Hays Optimist Club members will give 333 dictionaries to Ellis County sixth-graders this year.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It’s not unusual for Hays Optimist Club members to hear stories from young adults who say “I still have my sixth grade dictionary you gave me.”
For the 31st year, the Optimists will distribute paperback dictionaries to all Ellis County sixth grade students and their teachers Monday, Nov. 2.
“We’ll be busy giving out 333 Merriam Webster dictionaries,” said project chairman Gary Wentling.
More than 11,400 dictionaries have been handed over to the students since 1984, according to Wentling. The reference books are given to sixth graders at Hays Middle School and Holy Family Elementary School, Victoria Grade School, and Washington and St. Mary’s schools in Ellis.
Monday’s dictionary distribution schedule:
8:00 a.m.–Hays Middle School
8:15 a.m.–Washington Grade School-Ellis
8:30 a.m.–Victoria Grade School
8:45 a.m.–St. Mary’s-Ellis
9:30 a.m.–Holy Family Elementary-Hays
Balsam Firs, Douglas Firs, Fraser Firs and Scotch Pines were sold at the Optimist Christmas Tree lot last year.
“This project is made possible from the annual sales of natural Christmas trees by the Optimist Club,” Wentling said.
The Optimist Christmas Tree lot will open Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, in the Hays Wal-Mart parking lot.
BURLINGTON–The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Commission approved a proposal to raise fees for fishing and hunting licenses at their public meeting in Burlington on October 22, 2015. The new fees will be effective January 1, 2016. KDWPT staff have been discussing fee increases since early last spring and presented a draft proposal before the Commission at their public meeting in August.
Fee increases were deemed necessary to ensure pivotal programs important to hunters and anglers can be maintained and enhanced. Basic hunting and fishing license fees haven’t increased since 2002, and the price of resident deer and turkey permits haven’t increased since 1984. Inflation has increased the cost of doing business by almost 30 percent since 2002, and the uncommitted balance of the Wildlife Fee Fund was beginning to decline. License and permit revenues go into the Wildlife Fee Fund to pay for wildlife and fisheries programs, which receive no State General Fund money.
By unanimously approving the proposed increases, the Commission ensured that programs such as Walk-in Hunting Access (WIHA), Community Fisheries Assistance (CFAP), Pass It On, Fishing Impoundment and Stream Access (FISH), and Wildlife Habitat Improvement (WHIP) will continue to provide hunters and anglers with high-quality outdoor opportunities. Increased revenues will also help fund day-to-day business such as operation of four fish hatcheries, law enforcement, public lands management and private land programs.
Beginning January 1, 2016 a resident annual hunting or fishing license will cost $25. The current fee is $18. However, value-added options are built into the new fee structure, including a discount for purchasing a combination hunt/fish annual license ($45) and an early-buy combination discount ($40) if purchased before February 1. Also included are multi-year hunting and fishing licenses that will provide savings. A five-year fishing or hunting license is priced at $100, and a five-year combination hunting/fishing license is $180, a savings of $70 if those licenses were purchased individually each year.
Nonresidents will pay $95 for an annual hunting license and $50 for an annual fishing license.
Resident deer permits will go from $30 to $40; nonresidents will pay $415 for the combination (one antlered deer/one antlerless whitetail) permit. Resident turkey permits are set at $25 and nonresidents will pay $50 for a fall turkey permit and $60 for a spring turkey permit.
Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses will go from $440 to $500 and $880 to $960 for a combination.
Youth license and permit fees were not changed, and the senior lifetime hunt/fish combination license ($40) will not change.
