Richard Ervin (Rich) Landon, 94, died on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin. He was born on May 4, 1924 in Deerfield the son of Jay & Ruby (Miller) Landon. He married V. Nadine Mathias on August 18, 1946 at Deerfield. They were married for 72 years.
Rich graduated from Deerfield High School in 1942. He served in the United States Army Air Force from 1943 to 1945. He undertook pilot’s training while stationed in Garden City, Liberal, Pampa, Texas and Barksdale, Louisiana, culminating in Co-Piloting B-29 domestic support missions.
After his discharge he returned to Deerfield and began his career as a builder by building a new home for his wife and continued for over 60 years, constructing many beautiful homes, two churches and many concrete work projects in Deerfield and neighboring communities. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Deerfield and a Charter Member of the Deerfield Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his Parents, 2 Brothers- Jay Dean Landon and Bob Landon and Grandson- Aaron Anderson.
He is survived by his Wife- Nadine Landon of the Home, Daughter- Joleen (Dale) Anderson of Buhler, Son- Kent (Bobbie) Landon of Deerfield, Foster Son- Gene (Analisa) Ames of Oregon , 3 Sisters- Delores Paris of Dighton, Pat (Cliff) Gruver of Dodge City & Peggy Shipp of Napa, California, 3 Grandchildren- Justin Anderson of Wichita, Teal (Matt) Sander and Jade (Brent) Like both of Lakin and 4 Great- Grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday at United Methodist Church of Deerfield with Rev Doug Olson officiating. Burial will be in Deerfield Cemetery with military honors by Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church, Kearny County Historical Society or High Plains Retirement Village in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
Laura Georgene Nuss, 91, passed away on April 12, 2019 at Trinity Manor in Dodge City, Kansas surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 6, 1927 in Dodge City the daughter of Nelson and Leila (Woolwine) Johnson.
Georgene was a homemaker and farm wife, while living in the Buda Community for over 40 years where she became involved in the Stitch and Chatter Club. She moved to Dodge City in 2000, and became a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Ness City American Legion Auxiliary where she ran the concession stand for bingo for many years. She was also a member of the Ransom VFW Auxiliary. She married Elmer Nuss on September 18, 1949, in Dodge City. He died on June 10, 2005.
Georgene is survived by her two sons, Charles Nuss of Los Alamos, NM Harlan (Debbie) Nuss of Beeler, KS; two daughters, Leila (Mike) Goddard and Esther (John) Temaat both of Dodge City; 14 grandchildren, Amanda Goddard, Mike Goddard, Kristin Vega, Danielle Nuss, Jeff Nuss, Travis Nuss, Jonathan Nuss, Fayie Nuss, John Temaat, Justin Temaat, Ryan Temaat, James Temaat, Christopher Temaat, Laura Tunder; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Elmer Nuss, sister, Anna Lew Johnson, granddaughter, Kimberly Nuss, and daughter-in-law, Leva Jensen Nuss.
Funeral service will be on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 10:00 A.M., at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Burial will be in the Buda Cemetery, Beeler. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 16, with the family present from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Beeler United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Dodge City, or Trinity Manor of Dodge City.
The FrostFest Parade in downtown Hays is part of magical time in early December. Folks from near and far brave the cold to watch the lighted floats pass them by while making their way down Main Street.
Some swift action by a Fort Hays State University police officer prevented the joyous time from possibly turning tragic during the 2018 event.
Spying some candy in the middle of the street, a young girl darted out in front of a pickup in the parade. In a flash, Officer Jonathan Rupp skidded his bicycle to a stop between the youngster and the truck.
At Friday’s Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police Valor Awards Banquet in Topeka, Rupp received the Silver Life Saving Award in honor of his decisive action at the parade. His boss, Fort Hays State University Police Chief Ed Howell, was on hand for the presentation.
The truck driver in the parade hit his brakes when he saw Rupp suddenly appear in front of him – and was able to stop in time. Neither Rupp nor the girl were injured.
Rupp was on bicycle patrol while assisting the Hays Police Department at the time of the incident. Lt. Tim Greenwood of the HPD said that Rupp was so close to the truck that when the driver came to a stop, he could have touched the vehicle’s hood.
“I didn’t think it was necessarily a big deal,” Rupp said. “I was in the right spot at the right time. I did what I had to do.”
“I don’t believe it was luck,” Greenwood said. “I believe it was Officer Rupp’s professionalism, work ethic and attention to detail that prevented a tragedy. Officer Rupp intentionally placed himself in physical danger by riding between that child and the vehicle to get the driver’s attention.”
Greenwood, who has served with the Hays Police Department since 1998, recommended Rupp for the award.
“I’ve been doing this job for over 20 years, and that’s by far the closest call I’ve seen at a parade,” Greenwood said. “I am certain that had (Rupp) not been paying attention, that little girl would have been hit. I know it would not have been good.”
The girl, who was about 3 years of age, made a beeline for the candy when her mother became distracted. Rupp said he had been eyeing the girl, whose identity he still does not know. He went back to his duties along the parade route after the mother thanked him several times.
“I could tell before it happened that she was thinking about running out into the street,” Rupp said. “That’s why I turned all of my attention toward her.”
Howell said his officers know what to do in such a situation.
“We train our officers to make that reaction and act accordingly,” Howell said. “This is a primary reason why we’re out there.”
This is the first commendation for Rupp, who has worked in law enforcement since 2015, when he joined the University Police Department.
Rupp, 37, previously worked as an electronics technician and in the oil fields after graduating from Hays High School in 2000. His wife, Amanda, was present for the award presentation. The couple has two children, Ivan, 3, and Amelia, 1.
Rupp hopes to have a long career with the University Police Department.
“I enjoy the interaction with the students, faculty and staff,” he said. “I don’t have any plans to go anywhere else. Hopefully, I will retire from Fort Hays State.”
The Ellis County Commission will consider the purchase of new election equipment at Monday’s meeting.
Earlier this year, Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus began the process of replacing the county’s aging equipment with three equipment demonstrations.
The new equipment will replace the current iVotronic voting machines, which are more than a decade old. They will also allow Ellis County to comply with state law that requires all counties to be able to perform a post-election audit with paper ballots.
The machines will be paid for from funds from the equipment replacement fund. Maskus has been transferring money into the equipment replacement fund for several years to pay for the equipment.
In other business, the commission will consider the addition of a fitness room at the Emergency Medical Services Building, bids on a new elevator at the Law Enforcement Center, and removal of stairs at County Administrative Center. Discussions on the 2020 budget also will continue.
Monday’s meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 718 Main.
ELLIS – Following a public hearing last week regarding application for a state grant to help finance a new swimming pool, Ellis city council members will continue the discussion at tonight’s meeting
Andy Smith of Lamp Rynearson will meet with the council to discuss the Community Development Block Grant application and an engineering contract for the proposed project.
Another community project will be updated with the consideration of contracting with Midwest Energy for electrical service in the expansion of the Ellis Lakeside Campground. City Clerk Amy Burton will also discuss the budget for the expansion.
In other business, the council will consider a resolution adopting a revised fee schedule.
The complete meeting agenda follows.
AGENDA
April 15, 2019
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 1, 2019
Bills Ordinance #2067
Manual Journal Entries for December 2018
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
Discuss CDBG Swimming Pool Project – Andy Smith, Lamp Rynearson
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Engineering Contract with Lamp Rynearson for Swimming Pool Improvements
Consider Approval of Donation Policy
Update on Cedar Lane Lift Station Project
NEW BUSINESS
Executive Session – Data Related to Financial Affairs
Consider Approval of Public Property Permit Application, Noise Permit Application, and Event Request for Traffic Control – Community Block Party
Consider Resolution Adopting Revised Fee Schedule
Consider Contract for Electric Service with Midwest Energy for Campground Expansion Project
Ellis St. Mary CYO will be having our monthly pan fried chicken dinner on Sunday, April 28, 2019.
Pan fried chicken dinner includes:
Mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert.
10:00 until 1:00pm or
until sold out.
