MANHATTAN — Harold Lonsinger, Alton, has given a gift of land to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Harold and Olympia Lonsinger Sustainability Research Farm.

In a media release, KSU reported Lonsinger gave 2,300 acres of Osborne County farmland to Kansas State University to develop a research farm focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and soil conservation, reclamation and protection.

A childhood resident of Pottawatomie County, Lonsinger joined the U.S. Army after graduating from high school. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II, and later served in a non-combat role in Korea. He then enrolled at Kansas State University, earning his degree in mechanical engineering in 1956. He and his wife, Olympia, lived in Hutchinson where he worked as an engineer. In 1984, he retired from Doskocil Food Service as the vice president of engineering. He and Olympia moved to Cawker City to farm and raise livestock.

“I was given this land for a purpose,” Lonsinger said. “I think the research Kansas State University will conduct and the knowledge they will gain will help protect and preserve our precious natural resources. That seems to be the purpose.”

Lonsinger has stressed that his goal of donating the land is to learn how to best restore the soil to its historic quality.

“Among our many agricultural experiment stations, Harold’s gift of more than 2,000 acres of quality Kansas farm- and grassland will become a hallmark of sustainable farming research at K-State,” said John Floros, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. “Much of the Lonsinger land is contiguous and will allow investigators to discover how historical and innovative farming practices impact larger tracts of soil over time. The research we will be able to conduct will have application for Kansas farmers and for producers worldwide.”

Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the KSU Foundation. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1.4 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved reorganization within the Treasurer’s Department at Monday’s meeting.

Earlier this month, the county’s deputy treasurer stepped down and current Treasurer Josh Wasinger said, after talking with Treasurer-elect Lisa Schlegel, they decided to eliminate the deputy treasurer position.

The changes will result in the division of the duties of the deputy treasurer among current staff, and one person will be designated as deputy to assist the treasurer and manage the department in the treasurer’s absence.

The reorganization also changes three positions on the pay scale. According to Wasinger, the accounting manager, the administrative coordinator and tax collector will all see at least one upgrade on the pay scale.

Wasinger estimated the moves will save the county $5,750 per year.

In other business, Public Works Director Bill Ring talked to the commission about starting a public campaign to increase awareness about farmers planting in right of ways.

Ring said the tall crops make it dangerous for motorists at some intersections in the county. It is also illegal to graze the right a ways, he said.

The commission also approved a road striping contract with Straight-Line Striping of Grand Island, Neb., for $15.97 a gallon, and gave the Public Works Department the go-ahead to begin the process of vacating two roads that were never platted. The roads are located off Old Highway 40 and Canterbury.

Commissioner Barb Wasinger was absent.

NESS CO. SHERIFF

NESS COUNTY – On Monday, September 18, 2017, the Ness County Sheriff’s Office and Rush County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at 105 South 6th in Brownell.

James Bird, Brownell, was arrested for unlawful manufacturing of marijuana oil, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of weapons, and charges from Rush County.

Noelle Vohs, Brownell, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal possession of a firearm.

All charges are pending through the Ness County Attorney’s Office except for the charges committed in Rush County.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Several member of the local Courtney-Spalding Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were on hand to watch Hays Mayor Shaun Musil read and sign a proclamation observing this as National Constitution Week.

Musil presented the signed proclamation to members Bunnie Bowen-Chapter Treasurer, Celia Nicholson, Donna M. Schmidt-Chaplain, Ruth Pruitt-Chapter Registrar, Sherrie Smith-Chapter Regent, and Judy Sherard.

The event celebrates the signing of the U.S. Constitution, Sept. 17, 1787. Constitution Week is Sept. 17-23.

The Courtney-Spalding Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in April 1926 with members from Ellis, Russell, Trego and Ellsworth counties. Its current goals stress membership growth, conservation, American History and Good Citizenship Awards to further the education and historic values of youth. The chapter focuses on U.S. flag presentations, supporting patriotism throughout the nation and supporting troops in Project Patriot.

The chapter name was derived from the ancestors of the two ladies instrumental in organizing the chapter, Coral Courtney Carter, whose ancestor was Thomas Courtney from Virginia and Mary Lois Ruppenthal, a descendant of Ezekiel Spalding from Massachusetts.