Isaac Nixon, age 94, formerly of Ogallah, passed away March 8, 2019 in Overland Park.
Private burial has taken place to honor Isaac’s wishes.
Year: 2019
Ronald K. Butler
Ronald K. Butler, 59, of Salina, passed away peacefully in his home Wednesday, March 13, 2019. He was born in Belleville, Jan. 17, 1960, to Robert and Linda (Richardson) Butler.
Ron worked his early life on grain elevators and did construction. In later years, he was a maintenance supervisor. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, a proud patriot, and a handyman who loved fixing all the toys his grandchildren broke. He loved the Lord, spending time with his family, fishing and hunting, Kansas City Chiefs, Jeopardy, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and listening to talk radio.
Survivors include: his wife of 29 years, Aurdra, of the home; children, Autumn Robbins (Jonathan), Brittani Allison (Korey), and Matthew Butler (Dayana), all of Hays, and Austin Butler and Aaron Butler, of Salina; brothers, Jeff Butler (Anita) of McCracken, Bob Butler (Debbie), of Oskaloosa; cousin, Mike Meadows (Raylene) of Tremball, Neb.; grandchildren, Jack, Barron, Brielle, Mason, Kingston, Carter and Matteo.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; and brother, Tod Butler.
Services will be at 1 p.m Monday, March 18, at Gypsum Methodist Church, Gypsum, with refreshments to follow. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Belleville City Cemetery at 4 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to Gypsum Methodist Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina, KS 67401.
Producers try to recoup losses after Plainville Livestock Commission drains account
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Derek Stockman’s farming and ranching operation has been brought to a standstill. He sold 41 heifers at the Plainville Livestock Commission on Feb. 5, but his check for almost $37,000 bounced.
Stockman of Kirwin only recently expanded his farming operation into cattle. He is now unable to make his FSA loan payments, nor is he able to get his operating loan for the coming year guaranteed.
“The bills don’t stop coming in,” Stockman said.
Stockman is one of more than 40 livestock producers in the area that have been caught up in legal action and bankruptcy of Plainville Livestock Commission, operated by Tyler Gillum. This is just the latest in a series of financial problems and federal regulation violations faced by the market agency.
“Everybody says you’ll get your money, but I don’t know. When is that going to happen?” Stockman asked. “Are they going to pay my interest or are they going to give my commission back? I doubt it.”
In the meantime, Stockman is working with the FSA to get his loan payments deferred.
Although several producers said they had heard rumors there were problems at Plainville, Stockman said he was blindsided when he received his check back from the bank.
On Feb. 12, Almena Bank froze two of Plainville Livestock Auction’s bank accounts. When the bank froze the accounts, tens of thousands of dollars worth of checks Gillum had written to area ranchers who had recently sold cattle at the Plainville Livestock Commission bounced.
In court filings, the bank noted Plainville Livestock Commission transferred more than $916,000 from its custodial account into its general operating account the bank’s officers believed to cover overdrafts in the general operating account.
Almena Bank has filed an interpleader case, which is legal action that seeks to determine to whom the money that was transferred out of the custodial account belongs.
When a market agency sells livestock, the money collected from the buyers is supposed to be deposited in a custodial account until the sellers are paid. The funds collected during sale have to be deposited into the account by the next business day.
Regulations prohibit market agencies from using the proceeds from the sale of livestock sold on a commission basis for any purpose other than paying consignors the net proceeds from the sale of their livestock, after deducting the market’s lawful charges.
RELATED: Kan. Livestock Association issues advisory on Plainville Livestock Commission
This is not the first time Gillum’s operation had been caught with insufficient funds in his custodial account.
Plainville Livestock Commission was cited by federal court in 2012 and 2014 for not having sufficient funds in its custodial account.
On July 31, 2017, an analysis of Plainville’s custodial account showed Plainville had outstanding checks drawn on its custodial account in the amount of $9,641,594. The custodial account had a balance of $45,928 with proceeds receivable of $46,615, resulting in a custodial account shortage of $9,549,050.
Between March 2018 and May 2018, Gillum issued 33 insufficient funds checks from its custodial account totaling more than $1.25 million. The checks were paid, but were paid up to two weeks late, resulting in $1,500 in overdraft fees and $775 in returned item fees on the custodial account.
The U.S. Attorney filed filed another case another case in July 2018 in which it stated Plainville Livestock Commission failed on numerous occasions to maintain funds in its custodial account. Gillum was fined $117,750.
