Fort Hays State coach Chris Brown held his weekly press conference Tuesday after the Tigers picked up their first win of the season Saturday as the Tigers rallied to beat Washburn 41-38 in overtime. The Tigers host Missouri Southern Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.
Coach Brown was joined in his weekly press conference this week with junior quarterback Voshon Waiters and sophomore defensive back Jordan Starks.
Chris Brown
Voshon Waiters
Jordan Starks
ELLIS — Ellis High School has announced its 2019 Homecoming candidates.
A complete schedule of activities is below:
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Pay It Forward Store will be back in December for its fifth year — with some changes.
Founder Angela Horn has passed the leadership for the store to volunteers Heather Gray and Vickie Purdy.
The store will still take monetary donations and gifts of new and gently-used items, which families can take home for free to give as Christmas gifts.
In the past, the store has had items for both adults and children, but Gray said this year the store is going to focus on gifts for children and teens. That is what has been most requested and where the store has seen the greatest need.
The store is also hoping to raise $500 in order to apply for its official 501(c)3 nonprofit status. This will allow the group to more easily accept monetary gifts and donations from businesses.
Any money the store receives or raises in excess of the $500 will be used to purchase gifts to be given away at the store.
Gray said the store receives many toys for small children, but receives fewer items appropriate for teenagers, both boys and girls. Cash donations are used to buy gifts for this age group or to address specific needs for families.
The group will have a hot dog feed fundraiser from 3 p.m. until sold out Sunday, Oct. 20, in the parking lot of Professional Cargo Services, 724 E. Seventh. A freewill donation is requested.
The store will begin taking donations Friday, Oct. 4, at Professional Cargo Services, where they will be kept until the store opens in December in Big Creek Crossing.
Donations will be taken at that location from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays until Dec. 15, when setup will begin at the mall.
The store is looking for toys, baby items, gaming systems, electronics, makeup, nail polish, jewelry, hair items and anything else that might be an age-appropriate gift for a child younger than 18.
Last year, the store was open though the month of December, but this year, the hours are being shortened. The store will be open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 23 and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24.
All gifts from the store are free. Freewill donations are accepted to help support the store. Those who use the store do not have to fill out any paperwork or meet income guidelines.
Volunteers will be needed to help with the hot dog feed, to accept donations, to set up the store and to assist at the store when it is open in December. A volunteer meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Professional Cargo Services.
The Pay It Forward Store was started by Horn in honor of her brother, Tim, who passed away. Horn was helping individual families, but she saw a need beyond what she could do on her own.
Gray said as a volunteer she has seen many families helped through the store.
During a previous holiday, a grandmother, who had recently been granted custody of her grandchildren, was brought to tears when the store was able to provide her with a keyboard to give to her grandson for Christmas, Gray said.
“The holiday seasons are always so hard for people,” she said. “With our economy the way things are, a lot of people can’t afford to pay their bills. The holidays come around, and the little kids don’t know the difference yet. They don’t know the true meaning of Christmas, so they look forward to all of the toys and gifts.
“It gives the moms and dads and grandparents an opportunity to be able to afford all of these things … to be able to put their mind at ease and come to our store, which has open arms, and be able to make their children’s days for Christmas.”
Gray said those in need also come from surrounding counties for help.
“We don’t turn down anybody,” she said. “Anybody in need, we want them to come.”
Those who want more information about the store, volunteering or need to arrange a special drop off time for donations, can reach Gray at 785-432-3377 or through Facebook.
DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement were busy investigating two unfounded reports at a middle school Tuesday.
Just before 11:30 a.m., police were dispatched to Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, 1400 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, to reports of an intruder, according to officer Patrick Compton.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers conducted a thorough search of the building and determined there was no threat.
Earlier in the day, students voiced concerns to school administrators that another student had possibly brought a gun to school. The administrators began questioning the child, and as a precaution, put the school on lockdown. Parents began calling 911 after receiving concerning text messages from students and proceeded to the school in attempt to take their children home.
Lawrence police officers and parents arrived at approximately the same time, as parents were attempting to help students exit a broken first floor window.
Some of the students were treated at the scene for minor injuries from the broken glass.
Police were able to quickly determine that no weapons were present in this incident, and none of the students, faculty or staff were in any danger, according to Compton.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — A couple who operated an animal rescue face multiple charges after 120 dogs and a cat were found dead in Missouri and about two dozen more dogs died in Texas. More than 200 other animals were rescued from conditions that law enforcement described as “inhumane and unimaginable.”
Forty-nine-year-old Tiffany Woodington, was charged Friday in Missouri with 10 counts of felony animal abuse and two misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. Her husband, Steven Woodington, was charged Thursday in Texas with animal cruelty.
A second man described as the caretaker also was charged in Texas with animal cruelty. All three are free on bond.
The Benton County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office said that the couple operated the nonprofit group All Accounted For, which brought animals from Texas to Missouri.
By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Highway 59, the route to Atchison, Kansas in southern Buchanan County, has been closed after floodwaters from the Missouri River overflowed the highway once again.
The Missouri River level has been rising ever since the US Army Corps of Engineers increased releases from Gavins Point Dam from 70,000 cubic feet per second to 80,000. The Corps increased releases after extreme rain in the upper Missouri River basin filled the six reservoirs upstream on the Missouri.
Highway 59, from state Highway 45 at Rushville to Atchison, Kansas, is closed, according to an alert sent out by the St. Joseph Police Department this morning and confirmed by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The MoDOT reports flooding has closed Route 10 in Carroll County, as well. MoDOT is keeping a close eye on Route 65 near Carrollton as crest of the Missouri River moves south.
The Missouri River is at 22.74 feet at Rulo, Nebraska, expected to crest at 22.8 early tomorrow morning, according to the National Weather Service. The Missouri at St. Joseph is at 21.8 feet this morning with a crest of 22.4 expected tomorrow. At Atchison, the Missouri River rose to 23.39 feet this morning with a crest of 24.3 expected sometime Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with stolen mail.
Salina Police have made another arrest connected to a check stolen from a mailbox in Bennington.
A 57-year-old Bennington man reported to Salina Police that after he discovered his bank account was overdrawn he contacted American State Bank, 1661 S. Ohio in Salina and learned that on Sept. 16, someone had altered and cashed a check for $1,500 that the victim had originally written for $500, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.
The victim told police that he had put the check in his mailbox on September 15.The altered check was made out to David Annis.
At the time police were investigating the Bennington case, Anni,s 24, of Abilene, was in the Saline County Jail after an arrest on suspicion of forgery in another case.
Police detectives compared bank surveillance video to Annis’ booking photo, positively identified him and arrested him on requested charges that included Forgery, Felon theft by deception
Police believe more than one person is involved in the forgery case, according to Forrester.
Isaac Wayne Stone, age 21, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2019, in Tribune, Kansas.
Isaac was born December 24, 1997, in Wichita, Kansas. A resident of Tribune, Kansas since 1999 moving from Garden City, Kansas, he was a farmer. He was a 2016 graduate of Greeley County High School in Tribune, Kansas, where he was on the wrestling squad, was active in 4-H and FFA.
Isaac’s surviving family includes his Fiancée’ – Sarah Lightner- Tribune, Kansas, Two Children – Octavia Stone- Tribune, Kansas, Layla Stone- Tribune, Kansas, Parents – Dale & Sheri Stone – Tribune, Kansas, Five siblings – Tammi & Justin Hazel- Tribune, Kansas, Ralph Stone- Hays, Kansas, Isaiah Stone – Colby, Kansas, Elijah Stone – Oahu, Hawaii, Ezekiel & Gabby Stone – Beaufort, South Carolina, Grandparents – Loretta Stone- Tribune, Kansas, Ronnie & Cheryl Rock – Perryton, Texas, Kathy Krayca – Tribune, Kansas, Great Grandmother – Ann Krayca – Goodland, Kansas, Numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
His grandfathers, Raymond Stone and Wayne Krayca, a cousin, Brandon Stone and an uncle, Jay Reynolds precede him in death
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. (MDT) Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Tribune, Kansas with Pastor Shannon Schneider officiating.
Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the Isaac Stone Memorial Fund for his children in care of the funeral home.
Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.
Dean Edward Turner, 88, of Osborne, KS passed away on Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital of Osborne, KS. Dean was born on December 1, 1930 in White Cloud, KS to George A. & Lola E. (Taylor) Turner. Dean had 1 sister.
