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Year: 2019

Nancy V. Rogers

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Nancy V. Rogers, 85, died Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Country Living of Larned in Larned, Kansas.

She was born February 19, 1934 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Henry and Naomi (Smith) Hensley. She was a graduate of Golden High School and attended the University of Colorado Denver pursuing a degree in secondary education.

On December 11, 1950 she was united in marriage to Harold Eugene Rogers in Golden, Colorado. They celebrated 47 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on June 16, 1998. She was secretary for the Jefferson County Clerk and Gunnison Junior High School, and librarian at Moore Junior High School in Arvada. In 2000, Nancy moved to Hays to be closer to her family. She was a member of Arvada United Methodist Church and Hays First United Methodist Church.

Nancy enjoyed sewing, listening to Frank Sinatra music, was a good housekeeper, hostess, and the ultimate homemaker. She was a great cook, always having food prepared for family, friends, and guests, and enjoyed cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for her family. She loved attending her son and grandson’s football games, parent’s weekend at the Air Force Academy, and traveling to her granddaughters’ dance competitions. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her great joy.
Survivors include a son; Hal Rogers and wife Jane of Hays, two daughters; Lynnette Laughlin and husband John of Tucson, AZ, and Becky Wasinger and husband Bob of Hays, a sister; Louella Maxine Hueston-Patterson of Denver, CO, eight grandchildren; Brian Laughlin, Megan Laughlin, Nate Rogers and wife Jill, Angie Rogers, Lexie Wasinger, Gracie Wasinger, Annie Wasinger, and Joel Wolcott, and two great-grandchildren; Max Rogers and Lily Rogers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers; Warren, Cliff, Leon, and Al, and a sister; Lillian.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas, with Rev. Mike Rose officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 PM MST on Friday, October 25, 2019 at Arvada Cemetery, Arvada, Colorado. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Wednesday, and from 10:00 am until service time on Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family’s wishes. Condolences and memories of Nancy may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Esther Elaine Likes

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Esther Elaine Likes, 94, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 20th, 2019.

Esther was born in Emporia, Kansas on July 4, 1925, a daughter of the late Olive (Weeks) and John Lehnherr.

Esther married Thomas Likes on October 15, 1944 in Emporia, Kansas.

She retired from Salina Orthopedic as the Office Manager.

Survivors include sons, Thomas Dee Likes (Terry) of Larkspur, Colorado, George Alan Likes (Debbie) of El Dorado, Kansas; daughter, Luanne Smith (John) of Brookville, Kansas; five granddaughters, Staci Biskie of Hays, Kansas, Melissa Wescott (Mark) of Topeka, Kansas, Hayley Wildy (Matt) of Kailua, Hawaii, Stacy Polzar (John) of Topeka, Kansas, Karody Robbins (Brett) of Brookville, Kansas; three grandsons, T.J. Likes of Austin, Texas, Grady Likes (Kelly) of Marysville, Indiana, Kirby Smith (Joni) of Goessel, Kansas; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband, and granddaughter, Mandy Likes.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 23rd from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Carlson – Geisendorf Funeral Home with family present from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, October 24th at the funeral home, with Pastor Lori Persigehl officiating. Burial will follow at Brookville City Cemetery Brookville, Kansas.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Salina or the Brookville United Methodist Church, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, Kansas 67401.

Fired female exec at Kansas-based AMC says company paid her less than her male counterparts

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By DAN MARGOLIES

AMC’s headquarters near 115th Street and Nall Avenue in Leawood.
photo by DAN MARGOLIES

A former top official of Leawood-based American Multi-Cinema Inc. says she was fired after she pointed out disparities between her pay and that of her male counterparts.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Tonya Mangels, who was vice president-product marketing before her termination on Sept. 30, says male vice presidents at AMC were paid between 56% and 72% more than she was and received bigger stock grants. The pay difference amounted to between $117,000 and $149,000, according to her complaint.

Mangels, who worked at AMC for 10 years and was promoted to vice president in 2013, says she managed the company’s second largest budget and counted the second highest number of employees on her team.

And although her complaint alleges she was consistently rated one of AMC’s highest-performing executives in annual reviews, her requests to have her compensation raised to the level of her male colleagues were ignored, she alleges.

As a result of her complaints, Mangels says, she received a “does not meet expectations” review for 2018. Her superior “acknowledged that her performance was ‘superior,’ but he explained that he needed to ‘send a message’ to (Plaintiff),” Mangels’ complaint says.

In May, Mangels filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That, she said, led AMC to falsely accuse her of providing advance knowledge to her team about impending job cuts at AMC – part of the company’s “continuing effort to generate a pretextual basis for terminating Plaintiff,” according to the complaint.

After a failed mediation session, she was fired on Sept. 30, supposedly because she tipped off her team about the impending reduction in force.

Mangels was not available for comment. Her attorney, Chad Beaver, said she “looks forward to the opportunity to share her story, but she does not plan to comment further at this time beyond what is already alleged” in the lawsuit.

AMC officials did not return calls and an email seeking comment on Mangels’ lawsuit.

Mangels is seeking back and front pay, as well as punitive damages, for unlawful discrimination and retaliation under the Equal Pay Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

A similar complaint was filed in December 2016 in Georgia by a female marketing executive, Crystal Trawick, at Carmike Cinemas, which AMC acquired at the end of 2016.

Last month, a jury awarded Trawick $67,118 for lost pay and $1 million in punitive damages. The jury found that Carmike had paid her less than a similarly situated male employee and that her sex was a “motivating factor” in the determination of her compensation.

Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor in conjunction with the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies.

Jo Ann Burnett

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Jo Ann Burnett, born December 18, 1946, to Paul and Philomena (Leiker) Pfannenstiel at Hays, Kansas. Went to be with her Lord and Savior October 19, 2019 after a long illness. Her husband Bill was by her side.

She married Larry Cabbage in August, 1969. He passed away in 1982. July 3, 1987 she married Bill Burnett and a city girl became a farm girl helping run tractors and keeping care of livestock.

Jo Ann was an avid quilter and made many quilts for her nieces and nephews. She quilted for First Christian Church and Beeler Methodist Church. She also made several quilts for St. Theresa’s October Fest while she was able to do it. She loved to go dancing. She also loved playing cards with friends at the Beeler and Pawnee Acres Card Clubs.

She is survived by her husband- Bill Burnett and son- Mike Cabbage of Dighton, Ks; brother- Linus (Debbie) Pfannenstiel of Demare, Ks, sister-in-law- Janet Pfannenstiel of Littleton, Co. and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Gerald Pfannenstiel.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday October 23, 2019 at St. Theresa Catholic Church with Father Warren Stecklein as Celebrant. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday October 22, 2019. Memorial contributions are suggested to the organization of the donor’s choice in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Karen Lee Ganoung

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Karen Lee Ganoung (Dickinson) died peacefully on October 18, 2019 in Salina, KS, surrounded by her children.

Karen was born October 27, 1936 in Russell, KS to Robert Leland and Shirley Margaret (Beller) Dickinson of Gorham, KS. She attended Natoma High School and graduated from Park College, Parkville, MO with a BA in Music. She married Raymond Larry Ganoung of Plainville, KS on November 9, 1958. They lived in California and Indiana before settling in Hoisington, where she was a housewife and Ray was a Veterinarian.

Karen & Ray had four children: Dr. Regan Nichols (Quaife) of Oklahoma City, OK; Kevin Ganoung (Linda) of Gypsum, KS; Joyce Boykin (Dennis) of Leesburg, VA and Kris Ganoung (Kristin) of Halsey, NE. She has seven grandchildren Erica, Jozette, Casey, Erin, Isaac, Alex and Miriam, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by sisters, Margaret Beyer and Janet Nordlund; sister-in-law Jan Dickinson; and brother-in-law Don Ganoung & wife Earlene.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray, her parents, brother, Robert Dickinson, and brothers-in-law, George Beyer and Don Nordlund.

She was a long-standing member of the First United Methodist Church of Hoisington, serving as organist and Sunday School teacher. She was a 4-H member and leader, competing in and judging at the State Fair in bread baking. She gave piano lessons to her children and other local students. She was a bird watcher, kept annual bird lists, participated in the annual bird count and was a life member of the Audubon Society. She loved to look for birds wherever she traveled and Cheyenne Bottoms was a favorite place to go throughout the year.

Karen and Ray enjoyed Square Dancing for many years, traveling throughout the state of Kansas. She loved to quilt and blessed her family with many quilts over the years. She had flower and vegetable gardens for many years and canned much of the produce for the family to enjoy. She faithfully followed Kansas City Royals baseball for many years and kept game stats by hand. Her family all knew not to call during Royals games as she wouldn’t answer the phone. Karen and Ray enjoyed playing cards, including Pinochle, Canasta, Cribbage and many board games. Her cousin Peggy would stop by and they would play games late into the night. She loved her many black cats: Uno, Duet, Tertia, Suburb (kitten of Tertia), Quartet, Funf, Koosi and her last cat Seven who now lives with her great-niece Emily. The Ganoung family hosted many foreign exchange students and veterinary interns over the years.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Friday, October 25, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church, Hoisington, KS with burial at the Hoisington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms, First United Methodist Church, or Hospice of Salina, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Lori Dinkel

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Lori Dinkel, age 62, of Collyer, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter Kansas.

Arrangements are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.

Ellis County Commission appoints interim administrator

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Myers

Phillip Smith-Hanes, Ellis County administrator since 2016, has provided notice that he will resign from county employment effective at the end of November. He is leaving to pursue an opportunity as county administrator in Saline County.

“I want to thank both current and past commissioners, as well as all Ellis County staff, for the opportunity to be a part of this organization and this community,” Smith-Hanes said. “While I am excited about my new opportunity, I will truly miss being a part of the Ellis County family. I look forward to visiting as often as I can.”

On Monday, Ellis County commissioners appointed Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers as interim county administrator. While the appointment will be effective Thursday, Nov. 28, the commission is making the announcement at this time in order to provide opportunity for Myers to work with the departing administrator to assure a smooth transition, the commissioners said in a news release.

“We will miss Phil, but as he pointed out in his letter to us, we have excellent department heads,” County Commission Chair Dean Haselhorst said. “I know Darin will do a great job for us during this transition and getting him to work with Phil on knowledge transfer is a huge benefit.”

Myers, who has been with the county since 2015 after serving with the Hays Fire Department for 14 years, said he is looking forward to the new challenge.

“We have some big projects going on in Ellis County right now, so I know I’ve got my work cut out for me,” Myers said. “I had hoped I’d get the chance to work with Phil a little bit longer, but I’m excited. I want to thank the commissioners for their faith in me and all our department head team.”

— Ellis County

Kansas man formally charged for violent knife attack on woman

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man arrested September 28, in connection with a violent stabbing attack on a woman in Wichita made a court appearance Monday.

Dunn photo Sedgwick Co.

According to the Sedgwick County Attorney’s office Wade Dunn, 30, was formally charged with attempted first degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm.

In federal court,  Dunn has been charged with one count of escape from custody. A criminal complaint filed in federal court alleges Dunn escaped from the Mirror, Inc., Residential Re-entry Center in Wichita prior to the stabbing.

On Sept. 23, Dunn left the halfway house on a pass at 9:30 a.m. and failed to return at 5:30 p.m. that day.

He is being held on a bond of $500,000, according to online jail records.

Kansas GOP leader’s Medicaid plan would boost tobacco taxes

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By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer

Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, of Overland Park CREDIT CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A Republican leader spearheading an effort to pass a GOP plan for expanding Medicaid in Kansas has drafted a proposal that is likely to upset conservatives because it would increase tobacco taxes and does not include a work requirement for program participants.

The proposal from Kansas Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning also differs significantly from an expansion plan backed by Gov. Laura Kelly and fellow Democrats. It contains provisions designed to keep some working-class Kansans in private health plans, rather than having them receive state Medicaid coverage, as plans favored by Democrats would.

The plan outlined by Denning, a Kansas City-area Republican, is designed not only to expand the state’s $3.8 billion-a-year Medicaid program but lower premiums paid by Kansas consumers who buy their insurance through an online federal marketplace set up under the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. New tobacco tax dollars would be used for that purpose.

Denning and other top Republican senators blocked a Medicaid expansion plan favored by Kelly earlier this year, arguing that it could prove too costly to the state and that lawmakers needed to take more time to get the details right. Kelly made expanding Medicaid to as many as 150,000 more Kansas residents a key promise in her successful campaign for governor last year.

The proposal from Denning would increase the state’s cigarette tax by $1 per pack, to $2.29, and increase its tax on 5 cents-per milliliter tax on vaping products, though he hasn’t yet specified an amount. He provided details of his plan during an Associated Press interview in his hometown of Overland Park, and a Senate committee plans to review them Tuesday and Wednesday at the Statehouse.

“Our simple goal is to give as many Kansans health care coverage as we can, in the Medicaid market and the non-Medicaid market,” he said.

Under Denning’s plan, the state would ask Medicaid participants whether they are employed and, if they are not, what issues, such as a lack of a high school diploma or the need to care for young children, keep them from working, so the state can address them. But it’s not a requirement that Medicaid participants be employed or undergo job training.

Kelly and many backers of Medicaid expansion argue that a work requirement would be expensive to administer and would only to keep people from receiving coverage. A federal judge in Washington has blocked work requirements in Arkansas, Kentucky and New Hampshire.

But some Republicans, particularly conservatives, see a work requirement as crucial.

“A Republican plan pretty much has to have a strong work requirement,” said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. “If you really want to give people a hand up and not a handout, you get them to where they’re self-sufficient, to where they can support themselves instead of being on government assistance.”

Hawkins also said he believes a tax increase is a “non-starter.”

Medicaid covers about 342,000 low-income, elderly and disabled Kansas residents, but non-disabled adults without children don’t qualify, and adults with children must have incomes well below the poverty level to be eligible for coverage.

Three dozen states have expanded Medicaid or seen voters approve ballot initiatives for expansion. The Affordable Care Act encouraged expansion by promising states that the federal government would pick up the bulk of the extra cost, 90% for Kansas. The idea has bipartisan support in Kansas, but conservative GOP leaders have blocked it.

Expansion backers have proposed extending Medicaid coverage to Kansas residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $29,435 for a family of three.

“I think that we should try to cover as many uninsured people as we possibly can,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat.

Denning’s plan would allow such an expansion but would first require the state to ask the federal government for permission to try a different approach for residents whose incomes are above the federal poverty level, or $21,330 for a family of three. Denning wants to use tobacco-tax revenues for a program that would push down premiums on the online marketplace, so that the coverage is more affordable.

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TMP-Marian advances to final day at 3-2-1A State Golf

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SALINA, Kan. – TMP-Marian girls’ golf team made the cut to day two of the 3-2-1A State Golf Tournament at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. The Monarchs shot a 405 and were the sixth and final team to advance to Tuesday.

Plainville shot a 426 and did not advance.

Cardinals freshman Corbyn Marquess shot an 88 and did advance as an individual.

Haliegh Spray led the Monarchs with an 89 and is in 13th place heading into Tuesday’s final round.

HHS girls’ golf doesn’t make the cut at 5A State Tourney

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EMPORIA, Kan. – The Hays High girls’ golf team was tied for third place after shooting a 187 on the front nine at the 5A State Golf Tournament at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course. Unfortunately the Indians shot a 227 on the back nine and failed to make the cut to Tuesday’s second day.

Taleia McCrae a 90 and Sophia Garrison a 94 and did advance to today’s second day as individuals.

Hays USD 489 school board candidate: Craig Pallister

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Craig Pallister

Age – 66

Education – BS Psychology FHSU, MS Education Administration FHSU

Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools?

I have a granddaughter attending Wilson Elementary School currently.

Qualifications – I have 38 years of experience as a teacher and principal with the last 25 years as the principal of Hays Middle School.

Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue? What do you think that bond should include? If you don’t support a bond issue, how do you think the school district should address its infrastructure needs?

I support a bond issue to meet the facilities needs of USD 489. The facilities bond issue needs to address the elementary school needs with renovations and replacement where needed. The middle school and high school need additions and renovations for specific needs such as the cafeteria at the middle school.

What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?

The financial health of the district is an ongoing need to lobby the Kansas Legislature, governor, and the public to adequately fund K-12 public education in Kansas.

The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?

The district needs to listen and respect the teachers and staff and move towards a  “win – win” negotiation style that will build trust for the teachers and staff in the board of education.

Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?

I support the district’s one-on-one technology plan. The use of technology allows the districts teachers additional tools and strategies to meet expectations and to be successful K-12.

How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?

The district is involved with KESA the state accreditation plan and the teachers, staff, and administration need the support of the board financially as well as the “time” to plan and implement the programs to improve student learning.

Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?

USD 489 is an outstanding public school district that the community of Hays should be proud of K-12. I believe the district needs a public relations person to inform the patrons of the district’s outstanding achievements of our students, teachers, and staff as well as needs of the district. I also would like the district to support local businesses and vendors when possible.

SEE RELATED STORY: USD 489 election: Pallister wants to maintain quality education for next generation

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