We visit the Hays High Outside Garden, and discuss the Monarchs On the Move project.
Category: Local
The Post Podcast: Grow Hays gives a look into entrepreneurship with Trispectives series
🎥 United Way 2019 fundraising campaign kicks off
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The 2019 fundraising campaign for the United Way of Ellis County is off and running.
A kickoff luncheon Friday afternoon with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and Eagle Communications at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall featured a quick game of “3 Truths and 1 Lie.” Representatives of the 17 United Way partner agencies tried to stump a panel of four volunteers with one incorrect statement about their non-profit group and its work for Ellis County residents.
The panel did well, knowing most of the history of the agencies and their community support.
Kelly Lewis, 2019 Campaign Chair, has served on the United Way Board of Directors for three years. She joked that she missed just one meeting this spring, and that’s how she became campaign chair.
“It’s a title that I’m honored to accept,” Lewis told the audience.
“This year our campaign goal is $400,000 and I have no doubt that with a little hard work, we’ll be able to hit that goal.
“We have 17 partner agencies providing Ellis County with all these wonderful opportunities that wouldn’t be available without all your kindhearted donations.”
Lewis, vice-president of Bank of Hays, has also been a volunteer on the CARE Council. “It’s a way to find out a little bit more about each of our partner agencies.”
Each group goes through an extensive funding request process with the CARE Council. Its recommendations are sent to the United Way Board of Directors which awards the funds to the select agencies.
A search is underway for a new executive director of the United Way of Ellis County.
Sherry Dryden will step down Sept. 6 after four years to become executive director of the American Red Cross serving central and western Kansas. Erica Berges, United Way administrative assistant, will serve as interim executive director.
Dryden spoke briefly at the lunch, saying it had been “an honor to serve the United Way.” She added she will continue working with the United Way through the Red Cross which is one of its partner agencies.
Dryden turned the microphone over to Berges, who talked about four major accomplishments of the United Way in 2018.
“We have a new downloadable app for Ellis County Resource,” Berges reported. ” This helped expand the access of our Ellis County Resource Directory, which was in paper form and is still online at www.elliscountykshelp.com.”
RealityU held in the spring on the campus of Thomas More Prep-Marian school brought a little bit of life’s realities into focus for Ellis County high school students.
“It taught them about personal finance in an interactive and engaging way.” The students imagined themselves to be 26 years old and completed a lifestyle questionnaire about their occupation, marital status and use of credit cards, and then found out what their monthly expenses would be.
“It was very interesting to watch the students watch their monthly income go down,”Berges said with a smile. “The number one thing they found out is expensive – kids,” she laughed along with the audience.
TMP, Ellis, Victoria and Hays high schools will participate in RealityU this fall.
A new website — www.nwksvolunteers.org — was launched in the spring for people wanting to volunteer and pairs them with agencies needing volunteer help.
More than 100 volunteers have already signed up and Berges can vouch for the program’s success.
“These brochures at your tables, we have to stuff each one of them individually with the pledge cards. Within 10 minutes of the task being on the website, I had a response. This guy came in and stuffed all 5,000 of those for us over the course of a week. It was awesome. It saved us so much time.
“We probably have a volunteer for life. He’s already responded to several other things.”
Berges also talked about the Wonder Women League.
“Since they’ve started, they’ve done the learning trail in Sunrise Park and last fall they held a self-defense course for women. Their newest project, “Matthew’s Gift,” was launched this winter.
“It’s a bag given out to families who are having a loved one flown out of Hays Med to another medical facility,” Berges said. “The bag contains items like snacks, bottled water, notepads, toiletries, a gas card and other essentials that a family might need so they don’t have to leave their loved one while in the hospital.”
The United Way of Ellis County 17 partner agencies are:
- American Red Cross
- ARC of Central Plains
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- Cancer Council
- Catholic Charities
- Center for Life Experience
- Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation
- Court Appointed Special Advocates
- Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas
- Early Childhood Connections
- First Call For Help
- Hays Area Children’s Center
- KVC Wheatland
- OPTIONS
- Parents and Children Together
- Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled
- Western Kansas Child Advocacy Program
Osborne County Pheasants Forever Youth Hunt planned for Opening Day
KDWPT
PRATT – The 2019 dove season opens on Sept. 1 and there is no better time to introduce youth to hunting. Aside from a proper-fitting shotgun, a good supply of shotgun shells, and a mentor, special equipment isn’t needed. Better yet, you won’t have to battle the bitter winter temperatures that are sure to come with later hunting seasons.
