Marilyn J. (Davis) Harless, 88, passed away on Friday, February 22 at Ness County Hospital, Ness City. She was born on January 28, 1931 in Ness City to Marshall and Jane (Goodfellow) Davis.
She married Hugo “Hooks” A. Haas in 1950 in Perryton, TX. He preceded her in death on October 1, 1980. Her parents preceded her in death as well as her sister, Ruth, and brother, Donald.
She married Don Harless in November 1985. He survives.
Marilyn graduated from Ness City High School in 1949. She loved to play cards, play piano, garden, cook, sew and explore genealogy.
She is also survived by her three daughters from her marriage with Hooks, Jane Riojas of Hutchinson, Luann Frank (Dennis) of Hutchinson, and Wanda Gabel (Alex) of Ness City; seven grandchildren, Talissa Davis (Jonathan) of Kennesaw, GA, Wanda Riojas of Hutchinson, KS, Justin Frank (Crystal) of Inman, KS, Jeremy Frank (Annie) of Nickerson, KS, Calvin Gabel (Kimberly) of Eagle River, AK, Grant Gabel (Jessica) of Roanoke, TX, and Nolan Gabel of Portland, OR and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019, 1:30 p.m. at Ness City Cemetery. Friends my sign the book at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Friday, March 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials can be made to the Ness County Bank Building, Ness County Historical Society, or the Ness City Library.
Annunciata Marie (Wildeman) Weber, 88, of Park, departed this life on February 26, 2019, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care Unit, in Hoxie.
The oldest child of Daniel and Mary (Ziegler) Wildeman, Ann was born at home, May 29, 1930, east of Park. Ann and her family moved to their new sod house south of Grainfield when she was 5 years old. She had many stories of living in a “soddy.” She attended grade school in rural Grainfield and graduated from Grainfield High School in 1949. Ann worked at the Grainfield grocery store and bank until the love of her life returned from the Korean War. Annunciata was united in marriage to Aloysius Weber on May 18, 1953. To this union were born seven children, Gwendolyn, Dan, Allan, Marita, Stacy, Kevin and Alanna.
Al and Ann began their married life on the Weber farm south of Park. In 1957, they moved to their new home 2 miles north of Park. Ann was proud to work alongside her husband Al on the family farm for over 60 years. They also ran a grocery store in Park in the early 80’s. She was a devoted mother who gave her children a strong faith foundation. She taught them the importance of prayer. Countless blessed candles were burned over the years when she knew of someone’s suffering or needs.
Ann learned to crochet in her mid-forties. Each grandchild received one of Grandma’s afghans as a high school graduation gift and many more were given as wedding gifts.
Al was the gardener, and Ann was the canner of all his produce. No one can dispute how wonderful her cinnamon pickles were, and she would make dill pickles by the crock-full! She also spent hours turning farm fresh eggs into home made noodles. What a treat it was to snitch some of those noodles as they were spread out on the beds to dry! And many of her grandchildren had the experience of cleaning chickens with Grandma Weber. Grandma’s Chicken & Noodles were the best!
In June of 2018, Ann had to leave the home that “her honey had built for her”. The last several months of her life were spent at the Long Term Care in Hoxie. She enjoyed making new friends and playing bingo to win prizes for her great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed the weekly Mass when Fr. Kevin could come out from Salina, and Thursday afternoon Rosary group.
Ann was a lifetime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the altar society and the VFW auxiliary.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband Al; parents, Dan and Mary Wildeman; step-mother Wanda Wildeman; brothers Pius and Francis; infant sister Caroline, and sisters-in-law, Neyla Kippes and Fran Wildeman.
She is survived by her children, Gwen (Kevin) Offutt, of Healy, Dan (Vickie) Weber, of Park, Allan (Connie) Weber, of Quinter, Marty (Herb) Cressler, of Hoxie, Stacy (Jerry) Wagoner, of Haxtun, CO, Fr. Kevin Weber, of Salina and Alanna (Laura) Woodward-Weber, of Healy; 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren; brother Vernard Wildeman; sister-in-law Doreen Wildeman, and brother-in-law Gene Kippes.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2019, also at the church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Sheridan County Benefit Walk or the Diocese of Salina Vocations Education Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Paula Rae (Razak) Peterson, passed away February 21, 2019, in Abilene, Kansas. She was born February 21, 1949 in Quinter, Kansas.
