BARBER COUNTY – A small earthquake shook portions of Kansas on Sunday.
The quake just before 6:15p.m. measured 2.8 and was centered approximately 2 miles southeast of Medicine Lodge, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The agency recorded 7 earthquakes in March including a 2.9 quake Thursday near Belle Plaine. The USGS also recorded 6 earthquakes in February. They measured from 2.5. to 3.3.
There are no reports of damage or injury from Sunday’s quake.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Faculty and staff at the University of Kansas reported declining morale because of concerns about salary, lack of support, increased workload and the state government’s increasing role in running the university, according to a “climate” survey taken on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses last fall.
The survey, which was conducted in fall 2016 by a consulting firm hired by the university, found 64 percent of faculty and 55 percent of staff “seriously considered” leaving the university in the past year, The Lawrence Journal-World reported (https://bit.ly/2oGWKdD ).
“I don’t think it’s any secret that there’s been a morale problem with faculty and staff the last few years,” said University Senate President Joe Harrington, an English professor. “There’s a lot of factors at play.”
Harrington said state budget cuts and a law requiring state universities to allow concealed handguns on campus beginning July 1 also contributed to low morale.
The survey, which included written comments and numerical data, was conducted in fall 2016 by Rankin & Associates. Its results were released Wednesday during a meeting for senior leadership, employees and students.
The faculty’s top concerns were salary, a lack of professional development opportunities and funding, evaluation process problems, benefits and “the increasing presence of the state government in managing the institution,” an executive summary said.
Staff concerns included an “overwhelming workload” caused by fewer employees, evaluation process concerns, inequities in scheduling and workload, quality of supervision and family-related issues, according to the summary.
Minority and disabled employees reported mostly higher percentages of strongly considered leaving the university. The summary said 68 percent of American Indian, 68 percent of Hispanic, 67 percent of multiracial and 49 percent of African-American employees considered leaving, compared to 57 percent of white employees. More than 70 percent of employees with disabilities considered leaving, compared to 56 percent of employees without disabilities.
University spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson said the survey was another tool to help the university improve.
“The University of Kansas, like peer institutions across the nation, wants to improve the campus climate,” Barcomb-Peterson said in a statement. “This survey has shown us that we are not unlike other universities: Overall, our community views our campus climate favorably, but we have work to do.”
The survey included some positives, including 71 percent of employees who said they were comfortable in their respective units and more than 80 percent of faculty said the school valued research and they felt valued by students.
Harrington gave new provost Neeli Bendapudi credit for improving management since she was hired in mid-2016 by focusing on transparency and considering input from faculty, staff and student government.
In all, 6,774 surveys were completed, a 22 percent response rate, according to the executive summary.
Principal investigator Trina Ramirez, with the university’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning, said her office will analyze the 600-page survey results to make it more useful in improving the climate at the university.
KDWPT
PRATT – With a perfect storm of heavy fuel, high winds and low humidity, wild fires roared through 23 Kansas counties in early March. One of the largest burned more than 800 square miles in Clark and Comanche counties, scorching more than 80 percent of Clark County. The fires had a devastating impact to those who lived and worked in the area, destroying homes, fences, livestock feed and killing cattle.
The “Starbuck Fire” that burned Clark County was particularly fearsome because of the speed at which it spread. Witnesses estimated that it was at times charring the land at an incredible 50-60 mph. At that speed, some livestock and wildlife couldn’t get to safety.
While there isn’t an official assessment of the fire’s impact on wildlife, first-hand accounts from those who witnessed the fire’s aftermath provide insight. Reports indicate that this fire killed deer, pronghorn, coyotes, and rabbits, as well as other wildlife. Rough estimates indicate that 25 percent to 30 percent of deer inhabiting the burned area may have been killed and as much as 70 percent of the small number of pronghorn that lived in the area may have been killed. There were few reports of quail mortality, though it’s likely there will be indirect impacts due to lack of cover early in the growing season. There were reports of lesser prairie chicken mortality, but birds have since been observed on leks in burned areas.
In terms of deer management, the burned area makes up about 20 percent of Deer Management Unit 16, so the loss of deer for the unit is estimated at about 5 percent. Regulations allowing just one whitetail antlerless-only permit in Unit 16 were initiated in 2015 and will be kept in place this season. Additionally, the January 2018 extended antlerless season will be just one day long.
