TOPEKA —The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit has arrested a juvenile in connection with the eight intentionally set fires, according to Division Chief Michael Martin. Authorities released no additional details Wednesday evening. There were no injuries reported.
———
TOPEKA— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of arson fires set starting late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning.
The first fire was reported on SW Clay and the 8th fire on SW Lindenwood Ave. google map
Just after 11:45p.m.Tuesday, the Topeka Fire Department responded to the first fire in the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street. They found dry leaves and grass on fire behind a home. A nearby vehicle was also damaged by the fire.
Fire crews responded to seven additional fires in trash bins, structures and over the following 4 hours, according to Division Chief Michael G. Martin.
Several fires were in the same vicinity and one fire in the 900 Block of SW Lindenwood caused an estimated $10,000 damage to a garage, according to Martin.
Investigators determined all the fires were intentionally set. No injuries or fatalities were reported at any of these incidents.
Battalion Chief Mark Brannock says four of the fires were reported in one block, and neighbors reported seeking three young people running away from the scene.
Anyone with information about the circumstances of the fires is asked to please contact Crime Stoppers at (785)234-0007 or Toll Free at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).
No private information was obtained in the alleged computer hacking threat last year of the Ellis Co. EMS administrative phone lines.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
No confidential information was obtained during last year’s alleged denial-of-service attack against computers hosting the Ellis County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) administrative voice lines, according to county health administrator Kerry McCue.
“There were no administrative phone calls overheard and no patient information was obtained or lost from our possession,” McCue said Wednesday afternoon. “There were no HIPAA concerns or violations.”
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is U.S. legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.
McCue wants to assure the public that “no confidential information” was accessed by the alleged computer hacker.
A Larned man, Michael D. Golightley, 34, is charged with seven counts of damaging a protected computer and one count of threatening to damage a protected computer. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in March 2017 in Ellis County.
According to a July 17 news release from U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, District of Kansas, the indictment alleges Golightley hired an entity known as DDosCity to carry out a series of denial-of-service attacks against computers served by the local internet service provider Nex-Tech.
Nex-Tech provided backup and monitoring service for Ellis County’s EMS administrative voice lines, Russell County’s hospital voice lines, the Quinter hospital’s voice lines, the Grove County Sheriff’s administrative voice lines, the Russell County Sheriff’s administrative voice lines and the administrative voice lines for the police and fire departments of Russell County.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery.
Image courtesy Wichita Police
Just after 10p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a convenience store in the 600 Block of East Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
A 38-year-old employee told police an unknown suspect entered the business, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect took cash and fled on foot. There were no injuries according to Davidson.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man in his 30s, 6-foot-1 and 120 pounds. He wore a dark, long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and a bandanna covering his face.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wichita Police.
Karen Ann Ryan, age 76, passed away from kidney failure on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at her home in Scott City, Kansas.
She was born on April 3, 1942 in Shallow Water, Kansas, the daughter of Paul D. & Dora Scovill Ryan.
Karen was a lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas and was a homemaker, wife and mother.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Scott City, Kansas.
On September 17, 1960 she married Larry E. Ryan in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He passed away on April 17, 2002 in Hays, Kansas.
Survivors include her three daughters – Denise Craig of Scott City, Kansas, Linette & Brian Little of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Mershon Misner of Colorado Springs, Colorado, three sons – Aaron Ryan of Scott City, Kansas, Bryan & Gaynelle Ryan of Henderson, Nevada, Chad & Jessie Ryan of Scott City, Kansas, two sisters – Betty Dunlap of Caballo, New Mexico, Nancy & John Witt of Caballo, New Mexico; twenty one grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three sisters – Mary Ryan, Dorin Penka, Peggy VanWey, and one infant brother, Paulin E. Ryan and one brother, Dean Ryan.
Funeral Services will be held at the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 906 Cresant Ave. in Scott City, Kansas on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.with Bishop James A. Yager presiding.
Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Karen Ryan Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be at Price & Sons Funeral Home from 1pm – 8pm Friday in Scott City, Kansas.
Eugene L. Smith, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on July 23, 1940 in Scott City, Kansas, the son of Loyd & Edith Watkins Smith. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, he was a retired mechanic at Smith Motor Company for 56 years.
He was a US Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam war and a member of the VFW and NRA.
On January 11, 1959 he married Carolyn Sue Harp in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.
Survivors include his Wife – Carolyn Sue Smith of Scott City, Kansas, Two Daughters – Kimie France of Scott City, Kansas
Dustie Rohrbough of Scott City, Kansas, One Grandson – Hunter Eugene Stevens of Goodland, Kansas and
One Granddaughter – Taryn Ruth Rohrbough of Scott City, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his Parents and One Sister – Ramona Limback.
Funeral Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.with Pastor Don Williams presiding.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may made to the Pence Community Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — Officials say an Emporia doctor is losing his Kansas medical license for a sexual relationship with a patient who tried to commit suicide using pills he prescribed her.
The Kansas City Star reports that the Kansas Board of Healing Arts said in revoking Chester Stone’s license last week that he “was in a position of significant power” over the unnamed patient while he was treating her for anxiety. The board said he “abused that power” and “showed a “thorough lack of genuine remorse.”
Stone had a private practice and remains able to work at Veterans Affairs medical facilities because he still has a license in Missouri, although it’s unclear if he’s doing so. Stone says he thinks his attorneys have told Missouri officials about the loss of his Kansas license.
The annual WKHRMA seminar will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Robbins Center located on the campus of Fort Hays State University. Doors open and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Speaker: Melody L. Rayl, Attorney, and Lauren Sobaski, Associate, of Fisher Phillips
Registration: $65 Members; $80 Non-Members; Lunch is included; Registration and Payment due October 9, 2018.
*This event will be SHRM (5 hours) & HRCI Certified
We would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support:
-Hays Area Chamber of Commerce
-Werth Wealth Management
-Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball
-Management Development Center (MDC) at Fort Hays State University
-Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
-Freedom Claims Management, Inc.
The Boyington family: son John Charles, John, Donna, and daughter Brooke pose at a pro rodeo event in 2015, when John was recognized as the 2015 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year. Donna is facing her second battle with cancer and has received donations from the Hope in the Heartland fund. The Phillipsburg rodeo raises money for Hope in the Heartland.
PHILLIPSBURG – Special funds gave two Phillipsburg women hope and help for the future.
When cancer struck Donna Boyington and Joanne Niemczyk Ceman, monies from the Hope in the Heartland fund helped them with extra expenses.
Boyington, the wife of John and co-owner of Crossroads Veterinary Clinic in Phillipsburg, was first diagnosed with endometrial cancer in late 2014. She had a hysterectomy to remove the tumors. After radiation and chemotherapy treatment in 2015, doctors told her there was a very good chance the cancer would not return. She was diagnosed with her second bout in July of last year. Doctors repaired organs damaged by the cancer and removed more tumors, which had spread to her abdomen.
Ceman was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2016. She did chemotherapy once a week for eight weeks, then radiation treatment every day for nearly a month, driving to Hays for treatment.
Both women received funding from Hope in the Heartland, an organization which provides funding for cancer patients in the Phillips County and surrounding area. Hope in the Heartland’s main fundraiser is Kansas Biggest Rodeo, which raises money through its Tough Enough to Wear Pink night, held on the first Thursday of the rodeo each year. Fans at pink night (this year, August 2, 2018), are asked to wear pink to bring awareness to cancer. For every fan wearing pink to the rodeo that night, the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association donates one dollar to Hope in the Heartland funds. Voluntary donations are picked up through the grandstands that night, and local businesses also donate.
Ceman used the donation mostly for travel expenses. “It helped a lot,” she said. “We used it for traveling to Hays.” She is employed at Witmer Drug Store and Crossroads Vet Clinic, and her bosses were understanding. “The people I work for were really good,” she said. “I worked as much as I could. If I needed to sit for a few minutes and catch my breath, they were good about it.”
On days of treatment, Ceman worked half-days, scheduling treatments for the morning so she could be back to work in the afternoon.
Joanne Ceman has battled cancer and received funding from Hope in the Heartland. Her husband Chris and sons (from left) Tony, Chris, and Zach stand with her.
Ceman had her last radiation treatment in May of 2017, and her cancer is in remission. Her husband, Chris, is facing his own battle. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and because of complications, has kidney failure. He is on home kidney dialysis.
Boyington worked at Crossroads Veterinary Clinic full time but during treatment did a lot of the paperwork from home. She and John’s daughter Brooke, the 2014 Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen, returned home to help her parents after graduating from Kansas State University last spring. “She has been a true blessing,” Donna said. “We’re so thankful, because she’s so helpful. She’s helped (John) as much if not more than me.”
Ceman and her husband Chris moved to Phillipsburg from Minnesota in 2001 with their three boys, Tony, Zach and Chris, and have gone to the rodeo several times. Before she had cancer, it wasn’t on her radar like it is now. “It’s amazing how many people are affected by it or have had some kind of it,” she said. The Hope in the Heartland money was appreciated. “It was wonderful. We were really grateful for it.”
Boyington was appreciative of the funds, too. She and John traveled to Kansas City frequently for treatment, as well as to Hays every three weeks, so the funds went towards travel expenses. Her final chemo treatment was in February.
Boyington has a unique tie to the Phillipsburg rodeo. She competed in college rodeo in the barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying and did some professional barrel racing as well. Her husband steer wrestled at the Phillipsburg Rodeo and serves as the official veterinarian for the rodeo. He won the 2015 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year award. They rarely miss a night of rodeo.
Both women are thankful for the friends, family and community that have supported them through their ordeal. Even though her husband’s health isn’t the best, Ceman looks on the bright side of it. “There’s always somebody who is worse off than we are.” Boyington appreciates the community. “It’s wonderful to live in a town like Phillipsburg. People are so thoughtful and we really appreciate it.”
“It’s nice to live in a place where people care.”
The Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign started at the Phillipsburg rodeo in 2006; since then, more than $83,000 has been raised. Several Phillipsburg businesses match the rodeo’s donation: Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, McClain Seed Sales, Rodgers and Associates Insurance Co., and Farmers State Bank.
The Phillipsburg rodeo is August 2-4. Performances begin at 8 pm each night, and tickets range in price from $11 to $18. Tickets can be purchased at Heritage Insurance in Phillipsburg (785.543.2448) and at the gate. For more information, visit the rodeo’s website at www.KansasBiggestRodeo.com.
KANSAS CITY — (AP) — A Kansas City-area woman has been charged with letting men rape her 2-year-old daughter.
Watson -photo Wyandotte County
Twenty-five-year-old Azzie Watson, of Independence, was charged Tuesday with child abuse and endangerment. Bond is set at $75,000. No attorney is listed for her in online court records.
Court documents say Watson’s boyfriend recorded Watson talking about repeatedly taking her daughter to a house where her daughter was raped about five times. She says on the recording that she watched.
Police were given the recording last month while responding to a rape report at a hospital. Court documents say Watson told detectives that what she said in the recording was a lie because she was scared of her boyfriend. Watson also said she didn’t know how her daughter contracted a sexually transmitted disease.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Midwest grocery store chain Hy-Vee Inc. has recalled its store-brand spring pasta salad after 20 people got salmonella in Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday the West Des Moines-based grocery chain discovered potential salmonella contamination on Monday night and pulled the product from its shelves.
The recall includes 16-ounce and 48-ounce containers of Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad produced between June 1 and July 13. It was available from deli service cases in the company’s 244 stores across eight states including Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in the young, frail and elderly.
Matt TurnerDODGE CITY — Dodge City Public Schools announce this week that Matt Turner has been selected as the Director of Secondary Education for Dodge City Public Schools, beginning with the 2018-19 school year. For the past nine years, Turner has been the principal at Alternative Education and will maintain this position as well.
Turner was born and raised in Dodge City, and was a 1994 graduate of Dodge City High School. Turner lives here with his wife Diana and step-daughter Savannah. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. His previous experience includes six years as a business teacher at USD 443, one year as Dean of Students and currently the Principal of Alternative Education for USD 443.
According to Turner, “I would like to thank Dr. Dierksen for giving me this opportunity to serve the community that means so much to me. Dodge City has always been my home and I look forward to spending many more years here. I am truly excited for the opportunity to work with so many talented staff members and students throughout USD443.”
“Mr. Turner is an outstanding selection for Director of Secondary Education. He not only understands the district and the positions he will be in charge of but, he also knows Dodge City. This allows him to continue the relationships he has built and the understanding that comes with it. He also has the tools necessary to lead. I feel very fortunate to have him as a part of our administrative team.” said Dr. Fred Dierksen, Superintendent of Schools.
As Director of Secondary Education/Alternative Education Principal, Turner will work in conjunction with Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Scott Springston and Superintendent Dr. Fred Dierksen to provide instructional leadership for the staff and over 3,200 sixth through twelfth grade students at Comanche Middle School, Dodge City Middle School and Dodge City High School.
