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Ellis High School has 30 seniors graduating at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11. EHS seniors were awarded $707,624 in scholarships.
Ellis Middle School will have 28 students participating in 8th Grade Promotion at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14.
Schools can send their lists of graduates to [email protected]
NCK Tech
Growing up in small town Kansas, Veronqua Schaben never really thought her future would take her halfway around the world, back again and then enter elite automotive training.
Schaben graduated from Ness City High School in 2010 and like many high school seniors started a traditional college career. From a social work major at the local university, switching to a music major at a community college, Veronqua could not put her finger on what she wanted to do. She was concerned about student loans and decided to give the U.S. Navy a chance.
“The opportunity with the G.I. Bill and a way to perhaps find a potential career is what led me to enlist,” Schaben said. “I spent four years in the Navy (2012-2016) and another in the reserves (2017). It was a great experience.”
While serving in the U.S. Navy, Veronqua learned the craft of machinery repair using lathes, drill presses and other equipment making parts for ships. After boot camp she was stationed in Sicily for 3 ½ years. During this time, she worked in emergency dispatch in the operations center. However, she knew she wanted to work with her hands and not sit in an office all day.
“The opportunity to take automotive classes through Central Texas University while still in the Navy was something I jumped on. I grew up the daughter of a mechanic,” Schaben said. “Dad tried many times to get me involved in his trade, but I was a typical teenager. I did not want to listen. Now I’m ready to make this my career.”
After returning from the U.S. Navy, Veronqua started exploring schools that offered automotive. NCK Tech in Hays seemed like a good fit.
“It was close to home,” Veronqua said with a smile.
Now with graduation right around the corner, Schaben is ready for the next step in her career. She has been selected to attend the Mercedes-Benz Drive Program. This elite training program is geared toward individuals looking to pursue a career at a Mercedes-Benz dealership. This manufacturer-paid program is highly competitive and reserved for top students. Potential students’ must meet eligibility requirements including graduating from a NATEF- certified automotive program and go through a comprehensive selection process. After the 16-week training program in Dallas, Schaben hopes to be assigned to the Wichita Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Richard Cox, instructor for the Automotive Technology II program, gives high praise for Veronqua.
“Veronqua is ASE certified in all eight entry-level areas,” Cox said. “She has earned the respect of her classmates and a great team player. Veronqua is always willing to learn something new.”
Graduating from NCK Tech with an AAS degree in Automotive Technology, ASE certifications and an opportunity with Mercedes-Benz may sound like a lot to take in for some people, but for Veronqua Schaben, a young woman from western Kansas, it is just the start of a great future.
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The annual Hays Arts Council Creative Writing Awards was sponsored this year by Optimist Club of Hays. The competition is open to all Ellis County students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Winners in each category received ribbons at the awards ceremony and reception on Sunday, May 5.
The contest was judged by the Fort Hays State University English Department, including Jacinta Carter, Linda McHenry, Brett Weaver, Sharla Hutchison, Lexey Bartlett, Lou Ann Gottschalk, Eric Leuschner, and Sharon Graham. Morgan Chalfant was the Creative Writing Judging Committee chair. See a full list of winners below.
HFD
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Fri., May 10, 2019 in the area of KSU AG Research Hwy 183 Bypass to Bison Rd. between 240th and 250th Ave., the area from Vine St. to Commerce between 8th St. and Reservation Rd. and the area of Canterbury to Commerce between 8th St. and 13th St.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the City of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes.
By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
Iron clad. The term suggests something that is certain and stable. It is also the name of an innovative place which is now providing shared space for Kansas entrepreneurs to work and grow.
Darin Miller is the founder and owner of Iron Clad Coworking in Wamego and Manhattan. Darin grew up near Newton. He went to school at Berean Academy in the rural community of Elbing, population 229 people. Now, that’s rural.
As a student, he competed at the state cross country meet at Wamego. “I could see that Wamego was a community with a winning attitude,” Darin said. He studied mechanical engineering, worked at Cessna in Wichita, and then happened to come to Wamego for a project at Caterpillar. He and his wife decided to stay.
Darin noticed a change in the way corporate life operated. “Managers said they didn’t have enough room (for employees’ offices) but at any given time, a third of the people were out working on projects elsewhere,” he said. Technology was making it possible for people to work without being confined to a particular office. “Entrepreneurs were using coffee shops and libraries, but those didn’t work for some business purposes,” he said.
“I did some research and came across the concept of coworking,” Darin said. Essentially, this meant that several businesses could share a single location as needed. Coworking spaces were being created on the east and west coasts.
Darin decided to open a coworking space in Wamego. He and his wife bought the former Duckwall’s building in Wamego, opened it up and refurbished it. It now has the look of an upscale, casual urban office space while preserving the stone walls and historic feel.
RELATED: A look at the coworking space in Hays — BriefSpace
“It was the largest closed building in downtown so the space needed to be filled,” Darin said. He also appreciated the history of the building.
“In the 1800s, this building was the site of the Iron Clad hardware store and lumberyard,” Darin said. “It was owned by a Civil War veteran. At the time, being iron clad was the leading technology of the day.” After all, it was iron clad Civil War ships which dominated sea battles.
“We also wanted to fit with the Wizard of Oz theme in downtown Wamego,” Darin said. “We used the Tin Man as a symbol. Just like him, we care about the heart.”
Iron Clad Coworking became the name of his coworking space which opened in May 2016. “It’s like a fitness center for office people,” Darin said. “You buy a membership and then you use it whenever you want.” For example, Iron Clad Coworking makes it possible for a start-up business to have a brick-and-mortar address without all the costs of taxes and utilities.
Iron Clad has conference space where a member can meet with clients when needed. Members have access 24/7. There are tables, chairs, large screen televisions, and excellent wi-fi, plus cabinets where private material can be secured. WTC, the local telecommunications company, provides high capacity internet access which rivals or exceeds that in urban settings.
Iron Clad’s event space has other uses as well. It can be booked for professional or social events. In 2017, Iron Clad opened a second location in downtown Manhattan. Iron Clad also joined the Proximity Coworking Network so Iron Clad members have access to similar spaces in locations across the nation and beyond.
“People are looking for flexible work in the shared economy,” Darin said. “My wife grew up in San Jose. She was in the Silicon Valley. Now we’re in the Silicon Prairie. It is possible to have a world-class company, right here in the Midwest.”
For more information, see www.ironcladcoworking.com.
Iron Clad. It was the name of a historic business in downtown Wamego, and now it is an innovative space for business in 2019. We commend Darin Miller for making a difference by pioneering the coworking concept in small-town Kansas. Rural communities need more innovation, and that guarantee is iron clad.
And there’s more. Darin helped pioneer another initiative to support entrepreneurs. We’ll learn about that next week.
Hays-area garage salesScroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly. Having a garage sale next weekend? Click HERE to submit your information.
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107 1/2 West 6th, Stone Gallery alley entrance
8:30 a.m. Thursday
FREE PLANTS…….Prairie Garden Club will hold their annual Plant Give Away on Thursday, May 9 at the Stone Gallery 107 ½ West 6th St. in the alley entrance. The public is invited to come and select plants free for the taking at 8:30 AM. Members of the Garden Club have hosted this event for 74 years. They dig up and pot perennials, small shrubs, seedlings and plants from their gardens to share with the community. The Club will also sell flower seeds and garden tools.If you have questions, call Brenda at 785-650-1532.
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1555, 1565, 1568,1580,1585,1595 Hilltop Drive, Hays
May 11 8am to early afternoon
Stonewood Estates North Community Sale: 6 homes on Hilltop Drive 1555, 1565, 1568,1580,1585,1595
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2211 Henry Dr., Hays
Saturday May 11th 9AM – 1PM
Huge Garage Sale! Lots of Guys and Ladies name brand clothes, Misc. household items, Upright vacuum, Treadmill, Antique medicine bottles, Vintage Soda Pop bottles, Old vacuum tube car radios, Small block Chevy engine parts, 1957 Chevy Car front fender, 1941 Chevy steering wheel, engine crank handle, and hubcaps.
