By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved a resolution banning all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county at Monday’s commission meeting. The resolution adds Ellis to a growing list of counties in western and central Kansas issuing burn bans due to persistent dry conditions.

The resolution bans all outdoor burning, including trash barrels, fire pits, trash pits, fire chimneys and fields.

Firefighters battled a wildfire last week, fueled by extreme dry and windy conditions that burned nearly 6,000 acres of grassland in northern Ellis county and another 1,600 acres in western Russell County.

Anyone caught in violation of the ban can be charged with a misdemeanor and faces a fine of up to $500 if convicted.

Counties that have already issued a burn ban include Rooks, Russell, Graham, Ness, Phillips and Ellsworth counties. The Barton County Commission also issued a temporary burn ban Monday.

The Ellis County ban takes effect upon publication in the county newspaper of record.

The commission also issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday, March 14, 2017, as Rural Firefighters Day.

The proclamation aims to recognize the volunteer firefighters in Ellis County, under the direction of Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers and volunteer firefighters across Kansas and the country.

“I know that it’s been a tough week and a half, two weeks for a lot of members of Ellis County as well as landowners and farmers but we have a lot to be grateful for a group of 82 men and women that volunteer for us and really take care of Ellis county,” said Commissioner Barb Wasinger.

Wasinger said the county also wants to thank farmers and local landowners, the Red Cross, and everyone who pitched in to help during last week’s wildfires.

Myers thanked the commission for the recognition and added, “We didn’t do it all ourselves.”

“Ellis County EMS, Public Works, all the farmers, Midland Marketing, all the countless landowners that drove 20 miles across the county to bring us water,” Myers said. “We had multiple families from Ellis and Russell County bring us food.”

The county also accepted a donation of $100 from a family in southeast Ellis County that will be used to help purchase wildland face shields. Ellis County firefighters were recently called to the Pfeifer area for a grass fire and the family wanted to show its appreciation.

The two new face pieces, which help prevent firefighters from breathing in dirt and smoke, will go to Company 4 in Victoria. Myers said they typically do not accept monetary donations from citizens during or after emergency incidents.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved Health Services Director Kerry McCue to sign a contract with Atlantic Health Partners that will allow the Health Department to purchase vaccines and other pharmaceuticals at a reduced rate.

• Authorized Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus to destroy election ballots from previous elections.

• Voted to rejoin the National Association of Counties. The commission had previously dropped its membership in the organization because of rising membership cost but, because the fees were cut in half, the commission voted to rejoin the organization.

• Voted 2-1 to approve a conditional use permit for a piece of property in the county that will be used for a trailer sales business. The location will be used to store trailers for the online sales business.

The commission also met in three separate executive sessions but took no action.

County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said the commission will meet in a joint meeting with the Victoria city commission on April 17.

By C.D.DeSALVO
Hays Post

For employees and members of the Hays Recreation Commission, March 15, 2017, has been a long time coming. Since 2012-13, the HRC has been looking into a project to expand the fitness center to create a bigger area for members that use the facilities. On March 16, 2016, officials broke ground just north of the current HRC building to start the nearly 13,000-square-foot project.

Fast forward a year, and the new fitness center is built and waiting to be filled with equipment.

“The building has come along really nicely, and I am pleased with the final product,” said HRC Superintendent Roger Bixenman. “It is going to expand our current space by quadruple, and I think the patrons that come through the doors are going to be really happy with what we have.”

But it is not just cardio and weight equipment that will take up space in the new building. The new facility also features two rooms for group fitness classes as well as bigger bathrooms with more showers and lockers.

“We will have two rooms for group fitness. Right now, we use one of the basketball gyms for group fitness so that will in turn help us free up that gym for what it was intended for originally like sports programs and practices in the evenings and games on the weekends,” Bixenman said. “A new spin class that we have never offered before will be in one of the group fitness rooms, and we will also have aerial yoga for the first time. There will definitely be some unique programming and just having more area and more space, bigger locker room facilities as well with bathrooms and showers, that is exciting.”

