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Western Kansas farmers participate in Peru trade mission

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Kansans were part of a corn and sorghum trade mission to Peru in August. Pictured (from left): Kyler Millershaski of MK Farms Inc., Lakin; Wayne Cleveland, Texas Sorghum Producers; Jerry Long, Long Farms, Clifton; Thad Geiger, Geiger Farms, Troy; Sue Long, Long Farms, Clifton; Pat Damman, Pat Damman Farms, Clifton; Earl Roemer, Nu Life Market LLC, Scott City; Amy France, France Family Farms, Marienthal; Dr. Joe Hancock, Kansas State University; Max Tjaden, Tjaden Farm, Clearwater; Marri Tejada and Ana Ballesteros, U.S. Grains Council; and Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, Kansas Department of Agriculture.

KDA

MANHATTAN —  In late August, the Kansas Department of Agriculture participated in a trade mission to Peru, where the team promoted U.S. grain through seminars and meetings with some of the largest end users in Peru. The seminars were organized by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and U.S. Grains Council.

The team representing Kansas on the trade mission included: Pat Damman, Pat Damman Farms; Thad Geiger, Geiger Farms; Jerry and Sue Long, Long Farms; Max Tjaden, Tjaden Farm; Earl and Barbara Roemer, Nu Life Market, LLC, Scott City; Amy France, France Family Farms, Marienthal; Kyler Millershaski, MK Farms Inc., Lakin; and Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, KDA international trade director.

Millershaski and Roemer had the opportunity to share about corn and sorghum production practices in Kansas. Other topics covered at the seminars and meetings included livestock nutrition as well as export shipping and logistics.

“While things are getting sorted out on the Hill, it puts tremendous pressure on agricultural organizations to start new conversations,” stated France. “It’s humbling and challenging to work on behalf of the U.S. farmer. I look forward to seeing how relationships grow between the U.S. and Peru.”

Historically, Peru has been a strong customer for Kansas grain farmers. In the past five years, Kansas has exported over $186 million in goods to Peru with the top export being cereal grains, primarily corn.

“While in Peru, the team was able to meet with two of the largest end users of corn. Both had recently started using distillers’ grains in their feed rations and were pleased with their results,” said Ryan-Numrich. “Peru is a very price sensitive market and both companies shared their plans to purchase grain sorghum from the U.S. when the price is right.”

The trade mission was organized by KDA, USDA FAS and the U.S. Grains Council. It was funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration using a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant. KDA strives to encourage and enhance economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy by exploring and expanding both domestic and international marketing opportunities. The Kansas Ag Growth Project identified both corn and sorghum international market development as key components for state growth. For information on this or other international trade missions, please contact Suzanne Ryan-Numrich at [email protected] or call 785-564-6704.

Applications open for free CDL course

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Hays Post

Several area agencies are cooperating with NCK-Tech to offer a free commercial driver’s license course in Hays for qualifying candidates.

The course will be Oct. 8 and 9.

You must be 18 years old or older; have a clean driving record; be able to pass a Kansas Department of Transportation physical and drug test; and commit to a 30-hour course.

The course will include in-class as well as hands-on driving experience.

The application deadline for the course is Monday, Oct. 1. Applications will be taken at the KANSASWORKS Hays Office, 332 E. Eighth St. For more information, call 785-625-5654.

The course is a cooperative effort of NCK-Tech, KANSASWORKS, Grow Hays and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The foundation provided a $200,000 grant to Grow Hays to offer this and other training programs to fill gaps in the local workforce.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated the median pay for drivers nationally was $42,480 per year in 2017.

A recent American Trucking Associations report said more than 70 percent of goods consumed in the U.S. are moved by truck, and the industry needs to hire almost 900,000 more drivers to meet rising demand.

 

 

TMP-M announces Class of 2019 Kansas Honor Scholars

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TMP-M
Thomas More Prep-Marian

The Kansas Honor Scholars from the Class of 2019 have been announced. These students represent the top 10 percent of their class based on grades earned through the end of their junior year.

Congratulations to Paul Brull, Tiffany Pfeifer, Jillian Lowe, Kade Urban, Emily Schulte and Leanne Rack.

Each year, the Kansas Honor Scholars Program recognizes a select group of high school Seniors across the state with events in their honor. A program and reception to recognize these students for their outstanding academic accomplishment will take place on Oct. 18. Since 1971, the KU Alumni Association has sponsored the Kansas Honor Scholars Program. These students will receive an Honor Scholar Medallion to honor them as a top Kansas high school student.

Five sentenced in ongoing Phillips Co. narcotics investigations

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Phillips County Sheriff’s Office

PHILLIPSBURG — Phillips County Attorney Melissa M. Schoen announced the sentencing of Mitchell Bissonnette, Ashley Paige, Christopher Gower, David Vincent and Ardith Paul Nix in District Court, according to a news release posted online by the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office. These individuals were arrested by the sheriff’s office as part of an ongoing narcotic investigations in Phillips County.

Bissonnette was found guilty of misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and criminal threat. The court suspended a prison sentence of 12 months and placed him on 12 months of supervised probation with community corrections.

Page was found guilty of child endangerment and two counts of misdemeanor possession of marijuana. She was sentenced to 12 months in the county jail, and the court suspended her jail sentence and placed her on 12 months of probation with court services.

Gower was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance – methadone and illegal use of a communication device. The court found a suitable treatment program existed and his 22-month sentence to the department of corrections was suspended to 18 months of supervised probation with Community Corrections. His probation will not begin until he is released from the Department of Corrections.

Vincent was found guilty of felony possession of marijuana. The court suspended a prison sentence of 16 months and placed him on 18 months of supervised probation with mandatory drug treatment.

Nix was found guilty of felony possession of a controlled substance – Adderall. The court suspended a prison sentence of 24 months and placed him on 12 months of supervised probation with court services.

Algae warnings continue for some W. Kansas lakes

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KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued public health warnings for some Kansas lakes for the upcoming weekend and week.

If a lake is under a public health warning for blue-green algae, activities such as boating and fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock. The lakes currently under a public health advisory: 

  • Warning: Atchison Co. Park Lake, Atchison County
  • Warning: Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County
  • Warning: Carbondale West Lake, Osage County
  • Warning: Central Park Lake (Pond), Shawnee County
  • Warning: Frazier Lake, Grant County
  • Warning: Hodgeman County SFL, Hodgeman County 
  • Warning: Lake Afton, Sedgwick County
  • Warning: Lake Wabaunsee, Wabaunsee County 
  • Warning: Lakewood Park Lake, Saline County 
  • Warning: Marais Des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Linn County
  • Warning: Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County
  • Warning: Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County Closure – Visitors can utilize Coeur d’ Alene Park Swim Beach which sets on the main body of the lake, located west of the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers Project Office.
  • Warning: Overbrook City Lake, Osage County
  • Warning: Rock Garden Pond, Gage Park, Shawnee County 
  • Warning: South Lake Park, Johnson County
  • Warning: Webster Lake, Rooks County – Beach is closed. Webster State Park remains open. Drinking water and bath house facilities are not affected by the algae bloom.

 

  • Watch: Council Grove City Lake, Morris County
  • Watch: Lake Scott State Park, Scott County
  • Watch: Mary’s Lake, Douglas County
  • Watch: Melvern Lake, Osage County
  • Watch: Pomona Lake, Osage County – Beach is closed.
  • Watch: Tomahawk Parkway North Pond, Johnson County

A closed or closure status indicates that conditions are extremely dangerous for humans and pets.  Harmful algal toxins and cell counts are at dangerously high levels.  Any kind of contact with the waterbody is prohibited.

Lakes under a warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a warning but contact with the water should be avoided. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a warning.

Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
  • Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
  • Water contact should be avoided.
  • Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
  • Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
  • If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
  • Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.

 

Community foundation accepting applications for fall grants

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The Heartland Community Foundation, which serves Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties, is accepting applications for fall grants. Online applications are due Thursday, Nov. 15.

A total of $150,000 is available to charitable projects in Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties through the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, with $50,000 available per county. Focused on improving quality of life, grants will support education, health care, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture, and community beautification.

Funding is limited to projects in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties and will be awarded through a competitive application process. Non-profit organizations including government and public entities, educational institutions and churches are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on November 15. Complete funding criteria and the grant application are available HERE.

During its spring grant cycle, the community foundation awarded over $217,000 to area organizations across the three counties.

— Submitted

Wheat Scoop: K-State wheat breeder discusses varieties

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Kansas Wheat
f262aa46-cad0-4f07-9661-628f9a63968a.pngAs wheat farmers look toward planting, there is a plethora of variety options to choose from.

K-State wheat breeder Allan Fritz says, “There are a number of varieties that come to the top in each area of the state.”

