February 2015 – Page 38 – Great Bend Post Archive

Congressional Democrats seek to step up fracking oversight

Posted on February 16, 2015

HOPE YEN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on a congressional oversight panel are stepping up their investigation into how well states are regulating the disposal of oil and gas waste, citing public concern about the potential environmental and health risks of hydraulic fracturing.

Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania is the lead Democrat on a House oversight subcommittee. He is pressing agencies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia for answers on their level of enforcement and inspections. Republicans on the panel haven’t taken a position on the probe.

Of particular concern is making sure waterways are not contaminated by waste from fracking, which uses millions of gallons of high-pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals to break apart rocks rich in oil and gas.

Cartwright also wants to know how health complaints from local residents are handled.

Amid measles outbreak, vaccines for teachers aren’t required

Posted on February 16, 2015

CHRISTINE ARMARIO, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — While much of the attention in the ongoing measles outbreak has focused on student vaccination, less attention has been paid to another group in the nation’s classrooms: Teachers and staff members, who by and large are not required to be vaccinated.

When health officials learned a California high school employee had likely gotten sick with measles, 40 unvaccinated students were told not to come to class. So were 24 other teachers and staff members until they could prove they had been vaccinated or were immune.

In most states, there is no law dictating which vaccines teachers and school staff workers are required to get.

The issue has surfaced from time to time in state legislatures and is likely to be raised again in response to the latest outbreak.

Kansas lawmakers find agreement on campaign spending raise

Posted on February 16, 2015

Joan Wagnon, Kansas Democratic Party Chair

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Republicans and Democrats can agree on one thing — they want more campaign money.

Representatives of both parties’ leadership testified Monday in favor of a bill before the House Elections Committee that would at least double contribution limits to most state campaigns. For example, the bill would increase individual contribution limits to $4,000 from $2,000 for gubernatorial candidates and $2,500 from $1,000 for state senators.

Kansas Democratic Party Chairperson Joan Wagnon testified that the current limits, which have changed little since the 1970s, were unrealistically low.

Kansas Republican Party Executive Director Clay Barker told the committee that the drastic increase in spending on ads from outside groups has muddied campaign messages. He said voters want to hear more directly from the candidate’s campaigns.

Kenneth Dean Likes

Posted on February 16, 2015

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Kenneth Dean Likes Age: 82

Date of Death: February 15, 2015

Place of Death: Hospice House of Reno County, Hutchinson, Kansas

Date of Birth: September 1, 1932 at Brownell, Kansas

Parents Name: William Bryan & Mary Tee (Smotherman) Likes

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Mary Rose Stegman October 8, 1955 at Ness City, Kansas. She died March 16, 2010.

A Great Bend resident since 1955, Mr. Likes worked in maintenance for Thies Packing Plant for forty years.

He was a United States Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #862, and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #646, all of Great Bend.

SURVIVORS

three sons: John Likes of Great Bend, KS, Eugene Likes and his wife LaResa of Great Bend, KS, and Darrel Likes and his wife Bonnie of Hutchinson, KS

one daughter: Mary Schartz of Great Bend, KS

two sisters: Ila Mae of Nebraska, and Jolene of Texas

six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; six step grandchildren; eleven step great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Theresa Likes, five brothers and two sisters.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Vigil Service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 20, 2015 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Louis Trung Dinh Hoang celebrating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, Kansas, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Hospice House of Reno County, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Lyle J. Lang

Posted on February 16, 2015February 16, 2015

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Lyle J. Lang Age: 73

Date of Death: February 15, 2015

Place of Death: At home in Great Bend, Kansas

Date of Birth: February 15, 1942 at Great Bend, Kansas

Parents Name: Frank and Gertrude (Eckert) Lang

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He married Nancy Weber October 24, 1966 at Great Bend, Kansas. They later divorced. A lifetime area resident, Mr. Lang was a truck driver for Meadow Gold Dairy, Santa Fe Trucking and Kansas Brick and Tile.

He was a United States Army Reserve veteran, serving during the Vietnam Conflict.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council #862, Great Bend, and American Legion Post #286, Hoisington.

SURVIVORS

three sons: Dean Lang of Great Bend, KS, Duane Lang of Great Bend, KS, and Darren Lang of Great Bend, KS

one sister: Lorene Reif and her husband Don of Rural Hoisington, KS

two brothers: Melvin Lang and his wife Yvonne of Perry, KS, and Francis “Fritz” Lang and his wife Agnes of Salina, KS

nieces and nephews: Sheila (Reif) Metzger of Hutchinson, Kan.; Diane Reif of Great Bend; Keith Lang and wife Michelle of Rural Hoisington; Randy Lang and wife Sheryl of Perry, Kan.; David Lang and wife Brenda of Lawrence, Kan.; Mike Lang and wife Carolyn of Perry; Brian Lang and wife Donna of Lawrence; and Don Reif, Jr. of Hoisington.

