March 2013 – Page 21 – Hays Post Archive

State Senate on Abortion Debate UPDATE

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

UPDATE A Kansas Senate committee has approved legislation to block tax breaks for abortion providers and bar public schools from using sex education instruction from abortion providers.

The Public Health and Welfare Committee approved the bill Friday after a brief hearing. Legislators made no changes to the bill, which cleared the House earlier this week.

It’s the most sweeping anti-abortion bill being pursued in Kansas this year.

The measure bars groups providing abortions from receiving tax exemptions or credits that go to other nonprofit groups or health care providers. It would also prohibit women who claim income tax deductions for medical expenses from including the cost of abortion services.

The legislation also prohibits abortion providers from furnishing materials or instructors for sex education classes in public schools.

A Kansas Senate committee is taking up legislation to block tax breaks for abortion providers and bar public schools from using sex education instruction from

abortion providers.

The measure being reviewed Friday by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed the House earlier this week.

It’s the most sweeping anti-abortion bill being pursued in Kansas this year. Senate Republican leaders had promised it would be considered quickly.

The legislation also prohibits abortion providers from furnishing materials or instructors for sex education classes in public schools.

NWS: Winter Storm Warning

Posted on March 22, 2013

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
220 PM CDT FRI MAR 22 2013

...A MAJOR WINTER STORM IS HEADED FOR KANSAS...

.A WINTER STORM SYSTEM IN THE MID LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE IS
TAKING AIM ON WESTERN KANSAS. THIS STORM WILL BRING SNOW AND
BLOWING SNOW TO MUCH OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL KANSAS SATURDAY AND
SATURDAY NIGHT.

KSZ030-031-043>046-231215-
/O.UPG.KDDC.WS.A.0003.130323T0600Z-130324T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KDDC.WS.W.0002.130323T1100Z-130324T1400Z/
TREGO-ELLIS-SCOTT-LANE-NESS-RUSH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WAKEENEY...CEDAR BLUFF RESERVOIR...
HAYS...ELLIS...SCOTT CITY...DIGHTON...NESS CITY...LA CROSSE...
RUSH CENTER
220 PM CDT FRI MAR 22 2013

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 9 AM CDT
SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DODGE CITY HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
6 AM SATURDAY TO 9 AM CDT SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...ACCUMULATING SNOW EXPECTED TO START SATURDAY MORNING, WITH
  THE BRUNT OF THE STORM OCCURRING LATE SATURDAY AND SATURDAY
  NIGHT.

* SNOW AMOUNTS...5 TO 7 INCHES WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS AROUND 8
  INCHES.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 15 TO 20 MPH SATURDAY MORNING INCREASING TO
  25 TO 35 MPH OUT OF THE NORTH LATE SATURDAY AND SATURDAY
  NIGHT.

* VISIBILITY...MINIMUM VISIBILITY AROUND ONE QUARTER OF A MILE
  IN MODERATE SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* MAIN IMPACT...POOR DRIVING CONDITION, WITH SOME ROADS POSSIBLY
  IMPASSABLE.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
AND BLOWING SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.
ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.

Francis J. “Frank” Hoffman

Posted on March 22, 2013

Francis J. “Frank” Hoffman

   Hays, Kansas – Francis J. “Frank” Hoffman, age 84, died Thursday, March 21, 2013, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kansas.

    He was born March 29, 1928, in Emmeram, Kansas, to Michael and Clara (Nemecheck) Dinkel Hoffman. He married Mary Ann (Geist) on April 26, 1955, in Victoria, Kansas. She died October 19, 2007.

   He was a veteran of the U S Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was a construction worker, heavy equipment operator and carpenter.   He worked for Pierce-Schippers Construction, Windholz Construction and retired from Allied Asphalt in 1990. He owned Hoffman’s Saw Sharpening in Victoria for over 30 years. He was member of St. Fidelis Catholic Church and V.F.W. Post 1751, both of Victoria, Kansas. He moved to Hays from Victoria in 2011.

   Survivors include two sons, Gary F. Hoffman and wife, Patti, Hays, KS; Ken W. Hoffman and companion, Christine Hays, Hays, KS; one grandson, Aaron Hoffman, Hays, KS; three brothers, Mike Hoffman and wife, Dorothy, Garden City, KS; Dan Hoffman, Hays, KS; Steve Hoffman, Gorham, KS; four sisters, Aggie Geier, Garden City, KS; Magdalena Dreiling, Denver, CO; Rita Friess, Spearville, KS; Betty Flax, Dodge City, KS; one sister-in-law, Judy Hoffman, Liebenthal, KS.

   He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; five brothers, Fred Dinkel, Joe Hoffman, Bob Hoffman, Tony Hoffman, Victor Hoffman; three sisters, Clementine Dinkel, Mary Ann Hoffman and Helen Kreutzer.

   Services are 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas. Military Honors the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751.

   A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Monday, followed by a Victoria V.F.W. rosary at 7:30 P.M. Monday, both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas, 67601.

   Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Monday, and from 8:30 to 9:30 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

    Memorials to St. Fidelis Catholic Church or Via Christi Village-Hays. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

City Bans All Outdoor Watering

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

ellis big creek 2 — Ellis Big Creek March 21, 2013

“It’s serious.”

That’s how Ellis Mayor Dave McDaniel describes the city council’s decision Wednesday to move to Stage 3 of the town’s Water Conservation Plan.

For the first time, all outdoor watering is banned.

“Right now our wells are low, but stabilizing,” explains McDaniel. “But summer will soon be here and that’s when our water usage is highest.”

According to McDaniel, the Kansas Water Office has issued a “Red Alert” for Ellis. It’s a warning that the town’s water supply, from a “finger” off the Ogallala Aquifer, has a good potential to dry up.

“We’ll be doing a big water conservation effort,” he says. “K-State Watershed Specialist Stacie Minson will be here and we’re looking into low-flow shower heads and toilets. People need to understand why we’ve taken this drastic action. We’re going to have to conserve water even more than we already are.”

Private well owners are not affected by the outdoor watering ban, yet. “They still draw water from the same sources and that will cause it to deplete even more,” McDaniel warns.

McDaniel says the city council will meet again Monday to hear concerns from residents and do some “tweaking” to the plan.

The outdoor watering ban is effective after publication in the Ellis newspaper next week.

(Photos courtesy James Miller)

KHAZ Country Music News: Alan Jackson Brings a “Good Time” to Stars Go Blue Benefit Concert in Nashville

Posted on March 22, 2013September 16, 2014

Alan Jackson headlined the Stars Go Blue benefit concert for the Colon Cancer Alliance Wednesday night at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and Alan has a very personal connection to that cause. His wife Denise survived a battle with colon cancer several years ago, and she is the person who convinced Alan to perform the show.

Alan was happy to oblige saying, “That’s the easiest thing I can do is walk out there and sing, and it’s nice to have your music do something other than just go out and entertain people normally, and be able to use your music to help a cause like this.”

Though many of the audience members had been through cancer battles of their own, Alan made it clear he was there to have a good time. The set list was dotted with Alan’s mighty catalog of hits including “Livin’ on Love,” “Gone Country,” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Good Time” and many more.

The only somber moment of the night came when Alan performed “When I Saw You Leaving,” an emotionally charged song Alan wrote about Denise’s cancer battle. It was the first time he’d performed that song since recording it for his 2012 album, Thirty Miles West.

Country newcomer Craig Campbell opened the show, and he sought out a spot on the bill because of his personal experience with colon cancer. Craig’s father died of the disease at age 36, and that has prompted Craig to get screened regularly.

He says, “I’ve been having colonscopies. I’ve had two. I’ve had one at the age of 26 and one at five years. But yeah, it’s a personal thing.”

Craig has opened shows for Alan before, but he’d never met the country legend before Wednesday night. Craig and Alan have the same producer, Keith Stegall, so they had plenty to talk about when Alan invited Craig onto his bus before the show.

Says Craig, ” When I walked on his bus, we was talking a minute, and then he’s like, ‘Keith played me your album. I love it.’ And then he started naming off songs off my record. I just thought that was the coolest thing.”

For more information on the fight against colon cancer, go to CCAlliance.org.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

Special Night For Law Enforcement

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

Law Enforcement officers from across the state of Kansas participated in Thursday night’s Special Olympics opening ceremonies at Gross Coliseum.

“We had over 20 officers from around the state,” Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler told Hays Post.

Hays Police Department Investigator Bill Lovewell has been participating in the Special Olympics activities for many years.

“We email or call law enforcement agencies who also are a part of the annual Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run,” Lovewell told Hays Post.

“Officers came from as far as McPherson this year and members of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, Ellis Police Department, FHSU Police Department, and The Kansas Highway Patrol were on hand.”

Hays Crews Prepare for Latest Winter Storm

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

With the latest threat of a late March winter storm expected to move into the area over the next couple of days Hays City crews will be busy trying to keep the streets clean.

The Dodge City National Weather Service office said, in their conference with city officials on Thursday they expect the storm to start with rain on Friday night before changing over to sleet and snow.

Hays Public Works Director I.D. Creech told Hays Post that they are planning to begin brining the streets on Friday to try and get out in front of the storm.

Creech said that because they are calling for rain before sleet and snow they may have to wait for the storm to change over to snow but they want to get the brine on the road surfaces before they begin to freeze.

The National Weather Service expects the storm to have a lot of wind which Creech said the blowing and drifting is going to be the biggest problem.

The City will split the road crew that they have into two crews so they will be capable of running 24-hours if needed. Creech said they will have crews clearing roads on Saturday.

Creech also want to remind people that they should be aware that there is a chance a snow emergency could be declared prohibiting people from parking on the snow routes. He said they suggest people not park on the snow routes whenever a winter storm is expected to hit the area.

EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTE ALERT

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

From the city of Hays:

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant snow fall through Saturday for the City of Hays. This notice is to remind you that if you live/work on or are adjacent to an Emergency Snow Route, the City Manager can declare a winter storm traffic emergency “whenever snow has accumulated or there is a possibility that snow will accumulate to such a depth that snow clearing/removal operations will be required…” When this occurs, it will be “unlawful to park a vehicle on any street designated as an Emergency Snow Route.”

Citizens are asked to plan now, before the snow falls, to locate an alternate site to park vehicles off the street. By City Ordinance, if a winter storm traffic emergency is declared and vehicles are not moved, the vehicles will be towed away at the owner’s expense.

To be on the safe side, a general rule of thumb is — when snow begins to fall — move your vehicle.

The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated. If there are questions, please contact the Hays Police Department at 625-1030 or the Hays Public Works Department at 628-7350.

Have a Question for the Candidates?

Posted on March 22, 2013March 23, 2013

On Monday night, the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the FHSU American Democracy Project, is hosting a candidate forum for Board of Education and City Commission races.

If you have a question for the candidates, please submit it by sending them to this email address [email protected].

All questions will be compiled and then selected by the sponsoring organizations.

Hays Post will stream the event live beginning at 6;30 p.m.

Traffic Advisory: Old Highway 40

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

2p.m. UPDATE The work has been completed and Highway 40 is back to normal.

Scheduled maintenance is in progress on Highway 40 West of Hays. County highway crews are in the process of repairing a guardrail near Yocemento. The damage is a result of a car accident. Crews are repairing spacers and posts and motorists are encouraged to slow down while the men are at work. The maintenance should be concluded by early afternoon.

KHAZ Country Music News: Lee Brice Ready to Make Some Memories on the Brad Paisley Tour This Summer

Posted on March 22, 2013September 16, 2014

Lee Brice‘s star is on the rise thanks to his #1 hits and his recent stint on Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley‘s Locked and Reloaded tour. He’ll play to many more fans on the road with Brad Paisley and Chris Young from May to October.

Lee tells TheBoot.com, “Being out with Brad is gonna be an experience that I’ll have with me all the rest of my life. I’m really excited about that.”

Lee heads to Nebraska for a show this Saturday night. He’s taking some time off in April to tie the knot with his longtime girlfriend Sara Reeveley.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

Brunson Named to NABC All-District Team

Posted on March 22, 2013

Fort Hays State junior forward Dwayne Brunson was named to the NABC Division II All-District Team for the 2012-13 season. Brunson is a second team selection. He was one of 11 players from the Central District selected to the team. Brunson adds this honor to receiving Daktronics All-Central Region Second Team honors and an All-MIAA First Team selection. NABC All-District Teams are selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC in NCAA Division II.

Brunson, a native Queens, N.Y., led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. He averaged 14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds per game, and 2.1 blocks per game. Brunson also shot the ball at a very high rate at 60.3 percent from the field and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line. He had seven double-doubles in points and rebounds and scored in double figures in 22 games. He reached at least 20 points in seven games, including a season high 35 points at Nebraska-Kearney, the most points scored by a player under head coach Mark Johnson. He also reached double figures in rebounds nine times this year.

– FHSU Sports Information –

Below is the entire All-District Team for 2012-13…

Central Region
First Team
Bryton Hobbs, Northeastern State
Cameron McCaffrey, Augustana
Will McNeill, Washburn
Theo Rothstein, St. Cloud State
Clayton Vette, Winona State
Jarvis Williams, Minnesota State-Mankato

Second Team
Dwayne Brunson, Fort Hays State
Dominique Long, Central Missouri
Zach Roddenberry, Harding
Anthony Tucker, Minnesota State-Moorhead
Tucker Wentzien, Upper Iowa

KDA Likes Legislative Action on Corporate Farming Laws

Posted on March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman issued the following statement Friday after committees in both the Kansas House and Kansas Senate took steps forward to addressing the restrictive corporate farming laws in Kansas.

“The Kansas Department of Agriculture is committed to the total support of the state’s agricultural sector and that includes doing everything we can to remove impediments to growth in agriculture. After hearing for two years from folks interested in moving their agricultural operations to Kansas but who had major concerns with our outdated and onerous corporate farming laws and also learning that parts of the current law do not pass constitutional muster, the department began building support to repeal the state’s 82-year old corporate farming statute. Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses in the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Pork Association, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association joined in this important agricultural growth initiative.

“The reality is 82 years of bad policy may take more than one 80-day session to repeal. We are pleased that Chairman Powell and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources held multiple hearings to discuss repealing the law and that the discussion will continue in an interim committee. We also commend Chairwoman Schwartz and her members of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources for recognizing the critical importance of this issue by asking for a judicial review of the state’s corporate farming laws.

“Agriculture is the largest economic driver in Kansas and there is tremendous potential knocking on our door to grow even further. But every effort to grow agriculture and our rural communities must be done correctly and must have support from the agricultural community and Kansas citizens. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in agriculture and in the Kansas legislature to ensure questions are answered and that we are ready to repeal the state’s corporate farming laws in the 2014 Kansas legislative session.”