ELLSWORTH COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ellsworth County.

On Thursday afternoon, the Kansas Highway Patrol identified the driver of the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Julie J. Goodman-Haas, 60, Idalia, Co., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of 18th Road.

The Jeep rear-ended a 2018 Nissan Rogue driven by Amanda G. Finney, 36, Choctaw, Ok., and both vehicles left the road.

Goodman-Haas wsa pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Parson Mortuary.

A passenger in the Jeep Christian A.  Resides, 32, Colorado, was transported to the hospital in Salina.

Finney and a passenger Matthew, 37, Choctaw, Ok, were transported to Hays Medical Center.

The survivors were properly restrained at the time of the accident. The KHP did not have details on Goodman-Haas’ seat belt usage.

CITY OF ELLIS

ELLIS – Big Creek in Ellis has been restocked with 600 bass thanks to the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Police Chief Taft Yates provided the update to Ellis City Council members during their Monday meeting.

Yates also advised there are two candidate interviews scheduled for Oct. 20 for the open police officer position.

In other business, the council unanimous approved an application for local incentives for Riverside Espresso & Café, LLC.

The complete Oct. 1 minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

October 1, 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, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, Mike Downing, and Doug Williams.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on September 17, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2054.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Economic Development: Special Projects

Doug Williams, Interim Director, Grow Hays, and Mike Downing, Ellis Representative, explained the reasoning behind the name change from the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development to Grow Hays.  Mr. Williams assured the Governing Body that the organization is still committed to the Ellis and Victoria communities.  Mr. Williams and Mr. Downing continued by highlighting some of the organization’s current projects, including a youth entrepreneurial program, Brief Space, and a housing rehabilitation program partially funded by a Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Sanitation/Sewer: Accounting/Billing

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Application for Local Incentives for Riverside Espresso & Café, LLC.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Capital Improvement: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids to replace the south overhead garage door.  The door was scheduled for replacement this year.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the bid from C&E Doors, LLC in the amount of $2,450 for the purchase and installation of an 11’ overhead door, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement Fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Parks: Special Project

Mr. Scheuerman continued by presenting bids for materials and labor for construction of the bathrooms at the park on South Walnut.  The Public Works Department will pour the concrete foundation and install the roof, and contract out the plumbing, electrical, and block work.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner inquired of soliciting bids to contract out the entire project, rather than have the City perform some of the work.  It was the consensus of Council to table further discussion so that Mr. Scheuerman can obtain contractor bids for the entire project.

Street: Repair/Maintenance

Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to perform street repairs for approximately 300’ on Lakeview Street and 120’ on Cottonwood Street.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned if the County is responsible for a portion of the Cottonwood Street repairs being proposed.  After further discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve street repairs to Lakeview Street in an amount not to exceed $8,000, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-1, with Council Member Jolene Niernberger opposed.

Public Works: Repair/Maintenance

The Mack truck is in need of front and rear axle repairs.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the repair estimate from Bruckner Truck Sales in the amount of $4,897.98 with funds to be split between the Water Utility, Special Highway, and General-Parks funds.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Council reviewed a letter from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding the reissuance of the City’s permit to discharge wastewater.  The letter recommends the City investigate and address the wastewater system’s infiltration and inflow (I&I) issues.  Mr. Scheuerman is working with Mayer Services and the Kansas Rural Water Association to detect problem areas.

Mr. Scheuerman reviewed the list of the City’s fire hydrants that have been flushed recently.  Council requested that Mr. Scheuerman share the list with the Fire Department.

Mr. Scheuerman then discussed some concerns with the recent Girl Scout event held at the campground.  Access to the men’s bathhouse was restricted and several pull-through sites were used without approval.  The Council asked for the Campground Committee to draft parameters for use of the facilities for large groups and for a letter to be drafted to the Girl Scouts.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for September and the October Staff Calendar.  Officers have been asked to serve snacks at a future 5^th Quarter event.  Chief Yates reported that on October 20^th two candidates will be interviewed for the open position.  The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism has restocked 600 bass in Big Creek.

City Clerk

Council reviewed the draft minutes from the Campground Committee meeting on September 24^th.  City Clerk Amy Burton requested a work session to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan.

Attorney

City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler requested an executive session to discuss a code violation case.  Council member Bob Redger asked for City Attorney Olavee Raub to provide a status report at the next meeting regarding the water exploration land contracts.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger will attend the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference this weekend in Topeka.  The League’s annual Regional Supper is October 24^th in Oakley.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss a pending code violation case pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler present.  The open meeting will resume at 8:43 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to return to executive session at the request of City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss a pending code violation case pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler present.  The open meeting will resume at 8:53 p.m.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to return to executive session at the request of City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss a pending code violation case pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler present.  The open meeting will resume at 9:03 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 6-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

 

 

TMP-M

Progress toward the construction of the Fr. Blaine Burkey Learning Commons in the summer of 2019 at TMP-Marian Catholic School is moving along nicely.

It has been nearly six months since more than $400,000 was contributed to the development of the Learning Commons at ACE 2018.

Two architects have been selected to help with the design and construction. DMA Architects, P.A., Salina, will serve as the Principal Architect with Gould Evans, Kansas City, Missouri, consulting on the design.

DMA Architects is currently completing the construction of three new ladies’ rooms on floors 1-3 and the remodeling of the men’s restroom on the first floor. We are excited to have Tony Rohr, class of 1980, and Gould Evans National Managing Principal and board member, involved in the Learning Commons design.

Friday, Sept. 28, the committee traveled to Kansas City to visit successful Learning Commons projects at St. Teresa’s Academy and Rockhurst High School, both designed by Gould Evans.

Making the trip were Nancy Flax (Art Teacher), Julia Meitner (Class of 2022), Tony Rohr (Class of 1980), Lane Werth (Class of 2020), Brenda Klaus (Class of 1981) and Troy Ruda (Advancement Director and Class of 1993).

Also serving on the Learning Commons Committee are Latisha Haag (English Teacher), Andy Tincknell (FHSU) and Chad Meitner (Principal).

Two Hays businesses were among the more than 1,300 nationwide to receive warning letters as part of the Federal Drug Administration’s effort to clamp down on e-cigarette sales to minors.

The FDA said the letters were issued following an “undercover blitz of brick-and-mortar stores this summer.”

Walgreens, 2600 Vine, and Southside Convenience, 703 Vine, received warning letters as a part of the effort. Neither were fined.

The FDA’s warning letter advises businesses that, during the inspection, “the establishment was in violation because you or your employee sold an e-liquid product to a minor and failed to check identification to verify purchaser’s age for a purchaser under the age of 27.”

For more form the FDA, click HERE.

By TROOPER TOD HILEMAN
Kansas Highway Patrol

Just in time for car/deer crash season, here is my annual map of the 2017 car/deer crashes in Kansas by county! Close to half of the total car/deer crashes we work all year come within the months of October, November and December, so be extra cautious the next few months. Mid-November is the highest number of crashes. Top # is total crashes, bottom # is injury crashes and an * denotes a fatality. So we had 10,226 total crashes with 577 injuries and 8 fatalities last year.

You can see that Butler County came in #1 with 438 crashes. Maybe it’s because Butler sound like Antler. 🤔 But wait, Elk County, the one you most associate with four legged creatures with antlers, only had one. This is mind boggling! 😱

Seriously, we don’t want to see anyone get hurt or killed from deer running into the road. Your vehicle can be replaced, you can’t. Follow these tips below.

AGENCIES WARN OF THE INCREASE IN VEHICLE-DEER CRASHES

Mating season and the quest for more secure habitat have deer on the move this time of year, increasing the chances of vehicle collisions.

Typically, the greatest number of deer-vehicle crashes are in mid-November when the rut, or mating season, peaks. In addition to the rut, deer are also on the move in mid-fall seeking new food sources and shelter as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, leaving them less secure than in their summer habitats.

“The deer population has stabilized over the last six years, so areas that have had deer likely still have them,” said Levi Jaster, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Big Game Coordinator. “This time of year, young animals are dispersing to find new places to live and breeding season is approaching. More animals on the move means more of them will be crossing roads, so be extra cautious in areas with good deer habitat.”

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 10,226 (17 percent) of the 58,834 vehicle crashes reported in 2017 were deer-related (crashes in which a deer and vehicle actually collided or the presence of a deer was a contributing circumstance). Crashes involving deer occur in every part of the state throughout the year. In 2017, Butler County had 438 vehicle-deer crashes, the most of any county, while Sedgwick County followed with 385 vehicle-deer crashes.

“In addition to potentially causing human injuries and loss of life, deer collisions often cause significant vehicle damage that can lead to large expenses for the vehicle owner if not properly insured,” said Jennifer Haugh, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Kansas. “Of the animal strikes reported by AAA Insurance policy holders in 2017, the average cost per claim was more than $4,500.”

The Kansas Highway Patrol cautions drivers to refrain from making exaggerated maneuvers to avoid a deer in the road, lest a bad situation become even worse.

“If you are unfortunate enough to have a deer enter the highway in front of your car, it is best to hit the animal and not swerve to avoid it,” said the KHP’s Lt. Adam Winters. “Often, we find more serious crashes occur when you swerve to miss the deer, potentially losing control of your vehicle, leaving the road or veering into oncoming traffic.”

The agencies recommend the following to help motorists avoid crashes with deer:
• Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk, when deer are more active.
• If you see one deer, watch for others, as they seldom travel alone.
• Reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces, such as parks and golf courses, and near water sources such as streams and ponds.
• Deer crossing signs show areas where high numbers of vehicle/deer crashes have occurred in the past.
• Use bright lights when there is no oncoming traffic and scan the road ahead of you to watch for deer.
• Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer—the most serious crashes sometimes occur when motorists swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle.
• Always wear a seat belt and use the appropriately-fitted child safety seats—they are your best defense should you be involved in a crash.
• Honk your horn with one long blast. A long blast on your horn may frighten large animals, such as deer, away from your vehicle. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) advises against relying on devices such as deer whistles and reflectors, which have not been proven to reduce collisions with animals.

If you do strike a deer, here are some additional tips:
• Slow down, move your vehicle to the shoulder if possible, and call for law enforcement. KHP dispatch can be reached at *47, Kansas Turnpike at *KTA, and local law enforcement at 911. Make sure you tell the dispatcher if the animal or your vehicle is still in the road.
• If you hit a deer or other animal, do not worry about removing the animal. Law enforcement can remove the animal from the road when they arrive. Don’t go near a wounded animal. A frightened and wounded animal can be unpredictable.
• Turn on your hazard lights and remain buckled up inside your vehicle. You are more protected this way, should a secondary crash occur.
• If you must be outside your vehicle, make sure it is as far off the road as possible, and do not stand between your vehicle and another one. Keep children buckled, and in car seats in the vehicle. Be vigilant and watch traffic.

Anyone involved in a vehicle-deer crash resulting in personal injury or property damage that totals $1,000 or more is required to immediately report the crash to the nearest law enforcement agency. Failure to report any traffic crash is a misdemeanor and may result in suspension of driving privileges.

A salvage tag is required to remove a deer carcass, or any part of the carcass, from the crash site. Tags can be issued by KHP troopers, sheriff’s deputies, or KDWPT game wardens.

INDIANAPOLIS – Isabella Bollig, a member of the Ellis FFA chapter in Ellis will be on stage and in the spotlight Oct. 24-27 during the 2018 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Bollig, a sophomore and the daughter of Matt and Jennifer Bollig, has been selected to play clarinet in the National FFA Band.

Bollig submitted an audition tape and was selected to help bring full instrumental balance to the band from a pool of applicants nationwide.

The National FFA Band will perform several times during the national convention and expo. BOLLIG will join fellow band members in Indianapolis for rehearsals three days before the convention and expo begins.

Corteva Agriscience Agriculture Division of DowDupont sponsors the National FFA Band.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 653,359 student members who belong to one of 8,568 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.

— National FFA Organization

Today Areas of drizzle and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 44 by 4pm. Northeast wind 8 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11pm. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 51 by 5am. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south after midnight.

Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee – today questioned Amtrak officials on the future of the Southwest Chief, where they committed to operating this line through FY19.

Amtrak has considered ending passenger rail service in southwest Kansas through Dodge City, Garden City and destinations to the west. The Southwest Chief stops in several Kansas communities including Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City and Garden City.

“I am pleased to hear you say that Amtrak will continue to run – to operate – the line in its current form through Fiscal Year ’19,” said Sen. Moran to Scot Naparstek, Amtrak executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“I think that’s a positive development, something we were unaware of, and we’ll continue to work to see that the legislative efforts that we’ve undertaken are successful,” Moran added.

 

In August, the Senate passed Sen. Moran’s amendment to maintain Amtrak train services along the established, long-distance passenger rail route of the Southwest Chief.

The Southwest Chief runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles and connects towns and cities in Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California and provides passenger train and long-distance passenger service, particularly through rural communities.

COLBY — On Wednesday, the Kansas Highway Patrol honored Master Trooper Dean Goodheart as a memorial highway was dedicated in his name.

This legislative session, Senate Bill 375 was passed through the Kansas Legislature, and signed into law by Governor Jeff Colyer, designating memorial highways for the Kansas Highway Patrol’s 10 fallen troopers, and one Johnson County Sheriff’s Master Deputy.

Courtesy Trooper Tod Hileman