The USD 489 Board of Education voted to amend the current academic calendar at the December 12th board meeting and work session. The early release day originally scheduled for February 1st has been changed to February 8th.
USD 489 apologizes for any scheduling inconveniences this change may cause our families. On February 8th Hays will be hosting Randy Sprick. He is a nationally renowned speaker that tours the country educating school districts on developing safe and civil schools. Mr. Sprick will speak with district and regional staff on that date in an effort to kick-start the district’s research-based positive behavior support strategies that will be implemented over the next several years. As Mr. Sprick is attending another event in Western Kansas on February 9th, the district will see cost-savings for him to travel to our location.
USD 489 understands that much planning goes into caring for your children after school. The district appreciates your flexibility and assistance in this rare opportunity to encouraging positive behavior among our students in USD 489.
MANHATTAN – Officials at Kansas State University continue to investigate a sexual assault in a campus dorm.
The suspect in the assault was immediately identified and removed from residence hall property at the university, according to a media release. Police did not release the name of the suspect.
The university also has taken additional steps to mitigate any risk to the campus community stemming from the incident.
Kansas State University Police advise members of the university community to be aware of their surroundings, don’t be left alone, report crimes immediately when they occur, and to report any suspicious activity.
EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — A former Emporia State University assistant professor has refiled a federal discrimination lawsuit against the university and several administrators, and his wife has filed a separate lawsuit also claiming the school discriminated against her.
Melvin Hale and his wife, Angelica, who are black, allege in lawsuits filed last week that the school discriminated against them after they complained about a racial incident in April 2015 while they worked in the School of Library and Information Management. The Hales said school administrators originally did nothing, then conducted a biased investigation and retaliated against them. Both lost their jobs and they no longer live in Emporia.
Melvin Hale’s original lawsuit was dismissed at his request in October.
Emporia State says an investigation found no evidence of a hate crime against the Hales.
The Ellis County Emergency Communications Center is about to get a much-needed upgrade.
At Monday’s Ellis County Commission meeting, the commission approved the purchase of nearly $800,000 worth of communication equipment. The new equipment will bring Ellis County’s dispatch center up to date and give the county the possibility to serve as a regional 911 center.
Ellis County Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said they have been saving money received from a special tax on cellphone bills to pay for the equipment upgrades, meaning no property tax dollars will have to be spent on the project.
“Senate Bill 50 (SB50) money was introduced in 2011,” Myers said “It’s based off a certain percentage for every cellphone bill that is billed to Ellis County.”
Myers said currently Ellis County receives 97-percent of that money, or 60-cents per bill. The population of each county determines how much money the county gets back. The larger the population, the smaller percentage the county receives in return.
The fees received from SB50 can only be used for certain things involving 911 emergency services, which include the purchase of 911 equipment and upgrades.
According to Myers, the county has saved all the money it has received from the SB50 fund since it was passed in 2011 and have nearly $820,000 saved in the NG911 fund.
“That money can only be spent on this type of equipment,” said Myers.
The total cost of the equipment upgrades approved at Monday’s meeting is $789,629.25.
The upgrades include four and a half new dispatch consoles for the communications center in the basement of the law enforcement center, the call-taking software for the consoles, call logging equipment and upgrades to the Springhill Tower site.
The commission gave the approval – 3-0 – to purchase the consoles and tower site equipment at the end of this year for $599,304. The commission voted 2-1 to purchase the consolettes, the call recorder and the desksets – which are hardwired desk phones that can be used as radios for $187,325.55. Commissioner Dean Haselhorst voted against the purchase of the desksets.
According to Myers, the desksets would be used in the case of a major disaster and can be used anywhere there is an internet connection, but Haselhorst said they might never get used, although Myers said the desksets can be placed on people’s desk in the office and used in place of the radios.
Haselhorst also expressed frustration with the fact the county will buy new radios in the future. Myers said all the radios they currently have will still work with the new system, but they will have to continue buying radios because the hardware will be out of date. The county cannot use the SB50 money to buy radios, but Myers said they can use the money saved by using the SB50 funds to buy new radios.
The county plans to have all of the equipment arrive at approximately the same time so they can install the upgrades at one time.
The upgrades will allow Ellis County to serve as a regional 911 center in the case of an emergency. The county then could handle calls for any county that is on the state’s system and help direct emergency personnel.
Invenergy also presented the county with a donation of $2,675 for the equipment.
In other business, the commission agreed to allow the Public Works Department to help with the courthouse renovation project. Director Bill Ring said they could help move limestone posts and remove a concrete pad at the courthouse. They will also continue talking about having Public Works rebuild the sidewalk on the south side of the courthouse. The county’s in-kind donation for the two projects is approximately $8,080.
111th District Rep.-Elect Eber Phelps, D-Hays, gave the commission an update on the upcoming legislative session. He said he would like to come back in January for another update.
TOPEKA –Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today announced the appointment of Miki Bowman, Council Grove, as State Bank Commissioner.
