Alley conditions in the City of Hays have continued to worsen as a result of the ongoing wet weather.
Due to damaged and impassable alleys, City crews will temporarily be performing curbside trash pickup for all residents effective Monday, until further notice. No alley collection of municipal trash or recyclables will be performed during this time.
The city asks that all residents, except those with paved alleys, move their polycart to the street side of their property, so crews can collect the refuse curbside. Recycling materials should also be placed curbside. Note that this change might alter the timing of normal scheduled collections, but the day of collection should remain the same. If at all possible, attempt to place the polycart where it is not blocked by parked cars or other fixed objects.
If you have any questions or wish to report an issue, contact the Public Works Department at (785) 628-7350.
UPDATE 2 p.m. Thursday: The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened westbound I-70 from Hays to the Colorado border. Additionally, westbound U.S. 40 has also reopened at Sharon Springs.
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The Kansas Department of Transportation has now closed I-70 from Hays to the Colorado border. The following routes also remain closed:
U.S. 24 from Colby to Levant
U.S. 36 from Atwood to the Colorado border
U.S. 40 from Sharon Springs to the Colorado border
K-27 from Sharon Springs to the Nebraska border
K-161 from Bird City to the Nebraska border
For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online at www.kandrive.org.
SUMNER COUNTY — A 30-year-old Kansas high school band director is accused of four felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child and unlawful sexual relations involving a student.
Olson -photo Sumner County
Benjamin Olson, identified on the school web site as the Director of Bands at USD 353 in Wellington is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon, according to Assistant County Attorney Mitch Spencer.
Police arrested Olson March 8, according to online booking reports. He posted a $50,000 bond and was no longer in custody, according to Spencer.
The charges include persuading a minor to take nude photos, possession of the photos, asking for more nude photos, possession of similar videos in addition to the unlawful sexual relations with a student, according to Spencer.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
It’s a bit of de ja vu for Paige Lunsford this week.
Lunsford, then a junior, was a starter on the Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team in 2015 when the Tigers earned the right to host the NCAA Division II Central Regional Championships for the first time in program history.
Now a graduate assistant coach for the Tiger women, Lunsford plans to tell the players to savor every single moment.
FHSU again was selected to host a regional this year. The Tigers will take a 30-1 record into Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinal game vs. No. 8-seeded Pittsburg State University. A complete schedule and other tournament information can be found at fhsuathletics.com.
Playing in front of a large, vocal crowd back in 2015, the Tigers made it all the way to the regional championship game. Injuries to two major backcourt players late in the season hit FHSU hard, but the Tigers still played second-seeded Emporia State University a tough game before falling by five points in the finals.
Lunsford credits part of the Tigers’ success at home – both during her playing days and now – to the huge crowd support. Fort Hays State has ranked second in the nation in attendance among NCAA Division II teams four years running.
Lunsford
“It’s so unique what we get to experience here,” said Lunsford, a Hays native and four-year starter for Hays High School. “The support we get from the community and surrounding communities is incredible.”
Starting with 2012-13, the Tigers have never lost more than one game in a season at Gross Memorial Coliseum. During that time, they have amassed a staggering home record of 107-5.
In fact, FHSU’s only home loss Lunsford’s junior year was that regional championship game. Her senior season, the Tigers won all 15 of their home games, and that mark was surpassed this year (16-0).
Having the home court advantage is not lost on the players and coaches, Lunsford said.
“The atmosphere here is hardly like this anywhere else we play,” she said. “Some places, there are more Fort Hays fans than, or at least as many as, there are for the home team.”
Lunsford doesn’t expect that to be any different this weekend, and she is looking forward to watching her players experience it.
“I didn’t realize at the time back then how special it was to get to host the regional,” she said. “When you’re in the moment, you’re busy taking care of business at hand.”
Looking back, Lunsford definitely sees the significance of that experience now and is thoroughly enjoying this year’s run.
