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Wheatland, Hays students selected for Washington Youth Tour trip

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The youth tour winners met with Nex-Tech CEO, Jimmy Todd, to go over travel arrangements prior to the trip. Pictured are Levi Hickert, Jimmy Todd, and Angel Mong.

LENORA — A free trip to Washington does not come along every day, but for two students, it became a reality. Through its association with the Foundation for Rural Service, Nex-Tech sponsored two students to attend the FRS Youth Tour, June 2-6. Students apply by written application, which includes an essay addressing the benefits of attending the Youth Tour and impact that it may have to their career goals. This year’s winners were Angel Mong and Levi Hickert who joined nearly 100 other students from across the country at the FRS Youth Tour.

Youth tour participants receive a first-hand glimpse at how the legislative and regulatory decisions made in Washington, D.C. affect how their local service providers operate in their own hometowns. The trip features a comprehensive overview of the communications industry and the critical role communications plays in rural America. In addition to the educational component, the Youth Tour also introduces students to various historical landmarks.

Angel, an upcoming senior at Wheatland High School, is the daughter of Marilyn and the late Tim Mong. In her essay, Angel shares that she finds our country’s history extremely fascinating, and she wants to experience the history and culture of D.C. Angel wants to become a teacher and feels the Youth Tour will give her an opportunity to increase her worldly knowledge and learn about our nation’s capital.

Levi is the son of Kevin and Sondra Hickert. He will be a junior at Hays High School. Levi writes that the learning experience he will gain from the Youth Tour will help him with educational and occupational decisions for his future. Pursuing a course of study in Engineering, Levi feels that increasing his knowledge of governmental regulations and communications will be beneficial to project planning and development.

“We are excited to provide Angel and Levi with this wonderful opportunity,” said Jacque Beckman, Nex-Tech’s Youth Services/Training Specialist. “Educating them about government processes, the telecommunications industry, and our nation’s history will make them stronger individuals and will prepare them as future leaders and contributing citizens.”

SPONSORED: City of Ellis seeking FT Police Officer

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The City of Ellis, Kansas, is accepting applications for a Full Time Entry Level Police Officer or a Lateral Transfer Police Officer. Police Officers are required to enforce local, state, and federal laws as well as serve papers and complete other various tasks.

Minimum requirements are U.S. citizen, High School diploma or GED, 21 years of age, valid driver’s license, no felony, serious misdemeanor or domestic violence convictions. Police Officer employed with the city of Ellis is required to establish residence with the Ellis School district USD 388. KLETC certification is required for lateral transfers. A background check will be conducted on each applicant. Applicant must pass a pre-employment drug screen, written test, oral interview, and physical and mental health evaluations. Applicant will provide a current driving history and current credit report.

The City of Ellis is an equal opportunity employer offering a highly competitive benefit package including paid family health insurance. Starting pay for Police Officers is $15.90 an hour. Lateral transfers will receive $17.22 an hour after they complete field training.

To apply, go to the city of Ellis Kansas web page click the job opportunities link and fill out the application. Send the application either by mail to the Ellis Police Department 815 Jefferson St. Ellis, Kansas 67637 or by email to Chief Taft Yates at [email protected]. You may also contact the Ellis Police Department by phone at (785) 726-4462 or the Ellis City Clerk by phone at (785)726-4812 for an application.

FHSU faculty members present about student learning at national conference

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Dr. Pelgy Vaz
FHSU University Relations

Three Fort Hays State University faculty members recently presented at the National Social Science Association convention in Las Vegas.

Dr. Pelgy Vaz, professor of sociology, Dr. Carrol Haggard, retired associate professor of communication studies, and Lynn Haggard, retired librarian at Forsyth Library, presented “Academic and non-Academic Strategies to Enhance Student Learning.”

The presentation described existing academic and non-academic programs and practices that enhance students’ learning and college experiences. It also focused on integrative and holistic approaches to student learning and comprehensive support services provided to students.

Now That’s Rural: Ted Bender, Bender Steel

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Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute

What is being built by this business? In the case of one Kansas company, it might be decorative metal railings for a Big 12 football stadium or for Oklahoma City’s Bricktown entertainment district. These are among the key projects of this entrepreneurial company in rural Kansas.

Ted Bender is founder and owner of Bender Steel in Whitewater, Kansas. He grew up between Newton and Hesston, and took agricultural education classes at Moundridge from agricultural instructor Larry Goering. Here he learned to weld. That skill would become the basis of his career.

During the following years, Ted worked for a local manufacturing company and for various local farmers, including Mr. Goering. Then Ted married his wife Amy and moved to the Whitewater area, northeast of Wichita.

