Phyllis I. Bodine, 94, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, Kansas.
Services are pending with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas.
Month: June 2019
News From the Oil Patch, June 17
By JOHN P. TRETBAR
It appears your summer vacation may be cheaper than expected, and cheaper than last year, if you’re driving. The government announced a big drop in its prediction for gasoline prices during the summer driving season. The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday reduced its average price expectations for April through September, 2019 to $2.76 [[“two seventy-six”]] per gallon. Last month EIA said that average would be $2.92 [[“two ninety-two”]] per gallon. That average last year was $2.85 [[“two eighty-five”]]. EIA expects lower crude-oil prices to drive down gasoline prices.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reports 21 active drilling rigs west of Wichita, up one for the week. Eastern Kansas was unchanged at two active rigs. Operators were preparing to spud one well in Barton County and one in Ellis County.
Baker Hughes reported 969 active drilling rigs across the U.S. Friday, down one oil rig and five gas rigs. The count in Texas was down six.
Regulators approved 31 permits for drilling at new locations across Kansas last week, 17 of them east of Wichita and 14 in Western Kansas, including two in Ellis County. We’ve seen 413 new drilling permits thus far in 2019.
There are just seven new well-completions reported statewide, according to weekly reports from Independent Oil & Gas Service. All seven were west of Wichita. That’s 677 newly-completed wells so far this year.
The government reported a slight drop in its crude oil production estimates for the week ending June 7, down to 12.28 Million barrels per day. That’s 98-thousand barrels less than the week before but 11.4 million barrels per day more than a year ago at this time. U.S. crude oil inventories increased by 2.2 Million barrels to 485.5 million. That’s about eight percent above the five year average for this time of year, according to weekly numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Crude-oil imports were down 316-thousand barrels per day last week to 7.6 million barrels per day. EIA says total gasoline inventories increased 800-thousand barrels are are now about two percent above the five year seasonal average.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that “federal law is the only law” on the Outer Continental Shelf. The high court ruled unanimously against workers on oil drilling platforms off California who argued they should be paid for the off-work time they spend on the platform, including sleeping. The workers had argued that California law requires them to be compensated for that time. Justice Clarence Thomas said in an opinion that “there has never been any overlapping state and federal jurisdiction there.”
U.S. and Canadian producers continue to outpace last year in oil-by-rail shipments. The Association of American Railroads reported 13,351 car loads of petroleum and petroleum products in the week ending June 8. That’s more than 21% higher than last year. Canada’s total was 18% higher year-on-year.
Crude oil production in North Dakota dipped in April to 41.7 million barrels, according to the state’s Department of Mineral Resources. That’s 1.39 million barrels per day, which is down about 600 barrels per day from the finalized March total. State regulators are keeping a close eye on crude prices, with North Dakota light sweet crude dropping ten dollars per barrel in the last month. Natural gas production in the state soared to another all-time high in April.
Regulators in Texas say producers there pumped more than 116-million barrels of total oil production in March, or about 3.7 million barrels per day. That’s nearly three million barrels more than February’s total, but about nine million barrels less than in March of last year. Crude oil production excluding diluent was over 101 million barrels in March. The Railroad Commission said the first-quarter production total in the Lone Star State very nearly matched last year at just shy of four million barrels per day.
The first non-Texas crude pipelines connecting to the Port of Corpus Christi were announced by Phillips 66 last week. The company announced joint ventures with Bridger Pipeline and Plains All American Pipeline, under which two new pipelines would bring oil and gas supplies from the Rocky Mountains and Bakken Formation in northwestern North Dakota to Cushing, Oklahoma and from there to the port in southern Texas. A spokesman for the project told us the pipelines will follow existing pipeline corridors across Western Kansas, and will not cross through Ellis or Barton counties.
UPDATE: Woman dead, suspect in custody after standoff at Kansas home
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman’s death and after a standoff that lasted several hours have a suspect in custody.
Just after noon on Sunday, police received a report of an adult victim suffering from an unknown trauma at a residence in the area of 15th and Tyler in Topeka, according to a release from Gretchen Koenen with Topeka police. Upon arrival, officers located a woman identified as 69-year-old Kyong Carol Wood, 69, Topeka, dead at the scene.
Just after 5p.m., a standoff at the home ended peacefully. Police took David E. Wood, 45, Topeka into custody at the scene on requested charges of interference with law enforcement.
Police were continuing to process the crime scene Monday and are awaiting autopsy results to determine Wood’s cause of death.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman’s death and after a standoff that lasted several hours have a suspect in custody.
