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Month: July 2019

Washburn professor sues over fluorescent lighting

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Leslie Reynard-photo courtesy Washburn University

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Washburn University professor alleges in a lawsuit that officials required her to teach in a room illuminated by fluorescent light despite knowing she had a neurological disability triggered by that type of light.

The suit filed earlier this month in federal court is Leslie Reynard’s second against the school, where she teaches in the communications department. Her other lawsuit alleges that the university retaliated against her after she filed a sex discrimination complaint.

In the second suit, Reynard seeks damages in excess of $75,000. The university has declined to comment.

Loren C. Janzen

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Loren C. Janzen, age 82, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on December 26, 1936 at the family home in Ellsworth County, Kansas, the son of Albert & Clara Schroeder Janzen. A resident of Scott County since 1947, he worked as a farmer.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge, and Isis Shrine. Loren served on the following: Park Lane Nursing Home Board of Directors; Scott County Hospital Board of Directors; Camp Christy Board of Directors; Fort Hays State University Foundation Board of Directors; Chairman, Central Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Directors; American Baptist Churches USA General Board; American Baptist Churches USA Ministers and Missionary Board; Kansas Rural Crisis Ecumenical Council.

Loren graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1958 with a BA in Industrial Arts. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1958-1962.

On October 11, 1959 he married Sidney Harper in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.

Other Survivors include:

​Two Daughters
​Lori Aldag (Tom) of Wichita, Kansas
​​​​Stephanie Robinson (Mark) of Lawrence, Kansas

​Four Grandchildren​
Tessa & Levi Aldag
​​​​Corbin & Claire Robinson

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Keith Janzen; two sisters, Orla Herzog and Alberta Schreck.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with the Pastor Kyle Evans and Father Don Martin presiding.

Burial will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Friends may call from 11:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to the Stepping UpMinistries, Scott Community Foundation, or Camp Christy in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home.

Mary L. Litzenberger

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Mary L. Litzenberger, 79, passed away July 27, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS.

She was born September 12, 1939 in Garden City, KS, the daughter of Herman and Myrtle Cook Howard. A longtime area resident, she was a homemaker and a cook at the Hodgeman County Health Center.

She was of the Christian faith and enjoyed feeding the squirrels, birds and cats.

On October 27, 1957 she married Wayne E. Litzenberger at Garden City, KS. He died August 1, 1999.

Survivors include: son, Kevin Litzenberger, Kinsley, KS; two daughters, Kris (Ted) Vanhorn, Garfield, KS, Debra (Tim) Pennington, Dodge City, KS; four grandchildren, Brenton (Dayna) Pennington, Quinter, KS, Shayla Pennington, Topeka, KS, Kelsey (Garrett) Ochs, Jetmore, KS, Kyra Lampe, Garfield, KS and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; great granddaughter, Jaci and a son-in-law, Marty Lampe.

Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore with Rev. Mark Durham presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to the Hodgeman County Lions Club in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.

David Paul Brehmer

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David Paul Brehmer, son of Earle and Lorene (Rumsey) Brehmer, was born April 15, 1960, in Norton County, Kansas, and passed away at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, on July 25, 2019, at the age of 59.

David grew up in Norton and attended the local schools, graduating from NCHS with the class of 1978, and then attending the University of Kansas.

Survivors include: his wife, Sara; mother, Lorene; mother-in-law, Nyla Stuewe; sisters, Charla and Claudia; step-sons, Clarke and Stanton Nelson; and three grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his father, Earle, and father-in-law, David Stuewe.

A private family service will take place at a later date.

Imogene Crandall

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Imogene Crandall, daughter of Albert and Julia (Robinson) Cullum, was born May 5, 1928, in Ada, Oklahoma, and passed away at the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas, on July 25, 2019, at the age of 91.

Imogene moved to California with her family in the Dirty 30’s and graduated from high school there. She married Richard Garrett and to this union one daughter, Donna, was born. She later married Dr. John Crandall. While living in northern California she worked for AT&T and was a member of their philanthropic organization, Pioneers. She also enjoyed spending time with her special friend, Ray Elliott. She moved to Norton four years ago to be near her daughter and family.

Imogene enjoyed ballroom dancing, flying planes, and traveling to Hawaii and to Mexico where she was a member of the bull fighting club, La Affexion. She was also an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders where she was a member of the Raider Rooters. She enjoyed reading and while in Norton, she was a member of the All About The Books book club. Her greatest joy in life was her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include: one daughter, Donna, (Ward) Foley; two grandchildren, Pamela Jean and Charles Richard Foley; one brother, Bobbie Dean, (Sandy) Cullum; one sister, Maxine (Bob) Sullivan; other relatives and friends.

Imogene was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials have been established to Scarman, Inc. and the Norton Public Library. Arrangements are with the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton.

Samantha Rae ‘Sammy’ Staab

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Samantha Rae “Sammy” Staab, 32, Pensacola, Florida, died Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at her home.