Ellis Knights of Columbus hall
1013 Washington Street
Ellis KS 67637
Ages 5 through 9 $5.00
Ages 10 and over $10.00
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Child welfare advocates in Kansas who spent more than a year examining the state’s troubled foster care system are frustrated with what they see as the Legislature’s lack of action on their recommendations for fixing the problems.
Gov. Laura Kelly, left, and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard during a February press conference in Topeka photo by Jim McLean Kansas News Service.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly says she understands their frustrations but argues that her administration and lawmakers are making progress. She also says it will take time to fix the years of problems left by her Republican predecessors.
More than a dozen members of a child welfare task force and its subcommittees have signed a letter urging lawmakers to do more to address problems in the system that provides foster care for abused and neglected children.
The GOP-controlled Legislature might not have much time left this year. Lawmakers reconvene May 1 after their annual spring break and are scheduled to wrap up their business for the year by May 17.
“It seems like a waste,” social worker Sarah Coats, who signed the letter, told The Kansas City Star. “We have all of this information, all of the research done, people are committed to work and know what needs to be done and no one is doing anything. It’s like screaming at a brick wall.”
In recent years, the state faced questions about several high-profile deaths of abused children after the Department for Children and Families was alerted to problems. Until September, some children in state custody slept overnight in foster care contractors’ offices, including a 13-year-old girl who was raped in an office.
Lawmakers are close to funding dozens of new child welfare workers over the next two years. They also have passed a bill that would allow Kansas for the first time to use federal funds to pay for prevention services to help keep children out of foster care.
And DCF Secretary Laura Howard told The Star that Kelly and legislators have pursued the task force’s top recommendations, including improving the child welfare system’s workforce, bettering DCF’s information technology and drawing down federal funds for prevention services.
Kelly told reporters that like the advocates, she would like the state to be moving faster on the task force’s recommendations, but said it can’t happen.
“I share their frustrations, but I also have to deal with reality,” she said. “You know, there are so many things wrong within our child welfare system that you have to sort of prioritize and attack them in a systematic way.”
The task force made nearly two dozen recommendations,including improving information sharing among parties involved in the child welfare system, investing more in foster care recruiting and creating a new task force to examine the cost of better services and how to fund them.
Task force members said in their letter that they have “deep concern” that lawmakers have only made minimal progress and have made no progress on most recommendations.
“I certainly hope it doesn’t take further child tragedy to inspire the actions of the Legislature,” Lori Ross, a longtime child advocate in Missouri and Kansas, told The Star.
Both Kelly and Howard suggested the issue may be that DCF needs to do a better job of communicating how it’s attempting to address problems.
“They’ve been so focused on doing the work that they haven’t been publicizing what they’re doing,” Kelly said. “Obviously, people are anxious to get these done.”
Roger McEowen, Kansas Farm Bureau professor of law and taxation at the Washburn School of Law, talks to cattlemen Friday in Stockton.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The cattlemen affected by the bankruptcy of the Plainville Livestock Commission should receive most of their money back, but it could be months more before they see any of their money.
In early February, the Plainville Livestock Commission issued checks to more than 40 producers for sale of their cattle.
On Feb. 12, Almena Bank froze two of Plainville Livestock Commission’s bank accounts. When the bank froze the accounts, tens of thousands of dollars worth of checks owner Tyler Gillum had written to area ranchers who had recently sold cattle at the Plainville Livestock Commission bounced.
On March 1, the Plainville Livestock Commission filed for bankruptcy.
The Rooks-Phillips County Extension hosted Roger McEowen, Kansas Farm Bureau professor of law and taxation at the Washburn School of Law, Friday in Stockton to talk about the process of recovering funds for cattlemen after the bankruptcy of a livestock market agent.
The cattlemen’s money is protected under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The market agency is supposed to hold funds from the sale of cattle in a custodial account until all the sellers are paid. Someone allegedly transferred the money in the custodial account into the Plainville Livestock Commission’s general operating account, according to court records.
At that time, the bank holding the funds, Almena Bank, froze the Livestock Commission’s accounts.
McEowen said in a bankruptcy filing the unpaid cattlemen’s claims take priority over other creditors in accordance with the Packers and Stockyards Act.
