Karla J. Neiman, 56, died November 6, 2019, at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born May 22, 1963, in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Sylvester and Shirley Ann (Smith) Straub.
A lifetime Barton County resident, Karla worked in her early years at Great Bend Packing, and Fuller Brush for several years. She also managed her family’s business, Great Bend Gymnastics, before she went on to work at Coastal Mart, in Hoisington. It was here she found her niche and worked for twenty years, through several ownership changes, as Bird Express and finally CERVS, in both Hoisington and Great Bend. She was a great manager and had many employees that worked for her for many years and she loved to interact with the customers, making many lifelong friends. Her greatest love though was her family and especially her grandchildren.
On January 21, 1981, she married Jimmy Roat. They were married for many years before divorcing in 2005. She then married Mike E. Neiman, the love of her life, on March 22, 2008. They were married in Chase, Kansas, by her brother Pastor Larry Weatherman.
She is survived by her husband Mike Neiman of the home; son, Jesse Roat and companion Brittany Van Sycoc of Hoisington; daughter, Kayla Godfrey and husband James of Hoisington; stepchildren, Rachel Dove and husband Trent and Michael J. Neiman and wife Alicia, all of Great Bend; three siblings; and 10 grandchildren, Preston and Adley Roat, Klara and Jayda Godfrey, Justin Dennis, Braydon and Treyton Dove, and Matthew, Andrew, and Zachary Neiman; and her fur babies, Twinkie and Sadie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, a son, Travis Roat; and her beloved dog, Fancy.
Friends may call Sunday 1-5 p.m., and Monday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., all at the funeral home.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Denny Lewis presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Karla J. Neiman Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Ramona Hutchinson, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, November 04, 2019, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
Ramona was born on January 27, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Phillip and Ruth (Schooling) Lopez. She grew up in Waldo, Kansas, and graduated from Waldo High School in the class of 1959. After high school, she attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1963, with a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish. She was united in marriage to Ralph Bauman in June of 1963, and from this union Ramona and Ralph were blessed with a son Marc. She lived most of her life in Washington State and worked as an administrative assistant for over 20 years with Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratories. Ramona found love a second time and was united in marriage to Thomas J. Hutchinson on December 20, 2007. She was a longtime member of the Bible Baptist Church in Russell. She enjoyed playing the piano starting with lessons in Osborne. She accompanied vocal groups in school, played for churches and individuals. Also, Ramona enjoyed the outdoors, her cats and was a big University of Kansas sports fan. She loved being Grandma Mona to her grandkids James and Emma, playing with them when they were young, watching them while their parents traveled, and attending their activities as the distance allowed.
Surviving family include her mother Ruth Elder of Russell, Kansas; brother Carlos Lopez and wife Barbara of Clarkesville, Georgia; son Marc Bauman and wife Lisa of Kirkland, Washington; grandchildren Emma and James Bauman; stepchildren Sheryl and Steven Corn of Great Bend, Kansas; Randle Hutchinson and wife Stephanie of Falun, Kansas and Bruce Hutchinson and wife Angela of Kansas City, Missouri; 10 step grandchildren and many step great grandchildren. Ramona is also survived by an aunt, cousins step-siblings and many Baumans. She was preceded in death by her father.
A celebration of Ramona’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas with Pastor Dale Lane officiating. Burial will be in Grand Center Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Monday, November 11, 2019, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. Monday evening. Memorials may be given to the Bible Baptist Church of Russell, Kansas and can be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
RENO COUNTY — Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home in Hutchinson.
Friday morning house fire photo courtesy Hutchinson Fire Departmet
Just after 1:30a.m. Friday, fire crews responded to a structure fire at 14 East Bigger Street, according to Fire Chief Steve Beer.
Upon arrival, fire crews were faced with a one-story residential home with heavy fire coming from 50 percent of the structure at the rear of the home. All occupants were out of the home upon fire crew’s arrival.
Due to the amount of heavy fire showing and adjacent structure that was being threatened by fire, fire crews went into defensive operations. Multiple handlines and an aerial ladder were used to contain the fire. There was extensive damage to the entire attic space and rear portion of the home, according to Beer. Fire crews remain on scene completing salvage and overhaul. Fire Investigators are working to determine the cause.
A single resident was alerted by a passing motorist that was driving down the street and noticed the residence on fire. The home had no working smoke detectors in it at the time of the fire.
With the recent cold weather, and added heating devices, HFD reminded citizens about the importance of having a working smoke detector. Smoke detectors do save lives. HFD also wants to remind our citizens that we have a smoke detector program, please call 620-694-2871. Fire crews will be canvasing the neighborhood tomorrow and talking to residences about fire safety.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two separate attacks on deputies by inmates at the Sedgwick County Jail over the past week.
