HaysMed associates once again rose to the United Way challenge contributing $60,000 to support local agencies. A special event was held Wednesday morning at HaysMed, where Dr. John Jeter, HaysMed CEO, presented a check for $60,000 to Sherry Dryden, executive director of United Way of Ellis County.

“Our associates are dedicated to Ellis County. Every year, you can count on them to contribute generously to the community,” Jeter said.

HaysMed associates had a successful internal United Way campaign and participated in the following fundraising activities in addition to the traditional annual pledge drive: a Basket Extravaganza during Hospital Week and, during the month of October, Chocolate Frenzy and jean badges. This year, 141 associates were first-time donors to the pledge drive portion of the campaign.

This year’s internal United Way team members include the following associates:

Amanda Pfannenstiel
Connie Kinderknecht
Courtney King
Cristina Meier
Crystal Raat
Deb Herrman
Emily Watson
Jennifer Gottwald
Mackenzie Lumpkin
Nikki Mihm
Paula Gnad
Sandi Schmidt
Stephanie Banker
Pam Mayers

KAJ

TOPEKA–It’s a message that most people have heard before, but it’s one that bears repeating: The time to prepare for severe winter weather is now.

“The current forecast is for bitter temperatures and wind chills with various amounts of snowfall across the state,” said Angee Morgan, deputy director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. “If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to check your home and car emergency kits and replenish any outdated supplies.”

Emergency kits should include a minimum three-day supply of water (one gallon per day per person), nonperishable high-energy foods, extra blankets, flashlights and extra batteries, a safe alternate heat source, extra medications and other essentials.
Pet owners are reminded to see to the needs of their pets, particularly if kept outdoors. When making your home emergency kit, make one for your pets, as well, with the same three-day supply of food and water, and other essentials. Ensure that your pet has a warm, dry shelter with straw or other bedding material, and access to food and water that is not covered by snow or ice. If you do not have a heated water dish, make sure to replace the water at least daily when temperatures drop below freezing. During particularly severe conditions, bring the pet indoors to a garage, mud room or other warm area.

Road travel is discouraged during extreme storm situations; however, if you must travel, you should take extra precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. Keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car at all times in case you get stranded or stuck in traffic. Arrange your travel plans so you can leave well ahead of bad weather and keep an emergency kit in your car.
Recommended items to include in your vehicle:
· Water
· Snack food
· Shovel
· Windshield scraper and small broom
· Flashlight
· Battery powered radio
· Extra batteries
· Matches
· Extra hats, socks and mittens
· First aid kit with pocket knife
· Necessary medications
· Blanket(s)
· Tow chain or rope
· Road salt and sand
· Booster cables
· Emergency flares
· Fluorescent distress flag

Information on winter driving tips is available from the Kansas Highway Patrol at https://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/259/Winter-Driving-Tips. You can also follow the Kansas Highway Patrol on Facebook and Twitter at www.kansashighwaypatrol.org.

If you must travel, get the latest road information from the Kansas Department of Transportation by calling 5-1-1 or visiting the Kandrive website at kandrive.org. To find information on road conditions when not in the state, call 1-866-511-5368.

For a complete list of items for a home or car emergency kit and for other helpful preparedness information, go to www.ksready.gov.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

A team of Fort Hays State University graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders won the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association Knowledge Bowl recently in Philadelphia.

The graduate students competed against 10 other teams in the finals at the 2016 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference. FHSU’s chapter of the national association will receive $750 for their student organization, and each of the five participants will receive $150 for the fee of the national certification exam.

“FHSU had a very good showing at the conference,” said Dr. Fred Britten, professor of communication sciences and disorders.

The FHSU chapter was also recognized as a Gold Level Chapter for meeting requirements including fundraisers and an advocacy event.

“We had 18 of the 22 graduate students who attended making presentations,” said Britten.

“Needless to say, people at the national level are taking recognition of FHSU and where we are located,” he said.

The five graduate students who won are: Andrea Burcham, Sublette; Jill Gfeller, Oakley; Samantha Ingham, Bonney Lake, Wash.; Valerie VanRoeyen, Grayslake, Ill.; and Whitney Wietfeld, West Point, Neb.

HACC

The Hays Regional Airport is a vital economic asset to our area, and various community partners are working together to promote this air service so critical to our success and quality of life.

Thanks to the Hays High DECA program, below is a link to a survey – we ask you take just a few minutes to complete this tool. Not only will this information be valuable for future planning and promotion of our air service, your time will also aid two Hays High students with their intensive DECA project.

We appreciate your support of the Hays Regional Airport and we thank you in advance for completing this survey.

https://www.quia.com/sv/763725.html

MANHATTAN – Kansas Farm Bureau recognized members and friends at its 98th annual meeting this week in Manhattan.

On Monday, the organization recognized its Friends of Agriculture. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture or rural Kansas. They included:

Jeff Davidson, Greenwood County, has served the agriculture industry for more than 40 years. In that time, he began the Southeast Kansas Weed Management Association, was on the team that brought the 4-H shooting sports program to Kansas, helped initiate a Kansas chapter of the National Prescribed Fire association and served as the coordinator for the Tallgrass Legacy Alliance for 12 years.

Dennis Gruenbacher, Sedgwick County, has served on the Sedgwick County Farm Bureau board and on KFB’s state ag advisory committees. For the last six years, he’s been active on the Kansas Soybean Commission and spent time on the National Biodiesel Board and Equus Beds Water Management Board.

Randy Lewis, Douglas County, served as KFB’s District 1 Administrator for 40 years. His service to the counties of District 1 was wide ranging and included helping support policy and advocacy efforts, young farmers and ranchers, safety, rural health, membership marketing and women’s activities and other various programs and services.

Jimmie Mengarelli, Crawford County, has been a 4-H and Youth Extension Agent for 31 years. He’s judged livestock youth projects across the state and served as the superintendent of sheep and goat departments at the Kansas State Fair for 25 years. Jimmie is also the chairman of the 4-H Livestock Committee.

Mark Ploger, Pratt County, has served the agricultural industry for more than 25 years. He’s been awarded the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Achievement award and service award. Mark was president of the Kansas Association of County Agricultural Agents as well as the Kansas Association of Extension Agents.
Les Regier, Johnson County, was the 2nd district administrator at Kansas Farm Bureau for 27 years. Over those years, he worked with hundreds of Farm Bureau volunteers in the ten counties he covered. In his role as district administrator he educated the county boards on Farm Bureau basics, brought new information to the boards, served as liaison to Kansas Farm Bureau, and encouraged all those around him.

As an excavating contractor for the past 49 years, Frank Van Fleet has worked with the City and Soil Conservation Service in Wyandotte County on hundreds of projects and soil conservation jobs to help keep soil erosion and pollutants out of the waterways of Wyandotte County. Frank has also worked with the mayors and the administrator’s office in Wyandotte County to overcome the obstacles an expanding city creates for farmers, such as livestock in the city, farm equipment on city streets, utility easements and conservation easements.

Jere White, Anderson County, has served as the executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association. He is a board member on both the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the U.S. Grains Council. Jere was the founder and chairman of the Triazine Network, a national coalition of growers involved with the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of the triazine herbicides, atrazine and simazine.

Richard, Michael and Brian Thompson, Norton County, received the Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award. This award goes to the farm family who exemplifies good land stewardship. The Thompsons focus on their most important resource–the soil. They know their livelihood is dependent upon it being healthy and productive. They believe their soil not only needs to be conserved, but rejuvenated with best management practices such as rotational grazing, cover crops and no-till.

Amy Cassel, Farm Bureau Financial Services Agency Manager, received KFB’s Partnership Award. This award recognizes someone from Farm Bureau Financial Services who has gone above and beyond for the state’s largest farm organization. Amy has been with Farm Bureau for 18 years and in that time, has been a huge supporter of Kansas Farm Bureau and its membership.