The Ellis County Commission has selected a Kansas native and the current county administrator for Humboldt County, Calif., as the new Ellis County administrator.
At Monday’s meeting. the commission voted 2-1 in favor of hiring Phillip Smith-Hanes to the county administrator position. Commission Chair Marcy McClelland voted against accepting the contract.
Smith-Hanes currently serves as county administrative officer of Humboldt County, Calif., and lives in Eureka, Calif. Smith-Hanes has served in his current role since 2009.
He is a native of Marion and received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, a law degree from Washburn University and a master’s from the University of Kansas.
Before serving in his current position, he served as the assistant county administrative officer and deputy county administrative officer for Humboldt County.
McClelland voted against the contract and said she heard from constituents that they were not in favor of hiring a new county administrator.
“They felt the department heads could manage their departments and don’t need an administrator,” said McClelland.
She added the Kansas Association of Counties and the Executive Director Randall Allen was “very helpful.”
Allen’s group worked with Ellis County to narrow the candidate field to three candidates from the commission to select from.
Smith-Hanes is expected to start his duties in Ellis County on March 1.
In June, then-Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund stepped down after nearly five years. He was named director of public works for the city of Hays that same month.
It’s a little like wishing for a new hot water heater for Christmas, but the Legislature this month may be hoping for more of the small-buck money-saving ideas that it is paying $2.59 million to a New York management/professional services company to deliver just after New Year’s.
Yep, it’s behind-the-scenes savings that most Kansans will never notice that may be the key to Kansas lawmakers ending the upcoming fiscal year with a little cash in the bank and then can constitutionally devote their summertime to getting re-elected.
There’s little doubt among Legislature-watchers that the upcoming session is going to be an ugly one, with state revenues shrinking and nobody interested in raising any taxes on voters during an election year. And, there’s also that little problem that there aren’t many taxes or fees that can be raised quickly enough to get the state through the last six months of this fiscal year. It’s going to have to be cuts, and the amount of cuts isn’t clear yet.
The latest projections—shaky, and made with the presumption that nothing gets worse—are for $5 million in ending balance. That’s practically not going to happen if there is a Supreme Court decision in a school finance lawsuit or a former pizza magnate wins his $50 million-plus judgment against the state for charging him income tax after he left the state.
Now, Gov. Sam Brownback might come up with some interesting little snips here and there for his budget update in January, or it might not snow this winter and the Department of Transportation can save money on sand and salt and gas for the snowplows.
But the real—if a few weeks late—Santa for lawmakers in this election year may be Alvarez & Marsal, that consulting firm that last week offered up a few hors d’oeuvres of the budget-cutting menu it will serve in early January.
The offerings last week? KDOT can sell off a few wood chippers. Or, agencies can lay off or at least redirect more than 50 property leasing employees. Another thought: This prompt-pay state which often writes within 10 days checks for goods and services it buys may stretch that to 30 days (or seek an Early Bird discount) from businesses.
Nice ideas, pretty businesslike, and probably just what legislators and the governor are looking for…
Except…that it’s likely that Kansas is going to need millions more to get through the current fiscal year which is the key to life as we know it under the dome.
Worried about the fiscal year which starts July 1?
Worry if you want, but whatever it looks like—and current projections are for roughly $170 million but probably much more of a shortfall—the House and Senate that is elected next November can deal with that, and in the first session after their swearing-in, can gasp in unison that they didn’t realize in the opening days of their two-year House and four-year Senate terms just what a mess they inherited.
That’s why the consultant report is going to be pivotal for the upcoming session. Cuts and paring that lawmakers have talked about for years among themselves get a special glow when mostly out-of-state consultants—including enough accountants to pack a bus—recommend them, not just some representative from west of US-81.
So…the big event, that first offering from the consultants, is not only important but a dab reflective on just what Kansas lawmakers on their bargain daily salaries couldn’t come up with among themselves.
It’ll be a little late for Christmas–and will probably move the governor to add some of those items to his budget-cut wish list—but like that hot water heater, folks are figuring that even if some of the ideas are dull and almost imperceptible to most Kansans, if they work, we get hot showers…and the hot water heater goes in the basement, anyway…
Syndicated by Hawver News Co. of Topeka, Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. To learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit www.hawvernews.com.
WICHITA, Kan. – Fort Hays State had six individuals place at the Jet Invitational, hosted by Newman University on Sunday (Dec. 13). Wrestlers placing in the event included Adam Ludwin, Jon Inman, Dylan Wiesner, Joey Dozier, Macquille Robinson and Dakota Gulley.
Ludwin and Inman each placed second in their respective weight classes. At 125 pounds, Ludwin defeated Dakota Jones by an 18-0 technical fall and then recorded a 6-4 decision over Logan Terrill of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to reach the finals. He lost by a 10-2 major decision to Dustin Reed. At 184 pounds, Inman recorded a fall against Aaron Hudson of Northwest Kansas Tech and then a 9-4 decision over Jacob Hill of Northeastern Oklahoma to run his season record to 15-0. He took his first blemish on the record in the final as he lost a close 4-3 decision to Derek Siversten of Oklahoma City.
Two of the three wins for Wiesner at 174 pounds were by fall. He pinned Skylar Bloomer of Labette Community College and Sam Dawes of Northeastern Oklahoma. In the third-place match, he won 10-7 over Evan Hudson of Oklahoma City. His lone loss was to Mason Thompson of Central Oklahoma by a score of 6-4 in the semifinals.
Dozier battled back from an overtime loss early in the tournament to go 3-2 on the day. He picked up a pair of forfeit victories on the backside before earning a 6-2 decision in the consolation semifinals. He was pinned in the third place match
Going 2-2 for the tournament, Robinson had a fall and a close 5-4 decision to account for his wins. He dropped the third-place match by a 6-3 deicision.
Gulley, like Dozier, battled back from an early loss in the tournament to record three straight falls in the consolation bracket. He lost by fall in the third-place match. All five of his matches on the day resulted in falls.
As a team, Fort Hays State finished fourth in the event with 62.5 points. Oklahoma City was first with 118, while Central Oklahoma was close behind with 116.
Below are complete results from the Jet Invitational.
Team Scores
1.
Oklahoma City
118.0
2.
Central Oklahoma
116.0
3.
Northeast Oklahoma
90.5
4.
Fort Hays State
62.5
5.
Newman
57.0
6.
Barton Community College
15.5
7.
Labette Community College
15.0
8.
Bethany (Kan.)
12.0
9.
Northwest Technical College
11.0
10.
Neosho County Community College
7.5
Jet Invite Results for Fort Hays State
125 – Lawson Ludwin (6-3) placed 2nd and scored 11.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Lawson Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 6-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Lawson Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 6-3 won by tech fall over Dakota Jones (Labette Community College) 2-11 (TF-1.5 2:38 (18-0))
Semifinal – Lawson Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 6-3 won by decision over Logan Terrill (Northeast Oklahoma) 15-10 (Dec 6-4)
1st Place Match – Dustin Reed (Newman) 9-1 won by major decision over Lawson Ludwin (Fort Hays State) 6-3 (MD 10-2)
141 – Jacob Schoenfeld (5-11) place is unknown and scored 3.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Schoenfeld (Fort Hays State) 5-11 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – James Landoll (Oklahoma City) 16-9 won by tech fall over Jacob Schoenfeld (Fort Hays State) 5-11 (TF-1.5 4:32 (20-2))
Cons. Round 2 – Jacob Schoenfeld (Fort Hays State) 5-11 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Schoenfeld (Fort Hays State) 5-11 won by fall over Mateo Soto (Neosho County Community College) 6-9 (Fall 1:34)
Cons. Semi – Garrett Whitson (Newman) 11-7 won by decision over Jacob Schoenfeld (Fort Hays State) 5-11 (Dec 6-2)
149 – Tyler Dryden (2-3) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Tyler Dryden (Fort Hays State) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Dustin Hayden (Northeast Oklahoma) 11-11 won by major decision over Tyler Dryden (Fort Hays State) 2-3 (MD 11-3)
Cons. Round 2 – Trent Robb (Bethany (Kan.)) 2-2 won by fall over Tyler Dryden (Fort Hays State) 2-3 (Fall 1:27)
157 – Joey Dozier (5-4) placed 4th and scored 7.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Joey Dozier (Fort Hays State) 5-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Kristian Holguin-Mendez (Northeast Oklahoma) 27-9 won in sudden victory – 1 over Joey Dozier (Fort Hays State) 5-4 (SV-1 8-6)
Cons. Round 2 – Joey Dozier (Fort Hays State) 5-4 won by medical forfeit over Chazden Blankenship (Labette Community College) 4-5 (M. For.)
Cons. Round 3 – Joey Dozier (Fort Hays State) 5-4 won by forfeit over Kade Sander (Barton Community College) 20-11 (For.)
