Three-day weather outlook
Category: Local
Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: A world of Octobers
By KIM BALDWIN
McPherson County farmer and rancher
The temperatures have dropped, and it’s truly beginning to feel like fall on the farm. The air feels crisper, the sky seems brighter and everything seems a bit fresher now that the summer heat has left. It’s as if the plants, animals and people have all perked up after they’ve had to conserve their energy, seek shade and retreat from August and September.
But it’s now October, where the true magic happens.
I may be a bit biased about my affection for October. After all, it’s my birthday month. It’s also the month where I brought both of my babies home to the farm. I will always have in my mind the feelings of anxious anticipation as my belly reached maximum capacity while wondering how many acres of soybeans would be harvested or how many fields of wheat would be sowed before having to make our way to the hospital.
I always will have in my mind the image of my tiny daughter, wearing a petite bow on her head, snuggled peacefully in her car seat while a combine roared past harvesting soybeans.
I always will have in my mind the image of my tiny son warmly snuggled in my arms while sitting in the bleachers at the sale barn listening to the auctioneer introduce our lot of good looking, healthy weaned calves as they entered the ring.
I always will have in my mind the image of my kids straddling their bikes on our dirt road waving goodbye to a trailer load of our cattle headed to another pasture where they’d spend the winter months away from our home.
Yes, some of my best memories are from October.
If I could, I’d gather October in a Mason jar. Just like canning the bounties from a summer garden, I’d place this season on my pantry shelves and enjoy servings throughout the year.
And while tasty, it’s not the pumpkin spice that I’d truly want. It’s the cool, crisp air in the mornings that sends shivers through one’s body that isn’t quite ready to wear a heavy coat yet. It’s the beautiful evenings with a pink and orange painted sky that you can enjoy while watching children ride their bikes around the farmyard. It’s the time in the combine sitting next to my husband harvesting rows of soybeans. It’s the consideration of turning on the heater or waiting a few more days. It’s the sound of honking birds above that are beginning to make their trek south. It’s the clear night sky, and a bright full moon, and the sounds of farmers toiling in nearby fields that carries just a bit more into one’s senses.
I tend to catch myself taking deep breaths when I walk outside as if I know this season is only here for a limited time before we begin seeking refuge from the cold. Try as I might, I can’t quite breathe in enough of this beautiful month.
Just as Anne reveled in the world of color about her in the children’s novel “Anne of Green Gables,” I, too, am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.
FHSU presents Daniel Bukvich in next New Music Festival concert
FHSU University Relations
The Department of Music and Theatre at Fort Hays State University will present the “New Music Festival: An Evening of the Music of Daniel Bukvich” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Bukvich, professor of music theory at the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton School of Music, travels across the world as a guest composer, conductor and percussionist in concerts with professional, college, high school and grade school bands, orchestras, choirs, honor and all-state groups.
As part of the New Music Festival, Bukvich will give a lecture at 2:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1, in Malloy Hall Room 115.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
The evening concert will feature the world premiere of “Lost Chord Mysticanza,” commissioned by the Fort Hays State New Music Ensemble, an ensemble of FHSU faculty with a shared passion for the music of living composers.
Members slated to perform “Lost Chord Mysticanza” are Brian Buckstead, violin; Irena Ravitskaya, piano; Hilary Shepard, flute; Kristin Pisano, clarinet; James Pisano, alto saxophone/bass clarinet; Brandon Jones, percussion; and Terry Crull, narration and singing voice.
Other works in the program: “Four Phases from Psalm 91,” performed by the FHSU Smoky Hill Chorale with Kay Werth, English horn, under the direction of Crull; and “Five Fantasies on the Tones A and G” for brass quintet.
“One aim of the annual FHSU New Music Festival is to engage, educate and inform our community about new music,” Pisano said.
Admission is free. Tickets will be available in the Beach/Schmidt lobby 30 minutes prior to the concert or in advance at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.
🎥 Hays USD 489 Board of Education candidate forum
Candidates for the Hays USD 489 Board of Eduction will take part in a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday from Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University.
The event will be streamed live online by Tiger Media Network below:
The live broadcast also can be seen on Eagle Cable Channel 17 and Nex-Tech Cable Channel 102.
Intoxicated juvenile apprehended after attempting to enter residence
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
An intoxicated juvenile attempting to enter a residence gave a family and their young guests a scare when he attempted to enter their home early Saturday.
At about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Hays police were dispatched to the 1900 block of Marshall after receiving a call that an unknown person was banging on the front door and breaking windows in an attempt to enter the home, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.
The residents were hosting a sleepover with their children and moved everyone to the basement and barricaded the door as they believed he was attempting to gain entry.
“It was very traumatic for everybody,” Scheibler said.
When police arrived, the suspect fled the scene and officers searched the home and ensured everyone inside was safe.
The suspect was apprehended shortly after near the intersection of 21st and Marshall and found to be highly intoxicated.
