About a year after the El Charro Convenience, 2020 E. Eighth, store closed its doors, new owners are to reopen the location with a new look and offerings.
Co-owner and manager Liz Smith said she was interested in purchasing the business last year after driving by the location.
“When we saw it was for sale, it sparked our interest,” she said.
Smith has a background in retail and thought this would be an opportunity to once again be self-employed.
“It’s nice to work for yourself,” she said.
Since completing the purchase on June 4, Smith began on full remodel on the building, bringing new life into the old solid brick walls.
“We have repainted, put in new floors, brought in all new appliances, all new countertops and shelving, everything is new,” she said.
That work is not expected to end when the store reopens, as Smith has plans to continue to grow the business with a kitchen that will be completed in the future, allowing the sale of freshly made breakfast and grab-and-go lunch items.
“I will be able to make anything I want,” Smith said. “It’s not just convenience store food.”
She is also excited about new fuel pumps installed at the location and new fuel options.
“They will be open 24 hours and will be card accessible and will have 91 octane with no ethanol in it,” Smith said.
She believes they will be the only location in town that will offer the ethanol-free 91 octane.
“There are a lot of people interested in having the no ethanol in the 91 for their motorcycles, their jet skis and their older cars,” she said.
They will also have treated diesel fuel.
“We have a diesel pickup and we know what it is like to have it untreated and trying to start it when it is cold,” Smith said.
Early interest is also encouraging, Smith said.
“We took the paper off the windows (Thursday), and we can’t believe how many people have tried to stop in, which is great.”
Once finishing touches are complete on the exterior and the kitchen is up and running, Smith said a grand opening will be planned, hopefully in about a month.
Some of the employees of the previous business have returned to work in the new business.
“There will be quite a few familiar faces for those that used to come in here,” Smith said.
Hours for the Ol’ 40 Express will be from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, and the fuel stations will take card payments 24/7.
Neil F. Maune, age 64, went to be with the Lord August 2, 2019 at his residence in McDonald, Kansas. Neil was born to Victor & Iona Maune of Washington, Missouri where he grew up and lived.
He met Shelia Sramek and married December 13, 2003.
Neil has two lovely children, Jennifer Hauther and Michael Maune, nine grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
He served in the Marines 1974 – 1980 stationed state side where his fuel and electrical systems skills were used to maintain aircraft. He was honorably discharged and awarded a M-16 Rifle Expert Badge.
Most of his working years were spent with companies manufacturing and maintaining specialized equipment. The later years were spent in agronomy.
He was a loyal, gentle, honest man and very knowledgeable. His hobbies were enjoying river life, kayaking and motorcycles. He liked the challenge and was great at troubleshooting.
He’s preceded in death by parents Victor & Iona Maune and survived by wife Shelia (Sramek) Maune, daughter Jennifer Hauther (Michael), son Michael Maune (Lisa), sister Marie Filla (Harlan), brother Ronald Maune, sister Patricia Rommelman (Dave), brother Thomas Maune (Marilyn), sister Linda Overschmidt (Vern), Stanley Maune (Vicky), sister Pamela Carter, 9 grandchildren and 1great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, 2019, at the Wesleyan Church, Bird City, KS.
CONCEPTION, Mo. (AP) — A Benedictine monastery north of Kansas City has released the names of eight priests or brothers who had credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors made against them.
The Conception Abbey said on its website Monday that seven of the priests are dead and the eighth was removed from the ministry.
The abbey, which is about 95 miles north of Kansas City, hired retired FBI agents to review personnel files of priests and brothers who served there in the last 70 years.
In a statement on the website, Abbot Benedict Neenan apologized to the victims and said he hoped publishing the list would help them heal.
David Clohessy, with the Missouri Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the abbey should release more information.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged animal cruelty.
Cordova photo Sedgwick Co.
On Sunday, deputies responded to a rural area of Sedgwick County after homeowners called to report a woman was attempting to dump a small black dog near their residence, according to Lt. Tim Myers.
Deputies arrested the woman identified as 56-year-old Gabriela Cordova. She was booked just after 1:30p.m. Sunday on requested charges of cruelty to animals; abandon without provisions for care, according to the Sedgwick County online jail records and is no longer in custody.
Animal control officers took the dog, according to Myers. Authorities released no additional details.
