Great deals await at the second and final day of the Eagle Radio Auction, which begins at 8 a.m. Friday and is being aired live on KJLS-103.3 FM and KHAZ-99.5.
Listeners can place a bid by calling (785) 625-2578 or (800) 569-0144 during the auction.
Visit https://www.eagleradioauction.com for more information.
Not near a radio? Click HERE to listen live online.
Beginning Monday, the city of Hays 2015 curb and brick repair project will begin.
The repairs will be on Ash Street between 14th and 17th streets, with traffic being restricted to the traveling public. The project is scheduled to be completed within eight weeks, weather permitting.
Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public, who should use caution and, if at all possible, avoid the area. The construction is in relation to 2015 street maintenance project.
For more information, call the contractor, Stripe and Seal, at (785) 639-3919 or the Public Works Planning, Inspection, and Enforcement Division at (785) 628-7310.
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 18 traffic stops Thursday, March 19, according to the HPD Activity Log.
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block W 43rd St, Hays; 5:28 PM
Disturbance – General–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 1:45 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:02 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3000 block New Way, Hays; 2:36 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2200 block E 15th St, Hays; 10:14 AM
Unattended Death–200 block E 23rd St, Hays; 11:47 AM
Civil Dispute–300 block W 9th St, Hay; 11:55 AM
Theft (general)–2300 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:23 PM
Animal At Large–2800 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 12:41 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1700 block Allen St, Hays; 12:50 PM
Animal At Large–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 1:31 PM
Welfare Check–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 1:50 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 1:59 PM
Animal At Large–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 2:04 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–4100 block Vine St, Hays; 2:24 PM; 2:24 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 2:26 PM
Suspicious Activity–1000 block E 27th St, Hays; 3:07 PM
Harassment (All Other)–3000 block New Way, Hays; 3:18 PM
Animal At Large–13th and Pine St, Hays; 4:17 PM
Animal At Large–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4:54 PM
Animal At Large–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2300 block Timber Dr, Hays; 6:10 PM
Found/Lost Property–2400 block Main St Terr, Hays; 10:57 PM
There are many books written about Barack Hussein Obama. In this column, I can only scratch the surface about our president’s extraordinary background.
The fact that Obama’s mother and grandparents came from Kansas before moving to Hawaii may be one of only a few ordinary things about his upbringing.
It appears to me that our president of today has a unique background unlike any president in American history. Most of the information in this letter was presented to the public by alternative media back in 2007, however, mainstream media didn’t seem to be the least bit interested.
While in Hawaii his mother met then married a Kenyan Muslim. Obama’s father, from the country of Kenya, turned out to be an alcoholic, supposedly married at the same time to another woman, eventually divorcing Obama’s mother, and unfortunately lost his life in a car accident due to his alcoholism. Obama to this day seems to have an obsession about his father.
Obama’s mother was a free spirit, giving up her Christian faith, and a second time married another Muslim following her divorce to Obama’s father. While living in Indonesia, Obama’s stepfather had his stepson accompany him often to a mosque for prayer. Obama remarked that Muslim prayer “is one of the prettiest sounds on earth at sunset.” Some would argue his refusal to name terrorists as Islamic terrorists comes from his early exposure to the Islamic faith.
All presidents had a unique background, but Obama’s appears to be extraordinarily unique. Have we ever had a president where polls show there are many who question whether or not he is Christian or his love of America?
When his mother divorced for the second time, Obama moved back to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. During that time, he was tutored by Frank Marshall Davis, a card-carrying communist on the FBI’s radar screen. Some would argue much of his socialistic thinking of today came from Davis.
In Obama’s book “Dreams of My Father,” he admits to doing drugs throughout high school and pretty much out of it during that time. Would any other president in our history be president following such an admission? I wonder.
Following high school, Obama was able to get into several distinguished universities. And, it is his higher education career that is unique also, unlike other presidents. He has spent millions in attorney fees keeping his college records under wraps. We don’t know his grades or how he even gained admission to some of the schools.
