Month: March 2019
‘The Power of She’ to be presented Thursday at FHSU
Update: 1 dead, 1 wounded after shooting at Kansas grocery store
MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has identified the man suspected of shooting a coworker, and then fatally shooting himself, at the G&W Foods grocery store on Monday afternoon, in Cherryvale, Kan.
The suspected shooter has been identified as 28-year-old Jamal Brown of Independence.
The 39-year-old man shot by Brown was also from Independence. He remains hospitalized in Joplin, Mo., and his condition was upgraded to “fair.”
The KBI released no additional details Tuesday afternoon
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Cherryvale Police Department with an investigation into a shooting that occurred Monday afternoon at a grocery store in Cherryvale.
According to a media release, just after 3:30 p.m., Monday, the Cherryvale Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the report of a man with a gun in the G&W Foods grocery store. When they arrived at the store at 216 N. Liberty St., they learned the armed man was an employee who was holding a coworker in an office in the northwest area of the store. They began to quickly evacuate employees and customers.
Soon after, gunshots were heard from the office. As authorities entered the office, they witnessed the 28-year-old suspect shoot himself. They also located his 39-year-old coworker suffering from gunshot wounds.
The male victim was flown to a hospital in Joplin. He underwent surgery, and his condition is unknown at this time.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital where he was stablized and then flown to a Tulsa hospital. He later died from his injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.
Ellis Co. Joint Planning Commission will meet Wednesday
The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at 718 Main in the commission chambers.
Contact the Ellis County Zoning Office at 785-628-9449 for more information.
Goodland’s NWKTC Water Technology Farm Report and others now available
KWO
MANHATTAN – Technology and management tools keep evolving to help crop producers make every drop of water count on their fields.
Water Technology Farms, including the Northwest Kansas Technical College Water Technology Farm around Goodland, were developed four years ago as part of the Long-Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas. They began as three-year pilot public-private partnerships to demonstrate the latest in crop irrigation technology and water conservation research on the field scale.
“I’m pleased to see the growing interest in Water Technology Farms across the state,” said Kansas Water Office (KWO) Acting Director Earl Lewis. “We continue to see outcomes from these farms showing that water use reductions, coupled with irrigation technology adoption and water management improvements are leading to positive effects on the aquifer as well as the producer’s bottom line.”
Water Technology Farms have proven valuable in helping to expand the conversation and education of producers as well as decision makers on equipment and technology utilized in agricultural water conservation efforts.
“As one of the first three Tech Farms we have learned so much as far as water conservation production and how what we do affects the Ogallala Aquifer,” Dwane Roth, Garden City Company/Dwane Roth Farm near Holcomb. “A fifth generation Kansan recently said to me that western Kansas is different compared to other parts of the world – our water problems are solvable! I now ask with what we know, do we become resilient? And in doing so have vibrant local communities or do we become just another page in the history books? I say we become resilient.”
The 2018 Growing Season Report shares information about each of the 10 farms including the crop or crops grown, technology utilized to manage water application, as well as harvest data and sponsors of each location.
“My goal as a first year Water Technology Farm was to increase the bushels per inch of irrigation we produced,” said Matt Long of Long Water Technology Farm near Marienthal. “We really pushed our crop using different application technologies, soil moisture probes and a weather station to utilize our irrigation water efficiently which resulted in growing 34 bushels per inch of irrigation. As we start this spring with adequate profile moisture and more knowledge about the application technologies and soil probes, I am excited to see how much more progress we can achieve.”
It is anticipated up to five new farms will be added to the network in 2019, bringing the total number of Water Technology Farms up to 15 for the 2019 growing season. Field days and other informational events in conjunction with the Water Technology Farm Program will take place later this summer. For more information and the complete 2018 Growing Season Report, visit www.kwo.ks.gov
The Water Technology Farms would not be possible without key public-private partnerships. More than 80 companies and organizations support this effort and sponsors for each farm are on the Water Tech Farm pages on the KWO website.
For more information visit: www.kwo.ks.gov or contact Armando Zarco, Water Resource Planner at (620) 276-2901.
Eagle Communications collecting money for Nebraska flood victims
Hays Post
Eagle Communications is collecting monetary donations at its Kansas radio stations for victims of the catastrophic flooding in Nebraska.
Hays-area residents wishing to make a contribution may bring cash or checks to the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall Street, Hays.
Checks should be made out to the Nebraska Red Cross. Donations will be collected through April 4.
The Hays contribution will then be combined with those collected by Eagle Radio stations in Great Bend, Salina, Hutchinson, Manhattan and Junction City and will be distributed to the Nebraska Red Cross.
