DECATUR COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday in Decatur County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Chevy Colorado driven by Thomas D. Bauer, 69, Almena, was northbound on 170thRoad six miles east of Oberlin. The driver failed to stop at a stop sign at K-Lane.
A westbound 2018 Ford F250 driven by Tyrel R. Prideaux, 39, Atwood struck the Chevy.
Bauer was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Paul’s Funeral Home. Prideaux was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WICHITA, KAN. – A man was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison for smuggling almost 30 pounds of methamphetamine into Kansas, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Delgado-Lopez- photo Meade Co. Sheriff
Christian Delgado-Lopez, 30, Dana Point, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Delgado-Lopez was driving a rented Ford F-150 when the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped him on U.S. Highway 54 in Meade County, Kan. Delgado-Lopez and his passenger told the trooper they were on their way to Wichita.
A search of the vehicle turned up the methamphetamine, which was hidden in a spare tire.
McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
JUNCTION CITY — There were confirmed tornado sightings in Dickinson, Geary and Riley counties Tuesday. No injuries have been reported.
Tornado on Tuesday in north central Kansas photo courtesy Rick Dykstra
The first tornado occurred in the 2100 Avenue/Rain Road area in Dickinson County where emergency management from Geary County reported there was a debris field. A later tornado was reported on the K-244 spur on the southeast corner of Milford Lake, and it then moved northeast
Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges reported tree damage. “So far it looks like mainly tree damage. We’re not seeing any structural damage at all. Our deputies, emergency management and the fire department have been out tracking where they saw the storms at, the funnel, the tornado. ”
Berges stated it appeared that the tornado went across Milford Lake, went across the area just north of Klem’s, the housing area there, some tree damage down on McGeorge Road, across 77, and then was aloft and damaged some trees over in the 10000 block of Quarry Road. ” That storm stayed south of the town of Milford.
It is unclear at this point how many tornado cells actually touched down in Geary County.
The storm cell moved across into Riley County where there were tornado warnings for portions of the western and southwestern sides of the county. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for central Riley County and Pottawatomie County.
MCPHERSON —Normal water usage can resume throughout the City of McPherson as of 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. Temporary repairs have been completed at the Waste Water Treatment Facility according to Public Works Director Jeff Woodward. “We are grateful to the many employees from the Waste Water Treatment Facility, BPU and Stevens Contractors of Salina,” said Woodward. “They worked diligently to provide a temporary solution, and all residents will benefit from their efficiency and dedication.”
The Public Works Department will continue to monitor wastewater equipment and keep the public informed of any changes. Updates will be provided on Facebook (McPherson, Kansas) and Twitter (@McPhersonKSInfo). For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 620.245.2545.
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MCPHERSON — All residents are advised to refrain from using water during the next 48 to 72 hours. Heavy rains and equipment failure at the McPherson wastewater treatment facility are preventing the ability to process water flow properly, according to a media release from the city.
The plant is processing at less than half the normal capacity. The Public Works Department indicates the only solution available is water conservation and reduced rains. Residents are asked to eliminate daily water use such as showers, toilets, dishes and laundry. All are advised the situation could potentially result in sewer backup into homes.
The water is safe to drink. The conservation request is being initiated to drastically limit water going down the drains. This will reduce the strain on the flow and infiltration system at the wastewater treatment facility. The public’s cooperation in limited water use is appreciated.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on severe weather in the central United States:
First responders on the scene of the tornado damage photo courtesy KYTV
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says all the animals are accounted for after a tornado hit a drive-through wild animal park.
Patrol Sgt. Jason Pace says only minor damage was reported Tuesday to buildings at the Wild Animal Safari in Strafford, about 10 miles northeast of Springfield.
Webster County Emergency Management Director Tom Simmons says there were no reports that people or animals were injured. The park boasts on its website of having more than 450 animals.
Simmons also estimated that half a dozen homes were damaged in the county. In neighboring Wright County, a suspected tornado also damaged some homes and a grocery store.
Pace says there also were several water rescues, including one of an 18-year-old woman who was swept off a flooded road near Joplin and stranded overnight.
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WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on severe weather in the central United States (all times local):
Authorities say a tornado has hit a drive-through wild animal park in central Missouri and blown a tractor-trailer off a nearby road.
Webster County Emergency Management Director Tom Simmons says the tornado damaged some buildings Tuesday at the Wild Animal Safari near Strafford, about 10 miles northeast of Springfield. He said there were no reports that people or animals were injured.
The phone number to the animal park rang unanswered. The park boasts on its website of having more than 450 animals on 350 acres.
Simmons estimates that half a dozen homes were damaged in the county. He says damage assessments are underway.
The tornado came amid storms that have brought flooding and strong winds to parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.
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OKLAHOMA CITY — A tornado touched down Tuesday near Tulsa International Airport, injuring at least one person and damaging about a dozen homes, amid storms in the Southern Plains that brought a deluge of rain and powerful winds, closing an interstate and flipping campers at a raceway.
Storms could bring more tornadoes and flash flooding to parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma on Tuesday.
Storms Monday evening flipped campers at Lucas Oil Speedway in Hickory County, Missouri, injuring seven people, four of whom were taken to hospitals. The speedway’s grandstand also was destroyed, forcing cancellation of racing this weekend that was expected to draw about 3,000 campers. Details about injuries were not immediately available.
The tornado Tuesday morning in Tulsa didn’t damage the airport, but passengers were moved into shelters for about 30 minutes, according to spokesman Andrew Pierini said. Many flights were canceled or delayed because of the storms.
The twister touched down at about 6:30 a.m. about 4 miles from the airport.
“We had to rescue a man, he was pinned under a tree this morning,” said Tulsa Area Emergency Management spokeswoman Kim MacLeod. The man’s condition was not immediately known.
“We’ve had some other reports of damage to homes and trees down,” and damage assessments would continue throughout the day, MacLeod said.
Flooding was also an issue. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation shut down Interstate 40 in El Reno, about 25 miles west of Oklahoma City, because of high water. The National Weather Service says up to 5 inches of rain had fallen since Monday.
In El Reno and Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University about 55 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, emergency responders were rescuing people from their homes because of high water.
St. Louis’ major sports teams — the NHL’s Blues and baseball’s Cardinals — said they were both prepared for storms that could be rolling through just as they’re playing blocks apart on Tuesday night.
The Blues said in a statement that they are coordinating with St. Louis emergency managers and police to monitor the weather. Fans are told to stay in their seats if a strong storm hits during one of the biggest games in franchise history: A win against the San Jose Sharks would send the Blues to their first Stanley Cup Finals since 1970.
The Cardinals, in a statement, said Busch Stadium has clearly marked storm shelters and a detailed plan to alert fans in case of a weather emergency. The Cardinals are playing the Kansas City Royals in the opening of a series against their cross-state rivals.
“Busch Stadium is the first ballpark in Major League Baseball certified as a ‘Storm Ready Facility’ by the National Weather Service,” the Cardinals said.
Heavy snow melt from the north and significant spring rains have led to waves of flooding in Missouri, and President Donald Trump on Monday issued a major disaster declaration for 13 counties in the state damaged by March flooding.
The Missouri River is expected to reach major flood stage by the end of the week at Jefferson City, Hermann, St. Charles and elsewhere. The levee near Jefferson City’s airport holds back water up to 30 feet, Cole County Emergency Manager Bill Farr said, but the National Weather Service expects a crest of 32.3 feet Thursday. Sandbagging won’t help because the levee is too long, he said.
“We’re just keeping our fingers crossed,” Farr said.
The Missouri National Guard wasn’t taking any chances. Maj. John Quin said the Guard was relocating its four helicopters stationed at the airport to Whiteman Air Force Base. Meanwhile, the organizers of a Memorial Day weekend airshow planned for the airport canceled it due to the rising water. The show was expected to attract at least 10,000 people.
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Associated Press writer Jim Salter contributed to this report from St. Louis.
WICHITA – A man and woman from Great Bend have been charged in a 10-count indictment alleging possession or sale of cocaine, fentanyl, LSD, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said in a news release Tuesday.
Iban Martinez-Enriquez, 21, Great Bend, and Kennedy Christine Beakey, 19, Great Bend, are charged with one count possession with intent to distribute LSD (count six), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count seven), one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine (count eight), one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin (count nine) and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (count 10). In addition, Martinez-Enriquez is charged with two counts of distributing cocaine (counts one and two), one count of distributing fentanyl (count three), one count of distributing heroin (count four) and one count of distributing methamphetamine (count five).
The crimes are alleged to have occurred in September and October 2018 in Finney and Barton counties.
The indictment seeks the forfeiture of a .22 caliber rifle and $21,915 in cash.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
• Counts one through five and eight through 10: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.
• Counts six and seven: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Governor Laura Kelly has signed into law a bill that would allow profoundly ill people who have been unable to find relief with pharmaceutical medications to avoid prosecution for possessing certain blends of oil extracted from cannabis plants.
The cannabidiol oils, also known as CBD, shielded by the Kansas bill could contain no more than 5% THC, the compound that gives marijuana its high.
Known as “Claire and Lola’s Law,” it was pushed by Gwen and Scott Hartley, whose 12-year-old daughter, Lola, suffers from microcephaly, a medical condition in which a child’s brain doesn’t fully develop. The condition has already claimed the life of Lola’s older sister, Claire, who died in December 2018 at the age of 17.
PHILLIPSBURG (AP) — Authorities say a 12-year-old boy has accidentally shot himself in northwest Kansas.
The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the boy called 911 around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, saying he had shot himself and needed help.
The post says the child was taken to Phillips County Hospital and then transferred in an ambulance to the larger hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, in critical condition. Air crews couldn’t respond because of storms in the area.
The post urged parents to secure firearms as schools let out for summer break.
Duane “Mini” Fisher, age 55, of Hays, Kansas passed away Monday, May 20, 2019 in Hays. He was born January 14, 1964 in Hays to Edwin and Freda (Werth) Fisher. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1982. On October 22, 2011 he married Karla Braun in Hays.
Mini owned and operated Toby Jugs in Hays for the past 17 years. He was an avid golfer, a KU Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs fan. Mini was a fun loving, good hearted person who truly valued his family and friends. Some of his favorite times was traveling with Karla and friends to numerous KC Royals and KC Chiefs games as well as trips to Las Vegas. He supported his family, friends and community in numerous ways.
He is survived by his wife, Karla of Hays; his mother, Freda Fisher of Ellis; two brothers, Dave Fisher (Kaleen) and Darrrell “Munch” Fisher (Pat) all of Hays; a step son, Tyler Legleiter of Hays; his mother-in-law, Mary Jo Braun of Hays; his grandson, Taethon Legleiter of Hays and a special friend, Avon Smith of Hays.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin and his father-in-law, Marvin F. Braun.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, May 23, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Hays.
Visitation will be Wednesday 6 PM – 8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary at 7:30 PM at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to DSNWK (please make donations payable to DSNWK) and may be sent 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]
Maurice B. Craghead, 92, passed away May 19, 2019 at Kansas Soldiers Home, Halsey Hall, Fort Dodge, KS.
He was born December 1, 1926 in Hodgeman County, the son of Walter B. and Dorothy A. Allen Craghead. A longtime area resident, he was a retired aircraft mechanic for continental Airlines.
He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Jetmore, American Legion, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Masons, Independent Order of Foresters and served in the United States Army.
On December 15, 1945 he married Delores Scothorn in Jetmore. She died March 25, 2001. He married Wanda Spreier on October 9, 2001 in Dodge City, they later separated.
Survivors include: son, Jesse Craghead, Jetmore, KS and daughter, Linda Terry, Madera, CA; ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dennis Craghead; daughter, Maureen Hammond and brothers, Joe and Francis Craghead.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at United Presbyterian Church, Jetmore, with Rev. Mark Durham presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore, with military graveside rites and masonic funeral rites.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Prairie in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.
Joshua Blake Smith, 31, died Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Garden City, Kansas. He was born June 19, 1987 in Garden City, Kansas.
Joshua grew up in Johnson City, Kansas where he attended school and graduated from Stanton County High School in 2005. He worked in maintenance with Crew #413 at Tyson. Joshua enjoyed attending Rock concerts, woodworking, drawing cartoon characters, sports, coaching his son’s soccer team, was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and he loved to spend time with his children.
Survivors include his wife Lauryn Mosburg of Garden City; two children Ayden DeWayne Small of Garden City and Adelynn Elyse Smith of Garden City; his parents Kimberly Everett of Lakin, Kansas, James Everett of Satanta, Kansas, and Charlie & Gayla Smith of Spiro, Oklahoma; his mother-in-law Amy Mosburg of Garden City; three sisters Caitlin Everett-Klaus of Holcomb, Kansas, LoriAnne & husband Dakota Smith-Bellgard of Spiro, Oklahoma, and Andrea & husband Brad Davis of Colby, Kansas; and his grandparents Richard & Walli Everett of Johnson City, Kansas, Linda & Orville McDonald of Spiro, Oklahoma, and Judy & Larry Bryan of Tyrone, Oklahoma. Joshua is preceded in death by his grandparents Sybil Standley, Anthony Cordova, & Marvin Standley.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Word of Life Church in Garden City with Pastor Rick Beard officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to Noon Saturday all at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family request memorials given to the Joshua Smith Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.
The Cottonwood District’s annual Ellis County Wheat Plot Field Day is still being held at 6 p.m. Thursday, but the location has changed due to the weather. The event now will be held at the VFW in Victoria, 204 E. Main.
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Wheat growers should make plans to attend the Cottonwood District – Ellis County Wheat Variety Plot Field Day on Thursday beginning at 6 p.m.
Come hear what Extension specialists have to say about each variety. There is always something in the plot to see and learn from, whether it is about the individual varieties, insects or diseases that are sometimes spotted in the plot.
The field day location is north of the Victoria I-70 exit on Cathedral Road. Go 1.5 miles west on Fairground Road.
A free meal and refreshments will immediately follow the field day.
All interested people are invited to attend. No RSVP necessary. In case of inclement weather, it will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Victoria, 503 Main.
