Editor’s note: An earlier version indicated according to the Kansas Highway Patrol a Union Pacific Train was involved in this accident.  The KHP has not updated their report. UP representatives reported their train was not involved in this accident.

Watco leases tracks from UP in that portion of Wichita County.

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WICHITA COUNTY – A Kansas man was involved in an accident with a train just before 9a.m. on Friday in Wichita County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Peterbilt semi driven by Todd E. Bloedorn, 45, Leoti, was northbound on County Road 14 just north of Kansas 96 and 2 miles East of Kansas 25.

The driver failed to yield and a train hit the semi.

Bloedorn was not injured.

The accident remains under investigation.

ELLIS–Ellis City Council members will consider bids for the purchase of Tasers at their Mon., Nov. 7 meeting.

CLARIFICATION: Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates clarified Friday afternoon that his department has had Tasers for seven years, but that equipment has reached the end of its life expectency.

“What we’re considering doing is trading in our current Tasers and upgrading to the current model,” he said.

They city council also hear a report from city representatives about the financial status of the Ellis Golf Club and an update on code violation issues.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA
November 7, 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 October 17, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #2008
c) Manual Journal Entries for April, May, and June
(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)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Recommendation from Planning Commission Regarding Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Area
b) Consider Approval of Contractor’s Pay Estimates #4 and #5 for the Waterline Improvement Project
c) Consider Bids for Trimming Trees at Campground
d) Consider Bids for the Purchase of Tasers
e) Consider Approval of Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages
f) Report from City Representatives on Ellis Golf Club
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) October Monthly Activity Report
(2) November Staff Calendar
(3) Report on USD 388 Presentation
(4) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Draft Minutes from City Committees
(2) Financial Reports for April, May and June
(3) Quarterly Recycle Report
(4) Department Update
4) Attorney
(1) Update on Code Violation Issues
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
7) EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
8) ADJOURNMENT

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 traffic stops and 6 animal calls Wed., Nov. 2, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–1200 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:02 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 3:43 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 9:46 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:52 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 11:14 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 18th St, Hays; 11:15 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–2700 block Indian Trail, Hays; 12:07 PM
Theft (general)–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2/27/16
Aggravated Battery–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 10/29 11:45 PM; 10/30 12 AM
Theft (general)–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2/27/16
Theft (general)–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2/28/16
Theft (general)–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2/29/16
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–27th and Vine, Hays; 1:42 PM
Counterfeit currency/documents–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 3:59 PM
Disorderly Conduct–300 block Main St, Hays; 4:54 PM; 4:58 PM
Fraud–100 block W 16th St, Hays; 5:17 PM
Suspicious Activity–4100 block Fillmore Dr, Hays; 4:30 PM; 6:27 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–1600 block Elm St, Hays; 7 PM; 7:30 PM
Drug Offenses–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 11/2 10:41 PM; 11/3 12:30 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 19 traffic stops and 5 animal calls Thu., Nov. 3, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:52 AM; 2:05 AM
Mental Health Call–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 7:11 AM
Animal At Large–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 8:39 AM
Dangerous Animal–100 block W 15th St, Hays; 9:57 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–7th and Elm, Hays; 12:15 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 2:12 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 6:34 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 11/3 11:25 PM; 11/4 12 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:40 PM

HOW MANY GROCERIES COULD YOU GRAB IN FIVE MINUTES?
Hays Sunrise Rotary Club Sponsors Grocery Grab to Benefit Ekey Park

The Hays Sunrise Rotary Club is sponsoring the second annual Grocery Grab on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. at the Dillons Store, 1902 Vine, Hays. Proceeds from the event will be used to improve Ekey Park, located at 19th and Holmes.

Each Grocery Grab entry cost $10 and are available for purchase at the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, 2700 Vine, or contact 785-621-3333.

The lucky winner will be given five minutes to grab free groceries at the store. Starting at the front of the store with an empty cart, the winner will race the clock to fill the basket. Once the basket is full, the winner may return to the front area for another cart – if he or she has time left. The public and the media are invited to attend.

The winner will be notified on Friday, Nov. 4, and the winner must be present on Nov. 9 to win. A few restrictions apply, including one must be 18 to participate and no pharmacy, alcohol or tobacco products are allowed to be part of the grab. There is also a limit of two items and one minute within the meat department.

Hays Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Thursday morning at 7am at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine St. Hays Sunrise Rotary has adopted Ekey Park, located at 19th and Holmes. Funds raised from this event will be used to support improvements such as playground equipment and other enhancements.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

City staff bid the Hays employee 2017 health insurance program recently and vetted 26 different proposals.

During a city commission work session Thursday night, Human Resources Director Erin Giebler said staff, with approval of the Wage and Benefit Committee, recommends a triple option plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The estimated cost is $1,719,500.

