SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after an I-70 traffic stop.
The marijuana and other items found during the stop on I-70. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff’s office
Just after 5p.m. November 9, a Saline County Deputy clocked a 2018 Hyundai Elantra eastbound at 93 miles per hour on Interstate 70, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.
When the deputy stopped the vehicle near the Halstead exit, he detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
A check of the vehicle revealed a total of 4.4 pounds of various types of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and some cocaine. Some of the marijuana was found packaged in Pelican cases that were zip-tied to the underside of the vehicle, according to Soldan.
HennesseeMooneyham-photo Saline Co.
The driver, Janice Hennessee, 48, of McMinnville, Tennessee, was charged with speeding, distribution of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and having no tax stamp.
The passenger, Regina Mooneyham, 49, of Morrison, Tennessee, was charged with possession of opiates, distribution of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and having no tax stamp.
TOPEKA—Today, Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announced that his office has successfully challenged the Federal Communication Commission’s Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) Eligibility Map, which the Commission will soon use to determine areas that will be eligible for funding for mobile LTE broadband service buildout in unserved areas. Unlike surrounding states, Kansas was originally slated to receive almost no funding from the MF-II program unless the initial eligibility map could be challenged. The map below indicates the areas that were initially deemed eligible for MF-II support (shaded in blue), based on coverage data reported by the nation’s mobile service providers.
Initial areas (in blue) deemed eligible for MF-II support
Thanks to a $225,000 grant from the Information Network of Kansas (“INK”) Board of Directors, the Governor’s Office was able to partner with non-profit Connected Nation to conduct professional drive testing of mobile network coverage across the state. Between the months of June and September, Connected Nation staff covered 15,620 road miles to conduct tests across parts of 56 Kansas counties (Allen, Anderson, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Clark, Comanche, Crawford, Decatur, Ellsworth, Ford, Geary, Graham, Grant, Greeley, Hamilton, Harper, Jackson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Linn, Logan, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Mitchell, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Wallace, and Wichita). The areas tested were chosen based on analysis of areas that were reported to be served by no more than two mobile carriers—areas deemed most likely to be unserved.
Of the 187,397 tests that were conducted, 119,994 failed (64.03%)—meaning that the tests indicated less than 5 Mbps of mobile data service, or no service at all, in areas that the carriers had reported to be served. The Governor’s Office was then able to use the testing data to challenge 13,158.63 square kilometers of the MF-II Eligibility Map—or 5,080.58 square miles—an area slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut. While the challenge data submitted is still subject to review and adjudication by the FCC, it is now possible that a significant portion of the state of Kansas will be opened up for MF-II funding support—meaning many rural Kansans could finally see their mobile services improve.
The map below shows individual speed tests conducted in Jewell County. Red dots indicate failed tests, while green dots show passing tests.
Internet speed tests conducted in Jewell County
“Mobile broadband service has become an essential tool in the daily lives of all Kansans, regardless of where they live, and it is quickly becoming a necessary resource for agriculture as well,” said Governor Colyer. “I have driven all across this state, and I know how poor mobile coverage can be in some areas. That’s why I was shocked to see that the FCC’s Mobility Fund Phase II eligibility map showed almost zero eligibility for funding in Kansas. I knew we had to do something. With support from the INK Board and our partners at Connected Nation, we did—and now there is a great chance that we’ll see large swaths of service buildout in rural parts of the state.”
The map below indicates all of the one square kilometer grid cells that were challenged within Kansas:
It is important to note that the Governor’s Office’s MF-II challenge will be supplemented by testing conducted by Kansas Farm Bureau, which received a waiver from the FCC to file its own challenge.
Kansas Farm Bureau has been working aggressively over the same period in collaboration with its membership to conduct thousands of mobile speed tests across the state—the results of which will be announced later this month. To participate, or to learn more about Kansas Farm Bureau’s efforts, visitwww.kfb.org/connectingkansas.
All MF-II challenge data must be submitted no later than November 26.
RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of an infant in Manhattan.
Just after 8:30 a.m. Thursday, November 8, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call concerning an infant not breathing in East Manhattan, according to a media release.
The infant was transported to Via Christi in Manhattan then subsequently life-flighted to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City where he died.
