With last week’s devastating reminder that severe weather season is upon us, Ellis County is considering the future of the outdoor warning sires most of which were purchased in 1979. The county has to consider the age of the sirens, the impending narrow-banding of the frequency used to trigger them and the cost for upgrading or replacement. Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Ring says there are two areas that need outdoor warning sires, the fairgrounds and the new sports complex.

With the growth of Hays, the county has two sirens that are in the city limits. The commission wants to try to move those sirens to the fairgrounds and sports complex. The commissioners also have asked for tests on both the range of the older sirens and the affect of the frequency change.

The last of seven 9/11 memorials placed in Kansas airports was unveiled at Hays Regional Airport Monday. The memorials, which were made out of an I-beam from the World Trade Center, were crafted by Bruce and Brent Bitter of B and B Metal Arts in Hoisington. Bruce Bitter says it was an honor to be asked to create the memorials.

Memorials were previously placed at the airports in Wichita, Great Bend, Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal and Manhattan.

B and B donated their time, and they have been accepting sponsorships to help pay for the materials.

Today will be very warm with a high fire danger.

Look for high temperatures around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect a dramatic change in the weather Wednesday and Thursday as a strong cold front moves through and then moisture arrives via a system moving through the western United States… Rain, thunderstorms, sleet, freezing rain, and snow is all possible with this system.

This system could cause impacts to commuters so please monitor future forecasts as the track of the storm is very uncertain right now!

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming south between 21 and 24 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 16 and 23 mph.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a north northwest wind between 17 and 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, possibly mixed with sleet before 3am, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet between 3am and 4am, then sleet likely after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Blustery, with a north northeast wind between 20 and 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday: A chance of rain and sleet before 3pm, then a chance of snow and sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a north northeast wind between 20 and 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow and sleet before 8pm, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A slight chance of rain and snow before noon, then a slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Join John P. Tretbar each day for your News From The Oil Patch.

Oil & Gas Report 3/5/12
Oil & Gas 3-5-12

Each day during legislative session, Rep. Eber Phelps presents his update here on Hays Post and also on 14 KAYS AM after the noon news.

Rep. Eber Phelps Day 52, 2012 (March 5, 2012)
Day 52,2012

Several local students accepted scholarships from Fort Hays State University for the 2012-1013 academic year at a recent Student Recognition Program in Hays.

