The annual Youth Upland Hunt is scheduled for this weekend in Hays.
Smoky Hill Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife is hosting the 11th annual youth hunt this Saturday at the Hays City Sportsman Club.
Saturday’s event is held in memory of former volunteers Darrell Brown, La Vern Steiben, LeRoy Culbreath and Sid Carlile.
The hunt designed for youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age not only will give participants a chance to harvest at least 4 birds, but they also will learn how to hunt with dogs and how they are trained, field safety, gun handling, how to clean and prepare birds, and what type of habitat to look for when hunting upland birds.
Hunts like this one are part of the Kansas Hunter Recruitment and Retention Program called “PASS IT ON.” The program addresses the need to recruit new hunters and retain existing hunters in order to ensure the future of hunting.
For more information or to register, contact Shayne Wilson at (785) 628-1415 8am-5pm. Monday through Friday. There is no charge for the hunt.
Margaret “Joyce” Walters, 82, Hays, died Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.
She was born November 21, 1933 on the family farm North of Walker, Kansas the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Frank) Copp. On May 10, 1954 she married Alexius “Lex” Walters in Hays. He died January 30, 1987. She was an RN at Hadley Hospital, worked at Travenol for many years, and was a Senior Companion for 18 years. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and needlepoint, and tending to her yard and flower garden.
She is survived by a son; Richard A. “Rich” Walters of Glendale, AZ, a granddaughter; Melissa Marie Wilson, a grandson; Alex-John Michael Wilson, and a great grandson; Alex-John Michael Wilson, Jr.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son David A. Walters in 2010, three brothers; Theodore F. Copp, Charles G. Copp, and an infant brother Paul Copp, and four sisters; Alma B. Long, Mildred A. Sundstrom, Edna M. Tickel, and Nadine H. Brungardt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service will be at 6:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested in Joyce’s memory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or to masses, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a second suspect in a Kansas City, Kansas, homicide and continue looking for a third.
Police said in a news release that 20-year-old D’Adrian Jones turned himself in Thursday. It wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney. Police continue looking for his 19-year-old brother, Kavon Jones.
Homicide suspect from 43rd & State surrendered w/ his attorney present to detectives.
They have been charged in Wyandotte County with first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Clarence Buford, of Kansas City, Kansas. Buford was killed Sept. 26 in a strip mall parking lot, and police arrested the first suspect the next day.
Police said Kavon Jones should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to call police or a tips hotline.
The Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association will hold its November meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Thirsty’s Banquet Room, 2704 Vine. Registration is between 11:15am – 11:30am with a short business meeting starting at 11:30am.
The program for the November meeting will be “Strategic Trust Building” presented by Ruth Bealer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Midwest Energy. The presentation counts for 1 hour of Strategic Credit under HRCI and SHRM.
If you are interested in attending the November meeting as a guest, please RSVP to [email protected] no later than noon Friday, Nov. 4.
WKHRMA is an affiliate chapter of Society for Human Resource Management, a local professional organization for persons engaged in personnel or human resource management. For more information on WKHRMA, visit www.wkhrma.org
SHAWNEE COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a Friday morning shooting.
Just before 3:30 a.m., a 20-year-old man arrived at a Topeka hospital suffering from gunshot wounds that appear to be non-life threatening, according to a media release.
Police set up a crime scene in the 1300 Block of SW Western Avenue.
Ferdinand Niemann and Aaron White talk to city commissioners about plans for building an extended-stay hotel in Hays.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
After canceling the past two meetings, the Hays City Commission was back in action Thursday night for the first time since Sept. 22. Commissioners faced a lengthy 11-item agenda, yet were able to get through the work session in less than 90 minutes.
Economic development proposals dominated the agenda and all moved forward to the Oct. 27 city meeting agenda for further consideration.
The proposed Townplace Suites hotel would be built just north of I-70 and Vine Street.
Hays Extended Stay Hotel Partners LP is requesting two Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) for construction of a $9.64 million, 80-room Townplace Suites directly north of IHOP and Hampton Inn.
“They’re ready to start, pretty much next month, with construction,” said attorney Ferdinand Niemann of White Goss, the Kansas City firm representing the Liberty, Missouri-based developer. “Ferguson Hotel Group–a preferred builder for Marriott–is going to be the one that is actually going to do the construction. David Christie has the land now. He’s contributing the land as part of the development.”
“It’s nice to hear somebody that’s coming forward to the city with a CID that’s actually ready to start doing what they’re asking for,” Hays Mayor Shaun Musil commented, “so I appreciate that. I think the extended-stay hotel is a good idea for Hays.”
“We know the developer,” Commissioner Henry Schwaller pointed out. “This is the third project they’ve done–all of it successful. I would have no problem supporting it.” Ferguson Hotel Development also built the Hays Fairfield Inn, 377 Mopar Drive. (Corrected, 10:26 a.m., 10/21/16)
City commissioners agreed to move the CIDs request to next week’s meeting for further discussion.
“I like the transparency of the CID application,” said Commissioner Lance Jones, “just the process in general.”
