KDA

MANHATTAN — On October 29–November 2, the Kansas Department of Agriculture participated in a trade mission to South Africa led by U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney. The trade mission focused on expanding export opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses by encouraging free, fair and reciprocal trade throughout the Southern Africa region.

The team representing Kansas on the trade mission included: Thad Geiger, Kansas Board of Agriculture vice chair and U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE) consultant; Monty and Jean Teeter and Jacques Willemse, Dragon-Line, Ulysses; and Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, KDA international trade director.

The team visited Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, and had one-on-one meetings with potential customers from several Southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“There are many opportunities for U.S. livestock genetics as Southern Africa looks to grow and improve their livestock industry,” stated Geiger. “It has been said that 80 percent of trade occurs in established relationships. Great relationships lay the foundation for future trade opportunities. This was a beneficial mission in that regard.”

Historically, Southern Africa has been a reliable consumer of Kansas grains. In 2017, Kansas exported over $15 million in cereal grains to the region with the top export being wheat.

“In a time of trade uncertainty, we must look at other markets to diversify. Southern Africa is typically a net importer of agricultural goods and we are excited about the potential to grow our market share in the region,” said Ryan-Numrich. “The region has a strong economy and a rapidly growing middle class which appreciates price-competitive, high-quality U.S. agricultural products.”

While reflecting on the trade mission upon his return, Teeter said “’Water scarcity’ are words recognized by farmers around the world. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to provide a solution for desperate farmers who are trying to irrigate their crops with less and less available water and we are looking forward to being part of the water scarcity solution in Africa.”

This trade mission was organized by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. KDA travel was fully funded by U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE), a not-for-profit, nationwide trade association representing livestock and horse breeding industries.

NCK TECH

High school students from area schools attended NCK Tech Showcase Day held on Tuesday, October 30, on the Hays campus.

The purpose of Showcase Day is to allow prospective students to participate in hands-on activities that actually take place in the classroom and lab. Students chose three areas of interest that allowed them to participate in some of the skill-sets required for that field of study.

Tiffany Fox, NCK Tech Hays campus Student Services Coordinator said, “Showcase Day is a great opportunity for prospective students and already accepted students for the following academic year to learn more about their program of study and view hands-on experiences in three areas of interest. It also is a time where prospective students hear from other NCK Tech students who are currently completing the program of study.

“Furthermore, this experience provides prospective students familiarity of other programs to pair with their original program of study for a two-year experience at NCK Tech and earn an associate’s degree. I encourage any students considering NCK Tech to participate in Showcase Day prior to making your career decision,” Fox added.

The Hays Campus of NCK TECH offers ten programs of study including: Automotive Technology, Business Management, Business Technology, Carpentry/Cabinetmaking, Culinary Arts, Electrical Technology, Pharmacy Technician, Nursing, Plumbing/Heating/Air Conditioning, and Welding.

Applications for 2019-2020 academic year are now being accepted, and students are encouraged to apply early. For more information contact the Admissions Office at 785-625-2437 or visit our website at www.ncktc.edu.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man arrested in Northwest Kansas in May for  shooting a Menards employee in Wichita was sentenced Friday to 34-months in prison. The term will be served consecutive to his other charges, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney’s office.

Dominic Williamson, 19, was arrested  in connection with shooting a store loss prevention officer at Menards in the 3600 Block of North Maize Road in Wichita.

The store loss prevention officer observed Williamson and a woman exit the business carrying a home surveillance system they had not paid for. The employee contacted the suspects outside the business and the man brandished a handgun and fired one shot striking the employee in the abdomen and fled the scene in a Black Mercedes Wagon with a Montana license plates.

The following day officers investigated a traffic complaint of an erratic driver of a gray Nissan car on Interstate 70 at the U.S. 183 Bypass.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop at which time the driver, who was later identified as 18-year-old Dominic Joseph Williamson, fled.

Officers deployed stop sticks, deflating three tires, but Williamson continued to flee westbound on Interstate 70.

