TOPEKA — Incoming Washburn University students have been awarded the Garvey Scholarship for the fall 2019 semester. The Garvey Scholarship is a renewable scholarship worth up to $2000, awarded to students with the highest scores on the Garvey Competitive Exam.
The exam is offered several times a year at Washburn University. High school seniors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher, who have previously applied for admittance to Washburn, qualify to take the exam. To learn more about the Garvey Scholarship, and other scholarships offered at Washburn University, visit washburn.edu/scholarships.
Scholarship recipients include:
• Kaleigh Ashbaugh of Hays, graduate of Hays High School
• Kade Urban of Hays, graduate of Thomas More Prep Marian HS
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
FridayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 11 to 17 mph.
Friday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
SundayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
The Ellis County Commission approved the purchase of four mechanical CPR units for its front-line ambulances during its meeting Monday.
The county received a Kansas Board of EMS KARF grant to pay for half of three of the units. The commissioners opted to pay for the fourth unit on its own. The total cost to the county will be $35,472.
Health Services Director Kerry McCue said the mechanical units are superior to CPR given by a person. The use of mechanical CPR units also frees up EMS staff to monitor patient medication and heart monitors.
It also increases safety of EMS staff, because staff can seat-belted into the ambulance.
Commissioner Dustin Roths said he favored purchasing three units using the grant match and waiting to purchase the fourth unit.
However, Commissioner Butch Schlyer, a former nurse, said he favored purchasing the fourth unit now.
“CPR, it can wear you out really fast. To sustain it for more than a few minutes is really tough,” he said, adding he thought the purchase of these devices was a life-saving issue.
Ultimately, all three commissioners voted in favor of purchasing all four units.
In other business, the commission:
Approved a conditional-use permit for Nex-Tech to put up an 85-foot telephone pole for a cellular site at at 323 Pfeifer Ave. in rural Ellis County.
Reappointed David McDaniel to the Joint Planning Commission. Another position is open on the commission. Contact the county or a county commissioner if you have interest in being on the commission.
Approved Osborne County joining the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Program
Accepted a bid of $414,096 for 70,400 square yards, or about 5 miles, of cold in-place recycling of asphalt road surface.
PLAINVILLE — Dozens of area ranchers are still waiting on their money after checks worth tens of thousands of dollars per producer bounced in a check-kiting scheme involving the Plainville Livestock Commission.
As the case has unraveled, ranchers have expressed shock and disappointment in the Tyler Gillum and his wife who owned the Livestock Commission, betrayal by the federal regulators who were supposed to protect the ranchers, and frustration at the legal proceeding that seem to be dragging on.
Rex Mulder of Mulder Farms in Logan said his family business has borrowed money to keep going as a result of not being paid for cattle they sold at the Plainville Livestock Commission.
He said the case has caused stress for his family and the entire ranching community.
Wes Cook, Plainville rancher, said he is hanging on for now without taking on more debt, but it has been difficult.
“I don’t know if I will ever see all of it,” Cook said of the money he is owed.
Checks from the Plainville Livestock Commission for two sales — one at the end of January and the other on Feb. 5 — bounced.
Money that was supposed to be set aside to pay cattle sellers was transferred from a custodial account to the Plainville Livestock Auction’s operating account. The Almena Bank froze both accounts, which resulted in bounced checks.
Almena Bank filed an interpleader case, which is legal action that seeks to determine to whom the money that was transferred out of the custodial account belongs.
Almena Bank has paid $916,652.29 into the Court Registry in the interpleader case, according to court records. That money is being held until the ranchers’ case is settled.
Plainville Livestock Commission declared bankruptcy on March 1. The interpleader case has been transferred from Norton District Court to federal bankruptcy court. The ranchers’ case is pending separately from the main bankruptcy proceedings and is still working its way through the court system.
“I was shocked and disappointed. They seemed trustworthy,” Mulder said of the Gillums when he had found out they had been indicted on federal charges.
The Gillums are charged with 31 counts of bank fraud, one count of making a false statement to the Small Business Administration in an application for a $1.5 million loan, and one count of making a false statement to Almena State Bank in an application for a $500,000 line of credit.
The indictment alleges investigators examined unfunded checks and wire transfers totaling more $2 billion sent by Tyler Gillum as part of the scheme.
The indictment alleges the Gillums defrauded Almena State Bank in Almena; Landmark Bank in Manhattan; Colorado East Bank and Trust in Lamar, Colorado; Astra Bank in Scandia; TBK Bank in Dallas; Guaranty State Bank in Beloit; and The Bank in Oberlin.
“I think something should be done,” Cook said of the Gillums. “They should lock him up or something.”
Mulder expressed frustration with the USDA, which regulates market agents like the Gillums under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
“The USDA failed us,” he said. “They should have shut them down. It should not have gotten to this point.”
The Plainville Livestock Commission had been cited before for not having sufficient funds in its custodial account, which by law is to hold money owed to cattle sellers.
Multiple filings have happened since the case was transferred to the bankruptcy court. Fifty-six parties to the case are listed on court records.
Parties in the case had until Friday, June 7, to object to any monetary claims filed in the case. Almena Bank did file objections on multiple claims and those people and entities have until June 21 to file responses to the objections.
James Overcash, the trustee for the bankruptcy estate, has filed a claim as a part of the interpleader case. That filings says that Overcash believes part of the money that is now being held by the court in interpleader case should be part of the bankruptcy estate.
However, other filings claim all of the money that was frozen by Almena State Bank should be used to pay unpaid cattle sellers.
The court hearing to discuss this and the other responses to disputed claims to the money that was frozen by Aleman Bank is set for 10:30 a.m. July 11.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, Moore’s Greater Shows will open its carnival on the lot of Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine.
The carnival will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Sunday.
On the first day, a buy-one-get-one special will be offered from 7 to 10 p.m. on wristbands for $25, and regularly priced the following days.
Tickets for the rides are set at $1, with most rides costing four to five tickets, according to Branson Hoffman, BCC marketing director.
“There will be roughly 25 attractions,” said James Younger, BCC property manager. “The rides will vary from smaller more toddler-friendly rides to thrill-seeking rides for teenagers as well.”
Specials will be offered at many of the stores in Big Creek Crossing in conjunction with the carnival.
“The carnival has always been a really big attraction for our property,” Younger said. “It’s something the public really enjoys, and we really enjoy bringing a little bit of fun and enthusiasm to the community.”
This is the second consecutive year for the carnival, and Younger hopes to it will continue in following years.
While the carnival is underway, management advised the public to be cautious while driving through the parking lot because of the number of children in the area.
Plainville Livestock CommissionBy CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
PLAINVILLE — An auction has been set for June 27 for the Plainville Livestock Commission’s real estate, vehicles and equipment in attempts to recoup some of almost $14.5 million in debt the business owes in its bankruptcy.
The real estate will sell at 11 a.m. and will be administered by the bankruptcy trustee, James Overcash. The equipment, vehicles and other property will be sold by Bud Palmer Auction starting at 1 p.m. at the livestock commission property at 907 NW Third in Plainville.
The Gillums are charged with 31 counts of bank fraud, one count of making a false statement to the Small Business Administration in an application for a $1.5 million loan, and one count of making a false statement to Almena State Bank in an application for a $500,000 line of credit.
The indictment alleges investigators examined unfunded checks and wire transfers totaling more $2 billion sent by Tyler Gillum as part of the scheme.
The indictment alleges the Gillums defrauded Almena State Bank in Almena; 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.
Dozens of cattle producers were caught up in the scheme after money that was supposed to be set aside to pay cattle sellers was transferred from a custodial account to the Plainville Livestock Auction’s operating account. The Almena Bank froze both accounts, which resulted in bounced checks amounting to tens of thousands of dollars per producer.
Almena Bank filed an interpleader case, which is legal action that seeks to determine to whom the money that was transferred out of the custodial account belongs. In the interpleader case, Almena bank indicated Plainville Livestock Commission had defaulted on three loans with its bank totaling more than $3.49 million.
The interpleader case has been transferred from Norton District Court to federal bankruptcy court. That case is pending separate from the main bankruptcy proceedings and is still working its way through the court system.
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 to be sold at the upcoming auction and the the second lien on the equipment.
The property consists of two tracts, one of which is 21 acres and the other 0.65 acres. The property is valued at $734,030, according to the Rooks County Appraiser’s office.
The trustee determined TBK Bank has first lien on the equipment. According to court records, TBK Bank is owed $227,238.
The attorney for TBK did not wish to comment on the bankruptcy or the pending auction, Almena Bank did not return previous calls regarding this story.
There are also secured loans on four trucks and a skid loader. The creditors that hold those liens will be paid first on the sale of those items. The claim on these items amount to more than $92,000.
The machinery, equipment, vehicles and office equipment were valued at about $542,000 with cash, equivalents and accounts receivable worth an additional $211,000 according to court records.
According to court documents, Plainville Livestock Commission debt is almost $14.5 million of which $3.7 million is secured debt. Landmark Bank of Manhattan is listed as an unsecured creditor with the commission owing $8 million.
In the time leading up to the Livestock Commission’s bankruptcy filing and the Gillums’ indictment, records show the Livestock Commission earned $2.2 million in 2017, $1.9 million in 2018 and $225,000 before the commission was shut down in 2019.
Some of the personal property to be auctioned includes office and kitchen equipment from the cafe, such as tables and chairs, computers, refrigerators, ice machine, and a grill.
Some of the stockyard equipment includes tractors, ATVs, mowers, chutes, trailers, gates, tanks, and a welder.
A representative of Bud Palmer Auction said a sale bill will be posted on the company’s website in the coming days.
The trustee has leased the sale barn to Lloyd and Judy Schneider dba Heartland Regional Stockyards, a livestock market agent with a separate license from the Gillums. They are also listed as creditors in the bankruptcy. Hays Post has also tried to contact the Schneiders about the case.
According to court documents, Heartland’s lease will be terminated within six days following the approval of the sale of the real estate by the bankruptcy court.
Any funds from the auction that are greater than what is owed to Almena Bank, TBK or other lien holders will go to the bankruptcy estate, according to court records.
Overcash is set to appear before the bankruptcy court to report on the sale at 9 a.m. June 28 or as soon after the sale as possible.
Any other remaining assets that are not listed in this sale will be sold at a separate, future sale, according to court records.
That includes trucks, a Chevy Camaro, more trailers, semi and other items.
Check Hays Post for more on this developing story as details become available.
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce is in the first year of one of their newest offerings – the Business Showcase – held quarterly throughout the year.
These quarterly events will provide a fun, high-energy atmosphere for participants and attendees alike, along with offering an opportunity to “showcase” our Hays Area Chamber member businesses.
Please join them at The Press, 230 E 8th St. inside the Hadley Center, Thursday June 13, 4:30 to 6 p.m. to get an up close and personal look at what the vendors have to offer. Also available are samples, merchandise, giveaways, a cash bar and yummy Mediterranean appetizers provide by The Press.
In gearing up for this second showcase, Membership Coordinator Kara Cook shared her appreciation for the new event. “These vendors and this event is not something you’ll want to miss out on. The first showcase really allowed us to spend time with those individual businesses, and I’m excited to hear and see what this quarter’s will bring. Not only is it an opportunity to welcome a new member, but also to touch-base with some of our existing, established businesses that maybe you haven’t checked on in a while. Plus it is fun to mingle and catch up with everyone!”
You will see these vendors at the showcase: Farmers Insurance-Chelsy Proehl Agency, Sunflower Solutions, Options, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tractor Supply, Hays Feeders, and the Wild West Festival.
This event is free, kid-friendly, and open to the public.
For more information, or if interested in being a vendor at the next Business Showcase, please contact the Chamber at 785-628-8201 or stop into the Welcome Center at 2700 Vine.
The city of Hays Municipal Court and the Administrative Offices of the city of Hays Police Department will be closed on Friday. If you need emergency assistance that day, contact the Communications Center at (785) 625-1011.
Looking for an excellent opportunity for growth in law enforcement? Come join our young, dynamic team of officers at the Norton Police Department!
As a Norton Police Officer, you must be a person of honor and integrity on and off the job, possess strong communication skills, and be able to render sound decisions under pressure.Most of all, you must be committed to public service, which includes participating in community service events/activities, assisting our citizens, and investigating/solving crimes.
Norton, KS is located in Norton County. We border Nebraska and we are the fourth county east of Colorado. The Prairie Dog State Park (Sebelius Reservoir) is located 4 miles west of Norton, offering great camping and is one of the top fishing lakes in the state of Kansas! The area offers great hunting too!South of Norton, is one of the most highly maintained golf courses in the area.Norton also offers an exceptional school system.
Each officer with the Norton Police Department has their own take-home patrol car.Each patrol vehicle is outfitted with a bran new MDT unit (Mobile Data Terminal) specific to the officer. These in-car laptops make it easy for an officer to complete reports in the field, access the new RMS reporting system, check for wants and warrants on subjects you may encounter, access the department’s server to review other reports, check statutes, policies, etc. The MDT’s also allow for driver’s licenses and vehicle license plate inquiries through NCIC when necessary. Besides MDT’s, our patrol vehicles are also outfitted with bran new mounted AR-15 patrol rifles. Later this year the department is looking forward to the implementation of E-Citation in every patrol vehicle as well!
The Norton Police Department is comprised of 7 officers; Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Sergeant/FTO and 4 patrol officers. Each officer wears a tailored outer carrier molle police vest purchased by the department and is issued a Class A uniform to be worn for court and special services.
Shifts: Currently, the officers work 10 hour shifts consisting of four on and three off. However, we are in the process of switching to 12 hour shifts that would allow each officer, every other Friday, Saturday, Sunday OFF!
Hours: Full Time
Salary: The range for this position is $16.71 to $21.81/hour, depending on education and previous law enforcement experience and/or certifications. There is additional compensation through opportunities for overtime and shift differential as well.
Benefits:The Norton Police Department offers an excellent benefit package that includes a single or family health, vision and dental insurance, KPERS, personal days, paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays. We also offer an optional 457 plan and supplemental insurance plans.
Qualifications: This position requires a willingness to work ALL rotating shifts, including days, afternoons and evenings, plus weekends and holidays.Applicants must be 21 years of age, possess a high school diploma or GED (college preferred) and no felony convictions. The selection process includes a written test, oral board interview, and psychological examination. Must be able to pass a background check, drug screen and physical. The applicant must live within the city limits of Norton. Requires the possession of a valid driver’s license in good standing. NO Brady/Giglio issues.
Being an active certified law enforcement officer and/or have graduated the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center is preferred, however if you’re not certified this could the beginning of your law enforcement career!
Applying: We are currently modifying our application process. In order to apply, please email Assistant Chief of Police Jody Enfield at [email protected] to request an application. Once completed, email it back to the same address.
For additional questions or concerns please contact Assistant Chief of Police Jody Enfield directly:
BUNKER HILL – The Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Grant Fund for Sherman County has awarded Smoky Hills Public Television with a grant for $1,500 to support the station’s Literacy Leadership Program.
The grant funds will enhance literacy in northwest Kansas by providing books for those students enrolled in Head Start, as well as, support for children’s programming.
“We are thankful for the generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Grant Fund for Sherman County,” said Larry Calvery, Smoky Hills Public Television General Manager. “Children’s literacy and education is a priority for SHPTV and the Sherman County Community Foundation and we are excited to once again partner with them to help children master the skills needed for success in school and future employment.”
The Sherman County Community Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the community for present and future generations. The Foundation is a non-profit vehicle for all means to make a lasting difference in our community. It is the goal of the Foundation to provide leadership and act as a catalyst in identifying and addressing evolving community needs.
The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. The foundation advances its mission by investing in the areas of education, health care, economic development, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture and community beautification.
Smoky Hills Public Television serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas and has been named the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Station of the Year.
Kaw Creek, Manhattan, kicked off Bach’s Lunch on the Bricks’ second season June 6 in the Downtown Hays Pavilion.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Kaw Creek, a bluegrass duo from Manhattan, kicked off the summer season of Bach’s Lunch on the Bricks Thursday in the downtown Hays pavilion.
An appreciative group gathered at the noon hour to listen to Alice Boyle and Robert Rosenberg play and sing songs inspired by the land and people of the Central Plains and its prairie lands.
Some of their music is original; other songs are traditional folk classics. Rosenberg plays guitar while Boyle plays the fiddle, viola and banjo.
Boyle is a bird biologist at Kansas State University and has written music influenced by her research experience.
Their soothing song “Gate 5” is named after the entrance to the prairie near Manhattan where Boyle studies birds. Accompanying Boyle on the fiddle and Rosenberg on guitar were recorded warblings Boyle made of the Eastern Meadowlark (not to be confused with the Western Meadowlark, the Kansas state bird, which is more prevalent in the Hays area.)
On more upbeat tunes, Rosenberg tapped an accompanying beat with his shoe heels on a wood sounding board directly in front of his chair.
This is the second year for Bach’s Lunch on the Bricks, according to Sara Bloom, executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation.
The title for the free summer music series is a play on words.
Music lovers enjoy Kaw Creek, a bluegrass duo from Manhattan, Kan.
“It’s a variety of different music so we wanted to have the Bach name in there. It’s also a play on words because we offer box lunches,” Bloom explained with a smile.
The event is the brainchild of local musician Kay Werth, an oboe and bassoon instructor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Music and Theatre.
“We owe all this to Kay who invited some of her friends to come out and play. She asked if the Bricks of Downtown Hays would be interested in hosting it. She organized the musicians but didn’t want to necessarily organize the marketing or lunch aspect of it.
“So we said absolutely, we love the idea, and now with Kay’s help we’re continuing the series this year.”
One hour concerts will take place every first, third and fifth Friday of the month.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is no week will be the same,” said Bloom.
The music, and the $10 box lunches available for purchase on site, will vary during the season which runs through August.
“You’re gonna hear a little bit of rock, some acoustic music, some polka, just all kinds of different music throughout the summer. We really wanted to focus on making sure there was a large variety so everyone will have something that they enjoy, plus exposing our younger generations to a wide variety of genres.”
All ages are welcome to attend.
The lunches are provided by various downtown Hays restaurants. June features Augustine’s Bakery, 1305 Main. Friday’s menu was a Chicken Caesar Wrap with chips.
Polka music will be played at the June 21 concert by Joe Dolezal and his band. The lunch boxes from Augustine’s Bakery will be Chicken Salad on Marbled Rye.
Participating restaurants last summer included The Paisley Pear, Gella’s, The Press and others. Attendees can reserve a box lunch if desired.
Bloom says the music will always be “clean and fun.”
“It’s just a great way to enjoy some time off the electronics in our beautiful pavilion. Whether it’s hot out or not, it’s cool under the pavilion. It’s a great way to relax and have some fun over the lunch hour.”
Thomas More Prep-Marian has renamed its annual alumni golf tournament the Father Earl Befort Golf Classic.
“Fr. Earl has been a chaplain, teacher, administrator, golf coach and prestigious alum for 50 years at TMP-M,” the school said on its website. “His history and dedication to the school will forever reign over the golf tournament that now bears his name. ”
In addition, the school also announced that TMP-M will gain Fr. Ryan McCandless from St. Isidore Catholic Student Center, as an additional Chaplain and Canonical Designate of TMP-Marian for the Salina Diocese.
Fr. Ryan will fill the spiritual role previously held by Rev. Msgr. Barry Brinkman and will work alongside Fr. Earl. Fr. Barry’s administrative duties for TMP-M will be filled by Dr. Nick Compagnone, superintendent.
“We are pleased to announce these new additions at TMP-M and invite all to join us in celebrating Fr. Earl and welcoming Fr. Ryan to TMP-Marian.”
TOPEKA — Incoming Washburn University students have been awarded the Garvey Scholarship for the fall 2019 semester. The Garvey Scholarship is a renewable scholarship worth up to $2000, awarded to students with the highest scores on the Garvey Competitive Exam.
