Clara Maxine Nelms, 88, passed away June 17, 2019 at Diversicare, Larned.
She was born September 30, 1930 in Larned to Eli and Celie Webber Skelton.
A lifetime area resident she was a bank teller for First National Bank, Larned. She was of the Christian Faith and a member of the First Christian Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and was the past president of Christian Women’s Fellowship, all of Larned.
On July 29, 1955 she married Ray Nelms at Larned, he preceded her in death on December 11, 1990.
She is survived by; a sister, Virginia Sallee, Great Bend; and a brother, Dale Skelton, Grand Junction, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters, Erma Skelton, Verna Moorehead, Zesper Franz; and four brothers, Russell Skelton, Bob Skelton, Glenn Skelton, and Leo Skelton.
Graveside service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019 at Larned Cemetery, Larned, with Pastor Damon Bradley presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned.
Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.
Two people were injured in an accident just after 7 a.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Honda Civic driven by Austin M. Chart, 20, Salina, was pulling off of Campus Drive turning left onto U.S. 183.
The KHP said the vehicle pulled out in front of a 2005 Nissan Xterra driven by Nicholas A. Silva, 20, Phenix City, Ala.
Chart and Silva were transported to Hays Medical Center. Silva was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
BUTLER COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported accidental shooting that sent a Kansas girl to the hospital.
On Saturday, police responded to a hospital in Andover where a 15-year-old girl had been shot in the lower leg, according Police Chief Michael Keller.
After interviewing individuals at the hospital, investigators then obtained a search warrant to investigate where the shooting occurred in the 400 Block of West 10th Street in Andover.
Investigator learned an 18-year-old boy at the residence was handling a gun. He didn’t know it was loaded. The gun fired and struck the girl in the leg.
The girl was later transferred from Andover to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, according to Keller. The Butler County District Attorney will review the case to determine any possible charges.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, has upgraded two public health watches to public health warnings for two Kansas lakes. Marion Reservoir in Marion County and Keith Sebelius Reservoir in Norton County now have public health warnings. Other lake statuses released June 13 remain unchanged.
Current Warnings:
Marion Reservoir, Marion County
Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Norton County
Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County
Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County
Overbrook City Lake, Osage County
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
Water contact should be avoided.
Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
Current Watches:
Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Atchison County
Marion County Lake, Marion County
A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Signage will be posted at all public access locations
Water may be unsafe for humans/animals
Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms
Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.
KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
TOPEKA — Jeanny Sharp has been named the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Director of Communications by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. In her new position, she will lead the communication team members at Headquarters in Topeka and at the District offices across the state.
Previously, she was Public Affairs/Communications Director for the Kanas Department of Corrections. Before joining the State of Kansas, Sharp was in the print, digital and special event media business. She served as editor and publisher of the Ottawa Herald for more than 16 years. Most recently she was the marketing solutions director for the Hutchinson News as well as Regional Sales Director for GateHouse Media for numerous publications in central and western Kansas.
“It is an honor to work with the professional team at KDOT who are working hard to accelerate planned transportation projects,” Sharp said. “I’m excited to be part of the talented communications team at KDOT, which are essential to keeping Kansans informed on transportation highways, byways and ways to keep them safer while navigating the Sunflower State.”
A native of Manhattan, Sharp has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas and master’s in business administration from Ottawa University. She is a board member of the Kansas Newspaper Foundation and is a past president of the Kansas Press Association. She was honored with the Gaston Mentoring Award from the Kansas Press Association in 2012 for her commitment to training the next generation of journalists.
Fort Hays State Football begins its quest for an MIAA Championship three-peat in September when the 2019 regular season begins. The Tigers will be at home five times during the 2019 season, with the first home contest set for Thursday, September 12th. The Tigers have made appearances in the NCAA Playoffs two consecutive years and enter their ninth season under the guidance of head coach Chris Brown.
Fort Hays State claimed the MIAA Championship the last two years after an 11-0 record during the 2017 regular season and 9-2 mark during the 2018 regular season. The schedule features an all-conference 11 game slate once again, but the MIAA will see the return of Lincoln University in football after the exit from the conference by Lindenwood University to the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Fort Hays State will play six road games and five home games in 2019.
