The Hays American Red Cross chapter relocated residents near the July 16 train derailment to the Holy Family Elementary School gymnasium.
The American Red Cross Western Kansas Chapter has received a donation of $5,000 from Union Pacific railroad.
The donation was made after the American Red Cross assisted with a train derailment and fire in Hays July 16.
During the train derailment, the Red Cross opened a shelter for residents temporarily displaced from their homes.
“The Red Cross is able to do what we do thanks to the generosity of community partners like Union Pacific,” said Meagan Carver, American Red Cross Disaster Specialist, in a news release.
“Their generous donation helps us continue in our mission of alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
The Red Cross also provided services to the emergency responders on the scene in south Hays.
The band “Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations” will join the Kansas Music Hall of Fame next year.
One of the area’s longtime favorite bands, “Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations,” has been inducted into the 2014 Kansas Music Hall of Fame.
The ceremony and concert will be held March 1, 2014, at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, according to KMHF president Bill Lee.
The new inductees announced Sunday by the Kansas Music Hall of Fame are: Beast, Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band, Clif Major, Glow, Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations, Junior Brown, Sanctuary, and Wichita Linemen.
The Kansas Music Hall of Fame, Lawrence, was established in 2004 to recognize and honor performers and others who have made significant contributions to the musical history of the state of Kansas and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
Each October a vote is held to select performers who are inducted at a public ceremony early in the following year. Induction is determined by a vote of the members in good standing and the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
New irrigation and landscaping regulations for commercial and residential property owners are being drafted by the Hays Area Planning Commission.
By Becky Kiser
Hays Post
A 10-page draft recommendation for regulation of irrigation systems underwent another review at Monday’s meeting of the Hays Area Planning Commission.
Hays, along with much of western Kansas, is in the third year of a drought. Ellis County does not lie within any water resource.
“We’re in a tough place when it comes to getting water, and there’s no getting around it,” said Nick Willis, stormwater/water conservation superintendent.
Hays Stormwater/Water Conservation Superintendent Nick Willis
Most of the water used in Hays is for lawn irrigation, he said.
“Hays is failing when it comes to being good stewards of outdoor water use,” Willis said.
With the ultimate goal of water conservation, commissioners reviewed language which will add irrigation regulations to the current zoning regulations. Landscaping regulations already in effect are also being fine-tuned.
Proposed changes include:
New commercial properties
30 percent of landscaping to be xeriscaped
10,000 square feet total irrigated area
5,000 square feet of irrigated turf, with 30 percent or less consisting of cool-season grass
New residential properties
5,000 square feet irrigated turf, with up to 2,000 square feet of cool-season grass
10,000 square feet of irrigation total; Balance in irrigated xeriscaping
The planning commission will discuss the newest changes at its January meeting.
A public hearing, likely to be held in February, is required to change any part of the current zoning regulations.
The new Education Director at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays is offering new activity programs next year to appeal to all ages.
Dave Levering says even the tried-and-true after school program will get a makeover.
“We’ll still have “Adventures and Activities” from 3:30 to 5p.m. Tuesdays,” says Levering. “Beginning in January, that program will be geared to kindergarten through third-graders. We’re adding “Junior Science Explorers” for the fourth and fifth-graders Thursdays at the same time.”
Also starting in January, monthly Museum Movie Nights, with films and information the entire family can enjoy:
“Conflict Tiger” will be presented Friday, January 17, starting at 6:30p.m.
Other new programs include photography classes taught by Levering and “Food for Thought,” a community discussion of current science research in cooperation with Gella’s restaurant.
Hays City Firefighter Tim Detrixhe donates his blood Thursday morning during “Battle of the Badges.”
It’s “the gift that means something.”
The 11th annual community blood drive “Battle of the Badges” kicked off this morning at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 208 E. 8th Street, in Hays.
It’s a friendly competition between law enforcement, fire departments and EMS in Ellis County.
Hays mayor Kent Steward read a proclamation thanking the emergency responders for what they do and encouraging eligible community members to donate blood December 12-31.
“The idea is to increase the amount of blood donated during the winter months, traditionally a time of year when blood donations are seriously low,” says donor recruitment representative Catherine Younger. “Anyone can participate and vote for their favorite civil servant.”
EMS leads the competition with five wins, the Fire Department has three wins and Law Enforcement has two.
Hays City Firefighter Tyler Brungardt (center) rests after his blood donation. He’s a longtime donor nearing the 1.5 gallons mark. Lucas Everett (right) offers moral support to his fellow firefighters. He’ll be eligible to donate December 20.
This year, donors also have a chance to win His and Her Watches donated by Diamond R Jewelry.
To make an appointment for a blood donation during Battle of the Badges, or any time, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The winner’s trophy will be presented during a Fort Hays State University basketball game next month.
Hays mayor Kent Steward reads a proclamation supporting the 11th annual “Battle of the Badges.”
FHSU Foundation President and CEO Tim Chapman announces the $8 million “Power of One” scholarship campaign Wednesday morning.
The number one need for Fort Hays State University students is scholarship dollars, according to Foundation President and CEO Tim Chapman.
University officials announced Wednesday morning a new “Power of One” scholarship campaign to raise $8 million dollars by the end of next year, December 31, 2014.
It’s a 400% increase from the normal fundraising goal in a year’s time.
“The real importance of this initiative is to raise support for general scholarship needs. National trends show a push toward restricted funds, and, in order for Fort Hays State to have the ability to attract quality students, general scholarship dollars are a must,” said Chapman.
“This fundraising initiative will not only support our students, but it will recognize retiring president Dr. Ed Hammond’s 27 years of leadership and success here at Fort Hays State University.”
The amount of scholarship dollars available to FHSU students in 1986, the year before President Hammond arrived, was $424,073. In fiscal year 2013, which ended June 30, there was $1,921,387 available to Tigers.
Student enrollment has increased from 5,538 to 13,441 during Dr. Ed Hammond’s 27 years as president. Hammond will retire June 30, 2014.
“Our students are debt-adverse,” said Hammond. They may be here at FHSU for five or six years before they graduate because they’re working one or more jobs.”
“My last year here I want to create the financial resources for deserving students to stay in school, and not have to drop out for awhile to work. A large number of students leave because they don’t have the resources.”
To contribute to the Power of One scholarship campaign, visithttps://foundation.fhsu.edu, click on “Make a Gift TODAY” in the top right-hand corner and select FHSU’s Greatest Need as your area of designation.
Gubernatorial candidate and House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence
Kansas House minority leader Paul Davis is a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, his first attempt at a statewide office.
The 41-year-old Lawrence attorney was in Hays recently during a campaign tour and talked about the state’s future:
Representative Davis has been critical of cuts to Kansas’ income tax rates enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the “lost revenue is harming education, social services and other essential state services.”
Davis has served in the Kansas House of Representatives since 2003.
Jill Docking is Davis’ running mate. She is a 57-year-old investment advisor from Wichita whose husband was lieutenant governor in the 1980s.
You can see more of the Paul Davis interview this week on the Eagle Community TV Channel 14 Forum with host Gary Shorman, following Hays Post news at 6p.m. and 10 p.m.
If Kyle Ermoian had his way, there would be more songs about Thanksgiving.
The pastor of Celebration Community Church and member of the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance is looking forward to Thursday’s annual Community Thanksgiving Feast.
ECMA took over the tradition in 2007 and it’s been held in the National Guard Armory in downtown Hays.
Tomorrow’s dinner, which begins at noon, will be at the old Fanchon Ballroom.
The building has been purchased by Pam Burgardt of Rose Garden Steak House & Catering, and is now called the Rose Garden Banquet Hall.
“Now Pam won’t have to deliver the food,” says Ermoian. “It’s all in one location now.”
The former Pam’s Bakery Shop and Catering was located at 230 East Eighth Street in downtown Hays.
Food donations from shoppers at Vine Street Dillons
People attending the free dinner will also get a bag of groceries to take home.
Celebration Community Church volunteers Megan Stanley and Keith Heron were collecting food donations from shoppers Saturday at the Vine Street Dillons:
Wednesday night, about a hundred volunteers will sack the donated groceries and “deck the hall” for Thursday’s dinner.
Ermoian says the dinner costs about $4,000 and tax deductible donations are always welcome. The event is coordinated by First Call for Help; the ACCESS van will provide transportation.
The tradition started about 20 years ago, and is now continued by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance (ECMA).
The annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will have one change this year.
ECMA member Reverend Jerry Nolte of the First United Methodist Church says Thursday’s feast will be held at the former Fanchon building, now called the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. Old U.S. Highway 40.
It’s the new home of Rose Garden Steak Haus & Catering, formerly called Pam’s Bakery, which does all the cooking:
The community Thanksgiving meal was started by by Florence Wear at the Corner Garden Restaurant. When it closed in 2007, EMCA took over.
About 300 people are expected to attend the free Thanksgiving dinner, which starts at noon.
Children’s books at the Hays Public Library are now grouped in topic “Neighborhoods,” rather than by author.
It’s not easy to find the particular book you’re looking for among more than 4,000 selections housed in the Hays Public Library’s Children’s Department.
“Parents would come in saying their child likes books about trucks and ask where they are. Well, they were scattered throughout all the shelves by alphabetized by author,” recalls children’s librarian Cathleen Kroeger.
Now, the books are in “Neighborhoods,” grouped by subject.
HPL children’s librarian Cathleen Kroeger serves cake during Monday’s “Neighborhoods” grand opening.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held Monday morning, with tours to be offered all day.
“We conducted a poll in August and 100% of the respondents wanted us to change to what were calling “Neighborhoods,” says Kroeger.
Orange-labeled books about dinosaurs are first in the “Neighborhood.”
The Neighborhood topics are in alphabetical order and the related books sport color-coded stickers on their spines.
There are 13 Neighborhoods: Dinosaurs, Everyday Pets, Favorite Friends, Growing Up, Learning Time, Look and Find, Once Upon a Time, Things That Go and Wordless Books.
“Four other Neighborhoods were already somewhat in place and the children already know where to find them, ” says Kroeger.
They are: Board Books, Foreign Language, Popular and Holiday.
Ellis County Commissioners Barbara Wasinger, Dean Haselhorst and Swede Holmgren sign the final agreements Monday morning for the Invenergy Buckeye Wind Project.
It’s been seven years in the making.
Monday morning, Ellis County Commissioners signed off on the final documents for the Buckeye Wind project by Invenergy.
Three supplemental agreements were reviewed by Dennis Davidson, the county’s counselor for wind-related issues. “All three agreements are a good balance of the best interest of all involved,” said Davidson.
Agreements were signed involving road maintenance, payment in lieu of taxes and project decommissioning.
Prior to construction, Buckeye Wind will furnish a $1.32 million commercial surety bond which remains in force until the decommissioning is complete. Estimated cost of decommissioning will be updated every five years.
“Ellis County has been working on a wind energy project for seven years,” said Swede Holmgren at the conclusion of the 20-minute special meeting.
The Buckeye Wind Energy Project proposed layout of GE turbines north of I-70 and near the Trego County line.
“Now on November 25, it’s now clear to set a spade in the ground. It’s been a long project, not without pain, and we appreciate everyone involved, including past commissioners,” said Holmgren.
“It’s a great day for Ellis County,” added commission chairman Dean Haselhorst.
At the request of commissioner Barbara Wasinger, a meeting between the Buckeye project manager and local emergency departments will be scheduled soon.
“It’s a priority,” said Wasinger, “for Emergency Manager Bill Ring, the county and city fire departments and EMS to know exactly where the towers will be and how far from the city they are.”
When you go grocery shopping Saturday, the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance (ECMA) s asking you to pick up a couple extra items for their annual food drive as part of the community Thanksgiving dinner.
Church volunteers will be at the two Dillons grocery stores and Wal-Mart today until 5p.m. asking shoppers to add a little more to their list.
Linda Mills, First Call for Help Executive Director, says the extra purchases of non-perishable food items will be bagged by more volunteers next Wednesday night and distributed to people attending Thursday’s annual community Thanksgiving Day dinner sponsored by ECMA:
The ECMA Thanksgiving Day Feast starts at noon Thursday in the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, which is the former Fanchon Ballroom, 2350 East 8th Street, Hays.
The American Red Cross Western Kansas Chapter has received a donation of $5,000 from Union Pacific railroad.
