CITY OF HAYS
The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wed., Jan. 9 at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
Agenda items include setting a public hearing for a request by James Werth.
Werth is requesting a two foot side yard variance to reduce the side yard building setback from the required five feet to three feet for construction of a detached garage at 3113 Thunderbird Circle.
The complete agenda is available here.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A convicted felon has pleaded guilty in a Topeka beating death.
32-year-old Howard Dale Burchfiel pleaded guilty Monday to reduced felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated burglary. He had faced charges that included first-degree murder.
Prosecutors say he beat 66-year-old Allen Wichman in June 2017 during a home invasion. Wichman died the following month from complication from his injuries.
Burchfiel has past convictions for crimes that include the 2009 shooting of a Topeka bartender, who survived. Burchfiel had been released on supervised probation just three months before attacking Wichman.
Burchfiel’s sentencing is scheduled for March 8.
November 26, 1967 ~ January 7, 2019 (age 51)
An obituary and service details are pending with Bateman Funeral Home, Goodland.
JEFFERSON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex crimes in Jefferson County.
Just before 8a.m. Sunday, deputies were called to a residence in Oskaloosa after report of an adult having sexual contact with a minor, according to Captian Kirk Vernon.
Deputies contacted Jerry Johnson, 29, Oskaloosa, who voluntarily went to the Jefferson Co. Sheriff’s Office for questioning and was arrested.
Johnson is being held on a $10,000 Bond on requested charges including Indecent Liberties with a Child, Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child under 14 years of age and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior for exposing himself to someone 16 years old or older, according to the sheriff’s department.
Jackson has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections and spend almost five years in prison. He was discharged in June of 2016.
The Hays native said Monday during a news conference that he and his wife are “strongly looking at” the race.
A spokesman said Attorney General Derek Schmidt would be speaking to family, friends and supporters. Schmidt told reporters Monday, “Why wouldn’t you look at it?”
American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp said Saturday on SiriusXM radio’s “CPAC 365” program that he will seriously consider the race. Schlapp grew up in Wichita.
Republican Rep. Roger Marshall also is considering the race.
Another potential GOP candidate is departing Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. He lost the governor’s race in November after defeating Colyer in the primary.
The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Fri., Jan. 4, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Civil Dispute–100 block W. 12th, Hays; 12/30/18 6 PM; 6:20 PM
Welfare Check–400 block Fort St, Hays; 5:37 AM
Suicidal Subject–1700 block Dechant Rd, Hays; 6:52 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Oak St, Hays; 9:36 AM
Suspicious Activity–2200 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:10 AM
Parking Complaint–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 10:17 AM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11/22/18 8 AM; 1/4 11:27 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 1:11 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 2:09 PM
Battery – simple–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:04 PM
Found/Lost Property–4500 block Vista Dr, Hays; 3:31 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:49 PM
Disorderly Conduct–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:45 PM; 5:54 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:58 PM; 7 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–600 block Main St, Hays; 11:18 PM
Disturbance – Fight–200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 10:30 PM; 11:26 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 38 traffic stops Sat., Jan. 5, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 12:10 AM
Suspicious Person–1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 1:15 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Fort St, Hays; 2:09 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2600 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 6/26/16 8 AM ; 1/5 2:15 AM
Theft (general)–100 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:43 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2900 block Cottonwood Ln, Hays; 6:17 AM
Found/Lost Property–800 block Elm St, Hays; 7:12 AM
Suspicious Activity–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 9:40 AM
Drug Offenses–500 block E 6th St, Hays; 10 AM
Found/Lost Property–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 10:02 AM
Animal Call–300 block E 18th St, Hays; 10:15 AM
Animal At Large–13th and Oak St, Hays; 2:02 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 3:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–1100 block Downing Ave, Hays; 3:46 PM
Unwanted Person–4400 block Vine St, Hays; 4:02 PM
Animal At Large–1600 block Milner St, Hays; 6:10 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 1/4 3 PM; 1/5 10 AM
Animal Bite Investigation–2500 block Henry St, Hays; 8:30 PM; 8:45 PM
911 Hangup Call–400 block W 15th St, Hays; 9:27 PM
MV Accident /DUI–2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 9:30 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:27 PM; 11:48 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 6, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–600 block Main St, Hays; 12:54 AM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:11 AM
Suicidal Subject–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 1:21 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:11 AM; 1:23 AM
Disturbance – General–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:56 AM
Intoxicated Subject–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:44 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 37th St, Hays; 3:48 AM; 3:53 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 3:42 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:52 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:22 PM
Animal Call–2900 block Hall St, Hays; 4:41 PM
Animal At Large–1400 block Oak St, Hays; 5:14 PM
By ANDREA TUDHOPE
Kansas News Service
On what threatens to become the longest government shutdown in history, Kansas Republican representatives tend to agree — Democrats are to blame.
