The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Mon., April 10, 2017 in the area from Thunderbird Dr. to Willow between 27th St. and 33rd St. and from Vine St. to Canterbury Dr. between 33rd St. and 41st St. This is part of a coordinated effort by the city to inspect all fire hydrants in Hays 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 please contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.
Saturday apartment building fire -photo Junction City Police
GEARY COUNTY -The preliminary damage estimate from the Junction City Fire Department on the apartment building fire at the Bluffs apartment complex on Saturday has been placed at $750,000 to the structure and $400,000 to the contents.
Building B, which contained 28 apartment units burned. No one was injured, and the Bluffs has worked to provide new apartments for those who were displaced.
The fire call came in at 1:12 a.m. with personnel from multiple agencies responding including the Red Cross to assist with the recovery process.
The donations for victims are being kept off-site for the next few days and then later opened up at the clubhouse at the Bluffs. Some churches in the area have also reached out to help.
The families who were impacted by the blaze range from toddlers to single young adults, to older residents, according to apartment leasing manager Neva Fisher. “Some of the things that you don’t realize, their medications, their glasses, prescription glasses, those are things that can’t be donated. We’re just looking for options for them.”
Fisher confirmed the majority of the residents were affiliated with the military, but there was one USD 475 teacher and a small number of other civilians who resided in the building that burned.
Another fire at the Bluffs in April of 2016 destroyed Building F in the complex. There were no injuries in that fire. Cause of Saturday’s fire is still under investigation.
A town hall meeting on Fort Hays State University’s policy on concealed carry of handguns on campus will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in the Black and Gold Room of the university’s Memorial Union.
July 1 is the expiration date for the exemption period in which FHSU and other Kansas Board of Regents schools were allowed to prohibit concealed carry of handguns into public campus buildings, including academic and residence halls.
The university’s general counsel, Kerry Wasinger, said in an email to campus that, to comply with state law, the Regents created a KBOR policy and approved a gun policy for FHSU.
“FHSU has begun to work with each of our constituency groups to implement this new policy,” said Wasinger in the email.
Wasinger will lead a panel discussion of the law and FHSU policy. Other members of the panel are Christina Hurtado, director of residential life; Ed Howell, director of University Police; Kenton Olliff, assistant vice president for student affairs; Dr. Bryan Bennett, assistant professor of political science; Emily Brandt, president of the Student Government Association; and Brent Hirsch, director of legislative affairs for the SGA.
The town hall, hosted by the Student Government Association and the American Democracy Project, is open to the public.
Golden Belt Bank will host a Lunch & Learn Session on Wednesday, April 12, at 12:15 p.m. at its Hays location, 1101 E. 27th.
This short, 30-minute presentation will focus on credit reports and credit history. For those who have questions about building a good credit history or fixing mistakes on their credit report, this presentation will be beneficial.
Golden Belt Bank’s most experienced loan officers will lead the session. You will have an opportunity to get your questions answered during the session or speak with a loan officer individually afterwards.
Everyone is welcome to attend, and free lunch will be provided.
RSVPs are appreciated. Call (785) 625-7345 or email [email protected].
The Days Inn at 205 N Washington this month announced it has been awarded the annual Days Inn “Chairman’s Award,” which recognizes the brand’s top performing hotels and their staffs.
In celebration of the hotel’s achievement, Lundy, Matlock, Symns, the hotel’s owners, were presented the award by Days Inn and Wyndham Hotel Group leadership.
“This is a great honor for our hotel and is a direct result of the hard work of our wonderful staff,” said Symns. “We’re in the business of creating lasting memories for all our guests and this starts with high quality service and unforgettable hotel experiences.”
To be eligible for the award, hotels must have demonstrated strong quality scores, outstanding guest reviews and an unwavering commitment to the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program and its members.
Overwhelmed by the number of choices offered in the grocer’s meat case? All the different cuts, packaging types, weights, and prices? Then there are the marketing claims: natural…organic…grass-fed…without added hormones…and the list goes on.
The Ellis County Extension Office will offer the workshop “Freezer Meals From the Meat Case” on Tuesday, April 25, 5:30-7:30 pm at Messiah Lutheran Church. Participants will learn what the various meat labels, cuts and claims mean in order to feel confident they are choosing the safest and most economical meat choices for their family. Instructors are Jamie Rathbun and Erin Petersilie, County Extension Agents in Midway and Walnut Creek Extension districts, respectively.
After the presentation, class members will assemble four main dish freezer meals featuring different types of meat. Each meal makes 4-6 servings. Those attending are asked to bring a cooler to take home their meals.
The cost is $40 per person and includes the workshop training materials; ingredients, recipes and cooking instructions for the freezer meals; and supper at the workshop. Class size is limited so early registration is advised. Register no later than April 18 at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main Street in Hays, 785-628-9430. Registration is complete when the fee is paid.
The freezer meal method of cooking has many benefits. First, it saves time on busy nights. This method features a concentrated cooking session to prepare several meals at once and store in the freezer. Those meals are then ready to reheat or finish cooking when time is limited for preparing a meal from scratch.
Also, it saves money. Busy schedules often lead to eating out, which is more expensive than a home-cooked meal. Having a prepared entree that you can simply put in the slow cooker, oven or microwave saves money and preparation time.
Providing a healthy meal is another benefit of this cooking method. When you prepare the recipes yourself, you are in control of the ingredients and ultimately what your family is eating. While most restaurants provide healthy alternatives, not all do, and often family members do not select those healthy options. Eating at home allows you to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lowfat dairy products into family meals.
One of every five children is now obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These children are at an increased risk for a host of serious lifetime physical complications. Seventy-seven percent of overweight kids become obese adults because lifetime eating habits are established in childhood. The Cook Once freezer meal method provides families with an effective tool to combat obesity.
Another benefit of having meals in the freezer is that it increases one’s capacity for hospitality. You can more easily invite guests to share a meal in your home when you have a freezer meal on hand. You will also be better prepared to take a meal with someone in need– after a death or a hospital stay or when there’s a new baby in the family.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of the freezer meal preparation method is that it can encourage families to eat meals together. Family meal time provides benefits beyond the nutrients in the food– it is an important strategy in child development and strengthening the family bond. Children who eat meals regularly with their families have improved language and literacy skills and achieve higher test scores. Additionally, the more often children eat meals with their families, the less likely they are to choose unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking and drugs.
There are many advantages of having freezer meals on hand for busy nights. Plan to join this Extension workshop on April 25th to make the most of your meat purchases for meals to put into the freezer. RSVP by April 18 to the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-628-9430. Class size is limited, registration is complete when fee is paid.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
Today Sunny, with a high near 63. Windy, with a northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.
TuesdaySunny, with a high near 68. South wind 5 to 14 mph.
Tuesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.
WednesdayA chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
ThursdayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Fort Hays State tennis team wrapped up MIAA play with an 8-1 loss against 16th-ranked Southwest Baptist Sunday afternoon (April 9). The Tigers now sit at 10-10 on the season and 1-8 in the MIAA while SBU improves to 16-2 overall and 8-1 in league play.
Natalie Lubbers was the lone Tiger to capture a point on the day, winning in straight sets at No. 2 singles, 6-4, 6-2. Haley Weidemann kept things close at the No. 6 spot, falling 6-4, 6-2. The doubles team of Nicole Lubbers and Jessica Johnson had the best shot in doubles action, dropping the No. 3 match 8-4.
Southwest Baptist clinched the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament with the win, while the Tigers will finish one spot away from reaching the tournament in ninth.
HOUSTON (AP) – Jake Marisnick hit a tying home run off Kelvin Herrera in the ninth inning and Evan Gattis drew a bases-loaded walk from Matt Strahm in the 12th, helping the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Sunday and stop a three-game losing streak.
George Springer hit his 12th leadoff homer and third in seven games this season.
Brandon Moss homered against Chris Devenski (1-0) in the ninth to give the Royals a 4-3 lead, but Marisnick sent a Herrera slider into the left field Crawford Boxes.
Springer reached on an infield single leading off the 12th against Strahm (0-2), Alex Bregman sacrificed, Jose Altuve was intentionally walked and Carlos Correa hit into a forceout that advanced Springer to third.
Brian McCann walked on 10 pitches, and Gattis took a high-and-inside, full-count pitch for ball four.
STAFFORD COUNTY – A Kansas man was involved in a small plane mishap just before 1:30p.m. on Sunday in Stafford County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1978 Bellanca, single engine 4-seat aircraft piloted by Milton D. Pinkston, 86, St. John, aligned the takeoff path incorrectly.
The aircraft went too far to the east, traveled off the runway and entered a muddy wheat field. The landing gear dug in and the aircraft flipped.
Hays, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team was unable to keep pace with the Lindenwood offense Sunday afternoon (April 9) at Larks Park, falling 17-6 in seven innings. The Lions used a seven-run second inning to take control early, never trailing in the contest.
The Tigers fall to 9-25 this season and 2-19 in the MIAA, while the Lions improve to 22-14 overall and 15-9 in league action.
Fort Hays State cut an 8-0 deficit in half in the bottom of the third inning, pushing four runs across the plate. Jace Bowman led off with a single to left, moving to second after the Lion defender misplayed the ball. The third baseman came in to score when Jake Lanferman singled through the right side. An error by the Lion third baseman allowed Nick Hammeke to reach before Trevor Hughes knocked in a run with a double to the wall in left center. Hammeke and Hughes both came in to score on wild pitches later in the inning, moving the Tigers within 8-4.
The Lions answered with two runs in the fourth before tacking on one in the fifth and six in the seventh, going up 17-4. Fort Hays State clawed back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Lions still led by 11 to bring the 10-run rule into effect. Bowman got things going with a two-out single before Ty Redington clubbed a double to left center. They both came around to score when Lanferman singled to left, making the score 17-6. Hammeke kept things rolling with a double into the left field corner, his MIAA-best 17th two-base hit of the season. The run would end there, however, as Lindenwood starter Kyle Hentis wrapped up the complete game with his fourth strikeout of the afternoon.
