2016 – Page 884 – Hays Post Archive

RAHJES REPORT: Feb. 8

Posted on February 8, 2016

By Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.

Hello from Topeka.

Last week a hearing was held in the house education committee regarding HB 2504, recommending the reduction of the number of school districts in Kansas, in theory eliminating administrative and other non-classroom costs. Administrators, patrons and school board members, including Tom Benoit from Palco came to the capitol to testify that this plan is not acceptable for the future of public schools in Kansas.

Over the weekend, the Chairman of the House Education committee said the bill will not move further as there are just too many questions that do not have answers. What this means is for now we have a small victory; however, we must start asking some tough questions about what we realistically want for the future of education. The clock will not roll back to allow school funding to return to the way it was thirty or forty years ago, as our legislature continues to be made up of an urban majority. It is in our best interests to take an active role in the discussion forming the future of education rather than have state government determine what the next steps are.

Transparency is an underlying theme during this session. There have been several bills introduced which will bring more accountability and transparency to state government from what is discussed in committees to easier ways to find out where money is being spent.

Last week the house voted on a couple bills that were left over from last year. One regarding judicial selection, which would have given citizens the opportunity to vote to change the Kansas Constitution about the way Kansas Supreme Court Justices would be selected. The majority of members wanted to keep it the way it is, so it didn’t gain the necessary number of votes for it to move forward.

Five Justices are up for retention in November. I appreciate the conversations and other comments I received regarding this bill. It will be interesting to see if there is a concerted effort by any special interest groups to target them.

Another bill aimed at transparency in public schools was SB 188. It dealt with having school budget information easy to find on the home page of the school’s website. I believe most of the schools in the 110th district already comply with this. The addition to the bill was a $1,000 dollar a day penalty if a school failed to have this information posted and updated by March 1st of each year.

Again, the measure is to encourage more transparency from those who are the recipients of tax dollars. Ultimately the bill failed 58-61-6. While transparency can bring a lot of information to light, it may also bring unintended consequences and misinterpreted information, creating more problems than intended to solve. The bottom line is communication with elected officials; if there is something you don’t understand or agree with, seek answers.

Those from the 110th in Topeka this past week included: Tom Benoit, USD 269-Palco Board Member; Larry Wysell, Superintendent, USD 269-Palco; Brian Brady, First Care Clinic, Hays; Ann Pfeifer, Ellis County Treasurer; Cynthia Linner, Norton Country Treasurer; Stockton Mayor Kim Thomas; Plainville Mayor Kelli Hansen; Keith Schlaegel, Stockton City Manager; Sandy Rogers, Stockton City Commissioner; Roger Hrabe, Rooks County Economic Development Director; Chris Kollman, Stockton National Bank; Ginger Kollman, teacher, USD 271 and Mark Lowry, Stockton, President of Heritage Insurance.

Please reach out to me if you have concerns, questions or issues that need to be addressed. You can keep up on things by following and liking Ken for Kansas on Facebook.

During the session I can be reached: Ken Rahjes, Kansas State Capitol, 168-W, Topeka, KS 66612; Phone: (785) 296-7676; Email: [email protected]; or 1798 E 900 Rd, Agra, KS 67621; Cell: (785) 302-8416 or [email protected].

You can also track bills and get specific information by going to kslegislature.org.

I look forward to seeing you when you are in Topeka or out and about in the district.

Kan. bill allows air guns on school property, but concerns remain

Posted on February 8, 2016

By Johanna Hecht and Kirsten Peterson
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA – A House committee has approved a bill that would allow possession of air guns on school property.

However, not everyone is happy. Some lawmakers believe the bill gives the state too much control of school activities—control they say belongs in the hands of the school boards.

“The school district should absolutely have control over what activities occur on their property. It’s their jurisdiction, not my jurisdiction,” said Rep. Stephanie Clayton, R- Overland Park.
Clayton spoke before the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs.

Rep. Nancy Lusk, D-Overland Park, agreed. Lusk asked the committee to strike provisions of the bill that says schools would not be required to obtain liability insurance. The committee agreed with Lusk and approved an amendment that would let schools decide whether or not they want liability insurance.

Another concern raised in the committee meeting was student safety.

Clayton described an incident at Hocker Grove Middle School in Shawnee, across the street from where she lives.

Suspects were accused of pointing an air gun at a middle school student. Even though the charges were dropped, parents and the local community are upset about the air gun bill, Clayton said.

Edited by Madeline Mikinski

Agnes Anna (Holzhauer) Wasinger

Posted on February 8, 2016

Agnes Anna (Holzhauer) Wasinger was born on January 12, 1922 in Palco, KS to Paul and Emma (Keller) Holzhauer. She passed away on February 1, 2016 at the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 94.

Agnes was baptized in the Lutheran faith. She attended grade school in a one-room school house close to the Holzhauer family farm. After graduating from grade school, she attended confirmation school full-time from January to Palm Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ellis, KS. The classes were all taught in German.

After confirmation, Agnes sat out another year to care for her mother at home before attending Palco High School. She graduated with the class of 1941.

On January 16, 1944, Agnes was united in marriage to Henry Deines, Jr. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with two sons and a daughter. Henry and Agnes lived most of their married life on the family farm south of Trego Center. Henry preceded her in death on Sept. 9, 1977.

In 1984, Agnes married Leonard Wasinger and they resided in WaKeeney. Leonard also preceded her in death in 1997.

Agnes was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Literary Club and the TCLM Hospital Auxiliary.

Agnes was also retired from the Trego-WaKeeney State Bank. She had many hobbies in retirement, especially enjoying her trips to Germany to visit cousins. She gathered and organized genealogy data for the families of her parents – the Kellers and Holzhauers. Agnes enjoyed needlework and quilting. She made over 100 quilts – including gifts for friends and family, quilts for foster children and quilts for Lutheran World Relief. The last quilt she completed was a special gift for her great-grandson Jameson.

Survivors include two sons, Garry (Jan) Deines of Anaheim, CA, and Dennis (Tina) Deines of WaKeeney, one daughter, Gloria Deines of Wichita, KS; four grandchildren, Lisa Deines of Los Angeles, CA, Rachel Deines of Huntington Beach, CA, Paul Deines of Huntington Beach, CA and Christy (Jim) Purcell of Leawood, KS; great-grandson Jameson John Purcell of Leawood, KS; two sisters, Elvera Beiker of Plainville and Bertha Brown of WaKeeney; many nieces and nephews; and the families of Harold and Garold Wasinger.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home.
Private burial will be held before the services.

Donations in memory of Agnes are suggested to the Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation. Donations to the organization can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be left at www.schmittfuneral.com.

HPD Activity Log Feb. 5-7

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and 21 traffic stops Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1100 block E 22nd St, Hays; 12 AM; 2 AM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block Oakmont St, Hays; 9:39 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 12 AM
Theft (general)–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 2/3 10:32 AM; 2/4
Civil Dispute–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:14 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 2:18 PM
Criminal Threat–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 3:12 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block E 20th St, Hays; 10:15 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block 417 W 13th St, Hays; 11:19 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block General Lawton Rd, Hays; 11:22 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and 24 traffic stops Sat., Feb. 6, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–700 block Elm St, Hays; 12:41 AM
Domestic Disturbance–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1 AM; 1:01 AM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:19 AM
Drug Offenses–2800 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 1:06 AM
Credit Card Violations–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 6/25/15 12:01 AM; 2 AM
Credit Card Violations–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 11/8/15 12:01 AM; 2 AM
Credit Card Violations–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12/10/15 12:01 AM; 2 AM
Credit Card Violations–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1/13/16 12:01 AM; 2 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:18 AM
Fraud–1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 2:33 PM
Criminal Trespass–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:40 PM
Found/Lost Property–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:56 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–300 block E 13th St, Hays; 9:01 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and 10 traffic stops Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–500 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:02 AM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 12:08 AM
Suicidal Subject–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 12:15 AM
False/Altered ID–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 2/6 11:20 PM; 11:25 PM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Fort St, Hays; 1:34 AM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:59 AM
Intoxicated Subject–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:02 AM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:11 AM
Domestic Disturbance–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 7:25 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1400 block Ash St, Hays; 7:54 AM
Animal At Large–33rd St and Country Ln, Hays; 12:27 PM
Theft of Vehicle–400 block Ash St, Hays; 3:07 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 10:54 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block W 20th St, Hays; 11:23 PM

