By KIRBY ROSS
Phillips County Review

PHILLIPSBURG — Anybody who drives along Phillips County highways on a regular basis occasionally will see orange-clad Kansas Department of Correction prisoner work crews picking up trash along ditches.

One such crew of convicts was working Highway 183 immediately north of Phillipsburg last Thursday when they came across something that didn’t fit in the category of being ordinary run-of-the-mill roadside garbage.

With some of the inmates being experts in the identification of drug manufacturing paraphernalia, they immediately recognized the unusual “trash” they came across as being components for the manufacture of methamphetamine — aka, a meth lab.

The guards overseeing the operation immediately called in Phillips County law enforcement, which secured the site a stone’s throw north of the old Groendyke truck yard not far beyond Phillipsburg city limits.

Phillips County Sheriff Charlie Radabaugh then contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which sent up a unit of its Clandestine Laboratory Response Team from Great Bend.

With the evidence recovery operation getting underway by mid-afternoon, KBI-technicians suited in full body hazmat suits that look like something an astronaut might wear on Mars in a 1950s science fiction movie began working the area.

Soon they recovered a number of items that looked suspicious and transported them back to their own laboratories for testing.

In the meantime, Phillips County Sheriff’s deputies combed the ditches along Highway 183 further up the road and found an additional item of interest a couple miles north of the site of the original discovery.

Commenting to the Phillips County Review at the scene as the KBI investigators were working in the background, Sheriff Radabaugh stated “the prisoners immediately recognized the items for what they were and had it called in to us. Funny, some of them seemed to be experts on what they were looking at.”

For this find and for any other crimes occurring in Phillips County, the Sheriff’s Office offers a reward up to $1,000 for information which leads to an arrest. Call or text 785-251-3809 anytime. Callers can remain anonymous.

The following press release relating to the meth lab discovery was issued the same day:

This afternoon, dangerous components of a meth lab were located north of Phillipsburg.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation Clandestine Lab Response Team was contacted and responded to neutralize the hazard and collect evidence.

Sheriff Radabaugh made an exerted effort when he took office just over two years ago to rid the county of methamphetamine. This resulted in some known meth users moving from the county and 18 arrests which have all resulted in convictions. Methamphetamine has been very difficult to find in Phillips County since.

“As I publicly stated when I took office, meth is not welcome and will not be tolerated in Phillips County, I am offering a reward up to $1,000 for information which leads to the arrest of meth users and dealers in the county,” said Sheriff Radabaugh. “I will not stand around and watch this county return to what it was prior to my administration,” continued Radabaugh.

Anyone with information of illegal drug activity are encouraged to call or text 785-251-3809. This is a special number which will be answered by deputies working narcotic cases. You may remain anonymous.

Submitted

The Wonder Women League of the United Way of Ellis County will be hosting the third-annual Power of the Purse event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 2  with doors opening at 6 p.m. at the Smoky Hill Country Club.

There will be a multitude of upscale purses/handbags for raffle and a select few of them for auction.  All purses/handbags are donated from local businesses and individuals.

The guest speaker is Phyllis Burdge. She will be sharing her inspiration of what brought her to where she is today.

The Wonder Women League is a group of volunteers who bring together their time, talent and resources to make impacts in Ellis County. Their mission statement is inspiring and empowering women to affect change in our community. The Wonder Women League has developed community impact projects such as: The Born Learning Trail in partnership with Adams, Brown, Beran, and Ball, in Sunrise Park near Roosevelt School; self-defense training through the Fort Hays State Tactical Group; and most recently, Matthew’s Gift with Hays Medical Center, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

The United Way of Ellis County and the Wonder Women League is grateful for the businesses who are sponsoring the Power of the Purse event: Werth Wealth Management, Auto World, First Kansas Bank, Eagle Communications – Hays Radio Group, Kaiser Liquor and those who have donated purses.

Tickets are going fast and space is limited.  Tickets can be purchased online www.liveunited.us through the Events tab on the United Way of Ellis County website or through Facebook at “United Way of Ellis County”. The various purses are also featured on Facebook.

FHSU University Relations

About 200 people turned out Monday for an open house and ribbon-cutting at Stroup Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus to see new lab spaces and equipment in a rebuilt section of the building.

A $250,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation funded the renovation, which was a partnership between the FHSU Department of Nursing and HaysMed.

“Today, we celebrate the opening of the Stroup Hall Simulation Center made possible by our partnership with HaysMed, part of the University of Kansas Health System, and the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation,” said FHSU President Tisa Mason.

“The Stroup Hall Simulation Lab brings together resources and community partners in order to provide an innovative education that meets the needs of students, our region, and world,” she said. “Together, we are putting learning into action to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving workforce and empowering students with the skills and experience to thrive.”

Edward Herrman, HaysMed president and chief executive officer, also praised the partnership on display at the open house.

“For us, as the only tertiary healthcare facility in western Kansas, we have a commitment and responsibility to our community to provide care at an excellent level,” said Herrman.

“For us to really do that, we know that our best resource is western Kansas kids, and the best place for them to get educated is right here at Fort Hays State. We enjoy our relationship with the university and appreciate everything that they provide our community. This project and our partnership benefits all of us. We end up with better prepared nursing staff, and more students who are exposed to looking at nursing or IT in healthcare as careers.”

Among the equipment for the simulation lab are 20 Reality Works Babies. The babies mimic infants and track how often they are fed, have their diapers changed and cry.

Other funding was for a pediatric manikin named Hal that has facial movements, cries, sweats, suffers seizures and produces heart and lung sounds. Additional equipment included a fetal heart monitor, a 24-week newborn manikin and funding to record activities in the simulation lab.

The video system will allow students to visualize themselves in practice and get feedback on ways to improve performance.

The renovation included constructing observation and control spaces with one-way windows to allow faculty to control the functions of the manikins as students are working in the examination and hospital room labs.

CITY OF HAYS

The March 28 Hays City Commission meeting has been canceled. The commission will next meet in a work session April 4.

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 18 traffic stops Fri., March 22, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 4:35 AM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 7:36 AM
Domestic Disturbance–2300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:10 AM
Dangerous Animal–10th and Ash, Hays; 10:13 AM
Criminal Trespass–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 10:16 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–Russell; 10:50 AM
Found/Lost Property–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 12 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1/20/17  8 AM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:42 PM
Burglary/residence–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 1:52 PM
Animal At Large–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 2:22 PM
Animal At Large–1400 block Hall St, Hays; 2:29 PM
Mental Health Call–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 2:37 PM
Search Warrant–300 block W 10th St, Hays; 2:42 PM
Theft (general)–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 11 AM; 6:10 PM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 6:15 PM
Welfare Check–100 block E 18th St, Hays; 7:46 PM
Drug Offenses–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 9:05 PM; 10:20 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:09 PM; 11:11 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 25 traffic stops Sat., March 23, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Intoxicated Subject–2900 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 1:56 AM
MV Accident /DUI–500 block W 29th St, Hays; 12 AM; 2 AM
Mental Health Call–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:20 AM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–I-70 and Vine St, Hays; 11:33 AM
Animal At Large–14th and Walnut St, Hays; 12:16 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 1:01 PM
Found/Lost Property–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 1:03 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–26th and Donald, Hays; 1:12 PM
Civil Dispute–2300 block Plum St, Hays; 1:29 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 17th St, Hays; 2:36 PM
Suspicious Activity–2000 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:41 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 3/22 10:30 PM; 3/23 5:45 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 8:39 PM; 8:41 PM
44 – Traffic Stop–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 9:20 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2700 block Ash St, Hays; 10:21 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 10:56 PM; 10:58 PM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block Fort St, Hays; 11:15 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:21 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sun., March 24, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal Bite Investigation–1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 12 AM; 12:32 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–700 block Main St, Hays; 12:01 AM; 12:56 AM
Theft (general)–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 12:45 AM; 1:30 AM
Animal At Large–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 9:04 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2700 block Ash St, Hays; 9:57 AM
Welfare Check–2300 block Walnut St, Hays; 11:48 AM
Animal At Large–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:09 PM
Animal At Large–2700 block Thunderbird Cir, Hays; 1:28 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block E 17th St, Hays; 3/23 8:30 PM; 3/24 8:15 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–600 block W 8th St, Hays; 3:13 PM
Harassment (All Other)–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 6:30 PM; 7:04 PM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 8 PM; 8:03 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Mon., March 25, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Welfare Check–2000 block Hall St, Hays; 9:03 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley, Hays; 10:40 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:19 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:25 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:09 PM
Search Warrant–300 block W 10th St, Hays; 3/22 2:42 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:21 PM
Dead Animal Call–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:57 PM
Welfare Check–3900 block E 8th St, Hays; 4:24 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:29 PM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 5:54 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2500 block Virginia Dr, Hays; 5:58 PM
Animal Call–200 block Northridge Dr, Hays; 7:38 PM
Burglary/residence–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 3/24 9 PM; 3/25 7 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:14 PM; 10:08 PM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block W 8th St, Hays; 10:20 PM; 10:26 PM
Aggravated Assault–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 11:09 PM; 11:14 PM

Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Windy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph.

Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across southwest and central Kansas Wednesday afternoon and evening. #kswx pic.twitter.com/Xb7zyxTHsf

— NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) March 26, 2019

Wednesday Night A slight chance of rain and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South southeast wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. South southeast wind 8 to 15 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday NightIsolated showers before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 4am, then showers likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North northeast wind 11 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

FridayScattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Hays Post

Eagle Communications is collecting monetary donations at its Kansas radio stations for victims of the catastrophic flooding in Nebraska.

Hays-area residents wishing to make a contribution may bring cash or checks to the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall Street, Hays.

Checks should be made out to the Nebraska Red Cross. Donations will be collected through April 4.

The Hays contribution will then be combined with those collected by Eagle Radio stations in Great Bend, Salina, Hutchinson, Manhattan and Junction City and will be distributed to the Nebraska Red Cross.

For more information, contact the Hays Eagle Media Center at 785-301-2211.

Disclosure: Eagle Communications is the parent company of Hays Post.

Office of the Attorney General

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Chief Judge Glenn Braun will host a local display on the history of the Magna Carta – the 13th century document that set the course for democracy in England, and greatly influenced democracy in the United States.

The exhibit will be on display at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main St in Hays, from April 1 through noon on April 19. School classes, youth groups, civic clubs and members of the public are invited to visit the display during the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“While the Magna Carta began as a series of grievances from barons in medieval England, the fundamental rights that were laid out in that document were later echoed in our own Declaration of Independence, and have been symbolic of liberty and democracy,” Schmidt said. “I encourage civic clubs, educators and other interested citizens to use this opportunity to discuss our civic history and to engage in learning about the precious system of self-government we have inherited from those who came before.”

The Magna Carta has also had great influence on the development of laws.

“Winston Churchill once stated that the ‘Magna Carta provided a system of checks and balances which would accord the monarchy its necessary strength but would prevent its perversion by a tyrant or a fool,’” Chief Judge Braun said. “Our founding fathers in drafting the Constitution incorporated the same idea of checks and balances which preserves our liberties.”

Schmidt and Braun encourage all local residents, and particularly students, to visit the display and learn more about the Magna Carta’s legacy. Those interested in requesting a presentation may contact Hays Public Library Adult Services Manager Samantha Gill at 785-625-9014.

The exhibit was produced by the American Bar Association in honor of the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary in 2015. Although that anniversary has passed, the exhibit is on traveling display. More information about the display and the Magna Carta is available on the attorney general’s website at www.ag.ks.gov/magna-carta.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board approved bids for roof repairs for Roosevelt Elementary School and Hays Middle School at its meeting Monday night.

The low bid for the Roosevelt project was $ 241,298 from High Plains Roofing of Hays. The low bid for the HMS project was $46,120 from Wray Roofing of Newton. The HMS project will repair a leak over the kitchen.

Bond
The board took no action toward a new bond proposal. However, the board agreed to meet in a special session to discuss long-range planning for infrastructure and possible bond options. A date for that meeting has yet to be set.

Other infrastructure projects
The board is looking at several other infrastructure projects, which it will likely vote on at its next meeting on April 8.

The board reviewed a plan to add secure entrances at Hays High School and HMS. The district has received more than $86,000 in grants for the project. This includes a state safe schools grant and a grant from the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence. The district’s portion of these projects is $16,693.

The district hopes to have the entrance projects completed this summer. The projects will funnel visitors through the schools’ offices after the start of the school day.

The board also reviewed bids for a project to pull wiring for new clock, phone and security camera systems at the high school. The low bid was from Nex-Tech for $129,337. The wiring project is set to be completed this summer. The clock system will be installed this summer, and the phone and security camera systems will be upgraded as funds are available.

Oak Park Medical Complex

Renovation work has begun on the Oak Park Medical Park. The former medical complex is being remodeled for use by Early Childhood Connections.

The board took a first look at a couple of issues related to this project Monday. The board will dissolve a condominium association associated with the complex. Bill Jeter, board attorney, said the association is no longer needed since the property is all under the ownership of the school district.

The board is also set to vote at its next meeting to move forward with an application for tax exempt status for the Oak Park property.

Coaches
The school board also officially accepted the resignations of three HHS head coaches at its meeting Monday night. John Hafliger, head HHS wrestling coach is resigning effective in May. Faith Schindler resigned as HHS head boys swim coach, and Rick Keltner, head HHS basketball coach is retiring at the end of the year after 34 years of service with USD 489. Longtime baseball coach Frank Leo also will be handing over the reins a the end of the baseball season.

FHSU University Relations

Record enrollments at Fort Hays State University have continued for an 18th consecutive spring with a 20th-day enrollment of 13,291, which is 164 students higher than last spring’s 13,127.

The 13,291 students this spring are taking a total of 126,947 credit hours, computes to a full-time equivalent count of 9,153.

The Kansas Board of Regents decided last summer to transition the traditional preliminary enrollment count – the 20th day count – from the headcount metric to a full-time-equivalency metric.

The overall headcount increase, 1.2 percent, was on the strength of increases in the FHSU Virtual College and in enrollment at the university’s international partners. Online enrollment increased by 86 to 6,830; and enrollment at the university’s international partner universities increased by 204 to 2,307.

On-campus enrollment decreased by 126 to 4,154.

The number of Kansas students also increased, to 7,500 this spring from 7,334 in spring 2018.

“Saying ‘18 consecutive years’ makes it sound easy,” said Dr. Dennis King, assistant vice president for enrollment management and retention. “However, this is the result of a great foundation and continued hard work for everyone at FHSU.”

“A reduced number of potential students and an increase in competition are an ongoing challenge,” he said, “but our successful students are sharing their stories, and when people hear what FHSU has to offer, they want to be a part of it.”

The numbers break down to 10,626 undergraduate and 2,665 graduate students. The total includes 51 students in the university’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is FHSU’s first doctoral degree.

FHSU’s Hispanic student enrollment this spring is up across the board, from 1,046 last spring to 1,093 in spring 2019. That includes undergraduate and graduate enrollment.

The string of record enrollments began in 2002, when both spring and fall enrollments set all-time highs. Each semester since has been higher than the corresponding semester from the previous year.