Just after noon on Sunday, June 16, police received a report of an adult victim suffering from an unknown trauma at a residence in the area of 15th and Tyler in Topeka, according to a release from Gretchen Koenen with Topeka police. Upon arrival, officers located a woman dead at the scene.
Just after 5p.m., a standoff at the home ended peacefully. Police took an adult male person of interest into custody at the scene. Police have not identified the victim or the person of interest.
Police: Kan. woman in critical condition after being found in the street
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a possible hit and run accident and asking the public for help with information.
Just after 1a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for EMS at the intersection of Harry and Martinson in Wichita, according to office Paul Cruz. At the scene, officers found a 36-year-old woman in the street with severe injuries.
She was transported to a local hospital for treatment and remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to Cruz.
Investigators have learned that a passerby discovered the woman in the road. It is likely she was struck by a vehicle. A blue Dodge Charger was described by a witness as leaving the scene, according to Cruz. However, it is unknown if the car was actually involved.
On Monday, Cruz said he did not know if detectives had been able to talk to the victim.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact police.
Office workers at Hays USD 489 paid less than peers, according to study
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board will hear a report on a recently completed classified staff wage study by the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Rockwell Administration Center.
The study found several classes of USD 489 employees are not making as much as their peers.
These included building secretaries, office assistants and clerical workers, and information technology assistants.
The starting wage for a USD 489 school secretary is $9.62 per hour, but the average starting wage for other Hays’ employers is $12.78. Comparable school districts pay an average of $11.08 and comparable cities pay an average starting wage of $13.45.
Office assistants and clerical workers start at $10.06 at USD 489, which is comparable to other school districts, but is more than $2 below the average in the Hays community and $4 below the average in comparable cities.
IT assistants start at $10.95 per hour in the USD 489 district, but the average at peer districts is $13.38 and $11.87 in the city of Hays.
The board has discussed creating a new pay scale for classified employees, but was waiting on the release of this study.
Budget
The board will have a budget hearing at 6:25 p.m. Monday at Rockwell so it can reauthorize its FY19 budget. The district received more special education funding than it anticipated and needs to reauthorize its budget in order to be able to spend all the money it has been allocated.
This will not affect local taxes.
Oak Park Complex
The board will consider several items regarding the Oak Park Medical Complex renovation.
Matt Gillam, vice president of Development for Overland Property Group, will provide an update to the board regarding the sale of the Washington school. The district has a contract with Overland Property to buy the property. Early Childhood Connections is moving out of Washington and will be located in the renovated Oak Park Complex.
Representatives from Nabholz Construction and Paul-Wertenberger Construction will provide an update to the board regarding the ongoing complex renovations.
Superintendent John Thissen will review the suggestions submitted by the community for the renaming of the Oak Park Medical Complex. Look to the right to see a list of proposed names.
The board will also vote on dissolving the Oak Park Condominium Association. The association is no longer needed because USD 489 owns all of the property covered by the association.
In other business, the board will:
- Vote on workers compensation/cyber liability/property casualty insurance renewal
- Hear a SPED district assessment
- Vote on the renewal of the district’s membership with the Kansas Association of School Boards and the KASB Legal Assistance Fund.
- Vote on the approval of the 2019-2020 student fees
- Review student handbook revisions
- Review the 2019-2020 board attorney contract
- Review legally required changes to board policy
2 of 5 hurt in Lake of the Ozarks boat explosion still hospitalized
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Two of five people from Kansas City remain hospitalized after their boat exploded on the Lake of the Ozarks.
The 25-foot Chris Craft boat exploded and caught on fire Saturday afternoon at the Millstone Marina & RV resort.
A preliminary report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the explosion apparently was caused by a build-up of gasoline vapors and a mechanical failure.
Ryan Baber, a family member, said the accident happened shortly after the boat was refueled.
A spokeswoman at University Hospital in Columbia says Baber’s sister, Cynthia Sterling, and her partner, Carl Harris, were both in fair condition Monday.
The couple’s 6-year daughter suffered burns. Barber said he and his father, Robert Baber, suffered minor burns and he has a sprained foot.
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LAKE OF THE OZARKS — Five people were injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Saturday at Lake of the Ozarks.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1993 Chris Craft had just been filled with fuel at the Millstone Marina dock.
The driver Robert C. Baber, 71, Kansas City, started the engine creating an explosion due to lack of ventilation and a mechanical failure. The explosion ejected passenger Patrick Baber, 39, Kansas City from the boat.
