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Author: Hays Post

Well-traveled Allen Street intersection will be closed for a month

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City of Hays

Beginning Monday, the intersection of 24th and Allen streets will be opened and the intersection of 22nd and Allen will be closed. Allen Street will be closed from north of 21st Street to south of 24th Street. 22nd Street at Allen will be closed to through traffic for approximately four weeks. This work is part of the Allen Street Reconstruction Project.

Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. Motorists should use caution in these areas.

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 628-7350 or the contractor, Paul-Wertenberger Construction at 625-8220.

Fort Hays State to graduate 4,533 in ceremonies May 11 and 12

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FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University will graduate 4,533 students this year – the total from summer and fall 2017 and spring 2018 – an increase of 11.2 percent from last year’s total of 4,075.

The spring 2017 Commencement was the first time that Fort Hays State had graduated more than 4,000 students in a year. This year’s graduating class will be the first in which doctoral degrees will be awarded.

The recent tradition of two commencement ceremonies will continue. Both ceremonies – Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, will be in Gross Memorial Coliseum, immediately adjacent to the U.S. 183 Bypass on the south side of the FHSU campus.

“This is the biggest celebration of the year at any institution of higher education, and at Fort Hays State it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said Registrar Craig Karlin. “The two ceremonies provide time and space for the graduates and their families to fully enjoy the culmination of their hard work.”

The ceremony Friday night, May 11, will feature graduate and undergraduate students from the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the College of Education, and the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics. It will begin at 6 p.m.

The ceremony Saturday, May 12, will feature graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. It will begin at 9 a.m.
For Friday’s ceremony, doors open to Gross Memorial Coliseum and Cunningham Hall at 1 p.m. Graduates can pick up name cards, caps, gowns, hoods and tassels at the coliseum’s Gate 1 from 1 to 5:45 p.m. The lineup for students graduating on Friday begins at 5:15 p.m. in Cunningham Hall.

Saturday, doors open at 7 a.m. Name cards, caps, gowns, hoods and tassels can be picked up at Gross Memorial’s Gate 1 from 7 to 8:45 a.m. Lineup in Cunningham Hall begins at 8:15 a.m.

Graduates and faculty will be seated on the main floor of Gross Coliseum.

Both ceremonies are free and open to families of graduates and to all friends of the university. No tickets are required. All seats in Gross Memorial Coliseum are first-come, first-served and are normally filled one hour before the start of the ceremony.

The graduation numbers are 615 from the summer 2017 term; 854 from the fall 2017 semester; and 3,064 from the spring 2018 semester. The overall numbers will change slightly when the degree-verification process concludes, but the total numbers for Commencement are 103 associate degrees; 3,525 bachelor’s degrees; and 905 graduate degrees – doctorates, master’s degrees and education specialist graduates. The doctoral graduates are the first six from the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Traffic in the Gross Coliseum area is extremely heavy for Commencement. Parking lots adjacent to Gross Coliseum typically fill up quickly, but ample parking is available on the main campus. In the event of rain, unpaved lots near Gross Coliseum will be closed, making it necessary to park on the main campus.

Shuttle bus service will be provided both Friday and Saturday between the campus and Gross Coliseum. The shuttle buses will stop in parking lots and wherever drivers see people walking to or from Gross Coliseum.

Seating arrangements for the disabled are available on the main floor on either side in front of the stage. Drivers will find Gates 2 and 3, at the northwest and southwest corners, most convenient for dropping off passengers with disabilities. There are no reservations for this area. One person, if necessary, will be allowed to accompany an individual in this seating area.

An interpreter for people who are hearing impaired will be near Section C.

Persons other than degree candidates attending Commencement are asked to enter through the four coliseum gates and not through Cunningham Hall.

Commencement will also be broadcast live at https://fhsu.edu/commencement/watch-live.

Maps, directions, and general information, including links to accommodations in Hays, are available from www.fhsu.edu/commencement/. The direct link to a rehearsal video is www.fhsu.edu/commencement/rehearsal/.

No injuries after chemical odor at Kansas candy plant

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SHAWNEE COUNTY — There were no serious injuries after a chemical odor at a Kansas manufacturing plant.