The staff also will have expanded space. The Wellness Director will have an office as will the Fitness Specialist to conduct better private consultation and fitness assessments. The HRC also features five certified personal trainers that will have more freedom and room for personal training after the move to the new building.

On Monday and Tuesday, some of the current equipment will be taken apart and moved to the new facility and about $100,000 worth of new cardio and weight equipment will arrive in time for the official opening on Wednesday.

With the new building will come new business hours as well. The facility will open from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“If there is a need or demand for people wanting to have us stay open later, we will entertain that,” Bixenman said.

With the new facility, the HRC will go through the process of hiring more part-time help, offering approximately 20 to 25 hours a week. For more information, contact Wellness Director Dave Quillin at [email protected].

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The final figures are in for the damage done during this week’s two-day wildfire in Ellis and Russell counties. They’re higher than originally estimated.

Following a meeting this morning, Ellis Co. Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said 6,000 acres of grassland burned in northeast Ellis County and 1,600 acres burned in western Russell County. The total is 7,600 acres.

“The fire was 100 percent contained Wednesday afternoon. No structures were lost,” Myers said. “We did get reports of 6 cattle killed and another 11 injured, some of which may have to be euthanized.”

The information will be reported to the state.

The fire started about 3 p.m. Tuesday near Codell Road in Ellis County between Catharine and the Saline River, just five miles from the Russell County line. High gusty winds pushed the fire east through rough terrain and into western Russell County, south of Fairport. Residents of the small town were advised to evacuate their homes.

Late Tuesday evening, Ellis Co. Commission Chairwoman issued a local disaster proclamation for the county.

“That opens up options for me as Emergency Director in being able to pull in additional resources which are outside of my budget authority,” Myers explained. There is a limit, though. “No Black Hawk helicopters which cost about $5,000 to $6,000 an hour,” he added.

Rooks County did utilize helicopters this week to scoop up water from Webster Lake in fighting a large wildfire west of Stockton.

What may be of the most help following the disaster declaration is qualifying for state grants. Myers said his office has applied for two grants which would benefit Ellis County and possibly land owners. Certain criteria have to be met including whether homes were evacuated.

“This appears to be an accidental fire. A disconnect failed on a lightning arrester at an oil lease site. The disconnect shorted out, started to spark and started nearby grass on fire,” Myers said earlier.

Russell county commissioners declared a ban burn Friday morning which will stay in place until it is repealed.

A proposed burn ban is on the Mon., March 13 meeting agenda for Ellis county commissioners.

According to Myers, several area counties including Rooks, Trego, Ness and Graham counties have already issued burn bans or are in the process of doing so.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The wild fire that started in northeast Ellis County Tuesday mid-afternoon and was finally 100 percent contained late Wednesday afternoon, also did damage in western Russell County, near Fairport.

(Drone video/photos courtesy Mike Schoech)

According to Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Manager Keith Haberer, the fire started about 3 p.m. Tuesday near Codell Road in Ellis County between Catharine and the Saline River, just five miles from the Russell County line. High gusty winds pushed the fire east through rough terrain. Haberer says the fire was one mile into Russell County after 7 p.m. as the wind began to subside.

Residents in Fairport, near the Saline River in far western Russell County, were advised to evacuate their homes.

Firefighters from Ellis County, Russell and Osborne County responded to the blaze.

No inhabited structures in Russell or Ellis counties were burned and there were no report of injuries. Haberer estimated about 1,200 acres of grassland was burned in Russell County. No estimate report was immediately available from Ellis County.

The fire was accidental according to Ellis Co. Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers. “This appears to be an accidental fire. A disconnect failed on a lightning arrester at an oil lease site. The disconnect shorted out, started to spark and started nearby grass on fire,” Myers said.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS COUNTY–The wildfire in northeast Ellis County is finally extinguished.

