Bobby Lee Feck, 75, passed away February 17, 2019 at the University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus. He was born July 27, 1943 at Great Bend to Sydney J. & Loretta Ann (Doeden) Feck. He married Shirley Surface, Nov. 23, 1963 at Kansas City, Missouri. She survives.
A lifetime Ellinwood resident, Bobby worked in construction and was a heavy equipment operator. He loved hot rods and dune buggies, along with camping, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed working in the yard and wood crafts. He especially enjoyed being with his family and loved his grandchildren.
Survivors include, his wife, Shirley of the home; four sons, Yancy Allen Feck and his wife Michelle of Great Bend, David Wayne Feck and his wife Diane of Clarksville, TN, Monte Ray Feck and his wife Lori of Winfield and Shannon Lee Feck and his wife Samantha of Eureka; one daughter, Cynthia Renea Patterson and her husband Keith of Great Bend; two sisters, Vivian Link and her husband Glenn of Chase and Angie Cook and her husband Jerry of Boise, ID; 14 grandchildren, Wyatt, Shania, Tyler, Austin, Shaylee, Michael, Tegan, Tyrece, Blake, Kloey, Skylar, Cierra, Garrett and Alicia; and 1 great-grandchild, Aiden.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Interment will follow at the Hilltop Cemetery, Raymond. Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The failing Payless ShoeSource chain will honor gift cards and store credit until March 11 as the company liquidates all operations.
The Topeka, Kansas, company, which filed for bankruptcy protection this week, will allow returns and exchanges of non-final sale items through the end of this month for goods bought before Feb. 17.
Payless said Wednesday that it received court approval to support the orderly closing of about 2,500 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, as well as its e-commerce business. It also received authorization to pay employee wages and benefits, as well as claims from critical vendors.
Retail operations outside of North America, including company-owned stores in Latin America, are separate entities and are not included in the bankruptcy filing.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former treasurer has been sentenced for stealing from the Jewish Federation of Lincoln.
Federal prosecutors say Jennifer Rosenblatt, of Overland Park, Kansas, was sentenced Tuesday in Lincoln to six months in a residential re-entry center and six months of home confinement. She also was ordered to pay nearly $107,000 in restitution.
Prosecutors say Rosenblatt, formerly of Lincoln, was treasurer of the federation from 2009 through June 2016. They say Rosenblatt made payments to her personal credit card accounts from funds in the federation’s bank accounts.
WICHITA – AAA Kansas announced today that 41 law enforcement agencies – comprising 30 police departments and 11 sheriff’s offices – throughout the state are being honored with AAA Kansas Community Traffic Safety Awards for their 2018 work to keep roadways in their cities and counties safe through a variety of initiatives and programs.
The awards have been presented annually since 2011 by AAA Kansas to community law enforcement agencies for their efforts to successfully and cost-effectively improve local traffic safety. The agencies are scored and recognized for their efforts in multiple categories, including education, emergency medical response, enforcement and engineering.
“Our police departments and sheriff’s offices in Kansas do an excellent job in keeping motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe in their communities,” said Shawn Steward, Public Affairs Manager for AAA Kansas. “We salute these 41 law enforcement partners for their commitment, hard work and, in many cases, creative community engagement, in delivering effective and successful traffic safety programs.”
The winning law enforcement agencies will be recognized by AAA Kansas with award plaques in their communities. The honored agencies and their award levels are as follows:
Agency
2018 Award Level
Andover Police Department
Platinum
Arkansas City Police Department
Platinum
Barton County Sheriff’s Office
Bronze
Bonner Springs Police Department
Platinum
Brown County Sheriff’s Office
Platinum
Caney Police Department
Platinum
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
Platinum
Cloud County Sheriff’s Office
Gold
Coffeyville Police Department
Silver
Dodge City Police Department
Platinum
El Dorado Police Department
Platinum
Fort Scott Police Department
Platinum
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Bronze
Gardner Police Department
Silver
Hays Police Department
Platinum
Hiawatha Police Department
Platinum
Horton Police Department
Platinum
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Bronze
Kansas City Kansas Police Department
Gold
Leawood Police Department
Platinum
Lenexa Police Department
Platinum
Linn County Sheriff’s Office
Silver
Lyon County Sheriff’s Office
Platinum
McPherson Police Department
Silver
Miami County Sheriff’s Office
Gold
Mission Police Department
Platinum
Olathe Police Department
Gold
Osawatomie Police Department
Platinum
Overland Park Police Department
Gold
Parsons Police Department
Platinum
Pittsburg Police Department
Platinum
Roeland Park Police Department
Platinum
Salina Police Department
Platinum
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office
Silver
Seneca Police Department
Platinum
Shawnee Police Department
Gold
Spring Hill Police Department
Platinum
Wellsville Police Department
Silver
Westwood Police Department
Platinum
Wichita Police Department
Gold
Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office
Gold
Six Kansas law enforcement agencies have earned a AAA Kansas Community Traffic Safety Award in each of the eight years the awards have been given: Andover Police Department, Arkansas City Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Olathe Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department and Shawnee Police Department.
