Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort St. in Hays, KS invites you to come join us for Holy Week. We will have a Maundy Thursday Service with Communion and (optional) foot washing, Thursday, April 13, at 6:30pm. We will also have a Good Friday Tenebrae Service of Light and Darkness, Friday, April 14, at 6:30pm. Our Easter celebration begins with a Potluck Breakfast at 9am, includes Worship at 10:15am, and concludes with a fun event for the kids, following Worship, Sunday, April 16.
Month: April 2017
Plainville wins Kansas Hometown Showdown
League of Kansas Municipalities
The League of Kansas Municipalities recently completed their third-annual Hometown Showdown photo competition. The Hometown Showdown is a bracket-style competition where Kansas cities go head-to-head to move on in each round until the final round. The final round featured the cities of Plainville and Haysville. Plainville won the final round and was named the winner on April 11.
The City of Plainville submitted a photo of their Veterans Memorial in Andreson Park. The memorial was dedicated in 2016 on Veterans Day after years of community fundraising. The memorial honors all five military services: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.
“We are so proud of our tribute to our veterans,” said Plainville Mayor Kelli Hansen. “This contest was a great opportunity for the community to come together for a common goal of showcasing our memorial across the state.”
Hansen noted that the community excitement during the Hometown Showdown was an overwhelming experience.
“Plainville really ‘rallied the troops’ to get through each round by networking with our alumni groups, schools, businesses, friends, and family,” said Hansen. “Our Veterans Memorial will forever be a source of great pride for our community because of what it stands for, but now we’ve shared that with the entire state and even across our great nation.”
This year’s competition was the largest yet with 80 cities participating. Through the competition, members shared dozens of stories of positive engagement and excitement stemming from the contest.
“The competition was exciting and fulfilled our goal of giving cities a way to broaden their social media footprint and create lasting citizen engagement opportunities,” said Erik Sartorius, League of Kansas Municipalities Executive Director. “We’ve watched as thousands of people commented about their memories of growing up in or living in Kansas cities. Thousands of people responded with great emotion to seeing landmarks, community events or the stunningly beautiful scenery of Kansas,” said Sartorius.
The contest winner will have their photo placed on the cover of a future issue of the Kansas Government Journal.
“We want to recognize the hard work and passion of our member cities through this competition,” said Sartorius. “We’ll be creating feature articles in the Kansas Government Journal on the cities of Haysville, Newton and Marysville who made it to the final and semi-final rounds. The stories each of these cities tell about how they gathered support for the competition is compelling and speaks to their passion for their communities.”
This year’s photos were stunning: rodeo days in Coffeyville, a carnival in Hoxie, wild west throwbacks in Dodge City and Ellis, quintessential downtown scenes from Pittsburg and Marysville, and stunning winter wonderland scenes from Newton and Cimarron. Kansas’ cities are remarkable places to call home.
The League is a membership organization representing over 500 cities in Kansas which advocates on behalf of cities, offers training and guidance to city appointed and elected officials, and has a clear purpose of strengthening Kansas communities. Since 1910, the League has been a resource for cities across Kansas and has acted as a body to share ideas, facilitate communication between members, and provide information on best practices in city operations.
Search continues for missing Kansas priest
PROTECTION, Kan. (AP) — A search is underway in southern Kansas for a 53-year-old priest who went missing from a nursing home.
Thursday’s search for Marvin Reif near Protection in Comanche County was involving more than 100 people, some on horseback and all-terrain vehicles.
Reif went missing 10 days earlier from Protection Valley Manor, a nursing home where he had been living since October. That site says Reif went walking each day around town as part of his treatment.
Reif’s sister, Karen Winkelman, said her brother had a history of depression, and that their mother’s death last month was particularly difficult for him.
As a nurse who tended to Reif, Karla Harvey says Reif spent his days reading the Bible and often fed the squirrels outside.
🎥 FHSU Management Development Center to offer Lean Six Sigma workshop
FHSU University Relations
A workshop on implementing Lean Six Sigma principles will be offered in April as part of the spring workshop series from the Management Development Center at Fort Hays State University.
“Intro to Lean Six Sigma: Adding Value to your Organization” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, in the Memorial Union’s Stouffer Lounge on the FHSU campus.
Lean Six Sigma methodology helps improve customer loyalty, time management, strategic planning, process cycle time, employee motivation and, most importantly, the bottom line.
In this workshop, participants will learn the principles of Lean Six Sigma using the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control phases of an improvement project.
The two facilitators for this workshop are certified and trained instructors. Dr. Jamie Schwandt, an FHSU alumnus, is an author, a TV show host and a continuing process improvement director in the U.S. Army reserve. Benjamin Christians is a Lean Six advisor with Honeywell and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Each person who completes the workshop will receive a completion certificate. The cost is $219. Registrations received prior to April 19 are appreciated. Hays Area Chamber of Commerce members are eligible for a 15-percent discount.
Registration is available online at https://www.fhsu.edu/cob/mdc/Intro-to-Lean-Six-Sigma-Adding-Value-to-Your-Organization/. To learn more about this workshop or receive discount codes, contact Conni Dreher by phone at (785) 628-4121 or by email at [email protected].
🎥 April showers also bring hail, 60 mph winds
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Wednesday’s wacky weather in Hays dropped an official 2.65 inches of rain, according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.
Weather observer Joe Becker says pea to marble-sized hail fell for 40 minutes early last evening in blowing rain with wind speeds of 50 to 60 mph. Drifts of hail stones still remained at the weather station at observation time, 10 a.m. Thursday morning.
The moisture total for April is now 4.83 inches, with a total of 7.68 inches so far in 2017.
Rainfall reports from the public were as much as 4 inches.
Check out pictures and videos from our Hays Post readers here.
Zelda Arlene Mai
Zelda Arlene Mai, 89, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, April 10, 2017, at Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.
Zelda was born November 11, 1927, in Paradise, Kansas, the daughter of Hylas Arthur and Hazel Anna (Finkenbinder) Gibson. The oldest of 3 children, she spent her childhood living in Lucas, Kansas. As a young girl, she contracted Polio and had to relearn to walk and run. Her family moved to Russell, Kansas, where she graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1942. While in high school she also worked for the Telephone company as an operator. There she met her sweetheart, Vernon Paul Mai. They were united in marriage on February 23, 1947, in Russell, Kansas, and lived in Dorrance, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with 3 children Terry, Kimberly and Barry. Zelda worked for USD 407 School District as a cook, preparing bread for school lunches. To supplement their income she also worked mending and sewing for members of the community.
Zelda loved to do crafts and sew and even in later years would spend hours with her crochet hooks and yarn making knots and imagining she was still making hats, scarf’s or blankets for her family. In 2011, she moved to Main Street Manor and she enjoyed their programs, especially anything involving music, and always had a smile and wave for everyone. She was a longtime member of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell. She also belong to several church women’s groups, bible study groups, V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and was a longtime supporter of the Russell Senior Center. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafts, playing bingo, gospel music and attending sporting events that her grandkids were involved in at the time. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her daughter Kimberly Cockerill (Dick) of Spring Hill, Kansas, son Barry Mai (Wendy) of Marion, Kansas, daughters-in-law, Kathy Hurley of Allen, Texas and Linda Mai of Great Bend, Kansas; sister Reita Glassman of Hays, Kansas; 9 grandchildren Trevor, Candace, Kent, Meisha, Audrey, Krista, Ashley, Rachel and Matthew and 14 great grandchildren Brittany, Jessica, Chance, Karolina, Elly, Dakota, Lily, Maxwell, Bela, Sophia, Emma, Colt, Flint, Bodie and a great grandson on the way who will be named Steele.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon on November 27, 2013, son Terry Mai, and granddaughter, Tonia LeVasseur and 1 brother Howard Gibson.
A Celebration of Zelda’s life will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, April 17, 2017, from 9 AM to 8 PM at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Russell Senior Center in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas who is in charge of these arrangements.
Steven Risher
Steven Risher, 63, of Russell, Kansas, died on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at Harry Hynes Hospice of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.
Steven was born on September 12, 1953, in Lincoln, Illinois, the son of Basile Jasper and Florence Faye (Fangmeier) Risher. He grew up in and lived most of his adult life in California where he worked as a cook. He lived in Russell, Kansas, for the last 36 years working as a painter.
He is survived by his 3 brothers Jeff Risher of Nevada, Missouri, Roger Risher of Missouri and Tom Risher of Sonora, California; 3 sisters Carol Reynolds of Russell, Kansas, Penny Risher and Bonnie Hallas both of LaMar, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jerry, Kim and Danny Risher and sister Linda Bettencourt.
