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Month: March 2019

Police: Security camera shows teen steal gun from Kansas man

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SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported aggravated assault with a gun asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Image courtesy Wichita Police

Just after 2:30p.m.  February 14, a suspect approached a man working on a vehicle in his driveway in the 800 Block of North Chautauqua in Wichita, according officer Kevin Wheeler.

The suspect sneaked up from behind and grabbed the victim’s 9mm handgun from the holster on his waist. Security camera images show the suspect point the gun at the victim and telling him to back away.

The suspect ran south through the alley between Chautauqua and Erie and fired a single shot at the victim who chased him. The victim was not injured.

Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect who is described as a 17-year-old black male wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black sweat pants.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police.

Henrietta June (Tien) Van Kooten

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Henrietta June (Tien) Van Kooten was born April 22, 1928, the daughter of Garrit and Gradda (Veldhuizen) Tien on the family farm near Prairie View, KS.

She entered the kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, March 6, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center, Kearney, NE, at the age of 90.

Services are pending with Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.

Sally Buchholz

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Sally Buchholz, age 70, of Hill City, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home.

Authorities investigate cause of business fire in Hesston

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HARVEY COUNTY — Authorities were busy Wednesday morning working to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a building that housed two businesses in Hesston

Crews on the scene of Tuesday’s fire in Hesston -photo courtesy Harvey Co. Emergency Management

Just after 1:40p.m. Tuesday, fire crews responded to the fire in the 500 Block of North Lancaster in Hesston, according to Hesston Fire Chief Russ Buller.

First arriving crews found heavy smoke and fire on the west side of the building that houses Dreier Landscape. The east side is home to Paul’s Incorporated, a plumbing business, according to Buller.

Fire crews could not gain entry to the building initially due to a partial roof collapse and later a wall collapse. Crews had to fight the fire from the exterior and finally brought the blaze under control about 5p.m.

Fire crews remained on the scene through the night. Authorities were conducting interviews Wednesday morning to determine the possible cause. There were no injuries, according to Buller.

Newton and Moundridge fire departments assisted as well as the Hesston Police Department and Harvey County Sheriff’s Office.

Former Russell coach and teacher named to national hall of fame

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Honomichl

KSHSAA

INDIANAPOLIS — The National Federation of High School Associations announced on Tuesday that Kansan Ginny Honomichl will be inducted into the NFHS Hall of Fame. The longtime teacher and coach in the Sunflower State will join 11 others this summer in Indianapolis for the induction ceremony.

Honomichl was a teacher and coach at two Kansas high schools for 38 years (1970- 2008), but that’s only a portion of her achievements and contributions. Beyond her 16 years at Russell High School and 22 years at Baldwin City High School as a teacher and multi-sport coach, Honomichl was a trailblazer, role model, mentor and adviser at the local, state and national levels. She was the first female president of the Kansas Coaches Association and the first female president of the NFHS Coaches Association Board of Directors.

She was the first classroom teacher or coach to serve on the Kansas State High School Activities Association Executive Board (1994-98), and she is in her sixth year (first female) as the executive director of the Kansas Coaches Association. Honomichl served on numerous KSHSAA and NFHS committees, and she hosted numerous KSHSAA state tennis tournaments.

“Ginny is a gifted leader and has helped make Kansas interscholastic activities more significant for our stakeholders. With students, coaches, administrators and school communities it has been broad and deep, and she is certainly a worthy selection into the prestigious NFHS Hall of Fame. We are proud of Ginny, and grateful for her faithful service,” said Bill Faflick, KSHSAA Executive Director.

Ginny was inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition to her work with KCA, Ginny served nationally on the NFICA board as the Section 5 representative, holding numerous leadership positions. She served on the Coaches Education Review Committee for nine years (chairperson three years) and also on the Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity Committee. She served two terms on the KSHSAA Board of Directors and was a member of the Executive Board for four years and was on the Summer Coaching Study Committee.

Among her numerous honors: Kansas and Class 4A Coach of the Year (boys and girls tennis and softball), NFICA Kansas Softball Coach of the Year and Section 5 NFICA Distinguished Service Award. She was selected as one of three honorees nationwide for the Disney Channel “American Teacher Award.”

Honomichl becomes the 11th Kansan to be inducted to the NFHS Hall of Fame: Walt Shublom (Coach—1982), Jim Ryun (Athlete—1983), Ralph Miller (Athlete—1989), Lynette Woodard (Athlete—1989), Nolan Cromwell (Athlete—1991), Brice Durbin (National Administrator—1993), Nelson Hartman (State Administrator—1998), Susan True (National Administrator— 2003), Joan Wells (Coach—2007), and most recently Jackie Stiles (Athlete—2015).

