Hubert Holzmeister, age 93, of Quinter, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019, at Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care, Quinter.
Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter. Please check back for full obituary.
Month: May 2019
KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 5/20/19
Tuning Reminder
It seemed that every time John the piano tuner came to Mary’s house, he scolded Mary for waiting too long between tunings. Mary agreed with John that it should be done every six months, but she don’t really think about it until the piano sounded off-key.
Last time Bill came over to tune the piano, Mary was on the defensive: “If you would send out a postcard reminder like the dentist,” she declared, “I would make sure to call you for an appointment in a timely fashion.”
Without hesitating, he replied, “From now on, when the dentist sends you a postcard, call me.”
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Authorities identify Kan. man who disappeared while swimming
The patrol says the body of 57-year-old Gary Reece of Arkansas City was found Saturday just south of the Oklahoma-Kansas state line.
His body was found tangled in debris under 4 feet of water less than a mile south of where he disappeared while swimming in the Arkansas River.
Authorities say Reece was swimming with three friends on Thursday when he went under. His friends made it to safety.
South Elm Street closes Monday for 3 months
CITY OF HAYS
The reconstruction of Elm Street between 4th and 6th Streets in Hays will begin on Mon., May 20.
Elm Street will be closed to traffic between 4th and 6th Streets for approximately three months.
This is part of the larger project to reconstruct portions of Ash Street, 4th Street and Elm Street near Lewis Field Stadium.
Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. The traveling public should use caution and if possible avoid areas of construction.
The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public.
If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 628-7350 or the contractor, Morgan Brothers Construction at 432-3104 or 394-1777.
Exploring Outdoors Kansas: So you think you’re a fisherman
My brother just bought a really nice boat, and I’m jealous. I shouldn’t be, because Joyce and I learned years ago that although we both like to fish and both enjoy eating fish, neither of us will ever grace the “fisherman hall of fame.” For starters, we are both lousy fishermen.
I have fished sitting 3 feet from someone, using the same bait, on the same tackle at the same depth and caught one fish to their ten. Once when we still had a boat, we fished over the same brush pile as some friends, again, using bait and tackle they gave us and caught one fish while they filled their cooler. I’ve named it the Gilliland fishing curse. Along with that, we both despise temperatures above 80 degrees, dramatically limiting summer fishing opportunities.
My dad was quite the opposite and hated temperatures below 80, often wearing long sleeved shirts in July and rarely ever running his air conditioner. So ever year when summer dawns, I expect those inherited genes to kick-in and my tolerance for heat to grow, but if anything, it only gets worse.
We have a walleye fishing trip to Glen Elder Lake planned, where we’ll attempt once again to overpower and vanquish the dreaded Gilliland fishing curse. Until then, here are some ways I’ve come up with to tell if fishing might not be your thing either.
When someone hollers “Quick, get the net,” and you dive for your smart phone to quickly pull up the internet, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If you worry more about whether your life jacket makes you look fat than whether it would save your life, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If you insist on scrubbing your hands like a surgeon each time you dip into your snack bag, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If choosing what to wear on the boat each day makes you more emotional than landing a five pound bass, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If it bothers you immensely when the color of the lure you’re casting doesn’t match the color of your reel, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If you feel the need to read a eulogy for each night crawler you thread onto a hook, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If you show up to clean fish wearing a full chemical suit complete with gas mask, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If you think “trolling” has something to do with ugly, wart-covered creatures that live under bridges you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
If a deep-seated concern for “night crawler rights” leads you to make midnight covert raids on fishermen’s cabins, emptying worm boxes and pillaging bait buckets you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.
And finally, if bending or stretching the truth even slightly makes you break into a cold sweat, stutter or lose control of your bodily functions, you DEFINITELY should not be a fisherman!
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
TMP-M Junior High Student Council gives back
Junior High Student Council Officers Arin Schibi, Jenna Schlyer, MyKayla Romme and Jensen Brull presented Mrs. Paula Flesher, Director of the Cancer Council of Ellis County, a check for $918.91 that the students contributed to the Coins for Cancer Campaign.