• Karla Murguia, a 2010 Garden City High School graduate, accepted a $4,000 Access to Academic Opportunity Grant. Murguia is the daughter of Carlos and Estela Murguia, Hays. She plans to major in criminal justice.
• Terry Ables, a 2012 Ellis High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in physics and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Ables is the son of Edna Ables, Ellis. He plans to major in physics.
• Shelby Hollern, a 2012 Ellis High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. She has since been awarded a $2,000 Ralph and Lucile Hunter Scholarship also.. Hollern is the daughter of Marty and Tammy Hollern, Ellis. She plans to major in accounting.
• Jessica Stanton, a 2012 Ellis High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art and design. Stanton is the daughter of Tim and Melissa Stanton, Ellis. She plans to major in interior design.
• Naomi Basgall, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award. Basgall is the daughter of Alan and Anne Basgall, Hays.
• Maryssa Werth, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology. Werth is the daughter of Aaron and Rochelle Werth, Hays. She plans to major in psychology.
• MacKenzie Albers, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Albers is the daughter of Tom and Tina Albers, Hays. She plans to major in business.
• Jessalyn Allen, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in biological sciences. Allen is the daughter of John Allen and June Knittle, Hays. She plans to major in biology.
• Jackie Balzer, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Balzer is the daughter of Lori Balzer, Hays.
• Brady Baumgarn, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Baumgarn is the son of Jim and Jodi Baumgarn, Hays. He plans to major in radiologic technology.
• Kaycee Beilman, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award. Beilman is the daughter of Chris and Janell Beilman, Hays.
• Johnae Blackmon, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing and a $500 Copper Academic Award. Blackmon is the daughter of Sharon Tallman, Hays.
• Torrey Contrerez, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Contrerez is the son of Kerri Taylor, Hays.
• Mikayla Denning, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Denning is the daughter of Larry and Lisa Denning, Hays. She plans to major in psychology. Denning is pictured with FHSU President Edward H. Hammond, right, and Dr. John Heinrichs, chair of the Department of Geosciences, left.
• Xan Faber, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted an FHSU National Merit Scholarship for full tuition, residence hall and meal plan plus an $840 book scholarship. Faber is the daughter of Paul and Jacinta Faber, Hays. She plans to major in philosophy.
• Holly Hattan, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Hattan is the daughter of Michael and Carla Hattan, Hays. She plans a career in dentistry.
• Katelyn Hecker, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Hecker is the daughter of Chris and Karla Hecker, Hays. She plans to major in elementary education.
• Trevor Henningsen, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in leadership studies and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Henningsen is the son of Russ and Sandra Henningsen, Hays. He plans to major in organizational leadership.
• Shyla Hughes, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology. Hughes is the daughter of Sheila Hughes, Hays. She plans to major in psychology.
• Kara Hunziker, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award. Hunziker is the daughter of Kurtis and Christine Hunziker, Hays. She plans a career in medicine.
• Tandra Johnson, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. She has since been awarded a $2,000 Ralph and Lucile Hunter Scholarship also. Johnson is the daughter of Jarett and Jamie Gross, Hays, and Russell Ritchie. She plans to major in finance.
• Madison Jones, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Jones is the daughter of Paul and Elodie Jones, Hays, and Audrey Smyl. She plans to major in chemistry.
• Riley Kaus, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in health and human performance and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Kaus is the son of Rod Kaus, Hays, and Tara Spresser, Hays. He plans to major in physical therapy.
• Kayla Kitchen, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Kitchen is the daughter of Marshall and Brenda Kitchen, Hays. She plans to major in medical diagnostic imaging.
• Reagan Kleymann, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in pre-optometry and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Kleymann is the daughter of Blane and Kassy Kleymann, Hays. She plans a career in medicine.
• Taylor Kroll, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education. Kroll is the daughter of Michael Kroll and Teri Pizarro, Hays. She plans to major in special education.
• Alexyss Leiker, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in biology. Leiker is the daughter of Alan and Jackie Leiker, Hays. She plans to major in biology.
• Paige Lunsford, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in history. Lunsford is the daughter of Bart and Cheryl Lunsford, Hays. She plans to major in history. Lunsford is pictured with FHSU President Edward H. Hammond, right, and Dr. Kim Perez, chair of the Department of History, left.
• Lane Martin, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award. Martin is the son of Dave and Charlotte Martin, Hays. He plans to major in graphic design.
• Aubrey McGinnis, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in education. McGinnis is the daughter of Patrick and Penny McGinnis, Hays. She plans to major in elementary education.
• Josh McGinnis, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in justice studies. McGinnis is the son of Patrick and Penny McGinnis, Hays. He plans to major in justice studies.
• Bonnie McRae, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in English and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. McRae is the daughter of Michelle McRae, Hays. She plans to major in English.
• Josh Miller, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in health and human performance. Miller is the son of Dennis and Jackie Miller, Hays. He plans a career in athletic training.
• Ashley Nease, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Nease is the daughter of Dan and Janell Nease, Hays. She plans to major in business management.
• Alexis Pfannenstiel, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in communication studies and a $500 Copper Academic Award. Pfannenstiel is the daughter of Greg and Rene Pfannenstiel, Hays. She plans to major in communication..
• Hanna Pfannenstiel, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Pfannenstiel is the daughter of Leon and Melinda Pfannenstiel, Hays. She plans to major in radiologic technology.
• Jessica Pfeifer, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Pfeifer is the daughter of Terry Pfeifer, Hays, and Jane Gilman, Hays. She plans to major in biology.
• Taylor Renz, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in biology and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Renz is the son of Troy and Lisa Renz, Hays. He plans to major in biology.
• Cameron Rohleder, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $2,000 FHSU Presidential Award, a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the Department of Physics. Rohleder is the son of Scott and Cari Rohleder, Hays. He plans a career in engineering.
• Trever Rohn, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in informatics and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Rohn is the son of Rod and Kelley Rohn, Hays. He plans to major in media studies.
• Garrett Sander, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Sander is the son of Thomas and Kimberly Sander, Hays. He plans to major in psychology.
