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Month: May 2019

Ellis Co. restaurant and lodging inspections, 5/20 – 5/26

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agriculture kansas

 

Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:

 

 

 

On the Rocks Bar and Grill 507 West Seventh, Hays – May 21

A routine inspection found four violations.

  • In the walk-in cooler, there was a metal pan that had cooked steak present with a date of 5/14/19.
  • In the walk-in cooler, there was a cambro container with a lid that had commercially processed cheddar cheese sauce with a date of 5/2/19. In the mini refrigerator in the bar area, a container of half and half was found with no date of when it was opened.
  • On the shelf directly above the three compartment sink there were 3 rubber spatulas that had imperfections present along the heads of the spatulas.
  • Being stored directly on top of the ice machine there was a container of Grease Cutter chemical. No evidence of leaking.

Sonic Drive-In 1708 Vine, Hays – May 21

A follow-up inspection found one violation.

  • On the food line, in the make-table, there are containers that are frozen and then placed in this unit. There are shredded lettuce and cut tomatoes that are being stored in these containers. The temperature of the cut tomato was found to be 57 F and the temperature of the shredded lettuce was 59 F.

Love’s Travel Stop/Dairy Queen 200 Washington, Ellis – May 20

A routine inspection found two violations.

  • An employee had pulled out cones dispensing unit and handled the cone with her bare hands and touched the uncovered part of the cones.
  • In the two-door freezer, there were two non-food grade containers that had coconut almond cream powder present inside.

Love’s Travel Stop/Subway 200 Washington, Ellis – May 20

A routine inspection found two violations.

  • On the steam-table, there was a container of meatballs that were found at a temperature of 130 F.
  • In the back storage area there five pans that had sticker residue present along the outside of the pans. These pans were being stacked inside one another so the sticker residue was touching the food contact surfaces of the pans. In the back storage room, the mechanical tomato slicer had dried food residue present.

 

Lewis Automative conducting bicycle drive for area youngsters

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Lewis Automotive Group of Hays is collecting bicycles to refurbish and give away to area children.

The staff will be fixing up the bikes, with a giveaway date to be announced later.

Bikes in any condition can be dropped off during normal business hours at Lewis Automotive, 4440 & 4450 Vine.

SPONSORED: City of Hays seeking Plant Operator for water plant

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PLANT OPERATOR (WATER PLANT)

Are you interested in helping provide safe drinking water to the citizens of Hays? If so, the City of Hays is looking for you! Hays is looking for a reliable Plant Operator to help maintain water operations.

Typical work schedule includes 5 days a week, including every other weekend. Twice a week this position covers 3rd shift (12 am – 8 am). The other three days are 1st shift (8 am – 4 pm). Employee may choose to move to a M-F 8 am – 4 pm schedule when an internal position opens.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license & High School Degree or GED required.Dependability, great attendance record, and a positive attitude is a must. On the job training provided for the technical skills. This position requires a CDL Class B and has a residency requirement of Ellis County within 6 months of employment.

Compensation

Entry Level Pay: $13.65/hour with opportunities to advance to Plant Operator II and Senior Plant Operator based on skills and required certifications. Pay based on experience. Guaranteed raises every year. The City of Hays offers great benefits including health insurance, KPERS, Paid Time Off & Holidays. For a full list of benefits visit www.haysusa.com.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted in City Hall, 1507 Main, Hays, KS or online at www.haysusa.com until position is filled. Questions about the position may be sent to Alissa at [email protected] or by calling 785-628-7320.

Kan. lawmakers’ last day in session to test governor’s clout

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By JOHN HANNA

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly this week faces a key test of her power to shape the state budget and keep moderate Republicans on her side as the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature prepares to consider overriding her vetoes of spending and tax relief measures.

Lawmakers are set to convene Wednesday to conclude any final business and adjourn for the year. The day is their only chance to enact a Republican tax relief bill and several budget items over vetoes that reflected Kelly’s belief that the measures would create future budget problems.

Republicans have the two-thirds majorities needed in both chambers to override vetoes, so Kelly needs at least a few moderate GOP defections. The votes will come only a week after skittish moderate Republicans abandoned a push with Democrats for Medicaid expansion, causing a plan backed by Kelly to fail.

“We have to rely on moderate Republicans,” said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat. “It is a test, and hopefully they will come down on the side of fiscal sanity.”

The tax bill would reduce taxes for individuals and businesses paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws at the end of 2017. It has near-universal support among Republicans, but Kelly contends the tax reduction — roughly $240 million over three years — would “decimate” the budget. Republicans say that the tax bill is a matter of fairness, preventing a tax hike that came without legislative action.

Kelly also vetoed an extra $51 million payment to the state pension system for teachers and other state workers. She argued that the state should dump the dollars into its cash reserves as a cushion against a future economic downturn.

Republican leaders argue that a long-term gap in funding for the state pension system remains a cloud over the state’s finances so that an extra payment is worth doing.

Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, a conservative Overland Park Republican, said he also suspects Kelly wants to pad the state’s cash reserves now so that she can tap those dollars to cover extra spending later.

“My assumption is she plans to do a lot of deficit spending going forward,” Denning said.

Even with Kelly’s vetoes of several spending items, the budget for the fiscal year beginning in July is more than $18.3 billion. It includes extra funding for public schools, social services, higher education, prisons and pay raises for state workers.

This year’s budget debate was in sharp contrast to spending debates after lawmakers slashed income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s urging and saw persistent shortfalls follow. Lawmakers reversed most of the tax cuts in 2017 and Kelly ran successfully for governor last year largely against Brownback’s fiscal legacy.

Kelly has cast top Republicans’ pursuit of tax relief this year as a return to Brownback policies, appealing to GOP moderates who helped reverse the Brownback tax cuts. State Rep. Don Hineman, of Dighton, said he and other moderate Republicans are “happy that we seem to be returning to the days of fiscal stability.”

But Hineman said the tax bill appeals to moderates because the state never intended to collect the extra revenue.

“It was a windfall to the state,” Hineman said. “It’s kind of a correction.”

Kansas could face budget problems whether Republicans override Kelly’s tax relief veto or not. Legislative researchers project a $221 million shortfall at the end of June 2022 without the tax relief and a $466 million shortfall if it is enacted, though changes in the economy could make those numbers better or worse.

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Thomas A. ‘Tom’ Fisher

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Thomas A. “Tom” Fisher, 68, Hays, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society surrounded by family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born December 12, 1950 in Hays the son of Ralph and Valerie (Sander) Fisher. On June 3, 1994 he was united in marriage to Janet Schwarz in Hays. They would have been married 25 years this June. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, and was a Perpetual Eucharistic Adorer. Tom loved God, his wife, and family. He was a true friend to those who knew him.

Survivors include his wife; Janet, four step-children; Linda, Chris, Lisa, and Janell, his step-mother; Diana Fisher of Hays, two brothers; Terry Fisher of Littleton, CO and Warren Fisher of Westminster, CO, two step-bothers; Terry Rumback of Wichita and Mark Rumback of St. Louis, MO, three sisters; Carol Hamby of Parker, CO, Jolene Billinger of Bakersfield, CA, and Eilene Rensing of Lake Winnebago, MO, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother; Wayne Fisher.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, May 31, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time, and recitation of the rosary will be at 10:30 am, all on Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Hays Good Samaritan Society or for masses, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Tom may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Lillian H. Leiker

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Lillian H. Leiker, age 84, of Schoenchen, Kansas passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at Homestead of Hays.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM – 8 PM at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A Schoenchen Altar Society rosary will be 6:45 PM Wednesday followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 PM all at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Anthony Church of Schoenchen or the St. Joseph Church of Liebenthal Steeple Fund.

A complete obituary is pending with Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

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

Scott D. Howard

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On Saturday, May 25, 2019, Scott D. Howard, of Ludell, KS, loving husband, and father passed away at the age of 59 from complications from cancer. Scott David Howard was born Jan. 31, 1960, in Denver, CO to David and Sharol (Dirks) Howard. Scott married Virginia “Ginny” Niermeier on Jan. 12, 1980 at Grace Lutheran, Atwood, KS. Born to this union was Nathan John, Nicholas Scott and Justin Lee. Before he died, he gathered the boys and told them how proud he was of them and that he loved them very much.

Scott graduated from Eastwood High School, El Paso, TX in 1978. He attended KTI Technical in Salina for 1 year. He got an Associate’s Degree from Colby College. He had many vocations, working in many restaurants, retail clerk, oil field rig hand, first responder, police officer, junior high football and wrestling coach, insurance and financial advisor and farmer. After getting sick, he hated that he was unable to drive tractors and take care of the cows. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching the boys in their sport athletics. He spent his time watching ESPN sports, old westerns, game shows. He played cards on his computer and did Sudoku puzzles.

He thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren, Bennett Earle and Calla Everest. He will miss seeing the new baby girl that is due in June.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Opal Fikan and Melvin and Marion Dirks; his father David; brothers, Mark and Steven and In-laws Earle and Dorothy (Samson) Niermeier.

He is survived by his wife Ginny; sons, Nathan (Jennifer), Nicholas (Angie) and Justin (Lauren); his mother Sharol; sisters-in-law, Vicki (Mark), Vickie (Paul), Dee Ann (Daryl), Pam and Lori; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be Friday, May 31, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Atwood. Inurnment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Ludell. Memorial contributions can be made to Scott D. Howard Memorial Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information and condolences, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Larry Lane Lewis

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Larry Lane Lewis, 77, of Colby, died Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Citizens Health in Colby, Kansas. He was surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born June 3, 1941, in Hoxie, KS, to Peary and Maxine (Rosenkrans) Lewis. He graduated from Hoxie High School in 1959, where he participated in basketball, football and track. Larry served in the United States Army. On August 24, 1963, he married Agnes Detjen, in Hoxie. To this union, a son Steven and a daughter Sheri was born. Larry was a meat cutter, working at Larry’s IGA, Warren’s IGA and then Dillon’s. He was a fan of Elvis and the Denver Broncos. Larry became an avid bird watcher, his favorite being Purple Martins and also loved to feed the Blue Jays peanuts in his driveway. Larry’s hobbies included fishing, camping, gardening, garage sales and metal detecting. Plus hanging out with his dachshund buddies “Abby” and “Jax”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peary and Maxine; brothers, William “Sonny” Lewis and James Lewis; sister-in-law Arleta Detjen and his brother-in-law Elmer Rall.

He is survived by his wife Agnes; children, Steven Lewis and Sheri Staab; grandsons, Kaden (Callie) and Kyler Staab, all of Colby; sister Linda Lewis, of Fort Worth TX; sisters-in-law, Rose Lewis, of Columbia, SC Lois Lewis, of Dublia TX and Elta Rall, of Hoxie KS and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Purple Martin Conservation Association or ASPCA and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Kenneth LeRoy Quinn

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Kenneth LeRoy Quinn, 70, passed away on May 21, 2019, at Gove Medical Center in Quinter, KS, after a long battle with cancer. Ken was born to Leslie and Marie (Place) Quinn in Rapid City, South Dakota on May 6, 1949.

He graduated from Rapid City High. Ken owned a plumbing company for a number of years and then worked in the oilfield for Sunrise Oilfield Supply for the last 15 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and arrowhead hunting.

Ken is survived by his son Brian Quinn, Mesa, AZ; three brothers Leslie (Diann) Quinn, Basin, WY, Marven (Mary) Quinn, Plymouth, UT, and Donald Quinn of Fairburn, SD; two sisters Florence (Bill) Lyon, Palm Coast, FL, and Trudy FitzHenry, Kingman, KS; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Ken is preceded in death by his father and mother Leslie and Marie Quinn.

The funeral service will be held at 1: 00 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter, KS. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Gove County Medical Center. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Youngers donate land in memory of son to benefit HHS FFA

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Cody Younger

By CRISTINA JANNEY 
Hays Post

Carolyn and Neal Younger have donated 160 acres of farmland southeast of Ellis to the Hays High School FFA program in memory of their son, Cody.

Cody died 10 years ago in a tragic vehicle accident when he was a student at HHS. Cody was active in FFA, and Neal is also an HHS FFA alumni as is his daughter.

“This way, they can get hands on and get their hands dirty,” Neal said of the FFA students.

The gift was announced May 6 at the HHS Academic Awards night.

The land that has been donated has been in the Younger family since 1901. It was purchased by Neal Younger’s great-great-great grandfather from the Union Pacific Railroad for $1 per acre.

Cody was to have been the next generation to farm the land, and Neal Younger said this is a way for the property to be preserved for agriculture use in the Younger name.

About 30 acres of the property, which is near Vineyard and 150th Avenue, is in cultivation with the remaining acreage in grazing pasture. There are also two metal utility sheds on the property. They are painted in Cody’s favorite colors — red and black. One of the buildings has a message, “In loving memory of Cody Younger.” The Youngers keep the message lit at night.

There is a spring-fed pond on the property. Neal fondly remembered stocking the pond with fish when Cody was only about 3 years old.

“He was right there at the water with me releasing those fish,” Neal said.

Neal estimates the value of the land at $1,800 to $2,000 per acre.

It is the Youngers’ hope the land can eventually be used by FFA students to gain practical farming experience as well as generate an income to support the two $500 scholarships the Youngers established in Cody’s name for FFA students. A scholarship has been awarded to a HHS FFA male and female student every since Cody’s death.

“It will give FFA students a hands-on, eyes-on [experience],” Neal said. “They can either farm it or they can get somebody else to.”

Currently Neal picks up side jobs to help fund the annual FFA scholarship, but he said he and Carolyn wanted to have a means to continue to fund the scholarship after the couple retires.

“It’s overwhelming,” Carolyn said. “I questioned about how we were going to go about doing it, but I am glad we are doing it.

“When things like this happen, good comes out it. It makes us feel good, but it hurts because if he was still alive, this wouldn’t be happening. I am just glad we can do something good out of losing him.”

The Youngers said FFA sponsor Curt Vajnar, HHS Principal Marty Straub and HHS secretary Tammy Stewart have all been very supportive of the family since Cody’s death, and they wanted to make the gift before any of those three staff members at the high school retired.

The Youngers have consistently supported HHS FFA, Vajnar said, donating to the FFA auction in addition to Cody’s scholarship.

“They have been generous to our organization,” Vajnar said.

Vajnar said proceeds from the land could also be used to support HHS students attending leadership conferences and national conventions. The national FFA conference in Washington, D.C., that students can attend every other year costs $800 to $900 per student.

“It will allow kids to do things they have never been allowed to do before,” he said, “due to not being able to afford things. I have kids now who won’t go to things because they don’t want to ask their parents for the money that it takes to go on trips where we go out and eat for a couple of days.”

The details of the gift are still being worked out with the school district’s and the Younger’s attorneys.

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 5/28/19

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khaz cheesy joke logo 20110802Greeting Card Selection

A little boy was carefully reading all the greeting cards at the store.

After a few minutes the clerk asked, “What is it you’re looking for? Happy Birthday? Get Well Soon? Happy Anniversary to your mom and dad?”

The boy shook his head, “No.”

“Then what kind of card is it that you want?” asked the clerk.

The boy answered wistfully, “Got any blank report cards?”

 

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

 

 

 

6 fatal shootings in Kansas City area over holiday weekend

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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Six more fatal shootings in the Kansas City area over the Memorial Day weekend have police concerned about the uptick in violence.

Police on the scene of the Sunday shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV

The killings occurred between Friday and Sunday and included one man who was killed after struggling with a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer.

Kansas City, Missouri, has recorded 54 homicides this year, up from 48 at the same time a year ago.

Three of the weekend shootings were in Kansas City, Kansas, one in Grandview, Missouri, and two in Kansas City, Missouri.

A suspect in an armed carjacking was shot and killed early Sunday by a Kansas City officer. Police say 30-year-old Terrance Bridges ran from police then resisted arrest when the officer caught up with him. The officer was unhurt.

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