Ellis St. Mary CYO Community Fried Chicken Dinner Sunday, December 17, 2017, 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or until sold out.
Pan fried chicken dinner includes:
Mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert.
Ellis Knights of Columbus hall
1013 Washington St.
Ellis KS 67637
Ages 5 through 9 $5.00
Ages 10 and over $10.00
YOU’RE INVITED!
Friday, December 15, 2017 beginning at 10:15 a.m. Ellis High School KAYS is sponsoring the annual Food Box Auction and would like to invite the public!
Come on up to Ellis High School and place your bid on a student’s Christmas box filled with holiday goodies!
Money will go to support community projects as well as the annual Snowball Dance.
For more information contact Maria Mick, EHS Secretary, at 785-726-3151 or [email protected].
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Emergency personnel in Ellis County soon will be getting new radios after the county commission approved the purchase of more than 160 public safety radios at Monday’s commission meeting.
For several years, Ellis County has been planning to purchase new public safety radios to replace some equipment that is close to 15 years old.
Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said after December 2018 all of the equipment will no longer be able to be repaired by the manufacturer.
Myers said a group of Ellis County officials worked together to find radios that will benefit safety officials now but also allow for expansion in the future.
Among the possible future upgrades for the radios are automatic vehicle locators (AVLs). According to Myers, the AVLs allow each department and dispatch to locate each unit throughout the county.
Myers used the recent fire in Russell County, where Ellis County crews assisted, as an example of the use of the AVL technology.
“You can actually have the mapping on an iPad or computer in your vehicle where you can see where all your fire department’s apparatuses are spread out.” Myers said, “That was about a 5-mile long fire. The one we had earlier in March was about 12 miles.”
EMS Director Kerry McCue told the commission Ellis County is behind when it comes to the AVLs and said if the communications center and dispatch know the location of an ambulance unit, they can dispatch the closest one, which would will cut response time.
Myers said it will also allow for quicker response time for law enforcement.
The new radios are GPS-capable, but the county will not purchase that option at this time. Myers said the first step is to purchase the radios and then they will have to purchase additional equipment, including a server, that allows the radios to become AVTs.
The county commission approved $388,286.71 to purchase radios for the sheriff, emergency medical services and emergency management departments. According to Myers, the general fund has approximately $500,000 that was scheduled to roll over into 2018. A portion of that will cover the purchase of the radios for those three departments.
Because the fire department is a separate taxing entity general fund, money cannot be used for its expenditures. Instead the commission voted 2-1 to approve a five-year lease purchase agreement with Commerce Bank of Hays for $132,340.26.
The two lowest rates were from Commerce Bank and Emprise Bank. Myers said if the current tax reform bill being debated in Washington passes, it will lower the corporate tax rate and that will cause the lease purchase percentage to go up.
The quote from Emprise Bank was the lowest but if the tax legislation does not pass, the county can renegotiate the rate with Commerce Bank.
Myers said that because all of the prior leases are with Commerce Bank he would like to keep all the leases with them.
Commissioner Barb Wasinger voted against the measure because of the choice of Commerce Bank instead of Emprise.
“I’m not going to vote no to say that I don’t want you to do it,” Wasinger said “I’m not sure we really thought about it with Emprise.”
The commission also approved the sale of some of the used radios through a buyback program that Motorola is offering.
Myers said they estimate the county will get a return of about $28,000 for selling the old radios.
Buckeye Wind Energy LLC also presented the county with $1,500 at Monday’s meeting to help pay for the upgraded radios.
Shawn Braun with Buckeye Wind said they understand the importance of communication.
“We deal with it day in and day out as everybody else does and being able to stay on top of the newest thing can only help get things done faster and potentially save lives,” said Braun.
Myers said the county will purchase approximately 58 mobile units that will be installed in emergency vehicles or in stations and 100 portable radios to be carried by individuals.
In other business, the commission approved a revised contract with County Counselor Bill Jeter and Jeter Law Firm. The agreement allows Jeter to represent the county in front of the Board of Tax Appeals and increases Jeter’s fee by $500 per month to $5,500.
The commission approved automatic mutual aid agreements between the Ellis County Fire Department and the cities of Ellis and Victoria. The agreements are similar to the one with the city of Hays. It does not change any of the services currently being offered by Ellis County fire crews.
The commission also re-appointed Kerry McCue as Ellis County’s representative to the Homeland Security Council.
The commission also met in three separate executive sessions.
Commissioner Dean Haselhorst and Marcy McClelland were joined in the first one by County Attorney Tom Drees, Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes and Ryan Loehr from the Case Linden Lawfare of Kansas City to discuss current ligation.
All three commissioners, Smith-Hanes and Jeter took part in the other two executive sessions to discuss matters that are covered under attorney-client privilege.
No action was taken following any other executive sessions.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas woman accused of causing a fatal accident on January 21 agreed Monday to continue her trial once again and waived her right to a speedy trial.
