KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A lawsuit alleges a special needs student in Kansas was sexually assault by another student on a school bus.
The Kansas City Star reported Thursday that the lawsuit filed against First Student alleges the company was negligent by not having an adult monitor on the bus when the assault occurred in April 2016.
A message seeking comment from First Student was not immediately returned.
The teen was a Lenexa resident and student at Shawnee Mission South High School.
The lawsuit filed in Johnson County District Court alleges an adult monitor on the bus got off before it left the school. It contends the girl was seated two rows behind the driver and “continually molested” by another student who sat down beside her.
David A. Weber, 62, a lighthearted, loving soul of rural Oakley, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at the Logan County Hospital, surrounded by family and the prayerful community he loved.
He was born December 13, 1955, in Oakley, to Celestine and Katherine (Brungardt) Weber. Growing up, David enjoyed playing and helping on the farm, which was his lifelong passion. In 1974, he graduated from Grinnell High School. After graduating high school, he went to Goodland Vo-Tech for two years to master his carpentry skills. He enjoyed working with his hands, and making improvements to his own farm equipment. David married the love of his life, Cheri Jacobs, on June 12, 1982, in Leoville, KS.
Together they moved to Wichita, where Cheri continued her education, and he worked for Hereford Cattle Operations, in Haven, KS. They then moved to Great Bend, where David worked in the maintenance department at the Black Angus Restaurant and Hotel, and helped on the family farm. In 1990 David, Cheri, Erica and Stephanie returned to the family farm south of Oakley. David began his own farming operation in 1992. He was a devoted family man, and was passionate about serving St. Joseph’s Church, school, community, surrounding area and others in need.
Most people comment on David’s loving generosity, as he always took the time to visit or call. In addition, he was known for his sense of humor and friendly smile. He served on the board for the Gove County FSA Committee, as well as, the St. Joseph School Council. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and previously served as Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight. David remained an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish, including the school up to his death.
He was preceded in death by his father, Celestine J. Weber; son, Matthew David Weber; sister-in-law, Rose Weber and nephew, Joseph Weber.
He is survived by his wife, Cheri, of Oakley; daughters, Erica (Luke) Hayden, of Hutchinson, KS, Stephanie (Scott) Storie, of Aurora, CO and Joni Weber, of Oakley; grandchildren, Makayla Hayden, Alec and Emily Storie; his mother, Katherine Weber, of rural Oakley; brothers, William (Barbara), John (Nancy), Jacob (Michele), Edwin (Karen) and Leonard (Donna) and sisters, Margie (Gary) Dohm and Mary Ann (Phillip) Rietcheck; twenty-seven nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Visitation is 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. A vigil will take place at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the church, with burial to follow in the Church Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church or School or the Joey Weber Endowment Fund at DSNWK, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
MARQUETTE, Kan. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis Lake recently discovered vandalism to an ancient petroglyph and is seeking information from the public, according to a media release.
courtesy photo
Petroglyphs are images and designs made by engraving, carving or scratching away the dark layer of rock varnish on the surface to reveal the lighter rock underneath. At Kanopolis Lake, these petroglyphs are believed to be over 150 years old and created by Native Americans.
Now, visitors see two names that have been added over a bison. The damage is irreversible.
“It is very sad someone would think to destroy something so important and valued by so many,” said Tim Meade, archaeologist for the Corps of Engineers. “Petroglyphs are considered to have important spiritual meaning to Native Americans representing the works of their ancient ancestors. These have been enjoyed by thousands of visitors to Kanopolis Lake over the years.”
The Corps is seeking information concerning the defacement of this petroglyph.
“Resources at Kanopolis Lake are managed for the benefit of the American public and the Corps staff works hard to ensure these resources are available for future generations,” said Ryan Williams, Kanopolis Lake park manager. “The assistance of the public in a case like this is critical.”
Violators may be prosecuted under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations and the Archaeological Resources Protections Act of 1979.
To provide information on this vandalism, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis Lake directly at 785-546-2294.
ELLIS COUNTY – A Hays woman was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Friday.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Lincoln Town car driven by Shirley Horn, 60, Hays, was northbound on Highway 183 at the south end of Hays. The vehicle struck a deer in the roadway.
Horn was transported to Hays Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Horizon Appliance & Electronics is seeking full-and part-time sales associates for its location at 1507 E. 27th St. in Hays. Hourly rate plus commission. For more information or to apply, contact Kelly Koenke via email at [email protected]. Use the subject line: “Job Application” and Attention to “Hiring Manager.”
The Sales Associate’s responsibilities include working closely with customers to determine their needs, answer their questions about our products and recommend the right solutions. You should also be able to promptly resolve customer complaints and ensure maximum client satisfaction. To be successful as a Sales associate, you should stay up-to-date with product features and maintain our store’s visual appearance in high standards.
Responsibilities
· Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent sales service
· Assess customers’ needs and provide assistance and information on product features
· Welcome customers to the store and answer their queries
· Follow and achieve department’s sales goals on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis
· “Go the extra mile” to drive sales
· Maintain in-stock and presentable condition assigned areas
· Actively seek out customers in store
· Remain knowledgeable on products offered and discuss available options
· Process POS (point of sale) purchases
· Cross sell products
· Team up with co-workers to ensure proper customer service
· Build productive trust relationships with customers
· Comply with inventory control procedures
· Suggest ways to improve sales & Marketing (e.g. planning marketing activities, changing the store’s design)
Requirements
· Proven work experience as a Retail Sales associate, Sales representative or similar role
· Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices
· Proficiency in English
· Basic Math skills
· Working knowledge of customer and market dynamics and requirements
· Familiarity with inventory procedures
· Solid communication and interpersonal skills
· A friendly and energetic personality with customer service focus
· Ability to perform under pressure and address complaints in a timely manner
· Availability to work flexible shifts
· High school degree; BS degree in Marketing or related field would be a plus
NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas missionary couple has been sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars for giving brutal, religion-inspired beatings to two of the three children they adopted from Peru.
James and Paige Nachtigal
James and Paige Nachtigal, of North Newton, were sentenced Thursday for several child abuse counts. They entered Alford pleas to the charges in August in which they acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence for convictions but admitted no guilt.
The Nachitgals were arrested in February 2016 after an 11-year-old boy was found walking barefoot in a field and told authorities he feared returning home because he hadn’t done his homework and that was a sin. His 11-year-old sister’s leg was broken. A teenage sibling who escaped the brunt of the abuse described the 11-year-olds being deprived of food before the sentencing.
RENO COUNTY— Another round of funding has been approved for the rail line served by Amtrak’s SW Chief.
Amtrak route across the United State- Amtrak image
According to a media release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Tiger Grant will be used for rehabilitating track giving the route that passes through Kansas another shot in the arm as its advocates try to bolster the train line uncertain future.
The money, $16 million from a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant, means about three-quarters of the money needed for track upgrades for the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route have been secured.
It’s a sigh of relief for the Southwest Chief’s main proponents, who were fearful about the prospect of securing federal dollars under a White House that has signaled a distaste for long-distance rail. It was four years ago that Amtrak and BNSF threatened to move the train off of the current line and on to the main Transcon route through Oklahoma and Texas.
The move would have eliminated service to Hutchinson, Garden City and Dodge City along with southeast Colorado and northern New Mexico. Cities, counties and states along the route have been chipping in to match funds for the grant including Hutchinson which has regularly provided matching funds for the grants.
While the funding is good news it may be a moot point as the Trump administration has also sent a strong message about its stance toward Amtrak’s long-distance rail routes — like the Chief’s — by proposing cuts in Amtrak’s budget for the lines.
UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: The Hays man who was killed in a one-vehicle rollover accident early this morning has been identified.
According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s office, following a phone call from a passerby, county first responders were dispatched to the 2800 block of 130th Ave. about 12:41 a.m.
The sole occupant and driver of the vehicle, Mathew V. Guffey, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries.
Guffey was traveling southbound on 130th Ave. in a 1999 Ford Ranger. The vehicle entered the west ditch, continuing southbound and became airborne after striking a field entrance. The pickup rolled several times before coming to rest on its wheels in the west ditch.
Guffey was wearing a seat belt.
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A Hays man died in an accident early Friday morning, according to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.
The 44-year-old died from injuries sustained during a one-vehicle rollover accident in the 2800 block of 130th Avenue in Ellis County. The accident was reported by a passerby at approximately 12:34 a.m. Friday, according to a news release.
The drive was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and he was wearing a seat belt.
The accident is being investigated by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, and the victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Safety for its students and the campus community is a top priority for Fort Hays State University, and students and staff alike help in keeping it that way. Those measures have drawn the attention of others as FHSU has been ranked as one of the safest colleges in America by the National Council for Home Safety and Security.
Fort Hays State, No. 42 on the council’s top 100 list, is in the midst of a multiple-phase exterior lighting project on campus, one that is tested by a group from several campus entities that conducts a safety walk each school year. The safety walk is sponsored by FHSU’s Student Government Association.
The National Council for Home Safety and Security is a trade association comprised of home security professionals across the United States. The council advocates for safe communities and home safety with a strong focus on community involvement.
“The ranking confirms the fact that all of us at Fort Hays State have a deep care and concern about the well-being of our students and their future success,” said Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for student affairs.
Another student-driven initiative at Fort Hays State is a mobile communications safety application called LiveSafe that was launched in 2016.
The app, which is free, can be downloaded to a mobile device from the App Store or Google Play. Users can select several options from the app, including requests for emergency assistance through quick, easy access to emergency phone numbers. The app also includes a safety map, which tells people their location in relation to campus buildings. A “GoSafe” feature also provides phone numbers to call Safe Ride or local tax services.
Linn thinks having students involved in planning safety features gives them some ownership and pride in their campus.
The campus lighting project features replacing all exterior lighting, ranging from street and building lights to pedestrian and parking lot lights.
Dana Cunningham, director of facilities planning at FHSU, said the goal is to provide a consistent look both in terms of light quality as well as light fixtures.
Cunningham, who called the project “three-fold,” explained that having better quality lighting that distributes light better is safer and gives the campus a more consistent look. It’s also a cost-saving measure.
“A lot of campuses are converting over to LED lighting, because it saves money; we have conserved about 30 percent of the power we used to use for lighting,” he said. “Plus, the distribution of the lighting makes the areas safer.”
The SGA executive committee and a few SGA senators accompany Cunningham, University Police Chief Ed Howell, and SGA advisors Linn and Dr. Teresa Clounch, an assistant vice president for student affairs, on the safety walk around campus. Last semester, Mike Barnett, vice president of administration and finance, also participated.
“We walk around to see if there are any areas of concern,” Linn said. “We just do a safety check and ask questions. That’s been a really good thing.”
Beloit senior Emily Brandt is in her second year of serving as SGA president. She has been a member of SGA all four years at Fort Hays State and has participated in the walk every year.
“I think the walk is really cool because we can point out anything we see that needs attention, and our administrative assistant takes notes,” said Brandt, a political science major. “Then we send that list to the president’s office and to the department that would take care of any necessary issues.”
Brandt said the lighting improvements have made a noticeable difference from year to year. “The new lights definitely brighten up some dimmer areas,” she said, “especially in the parking lots outside the Memorial Union and Gross Memorial Coliseum because they both have so many entrances and exits.”
Other safety practices are self-defense classes that Fort Hays State offers each semester and a self-defense club.
Fort Hays State’s Defensive Tactics Club – made up of approximately 20 students and coordinated by Kenton Russell, FHSU instructor of mixed martial arts – conducts about 20 self-defense seminars a year for Hays and other communities around the state. The next seminar, open and free to the public, is set for Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the FHSU wrestling room in Cunningham Hall. For more information, contact Hollie Marquess at (785) 628-5869 or Amy Gildemeister at (785) 821-0225.
“Our faculty, staff and students look out for one another,” Linn said, “and we are all proud of the supportive environment we have created on our campus.”
Next up for safety improvements is adding electronic access to more campus buildings.
The three newest residence halls feature electronic access, as does the recently completed Center for Applied Technology. The addition of that feature to other buildings is an ongoing process. Custer Hall and McMindes Hall, two of the older residence halls, also have electronic access in certain portions of the buildings.
“We are bidding right now for a summer project to add electronic access to Gross Memorial Coliseum,” Cunningham said, “and we will continue to migrate that project through the campus as funding allows.”
Do you have a child that is under the age of 5? If you do, then you might qualify for Early Childhood Connections. This program serves pregnant mothers, children birth to five and their families, regardless of race, creed or color, including those with special needs.
Connections program staff offers support to families as they identify and meet personal goals, nurture the development of their children in the context of their family and culture, and advocate for communities that are supportive of children and families of all cultures. There is no cost to families who qualify for Connections services (Head Start) because this is a federal program that you must qualify for.
Services to families include: assist families to maximize children’s development, health and dental services, family engagement opportunities and access to nutritious meals and snacks and services in the center or home.
We are currently enrolling children for both our Early Head Start (pregnant mothers, children birth to three and their families) and Head Start programs (children three to five and their families).
Contact Early Childhood Connections at 785-623-2430 with questions about our program or to have an application packet sent to you. We have classrooms in Hays, Russell and Ellis.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have suspect in custody.
Police on the scene of Friday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV
Just before 2a.m., police responded to a shooting at an address in the 900 Block of SW Fairlawn in Topeka, according to Lt. Steve Roth.
The male victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Police also located the suspect, Kiren Lashawn Green 27, of Topeka.
Green was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for the charge of Attempted First Degree Murder. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police Dept. Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400 or Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.
