The Wes Windholz Polka Band will be playing at the VFW in WaKeeney as a fundraiser. The money will be used to redo the bathrooms.
The dance is Saturday, October 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. Come and enjoy.
Polka fundraiser for WaKeeney VFW Saturday
Author: Hays Post
Kansas Bureau of Investigation reveals new missing persons website
TOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) revealed a new website Tuesday aimed at increasing the public’s involvement with Kansas missing persons cases.
The new missing persons website can be viewed at www.kbi.ks.gov/missingpersons. Unlike several national or non-profit missing person sites, the search tool is specific to missing person cases that originated in Kansas. The website provides a current and comprehensive listing of all those reported missing throughout Kansas.
The new site allows for searches by a missing person’s name, or by Kansas county. You can also search based on demographics such as name, gender, age, or the date the missing person was last seen. When using the site, individuals are able to submit tips, information, and sightings directly to the KBI. Anonymous tips are encouraged as well. Once information is reported, the KBI will either evaluate and investigate the information, or forward the lead to the law enforcement agency that is investigating the missing person case.
“We know from experience that tips from the public provide a great advantage to law enforcement in locating missing Kansans, and we hope this website increases our interactions with citizens who wish to help,” said KBI Director Kirk Thompson.
Also featured on the new website are recommendations for how to report someone who has gone missing, and valuable safety information and resources. The site also has links to the Kansas AMBER Alert and Silver Alert websites.
Law enforcement agencies are allowed greater access to additional features of the website so they can update missing person cases in their jurisdictions, compare case profiles, and upload photographs of the missing. When creating the website the KBI worked with law enforcement agencies to ensure it would be a useful resource in missing persons cases, and to teach them how to update the profiles of those missing from their communities.
“Currently missing in Kansas are 295 adults and 280 juveniles. Behind each missing person is a family with unanswered questions. It is our hope that this website will become a valuable tool that aids law enforcement in answering the many questions that arise when an individual goes missing,” said Thompson.
Mona Grimsley-Hett
Mona Grimsley-Hett, 71, of Topeka, passed away of natural causes Friday, September 27, 2019 in her home.
She was born February 18, 1948, in Garden City, Kansas. The daughter of Ben and Ramona (Neil) Grimsley. She graduated from Garden City High School in 1966 and she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio, Television and Film from the Journalism School at the University of Kansas in 1971.
Mona was employed at the Manager of Corporate communications at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Emporia for 12 years, retiring in 1997. Prior she was employed as Manager of Corporate communication for Sunflower Electric in Hays.
Ms. Grimsley was a member of the P.E.O. in Garden City and the American Nuclear Society.
Mona married Robert Hubert in 1966 and had a daughter together, Monica Hubert. Mona then married Max Hett in 1995.
Survivors include a Daughter, Monica Hubert, 3 Grandchildren; Veronica Miller, Vanessa Miller and Cameron Miller and Sister-In-Law, Nancy Grimsley. She was preceded in death by her Ex-Husband, Robert Hubert; Ex-Husband, Max Hett and Brother, Vern Grimsley.
Mona was known for her gift of writing, sharp wit, free spirit and unique perspective on the world.
A Memorial Service will be 10:00 am., Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at the Dove Cremations & Funerals – Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka. In lieu of flowers a gift can be made to the School of Journalism at Kansas University at https://bit.ly/2oxtgUI.
Thomas County site of two new wind projects
THOMAS COUNTY – Residents, business leaders, and government officials joined ENGIE North America September 26 to mark the grand opening of the Solomon Forks Wind Project, as well as to celebrate the East Fork Wind Project scheduled to become operational in the spring of 2020.
Both projects are located in Thomas County, near the city of Colby, in northwest Kansas and together represent $650 million of investment.
ENGIE is proud to serve T-Mobile US, Inc., Target Corp., Brown-Forman, and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty through these projects.
With 105 wind turbines capable of producing 276 MW of clean energy, Solomon Forks is currently the largest wind farm in ENGIE North America’s portfolio.
Now in commercial operation, the project will generate significant benefits to the local area for years to come, with lease payments to landowners under land easements, local jobs to operate and maintain the facility, purchases of local goods and services, donations to Colby Unified School District No. 315, and a scholarship fund established by Solomon Forks with Colby Community College.
The East Fork wind project, meanwhile, also has substantial generation capacity at 196 MW from 72 turbines.
Similar to Solomon Forks, the East Fork project is enabling new economic and educational opportunities to the local area, with lease payments to landowners under land easements, local job creation during construction and commercial operation, purchases of local goods and services, donations to local schools, a scholarship fund established by East Fork with Colby Community College, and annual PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) payments to Thomas County.
“ENGIE, Target, T-Mobile, Brown-Forman, and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty now know what we have known in Kansas for years – our resources, whether they be our farm ground, our transportation infrastructure, our wind in this case, or most importantly the communities and people of Kansas – are second to none. I applaud ENGIE, Target, T-Mobile, Brown-Forman, and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty for the success of these projects, ENGIE’s investment in the local community college, and what all this means for Thomas County and all of Kansas,” said Kansas Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman.
“It’s entirely fitting to celebrate the power of wind here in Kansas, a state whose name stems from the Native American word that means ‘south wind,’” said Colby Mayor Gary Adrian. “For businesses and cities, we need to look at the future as an opportunity not a challenge. I’d like to thank ENGIE for the economic and clean energy engine it has become for our community here in Kansas today and for the future.”
“We’re thrilled to become a part of the community here in Kansas and want to thank all who have gathered with ENGIE today for your support,” said Gwenaëlle Avice-Huet, President and CEO, ENGIE North America and Executive Vice President in charge of ENGIE’s Global Renewable Business Line. “We’re proud to make clean, renewable energy a positive catalyst for our customers in their sustainability goals and to enable new economic and educational opportunities within Thomas County.”
Both the Solomon Forks and East Fork projects reinforce ENGIE’s strategy to lead the zero-carbon transition for companies and local authorities. They contribute to ENGIE’s rapid expansion in renewables, with an ambition to build approximately 9,000 MW of new renewable energy projects from 2019-2021 globally, including 2,500 MW of new renewable capacity in North America. The company has an additional 10,000 MW of wind and solar projects in its broader development pipeline in the U.S. and Canada.
About ENGIE North America
ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada to help customers decarbonize, decentralize, and digitalize their operations. These include comprehensive services to help customers run their facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and expense; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100% of the company’s power generation portfolio is low carbon or renewable. Globally, ENGIE is the largest independent power producer and a leading energy efficiency services provider in the world, employing 160,000 people. For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook pages or www.engie-na.com.
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Suspect in Kan. woman’s stabbing had escaped from halfway house
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man appeared in federal court Monday on a charge of escaping custody, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Wade Dunn, 30, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of escape from custody. A criminal complaint filed in federal court alleges Dunn escaped from the Mirror, Inc., Residential Re-entry Center in Wichita.
In July 2017, Dunn was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after being convicted on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In July 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons transferred him to the residential re-entry center in Wichita to serve the remainder of his sentence.
On Sept. 23, 2019, Dunn left the halfway house on a pass at 9:30 a.m. and failed to return at 5:30 p.m. that day.
On Sept. 28, 2019, Wichita police announced they had arrested Dunn in connection with a random stabbing on Sept. 23 in the 7400 block of East 17th Street North.
Dunn will be held pending trial.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Wichita Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind are prosecuting.
Leota Arment
Leota Arment, 96, passed away Friday, September 27, 2019 at Brookdale, Hays, KS.
Leota was born November 29, 1922 in Smith County, KS, the daughter of Alfred and Avis (Gilbert) Keever. Leota was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Gregg on December 24, 1940 on the family farm in Smith County, KS. To this union they were blessed with two children, Eldon and Janet. Kenneth passed away on April 13, 1971. Leota later married Verl Arment in August of 1976, Verl passed away on November 23, 2008.
She was a member of the First Christian Church of Smith Center.
Leota was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Kenneth Gregg and Verl Arment, a brother, Marion Keever, two sisters, Arvilla Goebel and Oleta Pixler and a step-daughter, Verneta Arment.
She is survived by a son, Eldon (Carol) Gregg of Hays; a daughter, Janet Faye (Lowell) Johannes of Hays; three step-daughters, Linda Rust of Ellsworth, Verlene Wilson of Manhattan and Donna Baca of Haslet, TX; four brothers, Alvin Keever of Atchison, Ora (Kathy) Keever of Albert Lea, MN, Walt (Vera) Keever of Smith Center, Richard (Wanda) Keever of Russell; two sisters, Rosalee Gutscher and Iris Rhoades both of Smith Center; four grandchildren, Daryl Gregg of Hays, Denise (Bill) VanderGiesen of Mulvan, Jason Johannes and Travis (Katelyn) Johannes all of Hays and eight great grandchildren, Matea Gregg, Torrie Gregg, Kyler VanderGiesen, Ainsley VanderGiesen, Eryn (Darrick) Mazour, Kelsey Johannes, Evelyn Johannes and Lydia Johannes.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, October 4, 2019 at First Christian Church, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Randy Hill officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. until services time at the church. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church and sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.
Jerry Allen Nuss
Jerry Allen Nuss, 71, died September 29, 2019 at The University of Kansas Health Systems, Pawnee Valley Campus.
He was born August 16, 1948 in Great Bend to Herbert R. and Kathryn Elizabeth (Wagner) Nuss.
On April 3, 1971, he married Candice (Candi) R. Colburn at Ventura, California.
A longtime area resident, he moved to Larned from California in 1972 after returning from serving two tours in Vietnam in the United States Navy as aviation electronics warfare technician. After settling in Larned, he enlisted in the United States Army National Guard achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his 40 plus years in Larned, he worked for Larned State Hospital, Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility as a Corrections Specialist, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, and Prisoner Transport Service.
Jerry had a love of hunting and the outdoors, especially with his gun dogs; Gunner and Ruger. When not enjoying the outdoors, his fondness of doing yard work and woodworking in his garage filled up his spare time with his sidekick Bandit.
Jerry loved his grandchildren immensely and cherished every moment he had with them. His time with them was spent reading books to them, riding four wheelers, looking for the next hunting spot, building furniture for them, enjoying movies together, and teaching them about Vietnam and history. He enjoyed researching his family’s heritage and learning the history of his ancestry back to the Volga Germans. He had a strong interest in the legal system, was an avid reader of James’ Patterson books, and a strong advocate for veteran’s affairs, especially those that served in Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife, Candi; two sons, Brian (Kelly) Nuss, Silverdale, Washington, Josh (Lindsay) Nuss, Junction City; four grandchildren, Colton, Levi, and Macey Nuss, all of Silverdale, Washington, and Amelia (Milly) Nuss of Junction City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kevin Michael Nuss; two brothers, Larry and George Nuss and his sister, Florine Arend.
Funeral 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor David Spare presiding. Military Rites presented by the United States Navy immediately following the service, Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Visitation 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Township Cemetery, Galatia, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Fischer House, a program for housing veterans and their families while they receive medical treatment. Visit www.FischerHouse.org for more information. Memorials may be given in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.
Donna Mae Gano
July 22, 1932 – September 30, 2019
An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.
Click HERE for service details.
Federal judge in Kansas responds to reprimand over harassment, affair
The Judicial Council for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order sanctioning U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia, who is based in Kansas City, Kansas. The order said Murguia also was reprimanded for being “habitually late” to meetings and court proceedings for years.
Murguia was appointed to his federal judgeship in 1999 by then-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, after serving as a Kansas district court judge in Kansas City. He was the first Hispanic federal judge appointed in Kansas.
He issued a statement Monday apologizing and saying that he took responsibility for his “inappropriate actions.” But he also said his actions “have not and will not interfere with the fair administration of justice.”
“As a result of this process, I have deeply reflected on my actions and have implemented self-imposed corrective measures, both personally and professionally,” Murguia said. “I am truly sorry and am committed to ensuring that such conduct is not repeated.”
The council’s order said there was no evidence that Murguia’s misconduct continued after he was notified of a complaint against him. But 10th Circuit Chief Judge Timothy Tymkovich wrote in the order that Murguia was “less than candid” after being confronted with the allegations.
“He tended to admit to allegations only when confronted with supporting documentary evidence,” Tymkovich wrote. “His apologies appeared more tied to his regret that his actions were brought to light than an awareness of, and regret for, the harm he caused to the individuals involved and the dignity of his office.”
Tymkovich appointed a special committee in August 2018 to investigate a complaint against Murguia, and it interviewed 23 people, according to the council’s order. A public reprimand as “the most severe sanction available” to the council, the order said.
The order said that female employees said that Murguia made sexually suggestive remarks and sent inappropriate texts to female employees and had “excessive, non-work-related contact” with them. It said the employees were “reluctant” to tell Murguia to stop “because of the power he held as a federal judge.”
“One of the employees eventually told him explicitly to stop his harassing conduct, but he continued,” the order said.
The order also said Murguia carried on a “years-long” extramarital sexual relationship with a “drug-using individual” who was on probation but was later imprisoned for probation violations.
“Judge Murguia placed himself in such a compromised position that he made himself susceptible to extortion,” Tymkovich wrote in the order.
Ellis man pleads guilty to second-degree murder in February shooting
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
An Ellis man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of a Hays man in February.
