We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Year: 2019

Flooding increases mosquito population in Kansas

Posted on

KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends Kansans take preventive measures against mosquito bites this summer.

Floods throughout the state have caused an increase in mosquito populations. Mosquito surveillance in Reno, Sedgwick and Shawnee counties has shown an increase Culex species mosquitoes which can transmit West Nile virus and other viruses that can affect humans. This species of mosquitoes is most active at dawn and dusk.

“West Nile virus can be spread to people through bites from infected mosquitoes, but it is not contagious from person to person,” said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, MD. “Symptoms range from a slight headache and low-grade fever to swelling of the brain or brain tissue and, in rare cases, death.”

Since 2002 there have been 677 cases and 35 deaths in Kansans from West Nile virus. To date, there have been no cases of West Nile virus reported to KDHE in 2019. People who have had West Nile virus before are considered immune. Cases are most common from mid-July through late September.

KDHE has developed West Nile virus risk levels to help guide prevention efforts for both communities and individuals. These risk level reports will be posted weekly at; https://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm. All six regions of Kansas are currently at moderate risk level.

KDHE recommends the following precautions to protect against West Nile virus:

  • When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
  • Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
  • The elderly or immunocompromised should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn when the Culex species mosquitoes are most active.
  • Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
  • Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.

West Nile virus in horses can be fatal. The virus can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Approximately 33 percent of horses infected with West Nile virus will die. A West Nile virus vaccine for horses is available and owners are encouraged to vaccinate or booster their animals.

KDHE maintains an Arboviral Disease Surveillance web page that is updated weekly: https://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this web page with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites:https://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/.

For questions about West Nile virus or other Arboviral diseases, contact the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.

 

Divis homers in third straight game to help Larks defeat Boulder

Posted on

HAYS – Wyatt Divis homered for a third straight game and four Larks pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout as Hays defeated the Boulder Collegians 9-0 Saturday night at Larks Park.

Divis two-run homer highlighted a four-run sixth inning as the Larks (28-7) won their seventh straight. George Sutherland added a solo shot in the inning and Skyler Luna hit a two-run shot in the fifth to put the Larks up 4-0. He also doubled as seven of the Larks 15 hits went for extra bases.

Starter Christian Pearcy (4-0) allowed three hits while striking out seven for the win. Trevor Munsch, Drew Marrufo and Tommy Garcia all pitched a hitless inning of relief.

The Larks and Collegians close out the two-game series Sunday night at 7 p.m.

Starling, Keller send Royals to win over Tigers

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hometown boy Bubba Starling delivered his first career hit and RBI for Kansas City, Brad Keller outdueled Matthew Boyd, and the Royals held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Saturday night.

Keller (5-9) allowed an RBI single to Harold Castro in the second but otherwise shut down Detroit, allowing four hits over eight innings. He struck out seven without a walk after entering the game having allowed the second-most free passes in the American League this season.

Ian Kennedy worked the ninth to earn his second save in as many nights.

Boyd (6-7) faced the minimum number of batters through four innings before things came undone. He wound up allowing four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out 10.

Cheslor Cuthbert drove in a pair of runs and Nicky Lopez also had an RBI for the Royals, who have won the first two games out of the All-Star break as they continue to build for the future.

Starling might be part of that after more than seven years toiling in the minors. The former No. 5 overall draft pick from nearby Gardner, Kansas, was called up on Thursday and made his big league debut the following night, though he had to wait until the fifth inning Saturday for a hit.

At least half a dozen scouts showed up to watch Boyd, whom the Tigers are expected to shop ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline, and for the first four innings he was just about perfect.

The left-hander gave up a leadoff single to Whit Merrifield, the big league leader in hits, then wiped him out by getting Alex Gordon to ground into an inning-ending double play. Boyd then slapped down the Royals in order the next three innings, striking out six along the way.

The first crack surfaced when Hunter Dozier led off the fifth with sharp double to left.

Jorge Soler walked and Cuthbert flied out to bring up Starling, who walked and scored in his big league debut but was still searching for his first hit. The hometown boy delivered it, bringing Dozier across to knot the game 1-all and producing a raucous standing ovation.

Lopez followed with the go-ahead single before Boyd got another inning-ending double play.

Boyd’s command never returned, either. He walked a trio of batters in the sixth to load the bases for Cuthbert, whose two-out single through the left side of the infield made it 4-1.

Keller escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth before Kennedy finished off the ninth.

UP NEXT

The Royals send right-hander Homer Bailey (7-6, 4.80 ERA), who has won both his starts against the Tigers this season, to the mound in the series finale Sunday. Jordan Zimmermann (0-6, 6.29) tries again for his first win of the season after losing to Boston last weekend.

Charges filed in fatal Kansas market shooting

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors in northeastern Kansas have charged a man suspected of killing two people inside a Kansas City, Kansas, market earlier this week.

Byers photo Wyandotte Co.

39-year-old Jermelle Andre-Lamont Byers has been charged with first-degree and second-degree murder and other counts. Those charges were filed Friday.

The shooting Wednesday at the Edwards Original Corner Market & Deli killed market owner, 62-year-old Dennis Edwards, and fatally injured 42-year-old Lachell Day, who died Thursday. Officers who arrived on the scene of the shooting say the suspect, later identified as Byers, pointed a handgun at them. Officers fired at the man and sought cover. He was taken into custody after a two-hour standoff.

Police say the shooting was related to a domestic disturbance between Byers and Day.

Byers is being held in the Wyandotte County Detention Center on $500,000 bail.

Betty Jane Robinson

Posted on

Betty Jane Robinson, 77, passed away July 12, 2019, at Via Christi Village of Hays. She was born August 22, 1941, at Great Bend, to Alvin Henry and Emma Louise (Hommon) Otte.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, living in Colorado for a while, Betty worked at Larned State Hospital for over 17 years as an RN, more recently volunteering for RSVP. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, 4-H Alumni and GBHS Class of 1959. She loved her dog, Susie, and enjoyed playing Pitch.
Survivors include, her daughter, Cherish Anne Robinson-Smetek and husband Robert of Spring, Texas; one brother, Vern Otte and wife Brenda of Leawood, Kan.; and three sisters, Arnita Schultz and husband Ron of Haviland, Alvina Mabry and husband Don of Golden, Col., and Myrna Holthaus and husband Gerald of Great Bend. She was preceded in death by her parents.

There will be no viewing, as cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Rev. Seong Lee and Rev. Reuben Lang’at presiding. It has been requested by the family that you would please jot down a story or two of how Betty influenced your life, as the family will be collecting them for a scrap book. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Humane Society, RSVP or Trinity United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Frieda Bernice Karst

Posted on

Frieda Bernice Karst, 97, passed away July 12, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell, Kansas. She was born July 26, 1921, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Gotfried and Helene (Stoppel) Mai. She grew up in Russell County and attended Mount Brokaw to 8th Grade. Frieda was baptized and confirmed in the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas.

On November 20, 1938 she was united in marriage to Robert Karst at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in rural Russell, Kansas. To this union two daughters were born, Bonita and Brenda. They shared 75 years of marriage together.

Frieda loved to bake, quilt, crochet and help other people. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a former member of the Prairie Mates E.H.U., the Milberger Church circle and helped the quilting women at the St. Mary Catholic Church at Russell, which she enjoyed very much.

She is survived by her two daughters; Bonita Ney and husband Merlin of Russell, and Brenda Riedl and husband Frank of Great Bend; six grandchildren, Bruce Ney of Austin, Texas, Kevin Ney of Long Beach, California, Merlin Ney, Jr. and wife Brandy of Russell, Jason Ney and wife Nicale of Russell, Annette Stahl of Topeka, and Matthew Riedl and wife Lori of Omaha, Nebraska; ten great grandchildren, Shannon and Shelby Ney, Kale and Luke Stahl, Jacob Ney, Jaden Ney, twins Cooper and Camry Ney, and Maci and Trent Riedl; two sisters, Nadene Albrecht of Topeka, and Jude Scheck of Hays; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister, Esther Stettinger, and a brother, Karl Mai.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m., all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, with Sharon Custer, PMA and Rev. Martin Albrecht presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Galatia.

Memorials may be made to the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fairview Cemetery Fund, or Wheatland Nursing Center, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Ronald J. ‘Ron’ Stecklein Sr.

Posted on

Ronald J. “Ron” Stecklein Sr., 70, Olathe, died Thursday, July 11, 2019 at his home.

He was born October 30, 1948 in Hays, the son of Joe C. and Catherine (Wasinger) Stecklein. Ron served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On September 4, 1971 he was united in marriage to Linda Stecklein at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays, and they celebrated over 47 years of marriage. He enjoyed playing the drums and played polka and country music with The Younger Band.

Survivors include his wife Linda of the home in Olathe, four sons; Ronald “Ronnie” Stecklein, Jr. and Melanie Rohe of Clay Center, Kelly Stecklein and wife Karmen of Russell, Mike Stecklein and wife Michelle of Olathe, and Eric Stecklein and wife Susan of Olathe, a daughter; Amy Stecklein of Olathe, a brother; Leroy Stecklein of Osawatomie, two sisters; Theresa Gottschalk of Hays and Charlene Weigel and husband Dennis of Gorham, seventeen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Rich, Elmer, and Donnie Stecklein, and two sisters; Dolores Dreher and Rose Koerner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post No. 9076 Honor Guard and the Expendables Motorcycle Club of Kansas will follow at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Expendables Motorcycle Club of Kansas or to Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Condolences and memories of Ron may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Garry Roberts

Posted on

Garry Roberts, age 78, of Quinter, passed away, Friday, July 12, 2019.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home.

2-year-old crawls through dog door, dies after falling into pool at Kan. home

Posted on

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the accidental death of a 2-year-old boy.

First responders on the scene of the drowning Saturday afternoon photo courtesy KWCH

Just after  11:30 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a home in the 2200 block of south Linden  in Wichita for a drowning call, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located the boy who had been pulled from a swimming pool and was unresponsive.  The boy succumbed to his injuries on the scene, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed the boy and his parents were temporally staying at the home for the residents.  The boy crawled through a dog-door and fell into the pool.  The boy was found by his father who pulled him out of the pool and began live saving techniques.

Police released no additional details Saturday.

Rally calls on Lawrence to be declared sanctuary city

Posted on

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds have rallied in a Lawrence park to call on city officials to declare the northeastern Kansas city a sanctuary for immigrants who are in the U.S. without legal permission.

The Friday night rally was organized by a local coalition of Latino activists. The coalition says more than 300 people signed a petition urging Lawrence leaders to pass ordinances aimed at protecting immigrants, including measures to limit local police cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

State Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat, told the crowd the country needed more sanctuary cities.

The rally also raised more than $1,600 for a fund to help local immigrants and refugees pay for such things as legal fees, groceries and transportation.

In 2017, the City Commission proclaimed Lawrence a “welcoming city,” but proclamations aren’t legally binding.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File