WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today introduced legislation honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation in the Army’s First Infantry Division. This bill authorizes these fallen soldiers’ names to be added to the First Division Monument located on White House grounds in Washington, D.C. The First Infantry Division was established in 1917 and has been on continuous active duty for more than 100 years. U.S. Representative Roger Marshall (KS-01) today introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“For over 100 years, soldiers of the Big Red One have been tasked with the mission and carried the burden that comes with making certain our great nation remains free,” said Sen. Moran. “I am pleased to introduce this legislation with Sen. Roberts and Rep. Marshall that will formally recognize and honor all fallen Big Red One soldiers at the monument that memorializes their sacrifice. As President Calvin Coolidge stated during his speech at the memorial’s dedication ceremony in 1924, ‘We raise monuments to testify to the honor in which we hold men for the work they have done, and to be a constant reminder to ourselves and future generations of the lessons their actions have taught us.’ There is no group more worthy of being honored than those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, and I am proud to represent Fort Riley and work with the Society of the First Division on this effort.”
“The Fighting First are the true guardians of America’s freedoms,” said Sen. Roberts. “We must honor and remember the brave men and women of the Big Red One who in placing duty first, have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
“It is my great honor to introduce legislation with Sen. Moran and Sen. Roberts that will remember the more than 13,000 soldiers of the First Infantry Division that made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for our country,” said Rep. Marshall. “Freedom isn’t free, and this legislation is a great reminder of that. I am both humbled and proud to recognize these service members on this historic monument at the White House.”
The First Division Monument was developed by the Society of the First Division to honor the heroic efforts of those who fought in World War I. Additions have since been made to commemorate soldiers from the First Infantry Division who lost their lives in World War II, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Future additions will honor members of the First Infantry Division killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and future U.S. operations.
PITTSBURG, Kan. – Taylor Rolfs tied her career-high with 17 points and Fort Hays State shot 50-percent from the floor as they end an eight-game losing streak at John Lance Arena with a 78-53 win over Pittsburg State.
Rolfs also had seven rebounds and three assists as the fifth-ranked Tigers (20-1, 11-1 MIAA) win their first game without senior Carly Heim who was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered at Nebraska-Kearney.
Tony Hobson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers, who secured their eighth-straight 20-win season, took control with a 13-0 first quarter run which built their lead to 15. They would lead by as many as 16 in the second quarter then put the game away with a 21-3 run to close out the third quarter.
Lanie Page hit a couple of threes in the Tigers first quarter run then scored eight in the fourth quarter to finish with 14 points. Tatyana Legette added 12 points and 11 rebounds and Belle Barbiere scored 11.
The Tigers hit seven of their 10 three-pointers in the first half and finished 10-for-21 from beyond the arc and were 10-of-11 from the free throw line.
Maya Williams came off the bench to lead the Gorillas (17-5, 9-4 MIAA) with 18 points.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — For the second time this week, a sheriff’s department in Kansas is reporting a DNA collection scam.
On Tuesday, Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr reported the scam that included a man calling, claiming to be a deputy sheriff and telling residents in an around Dodge City they had missed their DNA swab meeting. To pay it off they must get a Google Play Card. The scammer called from (620) 801-3184.
On Thursday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office said they had been notified of a similar a scam involving someone identifying himself as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office and telling potential victims they had violated the Offender Registration Act by not having their DNA collected. The scammers told the victims they could pay fines to avoid being arrested.
Lt. Tim Myers said the sheriff’s office does not collect fines by phone and reminded the public not give personal information out to someone who calls you. Do not pay someone over the phone with a credit card, debit card, gift card or prepaid debit card unless you initiated the purchase. If you have been a victim of this scam call the local law enforcement agency in your jurisdiction.
Chauncey Elliott Lyles, 19, Topeka, Kan., and Mathdaniel Squirrel, 22, Topeka, Kan., were charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of carjacking. In addition, Lyles was charged with brandishing a .223 caliber American Tactical rifle during a carjacking.
The indictment alleges that on Jan. 30 the defendants threatened two drivers and stole their cars, a 2007 Cadillac DTS and a 2013 Dodge Dart. When police responded, the defendants fled in the Dodge Dart. They hit a tree in the 400 block of northeast Freeman and fled on foot before police took them into custody.
If convicted, they face the following penalties:
Conspiracy: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the conspiracy count.