He says, “For instance, in south central Kansas, I think both Larry and Zenda fit really well. WB4269, WB4458 are strong varieties, Monument is a good performer in that area and Chrome has had some success there as well. And Gallagher is a good variety out of Oklahoma for south central Kansas.”

He says these same varieties, with the exception of Gallagher, should also perform well in areas further to the north in central Kansas.

Zenda and Larry are two varieties that were developed in Fritz’s breeding program at K-State.

He says Zenda, which has been called the Everest replacement, is recommended for all of central and eastern Kansas, and is generally significantly better than Everest for a number of characteristics.

“When I look at the data, Zenda has done really well in our ambient growing conditions where we haven’t applied fungicide, so the disease package is very strong. It has very good stripe rust resistance, it has good leaf rust resistance, has pretty good tan spot resistance, and has fusarium resistance very similar to Everest.”

Not only that, but the quality of Zenda is an improvement over its predecessor.

Fritz says, “The quality is better than Everest, so it moves our quality bar up a little bit over Everest, so that’s better for our end users.”

Larry has also performed well.

Fritz says, “Larry has just been a good, consistent performer for us. During development and as we start to look at some of the data from the variety tests over a three or four year time span, Larry has just been a very strong performer. In south central Kansas if you average that data, Larry is at the very top.”

In western Kansas, a different set of varieties take over the top of Fritz’s recommendations.

He says, “As you go into western Kansas, then you start to worry about other things – drought tolerance, wheat streak mosaic virus. There’s just a different set of varieties that are a good fit out there. ”

Another relatively-new release from K-State is Tatanka, a hard red winter wheat that was released out of the Hays program.

Fritz says, “Yield potential on Tatanka has been really good. It’s been toward the top of the trials. It is very well adapted to western Kansas. It has pretty good protection against leaf rust and stripe rust, so you have a pretty good disease package there. However, it doesn’t really have the wheat streak component that we would like for it to have.”

Wheat streak mosaic virus has been an issue in western Kansas over the past few years, causing a conservative 76.8 million dollars in direct losses to wheat farmers in 2017.

While there are a few varieties with some resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus or the wheat curl mite, Fritz says the best way to mitigate the virus is to control volunteer wheat.

“If you can encourage your neighbor to control their volunteer, that’s great. Obviously you can’t force people to do things. Somewhat delaying planting a little bit can help, but really then you’re looking at, what are your options in terms of varieties that stand up to wheat streak a little bit better. There’s some things with tolerance. There’s some things with resistance to curl mite.”

K-State has two varieties with resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus, including the hard white wheat Joe and the hard red winter wheat Oakley CL. While these have resistance to wheat streak, farmers may still see some symptoms of triticum mosaic or high plains virus on those varieties.

Joe has a well-stocked disease package, indicating resistance to stripe rust, leaf rust and wheat streak mosaic virus. It also shows good milling and baking qualities. Joe is a strong variety and high yielder for western Kansas.

The Hays breeding program, led by Dr. Guorong Zhang, is working on combining the WSM2 gene with curl mite resistance. Since the wheat curl mite carries all three viruses, this combined resistance can give some protection against the spread of all three.

In addition, Colorado State University has been working on wheat streak resistance and has released some varieties with curl mite resistance. The new hard red winter releases Canvas and Whistler have good wheat streak mosaic virus tolerance through a gene for resistance to the wheat curl mite. Monarch is a new hard white wheat from Colorado State that also has good wheat streak mosaic tolerances.

Avery and Byrd resist the wheat curl mite which gives good resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. Langin also has resistance to wheat curl mite, which is carried from the Byrd parent.

However, Fritz says, “A bunch of those things with curl mite resistance are susceptible to stem rust. I know producers haven’t seen stem rust in a long time, but it’s my recommendation that if they’re growing those varieties with stem rust susceptibility to look at a fungicide application late in the window because stem rust is a warm weather disease.”

Wheat streak mosaic virus resistance is driving many acres to Joe, but Fritz warns that with any hard white wheat, farmers should plan where they’re going to deliver it before they plant it.

KS Venada is another new release from the Hays breeding program. It is a hard white wheat that’s adapted for central Kansas and brings with it excellent milling and baking quality. It is available to certified seed producers this fall and will be available to farmers in 2019.

Another strong option for farmers is Bob Dole, a variety that was developed by K-State, and marketed by Syngenta through the AgriPro Associates.

Fritz says, “It’s a variety with really good quality characteristics. It’s done really well in the central part of the state and well down into Oklahoma. It tolerated the drought quite well in 2018, has a good overall disease package and pretty good fusarium resistance. We think it’s a very strong option for producers.”

“We are in an environment where there are a lot of variety choices. Our release philosophy at K-State has always been relatively conservative in the sense that we really want to make sure that we are putting something that is really better out there rather than just another choice that the producers have to sort through. In general, we’ve really tried to make sure that when we bring something forward through Kansas Wheat Alliance is really what we think is a really good fit for production and has real value on acres.”

Rankings of FHSU programs in August include three No. 2s

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FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University’s Virtual College received three No. 2 rankings among others from many different agencies during the month of August for its affordable programs and quality online degrees.

FHSU’s virtual Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in cyber security was rated the No. 2 Best and Most Affordable Online Master’s in Cyber Security by CyberSecurityDegrees.com.

 “Our metrics have been honed from years of experience in higher education journalism and research, and they seek to provide a balance between the traditional academic prestige of an institution with a cyber security program and other concerns that particularly non-traditional or working students may express. Namely, that affordability and support in online learning environments is crucial for successful outcomes among non-traditional, working and adult students,” said Joshua Jackson, contributing writer and researcher and marketing specialist for CyberSecurityDegrees.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2LkJ489.

Two online FHSU degree programs earned No. 2 rankings from CollegeChoice.net, the Bachelor of Science in tourism and hospitality management and the Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in art history.

The tourism and hospitality management program was rated No. 2 in CollegeChoice’s Most Affordable Online Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Degrees category.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      “The tourism industry is one of the fastest growing career fields in the nation, ranking in the top three industries in all 50 states,” said FHSU’s website.                

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2PV8OGE.

The art history degree was No. 2 in the Most Affordable Online Master’s in Art and Art History category.

“A graduate degree in art and art history can serve many purposes. Whether your end goal is to work in a school, a gallery, or an office, this degree will help get you there,” said CollegeChoice.net.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2C3Z3mx.

Other master’s and bachelor’s degree programs received “best” rankings in August. They are listed by ranking organization.

BestCollegeReviews.org

No. 5, The Best Online Master’s in Educational Psychology
The online Master of Science in school psychology received a top ranking for being one of the best.

“The graduate program in school psychology at Fort Hays State University has a long history of successfully preparing individuals for entry into the profession of school psychology,” said FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2wKrvov.

No. 20, One of the Best Colleges for Online Master’s Degree Programs
The FHSU virtual college’s master’s degree programs were ranked as one of the best for faculty excellence and outstanding reputation.

“FHSU, which ranked 20th, was chosen for the University’s overall outstanding reputation, for its faculty’s excellence and the continued commitment to providing non-traditional students with all of the tools that they need to achieve their educational and career goals,” said BestCollegeReviews.org.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2LWze7N.

BestValueSchools.com

No. 3, The Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Interdisciplinary Studies
FHSU’s affordability landed it a top-three ranking for its online Bachelor of General Studies degree programs.

The 124-credit-hour programs consist of various courses in humanities, arts, communications, modern language, sciences and more.                                                                                                                                  

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2PodHqt.

CollegeChoice.net

In addition to the No. 2 rankings for FHSU’s tourism and hospitality management and MLS (art history) degrees, CollegeChoice.net included FHSU in other categories.

No. 4, The Most Affordable Online Radiology Technology Degrees
FHSU’s Bachelor of Science in medical diagnostic imaging has been recognized for low tuition rates and a flexible degree program.

The 124-credit-hour program is offered through FHSU’s Department of Allied Health with a requirement of an Associate’s of Science in radiologic technology or a certificate of radiology.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2NzIR0Q.

This degree was also ranked No. 8 in CollegeChoice’s most affordable category.

No. 5, The Best Online Master’s in Art and Art History
FHSU’s Master of Liberal Studies (art history) was ranked in a second category by CollegeChoice.net.

“The department acts as a cultural resource for western Kansas through changing exhibitions in the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art and through faculty consultations and public presentations. Faculty are dedicated to continuing research and service to students, the university and the western Kansas community,” said FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2C57Wwd.        

This degree was also ranked in CollegeChoice’s most affordable category. This ranking can be found at https://bit.ly/2C3Z3mx.

