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Author: Hays Post

State defends 241-year prison sentence for 16-year-old

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WASHINGTON (AP) – Missouri is defending a prison sentence for a man who committed robbery and other crimes as a 16-year-old and now isn’t eligible for parole until he’s 112.

Bostic- photo Mo. Dpt. of Corrections

Republican state Attorney General Josh Hawley says in a U.S. Supreme Court filing that defendant Bobby Bostic’s 241-year sentence for 18 crimes doesn’t violate the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Hawley says in the brief filed Thursday that a Supreme Court ruling in 2010 that outlawed life sentences for people under 18 who didn’t kill anyone applies only to a sentence for one crime.

The St. Louis judge who sentenced Bostic disagrees. She now believes the term is unjust. She’s backing Bostic’s high-court appeal.

Now 39, Bostic has been in prison more than 20 years.

Freeze on social activities at KU fraternities voided

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The organization governing fraternities at the University of Kansas is canceling a policy announced earlier this week that temporarily froze social activities for the 24 fraternities.

The University of Kansas Interfraternity Council voted Thursday to rescind the freeze, which was instituted Monday. The council said the proposed social activities freeze was unconstitutional and was imposed without following proper procedures.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the council said the freeze was not voted on by the General Assembly and was supported by only two of the four executive board members.

The university said Monday the council had self-imposed the freeze because of systemic problems at the fraternities, although school officials have declined to be specific about the problems.

The four members were relieved of their IFC duties on Tuesday, pending an investigation.

Some Larned State Hospital workers told to work 16-hour days

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LARNED, Kan. (AP) — Some employees at Larned State Hospital are being required to work 16-hour shifts because of a severe staffing shortage at the psychiatric hospital.

A hospital administrator on Tuesday issued an order requiring mental health technicians to work double shifts because of a 22 percent vacancy rate in those positions at the hospital in western Kansas.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports officials say employees at the hospital are unwilling to voluntarily work after 9 p.m. The interim chief nursing officer’s directive will keep technicians until 11 p.m., even if that means a 16-hour workday.

Tim Keck, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the order was necessary to guarantee that patients get continuous and consistent care.

Robert Choromanski, head of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, called the order unjust and unfair.

Timothy Allen Burris

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Timothy Allen Burris, 25, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018 from an ATV accident in Russell.

Timothy was born December 11, 1992 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the son of Harry Lee Burris and Teresa A. Hunt. He grew up in the Pawnee, Oklahoma and Enid, Oklahoma areas. He graduated from Enid High School.

Timothy was a self employed auto mechanic. He lived in Enid, Oklahoma, then Edmond, Oklahoma, then Salina, Kansas before moving to Russell in June, 2015. He enjoyed restoring old cars and motorcycles, fishing, camping and spending time with his friends.

Timothy’s surviving family includes his mother, Teresa “Terry” Hunt of Russell, Kansas; brothers, J.B. Burris (Cynthia) of Hays, Kansas and Ronnie Hoff (Moria Ballard) of Russell, Kansas; Grandparents, Karen and Al Wulffenstein of Enid, Oklahoma; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Timothy was preceded in death by his father Harry, aunt Patty Christy; maternal and paternal grandparents.

Celebration of Timothy’s Life will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, March 19, 2018 at the Russell V.F.W. Post. Graveside services will be held 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Crescent Cemetery in Crescent, Oklahoma. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the Shrine Children’s Hospital. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

HFD Captain Chris Stegman retiring after 28 years of service

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Stegman

Captain Chris Stegman of the City of Hays Fire Department is retiring after 28 years of service to the people of Hays and Ellis County. A retirement reception to honor Captain Stegman will be held on Thursday, March 22, from 3 to 5 PM in the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 1507 Main. The public is invited to attend.

In 1990, Captain Stegman started as a volunteer firefighter with the Ellis County Fire Department at the Hays rural fire company station. On May 28, 1998, he was appointed as a career firefighter with the City of Hays Fire Department. He advanced through the ranks until he was promoted to Captain in command of the HFD A-shift on Jan. 2, 2005.

