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Month: April 2018

Spring Football Scrimmage Saturday at 2 pm; Kids Camp Held in the Morning

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HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State will hold its annual Spring Football Scrimmage on Saturday (Apr. 21) at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. The event is set to begin at 2 pm. If inclement weather prevails on Saturday, the scrimmage will move indoors to the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility. The Spring Scrimmage is part of the Spring Kickoff festivities hosted by Tigers4Ever (student alumni association), which begin at 10 am.

**Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter accounts of Fort Hays State University Athletics on Saturday in the hours leading up to the event for notice if the scrimmage will be moving indoors.**

**TAILGATING ENCOURAGED**
Tiger fans will have the opportunity to tailgate in the lot north of Lewis Field Stadium beginning at 10 am. Typically reserved during the season, parking spots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to arrive early to get an ideal location!

**PURCHASE A 2018 SPRING KICKOFF T-SHIRT**
Tigers4Ever will be selling 2018 Spring Kickoff T-Shirts at the event for $10. Purchases are CASH ONLY. Adult sizes Small through 2XL are available. Pre-purchased shirts (shirts that were purchased prior to April 1) are ONLY available for pick up the day of the event beginning 1:30 p.m. at the main entrance (east side) to Lewis Field Stadium.

**YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP**
FHSU Football will host a youth football camp for 1Ike Eguae at [email protected] or call (785) 639-1001. Youth Camp Brochure

**FAN INTERACTION**
Select fans will have a chance to show off their skills with the team at the scrimmage, participating in drills alongside players. Fans can enter for a chance to participate at tables set up near the main entrance on the east side of the stadium. Drills include kicking a field goal, catching and throwing a pass, fielding a punt, and more!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10 am-12 pm – FHSU Youth Football Camps (1st-6th grade)
10 am-2 pm – Tailgate
1:30 pm – Lewis Field Gates Open
2 pm – Scrimmage (2, 30-Minute running clock halves)
Halftime – Punt, Pass & Kick Competition
Fan Interaction throughout the scrimmage (sign up for a chance to interact with the team on the field)

SPONSORED BY…
Tigers4Ever: Student Alumni Association
FHSU Athletics
Eagle Communications

For more information, visit the Spring Kick Off Homepage.

Police K9 helps officers catch wanted Kan. drug suspect

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BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted suspect on new charges after an early morning traffic stop.

Bailey-photo KDOC

Just before 1a.m. Thursday police stopped a vehicle in the 1000 Block of Heizer in Great Bend, according to a media release from police chief David Bailey.

The driver made contact with the driver identified as 39-year-old Eugene Black. He was wanted on a number of arrest warrants, according to police.

Officers also deployed the police department’s K-9 Laser which helped officers find illegal drugs in the vehicle. Offices seized the drugs and weapons.

Black was jailed for possession of meth, marijuana and cocaine within 1000 feet of a school. He is also facing a weapons charge, according to police. Black is being held on a $100,000 Bond.

He has previous convictions for stalking, theft, battery, violation of a protection order, flee/attempt to elude and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Wildfire burns 75 square miles in Kansas, Colorado

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials say a fire that crossed the Kansas and Colorado state line burned about 75 square miles of grassland.

Crews working the fire early Wednesday-photo courtesy Steven Co. Emergency Services

Kansas Adjutant General’s Department spokeswoman Katie Horner says about one-third of the burned land is in Morton and Stanton counties in the western part of the state. The release says the wind-whipped fire that raged Tuesday and Wednesday also destroyed five Kansas homes and several outbuildings. Crews are monitoring hot spots, although the fire is largely extinguished.

Horner says another 26 fires burned Wednesday in Kansas and that five of them are responsible for consuming another 37 square miles.

The only injuries reported so far in Kansas are in Wallace County, where Sheriff Larry Townsend says three firefighters were treated Tuesday for smoke inhalation and heat exposure before being released.

Kansas man will stand trial for alleged kidnapping, battery

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HUTCHINSON— A 25-year-old Kansas man arrested in association with a serious domestic case is now formally charged.

Smith-photo Reno Co.

On Wednesday, the state charged Bryce A. Smith of Hutchinson with kidnapping, aggravated domestic battery and criminal damage.

On April 9, Smith came home just after 2 p.m. and allegedly found his girlfriend with another man, according to court testimony.

Smith then became angry, held the victim against her will, slapped and choked her. She told police that she became dizzy and believed if Smith had held her any longer she would have passed out.

Smith also caused damage to a wall inside the home during the altercation, according to testimony.

The victim managed to get away to a neighbor’s home and sought help.

Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen declined to lower Smith’s $75,000 bond. The case now moves to a waiver-status docket.

KWEC to host ‘Great Migration Rally’

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FHSU University Relations

In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host “The Great Migration Rally” from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at the center.

The KWEC, 592 NE K-156 Highway, is at the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, northeast of Great Bend.

Participants will begin their own migration adventure with several activities, including: a migration adventure contest, crafts, a Ukrainian egg display, FHSU’s MakerSpace van, games and a live bird display featuring Lurch the turkey vulture, hawks, owls and falcons presented by Pat Silovsky, Milford Nature Center director.

A demonstration and display of Ukrainian eggs will be provided by Christine Slechta, Wilson. In the MakerSpace van, children will be provided with the opportunity to make a sled kite. Participants will also be able to create an edible bird house, solve an egg match and get a bird tattoo.

After receiving a map, participants will drive through Cheyenne Bottoms, making two stops before making a stop at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Children will then arrive at Barton Community College’s Camp Aldrich. Participants will collect bird migration cards throughout the afternoon to earn points for prizes, including an action sport camera, tents, fishing poles, camping gear for kids and adults and local artwork.

“The concept is to provide information about the hazards birds face during migration with a fun and entertaining approach,” said Curtis Wolf, KWEC manager.

Supper will be served, followed by a “Birds of Prey Show” presentation by Silovsky, and several of her live program birds.

“We were very fortunate to have so many businesses, organizations and individuals donate prizes for this event,” said Wolf. “We also appreciate Barton Community College’s partnership, as well as sponsorships from the city of Great Bend, the Nature Conservancy, Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.”

Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 through 12. Children under 5 get in free. Participants must register by April 23.

To register, visit https://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/the-great-migration-rally/. For more information, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.

HPD Activity Log April 17 & 18

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The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 6 traffic stops Tue., April 17, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Welfare Check–300 block W 24th St, Hays; 4/16 9:04 PM; 4/17 9:04 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 10 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 10:30 AM; 10:35 AM
Found/Lost Property–1700 block Donald Dr, Hays;  10:47 AM
Probation/Parole Violation–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 2:08 PM
Animal Injured–100 block Ash St, Hays; 2:26 PM
Animal At Large–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 3:41 PM
Harassment (All Other)–300 block W 11th St, Hays; 3/17 3:56 PM; 4/17 3:56 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:49 PM
Civil Dispute–1900 block Eisenhower Rd, Hays; 6 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:15 PM
Domestic Disturbance–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:20 PM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block E 41st St, Hays; 7:47 PM
Burglary/residence–2200 block Walnut St, Hays; 4/16 3 PM; 4/17 8:31 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Wed., April 18, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 5:14 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1500 block Fort St, Hays; 7:43 AM
Parking Complaint–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 8:39 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1900 block E 24th St, Hays; 8:45 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–Hays; 8:53 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–Hays; 9 AM
Civil Dispute–2300 block E 22nd St, Hays; 9:04 AM
Suicidal Subject–100 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:42 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 10:55 AM
Civil Dispute–1000 block Downing Ave, Hays; 4/17 10 PM; 11 PM
Suspicious Activity–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:40 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–3400 block Vine, Hays; 1:48 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:37 PM
Parking Complaint–3700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 6:08 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 6:24 PM; 6:28 AM
Animal At Large–4100 block Fillmore Dr, Hays; 7:36 PM
Animal Call–2000 block Canal St, Hays; 8:02 PM

Dennis McLaughlin

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Dennis McLaughlin, 65, Schoenchen, died Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at his home.

He was born December 28, 1952 in Larned, Kansas the son of Boyd and Loretta M. (Vratil) McLaughlin. He was a carpenter and a truck driver. He enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, and watching KU basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by companion; Debbie Fuzzell of the home, and five brothers; Galen McLaughlin, Hays, Terry (Dana) Wilson, Parshall, ND, Craig (Chris) McLaughlin, Hays, Mark Wilson, Fountain, CO, and Monte Wilson, Hays.

He is preceded in death by his parents, step-father; Charles B. Wilson, and a step-brother, Randy Wilson.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2017 at Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church, 29th and Indian Trail, Hays. Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Gorham. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Dennis McLaughlin memorial fund to help with expenses and checks can be written to Galen McLaughlin in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

INSIGHT KANSAS: The ghost of Brownback appears

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The specter of Sam Brownback haunted the Kansas statehouse last week in the form of a proposition that would place unchecked power for funding public schools in the legislature’s hands.

Beginning with his election as governor in 2010 Brownback and his allies blamed the Kansas Supreme Court for the state’s financial distress. Remember that they tried to intimidate the Court into submission on school funding. That did not work. They next proposed to pack the Court with partisan judges. That went nowhere. Then they campaigned to oust judges standing for retention. Voters rejected that ploy.

H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.

Brownback acolytes are now back for a last hurrah—pushing forward on the former governor’s call to rewrite the Kansas Constitution and slam the door on the Court from ever again reviewing the adequacy of funding public schools. House Judiciary Chair Blaine Finch hosted the ghost by ramming an amendment out of his committee after a couple hours of hearings.

This move is powered by the same shadowy folks who gave Kansans the five-year nightmare of unbalanced budgets, unfair taxes, and record debt, from 2011 through 2016. The Kansas State Chamber in alliance with dark money operations such as American for Prosperity and Club for Growth demanded elimination of the state income tax and elected radical Republicans to do their bidding. Names such as Koch, Murfin, Crossman, and Hill heavily bankrolled the debacle.

This right-wing coalition cares little about adequate funding of public schools. During their emasculation of state finance base funding for schools was cut, block grants then capped funding levels, and taxpayer funds were diverted to private schools. Only the Kansas Supreme Court stood in their way.

As if to shout out their disdain for public schools, in the waning hours before first adjournment Senate President Susan Wagle and Majority Leader Jim Denning spooked the senate into emergency action to pass millions more in tax cuts instead of addressing the adequacy of school finance.

Imagine, if you will, the scary prospect of granting this coalition absolute power to fund public schools. Kansans would soon be looking to Oklahoma—with four-day school weeks and teachers’ salaries ranked at the bottom—as a model for school finance.

The coalition’s constitutional proposition has little chance of passing, but that is not their objective. They are seeking campaign fodder to be used in a blizzard of postcard smears to beguile and mislead Kansas voters. That might undo the will of Kansas voters who rebuked the Chamber and its allies in 2016.

Kansas voters should know by now the political tactics of this coalition. They have already set up the “Kansas Coalition for Fair Funding,” a pleasant sounding front to finance their crusade with dark money from deep pockets. They will use legislative votes on the constitutional amendment to target centrist lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, who undid the disastrous tax experiment last year and are currently moving the funding of public schools in the right direction.

Get ready for a postcard campaign of spooky ghost stories. Charges will be scurrilous. Graphics will be dark. Scaremongering will prevail.

So, Kansas voters, take a hint from the movie theme: “Who ya gonna call? Ghost Busters!” Call out for those voters of 2016 to return to the ballot box in 2018 and forever entomb the toxic ghost of Brownback past.

H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University and formerly served with Kansas Governors Bennett and Hayden.

Diamond grinding continues Thu. on 27th Street

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CITY OF HAYS

Please be advised that beginning Thursday, April 19, 2018, diamond grinding work will begin on 27th Street between Sherman Avenue and Fort Street.

Traffic control will be set in areas of work during working hours and moved off to the side at the end of the work day. Access to entrances will remain open to traffic.

This location of the project, part of the 2018 Street Maintenance Program, is scheduled to be completed within two weeks.

The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350 or the contractor, Diamond Surface, Inc., at 763-420-5009.

Rep. Marshall offers amendment to Farm Bill to help wildfire victims

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OFFICE OF REP. MARSHALL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – First District Kansas Congressman Roger Marshall (R-Great Bend) is pleased that the House Agriculture Committee approved an amendment he authored to the 2018 Farm Bill Wednesday that will ease wildfire victims’ ability to access assistance.

“As we watch wildfires again burn across Kansas and Oklahoma this week, it brings back unfortunate memories of the large fires we experienced just over a year ago that many producers are still rebuilding from. While the USDA’s response to help producers recover has been good, it is important that we take time to also identify ways to improve for future disasters,” Rep. Marshall said.

The amendment would streamline the application and approval process for producers to receive much-needed resources sooner when utilizing the Emergency Conservation Program to rebuild destroyed fences. It also simplifies the administration of the program for Farm Service Agency (FSA) employees.

This change would allow victims of future disasters to receive 75 percent of the “total allowable cost” after a fence has been destroyed in a qualifying disaster. This amendment was based on an ECP improvement bill crafted by Rep. Marshall and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).

“I’ve met with wildfire victims, county, state and national USDA staff, and producer organizations. Together we discussed the challenges from every level, and this amendment helps all involved in the recovery process,” Rep. Marshall said.

The changes to the Emergency Conservation Program will make certain that the FSA resources get to those impacted producers quickly and efficiently.

The House Ag Committee unveiled the first draft of the 2018 Farm Bill April 12.

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