No. 10, The Most Affordable Online Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education
FHSU’s virtual Master of Science in special education program was recognized for its affordability.

The virtual includes a flexible program and an easier learning environment, allowing you to complete your degree wherever you are.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2NAPj4x.

This degree was also ranked No. 19 in CollegeChoice’s Best Online Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education category, which can be found at https://bit.ly/2wzFYTf.  

Master-of-Finance.org

No. 19, The Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
The online Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a Major in Accounting at FHSU was recently recognized for tuition rates, faculty to student ratio and national recognition.

FHSU’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting focuses on preparing individuals to work in business, government, education, non-profit and financial entities.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2wKfWO7.

TheBestSchools.org

 No. 15, The Best Online Bachelors of Sociology Program
FHSU was one of BestSchools top online best Bachelor of Arts or Science in sociology.

“Our curriculum allows each student to craft a program of study – providing the theoretical knowledge and applied experiences applicable to both the workplace and advanced academic pursuits,” says FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2wv9af0.    

No. 17, The Best Online Bachelor’s in Political Science Degree
FHSU was recognized as having one of the top 25 best online Bachelor of Arts in political science programs.

“An online political science degree provides a foundation for many careers, preparing graduates for jobs in policy development, lobbying, journalism and education,” according to TheBestSchools.org.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2LAfxmT.

TopEducationDegrees.org

No. 19, One of the Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Special Education
FHSU received this ranking for its online Master of Science in high-incidence special education degree.

The online program consists of 36 credit hours while focusing on case study approaches, action researches and real life applications, according to FHSU’s website.

To view this ranking, visit https://bit.ly/2wDRUEv.

About the FHSU Virtual College

Distance education at Fort Hays State began in 1911 when faculty voted to offer courses free by mail so that one-room school teachers across western Kansas could afford to gain the continuing education required to teach. The distance education department created then evolved continuously with changing technology and culture until, in 1997, the Department of Continuing Education and Instructional Technology became the FHSU Virtual College.

HPD Activity Log Sept. 10-12

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The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 18 traffic stops Mon., Sept. 10, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Traffic/Driving Complaint–2200 block Downing Ave, Hays; 12:56 AM
Water Use Violation–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 4:16 AM
Criminal Trespass–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:50 AM; 7:55 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:24 AM
Animal At Large–2700 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 9:39 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 18th St, Hays; 9:43 AM
Animal At Large–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 10:46 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block E 27th St, Hays; 12:19 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:01 PM; 12:38 AM
Burglary/vehicle–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 9/8 9 PM; 9/10 11:15 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 12:01 PM; 1:01 PM
Welfare Check–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:34 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block W 21st St, Hays; 2:13 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:57 PM
Criminal Trespass–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8/31 9 PM 9:06 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:23 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 9/2 12:23 PM; 9/10 3:37 PM
Drug Offenses–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 3:43 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–1200 block Motz St, Hays; 4:34 PM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–800 block Commerce Pkwy, Hays; 5:20 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–43rd and Roth Ave, Hays; 6:20 PM
Animal At Large–2700 block Hickory St, Hays; 8:09 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Tue., Sept. 11, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Water Use Violation–3100 block Hall St, Hays; 12:42 AM; 12:45 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block E 14th St, Hays; 8:34 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 8:51 AM
Unattended Death–300 block W 38th St, Hays; 9:20 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 11:49 AM
Domestic Disturbance–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9/10 12 AM; 9/11 12:26 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:47 PM
Animal At Large–700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:50 PM
Theft (general)–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 12 PM; 3:15 PM
Theft (general)–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:53 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block W 14th St, Hays; 8:01 PM
Suspicious Activity–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:05 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Wed., Sept. 12, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 2:39 AM
Water Use Violation–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 4:17 AM
Welfare Check–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:58 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block E 12th St, Hays; 6:50 AM; 6:59 AM
Animal At Large–400 block W 13th St, Hays; 7:37 AM
Animal At Large–200 block E 4th St, Hays; 9:09 AM
Drug Offenses–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 10:49 AM; 11:15 AM
Aggravated Assault–1700 block Pine St, Hays; 12:15 PM; 12:22 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–100 block E 18th St, Hays; 12:01 AM; 11 AM
Found/Lost Property–600 block Park St, Hays; 12:29 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 12:30 PM
Identity Theft–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:49 PM
Theft (general)–6th and Elm St, Hays; 1:27 PM
Burglary/vehicle–1600 block E 22nd St, Hays; 9/11 1:30 PM; 9/12 5:30 AM
Found/Lost Property–Vine St, Hays; 3:29 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–100 block W 18th St, Hays; 8/17 3:42 PM; 8/27 3:42 PM
Sex Offense–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:49 PM
Drug Offenses–1700 block Pine St, Hays; 4:14 PM; 4:45 PM
Wildlife Incident–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 4:46 PM
Domestic Disturbance–100 block W 17th St, Hays; 6:43 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 7:35 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1700 block Golden Belt Dr, Hays; 7:58 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 8:41 PM
Found/Lost Property–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 9:46 PM

New Lincoln principal: Strong relationships key to successful students

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Kerri Lacy

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Kerri Lacy stands at the door of Lincoln Elementary School every morning so she can high-five her students as they enter the school.

Lacy, the new principal at Lincoln, said she has learned about half of her students’ names since the beginning of the school year, but it is her goal to learn them all as soon as possible.

Lacy, a 26-year veteran of education, said building relationships is the most important part of her job.

“My personal philosophy is that you must build a relationship with whoever you are working with, whether it be the student, the staff or the parents in order to be successful. My goal is, and I said it 100 times in our first meeting this year, relationships, relationships, relationship.

“They need to trust you. They need to know you care about them. They need to know family is first.”

Lacy and her husband, Brian, are empty nesters with two grown daughters of her own. Her youngest, Bailey, graduated from Thomas More Prep-Marian in the spring and is attending Highland Community College, where she is a pitcher for the softball team. Her oldest, Kelsey, attended Northwest Missouri State.

She said she has been where her teachers have been and if a teacher has a sick child, she knows that staff member needs to take care of that child.

Lincoln’s greatest challenge is a changing dynamic in families. Many children who attend Lincoln come from low-income families. As a result, those families struggle in a variety of ways. Lacy said she wants to work to connect those families with other resources in the community.

“Society has changed,” she said. “It is just different than it was when I first started teaching. That is a challenge every day to make sure every kid is safe, every kid is fed and every kid is happy.”

The school feeds many of its children breakfast, lunch and a snack during its afterschool program. Lincoln also has a Food for Kids Sake program that sends food home over the weekends.

“My goal is to make Lincoln a family centered, safe, fun place to be for not only our kids and staff but our families,” Lacy said. “I want our families to know they are welcome to come in at any time. …

“I want our kids to feel this is the best place in the world to learn and we care about them.”

Another significant challenge for Lacy as a principal is the age and condition of the Lincoln building. The school district has tried to pass bond issues twice in the last three years. Both failed. The most recent bond would have closed Lincoln, one of the oldest buildings in the district, in lieu of building a new elementary school.

The school struggles to maintain an aging AC and heating system and has had multiple issues in recent years with plumbing.

Lincoln is on multiple levels, which makes moving young students through the building more difficult. Because the school has stairs and no elevator, it can’t accept students in wheelchairs.

“Do I think Lincoln will be open in 10 years?” she said. “I would hope not, because I would hope that we can pass a bond issue or do something for our kids to get them into something that is a more functional environment.”

Lacy, 48, a Fort Hays State University graduate, began her teaching career at Kennedy Middle School, where she spent 13 years. She worked nine years as principal in Solomon before returning to Hays to teach at the middle school level and most recently fifth-grade at Lincoln.

Lacy replaces Elaine Rohleder, who retired in the spring. Lacy said already knowing the staff at Lincoln has been a great advantage. Rohleder also left Lacy a large book of notes that Lacy calls the “Principal’s Bible.”

“She did everything she could to prepare me,” Lacy said of Rohleder. “Still I call her or text her every once in a while and say: ‘What about this?’ ‘Did you do this?’ ‘Should I do this?'”

After all her time as an educator, Lacy still says seeing the excitement on her students’ faces is what brings her back to school each morning.

“Whether it is when you high-five them when you are walking in the door in the morning or when you are down in the cafeteria and they get excited. They may not be having such a great day, but they put that aside and give you a smile. That it what I love, because I know I am making a difference with those kids.”

She said she has enjoyed her transition back to being a principal.

“Being a principal, it is so nice because I get to see every kid every day. I work in the cafeteria, and I have the opportunity to talk to every kid every day, and I think that is really awesome,” Lacy said.

Lacy does not have a lot of extra time now that she has taken over the principal role. However, when she does have free time and she is not spending time with her family, she can be found with hammer and saw in hand making furniture out of reclaimed wood.

