SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and asking the public for assistance with information.
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Just after 11:45p.m. Sunday, police responded to a robbery call at the Towne East Mall security office in the 7700 Block of East Kellogg in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
A 33-year-old mall security officer told police that an unknown suspect armed with a Taser entered the mall after hours, approached her and a 66-year-old security guard and demanded money. The suspect threated both security guards and used the Taser on one of them, according to Davidson. When one security guard attempted to call 911, the suspect took the cell phone and fled on foot.
The suspect is described as an unknown black male, age 20-30s, 5-foot-8, 160 pounds. He wore a black coat, gloves and wore a black and orange mask.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police.
K-State Research & Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course on Saturday, April 27, 2019. This course will be held at Hill City High School in Hill City, Kansas. Class will start at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Local K-State Research & Extension Agents will teach this basic course covering farm and machinery safety, including proper tractor operation and maintenance, grain safety, implement use safety and more.
The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents.
However, there are several cases where youth may be required to take the training even though they are working on the “family farm.” For instance, if the parent is a partner or member of a farm corporation or if the youth is legally employed by grandparents, the law requires youth participate in the course. Any employer who plans to hire youth under 16 years of age must make sure they attend this tractor safety course.
If you plan to attend, please contact the Cottonwood District, 785-628-9430 or e-mail Theresa, [email protected] to register by April 24th. A fee of $15 is due to your local Extension Office at registration and will cover rent of the manual, refreshments, lunch, and other materials needed during training. You can purchase the manual for an additional $15.
LOGAN – The Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program is pleased to present its first-ever Brush Pen Calligraphy class on May 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hansen Museum Community Room.
Led by instructor Chandra Feldman of “Sarcasm & Calligraphy” out of Glen Elder, KS, participants will discover the basics of modern calligraphy while using a brush pen. Feldman will demonstrate and teach the convenience of the brush pen to practice consistent calligraphy techniques in this illustrative class. Students will take home two brush pens and workbooks to allow them to continue creating art on their own.
Class size is limited; please register by May 13. Registration is $45 per student with discounts available for Patron and Sustaining Hansen Museum Members.
This learning opportunity is brought to you through the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program. For more information, please call 785-689-4846.
The Kansas Department of Commerce has initiated its Rapid Response program for workers laid off by the closure of the Dessin Fournir furniture company in Plainville.
The Rapid Response program helps employers and employees who are in transition mode. It is available statewide and provides early intervention re-employment services at no cost to companies and their employees affected by layoffs and/or closings. Rapid Response is mandated and funded by USDOL’s Workforce Investment Act through the Dislocated Worker funding stream.
In Kansas, Rapid Response services are provided at the local level, led by a Rapid Response Coordinator (there are five in Kansas). When the Rapid Response team becomes aware of a layoff or closing, company officials are contacted (within 24 hours of notice) to establish a good working relationship and offer informational meetings for the laid off workers.
At these meetings, individuals are informed about services and benefits designed to help them get back on their feet, including:
Career counseling and job search assistance
Resume preparation and interviewing skills workshops
In some cases, there may be a job fair held in conjunction to the informational meeting. This can be a great connection for not only the workers who are losing their jobs, but also for local companies who are looking to fill positions.
Laid off workers are referred to their local Workforce Center where they can receive individualized assistance best suited to their needs, whether that is a referral to partner/community services, training or steps to take to a new career.
In a nutshell, Rapid Response is early intervention to assist workers who have been laid off by providing services that will assist them in transitioning to the next phase of their working career as quickly as possible.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friends,
Sadly, last week we saw a historical religious symbol destroyed. The Notre Dame Cathedral has stood tall since 1345 and was an icon for the country of France. I was devastated by the destruction the fire cause but am heartened by the generosity of the French people and their determination to rebuild it with speed. I look forward to seeing it stand once more.
Back at home, the Mueller Report was finally released. I have always supported its release and I am glad that we live in a country where such transparency is possible. As the full details come out I am pleased that we will be able to put this shameful chapter of American history behind us and focus on the road ahead.
Fixing our Infrastructure
I had the opportunity to tour Bergkamp, Inc in Salina, which manufactures road maintenance and preservation equipment. We discussed the importance and impact of road preservation, and the need for robust infrastructure funding throughout Kansas. Everyday, our highways are used not only to move people across the state, but also to get our commodities like corn, beef, and wheat to market. Ensuring that our roads and highways are in good condition is an important part of keeping the Kansas economy growing and rural America thriving.