Cons. Semi – Joey Dozier (Fort Hays State) 5-4 won by decision over Colton Duhr (Newman) 6-4 (Dec 6-2)
3rd Place Match – Victor Haro (Northwest Technical College) 15-7 won by fall over Joey Dozier (Fort Hays State) 5-4 (Fall 5:00)
165 – Kregg Clarke (8-9) place is unknown and scored 2.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Kregg Clarke (Fort Hays State) 8-9 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Daniel Carillo (Central Oklahoma) 3-1 won by decision over Kregg Clarke (Fort Hays State) 8-9 (Dec 7-4)
Cons. Round 2 – Kregg Clarke (Fort Hays State) 8-9 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 – Kregg Clarke (Fort Hays State) 8-9 won by major decision over Sean Taborsky (Barton Community College) 8-11 (MD 15-1)
Cons. Semi – Noel Torres (Newman) 2-2 won by decision over Kregg Clarke (Fort Hays State) 8-9 (Dec 9-2)
174 – Dylan Wiesner (4-3) placed 3rd and scored 10.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 4-3 won by fall over Skylar Bloomer (Labette Community College) 5-10 (Fall 3:40)
Semifinal – Mason Thompson (Central Oklahoma) 3-1 won by decision over Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 4-3 (Dec 6-4)
Cons. Semi – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 4-3 won by fall over Sam Dawes (Northeast Oklahoma) 3-4 (Fall 2:40)
3rd Place Match – Dylan Wiesner (Fort Hays State) 4-3 won by decision over Evan Hudson (Oklahoma City) 11-6 (Dec 10-7)
184 – Jon Inman (6-1) placed 2nd and scored 12.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 6-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 6-1 won by fall over Aaron Hudson (Northwest Technical College) 0-6 (Fall 1:25)
Semifinal – Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 6-1 won by decision over Jacob Hill (Northeast Oklahoma) 17-10 (Dec 9-4)
1st Place Match – Derek Sivertsen (Oklahoma City) 15-5 won by decision over Jon Inman (Fort Hays State) 6-1 (Dec 4-3)
197 – Micquille Robinson (3-4) placed 4th and scored 6.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Micquille Robinson (Fort Hays State) 3-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Micquille Robinson (Fort Hays State) 3-4 won by fall over Turah Reed (Northwest Technical College) 4-14 (Fall 2:29)
Semifinal – Cody Sivertsen (Oklahoma City) 15-5 won by major decision over Micquille Robinson (Fort Hays State) 3-4 (MD 18-5)
Cons. Semi – Micquille Robinson (Fort Hays State) 3-4 won by decision over Jonathan Bowen (Barton Community College) 7-11 (Dec 5-4)
3rd Place Match – Dalton Weidl (Newman) 5-3 won by decision over Micquille Robinson (Fort Hays State) 3-4 (Dec 6-3)
285 – Dakota Gulley (11-8) placed 4th and scored 9.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 11-8 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Korey Walker (Oklahoma City) 13-5 won by fall over Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 11-8 (Fall 1:21)
Cons. Round 2 – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 11-8 won by fall over Justin Scarbro (Barton Community College) 7-10 (Fall 3:15)
Cons. Round 3 – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 11-8 won by fall over Torrey Reinhart (Northwest Technical College) 6-10 (Fall 3:52)
Cons. Semi – Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 11-8 won by fall over Chance Schooler (Labette Community College) 4-6 (Fall 0:50)
3rd Place Match – Kyle Factor (Central Oklahoma) 3-1 won by fall over Dakota Gulley (Fort Hays State) 11-8 (Fall 4:18)
The Wichita company selected to provide design-build services for the Hays wastewater treatment plant upgrade anticipates the $27.6 million project will be finished 45 days ahead of schedule.
City commissioners voted 3-0 Thursday to approve a $1,876,611 contract with CDM Smith, Wichita, one of three finalists for Phase 1 design-build services at the WWTP, built in 1953. The upgrade, which must meet stricter effluent discharge requirements by July 2018, is being financed by the city’s State Revolving Fund loan from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Bruce Barnes, CDM Smith, talks about Phase 1 of the Hays wastewater treatment plant upgrade and expansion.
Bruce Barnes, CDM Smith vice-president, told commissioners Phase 2 construction will start in August, 2016, and bids will be decided collectively.
“It will be an open book. You’ll get to see all the bids that we receive and we’ll decide collectively what bids to accept based on value and pricing and all the criteria we come up with collaboratively,” Barnes said in answer to a question from Mayor Eber Phelps.
Commissioner James Meier was happy about the shortened project deadline, which he said could do more than save the city some money.
“This is not a water treatment facility where you dump in some chemicals and know within a few hours or days whether things are working the way they should. It’s a biological process that could take months to get it ‘dialed in,’ Meier said.
“When we’re working under a deadline and the threat of losing our (Kansas Department of Health and Environment permit) certification from the state, an extra 45 days can be huge if for some reason something goes wrong during the startup. It’s nice to have that buffer.”
Commissioner Lance Jones was impressed with CDM’s bid.
“You’re off to a pretty good start with your engineering bid being almost half a million dollars less than the other two competitors. I applaud you for that,” Jones said.
Vice-mayor Shaun Musil and Commissioner Henry Schwaller were absent from the city commission meeting.
Ken Rahjes offers a handshake to Robert Pinkerton after a close election deciding the next representative of the 110th district.
PHILLIPSBURG – With a full house watching, Republican precinct leaders in the 110th District chose a replacement to serve the remaining term of former state Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, who resigned his seat to take a job with the National Rifle Association late last month.
After the final vote was counted, Ken Rahjes took the majority vote 33-24, winning the seat. Rahjes, an Agra native, relocated to the 110th District from Nebraska to pursue the seat.
“I want to thank the voters in the 110th, the majority gave me the opportunity now to represent them in the House,” he said after Thursday night’s meeting.
But after the warm thank you to the room, Rahjes seemed to want to jump right in and get to work — the very thing he promised during the meeting.
“We still have to continue to defend our Second Amendment rights, we have to continue to work out our tax issues, that the three-legged stool continues to be fair and through those we can adequately fund education and other services and we need to make sure that we are not putting the heaviest of burdens on our local government units,” he said.
When asked during the meeting what committee he might want to serve on, Rahjes said the Tax Committee might be a good fit.
After the meeting, he expanded on his message of keeping jobs in the area.
Rahjes said he hopes education can be funded to allow students the opportunity to move back to the rural areas after college and said agriculture and the energy industry are also priorities for him.
He said “we’ve got to do something to make sure good jobs in those fields find a voice in the Legislature–would help find ways to keep workers in those industries working.”
Thirty seven delegates, with an attached 20 proxy votes, nominated three people during the meeting — Rahjes, Don Steeples, Palco mayor and Robert Pinkerton, Phillips County Republican Party chairman.
In first-round voting, Pinkerton had 23 of the 57 votes available, Rahjes carried 28 and Steeples carried 6.
With no majority being obtained, Steeples was dropped from the ticket.
In the second vote, Rahjes carried 33 votes and Pinkerton carried 24.
MANHATTAN – Ten families were honored as Kansas Farm Bureau’s Farm Families of the Year at Kansas Farm Bureau’s 97th Annual Meeting in Manhattan, Dec. 7.
One family in each of Kansas Farm Bureau’s 10 geographic districts is selected each year for the award. It recognizes families for their service and leadership in agriculture, Farm Bureau and their communities.
Families include:
Jay and Stacy Rezac, Pottawatomie County: The Rezacs are lifetime farmers and work in partnership with Jay’s mother, Barbara Rezac, and brother and sister-in-law, Lance and Debra Rezac. Their farm consists of stocker calves, cows, sows corn, beans and wheat.
Jay and Stacy have three children, daughter Jayme and husband Corey Lundberg, son Russell and wife Tiffany, and son Matthew. Russell returned to the farm after graduating from Kansas State University and is working his way into ownership.
Jay has served on the Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau board since 2011 and has presented at Day on the Farm, as well as attending Listening Post Meetings, Day at the Statehouse and serving as a convention delegate. He currently serves on the state Resolutions Committee and as president of the Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau board.
Randall and Erin Debler, Wabaunsee County: Randall and Erin have three children, Dalton, Jacob and Anna.
The Deblers, along with their business partners, Paul and Nancy Miller, own and operate Rock Hill Ranch, Inc., which consists of a cow-calf operation along with improved grasses, alfalfa and no-till row crops.
Both Randall and Erin have served on the Wabaunsee County Farm Bureau Board and as delegates at the Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.
Randall served as president of the Wabaunsee County Farm Bureau Board and currently serves as the Policy Committee chair. He has also served as the state Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee conference chair and state Beef Advisory Committee chair.
Erin currently serves as the health and safety chair for the Wabaunsee County Farm Bureau and has helped with presenting for Ag in the Classroom. She also served as state YF&R Committee secretary.