2019 Home Schedule
Thursday, September 12 – FHSU vs. Missouri Western, 7 pm – Eagle Communications Kickoff Classic
Saturday, September 28 – FHSU vs. Missouri Southern, 7 pm
Saturday, October 12 – FHSU vs. Emporia State, 7 pm – Homecoming sponsored by Big Creek Crossing
Saturday, October 26 – FHSU vs. Nebraska-Kearney, 2 pm
Saturday, November 9 – FHSU vs. Northwest Missouri State, 2 pm – Senior Day sponsored by American Family Insurance – Brian Ruder Agency
Tiger Football reserved season tickets are $78 per seat and can be purchased by calling 785-628-4050 or by stopping by the FHSU Athletic Department (Cunningham Hall Rm 138). See season ticket packages, including basketball and all-sport package options, for the 2019-20 athletic year at the following link… 2019-20 Season Ticket Form (PDF)
Single-Game General Admission Tickets (East Stands)
General admission tickets for single games are already available for purchase online at the following link…Purchase Tickets Online.
General admission seating for FHSU Football home games is located on the east side of the stadium.
Single-Game Reserved Tickets – Available September 3rd
All single-game reserved tickets will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, September 3rd. The only tickets available for purchase prior to September 3rd are season tickets for reserved seating and single-game general admission tickets.
TOPEKA —The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a SBA disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 28, 2019.
Tornado damage in Northeast Kansas photo courtesy Westar Energy
“I am pleased that Kansas has been granted this request by the Small Business Administration,” Kelly said in media release from her office.
“These loans will do much to help speed recovery for our citizens and the business communities that lost property due to these storms”
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available to businesses and residents in Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Osage and Shawnee counties.
Beginning Tuesday, June 18, SBA representatives will be on hand at two Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Both centers will be open from June 18 through June 27. No appointment is necessary.
In Douglas County, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be located at Peaslee Technical Training Center – Classroom B, 2920 Haskell Ave., Lawrence. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In Leavenworth County, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be a Linwood Community Center – Commons Area, 105 E. Third St., Linwood. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
May tornado damage in Kansas photo courtesy Westar Energy
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications here.
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce is awarding a special series of Community Development Block Grants to 11 communities across Kansas.
The eligible activities in this category included a single pool of water. This can be the construction or reconstruction of a city Neighborhood Center (i.e. pool) and can include a maximum of two diving boards.
Only items necessary for a viable safe facility will be allowed (i.e. bath house, life guard chairs, a few benches/tables, fencing, necessary accessibility items and items needed for cleaning and disinfecting).
The city should consider an appropriate size based on population and ability to maintain. Facilities may be designed to allow for extra features in the future but cannot be part of the application (for example: If a slide is wanted that the application does not allow, the Neighborhood Center can be designed to allow the installation after the project is closed).
Grants are being awarded to the following communities:
The City of Baxter Springs will receive $960,000 in CDBG funds to rebuild the city swimming pool and provide ADA improvements to the bathhouse. Matching funds will be provided in the amount of $640,000 in city funds.
The City of Blue Rapids in Marshall County is awarded $763,411 in CDBG funds. The City will use $508,942 in bonds for their matching funds. The funds will be used to demolish and rebuild a zero-entry swimming pool.
The City of Caldwell is being granted $961,000 in CDBG funds to construct a fundamental pool. The City will supply $672,143 in matching funds secured with bonds.
The City of Caney will receive $1,000,000 in funds from the CDBG program. Bonds will be used by the city to provide $1,208,000 in matching funds. The city has chosen to construct their almost 4,000 square foot neighborhood center to include a bathhouse.
The City of Clyde is granted $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to assure the bathhouse complies with ADA, as well as, the construction of a zero-entry pool. The City employees will demolish the existing structure with force account labor estimated at $16,620 and $682,980 in bonds will be used to complete the project.
The City of Conway Springs will create their 19,250 cubic feet neighborhood center through a CDBG grant for $892,121. Also, matching funds in the amount of $594,748 will be made available. This improvement includes a diving board, lifeguard chairs and ladders.
The City of Ellis in Ellis County will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a new basic swimming pool with one diving board and fencing. The City is also contributing $850,500 of their local funds.
The City of Moundridge will use $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to establish their 4,000 square feet neighborhood center. The City will provide $1,375,768 in bonds to match the grant funds.
The City of Osborne is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a pool with benches and shade canopies. The City will provide matching funds in cash for $22,000. The total of $1,108,109 was collected from fundraisers, donations and other grants. In addition, the city employees will supply force account labor estimated at $23,977.
The City of Smith Center will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds and provide $700,206 in matching funds from the city. The monies will be used to demolish and reconstruct a 125,000 gallon zero-entry pool.
The City of Yates Center in Woodson County is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to complete a new swimming pool and bathhouse. This facility will meet all accessibility requirements and is located at 310 West Chellis. The City will provide matching funds in the amount of $729,155.
Clinton “Clint” Jensen Jr. was born April 16, 1945 to Clinton, Sr. and Lenora (Williams) Jensen in Leesville, Louisiana.
Clint graduated from Miltonvale High School in 1963. After high school he attended a school in Denver, Colorado where he became a certified mechanic. This career path was not only his job but his hobby as well. Clint spent many years working as a mechanic at the station on highway 24 outside of Miltonvale.
In between his full days at the station, he still found time to do some farm work. Clint had a love for cars, but he had a particular love for the 1955 Chevy. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother in law Bill.
Private family services will take place at a later date.
Survivors:
Son: Mark and wife Michelle Jensen of Hays, KS
Brother: Jim and wife Charlotte Jensen of Kearney, MO
Brother: Glen and wife Michelle Jensen of Miltonvale, KS
Brother: John and wife Maggie Jensen of Purcell, OK
Brother: William Dale and wife Val Jensen of Goldsby, OK
Sister: Rose George of Wichita, KS
Sister: Nelda Kegle of Valley Center, KS
Sister: Sue and husband Gary Mettlen of Salina, KS
Robert L. Russell, age 86, died on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at the St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born on June 5, 1933, in Garden City, Kansas the son of Marian and Lula Edith Heinlan Russell.
On October 3, 1933, he married Shirley A. Sullivan Raton, New Mexico. She survives.
Other survivors include:
One Son: Ryan J. Russell of WIchita, Kansas
One Brother: John D. Russell of Wichita, Kansas
He was preceded in death by his parents, 10 brothers and sisters, and one son, Robin Russell.
Private family interment will be held at a later date at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City, Kansas.
A celebration of life service will be held at the Sleep Inn from 2:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, June 22, 2019.
Memorials may be made to the Robert Russell Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.
Charles Robert Homm, 77 years of age, of Oakley, passed away Sunday, June 9th at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, KS. Charles was born in Colby, KS to Agnes and George Homm, Oct 23, 1941. He attended Oakley Public School and graduated in 1960.
Charlie LOVED Oakley and never left his hometown. From his first job running the Conoco Station at HWY 40/83 (before I-70 existed) to running his own business, he was Oakley. He was an excellent historian of all Oakley. Up until his passing he would enjoy his 2 hour car rides around Oakley, revisiting the past and telling what was there and when. His family was always fascinated in his profound memory of things in Oakley. Dementia had set in recently, but anything about his hometown and those he grew up with were ‘spot on’ in recalling. He loved Oakley, his home.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, George Homm and Agnes (Albers, Homm) Wharton; his brothers, George Jr. and Alfred Homm; sisters, Pauline Blair, Betty Schuster and Barbara Gallentine, and son-in-law Greg Sander.
He is survived by Joyce, his wife of almost 55 years; son Randy Homm; daughter Wendy (Sander) Schwarz and two grandchildren Kyle Sanders & Kaylee Schwarz.
Much love to everyone to took part in his life.
Funeral Service is 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley, with burial in Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Logan County Manor or the Norman Yardley Cancer Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Clara Maxine Nelms, 88, passed away June 17, 2019 at Diversicare, Larned.
