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Spring Radio Auction begins Thursday

The Eagle Radio Auction kicks off Thursday morning at 8 a.m. on radio stations 99.5 KHAZ and 103.3 KJLS.

There are thousands of items to bid on and buy, including a pop-up camper from Four Season RV Park in Enterprise Kansas, valued at over $14,000, an extra-extra-large Big Green Egg Grill valued at $3,800 from BTI, a bumper replacement from Better Built Trailers valued at $1,425 and lots of hearing aids and hearing supplies from Hearing Solutions of Hays.

You will also be able to bid on food and hotel gift certificates, and much more.

To see a complete list of items, click HERE, or you can click the radio auction link on the right side of the page!

To bid on an item, simply call 785-301-2211.

The Eagle Radio Auction, where saving money is just a phone call away!

U.S. 36 closed at St. Francis

 The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed U.S. 36 between the Colorado border and St. Francis because of winter weather conditions in Colorado.

 For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online at www.kandrive.org.

County commissioner chosen to serve Kan. 113th house district

By Cole Reif

Ellinwood resident Alicia Straub is set

Alicia Straub

to become the third representative for the 113th District of the Kansas House of Representatives in a span of four years. Straub, the current Barton County Commissioner, was voted in Tuesday night at the Pratt Community Center during a special convention. Straub will take over for Greg Lewis, who resigned from office February 22 to fight a cancerous brain tum

For Barton County, that will soon leave them a commissioner short following the anticipated resignation from Straub. Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman says Straub is expected to attend the next Commission meeting.

Republican precinct committee members of the 113th District met following the resignation of Lewis. Straub was one of three candidates vying to replace Lewis, and the 40-year old received 51 of the 91 votes cast. Governor Laura Kelly must officially appoint Straub to the seat.

As for Straub’s replacement on the Barton County Commission, Zimmerman noted that whoever is selected to fill Straub’s seat will serve two years of her four-year term until the 2020 election.

According to the Barton County handbook, when a Commissioner vacancy occurs before May 1 of the first even-numbered year following the beginning of a term, the position will be filled by appointment until the next election. The Barton County Republican Committee will meet shortly after Straub’s anticipated resignation next week to appoint her replacement.

Straub’s 4th District in Barton County represents a small portion of southern Great Bend, Ellinwood, Dundee, Pawnee Rock, and the townships of Clarence, Liberty, South Bend, Comanche, Lakin, and Pawnee Rock.

As the 113th District Representative, Straub will represent Stafford and Pratt counties, and parts of Barton, Pawnee, and Rice counties.

Lewis took over the 113th District after being appointed to replace J. Basil Dannebohm in 2015. Dannebohm was fighting Parkinson’s disease when he chose to resign.

Duane E. Williams

Duane E. Williams, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on October 21, 1928 in Scott County, Kansas, the son of Foster Mortin and Lora Alberta Dague Williams. A lifetime resident of Scott County, Kansas, he was a farmer and stockman.

He was a member of Pence Community Church in Pence, Kansas, KLA, Isabel Township Trustee, Modoc School Board and Farm Credit Board.

On February 26, 1950 he married Molly E. Stark in Garden City, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors Include his Wife – Molly Williams of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sons – Alan Williams of Modoc, Kansas, Andy & Jamie Williams of Wichita, Kansas, Five Daughters – Nancy & Paul Teetzen of Garden City, Kansas, Susie & Archie Gooden of Garden City, Kansas, Rita & Frank Williams of Troy, Alabama, Aleta & Scott See of Scott City, Kansas, Anita Hoeme of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Harold & Louise Williams of Scott City, Kansas, Nineteen Grandchildren and Thirty Two Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, One Brother – Kenneth Jean Williams, Two Son In Laws – Clinton Okeson & Allan Hoeme and One Daughter In Law – Tonja Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2019 at Pence Community Church in Pence, Kansas with Pastor Don Williams presiding.

Memorials In Lieu Of Flowers may be made to the Pence Community Church or the Scott County EMS in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery, Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Kansas legislators vote to condemn New York abortion law

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers have condemned New York’s new law protecting abortion rights in a statement that will be sent to every New York legislator and its governor.

The Kansas House on Wednesday approved a resolutiondeclaring that New York’s law “violates the life and well-being of a woman and her unborn child.”

The 85-38 vote came after some Democrats questioned whether the GOP-controlled Legislature was wasting its time. The Kansas Senate approved the resolution last month.

The New York law was designed to codify protections for a woman’s right to obtain an abortion granted by federal courts. Abortion opponents across the nation have argued that it allows abortions up to the moment of birth.

Democratic New York state Sen. Liz Krueger of Manhattan says opponents are “spreading misinformation and falsehoods.”

