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Police on patrol catch Kansas man during armed-robbery at restaurant

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of armed robberies and have a suspect in custody.

Erwin -photo Sedgwick Co.

Just before 10p.m. Monday, a police officer on patrol near 21stand Maize Road in Wichita observed 36-year-old Christopher Erwin enter a Jimmy Johns restaurant, point a handgun at employees and demand money, according to officer Charley Davidson.

The officer approached the business and took Erwin into custody as he exited the rear of the business.  The officer also recovered a handgun.

In addition to the Monday robbery, police have reason to suspect Erwin was involved in robberies at a NuWay and Pizza Hut in Wichita, according to Davidson.

Erwin is being held on three counts of armed robbery and kidnapping in connection with the robberies.  Investigators will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Kansas man dies after pickup traveling too fast hits bridge, overturns

MIAMI COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 11a.m. Tuesday in Miami County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Silverado driven by Dennis J. Gentry, 64, Mound City, was southbound on U.S. 169 North of 355th Street.

The vehicle was traveling too fast for road conditions. The driver lost control of the pickup as it crossed the bridge. The pickup traveled off the roadway on the left, struck the bridge. reentered the roadway, slid sideways  and overturned.

Gentry was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Betty J. Gerstner

Betty J. Gerstner, age 88, of Hays, passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 in Hays.

She was born on December 24, 1930 in Colby, KS, the daughter of Wayne and Lillian (Hamilton) Bone. She was a Hays High School graduate. On October 12, 1949 Betty married Verlin “Sonny” Gerstner in Hays. Together, they shared 38 years of marriage until Sonny’s passing on October 26, 1987.

Her greatest love was her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to sing, music, watching birds, and tending flowers. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include four sons, Wayne Gerstner and his wife Nancy of McKinney, TX, Michael Gerstner and his wife Ellen of Maude, TX, Patrick Gerstner of Mesa, AZ and Brian Gerstner of Los Angeles, CA; two daughters, Diane Steckline and her husband Gordon of Hays and Elaine Haberman and her husband David of Hays; one sister, Carolyn Rupp of Hays; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Memorial services for Betty will be held on Friday, February 8, 2019 at 2:30 P.M. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601. A private family inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery-Hays.

Visitation with viewing will be on Thursday, February 7, from 5-7:00 P.M., at the funeral chapel.

Family suggests memorials in Betty’s loving memory to Cancer Council of Ellis County or for the masses in her honor. Contributions can be left with the funeral home.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].

Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Lawrence Patmon

Lawrence Patmon, age 83, of Goodland passed away, February 2, 2019 at the Smoky Hill Rehabilitation Center in Salina, Kansas.

Lawrence was born March 24, 1935 to Clarence and Cora Pearl (Garner) Patmon in Goodland, Kansas.

Lawrence worked as a mechanic. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, playing his guitar and mandolin, working on all kinds of vehicles, and spending time with his family.

Preceding him in death are his parents; grandparents; wife, Barbara; son-in-law, Jim Bishop; stepson Paul Edward Williams; brother, Huey; and sister, Mable.

He is survived by his children, Loriena Robinson of Salina, KS; Clarence (Karen) Patmon of Smolan, KS; Janet (Steve) Nicholas of Salina, KS; Tracey Bishop of Salina, KS; step children Ben (Angie) Williams of Plains, KS; Terry (Keith) Rosin of Sharon Springs, KS; Rebecca Rubio of Wichita, KS; grandchildren: Manuel Rubio IV, Vincent Rubio, Nicholas Rubio, Kristofer Rubio, Megan Rubio, Eric Winder, James Winder, Sarah Gilmore, Amanda Williams, Alyce Williams, Melanie Scott, Shawna Patmon, P.J. Davenport, Joshua Patmon, Katrina Simoneou, Echo Potts, Freedom Nicholas, Stormy McGreevy and Jimmy Bishop; many great grandchildren; and his sister, Esther Kibel of Grand Junction, CO.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 11 a.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street, in Goodland. Interment following the service at the Goodland Cemetery, North Main Street.

Memorials may be left at the service or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences and information www.batemanfuneral.com

Zelda F. (Maser) Brack

Zelda F. (Maser) Brack, 100, died February 4, 2019, at Rush County Memorial Hospital. She was born January 17, 1919, in Bazine, Kansas, the daughter of P.C. and Alivina (Wilkens) Maser. She was born the second of three girls born to the Masers. Zelda’s two sisters were Viola Maser Owens and Elaine Maser Tammen. Her baby sister, Elaine, was born eight years later also on January 17th. Zelda often refers to Elaine as her twin sister.

Zelda began teaching right out of high school in 1937 with a certificate to teach. She taught for 5 years in rural schools, then in Copeland, KS (1942-46), Dodge City, KS (1946-49), and then Maracaibo, Venezuela (1949-53). She also taught in Topeka, KS from 1953-57. She attended college during summers for many years eventually getting her bachelors in education in 1955 from the University of Northern Colorado.

