Kansas Klips

Locals pack Brass Rail Bar for the last time after more than 70 years in Hays

HAYS—The lights of the Brass Rail flickered off for the last time on Saturday, October 21st, after more than 70 years in business. Although the number of patrons frequenting the bar had waned recently, the bar was packed on that night, with many customers wanting to say one last goodbye to their old haunt. Eric Schutte, the Rail’s latest owner, has been trying to sell the bar since 2019. He owned the Rail for about 17 years and said selling it was bittersweet. Schutte sold the bar with contents to the new owners, but he did not know what they planned to do with the building. He will continue to operate the Sip ‘N’ Spin in Hays (Hays Post)

Kansas woman dies, man hurt after SUV collides with combine

GREAT BEND—A central Kansas sheriff said a 71-year-old woman died and a 75-year-old man is hospitalized after an SUV and a combine collided on Saturday morning, October 21st. The crash happened around 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of SW 60Avenue and SW 30 Road in Barton County. That is about four miles southwest of Great Bend. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said a northbound Ford Escape failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the front of the combine, which did not have a header. The Escape rolled once and came to rest on its wheels. The driver and his passenger suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital where the passenger, Wanda Heine of Great Bend died. The 53-year-old Larned man operating the combine was not hurt. Sheriff Bellendir said the accident is still under investigation. (KAKE)

Prank caused $1,500.00 damage to fountain at Kansas Wesleyan

SALINA—Early Thursday morning, October 26th, the Kansas Wesleyan University security staff saw bubbling foam from the Pioneer Hall Fountain. According to Salina Police Department’s Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, this is not the first time someone vandalized the water feature with soap. Around 5:30 a.m., Kansas Wesleyan staff found the water fountain overflowing with soap and reported to SPD that three suspects, one man and two women, visited the fountain around 2:00 a.m. The suspects drove away in a silver-white SUV. According to Tonniges, the current damage is $1,500.00, but it could be more if the drainage system needs repaired. Tonniges said Kansas Wesleyan is reviewing footage of the incident and that the current damages are a felony offense. (Hays Post)

Man dies after standoff at Kansas home

STANTON COUNTY—The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating the death of a man thought to have shot himself during a standoff with law enforcement in Johnston City, Kansas. Just before 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 21st, the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance to conduct the investigation. Preliminary information indicates that just after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, a female juvenile arrived at the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office to report physical injuries she received during a recent altercation. At approximately 5:30 p.m., two deputies arrived at 308 E. Trude Avenue, Trailer #8, in Johnson City, attempting to question the suspect, 45-year-old Ricky L. Thompson, who lived there. Thompson would not answer the door, but deputies could hear him inside. They obtained a search warrant and a key. When Thompson refused to come out, they attempted to enter, but he blocked the door and threatened deputies. Deputies retreated from the trailer’s entrance, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team arrived to assist. Law enforcement negotiated with Thompson for many hours, attempting to convince him to come out. During the incident, Thompson stood in the doorway yelling, and KHP fired a less-than-lethal munition toward him but missed. Later, during the incident, the door to the trailer was breached using an armored vehicle, and they threw a phone inside to try to improve communications. After a while, when Thompson became quiet, they used the drone to view inside the residence. Drone footage indicated Thompson was in a back bedroom. KHP cleared the trailer, and EMS aided Thompson, who appeared to have suffered a single gunshot wound to his head. A firearm was next to Thompson. No law enforcement officers discharged their firearms during the incident. Thompson was transported to the Stanton County Hospital and pronounced deceased. (Salina Post)