1 dead after high-speed Salina crash UPDATE

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016

SALINA -Police have identified the victim of an overnight rollover accident in Salina.

Sgt. Mike Miller said 24-year-old Carlos Manuel Luna-Diaz of Salina, died early Monday morning after his 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo rolled over during an accident at a north Salina intersection.

Luna-Diaz was driving northeast on Broadway Boulevard, when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole at the intersection of Broadway, 9th Street and Pacific Avenue. The vehicle rolled onto its side and sheared the utility pole at the ground, causing power lines to come down.

Luna-Diaz was partially ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miller said speed was a factor in the crash, which occurred at about 12:40 a.m. Police closed the area around the accident for several hours and reopened the intersection shortly after 6 a.m. Electricity was knocked out in the area and fully restored by 5 a.m.

An investigation into the accident continues.

SALINA – A man died in an accident just before 1 a.m. on Monday in Saline County.

The driver was northbound on Broadway Boulevard at a high-rate of speed, lost control and struck a utility pole at Pacific Avenue, according to police.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash also knocked power lines down and caused a electrical outage in the area. It was restored overnight and the intersection was reopened to traffic just before 6a.m.

NW Kan. students named to KU honor roll

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016

KU News Service

LAWRENCE — Approximately 5,170 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the fall 2015 semester.

The students, from KU’s Lawrence campus and the schools of Health Professions and Nursing in Kansas City, Kansas, represent 94 of 105 Kansas counties, 43 other states and territories, and 36 other countries.

The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of Architecture, Design & Planning; Business; Education; Engineering; Health Professions; Journalism; Music; Nursing; Pharmacy; and Social Welfare. Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.

The following students were recognized:

Ellis
Brandon Bollig, Ellis, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mikayla Gottschalk, Ellis, School of Business

Sana Cheema, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ashley Cossaart, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Lucas Diehl, Hays, School of Engineering
Alex Green, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kendra Karlin, Hays, School of Education
Lauren Keller, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kelly Koenigsman, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jasmine Lawson, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mikayla Linn, Hays, School of Pharmacy
Graydon Olson, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Nathan Romme, Hays, School of Engineering
Christopher Rooney, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Engineering
Sarah Rooney, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Roy Schmeidler, Hays, School of Music
Dylan Schumacher, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Owen Toepfer, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ryan Unruh, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Lucas Walker, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Katelyn Lang, Victoria, School of Journalism
Courtney Unrein, Victoria, School of Business

Norton
Phillip Becker, Lenora, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Rachel Slipke, New Almelo, School of Business
Rhees Carlson, Norton, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mitchell Shelton, Norton, School of Pharmacy

Osborne
Jakob Brush, Downs, School of Business
Matthew Pruter, Natoma, School of the Arts
Seth Conway, Osborne, School of Education

Phillips
Alex Atchison, Agra, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Bailey Ward, Agra, School of Pharmacy
Stephen Sage, Phillipsburg, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Rooks
Jaclyn Benoit, Damar, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Hannah Berland, Damar, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jacob Brull, Plainville, School of Music
Jessi Royer, Plainville, School of Journalism

Russell
Alexander Baldwin, Russell, School of Business
Tammy Nguyen, Russell, School of Engineering
Rachel Sipe, Russell, School of Pharmacy

Smith
Madeline Reneberg, Kensington, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Aleah Seemann, Kensington, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jordan Baxter, Smith Center, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Charyne Hayes, Smith Center, School of Pharmacy
Cara Kingsbury, Smith Center, School of Education
Sara Timmons, Smith Center, School of Nursing
Joe Windscheffel, Smith Center, School of Pharmacy
Taylor Zabel, Smith Center, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Trego
Dona Diec, Wakeeney, School of Pharmacy

Community Connection: Ken Loos Pt 2

Posted on February 8, 2016February 5, 2016

How does helping others help with your stress? Mike Cooper visit’s with High Plains Mental Health therapist, Ken Loos.

