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Two from Ness City hospitalized after pickup, semi crash

NESS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Friday in Ness County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Freightliner semi driven by Randall D. Winter, 57, Ness City was southbound on U.Ss 283 highway two miles south of Ness City.

The driver saw a vehicle ahead that was turning into a private drive. Winter applied the brakes and then lost control of the truck and trailer.

The semi entered the northbound lane, turned sideways with the trailer jack-knifed behind the truck.

A northbound 2007 Chevy pickup driven by Anthony J. McDonald, 27, Ness City saw the semi in the northbound lane and attempted to stop.

The front right corner of pickup struck the semi on the passenger side behind the third axle.

Winter and McDonald were transported to the hospital in Ness City. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Humane Society’s Paws and Pints set for Sept. 14

The Humane Society of the High Plains will have a Paws and Pints fundraiser from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at Defiance Brewing Co.

The cost is $5 for dogs. Entry for humans will be by donation. All entry fees will benefit the humane society.

Live music will be presented by Laurel Klaus.

There will be a dog talent show, dog toy making station and paw painting. Water stations and treats for the dogs will also be available.

Adults will be able to purchase Defiance beer from their menu of regular and seasonal beers, while kids can order soda.

Humane society T-shirts and other items will be available for purchase.

Defiance Brewery is at 2050 East Highway 40 in Hays. You can find its beer menu online at www.defiancebeer.com.

You can keep up to date with humane society events by following the organization of Facebook.

 

Police work to identify Kansas vehicle burglary suspect

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of vehicle break-ins and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 3:30a.m. Wednesday, several break-ins occurred in the 400-600 blocks of East Beloit, Salina, according to police. A person involved in the crimes was photographed.

The  male subject is described as a younger white male, tall and slender, has shorter hair with “dreads,” a light-colored T-shirt, and shorts. The person was wearing sandals and had a flashlight. He also had a bandana tied around his neck.

Salina Police detectives are seeking information concerning this person’s identity.

If you have any information concerning this event, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.

Dale Eugene Eckels

Dale Eugene Eckels, age 84, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on July 5, 1935 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, the son of Louis & Mollie Hindergart Eckels. A lifetime resident of Shallow Water, Kansas, he was self-employed working numerous jobs.

He was a member of the Gospel Fellowship Church in Shallow Water, Kansas.

On July 4, 1954 he married Beverly Ann Bulkley in Scott City, Kansas. She passed away on June 23, 2010 in Wichita, Kansas.

Survivors Include her Two Sons – Les & Nancy Eckels of Huron, South Dakota, Kenton & Debbie Eckels of Scott City, Kansas, Two Daughters – Kim & Jeff Baier of Ulysses, Kansas, Jynette & Jerry Buxton of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Scott Eckels of Orange County, California, Seven Granddaughters – Kelsi Sneyd, Coley Baier, Nichole Frandsen, Majken Fullner, Krista Eckels, Emily Mulligan & Lexi Buxton, Four Great Grandchildren – Wyatt Sneyd, Case Coley, Tori Frandsen and Camden Mulligan.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife and Four Brothers.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 5, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Pastor Don Williams presiding.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials can be made out to the Pence Community Church for the Alpha Christian Children’s Home or Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Visitation will be from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday and 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

JoAnn Pundsack Kerbs

JoAnn Pundsack Kerbs, formerly of Great Bend, died June 29 in Lawrenceville, GA.

She was born Dec. 20, 1931 and graduated from Great Bend High School. Her first job was at Kerbs IGA No. 2 where her checkout line was always backed up because everyone wanted to talk with Jo. In a strategic career move, she married the owner, her “dear” Warren, and was promoted to her dream job of wife and mother. They were married for 59 years until his death, and life was never the same for her without Warren.

Always grateful for what she called her “wonderful life,” she loved her husband and children selflessly and unconditionally. She was gentle and kind, but also strong and quietly fierce before anyone ever used the word. She was not afraid to laugh at herself and had a clever and quick wit. Her comments were always on point.

JoAnn had a rare and wonderful outlook on life — she genuinely believed everyone was as good as she was. And to her, they most often were.

As a mom, she was unbelievably patient and believed so hard that we were wonderful that we often believed it too. As a Nanny, she was never too tired for one more story, another game of make believe, or a staring role as a superhero’s best girl.

She met the indignities of age with dignity and grace, and was caring and grateful to those who cared for her. Everyone that met JoAnn soon thought they were her favorite; her heart was big enough to hold us all.

JoAnn is survived by her son, Jon (and Nancy) Kerbs; daughter, Dana Kerbs (and Leo) Urrutia, daughter, Tracey Kerbs Lane (and Al Eddy); and grandchildren, Kevin and Megan Kerbs, Brian Urrutia and Laura Urrutia (and Michael) Albares, and Colin and Zachary Lane. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren; infant daughter, Elizabeth; parents, Edward and Marie Pundsack; and sisters, Bonnie Pundsack Grisamore, and Lee Pundsack Stalcup.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rose Church, Great Bend, at 11 a.m. on Fri., Aug. 9th. Inurnment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery.

