The annual Hays Arts Council Creative Writing Awards was sponsored this year by Optimist Club of Hays. The competition is open to all Ellis County students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Winners in each category received ribbons at the awards ceremony and reception on Sunday, May 5.
The contest was judged by the Fort Hays State University English Department, including Jacinta Carter, Linda McHenry, Brett Weaver, Sharla Hutchison, Lexey Bartlett, Lou Ann Gottschalk, Eric Leuschner, and Sharon Graham. Morgan Chalfant was the Creative Writing Judging Committee chair. See a full list of winners below.
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Fri., May 10, 2019 in the area of KSU AG Research Hwy 183 Bypass to Bison Rd. between 240th and 250th Ave., the area from Vine St. to Commerce between 8th St. and Reservation Rd. and the area of Canterbury to Commerce between 8th St. and 13th St.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the City of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes.
Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.
By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
Iron clad. The term suggests something that is certain and stable. It is also the name of an innovative place which is now providing shared space for Kansas entrepreneurs to work and grow.
Darin Miller is the founder and owner of Iron Clad Coworking in Wamego and Manhattan. Darin grew up near Newton. He went to school at Berean Academy in the rural community of Elbing, population 229 people. Now, that’s rural.
As a student, he competed at the state cross country meet at Wamego. “I could see that Wamego was a community with a winning attitude,” Darin said. He studied mechanical engineering, worked at Cessna in Wichita, and then happened to come to Wamego for a project at Caterpillar. He and his wife decided to stay.
Darin noticed a change in the way corporate life operated. “Managers said they didn’t have enough room (for employees’ offices) but at any given time, a third of the people were out working on projects elsewhere,” he said. Technology was making it possible for people to work without being confined to a particular office. “Entrepreneurs were using coffee shops and libraries, but those didn’t work for some business purposes,” he said.
“I did some research and came across the concept of coworking,” Darin said. Essentially, this meant that several businesses could share a single location as needed. Coworking spaces were being created on the east and west coasts.
Darin decided to open a coworking space in Wamego. He and his wife bought the former Duckwall’s building in Wamego, opened it up and refurbished it. It now has the look of an upscale, casual urban office space while preserving the stone walls and historic feel.
“It was the largest closed building in downtown so the space needed to be filled,” Darin said. He also appreciated the history of the building.
“In the 1800s, this building was the site of the Iron Clad hardware store and lumberyard,” Darin said. “It was owned by a Civil War veteran. At the time, being iron clad was the leading technology of the day.” After all, it was iron clad Civil War ships which dominated sea battles.
“We also wanted to fit with the Wizard of Oz theme in downtown Wamego,” Darin said. “We used the Tin Man as a symbol. Just like him, we care about the heart.”
Iron Clad Coworking became the name of his coworking space which opened in May 2016. “It’s like a fitness center for office people,” Darin said. “You buy a membership and then you use it whenever you want.” For example, Iron Clad Coworking makes it possible for a start-up business to have a brick-and-mortar address without all the costs of taxes and utilities.
Iron Clad has conference space where a member can meet with clients when needed. Members have access 24/7. There are tables, chairs, large screen televisions, and excellent wi-fi, plus cabinets where private material can be secured. WTC, the local telecommunications company, provides high capacity internet access which rivals or exceeds that in urban settings.
Iron Clad’s event space has other uses as well. It can be booked for professional or social events. In 2017, Iron Clad opened a second location in downtown Manhattan. Iron Clad also joined the Proximity Coworking Network so Iron Clad members have access to similar spaces in locations across the nation and beyond.
“People are looking for flexible work in the shared economy,” Darin said. “My wife grew up in San Jose. She was in the Silicon Valley. Now we’re in the Silicon Prairie. It is possible to have a world-class company, right here in the Midwest.”
