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Little Free Libraries located at seven parks in Hays

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Little Free Libraries are now located in seven parks around Hays. The libraries are small structures that contain books to be enjoyed by members of the community. The only request is that when someone takes a book, that person also leaves a book for someone else to enjoy.

Little Free Libraries have been in place at Hays Aquatic Park and Seven Hills Park for several years. To reach out to more neighborhoods, libraries have recently been installed at Frontier Park, Aubel Bickle Park, Ekey Park, Kiwanis Park and the Hays Dog Park.

“The library is excited to spread literacy by providing Hays residents with some of our resources in their own neighborhoods,” said Samantha Gill, adult librarian. “We also want to thank Jeff Boyle and the Hays Parks Department for installing the libraries. This project would not have been possible without their support.”

A main component of the Little Free Libraries are the sponsors who volunteer for a year to keep the libraries stocked with books donated through the Hays Public Library.

“Their contribution to this fun project is greatly appreciated,” Gill said.

A map of the library locations is available at hayslibrary.org/services. Find out more about this and other library programs by calling 785-625-9014.

— HPL

Lincoln students to sell Beanie Babies to raise money for food pantry

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USD 489

Monica Dreiling’s fifth-grade class at Lincoln Elementary School is learning about marketing and community service.

Students have created a Beanie Babies store at Lincoln Elementary School (inside the main entrance) and have 844 brand new Beanie Babies to sell.

Small Beanie Babies (about 4 inches in size) are 25 cents and large Beanie Babies (about 7-8 inches in size) are $1.

With the proceeds, students will go shopping at the grocery store and purchase food items for a local food pantry.

The Beanie Babies store hours are open to the community and are as follows:
Monday, Dec. 3- 7:30-7:45 a.m. and 3:05-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 4- 7:30-7:45 a.m. and 3:05-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 5- 7:30-7:45 a.m. and 3:05-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6- 7:30-7:45 a.m. and 3:05-3:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 7- 7:30-7:45 a.m. and 3:05-3:30 p.m.

FHSU sweeps state in NASPA Rising Star awards

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Brittney Squire
FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University received awards for all of the Rising Star categories for the state of Kansas at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region IV West Conference.

Brittney Squire, coordinator for student involvement, received the New Professional Award, given to an employee who has made significant contributions to their campus in a division of student affairs.

Jenna Radtke, graduate student at FHSU, received the Graduate Student Award, given to graduate students who are actively involved and plan to pursue a career in student
affairs.

Dane Murzyn, Brighton, Colo., junior, received the Undergraduate Student Award, given to undergraduate students who are actively involved and plan to pursue a career in student affairs.

Recipients received their awards at the recent NASPA IV West Regional Conference in Wichita.

🎥 Pop-up stores expand Christmas offerings at Big Creek Crossing

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Big Creek Crossing has five pop-up stores in the mall this Christmas season as well as a full slate of holiday activities.

The retail stores include Simple Pure Aromatherapy, Christmas Kiosk, Go! Calendars, Silver Fox Sports Cards & Collectibles, and The Nut Place.

Simple Pure Aromatherapy

Barb Pitcock with some of her products at the Simple Pure Aromatherapy store at Big Creek Crossing.

Barb and David Pitcock of rural Hays have a wholesale bottling company for essential oils and CBD oils and products. The couple has opened a temporary store in the mall at the former Snow Cone Express location for the holidays.

The couple’s products are National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy certified and 100 percent organic. The CBD oil is mixed with coconut oil.

Barb Pitcock said she is trying to educate the public about CBD oil. Although CBD comes from hemp, it does not contain THC, which is the substance in marijuana that gets you high. CBD oil is legal in Kansas, you do not need a prescription to purchase it and it should not make you fail a drug test, Pitcock said.

The FDA considers CBD a dietary supplement, and Pitcock and her husband are not medical professionals. However, products containing CBD have been used by people for anxiety, arthritis, cramps, to control appetite, nausea, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression, inflammation, insomnia, ADHD, headaches, Parkinson’s and asthma.

CBD oil

The store also carries CBD salves, roller balls, massage oil, lotions, dog drops and a variety of bath products.

Pitcock uses the products herself, and she said her nephew has used CBD oil to treat his ADHD.

The Pitcocks hope to have an assortment of other essential oils in stock soon. Some of these include blends for stress, insomnia, energy and appetite control.

“It’s worked for me, and it’s worked for other people. I have a high belief in the healing properties of essential oils,” she said.

If the store proves popular, the Pitcocks will consider keeping the it in the mall on a long-term basis.

Hours are noon to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Sundays.

Christmas Kiosk

Christmas Kiosk was a kiosk at the mall last year and has expanded into a full store space this year. It is on the north end of the mall.

Dennis Wilson and Ron Keller, both of Hays, are partners in the store, which carries a mishmash of merchandise.

Some of their items include bamboo sheets, Amish-crafted indoor and outdoor furniture from Indiana, rocks, fossils, gemstones, marbles, arrowheads, deer antlers, handmade jewelry, antiques, dolls, records, swords, knives and framed pictures.

“There is lots to look at,” Wilson said.

Dennis Wilson, Christmas Kiosk co-owner, lounges in an Amish-crafted chair.

Wilson especially plugged the bamboo sheets, which he carries to fit all sizes of beds. They are 30 percent bamboo, which makes them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also help wick away perspiration.

The store will be open noon to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Christmas. During special mall events, the store will have extended hours.

Go! Calendars

Go! Calendars and Games is a return business. It is located in the center aisle of the south end of the mall near Maurices. It carries wall calendars, as well as plush toys and games.

Caitlyn Patterson, Go! Calendars manager, said the calendars run from $8 for small calendars to $17 for the largest calendars.

“I think there is a gift for everyone who is in here,” Patterson said. “There are things that range from little kid things all the way up to adult items. I think there is definitely something in there for everybody.”

Go! Calendars is open mall seasonal hours, seven days a week through Christmas.

Silver Fox Sports Cards & Collectibles

Larry and Rhonda Sander of Hays at the Silver Fox Sports Cards and Collectibles kiosk at Big Creek Crossing.

Larry Sander of Hays recently retired and has set up a kiosk in the mall across from Tradehome Shoe Store to sell his  30-year collection of sports memorabilia and toys.

He has baseball cards, autographed baseballs, replica championship rings, a vintage Darth Vader toy, Hot Wheels, and Starting Lineup collectible figurines.

“You name it, we might have it,” he said.

Sander said price is negotiable.

Hours will be seasonal mall hours Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Christmas.

 

The Nut Place

The Nut Place is in the center court at Big Creek. It is a return vendor this year and carries an assortment of cinnamon roasted nuts, as well as fudge.

 

 

 

 

 

Pay it Forward Store

The Pay It Forward Store will give away Christmas gifts again this year. The store is located in the former Rue 21 location.

Mall events

The mall is hosting an Angel Tree for needy children as well as is a collection point for gifts for children served by the CAC. Find the trees and collection boxes in the center aisle in the south portion of the mall.

Wine Wonderland

Local vineyards will serve free wine samples during Big Creek Crossing’s second annual Wine Wonderland from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

Tickets are $20 per person pre-event and $25 at the door. Buy three tickets and get a fourth one free. A limited number of tickets are still available. Only 200 tickets will be sold.

Free wine tote goodie bags will be given to all ticket holders.

All participants must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Don’t forget your license; ID will be checked for all participants on the night of the event.

Some food pairing will also be offered with the wine.

The wineries will have full bottles for sale to both participants and members of the public.

Tickets can be purchased from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the mall office at 2918 Vine. The office is on the south end of the mall near the restrooms.

For more information, call 785-625-3314 or e-mail [email protected].

Holiday Craft Fair

The annual Big Creek Holiday Craft Fair will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

An estimated 45 crafters will be on hand. A few slots are still available. Cost is $40 for one table or $65 for two tables. Applications are due Friday, Dec. 7. Contact Branson Hoffman at the mall office at 785-625-3314 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

 

 

 

Santa at the mall

https://www.facebook.com/BigCreekCrossing/videos/2089313337795329/

Santa arrived by Eagle Med helicopter on Black Friday.

Photos with Santa are $10.

Times Santa will be at the mall are below.

Pet night (dogs and cats only) 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5

1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8-9

5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14

2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 15

1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 16

4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17

4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19, pet photos (dogs and cats only) at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19

1 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20, 21, 22.

1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 23

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24

YOUNKER: Wet harvest conditions may result in soil compaction

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Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.

The highly unusual wetter than average fall season had many of us harvesting fall crops in very wet soil moisture conditions. This resulted in leaving wheel tracks and ruts across the fields. Even where we didn’t rut up the field we may have compacted the soil to the point to where plant rooting and water infiltration will be affected. The question now is what we do to correct some of these issues we created.

If there are significant ruts across the field there may be no choice but to do at least some tillage to smooth out those areas just to facilitate future field operations. Probably not a big deal to those that typically do some tillage in their cropping system. But for us no-tillers we may have consider doing some spot tillage just to get the field smoothed back out. I would run the tillage implement just deep enough to fill in and smooth out the ruts. The type of implement you use may be somewhat determined to what is available but a vertical tillage tool may work the best. By design they are made to work shallow and smooth the ground.

That may take care of the ruts, but we still may have a compaction issue that was caused by heavy combine, grain cart and tractor wheel loads. But before we get to anxious about doing something we need to really determine how serious the compaction is. A soil penetrometer that measures the resistance, in pounds per square inch, as it is pushed into the soil works well to determine the amount and depth of the compaction. Another option would be to use a soil moisture probe and determine resistance by feel as the probe is pushed through the soil. There needs to be adequate soil moisture when using these tools to avoid getting false readings.

If we do have compaction that needs to be addressed there some options to correct it. If the compaction is not to severe and is shallow it may be best to let Mother Nature take care of itself. Through the winter the wet soil will freeze and thaw multiple times which will help loosen the soil to the depth that it freezes. In heavier clay soils the shrink-swell action when the soil wets and dries will also help with breaking up compaction layers.

If the compaction is significant, planting a cover crop, especially in fallow cropping systems, may be a good choice. Species with deep tap roots and robust fibrous roots should be a significant part of the seed mix. With the wetter than average conditions there should be sufficient moisture to get a cover crop established early next spring. The wetter soils will also help the plant roots penetrate through the compacted areas. After the cover crop is terminated and plant roots decay, channels will be left behind where new plant roots and soil water can follow through the compacted areas. The cover crop needs to be terminated timely to prevent excessive soil moisture use that may be needed for the next cash crop.

Subsoiling, or ripping, the field with a low disturbance ripper that leaves the crop residue on soil surface in place may also be something to consider. But before we go to that extreme we need

to think about the cost, the amount of time it is going to take and what potential benefit we are going to gain. University research in the corn belt suggest that ripping done at the proper time, proper soil moisture level, and at the correct depth and speed can break up compaction layers. But typically, that benefit is short lived and after one or two tillage operations the soil consolidates and gets compacted again at the tillage depth.

For more information about this or other soil health practices you can contact me at or any local NRCS office.

Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.

SPONSORED: Extension seeks Family and Community Wellness agent

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K-State Research and Extension is seeking an EXTENSION AGENT, Family and Community Wellness, in the Cottonwood District.

Primary office located in Hays, KS, with other office in Great Bend, KS.

See www.ksre.ksu.edu/jobs for responsibilities, qualifications, and application procedure.

Application deadline: 12/14/18.

K-State Research and Extension is an EOE of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Background check required.

HaysMed nurse recognized at March of Dimes gala

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Jill Rozean of HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, was recently recognized as a finalist at the seventh annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Gala in Kansas City.

Nurses who demonstrated excellence and leadership were recognized at the March of Dimes 2018 Nurse of the Year Awards. This event honors nurses from across Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area whose strength, courage and perseverance advance their profession. March of Dimes received nearly 800 nominations across 22 categories.

Patients, families and colleagues honor the selflessness, dedication and passion of Kansas and Greater Kansas City Nurses with nominations for the awards. From neonatal and pediatric care to mental health and advance practice, these awards recognize the contribution that registered nurses are making in our community and help fund the mission of the March of Dimes.

Rozean works in the Women/Infant Department of HaysMed and has been an associate since 2001.

— Submitted

Rankings of FHSU programs in Sept., Oct. and Nov.

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FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University’s Virtual College received four No. 1 rankings among many others from different agencies during the months of September, October and November for its affordable programs and quality online degrees.

Two online programs at FHSU were ranked No. 1 by OnlineU.org: the general studies degree with a concentration in sustainability (environmental science) and a Master of Arts with a concentration in history.

In addition, FHSU was ranked No. 1 by TheBestSchools.org for a virtual Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in art and art history. A No. 1 ranking was awarded to FHSU’s virtual Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Internet marketing by GradSchoolHub.com.