Carjacking: Up to 15 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Brandishing a firearm in a carjacking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas guard Lagerald Vick is taking a leave of absence from the basketball program, leaving the No. 13 Jayhawks even more short-handed as they face an uphill climb to a 15th straight Big 12 title.
Jayhawks coach Bill Self said in a statement Thursday night that Vick has “some personal matters that require his immediate attention.” Self said there is no timetable for his return.
The Jayhawks are 17-6 and 6-4 in the Big 12, leaving them 1 1/2 games behind Kansas State.
“He has some things going on that (aren’t) public things,” Self said during his weekly radio show Thursday night, “so I think that he hasn’t been his best because of those things.”
Kansas, the nation’s preseason No. 1, is already playing without three players that Self expected to be key pieces of a march to a second consecutive Final Four. Star center Udoka Azubuike was lost for the season to wrist surgery, power forward Silvio De Sousa was declared ineligible by the NCAA and top defensive stopper Marcus Garrett is out with a sprained ankle.
The depth problems, even before Garrett’s injury and Vick’s departure, led Self to lift freshman guard Ochai Agbaji’s redshirt midway through the season. He’s been one of their best players since.
“Not being totally negative at all, he has some things going on that (aren’t) public things, so I think that he hasn’t been his best because of those things,” Self said on Hawk Talk, not revealing anything that possibly is wrong with Vick or his family members.
The mercurial Vick, who has appeared in 117 games for the Jayhawks, turned pro last season before returning to Kansas for his senior year. He’s started 20 of 23 games this season, averaging 14.1 points and four rebounds while providing a young backcourt with veteran leadership.
But he’s been at odds with Self throughout his career, his on-and-off performance often mirroring his leadership and teamwork. At his best, Vick is a high-energy 3-point threat who poured in 29 points in a win over Villanova this year. At his worst, he is a defensive liability.
That was the case Tuesday night at Kansas State.
Vick go the start but was caught up in issues with switching on defense that led to a pair of easy 3-pointers for the Wildcats. After one by Kamau Stokes, Vick and freshman guard Devon Dotson got into a pointing contest trying to assign blame, and it soon became clear who Self placed it upon.
Vick was benched for the rest of the first half. Dotson played nearly the entire game.
“You could tell right when the game started, there were two easy switches that we’ve practiced the whole time that they get wide-open shots, then guys want to blame other people,” Self said after their 74-67 defeat in Manhattan. “That’s not how you win.”
The Jayhawks return to the floor against Oklahoma State on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse, while Vick is expected to be with family in Memphis. When he’ll return to the Jayhawks is unclear.
“I don’t think it’s anything you go into, some of the things he’s had going on,” Self said. “But it’d be nice to have our full complement. That’s not the case.”
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are investigating the killing of a man whose body was found near the key to stolen vehicle.
Investigators at the scene early Thursday photo courtesy KMBC TV
Police Chief Terry Zeigler says officers found the man dead of an apparent gunshot wound early Thursday after they were dispatched to the scene of a shooting. Investigators found a car key next to the victim that belonged to a vehicle that had been stolen from the Legends Honda dealership near the Kansas Speedway.
Officers found the vehicle in a nearby parking lot with multiple holes in it. The victim’s name wasn’t immediately released.
By DAVID GINSBURG and BEN WALKER AP Sports Writers
Crowding the plate, fearsome and fearless, Frank Robinson hammered his way into the Hall of Fame.
His legacy, however, was cemented the day he simply stood in the dugout at old Cleveland Stadium as the first black manager in Major League Baseball.
Robinson, the only player to earn the MVP award in both leagues, died Thursday at 83. He had been in failing health and in hospice care at his home in Bel Air. MLB said he was with family and friends at the time.
“Frank Robinson’s resume in our game is without parallel, a trailblazer in every sense, whose impact spanned generations,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
Robinson hit 586 home runs — he was fourth on the career list behind only Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays when he retired and now ranks 10th. An MVP with Cincinnati and Baltimore, he won the Triple Crown while leading the Orioles to their first World Series championship in 1966.
An All-Star outfielder in 12 seasons and a first-ballot selection to Cooperstown, Robinson also was a Rookie of the Year and picked up a Gold Glove.
But his place in the sport’s history extended far beyond the batter’s box and basepaths.
In 1975, Robinson fulfilled his quest to become the first African-American manager in the big leagues when he was hired by the Cleveland Indians. His impact was immediate and memorable.
