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Month: March 2019

Kan. Livestock Assoc. issues advisory on Plainville Livestock Commission

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Kansas Livestock Association

KLA has received numerous calls from members who have received insufficient fund checks originating from Plainville Livestock Commission, Inc. KLA staff was able to determine that Almena State Bank has frozen the custodial account of the market and filed an interpleader case in Norton County District Court to determine all proper claims on the account.

Members who have received an insufficient fund check resulting from the sale of cattle at this market should first call the western regional office of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Packers and Stockyards Division at (303) 375-4250 to file a claim against the market’s bond. Affected members should then file a claim in Norton County Case No. 19-CV-02.

To file a claim, each individual or entity must submit to the court the following information:

1. A handwritten or typed statement that identifies the individual or entity owed money, including their contact information. In that statement, the claimant should also provide the total amount they are owed.

2. The claimant should attach a copy of the check received from Plainville Livestock Commission, Inc.

3. The claimant should also attach a copy of their sales receipt from Plainville Livestock Commission, Inc.

Once the above steps are complete, the claimant should contact the clerk of the court in Norton County at (785) 877-5720. The Clerk will let claimants know how to appropriately file their claim with the court. After the claim is filed, an attorney representing the Almena State Bank may contact claimants to explain future proceedings regarding claim collection.

As with any legal matter, it is advisable to consult with a personal attorney to ensure interests are being protected before agreeing to any settlement or signing any legal documents.

— This is a developing story. Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

Woman accused of conspiracy in brother’s murder case transferred to Kan. jail

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RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with her brother’s Kansas murder trial.

Samantha Bland photo Webb Co. Sheriff

On February 19, authorities in Laredo, Texas arrested 29-year-old Samantha Bland on a Riley County District warrant for aggravated intimidation of a witness who testified against Bland’s brother Steven Meredith during the January preliminary hearing for murder, according to Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson.

The judge found sufficient evidence for Meredith of Junction City to stand trial in the killing of a confidential drug informant 48-year-old Carrie Jones. Her body was found by deer hunters in rural Riley County.

During the preliminary hearing, witnesses testified that Meredith believed Jones might reveal information about him and others in a 2013 drug case.

One witness testified that Meredith told her that he and another man drove Jones to a field, forced her to get out of the vehicle and then shot her. Meredith was arrested almost a year after Jones’ body was found in October 2017.

On Sunday, Bland was jailed in Riley County, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.

She is being held on a bond of $125,000 on requested charges of aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim; Furtherance of conspiracy, Intimidation of a witness or victim; Prevent testimony, according to the RCPD

Betty LaRue (Sibley) Covalt

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FORT WORTH, Texas – Betty LaRue (Sibley) Covalt, 83, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Fort Worth.

Celebration of her Life: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, in the Longhorn Auditorium at Trinity Terrace, 1600 Texas Street, Fort Worth, Texas, with Chaplin Tricia Baldwin officiating. Graveside: A private family graveside service at Greenwood Memorial Park, officiated by Pastor Justin Beadles, LaRue’s nephew and Senior Pastor at Countryside Baptist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Memorials: Trinity Terrace Chapel Fund at Trinity Terrace, 1600 Texas Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 or James L. West Alzheimer’s Center, 1111 Summit Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.

The precious daughter of Zelma (McCarty) Sibley and Victor Bruce Sibley, LaRue was born Dec. 23, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas and grew up in Lewis, Kansas. She attended the University of Kansas before transferring and graduating from Wichita State University.

While at WSU she met the love of her life, Austin Covalt. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before his passing in 2014. LaRue and Austin lived their early married years in Sterling, Kansas, where LaRue began work on her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Sterling College and later completed at Fort Hays State University after moving to Russell, Kansas in 1967. LaRue touched many young lives during her 25 year career as an elementary school teacher in Russell. LaRue and Austin had three children and two grandsons. She was fiercely loyal to her family and she loved being with them. Her most cherished week every year was in May when the three children and their family’s, along with her brother and his family would gather in Fort Worth for the Colonial Golf Tournament.

In 2012, after 45 years in Russell and too many wonderful friends and memories to count, LaRue made the most difficult decision to relocate closer to family due to Austin’s progression of Alzheimer’s disease so they moved to Fort Worth. After Austin’s passing, sadly, LaRue began enduring this same horrible disease in 2016. Together, as a family, the decision was prayerfully made to donate LaRue’s brain to The Brain Bank at UNTHSC for the specific benefit of Alzheimer’s research.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Trinity Terrace for providing our mother a wonderful home since 2012. And, since May of this year, we especially extend our deepest gratitude to the Memory Care Unit, Emily Rider LVN, and all of the other angels who love and care so deeply for these residents who are in such a vulnerable state.

LaRue was preceded in death by her husband, Austin; her parents, Zelma and Bruce Sibley; and her brother, Veryl Sibley.

Survivors: Daughters, Ann Clinkscales and husband, Jim, of Fort Worth, and Sue Nevius and husband, Scott, of Valencia, CA; son, David Covalt of Arlington, TX; grandsons, Baird Clinkscales of Denver, CO and Austin Clinkscales of Dallas, TX; niece, Stephanie Chapman; and nephews, Greg Covalt, Jason Covalt, Geoff Covalt, Grant Beadles, Justin Beadles and their families.

Edna Eileen (Logan) Straub

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Edna Eileen (Logan) Straub, 74, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at her home with her family by her side.

Eileen was born July 3, 1944 in Great Bend, Kansas. She was one of three children born to Harold DeLos and Edna I. (Craig) Logan. Eileen grew up and attended schools in Claflin, Kansas.

Eileen was united in marriage to Harold Lewis Straub on February 24, 1960, in Holyrood, Kansas. This union was blessed with four sons; Rick, DeLos, Clint and Evan. They made their home in Walker, Kansas until 2009, when they moved to Russell. Harold preceded her in death on August 12, 2017.

Eileen was a CNA in Home Health Care. She worked at St. John’s Nursing Home in Victoria, Kansas and for many individuals for many years. She also worked at Wal Mart for over 20 years. She was a member of the Claflin United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star Chapter #226 in Great Bend. She enjoyed reading, playing computer games, was a huge Elvis fan, collecting dolls, genealogy, doing word searches and puzzles. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Eileen is survived by four sons, Rick Straub (Margie) of Walker, Kansas, DeLos Straub (Camille) of Salina, Kansas, Clint Straub (Staci) and Evan Straub both of Russell, Kansas; brother, Leslie Logan (Barbara) of Lyons, Kansas; sister, Janet Nily of Great Bend, Kansas; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, infant son, and two grandchildren.

Celebration of Eileen’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Burial of Ashes will follow at the Olmitz Cemetery in Olmitz, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Memorials have been established with American Cancer Society or Russell County Food Pantry. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Allen ‘Al’ L. Frieling

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Allen “Al” L. Frieling, age 71, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Independent Living in Smith Center, KS.

Arrangements are pending with Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary.

Evelyn Lucille Waller

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Evelyn Lucille Waller, age 80, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.

She was born on January 14, 1939 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Theodore R. & Violet M. Farr France. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the Church of The Nazarene in Wichita County, Kansas.

On August 30, 1959 she married Dan Eldon Waller in Wichita County, Kansas. He passed away on May 6, 1969 in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors Include her Three Brothers – Leon & Cheryl France of Scott City, Kansas, Ted France of Scott City, Kansas, Ron & Carrie France of Garden City, Kansas and Numerous Nieces & Nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, One Brother and Two Sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at the Community Christian Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Scott Wagner presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Evelyn L. Waller Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Inurnment will be in the Scott County Cemetery

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Merton Lynn Goodman

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Merton Lynn Goodman, age 69, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.

He was born on December 14, 1949 in Norton, Kansas, the son of Merton Ferris & Dorothy Dean Davis Goodman. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1975 moving from Clayton, Kansas, he was a Grazing Manager for Brookover Cattle Company until he retired.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas.

On November 23, 1966 he married Sheryl Sue Rowh in Oberlin, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors Include his Wife – Sheryl S. Goodman of Scott City, Kansas, One Son – Craigg Goodman of Scott City, Kansas, One Daughter – Mishele R. & Carlos Prieto of Garden City, Kansas, Five Sisters – Linda Sulzman of Russell, Kansas, Marcia & Larry Stapp of Holcomb, Kansas, Xandra & Chuck Waggoner of Morland, Kansas, Tina Perdue of La Crosse, Kansas, Kendra & Curt Giebler, Eight Grandchildren and Nine Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents and Two Daughters – Tracy Lee Goodman and Teressa Dawn Goodman.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas with Sheldon Snyder presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Children’s Heart Foundation or St. Judes in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Inurnment will be in the Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Chiefs release veteran LB Justin Houston to free cap space

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By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran linebacker Justin Houston on Sunday after they were unable to drum up enough trade interest, ending the tenure of one of the best pass rushers in club history.

The Chiefs had made it clear they would trade or release Houston this offseason, primarily because of his cost. He was due $15.25 million and carried a salary cap hit of $21.1 million, numbers that would have made it nearly impossible to make other much-needed upgrades to their defense.

The move means the Chiefs will free up $14 million and make the four-time Pro Bowl selection a free agent when the period begins Wednesday. The Chiefs will also take on $7.1 million in dead money.

“Justin has made a lasting impact on this franchise and I can’t thank him enough for his contributions over the years,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in a statement.

“These decisions are never easy,” Veach said. “I have a great deal of respect for Justin as a player and person and I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”

The 30-year-old Houston was a third-round pick of the Chiefs out of Georgia who quickly became a fan-favorite, not to mention one of the team’s most visible leaders. He wound up starting 96 of the 102 games he appeared in over eight seasons, and his best season came in 2014, when Houston shattered the franchise record with 22 sacks and was voted a first-team All-Pro.

He parlayed that season into a $101 million, six-year deal in 2015 that was at the time a record for a defensive player. But he has been slowed by injuries the past four seasons, and despite continuing to pile up sacks, Houston has been unable to keep up the pace that landed him the lucrative deal.

As the Chiefs try to rebuild one of the league’s worst defenses, and provide some help to one of the NFL’s best offenses, it became apparent that Houston’s days in Kansas City were numbered.

“Over the last eight seasons we’ve had the ability to watch Justin grow into a leader on and off the playing field,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said. “His passion helped him become one the most successful pass rushers in franchise history. We appreciate his contributions to our team and community.”

Houston departs Kansas City with 78 1/2 sacks, trailing only Derrick Thomas (126 1/2), former teammate Tamba Hali (89 1/2) and Neil Smith (85 1/2) for the most in franchise history.

He should have no shortage of suitors after seasons of 9 1/2 sacks two years ago and nine more last season, provided he convince a club that he can remain healthy. Houston has experienced with elbow and knee injuries that have allowed him to play 16 games in a season just twice.

The Chiefs used their franchise tag on fellow pass rusher Dee Ford, though it’s possible they could still trade him. Other premier edge rushers that were franchised include DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney and Frank Clark, and that could create a more robust market for Houston.

Working against him is the fact pass rusher may be the most stacked part of April’s draft.

“You can never have enough of that,” Veach said. “It’s a really intriguing class. I think it’s been mentioned multiple times throughout the first few days, the defensive line this year is really deep. There are a lot of players, pass-rushers, interior pass-rushers, run players, there’s a lot of depth at that position. I certainly think there will be a lot of names from those defensive players called early on.”

Two public hearings scheduled by Board of Zoning Appeals

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CITY OF HAYS

Two public hearings will be held by the Hays Board of Zoning Appeals during its meeting Wednesday.

The first hearing is a request of an 11 1/2 ft. decreased street side yard variance at 217 W. 14th Street to construct a carport.
The second hearing is a request of 4 ft. increase in the height of a detached garage at 3314 Thunderbird Drive.

The complete agenda is available here. The meeting starts at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: There’s something fishy about all this!

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Steve Gilliland

Last spring I spoke with Bryan Sowards, the KDWPT Fisheries Biologist in my area, and got a crash course in reading and interpreting their fishing forecasts, and learned more about how they put them together. That knowledge proved relevant for me this week as I looked at putting together a spring fishing trip for Joyce and me. So in an effort to keep you from consulting your local psychic, or hurling darts at a dartboard to decide where to fish this spring, try using the following information.

On the website, www.ksoutdoors.com, there are both fishing reports and fishing forecasts. Fishing REPORTS are simply information gathered by biologists from fisherman, marinas etc. at each lake and reservoir about how best to catch each species of fish in that impoundment. Fishing reports are updated weekly from March through October as information is received. Annual fishing FORECASTS are generated from data gathered from fish sampling of Federal Reservoirs, State Lakes, and on some community owned lakes and ponds. 

There are three ways fish in lakes and reservoirs are sampled to obtain information for annual fishing forecasts. In late October large hoop nets are set along shorelines to sample populations of crappies and bluegills. The nets are left for one night and the number of fish trapped are counted and measured for the forecast report. To sample walleye, saugeye, wipers, stripers, white bass and catfish populations, gill nets are placed along shorelines for one night also in late October, and captured fish are counted and measured for the report. To sample largemouth bass, small mouth bass and spotted bass, a method known as electrofishing is used in the spring. Done from a boat, this technique electrifies water around the boat, temporarily stunning fish and allowing biologists to capture, weigh and measure them for the forecast report.

To access fishing REPORTS, go to the website, click on fishing, then on reports. From the list of regions, choose the region that contains the lake or reservoir you want to check, then click on the appropriate lake. To view fishing FORECASTS, click on forecasts, then from the list of fish species shown, click on the species you want to know about, then you will be given a choice of all lakes, ponds and reservoirs sampled for that species will be listed.

Down the left side of the forecast report is displayed a list of all lakes or reservoirs sampled for the species you chose. The first category will be “Density Rating” and is the number or fish over 8 inches found in each net or trap. The next two categories are “Preferred Rating “ and “Lunker Rating,” and display the number of fish  over 10 inches and over 12 inches respectively found in each trap or net. The next category called “Biggest Fish” is simply the weight of the largest fish caught in the sample. The next category called “Biologists Rating” rates the impoundment as Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor according to information available to the biologist, and it may not reflect all the other categories if information is known about the fish populations there that weren’t necessarily reflected in the samples captured. The last category is “3 Year Average,” and is the average number of fish over 8 inches captured over the last 3 years of sampling. The lakes are listed by the density rating; the more fish over 8 inches captured in sampling, the higher that lake is ranked.

Fishing reports and forecasts are obviously not infallible, but are both good tools to help fishermen decide where and how they might want to spend their time and efforts. Devout Kansas fishermen are already gearing up to catch hungry catfish when the ice thaws, and the opportunities will only grow from there, so grab a kid, a spouse or a friend and take someone fishing this year as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].

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