The Hays USD 489 school district received a $41,975 grant from the Kansas Department of Education to hire a mental health liaison for Hays Middle School.
The school district is in the hiring process for that position now.
The liaison will be employed by the school district and refer students who need services to High Plains Mental Health.
Through the Mental Health Intervention Team Program grant the school district will pay for 25 percent of the cost for the liaison’s salary and benefits and the grant pays the rest.
“Sometimes as a staff member, you see a kid a kid is hurting, but you are still trying to teach. This will give another avenue to refer [a student] to services,” Superintendent Ron Wilson said. “It is absolutely awesome.”
Assistant Superintendent Shanna Dinkel helped write the grant application.
“We decided to focus on middle school because we know the transition from elementary to middle school, when we look at the sixth grade and look at our data, we see a little bit of a dip there. That’s tough,” she said.
She said student also tend to struggle as they make the transition from middle school to high school.
The grant will primarily focus on foster children. However, the liaison will also be able to work with other families.
Only 31 districts in the state received this grant.
Hays artist Willie Pfeifer reaches for a sculpture in his shop. Pfeifer said that sculpture was inspired by the “March of the Penguins.”
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The walls of Willie Pfeifer’s workshop are covered with squiggles of wood contorted into all sorts of freeform shapes.
Willie says he gets inspiration from all kinds of places — a leaf, a penguin, a strange knot in the wood. He said he has no style.
“Whatever you see, whatever you imagine,” he said of his inspiration.
He says the sculptures are not based on people, but he often refers to them as “he” or “she” as he rotates them in the light and describes how the curves and bends emerged from rectangular blocks of walnut, pine or mahogany.
“Remember the walk of the penguins to the ocean …” he said holding up a sculpture. “This particular penguin here. They usually just lay one egg, but this one has two. You add an egg and then some ice to support the thing. You don’t even see the penguin, but the ‘March of the Penguins’ is what brought this on. Just the way they walk. Dalk, dalk, dalk.”
Pfeifer, 91, will have an exhibit, “Fascinating Forms: Six Decades of Sculpture in Wood & Metal,” from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the C.A.T.S. Gallery at Fort Hays State University as part of Hays Arts Council Fall Art Walk. The main art walk will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday (See full schedule below), but the C.A.T.S. gallery is opening early for Pfeifer’s show.
Artist Willie Pfeifer holds up a quick sketch of a potential sculpture in his shop in west Hays.
Some of Pfeifer’s pieces just start as doodles. As we were talking, he sat down with a piece of paper and drew an infinity symbol. From there he started subtly changing the curves with a few scratches here and a rub of the eraser there. He talked as he molded the form into shape. Within a few minutes, something akin to one of his sculptures emerged from the page.
“You just run with it,” he said.
His has a file containing several hundred drawing, He has some labeled “pursue when in a good mood” or “pursue when in a bad mood.”
Everyone sees something different in his art. Pfeifer’s wife told him once one of his sculptures was immoral.
“I said, ‘What? It is a duck that fell over.’ She said, ‘What I see is my dad bending over the tub without any shorts on,” he said chuckling as he tuned the sculpture in his work-worn hands.
Pfeifer attributes his longevity to woodworking, which he considers a hobby.
He began working with wood when he was only 4. He picked up the trade from his grandpa Dreiling, who was a carpenter and lived across the street. He said he hated memorizing when he was in school, preferring to work with his hands. He got kicked out of Latin at St. Joseph Military Academy and banished to the industrial arts department. He loved it.
The country was embroiled in World War II and all the abled-bodied young men where off fighting. This left Ed Davis, the head of the Fort Hays Industrial Arts Department with no students, so he started teaching the students at St. Joe. Pfeifer spent his high school years learning from Davis at St. Joe and then another three and half years studying with him at FHSU. However, he never earned his degree.
At that time, Fort Hays was a teacher’s college, and the industrial arts degree required a semester of student teaching. Pfeifer had a good job offer and he wanted to get married, so opted not to complete the program.
“I tell people I am working on a doctorate,” he said. “They say, ‘Oh you are? What kind of doctorate is it?’ Well it’s getting time on a doctorate of hard knocks.”
Pfeifer went to work as a woodworker and eventually bought the Hays Planing Mill in 1957. The mill specialized in handcrafted furniture for churches — pews, pulpits, etc. Pfeifer expanded the mill’s work into architectural mill work, and he often worked as a general contractor. This required Pfeifer to spend hours reviewing architectural plans.
“I would sit so long. I would get up and walk around the shop, grab a piece of would and go cut something,” he said.
The diversion slowly grew into a hobby of making sculptures and 3-D puzzles using a band saw. He sold the pieces on the side. He thought at one point he might make a living out of his hobby. He could make about $500 on a large batch of puzzles, but he needed to earn about 10 times that to pay the bills. His accountant urged him to keep his day job.
“I’ve know too many starving artists,” Pfeifer said.
In 1970 he was asked to do a show along side another artist, but he hasn’t done a major art show since.
Willie Pfeifer displays a sculpture in his shop in Hays. Pfeifer, 91, has been woodworking since he was 4.
Pfeifer sold the Planing Mill in 1993. Although Pfeifer stayed active in his retirement, he said he got bored easily.
He didn’t really like to watch TV. He taught himself to speed read to digest all the architectural specs when he was working, so he reads two newspapers daily plus downs the eight magazines he subscribes to. He is a self-described golf nut, but age ultimately ended that as a regular pastime. He volunteers, managing maintenance at Castillian Gardens where he lives and served as the president of the Ellis County Historical Society multiple times.
He also used to play poker with some buddies, but at 91, he has outlived several of those friends.
“Sitting around the house was driving me and my wife crazy,” he said.
He kept woodworking through everything, about four hours a day, seven days a week. He cleaned out a garage at Castillian Gardens, which he transformed into a small shop.
Pfeifer had never spent any time in the hospital and never taken any regular prescription medication until several years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent major surgery. His doctor sent him to Ascension Via Christi in Hays for rehab after the surgery. He had done volunteer work at the nursing center and knew how to get in and out of all the doors, so he wandered the halls at night when he couldn’t sleep.
He was told on a Friday he would be starting physical therapy on the following Monday. Over the weekend, he read up on PT and then practiced going up and down stairs. By Monday, he could go up and down the stairs backward. He was supposed to be in rehab for a month, but they sent him him home after 17 days. He said it was because he was such a trouble maker.
After the surgery, Pfeifer said he threw himself even more into his woodworking. He has also organized and cataloged all his work and patterns. None of his children are woodworkers, so he plans to donate the bulk of his pieces to the Industrial Arts Department at FHSU.
Even at 91, every day is a new day for Pfeifer, a new opportunity to create, to conjure something beautiful from wood that most people see as formless. He said he is inspired by all of his senses — sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.
“A lot of people go through life not stimulated by anything,” he said. “Other people are very aware of their surroundings and they feed on them.”
Pfeifer told the story of a nun he had as a teacher when he was in Catholic school. When she would walk the students to St. Joseph’s church from the school, she would often stop to point out things she saw along the way.
“She would say, ‘Look at that tree. See how it is leafing out. This is what it does in the summer …’ or ‘Stop look at the such and such bird.’ … She would just open up a whole new world for me. … She made me aware of the surroundings.”
Below is a complete schedule for the Fall Art Walk.
Calling it “not a big change but an unusual change,” Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler reviewed the update to marijuana laws in Kansas regarding CBD oil containing THC for city commissioners last week.
The change is in the 2019 Uniform Public Offense Code (UPOC) which is revised and published annually by the Kansas League of Municipalities for adoption by cities in the state.
THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the active ingredient in marijuana.
“The change in the law creates an affirmative defense for those being treated by a doctor and receiving CBD oil of up to 5% THC,” Scheibler explained.
