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Month: August 2019

Mary Ellen Root

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Mary Ellen Root, 72, of McPherson, Kansas passed away Saturday, August 24th, 2019 peacefully at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.

Mary Ellen was born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 29, 1947.

Mary Ellen attended a rural grade school in Pawnee county, Kansas, Larned High School, Larned, Kansas and graduated in 1965. She then attended Fort Hays State University, where she graduated with a sociology degree in 1970.

She was a member of First Mennonite Church McPherson.

Through the years Mary Ellen worked as a social worker for the State of Kansas and a case worker for MCDS in McPherson until she retired in 2003.

Mary Ellen enjoyed volunteer work, helping in numerous activities at her church and spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter Sarah Keller, of San Antonio, Texas.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ashton Keller, Parker Keller and Robyn Keller.

Mary was preceded in death by her adopted parents Hollis and Sadie Gore and her son Joshua William Root.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, September 2, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Mennonite Church, McPherson, Kansas with Pastor Rose Marie Zook Barber officiating.

Burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of McPherson and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; 222 W. Euclid, McPherson, Kansas 67460.

‘Let’s Flamingle’ in Russell

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RUSSELL – Upcoming scrapbooking event “Let’s Flamingle!”

Friday, September 6, 3:00 p.m. through Sunday, September 8, 12 noon at the Docking and Specter Center, Fossil Creek Hotel & Suites, 1430 South Fossil, Russell.

Contact Kim Lyon for more details at 785-259-5872.

– SUBMITTED –

Kinnamon takes a shot at FHSU football following basketball career

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Kyler Kinnamon works on a receiving drill at FHSU preseason camp. Courtesy FHSU Sports Information / Ryan Prickett

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

After spending the last four seasons on the Fort Hays State basketball court, Kyler Kinnamon is taking a shot at college football.

He said the thought of playing football entered his mind last fall while watching his younger brother Jace play at McPherson High School.

“I just was watching him and (realized), man, I really miss that a lot” he said following the Tigers scrimmage on Thursday. “I did a little bit of research and figured out a way that you get an extra semester or two of eligibility and said, ‘Heck, I might as well if I don’t have anything else to do.’ ”

Kinnamon was the Tigers starting point guard the last three seasons and played in 120 games over his four years. He finished with the fourth most assists in school history and was named honorable mention All-MIAA following his senior season.

In addition to being an All-State basketball player, Kinnamon was a standout on the football field at MHS, where he played quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive back. When he graduated in 2015, he held the school’s single-season record for rushing yards (1,662) and was second in Bullpup history in career passing yards (4,354).

Kinnamon

Kinnamon said it’s been an adjustment making the move from the basketball court to the football field.

“It’s a lot more physical out here. You’re out in the sun a lot, practices are a lot longer, you’re dealing with the elements,” he said. “It’s been really fun, and I love these guys. I’m having a blast with it.”

Kinnamon joins an already deep receiving corps that returns starters Harley Hazlett, Layne Bieberle and Andrew Jay as well as Dandre Reed and Manny Ramsey, who also saw significant playing time a year ago.

“They’ve been incredible in helping me out. If I’m lined up wrong, Coach McCray helps me out” Kinnamon said. “We’re in the film room every single day, and they’ve all been awesome and supportive.”

Courtesy FHSU Sports Information / Ryan Prickett

March to Main back with new twist

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The annual March to Main event to welcome students to Hays will be back again this year with a new twist.

Tuesday’s event will feature the same great prizes, free food, goodie bags, discounts and annual parade from campus, but there won’t be the scavenger hunt.

“The businesses are still rolling out the red carpet for our students to make sure they feel welcome,”  Downtown Hays Development Corp. Director Sara Bloom said.

Main Street will not be closed this year for the event. For the safety of the students, the event committee opted to not have a scavenger hunt. Students will receive a raffle ticket that will automatically enter them for more than $3,000 in prizes, such as cash, TVs, headphones and Apple Watches.

Students will have two sheets of activities to do in downtown in the two weeks (until Sept. 12) following the event. They can visit 20 participating businesses to earn chances to win even more prizes.

Many of the businesses are offering deals and discounts to the students during this time, such as discounts on oil changes, free eyebrow waxes, buy a cheesecake, get a cheesecake, and $5 off a nail service.

“Hopefully, it will be a more relaxed setting instead of scavenger hunt where they are running in to grab a ticket and only spending a few seconds or a few minutes inside of a business, ” Bloom said. “We hope they will take time to come down and really check out everything and maybe schedule an appointment or two or purchase something fun to take home after.”

Lineup for the event will start at 5:30 p.m. in the FHSU quad. The parade to Main will include FHSU’s Victor E. Tiger, cheerleaders, dance team and marching band, as well as faculty, and school and elected officials. It will start at 6 p.m.

FHSU, NCK Tech and Hays Academy of Hair Design students are all welcome.

A free meal is being catered by The Press. Oversized games will be available downtown, including checkers, lawn darts and Jenga.

Miami Over Moon will play from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. under the Downtown Pavilion.

Bloom said she anticipated between 500 to 700 for the event. The event will count toward students’ first 40 day activities.

March to Main is sponsored by the DHDC, Hays Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the three participating schools.

“If you are a student we just want to welcome you home to Hays,” Bloom said. “We hope you will join us in the quad between 5:30 and 6, and make sure you are there by 6 because that is when the march starts. This event is for you. We want you to know you are welcome here in our community, and we want you to feel connected right off the bat.”

Hoisington man, FHSU alumnus creates scholarship for political science pre-law students

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Don Reif, Jr.

FHSU University Relations

In the 1960s, students attending Fort Hays State University paid $125 per semester. In those days, students could often pay for their own education with part-time employment at minimum wage.

FHSU alumni like Don Reif Jr., Hoisington, understand that those days are long gone.

“I know that Fort Hays State continues to offer the lowest tuition out of the six major universities in Kansas,” said Reif.

“However, even with FHSU’s affordable tuition, college is expensive these days. It’s unfortunate to see students finish their degree programs with a mountain of debt. I hope to alleviate that debt for as many students as possible over the course of their education at Fort Hays State.”

Reif, a 1982 FHSU graduate, has established a scholarship for students studying political science with an emphasis in pre-law. Reif, a lawyer himself, has given more than $51,000 to the FHSU Foundation to create the Don E. Reif Scholarship, and plans to add to the fund over time.

Reif will have two scholarship recipients for the 2020 to 2021 academic year. As long as the students continue to meet requirements for eligibility, their scholarship may be renewable for an additional three years.

Deadline: Planned Parenthood asks judge to block Missouri abortion law

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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Critics of a new Missouri ban on abortions at or after eight weeks of pregnancy are asking a judge to block the law from taking effect this week.

Attorneys for Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union head to court Monday to ask U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs to put the law on hold while their legal challenge against it plays out in court. They face a tight deadline: The law is set to take effect Wednesday.

Planned Parenthood and ACLU lawyers in a court filing wrote that unless Sachs blocks the law, it will severely limit access to abortion and prevent the “vast majority of patients from obtaining the constitutionally protected medical care they seek.”

“As a result, some patients will be prevented from obtaining abortion care entirely, and be forced to carry their pregnancies to term against their will_for some, even in the face of significant health risks that nevertheless would not qualify as a ‘medical emergency’ under the Bans,” attorneys wrote.

They added that other patients will seek abortions out of state or “outside the medical system,” despite health risks.

The law includes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. If courts don’t uphold the eight-week ban, the bill includes a series of less-restrictive bans ranging from 14 weeks up to 20 weeks. The bill also bans abortions based solely on race, sex or a diagnosis indicating the potential for Down syndrome.

Attorneys for the state argue that courts have allowed limits on abortions based on the gestational age of the fetus, although similar abortion restrictions in North Dakota and Iowa have been struck down by judges. In court documents, they told the judge that the state’s goal is “protecting fetal life” as well as protecting women.

