KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Monday to 121 months in federal prison for receiving and distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $6,500 in restitution.
Pedro Zamora is in custody in Atchison Co.
Pedro Zamora, 36, Leavenworth, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that investigators found 127 videos and 1,900 images containing child pornography on a computer in his home. He used file sharing programs to collect and distribute the images.
Zamora told investigators he began searching for child pornography on the internet when he was in middle school.
More than 40 high school seniors were honored at Saturday’s ninth annual completion ceremony of Kansas’ premier early college program for high school juniors and seniors.
Students enroll as high school juniors in the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science at Fort Hays State University or Academy of Mathematics and Science (for out-of-state and international students). They experience college-level instruction as well as hands-on research, leadership development and civic engagement opportunities.
While living on campus, the students fulfill their high school requirements and earn nearly 70 hours of college credit. They then receive a certificate of completion from KAMS/AMS as well as diplomas from their home high school.
The average ACT score of this year’s graduating class was 32 (out of a possible 36), and together they amassed about $2.8 million in scholarships to continue their college education.
To date, more than 230 students have completed requirements for the KAMS and AMS programs since the program’s first graduating class in 2011.
Delores “Lorie” Van Oudenhoven, age 87, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Hospital with her family by her side, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Lorie was born in Schoenchen, Kansas on December 9, 1931 to Alexander and Josephine Schmidt. She attended Hays High School and afterwards cosmetology school, moving to Wisconsin in 1950. She met Gerald Van Oudenhoven and they were united in marriage on May 30, 1952 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Menasha.
Lorie loved spending time with friends and family, dancing, watching her games shows, casino trips and playing bingo. She was a beautiful spirit that loved and enjoyed life to the fullest. She will be remembered for her infectious personality and heart-warming laugh.
Lorie was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Van Oudenhoven. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Eric); sons, Daniel and Henry (Sue); grandchildren: Chélis (Freddy), Andrea (Charlie), Dana, Chase (Vidya), Deanna (Ray), Jerrod (Molly); great-grandchildren: Adrian, Nyla, Cadence, Merritt, Willow, Brayden, Elliana, and Miles; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The Memorial Mass for Lorie will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at St. Gabriel Parish, 900 Geiger Street, Neenah, Wis., with Rev. Larry Seidl officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am until the hour of the mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.
Lorie’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to St. Elizabeth Oncology as well as the hospital staff for the dedicated, kind and compassionate care she has received over the course of her treatment. We especially want to thank Haley, Rebecca, Cheryl and Erica.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss
Kathleen Robinson, 86, of Land O Lakes, Fl., passed away on June 15, 2018. She was born in Manila, Philippines and after living all over the world, Kathleen moved to Land O Lakes in 2005. She proudly served in the United States Army, was an occupational therapist, a Military Historian, and among many other things enjoyed being a homemaker for her family. Strong in her faith, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Land O Lakes.
Kathleen also was an avid bird watcher and an artist who loved to paint. Her other hobbies included gardening, playing the piano, and reading. She is preceded in death by her son Nelson C. Robinson at age of 29, husband of 45 years, Wallace N. Robinson, and is survived by her daughter, Susan Selby and her husband Douglass Selby; her two sons, Mark Robinson and his husband, John Freiermuth; James Robinson and his wife, Leslie Church-Robinson; and her four grandchildren, Mathew Selby, Rachel Selby, Lance Robinson, and Jason Robinson. Kathleen loved spending time with her family, friends, and church family and will be deeply missed.
Kathleen graduated from San Jose State University and upon joining the Army, became an Occupational Therapist. She strived to rehabilitate Korean War amputees and many servicemen suffering from Tuberculosis.
She moved to Kansas with her family in the early 1970’s where she helped her husband build Ranching and Hotel businesses. She was active in the Episcopal Church and still found the time to further pursue her love of nature and art. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, taught Vacation Bible School and enjoyed interior design. She lost her son Nelson in a motorcycle accident in 1993 but never lost sight of her loves and duties. She was overjoyed to have added a third son back to her life this past March.
She was a lifelong member of the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, NRA, MOAA, PEO, and far too many more to mention.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas with Father Don Martin presiding.
Phillipsburg resident Virgil H. Whitsitt passed away May 12, 2019 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 97. He was born July 6, 1921 in Phillips County, KS, the son of Carl & Ada (White) Whitsitt.
Survivors include his daughters; Lois Blakemore of Phillipsburg and Peggy Dayton of Dayton, OR; 2 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the United Methodist Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Blake Stanwood officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church or Hospice Services.
HAYS, Kan. – Tradgon McCrae shot a 4-over-par 75 to win the individual title and help the Hays High boys golf team to the team championship at their own 5A Regional Monday at the Smoky Hill County Club. McCrae edged teammate Josh Norris by three strokes to win his third regional crown and 12th overall individual title. Jason Krannawitter shot an 81 to tie for sixth but finished seventh after losing on the third playoff hole.
HHS coach Mark Watts
Tradgon McCrae
The Indians had a team score of 324 and won by six shots over Maize South with Great Bend coming in third to claim the other team slot at state.
The 5A State Tournament is next Monday at Mariah Hills in Dodge City.
Team Results
1. Hays – 324
2. Maize South – 330
3. Great Bend – 355
4. Newton – 356
5. Wichita-Heights – 367
6. McPherson – 377
7. Maize – 399
8. Valley Center – 465
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas State Board of Education is concerned enough about e-cigarette use among high school and middle school students that it is reviewing the issue.
image courtesy FDA
The 10-member elected board is scheduled to have a presentation on vaping Tuesday, during its regular monthly meeting.
The board plans to get a briefing from a Kansas Department of Health and Environment official who oversees efforts to reduce youth tobacco use and a presentation from the Blue Valley school district in Johnson County about its efforts to reduce vaping.
The federal Food and Drug Administration says e-cigarette use among high school and middle school students nationally jumped 78 percent between 2017 and 2018. The state school board said a 2017 survey showed that more than one-third of high school students had tried e-cigarettes.
Almena resident Lila P. Engelhardt passed away May 10 at her home in Almena at the age of 84. She was born Feb. 9, 1935 in Kanona, KS, the daughter of Franklin & Augusta (Soderlund) Towery.
Survivors include her son Daniel of Norton; her daughter Carlene Schemper of Holdrege, NE; sister, Leola Curtis of Denver, CO; 6 grandchildren & 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wed. May 15 at 10:00 a.m. in the Long Island United Methodist Church with Pastor Ted Stapleton officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Almena.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lila Engelhardt Memorial Fund.
Vena S. (Higgens) Kleinschmidt passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Redbud Village in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 105. Vena was born in Champion, Nebraska on April 8, 1914 to Fred and Luella (Frederick) Higgins. Vena’s father passed away when her mother was pregnant with their 7th child. She later married Roy Frazier, who brought 5 children of his own into the family. Vena was blessed with even more siblings when Roy and Luella had 6 more children of their own.
Vena married Ernest Kleinschmidt in Russell, Kansas on February 28, 1935. They were blessed with twin sons; Fred and Fredrick. Fredrick died at birth.
Vena is survived by her son Fred Kleinschmidt and significant other Dixie Odum of Plainville; half-brother Elwin Frazier; 3 grandchildren, Michelle Gleason and husband Jim, Rick Kleinschmidt and wife Tara, and Becky Howey and husband Steve; 8 great-grandchildren, Shaun Steen, Cameron Gleason and wife Michelle, Hannah Gleason, Anthony Kleinschmidt, Loren Kleinschmidt and wife Donna, Christopher Kleinschmidt, Tyler Howey, and Allex Howey; and 2 great-great-grandchildren, Eli Kleinschmidt and Olivia Gayanich.
Vena is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Luella Higgins; husband Ernest Kleinschmidt; infant son Fredrick Kleinschmidt; siblings, Victor, Viva, Vivian, Violet, Virgil, and Virtus Higgins; half-siblings, Cora, David, Silva, Arlayne, and Delwin Frazier; and step-siblings, Lloyd, Lyle, Juanita, Leona, and Lucille Frazier.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Codell Community Church in Codell. There will be a viewing from 10:00 a.m. up to service time on Saturday. Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Plainville City Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Vena Kleinschmidt Memorial Fund to help the family cover funeral expenses and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.
Jeff Crispin, water resources director, with a map of Hays’ water wells
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Six municipal water wells for the city of Hays will be professionally rehabilitated this summer.
City commissioners approved a $67,230 low bid last week with Layne Christensen, Kearney, Neb. for the cleaning work.
Four of the six wells — YE-1, C-20T, S-8, S-16, S-19, and S-23 — are located in the Smoky Hill River well field south of town near Schoenchen. C-20 is located near 16th and Milner in the middle of Hays. YE-1 is in northwest Hays near Enersys.
The professionals are called in when in-house maintenance can no longer improve a well’s performance, according to Jeff Crispin, water resource manager.
“Professional rehabilitation is periodically required during the life of a well as groundwater contains bacteria and minerals which causes wells to plug. Screens, gravels, gravel pack, and formations may become blocked, reducing the capacity and efficiency of the well,” he told the commission.
Examples of before and after well rehabilitation
Crispin also noted the work would be completed before July 1 when temperatures rise and water use increases.
“We have enough wells that we can shut down the rehabbed wells for a few days,” Crispin assured commissioners. “Obviously, we’re not running all of our (32) production wells at the same time.”
Also during the May 9 city commission meeting, the issuance, sale and delivery of $65,000 in general obligation bonds was approved for Heart of America Second Addition and King’s Gate First Addition.
Finance Director Kim Rupp said Heart of America prepaid $277,836.51 for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and street improvements included in the extension of Ninth Street east to Commerce Parkway Some homeowners in Kings Gate First Addition also prepaid their improvement district assessments for a new park, which totaled 82,163.49.
That left a small bond issuance of $65,000 which was purchased by Bank of Hays.
In other business, the commission approved the mayor appointment of Reese Barrick, Sternberg Museum of Natural History director to his fourth term on the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Advisory Committee. John Griffith, Comfort Inn & Suites North, was also appointed – for the first time – to an unexpired term on the CVB Advisory Committee.
Treasure seekers and bargain hunters are welcome to spend time in the Russell area on June 1. Held annually on the first Saturday in June, the Russell Community Garage Sale allows community members, organizations and businesses to take advantage of the free outreach and promotion provided by the event sponsors. Russell Community Theater, Advantage Realty and KRSL Russell Radio are sponsoring this year’s event and are striving to ensure a successful day for all participants.
Individuals, organizations, and local businesses are encouraged to participate in a variety of ways. Hosting a garage sale, whether individual or multi-family, gives old treasures a chance to find a new home. Organizations might consider a group garage sale or a lunch stand. Businesses may consider special sales or discounts.
Registered participants will benefit from the promotion of the big day – press releases, public presentations, social media outreach, local and area media advertising – all thanks to Russell Community Theater, Advantage Realty and KRSL Russell Radio.
Printed Garage Sale Guides will include a detailed map of all registered participants and will be available to the public starting Tuesday, May 28. The Russell County GIS & Mapping Department will create the Guide maps and Russell County Economic Development & CVB will be assisting with outreach efforts. Additional printing services will be provided by Office Products Inc., Russell.
All proceeds from Russell Community Garage Sale registrations directly benefit Russell Community Theater. Russell Community Theater is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation that was organized in 1986. Since its inception, RCT has presented 95 full-scale theatrical productions for the education and enjoyment of its patrons.
To be included in the Russell Community Garage Sale Guide, pick up registration forms at Encore Antiques & Collectibles (590 S. Fossil) or Russell County Economic Development & CVB (331 E. Wichita). Completed registrations and non-refundable, cash payment must be returned no later than Wednesday, May 22 to Encore Antiques & Collectibles. For additional information, contact Russell Community Theater at 785-483-4057 or stop by 590 S. Fossil, Russell.
EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say no one is believed to still be missing after three people were rescued from a flooded vehicle in east-central Kansas.
Flooding in rural Lyon County-photo Lyon County Sheriff
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says the three people who were rescued early Saturday told deputies that there were initially five people in the car. They said two of them left to get gas for the stalled vehicle because they thought it was out of fuel. They never returned, and the three who were rescued after the car floated into a ditch didn’t know their full names.
Koelsch says the area was searched and no one else was found.
Authorities also arrested a man on a bicycle who ignored officers’ commands to stay put and attempted to go into the water to rescue the stranded motorists.
