The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department assisted with a pair of fires over the weekend.
In a press release Monday, Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin said the sheriff’s department assisted the Ellis County Fire Department with a house fire at 5:54 p.m. Saturday in the 1600 block of Norfolk Road.
The house, which was unoccupied, was a total loss. There were no injuries reported.
The second fire was a bale fire reported at 1:45 a.m. Sunday at the northeast corner of Emmeram Road and Toulon Avenue. According to the press release, a total of 33 round bales were destroyed.
The cause of both fires was undetermined, but the press release said both fires are considered suspicious. The sheriff’s office and the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating both fires.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at (785) 625-1040 or the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office at (785) 296-3401.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — One of the two victims injured in a fire at a Wichita restaurant on May 11, has died, according to Lt. Jose Ocadiz.
Rosa Martinez – photo courtesy Rostizeria Los Reyes
Rosa Martinez, 51, died over the weekend, according to Ocadiz. The second victim remains hospitalized and unable to speak and unable to tell investigators the cause of the fire.
At 9p.m. May 11, fire crews were dispatched to Rostizeria Los Reyes, 512 West 21street North to help a police officer that had arrived on the scene of a woman with severe burns, according to Ocadiz.
As the officer was able to extinguish the patient, he learned there was another woman inside. The officer used his expandable baton to break the front glass to get access to the other woman victim in the fire, according to Ocadiz.
Emergency crews were then able to transport the code red patients to a local hospital.
The officer who saved the women on fire suffered minor burns to his hands.
Services for Martinez are scheduled for Wednesday, according to Rostizeria Los Reyes Facebook page.
Kansas 4-Hers recently got a lesson on the difficult road to life for monarch butterflies during a Discovery Days class in late May. Twenty-two Kansas 4-Hers have begun an effort to preserve habitat that is critical for the survival of the monarch butterfly, in hopes of keeping it from becoming an endangered species.
KSRE NEWS
MANHATTAN – Nearly two dozen Kansas kids are stepping up to increase the odds of survival for the monarch butterfly, an iconic insect that is fluttering toward becoming an endangered species.
As of late May, they’d already taught lessons to nearly 1,000 other kids and even some adults on the best ways to build a habitat in which monarch butterflies can thrive.
“This is a conservation project to help the butterflies,” said 17-year-old Brett Droegemeier, a senior at Hays High School.
According to the U.S.-based Center for Biological Diversity, there were an estimated 682 million of the bright orange-and-black butterflies in North America in 1997. Last year, the same report noted the monarch population is down to 109 million.
The decline in monarch butterfly numbers led several groups to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The agency will make a ruling on the petition in June 2019.
Twenty-two 4-H’ers in Ellis and Barton counties aren’t content to wait for that to happen.
Fueled by a $20,000 grant from the National 4-H Council, they are teaching a class called “Monarchs on the Move” to youths and others in their communities, encouraging them to plant and preserve milkweed – the major food source and breeding ground for monarch butterflies.
“They have been out in after-school sites and classrooms and libraries doing this,” said Susan Schlichting, the 4-H youth development agent in Ellis County. “They see how excited the kids get and how dedicated to preserving the monarchs the younger kids are. I think that has built the energy among our teen team, as well.”
Kansas 4-H’er Nathan Profitt is among 22 teens who are teaching the class, “Monarchs on the Move,” to help bring greater understanding to the plight of the monarch butterfly, which is currently under consideration as an endangered species.
There are more than 100 varieties of milkweed, but many farmers, homeowners and landscape professionals consider it a weed to be sprayed, pulled or mowed. Doing so may be prudent for growing food or improving a landscape, but it’s a disaster for monarch butterflies.
That’s because female monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweed, as many as 500 eggs at a time. And the caterpillars that spawn from those eggs will only eat milkweed.
Most of the caterpillars won’t become butterflies. It’s thought that only 1 in 20 (5 percent) will make it to adulthood, due to such factors as heat, cold, wind, rainstorms, predators, or the weed being sprayed, pulled or mowed while the caterpillars are trying to feed.
As 15-year-old Lexi Straub puts it, “it’s not easy to become a monarch butterfly.
