WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 67-year-old man was killed after his vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train in Marion County.
The Marion County sheriff’s office says a Jeep Liberty was on the tracks when it was struck at around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday by the westbound train.
The train came to a stop after hitting the vehicle. People on the train say the vehicle appeared to be parked on the track with no lights on.
The investigation is ongoing.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The new paleo lab at the Fort Hays State University Sternberg Museum of Natural History is now open thanks in part to the mother of Dr. Laura E. Wilson, curator of paleontology.
During Monday’s ribbon cutting ceremony with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, Wilson told the crowd it was one of her goals when she started at the Sternberg six years ago to modernize and expand the prep lab and research lab facilities.
“This is really important to our central mission in terms of a crossroads between research, collections, exhibits and education,” said Wilson.
As an academic, Wilson knows how to apply for grants for research and data-driven projects. But she did not have any experience in finding funding for infrastructure renovation.
“I knew we had to take a different path. So, thanks to my very Southern mother who taught me from a young age how to host a party, we came up with the idea of throwing a gala.”
In spring 2016, a gala for interested patrons kicked off a fundraising campaign. Another spring gala was held in 2017 and the initial capital was raised for the project.
“That got the ball rolling for being able to apply to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for a matching grant.”
Soon after that, Mike and Pam Everhart came forward with “a very generous donation that helped us realize our goals were not only attainable but in a reasonable time frame, like my lifetime,” joked Wilson.
The Everharts are an important part of western Kansas paleontology and Western Interior Seaway paleontology.
The couple have been collecting fossils in the area for decades and donating them to the Sternberg Museum.
“The Everharts are number three on the list of most specimens collected and put into the museum,” director Dr. Reese Barrick said. “They are number two behind only George Sternberg for the number of fossils from the Western Interior Seaway that are here in the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.”
Mike Everhart is a museum adjunct curator and author of “Oceans of Kansas” which highlights discoveries made in Kansas by George Sternberg and other paleontologists in the state.
“I’m always amazed in telling groups about the ocean that covered this state for millions of years,” Everhart said. They give me this blank look like ‘we’re in the middle of the Midwestern desert here. What ocean?’ But when you start really looking at the discoveries that have been made in Kansas and the fossils that occur naturally – some of the best in the world – it’s pretty apparent that Kansas has not always been high and dry.”
The new “Oceans of Kansas Fossil Prep Lab” is named for the Everharts. It’s part of the new work area called the “Dane G. Hansen Paleontology Research Center.”
“Mike and Pam Everhart are among the most influential paleontologists in the country on the Western Interior Seaway and some of the most influential people in science in the state of Kansas,” added Barrick.
Kaiden O’Dell, a freshman geosciences major from Salina, is one of the first five FHSU students who have been training in the lab.
“Prep work is a large part of paleontology,” said O’Dell. “It’s not just getting the fossils out of the ground. It’s making sure you don’t break them once they do get out of the ground. We’re learning how to preserve them so you can do research later.”
Being selected to the first student team for training is a dream come true for O’Dell.
“Every little kid likes dinosaurs and my parents bought me a dinosaur encyclopedia. It had real stories about what they would be doing back then,” O’Dell recalled. “Later we came to visit the Sternberg Museum. I saw these amazing and beautiful fossils of fish and giant lizards that were in Kansas. I think it sparked something in me that’s never died since.”
Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president, described the advanced paleo lab as a “gateway to fascination, inquisition and science.”
The wide lab windows open to allow workers to explain their hands-on processes to people touring the museum.
In April, Sternberg Museum will host the annual meeting of the Association for Materials and Methods in Paleontology whose members come from across the United States and Canada.
Barbara Ann Fillmore, 84, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at her home in Garden City. She was born Jan. 24, 1935 in Hill City, Kansas, the daughter of Harvey Roscoe and Mary Elizabeth (Law) Brandyberry.
Barbara grew up in Hill City where she attended school and graduated from high school. She then attended Kansas State University.
On Sept. 1, 1956, she married Keith Lloyd Fillmore in Hill City, Kansas. They lived in Manhattan, Topeka and Salina before moving to Garden City.
Barbara worked as a homemaker until 1988 when she became the owner of Bar K Fabrics in Garden City. She retired in 2015. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, Garden City Iris Society and a club leader for Beacon Booster 4-H Club.
Barbara enjoyed cooking gardening, sewing, making all of her daughter’s wedding dresses, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include five daughters Diane (Bill) Simshauser of Lakin, Kansas, Patty (Chris) Woods of Garden City, Kansas, Paula (Ronnie) Wilson of Jetmore, Kansas, Jennifer (Roger) LaSalle of Garden City, Kansas, and Kimberly (Bob) Moser of Springfield, Virginia; a brother Willis (Elsie) Brandyberry of Hill City, Kansas; nine grandchildren Chelsea (Wesley) Gleason, Nathan (Jessica) Simshauser, Caleb Woods, Darci Woods, Lee (Alisha) Wehkamp, Matthew Wehkamp, Lindsay Wehkamp, Blake LaSalle, and Tyler LaSalle; and five great-grandchildren Lena Gleason, Quaid Gleason, Wyatt Simshauser, Maverick Wehkamp, and Rylee Wehkamp.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Keith who died on March 11, 1994. She is also preceded in death by her parents and two grandsons Jacob Simshauser and Garrett Simshauser.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City with Rev. Joel Plisek officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and the family will be at Garnand Funeral Home from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday to visit with friends. The family suggests memorials be given to the First United Methodist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.
To plant a tree in memory of Barbara Ann Fillmore, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged attempted-murder and have a suspect in custody.
At approximately 1 a.m. on January 6, police responded to an unknown call for EMS in the 2400 block of south Glendale in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Upon arrival, officers located a 21-year-old man who had sustained gunshot wounds to the upper body. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital in serious condition. He remains hospitalized.
The investigation revealed the victim and 25-year-old Jeffrey Vermont Porter were in the parking lot of the Wildwood Apartments, 5001 E. Pawnee in Wichita. While at this location, Porter fired multiple shots from a handgun, striking the victim. The victim was able to run to a nearby residence and ask for help.
On Monday, police located Porter in Riley County where he was arrested. His is being held on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated and a Bond $250,000.
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RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged attempted-homicide and have a suspect in custody.
Just before 9a.m. Monday, the Riley County Police Department, in coordination with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Police Department, responded to 200 Tuttle Creek Blvd in Manhattan, according to a media release.
Authorities arrested without incident Jeffrey Vermont Porter, Jr, 25, of Wilsey, KS, on a $250,000 Sedgwick County warrant for attempted homicide and a no bond Harvey County warrant for probation violation.
Authorities will present the case to the Sedgwick County attorney. Porter’s first appearance in court is expected later this week.
Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. South wind 7 to 10 mph.
Breezy, dry, and unseasonably warm conditions can be expected across southwest Kansas Wednesday. Elevated to Critical Fire Risk Conditions will be possible, especially west and southwest of Dodge City. Outdoor burning is discouraged Wednesday afternoon. #kswx pic.twitter.com/ntPTCekihU
— NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) February 12, 2019
Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind 7 to 9 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
ThursdaySunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 8 to 17 mph.
Thursday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
FridayA 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.
Friday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 15.
SaturdayA 40 percent chance of snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.
CITY OF HAYS
The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 8:15 a.m. in City Hall City Commission Chambers, 1507 Main.
Agenda items include a public hearing on a request by James Werth for a two ft. side yard variance to reduce the side yard to construct a detached garage at 3113 Thunderbird Circle.
The board will also hear a requests from Alberto Solis and Fredy Urgell Sosa to reduce the street side yard setback from 14 ft. to 2.5 ft. to construct a carport at 217 W. 14th Street, and a request by Brandon Johnson for a variance in height of a detached garage, an increase from 18 ft. to 22 ft. at 3314 Thunderbird Drive.
The complete agenda is available here.
Phillipsburg resident, John D. Shea, passed away Feb. 10, 2019 at the Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska, at the age of 77. He was born June 6, 1941 in Norton, Kansas, the son of Hamilton and Elsie (Custer) Shea.
Survivors include his son Randie of Phillipsburg; two daughters, Bonnie Ewing of Phillipsburg and Tonia Driggs of Manhattan, Kansas; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 in the Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Phillips County 4-H Shooting Sports.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at Zion Lutheran Church, 492 7th St., Phillipsburg, KS 67661.
Corey L. Bergsten was born Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1974 and died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 in Oakley.
Baalmann Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Dennis C. Wilhelm, 73, Rush Center, Kansas, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at his home.
Dennis was born May 3, 1945, in La Crosse, Kansas, the son of John and June (Dumler) Wilhelm. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1963 graduate of La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, he was a farmer/stockman.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas; Walnut City Lodge No. 215, Rush Center, Kansas; and the Ft. Hays Shrine Club, Hays, Kansas.
On Nov. 4, 1967, he married Marilyn Foos at the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Survivors include: his wife, Marilyn Wilhelm, Rush Center, Kansas; one son, Eric Wilhelm (Hilary), Rush Center, Kansas; one daughter, Carmen Wilhelm, Garden City, Kansas; one grandson, Tristen Wilhelm, Rush Center, Kansas; and one brother, Donald Gene Wilhelm (Sondra), Waverly, Nebraska.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Per Dennis’ wishes, the family has chosen cremation.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m.
Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Brother Terry Warner officiating.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family request memorials to Shriners Hospitals For Children, or Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine St., P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785-222-2517.
PHILLIPS COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a scam and made an arrest.
On February 9, deputies were dispatched to the El As De Oros Mexican Restaurant, 609 3rd Street in Phillipsburg in regards to a quick-change scam which had occurred, according to a social media report from the sheriff’s department.
Security cameras captured the crime as it occurred and the suspect identified as 38-year-old Ghiolbana Muntean of Corona New York (a Romanian National) can be seen exchanging large bills for smaller ones with an employee.
The quick-change scam works by quickly and repeatedly exchanging bills between parties until the victim is confused and loses track of what has been exchanged. It is a favorite scam of gypsies, according to the sheriff’s department.
Deputies were able to locate Muntean at a local hotel and took her into custody, charging her with theft by deception.
A companion with Muntean posted a $1500 cash bond and they left the area.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have rescued a doe that was found trapped in a storm drain in suburban Kansas City.
Police in Olathe said in a Facebook post that someone stumbled across the animal Saturday while walking a dog. The post described the doe as “very agitated and in distress.” The department estimated that it had been in the hole for about a week.
A video shows an animal control officer reaching a long pole with a loop on the end into the open manhole and pulling out the doe. After emerging, the doe bounds into a wooded area. The officer then told the county that the manhole needs fixing.
While talking with his semi-deaf uncle one evening, Ben noticed that his uncle’s “hearing aid” was actually an earphone from a transistor radio. The wire had been cut and was sticking out of his shirt.
“How does that help your hearing?” Ben asked.
“It doesn’t,” his uncle replied. “Just makes people talk louder.”
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge is refusing to again delay the trial of Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell after plea negotiations broke down.
U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren on Monday noted O’Donnell’s trial had already been postponed four times.
The judge chided co-defense attorney Joshua Ney for not attending the status conference where the date was set and then waiting until two weeks before trial to ask for another continuance.
Ney cited in a motion last week his heavy workload, telling the court that plea negotiations stalled on Feb. 4.
The government has accused O’Donnell of fraudulently obtaining $10,500 from his campaign accounts for his personal use. An indictment charges him with 23 counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.
A five-day trial is set to begin Feb. 25.
