Kansas Klips
Kansas Wesleyan receives one of the largest gifts in school history
SALINA—Kansas Wesleyan has received a $700,000.00 gift from the estate of Gretchen Morgenstern, a former KWU Board of Trustees member, according to a media release from the school. The gift is believed to be one of the ten largest single gifts from an individual in school history. Morgenstern was well known for her community service work before her 2022 passing. Her obituary notes that she was a foster parent to 75 children during a 12-year period, and she served as both vice president and treasurer of the Saline County Foster Parent Association. In addition to her work at KWU, Morgenstern was board chair ofYouthville, a Kansas nonprofit, board president of the Salina YWCA, and president of the Salina Chapter of the American Association of University Women. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Salina. The gift will become a part of KWU’s endowment and be used to fund additional student scholarships. (Hays Post)
Two caught in the act of rural Kansas burglary
MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects caught in a burglary act on November 30th. On that date, a property owner south of Independence, Kansas, reported to sheriff’s officials they were watching on camera as two subjects were actively removing items from their property, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. Deputies responded to the location and observed the two subjects loading scrap metal into the bed of a truck. Deputies contacted the two men and took them into custody. The subjects were identified as 52-year-old Anthony Rogers and 51-year-old Jesus Barraza-Aris, both of Independence. The two were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked into the county jail. Rogers is facing requested charges of Criminal Trespassing and theft. Barraza-Aris faces requested charges of Criminal Trespassing, theft, and possession of methamphetamine. (Hays Post)
Rural Ellis County home seriously damaged in fire
ELLIS COUNTY—On Thursday, November 30th, the Ellis County Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 1635 200th Avenue at 5:04 p.m. Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flames were coming from a single-family dwelling. The house was inhabited, and the reporting party and her son were home at the time of the fire. All occupants escaped unharmed. Firefighters used two fire attack lines to extinguish the fire and keep the fire to the building of origin. The building and other materials inside suffered extensive fire and smoke damage. Midwest Energy shut off the utilities to the building. Fire crews remained on scene until 12:11 a.m. to assist the Office of the State Fire Marshal with the fire investigation. Thirty-five firefighters from the Ellis County Fire Department (Hays, Ellis, Victoria, and Munjor) responded to assist. The Hays Fire Department also responded with their air truck, staffed by one firefighter. The Ellis County EMS and Ellis County Sheriff’s deputies also assisted. (Hays Post)
More cattle thefts under investigation
WABAUNSEE COUNTY—On November 17th, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office took a report of five Black Angus cattle allegedly stolen from Onaga Road, Onaga, Kansas, according to a media release. The cattle had brands on their left hip and had white ear tags. All five stolen cows had calves, which were still present, but not the cows. The animals were taken sometime between May 15th and November 2nd. There were approximately 80 head in the pasture at the time of the crime. In October, a dozen calves and a cow were stolen from rancher Dan Oeding, located approximately five miles southeast of Wamego, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff. Livestock missing include Black Angus and Wagyu calves, one red calf, and one Black Angus cow. Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Wabaunsee County Sheriff at 785-765-3323. A reward is offered for information that leads to the arrest of those who stole the cattle. In August, according to a social media report, Reno County Sheriff’s Office said Circle H Cattle Company reported fifteen 400- to 500-pound calves stolen from US 50 and Sterling Road. The cattle went missing sometime between July 29th and August 6th. In mid-July, according to a media release from the Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Livestock Association reported 17 head of 200-350 pound calves stolen ten miles northeast of Atwood. The calves carried fresh brands of V arrow high on the right hip. In April, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department asked for the public’s assistance in a case involving eight heads of cattle missing from south of Hoxie. (Hays Post)