Layne and Alicia Sterling, Allen County: The Sterlings have three children, Morgan, Mason and Mylan. With 23 years experience in the agriculture industry, Layne got his start raising swine on a farrow-to-finish operation with his parents while in high school, in addition to crop ground. Now, Layne and Alicia are involved in grain, cattle and hay production as well as row crops.
Layne has served on the Allen County Farm Bureau board for eight years and also served as president for six years. He has attended the Presidents Trip to D.C., Day at the Statehouse in Topeka and multiple district and local events.
The Sterlings say they feel Farm Bureau’s role in the future will center around expanding and maintaining urban consumers’ knowledge of the importance of production agriculture.
Rick and Carole Schlender, Harvey County: With 40 years in agriculture production, Rick started out on his family farm, San-D-Akr Farms, before owning a custom harvesting business and a 25-year career as a crop production specialist, branch manager and agronomist and precision agriculture specialist for a local Co-op. Now the Schlender farm consists of wheat, corn, soybeans, milo and alfalfa, along with a crop consulting business.
The Schlenders have one daughter, Erica. Rick served on the Harvey County Farm Bureau board for six years, including three years as president and two years as vice-president. He currently serves as the policy chair for the Harvey County Farm Bureau, as well as serving on the Farm Bureau Feedgrains Ag Advisory Committee and the Technology Committee.
Rick enjoys speaking to children about agriculture at Earth Days, Kansas Days and Ag Fest at the Harvey County Fair, as well as helping with the Harvey County Farm Safety Day. He has served as a Farm Bureau annual meeting delegate for seven years and represented Farm Bureau on the South Central Kansas REAP Natural Resource Committee.
Jim and Sarah Schmidt, Geary County:The Schmidts have four children, Rylie, Elijah, Elaina and Ava.
Jim and Sarah own and operate Double KS Farms, Inc, with Sarah’s cousin. Their farm consists of no-till corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. Jim and Sarah are both fifth-generation farmers.
The Schmidts served on the Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee and Jim served as conference chair for the leadership conference and later as the committee chair. They also served on the Geary County Farm Bureau Board where Jim leads the Safety and Health Committee and Sarah chairs the Marketing Committee.
Jim has served as an advocate by doing radio spots on KMAN to promote Farm Bureau and Young Farmers and Ranchers, as well as serving on the Farm Bureau Technology Committee and the AFBF Technology Committee. Sarah helped with Farm Bureau’s first Zest-N-Zing and serves on the Farm Bureau Membership and Promotion Committee.
Stanley and Donna Kats, Phillips County: The Kats’ farm consists of wheat, milo, summer fallow and grass, along with a cow-calf operation and a herd of feeder cattle.
An active Farm Bureau member for 60 years, Stanley has served on the Phillips County Farm Bureau board as president and vice president. He has also served on the Environmental Natural Resources committee and the Resolutions Committee. He has attended Day at the Statehouse for seven years and has served as a voting delegate at the Farm Bureau annual meeting.
Stanley believes Farm Bureau can serve as a lookout for the government regulations that can affect the agriculture industry.
Kyle and Bonny Schartz, Barton County: The Schartzes have two children, Bailey and Kaleb, and they have been involved in agriculture production for 36 years.
Kyle and Bonny, along with their children, own and operate a farm consisting of alfalfa, wheat, corn and milo.
Kyle served on the Barton County Farm Bureau board as president and vice president. He has served on the Hay and Forage committee and he and Bonny have attended AFBF and Presidents Trip to DC multiple times. They have also helped with the local farm safety day.
The Schartzes say Farm Bureau’s future role is to stay active in all forms of government and promote agriculture to consumers.
Wayne and Donna Powell, Meade County: The Powell farm consists of wheat, milo and corn.
Wayne has served on the Meade County Farm Bureau board for seven years and as the president for three years. He also serves as the district 8 representative for Farm Bureau’s Environmental and Natural Resource committee. Wayne and Donna attended the 2013 Farm Bureau Presidents Trip to D.C.
The Powells feel Farm Bureau’s most important role is serving as a voice for farmers and ranchers in the political field.
Wade and Tammy Tucker, Stanton County: Wade and Tammy have two children, Jalen and Jordyn. The Tuckers’ farm consists of corn, wheat and sorghum, as well as cattle. They received the Banker’s Conservation Award in 2013 for their efforts to conserve their ground and improve their soil.
The Tuckers have served on the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and Wade has served as chairman as well. They also served on the American Farm Bureau Federation committee for several years. Tammy currently serves on the Stanton Country Farm Bureau board as the chair of the Women’s Committee and the Membership Committee. Both Wade and Tammy have served as president of the Stanton County Farm Bureau board.
