SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged violent attack and have made an arrest.
Herrera -photo Saline County
On Tuesday, a 19-year-old who is pregnant, had gone to visit 38-year-old Gerad Herrera at the Budget King Motel, 809 N. Broadway in Salina, according to Salina Police Lt. Jim Feldman.
The woman told police that during the visit, Herrera became irate and repeatedly beat her and strangled her multiple times. Additionally, she reported that sexual acts took place against her will, Herrera shave off some of her hair and at one point threatened to kill her, according to Feldman.
On Wednesday morning, Herrera had to leave the motel and took the woman with him. She was able to get away from Herrera and made her way to a relative’s house, according to Feldman. The relative then took the woman to the Salina Police Department.
After reporting the incident, the woman went to Salina Regional Health Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Feldman.
Later Wednesday, police were able to make contact with Herrera at the motel, and after a short scuffle, he was placed under arrest and is being held on requested charges that include rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery, criminal restraint, criminal threat, felony obstruction, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Herrera has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Our county Farm Bureau board members support Kansas Farm Bureau’s effort to ensure farmers and ranchers have access to affordable health care. We ask Kansas legislators to vote yes on Senate Bill 32. This will allow KFB to offer its members a market-based solution for health coverage while supporting local hospitals and providers.
The cost of health care benefits is a major expense for Kansas farm families. Area producers are also battling a decline in net farm income of more than 50 percent over the past five years. KFB estimates it can offer its members a robust and competitive benefit that’s 30 percent less expensive than current market options. KFB’s health benefit will offer local farmers and ranchers a cost-effective option to receive care they need in our community.
SB 32 will provide options for area farmers and ranchers who don’t qualify for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and can’t afford spending up to $40,000 to insure their family.
KFB’s health benefit will offer farmers and ranchers a cost-effective option to receive care they need in the communities where they live.
We strongly ask the Kansas Legislature to allow KFB to offer this coverage to its members.
Ellis County Farm Bureau President Matt Grabbe
Trego County Farm Bureau President Gerald Riedle
Rooks County Farm Bureau President Anna Luna
Russell County Farm Bureau President Gerald Machin
Gove County Farm Bureau President Kassie Remington
Rush County Farm Bureau President Maureen George
Barton County Farm Bureau President Jerry Morgenstern
Ness County Farm Bureau President Lauri Petersilie
OBERLIN — The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office has announced an arrest after a series of burglaries across several counties in Kansas and Nebraska.
The department reported Thursday that Nathan Sunblade was taken into custody Wednesday by the Norton Police Department on a Decatur County warrant.
He was arrested on suspicion of six counts of felony burglary and two counts of theft. He remains held at the Decatur County jail on a $50,000 bond.
“I would like to thank the Norton Police Department and the Norton County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation,” the department said in a release on social media. “We anticipate several other arrests in these cases.”
The Kansas Legislature opened its 2019 session on January 14. It will most likely close up shop sometime in May. Governor Laura Kelly came into office with a well-defined agenda, and lots of optimistic Democrats foresaw school funding increases and Medicaid expansion moving through the legislative process.
Burdett Loomis, Professor, Political Science, College of Liberal Arts and Science, University of Kansas
Conversely, conservative Republican leaders in both chambers, their numbers buttressed by the same electorate that decisively chose Kelly over Republican Kris Kobach, have made aggressive opening moves to return the so-called “windfall” from 2017 federal tax changes back to a select number of Kansas families and corporations who may pay increased state taxes.
Meanwhile, Kansas tax revenues have fallen substantially ($49 million) below estimates for January. No one knows if that is a hiccup or the start of a trend, but it does signal a possible problem for either increased spending or reduced taxes.
And that’s just it. Legislative sessions are not sprints, they are four-month marathons, often culminating in omnibus budget packages and other deals that address a multitude of issues under severe time constraints. This comes as no surprise. Still, every legislative session is different, and sometimes, as in 2019, it will take some time just to understand where power lies and when it can be used.
