OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Another suburban Kansas City school district plans to sue a leading e-cigarette maker as the number of vaping-related illnesses in the U.S. climbs to about 1,300 cases.
KMBC-TV reports that the school board for the Shawnee Mission School District voted Monday to join a national lawsuit against Juul. The district is the third-largest in Kansas with more than 27,000 students
The district says its students are being targeted with faulty advertising that puts their health at risk. It says that vaping increased by 48% among middle-schoolers and 78% among high-schoolers in the district from 2017 to 2018.
Several other school districts also are suing, including the nearby Olathe school district. Juul has said it doesn’t market to youth and its products are meant to be an alternative to smoking.
The Eagle Radio Auction kicks off Thursday morning at 8 a.m. on radio stations 101.9 KKQY and 94.3 FM and 1400 AM KAYS.
There are thousands of items to bid on and buy, including a Ranch Hand Full Bumper Replacement from Better Built Trailers.
Ranch Hand Full Bumper Replacement Installation
Retail Price $1425
This front-end American made Legend Series Ranch Hand bumper replacement is for any American made ¾ or 1 ton pickup including Dodge, Ford and Chevy. Installation is included. Ranch Hand bumper replacements are among the very best on the market. They are made of heavy pipe. They look great too and fit the contour of your truck to give it a clean, customizable feel. High bidder will need to call Better Built Trailers and give Mike a heads-up on when you’ll have your front end replacement installed.
Boat Winter Service and Storage Package from Briney Motorsports
Retail Price $1000
Briney Motorsports in Hays will take care of your boat for the winter. This is a package that includes winterization, de-winterization and storage. Briney’s will winterize any size boat you have. Winterization includes an oil change, engine service, lower unit service and they’ll check the bearings on your trailer. They will fully inspect your boat and even check and maintain the battery over the winter. Your boat will be stored indoors at Briney’s for 5 months – November through March. They’ll have it ready to go for lake season with their De-winterization process.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Cadillac Deville driven by Lashon Harding, 49, Wichita, was northbound on Interstate 135 just south of 21st Street North and passing traffic in the left lane.
There was an active construction zone that was moving traffic to the right 2 lanes. The driver lost control of the vehicle, skidded, left the right side of the roadway and struck a light pole.
Harding was pronounced dead at the scene. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Aerial comparisons of the wastewater project (Photo courtesy city of Hays)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“Finished early, under budget, and it exceeds performance expectations. That doesn’t happen every day, but it happens with good leadership.”
That was Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller’s summation of the newly renovated Hays wastewater treatment plant during Thursday night’s city commission meeting.
Commissioners, city department heads, KDHE representatives and project principals from Burns and McDonnell and CAS Constructors, the design/build team, and owner’s representative HDR toured the $30.272 million water reclamation and reuse facility earlier in the day.
The work began May 31, 2017, and was completed Sept. 15, two months ahead of schedule with no change orders and no injuries to workers or employees. It was also $400,000 under budget.
Tests of average nutrient discharge levels conducted since April are much improved compared to the old plant.
“The limit of 10 on nitrate and nitrite has been running at about 1.4, ammonia is less than half and phosphorus is right at the limit,” reported Stan Christopher of HDR Engineers, the city’s owner-representative on the project. The phosphorus system was pushed hard during performance testing, dropping the level to 0.167 percent.
“That’s likely to be considerably below any future limit you’re going to see during the life of this plant,” he added. “That’s state-of-the-art numbers.
“I think you can be proud that this is going to give you a sustainable future for many years to come.”
KDHE issued a two-year permit Sept. 1 for the new plant. EPA will make no changes to the effluent discharge allowable levels during the life of the city’s 20-year loan for the project, according to City Manager Toby Dougherty.
The city was fined $18,000 in 2012 by the EPA for excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrate.
“We have fought for years to meet those regulations,” said Commissioner Ron Mellick, “and now we can kind of sit back and enjoy that we don’t have to worry about that from certificate to certificate.”
Energy consumption at the plant, which now uses ultraviolet disinfection rather than toxic gaseous chlorine, has decreased about 20 percent, according to Jason Riegel,Water Reclamation and Reuse superintendent.
The plant, with a new entrance at 755 General Custer Road, also has a new name — Chetolah Creek Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility.
“We used to call them wastewater treatment plants or sewer plants,” said Jeff Keller of Burns and McDonnell engineers.
“I think this name is a nice statement, especially in an area of Kansas where water can be scarce,” Keller said to the commission. “Having that recognition you’re doing the right thing, that you’re recovering the water. You’re not just putting it back into the environment cleaner than it started but you’re making it available for all sorts of beneficial uses. It makes this whole project a green solution.”
Water reuse is expanded with an additional 750,000 gallons of reclaimed water storage basins. Treated effluent is reclaimed for irrigation at sports fields and the municipal golf course. Effluent water is also available to the community through an adjacent fill station.
“After touring the plant today — and I hope the community gets to see it at some point — seeing all the reuse, the recycling and reclamation that goes on there, that in itself ties in to our whole mission that we’ve had in this community for 20 some years now as far as our water conservation goes,” said Commissioner Eber Phelps.
“You’re getting dramatically cleaner water, dramatically improved environment, much safer plant for your employees and for your community, and 20 percent less in operating costs,” Keller pointed out. “A lot of that has to do with new technology that got implemented.”
This is the biggest public works project ever completed by the city of Hays and the first time it used the design/build process.
“No change orders is unbelievable on a project this size with that length of time,” commented Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, “and that’s really impressive.
“We know how good our staff is here, we know how good of a job they do. What they’ve done with you and you with them, this collaborative effort, has been something to really enjoy watching and seeing how well you all worked together,” Jacobs added. “I’m extremely proud of all of you and thank you very much for that.”
The Hays wastewater plant was originally constructed in 1953, expanded in 1967, and last improved in the early 1990s. It remained open and operating normally during the recent 17-month renovation.
The plant had to be overhauled to meet future nitrogen and phosphorus limits mandated by KDHE and the Environmental Protection Agency.
In August 2015, the Hays City Commission approved tripling the sewer rate over a six-year period to help pay for the plant upgrade. The city has 20-year, $30.26 million loan agreement through the KDHE Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan to pay for the project.
Jeff Crispin, Dept. of Water Resources director
Mike Kline, wastewater treatment facility operator
Jason Riegel, Water Reclamation and Reuse Superintendent
Jeff Keller, Burns & McDonnell
Travis Stryker-CAS Constructors, Toby Dougherty-Hays City Manager, Stan Christopher-HDR Engineers, Henry Schwaller-Hays mayor, Shaun Musil-vice mayor, Jeff Keller-Burns & McDonnell, Eric Farrow-HDR Engineers, Sandy Jacobs-city commissioner, Ron Mellick-city commissioner, Eber Phelps-city commissioner, Jeff Crispin-Dept. of Water Resources director
The Sternberg Museum is hosting the “Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild” exhibition.
Mangelsen has spent over 40 years filming and photographing nature and wildlife from all over the world. His passion for nature and his pursuit for the “perfect picture moment” has led him to capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitat. Mangelsen offers a chance to get a whole new perspective of the animals’ lives and their struggle to survive in their ever-changing environments.
Some of Mangelsen’s work has been featured in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Life magazine, National Wildlife, Smithsonian, Natural History, Newsweek, Wildlife Art, American Photo, and Nature’s Best Photography. He was named 2011’s Conservation Photographer of the Year by Nature’s Best Photography, one of the 100 Most Important People in Photography by American Photo magazine, and one of the 40 Most Influential Nature Photographers by Outdoor Photography.
SHERIDAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Sheridan County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 GMC Sierra driven by Thomas W. Fernow, 58, Albuquerque, NM., was eastbound on U.S. Hwy 24 five miles east of Hoxie towing a combine header on a trailer.
The trailer tongue broke and the trailer with combine header crossed the center line and struck a westbound 1999 Peterbilt semi driven by Edgar Terrazas-Leyva, 20, Garden City, head-on.
EMS transported Terrazas-Leyva to the Sheridan County Health Complex. Fernow and a passenger were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
SALINA – For the 14th consecutive year, the Hays High girls’ golf team has qualified for the state tournament. The Indians punched their ticket with a second place finish at the Salina 5A Regional held at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.
The Indians shot a 340 and finished 11 shots behind first place Andover.
Sophia Garrison fired an 82 and finished third, 10 shots off the pace. Andrea Lopez and Taleia McCrae both had rounds of 85 and tied for seventh. Katie Dinkel tied for 10th after an 88.
The 5A State Tournament is October 21-22 at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course.
Team Finish
1. Andover 329
2. Hays High 340
3. Salina South 345
4. Great Bend 485
5. Norton 405
6. Valley Center 412
7. Salina Central 414
Top 10 Medalists
1. Madison Slayton-Andover 72
2. Nina Frees-Salina South 81
3. Sophia Garrison-Hays High 82
Zoe Norton-Salina South 82
5. Alivia Nguyen-Andover 83
6. Tiffany Chan-Andover 88
7. Andrea Lopez-Hays High 85
Taleia McCrae-Hays High 85
Lindsay Brown-Salina South 85
10. Katie Dinkel-Hays High 88
Kelsey Hawley-Andover 88
Mallory Seirer-Newton 88
RUSSELL – The TMP-Marian Monarchs girls’ golf team shot a 436 and finished second in the Russell 3-2-1 Regional to qualify for the state tournament. The Monarchs finished one shot back of regional champ Plainville.
TMP’s Haleigh Spray shot a 90 and was regional champion. Jenna Romme finished fourth with a 97.
