OFFICE OF LT. GOV.
TOPEKA – Kansas Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers will continue his tour of rural health care facilities in the state with a stop in Goodland Tuesday, April 16.
Rogers is scheduled to tour Goodland Regional Medical Center at 9 a.m. (CST). Later that day at 12 p.m., he will tour St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.
Rogers toured HaysMed and talked with employees and local legislators April 2.
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities were busy in Barton County over the weekend making numerous drug arrests.
Just after 9:30 p.m., Friday, officers were dispatched to the area of the 4100 block of 10th Street in Great Bend in reference to Daniel Bartonek, age 31, being in the area and having an active warrant.
The officer located Bartonek driving in the area and conducted a traffic stop. Bartonek ran from the vehicle on foot and the officer apprehended him and arrested him on the warrant. Bartonek was also in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time of his arrest. Bartonek was booked into the Barton County Jail for the warrant, interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Just after 9p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of 10th Street in Great Bend in reference to Jamie Moore, age 27, being in the area and having active warrants. Moore was taken into custody on the warrants. Officers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on Moore when she was taken into custody. Moore was booked into the Barton County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia
A short time later, an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 1600 block of 10th Street in Great Bend for a vehicle driving without headlights. When the officer contacted the driver, who was identified as Luis Reyes, age 21, they could smell an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
The officer searched the vehicle, where marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located. Reyes was booked into the Barton County Jail for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Just after 1 a.m. Sunday, an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 2700 block of 10th Street in Great Bend. Police K-9, “Lazar” indicated an odor of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle.
Officers searched the vehicle and located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Krystal Halseth, age 23; Bailey Klein, age 21; and Brayden Powell-Rand, age 18 were booked into the Barton County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information about these crimes, or any other crimes, can contact the Great Bend Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.
Russell Community Theater has announced its 2019 slate of plays.
“About Time”, written by Tom Cole and directed by Bob Roe, opens the season April 30 through May 4, 2019 at the RCT Playhouse located at 5th and Kansas in Russell.
In “About Time”, an elderly married couple is found in the kitchen of their condominium at breakfast, lunch, dinner and finally for a late snack. The couple talks about everything under the sun, including food, sex, children and aging. She is slowing down some and he can’t get around like he once could, but they are both still sharp as tacks. Through the four scenes, they grapple with what it means to share – and come to the end of – a life together.
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] is written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield. Mitch Eaton will direct the summer production which will be presented June 25-29 at the RCT Playhouse.
Celebrating over 30 years on the stage, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]” features all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays (SURPRISE!!) performed in just over 90 minutes (WOW!!) by three actors (NO WAY!!). Fast paced, witty and physical, it’s full of laughter for Shakespeare lover and haters alike. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through the Bard’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless with laughter.
The 2019 season wraps up at the RCT Playhouse October 8-12 with “Four Old Broads”, written by Leslie Kimbell and directed by Crystal Craig.
Retired burlesque queen Beatrice needs a vacation from Magnolia Place Assisted Living and a Sassy Seniors Cruise sounds perfect if she can convince her best friend, Eaddy Mae, to join her. Other residents are facing their own issues – memory loss, soap opera obsession, unrequited love – and things just haven’t been the same since Nurse Pat began working there. Mysteries unfold as the gals try to outsmart the evil Nurse Pat. If everything goes as planned, they’ll make it to the cruise ship after all.
Russell Community Theater is a non-profit theater company in Russell, Kansas.
The sole purpose of RCT is to produce theater for the community and the surrounding area. Completely volunteer-driven, RCT is supported financially solely through ticket admissions and gifts from those supportive of community theater.
Since its inception in 1986, RCT has presented 94 full-scale theatrical productions. For more information, call 785-483-4057 or find us on Facebook.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been found guilty of killing five people in September 2014 in Kansas City.
Jurors on Monday convicted 38-year-old Brandon Howell of five counts of first-degree murder and seven other felonies.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
Prosecutors said Howell beat 80-year-old George Taylor and his wife, 86-year-old Anna Taylor, while trying to steal their vehicle. They died a week later.
The Taylors’ neighbor, 69-year-old Susan Choucroun, was shot in her driveway. Two others — 88-year-old Lorene Hurst and Hurst’s son, 63-year-old Darrel Hurst — were killed as they returned from a store.
Howell was arrested that night walking along a freeway carrying a shotgun in his pants.
Howell previously was acquitted of killing two teens from Kansas.
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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Deliberations have begun in the trial of a man charged with killing five people in 2014 during a rampage in a quiet Kansas City neighborhood.
Jurors got the case Monday after closing arguments in the case against 38-year-old Brandon Howell. He is charged with five counts of first-degree murder and seven other felonies.
While trying to steal a classic Jaguar from a home, Howell is accused beating 80-year-old George Taylor and 86-year-old Anna Taylor so badly that they later died.
The couple’s neighbor, 69-year-old Susan Choucroun, was shot in her driveway. Two others — 88-year-old Alice Hurst and Hurst’s son, 63-year-old Darrel Hurst — were killed as they returned from a store.
Howell was arrested that night walking along a freeway carrying a shotgun in his pants.
Howell previously was acquitted of killing two teens from Johnson County, Kansas.
Start time of the doubleheader between Fort Hays State and Newman on Wednesday (Apr. 17) in Hays has been moved up to 2 pm. Originally scheduled for 4 pm, a time adjustment was made due to weather forecasted for the Hays area. Fort Hays State will carry a 17-18 overall record into the midweek non-conference doubleheader, while Newman enters at 12-31 overall.
Fort Hays State is coming off a 1-3 week in MIAA play. The Tigers took a pair of one-run losses at Emporia State before splitting a doubleheader at Washburn. The Tigers are now 10-10 in MIAA play with six conference games remaining.
Newman has won four of its last eight games as of Saturday, April 13. The Jets will play a conference doubleheader with Rogers State on Tuesday evening in Wichita before heading out to Hays on Wednesday.
Live video and live stats will be available for the doubleheader at the links provided above. The games will also be on radio, available in the Listen Live link above or 1400 AM (KAYS) in the Hays listening area.
Hays High senior Palmer Hutchison signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Kansas City Kansas Community College on Monday morning. The four year varsity player has had family play baseball there before and his older brother Hayden signed with Neosho Community College out of high school.
Hutchison over came health issues his sophomore season that kept him out of all athletics until over midway through the 2017 baseball season. He is currently batting .441 for the 11-0 Indians after batting .375 as a junior. He has a hit a team high five doubles along with a triple and his first career home run.
Palmer Hutchison
Hutchison is three doubles shy of joining Justin Shelton, Dylan Briggs and current teammate Trey Riggs for tenth in career doubles. He has twelve multi-hit game to his credit over his career.
Hutchison has also started on the mound for five of the teams eleven games holding a 3-0 record. He has a 2.37 ERA allowing seven earned runs in 20 2/3 innings. He has 21 career pitching appearances and was used early in his career as a reliever and most recently as a starter.
Coach Frank Leo
Hutchison also was a multi year starter in football making his first appearance starting at safety his freshman season. This past season he was the starting quarterback throwing for 1635 yards and running for 675 yards while accounting for 22 touchdowns. He also totaled more than 150 career tackles with 96 coming his junior season, the only full season he played on defense.
The Indians are 11-0 on the season with a 3-0 mark in the Western Athletic Conference. Hays High returns to action April 18th with a single game in Great Bend.
Eldon Martell, 62, Quinter, died Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Gove County Medical Center.
He was born August 15, 1956 in Hoisington the son of Kendall E. and Betty J. (Herrman) Martell. He was a graduate of Hays High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree in music education in 2002 and master’s degree in music education in 2003 from Fort Hays State University. He was a music instructor in the Wheatland-Grinnell School District.
Survivors include his mother, Betty of Hays, a brother; Brad Martell and wife Lillian of Bettendorf, IA, a sister; Debbie Bielefeld and husband Gene of Abilene, five nieces and nephews; Nate Martell and Bria Martell of Bettendorf, IA , Ryan Bielefeld of Overland Park, Kelly Bielefeld and wife Angie of Clearwater, and Darcy Doege and husband Kent of Charlotte, NC, and eleven great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kendall.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Fr. Terry Klein officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Wheatland-Grinnell School Music Department. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com
Cindy L. Basgall, age 62, of WaKeeney, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2019, at her home. She was born January 29, 1957, in Stafford, Kansas to Wayne Eugene and JoAnn (Betson) McCurdy.
After graduating from Trego Community High School in 1975, Cindy attended Cloud County Community College. On January 29, 1977, she was united in marriage to Mark A. Basgall, in LaCrosse, Kansas.
Cindy is survived by her husband of the family home; her two children, Amy R. and husband John Davis of Chanute, Kansas, and Christopher L. Basgall and wife Maggie of Lenora, Kansas; four grandchildren, Jada and Jyl Davis, and Makena and Emily Basgall; and a brother, Mike McCurdy and wife Paula of WaKeeney. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Robert “Bob” McCurdy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 18, 2019, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will follow at WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home. A parish vigil will follow at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or American Red Cross. Donations made to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Robert Wayne Kasper Sr., 68, passed away Sunday April 14, 2019, at his home in Great Bend. He was born September 12, 1950, in Newton, the son of Daniel and Fern (Owen) Kasper.
Robert had been a resident of Great Bend since 1980, coming from El Dorado. He had worked for White and Ellis Drilling in El Dorado until they moved him to Great Bend until 1998, having then working for Sioux Tank, LLC until he retired in 2015. He was united in marriage to Peggy Lietzke on April 17, 1972, in El Dorado. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, water skiing and traveling. Robert loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include wife, Peggy of the home; daughter, Kathy Schwanke and husband Jason of Davenport, OK.; one brother, Rocky Kasper of El Dorado; six sisters, Eulalah Ann, Louise, Joan, La Verta, Carol and Emma; sister-in-law, Nancy Kasper; five grandchildren, Sarah, Ryan and Emma Schwanke, Brody and Kye Kasper. He was preceded in death by one son Robert Jr. and two brothers, Daniel and Kenneth Kasper.
Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday April 18, 2019, at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, with Rev. Larry Schumacher officiating. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Wednesday April 17, 2019, at Bryant funeral Home.
Memorial fund has been established with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Tuesday, January 14th, 1930 – Monday, April 15th, 2019
An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.
Click HERE for service details.
FHSU Athletics
KEARNEY, Neb. – The Fort Hays State women’s track and field team traveled to MIAA foe Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday (April 14) for the Loper Invitational. On the day, three events went to the Tigers with other notable performances taking place for FHSU.
Abby Stewart got the day started for the Tigers on the track as she captured first place in the 10,000-meters. Stewart navigated the track with a top-time of 39:56.47. Two field events went the Tigers as Alexcia Deutscher earned yet another top throw in the javelin, this time with a distance of 136 feet, 3 inches. The final top finish for Fort Hays State was a 5 feet, 3 ¾ height in the high jump as Summer Kragel claimed the first place.
Numerous Tigers finished in the top-ten in Kearney, including a ninth place finish in the 100-meters for Bree Hysaw with a time of 12.71. However, Hysaw’s top performance of the day was a fourth place finish in the 200-meters following a time of 26.46. In the 800-meters, three Tigers finished in the top-ten, led by Averi Wilson in fifth (2:27.41), Lucy Giles in eighth (2:37.44) and Lourdes Cavarrubias in ninth (2:37.78). Wilson also claimed a fourth place finish in the 1,500-meters with a time of 5:06.15.
Right behind Stewart in the 10,000-meters was Tessa Durnell who captured a runner-up time of 41:47.21. Courtney Batchman turned in a seventh place finish in the 100-meter hurdles as she finished the feat with a time of 17.59. Batchman also clocked a fifth place finish in the 400-meter hurdles at 1:10.85. In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Carson Pierce placed fourth at 12:56.29 and Rylea Oliver clocked a fifth place time of 13:04.85. A Tiger quad made up of Hysaw, Giles, Covarrubias and Tabby Stowers earned a third place finish in the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 4:20.49.
On to field events, Robin Ritsema placed third in the high jump at 5 feet, 3 ¾ inches with Haley Jones coming in sixth at 5 feet, 1 ¾ inches. Rohey Singhateh captured eighth in the long jump with a distance of 17 feet, 2 ¾ inches along with a third place finish in the triple jump at 37 feet, 5 inches. Kayla Smith posted a ninth place finish in the long jump at 17 feet, 2 ¼ inches with a fourth place finish in the triple jump at 37 feet, 1 ¾ inches. Mariah Hammersmith claimed seventh in the triple jump at 35 feet, 11 ¼ inches with Abby Burton on her heels in eighth place at 34 feet, 6 ¾ inches.
In the shot put, Logan Batchman placed sixth with her throw of 41 feet, 1 inch while placing 10th in the discus at 116 feet. Laurel Haley finished in fourth in the discus with her throw of 138 feet, 6 inches. Haley also added a sixth place finish in the hammer with a throw of 164 feet, 3 inches. In the javelin, Kaci Vaughn captured sixth at 110 feet, 7 inches and Kalynn Foster earned an eighth place finish with her throw of 100 feet, 11 inches.
The Tigers will make a big trip out west as they will compete in the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif starting Wednesday (April 17).
FHSU Athletics
KEARNEY, Neb. – The Fort Hays State men’s track and field team traveled to visit inter-conference foe on Sunday (April 14) as they competed in the Loper Invitational hosted by Nebraska-Kearney. On the day, one event went to the Tigers while others finished with high placements throughout.
Reed Rome led the way for Fort Hays State as he captured first place in the 5,000-meters as he posted a top-time of 15:28.52. This was the lone first place finish on the day for the Tigers. Kaleb Crum was close behind Rome in third place with a time of 16:17.79 with Erik Chaparro placing fifth at 16:58.53 and Christopher Nemechek rounded out the Tiger performances in the event in sixth place at 17:03.72.
In the 200-meters, Shane Finegan placed eighth with his strong performance of 22.81. Michael Eisenbarth earned a third place finish in the 10,000-meters with a time of 34:45.64. In hurdles, Sabino Medrana placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.31 and earned a fourth place finish in the 400-meter hurdles at 58.29.
Four Tigers claimed a top-ten finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase led by Israel Barco in second at 10:05.19. Robbie Schmidt placed third at 10:06.66, Peter Franklin earned fifth at 10:21.21 and Robert Loeffler finished in sixth at 10:28.28.
Moving to field events, Lucas Broxterman captured fifth place in the high jump at 6 feet, 2 ¾ inches with Blayne Godshall right behind in sixth place at 6 feet, 2 ¾ inches. In the pole vault, Mark Faber placed sixth with a jump of 14 feet, 11 ½ inches and Jonathan Ball coming in tenth at 14 feet, 5 ½ inches. Broxterman also added a fourth place finish in the long jump at 21 feet, 7 ¼ inches.
Gilbert Peters earned ninth place in the shot put with his heave of 49 feet, 11 inches, as well as a ninth place finish in the discus at 156 feet, 7 inches. Jacob Vaughn added a sixth place finish in the discus with his own throw of 158 feet, 6 inches. Hunter DeGarmo achieved a tenth place finish in the hammer throw by throwing for 161 feet, 7 inches. The javelin brought two top-ten finishes for the Tigers as Cameron Fouts earned third at 175 feet, 7 inches and Trey Teeter behind him in fourth with his throw of 158 feet, 5 inches.
The Tigers next travel to Azusa, Calif for the Bryan Clay Invitational which starts on Wednesday (April 17).