Mars manufacturing plant -bing image

Just before 1:30 Thursday, the Topeka Fire Department was called to the Mars Manufacturing Plant, 100 SW MARS Boulevard regarding a chemical odor, according to a media release.

Upon investigation, it was determined that a cleaning solution was not being used properly.  Several individuals were assessed on the scene for possible respiratory irritation, but no one was transported to receive medical attention.

Three Engine Companies and two truck companies responded to the incident.

Marlene Joan Newman

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Marlene Joan Newman came into this world on September 30, 1952 to Ben and Sophie Hatfield in Brainard, Minnesota. She graduated from Truman High School in Truman, Minnesota with the Class of 1972. On July 31, 1987 she married Paul Newman. This sweet angel left this earth from Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas on April 18, 2018.

She loved fishing, bingo, kids, grandkids, her family, friends, crocheting, garage sales, and the open road on their motorcycle.

Marlene is survived by her husband Paul Newman of the home in Plainville. Two children by marriage William Newman and wife Lisa, and Mellissa Newman; granddaughter Starlett Peterson; three grandchildren by marriage Kylee Derby and husband Shem, Jevin Legleiter-Newman, and Christopher Newman; great-grandchildren Autum Williams, and Ryder Peterson; siblings Donald Hatfield, Lowell Hatfield and wife Emily, Gerald Hatfield and wife Ronda, Harold Hatfield and wife Darlene, Veirgie Hatfield and wife Dori, Eldon Hatfield and wife Barb, Betty Hatfield, Helen Rhea and husband Randy, Darlene Larson with Bill Snyder, Rose Hatfield, and Judy Hector; and many other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Sophie Hatfield; siblings Alfred and Kathleen Hatfield, Deloris and Bob Jones, Ronald Hatfield, Ralph Hatfield, Carolann Hatfield, Arlene Hatfield, infant sister Margie at 14 months, and one other sibling. She also endured the loss of two daughters Starlett Ann Haynes and Melissa “Missy” Jo Wolfe.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday May 5, 2018 at the Nazarene Church in Plainville, KS. The family will be hosting a luncheon at the Plainville Senior Center following the service.

Charlotte Diane (Chronister) Hake

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Charlotte Diane (Chronister) Hake passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas at the age of 64. She was born on December 17, 1953 in Pasadena, Texas to Elvis and Mildred Chronister. She graduated from high school and was united in marriage to Bill Hake. They were blessed with one son Shawn. She and Red Morel later were blessed with fraternal twins Rachelle and Ashley.

Charlotte was always a down-to-earth woman, with a happy and loving heart, and an easygoing spirit. She worked as a bank manager and loved dancing, painting, gardening, and cooking. She was also known to enjoy hitting her favorite fishing holes every now and then, and never passed up an opportunity to join in singing her favorite karaoke songs. But the times she loved the most was when she was with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Charlotte is survived by her mother Mildred Chronister of Fayetteville, GA; son Shawn Hake with Tatianna Smith of Austin, TX; daughters Ashley Desaire and husband Stephen of Palco, and Rachelle Eichman and husband Bryant of Palco; brother Don Chronister and wife Melody of Willis, TX; sister Melissa Crow and husband Andrew of Fayetteville, GA; five grandchildren; seven nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and nephews; and eight great-great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Elvis Chronister, brother Randall Chronister, and sister Sherry Greenway.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Cancer Council and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.

June A. Dolezal

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June A. Dolezal passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Ellsworth, Kansas at the age of 89. She was born on June 30, 1928 in Dorrance, Kansas to the late Andrew and Lea (Heinze) Feil. She grew up in the Wilson area and graduated from Wilson High School with the Class of 1946. On April 15, 1951 she was united in marriage to Alfred Dolezal in Wilson. They were blessed with three children, Susan, John, and Mary Beth.

June attended Brown Mackie Business School and worked at the Wilson State Bank for many years. However, she considered her first job to be organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church which she was a lifetime member and organist for 55 years. She liked to bowl, cook for her family, try new recipes, and loved to dance. But the greatest joy in her life was her family. No matter where they were going, or what they were doing, she and Alfred made sure they were having fun, and making the most of every opportunity together.

June is survived by her children Susan Davidson of Halstead, John Dolezal and wife Dawn of Wilson, and Mary Beth Ploutz and husband David of Dodge City; sisters-in-law Mary Feil of Wichita and Norma Jean Hodge of Salina; grandchildren Shelly Watkins, Lea Watkins, Deena Hamilton and husband Jordan, Emily Bewley and husband Ryan, Curtis Dolezal, and Colby Dolezal; great-grandchildren Ahnalea Watkins, Zandriel Watkins, James Hamilton, and Jessa Hamilton; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Lea Feil; brothers Dale Feil, Donald Feil, and Ronald Feil; and sister Wilma Daniels.

June worked hard but joyfully. As a loving, caring mother, her family was second only to God; and although she has now gone home to be with her Lord, the legacy of her love, laughter, and joy will live in our hearts and memories forever. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the celebration of her life and memories will never be forgotten.

Click HERE for service details.

Bernard John Carsten

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Bernard John Carsten, 93, went to be with his Lord April 30, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Raymore, MO.

He was born June 22, 1924, to Harvey and Mildred Carsten in Stockton, Kansas. Bernard graduated from Stockton High School, served in the Navy during WWII, and graduated from Ft. Hays State College.

He married Dorothy Davey August 10, 1947. Except for college and Navy years, he spent his life on the Carsten Family Century Farm. Until his son Terry’s death, he enjoyed farming together with him.

Bernard was a man of integrity and faith, living as an example to his family and community. He was involved with 4-H, Rooks County Fair Board, Gideons International, Lion’s Club, and other community organizations. From the late 60’s through the 70’s, he and Dorothy participated in leading Lay Witness Missions in the Midwest. He grew up as a member of Stockton United Methodist Church and in later years regularly attended Stockton Assembly of God Church.

Bernard enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He provided his grandchildren with hours of enjoyment, playing in the clubhouse (chicken shed), swinging on the barn’s rope swing, sitting at his feet in the combine, and driving the lawn tractor around the yard. He loved flipping his dentures at them, tickling their necks and giving them kisses. So Be It!
Bernard is survived by his daughter Cheryl Menzies and husband Tom of Raymore, MO, son Rod and wife Janie of Elkhart, IA, daughter-in-law Deb Carsten of Stockton, sister-in-law Ilene Proctor and husband Robert of El Dorado, 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 1 niece, and 2 nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alvin, wife Dorothy, an infant son and son Terry.

Click HERE for service details.

Rose Legleiter Pfannenstiel

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Rose Legleiter Pfannenstiel, 102, earned her heavenly wings May 1, 2018 at Pleasant View Home in Inman, Kansas. A lifelong resident of the State of Kansas, she was born on December 18, 1915 in Liebenthal, Kansas. She was the daughter of Christian and Margaret Legleiter. She was a retired facility painter for Champion Petroleum throughout Kansas.

She was a former member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson, Kansas and also a former member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas. She had also been a long standing member of the Sunflower Polka Club in Hays, Kansas. She was a master quilter and would donate quilts to the military for soldiers use in hospitals.

On August 9, 1937 she married Clarence Pfannenstiel in Hays, Kansas. After 65 years of marriage he preceded her in death on April 8, 2003.

She is survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sons, Delane, Terry and Lonnie; 6 brothers and 4 sisters.

A gathering for friends and family will be held Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 2:00-5:00 pm at Old Mission – Heritage Funeral Home, 528 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas. A celebration of life will take place Monday, May 7, 2018 at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Interment will take place Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 12:00 pm at St. Joseph Cemetery in Hays, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pleasant View Home of Inman, Kansas or The Father’s House Church and left in care of the funeral home.

Following student death, USD 489 to host crisis training today for parents, guardians

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USD 489

USD 489 will be hosting a parent/guardian crisis training Friday, May 4, to provide resources to promote the health and well-being of all affected by the tragedy of one of our student’s suicide Wednesday.

Common crisis reactions and coping strategies will be discussed.

Area and district mental health providers will be available as well as Spanish translators.