Gojmerac
Welcome Home Soldier
At just 29 years old, Nicholas J. Gojmerac from Kansas City, Kansas, was fighting for our country and his life during a brutal attack on the Solomon Islands. It was 1943, we were in the middle of World War II when Gojmerac crawled through the battlefield to help a friend that had been severely wounded, in his act of bravery, he too was injured by machine gun fire. Still, he pressed on, dragging his wounded comrade off of the battleground to find safety and medical care.
Despite his heroic efforts that day to save his friend in combat, it was on that day, July 20th, 1943, that Nicholas fought his final battle, and it was the last time anyone saw Marine Corps Reserve PFC Gojmerac alive. He was listed at MIA- Missing in Action.
As a salute to his bravery and sacrifice, PFC Gojmerac was later, posthumously, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart award.
But his family and friends, for 76 years, were left with more questions than answers, unable to lay his remains to rest. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Today, more than 72,700 of those soldiers are still unaccounted for.
In September, The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) through an extensive dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial, historical and material evidence evaluation identified remains recovered from a burial site on the Solomon Islands as Nicholas J. Gojmerac.
He was transported back to Kansas, where he was laid to rest with full military honors at the at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Welcome home soldier. Thank you for your service, your bravery, and your patriotism.
National Grain and Feed Association
Members of the National Grain and Feed Association stopped by the office to discuss a number of issues including: trade, infrastructure, transportation, and the ongoing challenges facing producers back home on the farm. As the Trump Administration continues to negotiate a new trade deal in North America, as well as others across the globe in Asia and elsewhere, we must ensure that our roads, rails, and waterways here at home can continue to support the movement of grain and goods produced by hard working Kansans to market.
Although there are many struggles currently facing the rural economy I am proud to advocate on their behalf in Washington to ensure that conditions improve as quickly as possible.
Bridging the Gap, Vietnam War Vets Give Personal Accounts of the War
I am so proud of the work that Humanities Kansas continues to do for our communities. For those unfamiliar with HK, their mission is to draw people together and generate new ideas through sharing peoples stories, starting conversations, and taking action to help Kansas Communities.
Their latest campaign was dedicated to sharing the stories of the Vietnam war through the eyes of veterans that fought in the battle. HK helped share the stories of more than 100 Kansas Vietnam veterans through audio recordings and sent them to the Library of Congress to be archived so that their personal accounts and memories from the war will never be forgotten. This oral history project connected with veterans in various communities across my district, including Salina, Onaga, and Abilene, and I had the honor of joining for the launch of the project in Jetmore last August.
It’s crucial that we continue to dive deeper to truly understand our nation’s history, especially when there’s still an opportunity to see the events through the lens of veterans and families that endured it that can provide first-hand accounts of their experiences.
By putting the spotlight on our veterans’ voices, Humanities Kansas is bridging the gap between those who lived through the war era and those who have merely read about it in their school’s history books.
Pro-Life Movement
Many Kansans are as appalled as I was at the horrible anti-life legislation we have seen come from the New York legislature. As we see more and more evil legislation being proposed it can be easy to become discouraged so I want to take the time to highlight some of the great work being accomplished from the pro-life movement at the State level.
Last week the Texas House passed a Born-Alive Infant Protection Act. This legislation is something I have been fighting tooth and nail against the anti-life Democrats to have passed in the House and I cannot express how great it feels to see states finding success. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that from 2003-2014 at least 143 infants died after being born alive during an abortion procedure. To say that this is unacceptable would be a grave understatement. Currently only six states even have to report when a baby survives an abortion, and in 2017 from those six states alone there were at least 25 babies born alive. These are living infants who need our protection.
We have also seen success with “Heartbeat Bills” in multiple states. In Kentucky they have signed a Heartbeat bill into law and are currently defending it in court. In Georgia another similar bill has passed their legislature and need only be signed by the Governor to become law. These pieces of legislation protect the life of infants as soon as a heartbeat can be detected and are important steps towards getting the Supreme Court to abolishing the detestable practice of late term abortion. I applaud the work being done by these state legislators and the pro-life community and give you all my word that I will continue my fight here in Washington.
Digital Divide Update
Last week we had more than 20 representatives from rural telecommunications companies in D.C. to discuss issues related to broadband deployment. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many of them back in Kansas and see firsthand the work they’re doing across the state! This group discussed challenges and inaccuracies with the current national broadband map, which impacts availability of federal funding for these small providers working to build out broadband infrastructure in rural communities. Last year, Congress directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work together to update the national broadband map, so that we can better deploy broadband across the country.
