COLBY – Beginning Aug. 26, Colby Community College Adult Education will be offering classes in Colby and Hays to help students prepare for attaining the Kansas High School Diploma (GED). The credential is affiliated with the Kansas Board of Regents and recognized by colleges and employers nationwide.
In Colby, the class will be held in the lower level of the H.F. Davis Library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The class in Hays is scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 10 p.m. in the lower level of the Community Corrections of Northwest Kansas building, 1011 Fort.
Adults over the age of 16 not currently enrolled in school are eligible. Learners who have been associated with credit recovery programs or learning centers are welcome. Classes are also suitable for those who want to refresh their skills and enhance job placement or transition into college or technical school.
For more information, contact Nance Munderloh at 785-460-4663.
KANSAS CITY. (AP) — Police have identified the victims found stabbed to death earlier this week as two men in their 50s.
Parking lot of the Sheffield Life Center in Kansas City were police were investigating the homicide photo courtesy KCTV
The victims were identified Wednesday as 56-year-old Michael McLin and 52-year-old Kevin Waters. Both were found dead about 6 a.m. Tuesday in the parking lot behind the Sheffield Life Center in northeastern Kansas City.
Police are investigating the deaths as a double homicide. No arrests have been made.
The deaths bring Kansas City’s homicide total this year to 87.
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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City police are investigating after two bodies were found behind a church.
A tow truck driver discovered the bodies of two men Tuesday morning behind the Sheffield Family Center.
Spokesman Darin Snapp says the two men died of apparent stab wounds.
Further information was not immediately available.
The deaths bring Kansas City’s homicide total this year to 87.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas plans to impose what some tax experts said Wednesday would be the nation’s most aggressive policy for collecting state and local taxes on online sales, possibly inviting a legal battle.
The state Department of Revenue issued a notice last week saying any “remote seller” doing business with Kansas residents must register with the department, collect state and local sales taxes and forward the revenues to the state, starting Oct. 1. It cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year allowing states to collect sales taxes on Internet sales.
Most states now have policies to collect such taxes, but almost all set minimum annual sales or transaction thresholds to exempt small businesses, according to groups tracking tax laws. Kansas is the first to attempt to collect the taxes without exempting any businesses, they said.
The Republican-controlled Legislature included provisions on taxing Internet sales in two tax-cutting bills this year, but Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed both measures, saying they would destabilize the state’s finances. The Department of Revenue is imposing its new policy under an existing tax law that applied to out-of-state businesses but wasn’t being enforced because past court decisions prevented it.
“I think they’re insane,” said Diane Yetter, founder of the Sales Tax Institute in Chicago. Later, she added, “I just think Kansas is setting itself up for a lawsuit — and embarrassment, truthfully.”
Kansas Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart, a veteran tax attorney himself, said during an interview that the department is obligated to enforce existing tax laws consistently. He said it’s not fair to Kansas businesses to require them to collect sales taxes from consumers and not require out-of-state businesses to do the same after the U.S. Supreme Court decision last year.
Burghart also said he does not feel the department has the authority to exempt some small, out-of-state businesses from collecting sales taxes. Legislators must set the thresholds, he said.
“We have to move forward with implementation of the law as it is in place,” he said.
Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a conservative Wichita Republican who is a frequent Kelly critic and is running for the U.S. Senate, termed the department’s policy an “abuse of power.” Other top Republicans were less harsh but said Wednesday that they worried about the risk of lawsuits — and lawmakers are likely to take up the issue again next year.
Legislators also have felt pressure to collect more taxes from online sales to prevent local businesses from facing a competitive disadvantage. There’s also the potential budget upside: The department believes the state will collect between $20 million and $40 million a year in additional tax revenues.
Wagle asked Attorney General Derek Schmidt, also a Republican, to weigh in on the policy’s legality. His spokesman Wednesday would say only, “We are aware of the situation.”
Yetter and other tax policy experts said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision isn’t permission to tax all remote sales from out-of-state businesses.
“They’re pushing a lot of envelopes in their approach,” said Jared Walczak, director of state tax policy for the conservative Tax Foundation, who deems Kansas’ policy the “most aggressive” in the nation.