Police arrest 4 Kansas suspects for alleged shoplifting

Jose Reyes-photo Saline Co.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects after  items missing from two retailers in Salina were found in their possession, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth,  in Salina for a report of shoplifters.

A man and a woman were taken into custody in the parking lot and another man and woman were taken into custody in the store, Forrester said.

It is believed that all or some of the group took items from Walmart and Target in Salina. Items from Walmart found in their possession included

William McGlynn-photo Saline Co.
  • Butane torch valued at $27
  • Container with eight pieces of chicken from the deli valued at $7
  • Hair clippers valued at $33
  • Miscellaneous sewing items valued at $30
  • A phone stand valued at $6

Forrester said items believed taken from Target included

  • A smartwatch valued at $50
  • Sony headphones valued at $40
Mia Unruh-photo Saline Co.

Anti-theft devices were removed from the Target items, Forrester said. Surveillance video from throughout Target is being reviewed to determine whether any additional items were taken, he added.

The group also was found to be in possession of magnets that allegedly interfere with anti-theft devices, Forrester said.

Jose Reyes, 27, of Hutchinson, was arrested on suspicion of felony theft, conspiracy to commit theft, and damage to property.

Alyssa Armendariz-Saline Co.

William McGlynn, 34, of McPherson, was arrested on suspicion of felony theft, conspiracy to commit theft, and unlawful possession of a tool to remove theft protection devices.

Mia Unruh, 23, of Hutchinson, was arrested on suspicion of felony theft, conspiracy to commit theft, and unlawful possession of a tool to remove theft protection devices.

Alyssa Armendariz, 25, of Hutchinson, was arrested on suspicion of felony theft, conspiracy to commit theft, and unlawful possession of a tool to remove theft protection devices.

MASON: By any measure, Tiger athletes are champions

Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president

By any measure, Tiger athletes are champions

What an incredible year it has been for Tiger Athletics! Back-to-back MIAA football championships, men’s soccer makes it to the final four – and fights through eight penalty kicks with fierce grit and determination.

And this last weekend, our women’s basketball team won the MIAA tournament championship and the right to host the NCAA II Central Region championship this coming weekend.

Also last weekend, wrestler Brandon Ball, a junior from Great Bend who was competing for a national championship in Cleveland, Ohio, ended up with a 28-2 record for the season and his second All-American.

And in Pittsburg, Brett Meyer, a Scott City senior, earned his fifth All-America honor in the mile run while competing for the national championship. Kolt Newell, a Plainville senior seeking the national high jump championship, also was named an All-American.

WOW!

I am inspired by our student-athletes. As a university, we rely on our student-athletes to tell our institutional story by how they practice and play, their character on and off the field, as well as their success in the classroom. They work hard to hone their skills – often making sacrifices in other areas of their life to excel as an athlete, and they must be good time managers to ensure their commitments to their educations and to their sports are in balance.

The office of the president affords me many ceremonial privileges for which I feel very grateful – from shaking every student’s hand as they cross the stage at commencement to standing with our four-time national champion shotgun team as they were introduced and applauded on the floor of the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate.

This year, I got to hand the MIAA trophy to Coach Chris Brown (Coach of the Year, for the second consecutive year) for the football team championship as well as to Coach Tony Hobson (also Coach of the Year) for the women’s basketball team’s regular-season MIAA championship – and to congratulate Tony himself as the winningest women’s basketball coach ever for FHSU!

I love those moments of saying, “Great job” and “I am so proud of you.” Those moments warm my heart and fill me with joy, and lately I have had lots of opportunities to celebrate our student athletes.

In February, we recognized more than 300 student athletes for their academic success. These were students who, despite the long hours they put into their sports activities, earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA in either the spring 2018 or fall 2018 semesters. We call every student athlete to the floor of the basketball arena to line up with their parents for recognition and applause from our fabulous fans.

Speaking of fans – ours are passionate about Tiger Nation. Love that! Our success has been fueled by many, many donors, as well as those who purchase tickets to our events. The financial support has enabled us to get stronger and be better. Alumnus Peter Werth flew the women’s basketball team to Connecticut so they could meet and compete against the legendary UConn team. What an incredible life-memory he created!

Alumnus Russ Pfannenstiel created the Distinguished Tiger Leadership Award to recognize one male and one female student-athlete who practice the extraordinary volunteerism and community involvement and exemplify hard work, teamwork, endurance, a positive attitude, dedication, sacrifice and commitment, and who always exhibit an uplifting personality.

Tatyana Legette, a senior basketball player from Topeka, is the 2019 Female Distinguished Tiger.
Wrestler Micquelle Robinson, a senior from Wichita, is the 2019 Male Distinguished Tiger.

It is thrilling to have all these outstanding student athletes – each with a personal story, source of motivation and inner strength, and each a champion in their own right. I am awed by these young people, who are firmly rooted in who they are and who positively engage with our campus and our community.

I am proud of them, their coaches, their faculty, and their families and friends who helped shape the hearts, minds, and characters of these champions.

Police release security camera images of Dollar General robbery suspect

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of armed robberies at Dollar General Stores and have released a security camera image of a suspect. 

Security camera images of the suspect courtesy Wichita Police

Just before 4p.m. on Monday, police responded to an armed robbery call at the Dollar General in the 2400 block of west Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 22-year-old male employee told police an unknown suspect entered the business demanding money and indicating he had a gun. The suspect took the cash and then fled the scene on foot.

There were no injuries in this case, according to Davidson. The suspect is described as an unknown white male in his 20’s, 5-foot-6, 140 pounds, brown hair in a bun, wearing a black jacket and gray pants with black on the knees.

If you recognize this individual or have any additional information please call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 or WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407.

Marcella Marie “GG” Stos

Stos

Marcella Marie “GG” Stos, 85, passed away March 12, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.  She was born Jan. 23, 1934, in rural Bison, the daughter of Edward John and Mary Ann (Kopriva) Oborny.

She married Bernard Vincent Stos Dec. 29, 1953 at Timken. He died Aug. 26, 2005.

Marcella, a lifetime resident of Rush County, was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, and the Altar Society.  She was a school cook and reading grandma for Otis Bison High School, private caregiver and twinner for Essex. Marcella enjoyed embroidery, gardening, polka dancing, reading, crossword puzzles, and above all, spending time with her family. She was known for her gift of gab.

Survivors include four sons, Mike Stos of Hoisington, Patrick Stos and wife Sandy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, David Stos and wife Renita of Moundridge and Kelly Stos of Costa Rica; five daughters, Bernadean Herl of Great Bend, Rita Engle and husband Ryan of Great Bend, Maureen Faber and husband Paul of Colwich, Kristina Von Elling and husband Bill of Manhattan, and Colleen Sharkey and husband Mike of Otis; one brother, Edward J. Oborny Jr. of Bison; 25 grandchildren, Danah, Mandy, April, Shawna, Chad, Brandee, Becky, Danny, Cody S., Chris, Pattye, Heather, Cody E., Ashley, Brian, Nikki, Tanner, Brittany, Travis, Todd, Taylor, Dawayne, Devon, Danielle and Rylee; 42 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in passing by a grandchild, Bobijo, and two great-grandchildren, Brogan and Audrey.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon, Saturday, March 16, 2019, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Anselm Eke presiding. Interment will follow at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery, Olmitz.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with a Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz.

Memorials may be directed to Otis Fire Department in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Wind gusts of up to 60 mph expected today, Thursday for NW Kansas

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT

Hays Post

As the recent active weather pattern continues across the region, weather officials say we could see potential damaging winds over the next couple of days.

Meteorologist Dan Holiday said the current storm started in the Baja Mexico region and made its way into the Rockies over night before moving into western Kansas this morning.

“All the ingredients are going to come together for it to go into a phase where its strengthens even more, (and) when it gets into western Kansas, it’s going to explode in intensity, and that’s where we will have very, very strong winds associated with it,” Holiday said.

Holiday said the region could see sustained winds of 25 mph to 35 mph with gusts of 60 mph or greater. With that the National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning that will go into effect at 1 p.m. Wednesday and continue to 1 p.m. Thursday.

“We hear a lot about wind in Kansas, but when it comes to Wednesday, Wednesday into Thursday morning these are going to be winds that will be the level of a severe thunderstorm,” Holiday said.

“You do want to treat this like a severe thunderstorm because power lines could be down, trees could be knocked down very easily and I think a lot of limbs will be down by Thursday morning.”

Holiday said set ups like this are typical during this time of year because the colder weather is still hanging on to the north of us while it is trying to warm up to the south.

“The days are a little bit longer, (and) we’re trying to change from one season to another. When that happens, we have a low pressure area that comes onto the West Coast usually and really gets strong this time of year because there’s just a huge difference in temperature,” Holiday said.

These kinds of storms are typical in the early spring or late winter, Holiday said.

“This one is particularly strong,” Holiday said. “It’s going to cause blizzard conditions in Colorado and then for us its winds as high as 60 miles per hour.”

Holiday said we also see similar storms in October as well.

The low is expected to move out of the region Wednesday night and into Thursday before a high pressure system will move into the region toward the end of the week and along with that comes quieter weather and below-normal temperatures this weekend.

Will the active weather pattern continue? Holiday says it’s too early to tell.

“We typically see storms come out of the southwestern part of the country this time of the year and just sort of continue moving on into the central plains.” Holiday said.

“For us it typically picks up, on average in April, then May is the best month for us and then June becomes more of a strong wind and hail threat.”

Former KC-area Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery

KANSAS CITY– A former Kansas City-area police officer who led officers on a 100-miles-per-hour vehicle pursuit pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to armed bank robbery, according to the United State’s Attorney’s office.

Richard Hagerty -photo Lee’s Summit PD

Richard W. Hagerty, 35, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Hagerty was a police officer with the Lee’s Summit Police Department from 2007 to 2016.

Hagerty entered Central Bank of the Midwest, located at 1305 N.W. Arborwalk Blvd. in Lee’s Summit, on Aug. 28, 2018. Hagerty, wearing a camouflage balaclava-style mask that covered part of his face and black gloves, pointed a Glock .40-caliber pistol at a customer and yelled, “Everybody get down on the floor, this is a robbery.” He demanded cash from two tellers, pointing the handgun at them while he was demanding money. Hagerty stole about $7,000 then fled from the bank on foot.

A Lee’s Summit police officer located Hagerty driving a dark gray Mazda on Hook Road and 139th Street shortly after the robbery. When the officer activated his emergency equipment, Hagerty accelerated and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit stretched from Lee’s Summit to Grandview, Mo., in the middle of the day, on busy thoroughfares. Hagerty drove erratically during the pursuit, according to court documents, by reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on those busy roads, passing through school zones, and crossing into oncoming traffic.

After the vehicle was finally stopped, the officer gave verbal instructions for the occupant of the Mazda to exit the vehicle. After a short delay, Hagerty exited through the driver’s side door of the vehicle with his hands raised above his head. The officer immediately recognized Hagerty, who was arrested.

Inside the vehicle, officers saw a large amount of cash on the driver’s seat and the front driver’s and passenger’s floorboard. They also recovered the Glock handgun from the vehicle.

Under federal statutes, Hagerty is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole for armed bank robbery, plus a consecutive mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, up to life in federal prison, for brandishing the firearm. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KDA to host free Jon Schallert Business Development Workshop in Hays

Jon Schallert

KDA

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture will host a business development workshop in Hays on Wednesday, March 20. Jon Schallert, internationally recognized speaker and business expert, will present a workshop titled: “Transform Your Business into a Consumer Destination.” The workshop will provide Kansas agribusinesses and communities with the business principles and tools needed to reinvent their business or community into a consumer destination.

The KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing received a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant to help fund this workshop. The schedule for the day will include:

• Keynote Session: 8:00 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
• Lunch: 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Marketing Roundtable: 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

“We are pleased to offer this workshop as a great opportunity for communities and small businesses to continue to grow and build upon rural prosperity across state of Kansas,” said Kansas Acting Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam.

“Agriculture growth plays a big role in rural revitalization as well as health of the Kansas economy, as agriculture accounts for over 40 percent of the state’s economy and 13 percent of the state’s workforce.” Beam added that with more information and education, Kansas’ small and rural agribusinesses will be better able to serve as economic engines for their communities.

The workshop will be held at the Fort Hays State Memorial Union at 700 College Drive in Hays. The workshop is provided at no cost to attendees. Registration for this workshop is now open. Registration includes lunch; however, lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register by March 15. Register at https://bit.ly/2St1X7t.

Established in the 2014 Farm Bill, USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program is a program intended to help with technical assistance, training and other activities to allow small businesses in rural areas to expand.

For additional information, contact Abby Works, KDA agribusiness development coordinator, at 785-564-6757 or [email protected]. For more information about business development opportunities at KDA, go to agriculture.ks.gov/BusinessDevelopment.

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. This workshop will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.

Rose Marie Hughes

Rose Marie Hughes, age 68, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Hays Medical Center. Rose Marie Hughes was born December 16, 1950, in Gulfport, Mississippi to Fannie (Gatlin) and C.L. Hughes.

She loved to BBQ, play dominoes and going fishing. When she was not enjoying those things, she would watch wrestling, football or her favorite talk shows. Although she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she never allowed that to slow her down. Rose made time to enjoy herself until she was hospitalized in January. She spent her last days in Kansas with her loving son and his family.

She is survived by her daughter: Margaret (Montoya) Thompson; two sons: Alex (Ayanna) Myers and Johnny (Michelle) Myers of Hays; seven grandchildren: Patricia (Brianne) Smith, Anthony (Khia) Myers, Jasmine Gamer, Shawanda Williams, Alex Williams, Johnny Myers and Christopher Lowry; two sisters: Marilyn Dillon and Martha Dallas; and three brothers: Marvin (Annie) Hughes, Sanders (Annette) Hughes and William Hughes; her special friend: Earline Beard; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

A service of remembrance will be held 11AM Saturday, March 16, 2019 Allen Temple Church of God in Christ, 19506 Torrence Drive, Bogalusa, LA. Visitation will be at the church two hours prior to service time. Local arrangements in care of 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].

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