Monday evening tornado from east of Grainfield photo by Denise Gillespie
GRAINFIELD – Law enforcement and emergency management officials in Gove County reported as many as three tornadoes touched down near Grainfield on Monday evening.
“One went east, a second went west and a third one came through town,” said Gove County Sheriff Allan Weber. “It wasn’t a direct hit but it did damage several buildings in town.”
A wall at the Frontier Ag facility was damaged and the doors of the elevator were down, according to Weber.
“A couple of other buildings were damaged including a Quonset hut that housed tractors, a semi, a combine, and grain carts was destroyed. Most of the equipment suffered only minor damage,” he said.
In addition to broken windows around town, large trees were down in the street and power lines down in town and south of town. There was also report of a roof blown off a residential garage
“So far we have had no injuries reported,” said Weber. “We’ll drive around the county first thing Tuesday morning to make sure there isn’t anything else damaged.”
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GRAINFIELD – Law enforcement and emergency management officials in Gove County are busy assessing damage from Monday evening high winds and tornado, according to Gove County Sheriff’s Office.
Trees and power lines were reported down. There were also reports of damage to several small buildings.
The tornado was confirmed 2 miles west of Ransom, moving northeast at 50 mph. Eastern Trego County, northwest Ellis County and north-central Ness County remains in a tornado warning until 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Check Hays Post and tune into Eagle Radio stations for additional details as they become available.
TOPEKA — Aim Strategies LLC, in partnership with Liberty Group Inc., announced plans today to renovate four historic downtown Topeka buildings into a boutique hotel and restaurant.
Cody Foster, founder of Aim Strategies, contacted Chuck Comeau, president of Liberty Group, after the development of the Chestnut Street District in downtown Hays. Foster ultimately selected Liberty Group to oversee the restoration and the branding of the new space that will become the Cyrus Hotel and Holliday’s Public House on Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka.
Plans for the Cyrus Hotel and Holliday’s Public House incorporate the four existing historic structures of 912, 916, 918 and 920 Kansas Avenue, along with an additional five-story tower. The venue will feature 79 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, and over 10,000 square feet of event and meeting space with full catering services.
Located just one block from the Capitol, the hotel and restaurant honor Topeka’s founder, Cyrus K. Holliday. In an 1854 letter to his wife, Holliday described the area as “perhaps the best landing and the most eligible site for a city in the entire country.” In this spirit, the City of Topeka has invested $9 million dollars over the past two years redesigning and greenscaping Kansas Avenue, making it ripe for development.
Foster and Comeau worked with Lake Flato, one of the world’s leading architectural firms based in San Antonio, Texas, to design the hotel. David Bowd, founder of Salt Hotels of New York, and former COO for Ian Schrager Hotels and André Balazs Hotels of New York, Los Angeles and London, will manage hotel operations. Topeka companies Architect 1 and McPherson Contractors will bring the plans of the Cyrus Hotel and Holliday’s Public House to fruition.
Liberty Group was established in 1999 to help with the revitalization of downtown Hays. Comeau is a native of nearby Plainville and Fort Hays State University alumni who remembered downtown Hays as a vibrant community hub and wanted to be a part of its resurgence. Liberty Group approached the City of Hays a year later with the Chestnut Street District concept. As a result, the City provided funding to establish the Downtown Hays Development Corp.
Hays development is still in progress. Liberty Group has completed plans for a new 67-room downtown hotel, located at 12th and Main Streets. The concept includes renovation of the historic Strand Theater, located next to the proposed hotel site, into a 6,000-square-foot event venue. A public task force has been formed by the DHDC and the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development to address and evaluate public infrastructure needs before Liberty Group moves forward with development plans.
For more information on the Cyrus Hotel and Holliday’s Public House, visit www.CyrusHotel.com.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. – With their 28-14 win over No. 20 ranked Central Missouri on Saturday, Fort Hays State locked up the bid to the Mineral Water Bowl on December 5, 2015. The Tigers will face Minnesota-Duluth from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Both teams enter the game at 8-3 overall. Minnesota-Duluth was the champion of the North Division in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. This will be the 50th Mineral Water Bowl Game. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchase at the gate or by calling 816-519-5627. For more information visit www.mineralwaterbowl.net.
