The Ellis County Treasurer’s office has been made aware of a scam involving its phone number — (785) 628-9465.
The fraudulent caller is pretending to work for the treasurer’s office and is asking for money. The fraudulent caller is not leaving a message on voicemail.
“The Ellis County Treasurer would like to remind taxpayers that if our office needs anything, we will leave a message on your voicemail,” the office said in a news release. “If additional money is needed for a transaction, we will correspond through mail and our staff will sign the letter. If you ever question any correspondence from our office, please give us a call at (785) 628-9465.
“The treasurer’s office will not initiate a call and demand money over the phone. It is in your best interest not to give out any personal information unless you are the one who initiated the phone call.”
Anytime a person receives a call and is asked in any way to send money you should immediately be suspicious. Please contact local law enforcement at (785) 625-1011 to report any suspicious calls.
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Memorial services for Elmhurst, Illinois, resident and former Goodland resident Winona M. “Billie” (Albert) Parker, 87 will be held Saturday, April 9, at 2:00 PM MT at Koons Chapel in Goodland, Kansas.
Inurnment at Goodland Cemetery.
Friends may share respects one hour prior to the service.
Memorials to Sherman County Historical Society may be left at the service or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 North Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.
SALINE COUNTY – A Kansas who reported his pickup stolen on Sunday was arrested for a burglary of a rural property after a trail camera showed him at the scene of a burglary on Saturday.
Just after 6:30 on Saturday, a Saline County farmer noticed an older pickup pulling out from the drive of an unoccupied farm residence he owns in the 4000 Block of Mariposa Road, according to Saline County Undersheriff Roger Soldan.
Hahn followed the pickup into town where the driver pulled into a yard in the 100 block of Overhill Road and ran from the scene.
On Sunday, Caleb White, 36, Salina, reported to police that his pickup had been stolen.
An investigator with the Sheriff’s Office had a picture of White with his pickup on the property where he had allegedly stolen about $1,000 worth of items.
White was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of burglary, theft, and criminal trespassing.
Kansas City, Mo. – Eleven Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends have been elected to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2016, the conference office announced today. Included is an inaugural legacy member that is part of this 2016 class.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on June 1, 2016 in the Truman Forum Auditorium at the Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street in Kansas City, Mo. Reservations for the event are available by visiting www.themiaa.com/sb_output.aspx?form=4 and filling out the form. Reservations will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
Below are the bios for the 2016 Hall of Fame class.
Becky Belland, Volleyball Athlete
Central Missouri, 1987-90
Belland was a three-time All-American earning NCAA Division II Player of the Year honors in 1990, the only Jennies volleyball player in history to receive that award. She was named the MIAA Player of the Year in 1989 and 1990. She still holds school records in career blocks, solo blocks and block assists.
Chris Brown, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1992-95
Brown earned All-American honors three times between 1993 and 1995 earning consensus first team honors as a senior in 1995. He was a three-time first team All-MIAA selection and he was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year during the 1995 season. He finished his career holding the school record in tackles. He also established a Division II Championship Game record with 21 tackles in the 1992 game.
Eric Czerniewski, Football Athlete
Central Missouri, 2006-10
Czerniewski was the 2010 Harlon Hill Trophy winner for the top player in Division II also earning consensus first team All-American honors. He set MIAA records for career passing yards, single season passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns.
Jim Frazier, Football Coach/Athletic Director
Missouri Southern, 1971-2000
Frazier led MSSU to the NAIA National Football Title during the 1972 season and is the school’s all-time winningest football coach. Frazier would then serve as the director of athletics where under his tenure the school won 23 conference championships and one NCAA Division II National Championship. Frazier helped in the development and improvement of several MSSU facilities including Young Gymnasium, Fred G. Hughes Stadium and the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
Kenneth Gardner, Track and Field/Football/Basketball Coach, Director of Athletics
Truman, 1939-88
Gardner served as a football, basketball and track and field coach at Truman where from 1959 until 1968 he won every indoor and outdoor MIAA Championship in track and field. He coached 39 individual NCAA Division II All-Americans and 11 individual National Champions. He also served as the Athletics Director for the Bulldogs from 1974 until his retirement in 1988.
Aaron McConnell, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 2000-03
McConnell was named an All-American in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburg State football program including being a consensus first team selection and the MIAA Defensive Player of the year in 2003.