Giebler and City Manager Toby Dougherty believe the city is “lucky to have a premium increase in the single digits. Any year you get that is pretty amazing,” Giebler said.

“As we move forward and continue to absorb more increases, employees are just going to have to pay more. That’s just the way it is,” Dougherty said.

The increase isn’t just market-driven, he added, although that is part of it. It’s also utilization.

“We’ve had some pretty high-dollar claims the past few years–the law of averages,” Dougherty said. “If we get lucky and have a good claims year and lots of people take the high deductible plan, we could possibly come back next year with very similar arrangements (for 2018.) That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Dougherty and commissioners were quick to point out most groups are facing hikes in health insurance premiums.

“It’s no secret that every employer, state government and the Affordable Care Act all have been hit with really high premium increases,” Commissioner Henry Schwaller said. “I’m with the state health plan and I’m not satisfied.  I have to pay way more out-of-pocket than I ever have before and there are a lot more loopholes but I’m still very lucky to have it.”

Staff is also recommending the city provide a one-time $150,000 to match employee contributions to health savings accounts. The city has a $9,500  average-per-employee cap on health insurance.

Commissioners will consider the recommendation at a upcoming meeting.

By JORDAN HILDEBRAND
Kansas Wheat

Applications for research projects that can enhance Kansas wheat producers’ profitability are currently being accepted by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Wheat Alliance and the Kansas Crop Improvement Association for the 2018 fiscal year.

These organizations are committed to promoting innovation within the wheat industry by investing in promising research opportunities. Improving wheat producer productivity and profitability through wheat research is at the heart of the Kansas Wheat Commission’s mission, and we are proud to partner with other organizations to make a more innovative wheat industry. Each year Kansas Wheat provides nearly $2 million in funding for research projects, such as wheat breeding, wheat quality, disease screening, insect research, phenotyping, genotyping and many others.

“With the current rapidly evolving world of crop technology, Kansas Wheat Commissioners take their job of advancing wheat research very seriously,” says Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations for the Kansas Wheat Commission.  “Nearly one quarter of the Commission’s producer-funded budget is appropriated to wheat research.”

Many important projects have been funded with these research dollars. One notable example is the celiac-safe wheat that Dr. Chris Miller, director of wheat quality at Heartland Plant Innovations, is laying the foundation for creating. More information on the celiac safe wheat can be found on our website. The Kansas Wheat Quality Lab is also the recipient of research funds. The main function of the Wheat Quality Lab is to provide testing results for Kansas State University wheat breeders Allan Fritz and Guorong Zhang. Dr. Rebecca Miller, director of the Wheat Quality Laboratory, as well as student employees, provide evaluations of physical and chemical kernel characteristics, milling yield and flour and baking properties of promising experimental wheat lines. More than 30 projects supporting wheat innovation are currently being funded through this program.

“This year’s record-yielding crop demonstrated the value of wheat research,” said Harries. “While prices aren’t where they need to be, we’ve seen the genetic potential of these new varieties.”

The applicants should consider three goals when submitting a proposal: selecting research initiatives that support the industry’s ability to gain and sustain market shares both domestically and internationally, educating Kansas wheat producers about profitable technologies and cooperating with the wheat supply chain in order to adopt and implement technologies and innovations that support the profitability of Kansas wheat producers.

This initial request is for preliminary 2-page letters of intent that are due by November 30, 2016.  These 2-page documents will be reviewed by the committee with invitations for full proposals announced by December 19, 2016.  Projects currently funded in FY 2017 are NOT required to submit a letter of intent.  Full proposals for new and continuing projects will be submitted through Grants and Contracts according to a deadline set by that office. Final award announcements will be made in April 2017.

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

Flu season is here, and the holiday season is just around the corner. To ensure that you and your family can enjoy their time together, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas will be sponsoring no-cost flu shots scheduled Nov. 5 to 13.

BCBSKS is partnering with Dillons to cover all Kansans, ages 6 and older regardless of insurance coverage — will even cover you if you do not have coverage.

This is a great opportunity for those without insurance to receive protection from the flu without having to pay for the shot, organizers said. BCBSKS will be picking up the copay that generally comes with those who do have coverage.

Fifty-seven Dillons pharmacies in 27 different communities, stretching from Colby to Leavenworth and Manhattan to Arkansas City will be sponsoring the flu shots.

Simple steps to receive the no-cost flu shot:

• Visit a nearby Dillons pharmacy, Nov. 5 to13 during regular pharmacy hours
• Provide basic information such as name and date of birth
• Show an insurance ID card if you have coverage. If you do not have coverage, you do not need to display one.
• Bring the Dillion’s pharmacy consent form filled out.

For more information on the flu shots, a look at the vaccine information statements from the CDC, and to print the consent form, visit the BCKSKS website.