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Governor appoints three members to the Kansas State Fair Board

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly appointed Dylan Evans, Sarah Green, and Kathy Brazle to the Kansas State Fair board.

“The Kansas state fair is an important part of Kansas’ story,” Kelly said. “It’s a cherished annual tradition, and Kansans deserve board members who are passionate about our history and culture. Dylan, Sarah, and Kathy encapsulate this passion.”

The board acts as the showcase of Kansas agriculture, commerce and industry, and is responsible for presenting a format of entertainment and education that appeals to people from all walks of life in Kansas.

The state fair emphasizes the importance of family, education, public and private entities, and Kansas as a whole.

Dylan Evans, Lebo, is the owner of Farmers State Bank of Aliceville and DWE Livestock. Evans received his master’s degree in food science, a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry, and a bachelor’s degree in food science and industry, all from Kansas State University. He succeeds Steve Abrams.

Sarah Green, Wichita, currently serves as a writer, editor, and strategic consultant, working as an independent contractor. Previously, she served as Local Foods and Rural Outreach Coordinator under the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Green participated in a graduate fellowship through George Washington University in food policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. She succeeds Matthew Lowen.

Kathy Brazle, Chanute, is a retired school administrator. Previously a teacher in Erie, Brazle received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physical education from Southwestern College and a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Kansas. Brazle also received an administration certification from Emporia State University. She succeeds Monica Lair.

The governor’s appointments to the state fair board are not subject to Senate confirmation.

Man from Ellis hospitalized after van overturns

ELLIS COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Thursday in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Buick Terraza driven by Ryan Heath Robbins, 29, Ellis, was northbound on 110th Avenue approximately three miles north of Ellis.

The driver lost control of the vehicle. It entered the ditch and overturned.

EMS transported Robbins to Hays Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Man gets jail time for killing neighbor’s Chihuahua with BB gun

Marcin Seek photo Greene Co.

STRAFFORD, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri man has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after admitting that he used a BB gun to fatally shoot his neighbor’s Chihuahua.

68-year-old Marvin Seek was sentenced after pleading guilty Thursday to misdemeanor animal abuse.

Charging documents says a public works employee called Strafford police in June 2018 after witnessing Seek shooting a dog with a BB gun and then putting the dog’s remains in a trash bag.

Seek told police he shot the dog in the rear to scare it away because it was barking at his daughter but instead the dog died.

The witness disputed Seek’s account that the dog was being aggressive.

Guard still hauling water to Kansas residents 2 months after flood

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Two months after Perry Lake flooded, the Kansas National Guard continues to deliver water to residents in a nearby village — and the effort could continue until mid-September.

photo courtesy Kansas National Guard

The Guard has delivered 1.3 million gallons of water to Lakeside Village because the community’s water well pumps are submerged after flooding in May at Perry Lake, about 1 mile from the village.

Jane Welch, spokeswoman for the Adjutant General, says six guardsmen, using three trucks, are hauling 40,000 gallons of water every day to about 150 homes.

The U.S. Geological Survey said on Wednesday, Perry Lake Heavy reached 921.14 feet, its highest level in 26 years.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the Federal Emergency Management Agency is paying for the water hauling because Jefferson County is part of a federal disaster declaration.

9-year-old driver takes short trip through Missouri Dollar Store

By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A vehicle drove through the front of the Dollar Tree on South Belt Highway in St. Joseph after a 9-year-old hit the shift and sent the vehicle through the storefront.

The 9-year-old and his 5-year-old sibling were OK, but the Dollar Tree store manager suffered injuries severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital.

St. Joseph police say the incident began Wednesday afternoon when a mother left her two children in her Chevrolet Avalanche to make a quick stop in the store. The 9-year-old crawled into the front seat, shifted the truck into drive, and sent it crashing into the store.

An investigation continues as Dollar Tree employees clean up the debris and work to reopen the store.

Czech Festival set for this weekend in Wilson

The Wilson After Harvest Czech Festival is Friday and Saturday. Below is the schedule of events. For more information, see the festival’s website.

Friday, July 26, 2019*

3:00pm Miss Czech Princess Pageant WHS Commons
4:00pm Annual State Meeting Kansas Czechs, Inc Senior Center
4:00pm Arts & Crafts Show Lions Club Park
4:00pm 1:00am Drinks, Entertainment & More! Social Garden
4:00pm 7:00pm Live Entertainment featuring Joe Dolezal Social Garden
5:00pm Greetings with Sharon Valasek, Honorary Consul to Czech Republic Senior Center
5:00pm Turtle Races Lions Club Park
5:00pm KRSL Russell Radio Broadcasting LIVE on Russell’s Classic Country AM990 Lions Club Park
5:30pm Pong Tournament Social Garden
5:30pm 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Wilson Communications’ Parking Lot
6:00pm Prague Folk Dancers Teaser Lions Club Park
6:00pm 7:00pm Czech Dinner (open to public) Senior Center
6:30pm Czech Dancers Lions Club Park
7:00pm Flag Raising Ceremony performed by American Legion Post #262 Lions Club Park
7:00pm City Band Lions Club Park
7:00pm Ice Cream Social Lions Club Park
7:00pm 9:00pm Mark Popp – Balloon Twister Lions Club Park
7:30pm 11:30pm Czech Fest Midway Rides & Games Midway
8:00pm 12:00am The Brad Husak Polka Band Midland Railroad Hotel Patio
9:00pm 1:00am Live Entertainment featuring The Adams Capps Band Social Garden
10:00pm Beer Stein Holding Contest Midland Railroad Hotel Patio

*All dates and times are tentative and subject to change without notice.  For event locations, please see the Festival’s event brochure.

Saturday, July 27, 2019*

7:45am Czech Run/Walk/Bike In Front of City Hall
8:00am Arts & Craft Show Lions Club Park
8:00am Country Store Catholic Parish Hall
8:30am 9:30am Legislative Coffee & Kolaches Grandma’s Soda Shop
8:30am City Band In Front of City Hall
9:00am Bake Sale Senior Center
9:30am Czech Dancers Performance In Front of City Hall
9:50am Grand Marshal Presented Main St (Ave E)
9:55am Greetings with Sharon Valasek, Honorary Consul to Czech Republic Main St (Ave E)
10:00am Parade (Broadcasted Live on KRSL) Main St (Ave E)
10:00am Softball Tournament Jellison Park
11:00am Mid-Day – Dinner Various
11:00am Quilt & Other Prizes Drawing Senior Center
11:00am 4:00pm Come Czech us Out – Samples, Live Music and Discover the Land of Oz Kansas Originals
11:30am 5:30pm Czech Fest Midway Rides & Games Midway
11:30am Beseda (Czech National Dance) by Prague Dancers Midland Railroad Hotel Patio
12:00pm 2:00pm Kid’s Czech Culture Activities & Czech Egg Painting Lions Club Park
12:00pm Ellsworth Tumble Dance and Cheer Lions Club Park
12:30pm Traditional Kolace (Czech Pastry) Making Demonstration with Prague Kolache Bakers Midland Railroad Hotel Dining Room
1:00pm 3:00pm Live Entertainment featuring Joe Dolezal Social Garden
1:00pm 4:00pm Mark Popp – Balloon Twister Lions Club Park – South Shelter
1:00pm Karaoke & Music with Bob Boatright American Legion
1:00pm Organ Concert with Pastor Delvin Strecker Immanuel Lutheran Church
1:00pm Sand Volleyball Jellison Park
1:30pm Outdoor Sign Dedication & 95th Anniversary Celebration Lang Memorial Library
1:30pm 5:30pm First Presbyterian Respite Center First Presbyterian Church
2:00pm KS Czech Queen Pageant WHS Commons
2:00pm Bingo Catholic Parish Hall
3:30pm Prague Folk Dancers Midland Railroad Hotel Patio
4:00pm Polka Mass featuring Joe Dolezal St. Wenceslaus Church
5:00pm Wilson Disc Golf Tournament Disc Golf Course
6:30pm Polka Dance featuring Joe Dolezal Parish Hall
6:30pm Talent Show Lions Club Park
8:00pm 10:00pm Teen Dance*All Ages* Grandma’s Soda Shop
10:00pm 12:00am Teen Dance *Ages 10 – 13* Grandma’s Soda Shop
9:00pm 12:00am Teen Tailgate & Games *Ages 14 & older Only* Lions Club Park
9:00pm 1:00am Live Entertainment featuring Homebrew Social Garden