The prairie and native wildlife species have evolved with fire, and though this fire was particularly severe, both will recover. Though only time, resilience, and Kansas generosity will heal this fire’s scars, a silver lining is that the prairie eventually will be better than before. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism staff extend their sympathies to those impacted by this fire and will continue to monitor the recovery.
ALLEN COUNTY – A Kansas police officer was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. on Sunday in Allen County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Tanner Allen Beauvais, 23, Jenks, OK., stole the patrol vehicle of an Iola Police Department Officer.
The officer let go of the vehicle and skidded down the road.
The vehicle continued, left the roadway striking a tree off Mississippi Road three miles south of Iola.
Beauvais and the officer Steven S. Womack, 59, Iola, were transported to the Allen County Hospital.
Details on what prompted the incident and any charges were not available early Sunday afternoon.
SHPTV
BUNKER HILL – The sixth season of Smoky Hills Public Television’s Real Ag begins Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Exploring the agriculture industry, Real Ag is a local production that appeals to everyone from the farmer to the consumer. Each week a new topic is investigated and explained with the assistance of host Kyle Bauer, general manager of KFRM radio.
This season Real Ag will begin with a look at agritourism opportunities in the state. The following week, Real Ag will explore the use of robotic milking machines at dairies. Other topics planned for this season include honey, breweries, equipment and technology, food inspections, fish farms and artificial insemination of cattle.
Real Ag airs on Thursday nights at 7:30 with an encore Sunday afternoons at 1:30. Previous episodes can be viewed at smokyhillstv.org.
CHICAGO (AP) — The maker of Hunt’s Chili Kits says it is recalling some because they might be contaminated with salmonella.
Conagra Brands Inc. said Sunday that it is cooperating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recall “a limited amount” of the kits. See more here.
The company says there have been no reports of people getting sick.
Conagra says there could be salmonella in a raw material used in the chili-seasoning packets. The company says consumers should return kits to the store where they bought them.
The recalled 44.8-ounce kits have “best by” dates of April 4, April 5 and May 1, and product codes 3534619500, 3534619600 and 3534622200 below the barcode.
Conagra says consumers can call the company at 1-800-921-7404 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials are enrolling volunteers for critical next-stage testing of an experimental vaccine to protect against Zika, the mosquito-borne virus that can cause devastating birth defects in pregnant women.
The first volunteer was vaccinated Wednesday at Baylor College of Medicine. National Institutes of Health researchers aim to enroll at least 2,400 people in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and five at-risk countries: Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Peru.
The NIH says the shots passed preliminary safety tests. The larger study aims to determine whether the shots can protect.
Zika caused a large outbreak in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean last year. The U.S. risk has largely been to travelers, although mosquitoes spread the virus in parts of southern Florida and Texas last year.
By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post
For job seekers in the area, the annual Hays area job fair is set to take place on Wednesday, April 5, at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. The fair is open to all ages and anyone in the area that is looking for their dream job or a new career path.
“Last year, we had close to 140 people attend,” said Ernee Sly of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development. “It is open to anybody – high schoolers, college kids, anyone looking for employment either part-time or full-time. Anyone can attend.”
The job fair is host to a number of different businesses looking to hire positions ranging from nurses and electricians to food services and police officers. According to Sly, there are some booths that are consistently looking for employment.
“We have several businesses that are always hiring. Manufacturers are looking for help, a lot of health care jobs. This time of the year there is seasonal work and hotel jobs,” Sly said. “We open this up to businesses in several area counties.”
For a full list of companies attending the job fair and the positions hiring, visit www.hayshasjobs.com/JOBFAIR.aspx.
The 2017 Hays area job fair will be on April 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. The first 30 minutes are reserved for military members and their families.
For more information or if you have questions, contact Sly at 785-628-3102 or email [email protected].
Anyone needing help preparing a resume, tips on attending a job fair, interviewing tips, etc., can visit www.kansasworks.com or call 785-625-5654.
Veta (Walker) Squier, age 87, passed away at the Rhode Island Suites, Ransom, on March 30, 2017. She was born on January 23, 1930, in Hays, to Marion and Dove (Stull) Walker.
She graduated Valedictorian from Brownell High School. On June 20, 1948, she was united in marriage to William Russel Squier. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage together, until his passing on July 24, 2016. Veta worked as a Postmaster in both Ransom and Alexander. She enjoyed collecting antiques and baking for her grandchildren. Known for her love of gardening, Veta loved spending time outdoors growing both vegetables and flowers. She kept the family tree current, as she was very interested in genealogy. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was something she always cherished. Veta will be dearly missed.
Survivors include two sons, Marion Lee (Colette Pearce) Squier, Austin, Texas and John C. Squier, Ransom; two grandchildren, Stefanie Squier and Cecily (Steve Visser) Squier-Visser; and two great-grandchildren, Nels and Karsten Visser. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, William R. Squier, Jr.; and a daughter, Doveta Squier.
Funeral service will be Friday, April 7, 2017, 10:30 a.m., at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City with burial in the Vansburgh Cemetery, Brownell. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Ness County Community Development Foundation (movie theater in memo), 105 Penn, Ness City, KS 67560.
Doyle Thaine Beamgard, 91, was born October 13, 1925, the only child of George and Myrtle
Brown Beamgard, in Atwood, Kansas. He died March 30, 2017, at Hays Medical Center.
His childhood was spent on a farm southwest of Atwood, where he attended eight years
of school at Harmony District #10. Doyle moved to Atwood in 1939 with his parents. He
attended and graduated from Atwood High School in 1943.
After graduation, Doyle was inducted into the United States Army. He served in the
South Pacific Theatre with the 43rd Infantry Division, WWII, for which he was awarded
the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Battle Stars. He participated in
the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippine Islands, for which he received the Bronze
Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Philippine Liberation Medal from the
Philippine Government. When the war was over, Doyle was one of the first two hundred
Americans on Japanese soil in Yokohama Bay, as the surrender was signed on the
Battleship Missouri. He was then transferred to Eight Army Headquarters. He became a
member of the Army of Occupation and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal.
He returned to the United States in May 1946, and was discharged with the rank of
Technical Staff Sgt.
Doyle and Loraine Ewan were married June 9, 1946, at the First Christian Church in
Atwood, Kansas. To this union were born two daughters, Marcia Jan and Judy Rena.
Doyle and Loraine celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in June, 2016.
Doyle was hired in 1946 as Director of the Rawlins County Agricultural and
Conservation Office. He remained in that position until 1953. During these years,
Doyle was instrumental in arranging the first annual Rawlins County Soil
Conservation meeting. He acquired 40 years of perfect attendance at the annual
meetings.
In 1953, Doyle joined the Keirns and Yager families at the State Bank of Atwood.
They became a part of Doyle and Loraine’s extended family. The State Bank of Atwood
was sold to the Starr family in 1977. Doyle remained with the bank, retiring in 1987, as
President and Chairman of the Board.
During his banking years, Doyle served on the Atwood City Council, which included two
terms as Mayor of the City of Atwood. He also served as board member and Chairman
of the Board of the Rawlins County Hospital in Atwood. During this time, he also
served 22 years on the Board of the High Plains Mental Health Center in Hays, Kansas,
two of which he was Chairman of the Board. Doyle was appointed to the Kansas State Judicial Council, Probate Law Division, by Governor Mike Hayden, then Speaker of the House. He attended monthly meetings in Topeka for 12 years. Doyle was a member of the Atwood Lions Club, and served two years as President. He was a 71-year
member of the American Legion Post #46 of Atwood, for which he served as financial
officer for several years. He was a 70-year member of Atwood Masonic Lodge #164.
He was also a Life Member of Radiant Chapter #229, of the Order of Eastern Star, of
which he served as Worthy Patron. He was also Guardian of the Order of Job’s Daughters, Atwood. Doyle is a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9076 Hays, Kansas.
Doyle was a co-founder and original board member of the Atwood Second Century Fund,
and served on the Board of Directors until his retirement. He also served as Trustee for
the Francis and Lucille Obert Trust since its inception in 1987.
Doyle was a former member of the First Christian Church of Atwood, Kansas, where he
Served as Deacon, Treasurer and Board Chairman. After moving to Hays, Doyle and
Loraine joined the First Presbyterian Church of Hays, where he was ordained as Elder
and served as Elder. He also served on the Session and as a member of the Personnel
Committee. At present, he was serving as Assistant Treasurer of the church. He
particularly enjoyed his relationships with the youth of the church.
Doyle went to South McDonald’s in Hays each afternoon for coffee and developed
many close relationships with the young people employed there. He often said, “they
spoil me rotten, and I love it”.
A highlight in Doyle’s life was on a WWII Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C
with his grandson, Mitchell. Upon arrival, he was notified that he had been chosen to
place the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery
during a regular ceremony. Due to diligent work by Ron and Dana Keller, Doyle was
presented the Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service. The ceremony was at
the Presbyterian Church, Hays, Kansas, November of 2016.
Doyle was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 70 plus years, two daughters, Marcia Jan and her husband, Richard Dinkel of Hays, Kansas; Judy Rena and her husband, Larry Pitts of Blue Springs, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jill Luedke and Blake Bradford and their twins, Cyrus and Star of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mitchell Mellick and his wife, Jennifer and their daughters, Emily, Isabel, Audrey and Olivia; Jim Dinkel and his wife, Cristi and their children Brandon and Paige; all of Lenexa, Kansas; special friends, Floyd and Marcia Henry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Brandon, Katie and Lennon Mai of Hays; several cousins and their families; and a host of friends.
A celebration of Doyle’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 8th at the First
Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays, with military honors by the Hays Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post No. 9076 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m.
until time of service on Saturday at the church. Private family inurnment will be at Fairview
Cemetery, Atwood, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested in Doyle’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church, Hays, or
Atwood Second Century Fund, Atwood, Kansas in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel
Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences may be left for the
family at www.haysmemorial.com
Lucille Ernestine Drees, 96, Hays, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Friday, March 31, 2017. Lucille, born November 4, 1920 in Hays, was the youngest of eleven children born to Mary (Ubert) and Richard Michael Drees. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Richard and Joseph, and her eight sisters: Anna, Susan, Emelie, Mary, Evarista, Mildred, Rita, and Tillie Deen.
Lucille was a 1938 graduate of Girls Catholic High School, and went to work at the Hays Flour Mill shortly thereafter as a secretary. In August of 1963 she began her career at Fort Hays State, working as secretary for the Dean of Students, for the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and eventually in the Virtual College. Lucille’s typing and shorthand skills were something to behold. She retired from Fort Hays in June of 1989, but continued to stay active in her church and her community.
Lucille was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and for a time, the Comeau Catholic Campus Center, where she thoroughly loved praising God in song through her ministry in the choir.
Being a firm believer in the democratic process, Lucille was a tireless volunteer on Election Day, working the polls from sunup until sundown, and sometimes longer, for more years than even she could remember, and that is saying something.
Her memory remained sharp until the end of her life, and, being the avid family historian that she was, compiled a seventeen-page, hand-written, family history which included personal memories, terms of endearment, and old home remedies. As was Lucille, this is truly a treasure.
Lucille will be remembered as one of the most kind-hearted, generous people to ever grace the earth. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and she loved her family and any and all time spent together. Lucille had a terrific sense of humor and her laughter was infectious. Even forty plus years after she received it, she still got the biggest kick out a birthday card that her boss had given her with the punch line “you picked a fine time to leave me, loose wheel!”
Lucille is survived by four nieces – Patricia Coulter, Eileen Maxwell, Anita Deen, and Mary Ellen (Denis) Abbott, three nephews – Richard (Berniece) Deen, Thomas (Sharon) Drees, and Charles (Pam) Drees, fourteen great nieces and nephews, as well as numerous great great nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 4, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time and a rosary will begin at 9:30 am, all on Tuesday at the church.
Memorials in Lucille’s name may be made to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School or the St. Joseph’s Rectory Renovation fund. Condolences may be left at www.haysmemorial.com
Connie (Flegler) Golbek, 63, of Salina, Kansas, and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Smokey Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Salina.
Surviving family include her son, John Golbek (Lori) of Bennington, Kansas; mother, Barbara Flegler of Billings, Montana; brother, Alan Flegler and companion Darnel of Billings, Montana; and two grandchildren, Jonathan Golbek and Lily Golbek.
Preceded in death by her father, Vernon Dean Flegler and brother, Rick Flegler.
Celebration of Connie’s Life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
Brookdale Hays Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 8 at 9:30 am. Open to children 1 to 10 years old. Frost a cookie after the hunt.