The House has kicked off August recess and I was happy to be home back in Kansas with my beautiful wife, Laina, to celebrate our 36th anniversary. We have four wonderful children, and two grandchildren, who are jewels in our crown. She takes a dull day, and suddenly makes it seem worthwhile and she is a saint for putting up with me! Thank you to everyone who prays for us, as we continue this wonderful American journey, 36 years later.
Scam Alert
The Social Security Administration is working with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to create a new fraud prevention placemat to help you identify and avoid Social Security scams. You can order free copies of the placemat to use at home, or to share with friends and family.
Here are a few things to remember to help others avoid scams:
Talk about it! Social Security scams haven’t been as common until recently. Share the message with others to make them aware of this type of scam.
Government employees will not threaten to take away benefits or ask for money or personal information to protect your Social Security card or benefits.
Report Social Security scams to the SSA Office of Inspector General Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271 or oig.ssa.gov/report and to the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov/complaint.
If you think you are being targeted by a scammer, please call my office at (785) 829-9000 for assistance. We are always happy to help!
Champlin Tire Recycling
Last week, members of my staff visited Champlin Tire Recycling in Concordia, Kan.
This small, family owned business looks for new and innovative ways to recycle old tires, turning them into items such as park benches, picnic tables, and playground mulch.
Owner Gary Champlin is the chair-elect of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc – an international trade association representing scrap commodities. While there, they spoke about a number of issues facing the industry, including ways we can all work to do more with less.
Thank you, Gary, for showing my team around and helping them better understand the creative ways recycling can benefit our communities.
Beef Up Sustainability
Cargill recently announced they are launching a new initiative, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, called “BeefUp Sustainability.”
The project is committed to achieving a 30% greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity reduction across its North American beef supply chain by 2030. The opt-in initiative will reduce GHG emissions throughout Cargill’s beef supply chain from a 2017 baseline, measured on a per pound of product basis.
BeefUp Sustainability is designed to engage a variety of stakeholders including producers, customers and innovators. The initiative will focus on four areas: grazing management, feed production, innovation and food waste reduction. The 30% reduction builds on the industry’s existing GHG efficiency efforts and will equate to removing 2 million cars from U.S. highways for a year.
My office hosted a roundtable in McPherson to discuss issues of importance to rural broadband providers. The providers emphasized the need for updates to the national broadband maps, which are necessary for closing the digital divide. The roundtable included discussions about the need to empower stakeholders by establishing a strong challenge process to the FCC and USDA, to ensure the accuracy of data being reported. These providers are working tirelessly to build out future-focused networks in rural America, and I appreciated them taking the time to share ways in which I can help support these efforts.
Big News for Kansas Ranchers
President Trump has announced a trade deal to sell more American beef to the European Union. Kansas is one of the top beef-producing states in the nation – each year the industry contributes more than $9 billion to the state’s economy.
Thank you to the Trump Administration for fighting to deliver new and fair trade deals on behalf of Kansas farmers, ranchers, and producers.
FCC Open Meeting
The Federal Communications Commission held its August meeting and considered a number of rural-focused agenda items. The FCC is working to make access to their programs easier, by streamlining and simplifying the way health care providers can apply for telehealth support, and by formally establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Reducing the red tape for providers is critical to continue building broadband networks, and to ensure rural homes, small businesses, and community institutions are able to connect.
Lou Ann Kibbee, Hays, is seated in front.
National Council on Independent Living
Last week, I had a great meeting with Kansas representatives, including Lou Ann Kibbee of Hays, from the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) the longest-running national disability and grassroots organization led by people with disabilities.
The conversation focused on health care, as well as employment and economic equity. We discussed my support for H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act of 2019, which reauthorizes funding for the “Money Follows the Person” program, so elderly people and those with disabilities can use federal dollars to pay for care by providers of their choice.
I am pleased to report this legislation is now on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Volunteers Needed!
My office is looking for volunteers to help out at my booth at the Kansas State Fair on Friday, September 6, through Sunday, September 15. Volunteers are needed to hand out fliers and take down contact information from constituents with questions.
Gate admission and WiFi will be provided – couples welcome! If you are interested please contact my District Director, [email protected] for more info.
Dr. Roger Marshall (R-Great Bend) is the First District Kansas Congressman.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the city of Norton. The advisory was issued because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Norton indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.
Serving up extra helpings of its signature hospitality in honor of the National Waffle Day holiday, the Hays Comfort Inn & Suites is hosting its 3rd annual free waffle breakfast for first responders 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wed., Aug. 21.
The Comfort Inn & Suites, located at 1001 E. 41st St., has joined a brand-wide #ComfortSaysThanks movement, with similar National Waffle Day celebrations taking place coast to coast.
During this annual event, Comfort brand hotels invite local “hometown heroes” and community groups—such as first responders, teachers and volunteers—to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, featuring the brand’s signature fresh-baked waffles, to thank them for their service to the community.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs held their ninth practice of training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph Monday. It was a lighter day for the Chiefs as they worked for an hour and half in helmets and shells and they have a day off Tuesday.
Head coach Andy Reid, left tackle Eric Fisher and rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman all spoke to the media after practice Monday.
COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects in connection with a business burglary in Arkansas City.
Fischer photo Cowley Co.
Just after at 8 a.m. July 31 police responded to a report of a burglary at Tim’s Automotive, 401 E. Madison Avenue in Arkansas City, according to a media release. They discovered someone had forced entry into the business and stolen items estimated at more than $16,000.
Following on investigation police executed a search warrant for a vehicle being held at a local towing business. Evidence gathered during this search led them to apply for another search warrant for a residence in the 400 block of South First Street.
This followed an additional search in the 800 block of South Summit Street, during which officers gathered additional evidence in the case and in the 400 block of East Monroe Avenue.
During the search of this residence, police arrested Christopher Lee Fischer, 41, of Arkansas City, on suspicion of business burglary. A search of Fischer’s East Monroe residence turned up evidence allegedly tied to the burglary, as well as drug possession. Fischer remains in custody on one felony count each of burglary of a non-dwelling, criminal damage to property and theft of property or services totaling greater than $1,000 in value, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. He also was arrested on three Cowley County District Court warrants for misdemeanor failure to appear.
Police also arrested a 17-year-old Arkansas City body on suspicion of burglary, criminal damage to property, possession of stolen property and theft. He was released to the custody of his mother. Additional charges are expected for other individuals allegedly involved in this incident and those charges will be filed through the Cowley County Attorney’s Office.
Fischer has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Ella Mae Eisenhour, age 85, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas.
She was born on March 27, 1934 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence Erwin and Mabel Ellen Rictor Campbell. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a retired owner and operator of the Broiler in Scott City.
On April 12, 1956 she married Clifford D. Eisenhour in Raton, New Mexico. He passed away on March 17, 2004 in Scott City, Kansas.
Survivors Include Two Nephews – Curtis & Cara Hartman of Herington, Kansas, Terry Campbell of Pratt, Kansas, Four Nieces – Lori & James Hill of Corpus Christi, Texas, Sheri & Jeff Jarrett of Garden City, Kansas, Jacque & Tim Hawkins of Garden City, Kansas, Jeanette & Stephen Price of Ottawa, Kansas, Five Great Nephews, Five Great Nieces and numerous Great Great Nieces & Nephews.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband – Clifford Eisenhour, One Sister – Nancy Zipperer, One Brother – Jack Campbell and Two Nephews – Larry Campbell & Brett Eisenhour.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2019 at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas with Pastor Don Williams presiding.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Memorials in Lieu Of Flowers can be made out to the Scott County Shriners in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
Visitation will be from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Scott Spencer Steggall, age 24, of Goodland passed away Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Scott was born July 29, 1994 to Danny Steggall and MeiLai (Bradley) Thomas in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Scott went to grade school in Colorado and then High School in Goodland.
Scott worked as a mechanic, he enjoyed working on vehicles, playing guitar and spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his parents, Danny Steggall of Gypsum, CO, Adam and MeiLai Thomas of Edson, KS; fiancé, Amanda McClary; daughters, Alora and Zoey; brothers, Joseph Bradley, Dawson Glover Bradley, Casey Thomas, Ben Thomas; and his sisters, Adrianna Steggall and Morgan Thomas.
Memorial service will be Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 2 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland. Memorials will be designated by the family later and may be left at the service or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences and information www.batemanfuneral.com
By JAMES BELL