In addition to the interpleader case, Almena bank also attempted to foreclose on Gillum based on default of three loans totaling more than $3.49 million.
The bank alleged in court documents Gillum was trying to dispose of assets that he had designated as collateral on the loans.
The stockyard is still operating in Plainville as Heartland Regional Stockyards under a license held by Ll0yd and Judy Schneider. Hays Post tried to contact the Schneiders, but received no answer at the stockyard.
Plainville Livestock Commission filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 1. Chapter 11 is usually used to restructure debt and pay creditors off over time.
Gillum’s attorney in the bankruptcy case, Thomas Gilman of the Hinkel Law Firm in Wichita, said Gillum hopes to sell the assets of Plainville Livestock Commission as part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy debt restructure.
Gilman said Almena Bank’s foreclosure case against Plainville will be stayed until the bankruptcy case is heard in U.S. District Court in Wichita. The hearing on that case is set for April 11.
The Hays Post reached out to the attorneys for the Almena Bank, but a phone call was not returned.
Gilman said he was unsure what the procedures will be for repayment of producers who were owed money from Plainville Livestock Commission’s custodial account. He said he is not representing him in that matter nor any matters pertaining to any potential complaints filed by the U.S. Attorney in regards to violations of USDA Packers and Stockyards regulations.
Calls to the USDA Packers and Stockyards Division were not returned.
The Hays Post posed several questions to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Its media representative said he was unable to answer questions about when producers might receive their money back or what process would be used in paying back producers for the bounced checks. The representative also did not know how the bankruptcy filing might affect the claims against the custodial account.
Attorneys for Almena Bank also did not return a phone call.
As a complex legal battle plays out in court, producers like Stockman and others owed money by the operation are trying to hang on.
Larry Dinkel, owner of Jim Mitten Trucking of Oakley, hauled cattle for Plainville Livestock Commission. He has already paid employees, but he can’t go on indefinitely without what he is owed.
In addition to being short of what he was owed from Gillum’s last sale, because of the scandal fewer producers are taking cattle to the stockyard under the new operators, which means lost business for his trucking company.
“We used to haul several loads in and out of there every week, and now I don’t haul anything in and out of there” he said, “because the customers are not going back.”
Dinkel blames, in part, federal regulators, who allowed Gillum to continue to operate despite repeated financial regulation violations.
“Had they done their job, none of us would be in this mess right now,” he said.
Stockman said he also hoped federal regulators would take action.
“I don’t think anyone should have to go through this,” he said. “We farmers go through enough trouble throughout the year to put in a full year’s work and not get paid for a full year’s work. It is nothing anyone should have to go through.
“It shouldn’t ever happen. Whoever is guilty, I feel they should make an example of him, so this doesn’t happen again.”
Click HERE for the U.S. Attorney complaint filed last year.
RELATED: Plainville Livestock Commission given suspension, assessed civil penalty
🎥 City to purchase land at 27th and Commerce Parkway
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
In a 3-2 vote Thursday night, Hays city commissioners agreed the city will move ahead with the purchase of 91 acres in the northeast corner of the 27th Street and Commerce Parkway intersection at the east Interstate 70 Exit 161.
In April 2018, the city purchased an 18-month irrevocable option to buy the land. The option expires this year on Sept. 19.
Although Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil and Commissioner James Meier previously said they would be voting against the purchase, Thursday they both said they understand why the majority of the commission supports it.
“At this time, I think we could get better use out of this money somewhere else,” Meier said.
“In my opinion, from what I’ve heard from Retail Strategies (the city’s retail consultant) and all the information you read, is that retail is just not expanding anywhere in the United States,” said Musil. “I don’t think it’s a bad deal for Hays, but I don’t think we’re desperate. … I want to help Hays grow, and I think it will. We need to grow faster, but I don’t think this is the answer.”
Commissioner Ron Mellick read a statement focusing on the high cost of land in Hays hampering development.
“A few years ago, we extended 22nd Street from Canterbury east to Commerce Parkway for better traffic flow … and we hoped that we could get retail businesses and affordable housing developed along that street. Taxpayers paid for the land, right of way, and utilities along that stretch,” Mellick said. “Overnight, this $4,000-an-acre farm ground is suddenly $80,000 to $130,000 price per acre. … I don’t have a problem with the private sector making a profit, but it is starting to hinder the city of Hays’ growth.”