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 59 million members nationwide and nearly 346,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.AAA.com.
Fort Hays State University’s Forsyth Library will feature guest speaker Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum, from 12:30 to 1:30 on Wednesday, Feb. 27 in the Forsyth Library South Study Area.
Bates will present “Nicodemus, KS: A Story of Black Migration to Western Kansas,” a story about migration to and from Nicodemus in the late 1800’s.
Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History announces a Black History month theme to focus the attention of the public and explore historical issues of importance to those of African descent.
The theme selected for 2019 is Black Migrations which highlights the movement of freed slaves to new geographical regions and social realities. In the early 20th century, black migration patterns often included a move from the south to the Midwest region.
Nicodemus, located 54 miles from FHSU’s campus, is a National Historic Site under the U.S. National Park Service. Settled in the free state of Kansas in 1877, Nicodemus is the oldest and only remaining all-black settlement west of the Mississippi.
Bates, a descendant of original Nicodemus homesteaders, worked to get Nicodemus designated a National Historic Site and serves as a speaker for the Kansas Humanities Speakers Bureau.
As I walked my legislative district last year, one of the subjects people would ask me about is school security. My response was that we need to approach school security in several different ways, including implementing an anonymous student supporting system; installing classroom panic buttons; supporting mental health services; and creating a single point of entry/exit for school buildings.
Last Session, House Republicans put forward an initiative to keep the children of Kansas safe and secure at school that was signed into law in May 2018 . The Safe and Secure Schools Act requires the State Board of Education to work with other agencies to develop statewide standards for safety and craft security plans for each school district in the state. Since its enactment, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the State Board of Education have worked on creating, refining, and adopting standards.
They also have looked through the funding requests from 156 USDs, as a total of $5 million was allocated in FY 2019 to help schools make their buildings more secure. The districts requested a total of $13 million in improvements, but unfortunately, the Governor recommended defunding this program entirely in her proposed budget for FY 20. I believe this is a step in the wrong direction.
For more info1mation on this subject go to the website KSDE created for schools to get more information on the Safe and Secure Schools initiative: https://www.ksde.org/Kansas-SafeSchools. The website provides a listing of the 9 adopted standards, free online courses, planning documents, and other resources to consult.
The cities of Hays and Russell have been told a Final Master Order for the R9 Ranch water project will be completed by Friday, March 1.
If not, the cities will “turn up the heat,” and 40th District State Sen, Rick Billinger, R-Goodlandm plans to intervene, according to Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller.
The cities submitted applications to the state in June 2015 for development of the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply for Hays and Russell.
In May 2018, the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources released a draft master order approving an application to convert water use on the city-owned property from agricultural to municipal.
Following a public hearing in Greensburg in June, DWR Chief Engineer David Barfield began preparing the Final Master Order.
Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller updated the situation during a news conference Tuesday morning at the Hays Welcome Center after announcing last week the cities planned to increase pressure on the state to produce the order.
“We’ve had the input. The DWR has not released the document and there’s been considerable delay. We don’t know why,” he said.
Schwaller, along with Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty and Russell City Manager Jon Quinday, were in Topeka on Monday to visit with state officials about the plan status.
The trio met at the statehouse with newly elected Gov. Laura Kelly and Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers.
“We had a very productive meeting with the governor,” Schwaller said, “quick and engaging. We shared our concerns, where we are in the process and the purpose of it.”
Both Kelly and Rogers are familiar with the project and Kansas water law, having served previously in the Kansas Legislature.
The group also met with Sen. Billinger and the new secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Brad Loveless, the former conservation director of Westar Energy in eastern Kansas.
According to Schwaller, the last communication with DWR said the Final Master Order would be ready in two weeks. That information came Friday, Feb. 15.
“Sen. Billinger told us if we don’t have the Final Master Order by next Friday, he will personally go over and meet with the chief engineer of the Division of Water Resources,” he said.
Schwaller said Loveless, an avid hunter and fisherman, was not aware of the agreement with KDWPT to turn the 7,000 acre ranch into a walk-in hunting area as it’s returned to native grass.
“Because he’s new to the job, he didn’t know about this. He’s very excited. Loveless has actually seen the ranch when a friend took him there,” he said.
