May 2016 – Page 83 – Hays Post Archive

Ellis waterline improvement project on tap at tonight’s city meeting

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

ELLIS–An update on the waterline improvement project will be presented at tonight’s Ellis City Council meeting by Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group. Council members will also discuss funding of new water sources exploration.

In other business, approval of employee dental insurance renew rates will be considered.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA May 2, 2016 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 18, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #1996
c) December 2015 Manual Journal Entries
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
a) Fort Hays State University Student Interns – Kristine Tippin and Nancy Patel
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team Presentation
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Update on Waterline Improvement Project – Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Fireworks Application
b) Consider Approval of Ordinance Levying One Cent Sales Tax
c) Consider Approval of 2017 Budget Contract
d) Consider Approval of Standard & Poors Engagement Contract for Bond Rating Services
e) Consider Approval of Bids for Sewer Sludge Auger Tube
f) Consider Approval of Employee Dental Insurance Renewal Rates
g) Discuss Water Exploration Funding
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Update on Recent Training
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Monthly Activity Report for April
(2) May Staff Calendar
(3) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) December 2015 Financial Statements
(2) Consider Tourism Task Force Request for Donations
(3) Department Update
4) Attorney
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
(1) Update from Mayor’s Conference
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT

Ellis Co. Commission will talk budget at Monday’s meeting

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission will continue its discussions on the 2017 budget at Monday night’s commission meeting.

At a meeting earlier this year, County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes asked the commission for direction in finding a way to close a budget shortfall for next year. The commission instead left it up to the department heads to find ways to cut within their departments.

Smith-Hanes will present the commission with three possible options for cutting the budget.

The commission will also discuss bids for replacing the bridge over the Saline River on Yocemento Avenue. At the commission’s last meeting in April, Interim Public Works Director Curt Hoffman presented the commission presented the commission with the four bids the county received for construction.

Monday’s meeting is at 5 p.m. Monday at the County Administrative Office.

Starbucks faces lawsuit over ice cubes

Posted on May 2, 2016

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal lawsuit claims Starbucks regularly overfills its cold drinks with ice instead of using the advertised amount of coffee or other liquid in its plastic cups.

The lawsuit was filed last week in Chicago on behalf of Stacy Pincus, a local woman who accuses Starbucks of misleading consumers. The lawsuit alleges that an iced beverage advertised at 24 ounces contains about 14 ounces of fluid.

Starbucks spokesperson Jaime Riley said Monday that the company considers the lawsuit to be without merit. Riley says customers understand that ice is part of an iced beverage, noting that Starbucks remakes beverages if customers aren’t satisfied.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status, which could allow it to cover customers for the last decade. Among other things, the lawsuit seeks damages, restitution and attorneys’ fees.

Officials collect nearly 300 pounds of unused/unwanted medicine

Posted on May 2, 2016

Hays Post

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department collected nearly 300 pounds of unwanted, unused or expired medicines during the National Take Back Prescription Drug event held over the weekend.

The sheriff’s department partnered with the Hays Police Department and the local Drug Enforcement Unit Saturday to host two different collections sites in Hays.

According to Detective Chuck White with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, law enforcement officials collected 298 pounds of medication.

According to White, the medications are then sent to the Drug Enforcement Agency to be destroyed.

The sheriff’s department holds two collection events per year to coincide with the DEA’s National Take Back days.

HPD Activity Log April 29-30, May 1

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and 26 traffic stops Friday, April 29, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – General–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:52 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 2:06 AM
Intoxicated Subject–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:23 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:35 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 3:02 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 6:32 AM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 10:27 AM; 12:15 PM
Criminal Transport–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 11:22 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block Mission Mt, Hays; 12:16 PM; 12:42 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:51 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:41 PM
Animal At Large–1400 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 4:25 PM
Dead Animal Call–2700 block Hickory St, Hays; 4:49 PM
Criminal Threat–1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:57 PM; 5:55 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 5 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 9:59 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:05 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 15 traffic stops Saturday, April 30, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Battery – simple–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 12:30 AM; 12:50 AM
Disorderly Conduct–1000 block Ash St, Hays; 1:44 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 2:12 AM
Suspicious Person–100 block W 16th St, Hays; 2:23 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 4:03 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 12 AM; 6:31 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–600 block E 5th St, Hays; 8:47 AM
Theft (general)–2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 9 AM; 9:15 AM
Found/Lost Property–2500 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 8:45 AM; 9:45 AM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block E 41st St, Hays; 12:39 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 3:31 PM
Battery – simple–2500 block Haney Dr, Hays; 4:10 PM; 4:15 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–300 block Mopar Dr, Hays; 4:26 PM; 4:28 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–100 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:17 PM
Trash Dumping–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 5 PM; 6:39 PM
Found/Lost Property–1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 7 PM; 9:39 PM
Battery – simple–2000 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 9:30 PM
Drug Offenses–500 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:29 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and 23 traffic stops Sunday, May 1, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Noise–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:12 AM
Drug Offenses–600 block Fort St, Hays; 1:18 AM; 1:20 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Main St, Hays; 1:42 AM
Battery – simple–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:31 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 2:24 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit & Run–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 4/30 11 PM; 5/1 8 AM
Sex Offense–Limon; 11:08 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2300 block Pershing Dr, Hays; 3:42 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–11th and Cedar, Hays; 3:56 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1400 block W 43rd St, Hays; 4:24 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block E 7th St, Hays; 5:51 PM
Drug Offenses–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 3 PM; 3:30 PM
Custody Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:52 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 10:51 PM; 11:10 PM
Drug Offenses–1700 block Eisenhower Rd, Hays; 11:03 PM; 11:11 PM

HPD Activity Log April 28

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 28 traffic stops Thursday, April 28, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses/DUI–1400 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:01 AM
Domestic Disturbance–200 block W W 8th St, Hays; 6:20 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block E 14th St, Hays; 7:40 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–200 block of E 25th St, Hays; 9:04 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9 AM; 9:10 AM
Drug Offenses–1900 block Main St, Hays; 9:48 AM; 10:25 AM
Dead Animal Call–2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 4/27 8 PM; 4/28 10:39 AM
Shoplifting–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:35 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 11:58 AM
Theft of Vehicle–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 4/24 6 PM; 4/25 8 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–600 block Main St, Hays; 1:05 PM
Intoxicated Subject–2500 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 2:22 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:35 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 12 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:50 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block Main St, Hays; 10:09 PM

Lucy C. Hertel

Posted on May 2, 2016

Lucy C. Hertel, 83, Hays, died Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Locust Grove Village in LaCrosse, Kansas.

Lucy was born on July 4, 1932, to Matt and Anna (Mertes) Lietz in Seguin, Kansas. Lucy was raised on a farm southeast of Menlo. She attended grade school in Menlo. Lucy moved to Hays and lived in the dorm and graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1950. As a student Lucy worked in the lab at St. Anthony Hospital. She married Albinus F. Hertel on November 6, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. Lucy worked at Fort Hays State University in the Memorial Union, and as secretary of the St. Joseph religious education program. She later became the full-time bookkeeper for the family owned Hertel Tank Service, Inc. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella Circle.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Al Hertel of Parkview Care Center, Osborne, KS, three sons; David (Virginia), Michael (Lori), and John (Laura) all of Hays, one daughter Kathy (Patrick) of Eastvale, CA, eight grandchildren; Christina Hertel of Arvada, CO, Lisa Hertel of Wheat Ridge, CO, Michelle Schlyer, Craig, Marc, Jill, Brett, and Tara Hertel, all of Hays, five great grandchildren; Spencer Hertel-Kadota of Arvada, CO, Jenna and Paige Schlyer, Sophie and Mya Hertel, all of Hays, one step great grandson Reese Owens of Russell, and two sisters in law; Pat Lietz of Wichita and Aletha Hertel of Hays.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers; Leo, Albert, and Gilbert Lietz.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 210 W. 13th Street, Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:30 until 10:15 on Tuesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 followed by at parish vigil at 6:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Lucy’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to TMP-Marian High School, in care of the funeral home. Condolence may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Community Connection: Mike Morley

Posted on May 2, 2016April 27, 2016

Mike Cooper visits with Mike Morley about the USD 489 bond issue.

Community Connection: Bill Gasper

Posted on May 2, 2016April 26, 2016

Mike Cooper visits with Hays High School journalism teacher, Bill Gasper.

Rooks Co. hospital plans onsite MRI/nuclear medicine expansion

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

Submitted

PLAINVILLE — Rooks County Health Center officials and representatives of Paul-Wertenberger Construction Co. met April 19 at the RCH Education Center for a pre-construction meeting regarding the hospital’s plans to add onsite MRI and Nuclear Medicine suites. The meeting was the culmination of months of planning and preparation.

The new addition will reduce wait times for scans and make scheduling more efficient for both patient and provider. In-house MRI and Nuclear Medicine suites allow patients to schedule imaging studies at their convenience.

“We’re accomplishing what very few rural hospitals even imagine. And, we’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do for our patients,” said Mike Sinclair, RCH CEO.

Providing a safer, less stressful environment for patients needing imaging services was of prime importance in RCH’s decision to discontinue using mobile imaging in favor of the onsite facility. Patients will no longer be required to walk outside in the snow and windstorms to have their procedure done.

Matt Allen of Paul-Wertenberger Construction said in a statement, “We are very excited to be a part of RCH’s hospital expansion.”

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new construction is scheduled for the first week of May.

Sternberg Museum to host science camps this summer in Kansas and beyond

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Katie Gatlin, a middle school camper from Oklahoma, shows a fossil fish scale she found at Castle Rock.

