Dallman -photo Ellis Co.Hays police officers responded to a a 911 call at 8:22 a.m. today about an upset man trying to get his semi-truck out of impound.
According to an Aug. 14 news release from Police Chief Don Scheibler, the semi-truck had previously been impounded and stored at a business in the 500 block of Vine Street.
The semi-truck owner, later identified as Mitchell W. Dallmann, 29, reportedly pulled a rifle out of his red Ford Mustang while in the parking lot of Augie’s Repair & Towing, 506 Vine.
Dallmann cycled the action of the rifle, waved it around while yelling at an employee of the business and then drove off southbound, Scheibler said in the news release.
Dallmann was located in La Crosse by the Rush County Sheriff’s Department and was arrested without further incident for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Dallman is currently in the Ellis County Jail.
“The Hays Police Department would like to thank the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, Rush County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol for their assistance,” Scheibler noted. “Dallmann is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
School starts Wednesday for Hays USD 489 students with a half-day of classes. TMP-Marian students return to the classroom Friday, Aug. 17 and the fall semester starts Monday, Aug. 20 at Fort Hays State University.
More vehicles will be on the streets, and traffic will be congested at times. There will also be more pedestrians and bicycles around schools.
The Hays Police Department is urging drivers to be vigilant as schedules change.
“Slow down and give yourself extra time to get to where you need to go,” advises Lt. Brandon Wright.
HPD practices proactive patrolling in school zones.
Speeds are reduced in marked areas, usually from 30 mph to 20 mph. If exceeded, drivers can be fined $80 plus $100 in court costs, or more.
“Children are unpredictable. Watch for them at street and alley crossings, or they may pop out between cars without notice,” he warned.
State law requires drivers in both directions to stop for a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Drivers cannot proceed until the lights are deactivated and the stop arm is pulled in, or the bus resumes motion.
The Kansas Legislature approved an increase in fines for passing stopped school buses effective July 1 in the 2018 Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities. The city of Hays adopted the changed ordinance Aug. 9.
The first offense is $315 plus court costs. A second offense within five years is $750 plus court costs. A third offense in five years is $1,000 plus court costs.
“Watch the buses. Our children are our most precious asset so you need to be careful,” Wright cautioned.
Another area of traffic congestion is pick-up and drop-off of students around schools:
Don’t double park or use no parking zones
Don’t block driveways
Don’t stop in street
Don’t make children cross lanes of traffic
Use school parking area or curbside drop-off
Use crosswalks
If your children are walking or biking to school:
Practice route
Don’t change route
Teach traffic safety
Watch driveway and alley accesses
Talk to your children about interaction with unfamiliar persons:
Don’t talk to strangers
Don’t ride with unknown people without permission
Report strangers offering ride or treat
Walk/bike with friends, family
Have after school check-in plan
School security is also important, Wright added.
“You should only enter through the main doors of the building and check in with the office if you’re visiting the school,” he said.
USD 489 Superintendent John Thissen said Tuesday afternoon the new buzz-in security system is in effect at all schools, although the audio component is incomplete in some locations, requiring school personnel to come to the door. The audio systems should all be installed within the next four weeks, according to Thissen.
All Hays USD 489 schools utilize an electronic ID system for visitors.
“We all have very busy lives, and often we have with lots of things on our minds while driving,” said Wright.
“Stay off your cellphone. It’s a $50 fine plus court costs for writing, sending or reading a written communication while you’re driving, but any use of your phone should be avoided when you’re near a school.
“With the increased activity and excited children all around, tragedy can occur in an instant,” he reminded drivers. “So give yourself plenty of time, and don’t rush if you’re running late.”
Mechanics in the Ellis County Public Works Department will be getting a boost in pay for the next year after the Ellis County Commission voted to approve premium pay in an effort to maintain employees and recruit new ones.
Earlier this month, the commission approved an amendment to the county’s pay plan policy that creates premium pay for positions that are considered high-demand.
For a position to be classified as high-demand, it has to have had higher than average turnover for the past three years and the average time that the position has been vacant must be more than 10 percent longer than the average time to recruit for other positions over the past year.
According to the County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, the mechanic position has seen a more than 20 percent turnover rate over the past three years and one position has been vacant for a year.
By defining the mechanic position as high-demand, it will increase the rate of pay for the two mechanics already on staff by 10 percent and also increase starting salary by 10 percent for any new hire.
In other business, the commission approved the purchase of a new fire truck for Ellis County Fire Department Company 6 in Ellis.
The new 2019 rescue truck will replace a 1978 International truck that, according to Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers, has been experiencing mechanical issues.
The new truck will come from Hays Fire and Rescue for $113,049.
Myers said the purchase is part of the 25-year capital replacement plan for the fire district and was a budgeted expense.
The commission also approved two conditional-use permits on a pair of 2-1 votes.
The first was for a bed and breakfast located at 273B Munjor Road, south of Ellis. The second was for a Midwest Energy substation at 2303 Mount Pleasant Road south of Hays.
Commissioner Barb Wasinger, joining the meeting by phone, voted against both permits citing issues with septic system concerns.
Wasinger said, “We have no policy in place for septic systems within Ellis County despite repeated requests from myself to Commissioner (Marcy) McClelland asking, ‘What we’re going to do if we won’t allow septic systems?’ ”
The issue stems from the ongoing lawsuit regarding the commission, McClelland and the owner of the proposed Blue Sky Acres residential subdivision south of Hays.
McClelland voted against the final plat of Blue Sky Acres due to concerns over possible water contamination from septic systems.
Wasinger, who has recused herself from the Blue Sky Acres discussion, said Monday, “we are in a state of limbo.”
Commissioner Dean Haselhorst pointed out that in the case of these two permits septic systems is not an issue.
The bed and breakfast will be on a more than 100-acre family farm and there won’t be any development that could be affected, while the substation does not have a septic system.
The commission also approved a revised employee recognition policy.
Four area teenagers were injured in an accident Sunday when the vehicle they were riding in traveled over a bridge and landed on its top.
According to the accident report from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, just after 3:00 p.m. Sunday 19 year-old Tanner McDermott of Downs was driving a 2002 Ford Explorer westbound on Saline River Rd. when the vehicle entered the north ditch.
The driver then overcorrected causing the vehicle to travel into the south ditch and then it traveled back-and-fourth between the two ditches one more time before driving onto a bridge. The driver again overcorrected causing the vehicle to leave the bridge and the vehicle landed on its roof.
The driver McDermott and three passengers; 15 year-old Lillian Eilers, 16 year-old Andrew Fisher and 17 year-old Charles Eichman , all from Plainville were transported to Hays Medical Center with possible injuries.
According to the report everyone but Eilers was wearing their seat belt.
WICHITA — A Thomas County woman has been named one of the state’s 19 recipients of the Kansas Health Foundation Civic Health Heroes award.
According to the Kansas Health Foundation, Bev Vaughn has been a blood drive coordinator for almost 10 years. Pink Lady volunteer for nine years. Vaughn also volunteers at church and other times of need in the community.
The annual Kansas Health Foundation Civic Health Heroes awards are part of ongoing efforts by the KHF to recognize individuals who make a difference in the lives of those around them.
“The spirit of community is best exemplified by lending a helping hand, going the extra mile or taking on the roles no one else wants or thinks to do,” said Steve Coen, KHF president and CEO. “It’s a pleasure to honor and recognize this year’s Civic Health Heroes. Each and every one of them demonstrates a commitment and character that needs to be celebrated.”
Here are the 19 recipients of the 2018 KHF Civic Health Hero awards, as well as their home county:
Brenda Amaro, Sedgwick County
Claudia Amaro, Sedgwick County
Tracia Banuelos, Sedgwick County
Joan Boswell, Kingman County
Brittany Crabtree, Shawnee County
Jessica Gerlach, Sumner County
Roger Haug, Nemaha County
Joni Hiatt, Johnson County
Rosina Houle, Douglas County
Dr. Nizar Kibar, Sedgwick County
Jenifer McDonald, Crawford County
Brittany Moore, Shawnee County
Judy Nehar, Shawnee County
Heather Wright Renick, Finney/Gray counties
Susan Schultz, Cherokee County
Matthew Shepherd, Lyon/Chase counties
Jeanette Siemens, Pratt County
Luisa Taylor, Sedgwick County
Bev Vaughn, Thomas County
Nominations for the Civic Health Heroes program are accepted each year during National Volunteer Week, which this year was April 15-21. Final award recipients are then selected based on received nominations.
The FFA Northwest District Officer Team: (Back Row) Colton Vajnar, District Reporter of Hays, Lane Fischer, District Secretary of Ellis, and Caden Pfeifer, District Treasurer of Russell. (Front Row) Ashton Ottley, District Vice President of Hays, Leah David, District Sentinel of Norton, and Jaden Smith, District President of Northern Valley.
KS FFA
MANHATTAN – Ashton Ottley and Colton Vajnar of the Hays FFA Chapter, along with Lane Fischer, Ellis FFA Chapter; Caden Pfeifer, Russell Chapter; Leah David, Norton Chapter; and Jaden Smith, Northern Valley Chapter, participated in the Kansas FFA District Officer’s Conference (DOC) held at the Marriott Convention Center in Junction City, KS, August 11-12.
Ottley serves as the Northwest District Vice President, Vajnar is Northwest District Reporter, Fischer is Northwest District Secretary, Pfeifer is Northwest District Treasurer, Leah David is Northwest District Sentinel, and Jaden Smith is Northwest District President.
The theme of “Fantastic Members and How to Serve Them” encompassed the key elements of identifying the officer’s StrengthsFinder themes, building a community in their districts, understanding their reason for service, and pinpointing how their personality is used in a team setting. Just as each of these ideas is necessary in any business or organization, district officers are expected to serve with these key themes in mind as they use their strengths to impact the lives of FFA members.
Starting with an executive committee meeting, officers were able to discuss current issues facing Kansas FFA and Kansas agricultural education. Students are able to bring perspectives from around the state which will be put into action by the Kansas FFA Association. Officer’s participated in workshops led by the 2018-2019 Kansas FFA Officers, and Elizabeth Meyer of Marion-Florence who is serving as the 2018 Kansas FFA National Officer Candidate. Leaders of the Kansas State University College of Agriculture welcomed officers at a banquet and gave words of wisdom about their year of service. As the conference drew to a close, district officers reported on the ideas that they choose to pursue before heading home to implement the skills that they learned.
The Northwest District officers have responsibilities such as serving on the state executive meeting, planning and facilitating a district Greenhand Conference for first year members, volunteering at the State Fair, and presenting a district banquet.
The Kansas FFA District Officers Conference is facilitated and organized by the officers of the Kansas FFA Association, the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University, and the Kansas State Board of Education.
The Kansas FFA Association has over 9,000 members in 199 chapters. The National FFA Organization is the largest high school vocational organization in the nation and prepares its 653,359 members for leadership and careers in science, business, and technology in agriculture. The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Learn more at ksffa.org.
WASHINGTON – On July 12, Plainville Livestock Commission Inc. and Tyler D. Gillum of Plainville, (collectively, Plainville), a market agency selling livestock on commission subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act, entered into a Consent Decree with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas. Plainville agreed to suspend its market agency activities for two consecutive, regularly conducted commissioned livestock sales on July 24 and July 31. It also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $117,750 with $67,750 held in abeyance for six years. Plainville will pay the remaining $50,000 in installments with the first installment due Aug. 1.
The Consent Decree, entered on July 12 by the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, permanently enjoins Plainville from: (1) engaging in business without properly maintaining its custodial account for shipper’s proceeds; (2) engaging in business without properly remitting sales proceeds before the close of the next business day following the sale; (3) issuing checks or any kind of payment instrument in purported payment of livestock purchases without having maintaining sufficient funds on deposit and available in the custodial account upon which the checks or instruments are drawn to pay the checks or instruments when presented for payment; and (4) engaging in business without properly maintaining all business records.
This Consent Decree follows a previous Consent Decision and Order issued by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) on October 22, 2012, that requited Plainville to cease and desist for failing to maintain its custodial account for shipper’s proceeds in full compliance with the P&S Act. A second Consent Decision and Order issued by the Secretary on March 4, 2014, likewise ordered Plainville to cease and desist for failing to maintain its custodial account for shipper’s proceeds in strict conformity with the P&S Act. A custodial account is a trust account that is a separate bank account designated for shippers’ proceeds. Operating with custodial account shortages is a violation of Section 312(a) of the P&S Act, and places livestock sellers at risk of not being paid timely or at all.
The P&S Act is a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.
Late summer continues to be a wet one, as yet another round of rainfall arrived Monday afternoon and continued into the evening.
The official Hays rainfall report recorded at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 2.41 inches. So far in August, 3.83 inches has fallen with the year-to-date moisture at 22.83 inches.
The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, had 1.42 inches of rain.
There was a report of 3.12 inches of precipitation southeast of Hays, while Victoria saw a report of 2.07 inches.
Most of Hays received between 1.25 and 1.6 inches of rainfall, while the Ellis area saw reports ranging from 0.23 inches north of town to 1.76 inches to the south.
Eastern Russell County also experienced heavy rain, registered more than 3 inches in the gauge Tuesday morning.
Rain is expected to continue Tuesday, with more showers or thunderstorms forecast between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The chance of rain tapers in the early evening.
The public auction for seized assets of a Hays restauranteur will be next month in Wichita.
The Kansas Department of Revenue told Hays Post the auction for the seized assets of TK’s Smokehaus will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 18. The auction will be conducted by Palmer Auction.
Best advice, if you’re a Republican voter, well … wait at least another week to pull off that bumper sticker that shows you supported the losing candidate in your party’s gubernatorial primary election.
Might be this weekend, maybe next, but you might just leave the sticker alone…unless you are trying to sell your car to a Democrat who will probably try to bargain you down a few bucks figuring you don’t make good choices.
Yes, this election cycle has become more intriguing for political junkies as Gov. Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Kris Kobach scrap in the technical, complicated after-Election Day determination of just who is the Republican nominee for the office of governor.
First, the Election Day results were statistically close–191 votes out of the 310,429 cast for all seven Republican gubernatorial candidates separated Colyer and Kobach. Kobach and Colyer won a total of 82 percent of all those votes. By Saturday, that margin had narrowed to 110 votes, Kobach still ahead…
But figuring who won the most of those votes…well, that’s what this week is about. Used to be simple, someone was an obvious winner. This year, it’s not simple. Colyer and Kobach are now scrapping for every possible vote, whether already counted or some of those mailed-in ballots and the provisional ballots.
Provisional? It just means that a voter’s name and address didn’t match the official voter list that the election workers had in front of them on election day. Maybe a voter moved, changed his/ her name (some recent brides, for example, if they take their spouse’s last name, probably had to file provisional ballots even if they wore a wedding ring to vote). Provisional ballots are also some of those unaffiliated voters who declared themselves Republicans at the voting place, so they could participate in the GOP primary.
Those provisional Republican ballots are the key to this race. All week and even next week, county officials will be meeting to decide whether those provisional ballots will be counted, and to weigh whether mailed-in ballots were in fact mailed on Election Day, not the day after.
Oh, there have been tense county canvass meetings over elections for county commissioners or members of the Legislature, but not the top of the state ballot.
The fuss and time spent on the GOP gubernatorial race essentially makes Democratic gubernatorial nominee Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, the only major party gubernatorial candidate who will sure-enough be on the November ballot.
And the more sticks and stones that Colyer and Kobach throw at each other—oh, and Kelly is keeping track of ‘em—the more the biggest party in the state divides itself, and moderate Republicans start looking for a candidate who hasn’t been mud wrestling.