Meier agreed with Mellick but said “it’s developing into a kind of chicken or egg situation.”
“I don’t think it’s a bad model to wait for the development and then put in the infrastructure,” Meier said. “On the one hand, we say that we want to put in a bunch of infrastructure. But then the land costs goes up and we feel like that’s hindering development and so then we have to buy the land. I’m just not really sure where that stops.”
Mellick noted the land would have to be sold by the city for development before the city would put in the infrastructure.
“We can buy this land for $8,800 per acre,” Mellick figured. “We can purchase this 91 acres for the same price that you can only buy one-and-a-quarter acres on north Vine Street.
“We could then offer this land for retail, manufacturing, business and even affordable housing development. … Now is the time and place for us to invest in the future of Hays.”
Sales tax is the primary driver of the city’s budget.
The city will pay the remaining $782,608 to the landowner, the Cathy A. Braun Revocable Trust of Hays, along with shared closing costs and title insurance. The money will come out of the Commission Capital Reserve fund.
HPD Activity Log March 11-13
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Mon., March 11, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Unwanted Person–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Burglary/vehicle–2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 3/10 11 PM; 3/11 6:45 PM
Parking Complaint–1900 block Main St, Hays; 9:13 AM
Civil Dispute–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 9:20 AM
Drug Offenses–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 3/8 2:25 PM; 2:30 PM
Criminal Trespass–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 10 AM
Welfare Check–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:32 AM
Animal At Large–22nd St and Felten Dr, Hays; 11:18 AM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 11:29 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 11:37 AM
Forgery–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:26:05 PM
Forgery–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:26:45 PM
Forgery–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27:05 PM
Forgery–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27:21 PM
Forgery–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 1/15 12 AM; 11:59 PM
Battery – simple–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:52 PM; 12:57 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 1:54 PM
Suspicious Activity–1500 block Ash St, Hays; 6:17 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 7:02 PM; 7:30 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 9:20 AM; 5 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:45 PM; 9 PM
Theft (general)–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 3/10 5:30 AM; 5:45 AM
Animal Call–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:10 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Tue., March 12, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–7th and Riley St, Hays; 12:52 AM
Disturbance – General–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 12:50 AM; 1 AM
Burglary/vehicle–1100 block Ash St, Hays; 1:25 AM; 1:32 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 3:30 AM
Theft (general)–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 6:57 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 8:11 AM
Animal At Large–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 8:21 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 9:01 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–1800 block E 26th St, Hays; 9:59 AM
Welfare Check–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 10:45 AM
Suspicious Person–29th and Vine Frontage, Hays; 11:12 AM
Unwanted Person–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 11:27 AM
Welfare Check–200 block Circle Dr, Hays; 3/1; 3/4
Suspicious Activity–45th and Smoky Hill, Hays; 1:20 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 1:52 PM
Shoplifting–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2:31 PM
Shoplifting–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 3/5 3:30 PM; 7 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–500 block E 19th St, Hays; 3:24 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:15 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–600 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:12 PM
Burglary/vehicle–5200 block Vine St, Hays; 2 PM; 4:30 PM
Credit Card Violations–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 4:40 PM; 4:45 PM
Credit Card Violations–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:30 PM; 4:35 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2100 block Wheatland Ave, Hays; 7:35 PM
Suicidal Subject–2100 block Wheatland, Hays; 8:55 PM
Rape–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:33 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 24 traffic stops Wed., March 13, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Theft (general)–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 2/18 12 PM; 3/11 12 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:04 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–500 block E 7th St, Hays; 8:54 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1700 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 9:08 AM
Animal Call–1700 block Felten Dr, Hays; 10:02 AM
Welfare Check–400 block W 37th St, Hays; 12:10 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:43 PM
Unwanted Person–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 1 PM
Animal At Large–27th and Hall St, Hays; 2:20 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–22nd and Vine St, Hays; 2:22 PM
Juvenile Complaint–2100 block Commerce Pkwy, Hays; 2:40 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:47 PM
Intoxicated Subject–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:10 PM
Suspicious Person–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 6:40 PM
Intoxicated Subject–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 6:45 PM
Freshman making a difference from the Tiger sideline
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
The Fort Hays State University cheer squad doesn’t travel to most Tiger road games.
But the FHSU women’s basketball team has a spirited cheerleader of its own, and she is a welcome sight at the end of the Tiger bench.
