138 kV transmission project located in Kingman, Harper and Sumner counties

Mid-Kansas Electric Co. Inc. (Mid-Kansas) celebrated the energization of its high voltage transmission project with a luncheon and remarks at the Westview Lodge Conference Center in Harper on Thursday. Company officials, member-owners met to applaud the efforts of many in bringing its 138 kV Harper-to-Milan Transmission Project to fruition. The project, which was placed in service on May 25 is located in Kingman, Harper and Sumner counties.
Local leaders, including county commissioners, Kansas legislators, and city and business leaders were invited to participate in the celebration.

Mid-Kansas provides wholesale generation and transmission services to its six member-owners, one of which is Wheatland Electric Cooperative Inc., the electric distribution cooperative that serves the area. Operated on the cooperative business model, the mission of Mid-Kansas is to provide reliable service to its member-owners at the lowest possible cost.

“This project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the regional transmission organization to which Mid-Kansas belongs, to support growing demands on the transmission grid,” said Bruce W. Mueller, CEO of Wheatland. “We strongly supported the project as the existing infrastructure was not adequate to serve Wheatland’s cooperative members at the level of reliability that we aim to deliver and they should expect.”

The three-year project includes 58.9 miles of new line from Harper to Milan, 12.6 miles of new line from Harper to Rago, 5.8 miles of rebuilt line between Milan and the Viola tie, and the new connection to Westar’s Viola Substation. The $65 million project also includes the new Bluff Creek Substation and modifications to the Harper and Milan substations. This infrastructure not only improves electric service in area and region, but it is also large enough to handle electric growth in Wheatland’s south central service territory.

POWER Engineers Inc. provided technical services, including routing, siting and permitting support and engineering for the transmission lines and substations. POWER also provided material procurement, construction contracting, and construction management of the project. As part of POWER’s team, Land Services Inc. performed the right-of-way acquisition for the project.

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 18 traffic stops Wed., Aug. 22, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 12 AM; 12:03 AM
Water Use Violation–2200 block Main St, Hays; 12:43 AM
Prowler–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 6:32 AM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 6:36 AM
Suspicious Person–3300 block Skyline Dr, Hays; 7:12 AM
Burglary/vehicle–600 block E 15th St, Hays; 8/21 6:30 PM; 8/22 7:15 AM
Domestic Disturbance–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 8:27 AM
Animal At Large–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:29 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block Ash St, Hays; 11:29 AM
Civil Dispute–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 12:34 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 1:03 PM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:53 PM; 2:59 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:43 PM; 3:45 PM
Drug Offenses–2800 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 5:26 PM; 7 PM
Found/Lost Property–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 5:32 PM
Custody Dispute–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 5:30 PM
Drug Offenses–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:49 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:30 PM; 11 PM

ROOKS COUNTY —A second earthquake in two days shook northwest Kansas Thursday.

The quake at 9:42a .m. measured a magnitude 2.6 and was centered three miles south of Laton in Rooks County, according to the Kansas Geological Survey or approximately 15 miles northeast of Plainville, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

On Wednesday the USGS reported a 3.7 magnitude quake in approximately the same area.

There were no reports of damage or injury, according to the Rooks County Sheriff’s Department.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — An inmate awaiting trial in an Arapahoe County cold case homicide has died, according to authorities.

Robert Williams, 70, was suffering from a chronic illness when he was arrested in 2017, according to a news release from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. He was receiving end-of-life care in the week before he died late Saturday, Aug. 18.

Williams was arrested on Aug. 17, 2017, on suspicion of killing Rebecca Bartee. Bartee, a deputy district attorney, was found dead in her apartment on June 7, 1999. Williams and Bartee lived in the same apartment building at the time, and Williams still resided there when he was arrested.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is not seeking any other suspects and Rebecca Bartee’s homicide case has now been closed.

Bartee, who was 41 at the time of her death, was formerly of Hays and worked as a prosecutor in Hays.

RELATED: Arrest made in cold-case 1999 killing of former Hays woman

SHERMAN COUNTY — Four people were injured in three separate accidents just after midnight Thursday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Herman A Massey, 43, St. Matthews, SC, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of Goodland in the passing lane when it struck a bull. The accident prompted two additional accidents.

