RENO COUNTY — Authorities are reporting the third fire this week caused by careless discarding of ashes.
Wednesday night fire photo courtesy Hutchinson Fire Dept.
Just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday, fire crews responded to 420 East Park Street in Hutchinson for a report of a structure fire, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.
Upon arrival, crews found a single-story residential home with heavy fire and smoke pushing from the attic of the structure.
Fire crews performed an aggressive interior attack to keep the fire from spreading. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the area of origin; however, extensive, smoke and heat damage was noted throughout the attic area. No one was home at the time of the fire. The fire was called into the dispatch center by an alert neighbor.
The Hutchinson Fire Department wants to remind the community that proper installation, venting, and clearances are required for wood burning devices.
This is the third fire in two days that was caused by wood embers or careless discarding of ashes. Fire crews will be canvassing the neighborhood with fire safety material.
The cause of the fire is being ruled as an improper vent pipe on a wood stove.
After wowing fans inside Gross Memorial Coliseum in 2010 and 2013, the worldwide sensation Harlem Globetrotters have announced they will return to Hays for a third time on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are now available HERE or at harlemglobetrotters.com.
The Globetrotters, who are committed to bringing their fans the best experience and most electrifying athletes on the planet, will give their fans a chance to get closer than ever to the action and team’s stars with their Fan Powered World Tour. At each Globetrotters game, there will be over 20 opportunities before, during and after each event where fans will get a chance to directly interact with the team’s stars – that’s a 30-percent increase over any previous Globetrotters game.
Prior to every performance, fans can secure a ticket to Magic Pass, the Globetrotters’ exclusive pregame event. Magic Pass gives fans unprecedented access to the stars of the team, an opportunity to learn tricks, shoot hoops and take pictures on the court. After each game, fans can participate in a free autograph session.
An additional exciting new element fans can look forward to this year is a new interactive mobile app with exclusive features, including an augmented reality (AR) basketball toss game and one-of-a-kind image filters that can be shared on social media.
Also back by popular demand, fans will also get a chance to see the Flying Globies, an amazing acrobatic trampoline dunk team that will defy gravity during breaks in the game action.
The Globetrotters recently added five more Guinness World Record titles to their resume, bringing the team’s standing Guinness World Record count to 21. Videos of all five records can be seen HERE.
The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 93 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 123 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades. Sponsored by Entenmann’s ® Donuts, Tum-e Yummies and Baden Sports, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com and follow them on Twitter @Globies.
Blaine Kincaid Smith, 26, of Salina, went to be with our Lord Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Blaine was born June 24, 1992, in Salina, to Kristina Brin and Shawn Smith.
Blaine graduated from Salina South High School in 2010. He was a four-time state placer and two-time state champion wrestler. He went on to wrestle at Ohio Valley University, and Iowa Lakes Community College. His wrestling career taught him discipline and brought him great joy. He continued to train and mentor young wrestlers during his short life. Blaine touched more lives than he could ever comprehend.
Blaine was an ornery soul who never met a stranger. Blaine’s infectious smile and positive attitude won over so many. When you were Blaine’s friend, you were a friend for life. He took tremendous joy in spending time with his family, his son, Paxton and many friends. He loved big and played hard. Blaine lived a life of honor and loyalty to others. No matter what life threw his way, he tackled each obstacle with a wink and a smirk.
He leaves behind dozens of people that he truly loved and they all adored him: his son, “Pac-man” Paxton Smith; his partner for life, Meredith Frazier and her son Jack; his mother, who never ever gave up on him, Kristina Brin; John Munoz, the loving supportive father he craved; his sisters, Brooke Smith (fiance, Jarret Jones) of Loveland, Colo., and Blaque and Baylee Brin of Salina; siblings from his father’s side, Gracelyn and Camden Stewart of Elkhorn, Neb., and Khyra, Gage, and Ethan Smith of Wichita; grandmothers, Louetta Albers and Henrietta Smith of Salina; nephew, Tayden Jones; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by: his father, Shawn Smith; and grandfathers, Leroy Albers and Steve Smith.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m., and sharing memories at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at First Baptist Church, 843 Lewis Ave, Salina.
Memorials to any Sunflower Bank location care to The Blaine Smith Heir Educational Fund.
NEW YORK (AP) — A former Oklahoma State assistant basketball coach pleaded guilty Wednesday to taking bribes from business advisers to steer them to star college athletes expected to turn pro.
Evans -photo courtesy Oklahoma State Athletics
Lamont Evans, 41, entered the plea in New York federal court to conspiring to commit bribery. He admitted receiving $22,000 to steer the players at the University of South Carolina and Oklahoma State University to certain financial advisers and business managers, attorney Johnny McCray said.
