June 2016 – Page 33 – Hays Post Archive

HPD Activity Log June 17-19

Posted on June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 8 traffic stops Fri., June 17, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

False/Altered ID–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:49 AM
Driving Under the Influence–7th and Elm, Hays; 1:53 AM; 1:55 AM
Curfew Violation–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:39 AM
Theft (general)–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 7:13 AM
Water Use Violation–2700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 7:22 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 7:38 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–200 block W 17th St, Hays; 8:06 AM
Found/Lost Property–400 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:42 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–800 block Oak St, Hays; 12:50 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–26th and Vine, Hays; 1:25 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–300 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:14 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 4:42 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–23rd and Walnut, Hays; 5 PM
Parking Complaint–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 5:50 PM
Animal Injured–1100 block Downing Ave, Hays; 6:09 PM
Welfare Check–Hays; 6:12 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 6/16 12 AM; 11:59 PM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–N Vine St, Hays; 8:10 PM
Disorderly Conduct–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:34 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and 22 traffic stops Sat., June 18, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost Property–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 1:42 AM
Drug Offenses–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 4:50 AM
Mental Health Call–200 block W 17th St, Hays; 4:54 AM
Animal At Large–1200 block E 30th St, Hays; 8:18 AM
Animal At Large–2700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 11:12 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2700 block Willow St, Hays; 12:19 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–600 block E E 8th St, Hays; 12:28 PM
Welfare Check–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 12:55 PM
Found/Lost Property–27th and Hall, Hays; 1:36 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6/17 8 AM
Water Use Violation–2500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 4:32 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:36 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block E 19th St, Hays; 5:13 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 7:07 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1100 block E 22nd St, Hays; 7:39 PM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:35 PM; 10:54 PM
Domestic Disturbance–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 11:52 PM; 12:15 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and 23 traffic stops Sun., June 19, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Obstruction of Legal Process–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 1:18 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–24th and Fort St, Hays; 5:09 AM
Dead Animal Call–2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 8:28 AM
Domestic Disturbance-500 block E 12th St, Hays; 10:29 AM
Intoxicated Subject–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 12:29 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–27th and Hillcrest, Hays; 12:43 PM
Water Use Violation–200 block E 15th St, Hays; 2:45 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:14 PM
Water Use Violation–30th and Roosevelt, Hays; 4:26 PM
Animal Call–2500 block Oak St, Hays; 8:02 PM
Alarm – Residential–1600 block Ash St, Hays; 8:37 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–100 block E 11th St, Hays; 10:06 PM
Drug Offenses–700 block of E 8th St, Hays; 10:16 PM; 11:33 PM

Funding requests from outside agencies to be heard by Ellis city council tonight

Posted on June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

ELLIS–Requests for funding from the city of Ellis next year will be heard from four non-profit groups at tonight’s city council meeting. Asking for consideration within the 2017 city budget are Ellis Alliance, Walter P. Chrysler Museum, Ellis Community Foundation and Ellis Railroad Museum.

Council members will again consider an alarm systems ordinance regulating automated alarm systems and the Ellis Fire Department’s policy for responding to automated alarm systems.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Ellis City Hall. The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA June 20, 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 (Enc)
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on June 6, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #1999
(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)
MOTION_______________________ SECOND__________________ VOTE___________
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)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) Report on Planes, Trains & Auto Event – Tourism Task Force
b) 2017 Budget Request – Ellis Alliance
c) 2017 Budget Request – Walter P. Chrysler Museum
d) 2017 Budget Request – Ellis Community Foundation
e) 2017 Budget Request – Ellis Railroad Museum
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consideration of Alarm Systems Ordinance Regulating Automated Alarm Systems
b) Consider Fire Department Policy on Automated Alarm Systems
c) Consider Approval of 2015 Audit Report
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Ratifying Purchase of KDOT Millings
b) Consider Approval of Pay Request and Application #3 for Wastewater Treatment Plant Project
c) Consider Approval of Office Supply Purchase
d) Consider Water Line Project Change Order
e) Consider Leasing County Equipment
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Disinfectant By-Products (DBP)
(2) Property Cleanup Report
(3) Well Level Report
(4) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Audit Reports for Other Entities
(2) Cemetery Committee Minutes
(3) Department Update
4) Attorney
(1) Complete Report on Violation Notices
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
(1)
7) EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
8) ADJOURNMENT

Draft of Hays zoning rewrite to be reviewed tonight

Posted on June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

City of Hays

The latest draft of the Unified Development Code will be reviewed and discussed during tonight’s meeting of the Hays Area Planning Commission.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 1507 Main.

