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Month: February 2019

Woman critically burned after fire at home in Salina

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The house at 319 N. 11th on Tuesday afternoon. Salina Post photo

Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY — One person was critically injured in a Monday night fire in Salina.

Just after 9:30p.m., crews responded to the fire at a home in the 300 Block of North 11thStreet in Salina, according to Fire Investigator Jeff Daily. One of two residents were home at the time. Denise Johnson was able to escape the fire through a window.

EMS transported her to Salina Regional Health Center with significant burns. She was later transferred to a Wichita hospital, according to Daily.

Daily said that although the house remains structurally sound, it was severely damaged.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and probably won’t be until investigators are able to speak with Johnson. The other resident of the home was at work at the time of the fire.

Mary G. (Juenemann) Braden

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Mary G. (Juenemann) Braden, age 67, of Hays, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. She was born May 1, 1951 near Rexford, Kansas on the family farm to August John “Gus” and Estella (Moellering) Juenemann.

She married Leo A. Wildeman November 21, 1970 in Selden, Kansas. Of this union were born two children, Sean L. Wildemann and Jodi L. Wildeman. They lived in Quinter, Kansas until February 1974 when they moved to Oberlin, Kansas. They divorced in 1986. Leo died on June 15, 2000. She married Randall C. Braden on April 29, 2000 in Hays.

Mary was active in the church using her music and leadership abilities. She moved from Oberlin in 1987 to Hays. There she worked full time and attended fort Hays State University and graduated in May 1992. She was a Compeer volunteer and promoted the Hays Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society. She co-founded SOS a breast cancer survivor support group and Your Voice Through Cancer a stage 4 cancer support group. Mary worked for Fort Hays State University and the State of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation services for a total of 23 years.

Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Sean Wildeman and wife Jenelle of Vancouver, Washington; a daughter, Jodi Schumacher and husband Brian of Pratt, Kansas; step children, Scott Braden of Ottawa, Kansas, Stewart Braden of Yates Center, Kansas, Catherine Faimon and husband Chris of Burlington, Kansas, and Lori Schmidt and husband Andrew of Elizabeth, Colorado; seven grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Miller of Wichita, Kansas and two brothers, Roy Juenemann of Wichita and Gerard “Jerry” Juenemann of Olathe, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jim and Jack Juenemann.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorial visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined parish vigil service and rosary at 7 PM. All at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Kansas registered offender caught with drugs, stolen gun

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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an other Kansas felon on new charges.

Grayson -photo KBI registered offender
Grayson -is in custody in Shawnee Co.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Monday, police conducted a suspicious vehicle stop in the 700 block of SW Fairlawn in Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

During the investigation, officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle yielded marijuana, methamphetamines, heroin and a stolen firearm.

Officers transported Kourtney Grayson, 37, to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Stolen Property and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

He has previous convictions for aggravated endangerment of a child, criminal discharge of a firearm and two violations of the Kansas registered offender act, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

This is the 14th case in 2019 with a charge involving a felon in possession of a firearm reported by the Topeka Police Department.

Mister Rogers doc ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ will air on SHPTV

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BUNKER HILL – “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” the acclaimed documentary from Morgan Neville, is scheduled to air on SHPTV Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. The PBS broadcast will coincide with the film’s debut on HBO.

The documentary takes a look at America’s favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers. It tells the story of a soft-spoken minister, puppeteer, writer and producer whose show was beamed daily into homes across America for more than 30 years. In his beloved television program, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” Rogers and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before, and there hasn’t been since.

Fred Rogers’ career represented a sustained attempt to present a coherent, beneficent view of how television could be used as a positive force in society. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” explores his legacy, focusing on his radically kind ideas. While the nation changed around him, Rogers stood firm in his belief about the importance of protecting childhood. This intimate portrait goes beyond zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.

Since its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018, the film has become the top-grossing biographical documentary of all time, earning more than $22 million at the domestic box office. It received three Documentary Critic’s Choice Awards, including Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Editing, as well as the Audience Award at the IFP Gotham Awards. Neville’s film is also nominated for the IDA Documentary Award for Best Documentary, five Cinema Eye Honors, including Best Documentary, the Producers Guild of America award for Best Documentary Motion Picture and the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary.

For a DVD of this documentary and other Mister Rogers merchandise visit our website at www.shptv.org or call 800.337.4788.