Evans also agreed to forfeit the bribe money he received from two financial advisers as part of the deal he signed Thursday.
“I now know that accepting those funds in exchange for introducing them to any one player was wrong and violated the law,” he said.
Evans graduated with a degree in social science from K-State in 2009. He worked with the Wildcat basketball program as a Student Assistant from 2008-09, a Graduate Manager from 2009-2011, and an Assistant Coach 2011-12, according to his OSU bio.
Sentencing was set for May 10 on a charge that carries the potential for up to five years in prison, though a plea agreement between Evans and prosecutors recommends no more than two years behind bars.
Judge Edgardo Ramos also warned that he could be deported because he is a citizen of Barbados, though he lives in Florida. He was a resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the time of his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said in a statement that Evans abused his position as a mentor and coach for personal gain.
“A scheme Evans apparently thought was a slam-dunk actually proved to be a flagrant foul,” he said.
“He accepted responsibility for what happened. He will be making a vigorous appeal for the lowest sentence possible,” attorney Johnny McCray said.
Evans is the third former NCAA assistant coach to plead guilty in the case. The prosecution has revealed how well-connected mentors sometimes paid family members of top-tier athletes to steer the NBA-destined youngsters to schools or managers.
In recent weeks, similar pleas have been entered by former University of Southern California assistant basketball coach Tony Bland and ex-University of Arizona assistant coach Emanuel “Book” Richardson. Both are awaiting sentencing. Former Auburn assistant coach Chuck Person is scheduled for trial in June.
“These guys are scapegoats,” McCray said. “The bigger name coaches were not touched here. It’s really sad.”
He added: “I think this is overkill. They could have used the sanctions available within the NCAA, which has the ability to permanently bar a coach from coaching.”
When arrests were made in September 2017, prosecutors said Evans committed his crime in 2016 and 2017 when he accepted the bribes from a New Jersey-based financial adviser and another person cooperating with the investigators and posing as a business adviser to athletes.
They said Evans then falsely touted the services of the men to young athletes and their families, boasting falsely that the man cooperating with law enforcement was “my guy” and “has helped me personally.”
Mary Cynthia “Cindi” (Graves) Rummel was born in Atwood, Kansas on March 31, 1952, the youngest of five children born to Byron “Bike” Graves and Hazel (McGowan) Graves. She departed this life on January 30, 2019, at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, at the age of 66 years, 9 months and 30 days.
The family moved to Colorado, then returned to Atwood, where Cindi graduated from Atwood High School in 1970. She attended Colby Community College for one year.
On June 25, 1971, she was united in marriage to Kenneth “Kenny” Rummel. To this union two sons, Brandon and Brett, were born.
She was employed as a clerk at Ace Hardware, then part-time at Midwest Energy before becoming employed as a para at Atwood Grade School for 13 years and then retired from her working career after 20 years of being employed in the treasurer’s office at the Rawlins County Courthouse.
She enjoyed being around people and her many friends, but her real love was spending time with her family. She also enjoyed playing golf, fishing in her early years, cheering for the Denver Broncos, going for rides and being a homemaker.
Preceding her in death were her father, Bike; mother, Hazel; brothers, Jerry and Jim and sister, Patti. Those remaining to cherish her memory are: husband, Kenny, of the home; sons, Brandon and wife Tami, of Hays, KS and Brett, of Winona, KS; brother, Tom and wife, Pat, of Grand Junction, CO; grandson Payton Ruder, of Manhattan, KS; other relatives and many friends.
Cremation was chosen. A celebration of life will take place from 2-5:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019, at the Atwood Country Club, Atwood, KS. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Lifetime Dental Care, 2701 Sternberg Dr., Hays is now taking appointments for the annual Give Kids A Smile® initiative by the American Dental Association Foundation.
Limited spots are available for free educational, preventive and some restorative services to children ages 3 to 14 from low-income families without dental insurance.
Take advantage of this opportunity and give our office a call at 785-625-7969 today.
Our event will be held by appointment only during the morning of Friday, February 22, 2019.
RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and are working to identify an individual who may have details on the crime.
photos courtesy RCPD
Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, police responded to United Bank and Trust in the 2000 Block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard after report of the bank robbery.
On Thursday, the Riley County Police Department released a photo of someone who may have information on the robbery. If anyone recognizes this person they should contact the Riley County Police Department at (785) 537-2112
PAWNEE COUNTY — A Pawnee County jury Wednesday took twenty minutes to find a Kansas man guilty of aggravated sexual battery for an incident that took place in 2018, according to a media release from Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett.
McFarland -photo Pawnee Co.
According to testimony during the one-day trial, on May 3, 2018, 65-year-old Russell McFarland followed a 19-year-old female staff member into a staff-only area of Larned State Hospital, forced her into a corner and tried to kiss her on the lips.
The staff member was able to get free once another patient on the unit intervened. At the time, the McFarland was a patient in the sexual predator treatment program. Additional testimony was presented that other patients on the unit were aware of McFarland’s intense infatuation of the staff member and were keeping an eye out for her once they saw her on the unit that day.
Sentencing in the case is scheduled for March 18. McFarland was returned to the custody of Larned State Hospital pending sentencing.
Depending on his criminal history, McFarland faces between 31 and 136 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections, according to McNett.
David Norlin is Chairman of the Salina Planning Commission, former President of Salina Access TV, and a former College Director of Broadcasting and English Department Chair. He has twice run for Kansas State Office.By DAVID NORLIN
Let’s stop sighing and size it up.
The totally unnecessary cruelty and arbitrary punishments brought down like fire on the heads of our public workers give us a message: It could happen to us, if we get in the way of the Master Money-Maker—and Taker.
Those with money, get money (and power). Those who don’t, don’t. And when they do, and we don’t, here’s what happens:
Transportation Security Administration workers, who determine the safety of your flight, aren’t paid. Feel safe?
After blaming California Forest Management for not stopping wildfires, the Master stops their funding. No funding during vital planning time means they are not prepared. He writes off California.
Prison workers, including corrections officers, case managers, and secretaries can’t afford to pick up their Walgreen prescriptions, have to sleep on a cot overnight, because they can’t afford gas to get home, and don’t know where their next meal will come from—yet face the daily challenges of guarding inmates. The Master doesn’t care. Just release the prisoners, right?
Courthouses seriously consider closing. Says one Judge, “If in fact the buildings can’t stay open, we literally will have judges at their kitchen tables with a laptop computer, camera on top, looking at a defendant sitting at a U.S. marshals’ holding cell somewhere, conducting these hearings.” One contracted public defender calls it a betrayal of public servants, who already sacrifice, working for less than the private sector. “It feels like we’re on the front lines trying to fight a battle while our own forces are shooting us in the back.” The Master doesn’t care. After all, who needs a fair, just legal system?
IRS workers get their food from the local Catholic food bank, and battle serious depression. What’s their job? Collecting rightfully owed taxes necessary to sustain the nation—yet they aren’t paid to do their job. The Master and his fellow tax-dodgers grin. IRS won’t be fully functional for a year.
One of our primary national security concerns is cyber-security. (Not THE WALL.) At the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, normally 3,500 people are on the job. Under the shutdown, only around 2,000 man the breaches.
Threats more visible locally are Farm Services offices, the threat to WIC (women/infant/child) grants, air traffic controllers—the list goes on. Workers stand in 30-degree weather to get food.
Some “Independent Kansans” cheer the Masters on. Forgotten are the Billion or two we get back in excess of our Federal tax annual contributions. On top of that (because of our legislators), we have lost $3 Billion in Federal Medicaid dollars, paying for 90% of care for needy Kansans. But the Masters don’t care.
And the whole SNAFU may start again February 15, right after Valentine’s Day.
Even though it should be crystal clear that we, the people, are losers in this situation, some will no doubt appear on this site supporting our Clueless Commander and encouraging him to crash the ship of state onto the rocks yet again.
They are joined by our alleged Representatives Jerry Moran, Pat Roberts, and Roger Marshall. Only this morning, Moran and Marshall bleated their support for Trump’s irrational wall-at-any-cost.
One word describes a system where people are forced to work without pay, where one man (white, wealthy, non-working) calls the shots and no one objects, where the entire structure seems to rely on bullying and intimidation, where few available exits exist, where all human resourcefulness has been exhausted, and the atmosphere is so despair-laden that few think they can fight back.
What word? Slavery. (Or, your choice, Dictatorship.)
David Norlin is past Chairman of the Salina Planning Commission, former President of Salina Access TV, and an occasional Salina Journal columnist. He is a retired College English Department Chair and Director of Broadcasting. He has twice run for the Kansas Legislature.
Vickie Lynn (Boman) Osborne passed from this life Monday, January 28, 2019 at Salina Regional Health Center with her family by her side at the age of 71 years.
Vickie was born on January 11, 1948 in Belleville, Kansas to Wallace and Vida (Elliott) Boman.
She graduated from Republic High School in 1966, where she met her future husband Paul during their freshman year. They were married on June 29, 1969, and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They raised two sons, Chad and Bret, at their home in Formoso, Kansas.
Vickie enjoyed her career as a cosmetologist for nearly 30 years, and after selling “Vickie’s House of Style” in 1994, she continued to share her beauty talents with close friends and family.
She was also very fond of working in her yard, tending to her flowers and plants, helping them thrive despite the hot Kansas summers.
Her homemaking skills were constantly on display, as she meticulously cared for and maintained her family’s home.
She was always on the move, and enjoyed traveling to Manhattan to attend countless K-State athletic events with her family over the years.
Vickie’s true passion, however, was her family. She was an absolutely devoted mother and wife, taking great care of her three boys. When she was blessed with her first grandchild, a whole new adventure started. She simply adored and cherished her time with her two granddaughters and grandson, spoiling them every chance she got. Her time spent caring for all three of them while they were infants was one of the greatest joys she could have. To say that she was a wonderful Grandma would be an incredible understatement.
Vickie was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Vida Boman.
She will be forever remembered by her husband Paul Osborne, Formoso, KS; her sons, Chad (Lindsay) Osborne, Wamego, KS and Bret (Kimberly) Osborne, Derby, KS; three grandchildren Bellamy, Cambrie and Brayden; siblings Barbara Hurley and friend Leon, Hays, KS, Nancy (Larry) Larson, Junction City, KS, Wallace “Sonny” (Joyce) Boman, Topeka, KS, Pamela (Ron) Schmit, Wichita, KS, David (Carol) Boman, Columbus, NE, Jan (Tim) Davis, Belleville, KS, and Sheila (Leo) Blanding, Courtland, KS; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a great many good friends.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the United Methodist Church, Republic, Kansas with Pastors Lance Rundus and Wade Moss officiating. Direct cremation was chosen and they will have a private inurnment service. Memorials may be made to the Solomon Valley Hospice or the Republic Methodist Church. There will be no visitation. These arrangements were under the direction of Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas.
Linda Collins passed away Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at her home in Plainville at the age of 76. Linda was born on December 20, 1942 in Wewoka, OK to Lonzo and Ina (Richey) Hillegeist. She married Dan Collins on May 10, 1964 in Plainville. They were blessed with 5 children: Jim, John, Justin, Joel, and Casey.
Linda was a lifelong resident of Plainville. She graduated from Plainville High School and took some classes through Fort Hays State University. Linda spent much of her life taking care of her family, bringing meals to the boys while they worked, and keeping the house tidy. She was known to have a green thumb and enjoyed gardening. Linda also enjoyed time spent camping, shopping, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren.
A hardworking woman of faith, hope, and love, Linda showed us all by her life that the greatest of these is love. Although she will be greatly missed, she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her best, for they were greatly loved.
Linda is survived by her husband Dan Collins of the home; sons Jim of Texarkana, TX, Justin and wife Mary of Minneapolis, KS, and Joel and wife Lisa of Plainville, KS; daughter Casey and husband Brian Arnold of Plainville, KS; daughter-in-law Terri Collins of Codell, KS; twelve grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceding Linda in death are her parents Lonzo and Ina Hillegeist; son John Collins; brothers, Joel, Larry, and Linn Hillegeist; sisters Kathleen Waggoner and Mary Austin; and one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.
Hays Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) Legislative Forums are a series of meetings with state legislators that provide area residents the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and state issues.
Help us welcome our area Kansas legislators who will be present to meet you and answer questions Sat., Feb. 2, as they continue to work for you in Topeka.
Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.
Rep. Barbara Wasinger, R-Hays, 111th Dist.
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.
Rep. Leonard Mastroni, R-La Crosse, 117th Dist.
Fort Hays State University Memorial Union Black and Gold Room – 2nd Floor
This is a free event open to the public. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the program will begin around 8:30 a.m. with light pastries and beverages provided. It is free to all attendees and no RSVPs are necessary for this event.
If you have questions about this event please call the Chamber at 785-628-8201.
Thanks to AT&T and Midwest Energy for their sponsorship of the Legislative Coffee series.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a mother has been arrested after going to a Lawrence bar and leaving her two toddlers in a vehicle parked outside on a dangerously cold night.
Police responded around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday to a report that a customer was trying to get back into the bar after she was kicked out. Staff told police that the woman had been at the bar while her 2- and 3-year-old children stayed unattended in the vehicle as temperatures were in the single digits amid a polarvortex.
Officer Derrick Smith says the woman left before police arrived, but officers stopped her vehicle. He says the children weren’t hurt, although they were left “without heat for a substantial amount of time.” The woman has been booked into jail on suspicion of child endangerment and drunken driving.
