March 2018 – Page 69 – Hays Post Archive

Kids celebrate Dr. Seuss at Hays Area Children’s Center

Posted on March 5, 2018March 5, 2018

Teacher Kallie Powers, right, and Paraeducator Laura Witt, left, with Grace, center

Braxton, hamming it up with his “green eggs”

Isabella, discovering that green eggs are finger-licking good

Claire, taking a more elegant approach to her cookie and “eggs”

Submitted

Youngsters (and oldsters) across the nation celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss on March 2, which is designated as Read Across America Day.

At Hays Area Children’s Center, preschoolers read “Green Eggs and Ham,” then made their own version of “green eggs.” Their recipe consisted of vanilla pudding with drops of green food dye. Despite some initial skepticism, kid agreed they would muster the courage to try something … unusual. After stirring and tasting, they pronounced their “green eggs” as “yummy.” A vanilla wafer topping the concoction sealed the deal.

March blood drives in NW Kansas

Posted on March 5, 2018March 5, 2018

ARC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In March, while basketball teams are fighting for the chance to be crowned champions, patients battling cancer and other illnesses are fighting for their lives. The American Red Cross is asking blood donors to help patients rebound by making a lifesaving donation this spring.

Middle school basketball player Olivia Stoy received blood and platelet transfusions during treatment for T lymphoblastic lymphoma. With the help of blood and platelet donations, the 14- year-old has returned to the basketball court and, more importantly, beat cancer.

“We are so thankful that the blood products were available to Olivia for the almost two years of her treatment. They have made it possible for Olivia to regain her strength and get back to doing the activities she loves,” said Megan Stoy, Olivia’s mother.

Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure that the Red Cross can collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations needed every day for patients like Olivia.

Giving blood takes less time than it takes to watch a single basketball game. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center:

Hays Blood Donation Center

208 E. 8th, Hays

Please check redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS for current blood donation centers days and hours.

Other blood donation opportunities during March:

Hays

3/7/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, 1701 Hall

3/8/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hays High School, 2300 E. 13th

Jennings

3/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., United Methodist Church, 202 S Topeka Ave

Ellis
3/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 1013 Washington

Hays
3/20/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., HaysMed, 2200 Canterbury
3/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Nicholas of Myra, 2901 E. 13th St.

Quinter
3/22/2018: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant

Norton
3/21/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Norton High School, 513 W. Wilberforce

Logan
3/28/2018: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Logan High School, 305 N. Sherman

Palco
3/28/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Palco High School, 502 Ash

Russell
3/26/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Otterbein United Methodist Church, 120 W. Wisconsin St.

Goodland
3/17/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Methodist Church, 12 N Sherman

WaKeeney
3/22/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 500 Summit Ave.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Prepare your family for severe weather

Posted on March 5, 2018March 6, 2018

SAFE KIDS KS

TOPEKA — While the threat of severe weather in Kansas is year-round, March 5-9 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas, and a good opportunity to discuss the importance of emergency preparedness with your family.

In 2017, the National Weather Service reported about 60 tornadoes statewide. Kansas also experiences numerous other high impact weather events, including blizzards, severe thunderstorms, and floods.

“When severe weather strikes you often have only a few minutes to respond and seek shelter. It is essential for you and your family to be prepared in an emergency,” said Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas. Safe Kids Kansas recommends becoming familiar with the type of weather you may encounter, prepare an emergency disaster kit, and practice your emergency plan frequently with your entire family.

Many people do not understand the difference between a watch and a warning. When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado WATCH is issued. Information from weather radar, spotters, and other sources is used to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado WARNINGS for areas where severe weather is imminent.

Severe weather warnings are passed to local radio and television stations, and broadcast over weather alert radios. These warnings are also relayed to local emergency management and public safety officials who then activate the local warning systems to alert communities. Remember, thunderstorms are very dangerous and can become tornadic quickly, so shelter is advised for those warnings as well. Getting to a safe shelter in advance of a storm is especially important for families with children or individuals with a disability.

Safe Kids Kansas recommends assembling an emergency disaster kit in advance. If you determine you need to take shelter, be sure every family member puts on hard-soled footwear and take your emergency disaster kit with you. An emergency disaster kit should contain:

non-perishable food items and water;
a manual can opener if your kit contains canned food;
blankets or sleeping bags;
a change of clothing for each family member;
a first-aid kit;
prescription medications;
sun block;
a flashlight and batteries;
a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio;
a set of car and house keys;
a whistle to signal for help;
a highway map that marks the counties to follow the storm;
identification and a credit card or cash;
and, any specific items you may need for children such as diapers or formula.

Additional supplies and equipment may be necessary for family members with disabilities or medical conditions.

Don’t forget your pets will also need supplies, including food, water, collars and leashes. For smaller animals you may want to have a crate or a cage to help keep them safe and close.

Another good preparation tool is to designate an out-of-state friend or family member as your family contact in case weather strikes while your family members are apart. “Each family member should know the phone number of the emergency contact person and call to alert them they are safe and where they are going to be,” said Sage.

Safe Kids Kansas reminds parents to develop an emergency plan for severe weather in advance, and practice the plan often with your children, just as you do for other emergencies, such as a house fire. Be sure to include scenarios when you are at home, work, school or outdoors.

If a tornado warning is issued, your family should immediately go to your designated tornado shelter which may be a storm shelter or a basement. If you are not able to get underground, then move to an interior room, hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest level. If possible, get under a sturdy piece of furniture to protect you from debris, and stay away from windows.

If you are in a vehicle or mobile home, get out immediately and head to the nearest shelter. Do not try and outrun a tornado in your vehicle. If you are outside, lie flat in a low location, and cover your head with your hands. Do not take shelter under an overpass or bridge. Flash flooding causes more weather-related deaths annually, so be aware of your surroundings if you seek shelter in a ditch or ravine.

After a severe storm has passed, be careful to watch for fallen power lines and structures that may be weakened from storm damage. Use a flashlight to inspect your home. Do not use candles, matches or lighters, as there may be leaking natural gas pipes or fuel tanks nearby.

Safe Kids Kansas also recommends that your family learn basic CPR first aid and teach young children how to call 9-1-1. Severe weather can strike at any time with little or no notice. The best way to protect yourself and your family members is by being prepared in advance.

Game time and ticket information for FHSU women’s NCAA Central Regional

Posted on March 5, 2018

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Game times and ticket information for the Central Regional in the 2018 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship were announced Monday (March 5) by Augustana, the host institution for this year’s regional tournament. Sixth-seeded Fort Hays State will kick things off with the first of seven games over four days, facing off with No. 3 Southwestern Oklahoma State at noon on Friday (March 9).

If the Tigers were to advance, their regional semifinal contest would begin at 5 p.m. Saturday (March 10) with the regional championship set to tip at 7 p.m. Monday (March 12).

Tickets are will be available beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (March 6) at the following link. Single session tickets are available at a cost of $12 for adults and $5 for students with a valid school ID. Children five and under will get in free.

Additionally, a full-day pass is available on Friday only for $20. Tickets purchased in advance will not be mailed and will be available at will call. Tickets will also be available at the gate, with ticket offices opening one hour prior to the first game each day.

The full tournament schedule can be found below.

Friday, March 9 – NCAA DII Central Region Quarterfinals
Game 1 – Noon – #6 Fort Hays State vs. #3 Southwestern Oklahoma State
Game 2 – 2:30 p.m. – #7 Minnesota State Moorhead vs. #2 Central Missouri
Game 3 – 5:30 p.m. – #8 Lindenwood vs. #1 Augustana
Game 4 – 8:00 p.m. – #5 Northern State vs. Arkansas Tech

Saturday, March 10 – NCAA DII Central Region Semifinals
Game 5 – 5 p.m. – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Game 6 – 7:30 p.m. – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4

Monday, March 12 – NCAA DII Central Region Championship
Game 7 – 7 p.m. – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6

Records: State was told about Kan. boy’s abuse before death

Posted on March 5, 2018March 5, 2018

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Records show that the state received at least eight reports that a 3-year-old boy was being abused in the year before his body was found encased in concrete.

Records from the Kansas Department of Children and Families show the agency was told that Evan Brewer’s mother was regularly high on methamphetamine and was not feeding him good meals.

The records also show that a report of detailed allegations of abuse was not forwarded to a social worker investigating the case.

The boy was never removed from the home. His body was found in early September.

The agency’s new director, Gina Meier-Hummel, said she shares the family’s outrage. She says changes to improve the system have begun and will continue.

Hays, Gorham women selected for 2018 Leadership Kansas Class

Posted on March 5, 2018March 5, 2018

KS CHAMBER

TOPEKA – The Kansas Chamber announced Thursday the 40 members of its 2018 Leadership Kansas Class. Leadership Kansas is a nationally recognized program focused on developing and motivating a diverse group of Kansas leaders from all four corners of the state.

Among those selected are Gina Riedel, Gorham, a coach and facilitator for Bandura Plus and Dr. Stacey Smith, Hays, chair of the Fort Hays State University Department of Applied Business Studies.

An affiliated program of the Kansas Chamber, the program celebrates its 40th year in 2018.

“The Kansas Chamber is excited to welcome the newest Leadership Kansas class. As one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country, Leadership Kansas has a long history of fostering greater awareness and understanding of statewide economic, business and political issues. The program helps develop our state leaders to make Kansas a stronger and more vibrant business engine.” said Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb.

Each year, Leadership Kansas receives nearly 700 nominations for the program. After a thorough and thoughtful application and selection process, 40 individuals are chosen to participate. The selection committee and the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees make every effort to ensure the class has geographic, ethnic, occupational, and gender diversity.

The 2018 program begins in late April with an orientation session in Lawrence and ends with graduation after the completion of the Topeka session in October. The host cities for this year’s program are Garden City, KC Metro, Hays, Pittsburg, South Central and Manhattan/Topeka.

Throughout the six-month program, the class interacts with a variety of experts and community leaders through three-day educational training sessions in different communities across the state. The diverse discussion topics include: business; education; agriculture; public policy; societal health; economic development; and government.

“Graduates of Leadership Kansas complete the program with a deeper understanding of our state and are better equipped to shoulder important leadership responsibilities in their communities and careers,” said Mary Hammond, Hays (Class of 2010).

Leadership Kansas has more than 1,400 alumni. Distinguished alumni include: former Kansas Governor Bill Graves; Westar Energy CEO, Mark Ruelle; C.Q. Chandler IV, President of INTRUST Bank; Pittsburg State University President, Steve Scott; retired Brig. Gen Deborah Rose; former CEO of the Kroger Company David Dillon; former Spirit AeroSystems President & CEO Jeff Turner; Murfin Drilling Company, Inc. President Dave Murfin; U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and U.S. Representatives Lynn Jenkins and Kevin Yoder, among others. John Federico (Class of ’97) serves as the Executive Director of the Leadership Kansas Program.

Click here to see a complete list of the 2018 Leadership Kansas class.

By STEPHEN KORANDA

Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has made a point to say he will not accept harassment and discrimination in his administration. But he won’t say if he’ll reinstate an executive order that would bar discrimination against LGBT state workers.

Gov. Jeff Colyer hasn’t said whether he’d reverse action taken by his predecessor on LGBT issues.
STEPHEN KORANDA / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

“What I have said is that we will not tolerate discrimination. If there’s an issue of discrimination, come to me,” Colyer said. “We’ll deal with it. It’s not tolerated by our administration, period.”

Former Gov. Sam Brownback rescinded the executive order that had protected gay, lesbian and transgender workers in 2015. He said protections should be created by lawmakers, not through executive action.

Tom Witt, with the group Equality Kansas, said Colyer’s words are not enough.

“If the governor is serious about rooting out discrimination in his administration, he’ll put it in writing,” Witt said. “We had it in writing.”

Some Democrats in the U.S. Senate cited Brownback’s reversal of the order as the reason they voted against his confirmation as religious freedom ambassador. That opposition nearly cost Brownback his new diplomatic post. He was confirmed after Vice President Pence cast a tie-breaking vote.

Colyer’s first executive order as governor made sexual harassment training mandatory for all executive branch employees.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for KPR, a partner in the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda.

Hays Post Archive

Month: March 2018

Kids celebrate Dr. Seuss at Hays Area Children’s Center

March blood drives in NW Kansas

Prepare your family for severe weather

Game time and ticket information for FHSU women’s NCAA Central Regional

Records: State was told about Kan. boy’s abuse before death

Hays, Gorham women selected for 2018 Leadership Kansas Class

‘American Pickers’ looking for sites for upcoming Kansas visit

UPDATE: Power restored after short-lived outage in NW Hays

Ellis High School choir ready for dinner theater

Former Hays High para charged with trying to have sex with student

Kan. Gov. Mum On Reinstating LGBT Worker Protections

Police: Woman shot in the head at SW Kan. motel

Kan. woman embezzled $10M; withdrew cash at casinos