• Rylie Scott, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in art and design and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Scott is the daughter of Robert Scott, Hays. She plans to major in graphic design.
• Shannon Shubert, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. She was also one of four winners in a drawing for $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program scholarships. Shubert is the daughter of Bob and Cheryl Shubert, Catharine. She plans a career in athletic training.
• Larisa Smith, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. She was also one of four winners in a drawing for $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program scholarships. Smith is the daughter of Larry and Delisa Smith, Hays. She plans to major in psychology.
• Brenda Soto, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $4,000 Access to Academic Opportunity Grant and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in chemistry. Soto is the daughter of Humberto Soto and Yolanda Cabral, Hays. She plans to major in chemistry. Soto is pictured with FHSU President Edward H. Hammond, right, and Dr. Krisztina Bencze, assistant professor of chemistry, left.
• Tanner Staab, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in pre-pharmacy and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Staab is the son of Dale and Stephanie Staab, Hays. He plans to major in chemistry.
• Zane Swafford, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in math and computer science. Swafford is the son of Eric and Leslie Dexter, Hays. He plans to major in computer science.
• Jillian Taylor, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in psychology. Taylor is the daughter of Paul and Janis Taylor, Hays. She plans to major in accounting.
• Maxwell Walker, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in music and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Walker is the son of Mike and Jean Walker, Hays. He plans to major in music.
• Catherine Wasinger, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $500 Copper Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in allied health. Wasinger is the daughter of Rob and Joanne Wasinger, Hays. She plans to major in radiologic technology.
• Brandon Weigel, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. He was also one of four winners in a drawing for $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program scholarships. Weigel is the son of Art and Michelle Weigel, Hays. He plans to major in nursing.
• Lakin Werth, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Werth is the daughter of Travis and Amy Werth, Hays. She plans to major in mathematics.
• MacKenzie Wiley, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in chemistry and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. She was also one of four winners in a drawing for $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program scholarships. Wiley is the daughter of Travis Taggart and Jennifer Wiley-Neil, Hays. She plans a career in optometry.
• Emily Wyse, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Wyse is the daughter of Bill and Sandy Wyse, Hays. Wyse is pictured with FHSU President Edward H. Hammond, right, and Nikki Brown, coordinator of the Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center, left.
• Courtney Zimmerman, a 2012 Hays High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Zimmerman is the daughter of Thomas and Tina Zimmerman, Hays.
• Cade Gerhard, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in health and human performance. Gerhard is the son of Mike and Ressa Gerhard, Hays. He plans to major in health and human performance.
• Elizabeth Channell, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in education. Channell is the daughter of Pamela Channell, Hays. She plans to major in elementary education..
• Dylan Gottschalk, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in biological sciences and a $500 Copper Academic Award. Gottschalk is the son of Keith and Sandy Gottschalk, Hays. He plans to major in biology.
• Justin Gottschalk, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in the College of Business and Leadership and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Gottschalk is the son of Paul and Amy Gottschalk, Hays. He plans to major in finance.
• Rhian Graver, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $2,000 FHSU Presidential Award, a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in English. Graver is the daughter of Randall and Geralyn Graver, Victoria.
• Hannah Keil, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in teacher education and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Keil is the daughter of Steve and Dawn Keil, Hays. She plans to major in elementary education.
• Jenna Lang, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in nursing. Lang is the daughter of Terry and Ruth Lang, Hays. She plans to major in nursing.
• Drew O’Brien, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership. O’Brien is the son of Rex and Diane O’Brien, Hays. He plans to major in business.
• Rebecca Pray, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Pray is the daughter of Larry and Marcie Pray, Victoria. She plans a career in medicine.
• Brady Rohr, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $2,000 FHSU Presidential Award, a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award in chemistry. Rohr is the son of Chad and Karen Rohr, Hays. He plans to major in chemistry.
• Colby Schippers, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Schippers is the son of Tony and Vicki Schippers, Hays. He plans a career in architecture.
• Pierce Schippers, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award and a $500 Academic Opportunity Award in geosciences. Schippers is the son of John and Bobbie Schippers, Hays. He plans to major in geology.
• Kelton Schuckman, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Schuckman is the son of Darin and Amy Schuckman, Hays. He plans career in finance.
• Candace Staab, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and an $800 Hays City Silver Academic Award. Staab is the daughter of Penny Staab, Hays. She plans to major in finance. Staab is pictured with FHSU President Edward H. Hammond, right, and Dr. Emily Breit, assistant professor of economics, finance, and accounting, left.
• Samantha Wilson, a 2012 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, accepted a $2,000 FHSU Presidential Award, a $1,200 Miller Black and Gold Academic Award and a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership. Wilson is the daughter of Becky Rogowski, Hays. She plans to major in finance and accounting.
• Courtney Unrein, a 2012 Victoria High School graduate, accepted a $900 Academic Opportunity Award from the College of Business and Leadership and a $700 Fort Hays Bronze Academic Award. Unrein is the daughter of Glen and Michele Unrein, Victoria. She plans to major in marketing.

Scholarship awards announced at each year’s FHSU Student Recognition Programs are the first set of scholarships for the following academic year to be announced by the university. High school juniors and seniors and transfer students in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska are invited to the event nearest them. Thirteen SRPs are conducted, 11 of them in cities across Kansas – from Garden City in the west to Kansas City in the east – plus one in Denver, Colo., and one in Holdrege, Neb. They are conducted from January to March each year.

Each SRP includes a brief presentation by FHSU President Edward H. Hammond before the highlight of the program – the recognition of area high school seniors who have qualified for FHSU scholarships. The presentation of award certificates is followed by a reception, featuring either a dessert or a pizza buffet hosted by local alumni.