He already has two one-gallon pins for blood donations, so the American Red Cross knows they can count on Hays resident Jeremy McGuire.  They wish they had more donors like him.

McGuire received  an emergency appeal phone call last week because the national blood supply has reached emergency levels.

Northwest Kansas ARC Donor Recruitment Representative Cathy Younger says there were 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June, leaving the Red Cross with just half the readily available blood products it usually has.

There are several factors contributing to the blood shortage.  “About 20 percent of our donors are high school and college students, so with school out for summer, we lose a lot of donations, ” says Younger.  The heat wave is also affecting donations.  “We have more deferrals than usual this time of the year, with people being dehydrated.”

Younger says every two seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion.  The Hays Blood Donor Center is open Tuesday through Friday.

The Big First Tea Party will host a Candidate Forum at 6 p.m. July 10 at Thirsty’s Brew Pub and Grill, 2704 Vine, Hays.

Candidates invited to attend are from the Kansas Senate 40^th District; House Districts 110 and 111; and Ellis County Commission 2^nd and 3^rd Districts.  Organizer Roger Ewing says most candidates have indicated they’ll attend.

The forum is open to the public.

Media Release

The Ellis City Council met Friday June 29, 2012 in a special meeting to consider whether or not to ban the discharge of fireworks in the City.

On a unanimous vote, the Governing Body passed Resolution 487 banning the discharge of fireworks. Council members cited the extreme dry conditions as the rationale for the prohibition.

The Governing Body hopes everyone understands the reason behind the ban and urges all to be safe on this important national holiday.

Philip H. Martin
City Clerk
City of Ellis, KS

TOPEKA– The blue-green algae health advisory at Cedar Bluff Reservoir has been lifted.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) samples recreational bodies of water for cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, when the agency is alerted to a potential algae bloom.

As a result of this week’s water sampling, the health advisory was lifted Thursday at Cedar Bluff Reservoir in Trego County.

“When a lake advisory has been lifted, visitors to the lake should still exercise caution and look out for algae blooms in the water, as conditions can change quickly depending on the weather and other factors,” said Farah Ahmed, PhD, KDHE Environmental Health Officer.

Some algae blooms can look like foam, or a thick slurry. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown or red, and they may look like paint floating on the water. However, some blooms may not affect the appearance of the water.

Topeka –A lifelong Kansan, with more than 30 years law enforcement experience, including in Ellis County, has been appointed the new Kansas Fire Marshal.

Governor Sam Brownback announced Wednesday the appointment of Doug Jorgensen of Topeka.

Jorgensen currently serves as the Director of Alcoholic Beverage Control in the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Prior to joining the Brownback Administration, Jorgensen worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years.  He began his career with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department before serving at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for 28 years.

Jorgensen previously served as acting State Fire Marshal from January 2011 to July 2011, making changes to the agency’s policies and practices, and averting the disbanding of the office by the legislature.

Jorgensen’s will begin his responsibilities as State Fire Marshal July 1st.

His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

For once, Hays Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Meder was speechless.

An $11,400 check presented Friday to Meder and HAC Board Member Jennifer Sauer from the Leadership Hays 2012 Class literally caused the two women to drop their jaws in amazement.

Leadership Hays class member Todd Haskell handed over the check from the group’s fundraiser “Support Creative Minds… Chamber Cheques or Wine.”

“I knew that they were working hard. I knew that they would be a great service team,” said Meder,  “but I had absolutely no idea about the check they presented today.  I’m still a little (choked up),”  she said with tears in her eyes.

Leadership Hays class members sold raffle tickets for a $10 donation to win $1,000 in Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Cheques or 100 bottles of wine.  The winners’ names were drawn during last Friday’s  HAC Summer Gallery Walk.  Mary Gomez won the Chamber Cheques; Randy Basgall,  the Instant Wine Cellar.

“Support Creative Minds… Chamber Cheques or Wine” raised $6,400 which was matched with $5,000 from Leadership Kansas.

The funds will be used by the Hays Arts Council to benefit their children’s program,  including summer art classes, performing arts residencies and experiences, creative writing contest, Famous Figures for 5th Graders and community dance performances.

HaysMed has been awarded a $7,093 grant through the Kansas Health Foundation’s Recognition Grants program.

The grant will help support the M.I.L.K. “Maximize & Influence Lactation in Kansas” program.

The project will provide necessary support for new mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding with evidence based practice guidelines.  By enabling services of a lactation consultant at HaysMed, mothers during their hospital stay and after dismissal may receive optimal breastfeeding support and education.

The grant was submitted by Laura Drees, BSN, MSN, a registered nurse at HaysMed.

“During the hospital stay at HaysMed, the lactation consultant will visit all postpartum mothers,” stated Drees.  “Support and education will be initiated at this time and follow up consultations and appointments can be made after dismissal.”

The grant will be administered by the HaysMed Foundation.