Stegman was one of the first Hays firefighters trained as a fire investigator and hazardous materials technician. He is also nationally certified as a fire inspector, fire instructor and basic and advanced fire officer. Captain Stegman graduated from the University of Kansas Certified Public Manager program and he completed a management course of study at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

During his service with the HFD, Captain Stegman took extra training to become an expert in hazardous materials safety codes. In addition to his other duties, he worked with the businesses in our community to help make sure hazardous materials storage and use met current safety standards.

From 1988 to 1996, Stegman served with the U.S. Army Reserve. He was activated during Operation Desert Storm and served with the 44th Evacuation Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

“Captain Stegman has been an important member of the City of Hays Fire Department. Over the years he has contributed a great deal to help us advance as a professional organization. He truly cares about the people of Hays and the members of the fire department. While he may be retiring he will always be a part of the City of Hays Fire Department,” said Chief Gary Brown.

— HFD news release

Esther ‘Elizabeth’ (Auchard) McReynolds

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Esther “Elizabeth” (Auchard) McReynolds passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 95. She was born on February 21, 1923 in Riley County, Kansas near the town of May Day, the middle child of five, to the late Francis Edward and Elizabeth Jane (Dwyer) Auchard. Her siblings were Edward D., Frederick Lester, Clarence Denny, and Glenna Marie.

Elizabeth grew up, and attended school, in several small Kansas towns. Beginning in Riley County, she started school at Heller rural schoolhouse near Randolph. She would eventually attend schools in St. Paul, Ozawkie, Corning, and Luray before graduating high school with the Class of 1940. She went on to attend York College in York, Nebraska for two years, followed by summer school at Fort Hays Kansas State College where she received her teaching certificate. She then began teaching school in Woodston, Kansas from 1942-1945.

While teaching school, Elizabeth met and married Marvin McReynolds on December 21, 1944 in the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Together they lived on the McReynolds family farm south of Woodston in a small house they moved and placed across the driveway from Marvin’s parents. They were blessed with three sons: Jerry Cecil, Stanley Gene, who died in infancy, and Tony Marvin.

Both Elizabeth and Marvin were active in their church, schools, community, and farm activities. Together, they were selected as Master Farmer and Master Homemaker Class of 1976. Beyond the local church, she also served on the district and conference levels for many years as a lay member to the conference, as well as working with the women’s ministry. She and Marvin also led Lay Witness Missions in many United Methodist churches, and marriage enrichment encounters. Of course she never failed to help with farm work whenever the need would arise.

When Elizabeth’s youngest son, Tony, started college, she continued her education until she received her bachelor’s degree in 1971. She then began a second teaching career at Osborne Elementary School where she taught for 17 years. After retiring in 1987, she and Marvin moved from the farm into Stockton and spent much of their time traveling extensively. She enjoyed writing poetry, listening to music, playing the piano, and had a lovely voice herself. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she especially loved sharing it with her grandchildren.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband Marvin of Stockton; sons Jerry McReynolds and wife Diane of Woodston and Tony McReynolds and wife Wynn of Stockton; grandchildren Shawn McReynolds, Renée Laird, Michelle Ziegler and husband Gary, Joel McReynolds and wife Jennifer, Aron McReynolds and wife Laura and Sara McReynolds; and great-grandchildren Ava, Andrew, Avery, Maggie, Julia, Jacey, Jasiah, Gabriel, Micah and Gracia.

She was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Elizabeth Auchard; infant son Stanley McReynolds; brothers Edward, Lester and Denny Auchard; and sister Glenna Bott.

Elizabeth was a woman of strong faith, deep hope, and extraordinary love. With a heart and spirit that cared more for others than herself, she showed us every day that the greatest of these is love. Although we will miss her greatly, we rejoice that her love has found its fullness as she joins her Lord in eternal glory.

Click HERE for service details.

Dog sent overseas by mistake returned to Kan. family

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A dog who was mistakenly flown to Japan is back with his family in Kansas.

