WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the death of a 2-year-old Wichita boy at a time the Kansas Department of Children and Families is under fire for the deaths of young children whose abuse had previously been reported to the agency. (all times local):
5p.m.
Lucas Diel photo Sedgwick Co.
The mother of a 2-year-old Wichita boy who died from suspected abuse and the woman’s boyfriend have been charged with murder in the first degree. It is the latest case in the Wichita area in which young children died after law enforcement and state welfare officials received reports they were being abused.
Elizabeth Woolheater and Lucas Diel made their first court appearances Wednesday via video feed from jail. They are charged in the death of Anthony Bunn. They have not yet been assigned public defenders.
Elizabeth Woolheater photo Sedgwick Co.
The head of Kansas Department of Children and Families announced more changes Tuesday at the embattled agency. Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel said in a news release that the agency will be “implementing corrective action plans” in child welfare programs and will be making personnel changes.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Catholic priest in Johnson County is charged with stealing more than $40,000 from a parish where he was pastor.
Rev. Cramer-photo Johnson Co.
Rev. Joseph Cramer is charged with felony theft and two counts of felony computer crime. Prosecutors say he stole the money from Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner between November 2015 and May 2016.
The 68-year-old Cramer was released on $5,000 bond Tuesday.
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas officials said they contacted prosecutors last September. Cramer was placed on administrative leave and has resigned as pastor.
Court documents don’t say how the alleged crimes occurred or how the money was spent. But as a condition of his bond, Cramer was ordered to stay away from casinos.
The music department at Thomas More Prep Marian Jr./Sr. High School was very busy this school year. Below are the highlights of our year as well as the accolades of the music program. A blessed thank you to all the kids, their parents and the TMP music boosters for their support once again this year.
Music Highlights of 2017-2018
KMEA Junior High Honor Band – 11 Students, 4 Alternates
KMEA Junior High Honor Choir – 13 Students
KMEA Junior High All State Choir – 1 Student
KMEA High School Honor Band – 10 Students, 1 Alternate
KMEA High School Honor Choir – 15 Students
KMEA High School Honor Jazz Band – 1 Student
KMEA All-State High School Band – 1 Student
KMEA All-State High School Choir – 3 Students, 1 Alternate
MCEL Music Festival at Norton in February – 42 Entries with 2 APs, 20 I Ratings and 20 II Ratings
JH Band – I, I, II
JH Choir – I, I, I
Regional Music Festival – 21 Entries
State Music Festival – 8 entries with 7 receiving a I Rating
High School State Band – I, I, I for the 15th consecutive year
GALENA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say two bicyclists from Germany were struck and killed in southeast Kansas.
Authorities closed K66 Highway between Galena and Riverton for 8 hours while emergency personnel worked the fatal crash-photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff
The Kansas Highway Patrol says a minivan traveling in the same direction struck the two cyclists from behind Tuesday morning. It happened on Kansas 66, about 1½ miles (2.5 kilometers) west of the town of Galena, just north of the Oklahoma state line.
The cyclists died at the scene.
Spokesman Rick Wingate says the identities of the two cyclists could not be released yet because relatives in Germany must be notified. He says the German consulate has been notified.
The patrol’s report says the crash was not a hit-and-run. Wingate says he wasn’t aware why the two were in Kansas.
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CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating
a fatal accident involving two bicycle riders.
The KHP reported a vehicle and two bicycle riders were westbound on Kansas 66 a mile and a half west of Galena just after 11 a.m. Tuesday. The vehicle rear-ended a bicycle.
Authorities have not released names of the victim or additional details.
KANSAS CITY (AP) – Fire officials say an improperly discarded cigarette caused a three-alarm fire that seriously damaged an office building in North Kansas City.
Tuesday fire in north Kansas City -image courtesy KCTV
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Wednesday the fire was accidental and no criminal investigation will be conducted.
Fire officials say dry conditions and wind helped fuel the fire.
The building where the fire broke out Tuesday afternoon housed 13 businesses. No one was injured and a damage estimate was not available.
Ham says the ATF was able to quickly determine the cause because there were many witnesses and video of the fire.
The Kansas City Star reports the building’s owner, N.T. Reality, is working to help the displaced businesses relocate to other company-owned properties.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State Fair officials are warning about websites selling fraudulent tickets for this year’s fair.
Several customers learned after buying tickets that the websites they used weren’t authorized to sell tickets.
Marketing Director Joy Whitman said in a statement that the sites use the words Kansas State Fair in their web addresses. Customers receive email confirmations that are incomplete or contain the wrong customer information.
The fair is working to have the fraudulent sites removed from Google’s search engine.
The only legitimate online ticket seller for the Kansas State Fair is Etix, which can be accessed at kansasstatefair.com, under the “tickets” button. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the Kansas State Fair or at the box office in the Fair’s administration building.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has been charged with inappropriately touching a non-uniformed female co-worker while he was on duty.
District Attorney Mark Dupree announced the charges Tuesday-photo courtesy Wyandotte County
Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree announced Tuesday that Steven Rios faces one misdemeanor count of sexual battery. The incident is alleged to have occurred in March.
Rios has worked for the department for more than a decade and was on the police detail that protected former Mayor Mark Holland.
If convicted, Rios faces up to six months in the county jail and up to a $1,000 fine. He doesn’t have a listed number. Police and prosecutors didn’t immediately respond to emails asking whether he had an attorney.
Academic and athletic awards were accepted by the student body on May 7.
There were 50 award and scholarship presentations and over $1 million in scholarships was given away.
“That was just what was given last night,” counselor Amy Miller said. “There are a lot more out there. I think it’s wonderful and a great opportunity for students to further the education. These people were very generous, and we just appreciate their generosity.”
ACL/NJCL National Latin Exam Award:
Silver Maxima Cum Laude – freshman Andrew Duke
Cum Laude – freshman Kalyssa Boyle and sophomore Allison Hillebrand
Certificate of Merit – sophomore Emily Huff
Kansas Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy:
Seniors Analyse Claude, Lacey Gregory, Edgar Nieblas, Carlo Pulido and Kyler Voss
National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologist Award of Excellence:
Junior Cordelia Isbell
Casper J. Middlekauff American Legion Auxiliary Unit 173 Scholarship:
Senior Kaitlyn Schaben
Ellis County Senior 4-H Scholarship:
Seniors Kelli Buxton, Emily Quinn, Katherine Weisenborn and Collin Werth
Golden Belt Bank Scholarship:
Senior Zachary Wagoner
Nex-Tech “Break the Rules” Scholarship:
Senior Dawson Harman
Hays High Helping Hands Scholarship:
Senior Tabitha Haselhorst
Hays High FFA Chapter Scholarship:
Seniors Kelli Buxton, Kara Gabel, Jared Kisner, Ranessa Maestas, Kelsi Page, Dylan Schmidtberger, Dustin Schneider and Collin Werth
Cody Joseph Younger FFA Memorial Scholarship:
Seniors Kara Gabel and Jared Kisner
Jordyn Claiborn Free Spirit Award:
Senior Erin Muirhead
Ana Hertel Scholarship:
Seniors Autumn Hohmann and Noelia Villa
Coach Bob Kuhn Scholarship:
Senior Abigail Balman
Bob Kuhn Courage Award:
Senior Ethan Nunnery and Macey Steckel
United States Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete Award:
Seniors Chaylee Lix and Dylan Schmidtberger
Hays High Student Council Leadership Scholarship:
Seniors Trinity Callis and London Keller
American Red Cross Blood Services Young Minds Change Lives Scholarship:
Senior Abigail Balman
Sunflower Bank Community Ambassadors:
Ambassadors:
Seniors Trinity Callis, Autumn Hohmann, London Keller, Mallory Linn, Kamree Markley, Erin Muirhead, Alyssa Owns, Sara Rohleder, Kaitlyn Schaben and Mark Schuckman
Scholarship Winner:
Senior Mallory Linn
Hays High Alumni Association Scholarship:
Senior Dawson Harman
Air Force Recruiting Service Mathematics and Science Award:
National Federation of High Schools Award of Excellence:
Seniors William Martin and Macey Steckel
Hays Wrestling Club Scholarship:
Senior Trey VanPelt
Hays High June Reynolds National Honor Society Scholarship:
Seniors London Keller and Sara Rohleder
Hays High School Class of 1967 Scholarship:
Seniors Dustin Schneider and Paige Porter
United States Marine Corp Distinguished Athlete Award:
Seniors Autumn Hohmann and Mark Schuckman
The “Semper Fidelis” Award for Musical Excellence
Senior Nick Davidson
Kansas Board of Regents State Scholar:
Seniors Brendan Chapman, Autumn Hohmann, Madison Karlin, Drew Morley and Taryn Stauth