Jane E. Hart, 65, is charged with two alternate counts of involuntary manslaughter with different theories of the crime. Both counts are level four felonies with a maximum sentence of over 14 years in prison.
Hart is accused of pulling in front of a motorcycle at 30th and Prairie Dunes Drive, which killed 62-year-old Charles Caselton from Burrton.
According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Department, Hart was eastbound on 30th Street and made a left turn onto Prairie Dunes Drive. She struck a motorcycle that was traveling westbound. Caselton was pronounced dead at the scene.
The trial was scheduled to begin on Jan. 16, but has been pushed back to Feb. 20.
Judge Trish Rose also set a date of Jan. 22 to hear numerous motions filed by both sides in the case. The defense is asking that the PBT test results, blood test results, and all evidence from those findings be suppressed. The defense claims law enforcement officers conducted warrantless searches and says those tests were not freely given.
That is just one of several motions the defense has filed, while the state has at least three.
FHSU University Relations
Fort Hays State University’s Department of Applied Technology was recently awarded the Order of the Filament at the Colorado Technology Education Association’s 32nd Rocky Mountain States conference in Denver.
Marc A. Finer, Colorado Technology Education Association’s president, presented the award. The award started in the 1950s and was only awarded to a department one other time.
“The Department of Applied Technology has been active in presenting and participating at the CTEA Annual Conference for at least 25 years that I know of,” said Dr. Duane Renfrow, associate professor of applied technology.
“The department has also been active in recruiting from Colorado to help in providing teachers since Colorado has no Technology and Engineering Education Teacher Preparation programs,” he said.
The award is given to those who are dedicated and inspirational, whose main objective is to further the goals of the Colorado Technology Education Association through service and teaching.
“The Order of the Filament award is the highest honor that the association can bestow on a member or program,” said Renfrow. “Typically, individual members of the association receive the award, but our department is only one of two university programs that have received it.”
“I was overwhelmed when I realized that the president of CTEA was describing our program just before he announced that we were being presented with the award,” he said.
A Profitable Harmonica
Thanks for the harmonica you gave me for my birthday,” Little Johnny said
to his Grandfather. “It’s the best present I ever got.”
“That’s great,” said his Grandfather, “do you know how to play it?”
“Oh, I don’t play it,” Little Johnny said. “My mom gives me a dollar a
day not to play it during the day and my dad gives me five dollars a
week not to play it at night.”
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NAMI Kansas
TOPEKA – NAMI Hays received the Affiliate of the Year award at the annual conference in October of NAMI Kansas, the state organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The Affiliate of the Year recognition is awarded based on activity reflecting growth in membership, fundraising, program activity, community outreach, and organizational development.
“It’s always a difficult choice given strong performances by a number of NAMI affiliates in the state,” said Rick Cagan, NAMI Kansas Executive Director.
“NAMI Hays has done exceptional work in the development of new community partnerships and in strengthening representation on their Steering Committee,” he added. Cagan commented on their work in sustaining relationships with the NAMI On Campus organization at Fort Hays State University and consistently delivering excellent fundraising results for the annual NAMIWalk in May.
In addition to offering the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program in 2017, NAMI Hays sponsored three other public programs in April, August and November.
Of special note was the April program featuring Dr. J.D. Schramm, a former Hays resident and 1982 graduate of Thomas More Prep Marian High School.
Cagan cited the initiative by NAMI Hays to produce yard signs which have been located at strategic locations around town to focus on awareness and destigmatizing mental illness. He stated that NAMI Hays has played a key role in generating interest in establishing new NAMI groups in western Kansas, notably Garden City and Norton County.
Ann Leiker was present at the annual gathering in Pittsburg to receive the award for NAMI Hays.
NAMI is the largest national organization of individuals living with mental illness and their family members with a presence in 50 states, operating through a network of more than 900 local affiliates, including 15 local organizations in Kansas.
Local groups like NAMI Hays provide programs of peer support, education, and advocacy for people living with mental illnesses and for their family members.
NAMI Hays can be reached at 785-259-6859 or [email protected].
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TOPEKA – Kansas gas prices, on average, have continued their recent decline, falling four cents in the past week to $2.32, and down from the statewide average of $2.40 a month ago. Kansas has the 12th lowest gasoline prices in the nation and has seen the country’s eight largest drop in the past 30 days.
“A seasonal fall and winter gas price drop is usual,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “But this year, until recently, prices had stayed fairly high and steady due to strong demand and good weather conditions for driving. We now seem to be experiencing our typical downward price trend as we approach the end-of-year holiday driving season.”
Of the 10 Kansas cities regularly highlighted by AAA Kansas (see chart above), Manhattan remained the same at $2.45, while all others fell. Salina (-14 cents) experienced the largest price decline, falling to $2.19, while Garden City (-8), Emporia (-7) and Kansas City, Kan. (-6) all saw significant decreases this week.