The family has selected to have selected a cremation service and will have a private family ceremony at a later date. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the arrangements.
Police ask for help to identify Kansas card-skimming suspect
LYON COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Southeast Kansas are investigating a case of alleged credit, debit card fraud and asking for help to identify a suspect.
On Thursday, police released security camera images of the suspect in a report of recent skimming in Emporia, according to a social media report.
The suspect also used the card in Platte City, Missouri, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 343-4200 or Crime Stoppers at 342-2273.
Healing After Loss lunch April 20
The Healing After Loss group, organized by the Center For Life Experiences in Hays, will host a Come and Go Lunch Brunch Thu., April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Thirsty’s Brew Pub & Grill, 2704 Vine.
Come when you can and leave when you need to for our newest, informal social gathering. No meeting is held.
The gathering is held the fourth Thursday of each month.
HHS diaper drive exceeds contribution goals
By HANNAH NORRIS
HHS Guidon
The diaper drive held by instructor Sue Ann Tebo’s family studies students ended with a total collection of 7,168 diapers and $2,027 in donations. These contributions will go toward the Ellis County Diaper Drive, which provides such materials for area families that cannot afford to purchase them.
“The best part of the experience is knowing that the community service project is one in which the receiver cannot give back,” Tebo said. “That is the true meaning of a community service project.”
Linda Mills, director of First Call for Help, initially started the project within the family studies classes, giving the students a goal of 500 diapers. Tebo then raised that goal to 2,000.
“(Mills) told us that last year there were over 65 families in Ellis County who could not afford to buy diapers for their little ones because of the lack of funds,” Tebo said. “I absolutely love babies, I love kids, that in itself was enough motivation.”
Tebo would like to try the project again next year, and is hoping for even more student involvement and contribution. She believes the first time with the project has increased future awareness of the issue.
“I am very proud of my family studies students and the rest of Hays High School for being so loving, generous, and giving,” Tebo said. “Thank you so very much.”
43rd annual Hays Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt Saturday
Please join the Hays Kiwanis for another “eggs-ellent” East Egg Hunt on the campus of Fort Hays State University at 9 a.m. Sat., April 15.
Ages 0-9 can participate and the Easter Bunny will be attending. The bunny loves to have his photo taken with the egg hunters.
Be sure to arrive in plenty of time before the event as the young hunters are serious about finding the colorful eggs & it’s over in less than a minute. The children are divided into their appropriate age groups to make this event fun, safe and fair for everyone.
Drug Take-Back Day in WaKeeney April 29
WAKEENEY–The Trego County Sheriff’s Department will host a Drug Take-Back Day, Sat., April 29.
Please bring your expired, unused or unwanted medications to the Sheriff’s Office, 525 Warren Ave., WaKeeney, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for proper disposal.
FHSU basketball signs Derby point guard
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State men’s basketball head coach Mark Johnson announced the signing of Nyjee Wright for the 2017-18 season on Thursday. A native of Wichita, Kan., Wright is currently a senior at Derby High School. He finished as one of the top scorers in the school’s history.
A 5-foot, 10-inch point guard, Wright had a big senior season averaging 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. He buried a career-best 51 3-point field goals for the season as well. With his performance, Wright earned Kansas Class 6A All-State Second Team honors by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA), Topeka Capital Journal, and Wichita Eagle. He will compete in the KBCA All-Star Game this summer. He was also named to the All-State, All-Classes Top 30 by Sports in Kansas. As a junior in 2015-16, he was an All-State Second Team selection in Class 6A by Sports In Kansas, a Third Team selection by the Topeka Capital Journal, and an honorable mention selection by the Wichita Eagle.
Wright finished with 1,120 points in his career at Derby, second on the school’s all-time scoring list. He saw a big increase in his scoring production the last two years of high school. After averaging 7.6 and 7.5 points per game his first two years, Wright averaged 16.4 points as a junior, then 20.5 as a senior. Over 86 career high school games, he averaged 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. His best numbers in both of those categories happened as a senior, pulling down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishing out 4.4 assists per game.
“We are very excited to have Nyjee sign with our program,” said Johnson. “He is a person of good character and a good student, the type of player we want in our program. He has been coached well under Derby head coach Brett Flory and we look for Nyjee to make a big impact on our program in the years to come.”
Wright will once again team with FHSU guard Aaron Nicholson. Entering his third year with the Tiger program, Nicholson was a teammate of Wright’s at Derby High School.