Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — SeaPort Airlines today announced it will begin service June 16 from Great Bend Municipal Airport to Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport and Kansas City International Airport. The carrier recently was awarded the Essential Air Service contract to provide service at Great Bend by the United States Department of Transportation, replacing Great Lakes Aviation.

“We believe the option of both Wichita and Kansas City will provide the community with a great number of choices for connections across the country and around the world,” said Rob McKinney, President of SeaPort Airlines “We’re very pleased to be bringing air service back to Great Bend and look to building a long-standing partnership with the local community.”

The new service will include two round trips per day each weekday between Great Bend and Wichita, and a single one-stop flight between Great Bend and Kansas City. A reduced schedule will be offered on weekends.

Click HERE for the complete schedule.

Hays Regional Airport currently is without a commercial airline, as Great Lakes Airlines stopped service earlier this year. The new carrier, SkyWest, has announced it will begin turbojet flights to Denver on Aug. 1.

FHSU University Relations

An institution in Rabat, Morocco, is Fort Hays State University’s newest international partner, after reaching a 2-plus-2 transfer agreement in information systems engineering with the International Institute of Higher Education in Morocco.

A 2-plus-2 agreement allows for students to complete courses in a particular program and then guarantees its ability to transfer between institutions.

“FHSU is always interested in partnering with highly respected universities to leverage opportunities for students of both parties,” said Dr. Chris Crawford, interim provost. “This partnership is particularly exciting as we develop our Information Systems Engineering program. Naturally we see great benefit with having students of other nationalities come to our campus and interact with our student body.”

The agreement, signed in April, allows for academic credits to be transferred from IIHEM to FHSU. The agreement is designed specifically for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in information systems engineering. A student who completes the common two-year engineering curriculum at IIHEM can then transfer to FHSU to complete a bachelor’s degree.

For the credits to transfer, students need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 with a grade C or higher in the courses.

“We already signed similar 2-plus-2 agreements for information systems engineering with three community colleges in Colorado — Otero, Trinidad and Pikes Peak,” said Dr. Houssain Kettani, professor and director of FHSU’s Information Systems Engineering program.

FHSU and Kettani recently hosted its first international conference on information systems engineering. The conference was organized by the South Asia Institute of Science and Engineering, a non-profit association promoting international education in science and engineering.

A total of 14 papers were published in the International Journal of Information and Electronics, Volume 4, Issue 4 concerning new ideas in the field of information systems engineering.

The conference drew 35 researchers representing institutions from Algeria, Canada, China, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Their research was published and is available online at https://ijiee.org/list-46-1.html

FHSU is the only university in the state of Kansas accredited for information systems engineering and is one of only two in the United States.

FHSU University Relations

James C. Bell, Fort Hays State University graduate student, is FHSU’s first Tiger Media Network news director.

“In a print world, you’d call him the news editor. In a broadcast world, you’d call him the producer,” said Ron Rohlf, assistant professor of informatics.

Tiger Media Network, which went live in fall 2013, combines print, radio, television and Web publication into a “convergent media model.” Bell will supervise student writers, photographers, graphic artists, audio/video producers and Web developers.

“I look forward to helping build the organization up and working with the staff,” Bell said. “My goals are to help students develop the skills they need and make FHSU a regional media outlet. There is a lot of work to be done, but I plan to do it one step at a time.”

Bell graduated from Macksville High School in 2000 and received his undergraduate degree in political science from FHSU in 2007. He worked in business management for six to seven years with various companies before deciding that it was time to make a change. Bell has one more class this summer before he receives has his Masters of Liberal Studies with a concentration in political science.

“The goal is to work in political communication but to keep all doors open,” Bell said. He has been involved with Tiger Media all year and accepted the position as news director because it gives him the chance to stay and help build the organization.

As the school year comes to a close, graduation season is underway for high schools across the area. Here is a list of upcoming graduations:

• Victoria High School – May 18 at 1 p.m. in the auditorium
• Hays High School – May 18 at 3 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum
• Thomas More Prep-Marian – May 25^th at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Heart
• Ellis High School – May 17 at 2 p.m. in the high school gym
• Plainville High School – May 17 at 2:30 p.m. in the Cardinal gym
• La Crosse High School – May 17 at 3p.m. in the high school gym

Fort Hays State University’s advanced degree graduation is May 16 at 6 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The bachelor’s degree graduation is May 17 at 10 a.m. is also at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

 

ELLIS–Ellis city council members approved purchase of campground water softeners during a special meeting Wednesday night, then went into executive session for personnel matters with the city attorney and police chief present.

The meeting concluded with a review of procedures and duties for those holding public office.

The complete special meeting minutes follow.

