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Month: January 2018

ABATE of Kansas District 6 Fundraiser Set for Saturday

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By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post

A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE) of Kansas District 6 is having a soup supper on Saturday, January 27th to raise funds to support the fuel cost of the Run for the Wall that comes through Bunker Hill.

ABATE of Kanas is a neutral organization that allows motorcycle riders and enthusiasts to put motorcycle legislation in proper prospective. The organization hosts safety education programs, public awareness programs and other proposals in an effort to prevent fatal motorcycle accidents and injuries.

The Run for the Wall is the largest and longest organized cross-country motorcycle run of its kind in the world. It starts in Ontario, California and ends at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C every May. The Run for the Wall has over 1,800 participants annually.

For the second year, ABATE of Kansas District 6 will help support the fuel cost of the Run for the Wall as it stops through Bunker Hill for gas on the Central Route. To help raise funds for the refueling, District 6 will host a soup supper.

“Our volunteers and district member are all making homemade soup,” said district representative Becca Hardman. “We have 5 different soups and this is our first time doing a soup supper for the Run for the Wall.”

The soup supper will be held at Ellis VFW Post 9139 in Ellis from 4pm until the soup runs out. Cost of attening is $5 for a bowl or $8 for all you can eat.

“We got together to do it for a good cause and we appreciate the community support,” said Hardman.

For more information on ABATE of Kansas, visit their website.

For other District 6 events, visit their Facebook.

For more on the Run for the Wall, go here.

KELLY: Together, let’s move beyond Brownback once and for all

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Sen. Laura Kelly (D-Topeka) is a candidate for Kansas governor.

The following op-ed is by Senator Laura Kelly, candidate for governor:

It has been a long time coming. Finally, on January 31st Sam Brownback is leaving Kansas. His disastrous experiment has inflicted serious damage to our state that will likely take years to fix. He’s leaving our budget in shambles, our schools underfunded, our economy at a standstill, and our communities struggling to make ends meet. And sadly, our challenges are far from over. Taking over his legacy is Jeff Colyer.

As Lieutenant Governor, Jeff Colyer was Sam Brownback’s biggest fan. They worked hand-in-hand to create policies that harmed our state. They both championed the tax plan that led to the devastating collapse of our state’s budget and economy. From dismantling our top-notch highway program to cutting schools to privatizing our Medicaid system, Jeff Colyer helped lead the way.

But he is not alone in his support for Sam Brownback. Secretary of State Kris Kobach and other Republican candidates for governor supported Sam Brownback’s irresponsible tax plan. They supported his efforts to decimate our public schools and steal money from our roads. Several have even proposed we bring the experiment back.

From Topeka to Colby folks tell me it is time to go in a new direction.

I’ve spent the last seven years in the Legislature fighting for teachers and taxpayers, seniors and students who suffer under the bad policies of the Brownback/Colyer Administration. I have witnessed first-hand the problems that were created by their failed tax plan. I know where the problems are, and I am uniquely qualified to fix them.

It’s time Kansans come together to invest in our shared priorities – strong schools, affordable healthcare, safe roads, and a thriving economy. To do that, we must first balance our budget. I have been a leader on budget issues for my entire career in the Senate. As governor, I will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget so that government can start working for the people again.

This November, Kansas voters have an opportunity to reclaim our state and move beyond Brownback once and for all. Let’s get it done together.

KHP: Kansas school bus driver failed to yield before crash

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The Honda involved Thursday’s crash being removed from the scene-photo courtesy KWCH

BUTLER COUNTY — Eleven students avoided injury in a school bus accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a USD 394 Rose Hill School Bus driven by Juanita J. Notz, 64, Rose Hill, was westbound on SW 210 Road approximately three miles south of Rose Hill.

The driver failed to yield as the bus turned south on SW Butler Road.  An eastbound 2001 Honda passenger vehicle driven by Ronald L. Shores, 61, Douglas, struck the bus.

Notz and 11 students on the bus were not injured. Shores was properly restrained, suffered a possible injury and was treated at the scene, according to the KHP.

🎥 Hotel development north of I-70 won’t increase stormwater runoff

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(Click to enlarge)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The next steps in development of a property west of Walmart were approved unanimously by Hays city commissioners Thursday night.

The commission approved rezoning a portion of Ottley Addition from Agriculture (A-L) to Commercial General District (C-2). They also approved the Ottley First Addition Final Plat, which is comprised of three lots, two that are approximately 1.4 acres each and the other lot approximately 3.1 acres with access off West 43rd St.

The property will be the site of a Hilton Garden Inn and convention center.

Public Works Director Jesse Rohr told commissioners the only questions from the Planning Commission, which had already approved both actions, was about stormwater runoff.

“I just want to make sure everyone understands that generally, regulations require post-development runoff to be less than or equal to pre-development runoff. That’s said in a book about this thick,” Rohr added, demonstrating with his fingers held wide apart.  Commissioners chuckled appreciatively.

“A stormwater management engineered design plan is required as part of the submittal project as the property is planned,” Rohr assured the commission.

“I appreciate you explaining about the stormwater,” said Commissioner Shaun Musil. “Everybody I’ve talked to is excited about what potentially will be happening up there, but that’s the number one question. I think that’s very interesting that it won’t actually add to the water running down south (of I-70). I’m excited for this.”

“The changes in stormwater runoff management have been substantial since the 1999 to 2002 period when the Walmart Super Center was developed north of I-70,” Rohr explained.

“We’ve got different enforcement now, different regulations the city is required to follow. Our own regulations are different in general. Properties developed over the last two to five years or so, especially commercial properties, you’ll see bioswales, rain gardens and those types of things,” he said. “They’re not there just for aesthetics but to serve a purpose in controlling the runoff both in quality and quantity of the water coming off the property.”

A possible second phase of the Hilton project includes construction of a new restaurant and/or other commercial retail.

Neyla M. ‘Lila’ Kippes

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Neyla M. “Lila” Kippes, age 83, died Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays. She was born April 10,1934, on a farm near St. Peter, Kansas, to Adolph and Celestina “Sally” (Rome) Rohr. She married Pius Wildeman on August 3,1953, at St. Peter Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 7, 1966. She then married Eugene “Gene” Kippes on August 19, 1983, at Hays, Kansas.

She worked as a sales clerk at Tempo and Mid-West Drugs in Hays for a number of years. Neyla grew up near St. Peter, Kansas and was a 1953 graduate of Quinter High School. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas and a member of the Sunflower Polka Club. She enjoyed reading, quilting, sewing, vegetable gardening, cooking, baking and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Eugene “Gene” Kippes, of the home; three sons, Paul Wildeman and wife Connie, Hays, KS; Michael Wildeman, Wichita, KS; Jim Wildeman and wife, Karla, Wichita, KS; two daughters, Amanda Cronn and husband, Harry, WaKeeney, KS; Donna Creel and husband, Greg, Sheridan, WY; one stepson, Ron Augustine and wife, Deb, Hays, KS; one step daughter-in-law, Tina Augustine, Neosho, MO; one brother, Tom Rohr and wife, Kathy, Blue Springs, MO; four sisters, Darlene Wynne, Oklahoma City, OK; Glorie Ann Geisel and husband, Jerry, New Wilmington, PA; Mary Lou Carothers and husband, John, Anthony, KS; Jolene Stinemetz and husband, Chad, Sacramento, CA ; one sister-in-law, Nancy Rohr, Littleton, CO; eight grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Pius Wildeman; one infant son, Mark Wildeman; one brother, Don Rohr; one sister, Dora Haughn; three brothers-in-law, Bob Wynne, Ray Fothergill, and Patrick Fahey; and one stepson, Larry Augustine.

Services are at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18th & Vine, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Tuesday all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

Robert E. Nicholas

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Robert E. Nicholas, age 86, died Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the Parkview Care Center, Osborne, Kansas. He was born February 13,1931, in Nebraska City, Nebraska to George E. and Caroline M. (Ellis) Nicholas. He married Faye Anne (Schirer) on June 7, 1958 at Newton, Kansas. She preceded him in death on May 15, 1982.

He was the Librarian at Victoria, Grade School and Victoria High School from 1984 until he retired in 1994. Robert grew up in Omaha, NE and Englewood, CO and was a 1949 graduate of Englewood High School. He receives his BME Degree in music from the University of Colorado at Bolder and his MME Degree in music from Fort Hays State College. He taught music at Jennings, for one year, he taught music and band at Monument for 14 years, then he taught music and band at Stockton for 17 years.