We will meet in the USD 489 Board Office located at 323 West 12th Street from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. this evening.

Federal fraud charges filed against Sedgwick Co. commissioner

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WICHITA – Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell is charged with wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Michael O’Donnell-photo Sedgwick Co.

A federal indictment unsealed here today alleges O’Donnell took money from his campaign accounts to put into his personal account and to give to his friends and covered it up by making false reports electronically to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.

Michael B. O’Donnell, II, 33, Wichita, Kan., is charged with five counts of wire fraud, five counts of bank fraud and two counts of money laundering.

The indictment alleges O’Donnell provided false information in five reports he emailed to the state ethics commission in 2016 and 2017. At issue are a series of transactions that the indictment alleges O’Donnell falsely represented as payments made for campaign-related expenses. They include:

A $1,000 check O’Donnell wrote from his “Michael for Kansas” campaign account to a person identified as C.R. The indictment alleges that after C.R. cashed the check, O’Donnell deposited the $1,000 into his personal checking account.

A $1,000 check O’Donnell wrote from his “Michael for Kansas” campaign account to a person identified as J.D. After receiving the check, J.D. allegedly wrote a $1,000 personal check to O’Donnell and O’Donnell deposited the $1,000 check into his personal account.
n A total of 12 checks from the “Michael for Kansas” campaign account O’Donnell wrote to a friend identified as D.J., totaling $5,650.
n Three checks O’Donnell wrote from his “Michael for Sedgwick County” account to D.J. totaling $750.
n Six checks O’Donnell wrote from his “Michael for Kansas” account to a friend identified as J.M. totaling $2,100.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Wire fraud: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Bank fraud: Up to 30 years and a fine up to $1 million.
Money laundering: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.

2 arrested in New Mexico for alleged murder returned to Kansas

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SEWARD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and have moved two suspects from New Mexico to Kansas.

Moreno-photo Bernalillo County New Mexico Sheriff

On November 2, 2017 the Liberal Police Department received a missing person report regarding the disappearance Luis Moreno, 39, Liberal, according to Police Captain Patrick McClurg.

Moreno was found dead in rural Sherman County, Texas on November 15.  Texas authorities suspected foul play.  An autopsy confirmed Moreno’s death was a homicide, according to McClurg.

On November 22,  Moreno’s estranged wife, Nancy Moreno, 42, of Liberal was arrested without incident and she is currently awaiting trial.

Moore-photo Bernalillo County New Mexico Sheriff

In April, the Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department arrested Michael Moore, 26, and  Diana Moreno, 27, on warrants issued in Seward County District Court for the first degree murder of Moreno.

Moore and Moreno were transferred this week from Bernalillo County, New Mexico. They are being held in Seward County on a $500,000.00 bond each, according to the sheriff’s department.

The Seward County Attorney has released no details on a timeline for their appearance in court.

WKHRMA meets June 13

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Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association will hold its monthly meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Wed., June 13, at the Fort Hays State University Robbins Center (Eagle Communication Hall), One Tiger Place. Registration is from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m., with a short business meeting starting at 11:30 a.m.

The program for the June meeting will be “Performance Management” presented by Tom Zerfas, Senior Manager of Safety and Human Resources, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.

The program will be submitted for HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits. WKHRMA members can RSVP at wkhrma.shrm.org. The deadline to RSVP is noon on June 8.

WKHRMA is an affiliate chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), a local professional organization for persons engaged in personal or human resource management. For more information on WKHRMA, visit wkhrma.shrm.org.

Ellis County burn ban lifted after recent rainfall

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Due to the recent rains, the burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Ellis County has been lifted.

Ellis County Director of Emergency Management and Fire Darin Myers said Friday the community is encouraged to use their best judgment when conducting a control burn.

They also ask that anyone wanted to conduct a controlled burn to contact the communications center at 785-625-1011. They will give permission to burn and confirm conditions are right to be able to burn.

Myers also said if for any reason the controlled burn gets out of control, please call 911 ASAP so the Ellis County Fire Department can respond as soon as possible to help.

— By Jonathan Zweygardt, Hays Post

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