Five athletes and three coaches, along with one contest official, two state association administrator and one state contributor, will be inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame June 30 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis in Indianapolis. The 37th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be a part of the 100th annual NFHS Summer Meeting.

Dollar Tree to close up to 390 Family Dollar stores

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CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — Dollar Tree is closing up to 390 Family Dollar stores this year and rebranding about 200 others under the Dollar Tree name.

The company closed 84 Family Dollar stores in the fourth quarter, 37 more than originally planned. The company has said that it will renovate at least 1,000 stores this year.

The nearest Family Dollar store is in Great Bend. A Dollar Tree opened at Big Creek Crossing in Hays in August. A list of store closures has yet to be released.

Dollar Tree Inc., based in Chesapeake, Virginia, acquired Family Dollar in 2015 for almost $9 billion.
The company said Wednesday that it’s seeking rent concessions from landlords at the 84 stores closed late last year and if it doesn’t get them, it’ll speed up the pace of store closings to as many as 390 locations. Dollar Tree closes about 75 stores annually.

The company had 15,237 stores in 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of Feb. 2.

ACLU: Deal reached in Kan. high school students free speech lawsuit

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group says it has struck a settlement deal with the Shawnee Mission School District in a federal lawsuit alleging violations of the free speech and press rights of students.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas announced Tuesday in a news release that the school district will adopt new policies to ensure future students will not have their free speech rights violated at school.

Shawnee Mission North junior Grace Altenhofen says she saw an associate principal take a camera from a student’s hand at their walkout. Altenhofen and others are at the center of an ACLU lawsuit against the district.
photo by ANDREA TUDHOPE

It says the parties have agreed not to release settlement details until after the court approves it.

The legal dispute stems from a nationwide walkout last year protesting gun violence. The lawsuit accuses the school district of suppressing students’ political speech.

It alleged administrators ended student anti-gun violence rallies, confiscated the cameras of student journalists covering it, and punished some participating students.

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By ANDREA TUDHOPE

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas is suing the Shawnee Mission School District for allegedly violating students’ free speech rights.

Students complained in April after administrators in several schools allegedly censored students during the nationwide walkouts protesting gun violence. Among other incidents, students said a Hocker Grove principal  pushed a student for mentioning school shootings in a speech and an administrator at Shawnee Mission North confiscated a student journalist’s camera.

After the district vowed to address the issue, the ACLU of Kansas rescinded its threat to sue.

At a SMSD board meeting in May, interim Superintendent Kenny Southwick provided an update on his investigation into the matter. He said he’d been conducting one-on-one interviews with students and parents and promised to bring First Amendment training to the summer administrator retreat.

“Our understanding was that their investigation would lead to a corrective action plan, an acknowledgement that rights were violated, and, if appropriate, discipline for certain staff and employees,” said Lauren Bonds, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas.

Bonds said what happened instead is concerning. According to her clients, she said Southwick has used one-on-one meetings to “retroactively justify some of the actions and conduct at the walkout.”

Furthermore, Bonds said, Southwick has allegedly taken a position on behalf of the district that students’ rights under the First Amendment and the Kansas Student Publications Act were not violated.

“I don’t see a lot of value in administrator training if they’re going to say everything they did was in accord with the constitution,” Bonds said.

Bonds said she’s not surprised by how the matter has been handled.

“We have raised a number of First Amendment concerns — whether on behalf of employees, parents — with the district that have been largely ignored or dismissed,” Bonds told KCUR.

The lawsuit filed Thursday aims to ensure that in the future, students will be allowed their rights to free speech and free press without risk of retaliation or discipline. It also seeks money damages from the district.

In a written statement, district spokesperson Shawna Samuel said though the district cannot comment on pending legal matters, SMSD “has been and continues to be in communication with the ACLU, who is representing the three students, about its concerns regarding student speech.” And, that it has “successfully resolved most parent and student concerns.”

Andrea Tudhope is a reporter for KCUR in conjunction with the Kansas News Service. Follow her on Twitter @_tudhope.

 
 

Rose Ann Giebler

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Rose Ann Giebler, 88, Hays, died Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Via Christi Village in Hays.

She was born February 25, 1931 in Antonino, Kansas one of 17 children to Mike and Mary (Stecklein) Befort. On May 16, 1953 she was united in marriage to Charles V. “Chuck” Giebler in Hays and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year. She was a homemaker and co-owner of two businesses with her husband, Centennial Carpets and the Putt-Putt Golf Course. She was a member of the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church and was a past member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed Easter egg hunts with her grandchildren, working Saturday nights at the Putt-Putt golf course with her husband, and sewing wedding dresses for family and friends. She loved gardening, yard work, and traveling with her husband.

