Author: Hays Post
Ellis High School Forensics Team annual state qualifiers showcase is April 30
The Ellis High School Forensics Team at their annual state qualifiers showcase, “This is our Forensics Night.” Enjoy a night of acting and speaking held in the Ellis High School Auditorium in Ellis, KS, on Monday April 30th, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. Kid-friendly performances, and FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL. Time limit: 2 hours long. Baked goods and drinks available from the Ellis High School Drama Club at intermission.
Jobless rate down slightly in Ellis County in March
KDOL
The unemployment rate in Ellis County fell slightly to 2.5 percent in March, down from 2.6 percent in February.
Jobless rates were relatively flat across northwest Kansas, with only a handful of regional counties above the 3 percent mark. At 3.7 percent, Trego and Rooks counties have the highest unemployment rates in March.
Click the chart above for a complete county-by-county breakdown.
Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in March. This was unchanged from February and down from 3.7 percent in March 2017.
“Kansas employers added jobs in March,” said Secretary Lana Gordon. “This is the tenth consecutive month of job growth, which is good news for Kansas.”
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 2,100 from February. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,200 from the previous month.
“The survey of Kansas employers this month reported an increase in three key areas. These are the number of jobs, the number of average weekly hours worked, and real hourly earnings compared to one year ago,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink. “This indicates employers are demonstrating a stronger demand for labor compared to last year at this time.”
Since March 2017, Kansas gained 10,700 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 9,400 private sector jobs.
Lincoln third-graders win Kan. Dental Association Class Project Contest
Kansas Dental Association
Each February, the Kansas Dental Association holds the KDA Drawing and Class Project Contests as a way to reward third grade students and their teachers for promoting good dental health in the classroom.
The KDA Council on Children’s Dental Health scores each class project received with a grading rubric, and the top 3 projects advance to the KDA Annual Meeting, where member dentists vote to determine the placement of the winners.
1st place winners receive a $500 gift card, 2nd place winners receive a $250 gift card, and 3rd place winners receive a $100 gift card.
The winners of the 2018 KDA Class Project Contest are as follows:
1st Place
“Dental Health Rap”
Lincoln Elementary School
Hays, KS
2nd Place
“Clean and Healthy Teeth Challenge”
McClure Elementary School
Topeka, KS
3rd Place
“How to Brush With Fluoride for a Clean, Healthy Smile”
Sublette Elementary School
Sublette, KS
Ellis St. Mary CYO Chicken Dinner April 29
Ellis St. Mary CYO Community Fried Chicken Dinner
Sunday, April 29, 2018
10:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until sold out
Pan fried chicken dinner includes:
Mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert.
Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall
1013 Washington St.
Ellis KS 67637
Ages 5 through 9 $5.00
Ages 10 and over $10.00
Kroger completes sale of convenience stores
CINCINNATI— The Kroger Company announced Friday it has completed the sale of its convenience store business unit to EG Group for $2.15 billion, according to a media release.
After tax proceeds total $1.7 billion. $1.2 billion of the proceeds will be used to fund an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) program.
“Throughout the sales process, we have been impressed with EG Group’s professionalism, commitment to people, and understanding of the U.S. convenience retail market,” said Mike Schlotman, Kroger’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “I can’t stress enough how important to our success Kroger’s convenience store management and associates have been, and we want to thank them for all of their contributions to our customers and our company.”
Kroger announced in October 2017 its intention to explore strategic alternatives for its convenience store business, including a potential sale, in conjunction with Restock Kroger. In February, Kroger and EG Group announced a definitive agreement for the sale of Kroger’s convenience store business unit to EG Group.
Included in the sale were 762 convenience stores, including 66 franchise operations, operating in 18 states and employing 11,000 associates under the following banner names: Turkey Hill, Loaf ‘N Jug, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb and Quik Stop.
Kroger’s supermarket fuel centers and its Turkey Hill Dairy were not included in the sale. EG Group will establish their North American headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio and continue to operate stores under their established banner names.
There will be several changes in the fuel rewards program and other perks from Kwik Shops. The first is that customers will no longer be able to accumulate fuel points on Kwik Shop purchases. Customers will still be able to get the fuel discounts from their Plus Shopper’s Card. The Coffee Club, and other similar perks from Kwik Shop, will no longer be available.
Ernest E. ‘Ernie’ Dreher
Ernest E. “Ernie” Dreher, 77, passed away April 16, 2018, surrounded by his wife and children, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington after a long battle with leukemia.
He was born October 18, 1940, in Schoenchen, Kansas, the son of Joseph “Joe” and Philomena (Klaus) Dreher of Plainville, KS. He married Elsie M. Klaus on July 8, 1960, in Victoria, Kansas. Ernie was a resident of Hoisington since 1964, coming from Salina. He worked for Marlett Mobile Homes and Lasmo Energy in his early years and he retired in 2004 from Clara Barton Hospital after 21 years in the maintenance department.
