Month: June 2019
Northwest Kansas students earn spots on KU’s spring honor roll
KU News Service
LAWRENCE — More than 5,700 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2019 semester.
The students, from KU’s Lawrence and Edwards campuses and the schools of Health Professions and Nursing in Kansas City, Kansas, represent 86 of 105 Kansas counties, 45 other states and territories, and 41 other countries.
The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and in the schools of Architecture & Design; Business; Education; Engineering; Health Professions; Journalism; Music; Nursing; Pharmacy; and Social Welfare. Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average, and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.
Students from northwest Kansas region are listed below by county.
Ellis
Scott Ring, Ellis, School of Engineering
Raina Basso, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Tristan Callis, Hays, School of Pharmacy
Taylor Dinkel, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kirsten Ellard, Hays, School of Social Welfare
Alex Feyerherm, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Lacey Gregory, Hays, School of Journalism
Zachary Hopp, Hays, School of Education
London Keller, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mikayla Koerner, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of the Arts
Mark Loftus, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Daniel Lopez, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
John Lowry, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jordyn Manhart, Hays, School of the Arts
Payton Markley, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Morgan Mathews, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Blake McClung, Hays, School of Business
Emily McPherson, Hays, School of Education
Tanner Moore, Hays, School of Pharmacy
Gage Phillips, Hays, School of Engineering
Cassandra Quinby, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Brianna Romme, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dawson Rooney, Hays, School of Engineering
Sarah Rooney, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Gracie Schmidt, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ethen Schmidt, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Anna Speno, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Hannah Thomasson, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Owen Toepfer, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jodi Veach, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Nikki Vuong, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jonathan Walker, Hays, School of Business
Britney Werth, Hays, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ryan Wooldridge, Hays, School of Pharmacy
Raegan Billinger, Victoria, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Madisyn Gerhardt, Victoria, School of Health Professions
Katelyn Lang, Victoria, School of Engineering
Norton
Callie Uehlin, Norton, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Osborne
Jade Colclasure, Portis, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Education
Phillips
Faith Hofaker, Logan, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kayla Hofaker, Logan, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Logan Kiser, Logan, School of Pharmacy
Mark Coomes, Phillipsburg, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Stephen Sage, Phillipsburg, School of Pharmacy
Kathleen Still, Phillipsburg, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Macye Witmer, Phillipsburg, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Rooks
Madison Karlin, Plainville, School of Architecture & Design
Andrew Bellerive, Stockton, School of Education
Lexi Winklepleck, Stockton, School of Business
Russell
Jeddrek Rowden, Lucas, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ryan Birky, Russell, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Taelyr Blehm, Russell, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jill Schulte, Russell, School of Nursing
Smith
Camden Dietz, Smith Center, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Sunny, hot Saturday
TodaySunny, with a high near 102. South wind 6 to 11 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South southeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 98. South wind 8 to 11 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South southeast wind 9 to 14 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 94. South wind 8 to 13 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Tuesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Hays school board to discuss sale of Washington school
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board will discuss the sale of Washington school at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.
The Early Childhood Connections program that is located in the Washington school is being moved to Oak Park Medical Complex, which is currently being renovated.
The district had a contract with developer Overland Park Group to purchase the building for $500,000. The developer planned to renovate the historic school into apartments. However, the developer was not able to secure the tax credits this year it needed for the project.
Matt Gillam, vice president of development for Overland Park Group, told the board June 17 he was optimistic the group would be able to secure the tax credits next year.
The district has the options to end the contract with Overland Park Group and pursue other buyers or extend the contract with Overland Park Group to allow the developer to apply for tax credits in 2020.
Oak Park Complex renaming
The board will discuss renaming the Oak Park Medical Complex. The district has accepted suggested from the community for the complex’s new name. The board will consider the full list, including names that include suggestions to name the complex after specific people. The administration will also bring a shorter list of its recommendations for names to the board.
The July 1 meeting is also the board’s reorganization meeting. The board will elect a president and vice president. The board also has a list of annual housing keeping resolutions and appointments that it will vote on.
The board is also set to:
• Discuss the contract for gifted services for USD 407 Russell
• Vote on student handbook revisions
• Vote on the board attorney contract
• Vote on board policy updates
🎥 Online park shelter reservations now available in Hays
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Residents can now make online reservations for the 14 shelterhouses in Hays parks.
There’s no cost to make a reservation on the city’s website haysusa.com and it’s first come, first served, said Jeff Boyle, director of parks.
“We do require a minimum of eight days notice,” Boyle noted. “The reason for that is we post the reservations in the shelters every Friday.”
Online reservations can be scheduled up to one year in advance.
You’ll need to provide your name, phone number, email address, the requested shelter and park, and the number of people expected.