“A person in possession of CBD oil with no more than 5% THC that has been prescribed by a doctor will not be found guilty in this section (of the UPOC) if the person or their minor child has a debilitating medical condition and is being treated by a doctor for the illness with CBD oil.”
The person must also have in their possession a letter written within the last 15 months from a Kansas doctor which says the person/minor child has a debilitating condition and is being treated with CBD oil. The letter must be shown to law enforcement when requested.
“If they do all those things and they’re arrested and charged, when they go to trial they’ll be found not guilty. This change in the law allows a person to use prescribed medical treatment using CBD oil without being convicted of a crime.”
Other changes noted by Scheibler are current laws moved into the UPOC for 2019.
They include:
Unlawful interference with EMS/medical service attendants
“Where we see this is sometimes at large parties and somebody is injured. People want to interfere and assist and help.”
Possession of a firearm while under the influence
“This is one we actually see quite a bit. This law prohibits a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs to carry a loaded firearm or to have it in their immediate access while in a vehicle. We see it on DUIs. We’ve arrested a person for DUI and they’ve got a loaded handgun underneath the seat, or in the door, or in the console. This law prohibits them from doing that.
“Prior to this being moved into UPOC, we’d have to charge those people through District Court because we still had that in the ordinance for the city, so I’m happy to see this one in there.”
Scheibler noted the law does not apply to a person who possesses a firearm in their own home, their business, or on their own property.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler talks about a change in Kansas law requiring drivers to hand over their licenses when stopped by law enforcement officers.
A change to the 2019 Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas addresses driver’s licenses in possession of the driver.
According to Scheibler the law was changed because law officers across the country are experiencing incidents of drivers refusing to hand over their license to the officer, claiming the law only required them to display it.
“This change now clearly states the law requires the driver to promptly deliver the license to the officer when requested.
Scheibler says it’s an officer safety issue.
“One of the most dangerous things the officers do is a traffic stop. And the longer they’re out there on the traffic stop alongside the road with semi-trucks going on the backside of them, arguing with people about whether or not they’re getting the driver’s license, the more danger there is to the officer.
“I’m happy to see this change.”
City commissioners will consider adopting the 2019 Uniform Public Office Code and 2019 Standard Traffic Ordinance at their meeting tonight.
Other agenda items include consideration of bid awards:
Replacement of the 1993 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Air Compressor System used by the Hays Fire Department. Staff recommends the proposal from Air and Fire Systems, Salina, for $37,954.
Construction of concrete cart paths on the Back 9 of the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course. The low bid of $48,675 is from J Corp, Hays. The asphalt cart paths on the Back 9 were installed in 1998 and have deteriorated.
FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting death and have a suspect in custody.
Arroyo photo Finney Co.
Just after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a suicidal subject at 985 Starlight Drive. in Finney County, according to a media release.
Deputies responded and met with the property owner and the occupant of the residence and further determined that there was a deceased individual inside the residence.
Upon further investigation it was determined the victim, Gerardo Ramirez, age 25, had died of gunshot wounds. Ramirez was believed to reside in Garden City.
Further investigation with multiple individuals subsequently led to the arrest of Sergio Ramon Arroyo, age 26, of rural Finney County.
Arroyo is being held in the Finney Co. Jail on requested charges of 1st degree murder, possession of a stimulant, possession of paraphernalia, possession of hallucinogens, and a parole violation.
LOGAN — It wasn’t quite standing room only, but it was pretty close to it.
A large portion of the population of the city of Logan and the Logan USD 326 School District turned out en masse to a town hall meeting at the high school last Thursday.
The purpose of that meeting? To hear about, and to voice their opinions on, the ambitious $14 million plan to invest in solutions to multiple community infrastructure problems.
Those problems include aging buildings housing elders in the local nursing home and elementary school students.
Regarding solutions, the City of Logan, the Logan School District, Logan Manor Nursing Home and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation are currently considering a unique conceptual idea that would integrate several intergenerational community facilities into one structure.
The basic elements of this facility would include
A new 36-bed nursing home based on the modern “Green House Project” design
A new pre-k through fourth grade elementary school
A new 1,200-seat gymnasium with associated locker room complex, which would also serve as a community storm shelter holding up to 450 people
A weight room and wellness facility which would be open and available to the public
A community room and gathering place, and a small theater room holding up to 50 patrons
The new ‘Intergenerational Center’ would be north of the existing high school building and would be connected to it via a climate-controlled indoor corridor.
All elements of the facility would be interconnected, allowing residents from the nursing home to visit and participate in the pre-school through fourth grade classrooms, attend ballgames and practices, etc.
Imagine elders walking down to see a basketball game, or being wheeled to it, and never leaving the structure they are living in.
The current plan also includes upgrades to the existing high school cafeteria so the school and nursing home could share food preparation and dietary staff.
The budget for this project also contemplates resurfacing and improving the existing parking lot located on the west side of the school, and adding additional parking adjacent to the football field.
One of the primary purposes of last Thursday’s town hall was to gauge public support for the plan, and to enlist public assistance in pursuing the financing for it should a consensus be reached to pursue it.
The Hansen Foundation has committed to paying for half of the cost. No taxpayer money would be utilized in covering the other half—it would all be raised through other statewide and national charitable foundations, as well as from alumni and other individuals wanting to assist.
With the meeting getting underway around 6:30 p.m., it lasted for close to two and a half hours and included an introduction and presentation from Brien Stockman, who is a trustee of the Hansen Foundation.
Stockman was followed by presentations from representatives of the school board, the school principal, the nursing home administrator, the project architect, and the general contractor who has teamed up with the architect.
After the presentations, the floor was opened to questions and comments.
At the beginning of it all, a show of hands was asked for from the people who were leaning towards proceeding based upon what they had already heard or read.
A show of hands was also requested from those who were inclined to oppose the project based upon what they had already heard or read.
Those supporting the project were clearly in the majority, but there were a number of holdouts.
At the conclusion of the meeting Stockman asked whether those in attendance had come to some sort of consensus. “Who thinks they can support this?” he asked. Hands were raised as they had before—but then the supporters started standing up and clapping and within a very short time the entire room was standing and loudly vocally cheering the plan.
This reporter saw just one person in opposition at the end—just one—and saw a number of people who had raised their hands in opposition at the beginning of the evening joining in with the cheering supporters at that end.
BALTIMORE (AP) – The Orioles tied a major league record by allowing their 258th home run this season but hit four of their own in an 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.
Anthony Santander and Renato Nunez hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning for Baltimore, which won its first series since July 25-27 at the Los Angeles Angels.
Jonathan Villar opened the scoring with a two-run shot, while Hanser Alberto put the game away with a three-run blast in the sixth.
Whit Merrifield homered leading off the third for Kansas City. The 2016 Cincinnati Reds owned the previous record for home runs allowed in a season, but the Orioles have 35 games to surpass them.
Aaron Brooks (3-7) picked up his first win in eight starts with the Orioles since being claimed on waivers from Oakland on July 6. He allowed one run and seven hits with four strikeouts over five innings.
The Ellis County Democratic Party will honor the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s campaign trip to Hays with a day full of activities. Many of Kennedy’s activities in Hays for a fundraiser on Nov. 20, 1959, will be recreated. The highlight will be a banquet at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at the former Kennedy Middle School, known as Jefferson West in 1959.
History enthusiasts will not want to miss a planned panel discussion on the impact of Kennedy’s visit and campaign strategy, as well as Democratic strategist Norbert Dreiling’s influence in bringing the Massachusetts senator to Hays. Also planned is a Kennedy exhibit at Forsyth Library. Further details, including sale of banquet tickets and the guest speaker, will be announced at a later date.