In 2003, Ted started his own business, primarily doing farm equipment repair. He also had a hay business and traded in antique tractors.

2008 marked a turning point in his business. “A guy from our church asked me if I wanted to do some welding on a handrail for a project he was working on,” Ted said. Ted took on the project and it went so well that this type of custom welding became a major part of his business.

Today, Bender Steel is a full service metal fabricator of products such as steel fencing, architectural steel structures and custom design elements. “We’ve built everything from bike racks to trash cans to decorative fences,” Ted said. Among the company’s most popular products are the custom, ornamental handrailings.

The company’s website says: “Our team can handle everything from the beginning stages of design to the installation of the completed project. Our technicians have experience in AutoCAD to begin the design process and produce professional shop drawings. We have the ability to fabricate plasma-cut projects as well as bend, shear, and roll steel. Our experienced welders can weld everything from aluminum to steel. Once the project is produced, we can sandblast, paint and install it.”

From Ted Bender’s one man shop, the company has expanded to include 14 employees. Bender Steel has worked on projects from Kansas City to Oklahoma City. For example, the company’s products can be found near the Wichita riverfront, a bridge over Interstate 70 near the Kansas Speedway, bus stop shelters in downtown Wichita, a unique new waterfront park called A Gathering Place for Tulsa, and Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan.

“We built every piece of exterior rail (on the KSU west stadium renovation),” Ted said. “It’s fun to think that everybody touches our product and our customers are happy.”

What are the keys to the growth of the business? “We owe it all to the Lord, one hundred percent,” Ted said.

What about advice to other small businesses? “Building relationships with customers is really important,” Ted said. “We need to meet and exceed expectations and make sure things are right in the end.”

He pointed out the importance of going the extra mile for the customer. “Long after the pain fades from your extra effort, the customer will remember that you took care of them,” Ted said. “It’s all about people, not about money.”

Ted reflected on the basis for his business today. “It starts with faith and family,” Ted said. “My wife Amy has been very supportive through all of this. We have seven beautiful children, and I thank God every day for them.”

He also gives thanks for the agricultural education instructor who taught him to weld. “Larry Goering was a fantastic ag teacher and a fantastic mentor for a lot of us,” he said.

All this has led to this successful business located near the rural community of Whitewater, population 718 people. Now, that’s rural.

For more information about this company, see www.bendersteel.com.

What is being built by this business? There are lots of products, but more than that. We salute Ted Bender and the people of Bender Steel for making a difference with their craftsmanship. In the end, this is not only about metal products.

“We don’t just build rails, we build relationships,” Ted said.

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

In Case You Missed It: Eagle Morning Show 6/4-6/8

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It was another busy week on the KAYS Eagle Morning Show. Here’s what you missed!

Monday

Hays Recreation Commission Superintendent Roger Bixenman

Roger made his monthly visit to the show to talk about the things coming up at the Hays Rec for June:

  • Kids Day at Larks Park this Saturday (June 9th)
  • Deadline is upcoming for tennis lessons for those ages 8-18
  • Fort Hays State Jr. Golf Camp is on Wednesday, June 20th for ages 8-14. Still looking for about 10 more people to sign up
  • National Yoga Day June 21st @ Hays Rec

Vance Chartier & Ed Holzmeister – The Society of 40 Men & 8 Horses

Vance and Ed were on the Eagle Morning Show to talk about the history and rededication of the Kansas Merci Boxcar that is open to the public coming up on June 16th.

Wednesday

Protect & Serve: Ellis County Undersheriff Scott Braun

Undersheriff Braun made his monthly visit to the show to talk about the new uniforms coming to the sheriff’s department

 

Thursday

Fort Hays State University Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Joey Linn

Dr. Linn was in for President Tisa Mason on the Eagle Morning Show. Here are some of the things that he talked about.

FHSU Professor Greg Kandt

Greg joined the Eagle Morning Show to talk about aqaucise for people in the community ages 50+.

 

Here’s what’s coming up next week on the Eagle Morning Show!

  • Hays Arts Council Brenda Meder
  • Protect & Serve: Hays Police Department
  • Marketing Director w/Smoky Hills Public Television: Callie Kolacny
  • Downtown Hays Development Corporation Executive Director: Sara Bloom
  • Humane Society of the High Plains: Betty Hansen

Ranchland Trust of Kansas launches annual photo contest

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RTK

TOPEKA – The Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) invites professional and amateur photographers to submit photographs for its seventh annual photo contest to showcase the natural beauty of ranching and grazing lands across the state. The competition offers Kansans the chance to explore and capture the many activities, seasons and faces of Kansas’ ranching tradition.

Participants should submit photos expressing the mission of RTK: “To preserve Kansas’ ranching heritage and open spaces for future generations through the conservation of working landscapes.” This may include landscape, livestock and people, with preference to grasslands, grazing land, ranchers, cattle and much more.

Participants may enter up to five photos. The entry deadline for the contest is August 15, 2018. Entries will be judged by a panel of professionals in the field of photography and by RTK representatives.

All prizes for the contest are sponsored by Wolfe’s Camera of Topeka. Wolfe’s will award 10 photo cards to all 10 category winners.  Categories include:  Grand Prize, Landscape, Livestock, People, Youth (ages 5-17), Kansas Livestock Association Member, Fan Favorite via Facebook voting and Honorable Mentions.  The grand prize winner will receive their choice of an 11”x 14” stretched photo canvas or a 12” x 18” metal print of their winning photo.

For full contest rules and to enter, visit www.ranchlandtrustofkansas.org (News, Events, Photo Contest).  For questions, please contact Samantha Weishaar at (785) 273-5115 or [email protected].

Sunny, hot Saturday

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Today
Sunny, with a high near 99. South wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 98. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 14 to 16 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Poor People’s Campaign Aiming To Mobilize Change in Kansas, Nationwide

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By STEPHEN KORANDA

Six weeks of protests by the Poor People’s Campaign nationwide and in Topeka aim to raise awareness of social and economic inequalities.

Protesters in the Kansas Capitol this week.
STEPHEN KORANDA / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

Translating those demonstrations into changes in state policy, says at least one analyst, will likely demand more sustained efforts.

The protests over recent weeks have focused on a variety of issues including poverty, voting rights and immigration policy.

Durell Sharrone is one of the leaders of the Kansas chapter of the Poor People’s Campaign. He said the group’s goal is to create a grassroots movement by raising awareness of those issues.

“Speak … against those conditions, for others to stand and think, ‘That is immoral. That is wrong and we will not have it,’” Sharrone said.

He said the six weeks of protest are a start, and they hope the campaign will continue into the coming years.

University of Kansas Professor Randal Jelks studies American social movements.  He said protests raise awareness of issues and can motivate people who might otherwise sit out the political process.

“You do have to make people cognizant that these are issues facing them and facing their children for the future,” Jelks said.

However, Jelks said creating policy changes generally takes more than just protests.

“It takes getting out the vote, turning out voters,” he said. “You go out and try to elect candidates that are going to represent the public policy issues that you think are important.”

The national branch of the Poor People’s Campaign will be pushing voter registration.

Sharrone said the Kansas chapter could be urging new candidates to run for office.

“If that’s what it takes,” he said. “We are saying that it is time that you work on behalf of the people or it is time that you are fired.”

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for KPR a partner in the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda. Kansas 

Kansas handfishing season requires grit and vigor

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Handfishing in Kansas

KDWPT

PRATT – There’s a reason you don’t see anglers lining up by the masses on opening day of handfishing season: it’s not for everyone. Blindly reaching into a dark crevice or undercut bank bare-handed, with the intent of luring out a formidable flathead is considered “fun” only by those with enough grit to accept the challenge. Think you have what it takes to handfish? Put yourself to the test June 15-Aug. 31 during the 2018 Kansas handfishing season.

Once you’ve made the commitment to participate in the season, you’ll need a fishing license and handfishing permit ($27.50).

Make sure to stick only to areas where handfishing is allowed: the Arkansas River; the Kansas River, from it’s origin to the downstream confluence with the Missouri River; and all federal reservoirs, from 150 yards beyond the dam to the upstream end of federal property.

You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the rules, too. Only flathead catfish may caught by hand. And its called “handfishing” season for a reason – anglers who are handfishing can’t use hooks, snorkeling or scuba gear, or any man-made device except a stringer. And man-made objects, such as barrels or tubs, can’t be used to attract fish, either. It’s just you, the fish, and the dark, recessed hole it’s lurking in.

Once you feel a fish, the next challenge is figuring out how to work your hand into its mouth and grip its lower jaw to bring it to the surface. This is where you’ll need all the vigor you can muster.

If you make it this far, and get a fish to the surface, grab a quick pic and send it back unless you plan on keeping it. The daily creel limit on flatheads is five.

It’s not a season for everyone, but with enough grit and vigor, you just might be up to the challenge.

For more information on handfishing in Kansas, consult the 2018 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold and at www.ksoutdoors.com.

Limited number of nonresident deer permits available

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KDWPT

PRATT –The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism recently conducted its annual lottery draw for nonresident deer permits and results are now available. Out of the 18 deer units that nonresident hunters could apply for, three have a limited number of leftover permits. One-hundred and twenty-six permits are available in Unit 16, 49 permits are available in Unit 17, and 72 permits are available in Unit 18.

Leftover permits can be purchased online at www.kshuntfishcamp.com beginning at 12:01 a.m., July 9 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hunters who applied for the draw and wish to view results, or hunters who wish to view their total number of preference points, may do so by visiting ksoutdoors.com/License-Permits/Check-Lottery-Draw-Status.

To view a map of Kansas’ Deer Management Units and review hunting regulations and 2018 season dates, visit ksoutdoors.com, click on “Hunting,” then “What to Hunt.”

Kan. man accused of animal cruelty, battery of police officer

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SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.

Harris -photo Saline County

On Thursday, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Wilson in Salina to investigate a report of animal cruelty, according to Sergeant James Feldman. Witnesses reported seeing a man hitting a cat several times and throwing it into a trash container.

An officer located Harris at the 900 block of South 4th Street in Salina.  He refused arrest and grabbed the officer by the shoulders tugging on the officer and damaging part of his uniform.  The officer was able to make the arrest. He also found the dead cat.

Harris was booked on requested charges of cruelty to animals, interference with law enforcement, battery of a law enforcement officer, and criminal damage to property, according to Feldman.

Boyfriend charged in 2016 death of Kan. woman

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ANDOVER, Kan. (AP) — Andover police say the boyfriend of a woman who died nearly two years ago is now charged in her killing.

Smith -photo KDOC

Police announced Friday in a news release that 52-year-old Roger Smith is charged with second-degree murder in the August 2016 death of 40-year-old Sandra Berry.

Berry was found dead in her Andover apartment with a deep wound to her throat.

Smith was Berry’s boyfriend when she died. He was questioned but released at the time.

Smith is currently being held at the El Dorado Correctional Facility for a parole violation. He will be served a warrant and is scheduled to appear in Butler County court June 29.

He was scheduled to be released July 1.

The Latest: Stepmom recorded saying ‘I did him wrong’

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the death of a woman who led an investigator to the body of her 5-year-old stepson (all times local):

Glass -photo Sedgwick Co.

4p.m.

A woman found dead after leading an investigator to her 5-year-old stepson’s body told an investigator that she “did him wrong” on a recording broadcast on a recent podcast episode of “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.”

Police say officers found Emily Glass’ body early Friday after her ex-boyfriend, Jonathan Hernandez, called to report that she had killed herself. The official cause of death hasn’t been determined.

Glass reported Lucas Hernandez missing in February and helped the investigator find his body last month. In an episode of Grace’s podcast that aired Monday, Hernandez said he no longer believes Glass and that she recently told a private investigator that she panicked after finding Lucas dead.

The investigator captured a recording of Glass saying: “I did Lucas so wrong. I did him wrong.”

———–

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman found early Friday in the Kansas home of a 5-year-old boy whose decomposing body his stepmother led an investigator to three months after reporting him missing.

Police on the scene early Friday of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH

Just before 2 a.m., police responded to a home in 600 Block of South Edgemoor and and found the body of 27-year-old Emily Glass, according to officer Charley Davidson.

It was reported as a suicide. Her death is under investigation and the Sedgwick County Coroner’s office will determine the cause of death, according to Davidson.

At approximately 1:40 a.m., Glass’ boyfriend 34-year-old Jonathan Hernandez called 911 to report arriving home and finding her dead, according to Davidson.

Officers found a rifle near her feet and three suicide notes in the residence, according to Davidson.

Her body was transported to the Regional Forensics Science Center. Glass had been questioned in the disappearance and death of Jonathan’s son 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez.

On May 24, Glass was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail for felony obstruction of justice after leading a private investigator to the boy’s body under a bridge in Harvey County. She reported Lucas missing on February 17.

The homicide investigation into Lucas’ death is ongoing, according to Davidson.

Police released no additional details.
————

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman found in the Kansas home of a 5-year-old boy whose stepmother led an investigator to his decomposing body three months after the child was reported missing.

Police say officers responded early Friday after Jonathan Hernandez called to report finding a woman dead of a gunshot wound in his Wichita home. The woman’s name hasn’t been released.

Hernandez’ live-in girlfriend, Emily Glass, reported his son, Lucas Hernandez, missing on Feb. 17. After she was acquitted of child endangerment in an unrelated case involving her own daughter, she led the investigator to Lucas’ body on May 24.

She was arrested on suspicion of lying to authorities, but freed. Prosecutors haven’t charged her in Lucas’ death but said she was a person of interest.

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