Wilson man faces 11+ years in prison for robbery, jail attack

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hay Post

A 33-year-old Wilson man pleaded no contest to robbery and battery charges Friday in Ellis Count District Court.

Jeremy Schulmeister initially was charged with five felonies, including kidnapping and aggravated robbery, in connection with a February armed robbery in Ellis County.

As a result of a plea agreement, Schulmeister pleaded no contest Friday and was found guilty of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. Three other charges were dropped.

According to court documents, on Feb. 7, the victim was walking on the south end of the city of Hays when a car pulled up and offered the man a ride back to the Fort Hays State University campus. Instead of taking the man to campus, the driver — identified as Tanner Cullens of Wilson — drove south out Hays.

While driving in the county, the victim said a man emerged from the trunk of the car through the backseat and pointed a gun at him. The gunman was later identified by the victim as Schlmeister.

Schlmeister robbed the man of more than $1,500 cash, an iPhone and clothes. The two men then forced the man out of the car. He walked back to town and contacted law enforcement.

The victim was able to identify the driver of the car as Cullens and law enforcement officials served a search warrant on Cullens’ home in Wilson. Schlmeister also resides at the residence in Wilson.

During the search, police found cash and the clothes in Schlmeister’s and Cullens’ rooms. An iPhone was also located during the search.

Schlmeister is expected to be sentenced to 114 months, or 9 years and four months, in prison for the two charges.

Cullens had previously entered into a plea agreement in Ellis County District Court and admitted to police and in court that the he and Schulmeister committed the robbery. But Chief Judge Glenn Braun informed Schulmeister on Friday that Cullens submitted a request to withdraw his no-contest plea. Braun has not yet ruled on the motion.

Schulmeister told the court that even though Cullens filed the motion to withdraw his plea, he still wanted to go forward with his plea agreement.

While in the Ellis County jail, Schlmeister attacked another inmate and pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless battery Friday. He is expected to be sentenced to 21 months in prison in that case.

In all, Schlmeister is facing 11 years and three months in prison as a result of the plea agreement.

Court services will conduct a pre-sentence report to determine Schlmeister’s criminal history. He is expected to be sentenced on Aug. 26.

SPONSORED: Eagle seeking outside plant maintenance technician

Looking to get your career started?

Eagle is committed to training our technicians to provide them with the skills and tools necessary to be successful. Our focus is growing your skill set so that you can quickly become a valued technician; one that our customers trust to deliver high-quality Eagle services.

Eagle Communications is seeking a Full-Time Combination Field/Maintenance Outside Plant Technician based in the Hays, KS and the surrounding region. Each day, you will have the opportunity to work with the latest technology in Digital Television, Internet, Wi-Fi, Telephone and customer premise equipment by providing technical solutions to our customers.

An Outside Plant Field/Maintenance Technician at Eagle Communications will enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working independently. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities for continued growth. You will have the opportunity to meet new people and the satisfaction of providing our customers with the latest technology and services. Normal business hours are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Our on-call rotation and desire to meet the demand of producing quality installation can change the flow of a normal day allowing the opportunity for overtime, including weekends.

Qualifications:
Experience in RF outside plant maintenance is preferred, but not required. Qualified candidates can substitute with experience in a comparable field such as mechanics, HVAC, electrical, or other related hands-on trade roles. Candidates should have proven customer service experience. This position requires a valid driver’s license. This individual will be self-motivated and able to work independently. Candidates must have a stable work history and willing to work required shifts and overtime (as necessary). Candidates must be able to work after hours and on weekends as required. This position may include some travel.

Requirements:

  • Drive company vehicle between office, headend, and work sites,
  • Ability to use a 28 foot extension ladder and climbing equipment,
  • Comfortable with attics and crawl spaces (as necessary),
  • Work within or outside of a customer’s property,
  • Ability to lift 70lbs,
  • Ability to handle stressful situations and fast-paced troubleshooting environment,
  • Ability to work overtime on regularly scheduled days or on scheduled days off due to customer or operational demands,
  • Ability to work in adverse weather conditions,
  • Additional responsibilities may include but are not limited to traveling to other systems, completing work scheduled for other co-workers and any other additional tasks.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Maintain overall cable infrastructure in assigned location,
  • Maintain and report on compliance in all systems of CLI, FCC and OSHA performance standards,
  • Participate in performing 24-hour FCC Proof of Performance Test,
  • Manage and monitor underground maintenance and line repair,
  • Perform preventative maintenance of power supplies, plant electronics and physical plant components,
  • Maintain plant health including preventative maintenance (i.e. adjusting amplifiers and line extenders as needed to maintain proper signal levels at customer locations),
  • Knowledge of appropriate testing equipment (i.e. spectrum analyzer, signal level meters, TDR’s, cable line toners, ohm meters, CLI detection meters, full scan, etc.),
  • End of line balance checks,
  • Ability to read and comprehend system design prints,
  • Work in seasonal weather any time of day as needed to resolve sudden outages,
  • Perform the duties of a Service Technician, when needed, to troubleshoot and repair customer cable or high-speed internet services,
  • Interact with customers in a professional, courteous manner, including responses to escalations and repeat customer concerns,
  • Participate in scheduled on-call (stand-by) duties for providing technical repair and system maintenance during non-business hours,
  • Work with low voltage electricity,
  • Maintain satellite dish alignment and receivers at a headend facility.

