May 4, 1939 – August 12, 2019
An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.
Click HERE for service details.
Year: 2019
Larger numbers for Hays High football
One of Tony Crough’s biggest challenges when taking over as football coach at Hays High was to increase numbers. It appears that he has accomplished that in only two years. 93 players showed up for the Indians first practice Monday afternoon.
The Indians, who finished 3-6 in Crough’s first season in 2018, open with three of their first four games at Lewis Field.
They players will be introduced at the Maroon & Gold Kickoff Classic this Friday at Lewis Field. The Indians will not be scrimmaging this year, instead they will participate in a preseason jamboree next weekend.
Free child development screenings Friday
HICC
If you have a concern your child may have a developmental delay or be in need of special education services, call for a free developmental screening with the Hays Interagency Coordination Council on Aug. 23.
Children from ages birth to school age who live in Ellis or Rush counties are eligible to be screened.
Speech, language, vision, hearing, thinking, self-help, behavior and motor development will be checked.
The developmental screenings will be held Friday, Aug. 23. Call 785-625-3257 to set up a free screening appointment for your child.
These developmental screenings are offered monthly and sponsored by the Hays Interagency Coordination Council and Hays USD 489.
Police work to identify suspect who shot out window of Spanish radio station in Kansas
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to identify
the suspect who shot out the front window of the Spanish radio station 99.7 F.M. La Raza, just before 2:30a.m. on Sunday.
The business is located in the 1600 block of East Central in Wichita.
Police ask that anyone with information should call 316 268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316 267-2111
KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 8/20/19
A Ride to School
The new family in the neighborhood overslept and their six-year-old
daughter missed her school bus. Her father had to drive her. Since he
did not know the way, he said that she would have to direct him to the
school.
They rode several blocks before she told him to turn left, several more
before she indicated a right turn. This went on for 20 minutes – left,
right, right, left – but they finally reached the school. Then her
father realized they were only five blocks from home.
Much annoyed, the father asked his daughter why she’d led him around in
such a circle.
“That’s the way the school bus goes, Daddy,” the child explained. “It’s
the only way I know.”
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
Ellis County Commission moves forward with drawings for new public works building
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission agreed to move forward Monday night with architectural plans for a new public works building adjacent to the county landfill.
During the 2018 commission retreat, commissioners identified upgraded facilities for public works as a high priority for future capital planning, according to the report in the commissioners’ agenda packet.
The county initially considered building a new metal building at the 280th Avenue location. Two options for a buildings at the site were estimated at $1.9 to $1.4 million. That includes converting the existing shop into cold storage.
However, the county has recently leased to purchase land adjacent to the landfill. All of the land the county plans to purchase is not needed to expand the landfill. Staff is proposing relocating the Public Works Department to 240th Avenue adjacent to the landfill.
Bill Ring, public works director, said locating the new public works shop at the landfill would create some opportunities for efficiencies. He gave the example of a backhoe breakdown this week that required both of the shop mechanics to go to the landfill to fix the equipment. This left public works without a mechanic.
He said he also hoped locating the shop adjacent to the landfill would allow office staff to be cross trained and more easily share documents.
If the county built at the site of the current shop, it would use all of the available space, leaving no room for expansion, Ring said. At the landfill site, public works would have space to have parking and for storage for materials, such as sand and crushed concrete.
Commissioner Dustin Roths said he supported exploring the location.
“The concern Phillip [Smith-Hanes] brought up about our ability to expand size is so constrained by the railroad track here, I do like the idea of us looking into this, at least seeing dollars,” he said.
Commissioner Butch Schlyer said, “I would like to see us proceed with this. I think there is no question we need to address the public works with their needs as far as space and storage. If this concept could create more efficiencies along with it, we should explore this and see where this will leads us.”
Haselhorst also said he supported moving forward with the architectural plans.
The additional architectural drawings for a building at the landfill site will cost $3,500. If the commission decides to build at the landfill site, it would likely sell the property where the current shop is located.
