February 2015 – Page 78 – Hays Post Archive

Lela May Goldsmith

Posted on February 4, 2015

Former Phillips County resident Lela May Goldsmith passed away January 31, 2015, in Denton, TX at the age of 86.

She was born May 21, 1928 in Kansas City, MO to Everett & Fena (Harden) Culbertson. Lela worked as a nurse’s aide for 25 years.

Her husband, Robert, and daughter, Mary Solida, preceded her in death.

She is survived by three daughters: Evelyn Johnson of Denton, TX, Ginger Rust of Kensington, KS and Mynette Ulrich of Branson, MO; 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, KS, with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating.

Mrs. Goldsmith will lie in-state on Friday, Feb. 6, from noon – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice Services. Online condolences to www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

John M. Gross

Posted on February 4, 2015

Hays, Kansas – John M. Gross, age 85, died Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born November 20, 1929, in Joppa, Maryland to Walter and Alberta (Parks) Gross Sr. He married Joan (Shively) on November 26, 1948 in Elkton, Maryland.

He was a maintenance service planner for 22 years for Frontier Air Lines and nine years for Continental Air Lines. He retired in 1996, then moved to Hill City from Denver, CO. He has lived at Via Christi Village Care Center in Hays for two years and was a member of the Christian Church of Hill City. He was very devoted to his family, he had a great sense of humor and always had honey buns and candy ready for the grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Joan, of 66 years, of the home; four daughters, Ann Gross, Golden, CO; Susan Olezene, Littleton, CO; Terri Woods and husband, Randy, Denver, CO; Candace Juntenen and husband Brad, Westminster, CO; three grandchildren, Carissa Olezene, Beth Juntenen, Nolan Juntenen; one sister, Ruth Sutherland, Cockeysville, Maryland; one brother, Roy Gross and wife, Louise, Alexander, Virginia; and one sister-in-law, Thelma Gross, Aberdeen, Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Walter Gross and Earl Gross.
A memorial service will be at a later date and a private family inurnment will be in Colorado. Memorial to The Christian Church of Hill City in care of the mortuary. Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Proposed indoor skydiving center in Kansas draws skepticism

Posted on February 4, 2015February 4, 2015

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A proposal to bring indoor skydiving to a Kansas City suburb hit an obstacle when city council members questioned the peculiar shape of the building.

IFly Indoor Skydiving, of Austin, Texas, wants to open a business in Overland Park. The 60-foot building would have two columns on each side of a wind tunnel, allowing customers to free fall and float.

Members of the Overland Park City Council said Monday they were concerned about placing such an odd-looking building in a main part of town, particularly if the business closed.

The Kansas City Star reports an IFly representative said the base of the building is the size of a typical restaurant and the structure above could be removed, although none of the company’s venues across the country have closed.

KSHSAA moving 1A Division II state basketball tourney to Dodge City

Posted on February 4, 2015February 4, 2015

Due to a potential conflict with Fort Hays State University hosting an NCAA II regional tournament, the Kansas State High School Activities Association has announced next month’s 1A-Division II state basketball tournament is being moved from Hays to Dodge City. The tournament now will be played at United Wireless Arena due a possible conflict at Gross Memorial Coliseum should the FHSU women’s team receive a bid to host the NCAA II Central Regional.

In the past, KSHSAA has altered the start times of the state tournament to accommodate the potential hosting of a men’s NCAA regional. However, the women’s tournament starts Friday, March 13, and runs through Monday, March 16, creating conflicts with the semifinal round, as well as the consolation and championship games.

“We had looked at the possibility of playing the last two days of the high school tournament at Hays High,” said FHSU Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke. “That wasn’t the best alternative for the high school 1A programs. The solution is to have that tournament move to Dodge City right now and they will be able to maintain their format and it also will allow us the opportunity to support our women’s success.”

KSHSAA Executive Director Gary Musselman said his organization simply cannot wait until the NCAA II regional hosts are announced.

“There’s just too many logistical things that have to be in place,” Musselman added. “We want to be very respectful and help open the opportunity for Hays.”

Musselman said they will consider Hays as a host in the future.

“There’s nothing in this decision that would prevent us from extending invitations to Hays again for basketball tournaments in the future,” Musselman said.

Hammeke indicated this is a one-year deal and that FHSU will be in discussions with KSHSAA this spring to bring the tournament back in 2016.

Anxiety over Supreme Court’s latest dive into your health care

Posted on February 4, 2015

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly five years after President Barack Obama signed his health care law, the Supreme Court gets to decide its fate yet again.

This time it’s not just the White House that’s anxious.

Republican lawmakers and governors won’t escape the political fallout if the justices strike down insurance subsidies worth billions to consumers in more than 30 states. The law’s opponents argue that the federal government cannot subsidize coverage for consumers unless they live in a state that has set up its own insurance market. But in most Republican-led states, the federal government runs the markets.

Without financial assistance, millions of consumers would lose coverage.

In 2012, the court narrowly upheld the law’s insurance mandate, allowing implementation to proceed.

The case will be argued March 4.

St. Francis K of C makes major donation to Hays Catholic schools

Posted on February 4, 2015February 4, 2015

k of c donation — Council #11492 Knight and Catholic School Finance Committee Member John Moeder ’82, Council #11492 Grand Knight Alex Leiker ’06, Pastoral Designate Fr. Daryl Olmstead, IHM Pastor Fr. Kevin Weber, HFE Principal Rachel Wentling ’95, and TMP-Marian Principal Kathy Taylor

Thomas More Prep-Marian

The Knights of Columbus Council #11492 made a major donation at the close of national Catholic Schools Week to announce their support of Catholic education in Ellis County.

Members of the K of C council at St. Francis Parish in Munjor presented a $10,000 check Friday, Jan. 30, to be allocated to Holy Family Elementary and Thomas More Prep-Marian schools in Hays.

Following the gift presentation, Council Grand Knight Alex Leiker, a 2006 graduate of TMP-Marian said, “We hope this gift will challenge other councils to follow our lead. We have been blessed with Catholic education traditions going back more than 100 years. We want to see it continue for generations to come.” Leiker, his father David, and his grandfather, Gib, all are members of the Munjor Council.

Alumnus John Moeder ’82, also a Knight in the Munjor Council, recently was appointed by Bishop Edward Weisenburger to the finance council that serves Holy Family Elementary and TMP-Marian. “These schools teach hundreds of young people every day. We feel that Catholic education is important enough to make this significant investment,” Moeder said.

Leiker and Moeder made the gift presentation in the Marian Chapel at TMP-Marian under the stained glass window of St. Francis of Assisi, the namesake of their home parish.

Fr. Daryl Olmstead serves as pastor of St. Francis Parish in Munjor as well as the bishop’s pastoral designate over TMP-Marian, a diocesan school serving nearly 400 students in grades 7-12. Fr. Kevin Weber, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish also heads Holy Family Elementary along with Principal Rachel Wentling ’95 where another 400 students receive daily instruction in the likeness of Christ.

TMP-Marian Principal Kathy Taylor expressed her gratitude to Leiker, a former student of hers, on behalf of the students and faculty of the schools as well. Taylor said, ”Our schools serve a great purpose but also have many needs. This gift is inspiring because it demonstrates the partnership we have with our schools, our parishes, and our families.”

Nationwide, the Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men united in charity, unity and fraternity.

HaysMed to conduct community health needs survey update

Posted on February 4, 2015

Hays Medical Center

HaysMed is working with other Ellis County health providers to update the 2012 community health needs assessment. Results of this update will be compiled and prioritized to help guide the hospital’s implementation plans to address health care needs and fulfill both federal and state requirements.

Starting this week, surveys will be mailed to 2800 randomly selected Ellis County residents with a deadline of Feb 27. Those would like to participate but do not receive a mailed survey can visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Hays15CHNA to complete the survey online. Copies of the paper survey will also be available for pickup after Feb. 10 at HaysMed at the Information Desks in the Miller Medical Pavilion Entrance B, Main Entrance C and at The Center for Health Improvement.

All Ellis County residents and business leaders are encouraged to participate. Included in the 2015 CHNA surveys are questions dealing with community health regarding service delivery, fitness, nutrition, and access to care. All survey responses are anonymous and completing the survey takes less than 10 minutes. VVV Research & Development LLC, an independent research firm from Olathe, Kansas has been retained to conduct this countywide research.

For more information, call (785) 623-2300.

Kansas Senate bill would increase fine for seat belt violations

Posted on February 4, 2015

By Kelsie Jennings
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA – A Kansas Senate bill would substantially increase the fine for seat belt violations and the money collected from the fines would go toward promoting seat belt safety in Kansas schools.

Senate Bill 82 would increase seat belt fines from $10 to $60, and fines collected would go into the Seat Belt Safety Fund, which is a fund that would be established with the signing of the bill. The fund would pay for educational programs.
In the bill’s fiscal note, the Office of Judicial Administration estimates that the bill would create an additional $1.2 million of revenue for 2016. Of that, $981,149 would go into the Seat Belt Safety Fund.

Proponents of the bill testified on Tuesday before the Senate Transportation Committee, saying this bill is needed to continue funding for seat belt safety programs such as SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone), which they credit for lowering the number of teenage vehicle fatalities.

James Hanni, AAA Allied Group executive vice president of public affairs, testified in support of the bill saying that seat belt use among teenagers in Crawford County has gone up from 38 percent to 86 percent since the SAFE program was implemented in 2008.

“There’s no question this program is making a difference,” Hanni said.
Hanni said they are seeking permanent funding for programs such as SAFE, and that the fines from this bill would provide that.
“Seat belt fines directed to a safety fund, paid for only by people who voluntarily choose to violate the law, provides the perfect source,” Hanni said.

In its written testimony, the Kansas Department of Transportation said that 55 percent of the traffic fatalities in 2013 involved unbuckled victims. It also said that 146 lives could have been saved by a seat belt.

Norraine Wingfield, program director with the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, testified that teenage fatalities continue to decline because of the SAFE program.

“As SAFE has grown, the trend of unbelted fatalities in Kansas has continued to decrease. Not one fatality came from a SAFE county last year,” Wingfield said.
Wingfield said this year there are 59 Kansas counties participating in the SAFE program, compared to just one county in 2008.

She provided charts that showed unbelted fatalities for 14-to-19 year olds has declined from 33 deaths in 2008 to 17 deaths in 2013.

Although the increased fine could act as an incentive to buckle up, supporters of the bill mostly think that educational programs are key for increasing seat belt use and making it a habit that starts as a young driver.

Sen. Jacob LaTurner (R-Pittsburg) said SB 82 is personal to him because he lost a friend in high school who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was killed in a car accident. He said he supports programs such as SAFE and wants to find the correct funding for it.

“The success of this program has been a result of education, not a deterrent through fines,” LaTurner said.
Kelsie Jennings is a University of Kansas senior from Olathe, Kansas, majoring in journalism.

Customer service training available for tourism employees

Posted on February 4, 2015

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has launched a free online customer service training course called “Kansas At Your Service” (KAYS).

KAYS was developed to help the tourism industry train its employees to provide outstanding customer experiences. The training centers on the everyday customer interactions which can make or break an otherwise memorable experience and demonstrate that service, attitude, attention and sincerity make the difference.

Tourism is one the state’s largest industries in terms of jobs, impacting more than 90,000 Kansans directly and indirectly. It includes workers in hotels, restaurants, museums, performing arts centers, convention centers, retail stores, campgrounds, state parks, visitor attractions, wineries and many others.

The success of tourism directly depends on first-class customer service so guests and visitors feel welcome and respected. KAYS training will equip employees with techniques and resources to better serve visitors so they will return time and time again – benefiting the business and the Kansas economy.

The web-based training is available in both English and Spanish. After completing the course, the employee can print a personalized certificate to show their employer.

Once the KAYS course is completed, users can take a regional destination course designed to give more information about the Manhattan area or the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway in central Kansas. Other regional courses will be added over time. Certificates can also be printed for completion of a regional course.

“Great customer service is important to Kansas,” said Robin Jennison, KDWPT Secretary. “Visitors to our state and its many businesses and destinations need to feel welcome and know they can get the help they need to enjoy their time with us. If they have a good experience, they will share that with their family and friends, which creates even more customers.”

For more information and to take the course, visit: www.KansasAtYourService.com

Judges still needed for FHSU Science and Engineering Fair

Posted on February 4, 2015

FHSU University Relations

Approximately 50 fourth-through 12th-grade students are expected to attend the seventh annual Regional Science and Engineering Fair hosted by Fort Hays State University’s Science and Mathematics Education Institute on Saturday, Feb. 28.

The event will provide students the opportunity to connect with science and mathematics professionals and advance their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.

The fair will include biochemistry, medicine and health, botany, chemistry, consumer science, earth and space science, engineering and inventions, environmental science, mathematics and computer science, physics and physical science, social science, behavioral science, and zoology.

Exhibitions will be open for public viewing from noon to 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s Fort Hays Ballroom.

Judges for the event are still needed. To register to judge go to fhsu.edu/academic/college-of-education-and-technology/smei/science-fair.

For more information, contact Ann Noble, financial administrator of Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, at 785-628-5449 or email [email protected].

Legislators consider bills affecting hunting, wildlife and tourism

Posted on February 4, 2015

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Several bills under consideration by the Kansas legislature would affect hunting, wildlife, bed and breakfasts and declaring the channel catfish as the official fish of the state of Kansas.

Following is a brief summary of the bills.

2015 Bills

SB46 — This bill would require domesticated deer that enter a premises alive or leave a premises alive or dead for any purpose, other than for direct movement to a licensed or registered slaughter facility in Kansas, have official identification, as prescribed by rules and regulations of the animal health commissioner. The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

SB50 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 79-1439, which deals with property tax valuation classification of bed and breakfast properties. The proposed amendment would allow outbuildings or adjacent properties to be included as long as the total number of bedrooms does not exceed five. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation.

SB97 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 32-1301 which regulates contact with dangerous animals. The amendment would allow clouded leopards and certain dangerous animals weighing 25 pounds or less full physical contact with members of the public and incidental contact with the public for animals weighing 40 pounds or less.This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and has a hearing scheduled on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 8:30 a.m., RM 159-S.

SB112 — This bill amends K.S.A 32-1049, relating to violations of wildlife, parks and tourism laws to clarify that county attorneys can file charges without a written citation. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

SB113 — This bill amends K.S.A. 32-1001, relating to KDWPT licenses, permits, stamps, specifying that only physical licenses, permits or stamps shall be surrendered under judges’ orders of forfeiture or suspension. This amendment is proposed to prepare for the advent of electronic licensing. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

SB120 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 32-833, relating to land purchases by KDWPT, to exempt lands purchased with Natural Resource Damage Restoration Funds from required legislative approval. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

HB2029 — This is the companion bill of SB46 regarding identification of domesticated deer. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and had a hearing on Jan. 27.

HB2116 — This bill would designate the channel catfish as the official fish of the state of Kansas. The department supports this bill. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

HB2117 — This will would require anyone born on or after January 1, 1995 to complete an approved boater safety education course before operating a motorboat or sailboat on Kansas waters. The current law only requires boater safety education of boaters younger than 21. The department supports this bill. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

HB2168 — This is the House companion bill for SB50, which would allow outbuildings or adjacent properties to be classified as a bed and breakfast for tax valuation purposes. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Taxation.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 5008 — This resolution would amend the state constitution to guarantee Kansas residents the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife. If approved by two-thirds of the Senate and House, the proposed amendment would be voted on in a November general election.

Thomas Co. arrest results in meth trafficking charges

Posted on February 4, 2015

A California man faces federal drug charges after an incident earlier this month in northwest Kansas, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Jeffrey L. Becklund, 56, Bellflower, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 24 in Thomas County.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on the possession charge, and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the interstate travel charge. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Man faces with drug, weapon charges after NW Kan. incident

Posted on February 4, 2015

WICHITA — A Kentucky man is facing federal drug and weapon charges after an incident last fall in northwest Kansas, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Nathaniel S. McGrew, 39, Daytona, Ky., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 30 in Logan County.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on the marijuana charge, and a penalty of not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.