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Hays named Tree City USA for 37th year

Mayor Eber Phelps accepts the Tree City USA flag from Hays Beautification Committee Member Jim Strine.
Mayor Eber Phelps accepts the Tree City USA flag from Hays Beautification Committee Member Jim Strine.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

This year’s annual observation and celebration of Arbor Day in Hays at Kiwanis Park, 17th and Harvest Ave., included designation as a “Tree City USA” for 2015.

According to Jim Strine of the Hays Beautification Committee, this is the 37th year the city has been so recognized The program was started just 40 years ago by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Strine told Thursday’s crowd, which included the Wilson School second graders, that four core standards must be met in the program.

“The city has to have a tree board or advisory committee to advise on tree care in the city. That’s one of the things the Hays Beautification Committee does, working with the Parks Department to improve the tree situation in Hays.   There must be a city ordinance that talks about how trees are cared for.  You have to have an Arbor Day program just like we’re doing here today.  And the fourth one, the city has to spend two dollars for every Hays resident each year (on a community forestry program.)”

Strine then presented the Tree City USA flag to Hays Mayor Eber Phelps. “I think it’s really great the city has been committed to 37 years for improving the tree situation in Hays,” Strine said.

Hays is one of 100 communities in Kansas to be designated as a “Tree City USA” in 2015.

KSU responds after lawsuit alleges school ignored off-campus rapes

photo KSU
photo KSU

MANHATTAN-  Kansas State University Vice President for Student Life Pat Bosco issued a statement Friday after reports this week that  two female students sued the University, alleging it has refused to investigate their rapes at off-campus fraternity houses.

Bosco wrote: The K-State family must continue to act together to make sure everyone is safe, respected and supported. We all share in the collective responsibility to report and respond to incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and harassment.

Recently, there has been heightened awareness surrounding these issues nationwide. They are serious and must be addressed.

At K-State, we have taken many steps to educate the university community about prevention, how to respond, and the many resources available to students and employees. Please know that it is also my personal commitment to ensure we do everything we can under the law and university policy to investigate any reported acts of sexual violence. We take these situations seriously and are tireless in helping and supporting my students. However, when we receive a report, we also are committed to maintaining confidentiality to protect those involved. This means we will not comment publicly about sexual assault cases or respond to claims made in the media.

If you, or someone you know, have experienced sexual violence, please let us know. A wide array of support services are available for our students and employees. Confidential, caring help is not far away.

The K-State Center for Advocacy Response and Education, or CARE, offers confidential advocacy and support services to any member of the K-State community who has experienced sexual assault, dating violence, stalking or harassment. The CARE office is a safe place for survivors to explore their options, receive support from trained advocates and obtain referrals to other campus and community resources. Contact the office at 785-532-6444 or www.k-state.edu/care.

K-State Counseling Services and the K-State Family Center also offer confidential therapeutic support. Contact K-State Counseling Services at 785-532-6927 or www.k-state.edu/counseling; and the K-State Family Center at 785-532-6974 or www.he.k-state.edu/familycenter.

There are no easy answers to these difficult issues, but we must not waver in our efforts to keep each other safe. The K-State family is built on a foundation of respect for each other. Please help us in this important endeavor.

FHSU Honors College selects second class of high-achieving students

fhsu tiger with fhsuFHSU University Relations

The Honors College at Fort Hays State University has selected a new class of 25 students, including seven current FHSU students and 18 incoming freshmen.

The new class increases the size of the Honors College by 80 percent, which is 25-percent bigger than the college’s target goal.

“The incoming Honors College class represents a superb blend of diversity and brilliance,” said Matt Means, director of the Honors College. “They bring to FHSU an incredible blend of talents and interests. Some are scientists, some are musicians, some are linguists and some are farmers. Many are athletes. All of them share one characteristic: outstanding intellect.”

“We look forward to seeing them follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal precedent set by the inaugural Honors College class,” said Means.

The Honors College will start its second year of operation in fall 2016.

“While the FHSU Honors College is newer than many, its focus on individual development, curricular innovation and flexibility, and family-oriented atmosphere shows that this is truly the destination of choice for the brightest minds,” said Means.

The Honors College offers three exclusive scholarships: The Regents Scholarship, the Tier 1 Scholarship and the Tier 2 Scholarship, all of which are renewable for three additional years.

Four students were selected for the Regents Scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees up to 18 credit hours, room and board and includes $450 per semester for books.

The Tier 1 Scholarship provides students with a total of $10,000, $4,000 for tuition and $6,000 for room and board. The Tier 2 Scholarship, $6,700, provides students with $3,500 for tuition and $3,200 for room and board.

The incoming class is listed alphabetically by hometown:

Burrton: Kaetlin Weninger, a junior majoring in nursing, is a 2014 graduate of Trinity Catholic High School.

Delphos: Brik Thompson, an incoming freshman majoring in sports and exercise therapy, is a 2016 graduate of Minneapolis High School.

Ellinwood: Cassidy Schlessiger, an incoming freshman majoring in animal science, is a 2016 graduate of Ellinwood High School.

Grand Island, Neb.: Micha Pobanz, an incoming freshman majoring in agriculture, is a 2016 homeschool graduate of Pobanz Christian Academy.

Great Bend: Kaylan Lagerman, an incoming freshman majoring in psychology, is a 2016 graduate of Great Bend High School.

Hays: Amele Hounakey-Akakpo, a sophomore majoring in accounting, is a 2013 graduate of Institut Technique Notre Dame de l’Eglise, Lome, Togo.

Monica Michaud, a sophomore majoring in information systems engineering, is a 2014 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Jared Vitztum, an incoming freshman majoring in business finance, is a 2016 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Morgan Weber, an incoming freshman majoring in speech-language pathology, is a 2016 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Imperial, Neb.: Michael Musgrove, an incoming freshman majoring in physics, is a 2016 graduate of Chase County High School.

Junction City: Hannah Hanson, an incoming freshman majoring in political science, is a 2016 graduate of Junction City High School.

Lebanon: Jacob Long, an incoming freshman majoring in history education, is a 2016 graduate of Smith Center High School.

Minneapolis: Juan DeLaCruz-Martinez, a freshman majoring in applied technology, is a 2015 graduate of Minneapolis High School.

Ravenna, Neb.: Holly Dethlefs, an incoming freshman majoring in education, is a 2016 graduate of Ravenna High School.

Salina: Shaelin Sweet, a sophomore majoring in English and secondary education, is a 2014 graduate of Salina High School South.

Topeka: Darby Hirsch, an incoming freshman majoring in nursing, is a 2016 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.

Morgan Mitchiner, an incoming freshman majoring in biology (pre-med) is a 2016 graduate of Shawnee Heights High School and the Kansas Academy of Math and Science.

Justin Montney, a sophomore majoring in exercise science, is a 2014 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.

Wichita: Nathaniel Hunt, an incoming freshman majoring in business, is a 2016 graduate of Kapaun Mount Carmel High School.

Kaytee Wisely, an incoming freshman majoring in political science, is a 2016 graduate of Wichita Southeast High School.

Wray, Colo.: Paulyna Alcorn, a sophomore majoring in biology and chemistry, is a 2015 graduate of Wray High School.

Donna Louise Strong

Donna Louise Strong, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep April 19, 2016 in Scott City Kansas.

Donna was born in Helena, Montana June 29, 1930 to Bernice and George H. Gloege. She had three brothers, Marvin (Helena, 1932), Randall (Helena 1934), and Wayne (Miles City, 1943). By 1948 the family had moved from Helena, to Great Falls, to Billings, to Miles City, and back to Billings following her father’s various positions as a high school teacher and Principal. Donna graduated high school in Billings, went to Eastern Montana College her freshman and sophomore years, than transferred to University of Colorado, Boulder, where she got her BS in Business Accounting, one of three women in her degree program.



Donna moved to Wichita in the summer of 1952 for a job with Boeing, where she worked for 9 years. There she met Robert A. Strong in 1955 through her membership in the “Altitudians,” a club for tall people. They were married on December 27, 1955 (since divorced). Together they had two children, Greg (1962) and Brenda (1966), and moved to Valley Center KS in 1976. After 16 years as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to work full time in 1978. Donna worked at Wichita State University for 17 years before she retired.


Retirement enabled Donna to embrace her favorite pastime, reading—she was known to devour a book per day, and particularly loved a good mystery. She enjoyed many years singing with the Sweet Adeline’s in her early retirement, and was an avid traveler as well. Favorite trips included Hawaii, Washington D.C., Alaska, New England, Texas hill country, and the canyons of Utah. Donna also volunteered at the Valley Center Elementary Schools, the Wichita Botanica Gardens, Riverside Hospital and Exploration Place.

Donna moved to Scott City in in 2008 to be near her son and his wife. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and brothers. Donna is survived by her daughter Brenda Strong, Chicago, IL, and her son Greg Strong, Dighton, KS. Memorial donations may be made to Botanica Wichita (https://www.botanica.org/generosity).

Moustakas homers, Volquez sharp through 7 innings in Royals win over Detroit

Slideshow photos by Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals

By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

Alex Gordon makes a diving catch during the Kansas City Royals game against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals).
Alex Gordon makes a diving catch during the Kansas City Royals game against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Edinson Volquez tossed seven sharp innings, Mike Moustakas went deep and the Kansas City Royals pounded Mike Pelfrey in a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.

Volquez (3-0) retired the first eight batters and only had to wiggle out of one jam, when Alcides Escobar let a grounder go through his legs in the fourth inning. The Tigers went on to load the bases before Volquez struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia to end it.

Escobar atoned for his gaffe with a sacrifice fly off Pelfrey (0-3) in the bottom half of the fourth. Lorenzo Cain also drove in a run, and Kansas City tacked on another when a double-steal turned into an error on third baseman Nick Castellanos that allowed a run to scamper home.

Volquez scattered five hits and a walk while striking out five.

Attempted child abductions under investigation in NW Kansas

Police

THOMAS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Northwest Kansas are investigating two reports of attempted abduction.

Thomas County Undersheriff Tom Nickols informed the school administration office of an attempted abduction after school on Thursday, according to a social media report from Thomas County Emergency Management.

A red, new. Tahoe-style vehicle with a black man wearing a blue shirt and flat bill cap attempted to pick up a middle school aged boy near the school, according to the report.

The student was not hurt, ran home and called a parent who reported the incident.

On Monday in Atwood, an older, green, Chevy, 4-door sedan, with possible Colorado tags and driven by a white, bald man attempted to pick up a 16-year-old girl, according to Nickols.

The school reminded parents to take time to visit with their children about “stranger danger.”

Monarch baseball splits with Great Bend

HAYS, Kan. – Ricky Hockett hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift the TMP-Marian baseball team to a 7-5 win in game two of their doubleheader with Great Bend Thursday and split in the two games at the TMP Sports Complex.

The Monarchs scored four in the first only to see the Panthers take the lead with three in the third and two in the fifth. TMP tied the game with a run in the fifth.

Ryan Ruder struck out five and walked one and picked up the complete game win.

The Panthers built a 5-0 lead in game one and won it 5-3. The Monarchs threatened with two in the fifth and a run in the seventh.

Ricky Hockett allowed five runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks and takes the loss.

TMP-Marian is now 8-4 on the year. They play at Russell/Victoria Tuesday.

TMP-Marian softball sweeps Ellinwood

ELLINWOOD, Kan. – The TMP-Marian softball team moved to 8-4 Thursday with a couple of run rule wins over Ellinwood. The Monarchs scored seven in the first inning, three in the second then put up five in the fourth and rolled to a 17-2 win in the opener.

Alison Helget had three hits including two doubles and drove in four. Bailey Lacy struck out 10 and allowed only one hit in the five inning complete game victory.

The Monarchs scored four in the first, nine in the second and seven in the third and won the second contest 20-2. Lacy drove in three and scored three times. Alison Helget struck out five with one walk on five hits for the three inning complete game win.

Hays High boys golf 3rd, TMP 7th at Dodge City

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The Hays High boys golf team finished third and TMP-Marian seventh at the Dodge City Invitational Thursday at the Mariah Hills Golf Course.

The Indians shot a 324 and finished two shots behind second place Garden City and nine back of first place Maize.

Hays placed two in the top-10 led by sophomore Allen Zollinger who finished eighth with an 8-over 79. Trey McCrae finished ninth with an 80.

TMP-Marian shot a 358 as a team but didn’t place anyone in the top-10.

Team Finish
1. Maize 315
2. Garden City 322
3. Hays High 324
4. Hutchinson 325
5. Dodge City 327
6. Liberal 345
7. TMP-Marian 358
8. Wichita East 361
9. Goddard Eisenhower 365
10. Wichita Northwest 374
11. Ulysses 379
12. Wichita North 392
13. Great Bend No team score

Top 10 Medalists
1. Jack Lanham – Hutchinson             71
2. Taylor Larsen – Garden City            71
3. Kyle Nardi – Maize                             74
4. Luke Gleason – Dadge City               77
5. Kelby Titus – Great Bend                   78
6. Kaelan Hackenburg – Maize             78
7. Sion Audrain – Garden City               79
8. Allen Zollinger – Hays High      79
9. 
Trey McCrae – Hays High          80
10. Max Ontjes – Hutchinson                 80

TMP-Marian girls’ soccer blanks Great Bend

GREAT BEND, Kan. – The TMP-Marian girls’ soccer team picked up their fifth win of the season Thurday. The Monarchs edged Great Bend 1-0. Ashley Ostrander scored the only goal with an assist from Kayla Vitztum in the 27th minute.

Deonna Wellbrock had three saves on goal as the Monarchs pick up their sixth shutout of the season and improve to 5-1-1.

Man admits coming to Kansas to record sex with teen

Sex offender assaultWICHITA, KAN. – A South Carolina man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of sexually exploiting a Kansas girl, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today.

Robert Pitya Dickson, 48, Fort Mill, S.C., pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted he communicated over the Internet with a 13-year-old Kansas girl. Dickson persuaded the girl to send him send him sexual images of herself. In March 2014 he traveled to meet the girl and engaged in sex acts with her that he recorded and transported back to South Carolina.

Sentencing is set for July 11. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 300 months in federal prison. Beall commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

Hays High girls’ soccer defeats Liberal

HAYS, Kan. – The Hays High girls’ soccer team defeated Liberal 3-0 Thursday to move to 6-3 and 2-2 in the WAC. Jackeie Paderes scored on an assist from Sydney Sulzman in the 59th minute. Sierra Brown added a goal in the 63rd minute on an assist from Tressa Becker. Talyn Kleweno then stole the ball and scored in the 72nd minute.

Taylor Groen-Younger had two saves in goal.

The Indians are back in action at 4 pm Friday against Garden City in a makeup from Monday’s postponed match at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.

1 hospitalized after car on I-70 hits a tree, overturns

KHPWABAUNSEE COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. on Thursday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Honda Sedan driven by Joshua Karl Olson, 33, Aurora, CO, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just before the Maple Hill exit in the passing lane.

The vehicle crossed the centerline, ran off the road to the right, entered the south ditch, struck a tree and overturned.

Olson was transported to Stormont Vail in Manhattan.

He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

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