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Year: 2019

Russell Community Garage Sale set for first Saturday in June

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RUSSELL — 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 & Collectables (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 & Collectables. For additional information, contact Russell Community Theater at 785-483-4057 or stop by 590 S. Fossil, Russell.

Springer, Correa, Chirinos homer, Astros beat Royals 6-4

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HOUSTON (AP) – It’s no secret that Houston’s lineup has power from top to bottom. The Astros continued to show off that power on Monday night.

George Springer, Carlos Correa and Robinson Chirinos each homered to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.

The Astros have hit 11 home runs in the last three games.

“You guys have seen this before, it’s not something new,” Chirinos said. “I feel like this lineup from one to nine can do damage. Even the guys on the bench.”

Springer opened the first with his 11th home run of the season, including three leadoff drives. He added an RBI double in the eighth.

Correa had three hits. He opened the second by extending his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games with a home run.

“It just feels healthy,” Correa said. “It just feels good to step to the plate, to be able to be quick, to be able to let it go and to be able to swing hard, to be able the things that I want to do that I work on in the cage.”

Chirinos’ two-run drive in the sixth put the Astros back in front at 5-4.

“This place is a little unforgiving,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “You make a mistake, try to go down and away with a fastball in the first inning to Springer and ended up being middle up. I think a slider to Correa. The one to Chirinos, you just take your hat off, there was a nice piece of hitting.”

Hunter Dozier hit a two-run homer in the Royals fourth. Adalberto Mondesi’s two-run homer in the fifth gave Kansas City a 4-3 lead.

“Again, we talk about the ballpark here, that’s why you’re never out of the game,” Yost said. “You can get a bloop single and then a fly ball is a home run. Mondesi’s was legit, Dozier’s he smoked it pretty good. That’s one of the advantages of playing in this park.”

Gerrit Cole (3-4) yielded four runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

“I was glad I got through the first,” Cole said. “I was clean, I was focused, so that was good. I thought the stuff was good and the command was good. Those two fastballs were just unfortunate.”

Hector Rondon got out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, thanks to a barehanded play by second baseman Jose Altuve on a soft chopper to get Kelvin Gutierrez at first and end the inning.

Altuve’s defensive gem was one of several the Astros made.

“Our defense I often say is underrated and underappreciated because we don’t talk about it enough, but we have the athletes, and we have the positioning to be really good,” Houston manager AJ Hinch said.

Roberto Osuna pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Jakob Junis (3-3) allowed five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Royals have lost four of five.

“The first two home runs, those were just bad pitches,” Junis said. “Missed my spot over the plate, but I thought I made pretty good pitches with bases loaded, limited the damage on that. Had a quick fourth and fifth and went out for the sixth feeling good. I felt stronger as the game went on.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSE

Altuve turned 29 years old and the fans serenaded him with “Happy Birthday” to start the ninth inning. Altuve showed his appreciation by applauding the fans.

ROSTER MOVES

Royals: Recalled RHP Glenn Sparkman from Triple-A Omaha and optioned RHP Ben Lively to Omaha.

Astros: Optioned OF Derek Fisher to Triple-A Round Rock. Fisher served as the 26th man during the Astros’ two-game series in Mexico over the weekend.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (0-1, 3.27 ERA) starts Tuesday, looking to build off his last outing in which he allowed one run in six innings against the Rays.

Astros: RHP Collin McHugh (3-3, 4.97) makes his eighth start of the season, trying to rebound after yielding four runs in six innings Wednesday in a loss to the Twins.

Monday’s spring storm brings large hail, flooding rains to Kansas

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Monday evening’s round of severe weather saw reports of large hail in McPherson, Saline and Pawnee Counties, flooding rain and one tornado in Edwards County, according to the National Weather Service.

The large hail was responsible for causing the most damage. There are no reports of injury. The National Weather service has issued many flash flood watches and warnings and roads in many areas are closed due flooding. More rain is in Tuesday ‘s forecast for a majority of the state.

The large hail was responsible for causing the most damage. There are no reports of injury. The National Weather service has issued many flash flood watches and warnings and roads in many areas are closed due flooding including U.S. 56 in Pawnee County between Larned and U.S. 183. Tuesday ‘s forecast calls for more rain across Kansas.

Connie Marie Dawson (Swart)

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Connie Marie Dawson (Swart), born Dec. 1, 1945, died Sun., May 5, 2019.

Visitation will be held Tue., May 7, 5-7 p.m. at Baalmann Mortuary, 304 E. 8th St., Oakley, Kan.

Services are scheduled for Wed., May 8, 10 a.m. in Baalmann Mortuary. Interment will be in the Oakley city cemetery, East 8th. Street, Oakley.

Arrangements are with Baalmann Mortuary.

Cloudy, wet Tuesday

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Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 60. North northeast wind 10 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 51. East northeast wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

WednesdayShowers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday NightA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

ThursdayMostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Thursday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

FridayPartly sunny, with a high near 63.

Kansas woman dies after crash with a semi

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MEADE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 10a.m. Monday in Meade County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2011 Dodge Charger driven by Wendy Lynn Torres, 48, Plains, was westbound on U.S. 54 twenty-seven miles west of Plains. The driver pulled onto the right shoulder.

A westbound 2017 Volvo semi driven by Gary Wayne Dochow, 60, Wichita, observed the Dodge come to a stop and moved to the east bound lane to pass. The Dodge then pulled out turning into the path of the semi.

Torres was pronounced dead at the scene and transported Brennemans Funeral Home in Liberal. Dochow was transported to the hospital in Meade.

KDADS announces appointment of Behavioral Health Services Commissioner

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Andy Brown

KDADS

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today she has appointed Andrew Brown to serve as Commissioner for the agency’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Commission.

Brown, who has more than 20 years of experience in human services program management, has served in the role of interim commissioner since October 2018 after starting his career at KDADS as the BHS Prevention Program Manager. He came to KDADS from Headquarters, Inc. in Lawrence, Kan., where he served as executive director. Brown also holds a volunteer position on the City of Lawrence Affordable Housing Advisory Board and previously held several prominent volunteer positions in the industry, including the Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council Prevention Subcommittee and the Kansas Mental Health Coalition.

“Naming Andy commissioner to lead our behavioral health services programs aligns seamlessly with this agency’s strategic vision of developing a culture of continuous improvement,” said Secretary Howard. “Since being named interim commissioner last year, he has proven time and again his commitment to finding solutions that improve the lives of some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Brown earned a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Human Services degree from Washburn University in 2010 and a Master of Social Work, Concentration in Administration, Advocacy and Policy, from the University of Kansas in 2012. He is a 2016 Washburn University Alumni Fellow and a 2015 Leadership Lawrence Alumni.

Woman pleads guilty in Kan. crash that killed 3 returning from football title game

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HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A Nebraska woman involved in a crash that killed three Kansans will be sentenced in June after accepting a plea agreement.

Maria De Jesus Perez-Marquez photo Jackson County

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller confirmed Monday that 49-year-old Maria Perez Marquez, of Omaha, pleaded guilty in April to three misdemeanor counts of vehicular homicide and one felony count of aggravated battery. She had originally been charged with three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The November 2017 crash on U.S. 75 killed three family members of two Sabetha High School football players shortly after their team won a state title.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said Perez-Marquez was trying to pass another vehicle about 12 miles north of Holton when her vehicle hit a minivan driven by 42-year-old Carmen Ukele, of Sabetha. The crash killed Ukele, her daughter and her brother-in-law.

Man working for Kan. company admits stealing truck load of meat

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A California trucker working for a Kansas freight brokerage pleaded guilty Monday to stealing a load of meat valued at more than $160,000, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Gegham Avetisyan, 37, Valley Village, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Avetisyan contracted with a trucking freight brokerage business in Olathe to deliver a load of meat to three locations in California.

