HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System will offer a pediatric orthopedic and spine clinic on January 29 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. The clinic will be held at the Orthopedic Clinic, 2500 Canterbury.
The clinic focuses on congenital orthopedic programs in pediatrics such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hip disorders (dysplasia), flat feet, toe walking, in toeing bowlegs (knock knees) and other spinal deformities often seen in children.
Rebecca Green, PA-C, under the supervision of Dr. Max DeCarvalho, orthopedic surgeon, will be evaluating and treating the patients at the clinic.
Congenital spine deformities are disorders of the spine that develop in a child before birth. Vertebrae don’t form properly very early in fetal development, causing structural problems in the spine and spinal cord. The problems can range from mild to severe and may cause other problems if left untreated.
You can schedule an appointment by calling 866-428-8221 or 785-261-7599. No physician referral is required unless it is required by your insurance company.
Registration is now open for Biking Across Kansas 2019 and this year’s route will wind through northwest Kansas.
The event is scheduled for June 8 to 15 and starts at the Colorado border near Goodland. Other stops include Colby, Hill City, Hays and Wilson. The route ultimately ends in Atchison.
Click HERE for registration information or HERE for more details.
This is the first time in years the Kansas Legislature will be entering the session without a budget deficit to battle.
Instead of looking for cuts or ways to increase revenue, local legislators said they will be looking at tax relief.
They also said they hope to give attention to programs that have suffered during the budget struggles, including KPERS and transportation.
Billinger
Taxes
Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, in a recent interview for Eagle TV’s Forum, said he would like to see a “decoupling” of state income taxes from federal income taxes.
As a result of Congress increasing the standard deduction on federal income taxes, many filing Kansas tax returns would no longer be able to itemize.
This would mean about a $40 million increase in tax revenue for the state of Kansas.
Billinger said he believed even if small businesses or individuals claimed a standard deduction on their federal taxes, they should be able to itemize their state taxes, which would put a portion of that $40 million back into the hands of taxpayers. Billinger said he would like to see this changes made retroactive for 2018.
Several local legislators said they also would consider reducing or eliminating the state sales tax on food, a campaign promise of Gov.-elect Laura Kelly.
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, who is a member of the Taxation Committee, said he thought there was a firm resolution among legislators this year to not raise taxes. He said he would support a reduction in the sales tax on food, but he did not think it would be eliminated.
Rahjes
“I think we need to have a realistic look at where our dollars are,” he said. “Our economy in our area is still very much challenged in agriculture and oil production. Once we get those things back in, the economy will be a little stronger. If you look at the overall economy, it is doing well, but it could do better.”
Just as Billinger, Rahjes said he supports legislation that would address the changes in the federal tax code and send back money to the working Kansans.
Budget
Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, has been reappointed as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
“As far as the budget, my main goal is to do some corrective strategy and basically realigning our budget,” he said. “We have done some work on that in the last couple of years since I have been chairman, but there is still some of what I would call creative accounting techniques being used — mainly transfers not going to the Kansas Department of Transportation. There are some things we need to strategically correct with the state budget.”
In terms of transportation, Rahjes said he would specifically like to see KDOT put a priority on a project to widen and straighten Kansas Highway 383 in Norton and Phillips counties. That project has been on the KDOT project list for some time and has become a safety issue, Rahjes said.
The state is heading into the session with about a $900 million surplus, but Waymaster said the state needs to meet the obligations it already has before spending that money on new programs.
Those obligations include KPERS as well as increasing funding to the K-12 education by $90 million to satisfy a ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court in the ongoing school funding lawsuit.
Waymaster
Waymaster said he sees some additional funds coming into the Kansas coffers due to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that will allow states to collect sales tax on online purchases and another Supreme Court ruling that has legalized sports betting. However, he said he did not think either one of the changes will be significant revenue producers.
Waymaster said he did not think the Legislature would eliminate the sales tax on food, as that tax generates $300 million to $340 million in state revenue annually.
Medicaid expansion
Gov.-elect Kelly said during her campaign that she would support Medicaid expansion, but some Republicans still oppose that measure, including Waymaster and Rahjes.
Although the federal government pays 90 percent of Medicaid expansion, both House members expressed concerns about how the state would pay for the other 10 percent, about $30 million to $80 million annually. The legislators also said they were concerned the federal government might decrease its contribution for Medicaid expansion in the future, leaving the state with a larger bill.
Billinger, however, said many of the state’s rural hospitals would benefit from Medicaid expansion.