Crucial here, for both Republicans and Democrats, is to determine what is the three-party breakdown of conservative Republicans, moderate Republicans, and Democrats. Although numbers will shift from issue to issue, some rough breakdown will allow Governor Kelly and legislative leaders to assess what kinds of bills can pass through the Legislature and win her signature.
The Senate’s initial salvo, passing a $191-million “windfall” tax reduction, demonstrated that the GOP-dominated Senate likely has no automatic veto-override majority of 27 votes; nor will the House. That established, the legislative process can continue, although we should not expect much in the way of short-term results. As time passes, we will get the February and March revenue reports and then, in early April, a new set of revenue estimates. Only then, perhaps, will the actual outlines of major policy decisions become clear, despite the “deadline” of April 15 for both sides to respond to the Supreme Court’s school finance decision.
All this does not mean that the Legislature will not be busy, and potentially productive, over the next couple of months. A host of younger legislators, mostly House Democrats, are eager to make their mark, with their proposals on discrimination, on spousal abuse, and other issues; likewise, legalizing medical marijuana is on the agenda, and sports betting may be.
As lawmakers address these issues, with committee hearings and, eventually, floor votes and some attempted veto overrides, legislative leaders will form a better sense of what this year’s version of the Legislature will finally look like.
Ultimately, the dual realities of a Democratic governor’s veto pen and the more conservative nature of both House and Senate will define what policies merge from the Legislature. Most likely, we will see end-game legislating and close votes that will determine what Kansas does on taxation, Medicaid expansion, and adding funds for school finance.
Recently, GOP senators, per the Kansas News Service, have challenged Laura Kelly’s political strength and her toughness. Let’s be clear, her political strength comes from her ability to veto legislation and hold her troops together to prevent overrides. Her toughness? Ha. This is a legislator who has served in the minority for 14 years and has learned all the ropes. Beyond that, she decisively defeated Mr. Macho Machine Gun in the governor’s race. She’s tough, it she’ll need all the support and all the toughness she can muster to prevail as the legislative calendar turns to May.
Burdett Loomis is an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Kansas.
Irene Blanch (Sorell) Fringer was born September 28, 1921 in Garden City, Kansas to Louis Edward (Ed) and Evelyne Eva (Patenaude) Sorell.
She passed away February 13, 2019 at the age of 97 at Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin.
Irene was the youngest of four daughters born to Ed and Evelyne. Her childhood was spent in many places, as Ed was a handyman and went where he could find work. At the age of four, Irene and her family moved to Dresden, Kansas. This is where they called home for many years.
Irene graduated from Dresden High School in 1942. After high school she took care of her parents and was a house keeper for people in the community.
On January 19, 1957 Verman Jessy Fringer and Irene were married in Norton, Kansas. After their marriage they made their home on the Fringer farmstead in Custer Township south east of Oberlin. To this union three children were born. Rose, Robert, and Patricia (Patty).
Irene enjoyed farm life and all that came with the title of being a farmer’s wife. She loved and cared for the many animals on the farm. Her favorites were her cats; however, with the many family dogs running a close second.
In 1981 Irene and Verman moved to Oberlin as the farm life was getting too much for them. It was also about this time that Irene decided she needed to learn to drive a car. So, at age 60, Robert taught his mom to drive. She then became very self-sufficient and loved making trips up town.
Irene was a resident at CLC and then at Good Sam for many years. She always enjoyed being the “greeter” and always had a smile for those entering if she was at her table.
Irene enjoyed visiting with whoever might stop by. She especially loved visits from her grandkids and great grandkids, and always insisted she needed new pictures of them.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Evelyne; sisters: Zelda Barker, Josephine Plante and Louise Tilten and husband, Verman.
