June 2015 – Page 67 – Hays Post Archive

Kansas is one of the fastest growing dairy states

Posted on June 9, 2015

dairy month signing — Members of the Kansas dairy industry joined with Gov. Sam Brownback for the signing of the proclamation declaring June Dairy month in Kansas. Pictured from left are Ron Grusenmeyer, Midwest Dairy Association, Lynne Hinrichsen, KDA agribusiness development specialist, **Stephanie Eckroat-Hays, Kansas Dairy Association,** George Blush, KDA dairy program manager, Gov. Sam Brownback, Byron Lehman – dairyman, Newton, Marley Sugar, Midwest Dairy Association, Jackie Klippenstein, Dairy Farmers of America, and Billy Brown, KDA agribusiness development coordinator.

Kansas Department of Agriculture

MANHATTAN–Kansas is becoming known around the country as the dairy frontier. The industry is continuing to experience exponential growth, rising by 6.1 percent in 2014, making Kansas one of the fastest growing dairy states in the United States. Showing appreciation for the hardworking dairymen and women who toil 365 days a year to provide wholesome and nutritious dairy products, Gov. Sam Brownback has declared June as Kansas Dairy Month.

Rural Hays resident Stephanie Eckroat of the Kansas Dairy Association was present for the proclamation signing in Topeka.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments Kansas dairymen have made to make our state one of the fastest growing dairy states,” Governor Brownback said. “Last year, Kansas produced over 3.1 billion pounds of milk, which equates to nearly 350 million gallons of milk. Kansas dairymen are doing their part to supply the growing demand for dairy products around the world.”

Kansas is home to over 325 dairy farms and 143,000 dairy cows. With spacious land areas, an adequate climate and readily available feed to dairymen, it is highly suited to the dairy industry. In 2014, the value of milk produced in Kansas was $746 million. Kansas dairy farmers help support and stimulate their individual communities and the state’s economy.

During the proclamation signing, Gov. Brownback also recognized the important work of the National Dairy Council which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The National Dairy Council has provided important community and school programs and partnerships with local food banks, and has been a dedicated supporter of nutrition research and education.

A vision of the Kansas Department of Agriculture is to advocate for and promote the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer and economic contributor. Proclaiming the month of June as Kansas Dairy Month helps promote and advocate for an important sector in Kansas agriculture.

Follow the Kansas Department of Agriculture on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about Kansas Dairies and celebrate the industry all through the month of June.

Council launches project on children’s mental health services in Kansas

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

By Dave Ranney

The Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council has taken the first step in what it hopes will be a yearlong experiment.

Council members heard from four people:

A 34-year-old woman whose mother’s boyfriends molested her throughout her childhood, who has battled drug addiction, who spent four years in prison and who recently was reunited with her teenage daughter.
A mother whose 12-year-old twin girls are autistic, exhibit aggressive behaviors and have been suspended from school on several occasions. The mother does not speak English.

An 18-year-old student at Kansas State University whose mental illness led to her being institutionalized 21 times in the past seven years — including a recent four-day stay at Osawatomie State Hospital — and who’s now struggling to stay in school.
A now-divorced father whose 8-year-old adopted twins have mental illnesses and exhibit behaviors that may prevent them from being allowed to enroll in public school next year.
A year from now, the speakers will let the planning council know if their children’s circumstances have improved, worsened or remained the same.

Council members, in the meantime, will develop recommendations to improve the state’s approach of providing services for children and families affected by mental illness.

Their recommendations eventually will be forwarded to the governor’s office and shared with the Kansas State Department of Education, Department for Aging and Disability Services, and Department for Children and Families.

“The purpose here today is to talk about what happens in a life and how service will impact that life,” said Jane Adams, executive director of Keys for Networking and a member of the planning council. She is coordinating the yearlong experiment.

Keys for Networking is a Topeka-based programs that advocates on behalf of families with children with disabilities.

