Ashlen Leigh Lemon, 19, Hays, died Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at the Geary Community Hospital in Junction City.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Year: 2019
Salina USD 305 selects Exline as interim superintendent
SALINA –At a special school board meeting January 22, 2019, board members unanimously selected Linn Exline, executive director of school improvement to serve as interim superintendent beginning July 1, 2019.“While we were pleased with the pool of candidates, there was not a fit,” explained Nedra Elbl, board president. “We determined that the best fit was available within our district, Linn Exline.”
John Thissen, who announced his upcoming resignation from Hays USD 489 in October, also was a finalist for the position.
Over a span of 26 years in USD 305, Exline has broad educational experience as executive director of school improvement (teaching and learning), high school principal, director of staff development and accreditation, elementary principal, math and science K-12 curriculum specialist and elementary teacher.
Exline will be the second woman to serve in the interim superintendent role in Salina.
“As a Salina Public Schools graduate, and lifelong Salina resident, I am deeply invested in USD 305 and our community,” said Exline. “I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand the commitment of our teachers and staff at all levels and our strong community support for education. The challenge of ensuring each student is positioned for success when leaving 305 motivates me.”
Exline received the Kansas Thespians Conference Administrators Award in 2013, was recognized for her educational leadership by the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Area III in 2012 and was selected as USD 305 Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1995.
Exline is a relationship builder and brings insider knowledge that comes from building a family and career within our community. “Her comprehensive experience in USD 305 uniquely positions her to continue the important initiatives underway,” added Elbl. “We are confident in her ability and excited about the continuity she represents.”
Exline earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Kansas State University, completed her Master of Science in education administration and leadership at Kansas State University and earned her district leadership license from Emporia State University.
Linn Exline begins leadership of USD 305 on July 1, 2019. She will succeed Dr. James Hardy who led the district for two years as interim superintendent. Colleagues in the school improvement office as well as other district administrators will assist as Exline’s current duties are reassigned during her interim period. The board will determine next steps in the process of identifying a permanent superintendent later this summer.
Abortion foes vow to pursue change in Kansas Constitution
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Anti-abortion leaders are promising to pursue a change in the Kansas Constitution if the state’s highest court rules that the document protects abortion rights.
Several hundred abortion opponents rallied Tuesday inside the Statehouse. They marked the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 that legalized abortion across the nation.
But anti-abortion leaders also had another pending court case on their minds.
The Kansas Supreme Court heard arguments nearly two years ago from attorneys on whether the state constitution protects abortion rights.
The justices have not ruled. If they declare that the state constitution protects abortion rights, state courts might invalidate restrictions in Kansas that would be upheld by the federal courts.
Anti-abortion leaders said they would respond by pursuing a state constitutional amendment.
FHSU women’s basketball remains in top 10 in both national polls
Despite taking its first loss of the season, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team remains in the top 10 of both national polls this week, released Tuesday (Jan. 22). The Tigers currently sit in eighth in the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll while ranking seventh in the D2SIDA National Media Poll.
Fort Hays State was listed atop a pair of ballots in the media poll. The Tigers picked up 435 points in the coaches poll, just two points back of seventh, and 291 points in the media rankings, five points behind sixth place.
This is the second time the Tigers have been ranked eighth in the coaches poll, but Thursday’s contest will be their first time playing as the eighth-ranked team in the country. FHSU was ranked eighth in the final coaches poll of the 2014-15 season after reaching the regional finals.
The Tigers are now 67-23 all-time while ranked in the coaches poll, including a 48-10 mark when ranked in the top 10.
Fort Hays State is the lone MIAA representative in the media poll, while two other league schools leapt into the coaches poll this week. Pittsburg State sits in 23rd while Central Missouri is ranked 25th.
After a pair of road contests, the Tigers return to Gross Memorial Coliseum for two more conference matchups this week. FHSU opens the week against Missouri Western Thursday (Jan. 24) at 5:30 p.m.
Below are the complete national polls for January 22, 2019.
| WBCA DII Coaches Poll – Week 9 | D2SIDA Media Poll – Week 9 | |||||||||
| Rk. | Team (1st) | Rcd. | Pts. | Prev. | Rk. | Team (1st) | Rcd. | Pts. | Prev. | |
| 1 | Indiana (Pa.) (22) | 15-0 | 598 | 1 | 1 | Northwest Nazarene (9) | 16-0 | 361 | 2 | |
| 2 | Drury (2) | 17-0 | 577 | 2 | 2 | Drury (2) | 17-0 | 355 | 3 | |
| 3 | Northwest Nazarene | 16-0 | 542 | 4 | 3 | IUP (1) | 14-0 | 342 | 4 | |
| 4 | UC San Diego | 15-0 | 515 | 5 | 4 | Jefferson | 18-0 | 323 | T5 | |
| 5 | Ashland | 17-1 | 488 | 6 | 5 | UC San Diego | 15-0 | 297 | 7 | |
| 6 | Thomas Jefferson Univ. | 19-0 | 446 | 10 | 6 | Florida Southern | 16-1 | 296 | 8 | |
| 7 | Union (Tenn.) | 17-1 | 437 | 7 | 7 | Fort Hays State (2) | 16-1 | 291 | 1 | |
| 8 | Fort Hays State | 16-1 | 435 | 3 | 8 | Union | 17-1 | 263 | 9 | |
| 9 | University of the Sciences | 16-1 | 402 | 11 | 9 | USciences | 16-1 | 236 | 11 | |
| 10 | Alaska Anchorage | 14-1 | 388 | 12 | 10 | Lewis | 14-2 | 232 | 10 | |
| 11 | Virginia Union | 15-1 | 369 | 12 | 11 | Anderson (S.C.) | 15-2 | 228 | 13 | |
| 12 | Florida Southern | 16-1 | 324 | 14 | 12 | California | 14-1 | 214 | 12 | |
| 13 | California (Pa.) | 15-1 | 292 | 15 | 13 | Colorado Mesa (1) | 14-1 | 209 | 19 | |
| 14 | West Texas A&M | 14-2 | 264 | 8 | 14 | Southwestern Okla. | 15-1 | 198 | 16 | |
| 15 | Grand Valley State | 16-2 | 259 | 9 | 15 | Alaska Anchorage | 15-1 | 176 | 15 | |
| 16 | Southwestern Oklahoma St. | 15-1 | 236 | 17 | 16 | Virginia Union | 15-1 | 144 | 17 | |
| 17 | Bentley | 16-2 | 228 | 16 | 17 | Ashland | 17-1 | 127 | 18 | |
| 18 | Lewis | 14-2 | 198 | 18 | 18 | North Georgia | 12-2 | 115 | 20 | |
| 19 | Angelo State | 12-2 | 152 | 19 | 19 | Angelo State | 12-2 | 100 | 24 | |
| 20 | Colorado Mesa | 14-1 | 139 | 23 | 20 | Bentley | 16-2 | 96 | 21 | |
| 21 | Anderson (S.C.) | 15-2 | 126 | 21 | 21 | MSU Moorehead | 16-2 | 84 | 22 | |
| 22 | North Georgia | 12-2 | 96 | 22 | 22 | Lee | 15-3 | 63 | 23 | |
| 23 | Pittsburg State | 15-2 | 80 | NR | 23 | West Texas A&M | 14-2 | 62 | T5 | |
| 24 | Minnesota State Moorhead | 16-2 | 60 | NR | 24 | Cal Poly Pomona | 14-2 | 22 | RV | |
| 25 | Central Missouri | 12-4 | 43 | NR | 25 | Carson-Newman | 14-4 | 11 | NR | |
Meyer named MIAA Track Athlete of the Week
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Brett Meyer has been named MIAA Track Athlete of the Week following an impressive finish in the 800-meters at the Northwest Open this past weekend the conference announced Tuesday (Jan. 22).
Meyer captured first place in the event with his qualifying time of 1:52.17. This finish placed Meyer atop a field of 65 total runners, with 24 MIAA competitors. The pace was also the fastest MIAA time clocked so far this season. Meyer now ranks No. 7 in the nation in the 800-meters.
19-year-old from Hays dies after I-70 crash
GEARY COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after noon Tuesday in Geary County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by Ashlen Leigh Lemon 19, Hays,was westbound on Interstate 70 two miles west of Junction City.
The driver lost control due to icy road conditions. The vehicle entered the median and struck the guardrail.
Lemon was transported to the hospital in Junction City where she died. Lemon was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Arrangements are pending at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Rita Catherine (Hake) Erickson
Rita Catherine (Hake) Erickson passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Redbud Village in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 90. She was born on April 1, 1928 in Bloom Township near Tipton, Kansas to the late John and Martha (Adam) Hake. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Raymond Mayhew. They were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Donna. In August of 1964 they divorced.
Rita spent her early years around Tipton on the family farm and attended a small one-room country school. When the Depression and dust storms in the 30’s hit, her family relocated to Plainville where she attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and later Plainville High School where she completed her freshman and sophomore years. She later obtained her GED in 1973. Rita had many jobs throughout her life. She was a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., owned and operated a dry cleaning establishment, was a nurse’s aide, Quality Control Inspector for Triangle Electronics, worked for a small animal clinic, and finished her job ventures as a K-Mart Corporation Manager which she retired from in 1990. Rita lived in many places from the plains of Kansas to the mountains of Colorado. While in Boulder, Colorado she met Melvin Erickson. They were united in marriage on June 12, 1972 in Huntsville, Alabama. Melvin’s job relocated the family to California. After his retirement they moved back to Colorado where Melvin passed away in September of 1983. In March of 1994 Rita moved back to Plainville where she lived out the remainder of her life.
Rita will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but her memory will live on in our hearts and minds. Through her life she taught us how to live our dreams, through her example she taught us how to enjoy the fruits of our labor, but above all, through her love, she taught us how to serve God and one another with undying devotion.
Rita is survived by her daughters Linda Thomas and husband Larry of Omaha, NE, and Donna Brown of Plainville, KS; 5 grandchildren Kit Nelson and husband Larry, Joyce Thomas, Jen Sanderson and husband Kevin, Jacob Brown, and Jessi Brown; and 8 great-grandchildren, Brendan, Kayli, Emmy, Blake, Carver, Miles, Callie, and Taylor.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Martha Hake; husband Melvin Erickson; brothers Edward, Arnold, Joseph, Raymond, Marvin, Lawrence, Julius, Norbert, and Richard Hake; sisters Sister Helen Hake, Geraldine Karns, Mary Lee Berland, and Edna Hake.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be 2:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday with the family receiving friends 6:00-8:00 P.M. and a Vigil and Rosary Service at 6:00 P.M. all at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic School and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.
KHP trooper makes emotional plea: Slow down, be safe
Trooper Ben Gardner makes a plea as road conditions worsen in Kansas.
Please ……#KSwx pic.twitter.com/w4oF6wdJzL
— Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) January 22, 2019
Planning For the Future workshop Jan. 29
Barbara Jean Lotton
Barbara Jean Lotton, 81, died on Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Logan Manor in Logan. She was born on July 26, 1937, at Dodge City the daughter of Harry Herman & Mildred (Arbogast) Hessman. She married Richard Lotton on August 25, 1957, in Dodge City. He died on September 27, 2013.
Barbara graduated from Dodge City High School and worked at Dillons in Hays while her husband was in college. They moved to Dodge City where she did seamstress work out of her home while raising her family. In 1971 they moved to Garden City and she started working at Dillons East and then when Dillons West opened she became the General Merchandise Manager. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, bowling, playing cards, the Hessman family reunions and after retiring traveling with her husband. She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Son-In-Law- Darrell Rehmert and 2 Brothers- Charles Hessman and Dean Hessman.
She is survived by 2 Daughters- Pam Rehmert of Eufaula, Oklahoma and Becky (Jim) Lanier of Phillipsburg, Son- Kelly (Laurie) Lotton of Houston, Texas, Sister- Karen Dunham of Copeland, 4 Grandchildren & 4 Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Friday at Garnand Funeral Home with Rev Joel Plisek officiating. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Thursday and 9:00 AM to Noon Friday at Garnand Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Logan Manor in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
NAMI Connections meeting Feb. 4
Sheriff: Large amounts of meth, heroin found during Larned traffic stop
Hays Post
LARNED — A traffic stop conducted in Larned early Tuesday morning has yielded large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin, police reported Tuesday.
According to a social media post by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday, a Pawnee County deputy conducted a traffic stop at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday in Larned.
A search of the vehicle was conducted with other deputies and K-9 Officer Noa.
Hidden inside in the vehicle was 1.5 kilos of meth and a kilo of white heroin, a little more than 5.5 combined pounds of drugs.
The two subjects in the vehicle were arrested for possession with intent to distribute drugs and are each are currently held on a $100,000 bond.
The Facebook post included thanks to the “Pawnee County Attorney’s office for paying for specialized drug training to assist deputies in taking dangerous drugs off the streets. Thank you to the deputies for staying focused on a dangerous job and keeping Pawnee County safe!”
Chiefs fire defensive coordinator Sutton after loss to Pats
The Chiefs have fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton after a second-half collapse in the AFC championship game, including an overtime period in which Kansas City failed to stop the New England Patriots on what turned out to be the only possession
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs have fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton after a second-half collapse in the AFC championship game, including an overtime period in which Kansas City failed to stop the New England Patriots on what turned out to be the only possession.
The Patriots won the game 37-31 to reach their third consecutive Super Bowl.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced the firing in a statement Tuesday, one day after he said he was evaluating all aspects of the team. Reid declined to address Sutton specifically.
Sutton had been the defensive coordinator since 2013, when he joined Reid’s initial staff in Kansas City. The longtime college and NFL assistant had previously spent more than a decade with the New York Jets, including a stint as defensive coordinator.
Reid did not say whether his replacement would be promoted from within his current staff.