All the commissioners commended Aaron White, Ellis Co. Coalition for Economic Development executive director, for his work on the project. “This is so much better than the last time we did this. I read through this several times trying to find questions to ask but if you read the packet and application, the answers are in there,” Jones added.
The hotel design does not include a large gathering space, something Musil said residents want.
“Because it’s extended-stay, it’s built more for the actual occupants,” Niemann said. “There’s a little convenience store and some common areas. Each room has its own kitchenette and living space–not really a convention hotel.”
A feasibility study provided to the developer determined there’s a need for an extended-stay hotel in Hays.
“They’re projecting about 68% occupancy the first year and then get up to about 76% occupancy within four years,” Niemann added.
Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp reviews the fiscal impact of the requested CIDs.
Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp explained how the requests would affect the city.
The first 1% CID would be for the property. The second 1% CID would encompass the hotel property and the new travel plaza already under construction immediately north of the proposed hotel. Proceeds from both CIDs would go to reimburse Hays Extended Stay Hotel Partners for costs associated with construction. The travel plaza developer, JT Travel Plaza, LLC, will not benefit from either incentive.
Each CID district would impose a 1% tax for 22 years. The developer is asking for reimbursement of $1.73 million of the CID eligible expenses.
It’s estimated the two CID districts could generate $2.1 million in revenues. The Marriott hotel expects to create 23 jobs. Analysis shows $939,019 in real estate taxes would be paid and slightly more than $8 million in city sales tax generated over the 22 years.
Commissioners asked for an estimate of the hotel transient guest tax that would be generated to be provided for the Oct. 27 commission meeting.
“There are two CIDs currently in place in Hays,” Rupp reminded the commissioners. “There is a 2% CID at the Holiday Inn Express, 4650 Roth, which started collections in late 2010 by the same developer submitting the petition for the extended stay hotel. There is also a 1% CID at Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine, which began in mid-2015.”
“The city’s economic development policy provides that these are a pay-as-you-go incentive, meaning the developer will pay for the cost of the project upfront and then can be reimbursed for eligible costs by the CID,” Rupp explained.
“Therefore, there is no monetary liability on the part of the city of Hays on a CID.”
The retail development would consist of a 50,000 square foot building to be used by a national retailer and another 23,000 square feet of retail space.
Niemann pointed out David Christie is also involved in a separate second project to develop a 73,000 square foot retail space directly north of Home Depot which would require another 1% CID.
The Heart of America Industrial Park Second Addition development will require extension of 9th Street east to Commerce Parkway.
Commissioners agreed to move forward with that request as well as the continued development of the Heart of America Industrial Park on south Commerce Parkway in east Hays.
A benefit district would be established to fund the extension of 9th Street east to Commerce Parkway.
SHAWNEE, Okla. – The 25th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team improved to 9-3-1 on Thursday with a 3-1 win at Oklahoma Baptist. The Bison dropped to 9-6-1 overall.
Oklahoma Baptist struck first and early when it managed to get on the board in the 6th minute. Jesus Andrade sent a ball into the box that Sam Smith was able to get his head on, and it beat FHSU keeper Alex Rodela for the first goal of the match.
The Tigers got the equalizer in the 25th minute when Luis Mendezscored the first of his two goals on the night. Michael Cole slotted a ball between two defenders that Mendez took and beat the keeper to the left side. Mendez then made it a 2-1 game when he found the back of the net again exactly three minutes later, this time on the receiving end of a Mauricio Castorinio pass that split two defenders.
Luis Torres extended the Tiger lead to 3-1 at the 61:31 mark with his seventh goal of the year. Once again Castorino set up the goal, this time on a ball crossed from the left side of the field that Torres took and beat the keeper to the far post.
Alex Rodela picked up his second consecutive win for the Tigers and is now 4-0 on the season. He stopped two of the three shots on goal that he faced.
The Tigers are back in action on Saturday in Bethany, Okla. against Southern Nazarene, looking for their third consecutive win. The match is set for 1 pm.
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Facing a deficit at every turn, the Fort Hays State volleyball team rallied on multiple occasions to defeat Lindenwood in five sets Thursday evening. The win gives the Tigers (20-6, 6-5) a second-straight 20-win season for the first time since 2003-04. Lindenwood falls to 8-12 overall and 4-6 in MIAA play after the loss.
Fort Hays State is now 4-0 in five-set matches this season, while the Lady Lions dip to 2-2 in matches that go the distance.
The Tigers hit .177 for the match, racking up 62 kills, 53 assists and 11 blocks. FHSU held the Lady Lions to a .130 hitting percentage, with the home team posting eight blocks and five service aces.
Crystal Whitten led the Tigers with her 14th double-double of the season, chipping in 21 kills and 21 digs to become the first Tiger with a 20-20 match since Lilian Rezende accomplished the feat three times in 2008. Megan Anderson added a career-high 15 kills with just four errors, totaling a .379 hitting percentage. Callie Christensen posted eight blocks (one solo) to go along with eight kills and a .353 swing rate. Senior setter Hannah Wagy topped the 50-set plateau for the fifth time this year, accumulating 50 assists, two kills, two blocks and nine digs. Libero Kailey Klibbe recorded a match-high 23 digs.
The Tigers were strong from the first serve, jumping out to a 9-4 lead to open the match after back-to-back kills from Whitten. Lindenwood rallied to take the lead, scoring seven of the next eight points. Fort Hays State grabbed a slim lead shortly after, 14-13, but another big run from the Lady Lions put the set out of reach.
Fort Hays State took the lead in the second set and never looked back, never trailing in the frame. After Lindenwood tied the score at one, the Tigers captured the next two points to grab the lead for good. Leading 8-6, FHSU scored nine of the next 12 points to extend an eight-point lead, prompting the Lady Lions to burn their second timeout of the set. After the home team closed within five (18-13), the Tigers put the set on ice by outscoring the Lady Lions 7-2 down the stretch with Chandler Hillman delivering the final blow with a perfect serve between the defenders dropping in for an ace.
Although the Tigers stayed within striking distance, the Lady Lions led for the majority of the third frame before taking a 2-1 lead in the match with a 25-23 win. Any time Lindenwood would string together a few points, the Tigers would answer to narrow the gap. After the Lady Lions extended a 23-20 lead, a service error and a kill from Anderson helped the Tigers close within one. Lindenwood then went to Jessica Krygsheld, its leading hitter with 14 kills, for the final two points of the set.
The Tigers again answered back with a strong fourth set, never trailing in the frame and hitting .306, their best set of the day. Service aces from Azlyn Cassaday and Rebekah Spainhour helped the Tigers extend a 5-1 lead early in the set, and the rout was on. The Lady Lions picked up points on their serve just four times in the frame, with FHSU siding out at a 75% rate. Conversely, Fort Hays State tallied 13 points while serving, holding LWU to a .054 hitting percentage. A block from Wagy and Spainhour brought the set to a close and sent things to a deciding fifth set.
Both teams had their chances in the final frame, in which there were eight ties and four lead changes. The Tigers appeared to have the match in hand after they extended a 12-7 lead behind three-straight Lindenwood attack errors, but the Lady Lions strung together six-consecutive points to take a 13-12 lead. Consecutive Lady Lion errors gave the Tigers match point, but the home team again bounced back to tie things up at 14. Anderson handed FHSU a serve for the match with a kill before Christensen delivered the final swing on an over pass from Lindenwood, securing the 16-14 fifth set victory.
The Tigers will return to the floor on Friday, October 21 when they face off with 15th-ranked Central Missouri at 7 p.m. in Warrensburg, Mo. The Tigers and Jennies (15-6, 5-4) currently sit in a virtual tie for fifth place in the MIAA. Fort Hays State topped UCM in their meeting earlier this season, just the second win over the Jennies in program history.
HAYS, Kan. – The Hays High boys soccer closed out their regular season with a win Thursday, blanking TMP-Marian 4-0 at the Hays High field.
Hays High led 2-0 at the half. The Monarchs gave up own goal in the first minute, then senior Michael Reyes scored in the 11th minute. Ethan Nunnery and Jacob Maska both scored on the second half on assists from Zach Wagner and Trey McCrae respectively.
Both teams now await regional pairings and the first round of regionals next week.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The assumption all along has been that the Chiefs’ Spencer Ware would provide a nice stop-gap at running back until Jamaal Charles returned to full-time duty from his devastating knee injury.
Ware showed last weekend that he’s not going anywhere.
In fact, he made quite an argument for bringing Charles out of the bullpen in a relief role.
The bruising fantasy darling ran 24 times for 131 yards and a touchdown to lead Kansas City to a 26-10 victory in Oakland . Ware also had a couple of nice catches, showcasing some of the same versatility that had made Charles a mainstay in the lineup.
“When you talk about Jamaal, you’re talking about a Hall of Fame player. We always say, ‘You’re not going to replace Jamaal, that’s not what you do,”‘ Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “But I don’t want to take anything away from Ware and the way he plays. He’s so tough.
“Having them both out there,” Reid added, “that’s a win-win, I think.”
Indeed, Charles had more carries last weekend in his second game back from a torn ACL, and even found the end zone for the first time in more than a year. But it was Ware who carried the bulk of the load, and the former LSU standout will likely do the same on Sunday against New Orleans.
It was an especially encouraging sign given his struggles holding onto the ball lately.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors say an anti-Muslim militia group in Kansas first came to the government’s attention when one member contacted FBI agents and became a confidential source.
The new details came in a government court filing in the case of three men accused of conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where 120 Somali immigrants live in the western Kansas meatpacking town of Garden City.
Prosecutors say the men pose a “substantial danger” to the community and should stay jailed until trial.
Two are due in court Friday and the third on Monday.
Patrick Stein, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. They were arrested in what the government calls a foiled plot to attack the apartment complex on Nov. 9.
RILEY COUNTY –Investigators are working to determine the cause of a Friday morning house fire in Manhattan.
Today Sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon.