Michael W. “Mike” Merriam, 66, formerly of Topeka, passed away on May 19, 2019 in Andrews, TX.
He was born on November 25, 1952 in Topeka, the son of John E Merriam Jr. and Charlotte (Sawyer) Merriam.
He graduated from Topeka West High School, University of Kansas and went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Washburn University School of Law.
Mike was admitted to bar 1976, Kansas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, District of Kansas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court. He was a member of the Topeka Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, Topeka Lawyers Club, Jayhawkers Club.
Mike practiced business, media, communication and First Amendment law during his 40 year career.
He married Paula Crowther on November 17, 1973, she survives. Other survivors include children, John P Merriam, Dr. Margaret Merriam & husband Dr. Carlos Molina, and Katherine Merriam; grandchildren, Sam Merriam, Parker Merriam, Elaina Merriam-Molina, Grace Merriam-Molina and Warren Merriam-Molina ; he is also survived by sisters, Linda McBride, Dianne Becket, Nancy McDonald, Sally Merriam.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents, Grace and John E. Merriam.
No public services will be held. Private burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka.
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is handling arrangements.
Dorothy Mann passed away on May 13, 2019, at the age of 90.
She was born to Dave and Geneva (Ulrich) Bollinger on April 26, 1929. She along with her younger sister, Norma, lived on the family farm near the Smoky Hill River, 20 miles south of Quinter. Mostly via horseback, she attended a one-room schoolhouse that was “over the river and up the hill”.
She lived in town with her Uncle Manford Ulrich and wife, Vera, during high school and graduated from Quinter High School in 1946. She graduated from Cosmetology School in Topeka, KS after which she returned to Quinter to marry her high school sweetheart, Austin Mann on April 17, 1947.
Her first employment was keeping books at the Quinter Sale Barn one night a week. She was employed at Quinter Elementary School as a secretary where she enjoyed many colorful years working with the principal, Willis Neal. Later she was a teller at the First National Bank of Quinter. She was skilled in record keeping and balance sheets leading her to volunteer to be the secretary for most every organization she ever joined.
An avid reader and life-long learner, she was an enthusiastic supporter of the Jay Johnson Public Library in Quinter, along with active participation in the Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary. Dorothy spent countless hours gardening, playing bridge, watching KSU football games on her computer and making countless sack lunches for harvests.
She was a long-time member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Quinter as well as their Sylvia Society.
She leaves behind family and friends from throughout the region who celebrated her 90th birthday with her two weeks prior to her passing.
She leaves behind her sister, Norma (Bollinger) Chestnut and husband, Sam of Quinter, KS; children Deanna (Mann) Schwab and husband, Steve of Chico, CA, and Dave Mann and wife, Roetta of Quinter, KS.
Grandchildren include Shane Mann, wife Mary Jo, children Barrett and Carson, of Quinter, KS; Tracey Mann, wife Audrey, children Quincy, Austin, Whitney and Elise of Salina, KS; and Tara Jo Mann of Grapevine, TX.
He husband, Austin, and infant daughter, Diana Sue, preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the Quinter United Methodist Church, 218 W 4th Street, Quinter, Kansas 67752
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Reformed Presbyterian Church and Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
CHENEY, Kan. — The Bureau of Land Management has opened the flood gates at Cheney Reservoir as the lake rose to a near record level of 1,430 feet above sea level. With that, the gates were opened slightly around 6 a.m. Plans are to increase the outflow over the rest of the day Wednesday.
Sedgwick County says release water will flow first along the 15 miles of the North Fork of the Ninnescah River from below the dam “to the confluence with the South Fork,” according to a news release from the county. That area is quickly flooding from the release and will continue to do so.
The Army Corps of Engineers determined Tuesday afternoon that the gates would stay closed, but when the lake quickly rose above the flood pool, the Bureau of Land Management took authority over the lake and made the decision to open the gates. Officials are warning people downstream from Cheney that flooding is likely and residents in flood-prone areas should take precautions.
As of 9 a.m., the lake level was at 1,429.8 feet with a spillway release of about 1,280 cubic feet per second. The lake is still taking in about 9,000 cubic feet per second from runoff and the Ninnescah River.
