SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and and reported Wednesday the victim had died.
Police on the scene of Sunday’s shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH
Just after 5a.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1100 Block of South Fern in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.
Officers found a victim identified as 27-year-old Hector Ortega in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head, according to Captain Brent Allred. EMS transported him to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. Police learned Tuesday night, Ortega died from his injuries, according to Allred.
Investigators have learned that Ortega had arrived and parked the vehicle on South Fern. There was an argument in the street and Ortega was shot one time, according to Allred.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police.
Eleanor Morel departed her earthly life on February 26, 2019 at the age of 95. She was born near Penokee, KS to Charles S. and Ida (Hatcher) Cafferty on May 28, 1923.
Eleanor graduated from Hill City High School and attended business College in Omaha, NE. She married Cleo Morel on December 30, 1941 in Damar, KS. They both worked for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft in Baltimore, MD and Omaha, NE. They later moved to Palco, KS and then to Jennings, KS, where Eleanor lived until her death. Cleo passed away in 1987. Eleanor loved to quilt, read and play cards.
Eleanor is survived by daughters: Diane (Dave) Carter and Teresa (Arnie) Reyher; son, Pat Morel; 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ida; husband, Cleo; sons: Dennis Ray Morel, Philip Morel and Robert Morel; brothers: Harold Niehaus, Wayne Niehaus and Kenneth Cafferty; sisters: Faye Pfaffle, Louise Cameron, Charlotte Pool, Idella Nichol and CoraLea Hachmeister and great granddaughter, Quinnley Taylor.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Leoville. Burial will follow at Jennings Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00-10:30 am before the service at the church. A Rosary will be said at 10:30 am following the visitation. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com
Hays wastewater plant reconstruction underway in Feb.(Drone picture courtesy city of Hays)
Hays city commissioners will hear an update on the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Facility Reconstruction Project during their meeting Feb. 28.
Eric Farrow with HDR engineers is scheduled to present the update.
The commission will also be asked to sign a letter of support for Overland Property Group, Leawood, which plans to redevelop the former Washington Elementary School, 305 Main, and construct income-qualified housing.
As part of the process to apply for federal tax credits, OPG must have a Resolution of Support from the local governing body. City staff is recommending the commission approve the resolution.
A low bid recommendation will be considered for purchase of a new double drum asphalt compactor for the Service Division. The low bid of $34,445.91 is from Murphy Tractor and Equipment, Great Bend; budgeted amount was $37,000. The equipment will be for asphalt and base compaction as well for asphalt and concrete projects.
Holly Dickman, Water Conservation Specialist, will provide an update to the commission on the Water Conservation Program and results from 2018.
The complete agenda is available here. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
TOPEKA — Rep. Renee Erickson (R-Wichita) was told to leave her religious beliefs “at the door” or to “find something else to do” during her time as a school principal at Brooks Middle School in Wichita. Because of that, Erickson says that students and faculty who want to express their religion in public schools should have the right to do so under the First Amendment, as long as they are not pushing it on anybody else.
Erickson testified before the House Education Committee in support of House Bill 2288, which would allow faculty to take part in prayer led by students, as well as to allow students organize prayer groups and religious clubs and wear religious clothing.
She said that it’s unfortunate that the bill is needed, but it’s important to protect academic freedom which is derived from the First Amendment.
“House Bill 2288 simply reaffirms and solidifies students’ and school employees’ constitutional right to free speech,” Erickson said.
Brittany Jones, director of advocacy for the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas in Topeka, recounted instances in which educators and coaches were reprimanded for engaging in religious expression, even when asked to join in on student-led prayer after school hours and off school grounds. She said this bill will fix the current gray area of student law.
“No authority has ruled on this issue in Kansas, leaving legislature an open door to provide clarification,” Jones said.
She also said it would be effective in preventing lawsuits against public schools. Yet other legislators, such as Rep. Stephanie Clayton (D-Leawood), believe it will do the opposite
“This looks like it opens it up to a bag of worms,” Clayton said. “So, I’ve got concerns.”
She asked Jones if the bill would also apply to non-mainstream religions, such as Satan worshipers or even followers of the Church of the Spaghetti Monster.
