Midwest Energy

Wind turbines have become a dominant feature on the Kansas landscape, with many utilities, including Midwest Energy, taking advantage of wind energy.  But when the turbines aren’t turning, it’s up to natural gas generation plants, like the Goodman Energy Center at Hays, to fire up at a moment’s notice to ensure a seamless flow of electricity.

That level of reliability, to constantly be ready to go from a cold-start to full capacity in just minutes every day year-round, is why Midwest Energy’s Goodman Energy Center was recognized this month by NAES Corporation for Consistent Superior Performance in 2013.  NAES operates Goodman Energy Center, and several other electric generation facilities, under contract for Midwest Energy. This marks the third straight year the plant has won the award.

“NAES ranks each of the plants it operates on availability factor, forced outage factors, number of unit trips and personnel turnover, and the Goodman center has seen consistent improvement in all areas year after year,” said Bill Dowling, Vice President of Engineering and Energy Supply at Midwest Energy. “The NAES team at Goodman is second to none – whenever we call upon the plant to generate, they’re ready to deliver.”

Mike Prindle, NAES’ Plant Manager at Goodman, credits his nine-man crew with keeping the plant ready to go at a moment’s notice.

“These engines require a lot of maintenance to be in peak operating condition,” Prindle said. “Every one of our technicians here sets the bar high professionally, and I couldn’t be more proud that this team continues to push themselves to improve each year,” he said.

The Goodman Energy Center is a 75-megawatt single-cycle natural gas generation facility. The facility’s nine Wärtsilä engines generates more than 8 MW of electricity each, or enough electricity to run roughly 1,000 homes each. The facility cost $62 million to build, and entered full service in July 2008.

Criminal transport, Stockton, 10:02 a.m.
Criminal transport, Rooks County, 1:16 p.m.
Suicidal subject, 100 block Village Road, 2:54 p.m.
Fire, 1600 block West 27th, 3:29 p.m.
Registered sex offenders, Hays, 3:53 p.m.
Registered sex offender, Hays, 7:24 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Tuesday’s ballot for patrons of Ellis USD 308 includes an $8.9 million bond issue to finance school improvements.

A $10 million bond issue proposal last year was voted down by the school district patrons, which includes residents in western Ellis and eastern Trego counties.

Although “nobody wants to pay more in taxes, the community needs to understand how much education needs have changed,” said USD 388 Superintendent Bob Young.

“We used to prepare kids to work in factories, to stand still and focus on one mundane task. Today we’re trying to train our kids to be problem-solvers and to think on their feet. That requires a whole different skill set — no sitting in desks in neat rows and listening to the same teacher talk for seven hours,” Young told Eagle.

“It also requires different space needs. Community members can get into the classrooms and see what’s being taught, how much education has changed.”

The list of improvements included in the bond issue is similar to last year’s, according to Young, with 5 priorities agreed upon by USD 388 staff and Board of Education:

1. Pay off existing high interest rate energy loan
2. Combine Junior High with High School for more efficient use of staff and student learning time
3. Address heating and air conditioning needs of Washington Grade School
4. Improve gymnasium space for mandated Physical Education as well as team sports
5. Improve the District Stadium for both track and football facilities

Details of the USD 388 bond proposal are available on the school district’s website.

 

Submitted

John Hughes has been named as the new Administrator for Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. Hughes will begin his duties as hospital administrator on January 5, 2015.

Originally from North Carolina, Hughes is currently serving as the Hospital Administrator at Ellinwood District Hospital, Ellinwood, Kansas. He has nineteen years experience in healthcare and his management style focuses on creating a team oriented organization that specializes in providing quality healthcare to meet the needs of the community they serve.

Hughes earned a B.A. in Health Service and Management from the Ottawa University, Overland Park, KS. Prior to healthcare administration, Hughes served as Director of Radiology at both North East Montana Health Services, Wolf Point, Montana, and at Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City, Kansas. He has been involved in both professional and community activities including serving as President of the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce Board, member of the KAHCE Mentoring Committee, and member of the Kansas Hospital Association Governance Task Force

“I’m excited about John becoming the new Administrator at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. He’s familiar with the operations of critical access hospitals and that knowledge will be a tremendous asset to us in Pawnee County,” said John Haas, PVCH Board Member. “We look forward to him coming to our community and we feel that he will be a good fit for our hospital.”

“I look forward to joining the quality health care team at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and partnering with the community to provide the health care that they deserve,” said Hughes.

A freeze warning is in effect Saturday morning. A warming trend is then expected over the remainder of the weekend.

Today Sunny, with a high near 46. North northeast wind 8 to 11 mph.
Tonight Widespread frost after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 27. South southeast wind 6 to 11 mph.
Saturday Widespread frost before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Windy, with a south wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. South southeast wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 23 mph.
Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Breezy.
Monday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.