CASA of the High Plains

CASA of the High Plains will host its fifth annual Valentine’s Evening Saturday, February 14, at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. 8th.

This fun and memorable evening of giving includes dinner, music by the Flat Land Band with a live auction and a silent auction.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail hour and silent auction. Dinner, catered by Rose Garden Steak Haus & Catering, LLC, will be served at 7 p.m. The live auction starts at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $30 each or $210 for a table of eight people. Tickets are available for purchase at Commerce Bank, 2200 Vine; Eagle Communications Customer Care Center, 1902 Vine; or by calling the CASA office at (785)-628-8641.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system. They stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence—the one adult who cares only for them.

CASA of the High Plans serves the 23rd Judicial District which includes Ellis, Trego, Gove and Rooks counties. Hays resident Janette Meis is the CASA state director.

ELLIS — Residents of Ellis who completed last fall’s City Resident Satisfaction Survey are mostly concerned about street conditions. Those surveyed also expressed concern about water availability and the ongoing drought.

City council members discussed the survey results during their Jan. 5 meeting.

It was noted that funds have been earmarked in recent budgets for repair and maintenance of city streets. Council members also talked about how to improve communication with the public about city projects.

The full meeting minutes follow.

CITY OF ELLIS REGULAR MEETING Minutes January 5, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, 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, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Terry Redetzke was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Brian Spano, Steve Hanson, John Begler, Ryan Augustine, and Glen Keller.
PUBLIC MEETING – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS
A public meeting was held at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of considering an application to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Kansas Public Wastewater Supply Loan Fund for wastewater treatment plant improvements. The public meeting closed at 7:32 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS
A public hearing was held at 7:32 p.m. for the same purpose of considering an application to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Kansas Public Wastewater Supply Loan Fund for wastewater treatment plant improvements. Steve Hanson, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development, and Brian Spano, Wilson & Co., provided a synopsis of the required improvements needed at the City’s wastewater treatment plant and how those improvements will be funded. The public hearing closed at 7:37 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 15, 2014 and Bills Ordinance #1964. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Begler addressed Council regarding noticeably higher water usage on his last two utility bills. A leaky valve on his water softener appears to be the cause and will be repaired. City Clerk Amy Burton informed Mr. Begler to submit the repair bill to the Clerk’s office for consideration of an adjustment from the water conservation rate on his utility bill.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Police: Disposal
Mayor Lyle Johnston opened the sealed bids for the used battery pack from the Police Department. Two bids were submitted: Kelly Crnkovich – $10.00, and Ed Linenberger – $45.00. Council member John Walz moved to accept the high bid from Ed Linenberger in the amount of $45.00 for the Police Department battery pack. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Fire
Fire Chief Denis Vine requested permission to obtain bids for new bunker gear for the Fire Department. The Capital Improvement Plan provides for $32,000 to be spent in 2015 for new coats and pants; $3,500 to replace 10 pairs of boots; and $2,550 to replace 10 self-contained breathing apparatus face masks. It was the consensus of Council to allow Chief Vine to solicit bids for the needed gear for further consideration.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Brian Spano, Wilson & Co., reviewed in detail the proposed Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for the design phase of the required wastewater treatment plant improvements. The proposed engineering fee of $96,546.00 is already included in the estimated total project cost of $880,000. The Council would like to table the item until the January 19th meeting in order to have more time to review the Agreement.
Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance
The Governing Body reviewed a drawing of the proposed parking lot to be constructed at 9th St. and Jefferson St. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman provided bids from Flatlander Dirtworks, LLC, and American Tank Service to haul 600 tons of millings for the parking lot. This item will be tabled until the January 19th meeting.
General Government: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton reported she is currently working on the Failure to File notices for the 2006 bond issuances. In order to become compliant with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board continuing disclosure requirements, the City needs to submit the Failure to File notices, Annual Financial Information, and Additional Information for each year since issuance.
General Government: Special Project
The Governing Body discussed the tabulations of the City Resident Satisfaction Survey conducted last fall. Street conditions continue to be a primary concern. Mr. Scheuerman praised Council on earmarking funds in recent budgets to help repair and maintain City streets. Another concern was water availability and the ongoing drought. The Governing Body discussed different ways the City currently communicates with the public, and what the City can do to improve communications.

NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Disposal
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed a list of records scheduled to be destroyed per the City’s retention schedule. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the Approval for Destruction for Public Records. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: City Code – GAAP Waiver
The Council considered a resolution exempting the City of Ellis from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles’ requirements for financial statements and financial reports. Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to approve Resolution #505 waiving the GAAP financial reporting requirements for 2015. The motion carried 5-0.
Police: Acquisition
Police Chief Taft Yates presented bids from Lewis Ford, Marmie Ford, and General Services Administration (GSA) for a 2015 Ford Sedan Police Interceptor. A bid was also presented from Ka-Comm for the installation of the police equipment into the sedan in the amount of $9,761.40. The Capital Improvement Plan provides for $43,000 for a new vehicle in 2015. Chief Yates recommended the Council approve the low bid from Lewis Ford in the amount of $24,397, less $10,000 trade-in for the 2012 Dodge Charger, bringing the bid total to $14,397. With the Ka-Comm bid for installation of equipment, the total price to purchase and outfit the 2015 Sedan would be approximately $24,158.40, well below the $43,000 budgeted. After further discussion, Council member John Walz moved to accept the bid from Lewis Ford in the amount of $24,397, less the $10,000 trade-in allowance for the 2012 Dodge Charger, bringing the purchase price to $14,397. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion failed 2-3 with Council members Niernberger and Walz voting for the motion, and Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea, and Dave McDaniel voting opposed. After the vote, Council member Walz questioned if the Capital Improvement Plan needed revised if the Council wasn’t going to follow through with planned expenditures.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the report received from the Kansas Rural Water Association on their testing and review of the water wells. The Council questioned how the bacteria levels differ now than from when the treatment plant was constructed. Mr. Scheuerman plans to obtain bids from Don’s Electric to upgrade the electrical box and other minor maintenance items on the wells, as noted in the report.
Layne Christensen has taken the pump from Well #2 back to Nebraska for repairs. They did find holes in the original steel pipe in Well #12 and discovered the cast iron in the bowl has become soft. Layne provided a quote to repair Well #12 and to remove and inspect the pump from Well #13. Council member Gary Luea moved to accept the quote from Layne Christensen in the amount of $6,684.36 with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Reserve. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reviewed a report submitted by Wastewater Operator Steve Homburg regarding inspection of the City sewer lift stations.
Public Works: Special Meeting
It was decided that the Governing Body will meet on January 31st at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to begin a tour of the City’s off-site facilities.
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman informed Council of recent vandalism at Chrysler Park. Utility Services has increased their annual contract the full 15% as projected during budget preparation. Their 2015 contract for maintaining the water tower is $11,282.16. Mr. Scheuerman has been asked by the Kansas Water Authority to serve on one of fourteen Regional Goal Setting Teams. Mr. Scheuerman will serve on the team representing the Smoky Hill Saline planning region.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that Officer Moeder has started at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center today. Officer Wechsler has completed his field training and is now able to be on duty by himself. Chief Yates reviewed the December Report of Activity and the January officer calendar. He also presented a bill for a new cabinet in the Police Department. One of the cabinets in the office fell off of the wall and was destroyed.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reminded the Governing Body of the City Christmas Party to be held on January 10th. The annual rabies clinic will be held January 24th from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the City shop. The deadline for the CommUNITY Thrift Shop grant is January 31st. Ms. Burton reported the Safety Board plans to conduct a safety inspection at the Water Treatment Plant on January 7th.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported she has contacted Mr. Bob Symns to inform him the City is not interested in acquiring his property for water exploration at this time.
Mayor/Council
Mayor Lyle Johnston reminded everyone of the filing deadline for public office is noon on January 27th. Currently, Dave McDaniel has filed for Mayor, and Jolene Niernberger and Ryan Augustine have filed for City Council. Mayor Johnston also reported Council member Terry Redetzke has accepted a different job and may be unable to attend some of the Council meetings.
Council member Dave McDaniel noted the light at the top of the water tower is not working. He asked if some of the older Christmas decorations in Memorial Park could be refurbished for the next season. Mr. McDaniel inquired of the street light audit with Midwest Energy. Mr. Scheuerman reported he expects to hear from Midwest Energy later in January. Mr. McDaniel then reported he has received complaints from the Ellis Recreation Commission of fumes from the City equipment infiltrating their office at the Old Power Plant.
Council member Gary Luea requested an executive session to discuss property acquisition.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session to discuss property acquisition. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:42 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Ron Johnson moved to recess to executive session to discuss property acquisition with the City Attorney and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman present. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:52 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dave McDaniel moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

City officials acknowledge that upcoming changes in the SkyWest flight schedule at the Hays Regional Airport are not very convenient. Still, Public Works Director I.D. Creech hopes people will continue to book flights to show parent company United that Hays has a viable flying public.

“There’s still two flights (week days.) The airline is still providing the same service that we had before,” Creech said.

Creech was quick to praise SkyWest’s service.

“The flight to Denver on the jet is great. We still land inside the area with the jetway to get inside the (Denver International Airport) terminal so you can make whatever connections you can.

“We understand this schedule is not the best for a lot of people but it is the schedule being offered. It’s on a competitive basis–a business determination made by United,” Creech said.

SkyWest is moving to an all-jet fleet and each city where a plane stays overnight now will have to double up with another airport. One city will get an overnight stay–the other city won’t.

The result is no morning flights in Hays during February. The earliest flight out will be about  2 p.m. In March and April, the schedule improves slightly with an 11 a.m. departure.

“It’s a mid-morning flight that will facilitate a lot more traffic for us to make connections in Denver.”

“We’re hoping that our flying public will give United a chance while we’re going through this change in schedule so we can keep our (enplanement) numbers up. It’s very important for us to show we do have flying public and that we are in need of good service from here to some hubs so we can make connections with the world,” Creech said.

“The schedule is always subject to change,” he added.

SkyWest service started August 1, 2014, in Hays with a 6:50 a.m. departure to Denver.

Creech said city officials continue to work towards changing the SkyWest flight schedule back to what it was when service began August 1.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Earaches, lacerations and sprained ankles don’t always happen during normal business hours. When your doctor’s office is closed, you can go to the hospital emergency room, but that’s expensive.

To “meet the community’s need,” HaysMed is opening its new Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic Monday, January 12.

Located in Building 4 of the Oak Park Medical Complex, 2501 E. 13th, the facility will be open seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

“The hospital emergency department can be convenient and timely, but it can also be expensive for patients who don’t have a true life-threatening condition,” said Director of Critical Care Kevin Myers.

Myers knows exactly what can happen.

“I’m the parent of four children, and they get an ear infection Friday night and need an antibiotic. It’s their third ear infection of the season and you know exactly what they need, but what do you do? Go to the emergency department and that’s just a tough one to swallow (financially.)

“Convenient Care will allow you to get that antibiotic, see a healthcare provider and make sure that’s what it is,” said Myers.

The clinic will not take appointments; care is provided on a walk-in basis only.

“We expect to have patients in and out within an hour to 90 minutes,” Myers said. Convenient Care employs nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical nurses along with office staff. There are six treatment rooms and one larger procedure room.

Myers described the walk-in clinic as a “growth plan in process.”

“We started with the ‘Fast Track’ in the (hospital) emergency department to offer that non-emergent quick care by adding a second provider to work from two to 10 p.m. We found that just wasn’t working. The next logical step was to take it off campus, broaden the hours and be able to offer a cheaper rate than what the emergency department could offer.”

