Fort Hays State University Relations and Marketing
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center and Mother Nature will supply the materials for guests to create nature silhouettes, a piece of artwork made out of leaves, plants and paint, during a free craft workshop 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at KWEC, 592 NE K-156 Highway on the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.
Jean Aycock, education director at KWEC, will facilitate in the KWEC classroom and outside as “artists” gather their plants and spray paint.
“We’ll be making a wonderful piece of wall-art made to fit in with home décor,” said Aycock.
This workshop is suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Call 1-877-243-9268 by Friday, June 3.
The Wetlands Center is administered by Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History.
For more than one hundred years, Americans have paused on Memorial Day to remember and mark the sacrifice of those who gave the “last full measure of devotion.” It is about our fallen heroes – children and spouses, siblings and cousins, friends and neighbors – and their fight for our freedom.
On this Memorial Day, let’s recall that President Lincoln first tasked our nation’s Department of Veteran Affairs with the noble responsibility: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” While many Veterans are well-served by the VA, many, many others report to me that the VA has failed them and this sacred duty.
From my key position on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I hear and see some of the worst failures of President Obama’s VA: manipulated wait times, doctors who come in drunk, employees who participate in armed robbery and deal illegal drugs, and big bonuses for ‘leadership’ at failing VA hospitals. I grill and question top VA executives, Obama appointees, and career bureaucrats for answers – but most evade accountability, almost none are fired.
Within a culture of non-accountability, some of our best hard-working employees are never recognized, while the worst bureaucrats, those who harm our veterans or cover it up, are rarely punished. In response to this crisis, I helped pass the VA Accountability Act through the House to give the VA Secretary the authority – thus the responsibility – to remove, to fire those who harm our Veterans and pad their pockets.
Shockingly though, Senate Democrats refuse to allow a vote and have blocked accountability every step of the way. Even worse, the VA Secretary – yes, the one who just said that it doesn’t matter how long Veterans are forced to wait for life-changing care – has fought this very bill. And worst of all, the man who leads the entire VA, President Obama, has chosen to stand with these failed employees and their labor unions instead of protecting our Veterans.
This troubling culture of non-accountability is not a new problem, but to have a President and his VA Secretary attack the whistleblowers, deride Veteran complaints, and argue wait times don’t matter is frankly appalling. It is an abandonment of the promise of Lincoln. And it is unacceptable.
Rest assured, on this Memorial Day and throughout the year, I will not give up this battle for accountability, for better care and benefits for our brave Veterans. They deserve no less. They deserve so much more. And I’m bound and determined to force this Administration, and the ones to come, to make accountability central to care of America’s Veterans.
Congressman Tim Huelskamp represents the First District of Kansas and holds a key position on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. His office has helped well over 1,000 Veterans with casework, much of it relating to problems with the VA.
99 KZ Country is celebrating Beef Month by giving you the chance to win a $200 Beef Bundle from Heartland Foods of WaKeeney.
Listen for the herd of cows on KHAZ weekday mornings with Theresa Trapp. That’s the cue to call 785-628-2995 to register for the drawing. One registration per person per day. No age requirement to register.
Heartland Foods of WaKeeney is open seven days a week at 401 Russell Avenue in WaKeeney. Stop in and see the wide selection in the meat market. They are proud to be the Beef Month sponsor on KHAZ. Find them on Facebook too.
Winner will be announced May 27, 2016.
Winner will need to pick up the prize certificate at the KHAZ Studio, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS within thirty days of winning.
In response to a request made by the city of Hays, the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources has issued a control order restricting the watering of lawns or other vegetation from private wells from noon to 7 p.m. from June 1 through Sept. 30.
The order was signed into effect on May 26.
This measure is part of a greater interest to reduce water waste and to improve conservation practices in the area of the Intensive Groundwater Use Control Areas located in Hays.
The IGUCA in Hays was established in 1985 at the request of the city to help implement water conservation measures. It provides a mechanism to address preventable water waste by privately owned wells.
