Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center is offering a three-day science, technology, engineering and mathematics camp this summer, June 11 to June 13.
The camp will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is available for students grades 7 through 12. The fee is $25 and includes an Arduino STEM kit to take home and a daily snack. Campers will need to bring a sack lunch each day.
“Discover how amazing nature and technology can be when they work together,” said Mandy Kern, program specialist at the KWEC.
“Campers will be immersed in field biology, including aquatic studies, mammal trapping, plant and animal identification at Cheyenne Bottoms, which is the largest inland marsh in North America and a Ramsar designated wetland of international importance,” she said.
Participants will also learn how computer science can play a role in wildlife by learning how to program using Arduino and Scratch, drones, GPS and GIS. Campers will have the opportunity to build and use smart phone apps.
The KWEC, 592 NE K-156 Highway, is at the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, northeast of Great Bend.
The camp is limited to 20 campers.
To register, call 1-877-243-9268. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. High near 61. East wind 13 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 55. East southeast wind 13 to 17 mph becoming south southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
FridayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 7 to 10 mph.
Friday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 8 to 10 mph.
SaturdayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday.
The watch includes Ellis, Trego, Russell, Rooks and Rush counties. Also included are Lane, Ness, Graham, Sheridan, Osborne, Smith, Gove, Barton, Logan, Wichita and Scott counties.
Forecasters are calling for large hail in some areas and potentially heavy rain, in addition to damaging winds.
Tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for more should severe weather arrive in the region.
Citing a lack of time to reach out to the public and disagreement among commissioners on the size of a potential sales tax, the Ellis County Commission voted against a quarter-cent sales tax proposed at Monday’s meeting. They will also wait to put a countywide sales tax up for vote.
At last week’s meeting, the commission tabled the discussion on a proposed sales tax designed to help close a budget gap in the coming years. But at Monday’s meeting, Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst said there isn’t enough time to reach out to the public.
“I’ll just be very up front and tell you both, I don’t think we have enough time to put it on a ballot in November,” Haselhorst told fellow commissioners. “I don’t feel that we have enough time to get everything put together, go out and educate the public on what our needs are. … I think we need to sit back and look at this as the budget progresses forward.”
The commission requested a timeline of work done in 2013 leading up to the special sales tax election with the funds going to pay for improvements to the courthouse and law enforcement center and construction of the Emergency Services Building.
County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes told the commission that the ballot information is due to the printing company by Sept. 5 for the Nov. 5 election.
Haselhorst said it took several months in 2013 to roll out the effort to get a sales tax in 2013 and trying to get it on the ballot in November would be rushed.
“We won’t even be ready to go to the public before July 1. There’s no way,” Haselhorst said. “If we’re going to do it, I want to do it the right way.”
Commissioner Butch Schlyer said he agreed with Haselhorst “100 percent.”
“We’re already into the vacation season, summer activities have started (and) it’s not the best time. People aren’t real receptive to being educated on an issue like this,” Schlyer said. “We really couldn’t get any good education done on this thing until after Labor Day.”
For several weeks, Commissioner Dustin Roths has expressed his support implementing a quarter-cent sales tax, dedicated to county Emergency Medical Services, in front of the voters in November.
He said Monday he believes a sales tax for EMS would be an easier sell to the public than a half-cent tax that went to the county’s general fund or the one in 2013 that went toward building construction and improvements.
“If we do a quarter-cent sales tax directed to our high-level EMS service and we take the time to teach Ellis County about what kind of level of EMS service we have, I don’t feel like that takes as much time as infrastructure as buildings as things like that,” Roths said. “I think this is cut and dry.”
Schlyer said he is in favor of waiting until 2020 because that allows the public to see two budget cycles, and it will allow Ellis County residents to see the dire situation the county is facing.
“They’re going to be well aware of the fact that things are pretty tight here at the county after two budget cycles,” Schlyer said.
“If it doesn’t pass at that point, after the public has seen two cycles of budgets, then it’s just crash and burn time,” he added. “It’s just the way it is. It’s what the public would want.”
