By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Climate change is a topic many people try to avoid, but as a part of Earth Week at Fort Hays State University Tony Schmidt, of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby, hopes to spark conversations about the economic realities of maintaining the status-quo of energy mostly coming from fossil fuels.

The lobby will have a table set up in the Memorial Union lobby from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Schmidt will facilitate a workshop at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

“I will do everything in my power to help them see how important this issue is,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt has been working with students on the FHSU campus to set up a local chapter of the organization in conjunction with chapters established in Wichita, Salina and Lawerence.

“Citizens Climate Lobby is a new group that has been started on the Fort Hays campus,” Schmidt said. “The fieldwork and leadership class has selected Citizens Climate Lobby as its semester project to try and get a community-based group started.”

Schmidt is the state coordinator for the lobby, that has a unique approach to tackling climate change – economics.

“We have one simple goal and that is passing of a revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend,” he said.

That fee would be distributed to citizens as a rebate that would further stimulate the economy.

“It’s simply assigning the true cost of fossil fuels,” Schmidt said, noting fossil fuels will become more expensive in the future as the supply dwindles.

A big part of the lobby’s argument is that a transition to clean energy would also create jobs and develop the economy.

“The way it does that is it sends a clear market signal to innovators and entrepreneurs that there will be a market there for them to do something new and help us with this transition,” Schmidt said.

Rather than focus on doom-and-gloom climate change projections, Schmidt feels the lobby will have more success in creating a conversation about the conversion from fossil fuels as more people become active in the lobby and speak more openly with local legislators.

The lobby is organized by congressional district, rather than running a nationwide campaign. Their efforts so far have already yielded some successes as Republican legislators have begun to embrace the reality of climate change.

“We’re really excited at Citizens Climate Lobby because we’ve got 13 Republican congressmen who are acknowledging that climate change is a man-made problem and we need to something,” Schmit said. “We would like for the Republican Party to be leadership on this issue.”

The lobby understands, however, the challenge of the change from fossil fuels to newer clean energy, but argues as prices continue to rise it is economically wise to diversify energy production calling the transition wonderful for the economy.

“We don’t really have a choice from an economic standpoint it’s going to be much cheaper to address this,” Schmidt said. “We are certainly not against oil, we’re not against coal, we’re not against natural gas, but what we are for is the transition to clean energy.”

But in an oil town, arguing that oil production should slow is problematic, something the lobby fully understands.

“This is a tricky one because we are in a very oil-oriented state, in Hays particularly,” Schmidt said but believes “Economically, there is a bright future for Kansas with clean energy.”

Working with the group at FHSU and arming people with information, he believes, will help spread the message that citizens are in favor of an energy transition and will then give politicians the political capital to argue for clean energy.

That message is well served by students, he said, that are not yet influenced by being in the workforce.

“The students’ charge and my hopeful feelings are that they will be more successful than your average citizen at getting people to consider this issue.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

For a number of years, sixth-graders in Hays USD 489 art classes have participated in the Lions Club International annual Peace Poster contest.

This year for the first time, a Hays student is an international Merit Award winner.

“It’s a really big deal,” said Kim Schneweis, the Hays Middle School art teacher who uses the contest as a class assignment. “The students, ages 11 to 13, create an image of world peace that can be understood by anyone in any country.”

Eleven-year-old Kristen Kuhl used colored pencils to draw her artistic vision for peace.  Outstretched hands with varying skin hues reach in for pizza slices fitted into a peace symbol decorated with flags from countries around the world.

Contest rules state no words are allowed on the posters.

“I believe symbolism made Kristen stand out, and the way she represented the idea,” Schneweis said. “She’s clearly artistic and did a really good job–good craftsmanship, good shading.” A couple of years ago Schneweis had her students switch from using paint on their posters to colored pencils. “The pencils seem to give the kids a little more control and they’re able to do little fine details a little better.”

Kuhl’s poster was among the 25 to 30 selected by Schneweis to submit to the Hays Lions Club representative for the peace poster contest, Dr. Jean Gleichsner.  Approximately 100 local students participated in the 2015-2016 contest. Local Lions Clubs pick their first-place winners which go to their District Lions Club. District winners go to state and the Kansas Lions Club winner–Kristen Kuhl–goes to the international contest.

Schneweis said the contest “fits nicely with our curriculum.  It really addresses communication of an idea with art.”

“Dr. Jean told me there were 40,000 original entries from 65 countries,” Schneweis added. “I’m so proud of Kristen.”

Kuhl has also earned financial rewards for her artistic talent.

“Between the local, district, state and international awards, Kristen won $715,” said Schneweis.  “That’s pretty good money for a sixth grader.”

According to the Lions Club International website, millions of children around the world have participated in the peace poster contest since its inception in 1988.

 

                                      Video Courtesy USD 489 News

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

It’s full speed ahead for USD 489 students and teachers – internet speed anyway – as they have been bumped from 200Mbps to 500Mbps by Eagle Communications to allow the district to evaluate how a higher speed would be utilized for the rest of the school year.

The Board of Education was given that information at Monday’s board meeting by Scott Summers, director of technology.

The board had been ready to vote on increasing the speed to 400Mbps during the meeting, but Summers recommended the board take no action until after the end of the year to evaluate usage. Early results have shown the 400Mbps would cover district usage, he said.

Last week, Summers added, all five days went over the current 200Mbps plan and went over 300Mbps for two.

“I really appreciate Eagle doing that,” said Sarah Rankin, board member.

After hearing the report, the board followed Summers’ recommendation and took no action on the item.

The board did, however, vote on fees for next year.

In a 4-2 vote, the board approved the fee structure recommended by the administration.

Those fees remain the same as this year, with an exception of a $0.10 lunch increase and a new Hays Middle School technology fee.

That fee would be used to cover damages on district issued technology if the board approves students the option to take tablets home at the end of the school day.

“We won’t charge it obviously if they don’t,” said Dean Katt, superintendent.

The fee schedule can be found here.

 

 

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Much needed spring rain has fallen in the area since Friday. Official reports for Hays from the K-State Agriculture Research Center Monday morning show a three-day total of 5.25 inches.

Rainfall at the Eagle Media Center totaled 5.40 inches.  There was more rain to the west with Ellis reporting 6.38 inches and 7.43 inches reported in eastern Trego County.

It was the first precipitation event for April and more is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday in Hays.

Sunday was cooler with a high temperature of 49 degrees; Saturday’s high was 60 degrees.

Rainfall amounts in Hays each day were:

Friday, April 15:  0.52
Sat., April 16: 4:03
Sun., April 17: 0.70

Flood warnings were issued Sunday for northeast Ellis County until 7:30 p.m.  Monday morning the current in Hays Big Creek was flowing freely in Frontier Park and throughout the  Fort Hays State University campus.

The only major rain-related problem reported was a partial roof collapse at Big Creek Crossing early Sunday morning.

On his Facebook page Saturday morning, City Commissioner James Meier cautioned that Hays still has a drought problem:

“From the City Managers office, as of the end of March:

For January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 we are (-) 0.52 inches below normal

For drought period January 2011- March 31, 2016 we are (-) 14.34 inches below normal.

Video from around Hays Monday morning

Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., is temporarily closed until further notice, mall officials announced today.

A section of the roof directly above the Payless store collapsed early Sunday according to Hays Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Hagans.

The collapse was likely caused by heavy rains in the area of the last two days, but the exact cause is unknown he said.

He believed mall management was in contact with contractors to evaluate options on containing damage caused by the collapse.

Manager Katie Dorzweiler said just after noon that the shopping center will be closed at least for the next 24 to 48 hours. She asked that anyone not affiliated with the clean-up and repair stay off the mall property until further notice.

Dorzweiler also thanked the public for their support and cooperation.

Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

                                             Video by Cooper Slough

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Tucked away in a small warehouse just off of Eighth Street, Flatlander Outlet, 614 E. Eighth, opened last month, giving shoppers an opportunity to pick up big-box retail items that normally would not be found in Hays and at a discounted price.

Even with little advertising, besides Facebook and word of mouth, the location has already brought in around 300 customers, despite being open only eight hours a week.

The location, which is an extension of Flatlander Pawn, 2707 Vine, is managed by recent Fort Hays State University graduate Trevor Girard.

“You’re going to find a lot more household goods and stuff for the family as opposed to the pawn shop,” he said.

Items sold at the location come from big box retailers, often sold off in bulk by the larger stores after a return or damage to packaging.

“There is a lot of reasons why it could have been put in the container,” Girard said.

As items come in, they check the items — sometimes the items may be broken or missing something, making the discount even bigger.

But that doesn’t mean they will not stand behind what they sell.

Items are checked during unpacking, checked again before they are sold to a customer and the store has a 30-day return policy in case something is missed.

Once product is sold, new shipments are brought in, sometimes without even knowing what is in them.

“As we turn stuff, we get new shipments in,” Girard said. “Ideally, every week you’re going to find something new.”

Shipments may include a wide variety of goods, including small furniture, household goods, cosmetics and occasionally even small electronics.

While the store may be new, many customers will likely recognize the staff.

“Even though it’s Flatlander Outlet, it’s still Flatlander,” Girard said. “Since it shares the Flatlander name, and I look over both of them, that gives me a pretty wide perspective,” noting the personal connection with customers is a cornerstone of both businesses.

“I want to keep a personal connection with everybody,” he said. “I want to be able to see that customer loyalty and familiarity I have at the pawn shop with people here,”

Girard began working at the pawn shop two years ago and fell in love the business. After his graduation from FHSU, the general manager position opened up and he seized the opportunity to continue working with the shop.

“I really enjoyed it. It’s just a fun atmosphere,” he said.

But when he initially signed on, he had no idea he would be running a much larger staff and two separate locations.

With the new almost 5,000-square-foot outlet, he has the opportunity to give customers more of what they are looking for.

“We have a little bit of everything. There’s a good chance I have it. If I don’t, maybe I’m going to get it. I want to know what you need so I can fulfill it for you,” Girard said. “I want this to be the place that you go to before you go to the big box place.”

The location is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more on the outlet, visit their Facebook page at flatlanderoutlet.com

 

 

 

 

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays residents awoke to rain, thunder and lightening Saturday morning with a forecast of spring storms to continue through Tuesday night.

As of 9 a.m. today, an official 0.52 rain was recorded at the K-State Agriculture Center south of town; it’s the first precipitation event in April.  And it continues to come straight down, unbuffeted by wind, although it will become breezy later today.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
840 AM CDT SAT APR 16 2016

…HEAVY RAIN IS EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND…

.AN INTENSE UPPER LOW WILL REMAIN ANCHORED ACROSS THE ROCKIES
THIS WEEKEND. SEVERAL ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE
EXPECTED WITH PERIODS OF EXTREMELY HEAVY RAIN LIKELY.

KSZ030-031-045-046-064>066-078>081-088>090-162145-
/O.CON.KDDC.FA.A.0001.000000T0000Z-160418T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TREGO-ELLIS-NESS-RUSH-HODGEMAN-PAWNEE-STAFFORD-FORD-EDWARDS-KIOWA-
PRATT-CLARK-COMANCHE-BARBER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…WAKEENEY…PHEIFER…HAYS…NESS CITY…
LA CROSSE…JETMORE…HANSTON…LARNED…ST. JOHN…STAFFORD…
MACKSVILLE…DODGE CITY…KINSLEY…LEWIS…GREENSBURG…
HAVILAND…PRATT…ASHLAND…MINNEOLA…COLDWATER…
LAKE COLDWATER…PROTECTION…MEDICINE LODGE…KIOWA
840 AM CDT SAT APR 16 2016

…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING…

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF CENTRAL KANSAS…SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS…SOUTHWEST
KANSAS AND WEST CENTRAL KANSAS…INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING IN
…CENTRAL KANSAS…ELLIS AND RUSH. IN SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS…
BARBER…COMANCHE…EDWARDS…KIOWA…PAWNEE…PRATT AND
STAFFORD. IN SOUTHWEST KANSAS…CLARK…FORD AND HODGEMAN. IN
WEST CENTRAL KANSAS…NESS AND TREGO.

* THROUGH MONDAY MORNING

* PERIODS OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED.

* ROADS AND SMALL STREAMS MAY FLOOD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A new ordinance giving the City Manager administrative authority to exempt public property for special events was approved by Hays city commissioners Thursday night.