The Indians opened at home that year and Robinson, still active, batted himself second as the designated hitter. In the first inning, he homered off Doc Medich and the crowd went crazy, cheering the whole April afternoon as Cleveland beat the Yankees.
The Reds, Orioles and Indians have retired his No. 20 and honored him with statues at their stadiums.
Robinson later managed San Francisco, Baltimore and Montreal. He became the first manager of the Washington Nationals after the franchise moved from Montreal for the 2005 season — the Nationals put him in their Ring of Honor, too.
More than half the major league teams have had black managers since his debut with Cleveland.
Robinson later spent several years working as an executive for MLB and for a time oversaw the annual Civil Rights Game. He advocated for more minorities throughout baseball and worked with former Commissioner Bud Selig to develop the Selig Rule, directing teams to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a new manager.
For all he did on and off the field, Robinson was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005.
Born Aug. 21, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, Robinson attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California, and was a basketball teammate of future NBA great Bill Russell. But it was on the diamond, rather than court, where fame awaited Robinson.
Former Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer, who also gained first-ballot entry into the Hall, once called Robinson, “the best player I ever saw.”
Starting out in an era when Mays, Aaron, Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams were the big hitters, Robinson more than held his own over 21 seasons. He finished with 1,812 RBIs and hit .294 — he played in the World Series five times, and homered in each of them.
Robinson was the only player to hit a ball completely out of old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore and once connected for grand slams in consecutive innings of a game. But he didn’t just slug away, as evidenced by a .389 on-base average boosted by 1,420 walks against 1,532 strikeouts. Extremely alert on the bases, he had 204 steals.
Robinson played the game with grace, yet was known as fierce competitor who combined hard work with natural talent. He crowded the plate, yielding to no pitcher, and didn’t seem to care about being brushed back or getting hit by a pitch 198 times.
“Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down,” Robinson said. “It made me more determined. I wouldn’t let that pitcher get me out.”
And opposing pitchers noticed.
“Frank Robinson might have been the best I ever saw at turning his anger into runs. He challenged you physically as soon as he stepped into the batter’s box, with half his body hanging over the plate,” Hall ace Bob Gibson once wrote.
“As a rule, I’m reluctant to express admiration for hitters, but I make an exception for Frank Robinson,” Gibson wrote.
Robinson carried a similar philosophy as a baserunner, unapologetically sliding spikes high whenever necessary.
“The baselines belong to the runner, and whenever I was running the bases, I always slid hard,” Robinson declared.
Robinson broke in with a bang as a 20-year-old big leaguer. He tied the first-year record with 38 home runs for Cincinnati in 1956, scored a league-high 122 times and was voted NL Rookie of the Year.
Robinson was the 1961 NL MVP after batting .323 with 37 homers and 124 RBIs for the pennant-winning Reds, and reached career highs in runs (134) and RBIs (136) in 1962. He was an All-Star, too, in 1965, but Reds owner Bill DeWitt decided Robinson was an old-ish 30 and time to make a move.
That December, Robinson was the centerpiece in what would ultimately be one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history, going to Baltimore for pitchers Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson.
Robinson became an instant hit with the Orioles in 1966 as the unanimous AL MVP.
On May 8, he became the only player ever to hit a home run completely out of Baltimore’s home park, Memorial Stadium. The drive came against Cleveland ace Luis Tiant and the spot where the ball sailed over the left-field wall was marked by a flag that read “HERE” that remained in place until the Orioles left for Camden Yards in 1991.
Robinson batted .316 with 49 home runs and 122 RBIs during his first season in Birdland. He then homered in the first inning of the 1966 World Series opener at Dodger Stadium and capped off the four-game sweep of Los Angeles with another homer off Don Drysdale in a 1-0 win in Game 4.
Robinson hit two home runs against the Reds — of all clubs — in teaming with future Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson to win another crown for the Orioles in 1970.
All told, Robinson was an All-Star in five of his six seasons with Baltimore, reaching the World Series four times and batting .300 with 179 home runs. The cap on his Cooperstown plaque carries on O’s logo.
Pappas went 30-29 over two-plus seasons with the Reds, Baldschun won one game in 51 appearances over two years with Cincinnati and Simpson hit five home runs as a part-time outfielder for the Reds during two mediocre seasons.
Robinson was traded to the Dodgers before the 1972 season. He played for the California Angels in 1973 and was dealt to Cleveland late in the 1974 season.
