A bond hearing has been scheduled at 4 p.m. Monday for Fernando Insaurralde Cantero, 20, Paraguay following a preliminary hearing in which Cantero pled not guilty to suspicion of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated burglary, earlier this month.
Fernando Cantero
The charges stem from a incident that occurred on the Fort Hays State University campus on Sept. 20.
In the preliminary hearing the alleged victim accused Cantero of forcing sexual intercourse to occur while she was unconscious in her dorm room.
“I didn’t know him,” she said during the preliminary hearing. “I was not coherent at all.”
Another person with Cantero also testified at the preliminary hearing that the victim appeared “passed out” and was laying on her bed fully clothed when Cantero entered the room, before he left the area.
Cantero said the activity was consensual.
He has been detained at the Ellis County Jail since being arrested on Sept. 30.
Two suspects that allegedly robbed Casey’s convenience store in Ellis, followed by a manhunt in Hays, made their first appearance in court this morning.
Jessie Dewayne Holland
A bond was set for $100,000 for each on probable cause of aggravated robbery and felony possession of stolen property.
Both Shannon Geoffrey Smith, 26, Wilmer, Alabama and Jessie Dewayne Holland, 29, Saraland, Alabama, had outstanding warrants in Alabama and were told even if they made the local bond, they would be held on the Alabama warrants.
Smith’s warrant in Alabama is from the Mobile Sheriff’s Department on a Sept. 2015 robbery and Holland is wanted on various probation violations, also from the Mobile Sheriff’s Department according to Tom Dress, Ellis County Attorney.
Drees has been given until Jan. 8 to file formal charges.
He also asks residents to remember all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The events that led to the arrests began at Casey’s, 213 Washington St., Ellis, shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday, when the pair allegedly robbed the location armed with a shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle.
They fled the scene in a vehicle stolen from Englewood, Colorado, making their way into Hays.
Shannon Geoffrey Smith
They fled from Hays Police Department officers after being spotted on U.S Highway 183 Alternate, but crashed the vehicle trying to enter onto I-70. The suspects then fled on foot.
A subsequent search was conducted by Hays, Ellis, Victoria Police Departments, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Russell and Ellis County Sheriff’s and the Fort Hays Police Department with the assistance of a KHP ariel unit.
Smith was found around 8:30 p.m. in a drainage ditch along I-70 and Holland was found later, just after 11 p.m. hiding in a Kansas Department of Transportation vehicle near the scene.
A large explosion was being reported by the Hays Police Department at around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday near Enersys, 1 Enersys Rd.
One officer reported over the radio, “It almost sounded like a gun shot over there.”
The sound was reported by several people on social media as well. The reports came in while a manhunt was underway in the area, but was unrelated to the search.
Later another officer said the power was off at the building.
Officers searched area, but found nothing suspicious.
“It was a re-closer operation,” said Mike Morley, Midwest Energy manager of corporate communications on Wednesday. “Whenever there is a fault on a line, it’s designed to open switches and if the fault clears it will re-close and that’s what happened.”
ELLIS COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities in Ellis County arrested two suspects late Tuesday after an armed robbery at the Casey’s General Store, located near Interstate 70, in Ellis, according to a media release.
Witnesses provided law enforcement a description of the vehicle and police spotted the car near the U.S. 183 bypass west of Hays.
A chase started, and the suspect’s hit vehicle hit a guardrail.
Both men left the vehicle and fled on foot.
Thirty officers, four dogs and the Kansas Highway Patrol plane responded to search for the suspects.
Shannon Smith was found around 8:30 p.m. in a drainage ditch along I-70.
Holland- photo Ellis County
He is wanted on a warrant in Alabama.
Just after 11 p.m., the second suspect, Jessie Holland was located hiding in a KDOT vehicle near the scene.
They are being held on a $100,000 bond.
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ELLIS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Ellis County arrested two suspects allegedly involved in an armed robbery at the Casey’s General Store in Ellis on Tuesday, according to police.
The robbery led to a chase. The suspects crashed their vehicle just off I-70 exit 157 near Hays and ran from the vehicle.
After a 3-hour search including officers from the Kansas Highway Patrol the suspects were arrested.
Additional details are expected to be released sometime Wednesday.
