By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The morning session of the 2014 Farm Bill program next Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the K-State Ag Research Center in Hays is completely full, so the organizers have added an afternoon session.

“We have 263 people signed up for the morning session,”  Ellis County Extension Agriculture Agent Stacy Campbell said Thursday. “The speakers offered to stay and conduct another program in the afternoon, so we will. We’ve extended the RSVP deadline to Monday, Feb. 9.

“McPherson actually had to turn away people at their session so I think we’ll see some people driving to Hays from that area. Goodland had nearly 500 participants,” Campbell added.

K-State Research and Extension is teaming with several sponsors to host 15 educational meetings across the state as farmers face major decisions by the end of March under the new farm bill. Once a commodity program is elected, that farm serial number is locked in for the next five years, according to Campbell.

“This program will start off with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the 2014 Farm Bill.  Dr. Art Barnaby, one of our K-State agricultural economists is going to be discussing it.  He really knows a lot about the Farm Bill–he deals with it on a daily basis.

“Then after that, Mykel Taylor, another one of our agricultural economists, will show how to use the (Excel-based) decision aid tool that K-State and Oklahoma State University have developed,” Campbell explained.

Joining them will be Greg Kerr of the Ellis County Farm Service Agency.

Campbell encourages those planning to attend Wednesday’s half-day session to “do a little homework first.”

“If you don’t know much yet about the farm bill, I would encourage you to spend a little time on the K-State Research & Extension Ag Economics web site looking over some of the  farm bill  information. It could help out in better understanding the presentation.”

The Feb. 11 afternoon session starts at 1:30 p.m. with registration at 1 p.m.  To RSVP for the second session, call the Ellis County Extension Office at (785) 628-9430 or email Theresa at [email protected].

ELLIS–After a spot check of the street lights in Ellis by Public Works Director Alan Scheurman and Midwest Energy, city council members have decided removing lights in alleys and behind buildings will not save much money.

Recently, Midwest Energy dramatically increased its bill to Ellis after discovering it has been undercharging the city for years.

During Monday evening’s meeting, city council members directed City Clerk Amy Burton to develop scenarios using various franchise tax percentage increases that would be needed to cover the budget discrepancy. Council members Ron Johnson and Terry Redetzke, and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.

