Fort Hays State women’s basketball had never played a No. 1 ranked team. Saturday the Tigers both played and beat top-ranked Emporia State University 71-70.
The Lady Hornets jumped out to a 6-4 lead on Fort Hays State over the first two and half minutes of Saturday’s showdown. Most of the first quarter was a free throw contest with the Hornets going 10-10 and the Tigers 8-10 over the first ten minutes. The Tigers built a six point lead at 16-10, only to have it erased by the end of the first quarter when Emporia State scored six straight concluding with a basket at the buzzer.
Highlights
The Tigers opened the second quarter with a 12-4 run going up 28-20 on back to back three point plays from Paige Lunsford and Taylor Chandler. Fort Hays State pushed their lead to ten with one minute left in the first half on a Lunsford field goal. The two teams traded baskets over the final minute leaving the Tigers with a 37-30 halftime lead.
Coach Tony Hobson
Fort Hays pushed their lead as high as ten on two occasions in the third quarter, the latest at 50-40 with 5:58 remaining. Emporia State though would respond with a 15-4 run to grab a lead at the end of three quarters 55-54. Fort Hays would grab the lead for good on a Bohuslavsky three pointer at 61-58 after trailing by two points early in the fourth quarter. Fort Hays built their lead to seven with ninety second remaining, when Emporia State hit two deep three pointers bringing the game within one point at 71-70. The Tigers turned the ball over on their next possession, but Emporia State would never get a shot off after being tied up in the lane and turning the ball over with two seconds left.
Beth Bohuslavsky scored a game high 21. Paige Lunsford a career high 16 and Chelsea Mason added 11.
Fort Hays moves to 8-0 and 2-0 in the MIAA. Emporia State falls to 7-1, 1-1. The Tigers are off until next Saturday when they host Nebraska Kearney.
The Hays wastewater treatment facility was built in 1953 and must undergo extensive renovations to meet new discharge requirements by 2018.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Only one other time is Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty aware of the city used the “design-build” process for a project. That was back in the late ’80s for a relatively small, but complicated project involving a contaminated water plume, as Dougherty discovered during his research.
Thirty years later, the city will use the design-build process again, for what will be the “most expensive project Hays has ever undertaken,” according to Dougherty.
The wastewater treatment plant needs a $30.26 million makeover to meet more stringent discharge limits by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The plant, 1498 E. Highway 40 Bypass, was built in 1953, expanded in 1967 and updated again in the early 1990s. The existing facilities are reaching or exceeding their useful life.
KDHE issued the city a new discharge permit in 2014 that lowered the city’s previous ammonia limits and issued new discharge limits for nitrates, nitrites, and phosphorus. City staff concluded a significant upgrade is needed to meet the permit discharge limits by July, 2018.
HDR Engineering, Inc. was hired in April to serve as the city’s Owner’s Representative to assist the City in the design-build process, which Dougherty said limits “finger pointing.”
“In the traditional design-bid-build method, we would hire an engineer to determine what should be done at the wastewater plant with associated cost estimates. Once approved, it goes out for bids. The engineers are usually out of it at that point and the builder takes over.
“That works pretty well for a street or something relatively simple. The issue with the wastewater treatment facility or another multi-faceted project, is that if something goes wrong, the city may go to the builder and the builder may say that’s a designer issue. Then the engineer in turn may say talk to the builder–and you get the finger pointing.
“That’s why we wanted to use the design-build method because we have one point of contact–the design-builder–and one legal contract to administer,” Dougherty explained.
HDR Project Manager Stan Christopher and city staff have recommended hiring CDM Smith, Wichita, as the Design-Builder for Phase 1 of the project at a cost of $1,876,611. City commissioner will consider approving the project at the Dec. 10 regular meeting.
The fall portion of the Fort Hays State University 2015-2016 music season is coming to an end this weekend with two concerts.
At 7:30, Friday, Dec. 4, the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds will perform in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Many of the band members will be a part of the performance before heading off to cheer on the Tigers at the Mineral Water Bowl.
Dr. Jeff Jordan, associate professor of music and theatre, will lead the Wind Ensemble, and Dr. Lane Weaver, assistant professor of music and theatre, will lead the Symphonic Winds. Tickets for the concert, titled “Luminescence,” are $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students 12 and over, free for children 11 and under, and free for FHSU students with valid ID.
The last performance will be the FHSU Cathedral Concert at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, at the St. Fidelis Basilica in Victoria. The FHSU Choirs will be directed by Dr. Terry Crull, associate professor of music and theatre. The event is free and open to the public.
They both wanted the jersey bearing the number 1. The coach gave it to the senior, so the sophomore took No. 2.
It didn’t matter what number they wore. Any way you look at it, all season long, Treveon Albert, Atlanta senior, and Shaquille Cooper, Coral Gables, Fla., sophomore, have provided a 1-2 punch that helped propel the Fort Hays State University football team into post-season play for the first time in 20 years.
The Tigers will take on the University of Minnesota-Duluth at noon Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Both teams are 8-3, which ties Fort Hays State’s record for most wins in a season.
Cooper, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back, is first on the FHSU team in rushing with a per-game of 127.8 yards. Albert, a 6-0, 195-pound quarterback, is second (105.5 average).
Tiger fans hope the dynamic duo that has given defenses fits all season has one more thrilling performance in it. A win over Minnesota-Duluth would set a record for most victories in a season.
The Tigers’ No. 1 and 2 are on pace to set individual records, too.
Most likely sometime during the first quarter Saturday, Albert will set a new school record for total offense for quarterbacks. He needs just 10 yards to break the record, so that mark could fall in the Tigers’ first series.
Considering he is averaging 257.7 total yards passing and rushing per game this season, Albert should become the first QB in Fort Hays State history to reach 8,000 yards in total offense. He enters the game with 7,966 total yards, sitting behind only Mike Garrison, who played from 2008-10. Albert also has a good shot at moving past Garrison into the No. 4 spot on the single-season total offense list.
Cooper is 213 yards shy of FHSU’s single-season rushing record — 1,169 yards set by Clint Bedore in 1993. Cooper’s 1,406 all-purpose yards also are in the single-season top 10 at ninth, and with a good day Saturday, he should move several rungs up the ladder.
Considering neither No. 1 nor No. 2 are playing the same position they played in their first season at FHSU, it makes this year’s production even more impressive.
Albert, who was recruited as a quarterback, played a good share of his first season at wide receiver in 2012. Cooper bounced back and forth between the offensive and defensive backfields that same year, then laid out of school two years before returning this year.
While Albert is in his third year calling signals for the Tigers, steadily improving each year, Cooper splashed back onto the scene in style, rushing for more than 100 yards six times this season, including two games of 200-plus yards. Cooper, who puts the scat in scatback, has caught 33 passes for 301 yards and five touchdowns to go along with his 1,406 yards and 14 TDs rushing.
He started the season with a bang, rushing for 163 and 263 yards, respectively, in his first two games.
Just when it looked like defenses figured out how to slow down Cooper, Albert perfected the zone read play, handing the ball off to Cooper and often pulling it back out and taking off downfield himself, making it tough for defenses to determine whether No. 1 or No. 2 had the ball. Albert’s 1,161 yards rushing, coupled with Cooper’s 1,406 on the ground, gave Fort Hays State its first pair of 1,000-yard rushers in a season for just the second time ever.
“I think it makes it tougher for our opponents,” Cooper said. “They never know who has the ball.”
After the top two running backs went down with injuries early in the season, Tiger coaches knew who they wanted to have the ball.
“Once we lost two running backs, it hindered us a little bit,” Head Coach Chris Brown said. “But we didn’t really think of Shaq as our No. 3 back anyway. We thought he was going to be a big part of what we did all along.”
That also holds true for Albert, who was challenged for the starting QB spot every year. But persistence won out.
