By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

The Downtown Hays Development Corporation – organizer of downtown events that occur throughout the year – is getting ready for its next event, Wines and Steins next Friday, but while the events will give participants another opportunity to explore downtown Hays, it serves an important role for the organization as its primary fundraiser for the year.

“Wines and Steins is our huge fundraiser for the year, we do a lot of events, but all of them are just events for us, we break even on almost everything,” said Sara Bloom, executive director of the DHDC.

“We get some of our money from the City of Hays, we get the other half from this one event,” she said.

While the event helps provide for the DHDC’s funding needs, it is an community event, like others the DHDC organizes.

“It draws people downtown to celebrate the beauty that our downtown has become,” Bloom said. “It also celebrates the DHDC and all that we have accomplished.”

The event will give participants to opportunity to visit downtown shops, with each having refreshments available, but as the name suggests, it will be adult fare and no one under 21 is allowed to participate.

“There will be beer selection and a wine selection at each stop, as well as a hors d’oeuvres that the participating business is providing to complement those drinks,” Bloom said.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with check in where a pamphlet will be distributed showing all 16 event locations. ID’s will be used as the way to check in and ensure no one under 21 is participating.

At 9 p.m., the businesses will close and the post-stroll celebration will begin behind the former Emprise Bank, 1200 Main. The celebration will include music, food and as a matter of course, more drinks as well as the live auction in conjunction with the silent auction going on throughout the event.

“We have everything from a gift card truck to massage packages to airline tickets,” Bloom said.

All items for the auction were donated to assist in the fundraising effort.

“We’re very very thankful for all of the donors that have given to the auction, as well as our many many sponsors,” Bloom said, noting the sponsors cover the expenses in order for the event to be a fundraiser.

Tickets are on sale now, at $50 each, with less than a third of the 300 total tickets still available. They can be purchased online at downtownhays.com, at any of the stroll stops, or at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Hays Post video by Cooper Slough

The ACT college readiness letter for Hays High School has been released, and Hays students scored well compared to state averages.

The ACT tests four areas of academic achievement — English, math, reading and science — Hays surpassed, or met, the state average in every category except reading.

The Hays average was 22.1 and the state average was 22.4.

English was even with the state average at 21.3, locally math was 22.9, with the state average at 21.6 and science was 22.5 compared to 21.8.

Hays also beat the state average for the composite score as well with an average of 22.3 versus the state at 21.9.

Hays increased averages over last year in every category except reading as well.

With the averages scores beating the state averages the ACT report also showed college readiness was higher at Hays High than the state average in every individual category, however, Hays did not beat the state average in meeting all four together, with a 31 percent readiness report for Hays students and an state average of 32 percent.

The state of Kansas also had fair testing results, ranking at 21st in the composite score average.

For a full look at nationwide ACT results click here.

FHSU University Relations

No gas, just battery and maybe a solar panel, high school students craft electric cars for the 16th annual High Plains ElectroRally at West Frontier Park in Hays on Thursday, Sept. 24.

One student drives on the quarter-mile track to complete the most laps within an hour. This endurance test is enjoyable for drivers and viewers because it’s not just an oval, it has left and right turns and goes up and down, said Joe Chretien, associate professor of applied technology at Fort Hays State University.

“We expect to pull in two to three more schools from the east,” said Chretien. Last year, high schools from western and central Kansas came for race day, and so did Olathe North High School from the Kansas City metropolitan area. Chretien expects Olathe North High School to register again this year.

Two classes of cars, Standard and Solar, compete in two races, the first at 10:30 a.m. and a second at 12:30 p.m. Standard Class cars meet the criteria for standard Electrathon America cars. Solar Class cars are similar to standard but include solar panel power.

The races on Sept. 24 prepare students for the Kansas ElectroRally Championship Series in the spring.

“Drivers get practice, teams get to hone their skills,” said Chretien.

Each car has an electric motor and up to 74 pounds of battery, and each car must have at least 180 pounds of cargo. If the driver weighs less than 180 pounds then students add additional weight. Students from North Central Kansas Technical College will inspect the vehicles.

The cars can hit a top speed of 40 miles per hour. Cars are not likely to go any faster because the track is not a simple straightway, and driving too fast from the start eats up battery power, said Chretien. “Those who last the longest start off slow.”

The top two finishers in both car classifications receive plaques, and one team will receive a team spirit plaque.

In the past, FHSU students have brought their own electric cars to the race; however, they are not eligible to win. This year, only one or two FHSU members from last year remain, which is not enough to run the cars.

“Hopefully, this will be the first year we draw students from other departments within the college,” said Chretien. “We also hope to draw students from the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science. This is a way for us to show solidarity,” said Chretien. “We work together. We don’t work apart.”

Sponsors provide lunch: Midwest Energy Inc., Sunflower Electric Power Corp., Pioneer Electric Cooperative Inc., and Western Cooperative Electric.

Registration opens at 7 a.m. inside the shelter house at the west end of Frontier Park. Schools register at no cost.

Kevin Vering, an electronics instructor at NCK Tech, will serve as race steward, making sure that all is in order and that participants are aware of the rules and practice good sportsmanship.

“Fort Hays State’s grounds department supplies tables, chairs and barrels. Ellis County EMS also attends the race as onsite medical personal with an ambulance.”

“The City of Hays parks department does a great job of cleaning up the track,” said Chretien.

“Everyone in town is welcomed to come watch,” he said. “Bring lawn chairs.”

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

One of the newest restaurants in Hays – The Golden Griddle, 230 W. Ninth – is about to make ordering easier with the development of an online mobile ordering app.

Once the sole domain of large chain restaurants, the Griddle hopes to bring the ease of mobile ordering to their stand alone restaurant soon, allowing patrons the ease of ordering and paying online and arriving only to pick up their order.

“It basically just eliminate the hassle of calling and ordering over the phone,” said Brady Herman, general manager.

“I know larger chains … they just pay people to run that constantly, but this is the first non-chain business to try it,” he said.

With the new business still settling into its customer base, Herman has hopes the app also drives additional business.

“Our expectations are very high for the carryout. I think it will eliminate a lot of hassle,” he said. “I think it will generate a lot more carryouts, since they don’t have come inside and wait in line.”

Herman also hopes when the app is finished, it will also be available through Facebook.

With any technological innovation comes implementation concerns and this one has been no different, but those are being addressed in the time before the launch in order for a smooth rollout to take place.

The team that is building the app – made up of people from all over the world, including former IBM employees – will be selling the app to the Griddle outright, and is concerned the app might have errors when Apple iPhone system updates occur, in which case they will need to be rehired to fix the problem. The Griddle is also exploring the best setup with the current point-of-sale system in the restaurant.

“We have a point-of-sale system back by the window that has a cash drawer,” Herman said, but an iPad also might be mounted in the area to assist staff with the ordering process.

The system could be ready as early as October and, as part of the launch, the Griddle is planning a test scenario with the public to ensure the system is fully ready prior to a full-scale launch. But the app is nearly ready.

“It’s built. I’ve seen it. There is just a little more back end stuff they have to finish up,” Herman said.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

After nearly two hours of discussion in front of a full house in the audience, four Hays city commissioners last night agreed to look further at the proposed Big Creek Travel Plaza from NWK Investments, LLC, with some changes.

Commissioner James Meier was absent from Thursday’s work session.

James Millensifer, Vice President of Operations for Chance Management, which would manage the project, and Hays attorney Don Hoffman, presented a revised plan for Phase 1.

Although each commissioner indicated their support of the full-service truck stop that would be built just north of the west I-70 exit, ultimately they rejected two of the three requested economic development opportunities available from the city.

Click HERE for the entire NWK Investments proposal to the city.

Commissioners did not support the request to establish a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district. There were also mixed reactions on whether to endorse the new request to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) as a way to avoid paying sales taxes on any construction materials.

The developer identified $10.5 million in TIF eligible costs, but only about $4 million are for public infrastructure–water, sewer, and street infrastructure. The rest of the TIF eligible costs are for land acquisition, site development and private streets/paving.

Commissioner Henry Schwaller also objected to the absence of information regarding an anticipated Return On Investment (ROI) for the developer, Mike Woofter of Colby. Millensifer responded that their attorney had advised against making that information public.

Gina Riekhof, Gilmore & Bell, P.C., serves as special counsel representing the city in the proposed Big Creek Travel Plaza and related development project. She told commissioners the city would not be liable for any financial default by the developer.

Ultimately, the commission directed Riekhof and city staff to begin negotiations with NWK Investments for a possible utilization of the third economic development option, a Community Improvement District (CID).

At Schwaller’s insistence, the city also wants to confidentially acquire the developer’s financial statements for the project. Those numbers are required to be submitted within the city’s economic development policy.

“I have no interest in knowing what they’re spending or the revenue they anticipate. I just want to make sure that our contribution is going to make the project viable–for the city and the developer,” said Schwaller.

Millensifer told commissioners he would “go back and ask the folks we’ve been working with to go back and look at our application and give me some advice for some advice on the areas that you are referring to.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

After withdrawing their proposal for consideration one day prior to the Aug. 6 Hays city commission work session, NWK Investments is back on the agenda tonight with a revised information packet for economic development assistance to build a travel plaza just northwest of town.

The written plan was criticized by Commissioners James Meier and Lance Jones for being riddled with errors. Meier also said the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development was “not doing its job” in bringing forth the proposal to the commission.

Aaron White, ECCED executive director, who was not present at the Aug. 6 session, will be in attendance tonight, alongside James Millensifer representing Chance Management and NWK Investments.  They will present the revised proposal and request for feedback and direction.

According to a memo to the commission from Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty, the  proposal has been rewritten to clarify what the applicant is requesting.

There are three modifications to the existing proposal. The first modification is that the developer is asking the city to issue Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bonds to finance the TIF eligible costs. This is a deviation from what was originally proposed when the developer claimed to have financing in place and proposed to finance, construct and install all necessary infrastructure. In the second change, the developer is now asking the city to authorize the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds. According to Dougherty, the developer is asking for this as a way to avoid paying sales taxes on any construction materials. The third change is a revised CID petition that covers only the property being developed. The previous petition was for several lots that will comprise the proposed TIF district.

Other items on tonight’s agenda for discussion include a proposal from Mayer Specialty Services for sanitary heavy sewer cleaning; a bid for improvements to King’s Gate Addition Phase 2 and placement of an entrance sign to the subdivision; and a rezoning request for a portion of 1601 E. 27th Frontage Road from single-family residential district (R-1) to multi-family dwelling district (R-4).

You can see the complete agenda here.

The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main Street.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Uniting Our Community” is the theme for the United Way of Ellis County  2015 campaign  which formally kicked off last Friday and is already well on the way to reaching its $490,000 goal.

The event was part of the monthly member luncheon of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, to which representatives of the 15 UWEC member agencies were invited.

The new UWEC Executive Director, Sherry Dryden, told the crowd last year’s campaign goal of $490,000 unfortunately fell short with only $450,000 reached.

“The 15 United Way agencies provided more than 17,000 services last year.  That’s a huge, huge number.  I was flabbergasted and of course, I got goose bumps thinking about that,” Dryden said.  “But we still had some people we had to turn away.  There were 2,300 individuals we could not provide services for due to funding shortages.”

She had much better news to share.

“As of 10 a.m. Friday, Aug.28, we are at 23 percent towards our goal, thanks to our local Pacesetter companies, and not all of the Pacesetters have turned in their donations. Last year at this time, I understand, we were at 17 percent of the goal,” Dryden announced to a round of applause.

UWEC is slowing starting to migrate from a partnership model to a community model, Dryden explained.  “We’re all working together.  It’s not United Way and member agencies; we’re all working together. We’re also agencies that are working together for each other.”

She gave the example of  the ACCESS van’s recent campaign for school supplies donations in lieu of paying for a ride.   The supplies were donated to Backpacks for Kids at First Call for Help .  First Call for Help is a UWEC member agency; the ACCESS van is operated by Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, also a member agency.

Nearly all of the money raised by UWEC stays in Ellis County–99 percent–of which 16 percent is used for administrative costs.   The remaining one percent goes to United Way Worldwide.

“Now more than ever, individuals need assistance. We as a united community need to do all we can to give. Even if it is just a small amount, it all adds up,” Dryden said.

Eagle Communications is a UWEC Pacesetter Company.  In 1953, the company founder, Bob Schmidt, organized what was then the United Way of Hays.

Disclosure: Becky Kiser, an Eagle Communications employee/owner, is the 2015 UWEC Campaign Chair.

 

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

QUINTER — On Tuesday, the Gove County Medical Center in Quinter officially opened its new lactation clinic to a crowd of about 50 people, including breastfeeding advocates from the Northwest Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition.

“The lactation clinic will provide education and support for infants and breastfeeding mothers including nutritional information, physical and emotional support and assistance with challenges of breastfeeding,” said Carolyn Nelson, grant writer, in a release after the event.

“Coleen Tummons, CEO, performed the ribbon cutting with the support of Dr. Shelly Gruenbacher, Annie Staats, R.N., DON, and the three lactation consultants, Jamie Mense, R.N., IBCLC, Stephanie Mesch, R.N., CLC, and Wendy Schmidt, R.N., CLC,” she said.

The event also featured a history of breastfeeding during the last few decades.

“Karen Huffman and Patrice Ostmeyer, former La Leche League leaders, shared how the status of breastfeeding has changed dramatically from the 1960s when it had negative connotations to the positive status it enjoys today. The change of status is in large part due to the vision and efforts of these women and others,” Nelson said.

The BESTT – Breastfeeding Essentials Support Thriving Together – Lactation Clinic will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday excluding holidays.

 

 

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Hays Middle School has confirmed two cases of viral meningitis, causing many parents to be concerned about sending their children to the school. Those concerns are unfounded, however, as the viral form of meningitis should not be confused with the much more serious – and often deadly – bacterial meningitis.

“We have had two confirmed cases of viral meningitis this school year at the middle school,” said Mary Ann Shorman, lead nurse at Hays Middle School, in a notice sent to school staff.

“Viral meningitis is not contagious. If you have close contact with someone who has viral meningitis, you may become infected with the virus that caused that person to be sick, but you are not likely to develop meningitis as a complication of the illness,” she said.

According to the Center for Disease Control there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis in most cases. Most people who get viral meningitis completely recover on their own within seven to 10 days. However, people with meningitis caused by certain viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza, may benefit from treatment with an antiviral medication.

Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord and is commonly caused by non-polio enteroviruses.

While there are no vaccines for the illness the CDC offers the following tips to avoid the viruses that can cause meningitis.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, or coughing or blowing your nose.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.

Symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and lethargy, according to the CDC.

The full fact sheet from the CDC on viral meningitis can be found here.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Two Dodge City women were arrested over the weekend in connection with a number of thefts at Hays retailers.

According to the Hays Police Department, Roberta Toya Gonzalez, 43, and Angie Pilar Parra, 30, both of Dodge City, were arrested and a juvenile was taken into custody Sunday evening at Hastings Entertainment after they were identified in a string of shoplifting incidents at the entertainment store.

HPD Lt. Brandon Wright said at 6:13 p.m. Sunday employees from Hastings reported the women, who had had been identified as suspects in previous thefts at the store, were in the store.

The women had been identified on security cameras on multiple occasions, and the police department is investigating five more cases they believe are connected.

The initial estimated value of the items stole from Hasting was $1,700, according to Wright.

During a search of the suspect’s vehicle, officers reportedly found a significant amount of stolen items, valued at more than $1,800, that allegedly had been taken from eight other retailers in Hays.

Following the arrest, the juvenile was handed over to a relative.

“Hastings themselves made it happen,” Wright said. “They have been watching, (and) these people were on their radar.”

Officers continue to investigate similar cases they believe could be linked.