SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery but are not getting cooperation from the victim.
Police on the scene of Wednesday’s investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV
Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the 1300 Block of SW Harrison in Topeka for a report of shots fired, according to Lt. Aaron Jones.
Officers made contact with several victims of an attempted aggravated robbery at a single apartment and located signs of a struggle and shooting which occurred within the apartment. It was apparent that both a victim of the aggravated robbery and a suspect exchanged gunfire, according to Jones.
At 9:10 pm, officers were called to a local hospital to meet with a person suffering from a serious, but non-life threatening gunshot wound. The person being treated for the injury, a 27-year-old male, gave vague information about how he was shot and there is not enough information available at this time to suggest the two incidents are related to each other, according to Jones.
STOCKTON — The Rooks County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s help in locating Ethan James Morgan 26. Morgan is pictured below along with the vehicle Morgan is driving — a goldish, four-door 1997 Buick LeSabre.
Morgan is wanted on a Rooks County District Warrant for Distribution of Methamphetamine that was issued June 3 and has a bond of $60,000. The warrant is a result of numerous, active narcotics investigations by the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office.
Morgan is believed to be staying in Natoma and frequently is in the Stockton, Plainville, Russell and Hays areas. Morgan has previously served time in prison for arson, criminal threat, and felony flee and elude.
Attempts to locate Morgan by law enforcement have been unsuccessful, and contact by phone with Morgan has been made. If Morgan is seen or if anyone has information that could lead to the arrest of Morgan, please contact the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 425-6312 or your local law enforcement.
U.S. Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue /USDA Photo by Preston Keres
By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph Post
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City pulled off a coup, winning an intense competition to land two branches of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Thursday the Economic Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agricultural Policy will move from its current location in Washington to Kansas City.
“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” Secretary Perdue said in a written statement released by the USDA. “The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve. This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
The USDA estimates it will save $300 million over a 15-year period by moving the agencies to the Midwest. The savings can be used for additional research. State and local governments have offered the USDA $26 million in incentives to move to Kansas City.
The two agencies employ about 500 people.
Kansas First District Congressman Roger Marshall said of the News on Twitter, “Great team effort by so many people to make this happen. Shout out to @KState and @KUnews in working so diligently with our federal delegation to help make the case for Kansas City. Agriculture and Kansas are truly synonymous – so we thank you, @SecretarySonny!
“The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve.
This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
Perdue announced last year the Trump Administration planned to move the agencies out of Washington. Nearly 140 locations from 35 states expressed interest with the USDA narrowing the list to three finalists, including Kansas City. The other two were the state of Indiana and Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Graves, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, joined in a letter touting Kansas City as a prime spot for relocation.
“While there are many potential relocation options, we believe Kansas City provides the perfect balance between the various needs of the USDA,” the member of Congress wrote Perdue. “With the department’s Risk Management Agency and the Food Safety Administration already located in the Kansas City area, USDA understands the importance of having its core functions outside of the Washington Metro area and the unique benefits of operating in the Kansas City region.”
Economic Research provides data which the USDA uses to decide policy. The Institute of Food and Agriculture awards more than a billion dollars’ worth of competitive grants on sustainable agriculture.
United States Senators in both Missouri and Kansas also campaigned on behalf of Kansas City, including Sen. Pat Roberts, the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” Sen. Roberts said in a written statement included in a joint news release issued by all four senators. “The vital research that will occur at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) and already occurs throughout the KC Animal Health Corridor makes Kansas City a natural fit. I am pleased that USDA recognizes the rich resources the heartland provides.”
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Kansas City region and our state,” Sen. Roy Blunt stated. “These agencies will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to the area and enhance Missouri’s role as a national leader in ag research. Secretary Perdue made the right choice in selecting Kansas City, which is a great place to live and work. The challenges and opportunities have never been greater than they will be in the next 25 years. These research agencies do great work, and will be at the cutting edge of agriculture and well located for assistance and examples as they do their job.”
“After months of advocating to Secretary Perdue that NIFA and ERS ought to be relocated to the Kansas City area, I’m thrilled that USDA has selected Kansas City to house these critical research agencies,” Sen. Jerry Moran stated. “The animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri, is the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, and Kansas is also the home of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility – and today’s decision further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry. It is always positive when our government can operate outside of Washington and closer to the people it serves, and I am certain that the decision to relocate NIFA and ERS to Kansas City is a good one. I look forward to helping welcome these USDA agencies and employees to Kansas City.”
“This is outstanding news for the Kansas City region. We’re home to some of the hardest working farmers in the country, so this is a fantastic decision by the USDA,” Sen. Josh Hawley stated. “As the new home of the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Missouri and Kansas will continue to lead in the research and development of American agricultural policy for the 21st century. We are grateful for the job opportunities and renewed partnership this move creates for our state.”
Trey Patterson, from Cheney, caught the 45.75 inch fish on June 8 while out with his father and brother-in-law on the east side of Refuge Point at the Cheney Reservoir.
When he first felt a bite on his line, Patterson thought he had a big wiper fish because that’s what they had been fishing for and that type of fish is known to fight back. He says it took about 25 minutes to reel it in.
