Cottonwood Extension District

Ellis County wheat farmers, don’t miss out on entering your best wheat into the Ellis County Fair – Open Class Market Wheat Show.

Entries are fast and easy. Fill up a provided bag of your best wheat while unloading at the elevator or at your bins at home and return a crop data card after harvest to either the elevator or Cottonwood Extension – Hays office, 601 Main.

Cash and ribbons will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Entries are due to the elevator or Cottonwood Extension office by July 5.

For more information, call Cottonwood Extension Office at (785) 628-9430.

WAKEENEY — The 109th annual Trego County Free Fair begins Sunday, July 14.

See the full schedule of events below or click HERE for more information.

Hays-area garage sales

Scroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly. 

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660 Commerce Parkway, Hays
Friday, June 28th 12pm-7pm

Sofas, chairs, kitchen tables, end tables, kitchen and household items, books, new and collectible items!! Many many more items, too numerous to mention!!

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1706 Anthony Drive, Hays
3 day sale: July 27-29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Th/F 8 a.m.-noon Sat.

Tools, glassware, baker’s rack, small table/4 chairs, file cabinets, record player/speakers, VHS, DVD players, desk, too many items to mention.

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103 East 1st Street, Luray
Saturday, June 29th 8 am – 8 pm; Sunday, June 30th 11 am – 6 pm

(3 Buildings of Merchandise – Rain or Shine) *Cast Iron Implement Seats (Hoosier, etc.) *Vintage Silhouette Pictures *Depression Glass *Vintage Ice Cream Stool & Chair *Niehoff Automotive Products Metal Display Shelf *Vintage Gas Wagon Cabinet with Gallon Counter *Vintage Avon Decanters (some in boxes) *Canning Jars *Vintage and newer Fishing Gear *Arts/Crafts Supplies *Crochet Thread *Ceramic Paints *Vintage and newer kitchen items *Belt Buckles (including Union Pacific RR) *Oak Barstools & Dining Chairs *Modern Oak China Cabinet *Vintage and newer Automotive/Shop Tools * Piano *And Much, Much More! Pet free/smoke free home Cash only, please. JUST ONE OF MANY GARAGE SALES AT THE LURAY COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE EVENT – SATURDAY, JUNE 29th

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3715 East 13th Street, Hays
Fri 9:00-5:30, Sat 8:00-11:00

1/4 mile east of Commerce Pkwy on 13th Street.
Home & Wedding Decor, Women’s Med. Scrubs, Bedding, Baby Items, Purses, Formals, Entertainment Center, Surround Sound System, Smith & Wessen Wood Pellet Grill & Misc. Items.

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321 West 32 St., Hays
Saturday, June 29: 8-1

Board games, toys, sewing table, boys’ bikes, outdoor rug, sleeping bags, camping tent, Men’s clothes S & M, women’s clothes XL, boys’ soccer cleats, & more!

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1519 Marjorie, Hays
Thursday 6/27 4-dark, Friday 6/28 10-dark

3 family sale. Clothing kids 4T & up mostly girls, teen clothes, household, books, miscellaneous. Something for everyone

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1901a East 24th (corner of 24th & Haney), Hays
Friday June 28 8:30-3. Saturday 8-11

Items: antique saddle, kids activity table, collectibles, dishes, tools, high chair, strollers, toys, display case, mailbox doors and more.

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108 W. 38th St., Hays
Friday, June 28, 8 am-6 pm

Xbox games, Legos, toys, crib mattress, twin mattress and box spring, pub table, snare drum, alto saxophone, name brand clothing (children, teen and adult), household items, misc.

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2304 Donald Drive, Hays
Friday 4-8pm. Saturday 8-1pm (28-29th)

Bicycles, smoker, tv, recliners, tv stand and kids clothes

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2501 Henry, Hays
June 28th 4-8pm and June 29th 8-11am

Ariens XT-6 Lawnmower, home decor-Christmas decor, women’s and men’s clothing, Barbie doll house, children’s books, girl’s clothing ( sizes 6-7-8), Barbie dolls, play stroller/shopping cart, misc toys, DVD’s children’s, furniture-dresser, Girls Bike, firepit, misc household.

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4604 Coolidge Court, Hays
Friday, June 28 from 10am-6pm

Clothes, household items, kitchen items, namebrand jeans, lots of misc.

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204 West 23rd, Hays
Saturday only 8am-1

Household items and misc.

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UPDATE: Bank caught up in Plainville check-kiting scheme under FDIC scrutiny

UPDATED: 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 28, with comment from bank chairman of the board Shad Chandler.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Almena Bank of Almena stipulated to a consent order with the FDIC to correct what court records called “unsafe and unsound banking practices and violations of laws and regulations.”