Federal law allows states to prohibit abortions after fetuses are viable outside the womb, which can be from 24 to 28 weeks.

Missouri’s bill also includes an outright ban on abortions except in cases of medical emergencies, but that would take effect only if the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide is overturned.

Missouri already has some of the nation’s most restrictive abortion regulations. Just one clinic in the state performs abortions.

KWPT approves removal of backcountry pass at Little Jerusalem Bandlands

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Cost to access the yet-to-be-opened Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Logan County will be $5 per vehicle or the Kansas State Park pass.

KDWPT

PRATT – In a 5-0 vote, Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KWPT) Commissioners recently approved the removal of a backcountry access pass, $50, at their August 15 meeting in Overland Park. The pass, established late last year, would have been a requirement for hikers looking to explore Kansas’ up-and-coming state park, Little Jerusalem Badlands, without a guide.

“Kansas state park staff believe our parks should be accessible to all, and removing this fee will make Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park just that – accessible,” said Kansas state parks director, Linda Lanterman. “We’ve hired a naturalist who will instead offer informative, guided tours on a regular basis once the park opens.”

Other items recently voted on and approved by the KWPT Commission include:

  • A reduction of disabled veteran’s license fees by half. This change will allow Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism staff to better meet future demand by spreading funding further, as applications for disabled veteran’s licenses have routinely surpassed available funds in recent years.
  • The removal of otters from current furbearer and coyote management units, so that designated otter management units may be established. In coming seasons, hunters will be able to take one, two or five otters depending on which otter management unit they hunt.
  • A change in the start time of furbearer seasons. All hunting, trapping and running seasons for furbearers will now begin at 12:01 a.m.

To view complete video and audio recordings of the August 15 Commission meeting, visit ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission.

The next KWPT Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 Hwy, in Great Bend.

Driver dies in Kan. crash after car flips end over end

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LYON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Sunday in Lyon County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Acura TL driven by Jimmy Lee Coleman, 36, Kansas City, was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles east of Emporia at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle exited Interstate 35 at County Road R1.

The driver lost control and left the roadway to the right. The vehicle traveled through the ditch, vaulted approximately 20 feet, landed upright in the ditch, continued through the ditch and struck the ditch, flipped end over end and landed upside down

Coleman was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home.  He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas felon sentenced for robbery at beauty salon

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Kansas man convicted of attempted robbery of a Hutchinson beauty salon was sentenced Friday to 21-months in prison.

Crenshaw -photo KDOC

Jackie Crenshaw, 66, Hutchinson, entered a plea to attempted robbery for going into the Anima Bella Salon, 16 S. Main in Hutchinson, and taking $360 from one of the employees. The state amended the complaint to attempted robbery as part of a plea agreement.

Both sides had recommended that Crenshaw serve the aggravated number of months in the sentencing grid box and that was 21-months.

Crenshaw has over two dozen prior convictions for forgery, theft, burglary and drugs according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas man admits driving getaway car during KFC robbery

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TOPEKA —A Kansas man has pleaded guilty to driving a getaway car during a fast-food restaurant robbery, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

McClelland photo Shawnee Co.

Justin Alexander McClelland, 32, Topeka, pleaded guilty one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery. In his plea, McClelland admitted he drove a co-defendant to a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant where a co-defendant committed the robbery. Then McClelland drove the co-defendant away from the robbery.

 Co-defendant Joshua Musgraves, 26, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to robbery and is set for sentencing Oct. 7.

McClelland is set for sentencing Nov. 5. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of three years in federal prison.

Texas man traveled to Kansas for sex with 15-year-old

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Texas man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in federal prison for taking a Hutchinson, Kan., girl across state lines for sex, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Carmona -photo Butler Co.

Juan Carlos Carmona, 37, Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of traveling from Texas to Kansas to have sex with a minor and one count of transporting a minor from Kansas to Texas to have sex with her.

In his plea, Carmona admitted that in mid-2017 he began communicating over the internet with a minor female. In April 2018, he traveled from Houston to Hutchinson, Kan., to meet the 15-year-old. His purpose was to obtain a hotel room and to have sex with the girl. After doing so, he returned to Houston.

In May 2018, Carmona returned to Kansas and picked up the 15-year-old girl. He transported her to Houston, where he intended to have sex with her.

Royals salvage series finale with Cleveland

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CLEVELAND (AP) – Ryan O’Hearn led off the 10th inning with his second homer of the game, sending the Kansas City Royals to a wild 9-8 win Sunday over the Cleveland Indians, whose playoff hopes were rocked by losing third baseman Jose Ramirez to a broken right hand.

The Indians tied it in the ninth against Ian Kennedy (1-2) on a solo homer by Francisco Lindor and Franmil Reyes’ stunning three-run shot with two outs.

O’Hearn hit a 2-2 pitch from Nick Goody (3-1) over the right field wall as the Royals salvaged a back-and-forth series finale to snap a four-game losing streak. O’Hearn also homered in the third off Indians starter Shane Bieber.

Royals reliever Jorge Lopez worked the 10th for his first major league save.

Losing the game was secondary to the Indians, who will be without Ramirez for their playoff push. The two-time All-Star will undergo surgery Monday in New York to repair a fractured hamate bone, and the club won’t know his recovery time until after the procedure.

However, Ramirez, who awakened from a puzzling, early-season offensive slump in time to propel the Indians back into postseason contention, won’t be able to help as his teammates try to catch first-place Minnesota in the AL Central or win a wild-card spot.

Trailing by four runs and down to their final strike, the Indians tied it against Kennedy.

Lindor homered with one out before Kennedy walked Carlos Santana with two outs and gave up a single to Yasiel Puig.

Kennedy’s wild pitch moved the runners up and Reyes, whose homer leading off the eighth pulled Cleveland to 8-4, brought them home with a 423-foot shot to left, rewarding Indians fans who hung around after the team fell behind 8-3 in the eighth.

Kansas City had busted open a 3-3 game with a five-run eighth, triggered by shortstop Lindor’s error and highlighted by Jorge Soler’s two-run homer – a 437-foot drive.

Kevin Plawecki hit a two-run homer for Cleveland. The Indians came in 2 1/2 games out in the division and clinging to a half-game lead in the wild-card race.

Bieber shook off a wobbly first few innings and stuck around for seven. After allowing the homer to O’Hearn in the third, the All-Star Game MVP retired his final 13 batters, recording seven of his eight strikeouts in that span.

Rookie infielder Yu Chang stepped in for Ramirez and got his first two major league hits.

Chang made an immediate impact after being recalled from Triple-A Columbus when the Indians put Ramirez on the injured list.

He opened the seventh with a triple off Royals reliever Scott Barlow. The drive caromed at an odd angle off the center field wall, and for a moment it appeared Chang might have a chance for an inside-the-park homer before he was held at third by coach Mike Sarbaugh.

As he pulled into the bag, Chang was met with cries of “Yuuuuu” from Indians fans still coming to grips with the stunning loss of Ramirez – the latest obstacle for the three-time defending AL Central champions who have had numerous major injuries in 2019.

Royals starter Eric Skoglund was sharp in his season debut, allowing only two hits in five innings. The left-hander was suspended for the first 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s drug prevention and treatment program.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesi (dislocated left shoulder) has played six games on a minor league rehab assignment, but no timetable has been set for his return. He was injured diving for a foul ball on July 16.

Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco was scheduled to pitch in relief for Triple-A Columbus as he continues his comeback after being diagnosed with leukemia. Carrasco could potentially join Cleveland’s bullpen in the next few weeks.

UP NEXT

Royals: Open a 10-game homestand, their longest of the season, with RHP Brad Keller (7-13, 3.95 ERA) on the mound against Oakland.

Indians: Following an off day, RHP Adam Plutko (5-3, 4.54) starts the opener of a three-game series Tuesday in Detroit against Spencer Turnbull (3-12, 4.05).

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