By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

The Super 8 hotel in Hays has been sold, but despite the new owner and new local management, little should change at the hotel.

Jayhospitality LLC bought the property from Condor Hospitality Trust Inc. on Oct. 14, according to Sean Patel, Super 8 manager.

The new company moved quickly to bring the property under local management.

“It’s the owner and manager, both changed,” Patel said. “Before it was managed by a third party, now it will be locally managed.”

Condor has been pushing the sale of its properties lately as they work to update the company’s property holdings.

“We are pleased with the continuing progress being made in our legacy hotels disposition initiative that is underway which is connected to the capital recycling strategy most recently demonstrated with the acquisition of three high-quality select-service hotels in Atlanta, San Antonio and Jacksonville,” said Bill Blackham, Condor’s chief executive officer. “We expect to continue our disposition of legacy hotels on an accelerated basis through the end of 2016 in what appears to be attractive market conditions for the types of hotels that are being sold. With the closings on these two hotels, the company has sold 13 legacy hotels year-to-date, and we expect that number to approach 20 by the end of the year.”

Condor sold the Hays property for $1.91 million.

With the change, the new owner, who lives in Texas, had management ready to take over the property and currently the hotel is only looking for housekeeping staff, as other positions have already been filled.

The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and 6 traffic stops Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-City Street/Alley–300 block W 13th St, Hays; 7:45 AM
Burglary/vehicle–500 block Allen St, Hays; 10/19 9:30 PM; 10/20 7:45 AM
Animal Call–1200 block E 30th St, Hays; 7:57 AM
Civil Dispute–500 block W 36th St, Hays; 8:26 AM
Animal Call–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 8:53 AM
Theft (general)–1300 block E 21st St, Hays; 10/2 6 PM; 10/19 8 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 20th St, Hays; 9:55 AM
Fraud–300 block W 22nd St, Hays; 10:19 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–200 block of E 20th St, Hays; 11:59 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:50 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 11:43 AM
Unwanted Person–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:39 PM
Wildlife Incident–3700 block Fairway Dr, Hays; 2:23 PM
Juvenile Complaint–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 2:27 PM
Animal At Large–700 block Park St, Hays; 2:32 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–400 block E 15th St, Hays; 8:41 PM
Arson–200 block W 4th St, Hays; 9:52 PM

The Board of Directors of Kansas Next Step Inc. this week announced the Star Students, Teacher and Support Team Member of the Month for October.

This month’s Star K-8 Student of the Month is Ethan Brummer, an eighth grade student at TMP-Marian Junior High School. Ethan has been active in Student Council, band, cross country, basketball, track, and Builder’s Club. He is described as being “a strong role model for his peers,” and TMP administrators note he “has done an outstanding job of enlisting and encouraging his peers to set a positive climate in their hallways.”

The October Star High School Student of the Month is Patrick Kepka, a senior at TMP-Marian High School. During his time at TMP, Patrick has participated in Math Relays, the Prayer and Action Summer Mission Program, the State chess tournament, American Legion Boys State program, and a food drive in Wilson, KS. He has also volunteered as a server and lector at his church, and he teaches chess to community members through the Hays Public Library.

In nominating Patrick for this award, the administrative team at TMP-Marian said, “He has earned a reputation as an outstanding student and leader, and consummate volunteer.” He is also credited with having “…great focus, quality insights, a solid work ethic, excellent organizational skills, positive sportsmanship, high standards, and commitment to excellence.”

The October Star Teacher of the Month is Kelli Jo Kirmer, instructor of biology at TMP-Marian High School. Among Kelli Jo’s school responsibilities are coaching debate, forensics, softball, track, weightlifting, and Junior Varsity volleyball. She is the assistant director of musicals and dramas, and participates on the School Improvement Team as well as the Sophomore Advising Team. She is also active in her church and is a regular participant in the Heartland Community Theater. TMP-Marian administrators describe Kelli Jo as a “dynamo” and state, “Beyond all of her duties, Kelli is the first one to volunteer to help others around school. She has boundless energy and an even bigger heart.”

This month’s Support Team Member award winner is TMP-Marian Campus Minister Barbara Wagoner. Barbara is a volunteer for several organizations and committees including the St. Joseph Food Pantry, Holy Family Elementary School, the Festival of Faith committee, and Bethesda Place. In nominating Barbara for this award, the TMP-Marian administrative team stated, “She coordinates all aspects of our school’s spiritual programming in grades 7-12.” Additionally, “She brings a great sense of working with people, mediating conflict, creating a positive environment and an openness to change and challenge. Our students see her as a “soft place” to land if they are having a tough day.

“In a small school like ours, she is a tremendous asset to our administration. She pitches in at all levels of service whether it is serving lunch in the cafeteria, covering a class, supervising an activity or offering her insights on our administrative and leadership teams.”

Each of the October honorees received a certificate of recognition and a monetary award.

Area school administrators, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate students, teachers, and support staff members for Kansas Next Step’s monthly awards. Nomination forms can be found under the Programs tab at www.kansasnextstep.org.

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

Eagle Communications will be broadcasting the 12th annual Christmas for Kids telethon on Sunday, Dec. 6.

The fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County will be at James Motor Co. from noon to 5 p.m.

There are still a few slots open for entertainment during the telethon. If you know someone, or have a talent yourself, please contact Mike Koerner at Eagle Community Television at [email protected] by Nov. 13.