2019 – Page 809 – Hays Post Archive

Dale Francis Sauer Sr.

Posted on February 28, 2019

Dale Francis Sauer Sr., 80, entered the arms of his heavenly Father on February 26, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.

Dale Sauer was born on November 27, 1938 in Hays, Kans. to very humble beginnings. His life epitomized the American Dream. After joining the Navy out of high school, he attended many of their electronic schools. He received his education from Regis College, Navy Post Graduate School, the Merchant Marines Academy, Air Force War College, and Air Force Comptroller School. He worked for Sperry Rand, in both Denver and Colorado Springs, before joining the government as a computer programmer. They had many duty stations throughout the world and lived in over 30 different households, including San Francisco for 2 years where he served as the database design and programming engineer. He was named the software architect for NATO War Fighting Systems while in Germany. He retired from Federal government service in 1991 at the rank of GM15 while serving as systems director for the Military Airlift Command at Scott AFB, Ill. He continued to work as a defense contractor until 1999. Dale continued his life of service in Fairview Heights, Ill. as an alderman for 6 years, as a trustee of the library board, and until his passing, as Chairman of the Board to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

Surviving is the love of his life, LouElla Elizabeth, nee Saindon, Sauer, with whom he celebrated First Holy Communion together before beginning to court at age 14 and eventually marrying for 62 years. Also surviving are his three children: Lail Roma’ (the late David) Manning of Vancouver, Wash., Christine Rene’ (Michael) Kilroy of Edmonds, Wash., and Dale Francis (Sutton) Sauer II of Shiloh, Ill. He felt incredibly blessed to have seven grandchildren: Kendra, nee Manning, Knaggs, Levi Manning, Erin Kilroy, Joshua Heuiser, Meredith, nee Heuiser, Jackson, Zachary Dale Sauer, and Jacob Sauer. He also had four great-grandchildren, Oliver and Harrison Manning, Colby and Jaxson Heuiser and was eagerly anticipating two more great-grandchildren this summer.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine, nee Schreiner, Kramer; brother Melvin and two sisters, Carolyn and Donna. He was cherished by family and friends for his love of Christ, gentle strength, integrity, humility, wisdom, selflessness, devotion to family, and unwavering kindness.

Memorial donations are suggested in the form of Masses.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 7:30 pm, Friday, March 1, 2019 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O’Fallon, Ill. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm, Friday.

Funeral: Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2019 at The Cathedral of Saint Peter, 200 West Harrison St., Belleville, Ill., with Reverend Monsignor John T. Myler presiding.

Records: Only 1 of 3 suspects in Christmas murder of Kan. woman still in custody

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

GEARY COUNTY —Charges have been dismissed against two of the three men initially accused in the case involving the Christmas time shooting death of Jenna Schafer, 31, and her unborn baby in Junction City.

A charge of capital murder against Mashaun Jay Baker, 33, Junction City, has been dismissed, according to Geary County District Court records.

A probable cause allegation of conspiracy to commit capital murder against 37-year-old Jeremiah Joseph Grubb has also been dismissed.

Dion Jamel Green, 33, Junction CIty, still faces two counts of capital murder. According to an earlier news release on or between December 24th and 25th Green was accused of killing Schafer with premeditation by a gunshot wound.

A status check or motion hearing is scheduled in District Court for Green on April 11th. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in his case on August 14th.

Jesse L. Farber

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Jesse L. Farber, 36, passed away at his home in Kearney, Nebraska on Monday, February 25, 2019.

Jesse, the son of Laura (Richmeier) Frickey and Rodger L. Farber was born April 24, 1982 in Hoxie, Kansas. He attended the Hoxie Schools graduating from Hoxie High School with the Class of 2000. During his Senior year of high school, he decided he wanted to enlist in the United States Marine Corp. Jesse committed February of his senior year of high school and left immediately after graduation to join the United States Marine Corp.

He was deployed and served his country overseas in Iraq. After serving in Iraq, he was stationed at 29 Palms, California where he served until he was discharged. Jesse was proud to be a United States Marine and earned a Rifle Marksman Badge, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Medal , and a Presidential Unit Citation. After being honorably discharged after four years of active service,Jesse moved back to Hoxie for a short time before moving to Lawrence, Kansas where he worked as Supervisor for Time Warner Cable. He moved to Norton, Kansas and then to Kearney, Nebraska to attend school.

Jesse grew up in Hoxie, Kansas. While he was in high school, he was a wrestler and football player. He really enjoyed participating in History Days. One of the History Days topics he researched and presented and took to state was Iwo Jima. Jesse loved to ride motorcycles, dirt bikes and fishing. He was a very intelligent, quiet and observant young man who was a loyal, big-hearted friend.