Fort Hays State reaches the postseason for the first time in 20 years. The last postseason game occurred in 1995 when the Tigers were selected to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Although the Tigers came up just short of the playoffs this year, they were the top finishing team in the MIAA outside teams selected to the NCAA Playoffs. Northwest Missouri State (No. 1 seed) and Emporia State (No. 6 seed) will represent the MIAA in the playoffs.
Fort Hays State tied Central Missouri for third in the MIAA, but takes the automatic bid to the Mineral Water Bowl by virtue of defeating Central Missouri head-to-head. The Tigers will now be looking for their first-ever postseason win at the NCAA Division II level.
The only two postseason games the Tigers have ever played as members of NCAA Division II occurred in 1993 and 1995. Both were in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. In 1993, FHSU fell at California-Davis 37-34, and then in 1995, fell at Texas A&M-Kingsville 59-28.
The Tigers also have a chance to do something no other team in Fort Hays State football history has done, and that is reach nine wins. This year’s team has already matched the school record for wins in a season with eight. The feat has now been accomplished seven times (1935, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2015).
The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs will be making their second appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl. Head coach Curt Wiese in his third year as UMD’s head coach brings a 32-6 record into the game. Coach Wiese has guided the Bulldogs to two NCAA Division II Playoff appearances, one NSIC Championship and two NSIC North division titles.
More than two pages of Kansas! magazine’s 70th anniversary edition feature Hays’ Chestnut Street District, its businesses and Historic Fort Hays.
Hays’ Chestnut Street District, recently renamed The Bricks,” is prominently featured in the article naming Hays as “one of Kansas’ favorite frontier towns.” From the Hays feature article to Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co.’s inclusion in the Kansas Bucket List, the Chestnut Street District continues to gain awareness as a destination worthy of a full day’s exploration according to Kansas! magazine writer, Katy Schamberger.
Downtown businesses featured in “Day 1” of the article include, The Paisley Pear Café, Be Made, C.S. Post & Co., Em ‘n Me Antiques, Soda Shoppe Café, Chestnut Street Kitchens and restaurants, Sake 2 Me Sushi Rolls, and Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. “Day 2” of the feature is dedicated to Historic Fort Hays.
The Winter 2015 and anniversary edition of Kansas! magazine also includes a bucket list of 70 places and events to experience in Kansas. Out of more than 300 submissions, editors chose 70 to commemorate their anniversary. Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co., located at 117 E. 11th in the Chestnut Street District, was selected and touted as possibly being the state’s best-kept secret.
The Chestnut Street District is the center of the Hays community and follows the original footprint of Chestnut Street prior to 1929, when it was renamed to Main Street. The writer details the location of the three gateway markers memorializing the district. Located at the corners of Eighth and Fort, Eighth and Oak, and Seventeenth and Main, each marker was designed and built by Hays artist, Pete Felten.
Schamberger quoted Hays resident Andy Stanton, in saying, “Downtown Hays is really a jewel in our community.”
Game Warden Mike Hopper assisted Kansas Highway Patrol, Logan County Sheriff office and Wallace County Sheriff office with a car chase and felony arrest in Wallace County-photo KDWPT
THOMAS COUNTY — A 19-year-old man is in the Thomas County jail on suspicion of various drug allegations after a high-speed chase on Thursday evening across western Kansas.
Just after 4:45 p.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol attempted to stop an eastbound Ford Focus traveling 90 mph in Thomas County.
As the trooper approached the vehicle, it took off, according to KHP Trooper Tod Hileman.
The vehicle took the K Road exit 62 and immediately returned to the Interstate. The vehicle eventually took exit 76 toward Sharon Springs and traveled westbound on Old Highway 40.
After the vehicle avoided one set of stop sticks, Wallace County Undersheriff Marshall Unruh was able to successfully deploy stop sticks that damaged two of the Ford’s tires.
The vehicle continued 3 miles into a field and through two fences, according to Unruh.
Officers arrested Austen Funke, 19, Loveland, Ohio, on suspicion of speeding, failure to maintain proper lane of traffic, unsafe passing, fleeing and attempt to allude law enforcement, DUI-drugs, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Warden Mike Hopper assisted with the chase and arrest.
WAKEENEY — In the first day of the trial of Scott Bollig on Thursday, jurors heard emotional testimony from Naomi Abbott – Bollig’s former girlfriend – and WaKeeney Police Chief Terry Eberle centering around the events that led up to Bollig being charged with first-degree murder of Abbott’s unborn child.
During the prosecution’s examination, Abbott testified that Bollig did not seem interested in having the child, telling the jury he had said to her repeatedly, “It could all go away very easily,” suggesting Abbott abort the pregnancy even after she had decided she wanted the child, making the relationship very tense.
She also testified Bollig said he did not want to be involved at all but did not want Abbott to move out of the state, as she was planning, as it would deny his family the opportunity to be with the child.
Although Abbott described a normal pregnancy, including a doctor’s visit that included a sonogram, she testified that changed quickly after having breakfast with Bollig on a Sunday in late January 2014.
During that morning, Abbott told jurors nothing was out of the ordinary as Bollig cooked pancakes for the couple. But, by the following Thursday, she had sought medical treatment for extreme nausea and dehydration.
Following that visit, she said she was admitted to the hospital for IV treatment of a urinary tract infection, chlamydia, dehydration, nausea and extreme cramping.
The following morning, Abbott said she awoke finding herself covered in blood.
“I knew something was definitely wrong,” she testified.
After being assisted by medical staff to the bathroom, she said she felt as if something had passed through.
It was later confirmed she had lost the baby.
Later that evening, Abbott testified Bollig visited the hospital for the first time and offered to drive Abbott home.
Abbott was discharged that evening, only to be pulled over by law enforcement during the drive home and asked to return to the hospital for blood tests and to sign paperwork that would allow for an autopsy of the baby.
During the time required to submit to the test and fill out paperwork, Bollig left, but, at that time, Abbott said she didn’t believe Bollig had done anything wrong and continued their relationship.
“I still saw him,” she said, but indicated he wanted the relationship to go back to “the way things were before” the pregnancy. She said he failed to be sympathetic to her grief.
Things changed, however, she testified, when he admitted to Abbott he had done something to terminate the pregnancy, but did not go into details. He informed her he intended to confess to police the next day, she told jurors.
Even with the confession, however, and a order of no contact for Bollig, Abbott admitted that she had visited with him.
During cross-examination, the defense brought to light Abbott had pursed the relationship, even visiting Bollig at his home in April, testifying she had told him that she desired for “it all to be over.” During that visit, she testified she asked for a hug and told Bollig she was still in love with him.
The couple had also shared texts and pictures – sometimes intimate – until Bollig’s phone was taken as evidence, cross-examination revealed.
Following testimony from Abbott, Eberle was examined by the prosecution and the defense. During his testimony, he said Bollig had came into his office on Feb. 20 after meeting with Abbott the night before — the night Abbott testified he confessed — to tell to Eberle he had sprinkled a drug called mifepristone on pancakes eaten by Abbot.
Eberle testified Bollig provided evidence to Eberle and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation officer that he had bought the pills online and admitted to crushing the pills in preparation for breakfast, when he sprinkled the crushed pill on top of pancakes he served to Abbott.
During the examination of Eberle, however, the defense found several errors in testimony he had given at a preliminary hearing, mostly on specific dates and times conversations had happened.
The defense also questioned why no recordings of the confession had been made, including a written confession by Bollig.
“He didn’t want to do that,” Eberle said about a written statement, and said it was not procedure to record meetings in his department at that time.
Testimony is scheduled to continue at 9 a.m. Friday.
WICHITA – An Ellis County man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release Thursday.
In July, Joseph Anthony Ransom, 30, Ellis, was convicted on count of growing marijuana plants, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.
During trial, the prosecution presented evidence that on Sept. 25, 2014, officers with the Ellis Police Department executed a search warrant at Ransom’s residence in Ellis. They found that Ransom was growing 181 marijuana plants inside his home and that he possessed a Zastava PAP M92 PV AK47 pistol and a .223 caliber rifle. Because of prior felony convictions, Ransom was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Grissom commended the Ellis Police Department, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.
Madison Prough wanted to play collegiate volleyball and when the opportunity to do so where her family could watch her do so, the chance was too good to pass up. Prough signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball for Fort Hays State University on Wednesday.
