The Ellis County Public Works department is announcing that a concrete repair project on Highway 40 will take place beginning at the intersection of Walker Avenue & Highway 40 in Walker and commencing East for 2 (two) miles ending at the 400th Avenue & Highway 40 intersection.
This 2-mile area of Highway 40 will be closed to thru traffic beginning at 8 a.m. Monday and is expected to be completed by 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use alternate routes of travel until the project is complete.
Pending forecasted rainfall for the upcoming weekend could delay the start date of this project.
Questions should be directed to the Ellis County Public Works department at (785)-628-9455.
The Kansas Department of Corrections will be spending millions on housing state inmates in private prisons and county jails. CREATIVE COMMONS-CC0
The state spending review panel is freeing up some of the money the Kansas Department of Corrections asked for to place inmates in county jails and private facilities. Prison officials say it’s a last resort.
Desperate to relieve the strain on state prisons that are already over capacity, officials appealed to the State Finance Council to spend about $10 million on contracts with outside facilities to house as many as 400 inmates.
All that money is in the state budget, but the Finance Council, which includes top legislative leaders and the governor, only agreed to unleash $4.4 million at a meeting Wednesday. They expressed concerns about the quality and safety private prisons out of state.
“Conditions could be worse there,” said Senate President Susan Wagle, “than what we have in Kansas.”
Roger Werholtz, who retired from his second stint as corrections secretary less than a week ago, returned to the Statehouse to make the case for the spending.
He told the panel that the money will cover the housing, food, and basic medical costs for 160 inmates. But, speaking with reporters later, he said it won’t be enough to alleviate the effects of overcrowding.
“The major issues for which we need beds did not get resolved,” Werholtz said. “I don’t know what they think is going to happen with these folks.”
Corrections officials say there’s been a spike in violent incidents and that access to healthcare, counseling, and job training for inmates is inadequate. Inmates are being swapped in and out of solitary confinement because there’s not enough space. Maximum security inmates are being double-bunked, with two inmates in one cell. Staff are overworked.
The department still wants another $5.47 million for contracts to cover an additional 200 prison beds at outside facilities. The Finance Council decided to schedule a meeting at a later date to consider that spending.
The Department of Corrections began taking bids for prison bed contracts from out-of-state prisons and Kansas county jails in May.
Werholtz told the council that department staff had visited a private prison in Arizona that had submitted a bid. The department declined to specify to reporters the location or the company that owns that prison.
A spokesman for private prison company CoreCivic would not confirm the officials had visited one of its prisons in Arizona, but did confirm that the company had bid for contracts in Kansas.
But the legislative leaders on the Finance Council want the corrections department to put inmates in county jails first.
“At least let’s do that,” Denning said, “before we go the private route.”
Werholtz said the corrections department was already prioritizing housing inmates in Kansas’s county jails because they’re closer and easier to manage, but the jails don’t have the space to alleviate much of the crowding at state prisons.
“We’re then passing our overcrowding problem back to the county jail,” he said. “That’s going to be the consequence.”
Interim Corrections Secretary Chuck Simmons said the department received bids from four county jails located in Kansas, and had developed contracts with three: Cherokee, Wilson and Kiowa Counties. The department already has contracts with jails in Cloud and Jackson Counties.
Gov. Laura Kelly said contacting with private prisons isn’t the ideal solution, but that Kansas is out of options.
“We don’t have much of a choice at this point.” she said. “I am really, truly, very concerned about staff safety and inmate safety.”
As a condition of releasing the funds, the Finance Council is requiring the Department of Corrections to keep open a cell block at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. The department wanted to close the block to reduce strain on corrections officers, many of whom work double shifts for days on end.
“We are absolutely burning those staff out and it’s not sustainable,” Werholtz said. “We’re having to lock people down right now because of their violent behavior, instead of working with them to change that violent behavior.”
Kelly declared a state of emergency at that prison in February. Werholtz said staff there had worked more than 2,000 double shifts since. But the panel still argued that every block at the prison should remain open.
“We need a commitment from the administration that they’re going to be open at this time,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman.
The council also nixed the spending of $3 million to reduce crowding in the women’s prison by moving 120 inmates to the state’s juvenile facility.
It did, however, authorize spending $9 million to raise the salaries of the state’s overworked prison staff and $4.5 million to pay for Hepatitis C treatment for inmates.
Werholtz warned that the strain on the prison system could get worse as the prison population is projected to grow by hundreds of people over the next decade.
“We’re either looking at increasing costs or changing policy,” he said. “There’s going to have to be a substantial change in sentencing policy.”