*All dates and times are tentative and subject to change without notice.  For event locations, please see the Festival’s event brochure.

HPD Activity Log July 22-24

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Mon., July 22, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Phone/Mail Scam–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:21 AM
Civil Dispute–4600 block Roth Ave, Hays; 7/21 9 PM; 7/22 6:37 AM
Animal At Large–200 block W 11th St, Hays; 7:33 AM
Animal Call–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:05 AM
Animal Call–1300 block W 45th St, Hays; 8:10 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–500 block Elm St, Hays; 7/21 9:12 AM; 7/22 9:12 AM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:19 AM
Found/Lost Property–200 block Ash St, Hays; 12:18 PM
Battery – simple–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 7/21 12:42 AM; 12:44 AM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 3 PM; 3:01 PM
Animal At Large–2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 3:10 PM
Animal At Large–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 3:17 PM
Civil Dispute–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 4:03 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–800 block Allen St, Hays; 7/21 4:11 PM; 7/22 4:11 PM
Theft (general)–1900 block Fort St, Hays; 4:16 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–1200 block Main St, Hays; 10:21 AM; 4:20 PM
Welfare Check–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:38 PM
Animal At Large–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 5:48 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–600 block E 5th St, Hays; 5:56 PM
Domestic Disturbance–300 block W 18th St, Hays; 19 05:59:57 PM
Unwanted Person–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 8:42 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 6 traffic stops Tue., July 23, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Theft (general)–1900 block Main St, Hays; 7:11 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 2:30 AM; 7:03 AM
Animal Injured–400 block E 8th St, Hays; 8 AM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 8:33 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–700 block  E 6th St, Hays; 10:53 AM
Theft (general)–1900 block Whittier Rd, Hays; 7/19 11 PM;  7/21 7 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1800 block Vine St, Hays; 12 PM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 2:47 PM
Animal At Large–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 3:18 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–Centennial and Vine, Hays; 3:19 PM; 3:21 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–Hays; 3:34 PM
Disturbance – General–1800 block Pine St, Hays; 4:15 PM; 4:27 PM
Mental Health Call–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 6:26 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 7:10 PM
Suspicious Person–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 9:18 PM
Parking Complaint–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 10:13 PM
Welfare Check–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 10:20 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block Elm St, Hays; 10:22 PM
Criminal Trespass–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 11:39 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Wed., July 24, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Parking Complaint–100 block W 17th St, Hays; 4:02 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 11:06 AM
Animal At Large–100 block W 10th St, Hays; 11:43 AM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block Montgomery St, Hays; 12:02 PM
Civil Dispute–300 block Main St, Hays; 1:12 PM
Suspicious Person–1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 1:48 PM
Water Use Violation–3100 block Tam O’Shanter Dr, Hays; 2:17 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 9 AM; 10 AM
Credit Card Violations–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 2:59 PM
Search Warrant–Hays; 3:44 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2500 block E 21st St, Hays; 4:05 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–2800 block Indian Trail, Hays; 4:24 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–600 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:50 PM
Theft (general)–700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:45 PM; 6:47 PM

Salina first responders concerned about elevated number of drug overdoses

SALINA — In the past week, the Salina Police Department and Salina Fire Department have responded to nine reports of drug overdoses, which is highly unusual for the city.

