PRATT – More than 500 student athletes will be heading to Pratt on Saturday, April 7, 2018 to compete at the state level, but they won’t need cleats or kneepads – instead, they’ll need a bow and arrow.
The 9th annual Kansas Archery in the Schools State Tournament will be held at Blythe Family Fitness Center, 219 W 5th St, Pratt, where students from the across the state will compete for school bragging rights and academic scholarships. Seniors will shoot for two $1,000 scholarships, made possible by the Kansas Bowhunters Association (KBA), Peoples Bank in Pratt, and the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).
This year’s tournament is hosted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), and spectators will have an opportunity to visit with department staff, as well as members of the KBA, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Pheasants Forever.
Pratt Rotary Club members played a vital role in bringing the tournament to the Pratt community by providing a $3,000 district grant which covered the cost of a 200-foot safety curtain.
Archers will compete for individual and team honors, as well as the opportunity to compete at the National Archery in the Schools competition. Divisions include Elementary School (grades 4-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12). Each competitor will shoot 30 arrows over two rounds. Rounds consist of fifteen arrows from 10 meters and fifteen arrows from 15 meters. A bullseye scores 10 points, so a perfect score would be 300. A team is made up of 12-24 shooters, and the team score is the sum of the top 12 scores.
Operating under the umbrella of KDWPT and NASP, the Kansas Archery in the Schools program promotes international-style target archery among students in grades 4-12. NASP introduces archery to young people, teaching a life skill that is fun and safe.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced $19,627,984 in funding will be allocated to Kansas to support critical state conservation and outdoor recreation projects. The funding is part of $1.1 billion going to state wildlife agencies from revenues generated by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration (PRDJ) acts. To date, more than $20.2 billion in funds, authorized by Congress, have been distributed to U.S. states and territories.
Kansas apportionments include $4,981,927 in Sport Fish Restoration funds and $14,646,057 in Wildlife Restoration funds. State-by-state listings of the final Fiscal Year 2018 apportionments of Wildlife Restoration Program fund and the Sport Fish Restoration Program fund can be found at https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/.
The funds, which are distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are derived from excise taxes paid by the hunting, shooting, boating and angling industries on firearms, bows, ammunition, sport fishing tackle, some boat engines, and small engine fuel. Funding is based, in part, on the number of licensed anglers and hunters a state has, and each state must provide a 25 percent match.
“Kansas sportsmen and women are some of our best conservationists and they contribute billions of dollars toward wildlife conservation and sportsmen access every year through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts,” said Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “For nearly 80 years, states have been able to fund important conservation initiatives thanks to the more than $20 billion that has been generated nationwide. Every time a firearm, fishing pole, hook, bullet, motor boat or boat fuel is sold, part of that cost goes to fund conservation. The best way to increase funding for conservation and sportsmen access is to increase the number of hunters and anglers in our woods and waters. The American conservation model has been replicated all over the world because it works.”
“Revenues generated by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration acts provides funding to states to protect and conserve our nation’s fish and wildlife heritage today and for generations to come,” said Virgil Moore, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Director of Idaho Fish and Game. “This funding mechanism serves as the foundation for fish and wildlife conservation in our country.”
Nationwide, the recipient state wildlife agencies have matched these funds with approximately $6.7 billion throughout the years, primarily through hunting and fishing license revenues.
Ryan William Struss, age 35, of WaKeeney, passed on to Heaven Thursday, March 1, 2018 in WaKeeney. He was born May 8, 1982 to Laura and Kevin Struss, in WaKeeney.
Ryan cherished his family. He loved farming, especially in John Deere tractors. He always said farming was his dream. He had many friends and was always known for his stories of the fun times he had at Cedar Bluff Lake, at Chuck’s Bar, and the Rose with his friends. When he entered a room, you could count on him having a smile on his face, while whistling a tune. Ryan loved “Sonny Boy” the family’s Shitzu dog; he spoiled him like no other. Ryan was a great friend, son, brother, cousin, and uncle to many. He will always be remembered for his giving nature and stubborn stature. Joking with everyone was a staple in his life; there was never a dull moment with Ryan!
Left to mourn his passing are his parents, Kevin Struss and fiancé Kellie Acker and Laura and husband Charlie Crook; sister, Jodi and husband Ron Desair; step brothers, Chuck (Lexi) Crook and Spencer Harvey. Ryan also had a lot of surviving extended family that will miss him dearly, including nieces, Addison Desair, Ayla Werth, and Whitney Desair; nephews, Connor and Brendan Karnes, Treygan Desair, and Charles E. Crook V; aunts, Carol Cavell, Marguirite McFarling, Sherry Cook, Krista Dietz, and Cindy Dietz; uncles, Richard Cook, Jim Dietz, Mike Cavell, and Ron McFarling; first cousins, Tate, Miles, Amy, Bridget, Hayden, Carson, Tatum, and Skylar Cook, Megan McFarling, Elizabeth McFarling, Cody Sandlin and family, Clair and Austin Dietz, Derek Dietz and families, Terah and Eric Bursch and family, Myles and Mary Cavell and family, Anna Cattua and family, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his step-mother, Julia Struss; grandparents, Elmer and Armella Struss, and Ferd and Wanda Dietz; brother, Kurt William Struss; and uncle, Ken Dietz.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney. Burial will take place at a later date. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ryan Struss Memorial Fund. Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT ALL ATTENDEES WEAR WESTERN WEAR IF POSSIBLE TO HONOR RYAN.
Russell Krug, a junior majoring in geosciences at Fort Hays State University, recently won an award at the regional Geological Society of America South Central Section Meeting.
The award for 2018 Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation was presented to Krug at the regional conference in Little Rock, Ark.
His presentation, “Petrophysical and Sedimentological Analysis of Reservoir Units in Ellis, Central Kansas Uplift,” was sponsored by the 2017-18 FHSU Undergraduate Research Experience grant and mentored by Dr. Hendratta Ali, associate professor of geosciences.
Krug was awarded a cash prize and an invitation to present his research at the Geological Society of America’s annual meeting to be held November 2019 in Indianapolis.
Saddleback Valley Communities is seeking a skilled Maintenance and Grounds Personnel NOW!!! If you are seeking a stable and consistent income, then come check us out.
Maintenance and Grounds:
• Own a basic set of tools
• Provide residents with outstanding customer service
• Prepare vacant homes for move-in-ready status via turn-over repairs and improvements.
• Work with maintenance staff to maintain grounds and common areas
• Have experience with painting, calking, small electrical repair and minor plumbing
• Technicians must be able to work with a sense of urgency
• Demonstrate the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work efficiently to stay on schedule. Must be a self starter
• Technician must have ability to bend, stoop, reach, crawl and safely lift 60-100 pounds, unassisted.
• Must be willing to be on-call for emergencies
Maintenance Technician position requires candidates to have their own tools, a valid drivers licence and reliable, personal truck. Employment eligibility, background and reference check will be performed.
Send your resume to [email protected] or give Edith a call at 785-823-5770 with any questions you may have!!! You can also apply in person at 1010 Reservation Rd, A13, in Hays.
It was another busy week on the KAYS Eagle Morning Show. Here’s what you missed!
Monday
Catholic Schools Report: TMP-Marian Student Council Advisor James Harris and senior secretary Halle Lang
James and Halle stopped by the show on the first day of spring break to talk about student council. Halle talked about the things that TMP STUCO has done this year:
Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Hays: Holly Dickman
This week was “Fix-A-Leak-Week” so Holly stopped by on the Eagle Morning show to talk about water conservation in Hays and the surrounding areas. Some other things she mentioned were the rebates available in the city of Hays:
Holly also talked about World Water Day Fun Fest hosted at the Sternberg Museum on Thursday, March 22nd. The City of Hays and the KSU Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watersheds partnered for this free event that featured hands-on activities for kids of all ages.
Tuesday
Hays Area Chamber of Commerce: Membership Coordinator Kara Berry
Kara joined the Eagle Morning Show on the phone to share this week’s schedule for the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce:
March 20th: HAYP Connection Lunch
March 22nd: HAYP Bacon & Basketball
March 23rd: Chamber Chat-RANS
March 23rd: Membership Lunch
March 23rd: Ribbon Cutting – Premier Business Management
County Commission Report: Eagle Radio News’ Cristina Janney, Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes and Commissioner Barb Wasinger
Phillip and Barb joined Cristina on the show to recap the previous night’s Ellis County Commission meeting:
Approving agreement to bring nurse practitioner to health department
Approving the purchase of vehicle from Hays Chevrolet for the EMS
Announced retirement of family consumer science extension agent Linda Beech
A grand jury indictment stemming from the death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab at the Schlitterbahn park alleges designers and park officials ignored minimum industry safety standards in their race to build the world’s tallest water slide.
Caleb Thomas Schwab-courtesy photo
The 47-page indictment says that Schlitterbahn’s private construction company was co-owned by a high school dropout, Jeffrey Wayne Henry, with no technical or engineering credentials.
And it says the slide’s lead designer, John Timothy Schooley, had no engineering credentials relevant to amusement ride design or safety.
Tyler Austin Miles, the amusement park’s former director of operations, was indicted for involuntary manslaughter. The Wyandotte County grand jury contends he ignored repeated warnings that the slide was unsafe and then, after Caleb Schwab’s death, misled investigators when he told them he was unaware of injury reports.
Miles-photo Wyandotte Co.
In fact, the indictment says, numerous people were injured by airborne rafts or other aspects of the water slide’s flawed design. Among those allegedly injured:
A 14-year-old whose raft entered the runout pool after it decelerated too rapidly, throwing her head forward and then slamming it backward against the head rest. She suffered head and neck injuries and sustained a concussion. She has suffered from chronic neck pain, migraines and memory loss since then.
Brittany Hawkins, a former lifeguard at the park, who was thrown sideways in her seat after her hook-and-loop restraint, similar to Velco, came undone. As the raft went over the crest of the ride’s second hill, it went airborne and her face came within inches of the hoops and netting above the ride path. When it landed, it slammed down. That caused her head to crash into her head rest. The raft then collided with the concrete wall at the end of the runout pool. She sustained injuries to her neck, back and head, and later went to the emergency room for back injuries, including several slipped discs.
A 15-year-old whose head was slammed sideways against her head rest after the ride started suddenly, causing her to temporarily go blind. After cresting the second hill, her raft landed roughly, slamming her head a second time against the head rest. She later began vomiting and was diagnosed with a concussion.
Ryan Shapiro, whose neck was injured after his raft lifted off the slide, became airborne and then slammed down.
Samantha Soper, whose head was whipped from side to side during her ride, leaving her with severe neck pain.
Natasha Radcliff, whose head was slammed against the head rest after her raft went airborne. She sustained severe head and neck pain.
Norris “JJ” Groves, whose face and forehead collided with an overhead hoop and netting after his raft went airborne. The collision caused his right eye to swell shut for the rest of the day.
Richard Palmer, whose hook-and-loop restraint came undone and who held on to the sides of the raft and dug in his feet and toes into the raft’s corners to avoid being ejected. The second and third toes on his right foot were broken. While he and his family members were at the base of the ride seeking medical assistance, a man introduced himself to them as its designer and builder and boasted that he and his friend had designed and built it together. The Palmers said the man seemed unconcerned about his medical condition.
A 17-year-old who sustained a gash across her right eyebrow when the force of the ride slammed her head into her knees. Seven stitches were needed to close the gash.
A 15-year-old whose foot got stuck between the upper and lower inflatable portions of the base of the raft. The nail of his right big toe tore off.
Don Slaughter, who developed head pain after his raft went airborne and caused his head to jerk from side to side. The raft later collided with the concrete wall at the end of the runout pool. After seeking medical assistance, he was diagnosed with three herniated disks.
According to the indictment, Miles avoided or delayed repairs that would have taken the water slide out of commission during its four-month active season. It says he disregarded its deteriorating brake system even after it failed 10 days before Schwab was decapitated.
“Tears and punctures on the rafts were patched (typically by using duct tape), but the hook-and-loop seat restraints were allowed to erode so severely that the restraints commonly tore loose during rides,” the indictment alleges.
Besides numerous oral reports, the indictment states, 21 written staff reports were submitted to Miles saying the brake system was in the process of failure and needed maintenance.
“Miles possessed authority to close Verruckt for this repair, but ordinary staff did not,” according to the indictment. “Miles chose to continue operating Verruckt unceasingly. No repairs were made and the brake was allowed to fail.”
After Caleb Schwab died, a Kansas City police detective interviewed Miles and asked him whether he’d been aware of any complaints about the ride. “I have not, sir,” the indictment alleges he replied.
In fact, Miles had withheld “thousands of written ‘ops daily reports’ containing incriminating information against Miles and others,” the indictment states.
One of the lifeguards at the park, whom the indictment says Miles coerced into writing a coached statement, came forward a few weeks later and revealed Miles’ attempt to cover up one of the incidents, according to the indictment.
“Investigators eventually discovered that Miles had withheld this evidence,” the indictment states, referring to the ops daily reports, “which had resulted in the investigation being delayed by nearly six months.” When questioned about it, Miles said he was following company policy.
Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor for KCUR a partner in the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies.
TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. recently issued a proclamation declaring the month of April as “Safe Digging Month” in Kansas. The proclamation, in concurrence with National Safe Digging Month, reminds Kansans to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects.
The Kansas Corporation Commission, Kansas One-Call, the Kansas Pipeline Association, the Common Ground Alliance, and Governor Colyer are encouraging excavators and homeowners to call 811 before they begin digging projects to prevent injuries, property damage, and inconvenient outages. A utility line is damaged by digging once every six minutes nationwide, and one-third of those incidents are caused by failure of the professional excavator or homeowner to call 811 before digging.
When dialing 811, callers are connected to Kansas One-Call, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Calls are taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Requests can also be entered at www.kansasonecall.com. Excavators and homeowners are required to make a request at least two working days in advance of beginning a digging project. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been accurately marked, digging can begin.
Every digging project, no matter how large or small, requires a call to 811. There is no charge to have utility lines marked. The depth of utility lines varies, and there may be multiple lines in a common area. Some utility lines are buried only a few inches below the surface, making them easy to strike during shallow digging projects. Installing a mailbox, landscaping, putting in a fence, and building a deck are all examples of digging projects that necessitate a call to 811 before starting.
Learn more about 811 and Safe Digging Month by visiting: www.call811.com. More information about Kansas One-Call is available at: www.kansasonecall.com.
“Welcome to the Jungle,” honoring Fort Hays State University mascot Victor E. Tiger, will be the theme of Homecoming 2018 weekend, Sept. 27 through Sept. 30.
Homecoming 2018 is scheduled for the week of Sept. 27 through Sept. 30. While planning is still underway, hallmark events remain the same, said Brittney Squire, coordinator of student involvement for the university’s Center of Student Involvement.
The signature events for the weekend are:
• Thursday, Sept. 27 – Tiger Bonfire hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life and Tigers4Ever
• Friday, Sept. 28 – Oktoberfest, hosted by the Volga German Society
• Saturday, Sept. 29 – 5K Tiger Run/Walk hosted by the Alumni Association
• Saturday, Sept. 29 – Homecoming Parade, hosted by the Center for Student Involvement, and Tiger football, against the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, with halftime featuring crowning of Homecoming royalty.
Student competitions, entertainment events, alumni reunions and other athletic events will be hosted throughout the week.
The theme is based on a survey sent to alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members after each Homecoming to collect feedback which will improve the activities. With the survey conducted in the fall of 2017, participants had an opportunity to select one theme from a list of 10 options which they believed best conveyed Tiger spirit.
Every year, the Homecoming Committee creates a logo based on the theme, and each event associated with Homecoming then highlights the theme. The purpose of the committee is to coordinate, promote, and evaluate all the week’s activities. The committee has representatives from the Center for Student Involvement; the FHSU Alumni Association; FHSU Athletics; University Relations and Marketing; the Office of the President; the Department of Music and Theatre; the student body; and the Hays community.
Gusty southeast winds and low relative humidity will produce elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Showers and few isolated thunderstorms will be possible late this evening. Severe weather is not expected.
Today
A slight chance of showers between 7am and 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Southeast wind 13 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers between 10pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. East southeast wind 11 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of rain before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. East wind 8 to 10 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
TuesdayMostly cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 66.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain after 1am, mixing with snow after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday
A chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a slight chance of rain between 8am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) was recently awarded the inaugural Dennis Moore Alzheimer Champion Award, named in honor of former Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore, by the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas. Sen. Moran was presented this award at the first-ever Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas Memory Gala in Wichita, which raised more than $384,000 for Alzheimer’s research.
“Senator Jerry Moran is a tireless advocate for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and for their caregivers,” said Dennis and Stephene Moore. “We appreciate that he recognizes that as Democrats and Republicans we must put our partisan views aside and move forward together to further research and find a cure for this disease.”
“Senator Moran was nominated and recognized by the CWKS board of directors as someone who has been a true advocate for the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association,”said Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas Board of Directors Secretary Dr. Stephen Benson. “He has shown that Alzheimer’s affects many and does not discriminate based on political party. His work has been instrumental in our efforts for an effective treatment or cure.”
“Dennis and I served together in Congress for 12 years and I have the greatest respect for and Stephene, which is why I’m so honored to receive this award in his name,” said Sen. Moran. “I am grateful to the Moore family and the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas for recognizing my work – I will continue advocating for Alzheimer’s funding and research.”
As a member of Senate Appropriations Committee, the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and co-chair of the Senate NIH Caucus, Sen. Moran has worked to increase Alzheimer’s research funding by more than $400 million in FY16 and FY17 and continues advocating for another $400 million increase for FY18.
Gusty southeast winds and low relative humidity will produce elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Showers and few isolated thunderstorms will be possible late this evening. Severe weather is not expected.
