By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The 2016 United Way of Ellis County campaign began August 27 with its first-ever Community Kick-off at Aubel-Bickle Park with the theme “Heroes for Change” to honor local hometown heroes.

The fundraising goal is $450,000. This year’s campaign chair is Mike Morley, Midwest Energy Manager of Corporate Communications.

Eagle Communications, a UWEC Pace-Setter company, kicked off its internal fundraising campaign with an employee lunch Thursday in the Eagle Media Center. Eagle employees Kara Denton, Financial Controller, Broadband division, and Todd Haskell, KKQY Radio Program Director, are UWEC Board Members.

Travis Kohlrus, Eagle Broadband Manager, is a longtime volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County. “By giving to United Way, your money is going to diverse organizations dedicated to improving our community and making a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors,” Kohlrus said.

“We hold the agencies accountable for the money they are given for various projects,” Denton told the Eagle employees.

Eagle Communications matches the donations made by its employees, doubling the funds raised for the United Way.

Eagle Communications also donates production of the campaign video shown each year to prospective donors.

There are 15 partner agencies with the United Way of Ellis County:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County
• Cancer Council of Ellis County
• CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates)
• American Red Cross (Western Kan. Chapter)
• Catholic Charities
• DSNWK (Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas)
• First Call For Help
• Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Sunflower Region
• HACC (Hays Area Children’s Center)
• Kansas Legal Services
• Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
• PACT (Parents And Teachers Together)
• Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency and the Regional Prevention Center
• United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas
• WKACD (Western Kansas Association on Concerns of the Disabled)

To give to the United Way of Ellis County, mail donations or stop by the offices at 205 E. 7th Street, Suite 106, Hays.

Donations can also be processed through the “Donate” button at the United Way of Ellis County website www.liveunited.us.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, (R-Kan.) recently completed his third Kansas Listening Tour of all 105 counties. The tour began in Lenexa and ended in Sharon Springs last month.

(Video and photos courtesy Sen. Moran office)

Jane Humphrey Pearce of Wallace, a small town nine miles east of Sharon Springs in the far west county of Wallace, said Moran “saved the best for last.”

“We were pleased at the Rotary Club to host the senator and we had about 65 people that turned out and asked him questions about the national scene,” Humphrey Pearce said.

“Being someone who lives in far western Kansas, we are fully aware of how far away we are from centers of government, so it’s very impressive for him to have taken that effort…he’s a voice in Washington and he’s listening to us,” she added.

“Kansans, no matter where they live, ought to have the opportunity to be heard by those who serve them,” said Sen. Moran.

“Though much has changed since my first town hall,” Moran acknowledged, “my efforts in Washington, D.C. remain much the same today as they were when I was first elected–to make certain that we protect our Kansas way of life and create opportunities in all the communities we call home.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

For the second time in just more than a year, Hays is without a director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Rick Rekoske resigned his position effective Sept. 2,” said Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty in an email.

No other information was provided.

Rekoske was hired May 26, 2015, to replace previous CVB Director Jana Jordan, who retired Sept. 19, 2014, after 26 years with the city of Hays.

Before coming to Hays, Rekoske had been the community development director for the city of Bel Aire since 2013. Prior to his employment with Bel Aire, Rekoske served as finance and marketing manager for the city of Wichita’s Transit Department, and as the community development coordinator for Wichita’s Old Cowtown Museum.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

More late summer rain for Hays overnight Tuesday.

According to the K-State Agricultural Research Station, Hays received 0.70 inches of rain, upping the monthly total to 1.64 inches. So far in 2016, Hays has recorded 24.75 inches of precipitation. According to weather record keeper Joe Becker, the total yearly average precipitation for Hays is 22.75 inches.

The rain prompted a flood warning along the north fork of Big Creek Wednesday morning until 10:30 a.m. according to the National Weather Service in Dodge City.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Fort Hays State Honor Society will offer free Graduate Record Examination preparation sessions at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, Wednesday, Sept. 14, Wednesday, Sept. 21, and Wednesday, Sept. 28, in Forsyth Library, room 015.

The first session will feature Santina Dechant, coordinator for the Prometric Test Center at FHSU, and will cover what to expect on test day and how to register.

The following week, Dr. Keith Dreiling, associate professor of mathematics, will speak on the math section of the exam and how to use Power Prep II software.

The Sept. 21 session will focus on general tips and tricks of taking tests and will be led by Dr. Elodie Jones, assistant professor of teacher education.

On Sept. 28, Dr. Eugene Rice, professor of philosophy, will speak on the critical thinking section of the exam.

Sessions are open to all students. Free books will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

(Video and pictures courtesy Guy Windholz)

More than eight inches of rain fell in northern Ellis County early Sunday morning, causing flooding downstream in Big Creek Sunday afternoon in Hays.

The official rainfall for Hays as recorded at the K-State Agricultural Center south of town was considerably less at less than half an inch–0.43 inches. For the year, Hays has received 24.05 inches as of Sept. 5.

According to weather record keeper Joe Becker, the total yearly average precipitation for Hays is 22.75 inches.

ELLIS–The proposed policy for citizen complains procedures will be discussed during tonight’s meeting of the Ellis City Council.

Council members will also consider a resolution recalling the town’s water conservation status.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA September 6, 2016
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on August 15, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #2004
c) Manual Journal Entries for February and March
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) Consider Request for Sewer Service – Sue Werth
b) Update from Ellis Industrial Development Corporation – Travis Kohlrus and Phillip Martin
c) Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Denis Vine
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Installation of WIFI at City Hall
b) Discuss Proposed Policy on Citizen Complaint Procedures
c) Consider Resolution Recalling Water Conservation Status
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Mayor’s Appointments to Tourism and Campground Committees
b) Discuss Proposals Related to Conversion to Electronic Council Packets
c) Election of Voting Delegates for the League of Kansas Municipalities
d) Consider Approval of KDHE Fiscal Sustainability Plan
e) Consider Ratification of Electrical Repair at Dog Shelter
f) Consider Ratification of Terms and Conditions on Haynes Lift Station
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Correspondence on Union Pacific Railroad Drainage Culvert at 10th Street & Spruce
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Monthly Activity Report for August
(2) Staff Calendar for September
(3) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Financial Reports for February and March
(2) Health Insurance Savings Report for July
(3) Committee Meeting Draft Minutes
(4) Consider Approval to Attend Clerk’s Academy Training
(5) Department Update
4) Attorney
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Nine out of 500 monarch butterfly tags recovered recently in Mexico were from butterflies tagged at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center in 2015.

Individuals of all ages will have the opportunity to tag and release their own monarch butterflies during KWEC’s annual Butterfly Festival from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the center.

“Of the nine butterflies recovered, one was tagged during the festival last year, while others were from school programs and butterflies captured during evenings in fields,” said Pam Martin, festival coordinator.

“This is an extremely high number of tag recoveries,” said Curtis Wolf, KWEC manager.

Until recently, Martin had seen only four tags recovered in the previous 23 years.

The center, 592 NE K-156 Highway, is on the southeast side of the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, northeast of Great Bend.

After the butterflies are captured, volunteers will assist in placing adhesive tags with identifying numbers on the underside of the wings. The butterflies are then released. Tagging helps biologists to learn about the monarch’s migration to its wintering grounds in central Mexico.

Nets and tags will be available. Participants will receive information about the tagging process before heading out to the field with a tagging leader.

“We don’t always hit the peak monarch migration, but there are always some monarch butterflies to chase and capture in addition to caterpillars and chrysalises,” said Martin.

“Last year was a good migration year and the numbers were up. The drought had eased, and scientists think that helped the monarchs migrate,” she said.

Other activities will be provided, such as an insect zoo with an exhibit beehive (weather permitting), giant walking stick insects, hissing and peppered cockroaches, and butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises.

“From making milkweed seed bombs to tagging monarch butterflies, kids and adults will find plenty to do during this free event,” said Wolf.

Kids and adults will be able to play in the mud and make milkweed seed bombs to take home. Milkweed seed bombs are composed of clay, compost, water and native flower seeds. Pre-made milkweed seed bombs will be available to practice slinging into KWEC’s prairie area using giant slingshots.

Free milkweed plants, with growing instructions, will be available to those who would like to encourage monarchs to their yards and gardens.

The festival will include monarch butterfly and caterpillar photo boards, temporary tattoos, games, a butterfly mural, and drinks and refreshments.

Information on butterfly-friendly plants and other attractants will be available. Visitors may also walk through the wildflower and butterfly garden to view examples of such plants.

For more information, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 or visit wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Another 0.51 inch of rain fell in Hays Wed., Aug. 31.

Hays has already received more than the annual average precipitation. That amount–22.75 inches–was surpassed Tuesday, according to official records kept by the K-State Agricultural Research Center.

As of Thursday at 9 a.m., Hays has received 23.62 inches of precipitation in 2016.

The recent rains also brought cooler temperatures.

Wednesday’s high in Hays was 76 degrees. The record high in Hays on Aug. 31 was set five years ago–110 degrees in 2011. One year ago on Aug. 31, the temperature reached 100 degrees.

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By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The official overnight rainfall in Hays at 9 a.m. Wednesday was 0.49 inches measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

According to weather record keeper Joe Becker, “as of today we have now received over the total yearly average precipitation amount of 22.75.”

So far in 2016, 23.11 inches of precipitation has fallen in Hays. The month of August contributed 3.87 inches to that total.

Records at the ag research center show the most precipitation in one year in Hays was 43.34 inches back in 1951. Just five years later, only 9.21 inches of precipitation fell in Hays, the driest year recorded.

“The subsoil moisture amount still remains low,” Becker noted, “but let’s hope for more slow, soaking rain and soon, snow.”

RFL

The annual Ellis County Relay for Life Survivors Supper was held Saturday, August 27, in the Victoria Grade School gym.

Local cancer survivors and their families were invited to the event by the RFL committee to enjoy an evening of fun, camaraderie and celebration.

According to RFL Committee Member Jolene Maley, Hays, the youngest survivor who attended is in kindergarten this year.

The survivors made Wish Bracelets that will be sent to New York City where Hays resident Lonny Claycamp is currently undergoing a 30-day treatment of chemotherapy and stem cell transplant to get his myeloma (white blood cell cancer) back into remission.

Claycamp is a former chairman of the Ellis County Relay for Life and a longtime committee volunteer.

He plans to distribute the wish bracelets to other cancer patients in the medical facility.

The paper clip angels were made by the RFL Committee for those attending the local Survivors Supper.

The annual Ellis County Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 22, 12-6 p.m., in Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum.

This year’s theme is “Score a Cure” in a nod to the just-completed summer Olympics.