Luminaries to honor or remember someone with cancer are still available for purchase by calling the above phone numbers.
Category: Local
Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Faith in the future
By GLENN BRUNKOW
Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds. The opening of the FFA creed, and a phrase near and dear to the heart of every member who has ever put on the corduroy. It is a phrase that speaks to the very core of who we are as farmers and ranchers and one of the reasons Kansas Farm Bureau supports FFA.
This past week I had the honor of representing KFB at the Kansas FFA Convention, and I must admit being a bit selfish when it comes to volunteering for this gig. I don’t know what it is about the convention that fires me up, but I find no matter how bad the weather or the current situation in agriculture is, I am ready to tackle anything after attending. This year certainly tried to test that.
Maybe that was why this convention was extra special; I was fortunate enough to spend three days on the state officer nominating committee. It was three days of intense interviews with the candidates and long hours, but it also was three days of getting to know 13 incredible young adults. It was an experience I wish I could have shared with everyone.
I got to hear the hopes and dreams of these young leaders as they start their journey in life. I experienced the unbridled enthusiasm and optimism of the best and brightest Kansas FFA has to offer and let me tell you the future is bright. This group of young people have a passion for agriculture and a burning desire to serve their communities. They all know they are going to accomplish something great; they just don’t know what that will be yet.
If you have doubts about the character of our youth, I challenge you to spend a day at the Kansas FFA Convention. You will find several hundred of the very best examples of what we hope our kids will be. All clad in the blue and gold, they will make you feel good about the future.
That is why it is so important all of us invest in the future of agriculture by supporting FFA, 4-H and FCCLA. The money and time we give to these organizations is not a donation, rather it’s an investment in our future. Will all the youth in these organizations come back to the farm? No, but many will find careers in agriculture. Even more will go on to find careers in other fields, and that is OK.
That is why I am so proud to support and help fund these great youth organizations. Through our contributions we must continue to grow future generations of leaders. Why? Because, I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds.
“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.
Stakeholders: Hays needs to build awareness, connect early childhood programs
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Although Hays has many early childhood resources, parents are not always aware of those programs and there are gaps in transitioning children from one program to the next, said stakeholders at a meeting Tuesday in Hays with the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.
Multiple state agencies collaboratively have received a federal planning grant to do a needs analysis and strategic plan for early childhood education in Kansas.
The attendees broke into small groups to discuss community strengths, visions for the future and gaps in early childhood services.
Although many of the participants were from Hays, some attendees represented other nearby northwest Kansas communities.
The groups listed a variety of strengths in early childhood support.
Some of these include a safe community, low cost of living, Hays Public Library, Early Childhood Connections, an interagency committee, the upcoming Hays ARC Park, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hays Recreation Commission, numerous quality parks, church support, Parents as Teachers, Tiger Tots and the intergenerational preschool at Via Christi.
As the discussion progressed, participants noted there is still a need for quality, affordable child care in Hays and outlying communities, especially for infants.
Although qualifying families have access to quality Headstart programs, children who are in private child care do not have the access to the same educational opportunities, participants said during group discussion.
Children’s education is left to parents, who may not be aware of the education goals their children need to reach by kindergarten or what resources are available in the community to help their children reach those goals.
One participant said this can result in children starting kindergarten unable to perform basic tasks such as being able to use scissors or grip a pencil or glue stick.
One group suggested the community offer a parent training academy to teach parents what skills their children will need to know when they enter kindergarten.
Transportation can be issue for families seeking early childhood services both in and outside of Hays, participants said.
Another group raised concerns about the availability of mental health care for children and existing wait lists in the community.
Gov. Laura Kelly attended the first portion of the engagement session and offered opening remarks.
Early in her career, Kelly worked as a recreational therapist with children.
“I learned first hand the importance of early childhood development — that it is critical to our kids’ health mentally, emotionally and physically,” she said.
“It was through my early work in the psychiatric center for children in New York and even before that when I worked in a prison for boys in Illinois. … In both of those settings, I worked mostly with adolescents, and it was very clear to me that it was too late — that we really needed to get to these kids early on, at birth, if we were really going to get them on the right track,” she said.
She said her goal as governor is to implement a robust early childhood structure across the state.
“There is no clearer reflection of the state’s priorities than the state budget,” she said. “I put my commitment to children and families front and center in my budget recommendations, but those smart investments will mean little without smart leadership steering the work of the early childhood folks.”
Despite the success of Kansas’ current early childhood community, the status quo will not propel the state forward, Kelly said.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, we must continually build on our past successes and aim even higher,” she said.
She noted research has shed more light on early childhood development since the Children’s Cabinet was established in 1999.
Children make more than a million neural connections each second from birth to age 3, she said.
“We know that those neurons form a brain architecture that sets a child’s entire life trajectory,” Kelly said. “We know that brain development is influenced by many factors, including a child’s relationships, experiences and environment. We know that these developments are cumulative and sequential for better for worse, which means our efforts to build a future workforce pipeline hinges on this early childhood period of life.”
Kelly said public/private partnerships need to be created to seamlessly transition children between early childhood education to K-12 education to technical schools and post-secondary education to the workforce.
“I am passionate about this because not only this is the right thing to do,” Kelly said, “but it reminds us that all of our futures are linked together. We all have skin in this game.”
Similar early childhood engagement sessions are being conducted throughout the state and will be used in developing a strategic plan for the state this fall. You can share your input at kschildrenscabinet.org/share.
Sunny, warm Wednesday with a chance for showers
Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light and variable.
ThursdayA 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Thursday NightScattered showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
FridayScattered showers, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday NightScattered showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Ellis Co. Commission gives go-ahead on fireworks in the county
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Residents living in rural Ellis County will be allowed to light fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday after the Ellis County Commission on Monday relaxed the ban on the discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county.
Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management Darin Myers told the county commission several area counties are planning to allow fireworks in the county.
He added, however, that he always has his concerns.
“One accident, one fire, one property lost, one death, whatever it may be weighs hard on trying to say, ‘Yes let’s allow fireworks,’ ” Myers said. “But at the same time, I hate to put these restrictions on the public.
“But it’s very wet this year and it’s green out there, so it kind of eases your concern a little bit.”
As in the past, the times and dates that the discharge of fireworks is allowed in rural Ellis County are the same as the city of Hays — 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 2 to 4.
In other business, High Plains Mental Health Executive Director Walt Hill presented the commission with the organizations 2018 annual report and approved a use agreement between the city of Hays and the Ellis County Fire and Sheriff’s departments and the county EMS department for use of the new fire training facility.
The commission also approved a 2 percent salary increase for all employees and a step adjustment for employees with five or more years of service in their position. The changes are effective July 14.
Commissioners also approved changes to the county’s personnel policy that changes the number of hours required for a person to be considered full-time from 40 hours to 36 hours.
🎥 Kan. Gov. Kelly speaks with Hays-area residents at town hall Monday
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Gov. Laura Kelly participated in a town hall early Monday evening at the Sternberg Museum, 3000 Sternberg, along with Rep. Ken Rahjes (R-110th Dist.), Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland), and Rep. Barb Wasinger (R-111th Dist.)
The event was organized by the Fort Hays State University student government association and moderated by Brett Zollinger, FHSU professor and chair of the Department of Sociology.
The group spoke to attendees about a variety of topics including the Kansas retirement system known as KPERS, Kansas Department of Transportation funding, education funding, funding for the arts, Medicaid expansion and the impact of tariffs on the local agriculture economy.
Kelly, a Democrat, was also on the FHSU campus Tuesday morning at a Community Engagement session focusing on early childhood. Check Hays Post for more on the Community Engagement session.
