By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays is among the 1 percent of cities in Kansas that have Catholic schools for students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Thomas More Prep-Marian Junior and Senior High School, along with Holy Family Elementary, have a combined record enrollment of 779 students.

Still, the Catholic schools are looking at a potential $400,000 deficit for the next fiscal year, according to the Strategic Planning Committee and Finance Council, which was created a year ago. The group presented its “State of Our Catholic Schools” address last week. Advancement Director Jeff Brull said representatives within and outside of the schools have had input.

“We had a whole array of people that had an interest in the direction the schools are going, the particular situations we’re facing right now — the budget and the residency situation. … They really took a look at how those situations affect each other. Everything we do is interdependent,” Brull said.

TMP-Marian is closing its residence halls and transitioning to a host family program for nonresident students beginning this fall, which will save an estimated $275,000 dollars.

Parents of students attending the three Catholic schools have been notified that school fees will increase in the next academic year to help close the budget  gap — increasing to $575 for each Holy Family enrollee and $675 per pupil at TMP-Marian. The fees are capped at $1,800 per family. The higher fees are projected to generate approximately $145,000.

Brull said the cost per pupil is kept low “thanks to the stewardship of many people who volunteer their time, their talent, or give of their ‘treasures’ — including donations, endowments and gifts of land.”

 

Submitted

PLAINVILLE — Rooks County Health Center recognizes that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the Unites States, more than all types of cancer combined. Unlike cancer, heart disease can often be prevented. To further awareness of these preventative measures, RCH Cardiac Rehabilitation is hosting an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, on campus at 1210 N. Washington, Plainville.

“One in four deaths is attributed to heart disease, yet it can be prevented by making healthy choices and managing health conditions,” stated Dinah VanSchuyver, RN, RCH’s Cardiac Rehab Director. “RCH’s heart health experts can guide you in making crucial life changes for a minimal monthly fee, which we are waiving this fee for the first month in honor of American Heart Month.”

According to VanSchuyver, the open house is an opportunity to tour the department and its resources that are available to the public for use without a doctor’s order. Commonly referred to Phase 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Program, participants receive education on diet, exercise, stress and emergency management. The program offers these services in addition to on-site monitoring of participants as they exercise for a monthly fee of $50. Now through the end of February, those participants who commit to three months will receive their first month free.

“Managing health conditions is particularly crucial for those who have a genetic history of heart disease, RCH can offer screenings to help identify what a person’s risks are and then teach them to manage it successfully and be prepared in case of an emergency,” said VanSchuyver.

Troy Hixon, a Plainville resident, knows all too well the importance of managing his heart health.

“When my uncle passed away suddenly at age 48 from heart disease, my aunt impressed upon us the importance of getting screenings for heart health. I learned at a young age that I had several genetic risks factors. I worked closely with my doctors to manage my heart health and to understand what I should do in an emergency.”

On Oct. 9, just a few weeks after the birth of his first grandson, Hixon woke to uncomfortable pressure in his chest. The pressure grew, which caused him to leave work and arrive at RCH. He immediately went to the Emergency Room where he was stabilized and transferred to Hays Medical Center. Within 45 minutes of presenting at RCH, a stent had been placed in his LED artery that was 100 percent blocked. Hixon had just survived a heart attack.

“Three things attribute to my being here today.  I took advantage of health screenings, I did my best to manage my health conditions and then I had immediate access to a critical care hospital that was able to stabilize me and get me into surgery working seamlessly with Hays Medical Center,“ explained Hixon. “Thanks to RCH I can look forward to many more years with my family and new grandbaby.”

For more information on Phase 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Program, contact Dinah VanSchuyver at (785) 688-4426 or email [email protected].

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The 2015 annual Court Appointed Special Advocates of the High Plains Valentine’s Evening will honor the memory of a former board of director and advocate Brenda Gabel, who passed away Feb. 11 of last year.

According to CASA  Executive Director Lyndsey Crisenbery, it was Gabel who started Valentine’s Evening — the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser — five years ago.

“She made the way for this event,” Crisenbery said. “She was a board member for years … and back in college, she was also a CASA volunteer, so CASA was very important to her.”

The goal important to Gabel and to CASA staff  is help the community’s “most vulnerable” children.

“They have either been abused or neglected by their parents, now they are in the court system,” Crisenbery said. “So CASAs go in a try to help the child … to find a safe and permanent home for them … and help guide them through the court system that can be confusing for them.”

Crisenbery added it is often the CASAs who are the “one person in (the child’s) life that sticks with them through the entire court case without switching.”

All funds raised from Valentine’s Evening go toward the recruitment, training and support for volunteers.

Valentine’s Evening is scheduled for Saturday, Feb., 14 at 6 p.m. at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall on East Highway 40.

Tickets are $30 each or $210 dollars for table of eight.

The event includes cocktail hour, dinner, a silent and live auction, as well as live music by Flatland Band.

For more information or to buy tickets, contact the CASA office, 107 W. 13th or call (785) 628-8641.

Tickets can also be purchased at  Commerce Bank, 2200 Vine, and the Eagle Communications Customer Care Center at Dillons, 1902 Vine.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Police said a 25-year-old Hays man is being treated for head injuries in a Wichita hospital following an incident Saturday night between at least one other man.

According to Lt. Brandon Wright of the Hays Police Department, officers received a call Sunday from the victim’s father, who told police his son was being flown to Wichita to receive treatment for injuries received during an altercation Saturday night on the 1000 block of Eighth.

Wright said details of the victim’s injuries are not being released, but as of Monday night, the victim had been released from the intensive care unit.

Wright said a suspect has been identified, but no arrests have been made. An investigation is ongoing.

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

A Fort Hays State professor and Insight Kansas columnist says a bill in the Kansas Legislature would “squelch” some of the analysis on Kansas State Politics. HB 2234 would prevent any university employee from using their official title in a newspaper editorial or supplement.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Virgil Peck, R-Tyro, last week. Chapman Rackaway is political science professor at Fort Hays State and also writes for Insight Kansas, a group of professors across the state that commentates on Kansas politics every week. The column is published weekly at HaysPost.com.

“My concern is that this is an attempt to squelch some of the analysis that is done about state politics,” Rackaway said. “It seems there are members of the Legislature that want to avoid accountability for their actions.”

The group of university professors looks to “fill a void” after several news agencies across the state cut down on staff members covering the legislative session in Topeka. During their discussions over the bill, the group said they plan to continue providing comprehensive coverage of legislative actions even if the state takes away their ability to use their title on bylines.

“The decisions that are made in Topeka are highly important. They deserve a fair hearing, but they also deserve scrutiny and analysis,” Rackaway said. “It does seem to be a solution in search of a problem. In the most negative feedback I receive, very rarely do people denote to the fact that I’m speaking on behalf of all of Fort Hays State.”

The Insight Kansas roster also includes political science professors Bob Beatty and Mark Peterson of Washburn University, H. Edward Flentje of Wichita State University, Burdett Loomis of the University of Kansas.

Feb.8
Criminal Transport, Larned, 11:54 p.m.

Feb.9
Criminal Transport, Stockton, 6:31 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 7:00 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Dodge City, 7:59 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 8:17 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Russell, 9:06 a.m.
Criminal Transport, Wakeeney, 3:42 p.m.
Warrant Service, 100 block West 12th, 4:26 p.m.
Warrant Service, 100 block West 12th, 4:26 p.m.
Warrant Service, 100 block West 12th, 4:27 p.m.

 

 

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

A petition with more than 100 signatures and a special request to listen to parents, teachers and community members concerned about the possible closure of Washington Elementary, 305 Main, led to a community forum discussion at Monday’s USD 489 work session.

District staff is recommending Washington Elementary be repurposed to house Early Childhood Connections while shifting the 117 students and all staff members to other elementary schools within the district.

More than 20 people attended the forum and three people addressed the board — all asking the decision regarding Washington be postponed.

Washington volunteer Sharon Leikam told the board more discussion is needed with the families who attend the school, many of whom she said speak little or no English. She said those students are thriving in Washington’s environment.

“These children are comfortable, confident and full of self-esteem, but will they still be when they are removed from the loving, caring atmosphere that Washington provides? How many of these children and families will be lost in the transition?” Leikam asked. “When does it stop being about money and start being about the children, our most prized possession?”

Leikam began volunteering to read to students two years ago after learning there was a high number of migrant and English language learners attending the school.

Superintendent Dean Katt acknowledged transitions can be hard at any age, but assured the group if Washington Elementary is repurposed, staff and especially current Washington Elementary Principal Allen Park, will play a key role in helping the transition be smooth. He noted there are nine classrooms available for use at Roosevelt, Wilson, O’Loughlin and Lincoln.

Katt also acknowledged the high ratio of minority students, ELL students and students on free or reduced lunches, seemed like “a red flag” to him, though the trend was not done intentionally and “evolved” over time.

“Coming from the outside, when I first look at (the numbers,) I thought educationally that is not the best thing to have,” Katt said, adding it is typically better to provide students with a diverse environment full of “different experiences.”

Board member Sarah Rankin agreed.

“It is very concerning to me as a board member and as a parent that we have such a segregated school, socioeconomically and minority. … That’s not good news,” she said.

The full repurposing of Washington Elementary presentation can be found in the agenda attachments HERE.

Further discussion on the re-purposing of Washington Elementary is planned for next week’s BOE meeting, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Rockwell Administration Building,
323 W. 12th.

 

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

A police and fire department response to a building shift due to an auto accident a week ago caused a delay in traffic near the Fort Hays State campus Monday on Eighth Street between Elm and Hall. According to Chris Stegman of the Hays Fire Department, somebody called in a complaint on the garage near Eighth and Elm.

“We had the Public Inspection and Enforcement division and the building owner come down to take a look at it,” Stegman said. “Right now, they’re working on a a plan to mitigate the issue.”

The departments proceeded to tape off the structure and declared that it was not a danger to the public. Stegman said the property owner is waiting for some paperwork from an insurance company to be cleared before repairs can be made to the building. He added that once that happens the building owner and PIE department will get together to work out permitting the building repairs.

The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and 10 traffic stops Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Unwanted Person–100 block W 17th St, Hays; 12:15 AM
Animal At Large–2500 block E 21st St, Hays; 06:55 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1800 block E 24th St, Hays; 07:26 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 08:54 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 09:34 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2200 block Henry Dr, Hays; 09:35 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 09:35 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–Hays; 05:21 PM
Lost Animals–200 block W 25th St, Hays; 10:39 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:25 AM
Animal At Large–1300 block Pine St, Hays; 11:26 AM
Disturbance – General–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 12:56 PM
Animal At Large–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 02:34 PM
Child in Need of Care–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 03:16 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–Hays; 05:00 PM
Battery – Domestic–500 block W 36th St, Hays; 02/08/2015 10:30 PM and 11:59 PM
Lost Animals–400 block W 21st St, Hays; 07:02 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 07:24 PM
Suicidal Subject–500 block W 11th St, Kansas City; 07:41 PM
Battery – Domestic–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 07:40 PM and 08:02 PM

A cold front is expected Wednesday then another on Saturday with mild temperatures anticipated in between.

Today Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.
Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. Light and variable wind becoming north 8 to 13 mph after midnight.
Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a north wind 14 to 20 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 20. North wind 7 to 11 mph.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.