SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a wanted Kansas felon. Tyreese L. Atkinson, 25, Wichita, is wanted on two Sedgwick County sheriff’s warrants for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and evade and elude police, according to a media release from Wichita Police
Atkinson is described as 6-foot-2 inches tall, 215 pounds with brown eyes, balding and a beard. He has previous convictions for burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
He is a documented gang member and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Atkinson should call 911, according to police.
Fort Hays State men’s basketball will open the 2019-20 season on Friday, November 8 when it takes on Arkansas Tech University at 5:30 pm in Russellville, Arkansas. On Saturday, the Tigers face Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 3 pm. The Tigers enter their 19th season under head coach Mark Johnson, who owns a record of 359-172 (.676).
Fort Hays State meets Arkansas Tech for just the second time in school history. The only other meeting dates all the way back to the 1951-52 season when FHSU won 76-59. There is a bigger sample of history against Southwestern Oklahoma State with the last meeting occurring in 2010-11. This will be the 25th time in history the Tigers and Bulldogs meet. FHSU claimed the meeting in 2010-11 by a score of 83-68 in a neutral site contest in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
The Tigers finished 18-11 overall in 2018-19, while finishing fourth in the MIAA with a 12-7 mark. The Tigers are receiving votes in the NABC Division II Preseason National Poll.
Aaron Nicholson is the top returning scorer from last season, who averaged 9.0 points per game. Devin Davis was right behind him at 8.6 per game. Jared Vitztum is the top returning rebounder after pulling down 5.3 per game last year, while adding 7.3 points per game.
Arkansas Tech is coming off a 12-16 season in 2018-19. R.J. Glasper is the top returning scorer for ATU after averaging 18.4 points and 4.9 assists per game last year. Southwestern Oklahoma State finished 5-23 overall in 2018-19. Kamden Gipson is the top returning scorer for SWOSU at 8.4 points per game, while dishing out 3.7 assists per game.
MCPHERSON COUNTY – An explosion at a home in rural McPherson County was the result of a propane leak, according to Captain Dean Scott with the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office.
KHP took photos of the aftermath of the explosion for the Kansas State Fire Marshal
The explosion occurred just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 1600 block of 24th Avenue northeast of Galva.
When fire crews arrived, they found the home completely leveled and debris scattered over several hundred yards, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
The two residents Kim and Rich Carlson were not home at the time of the explosion. The home is a total loss. The family also lost three dogs, cats and a pet pig.
The homeowner had reported smelling propane the day of the incident and had a company check the furnace, according to Scott.
A development group with plans to build a hotel north of Interstate 70 in Hays has a Dec. 12 public hearing date regarding creation of the Saffron West 43rd Community Improvement District.
Saffron Hospitality LLC has submitted a petition to create the CID, which was reviewed by the Hays City Commission during its work session Thursday.
A four-story, 42,000-square-foot Avid-IHG (Intercontinental/Holiday Inn) full-service hotel would be built on 2.1 acres south of Walmart at 208 W. 43rd.
With 79 rooms, “it’s a moderate-to-low (cost) extended-stay hotel,” Mayor Henry Schwaller said of the Avid brand. “It’s very clean, very sleek.
“It’s a welcome addition,” he added. “We don’t have anything quite like it.”
The estimated project cost is $7,046,870.
“The developer requests a 2 percent CID sales tax on the project site to fund certain project expenditures on a pay-as-you-go basis,” explained Kim Rupp, finance director.
The project’s annual taxable sales would be about $1.2 million, the developer has estimated, from which approximately $480,000 would be generated over the 20-year term of the CID.
“To be clear, these are not sales taxes that already exist. They are an additional sales tax on retail sales at the defined property,” Rupp added. “Basically, it’s something the landowner or the developer wishes to impose on themselves to help reimburse for items.”
Total CID eligible costs of the proposed project are $5,199.133.
If approved, the total sales tax within the new CID would be 10.25 percent, excluding the city’s transient guest tax.
Construction would begin immediately with a projected finish in December 2020.
If the CID is not approved, the developer has declared the project cannot go forward, according to Rupp.
Information submitted to Grow Hays and the city of Hays lists Srujan Vusi as manager of Saffron Hospitality, 3404 Vine.
The city commission has previously authorized CIDs for the Hilton Garden Inn, currently under construction west of Walmart; TownePlace Suites, 4001 General Hays; and Holiday Inn Express, 4650 Roth. All four hotels are north of I-70.
In other business, commissioners heard information about construction of a classroom in the Hays Fire Department’s new fire/rescue training facility south of the water reclamation and reuse facility.
The joint project will involve student designers and builders from Fort Hays State University as well as NCK Tech students who will plumb and install electricity for the building. Students from both colleges were in the audience and were thanked by the commission for their involvement.
The fire department will solicit bids for the purchase and installation of the HVAC system.
The commission approved moving forward with the classroom. Cost estimates are $45,000 to be funded from capital projects.
A 30-minute executive session was called at the end of the meeting to discuss property acquisition. No action was taken.
RENO COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 2 a.m. Friday in Reno County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Buick Century driven by Melvin G. Uphoff, 72, Hutchinson, was traveling southwest on Kansas 61 six miles west of south Hutchinson.