HPD Activity Log May 24-29, 31 & June 1-3
The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Fri., May 24, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Welfare Check–3300 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 8:39 AM
Welfare Check–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 5/17
Animal At Large–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:17 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 9:40 AM
Domestic Disturbance–200 block W 14th St, Hays; 5/9 9 PM; 3 AM
Mental Health Call–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 10:33 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 11 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Main St, Hays; 11:23 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 11:22 AM
Animal At Large–300 block Mopar Dr, Hays; 12:17 PM
Theft (general)–400 block E 15th St, Hays; 5/23 12 PM; 5/24 8 AM
Trash Dumping–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:49 PM
Found/Lost Property–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 3:15 PM
Suspicious Person–100 block Main St, Hays; 5:29 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–500 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:52 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:02 PM
Disturbance – General–1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 9:07 PM
Suspicious Person–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:31 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 24th St, Hays; 10:11 PM
Animal Call–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 11 PM; 11:50 PM
Drug Offenses–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 11:53 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 32 traffic stops Sat., May 25, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Suicidal Subject–1300 block E 41st St, Hays; 12:21 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:05 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block E 12th St, Hays; 2:06 AM
Suspicious Activity–300 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:52 AM
Dead Animal Call–27th St and Donald Dr, Hays; 8:54 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2700 block E Epworth St, Hays; 5/24 8 PM; 05/25 7 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–200 block W 14th St, Hays; 12:01 PM
Disturbance – General–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:10 PM
Found/Lost Property-1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:30 PM
Animal At Large–2900 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 3:33 PM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block E 18th St, Hays; 4:38 PM
Runaway Juvenile–2500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 5:02 PM
Found/Lost Property–300 block E 13th St, Hays; 6:33 PM
Battery – simple–800 block Ash St, Hays; 10:49 PM
Obstruction of Legal Process–200 block E 5th St, Hays; 10:48 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 11:52 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Sun., May 26, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block Ash St, Hays; 12:09 AM
Reckless Driver–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:15 AM; 12:22 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 12:40 AM; 4:42 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Fort St, Hays; 2:14 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block Halladay St, Hays; 4/17 8 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1600 block E 28th St, Hays; 10:27 AM
Disorderly Conduct–400 block E 17th St, Hays; 5/25 6 PM; 5/26 10 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block E 18th St, Hays; 5/20 5:30 PM; 5/21 6:30 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block E 18th St, Hays; 3:31 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 3:55 PM
Driving Under the Influence–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 4:43 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 6:51 PM
Drug Offenses–1700 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 9:17 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1300 block W 27th St, Hay; 9:16 PM
Drug Offenses–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 10:51 PM
Harassment (All Other)–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 10:57 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Mon., May 27, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–100 block W 6th St, Hays; 7:55 AM
Found/Lost Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:30 AM
Found/Lost Property–4100 block Vine St, Hays; 11:20 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block W 18th St, Hays; 12:14 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:47 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2900 block Trinity Dr, Hays; 2:10 PM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Elm St, Hays; 4:35 PM
Found/Lost Property–300 block W 17th St, Hays; 6:19 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6:34 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1200 block Fort St, Hays; 6:30 PM; 6:57 PM
Disturbance – General–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 9:03 PM
Open Door/Window–600 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:11 PM
Criminal Trespass–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 10:25 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 22 traffic stops Tue., May 28, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Domestic Disturbance–1300 block W 27th St, Hays; 5/27 6 PM; 6:30 PM
Suicidal Subject–2100 block E 21st St, Hays; 2:43 AM
Welfare Check–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 7:39 AM
NCIC Hit–400 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:06 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–27th and Plaza Dr, Hays; 12:50 PM; 12:53 PM
Animal At Large–400 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:08 PM
Animal At Large–2000 block 40 Hwy, Ellis County; 1:12 PM
Animal At Large–1400 block Hall St, Hays; 1:15 PM
Suspicious Person–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:27 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–Hays; 3:06 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–Hays; 3:37 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block Skyline Ct, Hays; 4:38 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1900 block E 24th St, Hays; 5:02 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:24 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 5 PM; 7:30 PM
Civil Dispute–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 8:35 PM
Battery – simple–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 10 PM; 10:10 PM
Battery – Domestic–1300 block Highway 40, Hays; 4:30 PM; 5 PM
Battery – Domestic–1400 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 5:30 PM; 6 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 25 traffic stops Wed., May 29, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Domestic Disturbance–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 2:27 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:50 AM; 3:14 AM
Animal At Large–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 6:53 AM
Animal At Large–3300 block Country Ln, Hays; 8:13 AM
Animal At Large–100 block Ash St, Hays; 9:01 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Western Plains Dr, Hays; 11:12 AM
Animal At Large–700 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:27 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:34 PM
Criminal Threat–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:02 PM
Criminal Threat–1800 block E 27th St, Hays; 12:03 AM; 12:20 AM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 4:13 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–7th and Main, Hays; 5:34 PM
MV Accident-Pedestrian–18th and Vine, Hays; 6:20 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block E 12th St, Hays; 7:33 PM
Animal Call–500 block Ash St, Hays; 7:55 PM
Animal Call–2200 E 15th St, Hays; 8:21 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Fri., May 31, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Ash St, Hays; 2:30 AM
Animal At Large–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 7:21 AM
Welfare Check–I 70 and Vine, Hays; 8:05 AM
Animal At Large–700 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:12 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:18 AM
Civil Dispute–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 3 PM; 3:18 PM
Harassment (All Other)–100 block W 34th St, Hays; 5:40 PM
Found/Lost Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:44 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–1500 block Oak St, Hays; 6:21 PM
Welfare Check–2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 7:47 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 9:25 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 29 traffic stops Sat., June 1, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Disturbance – Noise–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 12:29 AM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 10th St, Hays; 12:35 AM
Juvenile Complaint–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:44 AM
Criminal Trespass–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 3:50 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:55 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–1500 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 9:43 AM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–EB I-70 Exit 159 Ramp, Hays; 10 AM; 10:02 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:08 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 11 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 11:03 AM
Water Use Violation–1400 block W 44th St, Hays; 1:04 PM
Theft of Services–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 2:10 PM; 2:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–2000 block Hall St, Hays; 2:57 PM
Welfare Check–3000 block E 14th St, Hays; 5:24 PM
Civil Dispute–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 5:36 PM
Civil Dispute–1800 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:47 PM
Theft (general)–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 3:27 PM; 3:28 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1600 block Milner St, Hays; 6/1 8:14 PM; 6/2 12:17 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1300 block 40 Hwy, Hays; 7 PM; 8:45 PM
Mental Health Call–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 8:58 PM
Battery – simple–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11:56 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Sun., June 2, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Battery – simple–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 1:35 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:42 AM
Disturbance – Fight–400 block Ash St, Hays; 3:42 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2500 block Felten Dr, Hays; 7:21 AM
Burglary/vehicle–1200 block Motz Ave, Hays; 9 PM; 8:15 AM
Trash Dumping–1400 block Oak St, Hays; 8:31 AM
Animal Injured–1100 block Centennial Blvd, Hays; 9:37 AM
Animal At Large–2900 block Indian Trl, Hays; 11:47 AM
Water Use Violation–2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 12:30 PM; 12:32 PM
Dangerous Animal–500 block E 12th St, Hays; 12:45 PM
Animal At Large–2600 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 2:04 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:06 PM; 3:05 PM
Criminal Trespass–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 3:15 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 4:25 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block Felten Dr, Hays; 4:40 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–600 block Park St, Hays; 4:38 PM
Found/Lost Property–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 6:58 PM
Theft (general)–1000 block Ash St, Hays; 5/31 3 PM; 6/2 7:04 PM
Counterfeit currency/documents–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 PM
Suspicious Activity–1500 block Hall St, Hays; 8:12 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 14 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Mon., June 3, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Animal Call–1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 6/2 9 PM; 10 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–700 block E 7th St, Hays; 8:48 AM
Suspicious Person–4200 block Vine St, Hays; 10 AM
Burglary/vehicle–2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 6/1 9 PM; 6/2 7:30 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block W 24th St, Hays; 12:44 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block E 14th St, Hays; 12:47 PM
Document Service–1000 block Vine St, Hays; 1:37 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:48 PM
Parking Complaint–3200 block Ash St, Hays; 1:59 PM
Suspicious Activity–3000 block Cherry Hill Dr, Hays; 1:50 PM; 2 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–2100 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:21 PM
Suspicious Activity–3100 block Hall St, Hays; 2:29 PM
Counterfeit currency/documents–400 block E 16th St, Hays; 2:30 PM
Dead Animal Call–2500 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 3:29 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2000 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 4:37 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 6:13 PM
Animal At Large–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 6:50 PM
Theft of Vehicle–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:15 PM; 8:17 PM
Suspicious Person–100 block E 11th St, Hays; 10:49 PM
Hays High student attending Boys State Leadership Academy
MANHATTAN — Approximately 420 young men from across the State of Kansas, all of whom will be entering their senior year of high school this fall, are anticipated to participate in the 2019 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy. The event, in its 82nd year, is underway through Friday, June 7, at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
One of the attendees is Levi Hickert, a student at Hays High School.
The ALBSKLA is for young men who will enter their senior year of high school in the fall of 2019. It provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
- Sunday, June 2
o Opening Ceremonies, 2:45 p.m., McCain Auditorium
- Keynote speaker: Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, 2018 Kansas Boys State delegate from Dodge City High School and 2019 graduate of DCHS. Rangel-Lopez, who will serve as a KBS departments counselor for this year’s session, was a plaintiff in a voting rights lawsuit in October 2018 against the Ford County (Kan.) when it was announced the only voting site in Dodge City the following month would be at a location outside the city limits.
- Monday, June 3
o Swearing in of KBS mayors, 7 p.m., Assembly Area (Marlatt Hall parking lot [northeast of building on Claflin Road])
o Party Caucuses, 7:45 to 10:15 p.m., Cardwell Hall, Room 101 (Federalist Party [considered to be the more conservative party]), and Umberger Hall, Room 105 (Nationalist Party [considered to be the more liberal party]) — Each party will select their candidates for the six state offices and formulate their party platforms. This is not open to the public.
- Tuesday, June 4
o KBS National Guard training at Fort Riley, Kan., 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. This is not open to the public.
o KBS Governor candidates’ debate, 1 to 2 p.m., Wefald Hall
o Announcement of KBS general election winners for state offices and swearing in ceremony, 7 p.m., Assembly Area
- Wednesday, June 5
o KBS Governor’s Inaugural Address, Talent Show and keynote speaker, Adrion Roberson, 7:15 p.m., McCain Auditorium
- Roberson is on the core teaching team at the Kansas Leadership Center based in Wichita as a facilitator of adaptive thinking competencies for the purpose of helping individuals make progress in/on daunting challenges. He also serves as co-pastor of Berean Fellowship Church in Kansas City, Kan.
- Thursday, June 6
o Flag Retirement Ceremony, 7:15 p.m., World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium
o KBS Band and Chorus Concerts, followed by Boys Nation candidates’ speeches, 7:45 p.m., McCain Auditorium
- Friday, June 7
o Closing Ceremonies, noon to 2 p.m., McCain Auditorium
- Announcement of Boys Nation senators
- Announcement of Outstanding Citizens from each KBS city
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy, visit https://kansasboysstate.com/ or https://ksbstate.org/.
– SUBMITTED –
DHDC announces Downtown Hays Market is now online
Downtown Hays Development Corporation announced today the launch of an online store featuring products from the beloved Downtown Hays Market. The new store is just one more added feature to their recently updated website, www.DowntownHays.com.
“This was an idea that was born during the redesign of our website almost one year ago,” said Executive Director Sara Bloom. “During that process, we looked at a variety of other sites to discover features we liked and didn’t like. One site offered an online shopping experience that still supported local vendors and generated local sales tax. We knew right away; we wanted to do the same with our unique market products.”
While still in its early stages, the store already features a wide variety of options from t-shirts and potholders to jewelry, ornaments and even jams. Customers can also purchase a gift box for their items for an added touch.
“This really puts the Downtown Market at your fingertips,” Bloom said. “No matter where you are, you can now send unique, heartfelt gifts, made in Kansas, to anywhere in the country. We have something so special in Hays with the Downtown Hays Market. A truly wonderful gathering place. This is not meant to replace that, but instead, give those who can’t make it to Hays every weekend the chance to still be a part of it.”
The new store will be regularly updated with products. There is a small shipping fee, but free pickup is also available. Each vendor of the DHM is allowed just one item on the site so the best place to shop the market is still every Saturday morning from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Downtown Pavilion.
— DHDC
Series of last-minute filings finalizes November ballot
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The deadline to file for the November election was noon Monday. While several candidates entered the race, it still wasn’t enough to force a primary election in August.
Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus said a primary election is only required if there are three times, plus one, as many candidates for the number of open seats.
The three school board races – USD 489 Hays, USD 432 Victoria and USD 388 Ellis – will all be hotly contested races.
In all, nine candidates are vying for four spots on the USD 489 Hays school board, including incumbents Paul Adams and Luke Oborny.
There are six candidates up for election in the race for four seats on both the USD 388 Ellis and USD 432 Victoria school boards.
The general election in Nov. 6.
You can find a list of candidates below, and check Hays Post for more on Ellis County candidates.
| 2019 CITY/SCHOOL OFFICE CANDIDATE FILINGS | |
| Ellis City Mayor (1 Position) | David R McDaniel |
| Ellis City Treasurer (1 Position) | Faith Ann Scheck |
| Ellis City Council Member (3 Positions)
|
Samuel Nicholas Polifka
John A Walz Kellie Crnkovich Nancy Lee Wright Tricia Pritchett |
| Hays City Commissioner ( 3 Positions)
Top 2 candidates 4-year term Top 1 candidates 2-year term
|
Mason R. Ruder
Michael K Berges Ron Mellick Henry Schwaller Ryan Rymer |
| Schoenchen City Mayor | |
| Schoenchen City Council Member (5 Positions) | |
| Victoria City Mayor (1 Position) | John Schulte |
| Victoria City Council Member (2 Positions)
|
Dustin Schumacher
Erica Dinges |
| USD 388 School Board (4 Positions)
|
Brian Shannon
Randy S Honas John A Walz Marty Hollern Cindy Hertel Jennifer Harmon |
| USD 432 School Board (4 Positions)
|
Don R Pruitt
Jacque Schmidt Tammy Lichter Janea Dinkel Sean Rodger Kevin Huser |
| USD 489 School Board (4 Positions)
|
Luke Oborny
Tammy Wellbrock Lori Ann Hertel Alex Herman Jessica Ann Berg Moffitt Cole J Engel Craig Pallister Paul E Adams Allen Park |
| Big Creek Improvement District (3 Positions) | Duane F Kuhn
Joe Deckman Deborah Allen Larry D Leiker |
| Munjor Improvement District (3 Positions) | |
| Prairie Acres Improvement District (3 Positions) | Shane Gregg |
| Suburban Estates Improvement District (3 Positions) | |
| Extension Council (2 Positions) | Allen P Roth
Tatum Sprague-Kimsey |
Hays Has Humor Stand Up Comedy Showcase set for this weekend
Submitted
Hays Community Theatre Presents: Hays Has Humor Stand Up Comedy Showcase — featuring professional comedians from Kansas City, Salina, Russell and Hays — will be 8 p.m. Saturday at 121 E. Eighth. Doors open at 7 p.m., and admission is $5. Concessions and drinks will be available. The show is suggested for ages 17 and older.
Rod Reyes, originally from New York City, has 30 years experience writing and performing alongside his late brother Rick Aviles. Rod moved to Kansas City and has been developing his craft performing all over the country. A regular in NYC’s biggest clubs, Rod has worked with Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, Dave Attell, Jay Mohr, Gilbert Gottfried and Lewis Black.
Romie Lee, from Salina, is a two-time finalist in Wichita’s Funniest Person Contest. He been seen on FOX and WB comedy showcases, and he performs throughout the Midwest. His debut album, Romie Lee “Morbidly Hilarious,” is available on Itunes, Spotify and Pandora.
Sheldon Schwien is from Russell and is a regular at the Hays Has Humor stage. He can mostly be found shouting on local street corners and posting reviews on his YouTube page “Syko711Slim.”
Jeff Leiker is a Hays native who moved to Topeka for a few years and got involved in the local comedy clubs. He’s brought his love for making people laugh back to Hays and started Hays Has Humor as an outlet for local comedians to hone and present their craft.
HAWVER: Session littered with small victories for both sides
She won some, the Legislature won some, and there were a few nice little, but not earthshaking, changes made to the state.
Almost, and here’s that ugly comparison, like leaving the new cat while you went to the store and finding on return that it had used the litter box. What an admittedly small relief.
But this is just year one of the Kelly regime, and the first year of a split (mostly in the House) Republican Party in the Legislature battling each other to see who is in charge. And while there was the persistent back-and-forth over public policy, over “how Kansans want things,” lawmakers and the governor actually got some good things done. Just not headline-grabbing stuff that they can brag about this summer while lawmakers gear up for next year’s elections which put every House and Senate seat up for grabs.
The session, though, did create new and powerful political issues for the election-year Legislature which convenes Jan. 13, 2020, and will probably create the issues that Kansans will be voting on that fall.
No action on income taxes, either for individual voters or for the multinational corporations which employ many of them. That’s the No. 1 issue in an election year, and the clear fight will be just how the Legislature and governor spread them across the state—to businesses or voters, or to voters and businesses in some proportion that will get lawmakers re-elected.
The tax issue? That’s going to be finger-pointing at the federal government which lowered rates two years ago that increased Kansans’ taxable income base. Who gets helped, of course, is the election-year session issue, but this year’s failure of the Legislature to override Kelly’s veto means little likelihood of a retroactive cut which would boost state revenue loss. It means essentially a year’s bonus for the Kansas treasury, and failing to reduce Kansas income taxes is politically different from affirmatively acting to raise Kansas taxes. Or so we’ll hear during next session.
No action on expansion of Medicaid to maybe 100,000 or more Kansans (the numbers are unclear now and will remain so until provisions of an expansion bill are adopted). That was a big issue in Kelly’s election campaign. Not sure whether that got her elected, or whether not being conservative Republican then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach tipped the balance.
After the roadblock this year, look for a tense election-year Medicaid expansion bill, one that is designed by Republicans to tightly limit qualification for the health care and fought by Democrats for exempting some needy Kansans from health care coverage. That’s the fight that will brew all summer in a Senate interim committee.
But this session, which actually didn’t produce a lot of new law most Kansans will notice, provided a warm-up for the real test of the governor: The 2020 election in which the entire House and Senate will stand for re-election. That’s the test that will determine whether the final two years of Kelly’s (first?) term will put her stamp on this Republican state.
The line-item budget veto overrides by the Legislature? Good as talking points, but don’t really amount to earth-shakers on the campaign trail…
Round 1 is a draw. We’ll see who gains ground with lawmakers at home.
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Walleye study at Glen Elder Lake
I talked with the KDWPT fisheries biologist Scott Waters whose territory includes Glen Elder. It seems walleye behavior is different in each body of water, so when money became available to fund selected studies, Scott submitted an application and was selected for funding of a 3 year walleye study there in Glen Elder Lake.
In early spring, 60 walleye, split evenly between males and females 17 inches and longer were captured with gill nets and trap nets. The fish were taken to shore and placed in an anesthetic bath for several minutes, then a small incision was made in the underside of each and a small ultrasonic transmitter was inserted. Three tiny sutures and a drop of glue was used to close the incision and they were given an antibiotic to prevent infection. When the anesthetic had worn off and all fish were acting normal again, they were returned to the lake. The transmitters have a range of 1 kilometer and will help biologists learn more about walleye mortality rates, movement, home range and habitat there in Glen Elder Lake.
Each fish also has a pink tag in its dorsal fin with its study ID number, KDWPT contact info and a message offering $100 for each transmitter returned from legally kept fish. KDWPT is also asking anglers to report the length and location of each tagged fish they catch that is too short to legally keep, and return it gently to the lake.
Scott and his crew will take to the water a couple times each month to track the fish manually, plus they will be tracked more frequently during certain periods of the year. When a fish is located, water depth and temperature, the identification number of that fish and the GPS coordinates where it’s found will be recorded. Daily movement patterns will also be studies by tracking some fish daily. Angling mortality will be noted when transmitters are returned and natural mortality will be assumed when transmitters show no movement over time. Scott also hopes this study will help them know how many fish pass through the gates out of the lake.
This study is unique for Kansas and will give biologists answers about walleye life that will help them better manage walleye in Glen Elder and other walleye fisheries in Kansas. KDWPT is asking for anglers help by returning transmitters and by recording information from fish not kept. Updates will be provided throughout the study to help fisherman learn more about walleye daily and seasonal patterns and habitat.
When Scott and I spoke this week, 7 tagged fish had been recorded caught and 10 – 15 were assumed to have already gone down stream and out of the lake through the gates. Returned transmitters will be reprogrammed and placed in additional fish. So if you get to fish Glen Elder this year, please help with this study if given the opportunity, to help insure a good supply of walleye fillets for all our freezers! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].