Freshman Kinly Grubb can be seen clapping and yelling at Fort Hays State games, cheering on her teammates from start to finish.
It’s a stark contrast to the role Grubb has played for sports teams since she was 5 years old. But the 5-foot-10 guard from Odessa, Mo., is patient enough to wait her turn. After all, she is still a major part of one of the best women’s teams in the nation.
The Tigers, ranked third in NCAA Division II, are the top seed for this weekend’s Central Region Championships at Gross Memorial Coliseum. They open play at 5 p.m. today vs. No. 8 seed Pittsburg State University. A complete schedule and other tournament information can be found at fhsuathletics.com.
Fort Hays State is 30-1 this season, and teammates and coaches credit Grubb’s enthusiasm as a boost to their morale when the going gets tough.
It’s a job that Grubb has come to thoroughly enjoy, but one she had to get used to after starting all four years for her high school team.
Following a preseason practice last fall, Tiger assistant coach Talia Kahrs had a talk with newcomers to the team.
“We freshmen didn’t get in a preseason game, and in the locker room afterwards, Coach told us we could make the choice to be a really good teammate and support everyone or be unhappy,” Grubb said. “I think I really took that to heart.”
Grubb, of course, was disappointed when she called home to Odessa, Mo., and talked to her parents.
“They told me to accept my role and to give it my all, no matter what I was doing,” she said. “My mom told me I could change the whole energy of the building, that I could make a difference. Not being on the court has been an adjustment for sure, but I want to make a difference in whatever I do.”
Grubb has seen limited action in 13 games this season but embraces her new role.
She can be seen raising her arms high in the air when a 3-pointer goes through the net or jumping around on the sideline after a good play by a teammate.
“I even get up on the chairs to cheer sometimes,” she said with a big smile. “I usually lose my voice during games.”
The strawberry blonde bundle of energy was a common sight for those watching Grubb play just about every sport imaginable while growing up. Throughout high school, she competed in cross country, basketball, tennis, soccer and track and field.
But her favorite sport was basketball. By her junior year, Grubb was getting some looks from Division I schools, and she had some experience with that level of competition.
Her older sister played soccer for Creighton University in Omaha, and her younger sister has committed to the University of Missouri soccer program next year.
But middle sister was intrigued by the stories her parents told of playing ball in a strong D-II conference.
Joe and Tami Grubb could attest to the strong competition at the D-II level as both played in the MIAA (her dad played football at the University of Central Missouri, and her mom, volleyball at Pittsburg State.)
“My parents told me all about the MIAA. I didn’t want to just be a number at a D-I school,” Grubb said. “I wanted to go somewhere where I could make a difference.”
Coaches and fellow players say Grubb has definitely made a difference this year.
“I think it holds everyone else accountable to have a good attitude, even the people next to her on the bench,” Tiger Assistant Coach Talia Kahrs said. “If they see that someone who isn’t even playing is having that positive of an attitude, it carries over to everyone else.”
Senior starting point guard Carly Heim was aware of Grubb’s presence at the end of the bench this season. But after suffering a season-ending knee injury during a road game at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Heim now has a whole new appreciation for Grubb, saying her enthusiasm is contagious.
“Now that I’m on the bench by her, I see that she says a whole lot of things like ‘nice screen, work hard, nice shot,’ that I’m thinking but not saying,” Heim said. “Her energy helps keep our energy up, and it flows down the bench.”
The Tigers came back from a 20-point deficit in that Kearney game to beat the Lopers by 10 points in overtime. Kahrs attributed part of that successful run to Grubb’s enthusiasm.
“When we were down at Kearney, we looked down the bench and saw her energy,” Kahrs said. “It made us realize we were capable of coming back. It carries over to everyone else.”
Head Coach Tony Hobson said he might have to recruit “another ball of energy” as Grubb works her way up the bench and into more playing time.
“We’ve had kids who are real enthusiastic before, but Kinly has taken to it to a different level,” Hobson said. “That’s just who she is, and we hope she can use that energy to eventually get into the rotation.”
Grubb is not afraid of hard work.
“I know I have my work cut out for me,” she said, “but I’m not shy about putting in the work. My parents told me the MIAA is the toughest conference out there, so to be ready for a fight.”
Each of the players’ photos are posted on a bulletin board outside the Tiger women’s locker room in GMC, with answers to a few questions about their experience at FHSU.