The pursuit finally ended in Trego County just east of Collyer when Williamson lost control of the vehicle after a tactical vehicle intervention.

The suspect’s vehicle entered the north ditch and rolled several times before coming to rest on its top.

Williamson was arrested without further incident.

He was evaluated by medical staff and later booked into the Ellis County Detention Facility.

Williamson was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing and eluding, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and numerous traffic violations in addition to the  charges in Sedgwick County.

The 17-year-old female suspect in the shooting was taken into custody in Derby after a high-speed police chase.

FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University’s Forsyth Library recently hosted the second annual Digital Commons Heartland User’s Group Regional Conference.

The conference was organized by Jennifer Sauer, coordinator of scholar services and electronic resources and discovery services librarian, and Elizabeth Downing, digital curation librarian.

“Over two days, the conference focused on sharing ideas, innovations and the best practices for institutional repositories,” said Downing.

Mark Eberle, Biological Sciences lab coordinator at Fort Hays State, was the keynote speaker and talked, from an author’s perspective, about the library as a publisher.

Other featured presenters at the conference were from Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, the Missouri Science & Technology University, Rutgers University, the University of Denver, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

This conference was specifically for users of the Digital Commons platform hosted by bepress. Representatives from the company gave updates and answered questions.

“Digital Commons is a really powerful network,” said Sauer. “Content gets picked up and indexed across the Internet fast, so it will come up in a lot of search inquiries and drive even more traffic to the FHSU Scholars Repository.”

Since contracting Digital Commons in 2015, FHSU has seen over 103,000 downloads on faculty and student work that has been published.

“We do a lot of great scholarship here at Fort Hays State,” said Downing “Because these are now indexed in Google Scholar, they are really discoverable by everybody.”

The conference was made possible by contributions from the Forsyth Library dean’s office, the Office of the Provost and bepress.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court reappointed five people to two-year terms on the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee.

The committee, formed in 2016 at the direction of the Kansas Legislature, reviews and oversees improvements to the juvenile justice system in the state. Membership includes representation from all three branches of government.

The Supreme Court appointees are:

• District Judge Delia York, serving in the 29th Judicial District, composed of Wyandotte County.
• District Magistrate Judge Paula Hofaker, serving in Phillips County of the 17th District, also composed of Decatur, Graham, Norton, Osborne, and Smith counties.
• Kevin Emerson, chief court services officer for the 28th Judicial District, composed of Ottawa and Saline counties.
• Lara Blake Bors, Garden City, a juvenile defense attorney.
• Amy Raymond, director of trial courts programs, Office of Judicial Administration, Kansas judicial branch.

Today
Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values as low as 2 early. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Veterans Day
A slight chance of snow before 9am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 9am and noon, then a chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. North northeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind 6 to 8 mph.

Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 33. North wind 9 to 14 mph.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 41.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 58.

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

A flashing digital billboard in a parking lot near the main campus at Fort Hays State University lit up the brisk autumn evening earlier this week.

It flashed a welcome to potential future FHSU students from Kinsley, Valley Heights, Natoma and South Central high schools, ones who have scheduled visits to campus.

Inside Picken Hall on the Quad, students from FHSU’s home county were getting a little extra TLC Monday night.

In what is believed to be a first-ever event for Ellis County students, Fort Hays State’s admissions office hosted a college information session specifically for students from the county’s four high schools – Hays High and Thomas More Prep-Marian in Hays, Victoria and Ellis.

Jon Armstrong, interim director of admissions, said he and his staff came up with the idea of “Your Next Step” as a way to “better serve our students in Ellis County.”

“Trying something different to help our local people is very important to me and our office,” he said. “We want to try to be available to students on their time.”

Armstrong, whose youngest son is a high school junior, is quite familiar with the busy schedules of high school students.