“That kind of helps us judge the activities that are going on in the park. We may need to make some alterations such as number of trash cans,” Boyle explained. “We do put out extra trash bins if we know there’s going to be a large gathering.”
Most reservations are for Saturday and Sunday. City staff works those two days, removing the trash and cleaning restrooms. Trash is picked up from parks five days a week.
Park reservations can be canceled and new ones created.
You must also agree to obey park rules and city ordinances and to no use of stakes. Park users have pounded stakes into the ground for tents and bouncy houses in the past and that has caused some problems.
“Bouncy houses were set up in one particular park and poked a hole in our water line. In another park, they actually hit an electric line.
“It’s very important folks understand [the rules] and anybody that has questions about that they can call and discuss it. Because of the safety issues with it, it’s just not something we allow,” Boyle stressed.
The ban expected to change.
The Parks Department has a plan that would allow safe erection of tents and bouncy houses in Hays parks.
“We are working on putting certain areas in parks, maybe marking them with corner markers, where these types of things can be placed. We’re trying to find all the infrastructure first at this point and get it into a mapping system so that not only are we accurate but that folks can find those markers and where they can and can’t place those type of devices.”
The online reservation system will send a validation email to the user confirming the date, time and location.
Boyle says the shelter reservation system is simple to use and will save a lot of staff time.
“We have around 380 reservations a year and for each one of those there’s a phone call, sometimes two to three phone calls,” he said. “It will be a relief on staff to have this in place.”
Staff in the Parks Department is still available if needed to answer questions or someone does not have access to the internet.
“Online reservations are kind of the standard in the industry now, and I think it’s expected.” Boyle noted. “I think Hays was a little bit behind the times on that and I’m glad to see this in place.”
The shelters are located in the following parks:
- Aubel Bickle Park–30th & Sherman
- Dan Rupp Park–33rd & Skyline Drive
- Ekey Park–19th & Holmes Road
- Frontier East, North and West Parks–Highway 183 Bypass, Main Street (2)
- Hickok Park–26th & Donald Drive
- Kiwanis Park–17th & Harvest Avenue
- Massey Park–17th & Allen Street
- Municipal Park (2)–1st & Main Street
- Seven Hills Park–33rd & Hillcrest Drive
- Sunrise Park–19th & MacArthur Road
- Downtown Hays Pavilion–10th & Main Street
The phone number for the Hays Parks Department is 785-628-7375.
INSIGHT KANSAS: Jerry Moran is a voice of reason on Saudi Arabia
Last week, Moran joined six other Senate Republicans in backing a resolution against President Trump’s use of emergency powers, to sell arms to the Saudis. Afterwards, Moran stated his concerns about the Saudi government and their role in Yemen’s civil war. He also stressed that it is the prerogative of Congress, not the President, to make such decisions.
Moran is right on all counts. By contrast, Senator Pat Roberts voted against the resolution, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, of Wichita, is currently in Saudi Arabia cultivating deeper ties, apparently as a counterbalance to Iran. This is bad policy.
If Pompeo and Trump are truly outraged by Iran’s opposition to democracy, its poor human rights record, and its support for terrorism, then their stance on Saudi Arabia is indefensible. The Saudi regime’s record is even worse. Both of them ruthlessly hunt down, jail, and murder political dissidents and members of their LGBTQ communities, among others.
However, Iran at least has a vibrant middle class, popular culture, and youth scene that may eventually push for democracy. These are much weaker in Saudi Arabia. Also, Iran’s regime is not quite as oppressive toward women. Regarding terrorism, Iran’s support for groups attacking Israel are well-known, but Saudi Arabia is no better, being closely linked to the extreme, fundamentalist interpretation of Islam known as Wahhabism, which underpins Al Qaeda and spreads terrorism globally.
Saudi government officials have also been identified by the FBI and CIA as sources of funding, training, travel visas, and logistical support for the 9/11 hijackers. Then comes Jamal Khashoggi, the U.S.-based Saudi journalist murdered and dismembered by Saudi operatives last year in Turkey. Khashoggi was killed after publically criticizing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. A U.N. special investigation suggests that Salman authorized the killing. With friends like these …
Pompeo and Roberts’ stand on Saudi Arabia is indefensible, from either a human rights or a counterterrorism perspective. Instead, they are practicing the classic strategy of realism, or realpolitik — the amoral approach to foreign policy often associated with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. This approach is a bit like board games such as Risk, but for real—countries advance their national interests by playing adversaries against one another to achieve a balance of power, with little or no concern for any ideals such as stopping terrorism or advancing human rights. In this game, only the national interest matters.
Since Saudi Arabia and Iran both have terrible records, Pompeo and Roberts cannot seriously expect us to believe that they oppose Iran due to its abuses. Among Kansas Republicans, only Moran has credibility now.