Jessie is survived by his mother, Laura Frickey and step-father Doug of Norton, Kansas; father Rodger Farber and step-mother Rhonda of Hoxie, Kansas; brothers, Cody Farber and wife Hope of Phillipsburg, Kansas and Cale Farber & wife Shawna of Dighton, Kansas; sister, Kyla Frickey of Norton; Step-Brothers, Jeff Flavin and wife Amy, Lucas Flavin and wife Erlyn, and Matthew Frickey; Step-Sisters Carrie Seeger & Jamie Noone and husband Andrew, and Amber Frickey; Grandmother, Donna Mowry and husband Richard of Morland, Kansas; Nieces, Brook Farber, Ellie Farber and Emma Farber; Nephew, Austin Deal; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Monte Farber, Nettie Richmeier, and Orville Richmeier; Uncles, Darin Richmeier and Rick Farber.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Monday, March 4, 2019, 11:00 A.M., at the Hoxie United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 3, 2019 from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Jesse was proud to be a United States Marine who loved and served his country. Some advice he would give would be “if you are in a crowd look forward but know what is going on behind you.” This quiet, intelligent, observant, loyal, big-hearted young man would ask you to celebrate his life and know he will live in your memory and heart for all time. Jesse go in peace! Your battle has been won, and you are the victor!!!

INSIGHT KANSAS: Legislature is ready for its closeup — welcome to the show

Posted on February 28, 2019

Someone recently asked me this: The Kansas legislature is a part-time body that only meets for a few months. They must pass a budget. They must fix school funding before a court-imposed deadline. A Democrat is governor, but conservative Republicans run the legislature. So, why didn’t lawmakers recognize political reality in Topeka, find agreements early that the governor and most legislators could stomach, and then leave town?

Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.

The answer, of course, is “the show.” It’s for us.

Us citizens—typically the spectators in policymaking— often enjoy the exciting side of politics, and we especially want “our side” to put on a good show. We like bold principled statements that communicate virtue. We like emotion. We like fights that make awesome fodder for self-righteous Facebook posts. We often prefer the side of politics that looks more like Real Housewives flipping tables and snatching wigs to the wonky policy side.

So, one can understand why the legislature must act out a dramatic script before real decisions get made. Compromising on day one is bad for ratings. Nor does it help the ambitions of politicians who aspire to go from Off Broadway to Broadway itself. Good acting builds a fan club.

Take school funding. Governor Kelly and Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt have pushed legislators to act before the April court deadline that could lead to schools closing. Instead of cutting a deal early, the legislature is acting out a kabuki dance of delay, threats, and insults just to remind Kelly that they exist. Weeks of melodramatic political theater that distract from a looming deadline.

Or take taxes. Whatever you think about the last election, Kelly won. She has the veto for four years. Conservatives do not have enough votes to override her, but their job is to make policy. Yet, conservatives are spending valuable days acting like Sam Brownback is still governor and promoting a tax bill that Kelly will likely veto. Time wasted, but great theater for the 2020 and 2022 elections, especially for legislators seeking higher office.

Eventually compromise will come. Schools must be funded. A budget must be passed. Governor Kelly and Republicans should both win some and lose some. Compromise hurts. In fact, in a recent column where I suggested that Topeka politicians compromise, I apparently hurt the feelings of one conservative legislator who dramatically proclaimed that I was demanding that he “behave as a Democrat.” No, but drama must eventually give way to policy reality.

Yes, Democrats have theater, too. There is a clear parallel between politicians like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on the left making grand proclamations on policies that stand little chance of becoming law and what Republicans like Jim Denning or Susan Wagle are doing in Topeka. Not much bowing to reality, but great dramatic displays of virtue.

Where Kansans lose in this drama is on efficiency and responsibility. Rather than practicing the dirty art of compromise up front, we get theater that reinforces for the cynical among us that politics is ugly, aloof, and unproductive. Rather than using the legislature’s time efficiently, we get dilly-dallying that procrastinates on the real work and risks producing half-baked laws that courts will strike down or that the legislature must fix later. And worthwhile bills with potentially broad support die because little time is given to them.

Ultimately, Kansans can choose what to reward. We can give our Oscar votes to the most dramatic actors who gave us that most entertaining show, or we can reward the workhorses who might have given us some good drama but ultimately made Topeka work. You choose.

Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.

HPD Activity Log Feb. 25-27

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

The Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and conducted 6 traffic stops Mon., Feb. 25, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suicidal Subject–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:24 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:50 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–400 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:44 AM
Welfare Check–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 8:21 AM
Disturbance – General–400 block Milner St, Hays; 10:01 AM
Unwanted Person–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:05 PM
Civil Transport–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 12:51 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 36th St, Hays; 12:54 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 1:32 PM
Suicide–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 8 AM; 2:36 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:57 PM
Theft (general)–1600 block Copper Creek Ct, Hays; 3:44 PM
Theft (general)–Hays; 4:10 PM
Theft (general)–1500 block Vine St, Hays; :13 PM; 4:18 PM
Battery – Domestic–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 8 AM; 9 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block E 27th St, Hays; 5:20 PM; 5:26 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–3300 block Country Ln, Hays; 5:31 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block E Main St, Hays; 6:30 AM; 6:35 PM
911 Hangup Call–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 7:44 PM; 9:10 PM
Civil Transport–1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 8:09 PM; 10:25 PM
Drug Offenses–200 block W 4th St, Hays; 11:45 PM; 2/26 12:15 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Tue., Feb. 26, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block W 33rd St, Hays; 7:40 AM
Battery – Domestic–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:20 AM; 12:33 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3000 block E 22nd St, Hays; 6:45 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–300 block W 13th St, Hays; 8:13 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–7th and Elm, Hays; 9 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–600 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:19 AM
Civil Dispute–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 9:58 AM
Computer Crime–3500 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 10:01 AM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 11:30 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 11:53 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 11:54 AM
Parking Complaint–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 1:02 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:27 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–300 block W 40th St, Hays; 2:43 PM
Animal At Large–1200 block E 31st St, Hays; 3:37 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 4:03 PM
Suspicious Activity–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2/25 8 PM; 2/26 3 PM
Welfare Check–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 6:42 PM
Civil Dispute–2400 block Fort St, Hays; 6:57 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 27, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 1:03 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1900 block E 25th St, Hays; 2:18 AM; 2:20 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–17th and Golden Belt, Hays; 7:43 AM
Drug Offenses–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 1:45 AM; 4:50 AM
Animal At Large–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:30 AM
Parking Complaint–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 12:10 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 12:52 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:27 PM; 5:33 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block E 22nd St, Hays; 9:42 PM
Homicide–1500 block E 27th St, Hays; 10:03 PM

Baby hospitalized in Kan. after burned in bathtub, mother charged

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — A 25-year-old woman is jailed after her 6-month-old daughter suffered severe burns in a bathtub.

Elizabeth Austin, of Lake Ozark, was charged after the girl was flown Sunday to a Kansas hospital with burns from her waist to her head. The child is on a ventilator at the University of Kansas hospital.

Court records show say Austin told officers she left the baby in baby’s tub while she tried to control her 4-year-old child.

Investigators say Austin claimed her 2-year-old daughter pushed the baby’s tub under running water and turned the hot water on.

Austin is charged with two counts of first-degree child endangerment and felony drug possession. Bond was set at $100,000.

Online court records don’t name an attorney for Austin.

Bonne June Trachsel

Posted on February 28, 2019

Longtime Goodland resident Bonne June Trachsel, 84, passed away on February 26, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society-Sherman County in Goodland, KS.

Bonnie was born on July 17, 1934 in Brush, Colorado to Fred and Margaret (Tipton) Martin. At the age of 6, Bonnie and her family moved to Goodland, where she attended school and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1953.

In 1954, Bonnie married W.J. Trachsel at the United Methodist Church in Goodland. To this union, three children; Karlene, Charlene and Cleve were born. Bonnie spent most of her life working as a farm and ranch wife, helping raise cattle and attend to things on the farm. She was also an artist and a photographer.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Goodland where she was very active in many groups and committees and helped start the Prairie Dusters Riding Club. She was also a 4-H Horse Superintendent and served on the committee for the Goodland Little Britches Rodeo. Bonnie and W.J. were also named a Century Farming Family by the Sherman County Historical Society.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband W.J.

She is survived by her three children and their families; Karlene (Gary) Barricklow of Goodland, KS and their children Travis and Taylor Barrett; Charlene (David) Avila of Goodland, KS and their children Colleen (Jeremy) Jennings, Justeen Koehler and Luke Avila, and Cleve (Mellanie) Trachsel of Goodland, KS and his children Forrest, Dillon (Jen) and Kolt Trachsel. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren; Jeren and Aiden Jennings and Blair Trachsel.

Funeral services for Bonnie will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019 at 10:00 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorials may be designated to the United Methodist Church, the Good Samaritan Center or to Hospice Services of Sherman County and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral service arrangements have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

47-year-old Kan. man charged after found with teen in Colorado motel

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 47-year-old man who was arrested with a former 14-year-old cast member from a Topeka community theater production is facing three charges.

Fitzgerald -photo Montezuma County Sheriff

Shawnee County District Court records show Michael Fitzgerald, of Topeka, was charged Wednesday with indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child and electronic solicitation.

The girl was reported missing Jan. 22. She was found two days later with Fitzgerald at a hotel in Cortez, Colorado.

The two both performed in the Topeka Civil Theatre production of “Elf: The Musical” before they went missing.

Fitzgerald remains in custody on $250,000 bond.

Harold Lloyd Cox

Posted on February 28, 2019

Harold Lloyd Cox, 80, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on February 26, 2019.

He was born to Charley Nelson Cox Jr. and Theodora Frances (Lowrance) Cox in Douglas, AZ. After school, Harold served in the Navy for 3 ½ years. He eventually went to work for Phillips Petroleum, where he retired after 27 years. He enjoyed hobbies such as playing golf and reading. He particularly loved playing in the golf tournaments at the Lowrance family reunions.

Harold is survived by his daughter Sandra Lynn and husband Doug Lynn of Ralston, OK; son Brian Cox and wife Carla of Hays, KS; son Kelly Cox of Ponca City, OK; sister-in-law Hazel Cox of Mississippi; sister Mable Darlene Ladd and husband Jerry of Minnesota; sister Wanda Louise Bessey of Oregon; brother George Michael (Mickey) Cox of Oregon; brother Charley Nelson (Chuck) Cox III and wife Frankie of Oregon; brother Victor Stephen Cox of Georgia; 5 grandchildren Krista, KC, Timothy, Eryn, and Evyn; 4 great-grandchildren Kirsten, Jackson, Gideon, and Aden; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Robert Eugene Cox.

Viewing is scheduled for Friday, March 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee, OK.

The funeral will be held Saturday, March 2, at 1:00 pm at the Poteet Funeral Home with Rev. Johnny Wagner officiating burial will follow at Ralston Riverside Cemetery. Services were entrusted to Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services, friends can leave a memory for the family at www.poteetfuneralhome.com

Brutal cold makes its return to NW Kansas this weekend

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Forecasters are calling for extreme cold temperatures through the region this weekend.

After a brief warmup Friday, when the high temperature is predicted to be just above freezing at 33 degrees, the mercury is expected to dive drastically as the weekend progresses.

The overnight low Friday is expected to dip to 15, with wind chill values as low as 5 degrees. There will be a chance of snow beginning Saturday afternoon and evening, with a high temperature of 24 predicted.

On Sunday, however, the high is only expected to reach a blustery 5 degrees in Hays, with a low down to -5 degrees. Wind chills across the region could dip to -20 degrees.

The bitter cold is expected to last into Wednesday, when a high of 36 degrees is predicted.

Click HERE for the complete extended forecast.

NW Kansas eateries make the cut in chicken-fried steak rankings

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Online ranker OnlyInYourState.com has compiled a list of the best places to order up the comfort food of chicken fried steak.

Making the list from northwest and north-central Kansas were:

• Pretty Boy Floyd’s, Ellsworth
• L&T Family Restaurant, Goodland
• The Bricks by Meg, Goodland
• Welcome Home Cafe, Colby
• Made From Scratch, Wilson

Click HERE the complete listing.

Cover photo / Zac Bowling

Hays High’s Chase Brous signs with McPherson College

Posted on February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Chase Brous wanted to play baseball past high school when he was younger. However, the more he played football in high school he realized his future might be on the grid iron. Thursday at the high school cafeteria, Brous signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the McPherson College Bulldogs.

Brous received interest from McPherson College during his junior season but was worried if the interest was still there following a coaching change at the college. Following a series of conversations with new Bulldogs coach Jeremiah Fiscus and conversations between Fiscus and Indians’ coach Tony Crough, Brous landed a college to play at.

Chase Brous

Brous plans on majoring in elementary education while attending college. The former defensive lineman for the Indians has hitting the weight room and gaining weight at the top of his priority list before heading off for fall camp. Coach Tony Crough has already seen the difference in Brous noting that he has put on around 25 pounds since the end of football. Crough believes one of the top football qualities that helped Brous reach the collegiate level is his tenacity on the field.

Crough also pointed out that Brous was everything that a first year head coach could want in a player and a senior leader.

Coach Tony Crough

In a two year varsity career Brous compiled 72 total tackles, five for loss, two sacks, caused one fumble and recovered four more. He was named to the second All-Western Athletic Conference defense this past season.

Four will represent NW Kansas in 2019 Leadership Kansas Class

Posted on February 28, 2019

Four northwest Kansans have been named to the 2019 Leadership Kansas Class.

The class will include:

• Andrea Kraus, Russell, controller/secretary/treasurer at John O. Farmer Inc.
• Dustin Roths, Hays, owner/CEO of Diamond R Jewelry and Ellis County commissioner
• Jason Showalter, Goodland, dean of student advancement at Northwest Kansas Technical College
• Etta Walker, Sharon Springs, attorney at law