On September 7, 1957, she married Leland A. “Lee” Brack in Dighton, Kansas. Lee and Zelda never had children, therefore, no grandchildren; but Zelda’s friends, nieces and nephews have both and they share them with her. Zelda is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lee on September 21, 1995. She was also preceded by her two sisters, Viola and Elaine; and a brother-in-law, Oliver Brack; and sister-in-law, Alberta Schneider.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Otis, with Rev. Shelly Klingensmith presiding. Burial will follow in Otis Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Salvation Army in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Meyer claims third-straight MIAA Athlete of the Week honor

FHSU Athletics

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Brett Meyer has once again been named the MIAA Track Athlete of the Week for the third-consecutive week. Meyer earns the co-honor alongside Central Missouri’s Chris Donald, the conference office announced Tuesday (Feb. 5).

This past weekend, Meyer improved his provisional mark in the mile run following a 4:04.23 time. Meyer placed sixth in the event at the Frank Sevigne Invitational in Lincoln, Neb on Feb. 2. This time also was a new personal record for the senior. With the quick time, Meyer now sits at No. 3 in Division II in the mile’s performance list.

This is the first time that the same Tiger has earned the accolade for three-straight weeks.

Meyer will try to improve his time once again this coming weekend as Fort Hays State travels to Seward, Neb for the Concordia Invite.

Tigers women in at No. 5 in latest coaches’ poll

FHSU Athletics / Photo by Allie Schweizer

FHSU Athletics

Following an impressive come-from-behind overtime victory at Nebraska-Kearney over the weekend, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team improved their placement in the WBCA Division II Coaches’ Poll with a No. 5 ranking. The Tigers also moved up from their previous position in the D2SIDA Media National rankings by coming in at No. 4 this week.

Both rankings were released Tuesday (Feb. 5).

In the media poll, Fort Hays State is just one of two programs to capture a first-place vote, with Drury claiming 15 compared to a single one for the Tigers. Fort Hays State earned 334 total points in the voting process. Drury also was placed at No. 1 in the WBCA Division II Coaches’ Poll with 24 first place votes. In that installment, FHSU captured 493 points.

This week, the Tigers are once again joined by fellow MIAA program Central Missouri in the rankings. The Jennies come in at No. 23 in the media poll and No. 21 in the coaches’ poll.

Fort Hays State is back on the road for two games this week before returning home on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) for a meeting with Lindenwood. Before then, the Tigers travel to Pittsburg State on Thursday (Feb. 7) and Missouri Southern on Saturday (Feb. 9).

Doris M. Riedel

Doris M. Riedel, age 89, of Victoria, Kansas died Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at Via Christi Village Care Center in Hays, Kansas.

She was born January 26, 1930, in Dutch County, Pennsylvania to Harry and Lillian Mae (Hoon) George. She married Gilbert Riedel Sr. on November 28, 1957. He preceded her in death on January 19, 2014.

She was a homemaker, a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis and a devoted Catholic. She grew up and attended high school in New York. She lived in Victoria until moving to St. John’s/Via Christi Village ten years ago.

Survivors include two sons, Gilbert Riedel Jr. and wife, Lindsay, Cushing, OK; Robert Riedel, Hays, KS; four daughters, Tina Thomas and husband, John and Darlina Dinkel and husband, Wilmer Jr., both of Victoria, KS; Robin Sheldon and husband, Bruce and Judy Brunhoeber and husband, Dennis both of Wichita, KS; one brother; 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter, Beverly A. Riedel; one great granddaughter, Cambry Nicole Dinkel; two brothers and one sister.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Inurnment will be in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A Victoria Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 10:45 A.M. Saturday, at the church.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis. The family suggests memorial to Via Christi Village Chapel.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

Police chief on leave amid use of force inquiry against father accused of trying to drown child

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A police chief is on administrative leave amid an investigation into allegations that he used excessive force against a father accused of trying to drown his 6-month-old in a pond.

Zicarelli -photo Jackson County

FBI investigators visited the baby’s father, Jonathon Stephen Zicarelli, on Friday in the Jackson County Jail, where the 28-year-old is being held on an assault charge.

His attorneys, Tom Porto, says they’re investigating Police Chief Greg Hallgrimson, who’s been on leave since Dec. 26.

Charging documents say Zicarelli’s daughter was rescued nine days earlier after he showed up at the Greenwood Police Department and said he had drowned her. Porto declined to describe what happened to Zicarelli after his arrest.

Hallgrimson said Monday that his attorney told him not to discuss the matter.

———-

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police say an infant is recovering after a man walked into a northwest Missouri police station and said he had drowned his 6-month-old child.

Zicarelli -photo Jackson County Sheriff
The man identified as Stephen Zicarelli, 28, Greenwood made the report at the Greenwood police station Monday morning.