 

DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Minutes May 14, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lyle Johnston called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, John Walz, Dave McDaniel and Terry Redetzke.  Council member Gary Luea arrived at 6:03 p.m.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Jolene Niernberger was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

None

PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING

Mayor Lyle Johnston stated the purpose of the special meeting is to consider the purchase of water softeners for the campground, hold an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel, and to conduct Council orientation.

Campground: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for new water softeners.  The City Plumbing bid also provided an option if the City would choose to purchase the existing units.  After discussion, Council member Ron Johnson moved to purchase the two existing water softeners for $300.00 each from City Plumbing with money to come from the Campground Fund.  Council member David McDaniel seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Executive Session

Mayor Lyle Johnston called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel.  A 20-minute executive session was proposed starting at 6:10 p.m.  Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess.  Council member David McDaniel moved to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney and Police Chief Taft Yates present.  Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.  The Council returned to open session at 6:30 p.m.  No action was taken in executive session.

Personnel: Training

City Clerk Amy Burton then reviewed and discussed with the Governing Body procedures and duties pertinent to those holding public office.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member David McDaniel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The Hays Police Department will step up patrols this weekend as high school and college graduates, along with their families, celebrate commencement.

“It’s a big weekend coming up,” said Assistant Chief of Police Brian Dawson, noting Fort Hays State University’s graduation ceremony is Saturday and Hays High School’s graduation is scheduled for Sunday.

“Lot’s of people will be in town to celebrate. We encourage everyone to be smart and have a plan. Don’t forget Safe Ride is available,” said Dawson referring to the free no-questions-asked shuttle pickup for anyone who needs a ride home, especially for those who have been drinking.

Safe Ride can be contacted at (785) 621-2580.

Dawson also has advice for anyone hosting parties: Make sure alternative non-alcoholic drinks are available for those younger than 21 and for designated drivers.

The HPD will conduct saturation patrols this weekend in an attempt to keep the streets safe.

“We will go out and saturate the community with more patrols, looking for anyone who might be impaired while driving,” Dawson said.

Related Story

K-State Communications and Marketing

MANHATTAN — The estate of Elnita Jezek, Holyrood, has provided a $1.67 million gift to Kansas State University through her trust. The funds will support the Elnita Ehler Jezek Scholarship for students in the College of Business Administration, where Jezek earned her bachelor’s degree in 1939.

The scholarship is endowed, which means it will provide a continuous source of support for the purpose specified by Jezek. The principal of the fund is maintained and invested in perpetuity, and awards are made from earnings.

Jezek was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the American Association of University Women. She was also a member for more than 50 years of the Order of the Eastern Star, including service as matron of Holyrood O.E.S. 420, worthy grand matron of Kansas, grand treasurer of Kansas O.E.S. and committee member of General Grand Chapter O.E.S. She was active in her church, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, including past service as president of St. Paul’s UCC Guild.

Jezek was a member of the Kansas State University Foundation‘s Presidents Club, a philanthropic leadership organization for friends and alumni of the university, and the Land Grant Legacy Society, an organization for those who have included the university in their estate plans. She also served as a KSU Foundation trustee for 12 years.

“She was successful in her church, the Eastern Star, and she thought a lot of K-State. Those were her three main priorities in life and she lived them out,” said Jezek’s cousin and caretaker, Raymond Hanken. “She was a very intelligent person, a very good conversationalist and entertainer, a very good reputation everywhere she went. She was just a good person.”

“Elnita Jezek’s lifelong love for K-State and the College of Business Administration was evident through her consistent financial support over many years,” said Ali Malekzadeh, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. “She knew the value of a K-State business degree and helped generations of students achieve their dreams. Now, her final gift leaves a tremendous legacy that will help business students pursue excellence in their education.”

TOPEKA – The unemployment rate in Ellis County dropped to a miniscule 2.3 percent in April, according to the latest figures from the Kansas Department of Labor.

The jobless rate in the county fell to 2.3 percent from 2.7 percent in February.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, down from 4.9 percent in March and down from 5.5 percent in April 2013.

Kansas gained 16,900 seasonally adjusted private-sector jobs, an increase of 1.5 percent since last year, and 16,800 nonfarm jobs, a 1.2 percent increase. Since last month, Kansas gained 1,900 seasonally adjusted private-sector jobs and 2,500 nonfarm jobs, both with increases of 0.2 percent.

“More Kansans are working now than ever before, and the state continues to build on its private-sector job growth,” Secretary of Labor Lana Gordon said. “These are strong indicators of a vibrant Kansas workforce.”

Unemployment is low across all of northwest Kansas, with Logan and Ness counties boasting a jobless rate of just 2.2 percent — the lowest in the state. Rooks and Osborne counties have the highest rates of unemployment in the area at 3.8 percent.