Friday Night A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. East southeast wind 13 to 16 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 45. Windy, with a west northwest wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph.
Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 7 to 16 mph.
SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 43.
Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 21.
MondayA chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of rain and snow between 10am and 11am, then a chance of rain after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
RENO COUNTY — The state has charged two Hutchinson Correctional Facility inmates with battery of corrections officers.
Baker photo KDOCLyons photo KBI offender registry
Mark Anthony Baker, 33, is charged for an incident on Dec. 6, 2018. He is also charged with trafficking contraband for having what was described as a homemade weapon used for stabbing.
Baker is serving time for numerous convictions from Labette County including first-degree murder, abuse of a child, theft, obstruction, possession of drugs and paraphernalia.
Christopher Lyons is charged for an attack on Jan. 19, 2019, while the officer was performing duties at the prison.
Lyons is serving time for aggravated assault, battery and violating the offender registration act. His crimes occurred in Sedgwick County in 2013 and 2016.
Both made an appearance in Reno County District Court this week.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The operators of a sweepstakes scam that affected senior citizens and others will forfeit $30 million in cash and assets under a record settlement announced Thursday by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement that the settlement sends “a clear message” that those who commit fraud in Missouri won’t “go unpunished.”
Kevin Brandes, William Graham and Charles Floyd Anderson sent deceptive mailers to consumers worldwide starting in 2013, the agencies said. The trio operated out of Kansas City along with corporations under their control.
The mailers falsely stated the recipients won large cash prizes but had to pay fees of up to $140 to get them, according to the agencies. Other mailers invited recipients to play “games of skill,” but failed to disclose the fees to play or the fact that the final round of the game involved a complex mathematical puzzle that was virtually impossible to solve.
“These defendants tricked millions of people — many of them older adults — into paying money to collect prizes that never materialized,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The defendants must turn over more than $21 million in cash along with property that will be liquidated to help pay back the victims. The property includes two luxury homes, a yacht and a Bentley automobile.
Originally filed in February 2018, the attorney general’s office said many victims in this case paid several times before realizing they had been scammed.
The agencies said the settlement is a record for a sweepstakes scam for both the attorney general and FTC.
HUTCHINSON – The TMP-Marian Monarchs hit a season-high nine three-pointers and shot a season-high 67% from the floor while holding Maur Hill Mount Academy to just 34% as the eight-seed Monarchs upset the number-one seed Ravens 73-51 Thursday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson.
Bill Meagher postgame interview
The two teams traded baskets in the early minutes of the first quarter and a three-point play gave the Ravens a 6-5 lead with under 5:45 to play in the first quarter but the Monarchs answered with a 10-2 run sparked by a Ryan Karlin three to give TMP a 15-8 lead. They lead 15-11 after one quarter.
Maur Hill was able to close the deficit to just one at 17-16 early in the second quarter before Ryan Stoeklein connected on his second of four-first half three’s and added a two-point jumped to put TMP up 22-16.
In that second quarter the Ravens outscored the Monarchs 20-19 thanks to Zachary Schwinn. He scored 11 of his game-high 19 in the quarter helping the Ravens closed the gap to 34-31 at the break.
In the third quarter, with the Monarchs leading 39-37, TMP finished the quarter on a 11-1 run to take a 50-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter the Monarchs made 17 of 18 free throws to secure the 73-51 win.
Game highlights
Ryan Karlin led two Monarchs in double-figures with 17 and Ryan Stoecklein added 14, all in the first half.
The Monarchs improve to 14-11 on the season and will take on Girard who downed Kingman 57-40.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lanie Page scored 19 points, Taylor Rolfs added 16 including 10-straight in the third quarter to give Fort Hays State a double-figure lead and the third-ranked beat Missouri Western State 71-58 Thursday in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.
The Tigers (28-1) have now won 13-straight and advance to Saturday night’s semifinals against the winner of Friday’s game between Emporia State and Washburn.
FHSU Postgame Press Conference
Game Highlights
Lanie Page scored eight first quarter points to held the Tigers to an early six-point lead but the Griffons (14-16) closed the quarter on a 12-5 run to take an 18-17 lead.
The Tigers built the lead back to six with 4:30 to play in the second then scored the final four points of the half after falling behind by one and led 32-29 at halftime.
FHSU led 36-35 at the 6:59 mark of the third when Rolfs scored 10-straight over the next 3:45 to push the lead to 11.
Western made one more push in the fourth, closing within four following a 7-0 run but the Tigers responded by scoring the next 10 and led by as many as 15 down the stretch.
The Tigers shot 52-percent in the second half and 47-percent for the game. They went 5-for-7 freom beyond the arc after halftime and 7-for-18 for the game.
Page went 3-for-6 and Rolfs 3-for-5 from long range.
Tatyana Legette, who was double-teamed throughout the contest, was held to eight points but pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out six assists.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have upgraded charges against a 35-year-old Kansas man accused of shooting at police during a standoff last year.
Abdul Jalil Hussein-photo Douglas County
Abdul Jalil Hussein was charged with several crimes after a June 29 standoff at his house.
Prosecutors upgraded a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer to attempted first-degree murder.
However, Hussein was found incompetent to stand trial last year and is being treated at Larned State Hospital.
In June 2018, Hussein allegedly battered an officer before going inside his home. He allegedly came back outside wearing body armor and pointed a gun at the officer. The two men exchanged fire but neither was hit.
He faces several other charges after an hours-long police standoff in December 2017 and violent incidents at his mother’s home.
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported aggravated assault with a gun and have made an arrest.
Image courtesy Wichita Police
On Wednesday, police in Wichita released security camera video from February 14, as a suspect approached a man working on a vehicle in his driveway in the 800 Block of North Chautauqua in Wichita.
Thanks to a tip from a citizen who saw the video, police arrested a 14-year-old boy on requested charges of aggravated assault, theft and possession of marijuana, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.
In the video, the teen sneaked up from behind and grabbed the victim’s 9mm handgun from the holster on his waist. Security camera images show the suspect point the gun at the victim and telling him to back away.
The suspect ran south through the alley between Chautauqua and Erie and fired a single shot at the victim who chased him. The victim was not injured.
The teen is being held in the Juvenile Detention Facility. Because he is a minor, police have not released his name.
RILEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of three reports of apparent drug overdoses that have been related to the use of heroin containing fentanyl over the past week and released additional details Thursday.
Just after 12:35p.m. March 2, the Riley County Police Department responded to a medical emergency in Ogden, Kansas where a 27-year-old man from Emporia was transported to a medical center for treatment and has since been released.
On March 5, at 8p.m., the RCPD responded to a medical emergencies in Manhattan involving a 50-year-old man of Manhattan who was transported to a medical center and later died. Just before 11p.m. the same evening, the RCPD responded to a medical emergency in Manhattan and found a 35-year-old man of Manhattan deceased.
Authorities have not released names of those involved as they continue to investigate. The Riley County Police Department has not received any similar reports since March 5,
VALLEY CENTER, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after becoming trapped in a container that sawdust is discharged from.
Valley Center police responded around 12:30 p.m. Thursday to Conner Industries, where the man had gone to purchase sawdust. Authorities believe he became trapped after attempting to manually free up some sawdust that was stuck in a hopper.
He wasn’t breathing when first responders arrived. Emergency responders tried to revive him but weren’t successful.
Valley Center police say the case is being investigated as an accident. The man’s name wasn’t immediately released. He had planned to use the sawdust for agricultural purposes.
Duane “Dewey” Lloyd Carlson, 81, of Great Bend, formerly of Leonardville and Manhattan, passed away March 7, 2019 in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on Thursday April 8, 1937 at Park View Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas to Lloyd and Viola Carlson.
Duane graduated from Leonardville High School in 1955 and he later began working at Farm Bureau, where he built his career. He enlisted with the Army National Guard on November 19, 1958 and was honorably discharged on November 18, 1964. He met his future wife, Patricia Arlone (Krinhop) Carlson while working at Farm Bureau and they were married on September 18, 1960 at the Lutheran Church in Chapman, KS.
Duane worked for Farm Bureau for 43 years before he retired. After his retirement, he began driving vehicles for Marmie’s and Doonan’s, which allowed him the opportunity to travel the United States, which he loved. Duane spent as much time as possible with is family and friends. His favorite past times were playing golf and watching football.
Duane is survived by his sons Mark and Laurie Carlson of Overland Park and Michael and Susan Carlson of Great Bend, granddaughters Shanna, Alexandra, Nicole (fiancé Erik Anderson), and Jordan, and soon to be great grandson Oliver Lloyd Hight. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and wife.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, KS with family present from 5 – 7 p.m. Services will be held at Bryant Funeral Home on Tuesday March 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Aaron Withrow and Pastor Barbara Jones presiding. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Indian Hills Cemetery in Chapman, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be designated to Foundry Methodist Church or Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Rosemary A. Bange, 92, of Colby, died Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Prairie Senior Living Complex, Colby.
She was born April 28, 1926, in Kansas City, MO, to John and Mary (Fellhoelter) Rehmer. Rosemary entered the Order of the Sisters of Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Wichita, in 1942. She completed her high school education in 1944 and then went on to complete nurses training in 1948, at Saint Mary’s Hospital, in Enid, OK.
