Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:
Brass Rail 114 E. 11th St., Hays – July 10
A routine inspection found two violations.
In the bar are there was a bottle of Vermouth that had a flying inspect present inside with the liquor.
In the cabinet below the bar area, there were two sealed bottles of glass cleaner that were being stored directly next to eight clean pitchers. No evidence of leaking was observed.
Back to Nature 2707 Vine, Hays – July 9
A routine inspection found one violation.
In the back storage area, there were two bottles of Ecover Zero Laundry Detergent that were being stored on a solid shelf directly next to two bags of sea salt and a bag of dried ginger. No evidence of leaking was observed.
El Dos 1002 41st St., Hays – July 8
A follow-up inspection found one violation.
In the walk-in cooler, there was an uncovered plate of raw egg yolks that were being stored on a wire rack directly above four cases of sealed bottles of soda. No evidence of leaking was observed.
Tryyaki 2814 Vine, Hays – July 8
A follow-up inspection found one violation.
During the inspection, a server had washed her hands in the hand washing sink then proceeded to place ready to eat lettuce in to go bowls with her bare hands.
While the investigators work to determine the cause of the accident, crews were working to clear the tracks and remove the overturned cars.
“We are investigating the accident,” said Raquel Espinoza, Union Pacific media representative. “At this point, we do not know what caused it, but we are certainly investigating to find out what could have contributed to this accident.”
According to Espinoza, the investigation could take weeks or months but she said she could confirm details of the derailment.
“I can confirm that four rail cars that were carrying alcohol derailed from a train near Allen and Ninth Street yesterday at around 5 p.m,” she said.
She also noted that containment of the tanks remained intact.
While there were no injuries to the public, a UP employee was treated and released for minor injuries, according to Espinoza.
While the investigation is ongoing, the cars are being removed in an effort to restore rail traffic.
“We do have crews working in the area right now and they are working to clear the area as well as make any repairs that need to be made,” Espinoza said.
“I have not determined what time the line will re-open for rail traffic.”
OSAGE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Monday in Osage County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Ford Explorer driven by Patricia M. Falconer, 52, Canyon Lake, TX., was northbound on Interstate 35 two miles north of U.S. 75.
The SUV left the roadway and entered the center median. It turned back onto the roadway, crossed both lanes of northbound travel, and entered the south ditch. The driver over-corrected and SUV rolled
Falconer was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger Cadman, Jeffrey Tyler Cadman, 27, Canyon Lake, TX., was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
PAWNEE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Monday in Pawnee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Kia Optima driven by Holly M. Chandler, 47, Garden City, was eastbound on Kansas 156 at Rozel.
The driver turned at 280th Avenue into the path of a 2018 Peterbilt truck driven by Derek Michael Amerin, 34, Hays.
The truck collided with the Kia and came to rest in the north ditch.
EMS transported Chandler to the hospital in Wichita. Amerin was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Walmart employees celebrate the completion of their store remodel Friday with members of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Although it took a week longer than expected, the remodel project of the Hays Walmart Supercenter still finished a week ahead of schedule.
A grand reopening ribbon cutting with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce was held Friday morning.
Co-manager Tanya Whitter talked about some of the major improvements which started in the front store area with new entrance gates for customers.
New entry gates at both doors automatically open for customers.
“They automatically open when you come through,” Whitter explained. The store also has new security systems in the front end.
New signage fills the store walls as well as the different departments. The entire store floor has been retiled with new concrete pathways leading into the store.
New lighting in the produce department
New refrigeration coolers and cases line the grocery area. The produce department has new lighting which Whitter says ensures the fruits and vegetables look like the colors they actually are.
“It’s just a fresh look for the store,” she added, “not just what the customers see but also things the customers don’t see. There’s lot of changes and lots of improvements.”
Employees working the new 3 in 1 counter are cross-trained to help customers with gun purchases, the automotive center and the paint department.
There’s now a new “3 in 1” counter. “Our automotive department, our paint department, and sporting goods – for the gun sales – with brand new cases. It’s basically an all-in-one counter…making it convenient for the customers.” Employees working the 3-in 1 counter are cross-trained to help customers in all three departments.
Restrooms have been updated with a mothers’ room added in the back restroom for nursing privacy.
The 11-week project exceeded $5 million, according to Whitter. “It’s a huge financial investment in our store and we’ve also invested in training of our associates.”
Perhaps the most highly anticipated change is the addition of the OGP department, or Online Grocery Pickup, which opened July 5.
Ten parking spaces are reserved at the north end of Walmart for pickup of online orders.