“Students are so busy now,” he said, “and it’s harder and harder to get out of class to come down to campus. If we can slice out an hour or two here and there for the opportunity to get their questions answered, even if it’s in the evening, we want to do it.”

“Your Next Step” is just one of several events hosted by the Admissions Office during the school year and one of three new ones launched this year.

Last month, about 40 high school students from southwest Kansas were bused to campus for a day of learning more about the college application process.

Tuesday, Nov. 13, that many, and probably more, students from north central Kansas will arrive at FHSU for a similar day of college planning and campus visitation.

“This was something new we wanted to try for this area, and we were hoping to get at least 20 to 25 students,” Armstrong said. “Right now, we’re at 40.”

Before that, however, Armstrong and his staff are preparing for their largest event of the year – Tiger Day, which is Saturday, Nov. 10.

Approximately 400 students have sent in RSVPs for the day of learning about campus life. That’s the largest number since 2010.

After a welcome by FHSU administration, students and their families will have the opportunity to learn about the admissions process as well as visit the academic buildings and residence halls. The highlight of the day, Armstrong said, is the academic fair where tables from the different academic programs are set up in the Memorial Union.

“That takes a lot of work for our academic departments,” Armstrong said. “They are so supportive in really understanding the importance of recruiting.”

Making the college application process as easy as possible for students is high-priority for Armstrong.

One mother at the Ellis County night asked a question that stumped Armstrong, who chuckled, saying he gets asked that every so often.

“Is there a discount for twins?” asked Kelly Hutchison, mother of twin siblings Palmer and Mattie Hutchison, seniors at Hays High.

Armstrong said he was unaware of such a discount but did know that if the twins live in residence halls, they will both be offered the Ellis County residential hall housing reduction.

That discount, which Armstrong said a lot of people ask questions about, is $2,000 off the total cost of the yearly residential life contract every year a student from Ellis County lives on campus.

A total of 13 students took advantage of Monday night’s opportunity, but the number of people who came through was more than double that.

“Every student who came in had at least one parent with them,” Armstrong said. “And a couple of parents came on their own because their children couldn’t make it. All the parents seemed really thankful we did this.”

“We wanted it to be come-and-go, to accommodate people’s schedules,” Armstrong continued. “This is a start. I do know we had lots of questions about financial aid and the benefits of on-campus housing and the like.”

Brandon Hoffman from Hays High decided to take advantage of the opportunity despite having difficulty getting around.

Hoffman, maneuvering on a knee walker scooter with a cast on his left leg, which he fractured during football season, took one look at the large flight of stairs at the front of Picken Hall and thought, “Uh-oh.”

However, Hoffman was able to locate the elevator on the south end of the building and made his way up to the second-floor area where he was greeted with a table of all sorts of information about FHSU – and pizza.

“I was ready to hop up the stairs, though,” he said.

With that type of attitude, Armstrong said that Hoffman, who plans to major in business management, should do just fine in college.

Hoffman, the oldest of two siblings, was accompanied by his mother at the event.

“We just wanted to find out all about this process,” Marlene Hoffman said. “It’s all new to us. It’s so different than when we went to college.”

Armstrong and Kyle Stacken, admissions counselor for Ellis County, visited with the Hoffmans and talked about setting up a time for them to visit campus when Brandon could get around more easily.

Armstrong said he and his staff realize that sometimes local students don’t think about asking a lot of questions because they live here.

“We were able to visit with local students who have some difficulty getting to campus during regular hours,” he said. “We want to answer their questions, too. Of the 26-plus people we visited with, I think it made a big difference.”

Tom and Tina Albers and their daughter, Hays High senior Ady, definitely thought so.

“Ady really enjoyed the one-on-one conversation with Jon,” Tom Albers said. “He answered all of her questions and offered her some awesome advice. The entire event was very professional and comfortable and had a family feel to it. Thank you, FHSU, for this opportunity to help ease Ady’s concerns and help her answer several questions she had about the enrollment process.”

All in all, Armstrong deemed “Your Next Step” a success.

