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Month: December 2018

Glorietta ‘Alvena’ Alexander

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Glorietta “Alvena” Alexander, 90, passed away December 17, 2018 at Dawson Place Nursing Home, Hill City.

She was born November 11, 1928 to Alvin Theodore and Ada (Williams) Bates. She married Ordral Alexander on March 30, 1946 in her fathers home near Bogue. He passed away September 26, 1992.

Survivors: sons, Dale Alexander of Topeka, Robert (Angel) of Bellaire; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and brother, Bernard Bates (Ava) of Hill City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons; one brother and one sister.

Click HERE for service details.

Gary L. ‘Bear’ Prester

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Gary L. “Bear” Prester, 72, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Funeral services are pending at this time. Please check back later for a full obituary and funeral service date and time.

Valerie Allene Cook

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Valerie Allene Cook, 88, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.

Valerie was born on May 28, 1930, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Bert William and Aimee Grace (Wood) Vanderbur. She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1948. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Elson Eugene Cook on January 28, 1951, in Russell. This union was blessed with four children: Rebecca, Carolyn, Kevin and Keith. They made their home in Russell.

Valerie considered herself a “domestic engineer” and took pride in being a homemaker taking care of her husband and children. She attended Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell and enjoyed playing with several bridge clubs over the years. She enjoyed croquette, ping pong, and horseshoes. She also enjoyed canning, cooking, baking, camping at Lake Wilson, water aerobics, making Christmas candy and entertaining guests with her jokes and stories. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving family include daughters, Rebecca Finnegan and husband Jon of Russell, Kansas and Carolyn Toalson and husband David of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; sons Kevin Cook and wife Tammy of Wichita, Kansas and Keith Cook and wife Denise of Spring, Texas; brothers Dennis Vanderbur and wife Bengi of Marysville, Tennessee and Gary Vanderbur and wife Christine of Ft. Myers, Florida; sister, Barbara Westerman and husband Byron of Branson, Missouri; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elson on June 16, 2014, and two sisters Judy Weis and Jeanne Dale.

Celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Friday, December 21, 2018, at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Otterbein United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Thomas L. ‘Tooty’ Schumacher

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Thomas L. “Tooty” Schumacher, age 67, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018, in Hays.

He was born October 7, 1951, in Hays, Kansas to Marvin “Shorty” and Mildred (Dreher) Schumacher. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1969. On June 9, 1973, he married Debra Inman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hays.

Tom owned and operated Fort Hays Auto Sales for 41 years. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard and he enjoyed traveling and collecting memorabilia.

He is survived by his wife Debbie of Hays; two sons, Chris Schumacher and wife Dana and children Gavin and Griffin all of Hays and Chandler Schumacher and wife Jacqueline and children Giana and Mia all of Hays and two sisters, Gloria Schumacher of Hays and Tammy Parmer and husband Sheldon of Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bonnie Schenk.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday, December 22, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Private family burial will be in Mt. Allen Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 8 PM and Saturday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A parish vigil service will be 7 PM Friday at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to TMP-Marian and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

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

Senate approves Moran-supported bill for veterans’ full housing benefits

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OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act, legislation cosponsored by Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – to make certain the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans for missed or underpaid Forever GI Bill housing benefits.

“It is imperative that the VA make every effort to restore confidence with veterans by delivering the care and benefits they have earned,” said Sen. Moran. “I am pleased the U.S. Senate sent a clear message that the VA must earn back GI Bill beneficiaries’ trust, and I’m proud to help lead efforts that will make the VA worthy of the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. The unanimous passage of this legislation moves us one step closer toward that goal.”

This legislation will address the VA’s failure to fully comply with reimbursement rates set by the Forever GI Bill. The improper payments resulted from IT systems that had not been properly updated and lack of internal processes to get the VA the necessary information about payment rates.

The VA should have used the Department of Defense’s 2018 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, which should have been calculated based on the zip code where the student takes the majority of classes, rather than on the zip code in which the school’s main campus is located. Instead, some GI Bill recipients have been receiving housing stipends at the 2017 rate and based on the school’s zip code. In all cases, the 2018 rate is higher than the 2017 rate.

The legislation was introduced by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and is cosponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.).

The Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act would require the VA to:

  • End improper payments as soon as possible;
  • Establish a team of specialists who will be responsible to report to Congress a detailed plan to correct this egregious error;
  • Provide a report to Congress by July 2020 that identifies how many beneficiaries were impacted and to what extent, aggregated by state; and
  • Certify the department is fully compliant with the law.

New state director for BLM

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BLM

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management today announced the appointment of Tim Spisak, a 34-year career BLM employee, as State Director for New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.  Spisak, who has been serving as acting New Mexico State Director since October, previously served as the BLM’s Deputy Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management. 

In making the announcement, BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs Brian Steed said, “Tim Spisak is a true professional with decades of experience contributing to the BLM’s multiple-use mission on behalf of the American people.  We’re excited to have Tim leading our agency forward in New Mexico, strengthening and expanding our partnerships with state and community leaders and being a good neighbor.”

As New Mexico State Office Director, Spisak will oversee more than 630 BLM employees in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas; 13.5 million acres of public lands; and 42 million acres of Federal oil, natural gas, and minerals managed for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

During his BLM career, Spisak has worked as a Petroleum Engineer, Supervisory Petroleum Engineer, Program Analysis Officer, and Administrative Officer.  He also served for five years as the Amarillo Field Office Manager overseeing the Federal Helium Program in Amarillo Texas, five years as Fluid Minerals Division Chief in the BLM Washington Office, five years as the Deputy Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals and Realty Management, and three years as Senior Advisor – Conventional Energy. He has served as the Deputy Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals and Realty Management since 2017.

Spisak replaces Aden Seidlitz, who led the New Mexico State Office in an acting capacity for more than a year, tackling challenges related to overseeing the largest oil and gas lease sale in BLM’s history (almost $1 billion), expanding public access to the Sabinoso Wilderness through an acquisition, and working with Tribes and Pueblos on conservation of cultural and natural resources. Seidlitz has returned to his role as Associate State Director.

Spisak has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Business Administration Degree from West Texas A&M University.

TMP students sponsor blanket drive for needy

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post 

You can donate blankets from now through the Jan. 15 for homeless individuals and needy families at area churches.

The Thomas More Prep-Marian Biology Club has organized a blanket drive for First Call for Help and Catholic Charities.

Boxes for the blanket drive are at St. Joseph’s, St Nicholas of Myra and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches.

Samuel Allen, a TMP junior and Biology Club fundraising coordinator, said the agencies have requested large, heavy blankets that would fit at least a twin bed. Gently used or new blankets are welcomed.

Allen said the club hopes to collect at least 50 blankets. This is the first year the Biology Club has sponsored the blanket drive.

For more information, contact TMP at 785-625-6577 and ask for Allen or Kerie Maricle.

🎥 Former Washington School may be converted to low-income apartments

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By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The aging building that is the former Washington Elementary School is going to be sold by the Hays USD 489 school district and an affordable housing developer wants to buy it.

The facility at 305 Main currently houses the Early Childhood Connections (ECC) program which will be moved to the Oak Park Medical Complex, 2501 E. 13th, once that building is renovated. ECC operations in Munjor will also move to Oak Park and that former school building will be closed.

Overland Property Group, Leawood, is interested in converting the historic Washington building, which opened in 1926, into low-income apartments.

Matt Gillam, vice president of development, explained the proposed project at Monday’s school board meeting. The group built the three phases of StonePost apartments located near Washington in downtown Hays.

“The school building itself kind of lends it perfectly to our footprint and potential expansion,” said Gillam. “I’m looking to make another investment into Hays and it’s for the long term.”

Washington’s last day as an elementary school was May 19, 2015. It was then repurposed to house Early Childhood Connections. Only part of Washington school can be used for student classrooms. Washington is also not handicap accessible and has had significant infrastructure issues.

Gillim hopes to save the building and convert it to apartments using the same funding mechanism the group has used elsewhere. The federal low income housing tax credits are administered by the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation (KHRC).

“I would potentially also go after some federal historic credits if I’m able to save the school, and if at all possible, I would.”

If the historic status is not permitted, Gillam said he would come back to the board to let them know the project would be pursued as a building tear-down.

Best case scenario, construction would start at the school at the end of 2019 and into the first quarter of 2020, Gilliam said.

“The lead time for this type of funding and resources is rather long,” he acknowledged. Application for the low income housing credits would be made in February, followed by the historical credits, which is a less competitive process.

“I’ve already done some research with our historical consultant and we believe the school will qualify.”

Gillam will meet with Superintendent John Thissen to prepare more information and updates for board members to review before their next meeting on Jan. 14.

🎥 KHP: Quinter woman hospitalized after I-70 accident in Ellis County

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(Photo by Darrel Goheen)

A Quinter woman was hospitalized after an accident approximately 6 miles west of Hays in Ellis County just before 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Lexus SUV driven by Linda Sue Teeter, 59, was eastbound on Interstate 70 when the driver suffered a medical event. The Lexus sideswiped a 2016 Peterbilt semi driven by Samuel Q. King, 23, Winnsboro, Texas.

The SUV left the roadway into the south ditch, continued through a KDOT fence and across a field a half-mile before striking a tree, according to the KHP.

Teeter was transported to HaysMed for treatment of a suspected minor injury. King was uninjured. Both were wearing seat belts, the KHP reported.

https://youtu.be/irszCDehNLI

EDITED 3:22 p.m. to correct the day of the incident.

Tumbleweed Music Festival unveils 2019 lineup

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Submitted

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tumbleweed Music Festival has evolved into a prominent authentic country music festival driven by outstanding reviews and word-of-mouth. Fans appreciate the amazing vibes and unique artistry Tumbleweed offers in a more personal, friendly, boutique environment.   Tumbleweed attendees can expect a high level of artist interaction and engagement, with headliners often joining the crowd to party and enjoy the following sets. Ticket options – which include camping, VIP and discounted lodging, are on sale now through the festival website, TumbleweedCountry.com.

Tumbleweed is produced by Borda Productions, a Kansas City-based music festival company – one of the last major independent production companies in the United States. Organizers have created an incredibly unique music festival experience, where a single stage hosts all artists to prevent set conflicts. Outside of the music, there are plenty of unforgettable activities to keep attendees entertained, including: horse-drawn carriage rides, fishing, canoeing, helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides, zip-line and rock wall, petting zoo, archery, wake boarding & water sports, camp cabins, RV and tent camping. The key to the festival, according to co-producer Doug Bordegon, is to “create an unbelievable escape from reality, where everyone is your best friend and relationships are established for life. The camping experience is like none other. Campers at Tumbleweed relax and party in a manicured forest, a beautiful park-like camping experience, in one of the most spectacular settings in the country. Attendees have coined the campgrounds ‘TentCity,’ where thousands of campers socialize and party in tents just a few feet apart.  There isn’t a better place to celebrate life with your friends; Tumbleweed is truly a spectacular experience.

Artists confirmed to perform at Tumbleweed Music Festival:

ALABAMA

BLACKBERRY SMOKE

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND

WHISKEY MYERS

RECKLESS KELLY

BEN HAGGARD

THE STEEL WOODS

SARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERS

JAIME WYATT

RANDALL KING

JACKSON TAYLOR & THE SINNERS

BRYAN JAMES

TOWN MOUNTAIN

LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER

TOMMY ASH

CHELSEA NOLAN

SENORA MAY

CHAD VAUGHN

CHRIS STEWART

THE COMANCHEROS

NOEL HAGGARD

🎥 Community Christmas cheer on the corner

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Handmade Christmas ornaments made by Hays youth adorn two trees north of the library.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Downtown Hays is sparkling a little bit brighter this holiday season thanks to local youth groups.

Members of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H and Big Brothers Big Sisters hand made oversized Christmas decorations for the two “community trees” just north of the Hays Public Library on the corner of 13th and Main.

The tall evergreens sit on Ellis County property. The Ellis County Commission was “delighted” to again grant permission for the holiday decorating as it has for many years.

Seven-year-old Eva Betz and her brother Evan, 9, are members of the Gemini Juniors 4-H Club. They, along with their mom Lynette, were recently hanging the ornaments after school.

“We made snowflakes, tree ornaments and paper snowmen,” Eva said. She had some help from Evan attaching decorations to limbs she couldn’t reach.

“I climbed up on that,” Evan explained as he pointed to the limestone base of the Statue of Liberty monument located between the two trees. “And, I jumped up on trees.” Evan was able to pull down several higher branches low enough for Eva to attach them firmly with fasteners made of pipe cleaner.

Decorating the highest branches of the towering evergreens was left to the Boy Scouts of Troop 101.

When plans to use a bucket truck fell through, a stepladder was quickly retrieved from the library. To reach even higher, troop leader Steve Urban and several scouts went across the street to borrow a long extension ladder from Ralph’s Electric, one of the contractors working on a historic building renovation for the new EyeSmile Vision and Dental practice.

Logan Leiker, brothers Steve and Kade Urban, Luke Montgomery, and Graysen Smith helped each other place the ladder against the sturdy trees. Kade did most of the climbing, working his way carefully step by step to place decorations about a third of the way up from the tree bases.

“Just hang them up as you go up the line, Kade,” advised troop leader Urban.

The scouts were working on their religion badges, which require community service.

“Unfortunately, there’s is no ‘Christmas Tree Decorating’ badge for the Boy Scouts,” Urban quipped.

SPONSORED: Sternberg seeking Museum Program Specialist

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Museum Program Specialist

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Full-time non-tenure track naturalist oversees the care and management of its animal collection and nature trail. The museum cares for a variety of animals including snakes, frogs, fish, turtles, lizards, arthropods, and mammals. These animals are a part of the exhibits and discovery room and are used for a number of in- house and outreach programs. The museum also operates a 23-acre nature area with trails. This area includes a stream, pond and prairie area. The trails are open to the public and are used for museum programs as well as university research projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in zoology, botany or related area or related experience in these areas
  • Experience with herpetological care and husbandryPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Field experience in collection of plants and animals
  • Demonstrated skills in public speaking, writing, interpersonal and communication skills
  • Knowledge of museum practices and standards.APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Priority Deadline is January 5, 2019.

    SALARY: $15.75 per hour
    BENEFITS: Competitive benefit package https://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/

    RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Supervise care, handling, health and access to all museum live animals
  • Work with zoology collections manager on IACUC issues
  • Acquisition and development of museum live animal collection
  • Museum operational service
  • Maintain external partnerships with collaborative institutions
  • Supervision of students and volunteers
  • Nature trail care and development
  • Work collaboratively with museum Education and Exhibits Managers on museum programs and exhibits
  • Develop and run educational programs centered around animals, plants and nature.
  • Participate in guiding school tours
  • Oversee the museum birthday party programs
  • Participate in outreach activities
  • Develop and run animal/nature programs for preschoolers and parents
  • Other duties as assigned by the DirectorAPPLICATION PROCESS: To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

    REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references. Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

    If you have questions regarding the position, please contact: Reese Barrick
    785-628-5664
    [email protected]

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Bachelor’s degree in zoology, botany or related area or related experience in these areas

    Experience with herpetological care and husbandry

     

ABOUT FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY:

Founded in 1902, FHSU is a leading, forward-thinking university of the Midwest, with student enrollment of more than 15,000 (including 4,600+ on the Hays campus, a unique China partnership program with enrollment of 3,500+ students, and Virtual College enrollment at over 6,800+). Over 400 faculty and more than 500 professional and staff support and guide degree and certificate programs for the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s programs, and for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, representing 31 departments within these academic divisions:

  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship
  • College of Education
  • College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
  • Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
  • Graduate SchoolFort Hays State University provides exceptional opportunities for students from Kansas, the region, and the world, and the University attracts goal-oriented students who want premier learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom combined with one-to-one attention and support. FHSU students graduate with the knowledge, professional skills, and confidence to have a competitive edge in their chosen careers. Upon graduation, 95% of FHSU students find a job or placement in graduate school.

    ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS:

    The college was formed in 2015 by aggregating the departments of Agriculture, Applied Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, and Physics, as well as the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The academic units consist of approximately 70 full-time faculty, 1400 undergraduate majors, and 50 graduate students. STM departments also make significant contributions to the university’s General Education program, coursework support for the other four colleges, and to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, which is an early-college program for high-achieving high school students. A new 58,000 sq. ft. Applied Technology and Sculpture building houses new technology student learning spaces, and will complement existing state of the art facilities. Undergraduate students participate in technical, classroom, field, and lab experiences that many universities would reserve for graduate students. The wide range of academic programs are innovative, and college faculty embrace a one-on-one teaching and mentoring philosophy, while providing robust scholarship opportunities for our students.

    ABOUT HAYS, KS:

    Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University’s presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community’s commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally.

    A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K–12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle.

    Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

    Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

    Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative
    or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.

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