Record enrollments at Fort Hays State University have continued for an 18th consecutive spring with a 20th-day enrollment of 13,291, which is 164 students higher than last spring’s 13,127.
The 13,291 students this spring are taking a total of 126,947 credit hours, computes to a full-time equivalent count of 9,153.
The Kansas Board of Regents decided last summer to transition the traditional preliminary enrollment count – the 20th day count – from the headcount metric to a full-time-equivalency metric.
The overall headcount increase, 1.2 percent, was on the strength of increases in the FHSU Virtual College and in enrollment at the university’s international partners. Online enrollment increased by 86 to 6,830; and enrollment at the university’s international partner universities increased by 204 to 2,307.
On-campus enrollment decreased by 126 to 4,154.
The number of Kansas students also increased, to 7,500 this spring from 7,334 in spring 2018.
“Saying ‘18 consecutive years’ makes it sound easy,” said Dr. Dennis King, assistant vice president for enrollment management and retention. “However, this is the result of a great foundation and continued hard work for everyone at FHSU.”
“A reduced number of potential students and an increase in competition are an ongoing challenge,” he said, “but our successful students are sharing their stories, and when people hear what FHSU has to offer, they want to be a part of it.”
The numbers break down to 10,626 undergraduate and 2,665 graduate students. The total includes 51 students in the university’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is FHSU’s first doctoral degree.
FHSU’s Hispanic student enrollment this spring is up across the board, from 1,046 last spring to 1,093 in spring 2019. That includes undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
The string of record enrollments began in 2002, when both spring and fall enrollments set all-time highs. Each semester since has been higher than the corresponding semester from the previous year.
George Henry Hess, age 88, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2019, at Topeka Center in Topeka, Kansas.
He was born on January 23, 1931, in Garnett, Kansas, the son of Everett and Katherine (Setter) Hess. George graduated from Richmond High School in 1951. He attended Pittsburg State University and graduated with a Business Degree. George was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
George was united in marriage to Shirley Marie Ryan on August 15, 1960. Their union was blessed with five children.
Mr. Hess worked in Topeka as an auditor for the State of Kansas for many years. In 1975, the family moved to Hays, Kansas. George and his family owned and operated Hays Concrete Products. George enjoyed remodeling homes, researching family genealogy and keeping up with the lives of his children and grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Francis Hess, Everett Hess and wife, Jody Hess.
George is survived by Shirley, his five children and thirteen grandchildren: Mary Therese Abib and husband, Roberto, of The Woodlands, Texas; Mary Jane Reed and husband, James, of San Antonio, Texas; George E. Hess and wife, Melissa, of Amarillo, Texas; Mark J. Hess of Austin, Texas; Patricia Marie Gross and husband Len of Dumas, Texas; thirteen grandchildren: Christopher Abib, Megan Abib, Elizabeth Abib, Anthony Abib, Ryan Reed, Chelsea Reed Holba and husband, Andrew, Ashley Reed, Corenda Hess, Katarena Hess, Keon Hess, Michael Gross, Patelyn Gross, and Emily Gross; one brother, Joe Hess and wife Virginia of Hays, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Ann Hess of Olathe, Kansas and his cousin Joan Dyrdek Reed and her son Tyler Reed of Topeka, Kansas.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Scipio, Kansas. Burial followed at St. Boniface Cemetery. A rosary was held at 6:00 PM Sunday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 219 S. Oak Street, Garnett, Kansas, 66032. Memorials may be made to TMP-MHS. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com
Bruce G. Ward, age 78 of Seguin, Texas, passed away on March 22, 2019. Visitation will begin on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. with Rev. Cathe Evins and Rev. Ron Welborn officiating. A reception will follow in Hierholzer Hall. Private interment will take place at a later date. Bruce was born on February 3, 1941 in Covert, Kansas to Linden and Blanche (Heffernan) Ward.
Bruce attended school in Covert and Waldo, KS and graduated from Natoma High School, Natoma, KS. Proud high school moment was playing on a high school basketball team that took two state championships. He graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS and went on to receive a Master’s Degree. He held many roles with his education profession; teacher, coach, principal, superintendent. He retired from the education field in 1998 after being a superintendent for 11 years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed fishing, watching basketball, horse racing, and most of all spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Donny Ward and Dean Ward. Survivors include his loving wife Charlotte Ward; his children, Michele Eiland and husband Darrell, Bryan Ward and wife Jill, Bradley Ward and wife Toni, and Charlotte’s children; Joey Cook and wife Barbara, Laurie Berry and husband Doyle, Lisa Reeh and husband Vernon; 15 grandchildren; siblings, Earl Ward and wife Jean, Lynn Richardson and husband Gary, Steve Ward and wife Edie and Kathy Rogers; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and many friends. Bruce would also like to offer respect to Lynda Koelling as mother to Michele, Bryan and Brad.
Serving as pallbearers will be David Coley, Brad Roland, Brek Blair, Darrell Eiland, Joey Cook, Doyle Berry, Vernon Reeh and John Landis. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Tanner Eiland, Cooper Eiland, Shea Ward, Rylan Ward, Mack Berry, Houston Berry and Mason Berry; along with the Sharers Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 710 N Austin St, Seguin, TX 78155 or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Jeanette Siltmann, 196 Townesend Rd., Seguin, Texas, 78155.
Ron Mellick filed March 14 for re-election to the Hays City Commission.
HAYS POST
Ron Mellick has filed for re-election to the Hays City Commission.
He previously served as a city commissioner from 2007-2015 and was appointed in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of Chris Dinkel.
Mellick has been a Hays resident since 1973. He is self-employed and owner of Ron’s Floor Covering, with 48 years experience in the business.
Mellick’s wife Mary is also self-employed, operating Mary’s Daycare. She is also a wellness coach with Weight Watchers. The couple has four children and 12 grandchildren.
In a news release, Mellick outlined his campaign goals:
Keep the city on solid financial ground
Keep the mill levy at 18, as is has been the past twelve years
Continue with “pay-as-you-go” policies for city projects
Fix and repair old infrastructure including water and sewer lines, streets and bridges
Finish the water transfer process with the state of Kansas and secure the city’s ability to transfer water from the R9 ranch in Edwards County to Hays
Mayor Henry Schwaller has also filed for re-election. The seat held by James Meier is also open. Other candidates who have filed for the three open seats on the Hays City Commission are Michael Berges and Mason Ruder.
According to Brenda Kitchen, Hays city clerk, the top two vote-getters will serve four-year terms. The candidate with the third most votes will receive a two-year term.
Other city elections in Ellis County include the Ellis mayor, treasurer and three council members. In Schoenchen, the mayor’s seat and five city council positions are open. Victoria will vote for the mayor and two city council members.
Filing deadline is Mon., June 3, in the Ellis County Clerk’s office, 718 Main, Hays.
The general election is Tue., Nov. 5. A primary election will be held Tue., August 6, if necessary.
Marie Mermis, 97, passed away March 24, 2019, at Catholic Care Center, Bel Aire. She was born September 12, 1921, at Catherine, to Leo and Sophie (Staab) Pelzel. Marie married Clarence Mermis Nov. 11, 1941, at Walker. He died May 15, 1990.
Marie, a homemaker, had been a Great Bend resident since 1953, coming from Walker. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society and the Daughters of Isabella.
Survivors include two sons; C.J. Mermis and wife Patricia of Great Bend and Ronald Mermis of Fla.; three daughters, RoseAnn Burkhart and husband Gerald of Wichita, Ruth Maneth and husband John of Golden, Col. and Kathy Richards of Wichita; one daughter-in-law, Susan Sayson of Manhattan; nine grandchildren, Robbie Mermis, Brett Mermis and wife Kory, Bryan Mermis and wife Ellen, Dawn Reed, Anjie Weidman and husband Jamie, Jeremy Burkhart and wife Joni, Johnny Maneth and wife Angie, Kim Lambertson and husband John and Kenzie Richards; 19 great grandchildren and four great grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Pelzel of Hays and James Pelzel and wife Valeria of Wichita. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo Pelzel and Alfonse Pelzel; and six sisters, Beatrice Haas, Alice Brungardt, Clara Hetzel, Edna Goetz, Frances Koster and Irene Bollig.
The Funeral Mass has been arranged for 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein officiating. Interment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m., and Vigil with a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 7:00 p.m. all at Bryant Funeral Home.
Memorial funds have been designated to the Holy Family School Endowment Fund or Catholic Care Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Senate Committees continued to review bills which have been sent over from the House and we had two days of General Orders this week in the Senate. As we work though committee bills on the floor, we will also begin to have Conference Committee reports to vote on as well. A Conference Committee is a small, bipartisan and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the House’s and Senate’s version of a similar bill. Once the Conference Committee comes to a compromise, the committee’s version of the bill will be sent to both the House and the Senate for a final vote, before advancing the bill to the Governor’s desk.
FLOOR ACTION
EXTENDING RURAL OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROGRAM – Senate Bill 125 would extend the Rural Opportunity Zone Program by five years. SB 125 extends the deadline for a participant to begin in the student loan repayment portion of the program and the individual income tax credit portion of the program to July 1, 2026.
ADDING CERTAIN COUNTIES TO LIST OF RURAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES – Senate Bill 135 would expand the list of eligible counties for participation in the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Program. SB 135 would add the following counties: Atchison, Cowley, Crawford, Dickinson, Ford, Franklin, Miami, Pottawatomie.
THE KANSAS CLOSED CASE TASK FORCE – Senate Bill 102 would create the Kansas Closed Case Task Force. SB 102 requires the task force to create a plan relating to hits on closed cases, including a mechanism to ensure uniform compliance at the local law enforcement agency level.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LICENSES – Senate Bill 164 would amend law relating to the issuance of licenses by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) within the Department of Revenue, by providing license terms commence on the effective date specified on the license. SB 164 also provides that licenses for Class B clubs, drinking establishments, public venues, and caterers will be issued for two years commencing on the effective date specified on the license.
CALCULATING COST OF KEEPING CIVIL PRISONERS IN COUNTY JAIL – House Bill 2097 amends law relating to the cost of keeping civil prisoners in county jail. HB 2097 changes the amount taxed as costs in an action for keeping a civil defendant imprisoned in county jail from $1.50 per day to an amount equal to that provided by the county for the maintenance of other prisoners.
AMENDING THE KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – House Bill 2123 would remove the requirement that an eligible Kansas National Guard member have at least one year remaining on such member’s enlistment contract at the beginning of any semester for which the member receives assistance under the Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance Program to participate.
ELIMINATING MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TRUCKS – House Bill 2127 would remove statutory requirements for lettering to be painted or otherwise durably marked on the sides of a truck or truck tractor with a registered weight of more than 12,000 pounds to identify owner or lessee.
SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR NONPROFIT INTEGRATED COMMUNITY CARE ORGANIZATIONS – Senate Bill 178 would provide a sales tax exemption for purchases made by nonprofit integrated community care organizations. Nonprofit integrated community care organizations would be defined as any entity that is exempt from federal income taxation, certified to participate in Medicare as a hospice focused on providing care to the aging and indigent population across multiple counties, and approved by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services to provide services under the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
REGULATING USE OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS – House Bill 2126 prohibits any person from operating an electric scooter on any interstate highway, federal highway, or state highway. The bill also allows the governing body of a city or county to adopt an ordinance or resolution further restricting or prohibiting the use of electric scooters on public highways, streets, or sidewalks within such cities or counties. HB 2126 would apply traffic regulations applicable to bicycles to electric scooters.
ALLOWING THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO PURCHASE CYBERSECURITY- House Bill 2209 would amend law pertaining to the Committee on Surety Bonds and Insurance to permit the Kansas Board of Regents to purchase cybersecurity as they deem necessary to protect student records, labor information, and other statutorily protected data the Kansas Board of Regents maintains.
The $18.1 billion appropriation bill includes $92.7 million in court-ordered funding for K-12 to settle the lawsuit, an additional $100 million for KDOT bringing the total new money for KDOT to $160 million through FY20, and additional funds for mental health programs that help disabled Kansans. The budget does assume $200 million from Senate Bill 22, which returns the unexpected federal windfall from the federal tax cuts and provides a 1 percentage point food sales tax reduction. The budget also assumes the $115 million KPERS debt payment from Senate Bill 9 all credited to the school group and then an additional payment of $736 million for the FY20 payment. The budget adds $1.5 million, all from the State General Fund, to fund Hepatitis C treatment for the 100 inmates within correctional facilities that the agency’s health care provider is capable of providing treatment to in FY 2019. It adds $6 million, all from the Evidence Based Juvenile Program account of the State General Fund, in FY 2019. The budget will also add $2.1 million from the State General Fund in FY 2019 to provide funding for Community Mental Health Centers providing Crisis Center services due to an estimated shortfall of revenue from lottery vending machines.
VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36
Two student groups visited Topeka this week – Rock Hills seniors and Rooks County government students both sponsored by Farm Bureau. For the 15th year in a row, Lincoln County Leadership held their annual trip to the Capitol with tours and lunch with the Kansas Grain and Feed sponsoring the trip. Angie, Mike, Bryleigh and Brooklyn McKenna from Russell were special guests on the Senate floor for the reading of the World Down Syndrome Day resolution.
MARCH 21ST – WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY RESOLUTION – 2019
Senators Bowers, Alley, Baumgardner, Berger, Billinger, Braun, Denning, Doll, Estes, Faust-Goudeau, Francisco, Givens, Goddard, Haley, Hardy, Hawk, Hensley, Hilderbrand, Holland, Kerschen, Longbine, Lynn, Masterson, McGinn, Miller, Olson, Petersen, Pettey, Pilcher-Cook, Pyle, Rucker, Skubal, Suellentrop, Sykes, Taylor, Tyson, Wagle, Ware and Wilborn introduced the following Senate resolution, which was read:
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1726―
A RESOLUTION recognizing World Down Syndrome Day in Kansas. WHEREAS, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21, 2019; and WHEREAS, In 2006, World Down Syndrome Day was observed for the first time by many nations across the globe; and WHEREAS, On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to raise public awareness on Down syndrome. The third month and its 21st day were chosen to symbolize the triplication or trisomy of the 21st chromosome; and WHEREAS, Down syndrome is the most common irregular chromosomal condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6,000 infants, or 1 in 700, are born annually with Down syndrome in the United States; and WHEREAS, While Down syndrome is a lifelong condition, the CDC reports that when infants and children are offered intervention services early in life, they are often able to improve their physical and intellectual abilities. These services are typically offered across the nation and may include speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy; and WHEREAS, Known Down syndrome organizations in Kansas include the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, the Down Syndrome Society of Wichita, the North Central Kansas Down Syndrome Society, the Northwest Kansas Down Syndrome Society, the Southeast Down Syndrome Society and Team Up for Down Syndrome. These estimable organizations are committed to raising public awareness and providing aid and empowering individuals and families of individuals with Down syndrome: Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That we recognize March 21, 2019, as World Down Syndrome Day in Kansas; and Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate shall send five enrolled copies of this resolution to Senator Bowers. On emergency motion of Senator Bowers SR 1726 was adopted unanimously.
Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. As always, I’ll keep you updated on the activities of the Senate while we continue through the last few weeks before the break this spring. Schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.org. It is easy to “get into the weed” on pieces of legislation that seem on the surface to have universal appeal, but for those who want to pursue a more in-depth analysis of the ones which did not have such agreement, pull up “Bills & Laws,” then Senate Bills,” before scrolling to the desired number and hitting “SN” (Supplemental Notes) for a general explanation which is written by the Legislative research & reviser staff. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website. This week both the House and the Senate will meet at 10:00 a.m.
Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Dist. state senator and serves as the Senate Majority Whip. The 36th Senate District includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties and portions of Marshall and Phillips counties.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita officials are seeking to padlock a coin-operated laundry because of ongoing gambling on the property.
Google image
Police have seized at least 34 illegal gambling machines from the Fabric Care Center since 2016. But the city said last week in a court filing that every time authorities haul some out, more show up. Wichita police officers also have logged one homicide, one rape, five aggravated assaults, two simple assaults, five weapons cases, three larcenies and 12 drug cases at the site over the past 14 months.
The city’s application for a temporary injunction described the ongoing gambling as a “common nuisance.”
The president of the laundry owner’s, Cooper Inc., didn’t immediately returned phone messages seeking comment. A hearing is set for April 3.
Marjorie Eileen Elias, 87, passed away on March 23, 2019 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born on July 27, 1931 in McCracken, Kansas the daughter of Patrick and Sarah (McGaughey) Casey.
Marjorie was a homemaker. She graduated from Bazine High School in 1949 and was a lifelong resident of McCracken, Kansas. She also worked in the LaCrosse Furniture Factory as well in the County Clerk’s Office. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McCracken, Kansas, and was a member of the Altar Society. She married Claude Elias on Thursday, September 15th, 1949, in McCracken. He died on February 6, 1988.
Survivors include her sons, Dale Elias of Oakley, Kansas, and Doug Elias of Hudson, Florida; her daughter-In-law, Jeannie Elias of McCracken, Kansas; grandchildren, Travis Elias and wife Tina, Tyrel Elias, Thomas Chase Gomez, Nathial Gage Elias, Magdelene Rose Johnson; great-grandchildren, Tanner Elias, Katrina Elias, and Quintin Elias. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her son, Dennis, and several brothers and sisters.
Rosary and Parish Vigil will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 7:00 P.M., with family present at 6:00 P.M. Funeral service will be on Thursday, March 28, 2019, 10:30 A.M., at the St. Mary’s Heritage Church, McCracken, Kansas with Father Eric Gyamfi officiating. Her burial will be in the McCracken Cemetery. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Marjorie Elias Memorial Fund.
STAFFORD, Kan. (AP) — A flock of rare whooping cranes is delighting visitors at a Kansas wildlife refuge during a pit stop there on its northern migration.
Photo courtesy Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
The staff and visitors at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge counted 29 of the birds on Monday. Refuge biologist Rachel Laubhan says they are part of the endangered Aransas-Wood Buffalo flock, which is believed to be only about 505 birds strong.
The birds spend their winters in Texas and make a dramatic site at the refuge during their journey back home to Canada. They stand about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall with a wing span of 7 feet (2.1 meters).
When wildlife enthusiasts hear they’re making their way through Kansas each spring and fall, they flock to the refuge to get a look.
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