SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted suspect on charges following a weekend shooting.
Brock -photo Shawnee Co.
Just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a disturbance in the 2300 block of SE Bellview in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.
Gunshots were reported fired by one of the involved parties.
During the investigation, it was determined that after a family dispute, 24-year-old, Gleand Lee Brock III, fired shots at several people. No one was hit by any of the shots.
Police located Brock a short distance away from the scene and arrested him without incident.
The gun used was also recovered. Brock is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Police booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Aggravated Assault X2, Felony Warrant (Arkansas), Criminal Damage, Theft and Interference
This is the 17th case in 2019 with a charge involving a felon in possession of a firearm reported by the Topeka Police Department.
Ellis St. Mary CYO Community Fried Chicken Dinner Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019
Pan fried chicken dinner includes:
Mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert.
10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or until sold out. Come early!
Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall
1013 Washington St.
Ellis KS 67637
Costs:
Ages 5 through 9 $5.00
Ages 10 and over $10.00
Ellis County could earn an additional $50,000 for charitable grants in the community through a county-wide “Twice as Nice” gift matching campaign.
In February, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will match all public gifts to the Ellis County Legacy Fund at the Heartland Community Foundation, up to $50,000. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar, at a maximum of $5,000 per donor. If the $50,000 goal is met this year, the fund will gain a total of $100,000.
Over the past two years, the “Twice as Nice” campaign has raised over $200,000 for the Legacy Fund, which to date has granted $8,825 to charitable projects in Ellis County.
“As the Legacy Fund grows, the grants back to the county will grow as well,” said Sandy Jacobs, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.Friends,
Thursday I voted against the bipartisan proposal, and I want to be clear as to why. This ‘compromise’ failed. We started these negotiations asking for 230 miles of border wall – the end result only left us with 55 miles. Any Kansan can tell you that’s not a deal worth taking.
There is no one, Democrat or Republican, that could say the President didn’t try to negotiate this deal in good faith. The bottom line is, Democrats never shared the same goals as the American people or President Trump- that goal being, secure our southern border. They solely wanted to deny this crisis and ignore all of the evidence that DHS has consistently provided.
It is shameful that these negotiations failed, so I understand and respect the president’s declaration.
Last week, I wrote an op-ed for Fox News that outlined the incredible risks of the barbaric New York abortion law. The late-term abortion process that New York recently passed is inhumane, for both the child and the mother. The further along in a pregnancy, the more risk from complications come with an abortion procedure.
On Wednesday morning, I joined Fox & Friends to discuss my experience as a physician at length and to continue to spread the truth about these dangerous procedures. On Wednesday night, I spoke out about the incredible risks of abortion on the floor of the House of Representatives and called upon my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to realize the danger it poses to mothers.
NY Abortion Law is Inhumane and Dangerous
I am outraged by the new legislation in New York that legalizes abortion up to the due date. I never thought I would see this day come, but I will do everything I can to prevent and combat anti-life legislation such as this.
New York’s latest embrace of late-term abortion is disgusting. It is, not only legalizing the murder of these precious babies just moments before their birth, but it also puts these mothers in extreme danger. The further along in a pregnancy a woman is, the more at risk she is of being harmed or even killed as a result of complications. Often, a woman in the late stages of pregnancy are at higher risk of life-threatening hemorrhaging and other extreme health risks.
As an OB-GYN, I’ve delivered thousands of babies and helped mothers through their pregnancies for 25 years, New York’s law demonstrates a complete disregard for life and medical standards that should be strongly condemned by all physician organizations and all Americans. As long as I have the privilege to serve in Congress, I will keep fighting for life and against abortions.
I discussed this topic further on Wednesday morning when I joined Ainsley Earhardt on Fox & Friends and exposed the harsh reality of the risks to mothers that late-term abortions pose.
Securing Our Southern Border
I voted against the border security proposal that made a mockery of the crisis on our southern border. I’m not sure how this negotiating process went from bad to worse. The President was very clear about needing 5.7 billion to build 230 miles of the wall across the southern border. I cannot support a deal that only funds 55 miles of the wall.
Throughout this entire process we have seen those on the far-left use these negotiations as a messaging platform to attack the president, rather than focus on the crisis at our southern border. I’m fed up with it, and the more than 70 percent of Kansans in my district who want the wall built are sick and tired of the political games and dysfunction in Washington.
Kansas Medical Society
Kansas Medical Society
The Kansas Medical Society visited my office on Tuesday where we discussed health care issues affecting citizens statewide. One of the main topics of the meeting was the opioid crisis and how it is affecting our communities.
The misuse of opioids has garnered increased attention in Kansas and across the nation in recent years. Last Congress, I voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, both of which appropriated around $10 billion to address the opioid epidemic – the largest investment to date. These bills also provide for public prevention programs and law enforcement activities related to substance abuse.
I am committed to finding a solution that maintains the ability of physicians to make clinical decisions in the best interests of patients while adequately addressing the crisis of opioid abuse.
Border health care
Discussing Health Care at the Border with the Department of Homeland Security
I joined my colleagues in the House Doctors Caucus on Tuesday for a briefing by Department of Homeland Security officials about their efforts to deliver quality healthcare at the Southern border. We discussed the current challenges and how further developments like a border wall would help them perform their jobs better and more efficiently. I am proud to be a member of such a dedicated group of medical professionals, and I look forward to working with them to provide the men and women at the DHS with the resources they need to do their jobs.
Hearing on Climate Research
On Monday, I joined my colleagues on the Science, Space, & Technology Committee to hear from leading climate scientists about the state of the climate and current climate research.
Climate research hearing
One thing is clear; industrial activity is contributing to the changing climate. To combat this, we must incentivize American businesses and entrepreneurs to develop a strong energy sector that includes all production methods and sources. If we are to remain a global leader, we must have a broad portfolio of affordable energy technologies to create cleaner energy.
I believe that the best and only way for us to achieve this goal is to put forward realistic and market-based solutions to develop cleaner energy while maintaining our market dominance when it comes to energy. What we need is to set the ingenuity of the American economy loose to find solutions, not dictate economy-crushing mandates from Washington.
Hutchinson Community College
Last week leaders from the Hutchinson Community College visited Washington, DC. We discussed my support for Pell Grants, which help students in need attend college, the Federal Work Study program, and the importance of job training.
With over 70 academic programs, Hutchinson Community College is a leader in equipping Kansans with the knowledge and skills they need for a successful career. They also offer some of the most affordable education in the state, allowing for a healthy work/school balance. It is critical that Congress continue to support community colleges like Hutchinson and I am proud to represent such a fine institution.
We Must Stand with Israel
On the House floor, I spoke out against antisemitism. There is no place for such hatred in America, especially not in the halls of Congress. We must hold our elected officials accountable and speak out forcefully when they advocate against the values of this nation.
It is clear to all of us; there are a couple of new colleagues across the aisle need be reminded, in fact, they need to admit, that the brutal regime of Iran is the chief obstacle to peace and security in the Middle East. We must continue to stand with Israel.
Endometriosis Awareness Month
Last week, I joined a group of bipartisan members to introduce H.R. 118. This legislation would designate March 2019 as Endometriosis Awareness Month.
Endometriosis is a disease of the uterus that can lead to complete infertility and, sadly, 1 in every ten women of reproductive age in the United States is impacted by it. Throughout my career as a physician, I’ve treated hundreds of endometriosis patients, and while we have advanced our treatment procedures through surgery, medication, and nutrition, we are still working hard to understand this disease in its entirety.
Establishing Endometriosis Awareness Month is an important step towards highlighting the experiences of women fighting this chronic disorder every day, that remains incurable to this day. I hope that one day, through awareness efforts like this legislation, we find a cure.
Laina and Roger Marshall
Valentine’s Day
To me, Valentine’s Day will always be the day that I celebrate my wife and I’s engagement. I took Laina to our church, got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. I can’t believe that was 36 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
There was no one else in the church, it was just us, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Thanks for being my rock, my wife, a wonderful mother, and a super grandmother! Happy Valentine’s Day, Laina.
Clinton Clifford Karst, 88, passed away on Feb. 17, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. He was born Nov. 28, 1930, at Galatia, to Seigmond and Pauline (Miller) Karst. Clinton married Loene Schwein on Aug. 28, 1955, at Milberger.
A lifetime resident of Barton County, Clinton was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy, earning the rank of DC3. He was an accomplished welder, working in the construction field all of his life, owning and operating Karst Welding. Previous employment were held at Bureau of Mines, Otis, Stanion Wholesale and Murphy Tractor and Equipment. Clinton had been a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, where he had served faithfully on church council, life member of V.F.W. Post 7428, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Sunflower Polka Club.