Planned Parenthood Great Plains, based in Overland Park sued one day after Kansas moved to terminate its participation in the Medicaid program. FILE PHOTO
So Kansas hired three high-powered East Coast law firms to defend it in a case that would slog on for nearly three years before Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration agreed to drop the termination effort in April.
The case dates back to the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican who vowed to defund Planned Parenthood after he accused it of profiting from the sale of fetal tissue.
The state’s legal defense cost taxpayers at least $899,000, according to records obtained by KCUR through the Kansas Open Records Act.
One of the law firms retained by Kansas — Washington, D.C.,-based Consovoy McCarthy Park — represents President Donald Trump in a lawsuit seeking to block his accounting firm from complying with a congressional subpoena of Trump’s financial records. (A federal judge on Monday ruled that the accounting firm must comply with the subpoena.)
A boutique firm boasting several former U.S. Supreme Court law clerks, Consovoy McCarthy billed more than $396,000 for its work on the Medicaid termination case from August 2016 through August 2018, invoices from the firm show.
One of the biggest law firms in the world, Norton Rose Fulbright, billed Kansas more than $471,000 for work it performed during the same two-year span.
And a third firm specializing in litigation, Cooper & Kirk, billed nearly $31,000 for a month’s worth of work in June 2016. (The firm had initially billed $61,910, but a note on the invoice states it was “renegotiated per Governor’s office 12/22/16.”)
Law firm invoices typically provide detailed descriptions of the services they rendered. However, those portions of the invoices were blacked out in the copies obtained by KCUR. So it’s unclear what work the firms performed for the money.
Katelyn Radloff, an attorney with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the defendant in the case, told KCUR in an email that the redacted portions fell under the attorney-client privilege exception to the Kansas Open Records Act.
Ordinarily, the state attorney general’s office defends Kansas in suits brought against it or its agencies. But occasionally — and especially in matters involving complex litigation — the state hires outside counsel to represent it.
A spokesman for Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt did not respond to questions about why the state chose to hire outside counsel in this case rather than have the attorney general’s office defend the case.
Ashley All, a spokeswoman for Kelly, made clear in an email that the newly elected governor regarded the case as a waste.
“Multiple courts ruled against the previous administration’s effort to remove Planned Parenthood as a KanCare provider,” All said. “To continue with this costly litigation would be unwise and out of step with the priorities of Kansas. Governor Kelly is focused on expanding healthcare options to women, not limiting them.”
It’s not clear how many patients would have been affected, or how much money Planned Parenthood would have lost, had Kanas succeeded in its effort to cut off its Medicaid funding. But a similar — and so far successful — effort by the state of Missouri has affected several thousand Planned Parenthood patients.
Video release
Kansas was originally represented in the case by Stephen R. McAllister, a former University of Kansas Law School dean who served as Kansas solicitor general for more than a decade before becoming U.S. Attorney for Kansas in 2018.
McAllister, however, withdrew from the case without explanation less than two weeks after the suit was filed by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (now Planned Parenthood Great Plains) and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, which had a handful of patients in Kansas.
But in his State of the State address in January 2016, Brownback accused Planned Parenthood of trafficking in “baby body parts” and vowed to defund Planned Parenthood. The state made good on his threat on May 3, 2016, when the Kansas Department of Health and Environment notified Planned Parenthood that it was terminating its Medicaid contract.
Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region sued the next day. At every stage of the case, the state lost.
After Kansas appealed, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in February 2018 ruled that states may not cut off health care providers from Medicaid “for any reason they see fit, especially when that reason is unrelated to the provider’s competence and the quality of the healthcare it provides.”
The high court’s decision to stay out of the issue let stand decisions by five federal appeals courts that have ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood and one federal appeals court that has ruled against it.
While Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates health centers in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, never lost its Kansas Medicaid funding, the story is different in Missouri.
A year ago, that state suspended Medicaid reimbursement payments to the organization’s affiliates in Missouri, saying the suspension was required by a provision in the 2018 state budget cutting off funds for abortion providers and counselors.
The move affected about 7,000 Medicaid patients who relied on Planned Parenthood’s 11 Missouri clinics for health services, including cancer screenings, testing for sexually transmitted infections and birth control.
Although federal law already barred the use of Medicaid funds for abortions, Missouri cut off funding for all of Planned Parenthood’s services.
Kate Maxcy, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said that while the affiliates technically remained in the Medicaid program, they haven’t been reimbursed for services for nearly a year.
Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor in conjunction with the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies
Citing a lack of time to reach out to the public and disagreement among commissioners on the size of a potential sales tax, the Ellis County Commission voted against a quarter-cent sales tax proposed at Monday’s meeting. They will also wait to put a countywide sales tax up for vote.
At last week’s meeting, the commission tabled the discussion on a proposed sales tax designed to help close a budget gap in the coming years. But at Monday’s meeting, Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst said there isn’t enough time to reach out to the public.
“I’ll just be very up front and tell you both, I don’t think we have enough time to put it on a ballot in November,” Haselhorst told fellow commissioners. “I don’t feel that we have enough time to get everything put together, go out and educate the public on what our needs are. … I think we need to sit back and look at this as the budget progresses forward.”
The commission requested a timeline of work done in 2013 leading up to the special sales tax election with the funds going to pay for improvements to the courthouse and law enforcement center and construction of the Emergency Services Building.
County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes told the commission that the ballot information is due to the printing company by Sept. 5 for the Nov. 5 election.
Haselhorst said it took several months in 2013 to roll out the effort to get a sales tax in 2013 and trying to get it on the ballot in November would be rushed.
“We won’t even be ready to go to the public before July 1. There’s no way,” Haselhorst said. “If we’re going to do it, I want to do it the right way.”
Commissioner Butch Schlyer said he agreed with Haselhorst “100 percent.”
“We’re already into the vacation season, summer activities have started (and) it’s not the best time. People aren’t real receptive to being educated on an issue like this,” Schlyer said. “We really couldn’t get any good education done on this thing until after Labor Day.”
For several weeks, Commissioner Dustin Roths has expressed his support implementing a quarter-cent sales tax, dedicated to county Emergency Medical Services, in front of the voters in November.
He said Monday he believes a sales tax for EMS would be an easier sell to the public than a half-cent tax that went to the county’s general fund or the one in 2013 that went toward building construction and improvements.
“If we do a quarter-cent sales tax directed to our high-level EMS service and we take the time to teach Ellis County about what kind of level of EMS service we have, I don’t feel like that takes as much time as infrastructure as buildings as things like that,” Roths said. “I think this is cut and dry.”
Schlyer said he is in favor of waiting until 2020 because that allows the public to see two budget cycles, and it will allow Ellis County residents to see the dire situation the county is facing.
“They’re going to be well aware of the fact that things are pretty tight here at the county after two budget cycles,” Schlyer said.
“If it doesn’t pass at that point, after the public has seen two cycles of budgets, then it’s just crash and burn time,” he added. “It’s just the way it is. It’s what the public would want.”
After more discussion, Roths made a motion to put the quarter-cent sales tax on the general election ballot. That motion was defeated by a 2-1 vote.
Roths has consistently lobbied for the quarter-cent sales tax while not supporting a half-cent sales tax, but both Schlyer and Haselhorst have suggested in previous meetings they may be more inclined to support the half-cent tax.
“In my professional life and my personal life, when I do something, I want to do it right,” said Schlyer. “We don’t even agree right now on what tax we’re going to have.”
After saying he would not help sell a half-cent sales tax last week, Roths again showed little interest in a half-cent sales tax Monday.
“I believe that we risk raising taxes higher than they absolutely need to be,” Roths said. “I take the idea of us taking money out of hardworking people’s pocket — if we don’t need it, or if it’s not a business decision between us and them — very seriously.”
He said one of the reasons he is against the half-cent sales tax is because the city of Hays would be the largest stakeholder and it would collect money he doesn’t believe it needs.
After the failed vote, Haselhorst said, “We have a lot of work to do, I think, to get this where it needs to be.”
Smith-Hanes will present the commission with another budget update at their first meeting in June.
Beginning this week, Safe Ride will be limited to operating on Fridays and Saturdays.
The limited hours will be in place throughout the summer.
“In light of the low numbers during the summer, the Partnership for a Safer Community voted not to provide services Wednesday and Thursday beginning May 22 through Aug. 14,” said Ed Howell, Fort Hays State University director of police and security.
He said the decision to cut service on Wednesdays and Thursdays was made after examining ridership last summer.
“Even though the university is in session, you are not going to have the number of people attending summer session like you do fall and spring,” he said as the likely cause of the lower amount of riders.