He was transported to the Law Enforcement Center.
“I don’t think he had any criminal intent,” Scheibler said.
He said temperatures at the time of the incident were slightly below freezing and he believed the suspect was searching for someplace warm.
Scheibler said it was fortunate no one was hurt.
“It was a potentially dangerous situation because when you kick in the front door of somebody’s house,” he said, “that’s how tragedies occur.”
The low temperatures could have also created a negative outcome, Scheibler said.
“This young person was so intoxicated he didn’t know where he was at, or where he was trying to get to,” he said. “If he had laid down and gone to sleep out in the cold weather, he would have died.”
8th St. Liquor Tailgate Photo Contest
Did you know with any 8th Street Liquor purchase you can get your game day cups for tailgating? Fort Hays State takes on Emporia State tomorrow in the 2020 FHSU Homecoming game and another home game on October 26th against Nebraska-Kearney and we want to see photos of your 8th Street cups out supporting your Tigers. Take your best tailgate photo at the game or in the comfort of your home with your 8th Street cup and upload here for your chance to win this KanJam Flying Disc Team Game. Entries will be accepted today through October 27th. Then we’ll let the community vote on their favorite tailgate photo October 28th – November 3rd!
The Post Podcast: HACC prepares for Chamber Award Banquet nominations
Bunker Hill lawmaker running for Kan. Big First congressional seat
RUSSELL (AP) — A prominent Republican state legislator has launched a campaign for the western Kansas seat in Congress.
State Rep. Troy Waymaster of Bunker Hill announced his candidacy Tuesday in the 1st Congressional District. Waymaster has been chairman of the Kansas House Appropriations committee since 2017 and is a key player in budget debates.
Waymaster said he’s a conservative running partly because “socialists” in Washington “are tearing our country apart.” He is a farmer who was first elected to the Legislature in 2012.
Former Lt. Gov. Tracey Mann of Salina and Finney County Commissioner Bill Clifford also are seeking the GOP nomination. Garden City teacher Kali Barnett is running as a Democrat.
Two-term Republican Rep. Roger Marshall announced last month that he’s running for the U.S. Senate.
Ellis Co. administrator will take top job with Saline County
SALINA — At Tuesday morning’s Saline County commissioners meeting, commissioners approved a contract with Phillip Smith-Hanes, current Ellis County administrator, to serve as the new Saline County administrator.
Smith-Hanes comes to Saline County after a career of more than 23 years that has spanned both city and county governments in two different states. He has served as a county administrator since December 2009, first in California and for the last 3-plus years in Ellis County.
Smith-Hanes will begin his duties with Saline County on Dec. 2, according to a news release from Saline County.
“Ellis County has been a wonderful experience, and I will miss the people here, but I am so excited to be joining Saline County,” says Smith-Hanes said. “Saline County has several exciting projects in the works and I look forward to being a part of this community. I am confident this is the right move for me and my family.”
Smith-Hanes grew up in Marion County and Oklahoma as well as a short stint in Cloud County and graduated from Marion High School. He has degrees from Kansas State University, Washburn University and the University of Kansas.
“Saline County is pleased with Phillip’s background and experience and we are excited to get him on board quickly. The county commissioners are looking forward to working with Phillip. He will be a great addition to our staff,” said Saline County Commission Chairman Robert Vidricksen.
Deputy County Administrator Hannah Stambaugh read a short statement from Smith-Hanes into the commission record following the commission’s vote to approve the employment contract. Smith-Hanes plans to attend the Saline County Commission meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and will be available to greet county staff and members of the public.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
🎥 Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade 2019
The 2019 Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade with Mike Koerner and Jon Armstrong.
PREVIEW: Fall Radio Auction Oct. 17 & 18
The Eagle Radio Auction kicks off Thursday morning at 8 a.m. on radio stations 101.9 KKQY and 94.3 FM and 1400 AM KAYS.
There are thousands of items to bid on and buy, including a Ranch Hand Full Bumper Replacement from Better Built Trailers.
Retail Price $1425
This front-end American made Legend Series Ranch Hand bumper replacement is for any American made ¾ or 1 ton pickup including Dodge, Ford and Chevy. Installation is included. Ranch Hand bumper replacements are among the very best on the market. They are made of heavy pipe. They look great too and fit the contour of your truck to give it a clean, customizable feel. High bidder will need to call Better Built Trailers and give Mike a heads-up on when you’ll have your front end replacement installed.
Boat Winter Service and Storage Package from Briney Motorsports
Retail Price $1000
Briney Motorsports in Hays will take care of your boat for the winter. This is a package that includes winterization, de-winterization and storage. Briney’s will winterize any size boat you have. Winterization includes an oil change, engine service, lower unit service and they’ll check the bearings on your trailer. They will fully inspect your boat and even check and maintain the battery over the winter. Your boat will be stored indoors at Briney’s for 5 months – November through March. They’ll have it ready to go for lake season with their De-winterization process.