Life Flight transported passenger Carl Harris, 42, Kansas City, to University Hospital.
Camden County Ambulance transported Robert and Patrick Baber to Lake Regional Hospital.
Lake West Ambulance transported Kathryn G. Harris, 6, and Cynthina O. Sterling, 48, both of Kansas City to Lake Regional Hospital. The child was the only occupant wearing a life jacket, according to the MSHP.
Kan. deputies find stolen pickup with motor running, make arrest
DICKINSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a stolen pickup.
Just after 1p.m. Sunday, a 38-year-old Salina man reported his black 2010 Ford F150 stolen from the parking lot at Lowe’s, 3035 S. Ninth, at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester
Shortly before 2 p.m Sunday, Salina Police were contacted by the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office because the pickup had been located in Herington. Deputies found the vehicle with the doors open and the motor still running.
Deputies arrested Marty Rickey, 43, of Hollister, Mo., on requested charges of possession of stolen property and interference with a law enforcement officer.
Jon David Boxler
Jon David Boxler, was born to Peter John “P.J.” and Aileen V. (Brunson) Boxler in Norton, Kansas, on November 19, 1937. He passed away at his home in Norton on June 14, 2019, at the age of 81.
Jon was a lifelong Norton resident where he grew up and attended the local schools, graduating from the Norton Community High School with the class of 1955. He also graduated with a degree in business administration from Fort Hays in 1960. In 1954, Jon enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard, reaching the rank of Sgt. E5 prior to his honorable discharge December 1962.
Following his graduation from college, Jon returned to Norton to form a partnership with this father, P.J. Boxler, in Boxler Insurance. In 1962, they formed Assured Investment and Loan, Inc. On August 31, 1963, Jon married his sweetheart from New Almelo, Kansas, Bernice “Bonnie” Austerman in Norton. They made their home in Norton, where after his father’s death in 1963, Jon continued the family business with his mother, Aileen, until her death in 2007. Jon also farmed the family homestead in a partnership with his mother and uncle, Dale Brunson, until 1991. At the time of his death, Jon was still actively involved in running the Boxler Insurance business.
Jon was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton and the Knights of Columbus. He was a charter member of the Norton Jaycees when it formed in 1963, and had been the director of the Norton Jaycees for the 1969-70 club year. He also won several Jaycee awards from 1966-1969. Jon was a current member of the Norton Chamber of Commerce and the Norton Lions Club. He was an active member of the Harmonson-Redd American Legion Post #63, proudly serving as Honor Guard for numerous years up until his death.
For the past several years, Jon enjoyed collecting and tinkering with his antique tractors. He enjoyed going to parades and tractor shows with his son, Stephen, and grandson, Connor. Jon was a lover of animals and could be seen walking downtown with his beloved Callie by his side. He enjoyed traveling with his family and friends over the years and always said the after-hours business meetings were the best kind. He embraced the new technology and was an avid texter to his family and friends. Jon was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jon is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of their home in Norton; one son, Stephen (Tiffany) Boxler, Norton; one daughter, Erika (Terry) Cousins, Newcastle, Oklahoma; one grandson, Connor (Reghan) Boxler, Hays, Kansas; numerous extended family and friends.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, one sister, Jane, his parents-in-law, three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
ROSARY SERVICE – Tuesday, June 18, 2019—7:00 p.m.
PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – 215 W. Main – Norton, KS
MASS OF THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL – Wednesday, June 19, 2019 – 10:30 a.m.
PLACE – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – Norton, KS
INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, KS
VISITATION – Tuesday, June 18, 2019 – 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS – Harmonson-Redd American Legion Post #63, Norton Lions Club and Norton Knights of Columbus.
Kan. felon held on $100K bond for alleged robbery, burglary
RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.
Just after noon Saturday, police filed a report for aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary in the 300 block of N Park Street in Ogden, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.
A 62-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man were the victims, according to the report.
Police arrested Frederick Swinson, 31, of Junction City, on requested charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Swinson remains in custody on a bond of $100,000.00. He has a previous drug conviction in Riley County.
Police ask that anyone with information please contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
Flash flood watch issued for portion of northwest Kansas
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for extreme northwest Kansas. The watch is set to expire at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for portions of the Tri-State area through early Tuesday. Turn around, don't drown! #kswx #cowx #newx pic.twitter.com/rFJgvOlb7E
— NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) June 17, 2019
H.D. ‘Spec’ Woods
The family of H.D. “Spec” Woods is sad to report that he has passed away. His death occurred this last Friday, on June 14th, at 7:00 AM in Bishop Spencer Place of Kansas City, Missouri.
He and his wife, Peg, moved to Hays in the summer of 1952 to raise their family. He and Richard R. “Dick” Starr partnered as architects at that time and together, as Woods & Starr Architects. They made a lasting, physical statement of modern architecture in both Hays and western Kansas that will last for decades.
He resided in Hays continuously until April of this year when he relocated to Kansas City to be closer to his family. In his final days, he was surrounded by three generations of his descendants, and he left a lasting memory of steadfast love to everyone.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Peg, who passed away December 18, 2012, his parents and all the aunts and uncles of his own generation. He was the last.
He is survived by his son Cris and his wife Corine (also from Hays) of Kansas City, his daughter Patti of Plano, Texas, his five grandchildren Faye, Beth, Steve, Kati and Ben, and his 2 great-grandchildren, Maxx and Jimi. We miss him already.
Funeral service arrangements are pending upon notification of the family. They will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Hays.
Fort Hays State lands 74 on spring sports MIAA Academic Honor Roll
FHSU Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State landed 74 student-athletes on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll for the spring sports season of 2019, announced by the conference office Friday. All seven of Fort Hays State’s spring sports are represented, which includes baseball, softball, women’s tennis, women’s and men’s golf, and women’s and men’s outdoor track and field. Five of the individuals earned special recognition with four receiving the Scholar-Athlete Award and one receiving the Academic Excellence Award.
Included in this release of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll are 20 student-athletes from men’s track and field, 16 from women’s track and field, nine from baseball, nine from softball, eight from men’s golf, seven from women’s tennis, and five from women’s golf.
Individuals earning the Scholar-Athlete Award include Sara Breckbill and Terran Caldwell from softball, Lauren Lindell from women’s tennis, and Layton Werth from men’s track and field.
Mark Faber of men’s track and field was the only athlete to receive the Academic Excellence Award for his perfect 4.0 GPA.
To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. Transfers and true freshman from all sports at FHSU will be recognized in an upcoming release.
To earn the Scholar-Athlete Award, an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. If competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, the student-athlete must earn All-MIAA honors.
An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 4.00 at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.
Over 880 student-athletes across spring sports conference wide received recognition on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
The complete list of Fort Hays State Spring MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipients can be seen HERE.
Donna Coleen Crumrine
Donna “Coleen” Crumrine went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 16, 2019, after fighting cancer since July 2015. She was born on March 21, 1935, at the Anthony Hospital, in Anthony, KS, to Clinton H. and Mora L. (Norris) Pfalser, of Wakita, Oklahoma. She married the love of her life, Marion “Cue” Crumrine on April 14, 1953, at the Brewster United Methodist Church. They celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary before her passing.
Coleen was a member of the Brewster Community Church, Brewster, KS. She was a retired substitute cook of 23 years and bus driver for the Brewster School. She was a Sunday school teacher, 4-H lead, served on the Brewster PTA and was a follower of the Brewster Square Dance Club.
Donna Coleen was preceded in death by her parents and brother Eugene Pfalser. She is survived by her husband, Marion “Cue” Crumrine, of Brewster; daughters, Carlene (Joe) Moore, of Mountain View, AR and Carolyn (Brian) Somers, of Brewster; son Willard (Marla) Crumrine, of Brewster; brother Donald (Linda) Pfalser, of Mountain Home, AR; sister-in-law Lila Pfalser, of Enid, OK; brothers-in-law Virle Crumrine, of Brewster and Mason (Betty) Crumrine, of Brewster. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Pastor Jonathan (Angela) Moore, of Mountain View, AR, Matthew (Sandra) Moore, of Sierra Vista, AZ, Christi (Kyle) Panter, of Enid, OK, Chad (Lexi) Somers, of Lakewood, CO, Jesse Crumrine, of Winona, KS and Melissa (Pastor Reuben) Schneider, of Brewster; 9 great grandkids, Seth, Keaton and Sara Moore, Kaylee and Sophia Moore, Haleigh and Sean Somers, and Mia and Madelyn Schneider; plus many nephews, nieces, loved ones and friends.
A Memorial Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2019, at the Brewster Community Church, Brewster. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to the Brewster Community Church, Northwest Kansas Heritage Center of Brewster or the Brewster Senior Center, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com