KHS

TOPEKA — The Kansas Historical Foundation and the Kansas Historical Society announced they have received a $1 million gift from the Overland Park-based Sunderland Foundation. With this major gift the Kansas Historical Foundation’s Honor · Education · Inspire Capital Campaign, with a goal to raise $7 million for new exhibits for the Kansas Museum of History, is 67 percent complete. In addition to the Sunderland Foundation donation, the Historical Foundation and Historical Society announced as part of their 144th annual meeting that they have received $250,000 from the Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust.

The Sunderland family’s roots extend far into Kansas history. In 1882 the family founded Ash Grove White Lime Association in Ash Grove, Missouri. The company took over a plant in Chanute, Kansas, in 1908. The Ash Grove Cement Company materials were used to construct highways, bridges, commercial and industrial complexes, and single- and multi-family homes. Through four generations of the Sunderland family, between 1909 and 2018, the company grew to become the fifth largest manufacturer of Portland cement in the United States, the sixth largest in North America.

Lester T. Sunderland created the family foundation in 1945. The Sunderland Foundation, based in Overland Park, has invested in places and spaces where nonprofits do their work, including capital improvement and one-time special projects in the areas of arts and culture and education. The foundation’s focus on funding has helped nonprofits fulfill their missions and foster stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities. His two sons, Paul Sunderland and Allen B. Sunderland, carried on his philanthropy.

“We are excited to leave this important legacy for future generations of Kansans,” said Kent Sunderland, president of the Sunderland Foundation. “This innovative project will help students be proud of their state’s role in the nation.”

The Sunderland Foundation donation follows the $1 million donation from the Hansen Foundation of Logan in 2015. These two $1 million gifts are the largest gifts the Historical Foundation and Historical Society have received.

The Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust, Bank of America, donated $250,000 toward the capital campaign. The Humphreys Trust supports important programming for underserved and disadvantaged populations in east central Kansas. Humphreys was a rancher, businessman, and philanthropist who lived in Arvonia and Osage City.

The Kansas Museum of History’s new exhibits will honor those who have come before us. They will tell the stories of Kansas in a way that resonates in the 21st century. The new exhibits are projected to open in January 2023. Since the Museum’s opening in 1984 nearly 2 million people have visited. Each year the Historical Society serves more than 20 million people onsite and online through its award-winning programs that also include historic preservation, tax credits, archaeology, state historic sites, and archives.

As part of the annual members meeting, Historical Foundation officers and board members were elected. Officers of the Foundation for 2019-2020 are Carol Bales, Logan, president; Lidia Hook Gray, Liberal, president elect; F. Dave Seaton, Winfield, vice president; Rita L. Noll, Council Grove, secretary; Don Chubb, Topeka, past president; and Jon Boursaw, Topeka, treasurer. Reelected as members of the executive committee are Shelly Hickman Clark, Lawrence; Gennifer House, Goodland; and Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield, Topeka. Newly elected to the executive committee are Linda Jeffrey, Topeka; and Herschel L. Stroud, Topeka. Retiring from the executive committee are William Kassebaum, Burdick; and Hal Ross, Wichita. Retiring from the board of directors are Jane Deterding, Wichita; Karen Linn, Topeka; Michael Stubbs, Eskridge, who will be moving to the honorary board; and Vern Swanson, Clay Center.

The Kansas Historical Foundation, a 501(c) (3), is a fund raising, fund management, membership, and retail organization, whose mission is to support the Historical Society, a state agency. Established together by newspapers editors in 1875, the organizations jointly hold the annual meeting to elect officers and board members.

DSNWK

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas hosted its annual awards luncheon in Hays on Oct. 22. Awards were given throughout the afternoon to staff, persons served and community members.