The German Shepherd, named Irgo, arrived at a Wichita airport Thursday night after a flight on a private plane from Japan.

Kara Swindle and her two children were flying on United Airlines from Oregon to Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this week during a move to Wichita, Kansas.

When they went to pick up Irgo, they instead were given a Great Dane.

United said in a statement that the dogs were somehow put on the wrong flights during a connecting flight in Denver.

Swindle wouldn’t say Thursday whether she is considering legal action. But she was pleased with United’s efforts to return Irgo. She said the dog seemed healthy and happy to be home.

FHSU KWEC programmer wins state conservation award

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KDWPT

PRATT – Mike Rader, wildlife education supervisor for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, has been selected by the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) to receive the John K. Strickler Award.

Each year, KACEE recognizes leaders in education with its Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards. Nominated by their peers, recipients are chosen for exhibiting outstanding innovation, leadership and achievement, as well as collaboration and cooperation within and beyond the environmental education field.

“These award recipients are the best in their field and KACEE is pleased to honor these deserving individuals and organizations, who contribute so much to environmental education in Kansas,” said Gina Penzig, KACEE president and media relations manager at Westar Energy.

The John K. Strickler Award, named after one of KACEE’s founders and first executive director John K. Strickler, honors the lifetime achievements, contributions, and leadership of individuals in the Kansas conservation and environmental education field. Rader was selected because of his long-term commitment to environmental education, which began early in his career when he worked as a conservation worker at Wilson State Park.

At Wilson State Park, Rader provided visitors with educational programs about the unique wildlife in the park, as well as his love for the area.

In 2007, Rader was promoted to wildlife education coordinator where he took his passion for teaching about the environment statewide. Currently, Rader oversees staff and programming at the Milford Nature Center, Prairie Center in Olathe, Pratt Education Center and Museum, Southeast Kansas Nature Center in Galena, and the Fort Hays State University Kansas Wetlands Education Center at Cheyenne Bottoms. Rader also coordinates the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites (OWLS) program, promoting and funding outdoor classrooms at 167 schools across the state, where students can engage in onsite, hands-on outdoor learning labs.

Rader also spearheads ECO-Meets, which are statewide scholarship competitions for high school students. Hundreds of high school students from around the state participate each year, many of whom go on to pursue careers in the natural sciences as a result of their experience.

Other award winners recognized alongside Rader this year include:

KACEE Awards – Flint Hills Map and Education Program, Elmdale (Community/Non-Profit);Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society, Pittsburg (Community/Non-Profit);Judy Boltman, Topeka (Government);Melanie Falcon, Lindsborg (PreK-16 Education);Park Management and Conservation Program, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (PreK-16 Education).

Connie Elpers Rising Star Award – Amber Myers, Manhattan

Kansas Green School of the Year Award – Chisholm Middle School, Newton

Awards will be presented at a celebration hosted by KACEE on Friday, April 6, 2018, at the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan. The event is sponsored by KACEE, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Sunset Zoo, Midwest Energy, and the Franklin County Conservation District.

To purchase tickets, and for more information on the awards, visit www.kacee.org or call (785) 532-1902.

YOUNKER: More than one way to maintain and improve soil health

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Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Jetmore.

If you are like me, many of you might have recently attended a no-till/soil health conference where you have heard numerous speakers from various parts of the country talking about what they are doing and accomplishing in the soil health arena.

Most of the time the focus of these conferences is on integrating cover crops and livestock into cropping systems to improve the health of the soil, which, if implemented correctly, no doubt can.

My concern is that focusing on just of couple of these practices, which seem to be the current hot items, we may not be paying attention to, or thinking about other ways to improve soil health. We need to remember that they are just tools in our soil health toolbox and when used for the right job work great. But there is also a wide array of other tools in that box that may work better to accomplish what we want to accomplish.

Other things you can do to maintain and improve soil health is to have a balanced fertility program using the 4Rs concept (right product, right rate, right time and right place).