According to AAA Kansas, this week’s Kansas gas price extremes are at the extreme northwest and southeast corners of the state:
HIGH: St. Francis (Cheyenne County) – $2.65
LOW: Galena (Cherokee County) – $2.13
National Perspective
At $2.48, the national gas price average is at the cheapest price since early November. More so, pump prices nationally have been steadily dropping during the last two weeks. Today’s gas price is three cents less than a week ago, four cents cheaper than one month ago and 30 cents more than a year ago.
“Cheaper winter gas prices are being seen for the bulk of the country as gasoline demand hits the lowest mark since February,” said AAA Kansas’ Steward. “On the week, 90 percent of states saw their gas price average drop – some even by double digits.”
Declining gas prices mirror the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest consumer gasoline demand report, showing a drop of 871,000 b/d on the week for a total demand number of 8.7 million b/d (week ending Nov. 24). EIA’s next report, due out on Wednesday, will indicate if the drop is a trend.
 Great Lakes and Central States Report
For a second week, the Great Lakes and Central states are seeing the largest drops at the pump in the region and the country. Eight states land on this week’s top 10 states biggest change list: Indiana (-14 cents), Ohio (-12 cents), Illinois (-11 cents), Michigan (-9 cents), Missouri (-6 cents), Wisconsin (-6 cents), Nebraska (-4 cents) and Kansas (-4 cents). Of note, Kentucky (+3 cents) was the only state in the region to see pump prices jump in the last seven days.
Compared to one month ago, all states in the region except two are paying less at the pump with Indiana (-40 cents), Ohio (-34 cents), Michigan (-30 cents), Illinois (-29 cents), Wisconsin (-18 cents) and Missouri (-14 cents) seeing double-digits drops. Only North Dakota (+1 cents) is paying more on the month in the Great Lakes and Central region.
After shutting down for two weeks following a spill, the Keystone pipeline resumed operations last Tuesday. The shutdown had minimal impact on gas prices in the region. The pipeline runs from Hardisty, Alberta to Cushing, Oklahoma and to Wood River/Patoka, Illinois.
With a small build on the week, gasoline inventories remain above the 45 million bbl level for the third consecutive week. According to OPIS, this inventory level mark is close to the five-year average for this time of the year.
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I’ve often heard friends, neighbors and family – my dad for one – quote bits and pieces of it. I’ve heard others refer to it at meetings, in church, at a sale barn, funerals and many other places where rural people live, work and congregate. It exemplifies the farm and ranch vocation. It goes something like this.
A man’s greatest possession is his dignity and no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. Hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.
Farming and ranching, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man/woman can spend days on this earth. The vocation of agriculture nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can’t buy.
Children who are raised on a farm or ranch earn values that last a lifetime that can be learned no other way. Farming and ranching provides education for life and no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth and maturity in such a variety of ways.
Without question, many of the best things in life are free – the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of the landscape greening each spring – true happiness comes from watching crops ripen in the field, watching children grow tall in the sun, seeing your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience living, working and harvesting from the land.
Farmers and ranchers believe that through their shared vocation they are giving more to the world than they are taking from it – an honor and privilege that does not come to all men or women. Agricultural producers believe their lives will be measured ultimately by what they have done for their fellow men/women and by this standard, fear no judgment.
They believe when they grow old and sum up their days, they will stand tall and feel pride in the life they’ve lived. Farmers and ranchers believe in their vocation because it makes all this possible.
John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.
CITY OF HAYS
The city of Hays Water Resources Department has contracted Infra Track to conduct sewer line cleaning and inspections at the locations described below and shown on the map.
Cleaning began on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, and will continue through December 22, 2017. The date may change due to breakdowns, weather or other problems.
On Tuesday, December 5, 2017, crews will continue working in the following areas:
Door hanger notices will be placed on homes and businesses affected before the cleaning.
FHSU University Relations
Fort Hays State University graduate assistant Ashley Templeton recently received Best Communication in the national graduate student case study competition at the NODA: Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education national conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Templeton, a first-year graduate student for New Student and Family Programs in the Office of Transition and Student Conduct, is from Wilson.
“The graduate student case study competition is designed to challenge graduate students by applying their experience, training and critical thinking skills to examine complex issues within the realm of new student orientation, transition and retention,” said Dr. Brett Bruner, director of transition and student conduct.
“Teamed in pairs from across the nation, students work to discern major players, themes and possible solutions to a case study during a timed presentation to a panel of seasoned new student orientation, transition and retention professional judges.”
Templeton partnered with John Goebel, a first-year graduate student from the University of Pittsburgh.
“As a first-year graduate student, I really went all in with the case study competition, and I am so excited about how it turned out, especially competing against first- and second-year students,” said Templeton.
“I not only gained more presenting experience, but I learned a lot about the student affairs profession and new theories I had not yet heard of,” she said.
After starting the season 5-0, the Kansas City Chiefs have now dropped to 6-6 and have lost four straight games. Who is most accountable for the team’s nosedive?
[polldaddy poll=9889971]