KU Hospital Leaders Discuss Rural America Health Care Access
I had the opportunity to sit down with a great group from the KU Hospital Association for a great discussion centered around the needs of rural hospitals. We discussed the demographic challenges rural America faces in terms of an aging population base, and must ensure that all Kansans have access to a health care system that works for them. We need our public institutions to be working to develop systems that work for our rural population and I plan to see that they do so.
I will be advocating for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to develop a program to establish new models of care for rural hospitals
We also talked about a vital program to rural hospitals, the 340B Drug Discount Program. This program allows safety-net health care organizations serving vulnerable populations to purchase prescription drugs at a discount. Kansas rural hospitals have utilized the savings to maintain capacity and provide services to patients in need. I support the 340B program and what it has done to help the people of Kansas.
KS Council on Developmental Disabilities
Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities dropped by the Hill! We had great discussions about employment for those who have disabilities. Those with disabilities have a hard time finding jobs that are suitable for them and their needs, but it is really important that they are able to. Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act allows men and women with disabilities to find high quality workforce and prepares them for competition in the work place. The Act will have State vocational rehabilitation agencies set aside funds and put that towards services that will help young people with disabilities transition into the workforce. I am glad to be an advocate for those who struggle with any sort of disability and help them find a perfect fit for work!
Wichita REAP Council Meeting
Last week I gave a speech at the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Council Meeting in Wichita about the importance of the agriculture community for South-Central Kansas and what is being done in Washington on their behalf. I updated the council on the process of implementing the Farm Bill. While the shutdown that ended earlier this year caused minor delays, USDA is working diligently to get back on track to make sure that all Kansans in the ag community get the support that they need.
I also informed the REAP council about ongoing trade negotiations with foreign economies. I met last week with Minister Xu Xueyuan from the Chinese embassy for trade discussions centered around the high quality beef, grain, and other agricultural exports that are produced back home. The Trump Administration has also recently started bilateral trade talks with Japan in Washington DC. As the third largest economy in the world this presents huge potential for Kansas producers. Finally, I brought the counsel up to speed on the letter I led regarding the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for wheat imports into Brazil. After several decades of defiance, I am very pleased that the new leadership in Brazil has committed to finally following the World Trade Organization law and will comply with the TRQ, presenting increased export opportunities for our farmers in Kansas and across the country.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the Kansas First District Congressman.
Fort Hays State University graduate Addy Tritt, whose story about buying out the Hays Payless store to help Nebraska flood victims went viral, appeared on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” on Monday. The show airs at 4 p.m. CST on Eagle channel 10 and 610.
Ellen surprised Tritt with a game of “Holey Roller” — which Tritt “won.” The prize money Tritt is coming home with is made possible by Cheerios.
PRETTY PRARIE, Kan. (AP) — Students at a Kansas school where the band room was extensively damaged are back to practice thanks to a donation from another school district.
Photo courtesy Reno Co. Sheriff
Hutchinson Public Schools donated instruments to the band program at Pretty Prairie High School.
The Pretty Prairie district says Hutchinson’s donation replaced all the instruments damaged earlier this month when vandals trashed the music room.
The donation allowed the Pretty Prairie band to reschedule its spring concert to May 3.
Four students, three of whom are between the ages of 8 and 11, were suspended after the vandalism.
Kent Robert Yetschke, 68, passed away February 22, 2019 at his home in Great Bend. He was born January 10, 1951 to Robert Eldon and Betty Ann (Bowsher) Yetschke.
A lifetime resident of the Great Bend area, Kent was a butcher for Dillons, Food-4-Less, Great Bend Packing, and the Butcher Block in Larned. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and even acted as a guide to hunters on excursions. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Survivors include, one daughter, Kendra Brown and her husband Eric of Burdett; one niece, Juli Sparkman and her husband George Webster of Bel Aire; and three grandchildren, Dawson Williams, Logan Williams and Mackenlie Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Tara Rene Yetschke; and sister, Barbara Yetschke.
Cremation has taken place and services are pending at a later date.
Richard C. Lohr, age 79 years, of Burdett, Kansas and formerly of Pawnee Rock, Kansas, passed away at his home in Burdett on Friday evening, April 19, 2019.
Richard was born on June 23, 1939 at Rock Falls, Illinois to Cleo and Ida (McKeel) Lohr. He was united in marriage to Janice Ellis on July 3, 1962 at Great Bend, Kansas, and they had a son, Rick Lohr. Richard was later united in marriage to Laura McCormick-Lohr on June 6, 2002. A U.S. Navy Veteran, he served aboard the repair ship USS Markab.