Mr. Troy Ruda, Advancement Director for TMP-Marian, received a check for $500 for the Thomas More Society from the Junior High Student Council Officers Arin Schibi, Jenna Schlyer, MyKayla Romme, and Jensen Brull (not pictured).
“Student Council worked extremely hard in order to be able to perform these acts of service to the county as well as the school,” TMP-M said on its website. “There is no greater reward than watching our students give back.”
Facebook furor about dog in danger of being put down ‘very out of hand’
Social media attention ultimately leads to help being provided — dog is safe
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
After a person who could no longer keep her pet said on social media she intended to put her dog down if it was not adopted, a local animal advocate is speaking out about options for pet owners who can no longer keep their animals.
The dog was rehomed safely, but the post created a stir on social media after being featured on “Ellis County Fails.”
Lisa VanHorn, an animal advocate, provided assistance to the pet owner.
While VanHorn said the person who made the post was “very wrong” in the way she approached the situation, she hopes in the future others can try to get the whole story first.
“Instead of people going, ‘OK, let us get her the help she needs because they are on hard times,’ ” she said people were quick to post negative comments. “It got very out of hand.”
While the posting continued on Facebook and VanHorn was looking for a solution, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office investigated and ultimately found the pet was safe.
“The Facebook post was taken out of context,” said Ed Harbin, Ellis County sheriff. “They were trying to surrender the dog, and they were informed the dog would have to be put down because it had bitten someone.
“The dog is alive and well, and it wasn’t what it was portrayed to be,” he added.
VanHorn said, “She was at wit’s end, she was desperate.”
While VanHorn assisted in the final rehoming of the pet, others had also reached out to assist the family. However, they struggled to secure a meeting with the owner. This lead to commentary on social media that the pet was in danger.
VanHorn did not believe that was the case.
“I honestly feel that she did show up at these places and just chickened out because she did really love this dog,” she said.
While some in the community were quick to judge the family, VanHorn praised the community’s concern for the pet’s welfare.
“It just all fell into place. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help,” she said.
On the rise
VanHorn said people asking for money to save a pet is becoming more common, but can often be avoided.
“It seems to be a trend to pull at people’s heartstrings,” she said. “She is not the first, and unfortunately, she is probably not the last.”
VanHorn said in Hays there are options for people that are struggling to keep a pet.
“People fall on hard times. It happens to all of us, and we would rather see that animal stay in that home then go to the Humane Society or a rescue,” VanHorn said.
While this situation found a positive resolution, that is not always the case VanHorn said, especially when families fail to consider how a pet may fit into a new family.
“That’s a lot of the problem with the dogs we get in,” VanHorn said.
“We hold our breath every time an animal is showcased on a show, just like ‘101 Dalmatians,’ ” she said.
“Everybody went out and bought a Dalmatian for their kid, and then when they found out some Dalmatians are deaf, they have a certain temperament, then rescues and humane societies were flooded with Dalmatians.”
However, in situations when a pet must be moved out of a home, there are options in the area.
“In Ellis County, your best bet would be to call out to the Humane Society. There may be a waiting list, but … to find a home or go into a rescue, Betty [Hansen, animal shelter manager] is wonderful,” VanHorn said.
Local veterinarians might also assist a family in need.
“If they can’t take that animal in, and normally they don’t … they have phone numbers for all the rescues, so they will at least give you a phone number of where to go,” VanHorn said.
And, as seen in this case, the community can also assist.
“There is a group of us, you see us on Facebook, you know our names. We are the ones asking, ‘What do you need?’ ” VanHorn said. “We will help you with a bag of dog food until you get on your feet. … We will help you get its shots, or your license down at the city. Just reach out to us and say, ‘I just need help.’ ”
Animal Control in Hays can also be beneficial to families that may be struggling with a pet.
“I can’t say enough about Nikki Houser with animal control,” VanHorn said. “She will bend over backward to help you.”
In general, if anyone needs help VanHorn said the best option is to seek support.
“The help is out there. That’s what makes it so sad. You don’t need to threaten that you are going to shoot a dog or put a dog down if you don’t find a home for it,” she said. “Just ask for help. There are plenty of us out there.”
For families needing support, VanHorn said they should consider their approach in order to avoid negative feedback, especially in a small community like Hays.
“If she would have gone on any of the social media and said ‘Hey look, I’ve fallen on hard times. I really need placement for my dog. I would like to have this for a rehoming fee,’ people would have bent over backward for her,” VanHorn said.
Hays Post reached out to the author of the original Facebook post but did not receive a response.
A list of local veterinarians can be found by clicking here.
Duffy pitches Royals past Angels for 3rd straight win
ANAHEIM (AP) – Danny Duffy won his third straight start and the Kansas City Royals stopped a four-game skid Sunday with a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Hunter Dozier hit a two-run double and Duffy (3-1) allowed five hits in six effective innings. The veteran left-hander, who is from California and had family in town, worked out of trouble in the first before settling in. He struck out five and walked three.
Kansas City scored three runs in the third to take the lead. Adalberto Mondesi’s single to right sent Whit Merrifield to third and he scored on Kole Calhoun’s error. Dozier’s two-out double made it 3-0.
Mike Trout had two hits for the Angels, including a first-inning double that gave him an extra-base hit in three consecutive games. He appears to be finding his swing and timing. A day earlier, he hit his 250th career home run.
Trout and Kevan Smith were each on base three times. Smith’s run-scoring double in the fourth scored Calhoun.
In the sixth, Duffy was hit in the lower left leg by Tommy La Stella’s comebacker. Royals manager Ned Yost and a trainer went out to check on Duffy, but he stayed in the game. He retired the next batter to end the inning and was done for the day after 106 pitches.
The Royals had lost six of seven.
Tyler Skaggs (4-4) struck out seven and allowed four runs – three earned – on 110 pitches in 5 2/3 innings. He needed 24 pitches to get through a scoreless first inning and threw 72 pitches over the first three.
A struggling Chris Owings had an RBI single in the sixth to make it 4-1 and chase Skaggs.
Cam Gallagher singled off Angels reliever Noe Ramirez in the ninth to snap an 0-for-22 slide.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals 1B Lucas Duda (back) is getting closer to a rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Homer Bailey (4-4, 5.36 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday at St. Louis. In his last outing, he allowed six runs on a season-high eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Angels: RHP Felix Pena (2-1, 3.49 ERA) is set to pitch Monday night at home against Minnesota, though the Angels have used an opener in his last four outings. In those appearances, he is 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA.
Windy, wet Monday
Monday Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 54. Windy, with an east wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Expected rainfall amounts for Monday afternoon and evening through Tuesday night with a flash flood watch in effect for the same time frame. pic.twitter.com/BZMDpEAcfj
— NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) May 19, 2019
Monday Night Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Low around 51. Breezy, with an east wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tuesday A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Very windy, with an east wind 21 to 30 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday Night A slight chance of thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Windy, with a southwest wind 23 to 28 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
WednesdaySunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday NightA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
ThursdayA 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Breezy.
Marion LaVerne Johnson
Marion LaVerne Johnson, “Mr. J.,” son of the late Harold L. and Mary C. (Ming) Johnson, died May 17, 2019, at age 83.
Marion was born on Dec. 30, 1935, in Aurora, and he was confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Mankato. He and his brother grew up in the Miltonvale, Scottsville, Ionia and Lovewell communities, and he graduated from Lovewell High School in 1954.
Marion was a 35-year educator and coach at junior and senior high schools across north-central Kansas, with 20 years in Belleville, where he taught dozens of students the craftsmanship of woodworking. With his students, he stressed attention to detail, and their projects, from grandfather clocks to hope chests to cabinetry, are keepsakes in homes across the region.
He also taught industrial arts and coached sports at Culver, Montrose, Republic, Haddam, Courtland, Osborne and Belleville. One of his girls’ basketball teams at Haddam once had a winning streak. His parents and his younger brother, Eugene, taught and coached while farming in western Republic, eastern Jewell and southeastern Cloud counties.
He was teaching at Montrose High School when he met Kathyrn Lynn “Kathy” Konovalsky. They married on July 24, 1960, at Ada Lutheran Church, southeast of Courtland, near Kackley. To this union two sons were born: Bryan and Whitney.
Marion graduated from Fairbury (Neb.) Junior College and McPherson College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial education. He earned a Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University.
Marion was a member of the Belleville Masonic Lodge No. 129 A.F. & A.M.; the North Central Kansas Shrine Club; the Isis Shrine Temple, of Salina; the Elks Lodge, of Superior, Neb.; and the Order of the Eastern Star. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Belleville Elks for two years, and he was a 50-year member of three clubs: the Masons, the Isis Shrine and the Eastern Star. Marion supported his wife, Kathy, as she served five years in Eastern Star state positions and advanced to the office of Worthy Grand Matron.
His hobbies were working in his woodworking shop, gardening and attending any and all activities of his granddaughters. His tomato garden treated many Belleville residents, including those at Golden Bell Haven senior center.
Marion will be forever remembered by his wife, Kathyrn Johnson, Belleville; sons Bryan Johnson (Roger Aguirre), Ensenada, Mexico, and Whit (Shelley) Johnson of Belleville; granddaughters Kayley Johnson of Minot, North Dakota, and Kendsey Johnson of Belleville; brother Eugene (Joy) Johnson of St. Joseph, Missouri and many other relatives and a host of friends.
O.E.S. services by Ophal Chapter 115 and the Grand Family were held Monday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m., following the family visitation. Marion’s Service of Remembrance was held Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., at the Belleville American Lutheran Church. Masonic service following the service were conducted by Belleville Lodge No. 129 A.F. & A. M. In accordance to the wishes of Mr. J., cremation followed his service. A family inurnment will be in the Belleville City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions in honor of Mr. J. to be made to the Isis Temple Travel Unit or the Belleville American Lutheran Church, and can be sent in care of the funeral home. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas is honored to assist Mr. J’s family with these arrangements.
Kansas deputies find $47K in pot during I-70 traffic stop
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a Kansas traffic stop.
Just after 11a.m. Friday, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on a rented 2019 Cadillac CT5 traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of the Topeka toll plaza on theKansas Turnpike in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson
The driver, later identified at Robert A. Love, 55, Troy, Ohio, was stopped for a traffic violation. Through the investigation of the stop, deputies seized 13.2 pounds of Marijuana
12 containers of 30 count 10mg Marijuana edibles and one half pound of concentrated wax marijuana
The estimated street value of these items is around $47,000.
Deputies arrested Love and booked him into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections with charges of Felony Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Kansas to have top business recruiters in Texas, Missouri
Commerce Secretary David Toland says two recent personnel moves are part of a larger restructuring aimed at strengthening his department’s Business and Community Development Division.
Toland says longtime department employee Alicia Janesko Hutchings will become business recruitment manager. The position has been vacant for nearly four years.
Hutchings has been working on projects in Texas and will remain there.
Toland also says that International Trade Representative Chang Lu will manage the recruiting of businesses from southern and central states. He will be based in Springfield, Missouri, but still will help foreign dignitaries prepare for meetings with Gov. Laura Kelly.
Toland says the changes will be effective June 15.
Kansas high court: Man accused in child rape must be freed
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A divided Kansas Supreme Court says a man accused of rape and aggravated sodomy against a 3-year-old relative cannot be tried a second time and must be released from prison.
A Saline County judge declared a mistrial in March 2018 trial of Rictor Bowman because the then-4-year-old girl wouldn’t take the oath to be sworn in as a witness. The judge ruled the state couldn’t prove its case without the girl’s testimony.
In a 4-3 split decision announced Friday, the Supreme Court ruled the trial judge should not have declared a mistrial. The justices said putting Bowman on trial a second time would violate his constitutional right against double jeopardy.