The high court overturned a previous ruling that states could not collect their sales taxes unless a business had a physical presence within their borders, allowing tax collections if businesses had an economic presence. It upheld a South Dakota law requiring businesses to collect its taxes if they had $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions in the state within a year.
The decision suggests states still must exempt some businesses to avoid putting an undue burden on interstate commerce in violation of the U.S. Constitution, said George Isaacson, a Lewiston, Maine, attorney representing the businesses challenging the South Dakota law. He said Kansas’ policy represents a “blatant disregard” of that.
“These are small mom-and-pop type operations that are now going to be subject to this collection obligation and would be least able to mount a legal challenge,” Isaacson said.
KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for his role in a conspiracy to steal high-end sport utility vehicles and pick-ups from out-of-state dealerships and transport them to Kansas City for sale on the black market, according to the United State’s Attorney.
Timothy Hood, 38, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Hood to pay $212,998 in restitution.
On March 22, 2019, Hood pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles across state lines and one count of aiding and abetting the transportation of stolen vehicles across state lines. Hood admitted that he participated in a conspiracy from Dec. 1, 2015, to Feb. 2, 2016, to steal at least 10 high-end sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks from three out-of-state auto dealerships and deliver them to Kansas City.
Hood and co-conspirators organized small groups to steal 10 vehicles, worth approximately $710,933, from three dealerships in Nebraska and Iowa. Co-conspirator Joshua Walker, 43, of Kansas City, Missouri, affixed fraudulent vehicle identification numbers (VINs) onto the dashboard of the stolen vehicles. Many of the fraudulent VINs used during the conspiracy were true VINs from other vehicles owned by car dealerships and were utilized so that the stolen vehicles would be difficult to trace and could be sold on the black market.
All of the stolen vehicles have been recovered by law enforcement officers and sold as salvage. Two of the stolen vehicles were recovered at the residence of Hood’s girlfriend. On Sept. 22, 2016, Hood was pulled over for a traffic infraction while he was driving one of the stolen vehicles with a fraudulent VIN. Investigators searched Hood’s laptop, which was in the vehicle. The computer contained scanned images of templates for temporary Kansas license plates, insurance cards, notary stamps, bills of sale, release of liens, and bar code labels of VINs. The search of the computer also revealed searches of legitimate VINs that were fraudulently used or affixed to other stolen vehicles in this case.
Walker pleaded guilty in a separate, but related, case to his role in the conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Frances Louise Rouse was born to Raymond and Lelah Rouse on July 27, 1936 outside Osborne, Kansas. She left this life on July 29, 2019 in Seneca, Kansas on her own terms and with no regrets.
Frances married Marvin Leadabrand on August 5, 1956 in Webster County, Nebraska. Born to this union were two daughters.
Marvin and Frances lived and loved in Osborne most of their lives. They worked side by side and filled their home with love and laughter. After Marvin’s death in 1989, Frances continued the family business until her health forced her into retirement. Frances moved to Seneca, Kansas with her daughter when the family moved for Kiley’s job.
Marvin and Frances spent their lives committed to their business, their daughter, and their friends. Time away from their business was spent with extended family. Throughout her life Frances gave her heart to all she did. While her life was filled with many successes, nothing mattered more than her family, including her dogs.
Frances made a difference in the lives of all she touched. She put her faith into action by sharing God’s word and love with her family. She continued to do so after her health deteriorated by knitting hundreds of scarves and blankets for homeless shelters.
Frances was preceded in death by her stillborn daughter Lelah Kay, husband Marvin, her parents, siblings Howard Rouse and Vivian Simmons, her in-laws Jim and Beulah Leadabrand, brothers-in-law Raymond Leadabrand and Dewey Simmons, nephews Phillip, Kenny, and Roger Leadabrand, great nephew Justin Kumke, and great-great nephew Nolan Lewis.