FHSU was seeded second to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the regional rankings heading into last week’s MIAA tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
The Tigers went 3-0 to win their first-ever MIAA tourney crown, but they still were unsure of what their final ranking would be. SWOSU also won its conference tournament. Both the Tigers and Bulldogs are 30-1, and SWOSU had entered conference tournament week with the slightest of edges over the Tigers in the regional rankings.
The national selection show was scheduled for 9 p.m. Sunday, but the top-seeded teams were to be notified by Twitter about 8.
The Tigers were on their way home from Kansas City about that time, and the team bus made a stop in Topeka for dinner. The coaches told the players to shut off their phones so they all could learn of their fate together.
“We had just gotten back on the bus about 8:10,” Lunsford said. “We coaches looked at Twitter and saw it, and told the girls. They were so excited.”
The team arrived in Hays after 11:15 p.m., and the next day, it was down to business – after a day of rest, that is.
“After five days in Kansas City, they were tired,” Lunsford said. “With this week being spring break, it gives them a chance to get some rest.”
The Tigers practiced Tuesday and will do so every day leading up to Friday, “trying to keep everything as normal as possible,” Lunsford said.
She thinks playing in the tough MIAA will help those five conference teams that were given regional berths. Playing at home also should help the Tigers, although Lunsford admitted that taking the court for that first regional game is a thrill like no other.
“I remember walking out on the court that first game (at the 2015 regionals) and seeing the amount of people in the stands and getting chills,” Lunsford said. “I was so in awe that all these people would come to watch us play. I think, growing up, every kid has a dream of playing in front of that kind of crowd someday. It was amazing.”
She thinks it will hit home for this year’s players on Friday, somewhere about 4:45 p.m.
“I think it will hit them during the starting lineup, at that moment when you have a second to look around at the crowd,” Lunsford said. “I get chills now, just thinking about it. I can hardly wait.”
Wanda F. Vester, age 86, died on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. She was born on July 29, 1932 in Tribune, Kansas, the daughter of Herman and Iva Phillipy Smith.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City.
On September 3, 1950 she married Carl H. Vester in Tribune. He survives.
Other survivors include:
Three Daughters
Debra McNaught (Richard) of Garden City, Kansas
Sheryl Clevenger (Steve) of Broomfield, Colorado
Brenda Engler (Terry) of Liberal, Kansas
Two Sisters
Jean Cobb of Saguache, Colorado
Joyce Nemechek of Tribune, Kansas
Nine Grandchildren and Fifteen Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 at Price and Sons Funeral Home on Friday, March 15, 2019.
Memorial services will be held at the Price and Sons Funeral Home of Garden City at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 with Terry Engler presiding.
Interment will be held at a later date at the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or St. Catherine Hospice in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St. Garden City, Kansas 67846.
Leona Mae Conaway, 92, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at her home in Smith Center, KS.
A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Lance McDowell officiating. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen.
Memorials may be given to the Athol Congregational Church or Hospice Services of NW Kansas or Smith Center Library and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.
Margaret J. Gemaehlich, 85, of Osborne, KS, (formerly of Kensington, KS) died Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS. She was born in Ellsworth, KS on April 13, 1933 to the late James H. & Mary (Warta) Malir.
Margaret was a retired county home economics agent for Ellis Co, Sott Co. & Smith Co.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Lloyd H. Gemaehlich of the home; son: Donald Gemaehlich of Chandler, AZ; brother: Larry Malir of Overland Park, KS.
Thomas W. Weeth, 73, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS.
Thomas was born in Lincoln, NE on November 20, 1945 to the late Gladys M. (Rooney) and Allen C. Weeth.
He was an RN.
Thomas is survived by his wife Sharon Mikkelson of the home; four children & spouses; a step-daughter: Jodee Mikkelson, of Grand Fork, ND; three step-sons: Steve Mikkelson of Osborne, KS; Greg Mikkelson of GA; Jon Mikkelson of Hamilton, MT; three sisters: Dora Gate of AZ; Lela McGowen of KS; Carol Jean Schroeder of KS; brother: Joe (Patty) Weeth of CO; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Vernon E. Johnson, age 59, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born May 19, 1959, in Blanding, Utah, the son of Vernon Leslie and Dorena Mae (McNutt) Johnson.
Vernon moved to Hugoton in 1977 and graduated from Hugoton High School in 1979. He then began driving truck for Halliburton, Premier Alfalfa, and Dillco Fluid Service in Hugoton for many years. Vernon was previously married to Deb Clinesmith and Raynetta Mae. He was a hard worker and had a strong work ethic. If someone needed help, they knew he was just a phone call away. Vernon enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, family gatherings, dancing, playing pool, cards and darts. He was an original member of the Dust Bowl Riders/Brian Lamberson Memorial Run. Vernon will be most remembered for his sense of humor.
Survivors include his son, Jeremy Johnson of Hugoton; father, Vernon L. Johnson of Farmerville, Louisiana; sisters, Connie Jean Thomas of Smith Center, Tereasa Marie Primmer of Farmerville, Louisiana, and Linda Arlene Lamberson of Hugoton; grandchildren, Cyla Collins of Liberal, Stephen Collins of Pueblo, Colorado, Amya Johnson of Hugoton, Danielle Johnson of Liberal, and Payton Williams of Norman, Oklahoma; great-grandson, Lewis Collins of Liberal; and many nieces and nephews.
Vernon was preceded in death by his mother, Dorena Johnson; and nephews, Brian Lamberson and Kelly Hawkins.
Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at Assembly of God Church in Hugoton with Pastor Pam Peachey officiating. Inurnment will follow at Hugoton Cemetery in Hugoton, Kansas. Memorials may be given to Vernon Johnson Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 423 S Main, Hugoton, KS 67951.
Karen Jean Bebb, 68, of Colby, died Monday, March 11, 2019, at Colby Health and Rehab. She was born March 20, 1950, in Benton County, Arkansas, to Eugene Bebb and Vesta (Rogers) Bebb. Karen worked for the PDC, in Atwood.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother James Bebb.
She is survived by her brother Dean (Marlene) Bebb, of Atwood and nephew Alex Bebb (fiancé Kaitlyn Reindel).
A private family inurnment took place at Beulah Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Karen Bebb Memorial, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Thomas Edward “Tom” Bigge, 72, of Stockton, Kansas passed away March 11, 2019 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas. He was born May 20, 1946 in Hays, Kansas to Edward Kirk and Bethyl Maxine (Fry) Bigge. Tom graduated from Stockton High School in 1964. Four years later, February 18, 1968, he married the love of his life Ruth Ann Wilhite in Basehor, Kansas.
He and Ruth Ann raised five children to adulthood, all of which have remained within driving distance of “home.” Tom worked hard on the land he loved raising kids, crops, and livestock. He especially obtained great satisfaction from working with his livestock.
To say the least, Tom wore many hats throughout his life time. He was a family man, farmer, stockman, house mover, hunter and a demolition contractor. Known as a man of integrity, Tom’s word was his bond. He believed there is very little that hard work cannot overcome. However, he also made time to enjoy life. He rarely missing the opportunity to travel, enjoy a joke and a have good laugh.
Tom was very involved in his community and its activities. Having served as President of the Unified School District #271, President of Rooks County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, President of Farmers Union Cooperative, Trustee of the Congregational Church and a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Historic Fort Hays.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, an infant daughter, two grandsons and a granddaughter.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Ruth Ann of the home, Stockton; sons: Curt Thomas (Rebecca) Bigge, Douglas Edward (Kori) Bigge, Stephen Louis (Melissa) Bigge all of Stockton; daughters: Beth Ann (Jason) Pfeifer, Russell, Holly Marie (Aaron) Beaton, Scott City; sisters: Robyn Harris, Kansas City, Missouri, Cynthia J. Kindall, Norton and a “special daughter” Christine M. (Thomas) Patry who has meant so much to Tom and Ruth Ann; and 13 grandchildren.
A good man is gone from our midst but never will be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials be given to FFA Chapter in Stockton, Friends of Historical Ft. Hays or Rooks County Health Center Physical Therapy Department.
The Heartland Community Foundation, which serves Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties, is accepting applications for fall grants. Online applications open March 15 are due Wednesday, May 15, 2019.
Over $150,000 is available to charitable projects in Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties through the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, with $50,000 available per county. Focused on improving quality of life, grants will support education, health care, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture, and community beautification.
Funding is limited to projects in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties and will be awarded through a competitive application process. Non-profit organizations including government and public entities, educational institutions and churches are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on May 15. Complete funding criteria and the grant application are available at https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/search-apply-for-a-grant/.
During its fall grant cycle, the community foundation awarded over $163,000 to area organizations across the three counties.
For more information, contact Sandy Jacobs, executive director, at 785-621-4090.
The Kansas Legislature has appointed a new, bipartisan Rural Revitalization Committee, with Rep. Don Hineman as its chair and Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers a strong supporter. Here is a hint for them: there is only one way to bring economic growth to rural Kansas. Bring in the workers that businesses want to hire. That means thinking differently.
Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.First, here is what not to do. Do not offer tax breaks. It is a popular, but wrongheaded strategy. At the state level, the relationship between taxes and economic growth was put to the test with former Governor Brownback’s “Great Experiment” starting in 2012. The results were disastrous, with the state highway trust fund and other savings drained, schools and social services cut, and an attempt to fill the hole with regressive sales taxes, pushing Kansas’ grocery taxes up among the nation’s highest. Meanwhile, Kansas lagged the region in economic growth.
Tax cut packages do not work at the local level, either. Just ask the folks in Kansas City. In recent years, Kansas has forfeited $184 million in tax revenue to lure businesses across the state line, while Missouri has blown $120 million on the same. There is no net increase in jobs, since the businesses just move back and forth—or threaten to —in order to reap the tax breaks. Meanwhile, schools and infrastructure lose funding, and the tax burden is shifted to individuals and families. This is why the Missouri House recently passed a “truce” bill that would end this practice in the KC area, once Kansas responds with similar legislation. Come on, Kansas, do it!
Back East, New Yorkers recently told Amazon to “fugetaboutit,” withdrawing their huge tax package when they realized the staggering cost of a new headquarters. This has triggered a long-overdue, national discussion. Site-specific tax breaks are out of control.
If tax breaks will not do the trick, what will? Just ask any employer in rural Kansas. What they need are good employees. Economists call it “human capital theory.” The best way to lure businesses is to lure the workers that they wish to hire.
Start with the blue collar workforce. Among native-born Americans, the working class is getting older. For example, the average age of truck drivers is over 55. This pattern can also be found in a host of similar jobs. However, there is a growing sector of people willing, perhaps even eager, to take these jobs. They come from Mexico, Central America, Africa, south Asia, and around the world. They are immigrants, eager to live the American dream and willing to live in places that native-born young Americans may overlook. Will they be welcomed by the communities, schools, churches, and workplaces of rural Kansas, as they were at First United Methodist Church of Dodge City? Our future depends on it.
Employers also need professional workers in fields like research and development, and also management. This means college graduates, and even my students from rural Kansas agree overwhelmingly: to feel welcome, their friends who are LGBT must feel welcome, too. For them, being open and affirming has become the litmus test for tolerance. Even heterosexual young college grads use this yardstick: if their friends are welcome here, then all are welcome. Throw in a crazy-low cost of living, beautiful prairie land, good schools for the kids that may come along someday, and an easy commute back home to visit their parents, and you just might have a deal.
Rep. Hineman, forget the tax breaks. If our young blue- and white-collar workers know they are welcome here, the employers that hire them will come, too.
Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.