Currently, the city prohibits the following: washing sidewalks, parking lots and driveways; allowing loss of water through leaks in plumbing systems or by runoff onto sidewalks or into the street guttering from watering yards; and the watering of lawns between noon and 7 p.m. between June 1 and Sept. 30.
By restricting daytime watering of lawns, landscapes and gardens, the loss of useable water due to the effects of wind and solar affects can be reduced, thus conserving the resource for beneficial use.
All Kansans should be concerned with the conservation of natural resources, including water, and look for ways to implement improved conservation measures in our homes and businesses.
The third annual Hays Recreation Commission’s Opening Day ceremony was a success.
The event kicks off the spring baseball, softball and T-ball seasons by introducing each team on the fields of the Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex in Hays.
The night also is used to honor the Mike F. Schippers Inspirational Coach of the Year for baseball and softball.
The Mike F. Schippers Inspirational Coach of the Year Award winners for this year were Megan Herrman and Kenda Leiker for softball, and Chris Corsair for baseball.
Megan was nominated by several parents on her coach-pitch team last season,” according to Hays Rec’s Keith Smith.
“They all said the same thing, and raved on how Megan, and her assistants, worked so well with the all the girls, and made sure every girl felt included as part of a team,” he said.
Kenda was nominated by her daughter, Kamree.
“We’ve always said, there is a special place in heaven for those who coach their son or daughter, and Kenda was so good, her daughter nominated her,” Smith said. “Kamree said her mother treats all of the girls on the team the same, and talks to each player and gets to know them as a person. She added her mother does a good job of making us work together as a team, and finds out each of our strengths”
Chris Corsair was nominated by both parents, and a player from his team from last year. They praised Chris’ attention to detail planning.
“All of the kids on his team grew as players and people from being around Chris and his staff,” one parent added.
Several members of the Schippers family were on hand, and presented the awards.
Eugene Milton Reinhardt, age 90, of Sun City, Arizona died suddenly February 1, 2016 at Boswell Hospital from an apparent intestinal rupture. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Gene was born in rural Russell County, Kansas to Milton and Rose Karst Reinhardt. His sister Rose Lee Reinhardt Frazier Carter preceded him in death. He attended Three Corners School and graduated from Russell High School in 1944. Because of his father’s adventuring spirit, Gene began piloting airplanes at age 12 and became the Kansas State Junior Champion Trap Shooter at age 14. In high school, he was an outstanding athlete lettering in track, football, basketball and baseball. All his life he was passionate about team sports, bird hunting, fishing and golf.
Even before high school graduation, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was proud to be part of an air-sea rescue unit stationed in Saipan. After returning from WWII, he attended Kansas University. He experienced the frustrations of farming in Logan County, western Kansas. In 1947, he married Faye Uhland Hellener of Larned, Kansas. This marriage was blessed with two daughters—Cynthia Bolinger, (husband Dave) of Warsaw, MO and Kim BaxaRumburg (husband Larry) of Ulysses, KS.
In the mid-1950’s, with the encouragement of Dick Shields, Eugene foundedReinhardt Services, an oil well service company. He and his crews worked from four stations until his retirement in 1985.
Gene and Barbara Hufft Spacil of Ellinwood, Kansas were married in 1972. This marriage brought into his life three children—Steven Spacil (wife Cathleen) of South Weber, UT; Michael Spacil of Auburn, Kansas and Melanie Weinhold Rehmert (husband Tony) of Dodge City, Kansas.
Gene was a Shrine member of the Salina, Kansas temple, member of the Elks Club and the VFW. He and Barbara retired to Sun City, Arizona where they have enjoyed an active social life and where Gene continued golfing even into the last week of his life usually besting players much younger than himself. Gene had a youthful zest for life. He brought donuts to the girls at the pharmacy, challenged the men at the golf course, loved and encouraged his children, was steadfast in his friendships and was inspired by his beautiful and loving wife Barbara. He is greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Barbara of the home, his five children, grandchildren Ryan Bolinger of Roseville, MN; Clayton Bolinger of Shawnee, KS; Julie BaxaFawdington of Cyprus, TX; Matt Baxa of Canyon, TX; Savannah Spacil and Mandy Heath of South Weber, UT; Ross Spacil of Phoenix, AZ; Brian Spacil of Wichita, KS; and Rachael Weinhold Nunez of Phoenix, AZ and 15 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Eugene’s life will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, June 4th at the Dole-Specter Conference Room at the Fossil Creek Inn in Russell, Kansas. Military Rites will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. #6240. A private interment in the Russell City Cemetery will take place before the celebration. Memorials may be given to the Shriners Hospital for Children or Pitty Paws Bully Rescue of Phoenix and mailed to: Royal Oaks, 9915 Royal Oak Road #1062, Sun City, AZ 85351. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the memorial services.
Della Rosa Johnston, 94, passed away in Topeka, Kansas on May 23, 2016. She was born in the Rooks County Township south of Logan on January 10, 1922 to Massie and Mae McCue. Della shared her youth with 2 sisters and 1 brother growing up during the Great Depression on a farm south of Logan, Kansas.
Della met and married a neighbor boy, Gerald Johnston, on June 20, 1943. Della lived and worked with Gerald farming south of Logan. They farmed until 1968 when they moved to Stockton, Kansas. While in Stockton, she cared for the children of many working parents and made many friends. She did the same while living in Hays when she was in her 80’s. She moved to Topeka in 2013.
Della enjoyed being busy raising the family and was an accomplished cook, everyone enjoyed her meals.
Della was a member of the Christian Church in Stockton for many years.
Della is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Gerald. She is survived by her son, Roger (Beverly); daughter, Linda Benson; son, Bruce (Sally) and son, Rick (Teri); 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Della is also survived by her sister, Blanche Allen.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 27th at Dove Cremation & Funeral Service, 4020 SW 6th Ave. in Topeka. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be in Stockton, Kansas at a later date. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Thursday’s storm front that ripped through Kansas once again used Hays as its starting point.
Early rainfall totals in Hays were in the 0.02- to 0.04-inch range, while just to the east of the city, totals increased to more than a third of an inch.
Russell County received a healthy rain, with most reports there at approximately 1 inch.
The storm deposited much more substantial rain to the east, including Dickinson County — still reeling from a tornado earlier this week. The Abilene region received nearly 3 inches of rain in portions of Dickinson County.
The highest report in the state was in the eastern Kansas county of Osage, where there was a report of 4.46 inches of rain.
More storms are possible Friday. Click HERE for the complete extended forecast.
Local senior center Ellis Estates has recently completed a second building next to its existing facility. Located at 1301 E. 33rd in Hays, it offers brand-new 1,400 square-foot double and single apartments.
Ellis Estates is owned by Bainter Housing based in Hoxie. The facility houses 32 total rooms, with six rooms to a section in the new addition. The original red structure holds 12 rooms with four to a section, and was completed just over a year ago, according to general manager Vince Newell.
Newell also serves the role of handyman and is the only employee on the property.
Single rooms start at $1,000 per month, and double rooms start at $1,425 per month. Rooms include all bills paid, a washer and dryer, and an attached garage.
For more information or to get a tour, contact Vince Newell at (785) 623-0584.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
Crossing into China on my 18th visa, this is the first time that I will not be working with teacher trainers at a Chinese normal university. Eighteen of the 26 universities I work with have “normal university” or “teacher’s college” in their name, although nearly all have become full service universities.
America dropped “normal” and “teacher” from university names in our massive expansion of American universities in the 1960’s to accommodate the “baby boom” generation. China has kept the name “normal” despite their universities also becoming full-service during their massive 16-fold university expansion beginning in 1996.
“Why did America call teacher’s colleges ‘normal’?” has been often asked and I am not sure that many American professors today would know the answer. It was derived from the French “E’cole Normale” which meant a school for teachers and had no relationship to our common usage of the word “normal.” But the education of teachers in China is nothing like “normal” American teacher training.
One major difference is that China has traditionally only required three years of college training for elementary school teachers, although some universities in the developed zones are now requiring four years. However, China teaches far more math and science in their elementary and high schools. As a result, in math and science knowledge, their high school graduates already surpass our “elementary ed” college graduates.
And except for Central China Normal University in Wuhan, China trains all of its high school teachers in the content departments. In America, the majority of high school teachers are trained in Education School programs. This is the case at the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Wichita State University. In many of our former U.S. normal schools, represented by Fort Hays, Pittsburg and Emporia State Universities, the secondary program is also jointly overseen by the content departments. But these programs are still controlled by American accrediting agencies that require substantial and ever-changing “methods” courses. The number of credit hours in U.S. education methods can often exceed the content coursework.
Not so in China. China trains its high school teachers alongside its undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in research, industry, or professional studies. That means that in my field of biology, they receive essentially the same solid biology foundation that students receive who are pursing fish and game, pre-med, pre-dental, or other biology careers. Their professors are practicing biologists who are pursuing research in modern biology, so these teacher candidates learn up-to-date molecular biology and the full range of cutting edge anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, etc.
But in America, most states, similar to Kansas, go through expensive and time-wasting revisions of what “standards” we must require of our teacher training programs. Here in China, it is the constant progress of science that sets the standards. No stupid arguments over evolution or sex education or global warming. No millions of dollars spent rewriting the state of science and no professionals’ time wasted on this unending but irrelevant task of resetting “goals and outcomes,” aligning or mapping curriculum. Gravity, the Table of Chemical Elements, and human anatomy are the same worldwide. Yet the Kansas universities run by Ed Schools don’t even require their biology teachers to take anatomy and physiology!
Ed School advocates are eager to point out that some folks who are highly trained in science—perhaps straight from industry—and enter the classroom without methods training are often miserable failures. They would like you to believe that the opposite is just fine—that you can teach with Ed School training when you know absolutely nothing about the content. But any country bumpkin knows, whether in China or the United States, that you can’t teach what you don’t know.
The secondary biology teachers trained over here know a lot more science. And they do get some coursework and practice in teaching methods specific to their content department. It is nothing as expansive as the one-size-fits-all-fields, bloated and tedious busywork that is required in Ed Schools. It consists of some very practical aspects of communication and alternate ways to explain, demonstrate and test.
As a result, China has not wasted the last 40 years promoting cure-all educational fads that change every three years: individualized instruction, diagnostic instruction, open classrooms, back-to-basics, every-teacher-a-reading-teacher, every-teacher-a-special-ed-teacher, Madeline Hunter 7-step lesson plans, cooperative learning, outcomes-based education, or the current worship of all things digital.
China’s content-based teacher training has generated new generations of scientists who fill their universities and next year will surpass the United States in authorship of research in the top worldwide journals “Science” and “Nature.” And science literacy in their young general population exceeds ours.
If they don’t need education schools, why would we?
Today A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East southeast wind around 8 mph becoming west after midnight.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 57. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east southeast in the evening.
SundayA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Memorial DayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Monday NightShowers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
BARTON COUNTY– One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. on Thursday in Barton County
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 GMC Yukon driven by Emma A. Ricker, 16, Ellinwood, was southbound in the 200 block of southeast 130 Avenue four miles south of Ellinwood.
The SUV’s passenger side tires left the roadway. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle skid across to the east ditch, rolled, and landed in a wheat field.
Ricker was transported to Great Bend Regional Medical Center.
Seven other teens in the SUV were not injured.
The passengers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 3 million spill-proof cups for children between 4 and 12 months old are being recalled by Mayborn USA because of the risk of mold that could cause sickness.
Ingestion of the mold can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and infections in those with compromised immune systems. Mayborn has received more than 3,000 reports of mold in the removable, one-piece, opaque valve of the cups, including 68 reports of children experiencing diarrhea, vomiting or other symptoms associated with drinking from a cup with mold in the valve.
This recall involves five types of spill-proof Tommee Tippee Sippee cups, all with a removable, one-piece white valve. Consumers should stop using them and contact Mayborn for a free replacement or go here for replacement details.