After more discussion, Roths made a motion to put the quarter-cent sales tax on the general election ballot. That motion was defeated by a 2-1 vote.
Roths has consistently lobbied for the quarter-cent sales tax while not supporting a half-cent sales tax, but both Schlyer and Haselhorst have suggested in previous meetings they may be more inclined to support the half-cent tax.
“In my professional life and my personal life, when I do something, I want to do it right,” said Schlyer. “We don’t even agree right now on what tax we’re going to have.”
After saying he would not help sell a half-cent sales tax last week, Roths again showed little interest in a half-cent sales tax Monday.
“I believe that we risk raising taxes higher than they absolutely need to be,” Roths said. “I take the idea of us taking money out of hardworking people’s pocket — if we don’t need it, or if it’s not a business decision between us and them — very seriously.”
He said one of the reasons he is against the half-cent sales tax is because the city of Hays would be the largest stakeholder and it would collect money he doesn’t believe it needs.
After the failed vote, Haselhorst said, “We have a lot of work to do, I think, to get this where it needs to be.”
Smith-Hanes will present the commission with another budget update at their first meeting in June.
Beginning this week, Safe Ride will be limited to operating on Fridays and Saturdays.
The limited hours will be in place throughout the summer.
“In light of the low numbers during the summer, the Partnership for a Safer Community voted not to provide services Wednesday and Thursday beginning May 22 through Aug. 14,” said Ed Howell, Fort Hays State University director of police and security.
He said the decision to cut service on Wednesdays and Thursdays was made after examining ridership last summer.
“Even though the university is in session, you are not going to have the number of people attending summer session like you do fall and spring,” he said as the likely cause of the lower amount of riders.
Regular service, however, would take place during Wild West Fest.
“We want to have that service available during that timeframe,” Howell said.
“The Safe Ride service was started by the Partnership for a Safer Community in June 2005 as part of an effort to provide alternative modes of transportation for individuals when they believe being on the roads is unsafe,” according to the FHSU website. “It is a collaborative effort between Fort Hays State University, local business and the City of Hays. More than 20 local businesses and agencies support the service offering everything from discounted rates on advertising to monetary donations and free phone lines for riders to call.”
Safe Ride offers rides to anyone in the community free of charge within the city limits from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Fast running water in Big Creek at Hays Frontier Park on May 21.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays has already seen lots of rain this week and more is in the weather forecast.
According to official records at the K-State Agricultural Research Center, 1.16 inches of rain mixed with a little bit of small hail, was measured in Hays Tuesday, May 21. Limited street flooding was reported.
On Monday, 1.75 inches of rain fell.
So far this month, Hays has received 6.17 inches of rain. The average rainfall in May is 3.24 inches.
Year-to-date moisture is 9.80 inches, surpassing by two inches the 151-year cumulative average moisture by the end of May of 7.81 inches.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City is forecasting rain in Hays each day through Tuesday, May 28.
PHILLIPS COUNTY — A 12-year-old boy injured in an accidental shooting in Phillipsburg remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit following surgery in Kearney, Nebraska according to Phillips County Sheriff Charles Radabaugh.
Just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, dispatchers received a 911 call from the boy stating he had accidentally shot himself and needed help, according to the sheriff.
EMS transported the boy to Phillips County Hospital and he was then transferred to the Kearney Hospital via ambulance in critical condition.
Doctors determined the bullet missed all the major organs. However, the boy will probably need reconstructive surgery on his pelvis, according to the sheriff. He also needs surgery to remove additional shrapnel and debris.
He is very lucky and emergency crews did an amazing job to get him the help he needed, the sheriff said, noting the youngster is expected to remain hospitalized through the weekend.
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PHILLIPSBURG — Authorities reported a 12-year-old was injured in an accidental shooting Tuesday in Phillips County.Just before 10 a.m., dispatchers received a 911 call from the boy stating he had accidentally shot himself and needed help, according to a social media post from the Phillips County Sheriff.
The boy panicked and couldn’t tell the dispatcher his address. The dispatcher used the mapping system available within the 911 system and sent officers and EMS to where the system told her was the location.
Prior to EMS and law enforcements arrival, it was determined the address was incorrect and the proper location was identified.
The child in this case was transported to Phillips County Hospital and transferred to a Kearney Hospital via ambulance in critical condition. Due to weather, air ambulances could not respond to transport the patient.
With school out and many responsible children being left home alone, the Sheriff’s Department encouraged parents to first, secure firearms in your home and second, encourage your kids to stay calm in emergencies so they can properly communicate with us should they need to call for help.
PHILLIPSBURG (AP) — Authorities say a 12-year-old boy has accidentally shot himself in northwest Kansas.
The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the boy called 911 around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, saying he had shot himself and needed help.
The post says the child was taken to Phillips County Hospital and then transferred in an ambulance to the larger hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, in critical condition. Air crews couldn’t respond because of storms in the area.
The post urged parents to secure firearms as schools let out for summer break.
The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 27 traffic stops Fri., May 17, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Fort St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block 507 E 16th St, Hays; 12:57 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block Circle Dr, Hays; 8:35 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 9:22 AM
Found/Lost Property–700 block Vine St, Hays; 9:30 AM
Animal At Large–1100 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:18 AM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:21 AM
Animal At Large–Gen Custer Rd and Motz Ave, Hays; 11:46 AM
Animal At Large–1100 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:33 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:40 PM
Drug Offenses–600 block Milner St, Hays; 12:50 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block E 22nd St, Hays; 8:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–2000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 8:42 PM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:49 PM
Suspicious Activity–400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 9:33 PM
Suspicious Activity–1700 block Copper Creek Ct, Hays; 10:30 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 41 traffic stops Sat., May 18, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Riley St, Hays; 1:55 AM; 2:14 AM
Obstruction of Legal Process–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 2:24 AM; 2:26 AM
Suspicious Vehicle–1800 block Fort St, Hays; 4:59 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–2100 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 12:58 PM
Suspicious Activity–1800 block Fort St, Hays; 1:49 PM
Theft (general)–1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 2:33 PM; 2:43 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block W 11th St, Hays; 8:40 AM; 5:10 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block E 16th St, Hays; 6:30 PM
Found/Lost Property–3900 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:57 PM
44 – Traffic Stop–1800 block Pine St, Hays; 11:15 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Sun., May 19, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Elm St, Hays; 12:35 AM; 12:45 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 3:02 AM
Pursuit/Chase–1500 block Fort St, Hays; 4:50 AM
Found/Lost Property–600 block Elm St, Hays; 11:02 AM
Fraud–3000 block New Way, Hays; 2:56 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block W 12th St, Hays; 12 PM; 3:28 PM
Disturbance – Noise–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 4:21 PM
Disturbance – General–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 5:24 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 9:10 PM
Suicide–300 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:14 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Mon., May 20, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block W 19th St, Hays; 9:39 AM
Unattended Death–3100 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 9:40 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:42 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:53 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:17 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–400 block E 14th St, Hays; 2:27 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:24 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–33rd and Vine St, Hays; 3:47 PM
Animal At Large–100 block W 15th St, Hays; 5 PM
Unwanted Person–700 block Vine St, Hays; 5:04 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 1 PM; 6:30 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 7:44 PM
Disturbance – General–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:43 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 8 traffic stops Tue., May 21, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Theft (general)–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 12:45 AM
Drug Offenses–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 6:12 AM; 8:15 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3200 block Willow St, Hays; 7:40 AM
Animal At Large–14th and Oak St, Hays; 11:52 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–300 block E 19th St, Hays; 5/20 10 PM; 5/21 1 PM
Animal At Large–400 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:07 PM
Animal At Large–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 2:33 PM
Welfare Check–300 block W 10th St, Hays; 5:31 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 9th St, Hays; 6:18 PM; 6:25 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 7:06 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 8:09 PM
Life is ever changing, sometimes throwing you too much to handle at once.
Unfortunately, the pets in our life sometimes take the brunt of it. In the panic of what to do, people will tend to do things for the right reason but not in the right way. Case in point; there has been a wave of people trying to rehome or sell their pets by any means they can. The latest trend is “I need (x amount) of money or the animal will be put down.” As much as this upset me more than you know, we are seeing more of this “hostage” situation. It is this that has prompted me to write this and hopefully bring some clarity on what can and can’t be done.
First and foremost, we need to look at the whole picture of things and stay calm about them. Social media can be a blessing and a curse. Keeping one’s feelings in check as we sit behind our computer screens is hard.
The priority is to make sure that the animal is safe and is going to the best situation it can. There are more agencies and people in Hays there are here to help than you think.
The Humane Society of The High Plains is a good place to start. Keep in mind, it is a non-profit no kill shelter which means it’s going to be full most of the time. They run strictly on donations and fundraisers. Betty (Hansen) has worked there for many years and has brought the Humane Society to be a no kill shelter. No kill means that an animal will stay there until it is adopted. Also understand, if an animal is picked up by Animal Control and it is deemed too sick or injured, yes, an animal will be humanly be euthanized.
As much as we would all like, we can’t save them all.
The Humane Society will put you on a waiting list if they are full and will get back to you when they can take your pet. There is a small fee of $25 to surrender your pet. This is to help defer their expenses. They are also there to help with food for people who are in need. We all fall on hard times and just need a little help to make it through the month. If they are not able to take your pet in, they may have people on their list of volunteers that can help. Remember, they can only help so much if they are full and kindness goes along ways.
The veterinarian clinics are another useful place to contact. Remember, they are not an intake facility but, in some cases, they do have a list of rescues or contacts of people that can help. They are a great source of information.
There are several reputable rescues in this area. Most rescues try to concentrate on abused and death row animals and all of them are nonprofit organizations and rely on volunteers and foster homes. Being this type of organization, they are also extremely full.
There is also a handful of people in Hays that are also willing to help. We are the people that will try to help you keep your pet in the home if we can. Keep in mind, we are doing this out of our own pockets, and we can only do so much. The Humane Society and veterinary clinics have our numbers.
This brings me to the most important point.
A pet is a lifelong commitment. When getting an animal, please take into consideration the cost of that pet. There is the upfront cost of shots and spaying and neutering. All animals in the city limits need to be registered with the city each year. Of course, there are going to be the unexpected events that come up such as illnesses and injuries.
We all want to see every animal find a great home, but we also need to be responsible about it. Check out the people you are surrendering your animal to. We may be a small town but there are people out there that do not have your pet’s best interest at heart.
Also remember, while Animal Control and the Police Department are there to help, there are some things that are beyond their control.
While we may not agree with how some people choose to handle their pets, they are only following the laws that are in place. If you do not agree with the laws or the lack of them, the Humane Society of the United States/Kansas would welcome you to help fight for the rights of animals in Kansas.
If you have a love for animals and would like to help, please contact your local shelter or animal rescue; they are always looking for people to volunteer their time.
Here is a list of agencies that are here to help with properly rehome your pets:
ROOKS COUNTY —Three earthquakes shook residents in Rooks County early Wednesday. Just after midnight, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a quake measuring a magnitude 3.0.
Image Kansas Geological Survey
The first quake was followed by a 2.9 magnitude quake at 12:12 a.m. and a 3.1 quake at 4:59a.m.
On May 11 and 12, the U.S. reported quakes measuring a magnitude 3.4 and 3.8, according to the USGS.
There are no reports of any damage from Wednesday’s quakes, according to the Rooks County Sheriff’s Department.
HOXIE — Dak, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.
K9 Dak’s vest is sponsored by Katrina Owens of Cockeysville, Md., and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Heidi Owens.”
See below for more from the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office:
What pure joy it is to shake the hand of every student who crosses that commencement stage! Did you know I preside over five ceremonies: the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science Completion Ceremony, two FHSU ceremonies in Hays, one at Sias International University in Xinzheng, China, and a final ceremony at Shenyang Normal University in Shenyang, China. That is several thousand handshakes!
These newly conferred academic degrees offer our most recent alumni opportunities for new beginnings. These new beginnings are so full of promise and hope. And it was with both pride and confidence that I conferred degrees.
The pride comes from valuing the hard work and the many accomplishments of our students. Confidence emanates from the knowledge that FHSU is truly a student-centered institution. Yet as hard as our students work, it is often the faculty and staff, who care so deeply about our students, who drive that effort. Our faculty and staff inspire the dreams of our students, help them discover their talents, and fuel their passion to complete this segment of their life’s journey.
According to research by Gallup Education, a deep ethic of care is correlated with long-term career and life success. Gallup’s research indicates that graduates who strongly agree they had the following six experiences as students performed better on every measure of long-term success compared with graduates who did not share these experiences:
1. A professor who made them excited about learning
2. Professors who cared about them as individuals
3. A mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams
4. Worked on a long-term project
5. Had a job or internship where they applied what they were learning
6. Were extremely involved in cocurricular activities
Bingo! These “Big Six” serve at the center of who we are as a community. Here are just a few stories students have shared with me:
A professor who made you truly excited about learning: Dr. Lexey Bartlett has been an incredibly inspiring and encouraging professor and mentor to me. She has challenged and pushed me to work harder in various classes I’ve had with her. As the director of the Writing Center, she has always been available and taken the time to listen to my worries and questions about interviews and class projects and my future and all sorts of things. She has truly inspired and encouraged me every day.
– Alexis-Athena Wyatt, Colorado Springs, Colorado, senior majoring in English
A professor who cared about them as persons: The professors are amazing at FHSU and I am not saying this just to flatter. Their doors are always open for you to visit them in their office and if you can’t reach them physically, you can always send an email or call and they respond as soon as possible. They have made the academic life less overwhelming especially been an international student, coming from a different educational system.
– Precious Ohanson, Lagos, Nigeria, majoring in nursing
A mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams: Professor Angie Howard in the Psychology Department has been such a help to me this semester. On top of her feedback that helped me develop my thinking and plans for my future career as a high school counselor. She also looked over a job listing for me and gave me so many great tips, advice, things to research, and possible interview questions to prepare for.
– Courtney Morgan, Dallas, Texas, senior majoring in psychology
Worked on a long-term project: Being a virtual student, I always longed for more interactions with my peers, and that desire was answered this year. As a scholar in the FHSU Leadership Department’s VALUE Program, I met weekly with six other students as we gained advanced leadership abilities through the completion of a project. My project saw me conducting research on undergraduate students working to complete group projects, and Dr. Brent Goertzen spent a great amount of time mentoring me on this project.
– Jonathan Jett, Prattville, Alabama, senior majoring in organizational leadership
Had a job or internship where they applied what they were learning: Last summer, I had the opportunity to work as a grain merchandising intern for Bartlett Grain Co. I was able to apply my base understanding of the commodity markets, basis, market spreads, and critical thinking abilities to work within the agricultural industry. I gained valuable insights into this industry and was very grateful for the opportunity to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real world situations.
– Rachel Anliker Kropp, Garden City senior majoring in finance
Were extremely involved in co-curricular activities: I was very involved in various work experience from Student Support Services to Admissions. I held various leadership roles including serving on a regional board of directors and president of the National Residence Hall Honorary. All of this experience lead me to find the field of student affairs and wanting to pursue it as a career. – Jessica Conklin, Hays senior majoring in higher education student affairs
As I look out at the commencement audiences, it is more than symbolic for me to see the faculty and staff seated among the graduates, because it is through their direct efforts that our students experience the “Big Six.” And it is why FHSU delivers more than a degree – it provides a passport so that our students thrive, not only in college, but also in their careers and lives.
The latest edition of Thomas More Prep-Marian’s Monarch Messenger — a student publication by junior high students covering the news and events of the seventh and eighth grades — is now available.
FHSU University Relations