The consent order was dated March 28, 2019, but the order indicated the recommendations were based on a bank examination on Nov. 5, 2018. As part of the consent agreement, the bank did not admit to any wrong doing.

Shad Chandler, Almena Bank chairman of the board, said the bank had a strong management, the consent order is being addressed and that he expects the consent order to be lifted soon.

Almena Bank is one of the banks caught in a $2 billion check-kiting scheme, involving Tyler and Camden Gillum and their cattle market agency, Plainville Livestock Commission.

Almena Bank held the operating account and the custodial account for the Plainville Livestock Commission.

On Feb. 12, Almena Bank froze two of Plainville Livestock Commission’s bank accounts, one of which held more than $900,000 When the bank froze the accounts, tens of thousands of dollars worth of checks Gillum had written to area ranchers who had recently sold cattle at the Plainville Livestock Commission bounced.

The Livestock Commission filed for bankruptcy March 1. The livestock producers are yet to be paid as the case makes its way through the court system. The funds the Plainville Livestock Commission had in its accounts with Almena Bank are now under the control of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

In an interpleader case filed by Almena Bank, the bank indicated Plainville Livestock Commission had defaulted on three loans with its bank totaling more than $3.49 million. According to bankruptcy records, the Livestock Commission owes more than $14.5 million to its creditors.

An auction was conducted by the bankruptcy court on Thursday for the real estate and much of the Livestock Commission’s equipment. 

According to court documents filed May 31 in federal bankruptcy court, the trustee indicated Almena State Bank has the first lien on the real property and the the second lien on the equipment. The first lien on the equipment is held by TBK Bank.

The consent order did not say if the Plainville Livestock Commission case had anything to do with the FDIC involvement at Almena Bank. The consent order also does not say if the bank examination on Nov. 5 had any bearing on the bank ultimately freezing the Plainville Livestock Commission’s accounts.

An official from the FDIC’s national public information office said it does not comment on consent orders. Bank examinations are confidential and can’t be released by law.

According to the FDIC website updated March 31, Almena Bank had assets of $125,235,000. Its net income for the year to date was -$3,357,000 According to its website, the bank has branches in Almena and Norton. [Corrected 11:41 a.m. Friday, June 28]

The consent order lays out 18 pages of corrective action required by the FDIC.

Read the entire consent order HERE.

Some of these included:

• Hiring a new CEO with experience working with problem banks.

• Adding two independent, outside directors.

• Hiring a third-party consultant to analyze the bank’s management, staffing, performance and compensation.

• Establishing a plan of action based on the consultant report, including a three-year strategic plan and a one-year profit and budget plan. This is to include plans on how to increase earnings at the bank.

• Not accept brokered deposits, which are usually large-denomination and are often sold by a bank to a brokerage, which then divides it into smaller pieces for sale to its customers, according to Investopedia.

• Increase its level of liquidity.

• Reduce the banks adversely classified assets and borrowers. These would be loans in which the repayment is in question.

• Review its loan policy and credit administration.

• Develop an independent loan review program.

• Develop a plan to strengthen the bank’s concentration of credit.

• Correct weaknesses in internal controls.

• Correct violations of laws, rules and regulations.

• Meet minimum capital requirements.

• The bank can’t pay dividends or management or director’s fees and bonuses at this time.

• Revise its interest rate risk policy.

The bank was required to disclose the consent order to its shareholders and make regular reports to regulators on its progress.

Chandler said in a call to the Hays Post on Friday afternoon, “The bank has a strong management team in place. We are addressing the consent order daily. Our management has experience dealing with consent orders, and we are confident the consent order will be lifted sometime in the near future.”

Previous calls to bank representatives to gain comment on the Plainville Livestock Commission case were not returned.

Almena Bank is not the only bank that has been caught up in the Gillums’ alleged wrong doings.

The indictment alleges the Gillums also defrauded Landmark Bank in Manhattan; Colorado East Bank and Trust in Lamar, Colo.; Astra Bank in Scandia; TBK Bank in Dallas; Guaranty State Bank in Beloit; and The Bank in Oberlin. Landmark Bank listed its loses in the bankruptcy at $8 million.

If possible, the trustee in the Plainville Livestock Commission bankruptcy case is supposed to report back to the court on the auction results as soon as Friday. The court case involving the bounced checks to the cattle ranchers is expected to be back in court at 10:30 a.m. July 11.

RELATED: Plainville economy trying to recover after two bankruptcies in a month

RELATED: Cattlemen affected by Plainville bankruptcy likely in for long wait

WAKEENEY — The WaKeeney Police Department has reported that the grenades found in a residential garage were disposed of Thursday evening.

The WPD said a special explosive ordinance disposal squad was dispatched from McConnell Air Force base near Wichita Thursday afternoon after the discovery of two World War II-era grenades in the 300 block of Warren.

The unit exploded the devices at 11 p.m. at the shooting range. The WPD, Trego County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, EMS and fire department all assisted in the operation.

“The home is now safe and there was at no time any danger to the public,” the WPD said in a social media report. “Thank you very much to all responders for your support.”

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Wed., June 26, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 1:05 AM
Welfare Check–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 11:18 AM
Animal At Large–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 1:25 PM
Dead Animal Call–400 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:03 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2500 block E 19th St, Hays; 5/25/18
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:08 PM; 3:40 PM
Mental Health Call–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:42 PM
Counterfeit currency/documents–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 5:43 PM
Theft (general)–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:35 PM; 5 PM
Civil Dispute–2700 block Vine, Hays; 9:58 PM
Suicidal Subject–100 block W 112th St, Hays; 10:13 PM
Suspicious Person–300 block E 25th St, Hays; 10:31 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:35 PM; 6:38 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Thu., June 27, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:23 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block W 23rd St, Hays; 10:08 AM
Water Use Violation–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 10:12 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–4100 block Vine St, Hays;  10:12 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 10:31 AM
Parking Complaint–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 10:33 AM
Theft (general)-4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 6/25 10:32 PM
Burglary/residence–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:01 AM
Tethering Violation–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:57 PM
Theft (general)–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 6/26 10 AM; 1 PM
Theft (general)–2700 block Thunderbird Cir, Hays; 2:34 PM
Water Use Violation–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:45 PM
Found/Lost Property–500 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:07 PM
Animal At Large–200 block E 24th St, Hays; 5:32 PM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 6:18 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 7 PM
Animal Call–2300 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 8:33 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:57 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays;  10:25 PM

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The increase in the renewal of property/liability insurance for the city of Hays was just 2% – $4,475 more than the prior period.

City commissioners Thursday night unanimously approved renewal of the 2019/2020 coverage with Midwest Public Risk (MPR) for $228,228.26 to be funded from the Intergovernmental Insurance and Surety line item in the budget.

The increase was capped at 2% for all MPR members. The city has been with MPR since 2017.

However, a property reappraisal conducted in August 2018, is expected to force a considerable hike in the premium for 2020/2021, according to Kim Rupp, finance director.

“I’ll caution that we’ll likely see a significant increase in our required contributions of the next renewal given [property] values have jumped quite a bit,” Rupp told commissioners. “It could be north of $25,000.”

The most notable valuation change was in buildings with an increase of almost $15.6 million.

MPR is a pool of public entities that includes cities, schools, counties, health departments, fire protection districts, ambulance districts, election boards and housing authorities.

 

Rupp is pleased with the city’s experience with the group in the past year, both in services offered and claims response.

“We’ve learned our 2% increase is well below the average in the marketplace of 6%,” he reported. “We’ve also learned insurance carriers are becoming more selective due to a huge influx of applications because of rate increases. Carriers are also tremendously cautious particularly due to convective storms that include tornadoes, hail and wind.”

“Given the tornadic activity we’ve seen in the last few years, I think we were very fortunate that we didn’t have some catastrophic weather incident here,” said Commissioner Eber Phelps, “especially when you look at the water treatment plant value at $3.8 million and the new appraised value at $9 million. That would have been quite a blow to the city to have to come up with that for rebuilding purposes.”

Mayor Henry Schwaller also noted the city has been fortunate when it comes to flooding.

“We’ve had a lot of rain last year and this year, and we’ve not had the flooding we’ve had historically.

“Part of it’s nature and city staff has done a really good job making sure the infrastructure is prepared,” said Schwaller.

The anticipated insurance premium increase is figured into the 2020 draft budget.

Commissioners will conduct their first review of the budget at the July 2 work session. Because Thursday falls on the July 4 holiday, the meeting will be held Tuesday.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The end is in sight, and sooner than expected, of the $28.4 million rebuild of the Hays wastewater treatment plant.

“We kicked off the project May 31, 2017, with the notice to proceed and final completion is set for Sept. 15, 2019,” Eric Farrow, HDR on-site engineer at the facility told city commissioners at the halfway mark last August.

“Final completion will be within the next couple of weeks,” City Manager Toby Dougherty reported during last night’s commission meeting.

“Now they’re working on very small punch-list items. There are some things we’re making sure get tweaked with the vendors.”

Substantial completion was done June 3, more than three months ahead of schedule.

“That means the liquid side’s up, the solids sides are up,” Dougherty explained. “All of the processes are working.”

The entire design/build team will appear before the city commission in July with a final update. Commissioners will later tour the improved facility.

According to Dougherty, the project not only was completed ahead of schedule but also under budget.

The city was fined $18,000 in 2012 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrate. The  wastewater treatment facility was built in 1953. The plant had to be upgraded to meet stricter permit requirements of the EPA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

From the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau