By BARBARA WASINGER 111th District, state rep, R-Hays
Yesterday I filed to run for re-election in 2020 to the office of State Representative for the 111th District of Kansas. I believe progress is being made without the chaos of past years. Visiting with my constituents as I walk door-to-door helps me to understand their concerns serve them in Topeka.
During this first Legislative session I organized a tour for U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall (KS 1st District), Kansas Commerce Secretary David Toland, Kansas Assistant Transportation Secretary Lindsay Douglas, Ellis County and Hays City Commissioners along with other community leaders to look at the northwest corridor around Hays and show the need to improve this dangerous freight corridor. It is essential to keep Ellis County on the radar in Topeka. I continue to work with all parties to get the necessary funding for this corridor.
Also, in keeping with the promises I made during my campaign in the first election, I voted for school funding with accountability, twice voted against increasing taxes due to Federal tax changes, voted and worked for restoring funding to KDOT and voted to make a long overdue payment of $115 million dollars to KPERS – the first regular payment made in 25 years.
It has been my honor to represent the people of Hays and Ellis County as your Representative in Topeka and I look forward to continuing to serve them.
GOODLAND — Enjoy good food, hot and cold soft drinks and music at Blocktoberfest 2019 in the 1200 block of Main in Goodland Saturday, Oct. 19. Bring your entire family – and your lawn chairs.
Listen and dance to country and folk music duo Honey & Wine from 5-7 p.m. MDT/6-8 p.m. CDT. As a special treat, AIM Dance Studio dancers will perform with Honey & Wine. Enjoy food, hot and cold soft drinks at Terra Bona Hawai’ian Shaved Ice and Olde Westport Spice. After the music, head to Sherman Theatre, 1203 Main, for the evening’s movie, “Abominable.”
“We’re so excited to hold Blocktoberfest featuring Honey & Wine this year,” Mary Ellen Coumerilh of Terra Bona said. “We plan for Blocktoberfest to be an annual event every October. Please come out and enjoy.”
Honey & Wine could best be described as a duet of dear friends who pair very well together. Connie Whitlock and Rick Kuenzler bring their musical presentation to the stage with cover songs as well as with thought provoking original songs rich in substance. Their musical style blends the modern and contemporary with echoes of the traditional and classic.
Their song catalog reaches across genres. They write and compose an eclectic mix of originals from folk to bluegrass/country to rock, pop and contemporary Christian. Their songwriting versatility is undeniable, as is their well-paired styles and sound.
No stranger to bringing top-notch musical productions to the stage, Whitlock has long been known in Kansas City for putting on King Cat Music productions and the SALT & LIGHT Awards. Pair Whitlock with the distinctly country flair of Nashville Songwriters Association International songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Kuenzler and you have the exceptional flavor of Honey & Wine.
Prize drawings will also be held. Please bring your own lawn chairs. The 1200 block of Main will be closed in order to allow people to sit on the street.
Blocktoberfest 2019 is sponsored by Terra Bona Hawai’ian Shaved Ice, Olde Westport Spice, AIM Dance Studio and Sherman Theatre.
MARION COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday in Marion County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Caravan driven by Cecil Gill, Jr., 84, Hazel Crest, Illinois was westbound on U.S. 50 one mile west of U.S. 77 on the eastbound shoulder partially in the eastbound lane of traffic and collided with an eastbound 2010 Kenworth semi driven by Kevin M. Thompson, 57, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
A passenger in the van Dwayne J. Scott, 20, St. Louis, MO., was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. EMS transported Gill to a Wichita hospital where he died.
Thompson was transported for treatment of minor injuries. The drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. Scott’s seatbelt usage was unknown.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association released the district assignments for the 2020 and 2021 football season on Wednesday.
The TMP-Marian Monarchs will once again be 2A and has been assigned to district seven.
TMP is joined in district seven by Ellis, Cimarron, Kismet-Southwestern Heights, Lakin and Syracuse.
There are only four districts in class 1A with Plainville, Smith Center and Oakley in district three. They are joined by Brookville-Ell Saline, Ellinwood, Inman and Salina-Sacred Heart.
In 8-man division one LaCrosse will be in district six with Greensburg-Kiowa County, Kinsley, Macksville, Pratt-Skyline and St. John-Hudson.
Hill City, Hoxie, Stockton and WaKeeney-Trego Community are joined by Atwood-Rawlins County and Oberlin-Decatur Community in district eight.
Victoria and Otis-Bison will be 8-man division two for the next two years and are joined by Chase, Claflin-Central Plains, Sylvan Grove, Tescott and Wilson in district five.
Hays High is once again in the west in class 5A.
You can find a complete list of the 2020 and 2021 football districts HERE.
HUTCHINSON —Just after 10a.m. Wednesday police were dispatched to 711 E 10th in Hutchinson for a disturbance, with a possible suicidal person, according to a media release. Prior to officer’s arrival there was a gunshot heard from inside of the residence by the reporting party. Officers set up a perimeter and attempted to contact the occupant of the residence but were unable to. Due to circumstances, a decision was made to evacuate the immediate area and lock down the area schools.
Members of the Emergency Response Team were called to the scene. After all attempts of communication failed, entry into the home was made. Upon entering the residence, a male was found deceased inside with what appeared to be a gunshot wound, an investigation is ongoing. The name of the victim has not been released.
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Hutch Post
Police on the scene of the standoff Wednesday in Hutchinson
HUTCHINSON— A police standoff in Hutchinson ended Wednesday afternoon when police used the ERT tactical truck to break down the front door of the home in the 700 Block of East 10th Street. ERT officers entered the home and found a mab dead of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police Chief Jeff Hooper says the name of the victim has not been released and like all shootings, is being treated as a homicide until the investigation is complete. The victim of the apparent domestic disturbance that started the stand off was not injured.
All lockdowns involving USD 308 schools were lifted. No officers were injured. The standoff was also a first for the new tactical paramedics from the Hutchinson Fire Department. The unit has been training with the ERT for several months after the program was put in place this summer.
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HUTCHINSON — Police are working an armed subject call in the 700 block of East 10th. Police were heard telling the person inside a home through a loudspeaker, “you are under arrest, come out with your hands up.” Police believe the person may be armed and that’s the reason for the precaution.
10th Street from Plum to Pershing is blocked off and Cleveland from 9th to 11th is also closed. Police were bringing in the special ops team for this continuing situation.
The Hutchinson school district is using caution because of this ongoing standoff and placed Hutchinson High School, McCandless Elementary and Faris Elementary in soft lockdown.
Officials say outside doors were locked, but classes continue.
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HUTCHINSON — Police are now working the armed subject call at this time in the 700 block of East 10th. Police were heard telling the person inside a home through a loudspeaker, “you are under arrest, come out with your hands up.” Police believe the person may be armed and that’s the reason for the precaution.
10th Street from Cleveland to Pershing is blocked off.
The Hutchinson school district is using caution because of this possible armed subject and placed Hutchinson High School, McCandless Elementary and Faris Elementary in soft lockdown.
Officials say outside doors were locked, but classes continue.
COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects after a weekend drug bust in Kansas.
Zavala photo Cowley Co.
On Saturday, police executed a search warrant for suspected drug activity at 206 N. Seventh Street in Arkansas City, according to a media release. During a search of the residence and its occupants, numerous items of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found.
Police arrested Joseph Eugene Chapman, 44, on suspicion of one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Mindy Lynn Chapman, 46, was arrested on a Cowley County District Court warrant for misdemeanor failure to appear.
Richard Louis Wamego, 62, was arrested on suspicion of one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. He was transported to and booked into the county jail in lieu of $1,000 bond through Arkansas City district court.
Michael Zavala, 51, was arrested on suspicion of felony possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Zavala was transported to and booked into the county jail in lieu of $5,500 bond through Arkansas City district court. He remained in custody.
Police on Oct. 5 executed a search warrant for suspected drug activity at 206 N. Seventh St. During a search of the residence and its occupants, numerous items of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found.
Chapman, Wamego and Zavala remain in custody, according to the release.
TOPEKA – Colonel Herman T. Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, announced that Lieutenant Travis Phillips has been promoted to Captain and will now oversee Troop D.
Troop D is based in Hays and covers 18 counties in northwest Kansas.
Phillips joined the patrol in March 1994 and was assigned to field duties in Sherman County.
In 1996, Phillips served as an SRT Operator in addition to his road duties. Phillips was also a Rangemaster in Troop D. He was later promoted to Public Resource Sergeant for Troop D in Hays before being promoted to a Master Trooper for Troop D, Zone E in WaKeeney. He was later promoted to Field Lieutenant for Troop D, Zone E in WaKeeney.
Phillips began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a Patrol Officer with the Hays Police Department. He is a native of Mullen, NE, and Ellis, KS, and a graduate of Ellis High School. Phillips attended Fort Hays State University and Barton County Community College to obtain a criminal justice degree.
He is a member of WaKeeney Lions Club and 10-33 Foundation.
The Patrol congratulates Captain Phillips on his promotion and wishes him the best in this position.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted carjacking and have made an arrest.
Sturgis photo Sedgwick Co.
Just before 1a.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a carjacking in convenience store parking lot in the 3800 Block of north Rock Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
An 18-year-old and a 19-year-old at the scene told police they were getting gas at the convenience store when a suspect identified as 33-year-old Randy Sturgis of Wichita approached the woman.
He told them he had escaped from federal prison and wanted a ride, according to Davidson. The woman refused and Sturgis became agitated. He stated he had a knife and grabbed the women in an attempt to place them in the vehicle. The women broke free and ran into the convenience store to contact police, according to Davidson.
Sturgis entered the vehicle but was unable to get it to move. He took a cell phone that belonged to the 19-year-old and escaped on foot.
Officers quickly arrived, located Sturgis and he ran from them. After a short foot pursuit, police captured him.
An investigation revealed that Sturgis had walked away from the Federal Halfway House in the 3800 Block of North Toben just before the incident occurred. There were no injuries reported, according to Davidson.
Sturgis is being held on requested charges that include kidnapping, burglary, theft and resist arrest. He has previous convictions for criminal threat, theft and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the shooting at a Kansas City, Kansas, bar that left four dead and five wounded (all times local):
A suspect in a weekend Kansas bar shooting that left four dead and five wounded was given probation last year for trafficking contraband while imprisoned for aggravated robbery instead of more time behind bars.
The same Leavenworth County, Kansas, judge that allowed Hugo Villanueva-Morales to avoid prison in the case also made news earlier this year when he reduced the sentence of a convicted sex offender because he said the 13- and 14-year-old girls who were victims in the abuse were actually “aggressors.”
Police continue searching for Villanueva-Morales. He and 23-year-old Javier Alatorre are charged with four counts of first-degree murder in Sunday’s shooting at the Tequila KC bar in Kansas City, Kansas. Alatorre was arrested hours after the shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and asking the public for help to identify and locate two suspects.
Just before 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, police were dispatched to the Kwik Shop located at 1700 SW
Topeka Boulevard in Topeka in reference to an aggravated burglary to a vehicle, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.
A female suspect reportedly entered the vehicle which was occupied by a passenger. The suspect forced the passenger out of the vehicle and fled the scene. The vehicle was located a short time later, unoccupied, near NW Jackson and Crane in Topeka.
Police are attempting to identify two persons of interest in this case and have released security camera images.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police.
By BARBARA WASINGER
