By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

After nearly a year, the Ellis County Commission will get the final wage and benefit report at Monday evening’s meeting.

The Ellis County Commission hired Evergreen Consultants in June last year to talk with employees and determine job tasks and time allocated to those tasks.

After consulting with employees and administrators, Evergreen has completed the study and will present it to the commission at Monday night’s meeting.

The commission will also consider a resolution to support the cities of Hays and Russell to develop the R9 Ranch as a water regional source.

In other action, commissioners will:

• Discuss the Emmeram Bridge project and whether to install a guardrail or widen the surface.

• Consider a bid for the purchase of cold mix asphalt.

• Hear a report on a cleanup request in Munjor.

Monday evening’s meeting is at 5 p.m. at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main.

By KHI News Service

A Maryland-based company announced a partnership with the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) to help independent primary care physicians in the state form and operate an accountable care organization, also known as an ACO.

Aledade Inc. partners with independent doctors to create and run ACOs, which are networks of physicians who band together to deliver coordinated care to patients.

They operate under a payment structure that rewards positive patient health outcomes rather than the volume of health care services delivered.

Dr. Jen Brull of Plainville, a leader in electronic medical record adoption, will serve as the organization’s medical director. Aledade and Topeka-based KFMC are recruiting a core group of primary care practices to lead the ACO. Initial recruitment has focused on the Wichita area and western Kansas.

Students and teacher recognized by Kansas Next Step in March

The Board of Directors of Kansas Next Step Inc. recognized three individuals in March as the organization’s Star Students and Teacher of the Month.

The Star K-8 Student of the Month was Reagan Bates, a second grade student at Lincoln Elementary School.

Reagan’s teacher, Marla Wasinger, said Reagan exemplifies “kindness, generosity, and thirst for knowledge.”

Reagan also was praised for always striving to do her best and for exhibiting great responsibility.

The Star High School Student of the Month was Jordyn Manhart, a junior at TMP-Marian Jr./Sr. High School.

Among the qualities TMP-Marian faculty highlighted in nominating Jordyn were her ambition, leadership, positive attitude and willingness to volunteer. Jordyn has been a participant in band, Key Club, campus ministry and athletics. She has also been recognized on the Bishop’s Honor Roll each semester since starting high school.

The Star Teacher of the Month was Sarah Mackey, a first grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School. In his nomination, Roosevelt Principal Lee Keffer praised Mackey’s love of education and her students.

“Her enthusiasm, her innovativeness, as well as her genuine concern for providing the best education possible for each and every one of her students is exemplary,” Keffer said.

The three honorees each received a monetary prize along with a certificate of recognition.

Kansas Next Step is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and facilitating the exploration of unique and exciting educational opportunities for motivated learners.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Whether it’s playing dead, rolling over or catching a Frisbee in mid-air, an upcoming event is offering a chance for dogs to show off their talents and raise funds to help their fellow four-legged friends. Barkapalooza is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. April 18 at Hays Memorial Park, First and Main.

Barkapalooza is described as “fun-filled day” featuring the dog talent show, an dog agility course, facepainting, pet art and more in an effort to raise funds for Western Plains Animal Refuge’s goal to expand services and build a new building.

Fort Hays State University sophomore Tristen Galliart is one of five Leadership students who have been planning the event for months.

“(Barkapalooza) is definitely a family event. Even if you do not have a dog, you can still come and and participate in some of the games and listen and watch the demonstrations,” Galliart said. “It’s going to be a fun, exciting day and (a chance) to give back to a great cause — the WPAR.”

Galliart said the day will include a prize drawing, a presentation by Animal Control Officer Nicki Hausler and  K9 demonstration by Ellis County Deputy Brian Shannon.

Galliart said the cost of admission is a freewill donation, and all proceeds will go toward the construction of a new facility to house animals.

Galliart said dogs must be on a leash, at least 6 months old, and current on vaccines.

Barkapalooza Schedule:
• 1:30 pm – Nicki Hausler from Animal Control
• 2:10 pm – Register for the Dog Talent Show
• 2:30 pm – Dog Talent Show Begins
• 3:00 pm – K9 Demonstration with Deputy Brian Shannon
• 3:45 pm – Raffle Drawing

Activities:
• Dog photography with Pawtography by Heidi Ibarra
• Face painting
• Animal art
• Dog agility course

WPAR was formerly located in a facility near Ellis, but closed its doors in January due to the cost of needed repairs and renovations.

A  WPAR office is located in the Hadley Center, 203 East Seventh, Ste. C, in Hays for adoptions and appointments until enough funds are raised to build or buy a new building.

To volunteer, adopt or foster an animal, visit the WPAR website or contact at (785) 259-3675 [email protected].

The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting fire hydrants and flushing water mains on Monday in the area of 27th Street to Greenbriar, east of Thunderbird to Oak Street. This is part of a coordinated effort by the City of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.

Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.

For more information please contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.

TOPEKA (AP) — Kansas is honoring the place where its famous state song was written by designating a nearby road as the Home on the Range Highway.

Gov. Sam Brownback’s office says he signed a bill last week to bestow the designation on K-8 highway in Smith County. The new law takes effect July 1.

The designation applies from the road’s junction with U.S. 36 to the Nebraska border, 17 miles to the north.

The words to the state song were written as a poem by Dr. Brewster Higley on the bank of West Beaver Creek in Smith County in 1871. The next year, he and friends built a cabin there.

A private foundation is preserving the cabin, and it is off K-8, about 9 miles north of U.S. 36.