Salary:
Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits package.

Other information:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background and motor vehicle check, drug test, and successfully complete a Physical Capacity Profile screening. Eagle Communications is an employee-owned company and an EEO employer.

Click HERE TO APPLY.

Rep. Marshall: Trump beef export deal with EU great for Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated a new agreement Friday to increase beef exports to the European Union, saying sales should increase by 46 percent in the first year.

Trump portrayed the agreement as standing up for farmers and ranchers. Producers have been hurt by retaliatory tariffs that China imposed after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese products.

The signing of the agreement comes the day after Trump increased pressure on China to reach a trade deal by saying he will impose 10% tariffs Sept. 1 on the remaining $300 billion in Chinese imports he hasn’t already taxed.

The European Commission announced in June that it had reached an agreement with the U.S. to allow more hormone-free U.S. beef onto the European market.

“Opening markets for our farmers is about more than just an industry. It’s about a way of life,” Trump said from the White House before the signing of the agreement.

Police ask for help to locate Kansas suspect in knife attack

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a knife attack and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Fitch photo Arkansas City Police

James Henry Fitch V, 28, of Arkansas City, is wanted on suspicion of aggravated battery in connection with a knifing incident July 26 in the 400 block of North A Street, according to the Arkansas City Police Capt. Eric Burr.

Just after 6:30 p.m. July 26, police responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of North A Street, according to a media release. At the scene, officers found a 22-year-old Arkansas City man who had sustained a cut to the side of his face. Investigators worked quickly to identify Fitch as a suspect in the case, but he had fled the scene prior to their arrival. He allegedly cut the victim in the face with a knife as a result of a disagreement. The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department provided emergency medical assistance to the victim.

Anyone with information on Fitch should contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.

Missouri farmer held without bond in connection with missing Wis. brothers

Garland “Joey” Nelson/Photo courtesy of Caldwell County, Mo.

By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A northwest Missouri farmer, accused in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of two Wisconsin brothers, has been formally charged with tampering with the truck the two rented to drive to his farm.

Garland “Joey” Nelson of Braymer appeared in Caldwell County court via video Thursday for a bond hearing.

The only charge Nelson, 25, now faces is tampering with a motor vehicle. Authorities say Nelson admitted to driving the truck rented by 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel and his 24-year-old brother, Justin, who were reported missing July 21st when they visited Nelson’s farm.

Authorities found the truck abandoned at a commuter parking lot in Holt.

A search for the two men began to focus on the Nelson farm near Braymer this week. Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish announced this week human remains were found on the Nelson farm. They have not been identified. No cause of death has been announced.

Court documents have been released outlining a checkered past. A court order issued in 2015 bars Nelson from having contact with a woman he resided with and from the residence they shared. Nelson served time in federal prison in a $262,000 cattle fraud scheme, involving the Farm Service Agency and Farm Bureau Insurance. He was 22 at the time.

Nelson was convicted of passing bad checks in 2015.

Nelson is being held in the Caldwell County jail in Kingston, without bond.

Meanwhile, Nelson’s mother tells the Kansas City Star she cannot see him being involved in their deaths.

Tomme Feil tells the newspaper she has no idea why her son would have moved the brothers’ vehicle.

Winners: Chicken Soup for the Soul book “Life Lessons from the Cat” with 99 KZ Country

We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul book “Life Lessons from the Cat.”

Listen during a KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 9, 2019 for chances to call 785-628-2995 and win. No age requirement to win.

Winners will need to pick up their books at the KZ Country Studio, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS within 30 days of winning.

You can’t help but be changed when you have a cat. They teach us about devotion, loyalty, and the value of living in the moment. They show us how to appreciate every day, and somehow, in those deep eyes, we learn about ourselves as well, becoming better humans.

Our feline friends teach us many lessons, from their days as a kitten to their quiet senior years. Along the way they keep us company, provide unconditional love, and share in the ups and downs of our lives. These 101 real-life stories will delight cat lovers of all kinds. You’ll laugh a lot, tear up at times, and nod your head in recognition as you read these tales about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a cat. Part of the proceeds go to support the work of American Humane, providing a better life for cats everywhere.

Congrats Judy Arnold, Erin Beckner, Audrey Ummel, Linda Palmberg and Don Burlison!

 

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

 

 

 

UPDATE: Body believed to be missing kayaker found at Lake Wilson

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office on Friday morning announced search crews have recovered a body from Lake Wilson believed to be the man reported missing earlier this week.

Engel Rosario was reported missing just before 5 p.m. Tuesday at Lake Wilson. Rosario had been kayaking at the lake with companions. His kayak was found overturned Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office said positive identification is pending an autopsy, noting the investigation remains ongoing.

“I would like to thank all individuals from all agencies involved for their hard work,” the sheriff said in a social media update.

According to Rosario’s own social media postings, he hailed from the Dominican Republic and played baseball at Bethany College. He had recently started a job at Pfizer and also had just married in May.

Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

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