It weighed 4 pounds more than the previous record-holder that a bowfisher caught in 2016 in Milford Reservoir.
Janette Ann (Dutchuk) Bachar, 75, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.
Janette was born July 26, 1943 in Dickenson, North Dakota. She was one of three children born to Nicholas and Katherine (Cerkoney) Dutchuk. She grew up and attended schools in Dickenson. While in school she enjoyed playing softball and basketball.
Janette was a devoted homemaker to her children and grandchildren. She also worked as a cashier at theaters. She attended Otterbein United Methodist Church. She enjoyed being outside, taking care of animals and her garden. But it was her children and grandchildren that meant the world to her.
Janette’s surviving family include three sons, Jerry Bachar (Lisa) of Olathe, Kansas, Jerad Bachar (Raymond Cotter) of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Jay Bachar (Kelly) of Hoisington, Kansas; daughter, Jodi Radke of Russell, Kansas; brother, Ted Dutchuk (Vicki) of Port Townsend, Washington; sister, Carrie Wandler (Jack) of Dickenson, North Dakota; and nine grandchildren.
Janette was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Joshua Tate Bachar.
The family of Janette are holding private services at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.
The Hays Larks Baseball Association is hosting the eighth annual First Responders Night at Larks Park at 7 p.m. Friday.
Everyone is invited to attend the game to help pay tribute to law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and all first responders for their commitment and contributions to the community.The Hays Larks will play the Park City Rangers, and admission is free. The game is sponsored by Nex-Tech Wireless, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48 and Hays Firefighters Local 2119.
All first responders are encouraged to attend the Larks baseball game with their families.
Abraham Holzmeister, 87, of Salina, passed away Monday, June 10, 2019. He was born Aug. 6, 1931, in rural Rush County to John and Susann (Herrman) Holzmeister.
Abe attended grade school at Loretta Catholic School. The family moved to Quinter and he graduated from Quinter High School.
After high school he worked at Boeing in Wichita until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1951. He served 20 years in the Navy, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring in 1971 as a chief ship serviceman.
He worked at Western Auto Distribution Center in Salina for 15 years, managing the outlet store. While working at Western Auto he attended night school at Marymount College, earning his bachelor of science degree in business. He managed the Dairy Queen on North Ninth and was service manager for Midwest Sewing for over 20 years, retiring in 2012.
Abe was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Cathedral, and served as Eucharistic Minister. He was a fourth-degree knight in Knights of Columbus, a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, the DAV, Retired Enlisted Association and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was known for always shaking hands with everyone he knew or met.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline, of the home; children, Abbie and Mike Lamb, Becky Holzmeister (Ken), Doris and Mark Shaw, Ed and Charlotte Holzmeister, and Don Holzmeister; eight grandchildren, Andy, Angela, Dalton, Ashton and Lindsey Holzmeister, Andrea Hanslovan, Ian Shaw and Elizabeth Rodriguez; four great-grandchildren, Augustus and Ammon Hanslovan and Ramona and Maia Shaw; sister, Josephine Kuntz; and brother, Ed and Darlene Holzmeister.
Preceded in death by four brothers and their spouses, Sylvester and Genny, Arone and Joyce, Lawrence and Frances, Hubert and Elenora, and Arnold; sister, Frieda and George Waldman; and brother-in-law, Nick Kuntz.
Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Friday, June 14, with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. and rosary recitation at 7 p.m., all at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina. Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Salina.
Memorials: to Sacred Heart Cathedral, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, KS 67401.
Dolly Lovin-Shackelford, 68, left us on June 11, 2019 at her residence in Norton, Kansas. She was born on December 8, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Jesse and Virgie (Huffman) Piper. Dolly was one of four children, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and obtained her GED. She was united in marriage to Melvin Lovin on June 3, 1967 in Morton, Illinois. To this union, two daughters were born: Nancy and Christy.
Dolly was known for her contagious smiles and love for being with her family, especially spending time with her daughters. She had an affinity for music, mystery novels, Gunsmoke TV episodes, and Sonic burgers. She loved the Christmas season and going to get her hair done. Dolly was a member of the Methodist Church.
Dolly is survived by her daughters, Nancy Lovin and significant other Doug Cressler of Jennings, KS, Christy Burris and husband Rick of Colby, KS; brother, Gale Piper of Springfield, IL; sister, June Creasy of Springfield, IL; five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Dolly is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Virgie Piper, and sister Anna Long.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, June 17, 2019 at the Hoxie City Cemetery in Hoxie, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:00am-10:30am on Monday before the graveside at Mickey-Leopold Funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Dolly Lovin-Shackelford Memorial Fund to help with funeral expenses and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.
The Hays City Commission will hear legislative reports form Rep. Barb Wasinger and Sen. Rick Billinger on the 2019 Kansas legislative session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Hays City Hall.
The commission is also set to discuss changes to its purchasing policy.
Revisions include adjustment of purchasing limits, removal of references to a purchasing agent, addition of contractual provision language, the addition of a service calls section, and codification of the current process to purchase vehicles and large pieces of equipment from government contracts.