Nomin Ujiyediin reports from Topeka for the Kansas News Service. You can send her an email at nomin at kcur dot org, or reach her on @NominUJ
Relay For Life walkers stroll around luminaries in honor and remembrance of cancer patients as Frank Werth performs as Elvis Presley along with his backup singers in the Downtown Hays Pavilion June 7.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“Very, very pleased” is how Ellis County Relay For Life Committee member Mary Ann Randa described Friday evening’s event in the downtown Hays open-air pavilion.
This was the second year the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society was held at the pavilion and this time the committee tried something new.
“Rockin’ on the Bricks” featured a two-hour concert by “Elvis,” also known as Schoenchen resident Frank Werth, drawing music-lovers who had never attended the local relay in its 20-plus years. Werth kicked off his concert singing “Only The Strong Will Survive” as cancer survivors clad in their purple t-shirts and wearing RFL survivor medals, walked the relay with the Survivor’s Lap.
Ellis County cancer survivors pose for a picture.
Purple donation buckets were scattered about the pavilion, adding to the money raised from a silent auction of donated gift baskets.
Luminaries purchased in remembrance of those who died of cancer and honoring others who are battling the disease lined 10th Street next to the pavilion.
A special memorial table was graced with the faces of Hays residents Mary Braden and Lonnie Claycamp, who both died recently of cancer.
Braden started the Ellis County Relay For Life in Hays and co-founded SOS, the support group for breast cancer survivors. Claycamp was a longtime committee member and also served as chairperson. Special remembrances were presented to their families by the committee.
Also honored were longtime Hays volunteers Bob May, who purchases the survivor medals; Brenda Meder, who reads the honorees names during the nighttime luminary ceremony; and Donna Maskus, a 4-H Master Volunteer who organizes 4-H members to place the many luminaries the morning of the relay.
During a prayer offered Austin Lahman, First Baptist Church pastor, he mentioned the colorful t-shirts worn by relay participants and supporters.
The backs of one particular black shirt was emblazoned with “Cancer Sucks” in white lettering. Similar shirts worn by children had a little less harsh wording of “Cancer Stinks.”
Clint Froelich team
The family and friends of Hays resident Clint Froelich were wearing the black shirts in recognition and support of his ongoing cancer battle that began a year ago.
The front of the t-shirts features a quote by Clint, “Cancer, you make me wish I had more middle fingers.”
His mother Marie Froelich says the t-shirts have been sold to members of their large family and to others in support of Clint and for cancer awareness.
Clint thought he was having an appendix attack. The organ was removed and surgeons discovered cancer.
“It was full of cancer,” Marie said. “It’s a very rare type and he’s had about nine surgeries this last year. He’s struggling and we’re just taking one day at a time.”
Marie talked about the up and down battle Clint has faced. “He’s been through the ringer.”
His latest 9-hour surgery and chemo wash yielded some positive results.
“So far things have been clear but he needs to gain weight and get better, ” Marie reported. He also wants to regain his core strength. Clint has been unable to eat normally. Her son is working with doctors in Hays and a specialist in Kansas City.
Clint Froelich (2nd from left) joins the Relay For Life Survivor Lap Friday night.
The 38-year-old is married with four daughters and is a construction worker at Brackney Construction in Hays. The company has also been supporting Clint and his family. “Mark’s been great. He’s been very helpful. If Clint isn’t feeling good he can go home. He just has [Clint] do whatever.”
“Cancer is a scary word,” Marie said. Other family members have also had the disease, including her mom and dad who have both been cancer-free for many years.
“It’s scary how many people have it. I was shocked when I came down here to see the people [who died] that either have luminaries or are in the process – cancer survivors – and how long they’ve been [survivors.] So that gives us hope.”
Prior to the first lap, the cancer survivors introduced themselves to the crowd and said how long they have been survivors. For some, it’s been just weeks; for others, many years.
A Relay For Life fundraising golf tourney organized by Hays Eagle Radio is scheduled for Fri., June 14 at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course.
Ellis County cancer survivors pose for a picture.
Free massages from H2O Float Cryo Massage
Silent auction items included gift baskets and cards and a reclining sofa
Clint Froelich (2nd from left) joins the Relay For Life Survivor Lap Friday night.
Clint Froelich team
Luminaries were placed by 4-H volunteers.
Brenda Meder reads luminary names.
“Elvis” with his backup singers performed by tribute artist Frank Werth, Schoenchen.
A handmade quilt featuring the RFL purple ribbon in the silent auction.
The Relay For Life committee with the memorial tribute to Hays residents Mary Braden and Lonnie Claycamp.
