FHSU University Relations

The inaugural group of entrepreneurship faculty fellows for Fort Hays State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship was recently announced during the Entrepreneur Direct Speaker Series. These FHSU faculty were awarded fellowships based upon the creativity and innovation of their proposed projects.

The faculty fellows are appointed throughout this academic year and will work on various projects on campus and in the community.

“The best university entrepreneurship programs in the country have entrepreneurship faculty fellows programs,” said Dr. David Snow, director of entrepreneurship. “However, they are quite rare outside of this elite group. So, for FHSU to also begin a program such as this, it speaks volumes about where we are headed with entrepreneurship.”

Snow created the entrepreneurship faculty fellows program to promote and recognize the innovative accomplishments of FHSU faculty. The program is funded by the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Office of the Provost. Eight projects were awarded, which included the appointment of 11 faculty fellows. Each project is granted up to $4,000.

“The purpose of launching the entrepreneurship faculty fellows program is to support our creative and innovative faculty and to encourage entrepreneurial behavior from everyone,” said Snow.

“The goal of the Center for Entrepreneurship is to motivate all faculty, staff and students to develop their entrepreneurial spirit by taking action through seeking opportunities and developing solutions which will have a positive impact on the campus and community.”

The projects come from a wide variety of disciplines across the university. The projects and the faculty fellows:
Dr. Emily Breit, associate professor of finance. Breit is conducting research to study the relationship entrepreneurs have with lending institutions and why they may not apply for funding when they should
Dr. Sarah Broman, assistant professor of teacher education, and Dr. Beth Walizer, professor of teacher education. Their project is to develop a literacy program for at-risk children in Northwest Kansas.

Dr. Nicholas Caporusso, assistant professor of informatics. Caporusso’s project is an online platform to connect businesses that need websites, video and other marketing services with students who can perform the work.

Claudia Carvalho, instructor of biology. Carvalho’s project will address the problem of medication non-adherence and increasing antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Arvin Cruz, chair of the Department of Chemistry and assistant professor of chemistry. Cruz’s project is an attempt to create novel materials for solar electricity generation that can be commercialized.

Dr. Jacqueline Lubin, assistant professor of advanced education programs, and Dr. Brent Goertzen, professor of leadership studies. Their project is to develop a graduate certificate to increase the expertise of teachers working with students with autism.

Dr. Sam Schreyer, associate professor of economics. Schreyer’s research focuses on increasing the likelihood of success for startups by analyzing their wage dynamics and employment strategies.

Dr. Ziwei Qi, assistant professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, associate professor of communications. Their goal is to create a program to assist abuse survivors in developing skills for self-employment.

Fishing, hunting access unaffected by federal government shutdown

By KIRBY ROSS
Phillips County Review

KIRWIN — A little over five years ago when the U.S. government shut down due to political conflict relating to budgetary matters, the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge ended up having to close off public access, including to hunting and fishing.

Fast forward to January 2019 and we are again in the midst of yet another government shutdown due to political conflict relating to budgetary matters.

As a result of the current shutdown, there had been some question as to the public access status of the Kirwin Refuge — a question that the Phillips County Review is now able to clear up after a discussion of Refuge Manager Brad Krohn Monday morning.

According to Krohn, unlike during the 2013 shutdown Kirwin remains open to the general public. Krohn notes that while the headquarters office is closed and some employees have been furloughed, both he and Refuge officer Jeff Dunlap remain on duty.

Says Krohn, “There are no changes or closure of any kind for the public wanting to utilize the refuge during the furlough. People can continue to hunt, fish, bird watch, recreate, etc according to all set legal regulations. I ask that people be respectful and pack out what you pack in to keep things clean and free of litter and trash. Please note that the public can use the Refuge just like any other day.”

Unaffected by the federal government shutdown, state fish and game wardens also remain on duty around the Refuge, as usual.

— Republished with permission

Today Sunny, with a high near 47. Light and variable wind becoming south southeast 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 49. South wind 7 to 10 mph.

Thursday NightIncreasing clouds, with a low around 31. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

FridayA chance of freezing rain before 8am, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 43. North wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday NightA chance of rain before 8pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 8pm and 10pm, then a chance of snow after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

SaturdayA slight chance of snow, mixing with rain after 11am, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

SHERMAN COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office have served an arrest warrant related to the homicide of 21-year-old Zachary Chavez, who was killed on Dec. 20.

In a media release, the KBI reported Jesus M. Soto, 21, of Goodland, had previously been in police custody at the Sherman County Jail on a warrant unrelated to this incident, but an arrest warrant was issued Friday night and was recently served to Soto for involuntary manslaughter related to Chavez’s death. Soto and Chavez were friends.

The Sherman County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case. Any further information will come from the County Attorney’s office.

CITY OF HAYS

The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wed., Jan. 9 at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Agenda items include setting a public hearing for a request by James Werth.

Werth is requesting a two foot side yard variance to reduce the side yard building setback from the required five feet to three feet for construction of a detached garage at 3113 Thunderbird Circle.

The complete agenda is available here.

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Fri., Jan. 4, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Civil Dispute–100 block W. 12th, Hays; 12/30/18 6 PM; 6:20 PM
Welfare Check–400 block Fort St, Hays; 5:37 AM
Suicidal Subject–1700 block Dechant Rd, Hays; 6:52 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Oak St, Hays; 9:36 AM
Suspicious Activity–2200 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:10 AM
Parking Complaint–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 10:17 AM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11/22/18 8 AM; 1/4 11:27 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 1:11 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 2:09 PM
Battery – simple–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:04 PM
Found/Lost Property–4500 block Vista Dr, Hays; 3:31 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:49 PM
Disorderly Conduct–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:45 PM; 5:54 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:58 PM; 7 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–600 block Main St, Hays; 11:18 PM
Disturbance – Fight–200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 10:30 PM; 11:26 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 38 traffic stops Sat., Jan. 5, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 12:10 AM
Suspicious Person–1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 1:15 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Fort St, Hays; 2:09 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2600 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 6/26/16 8 AM ; 1/5 2:15 AM
Theft (general)–100 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:43 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2900 block Cottonwood Ln, Hays; 6:17 AM
Found/Lost Property–800 block Elm St, Hays; 7:12 AM
Suspicious Activity–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 9:40 AM
Drug Offenses–500 block E 6th St, Hays; 10 AM
Found/Lost Property–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 10:02 AM
Animal Call–300 block E 18th St, Hays; 10:15 AM
Animal At Large–13th and Oak St, Hays; 2:02 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 3:28 PM
Suspicious Activity–1100 block Downing Ave, Hays; 3:46 PM
Unwanted Person–4400 block Vine St, Hays; 4:02 PM
Animal At Large–1600 block Milner St, Hays; 6:10 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 1/4 3 PM; 1/5 10 AM
Animal Bite Investigation–2500 block Henry St, Hays; 8:30 PM; 8:45 PM
911 Hangup Call–400 block W 15th St, Hays; 9:27 PM
MV Accident /DUI–2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 9:30 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:27 PM; 11:48 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 6, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal Damage to Property–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–600 block Main St, Hays; 12:54 AM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:11 AM
Suicidal Subject–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 1:21 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:11 AM; 1:23 AM
Disturbance – General–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:56 AM
Intoxicated Subject–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:44 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 37th St, Hays; 3:48 AM; 3:53 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 3:42 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:52 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 4:22 PM
Animal Call–2900 block Hall St, Hays; 4:41 PM
Animal At Large–1400 block Oak St, Hays; 5:14 PM

BUNKER HILL — A popular local program returns for a new season on Smoky Hills Public Television in 2019. “Doctors on Call,” back for its 14th season, will premiere at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“Doctors on Call” is a program that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Medical professionals from throughout the state travel to Bunker Hill to provide information and answer questions from the viewing audience. Questions can be called in during the show or emailed prior to the broadcast. The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.

Some of this month’s topics include family medicine, heart disease, and physical therapy. A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at shptv.org. Coming up in January:

Tonight’s program will feature Dr. Somers, of Russell Regional Hospital Physicians Clinic, who will be on hand to answer questions about Family Medicine.

January 15 – Heart Disease with Dr. David Battin and Dr. Maria Baldasare

January 22 – Physical Therapy with Physical Therapists Troy Herrman and Ashley Moeder

To submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to [email protected]. Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show. During the program, viewers can call I-800-337-4788.

Agronomic and economic issues to be addressed at 16th annual conference

OBERLIN – Agricultural producers, consultants, and experts will gather for the 16th annual Cover Your Acres winter conference on Jan. 15 and 16, at the Gateway Civic Center in Oberlin. The conference is a joint venture between K-State Research and Extension, the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance, and conference sponsors.

“Economics is big on everyone’s mind right now,” said Lucas Haag, an agronomist with K-State Research and Extension’s Northwest Area Office in Colby. “So we have Jordan Steele, the lead economist with Northwest Kansas Farm Management Association, presenting their analysis of (KFMA) members’ data and trying to look at what is driving profitability in our operations here in northwest Kansas and what potential pitfalls producers should be aware of.” In addition, Mykel Taylor with K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics will discuss land values and rental rates.

Weed control continues to be a leading challenge for many producers in the Central High Plains. Marshall Hay, a Ph.D. candidate in K-State’s Department of Agronomy, will present on the topic of how producers can get better effectiveness from paraquat, an old herbicide that has found new favor in the era of herbicide-resistant kochia and palmer amaranth. Additionally, Rich Zollinger, weed science professor emeritus from North Dakota State University will provide a comprehensive look at how applicators can use the proper adjuvants to improve tankmix performance.

Other topics include dryland corn hybrids, seeding rate, and planting date selection, reclaiming eroded high pH soils with beef manure, irrigated soybean management, avoiding wheat production mistakes, corn insect resistance, and palmer amaranth management.

The same programs will be offered both days of the conference; participants attending both days will find it easier to catch most or all of the presentations. The program offers a total of 10 continuing education unit (CEU) credits for Certified Crop Advisors and 4 CEUs for Commercial Applicators.

Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., with educational sessions ending at 5 p.m. followed by a “bull session” on Tuesday evening, where attendees can visit with industry and university specialists while enjoying heavy hors d’oeurves.

Early registration is due by Jan. 9. The fee is $45 for either day or $65 for both days. After Jan. 9, the cost is $65 per day. The conference fee includes lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments, and educational materials.

The full conference schedule and online registration are available at www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres. For more information, call 785-462-6281.

Major sponsors of the conference include Pioneer, Hoxie Implement Co., Lang Diesel Inc., Bayer, National Sunflower Association, Plains Equipment Group, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and SureFire Ag.