Hays Middle School launched an updated web site this week.
You will want to check out the updates and changes here https://hms.usd489.com
Month: June 2013
Sperm Donor Case on Hold over Judge’s Status
(AP) — A lawsuit by the state of Kansas to force a Topeka sperm donor to pay child support is on hold while a judge considers whether to remove herself from the 
case.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Shawnee County District Judge Mary Mattivi had a 25-minute hearing Wednesday but didn’t issue a decision.
She said she needed to do research and read the lengthy affidavit submitted by an attorney for sperm donor William Marotta. There’s been no public explanation for the request for Mattivi to step aside.
The state argues Marotta must pay child support because he is the father of a 3-year-old girl born in 2009. Marotta argues that he donated his sperm to a lesbian couple and signed a contract waiving parental rights and responsibilities.
Cosmosphere adds Motion Flight Simulator
(AP) — The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson is preparing to debut a motion flight simulator with a choice of six themed rides.
The pod-like machine, called the “naviGATOR,” will give visitors the feel of blasting off to the international space station, flying with the Navy’s Blue Angels or take part in some other flight.
Rides will be offered for the first time Friday. They last four minutes and cost $5 per person.
Former Hutchinson resident Julie Purin won a contest to name the simulator and chose “naviGATOR,” inspired by the 1986 science fiction movie “Flight of the Navigator.” Cosmosphere officials had been calling it the Predator.
Commission Work Session to Focus on Budget Requests
The bulk of this work session will be comprised of outside agency presentations as part of the 2014 Budget. According to Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty, “There are several items on the agenda for consideration; however, these items are routine in nature and should not be too time consuming.”
CITY OF HAYS
CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2013 – 6:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. ITEM FOR REVIEW: May 16, 2013 Work Session Notes (PAGE 1)
DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Kim Rupp, Director of Finance
2. 2014BUDGETPRESENTATIONS–OUTSIDEAGENCIES(PAGE9)
6:30 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 6:50 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:10 p.m. 7:25 p.m. 7:35 p.m. 7:45 p.m.
Downtown Hays Development Corporation (Traci Stanford and Sandy Jacobs) (PAGE 11) Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development (Aaron White and Board) (PAGE 15)
Fort Hays State University (Craig Karlin and Dixie Balman) (PAGE 21)
Wild West Festival Committee (Tom Meiers, Bob Swift, and Mary Karst) (PAGE 41)
CARE Council – Social Services/Special Alcohol Tax (Greg Sund/Jason Rauch) (PAGE 47) Ellis County Historical Society (Donald Westfall and Brad Chatfield) (PAGE 99)
Hays Sister Cities Advisory Board (Ann Leiker and Board) (PAGE 109) Hays Arts Council (Brenda Meder and Jennifer Sauer) (PAGE 121)
3. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Contract Sewer Cleaning (PAGE 129) DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Bernie Kitten, Director of Utilities
4. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Walker Mower Purchase for Parks Department (PAGE 133) DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Jeff Boyle, Director of Parks
5. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Resolution to Establish Benefit District for Lots 1-24 within the Replat of Lot 2, Block 9, Golden Belt 8th Addition (PAGE 137)
DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: I.D. Creech, Director of Public Works
6. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition – Rezoning (PAGE 145) DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: I.D. Creech, Director of Public Works
7. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition – Final Plat (PAGE 155) DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: I.D. Creech, Director of Public Works
8. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition – Annexation (PAGE 161) DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: I.D. Creech, Director of Public Works
9. ITEM FOR REVIEW: GO Bonds, Series 2013-A – Ordinance Levying Special Assessments (PAGE 169)
DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Kim Rupp, Director of Finance
10. ITEM FOR REVIEW: GO Bonds, Series 2013-A – Resolution Authorizing the Offering for Sale of General Obligation Refunding and Improvement Bonds (PAGE 179)
DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Kim Rupp, Director of Finance
Item 10 – GO Bonds, Series 2013-A – Resolution Authorizing the Offering for Sale of General Obligation Refunding and Improvement Bonds
Please refer to the attached information from Finance Director Kim Rupp regarding the Series 2013-A General Obligation Bonds. Not only is City staff suggesting that a couple of the current projects be bonded, we are also suggesting that the City refinance two previous GO issuances. This will save the City quite a bit of money in interest fees.