Wade and Tammy say Farm Bureau’s most important job is serving as a voice for people in agriculture in state and national government.
The Higleys
Ken and Rhonda Higley, Rawlins County: The Higleys have three children, Matalyn, Gracyn and Emmersyn. Their farm consists of wheat, milo and summer fallow as well as a cow-calf operation.
Ken has served on the Rawlins County Farm Bureau board of directors for 13 years and has served as president and vice-president. He has attended the Presidents Trip to D.C. six times and Rhonda and their children have attended three times. Ken has also served on the state oilseed board. Rhonda has served as the county coordinator for the past six years.
The Higleys say they see Farm Bureau as a great resource for educating farmers and ranchers about the latest information about their practices and educating consumers about the agriculture industry.
Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this nonprofit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.
Adding to the already unique atmosphere of shopping in downtown Hays, a new boutique, offering personalized style and innovation, open last weekend to add a stylish twist.
Lilly and Marie, 113 W. 11th, is the brainchild of local Carol Rome, an owner with years of experience in retail and a passion to enhance downtown Hays.
“I’m excited to be down here. A Chestnut Street District historical building is amazing,” Rome said. “I’m born and raised here, so this is very nostalgic for me.”
Snuggled in between two specialty shops, the location features women’s clothing at a reasonable price point.
“You don’t always necessarily dress like your teenage daughter. You don’t really want to dress like your mom,” Rome said. “It’s a good fit for women of every age. Something that is age-appropriate, that’s still fun, that’s a city trend, that you can where anywhere and feel comfortable, confident and pretty.”
From its location in the middle of northwest Kansas, the store carries clothing from the most fashion-forward areas of the country, with most of the shop’s lines coming from New York or Los Angeles.
“We’ve all got a little bit of something different. … Whatever shape, size, style, we’ve got something for you down here on The Bricks,” Rome said.
Even before the grand opening last Friday, the community has already been supportive of the shop, with many people helping to get the shop up and running in only two weeks and others just popping in to look around.
“I’m excited to have them come down and get their input and see what they think about the product and the store,” Rome said. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of support from the community.”
The shop originated online and continues to operate in cyberspace, but a brick-and-mortar location for customer interaction was important to Rome.
“In a small town, people want to come in, they want to touch the product, they want to feel it, they want to try it one and they like the one-on-one,” she said. “It’s so special for me, to have people share a little bit about their life.”
The store is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and will have Sunday hours 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays through December.
After exceeding last year’s goal by raising $84,900, this year’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Christmas 4 Kids Telethon has fallen short.
BBBS of Ellis County Executive Director Nancy Jeter said Wednesday “we ended Sunday’s telethon at $72,000. This morning we’re at $75,500 and the mail hasn’t come yet.” Jeter is hoping to find a few more checks to help meet the goal of $78,000.
“We’re still $2,500 short and still accepting donations,” she said.
Donations can be made by calling the BBBS office in Hays at (785) 625-6672, mailing to or stopping by the office, 1301 Pine Street, Suite B, or online at christmas4kids.net.
It costs $1,000 to match a child with an adult volunteer. “There are over 50 kids on the waiting list to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister,” Jeter added.
Donations are still being accepted to meet the BBBS Christmas4kids telethon goal.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County is in its 15th year; Jeter announced her retirement during Sunday’s live telethon.
“My last official day is Friday, but I plan to still be volunteering through December and helping with some activities,” she said.
“My replacement will be named by Big Brothers Big Sisters at the corporate level (in Wichita),” Jeter explained.
Jeter started Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County in 2000 to help boys and girls, most of whom are considered at-risk and living in single-parent homes, achieve their full potential through long-term personal relationships with carefully screened and caring volunteers.
Since then, more than 1,600 at-risk “Littles” have been matched with “Bigs.”
For the first time in the Division II history of the program, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team is ranked No. 1. The Tigers took over the top spot from Emporia State, the team they beat 71-70 Saturday.
The Tigers previous high rank was No. 2 in February of last season.
This is the 13th consecutive week the Tigers have been ranked and their 12th straight in the top-10.
Emporia State drops to No. 3 and Missouri Western moves up one to No. 17.
Complete poll below
Rank
Institution – First Place Votes
Previous Rank
Record
Total Points
1
Fort Hays State University (Kan.) – 12
5
8-0
580
2
West Texas A&M University – 5
4
7-0
562
3
Emporia State University (Kan.) – 4
1
7-1
526
4
Drury University (Mo.)
6
7-0
503
5
California Baptist University
2
7-1
463
6
University of Alaska – Anchorage – 1
3
12-1
452
7
Lewis University (Ill.)
7
8-1
423
8
Limestone College (S.C.)
9
7-0
406
9
Union University (Tenn.) – 1
11
8-0
396
10
Nova Southeastern University (Fla.)
8
8-1
394
11
Winona State University (Minn.)
10
10-0
391
12
Ashland University (Ohio)
13
6-0
317
13
California University of Pennsylvania (Pa.)
12
7-1
300
14
Lubbock Christian University (Texas)
14
7-0
296
15
Columbus State University (Ga.)
16
4-1
227
16
Anderson University (S.C.)
17
4-0
209
17
Missouri Western State
18
7-0
201
18
West Liberty University (W.Va.)
19
7-1
167
19
Arkansas Tech University
20
6-1
159
20
Queens College (N.Y.)
15
3-1
115
21
Virginia Union University
24
5-0
90
22
Colorado Mesa University
23
4-1
86
23
Quincy University (Ill.)
NR
7-0
64
24
Benedict College (S.C.)
25
5-1
50
25
Azusa Pacific University (Calif.)
NR
8-2
44
Dropped Out: Bentley University (Mass.); Carson-Newman University (Tenn.).
Others receiving votes: Delta State University (Miss.) 43; University of California – San Diego 37; University Of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 33; Minnesota State University – Moorhead 27; Bentley University (Mass.) 26; Francis Marion University (S.C.) 26; Pittsburg State University (Kan.) 24; American International College (Mass.) 19; Michigan Technological University 19; Grand Valley State University (Mich.) 15; Southern New Hampshire University 14; Shaw University (N.C.) 11; University of Arkansas – Fort Smith 11; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 10; Florida Southern College 10; Carson-Newman University (Tenn.) 5; Kentucky State University 3; Assumption College (Mass.) 2.
The Hays USD 489 Board of Education once again talked details of an upcoming bond issue at Monday night’s work session, fleshing out a plan to ask for sales taxes to offset the agreed-upon price of around $94 million.
Several components of the bond were discussed at the meeting and, as usual, funding was a primary feature of the discussion.
USD 489 board members settle in at the Dec. 7 work session.
“There is a lot of information to gather,” said Dean Katt, USD 489 superintendent.
Katt, along with a representative from the board, spoke with city officials about the potential of sales taxes offsetting the bond.
“There is an option for a quarter cent in general purpose and the possibility of a half cent special purpose tax that would only last 10 years,” Katt said.
For those talks to continue, the board would have to vote on pursuing those revenue streams.
“What we want to do is ask officially on the 21st (the board’s) permission, or see if everybody is on the same page about going to the city,” he said
If the board approves, a full presentation would be given to the Hays City Commission.
An approval by the city would change the way the board would present the bond for vote.
“We wouldn’t be able to do a mail ballot, if the city agrees and wants to take that to the voters,” Katt said.
A mail ballot can only present one question, so multiple questions about the bond would need to be a traditional walk-in vote.
Both measures would significantly impact the final cost of the project.
“It makes a huge difference in property tax and the length of the bonds,” Katt said.
The board also discussed details of the scope of work and how best to present the information to area residents, starting with building administrators looking over the scope of work proposed by the board.
No proposed changes came out of those meetings, but many questions were answered, Katt said.
“Just good, good information from every one of the principals,” he said.
With the scope of work being pinned down, no cost will change, even if plans are tweaked at individual sites.
“It’s just generic. … The dollar amounts won’t change,” Katt said. “They’re budget figures, but what they will have to work with is that $94 million.
“We have been working, really daily, on these things.”
The board also looked at some potential information that will be presented to residents through brochures and PowerPoint presentations.
“Everyone that goes out and presents or talks about it will use the same information, so we’re all on the same page,” Katt said, asking the board to look at the initial mock-ups for the brochures.
“I love this. I love the information about registering to vote. I liked the pictures,” said Sarah Rankin, board member. She noted, however, there is a lot of information in a small brochure.
“That is a concern,” Katt said.
“Really what we are trying to do is get all the information in the brochure,” Katt said.
She suggested breaking down totals and less jargon for easier consumption for the community.
“I’m excited about it,” Katt said. “I wish I had more definite or defined information to hand out, but it’s just going to take a little while to put it all together.”
Despite the anxiety to begin the community information campaign, getting the message pinned down is a bigger priority for the board and the administration.
“The biggest fear is saying something now and then having to go back and retract,” Katt said.
“That’s what we are trying to do now, is develop the message and that message needs to be consistent among all the groups and all the things they are saying, everything we present,” said Mark Hauptman, assistant superintendent.
In one of the most publicized construction projects in Hays over the last year, the Hays Ambassador Hotel, 3603 Vine, was to be demolished, opening the site to new construction projects and four projected commercial lots. But after the closing date of Dec. 1 came and went, ownership of the property remains the same.
“They didn’t close,” said Gregg Wahlers, district manager for the hotel. “They didn’t go through with the sale.”
The Ambassador Hotel shortly after the potential sale of the property had been announced.
“The buyers didn’t come through. I don’t know the reason. They didn’t give us a reason,” Wahlers said.
Now the current owner is exploring options for the property, including a remodel.
“We’re looking at what options can be done with the property, making it a smaller, better property,” Wahlers said.
Even with the retention in ownership, the hotel was forced to close with many of the employees having already found other work and maintenance needing to be completed on the property to bring the facility up to code.
“We felt in our best interest to close the property to start doing renovations and make it a smaller and better property,” Wahlers said.
There is no time frame for renovations at the property at this time, but the property is once again on the market, as well.
“We’re still evaluating and see, but for now we’re going to close down and make renovations,” Wahlers said.
Even with the evaluations going on, land may still be available if the property is not bought outright.
“The land around it is still for sale,” Wahlers said. “If there is somebody interested in the street-front land, we can always negotiate to do a land transfer sale.”
While the property’s fate is in limbo and the hotel is closed, staff had already been notified their jobs at the hotel were ending.
“The sickest part about all of that was the employees all went and found other jobs and some that didn’t and were still working for us … their job ended basically,” Wahlers said.
In the months leading up to the sale, hotel management had been quiet on the sale, and Wahlers said the potential of the sale not being finalized was the reason for it.
“You can’t say it’s bought until it’s bought,” he said.
2015 FrostFest parade on The Bricks in Downtown Hays (Photos courtesy Chestnut Street District)
DHDC
The Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) would like to thank everyone
who participated and attended the 15th Annual FrostFest Illuminated Parade. What a perfect night for our parade of lights and with over 30 entries, what a sight.
The parade, sponsored by Eagle Communications, Nex-Tech Wireless and Gift and Party Kollections, took place Sunday, December 6, on The Bricks in Downtown Hays.
This year’s parade theme was TreeTop Traditions and parade entries were judged on use of theme, lighting and creativity. This was the sixth year for the Nex-Tech Wireless People’s Choice award, which was voted on by parade goers via text message. Over 450 votes were received.
The 2015 FrostFest Parade winners are: Nex-Tech Wireless People’s Choice:
1st Place – Luth-Terian Youth Group, 2nd Place – Girl Scouts, 3rd Place – Hays Public Library Animals:
1st Place – Doug Mermis, 2nd Place – Kansas Western Horseman’s Association Business:
1st Place – Hays Fire and Rescue Sales and Service, 2nd Place – Double Z’s Trailers,
3rd Place – Sicoir Computer Technologies Religious:
1st Place – Luth-Terian Youth Group, 2nd Place – Christian Motorcycle Association Schools:
1st Place – NCK-Technical College, 2nd Place – Learning Cross Preschool Other:
1st Place – Hays Public Library, 2nd Place – Donna Fleischacker – 1900’s Christmas Buggy,
3rd Place, Access Public Transportation
The theme for the 2016 parade is “A Storybook Christmas.” It was submitted by Amanda Jones during the annual FrostFest Theme Contest held in the fall. Jones will serve as next year’s Grand Marshall.
DHDC wants to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.
The Hays Public Library wants to forgive your fines! This December the Hays Public Library will be hosting its 4th annual Food for Fines initiative.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 7, library patrons can bring non-perishable food items to the library in exchange for fine forgiveness. Each food item forgives $1 in fines. Food for Fines will run until Dec. 14. The food collected will be donated to the Community Assistance Center. Free-will donations are also accepted. All library departments will be participating in the program. Food for Fines does not apply to lost or damaged items and extra items cannot be credited to a patron’s account.
Last year, approximately 800 food items were donated and over 100 patrons had fines forgiven. “We’re in our fourth year of Food for Fines and the amount of food collected has grown each year,” said Luci Bain, Communications Coordinator at the Hays Public Library, “We hope that 2015 will be our most successful year yet!”
Don’t miss your chance to help the community and eliminate your library fines. For more information contact the library at 785-625-9014.