Just after 6:30a.m. October 31, an inmate identified as 23-year-old William Farmer became irate during breakfast and assaulted two other inmates and a detention deputy working in the pod, according to Colonel Brian White in charge of the detention division. Jail staff were ultimately able to restrain Farmer.
The 28-year-old deputy, an employee with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department for only four months, received treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital
Farmer, arrested October 9 on drug and host of driving charges has now been criminally charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and two counts of battery, according to online jail records.
Just after 4a.m.Thursday, 42-year-old inmate Dewayne Anderson, who was booked October 5, for aggravated assault and aggravated battery, left a shower, demanded a beverage, refused to return to his room and physically assaulted detention staff, according to White.
Anderson photo Sedgwick Co.
During the process of attempting to gain control and restrain Anderson, a 24-year-old detention deputy sustained a broken ankle. A 45-year-old detention deputy broke his hand during the altercation.
The detention deputy with the broken ankle was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and underwent surgery. The detention deputy sustaining the broken hand was transported by Sheriff’s Office staff to a local hospital for treatment. Despite a quick response to calm the situation, two deputies suffered broken bones, according to White.
The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Section is currently investigating the matter and will be presenting the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for charges.
Dr. Sharon Hartin Iorio is Professor & Dean Emerita at Wichita State University College of Education.
The “nation’s report card,” or National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), was released Oct. 30. Results show stagnant progress in what students know and can do on the national level and a disappointing decline in Kansas scores.
NAEP is administered every two years and is the only current assessment that compares scores across time and across states. The exam is based on a representative sample of students in Grades 4, 8 and 10 in each state with results reported at four levels of achievement—below basic, basic, proficient and advanced.
Kansas data reveal weakening performance overall and lower rates at the middle level than the elementary. The percentage of Kansas students’ scoring at proficient or advanced levels were smaller in math (33%), reading (32%) and science (34%) at Grade 8 compared to the Grade 4 level (math 40%, reading 34%, science 37%).
The total data set is massive and summary statistics drawn from data are, of course, subject to interpretation. Think-tanks, organizations and political activists already have offered varied explanations and implications.
The Urban Institute used NAEP scores and adjusted them to reflect demographic differences among the states. According to this adjustment, Kansas ranked among the bottom states in terms of decline. Across all states there was a rise in the percentage of students at below basic or basic achievement.
Analysts of these data suggest more attention be focused on students who are struggling. From this perspective Kansas schools need to continue the recent focus on helping children who have experienced trauma as well as increasing attention to pre-school programs, and students who are English language learners, who live in poverty and who need special education. But demographic and economic correlations simply reveal reality not destiny.
Kansas Association of School Board analysts looked at the NAEP data and were not surprised to see the lag in academic improvement, because during the Great Recession (2009 to 2017), nearly 2,000 school positions were cut statewide and multiple programs were reduced or eliminated.
KASB points out that 10 years ago, Kansas was one of the highest performing states, but currently ranks about the same as the national average. It will take time to implement improvements; KASB predicts NAEP scores to rise as court-ordered funding allows schools to add nurses, counselors and other personnel as well as adding and retaining highly qualified teachers.
Conservative analysts interpret the recent NAEP scores as too much money thrown at problems without meaningful accountability for schools and students, plus a lack of rigor throughout the curriculum. These are legitimate concerns; however, advocacy for adding charter schools and more tax credits while curtailing spending could set NAEP scores back even further. Cutting funds and privatizing public education cannot in themselves increase NAEP scores for the more than 90 percent of Kansas children now attending public schools.
Think of it this way: The ticket price can keep kids out of the theater, but the movie will play on. Taking constructive advice from varied perspectives—by truly increasing accountability and strengthening curriculum in tandem with building a high-performing educational team and supporting the most disadvantaged students—these together stand a good chance to increase NAEP scores. It’s time to work collectively across all groups and bring our students to the show. The world will keep moving on; will Kansas students join it?
Dr. Sharon Hartin Iorio is Professor & Dean Emerita at Wichita State University College of Education.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team played a decisive fifth set for the third time in the last two weeks Thursday, but the Tigers were unable to take advantage of the opportunity against Missouri Western. FHSU saved a pair of match points to tie things up at 14 in the final frame, but the Griffons later scored back-to-back points to win the final set, 17-15, and the match, 3-2 (25-17, 8-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-17).
The Tigers are now 6-20 overall and 3-15 in conference play, while the Griffons are now 15-11 on the year and 9-8 in league action.
After the teams went back and forth early in the first set, the Tigers used a 14-5 run to pull away late and win the set, 25-17. FHSU posted an efficient .250 attack percentage, totaling 15 kills and just five attack errors.
The momentum of the first-set win did not last long, as Missouri Western scored 19 of the first 20 points in the second set to take a commanding lead. The Tigers scored five straight points later in the set, but it was too little, too late for FHSU.
Missouri Western continued the hot streak early in the third set, jumping out to a 13-6 lead. FHSU bounced back to score the next six points, closing within one. The Griffons managed to respond just before the Tigers tied things up, scoring the next three points to pad the lead to four. The Tigers closed within three on five more occasions but could never get any closer.
The Tigers recorded their best offensive performance of the night to tie things up in the fourth set, posting a swing rate of .350 (18-4-40). The teams traded points until the midway point when FHSU tallied four points in a row, turning a 13-13 tie into a 17-13 lead. That advantage was all the Tigers would need to hold on and force a decisive fifth set.
Missouri Western came out firing in the fifth set, doubling up the Tigers midway through the frame, 10-5. Two Tiger kills and two attack errors helped FHSU close within one, 10-9. The Griffons regained control to soon reach match point at 14-12, but the Tigers fought off both match point opportunities to stay alive. The teams traded the next two points before MWSU closed the match with back to back points, winning the fifth set 17-15.
Delaney Humm led the Tigers with 17 kills and added a season-high 21 digs while Tatum Bartels recorded 14 kills to just four errors on 31 swings. Mykah Eshbaugh added a season-high nine kills on just 21 swings. Katie Darnell led the team with 25 assists and Abbie Hayes paced the Tigers with 24 digs.
The Tigers will return to Hays to wrap up the regular season one week from Friday on Nov. 15. FHSU will host Pittsburg State at noon before taking on Missouri Southern at noon on Saturday (Nov. 16).
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State men’s soccer, most recently ranked No. 9 within NCAA Super Region 3, have clinched the regular season Great American Conference title in their inaugural season with a 6-1 victory over Southern Nazarene on senior night.
FHSU now boasts three consecutive regular season conference championships-collecting two straight (2017 and 2018) in the MIAA and now their first in the GAC.
Improving to 11-5-1 on the season, the Tigers have defeated the Crimson Storm twice in 2019 pushing the all-time series between the two programs to 9-1 in favor of the Black and Gold.
Fittingly, two seniors began the scoring in the first half for Fort Hays State. Forward Santiago Agudelo found the back of the net off of a throw-in by Nathan De La Hoya. Using his body to shield his defender, Agudelo slipped the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Bence Mocsari for his 10th goal of the season.
The Tigers remained in control throughout the match, registering 14 shots on goal of 21 total attempts.
Agudelo followed up 13 minutes later, finishing another goal scoring opportunity. A pass from. Arsenio Chamorro sent De La Hoya free sprinting down the left-hand side of the field. The junior, with just one defender to beat, played a grounded cross to Agudelo, who was unmarked. He dribbled the ball around the goalkeeper and clocked in his 11th goal of the season.
In the 38th minute, Sergio Villalba continued the senior night theme as he ran onto a ball played across the 18-yard box and finished it for the third goal of the evening.
Villalba snagged his second goal of the match in the 42nd minute, beating a diving Mocsari to the left of the goal.
Agudelo took under five minutes in the second half to get his name back on the scoresheet. A ball was played through the middle of the field and found it’s way to the left wing. De La Hoya played a pass that slipped Agudelo through on goal as he completed his hat trick by beating Mocsari to the near post.
Southern Nazarene’s Josh Gray was able to put a tally on the board in the 69th minute on an assist from Alexandre Silva. However, Moises Peralta restrengthened the goal margin with 12 minutes left in the match.
On an assist from Antonio De La Torre and Franklin Solorio, Peralta chested the ball down in the box and blasted a shot into the top right hand corner of the goal.
Defensively, the FHSU’s Cullen Fisch faced just seven shots and notched a save in his sixth victory this season.
For their final match of the 2019 campaign, FHSU will travel to Shawnee, Okla. and faces off against Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday (Nov. 9). The Bison are 5-10-1 on the season following their latest victory over Southern Nazarene on Friday, Nov. 1.
Overall, the Tigers own the series against the Bison, claiming a 4-0 record between the two sides.
Kara Jecha of Timken, left, and Christy Tustin, Golden Belt Community Foundation executive director, attend a recent Rush County Fair to tell the story of Forever Rush County.
Even though Forever Rush County has reached the half-way mark to establishing a $100,000 endowment fund at the Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF), the group is not taking a breather. Instead, it is energized to raise the next $50,000, Committee Chair Kara Jecha of Timken said.
“Raising enough to get us to the half-way point gives us even more incentive to keep working for the other half,” Jecha said. “Our committee members should be
commended for their commitment and support.”
Originally, Forever Rush County asked for help in setting up a $50,000 endowment. But the GBCF challenged them to double that.
“We readily accepted the challenge, which includes a dollar-for-dollar match from the Foundation,” said Jecha, a life-time Rush County resident. “When we learned that
generous donors are willing to support a $100,000 Rush County endowment, we didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge.”
The matching funds are donated by the Glenn and Elaine Mull Family Fund at GBCF. This match is in effect until Dec. 31, 2020.
“We will continue talking to potential donors, who have been receptive to learning more about Forever Rush County,” Jecha noted. “We are gratified that they are at least
willing to listen. They have been gracious in taking the time to hear our story.
“Rush County has an amazing opportunity to build an endowment and leave funding for future generations,” she added. “An endowment is forever.”
While no one can define exactly what Rush County’s needs will be in the future, the endowment can be used in a variety of areas. Examples include parks and playgrounds; libraries and education; health and social services; long-term care; and city projects.
Jecha is helping spearhead this initiative because “Rush County is my home. I grew up in rural Albert and want future generations to have the same benefits I had growing up. We want people to continue to live, work and play here.”
Jecha and her husband, Jay, pledged the first $1,000 to this initiative and are pledging the last $1,000.
“We believe having ‘skin in the game’ is fundamental to show we are serious about attaining success. Others have put their heart and soul into this, and we have God as our pilot.”
The committee chair also noted that the GBCF has been “a great partner. We are not on our own in setting up the endowment.”
Christy Tustin, GBCF executive director, has collaborated with Jecha to spread the word through personal visits, phone calls and community events.
“Raising the first half of the goal is tremendous progress,” Tustin said. “Kara and the committee have been wonderful champions for the effort by sharing the message
about supporting Rush County far into the future.”
They understand the value of endowments, which are funds set aside for the long-term benefit of an organization or community, Tustin noted. The principal amount is
permanently protected, while the fund’s income supports charitable causes.
Tustin pointed out that the Giving Tuesday campaign, which runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 3, would be a great time to donate to Forever Rush County, as well as other Rush
County organizations.
“Building community endowments requires a sort of leap of faith because it takes people willing to invest for the long-term without seeing immediate results sometimes,”
Tustin commented.
“As the endowment grows over time, we will be able to demonstrate how much it will benefit programs across Rush County.
“It takes a group of people willing to step forward and champion the cause. This initiative would not have been nearly as successful without this local support. It is obvious that people care very much about Rush County and its future.”
At $23 million in total assets and more than 180 funds under management, the Golden Belt Community Foundation has been connecting people who care to causes that matter since 1996. Golden Belt Community Foundation exists to provide non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving for donors. GBCF serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford.
For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.
There will be a special meeting of Ellis County Rural Water District 1-C next week in Antonino.
The board will fill both an open board position and a maintenance position.
The meeting will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Antonino church basement. Anyone interested in filling the board position is asked to attend the meeting.
OAKLEY — K-State Research and Extension entities in Northwest Kansas are joining forces to offer Rancher Rules of Thumb, a workshop focused on taking a look at the rules of thumb ranchers often use to guide decisions on their operations.
The workshop, developed by the University of Wyoming in partnership with the USDA Risk Management Association, will go through rules collected over the last several years from ranchers all over the country, and help producers analyze which rules might make sense on their operation.
You’ll have three chances to catch this workshop:
November 13 at 6 p.m. at the Fossil Creek Conference Center in Russell
November 14 at 12:30 p.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atwood
November 14 at 6 p.m. at the Buffalo Bill Center in Oakley
All workshops will include meals.
The workshop will feature Bridger Feuz, University of Wyoming Livestock Marketing Specialist, as he takes a hard look at risk management strategies and economic rules for livestock operations.
K-State Research and Extension Specialist Keith Harmoney will present on grazing management, looking at various grazing strategies to promote sustainable pastures and increase livestock gains. Finally, Extension Specialist Justin Waggoner will present on herd management, covering information on utilizing body condition scoring as a management tool for developing rations.
Rancher Rules of Thumb is sponsored by USDA, K-State Research & Extension, Farmers State Bank – Oakley, and Farmers & Merchants Bank – Colby.
Thanks to our sponsors, all workshop locations will be free of charge. However, please RSVP to ensure a meal.
RSVP:
Oakley Location – Contact Clint Bain at (785) 743-6361 or email [email protected] or goldenprairie.ksu.edu
Atwood Location – Contact Stephanie Kramer at (785) 626-3192 or email [email protected]
Russell Location – Contact Clint Laflin at (785) 475-8121 or email [email protected]
This workshop is open to the public and there is no cost for admission. Online registration is requested by going to goldenprairie.ksu.edu
Karla J. Neiman, 56, died November 6, 2019, at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born May 22, 1963, in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Sylvester and Shirley Ann (Smith) Straub.