Payment will be required up-front, whether that’s an insurance co-payment or the flat fee of $55 dollars to be seen. Treatment information will be forwarded to the patient’s primary care provider.

HaysMed Convenient Care will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The hours of operation are based on availability of local pharmacies that are open at the same times to immediately fill prescriptions that may be prescribed, Myers explained.

“We’ll continuously look at the data and make adjustments as we need them–determining if these hours are the best and if we need to offer additional services, such as sports physicals.”

There is one major change already being planned.

“We’re actively pursuing an alternative location where we can build or revamp a structure closer to I-70 and Vine Street,” said Myers. “It’ll be more convenient for people in other communities and for traffic on I-70 that comes into Hays. Somebody may be in town for their kid’s basketball tournament and decide to stop in at the clinic to have their sore throat looked at.”

Radiology and other equipment will be in place at the newer location. Currently, Convenient Care is using the hospital’s radiology department.

Myers says the goal is to relocate the walk-in clinic nearer to Interstate 70 within 12 months.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

For the second consecutive month, general fund sales tax collection for the city of Hays was up.

Finance Director Kim Rupp called the December and November increases “a good rebound” at the end of 2014, which still had a negative sales tax trend.

“(As of Dec. 23, 2014), general fund sales tax collections were at $652,400 dollars, which is a nice increase of $98,803 dollars as compared to last year,” he told city commissioners at the last meeting of 2014. “This puts year-to-date general fund sales tax collections up $69,400 dollars or 1 percent.”

November 2014 sales tax collections were up 1.03 percent from November 2013. The only other month with an increase from a year ago was June at 0.18 percent.

City officials have said they are “unable to pinpoint any specific reason” for the negative sales tax trend in 2014.  The last time it occurred was in 2011 when the entire country was in the throes of a recession.

The local sales tax goes into the Hays general fund for city services including fire, police, parks, swimming pools and the golf course. It also provides funding to outside agencies including economic development, Downtown Hays Development Corp., United Way CARE Council and Fort Hays State University scholarships.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

At a time of year you might reasonably expect water use to be down dramatically, 50 water customers in Hays still used enough water during November to be charged the higher prices in the city’s Tier Two Conservation level.

Finance Director Kim Rupp told city commissioners during their final meeting of 2014 that November water consumption was down 24 percent, although the 50 top water users are consistently the same each month.

“Everybody else seems to be getting the message,” commented Vice-Mayor Eber Phelps. “Obviously, we’re seeing a drop in (water) revenues due to that and due to water conservation.”

“I honestly feel those (high use) people are ‘set it and forget it,’ ” Rupp responded. “They set their sprinkler system and forget about it or they have someone else taking care of it and they’ve forgotten about it, so they were watering (lawns and landscaping) into November.”

According to Rupp, water consumption in Hays was down 7 percent in 2014 from the year before. That also means a 2 percent decline in annual water revenue for the city.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Most of the Ellis County residents who seek financial assistance from First Call For Help are employed, but their income isn’t enough when something unexpected happens.

“There are many, many families in Ellis County, as well as individuals, who are working for minimum wage or just part-time,  or they may be on a fixed income, and they are always barely scraping by,” said FCFH Director Linda Mills.

“Any crisis, even if it’s just the battery that needs to be replaced on their car, can cause a crisis in their life because that takes away the money they would use to pay the rent or the utilities.”

The FCFH Emergency Assistance Fund helps 85 to 100 Ellis County families every year, according to Mills, impacting between 300 to 350 local individuals.

“The criteria is not so much an income eligibility as much as it is the nature of the crisis going on in their family or the emergency situation.”

After screening a request and determining their eligibility, First Call may refer people to other programs which will better fulfill their needs.

“It may be something as simple as ‘We’re running low on funds this month after paying rent and now we need food.’  So we might refer them to the food pantries in town or we have a food pantry here if the others aren’t open,” Mills explained.

First Call for Help was established in the late 1980s by local clergy, law enforcement and other community members who began talking about a centralized place for people to contact when they needed help, whether they were local residents or transients.

“People who are traveling through–maybe their car broke down, they ran out of fuel, or maybe they’ve been hitching (rides) to get where they’re going and they don’t have shelter for the night–we can often can give them a ride to a shelter.   Usually, they’ve been in contact with law enforcement first and then LEC dispatch will call us, ” she said.

The Transient Assistance Fund aids an estimated 300 to 325 people annually.

“When you include all the referrals we make, we’re helping about 900 to 1,200 people every year,” Mills said.

First Call For Help is funded by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance and the United Way of Ellis County.

“We also depend on local contributions.  Each holiday season we conduct a mail-in campaign fundraiser during December.

“Every dollar helps,” Mills stressed.”

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Fort Hays State University has the second lowest in-state tuition in the country according to U.S. News and World Report.

The recognition reflects updated ranks and data from the 2015 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, as reported to U.S. News by schools in an annual survey.

Among the 10 schools on the list, average in-state tuition and fees is $4,893 – a slight increase from the average of $4,876 for the 2013-2014 cheapest public schools. For all 413 schools that submitted data for 2014-2015, the average is $8,794.

Fort Hays State is listed at $4,469 for 2014-2015 in-state tuition and fees.

The least expensive school listed is Bismarck State College, North Dakota, at $4,222 for in-state tuition and fees this academic year.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

This year’s annual Hays Alley Cleanup was a big one, according to Solid Waste Supervisor Marvin Honas.

The 2014 cleanup netted 809,000 pounds of unwanted stuff, everything from old couches to concrete blocks to refrigerators and tree limbs.  Items not collected in the normal refuse are picked up and hauled off to the Ellis County Landfill using a variety of city trucks, tractors and trailers. There’s no cost to Hays residential customers.

The 2013 alley collection total was 760,000 pounds.

“That’s considerably more than last year. That’s why we it took us about a day and half longer that last year’s cleanup,” said Honas.

“It’s a very successful program. We picked up a whole lot of stuff.”

Honas isn’t sure why this year was bigger than usual.

“We try to figure that out. Nothing special was going on–it just runs in a kind of cycle. Maybe people accumulate for four or five years and finally put it out, or something of that nature,” he theorized. “We’re not quite sure.”

Honas said the largest category increases were in Construction and Demolition and Municipal. City employees from several departments worked the cleanup from Oct.27 to Nov. 5.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Dealing with snow removal is nothing new for the new manager of the Hays Regional Airport.

Nathan Marcucci began his Hays job November 3, after serving as the Cherry Capital Airport operations supervisor in Traverse City, Michigan.  The city averages 102 inches of snow each winter, according to U.S. Climate Data.

In Hays, the average winter snow accumulation is 16 inches.

According to Marcucci, the decision to begin plowing the runways can be triggered in varying situations.  The Federal Aviation Administration and Skywest, the airport service provider, have different recommended snow removal guidelines.

“Where do you start plowing?  At what depth do you start plowing? As the airport manager, I’m going to make that decision (each snowfall) with my maintenance operator, Rick Hines, who has a lot of experience here. Sometimes the decision to plow works out well, sometimes it doesn’t.”

Plowing snow often creates ice on the runways and tarmac, another winter weather problem.

Marcucci said he’d like to get some new equipment at the airport, which would entirely change the decision-making process for snow removal.

“An airport sweeper simply sweeps the dry snow off the runways and decreases the chance of icing,” Marcucci explained, “so the decision about snow removal and its results is less (uncertain.)”

“One of my goals is to get an airport sweeper. It’s not going to happen for awhile because to takes a little bit to get the funding for it.

“In the meantime, I’m going to the best job I can with the equipment and knowledge that I have.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Thomas More Prep Marian is discontinuing its dorm program next year.

Development Director Jeff Brull described the change as “unfortunate, but necessary, because the Catholic school can’t keep up financially with the maintenance needs of the high school boys and girls dorms.”

Instead, TMP is partnering with Nacel Open Door, a non-profit organization which places foreign students with American host families.

“We’re very fortunate in already having about 20 host families coming forward and saying they’ll host a student in their homes,” Brull said.

“We currently average between 50 and 60 boarders each year and we anticipate that might drop between 20 and 30 students.

“A lot of the kids have been at TMP for a year or two, and they love the school and the atmosphere, love the teachers, and they’ve decided they want to finish their schooling at TMP. Some of them have younger siblings who’ve said they also want to come to Hays and attend TMP.

“I think the issue is going to be not a lack of students interested in attending a host family school, but a need for more host families, and we do hope we’ll be getting a few more so we can maximize the number of students.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for both the students and the families–the best way to learn a new language and new culture is to live with a local family.”

The female TMP boarders were temporarily moved into the Hadley Center this fall after the girls dorm was found to have major electrical deficiencies.  Brull said that 10-month lease will not be renewed.

Anyone interested in becoming a host family for a TMP Marian student should contact Admissions Director Angie Roth at [email protected] or call (785)-625-6577.

Brull said financial compensation is available to families who meet the requirements.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The day after Christmas will be a busy one for employees of the Hays Solid Waste Division. They’re planning on picking up lots more trash than usual, the shiny remnants of all those holiday gifts and decorations.

Solid Waste Superintendent Marvin Honas hopes the recycling trucks are really busy.  “We encourage Hays residents to recycle as much as they can, particularly boxes,” said Honas.

Honas issued a reminder some things that may be inside cardboard boxes, cannot be recycled in Hays.

“A lot of people leave the styrofoam packing inside the boxes, especially for something like a TV. So we’re encouraging people to remember to remove the styrofoam and any plastic wrapping that a lot of components come in.”

The styrofoam and plastic wrapping has to go into the regular waste collection.

Plastic packaging #1 through #7 that may have contained a retail item can be recycled, as well as all that once-festive, now wadded-up and ripped-up gift wrap, along with Christmas cards and envelopes.

“Christmas wrapping paper is definitely recyclable. We get a lot of extra paper and boxes in the recycling pickups several days after Christmas.”

“We definitely get more (holiday) recyclables and we definitely encourage people to recycle as much as they can,” Honas said.

Thursday and Friday’s collection schedule will be picked up on Friday, Dec. 26.

The volume of household waste in the United States generally increases 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — about 1 million extra tons, according to the  Environmental Protection Agency.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Christmas tree in the Dreiling Lobby of the Fort Hays State University Sheridan Hall is decorated with unique sparkling silver ornaments. When you look closely, you can see the official FHSU Tiger logo engraved onto each piece.

A traditional star topping the Christmas tree also features the Tiger logo.

“Instructor Randy Jordan and Assistant Professor Kris Munsch of the FHSU Institute of Applied Technology worked together in the campus metal lab to design and cut the ornaments with a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) mill,” according to Melissa B. Dixon, University Relations Social Media Coordinator.

“This ‘upcycle’ project used scraps of aluminum diamond tread plate that were too small for other projects and resulted in about 30 finished pieces,” she wrote in a FHSU Facebook post Tuesday.

Dixon included a close-up picture of one of the handcrafted Tiger ornaments in the post and she suddenly had “several requests from people wanting to know if they could buy the ornaments,” so Dixon contacted Kim Stewart, the Institute’s Executive Director, who is also an associate professor.

“From time to time our TEECA Group (Technology and Engineering Education Association students) do things such as the Christmas ornaments for fundraisers. However, I believe we are all out of this particular ones at this time. Not to say we could not duplicate them at some point in time,” Steward said.

Given the interest on the Facebook posting, the FHSU ornaments could be a popular Christmas purchase next year by alumni and supporters alike.