The current code gives the City Manager the authority to close off city streets, but in accordance with state law, does not include a provision that would allow for sale, possession or consumption of alcohol on city streets, sidewalks, alleys or parking areas. Alcohol is permitted in public parking lots as long as they are segregated from the surrounding area and no vehicles are allowed to drive in the area.

Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil had asked for a review of the municipal code several weeks ago in anticipation of the first-ever “Brews on the Bricks” craft beer festival in downtown Hays. The Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) event was a big success, drawing an estimated crowd of 700 people to tastings from multiple microbreweries, along with other related activities.

The myriad of state and local laws prohibiting the sale, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property required the city to lease the staging area–-a parking lot–-to the Downtown Hays Development Corporation. It was completely blocked off from the surrounding area.

“When property is leased, a special event permit is not allowed. This means the event would fall under other alcohol licensing requirements that are more stringent than what is allowed under a special event permit,” Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood explained during last week’s city commission work session.

“The state is requiring us to do it this way for their own good reasons,” City Attorney John Bird said Thursday night.

An ordinance dating from the 1970s allows alcohol consumption in Hays parks.

City Commissioner Henry Schwaller voted in favor of the new ordinance but said he was “torn” about it. “Coming off the heels of doing a survey and focus groups in 2014 for a downtown marketing plan, the number one complaint was there aren’t enough family-friend activities downtown.”

“My concern is this sends a confusing message about what downtown is and isn’t,” said Schwaller.

Musil, the father of three young children, and Commissioner Lance Jones agreed with Schwaller.

“Especially where you guys take public money,” added Jones. “There’s not been an event geared toward families since Frost Fest, that I can remember. I would make that a challenge to DHDC to make more family-friendly activities.”

In an add-on at the end of the meeting, Schwaller asked city staff to gather information about the possibility of installing a public restroom in downtown Hays.

Commissioner James Meier was absent from the meeting.

                                                Video by James Bell
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Three members of the Apollo 13 moon mission shared their story of the ill-fated mission that occurred 46 year ago this week to a packed house Wednesday during the latest installment of the Sebelius Lecture Series at Fort Hays State’s Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

The Apollo 13 mission — deemed a “Successful Failure” – was the seventh manned mission in the Apollo space program and was the third intended to land on the moon. But an explosion in an oxygen tank sparked the famous words “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” and changed the mission from a lunar landing to a “get-home situation.”

The harrowing five days in space captured audiences around the world as Apollo 13 Commander James Lovell, Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise and Command Module Pilot John “Jack” Swigert attempted to return to earth safely. And many more generations got a chance to see what the astronauts when through in the 1995 drama by the same name, starring Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon.

Many question just how accurate was the big-screen portrayal? According to Lovell, Haise and Flight Control Director Gene Kranz, it was fairly accurate.

Lovell, who co-wrote the book “Lost Moon,” which was the inspiration for the film, said the movie in general was very accurate.

He said that director Ron Howard did take some artistic license in some places to help to emphasize something that was really occurring.

Lovell said Howard and the crew, “Picked the things that would show well and be understood on media, to the general public.”

Among those incidents is the argument over who was to blame for the explosion in the oxygen tank. Kranz said they were going through final preparations before the astronauts were to go to sleep and stirring the cryogenic tanks, which caused the explosion, was the last step.

In the movie, Haise, played by Bill Paxton blamed Swigert, played by Bacon, for the explosion. Lovell said that never happened but was left in the movie to show the astronauts were facing extreme fatigue and anxiety.

The crew was also more accepting to Swigert being moved to the main crew – from the backup crew – in place of Ken Mattingly as the crew was exposed to the measles. The group said the issues were more with Mattingly’s family and friends already having scheduled to come to the launch and Swigert’s friends and family unable to make it to Houston in time for the launch.

The backup crew had the same training as the main crew and both Lovell and Haise had served on the backup crew for Apollo 11.

Kranz said the movie portrayed the mission well and the problems they encountered well. He said the scenes involving the simulators to solve the electronic profile problems were a stretch. Instead they used paper and pencils because the simulators were too valuable.

Lovell said he took away from the whole incident that you “must have a positive attitude.”

“We could’ve balled up into a fetal position waiting for some miracle to happen,” Lovell said, “and we’d still be there.”

Kranz and Haise both agreed that leadership was what they took away from the incident, and Kranz said leadership throughout an entire organization is extremely important.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Kansas Masonic Foundation announced a gift of $250,000 to Fort Hays State University in a news conference earlier today. The gift, spread over five years, will support adult speech, language and hearing services at the Herndon Clinic on the university’s campus.

(Video by Hays Post)

“On behalf of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, our 225 statewide lodges and 18,000 Kansas Masons, it is with great pride that we reaffirm our financial commitment and support to Fort Hays State University’s Adult Speech, Language and Hearing Services programs,” said Cole Presley, deputy grand master of the Masons in Kansas.

“The opportunity to help older adults in western Kansas and ensure they receive important screening is extremely important to us and our ongoing pledge to help Kansans and Kansas communities. As Masons, we hope that this will be the beginning of a long-term commitment to FHSU,” he said.

“Fort Hays State is grateful for this renewed partnership with the Kansas Masonic Foundation,” said Tim Chapman, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation. “The work of the Herndon Clinic is invaluable to our campus community, and being able to offer those services to a larger segment of Western Kansas, specifically the aging population that is generally underserved, is not only beneficial for those clients, but offers our students practical, hands-on experience as well.”

The support will provide numerous opportunities for older adults in western Kansas to receive important health screening services that are currently scarce or difficult to access. Expanding adult services provided by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Herndon Clinic will include enhanced training and services related to dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) and hearing screenings provided in FHSU’s western Kansas service area.

Dysphagia is a growing health concern among the aging population and a common secondary disorder associated with dementia and stroke. Additionally, loss of hearing associated with aging affects approximately 30 percent of adults age 65 years and older and approximately half of the population over age 75.

With funding secured through the KMF, all speech-language pathology students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will be exposed to classroom training in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), while 75 percent of students will gain FEES experience in a clinical setting prior to their externship.

“We have had a long history of support from the Kansas Masonic Foundation, allowing us to provide improved access to speech, language and audiological services throughout our service area,” said Dr. Jeff Briggs, dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at FHSU.

“This partnership will result in enhanced clinical experiences for our students, expanded services for the clients served through the clinic, and opportunities for outreach to the communities we serve, with a focus on older adults in western Kansas.”

Three external partnerships for FEES services will be established in the first year. The funding also provides for hearing screenings to be conducted at six unique off-campus sites per year which will allow opportunities for all students to participate in clinical hearing screenings for older adults.

“On behalf of all Kansas Masons, throughout the past 50 years, the Kansas Masonic Foundation has supported many worthwhile endeavors throughout the state,” said Lincoln L. Wilson Jr., a trustee of the Kansas Masonic Foundation.

“While it has been a few years since our last financial commitment and support to Fort Hays State University, we want FHSU as a key partner in delivering the services we as Masons feel are important for the future,” he said. “This commitment to the Geneva Herndon Speech-Language Pathology Clinic has a profound impact on lives, not only in the western part of the state, but for all Kansans and Kansas communities.”

“We are excited about the expansion of the training experiences that we will now have available to our graduate students.” said Dr. Jayne Brandel, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

“Not only does this gift improve the graduate clinical training experience for our students, but it provides access to needed healthcare for western Kansas residents,” she said.

“It really is no coincidence that the Masons are coming back home to Fort Hays State University, because their mission dovetails with the mission of Fort Hays State University just beautifully,” said FHSU President Mirta M. Martin.

It is part of the pioneer work ethic and the sense of people who think of others before themselves and of families that embrace each other in times of trouble. “So it makes sense for you all to come back home,” she said.

She related a personal story of an accident that left her daughter with a broken back. At hospitals supported by the Masons, her family found help and hope.

“That’s what we do here at the Herndon Clinic; that’s what we do here at Fort Hays State University. We are that beacon of hope for people who at times don’t know where to go.”

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Every year, the Missing and Exploited Children’s Program, in conjunction with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, holds a poster contest for fifth-graders across the United States and United States territories.

This contest brings awareness of children who are missing and provides the opportunity to educate the most vulnerable age group on staying safe. The poster contest is first held on the state level, with the local winning entry competing on the national level representing Kansas.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced this week the 2016 Kansas National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest winner is Lily Stivers from Hays.

On April 11, Lily was invited to Topeka with her fifth-grade teacher Amy Kelly of O’Loughlin Elementary School, her parents, Tom and Taylor Stivers, and her siblings, Drew and Julianna Stivers.

Upon arrival at the KBI Headquarters, Lily was able to view her missing children poster submission framed for public view on the second floor, met Director Kirk Thompson and was given a tour of the facility.

Lily had this to say about the poster she created: “The hands reaching out are to show how friends and family want to reach out to the missing children. The rough moon shows how tough it is to not find your kid. It also reminds parents and family that we are all under the same moon. The stars represent the missing children.”

Lily and her guests were escorted to the Kansas State Capitol where Lily had the opportunity to meet Gov. Sam Brownback where she witnessed the governor signing the Kansas proclamation signifying May 25, 2016, as Missing Children’s Day.

Lily was thrilled to have the opportunity to tour the new KBI Forensic Laboratory located on Washburn University campus. She expressed her interest in science as well as computers and her desire to one day solve Cyber Crimes.

Lily completed her day in Topeka by meeting Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt at his office.

In the fall of 2016, the KBI will deliver a notification to all school districts in Kansas encouraging fifth-graders to participate in the annual contest.

                                          Video By Cooper Slough

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Starbucks fans rejoice — the wait is over. Starbucks, located in the Vine Street Dillons, opened Tuesday to a steady stream of traffic.

And the coffee shop is not the only thing shoppers in the location can look forward to, as a sushi bar, expanded deli and pharmacy have also been completed in the remodel that began in January.

But work continues throughout the store with products expected to be moved throughout the location on May 2 according to Don Koerner, store manager.

In the meantime, many portions of the remodel are complete and can be seen in new cooling units, expanded offerings and a new entrance on the south side of the building.

The south side entrance is expected to become the main entrance for the building, which opens to the expanded deli, Starbucks, sushi bar and floral department.

The area will also have seating for about 18 people and a larger selection of grab-and-go items.

It will be “very inviting,” Koerner said.

Work on the north entrance is expected to begin next week, he said, and will create a straight entrance into the store, similar to the new south entrance.

Near the north enterence is the pharmacy department, where work has been completed as well. Customers will now access the pharmacy from a wrap-around counter facing the west. They also have access to a new pharmacist consultation room.

The remodel will also help make the location landfill free, a trend throughout the Kroger – the parent company of Dillons – brands.

While not there yet, the replacement of tile with polished concrete removes the need to use floor wax, and perishable items are donated rather than thrown away after they are removed from shelves for sale.

“Several years ago, Kroger joined the EPA’s Waste Wise Program and adopted the EPA’s ‘zero waste’ definition for our company-wide sustainability efforts,” according to the Kroger 2015 sustainability report. “Our goal is to ultimately meet and exceed the EPA’s ‘zero waste’ threshold of 90 percent in all our facilities.”

Even with new offerings throughout the store and as work continues, Koerner said customers can expect the “same great customer service” throughout the location.

Work at the location is expected to be completed this summer.

 

 

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office continues to transfer inmates back to the newly remodeled jail, but issues with electronics have slowed progress.

According to Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, there were 32 inmates housed in the county jail, as of Monday, with approximately 40 still housed out of county.

Smith-Hanes told the county commission Monday they are working to fix some of the problems but the electronics continue to present issues.

“The elevator is an issue. The doors are an issue. The hatch is an issue,” Smith-Hanes said “Basically anything that has a cord attached to it is an issue.

“But all the manual stuff is working just fine; they feel like they are making progress,” he added.

Progress is about 60 to 90 days behind schedule, and it is costing the county at least $70,000 per month to house inmates out of county.

The newly remodeled facility features a control center that controls everything from the locks on the jail cells to security cameras across the facility.

According to Smith-Hanes, the person who was working to resolve the problem was in Hays on Monday and was hoping to have the issue resolved by the end of the day. He said they were installing new hard drives Monday.