Darrell John Leiker, age 66, of Hays, KS, passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at his home in Hays. He was born on September 25, 1952 in Hays, KS to Christian and Helen (Dinkel) Leiker. On November 4, 1983, Darrell married Linnea Johnson in Charleston, South Carolina. Together, they shared 35 years of marriage.
Darrell served and retired from the United States Navy. He was a Rural Mail Carrier in Ellis County for over 20 years. He was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Hays and served as Secretary. His family and friends will remember him as a handyman that could fix anything.
Survivors include his wife of the home, Linnea Leiker; two sons, John Christopher “Chris” Leiker and his wife Kielin of Kansas City, MO, Alexander Christian Leiker and his wife Holly of Hays; one daughter, Antoinette “Tanya” Leiker of Kansas City, KS; mother, Helen Leiker of Antonino, KS; two sisters, Sharon Staab and her husband Gerald and Paullette Leiker all of Hays.
He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Ivorgene Pelz.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].
AmazonPITTSBURGH (AP) — Kids will soon be able to eat and play with their food.
Jell-O Play on Thursday introduced edible slime. The squishy and stretchy toy is a social media phenomenon, which spawned online recipes for edible versions.
Jell-O Play’s slime comes in strawberry-flavored Unicorn and lime-flavored Monster varieties. All customers have to do is add water and each canister makes two batches of slime. The company says it easily washes away with soap and warm water.
Jell-O says it launched Jell-O Play in the summer “to inspire families to engage in free play and fun.”
Edible slime will be available in select retailers in December or can be preordered online.
Viola Rohr, age 88, of Hays, Kansas passed away Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Via Christi Village, Hays. She was born February 9, 1930 in Antonino, Kansas to Frank and Rosa (Klaus) Werth. On May 2, 1949 she married Jerry Rohr. He preceded her in death March 8, 1986.
She was a homemaker. Her memberships included Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and the VFW Auxiliary. Viola enjoyed doing yard work and gardening and was extremely devoted to her family.
She is survived by two sons, Frank Rohr and wife Sue of Yukon, Oklahoma and Larry Rohr and wife Mary of hays; two daughters, Gloria Fjelstad and husband Jerry of Laurel, Montana and Jerri Ann Leiker and husband Lester of Hays; four sisters, Sister Clarella Werth of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Alfrieda Pfeifer of hays, Rose Ann Zimmerman of Hays and Esther Gottschalk of Schoenchen; eight grandchildren, Kierston Branstetter, Nathan Fjelstad, Clint Rohr, Stacie Rohr, Jerrett Leiker, Landon Leiker, Austin Rohr and Aaron Rohr as well as twelve great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Alvin Werth, Eugene Werth, Gilbert Werth and infant brother Gilbert Werth and sisters, Frances Dreiling, Alice Windholz, Merilda Randa and infant sister, Alice werth.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hays.
Visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 8 PM and Saturday 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
A VFW Auxiliary service will be at 6:15 PM Friday followed by a combined rosary and vigil service at 6:30 PM all at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church or Hospice of Hays Medical Center.
Condolences may be left by guest book on her tribute wall at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
Jody Fox -photo Russell Co.RUSSELL COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Russell Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, have made an arrest for first-degree murder.
According to a media release, an arrest warrant was issued for Jody S. Fox, 27, of Russell connected to the murder of a 14-month-old child. The child died in April 2017. Fox was in a relationship with the child’s mother.
Just after 1p.m. Thursday, Fox was arrested at 115 West 17th St. in Russell. He was booked into the Russell County Jail for first-degree murder, and abuse of a child.
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.
RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of an infant in Manhattan and have made an arrest.
Just after 8:30 a.m. November 8, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call concerning an infant not breathing in East Manhattan.
The infant was transported to Via Christi in Manhattan then subsequently life-flighted to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City where he died.
Just before 1p.m. Thursday, police arrested D’Khari Lyons, 23, of Manhattan, in connection with the infant’s death, according to police department spokesperson Hali Rowland.
Lyons was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for First Degree Murder and Abuse of a Child. Lyons is confined in the Riley County Jail on a $500.000.00 bond.
The case has been forwarded to the Riley County District Attorney.
The 2018 election was “Year of the Woman, Part Deux.” Women, particularly Democrats, made gains nationwide. Kansas factored into that, electing Laura Kelly as governor, Vicki Schmidt as insurance commissioner, and Sharice Davids to Congress. Despite these gains, women still have not achieved equal political representation.
Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.
Kelly’s win was not destiny. A year ago, Kansas had the only gubernatorial race in America with no woman running. Meanwhile, roughly twenty men were possible candidates, including several teenagers. There was an opening for a woman, especially on the Democratic side, and Kelly stepped into that void, albeit late and perhaps reluctantly. Though she ultimately prevailed, her gender was sometimes an issue, though a subtle one.
Female candidates are often told—usually by men—that they are unqualified. In Kansas, a Greg Orman surrogate ridiculed Kelly’s professional background as a recreational therapist for children with mental illness, insinuating that she lacked “a real job” and was thus unqualified to lead government, despite her fourteen years in the legislature. Some activists on social media even said that Kelly’s only qualification was her gender.
Women this year were often branded—usually by men—as “Hillary Clintons.” That happened to Kelly throughout the campaign, but particularly from young men on Twitter who supported Josh Svaty in the primary. Yes, Kelly is an older, quiet, and experienced lawmaker, but she is not Hillary. Even in the second congressional district Republican primary, Caryn Tyson, a conservative politician, was tarred as “just another Hillary.” So, if any female candidate is just another Hillary, then logically any male candidate is just another Sam Brownback? Awesome logic.
Moreover, some social media activists—usually men—suggested that Kelly expected women to vote for her because of her gender. Yes, after the years that men spent intentionally keeping women out of politics, some women want to support female candidates. But women also think with more than their reproductive parts. Most women vote Democratic, and the partisan gender gap is growing. Maybe most women voted for Kelly because she was an appealing Democrat?
Kelly aside, 2018 was mixed for Kansas women. Women still only have one Kansas seat in Congress. The number of women in the Kansas legislature declined by two, and has actually shrunk long-term. Before the election, men were 89% of Kansas county commissioners and 73% of county commissions were all male. That number barely budged, though the populous Johnson and Sedgwick counties finally added women to their commissions.
Female politicians often say that women need to be asked to run because society tells women they are not good enough and should not make demands. Political science research validates that. Female candidates are more likely to run because someone recruited them, whereas male candidates are more likely to recruit themselves. Women are less likely than men to think themselves qualified or knowledgeable enough for politics. Young women, especially minority women, are less likely than young men to say that their parents talk to them about politics or encourage them to consider political careers.
So, for women reading this, you should run for office. Whether you are a CEO, a stay-at-home mom, or work at Walmart, life qualifies you for politics. Love or hate Hillary, you are not Hillary. Despite what boys say, you are more than your gender and most voters will judge you on more than that. The voices of people like you are still disproportionately missing from government. If you do not fill that void, then who will? Representation matters.
Patrick. R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.
Tickets are now on sale for Noel: A Holiday Musical, a season performance of the 2018-2019 Encore Series at Fort Hays State University, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Noel is a new holiday family musical that tells the touching story of a young girl who is preparing for her starring role in a school Christmas performance when her mother disappears. Set in London, as the little girl tires to find her mother, she encounters a diverse group of homeless people who have lost their way in life.
One particular man, Nick, has lost his faith in humanity and in, the joy of Christmas. The audience learns that Nick is actually St. Nicholas, who has turned his back on his old “job.” He found that the world had forgotten the real meaning of Christmas so he walked away to help the people who really needed it. In their adventure to find Noel’s mom, together they learn to find hope in themselves, and in the world.
With a gorgeous score, Noel is a heart-warming poignant message of love that teaches us all to find the joy in our own lives and to rediscover the magic of Christmas.
This performance is sponsored by Cedar Lodge Dental Group.
Tickets are available at the Memorial Union Student Service Center, by calling 785-628-5306 or by visiting www.fhsu.edu/encore.
Tickets for the public are $40 reserved and $35 unreserved; for seniors and children ages 5-17, tickets are $37 reserved and $32 unreserved; and for FHSU students, tickets are $30 reserved and $26 unreserved with a Tiger Card.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man convicted of sex crimes in 2007 was resentenced Thursday by a Reno County District Judge.
Dwerlkotte- photo KDOC
Robert Dwerlkotte will be released from prison soon after serving half of the sentence, according to District Attorney Keith Schroeder,
On Thursday he was sentenced to 8 1/2 years, but he’s already served over 11 years in prison. That means Dwerlkotte could be released in the very near future. This comes after the Kansas Court of Appeals ordered he be resentenced because his criminal history score was improper even though the state had included in the complaint that his burglary involved a dwelling.
Dwerlkotte was originally sentenced to 22 1/2 years for aggravated sexual battery and aggravated battery in prison.
The case involved breaking into his ex-wife’s home. He hid on the floor beside her bed while she slept. He then jumped on top of her when she woke up, held her down and tried to convince her to have sex.
Dwerlkotte previously served time in prison for the burglary and a conviction for sexual exploitation of a child.
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man who was growing marijuana on an island in the Neosho River was sentenced Thursday to 65 months in federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Skibo-photo Labette Co. Sheriff
Scott Joseph Skibo, 55, Chetopa, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. In his plea, he admitted he was tending his marijuana garden on an island in the Neosho River in Chetopa, Kan., when investigators had him under surveillance.
When law enforcement officers moved in to arrest him, Skibo got in his boat and fled. Officers in their own boat pursued him about half a mile before catching him. They seized about 50 marijuana plants, as well as a backpack containing a loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun, spare ammunition, marijuana, scissors, green twine, a water bottle and rain gear.
Winners of the three seats for Ellis City Council have been determined following Thursday night’s official Ellis County canvassing of the November 5th general election.
Those elected were incumbent Jolene Niernberger, along with write-ins Steve Ferland and Martin LaBarge.
Today Sunny, with a high near 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Saturday Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 29 by 5pm. Breezy, with a north northeast wind 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North northeast wind 5 to 14 mph.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Republican Barb Wasinger, center, and others wait for Ellis County canvass results on Thursday night.
Hays Post
Republican Barb Wasinger collected just over 50 percent of the vote in the race for the 111th Kansas House of Representatives District and defeated incumbent Democrat Eber Phelps by just 32 votes.
According to the final vote totals presented Thursday at the election canvass Wasinger received 4,342 while Phelps got 4,310.
Hays Attorney John Bird served as a representative for Eber Phelps Thursday and submitted a request for a full recount. Phelps was not present at the election canvass.
Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus answers a question for attorney John Bird, who was representing Democrat Eber Phelps.
Election official Donna Maskus said they will have five days to complete the recount and expect to complete it on Tuesday.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A suburban Kansas City massage therapist faces sentencing Jan. 3 after admitting that he secretly recorded video of a woman while she undressed.
Gorski -photo Johnson Co.
32-year-old Daniel Gorski pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony count of breach of privacy. He previously worked as a massage therapist at a chiropractic clinic in Gardner, Kansas.
An investigation began in 2016 after Gorski’s girlfriend reported finding a computer flash drive containing images of women undressing or nude. Prosecutors eventually charged Gorski with crimes involving several women, but the additional charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement on Thursday.
Gorski also pleaded guilty earlier this year in Jefferson County, Kan., to possession of child pornography.