“Monarchs are just such a unique species of butterfly, and it’s something we want to keep around for future generations,” said Straub, who is from Ellinwood and is one of the 22 youths who are teaching “Monarchs on the Move.” “I think it’s important for more generations to come to have the same experience of enjoying this butterfly.”
Berny Unruh, a 4-H youth development agent in Barton County, said “Monarchs on the Move” is a national curriculum that covers the biology of the monarch butterfly, as well as its migration pattern, life cycle and benefits to the ecosystem.
At the end of the hour-long class, kids plant their own milkweed that they are encouraged to take and re-plant in their backyard.
“It’s been really neat to see the younger kids listening to the teenagers and going, ‘yes, we should take these home and we should take care of these plants and make sure there’s food for the caterpillars and we also need to make sure these flowers are growing nectar for our butterflies to continue on,’” Unruh said. “Hopefully because of efforts like this, the numbers of monarch butterflies will increase.”
Kansas was one of just five states that received the $20,000 grant from the National 4-H Council, which was able to provide the money in partnership with Monsanto, Inc. Those states are located primarily in the Midwest, which is a key pathway as monarch butterflies migrate from Mexico to Canada in the spring, and back again in the fall.
“A few years ago, there was a freeze in Mexico, and we almost lost the population; only a very few of them survived,” Droegemeier said. “Hopefully with what we are doing and what other organizations are doing, their population is starting to increase again. We are hopefully getting them out of being endangered.”
Droegemeier is involved in a project to put several hundred milkweed plants in an outdoor classroom at Hays High School. The group of teens recently spoke to their peers at the annual 4-H Discovery Days event in Manhattan, and this summer they will present “Monarchs on the Move” during the Kansas 4-H Insect Spectacular at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, among other speaking engagements.
“For the teens, this program is huge because they have the opportunity to stretch their leadership abilities,” Schlichting said. “Most of them are young leaders and this is their first chance to put together a program. They’ve worked together in teams to design a program and present it in schools and after-school sites.
“There are many skills that they are gaining through this process. It’s been fun to watch the confidence that they’ve gained.”
Ellis County’s next “Strategic Doing” will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 18, at The Press Restaurant in the Hadley Center, 230 East 8th Street, Hays. The meeting will include information about writing strong grant proposals and how to secure funding from various available sources.
This event is open to current Strategic Doing teams, as well as others in the community who would like to learn more about the projects and the process. During previous Strategic Doing meetings, participants have identified and prioritized community needs into eight areas, which designated teams are now working to address. These areas include:
• Becoming a more open, welcoming and inclusive community.
• Distribution of social service information in a like environment.
• Filling youth activity gaps in the community.
• Business development, including recruitment, retention and economic development.
• Effective transportation in the region for people, roads, and medical access across cities/towns and counties.
• Education initiatives and communication.
• Helping senior citizens become self-sufficient.
• Retention of graduating students, both from high schools and secondary education, including university, technical schools and professional academies.
Hosted in partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Strategic Doing aims to guide Ellis County residents through the process of prioritizing, planning and implementing sustainable county-wide community improvement projects identified by community members at-large. Projects and ideas that develop from these meetings will be eligible to apply for funding through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Grant Fund at Heartland Community Foundation or directly to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Sandy Jacobs at 785-621-4090 or [email protected].
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friends,
Lat week I called on my colleagues to deliver a comprehensive solution to our nation’s immigration system. We must end the sluggish pace at which we are addressing border security and immigration in Congress.
I also am working very hard behind the scenes to repair our trade deals. I met with both the Mexican and Cuban Ambassadors to continue to advocate for new and better trade relationships. As both self-imposed and retaliatory tariffs continue to weigh on our producers and manufacturers I want you to know I am working tirelessly on trade. Our President has promised to deliver new and better agreements, I will continue my work to ensure we achieve those.
In other news, we saw a touching story out of Salina, Kansas where a WWII vet’s family was reunited with their fallen soldier’s wartime memorabilia after more than 70 years. I’m so proud of my staff that worked hard to track down the family.
Simmons Pet Food, Emporia
Kansas sees *pet*ential in this growing industry
I recently visited the Simmons Pet Food factory in Emporia and quickly learned how Kansas is not just a leading provider of food for Americans, but for domesticated animals as well. Simmons Feed Ingredients boasts an innovative array of proprietary animal nutrition products, serving customers in all 50 states and more than 40 countries around the world.