Presidential hopeful John F. Kennedy toured five cities in a Kansas tour Nov. 19-20 of 1959. Prior to arriving in Hays, Kennedy stopped in Kansas City, Wichita, Dodge City and Salina. Instead of relying on party leaders to choose a candidate at the national convention, Kennedy ushered in a new era, traveling from state to state to win delegates.
While in Hays, Kennedy gave an interview to the local television station, held a press conference in the Memorial Union on the campus of Fort Hays Kansas State College (now Fort Hays State University), rode in a parade down Main Street, and was the keynote speaker at the banquet. There was an overflow crowd at the fundraiser in the school’s gym, with 645 in attendance. Ticket price was $10, which would be $88 today.
The Ellis County Democratic Party recognizes the importance of remembering this moment in history and wants to commemorate it on this special occasion. Reserve this day on your calendar to learn more about the future 35th president’s trip to Hays.
“It is important to recognize important historical events in our county’s history, and John F. Kennedy’s stop in Hays 60 years ago should be remembered,” said Henry Schwaller IV, chairman of the Ellis County Democratic Party and mayor of the city of Hays. “We would like to invite the people of Ellis County and all Kansans in joining us for this special event.”
RUSSELL – Four Old Broads may wrap up the Russell Community Theater 2019 Season, but it also kicks off a countdown to celebration. RCT’s first production, God’s Favorite, was presented in 1986. With three productions in the planning stages for 2020, RCT will be celebrating its 100th production next fall.
RCT volunteer, Crystal Craig, is seated in the director’s chair for this fall’s production. The cast of seven includes Teressa Roe, Sheryl Krug and Debora Kreutzer, all veteran RCT actors/volunteers. Becky Anschutz and Nikki Kuntzsch are returning to the RCT stage, while Georganna McCrary and Rob Williams are making their RCT debut.
In Four Old Broads, retired burlesque queen Beatrice (Teressa Roe) needs a vacation from Magnolia Place Assisted Living. A Sassy Seniors Cruise sounds perfect if she can convince her best friend, Eaddy Mae (Becky Anschutz), to join her.
Other residents are facing their own issues – including Imogene (Sheryl Krug) and her memory loss, Maude (Georganna McCrary) and her soap opera obsession, and Sam (Rob Williams) and his never ending search for love. And things just haven’t been the same since Nurse Pat (Debora Kreutzer) began working there. Hopefully, Ruby Sue (Nikki Kuntzsch) can get her nose out of her book long enough to lend a hand.
Adventures unfold as the gals try to outsmart the evil Nurse Pat and solve a multitude of mysteries. Hilarity ensues as they try to throw Nurse Pat off their trail and make it to the cruise ship after all.
Performances run Tuesday through Saturday, October 8-12 at the RCT Playhouse (5th and Kansas, Russell). Show time is 8:00 pm. Admission is $12 or by season ticket. Four Old Broads is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Russell Community Theater is a nonprofit theater company in Russell, Kansas. The sole purpose of RCT is to produce theater for the community and the surrounding area. Completely volunteer-driven, RCT is supported financially solely through ticket admissions and gifts from those supportive of community theater. Since its inception in 1986, RCT has presented 96 full-scale theatrical productions. For more information, call 785-483-4057. Please find us on Facebook.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is fighting the compensation claim of a man who spent 23 years in prison for a double homicide before a judge vacated his convictions, which were secured despite a complete lack of physical evidence and motive tying him to the crimes.
In February 2018, Lamonte McIntyre spoke to a Kansas Senate committee. He was exonerated after 23 years in prison. Photo by Stephen Koranda/KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
Lamonte McIntyre’s case was one of three that helped prompt the state last year to allow the wrongfully convicted to seek compensation. When signing that bill into law, then-Gov. Jeff Colyer publicly apologized to McIntyre and the other men.
The state attorney general’s office supported the other two men’s petitions for compensation and a declaration of innocence, but it issued a statement saying it couldn’t do so for McIntyre because it found “the record of prior judicial proceedings” in his case to be “insufficient.” It said it will be up to the court to decide and recommended that the court deny McIntyre’s claim.