For more information, contact the Hays Eagle Media Center at 785-301-2211.
Disclosure: Eagle Communications is the parent company of Hays Post.
Kansas AG, Braun to host exhibit on the Magna Carta in Hays
Office of the Attorney General
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Chief Judge Glenn Braun will host a local display on the history of the Magna Carta – the 13th century document that set the course for democracy in England, and greatly influenced democracy in the United States.
The exhibit will be on display at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main St in Hays, from April 1 through noon on April 19. School classes, youth groups, civic clubs and members of the public are invited to visit the display during the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“While the Magna Carta began as a series of grievances from barons in medieval England, the fundamental rights that were laid out in that document were later echoed in our own Declaration of Independence, and have been symbolic of liberty and democracy,” Schmidt said. “I encourage civic clubs, educators and other interested citizens to use this opportunity to discuss our civic history and to engage in learning about the precious system of self-government we have inherited from those who came before.”
The Magna Carta has also had great influence on the development of laws.
“Winston Churchill once stated that the ‘Magna Carta provided a system of checks and balances which would accord the monarchy its necessary strength but would prevent its perversion by a tyrant or a fool,’” Chief Judge Braun said. “Our founding fathers in drafting the Constitution incorporated the same idea of checks and balances which preserves our liberties.”
Schmidt and Braun encourage all local residents, and particularly students, to visit the display and learn more about the Magna Carta’s legacy. Those interested in requesting a presentation may contact Hays Public Library Adult Services Manager Samantha Gill at 785-625-9014.
The exhibit was produced by the American Bar Association in honor of the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary in 2015. Although that anniversary has passed, the exhibit is on traveling display. More information about the display and the Magna Carta is available on the attorney general’s website at www.ag.ks.gov/magna-carta.
Kan. tax relief bill is down, but maybe not out, after governor’s veto
By STEPHEN KORANDA
Kansas News Service
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has sent a tax relief bill down in flames, taking her veto pen to the measure she says would wreck the state budget. But, as a priority for Republicans, it could remain in play for the rest of the legislative session and rise from the ashes.
Legislative estimates say the bill would keep the state from collecting about $500 million in taxes over three years. The tax breaks would primarily benefit multinational companies with operations in Kansas.
Forgoing the revenue, the governor said Monday, would hamper the state’s ability to reinvest in education, transportation and other services neglected in the wake of tax cuts signed by then-Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012.
“We simply cannot go backward now,” Kelly said after vetoing the bill. “We cannot fix our state if we repeat the mistakes of the past.”
The veto is Kelly’s first as governor, and it’s indicative of the rift between the Democratic leader of the state and the conservative Republicans who control the House and Senate. They immediately branded the veto as a tax increase and a broken campaign promise.
The whole debate started with the federal tax cut bill approved in 2017.
Republican lawmakers pushed for changes to state tax rules to allow Kansans to continue itemizing on their state returns even if they no longer do so on their federal returns because of larger standard deductions. The bill Kelly vetoed would have also freed Kansas businesses from owing state taxes on overseas income.
Republicans say the core issue is preventing a tax increase caused by the federal changes.
Lawmakers had also folded into the bill a 1 percentage point cut to the food sales tax. That’s a policy many politicians, including Kelly, favor.
“Governor Kelly’s campaign promises that she would decrease food sales taxes for hardworking Kansans are clearly little more than talking points,” House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins said in response to the veto.
Kelly said in her veto message that it’s irresponsible to cut taxes — even taxes on food — until the state’s fiscal health stabilizes.
The debate could be far from over. Republican Senate President Susan Wagle said she’d be conferring with leaders about when to attempt a veto override.
Monday afternoon, the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party was already working in support of that effort.
“I am calling on all legislative Republicans including those who did not originally vote for the bill to override her veto,” Chairman Mike Kuckelman said in a statement.
The Kansas GOP is also gathering donations for mailings attacking Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Dinah Sykes for voting against the tax relief package.
On its first trip through the Legislature, the measure secured 76 votes in the House and 24 in the Senate. An override requires support from 84 House members and 27 senators.
Democratic Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore suspects the uncertainty about the fiscal impact will keep lawmakers who opposed the bill initially from supporting an override.
“I feel relatively comfortable that they won’t be able to override it,” she said.
Still, parts of the bill could be resurrected as lawmakers pursue deals to fund schools and expand Medicaid.
“It is a possibility that we’ll get a bargaining chip,” Wagle said.
While Kelly said there’s no way she’d sign the full tax relief package in its current form, she indicated she could compromise on some pieces under the right circumstances.