No. 1, 2019 Most Affordable Online Environmental Science Degrees
FHSU’s online Bachelor of General Studies degree with a concentration in sustainability (environmental science) received a No. 1 ranking from OnlineU.org for its acceptance rate and affordability.

Requirements to obtain a Bachelor of General Studies degree from FHSU includes the completion of 120 credit hours, a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum of 80 hours of course work in the liberal arts and science areas.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2PZhaAP.

No. 1, 2019 Most Affordable Online Master’s in History
OnlineU.org also recognized FHSU’s online Master of Arts in history and FHSU’s online Master of Arts in public history for its affordability.

“At FHSU, you can earn a master’s degree from a highly respected program with its roots firmly set in a rich historical landscape,” says FHSU’s website. Paid graduate teaching assistantships are also available in this program.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2PLlx1c.

No. 1, 10 Most Affordable Master’s in Internet Marketing Online 2018
Also recognized for its affordability, FHSU’s online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in internet marketing received a No. 1 ranking from GradSchoolHub.com.

“For working professionals who are self-motivated and independent, we use the latest technology to ensure that your education adapts to your needs,” says FHSU’s website. “We’re committed to providing you the highest quality of resources and answers whenever you need to get in touch with us.”

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2zrYdvr.

No. 1, The Best Online Master’s in Art and Art History Programs
The FHSU Virtual College’s Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in art and art history program received the No. 1 spot for its quality, academic excellence, reputation, financial aid assistance, range of degree programs and strength of online instruction methodology.

“The master’s in art history online prioritizes critical thinking through four core classes focused broadly on liberal arts, humanities and information literacy,” said TheBestSchools.org. “In these courses, students learn how to identify, deconstruct and rebut theoretical frameworks.”

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2D1jyiy.

No. 2, The Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Programming Programs
The FHSU Virtual College is ranked second for the Bachelor of Science in computer science.

“The school’s computer programming online degree uses a flexible structure that allows full- or part-time students to take as many courses as their schedules can handle,” says TheBestSchools.org.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2zX4B16.

No. 2, The Best Online Bachelor’s in International Business Programs
This ranking is for FHSU’s Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in international business and economics.

“The university’s commitment to personal academic advising is evident in its live, on-demand, and online tutoring services. FHSU encourages transfer students to apply, offering pre-enrollment options to make the transition from one school to another as stress-free as possible,” says TheBestSchools.org

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2yRK2A6.

No. 2, The Best Online Bachelor’s in Network Administration Programs
FHSU’s online Bachelor of Science with a major in information networking and telecommunications was recognized in this category.

“The concentration in computer networking and telecommunications prepares graduates to work in telecommunications companies or in corporate, education, law enforcement, health care, and other computer and network positions,” says FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2HWvoOV.

No. 3, The Best Online Bachelor’s in History
The FHSU Virtual College was recognized for having one of the top online Bachelor of Arts programs with a history major.

“An online bachelor’s degree in history will introduce students to the process of researching and examining history, as well as studying the histories of different regions around the globe,” says GuideToOnlineSchools.com.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2SUCzc8.

No. 4, The Best Online Bachelor’s in Environmental Science
FHSU’s online Bachelor of General Studies degree with a concentration in sustainability, known as environmental science was recognized. FHSU was also recognized for having the lowest tuition rates.

“An accredited bachelor’s degree program will require a four-year commitment and will include classes in political science, communications, business, basic math and science, the national park system, global warming, conservation efforts, and wildlife threats,” says GuidetoOnlineSchools.com.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2Pje5LB.

No. 6, The Best Online Master’s in History
The Master of Art with a concentration in history at FHSU was named one of the top online programs.

“Fort Hays State University has a notably low tuition of only $4,316 per year and an exceptional median alumni salary of $99,100,” says GuideToOnlineSchools.com.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2F6NVHb.

No. 11, The Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Program
The online Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in child development at FHSU was recognized for being one of the best with the lowest tuition on the list of schools.

“The program is designed for a wide variety of people, including online degree seekers, day-care providers, early childcare providers and parents,” according to FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2SQv6e6.

In addition to the two No. 1 rankings, OnlineU.org also recognized FHSU’s Virtual College with several other rankings this fall.

No. 2, 2019 Most Affordable Child Development Degrees Online
Based on its affordability, FHSU’s online Bachelor of General Studies degree with a concentration in child development was awarded a top spot in this ranking.

This liberal arts degree offered by FHSU provides students whom have well-defined career objectives and do not require a course specific or career specific degree the opportunity to graduate.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2P8qEJv.

No. 3, 2019 Most Affordable Online Colleges and Degrees
OnlineU.org ranked the FHSU Virtual College for its affordability and various selections of online degree programs.

FHSU’s Virtual College offers more than 50 online degrees specifically designed for adult learners. “Our online degree programs are fully accredited, affordable and utilize the latest in learning technology for what we think is one of the best values in higher education today,” according to FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2OwumYd.

No. 4, 2019 Most Affordable Online Master’s Degree
The FHSU Virtual College received a No. 4 ranking in affordability for 34 affordable online master’s programs.

“Fort Hays State University offers over 30 exclusively online master’s programs and is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,” according to OnlineU.org’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2Qpaqbx.

No. 8, The Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree
FHSU’s Virtual College for individuals seeking a bachelor degree earned a top ranking for being one of the most affordable online colleges and degree programs.

With an annual tuition averaging $6,778 and 60 online bachelor degrees to choose from, it allows non-traditional students to attend school, while still maintaining a job and a family.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2Qwauq8.

FHSU, Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Business Administration
FHSU’s online Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in business administration has been chosen as one of the 20 best degree programs across the United States.

“FHSU offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree program that allows concentrations in management, human resource management and operations management. Your program is designed to provide you with a high-quality program to fit any lifestyle,” says Online-Bachelors-Degrees.com.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2qxqH2D.

No. 3, Hays, KS is One of the Best Cities in the U.S. for Working Students
FHSU has been ranked nationwide as the third best school throughout the United States for working college students.

“The school’s tuition charges totaled $4,007 in 2017-18 for students, well under the $5,655 annual earnings of a student getting minimum wage in this city. In fact, such a student could pay tuition and still come out ahead of costs by $1,648,” according to the study on StudentLoanHero.com’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2OqbABP.

About the FHSU Virtual College
Distance education at Fort Hays State began in 1911 when faculty voted to offer courses free by mail so that one-room school teachers across western Kansas could afford to gain the continuing education required to teach. The distance education department created then evolved continuously with changing technology and culture until, in 1997, the Department of Continuing Education and Instructional Technology became the FHSU Virtual College.

Cloudy, cold Monday

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Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. North wind 8 to 11 mph.

Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable.

Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. West southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

Tuesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 20. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.

WednesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 46. West southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

ThursdayPartly sunny, with a high near 28.

Fort Hays Singers second Holiday Dessert Show is this month

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Terry Crull

The Fort Hays Singers will have their second Holiday Dessert Show from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at First United Methodist Church in Hays.

Suggested donation is $10.

The show will feature the Fort Hays Singers, conducted by Terry Crull, singing songs of the four seasons, with delicious desserts served between sets of music. The singers will be in festive costumes and serve as waiters, delivering delectable delights that match the songs of the four seasons — spring, summer, fall and winter.

Proceeds from the Holiday Dessert Show will go to the student members of the Fort Hays Singers and will help fund future travels, such as their concert tour to Austria in June.

— Submitted

Kansas Geological Survey links wastewater disposal and distant earthquakes

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KU News Service

LAWRENCE — After an upsurge in earthquakes was attributed to nearby underground disposal of wastewater during a south-central Kansas oil boom, wastewater injection was scaled back and the seismicity subsided. Then, unexpectedly, earthquake activity picked up farther afield.

New research by the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas explains how that happened and why, over time, wastewater disposal can cause earthquakes at a much greater distance from the point of injection than previously thought.

Although it is unprecedented to suggest injection practices could contribute to fault slippage 55 miles away, as the KGS study does, the amount of fluid injected — along both sides of the Kansas-Oklahoma state line — was also unprecedented.

Saltwater produced with oil and gas is commonly injected back underground into deep rock layers. In Kansas, most of it goes into the Arbuckle Group, a thick formation made up of porous limestone and other sedimentary rocks. The Arbuckle readily takes in and confines the water, but high injection rates sustained over time can drastically increases pressure in fluid-filled rock pores, and that pressure can spread.

“Wastewater injection increases pore pressure within an injection interval such as the Arbuckle Group, but it can also increase pore pressure in any rocks that are hydraulically connected to it,” said Shelby Peterie, KGS research geophysicist and lead author of an article in the geophysical publication EOS, which outlines the KGS’s findings.

The spread and effect of pore pressure, however, is difficult to predict.

