Belpre, KS

PRATT — There's a reason why Brin Hecker is batting sixth in Ell-Saline's order. The Cardinal sophomore has struggled at the plate throughout the season, but she found a way to produce at the right time.  With two strikes, two out and the bases loaded, Hecker delivered a three-run double in the bottom of the...

PRATT, Kansas — When things could go wrong for Bluestem, they went wrong on Thursday night in Pratt. Questionable calls and uncharacteristic mistakes and some timely hitting led to Central Heights scoring nine runs in the top of the seventh to stun the Lions in the Class 2A-1A state softball tournament.

A lawsuit filed Thursday alleges that long wait times at Larned State Hospital are unconstitutional and are inflicting mental and physical harm on those who are incarcerated. The complaint, brought in federal district court by the ACLU of Kansas, National Police Accountability Project and a Kansas City, Mo., law firm, says individuals are frequently waiting nearly a year in jail for an evaluation to determine if they are competent to stand trial.

TOPEKA — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the National Police Accountability Project are suing Kansas over delays in mental health evaluations at the chronically understaffed Larned State Hospital. The class action lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court, says individuals who face criminal charges have had to wait behind bars for as long […] The post ACLU sues Kansas over excessive wait times at understaffed Larned State Hospital appeared first on Kansas Reflector.

The Twilight Theatre fell on hard times earlier this month when an IMB part and keys necessary to run it became inoperable, causing the theater to shut down May 7, despite a long line of customers on Opening Night for ‘Doctor Strange.’. “It all happened at a very inconvenient...

There is story told of a man who decides it’s time to fix the hole in his fence, so he goes to get the tools he needs to complete the task. Along the way, he notices that a door has come off its hinges. He examines the hinge, determining that it’s bent. So he decides he had better buy a new one and goes to find his car keys for a trip to the hardware store. Along the way to doing this, his wife reminds him that the bathroom faucet is still leaking, so he heads back downstairs to get the necessary tools, remembering that he purchased the parts to fix that leaking faucet a couple of weeks ago. Along the way to getting the tools for this project, the man notices his dog looking at him expectantly, which reminds him that he hasn’t walked the dog for a couple of days. It’s a beautiful day outside, so he decides he’ll squeeze in a short walk with the family dog. As he is walking the dog a few blocks away from home, the man thinks to himself, Now what do I need to do when I get back home?

It may have been 15 years ago, but Lisa (Becker) Schmidt of Pratt can still see, hear, smell and feel all the emotions that came along with living in Greensburg when an EF5 tornado hit that town on May 4, 2007. Time has not diminished the vivid memories of that day and what followed.

Larned – Craig Allen Helzer, 65, passed away May 24, 2022 at his home in Larned. He was born January 14, 1957 in Larned, KS, the son of Wiley Dean Helzer and Marcialee Lawrence. A longtime area resident, he was a truck driver. He was a member of the...

May 26-27 – Lemon Park ball fields host the best in these divisions for state tournment competition in Pratt. May 28 – The first ever Sawyer City Carnival is planned for Saturday, May 28 and will feature bouncy houses, craft, and treat vendors as well as planned games and activities. Fun for all ages to be sure, and lots of visiting with neighbors.

Roger A. Heflin passed away at age 69 on May 12, 2022, in Wellington, KS. Roger was born on August 31, 1952, to Charles and Rosella (Mallonee) Heflin in Pratt, KS. He is survived by; son Roger Jr. (Sandra) Heflin, Tammy Southern and Amanda Mullins. Brother; Ronald Heflin, Sisters; Linda Haworth, Roberta Mayes and Ruth Heflin. Grandchildren; Ashley Schilling, Rebecca Harder, Tyler Southern, Levi Southern, Zachary Heflin, Megan Hollaman, and Brian Mullins. Also having 9 great grandchildren. Roger is preceded in death by; Parents; Charles and Rosella Heflin, siblings; Vina Woodard, Nancy Brown, Doris Williams, Raymond Heflin, and Rosemary Reed.

Emelia V. Kittel, 87, of Lawrence, formerly of St. John, Kansas, died on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Homestead of Eudora Assisted Living Facility in Eudora, Kansas. She was born on January 31, 1935, in St. John, Kansas, the daughter of John S. and Ruth (Rellez) Muci. She graduated from St. John High School in 1952 and obtained her nursing license after attending the St. Rose School of Nursing in Great Bend, Kansas. In the 1960s and ‘70s she was employed in the clinical practices of Dr. Louis Graves and Dr. R. P. Quackenbush in St. John. Subsequently, she was employed as the administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools at USD 350 in St. John. Emelia was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Norman D. Kittel, who died on December 25, 2021. They were married in Great Bend, Kansas on March 2, 1956. Survivors include a son, Rick Kittel (Peggy) of Lawrence, Kansas, and a grandson, James Kittel of Brooklyn, New York, who was his grandparents’ pride and joy. Other survivors include brothers, C.F. Muci (Marlene) and J.R. Muci (Rhita) all of Wichita, Kansas, and John B. Muci (Jeannene) of Hutchinson, Kansas; sister-in-law Helen Muci of La Habra, California; and best friend Jane Bennington of St. John. Emelia was also preceded in death by her parents; brother, Stan Muci; sisters Elvira Peters, Ruth E. Muci, and Raquel Patrick; and brother-in-law Jerry Patrick.

Isabella Stefanie Zeelie, 6-week-old infant of Divan Daniel and Emmalee Blake (Himmelwright) Zeelie passed away Monday, May 16, 2022 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was born on April 5, 2022 in Wichita. Isabella was born the middle triplet but was definitely the leader of the three, as well...