It’s the third week of the shutdown, which came after Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill that would allocate $5 billion for a border wall. That means it’s the third consecutive week thousands of federal workers across the country have gone without pay.
Kansas Republican, U.S. Rep. Ron Estes said he thinks Democrats need to come to the negotiating table. In a statement, he said the shutdown continues because Democrats “refuse” to help secure the border, which he calls a crisis.
With more emphasis on the importance of Congress and the Trump Administration coming together to resolve the shutdown, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., called for a “sense of urgency.”
Moran also acknowledged the negative impacts of the shutdown on federal employees and subcontractors in his state and throughout the country, who have now gone three weeks without pay. In a statement, he placed particular emphasis on farmers in Kansas who “wait in uncertainty as crucial federal aid sits on the desks of furloughed employees.”
U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., told KCUR border security is just that important.
“Certainly they have my heartfelt sympathy and concern,” Marshall said. “This is a hill we have to take, and I’m sorry, but I feel like the Democrats are using them as pawns in this.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with NPR, Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, voiced concerns about Native American communities that rely heavily on government payouts.
In a statement, Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri called the continuation of the shutdown “incomprehensible,” and pointedly called attention President Trump’s comment in December that he would be “proud” to shut down the government if he didn’t get the funding he wanted for a border wall.
“It is troubling and incomprehensible that at this point, the President has dragged the nation into the second week of an unnecessary and damaging shutdown,” Cleaver said.
Last week, the House of Representatives, now controlled by Democrats, passed legislation to reopen the government without the $5 billion Trump demands, but with the promise of a month for Congress and the President to negotiate on border security with an operating government.
Cleaver said he was hopeful Senate would support the legislation.
But, to date, little progress has been made to end the shutdown, as Trump has refused to sign any legislation that does not include funding for the border wall, and speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, has said the president would not get a wall.
Trump announced Monday he would address the nation from the Oval Office Tuesday night, to discuss the shutdown and “Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border.”
Andrea Tudhope is a reporter in conjunction with the Kansas News Service. Follow her on Twitter @andreatudhope.
Washington signed the 25-year-old Baker on Dec. 20, a week after he was released by the New York Knicks.
The 25-year-old Baker, who played his high school basketball Scott City, had played with the Knicks since the 2016-17 season after a successful college career at Wichita State University. He was a three-time first team conference play in the Missouri Valley Conference and an honorable mention All-American in 2015.
Washington has waived Ron Baker, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2019
Jerry Lynn Turley, age 89, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. He was born on March 26, 1929, the son of Leonard Sampson and Alice Belle (Freeland) Turley in Galena, Kansas.
He graduated from Goodland High School in 1947 and served four years in the United States Navy, mainly stationed in Hawaii. After completing his military service, he attended Colorado University at Boulder where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in Pharmacy.
On October 9, 1963, he married Kathryn Louise Young in Englewood, Colorado.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathryn of Garden City; and his daughter, Alice “Ali” Belle James of Austin, Texas; three nephews and four nieces.
Cremation has been selected and no services will be held.
A private family interment will be held at a later date.
Cheryl Ann (Jurgensen) Jolly, age 75, of Goodland passed away Saturday, January 5, 2019 at her home in Goodland.
Cheryl was born June 26, 1943 to Roy and Vivian (Gundersen) Jurgensen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She grew up and went to school in Karval, Colorado. On November 27, 1961 she married John Thomas “Tom” Jolly in Limon, Colorado.
Cheryl worked as a ranch owner and operator in Eastern Colorado with her husband for many years which she dearly loved. She moved to Goodland in 2003 to be close to her daughter. She enjoyed gardening, her yard, birdwatching, photography and spending time with her family and friends.
Preceding her in death are her parents; and her husband, Tom.
She is survived by her sons, Scott of Goodland, Kansas and Brett of Reno, Nevada; and her daughter, Dawn of Goodland, Kansas.
Memorial service will be Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. MT at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1116 Sherman Street in Goodland.
Memorials may be designated to the NWK Animal Shelter or the EPAWA and may be left at the service or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences and information www.batemanfuneral.com
Edna Lee Degenhardt, 88, Hays, died Sunday, January 6, 2019 at HaysMed.
She was born April 16, 1930 in Wichita Falls, Texas the daughter of Roy and Ida (Barnett) Cantwell. On September 22, 1947 she was united in marriage to Fidelis “Dale” Degenhardt at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pfeifer, Kansas. They celebrated over 65 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on July 16, 2013. She was a kitchen manager for the Hays VFW and American Legion and also at Hays Early Childhood Development. Edna also operated the thrift store named Second Hand Rose, and took care of the elderly. She loved animals and playing cards, did devotions for many years and was very prayerful. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and her local bridge club.