Survivors include wife, Loene of the home; two sons, Curtis Karst of Great Bend, Craig Karst and wife Amy of Hoisington; one daughter, Colleen Karst and husband Joe Hines of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; one brother, Leonard Karst and wife May of Great Bend; one sister, Darlene Reber of Roseville, Cal.; two grandchildren, Amber Young and husband Austin of Great Bend, Ally Karst of Hoisington; one great grandchild, Bentley Young of Great Bend; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services have been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Baldyga presiding. A prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with the family greeting friends at 6:00 p.m. A private family inurnment will be at Hoisington City Cemetery, Hoisington, at a later date with military honors conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Kans for Kids, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS.
This was the last week for non-exempt committees to have bill introductions and there were many bills introduced.
One of the bills introduced was SB 50 and I have had many emails regarding this bill. SB50 amends the fee limitations for certain wildlife parks and tourism licenses. This bill will allow the Secretary of Wildlife and Parks to raise the amount of fees for hunting, fishing and other permits. Some of the proposed fees will double what they are today. At this time I do not believe this bill will get any traction and I am not in favor of raising fees at this time.
This week the House voted on Governor Kelly’s budget reamortization of KPERS. The Governor’s budget was built around the reamortization of KPERS. Her proposal would add an additional $7.4 billion to the unfunded liability of KPERS. The House voted down her proposal 36-87.
Last month, the State of New York passed Reproductive Health Act which expands legal abortion from 24 weeks to full-term; removes abortion in its entirety from the state penal code; allows non-physicians to commit abortions such as nurses, physician assistants, or midwives; jeopardizes a health professional’s right to not participate in abortion. Senate Concurrent Resolution 1606 condemns the enactment of New York’s RHA because it violates the health and well being of a woman and her unborn child.
Secretary of State Scott Schwab testified in front of the Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee in support of a constitutional amendment that would end the revision of population figures to reflect where military members and college students reside for the purpose of redistricting.
Schwab told the committee that it would cost Kansas approximately $834,000 to adjust the 2020 U.S. Census figures to prepare for redrawing political boundaries for House and Senate districts. The district maps are based on population. The adjustment of census figures was originally done to allow rural areas, for redistricting, to retain people who had moved elsewhere to serve in the military or attend college. While the original purpose was to help rural areas, the revisions favored urban centers after the 2010 census. Schwab commented: “Kansas is the only state in the nation that continues to adjust census numbers. I think this provision of the constitution is a waste.”
I would like to invite everyone to mark their calendars for the upcoming Town Hall Meetings. At this time the locations have not been determined, so please watch your local newspaper for more information. I will also include times and locations in my next newsletter.
Friday-March 1, 2019
8:00-9:00 a.m. Ellis County
9:45-10:45 a.m. Rooks County
11:15-12:15 Phillips County
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Norton County
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Graham County
Saturday-March 2, 2019
8:00-9:00 a.m. (MT) Wallace County
9:30 -10:30 a.m. (MT) Sherman County
12:30-1:30 p.m. Cheyenne County
2:00-3:00 p.m. Rawlins County
3:30-4:30 p.m. Decatur County
Tuesday-March 5, 2019
8:00-9:00 a.m. Thomas County
9:30-10:30 a.m. Logan County
11:00-12:00 Sheridan County
1:00-2:00 p.m. Gove County
2:30-3:30 p.m. Trego County
I would like to thank all of the visitors who stopped by my office this week or held receptions in Topeka.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact or call me with your questions and concerns, my office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka stop by my office at 236-E.
Dena SattlerTOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce has named Dena Sattler as the Director of Marketing and Communications. She has been active in the role since mid-last week.
Sattler served as editor-publisher of The Garden City Telegram from 2004 to 2018, and in 2018 was named southwest Kansas group publisher for GateHouse Media, serving as publisher of The Telegram, the Dodge City Daily Globe, The Pratt Tribune, Kiowa County Signal and St. John News.
“Dena brings decades of experience and serious talent to this agency,” said Acting Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “She will be instrumental in our push to communicate our mission for Kansas, as well as in exposing the opportunities of the state to potential business partners around the world.”
Sattler began her journalism career at her hometown newspaper in 1985 in Burlington, Iowa. She went on to fill a variety of reporting and editing roles before moving to Kansas in 1998 for a management training program with Hutchinson-based Harris Enterprises. Her training included work in all phases of newspaper operations at The Telegram, The Hutchinson News and The Ottawa Herald before she returned to Garden City for a position as advertising-marketing director, followed by her promotion to editor-publisher.