The Hays Police Department responded to 14 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Fri., Nov. 9, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:03 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–22nd and Marshall Rd, Hays; 7:47 AM
Intoxicated Subject–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:53 AM
Animal At Large–6th and Main St, Hays; 10:14 AM
Found/Lost Property–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:27 AM
Animal At Large–500 block Main St, Hays; 11:46 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block Main St, Hays; 11/2 2:30 PM; 11/9 11:20 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–29th St and Indian Trl, Hays; 1:02 PM
Criminal Trespass–800 block Main St, Hays; 2:43 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 3:17 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Injury–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 3:19 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 3:26 PM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Ash St, Hays; 6:27 PM
Welfare Check–800 block Walnut St, Hays; 6:40 PM
Criminal Trespass–1600 block Main St, Hays; 7:22 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1800 block Ash St, Hays; 9:35 PM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block W 8th St, Hays; 10:04 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 11:40 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 31 traffic stops Sat., Nov. 10, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Disturbance – Noise–2400 block Main St, Hays; 12:37 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:01 AM
Welfare Check–400 block Fort St, Hays; 7:44 AM
Suicidal Subject–1500 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:33 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1200 block Maple St, Hays; 10:25 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–400 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:10 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–11000 block E 16th Ave, Aurora; 1:04 PM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 10 AM; 1:30 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 11/9 8:30 AM; 9 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2000 block Allen St, Hays; 2:51 PM
Animal At Large–39th St and Fairway Dr, Hays; 4:44 PM
Animal At Large–300 block Lewis Dr, Hays; 4:53 PM
Domestic Disturbance–600 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:01 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2300 block Vine St, Hays; 6 PM
Drug Offenses–8th and College Dr, Hays; 9:59 PM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block Ash St, Hays; 11:44 PM
Minor in Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block Ash St, Hays; 11:52 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 30 traffic stops Sun., Nov. 11, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–200 block Main St, Hays; 12:39 AM
Suspicious Activity–4400 block Larned Cir, Hays; 12:55 AM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:46 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 1:49 AM
Drug Offenses–4100 block Vine St, Hays; 2:29 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 3 PM
Found/Lost Property–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 5:41 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:17 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Mon., Nov. 12, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Welfare Check–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 12:09 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–400 block Milner St, Hays; 12:33 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Ash St, Hays; 1:05 AM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 1:45 AM
Animal Bite Investigation–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9 AM
Animal At Large–300 block Dwight Dr, Hays; 8:53 AM
Welfare Check–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 12:11:19 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–600 block E 8th St, Hays; 11/9 6 PM; 11/11 8 AM
Open Door/Window–1900 block Longfellow Rd, Hays; 3:17 PM; 4:17 PM
Driving Under the Influence–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 8:28 PM
How would you like to be elected governor of Kansas by about 46,000 votes on Tuesday and on Friday learn that you’re going to have $306.4 million more to spend than you thought?
Doesn’t get much better than that, does it? Well, that’s exactly what has happened to Gov.-elect Laura Kelly, who by the way beat Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach who pledged during his campaign to start cutting taxes quickly if elected.
Well, Kelly isn’t talking tax cuts, she’s talking investment in schools, expanding Medicaid and balancing the budget without new taxes—and that was before she heard about the $306 million windfall which the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group unveiled Friday. The CREG meets twice a year, in November and April, to predict upcoming state revenues.
This might be an interesting four years ahead with a governor who wants to first take care of the state’s responsibilities that have been avoided the past several years before talking about tax cuts. The new money is good, of course, but we’re not yet constitutionally “adequate” on state aid to schools and are making little progress in restoring money that has been “swept” out of agency budgets for highway construction, pensions and such.
No, we’re not looking for Kelly to start handing out tax cuts while she’s waiting for her stationery and business cards to be printed up.
In fact, even before that $306 million windfall, Kelly was talking about waiting until next April’s Consensus Revenue Estimate before giving much thought to tax cuts—after she’s nailed down the spending necessary to restore state government duties.
Part of that, of course, is her experience as a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee—which makes the appropriations and cuts necessary to balance the budget. It’s been more cuts than appropriations in the past few years, and she’s made clear that restoration of services is first in line, ahead of tax cuts.
What’s it mean? Well, from a Statehouse viewpoint, it probably means a rather complicated “State of the State” message when lawmakers come back to town in mid-January. She’s a details person, likely to talk more about programs that need to be rebuilt or financed adequately than new programs that Republicans tend to spend a lot of time trying to think up catchy names (or acronyms) for.
Don’t look for flash.
Now, remember that she’s going to face an overwhelmingly Republican legislature that is probably going to be more interested in cutting taxes than rebuilding the state payroll of social workers and helping local school districts rebuild their staff of teachers and aides.
Key there is for the governor to convince those conservatives in the Legislature that the not-very-flashy care of the poor and ill and their children is the best way to improve the state before cutting taxes.
Tax cuts? They will probably start with the sales tax on food. It’s a big deal for the poor who see the cost of a can of beans at 9% or 10% (depending on local sales taxes) more than the shelf price before they get it out of the store and into the kitchen. Oh, and it also means that those steaks and salmon are cheaper, too, but it’s not an afford-it or not decision for more prosperous Kansans.
That $306 million? Well, it gives Kelly some negotiating room, enough spare cash to bargain a dab of tax cut in return for the social service, highway construction and health-care expenditures she’d like to make.
But all that new direction in state spending that Kelly proposes will ultimately be keyed off of the makeup of the Legislature, and whether that top-heavy Republican majority in both chambers is solid enough to pass veto-proof legislation.
We’ll see. Check back in April…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com.
SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man convicted of raping and trying to kill a young girl is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday.
Breitenbach -photo Kansas Offender Registry
The sentencing hearing for 24-year-old Corbin Breitenbach of Wichita is now scheduled for 3p.m., according to the Sedgwick County Attorney’s office.
In September, a Sedgwick County jury deliberated for about an hour before finding Breitenbach guilty of attempted capital murder, rape, criminal sodomy and burglary.
Witnesses said Breitenbach broke into a west Wichita apartment in June of 2017 where the then-7-year-old girl was staying with her brother and a family friend. Prosecutors say he choked the girl until she was unconscious and then raped her.
Breitenbach, who acted as his own attorney during the trial, was already registered as a sex offender for an aggravated sexual battery case from 2012.
BRENHAM, Texas — Blue Bell Creameries voluntarily recalled its ice cream products in 2015 after they were linked to 10 listeria cases in four states, including three deaths in Kansas.
On Tuesday, Blue Bell announced it is expanding its distribution area to include Kansas City and the surrounding area beginning March 18, 2019, according to a media release from the company.
In addition to the Kansas City (metro area) the ice cream will return to Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth and Ottawa in Kansas and to St. Joseph and Sedalia in Missouri
“It has always been our goal to return to Kansas City, and we believe that we are in a great position to expand our sales territory next year,” said Jimmy Lawhorn, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell.
“Currently, you can purchase Blue Bell in the southeastern corner of Kansas and southwest Missouri. In 2019, we will be able to include larger portions of both states. We can’t thank our customers enough for their patience.”
Blue Bell will reopen its distribution facility located in Kansas City. “We have started hiring personnel, including a number of former employees, and will continue to add more as needed over the next few months,” Lawhorn said.
No store locations have been released at this time, but ice cream fans can expect to find Blue Bell at most major supermarkets and drug stores when it returns to the area.
In addition to Kansas City, Blue Bell will soon announce more cities it is expanding to next year. “We are anticipating a busy and successful year ahead,” Lawhorn added. “And our fans can look forward to enjoying many of their favorite flavors and products when Blue Bell returns in 2019.”
To find out where you can currently purchase Blue Bell and for the locations that will be added in March, visit www.bluebell.com/locator.
Doris Witthuhn, age 87, of Hays, Kansas died Sunday, November 11, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.
She was born July 9, 1931, in rural Rush County, Kansas to Jerry S. and Edna Mae (West) Liggett. She married William A. “Bill” Witthuhn on September 2, 1952 at Bazine, Kansas. He preceded her in death on May 10, 2018.
She was a homemaker. Doris and her husband, Bill were co-owners with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law of Hen House Ceramics in Hays.She moved to Hays in 1987, having lived in Fort Worth, TX, Great Bend and in Wichita where she and her husband owned Sunflower Ceramics for about 5 years.
She grew up in Rush County and was a 1948 graduate of LaCrosse High School. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and a volunteer at the Hays Medical Center Gift Shop. Doris enjoyed flower gardening, crafts, painting, playing cards and collecting Santas.
Survivors include two sons, Richard J. Witthuhn and wife, Traci, Cape Fair, MO; Donnie L. Witthuhn, Wichita, KS; one daughter, Jeannie Wideman and husband, Roy, Hays, KS; one brother, John Liggett and wife, Rita, Rush Center, KS; one sister, Judy McCoy, Overland Park, KS; one sister-in-law, Elaine Witthuhn, Hays, KS; four grandchildren, Brent (Mandy) Witthuhn; Crystal (Isaac) Perez; Jennifer (Mark) Adams; Tim (Paige) Wideman; ten great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; two brothers, Donnie Liggett and Duane “Jake” Liggett; one sister, Sharon Mendenhall and husband, Jack; one brother-in-law, Lester “Booger” Witthuhn; one infant brother and one infant sister, Vernon Leroy Liggett and Lorna Mae Liggett.