Step-niece and nephew: Shawna (Hoeffner) Shadduck of Beaver, Kan.; and Everet Hoeffner of Hoisington, Kan.

five grandpups: Sadie, Nina, Nitro, Whitey, and Jackie

He was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Lang.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Vigil Service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 19, 2015 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, Kansas, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Lyle Lang Medical Expense Fund or Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Frank Slade Zamarripa, Jr.

Posted on February 16, 2015

Dateline: Ellinwood, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Frank Slade Zamarripa, Jr. Age: 45

Date of Death: February 13, 2015

Place of Death: Ness County, Kan.

Date of Birth: April 26, 1969 at Great Bend, Kan.

Parents Name: Frank and Gloria K. (Kincaid) Zamarripa

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He married Donita Kay Morris November 1, 1997 at Great Bend, Kansas.

An Ellinwood resident, he worked many years doing manufacturing work and then after acquiring his commercial driver’s license, he became a truck driver for various companies.

He served twenty-six years in the United States Army, with tours in Honduras, Bolivia, Kosovo, and Iraq.

He was a member of American Legion Olin Cole Post #392, Bazine and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7428, Hoisington. Mr. Zamarripa was family oriented and a friend to everyone. He loved serving the military, in which he retired in 2013, was a hard worker in providing for his family, and loved playing video games and softball.

SURVIVORS

wife: Donita Kay Zamarripa, of the home

four children: Natasha Rose Steinle and husband A. J. of Russell, Kan., Jesse Michael Zamarripa of Russell, Kan., Slade Christopher Zamarripa of the home; and Christine Holly Chesney of Kansas.

two sisters: Michele Zamarripa of Hoisington, KS, and Misty Nichols of Hoisington, KS

grandfather, Fred Ray Kincaid of Larned, Kan.

three grandchildren: Raven, Warren, and Holly

SERVICE INFORMATION

Memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend, with the Reverend Dr. Scott V. Solether officiating. Inurnment will be in Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood, Kansas, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. A luncheon will be served at the church following the committal service at the cemetery. Friends may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Frank Zamarripa Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Great Mall of the Great Plains to close

Posted on February 16, 2015

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe will close in mid-to-late fall.

The owners of the 786,000-square-foot mall said in a statement Monday that economic realities such as the economic downturn and changing buying habits prompted the closing. The mall has struggled to remain profitable since it opened in 1997.

VanTrust, the asset manager for the property, says it tried to find potential uses for the existing property but the structure, maintenance costs and layout making it unlikely the current building will be preserved. The developer is working with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council to find the best use for the property.

Ice blamed for violent, head-on semi crash

Posted on February 16, 2015

LIBERAL- A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 7:40 a.m. on Monday in Seward County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Toyota Camry driven by Thoi H. To, 71, Wichita, was southbound on U.S. 83 in rural Seward County.

The vehicle slid on the ice and drove over the centerline into the pathway of a northbound semi.

After the head-on collision, the Toyota began to spin in a clockwise motion and hit the truck again.

To was transported to Southwest Medical Center.

The semi driver Cristiam R. Moreno, 37, Liberal, was not injured.

The KHP reported both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the collision.

Kan. House committee restores highway funds transfer

Posted on February 16, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A House panel reversed a decision ade last week and decided to fully restore Gov. Sam Brownback’s request to use millions of dollars from the Kansas Department of Transportation to fill gaps in other state spending.

The governor wants to take $724 million from transportation projects. Last week, the House Transportation Budget Committee voted to reduce that amount by $280 million, allowing about $444 million to be transferred during fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

On Monday, during a quick meeting not held in a committee room, the panel restored the $280 million fund transfer.

Chairman Rep. J.R. Claeys, of Salina, said more study is needed to determine the impact of removing fund sweeps on the budget.

He said the quick meeting was necessary because he had to attend another meeting.

Great Bend man hospitalized after van hits a tree

Posted on February 16, 2015February 16, 2015

GREAT BEND – A Great Bend man was injured in an accident just after 11:45 a.m. on Monday in Barton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Plymouth van driven by Robert K Vanskike, 49, was southbound on U.S. 281 two miles south of Great Bend.

The driver failed to negotiate the curve. The van left the roadway and hit a tree.

Vanskike was transported to Wesley Medical Center

The KHP reported he was not wearing a seatbelt.