Robinson had coached for the Orioles and worked in their front office when he became their manager in 1988 after the team opened at 0-6. Things didn’t get much better right away as Baltimore went on to lose its first 21 games and finished 54-107. The next season, the O’s went 87-75 and Robinson was voted AL Manager of the Year.
Tough and demanding, he went 1,065-1,176 overall as a big league manager.
A no-nonsense guy, Robinson also had a sharp wit. That served him well in Baltimore where, in addition to being a star right fielder, he was the judge for the team’s Kangaroo Court, assessing playful fines for missing signs, uniform mishaps and other things he deemed as infractions.
At the time, the Orioles had a batboy named Jay Mazzone, whose hands were amputated when he was 2 after a burning accident. Mazzone capably did his job for years with metal hooks and became good friends with Robinson.
Some players, though, initially weren’t sure how to treat the teen.
“Frank Robinson broke the ice,” Mazzone said. “He was running his Kangaroo Court and calling a vote among the players, whether to fine somebody or not.”
“It was either thumbs up or thumbs down,” he recalled. “After the vote, he said, ‘Jay, you’re fined for not voting.’ Everybody laughed. After that, I was treated just like everybody else.”
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, and daughter Nichelle.
There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements.
Alvena I. Dewey, age 72, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at her home in Syracuse. She was born April 18, 1946, in Lakin, Kansas, the daughter of Jim and Irene (Hanson) Zahnter.
Alvena grew up in Syracuse and had worked as a waitress, cook, and machinist. She enjoyed reading, watching old western movies, crocheting, sewing, baking, and making homemade noodles. She raised chickens, farm animals, and cared for any stray animals or people that need special attention. Alvena loved nothing more than spending time with her family.
She is survived by her significant other of 32 years, Thomas Simpson of Syracuse; children, Pamela LaCost and husband Duane of Kendall, Wade Dewey of Yazoo City, Mississippi, Kimberly Dewey of Garden City, and Daniel Dewey of Syracuse; brothers, Sonny Murphy of Florida, Chad Zahnter of Kansas, Gordon Zahnter of Great Bend, and Alvin Zahnter of Russell; sisters, Beverly Beer of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Louetta Edwards of Mesquite, Nevada, and Laura Beesley of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Shawn, David, Brand, Colby, Daniel, and Erin; and one great-grandchild, Nicholas.
Alvena is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ron, Herman, and Jimmy; and sister, Wilma.
Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM (MT) on Monday, February 11, 2019, at New Life Fellowship Church in Syracuse, Kansas, with Pastor Bill Roberts officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to Alvena Dewey Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, Kansas 67855.
A former Hays woman who has been charged with mail fraud for allegedly trying to gain millions from her former employer’s estate is set to change her plea in federal court in March.
Wanda Oborny was scheduled to be in U.S. District Court in Wichita for a hearing on Feb. 19. However, her attorney has filed an notice intent for Oborny to change her plea. Her next court date has been set for 10 a.m. March 1 in Wichita.
Oborny was a bookkeeper for Hays resident Earl O. Field. Oborny alleged 98-year-old Field signed a codicil to his will shortly before his death in 2013, leaving half of his $20 million estate to her with a quarter of the estate going to Fort Hays State University and the rest going to Field’s attorney, Joseph Jeter.
The original will left the bulk of the estate to the FHSU Foundation for use in providing scholarships. After a lengthy court battle, the Kansas Supreme Court refused to hear Oborny’s appeal in November.
This left in force a lower court’s decision Oborny or someone on her request forged Field’s name on the codicil to the will. As a result, the bulk of the $20 million estate will go to the Foundation.
Oborny’s attorney has not responded to a request for comment.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 23- year-old former volunteer volleyball coach at the University of Kansas is charged with several burglaries and thefts of items such as underwear and swimming suits.
Yee -photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletiecs
Skyler Yee was charged Wednesday with 15 total counts, including four felony counts of burglary.
Douglas County District Court records show the break-ins occurred four times between December 2017 and January of this year at two addresses in Lawrence.
Yee was released on bond after a court appearance Wednesday. He was ordered to have no contact with the Kansas volleyball team and members of a Lawrence youth volleyball club.
Yee has served as a volunteer assistant volleyball coach for several years. He resigned in mid-January.
Defense attorney Casey Meek said Thursday Yee maintains his innocence.
GREAT BEND – A curious student-body assembled in a sea of purple at Eisenhower Elementary School on Thursday, unknowing the tremendous surprise one of their classmates was about to receive. Opening remarks by Eisenhower Principal, Laurie Harwood, were quickly eclipsed by a troupe of adults wearing mouse ears and performing silly antics to excite the audience. Students would soon realize that “Team Owen” was about to be granted the wish of a lifetime.
“Today is a momentous occasion as Owen will be surprised with the news that his one-true wish will be coming true. We hope that his wish experience will bring him and his family a much-needed break from the realities associated with his condition. We are also extremely grateful for the support of Great Bend Schools and the Eisenhower Elementary community. Today is a true testament to the caring nature of the state of Kansas and we couldn’t be more excited for Owen,” said LuAnn Bott, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.
Lori Likes, representing Fee Insurance Group out of Hutchinson, was one of the wish grantors on-site to help deliver the good news.
“It was an absolute joy meeting our Wish Kid, Owen and his family,” said Likes. I fell in love immediately with his little freckled face and his big smile. It was an eye opening experience watching Owen and his family interact. They were all so on point as to Owen’s needs. I learned a lot that day about Owen, it was easy to see what gives him joy in life. Since that initial meeting, I have been able to stay up to date with Owen as one of his many followers on social media. We were all completely overjoyed with tear-filled eyes when Make-A-Wish was able to make Owen’s wish come true.”
“Owen and his family are very deserving of this dream-come-true trip to Disney World,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “We are humbled by Owen’s strength, determination and joy. Including the Eisenhower family in this big announcement gave our family at USD 428 the chance to cheer-on the Klug family; we couldn’t be more excited for them!”
Laurie Harwood, Eisenhower Elementary School principal, worked behind the scenes with Make-A-Wish and the family to ensure the day would be a success. Students, staff and faculty were asked to wear purple because it is the designated color for Epilepsy Awareness as well as the color of the “Team Owen” shirts that have been produced locally.
About Owen:
Owen is an 11-year-old 5th grader at Eisenhower Elementary in Great Bend. He lives in Odin with his dad Gavin, mom Kiley, little brothers Dexter and Blake, and dog Brutus. Owen enjoys anything that involves biking, swinging, spinning, music, and jumping. He loves people, especially his teachers, bus driver, caretakers, friends, and family. He is a sweet, laid back boy who spreads happiness and inspiration wherever he goes.
Owen had his first seizure at 6 months of age after an uncomplicated birth. The next few years were full of testing, several different medication trials, procedures, surgeries, and a lot of questions. Owen, at his worst, had over 250 seizures a day. Because of the severe intractable epilepsy he was enduring, Owen lost a number of developmental skills such as sitting independently, clapping, and walking in a walker. Owen was finally clinically diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome when he was 6 years old.
Dravet Syndrome is characterized by severe, chronic, intractable epilepsy, oftentimes paired with global developmental delay, sensory impairment, orthopedic conditions, and many other issues.
Owen takes his daily struggles in stride. He loves life, and his smile lights up the lives of everyone who knows him. He is so tough, so resilient, and so deserving of a granted wish!
About MAKE-A-WISH
Make-A-Wish® Missouri & Kansas creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey.
Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in 50 countries worldwide. The local chapter is headquartered in Ballwin, Missouri and serves every community in Missouri and Kansas.
Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas has granted more than 8,350 wishes to local children with critical illnesses. For more information about Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas and how you can transform lives, one wish at a time, please visit our website (mokan.wish.org) and connect with us on Facebook (makeawishMOKAN), Twitter (@makeawishMOKAN), Instagram (@makeawishMOKAN) and YouTube
(MakeAWishMOKAN).
On Tuesday, Eric Wayne Clayville of Goodland was sentenced by the Honorable Blake A. Bittel, 23rd Judicial District Judge to 60 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections consecutive to a Sherman County felony case with a sentence of 27 months in KDOC for a total of 87 months in KDOC.
Clayville was convicted of attempted aggravated indecent solicitation with a child and four counts of interference with law enforcement on Dec. 21 in Trego County District Court.
The WaKeeney Police Department, the Trego County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol all assisted in the investigation of this case. The case was prosecuted by the Trego County Attorney Christopher Lyon.
— Office of the Trego County Attorney
CORRECTED: 3 p.m. Thursday to clarify charge per the Trego County Attorney’s office.
OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN
