Logan & Hill City
Thomas More Prep-Marian
Victoria
Hays High
Russell
Month: February 2019
Kansas man hit, killed by Jeep while riding a bicycle
CHEROKEE COUNTY— One person died in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Cherokee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Jeep Commander driven by Russell, Julissa Russell, 50, Rincon, GA., was westbound on Kansas 66 one mile west of Galena.
The Jeep struck a bicycle ridden by David Furry, 47, Galena, that had crossed in front of the vehicle travelling from South to North crossing the highway.
Furry was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.
Russell was not injured and was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
LETTER: A heartfelt thank you
On February 8th we hosted our second annual Night to Shine Hays sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation at Celebration Community Church. We had another very successful event this year. For those of you who don’t know, Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for individuals with special needs ages 14 and older.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: See the Hays Post news story about Night to Shine Hays.)
This year our 140 guests (Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) were served by more than 400 volunteers…. THAT’S RIGHT, I SAID 400 VOLUNTEERS and over 30 businesses/sponsors who contributed goods, services or financial assistance. All together with guests, parents/caretakers/staff, and volunteers we had around 700-750 people in attendance at Night to Shine Hays 2019 from all over Northwest Kansas. In our inaugural year (2018) we had approximately 550 people in attendance with 25 businesses/sponsors. That’s a growth of almost one-third in our second year and it was truly made possible by our community support and involvement.
I speak for our whole Night to Shine Hays Coordination Team when I say, we have been blown away by the response from our community. This unforgettable night is about serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and showing them God’s love. It’s also about pampering them, loving them and giving them the opportunity to shine with the whole community.
On behalf of our Night to Shine Hays Coordination Team, THANK YOU! We are very appreciative of your generosity and willingness to come together to serve a wonderful community of people. Whether you gave financially, provided a service from your business, gave your time to volunteer or were a part of any other area to make this night possible, THANK YOU! We look forward to working with each and every one of you in future years!
Brent Kaiser
Programs and Activities Director
The Arc of Central Plains
Night to Shine Hays Coordination Team Members:
Drew Gannon
Grace Buessing
John Egan
Haley Nixon
Peri Lang
Katelyn Unruh
Brent Kaiser
🎥 Incoming Ellis superintendent sees staffing as a challenge
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Just days after coming home to Ellis on Jan. 17 from six months of treatment for leukemia in Kansas City, high school/jr. high principal Corey Burton interviewed for the position of Ellis USD 388 superintendent.
Burton was one of three finalists for the position, and the Ellis school board announced his selection Feb. 13.
While the other candidates toured the two schools, met with teachers, staff, students and the public, and interviewed in person with school board members, Burton made his interview statement via an online video which was made public.
Burton has been in a year-long battle with cancer. More than 1,500 #Burton Strong T-shirts were sold in a local fundraiser for his family’s expenses.
“We had all kinds of community support,” Burton said. “It was overwhelming, honestly.”
Burton has served the past 13 years as EHS principal and was a teacher for nine years before that. The moves have always been part of his career plan.
He will officially take the superintendent’s seat July 1 and is working now with the current superintendent, Bob Young, to prepare for the job change. Young is retiring at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
“We meet nearly every day and go over something that I’ll need to be dealing with over the next couple months. That’s probably the biggest thing, is familiarizing myself with everything that I’m gonna need to get done next year.
“It will be a learning process,” Burton acknowledged. “Just like your first year of teaching, just like your first year as an administrator, this first year as superintendent is going to be a learning process.”
Finances are a constant challenge for most Kansas school districts, although Ellis has been “pretty lucky with consistent student enrollment,” according to Burton. “The state was good to us last year and we look to be in the positive again this coming year.”
Staffing is what Burton believes will be one of the bigger challenges, not just for Ellis but all of western Kansas.
“Finding quality teachers, keeping quality teachers in the classroom, even finding the appropriate staff members,” all concern Burton.
“We’ve got some staff members that could retire in the next couple of years that aren’t just teachers. We’re going to have to fill those positions and some of them are going to be challenging to fill,” he said. “I think we’re going to have to be real proactive in trying to attract good people to those positions, both salary-wise and a pleasant, enjoyable work environment that people want to be in.”
Burton knows community support and that of parents is strong in Ellis.
“They understand the importance of education and we really get support from them … Our normal fall parent/teacher conference at the high school averages about 85 percent,” Burton said. “Most high schools would do back flips if they could get that kind of attendance in even just an open house.
“Our folks want to be involved. They want a good strong school system. They want their kids to be successful. It’s nice.”
You can watch more of Burton’s interview with Gary Shorman on the Eagle Community TV Forum the week of Feb. 25 on Eagle channels 14 and 614 at 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Partly sunny Thursday, chance for rain
Thursday A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Wind chill values as low as 5. Southeast wind 7 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southeast wind 10 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday A slight chance of snow and sleet before 10am, then a slight chance of sleet between 10am and 11am, then a chance of drizzle after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 42. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday NightA chance of drizzle before 7pm, then a chance of rain, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
SaturdaySnow, possibly mixed with sleet, becoming all snow after 11am. Widespread blowing snow, mainly between 10am and 5pm. High near 34. Very windy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday NightSnow before 7pm. Areas of blowing snow before 7pm. Low around 18. Very windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
SundaySunny, with a high near 33.
SURVEY: Manufacturers expect growth in ’19; need more employees
ABBB
KANSAS – The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered (ABBB) has jointly released the results from the 2019 ABBB/Leading Edge Alliance National Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The survey asked about manufacturing companies’ performance in 2018, managers’ expectations for 2019, and the strategies that high-performing manufacturers find most effective.
“This report helps us to prepare solutions that will lead to growth for our own manufacturing clients,” said Julie Wondra, CPA, Partner & Manufacturing Industry Leader. “With this great insight and data, we are able to position our clients for success in the coming year.”
Eight out of ten U.S. manufacturers expect to grow sales this year, buoyed by their optimism about the strength of regional, national and global economies, according to the 2019 National Manufacturing Survey Report prepared by Leading Edge Alliance (LEA), a global association of 220 accounting and consulting firms.
“Across the board, manufacturers are optimistic about the regional economy, sector growth, and increasing revenue expectations in 2019,” the report states. “Looking ahead, manufacturers expect raw materials, labor costs, lack of available talent and competition to be significant hurdles in 2019. The tariffs implemented by President Trump provide productivity issues; however, an increase in spending on Big Data and business intelligence are delivering innovative technology for minimizing productivity concerns.”
More than 350 manufacturing executives participated in the survey, which includes respondents who produce industrial/machining, transportation/automotive, construction, food and beverage, and other products.
2019 Survey Highlights
Growth: 81% of manufacturers expect their revenue to increase in 2019, and 61% expect their overall sector to expand in 2019.
Economy: Optimism for the regional, national and global economies has increased by more than 12 percentage points over the last two years.
Priorities: Manufacturers’ top three priorities are growing sales, improving profitability and addressing the workforce shortage.
Challenges: Most manufacturers (52%) cited labor/talent as their greatest barrier to growth, followed by competition (34%) and profitability (25%).
The survey identified three key growth strategies manufacturers will use to keep their companies on a growth track: Technology, mergers and acquisitions, and talent management.
Technology: Manufacturers plan to leverage technology as key to solving productivity concerns; 76% said that they will investigate/prioritize cybersecurity in 2019, and 43% said they will prioritize Big Data/ERP/IoT.
M&A: More manufacturers are considering a merger/sale or acquisition in 2019; 21% expect to acquire another business in 2019 and 16% are in the pre-planning stage of a merger or acquisition.
Talent: Faced with a growing labor shortage, manufacturers have turned to a range of tools to improve hiring and retention with 62% increasing compensation, 39% implementing retention strategies and 35% using internal training programs.
To view the full National Manufacturing Outlook and Insights report, visit www.abbb.com/resources.
Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered provides a wide range of traditional and non-traditional CPA and consulting services to clients throughout Kansas, including agriculture organizations, construction companies, feed yards, financial institutions, governmental and not-for-profit organizations, manufacturers, medical practices, oil and gas companies, professional service firms, real estate companies and small businesses. Founded in 1945, today the firm maintains 13 office locations throughout the state. For more information about Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, please visit www.abbb.com.
About LEA
Founded in 1999, LEA Global/The Leading Edge Alliance is the second-largest international association in the world. It is a high-quality alliance of 220 independently owned accounting and consulting firms focused on accounting, financial and business advisory services. LEA Global firms operate from 620 offices in 110 countries, giving clients of LEA Global firms access to the knowledge, skills and experience of 2,313 partners and 21,355 staff members. For more information, visit www.leaglobal.com.
Kansas man sentenced for wounding girl amid fireworks fray
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man has been sentenced to 17 months in prison for shooting and wounding a 17-year-old girl as several people shot fireworks at him.
21-year-old Rashan Gill apologized at Tuesday’s hearing, saying through tears that he “will never forget” what happened and that he could have killed the girl. In the early morning hours of July 5, 2018, he shot at a group of people who were firing Roman candle fireworks at him and his apartment.
One of the shots hit the girl who was in the group’s car. She suffered serious injuries but survived.
After a judge rejected Gill’s argument that he was justified in the shooting under Kansas’ stand-your-ground law, he pleaded no contest in January to attempted aggravated battery.
Step-mother accused of abuse after Kan. child hospitalized with head injury
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged child abuse and have made an arrest.
At 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call of a 2-year-old girl not breathing at a residence in the 1700 block of south Faulders in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Upon arrival, officers contacted the girl, her stepmother 28-year-old Amanda Rogers-Moore, her 27-year-old father and several other children, ages 4, 7 and 8.
The 2-year-old girl was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and remains hospitalized, according to Davidson.
The investigation revealed the 2-year-old girl vomiting and then not breathing awakened Rogers-Moore and her boyfriend. The boyfriend began life saving techniques on the girl. At the hospital, the girl was found to have critical head injuries, according to Davidson
Investigators arrested Rogers-Moore and booked her into jail on requested charges that include felony child abuse. The other three children have been placed in police protective custody.
Kan. man accused of throwing shopping cart through window
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for criminal damage to property after an alleged incident in Salina.
Just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday, police responded to Salina Billiards, 1215 West Crawford.
Kiel Bale, allegedly broke a flower pot ashtray on the patio area of the establishment after he reportedly propositioned a bartender, according to police captain Paul Forrester.
Bale was asked to leave the establishment. As he exited, he allegedly threw a shopping cart through the window.
Bale was arrested a short time later in the parking lot on requested charges of criminal damage to property, unlawful assembly, and interference with a law enforcement officer
Damage to the window was estimated at $800 and damage to the flower pot ashtray was estimated at $10.
Martha Mary Fringer
Martha Mary Fringer
February 8, 1930 – February 19, 2019
Funeral services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home.
Lila May Sohm
Lila May Sohm, 70, passed away Feb. 20, 2019 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. She was born July 8, 1948 at Ellsworth to Jess and Elizabeth (Merrill) Mize. She married Clifford Sohm, Nov. 21, 1970 at Holyrood. He survives.
Coming from Ellsworth in 1970, Lila was a Great Bend resident. She worked in administration at Larned State Hospital, having previously worked as a Pharmacy Aide at Walmart and was owner of Mistletoe Express. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church and was a Girl Scout/Boy Scout leader. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and her grandkids.
Survivors include, her husband, Clifford of the home; one son, David Sohm of Great Bend; one daughter, Vicki James of Jetmore; and six grandchildren, Taylor James, Kaden James, Kaylee James, Tatum James, Walker Ruppe and Cody Griffith. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Zella Mize.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend, with Rev. Dwight Dozier presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery North. Memorials are suggested to the First Assembly of God Church or Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Three Tigers Earn MIAA Dual Meet Honors
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State wrestling had three individuals earn MIAA dual meet honors, announced Wednesday (Feb. 20). Brandon Ball was the champion at 141 pounds, while Efe Osaghae(157 pounds) and Micquille Robinson (184 pounds) earned runner-up finishes.
Nebraska-Kearney was tabbed as the 2018-19 MIAA dual meet champions, with four individual’s earning titles and one runner-up finisher. Lindenwood has three wrestlers receive champions of their weight classes and two who finish runner-up. Central Oklahoma finished with two champions and four runner-ups, while Newman earned one champion and one runner-up.
The champions and runners-up were awarded by dual meet results and head coach voting determination. Below is the complete list of 2018-19 MIAA wrestling dual meet awards.
2018-19 MIAA Dual Meet Individual Weight Class Champions
| Weight | Place | Wrestler | School |
| 125 | Champion | Carlos Jacquez | Lindenwood |
| 125 | Runner-Up | Josh Portillo | Nebraska-Kearney |
| 133 | Champion | Tanner Hitchcock | Lindenwood |
| 133 | Runner-Up | Tyler Lawley | Newman |
| 141 | Champion | Brandon Ball | Fort Hays State |
| 141 | Runner-Up | Nate Keim | Central Oklahoma |
| 149 | Co-Champion | Kameron Frame | Newman |
| 149 | Co-Champion | Gavin Londoff | Lindenwood |
| 149 | Runner-Up | Brik Filippo | Central Oklahoma |
| 157 | Champion | Matt Malcom | Nebraska-Kearney |
| 157 | Runner-Up | Efe Osaghae | Fort Hays State |
| 165 | Champion | Calvin Ochs | Nebraska-Kearney |
| 165 | Runner-Up | Kyle Jolas | Lindenwood |
| 174 | Champion | Zach Stodden | Nebraska-Kearney |
| 174 | Runner-Up | Devin Crawl | Central Oklahoma |
| 184 | Champion | Heath Gray | Central Oklahoma |
| 184 | Runner-Up | Micquille Robinson | Fort Hays State |
| 197 | Champion | Colton Looper | Central Oklahoma |
| 197 | Runner-Up | Jared McKindley | Lindenwood |
| 285 | Champion | Jarrod Hinrichs | Nebraska-Kearney |
| 285 | Runner-Up | Greg Wilson | Central Oklahoma |
FHSU Women’s Basketball Tops Central Region Rankings
INDIANAPOLIS – The fourth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team is listed atop the initial set of NCAA Division II Central Region rankings, released Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 20). This is the first of three sets of regional rankings that will be announced before the NCAA Championship bracket is released on March 10.
The 23-1 Tigers are one of two teams in the region with just one loss this season, joined by second-ranked Southwestern Oklahoma State (23-1). Every other team in the region has at least five losses so far this season.
Fort Hays State is 5-1 against teams listed in the top 10 in the region.
The Tigers are one of six MIAA programs mentioned in the initial release, with Central Missouri ranked third, Emporia State ranked sixth, Pittsburg State sitting in eighth, Lindenwood ranked ninth and Washburn slotted 10th.
The champions of the MIAA, GAC and NSIC tournaments will all earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship field, with the next five teams in the region also earning an at-large selection. The top team in the region earns the right to host the regional tournament, which will be held March 15-18.
With just four games remaining in the regular season, the Tigers will hit the road for the final time this weekend with a trip to Oklahoma. Fort Hays State will take on Central Oklahoma Thursday (Feb. 21) at 5:30 p.m. before facing off with Northeastern State at 1:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 23).
| Rank | School | Overall DII Record | In-Region Record |
| 1 | Fort Hays State | 20-1 | 20-1 |
| 2 | Southwestern Oklahoma State | 23-1 | 23-1 |
| 3 | Central Missouri | 18-5 | 16-4 |
| 4 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | 21-5 | 19-5 |
| 5 | Minnesota Duluth | 17-6 | 17-6 |
| 6 | Emporia State | 19-5 | 17-5 |
| 7 | Concordia-St. Paul | 17-6 | 17-6 |
| 8 | Pittsburg State | 16-5 | 15-5 |
| 9 | Lindenwood (Missouri) | 17-5 | 17-5 |
| 10 | Washburn | 16-7 | 14-7 |