“My door is always open. My mind is always open,” she said. “If I can be convinced that there’s something in here that’s good and worthwhile and won’t throw our budget into a tailspin, I’ll consider it.”
Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda.
Hays school board moves forward with capital projects
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board approved bids for roof repairs for Roosevelt Elementary School and Hays Middle School at its meeting Monday night.
The low bid for the Roosevelt project was $ 241,298 from High Plains Roofing of Hays. The low bid for the HMS project was $46,120 from Wray Roofing of Newton. The HMS project will repair a leak over the kitchen.
Bond
The board took no action toward a new bond proposal. However, the board agreed to meet in a special session to discuss long-range planning for infrastructure and possible bond options. A date for that meeting has yet to be set.
Other infrastructure projects
The board is looking at several other infrastructure projects, which it will likely vote on at its next meeting on April 8.
The board reviewed a plan to add secure entrances at Hays High School and HMS. The district has received more than $86,000 in grants for the project. This includes a state safe schools grant and a grant from the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence. The district’s portion of these projects is $16,693.
The district hopes to have the entrance projects completed this summer. The projects will funnel visitors through the schools’ offices after the start of the school day.
The board also reviewed bids for a project to pull wiring for new clock, phone and security camera systems at the high school. The low bid was from Nex-Tech for $129,337. The wiring project is set to be completed this summer. The clock system will be installed this summer, and the phone and security camera systems will be upgraded as funds are available.
Oak Park Medical Complex
Renovation work has begun on the Oak Park Medical Park. The former medical complex is being remodeled for use by Early Childhood Connections.
The board took a first look at a couple of issues related to this project Monday. The board will dissolve a condominium association associated with the complex. Bill Jeter, board attorney, said the association is no longer needed since the property is all under the ownership of the school district.
The board is also set to vote at its next meeting to move forward with an application for tax exempt status for the Oak Park property.
Coaches
The school board also officially accepted the resignations of three HHS head coaches at its meeting Monday night. John Hafliger, head HHS wrestling coach is resigning effective in May. Faith Schindler resigned as HHS head boys swim coach, and Rick Keltner, head HHS basketball coach is retiring at the end of the year after 34 years of service with USD 489. Longtime baseball coach Frank Leo also will be handing over the reins a the end of the baseball season.
SMITH CENTER – John Wayne Wiehl, age 70, of Smith Center, Kansas, was called home Sunday, March 24th, 2019.
John was born in Smith Center, to Carl and Valeria (Nedrow) Wiehl. He attended grade school in Portis, Kansas and graduated from Smith Center High School with the class of 1966. He later attended Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas. In 1969, John moved to Stockton, Kansas, when he accepted a position as a parts technician with an International Harvester dealer, Ostmeyers.
Later that year, John met his future wife Cheri Balderston. They were married on October 16th, 1971. They had three children, Travis, Torri and Traci. John’s work with International Harvester eventually took him to Hays, Kansas where he worked for Mid-West International. John and his family moved to Strasburg, Colorado in 1988. For 20+ years, he worked for Case Power and Equipment/Ellen Equipment. After they closed the doors, John spent the next 5 years working for Cummins Rocky Mountain Diesel. In 2016, he retired and moved back to his hometown in Smith Center, Kansas. John was a loyal, dedicated employee and was always known for his strong work ethic and giving his all to his employers.
One of John’s favorite pastimes was ‘cruisin’ in his Ford Mustang. He loved KU basketball, and fishing and hunting. But more than anything, spending time with his family. If you knew John, you loved John. He did not know a stranger and would do anything for anyone. John’s family was the most important part of his life. John will be remembered as a loving, giving, humble man. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. The best of the best.
John is survived by his wife, Cheri Wiehl, of 48 years. Three children, Travis (Pamela) Wiehl, Glendale, AZ. Daughter, Torri (Jason) Schultz, North Platte, NE. Daughter Traci Wiehl, Strasburg, CO. Grandson, Tyler (Naomi) Schultz of North Platte, NE. Granddaughter, Shelbi Smith, Strasburg, CO and great-granddaughter, Quinn Schultz, North Platte, NE. Brothers: Dwight (Gay) – Hutchinson, KS, Russell (Marcia) – Smith Center, KS, Randy (Mary) – Olathe, KS, Bryce, Smith Center, KS. Sisters: Dixie (Marlin) Brown – Wichita, KS, Della Ainsworth – Arvada, CO, Judy Joy – Smith Center, KS, Marge Gilpin – Russell, KS, Connie (Stan) Adams – Shawnee, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.
Click HERE for service details.
Team Defiance to host fundraiser for Cancer Council of Ellis County
Team Defiance, made up of Fort Hays State University Leadership students, is hosting an event for Cancer Council of Ellis County to help raise funds to give back to those who are and have been affected by cancer.
We will be hosting an event at Defiance Brewery, 2050 Old Highway 40, on Thu., April 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
During the event, snacks and live entertainment will be provided Kristi Gray of Radio Active, and we will be having a silent auction with numerous items donated to us from businesses in the Ellis County community.
During the event, we will be accepting monetary donations. With a donation of $50.00 or more, you will be given a ticket for a free beverage of your choice.
Attendees must be 21 or older.
We just wanted to share one of the gift baskets donated to us that will be auctioned off during our event in April! It was generously donated to us by the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market located in Downtown Hays!
We can’t wait to share with you the other items donated to us from our community!
Some of the items that we have already received include gift baskets ranging from $50-$100, two FHSU season football tickets with a signed football and FHSU gear ranging from $250-$300, and a multitude of gift cards!
For more information contact Cheyenne Harding at [email protected].
Sheriff makes 11 arrests during Barton Co. drug investigation
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have arrested eleven suspects on meth and other drug distribution after several weeks of investigation culminated in the execution of multiple search warrants on Monday in Barton County.
Just after 11’a.m., sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement personnel executed five search warrants at various locations in Barton County, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
Deputies executed search warrants at 512 E. 4th St. in Ellinwood, 1408 11th St. in Great Bend, 2015 Holland St. in Great Bend, 2501 Cheyenne Dr in Great Bend and 36 Kiowa Rd. just southeast of the Great Bend city limits.
Officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and at one location, a stolen firearm.
At 512 E. 4th Street in Ellinwood police arrested
Victoria Siefers, 24, for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was being held in the Barton County Jail on $2500 bond.
Eric Torres, 32, possession of methamphetamine and failed to register as drug offender. He was held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
At 1408 11th Street in Great Bend, police arrested Stephen Lee Contrerez II, 31, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Jennifer L Ogden, 33 – possession of methamphetamine possession of drug paraphernalia. Being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Paul D. Pryor, 41- distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, no drug tax stamp and possession of drug paraphernalia. Being held the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.
At 2501 Cheyenne in Great Bend deputies arrested Debra Holder, 35, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Jason Sohm, 41- possession of methamphetamine within intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia. Held in the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.
At 2015 Holland Street in Great Bend, police arrested Jennifer Hayes, 36- possession of methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp and distribution of methamphetamine. Being held the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.
At 36 Kiowa Road in Great Bend, deputies arrested Brent Bretz, 40 – distribution of methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp, criminal use of a weapon and possession of stolen firearm. Being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond; Beckie A. Eisenbarth, 44 – was arrested at 2423 Gano on three counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. She is being held on a $100,000.00 bond.
Jeremy Lamb, 35 – was arrested at 515 S. Bismark in Ellinwood. He has been charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine and no drug tax stamp. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000.00 bond.
This was the first phase of an ongoing operation, according to Bellendir.
The Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Ellinwood Police Department, the Great Bend Police Department, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office and a Game Warden from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Hobson named Central Region coach of the year; finalist for national coach of the year
FHSU Athletics
ATLANTA — The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday the eight 2019 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II Region Coaches of the Year, along with the United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. Tony Hobson of Fort Hays State is the WBCA Central Region Coach of the Year for the 2018-19 season. All eight Region Coaches of the Year were finalists for National Coach of the Year, which goes to Molly Miller of Drury University this year.
Hobson guided Fort Hays State to its second Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Regular Season Championship and the program’s first-ever MIAA Tournament championship in 2018-19. Hobson led the Tigers to a 30-1 record entering the NCAA Championship Tournament, the fewest losses in the regular season in program history. The Tigers made their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament (fourth under Hobson) and earned the No. 1 seed in the Central Regional for a second time in Hobson’s tenure. FHSU finished the year 32-2 overall, the best overall record produced in the program’s NCAA Division II history. Hobson has guided the Tigers to eight consecutive seasons of 20-plus wins going back to the 2011-12 season.
Hobson now has 16 “Coach of the Year” honors in his 27-year history as a women’s college basketball coach. Hobson was also the MIAA Coach of the Year this season. He has guided three different colleges to at least 30 wins in a season in his career (FHSU for the second time this year, Hastings College five times, and Barton (Kan.) Community College once). He now has an overall record of 650-200 as a college coach, a .765 win percentage.