The reason I visit great companies such as Simmons Pet Food is because of the value they bring to our Kansas communities. Being the home to not just one but three leaders in the pet food manufacturing industry means reliable jobs for families in the area. Simmons employs more than 600 people, and recently announced a $38 million expansion to the Emporia facility.
We discussed the negative impact the steel and aluminum tariffs are having on their business, as their pet food is distributed in cans made of these materials. I have called for the Commerce Department to target bad actors in their steel efforts, not allies who supply steel and aluminum that Kansas manufacturers so desperately need.
We got the BEEF!
Kansans do the best job of telling their stories. That’s why it is always a pleasure to have folks in D.C. that take the time to come by our office. Last week attendees of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference spoke on several key issues that we have partnered on to support our state’s beef industry. Stability in trade markets, livestock transportation regulations that take consider animal welfare and the 2018 Farm Bill were items that topped their list. I’m proud to have been a vocal supporter of each of these. Kansas’ First District leads the nation in cattle sales each year, demonstrating the importance of this industry to our state’s economy.
Small Business Committee looks at barriers for veteran-owned businesses
In recent years the VA has adopted rules and policies that increase barriers for veteran-owned small businesses, adding additional requirements that can delay or prevent these small business owners from contracting with the VA. Thursday, the Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations discussed the senseless road blocks imposed on our nation’s veterans.
I appreciate the Committee taking a look at such an important issue, and I look forward to continuing discussions as to how best help our veterans transition back to civilian life.
KS, AR, MN lead trade talks with Cuba Ambassador
I joined Senator John Boozman, Representatives Rick Crawford, Tom Emmer, and the Cuban Ambassador to the United States, José Cabañas, in a roundtable discussing the benefits of opening markets between Cuba and the United States. The panel mainly focused on strengthening agricultural trade between the two countries.
Improving our relationship with Cuba could lead to a stronger agricultural economy in our country. With farmers concerned about access to international markets a $2 billion potential market remains largely untouched just over the horizon in Cuba. I took time to emphasize the importance of opening more markets to export wheat and other commodities from our state and nation. Our Kansas farmers need access to opportunities to increase commodity prices. Because of Cuba’s proximity, U.S. wheat, corn, sorghum and other exports to the island have a solid advantage over competitors both in shipping costs and delivery times. If the U.S. was able to sell its goods to Cuba, Kansas could top $55 million in new sales, with a 25 percent increase in wheat sales.
Enough is enough.
I took to the House floor to address our broken immigration system. It is imperative that immigration reform provides a work visa for guest workers so that our state can continue to be an agricultural powerhouse. Working with former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Bob Goodlatte, such a program was developed and introduced in the Ag Act which I am proud to cosponsor. The program would replace the outdated, seasonal-only, H-2A visas with new H-2C’s for our dairy and feedlot industries. H-2C’s are much more efficient and are particularly important for our state’s livestock industry.
Later in the week we met as a Republican conference to further discuss an immigration bill, which would PRE-fund border security, so as to avoid repeating past mistakes. With members are still negotiating the details, we agreed that the remaining policies should closely follow the “four pillars” laid out by President Trump in his State of the Union speech. These pillars include securing the border, legal status for children brought here by their parents at a young age, the ending of the visa lottery, and limits to chain migration.
The brokenness of our immigration system and border security is on full display. Last month the Department of Homeland Security apprehended 50,000 people crossing illegally. I am looking forward to what we expect will be several votes on immigration in the House and keeping my promises to the people of the first district. This reform is crucial to our economy, our security, and our future!
WWII Veteran finds dog tags of Fallen Beloit soldier
Military veterans and their stories are a topic particularly close to my heart, which is why a recent story that has taken root in our district regarding a Kansas-born WWII war hero is so touching.
In February, our office fielded a call from a friend of 1st Lieutenant James Garberg, a WWII vet from Minneapolis, Minn. While going through his war time memorabilia Mr. Garberg found the dog tags of one of his soldiers, Ernest Childers Jr. from Beloit, Kan. Mr. Garberg and Mr. Childers, Jr. were part of the 32nd infantry regiment that retook Attu Island back from the Japanese in 1943. Lt. Garberg had carried Childers from the battleground after he suffered injuries that he later died from.
When Lt. Garberg’s friend, Lt Col. (Ret.) Mike DePuglio, contacted the office for help with finding Childers’ next of kin or any living descendants to return the tags to, we were glad to help. After a search, our caseworker found the fallen soldier’s nephew who was overwhelmed with emotions by the news of his uncle’s Lieutenant finding and returning the dog tags.
Friday, June 8 in our Salina District Office, Ernest Childers accepted the dog tags, marking the first time these tags have been in the possession of a member of the Childers family in over 70 years. What an incredible honor it is to have witnessed this story unfold firsthand over the course of the week!
Kansas Opportunity Zones
On the House floor I discussed one specific aspect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Federal Opportunity Zones, which are designed to promote economic development and job creation in communities throughout our country. The Treasury Department recently selected 29 opportunity zones in 17 different counties across the 1st District of Kansas. When a tract is deemed an opportunity zone, it allows taxpayers to defer capital gains tax if they invest in prioritized local projects. This is a win-win scenario for both businesses and communities that will spur growth and expansion.
Letha Mae Harris, 81, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, June 04, 2018, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.
Letha was born on August 05, 1936, in Norton County Kansas, the daughter of George E. and Evelyn G. (Cramer) Hendrickson. She grew up in the Norton county area and attended local schools. She also lived in Calvert county, Kansas and Almena, Kansas areas before moving to Colorado. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Albert S. Harris on November 30, 1974, in St. Rose Lima, Denver, Colorado. They were blessed with 4 children Randy, Ronda, Barry and Stephanie. She worked as a waitress for F.W. Woolworth and worked there for 40 years until her retirement in 1994. She was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell was a former member of St. Rose Lima Catholic Church in Denver. She enjoyed playing bingo and couponing. Mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family and organizing family barbeques and especially enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her children son Randy Gonzales of Hays, Kansas, daughter Ronda Towery of Russell, Kansas, son Barry Harris of St. Petersburg, Florida and daughter Stephanie Beste of Denver, Colorado; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; brothers Larry Hendrickson of Denver, Colorado and David Hendrickson of Hays, Kansas and a sister Alice Hawks of Almena, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Donna Maltsbarger.
A memorial service to celebrate Letha’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary Chapel. Services will conclude at the mortuary. Family will greet guests the day of the service. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
As the Ellis County Commission continues working on the 2019 budget, commissioners will hear budget requests from outside agencies at Monday’s commission meeting.
According to information provided to the commission by County Administration Phillip Smith-Hanes, outside agencies received $1.07 million in 2018. That included the $23,000 provided to the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development. Smith-Hanes said that money is expected to be transferred to road and bridge for 2019.
Twelve agencies will provide presentations Monday and one next week.
In other business, the commission will consider a resolution allowing the discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas of Ellis County July 2 to 4.
They will also consider donating six radios to the Gorham Fire District.
The commission will meet as the Public Building Commission with the regular commission meeting to follow at the County Administrative Center at 718 Main St. in Hays.
