On Monday, the Hays Police Department was receiving reports of a woman stealing purses out of shopping carts and billfolds out of those purses at businesses on the north end of Hays. Police said the woman had used information from one of her thefts and went to the residence of the victim and attempted to enter the victim’s house. The HPD said it believes she did not enter after hearing someone else at home inside the residence.
Officers obtained surveillance video from the businesses, and photographs of the suspect were sent out in a media release. The police department media release asked for assistance in locating and identifying the woman committing the thefts. Immediately after the release went out, the police department started receiving information from people saying who they believed the woman to be.
Shortly after the media release, Officer Ryan Blecha located the woman’s vehicle. The woman allegedly was in the process of breaking into another house when officers located her. The woman was identified as Alicia C. Brull, 29, of Hays.
Police said Brull was in possession of stolen property when she was arrested. The stolen property has been recovered. Brull is currently being housed in the Ellis County jail.
“Brull is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law,” the HPD said in a news release Friday. “The Hays Police Department would like to remind people to keep an eye on their billfolds, purses, gifts and valued property items. We would also like to thank the community for their assistance in calling in information to the police department.”
Tickets are now on sale for the Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home’s 13th annual Taste of Hays fundraiser scheduled for 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at Fort Hays State University’s Memorial Union Ballroom.
Only 250 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $100, and each ticket gets two guests into the event. Twenty local restaurants will serve a portion of their signature dishes to the guests, and door prizes donated by local merchants will be given away to dozens of ticket holders.
For ticket information, call (785) 625-6800 or email [email protected].
Dr. Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education at Fort Hays State University, along with Dr. Richard Duschl, Penn State University, presented at the recent National Science Teachers Association Area Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.
Their presentation, titled “Designing and Using Equitable 3-D Formative Assessments to Support Meaningful NGSS Investigations,” was a hands-on workshop on designing evaluation and assessment for the Next Generation Science Standards.
Ellie Bollig, Roosevelt second grader, receives her Best of the Best Award from the Hays USD 489 school board.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Ellie Bollig, a Roosevelt second-grader, was honored with the student USD 489 Best of the Best Award for her companionship and compassion toward a STAR student in her class.
She was nominated by Jan Burkholder, Roosevelt second-grade teacher.
“Many times our society selects individuals to receive awards based on what is visible or brightly proclaimed through different social media. While many of those individuals are very deserving of the recognition, I have chosen a young leader, a quiet student, for the caring assistance that she shows each day to one of our Roosevelt STAR students,” Burkholder read from her nomination.
The STAR program is a special education program at Roosevelt. All of its students have some level of disability.
“Without needing or getting any instruction from me her teacher, without waiting for an earned award, without expecting any recognition for being there, this student, Ellie, has initiated on her own to touch the life of another. Ellie gently leads her classmate to any place the student needs to go without needing to be first in line. She holds back and makes sure her buddy has the necessary supplies, zips up a coat to face that wintry outdoors or simply lends a gentle hand to walk to our next location
“Most of the time a loving arm is wrapped around the shoulder of her friend as they walk side by side down the hallway. During a quite reading time, Ellie’s lap becomes the cozy spot were her friend wants to sit.”
Burkholder noted the student has even fallen asleep in Ellie’s lap.
“Ellie gives of her time and gives of her energy and her love to show kindness and compassion to her STAR companion and friend. She leads by example, always calm, caring, kind and willing to help others.”
Burkholder said Ellie also excels in her academics and has a large group of other supportive friends.
“If I were to ask Ellie why she looks forward to each day, it won’t be those two accomplishments,” Burkholder said. “I know she looks forward to being there for her STAR student. That is where she places her heart and devotion. Ellie is a leader of tomorrow. We the parents, community and school are raising a generation of generous hearts for giving to others.”
Burkholder turned to Ellie and said through tears, “Ellie, as your teacher, I am very proud of you. Please continue to be the Best of the Best.”
Toni Lohrmeyer
Hays USD 489 school board member Luke Oborny tells the school board why he nominated Toni Lohrmeyer for the Best of the Best Award.
Toni Lohrmeyer was nominated by school board member Luke Oborny for December’s staff Best of the Best Award.
Lohrmeyer is a library secretary for both O’Loughlin and Wilson elementary schools. She checks in and out books, catalogs new books, shelves books, creates displays, maintains records and assists with the O’Loughlin book fair. She also supervises 20 classes as they use the library. Oborny’s wife is the librarian at O’Loughlin.
She said, “I can’t do my job without her knowledge, organization and help.”
However, her work in the school libraries is not why Oborny nominated her for the award.
During the summer, Lohrmeyer works in the Rockwell copy center. This summer the district made a change in its copier contract.