Asked to list her favorite part of being a Tiger, Grubb answered: “I haven’t been here long, but so far my favorite part has been the impromptu dance battles we have in the weight room.”
That was early in the season. That answer continues to change as Grubb cheers her team on to victory after victory.
Grainfield American Legion Stag is March 27
Grainfield American Legion Stag will be held March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. serving Lamb Fries, chicken fried steak, chicken strips, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, port & beans, cole slaw, fruit jello salad, chocolate pudding and a variety of desserts made by the volunteer ladies. All this for $12.50. Come join friends for a night out to eat with us. Everyone Welcome.
— Submitted
Kan. attorney general executed search warrant at hospital that closed
PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Attorney General’s office says it executed a search warrant at a southeast Kansas hospital that closed last month.
Google image
The search warrant was executed in February at Oswego Community Hospital, about a week after the hospital and two other medical facilities in Labette County closed.
C.J. Grover, spokesman attorney general Derek Schmidt, confirmed the search warrant but declined to comment further.
On Tuesday, the Horton Community Hospital in Brown County also closed. Grover said the attorney general’s office also is investigating that hospital.
The hospitals were once run by EmpowerHMS, which has had several hospitals close across the country.
TMP, area schools among winners of KSHSAA sportsmanship honors
KSHSAA
The Kansas State High School Activities Association, through its member schools, defines sportsmanship as those qualities of behavior which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Further, an awareness is expected of the impact of an individual’s influence on the behavior of others.
The excitement of a basketball game can create concerns for fans, students and officials. Citizenship/Sportsmanship Rule 52 addresses this by stating: “Win with character and lose with dignity.”
Outstanding sportsmanship is acknowledged each year by presenting sportsmanship certificates, plaques and medals. All 96 high school teams participating in KSHSAA State Basketball Tournaments may qualify for an award. A “rating” system is used allowing schools to compete against a “standard of excellence”, rather than competing against one another.
Schools whose teams did not advance to the semifinal rounds were eligible to receive a certificate if they met the qualifying standards of sportsmanship. Schools participating all three days of the tournament were eligible to receive a plaque for their school and medals for cheerleaders.
A special sportsmanship committee appointed by the KSHSAA evaluated and rated the cheerleaders, school cheering section, adult and non-high school followers, team and coach of each school. The following schools qualified for sportsmanship awards at the KSHSAA State Basketball Tournaments:
Class 1A Girls –
Certificate:
Coldwater-South Central: Ty Theurer, Principal
Montezuma-South Gray: Kim Batman, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Claflin-Central Plains: Toby Holmes, Principal
Kensington-Thunder Ridge: Jeff Yoxall, Principal
Waverly: Susan Wildeman, Principal
Class 1A Boys –
Certificate:
Macksville: Carey Fose, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Caldwell: Aaron Roop, Principal
Osborne: Tom Conway, Principal
St. John-Hudson: Blain White, Principal
Class 2A Girls –
Certificate:
Holton-Jackson Heights: Darren Shupe, Principal
Howard-West Elk: Martin Burke, Principal
Johnson-Stanton County: Trevor Siebert, Principal
Olathe-Heritage Christian: Rick Jarvis, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Alma-Wabaunsee: Jan Hutley, Principal
Sterling: Dr. Bill Anderson, Principal
Class 2A Boys –
Certificate:
Eskridge-Mission Valley: David Cromer, Principal
McLouth: Janna Davis, Principal
Plainville: Jeremy Krob, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Inman: Tyler Weinbrenner, Principal
Ness City: Tom Flax, Principal
Class 3A Girls –
Certificate:
Clay Center Community: Bud Young, Principal
Columbus: Tim Davied, Principal
Eureka: Sean Spoonts, Principal
Scott Community: Brad McCormick, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Cheney: Greg Rosenhagen, Principal
Hoyt-Royal Valley: Jim Holloman, Principal
Norton Community: Rudy Perez, Principal
Seneca-Nemaha Central: Ben Scism, Principal
Class 3A Boys –
Certificate:
Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount Academy: Monika King, Principal
Eureka: Sean Spoonts, Principal
Kingman: Andy Albright, Principal
Larned: Troy Langdon, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Beloit: Casey Seyfert, Principal
Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian: Chad Meitner, Principal
Perry-Lecompton: Mike Maloun, Principal
Class 4A Girls –
Certificate:
Abilene: Dr. Ben Smith, Principal
Eudora: Ron Abel, Principal
Towanda-Circle: Matthew Carroll, Principal
Ulysses: Mark Paul, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Baldwin: Frank Perbeck, Principal
Kansas City-Piper: John Nguyen, Principal
Nickerson: Rick Blosser, Principal
Class 4A Boys –
Certificate:
Chanute: Brian Campbell, Principal
Garnett-Anderson County: Matt Self, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
Wichita-Trinity Academy: Jaime Hutchinson, Principal
Class 5A Girls –
Certificate:
NONE
Plaque & Medals:
McPherson: Bryce McFarland, Principal
Overland Park-St. Thomas Aquinas: Craig Moss, Principal
Class 5A Boys –
Certificate:
Bonner Springs: Rick Moulin, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
NONE
Class 6A Girls –
Certificate:
Liberal: Ashley Kappelmann, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
NONE
Class 6A Boys –
Certificate:
Lawrence-Free State: Myron Graber, Principal
Plaque & Medals:
NONE
GAME DAY! No. 3 Tiger women take on Pitt State in quarterfinal
FHSU Athletics
After winning its first MIAA Tournament Championship last weekend, the third-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team returns home to host the 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Central Regional starting Friday (March 15). The top-seeded Tigers (30-1) open the national tournament against No. 8 seed and conference rival Pittsburg State (21-8) at 5 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Important Fan Information
Tickets: All seats are general admission for the regional tournament. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for youth/students, with FHSU students admitted for FREE with a valid Tiger card.
Session Format: Friday’s quarterfinals will be split into two sessions, with the FHSU/PSU clash opening the second session. Fans attending the opening session (noon & 2:30 p.m. games) would need a separate ticket to attend the night session. The Coliseum will be cleared out at the conclusion of the 2:30 p.m. game before the doors open for the Fort Hays State contest.
Parking: Due to the continued soggy conditions, the grass lot adjacent to Gross Memorial Coliseum will be closed. Auxiliary parking will be available at Lewis Field Stadium, on the south edge of the FHSU campus. Shuttles will run from Lewis Field to the Coliseum every 10 minutes beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing until the end of the final game of the night.
Tiger Pregame Parties: The FHSU Alumni Office will host Tiger Spirit Parties before each Fort Hays State game this weekend inside the Eagle Communications Hall at the Robbins Center. Friday’s festivities are scheduled from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. More information can be found here.
The Tigers have won the last four games against Pittsburg State, including a 67-62 win on Senior Day less than two weeks ago, to take a 29-27 lead in the all-time series. Fort Hays State is 17-9 at home against the Gorillas, including four straight home wins dating back to 2014-15. FHSU is 8-13 overall and 5-4 at home against PSU under Hobson. The Tigers have never defeated Pittsburg State three times in a single season.
This is the second time that the Tigers have hosted the regional tournament, as they were the No. 1 seed in the Central region at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season. Fort Hays State reached the NCAA regional title game for the only time in program history that year before falling to Emporia State. This is Fort Hays State’s fifth trip to the NCAA Championship tournament.
The friendly confines of Gross Memorial Coliseum have stood up to their reputation of one of the best home court advantages in the country this year, with the Tigers winning all 16 home games to date. Fort Hays State has won 23-straight home games going back to last season, two shy of the program record. That streak is tied for fifth-longest in Division II The Tigers are an incredible 107-5 at home since the start of the 2012-13 season, losing no more than one game at home in each of the last seven years.
Pittsburg State heads back to Hays for the second time in two weeks after dropping the regular season finale inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. After losing their first game in Kansas City, the Gorillas enter the tournament on a two-game losing streak. The Gorillas rank fifth in the MIAA in scoring (72.2 ppg) and sixth in scoring defense (63.6 points allowed per game). They shoot the ball well, ranking second in both field goal percentage (44.9 percent) and three-point field goal percentage (34.9 percent). PSU leads the league and ranks 37th nationally with 29 defensive rebounds per game. Senior Shelby Lopez was named second team All-MIAA after averaging 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Third team All-MIAA selection Maya Williams leads the team in scoring with 11.7 points each night. Assists leader Kaylee DaMitz (4.5 apg) leads the MIAA and ranks 31st in the country with a 2.03 assist/turnover ratio.
