Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Northeast wind 8 to 11 mph.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>A winter weather advisory is in effect for portions of western and northern KS late Wed. Night through Thurs. for 2-4 inches of snow. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#kswx</a> <a href=”https://t.co/uyIAxJqc8m”>pic.twitter.com/uyIAxJqc8m</a></p>— NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href=”https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1059942619973869568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 6, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Tonight A slight chance of rain before 11pm, then rain and snow likely between 11pm and 1am, then snow after 1am. Low around 29. East northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
The updated snowfall forecast for late Wednesday Night into Thursday calls for 1 to 4 inches across much of western KS #kswxpic.twitter.com/4M2i2psOYc
Thursday Snow before 3pm, then rain and snow likely between 3pm and 5pm, then snow likely after 5pm. High near 35. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west after midnight.
Fort Hays State Weekly Football Press Conference November 6th, 2018
Fort Hays State head coach Chris Brown conducted his weekly press conference in advance of the Tiger’s upcoming game with Northeastern State Saturday afternoon in Hays. Brown and select players met with the media inside Lewis Field on Tuesday, a session that can be seen by clicking on the video below.
(00:00 Head Coach Chris Brown, 11:55 Defensive End Sterling Swopes, 14:45 Offensive Lineman Romello Burke)
“Due to the resignation of the undersheriff and the majority of the department, County Clerk Renee Kerr has assumed the duties of sheriff, per KSA 19-804a,” Kerr said in a prepared statement. “An emergency declaration has been signed and mutual aid is forthcoming.”
KSA 19-804a
KSA 19-804a reads: “When there shall be no sheriff or undersheriff in any county, it shall be the duty of the county clerk to exercise all the powers and duties of the sheriff of such clerk’s county until a sheriff be elected or qualified.”
In a statement, Kerr said she had appointed Brandon Mitchell — the Republican Party’s nominee to replace Whipple — as undersheriff and Travis Rothe as a deputy.
She did not comment on why the resignations occurred, but said there is a plan in the works and mutual aid from other counties has been requested. Officers from Hodgeman County will assist, she said, noting officers from other neighboring counties also are expected.
On Tuesday, Kerr, who has no law enforcement experience, is also in the midst of administering an election in her role of county clerk, a position she has held for the past 13 years.
“We are focusing on county business and moving forward,” she said.
Ness County has a population of about 3,000 residents, with about half of those living in Ness City.
Whipple, who had served as sheriff since 2000, pleaded guilty last month to a federal firearms charge. In his plea, Whipple admitted he arranged to sell a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a man he knew to be a convicted felon.
As a part of that plea, Whipple resigned his position. Sentencing on the federal charge is set for Jan. 17.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
According to information distributed by the Ellis Alliance on Tuesday, there is a potential advertising scam circulating via telephone.
“It has come to the Ellis Review’s attention that some of our advertisers and subscribers in Ellis may have received a call from someone saying they are representatives from our newspaper,” the Review staff said in a message to the chamber. “That is not the case.”
The Kansas Press Association said it had received complaints that an organization called “That’s Great News is calling advertisers and subscribers and claiming to be a representative of the local newspaper.”
The KPA said it plans to file a complaint this week with the Kansas Attorney General.
Voters at the Hays Recreation Center early Tuesday morning.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Keith Ubert wore his red Nebraska Cornhuskers hat and shirt today. The bright red is symbolic of his political leanings, but Ubert did not vote a straight line Republican ticket.
The Hays resident cast his ballot early this morning at the Hays Recreation Center before driving to Ellis where he works at Sizewise.
“The red hat and red shirt says it all,” Ubert said, “except I voted for one Democrat.”
He crossed party lines to vote for Eber Phelps, the Democratic incumbent in the 111th District statehouse race. “He’s good. He does a good job.” The Republican candidate is Barb Wasinger, an Ellis County Commissioner. Both are Hays residents.
Les Libal (center) picks up his voter authentication prior to voting.
Ubert says he’s not a “straight down the ticket” voter and this isn’t the first time he crossed the party line.
When Ubert first started voting, he was registered as an Independent.
“But I couldn’t vote in primary elections so that’s pretty much why I switched.”
So he registered as a Democrat in order to vote in primaries.
About six years ago, Ubert says he changed to the Republican party, after “just listening.”
“I can vote either way. It doesn’t matter. I just listen to the radio, read articles online and just try to stay informed.
“Vote your own opinion,” Ubert advised.
Steve Keil casts his ballot shortly before 8 a.m.
At least 30 people, along with some children, were standing in line waiting to vote Tuesday morning before the polls opened at 7 a.m.
By 7:55 a.m., 94 people had voted at the HRC gym, according to Bobbi Dreiling, Ellis County Deputy Election Officer. She was on hand, and on the phone as necessary, to answer questions from poll workers.
The polls remain open until 7 p.m. tonight. Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus reported to Ellis County Commissioners Monday night a total of 2,137 people voted early in her office.
Hays Post and Eagle Radio will have local election results as they become available, along with the winners of statewide races.
United Way of Ellis County is not where it would like to be at this point in its campaign, but there are several ways you can help the organization get closer to its goal this week.
You can join the United Way for fun at the mall during its annual Night of Giving, hop online to bid on some great deals in its annual auction or dine out at JD’s Chicken today.
Night of Giving will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Big Creek Crossing.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door. The evening includes, food, music, wine, shopping and a chance to win prizes.
“It will be an amazing atmosphere for families and groups of friends who want to shop and have fun,” Sherry Dryden, United Way, executive director, said. “And you get to know what the agencies do for all of us in Ellis County.”
All proceeds help support Ellis County’s annual campaign, which in turn supports local nonprofit partner agencies.
Event-goers can enter their receipts to win a sapphire and diamond ring worth $1,212.
Last year’s partner agencies included the American Red Cross, Big Brother/Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, Center for Life Experience, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK), Early Childhood Connections, First Call For Help, Hays Area Children’s Center, Options, Parents and Children Together, Salvation Army and Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled.
Event-goers will have access to special discounts at mall stores. They can also enter their receipts to win a sapphire and diamond ring worth $1,212. The ring has been donated by Riddle’s Jewelry.
Event-goers can also participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a gift basket full of items donated by mall businesses. Music will be provided by Complete Music Co., and Resurrection Vineyard will offer a wine tasting.
Each of the United Way’s partner agencies will be paired with a mall merchant, which is supposed to portray the mission of the nonprofit the business has been paired with. Those merchants will provide snacks for the Night of Giving participants. Event-goers can vote for the best decorated table.
Auction
There is still time to bid on items in this year’s United Way online auction.
Bidding ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Three trips are up for grabs this year: a trip for two to Puntacana in the Dominican Republic, a three-night trip for two to Sonoma Wine Country, and a trip for two to Chicago to watch the Tony-award winning musical “Hamilton.”
The trips are a cooperative offering between United Way and the travel agency, Westin.
You must make a minimum bid on the trips to qualify. The minimum bid on the Dominican Republic trip is $1,425 with a retail value of $2,808. The minimum bid for the Sonoma trip is $2,395 with a retail value of $2,863, and the Hamilton trip minimum bid is $2,195 with a retail value of $2,500. Airfare is not included.
The Hamilton show runs through May 26, and buyers have up to a year to book the other two trips.
Full descriptions of the trips are on the United Way website.
The auction offers many more items, including a Traeger grill, furniture, a $250 Ashley Furniture gift certificate, Tiger basketball season tickets, Royals tickets, a year’s family membership to the Hays Recreation Center, jewelry, clothing and a wide selection of gift certificates.
“There is something for everyone,” Dryden said.
People can get a sneak peek at some of the items available through the auction at the Night of Giving Friday.
The United Way raised almost $4,000 through the auction last year.
Campaign progress
The United Way has only raised 15 percent toward its $400,000 campaign goal. Last year at this time, the campaign was at 45 percent. Many of the United Way’s pacesetter businesses decided to wait to have their United Way drives during their insurance open enrollment periods this year.
That means the agency is still waiting to receive pledges from many of its regular contributors.
“We are a little nervous, but we are extremely hopeful,” Dryden said.
United Way offers a variety of ways to donate, which include a payroll deduction through your employer, online, by phone with at credit card by calling 785-628-8281, by mail at United Way of Ellis County, PO Box 367, Hays, KS 67601 or in person at the United Way of Ellis County office at the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh, Ste. 111, Hays.
Dryden emphasized the importance of United Way funding.
“A lot of agencies depend on United Way Funding for the services they provide. Without that funding, they would have to reduce their services, the number of people they serve or eliminate services they provide,” Dryden said. “It could mean agencies would have to close doors.”
The United Way will also continue to have its Dine-Out Days through the beginning of January. Dine-Out Day will be 11 am. to 2 p.m. today at JD’s Chicken. The Golden Q will host the following Dine-Out Day on Wednesday, Nov. 14. A portion of the restaurants’ proceeds go to the United Way.
Ajoni and Kiros Smolarkiewicz cast their ballots Tuesday morning in Kids Voting USA-Kansas.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Casting his ballot today went a little faster than in other years for Hays resident Ajoni Smolarkiewicz. He was happy about that since he had to get to school on time.
The 5th grader at O’Loughlin Elementary School and his brother Kiros, a student in 2B, accompanied their mother Misty early this morning to the Hays Recreation Center where they all voted in the hotly contested midterm election. The family was waiting in line before the polls opened at 7 a.m.
Ajoni, 10, and Kiros, 7, participated in Kids Voting USA-Kansas set up in the corner of a HRC gymnasium.
“We voted for some of the people who we think will do good in our community and our ecosystem,” said Ajoni after he slid his ballot into the box. Ajnoi wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up and he “likes a healthy ecosystem.”
The brothers made their decisions after watching their mom do her own candidate research. “I looked at all the people I thought would be good,” Ajoni said, “and that’s who I voted for today.”
Kiros agreed. He voted for those candidates he believes will “do a good job.”
Both youngsters proudly wore their “I Voted” stickers and, unlike the adults, were also given a McDonald’s free meal coupon.
The Kids ballot has pictures of the candidates.
The Kids ballot has the same races as the regulation ballot, plus pictures of the candidates, explained Kids Voting volunteer Patrick Trapp.
“In this location, they’re also voting in the Ellis County Commission First District race,” Trapp added.
This is the first time Trapp, a Nex-Tech employee, has volunteered for the project.
“I’m an early morning person and I said I’d take the early shift,” he said.
Joining Trapp was his colleague Niki Clark. Nex-Tech employees have participated in Kids Voting for many years.
Also working 7-8 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. for Kids Voting Kansas are employees of Hays Daily News, McDonald’s, Golden Plains Credit Union and Wayne Voss State Farm Agency, and TMP-Marian High School Key Club members.
Parents are encouraged to bring their K-12th grade children with them to the Hays polling sites.
Volunteers Patrick Trapp and Niki Clark work the Kids Voting booth at the Hays Recreation Center.
“The kids are prepared and putting some thought into it They’re taking it seriously, I believe,” Trapp added.
Hays High School government students will tally the voting results after the polls close at 7 p.m. and will release the information to the public.
The white stuff looks like it’s getting ready to fly, according to National Weather Service meteorologists.
According to the NWS Dodge City office, there is a 60 percent chance of snow in Hays beginning very late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. There is a chance of snow accumulation ranging from less than a half-inch to 2 inches.
Rain and snow remain likely into Thursday afternoon with the possibility of freezing rain before 3 p.m., rain from 3 to 5 p.m., then a chance of a rain/snow mix after 5 p.m. The low temperature Thursday night is expected to drop all the way down to 25 degrees.
Skies are expected to be clear Friday, but the mercury won’t rebound much — with a high temperature of 38 predicted.
The United Way of Ellis County will be hosting a Dine-Out Day with J D’s Country Style Chicken, 740 East 8th, Hays, on Tuesday, November 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come join in the social media fun! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the United Way and their 15 partner agencies.
Watch for upcoming Dine-Out Days with participating restaurants online at www.liveunited.us. Call 785-628-8281 for more information.
With voters heading to the polls Tuesday, Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus said her office saw a steady stream of people taking advantage of early voting, which ended at noon Monday.
Maskus told the Ellis County Commission on Monday her office had 266 people vote in advance Friday and, over the two-week early voting period, the office averaged nearly 200 advanced votes per day.
“In person, we had a total of 2,137 voters that came in the office and voted,” Maskus said.
WAKEENEY – The work is already underway to install new LED color-changing lights from Inception Lighting along the buildings of Downtown WaKeeney and soon our famous Christmas Festival will be brighter than ever, thanks to those who have contributed to the “Get Lit” campaign!
Fundraising Efforts Turn on the Lights in Downtown WaKeeney
The new lights will be activated and dedicated Sat., Nov. 24, during the 68th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.Prepping for new LED Christmas lights in downtown WaKeeney
Through continued fundraising efforts, several generous donations from local citizens and businesses, sales of our campaign t-shirts and a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, these new LED color-changing lights will be ready to light up the “Christmas City of the High Plains” in just a few short weeks from now.
The city of WaKeeney is donating the labor to install the lights as well as the utility costs and Nex-Tech has donated the monthly WiFi fee to operate the lights. They are a welcome addition to the historic decorations featured in our famous holiday display, with color versatility and cost advantages that will go on throughout the year.
Beauty and Benefits Added to Our Christmas Lights
The addition of the lights represents a new step in the history of holiday decorating in downtown WaKeeney. New LED technologies provide benefits unimaginable in the early days of our Christmas Festival when Art Kraus and Jake Heckman hand-built the wreaths, bells, and stars wood cutouts that hang from the garlands strung across Main Street and Russell Avenue.
Along with beauty and flexibility, these lights are easy to install, operate, and maintain, with lower overall costs for our community. The entire system is guaranteed to last for up to ten years and we’re expecting the overall cost savings will be in the thousands of dollars, with an estimated yearly utility bill of only $300.
The Season of Giving Has Already Begun
Thank you to all the people, businesses, Nex-Tech, and the city of WaKeeney for donating their time and money to this effort to light up downtown WaKeeney.
Sales of Get Lit T-shirts help offset the cost of the new Christmas lights.
There is still time to contribute to this community cause. A Go Fund Me page has been set up for online contributions and the “Get Lit” shirts are available for purchase at The Studio 128 (128 Main St.) and Heartland Foods (401 Russell Ave). And, just like our famous Christmas lights, they come in six colors—red, green, yellow, grey, royal blue, and purple. They have the “Christmas City of the High Plains” logo on the front, and the “Get Lit” logo on the back and sell for $12 in S-XL and $15 for 2X.
Join us at the Dedication Ceremony When We Turn on the Lights!
Installation of the LED lights will take several weeks and plans are already set to turn the lights on as soon as they are done. We invite you to join us at the dedication ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 24, 2018, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, at our “68th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.” It’s the perfect time to show our gratitude to all the fabulous people who have made this next step in our holiday celebration possible.
