Please join us for a “come and go” 90th birthday party for Rosie Karlin on Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 2 to 4 pm at Thirsty’s Brew Pub and Grill, 2704 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
No gifts, please! Cards welcome!
Year: 2019
Gertrude ‘Trudy’ Strong
Gertrude “Trudy” Strong, 73, died Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore, Kansas. She was born June 25, 1945 in Garden City, Kansas the daughter of Claude & Mildred (Stebens) Irsik.
Trudy has lived most of her life in the Garden City and Holcomb area. She attended Holcomb schools and graduated from Holcomb High School. On July 6, 1964, she married Jerry M. Strong, Sr. in Garden City. Trudy was a homemaker, but in her early years, she worked at Woolworth’s and St. Catherine Hospital. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, taking care of kids, crossword puzzles, spending time at the library, and volunteering at the voting booths during elections.
Survivors include 3 sons Jeffrey A. Strong of Flippin, Arkansas, Jerry M. Strong, Jr. of Garden City, & Jerome W. Strong of Garden City; 4 daughters Annette R. Geier of Jetmore, Kansas, Laurie Fry of Garden City, Michele Strong of Garden City, & Tracie Waterhouse of Jetmore, Kansas; 27 Grandchildren; and 28 Great-Grandchildren. Trudy is preceded in death by her husband Jerry who died on April 27, 2012. She is also preceded in death by her parents, a brother Thomas G. Irsik; a sister Kathleen Wayman; and 2 Grandsons Sean Strong and Benjamin Gaines.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City with Eddie Labrier officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9:00 a.mt. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday all at Garnand Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials given to the Trudy Strong Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. The family will be gathering at 11th and Jones Ave. following the graveside service for a reception.
Kansas spent at least $414,000 repairing prisons after riots
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas says it spent at least $414,000 repairing damage and replacing equipment after inmate riots at three of its prisons in 2017 and 2018.
The figures represent the first attempt by the state Department of Corrections to calculate for legislators the cost of the damage caused by four major disturbances. Several lawmakers said Tuesday that they were surprised the figure was so large.
But corrections officials said their calculations are probably low because they don’t have complete estimates of what the prisons spent on overtime or what it cost to bring in teams from other facilities.
The riots occurred at the state prison in El Dorado in June 2017 and July 2018, at its prison in Norton in September 2017 and at its correctional mental health center in November 2018.
🎥 February offers fun times in Hays
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
February is a fun-filled month in Hays.
Brandon Cooley, marketing manager for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has highlights of just a few of the activities and events.
For an updated calendar of events, check the Hays CVB website at www.visithays.com.
Gary Eugene Withers
January 4, 1945 – February 1, 2019
An obituary is pending with Pauls Funeral Home.
Click HERE for service details.
🎥 Money back rebates available in water conservation program
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
With the third wettest year just locked into the Hays record books, and the Kansas Water Office declaring the entire state drought free for the first time since June 2017, water conservation may be the furthest thing from your mind.
But smart water use is always at the forefront of daily life in western Kansas, where drought is a persistent threat.
Of the 34 Kansas counties that have a population of more than 15,000 people, 33 counties either sit atop a major aquifer or are east of Highway 81/Interstate 135 where there is reliable surface water flow.
Ellis County is that 34th county and does not have an adequate local water supply.
A conservation plan was implemented in 1992. In 1994, the R9 Ranch in Edwards County was purchased by the cities of Hays and Russell as a regional longterm water supply source. In 2015, Hays city commissioners voted to begin pursuing the regulatory process to move the water it owns, along with Russell, from the R9 north to the Schoenchen water wellfield south of Hays.
The city of Hays continues to offer water conservation rebates and giveaway programs for residents and businesses, as Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist, explains.
- High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program – Rebates from $50 to $150 are available for replacing an old inefficient toilet with a new high efficient model. The fewer gallons used per flush (GPF) the higher the rebate.
- High Efficient Clothes Washer Rebate Program – $100 rebate available for replacing an old washing machine with a high efficiency model with an integrated water factor (IWF) of 3.7 or less to qualify.
- Efficient Showerheads and Faucet Aerators – Available at City Hall Finance Office, 1507 Main; Aerators are free. Seven types of shower heads with 3 models free with exchange of old showerhead and 4 models can be purchased for $5 with exchange of old showerhead.
- Turf Conversion Rebate – Up to $1,500 per property available for converting cool season turf (i.e. tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass) to warm season turf (i.e. buffalograss or bermudagrass) or water conserving landscaping; Pre- and post-inspections required to qualify.
“Don’t wait to the next drought,” Dickman encouraged property owners. “Take advantage of the good soil moisture we have now to convert to a more drought tolerant landscaping in the coming growing season.”
Rebate details and forms are available at www.watersmarthays.com.
Kansas home a total loss after early morning fire
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Four residents of a Kansas home were able to escape a Tuesday morning house fire in rural Pottawatomie County.
Just after 3a.m., crews responded to the fire at a rural two-story home in the 23,100 Block of Spring Creek Road north of Westmoreland, according to Fire Supervisor Jared Barnes.
The home is considered a total loss. Due to the extensive damage, officials are unable to confirm the cause of the blaze, according to Barnes.
Crews from Westmoreland, Oldsburg, and Wheaton responded to the scene along with the Red Cross.
The home’s smoke alarms were working, according to Barnes. There were no injuries reported and the family’s pets also survived.
HaysMed adds audiologist, advanced practice provider to ENT clinic
The Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, welcomes Lindsey Stephenson, Audiologist and Rhonda Schenk-Pitts, APRN, FNP-BC to the staff. They join Drs. Douglas E. Barnes, Justin R. Bond, MD, FACS, Michael Franklin, Matthew D. Glynn, Tyler Grindal, Scot Hirschi, Robert V. Lane and Jason A. Meyers at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic at HaysMed.
Stephenson graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center with a doctorate in audiology.
“We are very happy to be able to add audiology services to our ENT clinic,” said Jay Moore, Executive Director of Clinics. “The clinic has been very successful and we are always pleased when we can expand and provide a much needed service to our patients.”
Schenk-Pitts completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and also her Master of Science in Nursing at Fort Hays State University. She specialized in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration.
“We are pleased to have Schenk-Pitts join the ENT staff,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer at HaysMed. “This will allow us to see more patients on a regular basis in the clinic.”
Nominations open for Russell County Volunteer of the Year
RUSSELL COUNTY – Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management and 911 Communications Advisory Board are once again requesting nominations for the Volunteer/Emergency Worker of the year.
This is your opportunity to recognize and honor an emergency worker/volunteer for their dedication and service to our communities and county. There are many volunteers and emergency workers in Russell County who deserve this award and we would like to know your opinion, so we may award a deserving candidate or candidates. Even if you have nominated someone in the past, that person can be nominated again for consideration.
The formal rules are that the person should serve or support the Russell County Emergency Services. The person can be a member of a police, fire, sheriff, EMS, hospital, health, dispatch, wildlife and parks or public works departments. Consideration is also given to volunteers who support any of these agencies or who volunteers for groups/agencies that support the emergency services such as Rotary Rescue, The Salvation Army, United Way, the American Red Cross or other volunteer organizations active in disasters.
The nominations will be considered and evaluated by the 911 Communications Advisory Board. The board will render a decision on the best entry.
The winner or winners will be presented a Public Service Award Certificate during the National Weather Service “Storm Fury On The Plains” Weather Spotter Training on Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. at the Dream Theater in Russell.
Last year Russell County recognized Gary Blundon and Dale Weimaster as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year.
The first recipients of this award were Wayne Grabbe and Gordon Gorton in 1998, Cindy Janssen in 1999, Alan Kuntzsch in 2000, Mike Finkenbinder in 2001, Tim Borders in 2002, Craig Langdon and Karl Houck in 2003, Steve Knopp in 2004, Gail Ogle in 2005, Tom Hirst and Lowell Vonada in 2006, Rod Steckel in 2007, Ron Major, Donna Fay Major and Tom Batt in 2008, David Evans in 2009, Larry Vaughan in 2010, Doug Janssen and Darlene Rose in 2011, Keith Koelling in 2012, Sam Schmidt in 2013, Don Boxberger in 2014, Shane Preston in 2015, Dave Anderson in 2016 and Glen Blundon, Chris Pasek, Durk Wecker and Jack Brown in 2017.
There are many qualified and deserving emergency workers and volunteers in Russell County. Please write a nomination letter of endorsement and deliver it by 9:00 a.m. March 6th, 2019 to Deanise Howard at 911 Communications Dispatch Center, 133 West 8th Street, Russell, Kansas 67665 or to Keith Haberer at Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management, 850 Elm St., P.O. Box 158, Bunker Hill, Kansas 67626.
– SUBMITTED –
KBI asks all Kansas victims to report clergy abuse
TOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has initiated an investigation into reports of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy of the four Catholic dioceses of Kansas, and asks all victims to report clergy abuse to the agency.
On Nov. 15, 2018, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt requested that the KBI investigate allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy in Kansas. Since then, the KBI has convened an internal task force of six special agents who will conduct a thorough investigation into abuse reports received from the public, including accounts from anyone who has been victimized by members of the clergy, including church employees, church volunteers, or any others in positions of authority within the church, and complete a review of church documents.
If you, or someone you know, has been the victim of sexual abuse committed by a member of the clergy, please report this to the KBI by calling 1-800-KS-CRIME, or by sending an email to: [email protected]. The KBI asks victims to report all incidents of abuse, no matter how long ago they occurred, and even if they were previously reported to law enforcement, or the church.
The KBI task force will work with prosecutors and law enforcement partners to determine if any sexual abuse incidents should be considered for prosecution.
— KBI
Arloa E. Byleveld
DOWNS — Arloa Byleveld, 97, passed away February 2, 2019.
She was born on August 30, 1921 to Benjamin and Gertrude (Voss) Koops at Dispatch, Kansas.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William J. in 1987; son, John V. in 2017; sisters, Georgia Domoney and Virginia Van Schooneveld.
Arloa is survived by her son, Kent (Carolee) Byleveld of Flower Mound, Texas; daughter, Dianne G. Sees of Fort Morgan, Colorado; brother, Gail Koops of Loveland, Colorado; 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Memorial service will be Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, rural Cawker City. No visitation.
Memorials may be given to Downs Care and Rehab Center or the church in care of Domoney Funeral Home PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437.
Police: Kansas man arrested for weekend shooting death
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and have a suspect in custody.
Just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting call at Hydraulic and Mt. Vernon in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Upon arrival, officers located 22-year-old Anthony Slaughter of Wichita in the street with a gunshot wound to his body. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he died, according to Davidson.
The investigation revealed, a disturbance occurred between 26-year-old Jose Fortiz and Slaughter behind the Rumba Latina Club, 1953 S, Hydraulic. During the disturbance Fortiz fired multiple shots from a handgun, striking Slaughter.
Police have arrested Fortiz. He is being held on requested charges of 1st degree murder and an outstanding warrant, according to Davidson. There was no bond amount reported early Tuesday.
Investigators will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.
BOWERS: Senate Scene Week 3
SENATE HAPPENINGS
Last week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate. There was no floor action on bills this week on the Senate floor.
SENATE BILL 22 – TAX
The Senate Select Committee on Federal Tax Code Implementation approved Senate Bill 22 last Thursday. The bill which would allow Kansans to deduct interest on their mortgage, property taxes, and health care expenses, was created in response to President Trump’s historical tax cuts of 2017. The bill is expected to deliver millions from the unexpected tax windfall back to individuals and businesses in Kansas. Numerous proponents of the legislation stressed the point that inaction or failure to pass the bill, would result in a tax increase for Kansans with the possibility of Kansas-based companies leaving the state to find more affordable options. The windfall directly linked to the Trump tax cuts belongs to Kansas taxpayers, not government and Senate Bill 22 would allow Kansans to fully benefit from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Kansas Senate is expected to debate SB 22 this week.
SENATE BILL #9 – KANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM REPAYMENT
The Senate Ways and Means committee sent SB9 to the full Senate for debate – this is the KPERS repayment bill for $115M which is the $97M payment plus interest (at the interest rate of 8%). The $115 million payment would be credited to the public-school unit within KPERS, which has an unfunded liability of more than $6 billion and retains the system’s lowest actuarial funded ratio of 61.6 percent. The bill aims at rectifying a 2016 decision to delay the payment until this session year. KPERS serves about 300,000 current and retired government workers and has $19B in assets with about $1B in contributions coming in each year. In 2018, $1.7B in total benefits were paid out in retirement, life insurance withdrawals and disability payments. It is managed by a nine board of trustees and has a 25-year rate of return of 8.1%.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Senate Transportation Committee
The Secretary of Transportation Commissioner, Julie Lorenz, presented a report to the committee with an update of the department. Kansas has the 4th largest system in the nation with 142,046 miles of public roads and 24,833 bridges across the state. $600 million of freight is transported daily; there are 2 million plus registered drivers in the state with 2.4 million plus registered vehicles. KDOT has six districts with 1,600 employees and employs 600 employees at the headquarters in Topeka. Senate District #36 spans four of these districts. Traffic fatalities decreased in 2018 with seatbelt usage up at 84% but not to the national average of 90%. The entire report can be found at www.ksdot.org along with 511 updates on road conditions and also includes a link www.safetravelusa.com with travel information for surrounding states.
Highway Patrol Colonel Mark Bruce spoke to the Kansas Senate Transportation committee about the challenges of recruiting and retaining troopers within the Kansas Highway Patrol. He broke down the current makeup of the agency and its attempts to employ a diverse organization that also reflects the population it serves. He detailed efforts to retain current troopers through a competitive compensation plan, training, as well as incentives to keep officers on the job longer through deferred retirement strategies. The KHP has had recent success in its last two graduating classes from the academy with records reached in class size, and the number of minority and female graduates. However, despite those successes a recent study in 2018, determined that agency staffing is over 150 troopers short of what is necessary for the KHP to meet its traffic safety mission. Colonel Bruce indicated he would continue to work with the legislature to increase trooper numbers in order to adequately protect the citizens of Kansas.
Ethics, Elections and Local Government
The new Secretary of State, Scott Schwab, gave his first annual report to the committee with information about the office. The website at www.sos.kansas.gov has a new look and highlights the different services the office provides such as the business section to search for Kansas businesses, applying for Notary stamps, filing annual corporation reports, obtaining Certificate of Good Standings and locating charitable organizations registered in the state. The office also oversees cemeteries in Kansas which must be registered and file a report. The site lists all lobbyist’s and legislator’s campaign reports under the campaign finance tab along with election statistics. The Secretary reported a record number of persons registered to vote for the 2018 general election and a record number of votes cast in gubernatorial year 2018. It was also the highest voter turnout for a gubernatorial year since the passage of the National Voter Registration Act in 1994. The election also included the highest percentage of ballots cast before Election Day (advance votes) for a gubernatorial election. There were 232 total candidates for state and national office with the Kansas House of Representatives electing 28 new members as a result of the primary and general elections.
SENATE BILL #32 – INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL INSURANCE COMMITTEE
Kansas Farm Bureau is seeking legislation that would allow them to offer member healthcare benefit overage. Committee testimony noted nationally nearly 65% of farmers polled say healthcare is one their largest threats to their operations. In the past 5 years new farm income has declined by nearly 50% while insurance costs have increased by more than 200%. KFB members agree and are seeking options to the Affordable Care Act coverage which has become unaffordable for many producers. The KFB member health benefit coverage would be available to any KFB member and anyone may join KFB by applying and paying membership dues. According to the bill, each individual will be rated, and they will select their plans based on their needs. Members may apply for the healthcare benefit coverage by completing an application and the program is voluntary. The plans will be fully insured and backed by the resources of Kansas Farm Bureau.
TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE
Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8AM-5PM. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. In addition to calling the hotline, residents can also text questions to 785 256-0733, email or instant message at kslib.info/ask. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.
NATIVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF KANSAS
Marysville business owner, Don Landoll, was recognized as the Business Leader of the Year for 2018 at the annual Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas Banquet. The Board of Directors of the organization selected Don for his many years of success and leadership in his industry and contributing to the betterment of the lives of Kansans through exceptional ingenuity, vision, intelligence and perseverance. Landoll Corporation was founded 55 years ago and continues to thrive in Marysville and Marshall County. Congratulations to Don!
2019 Keep it Clean Kansas Calendar – Kansas Department of Health and Environment
This yearly calendar features the winning artwork of Kansas students’ grades K through 12 who entered the calendar contest. The Bureau of Waste Management has sponsored this contest since 2000 to encourage students, their families and other Kansans to respect and take care of our Kansas land, water and air. Cooper Miller, a kindergartener from Phillipsburg Elementary School was a runner-up and is featured on a page of student artwork of all grades. Lexi Meitler, a kindergartener at Minneapolis Grade School drew the artwork for the January calendar page. Jordyn Wisinger at Phillipsburg High School was the 2019 Grand Prize Winner and is the front cover artist of the KDHE calendar. Calendars are available at no cost at KDHE by calling Julie Coleman at 785-296-1600.
VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36
The first three weeks of the legislative session was a busy one with people visiting from home for meetings and to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday – 158 years of statehood. The Municipal Judges, Electric Cooperatives members and Title Company representatives from District #36 had their annual meetings and receptions this month. Members of the Joint Law Enforcement community, County Clerks & County Appraisers, American Legion & VFW, School Board officials, agriculture Retailers & Co-ops and officials from city and county government were in Topeka for their annual events. Doctors across the state attended the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians annual legislative day with Dr. Jen Brull and Dr. Fisher from Rooks County stopping in.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
785-296-7389
www.kslegislature.org
Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Dist. state senator and serves as the Senate Majority Whip. The 36th Senate District includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties and portions of Marshall and Phillips counties.