A sampling of council member recommendations:

Allow children, especially those exiting the state’s foster care system, to continue seeing their therapists after they turn 18.
Stop asking whether a child is receiving services and instead ask whether the services are effectively meeting the child’s needs.
Give children a say in deciding which services they receive.
Be quick in allowing children to switch therapists if they don’t like the one they’ve been assigned.
Reduce caseworker, counselor and therapist caseloads so they can spend more time with the children in their care.
Encourage the blending of physical health services, behavioral health services and suicide prevention.
Council members include parents, teachers, school administrators, consumers, mental health professionals and advocates.

“There are a lot of issues out there that we all know we need to be dealing with, but at the same time we kind of get the feeling that we’re in this alone,” said Steve Woolf, the school superintendent in Erie. “Today was an opportunity for us to come together, to start addressing these issues.

“We all know we need to be coming up with better ideas,” he said. “We have an idea problem, not a money problem. The money problem is always going to be there.”

KDADS Secretary Kari Bruffett also addressed the group. The department, she said, recognizes the importance of focusing treatment plans on families, not just on children.

“We know that families are essential to successfully delivering services to children,” Bruffett said.

In the next few weeks, she said, the department will convene a Children’s Continuum of Care Committee, similar to a panel it formed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s mental health system for adults.

Preliminary data has 99 tornadoes reported in Kansas in May

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Preliminary data shows storms that hit Kansas in May prompted reports of 99 tornadoes in the state.

The national weather service says the number is likely to drop as multiple reports of the same tornado are eliminated. But meteorologist Greg Carbin says he doesn’t expect the number to drop below 50. He says that May might not be a record month for tornadoes but will likely above normal.

The Hutchinson News reports a breakdown on the tornadoes severity wasn’t immediately available but most were reported in rural areas and did little major damage.

The state recorded tornadoes on nine dates in May but most reports were recorded on five nights: May 6, 9, 24, 27 and 28.

Barton Co. man arrested, stolen boat and trailer recovered

Posted on June 9, 2015

GREAT BEND -Barton County Sheriff’s Deputies have made an arrest and recovered a large amount of stolen goods.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir reported officers responded to a call Saturday in the 700 block of Patton Road where a boat, trailer and several motors were reported stolen from Cape Marine business.

After a review of the security camera footage, officers identified a suspect and vehicle according to Bellendir.

Just before 2:30 p.m. officers identified the stolen items at the suspect’s house and a short time later arrested Brandon Williams, 30, Great Bend.

According to Bellendir, Williams was driving the vehicle that was seen in the security footage. More boat motors and parts were located in the back of the vehicle. Williams was booked into the Barton County jail on charges of theft and remains there in lieu of $5000 bond.

The Sheriff says quick work by the deputies and cooperation between local law enforcement entities resulted in the arrest of the alleged thief and the return of the property to the owner.

Schlageck: Be wise to the ways of the rays

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

The next time you take time out of the sun, dust off one of those old family photo albums. You know, the ones that date back to the ’30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and even early ‘60s. If your family farmed, you’ll see photos of your relatives attired in wide-brimmed hats.

Look at their shirts. You’ll see they wore loose-fitting, long-sleeved, light-colored garments.

Now fast forward to the late ‘60s and early ‘70s; clothing styles have changed. You don’t see too many long-sleeved shirts any longer. Broad-brimmed hats have been replaced with ball caps proclaiming seed, feed, tractors and just about any company logo under the sun.

Today’s farmer no longer wears the clothing of yesteryear – clothing that afforded protection from the sun’s ultra-violet rays. Instead he/she wears a smaller, softer, snug fitting cap that will not blow off and bump into machinery. Farmers like their hats cheap or free and they want them colorful.

This ball cap is comfortable and affordable, but it does not protect the temples, the tender, delicate ear tips and the back of the neck. The low-profile cap doesn’t extend far enough to guard against the sun.

Numerous studies have been tracking skin cancer and the sun’s harmful impact on farmers and other segments of our society since the early ‘80s.

An estimated 73,870 new cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2015, says Holly Higgins safety director for Kansas Farm Bureau. An estimated 9,940 people will die of melanoma in 2015. Melanoma accounts for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths.

Ultra violet rays are the leading carcinogenic on the farm today, Higgins notes. But with early diagnosis, treatment is possible. The safety director encourages farmers to insist on inspection for skin cancer as part of their regular physical each year.