Several organizations, including Pheasants Forever, Westar Energy’s Green Team, and the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, take advantage of this mild season by hosting youth hunts on opening weekend. These special events are safe, fun and free, and more often than not, they’re hosted on lands rife with opportunity. Find a hunt near you, and pass on the joys of wingshooting this fall.
OSBORNE COUNTY PHEASANTS FOREVER HUNT, Sept. 1-2
The Osborne County Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), invites youth ages 10-16 to participate in an opening weekend dove hunt on Sept. 1 or 2, 2019. This hunt is expected to provide kids with plenty of shooting action as the birds flock to grain fields for morning feeding and ponds for evening water.
Participants should have limited previous dove hunting experience, and those who have not hunted before will be given preference. Only youth may hunt, and they must be strong enough to handle their shotgun safely. Participants will have at least one adult mentor at their side to assist them, so parents can rest easy knowing their child will have guidance.
Hunts will either take place the evening of Sunday, Sept. 1 at local private ponds or early morning on Monday, Sept. 2 on a Glen Elder Wildlife Area managed crop field. Participants will be notified several days in advance as to where and when their hunt will take place. After the hunt, participants can enjoy a free meal courtesy of the Osborne County PF chapter.
Shotguns can be provided upon request, and 12 and 20 gauge shotgun shells will be provided for all hunters. Hunters age 16 will be required to have a hunting license and Harvest Information Stamp (HIP) stamp prior to participating.
Parents must pre-register their child by calling the Glen Elder Area Office at (785) 545-3345 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays). Deadline to register is Wednesday, August 28. Spots are limited, so families are encouraged to register early.
For more on this event, contact Chris Lecuyer (KDWPT) at (785) 545-3345 or John Cockerham (PF) at (785) 346-6527.
Dinner/auction fundraiser for Options set for Sept. 14
Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, Inc. a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and dating violence, will host its seventh annual Dinner Auction on Saturday, Sept. 14, to raise funds to support its mission to bring help, hope, and healing to victims, survivors, and their families.
The Dinner Auction will be held at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays, KS. Festivities include a cocktail hour and open bar, followed by a delicious 3 course dinner, as well as a live and a silent auction. To purchase tickets, please contact Options at 785-625-4202. You can also purchase tickets through our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OptionsHays.
“There has never been a more important time to support victims of domestic & sexual violence,” said Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options. “One in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking in our country.” The Dinner Auction is a fun event that brings together people in our community who genuinely want to make a difference, raising thousands of dollars for our program that supports 18 counties in northwest Kansas.
Options provides confidential services free of charge to all victims. Options services are informed by victims and survivors and delivered through a trauma-informed approach. We take into account the impact that trauma can have and the barriers victims face when trying to recover from devastating violence.
About Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, Inc.
Since 1983, Options has delivered services to aid victims, survivors, and their families to recover from the devastating effects of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. All services are free, confidential and voluntary. Services include 24-Hour Helpline, 24-Hour Crisis Intervention, Personal Advocacy, 24-Hour Medical Advocacy, Court Advocacy, 24-Hour Law Enforcement Advocacy, 24-Hour Safe Shelter and Emergency Accommodations, Supportive Counseling, Support Groups, Child/Youth Services, and Parent/Child Advocacy. Visit our website at www.help4abuse.org for more information.
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JAG-K students say the program changes their lives
TOPEKA – A student who has been in the Kansas foster care system for years praised Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAG-K) as the one consistent element in her life. The student said JAG-K Career Specialists have cared about her and taught her skills that will help her in life after high school. Although she has been placed in multiple homes and facilities, each school district had a JAG-K program.
“Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas has continuously provided opportunities to ensure that students successfully graduate from high school in spite of numerous barriers,” wrote Dr. Charles Foust, Superintendent of Schools for Kansas City, Kansas Public School District (KCKPS), in testimony provided for a public meeting hosted Monday by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). “The JAG National Network’s partnership with KCKPS is imperative in order to help increase positive student outcomes and prevent student drop-outs.”
Foust and the student were just two examples of other superintendents and students from across the state supporting continued funding for the evidence-based program that has 79 in-school programs in 41 Kansas school districts including Hays USD 489, serving approximately 4,000 students. DCF Secretary Laura Howard scheduled the stakeholder meeting to discuss budget priorities. DCF has provided most of the funding for JAG-K since it was introduced in Kansas in 2013.
“DCF has been a great partner over the years, and Governor Kelly is helping to help identify additional funding sources to continue to build on our successes in Kansas,” said JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp. “We look forward to working with the Governor and Secretary Howard in looking for new ways to help students in foster care and other youth. The foundation for both of those efforts is a strong network of traditional JAG-K programming throughout the state.”
JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades seven through 12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally accredited evidence-based model. In 2018, JAG-K students had a 98 percent graduation rate.
The 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization is one of 35 state affiliate organizations of Jobs for America’s Graduates and is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by DCF. In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include AT&T, John Deere, and Taco Bell.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates- Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.
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Fatal house fire in Ellis under investigation Saturday
Hays Post
A fatal house fire in the 300 block of Monroe in Ellis Saturday afternoon was under investigation as multiple agencies were on the scene early Saturday evening.
One person was confirmed to have died in the fire.
“That’s all the information we have right now,” said Ellis police chief Taft Yates.
The Ellis fire department, Ellis County fire department, Ellis police, Ellis county sheriff and Hays police assisted at the scene.
The State Fire Marshall’s office was investigating around 7:30 p.m.
Early Childhood Connections relocates to renovated Oak Park Complex
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The former Oak Park Medical Complex is now filled with bright colors and children’s laughter after a $2 million renovation.
Early Childhood Connections moved from the Washington school several weeks ago. Donna Hudson-Hamilton, ECC director, said the new space is a great improvement over Washington, a 90-year-old building that had significant infrastructure issues, including problems with plumbing, sewer, the roof, and heating and air conditioning.
Although Hudson-Hamilton said converting the former medical complex, 2300 E. 13th, into a school was challenging for the architect, it has meant the new classrooms are right-sized for the programs and children who will be using them.
“It was kind of a challenge because there were so many rooms,” she said. “We tried to use as many existing walls and doorways and restrooms as possible. I have to give all the kudos to the architect because that is something he worked on doing, using as much as we can. This was quite a maze before we came in here it being a medical facility with all of the exam rooms. He did a great job with that.”
USD 489 also tried to use as much of the existing cabinetry to reduce costs. Playground equipment was moved from the former location at Washington school.
Every nook and cranny in the complex is being used for something — classrooms, offices, storage, an indoor activity room for indoor recess, a sensory room, nurses station, meeting rooms and a breastfeeding room.
The project also included a tornado shelter, which Washington did not have. The ECC now has off-street parking, and the ECC was able to expand its classroom space to facilitate the addition of all-day Headstart, which is being required by the federal government.
The renovated complex has secure entrances. During regular drop-off and pick-up times, doors are unlocked. However, during school hours, visitors will need to be buzzed in through the office, which is in building one (right front building as you enter the parking lot).
Once all four buildings are complete, ECC will house Headstart, Early Headstart, state pre-kindergarten, services through the Early Childhood Block Grant, USD 489 tuition-based preschool, Parents as Teachers and Early Childhood Special Education programs for a total of about 180 kids.
Although programs have already moved into the complex, finishing touches are still being done on buildings one, two and four. Building three is yet to be completed. That will house the district’s infant and toddler program, which is now located at Munjor school. Hudson-Hamilton said she anticipates work will be complete and that program will move to Oak Park by the end of September.
She said having all the children in one location will mean parents with children in more than one program will have only one drop off. It also means all of the staff will be in one building, which should be more efficient and allow for more collaboration.
Once Munjor is vacated, that building will go back to the Catholic Church. An Overland Park company has a contract to buy the Washington school building. The developer hopes to renovate the building into low-income apartments, contingent on receiving tax credits for the project.
If you have questions about ECC’s programs or how to apply, Hudson-Hamilton urged parents to contact the ECC.
USD 489 has a Hays Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting set for 10 a.m. Oct. 24.
MADD teams up with Kansas Highway Patrol for ‘Saturation Saturday’
Massive DUI Enforcement Campaign Set for August 24
MADD Kansas
Volunteers and staff from Mothers Against Drunk Driving will team up with Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies in Kansas as part of a nationwide impaired-driving crackdown this weekend for “Saturation Saturday.”
MADD will join law enforcement as they step up patrols, conduct sobriety checkpoints and increase public service messaging to remind everyone that if you drive drunk or impaired by other drugs, you will get caught. Approximately 250 law enforcement agencies are participating in Saturation Saturday nationwide.
“Saturation Saturday is intended to overwhelm the nation with the message to never drive impaired, and to show our appreciation for the tough work law enforcement officers do every day to stop the violent, preventable crime of drunk and drug-impaired driving,” said MADD National President Helen Witty. “We know that the days before Labor Day weekend are among the most heavily traveled and can be the most dangerous on our roads for the general public and for law enforcement. We want to stand with them to remind everyone that these waning days of summer are a time for fun, not tragedy.”
MADD’s Saturation Saturday is scheduled to fall right in the middle of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. NHTSA’s $13 million Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, long supported by MADD, helps fund increased drunk driving enforcement and advertising from August 16 through Labor Day.
“We are proud to support our law enforcement heroes on Saturation Saturday and every day. They are our first line of defense against drunk driving, the Number One killer on our roads,” said Lori Marshall, MADD Kansas.
The following law enforcement agencies in Kansas will be participating in Saturation Saturday:
Kansas Highway Patrol
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office
Reno County Sheriff’s Office Hutchinson Police Department
Garden City Police Department Wichita Police Department
Dodge City Police Department Overland Park Police Department
Olathe Police Department Gardner Police Department
Shawnee Police Department Lawrence Police Department
High-visibility law enforcement, such as sobriety checkpoints, is one of the key elements of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, launched in 2006. MADD advocates for funding for NHTSA’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over events, which occur every year in August and December, and Click It or Ticket in May. The other elements of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving include passing laws to require ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders, support for advanced vehicle technology and taking personal responsibility by using Uber, public transportation, taxi or designating a non-drinking friend or family member if plans include alcohol.
To follow events throughout the day, follow MADD on Twitter at @maddonline or on Facebook at @MADD.Official. Look for the hashtag #SaturationSaturday.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save nearly 380,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
UPDATE: Tornado Watch until midnight; Flash Flood Watch until 7 a.m.
TORNADO WATCH 616 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1200 AM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BARBER BARTON CHEYENNE CLARK COMANCHE DECATUR EDWARDS ELLIS ELLSWORTH FINNEY FORD GOVE GRAHAM GRANT GRAY GREELEY HAMILTON HASKELL HODGEMAN KEARNY KIOWA LANE LINCOLN LOGAN MEADE MITCHELL MORTON NESS NORTON OSBORNE PAWNEE PHILLIPS PRATT RAWLINS RICE ROOKS RUSH RUSSELL SCOTT SEWARD SHERIDAN SHERMAN SMITH STAFFORD STANTON STEVENS THOMAS TREGO WALLACE WICHITA
The National Weather Service is predicting the possibility of strong thunderstorms Saturday evening.
The NWS is reporting that there is a possibility of supercells forming over northwest Kansas, bring large hail, high winds up to 60 mph and the possibility of tornadoes.
Ellis, Trego, Scott, Ness and Rush counties could be impacted.
Flash flooding also will be possible, as the ground is saturated from previous heavy rainfall. And additional 1 to 2 inches of precipitation could be possible.
Skies are expected to clear Sunday.
Tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest live updates on severe weather.
KBI: 2 suspects in custody after stabbing in Goodland
SHERMAN COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Goodland Police Department are investigating a stabbing incident in Goodland.