“This was a first step for us in wanting to provide more opportunities like this,” Armstrong said. “Our next step in our office is to offer an opportunity like this on the high school campuses. We’re going to try to do something like that in the spring. I’m excited.”

ELLIS – Campground Committee member Verda Flinn appeared before the Ellis City Council during its Monday evening meeting asking the city to begin soliciting bids for water and electrical work for the campground expansion project.  After some discussion, council members voted to first solicit bids for an engineer to develop detailed plans for the expansion.

In other business, Alan Scheuerman, public works director reported nearly 29 tons of material was collected during the recent  citywide cleanup.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

November 5, 2018

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Dena Patee.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council members Bret Andries and Bob Redger were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Barbara Perkins, Glen Keller, Verda Flinn, and Steve Ferland.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 15, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2056.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 4-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Campground: Special Project

Verda Flinn, representing the Campground Committee, requested approval for the Committee to solicit bids for water and electrical contract work for the Campground Expansion Project.  Council discussed various grants that might be available to help fund the project.  Entire project bids would be necessary to include on any grant applications as well.  Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to allow the Campground Committee to solicit the needed bids for the Campground Expansion project.  Upon a call for discussion, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman inquired who should draw up the specifications for the project in order to solicit bids.  An engineer would need to provide detailed plans in order to solicit utility bids.  Upon a call for the vote the motion carried 3-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner voting opposed.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved for the Campground Committee to solicit bids for an engineer to develop detailed plans for the Campground Expansion Project.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

At the October 1^st Council meeting, Council requested that a letter be drafted to the Girl Scouts regarding concerns noted during their annual event in September.  It was the consensus of Council to not send the letter and to just address the concerns prior to approval of next year’s event.

NEW BUSINESS

Parks/Streets: Event Request

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application and the Request for Traffic Control for the annual Ellis Polar Express event.  The event will be held on December 1^st from 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. in Playworld Park.  Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0, with Council member Dena Patee abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.

General Government: Special Project

Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the letter of support for ACCESS Public Transportation to assist the organization with their grant funding.  The motion carried 4-0.

Sewer: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented one bid for the purchase of aluminum chlorohydrate for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the purchase of aluminum chlorohydrate from Brenntag in the amount of $1,260.30 with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

Streets: Acquisition

Mr. Scheuerman continued by requesting approval to purchase winter mix asphalt.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the purchase of 15 ton of winter mix asphalt from APAC in the amount of $2,300 with funds to come from Capital Improvement-Streets.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

General Government: Financial

Security Bank of Kansas City has contacted City Clerk Amy Burton regarding the remaining TIF funds held in the City’s Project Fund.  The City is now able to close out the Project Fund and transfer the remaining monies to the Debt Service Fund to help pay off the Special Obligation Bonds.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the Certification of Completion for the TIF Project.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

Fire: Acquisition

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to ratify the invoice from VLS Communications in the amount of $1,378.50 for the purchase of three pagers and battery packs for the Fire Department.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman updated Council on the annual sewer cleaning performed by Mayer Services.  The Department received some complaints from residents since the contractor was a day late in arriving.  Council discussed adding a range of dates to the doorknockers, rather than just a start date.

Mr. Scheuerman reported that almost 29 tons of material was collected during the City Wide Cleanup.  The City incurred $2,168.25 in landfill fees.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for October and the November Staff Calendar.

City Clerk

Council reviewed the draft minutes from the recent Campground Committee meeting.  City Clerk Amy Burton reminded Council of the work session on November 7^th to review the 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan.

City Clerk: Training

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to allow City Clerk Amy Burton to attend the annual Master Municipal Clerk’s Academy on November 15-16^th in Wichita.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the second contract with the landowner has been successfully negotiated.  After the Mayor and the landowners have signed the contracts, Ms. Raub will schedule the closing date.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger updated Council on pressing issues discussed at the annual League of Kansas Municipalities Regional Supper in Oakley.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.