Hays Post – Page 369 – Hays Post Archive

Joshua Aaron Hicks

Posted on June 25, 2019June 27, 2019

Joshua Aaron Hicks, age 37, of Hays, Kansas passed away June 22, 2019 in Hays. He was born May 10, 1982 in Goodland, Kansas to Doug Hicks and Debbie (Weigel).

Josh married Heather Elaine (Pracht) on August 18, 2012 and together have two children, Connor and Kaitlyn. He was an amazing father who enjoyed spending time with his children. He loved nothing more than getting together with friends and family. He was an avid Chiefs fan.

Josh is survived by his wife, Heather and children Conner and Kaitlyn all of Hays; his parents, Doug and Vickie Hicks of Hays and Debbie and Fritz Cage of Portland, Oregon; his siblings, Melissa (Steve) Hampton, Matthew Erb, Heather K. Hicks, Erik Hicks, and Dustin (Barb) Hicks. Grandparents, Sharon Hicks, and Beverly and Howard LaFlair as well as numerous nieces, nephews and one great-nephew.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marvin Hicks, Fred and Norma Erb, and Francis J. Weigel; an uncle, Craig Weigel and a cousin, Blake Ericsson.

A private celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to The Hicks Family Fund on Facebook.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

K-State researcher: New transmission model for Ebola predicted latest cases in Uganda

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

MANHATTAN — A new risk assessment model for the transmission of Ebola accurately predicted its spread into the Republic of Uganda, according to the Kansas State University researchers who developed it.

According to a media release from KSU, Caterina Scoglio, professor, and Mahbubul Riad, doctoral student, both in the Mike Wiegers Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering at Kansas State University; Musa Sekamatte and Issa Makumbi at Uganda Ministry of Health; and Felix Ocom with the World Health Organization in Uganda, published “Risk assessment of Ebola virus disease spreading in Uganda using a multilayer temporal network” in bioRxiv on May 23.

The paper describes a new model to better predict how diseases like Ebola spread. The model combines data of people’s constant contacts — such as family members and co-workers — with their temporary contacts — such as people in a market or encountered during travel. According to Scoglio, the model should be used as a risk assessment tool to prepare and distribute resources, but it also has been accurate thus far regarding the movement of Ebola from the Democratic Republic of Congo into Uganda.

“This is very a new type of model,” Scoglio said. “Since we consider movement data in addition to constant contacts, we saw that not only are the districts directly bordering Congo at risk but that the districts on the path to some important Ugandan destinations also are at risk.”

In 2018, Scoglio and her collaborators worked with Ugandan officials to collect movement data to model disease progression and find areas most at risk. According to the model, the Kasese district was the highest risk area for an infected person to enter the country. The researchers used the model to create a 150-day simulation of possible disease progression in Uganda and produced a map of 23 Ugandan districts at risk.

The specific scenario used in the simulation is similar to actual events so far. According to the Uganda Health Ministry’s June 18 release, there are three confirmed cases of Ebola in travelers to Uganda — all from one family that entered the country at the Kasese district border.

“The risk assessment maps can be used to allocate and distribute limited resources,” Scoglio said. “Uganda has about 4,000 doses of the new Ebola vaccine. They are vaccinating health workers, communicating about how to prevent spreading diseases, and advising people to limit travel in high-risk areas. We have much respect and admiration for how Uganda has organized the preparedness and now the response.”

The researchers used the simulation of Ebola in Uganda to test their model because there is a lot of traffic coming into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo for health care, trading and refuge. Ebola is highly contagious through physical contact with an infected person and their bodily fluids.

Scoglio said that even though the real events in Uganda have aligned with the simulated model, the scenario should only be used to mitigate the risk.

“One very important point for the public to understand is the concept of risk and probability with these maps,” Scoglio said. “It should not be interpreted that these red regions will be affected because that will cause panic in the population, but rather these are a guide for allocation of limited resources in regions that could be potentially affected if no mitigations are implemented.”

This model may open a new era in infectious disease management, Scoglio said. She gives credit to Aram Vajdi, doctoral student in electrical and computer engineering at Kansas State University, for developing the framework for the theoretical model based on a multilayer temporal network and the Gillespie algorithm. Scoglio also praised Riad, who applied the data collected from Uganda and how Ebola was transmitted to create the risk assessment.

According to Scoglio, network models used for highly infectious disease risk assessment must be able to anticipate changes in human-to-human contacts — unlike many other models, which are based mainly on constant contacts and constant movement flows. Using these models can help increase the effectiveness of preventive measures by targeting the most critical regions and can help decrease the risk of Ebola and other infectious diseases from spreading.

LETTER: USD 489 should rename Oak Park in honor of longtime educator

Posted on June 25, 2019

To The USD 489 board and other interested parties:

I note that media reports are that the request to name the Oak Park facility after Emma Kolb, who dedicated her life to education here, was summarily rejected because someone ( nameless) in Topeka told someone on your staff not to name a building after a person. Please see my earlier letter about this.

Having been raised and educated in this school district, with schools named Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Felten, Kennedy, O’Loughlin, Wilson, and Thomas More, that reasoning seems to be logically fallacious.

It would be a break in tradition to NOT name the building after a person, and what better person than Emma Kolb.

Please try to apply some common sense to your decision as you deliberate this issue in the Toepfer Board Room at the Rockwell Center.

John T. Bird
Attorney at Law
Hays, Kansas

HPD Activity Log June 21-24

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Fri., June 21, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost Property–100 block Main St, Hays; 9:27 AM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:32 AM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 11:20 AM; 12 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1300 block E 27th St, Hays; 12:11 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–600 block Monroe St, Ellis; 12:13 PM
Credit Card Violations–2000 block Metro Ln, Hays; 6/13 12 AM; 6/21 3:30 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 4:02 PM
Burglary/vehicle–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:16 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2200 block of Centennial, Hays; 6:06 PM
Mental Health Call–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 7:18 PM
Mental Health Call– 2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 8:15 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–2400 block Main St, Hays; 12 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Sat., June 22, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-City Street/Alley–Mopar Dr and Vine St, Hays; 8:10 AM
Civil Dispute–2500 block General Hancock St, Hays; 12:49 AM
Drug Offenses–700 block Elm St, Hays; 1:44 AM; 1:47 AM
Drug Offenses–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 4:42 AM; 5:08 AM
Animal At Large–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 7:50 AM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 8:40 AM
Wildlife Incident–1800 block Allen St, Hays; 9:18 AM
Suspicious Person–300 block W 10th St, Hays; 10:22 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6/13 11:20 AM; 11:24 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 6/19 10:28 AM; 6/22 10:28 AM
Found/Lost Property–W 23rd St, Hays; 10:34 AM
Disturbance – Fight–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 3 AM; 4 AM
Domestic Disturbance–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 10:45 AM; 10:55 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6/20 3 PM; 3:08 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6/20; 10:20 PM; 10:31 PM
Animal At Large–300 block W 15th St, Hays; 11:38 AM
Unattended Death–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 12 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6/19 5 PM
Dead Animal Call–400 block Main St, Hays; 2:04 PM
Welfare Check–400 block W 13th St, Hays; 2:02 PM
Animal At Large–200 block E 24th St, Hays; 3:52 PM
Welfare Check–1100 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:14 PM
Found/Lost Property–Douglas Dr and Haney Dr, Hays; 4:36 PM
Theft (general)–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 4:30 PM; 5 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:48 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 21 traffic stops Sun., June 23, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Intoxicated Subject–1000 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27 AM
Battery – simple–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:35 AM; 12:40 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:12 AM; 1:14 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:44 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:45 AM; 2:14 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:33 AM
Battery – Domestic–1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 4:45 AM; 4:48 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 8:04 AM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:31 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 6/22 6:45 PM; 6/23 12:45 PM
Animal Call–1900 block Main St, Hays; 5:28 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 6/22 5:45 PM; 6/23 5:45 PM
Civil Dispute–2300 block Walnut St, Hays; 8:05 PM
Mental Health Call–3500 block Fairway Dr, Hays; 9:49 PM
Disorderly Conduct–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 10:13 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1100 block E 17th St, Hays; 10:26 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Mon., June 24, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle–2400 block Pine St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 1:23 AM
Water Use Violation–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 2:40 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1600 block E 27th Terr, Hays; 2:42 AM
Animal At Large–1100 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 7:48 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Downing Ave, Hays; 8:21 AM
Missing Person–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3/16; 6/24
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:36 AM
Welfare Check–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 9:46 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 37th St, Hays; 11:55 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–300 block E 16th St, Hays; 6/19 4 PM; 6/24 11:59 AM
Drug Offenses–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:51 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 6/21 7:15 PM; 6/24 12 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 4:11 PM
Found/Lost Property–2800 block Grant Ave, Hays; 4:11 PM
Civil Dispute–300 block E 16th St, Hays; 5:07 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–600 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:12 PM
Burglary/vehicle–300 block Main St, Hays; 2 PM; 6:30 PM
Identity Theft–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 AM; 5:47 PM
Burglary/vehicle–300 block Main St, Hays; 2 PM; 6:30 PM
Drug Offenses–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5/23 8 AM; 9 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–2500 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 10:26 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:18 PM

Mary Alice (Fleming) Craven

Posted on June 25, 2019

Mary Alice (Fleming) Craven, 87, of Hays, Kansas, and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center.

Mary Alice was born March 7, 1932, in Ellsworth County, Kansas. She was one of five children born to Hazen and Edith (Bailey) Fleming. She grew up in Ellsworth and graduated from Ellsworth High School. She then attended Ft. Hays State University where she graduated with a degree in Nursing.

Mary Alice was united in marriage to Harold Dean Craven on June 10, 1956 in Ellsworth. This union was blessed with three children; David Allan, Michael Dean and Lois Lee. They made their home in Ellsworth until 1965 when they moved to Russell. Then in 1975, they moved to Hays. Harold preceded her in death on January 28, 1996.

Mary Alice was a Registered Nurse for St. Anthony’s Hospital in Hays for over 23 years before retiring. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hays. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, tending her flowers in her garden, oil painting, bird watching and going to the Hays Senior Center.

Mary’s surviving family include her two sons, David Allan Craven (Rosalyn) of Hays, Kansas and Michael Dean Craven (Darla) of Hays, Kansas; sister, Dorothy Lacey of Abilene, Kansas; five grandchildren, Chad LaRue, Dennis Craven, Jeremy LaRue, Toni Craven and Frances Lamb. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; daughter, Lois; son-in-law, David LaRue; three brothers and grandchild, Shawn Asavadilokchi.

Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, June 28, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Hays Fire Department offers reminder on fireworks rules, safety

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

Fireworks will be allowed in Hays city limits from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 2, 3 and 4.

Police: Brothers caught burglarizing Kansas high school

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police responded to burglary in progress call at Northwest High School1, 1220 North Tyler in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A USD 259 security guard reported seeing two suspects later identified as 26-year-old Cody Stewart and 27-year-old Braden Stewart both of Wichita inside the school.

As officers arrived as the two suspects were exiting the school carrying two fans and made an arrest. They had entered the building through an opening in the roof, according to Davidson.

Police booked the brothers on requested burglary charges. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

22-year-old Mo. man arrested in connection with shooting of 3-year-old

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

Riandten Brant/Photo courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept.

By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A 22-year-old St. Joseph man has been charged in connection with the shooting and wounding of a three-year-old girl this past weekend.

Riandten C. E. Brant also faces drug charges.

The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office this afternoon charged Brant with a Class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, claiming that on June 22nd, Brant possessed methamphetamine at 1610 Beattie Street, the residence of the child, identified only as “A.B.” in the felony complaint.

Court papers disclose that police issued a search warrant at the residence and found Brant with 28.5 grams of methamphetamine in the basement of the residence.

Police first went to the residence on a shooting call.

St. Joseph Police says the three-year-old was shot late Saturday morning. She is listed in stable condition.

Marilea JoAnne (Johnson) Beougher

Posted on June 25, 2019

Marilea JoAnne (Johnson) Beougher, 84 of Grainfield, KS, passed away on June 23, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.

Marilea was born to Delbert Axel Sr. and B. Mildred (Marshall) Johnson, in Gove, KS, on November 25, 1934. She graduated from Gove Rural High School in 1952. Marilea attended and graduated from Fort Hays Kansas State College receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education in 1956. She became a very successful teacher, teaching a total of 33 years in the Quinter, Grainfield, Gove, and Wheatland school districts.

Marilea married Marvin Beougher on February 12, 1956, in Gove at the Gove United Methodist Church, they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Marvin and Marilea were blessed with two children, son Marlin, and daughter Marvel.

Marilea was very active in her school, community, and church, with memberships in the Tri-S (Sigma Sigma, Sigma Sorority), United Methodist Women, American Legion Auxiliary, Bridge Club and Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary. Marilea enjoyed life, spending time with family and friends, sewing, reading, crafts and holidays but most of all, being a mom, grandma, and wife.

Marilea is survived by husband Marvin; son Marlin Beougher (Janet Bainter), Hoxie, KS, daughter Marvel (Douglas) Blank Valley Center, KS; grandchildren Brandon (Morgan) Beougher, Oakley, KS, Meghann (Michael) Stiglitz, Maize, KS, Tyler (Kelli) Beougher, Jetmore, KS, Chelsie Beougher (Tyler Akers), Dodge City, KS, Dalton Beougher (Jetmore), Dylan Bainter, Hoxie, KS, Brady Bainter and (Ashtynn Pfannenstiel), Grainfield, KS, Tori Bainter, Hoxie, KS; great-grandchildren Savannah, Shannlee, and Adalee Beougher, Oakley, KS, Reed, and Renna Beougher, Jetmore, KS, Joslynn and Jensen Stiglitz, Maize, KS, Carson, Averie and Tylinn Akers, Dodge City, KS, Aveyah Danner, Grainfield, KS, brother Delbert Axel Jr. (Gini) Johnson, Newton, KS.

Marilea was preceded in death by her parents.

The funeral service will be Thursday, June 27, 2019, 10:00 AM at the Grainfield United Methodist Church, Grainfield, KS. Burial will follow at the Gove City Cemetery, Gove, KS. Visitation will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS, on June 26, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Grainfield United Methodist Church. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS.

Verna Desbien Arpin

Posted on June 25, 2019

Verna Desbien Arpin, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother embraced her Saviour to a life of eternal salvation on June 24, 2019. She died at the Hays Regional Medical Center in Hays. She was born October 31, 1923, at Damar the daughter of Oliver and Blanche Benoit Simoneau. She was a lifetime resident of Damar. She married Philip Desbien November 27, 1945 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Damar. He died March 15, 1995. She married Alfred Arpin December 26, 2001. He died December 21, 2006. She was a retired beautician and owner of Verna’s Beauty Shop for 60 years.

Verna was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Ann Altar Society, and Lifetime member of the Damar Historical Foundation all in Damar and the Bogue
American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She also enjoyed her membership in the Swinging Wheel Square Dance Club with her husband Philip. They never traveled without packing their dancing clothes. They danced all over in the US including Alaska.

Survivors include four sons, Ed Desbien (Mary) of Boise City, OK, Jim Desbien (Paula) of Plainville, Rich Desbien (Wanda) of Nampa, ID, and Larry Desbien (Chris) of Damar; three daughters, Gerry Larson (Don) of Hays, Chris Sillin of Hutchinson, and Sheila Surmeier (J.F.) of Saint Joseph, MO; one sister Loretta Kruse (Paul) of Peru, NE; 26 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren; three step-children, Judy Bieker (Bill) of Hays, Dale Arpin (Candy) of Denver, CO, and Renee Marcotte (Tony) of Damar; Caregiver Mary Alton, Walsh, CO; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Simoneau, and a son-in-law Douglas Sillin. She loved unconditionally and was deeply loved by her family and friends.

Mass of Christian burial will be Wednesday at 11:00am at the church in Damar with the Reverend Vincent Thu Hlaing officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Damar. Vigil and rosary will be Tuesday at 7pm at the church. Memorials are requested to St. Joseph Catholic Church Memorial Fund or the Damar Community Historical Foundation.

HAWVER: Kan. free speech lawsuit twist and turns

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

There’s a place where the constitutional protection of free speech bumps up against polite or at least orderly conduct that is now in the process of being sorted out in a federal court in Topeka.

The issue is that American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against the folks who manage the Statehouse and just what is permitted and not permitted inside its halls where lawmakers consider issues ranging from expanding Medicaid to Kansans and, well, to whether you can ride your all-terrain vehicle across a federal highway.

That’s a broad range of topics, and there are different levels of emotion by supporters on the issues. But the federal district court case appears to be more narrowly focused on signs in the Statehouse and whether the four 10-foot by 24-foot banners urging expansion of Medicaid in Kansas are a little too big, and whether just an 8-1/2-inch by 11-inch piece of paper with a message on it is too small.

The First Amendment doesn’t talk about sizes. It talks about freedom to express one’s opinions. Haven’t found the American yet who opposes freedom of speech; just how that speech is delivered.

The issue gets complicated in the Statehouse, a grand and well-preserved historic governmental headquarters for Kansans that deserves protection. Can’t think of anyone except maybe maintenance contractors who want people to express their opinions by nailing signs on the walls of the Statehouse. Carrying signs? That’s a pretty good way to express one’s opinions, especially in the building where state law is created.

The banners incident which fostered the lawsuit? Three Kansas State University students unfurled banners in the Statehouse rotunda blasting legislative leaders (Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, R-Overland Park, and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita) for stymieing passage of a bill law that would expand KanCare for poor Kansans. “Blood on their hands” was the key phrase on the banners. That’s a politically ingenious way to draw the issue, with a catchy phrase that got the protesters and their opinions on television, in the newspapers and probably all over the Internet.

But the banners were removed from the Statehouse rotunda by state workers because they didn’t meet Statehouse rules for such signage. Too big. No official approval for the size or placement of the banners, and, well, they were disruptive.

It fell a dab short of the shouting “fire” in a theater, but it was disruptive.

And while there’s a 1st Amendment and the need for an orderly and safe operation of the Statehouse, there’s something in the middle. Conservative legislative leaders would rather not see signs, and certainly not banners, in the Statehouse. The ACLU? It’s apparently willing to settle for something considerably smaller than the banners, but large enough that they can, if phrased catchily, still express a clear statement of opinion that lawmakers can read from a few feet away, or maybe even across the rotunda.

The other recent free-speech issues? Singing from the Senate balcony? Ordering reporters off the Senate floor (and threatening to revoke their Senate press credentials) after they’ve gotten their photos and quotes from protesters? A little more difficult, and probably something that will be settled not in court, but by legislative leadership which dreams up the rules for conduct in its chambers.

What’s next? We’re thinking back to those airport frames, the ones that determine whether you can carry on a bag or have to have it checked into the baggage cart. Something like “if your sign fits through this frame (unfolded), you can carry it into the Statehouse.”

Free speech? Yes, just a dab smaller…

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

Thomas More Prep-Marian announces new faces for 2019-20

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

TMP-M

TMP-Marian is pleased to announce several new hires on campus. Matthew Spurlock will teach JH Math, Emma Stroyan will teach Biology, James Johnston will teach Social Sciences and Titus Falcon and Steve Werth will be joining our maintenance department. All new hires will begin their roles in preparation of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Matthew Spurlock comes to us from Temple Academy in Waterville, Maine. He is a Kansas Native that graduated from Chapman High School in Chapman, KS and college from Fort Hays State University in 2017, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English. “I believe that building strong relationships with the students is important. By doing so, the students feel that they have a part and say in what happens in the classroom,” said Spurlock when asked about his teaching philosophy. Spurlock writes and reads poetry in his spare time and feels that he was called to teach after tutoring a fellow student in high school. In addition, Spurlock stated, “My high school Math and Physics Teacher, Mrs. Gruen was wonderful at breaking down difficult processes to make them manageable.”

Emma Stroyan is originally from Bloomington, IL, where she graduated from University High School. Stroyan graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2018, with a degree in Biology-Natural Resources. She worked as an intern at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, FL, during the summer after graduation from FHSU. Stroyan monitored sea turtle populations along the Gulf Coast by marking nests, releasing hatchlings and tagging nesting females. Stroyan did not have to look far for inspiration to teach. In fact, she stated, “My Mom was a teacher, so I have been around kids my whole life and she encouraged me to pursue teaching.” Stroyan feels the field of biology is so broad and dynamic someone can take a number of diverse paths with an interest in biology. “The world is a big place. I want to be able to share knowledge and my experiences with the students at TMP-Marian and provide them with a wholesome view of the world through science,” Stroyan stated. In addition, she played four years of college basketball. The first two years at Division I, Central Connecticut State University and the last two years at Division II Fort Hays State University. Stroyan was an assistant Ladies Basketball Coach last year under Rose McFarland and looks forward to continuing that role.

James Johnston recently retired from teaching Government, Sociology, Psychology and World History in the Kansas Public Schools System. He spent 7 years at Lyons High School, 24 years at South Barber High School, 2 years at Morland Jr./Sr. High School and in the beginning, a semester subbing in Wichita West High School. Johnston implements his teaching philosophy by, “Doing more than just transmitting a body of facts to the students. I want to promote analytical thinking. In an information and democratic society like ours, I feel it is vital for the citizens of tomorrow to be able to analyze the vast amount of information and different opinions in which they will be faced with.”

Steve Werth was born in San Bernardino, California, but moved to Schoenchen at the age of 5. He has been a Hays Native ever since. Although he has worked at TMP-Marian in a part-time capacity for several years, we are excited to welcome him full-time. Werth is best known for free-hand painting logos on the grounds. Most recently, he completed the TMP-M Cross Logo and “Class of 2019” for graduation.

In addition to Werth, Titus “Pete” Falcon, comes to us with a wealth of knowledge from Russell High School and Sylvan Grove before that.

DA: No charges against clerk for fatal shooting at Kansas cellphone store

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A clerk at a suburban Kansas City phone store will not be charged in the fatal shooting of a man identified as Deshawn Brim who police say was trying to rob the store.

The Johnson County District Attorney’s office announced Monday that the June 10 shooting at a Boost Mobile store in Overland Park was self-defense.

Police say Brim, of Raytown, Missouri, was armed with a handgun when he tried to rob the store.

The store clerk pulled out a handgun and shot Brim as he jumped over the counter toward the employee.

Prosecutors say the employee feared for his life and the life of a co-worker when he shot Brim.