McIntyre’s lawyer blasted the move, saying the attorney general’s office could conduct its own investigation into McIntyre’s case.
CHEYENNE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of someone allegedly impersonating an officer.
According to the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Department, an unmarked black Dodge pickup with emergency lights is attempting to pull over vehicles in Cheyenne County claiming to be a deputy for the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff told residents “If an unmarked black Dodge pickup attempts to pull you over do not stop and call 911. The last known direction of travel was East on U.S. 36 just East of Wheeler. All of the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s vehicles are either gray Ford pickups or white Ford Explorers. All of our vehicles are marked with “Cheyenne County Sheriff”
McPHERSON, Kan. – McPherson College has announced a gift of $1 million from Richard and Melanie Lundquist, noted California philanthropists.
The gift recognizes the work of renowned car restorer, Paul Russell and Company photo courtesy McPherson College
According to a media release, the gift recognizes the work of renowned car restorer, Paul Russell and Company, and was announced at a private event hosted by McPherson College at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Russell serves as president of the college’s national advisory board for automotive restoration.
“We are committed to McPherson’s automotive restoration program, particularly since it is the only four-year program like it in the country,” Melanie Lundquist said. “The college strives to provide the best student experiences. We really enjoy the collaborative partnership we have developed with the college.”
Paul Russell and Company restored a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Figoni and Falaschi Teardrop Cabriolet owned by the Lundquists that took top honors in Most Elegant Convertible class and was among four contenders for the Best of Show at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours.
“Having just gone through a concours-quality restoration project, the Lundquists appreciate the value of craftsmanship and understand the importance of educating the next generation of craftsmen,” Amanda Gutierrez, vice president for automotive restoration at McPherson College. “We are grateful that they have recognized McPherson College as an institution worthy of their support.”
Chris Hammond, a McPherson College graduate, was senior mechanical restorer on the project, and Paul Russell and Company currently employ three McPherson College graduates. Russell is a champion of educating the next generation of craftsmen and has been a long-time supporter of the McPherson College program.
“McPherson College is honored to be recognized with this gift from Richard and Melanie,” President Michael Schneider said. “This gift is evidence that the quality of education provided at McPherson College is valued. Our entire campus works hard providing outstanding educational opportunities and career experiences. This is a signal to the industry that we are committed to excellence and it takes people like the Lundquists stepping up to help us drive the future of this industry.”
The McPherson College Automotive Restoration program began in 1976 with funding from local entrepreneur, Gaines “Smokey” Billue, and has evolved into a nationally recognized and award-winning leader in restoration education, offering the only four-year bachelor’s degree for restoration technology in the country. The program offers student experience outside of the classroom at some of the most prestigious car events in the United States, like Pebble Beach. The college also has a growing alumni base who work in all facets of the car collecting world including Hagerty, Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, Historic Vehicle Association, RM Sotheby’s, in their own shops, and private collections.
Corina Leann Knoll, age 48, of Collyer, Kan., died Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 in Collyer.
She was born Jan. 29, 1971 in Hays to Deanna Tatman and Bruce Moses. She grew up in Ellis, Kan., and later moved to Hoxie, Kan. In 1981 she was adopted by Gary Knoll.
Corina had an enormous love of animals and car races. She was known for rescuing animals opening her home to them and caring for them. She loved working with her friends who raced at the WaKeeney Speedway and she did detail work on her uncle’s car.
She is survived by her mother, Deanna Tatman of Ellis; her father and step-mother, Gary and Barb Knoll of Hoxie, Kan.; her sons, Brandon Rietcheck, Tyson, Tannor and Taylor Wiesner all of Hays; a sister, Shandi Moses; two brothers, Derrick Moses and Jarrod Knoll.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bruce Moses, a brother, Timmy and a sister, Tanya.
The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 with memorial visitation at 1 p.m. until service time all at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.
