Starting Friday, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation begin work on a resurfacing project on Kansas 117 in Rawlins County. The project covers a 12-mile stretch of roadway starting at the U.S. 36 and K-117 junction and ending at the Kansas/Nebraska state line.
Project activity will consist of a 2-inch surface recycle, followed by a chip seal. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the construction zone and controlled by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours. A 12-foot lane restriction will also be in effect throughout the duration of the project. Minor delays, not exceeding 15 minutes, may be expected. KDOT urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs and “Give ‘em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through construction zones.
KDOT awarded the construction contract, totaling $1.2 million to Bettis Asphalt and Construction of Topeka. Work is expected to be completed by mid-September, weather permitting. The project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas legislature in May 2010.
For more information about the project, contact KDOT area construction engineer Rob Percival at 785-626-3258.
Pictured, from left, Desty Cox,Matt Dumler and Kate Tillman.
Submitted
Hays Victory Christian Academy is pleased to announce Matt Dumler has joined the faculty of VCA.
For the last nine years, Dumler has taught at Holy Family elementary in Hays and he continues to coach Thomas More Prep-Marian’s track and cross country teams.
Dumler has bachelor’s degrees in health and human performance and secondary education as well as master’s degrees in special education and theology.
At VCA, he will focus on K-second grade, joining the teaching team of Kate Tillman (pre-school) and Desty Cox (third through fifth grade).
Dumler and his wife, Susan, just celebrated their 10th anniversary and are the parents of a boy and a girl Bryson and Braelyn.
Hays Victory Christian Academy is a ministry of Celebration Community Church and is accepting final fall enrollment of students at their open house/parent orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m.
CHAPMAN — BDS Productions is partnering with Eagle Communications on a deluxe custom coach excursion trip to Branson, Mo., next month.
The three-day, two night trip is scheduled for Sept. 21 to 23 and will include four shows.
Ticket price is $1,000 for double occupancy and $550 for single occupancy.
The trip includes transportation from Hays to Branson and back, meals, lodging and four fabulous shows, including the Magnificent Seven Variety Show, Buck Trent Country Music Show, Barney Fife Fully Loaded and Grand Jubilee.
“We are delighted to work with Eagle Communications to let the good folks from Hays get on the bus, which is really a custom coach for a three-day, two-night, four-show amazing trip to Branson to see four of the finest shows on the strip,” said BDS President Doug Thompson. “Later, we hope to bring one or more shows from Branson directly to Hays as part of our outreach program as promoted by BDS Productions.”
Earlier this year, BDS hosted its first “Branson in Chapman” event to a packed house.
For more information on making reservations to the Branson excursion trip, email [email protected] or call (785) 628-0467. Brochures and registration forms can be picked up at the Eagle Media Center or Eagle’s location at Dillons on Vine.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas City, Kansas, police and officials with the Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline have increased the rewards offered for information on who was responsible for the drive-by shootings of two children.
The Kansas City Star reports 10-year-old Machole Stewart was killed in October outside her family’s home in Kansas City, Kansas. Three months later, 7-month-old Ja’Quail Mansaw was fatally shot in January.
The reward for information leading to an arrest in Machole’s death was increased on Wednesday to $7,500, while the reward for an arrest in Ja’Quail’s death is now $5,800.
Information in both cases can be given anonymously by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
“There’s no way around it. Substantial adjustments are going to have to be made.”
Those adjustments referred to by Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty are hikes in sewer rates as the city plans a $30 million rebuild of the wastewater treatment plant as well as replacement of aging sewer lines. The upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and must be in place by Jan. 1, 2018.
Following a presentation July 16 by Patty Kettles of Springsted, Inc., commissioners asked for “other options to achieve the same thing.” Springsted had recommended the monthly sewer base and volumetric user rates should be increased 17 percent August 1, 2015, 15.5 percent annually during 2016-2020, and 12 percent in 2021.
“The governing body, understandably so, thought those were pretty high adjustments,” said Dougherty.
Option 2 for sewer rate increases
After another round of research, city staff will present four options at Thursday’s work session. According to Dougherty, staff is recommending Option 2 with the monthly sewer base and volumetric user rates increasing 15 percent September 1, 2015, another 15 percent annually during 2016-2020, and finally, another 12 percent hike in 2021.
“One of the things we wanted to do was maintain a minimum balance in our projections of $500,000 in the sewer fund and not go below that,” Dougherty explained. “That required a few years of fairly steep increases followed by a few years of less steep increases.”
The city talked it over with its financial advisor, and then Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp and Dougherty talked it over.
“We’re a little more comfortable now about letting it go below that $500,000 knowing that we do have discretionary monies available if it dips down. We can supplement that on a one-time basis,” Dougherty said. “So we made a small modification to lower the first couple years of rate increases. We think we provided a little more palatable option for the governing body. It’s still, cumulatively, a very steep rate increase, but it’s a little more palatable than what we presented before.
“We also have some other (new) options if they want to consider them. Some of them we don’t think are viable, but they wanted to see options so we’re showing them options.”
Other agenda items for the Aug. 6 city commission work session include continued discussion of the 2016 budget. Dougherty said the only thing likely to have any change is funding for outside agencies.
“The outside agencies allocations are left at the 2015 levels but some of them have asked for differing amounts in the 2016 budget. So commissioners will be asked to pick a number to include in the budget,” Dougherty said.
The public hearing for the 2016 budget will be held during the Thursday, Aug. 13, Hays City Commission regular meeting.
The agenda for the Aug. 6 work session is available here. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
WICHITA – The American Red Cross is facing a looming shortage of the blood types most needed by patients and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to give now to prevent an emergency situation. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Overall blood donations in the Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Region have been nearly 1,260 fewer per month in June and July this year than the previous 10 months of the year. When demand for the most needed types begins to outpace donations, the Red Cross alerts donors to help restock the shelves.
Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types B negative and A negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. Eligible donors are encouraged to donate double red cells – a process where two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor – where available.
“Summer blood shortages are not uncommon, but they can be prevented when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” said Nick Gehrig, senior communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Many donors have already given this summer. We’re now asking donors who haven’t donated, and those who are eligible again, to make an appointment to give now to help ensure blood products are available for patients.”
Those with type AB blood are also continually needed to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they need. Donors with type AB blood are urged to give to restock the plasma supply. Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, which can be given to patients of all blood types.
Donors are needed like Mike Karr, a longtime O Negative blood donor whose donations have taken on new meaning recently when his grandson, Seth, was diagnosed with cancer. During treatments, Seth has received blood transfusions.
“I always knew how important it was to donate blood” said Karr. “But, when someone you love needs what you’ve given for years, you really see the impact of your donation.”
• 8/14/2015: 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Commerce Bank Building, 718 Main
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How to donate blood
The free Blood Donor App – available in app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 – not only makes appointment scheduling easy, but donors can also access their digital donor card and be notified when their donation is distributed to a hospital. Donors can also visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
DETROIT (AP) – Matt Boyd pitched seven strong innings in his Tigers debut and Anthony Gose and Ian Kinsler hit key triples as the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Acquired last week from Toronto in the David Price trade, Boyd (1-2) only allowed one run on seven hits and didn’t walk a batter in a career-long seven innings. He received a standing ovation when he exited.
The Tigers broke a scoreless tie in the third when Gose’s two-out triple over the head of Lorenzo Cain brought home Tyler Collins.
Johnny Cueto (7-7) couldn’t pick up his first win for Kansas City despite only allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings. Cueto walked two and struck out two.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Veterans Administration plans to open an assisted living center on its Topeka campus for veterans with mild dementia.
The building on the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center campus is expected to open this fall.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the building will offer 12 private rooms with their own bathrooms. It also will offer such amenities as a social area, kitchen, dining area and outdoor courtyard.
Veterans Administration officials say the building will cost about $8.8 million to design and build.
Nurse manager Colleen Grinage says the center is designed for veterans with cognitive impairment or mild dementia. She says residents will be encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves, with supervision to ensure they are safe.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man has been arrested after Wichita police say he tried to fight officers after assaulting a woman and her 10-year-old daughter.