In other business, commissioners approved an amendment to the definition of a setline, allowing anglers to anchor a setline with a 25-pound weight, and use a closed-cell float to mark it. Amendments to the creel and length limit reference document were approved, including several changes to length and slot-length limits for blue catfish. To see all approved creel and length limits see K.A.R. 115-25-14 at: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings/October-22-2015/October-22-2015-Approved-Regulations
And in final action, commissioners approved staff’s proposal for duck zone boundaries. After months of public meetings, discussion and surveys, KDWPT staff proposed a new map that will go into effect for the 2016 fall duck seasons and remain in place for five years. The only change was a boundary shift to move Cedar Bluff Reservoir out of the Low Plains Early Zone and into the Low Plains Late Zone. All other duck zone boundaries remained the same.
Karrie Simpson Voth oversees the installation of the graphic arts posters exhibition in the FHSU Memorial Union.
By Melissa Dixon FHSU University Relations and Marketing
“As a graphic designer, you have incredible power to influence others.”
If Karrie Simpson Voth’s students didn’t believe her before, they do now.
Simpson Voth is interim chair of the Department of Art and Design at Fort Hays State University, and one of her class assignments has resulted in an unprecedented landslide of social media engagement for the university.
For the past eight years, students in Fort Hays State’s History of Graphic Design class have participated in a poster competition, instituted by Simpson Voth, in which students create multiple poster designs that promote awareness of social and political issues of their choice.
When the winning poster designs were shared on the FHSU Facebook page on Oct. 21, it took only a few hours for the artists — and University Relations and Marketing staff — to notice that traffic on the post was higher than normal.
Within 36 hours, the post reach — how many Facebook users had seen the post — had exceeded one million.
To date, the post’s reach has exceeded 5 million.
“A great poster has the ability to grab someone’s attention when they least expect it and make them look at the issue presented from a different perspective other than their own,” Simpson Voth said. “They may not necessarily agree with the perspective, but they can see there are a multitude of ways to look at the world. The most effective design is one that stays with you, one you can’t get out of your head; it can enrage or delight.”
Partnering with the American Democracy Project, class members displayed their posters in FHSU’s Memorial Union. Ballots and a ballot box were provided, and the campus and community were encouraged to vote for their favorite posters.
The ADP was created in 2003 as an initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in partnership with the New York Times. The organization works to ensure that higher education graduates are informed and involved citizens in their communities.
Brittany Bange, 3rd Place (tie), “Kansas Brownback Tornado”
Topics addressed in the posters ranged from global and nationwide issues such as immigration and race to current hot topics in Kansas legislation such as education funding cuts and concealed carry laws.
The posters had an impact on those who viewed them as well as the students who designed them.
“That is why we call this competition ‘Let Your Voice Be Heard!,’ ” Simpson Voth said. “Respectful debates took place amongst the students almost daily. The students challenged one another to find deeper meaning, research more, or to clarify their ideas further. They also learned it is completely acceptable to agree to disagree.”
During the research and design process, students were educated on the issues of democracy, civic engagement and citizenship as well as social issues that impact the city, state, country and world. Part of their instruction came through discussion, a series of lectures on historical design styles, and a presentation by one of FHSU’s political science professors, Dr. Chapman Rackaway.
As a result, the students became actively engaged in conversations with one another about their own political views and their involvement – or lack thereof. For many, this was the first time they thought long and hard about what they stood for and how they would get their point across visually in order to create posters that would stimulate discussions among viewers.
“FHSU’s mission mentions building globally engaged citizen leaders as a core value of the institution,” Rackaway said. “It’s that commitment that Karrie Simpson Voth’s class shows in participating in the American Democracy Project poster contest.
“That’s why I am happy to play a small part in providing the students some context for the political world in which they are operating. The art her students produce is always engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking. Controversy, and sometimes difficult topics, can be addressed in very constructive ways using art as the media,” Rackaway said.
The designers’ social media fame is bringing tangible results.
Jill Herbert, 1st Place, “Human Trafficking in Kansas”
After seeing Jill Herbert’s poster design addressing human trafficking, St. Francis Community Services in Wichita contacted Herbert, a Wichita senior, asking for her assistance in developing posters and a billboard. The Center for Combating Human Trafficking at Wichita State University asked to display Herbert’s poster at its next conference.