The complete Feb. 2 meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes February 2, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Gary Luea, Dave McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and Fire Chief Denis Vine. Council members Ron Johnson and Terry Redetzke, and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Sean Simmons, Holly Aschenbrenner, Mark Bongartz, Tyler Bongartz, Glen Keller, Curtis Carl, Brian Raub, Robert Redger, and Ryan Augustine.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 19, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1966, with the exception of the KDHE invoice in the amount of $792.00. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Mayor Lyle Johnston presented a Citizen’s Award to Tyler Bongartz for highlighting the valuable public services provided by the City by constructing a detailed model of the City water tower. The model is on display at the Municipal Building.
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Training
Fire Chief Denis Vine reported on recent training for the City’s volunteer Fire Department. The annual mutual aid drill will be hosted by Victoria this year, with Ellis possibly hosting the drill in 2016. On February 7th and 8th, six firemen will be attending KU Officer Training in Hays.
Fire: Acquisition
Hays Fire Department has graciously donated 300’ of attack line to the Department. Chief Vine also presented bids for bunker gear and boots. He would like to revisit the bids at the next meeting as he is waiting on another bid.
Fire: Repair/Maintenance
Chief Vine requested the concrete in the Fire House be fixed. The Public Works Department will patch the broken out concrete.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Accounting/Billing
Representatives from Midwest Energy met with Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman on January 29th to spot check the City’s street lights. Mr. Scheuerman presented Council with a list of street lights that don’t meet the guidelines for “normal” placement, such as in alleys or behind buildings. It was the consensus of Council to not remove any street lights as the savings to remove the lights was insignificant. Council then discussed the current franchise tax percentages for gas and electric utilities. City Clerk Amy Burton was directed by Council to develop scenarios using various franchise tax percentage increases that would be needed to cover the budget discrepancy caused by the large increase in the Midwest Energy bill for the City’s street lights.
Sewer: Financial – KDHE Loan
Mayor Lyle Johnston read an email from City Attorney Olavee Raub regarding her review of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment draft loan documents. The documents may be discussed at a future meeting.
Sanitation: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton reported on the current billing procedures for sanitation services for various not-for-profit entities during special events. Ms. Burton requested further discussion be tabled until Ms. Raub returned.
General Government: Special Project
Ms. Burton met with Gayla Wichman to discuss improvements to the City’s webpage. Ms. Wichman provided ideas on how to construct the outline and map of the pages and links desired to assist with the bidding process. In the coming weeks, Ms. Burton will continue to work on the webpage structure with Ms. Wichman’s assistance.
Capital Improvement: Contracts
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman informed Council that the City will now be obtaining the millings for the parking lot at 9th Street and Jefferson from Hays rather than WaKeeney; therefore, Mr. Scheuerman has rebid the contracts to haul the millings due to the shorter distance. Council member John Walz moved to accept the low bid from Flatlander Dirtworks in the amount of $2,546 to haul 600 tons of millings from Commerce Parkway to Ellis. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Dave McDaniel reminded Council that the bid accepted at the last meeting to haul millings from WaKeeney must be rescinded before accepting another contract. Upon a call for the vote, the vote failed 1-3, with Council member Jolene Niernberger voting for the motion and Council members John Walz, Gary Luea, and Dave McDaniel voting opposed. Council member John Walz then moved to rescind the motion made at the January 19, 2015 meeting to accept the contract from American Tank Service in the amount of $4,550 to haul 600 tons of millings from WaKeeney to Ellis. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to accept the low bid from Flatlander Dirtworks in the amount of $2,546 to haul 600 tons of millings from Commerce Parkway to Ellis. The motion carried 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Capital Improvement – Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman presented cost estimates for the chips and oil needed to complete the 2015 Street Rehabilitation Project. Approximately 65,786 square yards will be sealed. The 2015 project will include: Spruce from 18th St. south to the dead end; Maple from 18th St. south to the dead end; Walnut from 18th St. south to the dead end; 19th St. from Monroe to Spruce; 20th St. from Monroe to Maple; 21st St. from Monroe to Walnut; Cedar Lane; 15th St. from Washington to Monroe; 14th St. from Madison to Monroe; Washington from 14th St. to 15th St.; Madison from 11th St. to 13th St.; Baughman from 10th St. to 11th St.; Fauteux from 10th St. to 15th St.; Ross from Baughman to Cottonwood; 11th St. from Baughman to Cottonwood; 12th St. from Baughman to Cottonwood; 14th St. from Fauteux to Cottonwood. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the 2015 Street Rehabilitation Project as presented at a cost of $85,173.00 with funds to come from Capital Improvement – Streets. Upon a call for discussion, Council requested clarification on why some streets need ¼” chips, while others are planned for ½” chips. Mr. Scheuerman explained the difference in the chip size is due to the current condition of the street. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 4-0. After the 2015 Project, approximately 80% of the City’s streets will have been crack patched and sealed in the last three years.
Capital Improvement – Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Council member John Walz moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter addressed to the County Commissioners requesting assistance with the City’s 2015 Street Rehabilitation Project. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Public Works: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented bids for new and used storage lockers to place in the City Shop to store the employee’s gear and personal belongings. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of twelve used storage lockers from BuyUsedLockers.com at a cost of $1,525 with funds to be split between the Water Utility, Sewer Utility, Sanitation, Campground, and General-Park/Cemetery Funds. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Personnel: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented modifications to portions of the City’s holiday and leave policies. Wording has been added clarifying Council’s intent on when leave is earned and when leave may be taken. Council member Jolene Niernberger and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the modifications to the City’s Personnel Policy. The motion carried 4-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period November 10th to December 10th. Layne has completed repairs to Wells #2 and #12 and both appear to be operating well again. Well #13 has a hole in the metal pipe and will be replaced with a plastic pipe.
Personnel: Entry
Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to hire Joe Kreutzer to fill the remaining open position in the Department. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to hire Joe Kreutzer for the General Public Works Employee 1A position at a probationary wage of $11.88 effective February 16, 2015. The motion carried 3-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Sanitation: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman presented two bids to replace the tires on the sanitation truck. Council member Dave McDaniel moved to approve the low bid from Golden Belt Coop for four tires for the sanitation truck at a cost of $1,286.28. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the January Activity Report. Officer Moeder continues to do well at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, maintaining an 80% average. Officers will soon partake in Taser re-certification, and firearms, use of force and policy training. Chief Yates reviewed the 2014 Annual Report highlighting the Department’s various training completed and summarizing the activity for the year. The Department completed 362 various reports in 2014, down nine from the previous year.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported five customers attended the recent Rabies Clinic resulting in 16 immunizations administered and the sale of five City dog tags. The attendees and shots administered are down from 2014.
Ms. Burton reported the 2015 filing deadline has passed and the slate of candidates for City office includes the following: Mayor – Dave McDaniel and Martin LaBarge; Treasurer – Faith Scheck; Council – Jolene Niernberger (incumbent), Ryan Augustine, Brian Raub, Sean Simmons, Bret Andries, John LaShell, Robert Redger, Heather Luea, and Holly Aschenbrenner. The election will be held on April 7th.
City Clerk: Training
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve City Clerk Amy Burton and Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber to attend the Spring Clerk’s Conference from March 11th – 13th in Wichita, KS. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
General Government: Special Project
Ms. Burton reported that Ms. Weber was successful in obtaining a Fort Hays State University 310 Leadership Team to help with the Community Development Block Grant Low-to-Moderate Income Surveys. The Team will orchestrate an awareness campaign of the purpose of the surveys, and will also help coordinate the door-to-door portion of obtaining the resident surveys.
Swimming Pool
It was the consensus of Council to operate the City municipal swimming pool this season. Ms. Burton will move forward with the search for a Pool Manager and lifeguards.
General Government: Contract
Ms. Burton has been notified by Imaging Office Systems that due to the size of some of the blueprints included with the building permits to be scanned, the fee to perform the scanning will increase $300 – $500. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to approve an additional amount not to exceed $500 for Imaging Office Systems to scan the oversized blueprints, with funds to come from the General – Administrative budget. The motion carried 4-0.
Mayor/Council
Mayor Lyle Johnston thanked the Departments for their part in the Facility Tour Work Session held on January 31st. Council would like for the facility tour to become part of the annual orientation for Council members.
Council member Dave McDaniel reported that he and fellow Council members John Walz and Jolene Niernberger will be attending City Hall Day in Topeka on February 4th.
Council member John Walz reminded Council that the City’s additional 1% sales tax expires in 2016. He would like to see it renewed to help with funding for water exploration.
Council member Gary Luea inquired on the Clerk’s progress with the SEC continuing financial disclosures, the need to explore options for employee health insurance, and also reported that additional contracts for water exploration are in process.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dave McDaniel moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays is ramping up its “Turf Conversion Rebate,” which Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno said has the “potential to be the city’s most successful water conservation program ever.”

During the 2015 budget process, city commissioners allocated $50,000 dollars from the water sales tax for development of the rebate program. It would encourage people to convert lawns and other turf to warm season grass, which is drought-tolerant, and according to Briseno, uses 75 percent less water than cool season grass.

“We use right around 1.5 million gallons of water a day during the winter time, mostly around the house. During the summer time, we use twice as much, right around 3 to 3.5 million gallons of water per day. So it’s pretty obvious we’re using most of that water on our turfs, on our lawns,” Briseno said.

Xeriscaping and artificial turf would also be eligible for the turf conversion rebate of $1 dollar per square foot with a maximum rebate of $1,000 thousand dollars.

“Right now the city has rebates for (low-flow) urinals, toilets, showerheads and washing machines. All of those combined will save about 20 acre feet of water if fully utilized by residents throughout the year.

“This program alone will save about 20 acre feet. We budgeted $50,000 for the turf conversion rebate program. If we had to go out and purchase water rights for that 20 acre feet, it would cost the city close to $600,000 dollars. So it’s a pretty good rate of return.

“If people people do this one year, this could be a compounding savings (in future years) for water customers themselves as well as the city,” Briseno added.

Water Conservation Specialist Jason Riegel will discuss the program implementation with city commissioners during their Thursday night work session.

Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau

From wedding planning and Valentines, to wrestling and pheasants, there’s plenty to enjoy in Hays this month.

Janet Kuhn of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau has highlights of some February activities:

More information and updates is available by calling the Hays CVB office at (785)-628-8202 or at www.haysusa.net.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale kicked off Saturday and continues through March 8.

The Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, which includes 80 western Kansas counties, will be selling eight cookie favorites — Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Shortbreads and Thanks-A-Lots. Thin Mints and Shortbreads are the top sellers locally, according to Lisa Cech, product sales manager in the Hays regional office office.

The Heartland Scouts are also selling a new cookie, which Cech said is available as part of a test market pilot program.

“With all the health issues we all face nowadays and celiac disease becoming very prevalent in our society, we took the idea of a gluten-free cookie back to our bakers and they do their research. There’s a lot of factors to consider–making sure it’s a good product and ships well,” Cech explained.

“Heartland Kansas is part of a pilot project for the gluten-free with the baker we partner with — ABC Bakers.  We have a limited amount of the gluten-free Trios, which is a peanut butter-chocolate chip oatmeal cookie.”

“I like them. Even my teenage son likes them,” Cech laughed. “He thinks they’re ‘the greatest,’ so they must be good!”

The Hays Girl Scout office hosted a Hays Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Friday morning to celebrate the cookie sale kickoff.

Along with the chance to sample all nine cookies varieties, the Girl Scout staff made and served “Thin Mint” pancakes, “Lemonades” smoothies, and sweet rolls topped with “Caramel deLites.”

All the Girl Scout cookie varieties will sell for $4 dollars a box — a 50 cent increase. “This is the first increase we’ve had in more than 10 years,” noted Cech.

After paying the baker, all of the money earned from cookie sales stays within Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland and supports local programs for local girls.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the world.

Cookie customers are helping local Girl Scouts prepare to become leaders now and in the future, according to Cech. “The Scouts are developing lifelong, key skills including goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics,” she said.

There are 212 Girls Scouts selling cookies in Ellis and Russell counties.

To find a local Girl Scout to buy cookies from, call the Hays Girl Scout office at (785) 625-5671.  Cookie sales booths will be set up in various locations beginning Feb. 13.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The new Executive Director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation is moving back to town from Wichita with her family.

They’re moving Saturday, her husband starts his job Sunday, and she starts Monday.

Sara Bloom and her husband Kael both enjoyed their jobs in Wichita, but Sara says her two young boys, Isaac, 6, and Judah, 3, missed their Hays friends, and she and Kael missed their “small-town relationships.”

Earlier this month, Bloom drove to Hays to attend the annual meeting of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation and introduce herself to the board members she hadn’t met during the interview process.

Bloom is a 2005 Fort Hays State University graduate with a degree in communications. For about three years, she worked in the local TV industry and shot television commercials for many downtown Hays businesses. Bloom also has sales experience.

The past six years she’s worked in marketing and graphic design, both in Hays and Wichita, and says “that’s where my true passion lies.”

“I love event planning, and marketing and design–the creativity that comes with that. When I saw this position was open, I knew I wanted this job. I love downtown Hays. Hays, as a whole, is just a wonderful community and downtown is just so vital to the life of the city,” Bloom said.

Bloom also likes the idea that “no day will be the same.”

“One day you’ll be out meeting people, event planning the next day, then marketing and graphic design the next–I love that.

“I have a little bit of ADD, and I want to make sure I have a ‘mix’ in the positions that I hold. I think this is the perfect fit for me,” added Bloom with a laugh.

Bloom said she also plans to begin attending the Hays City Commission meetings regularly as she begins working on her goals for DHDC throughout the next five years.

Her husband, Kael Bloom, will return to a pastor’s position with Celebration Community Church in Hays. They now also have a 10-month-old daughter, Kadence.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Pets sometime get lost and wearing a city of Hays pet license makes it easier for Fido to get home in time for dinner.

Annual pet licenses are $5 for neutered or spayed cats and dogs; $25 if the pets are not altered.

Even if your pet is micro-chipped, the information that is visible on the city tag provides quicker help, according to Hays Animal Control Officer Nikki Hausler.

“Once they’re registered, keep that tag on them because the city of Hays Police Department has 24-hour-a-day access to that database that keeps (the information.)  A lot of times people will have their rabies vaccination tags on there but no city tags,” Hausler said.

”If the vet clinics are closed, there’s no way for us to get those animals home to you.  If they’ve got their city registration tag, we dial you up and say ‘Hey, your dog got out. We’ll bring it home to you,’ instead of taking them out to the shelter where they’ll be impounded and incurring those impoundment costs (to the owner),” Hausler added.

The owners whose lost pets don’t have a city license and are picked up by Animal Control, will pay a higher fine.

Pet licenses are available for purchase in the city clerk’s office in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main. Owners must bring their pets’ proof of rabies vaccination.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The duo selected for the Hays Arts Council Music Residency in celebration of Kansas Day are award-winners and have been nominated for two Grammys.

Scenic Roots is a sister duo, Erin and Amber Rogers, from Concordia, which combines old-time mountain melodies, bluegrass drive, Irish traditions and down-home humor. Using mountain dulcimer, fiddle, claw-hammer banjo, hammered dulcimer and powerful vocals, they are keeping mountain traditions alive while adding their own creative flair to every song.

“This is such a great way of broadening what we’ve had in the past for our Kansas Day Music Residency,” said HAC Executive Director Brenda Meder. “Scenic Roots brings a different variety of instruments and songs that are the music melting pot that is Kansas.”

Erin and Amber Rogers  grew up making music together. Older sister, Erin, 27, plays mountain dulcimers and sings harmony. She won the National Mountain Dulcimer Contest in 2004 at age 17.

Amber, 25, fills out the sound with lead vocals, fiddle, claw-hammer banjo, and hammered dulcimer. She placed in the top five at the Walnut Valley Festival Fiddle Contest in Winfield in 2010 and 2011.

Both women are graduates of South Plains College’s prestigious bluegrass music program in Levelland, Texas.

The HAC weeklong music residency includes performances at 12 elementary schools in five communities:  Hays, Ellis, Victoria, Plainville and Russell.

Friday is the final day with appearances in Hays at Roosevelt and Washington Elementary schools in the morning and at Bickerdyke Elementary with Simpson Elementary school in Russell Friday afternoon.

Click HERE to watch Scenic Roots perform at Wilson Elementary in Hays.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

RUSSELL — Kansas history came to life Tuesday and Wednesday in the Deines Cultural Center in Russell.

More than 200 elementary school students from Russell, Natoma and Wilson entered a Plains Indian buffalo camp and then visited 11 other themed stations for hands-on learning including Campfire Singing, Wash Day, Cowboy Corral, Hen House (with live chickens), Milo, Grinding and Sifting, Bread Making and Butter Making.

The two-day event was sponsored by Delta Kappa Gamma in celebration of Kansas Day. Kansas was the 34th state to enter the Union on January 29, 1861.

About 50 volunteers helped at the various stations, explaining to the school children what pioneer and Indian life on the Kansas prairie was like.

“We’re senior citizens,” said Susan Krug, one of the organizers. “We’re all grandparents.” Many of the volunteers were also retired teachers.

Volunteers came from Hays and as far away as Andover, according to Krug.

Additional expertise for the Plains Indian camp, which took two days to set up, came from a volunteer at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area south of Russell.

This was the third annual Kansas Day event organized by Delta Kappa Gamma.

“We want it to be more and more like a children’s museum with lots of hands-on activities,” said Krug.

“Children learn by doing.”

By BECKY KISER and NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Although there are a couple of places in Ellis that can be used for community meetings, they’re somewhat small and can’t hold that many people.

The Ellis High School Alumni Association is pursuing the idea of a large community center in the vacant bowling alley at the north end of town. It would be used by many different groups, including class reunions organized by EHSAA.

“We’ve had to hold our all-school reunion in the Schenk Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds,” said EHSAA Secretary Goldie Dinkel. “It’s nice there but people had to drive (to and from Ellis) and didn’t like it.”

EHSAA group will host a public forum tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Ellis High School Auditorium to gather input from Ellis residents.

Dinkel said the project has already been presented to the Ellis City Council. Committee members, project contractors, project service providers and economic development professional will be at tonight’s meeting.

“What we need is the helping hands,” Dinkel said.

“We have a lot of professional contractors who’ve already committed their time and their labor to help get this together, and that’s what we need is the time and labor from the community of Ellis.

“We’ve already heard a lot of support for this–people saying we need a community center–but they’re saying they can’t afford to give any money. That’s not it. What we need is people to paint, people to sweep, people to hammer.

“Once you tell them that, they’re saying, ‘Yeah–I could donate hours.'”

“That’s what we’re trying to get across to everybody. We’re not just asking for money. We’re really asking for help,” Dinkel explained.

EHSAA has submitted a KAN-STEP application for Community Development Block Grant funds to help build the community center. The KAN-STEP grant requires volunteer labor as matching funds for the grant dollars.

Dinkel said there is a February 15 deadline for deciding whether there is enough community support to move ahead with the project.

The old bowling alley building has been gutted and is “structurally sound,” according to Dinkel.