🎥 Chetolah Creek WRRF completed after 28 months and $30.2M
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“Finished early, under budget, and it exceeds performance expectations. That doesn’t happen every day, but it happens with good leadership.”
That was Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller’s summation of the newly renovated Hays wastewater treatment plant during Thursday night’s city commission meeting.
Commissioners, city department heads, KDHE representatives and project principals from Burns and McDonnell and CAS Constructors, the design/build team, and owner’s representative HDR toured the $30.272 million water reclamation and reuse facility earlier in the day.
The work began May 31, 2017, and was completed Sept. 15, two months ahead of schedule with no change orders and no injuries to workers or employees. It was also $400,000 under budget.
Tests of average nutrient discharge levels conducted since April are much improved compared to the old plant.
“The limit of 10 on nitrate and nitrite has been running at about 1.4, ammonia is less than half and phosphorus is right at the limit,” reported Stan Christopher of HDR Engineers, the city’s owner-representative on the project. The phosphorus system was pushed hard during performance testing, dropping the level to 0.167 percent.
“That’s likely to be considerably below any future limit you’re going to see during the life of this plant,” he added. “That’s state-of-the-art numbers.
“I think you can be proud that this is going to give you a sustainable future for many years to come.”
KDHE issued a two-year permit Sept. 1 for the new plant. EPA will make no changes to the effluent discharge allowable levels during the life of the city’s 20-year loan for the project, according to City Manager Toby Dougherty.
The city was fined $18,000 in 2012 by the EPA for excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrate.
“We have fought for years to meet those regulations,” said Commissioner Ron Mellick, “and now we can kind of sit back and enjoy that we don’t have to worry about that from certificate to certificate.”
Energy consumption at the plant, which now uses ultraviolet disinfection rather than toxic gaseous chlorine, has decreased about 20 percent, according to Jason Riegel,Water Reclamation and Reuse superintendent.
The plant, with a new entrance at 755 General Custer Road, also has a new name — Chetolah Creek Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility.
“We used to call them wastewater treatment plants or sewer plants,” said Jeff Keller of Burns and McDonnell engineers.
“I think this name is a nice statement, especially in an area of Kansas where water can be scarce,” Keller said to the commission. “Having that recognition you’re doing the right thing, that you’re recovering the water. You’re not just putting it back into the environment cleaner than it started but you’re making it available for all sorts of beneficial uses. It makes this whole project a green solution.”
Water reuse is expanded with an additional 750,000 gallons of reclaimed water storage basins. Treated effluent is reclaimed for irrigation at sports fields and the municipal golf course. Effluent water is also available to the community through an adjacent fill station.
“After touring the plant today — and I hope the community gets to see it at some point — seeing all the reuse, the recycling and reclamation that goes on there, that in itself ties in to our whole mission that we’ve had in this community for 20 some years now as far as our water conservation goes,” said Commissioner Eber Phelps.
“You’re getting dramatically cleaner water, dramatically improved environment, much safer plant for your employees and for your community, and 20 percent less in operating costs,” Keller pointed out. “A lot of that has to do with new technology that got implemented.”
This is the biggest public works project ever completed by the city of Hays and the first time it used the design/build process.
“No change orders is unbelievable on a project this size with that length of time,” commented Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, “and that’s really impressive.
“We know how good our staff is here, we know how good of a job they do. What they’ve done with you and you with them, this collaborative effort, has been something to really enjoy watching and seeing how well you all worked together,” Jacobs added. “I’m extremely proud of all of you and thank you very much for that.”
The Hays wastewater plant was originally constructed in 1953, expanded in 1967, and last improved in the early 1990s. It remained open and operating normally during the recent 17-month renovation.
The plant had to be overhauled to meet future nitrogen and phosphorus limits mandated by KDHE and the Environmental Protection Agency.
In August 2015, the Hays City Commission approved tripling the sewer rate over a six-year period to help pay for the plant upgrade. The city has 20-year, $30.26 million loan agreement through the KDHE Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan to pay for the project.
Award-winning nature photographer featured in Sternberg’s new exhibit
The Sternberg Museum is hosting the “Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild” exhibition.
Mangelsen has spent over 40 years filming and photographing nature and wildlife from all over the world. His passion for nature and his pursuit for the “perfect picture moment” has led him to capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitat. Mangelsen offers a chance to get a whole new perspective of the animals’ lives and their struggle to survive in their ever-changing environments.
Some of Mangelsen’s work has been featured in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Life magazine, National Wildlife, Smithsonian, Natural History, Newsweek, Wildlife Art, American Photo, and Nature’s Best Photography. He was named 2011’s Conservation Photographer of the Year by Nature’s Best Photography, one of the 100 Most Important People in Photography by American Photo magazine, and one of the 40 Most Influential Nature Photographers by Outdoor Photography.
The exhibit runs through Dec. 29.
For more information, visit sternberg.fhsu.edu.