The stakes are high. In the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), Saddam Hussein’s U.S.-backed regime (yes, you read that correctly) initiated the conflict, thinking that post-revolution chaos made Iran an easy target. Instead, a truce was established only after eight years and at least a half million people dead —possibly up to three times that number—in the bloodiest war since World War II. Back then, the U.S. sought to co-opt another country with a poor human rights record, using it as an ally and proxy against Iran. As we now know, it did not end well.
This is no time to repeat the lessons of history. Jerry Moran is now our voice of reason from Kansas. Let us hope he can get through to Pompeo and Roberts while there is still time.
Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.
Quinter teen hospitalized after pickup overturns
TREGO COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Trego County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Ford Ranger driven by Bristol A. Mesch, 16, Quinter, was westbound on U.S. 40 and lost control of the vehicle. The pickup rotated 180 degrees, went into the north ditch and overturned onto its roof.
Mesch was transported to Gove County Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Farmers can enter wheat for prizes, cash at the Ellis County Fair
Cottonwood Extension District
Ellis County wheat farmers, don’t miss out on entering your best wheat into the Ellis County Fair – Open Class Market Wheat Show.
Entries are fast and easy. Fill up a provided bag of your best wheat while unloading at the elevator or at your bins at home and return a crop data card after harvest to either the elevator or Cottonwood Extension – Hays office, 601 Main.
Cash and ribbons will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Entries are due to the elevator or Cottonwood Extension office by July 5.
For more information, call Cottonwood Extension Office at (785) 628-9430.
Authorities identify Kansas pilot who died in crash
BROWN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Friday in Brown County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1975 Beechcraft airplane piloted by Bruce L. Lutz, 67, Andover, was flying south near the Hiawatha Airport when it crashed. Lutz was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.
The accident remains under investigation by the FAA.
SPONSORED: 109th Trego County Free Fair begins July 14
WAKEENEY — The 109th annual Trego County Free Fair begins Sunday, July 14.
See the full schedule of events below or click HERE for more information.
This weekend’s Hays-area garage sales
Hays-area garage sales
Scroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly.
—————-
660 Commerce Parkway, Hays
Friday, June 28th 12pm-7pm
Sofas, chairs, kitchen tables, end tables, kitchen and household items, books, new and collectible items!! Many many more items, too numerous to mention!!
————–
1706 Anthony Drive, Hays
3 day sale: July 27-29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Th/F 8 a.m.-noon Sat.
Tools, glassware, baker’s rack, small table/4 chairs, file cabinets, record player/speakers, VHS, DVD players, desk, too many items to mention.
—————-
103 East 1st Street, Luray
Saturday, June 29th 8 am – 8 pm; Sunday, June 30th 11 am – 6 pm
(3 Buildings of Merchandise – Rain or Shine) *Cast Iron Implement Seats (Hoosier, etc.) *Vintage Silhouette Pictures *Depression Glass *Vintage Ice Cream Stool & Chair *Niehoff Automotive Products Metal Display Shelf *Vintage Gas Wagon Cabinet with Gallon Counter *Vintage Avon Decanters (some in boxes) *Canning Jars *Vintage and newer Fishing Gear *Arts/Crafts Supplies *Crochet Thread *Ceramic Paints *Vintage and newer kitchen items *Belt Buckles (including Union Pacific RR) *Oak Barstools & Dining Chairs *Modern Oak China Cabinet *Vintage and newer Automotive/Shop Tools * Piano *And Much, Much More! Pet free/smoke free home Cash only, please. JUST ONE OF MANY GARAGE SALES AT THE LURAY COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE EVENT – SATURDAY, JUNE 29th
—————
3715 East 13th Street, Hays
Fri 9:00-5:30, Sat 8:00-11:00
1/4 mile east of Commerce Pkwy on 13th Street.
Home & Wedding Decor, Women’s Med. Scrubs, Bedding, Baby Items, Purses, Formals, Entertainment Center, Surround Sound System, Smith & Wessen Wood Pellet Grill & Misc. Items.
—————–
321 West 32 St., Hays
Saturday, June 29: 8-1
Board games, toys, sewing table, boys’ bikes, outdoor rug, sleeping bags, camping tent, Men’s clothes S & M, women’s clothes XL, boys’ soccer cleats, & more!
——————-
1519 Marjorie, Hays
Thursday 6/27 4-dark, Friday 6/28 10-dark
3 family sale. Clothing kids 4T & up mostly girls, teen clothes, household, books, miscellaneous. Something for everyone
———————-
1901a East 24th (corner of 24th & Haney), Hays
Friday June 28 8:30-3. Saturday 8-11
Items: antique saddle, kids activity table, collectibles, dishes, tools, high chair, strollers, toys, display case, mailbox doors and more.
———————–
108 W. 38th St., Hays
Friday, June 28, 8 am-6 pm
Xbox games, Legos, toys, crib mattress, twin mattress and box spring, pub table, snare drum, alto saxophone, name brand clothing (children, teen and adult), household items, misc.
————————
2304 Donald Drive, Hays
Friday 4-8pm. Saturday 8-1pm (28-29th)
Bicycles, smoker, tv, recliners, tv stand and kids clothes
————————-
2501 Henry, Hays
June 28th 4-8pm and June 29th 8-11am
Ariens XT-6 Lawnmower, home decor-Christmas decor, women’s and men’s clothing, Barbie doll house, children’s books, girl’s clothing ( sizes 6-7-8), Barbie dolls, play stroller/shopping cart, misc toys, DVD’s children’s, furniture-dresser, Girls Bike, firepit, misc household.
————————–
4604 Coolidge Court, Hays
Friday, June 28 from 10am-6pm
Clothes, household items, kitchen items, namebrand jeans, lots of misc.
—————————
204 West 23rd, Hays
Saturday only 8am-1
Household items and misc.
—————————-
REPORT: Feds award 25% of contracts to small businesses
SBA
WASHINGTON–The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Tuesday that the federal government exceeded its small business federal contracting goal for the sixth consecutive year, awarding 25.05 percent in federal contract dollars to small businesses totaling $120.8 billion, an increase from the previous fiscal year of nearly $15 billion. The Fiscal Year 2018 Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard marks the first time more than $120 billion in prime contracts has been awarded to small businesses. Overall, the federal government earned an “A” on this year’s government-wide scorecard.
“I’m happy to report that for the first time in history the federal government has awarded more than $120 billion in federal contracts and marked the sixth year in a row exceeding our target milestones for small businesses,” said Acting Administrator Chris Pilkerton. “Through these businesses, we strengthen the economy, and support the American workforce in the process. For example, the federal prime and subcontract awarded to small businesses in FY18 equate to more than one million jobs created. Every contract that gets in the hands of a small business is a win-win for our nation, the entrepreneurs, their employees and the communities they support all across the country.”
FY2018 Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard:
The individual agency scorecards released today by the SBA, as well as a detailed explanation of the methodology, is available online.
- In FY18, the federal government exceeded the service-disabled veteran-owned small business and small disadvantaged business goals and the prime contract dollar awards in all small business categories increased from previous years.
- The federal government also exceeded its subcontract goals for awards to small businesses and women-owned small businesses, and awarded more than $79 billion in subcontracts to all small businesses.
SBA continues to collaborate with federal agencies to expand small business opportunities for small business contractors to compete and win federal contracts. The FY2018 scorecard analyzed the prime contracting and subcontracting performance, and other contributing factors which resulted in an overall “A” grade for the federal government. Eight agencies received A+, 12 received a grade of “A”, three received a “B” grade and one received a “C” grade.
Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard Overview:
The annual Procurement Scorecard is an assessment tool to: (1) measure how well federal agencies reach their small business and socio-economic prime contracting and subcontracting goals; (2) provide accurate and transparent contracting data and (3) report agency-specific progress. The prime and subcontracting component goals include goals for small businesses, small businesses owned by women, small disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones).
Every year, the SBA works with each agency to set their prime and subcontracting goals and their performance is based on the agreed upon goals. Each federal agency has a different small business contracting goal, determined annually in consultation with the SBA. The SBA ensures that the sum total of all of the goals exceed the 23 percent target for the federal government as well as the socio-economic goals established by law.
While each federal agency is responsible for ensuring the quality of its own contracting data, SBA conducts additional analyses to help agencies identify potential data anomalies. As part of its ongoing data quality efforts, the SBA works with federal agency procurement staff to provide analysis and tools to facilitate review of data, implement improvements to procurement systems and conduct training to improve accuracy.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Larks take series opener with Liberal
HAYS – The Hays Larks raced out to a 6-0 lead then held off a ninth inning rally by Liberal to beat the Bee Jays 6-5 in the opening game of their key four-game KCLB series at Larks Park Friday night.
Matt Cavanagh doubled home George Southerland to give the Larks a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Southerland and Jerrod Belbin added RBI singles and inning later to make it 3-0.
Wyatt Divis bases loaded double in the eighth doubled the lead to 6-0.
Following a line drive out to start the top of the ninth, the Baa Jays strung together three straight singles with a walk to score their first run of the game. Following a groundout, another single and a double scored four to cut the lead to one but Tommy Garcia came in to get the final out and secure the win.
Rustin Hays went 8 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and four walks for the win.
The Larks are now 19-4 overall and 6-2 in the KCLB Jayhawk West Division where they hold a game lead over the Bee Jays. Game two of the four-game series is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. and can be heard on KAYS (94,3-FM, 1400-AM)