According to information from the Salina Police Department, the investigations suggest that all of the incidents are related to methamphetamine, possibly mixed with another substance. The police noted that they have reason to believe that two recent deaths may be connected to the use of illegal drugs and at least five other incidents have resulted in the persons being taken to the emergency room.

The use of illegal narcotics regularly produces negative consequences. The Salina Police Department and Salina Fire Department believe the aforementioned incidents represent a heightened public health risk to some members of the community and request the public’s assistance in responding to this risk.

Due to the spike in overdoses, the Salina Police Department and Salina Fire Department are alerting people to the danger and asking community members to take the following steps:

  • Call 911 immediately if they or someone they know is experiencing an overdose
  • Share this information with anyone they know who uses illegal narcotics, specifically methamphetamine
  • Seek help for addiction through a chemical dependency treatment center

If you have any information about the sale, possession, or use of these dangerous drugs please call the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210 or in an emergency 911. You can also anonymously provide information through the Salina-Saline County Crime Stoppers program at 785-825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip.

Reward offered for information about Trego Co. equipment theft

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

The Trego County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a theft that occurred sometime between May 24 and June 12 that resulted in the loss of over $11,000 in rods and tubing.

The theft occurred at an oil operation at 380th and K Road in Trego County, according to the department.

A reward of $2,500 has been offered by the owner of the stolen property, MJT Oil, to anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department at (785) 743-5721.

Reception for outgoing Hays chamber director set for Friday

Wellbrock

A farewell reception will be conducted for outgoing Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Director Tammy Wellbrock from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Smoky Hill Country Club. The reception will immediately follow the Chamber’s regular luncheon at noon at the same location.

No reservations are needed to attend the reception.

Wellbrock is leaving the Chamber after eight years to start her own consulting firm, Girl Twin Solutions.

Samantha Rae Staab

Samantha Rae Staab, 32, Pensacola, Florida, died Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at her home.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

FHSU men’s basketball ranks second nationally in attendance

FHSU University Relations

INDIANAPOLIS – Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball ranked second nationally in average attendance for the 2018-19 season, averaging 2,325 fans per game. The average tied Dixie State for No. 2 on the list, while Northern State (S.D.) led the nation in attendance for the 12th consecutive year. Fort Hays State ranked second alone in total attendance with 37,193 as its final overall tally at home. Fort Hays State helped the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association lead the nation in attendance as a conference for the 10th straight year.

Fort Hays State saw 37,193 fans walk through the gates of Gross Memorial Coliseum over 16 home contests. The Tigers saw their average home attendance rise from 2,264 per game in 2017-18 to 2,325 in 2018-19. By tying for second in average, the Tigers enjoyed their highest placement on the national list in the program’s NCAA Division II history. The Tigers ranked in the top five nationally for attendance in five of the last six years and this is the 10th-straight season the Tigers have been inside the top 10. The strong support played a role in the Tigers having another dominant season at home, going 14-2 at Gross Memorial Coliseum in 2018-19.

Fort Hays State led the way in attendance among MIAA schools for the third straight year. The MIAA led the nation with an average of 1,283 fans per game with nine of its 14 members inside the top 25. Central Missouri (6th), Washburn (9th), and Missouri Southern (10th) joined FHSU among the top 10, all averaging better than 1,600 fans per game.

With its 14-2 record at home in 2018-19, Fort Hays State moved to 377-62 overall inside Gross Memorial Coliseum since joining NCAA Division II. FHSU has achieved at least 10 wins at home in 41 of its 46 seasons overall inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, which opened in 1973. The Tigers have had winning seasons at home in 44 of the 46 years inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Police ask for help to locate missing Kansas man

Sexton photo RCPD

RILEY COUNTY —Authorities are attempting to locate Jesse Sexton, 33, of Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department.

Authorities are attempting to perform a welfare check on Sexton after a request from family who are concerned for his safety.

If you know of Mr. Sexton’s whereabouts, contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers.

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