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Month: January 2013

Special Alley Collection of Christmas Trees Monday

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Tuesday is the final day for Hays residents to drop off their “formerly live” Christmas trees at the free disposal site north of the water plant.  If you don’t get that done, you can still place your tree in the alley for pick-up.

Hays city crews will make one trip through the alleys beginning Monday, January 14, to collect the discarded Christmas trees.  Again, be sure to first remove all decorations from the tree.  Crews expect to be done with the special collection within two days.

Midwest Energy personnel will use their equipment to chip the trees to make mulch.  The mulch will be placed at the Parks Department on the Highway 183 by-pass and is available for pick-up free of charge.

 

 

 

Monday’s Activity Log

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The Hays Police Department conducted 14 traffic stops and received three animal calls on Monday, according to the Police Activity Log.

Theft: The Hays Police Department investigated two theft reports on Monday. The first was reported in the 4300 block of Vine Street. The theft occurred between 11:16 a.m. and 11:47 a.m. The second theft was reported between 8:30 and 8:35 Monday evening in the 1100 block of Vine Street.

Drug Offenses: Officers investigated on report of drug related offenses in the 500 block of Main Street Monday afternoon at 2:31.

Domestic Disturbance: The Hays PD responded to the 1600 block of East 27th Street Monday at 2:47, to investigate the report of a disturbance. When officers arrived they began to investigate the incident as a domestic disturbance.

Civil Dispute: Officers investigated a civil dispute that was reported in the 2200 block of Main Street at 2:21 a.m. Monday.

Motor Vehicle Accident: The Hays PD responded to one more vehicle report on Monday. The hit and run accident was reported in the 1000 block at 12:37 p.m.

Cause Determined in Scott City Family’s Plane Crash

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Federal investigators say bad weather and the pilot’s inexperience likely led to a plane crash in April 2011 near Topeka that killed a Kansas family.

A National Transportation Safety Board report says 35-year-old pilot Dylan Spencer of Scott City apparently became disoriented while trying to land using flight instruments in overcast and rainy weather.

The Spencer family was flying from Scott City to Topeka on April 22, 2011 when the plane crashed while he tried to land at Topeka’s Philip Billard Airport. Spencer, his wife, Amy, 34, and their two young children were killed.

Spencer had less than an hour of “instrument time” flying since he was rated to fly relying on instruments rather than sight.

 

County Seeks Sales Tax Approval

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To pay for upcoming building projects including a new rural fire/EMS station and jail expansion, Ellis County will pursue a dedicated sales tax of ½ percent. County Administrator Greg Sund says if the state legislature approved the county seeking a dedicated tax, it would allow the county to collect all of the funding rather than sharing with each of the incorporated communities.

The sales tax would be similar to the one approved for the sports complex, and would sunset when the buildings are paid off.

If approved by the legislature, a county-wide election would be held, likely in June, to allow the public to approve or deny the tax.

The next step is to contact area legislators about sponsoring the legislation.

DCF Signs Contracts

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Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Phyllis Gilmore announced Friday that the department has signed eight new contracts for reintegration, foster care, and adoption services, and for family preservation services. These contracts are scheduled to go into effect July 1.

The reintegration, foster care and adoption services contracts are for working with children and their families when out-of-home care is deemed necessary by a court for the protection of the child.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget for foster care, reintegration and adoption services is $138 million. The proposed FY 2014 budget for family preservation services is about $10.2 million. In FY 2012, more than 5,000 children a month were served by reintegration, foster care and adoption services providers.

Reintegration, Foster Care and Adoption Services Contract and Family Preservation Contract for the Western Region awarded to St. Francis Community Services.

Trial Ordered in Kansas Abortion Insurance Case

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A federal judge has ruled that a trial is needed to determine whether a Kansas law restricting private health insurance coverage for abortions poses a substantial obstacle to women seeking to end their pregnancies.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Monday rejected a request by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri for a favorable ruling in their legal challenge of the law.

The judge also ruled partially in favor of the state on whether the law’s main purpose is to impose an undue burden on abortion rights.

The law prohibits insurance companies from offering coverage for abortions in their general plans, except when a woman’s life is in danger. Kansas residents or employers who want abortion coverage must buy supplemental policies.

Convicted Felon with Gun Sentenced to Federal Prison

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A Hutchinson man with a felony conviction record including involuntary manslaughter has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Joshua W. Whitehurst, 35, Hutchinson was sentenced Monday to 96 months in federal prison. Whitehurst pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. He unlawfully possessed a Highpoint 9 mm handgun when he was arrested Jan. 3, 2012, in Harvey County.

“Kansas was third in the nation last year for the number of federal firearms prosecutions,” Grissom said. “The fight against gun violence is a top priority.”

Whitehurst was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions, including a 2003 conviction in Harvey County District Court on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Two Arrests, Marijuana Seized at Phillipsburg Motel

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About 5 pounds of marijuana was seized and two people were arrested early Monday after law enforcement officers searched a room at the Mark V Motel, Phillipsburg.

Phillips County Sheriff Paul Wisinger says the suspects, a man and a woman, are both from Colorado and were staying at the motel.

The search was the result of a joint investigation between the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office and the Beloit Police Department, according to a news release issued by the sheriff’s office.

WaKeeney Town Meeting Series Continues

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The second of five town hall meetings will be held Monday night in WaKeeney to explain the financial crunch facing the Trego County Lemke Memorial hospital.

County commissioners have already approved the issuance of $1.8 million in no-fund warrants.  A one-percent sales tax proposal will also be placed on an upcoming election ballot.

Administrator Harold Courtois says the budget deficit resulted when the hospital’s Medicare reimbursement rates were lowered, as well as other reductions.  The hospital has cut expenses, including employee layoffs, which should save about $700,000 through the end of this year.

Money from the no-fund warrants must be repaid through a four-year mill levy, which is expected to amount to about 8 mills.

Three more town hall meetings will be held this month: January 10, 28 and 31.  Each meeting begins at 7p.m. in the WaKeeney Western Electric Cooperative Community Room.

 

United Way Closing in on 2012 Campaign Goal

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The United Way of Ellis County 2012 campaign is on track for meeting its goal within a couple of weeks, says campaign chairman Derek Gerstner.

Fundraising kicked off in September with a goal of $475,000.   So far, 86% of that, $400,000 has been raised.

Pacesetter companies, including Eagle Communications, raised nearly $148,000, or 31 % of the total, before the kickoff.

There are 14 Ellis County United Way member partner agencies:

  • Western Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross
  • Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County
  • Cancer Council of Ellis County
  • CASA
  • Catholic Charities
  • DSNWK
  • First Call for Help
  • Girl Scouts of the Kansas Heartland
  • Hays Area Children’s Center
  • Kansas Legal Service
  • Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Service
  • United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas
  • Western Kansas Association of Concerns of the Disabled
  • Parents and Children Together
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