Crews work overnight to monitor scene of Kansas grass fire UPDATE

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016

RICE COUNTY – Fire crews were busy on Sunday working a 3-mile wide grass fire in Rice County, according to a media release from the Hutchinson Fire Department. Smoke form the fire was reportedly seen over a wide area including in the city of Hutchinson.

The blaze was reported just before 2:30 p.m. near Avenue V and 26th and spread rapidly due to 25 mile-per-hour winds.

Upon arrival fire crews worked to stop the fire from crossing Avenue V. These efforts were unsuccessful, once across Avenue V crews were faced with 20-30 foot flame lengths moving rapidly.

The soft sand and wet base made it difficult for trucks to move in the fields. All efforts were moved to protect structures and make a stand at the roadways..

Hutchinson fire units along with units from Reno County Fire District 3, Inman, Windom, and Conway moved south of Avenue V on 29th and made a stop on the south and east progression of the fire, holding it short of a residence.

A few units remained on scene overnight to assist with overhaul procedures. No injuries reported. The cause is still under investigation.

From one entrepreneur to budding entrepreneurs at Fort Hays State

Posted on February 8, 2016

By RANDY GONZALES
FHSU University Relations

A Japanese student once told Bill Imada that America is where dreams happen, and he was the perfect example of the American Dream.

Imada — who was born in the poorest county in Oregon — is the chairman and chief collaborations officer of the IW Group, a full-service communications firm he founded in 1990 that specializes in the growing multicultural markets in the United States.

From those humble beginnings in Ontario, Ore., Imada’s company represents some of the biggest global and domestic brands, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Walmart Stores and Warner Bros. Pictures. He didn’t succeed the first time in his entrepreneur ventures, but with a good support group encouraging him, Imada kept on trying.

Now, Imada is encouraging others to pursue the American Dream, to have that entrepreneurial spirit.

“I want people to believe an idea can come from anywhere,” he said. “If they have an idea and want to see it through, they should try to do it.”

Imada, who visited the Fort Hays State University campus Wednesday to share his knowledge and experience as part of the Entrepreneur Direct speaker series, ended the day meeting with students in McCartney Hall. He told those assembled that the next big thing could come from a student at a university such as FHSU.

“I really believe the big idea is going to come from small town, America. I really believe that,” Imada said. “I want other people to believe it as well.”

FHSU President Mirta M. Martin said Imada was able to see from his time on campus “all of the energy and work ethic of Fort Hays State.”

Dr. Mark Bannister, dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said Imada’s visit was a great opportunity for Fort Hays State students.

“His story of coming from a small, rural community, public, mid-size state university, rising to the level he has, is one that really resonates with our students,” Bannister said.

Imada told the students the way people are encouraged to think might need to be re-examined. He said comments such as “let’s not re-invent the wheel” and “think outside the box” are conversation stoppers, inhibiting ingenuity. Why should we think outside the box, he asks. Think inside the box first, he said, then step out.

“Think inside the box,” Imada said. “Why not inspiration for America in a classroom like this?”

Peter Marston, a junior accounting major from Great Bend, liked how Imada recounted a time when American idioms were being discussed in one of his classes, and how one of the students didn’t understand the phrase, “outside the box.”

“A guy from India asked, ‘Do you make the box? Go to Walmart and get it? When you’re done with the box, what do you do with it?,’ ” Marston remembered Imada’s telling of the story.

It’s all part of the United States being part of the bigger world and how developing a connection with someone is important. Imada demonstrated that Wednesday, asking students simple questions to make a connection, one person to another.

“I thought it was interesting how he made connections with different people,” Marston said. “He was able to use the information he learned about people’s personal lives.”