Jeanette (Mott) Owens, Cross Country/Track and Field Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1998-2002
Owens earned five All-American honors in track and field including winning the National Championship in the steeplechase in 2002 for Pittsburg State. In cross- country she also earned two All-American honors winning the MIAA Cross Country title twice. She was named a COSIDA Academic All-American in 2002 as well as the Ken B. Jones award winner for Female Student Athlete of the Year.
Neal Philpot, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 2001-04
Philpot was named a two-time All-American at quarterback for the Gorillas during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He set MIAA career records for total offense and rushing yards for a quarterback. In his career he went 38-8 as the PSU starting quarterback, which was the second highest win total in NCAA Division II at the time.
Eddin Santiago, Men’s Basketball Athlete
Missouri Southern, 1998-2002
Santiago holds the MIAA career record in both steals and assists. His 383 steals mark ranks second all-time in Division II. He was a three-time first team All-MIAA selection and was twice named an All-American earning MVP of the 2000 NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament.
Delanie Walker, Football Athlete
Central Missouri, 2004-05
Walker was a two-time All-MIAA and All-Region selection for the Mules. He has the third highest single game reception total in UCM program history. He has played in the NFL after being drafted in 2005 where he has 340 career receptions for over 4,000 yards and 234 touchdowns scored. He was named to the pro-bowl at the end of the 2015 season.
A.J. McDonald, Basketball and Golf Coach (LEGACY Inductee)
Southwest Missouri State, 1925-69
The first legacy member inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame, McDonald won five conference titles as a basketball coach and 17 MIAA titles as a golf coach. He would coach the golf team to six straight regional titles between 1959 and 1963 with the team winning the national title in the 1963 season.
Full bios will be available online following their induction into the MIAA Hall of Fame at the June 1 event.
Members of the USD 489 Board of Education settle in for a work-session Feb. 1.
The USD 489 Board of Education will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, at the Rockwell Administration Center to discuss fees for the 2016-2017 school year, increasing internet speeds and two contract non-renewals during their regular work-session and meeting.
The fee schedule recommended by the administration includes a $135 material fee, $150 kindergarten fee and an increase of $0.10 for lunch programs across the district.
The administration is also suggesting a $25 technology fee for Hays Middle School students that would allow students to take district-issued iPads home with them at the end of the school day.
The Board discussed the technology fee in February.
“We’re not getting our money’s worth by leaving them in the building at three o’clock every day,” said HMS principal Craig Pallister, during the earlier discussion with the board.
Other than the technology fee at HMS and the increase in the lunch fees, student fees will remain at the same level as this year if approved as recommended.
The board will also discuss increasing internet speeds to 400 Mbps at an additional cost of $4,000 per month.
After discounts, the district will pay $22,320 for internet for the current year. The increase would hike that cost to $36,720.
“We’re hitting our cap of 200 Mbps this year. We’ve looked at adding additional bandwidth to avoid bottlenecks and continue to allow the technology integration of the classrooms to grow,” according to the material that will be presented at the meeting.
If the board chooses to increase the speed it would take effect on July 1.
Eagle Communications, the parent company of Hays Post is the current internet provider for the district. The Eagle contract ends on June 30, 2017.
The district plans to re-evaluate speeds and the provider when the contract ends.
The board is also set to discuss the contract non-renewal of two staff members during the meeting.
While the board meeting is a work-session, earlier this year the board changed the meeting structure to classify the work-session as a meeting as well, in order to have the ability to take action on items that need immediate attention.
Actionable items for Monday’s meeting include the approval of bills and personnel transactions.
Video of the meeting will be available on Hays Post via the USD 489 News team.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The ex-husband of state Rep. Kasha Kelley alleges in a lawsuit that a family business owes him money.
The Arkansas City Traveler reports that Scott Margolius filed the lawsuit against his former spouse, Rep. Kasha Kelley, and her mother, Diana Williams, in Cowley County. Williams is the owner of First Intermark Corp. and Kelley is the chief executive officer. The retail consulting company follows up on sales, mainly of motorcycle dealers.
The suit claims that Kelley and Williams knowingly withheld more than $60,000 from Margolius, a former employee. Williams and Kelley claim in a court filing that that Margolius was using company resources to operate his own business.
SALINA, Kan. – The Hays High boys golf team won their first tournament of the season, taking the Salina Central Invitational by 19 strokes yesterday at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. The Indians had the top three individual finishers and fired a 308.
Trey McCrae won the individual title with a three-over 73. Allen Zollinger was second with a 74 and Payton Ruder third with a 76.
HHS Varsity Trey McCrae 73 1at place Allen Zollinger 74 2nd place
Payton Ruder 76 3rd place
Justin McCullick 85 16th place 308 1st Place
Josh Norris 88 tie 24th place
Brent Koeningsman 88 tie 24th place
Team Results 1. Hays High 308 2. Topeka Seamen 327
3. Salina Central 331
4. Salina South Green 341
5. Salina Central JV 357
6. Newton 359
7. Salina South Gold 402
8. Hutchinson JV 404
9. Emporia 469
Top 10 Medalists 1. Trey McCrae-Hays 73 2. Allen Zollinger-Hays 74 3. Payton Ruder-Hays 76
4. Brayden Neuschafer-Salina Central 80
5. Jakob Ready-Topeka Seaman 80
6. Brendan Borcherding-Salina South 80
7. Reese Emert-Topeka Seaman 81
8. Chase Anderson-Topeka Seaman 82
9. Tanner Pauls-Newton 83
10. Max Brenneman-Salina Central 83
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says a convicted sex offender did not have to update his status on the federal sex offender registry after moving to a foreign country.
The justices on Monday ruled unanimously in favor of Lester Nichols, a Kansas man who moved to the Philippines after his release from prison in 2012. Nichols moved without notifying authorities.
He was convicted of failing to update his sex-offender registration. A federal appeals court upheld his conviction.
Justice Samuel Alito said a straightforward reading of the law at the time did not require registry updates after moving out of the United States. He noted that Congress has since criminalized the failure of sex offenders to offer information about foreign travel.
ELLIS–Ellis city council members will discuss the annual inspection of the water tower as well as disaster planning preparedness during their meeting tonight, Monday, April 4.
Unfinished business items for discussion include refinancing of the 2006 General Obligation and Revenue Bonds and approval of a new sludge containment site.
The complete meeting agenda follows.
AGENDA April 4, 2016
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on March 21, 2016
b) Minutes from Special Meeting on March 22, 2016
c) Minutes from Special Meeting on March 24, 2016
d) Bills Ordinance #1994
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Lakeview Street Repairs
b) Discuss Ellis Golf Club Petition for Financial Aid
c) Consider Engagement Letters with Gilmore & Bell for Bond Counsel Services and Disclosure Compliance Services
d) Consider Resolutions for 2006 General Obligation and Revenue Bond Refinancing
e) Consider Amendments to Certification Provision in Personnel Policy and Guidelines Manual
f) Consider Ordinances Amending Provisions for Contractor Licensing
g) Consider Ordinance Providing for Work by Property Owners
h) Discuss Building Permit Timeframe for FEMA Regulations
i) Consider Approval of Sludge Containment Site
j) Consider Amendments to Ordinance Providing for Decoration of Grave Spaces at Mount Hope Cemetery
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Credit Card Resolution
b) Consider Approval of Event Request for Traffic Control and Public Property Permit Application – Walter P. Chrysler Car Show
c) Consider Approval of Public Property Permit Application, Noise Permit Application, and Event Request for Traffic Control – Ellis Chamber
d) Consider Approval of Purchase of Chlorine
e) Discuss Replacement of Rock at the Campground
f) Discuss Annual Inspection of Water Tower
g) Discuss Disaster Planning Preparedness
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Announcement of Employee Hiring
(2) April Staff Calendar
(3) March Activity Report
(4) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Request to Dispose of Printer and Supplies
(2) Minutes from Committee Meeting
(3) Department Update
4) Attorney
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT
MEDICINE LODGE – A long road ahead is probably the best way to describe the aftermath of the Anderson Creek wildfire in south-central Kansas, particularly for cattle producers who have relied heavily on grazing as the main source of herd nutrition. Not only are many pastures burned in Comanche and Barber counties, but the cattle are facing a variety of other health-related problems following the fire, according to Kansas State University veterinarian Dave Rethorst.
Rethorst, who works in the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, has been in contact with cattle producers and local agricultural leaders, including K-State Research and Extension agriculture agent Tim Marshall of Barber County, about the wildfire’s repercussions. The wildfire burned approximately 400,000 acres March 22-25, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Following the wildfire, Rethorst said good animal husbandry practices are key. Producers are working hard to provide adequate nutrition to their herds and take care of ailments that range from burns to respiratory issues.
“There are ranchers out there asking, ‘Do we have cows alive and just haven’t found them? How many cows have I lost?’” said Rethorst. “Things we’re seeing short term are cows with burned feet. Their (hoof) coronary bands are burned to the point that some of those cows are starting to lose their hoof wall.”
