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Month: July 2019

Hays USD 489 in-person enrollment today and Thursday at HHS

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USD 489 enrollment is ongoing at HHS today and Thursday. Photo courtesy of USD 489

Central in-person enrollment will be at Hays High School, 2300 E. 13th St.,  from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6;30 p.m. Thursday.

Families with new students and incoming kindergarten students must enroll in person.

Families enrolling students in person need to bring identification, birth certificates for the children, immunization and health records for the children, DCF records if applicable and a utility bill or proof of address.

Please enter through the gymnasium doors.

Online enrollment is live and parents can still enroll online. Click here.

You can access the online enrollment portal by using your PowerSchool log in information. If you don’t remember your PowerSchool password, there is an option on the login page to reset the password.

Please email Amy Arnhold at [email protected] if you have any questions with the electronic enrollment process.

Below you will find links to school supply lists for USD 489 schools.

Lincoln Elementary List
O’Loughlin supply list
Roosevelt Supply List
Wilson Elementary List
Hays Middle School List
Hays High School

Barbara A. Russell

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Phillipsburg resident Barbara A. Russell passed away July 31, 2019 at her home in rural Phillipsburg at the age of 68. She was born July 18, 1951 in Holdrege, NE, the daughter of George & Genevieve (Smith) Littrell.

Survivors include her husband Ralph of the home; daughters: Diane Johnson, Erryn Austin & Apryl Brown of Hays; 2 sons, Matthew & Jon of Phillipsburg; her brothers; Eddie Bohl of Missouri, Lloyd Littrell of Beloit & Gary Littrell of Phillipsburg; her sister Donna Maaske of Holdrege & 13 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 2 at 2:30 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor James Peterson officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services.

Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Ellis County Historical Society Museum closing temporarily

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Beginning Thursday, the Ellis County Historical Society will relocate offices, photo collections and archive materials to 1111 E. 30th (the little dome).

The Board of Trustees decided to close the Gallery and Stone Church to the public due to negative health effects from increasing mold growth.

“We will continue to provide materials for researchers at our new location, but will have no exhibits. We will be able to focus more heavily on our digital initiative. This includes making photo collections available online through our website and scanning documents for easy access and preservation,” the society said in a news release Wednesday.

Appointments to tour the Volga German House and Fire Museum will be required.

“We are currently investigating alternative housing for the museum and collections in storage, including construction of a new museum building at our current Seventh and Main location,” the new release said.

For more information, visit www.echshays.org, call 785-628-2624 or visit on Facebook.

Tigers top MIAA coaches poll; second in media poll

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following back-to-back MIAA Championships in 2017 and 2018, Fort Hays State Football will enter the 2019 as the favorite among MIAA coaches in the preseason polls released on Wednesday (July 31) at MIAA Football Media Day. The Tigers were slated No. 2 in the Media Poll behind Northwest Missouri State, the team they shared the MIAA Championship with last year.

This is the first time the Tigers have topped either poll since joining the MIAA in 2006. Last year FHSU was No. 2 in both polls and Northwest Missouri State was No. 1, but this snaps a six-year streak of Northwest Missouri State topping the preseason poll from head coaches around the conference.

The coaches poll was close once again this year with Fort Hays State coming out on top by two points. FHSU received six first-place votes and 114 total voting points, while Northwest Missouri State received five first-place votes and 112 total voting points. Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State were the only MIAA schools to play in the NCAA Playoffs last year. Pittsburg State received the one remaining first-place vote and ranked third with 97 points. Central Oklahoma, a bowl game participant for each of the last two years, ranked fourth with 90 points.

Northwest Missouri State received the majority of first-place votes in the media poll, picked No. 1 in 32 of the 40 polls submitted. Fort Hays State topped seven polls of media members. The Bearcats and Tigers were the only two programs to receive over 400 total voting points with 471 and 433 respectively. Pittsburg State ranked No. 3 with 378 points, Central Missouri ranked No. 4 with 336 points, and Central Oklahoma ranked No. 5 with 313 points.

2019 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fort Hays State (6) – 114 points
2. Northwest Missouri (5) – 112 points
3. Pittsburg State (1) – 97 points
4. Central Oklahoma – 90 points
5. Central Missouri – 80 points
6. Emporia State – 73 points
7. Missouri Western – 57 points
8. Washburn – 54 points
9. Nebraska Kearney – 46 points
10. Missouri Southern – 34 points
11. Northeastern State – 23 points
12. Lincoln – 12 points
Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team

2019 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (32) – 471 points
2. Fort Hays State (7) – 433 points
3. Pittsburg State – 378 points
4. Central Missouri – 336 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 313 points
6. Emporia State – 264 points
7. Missouri Western – 245 points
8. Washburn – 234 points
9. Nebraska Kearney – 194 points
10. Missouri Southern (1) – 120 points
11. Northeastern State – 79 points
12. Lincoln – 52 points

Fort Hays State returns nine of its 11 starters on offense from the 2018 season, including five that received All-MIAA honors. Junior offensive lineman Amari Angram-Boldin was a second-team selection, while third team selections went to seniors Layne Bieberle (wide receiver), Matt Wendelberger (tight end), and Charles Tigner (running back). Senior Harley Hazlett (wide receiver) garnered an honorable mention selection, but could be one of the top all-around offensive threats in the conference this year after an FHSU-record 91 receptions in 2018 to go with 904 receiving yards, 60 rushing yards, and 132 kick return yards. Bieberle was close behind Hazlett in receiving yards with 894 on 57 catches, and he earned two all-conference honors for the year after getting an honorable mention nod as a punt returner (304 return yards). Wendelberger had a big year of 502 yards on 33 catches and Tigner continued to be a threat in both the run and pass game with 778 yards rushing and 217 yards receiving. Sophomore quarterback Chance Fuller also returns after receiving starts late in the 2018 season and finishing with 1,185 passing yards.

On defense, the Tigers return four starters led by All-MIAA Third-Team pick Sterling Swopes on the defensive line. Honorable mention status went to linebacker Kolt Trachsel and defensive back Tanner Hoekman, while Sheldon Schmidt also returns on the defensive line. Trachsel, Hoekman, and Schmidt enter their senior year, while Swopes is a junior. Hoekman is the top returning tackler, posting 75 stops last year, while Trachsel finished with 59. Schmidt finished the year with 45 tackles, while Swopes added 41. Swopes is the top returning pass-rush threat after five sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last year.

The biggest question on defense is how the Tigers fill the shoes of six All-MIAA selections, which included three All-America honorees. The six starters lost to exhaustion of eligibility were MIAA Defensive Player of the Year Jose Delgado (linebacker), Doyin Jibowu (safety), Wyatt Parker (defensive line), Connor Shedeed (safety), Malik Young (defensive line), and Aquil Knowles (cornerback). Jibowu went on to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears, joining Delgado and Parker as All-America selections. Delgado pushed Fort Hays State’s streak of producing the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year to three-straight years, finishing with 117 tackles. The six starters lost from last year’s team combined for a total of 422 tackles and eight interceptions.

Kicker/punter Dante Brown looks to give the Tigers a boost on special teams once again in 2019. Brown was the NCAA Division II Special Teams Player of the Year by the Don Hansen Football Committee in 2018, while also earning MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year as an all-conference first team selection at both kicker and punter. Brown led Division II in field goals last year with 28, averaging an all-NCAA levels best 2.33 field goals per game. He scored 123 points for the season, but also punted the ball 67 times and averaged 41.4 yards per attempt.

Head coach Chris Brown enters his ninth year guiding the Tigers in 2019. He led the Tigers to postseason game appearances in each of the last four years, twice in bowl games (2015 and 2016) and most recently twice in the NCAA Playoffs (2017 and 2018). Brown was the MIAA Coach of the Year in each of the last two years.

Ronald Conrad-Farr

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Phillipsburg resident Ronald Conrad-Farr passed away July 18, 2019 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 63.

Survivors include his wife Eleanor of the home, 4 sons: Dakota Conrad-Farr of Phillipsburg, Jeremiah Darling of Kirwin, Andrew Darling of Texas & David Conrad of Oklahoma; 2 daughters, Autumn Conrad-Farr & Carla Darling of Phillipsburg; 6 brothers: Guy Conrad, Ray, Rex, Ronnie & Randy French & Steven Renodin; his sister, Brenda Davidson; several grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Monday, Aug 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with Bishop Phillips Isernhagen officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald Conrad-Farr Memorial Fund.

Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

K-State researcher sent to prison in shooting of officer

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A 38-year-old former researcher at Kansas State University has been sentenced to prison for trying to shoot a Manhattan police officer.

Authorities on the scene of the shooting standoff photo WIBW TV

Riley County police said Mark Harrison, of Manhattan, was sentenced Monday to four years and two months in prison. He previously pleaded no contest to attempted voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of police Sgt. Pat Tiede.

The charges stem from a three-hour standoff with police in February 2018 during which Harrison fired 33 times. One of the bullets hit Tiede, who recovered at a hospital. He has returned to the police force.

Harrison was previously convicted of criminal damage to property arising from a domestic dispute that led to the standoff.

Harrison was a researcher in the mechanical and nuclear engineering department at K-State.

Jury: Kan. developer faces prison for violating asbestos disposal laws

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A jury Tuesday found a Lawrence developer guilty on charges of disposing of asbestos in violation of the Clean Air Act, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

The former Alvamar Country Club (now Jayhawk club) in Lawrence google image

Thomas S. Fritzel, 53, Lawrence, was convicted of failing to notify authorities before removing asbestos (count two), failing to keep asbestos wet during demolition to prevent air contamination (count three) and failing to dispose of asbestos in leak-tight containers (count four).

During trial, the government presented evidence that Fritzel violated federal laws for handling asbestos during demolition and renovations at the Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence. The government presented evidence to show that Fritzel knew that the roof of the country club contained 75 percent chrysotile asbestos. The previous owners, who sold the club to Fritzel in January 2016, had decided not to replace the roof because of the cost of abating the asbestos.

On October 19, 2016, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment told Fritzel to get a licensed asbestos contractor to remove asbestos from the site and dispose of it properly. On Oct. 25, 2016, KDHE inspected the site and determined asbestos debris had been removed and hauled to Hamm Landfill in Perry, Kan., which is not approved for asbestos disposal.

Fritzel faces a penalty of up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on count two and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on counts three and four, according to McAllister.

Dreiling Trust gifts $100,000 to Hays Catholic schools

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TMP-M

As Thomas More Prep-Marian and Holy Family Elementary make preparations for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year, enrollment for those wishing to attend either of the Catholic, private schools might have become closer to a reality regardless of financial position. The Leo J. & Albina Dreiling Trust has gifted the schools $100,000 to be used to assist those whose enrollment may be limited by financial means.

“Hays has a deep history of educational diversity that has enriched the lifestyle of Ellis County for generations,” says Advancement Director, Troy Ruda. “Along with Fort Hays State University, NCK Tech and the public school district, TMP-Marian and Holy Family add to the diversity of educational offerings that make us all better. We owe the Dreiling Trust a debt of gratitude for its history of support to ensure Catholic education in Ellis County remains a thriving reality,” continued Ruda.

TMP-Marian and Holy Family Elementary operate on a stewardship model of funding in which enrollment is based on the giving of time, talent and treasure to one of the seven Heartland Catholic Parishes in addition to a minimal student fee. Fees are determined each year and as expenses continue to rise, fees continue to trend upward. “The generosity of the gift of fee assistance from the Dreiling Trust will ensure that families that wish for a Catholic, private education but may struggle with fees are still able to receive it for years to come,” said Ruda.

“The generosity of the Dreiling Trust makes possible faith formation along with educational excellence to all families who wish for their children to have that experience. Holy Family Elementary is grateful for the continued support of our schools to make Catholic education available to all,” said Holy Family Elementary Principal, Rachel Wentling. “This gift allows our Catholic schools to offer an affordable Catholic education to any family who desires it, regardless of income. This is paramount in making the Gospel message and faith education available to a wider population. We can’t thank the Dreiling Trust enough for this precious gift,” added TMP-Marian Principal, Chad Meitner.

Families in need of assistance or information regarding enrollment in TMP-Marian or Holy Family Elementary are encouraged to contact Tom Meagher, Business Director at (785) 625-6577 or [email protected]. Those interested are also able to vist hfehays.org or tmp-m.org for information regarding the fee assistance application.

Located in Hays, Kan., Thomas More Prep-Marian and Holy Family Elementary are Catholic schools serving grades K-12. Students come from Hays, the surrounding region, and from countries around the world.

Chiefs training camp update, Tuesday 7/30

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By DAVE RIGGERT
St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs held their fourth practice of training camp Tuesday morning at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill left practice early after colliding with CB Bashaud Breeland in midair. The Chiefs announced that it is a thigh contusion and there will be an update Wednesday.

 

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, linebacker Reggie Ragland and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif all spoke to the media after practice.

 

Norman Henry Rippe

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Norman Henry Rippe, 85, passed away Monday, July 29, 2019 at Smith Center Health and Rehab.

Norman was born May 1, 1934 in Lanham, KS, the son of Henry F. and Malinda (Maatsch) Rippe. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lanham, KS on May 27, 1934 and confirmed his faith in Christ on March 21, 1948. He was a graduate of Odell High School, Odell, NE, graduating in 1951. On May 8, 1960 he married Darlene Ruth Dierking in Herkimer, KS, to this union they were blessed with four children, Warren, Doug, Sharyl and Kevin. Norman was a United States Army Veteran serving from February 6, 1957 to January 1, 1959 when he was honorably discharged. Norman had been a manager at Firestone Tire & Rubber for 25 years until retiring in 1985. After retirement he worked for Hardware Hank for several years. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church, Smith Center. KS. Norman was a loving husband grandfather and great grandfather and will be missed tremendously by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Lawrence and Wilmer Rippe and a sister Roine Tegethoff.

Norman is survived by his wife Darlene Rippe of Smith Center, KS; three sons, Warren Rippe of Smith Center, KS, Doug (Sue) Rippe of Osborne, Kevin (Melissa) Rippe of Cedar Rapids, IA; a daughter Sharyl Billinger of Smith Center, KS; two sisters Janice Walley of Newton, KS, Laura (Darrell) Allerheiligen of Waverly, NE; brother-in-law Forrest Tegethoff of Washington, KS; thirteen grandchildren, Andrew (Tracey) Frank of Becker, MN, Jeni (Sean) Sloan of Topeka, KS, Jodi (Toby) Boyle of Smith Center, KS, Adam (Bethany) Frank of Castle Rock, CO, Jesse (Natasha) Mudd of Beloit, KS, Taylor (Jamie) Rippe of Osborne, KS, Sabrina Billinger of Kansas City, MO, Trace Billinger of Smith Center, KS, Brennen Rippe, Jacob Rippe, Bailee Rippe and Joshua Rippe all of Cedar Rapids, IA, Charlotte Byberg – exchange student of Stavanger, Norway and sixteen great grandchildren, Madalyn Frank, Garin and Cooper Sloan, Camden, Callen and Coy Barta, Larame and Sydney Boyle, Brell, Brenik, and Brexli Spiess, Natessa, Jaxtyn, Jaytyn Mudd and twin boys arriving in December 2019 and Haegan and Haecie Rippe.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2019 at American Lutheran Church, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. There will not be a public visitation, the casket will remain closed. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to Norman H. Rippe Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.

Samuel Wayne Jackson

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Samuel Wayne Jackson, 96, passed away Monday, July 29, 2019 at his home in rural Athol, KS.