Greenwood police Cpl. Thomas Calhoun was able to determine where the child was and he and Police Chief Greg Hallgrimson rushed to the pond.

They found the child floating in the pond. Calhoun performed CPR and was able to revive the child.

Police say the child is reported to be in good health Monday afternoon.

Zicarelli was booked into jail and remains in custody Tuesday, according to the Jackson County Detention Facility.

Greenwood, with a population of about 5,220 people, is about 25 miles southeast of Kansas City.

Woman critically burned after fire at home in Salina

The house at 319 N. 11th on Tuesday afternoon. Salina Post photo

Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY — One person was critically injured in a Monday night fire in Salina.

Just after 9:30p.m., crews responded to the fire at a home in the 300 Block of North 11thStreet in Salina, according to Fire Investigator Jeff Daily. One of two residents were home at the time. Denise Johnson was able to escape the fire through a window.

EMS transported her to Salina Regional Health Center with significant burns. She was later transferred to a Wichita hospital, according to Daily.

Daily said that although the house remains structurally sound, it was severely damaged.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and probably won’t be until investigators are able to speak with Johnson. The other resident of the home was at work at the time of the fire.

Mary G. (Juenemann) Braden

Mary G. (Juenemann) Braden, age 67, of Hays, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays. She was born May 1, 1951 near Rexford, Kansas on the family farm to August John “Gus” and Estella (Moellering) Juenemann.

She married Leo A. Wildeman November 21, 1970 in Selden, Kansas. Of this union were born two children, Sean L. Wildemann and Jodi L. Wildeman. They lived in Quinter, Kansas until February 1974 when they moved to Oberlin, Kansas. They divorced in 1986. Leo died on June 15, 2000. She married Randall C. Braden on April 29, 2000 in Hays.

Mary was active in the church using her music and leadership abilities. She moved from Oberlin in 1987 to Hays. There she worked full time and attended fort Hays State University and graduated in May 1992. She was a Compeer volunteer and promoted the Hays Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society. She co-founded SOS a breast cancer survivor support group and Your Voice Through Cancer a stage 4 cancer support group. Mary worked for Fort Hays State University and the State of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation services for a total of 23 years.

Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Sean Wildeman and wife Jenelle of Vancouver, Washington; a daughter, Jodi Schumacher and husband Brian of Pratt, Kansas; step children, Scott Braden of Ottawa, Kansas, Stewart Braden of Yates Center, Kansas, Catherine Faimon and husband Chris of Burlington, Kansas, and Lori Schmidt and husband Andrew of Elizabeth, Colorado; seven grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Miller of Wichita, Kansas and two brothers, Roy Juenemann of Wichita and Gerard “Jerry” Juenemann of Olathe, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jim and Jack Juenemann.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorial visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined parish vigil service and rosary at 7 PM. All at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Kansas registered offender caught with drugs, stolen gun

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an other Kansas felon on new charges.

Grayson -photo KBI registered offender
Grayson -is in custody in Shawnee Co.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Monday, police conducted a suspicious vehicle stop in the 700 block of SW Fairlawn in Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

During the investigation, officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle yielded marijuana, methamphetamines, heroin and a stolen firearm.

Officers transported Kourtney Grayson, 37, to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Stolen Property and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

He has previous convictions for aggravated endangerment of a child, criminal discharge of a firearm and two violations of the Kansas registered offender act, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

This is the 14th case in 2019 with a charge involving a felon in possession of a firearm reported by the Topeka Police Department.

Mister Rogers doc ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ will air on SHPTV

BUNKER HILL – “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” the acclaimed documentary from Morgan Neville, is scheduled to air on SHPTV Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. The PBS broadcast will coincide with the film’s debut on HBO.

The documentary takes a look at America’s favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers. It tells the story of a soft-spoken minister, puppeteer, writer and producer whose show was beamed daily into homes across America for more than 30 years. In his beloved television program, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” Rogers and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before, and there hasn’t been since.

Fred Rogers’ career represented a sustained attempt to present a coherent, beneficent view of how television could be used as a positive force in society. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” explores his legacy, focusing on his radically kind ideas. While the nation changed around him, Rogers stood firm in his belief about the importance of protecting childhood. This intimate portrait goes beyond zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.

Since its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018, the film has become the top-grossing biographical documentary of all time, earning more than $22 million at the domestic box office. It received three Documentary Critic’s Choice Awards, including Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Editing, as well as the Audience Award at the IFP Gotham Awards. Neville’s film is also nominated for the IDA Documentary Award for Best Documentary, five Cinema Eye Honors, including Best Documentary, the Producers Guild of America award for Best Documentary Motion Picture and the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary.

For a DVD of this documentary and other Mister Rogers merchandise visit our website at www.shptv.org or call 800.337.4788.

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