He faxed documents to the company in which he used the name Robert Ivanov. He picked up the meat at a packing plant in Omaha, but never delivered it.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 12. He faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.

Suspects driving stolen BMW in fatal Kan. crash are convicted felons

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man and woman in a stolen SUV involved in a crash that killed two people are both convicted felons.

Christoper English has previous convictions for drugs, weapons and flee or elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections
First responders on the scene of the fatal Sunday accident -photo courtesy KAKE

Police say 24-year-old Mia Collins led police on a chase Sunday in a stolen BMW sport utility vehicle. After about 1 mile  the car collided with a car and another SUV at an intersection.

The crash killed 70-year-old Maria Wood and 12-year-old Rosemary McElroy and critically injured 36-year-old Jenny Wood, a popular Wichita musician known for performing with children. She is Wood’s daughter and McElroy’s aunt.

Collins is on probation. A passenger in her car, 38-year-old Christopher English, is on parole.

The driver of the SUV that was hit, 65-year-old Alfred Angle, was seriously injured. Collins and English also were taken to a hospital.

News From the Oil Patch, May 6

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By JOHN P. TRETBAR

The Kansas Geological Survey reports statewide crude oil production for January of 2.8 million barrels, compared to 3.4 million last January. Barton County operators report 139-thousand barrels, Ellis County notched 217-thousand, Russell County had 130-thousand, and in Stafford County, January production was 85-thousand barrels.

State regulators report an increase in one of the key barometers of oil production in Kansas. The Kansas Corporation Commission says operators filed 106 new intent-to-drill notices in April, the most since last November There were 141 intents filed in April of last year. So far this year, operators have filed 334 intents, compared to 563 at this time last year. There are five new intents in Barton County, eight in Ellis County, none in Russell County and two in Stafford County.

Independent Oil & Gas Service reports four active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is unchanged, and 25 in the western half of the state, which is down two. Drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County.

Baker Hughes reported 990 active drilling rigs in the U.S. Friday, an increase of two oil rigs, but a decline of three exploring for natural gas. The count in Texas was down seven, while New Mexico logged an increase of two rigs. In Canada there are 61 active drilling rigs, down two for the week.

Regulators approved 21 permits for drilling at new locations in Kansas during the last week, eight of them east of Wichita and 13 in Western Kansas, including one in Ellis County. There have been 304 new drilling permits approved so far this year.

Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 34 wells completed over the last week, 12 of them in eastern Kansas, and 22 west of Wichita. That brings the year-to-date total to 551. There was one newly-completed well in Ellis County, one in Russell County, and four in Stafford County, including two dry holes.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported yet another all-time record for weekly crude oil production for the week ending April 26: 12.277 million barrels per day. That beats last week by 100-thousand barrels per day. The previous high was during the week ending April 5, at 12.184 million barrels per day.

The government said U.S. crude oil stockpiles increased 5.5 million barrels and remain roughly equal to the five year seasonal average.

Viking Energy Group announced last week that its subsidiary Mid-Con Development sold all of its oil and gas assets in Ellis and Rooks counties to an independent third party. According to the announcement, the sale price was just over four million dollars. The assets consist of working interests in some 41 oil leases. They were purchased by Mid-Con in 2017. Last year the owners arranged to deepen and perforate approximately fifteen wells, and also improve water disposal capacity, successfully increasing production and putting the company in a position to sell the assets at a premium. The Company continues to own other assets in across eastern Kansas, including in Miami, Franklin, Anderson, Woodson, Allen, Riley, Geary and Wabaunsee counties.

The hottest bidding war in the patch in decades got a little hotter last week, as the board of directors at Anadarko deliberate whether a takeover bid from Occidental Petroleum is superior to a lower but already agreed-to deal with Chevron. Bloomberg reports Warren Buffett’s company Berkshire Hathaway on Tuesday disclosed plans to inject $10 billion into Occidental in exchange for preferred stock and warrants.

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