The first ever Ellis County comprehensive plan is still being compiled, and County Administrator Greg Sund is encouraging even more public input.  The best way to voice your opinion about the future of Ellis County is to fill out the survey available online at the county’s website www.ellisco.net or by picking up a hard copy at Midland Marketing, Farm Service Agency, Ellis County Extension Office, or the Ellis County Courthouse.

Residents are also asked to attend upcoming public workshops with the local planning team and RDG consultants.  The meetings will be held August 29 at 7p.m. in the Ellis Alliance Office,  and at the 601 Main county office building in Hays August 30th 11a.m.-1p.m. and August 31st 8-10a.m.  A final wrap-up meeting will be held at 6p.m. August 31.

 

It was a great way to observe the end of summer vacation before the start of the new school year in Ellis.  It also  happened to be National S’mores Day.

63 people turned out for the free event August 10th sponsored by the Ellis Public Library and Chamber of Commerceat the Ellis Lakeside Campgrounds.  Who doesn’t love chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, and campfires?

And of course, you need official s’mores sticks, small tree branches already on the ground thanks to a recent storm,  which were collected and sharpened  by Ellis Alliance Director Dena Patee and her son.

Listen to the great debate about crispy vs. soft marshmallows tonight/tomorrow morning on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

 

 

Country artist Candy Coburn had the crowd on their feet during her concert Friday night at the Victoria Herzogfest.   Earlier in the day, Coburn was more subdued as she donned a pink firefighter’s uniform in front of Nicki, the pink fire truck, part of the national “Guardians of the Ribbon -Cares Enough to Wear Pink”  program.

Coburn is the Celebrity Ambassador for “Susan G. Komen for the Cure.”  Her grandmother is battling breast cancer and Coburn has written the song “Pink Warrior” to honor all women fighting the disease.

You can meet the Wichita couple driving Nicki tonight/tomorrow morning on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

 

Not a ribbon cutting, but a rope untying Saturday morning in Hays as the new two miles of nature trails west of Sternberg Museum of Natural History officially opened.  The idea began two years ago when K-State Watershed Specialists and Technicians in Hays approached Fort Hays State University.

Many groups and individuals worked for months to help create the 22 acre eco-classroom, which includes a natural amphitheatre.  Hays Optimist Club members will continue volunteering to keep the area clean, and suggested that it be named after one of their charter members.  97 year old Dr. Howard Reynolds is a retired Fort Hays State University botany professor and curator of Elam Bartholomew Herbarium from 1947 to 1982.

Many of his former students attended the dedication ceremonies, including just retired FHSU botany professor Dr. Joe Thomasson.  He presented Reynolds with a freshly picked bouquet and a “pop quiz” to name the scientific and common names of the flower and grasses, something Reynolds often did to his students.

You can see more of the “Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trails” dedication tonight/tomorrow on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

 

 

Due to recent rains and cooler temperatures, the burn ban in Russell County has been rescinded.

County Commissioners made the decision this morning during their regular meeting.

Two longtime friends and comrades of Hays native Bryan Nichols, one of 30 American troops killed Saturday when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan, are honoring his memory and helping Nichols’ son Braydon.  Captain Jamie Schwandt, originally from Kensington and now living in Saint Louis, was a member of the Hays-based 388^th Medical Logistics Battalion back in 2002.  He met Nichols during deployment  in Qatar.

Another Kensington soldier with the 388^th, SFC  Seth Kastle of Wichita, served with Nichols in Qatar and Iraq.  Together Kastle and Schwandt  have established a college fund for their friend’s son, ten year old Braydon.  Donations can be made locally at Simons Tax Accounting and Financial Service in Hays.

  The 31 year old Nichols was Chief Warrant Officer serving out of Kansas City.  He grew up in Hays, graduating in 1998 from TMP Marian High School.  His parents, Doug and Cindy Nichols, now live in Palco.

Bryan Nichols’ body is expected to arrive in Hays early next week.  The Hays VFW Hays American Legion both plan to be on-hand for a tribute to Nichols.

Also aboard the chopper was another former Hays resident – Chief Warrant Officer-4 David Carter.  The 47 year old pilot graduated in 1982 from Hays High School, and was based in Colorado.  

NOTE:  In addition to the college fund set up for Bryan’s son Braydon, a general fund has been set up for his wife Mary to help offset funeral costs until military benefits are received.

The funds will also assist in any immediate financial needs.

You can donate to any UF Bank in the United States or mail a check to- UF Bank – 1301 Forum Drive – Rolla, MO 65401 – Check should be made out to Bryan Nichols Memorial Fund. Include return address if you want to receive a tax deductible receipt.

More than 150 Union Pacific Railroad workers are replacing 11 miles of rail line between Russell and Hays.  The project will include a second segment of 11 miles between Russell and Ellsworth.  Track rails is being removed and replaced, and 63 road crossings will have a renewed surface. The infrastructure upgrade cost is 7 million dollars.

About 10 trains a day travel on the Kansas Pacific line between Kansas City and Denver.

Road maintenance on a stretch of Highway 40 in Ellis County is underway.  Crews started Monday morning at 280^th Avenue, working east for 6 miles to Cathedral Avenue.  Traffic is reduced to one lane within the work area.  The project is scheduled to be complete by Thursday evening.

A memorial tribute by the Hays VFW is being planned for former Hays resident Bryan Nichols who was one of 30 American troops killed Saturday in Afghanistan when their  Chinook helicopter was shot down.  The 31 year old Nichols,  was a ’98 graduate of Thomas More Prep Marian High School, and served with the 158^th Aviation RegimentArmy Reservist in Olathe.   Sgt. 1st Class Seth Kastle, an Army reservist in Wichita,  served  two tours with Nichols in Qatar and Iraq.  Kastle has helped organize a memorial college fund for Nichols’ son 10 year old son Braydon:

www.cw2nichols.bbnow.org

Nichols’ parents, Doug and Cynthia Nichols, live in Palco.

Another Hays man was also killed, 47 year old Dave Carter, a 1982 Hays High graduate, serving with the Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.  Nichols and Carter were part of the four member crew flying the helicopter as it ferried a group of Navy SEALs to reinforce a group of Army Rangers who were under fire.

38 people and one K-9 soldier died.   It was deadliest single loss for U.S. forces in the decade-long war.

A 14 year old Ellis boy drowned last year while playing  in the municipal swimming pool.  Despite efforts by the lifeguards, a volunteer firefighter who happened to be there, and E-M-S responders, Bryce Stropes died July 22, 2010 of what was determined to be shallow-water blackout drowning.

Since then, the entire community has rallied to turn the tragedy into something positive.   The pool received an American Red Cross an award last month for its improved safety training, which now includes “Charlie.”  The simulaid is used before each lifeguard shift to practice rescuing a drowning victim.  Ellis became just the second municipal swimming pool in Kansas to use “Charlie.”

The pool lifeguards have hosted  training for the Ellis Fire Department, Ellis County Emergency Medical Service and to lifeguards in several nearby small communities.

“Charlie” was purchased with a donation from Love’s Travel Plaza, grants from the Midwest Energy Community Fund, and various fundraisers.

Watch the training tonight/tomorrow morning on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14

 

The winner of the round-robin showmanship senior division at the Ellis County Fair has never before competed in the event.  Good Hope 4-H Club member Chelsey Smith is in her last year to show, and she went out on top.   She qualified for the Champion Fitting and Showing with her pig, which she started showing just two years ago.  And, of the five animals competitors must work with, Chelsey is familiar with only two, pigs and sheep.  She claims to be a little afraid of horses.

Chelsey is off to K-State later this month to major in agriculture and minor in leadership  She plans to be an4-H Youth extension agent in Kansas.

Find out how she did it tonight/tomorrow morning on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14