Frances leaves a host of friends to celebrate her life. She is survived by her daughter Kiley and husband Jim Floyd, her pride and joy grandson, Dan Floyd and his daughter Emma, step granddaughters Mia Sitter (Sophia and Emily) and Jennifer LaBruyere, a brother Leslie Rouse and wife Marie, brother-in-law Charles Leadabrand and his wife Donna, sister-in-law Betty Leadabrand Banks, and a large extended family of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest Frances’ mission be continued with donations to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608 or Ashley’s Purple Star Foundation at https://gkccfonlinedonations.org/ashley/ashley.asp
Friends and family are invited to an informal gathering on August 17th, from 10:00 to 11:30, at the Veteran’s Building in Osborne. No other services are planned at this time.
Bobbie Lee Graham, 83, of WaKeeney KS, passed away August 5, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family after a long journey with cancer. He was born February 6, 1936 in Vinton, Iowa to Joseph and Lettie Larson (Lint) Graham. He attended Vinton Grade School and High School. Later he joined the National Guard in 1953 and the US Navy in 1955. Bob also attended Barber School in Oklahoma City, Auctioneering School in Kansas City, and The Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson, KS.
Bob married Vera Shieb and together they had 3 daughters, Lettie, Ginger, and Debbie. He later met JoAnn Kloefkorn and together they had Patsy and Rickey. Bob married Judith Ann Fabrizius on Oct 29, 1961 at Zion Lutheran Church in Trego Center-WaKeeney, KS. Together they had Jeff, Jeana, and Joe, and were blessed with 57 years of marriage before his passing.
Bob had various jobs throughout his life and was a man of many trades. In his early years he was a roofer, welder, barber, service station owner, auctioneer, truck driver, and car salesman. He worked in the oil fields for many years and law enforcement for 20 years in several towns, but retiring as Chief of Police in Downs, KS in 1994. After his retirement, he moved to WaKeeney where he continued to keep himself busy by helping family and friends with farm work.
Bob had a one of a kind sense of humor, and loved sharing stories of his shenanigans to his grandkids and friends. Anyone who knew Bob probably has a “Bob Graham” memory/story that would bring a smile to your face. Bob always enjoyed playing games with his family, particularly Booray, dominoes, and other card games.
Bob is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Lettie Neary, Cedar City, UT, Ginger Graham, Winfield, KS, Debbie (Jim) Phillips, Winfield, KS, Rickey (Cathy) Graham Yukon, OK, Jeff (Dot) Graham, Wakeeney, KS, Jeana (Kirk) Sullivan, Shawnee, KS, Joe (Lisa) Graham, Wakeeney, KS; 27 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother John (Mamie) Graham, Haven Ks; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents,Joseph and Lettie, brothers Elzo, Ernest, and Charles Lint, sister Neta (Lint) Comley, and infant daughter Patsy.
Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church, Trego Center-WaKeeney. Visitation and viewing will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Services, Inc., or Zion Lutheran Church. Donations made payable to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey has introduced legislation to create a commission to study exertional heat strokes in athletes after a player from his district died at Garden City Community College in Kansas.
Bradforth and his mother after his graduation from Neptune High School -courtesy Joanne Atkins-Ingram
Smith, a Republican, proposed the bill Friday to honor 19-year-old Braeden Bradforth, of Neptune, New Jersey. He died in August 2018 after the first day of practice in Garden City.
The bill would establish a commission to study exertional heat stroke among student athletes at educational institutions across the country.
Smith said the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury confirmed 64 exertional heat stroke deaths among football players since 1995.
Bradforth, a 300-pound lineman, collapsed less than an hour after a conditioning session. An autopsy concluded he died of exertional heat stroke.
Ellis swimming pool tour May 6 (Photo courtesy Travis Kohlrus)
By JAMES BELL Hays Post
ELLIS — To a standing-room-only crowd and after hearing numerous comments in support of building a new pool Monday, the Ellis City Council voted 4-2 in favor of approving a contract with the Kansas Department of Commerce to accept a $1 million grant that would fund a major portion of a new municipal pool.
The council took action on the contract after the pool was closed by the city nearly two weeks earlier than planned due to water loss.
Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, was at the meeting and answered the council’s questions about the contract.
After hearing feedback from some in the community that the new pool should be bigger, Benoit took questions from the council about the ability to change the contract.
“You have the opportunity to make some changes, however, they did rate our application on this design,” Benoit said.
She cautioned the council that changes in the plan could cause the application to be declined, especially considering the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant that will cover another $300,000 of the project.
The engineering firm that designed the new structure estimated the cost to be $1.85 million, but the final cost could change.
“It’s quite feasible that it could come in under,” said Mayor David McDaniel.
“I think our last street project came in almost $150,000 below the estimate, so the engineers are normal a lot higher than what we see,” said council member Holly Aschenbrenner.
“The funding level is what drove the size of the pool,” she said. “I know that is the biggest concern in town is that this pool is smaller, but the funding level is what is driving the size of the pool, plus it actually doubles our swim load, plus some, so it’s still adequately sized for our community … It’s more functional with the different design spaces that we have.”
She pointed out that trying to make a change now would be a risk, and the funding for a larger pool is not guaranteed.
And while the new pool is smaller in total volume, its design will allow for higher capacity.
“In terms of comparing this size to a lot of the communities around, it is very comparable,” said council
member Jolene Niernberger. “We are just used to big, big.”
As long as the project totals over $1.6 million, the full amount of the $1 million grant will be allocated to the city. If the final price is less, the difference will be split between the city and the grant.
While the council members considered approving the contract, there was discussion on early observations from the current pool as the liner was being removed and areas of concrete were being inspected.
Councilman Bob Redger said it did not appear the concrete was a degraded as they had been led to believe by the engineers and the liner was not installed correctly and questioned the other members if they should consider replacing the liner.
“The thing is we can’t accept either grant to fix our pool,” Aschenbrenner said.
“I realize that,” Redger said. “We are not even looking at a liner. They should have fixed it right to start with.”
Other council members agreed the liner should have been properly installed, but the grant funding is too good to walk away from.
“At what point do quit bandaging the issue and fix the pool?” Aschenbrenner said. “We heard a report a while back that it started leaking in 1981. It’s 2019 and we are still dealing with the same pool.”
“I’m just thinking we have $1.3 million handed to us and you know we are not going to have that another time,” Niernberger said. “And we have a significant amount of the community in support of it, and even if we don’t have everything that we would like paid for by this, how can you turn away that kind of support?
“I don’t see us ever frankly being handed that kind of funding again,” she said.
The community has already rallied around the new project after the sudden closure of the current pool
City Clerk Amy Burton said, even though they won’t officially start fundraising until the Splash Bash, sponsorship forms had already gone out and money was coming in.
“I wanted to report that in the last 10 days, we’ve received over $8,700 in community support,” she said.
Burton also reminded the council they were informed they should not accept the Hansen grant if they did not intend to move on building the new pool.
The city council committed $500,000 in April to fund the project, leaving only $50,500 to be raised by the pool committee at the time of the pool closure to reach the estimated cost of $1.85 million.
With over $450,000 in the city’s special project fund, Burton told the council she believes the project will be able to be completed without impacting any other capital improvement projects.
Originally the current pool was planned to be used for another year, so the council could get potentially lower bids during the winter. But with the old pool permanently shut down, the council is planning to speak with the engineering firm to see about a quicker timeline with the hope of having the new pool open in time for next summer.
In the vote to accept the contract, Bret Andries, Niernberger, Aschenbrenner and Redger voted yes. Steve Ferland and Martin LaBarge voted no.
TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Acting Secretary Jeff Zmuda today announced that Joel Hrabe has been selected to serve as the agency’s deputy secretary of facilities management.
Effective August 11, Hrabe will assume his new role as deputy secretary of facilities management, the KDOC’s division that is responsible for the day-to-day management of the state’s eight adult correctional facilities. Currently, Hrabe is serving as the warden for Norton Correctional Facility, a position he has held since 2017.
“I am excited to have Joel working with me at this time and in this capacity,” said Acting Secretary Zmuda. “The population and safety challenges in our facilities are well known, and Joel is the right leader for the important work required to address these challenges.”
During his 27 years at Norton Correctional Facility, Hrabe has served as a corrections counselor, classifications administrator and deputy warden.
He also has worked with the agency’s Special Operations and Response Team (SORT), helped strengthen emergency response practices and completed National Institute of Corrections (NIC) training in cognitive approaches to changing offender behavior and comprehensive prison classification systems. He also is involved with NIC’s Executive Excellence program and is a graduate of the KDOC’s Leadership Development Academy. Hrabe earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kansas State University.
The KDOC facilities management division oversees operations of eight adult correctional facilities across Kansas serving just over 10,000 inmates currently.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A government report shows farm real estate values went up 6% in Kansas from last year.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Tuesday that the value of all land and buildings on Kansas farms averaged $1,960 per acre for 2019. That is $110 per acre higher than last year.
The report is a bright spot as Kansas farmers struggle with mounting debt, lower crop prices and trade challenges.
Cropland values in the state went up 5% from last year to $2,160 per acre. Dryland cropland averaged $2,050 per acre, about $90 higher than a year ago. Irrigated cropland averaged $3,320 per acre, up $340 an acre.
Pastureland averaged $1,390 per acre, up $70 higher than a year ago.
Eloise J. “Frenchie” Newell, age 92, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.
Eloise was born December 7, 1926 to Arthur and Alice (Thibault) Newell. Eloise was one of seven children. He grew up on a farm in Graham County and attended Bogue High School.
Eloise met the love of his life, Frances Goetz, and they married at St. Joseph’s Church, Hays, Kansas, on August 5, 1946. They celebrated 67 years of marriage. To this union were three children: Joan, Arlen and Mary.
Eloise worked at Walker Army Airbase after high school. After marrying Frances, he pursued employment with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Engineering Department at the Hays office. He retired from KDOT after 40 years of service. He was a Certification Senior Engineer Technician and was also a Registered Land Surveyor. He had a license to operate the Division’s short wave radio, if needed. He also helped maintain the local office.
Eloise enjoyed fishing, hunting, maintaining beautiful flowers in their manicured yard and growing an abundant large garden. He had great devotion to his faith and practiced it all his life.
Eloise is survived by sister Pat Belisle (Duane), Damar Ks: Daughter, Joan (Dick) Palmer of Haysville Ks: daughter in law, Pat Newell, Versailles Ky; grandchildren, Lisa (Nick) Aschenbrenner of Bonner Springs Ks: Laurie Guilbault, Topeka Ks: Jeremy (Shiloh) Newell, Fairfield Ohio: Leticia Newton, Mt Eden Ky: and, Bonnie (Kenneth) Johns, Versailles Ky, seven great great grandchildren, a bunch of awesome nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.
Eloise was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; son, Arlen; and daughter, Mary. Also preceded by sisters, Eleanor Bellerive, ODella Bedard, Priscilla Emigh, and brothers, Robert and Mitchell Newell.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday, August 9, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday 6 PM – 8 PM with a combined rosary and parish vigil at 7 PM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
Linda K. Freeland, 70, passed away on Monday, August 5, 2019, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas.
She was born to Dale Renberger and Dolores (Nuss) Renberger on April 13, 1949, in Hays, Kansas. She graduated from McPherson High School in 1967.
Linda married David E. Freeland on January 10, 1971, in McPherson, and they celebrated their 48th anniversary just this year. Son Paul David was born February 15, 1975, and son Michael Robert was born September 28, 1979.
Linda received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University in May 1971. She owned her own preschool, Four Seasons Preschool, for nearly 40 years, and retired in spring 2017. She taught more than 1,400 children during her time as a preschool teacher.
Survivors include husband Dave; son, Paul (Rachel), Melissa, Texas and their children, Sydney, Chase and Erynn; son, Michael (Kristina), Salina and their children, Gabriel, Dominic and Oliver; sister, Alana (Larry) Schafer, Salina; brother, Terry (Estelle) Renberger, McPherson; sister-in-law Gloria Freeland (Art Vaughan), Manhattan; sister-in-law, Gaila Freeland de Chambi (Humberto Chambi), La Paz, Bolivia; and six nieces and four nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law, Edgar Freeland, her mother-in-law Edla (Mostrom) Freeland; and her grandparents.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, at First Baptist Church of Salina, 843 Lewis Ave., with Pastor Dave Walters officiating. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ryan Mortuary on Thursday from 4 until 8 pm where the family will receive friends from 5 until 7 pm.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Salina, The Greater Salina Community Foundation’s Linda K. Freeland Scholarship, which goes to Salina students who plan to study early childhood education, or to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.
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