Bowman is currently a Vice President of Farmers & Drovers Bank and has an extensive background in both the banking industry and the public sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and a juris doctorate from Washburn University School of Law. In her current position, Bowman served as a director, compliance officer, and trust officer for Farmers & Drovers Bank. Bowman has also served on committees for both Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) and the American Bankers Association, and she is a graduate of the KBA’s Bank Leaders of Kansas.
Following her time in the office of U.S. Senator Bob Dole, Bowman worked for the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight as an investigative attorney and for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as subcommittee counsel. Bowman was appointed to serve in President George W. Bush’s Administration to create the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) department of Congressional Affairs. She also served as policy advisor to DHS Secretary Tom Ridge.
“Miki brings a wealth of banking experience and knowledge from the public sector,” said Governor Brownback. “She will serve the industry with high professionalism and grace, and I am confident that her service will benefit our state.”
The State Bank Commissioner regulates all state-chartered banks and trust companies, savings and loan companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, and money transmitters. With the Banking Board as an advisor, the Bank Commissioner ensures the safety and soundness of state-chartered financial institutions.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the great State of Kansas as the State Bank Commissioner,” said Bowman. “I look forward to working closely with the financial services industry, Governor, and Legislature and to continuing the commitment of the Commission to ensure the integrity of our financial services providers.”
Bowman’s appointment requires confirmation by the Kansas Senate.
LILBURN, Georgia – After defeating the top-ranked team in the country to wrap up a perfect 2-0 week, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team was listed in the receiving votes category of the newly-updated WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, released Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 13) by the organization.
The Tigers picked up two crucial victories over in-state rivals last week, impressing enough coaches to put them back on the ballot. FHSU received a total of five points in the balloting process.
It was the second time FHSU has been mentioned in the poll after being ranked 25th following a 6-0 start to the season.
Two other MIAA schools join the Tigers in the poll, with Pittsburg State climbing one spot to third and Emporia State falling to fifth. This is the final poll the WBCA will release before the holiday break.
The Tigers will continue their seven-game home stand Wednesday (Dec. 14) when they host Tabor College at 5:30 p.m.
Below is the WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll for December 13, 2016.
Rank
School (1st Place Votes)
Record
Points
Last Week
1
Ashland (20)
10-0
595
2
2
California (PA)
10-0
570
3
3
Pittsburg State (1)
11-0
551
4
4
Bellarmine
8-0
501
5
5
Emporia State (1)
9-1
475
1
6
Virginia Union (2)
6-0
468
6
7
Angelo State
7-0
456
7
8
Alaska-Anchorage
7-1
439
8
9
Colorado State-Pueblo
10-0
415
9
10
California Baptist
11-2
367
10
11
Bentley
9-2
327
14
11
Lincoln Memorial
9-0
327
19
13
Drury
9-2
236
11
14
Seattle Pacific
8-0
230
23
15
Clayton State
8-1
224
20
16
Florida Southern
6-2
182
21
17
Arkansas Tech
7-1
176
NR
18
Northern State
8-1
174
25
19
Winona State
9-2
167
12
20
Queens (NY)
8-2
141
15
21
Limestone
6-2
129
13
22
Grand Valley State
7-2
102
16
23
Lewis
9-2
97
18
24
Wheeling Jesuit
7-1
67
NR
25
West Texas A&M
7-3
53
17
Others Receiving Votes: Saint Mary’s, TX (8-1) 45; Anderson, SC (6-1) 44; Johnson C. Smith (7-2) 35; Saginaw Valley State (7-2) 30; Central Oklahoma (9-0) 30; Claflin (7-2) 24; Newberry (6-2) 16; West Florida (5-1) 9; Caldwell (9-1) 8; Lander (4-2) 8; Nova Southeastern (7-2) 8; North Georgia (8-1) 8; Fort Hays State (8-2) 5; Point Loma Nazarene (7-2) 4.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a woman has died after a house fire in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Star reports firefighters responded to the fire Monday night. The Kansas City Fire Department says the unidentified woman was found in the home. She later died at a hospital.
KCKFD-confirmed fatality on S. 46th Terrace fire that occurred last night.
Phillipsburg resident Dennis Lee Rumbaugh passed away Sat. Dec. 10 at the Stormont Vale Hospital in Topeka at the age of 75. He was born July 14, 1941 in Smith Center, KS, the son of Jack & Bernice Eileen (Johnson) Rumbaugh. He worked for the Kansas Dept. of Transportation.
Survivors include his wife Carolyn of the home; his son, Bruce of Hays; 2 daughters, Jennie Christensen of Phillipsburg and Hollie Kendall of Logan; his stepbrother, Dennis Dirksen of Henderson, NV; 2 stepsisters; Dorene Robinson of Minden, NV and Donna Warren of Peterson, IA and 4 grandchildren.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Kyle Ermoian officiating.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Chapel with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society or Boy Scout Troop 101.
Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Lily Meier, 88, Hays, died Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.
She was born August 5, 1928 on the family farm north of Victoria, the daughter of Joseph and Salomia “Sally” (Rohleder) Dinkel. She graduated from Victoria High School in 1947. On October 8, 1955 she married Ralph Meier at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. He preceded her in death on May 31, 1974. She worked at Western Power in Great Bend, Kansas until moving to Hays after the death of her husband. She was a Customer Service Representative at Midwest Energy in Hays for many years. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, the VFW, St. John’s, and Hays Medical Center Auxiliaries, and was a volunteer at the Ellis County Historical Society. She was a friend of the Hays Public Library, was a Perpetual Adorer for many years, and enjoyed volunteering for numerous church functions and community events. She was a wordsmith, a historian, and was very artistic in doing all kinds of crafts. She enjoyed reading, bowling, crossword puzzles, and she enjoyed Halloween and decorating for the holidays. She loved spending time with her family, friends, and grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons; Mike Meier and wife Roberta of Beloit, Kansas, and David Meier of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, a daughter; Kathy Meier of Hays, six grandchildren; Matt Meier, Kurtis Meier, Kristen Meier, Elizabeth Meier, Vince Meier, and Kevan Meier, three sisters; Mary Ann Doerfler of Hays, Joanne Steinert and husband Sid of Munjor, Darlene Pfannenstiel of Shawnee, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother; Kenneth Dinkel, and two sisters; Dolores Tremblay and Patricia Brungardt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 15, 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 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service will be at 5:30 pm, followed by a combined Daughters of Isabella and VFW Auxiliary rosary at 6:30 pm, all on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Lily’s memory to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected]
Hays City Commissioner Henry Schwaller speaks on the KAYS Eagle Radio Morning Show last Friday.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The top managers for the city of Hays, City Manager Toby Dougherty, and Ellis County, County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, meet regularly. The elected governing bodies, not so much, and City Commissioner Henry Schwaller is unhappy about that.
“How often do we work with the county? Not enough and never,” according to Hays City Commissioner Henry Schwaller, although he concedes “there are things we do work and share on.”
Schwaller recently talked on the KAYS Eagle Radio Morning Show about the ongoing need for more and better cooperation between the county’s governing bodies.
“When I visited before the election with both county commission incumbent candidates, they were so excited about cooperating with the city,” Schwaller said. “They (Barb Wasinger and Dean Haselhorst) both said ‘We’ve got to meet with the city. We’ve got to share resources and equipment.’ And now we’re reaching out to them and they’re busy. Sometimes we get so involved in the day-to-day operations of the city and the county that we forget that we actually do have to coordinate.
“There is at least some communication happening now that wasn’t happening in the past” with regular meetings between Dougherty and Smith-Hanes, and Schwaller is glad of that.
“A year ago, I asked that we have a joint meeting and include the school board, if they could get together. Never happened. We’re all busy, but none of us is doing something so monumental we can’t take one extra night out of every four months and meet.
“The city commission is ready to go. It’s an open invitation,” Schwaller reiterated.
County Commissioner Barb Wasinger told Hays Post Monday evening she has talked with Schwaller and discussion of scheduling a city/county joint meeting is on the Dec. 19 county commission meeting agenda.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Elected leaders at the University of Kansas are voicing opposition to guns on campus.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the University Senate said it’s opposed “in the strongest possible terms” to campus carry in a resolution approved this month. The University Senate is made up of the Faculty Senate, Student Senate and Staff Senate.
In Kansas, public universities starting in July must allow anyone 21 or older to have concealed firearms on campus in buildings that don’t have security measures, including metal detectors. But the option is widely considered cost-prohibitive for most campus buildings.
Q: Will guns be allowed in KU housing?
A: This is a complicated question, and discussions on the issue are ongoing.
Despite the opposition, the University of Kansas and five other public universities in the state have been drafting policies to comply with the law. The Kansas Board of Regents is expected to approve them Wednesday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Medical laboratory operator Quest Diagnostics Inc. says a hack of an internet application on its network has exposed the personal health information of about 34,000 people.
The Madison, N.J.-based company says “an unauthorized third party” on Nov. 26 gained access to customer information including names, dates of birth, lab results and in some instances, telephone numbers. The stolen data did not include Social Security numbers, credit card accounts, insurance details or any other financial information.
Quest said Monday it is working with a cybersecurity firm and law enforcement to investigate the breach, while taking steps to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The company said it has notified affected clients by mail and has set up a dedicated number to field questions regarding the breach at (888) 320-9970.
SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a Salina man in connection with sexual assault.
On November 29, a woman contacted police after the woman’s preteen daughter told her she had been sexually assaulted in the summer of 2015 by 34-year-old Steven Snyder at a home in Salina, according to Police Captain Mike Sweeney.
Snyder was booked into the Saline County Jail late Monday morning on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties and kidnapping.
According to police Snyder was charged with kidnapping because he would not let the girl leave the residence.
OFFICE OF THE GOV.