The public library in Lebo requested copies of all 60 posters for an exhibition.
The national manager of the American Democracy Project in Washington, D.C., inquired about showcasing the posters at its national conference in Indianapolis in June as well as featuring the winning posters on its blog.
“I am so excited about the influence of those posters,” said Gao Fan, a senior from Xi’an City, Shannxi Province, China, whose anti-abortion poster sparked thousands of comments and fierce debates on the Facebook post.
Gao Fan, 2nd Place, “Abortion of Convenience”
“For me, I don’t take personally what people say about my poster. I am proud of what I have done. I have the right to say my opinion, and so do they,” said Fan.
“Seeing the post go viral was a dream come true,” said Colby senior Brittany Bange. “Our concepts and visuals were provoking. They created dialogue – negative comments are to be expected — challenged viewers’ beliefs and even changed the minds of a few. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”
To see all 60 posters, visit the FHSU Facebook photo gallery “2015 ‘Let Your Voice Be Heard!’ poster competition” at https://ow.ly/U3rJx.
According to the 2015 retail survey by the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, the most desired restaurants were those offering Italian or seafood fare, as well as steakhouses.
Target was the most sought-after store, following by Kohl’s, Old Navy and Dillards, while Olive Garden and Red Lobster topped the list on the restaurant side of the survey.
“Per the 1287 responses we received, it was indicated that only 40% of shopping is done in Hays. The average overall shopping satisfaction, with 1 being negative and 5 being positive, was ranked at 2.5,” the coalition reported.
Complete results of the 2015 survey can be found HERE.
November starts the major spike in car/deer crashes in Kansas, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Tod Hileman.
Hileman provided a map of the 2014 crashes in KHP Troop D, headquartered in Hays.
“The top numbers are the total number of crashes and the bottom are the number of injuries. I’m happy to report there were no fatalities for us out here,” Hileman said in a news release.
“You can see the east side of northwest Kansas had the most collisions last year and Norton County had the most of the 18 counties with 123 reported.”
Ellis County wasn’t far behind in 2014, with 121 car/deer crashes and 7 injuries to drivers and/or passengers recorded.
Steve Schmidtberger, Hays water plant operator, climbs into the truck loaded with discarded lumber and wood products.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“Slow-going. We’re into the heavy stuff now.” Hays Public Works Department equipment operator Dusty Degenhardt worked Thursday morning in quadrant 3 of the city, near 32nd and Canal Boulevard. His crew of three is repeatedly filling a city flatbed truck during the fourth day of the annual alley cleanup.
“We’re done with the curbside collection in this area, finished it Wednesday,” Degenhardt said.
Using a blue tractor with a grappling fork, the men loaded discarded lumber and other wood pieces on the truck. Steve Schmidtberger, a water plant employee, tied it down for the drive to the Ellis County Transfer Station north of town where it will be disposed.
It’s been a big year for the Friends of the Hays Dog Park as they work toward completing the first complete year of the dog park being open and continuing fundraisers and upgrades at the facility.
“We recently had our big annual fundraiser, the garage sale, and we raised $3,700, so it was a big success,” said Kim Perez, president of the Friends of the Hays Dog Park.
Other fundraisers in conjunction with a Fort Hays State University class are planned, the first being this weekend.
The FHSU Tourism and Hospitality Events class will host a fundraiser for the Hays Dog Park Oct. 31 at the Tailgate before the FHSU football game called Pumpkin, Paws and Football and will be 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. outside the main entrance of Lewis Field.
A 3-on-3 basketball tournament to benefit Friends of the Hays Dog Park’s effort to raise awareness and funds will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in FHSU’s Cunningham Hall.
Funds from both events will go to improvements at the park.
“The big thing we have going on this fall is we purchase two shelters,” Perez said. “At some point in early November, the company is going to come in and begin installing the shelters.”
