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Vote Online for 2012 Kansas Don’t Spoil It! Calendar

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Topeka—The poll is now open for Kansans to vote for their favorite student artwork to be featured in the 2012 Kansas Don’t Spoil It! calendar, a project the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Waste Management (BWM) has sponsored for more than a decade.

Through Oct. 21, Kansans can select their favorite calendar artwork online at www.dhe.state.ks.us/Community/se.ashx?s=11B9BDC91BD539A8 .

The annual Kansas Don’t Spoil It! calendar contest is open for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. This year, the contest ran from Aug. 8 through Sept. 30, and BWM received thousands of submissions. For each grade level, BWM has narrowed down the entries to five semi-finalists from which voters can select.  The top vote-getting entry will be featured on the calendar cover.

Bill Bider, director of  KDHE Bureau of Waste Management says the goal of publishing the calendar is to “increase awareness of environmental issues such as natural resource conservation, waste management, recycling and other ways to make Kansas a “greener” state.”

The winning students will be recognized in a special meeting and photo event with Governor Sam Brownback to be held in November.

HHITA Electric Car to Race Saturday in Hanston

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The Hays High School Industrial Technology Association “electrified” their supporters Tuesday night as they presented their projects and allowed some amateur drivers take a spin in their electric cars.

An appreciation barbeque in conjunction with FFA, was held at the high school for the HHITA partners who help fund the building of new cars. Those partners, including Eagle Communications, had a chance to test drive soon the soonto be retired,  120-X (experimental) vehicle.

The HHITA took second at this year’s High Plains Electric Car Rally in Hays.  They’ve placed at state the past five years.  The fall season’s last race is Saturday in Hanston.

Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat Canned Food Drive

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Tuesday night’s annual “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” canned food drive will go a long way to help restock the pantry at the Community Assistance Center in Hays.

Volunteers, organized by the Hays High School DECA group, fanned across all the towns in Ellis County asking for donations of non-perishable food items.

They’re still counting the cans, according to Community Assistance Center Director Teresa Hill.  And you can still donate your items if your house was missed or you live in a rural area.  Just drop them by the Center at 12th and Oak before October 28th.

 

Sylvan Grove Family is “Conservation Hero” Finalist

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A Sylvan Grove couple has been named “Conservation Hero of the Year” finalist for 2011 by Field & Stream magazine for their outstanding work in educating youth about the outdoors.

For the past 23 years, Tommie and Theresa Berger have served as volunteer organizers and leaders of the Outdoor Adventure Camp.  The annual week-long event is held at the Rock Springs Camp near Junction City.  More than 500 Kansas kids have learned the benefits of the outdoors, wildlife management and good stewardship.

Each Hero of the Year finalist received a check for $5,000 to contribute to their projects.

 

 

 

Russell County Emergency Manager Adds Ellsworth County

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Russell County Emergency Manager, Keith Haberer, is now also working for Ellsworth County.  The Commissioners of Ellsworth County requested assistance from Russell County after their director resigned.

Haberer’s responsibilities include preparing for and responding to emergencies, such as disease outbreaks or severe weather.  He will continue to be based in Russell County , spending some time each week in Ellsworth County.

In 2010, Haberer was named Instructor of the Year by the Kansas Emergency Managers Association.

UPDATE: FHSU Joins KS Dental Project; KDA Opposes

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Topeka – Fort Hays State University has joined the Kansas Dental Project’s effort to bring Registered Dental Practitioners to Kansas.  Pending passage by the Kansas Legislature and approval by the Kansas Board of Regents, Fort Hays State would be the first to offer a baccalaureate degree program to train RDPs in Kansas.

RDPs are mid-level dental care providers, who perform preventative and routine services like cleanings and fillings.  However, Kevin Robertson, executive director of the Kansas Dental Association, says the organization, “strongly opposes” the introduction of dental practitioners, who he believes jeopardize patient health and safety.

13 Kansas counties have no dentist at all while 93 counties do not have enough dentists to serve their residents.

Fort Hays State aims to secure private funding to start the RDP training program. The university does not anticipate requesting state appropriations to start the program. Subsequent to development of the program, student tuition dollars will sustain the financing of the program.

The Kansas Dental Project is led by Kansas Action for Children, the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved and the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition.

 

Another Funding Deadline Looms for Kansas Arts officials

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TOPEKA — The clock is ticking toward another crucial deadline for the Kansas Arts Commission, which already lost a year’s worth of federal matching dollars — approximately $1.2 million — because of Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of state funding.

The National Endowment for the Arts has given the Kansas Arts Commission an extended deadline — Oct. 31 — to submit a partnership proposal to be eligible for federal funding in the next fiscal year, according to arts officials.

But the chances of the Arts Commission writing a detailed and comprehensive plan by that deadline is slim, said Mary Kennedy McCabe, executive director of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, a regional arts organization that serves as a conduit of federal arts dollars.  “The Kansas Arts Commission is currently without paid staff and without a budget,” McCabe said.

In May, Brownback vetoed the Kansas Arts Commission budget of $689,000, making Kansas the only state to defund the arts. Above the protest of many in the Legislature and arts organizations across the state, Brownback said arts funding wasn’t a core function of state government, private dollars would make up for the loss of state funds, and the governor indicated that Kansas would still be eligible for federal dollars.

But the National Endowment for the Arts declined to recognize the Arts Commission for federal matching funds this fiscal year because the commission did not have a plan, staff, budget or grant-making strategies in place, McCabe said.

In appearances last week before a legislative committee, new leaders of the Kansas Arts Commission and the Kansas Arts Foundation, which is a nonprofit fundraiser, said they were optimistic.

Linda Browning Weis, who is chair of the Arts Commission and president of the Arts Foundation, said the foundation has accomplished many goals, including getting its nonprofit status approved by the Internal Revenue Service.  The foundation also is nearing completion of a “responsible gift policy” and development of a new website.

Future of Western Plains Animal Refuge

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The Western Plains Animal Refuge in east Hays could be reopening  soon.  A  recent public informational meeting focused on the future and purchase of the site.  Fundraising is underway to  buy the lot from former owner Dr. Jessica Braun who has also agreed to donate her veterinary services.  WPAR President  Brendon McCampbell, who is a Fort Hays State University student,  says all other shelter duties will also be run on a volunteer basis.

Opened in 2006,  the non-profit shelter has rehabilitated and/or adopted out 1,500 domestic and wild animals.   It’s the only organization in Kansas that serves both domestic and wild animals.

A fundraiser with a Halloween theme will be held for the Western Plains Animal Refuge October 30th.  “Mutts and Monsters” is a 5k walk/run and Halloween costume contest in Hays Municipal park from 1 to 3p.m.  The costume contest is for people only.  Canine companions are invited to participate with their humans in the walk/run.  Registration is $25 dollars for both events.  You can register online at muttsandmonsters.blogspot.com.

Larned Man Wins Pace Car

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The Associated Press  

TOPEKA – A Larned resident has won a 2011 Ford Mustang GT Kansas Speedway pace car in the Power Play to Kansas Speedway promotion, which was Sunday at Kansas Speedway.

Ben H. Bailey was the winner of the pace car grand prize. In addition to the vehicle, the prize also includes all mandatory withholding taxes and initial taxes and fees, bringing the total value of the prize to approximately $59,500.

To become eligible for the promotion, players purchased Powerball with Power Play, $10 minimum, on a single ticket to receive an entry form for the drawings.

“I bought Powerball tickets with the Power Play option every Wednesday and Saturday since this promotion started,” Bailey said. “When Lottery officials called saying that I had won, I thought someone was playing a trick on me.”

FHSU Tiger Place Suites to Open Fall 2012

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The groundbreaking ceremony for the newest student housing at Fort Hays State University was moved indoors Saturday afternoon because of rain.  FHSU officials still posed for pictures with their gold shovels.  No hard hats needed.

The first phase of Tiger Place Suites is scheduled to open for the fall semester of 2012, with 123 beds.  The second phase, which will provide 107 beds, will open a year later.  Both buildings will be constructed at the site of the former Agnew Hall.  It was built in 1955 and razed in 2010 because of deteriorating conditions.

Cost of the Tiger Place Suites project is $9.2 million.  Paul-Wertenberger Construction Inc. of Hays is the developer/contractor.

Expanded Services on New Hays Airport Website

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Hays, KS – A new website for the Hays Regional Airport, www.flyhays.com, is now live with expanded services for pilots and passengers alike.

Airport Manager Bob Johnson describes the new site as very user friendly. “We’ve added a lot of features that provide information ranging from booking flights to a layout of the Denver airport once you arrive there from Hays,” he said.

The website also includes FAA information about the airport and its operations, links to local lodging, attractions and ground transportation, flight schedules and numerous other features.

“We even have an on-line registration form for pilots planning to attend our next Fly-In,” Johnson noted.   The site can also be found on Facebook.  It  will be administered by City staff.

 

Northwest KS “Put the Brakes On” Contest Winners

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TOPEKA-Aaron Moore of Oakley, Indigo Anne Guise of WaKeeney, and Donnovan Schroeder of Herndon are winners for the northwest region of Kansas in the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day poster contest.

Each child will receive a bicycle donated by the Walmart store in Hays , and a helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas.

Aaron, 6, is the son of Casey and Tama Moore. Representatives of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) will award Moore his prizes during an assembly at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Oakley Grade School. Aaron’s poster was also selected as statewide winner in his age category and will receive a family package at Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City and a fuel card from QuikTrip Corporation.

Indigo, 10, is the daughter of Glen Guise.  She will receive her bike and helmet during a presentation at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10 at Trego County/WaKeeney Junior High. She is a fifth-grader.

Donnovan, 12, is the son of Jim and Destiny Schroeder.  He will receive his bike and helmet during an assembly at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Rawlins County Junior High in Atwood.  He is in seventh grade.

A total of 642 poster contest entries were received across the state with 18 kids receiving regional and statewide recognition. The contest helps make people of all ages aware of the need to reduce fatalities on our nation’s highways. Numerous transportation organizations across the state sponsor the event.

HPD Investigating Sexual Assault

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The Hays Police Department received a report Thursday at 1:48p.m. of a 26-year-old female who was sexually assaulted in the alley of the 700 block of Allen Street.

A 28-year-old man, Aaron D. Rajala, has been arrested for rape and is being held in the Ellis County Jail.  The investigation remains open.

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