Office of the Governor

TOPEKA–Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today announced the appointment of Ricklin R. Pierce of Garden City as a District Judge for the Kansas 25th District. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Phillip Vieux.

“I am pleased to appoint Ricklin Pierce to the 25th District Court,” said Governor Brownback. “His strong legal background and experience as a Magistrate Judge will serve the citizens of the 25th District well.”

Pierce currently serves as a District Magistrate Judge in the 25th District. He previously was Finney County Attorney and engaged in the private practice of law. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Washburn University.

The state’s 105 counties are organized into 31 Judicial Districts. The district courts serve as the trial courts for the state, overseeing all civil and criminal cases. The 25th District Court is comprised of Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Scott and Wichita counties.

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HACC

As of today, Fri., Jan. 29, the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce is planning to continue with the HACC annual banquet Tue., Feb. 2.

We are mindful of the pending weather forecast and reassure all that we will be coordinating efforts with the Ellis County Emergency Management, FHSU and local media, in addition to utilizing Chamber communication vehicles, to keep you updated on a possible postponement.

We will postpone only if, in the opinion of the Emergency Manager, the weather poses a threat to public safety and will communicate this in as timely of a manner as possible, whether that decision is made on Monday or Tuesday.

Please visit our website www.discoverhays.com or the Chamber’s Facebook page for ongoing updates.

Here’s the National Weather Service forecast for snow starting early Monday:

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and 9 traffic stops Thu., Jan. 28, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 12:25 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2300 block Fort St, Hays; 12:31 AM
Search Warrant–200 block E 25th St Terr, Hays; 1/28/2016 9:06 AM
Parking Complaint–300 block W 27th St, Hays; 10:09 AM
Animal At Large–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:30 AM
Suspicious Activity–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:14 PM
Burglary/vehicle–4100 block Covenant Dr, Hays; 6 PM; 8:10 PM
Blackmail/Extortion–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 4:45 PM; 5 PM
Drug Offenses–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 1/28 10:11 PM; 1/29 1:22 AM

Fort Hays State University Marketing and Relations

Ten students have been selected to represent Fort Hays State University at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit, Tuesday, Feb. 2, and Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, Thursday, Feb. 18, in Topeka.

Participants share their research posters with state legislators and members of the Kansas Board of Regents.

The top graduate presenter from each university will receive a $500 scholarship sponsored by the participating institutions. BioKansas also awards a scholarship to the top research poster presenter.

The five graduates representing FHSU are listed by hometown, poster title and advisor:

Kaitlin Moore, Concordia, “Isolation of Soil Bacillus (spp) with Inhibitory Effects on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)” Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological sciences.

Thomas Buskuskie, Hays, “Osteohistology of Nibrarasaurus Coleii,” Dr. Laura Wilson, associate professor of geosciences.
Cory Keehn, Hays, “Qualities and Strategies of Fort Hays State University Peer Mentors,” Dr. Brent Goertzen, professor of leadership studies.

Brendon McCampbell, Hays, “Organismal Composition and Photosynthetic Traits of Biological Soil Crusts in Prairie Ecosystems of the Great Plains,” Dr. Brian Maricle, associate professor of biological sciences.

Andrew Christiano, Vancouver, Wash., “A Stratigraphic Description of Cambrian-Pennsylvanian Deposits Using Geophysical Well Logs — Well Cutting Analysis,” Dr. Hendratta Ali, assistant professor of geosciences.

Undergraduates who will represent FHSU are listed by hometown, classification, poster title and research mentor:

Hannah Speer, Dighton, senior, “Pig Growth and Development Based on Differing Swine Rations,” Dr. Robert Keener, associate professor of agriculture.

Chelsea Wheeler, Hays, senior, “Perceptions and Decisions Made by Jury Members on Educator-Student Sexual Abuse,” Dr. John Raacke, associate professor of criminal justice.

Joshua McDowell, Lebanon, senior, “Undergraduate Perceptions of Interpersonal Violence,” Dr. Tamara J. Lynn, associate professor of criminal justice, and co-investigators Madison Bainter, Hays, junior, and Abigail Hammeke, Great Bend.

Lia Boese, Ottawa, freshman, “Effects of Triclosan Concentration on Growth Rate of Lemna Minor,” Maricle.

Taylor Willits, Ozawkie, junior, “Facial Recognition of Dark Triad Traits and the Link to Prenatal Androgen Exposure,” Dr. Trey Hill, associate professor of psychology, and co-investigator Arianne Fisher, Plainville, senior.