“I’m excited to be part of the dynamic team at the Department of Commerce,” Sattler said. “Throughout my career I’ve been in position to help raise awareness of the important work of economic development in southwest Kansas. I’ve seen the positive impact of economic development initiatives in so many Kansas communities, and look forward to contributing to impressive efforts to help people and businesses throughout Kansas grow and prosper.”
Sattler is a past president of the Kansas Press Association board of directors. She’s a trustee for the Kansas Newspaper Foundation and the William Allen White Foundation at the University of Kansas. In Garden City, Sattler served as a board member for the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce, Garden City Downtown Vision, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney and Kearny Counties and the Finney County Humane Society.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, she is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, with service during the First Gulf War.
QUINTER — The new Center Pivot Restaurant and Brewery in Quinter celebrated the first pull Saturday, Feb. 9, of its Cracked Pepper Cream Ale.
The restaurant opened Dec. 17, but brewer Steve Nicholson needed more time to perfect the brewery’s signature craft beer.
He said the inspiration for the ale came from something he had tasted years ago at a beer festival. Nicholson has been home brewing for 20 years, but this his first foray into commercial brewing.
He described the ale as smooth, low on the bittering hops with a golden color and cracked pepper added for seasoning.
“I went with a very easy-drinking style of beer and a unique flavor profile,” Nicholson said. “I put together the recipe in my home brewing efforts, and I am getting to be more comfortable with it in my commercial brewing efforts.”
Seven other craft beers from across the state will be on tap, plus more in cans and bottles.
The Cracked Pepper Cream Ale will be available only at the brewery at Quinter, and at this point, the Center Pivot is not offering growlers.
Brewer Steve Nicholson stirring a batch of the Center Pivot’s signature Cracked Pepper Cream Ale.
The launch of the ale proved popular, Nicholson said. The brewery sold out of its first 13-gallon batch. However, more will be available this week.
The restaurant serves comfort food — burger and fries, steaks and a buffet Thursday through Sunday. The restaurant also offers a full salad bar and desserts, such as homemade cinnamon rolls.
The Center Pivot fills a void in the community not only for a restaurant, but for a gathering space. Attendance was dwindling at the Quinter Senior Center, so the center moved to a smaller building, which opened up its former location, 300 Main, for the Pivot.
The investors spent six months remodeling the building, which had been a restaurant in the 1970s. They used barn wood and concrete floors to give the space a rustic feel.
Since the Center Pivot opened, it has hosted meetings and parties.
“It has been a blessing to have this facility in Quinter at this time,” Nicholson said.
The restaurant hopes to pull diners and beer enthusiasts from a variety of areas, including locals, interstate travelers and those who might see the Center Pivot as a northwest Kansas destination.
“We appreciate all of the help and support the community has given us to get open and be open to this point,” Nicholson said. “I hope we can continue to serve the greater portion of northwest Kansas and anyone else who comes through our neighborhood.”
The ceremonial ‘first pull’ of Cracked Pepper Cream Ale was auctioned at the Gove County Community Foundation’s 50/50 Match Gala in November. The winning bid at the silent auction was Dixie Nicholson, who is pictured here.
Other partners in Center Pivot include Nicholson’s wife, Ericka; Rhonda and Lance Coburn; and Roger and Carrie Ringer.
The Center Pivot kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays for a buffet. The bar opens at 8 p.m. and closing varies depending on business.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will decide whether the 2020 census can include a question about citizenship that could affect the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives and the distribution of billions of dollars in federal money.
Photo courtesy US Census Bureau
The justices have agreed to a speedy review of a lower court ruling that has so far blocked the Trump administration from adding the citizenship question to the census for the first time since 1950.
Both the administration and opponents of the question agreed the court should settle the matter quickly because census forms need to be printed soon.
Arguments will take place in late April. A decision should come by late June.
The case pits the administration against immigrant advocacy organizations and Democratic-led states, cities and counties that argue the citizenship question is intended to discourage the participation of minorities, primarily Hispanics, who tend to support Democrats from filling out census forms.
The challengers say they would get less federal money and fewer seats in Congress if the census asks about citizenship because people with noncitizens in their households would be less likely to fill out their census forms.
The Constitution requires a census count every 10 years. A question about citizenship had once been common, but it has not been asked of every household since 1950. At the moment, the question is part of a detailed annual sample of a small chunk of the population, the American Community Survey.
The case stems from Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ decision in 2018 to add a citizenship question to the next census, over the advice of career officials at the Census Bureau, which is part of the Commerce Department. At the time, Ross said he was responding to a Justice Department request to ask about citizenship in order to improve enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in New York ruled in January that the question could not be included, saying that fewer people would respond to the census and that the process Ross used was faulty.
