The Hays West Central Special Education Cooperative and the Special Education Advisory Council will be hosting the Hays Special Needs Resource Fair from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Lincoln Elementary School and from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 at O’Loughlin Elementary School.
The goal of this free event is to connect students with disabilities and their families to supports and services that will help them reach their goals for self-sufficiency and independence. The individuals participating will be the cooperative’s parents and employees.
Participating Agencies
USD 489 and Hays West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative (HWCKSEC)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas
Hays Area Children Center
Families Together
Down Syndrome Society
High Plains Mental Health Center
Herdon Clinics
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Raj Sharma, special education director, at [email protected] or 316-516-2934 or 785-623-2400.
Hays USD 489 school board candidates were asked Tuesday night about a proposed $78.5 million school bond that will be up for a vote Nov. 7.
A candidate forum was hosted at the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and the FHSU Student Government Association. The four participants are vying for three open seats on the board.
Kevin Daniels, a minister at the Hays Christian Church and a write-in candidate, focused on the importance of storm shelters and secure entrances that would be added if the bond passes.
“To not have storm shelters at our schools is unacceptable,” Daniels said. “I heard someone saying earlier today only one student has ever died at a school during a tornado. That is appalling to me because what if that was your student? What if that was your child? We need storm shelters in our schools.”
Daniels also noted the schools need to be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. Roosevelt Elementary School has a storm shelter, but it is in the basement, which makes it inaccessible to children in wheelchairs.
“We have to make sure we are providing an equal education to all students regardless of their abilities,” he said.
Daniels also said schools need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst and that means secure entrances at all schools.
Mike Walker is the director of the Docking Institute for Public Affairs and was a member of the Community Vision Team that created the current bond issue. He noted the Hays school district has not had a successful bond issue since 1992 when a small bond was passed for repairs and HVAC upgrades for several schools.
“While nobody wants to increase their own taxes,” he said, “I think we have to realize that is time for a new bond to be passed.”
Walker said this bond is totally different from the $94 million bond that failed in 2016. This is a 30-year bond with improvements that will last 40 to 50 years, he said.
Lance Bickle, current school board president, said the most important part of the bond is the education piece.
“As Mr. Walker alluded to — taxes. Nobody likes them, and I am right there with you. I don’t like taxes any more than the next person. I also think we need to look at this as a long-term investment in our community,” he said.
Bickle also noted Hays has not had a bond in many years, whereas peer districts have had two, three or four bonds.
The vision team that put the bond together listened to input about school needs from community members, parents and teachers, he said.
Sophia Rose Young is a parent of two and the donor communications manager at Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.
“I really believe the district does need a bond,” she said. “What that bond looks like … if this is the bond or not, I don’t know. That is up to the community vote. I think the board made the right decision to put it in front of the community and let them decide because the Vision Team did put a lot of energy into it.”
Young noted the state has placed a limit on amount of bond debt that can be issued in the state each year. Hays is exempt from that law for this bond because it has been more than 25 years since its last bond issue. The bond is large, but the district might not be able to secure funding in the future if the district split the work into two or more smaller bonds.
The candidates were also asked what they thought the board should do to address facilities needs if the bond does not pass.
Walker said the board is already taking steps to address some facilities needs separate from the bond issue.
“If the bond does not pass, there are going to have to be some hard decisions what to do because the money will have to come out of capital outlay,” he said.
One of the issues the bond would address would be more classroom space. An alternative to building expansions could be temporary classrooms. The cafeteria at the middle school will still need to be expanded because it was constructed to handle a great deal fewer students than it is handling today.
When Bickle was elected to the board four years ago, he said his priorities were long-range planning, budgeting and maintenance. He said the board is addressing maintenance issues and will continue to do so if the bond fails.
“I did not think it was responsible from a board perspective to think that we were going to pass a bond or if it failed that it was just going to fix all our problems,” he said. “I really felt we needed to get a maintenance plan in place and to begin working on things regardless of what happened with the bond and proving we were fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money.”
Some of the projects the board has approved were upgrades to the middle school HVAC system and upgrades to LED lighting at the high school.
“Having said that,” Bickle added, “there is a long list of things that need to be addressed in this district, and we can eventually get to them, but I can’t tell you when that will be because we only have so much money each year to go around to do that. We need to put that toward the most dire needs possible. I think that is something we are continuing to do, and I think we need to continue to do regardless if (the bond) passes or not.”
Young said she believes, if this bond fails, the district would come back with another bond. She said the district would have to re-evaluate maintenance if the bond fails, because some of the needs are tied to the bond at this time.
Daniels said if the bond fails, the district needs to get in a room with people who voted no and ask them why they didn’t vote for the bond.
“If we keep coming up with these great plans, and we try to communicate the benefits of the bond and all the benefits of the things that we are trying to do without actually listening to people and listening to the voters,” he said, “we are going to be in the same boat a year down the road and a year down the road and a year down the road every time we bring up a bond.”
The general election is Nov. 7. Advance voting will begin Oct. 23.