She noticed the district was starting to pay for staples out of the copy center. The cost of the staples in the new contract was going to be as much as $2,000 per year. She brought the cost to Luke Oborny’s attention.
Oborny sent a question to the district finance director, who addressed the issue in the contract with the district’s sales rep.
After the company reviewed the contract, they agreed the staples were to be included in the contract cost.
Oborny said $2,000 can make a big difference when the district is dealing with tight budgets. He encouraged other employees to look at their day-in-and-day-out expenses in the same way.
“She could have done nothing with this information,” Oborny said. “She could have could have complained about it.”
Oborny said instead Lohrmeyer had detailed notes about what the district should review.
“I look at this as a case of her persistence and her strive for excellence that just added up to a big saving for our district,” he said. “That attitude and concern for organization is why I nominated Toni for Best of the Best and why I am honored to be the first to congratulate her.”
GOODLAND – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating a homicide that occurred in Goodland.
The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Thursday and special agents and the crime scene response team responded, the KBI said in a news release Thursday.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. Thursday, the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that a male victim had been shot. As sheriff’s deputies arrived at 5490 County Road 23 in Goodland, they discovered Zachary Chavez, 21, Tribune, suffering from a gunshot wound.
EMS transported Chavez to the Goodland Regional Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at approximately 2 a.m.
A person of interest connected to the case has been identified, and is currently in police custody.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released at this time, the KBI said.
District Judge Blake Bittel on Wednesday set Dec. 31 as the date for a hearing on a lawsuit that contests the race for the 111th Kansas House District seat.
Democrat Eber Phelps lost to Republican Barb Wasinger by 35 votes after a recount was conducted. The Board of Canvassers voted 2-1 to certify the results a second time.
A group of seven Hays residents filed a lawsuit against Wasinger alleging voting irregularities led to Wasinger improperly being named the winner of the election. The group most notably included former Kansas State Sen. Janis Lee. Lee currently serves as vice president of the Ellis County Democratic Party.
Arguments for Phelps
The suit levels a number of allegations against County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus. They range from not properly maintaining and testing the county’s electronic voting machines to improperly handling the recount.
But in new allegations, the filers of the suit claim that because Maskus failed to do her job properly that “some voters were deprived of the right of voting for the candidate they intended and such deprival could change the result of the election.”
Barb Wasinger
The suit goes on to claim that illegal votes were counted while legal votes were not and errors in counting the votes could change the outcome of the election.
Motion to dismiss
Attorneys for Wasinger filed a motion to dismiss the case on Monday.
In the motion, attorney Joshua Ney alleged the Phelps’ supporters provide no specific proof any of Maskus’ actions or any other of the alleged voting irregularities, including failing to test the voting machines, changed the outcome of the election.
Citing a Supreme Court case, Ney said in his motion, “the courts should go to extreme lengths to preserve the validity of all elections, and be slow and reluctant to override the clear intent and purpose of the voters.”
Ney said any objections regarding provisional ballots should have been made during the canvas. He also noted the Phelps supporters have not pointed to any specific improperly counted ballots.
The Phelps supporters also alleged long lines at the polls caused by problems with the voting machines could have dissuaded voters from casting ballots. However, Ney noted if a voter chooses not to vote, that is not grounds to contest an election. He also noted the lawsuit did not specify any specific voters who were unable to vote because of long lines at the polls.
The judge will consider the motion to dismiss before the case proceeds to trial on Dec. 31.
Protection of information, inspection
During a conference on Wednesday, the judge agreed to put a protective order in place to secure the names and personal information of voters in the case.
The judge also agreed to allow the ballots and voting machines to be inspected per state statute. This provides for a three-person inspection team appointed by the judge.
State statute requires a hearing on a contested election to be heard 20 days from the date the case was filed. Dec. 31 is the last day the case could be heard per that requirement. However, the statue does not specify how long the judge has to rule in the case.
Another conference call in the case is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 27.
The Kansas 2019 Legislative session is set to start Monday, Jan. 14.
Hays Post reporter Jonathan Zweygardt contributed to this story.
Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway!
Hays Post had 8,441 entries into the contests, and 12 winners walked away with some great early Christmas presents! Thanks to our sponsors and to our readers for playing along! Click on our contest tab on HaysPost.com to check out our other chances to win cash and prizes throughout the year.
If your business is interested in taking part in our interactive contests and games, call Eagle Marketing Solutions at (785) 628-0467.
Hays Post and Eagle Communications wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
The Sternberg Museum of Natural History and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center will be the only two Fort Hays State University enterprises open during winter break.
The university closes at the end of business on Friday, Dec. 21, and will not reopen until Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.
The Sternberg Museum, 3000 Sternberg Drive, will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day but will otherwise be open for its normal winter hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The museum is closed on Mondays from Oct. 1 through March 19.
The KWEC, 592 NR. K-156 Highway, Great Bend, about 12 miles northeast of the city, will also be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day but will otherwise be open for its normal winter hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Wetlands Center’s winter hours are from Nov. 1 through March 31.
The main campus will be closed down for the break period except for essential services.
The University Police Department office will be closed but full patrol schedules will be maintained, and operators will remain on duty at the power plant.
HAYS, Kan. – Brett Parker, Head Coach of the Fort Hays State University Men’s Soccer program, announced on Thursday he is stepping down from his current position to take the head coaching position of the men’s soccer program at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. Parker just completed his eighth season as head coach at Fort Hays State.
“Coach Parker did an outstanding job building our men’s soccer program from the very beginning of its existence,” FHSU Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke said. “He provided excellent leadership for our student-athletes while competing at the conference, regional and national level. We wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.”
Parker put together an impressive 100-40-18 record in his eight years at Fort Hays State. He immediately made FHSU competitive in its inaugural 2011 season, guiding the team to a solid 11-5-2 record. After the inaugural season, the Tigers went on to make to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2012 to 2018, culminating in a national semifinal appearance this past season. The 2018 Tigers posted a 17-2-2 mark, the program’s best record under Parker. Fort Hays State claimed back-to-back MIAA Championships in 2017 and 2018, including the conference’s first-ever perfect mark in 2018 at 8-0. The program earned four NCAA Central Region titles on his watch in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018.
Fort Hays State won at least 11 games in every year of Parker’s tenure, averaging 12.5 per season. That is truly impressive considering the regular season schedule is 18 games each year. The Tigers have been a staple in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll on a yearly basis, with a No. 4 ranking being the highest ever in program history at the culmination of the 2018 season.
In Parker’s time guiding the Tigers, the program boasted 10 All-America selections, including the 2018 D2CCA National Player of the Year – Santiago Agudelo. He also coached 65 All-MIAA selections, 60 all-region selections, four MIAA Players of the Year, four MIAA Freshmen of the Year, and three D2CCA Central Region Players of the Year. Parker earned MIAA Coach of the Year in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons, while he and his staff earned United Soccer Coaches Regional Staff of the Year honors in 2018.
“First of all, I would like to thank Curtis Hammeke and former FHSU President Dr. Edward Hammond for giving me the opportunity to start the program here from scratch eight years ago,” said Parker. “So many players, coaches, administrators, and support staff have been instrumental in the immediate and continued success of the program. Fort Hays State is a truly special place and I will be forever grateful for having been a part of such an amazing place. I am excited to see the program continue to thrive from afar!”
Parker completed his 11th season overall as a head men’s soccer coach at the collegiate level in 2018. He coached two years at Lyon College (2009-2010) in Arkansas and one year at College of Santa Fe (2008) in New Mexico before his eight years at FHSU. He carries an overall coaching record of 126-61-21 to Saint Leo University.
A national search for a new head coach of the Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer program begins immediately.
Holy Family Elementary celebrated the upcoming birth of Jesus with a school-wide baby shower for Mother Mary.
A faculty committee plans and prepares for Mary’s baby shower. Classes sign up on a schedule to acquire a time to attend the baby shower in the school activity center.
Students open their gift, which is previously bought and wrapped, in their perspective classrooms and then head to the activities center for treats and refreshments.
Students place their gift on a set of tables lined along the wall. The items that were in most need were diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, teething rings and hooded bath towels. All items are donated to local Catholic Charities.
After eating their treats, students enjoyed a rousing game of Price is Right or took a spin on the wheel. Each section of the spinning wheel represented a different prayer that each student would then recite for the receivers of the gifts.
“Obviously, we can’t give gifts directly to Mary for the child Jesus, but we can assist the many brave women who have chosen life despite some of the difficulties they experience, and we can reinforce their joy through the child who comes as a gift,” Holy Family said in a news story on their website.
You can donate blankets from now through the Jan. 15 for homeless individuals and needy families at area churches.
The Thomas More Prep-Marian Biology Club has organized a blanket drive for First Call for Help and Catholic Charities.
Boxes for the blanket drive are at St. Joseph’s, St Nicholas of Myra and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches.
Samuel Allen, a TMP junior and Biology Club fundraising coordinator, said the agencies have requested large, heavy blankets that would fit at least a twin bed. Gently used or new blankets are welcomed.
Allen said the club hopes to collect at least 50 blankets. This is the first year the Biology Club has sponsored the blanket drive.
For more information, contact TMP at 785-625-6577 and ask for Allen or Kerie Maricle.