The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 34 traffic stops Fri., June 8, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–7th and Vine St, Hays; 2 AM; 2:05 AM
Animal At Large–100 block E 17th St, Hays; 7:50 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block E 19th St, Hays; 8:27 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1000 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:33 AM
Water Use Violation–2700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 9:02 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6/7 12 PM; 6/8 12 PM
Identity Theft–2300 block Allen St, Hays; 3:50 PM
Found/Lost Property–200 block Ash St, Hays; 3:55 PM
Welfare Check–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 06/08/2018 04:01:37 PM
Water Use Violation–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:12 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1600 block Allen St, Hays; 4:29 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–3000 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 4/1 12 PM; 6/9 5 PM
Parking Complaint–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:05 PM
Disturbance – Noise–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:22 PM
Criminal Trespass–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 6/6 6:30 PM; 7:30 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 29 traffic stops Sat., June 9, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Suspicious Person–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 6/8 11:45 PM; 6/9 12:10 AM
Suspicious Activity–22nd St and Main St, Hays; 1 AM; 1:10 AM
Intoxicated Subject–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:47 AM
Driving Under the Influence–600 block Fort St, Hays; 1:56 AM
Animal Call–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:27 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:15 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 34th St, Hays; 9:53 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block Mission Mt, Hays; 12:11 PM
Mental Health Call–2000 block Patio Dr, Hays; 12:20 PM
Animal At Large–2400 block Virginia Dr, Hays; 6:40 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–300 block Main St, Hays; 10:30 AM; 7 PM
Suspicious Person–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 8:33 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1800 block Main St, Hays; 11:01 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 36 traffic stops Sun., June 10, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:09 AM
Disturbance – General–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:46 AM
MV Accident /DUI–1100 block Fort St, Hays; 1:51 AM
Driving Under the Influence–300 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:05 AM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 8:23 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block Ash St, Hays; 11 AM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:53 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–400 block Autumn Ln, Hays; 1:30 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–500 block E 18th St, Hays; 1:35 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–1000 block E 33rd St, Hays; 1:50 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–300 block E 23rd St, Hays; 2:48 PM
Driving Under the Influence–19th and Milner, Hays; 3:55 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 5:53 PM; 5:55 PM
Shoplifting–700 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:55 PM
Sex Offense–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8 PM
Drug Offenses–1500 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:44 PM
Independent candidate and Ellis resident John Walz has filed for the Ellis County District 1 seat on the Ellis County Commission.
Walz filed the required paperwork Friday, according to County Election Officer and Clerk Donna Maskus.
Independent candidates have until 12 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, to file for the general election. They have to file by petition and collect signatures from 4 percent – or 67 – registered voters from District 1.
Walz works for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department.
He is the fourth candidate to file for the position.
SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated assault involving an off-duty officer and have made an arrest.
Hogue-photo Shawnee Co.
Just before 5:30 p.m. Sunday, an off-duty Topeka police officer was the victim of an aggravated assault by use of a firearm in the lot of 1401 SW Wanamaker in Topeka, according to Lt. Aaron Jones.
The officer was able to call in the location, description, and direction of the suspect. The vehicle was initially found by a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper eastbound on Interstate 70 and 75 Highway. Officers from Topeka police, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Capital Police arrived to assist with a high-risk stop between Mac Vicar and 1st Street.
There happened to be a AAA driver arrive at the same time. They helped to shut down the highway for the safety of the travelers.
Authorities took Randal S. Hogue, 31, Topeka, into custody. Authorities also discovered a stolen handgun and an illegally altered shotgun in the vehicle.
Randal then attempted to escape custody while at the Law Enforcement Center during interviews. Randal was captured and taken to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections under suspicion of Aggravated Assault(2x), Aggravated Escape from Custody, Obstruction, Criminal Use of a Weapon, Theft-Firearm, and Driving While Suspended, according to Jones.
Hansen MuseumLOGAN — The Dane G. Hansen Museum takes great pride in hosting a two-day watercolor painting workshop with Laurie Albin at the Dane G. Hansen Museum, 110 W. Main, Logan, Kansas. This workshop will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on June 22 and 23, 2018, with a lunch break each day. At this workshop, Laurie will introduce basic watercolor techniques and present step-by-step demonstrations providing guidance and inspiration. Day 1 of the workshop, students will practice newly introduced techniques by painting a floral. Day 2, students work from a custom sketch with the goal of completing a work ready for the frame. This workshop is available to all skill levels.
Instructor Laurie Albin is a Kansas Watercolor Society Signature member and has been painting watercolors from over 42 years. Laurie is an experienced instructor, for ten years, she had a teaching studio in WaKeeney, Kansas and for the past eleven years Laurie has been teaching secondary art in public schools. To view Laurie’s art, go to www.albinstudio.com.
This learning opportunity is brought to you through the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program with funds from the Hansen Foundation. Cost of the workshop is $120.00 with discounts available for members of the Dane G. Hansen Museum. For more information, please call 785-689-4846.
Museum Hours are M-F 9-12 & 1-4; Sat. 9-12 & 1-5; Sun. & Holidays 1-5. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. We are handicapped accessible and there is never an admission fee. For more information about this and other exhibits, contact Shari Buss at 785-689-4846.