Regular service, however, would take place during Wild West Fest.
“We want to have that service available during that timeframe,” Howell said.
“The Safe Ride service was started by the Partnership for a Safer Community in June 2005 as part of an effort to provide alternative modes of transportation for individuals when they believe being on the roads is unsafe,” according to the FHSU website. “It is a collaborative effort between Fort Hays State University, local business and the City of Hays. More than 20 local businesses and agencies support the service offering everything from discounted rates on advertising to monetary donations and free phone lines for riders to call.”
Safe Ride offers rides to anyone in the community free of charge within the city limits from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Fast running water in Big Creek at Hays Frontier Park on May 21.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays has already seen lots of rain this week and more is in the weather forecast.
According to official records at the K-State Agricultural Research Center, 1.16 inches of rain mixed with a little bit of small hail, was measured in Hays Tuesday, May 21. Limited street flooding was reported.
On Monday, 1.75 inches of rain fell.
So far this month, Hays has received 6.17 inches of rain. The average rainfall in May is 3.24 inches.
Year-to-date moisture is 9.80 inches, surpassing by two inches the 151-year cumulative average moisture by the end of May of 7.81 inches.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City is forecasting rain in Hays each day through Tuesday, May 28.
Lifelong WaKeeney resident Max Hacker passed away March 15, 2019 in Apache Junction, Arizona. He was born March 3, 1944, in WaKeeney, to Raymond and Maxine (Bradley) Hacker. Max was 75 years of age.
On February 23, 1962, Max was united in marriage to Janice K. Pearson in WaKeeney. They cherished 57 years of marriage together. Max enjoyed his children and grandchildren, vacationing with friends, the 7 winters spent in Arizona enjoying the sunshine, shooting in the desert, and 4 wheeling. Max had a passion for farming, hunting, trapping, and coyote calling. He was an N.R.A. member and also was a life member in the Single Action Shooting Society. The thing that he loved to do most was Cowboy Action Shooting! Max, aka W.B. Earp and Janice aka Sadie Marcust, traveled all over, shooting and competing in costuming of 1890’s period clothing. He also liked classic cars, from his 1923 Hudson to his IROC Camaro. One of the last things on Max’s bucket list was to take his children to DeadWood; a grand time was had by all!!!
“Thanks, dad for all your knowledge, may your whiskey be hot and your beer COLD!!!”
He is survived by his wife of the family home; a son, Tim of WaKeeney; a daughter, Terena and husband, Dustin Becker of WaKeeney; and grandchildren, Tanner Buller, Julian Coker, Jase Coker, Madelyn Becker, and Bailey Kilian. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Kenneth Hacker.
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney with Pastor Randy Gibbs as officiant.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to 4-H Shooting Sports, Trego Recreation Commission, or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
PHILLIPS COUNTY — A 12-year-old boy injured in an accidental shooting in Phillipsburg remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit following surgery in Kearney, Nebraska according to Phillips County Sheriff Charles Radabaugh.
Just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, dispatchers received a 911 call from the boy stating he had accidentally shot himself and needed help, according to the sheriff.
EMS transported the boy to Phillips County Hospital and he was then transferred to the Kearney Hospital via ambulance in critical condition.
Doctors determined the bullet missed all the major organs. However, the boy will probably need reconstructive surgery on his pelvis, according to the sheriff. He also needs surgery to remove additional shrapnel and debris.
He is very lucky and emergency crews did an amazing job to get him the help he needed, the sheriff said, noting the youngster is expected to remain hospitalized through the weekend.
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PHILLIPSBURG — Authorities reported a 12-year-old was injured in an accidental shooting Tuesday in Phillips County.Just before 10 a.m., dispatchers received a 911 call from the boy stating he had accidentally shot himself and needed help, according to a social media post from the Phillips County Sheriff.
The boy panicked and couldn’t tell the dispatcher his address. The dispatcher used the mapping system available within the 911 system and sent officers and EMS to where the system told her was the location.
Prior to EMS and law enforcements arrival, it was determined the address was incorrect and the proper location was identified.
The child in this case was transported to Phillips County Hospital and transferred to a Kearney Hospital via ambulance in critical condition. Due to weather, air ambulances could not respond to transport the patient.
With school out and many responsible children being left home alone, the Sheriff’s Department encouraged parents to first, secure firearms in your home and second, encourage your kids to stay calm in emergencies so they can properly communicate with us should they need to call for help.
PHILLIPSBURG (AP) — Authorities say a 12-year-old boy has accidentally shot himself in northwest Kansas.
The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the boy called 911 around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, saying he had shot himself and needed help.
The post says the child was taken to Phillips County Hospital and then transferred in an ambulance to the larger hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, in critical condition. Air crews couldn’t respond because of storms in the area.
The post urged parents to secure firearms as schools let out for summer break.
The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 27 traffic stops Fri., May 17, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Fort St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block 507 E 16th St, Hays; 12:57 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block Circle Dr, Hays; 8:35 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 9:22 AM
Found/Lost Property–700 block Vine St, Hays; 9:30 AM
Animal At Large–1100 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:18 AM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:21 AM
Animal At Large–Gen Custer Rd and Motz Ave, Hays; 11:46 AM
Animal At Large–1100 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:33 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:40 PM
Drug Offenses–600 block Milner St, Hays; 12:50 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block E 22nd St, Hays; 8:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–2000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 8:42 PM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:49 PM
Suspicious Activity–400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 9:33 PM
Suspicious Activity–1700 block Copper Creek Ct, Hays; 10:30 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 41 traffic stops Sat., May 18, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Riley St, Hays; 1:55 AM; 2:14 AM
Obstruction of Legal Process–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 2:24 AM; 2:26 AM
Suspicious Vehicle–1800 block Fort St, Hays; 4:59 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–2100 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 12:58 PM
Suspicious Activity–1800 block Fort St, Hays; 1:49 PM
Theft (general)–1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 2:33 PM; 2:43 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block W 11th St, Hays; 8:40 AM; 5:10 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block E 16th St, Hays; 6:30 PM
Found/Lost Property–3900 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:57 PM
44 – Traffic Stop–1800 block Pine St, Hays; 11:15 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Sun., May 19, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Elm St, Hays; 12:35 AM; 12:45 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 3:02 AM
Pursuit/Chase–1500 block Fort St, Hays; 4:50 AM
Found/Lost Property–600 block Elm St, Hays; 11:02 AM
Fraud–3000 block New Way, Hays; 2:56 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block W 12th St, Hays; 12 PM; 3:28 PM
Disturbance – Noise–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 4:21 PM
Disturbance – General–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 5:24 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 9:10 PM
Suicide–300 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:14 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Mon., May 20, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block W 19th St, Hays; 9:39 AM
Unattended Death–3100 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 9:40 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:42 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:53 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:17 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block E 14th St, Hays; 2:27 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:24 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–33rd and Vine St, Hays; 3:47 PM
Animal At Large–100 block W 15th St, Hays; 5 PM
Unwanted Person–700 block Vine St, Hays; 5:04 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 1 PM; 6:30 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 7:44 PM
Disturbance – General–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:43 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 8 traffic stops Tue., May 21, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Theft (general)–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 12:45 AM
Drug Offenses–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 6:12 AM; 8:15 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3200 block Willow St, Hays; 7:40 AM
Animal At Large–14th and Oak St, Hays; 11:52 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block E 19th St, Hays; 5/20 10 PM; 5/21 1 PM
Animal At Large–400 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:07 PM
Animal At Large–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 2:33 PM
Welfare Check–300 block W 10th St, Hays; 5:31 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 9th St, Hays; 6:18 PM; 6:25 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 7:06 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 8:09 PM
Life is ever changing, sometimes throwing you too much to handle at once.
Unfortunately, the pets in our life sometimes take the brunt of it. In the panic of what to do, people will tend to do things for the right reason but not in the right way. Case in point; there has been a wave of people trying to rehome or sell their pets by any means they can. The latest trend is “I need (x amount) of money or the animal will be put down.” As much as this upset me more than you know, we are seeing more of this “hostage” situation. It is this that has prompted me to write this and hopefully bring some clarity on what can and can’t be done.
First and foremost, we need to look at the whole picture of things and stay calm about them. Social media can be a blessing and a curse. Keeping one’s feelings in check as we sit behind our computer screens is hard.
The priority is to make sure that the animal is safe and is going to the best situation it can. There are more agencies and people in Hays there are here to help than you think.