“As long as there is a work component in it and it is revenue neutral, I am good with it,” Billinger said. “I think it is something we should look at.”
Hemp
Legislation was passed last session that created a test program for cultivation of industrial hemp in Kansas. The federal Farm Bill further opened opportunities for growers nationwide by declaring industrial hemp a farm commodity. However, local legislators noted changes would have to be made to the state legislation to conform to the Farm Bill.
They hoped this corrective action could be made in time for the beginning of the hemp growing season in April.
Economic Development
Waymaster said he hopes to reintroduce a version of the Ad Astra Jobs Act, which he sponsored in 2017. The legislation would create a tax incentive program for businesses to move into rural communities and create jobs.
“What it has done is cause people to not pick up their phones anymore,” Rahjes said. “Everybody is screening their calls.”
Freshman Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, was contacted for this story, but said she would be better able to comment on the issues after she has been in Topeka for a few weeks.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 50. South southeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 30. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Friday Rain likely before 2pm, then rain and snow likely between 2pm and 5pm, then snow likely after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday NightSnow. Low around 30. North wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
SaturdayA 30 percent chance of snow before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 37.
Saturday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
WAKEENEY — At approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday, law enforcement was dispatched to Cleland Pharmacy, 202 S. First, WaKeeney, after an unknown individual reportedly presented a firearm to the clerk and stole prescription narcotics.
The Trego County Sheriff’s Office, WaKeeney Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol responded.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the suspect had not been apprehended, the Trego County Sheriff’s Office said in a social medial release.
“Multiple law enforcement agencies are active in the western Kansas area searching for the suspect and suspect vehicle,” the release said. “Pictures of the suspect and suspect vehicle are pictured below. Be advised the picture of the suspect vehicle is NOT the actual suspect vehicle, but is the same make, model and color as the one used by the suspect. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the WaKeeney Law Enforcement Center at (785) 743-5721.”
ZampieriThe Hays Public Library has hired Meagan Zampieri to serve as youth services manager. In this role, Zampieri will oversee the children’s and young adult departments.
Zampieri previously worked for the NorthWest Kansas Library System as the assistant director and library services consultant. She graduated from Southwestern College in her hometown of Winfield and received her master of library science degree from Emporia State University.
When asked why she wanted to work at the Hays Public Library, Zampieri said she loves what the library does for the Hays community and is excited to get integrated into the services and programs, especially for the children of Hays and Ellis County.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said Wednesday the Hays Police Department requested a lockdown of Hays Middle and Wilson Elementary schools Wednesday because it was executing a search warrant in the 2700 block of Hickory, which is within a block of both of schools.
The search warrant was related to an armed robbery that occurred in Hays. No arrests were made at the time the search warrant was executed.
Scheibler said the case is still being investigated and no more details about the case could be released at this time.
“I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for the relationship with our school district that we have this open line of communication,” Scheibler said. “At the end of the day, our goal is make sure everyone is safe. I appreciate their cooperation in ensuring the kids wren’t out in the yard during that time period.”
Hays Post
Parents of Hays Middle School and Wilson Elementary School students were notified of a lockdown at the schools as of 12:55 p.m. Wednesday. The lockdown lasted about 20 minutes before the school was given the all-clear.
The following email was released:
At approximately 12:55, Hays Middle School and Wilson Elementary have gone into a soft lockdown in cooperation with the Hays Police Department as they conduct an operation. As a reminder, this means no one is allowed to enter or exit the school during this time. School will be business as normal inside the building. We will send another message when the operation is complete.
Superintendent John Thissen said the district was notified by the HPD about an hour in advance of the soft lockdown that a police operation would be conducted in the vicinity of the school.
Thissen said that operation was completed at about 1:15 p.m., and both HMS and Wilson were given the all-clear.
Check Hays Post for more information as details become available.
Corrected at 2:29 p.m. for incorrect block of Hickory where the search warrant was issued.
LIBERAL — Nathan Smith has been named the Liberal High School athletic director effective July 1.
Smith comes to Liberal from Garden City High School where he worked as an assistant in the athletic office and testing coordinator. He has previous experience as an athletic director along with 13 years of coaching football, wrestling and track.
He completed his master in Educational Administration from Kansas State University in the spring of 2018. Smith has a K-12 Physical Education degree and a Human Health and Performance degree with an emphasis in Recreation and Sports Management both from Fort Hays State University.
Nathan and his wife Chrissy (Headrick) Smith have two children, Trinity (9), Bladen (4), and are expecting another daughter in April.
“My family and I are excited about the opportunity that we have been blessed with and look forward to getting to know the community,” Smith said.
“Nathan comes to us with a wealth of experience, knowledge and ideas. He understands the importance that athletics and activities play in both the development of our students and the enrichment of our community. I am confident that Nathan will be fully invested in Liberal High School and the Liberal community,” said LHS Principal Ashley Kappelmann.
A KSCA (Kansas Scholastic Chess Association) sponsored chess tournament will be held at the former Kennedy Middle School building, 1309 Fort, Hays on Saturday, January 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The tournament is open to all students in grades kindergarten through high school senior. There will be separate sections for different age levels. Medals will be awarded for all in the top third of each section.
More information and registration is available by calling the TMP-Marian office at 785-625-6577. Registration cost is $7 per person and is to be paid at the tournament site on Saturday.
Additional information about the KSCA organization is available at www.ksca.us.
The Hays Public Library has expanded a program that seeks to make reading more accessible to the public.
Five new Little Free Library locations were added in Hays in November in cooperation with the Hays Parks Department.
The libraries are boxes on posts located at seven Hays parks locations and one near the Victoria swimming pool.
The idea behind the boxes is “Take a book, leave a book.” Each box is stocked with books that can be taken without cost and without a need to check out the books from the library. If you like the book, it is yours to keep, said Samantha Gill, HPL adult services manager.
The library uses donated books or books taken out of circulation at the library to fill the boxes. However, the program encourages readers to also leave books they no longer need or want for other people to take from the boxes. If you don’t have a book to leave, that is OK too.
“Right now at our library we are trying to make sure that we get outside of our four walls,” Gill said. “People don’t need to feel that it is necessary to come to our physical building to get books. We are trying to figure out different ways to get books into people’s hands outside of the building who might not be able to make it to the library.”
Although the Little Free Libraries generally see less use in winter as people are using parks less, the Little Free Libraries have proved popular in the summer and warmer months.
“There have been days that I have filled up the Little Free Library at the Aquatic Park and then that evening I drive by and it is completely empty.”
Children have waited in lines for books, when they saw the library van pull up to the Little Free Libraries, Gill said.
Although the Little Free Libraries are also stocked with both adult and young adult books, the most popular books in the program have been children’s books.
Reading is very important to children’s development and shown to be a predictor of future success in school. Keeping books in the home is a key part of that process, Gill said.
All seven Little Free Libraries in Hays have individuals or groups who have adopted the libraries and help make sure the boxes are kept stocked with books. During the winter, the boxes are usually checked a couple of times of month, but during the summer, the Gill urges her volunteers to check the boxes at least once a week.
All of the boxes were hand painted. Nicole Thibodeau, local artist and library employee, painted all of the boxes except the box at the dog park, which was painted by Rebecca Grizzell.
“I think it is a fun, innovative way to get books into the hands of people who might not be able to come to the library or who are at the park and want just to browse and see what we have to offer,” Gill said. “We are really proud of it. Maybe in the future, we will add another one here or there, but for now we are really happy with the success of this project.”
A complete list of the Free Little Library locations in Hays is listed below. See a map of the locations by clicking here.
If you have additional questions about the program, you can contact the library at 785-625-9014.
Hays Aquatic Park, Fourth and Main
Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest
Hays Dog Park, Highway 183 By-pass
Frontier Park, Highway 183 By-pass
Aubel-Bickle Park, 30th and Sherman
Ekey Park, 19th and Holmes Road
Kiwanis Park, 17th and Harvest Avenue
On May 14, 2013, Ellis County voters approved a one-half cent per dollar local sales tax to construct a new building for Fire and Emergency Medical Services and extensively renovate the County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center. That sales tax went into effect on October 1, 2013, and sunset five years later on September 30, 2018.
At the time of the election, the sales tax was projected to generate $14,352,000 over the five-year period to repay bonds issued to finance construction of the two facilities. Reconciliation of the sales tax receipts through December 28, 2018, indicates that the tax actually generated $16,299,016.69. Expenditures on construction and associated expenses totaled $14,887,328.70, leaving a remaining balance of $1,411,687.99. Ellis County Commissioners will consider in February of 2019 plans for spending that remaining balance.
The County Commissioners would like to thank the voters of Ellis County for their trust in County government. Using proceeds of the sales tax, the new Fire and EMS building at 1105 E. 22nd Street in Hays was completed and occupied in late 2015 and the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center were reoccupied in March 2016, with final bond payment being made in August 2018.
Commissioners would also like to thank the Hays City Commission. Of the $16.3 million raised by the sales tax over its five-year life, nearly 54 percent ($8,785,609.64) was from the City’s portion of the countywide tax that the City of Hays contributed for these building projects. “This is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together as a community, irrespective of jurisdictional lines,” said outgoing Ellis County Commissioner Barbara Wasinger.
Added County Commission Chair Dean Haselhorst, who served as Project Manager for completion of the construction: “As exciting as it was to open our facilities, it is thrilling to have the bonds paid off and to have funds remaining. I look forward to working with our new Commission to determine the best use of these additional proceeds and I’m proud that we were able to sunset the sales tax as promised.”
— Submitted by Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes
Two workshops will be offered during January by the Management Development Center at Fort Hays State University – one on organizational culture and another on social media marketing.
Both are full-day workshops, and each will begin at 9 a.m. on the Fort Hays State campus.
“Organizational Culture: A Leadership and Social Psychology Toolkit” will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 17, in the Memorial Union’s Stouffer Lounge.
McRay
“Social Media Marketing” will be Thursday, Jan. 24, in the union’s Trails Room.
A thorough understanding of organizational culture is key to personal and collective success in any organization – no matter how big or small or whether it is corporate, government, military, education, healthcare, nonprofit or religious.
“When you understand how and why an organization behaves the way it does, you can begin to unlock the keys to maximizing strengths and mitigating weaknesses at the individual and leadership level,” say the facilitators of this workshop, Dr. Whitney Whitaker, assistant professor of psychology, and Dr. Jeni McRay, assistant professor of leadership studies, both at Fort Hays State.
Whitaker
In this workshop, participants will learn how to understand organizational culture through a four-dimensional diversity wheel, explore personality styles in an organizational context, discover how underlying assumptions, groupthink, generational differences, and core values intersect to form organizational culture.
Participants will also be taught how to analyze their own organizational cultures to discover how well they fit into them, and much more. During this workshop, participants will create an individual action plan to build a new or adapt an existing organizational culture in an informed and intentional way.
Each person who completes the workshop will receive a completion certificate and will earn 7.0 continuing education units (CEUs).
Registration and contact information is below.
Teaching community leaders how to use social media instead of merely being present on social media is the focus of the second workshop, in which participants will be able to learn how to develop a social media marketing strategy and use their social media channels effectively to engage with customers and drive business.
Martin
Dr. Mary Martin, professor of applied business studies in marketing at FHSU, will facilitate.
Participants will learn about current social media trends and how to develop a comprehensive social media marketing strategy. An overview of marketing on the most popular social media platforms will be provided, including blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube, along with each platform’s important metrics.
Participants will also acquire and practice social media posting skills, as well as learn how to manage multiple social media platforms.
Each person who completes the workshop will receive a completion certificate and will earn 7.0 CEUs.
For either workshop, the cost for registration is $219. A 15-percent discount applies for all Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Members on a single session cost.
Registration is available online through the Registration link in the sidebar on the page at www.fhsu.edu/mdc. To learn more about this workshop or additional upcoming trainings, contact Hannah Hilker by phone at 785-628-4121 or by email at [email protected].
The United States was plunged into World War II on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese Imperial Navy bombed Pearl Harbor. Thousands of Kansas patriots were among the millions who left their civilian jobs and joined the military in response to a presidential call to arms.
Heroic Kansas women were among those sixteen million females who answered the call to work on assembly lines, farms, in shipyards, airplane factories, and other institutions in support of the military overseas.
Rosie the Riveter became the iconic image of World War II’s working women. She was the star of a campaign to recruit females to work in defense industries. American Legion Auxiliary President Karen Hasting announced an initiative to honor their service and share their stories with future generations of Americans.
“The Auxiliary wants to recognize its Kansas Rosies for their inspiring patriotism and service to Kansas and the United States,” Hasting said. “The Department of Kansas American Legion Auxiliary will honor its known Rosie the Riveters during the American Legion’s Mid-winter Forum.
Auxiliary Vice-president Paula Sellens is spearheading the effort to identify Rosies.
“The Auxiliary is issuing a call for Rosies,” Sellens said. “Our known Rosies will be honored in a ceremony in Dodge City, Kansas on February 1, 2019. We’re asking that everyone that knows of a Kansas Rosie, living or deceased, to call me at 620-255-9339 or send information by email to: [email protected].”
The 