Imada still remembers something Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, said: “Swim upstream.” In other words, turn against conventional wisdom.

Imada pointed out we need to realize there is no longer an average American. Understand we are a nation of immigrants, that there are many faces of America, he said. People come here from all over the world with ideas and enthusiasm and passion, all seeking the American Dream.

“I know this isn’t a popular topic, but we have immigrants from all over the world,” Imada said. “They’re all coming in for a better life.”

Imada commended FHSU in its effort to foster creativity and entrepreneurship with the opening of Dane G. Hansen Scholarship Hall for entrepreneurial-minded students. The hall, set to open in fall 2016, will be one of a handful of such residence halls in the nation.

“The university providing the environment for that to happen is groundbreaking,” Imada said. “I think it can be the model for the rest of the country.

“I think corporations embrace it, because I think they are looking for solutions,” he added. “I think there is a great idea somewhere here. Providing that environment is going to help that idea.”

HAWVER: Kan. lawmakers offer up some fresh ideas from Topeka

Posted on February 8, 2016

Sometimes, just about a quarter of the way into a legislative session, you see bills introduced that make you wonder what those legislators were thinking about last summer.

A handful of those bills…given a little thought…sounds like interesting ideas that we’re surprise nobody thought of before.

Say, that House bill after all the TV coverage of a Kansan who was incorrectly sentenced to prison for a murder that he didn’t commit. Now, he got a trial, and the evidence that would prove that he wasn’t guilty wasn’t readily available.

The solution? How about innocent people who are later found innocent and have spent years in prison get some compensation that was essentially stolen from their lives.

The answer, or at least the opening bid in a bill introduced last week: Pay the wrongly convicted felon the minimum wage ($7.25 an hour) for 40 hours a week they were in prison. Works out to $15,080 a year. You have to wonder whether that’s too high, or too low, or whether getting it in a lump sum payment changes things…

***

Some legislator probably was driving when he/she noticed the car ahead was weaving, but there’s a bill that would make it a crime to drive while holding a cell phone to your ear. No, it probably isn’t safe, and is probably less safe for others on or near the road if you tend to gesture with the other hand instead of steering. There is that loudspeaker setting on most cell phones, that are still likely to slide around the dashboard, and complicated car radios that will carry your phone calls if you can get a teenager/computer wizard to teach you how to use them.

***

Another bill would give you a way to help finance schools, beyond the property taxes and state income tax you pay. After all, who doesn’t want to support schools that educate the kids who are eventually going to support all of us as they leave the workforce and we retire?

That idea is to have the Kansas Department of Revenue add a couple lines to your income tax form—for those who actually see a tax form on paper or on a computer screen, that gives you the option to add money above what you owe to be sent to any Kansas school district you want. Revenue will take care of sending the money to the right school district.

Now, that might be handy for some folks, who decide to round-up their tax check to the nearest $10 or $20 or $50 or such, but we’re betting that many folks who use the convenient school-finance checkoff just round up to the nearest dollar.

***

There’s another idea that lawmakers will consider for the first time in memory: A proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit the administration—any administration—from taking money from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the so-called “Bank of KDOT.” With hundreds of millions of dollars having been shuffled out of the road department and into the state’s general fund to help balance the budget, it might be a good idea for some.

Now there is, of course, that need to balance the state budget and in recent years without much revenue streaming into Topeka, that Bank of KDOT has been handy…but not necessarily popular, especially among highway contractors. Good deal? Bad deal? We’ll probably never see it pass, and if it did, remember, those proposed constitutional amendments are at the very bottom of the ballot, where many voters don’t bother reading…

***

Good ideas? Bad ideas? Or are they just ideas that might keep lawmakers busy for the session, so they don’t get into trouble? No way to know, but some of ‘em sound relatively interesting on a slow day.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com.

Viola G. Weigel

Posted on February 8, 2016

Gorham, Kansas – Viola G. Weigel, age 93, died Sunday, February 7, 2016, at Russell Regional Hospital Russell, Kansas.