A westbound 2013 GMC Sierra driven by Christopher Dejiacomo, 53, Carlton, Georgia, and a 2015 Ford F150 driven by Michael Lee, 49, Evansville, Indiana, both struck the bull that had just been hit by the semi.

The Sierra then crossed the median and ended up in the eastbound lanes of the interstate. The Ford rolled an unknown number of times.

Massey, Lee, a passenger in the GMC Angela Dejiacomo, 51, Carlton, Georgia, and a passenger in the Ford Shelly Lee, 51, Evansville, Indiana, were transported to the hospital in Goodland.

The KHP reported no other injuries. All five were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

FHSU University Relations

Three candidates for the position of Fort Hays State University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs search will visit FHSU and the Hays community in September.

Dr. C. David Moon, professor of political science and special assistant to the provost at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, will visit from Tuesday, Sept. 4, to Thursday, Sept. 6.

Dr. Neal Schnoor, senior advisor to the chancellor for executive affairs at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, will visit from Monday, Sept. 10, to Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Dr. Jeff Briggs, currently serving as FHSU’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, will conduct his candidate visits on campus from Sunday, Sept. 23, to Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Moon earned a B.A. in political science in 1979 from Austin College, Sherman, Texas. His M.A. in government, 1983, and his Ph.D. in government, 1986, were both earned at the University of Texas, Austin.

Schnoor earned his B.F.A. in education in 1990 from Wayne State College, Wayne, Neb. His Master of Music, 1996, and his Ph.D., 1999, were both earned at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His Ph.D. is in education administration, curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in music education.

Briggs earned both his B.S. in physical education, 1983, and his M.S. in health, physical education and recreation, 1984, from Fort Hays State. He earned his Ed.D. in kinesiology in 1992 at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

More information on the candidates and the search process is available at www.fhsu.edu/president/provost-search/candidate-information-campus-visits.

Each candidate will meet with various constituent groups over the course of three days and will include meetings with the Search Committee, faculty, students, staff, administration and more, as well as campus and community tours. The search committee will notify the various groups by email of their times with the candidates.

The provost and vice president for academic affairs, the chief academic officer of the university, reports directly to the president and is a member of her Executive Leadership Team.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Former Thomas More Prep-Marian and Fort Hays State softball standout Maddie Holub has been hired as the new pitching coach at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

“I am very excited to welcome Maddie to the Herd,” coach Megan Smith said in a release from the school. “She is a talented young coach who has proven that she can lead a pitching staff to high levels of success. Her work ethic and commitment to excellence will be a great addition to our program.”

Smith was hired on July 25th after spending the previous nine years at the University of Kansas.

“I am humbled and excited to be joining coach Smith and coach Lyon at Marshall,” Holub said in the release. “The tradition and culture of the softball program, and the university as a whole, is something I cannot wait to be a part of. I want to thank coach Smith and Marshall University for welcoming me into the Herd family.”

Holub will be the pitching coach for the Thundering Herd and brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the team. She spent the past four seasons as the pitching coach at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla. While working with the Lions, Holub helped the squad to back-to-back NCAA Division II postseason appearances including reaching the World Series in 2018.

The Lions never won fewer than 37 games during her tenure, and saw Stephanie Adkins win back-to-back Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. Saint Leo also had five pitchers in a three-year span named all-conference. Her pitching staffs’ ERAs stayed below 2.04, highlighted by a 0.93 staff ERA in 2016 that garnered the National Statistical Championship, and averaged 16 shutouts per season.

Prior to coaching at Saint Leo, Holub assisted at her alma mater Fort Hays State. The Tigers were ranked as high as No. 13 in the country during her time on staff. Holub also coached overseas in Collecchio, Italy, with the Collecchio Softball 17U and 10U squads. While in Italy, Holub focused on pitcher development and conditioning while assisting with game management.