He continued to work part time for Key Management in Great Bend until 2012. Ernie was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #1521. In his spare time, he loved gardening, carpentry, Saturday morning garage sales (taking as many grandkids with him a he could) and was a great handyman. His pride and joy was his grandchildren and he would attend as many functions as he could of theirs, especially attending every Hoisington Cardinal School functions possible.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elsie M. Dreher; four children, Lee Alan Dreher and wife Patty of Drexel, Missouri, Michelle Morales of Wichita, Darren Dreher and wife Denise of Wichita, and Kimberly Williams and husband Kurt of Hoisington; 10 grandchildren, Ryan and Shadawn Dreher, Jacob & Samuel Morales, Trevor and Jack Williams, and Emily, Natalie, Claire and Sophie Dreher; three brothers, Irvin Dreher of Hays, Eddie Dreher of Plainville, and Walter Dreher of Topeka; two sisters, Rosina Brungardt of Garden City, and Lillian VanHooser of Andover.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Alec, Victor, and Norbert Dreher; and four sisters, Angelina Herrman, Agnes Spies, Albertine Haselhorst, and Marcella Herrman. Vigil with rosary led by the Knights of Columbus will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 20, 2018, all at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington. Friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Helen Shirley (Ptacek) Reeves
Helen Shirley (Ptacek) Reeves passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Via Christi Hospital St, Francis in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 81. She was born on December 14, 1936 in Dorrance, Kansas to the late Frank C. and Anna M. (Kepka) Ptacek. After graduating from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1954 she went on to earn her associate’s degree from Dominican School of Nursing in Great Bend, Kansas. On December 30, 1957 she was united in marriage to Richard E. Reeves at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson, Kansas. They were blessed with eight children.
Helen worked as a Registered Nurse for 32 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. She also served with the Altar Society. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking; but the greatest love of her life was her husband and family. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever she had opportunity.
Helen is survived by her husband Richard Reeves of the home in Sylvan Grove; children Diane Reeves of El Dorado, Julie Sanborn and husband Jeff of Abilene, Alan Reeves and wife Becky of Wilson, Lori Reeves and partner Marilyn Garcia of Sylvan Grove, Kim Alexander and husband Wynn of Coldwater, Todd Reeves and wife Cherish of Courtland, Scott Reeves of Sylvan Grove, and Pam Johanek of Andover; brother Francis Ptacek of Russell; sister Anna Mae Janda of Lyons; thirty grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Anna Ptacek; and siblings Edward Ptacek, Alfred Ptacek, Beatrice (Ptacek) Gerstekorn, Wilfred “Mike” Ptacek, Fr. Maurice Ptacek, Mary Ann Ptacek, and Ernest Ptacek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Burial will follow in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday at the church with Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 7:00pm.
Police: Man wanted for shooting Kan. woman in custody
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.
On Tuesday afternoon, police reported a woman walked into a Topeka hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.
At the time, police did not know her identity or where the shooting occurred. On Thursday, police issued an attempt to locate for Shaun Hightower and that the shooting occurred in the 1800 Block of SW Lincoln in Topeka. Police arrested Hightower Thursday night, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel. Authorities have not released possible requested charges against Hightower.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.
Benton L. Kennedy
Benton L. Kennedy, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at the Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, Kansas.
Benton was born on June 12, 1937, in South Gorham, Kansas, the son of Gerald L. and Katherine A. (Nault) Kennedy. He grew up in the Gorham and Bunker Hill, Kansas, areas and graduated from Bunker Hill High School in the class of 1956. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Janice K. Vanderbur on December 28, 1963, in Russell, Kansas. From this union Benton and Janice were blessed with three children Kirby, Curt and Laina. He worked for Big A Auto Parts for 18 years as a manager, a truck driver for Red Tiger Trucking for 6 years, Russell County Highway Department for 14 years and a bus driver for Russell Public Schools for 9 years. He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell and was a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus since 1965. He enjoyed fishing, wood working, and watching professional football as well as watching baseball and basketball.
Surviving family include his wife of 54 years Janice K. Kennedy, Kirby W. Kennedy of El Paso, Texas, Curt A. Kennedy of Russell, Kansas and Laina M. Sack (David) of Phoenix, Arizona; sister Barbara Yost of Russell, Kansas; many grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers Jerry, Larry, Kenny and Harry and 1 sister Carol Jean.
A celebration of Benton’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 20, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas. Services will conclude at the mortuary. Visitation will be from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M., Thursday, April 19, 2018, at the mortuary, with the family present to great guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening. Memorials may given to the Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Fort Hays State students inducted into collegiate honor society
BATON ROUGE, La. — The following local residents were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
• Mackenzie Lewis of Hays was initiated at Fort Hays State University.
• Payton Nowlin of Hays was initiated at Fort Hays State University.
• Cathryn Preisner of Hays was initiated at Fort Hays State University.
• Taylor Stivers of Hays was initiated at Fort Hays State University.
These residents are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”
HPD Activity Log April 19
The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 23 traffic stops Thu., April 19, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Drug Offenses–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 8:15 AM
Theft (general)–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 8:45 AM; 9:14 AM
44 – Traffic Stop–100 block E 17th St, Hays; 10:59 AM
Suicidal Subject–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 2:17 PM
Document Service–4600 block Van Buren, Hays; 4:35 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–100 block W 11th St, Hays; 6:08 PM
Drug Offenses–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 6:26 PM
KFIX House Band For Fri 4/20: Crosby, Stills, Nash & (Sometimes) Young
Today, enjoy at least one song an hour from Crosby, Stills, Nash & (Sometimes) Young on 96.9
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