Volunteers working hard Thursday morning to create a HUGE pile of wood pallets for tonight’s TMP Marian High School Homecoming bonfire and pep rally.
The annual homecoming parade along Main Street is set for 5:30p.m. Friday, lead by grand marshals Randy and Carol Brull, longtime TMP Marian teachers.
You can watch a replay of the parade next week on Eagle Community TV Channel 14 at 11 a.m. and 4p.m.
Wichita – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced Wednesday the formation of the Kansas Ecotourism Steering Committee to help guide ecotourism efforts in Kansas.
Based on jobs, tourism overall is the third-largest industry in Kansas, and has a total economic impact of more than $5.4 billion.
In 2011, more than 790,000 people participated in wildlife-watching activities in Kansas, and made more than $208 million in trip-related purchases.
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Secretary Robin Jennison will spearhead the committee.
Ecotourism encompasses hiking, biking, camping, wildflower walks, wildlife watching, river floating, visiting unique landscapes and many other outdoor activities.
Among the 16 committee members are:
Clare Gustin, Hays
Vice President Member Services and External Affairs, Sunflower Electric
Dr. Edward H. Hammond, Hays
Fort Hays State University President
Polka music filled the air this past weekend at the Ellis County Fairgrounds as family and friends of Harold Dorzweiler, along with other polka lovers, gathered for some dancing and fun in memory of Dorzweiler.
The popular Catherine musician, bandleader of “The Country Dutchmen,” died of cancer two years ago this month.
His family is honoring his wish to help pay the expenses of financially-strapped families of cancer patients.
“When Harold was undergoing treatment in Kansas City, we met so many other families who had a real burden in trying to pay medical bills, even just buy gas for the car, ” remembers his wife Janie.
So Harold recorded all the polka music he’d ever written on to a CD and began selling it, donating the proceeds to cancer-stricken families.
Since his death, Janie and Harold’s father, Leo Dorzweiler, organized the annual Harold Dorzweiler Cancer Memorial Fund Polka Fest. “He was a giver in life and he’s still giving now that he’s gone, ” says Janie.
A website is being set up for requesting financial assistance online. Until then, requests can be made by calling Janie Dorzweiler at 785-625-5256.
See and hear more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.
The burn ban for Russell County has been lifted. Russell County Commissioners voted to make the change during their Monday meeting. Several fire chiefs supported the move.
Ellsworth and Barton Counties have also rescinded their burn bans.
Russell County Commissioners pointed to cooler temperatures and recent rains in making their decision.
Drier than normal conditions still exist, so caution is urged when burning fields or trash.
Russell Police Chief Jon Quinday will serve as interim Russell City Manager. City Council members made the appointment during their Tuesday meeting.
Quinday will assume his duties October 1, which is the last day on the job for current city manager Ralph Wise.
The city will utilize the League of Kansas Municipalities in the search to hire a new permanent manager.
TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the cities of Paradise and Waldo public water systems which are located in Russell County as well as Osborne County Rural Water District #2.
These public water supplies obtain their water from the same source, and that source has experienced a loss of pressure in the main water supply line to them. When such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants to enter the system. Chlorine residuals may also drop to levels that are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination.
Effective immediately, customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fort Hays State University is displaying a highly visible marketing message throughout the Kansas City metro area.
Now through Thanksgiving, a fleet of semi-trailers wrapped with eye-catching graphics is penetrating Kansas City’s 318 square miles. The 12-week campaign is designed to boost awareness and drive interest in FHSU.
FHSU worked with alumnus Tracy Metzger, vice president and chief technology officer for the Lowen Corporation in Hutchinson, Kan., to create the five “mobile billboards.” Lowen Corporation has formed a consortium with several trucking companies, called Transtech Media.
A message is emblazoned on the sides of the five semi-trailers that are operating in the K.C. area.
The message features the FHSU logo and the certification “Best Value,” with a unique URL that enables consumers to learn more about the benefits of an FHSU education. The FHSU mascot, Victor E. Tiger, dominates the rear panel on each trailer.
Marty Straub will become the Hays High School principal next year.
USD 489 Superintendent Will Roth made the announcement at Monday night’s Board of Education Meeting.
Straub is currently the HHS assistant principal. He’ll succeed Mike Hester, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.
TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, the United States has been involved in many wars; and
WHEREAS, evidence, documentation and testimony continue to raise legitimate questions regarding the fate of American service personnel Missing in Action or held as Prisoners of War; and
WHEREAS, the whereabouts and fates of many Americans who were “last known alive” in enemy hands, including those held in a “Missing/Captured” status in the Global War on Terror have yet to be determined, and information regarding these men has not been made available to the American people; and
WHEREAS, a full and accurate accounting still has not been made regarding more than 35 servicemen from the State of Kansas; and
WHEREAS, an American soldier, SGT Bowe Bergdahl, remains a captive of the Taliban in Afghanistan since June 2009, and televised by the Taliban on at least five occasions; and
WHEREAS, the POW/MIA flag is flown daily at the State Capitol in Topeka and at many other state, city and local buildings across Kansas in recognition of our missing men:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sam Brownback, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim
September 16th – 22nd of 2012, as
KANSAS POW/MIA RECOGNITION WEEK
and Friday, September 21st, 2012, as
POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
in Kansas and ask all citizens of Kansas to pursue a final and accurate accounting of these Americans as a national priority by taking part in activities promoting awareness of this issue.
The weather was perfect for Saturday evening’s third annual Wines and Steins fundraiser for the Downtown Hays Development Corporation.
Also making it perfect as far as Director Traci Konrade is concerned—all 200 tickets were sold. And topping it all off, a “big reveal, ” stemming from the recently approved Hays Comprehensive Plan
After touring and tasting the best in food and beverage found in downtown Hays, participants gathered under a big white tent in the Emprise Bank parking lot. Following silent and live auctions to raise additional dollars for DHDC, it was finally it was time to show off the artwork for a new 3,100 square foot pavilion designed by downtown business owner Jocelyn Brungardt.
DHDC Vice President Sandy Jacobs announced that $250,00 had already been pledged for the building construction by an anonymous donor, which must be matched by community contributions.
Donations are tax deductible through a fund set up with the Heartland Community Foundation.
The pavilion is to be built between Union Pacific Park and 10th Street. Supporters hope it will be finished within one year.
See more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.
There are now four Hays Med patients who have tested positive for hepatitis C. The most recent report was released Friday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The patients are believed to have been exposed to hepatitis C by by David Kwiatkowski, a former contract worker at the hospital. Kwiatkowski worked in the catheterization lab from May 24, 2010, to Sept. 22, 2010. He was arrested July 19 in New Hampshire.
Kwiatkowski is charged with stealing drugs from Exeter Hospital and contaminating syringes that were used on patients, of whom at least 32 tested positive for hepatitis C (HCV).
HAYS— All area teachers and staff were invited to relax, kick back, and meet with their fellow educators and Chamber members at the 24th annual Faculty/Teacher Reception hosted by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce September 11 at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.
The annual event welcomes new educators to the community as well as introduces them to Hays business representatives.
New faculty and staff from USD 489, Fort Hays State University, NCK Tech, Holy Family Elementary School and Ellis USD 388 were introduced.
(Photo and information courtesy Hays Area Chamber of Commerce)
TOPEKA–Keith Haberer, Emergency Manager for Russell and Ellsworth Counties, has been named the Owen U. Turrentine Emergency Management Professional of the Year.
Haberer was recognized Thursday night in Topeka during the annual Kansas Emergency Management Association (KEMA) conference.
KEMA also awarded a special recognition certificate for Best Practices in CooperativePartnerships with the National Weather Service to the emergency management programs in Barton, Butler, Ellsworth, Kingman, Harper, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Rice, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick and Sumner counties for their cooperative response to a tornado outbreak April 14, 2012.