(Editor’s note: Becky Kiser was the emcee for Relay For Life.)
A chance of showers before 2pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Very windy, with a north wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 27 to 32 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 14 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 74. West wind around 6 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
PRATT – Kansas’ coveted nonresident deer permits are offered only through a limited draw lottery process, and this year’s drawing saw a record number of applicants: 24,024. Despite no changes to the total number of nonresident deer permits allocated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), there was an increase of 1,588 applicants over last year. Of the 24,024 hunters who applied, 88 percent were successful. No leftover permits will available this year.
The application period for the 2019 draw took place April 1-26. A total of 21,816 permits were then awarded through a random computer drawing, and applicants were notified of the results ¬¬– regardless of the outcome – beginning Friday, May 24.
The 2019 deer season will open Sept. 7-15 for youth and hunters with disabilities; Sept. 16-29 for muzzleloader season; Sept. 16-Dec. 31 for archery season; Oct. 12-14 for the pre-rut whitetail antlerless-only firearm season; and Dec. 4-15 for regular firearm seasons.
Extended firearm seasons will be open Jan.1-3 in Units 6, 8, 9, 10, and 17; Jan. 1-5 in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, and 16; and Jan. 1-12 in Units 10A, 12, 13, 15, and 19.
For more information on deer hunting in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” “Big Game Information,” then “Deer.”
Two funnels southwest Cheyenne County. photo courtesy Sherman Co. Sheriff
CHEYENNE COUNTY – Severe weather rolled across Kansas Saturday afternoon and into Sunday morning with reports of large hail, damaging winds, flooding rains and funnel clouds.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cheyenne County just after 4:30p.m. Saturday and continued to issued tornado watches and warnings throughout the evening.
CLEARWATER, Kan. – The Hays Larks scored in each of the last five innings to rally from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Clearwater Outlaws 12-5 Saturday, running their winning streak to six games.
Drake Angeron led the Larks (7-1, 4-0 KCLB Jayhawk West Division) 18-hit attack going 5-for-6 with two RBIs. Justin Lee had three hits and Jarrod Belbin drove in three.
Angeron tripled with one out in the fifth and scored on Lee’s single to tie the game 4-4.
Down 5-4 in the sixth, Hernan Yanez hit a one-out homer to tie the game. Belbin scored the go-ahead run later in the inning on Angeron’s groundout.
Wyatt Divis (2-0) allowed five runs on 11 hits with 11 strikeouts and three walks for the win
The Larks continue their four-game road trip Sunday night in Augusta against the Kansas Cannons.
EMPORIA – The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team went 2-0 Saturday to stay unbeaten at the Sam Ellis Classic in Emporia. The Eagles (7-2) beat the Topeka Senators 9-1 and Newton 9-4 to move to 3-0 on the weekend. They will now face the Wichita Aviators at noon Sunday.
Against Topeka, the Eagles scored two runs in the top of the first inning then added four in the third and three in the fourth for the five inning run-rule win. Starter Tate Garcia allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks for the win. Seven different Eagles had one hit each. Trey Riggs and Brock Lummus both drove in a pair of runs while Brady Kreutzer scored three times.
Hays scored five in the fifth to break a 4-4 tie in their second game against Newton. Cody Petersen hit a one-out double and scored what proved to be the game-winning run when Brock Lummus reached on an error. Dominic Bainter followed with a triple which scored Lummus. Justice Dotts drove in Bainter with a single then later scored on a wild pitch. Brady Kreutzer closed out the scoring with a two-run single which knocked in Jamison Martin.
Kreutzer pitched six innings and picked up the win after allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
McPHERSON – The Hays Eagles Junior American Legion baseball team went 2-1 Saturday and tied for third at the McPherson 16U Tournament. After going 1-1 in pool play Friday, the eighth-seeded Eagles (3-6-1) knocked off the Buhler 16U Nationals 8-4 then took out the top seeded Kansas City Lancers 11-9 before losing to McPherson 13-2 in the semifinals.
Garrett Wellbrock picked up the complete game victory in the first game against Buhler. Wellbrock allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits with 11 strikeouts and one walk over six innings. Dawson VonFeldt had two hits and three RBI’s.
The Junior Eagles raced out to a 9-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings in their second against the top-seeded Kansas City Lancers who rallied with five in the bottom of the third and four in the sixth. Mason Robbins allowed nine runs, six earned on six hits over 5 1/3 innings for the win. Keaton Barnett got the final two outs for the save.
Robbins, Dawson VonFeldt, Remington Cox all drove in two runs. Dalton Dale had three hits.
Dalton Dale hit a two-run homer in the top of the first against McPherson in the semifinals but the lead would be short lived. McPherson, who went on to win the tourney title, answered with two runs in the bottom of the first then scored nine times in the second for the four inning run-rule win.
The Junior Eagles travel to Buhler for a doubleheader Wednesday.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lucas Giolito hasn’t lost or given up more than three runs in a start since mid-April. The Royals have been striking out at an alarming rate.
Given those trends, Giolito’s latest dominant outing wasn’t much of a surprise.
Giolito worked into the eighth inning and had a career-high 11 strikeouts — all in the first five innings — to win his seventh consecutive start, outdueling Brad Keller as the Chicago White Sox beat Kansas City 2-0 on Saturday.
“Giolito’s tough on everybody right now,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He has changed his whole delivery over the last year and a half, two years. Now he’s shortened up his arm stroke and his changeup is dynamic. It’s a plus-plus changeup. He’s got great arm speed. His slider’s a plus slider. Anywhere from 93 to 96 (mph) with his fastball, with command. He’s just kind of come into his own and quite frankly has developed into one of the best pitchers in this league.”
Giolito (9-1) allowed three hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings and lowered his ERA to 2.28. He has allowed no more than one run in six of his seven straight wins. Giolito went 10-13 with a 6.13 ERA in 2018, his first full season.
The hottest pitcher in baseball said he was merely executing catcher James McCann’s game plan.
“I threw a lot of fastballs and sliders, because I’m usually fastball/changeup heavy,” Giolito said. “They had some righties in the lineup, so we waited until the fourth inning. We were able to keep them off-balance and get a lot of weak contact.”
Or no contact at all.
Giolito recorded eight consecutive outs via strikeout from the start of the second inning until he retired Nicky Lopez on a foul pop to end the fourth. Then he struck out the side again in a perfect fifth.
The Royals have seen him more than anyone — he’s 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in four starts against Kansas City this season.
“His numbers don’t lie,” Keller said. “He’s been throwing the ball really, really well. You know it’s going to be a low-scoring game. You just try to limit them as much as possible.”
Rookie Eloy Jiménez hit a two-run homer in the second inning off Keller (3-8), who otherwise was nearly as good as Giolito. Jiménez’s blast snapped a 42-inning homerless streak for Keller, who worked eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out four.
“Keller did a nice job minimizing damage, holding us to two runs,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “It was a pitching duel on both sides. It was a nice game.”
The Royals reached double figures in strikeouts for the 10th time in their last 15 games. They have 149 Ks over that span. Ryan O’Hearn fanned in his first two at-bats, extending his streak of games with multiple strikeouts to five.
Yost was ejected for arguing a strike call to Alex Gordon in the sixth inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
LHP Danny Duffy, who was hit by a line drive in Thursday’s start against Boston, is on track to make his next start against Detroit. “He’s feeling better. He’ll get an extra day because of the off day on Monday, but we’ll make the determination when we get closer,” Yost said.
UP NEXT
The White Sox will send RHP Reynaldo Lopez (3-6, 6.62 ERA) to the mound in Sunday’s series finale. RHP Glenn Sparkman (1-1, 3.77), who was ejected in the second inning on May 29 against Chicago when he hit shortstop Tim Anderson in the head with a changeup, starts for Kansas City. The Royals will try to win the rubber game of a series for the first time since May 30, 2018 — an 0-13 stretch in that situation.
RUSSELL COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Russell County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Lexus G470 pulling a trailer and driven by Lucia G. Francisco, 53, North Royalton, OH., was westbound on Interstate 70 ten miles east of Russell.
The vehicle swerved into the ditch when the trailer began to sway. The Lexus rolled once.
Francisco and a passenger Marvin G. Francisco, 46, North Royalton, OH., were transported to the hospital in Russell. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas has been sentenced after attacking a Wichita Police
Officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.
On March 29, Darren Hutcherson, 54 of Wichita, pled guilty to aggravated
assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and interference with law
enforcement. On Friday, Judge Seth Rundle sentenced Hutcherson to 51 months in
prison.
On October 10, 2018, Wichita Police were dispatched to the Union Rescue Mission on N. Hillside to apprehend Hutcherson who was wanted by the Dept. of Corrections.
In the Rescue Mission dining hall, officers told Hutcherson to put down a knife and put his hands behind his back. Hutcherson lunged at the officer, striking him in the upper chest. The knife fell to the floor after it struck the officer’s ballistic vest. The officer was not injured.
Hutcherson has two dozen convictions for burglary, theft, robbery, DUI and Flee or Attempt to Elude officers, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.
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