Gertrude ‘Trudy’ Strong

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Gertrude “Trudy” Strong, 73, died Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore, Kansas. She was born June 25, 1945 in Garden City, Kansas the daughter of Claude & Mildred (Stebens) Irsik.

Trudy has lived most of her life in the Garden City and Holcomb area. She attended Holcomb schools and graduated from Holcomb High School. On July 6, 1964, she married Jerry M. Strong, Sr. in Garden City. Trudy was a homemaker, but in her early years, she worked at Woolworth’s and St. Catherine Hospital. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, taking care of kids, crossword puzzles, spending time at the library, and volunteering at the voting booths during elections.

Survivors include 3 sons Jeffrey A. Strong of Flippin, Arkansas, Jerry M. Strong, Jr. of Garden City, & Jerome W. Strong of Garden City; 4 daughters Annette R. Geier of Jetmore, Kansas, Laurie Fry of Garden City, Michele Strong of Garden City, & Tracie Waterhouse of Jetmore, Kansas; 27 Grandchildren; and 28 Great-Grandchildren. Trudy is preceded in death by her husband Jerry who died on April 27, 2012. She is also preceded in death by her parents, a brother Thomas G. Irsik; a sister Kathleen Wayman; and 2 Grandsons Sean Strong and Benjamin Gaines.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City with Eddie Labrier officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9:00 a.mt. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday all at Garnand Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials given to the Trudy Strong Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. The family will be gathering at 11th and Jones Ave. following the graveside service for a reception.

Kansas spent at least $414,000 repairing prisons after riots

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas says it spent at least $414,000 repairing damage and replacing equipment after inmate riots at three of its prisons in 2017 and 2018.

Damage at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in 2018-photos courtesy Cheryl Cadue Kansas Department of Corrections

The figures represent the first attempt by the state Department of Corrections to calculate for legislators the cost of the damage caused by four major disturbances. Several lawmakers said Tuesday that they were surprised the figure was so large.

But corrections officials said their calculations are probably low because they don’t have complete estimates of what the prisons spent on overtime or what it cost to bring in teams from other facilities.

The riots occurred at the state prison in El Dorado in June 2017 and July 2018, at its prison in Norton in September 2017 and at its correctional mental health center in November 2018.

🎥 Money back rebates available in water conservation program

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By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

With the third wettest year just locked into the Hays record books, and the Kansas Water Office declaring the entire state drought free for the first time since June 2017, water conservation may be the furthest thing from your mind.

But smart water use is always at the forefront of daily life in western Kansas, where drought is a persistent threat.

Of the 34 Kansas counties that have a population of more than 15,000 people, 33 counties either sit atop a major aquifer or are east of Highway 81/Interstate 135 where there is reliable surface water flow.

Ellis County is that 34th county and does not have an adequate local water supply.

A conservation plan was implemented in 1992. In 1994, the R9 Ranch in Edwards County was purchased by the cities of Hays and Russell as a regional longterm water supply source. In 2015, Hays city commissioners voted to begin pursuing the regulatory process to move the water it owns, along with Russell, from the R9 north to the Schoenchen water wellfield south of Hays.

The city of Hays continues to offer water conservation rebates and giveaway programs for residents and businesses, as Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist, explains.

  • High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program – Rebates from $50 to $150 are available for replacing an old inefficient toilet with a new high efficient model. The fewer gallons used per flush (GPF) the higher the rebate.
  • High Efficient Clothes Washer Rebate Program – $100 rebate available for replacing an old washing machine with a high efficiency model with an integrated water factor (IWF) of 3.7 or less to qualify.
  • Efficient Showerheads and Faucet Aerators – Available at City Hall Finance Office, 1507 Main; Aerators are free. Seven types of shower heads with 3 models free with exchange of old showerhead and 4 models can be purchased for $5 with exchange of old showerhead.
  • Turf Conversion Rebate – Up to $1,500 per property available for converting cool season turf (i.e. tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass) to warm season turf (i.e. buffalograss or bermudagrass) or water conserving landscaping; Pre- and post-inspections required to qualify.

“Don’t wait to the next drought,” Dickman encouraged property owners. “Take advantage of the good soil moisture we have now to convert to a more drought tolerant landscaping in the coming growing season.”

