KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Smith County RWD 1. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from Smith County RWD 1 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage.

Tiger Media Network

Students at Fort Hays State University understand how important local politics are to the community.

That’s why several groups on campus are partnering with community organizations to deliver live debates for races involving Hays USD 489 Board of Education and Hays City Commission.

The Hays USD 489 BOE debate will take place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus. At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22, it will be time for the Hays City Commission debate in Beach/Schmidt.

Students from the Student Government Association, American Democracy Project, the Department of Political Science and Tiger Media Network will team up with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and the Docking Institute of Public Affairs to host the debates.

“We are really excited for the opportunity to host this event on campus to get students excited about local politics, and to give our community members a forum to learn more about the candidates running for these offices,” said Kaytee Wisley, legislative affairs director of SGA and organizer of the event.

The two debates will be livestreamed on Tiger Media Network’s cable stations – Eagle Communications Channel 17 and Nex-Tech Channel 102. There also will be a link for online viewing available at tigermedianet.com.

There are four positions open on the Hays USD 489 board for the Nov. 5 general election. There are nine candidates who have entered the mix for a position on the board: Paul Adams, Jessica Ann Berg Moffitt, Cole Engel, Alex Herman, Lori Ann Hertel, Luke Oborny, Craig Pallister, Allen Park and Tammy Wellbrock.
Adams and Oborny currently serve on the board and are seeking re-election.

Three positions on the Hays City Commission will be open, with five candidates interested in filling the spots. They include Michael Berges, Ron Mellick, Mason Ruder, Ryan Rymer and Henry Schwaller.

Mellick and Schwaller currently serve on the city commission. The top two candidates will serve for four years, while the third-place vote-getter will serve for two years.

“The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to advocate for our community’s advancement,” said Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the chamber. “Providing a platform for our electorate to become engaged and informed on issues impacting the Hays City Commission and local school boards is crucial for the future of Ellis County. The Hays chamber is honored to partner with Tiger Media Network, the Docking Institute, Student Government Association, FHSU Department of Political Science and the American Democracy Project to bring this forum to our community.”

Candidates at both debates will answer questions from the moderators, and audience members also will have a chance to ask questions of their own. Questions also can be posed through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

The events are free and open to the general public.

For more information about the debates, contact Wisley at (785) 628-5311 or email [email protected].

CCC

COLBY – The new Colby Community College telecommunications network technician program at the Norton Correctional Facility recently received a financial boost from the Thomas County Attorney’s Office. The donation came after a state grant to help subsidize the program did not materialize.

According to County Attorney Rachel Lamm, her office can provide funding through non-tax payer asset forfeiture funds.

“The state of Kansas has restrictions on how forfeiture funds can be used, but Kansas allows for distribution of funds for law enforcement goals,” she said.

The idea for additional education in the correctional facility began in 2018 when CCC adult education instructor Dian Organ attended a conference and learned how a college in another state implemented a similar program.

“I am pleased that Dian approached the Thomas County Attorney’s Office with this opportunity to lower inmate recidivism,” Lamm said. “An inmate that can immediately enter the job market is essential to their future success. Opportunities like this are few and far between, and I hope they take pride in their work and make every effort to provide for themselves and their families.”

The curriculum teaches skills necessary for entry-level positions in the industry to perform fiber and copper-based network cabling. College and correctional facility officials conduct interviews to select participants, who will earn 15 college credit hours and industry-recognized credentials before their release date. Many of the students will concurrently complete their high school equivalency diplomas.

CCC Executive Vice President Brad Bennett also believes the program can make a difference in many lives.

“This will lead to job placement and a sustainable wage upon release,” he said.” The overall goal is to reduce recidivism and improve the communities we serve.”

The inaugural class begins on September 30. The program lasts 12 weeks.