Ryan Paul Thompson faces more than 23 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to shooting 26-year-old Diego Gallaway on Feb. 27 in the 2700 block of Indian Trail in Hays.
Thompson was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court documents, Thompson shot Gallaway in the back of the head while holding him in a choke hold.
Under the plea agreement, Thompson faces 272 months in prison for second-degree murder and another 15 months on the drug charge, for a total of 287 months in prison. The gun charge was dropped.
Thompson’s sentencing will be scheduled for later this year.
Also on Monday, Kylie Waldschmidt was bound over as charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder during commission of inherently dangerous felony.
Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said Waldschmidt and Thompson went to the 2700 block of Indian Trail to commit an aggravated battery or aggravated assault that escalated to murder.
Waldschmidt was also bound over for interference with law enforcement for allegedly lying to police.
A formal arraignment for Waldschmidt has not been set.
HAWVER: Governing by ‘council’ in Kansas
Of course, Kansas government is basically run, its policies set, its benefits delivered by a majority of a quorum in legislative committees and a majority of members of the House and Senate.
Barring a veto (see last year’s two tax bills) which drives up the votes needed to override the governor, probably one of the most subtle tools is creation by a two- or three-page executive order which establishes “the Governor’s Council” on, well, whatever she wants.
In the first year of her administration, Kelly has made clear that she’s using that “Governor’s Council” to propose tax policy for the state and Medicaid expansion.
Now those councils are just advisory, they come up with policy for their assigned subjects and that policy is going to become the governor’s policy for the state.
Nope, it doesn’t get anything passed, but those council recommendations become a fence for the Kansas Legislature, setting boundaries for lawmakers’ actions. Approve most of whatever those “Governor’s Councils” propose, and it’s likely those bills will become law.
Get outside that fence, and the governor can veto a bill and cite—at length—that a specialized study group (and because a handful of Republicans is on those councils, she can refer to them as “nonpartisan”) considered and rejected those provisions.
Not a bad tactic.
Kelly’s first council, dealing with tax reform, has started its exhaustive look at Kansas tax policy, whom is taxed, what is taxed and what isn’t. It’s a big issue that will paint what tax changes produce…and what those changes may do to the state’s economy that most of us wouldn’t have thought of.
For example, continuing to under-fund the Kansas Department of Transportation doesn’t just take less money but it also is likely to damage the state’s economy through depreciating roads used for getting state products to out-of-state buyers, getting Kansans to their jobs, and even contributing to inadequate recreational bike trails to give cyclists a reason to stay in Kansas or come to Kansas to spend their lives.
Oh, and those roads that are now getting a little makeup with an inch or two of new asphalt and striping are actually deteriorating and will at some point require expensive rebuilding from the dirt to the road surface.
Now, does that sound like tax policy? No, but roads that are deteriorating faster than they are being preserved call for tax money to be spent.
And this week Kelly gives an introductory welcome to the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion. That panel will, of course, propose expansion of Medicaid–we call it KanCare–and what that expansion should look like.
That’ll put some fences around the Legislature’s plans for expanding Medicaid which the House passed last session…and which the Senate never considered.
Look for the panel, of course, to deal with the social issues of caring for the health-care needs of the state’s poor, and then underline that expansion and accompanying federal funding with the possibility of more Kansas hospitals closing, jobs leaving small communities, and residents and workers leaving, too, with dire economic effects.
And look for the panel to disapprove legislative efforts to hinder that expansion through any number of provisions that would prohibit Kansans from becoming eligible for expanded Medicaid—like pre-existing conditions, or work requirements and such…
So, it’s just not the governor proposing tax and Medicaid plans, it’s a bipartisan council that helps draw fences around Medicaid legislation.
This governance by “council” might get interesting…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
🎥 October events in Hays
Strategic Doing kicks back off with October session
The Heartland Community Foundation, which serves Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties, has scheduled the Strategic Doing meeting for Ellis County.
The Ellis County meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays. Results of the working groups from the September meeting will be shared. Additionally, other project ideas will be identified, and project teams will be formed for discussion and action.
Strategic Doing is an engaging process that actively helps residents implement their ideas for community improvement projects. New ideas and working groups are encouraged to attend and start working through the Strategic Doing process.
“We hope all who attended the first event in September will join us, but also encourage anyone who was unable to attend the first meeting to come to this one as well,” said Sandy Jacobs, executive director. “There is much more input to be shared by many, as new issues come to the table all the time. Folks with projects that have stalled or those who need resources should also attend and share!”
Dinner will be served. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. RSVP to [email protected] or 785-621-4090 by Oct. 4.
— Submitted