There are deadlines to file claims under the Packers and Stockyards Act. Cattlemen can bring a reparation proceeding within 90 days of the sale. They need to file the proceedings with Secretary of Agriculture through the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration, which is within the USDA’s Ag Marketing Service. There are specific forms available through the GIPSA to file the action.
“This is a process that is going to take months,” he said.
GIPSA does not have enforcement authority. If GIPSA finds a cattleman is owed money, the cattleman has to have the payment enforced by federal court or a district court that has jurisdiction within a year.
“The point is, if you understand the process, you are going to understand how long this is going to take to shake out,” McEowen said. “The cattlemen will get paid, maybe not 100 percent of their claim. They will be paid something, but it is not going to be tonight. It is not going to be tomorrow or next week. It is going to take some time.”
The impact on the community is going to be great. For every dollar that the cattlemen are owed in this case, that equals $3 to $4 that is not available to be cycled through the local economy, he said.
In this case, it equals millions of dollars.
“We don’t want the cattlemen to fail. They are going to get paid. We want them to get back on their feet at some point in time,” McEowen said. “Probably the majority of the funds they are owed they will recover, but what is going to happen in the meantime?”
He encouraged the cattlemen to evaluate their own personal situation, for the cattlemen to work together and the community to support the cattlemen who have been affected.
“The domino effect on this is the potential really bad situation,” he said. “That needs to be avoided so we don’t have a whole community that really suffers because of this.”
The U.S. bankruptcy court in Wichita on Thursday, indicated the cattlemen do have a priority to funds being held by the bank. Judge Roger Nugent ordered the money that is being held at Almena Bank continue to be held there in a segregated account, but he said he needed more time to consider the case.
The bankruptcy case has been continued to 10:30 a.m. May 9.
In the meantime, attorneys have broad subpoena power under the Packers and Stockyards Act to do a legal “fishing expedition.” The investigation of the finances of Plainville Livestock Commission could draw the case out, McOwen said.
Francis Gerold Graham, age 91, passed away on Friday, April 12. 2019 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in LaCrosse, Kansas. Francis was born December 24, 1927 in Liberty, Illinois, the son of John Earl & Tenna “Fern” (Likes) Graham. A resident of Greeley County, Kansas since 1952 moving from Trinidad, Colorado, he was a former employee at Greeley County CO- OP and a farmer.
Francis served as City Clerk for the City of Horace, Kansas from the 1960’s through 1992. He was an avid golfer and member of Prairie Ridge Golf Course in Tribune, Kansas. Affectionately known as Papa, he also enjoyed bowling and playing Bingo.
On November 7, 1947 he married Violet Schenck at Neosho, Missouri. Violet passed away on March 9, 1991 in Tribune, Kansas.
Francis’s surviving family includes-
Four Children-
Lonnie Graham-Hays, Kansas
Larry & Alice Graham-Topeka, Kansas
Jerry & Gloria Graham-Hays, Kansas
Lesa & Kim Klozenbucher-LaCrosse, Kansas
A sister-
Wilma Meador-Camp Point, Illinois
Twenty grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.
And numerous nieces and nephews
His parents, wife, three sons, Kenny Graham, Billy Graham and Terry Graham, a daughter, Karen Piper, a grandson, Marc Graham, and four brothers, J.D. Burle, Rodell & Homer Graham precede him in death.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am (MDT) Wednesday, April 19, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Tribune, Kansas with Pastor Justin Sherer officiating.
Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.
Friends may call from noon until 8:00 pm Tuesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to Prairie Ridge Golf Course Building Fund in care of the funeral home.
Louis Robert McDonald, 81, passed away April 12, 2019.
He was born December 1, 1937 in Neodesha, Kansas; the son of Earl and Ethel Fender McDonald. A Larned resident since 1957, moving from Neodesha; he was a mill operator for Bert and Wetta and Ward Feed Yard and was currently working for Circle F Hauling, Great Bend.
Louis attended The Fathers House of Larned, was a member of the American Legion Riders, he loved riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, spending time with his grandchildren, and to fish. He was a hard working man who enjoyed working outside and was known to be a workaholic.
On October 10, 1958 he married Syble O. Gallaway, his loving wife of sixty years, in Yates Center; she survives.