Survivors include two daughters; Mary Rohr and husband Larry and Amy Degenhardt and husband John Ziegler “Ziggy”, all of Hays, a sister; Faye Clifton of Granbury, Texas, two grandsons; Austin Rohr and wife Amanda and Aaron Rohr and wife Sophie, a great grandson; Axel Rohr, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale, and by two brothers and two sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Inurnment will be at 2:00 pm in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Pfeifer. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains or to Hospice of HaysMed, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Edna may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com.
Tapping the Cabbie
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a
question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a
bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop
window.
For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said,
“Please, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!”
The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize that a little tap
would scare you so much.”
The driver replied, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my
first day as a cab driver – I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last
25 years.”
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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Chuck and Shirley Comeau and their holding company are involved in two multimillion foreclosure proceedings involving 27 pieces of property in Hays and Plainville for non-payment of the loans.
Eighteen of those properties are in downtown Hays and another nine are in Plainville.
The foreclosure actions have been filed by Bank of Hays and Sunflower Bank.
The Comeaus took out a $7.5 million loan in September 2013 and a $949,000 loan in December 2016 from the Bank of Hays.
DFC holdings still owes more than $7.5 million on the loans as of Dec. 15.
Payment had not been on the loans with Bank of Hays since July 11, 2018, according to court filings.
The Oak Street Planing Mill, also a Comeau company, took out mortgages for $350,000 in February 2004, $315,000 in April 2005 and $1.1 million in March 2007.
As of February 23, 2018, Sunflower Bank was still owed about $450,000.
Dessin Fournir, the Comeau’s furniture company in Plainville, was named as a party in both of the foreclosure filings, but its headquarters building, 308 Mill St., Plainville was not.
Ashley Comeau spoke on behalf of Dessin Fournir and said the company did not want to comment at this time. However, she noted this was not a hostile litigation with Bank of Hays.
Attorneys for both banks declined comment on the pending litigation.
The Hays locations listed in the foreclosures included multiple properties that were currently being occupied by businesses.
Shaun Musil rents 1100 Main St. for the Paisley Pear, a wine bar and bistro.
“We are doing business as normal,” Musil said. “I can’t control what is going on with the building. At this time, I’m not too concerned about it.”
Norman Keller worked for the Comeaus for more than 21 years at C.S. Post before he and his wife, Sandy, opened Regeena’s Flowers and Events at 1013 Main St. in a building owned by the Comeaus.
He said he was not concerned about his business. If the building is purchased by another owner, he said he would work with that owner.
Other Hays properties listed in the foreclosure include, 803 Fort St., 811 Fort St., 1008 Main (occupied by Bluetique), 1011 Main St. (occupied by Bella Luna and Simply Charmed), 106 W. 11th St., 1102 Main St. (former Strand Theatre), 1107 Main St., 1109 and 1111 Main St. (occupied by Couture for Men and Women), 106 W. 12th St., 719 Main St., 1108 Main St., 121 E. 11th St., 1012 Main St. (occupied by Something Blue), 110 W. 11th St. and 201 E. 12th St.
The Bank of Hays foreclosure also includes the Comeau home at 400 S. Jefferson in Plainville and 108 N. Main, Plainville.
Roger Hrabe, director of Rooks County Economic Development, said the Comeaus and Dessin Fourinir have been huge contributors to the local economy and one of the largest employers in the community.
“It has been tremendous,” Hrabe said of the Dessin Fournir, “Not only have they employed a good number of people, they have good employees and they are very involved in the community. Leadership Kansas has been one of the many groups to come through and tour the facility. The fact that an enterprise can do this in a small community, people take notice of that. If it can be done here, it can be done anywhere.”
Sunflower Bank has filed for a summary judgement against Oak Street Planing Mill, the Comeaus and their co-defendants. A hearing was held on Dec. 17 in Ellis County District Court before Judge Blake Bittel. Bittel is currently reviewing the case and is set to release his decision before the end of the month.
According court records, the defendants paid their October 2017 payment late at which the bank accelerated the loan.
That case involves Plainville properties, including 108 N. Main, 211 1/2 Mill, 205 N. Main, 317 W. Mill, 311 S. Washington, 211 W. Mill and 221 W. Mill.
Others listed in the Sunflower Bank case include DFC Holdings, DFC Corp., Classic Cloth, Palmer Hargrave, C.S. Post, Christopher Mraz, Lenice Larson and Liberty Group.
The Kansas Center of Entrepreneurship is listed in both foreclosure filings because it had a mortgage on property owned by DFC Corp. for $500,000.
Emprise Bank, Golden Belt Bank and Wilson State Bank were also listed on mortgages on tracts that were listed on the Bank of Hays filings.
