Hays Post – Page 675 – Hays Post Archive

Snowy, windy Saturday with a blizzard warning in effect

Posted on February 23, 2019February 23, 2019

Today

Snow developing by 9am. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after noon. High near 33. Very windy, with a northeast wind 11 to 21 mph becoming north northwest 24 to 34 mph. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 7 to 9 inches possible.

Tonight

Patchy blowing snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 18. Very windy, with a west northwest wind 22 to 32 mph decreasing to 11 to 21 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Sunday

Increasing clouds, with a high near 31. West northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Wind chill values as low as 2. East wind 6 to 10 mph.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 31.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Wednesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 23.

UPDATE: I-70 now open between Colorado to Salina

Posted on February 23, 2019February 24, 2019

NWKS KDOT

8:21 p.m.

TRAVEL ALERT:
I-70 is now OPEN in both directions from the Colorado border to Salina.

Roads are still snowpacked and icy. SLOW DOWN and take your time out there! We want you to get where you’re going safely. Stay updated at kandrive.org.

7:15 p.m.

Blizzard Warning has been canceled.

TRAVEL ALERT:
I-70 West Bound ONLY now open at Hays
I-70 East Bound ONLY closed from Colorado border to Hays
I-70 closed in both directions from Hays to Salina

US-183 and US-283 have also reopened in Northwest Kansas.

Even though roads are starting to reopen in NWKS, conditions are still snowpacked and icy in spots.

SLOW DOWN, keep the cruise off, buckle up and give our plows room to work! Condition and closure updates available at kandrive.org.

5:30 p.m.

TRAVEL ALERT:
I-70 West Bound ONLY has reopened at Oakley
I-70 East Bound ONLY closed from CO border to Oakley
I-70 closed in both directions from Oakley to Salina

Expect conditions to be snowpacked and icy! More closure and condition info available at kandrive.org. #kswx

2:45 p.m. Highway 183 is closed north of Hays to Nebraska border.

1:45 p.m. ROAD CLOSED:
I-70 is closed between Goodland and Salina because of blizzard conditions.

Stay updated on road conditions and closures in your area at kandrive.org.#kswx

High school basketball scores, Feb. 22

Posted on February 22, 2019February 23, 2019

Girls
Western Athletic Conference
Abilene 52 Hays 40

Central Kansas League
Southwestern Heights 24 Larned 43

Boys

Western Athletic Conference
Abilene 51 Hays 43

Central Kansas League
Southwestern Heights 51 Larned 67

1A Grainfield-Wheatland/Grinnell Regional
Dighton 44 Quinter 57

1A Hill City Regional
Osborne 71 Logan 52
Lakeside-Downs 47 Stockton 71

1A Rexford-Golden Plains Regional
St. Francis 52 Triplains-Brewster 41

1A Sylvan-Lucas Regional
Central Plains 63 Victoria 18

1A Hodgeman Co. Regional
Macksville 69 Deerfield 46
Hodgeman Co. 59 Pawnee Heights 48

Partisan sniping follows passage of Kansas pensions measure

Posted on February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A public pensions funding bill has passed the Kansas Legislature unanimously but touched off partisan sniping.

The measure sent Friday to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly requires the state to make an immediate $115 million payment to its pension system for teachers and government workers. It represents a payment the state shorted the system in 2016, with interest.

The vote Friday in the Republican-controlled House was 117-0. The GOP-dominated Senate approved it earlier this month, 40-0.

Kelly said it’s encouraging that lawmakers are fixing “past mistakes” but called on GOP leaders to “offer reasonable ideas” to avoid future problems.

Senate President Susan Wagle and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, both Wichita Republicans, fired back by criticizing Kelly’s budget proposals.

Wagle said Kelly “continues to point the finger” instead of leading.

Juvenile charged with attempted murder, kidnapping after Smith Co. incident

Posted on February 22, 2019February 23, 2019

SMITH CENTER — Smith County Attorney Tabitha Owen announced this week that her office has completed the review of the Dec. 15 shooting incident involving troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol and a juvenile.

The investigation determined that on the morning of Dec. 15 Smith County Sheriff’s personnel responded to a 911 call in rural Smith County. Officers were informed of an attempted murder and notified that the juvenile was armed and had fled on horseback. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol in locating the suspect. Smith County Deputies and KHP troopers spent the next few hours attempting to locate and apprehend the suspect.

Eventually, the officers made contact with the suspect who had ridden a horse into a wooded-draw in on a large tract of farm ground. KHP identified themselves and attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender with the juvenile. The negotiation continued for approximately two hours. During the negotiation, law enforcement heard three gunshots coming from the juvenile’s location. Later, the juvenile began to run toward a team of KHP troopers, he then raised his arms and fired a gun at the KHP team. Two troopers returned fire, striking the juvenile. The juvenile was taken into custody by the KHP and taken by ambulance for medical treatment. The investigation of the case was turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

On Jan. 11, the KBI turned over the results of the investigation to the County Attorney. Owen said that her office reviewed the conduct of the two Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers that discharged their weapons, as well as the conduct of the juvenile. Owen announced that the juvenile has been charged with eight separate crimes, including: one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree (Level 1 Person Felony), one count of Aggravated Kidnapping (level 1 Person Felony) and six counts of Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer (Level 6 Felonies). Owen further announced that the conduct of the law enforcement officers involved has been determined to be justified as both self-defense and defense of others, and her office would not be seeking any criminal charges against those officers.

The KBI will continue handling the investigation of this case. Anyone with information related to this crime should report that information directly to the KBI. The charges are allegations of criminal conduct only. Any person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a Court of law.

— Office of the Smith County Attorney

1 dead, 2 hospitalized after I-70 head-on crash

Posted on February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

DICKINSON COUNTY— One person died in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Friday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Spark driven by Scott Q. Chronister, 33, Abilene, was eastbound in westbound lane Interstate 70 five miles east of Abilene.

The Chevy collided head on with a westbound 2013 Dodge Ram driven by Larry J. Pawlowski, 64, St. Louis, Missouri. Both vehicles rolled.

Chronister was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home

Pawlowski and a passenger Yanghee April Choi-Pawlowski, 56, St. Louis, Missouri, were transported to the hospital in Salina. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Update: Kansas man charged in death of mother who weighed 58 lbs

Posted on February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A suburban Kansas City man who is charged with first-degree murder told investigators that he didn’t seek medical care for his ailing mother before she died weighing just 58 pounds and suffering from open bed sores, according to court records.

Raymond McManness, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, also faced a charge of mistreatment of a dependent adult in the death of 75-year-old Sharon McManness. He was jailed on $1 million bond. Zach Thomas, an attorney for McManness, declined to comment Thursday.

His mother, who had dementia, was pronounced dead in January in her Olathe home after McManness called police to report that she wasn’t breathing. Police described her as “very emaciated” and said one of her bedsores was “open to the bone,” according to the charging documents released Wednesday.

McManness told police that he was his mother’s primary caregiver and that she refused to be treated by doctors. He said he had been living with her but moved out about six months before she died because she kept him awake at night. He told police he checked on her before and after work, bringing her food as she became bedridden and forcefully opening her mouth in an attempt to get her to eat on the day before she died, the documents say.

Weeks earlier, McManness went to the Kansas Department of Aging and was told he needed to take his mother to a doctor, the records said. But he told police he didn’t take her “because he was busy due to the holiday season, and he was scared because he had not been taking adequate care of her,” according to the records.

Police who searched her home found no medications, no clean clothing, no working telephone and minimal food. They found dog feces and urine throughout the house. Court records say soiled clothes that appeared to be cut off the victim were found in a trash can in the driveway.

Preliminary findings from the medical examiner’s office said the woman likely died from an infection caused by bed sores. She also was malnourished and dehydrated, and the examination showed she had bruising on her jaw area, wrists and the upper part of her head.

___

City declares Phase 1 Winter Storm Traffic Emergency

Posted on February 22, 2019

HPD

In preparation for this weekend’s blizzard, Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty has declared the City of Hays to be under a Phase 1 Winter Storm Traffic Emergency. During a Phase 1 Winter Storm Traffic Emergency, it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any street designated as an emergency snow route.

The City of Hays Public Works Department and Hays Police Department are requesting your assistance with snow removal along emergency snow routes. Please take the appropriate measures and move your vehicle from the snow route at this time. Should you take no action and allow your vehicle to remain parked on an emergency snow route, you risk receiving a citation and/or having your vehicle towed at your expense.

This Phase 1 Winter Storm Traffic Emergency shall remain in effect until such time that the Hays City Manager deems the Winter Storm Traffic Emergency terminated.

Since winter precipitation continues to fall and conditions are expected to worsen through the weekend, the Hays Police Department is asking that motorists avoid travel if at all possible. Those that must travel are advised to do so with caution and are encouraged to give themselves extra time to reach their destination. Please remember to drive slow, pay attention to vehicles in front of you, and allow for extra stopping distance. The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated throughput this winter storm.

Below is a link to the City of Hays website that has a map of the snow routes:

https://www.haysusa.com/402/Snow-Route-Information.

Kansas lawmaker apologizes after LGBTQ daughter decries bill

Posted on February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A conservative Kansas legislator has apologized and said he has asked that he be removed as a sponsor of a bill calling same-sex marriages a “parody” after his LGBTQ daughter posted a letter to him on Facebook that ended with, “Shame on you.”

Republican state Rep. Ron Highland of Wamego said in a letter Thursday to his hometown newspaper that he should not have signed on to the bill because it contained “hateful language” that he does not condone, The Manhattan Mercury reports . The bill seeks to prevent the state from endorsing any policy in line with what it calls the “LGBT secular humanist religion.”

Highland’s letter came hours after the Facebook post from his daughter, Christel Highland , a Kansas City-area artist, mother and “partner to the love of my life.” In her letter, she told her father that, “It is time for you to change.”

“I love you, I always will, in spite of your flaws,” she wrote. “I cannot, however, condone your cruel actions. Shame on you.”

She said in the post that her father had not responded to an email she sent him on the subject. Her post was first reported by The Topeka Capital-Journal .

Highland is a retired veterinarian who was first elected to the House in 2012, and he serves as chairman of its Agriculture Committee. He previously has served as Education Committee chairman.

The proposed “Marriage and Constitution Restoration Act” has drawn the strong condemnation of LGBTQ-rights advocates and lawmakers and most of its nine pages are a polemic against same-sex marriage. It was introduced after Kansas elected its first two openly LGBT lawmakers to the House last year.

Christel Highland did not immediately respond to a Facebook message seeking comment Friday, and her father declined to comment when approached by a reporter at the Statehouse.

But in his statement, Ron Highland said he trusted the bill’s primary sponsor before seeing the text but that it “goes against our Lord’s command to love our neighbors.”

“I must admit it was a mistake, and apologize,” he said.

Christel Highland responded with a Facebook post Friday morning: “Now I have to write another letter,” followed with a heart emoji.

The anti-LGBTQ marriage bill was part of a package of six measures introduced by conservative Republicans. None of them are expected to get even a committee hearing.

They include bills that would impose a $3-per-entry tax on admissions to sexually oriented businesses, require anti-pornography filters on all devices sold in Kansas that provide internet access and to give social media users a right to suein Kansas courts if their political posts on social media are deleted or censored.

The bills have been promoted in various state legislatures by activist Chris Sevier , who once made news for trying to marry his laptop as a way to publicize his opposition to same-sex marriage. Rep. Randy Garber, a Sabetha Republican, agreed to sponsor the package of bills in Kansas.

Sevier has pushed the bills this year in Missouri, where some lawmakers have complained that the meetings with him were uncomfortable. The Kansas City Star reported that Missouri Senate Administrator Patrick Baker sent an email Thursday to the entire Senate and staff with the subject line “security concern” and a picture of Sevier.

State activates emergency management center ahead of blizzard

Posted on February 22, 2019

Adjutant General’s Department

Moderate to heavy snow and near-blizzard conditions are possible with a winter storm system that is forecast for this weekend. The storm system will begin to affect western Kansas tonight and spread eastward across the state through tomorrow.

Current forecast predictions indicate that there will be a mixture of rain, freezing rain or drizzle before the snow begins across portions of the state. Widespread heavy snow coupled with northerly wind gusts as high as 45-55 mph will cause blowing snow throughout the day on Saturday, hindering travel conditions due to limited visibilities. Snow totals are expected to range from 1-6 inches across much of the state, with locally heavier amounts possible, especially in western Kansas.

Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a declaration of disaster emergency to expedite use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties if needed.

“Due to upcoming severe winter weather, I’ve declared a disaster emergency to make sure state assistance is readily available if needed,” said Kelly. “I encourage all Kansans to stay warm and safe during the snow storm in the coming days. Avoid travel if possible and keep an eye on the weather forecast as the storm moves and develops.”

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will activate the state emergency operations center on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7 a.m. through midnight, with additional staffing, if needed, into Sunday. Agencies in the SEOC will include the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Kansas National Guard. Additional support agencies will be contacted as needed.

The Kansas National Guard will activate and preposition thirteen Stranded Motorist Assistance Response Teams to assist local public safety agencies reach stranded motorists if local resource capabilities are exceeded. Each team will consist of four Guardsmen and two High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.

Kansans are urged to change or delay their travel plans until the storm moves through. If you must travel, be sure your car’s gas tank is full and you have an emergency kit. Vehicle emergency kits should include blankets, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone charger, hand-warmers, high-energy food snacks, bottled water, necessary medications, a snow shovel, flares and other emergency supplies. Make sure your cell phone is charged and someone is aware of your itinerary, including expected time of arrival.

On the road, remember the following:
* Allow extra time for delays and slower traffic speeds.
* Buckle up and properly secure children in safety seats.
* Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. Ice and snow significantly increase your stopping distance.
* Accelerate and brake gently. A light foot on the gas is less likely to make wheels spin on ice and snow. Braking is best accomplished by pumping the pedal. If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system, it is very important that you understand how to use it. Read the owner’s manual or check with a dealership for more information, and practice using it correctly.
* Make turns slowly and gradually, especially in heavily traveled areas (e.g. intersections that may be icy from snow that melted and refroze).
* Visibility is very important. You must be able to see out, and other drivers must be able to see your vehicle. Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors, and lights. Use headlights as necessary.
* If your car loses traction and begins to slide, steer into the swerve, or in the direction you want to go. Anticipate a second skid in the opposite direction as the car straightens out.

If you are stranded in a winter storm, do not panic. Stay in the vehicle, keep fresh air circulating through a downwind window, run the motor sparingly, turn on the dome light, and make sure the vehicle’s tailpipe is clear of snow. Stimulate circulation and stay awake by moving arms and legs.

If you leave the car, work slowly in the snow to avoid over-exertion and the risk of a heart attack. If you have a cell phone, call a Kansas Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (47), or *KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike.

For an updated list of road conditions go to the Kansas Department of Transportation web site at https://kandrive.org. Winter road conditions are accessible by dialing 5-1-1 from your mobile phone anywhere in Kansas; outside Kansas call 1-866-511-5368 (KDOT).

Wanda Gale Smith

Posted on February 22, 2019

Wanda Gale Smith, age 60, of Great Bend, Kansas passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Hays Medical Center. She was born on March 14, 1958 in Smithville, Missouri, to Jessie and Grenelle Wegener. She married Gary Smith on April 17th 1993 in Kansas City Missouri.

She moved to Great Bend from Kansas City Missouri in 1995, she was a stay at home mother until she started working at Countryside Veterinary Associates in Great Bend. She enjoyed spending time with her family and being amongst her friends. She did not know a stranger. She was known as a huge animal lover by all of those who knew her. She was a great wife, mother and also a friend.

Survivors include her husband Gary Smith of Great Bend Kansas, daughter Jessie Gates married to Scott Gates of Great Bend, daughter Jennie Smith, engaged to Ryan Huntington of Bethany Oklahoma, and son Brett Routon of St. Joseph Missouri.

Funeral arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. A celebration of life will be announced and held at a later date.

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

Judge dismisses charges over Kansas boy’s death on water slide

Posted on February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A judge has dismissed criminal charges against a Kansas water park owner and the designer of a 17-story slide on which a 10-year-old boy was decapitated in 2016.

Wyandotte County Judge Robert Burns found Friday that state prosecutors showed grand jurors inadmissible evidence in dismissing second-degree murder charges against Schlitterbahn owner Jeff Henry and designer John Schooley. The judge also dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against operations manager Tyler Miles.

State prosecutors didn’t immediately return phone and email messages.

They alleged that shoddy planning and maintenance led to Caleb Schwab’s death on a special day for elected officials. Caleb’s father is Scott Schwab, a state lawmaker who’s now Kansas secretary of state.

A Schlitterbahn spokeswoman says the company welcomes the decision.

Mona M. Peterman

Posted on February 22, 2019

Mona M. Peterman, 92, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019 in Ellsworth. She was born November 8, 1926 in Ellsworth County to William, Sr. and Minnie (Haase) Wachs.

Mona was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where she married Clarence Peterman on May 25, 1947. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of rural Ellsworth where she was the church organist for 50 years and a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Mona was a homemaker and site manager for the Ellsworth Senior Center. She was also a 4-H leader and loved playing cards.

Mona is survived by her son, Karl (Paulette) of Altura, MN; son, William (Lynette) of Hutchinson; daughter, Susan Klotz (Mark) of Leavenworth; son, Arthur (Shirley) of Coffeyville; son, Gary (Leesa) of Salina; son, David (Cheryl) of Yukon, OK; daughter, Pamela Dunaway (Mark) of Olathe; 19 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; brother, William Wachs, Jr. of Ellsworth; and sisters, Della Ranker of Ellsworth, Alice Bednasek of Holyrood, and Nancy Wachs of Ellsworth. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Clarence.

Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2019 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m.

Funeral service: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Ellsworth.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Ellsworth Senior Center, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.