And let’s not forget the independent candidate—if he has enough valid signatures on his petition to get a place on the general election ballot. That’s Greg Orman, who has run statewide before, losing to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., four years ago. Already there are questions about his petition signature-gathering, and whether some of those signatures will be loudly, publicly rejected—a little stain on the record of a guy who maintains that he represents a choice for voters who don’t like either major political party.
Could it get any better than this? For Kansas, probably, but for reporters it’s a gold mine. A story, an allegation, a slight by one candidate against another, scraps over whether this ballot or that ballot should be counted. For the news media it’s like a house fire to cover every day.
Oh, and reporters don’t have to worry about those bumper stickers. They shouldn’t be on reporters’ cars, anyway…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
The new academic year at Fort Hays State University officially begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, with the annual Fall Convocation in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the FHSU campus.
Dr. Jeff Briggs, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, will deliver the welcome. FHSU President Tisa Mason, entering her first full academic year in the presidency, will deliver the State of the University address at 9:15 a.m.
Opening remarks will also be delivered by Faculty Senate President Dr. Tony Gabel, associate professor of management; FHSU-AAUP President Dr. Janette Naylor-Tincknell, associate professor of psychology; University Support Staff Senate President Lisa Lang, Office of Alumni and Governmental Relations; and Student Government Association President Adam Schibi, Hays senior.
Following her address, President Mason will announce the President’s Distinguished Scholar.
Other awards to be announced:
• Faculty Member of the Year
• Edmund Shearer Advisor of the Year
• John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor
• Department Closing the Loop
• Advancing Assessment
• Virtual College Adjuncts of the Year
President Mason is continuing the tradition of using the occasion as an opportunity to restock the Tiger Food Exchange. Donation bins for non-perishable food items will be available at the doors to Beach/Schmidt. The pantry’s greatest need is for soups, stews, peanut butter, pasta, noodles and canned fruit.
A reception will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Dreiling Lobby of Sheridan Hall.
The Fort Hays State Student Veterans Association would like to invite the public, as well as all FHSU students, to the Golden Q on Aug. 15.
The Golden Q will donate a portion of the proceeds from that day’s special to the Student Veteran’s Association to help raise funds for veterans attending Fort Hays State University. The FHSU Student Veteran’s Association is a group of individuals joined together by their love of service, country and school.
“All of these former military personnel have the same goal in mind, help anyone they can! We are currently raising money to provide scholarships to those current and prior service military members looking to make that transition into college life,” the organization said in a news release. “Please stop by the Golden Q and visit with us on Aug. 15. We thank you in advance for your support.”
Hungry swimmers line up for their supper during the Hays Police Department’s Community Night Out Aug. 2.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It’s one of last celebrations at the Hays Aquatic Park as the swimming season comes to an end.
The third annual Community Night Out sponsored by the Hays Police Department featured free swimming and free food.
The aroma of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs drew the crowd to the food line on the south side of the pool, where they could also enjoy chips, pop and cookies. Those earliest in line also received free t-shirts.
Hamburgers were the most requested menu item, nearly two to one according to one of the two grill chefs, Ron Rounkles. He and another retired officer, Bill Lovewell, estimated more than 400 burgers were consumed along with at least 250 hot dogs.
“It was a beautiful evening and a great turnout,” said Chief Don Scheibler.
The event also is an opportunity for residents to meet police officers, who are not in uniform, in a fun-filled environment, said Brian Dawson, assistant police chief.
“It’s just kind of our way of thanking the community for their support throughout the year,” Dawson explained. “We really enjoy doing this.”
Dawson gave most of the credit to Sgt. Chris Hancock, who he said was again “instrumental” in spearheading the party. “He’s been a rock through this so we really appreciate all his efforts.”
Sponsors for this year’s Community Night Out included Phaze 2, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #48, Crawford Supply, Pepsi, Walmart, and the Hays Recreation Commission.
Scheibler also thanked the lifeguard staff. “They’ve put in a long day already and we really appreciated them staying during our evening event.”