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By James Bell Hays Post
Since at least 8 p.m. traffic has been stopped on the US 183 Hwy. Bypass from 27th St. North and the surrounding area as a search for a subject or subjects is underway as law enforcement is combing the area.
Law enforcement command post at 230th Avenue in Northwest Hays
The circumstances leading to the search are unknown at this time, however, eyewitness reports indicate a green four door Honda civic was crashed in the area. The vehicle had struck a guardrail off the interstate near the US Hwy. 183 bypass.
Hays Police, Kansas Highway Patrol, Ellis County Sheriff’s and Fort Hays Police are on the scene, with the assistance of a KHP plane searching the area.
Scanner traffic indicates a weapon has been found in the area.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the search is related to an armed robbery that occurred in Ellis earlier this evening.
At 10:05 p.m. scanner traffic indicated one suspect had been apprehended and another was still being sought. Around the same time reports of a rifle and a shotgun from the crashed vehicle had been recovered.
At 11:13 p.m. officers were indicated over the scanner than the second suspect was in custody.
Hays Post will update the story as information becomes available.
PRATT – We’ve all made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat less, quit smoking or exercise more, and most of us find them hard to keep. However, what if there was a New Year’s resolution that was not only easy to keep but was enjoyable and fun, as well? Impossible, you say? Not if you resolve to participate in a First Day Hike at a Kansas state park.
While the trails at Kansas state parks are open every day, many parks will host special events on Jan. 1, 2016 to promote the First Day Hike program. It’s a great way to spend quality time outdoors with family, exercise and burn off some holiday calories and enjoy an uncrowded state park experience. First Day Hike events will be conducted at the following locations on New Year’s Day, 2016. All hikers should wear warm clothing and good trail footwear and bring water, a camera and binoculars. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. Don’t forget your favorite animal identification guides.
Clinton State Park
North Shores Trail. Meet at the Clinton State Park office at 1 p.m. The trail is moderate in difficulty and 2 miles long. Hikers must be at least five years old. For more information or cancellation notice, see Clinton State Park’s Facebook page or call the park office at (785) 842-8562.
Crawford State Park
This event will feature the Civilian Conservation Corps, Spiderleg Bridge, and Deer Run trails and include a 5K run. Pre-registration is required by calling Crawford State Park Office, 620-362-3671, before January 1. Hikers and runners will meet at the Beach Shelter at 11 a.m. Trails are moderate in difficulty and 2 miles long. For more information call the park office.
Cross Timbers State Park
Hikers should meet at the Turtle Run Trailhead at 2 p.m. Trail is rated easy and is 0.5 miles in length. Hot chocolate will be provided. Hikers may see winter waterfowl, eagles, and other Kansas wildlife on the tallgrass prairie. Check Cross Timbers State Park Facebook or call the park office, 620-637-2213, for more information or notice of cancellation.
El Dorado State Park
Walnut Ridge Trail – A Doggone Ruff Hike. Meet at the Walnut River Cabins at 4 p.m. Check the El Dorado State Park Facebook page or call the park office, 316-321-7180, for more information or cancellation notice.
Elk City State Park
South Squaw Trail – 5K Fun Run/ Walk (3.1 miles). Meet at the Day-use Beach Area at 1 p.m. Snacks, water and hot chocolate will be provided. Check the Elk City State Park Facebook page or phone the park 0ffice, 620-331-6295, for more information or cancellation notice.
Fall River State Park
Meet at the Casner Creek Trailhead at 1 p.m. Hot Chocolate will be provided. Check the Fall River State Park Facebook page or call the park office, 620-637-2213, for more information or cancellation notice.
Green Property – Pratt
Green Recreation Trail. Meet at the barn/shop at 10 a.m. Bring your own water and snacks.. Hot cider and hot chocolate will be provided after the hike. Call the KDWPT Operations Office, (620) 672-5911, for more information or cancellation notice.
Hillsdale State Park
Hidden Springs Nature Trail. Meet at the Hillsdale State Park office at 10 a.m. Contact the park office, 913-783-4507, for more information or cancellation notice.
Kanopolis State Park
Buffalo Track Canyon Nature Trail, 2 miles long. Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. Snacks, water and hot chocolate will be provided at the park office before and after the hike. Contact park office, 785-546-2565, for more information or cancellation notice.