The Humane Society of The High Plains is a good place to start. Keep in mind, it is a non-profit no kill shelter which means it’s going to be full most of the time. They run strictly on donations and fundraisers. Betty (Hansen) has worked there for many years and has brought the Humane Society to be a no kill shelter. No kill means that an animal will stay there until it is adopted. Also understand, if an animal is picked up by Animal Control and it is deemed too sick or injured, yes, an animal will be humanly be euthanized.
As much as we would all like, we can’t save them all.
The Humane Society will put you on a waiting list if they are full and will get back to you when they can take your pet. There is a small fee of $25 to surrender your pet. This is to help defer their expenses. They are also there to help with food for people who are in need. We all fall on hard times and just need a little help to make it through the month. If they are not able to take your pet in, they may have people on their list of volunteers that can help. Remember, they can only help so much if they are full and kindness goes along ways.
The veterinarian clinics are another useful place to contact. Remember, they are not an intake facility but, in some cases, they do have a list of rescues or contacts of people that can help. They are a great source of information.
There are several reputable rescues in this area. Most rescues try to concentrate on abused and death row animals and all of them are nonprofit organizations and rely on volunteers and foster homes. Being this type of organization, they are also extremely full.
There is also a handful of people in Hays that are also willing to help. We are the people that will try to help you keep your pet in the home if we can. Keep in mind, we are doing this out of our own pockets, and we can only do so much. The Humane Society and veterinary clinics have our numbers.
This brings me to the most important point.
A pet is a lifelong commitment. When getting an animal, please take into consideration the cost of that pet. There is the upfront cost of shots and spaying and neutering. All animals in the city limits need to be registered with the city each year. Of course, there are going to be the unexpected events that come up such as illnesses and injuries.
We all want to see every animal find a great home, but we also need to be responsible about it. Check out the people you are surrendering your animal to. We may be a small town but there are people out there that do not have your pet’s best interest at heart.
Also remember, while Animal Control and the Police Department are there to help, there are some things that are beyond their control.
While we may not agree with how some people choose to handle their pets, they are only following the laws that are in place. If you do not agree with the laws or the lack of them, the Humane Society of the United States/Kansas would welcome you to help fight for the rights of animals in Kansas.
If you have a love for animals and would like to help, please contact your local shelter or animal rescue; they are always looking for people to volunteer their time.
Here is a list of agencies that are here to help with properly rehome your pets:
ROOKS COUNTY —Three earthquakes shook residents in Rooks County early Wednesday. Just after midnight, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a quake measuring a magnitude 3.0.
Image Kansas Geological Survey
The first quake was followed by a 2.9 magnitude quake at 12:12 a.m. and a 3.1 quake at 4:59a.m.
On May 11 and 12, the U.S. reported quakes measuring a magnitude 3.4 and 3.8, according to the USGS.
There are no reports of any damage from Wednesday’s quakes, according to the Rooks County Sheriff’s Department.
Robert John “Bob” Olsen, 82, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, May 17, 2019, at the Russell Regional Hospital.
Bob was born on April 29, 1937, in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of John D. and Dorothy (Butler) Olsen. He grew up in Jersey City and attended local schools in Jersey City. He joined the United States Air Force and served his country from 1955 to 1964. During this time he met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ula Faye Keyes on June 01, 1961, in Russell, Kansas. From this union Bob and Ula were blessed with 3 daughters Michelle, Mary and Molly.
Bob worked for many years as a measurement technician for Koch Industries. He was a member of the Methodist Church, the American Legion Post # 99 and the Elks Lodge all in Russell, Kansas. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. Most of all he enjoyed aggravating and teasing his daughters and grandchildren.
Surviving family include his wife Ula of the home, daughters Michelle Harrison of McCook, Nebraska and Molly Friebus (Drew) of Russell, Kansas; grandchildren Olivia, Jordan and Kalena (Donnie) Coleman and great grandchildren Roman, Dominick, Reed, Aniya and Collin and son in-law Jay Keeler of Russell, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Mary Keeler, brother John Olsen and Nephew John Olsen.
A gathering service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday evening, May 22, 2019, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with family present to greet guests. Open visitation to sign the register book will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. all day Wednesday. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas. Cremation has been selected by the family.
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Michael W. “Mike” Merriam, 66, formerly of Topeka, passed away on May 19, 2019 in Andrews, TX.