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1400 W 43rd St., Hays
May 10th 5pm-8pm & May 11th 8:30am to 11:30 am
Lots of kid toys
Medela breast pump and storage bottles
New and gently used baby bottles
Fitbit Charge 2 HR
Kindle Fire 7 HD
Home/Kitchen decor and misc. household items
Several sets of curtains
Kitchen items (Roaster pan, toaster oven, crockpot, table cloth
Name brand womens clothes S-L including Miss Me jeans (table of clothes that is $5 per grocery sack)
New and gently used womens shoes size 8-9 Truck tool box
Nice dining room light fixture
Barb Wire collection
Boyds Bears and Willow Tree collection
Books
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303 W 37th St., Hays
Thurs May 30-5-8 Fri May 31-5-8
Clothes, shoes, misc
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2300 Plum St. Hays
Today 8-5, Saturday 8-11 am.
Tools, Household Items, Xmas & Home Decor, Log racks, Pool supplies, Toys
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311 E 20th St, Hays
June 1- 7:30 to 3
WIDE Variety. Women and Men Clothing. Twin Bed. Household Items. Decorations. College supplies perfect for new homes!
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311 E 20th St Hays
June 1- 7:30 to 3
WIDE Variety. Women and Men Clothing. Twin Bed. Household Items. Decorations. College supplies perfect for new homes!
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FHSU University Relations
Jenna Radtke, Bejou, Minn., graduate assistant in the Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center has had a busy second year of graduate study that will culminate with graduation in May with a Master of Science in Education in higher education student affairs from Fort Hays State University.
She presented KAANnectingthe.coms at the Kansas Academic Advising Network Conference in Manhattan in September and received honors and opportunities from NASPA, the nation’s premier association for professionals in student personnel administration.
She received the NASPA IV-W Rising Star Award – Graduate Student in November.
She also received professional development funding from KAAN in February to present “Spice Up Your Social Media: Aligning Your Online Presence with Generation Z” at the NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising Region 7 Conference, and was presented with the 2019 NACADA Region 7 Conference Graduate Student Scholarship at its conference in San Antonio in March.
NACADA is a worldwide organization for the advancement of theory, research and practice in the field of academic advising.
“I have enjoyed the experiential learning opportunities that I have had to connect with the classroom learning to take theory into practice,” she said. “These opportunities have allowed me to expand my knowledge related to the NACADA Core Competencies and NASPA/ACPA Competencies.”
“Jenna has taken advantage of the opportunities that are made available to graduate assistants with the Division of Student Affairs while at Fort Hays State University,” said Dr. Patricia Griffin, director of Fort Hays State’s Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center.
Griffin said that Radtke has had multiple opportunities to enhance knowledge through various conferences, programs, and practicum experiences with NODA at Illinois State University and Career Services at FHSU. These have provided her with a broad range of experiences across higher education,” said Griffin. NODA is an association for professionals in orientation, transition and retention in higher education.
“Radtke has led with pride at FHSU by taking advantage of the immersive environment that allows her to take her experiences with her as a student affairs professional,” said Griffin. “She is an example of how taking advantage of the opportunities as a graduate student can help you in acquiring both knowledge and experience for the future.”
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“There’s signs on the interstate that this truck stop is coming and I don’t have an update for the people. Do you have an update on it?” Vice-mayor Sean Musil asked Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty Thursday night at the end of their meeting. “I’d just like to know what’s going on.”
Dougherty had a few answers for city commissioners.
“We were contacted several months ago by an entity wishing to develop the property into a travel plaza, a hotel, restaurants, a rather large development,” Dougherty said.
The property, owned by Dan Hess of Hess Services, is at I-70 Exit 157 on the west side of Hays in the northwest corner. Hess Services is located north of the property on 230th Ave.
“We discussed with them what would be required for a formal application for economic incentives (from the city),” Dougherty said. “As the commission knows, that’s a process the developer needs to follow.”
According to Dougherty the developer has paid a $5,000 non-refundable deposit and signed a funding agreement with Grow Hays.
“That puts them in contact with our bond counsel Gilmore and Bell. Working with their counsel and our bond counsel, a term sheet is developed that outlays the specifics of the project – what’s the project going to look like, what’s the dollar amount, what’s the financial incentive asked for, what’s the time frame of this – and that transitions into the formal application for any of the incentives and then any incentive process would start.
Dougherty has had discussions with the developer he told the commission, “but we do not have the necessary information to put the term sheet together.”
“Right now, it’s in the developer’s hands. We’re just waiting for the developer to provide that information. We’d like to get a term sheet in front of you as quickly as possible so you can talk about the specifics and hopefully transition this into an actual (financial) incentive request.”
Musil said he’s had a lot of people asking him about the project and hadn’t heard anything about it for awhile.
“When you see billboards go up announcing it’s going to happen, you’re excited about it,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller.
“Absolutely,” agreed Musil. “I support that.”
“We are excited,” added Commissioner Sandy Jacob.
After the meeting, Musil and Commissioner Ron Mellick said they’ve both seen three billboards on I-70 between Salina and Hays that advertise a travel plaza opening in Hays in 2019.
Friday A 10 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
SaturdayMostly cloudy, with a high near 64. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
SundaySunny, with a high near 70.
Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 45.
MondaySunny, with a high near 77.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners tonight unanimously voted to appoint former city commissioner Eber Phelps to the unexpired term of James Meier.
“I really believe that we should have the people vote for them, but we don’t have a choice now by state statute,” said Vice-Mayor Sean Musil who made the motion to appoint Phelps.
“I think Eber Phelps – that guy cares so much about this community – he’ll do a great job in the seven months remaining. That’s why in my opinion we should appoint him.” Commissioner Ron Mellick seconded Musil’s motion.
Meier’s seat is up for re-election in the November 5 general election. He vacated the position May 3 and will be moving to Wichita. By state law the city commission has 10 days to appoint the replacement.
“A lot of changes going on right now,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller, “and one of them is the city manager working solo. There’s no assistant city manager. So bringing someone up to speed (about city commission activities) would be rather challenging for all of us at this point.”
Phelps will be sworn into office at the May 16 work session.
Schwaller said several people contacted commissioners to express interest in the position.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Another half-inch of rain in Hays the past 24 hours brings the three day total to 2.50 inches, according to the official weather report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. That amount is also the total for May.
So far in 2019, Hays has received 6.13 inches of precipitation.
The weather forecast is calling for a chance of freezing temperatures overnight and more rain on Friday.
Around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, a three-car accident was slowing traffic in the northbound lane of the 2300 block of Hall.
Members of the Hays Police Department worked to clear the scene as traffic moved around the accident.
No injuries were reported.
GOVE COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 7a.m. Thursday in Gove County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Ram driven by Larry Donnell Thomas, 57, Birmingham, AL., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Kansas 23.
The pickup entered the median and the driver lost control. It rolled into westbound lanes and collided with a westbound 2009 Freightliner semi driven by Francis Mena-Gomez, 44, North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thomas, Mena-Gomez and a passenger in the Dodge Stephen C. Hood, 34, Vestavia, AL, were transported to Via Christi. Thomas was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
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UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Interstate 70 westbound in Gove County has been reopened to traffic, according to the Gove County Sheriff’s Office.
The Kansas Highway Patrol worked the scene of the accident that forced the nearly three-hour closure.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
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Interstate 70 is closed westbound at exit 95 in Gove County due to an accident Thursday morning, the Gove County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Law enforcement is diverting traffic through Grainfield via Kansas Highway 23.
A witness report said a semi had overturned in a construction zone after an accident with a pickup.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
