The average student wastes 142 pounds of food per year.
During the past year, the Global Leadership Project (GLP) at Fort Hays State University has created an ongoing composting project, Trash Hunger Not Food, in conjunction with the university farm, the dining service contractor Chartwells, Dr. Brittany Howell, and the Clean and Green Program.
The goal of Trash Hunger Not Food is to reduce the environmental impact of FHSU by composting food waste produced in the McMindes Cafeteria. Composting is the first step to take in the fight to end campus food waste.
GLP partnered with the university Grounds Department which picks up the compostable trash from McMindes every two weeks. The compost will be used by the university farm in several ways, including for fertilizer.
Leftover food for composting by the FHSU farm.
The food waste, leftover food from the kitchen, is put into the trashcans by the cafeteria workers.
Trash Hunger Not Food prevented approximately 700 pounds of food waste from entering the landfill during the spring 2018 semester.
“This project allowed for a unique opportunity for GLP to partner with various on-campus organizations in order to bring composting to Fort Hays and to help reduce FHSU’s environmental footprint,” said student coordinator Reilly Franek. She is social work major from Elbert, Colorado and will be a senior in the fall.
This would not have been possible without the help of Jake VonLintel and the entire Ideal Refuse team, the staff at Chartwells, the university Grounds department, and the university farm. A special thank you goes to Dr. Howell, of the Department of Agriculture. Without her continued support of GLP and involvement with Trash Hunger Not Food, the GLP may not have been able to start this program.
For more information, GLP can be reached at 785-628-4497, [email protected], or in person at Custer Hall Room 208.
ABOUT GLP
The Global Leadership Project is an initiative of the Center for Civic Leadership and the Department of Leadership Studies that works to educate FHSU students to be forward thinking and world ready. GLP hosts events such as SWIPE Out Hunger and the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) to educate and inspire FHSU students to make positive change in their local community and on a global scale.
Alex Kultgen is a political science major from Waco, Texas, and will be a junior this fall.
PAWNEE COUNTY – An Eastern Kansas woman was injured after she was ejected during a rollover crash in Pawnee County Sunday afternoon at 12:51 p.m.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2004 Ford Pickup, driven by Laura A. Rogers, 47, St. George, was Westbound on K156 at Mile Marker 96 five Miles West of Larned when the pickup went left of center and drove into the south ditch.
The vehicle then struck a sealed entrance and went airborne, landed in the ditch and rolled multiple times causing the driver to be ejected.
Rogers was transported to Wesley Medical Center. She was not wearing a seatbelt according to the KHP.
Please be advised that beginning Monday, May 14, 2018, access to the west Vine Street frontage road will be closed in the 2700 block of Vine for repairs. This work should be completed in approximately three weeks.
Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. Motorists should use caution in these areas.
The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
Frequently, I see ornate box turtles crossing country roads or highways. Because I like this pack-its-own-home reptile, I dodge these speed bumps. While seeing them slowly lumber across the road triggers a smile, I hadn’t thought much about these Kansas state reptiles until recently.
This summer, I’ve been waking up early to enjoy the cool morning air as I water, weed, and pick veggies. A bonus of rising with the sun is meeting some of my yard neighbors that hide during the heat of the day.
One such friend is a good-sized box turtle that hangs out under my rose bushes in the mornings. I’ve seen it a couple of times, and today we met officially. This particular terrapene ornata, according to scientists, is at the larger end of expected sizes for its species. I’d guess its shell is three to four inches across and five or six inches long. I didn’t have a measuring tape on hand at 6:30 a.m. for an official accounting, but she’s bigger than most turtles navigating Kansas roadways.
This particular reptile’s shell is dark with distinct yellow markings on the scutes or plates. Before she tucked her head inside her shell, I noted yellowish rather than reddish-orange eyes, which verifies she meets “she” criteria.
Like all box turtles, she has a hinged plastron that lets her tuck her head and limbs safely inside her shell. This ability frustrates hungry coyotes and other predators, but it won’t stop a vehicle cruising down the highway, one of this creature’s worst enemies. The minute she sensed me heading her way, she tucked everything tuckable until she resembled nothing more than a pet rock.
Ignoring her desperate, introvert-like attempt to achieve solitude, I placed my hands carefully along each lower side of her shell and examined her beauty close-up. Like any unhappy female, she promptly got even. Without sticking out head or legs, she peed, which made me jump backward to avoid a splattering.
Once I finished my inspection of her masterpiece of black and yellow shell, I rewarded this pretty girl. I set a couple of pieces of melon in front of her so there would be a little something to make her day when she finally stuck her head out. Apparently, she can smell and likes cantaloupe because it was gone by the time I got upstairs to spy on her out the kitchen window.
After researching box turtle factoids, I see why she likes her flowerbed home. It’s damp, there are lots of sow bugs or roly-polies and other insects to meet her carnivorous dietary needs, and the temperature is more agreeable in that dark corner than most places in the yard. Containing the softest soil on the hilltop, it’s a great place to dig in for winter hibernation, which might explain my new friend’s greater than average size.
Now that we’ve met, she’s earned a daily serving of melon or fruit to enhance her diet. With room service like that, this lady should be glad to call this corner of Trego County home. I wonder how big my walking work of art will be next summer.
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Monday May 14, 2018 in the area of Fort Hays State University Campus. This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants and flush all water mains annually.
A new high priority item on the proposed Hays Parks Improvement Plan is a shade structure for the bison herd in Frontier Park West.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The city of Hays welcomed two baby bison to its herd last week at Frontier Park.
One was born Tuesday and another was born Friday.
The first calf was born to one of the herd’s 5-year-old cows. Another calf was born Friday to one of the 4-year-old cows. Neither the cows nor the calves have names.
Jeff Boyle, director of the city’s parks department, said the bison’s keeper thinks all five of the cows in the herd will likely have calves this season, including the herd’s white bison, sometimes referred to as Ghostbuster.
The bull in the herd does not exhibit any albino traits, so it is unknown if Ghostbuster would have a white or brown calf.
Boyle said the best time to see the calves is in the early morning or at dusk.
He noted visitors should not attempt to climb the bison’s fences. Bison can weigh between 800 and 2,000 pounds. They are very territorial. They have been known to charge, and victims can be gored by their horns.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting death and have identified the victim.
Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV
Just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a residence in the 1300 block of SE Madison in Topeka for report of a shooting, according to Lt. Jennifer Cross.
One female victim was pronounced deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds. She has been identified as Patricia Sanders, 37, of Topeka. The death is being investigated as a homicide, according to Cross. Police have not made an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Topeka Police Department at 785-368-9400 or Crime Stoppers at 785- 234-0007.
CLEVELAND (AP) – Corey Kluber was handed a big lead early in the game and the rest was simple.
Kluber became the American League’s first six-game winner and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 11-2 on Sunday.
The Indians led 9-0 going into the fifth, leading to a stress-free afternoon for the reigning Cy Young Award winner, who gave up two unearned runs in seven innings, scattering eight hits.
“If you have a nine run cushion, obviously you have a bigger margin for error,” Kluber said. “They’ve always been pretty aggressive against me. It can work both ways. You can get some early contact and get some quick outs.”
Kluber (6-2) was backed by four hits from Yan Gomes, including a three-run homer. Jose Ramirez also hit a three-run shot and Michael Brantley had a two-run homer as the Indians had 15 hits.
“It was nice to get him some runs,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He knows what to do with it.”
Kansas City manager Ned Yost knew the big deficit was a bad sign against Kluber, who also won the Cy Young in 2014.
“Yes, he’s that good,” Yost said. “He’s got a tremendous cutter, a real good curveball, and a fastball that starts at a hitter’s hip and just fades right back in over the corner. He’s got excellent command.”
Yankees starter Luis Severino later joined Kluber with six wins.
Gomes hit a fourth-inning home run off Danny Duffy (1-5), doubled in the second and singled in the third and sixth to match his career high for hits.
Ramirez’s homer capped a five-run second inning while Brantley homered in the seventh.
Francisco Lindor extended his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games with three hits, including an RBI single in the third. Lindor had two homers and two doubles Saturday. He got off to an inauspicious start Sunday, walking to home plate in the first inning wearing the wrong batting helmet.
A switch-hitter, Lindor had on the helmet he usually uses when he hits left-handed – with a protective flap on the right side. But he was facing the left-hander Duffy and was going to hit right-handed.
Lindor quickly realized the mistake, exchanged helmets with a bat boy and smiled when he returned to the batter’s box. Lindor flied out. Helmets with flaps on the side facing the pitcher have been mandatory for all players making their major league debuts since 1983.
Cleveland strung together a single, a double, two walks, a hit batter, a wild pitch and RBI ground balls by Greg Allen and Brantley in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Ramirez’s 12th homer of the season pushed the lead to five.
After striking out Brandon Guyer to finally end the inning, a frustrated Duffy tossed a cooler in the dugout but his day would only get worse. Lindor drove in another run in the following inning before Gomes hit his fifth homer of the season.
Duffy allowed nine runs in 3 1-3 innings. His fortunes were much different than his previous outing when the Royals scored 10 runs in the top of the first. Duffy allowed one run in 5 1-3 innings for his first win of the season.
Duffy, whose ERA jumped from 5.15 to 6.51, gave his performance a harsh critique.
“I just wasn’t making pitches,” he said. “There is nothing else to it. I don’t know what else to say. I have not been a good pitcher this year. There are no excuses. I’ve been letting my team down.”
PERFECT DAY?
Gomes fouled out to first baseman Lucas Duda in the seventh, ending his bid for a 5 for 5 afternoon. He admitted getting a fifth hit was on his mind.
“It’s an 11-2 ballgame, so you can take in some of the moment while you’re having your last at-bat,” he said. “I was going to be happy no matter what, I think.”
LOOK OUT
The ball boy seated in foul territory near the right field line moved quickly to avoid being hit by Rajai Davis’ foul line drive in the eight. The ball boy leaned back in his chair with his legs going in the air as the ball hit off the front of the stands a couple of feet away.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: RHP Justin Grimm (stiff lower back) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. He appeared in 10 of Kansas City’s first 19 games before being placed on the disabled list on April 24.
Indians: CF Bradley Zimmer (bruised chest) was out of the lineup again and a trip to the disabled list is possible if he’s not ready in the next day or two. Zimmer has appeared in one game since crashing into the wall at Yankee Stadium on May 5. … LHP Ryan Merritt (shoulder inflammation) has been shut down for three to five days on his minor league rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
Royals LHP Eric Skogland (1-2, 6.34 ERA) takes on Rays LHP Ryan Yarbrough (2-2, 4.30 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (5-1, 3.61 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Mike Fiers (3-2, 4.73 ERA) as the teams begin a three-game set at Comerica Park.
Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. North northeast wind 7 to 9 mph.
Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind 7 to 14 mph.
TuesdayPartly sunny, with a high near 79. North northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
Tuesday NightA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind 5 to 9 mph.
WednesdayA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday NightA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident Sunday in Reno County.
Just after 6p.m. first responders were dispatched to the intersection of Arlington Road and Fairview Road after report of a motorcycle accident, according to Sheriff Randy Henderson.
Upon arrival, deputies found Jesse Suppes, 24 Buhler, had lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and traveled off the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation however Speed and an unfamiliarity with curves in the area appear to be contributing factors, according to Sheriff Henderson. Suppes was not wearing a helmet.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s tough treatment of sex offenders living outside of prison is sending hundreds of the offenders to neighboring states, where laws are not as stringent.
Missouri requires sex offenders to register for a lifetime, with no exceptions. Other states require registrations for a specific number of years, with a lifetime registration only for high risk sex offenders. Kansas is one of at least 20 states with no sex offender residency restrictions
Convicted child molester Dennis Ash, is listed as an absconder, non compliant on the Mo. sex offender registry
The Columbia Missourian analyzed Missouri State Highway Patrol records of more than 2,500 offenders who moved out of the state in the past two years. Kansas, Illinois and Arkansas are the top destinations for sex offenders.
Almost three dozen sex offenders moved to Mexico, which has no national sex offender registry.
“Sex offenders do shop around,” said Paula Stitz, who runs the State Sex Offender Registry for the Arkansas Crime Information Center. “It’s been my experience and the experience of other state-level managers. I had actual telephone calls and them telling me that they are shopping around.”
Last year, as part of an overhaul of Missouri’s criminal statutes, Rep. Kurt Bahr, R-St. Charles, sponsored a bill that included a minimum registration requirement of 15 years, followed by 25 years, with lifetime registration only for high-risk offenders — the same registration tiers as Kansas. The bill died but a similar bill passed the House this session and is headed to the Senate.
Kansas is one of at least 20 states with no sex offender residency restrictions unless on probation or parole. Kansas is now home to 512 former Missouri registrants who moved there in the past two years.
John Gauntt, of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, isn’t sure Kansas attracts sex offenders because of its looser requirements. State agencies do not question offenders when they move and register in another state. Gauntt said it’s up to law enforcement to know where the offenders live.
“Just because we don’t have a residency requirement, the agencies are not giving the offenders a free ride,” Gauntt said. “I think the system here in Kansas has been running pretty well.”
The Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registration Unit reviews sex offender profiles every day. In Illinois, a registration sentence is either 10 years or a lifetime.
According to the unit supervisor Tracie Newton, last year Illinois removed about 1,000 people from the registry. More than 600 completed their 10-year registration duty, some died, and 208 offenders had their convictions modified through the courts.
Out-of-state registrants’ convictions are substituted for an Illinois equivalent. Before 2012, that would determine if an offender would have to register only for 10 years instead of a lifetime in Missouri. But in 2012, a new law meant incoming sex offenders can no longer avoid lifetime registration by crossing the state border. Kansas closed that loophole 10 years ago.
“It makes people re-evaluate their plans a little bit more” Newton said.
Arkansas doesn’t yet have that provision, and 205 Missouri sex offenders headed there in the past two years. The state has about 16,000 registered sex offenders, with many also coming from Texas and Oklahoma.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Dear Friend,
Last week we celebrated our nation’s educators for the profound role they play in our lives and our children’s success for Teacher Appreciation week. Our teachers do such an outstanding job of working with, guiding, and challenging our young people to achieve their goals and dreams. I remember my teachers from kindergarten to medical school – all of them touched my life and directed me, pushing me to give my best efforts to achieve success. Mr. Tyner, in particular, stands out. He taught chemistry and physics, he held us accountable and made some of the most complex issues seem simple. I hope you were able to #thankateacher during Teacher Appreciation Week.
This week will be a busy week on the Hill, and rumor has it that the 2018 Farm Bill will be voted on by the House of Representatives. This is great news! The House is working to pass the 2018 Farm Bill on time, and I am confident we will have the votes to send it over to the Senate for their approval.
Iran Nuclear Deal
Last Tuesday the President made a promise to the world, “The United States no longer makes empty threats.” With that in mind, President Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the Iran Nuclear agreement.
“The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into,” The President said. I couldn’t agree more and applaud him for this decision.
The U.S. cannot continue to waive sanctions against the Iranian regime while they develop their ballistic missile program and continue the spread of state-sponsored terrorism across the Middle East. Sanctions relief has allowed the regime to recover economically but their intention to buy time and continue to develop nuclear weapons has remained the same. We must stay committed to ensuring that Iran has no path to possess nuclear weapons.
Kansas Selected for Drone Program U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced May 9 that Kansas has been selected as one of 10 states that will participate in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program.
This program will pair the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), KDOT and private sector participants to collect invaluable data on how to safely integrate drones in the national airspace. Kansas has a rich history in the aviation industry and will be a strong asset to this pilot program.
K-State Polytechnic is one of the first universities in the country to offer a bachelor’s degree in unmanned aircraft systems. This exclusive, cutting-edge education shows Kansas is leading in this industry, and with the DOT’s selection I am proud that we will continue to champion this technology
Kansas was the first state to have an operational Unmanned Traffic Management system in place for state agencies, all 138 airports and 37 institutions of higher education. Kansas has been leading the charge for UAS development and has been a proven leader in this sector. In January, the Kansas delegation led a letter to the DOT advocating for the state to be selected for this pilot program.
“Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace,” said Secretary Chao.
In the first three years of drone integration, it is predicted that more than 70,000 jobs will be created in the US with an economic impact of more than $13.6 billion. This benefit will grow through 2025 when they foresee more than 100,000 jobs created and economic impact of $82 billion.
Other states chosen to participate include Oklahoma, California, Nevada, North Dakota, North Carolina, Alaska, Virginia, Tennessee and Florida.
Hearing on empowering people with developmental disabilities
Last Wednesday the House Small Business Committee examined ways small businesses are empowering people with developmental disabilities, such as Autism or Down Syndrome. Unfortunately, far too often Americans with differing abilities are overlooked in our job sectors.
John Cronin testified before our committee to tell us that his developmental disabilities do not restrict his career and ambitions.
“I have Down syndrome, but Down syndrome never holds me back. I am 22-years old and work hard every day to show the world that individuals with Down syndrome are ready, willing and able to work. Give us a chance, and we can be successful,” Cronin said in the hearing.
In 2016, John and his father, Mark, launched John’s Crazy Socks and in the almost two years that they have been in business, they have shipped over 98,000 sock orders, earned $3.6 million in revenue, and employ 33 people – 15 of whom have differing abilities.
Another great story came from Dave, who founded AutonomyWorks to provide opportunities for individuals with Autism. It was encouraging to hear about their successes, but today’s panelists also highlighted that there are still many challenges facing individuals with developmental disabilities when joining the workforce. This hearing was a great reminder that there is still so much that Congress can do to empower all Americans, including those with differing abilities, and shows what can be done when you simply give people the opportunity to try.
Expedition 52/53
Last week I had the honor of having NASA Astronaut Randy Bresnik and Europe Space Agency Astronaut Paolo Nespoli stop by my office to discuss their time at the International Space Station as part of Expedition 52/53.
Astronaut Bresnik served as a pilot in the Marine Corps logging more than 6,000 hours on board 83 different types of aircraft, including during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was selected by NASA in May 2004 and has since logged 139 days in space on two different missions. Astronaut Nespoli from Milan, Italy has spent 313 days in space.
During their visit to our office, they shared pictures and stories from their journey. Expedition 52/53 researched the use of microgravity to better understand how stem cells work. They also studied the use of micro-satellites in low-Earth orbit to support critical operations, such as providing lower-cost Earth imagery in time-sensitive situations such as tracking severe weather and detecting natural disasters.
Just a few weeks ago I witnessed a spacecraft launch carrying supplies to the ISS. It was interesting to discuss what the ISS is like for those who have lived there and spent time in space. As a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee these interactions and hearing about all of the great work and research being done is extremely humbling and gratifying.
Sec. of Energy Rick Perry Testimony to SST Committee
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry came to testify before the House Science Space and Technology committee on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) fiscal year 2019 budget request and priorities.
The House SST Committee has jurisdiction over $10 billion in spending at DOEapproximately one-third of its overall budget. These funds include all civilian research, development, demonstration and commercial application programs and 17 of the department’s National Laboratories.
During my time for questioning, I cautioned the department to not add any new barriers on energy sectors, including natural gas – so that we can have affordable and clean electricity.