Melissa Dixon, Jeff Crispin, Jacob Wood, Toby Dougherty and John Braun listen to Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller Tuesday.
Dougherty also attended Tuesday’s news conference, along with Hays Water Resources Dir. Jeff Crispin, Project Manager John Braun, Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood and Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Melissa Dixon.
“We’re going to keep the pressure on,” Schwaller added. “Commissioners are reaching out to other elected officials. We’re calling them. I’ll be sending letters.”
Hays employs a lobbyist for the R9 project, Sean Miller of Capitol Strategies LLC, who has been instructed to meet with the new Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Beam, Schwaller said. DWR, which issues the master orders, reports to the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
The cities of Hays and Russell are co-owners of the R9 Ranch. It was purchased in 1994 as a possible long-term solution to water needs for the towns. Hays owns 82 percent of the ranch; Russell owns 18 percent.
There was an “outcry” in Edwards County at first about “outsiders coming in to buy water that was theirs,” Schwaller said. He believes most of that has died down.
“We’ve also agreed to a substantial amount of reduction in the water we would take from the ranch.”
When operating as a ranch/farm, nearly all of the R9’s 7,800 acre-feet of water rights were being used in irrigation. Hays and Russell have voluntarily agreed to pump only 4,800 acre-feet per year — a 30 percent reduction — which is what modeling by project engineer Black and Veatch has determined is a sustainable yield that is naturally replenished.
“By not pumping the full water right for irrigation to farm, we’ve already done all our neighbors a huge benefit. Water will still be running in the aquifer. We’re not going to take our full water right,” explained Schwaller.
R9 proposed municipal wells (Click to enlarge)
The wellfield is being reconfigured to optimally locate each water well and reduce the total number of wells. There are also now monitoring wells on the property.
“There are a couple of owners in the area that are concerned this might affect their water rights. It will not. They can still pump their full water rights that they’ve been doing.
“What we’ve been doing will sustain the entire aquifer in the area. The Groundwater Management District (GMD) No. 5 has not been concerned. We have endorsement from the Kansas Livestock Association. The Kansas Farm Bureau has been neutral in the matter.”
Schwaller noted some recent objections have been raised by an outside group with a Utah engineer, but dismisses the research as having “no basis in Kansas water law. The outside concerns are out of left field and not scientific.”
The water would be moved from the Arkansas River Basin to the Smoky Hill River Basin in the Hays wellfield at Schoenchen. That would trigger the Kansas Water Transfer Act for the first time because the proposal is to move 2,000 acre-feet of water or more per year a distance of 35 miles or more from water basin to another.
The R9 Ranch is south of Kinsley and 78 miles from Hays. Ellis, Victoria and La Crosse have expressed interest in purchasing some of the water for municipal use.
By state law, once the Final Master Order is issued, the Water Transfer Act will be triggered. The act still requires approval within 18 months from a three-person panel consisting of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary or the KDHE Director of the Division of Environment, the head of the Kansas Water Office, and the chief engineer of the KDA/DWR.
Schwaller describes the relationship between Hays and Russell and DWR Chief Engineer Barfield as “very good and productive.”
“We’ve gotten along well. … I think he just wants to do the best job and we appreciate that. We also appreciate that sometimes there’s a difference between getting something done and flourishes. We don’t need flourishes. This is just a very simple document. He can sign it any time.”
Schwaller said the cities would not make any concessions about the amount of water to be pumped.
“If we don’t have a Final Master Order in two weeks, there are other steps we can take, but we don’t want to go down that path. They would be very harsh and affect everyone in that basin.
“It’s important for the counties of Ellis, Russell and Rush that we have this water,” Schwaller stressed. “We are a $2 billion annual economy and an important part of northwest Kansas. If we do not have this water, we cannot continue to move forward.
“We’ve waited long enough and we’re ready to move.”
Hays voters approved a half-cent sales tax in 1998 dedicated to financing the $80 million project.
In a recent letter to the editor, I pointed out that abortion is not a political issue. However, in just these past few weeks we have seen extreme legislation promoting abortion. New York passed legislation approving 3rd trimester abortion – up to the point of birth and then celebrating the fact with loud shouts of exaltation. This legislation included abortions being performed by non-physicians i.e. coat hanger abortions (this is caring for women and their health?). As a side note — today more black babies are aborted in NYC than are born — anyone thinking Margaret Sanger?).
Virginia proposed legislation that would not only allow 3rd trimester abortion but if the baby survived the abortion, the bill would allow the baby to be killed after being “made comfortable”, in the words of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (you can see that video @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6WD_3H0wKU.) And yes, Northam received $2M from Planned Parenthood(PP) during his campaign.
Archbishop Naumann of KCK speaking on the NY legislation said, “This legislation is evil, pure and simple. It shocks the conscience… greeted to raucous cheers and standing ovations. Most grieving to our Lord of Life is that those who advocate for abortion put their eternal souls in jeopardy.
Evil? What’s it like for a 3rd trimester infant? In 1977 Gianna Jesson burned alive for 18 hours in her mother’s womb from a saline abortion at PP (Planned Death is more like it!). She miraculously survived. “Women’s Rights? — As a human being, what were Gianna’s? What other hideous ways are they using to kill infants these days?
First babies in the womb, then babies born alive who survived abortions, then the elderly, then the disabled — sound familiar? That’s Nazi Germany – that’s dictatorship – that’s the loss of our basic freedoms – that’s a menace from within!
I beg all men and women of good will to vote for those legislators who support life from conception to natural death for they are the true social justice warriors! It’s that important — it’s not just one issue – it’s foundational. Without this “right to life” no other rights matter. That is why it is the first unalienable right listed in the Declaration of Independence.
Abortion underpins violence in society – for killing an innocent human infant is a very violent, brutal, horrific, gruesome act. Increased violence is coming — wake up America and act (vote) before it is too late! Love, peace and justice will then have a chance in America.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.
Just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday, police responded to an attempted aggravated robbery to the Kwik Shop, 1700 SW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.
A store employee told police a suspect described as a black male wearing a black and white hooded sweatshirt, standing approximately 6-foot-2, and weighing 285 pounds, entered the store and indicated to the clerk he had a gun under his shirt.
He then demanded money from the clerk. The clerk refused to give him any money so the suspect then stole merchandise and fled on foot in an unknown direction. Officers searched the area but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police
BOYS PREP BASKETBALL
Abilene 46, Chapman 45
Anderson County 58, Santa Fe Trail 55
Andover Central 84, Andover 62
Baxter Springs 54, Riverton 50
Beloit 75, Smith Center 54
Bishop Miege 67, St. Thomas Aquinas 46
Central Heights 37, Lyndon 28
Cherryvale 75, Humboldt 74
DeSoto 58, Leavenworth 56
Ellis 42, Oakley 37
Eudora 66, Baldwin 50
Frontenac 65, Columbus 59
Galena 45, Southeast 42
Garden City 63, Liberal 58
Gardner-Edgerton 77, SM East 56
Goddard-Eisenhower 64, Maize South 60
Goessel 59, Canton-Galva 44
Hiawatha 60, Riverside 48
Holton 51, Jefferson West 49
Hugoton 64, Lakin 46
Independence 58, Labette County 36
Independence Home School 52, Kansas Deaf 27
Jackson Heights 50, Oskaloosa 47
Lansing 70, KC Turner 38
Lawrence 57, Olathe Northwest 40
Lawrence Free State 69, SM Northwest 63
Maur Hill – Mount Academy 69, Atchison County 26
McLouth 57, Pleasant Ridge 45
Metro Academy 63, Louisburg 60
Osawatomie 57, Prairie View 53
Pembroke Hill, Mo. 68, KC Bishop Ward 63
Perry-Lecompton 40, Osage City 37
Pittsburg Colgan 35, Girard 34
SM South 63, SM West 45
Sabetha 37, Nemaha Central 28
Silver Lake 69, Royal Valley 47
Southwestern Hts. 60, Cimarron 53
St. Mary’s 50, Wabaunsee 48
Stanton County 66, Sublette 36
Tonganoxie 83, Atchison 60
Topeka 60, Highland Park 39
Topeka Hayden 70, Topeka West 68
Washburn Rural 61, SM North 43
Wichita Bishop Carroll 62, Wichita Heights 42
Wichita Campus 66, Goddard 57
Wichita County 52, Syracuse 40
Wichita South 75, Wichita Southeast 71
Class 1A Regional
Quarterfinal
Ashland 61, Bucklin 42
Axtell 68, Doniphan West 20
BV Randolph 56, Wakefield 18
Centralia 43, Onaga 30
Centre 66, St. Xavier 44
Clifton-Clyde 68, Frankfort 39
Deerfield 58, Spearville 56, OT
Dighton 54, Western Plains-Healy 22
Fowler 77, Satanta 71
Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 54, Tescott 16
Greeley County 45, Weskan 44
Hodgeman County 65, Ingalls 41
Lakeside 56, Palco 20
Logan 59, Thunder Ridge 44
Madison/Hamilton Co-op 70, Hartford 41
Moscow 64, Rolla 53
Moundridge 81, Flinthills 55
Pawnee Heights 56, Kinsley 50
Quinter 46, Wheatland-Grinnell 36
Rawlins County 60, Cheylin 42
Rock Hills 63, Lincoln 38
Solomon 47, Pike Valley 46
Southern Coffey 46, Crest 33
St. Paul 72, Altoona-Midway 53
Stockton 53, Hill City 50
Triplains-Brewster 63, Golden Plains 52
Victoria 61, Otis-Bison 47
Washington County 55, Linn 33
Waverly 70, Marmaton Valley 15
POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Attica vs. Cunningham, ppd.
Chanute vs. Paola, ccd.
Concordia vs. Clay Center, ccd.
Douglass vs. Garden Plain, ppd.
El Dorado vs. Buhler, ccd.
Emporia vs. Manhattan, ccd.
Haven vs. Smoky Valley, ccd.
Herington vs. Inman, ccd.
Hesston vs. Pratt, ccd.
Junction City vs. Topeka Seaman, ppd.
Marysville vs. Wamego, ccd.
Oswego vs. Pleasanton, ccd.
Rose Hill vs. Andale, ccd.
Southeast Saline vs. Republic County, ccd.
Wellsville vs. Iola, ppd.
West Franklin vs. Northern Heights, ppd.
Wichita Trinity vs. Kingman, ppd.
Winfield vs. Circle, ccd.
GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL
Abilene 52, Chapman 38
Anderson County 50, Santa Fe Trail 33
Andover Central 52, Andover 36
Atchison County 38, Maur Hill – Mount Academy 26
Baldwin 52, Eudora 47
Baxter Springs 64, Riverton 24
Beloit 52, Smith Center 49
Bishop Miege 50, St. Thomas Aquinas 38
Canton-Galva 60, Goessel 57, OT
Cimarron 65, Southwestern Hts. 25
Columbus 55, Frontenac 49
Ellis 42, Oakley 35
Eureka 63, West Elk 44
Goddard 33, Wichita Campus 11
Hiawatha 44, Riverside 42
Hugoton 55, Lakin 43
Humboldt 53, Cherryvale 35
Jackson Heights 68, Oskaloosa 43
Jefferson North 61, Horton 43
Jefferson West 36, Holton 29
KC Bishop Ward 59, Pembroke Hill, Mo. 27
Labette County 60, Independence 24
Lansing 49, KC Turner 16
Lawrence 58, Olathe Northwest 52
Leavenworth 60, DeSoto 55
Liberal 55, Garden City 35
Lyndon 34, Central Heights 24
Maize South 63, Goddard-Eisenhower 36
Mulvane 45, Clearwater 31
Olathe South 39, Olathe North 37
Perry-Lecompton 49, Osage City 22
Pittsburg Colgan 52, Girard 36
Pleasant Ridge 59, McLouth 36
Royal Valley 55, Silver Lake 48
SM Northwest 66, Lawrence Free State 38
SM South 52, SM West 49
Sabetha 42, Nemaha Central 19
Southeast 44, Galena 36
Sublette 59, Stanton County 38
Tonganoxie 31, Atchison 18
Topeka 67, Highland Park 39
Topeka Hayden 49, Topeka West 34
Wabaunsee 50, St. Mary’s 31
Wichita Bishop Carroll 58, Wichita Heights 47
Wichita County 44, Syracuse 31
Wichita South 43, Wichita Southeast 35
Class 1A Regional
Quarterfinal
Waverly 58, Marmaton Valley 24
POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Chaparral vs. Conway Springs, ppd.
Concordia vs. Clay Center, ccd.
Douglass vs. Garden Plain, ppd.
El Dorado vs. Buhler, ccd.
Haven vs. Smoky Valley, ccd.
Herington vs. Inman, ccd.
Hesston vs. Pratt, ccd.
Junction City vs. Topeka Seaman, ppd.
Marysville vs. Wamego, ccd.
Oswego vs. Pleasanton, ccd.
Rose Hill vs. Andale, ccd.
Southeast Saline vs. Republic County, ppd.
Wellington vs. Wichita Collegiate, ccd.
Wellsville vs. Iola, ppd.
West Franklin vs. Northern Heights, ppd.
Wichita Trinity vs. Kingman, ppd.
Winfield vs. Circle, ccd.
Bobby Lee Feck, 75, passed away February 17, 2019 at the University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus. He was born July 27, 1943 at Great Bend to Sydney J. & Loretta Ann (Doeden) Feck. He married Shirley Surface, Nov. 23, 1963 at Kansas City, Missouri. She survives.