According to a news release from Ellis County, the fire was “100 percent contained as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday with no spot fires at this time. Three brush trucks and one water tanker are remaining on scene for the next few hours to ensure no additional re-ignition.”

According to Ellis Co. Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.

“This appears to be an accidental fire. A disconnect failed on a lightning arrester at an oil lease site. The disconnect shorted out, started to spark and started nearby grass on fire,” Myers said in the release.

The mile-wide fire started started in the 2500 block of Codell Ave. about mid-afternoon Tuesday and moved east eight miles through Ellis County and into Russell County. Myers said it was 80 to 90 percent contained as of 8 a.m. this morning.

No damage to buildings or injuries were reported.

Ellis County EMS and Public Works were also on the scene assisted by units from Russell County.

Wednesday was the third consecutive day of wildfires in Ellis County with emergency personnel battling shifting winds with gusts of more than 45 mph and extremely low humidity.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Wednesday’s less windy weather forecast is one bright spot for Ellis County rural firefighters and other emergency responders now in their third day of battling wildfires.

By 8 a.m. this morning, Darin Myers, Dir. of Fire and Emergency Management, estimated the wildfire in northeast Ellis County was 80 to 90 percent contained. The mile-wide fire started in the 2500 block of Codell Ave. about mid-afternoon Tuesday and moved east about eight miles through Ellis County and into Russell County.

Firefighters at the scene Tuesday night were also having to battle unofficial motorist traffic. They are asking the public to stay out of the area for their safety and the safety of emergency crews.

No structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported, according to information from the county.

Ellis Co. Commission Chairwoman Barbara Wasinger proclaimed a state of local emergency at 9 p.m. Tuesday night due to concerns about local resources.

“We’d like to thank our firefighters, both volunteers and professionals, as well as our other staff and area residents who assisted in minimizing the damage caused by the fire,” Wasinger said in a statement. “Ellis County is very fortunate to have dedicated individuals who respond when needed. However, I am issuing this proclamation due to the severity of this fire and the fact that is has taxed our resources.”

Myers expected crews to remain on the site throughout today. Personnel from Ellis Co. Public Works, Ellis County EMS and several Russell County agencies are assisting.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant for the possibility of additional wildfires and report any suspected fires to 911 immediately. Relative humidity levels are expected to remain at dangerously low levels Wednesday.

According to American Red Cross volunteer Pete Peterson of Hays, the local ARC was at the fire until “about midnight last night after feeding about 100 firefighters. We’re going back with lunch today to feed 40 people at noon.”

According to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDME), 650,000 acres of Kansas land has been burned in the last few days. At 10 a.m. this morning, KDME reported active fires in Ellis, Russell and Rooks counties as well as several others across the state.

 

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

RUSSELL COUNTY–A Russell County man started his day in the air, viewing Monday’s fire damage to his land near Lake Wilson. Just after he landed his Cessna 183 airplane, Virgil Lawson went right back to the area, this time in a ground vehicle.

Lawson is a volunteer for the Sylvan Grove Fire Department in Lincoln County to the east, and lives near the dam at Lake Wilson.

“I have pasture on the south side of the lake by Minooka Park. I was piloting a Cessna 182 about 9:30 a.m. this morning and took several photos while surveying the burn damage to my pastures.

“I am also on the Sylvan Grove Fire Department, and right after landing, I was dispatched to the lake fire again today. I’ve been manning a water tanker filling fire trucks at the command post at Exit 206 (on Interstate 70 at Wilson),” Lawson told Hays Post early Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters from Russell, Ellis and Osborne counties were on the scene at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday of another fire in Russell County south of Fairport. This one started about 3:20 p.m. in northeast Ellis County. Fairport residents and area rural residents were advised to vacate their homes.

“There are a lot of guys on these volunteer departments have been on these fires for a couple of days now with very little sleep,” Lawson added.

Lawson is one of those many volunteers.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

RUSSELL COUNTY–Monday’s wildfire at Wilson Lake destroyed the former CC’s convenience store and at least one mobile home, the owner of which also lost a dog and horse to the flames.

Dorrance resident Larry Calvery owns the mobile home that housed Calvery Convenience since 2006, although it has not been open for several years because of the low water level at Wilson.

“It’s burned to a crisp,” Calvery said Tuesday morning after inspecting the damage. “I’ve never seen such devastation.”

In addition to the mobile home, Calvery’s pontoon boat and an unused camper were also destroyed. “The only thing left on the boat is the motor. The pontoons melted into silver streaks left on the ground,” Calvery said. “It’s going to be an easy cleanup. There’s nothing left to salvage.”

Calvery had hoped to reopen CC’s later this spring in a new facility. “Now, I don’t know if I will. It’s too soon to tell.”

The mobile home just east of CC’s was also destroyed. Calvery said his neighbor “Andy Phelps’ home was completely burned, and he lost one dog and one horse. He has four other horses at the vet today being treated for injuries.”

He had also planned to build a house at Wilson Lake and be living in it by how. Those plans have been delayed. “That’s the one bright spot,” Calvery said. “Otherwise, that would be gone, too.”

Calvery said the fire appeared to miss the campground and docks, although one dock was blown over by the high winds. “Marine Specialty is also OK,” he added.

The wildfire started south of Minooka Park, where Calvery reported the damage, about 2:30 p.m. Monday. It burned southeast into the Wilson State Park area. The north wind caused the fire to jump Interstate 70 and Kansas Highway 232. Residents of Wilson were told to evacuate the town early Monday evening, although no damage or injuries were reported.

I-70 between Russell and the Sylvan Grove exit was closed for a time due to limited visibility caused by the smoke.

GOVE COUNTY – A semi driver was injured in an accident just before noon on Monday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Freightliner semi driven by Jesus
Escareno, 46, Houston, TX., was westbound on Interstate 70 at the Oakley exit.

A gust of wind struck the vehicle and caused it to flip over into the north ditch.

Escareno was transported to the Logan County Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

The accident was one of at least four semis blown over by gusting wind between Colby and Grainfield on Monday.

Russell Regional Hospital 

RUSSELL — Russell Regional Hospital, 200 S. Main, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday on the front lawn of the hospital to celebrate the start of construction of a new physicians’ clinic and expansion of physical therapy services.

Refreshments were served and attendees were able to visit with hospital representatives regarding the project.

The expansion project is just one part of the hospital’s Campaign for Continuing Excellence that started in 2014 to renovate its facilities and add services. Actual construction will begin Monday when Hays-based Commercial Builders begins the process to prepare the construction site. The project is projected to take eight months to complete. Weather permitting, the new clinic could be open for operation before the end of 2017.

Included in the new construction and expansion is a physician clinic that will house up to eight providers, supporting staff including nurses, front office personnel, billing personnel and a clinic manager. Physical therapy will be expanded by approximately 1,100 square feet and will house physical therapy, occupation therapy, speech therapy and intermediate fitness. The occupational department will be expanded to include equipment to train patients to return to the home and perform activities of daily living including cooking, stocking food, washing clothes and bathing.

Following the move to the new clinic, the existing physician’s clinic will be given a light facelift and will house specialty clinics currently held at the Lampert building at Main Street and Wichita Avenue. Other clinics expected to be held in the existing clinic will be those currently performing work on second floor of the hospital.

Part of the construction project but already in place was the reopening of surgery. Since the opening in May 2016, the numbers have steadily increased and the beginning of general surgery is planned for later this year.

Harold Courtois, hospital CEO, stated, “After three years of visioning, planning and preparation we are very excited to begin the construction process. The new construction will allow our patients to be treated in a state of the art facility not only in the new clinic but in physical therapy. Those patients wanting to work out in intermediate therapy will have a brand new, first floor room with a bank of windows to the west. We could not have completed this project without the generosity of the people of Russell County and other former citizens who chose to donate to our project. We are blessed to have such generous people and cannot thank everyone enough.”

Courtois continued, “Thanks go out to the Campaign for Excellence Committee consisting of honorary co-chairs Dr. Earl Merkel and Nancy Holland, committee members Ken Elliot, Pam Gudenkauf, Melinda Olson, Morris Krug, Diana Morris, Sylvia Newton, Brad Wagner, Harold Courtois and Katy Oste Hertel, Campaign Coordinator. The work done by this committee was able to raise a good share of the funds available for the project. Katy Oste Hertel also was able to write grants that resulted in additional funds from several sources. We are grateful to our medical staff and employees who have donated and some who continue to donate through payroll deduction.”

“The vision of the County Hospital Board and the West Central Kansas Board allowed us to move forward during a time when oil and agriculture were experiencing a difficult time. I think that is what makes the success of this campaign so amazing,” Courtois concluded.

By JORDYN DAKE
HHS Guidon

Hays High School qualified 18 students for state after taking 29 awards in 19 events at the regional journalism competition that took place on Feb. 23 at Fort Hays State University.

The contest sponsored by the Kansas Scholastic Press Association featured several schools from classes 1A to 4A. It was one of the five regional contests held in the state. Hays competed in the 3A/4A division.

In order to qualify for state, students had to place first, second or third in any event or receive an honorable mention. Hays had multiple qualifiers in several different categories and those 18 students that qualified will account for the 29 entries on the state level.

The state competition will take place in Lawrence on May 3.

Individual Entries

Junior Abby Balman

Infographics – Honorable Mention

Yearbook Layout – 2nd

Junior Amiyah Gonzalez

Editorial Writing – 1st

Senior Brianna Brin

Yearbook Copywriting – 2nd

Yearbook Theme and Graphics – Honorable Mention (with senior Hannah Tomasson)

Editorial Writing – 2nd

Junior Elizabeth Lee

Editorial Cartoon – 1st

Sophomore Hannah Harman

Academics Photography – 1st

Senior Hannah Norris

Feature Writing – 1st

Senior Hannah Tomasson

Cutline Writing – 3rd

Yearbook Theme and Graphics – Honorable Mention (with senior Brianna Brin)

Sophomore Isabelle Braun

Copy Editing – 3rd

Sophomore Jacob Maska

Sports Writing – 3rd

Sophomore Jacie Robinson

Student Life Photography – 2nd

Senior Jordyn Dake

Copy Editing – 1st

Junior Lacey Gregory

News Writing – 2nd

News Page Design – 1st

Headline Writing and Design – 1st

Senior Madison Crees

Headline Writing and Design – 2nd

News Page Design – 3rd

Senior Peyton Augustine

Sports Writing – 1st

Senior Savannah Unsworth

Sports Photography – 3rd

Senior Sierra Eichman

Yearbook Copy Writing – 3rd

Cutline Writing – 2nd

Academics Photography – 2nd

Sophomore Taylor Schiffelbein

Yearbook Sports – 3rd

Senior Tiana Lawson

Photo Illustration – 1st

Yearbook Theme and Graphics – 1st (with senior Sierra Eichman)

Advertising – 2nd

Infographics – 3rd

Many of these contestants were first-timers and had mixed opinions coming into the contest.

“I was really nervous to compete, but afterwards I felt pretty good about what I had done,” Senior Peyton Augustine said. “I didn’t place in the yearbook competition I was in, but I did get 1st in Newspaper Sports Writing.”

Augustine said she would’ve been upset had she not placed in sports writing as she is the sports editor for the Guidon, but is happy with the results.

“When we were waiting for the results, I was pretty positive Jacob Maska was going to beat me,” Augustine said. “He ended up getting third place and I am really, really proud of him for that.”

Even the journalism students that did not participate are proud of their peers.

“We took a clean sweep of 10 first-places,” senior Kristen Nease said. “I did not participate but I am very proud of my peers because I get to see their hard work throughout the school year. It’s really heartwarming to see them succeed in something they love.”

Journalism adviser Bill Gasper is very proud of the results.

“I have a great group of talented students and I am very proud of them,” Gasper said. “I love that they are so dedicated to journalism. I am confident that we will receive similar results at the state competition.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The proposed 2017 Street Maintenance program for the city of Hays includes a $108,670 overage to rehabilitate the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex road.

Over the winter, the road deteriorated badly, due in large part to construction of the new Fort Hays State University track and field facility, Public Works Director Greg Sund reported to city commissioners Thursday night.

“We’re looking at having to rebuild the road because the base is just gone,” Sund said. “The university has agreed to pay 20 percent of the cost.”

Sund is proposing the city’s share would come out of the Special Highway fund. The commissioners objected to that idea.

“It’s the sports complex,” said Vice-Mayor James Meier. “Is there any reason that other 80 percent can’t be paid out of the CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) or the sports complex?” he asked.

City Manager Toby Dougherty said the funds could also come from the sports complex budget or the special parks fund.

“It’s horrendous what happened out there,” said Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, who looked at the road with Hays Parks Director Jeff Boyle. “I don’t think 20 percent from Fort Hays is enough.”

FHSU paid 20 percent of the original cost to construct the sports complex road. The FHSU soccer stadium, built in 2011, is on the southeast side of the facility.

According to Dougherty, the blame doesn’t lie entirely with the university. The road problems existed prior to construction of the FHSU track and field facility.

“When we built the sports complex (it opened in the fall of 2011), the group promoting it to the voters oversold what we could build for $8 million,” Dougherty said. “The commission decided they wanted the complex that looked like what was sold to the voters — meaning eight ball diamonds, eight softball/football fields — and so we had to cut corners in a lot of places. The parking lots and road were one of those areas. They were all paved in the initial concept.”

By happenstance, when the facility was under construction, a portion of Vine Street was also being replaced. Dougherty explained how millings off Vine Street were used to build the sports complex road.

“We hired a company to rejuvenate those millings and then J-Corp of Hays agreed to lay down the millings on the complex road if we would name the road ‘S P Drive’ after Steve Pfannenstiel. We agreed to that. The millings were put down and the city put a couple chip seals over the top. The road problems started creeping up a little bit before construction of the Fort Hays State Track and Field Facility. The heavy construction truck traffic really just drove home the issue.

“When we investigated, we found it wasn’t so much a problem with the base as the fact the the millings had kind of turned to sand. They weren’t rejuvenated properly by the company, and we had no way of knowing that until they were on the sports complex road and kind of turned back to sand. So you have the movable base under the chip seal top now. We have to go back and grind everything in and re-compact it.”

Dougherty said the city has talked to FHSU, and in addition to paying 20 percent of the road repair costs, “they’ve agreed that every year when we do our maintenance out there, they’ll pay 20 percent of whatever we do. They’ve acknowledged partial ownership of this thing going forward.”

“And even though the north area of the road isn’t showing quite as much damage as the south end, it’s in the same kind of shape, so it makes no sense not to do the same thing to it,” added Sund. “The north end was not heavily trafficked by construction vehicles.”

The chip seal work must be done in warm weather to adhere correctly. Sund expected it would probably be done in July. Commissioners directed Sund to coordinate the work schedule with the Hays Recreation Commission to avoid summer tournament traffic at the complex as much as possible.

Sund also mentioned he’s received some complaints about trucks using the sports complex as a shortcut.

“We’re going to be putting up signs saying ‘No Through Truck Traffic.'”

Commissioners will consider approving the $1.054 million 2017 Street Maintenance program at their March 9 meeting.