Two new city employees were introduced to Hays city commissioners Thursday night during the commission meeting.
Tobin Miller, Water Resources Distribution and Reclamation Maintenance Foreman introduced Austin Koehn, a full-time maintenance worker in his department.
Koehn started working for the city part-time in 2015 as a maintenance worker. He recently graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in agronomy.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler introduced Officer Austin Savage, a native of Peabody, Kansas.
Savage has a degree from FHSU in justice studies with a minor in psychology. He just completed the 14-week basic police academy at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.
Fort Hays State University students will join their peers from other Kansas Board of Regents public four-year universities for the annual Kansas Undergraduate Research Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the Capitol Rotunda in Topeka.
Participating students will present their research projects to legislators and the public to demonstrate the unique opportunities undergraduate and graduate students have to participate with faculty members in research at KBOR universities.
The event will showcase the work of up to 40 Kansas undergraduate students representing each of the state’s eight public four-year institutions. The event will also emphasize higher education’s role in developing educated citizens and preparing a workforce with the necessary skills to further the economic growth of the state.
“Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol is an opportunity for our state legislators and other guests visiting the Capitol to see first-hand the quality of research in which undergraduates across Kansas are engaged,” said Leslie Paige, director of Fort Hays State University’s Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects.
“This prestigious event illustrates the vital role that higher education plays in strengthening the Kansas economy and workforce,” she said.
FHSU students who will present their work are listed alphabetically by hometown.
GREAT BEND (67530): Ashley Lockwood (psychology, senior) “Studying Stigma: Assessing Stigma of Mental Illness Toward Juveniles.”
HAYS (67601): Russell Krug (geoscience, junior) “Petrophysical and Sedimentological Analysis of Reservoir Units in Ellis Central Kansas Uplift.”
Sara Nansel (biology, senior) “Isolation of Soil Microbes to Test Against ESKAPE Relatives for Antimicrobial Properties.”
VICTORIA (67671): Jarred Penton (physics, junior) “Comparison of Laser Damage Threshold Model Experiment.” (Derek Bartlett-Steede, co-investigator).
WICHITA (67209): Annie Hinds (KAMS, sophomore) “Kansas Gifted Education Database.” (Runfan Yang and Dana Kang, co-investigators).
The public is invited to view the posters and talk to the student researchers.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Officials at Wichita State University say a new private school being financed by members of the Koch family is a good fit for the university’s campus.
Chase and Annie Koch announced they’re financing a new private pre-K-through-12th-grade school called Wonder on Wichita State’s campus.
“The fact that there are now hundreds of people talking about how educational content is delivered is pretty exciting,” said Lou Heldman, the university’s vice president for strategic communications.
Critics of the proposed school said the public university that receives state funding shouldn’t be the site of an exclusive private school. The school can’t accurately test education strategies unless it includes children of all abilities and financial means, said Steve Wentz, president of United Teachers of Wichita.
“If you want to live in your gated community, fine, but don’t think that gives you a picture of the real world,” Wentz said.
The school is “all for working together to expand access to benefit more students,” said Zach Lahn, co-founder of Wonder. He said that Wonder plans to eventually have at least 25 percent of its students on scholarships or financial aid.
“To those who have new and innovative ideas on how we can bring this to more students, especially students in public schools, please, reach out,” he said. “We want to work with you to find solutions.”
The Kochs are investing about $1.1 million in a former print shop on the east side of the university’s campus, according to a lease agreement.
Three Hays High School students traveled to Haiti in January to help and conduct different activities throughout an orphanage.
The trip was to Gonaives, Haiti. It was the first trip the three of them had been on out of the country. They had all previously been on a trip to Houston to help with the hurricane relief.
Josh Norris, junior, was inspired to go on mission trips and helping orphans when he traveled to Houston on his first mission trip. This was also when Kelby Rice, freshman, realized he wanted to participate.
Karee Dinkel, senior, however, had a different reason she was inspired to go.
“My mom and I had many friends who had went to this particular orphanage with Coreluv before,” Dinkel said. “And ever since we heard their testimonies of the life-changing experience they all had, I’ve wanted to go.”
An orphan in Haiti plays on one of his homemade toys.
On the trip, Norris, Dinkel and Rice all made two new backboards for the orphans’ basketball goals, repainted the basketball court, held a basketball skills camp, and they also helped the St. Peter family that used to live in Hays, who have now relocated to Haiti.
While in Gonaives, all three had life-changing experiences themselves.
Norris said the way the children were filled with happiness and God’s love even though they didn’t have very many materialistic things was very life-changing for him.
Rice had the same experience as Norris, both realizing the orphans don’t have many materialistic things and the two of them should be more grateful for what they do have.
Dinkel said driving through the village and observing peoples “normality” was the hardest and most eye-opening experience for her.
“They own nothing except what the orphanage has given them,” Dinkel said. “Yet they are the most joy filled Jesus-loving kids I have ever spent time with.”
Dinkel and Norris show orphans how to take pictures.
After the experiences encountered, all three would like to go on more mission trips. Dinkel and Norris both plan on going on one in the summer, and Rice plans on going on one next year around the same time.
While on the trip, Rice got close with some of the orphans and knew their personalities alike from one another.
“My favorite part of the trip was getting to know the orphans and seeing their personalities,” Rice said.
Getting close to the orphans was hard for Norris, especially when he had to leave them, knowing they wouldn’t be able to keep in touch.
Although it was hard seeing the conditions these kids lived in, the three that attended realized how easy we truly have it.
“You see the situation they have been placed in and see how happy they are,” Dinkel said. “And you just ask yourself, why am I not this happy and yet I have everything I need back home?”
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects stolen property and weapons charges.
North photo Shawnee Co.
Just before 1a.m. Saturday, police responded to a residence in the Oakland neighborhood of Topeka, in reference a report of a stolen car that had just occurred.
The victim stated a known subject had just taken his Chevrolet SUV and his firearm, according to Lieutenant Andrew Beightel.
While checking the area an officer spotted the stolen car in a nearby convenience store parking lot. Officers attempted to stop and recover the vehicle but, the driver refused to stop and initiated a short pursuit. The driver lost control of the SUV at SE Seward and SE Lake, shattering a telephone pole and knocking down power lines. The driver and passenger then attempted to flee on foot but, were both quickly apprehended. Officers were also able to locate the firearm that was taken during this theft. There were no injuries during this incident.
Officers booked Austin North (26) and Briana Fitzpatrick (28), both of Topeka, into the Shawnee Co jail for several criminal charges including, possession of stolen property, firearm violations, drug paraphernalia possession and traffic charges.
Fitzpatrick-photo Shawnee Co.
Anyone with information relating to this crime, please call the Topeka Police Department at 785-368-9400 or Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.
Spring will soon be here and farmers will be preparing for planting corn and grain sorghum. To hear the latest updates on production practices for corn and sorghum, come join us for a “Spring Crops Update” featuring K-State Research and Extension agronomy specialists Ignacio Ciampitti and Lucas Haag.
Covering topics concerning best production practices for corn and sorghum, seeding rates, row spacing, hybrid selection, production problems observed and Q & A.
The “Spring Crops Update” is on Wednesday, February 14 at the Cottonwood Extension Office meeting room, 601 Main Street in Hays, Kansas. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with the program starting at 11 a.m. and concluding at 2:30 p.m.
A free noon meal provided courtesy of sponsors. RSVP requested for meal count by Monday, February 12, call 785-628-9430, or email Theresa [email protected].
PRATT – While making memories and enjoying healthy meat that rivals even the best “free range” option are reasons to enjoy the Light Goose Conservation Order, there is a greater benefit to this special season that hunters may not be aware of – saving birds. The Light Goose Conservation Order, Feb. 19-April 30, 2018, is a unique, federally-authorized season designed to increase harvest of overabundant “light” geese (Ross’ geese, and both lesser and greater snow geese). Though some may see it just as an opportunity for goose hunters to stay afield a little longer (which certainly is a plus), the season was established to control the extraordinary numbers of light geese that have denuded portions of their fragile arctic tundra breeding habitat. The damage caused, which may take decades to recover, impacts more than just the geese, too – other bird species nest there, including semi-palmated sandpipers and red-necked phalaropes.
To increase hunter success, the special season permits hunting methods not allowed during the regular goose seasons, including the use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns. Extended shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. And there is no daily bag or possession limits. Apart from a hunting license, Kansas hunters participating in the conservation order simply need the same three items required during regular goose seasons: a Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp.
It’s not too often that Kansans are called upon to hunt in order to “save the day,” but under these unique circumstances, one could argue that’s exactly what the Order is – an opportunity for hunters to help. If you’re a goose hunter, consider hunting the Light Goose Conservation Order. You’ll feel good knowing you’re actively helping both the species you’ve come to appreciate, and other critical birds and their habitat, as well.
For more information on this season, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click on “Hunting,” “Seasons & Limits,” then “Migratory Bird Seasons.”
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host a “celebrating birds” program – a free, one-hour program – from 10 to 11 a.m.Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.
The KWEC, 592 NE K-156 Highway, is at the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, northeast of Great Bend.
Celebrate birds by making an edible birdhouse feeder and participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Binoculars will be provided for those who don’t bring their own. Dress appropriately, as the bird count will take place outdoors. Donations for supplies are appreciated.
The program is designed for children ages 6 through 12. Children aged 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Pam Martin, KWEC and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism education specialist, will lead the program.
Kansas schools that want to offer gun training in the earliest grades would be required to use a program designed by the National Rifle Association, under a bill lawmakers studied this past week.
Schools wouldn’t be required to teach students about guns under a bill in the Kansas Legislature. But if they did, they’d need to start with an NRA program. SCREENSHOT OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION’S EDDIE EAGLE WEBSITE
That legislation would switch programs beyond the eighth grade to hunter education training designed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
The bill doesn’t insist on gun training for schoolchildren. Rather, it would dictate which programs public schools could use — first the NRA’s, later the state’s — if they decide to put gun training into their curriculum.
Students eighth grade or younger would receive Eddie Eagle GunSafe training provided by the NRA.
NRA training uses an animated video and worksheets to drive home the message that kids should not touch a gun if they see one and should tell an adult when they stumble on a firearm. (“STOP! … Don’t touch … Run away … Tell a grown-up.”)
Republican Rep. John Whitmer told the Federal and State Affairs Committee on Tuesday that the state should require the NRA curriculum for gun safety because it’s the largest and most common program.
“Guns aren’t going away,” Whitmer said. “Let’s arm kids with the knowledge of what to do if they encounter a firearm. This is such a simple program.”
The Eddie Eagle program has been both lauded and criticized over the years. The NRA, the most powerful gun rights lobby in the country, and other Second Amendment advocates say it’s played an important role in teaching children how to behave safely around firearms. They credit it partly for a dropping number of accidental gun deaths among children.
Critics contend the reduction in those deaths could just as easily be credited to improved emergency medical care techniques and a smaller number of homes with guns. (While the number of guns in the United States has increased in recent years, those firearms tend to be owned by fewer people with larger collections.)
Gun control groups such as the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, argue the NRA-sponsored program provides a false sense of security and has been “found to have no effect on participating children’s behavior around guns.”
One study found that children who went through the Eddie Eagle program learned the basics of gun safety more clearly than kids who didn’t go through the training. But it found that learning often didn’t translate to simulations where they encountered a gun. It also found that other behavioral skills training — being told how to act around guns, watching a trainer model that behavior, and then practicing — was more effective than the NRA program.
No guns are used in the NRA training, but they are shown in the animated video.
Republican Rep. Stephanie Clayton said she was torn over the bill. On one hand, she likes the message of the curriculum. Yet Clayton said she has concerns about mandating that gun training in schools must use these programs.
“Is it my place,” she said, “to tell local of boards of education what they can and cannot teach?”
Rob Gilligan, with the Kansas Association of School Boards, said the group opposes the bill for the same reason.
“It is taking away that right of the districts to set what their curriculum could be,” Gilligan said.
Schools can currently teach gun safety training if they choose, said Gilligan. He said the NRA and state hunting programs are already used in some Kansas schools.
Whitmer said he is opposed to mandating training.
“I want to leave the discretion up to the districts,” Whitmer said. “I felt that leaving it as an optional program was probably the best way to go.”
Sunflowers abound at the Kansas Day celebration at the Hays Senior Center
HAYS SENIOR CENTER
Local seniors enjoyed celebrating Kansas Day Mon., Jan. 29 at the Hays Senior Center, 2450 E. 8th St.
The highlight event for the month of January was saved for the recognition of Kansas Day with about 50 seniors attending.
They participated in the delightful opportunity to have a duo of live musicians playing western music that fit in with the spirit of Kansas Day. Hays residents Wayne Lang and his wife Tammy were not short for adding in bits of humorous stories between songs during the half hour leading up to lunch.
Having been so enjoyable, with a great round of applause for their performance, the duo was asked by some senior members if they could return for Valentine’s Day, this month on February 14th. Senior Center Director Judy Bolte noted that calls are already being received for advance reservations for that day.
Bolte can be reached at the Center number 785-628-6644 for more information. “Our hope is the younger residents consider bringing out their parents or grandparents and have lunch with them, too,” she urged.
Activities and lunches are available for seniors ages 60 or older at the Hays Senior Center. Reservations must be made the day before eating at the Meal Site. For menus, reservations or cancellations, call 785-628-6644 between 9 a.m. and noon. Meals are served at 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Today
Sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as zero. South southeast wind around 6 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Wind chill values as low as zero. Southeast wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Southeast wind 9 to 15 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. South wind 8 to 14 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
LINCOLN, NE — More than 5,100 students have been named to the Deans’ List/Explore Center List of Distinguished Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2017-18 academic year.
Qualification for the Deans’ List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges. Listed below are the minimum requirements for each entity and the name of its respective dean or director. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale and a minimum of 12 or more graded semester hours. Students can be on the Deans’ List for more than one college.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 3.75; Dean Steven S. Waller.
College of Architecture, top 10 percent of the students in the college; Dean Katherine S. Ankerson.
College of Arts and Sciences, 3.7; Dean Joseph Francisco.
College of Business Administration, 3.6; Dean Kathy Farrell.
College of Education and Human Sciences, 3.75; Interim Dean Beth Doll.
College of Engineering, 3.5; Interim Dean Lance C. Perez.
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 3.7; Interim Dean Amy Struthers.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, 3.7; Dean Charles O’Connor.
Explore Center for undeclared, pre-engineering, pre-health and pre-law students, 3.6; Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Undergraduate Education Amy Goodburn.
For the full Deans’ List/Explore Center List of Distinguished Students, visit https://go.unl.edu/nr42.
Hays: Samuel Thornton Crowley , sophomore, Dean’s List, College of Arts and Sciences, political science.
Hays: James E. Graham , graduate student, Dean’s List, College of Business, Master of Business Administration.
Today