Plainville was led by Corbyn Marquess who finished second with a 91. Ashlynn Stamper was fifth after a 102.
The 3-2-1A State Tournament is October 21-22 at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.
College-bound students will soon have another great reason to choose Fort Hays State University. Already the most affordable university in the region, the university will offer, effective Oct. 15, four new scholarships with award levels ranging from $15,000 to $6,000 over four-years, or $3,750 to $1,500 yearly. Some of these awards can also be combined with other awards.
The revised undergraduate scholarship program is one of the first initiatives to come from the university’s strategic enrollment planning process. According to Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for student affairs, “This program will provide more opportunities for students to be rewarded for their hard work in the classroom. Combining this with our affordable tuition will help students achieve their dreams of a college degree.”
Linn
Launching a revamped scholarship program on Oct. 15 is unusual. Dr. Dennis King, associate vice president, student affairs and enrollment management explained the reason for the timing “Why are we launching this now? Our research shows that this program will positively impact more incoming on-campus freshmen and transfer students. While it would be easier to launch this program over the summer, doing the right things for students is what we do at FHSU.”
Utilizing an easy to navigate scholarship matrix built around ACT/SAT scores and high school grade-point average ranges, high school prospective students will be able to determine immediately the amount of the scholarship award that awaits them.
Scholarships awarded under the revised scholarship program can also be fully renewable, provided students meet renewal criteria. These scholarships are not need-based, and there will be no built-in award amount reduction for students who secure additional financial awards from other sources.
According to Jon Armstrong, director of admissions, “The university recognizes that not everyone is a great test-taker. We value high school GPAs as an excellent indicator of how students apply themselves in school, and we want students who are willing to work to be successful.”
Armstrong went on to say, “We’re already known as the most transfer-friendly university in the region. The steps we have taken to revise the program further reinforces our commitment to transfer students.”
Fort Hays State’s enhanced scholarship program will include three levels of transfer scholarship awards. These awards are based on the student’s GPA and the completion of at least 30 credit hours. The scholarships will range from $1,500 to $500.
To find out more information, please visit www.fhsu.edu/admissions or call 785-628-5666.
Sometimes you ask for information that, once you get it, you wonder why you even asked for it in the first place.
The Legislative Committee on Post Audit did just that.
It asked Post Audit how Kansas’ leaders’ salaries compare to leaders in other states. The answer wasn’t good, but it is something that practically, legislators can’t do anything about…at least not in the upcoming election-year session when every seat in the Kansas House and Senate is up for election.
The numbers? Members of the Kansas legislature, with a few exceptions, make about $22,000 a year for their service in the 90-day sessions. That’s the $77 a day for the session plus a per-diem payment of about $13,700 for the session to cover housing and other costs of living in Topeka during the session for out-of-towners.
There’s no asterisk in the per diem to keep track of just how much those lawmakers save on meals because there’s almost always some event at lunch and dinner when lobbyists could pick up the cost of meals and drinks and entertainment.
That Post Audit report makes an important differentiation between full-time legislatures. Kansas is lower than all but Nebraska. Oklahoma lawmakers? They take home about $50,000, Missouri and Colorado more than $40,000, Iowa about $40,000 and Nebraska a dab less than Kansas’ $21,900.
If you ran home to tell your mother that you’d just got a job that pays $22,000 a year, she’d probably tell you to keep looking.
But it’s a full-time job only from January to maybe June, with a month off for Spring Break and a pretty good holiday schedule.
And, most legislators have other work during the rest of the year that we presume makes the house and car payments in their districts or they are retired. Some farm, some have businesses that allow them to take part of the year off. Because the legislative day has some breaks, there’s time to get in a little real work at their businesses. Or…they farm and don’t have to be there every day to make sure the wheat and corn actually grow when they are in Topeka.
But…that low salary probably means there are folks out there in the state who can’t afford to serve in the Legislature, even if they managed to round up the campaign money to get elected.
When done right, that 90-day session is just a part of their job. The rest of the year: Campaigning, meeting with constituents, learning everything possible about their district and constituents so they can represent them well in the Statehouse.
Chances are excellent that just because voters in a district — from a few square blocks in a city to a dozen counties out west – elected them, they don’t know how every piece of legislation is going to impact their district. That takes hundreds of hours a year.
There is also the mingling at events in their district during the year, showing up for parades and meetings. And every legislator has a story about watching the ice cream melt in the grocery cart while a constituent complained about fence laws or property taxes or the school district’s budget.
Part-time job? Not by a long shot when done well so that they can represent their constituents.
Kansas lawmakers probably need a raise. But which of them, except probably some who aren’t seeking re-election, want their vote recorded to raise their salaries?
Hmmm…not seeing a majority of a quorum of either chamber ready to make that vote in an election year.
Because we’re not seeing anyone propose one “free” vote in the upcoming session…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