He was a member and played with the Hays Big Band, Hays Symphony Orchestra, Hays City Summer Band, the FHSU Brass Choir and a member of the Kansas Music Educators Association. He was a volunteer with the FHSU High Plains Band Camp and with the Hays Public Library for over 20 years. He also was a statistician for the Victoria High School Athletics Program.

Survivors include three daughters, Patty Nicholas, Hays, KS; Cindy Grieve and husband, Philip, Osborne, KS; Kathryn Nicholas and Justin Thiessen, Lincoln, NE; one nephew, Kent Nicholas, Englewood, CO; three grandchildren, Tiffany Krier (Adam), Dillon Grieve (Meagan), Chelsea Dowell (Brandon); six great grandchildren, Gage Robinson, Alexis Krier, Natalie Krier, Sara Grieve, Allison Grieve and Mason Grieve.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one brother, Edward James “Jim” Nicholas; two sisters, Doris Nicholas and Ruth Nicholas; and one nephew, James Edward “Eddie” Nicholas.

Services are at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 29, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church, 7th and Ash, Hays, Kansas. Graveside services are at 3:00 P.M. Monday, at the Stockton Cemetery, Stockton, Kansas.

Visitation is from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday, at the church.

The family suggests memorials to the Fort Hays State University Department of Music and Theater.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 1/26/18

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khaz cheesy joke logo 20110802Too Shy

A boy had a crush on a girl at school. Every day his eyes would follow
her wistfully, but he was so timid he couldn’t work up the courage to
speak to her.

“Every time I open my mouth,” he told his best friend, “I get so
embarrassed that I wish I could shrink down into a tiny pebble!”

“I know how you feel,” his friend responded. “But if you really want to
talk to her, you’ll just have to be a little boulder!”

 

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

 

 

 

Hays chamber’s first legislative forum will be Feb. 3

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HACC

The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coffee will be at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 3 at the Robbins Center, inside the FHSU Foundation located north of Gross Memorial Coliseum.

These forums are a series of meetings with state legislators that provide area residents the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and state issues. Sen. Rick Billinger, Rep. Ken Rahjes, Rep. Leonard Mastroni, and Rep. Eber Phelps will be there to answer questions.

The event is sponsored by AT&T, FHSU Foundation and Midwest Energy. This is a free event and is open to the public.

Hays Library will have Kansas Room Open House on Kansas Day

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HPL

There will be an open house for the Kansas Room at the Hays Public Library on Jan. 29 — Kansas Day. The open house will run from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be tours of the Kansas Room, Kansas-themed refreshments and door prizes, including a chance to win tickets to see Lee Brice in Salina on Feb. 10 along with dinner for two at Martinelli’s.

“My goal for the open house is to make the community aware of what the Kansas Room has to offer,” said Marissa Lamer, Kansas Room librarian. “I hope patrons, both old and new, will stop by to see the great changes we are making and learn about our resources.

“I am most excited about our new circulating collection,” she added. “We have some incredible books in the Kansas Room and now many of them are available for check-out. The check-out period is three weeks, just like all the other books in the library.”

Tours of the Kansas Room will take place every half hour, so stop by on your way home from work or after dinner with the family. All ages are welcome to attend.

For more information on this and other programs, visit hayslibrary.org or call 785.625.9014.

🎥 Allen Street bid $2M under budget; city to pay cash

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By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The bid awarded for reconstruction of Allen Street by Hays city commissioners Thursday night was nearly two million dollars under budget. Mayor James Meier was very pleased with the $2,386,808 low bid from Hays contractor Paul Wertenberger and pointed out the city will pay cash for the project.

“I think that it’s another example of why we should continue to have discussions about doing more of these projects now versus later because the bidding environment is very good just as it was last year as we discovered when we did 8th Street,” Meier said.

Allen is classified as a major collector street, carrying between 2,000 and 4,000 vehicles per day, according to Projects Manager John Braun. The reconstruction, between 8th and where it intersects with Vine Street at 24th, has been in the Capital Improvement Plan since 2011.

Commissioner Sandy Jacobs voted against the measure. She preferred the alternate bid, also from Paul Wertenberger, which would have included some brick paving for an additional $100,000.

(Click to enlarge)

“I spent a lot of time considering this and also read information from Strong Towns about streets and the aesthetics of neighborhoods,” Jacob told her fellow commissioners. “That’s a wonderful neighborhood down there. All of the streets that come up to Allen south of 13th Street are all brick. I would have liked to have seen that be the end spot.

“I certainly understand the $100,000 savings (by not using brick.) But after seeing 13th Street and wishing it had been brick, I’ll be voting no”.”

Commissioner Chris Dinkel disagreed about the aesthetics of using bricks. He drives the street every day and said he had “really thought about it this last week.”

“Part of it is 12th to 8th and you’re leaving a block off to 13th. You’re going from concrete to concrete. Also, having new brick for this small portion of the road would look really patched together,” Dinkel said. “If this was a discussion about brick all the way through or no brick at all, that would be one thing. But having this little section that’s kind of off in a residential area that’s not really part of the downtown district, I don’t think the aesthetics make sense. It would actually look odd.”

Work is scheduled to begin March 5th and be completed in November. The project includes new pavement and curb and gutter, replacement of most of the sidewalk with correction of any ADA (Americans with Disability Act) issues, and upgrade and replacement of the water main and water services north of 10th Street.

Hays Arts Council will host Wichita Children’s Theatre

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Courtesy photo

By JAYLINN PFEIFER
For Hays Post

On Thursday, Feb 15, the Hays Arts Council will host the Wichita Children’s Theatre at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the campus of Fort Hays State University.

At 9:30 a.m. there will be a performance called “Cavity Crisis in Cow Town” for third graders in Ellis County and Russell.

“This is a sweet little 30- to 45-minute performance that will target dental health awareness for third graders,” said Brenda Meder of the Hays Arts Council.

The performance is teamed up with Delta Dental, who will provide dental kits and information to the children who attend. Meder says she has been doing the dental performance for a few years and she really enjoys it.

At 12:45 p.m., the theater will put on a great production of “Three Little Pigs” for kindergarten through first graders. The production is about the original story but includes the pigs teaching the wolf how to control his temper and in the end learn to be the pigs’ friend.

“The children know the story and the play is wrapped around the story with some different scenes in it,” Meder said.

There is a meet and greet for 20 minutes after every performance for the kids to meet and get autographs and pictures with the cast. There will also be a performance of the “Three Little Pigs” at 7 p.m. that night that is open to the public.

“The show is nice for families that want to have these experiences with their children without having to travel far away,” Meder said.

The Wichita Children’s Theatre also teams up with Russell to do a separate performance on Friday, Feb. 16. They will put on a Mark Twain show for the fourth and fifth graders in Russell.

Kan. takes database offline over access to private, financial information

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas took an ethics database offline Thursday over questions about how it gave users access to financial disclosure forms for hundreds of elected officials and state employees that included the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.

Secretary of State Kris Kobach acted after the tech website Gizmodo posted a story saying it had contacted Kobach’s office about the issue, according to news reports. Gizmodo called the failure to redact the partial Social Security numbers “beyond reckless” and “stupid.”

Kobach, a conservative Republican, was vice chairman of President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded voter fraud commission, which alarmed some state officials last spring by issuing a broad request to states for detailed information on voters, including partial Social Security numbers. Also, a multistate registration crosschecking program administered by Kobach’s office has faced questions about how well it secures voter data it collects and uses.

But the database taken down Thursday went online in 2005 during the tenure of one of Kobach’s predecessors as secretary of state, Republican Ron Thornburgh. It allowed users to view the disclosure forms that must be filed annually by elected officials, candidates, department heads, other key department employees and members of boards and commissions.

Kobach’s office said in a statement that it is required by law to make the full disclosure form accessible to the public and that the state Governmental Ethics Commission designed the form. He said he agrees that partial Social Security numbers should be redacted and is working with the ethics commission, which plans to meet next week to consider the issue.

“Secretary Kobach takes security measures very seriously and is looking for a solution that would allow this sensitive information to be redacted, while still following the requirements of Kansas law,” the statement said.

Kobach’s office said the disclosure forms are “an important tool in ensuring government transparency.” Paper copies remained open for inspection at Kobach’s office.

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