Item 11 (Via Christi TEFRA Resolution – Issuance of Revenue Bonds, Series 2012-A) and Item 12 (Via Christ Conveyance Resolution)
Items 11 and 12 are both related to Via Christi paying off the Industrial Revenue Bonds in totality. Please refer to the attached information from Finance Director Kim Rupp for further explanation.
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11. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Via Christi TEFRA Resolution – Issuance of Revenue Bonds, Series 2012-A (PAGE 203)
DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Kim Rupp, Director of Finance
12. ITEM FOR REVIEW: Via Christi Conveyance Resolution (PAGE 209) DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBLE: Kim Rupp, Director of Finance
13. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION (IF REQUIRED)
15. ADJOURNMENT
ANY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY NEEDING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO ATTEND THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED MEETING TIME. EVERY ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE ANY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE.
Ten names to be added to Fort Riley memorial walk
(AP) — The names of 10 soldiers killed in combat in the past year will be added next week to a memorial walk outside the 1st Infantry Division headquarters building at Fort Riley.
The ceremonies on Wednesday are part of the division’s annual celebration of its establishment in 1917 as the first designated division in the Army. Other activities planned for the week include soldier competition and entertainment.
The soldiers’ names will be unveiled during a ceremony in Victory Park at Fort Riley. The soldiers were assigned or attached to the 1st Infantry Division at the time of their deaths. Currently there are 541 bricks honoring soldiers.
Fort Riley is home to approximately 18,000 soldiers. It is located about 60 miles west of Topeka.
WaKeeney City Council Minutes: May 21, 2013
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 21 MAY 2013
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 7:00 PM with the Mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor Kenneth Roy and Council Members Irene Dirks, Troy Leiker Lynelle Shubert, and Allen Weigel
BEING ABSENT: Mary Jo Clevenger
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed and distributed.
GUESTS: Dennis Becking, Joy Fischer, Sherri Golden, Glenda Moore, Virginia Flax, DeLorris Kraus, Mary Lou Logue, Lilly Zeman, Mary Hillman, Rose Moore, Jolene Niernberger, Jean Nickelson, Shirley Gordon, Floyd Dinkel, Shirley Scholl, Norma McRae, Alyssa Logue, Kaley Logue, Deb Fabrizius, Beulah Jones, Armellia Reiter, Terry Eberle, Charlie Knoll and Janelle Miller
Dennis Becking, with Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services was present before the Governing Body to request funding for their services from the city’s 2014 budget. Mr. Becking presented statistics for Trego County and answered questions from the City Council. Mr. Becking was thanked by the Governing Body and took his leave.
Jolene Niernberger, Director of the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs was present before the Governing Body to request funding for their efforts in the city’s 2014 budget. Jolene introduced her volunteers in attendance and thanked the city for its past support. Jolene and her members were thanked by City Council and took their leave.
CHIEF OF POLICE: Terry Eberle provided his monthly departmental report.
Council Member Dirks presented to the Governing Body information compiled by her that would allow city residence to keep a small number of chickens (hens only) within the city. The information was reviewed and discussed at length. A motion was made by Lynelle Shubert to have an ordinance drafted by the city attorney following the proposed guidelines that would legalize chickens in the city of WaKeeney. Irene Dirks seconded. Voting YES: Dirks, Leiker, and Shubert. Voting NO: Weigel. Motion carried 3-1.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Howard, Mayor Roy, and the City Council toured various city owned property for the remainder of the meeting.
MAYOR: Kenneth Roy invited the City Council to attend the Memorial Day services at the City Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 9:00 AM.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.
Many Free Activities for you this Summer at FHSU
Several events and programs are scheduled at or through Fort Hays State University for the summer. Unless specified, all events are free and open to the public.
June 6: “Adventure Activities” is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 to 12. Registration and a $5 registration fee is required.
June 13: “Adventure Activities” is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 to 12. Registration and a $5 registration fee is required.
June 14: “Friday Evening at the Museum” is from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 and up. Registration and a $15 registration is fee required.
June 20: “Adventure Activities” is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 to 12. Registration and a $5 registration is fee required.
June 21: The closing reception for FHSU student Shawna Wangseng’s Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art in Rarick Hall on the FHSU campus.
June 21: A reception for FHSU student Isaac Sandoval’s Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hays Arts Council as a part of the summer Gallery Walk. The exhibit will be on display June 17 through June 29.
June 22: “Family Shark Tooth Hunt” is from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 and up. Registration and a $15 registration fee is required by June 14.
June 27: “Adventure Activities” is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 to 12. Registration and a $5 registration fee is required.
June 28: The opening reception for FHSU student Katrina Florell’s Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art in Rarick Hall on the FHSU campus. The exhibit will be on display from June 28 through July 12.
July 8: “Text Meets Technology,” a workshop presented by Dr. Beth Walizer and hosted by the Kansas Center for Innovative Education, is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Registration and a $90 registration fee is due by July 1.
July 9-11: “Cool Stuff Day Camp” is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 8 to 12. Registration and a $90 registration fee is required by July 2.
July 10: “Teacher Expectations in Student Achievement,” a workshop presented by Dr. Beth Walizer and hosted by the Kansas Center for Innovative Education, is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Registration and a $90 registration fee is required by July 3.
July 27: “Family Slithery Evening” is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 and up. Registration and a $15 registration fee is required by July 19.
July 29: “The Power of Blended Learning in Delivering the Common Core Standards,” a workshop presented by Dr. Adam Holden and hosted by the Kansas Center for Innovative Education, is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Registration and a $90 registration fee is required by July 15.
August 5: “Fred Jones Positive Classroom Management and Discipline,” a workshop presented by Audrey Johnson and hosted by the Kansas Center for Innovative Education, is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Registration and a $90 registration fee is required by July 29.
August 9: “Friday Evening at the Museum” is from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History for ages 5 and up. Registration and a $15 registration fee is required.
August 16: The closing reception for FHSU student Ned Day’s Master’s of Fine Arts thesis exhibition is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The exhibit opens July 19 at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art in Rarick Hall on the FHSU campus.
August 24: “Monarchs” is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.
Lawman’s defense contends wife committed suicide
(AP) — Attorneys for a former Kansas police instructor accused of killing his wife are trying to bolster their suggestion that the death could have been a suicide.
A handwriting expert returned to the stand Wednesday in the first-degree murder trial of Brett Seacat for the April 2011 shooting of 34-year-old Vashti Seacat. The husband is also charged with aggravated arson and two counts of child endangerment for allegedly setting fire to the couple’s Kingman home while their two young sons were sleeping.
Handwriting expert Avis Odenbaugh testified that the person who wrote entries in Vashti Seacat’s journal also wrote a suicide note found in her car. That note promised the sons that she would be watching them from heaven.
A prosecution witness testified earlier that someone else wrote the note.
Two Kansas Men Plead Guilty To Federal Dog Fighting Charge
Two Kansas men have pleaded guilty to a federal dog fighting charge, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Pete Davis, Jr., 38, Kansas City, Kan., and Melvin Robinson, 42, Kansas City, Kan., each pleaded guilty to one count of transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.
The two men initially were charged in a criminal complaint alleging they owned dozens of dogs – most of them pit bulls – that they trained and took to dog fights. They kept the dogs at a farm in Harrison County, Mo., and at their residences in Kansas City, Kan, and transported some of them to fights as far away as Dallas, Texas. On March 22 and 23, 2013, federal, state and local investigators served search warrants at several locations, seizing 77 dogs and six chickens.
According to court documents, an FBI investigation that began in November 2012 revealed that:
— To train dogs for fighting, Robinson had a treadmill at his residence in Kansas City, Kan. He routinely placed a harness on a dog and chained the harness to the treadmill for several hours at a time. The treadmill was equipped with a plywood box to keep the dog on the treadmill. Robinson also put weights on the dog to strengthen it and provided caged live chickens in front of the treadmill as bait.
— Robinson and Davis discussed betting $20,000 to $30,000 on a dog they were training for a fight scheduled to take place on March 23, 2013, in Dallas, Texas. They called such fights “dog shows.”
— On March 17, 2013, Davis and Robinson held three dog fights involving six dogs at the farm in Missouri in preparation for the dog fight in Dallas.
— At various times during the investigation, dogs died at the farm in Missouri and their bodies were discarded.
— On March 22, 2013, investigators followed Robinson and Davis as they traveled to a location near Tyler, Texas, for a dog fight.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 9. The defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Grissom thanked the following agencies for their work on the case: The FBI, the Kansas City (KS) Police Department, the Harrison County (MO) Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety – Narcotics and Highway Patrol, East Texas HIDTA, the FBI Dallas Division – East Texas Resident Agencies, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Game Wardens, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – OIG, the Lindale Police Department, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. He also thanked the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals for assisting investigators by agreeing to house and care for dogs that were seized by investigators.
Kan. House chairman defends GOP’s latest tax bill
(AP) — The chairman of the Kansas House committee on taxation says it’s “misleading” for Democrats to describe newly approved tax legislation as a tax increase.
Republican Richard Carlson said Wednesday that the plan approved over the weekend is part of a larger tax reform effort that began last year.
This year’s bill cancels most of a sales tax rollback scheduled for July and adjusts income tax laws to raise an additional $777 million over the next five years.
In a fundraising email, Kansas Democratic Chairwoman Joan Wagnon described the measure crafted by Republicans as “tax hikes on working Kansans.”
But this year’s tax bill followed legislation last year cutting income taxes by $4.6 billion over the next five years. Carlson said it’s “disingenuous” to suggest Kansans are paying higher taxes.
Burglary, Criminal Damage at Sports Complex UPDATE
Address: Hays
Age: 28
Charges: 21-5807(a)(3) Burglary; Vehicle or other means to commit felony/theft/sex motived crime
Theft, Criminal Damage
Stelieh Jordan Stegmeier was arrested in connection with last week’s burglary and criminal damage at the Bickle Schmidt Sports complex.
Charges: 21-5807(a)(3) Burglary; Vehicle or other means to commit felony/theft/sex motived crime
Theft, Criminal Damage
Saturday 6: 30 a.m. Hays Police have made an arrest in connection with a burglary and reported criminal damage to property at the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex. According to Lt. Ron
Rounkles, “Following an investigation, a 28 year old Hays’ man was arrested. Additional details in the case will be released on Monday.
Traffic Alert: Construction work underway in Ellis
Sixth Street bridge Work at Taylor and Cottonwood has begun in the City of Ellis.
Ellis City Officials told Hays Post that construction has begun on Sixth Street at Taylor and Cottonwood. The work is expected to last for 3-4 weeks depending on weather conditions.
Motorists are advised to use caution while construction is in progress. Tenth Street can be utilized as a viable detour for drivers
AG: Many Kansans to receive $1,480 in Mortgage Settlement
TOPEKA – (June 5, 2013) – Kansas borrowers who submitted a valid foreclosure payment claim through the National Mortgage Settlement will receive a check this month for approximately $1,480, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.
More than $9 million will be distributed to 6,350 Kansans. Eligible borrowers had their mortgage serviced by one of the settlement’s five participating mortgage servicers, lost their home to foreclosure between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011, and submitted a valid claim form. The participating servicers are Ally (formerly GMAC), Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.
“These payments are in addition to mortgage assistance that already has been provided to more than 1,500 Kansans under terms of our settlement,” said Schmidt, noting that more than $54 million in mortgage relief already has been provided to Kansas homeowners. “Through this additional payment, borrowers will receive compensation for loan servicing abuse that happened in the past.”
Schmidt said accepting the payment does not limit a borrower’s ability to seek additional relief through a separate private lawsuit or other claims.
Nationally, the settlement administrator will mail valid-claim payments to borrowers listed in 962,278 loan records from June 10 through June 17. The payments come from a $1.5 billion pool of funds set aside by the mortgage servicers as part of their legal settlement with the attorneys general and the federal government.
In February 2012, 49 state attorneys general, including Attorney General Schmidt, and the federal government announced the historic joint state-federal National Mortgage Settlement with the country’s five largest mortgage servicers. Preliminary data shows that, prior to distribution of these checks, the servicers have provided more than $50 billion in direct settlement relief to borrowers nationwide, including $54.4 million to Kansans.
Every borrower who filed a claim will receive a letter regarding their outcome. Borrowers with questions about their payment should call the settlement administrator at (866) 430-8358. Borrowers with general questions about the National Mortgage Settlement may call the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (800) 432-2310 or visitwww.ag.ks.gov.