She was born October 4, 1986 in Hays, the daughter of Patrick “Pat” and Karen (Dinges) Staab. In 2005, she graduated from Hays High School and then attended Fort Hays State University and The University of Western Florida where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in molecular biology. She was a chef and owner of her catering business, Sammy’s Haus. She liked herb gardening, gallery walks, watching movies, and cooking shows. Sammy enjoyed swimming, jet skiing, running and joined several running clubs. She loved her Pomeranian dogs.

Survivors include her parents; Pat and Karen Staab of Hays, a sister Megan Staab of Hays, her grandmother; Alfrieda Dinges of Hays, her dogs; Max, Minni, and Ricki, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Elmer and Viola Staab and Gilbert “Bucks” Dinges, and her aunt Beverly Gross.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 2, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains or Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Condolences and memories of Sammy may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Fredrick O’Brian Rupp

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Fredrick O’Brian Rupp, 62, of Bushton and Hays, Kansas, died on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Fred’s wishes were to be cremated and have a celebration of life at later date which is still pending at this time. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Eleanor Marie (Appelhans) Dinkel

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Eleanor Marie (Appelhans) Dinkel, 97, went to be with Our Lord, July 24, 2019 at the home of her son James, in Morland, Kansas after a lengthy illness in Hospice Care.

She was born July 19, 1922 on the family farm in southern Graham County, Kansas to Joseph and Katherine (Richmeier) Appelhans. She was the third oldest of 12 children. After finishing her education at the area country school, Eleanor helped birthing mothers and their children at different households in the St. Peter and Collyer community. Before passing she was the oldest living woman in the St. Peter area.

Eleanor married Anton “Tony” Dinkel, May 8, 1946 at the St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Peter, where they both attended Mass since childhood. She was a 40 plus year member of the St. Anthony Christian Mothers’ Society until the church closing in 1999. She then attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hill City, Kansas.

In their 46 years of marriage were born five sons and four daughters: David, Dorothy, Thomas, Katharine, James, John, Barbara, Paul and Mary whom were all raised in the Morland Community. Eleanor was a homemaker until all the kids were in school, then started working at the Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, Kansas until her retirement in the mid 1980s.

Her greatest passions were gardening, cross-stitch, embroidery and hand-quilting, all the while listening to her nephew’s polka band music. She spent many hours creating numerous quilts of various sizes for her own enjoyment and quilting for several quilting clubs, churches and fund- raising events all over Kansas. Eleanor always had a huge garden and canned fresh fruits and vegetables. Most of the cherries and mulberries went into crocks to ferment for wine served at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

She also enjoyed group tours to the Dakotas and Las Vegas casinos to play the penny slots. And at times would throw a hint, “You know, it’s been a while since we’ve been gambling. “!?”

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Anton (1992); five children: Thomas (1998), David (2007), Barbara (Dinkel) Compitello (2010), Paul (2013), Dorothy (Dinkel) Bennett (2018); daughter-in-law Mary (Nelson) Dinkel (1998); grandson-in-law Brian Potter (2003), sisters: Katharine at one year of age, Mary Evers, Sister Gilberta (Martina), Clara Dinkel; brothers: Edwin at birth, Alfred, Ralph, Kenneth, and Edwin J.; brothers-in-law: Steve Zerr, George Evers, and Albert Dinkel.

She is survived by four children: Katharine Archer, and John (Cathy) Dinkel, all of Hill City, James (Regina) Dinkel of Morland and Mary Dinkel of McPherson; daughter-in-law, Marcia Dinkel of Oberlin; son-in-law, Raymond Bennett, Junction City; sisters: Louella Zerr, Colby and Rosalie (Jake) Heier, Hoxie; sisters-in-law: Darlene Appelhans, Hill City, Vivian Appelhans, Hoxie, Doris Appelhans, Thorton, Colorado; 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 14 great great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends.

Families are like quilts—
Lives pieced and stitched together,
Colored by happiness and tears,
Bound by memories and love
Cherished throughout the years.

Click HERE for service details.

Police identify Kan. airman killed in shooting at apartment party

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of Saturday’s fatal shooting at a Wichita apartment complex party and have a suspect in custody.

Police on the scene of the shooting investigation early Saturday photo courtesy KWCH
Markeithen McClaine photo Sedgwick Co.

Police identified the homicide victim as 20-year-old Chancelor Williams of Spartanburg, South Carolina, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Williams was fatally shot during a disturbance in the parking lot of Horizons East Apartments located in the 500 block of North Rock Road.

On Saturday afternoon, police arrested 25-year-old Markeithen McClaine  on requested charges of 1st Degree murder and three counts of aggravated battery in connection to the shooting of Williams and three other shooting victims.

A 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old man were transported from the scene by EMS to a local hospital where they were treated and released for non-life threatening injuries. The fourth victim, a 19-year-old woman, arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound. She remains hospitalized but is expected to survive, according to Wheeler.

Saturday at approximately 2:05 a.m. officers responded to a disturbance with shots fired at the apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers found Williams unresponsive in the parking lot. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a disturbance broke out at a party being held at an apartment. McClaine exited a vehicle and fired a gun into the crowd striking the four victims.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.

Mets’ McNeil hopes HR convinces wife to OK puppy adoption

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NEW YORK (AP) — Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil was working the phone Friday, hoping to acquire a promising, four-pawed prospect with the trade deadline looming.

A ruff negotiation, indeed.

McNeil video chatted with his wife, Tatiana, from Citi Field prior to a game against the Pirates, pleading to bring home a puppy brought to the ballpark by the North Shore Animal League. With his spouse uncertain, McNeil clubbed a three-run homer in New York’s 6-3 win over Pittsburgh — just the leverage he thinks he needed.

“Hitting a home run after holding a puppy, I think that gives me a little bargaining chip,” McNeil said. “My wife wants more homers, then we have to get a puppy.”

McNeil, who leads the majors with a .340 batting average, said the couple planned to visit the puppy together Saturday and then make a decision.

He and his teammates took turns greeting the rescued dogs, who were held in a pen outside the home dugout during batting practice. McNeil fell hard for a pup with a fuzzy blond coat and a dark face.

The canine was the first thing on his mind after he hit his 10th homer of the season a few hours later.

“I got in the dugout and said I was getting a puppy,” McNeil said.

Rural Nevada not equipped for big ‘storm Area 51’ turnout

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — At first, the co-owner of the quirky alien-themed motel down a Nevada highway from the mysterious Area 51 site didn’t take a posting for a prank Facebook event too seriously.

Then, her phone started ringing.

“It doesn’t stop, our phone won’t stop ringing,” Connie West, of the Little A’le’Inn, told the Las Vegas Sun.

The 10-room motel is one of few businesses in Rachel, a town of 54 residents now gaining celebrity status among aviation and UFO enthusiasts attracted by the posting about a Sept. 20 event dubbed “storm Area 51.”

More than 1 million people have responded to the internet post calling for people to “Naruto run” at 3 a.m. into the remote U.S. Air Force test area in the Nevada desert that has long been the focus of UFO conspiracy theories.

The face-forward, arms-back running style is favored by characters in the anime series “Naruto.”

“They can’t stop all of us,” the post jokes. “Lets see them aliens.”

The military is warning people not to try to enter the once top-secret Cold War site, which is posted and patrolled as part of the vast Nevada Test and Training Range.

After refusing for decades to acknowledge Area 51 even existed, the CIA declassified documents in 2013 referring to the 8,000-square mile (20,700-sq. kilometer) installation by name and locating it on a map near the dry Groom Lake bed.

The base has been a testing ground for top-secret aircraft including the U-2 spy plane in the 1950s and later the B-2 stealth bomber.

“Any attempt to illegally access the area is highly discouraged,” the Air Force said in a statement released by Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas.

West is apprehensive about what might happen if big crowds arrive.

“It’s a little scary to think that many people could descend on a town of 54,” she said. “How can you prepare?”

Down the state Highway 375, dubbed the Extraterrestrial Highway, Linda Looney, at the Alien Research Center gift shop and campsite, told the Sun she also was concerned about the effect of the Facebook post.

“I don’t think it’s just a passing fancy,” she said.

Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee said he doesn’t expect many people to actually show up, and county spokesman Ben Rowley tallied 184 hotel rooms in the county.

But Lee said 500 or 1,000 sudden visitors could create traffic, parking and congestion issues in a jurisdiction with 26 sworn sheriff’s deputies and about 5,200 permanent residents mostly in rural towns including Caliente, Pioche, Panaca and Alamo.

“I think this started out as a joke but there may be enough people taking it seriously and it could be a problem,” the sheriff said. “Someone is going to get hurt and people may go to jail. It’s not anything to joke about.”

Dan A. (Danny) Schaffer

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Dan A. (Danny) Schaffer, 86, was born in Hodgeman County to Andrew F. and Ruth Blecha Schaffer on April 6, 1933. He died July 25, 2019, Jetmore. Danny had spent his entire life in Hodgeman County except from 1956 to 1958 when he was in the Army. He took basic training at Fort Hood, Texas then Medic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. From there he went to Bamberg, Germany, December 1956 where he spent a few months, then was transferred to Warzburg. He was an ambulance driver and earned a Good Conduct Medal.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Jetmore, V.F.W., Dodge City and the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association.

Danny was a farmer living about two miles from where he was born and grew up. He married Ruby Burns October 28, 1961 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ness City. They were blessed with three sons. He lost his right leg June 13, 1966 in a farm accident but you couldn’t tell it by his work ethic. His compassion for the cattle business was only surpassed by his love for his family.

Danny is survived by his wife Ruby; sons, Neal (Cindy), Tyrone, OK, Ty (Denise), Turpin, OK and Kelly (Cindy), Jetmore; grandchildren, Angela, Aaron, Zackery, Danielle, Sarah, Jason and Jonathan Schaffer and three great grandchildren; sister, Gertrude Koehn, Wellington; sister-in-law, Glenda Schaffer, Jetmore.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene Wade and Mildred Schaffer; brothers, John, Carl, Harold and Earl; sisters-in-law, Bea, Mildred, Jo; brothers-in-law, Dan Wade and Ed Koehn.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2019 at United Methodist Church, Jetmore, with Rev. Randall Jahnke presiding. Casual attire requested. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore, with military graveside rites.

Memorials may be given to Hodgeman County EMS in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.

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