Other survivors include; a son, John R. McDonald, Las Vegas, Nevada; three daughters, Barbara McDonald and Sarah McDonald both of Great Bend and Shelly (McDonald) Hodges, Larned; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by; six brothers, Frank, Clarence, John, Alfred, Orville and Cecil and three sisters, Louise Boman, Mildred Bohannon and Alma Sele.
Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Larned Cemetery with Pastor Michael Pfortmiller presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the Fathers House of Larned or Pawnee County Humane Society, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.
Surrounded by family and friends, Jesus took Kay Harms by the hand and led her home in the early morning hours of Friday, April 12, 2019 in Jetmore, Kansas. She was 76 years old.
Kay Elaine Harms was born on November 5, 1942. She grew up on a farm along the Pawnee Creek in the North Roscoe township of rural Hodgeman County. She was guided in life by her parents, J. Olin Vieux and Leona Maye (Cook) Vieux. She attended Keroma Country School in North Roscoe and graduated from Jetmore High School. Before she had children, Kay worked as a nurse’s aide at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs and later at the Jetmore Hospital. She was a devoted mother and was glad to be able to stay at home and raise her children. She was a member of the Sew-and-So Club and Jetmore Booster Club. Later in life, she worked for USD 227 as a high school cook and bus driver. Kay had a secure faith in God and was a member of the Jetmore United Methodist Church, cell group, and enjoyed helping with the Journey to Bethlehem.
Kay loved to reminisce about her time growing up along the Pawnee. She preferred outside work and was her dad’s right hand at their farm. As an adult, she returned to the farm frequently to help with wheat harvest and enjoyed cooking and baking for the army of family that gathered there on many weekends and holidays. She was involved in 4H for most of her life and loved the county fair. Kay was an excellent seamstress, sewing most of her children’s clothes and making quilts for her family. She liked to garden and can her vegetables, go on shopping trips, watch birds on her porch, and go for Sunday drives. She loved watching her kids and grandkids in various sports and other events in which they were involved. She was a fixture in her red stadium seat at Jetmore ballgames and always had her lawn chair front and center during the summers at the ball diamonds. She drove the activity bus for many years for several generations of Shorthorns and Longhorns. Kay met challenges in her life with determination and strong will. She had sincere empathy for others and loved to laugh until she cried.
Kay will be deeply missed by her daughter, Michele Crabill and husband, Bob of Jetmore, KS; sons, Darron Harms and Lisa Wasinger of Hanston, KS; Vaughn Harms and wife, Julie of Jetmore, KS; and Brandon Harms and wife, Trisha of Jetmore, KS. Special memories of their “G-Baby” will forever be cherished by her ten grandchildren: Kelli (Tyler) Beougher, Taylor Crabill, Shelby Crabill, Will Crabill, Aaron Harms, Breanna Harms, Tanner Harms, Chipper Harms, Brennan Harms, Bryce Harms; and two step-grandchildren, John (Jacque) Wasinger and Nick Wasinger. Kay was also able to meet her two great-grandchildren, Reed and Renna Beougher. She will be fondly remembered by her siblings: Eugene (Beki Jo) Vieux; Joyce (Kenneth) Davis, all of Dodge City; Marsha (John) Ewy of Jetmore; Warren (Sandy) Vieux of Hesston, KS; and Doug (Melody) Vieux of Jetmore; nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Kay, dear cousins, numerous lifelong friends, and former spouse and father of her children, Gordon Harms.
Kay is reunited with her parents in Heaven.
Join us as we celebrate Kay’s life and legacy at the United Presbyterian Church in Jetmore at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 16, followed by burial at 6:30 PM at the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore. Visitation will be Monday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Tuesday from 9 AM to 2 PM at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County 4H, Hodgeman County Booster Club, or Hodgeman County Recreation Commission in care of Beckwith Funeral, Home, P.O. Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854.
Richard Ervin (Rich) Landon, 94, died on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin. He was born on May 4, 1924 in Deerfield the son of Jay & Ruby (Miller) Landon. He married V. Nadine Mathias on August 18, 1946 at Deerfield. They were married for 72 years.
