Goodbye 2025: Look back at Hays Post's biggest local stories of year

Hays Post

As the new year approaches, it is a time of reflection.

As we close out the year and look ahead to 2026, here is a look back at the top 10 local Hays Post stories from 2025.

10. Local restaurant chain's assets seized on tax warrants

The Kansas Department of Revenue seized assets from San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc. with locations in Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks and Pawnee counties.

On July 8, agents from the Department of Revenue, accompanied by the Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks and Pawnee County Sheriff departments, executed tax warrants.

They seized the assets of San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc., Bernabe A Lopez, Magarita Lopez, Johnaton Lopez, Santiago Gutirrez, Bernabe K Lopez, David Serrato for nonpayment of sales tax and liquor drink tax totaling $301,031.29, according to information provided by the Department of Revenue.

9. FHSU assistant professor under review for posts about Charlie Kirk

The Fort Hays State University assistant professor defended her Facebook posts about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Nuchelle Chance of the psychology department posted a TikTok video on Sept. 29 saying she was being targeted online by Libs of TikTok, an X account with 4.4 million followers, and other online accounts.

8. Hays man arrested after accidentally firing gun in local bar

A Hays man was arrested on Feb. 9 after he allegedly accidentally discharged a gun in Chuck's bar, 507 W. Seventh, in Hays.

Police were called to the bar at 8:27 p.m. The staff told officers a man had accidentally fired a gun in the men's restroom, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.

A round hit a toilet and went through a wall into the women's restroom, Scheibler said. No injuries were reported.

7. Hays man sentenced to 6 years in prison on drug, sex charges

A Hays man was sentenced on Aug. 4 to more than six years in prison on drug-dealing and sex charges after an emotional morning in court where his victim discussed her turmoil and supporters testified the defendant was a changed man after pursuing recovery for drug addiction.

Jordan Bradley Burgess was sentenced to 78 months in prison on a charge of distribution of cocaine and 40 months in prison on a charge of possession of cocaine, with both sentences to run concurrently.

He also pleaded to three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery through an Alford plea, as well as a DUI charge, with those sentences to also run concurrently with his prison sentence on the cocaine charges.

6. KHP trooper arrested on charge of DUI after hit and run in Hays

A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was arrested in Hays on suspicion of DUI after a minor vehicle crash.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said officers arrested 37-year-old Davis Jay Whisman of Ellis after officers heard a collision at about 12:30 a.m. on May 31 in the 600 block of Park Street.

Scheibler said officers allegedly saw Whisman leave the scene in a white pickup truck with two passengers and located him within the area.

5. Hays tattoo artist killed in Russell, wife injured, suspect arrested

Robert "Bobby" James Torres. Russell County Jail

One person was arrested after a Russell man was shot and killed at his home on April 24.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a news release, stating the Russell Police Department responded after a citizen called 911 to report a shooting.

When officers arrived in the 800 block of East Second Street in Russell, they found 49-year-old Deborah Torres of Russell with apparent gunshot wounds. The press release said her husband, 49-year-old Robert Torres of Russell, was inside their home.

Robert James, “Bobby” Torres, 33, was arrested in the case.

4. NW Kan. CPA, creator of 'Middle Finger Ranch,' admits to fraud scheme

Flanagin from his booking in Sedgwick County in April 2024

A northwest Kansas businessman pleaded guilty to various charges related to defrauding clients of his accounting firm by falsely claiming money he had stolen was being used to pay business expenses.

According to court documents, Quintin Flanagin, 45, of Colby pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of false statements and one count of money laundering.

Flanagin, a certified public accountant, used his status as a signatory on the accounts of his clients’ business, Diamond M. Farms, to make unauthorized transactions between December 2021 and August 2022.

3. Grizzly attack survivor shares inspiring story in Hays

Jim Van Steenhouse speaking at the Hays Super Buck Dinner at North Oak Community Church. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post

Jim VanSteenhouse came face-to-face with a grizzly bear and lived to share his story at the Hays Super Buck Dinner.

His Feb. 1 appearance at the North Oak Community Church also included antler competitions and giveaways to foster connections between faith and outdoor enthusiasm.

Following a dinner, VanSteenhouse took the stage to share his harrowing September 2015 encounter and the lasting scars it left behind.

2. A Voice for Karen: Living behind a curtain of silence

On March 21, 2022, an ambulance was called to 324 W. 24th St. in Hays.

Karen Schumacher was transported to Hays Medical Center and died at 9:03 on the morning of March 22 after being beaten for 40 years. She was 60 years old, a mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Jay Schumacher of Hays was initially charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife. He accepted a plea agreement that reduced his charges to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Jan. 9.

1. Hays police officer killed responding to domestic violence call

A Hays Police officer was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 28 in Hays when responding to a domestic violence call in the 2200 block of Downing Street.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated the shooting.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, just before midnight, the Hays Police Department received a 911 call indicating a female subject had escaped a domestic violence incident at a residence.

The woman reported that while she attempted to flee, her significant other, identified as Zane Wickham, 34, of Hays, drove his truck into her vehicle. She ran to a nearby home to call for help.

At about 1:55 a.m., officers from the HPD and a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol were setting up a perimeter near the backyard of Wickham’s residence in the 2200 block of Downing St. A single shot was fired from inside the house, and the round struck Hays Police Sgt. Scott William Hiemann. He died from his injuries.

At about 6:15 a.m., tactical teams entered the house and found Wickham deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.