Wayne was born October 12, 1922 in Phillips County, KS, the son of Arthur Jacob and Olive Ann (Torgerson) Jackson. on February 28, 1949 he married Vera May Biehn in Franklin, NE, to this union they were blessed with seven children, Wanetta, Wanda, Jimmy, Bernice, Jerry, Linda and Dawn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Warren Arthur, Wilber Jacob, Eugene Denton and Raymond Leroy Jackson, two sisters, Erma Aileen Wiley, Dorothy Mae Henry, a daughter-in-law, Elaine Jackson, son-in-law, Val Reed, and three grandsons, Nate Graebast, Phillip Wayne Webber and Jerry Webber Jr., granddaughter Karen Spaulding and a granddaughter-in-law, Kristy Loschen.

Wayne is survived by his wife Vera Jackson of Rural Athol, KS; seven children,
Wanetta Mae (Gerald) Webber of Colby, KS, Wanda Marie (Val) Reed of Wilcox, NE, Jimmy John Jackson of Franklin, NE, Bernice Rose (Don) Iman of Franklin, NE, Jerry Dewayne (Terrie) Jackson of Franklin, NE, Linda Sue Miner of Kearney, NE and Dawn Ann (Hal) Haeker of Alma, NE; two sisters, Goldean Drake – of Franklin, NE, Shirley (Lloyd) Tubbs of Long Island, KS; 24 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 2, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Kasey Loschen officiating. There will not be a public visitation, the casket will remain closed. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, KS. Memorials may be given to the Franklin, NE or Smith Center, KS food pantries and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.

MARSHALL: Details of Market Facilitation Program for affected ag producers

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U.S. House Agriculture Committee with USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey

I joined others members of the House Agriculture Committee in meeting with USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey last Thursday. Undersecretary Northey presented details of the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill commodity and crop insurance provisions, as well as the status of disaster supplemental assistance.

I also heard from and asked questions of administrators of the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced further details of the $16 billion package announced in June aimed at supporting farmers and ranchers while the Trump administration continues to work on free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals around the world.

The Market Facilitation Program (MFP) provides direct assistance to producers with commodities that have been impacted by retaliatory tariffs and will be made in up-to three tranches, with the second and third evaluated as market conditions and trade opportunities dictate. USDA will begin making first tranche payments in mid-to-late August which will be comprised of the higher of either 50% of a producer’s calculated payment or $15 per acre, which may reduce potential payments to be made in future tranches. If future market conditions warrant, the second and third tranches will be made in November and early January, respectively.

MFP payments are based on a single county payment rate multiplied by a farm’s total plantings of MFP-eligible crops in aggregate in 2019 and are not dependent on the type of eligible crop planted. Additionally, a producer’s total payment-eligible plantings cannot exceed total 2018 plantings. County payment rates range from $15 to $73 per acre in Kansas, depending on the impact of unjustified trade retaliation for the county. To see the payment rate for your county, Click Here.

Dairy producers who were in business as of June 1, 2019, will receive a per hundredweight payment on production history, and hog producers will receive a payment based on the number of live hogs owned on a day selected by the producer between April 1 and May 15, 2019.

Eligibility in the 2019 program is not contingent upon participation in the 2018 MFP program. Signup for the 2019 MFP will take place at your local FSA office and will run from Monday, July 29 through Friday, December 6, 2019. Acreage of non-specialty crops and cover crops must be planted by August 1, 2019 to be considered eligible for MFP payments. As a result of the flooding this spring, producers who filed a prevented planting claim and planted an FSA-certified cover crop, with the potential to be harvested, qualify for a $15 per acre payment. Acres that were not planted in 2019 will not be eligible for MFP payments.

A second program – Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) – will utilize up to $100 million to help locate new and emerging markets around the world to establish new export opportunities for our producers. The third program – Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP) – calls for USDA to purchase up to $1.4 billion worth of surplus commodities from farmers and ranchers across the country for donation to our nation’s food banks.

Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.

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