Rebate details and forms are available at www.watersmarthays.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Kansas home a total loss after early morning fire

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Four residents of a Kansas home were able to escape a Tuesday morning house fire in rural Pottawatomie County.

Tuesday morning fire in rural Pottawatomie County -photo by By Alyssa Willetts courtesy WIBW TV

Just after 3a.m., crews responded to the fire at a rural two-story home in the 23,100 Block of Spring Creek Road north of Westmoreland, according to Fire Supervisor Jared Barnes.

The home is considered a total loss. Due to the extensive damage, officials are unable to confirm the cause of the blaze, according to Barnes.

Crews from Westmoreland, Oldsburg, and Wheaton responded to the scene along with the Red Cross.

The home’s smoke alarms were working, according to Barnes. There were no injuries reported and the family’s pets also survived.

HaysMed adds audiologist, advanced practice provider to ENT clinic

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Stephenson

The Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, welcomes Lindsey Stephenson, Audiologist and Rhonda Schenk-Pitts, APRN, FNP-BC to the staff. They join Drs. Douglas E. Barnes, Justin R. Bond, MD, FACS, Michael Franklin, Matthew D. Glynn, Tyler Grindal, Scot Hirschi, Robert V. Lane and Jason A. Meyers at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic at HaysMed.

Stephenson graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center with a doctorate in audiology.

“We are very happy to be able to add audiology services to our ENT clinic,” said Jay Moore, Executive Director of Clinics. “The clinic has been very successful and we are always pleased when we can expand and provide a much needed service to our patients.”

Schenk-Pitts

Schenk-Pitts completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and also her Master of Science in Nursing at Fort Hays State University. She specialized in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration.

“We are pleased to have Schenk-Pitts join the ENT staff,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer at HaysMed. “This will allow us to see more patients on a regular basis in the clinic.”

Nominations open for Russell County Volunteer of the Year

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RUSSELL COUNTY – Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management and 911 Communications Advisory Board are once again requesting nominations for the Volunteer/Emergency Worker of the year.

This is your opportunity to recognize and honor an emergency worker/volunteer for their dedication and service to our communities and county. There are many volunteers and emergency workers in Russell County who deserve this award and we would like to know your opinion, so we may award a deserving candidate or candidates. Even if you have nominated someone in the past, that person can be nominated again for consideration.

The formal rules are that the person should serve or support the Russell County Emergency Services. The person can be a member of a police, fire, sheriff, EMS, hospital, health, dispatch, wildlife and parks or public works departments. Consideration is also given to volunteers who support any of these agencies or who volunteers for groups/agencies that support the emergency services such as Rotary Rescue, The Salvation Army, United Way, the American Red Cross or other volunteer organizations active in disasters.

The nominations will be considered and evaluated by the 911 Communications Advisory Board. The board will render a decision on the best entry.

The winner or winners will be presented a Public Service Award Certificate during the National Weather Service “Storm Fury On The Plains” Weather Spotter Training on Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. at the Dream Theater in Russell.

Last year Russell County recognized Gary Blundon and Dale Weimaster as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year.

The first recipients of this award were Wayne Grabbe and Gordon Gorton in 1998, Cindy Janssen in 1999, Alan Kuntzsch in 2000, Mike Finkenbinder in 2001, Tim Borders in 2002, Craig Langdon and Karl Houck in 2003, Steve Knopp in 2004, Gail Ogle in 2005, Tom Hirst and Lowell Vonada in 2006, Rod Steckel in 2007, Ron Major, Donna Fay Major and Tom Batt in 2008, David Evans in 2009, Larry Vaughan in 2010, Doug Janssen and Darlene Rose in 2011, Keith Koelling in 2012, Sam Schmidt in 2013, Don Boxberger in 2014, Shane Preston in 2015, Dave Anderson in 2016 and Glen Blundon, Chris Pasek, Durk Wecker and Jack Brown in 2017.

There are many qualified and deserving emergency workers and volunteers in Russell County. Please write a nomination letter of endorsement and deliver it by 9:00 a.m. March 6th, 2019 to Deanise Howard at 911 Communications Dispatch Center, 133 West 8th Street, Russell, Kansas 67665 or to Keith Haberer at Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management, 850 Elm St., P.O. Box 158, Bunker Hill, Kansas 67626.

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