The complete agenda follows.

HAYS AREA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
1507 MAIN, HAYS, KS
JUNE 20, 2016
6:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN.
2. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Minutes of the meeting of May 16, 2016
Action: Consider approving the minutes of the May 16, 2016 meeting.
3. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.
None
4. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.
A. Discussion and Review of the Recommended Draft Unified Development Code
(Available at the following link):
https://www.haysusa.com/16-05-09_UDC_Public_Hearing_Draft.pdf

Action: Open discussion and review of the recommended draft Unified
Development Code in advance of the July 21 City Commission Work Session.
5. OFF AGENDA ITEMS/COMMUNICATIONS.
A. City Commission action and planning and development updates on Planning
Commission related issues
6. ADJOURNMENT.

Woman arrested after she allegedly drove off with Kan. deputy’s vehicle

Posted on June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

MERRIAM – Law enforcement authorities say a woman has been arrested after driving off with a Johnson County deputy’s vehicle.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the vehicle was recovered around 2 a.m. Monday — just minutes after the woman drove off in it. The theft happened after the deputy was dispatched to De Soto to check on a distraught woman standing on a street corner.

The release said the woman asked to be taken to a hospital in Merriam after it was determined that she hadn’t committed a crime and wasn’t a victim.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she is accused of sliding from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat as the deputy was walking around the vehicle to let her out.

The woman, identified as Stevi Zinn, 28, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, was apprehended nearby.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bessie Boone

Posted on June 20, 2016

Bessie Boone, 101, peacefully passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Gove County Medical Center-LTC in Quinter, KS.

Schmitt Funeral Home of Quinter is handling arrangements, please check back for full obituary and service details.

Clemence J. Reitmayer

Posted on June 20, 2016

Clemence J. Reitmayer, 90 peacefully passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016 at his home in Quinter, KS.

Schmitt Funeral Home of Quinter is handling arrangements, please check back for full obituary and service details.

SCHLAGECK: This vacation, remember agriculture

Posted on June 20, 2016

John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

All across our country Americans are checking their automobiles, making sure their GPS works, studying road maps, printing off directions from MapQuest and adding another item to their “to do” lists in preparation for long-awaited summer vacations.

Anticipation will soar and expectations will rise as husband and wife teams take to the American highways and byways in search of rest, peace and tranquility. Children will ensure this dream remains only partially fulfilled with road questions like: “I’m hungry, I want a hamburger and fries.” “Mommy, Billy is teasing me.” “Are we there yet?” and “I don’t want to go on vacation, I want to go back home.”

Regardless of such comments, mom and dad will remain true to their plans and push ahead. After all, the money spent for the family vacation usually represents cash left over after paying for the family’s food, clothing and other necessities.

Oftentimes money to pay for vacations goes on plastic and is paid for later with interest. Parents will think to themselves, “We worked hard for this time off. We deserve it and we’re going to enjoy it.”

Americans remain the luckiest, most pampered people in the world. Try to imagine what it would be like if we had to be self-sufficient.

What would happen to leisure time if others did not produce the many things families need?

Although we all work throughout the year, we should not forget those people who also work hard and help us free up time so we can vacation with loved ones. One such group is the Kansas farmer.

Farmers and ranchers help meet our food, fuel and fiber needs. These needs are met without worry of availability.

The next time you walk into your local supermarket remember milk comes from carefully cared for dairy cows on someone’s farm. Remember the butcher performs a service in cutting and packaging the hamburger, chops and steak you and your family eat. Don’t forget the Kansas farmer and rancher cares for and produces pork and beef. Styrofoam cartons only hold the eggs which are laid by hens on the farm.

No other nation of people on this planet enjoys the amount of free time we do. No other country can claim that so few people feed so many.

Today less than 2 percent of our nation’s population are farmers. They are capable of supplying the other 98 percent with most of the products we eat, wear and use to fuel our vehicles.

Remember as you plot your vacation course this summer, and as you motor through the state’s highways, to notice the fields of corn, soybeans, milo, alfalfa and recently harvested wheat. Take a look at the cattle, hogs and sheep grazing in the many pastures.

Don’t forget Kansas farmers and ranchers help fulfill our food, fuel and fiber needs. These professionals also care for the livestock and crops you see as you drive by. They do so with care and compassion.

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

HAWVER: Election-year politics and school funding in Kansas

Posted on June 20, 2016

If that two-day meeting of the House and Senate Judiciary committees told us anything, it was subtle, and it deals with political spin.

What? Political spin in the Kansas Legislature? In an election year? Imagine that…

For all the complicated details of the Kansas Supreme Court’s May 27 threat to prevent a dime of state money going to schools after July 1 if the school finance formula remains unconstitutional, the whole issue essentially comes down to who gets blamed for school districts getting less money—no, not no money, just less.

The issue is that the distribution of state funds to assist districts that have a Local Option Budget (LOB) isn’t strictly equitable, the high court says, and that means the budget bill that sends that money to districts is unfair, unconstitutional, and the court can’t permit it to be carried out. That means no money for schools, and that’s the “close the schools” mantra that everyone is talking about.

Now, it’s just a portion of the school finance bill—that LOB formula—that the court held unconstitutional, but the whole LOB program amounts to about $1 billion of the roughly $4 billion in state aid to public schools.

But it’s just a small piece of that LOB formula that the court called unconstitutional, and the fix to make it constitutional costs about $38 million.

And, legislators are split on what do to about that $38 million. Some say the court is right and lawmakers should simply write the check.

Some say the court is wrong, and the formula is fine and they don’t want the court to essentially rewrite the state budget, which they maintain is a legislative responsibility. They’re ready for a showdown and figure that if the court does close down schools, well, it’s the court overreaching its authority, and that’s reason enough to bounce four justices at this November’s judicial retention election.

Another group figures that just paying the $38 million means that they can tell voters that while they might not agree with the court, they want their constituents’ children to have open-for-business schools to attend this fall. Yes, some of that “court meddling” with legislative action and “holding children hostage” stuff creeps in, but lawmakers can use that anti-court talk in their campaigns—and still keep schools open.

Another group of lawmakers represent districts where the $38 million and shuffling of money around under the now-repealed LOB aid formula means their districts will get less state aid for the upcoming school year than they expected. That group of largely big-city districts says that loss of money is worrisome and could lead to smaller-than-expected property tax cuts for their patrons…oh, and less than planned for educational opportunity for their pupils.

***

But, it all comes down to election-year politics, and what candidates want to campaign door-to-door and tell constituents that they voted for a plan that cuts state aid to their schools?

So that’s where the “severability clause” tactic looms large. A severability clause allows the court, or rather offers the option to the court, to just rip some portion of the school finance budget bill out, leaving the rest still alive. The high court in May held that the constitutional equity problems with the LOB portion of the school finance bill and the amount of money involved essentially made that severability clause unusable. It would have brought down the entire school finance system, so it gave the Legislature a chance to fix it before July 1 to keep the schools open.

That brings up the numbers. The $38 million fix for the LOB is painful for a near-broke state, but probably doable. And, the $12 million to make sure that the big districts don’t lose money is probably the key to whether the special session can pass a school finance fix and keep the schools open.

That’s where a narrow severability clause comes into play. Let the court kill the “hold harmless” money, after legislators have voted to spend that $12 million, showing their support for local districts that would otherwise lose money.

So, legislators have that vote to preserve their districts’ state aid, and it was the court, not them, that killed their districts’ extra money. Makes finger-pointing at the court pretty easy doesn’t it?

Unless…of course, voters see through the politics of that narrow severability clause ploy.

We’ll see, won’t we…

Syndicated by Hawver News Co. of Topeka, Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. To learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit www.hawvernews.com.

Rally to support educators set for Salina

Posted on June 20, 2016

SALINA – A rally has been planned for Monday afternoon to show support to USD 305 educators, according to a media release.

Education funding has been a hot topic among state officials over the several weeks causing high frustrations for Kansas students and educators.

The public is invited to the rally that begins at 4p.m. at Indian Rock Park, across the street from the USD 305 board of education offices.

In addition to food and children’s activities, the League of Women Voters will register voters, State Legislative candidates are expected to attend, and the Salina National Education Association President is scheduled to speak.

Supreme Court leaves state assault weapons bans in place

Posted on June 20, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected challenges to assault weapons bans in Connecticut and New York, in the aftermath of the shooting attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 50 people dead.

The justices on Monday left in place a lower court ruling that upheld laws that were passed in response to another mass shooting involving a semi-automatic weapon, the elementary school attack in Newtown, Connecticut.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly turned away challenges to gun restrictions since two landmark decisions that spelled out the right to a handgun to defend one’s own home.

Farewell planned for outgoing Hays USD 489 superintendent

Posted on June 20, 2016

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Prior to the start of the Hays USD 489 Board of Education meeting Monday, the district will host a farewell to outgoing Superintendent Dean Katt, set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room, 323 W. 12th.

Katt has served the district in the role of superintendent since September 2013.

“Hays has been very good to me. It’s been the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, but also the hardest,” Katt said when announcing the retirement.

He will serve as a human resources officer in the Independence, Mo., school district next year.

In a column penned by Katt last month, he commented on accomplishments made by the district during his tenure.

“I am proud of the accomplishments the district and students have made over the past three years,” he said. “There is something truly special about the students of USD 489.”

“The students continue to perform over the state standards for academic testing. We have seen the HHS journalism team repeat in state titles, DECA competing at the national level, outstanding performances from all of the students that participate in music and visual arts programs, incredible performances from all of the USD 489 athletes, too many National Honor’s Society students to mention individually, FFA placing at the national level, the HHS News Team taking home state accolades, two Hays Middle School students qualifying for the National Social Studies Bee, and a Hays Middle School student winning an international award for the Lion’s Club Peace Poster Contest. This list could go on and on, but these few accomplishments attest to the talent that lives and breathes in Hays.”

Katt will be replaced by John Thissen, who will begin serving as district superintendent on July 1. The Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the hire on May 27.

Thissen currently serves as superintendent at Herington USD 487.

“I am excited and eager to work within the Hays community,” Thissen said. “My experience with Herington’s community revealed how significant a group of people’s combined foresight and effort placed into the betterment of a service organization can create varied tendrils of growth for a town.”

Ronald F. Scranton

Posted on June 20, 2016

Larned – Ronald F. Scranton, age 70, died June 15, 2016, at his home in Larned.

He was born September 8, 1945, in the Hays Hospital, the son of Alvin E. and Ava June Worcester Scranton. He graduated in 1963 from Hill City High School and attended KU and KSU, earning BS and MS degrees in Horticulture and Business.

Ron was the owner and operator of Larned Greenhouse, Flower Shop and Nursery from 1972 to 2010. He was a US Army Veteran, serving with the Combat Engineers in Vietnam.

On April 8, 1967, he married Martha Deason in Lawrence, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include: his mother, Ava June Scranton, Hill City; a sister, Sonja Steeples, Hays; a daughter, Kimberly and her husband Jay Holthaus, Leawood; three granddaughters, Gretchen, Maureen and Alison, all of Leawood.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with Officiant Rod Schmidt presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday with family present from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Burial and graveside will be at 3 p.m. Monday in the Hill City Cemetery, Hill City.

Memorials may be sent to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or your favorite charity in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550.

Lois M. McLeish

Posted on June 20, 2016

Lois M. McLeish, age 86, of Ness City, KS passed away June 16, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. She was born in Altamont, Kansas on October 18, 1929 to Howard and Ethel (Hauck) Billington. Lois attended Kansas State University and was a member of Clovia House. There she met Thomas Edwin McLeish and married in 1950. She moved to their farm in rural Beeler and together they had two sons; Bill McLeish of Ness City and Ed McLeish of Stafford. While keeping all the men fed at the farm, she stayed with her passion of learning and teaching, attending classes at Fort Hay State College where she received her degrees.

Lois taught English and Home Economics at Beeler High School until 1966 then began teaching Home Economics at Ness High School until she retired in the early 1990’s. She enjoyed being a class sponsor, FHA sponsor and 4-H Leader as well as a member of the United Methodist Church, PEO and several other organizations. She loved taking care of and spending time with her grandchildren, teaching them to cook and sew, playing cards with friends, bowling and traveling. While in the Beeler community she was involved in most of the local activities and EHU. In 2006, Lois moved to Ness City. She continued playing cards, socializing and volunteering at the thrift store. She appreciated spending time with and catching up on all of her former students, which she took great pride in.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Juanita Johnson Payne.

Survivors include two sons: Bill McLeish (Annette Speer) of Ness City and Ed McLeish of Stafford; three grandchildren: Amanda McLeish of Fairway, KS, Lindy McLeish Bridgewater (Monte) of Mission Viejo, CA and Justin McLeish of Stafford, KS.

Funeral Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Ness City on June 30th at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at the Ness City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and plants, please send Memorials to Ness City Leisure Center.