Governor’s Community Service Award:
Senior Brendan Chapman
Air Force ROTC Scholarship:
Senior Sara Rohleder
Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizen Award:
Senior Trinity Callis
KSHSAA Citizenship Award:
Seniors Trinity Callis and Garrett Gregg
Kansas ACT College and Career Readiness Student Champion:
Senior Lacey Gregory
Governors Scholars Award:
Seniors Lacey Gregory and Dawson Rooney
The Kansas State Department of Education Certificate for Exceptional Academic Performance:
Seniors Eric Adams, Brendan Chapman, Lacey Gregory, Madison Karlin, Drew Morley, Dawson Rooney, Mark Schuckman, Ethan Tschanz and Katherine Weisenborn
Hays Rotary Club Scholarship:
Seniors Autumn Hohmann and Jared Kisner
Dane G. Hansen Scholarships:
Leaders of Tomorrow ($40,000)
Seniors Brendan Chapman, Lacey Gregory and Mark Schuckman
Hansen Scholars ($26,000)
Seniors Trinity Callis, Alliana Drees, Autumn Hohmann, Madison Karlin, Dawson Rooney, Kaitlyn Schaben and Ethan Tschanz
Hansen Students ($8,000)
Seniors Abigail Balman, Analyse Claude, Mikayla Boerner, Drew Morley, Sara Rohleder, Kayla Satomi, Taryn Stauth, Kyler Voss, Zachary Wagner, Katherine Weisenborn, Ryan Will and Sarah Wyse
Career and Technical Education ($8,000)
Seniors Keaton Augustine, Marissa Befort, Savannah Bieker, Ashley Boland, Emma Humphrey, Jared Kisner, Kelsi Page, Taya Randle, Jennifer Vallejo, Mason Weber, Jesse Weilert and Tracee Weilert
2017-2018 All-Academic Team:
Junior Kallie Leiker and seniors Karee Dinkel, Trinity Callis, Tara Hertel, Anna Wellbrock, Gabriela Taliaferro, Kyra Polifka-Wilhelm, Drew Morley, Blade Goering, London Keller, Allen Zollinger, Kyler Koenke, Hunter Brown, Mark Schuckman, Tana Herreman, Zachary Miller, Macey Steckel, Tayzian Otte, Tadin Flinn and Alliana Drees
Debbie Brungardt Fan of the Year Award:
Christin Nunnery, Joel Dreiling and senior Reese Lovell
Shelter Insurance Foundation Scholarship:
Seniors Emily Quinn and Emily Woydziak
Fort Hays State University Presidential Award of Distinction:
Seniors Eric Adams, Trinity Callis, Drew Desbien, Alliana Drees, Blade Goering, Autumn Hohmann, Madision Karlin, Zachary Miller, Kayla Satomi, Mark Schuckman, Levil Smith, Taryn Stauth, Ethan Tschanz, Zachary Wagner and Ryan Will
Senior Brendan Chapman received the National Merit Commended Student. Commended students placed among the top 50,000 scorers among 1.6 million who took the 2016 PSAT.
Fort Hays State University Honors College Scholarship:
Seniors Brendan Chapman, Mark Schuckman and Taryn Stauth
University of Kansas Chancellor Scholarship:
Seniors Lacey Gregory, Madison Karlin, Drew Morley and Dawson Rooney
Kansas State University Putnam Scholarship:
Seniors Madison Karlin, Drew Morley and Katherine Weisenborn
National Merit Commended Student:
Senior Brendan Chapman
Academic Booster Club Scholarship:
Seniors Abigail Balman, Trinity Callis, Alliana Drees, Madison Karlin, London Keller, Mikalya Koerner, Mallory Linn, Kyra Polifka-Wilhelm, Sara Rohleder, Kaitlyn Schaben, Mark Schuckman and Zachary Wagner
Rip Winkel
The last couple of weeks I have received a number of calls about pine trees having dead branches and/or an unusual amount of brown needles. Almost all of these calls were about Austrian pines (Pinus nigra). First, it is important to note that pines go through a healthy, normal process called natural needle drop. You will see this happen every year.
Still further, several pines like the Austrian, though adapted to Kansas conditions, can still suffer from environmental stresses. An example would be like the cold, dry winter we just had. Though the tree may be reacting to this stress, it will remedy itself in a few years if watered and fertilized properly.
However, many pines (and not just Austrian) are susceptible to several diseases, which can cause defoliation, dieback, and even death. One such common and serious fungal disease found here in Kansas is tip blight (Diplodia sapinea).Tip blight is a fungal disease that affects Austrian (P. nigra), Ponderosa (P. ponderosa), Scots (P. sylvestris), and Mugo (P. mugo) pines. The disease is most severe on mature trees (20 years or older). Repeated infections over many years can kill large sections of trees or even entire trees.