Dean’s family moved to Hiawatha, KS at an early age. He graduated from high school there & attended KU for 1 year. Dean joined the U. S. Army & served for 2 years. Sixteen of those months he served in Korea. Dean was a member of the American Legion & was a Life Member of VFW. He was also a member of the United Christian Church of Osborne.
Dean was a Warehouse Examiner of the Kansas Grain Inspection Dept. for 31 years. He retired in 1993.
Dean married Norma J. Whaling and to this union, 3 children were born. Several years after Norma passed away, he later married Joan Oelke.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Norma in 2007.
Dean is survived by his wife, Joan; sons: Mitchel of San Antonio, TX; Michael (Richelle) of Kansas City, MO; daughter: Marty (Troy) Gaston of Apex, NC; 12 grandchildren & 11 great grandchildren; sister: Georgia ‘Jo’ (Dean) Marxer, of Costa Mesa, CA; 2 nieces & 1 nephew.
Click HERE for service details.
Renetta (Schmidtberger) Witt, 93, of Russell, Kansas passed away September 23, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was born Renetta Marie Schmidtberger on March 12, 1926 in Gorham, Kansas the daughter of Frank and Mary (Mermis) Schmidtberger. She grew up on a farm in Gorham, Kansas with five other siblings.
Renetta spent the last five years living with her daughter Marlene Thompson in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Renetta was united in marriage to Lloyd J. Witt on April 6, 1948. Lloyd was engaged in farming and owned Witt Motor Company. Lloyd preceded her in death on May 19, 1967. As well as her parents Frank and Mary Schmidtberger, brothers Ed, Herman and Al and her sister Marcella Haselhorst. Surviving Renetta is her brother, Linus Schmidtberger, of Corpus Christi, Texas, many nieces and nephews.
From this union, Renetta and Lloyd were blessed with two daughters. Mrs. Connie (Gary) Patterson of Lawrence, Kansas and Ms. Marlene Thompson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She leaves behind 5 grandchildren who adored her, Ryan (Rachelle) Patterson, Charlotte, North Carolina, Laura Patterson, Austin, Texas, Mark (Elisabet) Thompson, Shawnee Kansas, Matt Thompson, Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Travis (Maria) Thompson, Stuttgart, Germany. Four great grandchildren Avery, Liam and Reid Patterson and Mia Thompson. She will be remembered as a caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend with a cheerful smile.
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Renetta worked at the City Bakery when she first came to Russell and the Safeway Store. Then she worked for over 40 years at Banker’s Mercantile from 1943-1985. She was seventeen years old when she began working for Banker’s in the Ladies Department. She loved her job and was especially fond of assisting customers to find the clothing fashions to best suit their needs and coordinating accessories. She loved going on vacations with her daughters and their families.
Renetta was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the Ladies VFW Post #620 Auxiliary, St. Mary’s Church Guild, The Elks Lodge, Hallmark Collector’s Club and the Russell Antique Collector’s Club. She was an avid Kansas University basketball fan, cordially sent greeting cards and letters to family and friends, enjoyed embroidery work and loved flowers and all things that were glittery. She often attended auctions and had a passion for antique glassware.
A Celebration of the Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 AM, Friday, September 27, 2019 at St. Mary Queen of Angels Church of Russell with Father Mike Elan officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday September 26 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 26, 2019 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Memorials have been established with St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or Russell Legacy Fund (Russell Historical Society). Contributions and condolences may be left with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and asking the public to help identify a suspect.
Just after noon Monday, police responded to report of a stabbing in the 7400 Block of East 17th Street North in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.
Investigators have learned that an unknown suspect approached a 28-year-old woman who was standing by her vehicle. The suspect stabbed her multiple times and walked away on 17th Street and left the area.
Officers located the victim at the scene. EMS transported her to a local hospital where she remains in serious condition, according to Cruz.
Police believe this is a random act and have released video images of the suspect described as a white male, 40’s, 5-foot-9 in height and thin build. He has red to blond colored short hair, with a short beard, white shirt and dark colored camouflage pants. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Twenty bands from across the area gathered in Hays on Saturday for the sixth annual Rockalooa in Frontier Park.
Along with the music, attendees also had the opportunity to play games, shop from art vendors and enjoy some local food from area food trucks.
Take a peek at some of the fun below.
Photos by JAMES BELL / Hays Post
