By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

ELLIS — Good Samaritan Society of Ellis, 1101 Spruce, is celebrating a 5-star ranking — the highest overall nursing home ranking possible — from the the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Good Sam Adult Care Home Administrator Noe Gillespie said only 10 percent of all nursing homes in the state can receive a 5-star nursing home rating, which compares staffing, health inspections and quality measures to other nursing homes in Kansas.

Gillespie said the ranking is all the more valuable because just a few years ago the nursing home was ranked as only a 2-star facility when he first moved from Kansas City to begin his position as administrator in spring of 2012.

“Since then, my team has worked extremely hard to get to where we are now, and I am extremely thankful for the dedication of team commitment here at our facility,” Gillepsie said. “I would like to recognize the consultants, families and others that have invested into our vision and mission.”

Gillespie said though the facility is now ranked a 5-star nursing home facility, there is always a need to continue following the facility’s motto: “Opportunity to Improve Every Day in Every Way.”

For more information, visit medicare.gov.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Police Department is “excited” about the new Bike Hays program, according to bike patrol officer Cpl. Brandon Hauptman.

A new brochure, “Bike Hays Biking Guide,” promotes seven routes across the community ranging in length from 2.15 miles to 3.04 miles.  The bike routes use current street infrastructure, and environmental and open spaces to minimize hazards.

There is also a new 1.25 mile multipurpose path on West 41st Street, which is part of the recently completed reconstruction between Hall Street and the U.S. 183 Bypass.

Concrete paths are under construction as part of the Big Creek dike rehabilitation. Big Creek Trail will wind 1.70 miles between the U.S. 183 Bypass and Old U.S. 40 and include portions of Fort Hays State University campus and several parks in southwest Hays.

In all, there will be a little more than 2.75 miles of concrete path and 18 miles of on-street segments implemented this year to create the Bike Hays system.

Hauptman urged caution to both bicyclists and motorists in safely sharing the road.

“When the bike lanes are provided — such as on 13th Street east of Vine Street — state law requires bicyclists to use those lanes. On roads where there is not a bike lane, bicyclists have the right to use the lanes of the road just as motorists do,” Hauptman said. “So, we’re reminding people to be watching for each other — motorists watching for bicyclists, bicyclists watching for motorists — making sure everybody is safe.”

May is National Bike Month; Friday, May 15, is National Bike to Work Day.

The Bike Hays Biking Guide is available free at Hays City Hall and the Hays Welcome Center.

More information about Bike Hays is available online at www.bikehays.com.

 

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission voted to approve a pair of bids to purchase three pickups for the Public Works Department at Monday night’s meeting.

All three bids were with Lewis Automotive Group of Hays.

The county will purchase two half-ton extended cab pickups with the Bluetooth option for $24,810. They will also purchase a three-quarter-ton extended cab pickup with the Bluetooth option for $26,632.

The department also received bids from Shawnee Mission Ford, and Public Works Shop Foreman Mark Polifka said the county try to offer the bids to the local dealers so the money stays in Ellis County.

The county commission also approved the purchase of a commercial washer and dryer for the Ellis County Rural Fire Department for approximately $8,500.

According to Rural Fire Director Darin Myers, the washer will help expand the life of bunker gear, and he estimates it is about seven times cheaper than taking the gear to the laundry mat.

Myers said each set of gear costs about $2,000, adding the department is looking at purchasing new equipment for every firefighter.

Last year, according to Myers, there were 94 Ellis County Rural firefighters.

Myers also said there is some gear that is not getting washed and that can cause health issues as well, especially with the carcinogens that can remain on the gear after a fire.

“They need to be washed. It’s not so much of a pride issue on how dirty your gear is anymore,” Myers said.

Commissioner Dean Haselhorst questioned the need for a washer and dryer that cost nearly $9,000.

In other business:

• The county commission heard from Polifka and Road and Bridge Supervisor Curt Hoffman about open positions within the department. They expect to have three open truck driver positions by the summer.

• In the meeting of the Public Building Commission, commissioners approved accounts payable for the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center and Emergency Services Building.

FHSU University Relations

Brenna Johnson, Beloit senior at Fort Hays State University, was recently named as a 2015 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. Johnson is majoring in organizational leadership.

College and university presidents from 36 states plus the District of Columbia nominated student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in their communities.

Newman Civic Fellows will share ideas and materials to further their work through an exclusive online community.

“These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders,” said Campus Compact Board chair, Richard Guarasci, president of Wagner College, N.Y. “They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can–and does–play in building a better world.”

Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For more information about the organization and the award, visit http://www.compact.org.

 

Widespread moderate rainfall amounts expected tonight into tomorrow. Some severe storms possible Friday and Saturday.

Today A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Low around 53. Southeast wind 7 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday A chance of showers before 7am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East southeast wind around 9 mph.

Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Windy, with a south southeast wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Breezy.

Saturday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy.