2016 – Page 696 – Hays Post Archive

Flood Warning in effect for Northeastern Ellis County

Posted on April 17, 2016April 17, 2016

A Flood Warning is in effect for Northeastern Ellis County until 7:30 pm Sunday evening. At 10:26 am the public reported flooding 5 miles Northeast of Hays where 3-5 inches of rain have fallen. Locations that will experience flooding include rural areas North of I-70 across Northeastern Ellis County. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and stream, some country roads, farmland, and other low lying areas.

In addition a Flood Warning is in effect for Ness County until 7:45 pm Sunday.

rain sunday — 4 inches of rain in southcentral Hays by 11:15 a.m. Sunday

A Flood Watch remains in effect for Ellis, Trego, Rush, Ness, Pawnee, and Hodgeman counties through Monday afternoon.

Kansas man arrested on drug charge after 911 hang-up call

Posted on April 17, 2016

VILLELA- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections

HUTCHINSON— A Kansas man was bound over for trial Thursday on drug-related charges following a unique arrest

Christopher Villela, 35, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, felony interference with law enforcement and battery of a law enforcement officer.

The arrest occurred at a home in the 1700 block of East Blanchard in Hutchinson.

On December 22, police were sent to the address because of a 911 hang-up call.

They could hear in the background a female yelling for someone to get up and a male speaking with slurred speech.

When police arrived, they asked if everyone in the house was OK. They found the suspect in a bedroom and he was initially unresponsive.

They also found drugs, a scale and a rifle in the bedroom where Villela was sleeping.

He eventually woke up and started struggling with officers and kicked one of them.

The hearing had been continued a couple of times because of the state having trouble locating witnesses, but that was resolved

He’ll be arraigned on the charges next month.

Big Creek Crossing closed temporarily after partial roof collapse UPDATE

Posted on April 17, 2016April 17, 2016

Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., is temporarily closed until further notice, mall officials announced today.

A section of the roof directly above the Payless store collapsed early Sunday according to Hays Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Hagans.

The collapse was likely caused by heavy rains in the area of the last two days, but the exact cause is unknown he said.

He believed mall management was in contact with contractors to evaluate options on containing damage caused by the collapse.

Manager Katie Dorzweiler said just after noon that the shopping center will be closed at least for the next 24 to 48 hours. She asked that anyone not affiliated with the clean-up and repair stay off the mall property until further notice.

Dorzweiler also thanked the public for their support and cooperation.

Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

‘The Longest Night’ author will have Hays presentation, book-signing this month

Posted on April 17, 2016April 17, 2016

FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University’s Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, will host author Andria Williams for a book signing.

Williams’ presentation and book signing will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hays Public Library in the Main Floor Gallery on Tuesday, April 19. The event is free and open to the public.

Williams is the author of “The Longest Night,” a novel based on a nuclear accident. The novel explores a marriage, the shifting nature of trust and the ways we try to protect the ones we love.

“The Longest Night” was a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers pick for 2016 and Amazon’s debut novel of the month for January. Entertainment Weekly called the novel “stunning” and said, “Williams expertly brings her beautifully written story to a tense conclusion you’ll still be thinking of long after you turn the last page.”

Flatlander Outlet brings unique shopping experience to Hays

Posted on April 17, 2016

Video by Cooper Slough

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Tucked away in a small warehouse just off of Eighth Street, Flatlander Outlet, 614 E. Eighth, opened last month, giving shoppers an opportunity to pick up big-box retail items that normally would not be found in Hays and at a discounted price.

Even with little advertising, besides Facebook and word of mouth, the location has already brought in around 300 customers, despite being open only eight hours a week.

The location, which is an extension of Flatlander Pawn, 2707 Vine, is managed by recent Fort Hays State University graduate Trevor Girard.

“You’re going to find a lot more household goods and stuff for the family as opposed to the pawn shop,” he said.

Items sold at the location come from big box retailers, often sold off in bulk by the larger stores after a return or damage to packaging.

“There is a lot of reasons why it could have been put in the container,” Girard said.

As items come in, they check the items — sometimes the items may be broken or missing something, making the discount even bigger.

But that doesn’t mean they will not stand behind what they sell.

Items are checked during unpacking, checked again before they are sold to a customer and the store has a 30-day return policy in case something is missed.

Once product is sold, new shipments are brought in, sometimes without even knowing what is in them.

“As we turn stuff, we get new shipments in,” Girard said. “Ideally, every week you’re going to find something new.”

Shipments may include a wide variety of goods, including small furniture, household goods, cosmetics and occasionally even small electronics.

While the store may be new, many customers will likely recognize the staff.

“Even though it’s Flatlander Outlet, it’s still Flatlander,” Girard said. “Since it shares the Flatlander name, and I look over both of them, that gives me a pretty wide perspective,” noting the personal connection with customers is a cornerstone of both businesses.

“I want to keep a personal connection with everybody,” he said. “I want to be able to see that customer loyalty and familiarity I have at the pawn shop with people here,”

Girard began working at the pawn shop two years ago and fell in love the business. After his graduation from FHSU, the general manager position opened up and he seized the opportunity to continue working with the shop.

“I really enjoyed it. It’s just a fun atmosphere,” he said.

But when he initially signed on, he had no idea he would be running a much larger staff and two separate locations.

With the new almost 5,000-square-foot outlet, he has the opportunity to give customers more of what they are looking for.

“We have a little bit of everything. There’s a good chance I have it. If I don’t, maybe I’m going to get it. I want to know what you need so I can fulfill it for you,” Girard said. “I want this to be the place that you go to before you go to the big box place.”

The location is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more on the outlet, visit their Facebook page at flatlanderoutlet.com

Frances Regina Casey

Posted on April 17, 2016

Frances Regina Casey, 90, passed away on April 15, 2016 at the Cedar Village Care Center in Ness City, Kansas. She was born on December 1, 1925 in Rural Trego County, Kansas the daughter of Herman and Catherine (Flax) Kisslinger.

She was a homemaker, farm wife and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Altar Society. She married Patrick Casey on Tuesday, June 1st, 1948 in the St. Aloysius Church, Ransom, Kansas. He preceded her in death on August 25, 2005.

Survivors include six sons, Daryl (Barbara) Casey, Copeland, KS, Donald (Melodie) Casey, Johnson, KS, Jim (Karin) Casey, Hanston, KS, Jerry (Karen) Casey, Plainville, KS, Kevin Casey, Rogers, Arkansas, and Christopher (Dare Rucker) Casey, Lawton, Oklahoma; daughters, Karen Shumake, Saginaw, Texas and Carolyn (Edgar) Schadel, Alexander, KS; 28 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; three brothers, Ambrose Kisslinger, John (Barbara) Kisslinger, and Joe Kisslinger; four sisters, Ann Pfannenstiel, Regina Schuster, Rosetta Healy, and Berniece Blakely; three sons-in-law, Stan Harman, Hays, Phil Wiesner, Hays, and Russell Linsey, McCracken; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Kisslinger Kerns and Marjorie Elias. She was preceded in death by her husband, three daughters, Patricia Rome Harman, Cheryl Wiesner, and Laura Linsey; one brother, Paul Kisslinger; two sisters, Betty Casey and Rose Smith and one great grandson, Kaleb Hart.

Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McCracken, Kansas. Parish Vigil and Rosary will be at the church on Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. Burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery, McCracken, Kansas.

Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and at the church prior to the services.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary’s Heritage.

FHSU Sustainability to host Earth Week

Posted on April 17, 2016April 4, 2016

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Fort Hays State University Sustainability will host “Earth Week” Monday, April 18 to Saturday, April 23, to expand on its annual Earth Day celebration.

The events of “Earth Week” aim to raise awareness of sustainability, pollution, climate change and other problems affecting the environment and how to solve them.

All events are free and open to the public.

Events:

Monday, April 18:
Endangered Species
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Quad and in the Memorial Union

Tuesday, April 19:
Botany and University Activities Board Planting
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Albertson Hall garden plot

Wednesday, April 20:
Arbor Day Tree Tours
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Quad
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Noon on the Quad

Thursday, April 21:
FHSU Citizen’s Climate Lobby
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union lobby
Climate Advocate Workshop
6 p.m. Memorial Union Ballroom
Pesticides and Pollinators Seminar (RSVP to 785-628-9430)
7 to 9 p.m. at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main Street, Hays

Friday, April 22:
Earth Day event fair
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Quad
Yoga on the Quad
Noon on the Quad

Saturday, April 23:
Great Plains Conference on Animals and the Environment
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Forsyth Library

For more information, contact Andree Brisson at (785) 628-4641 or at [email protected].

Heartland Community Foundation reaches midway point in grant cycle

Posted on April 17, 2016April 15, 2016

Submitted

Through the generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Heartland Community Foundation will be awarding over $100,000.00 in each of the three counties served, Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties during the current grant cycle which ends May 15, 2016. Applications can be found at www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org.

