new system. Every officer will also receive a mobile data terminal, which will enable them to do reports in the field.
“More importantly, the new records system will allow the Norton Police Department to interface with numerous law enforcement agencies across the state of Kansas,” NPD Chief Gerry Cullumber said in a news release. “Having this inter-agency compatibility allows the tracking of real time criminal activity while aiding with the criminal apprehension of suspects. It will also allow for the exchange of criminal information between law enforcement agencies utilizing the same records system.”
The system is expected to be in place May 1.
“The citizens of Norton should be proud of their police department as no other agency in the region will possess the technology and information available with the adopted system,” Cullumber said. “Being able to provide this will aid the department with retention and recruitment of officers.”
SadikovThe Overland Park Orchestra’s Winter Concert will feature pianist Qi Qi performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1 on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park.
Music Director Shah Sadikov will lead the orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony #6, “Pastoral,” as well. The free public concert is sponsored by the City of Overland Park.
Sadikov is currently Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola at Fort Hays State University in Hays, where he is also Music Director of the Hays Symphony Orchestra.
Qi Qi was born in GuangZhou, China. Currently, she studies with Stanislav Ioudenitch at Young Artist Music Academy International and attends Barstow School in Kansas City. She began playing the piano at age five, and in 2014 was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School in Beijing, where she studied with Professor Dan Shao and Jin Zhang. She won the First Prize in the Hong Kong International Invitation Piano Competition, and the Open Piano Competition in Guangzhou.
Over the years, Qi has attended the Lake Como Summer Piano Academy, Minnesota International Piano Camp and Russian School Piano Academy in Shanghai. Through these programs, she took master classes with such artists as Dmitri Bashkirov, Andrzej Jasiński, Dang Thai Son, William Grant Naboré, Mira Marchenko, Alexander Braginsky and Hyoung Joon Chang.
Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, police responded to United Bank and Trust in the 2000 Block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard after report of the bank robbery.