“You just can’t have sun without skin cancer, unless you take protective measures,” Higgins warns. “Dermatologists recommend that anyone working or playing in the sunshine protect their skin completely by wearing clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.”

Others, including the American Cancer Society say there is a skin-cancer epidemic in this country. The number of cases is rising as fast as or faster than any other tumor being charted today.

A major reason skin cancer may be on the rise is more leisure time and more exposure to the sun. Today, more people spend longer time in the sun and wear less clothing.

While it may be too late for some older farmers and ranchers, education for teens and young farmers on skin cancer may be beneficial later in life.

While working in the sun is something that is unavoidable for some occupations, but there are ways to reduce your exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays.

“Avoid direct exposure to sunlight – especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” Higgins says. “Wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing and sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 all work together to safeguard your skin.”

Several farm supply stores and catalogs offer specialized clothing and headwear made with sun protective fabrics to help you avoid sunburn, premature aging, immune system suppression and skin cancer.

Today’s farmers and ranchers would be well advised to take a chapter out of their dusty old family albums. To return to those days of floppy, wide-brimmed straw hats and long-sleeved, baggy cotton shirts.

Who knows?

Maybe they could start a new fashion craze as well as protect their skin from the damaging rays of the sun.

John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

HPD Activity Log June 8

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

The Hays Police Department responded to 14 animal calls and 11 traffic stops Monday, June 8, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Parking Complaint–1400 block E 19th St, Hays; 3:16 AM
Trash Dumping–200 block E 12th St, Hays; 6/5 1 PM; 6/8 7 AM
Animal At Large–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 8:05 AM
Suspicious Person–500 block Vine St, Hays; 8:07 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1100 block Pinehurst St, Hays; 8:12 AM
Sex Offense–400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 2/1/15
Civil Dispute–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:26 AM
Found/Lost Property–700 block Fort St, Hays; 6/5 6 PM; 10 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block E 11th St, Hays; 11:05 AM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–500 block Mission Mount, Hays; 11:07 AM
MV Accident-Private Property; 4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:12 AM; 11:14 AM
Animal At Large–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:27 AM
Animal Call–15th St and Dechant Rd, Hays; 12:17 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27 PM; 12:29 PM
Gunshots/Non-Injury Shooting–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 12:41 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1300 block Steven Dr, Hays; 1:01 PM
Fraud–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 1:10 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 2:35 PM
Water Use Violation–4400 block Larned Cir, Hays; 2:45 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 3:54 PM
Found/Lost Property-400 block W 4th St, Hays; 5:03 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–4100 block Vine St, Hays; 5:09 PM
Water Use Violation–100 block E 15th St, Hays; 5:13 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–27th and Plaza, Hays; 5:16 PM
Animal Call–300 block W 15th St, Hays; 6:31 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1100 block Gen. Custer Rd, Hays; 7:07 PM
Drug Offenses–3900 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:35 PM
MV Accident /DUI–400 block W 29th St, Hays; 9:15 PM; 9:19 PM

Local students named to honor roll at Emporia State

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

EMPORIA — Emporia State University congratulates the nearly 700 students named to the honor roll for Spring 2015. Students from Ellis County include:

• Rachel Becker, Hays

• Dustin Bittel of Ellis

To qualify for the semester honor roll, students must earn a minimum 3.80 semester grade point average in at least 12 graded hours.

Hays Monarchs 16U sweep Larned

Posted on June 9, 2015

The Hays Monarchs 16U baseball team moved to 3-1 with a pair of run-rule wins over Larned Monday night. The Monarchs score eight in the first and win the opener 18-3 in three innings then take the second contest 15-0 in three innings.

Gavin Schumcher went 3-for-4 with a triple and drove in five runs in the first game. Luke Ruder had three RBIs. Ryan Ruder picked up the win allowing no runs on one hit over two innings.

Luke Ruder went 2-for-2 including a triple and drove in four in the second game. Jared Rack pitched the first inning and gave up a hit. Chase Werth threw the final two striking out two.

The 16U Monarchs play in Dodge City this weekend.

The 18U Monarchs are in Great Bend this weekend. They are 2-0 after a pair of wins over McCook, Nebraska this weekend.