“Although pressure change may be large enough to trigger earthquakes on critically stressed faults near a high-volume injection well a short time after injection begins, it may take months to years for increased fluid pressure to travel large distances,” Peterie said.

The initial seismic upswing in Kansas started in 2013 within a few miles of the wastewater disposal wells, mainly in Barber, Harper and Sumner counties. The unforeseen influx of earthquake activity farther north around Hutchinson started in 2017.

“As epicenters recorded by the KGS earthquake monitoring network progressed north from injection sites near the Oklahoma border to Kingman and Reno counties, it seemed likely they were following a pressure perturbation from the south,” Peterie said.

Because injection rates in disposal wells outside the southern tier of counties remained fairly constant, they were ruled out as a major contributor to the seismic uptick to the north. Instead, the KGS researchers surmised, the cumulative effects of the high-volume injection along the state line caused earthquakes to migrate dozens of miles away from the disposal wells.

To test that hypothesis, they looked at fluid-pressure measurements taken at the bottom of wells that reached into the Arbuckle and were up to 55 miles away from the high-volume injection wells. Those pressures, they found, had increased in recent years more than expected based solely on nearby injection operations.

The fluid-pressure measurements were reported for Class I wells used for industrial-waste injection, not oil-field disposal wells. Operators of wells for disposal of wastewater from oil and gas operations, or Class II wells, also drill largely into the Arbuckle, but they are not required to report bottom-hole fluid pressures.

Because fluid-pressure data from the Arbuckle are available, the KGS had a unique opportunity to study the widespread effects of wastewater injection.

“In many other places, bottom-hole pressure is not routinely monitored,” Peterie said. “In Kansas, regional monitoring of Arbuckle Group fluid pressure has provided us with strong evidence of pressure diffusion away from the high-volume injection wells in south-central Kansas.”

Initially, operators of the newly completed Class II disposal wells in south-central Kansas were permitted to inject fluid into the ground at rates three to four times historic levels. By 2015, an unparalleled amount was being injected into an area about the size of two counties spanning both sides of the Kansas-Oklahoma state line.

Following a Kansas Corporation Commission order to reduced injection volumes in the area, the number of earthquakes of magnitude 2 or greater in the injection-restricted footprint dropped from nearly 800 in 2015 to 250 in 2016. In contrast, the number of magnitude 2 or greater earthquakes in Reno County rose from five in 2016 to 30 in 2017. In the first 10 months of 2018, there were 34.

Most earthquakes in Kansas, natural or induced, are too small to be felt, although slippage along a fault of sufficient length and under the right stress conditions can trigger an earthquake large enough to cause damage. Located in a tectonically stable region, the state is at low risk for damaging earthquakes.

Now That’s Rural: Lona DuVall, DFA and milk processing

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Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.
By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Production leads to processing which leads to progress. That is the desired path of value-added economic development. It was true for the Kansas beef industry in the 1980s and 1990s, and it is now coming true in the Kansas dairy industry. Milk production in western Kansas has grown to the point that new milk processing capacity has developed there as well.

Last week we learned about the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance, or wKREDA, which works on various regional issues including growing the dairy industry in western Kansas. Many of the leaders of wKREDA had seen the boom in jobs which resulted from the growth of meatpacking in the region during the 1980s and ’90s. It was a long progression. The production of irrigated feed grain led to the creation of concentrated cattle feeding. Then the packing plants wanted to be close to the source of production, and large beef packing facilities were built in southwest Kansas.

Production led to processing which led to lots of jobs and population growth. During the 25-year period from 1971 to 2007 — while most rural counties lost population — Ford, Finney and Seward counties in southwest Kansas grew faster than Kansas City and Wichita.

This model of value-added growth led regional leaders to look for another engine for development. In the early 1990s, the dairy industry was identified as a possibility.

Clare Gustin of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation in Hays was one of those involved in the dairy recruitment process. She said that businesses and communities made significant commitments to attract dairies. Rural electric cooperatives such as Pioneer Electric and Wheatland Electric Cooperative offered financial bonuses to the first dairies to locate in their territories. “There was a banker at Syracuse who was one of the early leaders in recruiting the dairies,” Clare said. Syracuse is a rural community of 1,812 people. Now, that’s rural.

Syracuse and other western Kansas communities were successful in attracting dairies. Large dairy farms came to Kansas and others grew. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, milk production in Kansas has doubled since 1994. The next step in the value-added model was for that production to lead to processing which creates jobs and economic activity.

“The whole goal was to get processing,” Clare said. “It was a chicken-and-egg thing,” she said. “The producers wanted nearby processing and the processing plants needed the producers.”

Lona DuVall is president and CEO of Finney County Economic Development and current chair of the wKREDA dairy committee. “Our dairy producers had done their part,” Lona said. “But they were losing efficiencies because they had to ship their milk so far away. We wanted to attract milk processing to our region.”

Just as in the beef industry, it made sense for the processing to move closer to the source of the product. In April 2011, Lona called on the nation’s largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, with headquarters in Kansas City. She encouraged them to invest in a processing plant in southwest Kansas.

DFA did a comprehensive market study and eventually committed to build a processing plant in Garden City. “I can’t say enough about how great they were,” Lona said.

In fall 2017, the new state-of-the-art DFA milk processing plant opened. This plant is operating 24 hours a day and daily receives 80 truckloads of milk.

When people think of southwest Kansas, they sometimes worry about whether there will be enough water supply. In this case, the plant is generating water, not using it up. The plant converts fluid milk into powdered milk for export, which means that excess water is a byproduct of the process. The plant generates nearly 800,000 gallons of water per day which can be recycled and used in a region which needs it.

Production leads to processing which leads to progress. We commend Clare Gustin, Lona DuVall, and all those involved in dairy recruitment for making a difference in the region’s economy. It has been quite a project.

And there’s more. Growth has also come about from other industries. We’ll learn about that next week.

In Case You Missed It: Eagle Morning Show 11/26-11/30

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It was another busy week on the KAYS Eagle Morning Show. Here’s what you missed last week!

Monday

Catholic Schools Report – Director of Campus Ministry Bill Meagher

Bill Meagher was on the Eagle Morning Show to talk about Thanksgiving and the upcoming Advent season:

 

Dr. Paul Adams – Fort Hays State University Dean of Education

Dr. Adams was on the show to talk about upcoming Science & Mathematics Education Institute events:

Science Cafe that took play on November 26th.

Fort Hays State University STEM-ED Student Chapter – Annual Christmas Show

Plymouth Schoolhouse Christmas Open House on December 4th

 

Tuesday

Dr. Terry Crull – Director of Choral Activities at Fort Hays State University

Dr. Crull joined C.D. & Mike to talk about the upcoming choral activities:

33rd Annual Cathedral Christmas Concert Sunday at 3:30pm

2nd Annual Holiday Dessert Show – Dec. 14th 6:30pm-8:00pm and Dec. 16th 1:30pm-3:00pm @ the First United Methodist Church in Hays

Meredith Cory – Director of ‘Little Women’

Meredith was on the show to talk about the upcoming production ‘Little Women’ put on by the Hays Community Theater:

‘Little Women’ will be November 30th and December 1st at 7pm and December 2nd at 2pm at the 12th street Auditorium. You can pick up tickets at the door or by visiting the website by clicking here.

USD 489 Superintendent John Thissen

Superintendent Thissen joined Cristina Janney on the show to talk about this week’s school board meeting:

Purchase of Oak Park Complex for Early Childhood Progam

Approval of Raises for Teachers

 

Wednesday

Protect & Serve: Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers

Darin Myers was on the show to talk about the outdoor warning sirens and winter storm safety:

The outdoor sirens will be tested throughout next week

 

Thursday

Bob Schwarz – Bob Schwarz Financial

Bob made his monthly visit to the show to talk about the services he offers

Being 1% better: Improving your portfolio and your life

When to start investing

Hays USD 489 Report: O’Loughlin Principal Vicki Gile

Principal Gile talked about the upcoming events at O’Loughlin elementary:

Christmas concert on December 4th

Ambassadors Club upcoming events

Chess Club Practice Tournament on December 7th

 

The Eagle Morning Show airs LIVE on KAYS (1400 AM/94.3 FM), Eagle Channel 14 & 614, and on the KAYS App or TuneIn from 7-9am on weekday mornings. Here’s what’s coming up next week on the Eagle Morning Show:

Fort Hays State University President Dr. Tisa Mason

Hays Recreation Superintendent Roger Bixenman

Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Coordinator Kara Berry

Ellis County Commission

Center For Life Experiences Outreach Coordinator Ann Leiker

Hays Police Department

Hays Public Library

 

 

 

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