Kansas Klips

Officiating for love of the game

ATWOOD — Lisa Woody began her nearly 45-year Kansas sports officiating career in 1979, when she was asked to fill in at a volleyball game. Woody continued to officiate volleyball games and eventually added football, wrestling and basketball as well. She has only taken time off for one of those years, in order to fill in as an assistant volleyball and basketball coach at Atwood High School. As her career progressed, so did her level of responsibility. She began officiating 6-man football in Herndon more than 36 years ago and moved up to 8- and 11-man games, eventually leading her own teams as head official. She has officiated college volleyball at two nearby community colleges and has been KSHSAA’s area supervisor for volleyball officials in the northwest section of the state since 2010. Lisa is not alone in her love of officiating as her son Josh, grandson Kendrick and daughters Rachel and Sara were recognized by a national wrestling organization as a three-generation family of officials. (Rawlins County Square Deal)

Accident claimed life of two from NWKS

THOMAS COUNTY — A two-vehicle head-on crash in Thomas County on Feb. 4 claimed the life of Jerry G. DeWitt, age 75, of Prairie View. DeWitt was eastbound on U83 when his 2014 RAM 1500 crossed the center line, colliding with a 2005 Ford E350 driven by Casey A. Quagliano, age 25, of Colby. Both drivers were killed, and a passenger, Sabryn Quagliano, was taken to a hospital with suspected serious injury. (The Advocate of Phillips County)

Atwood police find second gas pump skimmer

ATWOOD — Atwood police announced recently on social media that a second gas pump skimmer had been discovered at a local gas station. The device was discovered by an employee of the service station, who noticed that one of the pumps showed evidence of tampering. Skimmers can be internal or external and work by copying information from debit or credit cards by using a magnetic strip. Criminals can then use the cardholder’s information to make additional purchases. Atwood Police Officer Travis Bailey says any gas pump that accepts payment at the pump is vulnerable. It is advised to pay inside or inspect the pump closely before inserting payment in order to avoid compromising your payment information. (Rawlins County Square Deal)

USGS: 3.2 magnitude quake shakes south-central Kansas

KINGMAN COUNTY — A small earthquake shook portions of south-central Kansas Friday evening, Feb. 10. The quake at 8:29 p.m. measured a magnitude 3.2 and was centered approximately 5 miles north of Norwich, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There are no reports of damage. The threshold for damage usually starts at 4.0, according to the USGS. (USGS News Release)

Topeka couple celebrates 72 years of marriage

TOPEKA — Two Presbyterian Manor residents in West Topeka are just as happy together today as they were in the 1950’s. Carlan and Irene Honaker met on a youth group trip. Irene is a Topeka native, while Carlan grew up in Weston, Missouri. The pair have lived in the capital city together since Carlan graduated high school. Not only have they been romantic partners, they also worked together for over 40 years at their own accounting business. With over seven decades of marriage, they have some advice. “Never let the sun go down on a disagreement,” Carlan Honaker said. “Settle it before bedtime. If you have to settle it around the dinner table do it that way. But don’t let an argument fester.” The couple raised four children, and now have 33 great grandchildren, with another on the way. They’ll celebrate 73 years together this June. (KSNT News)

Florida cat missing for 2 years found in Kansas

PRAIRIE VILLAGE — First it was a dog from California that was found in eastern Kansas, and now a well-traveled cat was found hundreds of miles away from its Florida home. In a suburb of Kansas City, the Prairie Village Police Department said an orange tabby cat was found by a local resident. When officers scanned the cat’s microchip, it showed the cat’s owner lived in Miami. After two years of being separated, an animal control officer contacted the owner and is working to reunite them. Police said they may never know how the cat got to Kansas. (WFLA News)

Chiefs Santa Ma Ho Ho Homes delivers roses to VA patients on Valentine’s Day

WICHITA — A Wichita Chiefs superfan did his part to make sure veterans were not forgotten on Valentine’s Day. Chiefs Santa Ma Ho Ho Homes, also known as Don Lobmeyer, decked out head to toe in Kansas City Chiefs regalia, delivered roses at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita before heading to Kansas City for the Super Bowl parade. On Super Bowl Sunday, he enjoyed the game outside the stadium with fans in Glendale, Arizona. Returning to Wichita, he spent Valentine’s Day with patients at the VA hospital, visiting some of the guys he was deployed with. “They’re going through a tough time and struggling. And you know, just to bring a smile and that ‘Chiefsmas’ spirit to the patients here is important,” Lobmeyer said. For him personally, he considers it as a continuation of his military service. (KSN News)

International firm planning large-scale solar project in Barton Co.

GREAT BEND — Adding approximately three square miles of solar panels could be in Barton County’s future. Unfortunately, no one knows much about the project or exactly where the panels might go. Two representatives from a Spanish company, Acciona Energia, met with Barton County Commissioners in a study session on January 25.As the firm now begins to request conditional land-use permits, Barton County Environmental Manager Judy Goreham met with the commission last week to discuss the plan. In general, the area includes a large portion of the county extending approximately five miles north of Great Bend and approximately eight miles east. The company is working with area landowners to lease property for the panels. On average, Acciona says they can pay farmers approximately four times what they would earn farming the land. The company is working with 40-year leases. (Great Bend Post)

Vehicle flees after NW Kansas crash that injured driver

SHERMAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident Monday, Feb. 6, in Sherman County, involving an unknown vehicle which was southbound on Kansas 27, eight miles north of Goodland. The vehicle struck the drivers side rear corner of a 2015 Chevy Trax driven by Robert C. Sharps, 47, Oakley, that was sitting on the shoulder of the highway. After impact, the Chevy came to rest in the west ditch. The unknown vehicle continued south. EMS transported Sharps to an area hospital for treatment of a minor injury. (HaysPost.com)