Perry State Park
Mad Mile and Daisy Point trails. Meet at Perry State Park Biking/Hiking Trails on Kimberly Drive off West Lake Road at 10 a.m. Bring your own water and snacks. This is a mountain bike multi-use trail so the trail is dirt with tree roots and rocks on it. There are ravines. The entire trail is not wheelchair accessible. Call the park office, (785) 246-3449, for more information and cancellation notice.
Pomona State Park
White Feather Campground. Meet at the Pomona State Park office at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be provided after the hike. Visit the Pomona State Park Facebook page or call the park office, (785) 828-4933 for more information or cancellation notice.
Tuttle Creek State Park
Western Heritage Trail. Meet at the Tuttle Creek State Park office at 10 a.m. Snacks, water, hot chocolate and t-shirts will be provided. Visit the Tuttle Creek State Park Facebook page or call the park office, (785) 539-7941 for more information or cancellation notice.
Information on all First Day Hikes can be viewed at https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Special-Events/First-Day-Hikes.
The Ellis County Emergency Responders Rehab Unit made Christmas extra special for a local family with a gift that will give their almost 3 year old son the ability to cope with a debilitating disease that often stops him from enjoying the normal life of a toddler.
Charlie Bergman, son of Ashley and Patrick Bergman, was born with Dravet syndrome – an epilepsy syndrome that is drug resistant – that causes temperatures over 75 degrees to trigger seizures. After hearing about cooling vests used by the unit Ashley approached Charlie Dorzweiler, about buying a vest in order to keep her son cool, especially during the summer.
“It’s a very expensive item and for a toddler, who is going to outgrow it pretty quickly,” Ashley said.
After that conversation the unit made a decision that may change Charlie Bergman’s life.
“We were told about Charlie needing a cooling vest to help keep him from having seizures,” Dorzweiler said. “They wanted to raise some money for it and I thought we just raised a bunch of money for Octoberfest.”
So the unit made the purchase, but kept it a secret from Ashley and Patrick, surprising them as Charlie went to see Santa at Big Creek Crossing last weekend.
“I had no clue,” Ashley said. “I am very surprised they kept it a secret for over a month,” as her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were both in on the surprise.
“Having a cool vest being able to regulate his temperature a little bit is going to be great,” Ashley said.
While the gift will certainly make a difference to young Charlie, giving back to the community is something the unit is more than familiar with, beginning with the unit’s formation.
“I sawa need for – when there have been some really hot fires – a setup or rehab system,” Dorzweiler said.
And so the Ellis County EMS began the process to purchase a mobile trailer to support local fire departments and law enforcement when the need arises.
“We raised money on our own to start a non-profit,” Dorzweiler said, in order to purchase the trailer.
The trailer features air conditioning, a bathroom, a freezer and a generator.
“That’s a project we’ve been working on for the last five years,” he said. “With that freezer we have cooling vests to help cool firefighter down,” the same system Ashley asked about for her son.
After taking out a loan for the trailer, the unit paid back the loan within a year and a half, but community support continues to come in through department fundraisers.
“Now we have extra money to give back to the community,” Dorzweiler said.
“The community gives to us, so it’s time for us to give back,” said Mike Fields, who also serves in the unit.
As for little Charlie, he is helping the community as well.
“Charlie is only two and a half and he is making such an impact on the community,” Ashley said. “It’s great to raise that awareness and let the community know what’s going on and have the community support us.”
As the Hays USD 489 Board of Education continues to discuss the upcoming bond measure slated for a spring election, the next step is securing funding, one that will put board representatives in front of the Hays City Commission at its Jan. 7 Commission work session.
The school board is hopeful a sales tax increase will offset the mill levy to help pay for the $94 million effort to update facilities throughout the district.
The board heard options for the sales tax from Dustin Avey, managing director at Piper Jaffray & Co., including a 0.25 percent general sales tax and a 0.5 percent special sales tax.
Ellis County currently uses the special sales tax to fund projects including the Ellis County Courthouse renovations and the new EMS building, but that tax is expected to expire in October 2018.
The county has no intention of renewing that tax at that time, according to Bill Jeter, board counsel.
Approaching the city to explore the tax could delay the bond election, something the significantly lower cost would justify.
“I think if we wait till May, it will be worth it to do that,” said Superintendent Dean Katt.
Both Katt and board President Lance Bickle will approach the city commission at the January meeting.
The board also discussed the potential that adding the tax question to the upcoming bond election might force the election to be a walk-in election, rather than the preferred mail-in election, due to limitations in state law on what can be included on a mail election.
“We’ll have to clarify that,” Katt said.
Either way, voters will have the option to vote for the sales taxes independently from the bond issue, but the sales tax would only be implemented if the bond measure is passed.
In either scenario, property owners in Hays will not see the increase until after next year.
“When voters get their tax bill next January, it will reflect this project,” Avey said.
At the Hays USD 489 Board of Education meeting Monday night, the board unanimously rejected the sole bid for HVAC systems for Hays Middle School due to the bid coming in significantly higher than budgeted.
The district will now seek new bids with more open standards in order to find a bid that comes in under budget. The received bid totaled $1.74 million, however, the district only budgeted $1.3 million for the project.
Even with a bond issue election expected in the spring, the project needs to begin soon in order to be completed over the summer.
“Every building, every day, we are doing something with HVAC,” said Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, during the Oct. 5 meeting in which the board approved the bidding process to begin.
With the bid coming in at $493,000 over budget, Lindsay proposed rejecting the bid and immediately rebidding the project with a broader scope of requirements.
“We can’t fund it. There is no way,” he said.
Broadening the scope of the requirements might lower the cost during the next bidding process as other manufactures produce different control systems, according to Lindsay, but the outcome would still allow for an off-site, online-based interface.
The new system, however, might not be compatible with the existing control systems, meaning two interfaces would be used to control the entire facility.
The system upgrade was requested as a cost-cutting measure as the current system is almost 20 years past its expected lifespan and replacing the old system would be cost prohibitive, especially if the original insulation – likely asbestos – were to be removed from the building.
The new system is also expected to add cooling to the facility’s gym and locker room, but with higher efficiency systems, the cost for expanding cooling would be offset by savings.
In another swing at the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, one Hays city commissioner accused the organization of being incompetent, or worse, intentionally hiding important information from the commission during Thursday night’s work session. However, the accusations were found to be unwarranted as neither claim was found to be the fault of the Coalition staff.
The accusations came on the heels of the commission selecting Vice Mayor Shaun Musil to assume the role Henry Schwaller had as the city’s representative on the ECCED Board of Directors. Schwaller told the commission, however, that he had a condition for that measure.
“I would absolutely support him representing and serving this body,” Schwaller said, if “he remains very firm with this group, plays the role of devil’s advocate and makes sure they stick to what they say they are doing.”
He further elaborated his concerns to the commission.
“I have two concerns,” Schwaller said. “We did not fund them unless they provided an update by the end of the year. … Where is that update?”
Later in the meeting, Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty explained the Coalition board — a board Schwaller served on — had called for the delay.
“We did have it scheduled for this month, an update on Coalition activities. We also had the economic policy revisions and the Coalition board wanted another chance to review those revisions before we brought it to you to make sure they were OK with them. … (Coalition Executive Director Aaron White) and I talked and moved both of those to the first work session in January,” Dougherty said.
Schwaller’s second concern centered around a company that operates in both Hays and Ellis.
“I learned today, actually last night, via another person, that the company that used to be called Wheelchairs of Kansas, also known as Sizewise, has relocated its headquarters to Johnson County and that is being trumpeted as a win by the by the Kansas Department of Commerce,” Schwaller said. “How is this a win and when did the Coalition know one of our major employers, home-grown in Ellis County, left?”
“It’s not good,” Musil said.
“So they had told us nothing — either they didn’t know, or they have been hiding the fact,” Schwaller said.
However, neither situation was true as the change has no impact on the Ellis/Hays operations, according to Sizewise. “We were in Kansas City, Mo., and we moved to Lenexa, Kan.,” John Blackburn, Sizewise marketing coordinator told Hays Post. “Nothing changed over there.”
“I want to consider ourselves having a split headquarters,” between Ellis/Hays and the Kansas City area, he said. “The (office) that moved was the Kansas City, Mo., to Lenexa (office).”
“Nobody from Ellis County did move, but a big portion of our operation is in the Kansas City area,” Blackburn said. “I don’t know if that affects Ellis County. It would probably be statewide.”
White declined to comment on last week’s statements.
While the Coalition is scheduled to appear before the Commission, it will miss the end of the year deadline set by the Commission and may be unrelated to the organizations funding.
“I’m concerned because, in order to receive funding for next year, the coalition was supposed to report to us…by the end of this month, otherwise they don’t get funding,” Schwaller said in a phone interview after the story posted online.
Schwaller was also concerned that the information about Sizewise was not presented to the Commission in a timely fashion, another in a trend of situations not reported to the Commission.
“The point is this is one of four things, we have either read about on the Hays Post or have heard second hand, when Aaron should contact the commission first.”
The Hays USD 489 Board of Education will host its last meeting of the year at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Rockwell Administration Building, 323 W. 12th. The board is set to discuss a variety of topics, including further discussion on the upcoming bond issue.
Among the other topics to be discussed are the finding of the USD 489 audit by Adams, Brown Beran and Ball; Hays High School Course Guide and curriculum recommendations for the 2016-2017 school year from Hays High School Principal Marty Straub; the purchase of larger file backup system; a Hays Middle School HVAC system bid; board policy revisions and additions; the recently crafted district gift acknowledgement form; and the district’s copy usage.
The meeting is open to the public and is also broadcast live on Eagle Cable Channel 13.
Big Creek Crossing is planing for a big weekend as events and vendors filling the shopping center make the last big push before Christmas.
As the events will begin Friday, area residents can bring in their pets to take pictures with Santa.
Any pet is welcome, said Katie Dorzweiler.
“There are no regulations, if they are a dog or cat we ask they are on a leash,” Dorzweiler said.
Santa will be available to take pet photos from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Santa Claus will also be at the mall on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to take children’s photos.
On Saturday, horse drawn carriage rides will be available along with “tons of vendors filling the hallways” from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dorzweiler said. Rides will also be available on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Along with the rides, Candy’s Creations from Larned will set up a temporary location to sell Western decor.
Pay it Forward Christmas will also be going on from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, where gently used toys, games and stocking stuffers will be given out to needy families from donations that were taken during the week.
Baby sitting will be provided by 4-H from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
On Sunday Mrs. Claus will be in the mall for “Santa Story Time,” begining at 6 p.m. with milk and cookies being served.
For more on the events, visit the Big Creek Crossing facebook page.
At only 21 years old, Alex Munsch has went from body builder to model to entrepreneur. His newest venture, a million-dollar fitness facility – Munsch Fitness, 1104 E. 22nd – is set to open soon, promising to be the most technologically advanced fitness facility in Kansas.
“I just wanted to carry my passion to Hays. I love Hays,” Munsch said. “I wanted to give the people a good place to work out.”
After considering his options, Munsch began looking for a place to build in Hays, working with a wide spectrum of local businesses to build the facility.
“I had been looking for land for a long time to build one, and I just couldn’t get anything around Hays,” Munsch said.
That all changed when David Randa, owner of Reliable Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, began building an almost 13,000-square-foot facility just off of Vine on 22nd streets.
“I just stumbled across this building. He was putting it up, and I saw a for-rent sign in front,” Munsch said. “It was all build-to-suit, and it turned out really good.”
Munsch is renting the building for now, with plans to purchase later, but in the meantime has designed the facility to perfectly suit his needs.
“I designed the whole building myself, and it turned out awesome, just how I envisioned it,” he said.
While the building is impressive in its own right, the equipment that is being brought into the facility will set it apart from anything else in the area, Munsch said.
“We have everything from cardiovascular machines, sectionalized equipment, free weights, you name it,” he said.
His experience has given him the vast knowledge to pick the best equipment for the gym.
“I’ve been all around the world, worked out on all the best equipment,” Munsch said. “I know what works, I know what’s good for you joints, I know what’s good for the natural motions of your body, so we’re going to have all the best in here,”
Along with the best fitness equipment, Munsch will also offer related features to make a fully integrated facility, including a coffee bar, tanning beds and a detox sauna.
“I only want the best,” Munsch said. “We have one stand-up (tanning bed) and three lay-downs. … They’re really, really good tanning beds.”
The coffee/smoothie bar will add a place to relax in the facility with a fireplace, TV and tables for members to gather. The bar will be run by another local business owner from Hays.
“It’s going to be pretty cool,” Munsch said.
State-of-the-art technology will also help keep the facility clean with an Air Knight system installed in the building.
“It goes in the ductwork and, every night, it coats all the equipment with peroxide,” Munsch said. “You can actually bring anthrax in this building, and it will kill it.”
Originally, the building was set to open Jan. 1, but equipment delays have hampered that time frame.
“All the equipment is Cybex. It’s all brand new,” Munsch said. “They’re building our equipment from scratch, so it’s actually taking a little longer than we thought, so our equipment is actually getting delivered Jan. 11, so we will be open no later than the 13th or 14th.”
Despite the delay, Munsch said it will be worth the wait to ensure Hays has access to the best equipment available.
“The amount of technology going into this place is nuts,” he said. “Kansas does not have a place this technologically advanced, as far as gyms go.”
For Munsch, building this facility in Hays was only the next step in a blossoming career in fitness, starting as a body builder in high school, turning into an in-demand fitness model.
“I’m only 21 right now, I actually started doing competitions and getting into weight lifting when I was in middle school,” Munsch said. “I take a lot of pride in it.”
Now that desire for fitness has turned Munsch into a big name in the fitness modeling world, having recently signed with Silver Model Management.
“As I progressed in competitions, I kept getting noticed by known photographers and starting taking some photo shoots here and there,” he said. “My name exploded overnight, I got really well known. I fly all over the world to do photo shoots.”
Even with his success, Munsch felt staying local and giving back to the area was important.
“This is bigger than just myself, it’s for the community,” he said. “I really want to bring everybody together, I want to help people help themselves.”
For Munsch, giving people a better life begins with proper fitness.
“I feel like if you work out, you stay healthy you’re going to have a better life. … I really want to help people do that,” he said.
With the center, he hopes to accomplish the goal of helping people become more fit.
“This is the next step in the building the better you. … This is the best place you can build yourself up, because we have so many encouraging people here, we’re going to have a great atmosphere,” he said. “This is what I love to do, this is my job, so I really know what I’m talking about when it comes to this.”
The need to find qualified workers in the restaurant industry is a pervasive problem, especially in northwest Kansas, but Philip Kuhn, chairman of the culinary arts program at NCK Tech, hopes to change that with a recent move and expansion of the program in Hays.
“The program actually has been in Beloit for years now,” Kuhn said. “Last year, they contacted me looking to move it to Hays.”
The program had been working in the kitchen facilities in the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2530 E. Eighth, but a consolidation of that business from a separate facility in the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh, by the Rose Garden owners opened kitchen space in the Hadley Center – giving the NCK program opportunities for expansion.
“We kind of swapped kitchens this year,” Kuhn said. “When it was all said and done, we needed a bigger kitchen.”
The move was precipitated by an increase in students in the program.
“I started out with a class of seven students last year,” he said.
This year, the program has 16 students and Kuhn wants to see the program grow even bigger.
“I’m hoping to even go up to 24 students next year,” he said.
While the move didn’t happen overnight, the addition of signage to the Hadley Building signified the completion of the move into the space.
“Three weeks ago, we got most of the signage changed out, so we’re all moved in and I’m teaching out of there this year,” Kuhn said.
The program will allow more students to enroll and work toward a career in food service.
“What we’re trying to do (is) educate the students into the idea of food service, whether it be quick cooking, line cooking, there’s a lot of different aspects to the food service industry that people don’t realize,” Kuhn said. “With that education … comes a higher quality of product.”
Kuhn is hopeful that expanded education in the field will bolster food service in the area.
“I’m hoping that within a few years you can see that expand into restaurants and you’ll see a higher quality product come out in some of these restaurants,” he said.
The program offerings are not be related to a specific area of food service, giving students flexibility and incorporating many areas of the restaurant industry.
“I always ask students when they first come in, ‘What do you want to do with this?’ ” Kuhn said, a question he repeats halfway through the semester to ensure students are getting from the program what they need.
“The possibilities are really endless,” he said. “There’s nutrition, there’s line cooking, there’s banquet cooking, you can go on and manage a restaurant.”
Students could also work as a food distributor or in the hospitality industry in a hotel, casino or on a cruise ship.
Students from the program also leave Serv-Safe certified, a nationally recognized food safety handling certification.
“That alone gets some of the students in to the door a lot easier,” Kuhn said. “It’s a neat program, and it’s fairly new to this community. Hopefully, we just keep working and get the education out there and see more and more success in our restaurant industry here.”
