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Month: June 2018

Sierra Club: Phillips County is new national battleground

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San Francisco-based environmentalists take aim at family farm operation

By KIRBY ROSS
Phillips County Review

PHILLIPSBURG — Late last year the Kansas Department of Health and Environment began looking into the construction of livestock facilities in Phillips County following the filing of a series of complaints by the Sierra Club, a San Francisco Bay-area environmentalist organization.

The Sierra Club has previously undertaken efforts to attempt to regulate water that gathers on farm ground and dust created by farming practices.

Sierra Club Partners With KDHE
As reported by the Phillips County Review in April, at the prompting of the Sierra Club which cited the potential for farm odors and animal waste, KDHE began looking into buildings constructed by Prairie Dog Pork between Woodruff and Long Island that are designed to handle 24,000 hogs and create a number of new local jobs.

Prairie Dog Pork is owned by Julia Nelson, the daughter-in-law of Terry Nelson, who owns Husky Hogs.

After reviewing Prairie Dog Pork’s application to build the facilities, KDHE approved the construction. But even though the construction was approved, KDHE then fined the Nelsons $152,000, claiming the dirtwork and work on the buldings began too soon.

Prior to KDHE approval no hogs are claimed to have been housed in the facilities, or waste generated in them.
“Construction undertaken before approval of all of these documents is considered to be a violation of the statute,” KDHE lawyer Katelyn Radloff said in issuing the huge fine.

Sierra Club Turns On KDHE
With KDHE first undertaking an investigation of Prairie Dog Pork pursuant to complaints filed by the Sierra Club, and then imposing a significant fine, and despite working in concert with KDHE through those stages, the Sierra Club then turned on KDHE for approving the construction, which has now resulted in the Sierra Club initiating a lawsuit against the KDHE.

Filed last Thurs., June 7, the legal complaint argues that for the purposes of regulatory oversight the two companies — Husky Hogs and Prairie Dog Pork — should be treated as one company because the owners of each are related to one another.

Namecalling — Family Farmers Are “Devious”
The lawsuit suggests that were the owners of the two companies strangers to one another, there would be no problem. But since the owners are relatives, the Sierra Club is taking the position that the set up is not just illegal, but untoward.

Bob Eye, attorney for the Sierra Club said as much by claiming “It is a clever, but devious, means to evade separation distance protections.”

Sources express concern that if successful, the Sierra Club lawsuit will have implications far beyond Phillips County and affect not only two Phillips County ag producers — the treating of ag producers who are relatives as a single entity has the potential of upending family farm operations across the nation.

With a nationwide battle brewing and Phillips County sitting at ground-zero, the Kansas Livestock Association has been providing legal aid to the Nelsons, and other farm organizations are anticipated to become involved.

— Republished with permission

HPD Activity Log 22-24

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The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Fri., June 22, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Welfare Check–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 4 AM; 4:22 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:05 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–3100 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 8:52 AM
Theft (general)–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 6/14 11:39 PM; 11:43 PM
Animal At Large–300 block W 48th St, Hays; 10:06 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–2900 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 10:25 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 10:34 AM
Animal At Large–1200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 11:04 AM
Suspicious Person–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:40 AM
Harassment (All Other)–1200 block Fort St, Hays; 6/19 10:07 AM
Drug Offenses–28th and Fort, Hays; 4:06 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:59 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:11 PM
Animal At Large–13th and Vine St, Hays; 6:21 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7:42 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 9:30 PM
Suicidal Subject–300 block W 32nd St, Hays; 9:32 PM
Theft (general)–2200 block Walnut St, Hays; 3:30 PM; 4 PM
Disturbance – General–100 block W 36th St, Hays; 9:30 PM; 10 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:27 PM
Unattended Death–2400 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 10:58 PM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block E 12th St, Hays; 11:17 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 7 traffic stops Sat., June 23, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Open Door/Window–1200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 3:21 AM
Animal At Large–1300 block W 43rd St, Hays; 8:03 AM
Animal At Large–300 block W 15th St, Hays; 9:22 AM
Animal At Large–6th and Riley St, Hays; 9:53 AM
Suspicious Activity–1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 10:30 AM
Harassment (All Other)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 11:19 AM
Theft (general)–2800 block Fort St, Hays; 11:23 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1600 block Allen St, Hays; 11:40 AM
Animal At Large–1600 block Main St, Hays; 12:41 PM
Suspicious Activity–1000 block E 43rd St, Hays; 1:18 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 3 PM
Criminal Threat–700 block Elm St, Hays; 4:44 PM; 4:49 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7:02 PM
Rape–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 6/20 12:30 AM; 10 AM
Create a Hazard–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 7:57 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 8:30 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1100 block Amhurst Dr, Hays; 8:22 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 13 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sun., June 24, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost Property–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:06 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Vine St, Hays; 5:04 AM
Theft (general)–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 5:46 AM
Animal At Large–400 block W 24th St, Hays; 7:47 AM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 33rd St, Hays; 10:23 AM
Civil Dispute–300 block W 15th St, Hays; 10:25 AM
Animal At Large–100 block W 34th St, Hays; 10:49 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 11:21 AM
Welfare Check–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 12:50 PM
Domestic Disturbance–2800 block Hall St, Hays; 2:13 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 3:47 PM
Domestic Disturbance–200 block 20th St, Hays; 4:16 PM
Found/Lost Property–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 5:22 PM
Theft (general)–100 block E 8th St, Hays; 4 PM; 6:50 PM
Found/Lost Property–Main St, Hays; 7:15 PM
Aggravated Battery–1800 block Pine St, Hays; 9:45 PM; 9:53 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3000 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 9 PM; 11:15 PM
Suspicious Activity–400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 9 PM; 11:06 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:54 PM

Patrick Lynn Harvey

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Patrick Lynn Harvey, loving son and father, was born July 13, 1988 in Hays, KS. He departed this earthly life June 20, 2018 at Hays, KS.

Patrick was full of life and loved to joke and make people smile and laugh. The one true love of his life was his daughter, Dakota. He was a manager at Casey’s and loved his job there. He also enjoyed working with animals and had several pets that he loved. Family and friends were important to him.

He graduated with the Quinter High School class of 2007.

Those left to mourn his passing are his daughter, Dakota, of the home; mother, Christie Walker (Mario), Topeka, KS; father, Delbert Harvey, Quinter, KS; brothers, Mike (Nikki), Olathe, KS; Jonathan (Kayla), Quinter, KS; Bobby (Janneka), Quinter, KS; Wade (India), Grainfield, KS; Jimmy, Quinter, KS; sisters, Rose Ross (Anthony), Riley, KS; Tanesha Harvey, Quinter, KS; grandparents, Edwin and LeAnn Simon, Studley, KS; Barbara and Kent Bryant, Topeka, KS; biological parents, Pat King and Mary King, Hays, KS; special friend, Jordan Carter, Russell, KS; and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Patrick was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lois Simon, and his twin nieces.

An Educational Fund has been set up for Dakota at Emprise Bank, Hays, KS.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10:30 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Studley, KS. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Marilyn Joan Morissey

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Marilyn Joan Morissey passed away Friday, June 22, 2018, at her home in Dighton, KS at the age of 88. She was born in Larned, KS on October 28, 1929 to Frank and Ruth (Smith) Slayton. She married Darrell Lee Morrissey on July 24, 1949 in Ulysses, KS. They were blessed with four children: Jeff, Patrick, Michael, and Pamela.

Marilyn graduated from Stafford High School. She then went on to Fort Hays State University obtaining her teaching certificate. She taught school in a one room schoolhouse south of Stockton and later obtained her bachelor’s degree. She also played drums in the marching band at FHSU. Marilyn was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Altar Society, and song leader. She belonged to the ladies golf group at Cedar Links Golf Club and the Northwest Kansas Stroke Support Group in Hays. Marilyn enjoyed keeping up with technology. She spent a lot of time working on her computer. She also enjoyed playing the accordion and piano, traveling, and riding her motorcycle which she was proud of being able to do on her own.

Marilyn is survived by her sons Jeff Morrissey and wife Lori of Manhattan, KS, Patrick Morrissey of Edmond, OK, and Michael Morrissey and wife Sheila of Pace, FL; daughter Pamela Davis of LaCrosse, KS; sister-in-law Teddy Slayton of Wichita, KS; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Ruth Slayton; husband Darrell; infant daughter; and brother Gerald Slayton.

Marilyn was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We take comfort knowing that like a caterpillar who continually labors, her life and work on earth is finished, but by the grace of God, her spirit now flies forever with her Lord like a butterfly.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton, KS. Visitation will be Monday, 3:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home with a vigil service at 6:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Altar Society or Northwest Kansas Stroke Support Group-Hays and can be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.

Joel Dean Fitzgerald

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Joel Dean Fitzgerald, age 88, died on June 23, 2018 at Cedar Village Care Center, Ness City. He was born on October 18, 1929 in Dodge City to Bryan and Jennie Holman Fitzgerald. He was born 11 days before the stock market crash of the Great Depression.

He was a 1947 graduate of Ness City High School, a graduate of the University of Kansas and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He was a United States Air Force veteran having served in Korea at the 58th TAC Hospital. He returned to Ness City in 1956 and began working as the administrator, X-ray tech and lab tech at the Ness County Hospital for four years. In 1961 he began working with his father at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Fitzgerald Furniture. He was recognized for 50 years of funeral service by the Kansas Funeral Directors Association in 2012. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and Rotary Club both of Ness City. He was an Eagle Scout and was active in the Ness City Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for many years.

On October 20, 1961 he married Ann McCracken in Ness City. She survives. Other survivors include son, Joel Fitzgerald II and his wife Judy of Ness City; daughter, Heather Seratte and her husband Scott of Lawrence; sister, Mary Jonette McKee of Norman, Oklahoma; and six grandchildren: Jacob, Ethan and Evann Seratte and Elijah, Isaiah and Silas Fitzgerald.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, June 28, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ness City followed by burial in the Ness City Cemetery.

Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church and Ness County Health Care Foundation.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Of rain crows and sundogs

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Steve Gilliland

A while back when our weather was so hot and dry, a friend told me she’d been hearing the call of a “rain crow” and asked me if I knew what kind of bird it was. She also said she had been seeing “sundogs” in the evening and that they were both supposedly predictors of rain. Now I remember when I was a kid, someone’s grandpa talking about a rain crow, or storm crow as he called it, and I knew absolutely zero about sundogs, but given their supposed rain prediction powers, I delved deeper.

I found numerous references to a “rain crow” and all seemed to agree that it was in fact a Yellow- Billed Cuckoo. Few, however wanted to stick their neck out concerning its rain prediction ability; one website tossed around the figure of 3 days from first hearing one until rain. Sundogs on the other hand, were quite a popular subject, and are ice crystals high in the atmosphere that, when sunlight shines through them can give the illusion of a second or third sun on each side of the actual sun. I’ve seen sun dogs a couple times over the years in the winter. But once again, however sundogs ties to predicting rain were sparse.

My search turned up so many proverbs and “old wives tales” concerning rain that I decided to enlist the help of Ross Jansen, Meteorologist at KWCH TV channel 12 and play an Exploring Kansas Outdoors version of Myth Busters. I read several rain prediction fables to Ross over the phone and got his take on each. Concerning sundogs, Ross says there is some correct science in tying sundogs to rain, in that the same ice crystals that cause them have the ability to form clouds containing rain. But as far as them predicting rain, Ross was hesitant to agree to that. Next I asked him about a ring around the moon predicting rain, and again he said that a ring around the moon indeed meant there was moisture at some level, but said it was so high up that the chance of it finding its way to us in the form of rain was nil.

“Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning” is another widely quoted proverb about rain. Since weather patterns typically move across the country from west to east, the gist of the explanation is that a red morning sky means we are seeing sunlight through a weather system yet to come, while a red evening sky means we are seeing a weather system moving away from us. Ross said he has indeed noticed that morning thunderstorms often bring with them a red morning sky, and that there was again some correct science accompanying the tale. But also like the previous two fables, he felt it was a stretch to say that they actually predicted rain. We agreed to call these three myths SEMI-BUSTED.

Another proverb I found read “When grass is dry at night, look for rain before the light; when grass is dry at morning light, look for rain before the night.” This one uses the presence or absence of dew at certain times to predict rain. Ross says that the presence or absence of dew depends solely on night time temperatures and dew point temperatures and can find no link between them and a prediction for rain. We found this one BUSTED. The next was an Indian proverb that says “If the moon is red, of rain she speaks.” Ross says a red moon is red only because of smoke or dust; again BUSTED. Next I asked him about something I’ve always thought to be a rain predictor, that being the fact that birds fly lower and congregate on power lines just before a storm because the lower air pressure preceding a storm makes it tough for them to attain lift and fly. He debunked that also by telling me that when air pressure is low, the air as a whole actually rises; BUSTED again.

I could literally spend the next month cussing and discussing all the old time weather fables and proverbs I found while writing this piece. To those of you who put stock in any of the rain predictors I cast doubt upon, I’m sorry to have rained on your parade (yes, most certainly pun intended) even though I’m certain some of these hold true some of the time. Ross even says that his mom swears by an old tale that says it will rain 100 days after a fog; she even keeps track of it on her calendar. Maybe that will win me back some points and make you feel better again about your favorite weather tales knowing that the weather guy’s mom even believes them! …Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected]

Shelley Casper

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Shelley Casper, 55, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Services are pending at this time. Please check back later for a full obituary and funeral service date and time. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

MADORIN: Inviting bluebirds of happiness to move in

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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.

Humans naturally seek happiness—some carry lucky charms or practice mystic rituals to attract it. Others find inviting blue birds to the yard does the job. Apparently, such choices aren’t unique to modern humans. For eons, world cultures have honored timid, sky-colored creatures as omens of good fortune.

Nearly 2000 years before Christ, Chinese storytellers wrote about a bluebird that delivered messages from the Queen Mother of the West, an immortal. Native American societies also celebrated these brilliantly-hued beings. Some tales associate them with the rising sun. In fact, the Navajo still sing the bluebird song as part of their winter Nightway Ceremony. European cultures, as well, included these beauties in literature involving a fairy-tale search for the bluebird of happiness.

Considering their history, it’s not surprising these pretty birds are beloved. Unfortunately, like many species, their habitat’s changing and invasive species increasingly compete for food and nesting sites. Residing on the prairie is even more difficult for this cavity dweller who seeks hollow trees or posts to set up housekeeping.

To complicate matters, the azure darts are finicky. They require nests a 100-yards distant from other hopeful parents and cleared landscape around their homestead. Healthy sparrow, sharp shinned, and Cooper’s hawk populations lurk close by, so a view increases survivability for adults and offspring. However, it makes it difficult to attract the picky rascals to nest near humans.

Despite these creatures’ suspicious natures, shrewd birders can entice them to live close enough to watch their broods mature. Visit a garden shop or online site to learn more about this species’ housing requirements. Carpenters can construct summer rentals designed specifically to attract them. Others can buy well-designed blue bird boxes.

Cedar siding offers a good structure choice. Craft a watertight roof and a floor with small drainage holes. Blue birds aren’t just harbingers of happiness. They’re tidy as well so select nesting structures with bottoms that easily open for spring cleanings. One source suggests leaving the inside unpainted rough wood to encourage easy fledging.

To discourage rival species, build or buy nesting boxes with entry holes no larger than 1 ½ inches wide. Starlings won’t fit in that opening. To further discourage invaders, exclude external perches. Blue birds don’t need them. They’re also satisfied with a 4” x4” nesting space, which is too small for competing sparrows. Conveniently, such units fit atop fence posts.

After offering species-specific housing, further improve the environment by providing shallow pans filled with fresh water. Place savory snacks nearby. Blue birds are insect and fruit eaters so don’t offer seeds. One authority recommended chopping berries into pieces or even offering meal worms as motivators to relocate. With plenty of live bugs and wild currant available, we’ve never bought treats.

Once you convince them to move in, the fun begins. Despite their shy nature, these heralds of joy are natural entertainers. Their aerial acrobatics turn insect catching into comic entertainment. Watch mom splash in the birdbath with her babes for twenty minutes of bliss. Observing them pop in and out of their tiny doorways as they feed young stills racing pulses and lowers human blood pressure.

It requires effort to convince blue birds to call your yard theirs, but once they move in, you’ll see why humans from the beginning of time have invited them to live nearby and woven them into their shared stories.

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.

SUN: Finding mental health care in unexpected places

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It can happen to any of us. One week we feel fine, the next we’re overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety, lethargy, even depression.  Or maybe a change in demeanor happens to someone we know or care about – our spouse or child may struggle with stress, depression or addiction. In fact, one in five American adults is affected each year by a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder.1

Knowing how and where to get help for ourselves or others can be daunting. People experiencing mental health or substance use issues may be reluctant or embarrassed to seek help. Others are unable to find, get to, or afford care. In 2016, less than half of U.S. adults with a mental health condition received mental health treatment.2   The good news is that local mental health resources such as free confidential crisis phone lines and online support are available 24/7 to those in need.

Don’t overlook another possible option. People covered by employer-sponsored benefit plans often have access to mental health care. Support can range from confidential employee assistance programs – or EAPs – to help with connecting to a mental health provider for an in-person or online visit for personal issues such as depression, substance abuse, coping with grief and loss and medication management among other personal challenges.

Difficult mental health concerns can be dealt with in the same way other health care issues are addressed: making a call or going online and getting connected to care. To better understand what benefits and resources may be available to you, call the number on the back of your health plan ID card to talk to an advocate, or visit a dedicated member portal for information that may help you:

  • Search for care options. Advocates and 24/7 online tools can provide information on where to find care near you. Many plans offer the option of seeing an in-network provider in person or scheduling a confidential virtual visit via a smartphone or computer.
  • Understand the cost of care. While costs can vary, some mental health services are included in your health benefits plan. This could include seeking a referral or getting help to see an in-network provider which could result in savings.
  • Shorten the wait-time to see an in-network provider. Some benefits plans can help members secure an appointment within five days.

Knowing where and how to get help for mental health issues is one of the best things we can do for ourselves or those we care about. Take a few minutes today and check into local crisis phone lines, 24/7 online support or available employer-sponsored benefits.

To be most effective in crisis situations, it’s important to remain calm and collected. If there are imminent safety concerns, the person should be transported to an emergency room (ER) if possible. If they are not safe for personal transport to the ER, calling 911 may be necessary.

For more information and links to mental health support resources in your area, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org or call the NAMI HelpLine at (800)-950-NAMI (6264).

  1. National Institute of Mental Health. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml#part_154785
  1. National Institute of Mental Health. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml#part_154790

Dr. Tony Sun, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer for UnitedHealthcare of Kansas.

 

 

 

Dr. Larry R. Good

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Dr. Larry R. Good, 77, Hays, passed away suddenly on June 23, 2018 at HaysMed.

He was born December 6, 1940 in Hutchinson, Kansas the son of Chester Good, Vera (Fast) Good Grubbs, and Glen Grubbs.  He was a 1958 graduate of Hugoton High School, a 1963 graduate of Fort Hays State University with degrees in biology and chemistry, and a 1967 graduate of the UMKC School of Dentistry.  While a student at FHSU, he served as President of the Student Body.  On June 23, 1967 he married Suzanne Doris Soard in Kansas City, Missouri, and they celebrated forty-four years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 8, 2011.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a dental officer at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Camp Pendleton, San Diego, CA, and a tour of duty as a dental officer detached to An Thoi, Vietnam with the Swift Boats.

Dr. Good was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was an usher for 46 years.  Other memberships include the Optimist Club, Rotary Club, life member of the Hays VFW and American Legion, American Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association, and Golden Belt Dental Society.  He was a USD 489 school board member from 1984 until 1992, where he served as board President.  He was an avid supporter of baseball and the Hays Baseball Association and he practiced dentistry in the U.S. Navy and the city of Hays for 51 years.  Larry loved going to Wyoming and Montana to enjoy fly fishing, and he was life member of Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers.

Survivors include a son; Jeffrey Good of Overland Park, KS, two daughters; Gretchen Good McIlnay and husband Brad of Leawood, KS, and Heather Good Holmes and husband Steven of Parkville, MO, eight grandchildren; Charlotte, Ted, Maeve, and Peter McIlnay, Agatha and Farrah Holmes, and step-granddaughters; Genevieve and Ava Holmes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Suzanne.

A Celebration of Larry’s life will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th Street, Hays, with Reverend Mike Rose officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the Mt. Allen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 9:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or to the FHSU Foundation, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences and memories of Larry may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Larks series finale in Derby rained out

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DERBY, Kan. – The Hays Larks were going for the three-game sweep of Derby Sunday afternoon but mother nature had other plans as their finale was rained out.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in Hays on July 14th.

The Larks won the first two games of the series, taking Friday’s opener 2-0 in 11 innings on Easton Kirk’s two-run home run. They hit four home runs in a 26-1 rout Saturday.

The Larks are now 15-4 overall and 9-3 in the Jayhawk League where they’re tied for first with Liberal.

The Larks host Dodge City Monday night at 7 pm. Admission is free courtesy of Prudential and Emprise Bank.

The Athletics were also rained out yesterday after winning the first two games with Oklahoma City.

NW Kansas students take part in Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy

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MANHATTAN — Approximately 400 young men from across the State of Kansas, all of whom will enter their senior year of high school this fall, participated in the 2018 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy. The event, in its 81st year, was held June 3-8 at Kansas State University in Manhattan for the 27th consecutive year.

The ALBSKLA provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

Among the highlights from the week, Chayne Dessaso, a resident of Leavenworth, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School, was elected Boys State of Kansas governor. In addition, Mark McAllister, a resident of Americus, Kan., and a home schooled (via Wisdom Academy) senior-to-be, and Hap Waddell, a resident of Marion, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Marion High School, were elected by their peers to represent Boys State of Kansas at Boys Nation this summer, Friday, July 20, through Friday, July 27, at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

Jordan Watson, Gladstone, Mo., who was a 2005 KBS delegate from Cheney (Kan.) High School, was named Adviser of the Year, as selected by fellow Kansas Boys State advisers. Watson served as the judicial branch adviser this year.

E.J. Charboneau, Lebo, Kan., a 2014 KBS delegate from Lebo High School, who served as the head courts counselor, was named Counselor of the Year (counselors with four or more years’ experience). Nathan Lipinski, Wichita, Kan., a 2015 KBS delegate from Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita, who served as the head senate counselor this year, was named New Counselor of the Year (counselors with three or fewer years’ experience).

Caleb Haselhuhn, Burlington, Kan. (attends Burlington High School), was named the Kansas Boys State winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. Haselhuhn receives a guaranteed $1,250 scholarship and advances to be considered as a National Scholar for the chance to earn up to a $10,000 scholarship. Haselhuhn was a chairman for the Nationalist Party during the week.

Salahudeen Mirza, Overland Park, Kan. (attends Blue Valley High School) received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, given to the outstanding member of the Boys State of Kansas Supreme Court as voted on by his Supreme Court peers. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding commitment to justice under the law and dedicated service to Boys State of Kansas. Stahl, of Junction City, Kan., passed away in September 2015 and was a longtime supporter of the ALBSKLA.

Michael Conaway, Topeka, Kan. (attends Seaman High School), was named the Outstanding Senator (representing Pershing County), and Dane Thompson, Scandia, Kan., (attends Pike Valley High School), was named the Outstanding Representative (representing Marshall County).

The 2019 American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy is scheduled to be held Sunday, June 2, through Friday, June 7, again at Kansas State University. For information on becoming a delegate, visit https://kansasboysstate.com/ or https://ksbstate.org/.

The following is a list of this year’s ALBSKLA delegates from northwest Kansas. Those delegates denoted with a star (*) were elected by their Kansas Boys State city as its outstanding citizen:

Ness City
* Landon Reinhardt, Ness City High School, KSBS News Staff
o Reinhardt was the Outstanding Citizen for the City of Gardner

Hays
Scout Perryman, Hays High School, Supreme Court Justice
Kade Urban, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, Marshall County Commissioner
Richard Whitmer, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, Bradley County Commissioner
·Nicholas Zimmerman, Hays High School, City of Aylward Councilman

Hill City
Asa Brandyberry, Hill City High School, Kennedy County Commissioner

Russell
Kyler Fritschen, Russell High School, Powell County Representative
Samuel Ochs, Russell High School, City of Icenogle Councilman

Scott City
Jordan Cramer, Scott Community High School, MacArthur County District Court Official

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