Paula dedicated 35 years teaching English and related courses at a variety of levels, finding enjoyment and fulfillment in her career.
Paula attained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fort Hays State University in 1971. She married Scott Stein in 1971, they later divorced. Paula further attained her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University in 1984, and a certification in TESL from Kansas University in 1993. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in USD 435 Abilene in 1991 and an outstanding community Education Award from Cloud County Community College a few years later. After her retirement in 2010, Paula taught as a part-time instructor for five years at the college level in Salina.
Paula served on many committees at USD 435 Abilene, co-chaired a state middle school conference, and as a member of the Abilene-NEA, she was a state representative two years at the NEA (National Education Association) convention. Additionally, she attended numerous educational conferences, conventions and workshops at the state and national level. Paula also presented at educational conferences.
Paula found joy in traveling, especially in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Mexico. She taught English for one year in Abilene’s sister city, Minori (later renamed Omitama), Japan, and was the first of many Dickinson County residents to do the same. She continued to be active in the sister city program, hosting Japanese guests in her home and organizing the delegation trips for several years. Having a love of art, after her retirement Paula enjoyed volunteering as a Picture Person for the Arts Council of Dickinson County for six years. Paula was a life-long Kansas City Royals fan. She was affiliated with the Methodist church throughout her life and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Abilene since 1980.
Survivors include her husband of 21 years, Kenneth Lynn Peterson, of Abilene, her sister Lenna Lea Wiebe of Shawnee, Kansas, her children, Phillip (Ashley) Stein and Mark (Emily) Stein, her stepchildren, Andrea (Kyle) McCook and Bethany (Karl) Franz, and her beloved grandchildren, Lanie, Halee, Alyssa, and Victoria Stein, and Kilynne, Myah and Asher McCook.
Preceding Paula in death were her parents, Lee and Myrtle (Lynd) Razak.
The funeral service will begin at 10:30am Friday, March 1, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 610 N. Cedar Street Abilene KS, followed by a private graveside service at Abilene Cemetery. Family visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2019 from 9:15am to 10:15am before the service. A lunch will follow the service at the church in Wright Hall.
Expressions of sympathy and memorials may be sent to the family c/o Lynn Peterson, 1700 Beekman Place Abilene KS 67410. Suggested memorials are First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Dickinson County or Alzheimer’s Association Heartland of America Chapter.
Hays USD 489 school board members Luke Oborny and Sophia Rose Young inspect an iPad and Chromebook at the board’s meeting Monday night. The board is considering purchasing new computers for Hays Middle School.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Some Hays USD 489 school board members are questioning the need for touchscreens as a feature on computers for the Hays Middle School students.
The board was set to vote on the replacement of 680 computers at HMS at its meeting on Monday. The purchase is part of a four-year rotation of computer buying for the district.
The district technology committee looked at three different devices for the HMS students.
These included replacing the school’s iPads with new iPads. Over four years, the computers would cost $254,320, which is less than the $290,000 the district budgeted for replacement.
Chromebooks with the same capabilities would cost $317,612 with a significantly lower resale value at the end of four years. A Windows device was significantly above budget at a cost of $344,071.
If the district bought iPads, the technology committee planned on not buying new devices for teachers. The district also would not have to pay for professional learning time if it stayed with the iPads.
The technology committee conducted a study this fall on the use of Chromebooks at HMS, in an elementary classroom and at the Learning Center. After the study, the committee concluded the iPads better met the learning needs of the district’s students.
Members of the board still questioned if the iPads were the correct purchase for the district.
Board member Paul Adams said, “I am interested, and the other board members are, in the reasons touch is such a vital need.”
Adams wanted to know what touchscreens were being used for besides annotation while reading.
“It’s not what you want; it’s what you are using,” he said.
Nineteen HMS teachers out of 32 indicated in a survey PDF annotation was important to students mastering learning objectives.
Board member Luke Oborny suggested staff email teachers to gather more information about how the touchscreens are being used in their classrooms.
Scott Summers, technology director, said teachers provide worksheets to students via their tablets, and they use the touchscreen to write with a stylus or draw with their finger to complete those assignments. The teachers then use the touchscreens to grade the worksheets.
Superintendent John Thissen also said during an Eagle Morning Show interview Tuesday, teachers use a variety of free educational game apps that are touchscreen based.
The technology committee checked with other similar-sized schools to see what type of devices they were using.
Board member Lance Bickle noted 15 of 23 of the schools were using Chromebooks.
“If there was a big price discrepancy or a difference in there … We are not the only district that struggles with cost. I’m just curious of what they are doing differently that we are not seeing,” he said.
Bickle added, “At the end of the day, I am merely looking at this from a cost standpoint. That is the biggest part I have struggled with, especially seeing this list. I know that most of these other districts are not using touch. I am just trying to see how they are getting around it. I am sure there are advantages and pros and cons each way. I don’t know what those are.”
Bickle also questioned if district needed video editing software on all of the devices in the school. The editing software is included on the iPads but would have to purchased for the Chromebooks.
Board member Greg Schwartz said he thought the district is spending too much from the capital outlay budget on technology.
“In the time we have started the one-to-one initiative at the high school to now, I think we have spent probably between $15 to $20 million on technology. All of it is coming out of the capital outlay fund. The next item on our agenda is to look at the bond issue. If I am right and it is $20 million, that’s an elementary school.
“You could have had an elementary school that is still here and around as we are seeing most of our stuff last three years and it is worth between $10 and $60. It really has zero value. There were educational uses for that, and hopefully the students learned and got some benefits back out of that, but I am still waiting for that study that definitively shows our investment in technology is paying back dividends.”
Schwartz also questioned if other districts were paying for their technology out of capital outlay.
The board is set to reconsider the computer purchase at its March 25 meeting.
Jeanna Wellbrock talks about her son 3-year-old Matthew, who was killed in a tragic accident in 2016. She is accompanied by her husband Curtis, sons Christian, Levin and Lucas and daughters Ann and Elizabeth.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
A tragedy for a Victoria family has led to what they hope will be a blessing for others.
On Sept. 11, 2016, 3-year-old Matthew Wellbrock was injured in a tragic accident at his family’s home.
On the day of Matthew’s accident, Curtis, Matthew’s father, was mowing. Matthew loved everything to do to with gardening and farming and he loved to be with his dad, Matthew’s mother, Jeanna said.
Matthew Wellbrock
Matthew escaped from lunch and snuck outside. Jeanna called to her husband to send Matthew back in the house. Matthew tried to come in through the garage.
“We will never know exactly what happened that day. Curt came in about 15 minutes later and asked where Matthew was. I had assumed that he had convinced Curt to let him stay with him,” Jeanna said. “Curt immediately went to the garage and found him trapped between the tailgate of the truck and the garage door. How it happened is anyone’s guess.”
The couple called 911 and started CPR. Victoria first responders quickly filled the home.
Matthew was taken to HaysMed and then flown to Wichita for further treatment.
Matthew’s parents refused to leave Matthew’s side while he was in the hospital in Wichita. A fellow Norwex consultant, who was also an EMT, showed up at the hospital with a bag of random items.
“Such things as toothbrushes, which I greatly appreciated after not brushing my teeth for more than 24 hours, water bottles snacks and other random things,” Jeanna said. “We had thrown some things in a bag before we took off, but we hadn’t taken our suitcases into the hospital. That bag had every necessity we needed, and it was a huge blessing.
Items that will be included in Matthew’s Gift bags for families faced with medical emergencies at HaysMed.
“Although we did not have the ending that we hoped and prayed for, we have been able to continue to see the blessings we have been given from the first responders, the staff at HaysMed, Dr. Pope, who came in in her running clothes and had to identify herself to the ER nurses, EagleMed team, doctors and nurses in Wichita, our family and our friends. We have been blessed.”
In Matthew’s memory, Wonder Woman League, HaysMed and the Wellbrocks in cooperation with other sponsors have created a program in which other loved ones who are facing medical emergencies will receive the same bags of blessings the Wellbrocks received in the hospital when Matthew was injured.
The bags, which have been named Matthew’s Gift, will include snacks, basic toiletries, a deck of playing cards, a throw blanket, water, a gas card and other items a family might need.
“Because Matthew loved life and lived it with his whole being every day, when we were approached about this project, we wanted to team up with Wonder Women League, HaysMed as well as all the other generous sponsors to provide families and loved ones with loved ones being flown out with a bag that has the basic necessities in it,” Jeanna said.
Jeanna, surrounded by her husband and five other children, thanked the Wonder Woman League for allowing her family to share Matthew’s memory in a meaningful way.
“Matthew’s Gift is a way we can continue to honor all that Matthew gave us in his three and half short years,” Jeanna said.
HaysMed transfers between six and 10 patients a month out of its emergency department to other hospitals, said Terry Siek, HaysMed chief of nursing.
“When we heard the story and heard the part that we are not filling, which is how can we help someone who is in that situation and they don’t really have time to think or really do anything, they just need to grab and go. This is something we felt very important to work with,” he said.
He said one of the goals of HaysMed this year is to give back to the community and support volunteerism.
Other sponsors for Matthew’s Gift include D & L Bodyshop (Curtis and Jeanna Wellbrock), Hays Medical Center Foundation, Karst Water Well Drilling & Service, Jeter Law Firm, Victoria Knights of Columbus—Council 1867, First Kansas Bank, Five Star Auto Repair & Towing, Hamlin Creative Consulting, Kiwanis—Hays, ServiceMaster of Hays, State Farm Insurance-Wayne Voss, Walmart Supercenter of Hays, Golden Plains Credit Union and Werth Wealth Management.
The Wonder Women League is a comprised of women celebrating the power and influence to bring about positive change in the community through philanthropy and service. It operates under the umbrella of the United Way of Ellis County.
Other projects the group has worked on in its first year include the Born Learning Trail at Sunrise Park in Hays with partners Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball, a self-defense course, and cyber safety education at Hays USD 489 elementary schools.
The organization is accepting members. Donations made to the group are used for the health and betterment of children, families, community and neighborhoods.
The annual Power of the Purse fundraiser for the Wonder Women League will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Smoky Hill Country Club. Enjoy dinner with a purse auction and drawing for your opportunity to win handbags with extra goodies inside. Tickets are $40 and go on sale Friday. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20. Seating is limited.
SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.
Mora -photo Sedgwick Co.
Just after 8:30p.m. February 6, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the Genesis Health Club parking lot in the 3700 Block of East 13th Street North, according to officer Paul Cruz.
A citizen discovered an injured victim and provided aid until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced the victim dead just before 9p.m., according to Cruz.
Investigators determined the victim identified as 22-year-old Lorenzo Wade of Wichita died from several gunshot wounds
Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH
On Tuesday night, police arrested 25-year-old Tanner Mora on a charge of first-degree , according to police captain Brent Allred. Authorities are expected to interview others in connection with the shooting as they continue their investigation, according to Allred.
I love how our spirit of innovation combines education with service to our communities! It is especially gratifying when community partners join us to accomplish goals of education, access, opportunity and service.
I have written previously about several of our community-based partnerships, as we are so proud of our faculty and students and how they positively contribute to Western Kansas communities. In fact, over the past couple of weeks, Dr. Tim Davis, chair of the Department of Social Work, and I have been visiting with legislators about furthering the work we are accomplishing in addressing the state’s need for social workers – especially in Western Kansas. Did you know that only 11 percent of the state’s Licensed Bachelor’s Social Workers and Licensed Addiction Counselors live and work in Western Kansas?
One of the key aspects our faculty realized early on is that if we were going to make an impact on social worker needs in Western Kansas, we could not wait for students to come to us. Boldly, we would go to them.
So in 2006, we partnered with Garden City Community College to address a severe shortage of licensed social workers in Southwest Kansas. The solution was a partnership between the state’s AccessUS program through the Kansas Board of Regents, Garden City Community College and our Department of Social Work. Students who were committed to their home communities could gain their associate degrees through Garden City Community College and then, without leaving their homes, enter into the three-year social work cohort program and gain the credentials needed to seek licensure.
A cohort is a group of students who enter the program together and stay for the three-year course of education. Classes are taught by FHSU faculty at the local community college. Dr. Davis said the model has proven successful in Southwest Kansas, noting in a recent story that, “The first three Garden City cohorts graduated 30 Bachelor of Social Work students, the majority of whom have remained in Finney County to practice. These students now make up over half of the Licensed Bachelor’s Social Workers in the county.”
The program later expanded to Dodge City, and Dr. Davis said the cohort scheduled to graduate there this year has 13 students. If all finish, it will double the number of LBSWs in Ford County.
Social workers perform valuable services in their communities. They work in child and family service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals and health care agencies, schools, nursing homes, social service agencies, addiction treatment centers, the courts and more. The services they provide, as it says on the FHSU Social Work website, help “people cope with complex interpersonal and social problems and assist in obtaining resources.”
The program also expanded into Seward County, Dr. Davis said, because local child welfare agencies could not fill open professional positions. The eight in the cohort there will more than double the number of the county’s licensed social workers.
Northwest Kansas also needs many more social workers than it has available. By Dr. Davis’s count, the 26 Northwest Kansas counties that the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan considers its service area – stretching from Saline County in the southeast to Cheyenne County in the northwest – have a total of 166 licensed, bachelor’s level social workers, but 92 of them are in Ellis and Saline counties. Five of these counties have none, 16 have three or less.
But the AccessUS program was created by the Kansas Legislature to expand educational opportunity only in Southwest Kansas. The fund helps pay for the added costs that come with offering an entire educational program at a distance, and not only does it pay for certain administrative costs, but it also provides for student scholarships.
Absent additional legislative funding, Dr. Davis and the department sought other partners. The Hansen Foundation stepped in. A $95,000 grant will fund expansion of the program to Colby and Colby Community College this fall and, with the assistance of Valley Hope Inc. and the CCC outreach center, to Norton as well.
Two more communities and faculty with a vision to further serve the needs of Western Kansas – that is impact. That is evidence of a culture of thinking out of the box. We understand that our success is the community’s success and the region’s success. This is a great example of reshaping education and opportunity in new and creative ways to prepare students for the future and communities for success.
At Fort Hays State, we say that our personality as an institution and as people is one of innovation, hard work, dedication, and caring about others, seeking ways to help them succeed. In many ways, the same can be said about Western Kansas – the values of one reflect the other, and each is willing to invest its energy and creativity in the common goal of preparing people for successful lives and making the world better.
James “Jim” Harrell Morelock was born to Cecil and Ruby Morelock on November 6, 1935, in Little Rock, Arkansas and died on February 20, 2019 at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas.
Jim and Ruth (Gayle) Morelock were married for 37 years before her death. Through this union, the couple had 3 children; Tim, Tom and Traci.
As a young man, Jim attended Kansas State University on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Washburn University to finish his Bachelor’s Degree. After school, Jim, a reservist in the Army, served as a tank driver and Sergeant First Class during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military stint, Jim worked in the insurance industry for 36 years, with most of his service spent as a Regional Sales and Marketing Manager. His agents expressed respect for his honest and fair practices.
Jim and Lois met, after the death of their spouses, and were married on January 1, 1995. They spent the next 24 years enjoying time with family, traveling to various parts of the country and overseas. Jim was particularly fond of his visit to Normandy with his 2 sons and granddaughter, Megan. Jim also enjoyed time spent fishing, reading and discussing history. Those who knew him best can recount the wide array of stories he could bring to any conversation.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents; his first wife Ruth, and brothers Charles and Paul. Surviving him is his wife Lois Johnson-Morelock, of McDonald; sisters Mary Sylvis, of Riverview, FL and Shirley Woods, of Overbrook; son, Tim Morelock, of Topeka and daughters, Megan (Tyler) Pfannenstiel, of Hays and Madalyn Morelock, of Manhattan; son, Tom (Kristi) Morelock, of Kansas City, MO; daughter Traci Coulson, of Larned and daughter Kala (Steven) Schroer, of Larned; daughter Brooke Coulson, of Larned, son Trevor Coulson, of Larned and son Logan Coulson, of Larned; step-daughter Patti (Dexter) Leach, of Bird City, and daughter Kandi (Michael) Moore, of Fountain, CO, daughter Kalisa (Patrick) Buell, of Centennial, CO and daughter Leann (Phillip) DeLong, of Stillwater, OK; step-son Ray Dean (Edie) Johnson, of Cimarron and son Scott (Brittany) Johnson, of Craig, CO and daughter Laura Johnson, of Dodge City; step-daughter Peggy (Wayne) Sager, of Salina and son Garrett Sager, of Houston, TX, daughter Courtney (Jordan) Huggans, of Salina and son Kyler Sager, of Salina; and step-son Gary (Lisa) Johnson, of Goddard and daughter Jordann (Tom) Sewell, of Mayetta and son Jon (Jess) Johnson, of Colwich. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at the McDonald Federated Church on Saturday, March 2nd at 10:00am. Interment to follow at the McDonald Grace Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the McDonald Legion Hall through Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Melissa Joan Therese (Morgan) Conaway, 39, of Athol, Kansas, was born in Aurora, Colorado to Daniel and Denise (Lyon) Mannion. Departed from this life to the next, February 23rd, 2019 in her home in Athol, Kansas.
Melissa attended Smith Center High School in Smith Center, Kansas. On January 10, 1998, she was blessed with a daughter, Taylor Rain Morgan (Massey). Short five years later in 2003, she was blessed with another daughter, Bayleigh Blaise Morgan. While raising two young daughters, she worked and cared for her Uncle Melvin Lyon and his wife, Lois.
On March 17, 2006, Melissa married the love of her life, Gregory Paul Conaway. To this union two children (twins) were born January 15, 2007, MacKenna Loren and Cort Kean Conaway. Melissa marrying Greg also brought two other children to the family, Brody Paul Conaway and Brandi Jo Conaway; making the family complete.
Melissa is preceded in death by, Grandfather, Elvin (Jiggs) Lyon; Aunt, Linda Lyon; Grandmother, Joan Mannion; and Uncle Shannon Mannion; and numerous other loved ones.
Melissa is survived by: her loving husband, Gregory; Children: Bayleigh Morgan, MacKenna Conaway, and Cort Conaway of the home. Daughter Taylor Massey and husband Clifford, of Phillipsburg, KS; Brody and Lauren, children Addison and Lily, of Hays, KS; Brandi and Neil, children Ian and baby Ella Mae, of Fort Scott, KS; Parents Daniel and Denise Mannion of Kensington, KS. Siblings, Jesse Morgan, John (Jennifer)Morgan, Gina (John) Long all of Smith Center Ks. and Jake and wife, Alexis Mannion, of Wichita, KS. And many dearly loved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Melissa was a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter. She will be greatly missed by many. One of her greatest accomplishments was being a mother. She loved each and every one of her kids with a great passion.
Services are private. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family of Melissa Joan Conaway.
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have investigated a report of an attempted child abduction with a firearm within the city of Saint Mary’s. Kansas.
On Monday, Saint Marys Police investigated a reported child abduction which was said to have occurred in the area of US Highway 24 and Grand Ave. Given apparently credible information at the time, and airing on the side of caution, the police department immediately issued a statement with the information given by the child victim.
The subsequent investigation involved several neighborhood sweeps by officers who thoroughly searched the area the child was reported to have been taken. It also involved interviews with neighbors in that area, and the review of hours of video surveillance from local businesses.
Several tips were also followed up upon and evidence processed in an effort to identify a potential suspect or corroborate the victim’s report.
Neighbors who lived and worked in the area of the reported abduction, who would have been present to witness the incident, did not see the reported incident take place.
This was further corroborated by video surveillance footage from local businesses. As the canvass continued, it was also apparent the crime scene as reported by the child did not match his report of the incident.
Saint Mary’s Police met with the family of the child and presented their findings. The family spoke with their child at which point the child admitted the incident had been fabricated. The child had not been in any danger by an armed suspect nor was any attempt made at abducting him. The child is safe. Authorities have not identified the child.
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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of an attempted child abduction with a firearm within the city of Saint Mary’s. Kansas.
The incident is reported to have occurred between 3:40 and 4:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Highway 24 and Grand Avenue, according to a social media report from Saint Mary’s Police.
Photo is reference only and not the actual vehicle, according to St. Mary’s Police
The victim reported he was approached by a possible red 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, lower tan trim, Dent on driver’s side rear door, and Scratches down the driver’s side.
The driver and only occupant of the vehicle; a Black Male, approx 40-50 years old, 5-foot-4, Medium Build, Long hair, Devil/Demon tattoo on right forearm, Black coat, Black pants, No facial hair and Red Bandanna around his neck, reportedly brandished a handgun and ordered the victim into his vehicle. The suspect then drove the vehicle and parked in the area south of the city of St. Mary’s.
The victim managed to escape from the suspect, ran to a nearby home for assistance and is safe. Officers immediately canvassed the area but were unable to locate the unknown suspect who fled the area in an unknown direction.
Anyone with information about this incident is encourage to contact the Saint Mary’s Police Department or the Pottawatomie Sheriffs Office.
Talented. Phenomenal. One in a million. These are the words used by the people who work and learn from the seven teachers chosen as the 2019 Kansas Master Teachers, announced today:
• Paula Barr, Second-Grade Teacher at Quail Run Elementary School in USD 497 Lawrence;
• Dedra Braxmeyer, Mathematics Teacher at Manhattan High School in USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden; • Laura Gaughan, Elementary Reading Specialist at O’Loughlin Elementary School in USD 489 Hays;
• Michelle Hilliard, Mathematics Teacher at Complete High School in USD 266 Maize;
• Lisa Jarvis, English Language Arts Teacher at Council Grove Junior-Senior High School in USD 417 Morris County;
• Carolynn Phalen, First-Grade Teacher at Grace E. Stewart Elementary School in USD 305 Salina
• Linda Vena, Elementary Reading Specialist at Mission Trail Elementary School in USD 229 Blue Valley.
The 2019 master teachers represent 180 years of classroom experience.
Through the support of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, each Master Teacher will be presented with a check for $1000.
The recipients were selected by a nine-member committee including representatives from the Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals, Kansas Parent Teacher Organization, Kansas National Education Association, ESU’s Kappa Delta Pi student organization, and representatives of the 2018 Kansas Master Teacher class.
The 2019 Master Teachers will be honored on Master Teacher Day to be held Wednesday, April 3 at Emporia State University. On that day, as part of several recognition activities, the teachers will present a seminar at 2:30 p.m. in the W.S. and E.C. Jones Conference Center in Visser Hall. The teachers will then be honored during a social hour at 5:45 p.m. in Webb Hall Lobby of Emporia State’s Memorial Union followed by the banquet and award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Webb Hall.
Tickets for the dinner cost $20, and reservations are required by Friday, March 22. For more information, see www.emporia.edu/teach/master/reservationform.html.
Emporia State established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession long and well, who also typify the outstanding qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers. Information on the 65 years of educators named Kansas Master Teachers is available at www.emporia.edu/teach/master/past.html.
Since 1980, Bank of America has pledged more than $100,000 to permanently endow the Kansas Master Teacher awards. In 1984, the Black family of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, established an endowed chair for Kansas Master Teachers. The fund provides a stipend to bring two Master Teachers to Emporia State for several days. During this time, the teachers present to classes of education students.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday for the November 2017 murder of his girlfriend.
Suiter -photo Sedgwick Co.
According to a statement from the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office, 34-year-old Aaron Ray Suiter will spend the next 226 months in prison for the death of 25-year-old Bryena Mcqitty.
On a Sunday morning in November of 2017, police responded to an unknown call for EMS at a residence in the 800 block of north Litchfield in Wichita, according to Lt. Todd Ojile.
Upon arrival officers located Mcqitty, a resident of the home who was unresponsive.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators did find trauma on the victim, according to Ojile.
Police on the scene of Sunday homicide investigation -photo courtesy KWCH
Investigators interviewed the Mcquitty’s boyfriend identified as Aaron Suiter and her roommate.
The investigation revealed the Mcqitty and Suiter had come home early Sunday and had a loud, verbal argument, according to Ojile. “At some point during or just after the argument the woman was struck and killed.”
If the district could pass just a small bond, it would free up money in the capital outlay budget for other needs in the district, Hays USD 489 Superintendent John Thissen told the school board at its meeting Monday night.
The plan would allow the district to close Lincoln Elementary School, which is more than 90 years old and has significant infrastructure issues.
“The question is could this set the stage for some possibilities in the future?” Thissen said.
The heating and cooling systems at both Roosevelt and HHS need to be addressed very soon, Thissen said. If those projects were paid for through a bond, money dedicated to those projects in the current capital improvement plan could go to repairs that are needed at Wilson and O’Loughlin elementary schools.
“If you were able to walk away from another building, not just what has already happened with Washington and Munjor, but also walk away from Lincoln Elementary,” Thissen said, “once again you have buildings that have existing needs and you would be able to say we are not going to put money into those buildings and that money can be redirected.”
Thissen said the district could propose a bond just to make repairs, but it could end up investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into buildings the district ends up walking away from in just a few years.
“There are times when you live in a home long enough that you end up saying, ‘Is it worth the money to dump money into it or do you look for a new home?” he said.
Thissen said this plan does make repairs, but it takes the district one step forward toward the future with the expansion at Roosevelt.
Board member Paul Adams said he wanted to know what projects the district could do if it could redirect the approximately $6.7 million that had been budgeted for repairs of the HVAC system at HHS, as well as what could be done if repairs at Roosevelt were rolled into a bond.
“You are right,” Adams said to Thissen. “It is not just this work, but the work to the whole physical plant of the district. But I don’t really have a good sense of what that looks like. That comes back to some of what we have talked about — what’s our long-range planning?”
In November 2016, the board considered hiring a firm to complete a long-range facilities plan. However, the board decided not to move forward with that contract. Thissen said the board could revisit hiring a firm to do a long-range facilities plan.
However, a long-range plan would have to be altered if the district had a catastrophic failure in one of its systems, for example the HVAC at Roosevelt.
Adams said this latest proposal takes care of some of the district’s highest priority needs.
“Whether we move things around or do something with another building, we have to take care of the physical building we now call the high school. We have to get the HVAC. We need to take care of the needs at Roosevelt and repair it. The plan in place looks good, just also give me an idea of where we will realize the money we would have put to the high school. … You’re not just doing one project. That vote is actually several projects.”
Board member Mandy Fox said she would to like the same information on long-range capital improvements. She said she thought the next step is to present the project to voters to get their feedback.
Board member Lance Bickle wanted to make sure any bond proposal would keep the cost within what surveys have said voters are willing to pay per month in a tax increase. He also noted voters have indicated they want a much shorter term than the 30-year bond that was proposed in the last bond issue.
Board member Greg Schwartz said he did not support the plan. He said he did not think it fit with the concept the board had discussed seven months ago that would have reduced the number of elementary schools from four to two. He said he wanted to know more about the cost savings that could be achieved by consolidating into two elementary schools.
“I think throwing out bonds without a plan, we are going to get the same results we have always gotten,” Schwartz said.
Thissen said there are districts that do 20-year plans, but they are usually large districts that are growing. Smaller districts, such as Hays, typically complete projects as they can.
“The issue of putting together a big plan is fantastic,” he said, “but, at some particular point, some people are going to have to start.”
The board is not scheduled to discuss the bond again until late March or early April.
In other business, the board:
• Designated board members Mike Walker and Lance Bickle and Interim Director of Finance Keith Hall as agents for teacher negotiations with board member Sophia Rose Young as an alternate.
• Adopted the five-year capital outlay resolution. The levy will remain at 8 mills.
• Approved administrative contracts for building level administrators
Marilyn J. (Davis) Harless, 88, passed away on Friday, February 22 at Ness County Hospital, Ness City. She was born on January 28, 1931 in Ness City to Marshall and Jane (Goodfellow) Davis.