The first awards of the afternoon were given to employees of DSNWK for their years of service. Those staff recognized and listed by location, were:

• Atwood – Sheena Brogan, Marsha Eastep, Keith Huntington, Kimberly Leitner, Stephanie Pelkey
• Hays – Eileen Anderson, Jeff Baczkowski, Joshua Balman, Jonathan Baumfalk, Jeremy Grizzle, Dale Haag, Dustin Harman, Cindy Harwood, Patti Hoffman, Terry Hunt, Steve Keil, Jeannie Komarek, Deanna Leiker, Dan Miller, Joshua Robben, Tami Rummel, Ryan Ruth, LeeAnn Schmidtberger, Nolan Schuckman, Denise Stritt, Valarie Strobel, Mark Tomanek, Cedric Venard, Angela Wahlmeier, Troy West, Paul Wildeman
• Hill City – Kelly Dobberstein, Justin Hrabe, Troy West
• Hoxie – Avis Herl
• Norton – Mary Ahlemeyer, Kathy Plummer, Lisa Shearer
• Russell – Marsha Niehoff, Dawn Rose, Herb Shumaker
• Stockton – Kristi Luetters

Herbie Shumaker, program coordinator in Russell was recognized for his honorable mention for ANCOR’s 2019 Direct Support Professional of the Year Award.

Special recognition was also paid to three staff members for their outstanding work with persons with disabilities. Tammy Dreiling of Hays, Kathy Plummer of Norton, and Marcie Vrbas of Atwood were each presented with the Employee of the Year Award.

Two $100 scholarship awards were presented to Karli Beck and Brianna Martin of Hays. This award was given from the Jerelyn Becker Memorial Scholarship Fund for employees studying in higher education in a field related to serving people with developmental disabilities.

Several awards were given to individuals served by DSNWK for achievement through employment. Those receiving awards and listed by location were:

• Atwood – Janey Engleman, James Goscha, Cheryl Hartzog, Cheri Hutchison
• Hays – Taylor Barrett, Treyshawn Blackmon, Justin Boden, Tim Brier, Preston Browning, Ryan Hoag, Neil Kuhn, Brittany Molnar, Bo Neeley, Ben Rose, Dallas Rupp, Shannon Sander, Justyn Staab, Chuck Stansbury, and Garrett Williams
• Hill City – Tallas McNabb, Myriah Penrod
• Phillipsburg – Ed Rybeck
• Russell – Steven Madsen

DSNWK presented two Individual Achievement Awards to individuals served by DSNWK.

Hays residents Lucas Albers and Brian Rietcheck were presented these awards which go each year to one youth and one adult who have shown tremendous individual progress throughout the year.

Awards were presented to members of area communities during the afternoon.

Schnee’s Hometown Brand Center in Atwood received DSNWK’s Employer of the Year Award for their outstanding support of people with disabilities in the workforce.

The Community Support Award was presented to the Hoxie Hotrodders – Lions Club for their outstanding support to individuals served by DSNWK with their Cruise Night event.

Recognition was made to two area thrift stores with DSNWK’s Good Neighbor Awards. The Rawlins County Thrift Store in Atwood and the Trinity Methodist Thrift Store in Russell were recognized for their support of the people served by DSNWK and community involvement.

Finally, DSNWK recognized two long time supporters of DSNWK for their support with its Vision of Hope Awards. Don and Chris Bickle and Rick and Gail Kuehl, both of Hays, were honored. DSNWK paid tribute to both of these couples for their outstanding support over the
years for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DSNWK is a 501c3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.

RUSSELL COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Russell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Dominique Weaver-Tucker, 18, Fergus Fall, Minn., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Gorham.

The vehicle traveled off the road into the median and rolled into the eastbound lanes.

EMS transported Weaver-Tucker to Hays Medical Center. A passenger — Mikha D. Pursell, 18, Russell — was transported to the hospital in Russell. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

LURAY — The Luray Historical Society will host its annual Christmas Madrigal at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7,  at the Stone Church in Luray.

A meal of wassail, soup, homemade bread, smothered steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and pineapple cake will be served prior to the musical performance by the Fort Hays State University Singers.

Local musicians and actors will perform earlier in the evening.

Cost for the event will be $25 per person, and reservations are required by Nov. 25 due to limited seating. Call (785) 698-2459 or (785) 658-5596 to reserve your spot for this traditional Christmas event.