After coming to this area, Richard attended Barton County Community College, taking courses for electrician and machine technology. He worked in the oilfield as a pumper. Richard loved hunting and fishing, scuba diving, and co-owned and operated Lohr’s House of Treasures antique and collectibles shop in Pawnee Rock for 5 years. He had been a resident of Burdett for the past two years.
Survivors include one son, Rick (and his wife, Sandi) Lohr of Arkansas City, Kansas; one daughter, Chelsea (and her husband, Justin) Hoffman of Burdett, Kansas; six grandchildren: Derek (and his wife, Alex) Lohr, Ryleigh Hayden, Mason Mostrom, Kaydance Mostrom, Addison Hoffman, and Skylar Stein; one sister, Mary Green of Florida; nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Laura McCormick-Lohr on July 30, 2017; two brothers (Donald “Doc” Lohr and Bill Lohr) and two sisters (Nora Lohr and Dorothy Vanaman).
According to Richard’s wishes, cremation has been chosen. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas with Pastor Larry J. Schumacher officiating. Private family inurnment will follow at a later date in Colorado. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.
Arrangements Entrusted To Charter Funerals 2115 Washington St. Great Bend, KS 67530 (620) 793-6161
AZUSA, Calif. – After three days of competition in California, the Fort Hays State women’s track and field team earned multiple strong finishes, as well as a provisional. The Tigers competed in the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific this past Wednesday through Friday, an event which brought in over 10,000 entries.
Alexcia Deutscher earned the lone provisional for the Tigers over the weekend after placing 11th in the javelin with her throw of 142 feet, 3 inches. Alongside this provisional was a first place finish by Yessenia Gonzales who navigated the 5,000-meters with a top time of 17:41.14.
Among these two performances were multiple high finishes in events. The women’s 4×400 relay, made up of Peri Lange, Lindsay Schupe, Mattie Rossi and Grace Buessing placed 12th with a time of 3:57.65. In the high jump, Summer Kragel claimed 13th with her height of 5 feet, 5 ¼ inches. In the discus, Laurel Haley finished in 20th place with her throw of 136 feet, 3 inches and Peri Lange totaled 4,258 points in the heptathlon to finish in 11th place.
Besides California, FHSU was represented elsewhere this week. Julia Wagner participated in the Kansas Relays as she earned an 18th place finish in the hammer throw with her distance of 143 feet, 5 inches.
The Tigers are back in action in their final meet before conference championships as they travel to Concordia, Kan. for the Cloud County Invitational on Wednesday (April 24).
Dwight “Lee” Blair, 76, died April 20, 2019, at his home in Claflin after struggling with several health issues. He was born May 11, 1942, in Halfway, Missouri, the son of Samuel Dwight and Naomia May (Goldsberry) Blair. Lee served as a drill sergeant in the United States Army Reserve from 1966 to 1972.
Lee was a resident of Claflin for the last 16 years, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Salina before that. While living in Salina, Lee worked as a painter for Salina Body and Fender, he then became an over the road truck driver, working for Graves and ANR Trucking. Lee was an avid sportsman, he loved hunting, fishing, guns, and old cars.
On June 27, 1981, he married Vera G. Klima in Salina.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Vera Blair of the home, and dog, Candice; son, Derek Blair of Citrus Heights, California; granddaughter, Savanna Blair of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; siblings, Dixie P. King of Springfield, Missouri, Eddie J. Blair of Overland Park, Kansas, Dorothy M. Antwiler of Independence, Missouri, Jack A. Blair of Emery, South Dakota; 29 nieces and nephews, and 40 great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Darren Blair, infant daughter, Tresca Blair; and sisters, Katie Jo Wall and Darlene Covell.
Services were held Monday, April 22, 2019 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Claflin E.M.S. Fund or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
JEFFERSON COUNTY — A registered Kansas sex offender is back in jail after a weekend incident involving a 14-year-old girl.
Early Sunday, the teen’s parents reported her missing, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig. The teen was originally reported abducted by 21-year-old Jacob Cowles, a registered sex offender. “We learned she went willingly and so there was no Amber Alert issued,” said Herrig.
Cowles lives with his parents in Lakeshore Estates. When the two returned to the home, the parents contacted authorities who arrested Cowles, according to Herrig.
He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on requested charges that include aggravated criminal sodomy; with person/animal by force, indecent liberties w/ child 14-16 years of age and solicit to engage, according to online jail records.
Cowles was expected to make a court appearance in the case Monday, according to the sheriff.
