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Author: Hays Post

Motorcycle was traveling over 140mph before crash that injured Kan. undersheriff

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KIOWA COUNTY —A teen suspect arrested in connection with a high-speed chase and crash that sent a Kansas deputy to the hospital remains in custody in Pratt County.

Mason photo Pratt County

The chase initially started Thursday on the Kansas Turnpike, according to Lt. John Lenherr with the Kansas Highway Patrol. Troopers responded to reports of reckless driver on a motorcycle.  When authorities first observed the red 2001 Honda motorcycle, it was traveling at over 140 miles per hour, according to Lenherr. Due to the danger involved, troopers ultimately discontinued the pursuit and notified law enforcement agencies east of Wichita.

The suspect later identified as 18-year-old Isaac Mason of Wisconsin continued west quickly through Pratt County. Authorities in Kiowa County located the motorcycle on U.S. 54 just east of Greensburg, according to Sheriff Chris Tedder.

As officers turned to stop the vehicle, the motorcycle accelerated gaining about a half mile on the deputies and traveled into Greensburg.

During the pursuit into town, the driver of lead patrol unit Undersheriff Scott McCann lost control of a 2019 Dodge Charger. The vehicle hit a curb drove across Olive Street into a field, struck a sign and came to rest upright in a drainage ditch, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol

Authorities eventually stopped Mason at the Ford-Kiowa County line and took him into custody without further incident.

EMS transported McCann to Kiowa County Memorial Hospital and he was later transported by ambulance to Wichita, in stable but critical condition. The sheriff’s office has not provided an update on his condition. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Mason is being held on a $50,000 bond on requested charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer; use of a deadly weapon, Interference with a law enforcement officer; falsely report a crime intending to obstruct and felony failure to stop at an accident, according to online jail records.

David Lee Gallagher

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David Lee Gallagher, age 66, passed away on November 4, 2019, at his home in Oakley, KS with his family by his side, after his bout with pancreatic cancer. Dave was welcomed in to this world on December 6, 1952, in Wichita, KS. Dave was one of six children of Frank and Joyce Gallagher.

Dave grew up in Hoxie and spent his days hunting, fishing, and had an abundant love for cars. He expended a lot of time with his adored maternal grandparents, Loyal and Elsie Jacob. He was active in sports and had many friends through school. In 1970, Dave graduated from Hoxie High School and attended Goodland Vo-Tech specializing in auto body repair.

The newly high school graduate, Rosemary Vahling, caught Dave’s attention while in passing in Lenora, KS, and they were wed in St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, KS on December 2, 1972.

Dave and Rosie made their home in Lenora, then Garden City where Dave worked at local auto body shops. They were happy to move closer to home, returning to Hoxie in 1973 and continuing work in auto body repair.

During their marriage, they bore a son, Christopher Lee [1977], and daughter, Sonya Kay [1980]. The family loved Hoxie and having family close, however, they chose to relocate to Oakley in 1990 where Dave’s Body Shop flourished. Dave became the proud ‘PaPa’ to his three adorned grandchildren.

Dave surpassed many in trap shooting across Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado and family loved to watch. He made many memories with his family, taking his restored ‘hot rods’ to cars shows across the tri-states. The family loved camping, fishing, boating, and hunting and still share stories of their adventures. Dave had the opportunity to hunt in Alaska, go to Canada fishing, take a buffalo south of Oakley, elk hunt in Colorado, and years of hunting and fishing locally. Dave enjoyed nature and the outdoors and was a lifelong archery hunter. He enjoyed the challenge and thrill of archery turkey hunting – his favorite. He and Rosie loved to golf as they traveled to many courses to golf together and with friends. Dave & Rosie also loved to go dancing with a group of good friends. Their favorite destination was Hawaii.

Dave was a man of many talents. He was a generous, honest, hardworking man, and volunteered in his community. He built his business on a handshake and good word. He is proud the name carried on after retirement in 2014 and sale to his longtime employee, Mike Chrisler.

Dave was a member of Pheasants Forever, National Rifle Association, Oakley Trap Club, Oakley Chamber of Commerce, and Oakley Country Club. He served as Master Hunter Education Instructor for many years and loved to hear successful stories from now adults that he mentored at a young age.

Dave’s surviving family includes his wife Rosie Gallagher; two children, Chris Gallagher, and Sonya (Robert) Cooksey, all of Oakley, KS; three grandchildren, Preslee, Karver, and Jentry; his mother and father, Frank and Joyce (Jacob) Gallagher; three sisters, Leanna (Tom) Sloan, Ladonna (Mark) Joslyn, and Mary (Alex) Dumler, all of Hoxie. His surviving in-laws are Florence Vahling, Hoxie, KS, Laura (Joe) Dorenkamp, Selden, KS, Jim (Christine) Vahling, Mesa, AZ, Marcia (Russ) Aumiller, New Almelo, KS, Paul (Donna) Vahling, Denver, CO, Estella (Phil) Kirkham, Sharon Springs, KS, George Vahling, Plainville, KS, and Annette (Clint) Follis, Hoxie, KS, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Stan Gallagher and Maryln Rogers; brother-in-law, William ‘Bill’ Vahling, and father-in-law, Henry Vahling.

There will be a visitation for Dave’s family and friends on Thursday November 7, 2019 at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Funeral services for Dave will follow, starting at 2:00 p.m. Graveside services will be at St. Frances Cemetery, just west of Hoxie at 4:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Oakley 4-H Shooting Sports or Logan County Physical Therapy and Wellness Center, send to David Gallagher, PO Box 244, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Police catch registered Kan. offender on late-night bicycle ride

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SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new charges after an arrest.

Cody Talbott photo KBI offender registry

Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, a patrol officer noticed a man on a blue BMX bicycle riding in the middle of the street in the 800 block of Windsor Drive in Salina, according to Captain Paul Forrester.

The officer attempted to make contact with the man, but he rode the bicycle into the front yard of a residence and then took off on foot behind the residence.

The officer gave chase and was able to apprehend Cody Talbot in the backyard of another residence further south on Windsor Drive, Forrester said.

Talbot had several outstanding felony warrants, two violations of the registered offender act, and an aggravated failure to appear, according to Forrester.

While searching Talbot and the backpack he was carrying, the officer found slightly less than three ounces of methamphetamine and two handguns.

In addition to the outstanding warrants, Talbot was arrested on requested charges of Possession with the intent to distribute a stimulant, No drug tax stamp, Possession of methamphetamine with prior conviction, Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Interference with a law enforcement officer and Improper bike lamps or reflectors.  He has previous convictions for burglary, drugs and violations of the offender registration act, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

KDWPT offers new details on mountain lion killed in Rooks Co.

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Photo courtesy KDWPT game wardens

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has offered new details about a mountain lion kill in Rooks County earlier this year.

The mountain lion, found in late January, was shot and killed by bird hunters, according to the KDWPT.

The department sent tissue samples to the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, Mont., for testing.

The results showed the male mountain lion had a 99.8 percent probability of belong to the South Dakota/Nebraska breeding population, which includes animals sampled from the Black Hills of South Dakota and western Nebraska, according to KDWPT.

For more information about wildlife sightings or other rare encounters, click HERE.

Wilbur Eugene ‘Gene’ Argo

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Wilbur Eugene “Gene” Argo, 77, of Placerville, California, took his final ride into the sunset after battling complications from prostate cancer in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family.

He was born December 15,1941 and he always added, “It was the week after Pearl Harbor.” He was born to Dwight E. Argo and Sara (DeVan) Argo in Atlanta, Georgia. From there, the family moved to Centralia, Missouri – then moved to Dallas, Texas where he lived until he was 16 years old. Their final move as a family was to San Mateo, California where he attended Hillsdale High School.

Gene dreamed of being a cowboy and loved horses, rodeos, hunting and playing golf. He graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. Gene was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. He worked in the energy business starting at the age of eighteen as a lineman for PG&E in San Francisco, California, and continued on to retire as the CEO of Midwest Energy in Hays, Kansas. He spent his free time playing golf, marketing and attending rodeos and spending time with his grandchildren. He was well respected for his advice and strength of character by both friends and family. Gene enjoyed pulling off many pranks and brought laughter to everyday life.

Gene is survived by his wife Linda of 51 years, daughters Kathy Wong, (Alex) and their children Jade and Nicholas Wong, Gena Argo and her son Jake Keller and his son Michael Argo and his children, Whitney, Kolin and Karter – as well as his sister Dottie Norstrud of Overland Park, KS. So many wonderful nieces and nephews added joy and contentment to his life. He valued his best buddies whether he was hunting, golfing or finding the next rodeo.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards Dr. Peter Barba and his incredible staff. He was not only our physician, but a dear friend who guided us every step of the way through this journey. A special thank you to the people at Snowline Hospice in Placerville for their loving care and support during his final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Gene in the upcoming weeks. In lieu of flowers, Gene would appreciate memorial donations to the Hays Medical Center Foundation, Hays, Kansas of which he served on the Board for many years.

Elaine Mary (Hamburg) Gillmore

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Elaine Mary (Hamburg) Gillmore, 91, died on November 2, 2019.

Elaine was born on February 25, 1928 in Hays, Kansas to Ernest and Anna (Spilker) Hamburg. She grew up on a farm outside of Ellis with her parents and two brothers, Marvin and Clifford. She moved to Denver to attend business school and work, returned and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in elementary education. She taught in Denver and Dodge City, before moving to Salina to teach. There she met Lee Gillmore, marrying him on January 29, 1961. This year they celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Survivors include her husband, Lee; daughters, Mary Genz (Keith) from Basehor, Kansas, and Donna Leeper (Chris) from Olathe, Kansas; three grandchildren, Nick Genz, Megan Leeper, and Ryan Leeper (Rachael Duden); two step-grandchildren, Amber Espy (Jeremy) and Brad Genz; and two step-great-grandchildren, Bailey Farris (Kaleb) and Adam Espy.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 7th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio Street, Salina, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Thursday, November 7th at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina, Kansas.

Memorials may be given in Elaine’s name to Hospice of Salina or the Salina Presbyterian Manor, sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.

School board hears input following alleged racial comments at JC-Manhattan football game

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JC Post

JUNCTION CITY — One member of the public spoke to the Geary USD 475 Board of Education Monday evening concerning recent alleged racial comments endured by some JCHS students at the Junction City – Manhattan football game on Oct. 11.

Mary Edwards noted that she was a concerned parent of a youth attending Junction City High School.

” I would like to know what the status is of the racial harassment incident that occurred Oct. 11, 2019 at the football game in Manhattan,” she said.

Edwards added she would like to know why the JCHS administration has not kept the parents informed or even informed the parents of the incident.

Mary Edwards addressed the USD 475 board Monday night / Image courtesy USD 475

Edwards stated the Board is in charge of the policies and creating the curriculum for the district.

“So I first ask that you either create or update a policy that provides instruction for the high school administration and school staff to follow if and when another incident occurs.” Edwards wants to see the schools required to provide diversity and inclusion training for school administration, staff and students. “Also require training for staff administrators on best practices, on how to respond to racial harassment as well as training for the students on what they need to do when they encounter these situations.”

Both the Geary County and Manhattan – Ogden school districts have previously issued statements indicating that they are working together to investigate the events and deal with the racial behavior as they move forward.

There was no response from the Board to Edwards Monday evening, but that is normal practice during the public comment period. Those sessions are intended to allow members of the public to give input to the school board and administration.

Hutch City Council ready to take action on rental program

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Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — The Hutchinson City Council will take action on the new rental inspection program during Tuesday’s agenda session.

The city is proposing a licensing fee structure with incentives rather than the current permit fee. The Housing Commission has denied a recommendation on the proposal. That came during a meeting on Oct. 19 on a 4-2 vote.

“There were still some concerns from the housing commissioners that is this really going to solve any of the problems,” Planning Director Ryan Hvitlok said. “We also had two new slots filled on the commission so that changed the vote a little.” Several other members of the commission were absent, which also skewed the numbers, according to Hvitlok.

Hvitlok says the reason this has drawn so much attention is that most landlords in Hutchinson are not used to this kind of program, which is usually seen as routine business by owners of larger apartment complexes in metro areas.

“If you look at where the majority of rental licenses programs are in Kansas, they are in the K.C. metro area. They tend to be the larger landlords and it’s more of an expectation. They just see it as a part of doing business,” Hvitlok said. “We have a lot more individual landlords. These are generally local people that have put some money into the community to try and invest. So for them, I think it is a bit of a cultural shock.”

Hvitlok says that, while this program may not be the full answer, he feels that the council is wanting to keep the ball moving forward when it comes to better rental housing.

“Obviously we’ve made some good progress on it (condition of rental housing) with the international property maintenance code, but also the rental registration program,” Hvitlok noted. “I think that is the concern with some of the Housing Commission and (what) City Council members have voiced is they really don’t want to lose that momentum and kind of start going back to where we were 10 years ago.”

Tuesday’s City Council meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Hutchinson city offices.

Kansas woman accused of animal cruelty enters plea agreement

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OSAGE COUNTY — A Kansas woman originally jailed on 20 counts of alleged animal cruelty has entered a plea agreement in the case.

Shaffer-photo Osage County

On October 31, Christi L. Shaffer, 53, Lyndon, entered pleas of no contest, was convicted of two counts of animal cruelty and one count of allowing a dangerous animal to be at large, according to the sheriff’s department.

Shaffer was sentenced to the maximum sentence allowed by law on all counts and the sentences were ordered to run consecutive for a controlling sentence of 30 months in the Osage County jail.

She was further ordered to serve 45 days of that sentence. The balance of the sentence was suspended and she will serve a 36 month term of probation.

Shaffer also agreed to relinquish ownership of the dogs and Magistrate Judge Shannon Rush severed her ownership interest in the dogs not to own or possess animals of any kind during the term of her probation.

Shaffer was fined $1,100.00 and was ordered to pay restitution to the Osage County Sheriff in the amount of $1,222.39 for veterinary care that had been provided for the dogs.

In mid-October, the Osage County Sheriff’s office issued a public warning about the emaciated Alaskan Tundra Shepherds that were reported loose west of Lyndon, according to Sheriff Laurie Dunn.

The dogs had been moved and authorities did not know where.

As part of the plea agreement Shaffer was ordered to provide information concerning the location of the dogs.

Sheriff Dunn investigated the validity of the information provided and has been in contact with the individual in possession of the dogs. Fortunately, this individual appears to have provided excellent care for the dogs. Their condition has greatly improved. Some of the dogs have already been adopted and the remaining dogs will receive appropriate care until permanent adoptive homes are located.

Virgil Earl ‘Sonny’ Martin

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Virgil Earl “Sonny” Martin, 82, died on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at Lane County Hospital in Dighton. He was born on February 21, 1937, at Garden City the son of Roy Miles & Leah Elizabeth (Litzenberger) Martin. He married Elsie F. Burnett on September 11, 1960, at Dighton.

Sonny attended Sunrise Country School in Finney County. He served in the 21st Artillery Division of the United States Army. After his discharge he farmed and ranched for Harold Mulville and Charles Bosley in Lane County and then went to work for the Farmers Co-op Elevator in Dighton until he retired. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 190 of Dighton. He was a member of the Pawnee Valley Boys band that played for dances and events in the area as the guitarist and vocalist. He enjoyed dancing, playing cards, fishing, hunting, boating, camping and in later years bingo but especially playing music with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his Parents, 2 Brothers- Herman “Bud” Martin and Roy “Barney” Martin, 3 Sisters- Erma Martin, Marian Buell and Edith Snyder and Sister-In-Law- Charlotte Martin.

He is survived by his 3 Daughters- Coral Klitzke of Bonner Springs, Mele Barber of Frisco, Texas and Angela Bechard of Bonner Springs, Brother- Darrell Martin (Ruby) of Dighton, Sister- Betty Brungardt (Tom) of Garden City, Sister-In-Law- Anne Martin of Dighton, 6 Grandchildren- Morgan Klitzke, Courtney Klitzke, Derek Barber (Kristen) , Meagan Barber, Silas Bechard & Kori Bechard and 2 Great-Grandchildren- Kyla Barber and Teague Barber.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Dighton with Rev Berniece Ludlum officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post # 190 Honor Guard and Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to American Legion Post # 190 Honor Guard or Lane County Long Term Care in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

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