Royals take opener vs. Twins to move into 1st

Posted on June 9, 2015

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Jason Vargas threw six shutout innings and Kendrys Morales hit a long home run against his former team to push the Kansas City Royals to a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

Vargas (5-2) gave up five hits and struck out two, Morales hit a two-run shot in the second inning and Eric Hosmer drove in another run in the eighth to move the AL champion Royals (32-23) ahead of the Twins (33-24) by percentage points for first place in the AL Central. Greg Holland got his 10th save in 11 chances.

Phil Hughes (4-6) had one of his strongest outings of the season for the Twins, but didn’t get enough from his offense. Hughes gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out three.

Eddie Rosario had two hits, including a solo homer for Minnesota.

Katt: ‘Don’t know where USD 489 will be with state funding’ (VIDEO)

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt talks about the uncertainties of state school financing Monday night.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt said Monday night he’s “still feeling pretty good” about the school district’s 2016 fiscal year budget projections.

He presented the financial reports during the school board work session in the absence of Financial Director Tracy Kaiser.

The General Fund and Local Option Budget (LOB) was at $401,668 as of Monday, June 8.

All school districts, along with the rest of the state, are still awaiting the new budget and their state funding from the Kansas legislature.

The school funding proposal has changed several times, starting with block grants which would mean about $300 less per student in USD 489. There’s also been talk of across-the-board cuts of up to 6.2 percent.

“The big threat now is that they will do allotments. What that equates to, I don’t know,” Katt said.

“Honestly, I don’t know where we’re going to be,” Katt told board members. “Obviously that’s a concern. I’m hoping if they do make those (allotments) it isn’t on base state aid per pupil, and it’s on state aid. That way it kind of protects us just like the other cut did whereas we don’t receive that much state aid.”

“Right now, I don’t know how (the legislature) makes a huge cut in any school district, with certified staff already under contract,” Katt added. “It’d be very difficult.”

Tuesday will be the 110th day of the 2015 legislative session, already the longest in state history.

In other business, Rusty Lindsay, Director of Buildings and Grounds, updated the progress and timeline of a new system to clean the district’s school building rooms and floors during the summer break. Cleaning of Hays High is underway.

With input from incoming board members Paul Adams and Luke Oborny sitting in the audience, the board also agreed to schedule a special meeting to resume discussion of the facilities needs recommendation plan which includes a proposed $100 million bond issue.

The board went into three 30-minute executive sessions to discussion teacher union negotiations. No action was taken after the final session.

Board president James Leiker was absent from the work session.

2 bodies found in rural Kansas house fire

Posted on June 9, 2015

BUCYRUS, Kan. (AP) — Officials say two bodies have been found in the remnants of a house fire in rural Miami County in Kansas.

Kansas media outlets report fire crews from Louisburg, Paola and Johnson counties responded to the fire early Monday morning. Authorities say the first victim was discovered around 1:20 p.m. and the other was found around 5:30 p.m. No information about the victims has been released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Kansas lawmakers may resume talks on increasing taxes

Posted on June 9, 2015

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators may resume negotiations over raising taxes to close a budget shortfall amid warnings about potential spending cuts from a top adviser to Gov. Sam Brownback.

Three senators and three House members scheduled a Tuesday meeting but didn’t commit to talks.

The Senate has approved a bill increasing sales and cigarette taxes to help raise $423 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1. But many House members think it would fail in their chamber.

The budget gap arose after lawmakers slashed income taxes at Brownback’s urging in 2012 and 2013 to stimulate the economy.

Budget Director Shawn Sullivan told some House Republicans on Monday that without higher taxes, Brownback would likely make across-the-board spending cuts. Sullivan said prison guards would be laid off and aid to schools reduced.

Salary increases to be addressed by USD 489 and teachers union

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

Contract negotiations between the Hays USD 489 Board of Education and the Hays National Education Association will continue Tuesday, June 9.

Items for discussion are expected to include salary increases.

The negotiations meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Rockwell Administration Center, Toepfer Board Room.

The meeting will be aired live by Hays High School on Eagle Cable TV Channel 13.