Hays Community Theatre is looking to fill more than 60 roles for its annual historical haunted tours.
People of all ages are needed. Families are welcome to participate together.
Minors not yet of high school age are required to have a parent participate in the same area that they are in.
Longtime Goodland resident Loretta A. Boyington, 96, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at her daughter’s home in Wichita, KS.
Loretta was born on March 3, 1923 in Howells, NE to Adolph and Bessie (Stecher) Evert. She was one of 10 children. In 1941, Loretta graduated from Sherman Community High School. On April 8, 1948, she married John W. Boyington in Burlington, CO. To this union, five children were born; Eldon, Patricia, Toni, John, and Georgia.
John and Loretta owned and operated the Boyington Motel and Café for many years. Following that, Loretta worked at the Goodland Regional Medical Center as a physical therapy aide until her retirement.
Loretta was a member of Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic Church. She enjoyed traveling, her children, and their families.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband John, infant daughter Patricia, 5 sisters; Delores, Wilma, Lorene, Dorothy, and Rita, and 3 brothers; LeRoy, Robert John, and Norval.
She is survived by her children Eldon (Joy) Boyington of Goodland, KS, Toni (Ed) Ackerman of Brewster, KS, John (Donna) Boyington of Phillipsburg, KS, and Georgia (Mike) Plant of Wichita, KS. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and her sister Norma Graham of Douglas, WY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with Father Norbert Dlabal and Father Andrew Rockers officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT with a Vigil Service and Parish Rosary Service to begin at 7:00 PM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Memorials may be designated to the Goodland Regional Medical Center or to Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita, KS and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, KS.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal lawsuit filed Friday accuses the University of Kansas Medical Center of discharging an employee who reported a department head’s age discrimination practices.
The lawsuit against the Kansas City, Kansas-based medical center was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
It alleges that in 2014, the medical center’s associate vice chancellor for information resources advised managers within that department to focus on hiring younger people over older applicants.
The lawsuit says information technology help desk supervisor Jeffrey Thomas reported his concerns. The EEOC says the vice chancellor then reorganized the department to eliminate Thomas’ position.
Medical Center spokeswoman Kay Hawes declined comment on the case but says the university seeks to foster an environment where employees “feel comfortable and protected when speaking up and reporting complaints of discrimination.”
Judith Ellen (Peterson) Driscoll, 77, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Judith was born March 19, 1942 in York, Nebraska. She was one of four children born to Edward Theodore and Wreatha Irene (Talbot) Peterson. She grew up and attended schools in York, Nebraska, Topeka, Kansas, Salina, Kansas and Manhattan, Kansas. She graduated from Manhattan High School and then attended Kansas State University.
Judith was united in marriage to Jerry Dean Driscoll in November of 1962. This union was blessed with a daughter, Debora. During their marriage Jerry and Judith lived in Salina, Pueblo, Colorado, Greensburg, Kansas, Salina, Colby, Dodge City, Salina and moved to Russell in 2003. Jerry preceded her in death on May 23, 2005.
Judith was a secretary and key punch operator for the Farm Management Company in Colby. Later she was a physical therapist at a nursing home in Colby. When she lived in Salina she worked for Hedges Neon and was a Home Health Aid. When living in Dodge City she worked with Youthville. When Debora was young, Judith was a devoted wife and homemaker for her family. She is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and Women of the ELCA. She was also active with the church knitting group. In her spare time she enjoyed fishing, knitting and especially helping take care of the grandchildren.
Judith’s surviving family include her daughter, Debora D. Kreutzer (John Jay) of Russell, Kansas; sister, Verna Del Sullivan of Derby, Kansas; sister-in-law, Nancy Peterson of Maryville, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Michael Kreutzer, Kira Towery and Steven Kreutzer; and four great grandchildren, Maria, Cadence, Draco and Emma.
Judith was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry, and two brothers, Joe Peterson and Marvin Peterson.
Celebration of Judith’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday at Crown Point Cemetery north of Salina. Family has selected cremation and no visitation will be held. Memorials have been established with St. John Lutheran Church or Russell County Food Pantry. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
McPHERSON— Law enforcement authorities and USD 418 officals are investigating alleged threats to students at McPherson High School.
On Thursday evening, McPherson Police received a report from McPherson USD 418 staff concerning a 15-year-old former student possibly threatening to commit violence at McPherson High School, according to a media release.
On Friday morning, McPherson High School administration reported to police that a 15-year-old student had threatened to commit violence at the school. Police have taken the student into custody for criminal threat.
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Tanner Lee Cullens was sentenced in Ellis County District Court Friday to 71 months in prison for his involvement in a February robbery in Ellis County.
Cullens and co-defendent Jeremy David Schulmeister were arrested in February after they allegedly offered a ride to Max Diederich on Feb. 7. Instead, investigators said they took Diederich took a rural area at gunpoint and robbed him of his phone, clothing and cash, before forcing him out of a moving vehicle.
In June, Cullens was found guilty by 23rd Judicial District Chief Judge Glenn Braun after entering a no-contest plea but later filed a motion to withdraw the plea.
During sentencing, the court first took up that motion.
After consulting with his attorney, J. Alex Herman, Cullens confirmed with the court he had not been coerced or threatened and decided to withdraw the motion to withdraw his plea.
Herman also confirmed with Cullens during the proceedings that he was not being coerced in his decision to withdraw the motion.
Neither the state, represented by Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, nor the defendant or his attorney presented evidence or made statements prior to sentencing.
The mother of the victim was in the courtroom and also declined to make a statement.
Drees asked the court for the 71-month sentence originally agreed upon and said he felt it is appropriate given the facts of the case and his lack of a criminal record.
Herman agreed and said he believes the evidence would show that Cullens was culpable for the crimes, but was not involved to the same level as his co-defendant Schulmeister.
Schulmeister was sentenced to 114 months in prison in August for his part in the robbery.
Braun sentenced Cullens in line with the plea agreement, sentencing him to 59 months for aggravated robbery, with 36 months of post-release supervision, to run concurrently with a sentence of 18 months for aggravated intimidation of a victim along with 12 months for aggravated battery to run consecutively — totaling 71 months.
He was also ordered to pay $255 in restitution to the victim related to the phone that was stolen that was not returned to the victim along with $438 in court costs.
Cullens will be credited for time served — 211 days.
He was warned that despite a lack of prior convictions, since the sentencing was for three felonies, once released he can no longer be in possession of a firearm, per federal law, and cannot vote or hold office in Kansas, per state law.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted suspect after an inquiry about a stolen grocery store cart.
On Thursday, a police officer driving on Iron Avenue near Third Street in Salina noticed a Save A Lot grocery store cart at a nearby residence, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.
When the officer stopped to ask the resident about it, he observed Anthony Bowman-Brooks, Jr., 29, of Salina.
The officer ran a check on Bowman-Brooks and learned that he had an active felony warrant from Jackson County, Mo., for failure to appear on a drug charge, Forrester said.
Bowman-Brooks left the residence in a vehicle, but the officer was able to stop the vehicle in the 1000 block of South Santa Fe Avenue.
Bowman-Brooks ran from the traffic stop, but was apprehended behind a residence in the 900 block of South Santa Fe Avenue and he had in his possession a metal business card holder that had what appeared to be methamphetamine in it, according to Forrester.
Bowman-Brooks was arrested on requested charges of Interference with a law enforcement officer, Possession of a stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia and the felony warrant out of Jackson County, Missouri.
Cecil M. Patton and Alice (Tholen) Patton of San Jose, California
Cecil, age 81, died April 1, 2001, and was born November 26, 1920, to Ernest B. and Sadie M. (Harrington) Patton.
Alice (Tholen), age 97, died March 9, 2019. She was born January 18, 1922, on the farm at Vincent, Kansas to Frederick U. and Clara G. (Dortland) Tholen.
Cecil and Alice were married September 12, 1943, in North Hollywood, California.
Cecil was a sales and marketing manager for Lockheed Corporation in California and retired after 40 years. They attended Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in San Jose, California.
Alice was raised in Vincent, attended Vincent Grade School, Hays High School and Fort Hays State College. She was a student teacher for a few weeks before moving to California. She lived in Burbank, Campbell, and San Jose. In 2012, she moved to Los Gatos, California where she died. Alice worked for Lockheed Corporation during WWII building planes as a riveter. Alice was a homemaker and worked for Macy’s for 30 years.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Holley-Nooteboom and her husband, Fred, Monte Sereno, CA; one son-in-law, Rodney Evans, Reno, NV; three grandchildren, William “Chip” Holley and wife, Cindi; Robert Lee Evans and wife, Lyndsay; David Cecil Evans; grand daughter-in-law, Dawn Holley; three great grandchildren, Brandyn Evans, Emmett Chipman Holley and Alyssa Evans; and many treasured nieces and nephews.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Cecil; their daughter, Patricia Ann Evans; grandson, Ian Patton Holley, and her parents. All of her siblings predeceased her. Two brothers, Edward Tholen and Ted Tholen; and her four sisters, Mary Truan, Oleeva Tholen, Mildred Mullen, and Esther Suttle.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Robert Patton; however, he predeceased his one sister, Jean Giberson.
A funeral mass will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 14, 2019, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Vincent, Kansas. Inurnment will be in St. Boniface Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at St. Boniface Church. The family suggests memorials to St. Boniface Catholic Church, Vincent, Kansas.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail [email protected] or can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s Friday lecture in Manhattan, Kansas (all times local):
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo didn’t address speculation that he will run for an open Senate seat next year during a college lecture he gave in his home state of Kansas.
Pompeo’s speech Friday at Kansas State University came with three Democrats and four Republicans already actively running. Republican Sen. Pat Roberts is not seeking reelection.
Weeks after Pompeo said a run is “off the table,” though, he is still looming over the race, as only he has enough name recognition and support among Kansas conservatives to afford to wait until next June’s filing deadline to decide.
If he does run, Pompeo would enter the race as the favorite.
Pompeo’s speech didn’t touch on his political ambitions but instead focused on a pet project: refocusing American diplomacy on the promotion of core human rights.
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Three Democrats and four Republicans are already actively running for the seat held by Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, who isn’t seeking a fifth term, and several others are expected to join them. Weeks after Pompeo said a run is “off the table,” though, he is still creating a buzz and looming over the race, as only he has enough name recognition and support among Kansas conservatives to afford to wait until next June’s filing deadline to decide.
If he does run, Pompeo would enter the race as the favorite.
“It’s the Pompeo decision, and then everything else trickles down,” said Joe Kildea, a vice president for the conservative interest group Club for Growth.
Other candidates don’t have the luxury of waiting and the field is likely to grow even bigger, with GOP Rep. Roger Marshall of western Kansas expected to announce his candidacy Saturday at the state fair.
Pompeo isn’t expected to directly address the speculation about his interest in running during his speech Friday at Kansas State University, but that hasn’t stopped others from suggesting he’s the person for the job. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell identified Pompeo as his preferred candidate shortly after Roberts announced in January that he wasn’t seeking re-election.
The GOP hasn’t lost a Senate race in Kansas since 1932, but many Republicans worry about a repeat of the governor’s race last year. Kris Kobach, a nationally known advocate of tough immigration policies, narrowly won a crowded primary, alienated moderates and lost to Democrat Laura Kelly. He launched his Senate campaign in July.
For Kobach’s GOP detractors, Pompeo would solve their perceived problems. His entry would likely clear most of the Republican field, and GOP leaders believe Pompeo would have no trouble winning in November 2020, making it easier for Republicans to retain their Senate majority.
And WDAF-TV reports that Kansas’ other senator, Republican Jerry Moran, told reporters Wednesday at a Kansas City-area event that he doesn’t know Pompeo’s current thinking, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if he entered that race.”
Fellow Republicans concede that Pompeo, a former congressman and CIA director, has reasons not to run, including the prestige that comes with being the nation’s top diplomat. He’s currently dealing with weighty issues such as new sanctions on Iran from the Trump administration, a tariff war with China and questions about whether hopes for nuclear talks with North Korea are fading.
“I think he can’t say that he’s wanting to run for Senate now,” said Tim Shallenburger, a former two-term state treasurer and Kansas Republican Party chairman. “He’s got to wait, and I think he can afford to wait.”
Kobach, who served as Kansas’ secretary of state but first built his national profile on immigration issues, has argued that as a Senate nominee, he’d benefit from the higher turnout that normally comes with a presidential election year and a greater focus on issues such as immigration. Some local Republican leaders agree and feel less anxious about Kobach possibly winning the nomination.
Other GOP candidates include Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, Dave Lindstrom, a Kansas City-area businessman and former Kansas City Chiefs player, and Bryan Pruitt, a conservative gay commentator. Also, Marshall has been flirting with running for months, and other potential Republican candidates include Alan Cobb, president and CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and Matt Schlapp, the American Conservative Union’s president.
The Democratic candidates with active campaigns are former federal prosecutor Barry Grissom, and former Rep. Nancy Boyda and Usha Reddi, a city commissioner in the northeast Kansas city of Manhattan.
Don Alexander, a manufacturing firm owner who is the GOP chairman in Neosho County in southeastern Kansas, said it’s early to be trying to size up the race, almost 11 months before the August 2020 primary. He said he and other Republicans trust Pompeo to “know where he’s needed most.”
“I’m sure the president doesn’t want him to leave,” said Helen Van Etten, a Republican National Committee member from Topeka.
But Van Etten said comments from Pompeo that he’ll stay on as secretary of state as long as Trump will have him leave an “open door” for a Senate bid.
Some Republicans, such as Alexander, take Pompeo at his word that he won’t run. Others, including Shallenburger, read Pompeo’s statements as meaning he isn’t interested right now but that he may reconsider if he doesn’t like how the race develops.
“He can announce on the filing deadline and cause most of the people in there to get out,” Shallenburger said
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Kansas City Chiefs and wide receiver Tyreek Hill have signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension.
The Chiefs announced the contract Friday with a photo of Hill signing it and giving the “peace” sign. The deal includes a $5.8 million signing bonus and $35.2 million in guarantees, a person with knowledge of the deal told the AP on condition of anonymity because terms were not disclosed.
Hill had a tumultuous offseason in which he was barred from any team activities while the NFL and local authorities investigated allegations of domestic violence. Hill was cleared before the start of training camp and has participated throughout the preseason.
The two-time All-Pro was entering the final year of his rookie contract.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and searching for a suspect.
Just after 1:3 a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a convenience store at 102 SE 37th Street in Topeka on a panic alarm, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.
Officers arrived to find that the panic alarm was activated by the clerk due to an Aggravated Robbery to the business.
The clerk advised a black male wearing a ski mask, gray sweatpants, and dark hoodie came into the business, brandished a silver semi-auto handgun and demanded money.
The suspect left southbound from the business and then east through the houses with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police are asking for the community’s assistance in identifying the robbery suspect and released security camera images.