The Wichita Eagle reports a 27-year-old man was arrested Tuesday evening. Wichita police Lt. James Espinoza said Wednesday that officers were flagged down Tuesday by a 42-year-old woman who reported the suspect violated a protection from abuse order.
Espinoza said the woman told police the man pulled a knife and beat her and her daughter. Shortly after, police spotted the suspect, who ran from officers. According to Espinoza, the suspect tried to fight officers and was stunned with a Taser multiple times.
The man faces several charges, including domestic violence and violation of a protection order.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is ending a series of weekly outdoor lunches outside the Statehouse with a tribute to veterans that also marks two significant U.S. military anniversaries.
The event at 11 a.m. Friday at the south steps of the Capitol is sponsored by several state agencies, including the Department of Administration and the Commission on Veterans Affairs.
It will feature big-band and swing music from the 1940s and food vendors. The Department of Administration says visitors are welcome to bring their own lunches.
The event also will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the allies’ victory over Japan in World War II and the 50th anniversary of the U.S. introducing conventional forces into the Vietnam War.
Major General Paul E. Funk IIMajor General Wayne W. Grigsby Jr.
FORT RILEY-After two years of serving as the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II is set to hand over command in an Aug. 6 ceremony on the post’s Cavalry Parade Field. Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr. will assume command of the “Big Red One” at the 10 a.m. event.
Funk served as the 1st Inf. Div.’s deputy commanding general for maneuver for two years before taking command in May 2013. During a nine-month deployment to Southwest Asia, Funk led the division headquarters, which formed the core of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq. The command was responsible for advising and assisting Iraq’s security forces and providing training to newly built Iraqi army units as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The “Big Red One” handed over command of CJFLCC-I to the 82nd Airborne Division in June in Baghdad, Iraq.
Funk will next serve as the U.S. Army’s assistant deputy chief of staff for operations and plans in Washington, D.C. Grigsby last served as commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, the singular enduring U.S. military presence on the continent of Africa.
Dr. Sambhundh “Sam” Panichabhongse of Russell, at far left, is pictured at the Thai embassy in Chicago on July 25, receiving the silver medal of the Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn. Pictured at center is another Thai physician; and, at far right, is the Thai consul. Courtesy photo.
Russell County News
RUSSELL — On July 25, Russell Regional Hospital physician Dr. Sambhundh Panichabhongse, Russell, who is a native of Thailand, was awarded the silver medal of the Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.
The medal was presented to Dr. Sam by the Thai consul at the Thai Embassy in Chicago by royal decree of King Rama IX of Thailand for Dr. Sam’s “Devotional Service to the Kingdom.”
Since 1998, Dr. Sam has been traveling to Thailand to perform medical missionary work for the people there. His many years of such service were recognized by King Rama IX as worthy of the medal.
The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn was established by King Rama IX, July 22, 1991, to be bestowed upon those who have rendered devotional services to the Kingdom of Thailand.
There are seven classes of medals which are awarded by King Rama IX to those people deemed worthy of this honor. Dr. Sam received a silver medal of the seventh class.
Dr. Sam, during his missionary visits to Thailand, has performed many kinds of medical service, including surgery and work to improve sanitation in the schools.
Dr. Sam was accompanied to Chicago by his wife, Ladamard; daughter Pearl Panichpong Limson and husband Melvin Limson; Pearl’s daughter, Cataleeya; Bonnie Thompson, nurse at the Russell Regional Hospital Physician’s Clinic; and Michele Pellant, director of health information management at Russell Regional Hospital.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A top computer-crime defense lawyer says the dream of a free and open Internet is slowly being killed by overregulation, censorship and bad laws that don’t stop the right people.
The annual Black Hat computer security conference in Las Vegas kicked off Wednesday with a keynote address from Jennifer Granick, director of Civil Liberties at the Stanford Center for Internet and Society.
Granick says that while the Internet needs to be reasonably safe, it’s no longer the revolutionary place it once was.
She told the crowd of hackers and information security professionals that while no one is murdering the dream, it’s withering away because no one is prioritizing its protection.
KDOT