Following the shelters being installed, the city will follow up later with the floor and the sidewalks.
“For inside the shelters, we plan to have benches, just like the benches we have outside the shelter,” Perez said.
“We are again selling them to interested individuals that want to memorialize a family member or a pet,” she said.
For the year and a half, the park has been open — and has been popular with local pet owners.
“I think the feedback has been really good. A lot of people are still taking their dogs out their. It’s still crowded on evenings and weekends. People have been keeping it clean,” Perez said. “We are really moving forward, and I would say it has been a positive addition to the city.”
Empty Place at the Table took place last Saturday evening, inviting more than 100 people to the Robbins Center at Fort Hays State University for an evening of live music, guest speakers, a live and silent auction, and a dinner. The annual event benefits Jana’s Campaign, a Hays-based advocacy group that battles gender and relationship violence.
“Not only do we get to get dressed up and be at the beautiful Robbins Center, but we raise great money for a great cause,” said Kelley Parker, Executive Director for Jana’s Campaign.
Parker was named the executive director of the group earlier this month.
Dillons grocery stores have had a long history in Hays, but work underway at the 517 W. 27th location will leave a new look and expanded shopping options after the completion of a full-scale remodel.
“At Dillons, we’re very excited to be in the process of renovation for our store there,” said Sheila Lowrie, Dillons spokeswoman. “And we know our customers are going to be very excited to see the changes.”
Cosmetic upgrades in the store include new equipment, new signage and color scheme.
“The decorations beside the walls are all getting a facelift, which will bring a nice warm color scheme to the store with natural elements throughout,” Lowrie said. “It really makes the store feel warm and inviting.”
While some elements of the remodel can already been seen in the store, much more work is planned, expecting to run through the rest of the year.
Dillons Food Market exterior.
Rubble from remodeling.
Cooler units waiting to be installed.
Old coolers pulled from the building.
Construction trucks in the lot.
Ceiling and wall work in progress.
New fresh food island.
New sign.
Front door work begining.
New market signage.
New look in deli area.
New coolers.
New isle signs.
Floor work being done near the pharmacy.
Last week, the store saw new refrigerated units come in, the next piece to come in will be refrigerated units in the natural food section.
“Once were finished, it will feel like a brand-new store,” Lowrie said. “It brings in a lot of warm colors, so there’s greens, oranges, yellows and blues.”
Stenciling on the walls and fresh paint in areas already show the new color scheme.
While the look will be new to Hays, other locations have incorporated the style that will be used at the Hays location.
“If anyone shopped with us at our brand-new store on Cloud Street in Salina, it has this new decor package as well,” Lowrie said. “(The look) is one of my personal favorites when it comes to all the looks we’ve had in our stores.”
Along with the upgraded look, the store will offer expanded selections as well, most notably in the natural and organic food sections, something Lowrie said shoppers have been looking for across the chain.
“By offering these selections, we’re going to help our customers finds those products they are shopping for,” she said.
Dillons anticipates to have everything done by the end of the year, with a grand reopening celebration to be scheduled after the completion.
The Hays Medical Center Foundation drive-through flu shots were once again an overwhelming success. On Sunday, 3493 people were given free flu immunizations. This was the 16th year the foundation has sponsored this event and underwritten the costs of the vaccine.
“It is a privilege to be able to support this effort in the community,” Said Ruth Heffel, Hays Medical Center Foundation Director. “Getting a flu shot is one of the easiest things people can do to take good care of their health and we are pleased to be a part of this community program.”
The success of the event hinges on the volunteers who give their time to make it all possible. Fort Hays State University faculty and nursing students were there early drawing up doses and giving shots during the event. Along with them were over 50 HaysMed Associates who set up, gave shots, directed traffic, provided meals and generally did anything that needed to be done to make the flu drive run smoothly.
“Our volunteers are the best!” said Kim Koerner, RN, Associate Health nurse at HaysMed and event organizer. “We love working with FHSU and our own HaysMed Associates never fail to give generously of their time so we can provide this much needed free service.”
The food drive for the Community Assistance Center is also something that the community rallies around. This year the drive raised 2,140 pounds of food and $100.00 in cash. The food donation has been a part of the drive thru flu every year and is coordinated by the HaysMed Information Technology department.
According to Scott Rohleder, Director of Information Technology at HaysMed, “It’s a great opportunity for our department to give back to the community. Many of our Associates bring their family to spend the day and help out.”
After 16 years, the process has been honed and the event usually goes like clockwork. The only item that really changes is the cost of the vaccine. While the exact cost of this year’s vaccine is not available the figures from past years show that in 2000 the cost for 2300 doses was $4,823.10 and last year, 2014, the cost was $37,148.94 for 3,385 doses.
Contributions to the HaysMed Foundation for activities such as this and other hospital programs can be made by calling the Foundation Office at 785-623-2350, or visiting www.haysmedfoundation.org
Alcides Escobar scores the game winning run in Game 1 of the World Series. (Chris Vleisides)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Alex Gordon hit a tying home run with one out in the ninth inning, Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly against Bartolo Colon in the 14th and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Mets 5-4 Tuesday night in the longest opener in World Series history.
Alcides Escobar heads home for a first inning inside the park home run in Game 1 of the World Series. (Chris Vleisides)
Making his Series debut at age 42, Colon escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 12th, then got out of trouble again after allowing a leadoff hit in the 13th.
Alcides Escobar, who hit an inside-the-park home run on Matt Harvey’s first pitch of the night, reached leading off the 14th on an error by third baseman David Wright, who bobbled his grounder and then made a wide throw that pulled Lucas Duda off first base.
Ben Zobrist singled him to third and Lorenzo Cain was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Hosmer flied to right, and Escobar scored standing up ahead of Curtis Granderson’s throw.
A fire at a single family dwelling at 509 E. 15th St. Tuesday is being investigated as arson according to the Hays Police Department.
Hays firefighters at the scene of the late morning fire at 509 E. 15th.
The City of Hays Fire Department, assisted by the Hays Police Department and Ellis County EMS, responded to the fire at 11:20 a.m.. It was quickly put out by a single hose line.
According to Fire Chief Gary Brown, the home had “moderate damage” from a fire on the exterior of the building.
HPD Sgt. Jason Bonczynski gestures at the house after taking pictures during an arson investigation.
A news release, issued around 5:00 p.m. by the HPD, said “The cause of the fire is arson and is being investigated by the Hays Police Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office.
“The perpetrator of the crime has been identified,” the release said. “We are not releasing the name of the suspect and we are not releasing anything further at this time.”
Four fire trucks and fifteen firefighters responded with the last firefighters leaving the scene at 12:32 p.m.
Hays firefighters respond to a house fire late Tuesday morning on East 15th Street.
UPDATE:
The Hays Police and Fire Departments responded to a house on fire at 509 E.15th at 11:20 a.m. The cause of the fire is arson and is being investigated by the Hays Police Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office. No one was injured during the fire and there was moderate damage to the structure.
The perpetrator of the crime has been identified. The HPD is not releasing the name of the suspect or further details at this time.
Check Hays Post for details as they become available.
Hays Fire Department
At 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, the City of Hays Fire Department, assisted by the Hays Police Department and Ellis County EMS, was dispatched to a building fire at 509 East 15th Street. On arrival, firefighters found a fire burning on the exterior of a single family dwelling.
Firefighters quickly controlled the fire using one hose line. A second hose line was deployed as a precaution while the building was checked to make sure the fire had not spread inside.
The building sustained moderate damage to the exterior. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Four fire trucks and fifteen firefighters responded. The last firefighters left the scene at 12:32 p.m.
