Q: What do you call a pile of kittens?
A: A meowntain.
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Month: July 2017
Hays Monarchs secure state tournament berth
COLBY, Kan. – The Hays Monarchs Optimist are headed to the Class AA State American Legion Baseball Tournament after their 14-0 win over Larned in the consolation finals Thursday night. The Monarchs scored four runs in the second inning then blew the game open with a nine run fourth and win the game by run-rule.
Zane Staab had three hits and Chase Werth drove in three runs. Trent Mayo picked up the win after holding Larned to one hit with five strikeouts and two walks.
Earlier in the day the Monarchs beat top-seeded Goodland 7-3 in eight innings to stay alive in the tournament. Goodland tied the game with three runs in the sixth. Chase Werth singled to drive in two after the Monarchs loaded the bases with three straight walks to open the eighth. Luke Ruder also drove in two runs. Ryan Ruder picked up the complete game win with 10 strikeouts and three walks. All three of the Goodland’s runs were unearned.
The Monarchs (20-10) have won six of their last seven games. The AA State Tournament begins Wednesday in Marysville.
Jr. Eagles eliminated from AA State Tournament
HAYS, Kan. – The Hays Junior Eagles run at the Class A State Tournament is over after a 7-6 loss to Chapman Thursday afternoon at Hays High. Emporia and the Andover Jaguars both won in the winner’s bracket to advance to Friday’s winner’s bracket finals. The Great Bend Braves, Olathe Royals and Andover Trojans along with Chapman are still alive in the consolation bracket.
Thursday’s scores
Great Bend Braves 17, Salina Hawks 3
Chapman Irish 7, Hays Eagles 6
Andover Jaguars 16, Olathe Royals 5
Emporia 8, Andover Trojans 6
Friday’s schedule
Great Bend Braves vs. Olathe Royals, 10am
Chapman Irish vs. Andover Trojans, 12:30pm
Andover Jaguars vs. Emporia, 6pm
Great Bend/Olathe winner vs. Chapman/Andover Trojans winner, 8pm
Second annual Duck Derby a key fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters
By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post
You might have already seen the signs all around town — the second annual Duck Derby will take place on Aug. 2 this year. The derby is a fundraiser for by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County where people can purchase rubber ducks that will race around the lazy river at the Hays Aquatic Park for a chance to win a big prize. The money goes to the Big Brothers Big Sisters, a program with the mission of changing the lives of local kids.
“We’re a mentoring organization. We have been around since 2000, matching kids one-on-one with a Big Brother, Big Sister, a couple, or family match,” said Jenny Bates, BBBS area director. “When someone pairs with a child, they are committing to meeting with them once a week or something close to that — taking them out, just doing things with them, spending time with them, encouraging them, just helping them feel better about themselves and achieve things in life that might come harder to some kids.”
One duck costs $5, six ducks (a gaggle) are $25, 12 ducks (a flock) are $50, and 25 ducks (a colony) are for $100. This year, there will be 10,000 ducks — double the amount that raced in 2016.
There will be four heats of 2,500 ducks per heat. The top 250 ducks of each heat will compete in a championship race to determine prize winners. A full set of rules can be found here.
The grand prize for winning the Duck Derby is a 2015 Chevrolet Spark, a collaboration between James Motor Co., Hays Chevrolet, Auto World, Car Zone, Lewis Automotive Group of Hays, Happy’s Auto and Mid Kansas Auto Auction.
In addition to the Duck Derby, there will be a “Duck Dash” for kids ages 12 and under and the “Hays ‘Merica Cardboard Regatta Challenge,” where local businesses build boats made of only cardboard and duct tape and race each other in the lap pool. There will also be free kids games and a picnic starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Duck Derby is Aug. 2 at the Hays Aquatic Park from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
You can learn more by visiting the Ellis Bigs Facebook here.
You can sign up for ducks here.
INSIGHT KANSAS: Embracing boldness on health care
On July 6, Senator Jerry Moran temporarily embraced boldness after a townhall meeting in Palco, Kansas.
Our junior Senator met hundreds of constituents to discuss the healthcare experiences of real people from all across the state. Rural and urban hospital administrators came to argue for Medicaid funding, and he got an earful from a west Kansas doctor who once provided care to the Senator’s children.
Our senator said he was not going to vote for Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s “Better Health Care Reform Act” (BCRA) because it failed to serve the interests of Moran’s constituents. This epiphany seemed to reflect a sympathetic understanding of the many issues inherent in the healthcare debate in Kansas.
Not long ago in Kansas a life cut short by mishap or illness was commonplace. Such events were mostly “bad luck” or fate, and so the burden was individual and familial. The community was mostly there for the mourning.
Then things changed. Medical research, healthcare and government policies produced unimaginable change since the mid-20th Century. Unexpected death became rarer and chronic illness managed with diet, good medical care and medications became the norm. Good healthcare began to seem less a random privilege and more a right.
Medicare commenced in 1965. It is now universally available for Americans at age 65. Today 435,000 Kansans are age eligible for Medicare. Medicaid assists many elderly – both rural and urban – who can’t afford nursing care on their own. Today, 43,000 Kansas seniors receive such assistance. In all, 425,000 Kansans were enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP at the end of 2016. There are 204,000 Kansas veterans of which 16% (32,000) are rated for disability and receive some VA health benefits. Nearly 100,000 Kansans were enrolled in ACA health insurance coverage at the end of the 2017 enrollment period last winter.
Even allowing for the overlap amongst the populations just described and the many other Kansans who have benefited from the inclusion of preventive health screenings and the extension of insurance coverage to adult children under parental medical insurance mandated by the ACA, well over a million Kansans benefit from federal health programs and policies.
The number grows larger when considering one of the arguments made to Senator Moran that he embraced as justification for his opposition to BCRA. Medicaid, and Medicare reimbursements are linchpins to the economic viability of hospitals and clinics all across rural and suburban Kansas. In short, healthcare for the most at-risk and, truth be told, all the rest of us has moved from being a system of significant risk and inconsistent effectiveness to something that works albeit too expensively for everyone’s taste.
When Senator Moran and Senator Mike Lee of Utah announced they would not vote for BCRA, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act with a commitment to make the repeal effective after the 2018 election so that a replacement capable of attracting a perhaps bipartisan majority might be constructed. This is a “hamburger today for which I shall pay you Tuesday” approach for the gullible. If repeal occurs first, the matter will become the battle cry of the 2018 congressional elections, and after that a deflated and scuffed football to be kicked all the way to the end of the 2020 presidential election season and beyond.
Now is the time for Senator Moran to stop auditioning for the role of Wimpy in the ‘hamburger today’ show and instead embrace the role of leadership and advocacy for the million and more constituents in Kansas who know that these health policy issues need to be fixed now — not repealed with a feeble commitment to “replace” later.
Dr. Mark Peterson teaches political science at the college level in Topeka.
🎥 City commission consensus: 50% cut in Coalition funding
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
In a 28-minute discussion, Hays city commissioners Thursday night came to a consensus to cut city funding to the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development (ECCED) by 50 percent in the 2018 budget.
The proposal came from Commissioner Henry Schwaller and is the same percentage funding cut recommended last month by Ellis County commissioners in the county’s draft 2018 budget. Hays and Ellis County are the biggest contributors to the ECCED budget. The city’s distribution now stands at $43,775, down from the 2017 allocation of $87,550.
Vice Mayor James Meier went even further. “My position is that the Ellis County Coalition should not be funded this year,” he said. The Coalition has been criticized by city and county commissioners for not being responsive to the governing bodies’ directives for some time.
ECCED Executive Director Aaron White and Board President Deron O’Connor, Commerce Bank president, were in the audience but did not address the commission.
It was the only agreement reached and change made to the outside agency cuts proposed by City Manager Toby Dougherty in the draft budget. Dougherty’s recommendations were a 10 percent cut in allocations to the Fort Hays State University (FHSU) scholarship program (from $100,000 to $90,000) and to the ECCED (from $87,550 to $78,795).
“I was part of a strategic planning session yesterday for the Coalition,” Sandy Jacobs told her fellow commissioners, “and as I said last week, I had a tremendous amount of indecision. I was ready last night to agree with James and totally cut the funding.”
Jacobs said she was “really proud and very respectful of the people on that board. They all have jobs and lives and they still give their time to that.” She noted 19 of the 25 board members were present for Wednesday’s hours-long planning session. During a joint meeting with county commissioners in April, the discussion included a recommendation to downsize the number of board members to become more effective.
“There’s been some lapses, in my opinion, some veering off course and inability to reach consensus on some serious issues,” Jacobs read from a note in front of her, glancing out at White and O’Conner. “I know my fellow commissioners and our predecessors on this commission have given strong warning about funding with specific changes and initiatives in mind to no avail. … I think it’s a vital, vital organization,” she added.
“Commissioner Schwaller offered something tonight that I would be interested in. To reach consensus, I could (agree with) a 50 percent cut to the Coalition,” Jacobs concluded. “Changing my decision is very difficult….I’m serious. I don’t know what other words to use than ‘feet to the fire….we will be watching it.'”
Mayor Shaun Musil agreed.
“I think they need to do need to make some changes. I’ve met with the current board president and the president-to-be and I really think they get where we’re coming from. I think they want to make some changes. I hope that’s true,” Musil said. “To not have economic development, to me, would be a shame in our community.”
Commissioner Lance Jones, who is away for annual military training, has been absent the past two commission meetings.
The other four commissioners were still in disagreement about the FHSU cuts, with Musil and Jacobs fearing any reduction “sends a bad message.” Meier said he “can’t disagree with that but local government doesn’t exist to fund another governmental entity.”
In speaking with FHSU representatives, Musil noted they said “this year may be the biggest on-campus freshman class, more than 1,000.” Although he did not have the data in front of him, Musil said he had been told “every freshman student spends about $12,000 while in Hays, and part of that is retail purchases. That brings millions (of dollars) to our community. Where would we be without Fort Hays?”
Commissioner Schwaller, an instructor in the FHSU Robbins College of Business & Entrepreneurship, said he “would not participate” in the FHSU allocation discussion.
The cuts in outside agency funding would in part help pay for city employee raises in 2018.
“We have a set of 181 employees that we didn’t give a raise to last year,” Meier pointed out. “This year we said the only way you get a raise is if you cut your way to it (within department budgets). There’s nothing wrong with that. We should always be looking for efficiencies and say if you want something you can find it yourself through efficiencies. But beyond that, our employees are the ones that are affecting our policies and taking care of what a local government should be taking care of. For us to hold harmless outside agencies that withdraw from our General Fund while we ask our employees to cut their way to a raise, sends a message that perhaps we don’t want to send, not only to our employees but also to the general taxpayer.”
Meier concluded he was “fine with the staff recommendation” to cut FHSU funding by 10 percent.
The city’s General Fund monies come from the city sales tax. Hays is the only city in Kansas to do so. With the current flat trend in sales tax receipts, sales tax revenues in 2018 are projected flat compared to 2017. The 25.000 mill levy is maintained for 2018.
Also proposed by Dougherty is moving the remaining half of city funding for the Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) to the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) budget which is funded by the Transient Guest tax.
During the July 6 work session, Commissioner Jones said he favored also cutting DHDC by 10 percent. At that meeting Mayor Musil disagreed, saying “DHDC is one area of our sales tax base that’s growing.” Thursday night Musil noted he and his wife Heather will soon become owners of a downtown business and said he felt he “shouldn’t speak on the DHDC funding.”
Discussion of the 2018 draft budget will continue at the July 27 regular meeting. The approved 2018 budget must be submitted to the Ellis County Clerk by Aug. 25, following a public hearing yet to be scheduled.
🎥 Friday at the Ellis County Fair
This weekend’s Hays-area garage sales
Hays-area garage sales
Made possible by our sponsors: Coldwell Banker Executive Realty, Midwest Energy, Nex-Tech Wireless, Northwestern Printers and RE/MAX Pro.
Scroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly. Having a sale next weekend? Click HERE for details.
Address: All on East 29th Street: 200, 204, 205, 206, 207, 219, and possibly more!
Multiple family garage sale! Too many items to list, but a few include: furniture; bikes; men’s and women’s apparel; kids clothing & toys; household items; etc! A must see for anyone! No early birds please!
Friday and Saturday, July 21st & 22nd, from 9 am – 1 pm
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Address: 206 E. 29th Street
Items for sale: Some items include but not limited to… boys, men’s, & women’s clothing & shoes; toddler bed, crib, high chair, baby swing, stroller, bedding & accessories for young boys’ room, & lots of toys; furniture, household items, bikes, and so much more! Part of a 6-household garage sale on the 200 block of E. 29th Street, in Hays! No early birds please!
Friday 9-? And Saturday 9-12 (if applicable)
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Address: 2202 Farley Pl. Hays
Items for sale: Furniture, woodworking equipment, tires, DS and Wii games, womens tall (small and medium) scrub pants, scrub tops, girls and boys 7/8 clothing, kids shoes, many boxes of brand new mens shoes size 9-1/2, some 10s, DVDs, kids toys, tons of books, home décor, bedding, NeoFlam cookware, dollhouse, Denver Bronco shirts, Christmas floral pieces, stuffed animals, lots of miscellaneous…..too much to list and new items added Saturday.
Friday 2-7, Saturday 9-12
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Address: 108 W. 38th St., Hays
Items for sale: Multi-family sale. Furniture (armoire, sofa, dressers, etc.), toy train table, children’s and teen brand name clothing, toys, books, Pack ‘n’ Play, umbrella stroller, sandbox, queen comforter set, household items, seasonal decor. Cash preferred.
Fri., July 21, 8 am-6 pm & Sat., July 22, 8 am-Noon
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Address: 201 Skyline Court, Hays
Items for sale: 13 in. Craftsman thickness planer, metal folding ramps for pickup, collectibles, HP Officejet printer fax copy scanner, Restoration Hardware king size duvet cover, solid oak TV stand, 17 in, charcoal grill, 6 x 9 rug – new, women’s clothing – small, women’s shoes- some brand new, hoop skirt – small, teaching materials, children’s books, arts/crafts, wireless keyboard and mouse, plus much more. All items from pet-free, smoke-free homes. No earlybirds please.
Friday, July 21, 2-7 pm Sat. July 22 8-noon
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Address: 2911 Hillcrest Dr, Hays
Items for sale: Huge Moving Sale. A Dobro barely used, a tire with approx 3000 miles on it, a Coleman 5000 & a Honda 1000 generators, used once when I tryed them out new and been in storage shed ever since. Mens clothing 3 & 4X, Womens clothing XL.. Mens & womens shoes, tools, bar-b-que grill, tools, antiques, dishes, books, furniture (recliners), electric range & various other items..
WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS
July 21st starting @1pm til 6pm. Saturday July 22nd starting @7:30am til 1pm
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Address: 2212 Henry Dr., Hays
Mult. Family Garage Sale. Furniture, Baby Items, Sm Scrubs, Misc.
Friday the 21st only starting at 3:30
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SUBMIT your free garage sale listing where it will be SEEN! Deadline is noon each Wednesday, but, hey, we’re flexible here at Hays Post. Click HERE to submit your weekend garage sale.
Triple-digit heat on Friday
Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. South southwest wind 7 to 17 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 74. South wind 9 to 16 mph.
Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Southwest wind around 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Saturday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind 7 to 11 mph.
SundayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday NightA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
MondayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Police: Kan. man and woman hospitalized, jailed after shooting
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects involved in a shooting.
Just before 9 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 1700 Block of NW Lower Silver Lake Road in Topeka after report of a shooting, according to a media release.
Upon arrival officers found 36-year-old Travis Cook with a gunshot to the leg. They also found 32-year-old Stacey Michael in the residence. She had a broken jaw.
Police reported the two had an altercation and she shot Cook in the leg. Both were transported to a local hospital.
Following treatment, police booked Cook on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery. Police booked Michael on unrelated charges.
USGS: Three earthquakes in Kansas this week, 5 in July
HARPER COUNTY – A third earthquake this week shook portions of Kansas Thursday. The quake measured a magnitude 2.5 and was centered seven miles southeast of Anthony according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
It follows a 2.5 magnitude quake in the same area and at about the same time Wednesday and another on Tuesday morning in Harper County.
The agency has recorded five quakes in Kansas this month, 18 Kansas earthquakes in June, 9 in May, a dozen in April, 7 in March and 6 in February.
There are no reports of damage or injury from Thursday’s quake, according to the Harper County Sheriff’s Department.
Kan. police chief teases on social media after drugs found in store bathroom
ELLSWORTH – Law enforcement authorities used social media in an attempt to get the attention of a drug suspect.
Ellsworth Police Chief Emil Halfhill wrote, “This eye glass case was found in the men’s bathroom at Gene’s Foodmart. Found inside the case was a glass meth pipe and a baggie of meth. It appears to be $50 dollar amount worth of meth inside the baggie.
“If you didn’t notice gas also went up 5 cents today, so I’m sure losing your meth and paying more for gas sure seems horrible.
“Well, do I have a deal for you. If you are the owner of the eye glass case and meth let us know and we will be more than happy to give you a free ride. Just consider us your Über for the day.”
Police: Kan. man jailed after crash in truck stolen from dealer
FINNEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug and stolen vehicle charges
Just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Police took a report of a stolen Silver 2004 Nissan Titan truck from Signature Autoplex, 512 East Fulton in Garden City, according to a media release.
Just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, officers observed the stolen Nissan traveling eastbound in the 1500 block of East Spruce Street in Garden City.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle fled from police. Officers pursued the vehicle to the area of Highway 50 and Towns Road where the driver identified as Larry Briscoe Jr., 37, Garden City, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a telephone pole.
Police arrested Briscoe Jr. without incident or injury. He is being held in the Finney County Jail on possible charges of: Possession of Methamphetamine, Fleeing and Eluding, Theft (Possession of Stolen Property), Driving while License Suspended and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The vehicle is valued at $10,500.