The commission also transferred $146,689 to the Capital Equipment Reserve Fund from the Budget Stabilization Account. The county budget for 2020 contains $56,144 as a transfer from Equipment Reserve Fund and an equivalent expenditure for six months’ salary and benefits for an assistant EMS director if hiring an assistant EMS director is deemed necessary.
Victoria water system revitalization project to begin soon
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
VICTORIA — Construction is set to begin soon on a $4.5 million water system revitalization project in Victoria that will replace the town’s water tower, revitalize two of their wells and replace aging water lines throughout the town.
The project will also connect the town’s supply to the Trego 2 Rural Water District.
The first stage in the project that is being completed by EBH Engineering is the replacement of the water tower.
“The water tower is 20 years past its estimated life span,” said Brad Schmidtberger, city superintendent. “We are going from a 50,000 gallon to a 150,000 gallon above ground. That fulfills the needs of growth for the town.
“The grant was approved, and the engineering firm is doing all of the surveying,” Schmidtberger added.
Bidding for construction should start soon and he said tower construction could start in September.
Waterline replacement is likely to come next as stage two of the system overhaul and will replace approximately 14,000 feet of waterlines and adding waterline loops to many existing lines.
“We have done water projects over the years and replaced a lot of the water lines around town naturally, and this would replace some of the ones that were not replaced in the most recent water project in the 1980s,” Schmidtberger said.
Adding loops to waterlines will help with water flow and water quality.
“We have some waterlines that are very dated, and we have a couple that are not looped in some lower-use areas. We are going to loop those in. That will produce much higher quality water in those lower-use areas,” Schmidtberger said.
Repairing two of the city’s wells and connecting to the rural water district will complete the project and will help ensure the water supply is sufficient for the expected growth in Victoria.
“We would have basically new wells,” Schmidtberger said. “They are both very dated and in need.”
“By offsetting these and re-drilling with new screens, new casings and so forth, it’s going to give us a better and a more efficient quality of water and a more efficient supply of water,” he said. “With the repairs, we will be able to capitalize more on what’s there.”
Adding water from the rural water district will add another water supply to the system and ensure the supply remains sufficient for future growth.
“That will allow us to feel comfortable with the amount of water we have, long term,” Schmidtberger said.
The decision to connect to the Trego 2 Rural Water District was based on location as the district runs lines through Ellis County and the properties of the water.
The rural district’s water is “the best match for our water,” Schmidtberger said. “It will blend very well with our water and our existing well field.”
Having water that is similar in makeup to the city well makes it the most cost-effective method of adding to the water supply, he said, as they can blend the water with the well water as it will not need additional treatment.
Once the connection is made, the water from the district will be added to the central reservoir for processing.
More information about the project was published in a city newsletter and can be found here.
Oktoberfest adds second day
HAYS CVB
Members of the Hays Volga German Society, organizers of the Hays Oktoberfest, have decided to add a second day to the event. The 47th Annual Volga German Oktoberfest will take place Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 in Municipal Park.
The Oktoberfest event committee made the decision to extend the event in order to increase opportunities for participation, for both residents and vendors, who may not have been able to participate on a Friday.
The mission of the Hays Oktoberfest is to celebrate the rich German heritage of Ellis County while generating scholarship money for students of Volga German descent and fundraising for area churches in need.
On Friday, the gates at Municipal Park will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with music by the Joe Dolezal Polka Band at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies and keg tapping will take place at 10:30 a.m.
Other Friday activities include music on the main stage, German food booths, historical displays, a stein-holding competition, and more. Friday vendors are restricted to non-profit organizations that are focused on fundraising.
The NCK Tech Drive Thru will again feature German food made by NCK Tech Culinary Arts students. Menu items available for pick up include bierocks, green bean dumpling soup, and spitzbuben cookies. Patrons can order in advance by calling the main office at NCK Tech at 785-625-2437. Food can be picked up on Friday only at the drive-up window at the NCK Tech building directly across from Municipal Park.
Saturday activities will kick off with an early morning German Market from 7:30 – 11 a.m. in the Downtown Pavilion at 10th and Main. Anyone interested in being a vendor at the German Market can find a vendor form at www.DowntownHays.com on the Downtown Hays Market page under the Events section, or by calling the Downtown Hays Development Corporation at 785-621-4171.
Gates will open at Municipal Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. with activities starting after the 11 a.m. Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade ends. New this year, for-profit businesses and organizations will be allowed to set up on this second day, alongside non-profits.
All Oktoberfest vendors should reserve their spot by registering online at www.haysoktoberfest.com or by calling vendor committee chair Lee Dobratz at 620-803-2258 by September 27.
Family-friendly activities planned for Saturday include a magician, inflatables, German Freeze game, pumpkin roll, and barrel race.
Park gates will close at 4 p.m. to allow time for tailgating before the FHSU Homecoming football game begins at 7 p.m.
Janel Moore, Volga German Society Historian, says it all boils down to “Essen und trinken, tanzen und singen, und haben eine gute zeit,” which translates to, “Eat and drink, dance and sing, and have a good time.” The refrain is printed on this year’s Oktoberfest souvenir mugs and was a statement often made by Moore’s father Larry Werth, one of the original organizers of the event.
For details and updates on the event, check the group’s website at www.haysoktoberfest.com or the Hays Oktoberfest Facebook page.
Police arrest Kansas man driving Buick taken in car-jacking
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have made an arrest.
Just after 9p.m. Sunday, two police officers on assignment near Kellogg and Oliver in Wichita, observed a maroon Buick that had been reported stolen during a car-jacking case on August 17, according to officer Charley Davidson.
The officers attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver later identified as 21-year-old Victor Martinez sped away from police. The officers followed in the 1900 Block of North Minnesota where the vehicle was stopped with assistance from the Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputies.
Police arrested Martinez. on requested charges of unlawful possession of meth and marijuana, flee and attempt to elude police, aggravated robbery in connection with an incident in Wichita on August 13, according to Davidson.
Planned Parenthood leaves federal family planning program
NEW YORK (AP) — Planned Parenthood said Monday it’s pulling out of the federal family planning program rather than abide by a new Trump administration rule prohibiting clinics from referring women for abortions.
Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood’s acting president and CEO, said the organization’s nationwide network of health centers would remain open and strive to make up for the loss of federal money. But she predicted that many low-income women who rely on Planned Parenthood services would “delay or go without” care.
“We will not be bullied into withholding abortion information from our patients,” said McGill Johnson. “Our patients deserve to make their own health care decisions, not to be forced to have Donald Trump or Mike Pence make those decisions for them.”
Enforcement of the new Title X rule marks a major victory for a key part of President Donald Trump’s political base — religious conservatives opposed to abortion. They have been campaigning relentlessly to “defund Planned Parenthood” because — among its varied services — it is the largest abortion provider in the United States, and they viewed the Title X grants as an indirect subsidy.
About 4 million women are served nationwide under the Title X program, which distributes $260 million in family planning grants to clinics. Planned Parenthood says it has served about 40% of patients, many of them African American and Hispanic. Family planning funds cannot be used to pay for abortions.
In a statement, the federal Department of Health and Human Services said Planned Parenthood knew months ago about the new restrictions and suggested that the group could have chosen at that point to exit the program.
“Some grantees are now blaming the government for their own actions — having chosen to accept the grant while failing to comply with the regulations that accompany it — and they are abandoning their obligations to serve patients under the program,” the department said.
It said it would strive to make sure patients are served.
Planned Parenthood was not the only organization dropping out. Maine Family Planning, which is unaffiliated with Planned Parenthood, also released its letter of withdrawal Monday. The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, an umbrella group for family planning clinics, is suing to overturn the regulations.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco is weighing a lawsuit to overturn the rules, but so far the court has allowed the administration to go ahead with enforcement. Oral arguments are scheduled the week of Sept. 23. Several states and the American Medical Association have joined the suit as plaintiffs.
Abortion rights activists are also pressing Congress to overturn the rule, though it seems unlikely that the Republican-controlled Senate would take that step.
Monday was the deadline set by the government for program participants to submit statements that they intended to comply with the new rules, along with a plan. Enforcement will start Sept. 18.
In addition to the ban on abortion referrals by clinics, the rule’s requirements include financial separation from facilities that provide abortions, designating abortion counseling as optional instead of standard practice, and limiting which staff members can discuss abortion with patients. Clinics would have until next March to separate their office space and examination rooms from the physical facilities of providers that offer abortions.
The Trump administration has also made it possible for faith-based organizations opposed to abortion to receive Title X grants.
Among the recipients of grants this year was Obria Medical Clinics, which runs a network of facilities in California. It promotes abstinence-based sex education and “natural family planning,” and does not prescribe birth control.
The impact of Planned Parenthood’s withdrawal will vary from state to state. Some states, including Illinois, have said they would step in to replace lost federal funding.
“We will make sure that access to these services remains available, because in Illinois we trust women,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who joined Planned Parenthood’s news conference on Monday. He said Planned Parenthood serves about 70,000 people in Illinois.
Elsewhere, the impact could be substantial. In Utah, Planned Parenthood is the only Title X grantee; in Minnesota, it serves 90% of patients.
“It will simply be impossible for other health centers to fill the gap,” said McGill Johnson. “Wait times for appointments will skyrocket.”
HHS said in its statement that it’s grateful for the many grant recipients that are remaining with the program. State and local health departments account for a significant share of service providers. “We will work to ensure all patients continue to be served,” the agency said.
Planned Parenthood has called the ban on abortion referrals a “gag rule,” while the administration insists that’s not the case.
Maine Family Planning CEO George Hill said in a letter to HHS that his organization is withdrawing “more in sorrow than in anger” after 47 years of participating in the program.
He said the Trump administration regulation “would fundamentally compromise the relationship our patients have with us as trusted providers of this most personal and private health care. It is simply wrong to deny patients accurate information about and access to abortion care.”
___
La Crosse man appointed to Kansas Water Authority
“Jeremiah has a long history of experience with water-related issues in our state,” Kelly said. “We are excited to have him join our team. I know he will offer great insight into our water policies.”
The water authority advises the governor, the Legislature and the director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues — including the approval of the Kansas Water Plan and revisions, federal contracts, administration regulations and legislation proposed by the Kansas Water Office.
Hobbs currently serves as the district manager for the Wet Walnut Creek Watershed Joint District number 58. He is also the current vice chair for the State Association of Kansas Watersheds and a member of the Great Bend Prairie Regional Advisory Committee. Hobbs received a Master of Science in School Leadership from Baker University, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and an associate degree in arts from Hutchinson Community College.
Of the 11 Kansas Water Authority members appointed by the governor, six positions were expired or vacant this year. Kelly has already appointed four, including the new chairperson. She has one more appointment to the authority available.
— Office of the Governor
Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science to hold fall information sessions
High-achieving high school students and their families are invited to meet with staff from Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science at information sessions around the state in September, October and November.
KAMS, will host 12 free information sessions across the state, including one at the Manhattan Public Library Auditorium on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. The academy offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to live and learn at Fort Hays State and get a head start on their college educations while completing the last two years for their high school diplomas.
Students and guests can learn about KAMS and visit with representatives from the academy at these sessions.
All information sessions are free and open to the public, but those attending must register in advance. The registration website https://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/.
The information sessions are listed chronologically.
Tuesday, September 24 – 6 p.m.