Services are 11:00 a.m.Thursday, November 15, 2018, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. A private family inurnment will be at the Bazine Cemetery, Bazine, Kansas at a later date.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.
The family suggests memorial to Messiah Lutheran Church.
Jana’s Campaign received a $1,000 donation from the Midwest Energy Community Fund fall disbursement.
These funds will be used to assist our Youth Advisory Council in developing Character Building Kits that can be used with elementary age students. The kits include interactive lessons on character development, leadership, and anti-bullying. These lessons will be meaningful, age-appropriate and relevant for younger students.
As Jana’s Campaign works to prevent gender and relationship violence, we are often called upon to work with younger students. Additionally, our middle and high school students serving on the Youth Advisory Council recommended we start sharing our message with elementary students to increase our success at preventing teens and young adults from being in violent and unhealthy relationships.
The Midwest Energy Community Fund was created in 2005. Five committees of Midwest Energy customers determine who receives the awards ranging from $50 to $1000. The committees can direct funds to activities that focus on youth, arts, education, libraries, community events or other priorities they choose. This year there were many great applications under consideration and Jana’s Campaign is honored to be one of the recipients.
Jana’s Campaign is a Hays-based national education and violence prevention organization with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence. In honor of the late Jana Mackey, a 25-year old law student at the University of Kansas when she was killed by an ex-boyfriend in 2008, and other victims and survivors of gender and relationship violence, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
Angela Marie Stecklein Friess, age 99, passed away on November 11, 2018 at Cedar Village, Ness City, Kansas. She was born on January 17, 1919 in Ness County, Kansas the daughter of Paul and Cecilia (Klaus) Gabel.
At the young age of 13 she entered the Adorers of Precious Blood Convent in Wichita on August 25, 1932. She served as a nun for 32 years before leaving on June 3, 1964. She received her Masters in Education from Creighton University in 1961. She taught in many schools in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. She ended her teaching career at Sacred Heart School in Ness City. She played the organ for Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the Altar Society.
On August 1, 1964 she married Isadore Stecklein in LaCrosse, Kansas. He preceded her in death on January 4, 1984. She then married Lewis Friess on August 31, 1985 in Ness City. He preceded her in death on August 8, 2011.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Louis, Sebastine, Pete, Mike, Emanuel, and Joe; and ten sisters, Adeline, Regina, Rose, Francis, Pauline, Irene, Louise and two infant sisters.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 510 S. School St.
Ness City, Kansas, followed by burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Rosary and Parish Vigil will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018, 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 207 North Pennsylvania Ave., Ness City, Kansas. Viewing will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given toward masses or to the Sacred Heart School.
Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book on the Fitzgerald Funeral Home website.
David F. Hertel, 64, Louisville, CO, formerly of Hays, died Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Juniper Village in Louisville.
He was born November 16, 1953 in Hays, the son of Albinus F. “Al” and Lucy C. (Lietz) Hertel. He was a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in the class of 1972 and received an associate degree from Fort Hays State University. On May 17, 1974 he was united in marriage to Virginia Stecklein at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. They celebrated over 44 years of marriage.
He was an oilfield roustabout and pumper and workedat Stecklein Oil Company and Hertel Tank Service, a family business. He loved cutting wheat and custom cutting. David received the Hays All American Citizen Award in 1996, he taught first and seventh grade religion classes at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church,and he and Virginia sponsored couples through Engaged Encounters.
His memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church and the St. Joseph Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325.
Hobbies included woodworking, making functioning miniature pumping units, and heloved to tinker and could fix anything. He was very patient, stuck with a project until it was completed, andmost of all, he loved his family and they always came first.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia of Arvada, CO, two daughters; Christina Hertel and partner Stacy Kadota of Arvada and Lisa Hertel and husband Heath Ritchie of Westminster, CO, two brothers; Mike Hertel and wife Lori and John Hertel and wife Laura, all of Hays, a sister; Kathy and husband Patrick Thrash of Eastvale, CA, two grandsons; Spencer and Caden Hertel-Kadota of Arvada, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on David’s birthday, Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th Street, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery, Munjor. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:00 pm, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00, all on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral chapel.
Condolences and memories of David may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com