During her playing days at Fort Hays State, Holub was a dominant performer in the circle and at the plate. She is still her team’s all-time record holder in career hits (255), runs scored (183), RBI (160), home runs (46), wins (77) and strikeouts (974). Her name appears in the top-10 in many other categories. She tossed seven no-hitters and shared in an eighth, and also contributed two perfect games. The four-time all-conference performer was honored as the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Player and Pitcher of the Year in her senior season of 2013.

The health and human performance major earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in 2013.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The nation’s largest grocery chain will be plastic-bag free at all of its nearly 2,800 stores by 2025.

Kroger Co., which orders about 6 billion bags each year, will begin phasing out their use immediately at one of its chains based in Seattle, a city that has been proactive on reducing plastic use.

Dillons, based in Hutchinson, is a division of the Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.

The company operates 2,779 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, serving almost 9 million people daily through two dozen different grocery chains.

Kroger is seeking customer feedback and will be working with outside groups throughout the transition.

It will begin phasing out plastic bag use Thursday at its QFC stores in and around Seattle. It expects to be plastic-bag free at the chain next year.

Kroger has not confirmed when Dillons will make the transition.

“We listen very closely to our customers and our communities, and we agree with their growing concerns,” said Mike Donnelly, Kroger’s chief operating officer. “That’s why, starting today at QFC, we will begin the transition to more sustainable options. This decision aligns with our Restock Kroger commitment to live our purpose through social impact.”

There is a broader shift under way at major U.S. corporations to reduce waste. Disney, Starbucks, Marriott and McDonald’s are getting rid of plastic straws. McDonald’s said this year that it will use only recycled or other environmentally friendly materials for its soda cups, Happy Meal boxes and other packaging by 2025. Dunkin’ Donuts is phasing out polystyrene foam cups by 2020. Ikea plans to eliminate single-use plastic products from its shelves by 2020.

Northbound Vine Street near 22nd Street is reduced to one lane of traffic Thursday morning due to repairs from a water main break.

Signs are in place to direct the traveling public. Motorists should use caution in this area.

Water service in the area of 20th and Vine to 22nd and Vine is temporarily shut down until repairs are made.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays USD 489 finished several large infrastructure projects this summer.

The district completed a $782,000 HVAC project at Hays High School.

The work added rooftop units for the main gym, auxiliary gym and wrestling room. Controls for other parts of the high school also were completed.

This is the first phase of a multiphase project to improve the HVAC systems at high school. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $4 million to $5 million. The gyms were chosen as the first phase, because they are used the most during the summer.

Also at the high school, a new section of concrete was laid in the parking lot. The district replaces concrete as it has money available in its capital improvement budget.

The district also replaced a water main at the high school. A main break temporarily closed the high school last spring.

A $42,000 project was completed to install LED lighting at Roosevelt Elementary School. The district hopes to save on electricity costs and replacement bulbs by going to longer-lasting LED fixtures.

The district also continues to work on security upgrades.

Some exterior locks were upgraded this summer.

The district received $57,700 from the state toward a $250,000 project to upgrade all of the interior locks in the district. That work will be done this fall.

The district received parts to complete the audio portion of its new buzz-in system on Monday. The entrances to all USD 489 schools will now be locked during school hours. Visitors will need to ring a doorbell at the school entrance. They will be able to talk to personnel in the office, who can buzz them into the building.

The district hopes the buzz-in system upgrades will be paid for through a USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence fundraiser this fall.

See related story: Hays USD 489 works with foundation to install buzz-in security systems

“I think just about everything that was planned was completed,” Superintendent John Thissen said. “We were very pleased with the jobs that were done.

One exception is the playground project at Wilson Elementary School. The school is still waiting on new playground equipment to arrive.

The school received a $5,000 from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for the project. The total cost of the equipment will be about $78,000. The district paid for the playground surfacing, and the Wilson Home and School Association has been saving for years toward the replacement of the aging equipment and will cover the rest of the cost.

Thissen said he thought the equipment would be shipped in the next several weeks. Once the equipment arrives, the turnaround to install it should be fairly short, he said.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Board of Zoning Appeals has approved several requests the past two years for variances in the height of “street side” residential fences on corner lots.

The Hays Unified Development Code (UDC), adopted two years ago, limits the height of such a fence in a residential side yard that abuts the street to 42 inches. The fence in the rear or other side yard can be up to 72 inches high.

The difference has “caused some confusion and angst among property owners who have erected fences since the UDC went into effect,” according to Hays Public Works Director Jesse Rohr.

He told city commissioners last week all the variance requests for taller fences on a street side yard have been granted by the zoning appeals board since the UDC was adopted in August, 2016.

“After a couple of years using this regulation, we don’t feel that the fence height regulation as written meets the intent of what we were trying to do,” Rohr said.

“It’s just unnecessarily restrictive.”

During their meeting Thursday, the commission will consider approving a proposed amendment allowing a six-foot fence to be erected on a street side yard. The Planning Commission voted in June to recommend the change as presented by staff. All properties will still be required to address site line issues when erecting a fence.

Staff is also recommending a change the section of the UDC that regulates the heights of accessory buildings, such as garages or workshops.

Two-story accessory structures are allowed to be taller than single story accessory structures, which Rohr contends is very difficult to enforce as written.

Single story structures are now restricted to a maximum height of 18 feet while two-story structures are restricted to a height of 24 feet or the height of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater. The UDC references finished attics, unfinished attics, mezzanines, etc. to determine what constitutes a story.

After discussion between staff and the Planning Commission, it was decided to recommend a change to the UDC that would limit the height, but remove any verbiage pertaining to the number of stories.

The purposed amendment would allow a maximum accessory building height of 18 feet or the height of the principal dwelling, whichever is taller.

“This allows residences with taller homes to have taller accessory structures,” Rohr explained. “It also keeps the height of accessory structures similar to the neighboring properties which helps maintain the character of the neighborhood, which is a strong component of this regulation.”

Also scheduled for Thursday is an update of the Wastewater Treatment Facility Reconstruction Project by Stan Christopher with HDR engineers.

The complete Aug. 23 agenda is available here.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

FHSU University Relations

Austria and Germany, countries historically known for their rich music culture, this summer hosted the Fort Hays Singers, Fort Hays State University’s top choral ensemble. The singers joined four other choirs from the United States to take part in the American Celebration of Music.

The singers traveled to Munich, Germany and Salzburg and Vienna, Austria.
“I was called last March about interest in going to Austria, which I thought would be fun, but when they said that the American conductor would be Dr. Eph Ehly from Kansas City, I agreed instantly,” said Crull.

Eighteen entourage travelers including Crull, Pam McGowne (accompanist), family members and a few friends joined the 20 singers on the trip.

“We had a fantastic trip – good weather, good health and good memories,” said Crull. “The highlight for me was hearing and conducting my choir in some beautiful old cathedrals.”

“The Fort Hays Singers were model students with fun, fellowship and superb conduct. They really showed the best of what FHSU stands for,” he said.

The singers who went on the trip are listed by voice types.

Soprano: Jenna Confer, St. Francis sophomore; Dannielle Dickerson, Riley junior; Raeanna Peacock, Hays senior; Julie Schroeder, Colby senior; and Estella Schumacher, Pratt senior.

Alto: Ciara Calhoon, Beloit junior; Rachelle Lumpkins, Hays sophomore; Kiran Muetz, Loveland, Colo., junior; Rachel Nansel, Hays sophomore; and Cheyenne Rowe, Dighton junior.

Tenor: Max Befort, Hays senior; Adam Flax, Hays senior; Nathaniel Lee, Satanta senior; Tyler Rathbun, Hays senior; and Jared Thom, Hays junior.

Bass: Braydon Boyer, Salina sophomore; Jeremy Claude, Hays freshman; Cody Kreutzer, Hays senior; Jacob Ostmeyer, Salina senior; and Nick Smith, Sharon Springs.

Funding for the trip was provided by Ben Cline, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre; the FHSU Foundation; friends of FHSU choirs; area churches; civic organizations; and the FHSU study abroad office.

“The students themselves worked exceptionally hard, both performing and on their own, to raise the $3,000 per traveler expense that the trip cost,” said Crull.

The American Celebration of Music was sponsored by Music Celebrations International.