Madison Prough
Coach Christin Nunnery
Prough played on the varsity level at the setter spot all four years of her high school career. She not only saw her own success increase over time, but the programs as well. As a freshman Prough was part of a team that won only 11 matches. As a senior the Indians won 29 matches and finished the regular season ranked in the top ten of 4A-DI. Prough finished her career with 1,271 career assists which puts her second all-time at Hays High. The senior tallied 450 assists in 2015 which set the single season record. She also ranks 5th and 8th in single season aces with 38 this year and 34 her junior year.
RUSSELL–The holiday season is upon us and the Deines Cultural Center, 820 North Main Street, will host its Membership Gala Friday, Nov. 20.
The evening includes fantastic multi-media art, yummy food and great music from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Musical entertainment includes the local band “The Believers” and Patricia Davis, playing piano selections.
The exhibition for the season “STORYTELLING” will feature artwork by Archie Oliver, Robin Valenzuela, Karen Holiday, Kent Williams, Rose Dudek and Alice Young. The art is mixed media, including paintings and ceramics.
Witches sculptures by artist Dustin Poche, Russell
Sign up as a 2016 DCC member and you will qualify for a special raffle of art pieces designed and created by Dustin Poche, an excellent local sculptor, whose work has international recognition. The pieces portray his skill and talent depicting witches, complete with evil eyes, wrinkled skin and in-depth characterization, truly items for collectors.
STORYTELLING will show from November 20, 2015, through January 8, 2016. Admission is free.
Eagle TV will rebroadcast the Hays Veterans Day ceremony, which was held Wednesday, several times over the coming days.
The ceremony will premiere at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday on Eagle Cable Channels 14 and 614.
Encore showings will be:
• Saturday Nov 14 at 2pm & 7pm
• Sunday Nov 15 at 2pm and 7pm
• Monday Nov 16 thru Friday Nov 20 11am & 4pm
• Saturday Nov 21 @ 2pm & 7pm
• Sunday Nov 22 @ 2pm and 7pm
• Monday, Nov 23 @ 11am & 4pm
The Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame at Dodge City recently inducted its Class of 2015 including (back row) Gary Kraisinger, historian; Orin Friesen, entertainer; Oley Goodnight, cattleman/rancher; (front row) Harley Gilbert, rodeo cowboy; Margaret Kraisinger, historian; and Lucile Peck, accepted for her late husband Jerry Peck, working cowboy. (Courtesy photo.)
A Hays native was among the 2015 inductees to the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame, according to the High Plains Journal in Dodge City.
Gary and Margaret Kraisinger were named to the 2015 class. Gary is originally from Hays, while Margaret hails from Garden City. Both attended Fort Hays State University.
An accident at approximately 1:15 p.m. Tuesday sent one man to the hospital and closed westbound traffic on 27th from Broadway to Vine following a collision between a motorcycle and a truck at the intersection of 27th and Plaza.
Unconfirmed eyewitness reports said the motorcycle was on 27th heading East when the truck turned onto Plaza. The rider was unable to stop in time and collided with the passenger side door of the vehicle. The truck then drove over the rider. Hays Police Department officers at the scene declined to comment as to the cause of the accident.
The rider was taken to Hays Medical Center. His current condition is unknown at this time.
By 1:45 p.m., traffic had reopened on 27th, but was still being directed around the parked truck on Plaza at the intersection.
One of the moderators for tonight’s fourth GOP presidential debate is Hays native Gerald Seib. The event at the Milwaukee Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is hosted by Fox Business Network and the Wall Street Journal.
Seib is the WSJ Washington Bureau Chief. He is a 1974 graduate of TMP Marian High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 1978. Seib was part of the team from the Journal that won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in the “breaking news” category for its coverage of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Seib and Fox Business Network anchors Trish Regan and Sandra Smith, will moderate the second tier debate from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee, who had each participated with the top-tier candidates in the three prior primetime debates have been bumped down into the lower tier, along with Bobby Jindal and Rick Santorum.
Eight candidates will participate on the main debate stage: Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich and Rand Paul from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT. The moderators will be Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo and Neil Cavuto and Wall Street Journal Editor-in-chief Gerard Baker.
The debates can be seen live on TV on the Fox Business Network as well as online at foxbusiness.com and wsj.com.