Tip blight infection period occurs when the buds start to expand, usually in late April. The symptoms usually start to appear in late May or early June. Wet spring weather increases disease severity. The newly developing shoots (candles) fail to grow. The shoots are stunted, and the emerging needles are stunted and turn yellow or tan. Dried sap (resin) is often found on the dead shoot tips. The damage usually starts in the lower part of the tree and works its way up over several years.
In trees that have been infected for many years, damage is distributed throughout the crown. The disease can also act as a canker, invading older tissues and causing extensive branch dieback. Severe tip blight is sometimes confused with the early stages of another pine disease called pine wilt. (Be sure to understand both diseases and consider submitting a sample for diagnosis if you are not sure which disease is affecting the tree.)
In late summer or fall, the tip blight fungus forms tiny black spore-producing structures (called pycnidia) on the scales of 2-year-old cones, as if black pepper has been shaken on them. The same black specks are also sometimes visible at the base of the infected needles later in the summer. The fungus survives from year to year in dead shoots, branches, and pine cones. The spores produced in the pycnidia are dispersed in splashing water. They require high humidity to germinate and to infect the host tissue. The fungus also can survive latently in tissue that appears to be healthy.
Mitigation:
Removal of dead branches can improve the appearance of diseased trees but will not prevent infection since many of the spores are produced on cones that remain attached to the tree. Trees with tip blight should be adequately watered and fertilized to maintain tree vigor.
The most important time for chemical management is when the new shoots (candles) are expanding in the spring. Fungicides applied at that time can prevent new disease. Fungicides need to be applied each year to protect new growth. Each year, the first application should be made when new shoots start to elongate, usually around the third week of April. The tree should be sprayed again 10 to 14 days later, and again 10 to 14 days after that if it is a wet year and the site has a history of disease. Spraying after this critical time will not be effective, as the infection has already occurred and cannot be cured.
Complete coverage is essential. A high-pressure sprayer may help in delivering the fungicide to the tops of tall trees. Homeowners should consider using a professional tree-care service, especially for large trees where getting good coverage is difficult. Several active ingredients available for control of tip blight are listed below.
Rip Winkel is the Horticulture Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at [email protected] or calling either 785-682-9430, or 620-793-1910.
Clinton R. Turner, age 82, passed away on Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on February 21, 1936 in Sterling, Kansas, the son of Walter Wyman and Lula Pearl Whittaker Turner. A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1945 moving from Emporia, Kansas, he worked for B.H. Kimball for 12 years and then for Brookover Cattle Company for over 25 years.
He was an US Army Veteran serving from 1958 to 1960 and then in the Reserves until 1964.
On June 1, 1963 he married Margaret Marie Minor in Leoti, Kansas. She survives.
Survivors include his Wife – Margaret Turner of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sons – Jeff & Becky Turner of Scott City, Kansas, Roger & Donna Turner of Woodward, Oklahoma, One Daughter – Kerry & Larry Wishon of Collinsville, Texas, Twin Brother – Clayton & Wanda Turner of Hope, Kansas, Six Grandchildren – Amber & Justin Elwell of Collinsville, Texas, Derek Wishon of Inola, Oklahoma, Dylan Wishon of Stilwell, Oklahoma, Lane Turner of Manhattan, Kansas, Cody Turner of Scott City, Kansas, Eric Robertson of Woodward, Oklahoma and Four Great Grandchildren – Jadyn, Jordan, Austin & Addison Elwell of Collinsville, Texas.
Funeral Services will be at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 with Rev. Justin Elwell presiding.
Memorials can be made to the Scott County EMT’s in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Donald Ferdinand “Don” Hachmeister, 88, of Hill City, Kansas died May 7, 2018, Plainville, Kansas.
He was born August 25, 1929, in Natoma, Kansas to Ferdinand William and Bonita (Richards) Hachmeister.
He married Cora Lea “Cork” Cafferty January 20, 1951, in Hill City, Kansas. Don was the Facilities Manager for the Graham County Hospital.
Survivors include his children Charles (Judy Bolin) Hachmeister, Bill (Kathi) Hachmeister, Cheri (Nick) Swanstrom, eight grandchildren, six great grandchild, brothers: Marvin, Paul and Herbert Hachmeister; sister: MaryAnn Beisner and sister-in-law Eleanor Morel and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife “Cork”, brother, George and one grandchild: Donielle.
Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church, Hill City, Kansas or Graham County Hospital, Hill City, Kansas in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home.
