Female Actors – WE NEED YOU! Auditions for our stage production of “Steel Magnolias” will be held January 23 & 24 at the Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. 8th, Hays.
Auditions are open and will begin promptly at 6:30. All readings will be provided.
Roles available for six women, age 18+. Performance dates are March 22-24. Director: Rebecca Grizzell, Assistant Director: Dylan Werth, Stage Manager: Bill Brown.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the second robbery of a Sonic car hop in 8 days.
Just before 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a robbery to a car hop at the Sonic Drive-in, 3820 SW 29th Street in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.
The victim reported that while he was delivering a drink to a woman in a black passenger car, another subject in the car, described as a white, male with several tattoos who was sitting in the passenger seat, ordered the car hop to give them his wallet.
The victim gave his wallet to the suspects and they fled the parking lot and were last seen northbound on SW Gage Blvd.
Police continue to search for the suspects. On January 8, police reported the armed robbery of a Sonic car hop at 3721 SW Topeka Boulevard.
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Wednesday that many Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will reopen temporarily in the coming days to perform certain limited services for farmers and ranchers.
According to a media release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recalled about 2,500 FSA employees to open offices on Thursday, January 17 and Friday, January 18, in addition to Tuesday, January 22, during normal business hours. The offices will be closed for the federal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 21.
In almost half of FSA locations, FSA staff will be available to assist agricultural producers with existing farm loans and to ensure the agency provides 1099 tax documents to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service’s deadline.
“Until Congress sends President Trump an appropriations bill in the form that he will sign, we are doing our best to minimize the impact of the partial federal funding lapse on America’s agricultural producers,” Perdue said. “We are bringing back part of our FSA team to help producers with existing farm loans. Meanwhile, we continue to examine our legal authorities to ensure we are providing services to our customers to the greatest extent possible during the shutdown.”
Staff members will be available at certain FSA offices to help producers with specific services, including:
• Processing payments made on or before December 31, 2018.
• Continuing expiring financing statements.
• Opening mail to identify priority items.
Additionally, as an intermittent incidental duty, staff may release proceeds from the sale of loan security by signing checks jointly payable to FSA that are brought to the county office by producers.
Information on the locations of FSA offices to be open during this three-day window will be posted:
• On the USDA website.
• On Twitter at @SecretarySonny and @USDA.
• On USDA’s Facebook page.
While staff are available in person during this three-day window, most available services can be handled over the phone. Producers can begin contacting staff on January 17 here.
Additionally, farmers who have loan deadlines during the lapse in funding do not need to make payments until the government shutdown ends.
Other FSA Programs and Services
Reopened FSA offices will only be able to provide the specifically identified services while open during this limited time. Services that will not be available include, but are not limited to:
• New direct or facility loans.
• New Farm loan guarantees.
• New marketing assistance loans.
• New applications for Market Facilitation Program (MFP).
• Certification of 2018 production for MFP payments.
• Dairy Margin Protection Program.
• Disaster assistance programs, such as:
o Livestock Indemnity Program.
o Emergency Conservation Program.
o Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program.
o Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
o Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish.
While January 15, 2019 had been the original deadline for producers to apply for MFP, farmers have been unable to apply since December 28, 2018, when FSA offices closed because of the lapse in federal funding. Secretary Perdue has extended the MFP application deadline for a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices end up being closed, once the government shutdown ends. These announced days of limited staff availability during the shutdown will not constitute days open in calculating the extension. Producers who already applied for MFP and certified their 2018 production by December 28, 2018 should have already received their payments.
More information on MFP is available at www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp.
SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Tuesday in Saline County.
A 2017 Hyundai Sonata driven by Patricia Grove, 66, Ellsworth was eastbound on Kansas 140 and attempted to turn eastbound onto Crawford, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.
The driver missed the turn and struck a 2011 GMC Acadia driven by Careasa Griffith, 39, of Ellsworth, who was westbound on Crawford and had just pulled up to the stop sign at K-140. The stop sign was also broken, according to Soldan.
EMS transported Grove to the hospital in Salina. Griffith was not injured.
Fog may have also played a factor in the accident, according to Soldan.
Hays Post
“In the long history of humankind – and animal kind too – those who learned to collaborate and improvise move effectively have prevailed.” Charles Darwin
Help celebrate Darwin Day Sunday at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays, with a day of free admission.
Activities will be available around the museum gallery from 1 to 4 p.m.
This year features predator and prey interactions.
Children will be able to play a predator and prey game.
They will also learn how predators and prey evolved over time.
For example, horses were originally smaller animals but as they moved onto the Plains grew taller over time to better evade predators, Rachel Unruh, Sternberg marketing intern, said. Their eyes also became set differently to better scan for predators.
Pronghorn developed speed during the ice age when they were being preyed upon by saber-tooth cats.
Darwin Days is usually celebrated in February in conjunction with Darwin’s birthday, but this year the museum is conducting Darwin Days on Penguin Awareness Day. The museum will also have a station that talks about penguins. This will include information on penguin predators — sea lions and killer whales.
Museum-goers will be able to visit with staff, see fossils and even handle some museum specimens.
The museum’s newest traveling exhibit “Megalodon: The largest shark that ever lived,” will open to the public on Feb. 2. In honor of that upcoming attraction, children will be able to make a shark craft.
January signals a new year, with new hopes, opportunities, and aspirations. As I think forward each year, I also pause to think about my journey to the here and now. One thing always present in my mind is the number of people who helped me get to where I am today – the people who believed in me and supported me in so many ways – family members, neighbors, friends, colleagues, teachers, clergy, and supervisors.
I know how very fortunate I am to have been surrounded by so many people who invested in me. I also know that not everyone in this world is as fortunate as I am. And so, as a new year begins and resolutions abound, I often think about reaching up and reaching down: reaching up to thank those who helped me (after all, I do genuinely believe one cannot say “thank you” too much), and reaching down to find opportunities to offer an encouraging word, to help develop a skill or to invest in someone else’s dream.
At Fort Hays State University, I witness so many stories of how our faculty and staff encourage, support, and inspire our students. Those stories fill me with energy and hope. Those stories provide evidence that we walk our talk about being a student-centered university.
Take for example the words of Aaron Elsasser in describing Eric Deneault, an assistant professor of applied technology: “He is always there to listen when you need a friend. He is always looking for ways to make his curriculum enjoyable for students, along with ideas and activities to keep the students involved and willing to learn. With these lessons in class, he also pushes you to do your best. He always told me the sky is the limit. … He has a game plan for everything he does. He has not only taught me the things I need to know for my class, but the values of life.”
Every day, I experience the essence of this truly heartfelt mentoring relationship at our university – on campus, virtually, and internationally. This is our magnetic north.
Several years ago, I was introduced to National Mentoring Month. Launched in 2002 by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the month of January is designated as a time for all of us to think more deeply about the need for mentors, as well as how all of us – individuals, businesses, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits – can work together to amplify mentoring activity, thereby contributing time and effort to help assure positive outcomes for others. This year the national program features these key dates and activities:
Jan. 4: I Am A Mentor Day. A day for volunteer mentors to celebrate their roles and reflect on the ways mentees have enhanced their world.
Jan. 17: International Mentoring Day. A day of international conversations on social media where photos, video and powerful, mentoring stories are shared.
Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. A day to share in the inspirational words of MLK and to elevate the spirit of service through volunteerism. At Fort Hays State University, our community will celebrate MLK Day of Dreams in the Memorial Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by to browse a poster tour of MLK’s life while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. Take time to write your hopes and dreams for our country on a campus display board.
Jan. 31: #ThankYourMentor Day. A day for all who have real-life mentoring experiences to thank those who helped them on their path to adulthood and beyond. Let’s do this. Won’t you join me on Jan. 31 and send a note, an email, or make a call to say “thank you” to someone who helped you?
It is not really about a month or a collection of activities, though. It is about people lifting up and supporting others every day, in a wonderful variety of ways. I hear so many beautiful stories about how people at the university and in our local community invest in one another. I see it, hear it, and feel it in action constantly – not just during the month of January. This focus on believing in and working towards positive outcomes for others makes me feel good about being a member of this community. This natural flow of generous spirit in Hays America is another reason why this place feels like home.
Note: Learn more about MENTOR and the many resources offered at www.mentoring.org.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a crash involving a police vehicle.
Just before 8p.m. Tuesday, police responded to report of a suspicious character call involving a 2018 Mercedes Benz at a private residence in the 2000 Block of North Greenwich in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
As officers made their way to the scene, they learned that the call also involved a disturbance with weapons after private security at the residence had alerted Sedgwick County 911 that the Mercedes had struck a private security vehicle.
Upon arrival, police contacted 40-year-old Aron White who was driving of the Mercedes. White placed the vehicle in drive and rammed through the metal security gates of the residence and traveled eastbound on the lawn destroying property.
The Mercedes then turned back to police and security vehicle that were on the private drive of the residence. The Mercedes rammed the front of passenger side of the police vehicle, continued west across the property, struck a tree and became disabled.
Officers arrested White and 58-year-old front seat passenger Daniel Moore into custody.