Each of his first three seasons, Albert had to wait his turn behind older players for that coveted No. 1 jersey. When Edward Smith used up his eligibility after the 2014 season, Albert asked Brown if he could switch from the No. 6 he had the past two years and grab No. 1 this year.
“Actually, I had always worn No. 5 when I was young, so that’s why I took 6,” Albert said. “But this year, I felt like I earned the chance and wanted to be a leader on the team. It has felt good wearing No. 1.”
Cooper said he doesn’t mind wearing No. 2 now, either. And no one can argue with the results.
The Phase I Agreement for design-build services at the wastewater facility will be reviewed tonight during the Hays City Commission work session.
The past four months the design-build selection committee comprised of city staff and HDR Engineering, the city’s Owner Representative, has been vetting design-build teams. The committee narrowed down the group of six respondents to three finalist teams which gave formal presentations Nov. 18 and 19.
The selection committee has recommended the city select CDM Smith as the design-build team for the rebuilding of the wastewater treatment facility at a contract price not to exceed $1,876,611.00.
The Hays wastewater treatment plant was built in the 1950s, with update modifications made in the late 1960s and the early 1990s. The existing facilities are reaching or exceeding their useful life. The plant must meet stricter state and federal discharge restrictions by July 2018, requiring the upgrade to be completed by December 31, 2017.
In other business, commissioners will hear a request for a professional services agreement with Burns and McDonnell for airport snow removal equipment more appropriate for light snowfall and slushy ice.
Representatives of the Sister Cities Advisory Board will present an update on the organization’s recent activities.
The Dec. 3 meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State football team will depart for Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Thursday morning (Dec. 3). All Tiger fans and the Fort Hays State University community are encouraged participate in the send off of the team for the 50th Mineral Water Bowl at 10:45 am at the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility. The team is scheduled to leave from Lewis Field Stadium at approximately 11 am.
The Tigers take an 8-3 overall record into the game against Minnesota-Duluth (also 8-3) on Saturday at 12 pm. The Tigers are looking to become the first team in FHSU history to win nine games in a season. The team also looks to be the first in program history to ever win a postseason game (playoffs or bowl).
If you haven’t already purchased tickets for the game, drop by the FHSU Athletic Office inside Cunningham Hall on the campus of Fort Hays State University or call (785) 628-4050. Tickets are just $10 each.
A recent string of scams has local law enforcement officials warning residents to be cautious of anyone contacting them threatening arrest after missing jury duty.
Both the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department and the Hays Police Department have received a number of reports recently of a caller portraying himself as a local law enforcement officer. According to the sheriff’s office, the scammers tell the individuals they were called for jury duty in Ellis County District Court and failed to appear — and now there is a warrant out for that person’s arrest.
The caller then threatens arrest unless they pay a $1,000 bond by purchasing a prepaid 1-2-3 Rewards Debit Card and then relay the information to the scammer.
HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood said the scammers sound very convincing, which can be intimidating.
He said anyone who receives a call like this should contact law enforcement.
“If you’re in doubt, contact us,” Greenwood said “If there is a legal issue, we’ll help you sort it out. And if there’s not and you’ve been scammed, we will tell you.”
Greenwood added it is important to never give money or financial information over the phone.
“That’s not the way our system works,” he said.
Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin said these types of scams tend to be more prevalent during the holidays, and it is important for people to be extra cautious.
Drew O’Brien didn’t plan on playing football in college, let alone wind up becoming the career scoring leader for Fort Hays State University. Yet, here he is.
O’Brien, a native of Hays, will lace up his cleats for the final time as a Tiger on Saturday, Dec. 5, in the 50th Mineral Water Bowl. Kickoff is noon at Excelsior Springs, Mo. Game and ticket information can be found at www.fhsu.edu/BowlBound.
“It still hasn’t really sunk in,” O’Brien said. “I can still remember my first kick, I can still remember my first practice, even. I’m sure once everything’s said and done, at the end of the season is when I really realize there is no more football.”
O’Brien
The journey for the Tiger kicker started five years ago, when O’Brien was a junior at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in Hays. An all-around standout in soccer who started at goalkeeper his entire high school career, O’Brien was having fun with homecoming activities. He entered a field goal kicking contest — which he won easily. The holder for the competition was the school’s football coach, Jon Borer.
“I just knew there was something different when Drew was kicking the ball,” Borer said. “It just exploded off of his foot.”
Borer had O’Brien in study hall the next semester and planted the seed of playing soccer and also kicking for the football team.
O’Brien liked the idea and ended up earning all-state honors in both soccer and football his senior year. When he wasn’t making diving saves on the soccer pitch, he was booming the ball into the end zone on kickoffs and booting long field goals — including a 50-yarder.
“He was a huge weapon for us, to the point where I knew if we got past the 40-yard line we would have a shot,” Borer said.
“It’s kind of funny how God’s plan works out,” said O’Brien, who was recruited by FHSU football coach Chris Brown after only two games of high school football.
After playing soccer since he was 5 years old, after years of traveling with the Hays Soccer Club, after after visiting several college soccer programs with the intention of being a college goalkeeper — O’Brien chose football.
“Just happened football was the right way to go,” O’Brien said. “It seemed like a new task for me to tackle. I like challenges.”
O’Brien also wanted to stay close to home so his parents could watch him play.
“Part of the biggest reason I chose Fort Hays — other than Coach Brown welcoming me in — was that I wanted to be able to have my parents watch,” O’Brien said. “They loved watching me and my brother play sports growing up. I saw this as an opportunity for them to watch me in person.”
Brown knew O’Brien was a work in progress but also had no doubt he would get better.
“He didn’t have a lot of experience with it, but you knew he was going to work to be the best kicker he could possibly be,” Brown said. “His confidence in himself, that’s the kind of kid you want. You want a kicker that has that confidence. It kind of excited me that he had a chance to be our kicker for four years.”
A returning senior kicker was on the roster entering preseason in O’Brien’s freshman year. But that kicker got hurt, and O’Brien took the field for the season opener. He’s been on the field ever since and will play his 45th game as a Tiger Saturday.
“He’s just a joy to be around,” Brown said. “I can talk about anything, not just football. We just have a relationship, enough trust in each other, we just talk about things. I’ve loved him. I’ve enjoyed him. He’s going to be very deeply missed by our team and by our coaches. Drew is just a great kid.”
Brown tested O’Brien right out of the gate. On the road for the season opener at Emporia State University, O’Brien’s first collegiate field goal try — and make — was a 47-yarder. Later that season, he hit a career-long 48-yarder. Then on a wet, muddy field at Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University in Bolivar, Mo., he split the uprights from 36 yards out to make it a one-score game in the fourth quarter of a contest the Tigers eventually won in overtime.
“I knew I could make it,” O’Brien said. “Before that, I didn’t have any kicks that were game-changers. To be able to do that gave me confidence for when I did have that opportunity in the future.”
That opportunity came in this year’s season opener. O’Brien drilled a 19-yard field goal at the gun for a 30-29 win at University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. O’Brien said if you’re not a kicker, you might not appreciate the degree of difficulty on that short kick. The ball was placed on the right hash mark — which in college is not lined up with the goal post — so the kick attempt was at a sharp angle to the left.
“It was not just a left kick, it was a violently left kick,” O’Brien said. “That angle is just unnatural. It’s unnatural how hard left you had to kick it.”
Making that kick was the start of a special season for Fort Hays State, one for the record books. The Tigers’ 8-3 mark ties the best record in a season, one which can be broken with a win over University of Minnesota-Duluth in the bowl game — the program’s first post-season appearance since 1995.
O’Brien is proud to be part of the turnaround in the moribund program Brown inherited.
“It’s something special,” he said. “After we win this next weekend, we’ll be able to say we were part of that team. We can look back in five, 10 years when Fort Hays is still great and say we were part of that turnaround.”
In addition to team records, O’Brien has eclipsed individual kicking and scoring records at FHSU. He broke the career scoring record for kickers and also surpassed the overall scoring record of 220 points that stood for 49 years, set in 1966 by quarterback Bob Johnson. O’Brien, who now has 242 total career points, also holds the single-season record for extra points with 51, set as a sophomore. His junior season, O’Brien served as the Tigers’ punter and got off a 78-yarder, tied for second on the career punting charts.
“Obviously, I never thought I would be able to get there, or even have an idea in high school that that’s where I would be at the end of my career,” O’Brien said. “It is something special; it will be one of my most special memories. But records are meant to be broken. It’s much cooler to be part of this turnaround than just the personal records.”
O’Brien and senior punter Jordon Stangler each earned honorable mention Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association honors this season. They have formed a special bond, as only kickers can have.
“Drew and I have really worked well with each other and helped coach each other up,” Stangler said. “It’s been a great opportunity, an honor to work with him.”
The kickers also can console each other after a shanked punt or missed field goal.
“That’s one thing that’s built our friendship, just communicating with each other to make each other better,” Stangler said.
O’Brien, a marketing major, also has earned MIAA academic honors every year during his career. He admits it can be difficult juggling academics and football.
“It’s been tough but it’s taught me responsibility,” O’Brien said. “I’ve been able to budget my time a lot better. It’s a full-time job.”
It’s a job that’s close to coming to an end. Around 3 p.m. Saturday, the clock strikes zero.
“It’s going to be a surreal feeling,” O”Brien said. “I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it. I think for the game, I won’t be nervous at all. I’m going to enjoy it as much as I can, do what I can to help my team win. As for the actual feelings, it’s probably the bus ride home I have those feelings. Hopefully, it’s a good bus ride home.”
After some delays, dirt work for a new shopping development in north Hays is expected to continue soon.
Chance Reeser, construction manager for Tebo Properties, said time was lost due to city concerns over planned handling of stormwater management. The initial plans called for stormwater to be diverted into an underground detention vault on the property.
After the city raised concerns, however, that water will be piped off-site. The change brought the project to a “standstill” until an agreement could be reached, Reeser said.
“The redesign caused some issues with grading,” he said. “(Paul-Wertenberger Construction) is hopefully getting a foundation permit today, hopefully with a building permit to be released this week or next week.”
Tebo Villages will be a 12-storefront retail development at the northeast corner of 43rd and Vine. A restaurant — Pasta Jay’s — will anchor the property.
“It’s slow going, but I think we’re nearing the end (of delays),” Reeser said. “I think we should get moving pretty quickly here soon.”
While there is no official word on tenants besides Pasta Jay’s, developer Stephen Tebo said there are two other leases out for signature and two or three other potential tenants “kicking the tires.”
He said delays have put the development back more than a month, but still anticipates the building to be ready for tenants to do interior finish May 1, with potential opening June 1.
Tebo said residents will be excited with the infrastructure begins to rise from the ground — and expected business interest to pique once the development begins to take shape.
“Hays hasn’t seen anything quite as nice as this in quite some time,” he said. “We’re investing up front to get our money back over 20 years. … We believe in investing in community.”
SHERMAN COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Sherman County are investigating a suspect arrested after a chase that caused some property damage.
Just after 8:30 p.m. on Friday, the Goodland Police Department attempted to stop a blue GMC Pickup for a taillight and a headlight out, according to a media release from the Sherman County Sheriff.
The driver, later identified as Hildolf Truginn, refused to stop and a slow pursuit started.
At approximately 9:35p.m., Sheriff Burton Pianalto took the lead and called off the pursuit but continued to follow the vehicle without emergency lights.
After several attempts to stop or trap the vehicle, it was finally brought to a stop north of Goodland in a wheat stubble field with the assistance of Kansas Highway Patrol.
Truginn was taken into custody at approximately 10:00 pm and is being held at the Sherman County Jail pending formal charges.
No injuries were reported during the pursuit but there was property damage.
Citizens who had property damages during this incident are asked to contact the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office.
A list of recommended charges will be presented to the County Attorney this week.
Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer tweeted this photo with the caption: “Proud to accompany @RealBenCarson as he visited Syrian refugees at camps along the Jordan/Syrian border #ksleg” (Photo courtesy of Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer/Twitter)
Office of the Governor
JORDAN-SYRIAN BORDER–Kansas Lt. Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer, a native of Hays, accompanied presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson as he visited Syrian refugees at the Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps along the Jordan/Syrian border.
“I wanted to listen firsthand to Syrians who have suffered so much from this war. We need real solutions.” said Dr. Carson.
Colyer, who has worked in conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere for more than 25 years, first met with Dr. Carson several months ago.
“When we first met about Syria in September, Dr. Carson said he wanted to see the problem first hand, and we began planning this trip for Thanksgiving,” Colyer said. “The trip was kept quiet for obvious security reasons. More importantly this gave Dr. Carson the opportunity to meet Syrians first-hand and listen to their stories. The Paris attacks just reinforced how important the Syrian conflict is to the West.”
The Syrian conflict has created more than 4 million refugees in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Europe. Millions more are displaced within Syria.
“We must end the war and prioritize helping the millions of Syrians who want to stay near their homes,” said Dr. Carson. The Obama/Clinton policy has failed innocent civilians. The international community must do more.”
“Many organizations are trying to help injured Syrians and refugees, but they are overwhelmed, said Colyer who has volunteered during the Syrian conflict over several years. “They need more money and long term assistance. Syrians want to go home and live in peace. Americans can help by supporting humanitarian organizations on the ground.”
A treat for young and old, Snow Cone Express opened Sunday inside Big Creek Crossing, formerly The Mall, in what might become a permanent home to the mobile business.
The placement has already created excitement for customers of the business and regular visitors to Big Creek Crossing as well.
“I hear from the community that their biggest gap in our mall is the food court,” said Katie Dorzweiler, BCC property manager.
While there are not any locations available in the food court, placement of the new shop will add to the food and beverage options the property is working to obtain.
“I really don’t have the option at this point to expand the food court in that area, because that’s where I’m full capacity,” Dorzweiler said. “So we immediately branched out to the food trucks that were already present in our community.”
At least one food truck is regularly in the BCC parking lot near Vine, and sometimes several offer food during the weekends. Snow Cone Express was one of those regular trucks that could be found at BCC, so when it came time to find a permanent space for the shop, BCC was a perfect fit.
“Snow Cone Express has a long-standing relationship with the mall property,” Dorzweiler said.
The shop opened in a space near the BCC offices.
“I think it’s a great little space,” Dorzweiler said. “It brought something more down to this end of the mall, and it’s the perfect measurements for him.”
While the location will be the first foray for Snow Cone Express into a permanent location, it will ultimately be customer turnout that decides if an inline facility will remain in the location. The shop is in a 30-day lease that will end Dec. 27.
“We’re really hoping the community comes out in full force,” Dorzweiler said. “If it turns out really well like we’re anticipating and hoping, then he will get rid of the trailer and do inline in there.”
“The goal was actually to work out of the trailer temporarily while applying for whatever I need to get a permanent location inside,” said Jarett Gross, owner of Snow Cone Express.
Both Dorzwiler and Gross foresee the business being successful in the location.
“The kids love coming to the mall to get a snow cone. They know it’s in the parking lot, and so I think it will be even more fun to have it incorporated into the interior,” Dorzweiler said.
“My ultimate goal is get the permanent location, because I ran into problems with moving around too much,” Gross said.
Regularly, he said, people would look for his trailer while he was working fairs during the summer and customers could not find him.
“I saw the niche was there that we need a fixed location and then that will free up my trailer,” Gross said. “The mall has been nothing but good to me.”
The shop will also offer coffee and hot chocolate for the season.
The shop will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday.
After the city raised concerns, however, that water will be piped off-site. The change brought the project to a “standstill” until an agreement could be reached, Reeser said.