Soil pH needs to be maintained at optimum levels. Aggressive tillage should be avoided. Soil compaction layers should be removed and managed. An appropriate crop rotation that provides adequate groundcover should be used. On marginal soils the best thing is to maybe plant those areas back to grass. These are all practices that are good for yield and the soil.

But one of the most important and underlying themes is that no matter what we implement it needs to make economic sense for you the farmer. Sometimes I think we do not not work through all of the associated expenses and potential income and tend overlook this part of the equation, which in my mind is the most important. You need to make a profit or eventually you won’t be around to take of the soil.

We also need to remember that implementing soil health practices can be very site and producer specific. There is not a one size fits all. I know that on our own farm we have struggled to find a fit for cover crops. They could potentially provide a lot of soil health benefits but without a livestock enterprise to be able to gain some economic value from grazing them, my crop budgets currently do not favor using them.

Which brings me to my next point. Figure out if it will work for you before implementing any of these practices on a large scale. Start small, experiment and adjust the practices to fit what you are wanting to accomplish with them.

We haven’t totally discounted the use of cover crops in our rotation. But we will proceed with caution, adjust things as we go and only do them on a few acres until we can really determine if they are a fit for us or not.

For more information about soil health practices you can contact me at [email protected] or any local NRCS office.

Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jetmore.

Daddy and Me to be hosted at Big Creek Crossing

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By JAYLINN PFEIFER
For Hays Post

The Daddy and Me program, a part of the Early Childhood Connections, will be having their next group experience at Big Creek Crossing in Hays on April 14. The event will be in conjunction with the annual Family Fun Fest.

“This program got started when me and a colleague of mine went to the National Fatherhood Training in 2005 and the initiative of the program was to get fathers more involved in children’s lives,” said Lila Montgomery, Disabilities and Education Coordinator with Early Childhood Connections.

Daddy and Me began in 2006 when the fathers who were a part of the Early Childhood Connections came up with the name. Their philosophy is that if fathers and mothers are more involved in children’s lives, the children will do better in school and other areas of development. The children are also known to be more adventurous.

“Last Saturday, we visited the Hays airport where the kids got to get on the Eagle Med helicopter and someone explained what all of the buttons did and what was the purpose of the helicopters,” Montgomery said.

The past places the program has visited includes the Hays Regional Airport, Hays Fire Department, Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Hays Public Library, FHSU’s Gross Memorial Coliseum and Precision Valley Golf Center. The program starts in September of every year and goes until the summer of the following year, where there is a break until the next September.

“When we first started out, we had our own events but then we got input from the families and they wanted to have more events in the community, so we did,” Montgomery said.

This event is open to the community and for more information visit the Early Childhood Connections Facebook page or visit haysparents.com.

TMP-M 2018 Hansen Foundation Scholarship winners announced

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Front Row L-R: Marlena Guzman, Laura Casey, Ciara Seib, Brianna Romme, Jasmine Zerr, Katy Walters, Elly Lang, Anna Speno.
Back Row L-R: Avery Normandin, Brayden Mader, Michael Braun, Michael Lager, Ethan Rohr, Trae Megaffin, Anna Gottschalk, Karl Rack.
Photo courtesy of Bailey Lacey ’18

TMP-M

Congratulations to these accomplished TMP-Marian Seniors receiving Dane G. Hansen Foundation Scholarships:

Hansen Scholars – $6,500 for 4 years

  • Elly Lang
  • Anna Speno

Hansen Student Scholarships – $4,000 for 2 years

  • Michael Braun
  • Anna Gottschalk
  • Michael Lager
  • Trae Megaffin
  • Karl Rack
  • Ethan Rohr
  • Brianna Romme
  • Ciara Seib
  • Katy Walters
  • Jasmine Zerr

Career and Technical Education – $4,000 for 2 years

  • Laura Casey
  • Marlena Guzman
  • Brayden Mader
  • Avery Normandin

According to danehansenfoundation.org, The Dane G. Hansen Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to nearly 280 students yearly. Over 6000 students from Northwest Kansas have received nearly $17 million in scholarships covering a variety of student needs.

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