The Kansas Department of Transportation expects to begin work on a mill and overlay project on a portion of K-27 in Cheyenne County the week of Oct. 7.

The project covers a 13-mile area starting at the Sherman County line and extending north to the east U.S. 36 junction. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the construction zone and directed by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours. Minor delays not exceeding 15 minutes should be anticipated. Work is expected to be finished by the end of November, weather permitting.

Venture Corporation is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $2.2 million.

KDWPT

PRATT – In a 5-1 vote, Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KWPT) Commissioners approved the use of electric-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, at Kansas state parks. The decision was made during the Commission’s Sept. 19 public hearing at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center in Great Bend.

E-bikes, also referred to as pedal-assist bikes, have a small motor that engages when a rider pedals. Once engaged, the motor provides a “boost” of acceleration, allowing the rider to more easily maneuver hills and rough terrain. Only e-bikes that cease to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a maximum of 20 miles per hour may be used at Kansas state parks. E-bikes will also only be allowed on trails already approved for bicycle use.

“We have over 500 miles of trails at Kansas state parks,” said Linda Lanterman, Kansas state parks director. “E-bikes will allow more users to enjoy these trails, including individuals who have previously been unable to because of age, disability, or physical capacity. We’re really excited about the opportunities this will open up.”

State park staff plan to increase public education efforts promoting safe trail use and trail etiquette, as well as increase signage on trails where bicycles are allowed. For a complete list of trails at Kansas state parks, including biking trails, visit ksoutdoors.com/trails.

The next KWPT Commission meeting will be Nov. 14 at the William Carpenter 4-H Building in Scott City.

For more on the Commission, visit ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Ellis County Strategic Doing Re-Start drew approximately 100 people to Hays on Sept. 9.

At a followup meeting on Oct. 8, “we’ll begin uncovering needs, wants, visions, dreams and plans of the great group of folks who attended,” said Sandy Jacobs, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation.

Jacobs encouraged any interested Ellis County resident to attend next week’s meeting.

“We need you to participate whether you attended the first meeting or not. Your input is extremely important to the process of defining Ellis County now and in the future,” she said.

The overriding theme last month was the senior community, according to Jacobs.

A number of attendees organized themselves into a specific group to address issues for seniors. They talked about retirees moving into Hays from rural areas, intergenerational childcare, neighborhood community centers, and memory care units available outside of medical care facilities.

Others talked about the need for a larger domestic and sexual violence center, regional transportation, especially for seniors and youth, and recreational activities for middle and high school age students.

An entire wall was papered with sticky notes on which project suggestions were written by the participants.

Facilitator Betty Johnson has compiled the information into themes and will return with them Tuesday. Johnson’s position is funded by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan.

“We will share the six to eight themes and people can pick one they want to be a part of. That’s when the groups will actually form again,” explained Jacobs.

A project doesn’t have to be grandiose.

She points to last year’s “The Neighbor Project” as an example, which came from the theme of becoming a more inclusive community.

“I think the group was first looking at a grand outcome. Then they understood it’s a step at a time.

“Rather than creating new events to bring people together, they would take themselves into an existing event and bring conversation cards and a table for people to sit around and talk. Bringing people together who had never met each other or reaching out and inviting different ethnicities to be a part of what they’re doing.”

Jacobs says she gets goose bumps thinking about what “The Neighbor Project” is doing.

“Just one step at a time, they’re quietly taking care of business and I’m really proud of them.”

After meeting recently with Johnson, the group is working on a new project called “Donuts on the Drive.” They’ll provide the donuts and coffee, set up in a neighborhood yard, and invite all the nearby residents to join together.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s all about gathering people.”

Strategic Doing Re-Start begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. 8th St. A meal will be served. RSVP to [email protected] or call 785-621-4090.

“If you have or know of a project that has stalled, is needing to uncover resources or just wants more participants , come join us,” urges Jacobs. “Let us help find what you need.”

O-Mok-See – the name means “riding big dance,” which originated with the Blackfoot Indian Tribe. It was a war ceremony that was meant to get courage for battle. The warriors would wear costumes and decorate their horses, ride a distance away from camp, then ride together at a great speed back to the camp circle where the rest of the tribe sang songs and beat drums. The horsemen would ride their horses to the rhythm of the singers and drummers. At various times during the “big dance,” the warriors would dismount and dance on foot. If anyone fell off their horse during the ritual, it was a sign of bad luck.

The Kansas Omoksee, this being the fourth year, was held Sept. 7 and 8 in Lyons. Riders from all over participated in events such as Keg Bending, Top N’ Turn, and Western Relay, among others. The two-day show was a competition among the participants to earn points that would be totaled at the end of the competition. There were various age groups with the highest scorer of each age group winning a saddle. Awards were given to the top 10 riders of each age group.

Also, during the Kansas Omoksee, the first ever Kansas Omoksee Royalty Contest was held. Contestants had the responsibilities of keeping their horses clean, fed, watered, as well as keeping their stall clean. A dress code where long sleeved, collared shirts, western boots and belt, jeans, and a western hat were to be worn at all times during the competition. The contestants were also responsible for a fundraiser of their choice, donating an item to a live auction, helping in the arena, and making everyone feel welcome and at home at the Kansas Omoksee. The contestants were being judged all day Saturday by two secret judges, as well as an interview judge and a horsemanship judge.

Cameryn Kinderknecht, Ellis, was the winner of the Kansas Omoksee Queen. This was her first royalty competition and she welcomed others as well as offered arena workers, judges, and audience members bottled water and a good conversation over the joys of horses and friendly competition. Her responsibilities during this next year include appearances in a variety of events, fundraising for Kansas Omoksee, and raising awareness for the sport of Omoksee. This was Kinderknecht’s second year at the Kansas Omoksee. She and her horse, Kita, placed 5th out of over 20 women in the competition portion over the weekend.

Kinderknecht is a freshman at Fort Hays State University.

— Submitted

FHSU University Relations

Join the Fort Hays State University Astronomy Club at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, for an evening of night sky observations and astronomical activities.

Led by Dr. Jack Maseberg, associate professor of physics, and Dr. Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education, the Astronomy Club will bring their telescopes to KWEC and educate participants about different cosmic objects.

That night, Saturn, Jupiter, and Messier Galaxy Objects will be in view. Messier Objects include nebulae, globular and open clusters, and galaxies discovered by Charles Messier in the 1770’s as he was searching for comets.

KWEC will also provide refreshments, a galaxy craft and other activities inside the center.

KWEC is located at 592 NE HWY K156 in Great Bend. For more information call 877-243-9268.

The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered recently announced the addition of Baron Green to their professional team.

Green joins ABBB as a staff accountant and will work in the firm’s Hays office. He completed an ABBB internship in 2018 and subsequently served as a student worker for the firm.

“We are pleased that Baron decided to establish his career with ABBB,” said Brian Staats, CPA, CGMA, managing partner of ABBB. “We got to know him well during his time as an intern and student worker, and we look forward to witnessing his continued growth as an accounting professional.”

A recent graduate of Fort Hays State University, Green holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Raised on a farm in Oberlin, Kansas, he now lives in Hays.

Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered provides a wide range of traditional and non-traditional CPA and consulting services to clients throughout Kansas, including agriculture organizations, construction companies, feed yards, financial institutions, governmental and not-for-profit organizations, manufacturers, medical practices, oil and gas companies, professional service firms, real estate companies and small businesses. Founded in 1945, today the firm maintains 13 office locations throughout the state. For more information about Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, please visit www.abbb.com.

— Submitted

ROOKS COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, along with the Rooks County Attorney, and the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office, shared that the investigation into the murder of Mark Reif has now been closed.

Following an extensive and thorough investigation, it was determined Jon Flowers, 47, Inman, was responsible for the murder of 56-year-old Mark Reif. No evidence exists indicating any other person was involved in the crime.

Forensic testing has now been completed in this case and it revealed that a fired cartridge case located at the murder scene was fired from a pistol belonging to Flowers that KBI agents collected during the investigation. The bullet removed at autopsy from Reif was also determined to have been fired from the same firearm.

Additionally, when Flowers was discovered dead in his home, a suicide note was nearby that claimed responsibility for killing Reif.

The preliminary autopsy of Flowers concluded that his death was the result of suicide. The investigation is officially being closed.

— KBI