Kansas officials will hold an online meeting on the possibility of the lesser prairie chicken being granted federal protection.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide by September whether to add the lesser prairie chicken to the nation’s list of threatened species.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Park and Tourism and the Kansas State Research and Extension office will host the online information session for anyone interested in the listing process. The department says the online session is scheduled for April 30 at 7 p.m.
Speakers from the department, the Farm Services Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide background on the lesser prairie chicken’s listing status. They will also explain programs aimed at improving the bird’s habitat.
It is important to clear up misconceptions regarding the Ellis County safety and security .5% sales tax so that voters know exactly what is going on. The question the commission needs to have the voters answer is this: does Ellis County pay for these projects with a sales tax or an increase in property taxes?
The projects involved are renovation of the jail,renovations of the courthouse to secure it and separate prisoners from the public and the building of a new combined EMS and rural fire facility tot be located on the property located at 22nd Street and General Hays Road. The estimates and top amount agreed to by the commission is $12.5 million, to an approximate total of $14.32 million with interest.
This sales tax, if passed, WILL sunset in 5 years or when the bonds are paid off, whichever comes first. If the tax sunsets before the bonds are fully paid off the balance will taken care of within the County budget.
These projects are essential and have to be done. EMS is in a small building that worked when only 11 people worked there – now they have 41. Rural fire packs 5 vehicles into a 3040 square foot building – in a fire situation time is of the essence, yet they have to maneuver the trucks around to get the right one out.
Over ten years ago the need for these projects was determined. In the last three years there has been another space needs committee that have determined we are at critical mass and must get these projects completed. Now the question is, how do you want to pay for them? Do you want a sales tax or do you want to pay for it with an increase of your property taxes? It is up to you.
If you would like to tour any of the buildings or have any questions please feel free to call any of us and we can answer your questions and help you see them.
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Twelve Hays School Students qualified and are attending the DECA national conference in Anaheim this week. Following is a list of the students attending the conference and their areas of expertise.
Courtney Storer and Arin Straub, Community Service Project
Aubree Karlin, Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan
Seth Junk and Hannah Talkington, Entrepreneurship Participating-Franchising
Millie Copper, Nick Glassman and Darian Leiker, Entrepreneurship Promotion Project
Macey Pfeifer, Entrepreneurship Participating-Independent
Jessica Carriera, Caitlyn Miller, Financial Literacy Promotion Plan
Shelby Dinkel, International Business Plan
The DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is the highlight of the DECA year. Fourteen thousand high school students, advisors, businesspersons and alumni gather for several days of DECA excitement. Most participants at ICDC compete in one of DECA’s competitive events. The top competitors in each event are recognized for their outstanding achievements. In addition to the competitive events, many students and advisors participate in a variety of leadership and career advancing academies.
Phone phishing scams often begin with a recorded message that urges the recipient to call a supplied telephone number.
Last week according to Sunflower Bank, a customer reported receiving such a voicemail. It said “your debit card has been restricted for shopping and online purchases. Please call our security department to reinstate.”
The caller was trying to prompt the customer to return the call and potentially obtain confidential account information.
Sunflower Bank is reminding their customers that they will never leave a phone message such as this or ask you for sensitive personal information or account information over the phone, by text or email.
Tips to Avoid Being Scammed:
•Never give out your sensitive personal information in response to any incoming phone call you receive.
•If you do receive a call asking for sensitive personal information, do not provide it. Instead, hang up and call the phone number located on your bank statement, in the phone book or located on their website to find out if the entity that supposedly called was legitimate in their request.
While making his first two gold-selling albums, Justin Moore knew exactly what he wanted them to sound like before he ever stepped foot in the studio. For his self-titled debut, Justin went for a cross between southern rock and traditional country, and he changed the formula a bit for the follow-up.
Says Justin, “I feel like the newer album, the Outlaws Like Me album, was more traditional-country sounding than the previous record. Or at least that was our goal.”
Justin recently finished working on his upcoming third album, featuring his latest hit, “Point at You,” and he admits he took a different approach this time around.
“With this one, I had no idea what the heck I wanted to do with it, at all,” Justin explains. “And I’m a fan of people who make a different album every time and not the same thing over and over and over. That just kind of came to me with the songs that we heard; the songs I wrote.”
Look for Justin’s new album to land in stores in the coming months.
April is National Poetry Month. The Hays Public Library annual poetry contest winners included Carrie Nassif, first place for her poem “Carrying On” and
Roberta Brewer was the runner up for her poem “Gifting.” The two winning entries are below.
Carrying On: Another Domestic Violent Nightmare by Carrie Nassif
We were hiding together in the dirt-crusted cellar,
Death, the girl, and I
when he asked me what kind of world it was I lived in
and opened a glowing orange portal-
a gaping square that started waist-high
to show me his.
He was just a small boy in sepia-tones handing out pills
so wide-eyed, I clambered in
my knees awkwardly bent up to cross into the threshold
he’d opened
thigh-high.
There his eyes flashed black-light backlit
all opposite and wrong
and I kissed his gleaming cheek anyhow-
drawing away with a shock:
gritty lips,
the smell of dark moist earth.
Numb, I silently slipped back over the highlightered outline
of his arbitrary door
from before
and he
he was sucked away by the howling storm
ofmyleaving.
Turning my back
I hunkered down again in the cellar
huddled over
to cover
the other
her baby-fat-toddler-body cradled in my arms
till it was safe again
at the siren’s end
when we tromped to the front yard
struggling with her limp sweltering weight clasping me grimly
tall cold backyard grass dampening my bare legs
and surveyed the damage
we’d have to pretend wasn’t there.
Gifting by Roberta Brewern
When I discard this earthen cloak of clay
That’s clad my restless spirit day by day,
Please lay it not to rest in dismal tomb
Reflecting darkness, death and lifeless gloom-
But set it free to life; to live once more
That I might soar in peace through heaven’s door.
Give my eyes to one who seeks for light
What joy to grant another gift of sight!
Give heart to one who has more love to share
And heartbeat of mankind might be his fare.
Give cells and skin and bones to meet such need
As length and quality of life therewith exceed.
If ashes then be scattered o’er the earth,
Enriching flowers, giving plants new birth
You’ll gift my soul and set my spirit free
As one who finds life’s end sweet ecstasy.
I am relating this message, not a song, not a psalm,
rather a word to encourage any who might be inclined
to be a donor, to make it known now. If one life could
be prolonged or enriched because of this message it
would be a joyous thing!
Conversations with Conservatives is presented by a group of free market, liberty-minded members of Congress who meet monthly with traditional press and bloggers to discuss the most important issues of the day.
Participate in the conversation by asking questions on the Conversations with Conservatives Facebook page, or on twitter with hash tag #cwc113
Tuesday’s Housing Seminar conducted by the city of Hays
The City held their first of two Housing Study Group Stakeholder Meetings on Tuesday. Approximately thirty people attended. The Meetings are being held in the Convention and Visitors Bureau Conference Room – 2700 Vine. Tonight’s Meetings are for Employers at 6 p.m. and open to anyone at 8 p.m.
The City of Hays’ recently completed Comprehensive Plan identified several key housing issues. Following up on the Comprehensive Plan, the Hays Board of Realtors, in conjunction with the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, commissioned a Housing Needs Assessment. The Housing Needs Assessment confirmed many of the issues brought to light in the Comprehensive Plan. These issues include:
• Overall home values in Hays are high compared to household income
• Not enough homes on the market at any given time
• A lack of affordable housing
• A lack of adequate entry level homes
• A need for more senior housing
• A lack of owner-occupied condos and townhomes
• A lack of higher-quality rental properties
In order to study the housing issues in more detail, the City Commission authorized a Housing Study Group. This group will study the various issues impacting housing in Hays and make formal policy recommendations to the Hays City Commission.
Part of the Housing Study Group process involves gathering input and holding discussions with the various stakeholders in the community. On April 23rd and 24th the Study Group will be holding stakeholder group meetings at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau building. Interested persons are encouraged to examine the meeting schedule and attend the meeting(s) where they can provide input.
Public engagement will help the Housing Study Group define the problem and develop effective policy recommendations.
The Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 team, “Change for Literacy” will be hosting a meet and greet with American Girl Author, Jane Kurtz, in order to help bring awareness to an international and non-profit organization called “Ethiopia Reads.” The American Girl Author presentation will be held on April 27th at the FHSU Robbins Center from 2p-4p. Kurtz is the author of the American Girl “Lanie” Books.
FHSU Ethiopia Reads is proud to bring the event to Hays, KS for the first time. The American Girl Author presentation will take place from 2p-4p and will involve children’s learning activities and drawings for prizes. Tickets for the drawings at this event are available now and will also be available for purchase at the event for a recommended donation of $1 each. The main drawing prizes are Jane Kurtz’s autographed American Girl Doll, “Lanie” and an autographed FHSU sports package. Attendance is free for the community and donations are welcome.
There are also donation jars located throughout the community at many of your local restaurants and businesses. These jars will remain in the community throughout the month of April.
Ethiopia Reads helps Ethiopian communities by building schools and libraries, providing books to enhance education and training librarians. Literacy rates in Ethiopia average under 50% and Ethiopia is ranked 195th out of 196 countries for adult literacy. By donating and raising awareness, we have the opportunity to improve literacy throughout Ethiopian communities.
For more information, like FHSU Ethiopia Reads – “Change for Literacy” on Facebook or visit www.ethiopiareads.org.
Forty Six year old Susan Mason of Ulysses is hospitalized with injuries from an accident on Tuesday morning in Wabaunsee County.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Mason was driving West Bound on I-70 near Maple Hill when she lost control of her 2006 Dodge Caravan going over a bridge. The van hit the bridge and then hit a semi truck. Mason was taken to a Topeka Hospital. The driver of the Semi was not injured. Mason was wearing a seat belt.
Administration Appreciation Day is on TODAY! Don’t forget that “essential link” in your life. Get them a therapeutic massage to say thanks! $15 off for all Gift Certificates for that special someone. Call 785-301-2218.
A former cheer coach from Wichita has been convicted of sex crimes involving four of his minor students.
Twenty-nine-year-old Timothy Wells-Lee was convicted Tuesday of 10 of 11 charges he faced. He’ll be sentenced June 14.
Wells-Lee was accused of having sexual relationships with girls ranging from 12 to 14 years old while he was coaching them at Wichita cheer academies between 2006 and 2008. He was acquitted of one charge of fondling one of the girls.
Wells-Lee denied having any sexual contact with three of the girls. He admitted having a sexual relationship with the fourth girl but testified it didn’t begin she was the legal age of 16.
He will be sentenced under Jessica’s Law, which requires a sentence of life without possibility of parole for 25 years.
Kansas officials will hold an online meeting on the possibility of the lesser prairie chicken being granted federal protection.