Iron Clad. It was the name of a historic business in downtown Wamego, and now it is an innovative space for business in 2019. We commend Darin Miller for making a difference by pioneering the coworking concept in small-town Kansas. Rural communities need more innovation, and that guarantee is iron clad.
And there’s more. Darin helped pioneer another initiative to support entrepreneurs. We’ll learn about that next week.
Scroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly. Having a garage sale next weekend? Click HERE to submit your information.
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107 1/2 West 6th, Stone Gallery alley entrance
8:30 a.m. Thursday
FREE PLANTS…….Prairie Garden Club will hold their annual Plant Give Away on Thursday, May 9 at the Stone Gallery 107 ½ West 6th St. in the alley entrance. The public is invited to come and select plants free for the taking at 8:30 AM. Members of the Garden Club have hosted this event for 74 years. They dig up and pot perennials, small shrubs, seedlings and plants from their gardens to share with the community. The Club will also sell flower seeds and garden tools.If you have questions, call Brenda at 785-650-1532.
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1555, 1565, 1568,1580,1585,1595 Hilltop Drive, Hays
May 11 8am to early afternoon
Stonewood Estates North Community Sale: 6 homes on Hilltop Drive 1555, 1565, 1568,1580,1585,1595
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2211 Henry Dr., Hays
Saturday May 11th 9AM – 1PM
Huge Garage Sale! Lots of Guys and Ladies name brand clothes, Misc. household items, Upright vacuum, Treadmill, Antique medicine bottles, Vintage Soda Pop bottles, Old vacuum tube car radios, Small block Chevy engine parts, 1957 Chevy Car front fender, 1941 Chevy steering wheel, engine crank handle, and hubcaps.
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1400 W 43rd St., Hays
May 10th 5pm-8pm & May 11th 8:30am to 11:30 am
Lots of kid toys
Medela breast pump and storage bottles
New and gently used baby bottles
Fitbit Charge 2 HR
Kindle Fire 7 HD
Home/Kitchen decor and misc. household items
Several sets of curtains
Kitchen items (Roaster pan, toaster oven, crockpot, table cloth
Name brand womens clothes S-L including Miss Me jeans (table of clothes that is $5 per grocery sack)
New and gently used womens shoes size 8-9 Truck tool box
Nice dining room light fixture
Barb Wire collection
Boyds Bears and Willow Tree collection
Books
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303 W 37th St., Hays
Thurs May 30-5-8 Fri May 31-5-8
Clothes, shoes, misc
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2300 Plum St. Hays
Today 8-5, Saturday 8-11 am.
Tools, Household Items, Xmas & Home Decor, Log racks, Pool supplies, Toys
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311 E 20th St, Hays
June 1- 7:30 to 3
WIDE Variety. Women and Men Clothing. Twin Bed. Household Items. Decorations. College supplies perfect for new homes!
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311 E 20th St Hays
June 1- 7:30 to 3
WIDE Variety. Women and Men Clothing. Twin Bed. Household Items. Decorations. College supplies perfect for new homes!
Jenna Radtke, Bejou, Minn., graduate assistant in the Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center has had a busy second year of graduate study that will culminate with graduation in May with a Master of Science in Education in higher education student affairs from Fort Hays State University.
She presented KAANnectingthe.coms at the Kansas Academic Advising Network Conference in Manhattan in September and received honors and opportunities from NASPA, the nation’s premier association for professionals in student personnel administration.
She received the NASPA IV-W Rising Star Award – Graduate Student in November.
She also received professional development funding from KAAN in February to present “Spice Up Your Social Media: Aligning Your Online Presence with Generation Z” at the NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising Region 7 Conference, and was presented with the 2019 NACADA Region 7 Conference Graduate Student Scholarship at its conference in San Antonio in March.
NACADA is a worldwide organization for the advancement of theory, research and practice in the field of academic advising.
“I have enjoyed the experiential learning opportunities that I have had to connect with the classroom learning to take theory into practice,” she said. “These opportunities have allowed me to expand my knowledge related to the NACADA Core Competencies and NASPA/ACPA Competencies.”
“Jenna has taken advantage of the opportunities that are made available to graduate assistants with the Division of Student Affairs while at Fort Hays State University,” said Dr. Patricia Griffin, director of Fort Hays State’s Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center.
Griffin said that Radtke has had multiple opportunities to enhance knowledge through various conferences, programs, and practicum experiences with NODA at Illinois State University and Career Services at FHSU. These have provided her with a broad range of experiences across higher education,” said Griffin. NODA is an association for professionals in orientation, transition and retention in higher education.
“Radtke has led with pride at FHSU by taking advantage of the immersive environment that allows her to take her experiences with her as a student affairs professional,” said Griffin. “She is an example of how taking advantage of the opportunities as a graduate student can help you in acquiring both knowledge and experience for the future.”
A developer is interested in opening a travel plaza at I-70 Exit 157 in Hays. (Google image)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“There’s signs on the interstate that this truck stop is coming and I don’t have an update for the people. Do you have an update on it?” Vice-mayor Sean Musil asked Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty Thursday night at the end of their meeting. “I’d just like to know what’s going on.”
Dougherty had a few answers for city commissioners.
“We were contacted several months ago by an entity wishing to develop the property into a travel plaza, a hotel, restaurants, a rather large development,” Dougherty said.
The property, owned by Dan Hess of Hess Services, is at I-70 Exit 157 on the west side of Hays in the northwest corner. Hess Services is located north of the property on 230th Ave.
“We discussed with them what would be required for a formal application for economic incentives (from the city),” Dougherty said. “As the commission knows, that’s a process the developer needs to follow.”
According to Dougherty the developer has paid a $5,000 non-refundable deposit and signed a funding agreement with Grow Hays.
“That puts them in contact with our bond counsel Gilmore and Bell. Working with their counsel and our bond counsel, a term sheet is developed that outlays the specifics of the project – what’s the project going to look like, what’s the dollar amount, what’s the financial incentive asked for, what’s the time frame of this – and that transitions into the formal application for any of the incentives and then any incentive process would start.
Dougherty has had discussions with the developer he told the commission, “but we do not have the necessary information to put the term sheet together.”
“Right now, it’s in the developer’s hands. We’re just waiting for the developer to provide that information. We’d like to get a term sheet in front of you as quickly as possible so you can talk about the specifics and hopefully transition this into an actual (financial) incentive request.”
Musil said he’s had a lot of people asking him about the project and hadn’t heard anything about it for awhile.
“When you see billboards go up announcing it’s going to happen, you’re excited about it,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller.
“Absolutely,” agreed Musil. “I support that.”
“We are excited,” added Commissioner Sandy Jacob.
After the meeting, Musil and Commissioner Ron Mellick said they’ve both seen three billboards on I-70 between Salina and Hays that advertise a travel plaza opening in Hays in 2019.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.
Shaw photo Shawnee County
Just before 11a.m., Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation on a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by Ricky D. Shaw, 24, Alton, IL, at eastbound Interstate 70 near the Wanamaker exit, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.
Through the investigation of the stop, deputies seized 448 one gram packages of THC Concentrate “Shatter,” 201 grams of raw Marijuana, 658 grams of THC Butane Honey Oil “Butter,” 99 THC Vape Pen Cartridges The estimated street value of these items is $50,000.
Deputies arrested Shaw and booked him into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections with charges of Felony Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Friday A 10 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
SaturdayMostly cloudy, with a high near 64. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A ruling from Kansas’ highest court could force the state Senate to vote on a nominee for a lower-court judgeship whose nomination was withdrawn because of his political tweets.
Kelly had nominated Jeffrey Jack March 15-photo office of Kansas Governor
The state Supreme Court waded Thursday into an unprecedented legal dispute between Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the GOP-controlled state Senate’s top Republican over filling a vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals, the state’s second-highest court. The two disagree over whether the governor can submit a new nominee to the Senate for possible confirmation.
Kelly withdrew Labette County District Judge Jeffry Jack’s appeals-court nomination within a few days of announcing it in March after political posts on his Twitter feed came to light. They included criticism and vulgar language about President Donald Trump and other Republicans.
A 2013 law says that if governor fails to make an appeals court nomination within 60 days of a vacancy, Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss makes the appointment. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, contends that Jack’s withdrawal means Kelly failed to make a proper nomination in time. The deadline was March 15.
Kelly points to another part of the law that says if the Senate rejects a nominee, the governor names another. Kelly argues that the Senate rejected Jack’s nomination even though it failed to have even a committee hearing on him.
The law doesn’t say specifically what happens if a nomination is withdrawn, and Attorney General Derek Schmidt, also a Republican, filed a lawsuit against Kelly, Nuss and the Senate to resolve the dispute. Six of the Supreme Court justices and a substitute for Nuss, who removed himself, spent nearly two hours hearing arguments and questioning attorneys.
A majority of the justices suggested that they could declare that the law did not give Kelly — or Jack, for that matter — the authority to withdraw Jack’s nomination. To keep Jack off the appeals court, the Senate then would have to reject his nomination. Kelly would get a second choice.
“Isn’t that scenario the one that makes the most sense out of the statute, that there just isn’t a mechanism for withdrawal, period?” Justice Caleb Stegall said while questioning attorneys.
The Supreme Court did not say when it would rule, but legislators hoped to have a decision within days. Legislators wrapped up most of their business for the year over the weekend, but GOP leaders, anticipating the need to deal with the Court of Appeals appointment, scheduled a Senate session for Tuesday.
“We’re here for one reason, and that is that the governor gave us a nominee that was absolutely unacceptable to the Senate, and clearly that nominee wasn’t vetted,” Wagle said after the Supreme Court’s hearing.
Kelly has already named another nominee for the Court of Appeals vacancy, Sarah Warner, a 39–year-old Kansas City-area attorney. The vacancy initially was created when longtime Appeals Court Judge Patrick McAnany retired on the day Kelly took office in January.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat and Kelly ally, said forcing a vote on Jack’s nomination would be “an exercise in futility.” He said he doubts Jack’s confirmation would receive a single vote in the 40-member Senate.
“It makes absolutely no sense that we would be put in that position, but if that’s what the court decides, then we’re going to have to be forced to have a vote,” Hensley said.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in an October 2017 shooting that killed three people and wounded two others in a popular downtown area of a Kansas college town.
Ahmad Rayton photo Anderson Co.
Prosecutors announced Wednesday that 23-year-old Ahmad Rayton, of Topeka, had been sentenced for attempted voluntary manslaughter. Rayton was one of three men arrested in the days after gunfire erupted as people were leaving bars, concerts and other events on the main downtown Lawrence street.
The victims were 22-year-old Leah Brown, of Shawnee; 20-year-old Colwin Lynn Henderson, of Topeka; and 24-year-old Tre’Mel Dupree Dean-Rayton, of Topeka. Two others were wounded but survived.
A second defendant pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery, and a third man is scheduled to go on trial in June on three counts of murder.
The TMP-Marian baseball team split a home doubleheader with Colby to close out the regular season at Larks Park.
Game 1: TMP 9, Colby 7
In the first game of the day the Monarchs used a six run third inning and held off a late Eagles rally for a 9-7 win.
Colby took and early 1-0 lead in the first inning but the Monarchs answered with one in the second on Carson Jacobs second homerun of the season.
In the third TMP got back-to-back singles and after an error by the Colby catcher allowed Mason Robbins to score TMP’s Brady Kreutzer drove in two with a double to give TMP a 4-1 lead. Carson Jacobs added a two-run double to put TMP up 6-1 and Colby Dreiling’s sacrifice fly gave TMP a 7-1 lead.
Colby though would answer in their half of the fourth inning scoring five times to cut the Monarchs lead to 7-6.
TMP a run back in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Kreutzer and Tyson Dinkel drove in a run in the fifth to put the Monarchs up 9-6.
Colby got one back in the sixth but the Monarchs held on for the two-run victory.
Kreutzer was three-for-four and drove in three runs. Carson Jacobs also drove in three in the win.
Aaron Breit interview
Colby Dreiling earned the win. He allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings. Kreutzer earned the save with three innings of relief. He allowed one run on three hits.
Game one highlights
Game 2: Colby 5, TMP 3
In the second game of the day Colby scored two runs in the fourth and seventh innings on their way to a 5-3 win.
The Monarchs struck first with an Eston Brown RBI single in the third inning but Colby took advantage of an error and wild pitch in the fourth to go up 2-1.
In the top of the sixth Colby added a third run on a wild pitch. Colby added two more in the seventh and lead 5-2 heading into the Monarchs half of the inning.
With two outs in the inning Colby Dreiling single in a run to cut the deficit to 5-3. TMP was able to load the bases with two outs but the game ended on a groundout giving Colby the 5-3 win.
Brown, Dreiling and Ethan Atherton all drove in runs for TMP.
Carson Jacobs suffered hit first loss of the season on the mound. He allowed two unearned runs on two hits while striking out six and walking two in five innings. He drops to 4-1 on the spring.
Former Hays city commissioner Eber Phelps has been appointed to fill the unexpired term of commissioner James Meier.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays city commissioners tonight unanimously voted to appoint former city commissioner Eber Phelps to the unexpired term of James Meier.
“I really believe that we should have the people vote for them, but we don’t have a choice now by state statute,” said Vice-Mayor Sean Musil who made the motion to appoint Phelps.
“I think Eber Phelps – that guy cares so much about this community – he’ll do a great job in the seven months remaining. That’s why in my opinion we should appoint him.” Commissioner Ron Mellick seconded Musil’s motion.
Meier’s seat is up for re-election in the November 5 general election. He vacated the position May 3 and will be moving to Wichita. By state law the city commission has 10 days to appoint the replacement.
“A lot of changes going on right now,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller, “and one of them is the city manager working solo. There’s no assistant city manager. So bringing someone up to speed (about city commission activities) would be rather challenging for all of us at this point.”
Phelps will be sworn into office at the May 16 work session.
Schwaller said several people contacted commissioners to express interest in the position.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old white man has been convicted of attempted aggravated battery and disorderly conduct for kicking a 1-year-old black boy and shouting racial slurs in a Kansas grocery store.
Riff photo Sedgwick County
Trace Riff also was convicted of unlawful abuse of toxic vapors and possession of methamphetamine in an unrelated caseafter entering what’s known as an Alford plea to all the charges. The plea means Riff maintains his innocence but acknowledges there’s enough evidence for a conviction.
Witnesses told police the boy was holding his 11-year-old sister’s handon Dec. 23 when Riff knocked the child over, yelled a racial slur and shouted that he is a white supremacist. The toddler was not injured.
Riff’s family says he has a history of mental health and substance abuse problems.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man charged with kicking a toddler and shouting racial slurs inside a Wichita grocery store is scheduled for a status hearing Thursday, according to the Sedgwick County Attorney’s office.
On March 25, a judge ruled that 32-year-old Trace Riff was competent and could face trial on several charges including attempted aggravated battery.
Prosecutors say Riff kicked a 1-year-old black boy inside a Dillon’s Grocery store in Wichita in December. The boy was not seriously injured.
The boy’s mother and witnesses told police Riff shouted racial slurs and said he was a white supremacist during the incident.
Riff is also charged with interference with law enforcement and disorderly conduct.
Riff’s family says he has a history of mental health and substance abuse problems.
Hays-area garage sales