Starter Alex Ruxlow (4-7) took the loss after allowing seven runs in 1.1 innings of work, striking out one. The Tigers used six pitchers on the day, all of which allowed at least one run. Lanferman finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored, collecting his 10th multi-hit game of the season. Redington extended his hitting streak to a team-best 14 games, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Bowman collected a pair of hits, scoring each time he was on base.
The Tigers will return to the diamond Tuesday (April 11) when they travel to play Nebraska-Kearney at 6 p.m.
Rep. Eber Phelps, (D-Hays) is the 111th Dist. state representative.
Dear Friends,
This is the final week before the Kansas legislature adjourns for a three-week long break, during which the governor signs off on or vetoes the bills passed this session. We will return for veto session on May 1st.
KPERS Payments Approved
On Thursday, the House and Senate passed Senate Sub for Sub HB 2052, a rescission bill that essentially fixed the budget for the current fiscal year. The current budget was in a deficit of $290 million. Fiscal year 2017 ends on June 30th.
House Democrats and Republican negotiators stood their ground on this bill to ensure that the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) was fully funded through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017. The budget passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in 2016 had not made full payments to the retirement system.
As a result of House negotiators standing firm for working Kansans, an additional $86 million was appropriated to KPERS and payments will be made through the fourth quarter of FY 2017.
Last Week on the House floor
Before the break, several bills were passed through on the House floor. Here are a few. You can read about all of the bills to hit the floor this week here.
HB 2391: An act concerning driving; relating to driving under the influence and other driving offenses; authorized restrictions of driving privileges, ignition interlock device; expungement of convictions and diversions.
SB 55: An act concerning public construction contracts; relating to performance and payment bonds; Kansas fairness in public construction.
SB 149: An act concerning the attorney general; relating to briefs in a criminal matter or post-conviction case in the supreme court or court of appeals; legal representation charges; legal services; creating the attorney general’s state agency representation fund.
HB 2360: An act concerning the administration of the state employee health benefits plan; creating the division of state employee health benefits plan in the department of administration.
H Sub for SB 70: An act concerning amusement rides; relating to the Kansas amusement ride act.
HB 2279: An act concerning courts; relating to disposition of failure to comply with a traffic citation reinstatement fees; judicial branch nonjudicial salary adjustment fund.
Medicaid Expansion Veto Sustained
Thursday, Governor Sam Brownback vetoed the Medicaid expansion bill that had successfully passed through both the Kansas House and Senate. The House took up the veto override vote that same Thursday, but tabled the vote. There was no session Friday.
It was brought back off the table on Monday. All 125 House members were in attendance for the final action vote. In order to override in the House, a total of 84 votes are required. The final tally was 81 – 44. To override in the Senate requires 27 votes, but also requires an override in both chambers. Without the House, the Senate did not hold a vote. I joined 80 of my House Colleagues in voting to override the veto.
The Medicaid expansion veto was sustained. House legislators will continue to work towards expanding healthcare to the 150,000 Kansans currently without coverage.
No Gun Debate
On Monday, a motion was made in the House to bring HB 2042 above the line on to General Orders. HB 2042 is a reciprocity bill in regard to firearms – read the details on the bill here.
This bill would have been a vehicle to bring amendments on keeping guns off of campuses and out of hospitals, something that has yet to be addressed this session. As of July 1st 2017, concealed carry without a permit will be legal in state hospitals and universities. The motion to bring HB 2042 to the floor failed on Tuesday morning with a 44 – 81. After listening to university administrators, students and campus law enforcement, I voted to bring the bill to the floor for discussion. I do not support concealed carry on campuses, KU Medical Center or state mental institutions.
I am hopeful for another chance at this debate when we return for veto session.
Strong beer bill passes.
Kansas legislature this week passed legislation allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell beer up to 6.0 percent by volume, beginning April 1, 2019. Your local liquor stores will continue to sell beer, wine and spirits, plus they’ll get to add non-alcoholic products to their offerings.
The goal of proponents has always been to see the adoption of policies that provide customers with more choice and convenience in the marketplace. This bill does that. Many supporters wished the legislative compromise included more and went into effect sooner.
This legislation provides opportunities for grocery, convenience, and liquor stores to expand their product offerings and better serve customers.
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I both value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 43-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-4683 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.
Sincerely,
Eber Phelps, D-Hays
111th Dist. Kansas House of Representatives
Serving Hays and Ellis County
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former football star for what now is Wichita State University is being remembered for his composure confronting racism directed at him and other black athletes in the 1940s.
About 100 family and friends gathered Saturday at Koch Arena for a memorial service for Linwood Sexton, who died March 29 at the age of 90.
As a halfback, Sexton led the Shockers in total offense in 1946 and 1947, helping them to a 1947 Raisin Bowl berth. He earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors from 1945 through 1947.
That’s despite sitting out games in places such as Tulsa and West Texas State because of his race.
Sexton is a member of the conference, Shockers and Kansas sports halls of fame.
Today Sunny, with a high near 63. Windy, with a northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