Tatyana Legette averages 9.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in eight career games against PSU. Kacey Kennett has scored 9.6 points per contest (5 games) and Lanie Page is averaging 10.3 points against the Gorillas (3 games).
The winner of Friday’s quarterfinal will turn around and take on the winner of No. 4 Minnesota Duluth and No. 5 MSU Moorhead in the regional semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Leona Mae Conaway
Leona Mae Conaway, 92, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at her home in Smith Center.
A celebration of Leona’s life will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, with Pastor Lance McDowell officiating.
There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen.
Memorials may be given to the Athol Congregational Church or Hospice Services of northwest Kansas or Smith Center Library and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.
Thomas Edward “Tom” Bigge,
He was born May 20, 1946 in Hays to Edward Kirk and Bethyl Maxine (Fry) Bigge.
Tom graduated from Stockton High School in 1964.
On February 18, 1968 he married the love of his life Ruth Ann Wilhite in Basehor, Kansas.
Tom was a hard-working farmer. He loved the farm but especially his livestock. He wore many hats throughout his life. He was a farmer, stockman, rancher, house mover, hunter and a demolition man.
Known as a man of integrity, Tom’s word was his bond. He was a great believer in the Christian Work Ethic, “there is very little that hard work cannot overcome.” He enjoyed life. He was a good man that enjoyed a good joke and a good laugh.
Tom was very involved in community activities. He served as president of the Unified School District 271; president of Rooks County Farm Bureau Board of Directors; president of Farmers Union Cooperative; trustee of the Congregational Church; and a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Historic Fort Hays.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, an infant daughter, two grandsons and a granddaughter.
Tom is survived by the love of his life Ruth Ann of the home in Stockton; sons: Curt Thomas (Rebecca) Bigge, Douglas Edward (Kori) Bigge, Stephen Louis (Melissa) Bigge all of Stockton; daughters: Beth Ann (Jason) Pfeifer, Russell, Kansas, Holly Marie (Aaron) Beaton, Scott City, Kansas; sisters: Robyn Harris, Kansas City, Missouri, Cynthia J. Kinall, Norton, Kansas; Christine M. (Thomas) Patree was a special person to Tom and Ruth Ann that they think of as a special daughter; and 13 grandchildren.
A good man is gone from out midst but never will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home Plainville, 320 SW Second,
Plainville, KS 67663. Family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m.
The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2019 at the United Methodist Church-Stockton, 204 N. Elm, Stockton, KS 67669.
Burial will be at the Bigge Family Cemetery in Rural Stockton, Kansas.
Memorial contributions can be made to Rooks County Health Center Physical Therapy Department in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642, 785-421-2177; Stockton, KS FFA, 522 N. Pomeroy, Stockton, Kansas 67669, 785-421-2177; and Friends of Historical Fort Hays, in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, Kansas 67642, 785-421-2177.
Hays Wrestling Club sends 22 to state this weekend
The Hays Wrestling Club 22 wrestlers headed to the Kansas State Folkstyle Championships this weekend in Topeka.
Last weekend at the District 4 championships in Pratt 18 of the club’s 27 wrestlers placed in the top four and one wrestlers qualified as an alternate. Of the qualifiers 19 are in the boys division and three are in the girls division.
You can find a list of state qualifiers and how they finished in Pratt below:
8 & Under
52 pounds – Jack Schumacher – 4th.
55 pounds – Kade Simon – 1st
80 pounds – Trevon Dickinson – 3rd
88 pounds – Myles Archer – 6th
95 pounds – Brian Prough – 1st
110 pounds – Kenneth Walker – 2nd
10 and under
52 pounds – Gaven Deneault – 1st
61 pounds – Grady Lind – 3rd
73 pounds – Holden Lind – 3rd
82 pounds – Brant Pfannenstiel – 4th
150 pounds – Jaxson Chartier – 2nd
12 and under
92 pounds – Dalton Meyers – 4th
100 pounds – Harley Zimmerman – 1st
190 pounds – Kendall Walker – 2nd
14 & under
95 pounds – Ben Schumacher – 3rd
105 pounds – Cyrus Vajnar – 4th
120 pounds – Trevor Carroll – 4th
205 pounds – Gavin Meyers – 1st
High School
250 pounds – Connor Staab – 3rd
Girls Division
Lily Balandran
Avryn Bieker
Sara Zimmerman
Thomas Edward “Tom” Bigge, 72, passed away March 11, 2018 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas.