BROWNELL — At approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Ness County Sheriff’s Office went to 101 Ohio Avenue in Brownell to arrest Jonna Roop for an outstanding Trego County warrant.

When officers arrived, they located Jonna Roop preparing to get into a vehicle. Roop is wanted for failure to appear on narcotics violations and battery on law enforcement, according to a media release from the Ness County Sheriff’s Office. Roop was taken into custody on this warrant without further incident.

As a result of this contact, officers then took the driver of the vehicle, Noel Vohs, into custody for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition, officers spoke to Virginia A. Roop at a nearby camper. While speaking with her, officers were able to locate suspected illegal substances and paraphernalia in the camper, the sheriff’s office said. Virginia Roop was taken into custody for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. It was later discovered she also had a Missouri warrant for possession of controlled substances. She awaits extradition pending the Ness County case.

Jonna Roop was transported to the Trego County jail. Noel Vohs was transported to the Ness County jail and held in lieu of bond at $25,000. Virginia Roop was transported to the Ness County jail and held in lieu of bond at $50,000.

“The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol in the arrests of these subjects. We appreciate their help,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Formal charges are pending through the Ness County Attorney. This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may occur.”

The United Way of Ellis County will be hosting a Dine-Out Day with The Press, 230 East Eighth, on Thursday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 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.

NCK TECH

One of the first steps in going to college is to apply. However, this step may be intimidating for prospective students.

NCK Tech is participating in the Apply Kansas Initiative to help students through this process. The Kansas Board of Regents and KACRAO (Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) in partnership with the American College Application Campaign is working towards the goal of 60% Kansas residents having a college degree or credential by 2020.

“We’re excited to participate in this initiative and provide an incentive for students to apply to college sooner, rather than later,” said NCK Tech President, Eric Burks.  “We are always interested in finding ways to simplify the process for students getting into college.”

NCK Tech will waive the application fee for Fall 2019 for applicants who are full-time program students. The application waiver will end October 31, 2018.  For more information contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-658-4655 (Beloit Campus) or 1-888-567-42976 (Hays) or visit our website at www.ncktc.edu.

More information on the Apply Kansas Initiative can be found by visiting www.kacrao.or/apply-kansas.

KSCPA

TOPEKA – Fun and loud laughter filled the vineyards at KC Wine Co. in Olathe as family, friends, and colleagues celebrated nominees Trina M. Swart Harmon, CPA, Amanda Huffman, CPA, Susan Day, CPA, CGMA, Angela Malley, CPA, CGMA, and Amanda R. Walker, JD, CPA, of the 2018 ‘Women to Watch’ Awards from the Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA), in partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Susan Day, CPA, CGMA, was named the Experienced Leader Winner. A WaKeeney resident, Day is a Principal at Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball and manages the WaKeeney office. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a BBA.

Another Fort Hays State graduate (BBA and MBA), Trina M. Swart Harmon, CPA, was declared the Emerging Leader Winner. She is a Shareholder at Sabala, Harmon & Case CPAs in Wichita.

As wine and hard cider slushies were poured – former W2W award winner Amber Goering, CPA, CGMA (Shareholder, Goering and Granatino P.A., Overland Park) welcomed guests to the 2018 Fun And Loud Laughter (F.A.L.L) Event Recognizing W2W Nominees & Winners, with an inspirational speech about her career experiences and the importance and vital role of women leaders in the accounting profession.

FHSU University Relations

Dr. Brooke Moore, interim chair and assistant professor in the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University, received an award from the Association of Teacher Educators.

Moore received the 2019 Distinguished Research in Teacher Education Award for her article titled “Developing Special Educator Cultural Awareness Through Critically Reflective Professional Learning Community Collaboration.”

As part of the award, Moore will present her work at the 2019 ATE Annual Meeting in mid-February in Atlanta. Moore will also be presented with her award during the awards banquet at the meeting.

The article was also published in the Teacher Education and Special Education journal.

TMP-M

TMP-Marian is pleased to announce that Jacob Schmeidler, senior, is one of four Kansas high school students that qualified for the upcoming 2018 National 4-H Livestock Judging in Louisville, Kentucky.

Livestock judging is the evaluation of an animal’s attributes and making a comparison to other animals and the optimal standard of that particular class. After appraising each animal individually, a rank is established and assigned to each class. A typical contest class consists of four animals, these animals are to be numbered one through four.

A committee of professionals will judge each class or group of four, beforehand. In order for the student judges to place well, their ranked numbers one through four must closely, if not match perfectly, with the committees.

The majority of livestock judging competitions consist of classes from the following: breeding and market cattle, breeding and market sheep, breeding and market hogs, breeding and market goats.

To be successful, a judge must understand the anatomy of each particular animal and be able to apply that to the animals intended function. Once the judge has numbered the animals in a particular class from one to four, he/she must defend their decision during oral reasons.

When asked how to tell the difference between breeding and market animals Schmeidler said “with breeding animals you look for volume and structure, while market animals are all about the muscle and the finish.” Livestock judging is truly an art refined through patient study and long hard hours of practice, in order to learn which parts are most pertinent for meat and breeding stock production.

Schmeidler was only six years old when he judged his first class and he placed 6th at that event.

“I remember being ten years old when I gave my first set of reasons,” Schmeidler said. Set of Reasons, is an oral presentation given by the student judge on why they ranked a certain animal a certain way. Typically, students are 12 years old when they start this process. Schmeidler now enjoys teaching others how to judge and one of those people is his little sister.

Schmeidler has been training for the national competition with the Kansas State University Livestock Judging Team in order to gain more experience.

“I want to judge in college. I enjoy the challenge it brings. I will more than likely attend a junior college in order to get another year of eligibility,” said Schmeidler. Eligibility in Livestock Judging is limited to only one year at a four year university. Students usually use up their eligibility from their junior spring semester to their senior fall semester. However, if a student attends a junior college they are allowed another year.

It appears he is gifted in the ways of livestock judging and his experiences are only going upward from here. We want to wish Jacob the best of luck at Nationals!

 

ELLIS – Several longtime employees of the city of Ellis were honored by the city council during their meeting last week.

In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman told council members his department is continuing the process of locating underground water leaks. The Kansas Rural Water Association has been assisting in the project.

The complete Oct. 15 meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

October 15, 2018

 

CALL TO ORDER

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, Myles Vine, Faith Scheck, Nickole Byers, and Gary Luea (arrived at 7:36 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 1, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2055, and the September Manual Journal Entries.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

Personnel: Award

Mayor David McDaniel presented the annual Service Awards to employees who attained milestone anniversaries with the City.  Awards were presented to City Treasurer Faith Scheck (10 years), Police Chief Taft Yates (5 years), and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman (5 years).  Clerk I Margie Mickelson (15 years) and Fire Lieutenant Brandon Pfeifer (10 years) were unable to attend.

SPECIAL ORDER

Fire: Report

Fire Chief Dustin Vine reported he has not yet received updated comparable bids to replace the roof at the old fire station.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Streets: Event Request

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control for the annual Trunk or Treat event to be held at 9^th and Jefferson Streets on October 31, 2018.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Ellis Rotary will host a ribbon cutting for the joint dock project on October 17^th at 11:00 a.m.  Mayer Service will be in town October 24^th for the annual sewer cleaning.  Doorknockers will be distributed to affected residents.

Water

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period August 10^th – September 10^th.  Council members expressed concerns that the percentage of water accounted for continues to decline.  Mr. Scheuerman stated that the Kansas Rural Water Association assisted the Department in locating a couple of underground leaks; however, he has no other suggestions on how to locate additional possible breaks.  Council requested Mr. Scheuerman contact KRWA for additional assistance.

Training

Mr. Scheuerman requested approval for John Leiker and Brad Leiker to attend water training in Hays on November 1^st and for himself to attend the Kansas Association of Code Enforcement conference in Mayetta on November 7^th – 9^th and the Kansas Water Office Annual Meeting in Manhattan on November 13^th – 14^th.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the stated training opportunities for Alan Scheuerman, John Leiker and Brad Leiker.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported that he canceled the two scheduled interviews for the vacant position in the Department.  The Department will help with the annual Trunk or Treat event held on October 31^st.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for September and the September Financial Statements.  Council will conduct a work session to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan on November 7^th at 6:30 p.m.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported her office is waiting on a call from Mr. Bird regarding an ongoing code violation case.  Ms. Raub requested an Executive Session to discuss contracts for the Water Exploration Project.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel discussed a joint project between the PRIDE Committee and the Ellis High School FFA to provide improvements to Memorial Park.

The State has approved a 34% increase in the registration fees for dog pounds.

Veterans will dedicate the new walkway at Memorial Park on November 11^th at 1:00 p.m.

Mayor McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger updated Council on the recent LKM Annual Conference they attended in Topeka.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss contract revisions pursuant to the acquisition of real property exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(6) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Water Advisory Committee Chair Gary Luea present. The open meeting will resume at 8:33 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

COLBY — Western Plains Arts Association is bringing an “America’s Got Talent” finalist to northwest Kansas. Four friends, who through a series of serendipitous events, formed the Sons of Serendip. The quartet will come to the Colby Community College Cultural Arts Center, Saturday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

The name Sons of Serendip comes from the notion that “serendipity brought us together” while attending graduate school at Boston University. Each member has an inspiring story and together the Sons of Serendip strive to embody the adjectives: classy, genuine, spiritual, sensitive and timeless. In 2014, the group finished as America’s Got Talent 4th place finalist in the popular NBC television show’s ninth season.

“It’s amazing. I loved it!,” said Heidi Klum, judge for “America’s Got Talent” program.

Tenor Micah Christian was a teacher, keyboardist Cordaro Rodriguez was an attorney, cellist Kendall Ramseur was a cello instructor, and harpist Mason Morton was a teacher. The Sons of Serendip concert program focuses on contemporary music, some with a rest twist, and some familiar Motown pop tunes. All will feature Michah’s tenor voice and the playing of the band. The cellist is also the backup singer.

This interesting combination of voice and instruments produces a lovely, rich sound. While they all have been perfecting their instruments since childhood, around five years ago they came together to begin what they knew would be a long beautiful journey of creating music that touches people’s hearts. The Sons of Serendip hopes their music will inspire others to follow their dreams, to pursue their love for music, to spread love and build a better world, and to create an experience one will never forget.

Admission is by Western Plains Arts Association season ticket or at the door adults $20 and students $10. Among numerous area sponsors, a major grant by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, Kansas, makes the many programs of the WPAA season possible.

The group has a wide presence on the web. Visit sonsofserendip.com and view several of their well-produced songs on youtube.com.

— Submitted

The Ellis County Democrats will host State Senator Laura Kelly and other Democratic candidates from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at a rally to be held at the VFW in Hays.

“We are excited to have Senator Kelly in Ellis County one more time before the election. She brings an exciting message to the race for governor of Kansas and has strong momentum going into November,” said Henry Schwaller, chair of the Ellis County Democrats. “We look forward to an energizing evening with Senator Kelly and other important Democratic candidates for office.”

This is Kelly’s third visit to Hays since launching her campaign. Schwaller said she has a strong base of support in Ellis County and expects a large turnout for the rally.

“This event is open to the public and is free of charge. Donations to the candidates are encouraged, but we want all Ellis County voters to have a chance to meet their elected officials,” he said.

In addition to Friday’s rally, the Ellis County Democrats have been actively involved in going door-to-door, providing yard signs, registering voters and hosting smaller events for candidates.

“This is a critical election for Kansas,” Schwaller noted. “This will be a close election, so every vote matters. It’s clear that our state’s future will be determined by voters this November.”

— Submitted

Today A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. South southeast wind 9 to 11 mph.

Tonight Rain. Low around 45. South southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday A 30 percent chance of rain before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 57. South wind around 6 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.

Thursday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 42. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph after midnight.

FridayMostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph.

Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 43.

SaturdaySunny, with a high near 70.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

In the latest back-and-fourth between the Ellis County Commission and the County Treasurer, Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst read a statement Monday night responding to claims of “blind partisanship” and “corruption.”

Treasurer Lisa Schlegel has, in recent letters to the editor, claimed she is being targeted by the “political elites” of Ellis County. Schlegel was not present at Monday’s meeting.

Schlegel has publicly criticized several county officials and specifically targeted Clerk Donna Maskus after she failed to provide the Treasurer’s office with the necessary tax information by the Nov. 1 deadline in 2017.

She claims the commission and County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes have attempted to bully her into not talking about the delay in receiving tax information.

Haselhorst pointed out the three commissioners and are all of the same political party – Republican – while Clerk Maskus is opposite political party – Democrat.

“It is not partisanship to ask questions when we, as a commission, have been approached by our constituents,” Haselhorst said. “It is not partisanship to express our hope that county officials get along. It is not partisanship, and certainly not corruption, to desire to communicate in open public meetings rather than on editorial pages.”

In her letters to the editor, Schlegel also said County Counselor Bill Jeter and Smith-Hanes are using taxpayer funds to dig up information on the treasurer, “for the purpose of a political smear campaign.”

In his response Haselhorst said, “These two individuals are not engaged in any taxpayer-funded attempt to make a county official look bad. In fact engaging in such an activity would violate their publicly available contracts these individuals have signed with the commission.”

“Rather Mr. Jeter and Mr. Smith-Hanes have attempted to meet with Ms. Schlegel to seek answers to questions raised by commissioners. In response, it is Ms. Schlegel who insinuates that some nefarious motives are at play,” Haselhorst said.

Haselhorst added, “Let me be clear, we as a commission hope Donna Maskus will meet her statutory deadlines. We hope Lisa Schlegel will answer questions about her expenditures when we ask them. We hope all county elected officials can work together to highlight the positive things that are happening in Ellis County.”

In other business, the commission approved changes to the exempt waste policy at the landfill, approved the reclassification of a vacant position within the Public Works Department to create a road foreman position, approved the 2018 road striping bid with a four-year option and approved the purchase of a flatbed and sprayer components for the Noxious Weed Department.