“There’s plenty of room in there and we have blueprints, we have plans. We’re ready to go,” she said.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Officials are at the scene of a plane crash in Sherman County northwest of Goodland that happened Wednesday morning.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman said a twin engine plane crashed in Sherman County about 8:56 a.m. Central Time near the intersection of county roads 10 and 71.

According to Hileman the plane was carrying freight and registered to Key Lime Air of Englewood, Colorado.

Hileman said the pilot is “OK.”

FHSU University Relations

Dr. Sheryl L. Santos-Hatchett has been added to the slate of finalists who will visit the campus of Fort Hays State University to interview for the vacant provost position.

FHSU is organized into three divisions — Student Affairs; Administration and Finance; and Academic Affairs — and the provost, as chief academic officer, leads the Division of Academic Affairs. Dr. Chris Crawford has been serving as provost on an interim basis since October 2013.

The search committee learned that one of the original five finalists, Dr. Cynthia Pemberton, deputy provost, University of Missouri-Kansas City, was withdrawing for personal reasons.

Dr. Santos-Hatchett, founding dean of the Division of Education and Human Services at the University of North Texas at Dallas, was named as a finalist today in place of Dr. Pemberton. She joins the other four finalists named previously: Dr. Graham Glynn, vice provost and executive dean of college-wide programs, Mercy College, New York City; Dr. John P. Ronnau, dean, College of Health Sciences & Human Services, University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas; Dr. Gersham Nelson, dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg; and Dr. John Ryder, vice president for academic affairs and provost, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

Each of the finalists will meet with various individuals and groups during their visits on the Hays campus. Those meetings will include a media interview session and three general sessions. Alumni and members of the general public are welcome to attend the Campus Open Forums. With Dr. Santos-Hatchett replacing Dr. Pemberton, here is the updated schedule:

Dr. Graham Glynn
· Faculty Leaders — 11 to 11:50 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union
· Students — 1 to 1:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Trails Room, Memorial Union
· Campus Open Forum — 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union
· Media Interview — 3:10 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union

Dr. Sheryl L. Santos-Hatchett
· Faculty Leaders — 5 to 5:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union
· Students — 9 to 9:50 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union
· Campus Open Forum — 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union
· Media Interview — 3:40 to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union

Dr. John P. Ronnau
· Faculty Leaders — 11 to 11:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Black and Gold Room, Memorial Union
· Students — 1 to 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Trails Room, Memorial Union
· Campus Open Forum — 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union
· Media Interview — 3:10 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Smoky Hill Room, Memorial Union

Dr. Gersham Nelson
· Faculty Leaders — 1 to 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Black and Gold Room, Memorial Union
· Students — 9 to 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union
· Campus Open Forum — 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union
· Media Interview — 3:30 to 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Smoky Hill Room, Memorial Union

Dr. John Ryder
· Faculty Leaders — 11 to 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Pioneer Room, Memorial Union
· Students — 1 to 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Eagle Communication Hall, Robbins Center
· Campus Open Forum — 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Eagle Communication Hall, Robbins Center
· Media Interview — 3:10 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Upper Conference Room, Robbins Center

Following the campus visits, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends can post their thoughts and recommendations about the finalists through a survey that will be available on the provost search website.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Soup ‘R Bowl is this Sunday, Jan. 25.

No, it’s not that big football game — this is the Humane Society of the High Plains annual fundraiser.

The 18th annual event is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Unrein Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.

About a dozen local celebrity chefs will be stirring up their best soups, vying for the coveted Golden Ladle trophy. The winner is considered the “crowd favorite,” receiving the most ticket votes by attendees. Admission is five dollars which allows for a sample of each soup. All the proceeds go to medical expenses for the animals, according to shelter manager Betty Hansen.

“All the proceeds go to medical expenses for the animals (in the Virginia Miller Animal Shelter)–spays and neuters, as many of those as we can do. Those proceeds all go directly to animal care — it’s not for any other functions or salaries. People always ask and we assure them, the Soup ‘R Bowl proceeds go directly to the animals,” Hansen explained.

“Get there early,” she recommended. “We usually run out of soup.”

There will also be homemade desserts available for purchase, as well as cookbooks with the chefs’ recipes. Attendees can also sign up for door prizes.

Tickets are available in advance at the Hays Veterinary Hospital, 1016 E. Eighth; Fur is Flying, 2204 Vine; Back to Nature, 2707 Vine; the Humane Society of the High Plains, 2050 E. U.S. 40; and at the door.