FHSU University Relations

Instead of roasting marshmallows over an open fire, science campers with Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History will once again this summer learn about everything from fossils to plants and wildlife and much, much more.

“I think it’s important to give young students opportunities to explore new subject areas,” Sternberg Education Director David Levering said. “I think it’s important to get them outside, exploring these things. There’s a lot of emphasis on technology these days, but there’s a lot lost in not getting outside and seeing things in person.”

That won’t be an issue this summer, the third year that Levering has organized camps at Sternberg. There are day camps for elementary school students and longer camps for middle school and high school students.

The elementary school day camps start June 1 with “Rocks and Minerals.” On June 3 it will be “Fun with Fossils.” June 6 will feature “Marvelous Mammals,” while on June 8 it will be “Reptiles and Amphibians.” On June 10 the camp is “Bird Biologists.” The final elementary school camp, set for June 13, features “Plants, Insects and Spiders.” These camps are for children age 6 to 10 as of June 2016. Drop off is 9 a.m., and pick up is 3 p.m. There will be a maximum of 12 children per camp. Fees are $60 per member and $70 for non-members.

There are two middle school camps. The “Field Naturalist Camp” will be from June 12 to June 17. Students will explore Arches National Monument Park in Utah. As students camp along the way, they will explore wildlife and ecosystems from prairie to mountains to rocky deserts. In the “Paleontology Expedition Camp,” scheduled for June 19 to June 24, students will explore the fossils of Kansas, and will visit Castle Rock, a geological formation about a 90-minute drive west of Hays which is known for its fossils. Middle school camps are for children age 11 to 13 as of June 2016. Drop off is 8 a.m. the first day of the program, and pick up is 5 p.m. the last day of the program. Maximum class size is 10 students per camp. Fees are $600 per member and $660 per non-member.

“I think it’s important young students know that these are real places,” Levering said. “If they value them they’re going to protect them.”

For high school students there will be two camps this summer where they will go out and explore. In the “Sternberg Paleontology Camp” from July 10 to July 22, students will spend nine days exploring paleontology and natural history of Kansas in the field. With the “Sternberg Biology Camp” June 26 to July 1, students will travel to New Mexico to work with biologists on ongoing bat research. Drop off is 8 a.m. the first day of the program, and pick up is 5 p.m. the last day of the program. Maximum class size is 10 students per camp. The fee for the paleontology camp is $1,240 per member and $1,380 per non-member. Fee for the biology camp is $600 per member and $660 per non-member.

“When it comes to the middle and high school programs we can do a lot in a week,” Levering said.

Sternberg also will host two other camps. The “Paleobiology Research Methods Camp” from July 3 to July 8 is designed for self-motivated students looking to do a research project in high school or pursuing a research project as a college undergraduate. The “Fall Sternberg Paleontology Camp” from Sept. 25 to Sept. 30 is something new this year. To help accommodate homeschool students, this six-day camp will explore paleontology and Kansas natural history in the field. The fees for each camp are $600 per member and $660 per non-member.

Sternberg Museum science camps have financial aid opportunities available for 2016. Contact Levering at [email protected] for information or if assistance is needed to fill out an application.

An online registration form can be found on Sternberg’s website at https://webapps.fhsu.edu/sternbergPrograms/. The camp brochure is available at https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/active-learning/camps/.

Free concert tonight as FHSU musical season winds down

Posted on May 2, 2016April 25, 2016

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Fort Hays State University is performing the final concerts of the 2016 musical season.

A Small Ensembles concert will perform in Palmer Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, in Malloy Hall. The ensemble includes the FHSU women’s chorale, directed by Crull. Pam McGowne, program specialist, will be the accompanist. The concert includes a sinfonietta, a short or simple symphony, directed by Sadikov and two FHSU students. The concert is free of charge.

An FHSU Jazz Ensembles will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, in Beach/Schmidt. The concert features FHSU Jazz Ensemble I and II. The concert is $6 for adults and $4 for senior citizens. All students of any age are admitted free.

“The concert will include music that has been composed and arranged for professional big bands such as Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Rob McConnell, Bob Mintzer and Gordon Goodwin,” said Brad Dawson, assistant professor of music and theatre.

The FHSU bands will close the season with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, in Beach/Schmidt.

Companies crucial to US energy exploration abandon $34B merger

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says two companies crucial to the business of U.S. energy exploration have abandoned their planned $34 billion merger.

The department filed suit April 6 to block the merger of Halliburton and Baker Hughes. The agency claims the transaction would unlawfully eliminate significant competition in almost two dozen markets crucial to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the United States.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch called the companies’ decision to abandon the transaction “a victory for the U.S. economy and for all Americans.”

Justice officials said the merger of Halliburton and Baker Hughes would have raised prices, decreased output and lessened innovation in at least 23 oilfield products and services critical to the nation’s energy supply.