Month: August 2018
CAMPBELL: Insect activity found in area grain sorghum
By STACY CAMPBELL
Cottonwood Extension Dist. Ag Agent
Agriculture producers should be scouting their grain sorghum fields now due to insects being detected in fields.
Chinch bug activity
Chinch bug populations continue to increase dramatically throughout much of Kansas. Adults are still active, mating, and ovipositing (laying eggs) in both the developing heads and around the base of plants. There are also large numbers of nymphs, mainly feeding in and around the base of plants, but some are on the developing kernels. There is really nothing that can be done about controlling second generation chinch bugs on large plants, it is difficult for contact insecticides to reach them because of their habit of hiding behind leaf sheaths.
“Headworm” activity
‘Headworms’, both fall armyworms and corn earworms, are showing up in many fields. On August 6th, there were all different sizes of larvae detected in milo heads in north central Kansas, according to Whitworth. Many fields are in the reproductive stages, so these ‘headworms’ will continue to be problematic in any field that is in the flowering to soft dough stage. Past research has indicted that ‘headworms’ may cause approximately 5% loss/worm/head. It is important to sample in a timely manner to detect these pests while they are still small, before most of the feeding damage has been done.
Corn leaf aphid activity
Corn leaf aphids (CLA) continue to cause considerable concern throughout north central Kansas as these populations are still very widespread and become more apparent as the heads start to extend out of the whorl. However, there are many beneficials present as well. CLA should have little to no negative impact on plant development or yield other than potentially a few individual plants.
Sugar Cane Aphid
Sugar Cane Aphids (SCA) have been confirmed in Barton Co. as well as other counties in the state. The numbers of SCA found in Barton Co. in fields is at a low numbers. It is important that you start scouting your milo fields at least weekly for the SCA. There are also a good number of beneficial insects in the milo fields, so it is hopeful that the aphids will not build-up to damaging levels.
myFields
If you would like to sign up to myFields which is a Multi-state monitoring effort using myfields.info to track SCA and to give you other insect information relative to Kansas. You can track county movement by visiting themyFields distribution map, or sign up for an account to receive an email alert when SCA has been detected in your area. There is other agronomy and insect related information on this sight and it is being updated on a regular basis with production information.
For more information relative to sorghum insect management, please see the 2018 Sorghum Insect Management Guide: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf742.pdf
Police ask for help to locate suspect in fatal Kan. shooting
SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting, have made two arrests and are asking the public to help locate another person of interest for questioning.
The Topeka Police Department would like to speak with 23-year-old Isaiah James Calhoun.
Just before 5:30p.m. August 16, police were dispatched to the 400 Block of SW Taylor in Topeka in the west alley in reference to several gunshots being heard and a man down in the alley, according to Lt. Robert Simmons.
Officers located the man identified as 20-year-old Gianni Sabastian Noriega of Topeka, with several apparent gunshot wounds and he was transported to a local hospital where he died.
On Sunday police arrested Brandon L. Gayer 18, in connection with the shooting. Late Monday morning, police reported a second suspect, 21-year-old John F. Alston, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections as part of the investigation.
Calhoun is described as 5-foot-11, 150 pounds. Anyone with information on Calhoun or his whereabouts should call 911, according to police.
Man suing over cancer misdiagnosis at Kansas clinic
LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri man is suing after he was mistakenly diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and began planning his funeral.
52-year-old Pasquale Michael Fatino, of Pleasant Hill, filed the lawsuit against three doctors at ProPartners Healthcare, his former primary care clinic in Leawood, Kansas.
He says their misdiagnosis caused him and his family, including his 12- and 13 year-old children, unnecessary pain and suffering last year before a specialist told him he didn’t have a terminal cancer of his lungs and liver. The specialist said he probably had an inflammatory disease called sarcoidosis, which could be treated with a common steroid.
An employee reached by phone at the clinic said they could not comment on Fatino’s case because of the pending litigation.
Pam Hartsock
BELLEVILLE – Pam Hartsock, age 68, passed away at the Republic County Hospital on July 29, 2018. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband Leon Hartsock Sr. of the home; a son Cort Stewart of Tenn.; daughter Angie Faron of IL; step daughters Marsha Gardner of KS and Joy Bronson of NE; stepson Leon Dale Hartsock JR of NE; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Click HERE for service details.
Hays Has Humor Aug. 25
Once again Hays Has Humor brings you free, open mic, stand-up comedy. Be prepared for a fun night of belly laughs, chuckles, giggles, cackles, yuks, snickers, chortles and guffaws.
Disclaimer: results may vary, ask your doctor if open mic comedy is right for you!
LETTER: Why the co-working space is best-kept secret in Hays
“Great things are done when a series of small things are brought together.”
– Vincent Van Gough
You may have heard of a new co-working concept launched in August in downtown Hays called BriefSpace, https://www.briefspace.com/. It is a nonprofit organization associated with Grow Hays (formerly known as the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development). This co-working space is a best kept secret, and this is why:
• If you office from home, BriefSpace eliminates the distraction of combining your work area with your home & family space. In my case, it may have saved my marriage. More importantly, It eliminates the feeling of isolation you get when working from home.
• It is the lowest cost option to office outside of the home. It has all the amenities of a world class office space without the costs of paying for them yourself: 1 Gigabyte wireless internet speed, networked color printer, private meeting room/conferencing space and utilities to name just a few.
• All membership options are month-to-month commitments. If you know someone coming into Hays from out of town (or you just want to get out of the house for a few days a month), there are weekly and daily passes available.
However, the most overlooked benefit for making your office at a co-working space is the power of community. When different professionals and businesses come together under one roof, the results can be extraordinary.
If you are a start-up, there is free advice around almost every corner. If you are a service-based business, there are potential customers that may be right next to you. If you are thinking about starting a business, there are resources and people that can and want to help. Maybe you are between jobs and want the BriefSpace Executive-in-Residence to provide you with resume and interview tips.
If you simply want to join a thriving community of people that love to live and work in Hays, they will be there as well. I have been working out of BriefSpace for a few weeks now, and there is a positive energy that you feel when you step into the building. That energy will continue to build with every new member.
It is hard to explain, but you need to come down to 219 W. 10th in downtown Hays to experience it for yourself. Until Sept. 1, it is completely free to work or hold a meeting at BriefSpace. As the BriefSpace community grows, we will keep more of our talent local. We will launch more local businesses, and they will stay local. We will create more opportunities for existing local businesses to thrive. As Van Gough says, when these small things come together, great things will begin to happen for Hays and Ellis County.
I may not have grown up in Hays, but my love for this area is as much as if I did. I have been asked why I got involved in this project. The answer is simple: whatever little I can do to make sure my children’s children’s children call Ellis County home … I’m in. I hope to see you down here!
Tim Speno
Local Entrepreneur and BriefSpace Executive–in–Residence
If you want more info on the BriefSpace, please call 785-628-3102 or email [email protected]. You can also find us on Facebook.
Hays community immerses with FHSU campus community
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
There should be a lot of gold seen across the Fort Hays State University campus this year.
Students lined up 45 minutes before the start of the 2018 back-to-school picnic Monday to check in and swarm the first booth in line at the annual event on the Quad.
It took just a little more than 28 minutes for personnel from the admissions office to distribute 500 gold TGOF shirts to promote the wearing of Tiger Gold on Friday.
“Fastest ever,” said Hugo Perez, assistant director of admissions. “We decided to set a stop watch this year. We were out of shirts at 28:25.”
The annual event began in the late 1980s as a way to welcome freshmen to campus. Now, 30 years later, the event immerses community members into the entire campus community, with several of the tables represented by businesses and organizations in town.
“It’s all about us supporting the community because the community supports us,” Dr. Tisa Mason said.
“I think it’s fantastic,” she said. “It’s a very symbiotic relationship to have the businesses and non-profits help our students understand and be aware of their role in supporting our university.”
Those relationships will continue to grow next week when students walk from campus to downtown Hays, taking part in an event called March2Main.
State Representative Eber Phelps of the 111th District, who grew up in Hays and is an FHSU alum, said he has enjoyed watching the communities of Hays and Fort Hays State become closer over the years.
“I’ve been coming to this picnic forever, and this has got to be the biggest crowd ever,” he said. “It’s great to see the community and campus connection here.”
“And,” he added, “how great is this for businesses and organizations – set up a booth and have 3,000 people walk by.”
While that number might have been a little high, the crowds were large nonetheless. Several hundred people were served a barbecue dinner, and many more browsed the Quad, checking out the booths and socializing.
A total of 169 campus organizations and clubs, city businesses and non-profits were represented. In addition to T-shirts, there were numerous other giveaways, including drawstring bags that could be packed with freebies such as pens and candy and cups – and all sorts of swag imaginable.
“My aunt is here on campus,” Bucklin freshman Hunter Hearne said of Robyn Brungardt, a financial aid advisor. “She told me to come today because there are lots of things to pick up.”
Related content: See booth pictures here.
It wasn’t just freshmen who came to check out the booths.
Alicia Wondra from Buhler was busy guiding her 5-year-old daughter, Trysten, through the crowds. A non-traditional student, Wondra is in her second year at FHSU, seeking a degree in education with an emphasis in early childhood development.
Wondra’s parents, Korey and Leann Wondra, are both Fort Hays State graduates and spent their careers as teachers. That was part of the reason she chose FHSU to continue her education after working for several years after high school. The main reason, she pointed out, was because “it’s a better program than anywhere else. And everyone here is so friendly.”
Mason said that welcoming nature is something she has always enjoyed about FHSU and Hays. She was impressed Monday when two freshmen from Wichita approached her at the picnic, asking her if she was the new president.
“They shook my hand and said hello,” Mason said. “I was so pleased to see they felt comfortable enough to do that.”
KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 8/22/18
Q: What do you get when you cross a refrigerator with a radio?
A: Cool Music.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
Ellis Co. Community Resource Directory to be digitized
UWEC
The United Way of Ellis County has received a $6,980 grant from Heartland Community Foundation to fund the digitizing and distribution of the Ellis County Community Resource Directory. This collaborative endeavor was through the Social Services Group of the Strategic Doing Initiative. This group is a collaborative effort of various social service entities in Ellis County who identified the need to have access to and provide access to community resources.
The Heartland Community Foundation grant will be used to develop an app for first responders, social and human service entities and individuals to be able to have contact information for referral of services. The United Way of Ellis County will be overseeing completion of the project.
Abigail Crandall, Regional Operations Manager for KANSASWORKS said “KANSASWORKS Hays staff are excited about the new Ellis County Community Resource Directory app. Having this directory available in an app form will allow our staff and customers to have access to the most current information on housing, transportation and other community resources when they need it most.”
Pam Greenleaf, individual community volunteer said “All people in our community, no matter their background or social status, can come to points of need, seeking resources they aren’t familiar with – whether childcare, relationship help, counseling services, food assistance, or more. I care about these social needs being met in our community. It is easy to assume more resources are needed in certain areas, but the first step in adequately meeting needs is to be effectively using the resources and services in Ellis County and promote collaboration among our county’s social services and support area agencies and programs in reaching the people they have a heart to serve.”
Heartland Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of our region. Each year, the foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars through grants and scholarships, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and many nonprofits carry on their good work. The Heartland Community Foundation is an affiliate foundation the Greater Salina Community Foundation which is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit public charity.
The United Way of Ellis County is accepting donations for their current campaign to assist nonprofit service agencies. For more information on how you can support their community efforts, please visit www.liveunited.us or call 785-628-8281.
Vincke to be installed Wednesday as 12th bishop of Salina Diocese
SALINA — Bishop-elect Jerry Vincke will be ordained and installed at 2 p.m. CST Aug. 22 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina. He will be the 12th bishop of the Salina Diocese.
The ordination of a bishop happens within the context of a Mass. Following the reading of sacred scripture, the ordination begins. Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, Kan., will ordain Bishop-elect Vincke.
First, a song to the Holy Spirit (“Veni, Creator Spiritus” for example) is sung while the consecrating (ordaining) bishop(s) and the bishop-elect take or are led to their positions respectively. The bishop-elect is presented to the consecrating bishop(s), the bishop asks if there is a mandate from the Holy See, the letter of appointment is read aloud and displayed to the people. The people show their assent by saying “Thanks be to God” or applause. Then a homily is given.
Next, there is a nine-fold questioning of the candidate as to his willingness to serve in this capacity. The Litany of Saints is sung while the bishop-elect lies prostrate on the floor of the cathedral. After the litany, the consecrating bishop(s) and all other bishops present come forward and lay hands on the bishop- elect invoking the Holy Spirit upon him. The main consecrator then anoints the bishop-elects head with holy chrism oil. The Book of the Gospels is then held over the head of the bishop-elect while the prayer of consecration is prayed by the consecrating bishop(s).
After the consecration is complete, the main consecrator places a ring on the newly ordained bishop’s ring finger, a miter on his head and a staff/crosier in his hand. The newly ordained bishop is then led to his chair (cathedra) and is seated upon it, taking his rightful place. Finally all bishops present come forward and offer a kiss of peace to the newly ordained bishop. With that the rite is complete and the Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the newly ordained bishop presiding from that point on.
Bishop-elect Vincke, 54, is a native of Michigan. He was appointed the bishop of Salina following a three-year assignment as pastor of Holy Family Parish in Grand Blanc, Mich. (a suburb of Flint, Mich.). Bishop-elect Vincke is the ninth of 10 children born to Fidelis and the late Henry Vincke.
Other helpful information:
You may watch the live stream of the ordination at the Salina Diocesan website HERE.
— Salina Diocese
HPD Activity Log Aug. 20
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Mon., Aug. 20, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Welfare Check–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:40 AM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7:28 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–2500 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 9:36 AM
Criminal Threat–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8/17 12 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 10:06 AM
Drug Offenses/DUI–200 block E 27th St, Hays; 10:27 AM; 11 AM
Assist – Other (not MV–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 11:19 AM
Theft (general)–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 5/20 12 PM; 8/20 1:30 PM
Criminal Trespass–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:10 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–2600 block Main, Hays; 1:36 PM
Battery – Domestic–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 2:15 PM; 2:43 PM
Criminal Trespass–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:56 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 3:23 PM
Dangerous Animal–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:05 PM
Dead Animal Call–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 4:15 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–13th St and Vine St, Hays; 4:51 PM
Suspicious Activity–1200 block Haney Dr, Hays; 5:35 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 5:59 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6:03 PM
Disturbance – General–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 8:21 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8/6 9:07 PM; 9:59 PM
Hays High receives grant for plasma cutter
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays High School has received a $26,000 grant to purchase a CNC plasma cutting system.
The equipment was purchased with a Perkins Reserve Grant through the Kansas Department of Education. Only two grants were given in the state.
The Hays USD 489 school board heard a report on the purchase at its meeting Monday.
The equipment will allow students to program patterns into a computer, and the plasma cutter will cut the pieces out of metal. The plasma cutter can cut steel as large as 16 square feet and three-quarters of an inch thick.
The equipment should be delivered this week. The school received an additional $3,000 for teacher training. HHS Career and Technical Education teacher Nathan Howard will attend training in September in Houston. He will be certified to train other instructors in the region.
HHS Vice Principal John Linn said the plasma cutter has been on the CTE program’s improvement list for several years.
“It allows our students to be competitive,” Linn said. “It gives them a big advantage in the manufacturing world when they leave Hays High School.”
Howard said automation is where the manufacturing industry is heading.
The new equipment will allow the drafting and metals programs to work together. The drafting students can draw a part. The students can use a 3-D printer to print a plastic prototype. The metals students can cut the metal pieces in 2-D with the plasma cutter and then weld the pieces into a finished product.
“Students are seeing the whole picture in industry,” he said. “It is a very exciting thing to have. I look forward to it.”
Howard said school officials hope to continue to expand the CTE program with a future purchase of a CNC vertical mill for machining and a CNC router for the woodshop, which would be similar to the plasma table, but for wood.
A CNC router would allow students to cut cabinets with the aid of a computer.
Howard said he may work with students to create signs with the new plasma cutter that could be sold to raise money for future improvements within the CTE program.
“Thank you for your work on this,” board member Luke Oborny said. “It is phenomenal that we have a grant for this — more than we even hoped for. …
“We want to have the tools and training in place to provide the best for the students. You worked within the means we had, and you went outside of the box. Grants have been another goal we have worked on, and I appreciate all the time and effort you put in on this. The benefits for our district and kids are just phenomenal.”