Great Bend Public Library, Lower Level Meeting Room
1409 Williams St.
Great Bend
Thursday, September 26 – 6 p.m.
Fort Hays State University Memorial Union, Trails Room
600 Park St.
Hays
Monday, September 30 – 6 p.m.
Lawrence Public Library, Meeting Room A
707 Vermont St.
Lawrence
Thursday, October 3 – 6 p.m.
Salina Public Library, Prescott Room
301 W. Elm St.
Salina
Monday, October 7 – 6 p.m.
Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 101B
1515 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka
Thursday, October 10 – 6 p.m.
Antioch Library, Large Meeting Room
8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Merriam
Thursday, October 17 – 6 p.m.
Manhattan Public Library, Auditorium
629 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan
Monday, October 28 – 6 p.m.
Advanced Learning Library, Conference Room A
711 W. Second St. North
Wichita
Thursday, November 7 – 6 p.m.
Dodge City Public Library, Lower Level Meeting Room
1001 N. Second Ave.
Dodge City
Tuesday, November 12 – 6 p.m.
FHSU Higher Education Center
311 N. Campus Drive, No. 102
Garden City
Wednesday, November 13 – 6 p.m.
Emporia Public Library, Large Meeting Room
110 E. Sixth Ave.
Emporia
Monday, November 18 – 6 p.m.
Colby Public Library, Meeting Room
375 W. Fourth St.
Colby
About KAMS:
KAMS is an early college program that focuses on advanced mathematics and science coursework. While studying at KAMS, students live on the FHSU campus in a select residence hall with other Academy students from around the world. Over the course of two years, students complete over 60 hours of college credit and complete their high school diploma. These classes are taken alongside traditional college undergraduates and are taught by college professors while simultaneously contributing to their high school graduation requirements. KAMS also provides hands-on research, leadership and civic engagement opportunities.
Lock injures hand in Broncos preseason loss to 49ers
DENVER (AP) – Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders had a better return to action than 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco’s 24-15 preseason win at Denver on Monday night.
Broncos rookie QB Drew Lock injured his right thumb when he was sacked on the first series of the second half, cutting short his most significant action of the preseason in his quest to win the backup job behind starter Joe Flacco.
Sanders caught a 5-yard pass from Flacco on the Broncos’ first offensive play and added a 19-yard run on a reverse in his first game since tearing his left Achilles tendon in practice last December. (He also hauled in a 45-yard reception that was erased by left tackle Garett Bolles’ holding penalty).
Garoppolo went just 1 for 6 for zero yards and an interception in his first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury last September.
Garoppolo’s first pass was knocked down by defensive lineman Shelby Harris and his second one was intercepted by cornerback Isaac Yiadom when he was pressured by Bradley Chubb. His third pass was tipped and cornerback De’Vante Bausby broke up his fourth attempt.
Chris Harris Jr. pressured Garoppolo into an incompletion from his end zone before Garoppolo finally completed a screen pass to running back Matt Breida, who was corralled by Shelby Harris at the San Francisco 6 for no gain.
C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens shared most of the snaps behind Garoppolo, and Wilton Speight finished up.
Flacco finished 7 of 11 for 59 yards and Lock was 7 of 12 for 40 yards when he got hurt. Lock was replaced by Kevin Hogan, who was intercepted by Dontae Johnson when his pass went through RB David Williams’ hands and off the face mask at the Denver 11 late in the fourth quarter.
Brandon McManus’ three field goals put Denver ahead 9-3 at the half. Raheem Mostert’s 30-yard TD run was the first of three straight TDs for San Francisco before Hogan’s 24-yard scoring run late in the game after Speight’s fumble.
INJURIES: Broncos first-rounder Noah Fant injured his right foot when DB Tarvarius Moore fell on him in the second quarter. DL Damontre Moore (thumb) and FS Adrian Colbert (hamstring) were among the 49ers hurt.
UP NEXT
49ers: Play at the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night.
Broncos: Play at the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night.