Heartland Community Foundation recently learned the gift from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation has doubled from previous years allowing Heartland the ability to greater influence community needs and award grants relating to the following areas for communities within the Foundation network:

• Arts
• Community Beautification
• Education
• Environmental Programs or Projects
• Health & Human Service Needs
• Inter-generational Programs or Projects

The competitive grant application period began March 15, 2016 and runs through May 15, 2016. “The generous grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation represents an opportunity for our communities to address a variety of projects. Emphasis will be on programs or projects that include community involvement and volunteerism,” said Heartland Community Foundation Board, Brandon Prough.

Sandy Jacobs, Executive Director of the Heartland Community  Foundation commented, “Heartland Community Foundation works to encourage philanthropic giving by donors in each of the 3 counties we serve. We want to be sure all the needs of our communities that can be met by Foundation grants are and that the community is aware the timeline involved. We want to stress the final day of the current grant cycle is May 15 and it is our goal to award all funds. There is no commitment to open another grant cycle in 2016. The fact the Dane G. Hansen Foundation recognizes the work of community foundations and chooses to partner with those foundations speaks to their overall mission of improving the quality of life for citizens of northwest Kansas. We believe we are in a unique position to find and fund projects that will have the most impact in local areas.”

Along with the Dane G. Hansen Grant Fund, Heartland Community Foundation administers the Heartland Area Action Fund and the Heartland Healthy Living Fund. The Heartland Area Action Fund is an unrestricted community grant fund. The Fund was created by the generosity of individuals who have contributed money to the Foundation for charitable use to address the present and future needs of Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties. From this endowed fund, the Foundation Board annually determines and designates the amount of available funding in the form of community grants. The Heartland Healthy Living Fund was established in response to the Kansas Health Foundation’s second chapter of the Giving Resources to our World (GROW II) match grant challenge. Grants from this fund support the public health of Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties. Public health is defined as the protection and promotion of the health and well-being of individuals and their communities through encouragement of healthy lifestyles, behaviors and environments.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965, with the primary goal of making the communities of northwest Kansas better places to live. The Foundation was established through a generous estate gift of Dane G. Hansen, an exceptional Kansas citizen who had a personal interest in promoting education and helping young people to succeed. In honor of Mr. Hansen’s memory, the Foundation awards grants and scholarships every year to qualified recipients who demonstrate a strong desire for community involvement. The Hansen Foundation serves 26 counties in northwest Kansas.

The Heartland Community Foundation was established in 2007 as an affiliate of the Great Salina Community Foundation. Heartland serves communities and their residents in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties. For more information on our foundation, visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org.

HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement to offer lifeguard courses

Posted on April 17, 2016April 15, 2016

The Center for Health Improvement will offer Lifeguard certification courses in May.

Lifeguard Recertification will be held May 7th from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The course will re-certify participants in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR for the Professional rescuer/AED. Enrollees must be 15 years old and currently certified as a Red Cross Lifeguard. The fee for the course is $100 and includes a 2 year certification and digital materials. The deadline for registration is May 4 and the course is taught by Taylor Goos.

Lifeguard Certification will be held on May 25 and 26 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The course is taught by Taylor Goos and the fee is $180 which includes a two year certification and digital materials. At the completion of the course participants will have certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED. Participants must be 15 years of age and complete prerequisites to meet eligibility requirements. Registration deadline is May 11.

For more information call 623-5900 or click HERE.

Cloudy, wet Sunday

Posted on April 17, 2016April 17, 2016

Rain and isolated thunderstorms will likely be ongoing to start Sunday morning as well as later in the day. Even if the rainfall stops as the morning progresses, additional rounds of moderate rainfall will resume by mid afternoon. Be alert to rising water in flooded ditches, creeks and low lying areas along rural roads through tonight. A Flood Watch remains in effect until Monday morning (Hays-LaCrosse-Larned-Kinsley-Coldwater-St. John-Pratt-Medicine Lodge).

By Monday afternoon, three-day rain totals of generally 3 to 6 inches will be common across the area. Following a brief break from rainfall Monday afternoon into Monday night, additional chances for showers and isolated thunderstorms return for Tuesday through Thursday.

Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 54. North northwest wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8pm and 4am. Low around 43. North northwest wind around 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.

Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Region Welcomes First Syrian Refugee Family As Part Of ‘Surge Operation’

Posted on April 17, 2016

Syrian refugee Ahmad al-Abboud (right) tells his story through interpreter Fariz Turkmani at a press conference Monday morning in Kansas City. ALEX SMITH / KCUR 89-THREE — Syrian refugee Ahmad al-Abboud (right) tells his story through interpreter Fariz Turkmani at a press conference Monday morning in Kansas City.
ALEX SMITH / KCUR 89-THREE

By ALEX SMITH

Despite an intense week getting his bearings, Ahmad al-Abboud smiled and expressed his gratitude at a press event Monday morning in Kansas City.

“God bless Kansas City!” he said through an interpreter.

The 45-year-old former construction worker, his wife and five children are the first Syrian family to be resettled in the United States as part of a refugee “surge operation.” They arrived last Wednesday evening.

The family, from the Syrian city of Homs, had been living in Jordan for the previous three years after escaping the turmoil and war that have torn their country apart.

Al-Abboud still bears a deep scar across the bridge of his nose from a bomb blast in Syria that sent shrapnel tearing through his body.

“Since he put his foot on American soil, he’s felt safe,” said Al-Abboud’s Arabic interpreter, Fariz Turkmani.

President Obama announced in September that the U.S. would admit 10,000 Syrian refugees this year, fast-tracking the extensive screening process they’re required to undergo for security and health reasons.

Al-Abboud and his family are being hosted by Della Lamb Community Services, an outreach program of the United Methodist Church based in northeast Kansas City.

Judy Akers, Della Lamb’s executive president, says her organization has been inundated with pledges of support for the family since the news of their resettlement.

“Mostly it’s furniture. Some of it’s financial. There’ve been some offers of jobs,” Akers says. “Many of the offers have been, ‘You tell us what’s needed, and we’ll help get it.’”

Akers says Della Lamb has also heard a handful of negative reactions from those who associate the refugees with terrorism. She says Della Lamb will keep refugees’ personal information, such as their home addresses, confidential.

She says she’s not sure whether and when Della Lamb will be receiving more Syrian refugees.

During his years in refugee limbo in Jordan, Al-Abboud said he’d become discouraged about getting asylum, but his interpreter said that entering the fast-track process changed everything.

“He was shocked that it happened,” Turkmani said. “He thought it was going to be a constant struggle, appointment after appointment, and he would never come here. But when the decision was to come over here, it was much happiness.”

Alex Smith is a reporter in partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @AlexSmithKCUR

KDWPT Commission to vote on 2016 Waterfowl Seasons

Posted on April 17, 2016April 14, 2016

KDWPT

WICHITA – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting in Wichita at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. N, on Thu., April 21, 2016. The afternoon session of the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m. The evening session will convene at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend both sessions and time is set aside at the beginning of each for discussion of non-agenda items.

The afternoon session will begin with Secretary Robin Jennison’s report on the agency and state fiscal status and a review of the 2016 Kansas legislative session. The General Discussion portion of the meeting will include a Tourism Division update, discussion on park and fishing regulations, and a Law Enforcement program by director Kevin Jones. The afternoon will conclude with a Workshop Session covering regulations concerning guiding on public lands and threatened and endangered species.

The evening portion of the meeting will convene at 6:30 p.m. for the Public Hearing. The commission will hear final discussion before voting on migratory bird hunting regulations.

Time will be available during the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on non-agenda items. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., April 22, to complete any unfinished business. Information about the Commission, as well as the April 21 meeting agenda and Briefing Book, can be downloaded at ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings.

Live video and audio streaming of the meeting April 21 meeting will be available at ksoutdoors.com. If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2016, in Fort Scott.

Tech mapping spells trouble for 82-year-old Kansas woman

Posted on April 16, 2016April 16, 2016

POTWIN, Kan. (AP) — An 82-year-old Kansas woman never knew why strangers kept calling or showing up at a property she owns in rural Kansas.

But she gained some clarity recently when Fusion.net published a story about a Massachusetts company, MaxMind, which helps companies learn where their Internet traffic comes from. MaxMind inadvertently used the same geographic coordinates for its default IP address as Joyce Vogelman Taylor’s family home.

An IP address helps tell computers where to send information and where information is coming from.

The Wichita Eagle reports the mix-up led some of MaxMind’s customers to Taylor’s property, claiming that the IP address for their complaints was associated with the property.

MaxMind has since changed the IP address. It says it also intends to apologize to Taylor.