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Author: Cristina Janney

E. Richard Heyl

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E. Richard Heyl was born on Aug. 15, 1935 in Hays to Edgar Heyl and Marion Richards Heyl.

He graduated from Wallace County High School with the Class of 1953. He joined the Marines in August 1953 and was married to Edna Herl on Oct. 2, 1954 and three children were born to this union.

Richard participated in basic training in North Carolina, and was stationed at El Toro Marine Base in Santa Ana California.

He and Edna made Santa Ana their home, and welcomed their two sons Leland Dwight on Oct. 31, 1955 and Richard Lewellyn on Oct. 1, 1957. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in November 1958, and they moved back to Sharon Springs where their daughter Christine Annette joined their family on July 23, 1960.

Richard was in business with his father, Edgar, and was operator of Heyls Phillips 66 station and later a car dealer with Heyl Motor Company all in Sharon Springs. In the early ’70’s he purchased B & B Gas Company from Bailey Atkinson. He was in partnership with John and Nettie Lock for a few years and renamed his gas company L & H Gas. He dissolved this business relationship but was a lifelong friend to John and Nettie. He made amazing friends and customers over the years of delivering propane, and retired in 2007 selling his business to Henry Dinkel.

He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs, and he participated in many Bible studies over the years. He was a faithful man of God and his faith never wavered even in his times of suffering. He loved his kids and was their support throughout life. He supported them in all activities that he could, if he was not working. When he became a grandpa, he was overjoyed and was the best grandpa anyone could ask for. The grandkids called him gramps most of the time, and they definitely had the run of his house. They would eat him out of house and home, and he never complained about them eating all of his cereal. He was a man of amazing patience and love, and his grandkids learned so much from him. The rides in the propane truck, the time they went on trips with him and their grandmother. There are too many blessing to even count. When the great grandkids started coming, it was fast and furious. When he would ask their names and who they belong to, he would ask the spelling of their names. Some he was a little unsure of so he would just smile and say OK.

As his health failed in the last few years, he faced a lot of challenges. He never complained, and eventually he moved in with this daughter at her home. It was a big change after living in the same home for 47 years, but he made the changes and seemed at home. He faced every obstacle with a positive attitude and never was bitter or resentful. He was a friend to all that knew him and he never met a stranger. He had a smile and a handshake for everyone he had the pleasure of meeting. In his last few years of independence, he and Al Ryan had a lot of good times drinking coffee with the people at the 27/40 store and eating breakfast at Penny’s Diner and Stephens Restaurant. They were quite a pair and had a lot of good times together. Marsha Johnson was a classmate and a great friend to Richard, and as his health declined, she was an amazing part of his life. She visited him at his home and his daughter’s home and called him regularly to keep him updated on her latest escapades. Richard was very ill the last two weeks and was blessed to have his brother Guy and wife Kathy close to help support him and his daughter. He went to his Heavenly home on Feb. 2, 2018 at 5:20 a.m. He will be missed dearly by all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Marion Richards Heyl; wife Edna; sons, Leland and Richie; grandson-in-law Brett Spresser; great-grandson Ezra Welsh, and sister Mary Kay Brown.

He is survived by his daughter Christine Heyl Welsh; daughter-in-law Lois Heyl; brother Guy Heyl and wife Kathy of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren Amie Gibbs and husband Patrick, Marc Welsh and wife Kristen, Keara Richardson and husband Kenny, Brian Welsh and wife Lacey, Andrew Heyl and wife Lexi, Brock Heyl and wife Chanell, Kevin Heyl and wife Audrey, Mitchell Welsh and wife Audrielle, Matthew Welsh and wife Kelli, Nikki Chubb and husband Bradley, Aarika Welsh and husband Jesse; 38 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; two cousins David Woodrow and wife Nancy, and Kim Woodrow and wife Debbie; five nephews Nolan, Jon, Jay, Matthew and Nicholas; four nieces Paula, Katie, Marie and Melissa; and a host of amazing friends who he loved dearly. He will live forever in our hearts, and we will hold his memories close.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. MT on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs with Pastors Galen Crippen and Guy Rendoff officiating. Inurnment will follow with Military Honors in the Sharon Springs Cemetery, Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard Heyl Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Leo Eugene Trompeter

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Leo Eugene Trompeter died Monday, Feb. 5, 2018. He was born Thursday, Sept. 24, 1936.
Cremation was chosen. No services are scheduled at this time. 

Sign up open for Hays Rec adult dodgeball tournament

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Hays Recreation Commission wants to encourage businesses to work on their team-building skills by singing up for the co-ed dodgeball tournament.

There are six players per team, and the tournament will be played bracket style.

Winners will receive T-shirts and bragging rights.

The entry deadline is Feb. 21. Entry fee is $50 per team.

The tournament will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 at the recreation center.

You must be 16 year old or older to play. There must be a minimum of four teams signed up for the tournament to proceed.

Entry forms are available at https://www.haysrec.org/ or call the office at 785-623-2650. Ask for Brandon.

HaysMed to launch 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment update

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HaysMed

Over the next three months, HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, will be working with other community providers to update the 2015 Ellis County Community Health Needs Assessment.

Affordable Care Act legislation requires all tax-exempt hospitals to submit an assessment to the IRS every three years, regardless of hospital affiliation. Each hospital, even those that serve overlapping populations, must submit a separate assessment.

VVV Consultants LLC, an independent research firm from Olathe, has been retained again to conduct this countywide research.  The goal of this assessment update is to understand progress in addressing community health needs cited in the 2015 assessment report and to collect up-to-date community health perceptions.

To accomplish this work, a short online survey has been developed.

Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EllisCoCHNA3  or text key word EllisCoCHNA to 48421 to receive the link on smart phone. You can also find assessment 2018 feedback link on the HaysMed website or Facebook page.

All community residents are encouraged to complete the 2018 assessment Wave #3 online survey by Friday, Feb. 23.

“This work is vital to determine the health direction for our county,” said Shae Veach, vice president of regional operations and marketing at HaysMed.

If you have any questions about the survey, please call 785-623-2300.

Statewide Homeless Coalition sets meeting in Hays for Tuesday

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The Statewide Homeless Coalition will sponsor a regional focus group in Hays on Tuesday.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh, Hays.

Representatives of agencies that come in contact with people who are experiencing homelessness as well as public officials are encouraged to attend.

This includes representatives who provide shelter or service for people who are homeless, law enforcement officials, city and county government representatives, business and community leaders, elected representatives, and representatives of religious organizations.

Despite long-term gains in reducing the homeless population in communities nationwide, new homelessness numbers have increased for the first time in seven years, according to numbers released in December by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Contact Linda Mills at First Call for Help at 785-623-2800 or [email protected] for more information on the meeting.

 

Options: Wear orange to promote awareness of teen dating violence

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Options

Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is encouraging people to wear orange on Friday, Feb. 9 to promote awareness about teen dating violence.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Each year, one in 10 teenagers reports being the victim of teen dating violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 23 percent of males and 14 percent of females surveyed indicated they had been part of a relationship that was violent or abusive.

At Options Inc., we encourage you to celebrate healthy relationships and join us in taking action to help spread awareness and prevent dating violence.

Some ideas include wearing something orange to commemorate Teen Dating Month for Wear Orange Day on Feb. 9 and promote healthy relationships. Invite friends to join in and share your orange photos across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and more using #Orange4Love.

If you or someone you know is a victim of teen dating violence, call Options’ 24-hour Helpline at 1-800-794-4624.

Golden Belt Bank invests in USD 489 Hope Pantry

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USD 489

Employee Jean Day made a donation and Golden Belt Bank matched it for a total $1,750 donation to the USD 489 Hope Pantry. The money will be used to purchase food, hygiene supplies and clothing for families in need across the district.

“USD 489 would like to thank Golden Belt Bank for making this investment in the families in need in USD 489. This donation will save hundreds of families from going hungry during extended breaks from school,” the district said.

Humane Society raises $7,000 during Super ‘R Bowl

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On Sunday, hundreds of people crowded into the Ellis County Fairgrounds for the Humane Society of the High Plains Soup ‘R Bowl.

The Humane Society served 500 people this year, which was down from last year. However, the event raised more than $7,000, which was more than was raised last year.

“That’s down a bit from last year, but we exceeded the funds raised from last year so we are very pleased!” Alicia Tripler, board member, said.

Money raised goes for the care of the humane society shelter’s animals.

Twelve organizations provided soup or chili for the event.

The winning business this year was Fur is Flying Pet Grooming with chef Bunnie Bowen, who made a Creamy Reuben Soup. Bowen will be the keeper of the Golden Ladle for the next year.

Herrman Physical Therapy & Wellness adds massage therapist

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Jessica Lang

Herrman Physical Therapy & Wellness has announced the addition of massage therapy.

Jessica Lang, a Hays native, joined the team to provide massage therapy services. She is a student of massage therapy at Fort Hays State University and will be graduating this May. She also has a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis in gerontology from FHSU.

Lang was born and raised in Hays and graduated from Hays High School in 2004.

She lives in Hays with her son, Aiden, and is a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Church.

Lang is currently offering introductory rates.

Call Herrman Physical Therapy & Wellness at 785-621-5888 to learn more about her services.

🎥 Roosevelt Elementary wraps up 50th birthday week with Elvis, sock hop

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Roosevelt Elementary School wrapped up a week of events Friday that celebrated the school’s 50th anniversary with a sock hop.

The students were entertained by Elvis tribute artist Frank Werth, who is a native of Hays and also attended Roosevelt as child.

After the Werth’s performance, the children danced in their socks in the gym to and ’60s music.

The children concluded their day with ice cream sandwiches donated by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.

At the beginning of the week, the teachers and staff decorated hallways representing each decade the school has been open. The school also had dress-up days for each era.

On Wednesday afternoon, former teachers and staff returned to the school for a reunion.

Related story: Roosevelt Elementary celebrates 50th anniversary with reunion

Katie Schmidt, a fifth-grader, said her favorite portion of the weeklong celebration was seeing Werth perform as Elvis.

Her grade dressed in ’90s style earlier in the week. She wore overalls and a plaid shirt tied around her waist and high heels. She said she really didn’t know what all that meant and neither did her mom. The two had to research the outfit online.

Schmidt said she enjoyed attending Roosevelt and was proud to be a Roadrunner.

Roosevelt Elementary School was opened in January 1967, during the beginning of the second semester of the school year.

Roosevelt was built in response to population growth in the city, especially to east of Vine Street.

Roosevelt housed grades kindergarten through sixth until the 1981-82 school year, after which it became a K-5 school.

Some past principals include Manley Higgins, Bob Collins, Ione Buchheister, Dale J. Koerner and Gary LeCount. Principal Lee Keffer retired in spring 2017 and was replaced by current principal Paula Rice.

Notable events from the historical archives on the school indicate the school first starting using a computer in 1982, an Apple II Plus that was used to help students improve their math skills. At that time, there were only seven computers in the entire district — a far cry from the one-to-one technology program the district has today.

In 1994, $849,000 from a district bond issue was used to complete a classroom addition at the school. For a time, the school had used modular classrooms at the site due to overcrowding.

The records also indicated a long history of Roosevelt’s Home and School organization being actively involved in the school, including $50,000 raised in 2003 by the organization for new playground equipment.

Below are some photos from the current decade at Roosevelt:

Hays school board has veto power over hotel project tax district

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will have a say if the new Hilton Garden Hotel will receive approval of its tax increment financing district.

The hotel would be a 100-room, $19.3 million project with a conference center. It would be located just west of Walmart in the Ottley Addition.

Incremental tax financing district defined

Because both the county and school district receive property tax money from the land in question, they both have veto power over the project.

The land on which the hotel will sit was zoned agricultural. If a commercial building was constructed on that property, the property value would increase.

Example of how a tax increment financing district works.

A TIF figures the difference between the original value of the land and new value of the developed property. The taxing entities still collect the taxes on the original value, but the taxes on the increased value go back to the developer to use on financing and infrastructure improvements, such as water, sewer, roads and parking. The TIF would be in effect for 20 years.

The school district would see a partial increase in the funds it receives on the new development. The developers would still have to pay the general fund school mill level of 20 mills and the Hays district’s capital outlay fund of 8-mill levy on the improvements.

The district would not receive an increase in property tax for its supplemental levy of 14.92 mills or its .646 mill declining enrollment levy.

The estimated incremental tax for the project would be $3.7 million over 20 years for all the taxing entities, but Jacob Wood, assistant city manager, said he did not know how much of that would be school district taxes.

Tracy Kaiser, USD 489’s director of finance, said the district’s declining enrollment mill levy is only good for one more year— the 2018-19 school year.

Wood said based on the timeline for the hotel project, the declining enrollment levy would likely drop off the tax rolls before the first phase of the project is completed. He said the developers hope to break ground on the project yet this year.

Location of the new hotel.

Wood told the school board Monday the developers said they likely would not proceed with the project if they do not receive the TIF.

There will be a public hearing on the TIF on Feb. 8. Wood said the school district and county would have until March 12 to pass resolutions in opposition of the TIF. Such a resolution from either entity would block the TIF.

Board member Paul Adams asked what the staff levels at the hotel would be and if Wood thought it would affect the district’s enrollment.

The hotel would employ between 80 and 90 people. Wood said he thought the hotel will bring in management from the outside, but most of the other employees would be local.

The board members had no other comment on the issue Monday and took no action on the item.

 

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