VICTORIA — Victoria residents can take downed tree limbs to the compost site.

The city reminded residents they are responsible for the cleanup of their property.

Because of an electrical outage, Victoria City Hall will be closed Wednesday.

RUSSELL — The Ad Astra Music Festival in Russell announces its events for the weekend of July 15. The public is welcome and tickets can be purchased online, at the Russell County Economic Development Office or at the door for $10 each or $50 for all concerts.

On Friday at 7:30 pm. the Ad Astra Chamber Choir will be featured in a performance of Mass Unordinary conducted by Max Holman, artist in residence, at St. Mary Queen of Angels in Russell. The choir is comprised of nearly all-professional musicians including the festivals young artist’s, artistic directors, artists-in-residence and special guest performers Mike Miller, Andrew Padgett, Erin Schwab, and Davone Tines. The a capella piece blends movements of Palestrina, Vaughan Williams, Rheinberger and a commissioned work from Michael Gilbertson.

Saturday, July 16, at 8:00 pm audience members will hear Brad Dawson and the Kansas City Jazz performing under the stars at Granny Mae’s Barn near Dorrance. Dawson, a Russell native now serving as Professor of Jazz Studies and Trumpet at FHSU will be featured with fellow musicians Matt Otto on saxophone, Roger Wilder on piano, Gerald Spaits on bass and Todd Strait on drums playing several sets of jazz standards. Cocktails and popcorn will be available for purchase.

Ad Astra will bring its performers to Hays on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in ‘Mass for Three Voices.’ Artistic directors Alex Underwood and John Irving will join young artist Nini Marchese in this late Renaissance English masterpiece composed by William Byrd. As with any Mass at St. Joseph’s, it is open to anyone free of charge.

Sunday afternoon’s event is set for 2:00 pm at the Deines Cultural Center in Russell. This performance of Schumann Song Cycles will feature Michael Davidson, tenor, Aani Bourassa, soprano, and Cesar Canon, piano. Davidson is the 6-12 vocal music teacher in Russell with degrees in vocal performance from Loyala University (New Orleans) and the University of Kansas. Bourassa is a Washington D.C. based singer joining the festival for the second year. Canon comes to Russell after completing his first year in a doctoral program in collaborative piano from the University of Michigan where he is a student of world-renowned pianist Martin Katz.

City of Hays

On Wednesday at approximately 5:45 a.m., a severe thunderstorm hit the city of Hays causing citywide damage. Streets are blocked by downed power lines and tree limbs. Some traffic signals are not operational at this time.

There are 95 employees on duty to clear the streets and assist with traffic control. The public is asked to minimize travel and to avoid downed power lines and tree limbs in the streets. It is imperative that the traveling public avoid emergency vehicles, allow them to pass or reroute travel to avoid streets the emergency workers are trying to clear.

The City Compost Site is closed until further notice. Residents are not to bring tree branches to compost site. City Crews are currently working to remove branches and debris from City Streets. Residents may drag tree limbs to the edge of the curb – DO NOT PUT BRANCHES IN THE STREET.

Once all streets are clear, City Crews will begin collecting branches from the curb line. It will take several days to accomplish this clean-up. If residents have a split or uprooted tree, they are asked to contact a contractor for removal as the City does not have the capability of removing these trees. Solid waste collection has been suspended at this point due to blocked alleys and streets.

Residents are reminded to call 911 in an emergency only.

RCHF

PLAINVILLE—The Dane G. Hansen Foundation recently awarded Rooks County Healthcare Foundation (RCHF) a $500,000 grant to help build a new dedicated rehabilitation facility at Rooks Country Health Center. RCHF is in the midst of a capital campaign to help with the multi-phase hospital expansion.

This grant enables the health center to expand its existing cardiac, occupational, physical and speech rehabilitation services available to the people of Rooks County and surrounding area. Construction of the addition, which is Phase 2 of the expansion project, is scheduled to begin in 2017.  Phase 1, the construction of an onsite MRI suite, is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in October of 2016.

“The Dane G. Hansen grant allows us to continue to deliver the best health care possible to our patients. This grant and all gifts, large or small, make it possible to offer access to state-of-the-art health care advances”, said AJ Thomas, PT, DPT, SCS, MS and RCH Director of Rehabilitation.

Plans for the rehabilitation facility include a zero-entry hydrotherapy pool and an indoor walking track with a rubberized surface to reduce joint impact. The track will be made available to the general public year-round in all weather conditions.

“We recognized the need to expand three years ago, and we would not be able to bring it to fruition without the major support from the community along with this crucial contribution from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. Rooks County Health Center is fortunate to be a part of a community that includes so many generous and caring citizens, who are committed to ensuring the long term success of our rural area,” said Mike Sinclair, RCH CEO. “We have a commitment to preventive care and healing avenues for our patients. This results in shorter trips for patients, cutting fuel, meal and lodging expenses.”

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation, headquartered in Logan, is renowned for its dedication to improving the quality of life for the citizens of northwestern Kansas by helping fund initiatives in the areas of health, education, economic development and community service among others.

For more information about Rooks County Healthcare Foundation or Rooks County Health Center, visit www.rookscountyhealthcenter.com.

ELLIS COUNTY -Widespread power outages are reported across portions of northwest and central Kansas from Wednesday morning’s storm.

Midwest Energy’s outage viewer indicated hundreds were without power as of 7 a.m.  Check the outage map here.

The National Weather Service reported wind gusts over 60 miles per hour early Wednesday.

Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum

LOGAN — Ken Eberle and Leo Groff, Jr. are nature enhancers. These gentlemen from Ellis are both skilled artists. Ken is skilled in the art of wood turning and Leo in the art of carving hard shelled gourds.  These fine gentlemen are the artists behind “Wood Turning & Gourds” the feature exhibit at the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum through Aug. 28.

In the woodcarving circle, Ken is known as a wood turner, someone who works on a lathe. At first, Ken copied the work of other turners. Then he was told by two of the best known turners in the country, that he had proven he was a good turner and he needed to create pieces that had not been done before. After many tries, Ken came up with a unique design. His wood pieces have been featured in Wood Turning Design magazine.  Ken now only produces one-of-a-kind items. After being featured in many magazine and newspaper articles, Ken’s work is now being copied by others. His work is all natural wood with no artificial color added.

Prior to 1985, Leo Groff Jr. wasn’t even aware there was such a thing as hard shelled gourds or that he possessed any artistic talent whatsoever. After growing a crop of gourds and doing some research, Leo discovered the American Gourd Society. Over time, Leo slowly learned to decorate gourds using various techniques. After a few years, Leo began attending gourd shows sponsored by the many State Chapters of the American Gourd Society, where he learned valuable lessons from established artists. After retirement in 2004, Leo pursued his gourd art fulltime and developed a favorite style. Most of his designs and techniques are influenced by the art of the Navajo and Hopi tribes of the Southwestern United States.

Both Ken and Leo are masters in the art media they have chosen.Come and see for yourself the unique talents of Ken Eberle and Leo Groff Jr.

Museum Hours are M-F 9-12 & 1-4; Sat. 9-12 & 1-5; Sun. & Holidays 1-5.