— Submitted

RUSSELL COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Russell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Dominique Weaver-Tucker, 18, Fergus Fall, MN., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Gorham.

The vehicle traveled off the road into the median and rolled into the eastbound lanes.

EMS transported Weaver-Tucker to Hays Medical Center. A passenger Mikha D. Pursell, 18, Russell, was transported to the hospital in Russell. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

USDA

TOPEKA – U.S. Department of Agriculture State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen announced Tuesday that three rural Kansas electric cooperatives received more than $32 million in financing to build and improve rural electric infrastructure across the state.

“Modern and reliable electric infrastructure has been a cornerstone to rural prosperity since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,” USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. “This funding we are providing is critical to rural communities and reflects President Trump’s commitment to increasing prosperity across all of rural America. When rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

Nationally, USDA is providing $1.4 billion in financing to 27 projects through its Electric Loan Program. It will help build and improve 6,886 miles of line to strengthen reliability in rural areas. The loans include $255.8 million for investments in smart grid infrastructure that uses digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.

In Kansas, the following electric cooperatives received financing:

• Ark Valley Electric Cooperative Association Inc.
  $5.74 million loan
  This Rural Development investment will be used to build and improve 29 miles of line to serve 228 consumers. The loan includes nearly $42,000 for smart grid applications to increase system resilience and reliability. Headquartered in South Hutchinson, Kan., and energized in 1939, Ark Valley is a rural distribution cooperative serving nearly 5,200 consumers through 2,101 miles of line.
• Sedgwick County Electric Cooperative Association Inc.
  $8.116 million loan
  This Rural Development investment will be used to build and improve 67 miles of line and invest nearly $420,000 in smart grid technologies to improve system efficiencies and security. Sedgwick County Electric Cooperative Association Inc. serves more than 6,800 consumers over 1,175 miles of line in Harvey, Kingman, Reno, Sedgwick and Sumner counties, bordering the city of Wichita.
• Western Cooperative Electric Association Inc.
  $19 million loan
  This Rural Development investment will be used to connect 528 customers and build and improve 135 miles of line to enhance system resilience and reliability. Western Cooperative Electric Association Inc. is headquartered in WaKeeney and maintains approximately 4,000 miles of line in Ellis, Gove, Graham, Ness, Rooks, Rush, Trego, Sheridan, Osborne, Russell, Barton, Lincoln, and Ellsworth Counties.

USDA announced investments in the following states:  Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ks or call (785) 271-2700.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A 26-year-old Hays man was sentenced to more than five years in prison Monday for having sex with a 14-year-old.

Robert Sanetta was originally charged with two counts of indent liberties with a child and one count of criminal sodomy for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old in 2018.

As the result of a plea agreement, Sanetta pleaded no contest in September to the two felony counts of indent liberties and the criminal sodomy charged was dismissed.

Under the agreement, Sanetta was expected to be sentenced to probation Monday in Ellis County District Court, but Chief Judge Glenn Braun sentenced Sanetta to 64 months in prison.

The victim and her mother addressed the court before Braun issued his sentence. They both said they thought of Sanetta as a member of their family. Sanetta also said he felt like he was a part of their family but claimed that not all of the facts were brought to light in court.

His lawyer claimed the same thing, saying there was a lack of parental supervision.

Braun said he understood the reason County Attorney Tom Drees agreed to probation in the case. But he noted he did not see any mitigating factors, pointing out a 14-year-old cannot enter into a consensual sexual relationship, especially with someone who was 11 years older than her at the time.

Braun said probation was not in the best interest in this case and sentenced Sanetta to prison.

Sanetta will be subject to 24 months post-release supervision and must register and a sex offender for 25 years.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

November is fun-filled with events and activities in Hays. Many of them will kickoff the the holiday season.

Melissa Dixon, executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has a preview.

For an updated calendar of events, check the CVB website www.visithays.com.

Hays Post

On Oct. 23, MSN.com recognized Augustines Bakery, 1305 Main, as the best bakery in Kansas, in an online list of the best bakery in every state.

The brief highlights the bakery’s breakfast items along with their German specialties.

The full list can be found here.