FHSU University Relations

Nine students from Fort Hays State University won scholarships for attending the Nov. 21 inauguration ceremony of President Mirta M. Martin.

Kate Lehman, Newton senior, an elementary education major, received the $1,000 scholarship, half in a check and half in a University Bookstore gift card.

The $500 University Bookstore scholarship winners are listed alphabetically.

Kayla Bartlett-Steede, a Hays senior majoring in graphic design.
Kregg Clarke, a Lyons junior majoring in management.
Aaron Evinger, a Dodge City junior majoring in political science.
Loretta Lauer, a Pawnee Rock junior majoring in human resources.
Wenkai Shu, a Guangzhou, China, sophomore.
Laura Stinebaugh, a Quenemo sophomore majoring in interior design.
Marina Uribe, a Great Bend junior majoring in speech-language pathology.
Thalia Viana, a Garden City junior majoring in marketing.

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

At Thursday night’s Hays City Commission meeting, commissioners unanimously approved submitting a formal application for a $4.50 Passenger Facilitation Charge at the Hays Regional Airport. If the PFC is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, the fee will be charged to every ticket originating out of the Hays Regional Airport.

Revenues will be used to pay for capital improvement project that improve safety security or capacity including the current terminal renovations and the reconstruction of the crosswind runway at the airport. Airports in Topeka, Garden City, Manhattan and Wichita also have PFCs in place.

Public Works Director I.D. Creech projected the $188,000 limit on the PFC will be reached in just more than three years based on 13,000 boardings per year. Creech said the $4.50 charge will generate approximately $58,500 each year. The city also has the ability to apply for additional PFCs for projects approved under the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.

“As we move forward with our airport improvement plan, we have more projects that could can qualify for authorization. So we can go ahead and get those approved and have those ready to go,” said City Manager Toby Dougherty.

The PFC could be in place by as early as February, depending upon the FAA approval process.

FHSU University Relations

With students participating from around the globe, the Wichita Business Journal recognized Fort Hays State University’s Master of Business Administration program as the fourth largest in Kansas.

The MBA program at FHSU provides a high-quality curriculum designed with challenging, engaging learning opportunities. Classes are available on campus and completely online. In 2014, U.S. News & World Report ranked FHSU’s MBA program 64th in the nation for Best Online Graduate Business Program. Participating students are prepared to lead, make challenging decisions and succeed.

The program offers several career-relevant concentrations that allow students to deepen their knowledge in a specific content area. These concentrations include: accounting, finance, health and human performance (sports management), health care management, human resource management (HRM), information assurance, international business, leadership studies, management information systems, marketing, and tourism and hospitality management.

FHSU now offers a 4+1 Bachelor of Business Administration to MBA program. This program is designed for high-performing BBA students desiring an MBA in an accelerated timeframe. Qualified students have the opportunity to earn a BBA and a MBA in a 4+1 year time frame – saving time and earning valuable credentials.

For more information about the MBA program at Fort Hays State University, please visit www.fhsu.edu/mba/ or contact Rachel Dolechek at [email protected].

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The 12th annual  Battle of the Badges began Thursday at the Blood Donation Center, 208 E. Eighth.

The American Red Cross community blood drive  challenges local police, fire and emergency medical services workers to pump up blood donations in their agency’s name.

According to Red Cross spokeswoman Cathy Younger, the friendly competition traditionally begins in December and ends after the New Year — a time donations tend to run low during the busy holiday season.

All fire departments in Ellis County including the Hays Fire Department and the Ellis County Rural Firefighters won the Battle last year, along with the trophy and bragging rights.

In the past 11 years,  Ellis County EMS has won the trophy five times.

EMS Director Kerry McCue hopes to regain the trophy this year.

“We try to tell (the public) vote for us because we are the good guys — we don’t give you tickets,” McCue joked. “In all honesty … people need blood all year round. The public safety personnel give each other a hard time about it, but what a great cause.”

HPD Sgt. Ron Rounkles said although the HPD does not “keep score” he claims there is a good reason the EMS has won the battle the most times.

“A lot of our officers donate, and I am pretty confident a lot of our officers voted for the EMS because they give us blood in case we need it, so why not pat the dog — and absolutely we will continue to do that,” Rounkles smiled as McCue laughed.

“We win every year and everyone’s a winner,” he said. “So keeping score? Let someone else do that.”

According to Younger, the HPD has won twice in the last 11 years and HFD has won four times.

Anyone who donates blood now through Jan. 3 will receive a free T-shirt and a chance to win a recliner donated by Ashley Furniture in Hays.

Donations are taken at the Hays Blood Donation Center, Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 3.

Younger said walk-ins are always welcome but it is best to schedule an appointment to avoid wait times by calling (800) RED-CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.

Blood Drives are also located during business hours at the following businesses by appointment only:
– Dec. 12: Golden Plains Credit Union, 2720 Broadway Avenue, 785- 628-1007
– Dec. 15: Hays Rotary, contact 785-625-6542
– Dec. 17: Thomas-More Prep Marian, 1701 Hall Street,  785-625-6577
– Dec. 23: Midwest Energy, 1330 Canterbury Drive, 785- 625-3437
– Dec. 26: Younger Family, contact 1-800-733-2767

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

At their Thursday evening meeting, Hays city commissioners unanimously approved moving out of the water watch stage and return to “normal” status — although several facets of the water conservation plan will remain in effect.

According to Utilities Director Bernie Kitten, most of the city’s wells recovered from the years-long drought following increased rainfall during the summer. The well levels are currently “well above” watch status, he said, and they won’t enter into the watch status for some time.

“Even with high usage and little to no rainfall, we won’t hit a water watch until next September,” Kitten said.

The current drought forecast released monthly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes Hays is not in a drought. It also says a drought is not likely to occur.

Commissioner Kent Steward did warn that even though the city is moving out of a watch, some of the restrictions remain in place — and said the city needs to continually remind residents of conservation efforts.

“We can’t water between noon and 7 p.m. during the summer. Water can’t escape from a property or wash down driveways,” Steward said. “Those things are always going to be there for us. What we’re removing are the more strict things we put in place because we were in a drought.”

When the city is in a watch, it cuts down on watering parks, street islands and other city properties in order to help conserve.

Commissioners do have the power to move into or out of a watch, warning or emergency preemptively based on projections. Commissioners agreed to revisit the issue in the late winter/early spring months if precipitation levels drop.

Water conservation remains a priority for the city, said Commissioner Eber Phelps.

“We always have water conservation efforts in place,” he said.