According to a media release from the KBI, just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, the Goodland Police were notified of a stabbing incident at 1502 Caldwell Avenue in Goodland.
Upon arrival, they discovered Joseph Bradley, age 26, had received multiple stab wounds. His injuries are serious and he remains in critical condition.
Two individuals associated with this incident were arrested. David Jones, age 37, was arrested and booked into the Sherman County Jail on aggravated battery charges. Joseph Killips, age 37, was arrested and booked into the Sherman County Jail on battery charges.
Farm Bill regional meeting offered in Goodland
GOODLAND – K-State Research & Extension and K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics are hosting the 2018 Farm Bill Regional Meeting at Goodland’s Elks Lodge at 1523 Arcade Avenue on August 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon Mountain Daylight Time.
The 2018 Farm Bill was passed in December of 2018. Though it has much in common with the previous Farm Bill, there are some significant differences.
To hear exactly what you need to know about the new Farm Bill, come learn in-depth information about the new provisions of the programs, discuss economic considerations when making the ARC/PLC decision, demonstrate some tools to help you make that decision, and hear about changes to crop insurance.
Speakers will include K-State Research and Extension Agricultural Economics specialists Dr. Mykel Taylor, Dr. Monte Vandeveer, Robin Reid, M.S., and Dr. Dan O’Brien.
This meeting is open to the public and there is no cost for admission. Online registration is required by going to northwest.ksu.edu or https://bit.ly/2MTDsTi.
For more information about the school, please call Jeanne Falk Jones at 785-890-488.
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Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science to hold fall 2019 information sessions
FHSU University Relations
High-achieving high school students who have high ambitions, and their families, are invited to meet with staff from Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science at information sessions around the state in September, October and November.
KAMS, the state’s premier early-entry-to-college program, will host 12 free information sessions across the state.
The academy offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to live and learn at Fort Hays State and get a head start on their college educations while completing the last two years for their high school diplomas.
Students and guests can learn about KAMS and visit with representatives from the academy at these sessions.
All information sessions are free and open to the public, but attendees must register in advance. The registration website, https://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/, will also help people find find sessions in their areas.
For more information, contact Abby Anderson, coordinator for marketing and recruitment, at 785-628-4719, [email protected], or visit www.fhsu.edu/kams for more information.
The information sessions are listed chronologically.
Tuesday, September 24 – 6 p.m.
Great Bend Public Library, Lower Level Meeting Room
1409 Williams St.
Great Bend
Thursday, September 26 – 6 p.m.
Fort Hays State University Memorial Union, Trails Room
600 Park St.
Hays
Monday, September 30 – 6 p.m.
Lawrence Public Library, Meeting Room A
707 Vermont St.
Lawrence
Thursday, October 3 – 6 p.m.
Salina Public Library, Prescott Room
301 W. Elm St.
Salina
Monday, October 7 – 6 p.m.
Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 101B
1515 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka
Thursday, October 10 – 6 p.m.
Antioch Library, Large Meeting Room
8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Merriam
Thursday, October 17 – 6 p.m.
Manhattan Public Library, Auditorium
629 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan
Monday, October 28 – 6 p.m.
Advanced Learning Library, Conference Room A
711 W. Second St. North
Wichita
Thursday, November 7 – 6 p.m.
Dodge City Public Library, Lower Level Meeting Room
1001 N. Second Ave.
Dodge City
Tuesday, November 12 – 6 p.m.
FHSU Higher Education Center
311 N. Campus Drive, No. 102
Garden City
Wednesday, November 13 – 6 p.m.
Emporia Public Library, Large Meeting Room
110 E. Sixth Ave.
Emporia
Monday, November 18 – 6 p.m.
Colby Public Library, Meeting Room
375 W. Fourth St.
Colby
About KAMS:
KAMS is an early college program that focuses on advanced mathematics and science coursework. While studying at KAMS, students live on the FHSU campus in a select residence hall with other Academy students from around the world. Over the course of two years, students complete over 60 hours of college credit and complete their high school diploma. These classes are taken alongside traditional college undergraduates and are taught by college professors while simultaneously contributing to their high school graduation requirements. KAMS also provides hands-on research, leadership and civic engagement opportunities.