Many of the cows directly involved in the wildfire also experienced burned udders, he said. Some of those cows are still producing enough milk to keep their calves alive, but many producers are having to bottle feed their spring-born calves using milk replacer instead. Producers downwind from the fire are witnessing most of the respiratory problems currently.
“They weren’t in the fire, but they got the heavy smoke,” Rethorst said. “Those calves are seeing runny eyes and respiratory problems. Many of the ones in the fire haven’t started seeing the respiratory problems yet, but I’m not sure producers are looking for that. They’re still trying to regroup and figure out what (cattle) they have left.”
Tips for producers
Many producers in Comanche and Barber counties primarily graze their herds year-round, Rethorst said, and are now having to provide hay to their cattle—a foreign concept to some.
“We need to remember that those cows will eat about 3 percent of their bodyweight on a dry matter basis,” he said. “For example, if we have a 1,200-pound cow, she will eat 36 pounds of dry matter a day.”
As they heal, he added, they will need more than hay for adequate nutrition. They also need energy and protein supplementation daily until green grass begins to return.
“My recommendation is to back off what many producers are used to feeding, 40 percent protein cake formulations, and feed a 20 percent cake that has some energy in it,” Rethorst said.
On the treatment side, Rethorst said he realizes that producers might be overwhelmed by having to continuously treat a single animal, and some cattle have been sold. For the ones that remain, producers should monitor burned feet, burned udders and signs of respiratory infections.
Consider using antibiotic ointment on burned feet and udders to keep a secondary infection from occurring, he said. Death loss will likely happen due to respiratory problems from smoke inhalation, particularly in calves under a year old, just because their immune system might not be able to fight infection.
“In some of these young cows, it will probably affect their lungs for life. There’s little that can be done for that. Pull and treat the individuals. Get the calves on a good vaccination program,” Rethorst said.
Another anxiety following the wildfire is the co-mingling of cattle due to burned fences. Herds have mixed with other herds, which means diseases such as bovine viral diarrhea could potentially spread in herds that have never experienced it before, he said. BVD could come secondary to the onset of respiratory disease.
“Treat respiratory disease as you typically would: get an antibiotic in them, and make sure they have plenty to eat and drink,” Rethorst said. “Take care of them, and let their immune systems work.”
Other wildfire effects
In addition to domestic livestock, wildlife were also affected by the Anderson Creek wildfire, he said, which is not talked about as much.
“The effect of the fire has been devastating on wildlife—the number of deer, coyotes and turkeys that have been killed,” Rethorst said. “The quail population had been coming back in that part of the state in the last two or three years. I doubt if there are any quail left.”
The emotional toll on producers is not talked about much, either. Rethorst said many producers are taking losses hard, because the fire got out of control quickly.
“They did their best,” he said of those producers. “Let’s not forget the people in that part of the state. When it’s in the news, we want to do all we can, but typically in three or four weeks when it’s not in the news, we tend to forget. We need to be prepared to support those people.”
The Hays Fire Department is inspecting fire hydrants and flushing water mains today, April 4, in the area of Indian Trail to Canterbury between 22nd Street and 27th Streets.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency.
Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.
Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.
For more information, call the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.
A 39 year-old Ellis County man was killed Saturday in accident north of Hays.
According to a media release from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Jarrod P. Depenbush was killed Saturday afternoon when a tree fell on top of him while cutting it down in the 1700 block of Emmeram Road.
The incident is still under investigation by the Ellis County Coroner’s Office and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders from the Ellis County EMS, Rural Fire, Emergency Management and the Kansas Highway Patrol also assisted with the incident.
CHEYENNE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities in northwest Kansas are investigating an alleged case of aggravated human trafficking.
Additional details in the case will be revealed after charges are filed this week, according to Cheyenne County Sheriff Cody Beeson.
On March 29, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Sherman County Sheriff conducted a search warrant in St. Francis, according to a media release from the Sherman County Sheriff.
The alleged crimes took place in several different jurisdictions, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
A suspect is being held in the Sherman County jail, according to Sheriff Brian Pianalto.
The Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Department and St. Francis Police Department were also involved with the investigation.
The Ellis County Treasurer’s office has been made aware of a scam involving its phone number — (785) 628-9465. 
ELLIS–Ellis city council members will discuss the annual inspection of the water tower as well as disaster planning preparedness during their meeting tonight, Monday, April 4.
HFD