“You’ve seen all the parking stalls outside for it. You can go online and order your groceries and show up, pick a time, and we bring them out to your car for you,” Whitter explained to the crowd. “It’s very fast, very convenient. It’s a free service that Walmart provides.” She believes it will be very successful for the store.
The Walmart app used to order groceries online can also be used by customers to determine if an item is in stock and its aisle location in the store.
Computer screens at the checkout counters have also been updated with touch screens.
“It’s remarkable how advanced things are now,” added Whitter.
Even the parking lot got a facelift with restriping of the parking stalls and new trash cans.
She and co-manager Adam Armstrong both made a point of thanking the Walmart employees and its customers.
“We ask our associates to do a lot of things every day and then we through a remodel on top of that. We asked them to do their job plus we turned their department upside down and moved it halfway across the store,” Armstrong said with a smile. “But our associates, in Walmart fashion, did an outstanding job.”
Because the store is open 24/7, the renovation work took place while people were shopping.
“Our customers put up with us for 11 weeks. It’s kind of like coming into your house after you’ve been gone for a week and somebody rearranges your furniture and you run into stuff,” quipped Armstrong. “You don’t know where things are.”
“But we should be good for at least another seven years now, I think. We won’t be moving things. Everything’s where it’s gonna be.”
A lot of departments were rearranged on the general merchandise side to make for a better shopping experience, according to Armstrong.
“The way things are laid out now – once people get used to it – should honestly make more sense as they shop throughout the store,” he said. “As an example, we put the bacon next to the eggs, which most people buy together.”
Sarah Meitner, Brent Kaiser and Kathy McAdoo accept a $10,000 donation from Hays Walmart for the Accessible Recreation Complex park project. They’re flanked by Co-Manager Adam Armstrong and Community Involvement Coordinator Dawn Malott.
During Friday’s celebration, the Walmart employees also presented a $10,000 donation through the Walmart Foundation to the Hays ARC park project for an accessible playground in Seven Hills Park.
The Hays Walmart store, which has nearly 300 employees, is among 10 in Kansas scheduled for renovations and improvements this year.
Walmart has been in Hays for 35 years.
The Supercenter has been in its current location, 4301 Vine, for 18 years. Prior to that it was in the Vine Street shopping center now occupied by Hobby Lobby, ACE Hardware and the former Hastings store.
Arnold Clarence “Arnie” Michaelis, 81 of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.
Arnie was born September 4, 1937 in Windsor, Colorado. He was the son of Oscar C. and Elizabeth (Koppel) Michaelis. He grew up for a short time in Windsor before his family moved to Kansas.
Arnie was united in marriage to Amelia Grace Schneider on April 1, 1956 in Russell. This union was blessed with five children; Jeffrey, Randall, Roxanne, Judith and Jerry. They made their home north of Russell until 1962 when they moved two miles north of Gorham, Kansas. Then in 1966 they moved to Paradise, Kansas. Then they returned to Russell in 1972. Amelia preceded him in death on November 20, 2015.
Arnie worked in the oil fields as a driller for Mask and Dreiling Drilling. He was a farmer and dairy farmer while living in Paradise. He went back to the oil field when he returned to Russell. He started L&M Well Servicing in 1993 with Virgil Leiker. He continued to operate the business after Virgil’s passing. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church. He also was a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge, Isis Shrine, and the Russell Elks Lodge. In his spare time he enjoyed bowling, stock car racing, watching the Kansas City Royals and the KU Basketball games. When he was younger he was active in local saddle clubs.
Arnie’s surviving family include his daughters, Roxanne Young (Scott) of Iuka, Kansas and Judith Riebel (Perry) of Russell, Kansas; sons, Jeffrey Michaelis (Janelle) of Russell, Kansas and Jerry Michaelis also of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Virgil Michaelis (Judy) of Salina, Kansas and Doug Michaelis (Nancy) also of Salina, Kansas; eight grandchildren and one great grandson.
Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, wife Amelia, and son, Randall Michaelis.
Celebration of Arnie’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday, July 19, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Memorials have been established with St. John Lutheran church Broadcasting or Russell Masonic Lodge. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a Kansas man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder in the killing of a confidential drug informant whose body was found by deer hunters.
Steven Meredith -photo KDOC
33-year-old Steven Meredith, of Junction City, entered the plea Friday. His trial had been scheduled to start Monday.
Prosecutors said that Meredith killed 48-year-old Carrie Jones in October 2017 because he believed she would provide information about him in a drug case in which he was later convicted. Her body was found in rural Riley County.
Meredith’s sentencing is set for Sept. 23. Assistant Riley County Attorney Kendra Lewison says the state agreed to seek a lesser sentence of 20 years in prison. Meredith will be allowed to ask for no less than 15 years.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The latest from the first day of Big 12 football media days Monday at AT&T Stadium. (all times local):
12:30 p.m.
New Kansas coach Les Miles says top running back Pooka Williams has been reinstated to the team, seven months after he was arrested and charged with domestic battery in a case involving an 18-year-old woman.
Williams later reached a domestic violence diversion agreement with the local district attorney’s office.
Miles says Williams, who will be suspended for the season opener Aug. 31 against Indiana State, went through a legal investigation and code of conduct proceedings with the university.
Williams ran for 1,125 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman last season. Miles was the head coach at Oklahoma State from 2001-04 before going to LSU, where he won a national championship.
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9:45 a.m.
The Big 12 commissioner says there is no discussion of expansion at any level in the smallest Power Five conference.
“I don’t expect that to be an active topic on anybody’s agenda in the conference in the foreseeable future,” Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said, responding to a question about alignment at the start of Big 12 football media days.
Bowlsby said Monday that the league likes the 10 teams that it has, along with the full round-robin schedules that allows. There are also increasing record revenues, with the league distributing about $38.8 million to each school during the last academic year.
Bowlsby said the Big 12 also had a tremendous year competitively, with four national championships throughout the league.
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9 a.m.
The Big 12 has a grand stage as it opens football media days at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Commissioner Bob Bowlsby and five coaches will be on the raised podium set up near midfield under the huge video board that hangs over the home field of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. It is also where the Big 12 will play its championship game in December.
After Bowlsby delivers his annual address, the coaches will take their turns. New Kansas coach Les Miles will be first, followed by TCU’s Gary Patterson, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, new Texas Tech coach Matt Wells and Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley. The coaches and select players from their teams will be available in the afternoon.
The other five teams will be featured Tuesday.
This is the first time the league is holding its media days inside the giant stadium. The festivities the last two years were held at The Star in Frisco, the practice facility for the Cowboys.
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2 a.m.
Oklahoma is again favored in the Big 12 after winning the last four conference titles. Kansas is expected to still be on the other end of the standings, even with a new coach that has a national title to his credit.
New Jayhawks coach Les Miles, the 65-year-old former Oklahoma State coach who later won a national championship at LSU, will be the first coach to take the podium at Big 12 football media days Monday. That will be after Commissioner Bob Bowlsby kicks off the two-day talkfest with his annual address.
Players and coaches from Oklahoma and Kansas will take part Monday, along with Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech. The second day, Tuesday, will feature Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas and West Virginia – and the only two quarterbacks scheduled to appear this week.
The Big 12 is holding its media days for the first time at the home stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, where the league plays its championship game.
The 65-year-old Miles, after more than 2 1/2 seasons out of coaching, is one of four new Big 12 coaches. The others are Texas Tech’s Matt Wells, West Virginia’s Neal Brown and Kansas State’s Chris Klieman, who won four FCS national titles the past five years as head coach at North Dakota State.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a chase involving a bicycle and police vehicle.
Derek Johnson photo Sedgwick County
Just before 12:w30 a.m. Sunday, police in the area of Pawnee and Seneca were looking for a suspect in an aggravated assault – domestic violence case, according to officer Kevin Wheeler. It was reported that the suspect was riding a bicycle.
The officers observed a man later identified as 23-year-old Derek Johnson riding a bicycle east on Pawnee from Seneca, matching the description of the suspect. The officers activated their overhead lights and attempted to stop the man. He refused to stop and fled on the bicycle south onto the side walk on McLean Street and the officers followed as Johnson continued to flee.
He then abruptly stopped on the sidewalk and the patrol vehicle bumped the bicycle and Johnson fell. EMS transported him to an area hospital for minor injuries and he was released prior to being booked into jail on requested charges of flee and elude police, unlawful possession of methamphetamine and an outstanding warrant.
The investigation determined he was not involved in the earlier domestic violence report.
The WPD requested the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) to investigate the accident to provide transparency and avoid conflicts of interest. An internal review will be done by the WPD, which is standard protocol in accidents involving police vehicles.
SALINA — Rod’s Convenience Stores in Salina have been allowed to reopen.
Zachary Fletcher, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Revenue, told Salina Post Monday morning that Rodney Bradshaw, owner of the stores, entered into an acceptable agreement with KDOR and the stores were allowed to open.
On Thursday, KDOR agents, accompanied by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, executed tax warrants and closed Rod’s Convenience Stores for nonpayment of Retailers Sales Tax totaling $49,540.23. The warrants were filed in Saline County.
The businesses affected are located at 1717 W. Crawford, 1401 S. Santa Fe, 1339 N. Ninth, 220 W. Magnolia, 1619 W. Magnolia, 2140 W. Crawford, and 680 S. Phillips.