Survivors include her husband; Charles V. “Chuck” Giebler of Hays, two sons; Charles Giebler and wife Carla of Hays, and Kevin Giebler and wife Sue Ann of Dallas, Texas, a daughter; Wanda Rohr and husband Mike of Hays, a brother; Jim Befort and wife Esther of Broomfield, Colorado, a sister; Dorothy Gottschalk of Hays, five grandchildren; Christa Weigel and fiancé Josh Beiker, Jason Dreiling and wife Christina, Curtis Giebler and wife Natasha, Alex Giebler, and Kate Giebler, two great-grandchildren; Harper and Avery Dreiling, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by brothers; Albinus, Robert, Bill, Ralph, George, Adam, Harry, and Mike Befort, and by sisters; Sister Firmina Befort, Ida Gross, Esther Riedel, Mary Leiker, Helen Weaver, and Oliva Legleiter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, March 8, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, Hays, with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church or to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Rose Ann may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Ronald Gene King

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Ronald Gene King, age 77, of Ellis, Kansas died Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born January 10, 1942, in Hays, Kansas to Clarence and Edna (Armbruster) King. He married Marilyn L. Schoenberger on November 30, 1963, in Ellis, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 6, 2010.

Ronald was a lifelong farmer and rancher. He also worked as an automotive mechanic, custom harvester, and builder. He enjoyed racing, hunting, and fishing.

Ronald is survived by a daughter, Brenda Waring and husband Steve of Hays; a son, Rodney King and wife Colleen of Ellis; sister, Roxanne Trimbath of Hemmet, California; four grandchildren, Zach and Rhian Patterson of Hays, Robbie King, Kaylee Kingsley and husband Brandon as well as a great-grandson Brenton Kingsley all of Ellis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Paul Trimbath.

A celebration of Ron’s life will start at 7 PM Saturday March 9, 2019 at the Hays VFW 2106 vine street with dinner at 7:30.

Memorials are suggested to the family and will be designated at a later date. Please make any donations in Ron’s memory payable to Rodney King. Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

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

Karen Rae Brungardt

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Karen Rae Brungardt, age 73, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Hays Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67637. Burial will follow in St. joseph’s Cemetery, Hays.

Visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 7 PM at the funeral chapel.

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

Marilyn Lavina Wormeringer

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Marilyn Lavina Wormeringer entered into Heaven on March 1, 2019 at the age of 79. She was born February 22, 1940 in Glencoe, MN to Rev. Elmer and Lavina Broetzmann.

Marilyn lived in several places during her life. Her father’s commitment to ministry led the family to Iowa, the Dakotas, Alabama and ultimately to Kansas. She married John P. Wormeringer III on June 18, 1961 in Great Bend, KS and they were blessed with a daughter, Shawna Lynn, in October of 1962. John’s job in the oil field relocated them to Oklahoma, Texas, and finally back to Oklahoma when he retired.

Marilyn had a passion for music from the time she was a young girl and it was something that she continued to enjoy for the rest of her life. Although she was unable to attend church recently due to her health, she was a proud member of the United Methodist church. She most recently attended St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Shawnee and previously attended New Life United Methodist Church in Moore. Marilyn was always willing to play the piano or organ, and fill in as a choir director any time there was a need. She had a true servant’s heart and loved her Lord.

Marilyn’s family meant the world to her and she loved every minute spent with them. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, Reverend Elmer Julius Erwin Broetzmann and Lavina Evelyn Broetzmann (Reid) and a brother, Ronald Broetzmann.

Survivors include her loving husband of more than 57 years, John P. Wormeringer of the home; daughter, Shawna Mussatto and husband Craig of Norman, OK; grandchildren, Ryan Mussatto of Moore, OK and Macalah Mussatto and her fiancé, Gavin Swenson, of Oklahoma City; sister, Betty Perrin of Flippin, AR; nieces, Cindy Perrin of Flippin, AR, Lori Hertel of Hays, KS, and Pam Erickson of Russell, KS. She is also survived by a host of loving extended family and friends.

Services to honor Marilyn’s life are 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2019 at Moore Funeral and Cremation Chapel, 400 SE 19th St., Moore, OK 73160. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Norman, OK.

1 suspect in Kansas triple murder pleads to misdemeanor

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — One of three Kansas men charged in a triple homicide in Lawrence is free after pleading to a misdemeanor.

Dominque McMillon from an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co.

Defense attorney J.C. Gilroy said 20-year-old Dominque McMillon pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor battery. He was freed from jail because he was sentenced to less time than he’s already served in the case. A felony charge of aggravated assault was dropped as part of the plea deal.

McMillon started a fistfight that escalated into gunfire in downtown Lawrence in October 2017, killing three and injuring two.

Douglas County District Attorney said in a news release that resolving Gilroy’s case allows the state to concentrate on the two remaining and more serious cases.

The two other suspects are jailed on $1 million bond each while awaiting trial.

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