The vehicle stuck a 2014 International Prostar driven by Jose Cota-Espinoza, 46, Mexicali, Mexico that became stuck when the driver missed an exit and attempted to make a U-turn and blocked both lanes of the highway.
Uphoff was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center. Cota-Espiniza was not injured. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Dr. Janet and Dean Stramel are travel enthusiasts with a passion for education. With a gift of $5,000, the couple is providing financial aid to Fort Hays State University students majoring in teacher education.
Their support will help offset expenses incurred by students traveling to school districts to observe.
“Travel is an important part of our lives,” said Dean Stramel. “It makes our lives richer and more interesting. We want to help others gain those experiences.”
The couple will make minimum annual contributions of $1,000 to replenish the stipend each year. The Janet and Dean Stramel Teacher Education Travel Fund will allow students to experience a variety of cultures and challenges throughout Kansas, the United States, and other countries, which they might not be able to experience otherwise.
Janet, an associate professor in FHSU’s Department of Teacher Education, said, “We know that Fort Hays State University already trains great teachers. However, we want to enhance teacher education majors’ experiences by giving them the opportunity to observe in diverse classrooms in districts other than where they grew up.”
This short “study away” experience has already been successful for students at Fort Hays State through the Rural Field Experience that FHSU’s Noyce Scholars participate in. The Stramel donation will take this a step further by helping anyone in the teacher education program, regardless of their major.
Dr. Chris Jochum, chair of the department, said this stipend will greatly influence students.
“The generosity and commitment that the Stramels have shown to our students is not only a reflection of their dedication as educators, but also shows their passion for providing our students opportunities that will undoubtedly help them as future educators,” he said. “Most importantly, they will have a positive impact on their own students.”
Michaela Strecker, a Fort Hays State University senior studying elementary education, said the experience would certainly help to expand her horizons beyond her hometown of Minneola.
“I grew up in a very small community in southwest Kansas,” said Strecker. “So being able to see a diverse, urban school district would be an eye-opening experience. The opportunity to travel would greatly benefit me as a teacher by giving me more insight into a completely different teaching style and way of life in general.”
To learn how you can join the Stramels in supporting FHSU’s Department of Teacher Education, please contact the Fort Hays State University Foundation at 785-628-5620 or [email protected]. For additional information, visit https://foundation.fhsu.edu or https://www.fhsu.edu/teachereducation.
BAZINE — At approximately 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the Ness County Sheriff’s Office, along with K9 unit Bach from the Plainville Police Department, executed a narcotics search warrant in the 400 block of South Rice Street in Bazine.
Two females from Bazine were arrested for several charges including possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, as well as aggravated endangerment of a child. One of the females is also being charged with interference with law enforcement.
One male suspect was arrested for felony and misdemeanor drug charges as well as aggravated endangerment of a child. One child was taken into protective custody.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. Investigations are continuing at this time.
COLBY — Colby Community College announced rosters for the Annual Northwest Kansas All-Star Volleyball Match. The All-Star game, featuring area high school senior volleyball players, will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, in the Colby Community Building.
Following is a list of players and the high schools they attend:
Team 1
Karly Bandel, Saint Francis; Camryn Greving, Logan; Tayli Hartwell, Norton; Brea Lankas, Rawlins County; Megan Peeler, Russell; Lyndi Rumford, Scott City; Emily Schneider, Phillipsburg; Alyssa Van Vleet, Decatur County; and Riley Wells, Palco.
The coach for Team 1 is Shaylinn Zweygardt of Saint Francis High School.
Team 2
Kristen Beckman, Rawlins County; Riley Bemis, Lakin; Kelcee Braun, Logan; Addison Campbell, Hoxie; Anna Carter, Decatur County; Lauren Cure, Goodland; Aubrey Kuhlman, Wallace County; Mabel Lugo, Golden Plains; and Kailey Shields, Colby.
The team will be coached by April Green of Rawlins County High School.
Team 3
Emily Eickleberry, Palco; Zoey Hillis, Golden Plains; Grace Lumpkins, Russell; Katie Mauck, Hill City; Macy Schamberger, Hoxie; Kylie Solida, Phillipsburg; Riley Werth, Ellis; Hallie Vaughn, Colby; and Harlee Voss, Logan.
Hoxie High School’s Lichelle Baar is the coach for Team 3.
Phillipsburg resident Matthew Thomas Merklein passed away Nov. 6, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb., at the age of 19.
He was born Oct. 19, 2000, in Hays, KS, the son of Shawn and Rebecca (Smith) Merklein.
Survivors include his parents, Shawn & Rebecca of Phillipsburg; his paternal grandparents, Dennis Merklein of Prairie View & Ryan & Cindy Horner of Phillipsburg & his maternal grandparents, Fred & Jaci Smith of Englewood, CO.
Cremation was chosen. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, Phillipsburg, with Pastors Lee Bennight and Lorna Paulus officiating.
Visitation will be from 12:00 to 9:00 Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Matthew Thomas Merklein Memorial Fund.
Come join the United Way of Ellis County at Gutch’s, 111 W. 7th, Hays on Monday, November 25. Enjoy lunch or dinner and Gutch’s will be donating a part of the proceeds to United Way’s “Give Where You Live” Campaign.
