MANHATTAN — Gov. Sam Brownback on Tuesday signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 21- 28 as Kansas FFA Week.

The Kansas State FFA officers, including Hill City High School student Chantelle Simon, met with Gov. Brownback and several key legislative leaders in Topeka to promote and celebrate FFA Week.

In Kansas there are more than 8,894 FFA members in 176 chapters across the state. The FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing the potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

As the largest economic driver in Kansas, the agriculture industry works diligently to provide our food, fiber and energy needs not only in America, but around the world. Providing a solid foundation for the development of future agriculture leaders, the FFA prepares students to meet the demands of feeding the growing world.

“I know first-hand the benefits of serving as an FFA officer,” Governor Brownback said. “I congratulate this next generation of leaders as they acquire the skills they will use throughout life.”

2014-2015 Kansas FFA Officers include: Taylor Green, Southeast of Saline; Bethany Schifferdecker, Girard; Jeff Hadachek, Republic County; Chantelle Simon, Hill City; Kyle Apley, Blue Valley and Nick Meyer, Marion-Florence.

To learn more about the Kansas FFA Association, visit https://www.facebook.com/ksffa

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Transportation is in the early stages of developing a hub where freight could be transferred between the highways and railroads.

An advisory committee is discussing specifics for a “transload shipping center.” John Maddox, freight and rail manager for the transportation department, says the committee will develop criteria for the facility in the next six to nine months, including financial considerations.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports  after requirements are determined, a list of potential sites will be determined, followed by preliminary engineering work. The agency doesn’t have a timeline for completing the project.

Transportation Secretary Mike King said in a news release a transload facility would save customers money on transportation costs. Colby was among the initial locations discussed as a possibility for the facility.

Today A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as -7. Windy, with a north wind 22 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 22. Wind chill values as low as -6. North wind 10 to 17 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. Wind chill values as low as -7. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. East southeast wind 7 to 13 mph.
Friday Night A 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Saturday A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 26.
Saturday Night Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University, which has been setting records regularly since the turn of the century, has set another all-time record for enrollment in a spring semester. And the record enrollment for this semester will be even higher when final numbers arrive from China.

The official 20th-day enrollment for spring 2015 is 11,889, which surpasses the enrollment of 11,573 from spring 2014 by 316 students. That is an increase of 2.7 percent, and it does not include additional enrollments that will arrive from China over the next couple of weeks. At present, FHSU enrollments at partner universities in China stand at 1,534, but the start of the spring semester there is delayed by the Chinese New Year.

“Our combination of high quality and affordability has produced tremendous growth each year for the past 15 years,” Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president, said. “According to a U.S. News and World Report ranking released in fall 2014, Fort Hays State has the second-lowest tuition and fees of any university in the country for in-state students. When you combine low tuition with our many academic programs of distinction taught by excellent faculty and supported by dedicated staff, it is no wonder that Fort Hays State is the destination of choice for record numbers of students year after year.”

Fort Hays State delivers courses through three modalities: in traditional classrooms on the Hays campus; online through the Virtual College; and through the partnerships in China.

On-campus enrollment grew by 16 students to 4,392, up from 4,376 a year ago. Virtual College enrollment grew by 427 students to 5,963 from 5,536 students in spring 2014, an increase of 7.7 percent.

Dr. Joey Linn, FHSU’s interim vice president for student affairs, pointed out an enrollment area of special interest. He said the number of Kansans enrolled at Fort Hays State this spring was 6,755, an increase of 89 students, or 1.3 percent, from 6,666 a year ago. In spring 2010, 5,762 Kansans were enrolled in FHSU classes. So just in the past five years, the number of Kansans enrolled at Fort Hays State has increased by 993 students, or 17.2 percent.

Hispanic enrollment has been another area of emphasis for the Kansas Board of Regents. President Martin noted that the number of Hispanic students enrolled on campus grew to 365 this spring compared to 327 in spring 2014, an increase of 11.6 percent.

The number of students who identify themselves as African-American also continues to trend upward. The number of black students on campus this semester is 112 compared to 102 last spring. Total enrollment — both on campus and in the Virtual College — is 490 for spring 2015 compared to 292 last year. That is an increase of 68.0 percent in black enrollment at Fort Hays State in just one year.

Growth also continues to be strong in the Graduate School. The total number of graduate students is 2,217 this spring compared to 2,067 in spring 2014, which is an increase of 150 students, or 7.3 percent.

“We almost take for granted our record enrollments over the past several years, but these increases do not happen by accident,” said Linn, who oversees enrollment management. “The faculty and staff are truly dedicated and work hard to make it happen. We are able to maintain the high quality of education at FHSU because everyone is willing to step up and do what needs to be done to serve these larger numbers of students.”

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 14 traffic stops Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost Property–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 11:25 AM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–1300 block Main St, Hays; 12:26 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 12:54 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 12:56 PM
Animal At Large–600 block E 5th St, Hays; 02:13 PM
Accident-Hit and Run–13th and Ash St St, Hays; 02:19 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 02:44 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 05:53 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 07:55 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–25th and Vine St, Hays; 08:16 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1200 block Ash St, Hays; 10:45 PM

K-State Research and Extension

Can you meet the challenge of walking across — or around — the state? Walk Kansas is an 8-week health challenge from K-State Research and Extension encouraging teams of six people to increase exercise and eat more fruits and vegetables beginning March 15 through May 9.

Walk Kansas encourages teams of family members, friends, church mates and co-workers to log at least 150 minutes of physical activity per person each week for eight weeks.
Team members also track the cups of fruits and vegetables consumed daily.

The state-wide program has become popular with team members working together to move more and improve health. Walk Kansas also is being incorporated into worksite wellness programs across the state. About 16,000 Kansans participated last year.

The cost for Ellis County Walk Kansas is only $3 per person which provides statewide program support, weekly educational newsletters, learning activities and motivational items. Participants may purchase an optional Walk Kansas t-shirt for an additional cost.

Walk Kansas is fun, motivational and a great way to build a healthy lifestyle. Pick up a team registration packet now and register your team by March 10 at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main Street, Suite A, in Hays, 785-628-9430.

For more information about the local Walk Kansas program, visit the Ellis County Extension website at www.ellis.ksu.edu or call Linda Beech, Ellis County Extension Agent for family and consumer sciences, at (785) 628-9430. Information regarding the statewide program may be found at www.walkkansas.org.