Her first project was a buffet for her home, which blossomed into a side business making beds, buffets and cooler cases for her friends and family. One of her pieces recently sold at a charity auction for more than $600.

Hot, windy Friday

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Today Sunny, with a high near 91. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

Tonight Clear, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 8 to 13 mph.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 7 to 14 mph.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.

SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 7 to 14 mph.

Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 66.

Inauguration celebration at FHSU includes weekend service event to fight hunger

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Dr. Tisa Mason

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

The Global Leadership Project, an initiative of The Center for Civic Leadership and the Department of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University, tries to schedule one of its major service projects for the year around a significant weekend in October.

This year might just top them all.

The seventh annual Swipe Out Hunger food packaging event is set for a two-hour period on Saturday, Sept. 15, in Forsyth Library.

The event was moved to September this year to coincide with the inauguration of FHSU’s new president, Dr. Tisa Mason. It also happens to be the same weekend as Family Day, where families come to campus to visit their students.

Click HERE for a schedule of inauguration weekend activities.

Fresh off her Friday morning inauguration ceremony, Mason and her husband, Bill, plan to participate in Swipe Out Hunger, a fun, hands-on event for a worthy cause.

In yet another collaborative effort between Fort Hays State and the Hays community, entire families and teams of students alike come to package the beans, soy, rice and vitamins into bags and prepare them for shipping.

“It’s great because it’s for all ages,” said Alex Kultgen, one of the student coordinators of the event. “Anyone can be a part of it.”

Kultgen, a junior from Waco, Texas, and Reilly Franek, a senior from Elbert, Colo., planned this year’s project, for a third consecutive year, as part of their job duties working for Global Leadership Project. FHSU partners with Numana Inc., a non-profit public charity in El Dorado, formed as an international hunger relief organization.

Numana allows higher education institutions to engage in fighting global hunger by packaging bulk food products that are brought to campus by a team from Numana. Last year, Fort Hays State packaged 30,000 meals that were sent to Haiti following Hurricane Matthew.

This year’s goal is to package 30,000 meals to be sent to El Salvador. The assembly line will begin at 10:30 a.m.

“I’m super excited,” Kultgen said. “It’s a great way to get people involved and a great way to have more people come and find out about the Global Leadership Project and to honor President Mason.”

Forsyth Library also will the site of the Dr. Mason Inauguration Exhibit, which will include letters and certificates of congratulations. That display opens Wednesday, Sept. 12, and will remain open through Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 27-29.

A worship service will kick off Friday’s inauguration day activites at 7:30 a.m at Celebration Community Church.

FHSU faculty and staff will begin gathering for the ceremony line of march at 9:15 a.m. in Cunningham Hall, and the inauguration ceremony is set to begin at 10 a.m. in adjacent Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Following the Swipe Out Hunger event, the inauguration weekend will conclude with Saturday’s football game vs. in-state rival Washburn University at 7 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.

Hoxie native, NASA astronaut Nick Hague will launch to International Space Station

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NASA Astronaut Nick Hague is a Hoxie native.

NASA

NASA astronaut Nick Hague currently is at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, with his crewmate Alexey Ovchinin of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. They will launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on the Russian Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft at 4:39 a.m. (2:39 p.m. Baikonur time) Oct. 11. They are scheduled to return to Earth in April.

The launch to the International Space Station will be the first spaceflight for Hague.
in October.

Hague is a native of Hoxie, Kansas, and a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He is part of the 2013 NASA astronaut class and will be the first of his class to go to space. Prior to his selection, he was part of the Air Force Fellows program in Washington, where he worked as an adviser to the U.S. Senate on matters of national defense and foreign policy.

Hague earned a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.

After a six-hour journey to orbit, Hague and Ovchinin will arrive at the station and join fellow NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor, Expedition 57 Commander Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency), and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos, bringing the station’s crew complement to five.

During a planned six-month mission, station crew members will take part in about 250 research investigations and technology demonstrations not possible on Earth to advance scientific knowledge of Earth, space, physical and biological sciences. Science conducted on the space station continues to yield benefits for humanity and will enable future long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space, including the Moon and Mars.

They’re also expected to be onboard the space station during the first uncrewed test flights of the SpaceX Crew Dragon and Boeing CST-100 Starliner as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which will return astronaut launches to U.S. soil.

Follow Hague on social media at:

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