By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Gov. Sam Brownback last Thursday announced he will allow a concealed carry bill to become law without his signature.

House Bill 2278 exempts publicly owned mental health centers, medical clinics and hospitals — including the University of Kansas Health System — from the state’s concealed carry law.

Existing law would have required publicly owned buildings to add metal detectors and armed guards or allow employees and visitors to bring in guns starting July 1.

Hays Medical Center, which became a partner with the Kansas City-based University of Kansas Hospital Jan. 1, will not be affected by the new exemption.

“HaysMed qualifies as a ‘private entity’ under Kansas’ concealed carry laws, which means we were not impacted by the change going into effect on July 1,” said Gayla Wichman, HaysMed marketing director. “Our affiliation with KUH did not change this, so the recently passed concealed carry legislation had no impact on us.”

State officials estimated it would have cost $12 million annually to add metal detectors and guards at the four state hospitals, and KU Health System estimated it would spend more than $1 million each year to comply.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

An update on the reconstruction of the Hays wastewater treatment plant will be presented to city commissioners during their Thursday meeting.

Stan Christopher of HDR Engineering, the city’s Owner’s Representative for the $28.4 million project, will discuss the progress since made since his April 27 report. Bi-annual updates will be provided to the commission during the project.

In other business, city commissioners will consider accepting a bid from Paul
Wertenberger Construction, Hays, for $1,589,940 to construct a wildlife fence at the
Hays Regional Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to award Hays a grant for the fence which is required by the FAA. The city would be reimbursed for 90 percent of the costs associated with the project.

City Finance Director Kim Rupp will recommend resolutions to refund water and sewage system revenue bonds for better interest rates.

Rupp will also ask for a resolution authorizing the sale of general obligation bonds financing four benefit district/special assessment projects, and to refinance the water and sewage system revenue bonds.

The June 22 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main. The complete agenda is available here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A little more than one and a half of inches of rain fell in Hays early Thursday afternoon, during a severe thunderstorm that also prompted activation of tornado warning sirens.

At 2:34 p.m., the National Weather Service in Dodge City reported a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado located three miles southwest of Hays, moving east at 25 mph. The storm contained radar-indicated rotation.

Several severe thunderstorm warnings were issued by the NWS for Ellis County, starting at 1:38 p.m. and continuing through 4:30 p.m.

Peak wind gusts of 77 mph were measured at the Hays Regional Airport. Hail ranging from pea to golf ball-sized fell in Hays for up to 30 minutes. Baseball-sized hail was reported two miles south of Riga, west of Ellis.

The storm also caused power outages in parts of Hays and localized flooding caused by the 1.68 inch rainfall. A Flash Flood Warning for Ellis County was in effect until 7 p.m.

Nearly two inches of rain–1.82 inches–fell at the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall Street.

Hays has had 2.24 inches of rainfall this month. So far this year, 17.50 inches of moisture has been measured in Hays.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The back rooms of Northwestern Printers, 114 W. 9th, were filled Tuesday and Wednesday for what Stacie Minson called “a massive mailing stuffing party.”

The Ellis County Environmental mass mailing–15,000 brown manila envelopes–will soon be at the Hays Post Office.

Every residence in Ellis County will receive one of the envelopes which will be sent EDDM-Every Door Direct Mail. They should arrive in local mailboxes by Saturday.

The “Do The Green Thing” mailing contains information about water conservation, water quality, recycling, and disposal of electronic waste and household hazardous waste in the county.

“It’s basically awareness to let people know where things can go for recycling, how to conserve and protect water,” Minson explained as she continued stuffing papers and magnets into envelopes.

Those drop-off locations in Ellis County and where to get more environmental information about protecting our water supplies are printed on a 5 by 7 inch color magnet to display for easy reference.

Minson, WaKeeney, is the Kansas State University Watershed Specialist for Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watersheds.

A smaller magnet was produced in 2005 and not widely distributed, according to Minson. “More people are aware of recycling now. Things have changed and we have some new opportunities. We’ve added more information about private well testing of water quality, soil testing, composting, and the Roll Out The Rain Barrel Project.”

The joint effort was paid for by the cities of Hays, Victoria and Ellis, Ellis County and the Ellis County Environmental Office, and the KSU watersheds.

“Everyone agreed this needed to happen,” she said. “When I approached the cities and the counties, everyone felt there was a need for it.”

In addition to the funding, the partnership provided employees to stuff the envelopes assembly-line style alongside volunteers from the Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners program.

Northwestern Printers owner, Marvin Rack, and several of his family members were also working the assembly line.

“We so firmly believe this is so important,” Rack said as he moistened and then sealed the envelopes. “If our water resources run out or we have to pay more for water, we’ll be in trouble.” As a corporate sponsor, Northwestern Printers created the informational materials and magnets at a deep discount.

“Obviously, we know water conservation is a big issue in Ellis County, so providing some fact sheets that give you tips on how to save water is helpful,” Minson said.

“On the water quality side, what leaves one community travels downstream and goes to the next community. It’s a public water supply so knowing what we’re doing with the water protects the people downstream,” she added.

KBOR

TOPEKA – The Kansas Board of Regents and the Fort Hays State University community invite applications and nominations for the position of President.

The University’s next President will offer innovative and dynamic leadership to advance FHSU’s 115-year legacy of success.
Fort Hays State University (FHSU) seeks an entrepreneurial, politically astute, and innovative President who has knowledge of national higher education issues. This individual must bring a strong vision for the University’s future, along with a strategic, thoughtful understanding of how to advance FHSU in conjunction with the Kansas Board of Regents Foresight 2020 strategic plan and the University’s goals, mission, and strategic plan. The University community expects a staunch advocate, a stable presence, and an inspirational, congenial leader.

Founded in 1902, FHSU is the leading forward-thinking, entrepreneurial university of the Midwest. FHSU’s student enrollment is more than 17,000 (including 5,300+ on the Hays campus, a unique China partnership program with enrollment of 3,500+ students, and a Virtual College headcount of nearly 8,500). Over 544 faculty and staff support and guide degree and certificate programs at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s levels, as well as Doctorate of Nursing Practice, through thirty-one academic departments within the Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Education, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Peter Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics and in the Graduate School.

For more information about the University, and full details regarding expectations, characteristics, and qualifications for the position, please visit: https://www.fhsu.edu/presidential-search.

“I sincerely appreciate the many faculty (both on the FHSU campus and in China), staff, students, alumni and community partners who took the time to participate in the recent open forums designed to help the Search Committee better understand what attributes and characteristics are desired in the next FHSU President, leading to the creation of this Presidential Profile,” stated Jeffrey D. Peier, chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

The search is being assisted by Mike J.R. Wheless, Managing Partner, and Lisa J. Marks, Managing Director & Chief Operations Officer, at Wheless Partners. Application materials should be electronically submitted to: [email protected].

For best consideration, applications should be received by September 1, 2017. All applications will remain confidential. Following interviews with the Presidential Search Committee, the Kansas Board of Regents will conduct interviews and make the final selection.

While not a requirement for the position, the new President is expected to assume office in early calendar year 2018.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Every one-room schoolhouse should have a school bell.

The Plymouth Schoolhouse on the campus of Fort Hays State University, built in 1874 near Wilson in Russell County from post-rock limestone, now has one thanks to the generosity of two FHSU graduates.

A dedication ceremony of the school house bell was held Wednesday morning with Dr. Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education, welcoming the crowd. Boy Scout Troop 101-Venture Crew 101 raised the flag, followed by children from the FHSU Tiger Tots Nurtury Center singing the national anthem.

The FHSU chapter of Phi Delta Kappa initiated the school restoration project in 1975 and the building was dedicated in 1979 as “a recognition of the roots of public education in Kansas,” Adams said. It sits east of Tomanek Hall after serving families living near Wilson until 1936.

The 800-pound iron bell was cast in 1905 in Pennsylvania for the Immanuel Lutheran Church near Dubuque, 10 miles south of Dorrance in Russell County, and used until the church closed in 1956.

Jane Koetkemeyer Kohtz’s father purchased the bell at an auction. It’s been in storage since then. Kohtz, a 1975 FHSU grad and Hays resident, donated it to the university in memory of her parents, Vernon and Irene Koetkemeyer.

The bell needed some refurbishing before it could be displayed. That was done by Joe Chretien, associate professor of Applied Technology, who also designed the limestone base on which it sits on the north lawn of the schoolhouse.

“This bell represents a bygone era,” Chretien said. “Bells were used to signal the start of the school day, to summon people to church and to mark the time of day in farming communities. They were the telecommunications of a bygone era.”

FHSU Physical Plant employees Blake Weigel, Jerry Dreiling, Dan Disney and Gary Murphy built the base while DeLoyd Sander did the masonry work.

The family of the late Elaine Driscoll, a 1970 Fort Hays State alumna and 37-year FHSU employee, was also acknowledged during the dedication. Memorials made in Driscoll’s honor were used to fund the base the bell sits upon. Her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Sigrid Rynerson, were given a certificate of appreciation.

With eager anticipation, Kohtz pulled down on the bright yellow cord to ring the bell for the first time and close the dedication ceremony. “I think you’ll be able to hear this all over campus,” she said with a smile.

The bell will be used in the future for special occasions.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Requests for funding by outside non-profit agencies in 2018 from the city of Hays will begin Thursday night during the city commission work session.

Scheduled for 10-minute presentations June 15 and the amount requested are:

CARE Council-Social Services/Special Alcohol Tax–$164,000
Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development–$87,550
Fort Hays State University–$100,000
Downtown Hays Development Corporation–$53,655

Each of the groups is asking for the same amount of funding received in 2017. The CARE Council recommends funding for 13 health and human service programs provided by nine agencies.

Other agenda items include hear a resolution authorizing refunding Water and Sewage System Revenue Bonds, Series 2009-A, with General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017-B.

“Basically, this is just refinancing those bonds,” explained Jacob Wood, assistant city manager. “We’ll go out and sell new bonds to replace those. We feel like the market’s a little bit better now and we should be able to save some money by doing that.”

Commissioners will also hear a resolution authorizing the offering for sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017-A and 2017-B. The bonds will provide permanent financing for four benefit district/special assessment projects, and refinance the city’s
Water and Sewage System Revenue Bonds, Series 2009-A to achieve interest cost savings.

A wildlife fence for the perimeter of the Hays Regional Airport, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, will also be discussed.

The complete agenda may be seen here. The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The temperature hit the century mark in Hays Tuesday. It was the first time this year and one week ahead of the official start of summer on June 20.

According to the report from the K-State Agricultural Center, the mercury climbed to 100 degrees Tue., June 13. The record high for that date in Hays is 105 degrees set in 1918, 1950 and 1980. One year ago on June 13 the high was 94 degrees.

Today’s weather forecast calls for a cooler 91 degrees.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

City officials aren’t wild about it, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is demanding a wildlife fence be built at the Hays Regional Airport.

Bids for the large fence were opened Tuesday and will be presented during the Thu., June 15, city commission work session.

“This is a requirement by the FAA,” explained Jacob Wood, assistant city manager.

“Several years ago they came in and did an audit to see what kind of wildlife we have around the airport. They feel like it’s really a safety thing for the commercial airlines coming in and out. So they want to have a fence around it to keep wildlife out. Deer are the main thing,” he said.

In 2010, FAA inspectors observed several deer on the Hays Regional Airport, which prompted a Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA) in 2011. One recommendation of the WHA, performed by the USDA Wildlife Services, was the construction of a wildlife fence around the airport property.

Wood described the fence as “substantial.”

“It’s 10 feet tall and it will also skirt underground by about four feet. So, it will keep pretty much keep animals off the airport (grounds) so we won’t have any issues with a plane hitting any wildlife,” he explained. The chain link fence will have barbed wire outriggers on the top.

The project cost is a 90/10 split with the FAA paying the biggest portion. The city of Hays will pay the remaining 10 percent out of the Airport Improvement Fund. The Capital Improvement Plan within the 2017 budget included $200,000 in 2017 for the city’s share.

“The FAA requested this several years ago, that it be put on our Capital Improvement list,” said Wood. “We’ve pushed it off as far as we could. We feel like it’s probably not as necessary as they do, and especially the skirting underneath the ground. We fought that pretty hard.

“But they’re pretty stuck on that’s what they want us to do. And when it’s the FAA, you just kind of have to do it,” smiled Wood. “It’s one of those things.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Fireworks are an important part of how we commemorate our War For Independence and the founding of our nation,” Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown said Tuesday.

He just wants residents to use caution when discharging fireworks during the upcoming Independence Day holiday. “Fireworks are fun for people but they have to be used with good common sense.”

Brown offered the following safety tips:

• Adults should closely supervise teens using fireworks.
• Do not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Fireworks should be used only outdoors.
• Always have a hose, fire extinguisher or water bucket ready when using fireworks.
• Know your fireworks; read the caution label before igniting.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes before approaching it and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives. They can kill you.
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor, fire resistant garbage can away from buildings and flammable materials.

“Every Fourth of July season, we run a few fires in the city’s polycarts. People put their fireworks display materials in the blue plastic polycart and the polycart catches fire,” Brown said. “Use something metal, non-combustible to put the debris in.”

Most importantly, Brown stressed people should call 911 promptly if a person is injured or a fire is started by fireworks.

“We would much rather get a call for something minor, it’s already out situation, than get the call when it’s too late.”

Fireworks may be sold and used in Hays July 2, 3 and 4. Fireworks may be used only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. those three days.

All consumer fireworks legal in Kansas are approved for sale and use in Hays.

City commissioners recently approved the updated fire code which now regulates sky lanterns. “Sky lanterns have to be tethered,” Brown noted, “so that they can’t just float away and land someplace and cause a fire.”

State law prohibits fireworks from being ignited or discharged in the following instances:

• From a moving or stationary vehicle
• On a public street or right-of-way
• Within 100 feet of a hospital, nursing home or fireworks sales location
• Within 50 feet of a fuel pump or gas station

Persons using fireworks in Hays are responsible for cleaning up all debris, according to the fire code.

“Practice courtesy and respect to all your neighbors,” urged Brown. “Every year we hear complaints that people just didn’t clean up when they got done. That’s just common courtesy. It’s how we keep a clean city and how we care about each other. Think about the other person and clean up after yourself when you’re done.”

Ellis County commissioners approved the use of fireworks in rural areas at their May 5 meeting. The days and times are the same as in the city of Hays.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The 94 degree temperature and 30+ mph southerly wind gusts no doubt contributed to the small crowd at Saturday’s annual Ellis County Relay For Life at the Hays Middle School track. Those who were there, however, were filled with hope, strength and passion to find a cure for cancer and ultimately, to prevent the disease.

A much larger crowd defied the hot summer weather for Friday’s 19th annual Drive Fore Cancer sponsored by Eagle Communications at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course.

Kendra Dreiling is a member of the RFL Event Leadership Team and was on hand both days telling her personal story of why she volunteers.

She was a caregiver to her father, Mike Graf, the former longtime Ellis County Public Works Director who died of colon cancer in May 2015.

“In November 2013 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He fought diligently and very fiercely until the very end when he passed two years ago,” Dreiling said. “It’s your participation in these events that allowed me and my family to have those additional two years with my dad, and so we thank you very, very much.”

Cancer survivors, their caregivers and supporters were welcomed to Saturday’s fundraising walk by Hays Mayor Shaun Musil and Pastor Brant Rice, Celebration Community Church.

This year’s theme was based on Dr. Seuss with the slogan “I Don’t Like Cancer Here. I Don’t Like Cancer There. I Don’t Like Cancer Anywhere!!!”

The survivors introduced themselves and said how long they had been a cancer survivor. Survivor medals adorned with purple ribbons were placed over their necks and each person was given a carnation from members of the red-shirted Dillons RFL team.

Then it was time to start the relay with the first lap around the track. Vocalist Kylie Dinkel sang as the survivors, led by the Marine Corps League Edwin A. Schumacher Detachment, and their caregivers met halfway around the track to loud applause. Together, the two groups launched purple and white balloons into the blazing blue sky.

For the first time, Relay participants lit their own luminaries which ringed the track in honor and remembrance of those who have fought cancer. Previously, the Relay committee members activated the battery-operated candles in each paper sack, weighted against the wind with sand and wood blocks.

As dusk fell, Dreiling, a member of the Poppy’s Peeps team, and cancer survivor Jessica Jacobs talked to the audience in soft-spoken voices about their personal struggles with cancer.

Then began the solemn reading by Brenda Meder of each person’s name on the luminaries as participants continued walking laps around the asphalt track. The north stadium bench was lined with luminaries spelling “Hope.”

According to Kim Peach, American Cancer Society Community Manager, a preliminary total of more than $20,000 was raised for the Ellis County Relay For Life. “Some donations are still coming in,” Peach said. Proceeds from Friday’s golf tourney will be added to the Relay total amount. Most of the monies raised by Relay For Life, in its 32nd year nationwide, goes to cancer research by or on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

The Hyle Hugunin family was honored by Peach with a plaque for being the Relay’s honorary chairpersons.