No other president’s birth certificate has become so controversial, raising the question of Obama’s place of birth and right to be U.S. president.
No other president went to a church regularly where the church’s pastor (Jeremiah Wright) was clearly anti-American and said “God damn America” and the “chickens came home to roost” when 911 occurred. Obama went to that church for 20 years, and its pastor married Michelle and Obama.
Our president’s political campaign was jump-started at the home of Bill Ayers, a known American terrorist who today says he and his wife didn’t bomb enough buildings. Ayers and his wife are university professors.
A litany of socialist groups supported Obama’s run for the presidency. Did Obama’s early history have lots to do with his campaign of “transforming America,” particularly in terms of redistribution of wealth?
Would any other American pres be so very silent as thousands of Christians are being slaughtered in the Middle East and at the same time protecting Muslims from Islamic terrorists who he simply calls extremists? Or would any other claim we are no longer a Christian nation? Or that Christians a thousand years ago killed under the name of God also?
Would any other pres engage in a secret deal with Islamic Iran, completely bypassing Congress, which gives Iran the right to develop a nuclear bomb?
Even though our president was never “down for the struggle,” media didn’t seem to care about anything but Obama being our first black president and, of course, that too makes him like none other to occupy the Oval Office.
Les Knoll lives in Victoria and Gilbert, Ariz.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“It’s almost become an elitist position.”
Outgoing Hays City Commissioner Kent Steward believes city commissioners are underpaid and that is “eliminating lots of people who would run for city commissioner.”
During Thursday night’s work session, he called for a discussion of a pay increase for city commissioners–“maybe $1,500 a month”–at the next work session.
Steward was quick to point out he would not benefit from any increase. Local city/school elections are April 7. Steward is not a candidate.
“People should be paid for what they do–our employees are. It’s the right thing to do,” he said.
“Many people need to work a second job or put in overtime. I think it’s important to pay city commissioners what they’re worth because it would make it accessible to far more citizens to serve on the city commission.”
Steward estimated he spends an “average of 20 hours a week” on city business, although it varies, and “more time is necessary during budget planning or during a demanding issue,” he added.
The current pay for Hays City Commissioners is $150 a month, according to city finance director Kim Rupp.
American Red Cross
WICHITA — Once again, Jordan LaFond’s family are choosing to honor his memory by announcing the fourth annual Jordan LaFond Memorial Blood Drive. The drive will be held at the American Red Cross Hays Blood Donation Center from March 24 to April 4.
Jordan lived just 34 days and received numerous transfusions before passing away in November 2011. His parents are grateful to the strangers who donated blood and helped give them those 34 days with their son.
“We learned during Jordan’s life how important it is to have blood available when it’s needed, “ said Jordan’s mother, Brandi LaFond. “Thanks to all those who have supported the drive in Jordan’s memory each year. It’s heartwarming to hear of donors that give year after year.”
Jordan was diagnosed with a birth defect known as congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) when Brandi LaFond was 20 weeks pregnant. CDH is a rare condition in which a baby is born without a diaphragm, causing the rest of the organs to push against the heart and lungs, which can lead to a child’s death.
Jordan LaFond Memorial Blood Drive
• Tuesday, March 24 – Thursday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, March 27 and April 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Hays Blood Donation Center is located at 208 E. Eighth.
Appointments to donate blood at the Jordan LaFond Memorial Blood Drive can be made by calling (800) RED CROSS or logging online to redcrossblood.org.
March storms forced the cancellation of more than 200 blood drives, resulting in nearly 7,000 uncollected blood donations. This shortfall follows more than 26,400 uncollected blood donations in February due to severe weather across 27 states. Despite the weather, hospital patients still rely on transfusions. The Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to make and keep appointments in the coming days. Blood donors with the most in-demand blood types – O negative, A negative and B negative – are particularly encouraged to give now to help replenish the blood supply.
“Blood products are being delivered to hospitals almost as quickly as they come in,” said Tricia Quinn, CEO of the Central Plains Blood Services Region. “Donors who give now aren’t just restocking our shelves, they are making sure hope continues to be available for patients in need.”
Some of the nation’s finest entertainment is found on the strip at Branson, Mo. On Friday night, March 20, and Saturday night, March 21, Branson performers will be performing at the Chapman High School Auditorium for the first-ever “Branson in Chapman” concerts.
Entertainer Todd Bradshaw who performs as Kenny Chesney at the Dick Clark Theatre in Branson stated, “Every year, thousands and thousands of tourists travel to see us perform on the strip in Branson. We have been invited by BDS Productions of Chapman to travel from Branson to see our fans for 2 concerts at the beautiful Chapman High School Auditorium on Friday night, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday night, March 21st at 7:00 p.m.”
In addition to Todd Bradshaw as Kenny Chesney, also appearing will be Conway Twitty, Elvis, comedian Terry Sanders and more.
Related story: ‘Hee-Haw’ alum will take the stage this month in Chapman.
BDS Productions Vice President Roger Thompson stated, “We approached several select entertainers concerning the prospect of bringing their shows to Central Kansas as part of an outreach program so fans did not have to travel to Branson to see world class performers. Now fans of Branson entertainment will have the opportunity to travel a few miles to see excellent entertainment in a beautiful facility.”
The Chapman High School Auditorium is a first-class, state-of-the-art theatre built following the tornado of 2008. The theater seats 750 with lobby space capable of accommodating 400 with viewing via closed circuit.
The shows will be filmed by BDS Productions of Chapman and Eagle TV for later broadcast on Public Television–Kansas and Eagle Communications.
Todd Bradshaw stated, “Normally, we would not try to do a show in a gymnasium or high school auditorium, but we toured the Chapman High School Auditorium and found the facility to be a state of the art complex. It is as nice as our Dick Clark Theatre in Branson. There is not a bad seat in the house and we are excited to bring our show to Chapman in Central Kansas.”
“We are delighted BDS Productions and Eagle Communications will film the shows for presentation to Public Television – Kansas. We hope the shows are a tremendous success so other entertainers from Branson can follow us for ‘Branson in Chapman II’ and so forth,” he added.
Reserved tickets can be purchased at The Kansas Auto Racing Museum in Chapman or by calling BDS Productions at 785-922-6756. Reserved seating tickets are $25 for adults, kids 12 and under for $10, military active or retired $20.
Several Chapman students will participate in the opening song of the show to recognize the terrible destruction of the tornado in June of 2008, but to highlight the rebuild of Chapman since the tornado. Chapman is stronger than ever and continues to rebuild.
Angie Wheeler stated, “Although it will be spring break for students, many of the students will be involved in helping with the show, ushers, parking lot attendants, ticket takers and of course performing the opening song for the show. We are excited to be a part of the first ‘Branson in Chapman’ concert.”
“We are excited the shows will be filmed for later broadcast on Public Television across the state of Kansas and on Eagle Communications. What an excellent opportunity to showcase our school, community and students. We look forward to ‘Branson in Chapman II’ and so forth,” she added.
Concerts begin at 7 p.m. on Friday night, March 20, and Saturday night, March 21, at the Chapman High School Auditorium. Reserved tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 for adults, kids 12 and under for $10, military active or retired for $20 by contacting: The Kansas Auto Racing Museum at 1205 Manor Dr. in Chapman or by calling BDS Productions at 785-922-6756.
Buy your tickets in advance because once the two shows are sold out, there will be no other tickets available. For further information concerning the “Branson in Chapman” concert, contact BDS Productions at 785-922-6756.
Eagle Community Television’s coverage of the Opening Ceremonies of the 40th annual Special Olympics of Kansas State Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament is available as a keepsake DVD. The event kicked off this weekend’s events in Hays on Thursday.
Contact ECTV’s Mike Koerner at [email protected] for details.
Submitted
PLAINVILLE — Rooks County Health Center offers counseling services to complete applications for private health insurance coverage during the new special enrollment period from March 15 to April 30. This special enrollment period is for those who did not have health insurance in 2014 and have not enrolled in health insurance for 2015. Based on their income, many individuals risk paying a fee for not having health coverage, $95 per person or one percent of household income, whichever is greater. In 2015, this fee will increase to $325 per person or 2 percent of their household income if a person chooses to remain uninsured.
“Many households didn’t realize that the health care law required health care coverage if you could afford it. And they are just learning now how it would impact their taxes. Recognizing this may happen, a special enrollment period has been made available, March 15 to April 30, to help people avoid the tax in the future and take advantage of health care coverage,” said Cricket Rice, RCH’s Certified Application Counselor.
Rice helps people complete the application process to enroll in the health insurance of their choice.
“The most important step someone can take to know what their health care options are is to simply complete the application. No one can be denied coverage and based on one’s income, many learn they qualify for premium tax credits and savings on out-of-pocket costs,” said Rice.
According to healthcare.gov, eight out of 10 people find coverage for $100 or less a month.
The special enrollment from March 15 to April 30 is reserved only for those uninsured in 2014 and 2015. The next open enrollment period for the public will be in the fall. Enrolling in health insurance outside of the open enrollment period requires a life change such as getting married or divorced, becoming pregnant or a change in employment/income. For more information regarding qualifying life change events or private health insurance, contact Rice at (785) 688-4443 or 1210 N. Washington in Plainville.
ABILENE–Americans love their backyards. Retreats for recreation, entertainment, dining, and relaxation, they combine the comfort and convenience of living rooms with the freedom of the open air. A new Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Patios, Pools, & the Invention of the Backyard,” explores the transition from the front porch to the backyard patio, the rise of the do-it-yourself homeowner, and the use of “chemical warfare” to achieve the perfect lawn.
The exhibition will be on display in the Library Building at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home,Abilene, from March 21 through May 31.
“We are thrilled to be the debut site of this intriguing traveling exhibit. The Eisenhower Administration was known as the eight years of peace and prosperity when the suburbs gained in popularity. Traveling exhibits curated by the Smithsonian are always popular with our visitors and we look forward to another successful showing,” states Karl Weissenbach, director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
Through rare photographs, historic drawings and period advertisements, the exhibit explores the mid-century backyard of the 1950s from the rise of the suburbs and tract houses and the beauty of postwar garden design to the birth of the environmental movement. Drawing from the collections and research of the Smithsonian Gardens’ Archives of American Gardens, the exhibition is organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).
In the 1950s, America was a nation emerging from the shadow of World War II, searching for ways to enjoy its new found peace and prosperity. Postwar trends such as the baby boom, a growing middle class, the do-it-yourself concept and a dramatic rise in home ownership remade much of the U.S. and contributed to the development of the suburban backyard.
Companies produced an increasing number of products designed to lessen the burden of yard work. Imported and hybrid grasses, herbicides and pesticides, automated sprinkler systems, chemical sprayers and newly affordable lawn mowers began to appear in sheds and garages around the nation. Many contemporary backyards still boast the pristine lawn, low-maintenance plantings, patios, outdoor furniture, grills and play equipment that first emerged after World War II.
SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 60 years. SITES connects Americans to their cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history.
Smithsonian Gardens care for living plant, artifact and archival collections. Its Archives of American Gardens collects and makes available for research use images of and documentation relating to a wide variety of cultivated gardens throughout the United States.
The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene, a nonpartisan federal institution, is part of the Presidential Libraries network operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.
ATLANTA (AP) — Graco has agreed to pay a $3 million fine for delayed reporting of consumer complaints about difficulty opening car seat buckles.
As part of the agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Graco will invest $7 million in child passenger safety programs and education.
Graco Children’s Products Inc. is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“We said from the beginning we don’t want to remove any trees we don’t have to.”
Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty revised the agenda for Thursday night’s city commission work session and added another discussion about the Big Creek levee reconstruction and associated removal of 73 trees.
After engineers from Wilson and Co. and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviewed and rejected an alternate proposal suggested last week by Hays resident Randy Rodgers, city commissioners this week again agreed “the trees really do have to come out.”
City Attorney John Bird told commissioners he researched the Code of Federal Regulations and found that “staff is right, and clearly, these trees (along the levee) don’t meet those regulations.”
“If there is a catastrophic event and we have flood insurance and then the insurance industry comes in to administer that, they will use any defenses they can find as far as the way we went about the renovation of the levee. If we have an unqualified levee and they can prove it, frankly, it’s going to be costly to the citizens of Hays,” Bird said.
“If you leave the trees and the levee fails, they will blame the trees no matter why the levee fails.”
Along with pictures of the large cottonwood trees marked for removal, Public Works Director I.D. Creech also showed black and white photos of the May 22, 1951, flood in Hays. Heavy rains breached Big Creek, causing walls of water to fill the downtown streets. Six people died.
“I remember our barn from the Bird Farm going down Big Creek,” Bird recalled.
“I’ve heard the stories. My family lived on 6th Street during the flood,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller IV.
Restoration work on the levee started this week.
According to Parks Department Director Jeff Boyle, the trees that are removed will be replaced in areas outside of the levee toe.
RELATED STORY: Outgoing commissioner questions compensation for city commissioners.
Whatever your faith or sexual orientation, what happened in Utah on March 12 should make you proud to be an American.
That’s the day Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed into law groundbreaking legislation — Senate Bill 296 — protecting LGBT people from discrimination in housing and employment while also providing exemptions for religious institutions and protections for religious speech.
The quintessential American moment came at a press conference earlier in the month when Utah legislators, LGBT activists and — most importantly — leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — stood together to announce support for the common ground agreement that is now state law.
A breakthrough of this magnitude required months of difficult and complex negotiations. Despite deep political and religious divisions, people of goodwill built bridges of trust and found a way forward based on what leaders of the Mormon Church called the principle of “fairness for everyone.”
In this legislation, everyone means everyone: Transgender people are protected, an issue that has blocked agreement in other states.
This is a proud moment for many Utahans who clearly hope that their small, often misunderstood state will be a model for other areas of the country.
One of the bill’s lead sponsors, Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, spoke for many when he said at the press conference: “Like in Utah’s history, when the final, golden spike was driven in Utah, uniting the west and east coasts of the United States, we hope today’s announcement will drive a spike in the false idea that LGBT rights are in conflict with religious freedom.”
The precise language of the Utah’s law, of course, is not a one-size-fits-all solution readily transferable to other states. Existing civil rights laws and religious freedom exemptions vary from state to state, so any recipe for compromise in other places will require a somewhat different mix of protections and exemptions.
Moreover, significant differences remain over questions concerning religious exemptions and same-sex marriage (now legal in Utah after a federal court ruling).
After passing SB 296, the legislature enacted SB 297 with mostly non-controversial religious exemptions for clergy and religious organizations similar to those found in other states.
More contentious, however, is a provision in SB 297 guaranteeing same-sex couples access to marriage, but allowing local clerks to opt out of officiating at same-sex weddings for religious reasons as long someone else is available to solemnize the marriage. Gov. Herbert is expected to sign the bill.
Despite these caveats and remaining disagreements, the spirit of the Utah agreement — the willingness to seek a balance between nondiscrimination and religious freedom acceptable to people on all sides — can, and should be replicated elsewhere.
Unfortunately, lawmakers in Alabama, Georgia and other states are going in the opposite direction, rushing to pass “religious liberty” bills (in anticipation of a Supreme Court decision expected to favor same-sex marriage) without any counterweight proposals to protect LGBT people from discrimination.
This one-sided, shortsighted strategy pits religious liberty against equality — and will end by diminishing both.
By enacting SB 296, Utah got it right.
No one should be discriminated against in the workplace or denied housing because of sexual orientation. At the same time, religious institutions should be protected to practice their faith as long as that practice does not interfere with the rights of others.
By coming together to seek fairness for all while simultaneously respecting differences that are abiding and deep, Utah’s leaders — civil and religious — have demonstrated that when we uphold our guiding principles of freedom and equality, America still works.
Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Center of the Washington-based Newseum Institute. [email protected]