She was licensed as a registered nurse in Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In 1969 she left the Sisters of Adorers and began working as a Registered Nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Hays. She then, in 1970, worked at the Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie for 8 months before becoming the night supervisor at Saint Thomas Hospital in Colby, where she worked until 1975. On September 26, 1970, Rosemary married Sylvester Bange. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, Saint Jude Circle and Queen Mary Circle. Rosemary enjoyed dancing with the “young at heart” at the Senior Center and volunteering as a Pink Lady at Citizens Medical Center and for Hospice Services, where she was the volunteer coordinator of Thomas County. She was a member of Family, Community & Education Organization (FCE) of Sheridan County and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Rehmer; brothers, Mark and Joseph Rehmer; sister Mary Ellen Zimmerman; brothers-in-law John Zimmerman, Walter Meitl, Vincent Bange and Raymond Bange; sister-in-law Agnes Bange and niece Sandra Rae Bange.
She is survived by her husband, Sylvester, of Colby; son Christopher (Vicky), of Rexford; grandchildren, Rebecca (Jonathan) Butler, Clayton Bange, Hannah Bange and Jordyn Bange and great grandchildren, Harper Ann and Jaxon Dean.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Rosemary Bange Memorial, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Hays Public Library’s Little Free Library at Seven Hills Park. Ellis plans to implement a similar community book exchange.
ELLIS – Visitors to three parks in Ellis will soon be able to enjoy a community book exchange program.
City council members Monday approved the provision of materials and installation of the boxes by the Public Works Dept.
Todd Keller of the Washington Grade School PTO presented the presented the idea to the council during their meeting. The PTO helped finance the cost of the materials for the boxes, and a woodshop class constructed the boxes.
The council also accepted a low bid of $2,000 from Luke Karlin for replacement of the swimming pool house roof.
In other business, a lengthy discussion was held about establishing an emergency snow route. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman was directed to design such a route while City Clerk Amy Burton will research applicable traffic ordinances in other Kansas towns.
The complete unofficial meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
March 4, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Jolene Niernberger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, and Police Chief Taft Yates. Council member Bob Redger and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel requested the addition of Consideration of Emergency Sewer Repairs under New Business.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Steve Homburg, Barbara Perkins, Cameron Reed, Todd Keller, Vernie Pritchett, Travis Roland (arrived at 7:50 p.m.), Jake Schartz (arrived at 7:57 p.m.), Jason Armstrong (arrived at 7:58 p.m.), and Brad Leiker (arrived at 8:05 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 18, 2019 and Bills Ordinance #2064. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Vernie Pritchett expressed her support of the City’s swimming pool project. Ms. Pritchett works as a Foster Grandparent at Washington Grade School and believes the swimming pool is an important activity for our youth.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Parks: Special Project
Todd Keller, Washington Grade School PTO, presented a sample “book box” for use in a community book exchange program. The PTO helped finance the cost of the materials for the boxes, and Mr. Carroll’s woodshop class constructed the boxes. Mr. Keller is requesting the City’s assistance with allowing the boxes to be placed in three City parks and for Public Works’ assistance in mounting the boxes. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to support the placement of the book exchange boxes in Swimming Pool, Play World, and South Walnut parks, and for the Public Works Department to provide the materials and installation of the boxes in the respective parks. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
The City solicited sealed bids for labor to remove the old shingles at the pool house and to replace with metal roofing. Mayor David McDaniel opened the following bids: Eck & Eck Construction – $4,200.00 and Luke Karlin – $2,000.00. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to accept the bid from Luke Karlin in the amount of $2,000.00 to replace the roof at the swimming pool, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement Fund. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Parks: Event Request
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application and the Event Request for Traffic Control for the Chrysler Car Show to be held at Chrysler Park on June 1, 2019. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Personnel: Policy
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the revisions to the Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank Program as presented. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The revision specifies that newly eligible employees have ninety days to enter the program once the required hours are accumulated.
General Government: Policy
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Small Cell Aesthetic Standards with the minor revision noted on Page 3. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
The update on the status of obtaining right-of-ways for the Cedar Lane lift station project will be tabled due to the City Attorney’s absence.
Special Machinery: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of a Skid-Steer loader, with the recommendation to accept the low bid from Bobcat. The current machine is 20 years old and has a severe hydraulic leak. After discussion, Council member Martin LaBarge moved to accept the bid from Bobcat for the S595 T4 Skid-Steer loader in the amount of $37,688.79, less trade-in of $7,500 for a total price of $30,188.79, with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Special Machinery: Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman continued by presenting bids for the purchase of a jack hammer attachment for the skid-steer loader. He recommends the low bid from Bobcat. The current attachment is ten years old, and Mr. Scheuerman stated that no repairs have been needed to the equipment thus far. Council member Steve Ferland moved to accept the bid from Bobcat for the NB160 jack hammer attachment in the amount of $5,212.84, less trade-in of $1,500, for a total price of $3,712.84, with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned if the funds would be better utilized on a piece of equipment that needs replaced more urgently. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bret Andries voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Martin LaBarge and Holly Aschenbrenner voting opposed.
NEW BUSINESS
Parks: Event Request
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application from the Kohl family for the use of Chrysler Park on July 19th and 20th for a family reunion. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Economic Development: Policy
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Application for New Retail Business Incentive Partial Sales Tax Rebate for Auto Standard, LLC. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Policy
Council entered into a lengthy discussion regarding the establishment of an emergency snow route. Currently, the City only has primary snow routes for clearing snow. Council member Martin LaBarge stressed the safety factor of having an established route, and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman concurred by stating he has witnessed numerous close calls of vehicles not giving staff adequate space to maneuver the big equipment. Establishing a designated route would prohibit vehicles from that roadway until the snow was cleared. Council discussed various factors such as traffic control, ticketing violators, contracting with a towing company, signage, and the possible route itself. Council requested Mr. Scheuerman provide a proposed emergency snow route at the next Council meeting and for City Clerk Amy Burton to request sample ordinances from the Clerk’s List Serve.
Personnel: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented a proposed revision to the Personnel Policy. The Public Works Department has requested Council remove the stipulation that treatment of the streets for adverse conditions is always treated as a one-hour minimum scheduled call-out. By removing the stipulation, call-outs will follow the already established “scheduled” or “emergency” provisions, whichever the case may be. Council member Martin LaBarge moved to remove the stipulation that treatment of adverse street conditions is always calculated as a one-hour minimum call-out. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Campground: Special Project
The Ellis Alumni Association has requested a donation for their annual golf tournament. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to donate two – two-night stays at the Lakeside Campground. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested ratification of the invoice from Flatlander Dirt Works, LLC. The company hauled one extra load of street material than needed due to miscommunication with APAC on the amount of rock previously hauled. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned why the City should pay for the overage when it was the contractor’s error. Mr. Scheuerman explained the City will use the extra rock either this year or next; it just wasn’t needed for the current project. Council member Bret Andries moved to ratify the invoice from Flatlander Dirt Works, LLC in the amount of $11,479.20, an overage of $229.20. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed and Council member Steve Ferland abstaining.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman informed Council of a sewer line problem in the area of 10th and 11th Streets from Spruce to Monroe. The sewer line backed up earlier today, with a similar issue in early February. Both times the sewer line was jetted to clear any obstruction. Mr. Scheuerman presented two bids to camera the sewer line to determine what is causing the issue. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to accept the low bid from Utility Maintenance Contractors, LLC to camera the sewer line at an amount not to exceed $3,000, with funds to come from the Sewer Depreciation Reserve fund. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has submitted a letter stating the City has received a Class 6 rating for 1&2 family residential properties and a Class 7 rating for commercial and industrial property. The rating will apply to new buildings receiving a Certificate of Occupancy after January 1, 2019.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for February and the March Staff Calendar.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the draft minutes from the recent Campground Committee meeting.
The Swimming Pool Committee has drafted an informational flyer explaining the grant project for a new swimming pool. Council requested Ms. Burton contact the engineer to gather more details of the proposed new pool to include in the flyer. The Committee hopes to include the flyer with the April 1st utility bills.
Ms. Burton informed Council of the need to develop a policy at the auditor’s request regarding donations. The City receives numerous donation requests each year, and it would be helpful to have criteria to follow.
The annual Community Blood Screening will be March 6th from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. in Council chambers.
Darin Myers, Ellis County Emergency Manager, has requested Council attendance at an Incident Command Overview course on March 27th in Hays.
Ms. Burton met with the City’s health insurance administrators and reported that the City’s premium costs for the year are .87% below projections.
Attorney
None
Mayor Update and Announcements
None
Executive Session
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman. Council member Steve Ferland moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss personnel in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Clerk Amy Burton present. The open meeting will resume at 9:51 p.m. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
Executive Session
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss personnel in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Clerk Amy Burton present. The open meeting will resume at 9:57 p.m. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
Executive Session
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss personnel in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Clerk Amy Burton present. The open meeting will resume at 10:02 p.m. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Steve Ferland seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.