Irene is survived by her son, Robert Edward (Penny) Fringer of Oberlin; daughters: Rose Evelyne Fringer (Rick Stienhour) of Nebraska, and Patricia Ann (Bill) Killingsworth of Salina; grandchildren: Dylan Jay Killingsworth of Salina, KS, Ellen JoAnn (Fringer ) Osborne of Wichita, KS, Wayland Stienhour of Nebraska, Rebecca Jean (Fringer) Jones of Colby, KS, Wendi Alta Kay (Killingsworth ) Davila of Salina, KS, Dalton Stienhour of Nebraska, Sarah Jane (Fringer) Wolf of Colby, KS; 11 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many many friends.
A Wake Service will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:30 pm at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin, KS. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 am – 1:00 pm before the service. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Society of Decatur County for the flooring project. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com
Chetty Ann (Brown) Peckham, 75, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born at Perrin Army Air Base in Sherman, Texas, on November 3, 1943, and died at home in Derby, KS, on February 11, 2019.
Chetty was very proud to have graduated Magna Cum Laude from Butler County Community College.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Brown of Sherman, TX and Loretta Brown of Victoria, KS.
She is survived by her husband, Ray Peckham of Derby; daughter, Laurie Lynn Lo Nigro; granddaughter, Nora Ann Lo Nigro, both of Wichita; many cousins. Rosary will be at 7:00 pm, Friday, February 15, 2019, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
Funeral Mass will be at 1:30 pm, Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Graveside Service will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, February 18, 2019, at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, KS. Special thanks to Kiefer Senior Care and Kindred Hospice. A memorial has been established with St. Fidelis Catholic Church, 900 Cathedral, Victoria, KS 67671.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas school district is taking steps to respond to two students bringing guns to Lawrence High School in the last week.
Lawrence High -Google image
USD 497 spokeswoman Julie Boyle said Tuesday night that the district had activated its Crisis Support Team at Lawrence High. She said the district also will have more adults present during late arrival and has asked for increased police presence at the school this week.
School staff is being asked to identify students who need more counseling and a gun safety campaign will be at basketball games on Feb. 19.
Boyle says no one was endangered during the two incidents, one on Feb. 6 and the other Tuesday. Three other gun-related incidents were reported this calendar year at Lawrence High and Free State.
Boyd Lynn Scarrow, age 73, entered into rest on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas. He was born on January 3, 1946 in rural Mankato, Kansas to Vern and Ruby (Hamilton) Scarrow.
He was a 1964 graduate of Mankato High School. Lynn then played football for Fairbury College. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University.
Lynn served in the Army National Guard.
He married Sonja Berry on October 3, 1971 in Mankato, Kansas.
Lynn worked as the Jewell County Treasurer before retiring after 32 years. Lynn began farming with his father Vern in the 70’s.
He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served as treasurer, Jaycees and Mankato/Rock Hills Booster Club. Lynn also coached baseball, was involved in 4-H, served as leader of the Eager Beavers.
His passions were family, farming, and watching KSU Sports.
Lynn is survived by his wife, Sonja of Mankato; 1 daughter, Tara Scarrow and husband David Garcia, Concord, CA.; 2 sons, Preston Scarrow, Galena, KS.; Justin Scarrow (Jenny), Mankato, KS.; 6 grandchildren, Ryan and wife Dakota, Caitlynn, Case, Gracelynn, Addysin, and Gannon Scarrow; 2 brothers, Lloyd Scarrow (Sharon), Fairbury, NE.; Von Scarrow, Lindsborg, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents Vern and Ruby, sister, Marjorie Lucas.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on, Friday, February 15, 2019 at the Melby Mortuary in Mankato, Kansas. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato with Pastor Dennis Beckmann officiating.
Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas.
Memorial Contributions may be given to the Jewell County Hospital ISB, Evangelical Lutheran Church or Mankato Endowment, c/o Melby Mortuary.
For online condolences, please visit www.melbymortuary.com.
Donald Eugene Chegwidden, 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.
Don was born May 31, 1936, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Harley and Charlotte (Marsh) Chegwidden. He grew up in Bunker Hill, Kansas, and graduated from Bunker Hill High School. He then attended and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Biology.
Don was united in marriage to Julia Rae Rogg on June 21, 1958, in Bunker Hill. This union was blessed with two daughters, Connie Louise and Suzanne Marie. They made their home in Russell.
Don was a Biology teacher at Russell High School for 37 years. During this time he also worked as a crop adjuster and at the Bunker Hill grain elevator during harvest. He was well known for raising exotic animals and birds, classic shetlands and miniature horses, and many breeds of cattle. He was a mentor to many and enjoyed hearing from former students. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. He also belonged to the Russell Masonic Lodge and the Isis Shrine of Salina.
Don’s surviving family include his wife of 60 years, Julia, of the home; daughters, Connie Kelley (Dick) and Suzanne Matthias (Greg), all of Wichita, Kansas; granddaughter, Julia Tyler (Jarrett), and great grandson, Jeremiah Everrett Tyler, of Katy, Texas; and brother, Dan Chegwidden (Janet) of East Lansing, Michigan.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Connie Pat Chegwidden.
A Celebration of Don’s life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, February 15, 2019, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Masonic Services will be conducted by the Russell Masonic Lodge. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, February 14, 2019, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Shriners Hospital for Children. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
HUTCHINSON — A bill going through a Kansas House committee is being pushed by Kansas State Fair GM Robin Jennison in hopes it will provide another avenue to raise funds for various projects.
House Bill 2215 would allow the State Fair Foundation Board to become a nonprofit 501(c)3 entity.
Jennison explains the reason for the legislation:
Jennison says the plan is simple in that it will give the fair a chance to be more sustaining:
Jennison added that it also allows the fair to go after private donations and funds to help with needed projects:
A hearing on the bill takes place Monday. The hope is to have it on the House floor later this week.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 42-year-old man has admitted that he traveled to Kansas City in an effort to have sex with a 7-year-old girl.
Mausner -photo Wyandotte Co.
Ryan Edward Mausner, of Basalt, Colorado, pleaded guilty Wednesday to enticement of a minor.
Prosecutors say Mausner thought he was communicating with the girl’s mother over several months in private chat sessions during which he said he wanted to have sex with the mother and daughter. Mausner was actually talking to an undercover agent.
Mausner was arrested after he flew to Kansas City in May 2018 intended to engage in criminal sexual activity with the child victim.
From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, there will be a community-wide baked potato bar at the Trego County Hospital’s Hamilton Room. Freewill donations will be accepted, with all proceeds benefiting the fire department.
The event is sponsored by Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. For more information, visit click HERE or call (785) 743-2182.
Norma Lea Ward was born December 26, 1925 in Norcatur, KS to Walter Allen and Margaret Ruth (Motsinger) Sebaugh. She passed away on February 11, 2019 at Whispering Pines in Norton at the age of 93.
Norma grew up in Norcatur, graduating from Norcatur High School in 1943. She then went on to attend Brown Mackie Business School and worked for a time in Denver after completing her course of study. Norma married Max Griffith Ward on March 16, 1947 at the Norcatur Methodist Church. She was a homemaker and a former bank teller at Citizens State Bank in Norcatur.
Norma was a member of the Clayton United Methodist Church, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, United Methodist Women, L.D. Club of Clayton and was a leader with the Prairie Dog 4-H Club. She was an excellent cook, making the best pie crust and canned beef. She enjoyed oil painting and was an avid book reader. Norma loved music and sang alto in the church choir, singing duets for numerous funerals as well as organizing many community bridal showers and funeral dinners. After hearing about the mission of Christmas boxes for children around the world, she brought the project to her local church and enjoyed putting boxes together for children in need.
Norma is survived by her children: David Ward of Clayton, KS, Julie (Ken) Carter of Jennings, KS, Shelley (Pat) McKenna of Jennings, KS and Lori (Terry) Wycoff of Scott City, KS; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sister, Willadean Hix; brother, Walter Sebaugh and great- granddaughter Danielle DuBois.
Memorial Service will be 11:00 am Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Clayton United Methodist Church. Inurnment at a later date in Clayton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child or Whispering Pines. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com
