FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University recently held its first ceremony and ribbon cutting for the Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award. The winner of the $500 cash award was Avary Huff, a Topeka sophomore majoring in tourism and hospitality management.

Over 60 people including donors, retired librarians, FHSU faculty and staff, as well as community members were in attendance for the ceremony.

The award recognizes excellence in undergraduate research that incorporates the use of Forsyth Library resources and demonstrates sophisticated information literacy skills.

“This award sought to evaluate not just the research product, but the research process,” said Nathan Elwood, instruction and electronic access librarian. “The judging committee looked at students’ ability to locate high quality information, evaluate it critically, and use it insightfully.”

A committee of librarians, graduate students, and faculty from across a wide array of disciplines and studies came together to evaluate the scholarship entered by students.

Huff’s paper, “Living the Suite Life: The Implementation of Environmental Technologies in the Hotel Industry,” was completed as part of a tourism and hospitality management course. Thomas Lippert, instructor of management, was Huff’s faculty mentor.

“It was an honor to mentor Avary in this research assignment and help champion her paper,” said Lippert. “Avary indicated that she now realizes that working with librarians at Forsyth benefits the quality and depth in the research process.”

“Huff, in developing her essay, utilized an array of specialized tools and techniques, consulted with library faculty for additional support, and critically evaluated both the sources she utilized and her own skill in using them,” said the committee.

“The Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award honors Lynn Haggard, retired Forsyth Librarian, and her 18 years of passionate service to the FHSU community and highlights the role of libraries as partners in student learning,” said Deborah Ludwig, dean of Forsyth Library.

Two additional finalists of the 16 applicants were recognized for their work alongside Huff.

Jordan Stevens, a Wichita sophomore majoring in history, wrote “There’s Something Happening Here: American Protest Songs of the Vietnam War.” Hollie Marquess, instructor of history, was Stevens’ faculty mentor.

Michala Bieker, a Great Bend junior majoring in early childhood unified, wrote “Action Research Project.” Dr. Linda Feldstein, assistant professor of teacher education, was Bieker’s faculty mentor.

The works of the winner and two finalists will be preserved and accessible in the FHSU Scholars Repository at https://scholars.fhsu.edu.

“Our students live in an age where the ability to think critically depends on finding and analyzing information that is unbiased and factual,” said Ludwig. “That skill is foundational to participation in a democratic and increasingly global society. Lynn Haggard helped many FHSU students develop that skill and we honor her legacy with this award”

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

It’s been a soggy few days for northwest Kansas.

As of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, Hays received 1.75 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.

So far this month, Hays has received 5.01 inches, which is more than the 3.24 inch average for the whole month.

The storms of the last two days has also pushed the Hays over its year to date rainfall average. Since Jan. 1. Hays has received  8.63 of rain, which is more than the 7.81 inch year-to-date average for the end of May.

Ellis and Rush counties remain in a Flash Flood Watch until 1 p.m. Tuesday.

ELLIS COUNTY

The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday. There will also be a public hearing.

The meeting and public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at 718 Main in the Commission Chambers.

Contact the Ellis County Zoning Office at 785-628-9449 for more information.

The complete agenda follows.

ELLIS COUNTY JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

May 22, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Ellis County Administrative Center Meeting Room

718 Main Street Lower Level, Hays, Kansas

ELLIS COUNTY JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
May 22, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Ellis County Administrative Center Meeting Room
718 Main Street Lower Level, Hays, Kansas

Agenda is Subject to Change

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. Approval of April 24, 2019 meeting minutes

IV. Public Presentation

V. Staff Report
A. Activity Report
B. Other

VI. Old Business
A. Committee Reappointments
B. Update on the Comprehensive Plan
C. Other

VII. New Business
A. Public Hearing for Conditional Use Permit 1908
Meder/Nex-Tech
A. Motion to Open Public Hearing
B. Staff Report on Conditional Use Permit/Development Plan
C. Questions from Commission to Staff
D. Presentation by Applicant
E. Opportunity for Public to speak
F. Applicant Rebuttal
G. Staff presents staff findings
H. Questions from Commission to Applicant, Public or Staff
I. Motion to Close Public Hearing
J. Commission takes action upon request
K. Commission now completes the Findings of Fact in accordance with action taken
L. Announce Protest Period Ending Date

B. Other

VIII. Confirm next meeting date: July 24, 2019 at Ellis County
Administrative Center Meeting Room, 718 Main Lower Level,
Hays, Kansas at 7:00 p.m.

IX. Adjournment

Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 9am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 65. Windy, with an east wind 13 to 18 mph becoming south 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West southwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

WednesdaySunny, with a high near 74. West wind around 11 mph.

Wednesday NightA 30 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind 8 to 10 mph.

ThursdayRain and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday NightA 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy.

FridayA 20 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Ellis County until 5:15 p.m.

At 4:19 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Antonino, moving northeast at 35 mph. Winds of 60 mph and quarter-size hail were associated with the storm.

———–

The National Weather Service has issued a significant weather advisory for southern Ellis, northeastern Ness, southeastern Trego and northwestern Rush counties.

The advisory expires at 4:45 p.m.

At 4:08 p.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near McCracken, moving northeast at 35 mph. Nickel-size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include Hays, Ellis, Catherine, Yocemento, Toulon, Munjor and Antonino.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will hear an update tonight on the $1.76 million renovation to the Oak Park Medical Complex.

The complex is being renovated for use by Early Childhood Connections.

The school district purchased the complex for $2 million, which will be paid for through a lease agreement out of capital outlay funds. The district received a $1.47 million federal grant and a $500,000 donation from HaysMed, the primary owner of the complex before it was sold, for the renovations.

The district hopes to have the facility open sometime this fall.

The board also is set to vote on two other capital projects on which work would be done this summer.

Members are expected to vote on a re-keying all the doors at Hays High School, Hays Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary and the new Early Childhood Connections building.

The district has received at $57,000 matching grant to replace interior door locks. The district’s match for the project will be $53,000.

Rusty Lindsay, buildings and grounds director, said the current lock system is no longer secure because keys can be easily duplicated.

The other project is to replace concrete in the Hays High School Parking lot. The district is scheduled to do a portion of the parking lot each year until all of the concrete has been replaced. This year’s low bid was for $96,600 from Brian’s Concrete Services of Hays.

In other business, the board will

• Hear a Lincoln Elementary School Site Council presentation
• Vote on revisions to the Classified Handbook
• Vote on board policy revisions
• Vote on the 2019-20 board meeting calendar
• Hear a report on workers compensation and cyber liability insurance
• Hear a report on property and casualty insurance
• Chris Hipp, director of the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, will present the district assessment recommendation

At 5:53 a.m. Sunday, the Ellis County Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 106 Vicki Lane. Upon arrival, fire was reported to be seen throughout the home.

Fire crews used three fire attack lines to extinguish the fire. Due to the extent of the fire, a defensive fire approach was used to help ensure other close structures would not be impacted as well as limit the risk to the firefighters.

The home received extensive fire damage and is a complete loss, however the nearby garden sheds were protected and saved.

The fire was reported out and under control at 7:01 a.m. Midwest Energy was contacted to shut off utilities to the building. Fire crews remained on scene until approximately 10 a.m. to assist the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office with the fire investigation and put out any remaining hot spots.

After the investigation, it was determined the most likely cause was a faulty electrical outlet.

Twenty-seven firefighters from the Ellis County Fire Department (Hays, Ellis, Victoria and Munjor) responded to assist. The fire was located within the automatic aid program area and the Hays Fire Department responded with an additional six firefighters. The ECFD was also assisted by the Ellis County EMS, sheriff’s deputies and the Hays Police Department.

— Ellis County Fire and Emergency Management

LARNED, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have charged a 31-year-old Kansas prison employee with having unlawful sexual relations with an inmate.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett said in a release that Jennifer Stevenson, of Otis, is charged with one felony count of unlawful sexual relations.

The alleged incidents occurred at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility in August and September of 2018.

Stevenson has been released from jail pending her preliminary hearing next week.

CITY OF ELLIS

ELLIS – Ellis city council members will consider approving employee health insurance quotes from Freedom Claims Management during their meeting Monday night.

Also on the agenda are consideration of bids for construction of bathrooms in South Walnut Park and approval of electrical contractor work and water supply materials for the Lakeside Campground expansion project

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA

May 20, 2019

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS

City Hall – Council Meeting Room

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

1)            CONSENT AGENDA

1. a)            Minutes from Regular Meeting on May 6, 2019
2. b)            Bills Ordinance #2069
3. c)            Manual Journal Entries for April

(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda.  By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)

PUBLIC COMMENTS

(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes.  If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson.  ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment.  Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)

2)            PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

1. a)            Public Works Week Proclamation

3)            SPECIAL ORDER

1. a)            Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
2. b)            Review and Consider Approval of Employee Health Insurance Quotes – Lori Miller and Julie Yarmer, Freedom Claims Management

4)            UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. a)            Consider Approval of Roster of Committee Appointments
2. b)            Consider Bids for Construction of South Walnut Park Bathrooms

5)            NEW BUSINESS

1. a)            Review Bids for Meal for Community Block Party
2. b)            Consider Approval to Purchase Submersible Pump for Sewer Lift Station
3. c)            Consider Approval of Electrical Contractor Work and Water Supply Materials for Campground Expansion Project

6)            REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

1. a)            Administrative

1)            Public Works

(1)          Comparative Water Report

(2)          Department Update

2)            Police

(1)          Department Update

3)            City Clerk

(1)          Health Insurance Savings Report for April

(2)          April Financial Statements

(3)          Draft Minutes from Committee Meetings

(4)          Department Update

4)            Attorney

(1)          Update on Status of Code Violation Cases

5)            Mayor Update and Announcements

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

7)            ADJOURNMENT