Pressed for time, the administration bypassed the federal appeals court in New York and appealed directly to the justices. The challengers defended the lower court ruling, but acknowledged the need for a quick answer to the legal issue.
It’s rare for the high court to weigh in without the benefit of appellate rulings. Such interventions usually are reserved for national political crises, including the Pentagon Papers case.
The administration has defended the addition of the citizenship question by arguing that courts have no business second-guessing the commerce secretary in performing a basic function of his job.
But Furman largely agreed with the local and state governments and rights groups that sued over the issue. He pointed out that Ross had ignored his own experts’ views that a census with a citizenship question would produce less accurate results and add to the costs.
Documents and testimony produced as part of the trial in New York showed that Ross had begun pressing for a citizenship question soon after he became secretary in 2017, and that he had consulted Steve Bannon, who had been President Donald Trump’s top political adviser, and then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Emails showed that Ross himself had invited the Justice Department request to add the citizenship question.
The judge’s ruling held that Ross’ decision about what to ask on the census was “arbitrary and capricious” under the federal Administrative Procedures Act.
There are at least four other ongoing lawsuits over the question, including a trial in San Francisco that was wrapping up Friday. The Supreme Court, though, is expected to settle the matter with the case it has agreed to hear.
ELLIS – Ellis city council members will continue several discussions of unfinished business during their meeting Mon., Feb. 18.
Those items include an update on the Lakeside Campground expansion project, revisions to small cell tower aesthetic standards and modifications to the Cedar Lane lift station.
New business includes approval of the 2019 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan and update on code violation cases from City Attorney Olavee Raub.
The complete meeting agenda follows.
AGENDA
February 18, 2019
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from Regular Meeting on February 4, 2018
Bills Ordinance #2063
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Update on Campground Expansion Project
Discuss Request from Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum
Review Revisions to Small Cell Aesthetic Standards
Update on Modifications to Cedar Lane Lift Station
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control – Chrysler Car Show
Consider Notice of Complaint or Claim for Damages
Discuss Catastrophic Sick Leave Provision for Employee Entry
Consider Approval of 2019 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan
Consider Approval to Purchase Chemicals for Wastewater Treatment Plant
Consider Ratification of Crafco Invoice for Asphalt Purchase
Consider Purchase of Skid-Steer
Consider Purchase of Jack Hammer Attachment for Skid-Steer
The staccato chopping sounds of helicopter blades echoed across the gorges, drawing everyone’s eyes skyward as the little chopper appeared as a dot on the horizon.
Anticipation ran high among the K State “deer crew” as the early morning light revealed the day’s first two Scott Co. Kansas deer suspended safely below the craft. Even though it was blasted cold and we were all bundled up like snowmen, the moment the deer were laid gently on the ground, the crew rushed forward with all the enthusiasm of the doctors and nurses on MASH as they ran up the hill to retrieve their patients from the choppers.
The three year western KS deer research project I wrote about last winter has just entered its second year and the task at hand last weekend was capturing and tagging additional deer for the study. As their headquarters for the day, Kansas State Professor of Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Drew Rickets and his student crew had chosen this high open knoll in a rolling desolate pasture northeast of Scott City surrounded by deep, winding, brushy draws.
A sizeable tent was erected to hold examination tables and equipment. This year the goal was to capture, tag and collar an additional 30 does near Scott City and an additional 30 farther north near Lenora, KS. Only enough bucks will be collared at each site to replace bucks lost last year through harvesting, motor vehicle accidents or natural causes. The deer selected for capture will be divided evenly between whitetails and mule deer.
Three guys make up the helicopter crew, the pilot, a “gunner” and a “mugger.” The pilot cruises the draws and hillsides and when a deer is sighted, he puts the chopper over the deer so the gunner can shoot a large net that encompasses the animal and puts it safely on the ground. The helicopter lands and drops off the mugger to prepare the deer for transport while the pilot and gunner take to the air again in search of another. The deer is given a mild sedative and all four legs are tied together with a leather belt, then it gets a blindfold and is rolled out of the net into a heavy canvass transport bag. After the gunner nets a second deer, he is dropped off to prepare that one while the chopper picks up the mugger and the first deer. Finally, the gunner and second deer are picked up and both deer are flown back to the tent. Captured bucks are given a GPS tracking collar by the helicopter crew and released where they are captured.
Does taken to the tent site are rolled onto wooden stretchers, weighed and laid on a table in the tent. Again, with all the eagerness of Trapper, BJ and Hotlips on MASH, the crew sets to work. While a couple students gently hold the deer on its side, a veterinarian gives her a sonogram to determine if she’s pregnant, she’s given an ear tag and a GPS collar, various measurements of her body are recorded, and if she’s pregnant a vaginal transmitter is implanted that will begin transmitting when she enters labor so the fawn can be found, collared and tracked also. Finally, a paint mark is put on her back so she’s not recaptured by the chopper crew, and she’s released outside.
The study began as a means to help KS Dept of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism biologists understand why mule deer are steadily regressing westward and being replaced by whitetails. Joyce and I spent a couple days at Scott City last May helping the group track and find fawns, and I was honored to be allowed to participate in this part of the project as well, as the exuberance and attention to detail by these college students running the study is infectious to say the least. The only thing lacking from my experience was a chance to ride in the chopper as the pilot threaded his way through the brushy canyons like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars!…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
Information Technology Director Chad Ruder presented an overview of the update to the Hays City Commission at its meeting Thursday night.
Ruder was quick to credit Jessi Jacobs, the city’s website designer in the IT Department.
Home page of the city of Hays’ first website in 2001
Ruder first showed pictures of the website’s evolution. He was assigned to create the first website for Hays when he was hired late in 2000.
“This thing was top-shelf,” Ruder said tongue-in-cheek. “It had flashing lights for the police department. It had trees that waved for the parks department. It had scrolling marquees along the bottom.”
Commissioners could be heard laughing good-naturedly at Ruder’s description.
Jessi Jacobs, city of Hays webmaster
“Everything was great until wiser heads prevailed and they decided I needed to work on computers and they hired someone who had some design ability. That’s when Jessi Jacobs was hired,” Ruder said.
The website has gone through several iterations over the past 18 years, with newest design going live Monday.
Going from the original $300 piece of software to a modern system, Ruder said it’s no longer just the IT Department running the website.
“The departments themselves are going to take over maintenance of the website,” he said.
A committee of department representatives came up with two goals for the new design. The site should be informational and current, with an intuitive layout for contributors to easily navigate.
The IT Department also wanted to be able to track analytics, the site should to be ADA-compliant, and it should be easy to view on different sized screens.
Most important, Ruder said, is content management.
“IT will administer the back end and make sure everything works well, but the departments will take care of posting their information,” he said.
He gave an example of City Finance Director Kim Rupp being able to post audio of the city commission meeting “in his time frame, not ours. We’ve always done our best but when you have all the post requests coming to IT, it doesn’t always match their time frame.”
Departments also wanted the ability for a more specific “granular” information search on the website and to post forms.
The new website has more information about the city, which may mean the public can get their questions answered online and not have to make a phone call to a city office.
“We love to speak to the citizens but if there’s something that they can do — finding information quickly in the evening on their mobile device — that’s where we were looking,” Ruder said. “Citizens want current information, they want forms and calendars, they want city news and they want to pay their bills online.”
The new home page features mega-menus at the top. They’re based on government website design trends and research by the Hays IT Department of what people want.
“The ‘How Do I?’ is, in my opinion, the most important,” Ruder said. “It drops down and gives you options.”
Scrolling down the home page brings up City News, with two sections, News Flash and a carousel of important information. Currently, those topics are water conservation and the North Vine Street Improvement Project.
The new website has more than 200 pages.
Ruder pointed to the “Agenda Center,” as something “we’re very proud of.”
“Not only are agendas posted but later on you’ll be able to click on audio from the city commission meeting and access the minutes,” he said.
He showed a form created by the parks department for submitting a tree rebate request to the city.
“It’s so nice. It doesn’t matter what time of day,” Ruder noted. “Residents can do things at their own pace. The information is accurate because they type it in themselves, and the parks department receives it.”
One module of the website will replace the current Nixle notification system used by the city.
“Rather than a blanket opt-in, ‘Notify Me’ gives citizens the ability to sign up via text and email for unique things that catch their interest, such as public safety, road closures, and bid notifications,” Ruder said. There’s also an Emergency Alert as well as calendar events, any news flash, and any agendas for city boards.
“We feel we’re going to get more subscribers because people will get what they want to hear about,” he said.
Ruder told the commission the city will keep using Nixle for a short time as it transitions to the new “Notify Me” and advises residents of the change.
The Hays website address remains the same – www.haysusa.com.