Services are pending at Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

Hays USD 489 makes sales tax petition available for signatures

Posted on February 8, 2016

Hays Post

In a letter sent out last week, the Hays USD 489 administration shared information about a petition that would allow a vote to be held concerning a Hays sales tax, which would be used to help pay a potential bond issue.

That petition is available to sign at each of the district’s schools and the Rockwell Administration Center, 323 W. 12th St. The petitions can be signed at the front desk of each school or at the Board Clerk’s office in the Rockwell Center.

The letter sent follows:

Dear Parent, Guardian, and USD 489 Staff, USD 489 is preparing for a $94,035,000 bond issue election this spring. The district would like to give voters the option to choose how the bond issue would be funded. The petition is attached to this email and will be available at all of your home schools in the front office to sign if you so choose.

By signing this petition, you will be allowing voters to decide if they want to help pay for the proposed bond issue with sales tax revenues and an increase to the mill levy. If the sales tax question passes, USD 489 would take over the half-cent sales tax that voters are currently paying for Ellis County’s improvements to county facilities. The county tax will sunset in October of 2018. USD 489 would benefit from that half-cent at the expiration of the county tax.

If approved, the half-cent sales tax would expire after ten years. If the bond issue does not pass, but the sales tax question passes, the sales tax would not be imposed. It is contingent upon a successful bond issue election being approved by voters.

The County Clerk’s office will have to verify all signatures. We are hoping to collect at least 1,600 signatures by February 19, 2016. If you are a registered voter that lives within city limits, you are eligible to sign this petition. If you have questions regarding the petition or whether or not you are a registered voter, please call Sarah Wasinger at 785-623-2400. Thank you for considering signing this petition.

Sincerely,

Sarah Wasinger
USD 489 Board Clerk

Three FHSU students among first to be selected for national media competition

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016

Audition Video

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

A team of three students from the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University has become the first in the nation to be selected for a national media competition called “War on the Floor.”

The students — Tyler Parks, Elkhart graduate student; Kennith Moreno, Charlotte, N.C., graduate student; and Ricky Kerr, a Wichita junior and a member of the Hays Post newsroom — will compete in April during the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas. As one of three semi-finalist teams invited to the 2016 NAB Show, the FHSU students will receive complimentary convention registrations, travel stipends and hotel rooms for their stay in Las Vegas.

With more than 103,000 attendees, the NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From content creation to management to consumption, the show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new platforms in new ways.

To become the first national qualifier, the FHSU team had to submit a 90-second video that was judged on character, use of aesthetic and creative elements, a sense of structure and timing, production values, technical merit, and overall contribution to the discipline in both form and substance.

Dr. Melissa Hunsicker Walburn, chair of the Department of Informatics, said the FHSU team was among teams from schools around the country who were invited to audition for the opportunity to become one of three semi-finalists in the competition. “We have worked to identify opportunities for our students to have their initiative, skill and creativity affirmed and rewarded,” she said. “These talented students will gain amazing experience from the life-size environment, and there is no better way to network and learn from industry on a world stage than NAB. We issued the challenge, and our students answered!”

While at the convention in Las Vegas, the FHSU team will have to develop and launch a social media component and create a 1- to 2-minute promotional piece or commercial on an exhibitor or product of their choice. The team also will produce a “long-form” video, 15 to 20 minutes, that should tell the content lifecycle story from the eyes of each student team and include interviews with speakers and exhibitors and footage from the NAB Show that depicts each stage of the lifecycle. The long-form video is not due until May 31.

The winning team’s long-form piece will be teased and promoted on NAB Show’s Facebook and Twitter accounts to a community of more than 50,000 followers.

One team will be awarded first place based on clever and unique social media use, in addition to producing high levels of social engagement. Both videos will be reviewed by faculty and industry representatives and judged on professional and creative production qualities.

All winning team members and their faculty advisor will receive a complimentary SMART PASS registration to the 2017 NAB Show, including all conferences, workshops, super sessions and the show floor. The tickets are valued at $1,499.