Others, such as Kansas Association of School Boards Advocacy Specialist Leah Filter and lobbyist Mark Desetti from the Kansas National Education Association in Topeka, said that actions of authority figures influence students too much.
“Parents are in charge of their children’s religious beliefs,” Desetti said. “Educators don’t have the right in any way to usurp the rights of parents to choose their children’s moral or religious beliefs.”
He said that students look to teachers as role models, and that their actions should only model learning and respect in the classroom. Filter agreed with Desetti, and said that there are already educational institutions that allow for expression of faith.
“If we really want to have prayer in schools, we have religious schools that our children can attend,” Filter said.
Erickson ended the meeting by finding common ground with Filter and Desetti on the idea that educators should not be pushing ideas onto students.
Grant DeMars is a University of Kansas senior from Salina majoring in Journalism.
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Lottery is warning its players to be on the lookout for scams.
Recently, the Kansas Lottery received multiple reports from its players about scammers contacting them via Instagram claiming to be the Kansas Lottery and asking for money.
The Kansas Lottery wants to remind its players the Lottery will never contact prize winners via social media or ask for money in order for a winner to claim a prize.
In order to avoid future scams, the Lottery is reminding its players to never provide personal information, such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers over the phone or social media. The lottery also wants players to be wary of prize notices for contests or promotions they never entered or do not remember entering.
The Kansas Lottery has alerted Instagram of the scammer account and has asked for it to be removed. The Lottery has also alerted the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division about the scam.
If a player believes he or she has been contacted by a scammer, please contact the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division by phone (785) 296-3751 or by email at [email protected].
Dianne Gail Wittman, 73, passed away on February 23, 2019 at Cedar Village Care Center in Ness City. She was born on October 13, 1945 in Fredericksburg, Virginia the daughter of Susie Sacrey .
For over twenty years, Dianne was a Quality Control Manager at McLane which services 7-11. She was an auxiliary member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. She married Wilbert “Bud” Wittman on Saturday, May 16th, 1981, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He survives.
Other survivors include her son, Jerry “Chip” Klock (Kimberly) of Fredericksburg; daughters, Teresa Janda (Mike) of McPherson, Lori Klock of Fredericksburg; stepdaughters, Heather Thompson (Carey) and Amanda Henson (Joshua) of Fredericksburg; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Ness County Food Bank for Summer Lunch Program.
Marilyn J. (Davis) Harless, 88, passed away on Friday, February 22 at Ness County Hospital, Ness City. She was born on January 28, 1931 in Ness City to Marshall and Jane (Goodfellow) Davis.
She married Hugo “Hooks” A. Haas in 1950 in Perryton, TX. He preceded her in death on October 1, 1980. Her parents preceded her in death as well as her sister, Ruth, and brother, Donald.
She married Don Harless in November 1985. He survives.
Marilyn graduated from Ness City High School in 1949. She loved to play cards, play piano, garden, cook, sew and explore genealogy.
She is also survived by her three daughters from her marriage with Hooks, Jane Riojas of Hutchinson, Luann Frank (Dennis) of Hutchinson, and Wanda Gabel (Alex) of Ness City; seven grandchildren, Talissa Davis (Jonathan) of Kennesaw, GA, Wanda Riojas of Hutchinson, KS, Justin Frank (Crystal) of Inman, KS, Jeremy Frank (Annie) of Nickerson, KS, Calvin Gabel (Kimberly) of Eagle River, AK, Grant Gabel (Jessica) of Roanoke, TX, and Nolan Gabel of Portland, OR and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019, 1:30 p.m. at Ness City Cemetery. Friends my sign the book at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Friday, March 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials can be made to the Ness County Bank Building, Ness County Historical Society, or the Ness City Library.
Annunciata Marie (Wildeman) Weber, 88, of Park, departed this life on February 26, 2019, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care Unit, in Hoxie.
The oldest child of Daniel and Mary (Ziegler) Wildeman, Ann was born at home, May 29, 1930, east of Park. Ann and her family moved to their new sod house south of Grainfield when she was 5 years old. She had many stories of living in a “soddy.” She attended grade school in rural Grainfield and graduated from Grainfield High School in 1949. Ann worked at the Grainfield grocery store and bank until the love of her life returned from the Korean War. Annunciata was united in marriage to Aloysius Weber on May 18, 1953. To this union were born seven children, Gwendolyn, Dan, Allan, Marita, Stacy, Kevin and Alanna.
Al and Ann began their married life on the Weber farm south of Park. In 1957, they moved to their new home 2 miles north of Park. Ann was proud to work alongside her husband Al on the family farm for over 60 years. They also ran a grocery store in Park in the early 80’s. She was a devoted mother who gave her children a strong faith foundation. She taught them the importance of prayer. Countless blessed candles were burned over the years when she knew of someone’s suffering or needs.
Ann learned to crochet in her mid-forties. Each grandchild received one of Grandma’s afghans as a high school graduation gift and many more were given as wedding gifts.
Al was the gardener, and Ann was the canner of all his produce. No one can dispute how wonderful her cinnamon pickles were, and she would make dill pickles by the crock-full! She also spent hours turning farm fresh eggs into home made noodles. What a treat it was to snitch some of those noodles as they were spread out on the beds to dry! And many of her grandchildren had the experience of cleaning chickens with Grandma Weber. Grandma’s Chicken & Noodles were the best!
In June of 2018, Ann had to leave the home that “her honey had built for her”. The last several months of her life were spent at the Long Term Care in Hoxie. She enjoyed making new friends and playing bingo to win prizes for her great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed the weekly Mass when Fr. Kevin could come out from Salina, and Thursday afternoon Rosary group.
Ann was a lifetime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the altar society and the VFW auxiliary.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband Al; parents, Dan and Mary Wildeman; step-mother Wanda Wildeman; brothers Pius and Francis; infant sister Caroline, and sisters-in-law, Neyla Kippes and Fran Wildeman.
She is survived by her children, Gwen (Kevin) Offutt, of Healy, Dan (Vickie) Weber, of Park, Allan (Connie) Weber, of Quinter, Marty (Herb) Cressler, of Hoxie, Stacy (Jerry) Wagoner, of Haxtun, CO, Fr. Kevin Weber, of Salina and Alanna (Laura) Woodward-Weber, of Healy; 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren; brother Vernard Wildeman; sister-in-law Doreen Wildeman, and brother-in-law Gene Kippes.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2019, also at the church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Sheridan County Benefit Walk or the Diocese of Salina Vocations Education Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Paula Rae (Razak) Peterson, passed away February 21, 2019, in Abilene, Kansas. She was born February 21, 1949 in Quinter, Kansas.
Paula dedicated 35 years teaching English and related courses at a variety of levels, finding enjoyment and fulfillment in her career.
Paula attained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fort Hays State University in 1971. She married Scott Stein in 1971, they later divorced. Paula further attained her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University in 1984, and a certification in TESL from Kansas University in 1993. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in USD 435 Abilene in 1991 and an outstanding community Education Award from Cloud County Community College a few years later. After her retirement in 2010, Paula taught as a part-time instructor for five years at the college level in Salina.
Paula served on many committees at USD 435 Abilene, co-chaired a state middle school conference, and as a member of the Abilene-NEA, she was a state representative two years at the NEA (National Education Association) convention. Additionally, she attended numerous educational conferences, conventions and workshops at the state and national level. Paula also presented at educational conferences.
Paula found joy in traveling, especially in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Mexico. She taught English for one year in Abilene’s sister city, Minori (later renamed Omitama), Japan, and was the first of many Dickinson County residents to do the same. She continued to be active in the sister city program, hosting Japanese guests in her home and organizing the delegation trips for several years. Having a love of art, after her retirement Paula enjoyed volunteering as a Picture Person for the Arts Council of Dickinson County for six years. Paula was a life-long Kansas City Royals fan. She was affiliated with the Methodist church throughout her life and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Abilene since 1980.
Survivors include her husband of 21 years, Kenneth Lynn Peterson, of Abilene, her sister Lenna Lea Wiebe of Shawnee, Kansas, her children, Phillip (Ashley) Stein and Mark (Emily) Stein, her stepchildren, Andrea (Kyle) McCook and Bethany (Karl) Franz, and her beloved grandchildren, Lanie, Halee, Alyssa, and Victoria Stein, and Kilynne, Myah and Asher McCook.
Preceding Paula in death were her parents, Lee and Myrtle (Lynd) Razak.
The funeral service will begin at 10:30am Friday, March 1, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 610 N. Cedar Street Abilene KS, followed by a private graveside service at Abilene Cemetery. Family visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2019 from 9:15am to 10:15am before the service. A lunch will follow the service at the church in Wright Hall.
Expressions of sympathy and memorials may be sent to the family c/o Lynn Peterson, 1700 Beekman Place Abilene KS 67410. Suggested memorials are First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Dickinson County or Alzheimer’s Association Heartland of America Chapter.
Hays USD 489 school board members Luke Oborny and Sophia Rose Young inspect an iPad and Chromebook at the board’s meeting Monday night. The board is considering purchasing new computers for Hays Middle School.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Some Hays USD 489 school board members are questioning the need for touchscreens as a feature on computers for the Hays Middle School students.
The board was set to vote on the replacement of 680 computers at HMS at its meeting on Monday. The purchase is part of a four-year rotation of computer buying for the district.
The district technology committee looked at three different devices for the HMS students.
These included replacing the school’s iPads with new iPads. Over four years, the computers would cost $254,320, which is less than the $290,000 the district budgeted for replacement.
Chromebooks with the same capabilities would cost $317,612 with a significantly lower resale value at the end of four years. A Windows device was significantly above budget at a cost of $344,071.
If the district bought iPads, the technology committee planned on not buying new devices for teachers. The district also would not have to pay for professional learning time if it stayed with the iPads.
The technology committee conducted a study this fall on the use of Chromebooks at HMS, in an elementary classroom and at the Learning Center. After the study, the committee concluded the iPads better met the learning needs of the district’s students.
Members of the board still questioned if the iPads were the correct purchase for the district.
Board member Paul Adams said, “I am interested, and the other board members are, in the reasons touch is such a vital need.”
Adams wanted to know what touchscreens were being used for besides annotation while reading.
“It’s not what you want; it’s what you are using,” he said.
Nineteen HMS teachers out of 32 indicated in a survey PDF annotation was important to students mastering learning objectives.
Board member Luke Oborny suggested staff email teachers to gather more information about how the touchscreens are being used in their classrooms.
Scott Summers, technology director, said teachers provide worksheets to students via their tablets, and they use the touchscreen to write with a stylus or draw with their finger to complete those assignments. The teachers then use the touchscreens to grade the worksheets.
Superintendent John Thissen also said during an Eagle Morning Show interview Tuesday, teachers use a variety of free educational game apps that are touchscreen based.
The technology committee checked with other similar-sized schools to see what type of devices they were using.
Board member Lance Bickle noted 15 of 23 of the schools were using Chromebooks.
“If there was a big price discrepancy or a difference in there … We are not the only district that struggles with cost. I’m just curious of what they are doing differently that we are not seeing,” he said.
Bickle added, “At the end of the day, I am merely looking at this from a cost standpoint. That is the biggest part I have struggled with, especially seeing this list. I know that most of these other districts are not using touch. I am just trying to see how they are getting around it. I am sure there are advantages and pros and cons each way. I don’t know what those are.”
Bickle also questioned if district needed video editing software on all of the devices in the school. The editing software is included on the iPads but would have to purchased for the Chromebooks.
Board member Greg Schwartz said he thought the district is spending too much from the capital outlay budget on technology.
“In the time we have started the one-to-one initiative at the high school to now, I think we have spent probably between $15 to $20 million on technology. All of it is coming out of the capital outlay fund. The next item on our agenda is to look at the bond issue. If I am right and it is $20 million, that’s an elementary school.
“You could have had an elementary school that is still here and around as we are seeing most of our stuff last three years and it is worth between $10 and $60. It really has zero value. There were educational uses for that, and hopefully the students learned and got some benefits back out of that, but I am still waiting for that study that definitively shows our investment in technology is paying back dividends.”
Schwartz also questioned if other districts were paying for their technology out of capital outlay.
The board is set to reconsider the computer purchase at its March 25 meeting.
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Lottery is warning its players to be on the lookout for scams.