See one-on-one video interviews with the school board candidates Thursday through Saturday on the Hays Post.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect wanted for alleged aggravated robbery.
Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police were called to domestic disturbance in the 1300 Block of East North Street in Salina, according to Captain Paul Forrester.
A woman reported that the suspect ran out the back door of the residence. Police quickly found him hiding under a futon.
The 25-year-old suspect gave police the fake name, Alex Johnson before officers found paperwork with his real name Alex Larussa. He then confirmed that was his name.
The officer then determined that Larussa had an outstanding warrant in Barton County for aggravated robbery.
Great Bend Patrol Lt. Scott Bieberle could not provide much information on the September 9 incident in the 900 Block of Quivira in Great Bend because it is currently with the county attorney.
After authorities in Great Bend were unable to make contact with Larussa, the case was sent to the county attorney who issued the warrant.
Larussa has previous convictions for theft and burglary in Dickinson County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time for Kansans to think about how they handle their personal data on their phones and computer devices. With increased nationwide computer breeches and illegal activities, I urge you to protect your electronic communication activities, whether for insurance or other personal data.
Check out the following tips from the National Cyber Security Alliance, with more information available on the organization’s https://staysafeonline.org website.
Lock down your login
Your usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking and social media. Strengthen online accounts and use strong authentication tools – like biometrics, security keys or a unique, one-time code through an app on your mobile device – whenever offered.
Keep a clean machine
Keep all software on internet-connected devices – including personal computers, smartphones and tablets – current, to reduce risk of infection from ransomware and malware.
When in doubt, throw it out
Links in email, tweets, posts and online advertising are often how cybercriminals try to compromise your information. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or, if appropriate, mark it as junk.
Back it up
Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely. If you have a copy of your data and your device falls victim to ransomware or other cyber threats, you will be able to restore the data from a backup.
Own your online presence
Set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It is OK to limit how and with whom you share information.
Share with care
Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it and how it might affect you or others.
Personal information is like money. Value it. Protect it.
Information about you, such as purchase history or location, has value – just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it is collected by apps, websites and all connected devices.
Common sense action will help to make your personal data secure from unscrupulous hackers. Ken Selzer, CPA, is Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.
Lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Gary Gene Coon, 77, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland.
Gary was born on July 12, 1940 in Goodland, KS to Robert and Clela (Beecham) Coon. He was an only child to this marriage. After Clela’s death in 1954, Gary’s father married Dorothy Gillum, who brought into the family three more children. Gary attended school in Goodland and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1958. On November 4, 1959, he married Karen Ilene Beeson in Goodland, and to this union, two children; Lonnie and Lori were born.
Gary was a crop consultant for many area farmers for many years. He was a member of the Goodland Elks Lodge #1528. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, fishing and spending time with his coffee buddies. He was also a charter member in the High Plains Rooster Pheasants Forever Club. His main pride and joy were his grandchildren and looking forward to meeting his great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Surviving family members include his wife Karen of the home in Goodland, son Lonnie Coon and his wife Brenda, and daughter Lori Leonard and her husband David all of Goodland. He is also survived by four grandchildren Levi Coon, Katelyn Murray and her husband David, Michael Leonard, and Megan Voth and her husband JJ; one great granddaughter Kasandra Murray and one great grandchild due in February. He is also survived by two step brothers, Gary Gillum and his wife Clara, and Jim Gillum; and one step sister Deb Crouch and her husband Craig.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 10:00 AM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Brent Flanders officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home.
In Lieu of Flowers memorials are designated to Donor’s Choice and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.
Beginning Wednesday, the west southbound lane between 18th & 19th Street will be closed between the daily working hours of 8 AM to 4 PM.
This work is scheduled to be completed by Friday, Oct. 27, pending weather conditions.
Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. The traveling public should use caution and if at all possible avoid this area.
The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350 or the contractor, J-Corp, at 785-628-8101.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who helped kidnap a 9-year-old girl in Wichita and help her killer is up for parole for the fourth time.
The Prisoner Review Board is taking comments Wednesday in Derby on the parole bids of 54-year-old Donald Wacker and 16 other prison inmates. Wacker was convicted of helping Doil Lane kidnap Nancy Shoemaker near her south Wichita home on July 30, 1990.
After the abduction, the men drove Nancy to a Sumner County field where Lane raped her and strangled her with a belt. Her body was found more than six months later.
Nancy’s father, Bo Shoemaker, said Tuesday that the “goal” is to keep Wacker in prison. Shoemaker’s family lives in Florida but traveled to Wichita for the hearing.
Community members encouraged to vote for their favorite cause
LDI’s 4th annual “Win $1,000 For Your Favorite Charity” giveaway starts Nov. 1. Kansas community members are urged to submit an entry and vote for their favorite local cause or organization on the LDI Facebook page. Each Facebook user is limited to one vote per day.
LDI’s “Win $1,000 For Your Favorite Charity” giveaway has had over 40 organizations and special community projects across Kansas nominated for the grant. Last year’s winner was United Way of Dodge City. They used the grant to expand its community impact work through education, income and health.
“Community involvement has been at the forefront of LDI’s mission,” said Shelly Macumber, Marketing Director at LDI. “We pride ourselves in assisting our communities across Kansas. It’s what we enjoy and we’re happy to do what we can to help.”
The “Win $1,000 For Your Favorite Charity” giveaway is being presented in celebration of LDI’s commitment to serving Kansas through its full-service dealerships, product support and the “doing what it takes” attitude to provide customers with the best quality products, parts and service.
“LDI remains committed to the cities and towns where we live and work,” said Brian Lang, President and CEO of LDI. “When communities thrive, we thrive and giving to exceptional organizations is LDI’s way of recognizing our responsibility to help strengthen the communities we serve.”
You can nominate your favorite charity for the $1,000 grant giveaway November 1 – 30 on the LDI Facebook page. Voting starts Dec. 1 and continues until the end of day on Dec. 8. For more information on the LDI “Win $1,000 For Your Favorite Charity” contest, stop into one of the 12 dealerships located throughout Kansas or call Shelly Macumber at 785.301.2426.
The selected winner will be presented with a $1,000 check signed from LDI in the weeks following the contest’s completion, and winner information will be posted to the LDI Facebook page no later than Dec. 15.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a train has struck and killed a pedestrian in Topeka.
Police were called Wednesday morning after the body was found. The discovery was made in a southern part of the city, just west of the Landon Nature Trail and Betty Phillips Park.
The identity of the person who was hit wasn’t immediately released.
The FHSU Wind Ensemble and University Choirs will present their opening concert on Saturday, October 21st at 7:30 PM in the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Listeners can look forward to a variety of styles and periods from folk music to Spirituals to contemporary works.
A highlight of the evening will the premiere of Dr. Jeff Jordan’s new composition for choir and band entitled In Our Time.
Center for Life Experiences, 2900 Hall, Hays, will host TGI…Family Night Out Tue., Oct 24 6-8 p.m.
6:00pm-6:30pm – Meal served & Childcare Provided
6:30pm- 8:00pm- “Where Does My Money Go?/Basic Budgeting”
Presenter: Linda Beech, K-State/Ellis County Extension Agent Family & Consumer Science
RSVP for Childcare & Meal by Monday October 23, 2017- Call/text: Ann: 785-259-6859, Karla: 623-2430 Kaysie: 623-2440
DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling about 1.3 million 2015-17 F-150 and 2017 Super Duty vehicles in North America because of potential door problems.
The company said Wednesday that in some vehicles a frozen door latch or bent or kinked actuation cable may cause a door to not open or close. If consumers are able to open and close such doors, the door may appear closed, but the latch may not fully engage, increasing the risk for a possible injury.
Ford said it’s not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
The company’s dealers will install water shields over door latches and inspect and repair door latch actuation cables if necessary free of charge to customers.
The Fort Hays State University Alumni Association along with the support of Golden Belt Bank, Hays, Tigers In Service, the FHSU Student Government Association and Tiger Athletics encourage FHSU alumni and friends far and wide to participate in community service through the 2017 Tiger “Make a Difference” Project, October 16-November 3.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 16, Tigers worldwide are invited to work with a local organization or service project in their home community. Those conducting service are requested to submit photos, number of hours worked and/or testimonials about their experiences to the Alumni Association, which will then be shared socially with the Tiger family. Submission deadline: Friday, Nov. 3.
Locally, items will be collected in support of the USD 489 Hope Pantry. The pantry, established in 2015, assists homeless families and families that are at-risk of being homeless by providing them with food, clothing and other items needed to support themselves when school is not in session, especially over the holiday breaks.
In support of this effort, on Saturday, Oct. 28, the official “Make a Difference Day,” Tiger fans attending the FHSU vs. Emporia State football game at 2 p.m. are invited to bring one or more items (non-perishable food, new clothing, hygiene projects) or consider making a monetary donation to the Hope Pantry. Collection sites will be located at entry gates to Lewis Field Stadium. Those who contribute will receive a drawing ticket for an exclusive Tiger Tailgate Package, including a reserved tailgating spot for the 2018 football season along with a cooler and all of the gear you need for the perfect tailgate party experience! Prize package will be given away at halftime. Also, a few lucky attendees will be selected to participate in a halftime activity bringing further awareness to the cause.
Collection boxes will be located at the Robbins Center, One Tiger Place; inside the Memorial Union (near Starbucks), 600 Park St; and Golden Belt Bank, 1101 E 27th St, from Oct. 16-Nov. 3.
Thank you to Golden Belt Bank for sponsoring the 2017 Tiger “Make a Difference” Project.
Established in 1916, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association serves FHSU graduates by identifying needs and providing solutions. More than 63,500 graduates live throughout the United States and in 77 countries. Learn more at www.goforthaysstate.com or contact the Alumni Association at 785-628-4430, toll free at 1-888-351-3591 or by email at [email protected].