The officer received a minor injury to his hand and arm, according to Davidson. There were no other injuries.
White is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal trespass, criminal restraint, criminal damage to property and a drug paraphernalia possession charge.
Moore was jailed on a probation violation. He has nine previous convictions that include burglary, theft, forgery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney, according to Davidson.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a crash involving a police vehicle.
Just before 8p.m. Tuesday, a police officer’s car was intentionally rammed near Greenwich and 21 Street in Wichita, according to Chief Gordon Ramsay.
The officer sustained minor injuries from the crash. Police took two suspects into custody.
Authorities are expected to release additional details on Wednesday including requested charges against those arrested.
“This could have been much worse and am thankful our officer only had minor injuries.” Ramsay said on twitter.
James Wayne (Jim) Showers of Edmond, Kansas, 73, surrounded by his loving family was delivered to the Lord Friday, January 10, 2019.
He was born in Hays, Kansas, March 24, 1945 to Kenneth and Norma (Overturf) Showers. He married Sherry Hazlett December 30, 1966. To this union three children were born: Michelle, Devra and James.
Jim was raised in Graham County and graduated from Hill City High School Class of ‘63. Following high school he attended Dodge City Community College and Fort Hays State University.
After college Jim returned to Graham County. He spent nearly a lifetime rearranging terrain in Graham, Rooks and Norton counties, building erosion-control terraces. This career began when he was 11 years old, and purchased his first piece of equipment two years later when he was only 13. Through the years he built over 5,000 miles of terraces and planted over 60,000 acres of CRP grass.
After his father-in-law passed away, Jim took over farming the 800 acres in Norton County. He loved to get in the tractor, working the ground, smelling the fresh-worked soil, and running his fingers through a load of wheat at harvest.
Nothing was more important to Jim than his family. Countless memories were made having big family Christmases, taking family trips and following his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Education was also important to Jim, making sure all three of his children graduated from college, and was proud of all his nieces and nephews that continued their education. Together Jim and Sherry tried to be at all the graduations from high school and college for their family.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Showers; step-father Lawrence Adams; in-laws Hubert and Margaret Hazlett; sister-in-law Joan Hazlett; one brother Eddy Showers; and a niece, Angie Dale.
He is survived by his wife Sherry Showers of the home; children: Michelle (Robert) Wiltfong, Edmond, Kansas, Devra (Lance) Dobbins, Bryan, Texas, and James Showers, wife Jennifer, Tyler, Texas. Four grandsons: Hunter, Hayden, Judson and Brody; his mother Norma Adams, Bogue, Kansas; brothers: John (Debbie) Showers, Spring Hill, Kenny (Rosanne) Showers, Athens Texas, Steve (Carla) Showers, Hugoton, Kansas, Doug (Lorna) Showers, Spring Hill, sister Cathy Logan, Spring Hill; sister-in-law, Jennifer Showers, widow of Eddy, Spring Hill, Kansas; nieces and nephews: Brenda, Dawn, Shane, Mickey, Cindy, Nikki, Nathan, Jessica, Justin, Jordan, Lindsay, Stephanie, Brandon, and their children.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Newly elected members of the Ellis County Commission and Ellis City Council were sworn into office Monday evening before their respective first meetings.
Ellis county commissioners were sworn in by Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus. Butch Schlyer, R-Hays, was elected to the First District seat formerly held by Marcy McClelland. Dustin Roths, R-Hays, was appointed in December by Republican Party precinct chair members to fill the Second District seat vacated by Barb Wasinger, who was elected 111th District state representative.
Schlyer is the retired longtime Ellis County Health Administrator. Roths is owner of Diamond R Jewelry in downtown Hays.
In Ellis, City Clerk Amy Burton administered the oath of office to new council members Martin LaBarge and Steve Ferland, who were both write-ins, as well as incumbent Jolene Niernberger.
LaBarge is a retired Ellis County employee, Ferland is employed by APAC, and Niernberger is the FHSU Senior Companion director.
(Ellis County pictures courtesy Phillip Smith-Hanes. Ellis City Council pictures courtesy Holly Ashenbrenner.)
She was born on February 21, 1934 in Hays to Arthur and Emma (McCrary) Fury. She graduated from Palco High School and married Robert Rostocil in 1952. To this union, two daughters were born. Marilyn married Virgil Wasinger on February 14, 1987 (Valentine’s Day) and together they shared 31 years of marriage.
Marilyn was active with the Humane Society and the Hays Senior Center. She loved crafting. That included, crocheting, knitting, sewing and using her hands to make beautiful craft pieces. Marilyn was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church in Hays.
Survivors include her husband, Virgil Wasinger of Willow House, Hays; two daughters, Cyd McElhaney and her husband Robert Blais of Anadarko, OK, Lynne Van Dyke of Zurich; three grandchildren, Evan & Benton McElhaney and Anna Bentley; six great-grandchildren, Devin, Kade, Jason, Marshall, Ryan and Mason.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial visitation will be held from 1-2:00 P.M., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at WaKeeney.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marilyn’s loving memory to the Humane Society of the High Plains, 2050 E. US Highway 40, Hays, KS and/or to the Hays Senior Center, 2450 E. 8th St., Hays, KS 67601. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral chapel.
Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].
SALINA – John Philip Thissen will interview for the position of superintendent with the Salina board of education on Wednesday evening.
Thissen announced his upcoming resignation from Hays USD 489 in October. He will be serving out the remainder of his current contract, which ends June 30.
Thissen is the third of four finalists that the board will interview. Finalists were selected for interview based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and a community survey.
Thissen has a total of 35 years in public education, currently serving as superintendent of schools in Hays USD 489. He has served as superintendent for 12 years between Hays and Herington USD 487, 17 years as a middle school principal in McPherson USD 418, Great Bend USD 428 and Geary County USD 475 and 5 years as a teacher in Herington and Pretty Prairie USD 311. Thissen taught secondary science and coached.
Wednesday schedule
9-9:30 a.m. — Meet with Board Clerk
9:30-11 a.m. — Meet with Executive Team Members
11-12:30 p.m. — Meet with Building Administrators
12:30-2:30 p.m. — Tour of District/Community
2:30-3:30 p.m. — Break
3:45-5:00 p.m. — Public Reception (1511 Gypsum Ave.)
5-6 p.m. — Break
6:15 p.m. — Dinner with Board of Education. A formal interview will follow the dinner.
Dinner and formal interview (during executive session) will be held at the Holiday Inn, 3145 9th St. No official action will take place.
Check the district website for more information.
Goodland USD 352 Superintendent William Biermann is also interviewing for the Salina superintendent job.
My oldest son, Josh, works in my office. Once a year, he and I retire to the woods to review the office for the year. It helps us make a plan for the upcoming year.
As I write this, Josh and I are conducting our annual meeting. This year, however, a very cold front and snowstorm has left us with five-degree weather. We have been cooped up for a couple days. Josh’s dog, Kolbe is with us. Two days indoors without a walk has left Kolbe pacing the floor.
So, I decided to take Kolbe for a walk.
I was not particularly excited about going outside. But for Kolbe’s sake, I bundled up, put on a stocking cap, and found some not so heavy gloves to wear. Out the door we went.
Within 20 yards of the house, I realized a couple things: it was really, really, cold; and my coat was not near as warm as I had hoped.
I started to rethink my decision to walk this cold day, but Kolbe was so excited to finally be out. Into the snow and cold I continued—thinking this is the kind of weather that I could die in!
After about 10 minutes, I began to both warm up and adjust to the cold. Kolbe and I walked for 40 minutes or so through the woods. Yes, it was cold and the wind biting, but it was a beautiful and satisfying walk.
It reminded me of a phone call that Josh had engaged in earlier this same day. I do not know all of the details yet, but a woman had called our office the day before. Her husband has Alzheimer’s, and has had it for some time. I think the initial phone call to our office was a cry for help, but she was not ready to do anything yet. Josh decided to call her this morning as a follow-up. He talked to her about what was going on. She was overwhelmed, and in fact paralyzed, and did not know when, if, or about what type of help she wanted, or needed. After a while, she agreed to an appointment. It was a great first step.
When facing chronic illness, there are so many moving parts: The chronic illness/disease itself; its progression and what that is going to look like; available health care alternatives; fragmented health care; accessing health and care resources; paying for care; family support or lack of support; cost of care; legal implications and necessary documents; insurance coverage; assuring good care; finding the best care; and caregiver burnout and management. Establishing a comprehensive plan that addresses those components is important.
What is the first step? Make an appointment with an elder law attorney, one that can create a road map for you and who can guide you through the process.
I know this sounds self-serving, and it is, but it also comes from the heart. I was involved in the same situation, as a caregiver. I was so involved that I felt overwhelmed, drowning, and at times paralyzed facing decisions.
Luckily, I found a great support system through a care coordinator, and some legal help through my office, but the first step was for me to reach out to those resources.
While making the appointment is not the only thing you need to do, it is the first step, and I know it is hard, but go that first step. At least find out what your alternatives are, and then you can move to the next step.
Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To contact him, please send an email to [email protected]. Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.
