The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 3

The Salina Journal Monday, February 11,1991 Briefly County spelling bee forms available Entries are being accepted for the 1991 Saline County Spelling Bee set for March 9. The event is scheduled to start at in the Roosevelt-Lincoln Middle School cafeteria. Deadline for entries is March 1. The written contest is open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in Saline County. The winner will compete April 13 in the All- Kansas Spelling Bee in Topeka.

Entry forms and contest information are available at elementary and middle schools, the Salina Parks and Recreation office and the Salina Public Library. Jaycees to raise funds for Skyfire The Salina Jaycees have started their annual "Skyfire" fund-raising drive with a goal of $11,000 for Salina's Fourth of July celebration. This year's display will be by Fireworks Spectacular of Pittsburg and will be choreographed to music on KSAL Radio. The show will be similar to last year's in length and amount of fireworks. The display will begin at 10 p.m.

at the East Crawford Family Recreation Area on Markley Road. Contributions may be mailed to the Salina Jaycees Skyf ire Fund, Box 443, Salina, Kan. 67402-0443. Robbery selected for Crimestoppers An armed robbery has been selected by the Salina Police Department as the crime of the week for Crime- stoppers, a non-profit organization that pays cash rewards to people who help solve crimes. onNov.

19,1990, two men entered Koch's Retail Liquor Store, 1300 W. State. The intruders entered through the front door and went directly to the cashier. One intruder displayed a handgun and the other a crowbar. All the money from the register was taken.

Both men fled west from the store. A short time later, a full-size, blue, 1970s model pickup truck was seen leaving the area. The robbers were described as white males in their late 20s or early 30s. The first was about 5-foot-4, weighing 140 pounds, with brown, shoulder-length hair. The other was about 5-foot-8, weighing 150 pounds and with dark hair.

Anyone with information about this or any other crime can call Crime- stoppers at 825-2000. Hansen Foundation gives scholarships students from northwest and north-central Kansas have been named winners of the annual Hansen Leader of Tomorrow scholarships. The scholarships are for $3,500 a year and are renewable for three additional years, meaning the total value for each student can be $14,000. The scholarships are awarded through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation at Logan.

Winners of the scholarships are Laura Steele, Salina; Jeffrey Walker and Robert Kraft, both of Concordia; Megan Mann, Quinter; Brian Franke, Herndon; and Kevin Stamper, Plainville. Also, the foundation awarded 45 non-renewable Hansen Student awards of $1,500 each and 40 one-year scholarships of $750 each. Salina Airport gets federal funds The Salina Airport was one of six in Kansas to receive part of $8.75 million in Federal Aviation Administration money to finance airport improvements, Sen. Robert Dole's office announced. Salina will receive $909,714 to buy an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle and to improve runway drainage.

Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers said the projects were priority items on the airport's five-year master plan. Other airports receiving money include Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita, Allen County Airport in lola, $1.097 million; Forbes Field in Topeka, Lawrence Municipal Airport, and Liberal Municipal Airport, $279,450. Students receive college degrees Several area students recently received college degrees. Their names, hometowns, degrees and schools are listed below: Bernle Klahn, Salina, doctorate, Kansas State University, Manhattan. Ronald J.

Swedlund, Salina, doctorate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Dana A. Young, Oberlin, master's, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Carl C. Miller Salina, bachelor's, Missouri Southern State College, Japlin, Mo.

From staff reports Bumper stickers help save students' lives OVERLAND PARK (AP) A mixture of drinking, driving and unbuckled safety belts killed James Kline III, a high school student with a ready smile and the mannerisms of Huckleberry Finn. But nobody knows why Jimmy had to die. As the years peel away, however, neither will anyone know how many lives were saved by Jimmy's message, showing up all over town in the form of bumper stickers urging, "Buckle up for Jimmy." Young people said they were more careful during the recent holiday season to name a designated driver. The mother of another accident victim called Jimmy's parents to thank them for helping her daughter avoid serious injury. "It helps sustain us," Jim Kline said.

The oldest of Jim and Cathy Kline's four boys was 17 and not wearing his seat belt Oct. 20 when the car he was driving went off the road. Police said alcohol was a factor in the one-car accident that also injured a teen-age passenger. The tragedy claimed the life of one of the more popular students at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. "It was hard to get mad at Jimmy and impossible to stay mad at him," said Jim Urczyk, his wrestling coach.

"He was a Huckleberry Finn type of kid kind of mischievous but always in a positive way. He always had that grin on his face that made you wonder what was going on in the back of his mind. He was a charmer." While his loved ones grieved and asked why, many of his classmates were drawn together by the shock of the loss. "Jimmy was a tall, good-looking kid who always had a smile for everyone," said Frank Mermoud, Northwest principal. "The people who knew him will never forget Jimmy's smile.

His death had a real impact on the student body." The funeral procession wound past the high school as about 1,700 students stood in silence. "It was a neat thing to see because the kids were all so extremely respectful," Mermoud said. "There was not a single word being said. It was very touching." Shortly afterward, Jim and Cathy Kline, both graduates of Shawnee Mission Northwest, printed up more than 1,000 bumper stickers and distributed them at the high school. In orange and black the Shawnee Mission Northwest say "BUCKLE UP" in large letters and "For Jimmy" in smaller print.

On one corner of the bumper sticker is the head of a cougar, the school's mascot, underlined in small letters "SMNW." Parking lots at the suburban Kansas City school are full of vehicles with bumpers bearing Jimmy's message. "You see them everywhere in the school, on books and cabinets and things. I have one," Mermoud said. "A lot of times when I get into the car I think about Jimmy and the bumper sticker, and I think I need to be sure to buckle up." "Kids are still going to drink and drive," Urczyk said. "But I hear kids talking about buckling up and picking out a designated driver.

Believe me, it has had an impact on the students here." The bumper stickers were the idea of Jimmy's grandfather, Jim Kline Overland Park. "The purpose is to reach out to the community, particularly the younger kids," said Jim Kline, an accountant. "We want them to think before they get into a car, to think what the Bluegrass jammin' Max James (left in left photo), Mentor, plays a mandolin, while Bill Burrows, Salina, plays a guitar during a bluegrass jam session Sunday in the KEVA Building in Thomas Park. Tom Hudson, Salina, Photos by Scott Williams (in right photo) looks at his sheet music between songs. Twelve musicians gathered around the stone fireplace to make music during the jam session.

Beef donation to help social agencies By ORLANDO DE BRUCE Staff Writer The Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army may not have to worry about meat shortages for a while, because 700 pounds of beef for the agencies is stored inside a freezer at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 743 East Magnolia. The meat was donated by Walter and Ginny Koers, 2000 Ridgeview, to help local agencies tackle their shortage problem by participating in the "meat-for-agencies" program. "I'm in the meat business," said Walter, founder of Koers Consulting Firm. "And I hear too much talk about the shortage of meat, and that's garbage." Walter said the community has "It takes about 10 pounds of meat to at least feed the people at the Gospel Mission." Pastor James Berka resources to end the agencies' meat shortages if everyone would extend a helping hand. "I challenge all Salinans to support the effort by donating meat to the church, because we would love to have this program outgrow our expectations," he said.

The program is sponsored by the church, and Pastor James Berka supervises the meat distribution. The meat has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "We are providing meat to the Salina agencies because they have a need to be fulfilled," Berka said. "It takes about 10 pounds of meat to at least feed the people at the Gospel Mission." The Salvation Army buys 50 pounds of meat to feed about 25 families a day, said Lyniece Meyers, secretary case worker.

"There is a 50 percent chance we will not have enough meat to feed "We try to cook meals for the families at least once a day and make an effort to prepare them like homemade meals," said Capt. Ron Lemirand, Salvation Army director. Meat donations, like that of the Koerses', are a necessity, he said, because they allow the Salvation Army to use its funds to help families with their home expenses. "Donations are a must, because if we do not have to purchase meat, the Salvation Army could help families with their rent, utilities and emergency transportation," he said. There is a continuous need for giving, Lemirand said, because the Salvation Army sometimes runs short of meat, and a program such as this one "could be part of the answer to a major problem." City commission to consider tax break request The city's newly adopted property tax- exemption policy will be put to its first test today when the Salina City Commission considers a request for a tax break by a north Salina business.

Premier Pneumatics, 606 N. Front, is seeking a 63 percent property tax exemption on a new $800,000 manufacturing building and $150,000 worth of machinery and equipment. The tax break would save the company an estimated $107,000 over the 10-year life of the exemption. Premier manufactures materials handling systems. The company has been making pneumatic bulk conveying equipment such as blowers, filters and tanks for more than 25 years.

Premier employs 104 people, and the addition would increase that by three to six employees. Other business Also Monday, commissioners will consider a newspaper recycling program. During their study session, commissioners will hear from a group interested in raising money to help develop a premier baseball diamond. The diamond is being built at the East Crawford Family Recreation Area. The group wants to enter into an agreement with the city to raise money for seating, rest rooms, concession areas and other improvements.

Steve Snyder, director of parks and recreation, said the group has a goal of raising $160,000. "We'll see how it goes," Snyder said. "We feel confident the money can be raised." The study session will begin at 2 p.m. The commission's meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the City-County Building, 300 W.

Ash. consequences could be of not buckling up. I think it's something Jimmy would be proud of us for doing." Just a few days after distributing the bumper stickers, Kline was driving home from work "and feeling very sad." "Then I looked up, and the car in front of me had one of the bumper stickers," he said. "I don't have any idea who the people in the car were. The license plate was from the adjacent county.

It made me feel sort of refreshed." Another time when he was leaving a doctor's office and noticed a car in the parking lot with the bumper sticker, he left a thank-you note on the windshield. "I've learned a lot through Jimmy's death, a lot about parenting and about kids in general," Kline said. "I think if Jimmy had been given a second chance, he wouldn't have been drinking and driving and he would have buckled up." The Klines have heard from many people since Jimmy's death. But perhaps most comforting was the call from the mother of a Shawnee Mission Northwest student. "She told us her daughter had been in an accident.

She was wearing her seat belt and she came away uninjured," Kline said. Suspect admits to 2 murders COFFEYVILLE (AP) A 30- year-old Texas man was ordered held without bond after he reportedly confessed to killing his grandmother and aunt here. Danny Ray Royse of Irving, Texas, was being held in a Dallas jail pending an extradition hearing scheduled for today. A Montgomery County warrant charged the former Independence resident with two counts of first- degree murder in the deaths of Florence Royse, 87, and Elsie Hinthorn, 71. The bodies of the two women were found Thursday in Florence Royse's home.

An autopsy concluded that Florence Royse was strangled, and her daughter was beaten to death some- tune Wednesday. A jail official in Irving said that Danny Royse had signed a written confession admitting to investigators that he was responsible for the slayings. A statement by the Irving Police Department said officers recovered $14,600 in currency and cashier's checks from Danny Royse after his arrest Friday morning. But Coffeyville investigators have said that theft did not appear to be a motive in the murders. Nursing home ordered to stop taking patients PITTSBURG (AP) State health inspectors have told a Pittsburg nursing home to stop taking new patients until health and safety violations are corrected.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the order against Medicalodge North after an investigation beginning in January, said the Pittsburg Morning Sun. Inspectors found violations affecting the health, safety, nutrition or sanitation of the residents during a review Dec. 27 through Jan. 4. Inspectors said: Residents weren't helped in feeding themselves, causing some to be underweight.

Some were not properly restrained. Some were not allowed to regularly use the toilet. There were medication errors. The order was issued Jan. 31.

Flag flies for a sailor son serving in Sa udi sands E-6 Paul Schaeffer plans a career in the Navy. Now on his second re-enlistment, he has logged nine years of active duty. So where is this sailor now? Somewhere in the sands of Saudi Arabia, Cuff stuff that's where, in his role as a radar operations specialist. Paul's brother, Thomas, also is in the Navy and is headed for the war zone in March. But his role is a little more traditional as a signalman on the USS Rentz.

He is in the fourth year of a six-year enlistment. Anyway, when Paul recently re-upped, he was presented with a U.S. nag to mark the occasion. Coincidentally, when he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 29, that also happened to be his birthday.

So Paul sent the flag to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Schaeffer of Salina. And he asked that they fly the flag for him and his brother. Well, Donald didn't happen to have a flag pole handy, but that was quickly remedied.

And now Paul's re-enlistment flag flies proudly in the Schaeff er's front yard at 1001 N. 10th. Larry Mathews SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR Midnight the cat has become a permanent fixture in the lobby of the U.S. Center Motel at Smith Center. But the sound of car motors makes her nervous.

She has good reason to be nervous, as a story in the Heartland Echo explains: Last July, Illinois tourists driving a van rented a room for the night. When they stopped, a black kitten bolted from the motor and sought safety in some nearby lilac bushes. The tourists said that a couple of days before they left Illinois, they had noticed a stray black kitten on their farm. This was the same kitten, still with some of her nine lives remaining after what must have been a harrowing ride. The kitten at first was unapproachable.

But Amy Schinkus, the 7-year-old daughter of motel owners Ron and Shirley Schinkus, began taking food and milk to the kitten's hideaway, and gradually she began to respond. Now, we're told, she's a friend to all who enter the lobby. She still refuses to go outside, because there are always some of those nasty cars out there. A couple of times, when carried outside, she immediately made a beeline for the door. But she takes comfort in a lobby sign that says, "No dogs allowed." Five sisters have come up with a unique way of keeping in touch.

Over the past five years they have gotten together once a year to draw names. Then that "special sister" is remembered anonymously with letters and gifts throughout the year. No special occasion is needed. One sister, for instance, received a dust rag on Labor Day. The sisters, ranging in age from 56 to 73, are Marilyn Allen of Logan, Delores Walcott of Albuquerque, N.M., Wauneta Schemper of Long Island, Hazel Jansonius of Prairie View and Rose Erickson of Phillipsburg.

There has been just one problem. Marilyn has drawn Hazel's name four of the five years. Irene Figgins wrote to Irene Figgins recently. The former hopes the latter can help her learn more about her family history. Irene Figgins Hayes of Hemet, wrote to Irene Figgins of Burr Oak after learning of the accidental death in October of Neil Pate of Esbon.

The Irene of Burr Oak is Neil's grandmother. The California Irene once lived in Courtland, but knows little of her family ancestry. The Burr Oak Irene, on the other hand, can trace her husband's family tree to Cecil's grandfather, John Figgins, who moved his family west after the Civil War and homesteaded in the Oak Creek community northwest of Burr Oak. Who knows, maybe further research will reveal that Irene Figgins Hayes and Irene Figgins are related. Got an item for Cuff Stuff? Just call Larry Mathews at 823-6363 or mail it to the Salina Journal, P.O.

Box 740, Salina, Kan. 67402..