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Ellis County included in CRP expansion initiative

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CRP buffer

KDA

MANHATTAN —  The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Conservation announces the expansion of the Kansas Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Initiative. This initiative will provide a onetime incentive payment for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts for the following practices:

  • Grassed waterways
  • Shallow water areas for wildlife
  • Filter strips
  • Riparian buffers
  • Wetland restorations
  • Improvements to farmable wetland and farmable wetland buffers

The 2018 Kansas Legislative Session allocated $281,312 to the Division of Conservation to help promote the reduction of nutrients and sediment through the CRP program. The initiative is open to targeted watersheds specified for sediment and nutrient impairment. Incentive payments will range from $162.50-$225 per acre, depending on level of the impairment as identified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The following counties have watersheds that fall within these targeted areas:

·         Atchison
·         Brown
·         Chase
·         Clay
·         Cloud
·         Coffey
·         Dickinson
·         Douglas
·         Ellis
·         Geary
·         Harvey
·         Jackson
·         Jefferson
·         Lyon
·         Marion
·         Marshall
·         McPherson
·         Morris
·         Nemaha
·         Osage
·         Pottawatomie
·         Reno
·         Republic
·         Rice
·         Riley
·         Saline
·         Shawnee
·         Wabaunsee
·         Washington

Please contact your local Conservation District for more information on the Kansas Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Initiative and eligibility. You can find a directory of local Conservation Districts at agriculture.ks.gov/ConservationDistricts.

Free child development screenings Friday

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HICC

If you have a concern your child may have a developmental delay or be in need of special education services, call for a free developmental screening with the Hays Interagency Coordination Council on Aug. 23.

Children from ages birth to school age who live in Ellis or Rush counties are eligible to be screened.

Speech, language, vision, hearing, thinking, self-help, behavior and motor development will be checked.

The developmental screenings will be held Friday, Aug. 23. Call 785-625-3257 to set up a free screening appointment for your child.

These developmental screenings are offered monthly and sponsored by the Hays Interagency Coordination Council and Hays USD 489.

 

Ellis County Commission moves forward with drawings for new public works building

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By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission agreed to move forward Monday night with architectural plans for a new public works building adjacent to the county landfill.

During the 2018 commission retreat, commissioners identified upgraded facilities for public works as a high priority for future capital planning, according to the report in the commissioners’ agenda packet.

The county initially considered building a new metal building at the 280th Avenue location. Two options for a buildings at the site were estimated at $1.9 to $1.4 million. That includes converting the existing shop into cold storage.

However, the county has recently leased to purchase land adjacent to the landfill. All of the land the county plans to purchase is not needed to expand the landfill. Staff is proposing relocating the Public Works Department to 240th Avenue adjacent to the landfill.

Bill Ring, public works director, said locating the new public works shop at the landfill would create some opportunities for efficiencies. He gave the example of a backhoe breakdown this week that required both of the shop mechanics to go to the landfill to fix the equipment. This left public works without a mechanic.

He said he also hoped locating the shop adjacent to the landfill would allow office staff to be cross trained and more easily share documents.

If the county built at the site of the current shop, it would use all of the available space, leaving no room for expansion, Ring said. At the landfill site, public works would have space to have parking and for storage for materials, such as sand and crushed concrete.

Commissioner Dustin Roths said he supported exploring the location.

“The concern Phillip [Smith-Hanes] brought up about our ability to expand size is so constrained by the railroad track here, I do like the idea of us looking into this, at least seeing dollars,” he said.

Commissioner Butch Schlyer said, “I would like to see us proceed with this. I think there is no question we need to address the public works with their needs as far as space and storage. If this concept could create more efficiencies along with it, we should explore this and see where this will leads us.”

Haselhorst also said he supported moving forward with the architectural plans.

The additional architectural drawings for a building at the landfill site will cost $3,500. If the commission decides to build at the landfill site, it would likely sell the property where the current shop is located.

The commission also transferred $146,689 to the Capital Equipment Reserve Fund from the Budget Stabilization Account. The county budget for 2020 contains $56,144 as a transfer from Equipment Reserve Fund and an equivalent expenditure for six months’ salary and benefits for an assistant EMS director if hiring an assistant EMS director is deemed necessary.

Victoria water system revitalization project to begin soon

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By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

VICTORIA — Construction is set to begin soon on a $4.5 million water system revitalization project in Victoria that will replace the town’s water tower, revitalize two of their wells and replace aging water lines throughout the town.

The project will also connect the town’s supply to the Trego 2 Rural Water District.

A USDA grant, along with a low-interest loan will pay for the majority of the project, with the city set to pay around $100,000, according to the USDA.

The first stage in the project that is being completed by EBH Engineering is the replacement of the water tower.

“The water tower is 20 years past its estimated life span,” said Brad Schmidtberger, city superintendent. “We are going from a 50,000 gallon to a 150,000 gallon above ground. That fulfills the needs of growth for the town.

“The grant was approved, and the engineering firm is doing all of the surveying,” Schmidtberger added.

Bidding for construction should start soon and he said tower construction could start in September.

Waterline replacement is likely to come next as stage two of the system overhaul and will replace approximately 14,000 feet of waterlines and adding waterline loops to many existing lines.

“We have done water projects over the years and replaced a lot of the water lines around town naturally, and this would replace some of the ones that were not replaced in the most recent water project in the 1980s,” Schmidtberger said.

Adding loops to waterlines will help with water flow and water quality.

“We have some waterlines that are very dated, and we have a couple that are not looped in some lower-use areas. We are going to loop those in. That will produce much higher quality water in those lower-use areas,” Schmidtberger said.

Repairing two of the city’s wells and connecting to the rural water district will complete the project and will help ensure the water supply is sufficient for the expected growth in Victoria.

“We would have basically new wells,” Schmidtberger said. “They are both very dated and in need.”

“By offsetting these and re-drilling with new screens, new casings and so forth, it’s going to give us a better and a more efficient quality of water and a more efficient supply of water,” he said. “With the repairs, we will be able to capitalize more on what’s there.”

Adding water from the rural water district will add another water supply to the system and ensure the supply remains sufficient for future growth.

“That will allow us to feel comfortable with the amount of water we have, long term,” Schmidtberger said.

The decision to connect to the Trego 2 Rural Water District was based on location as the district runs lines through Ellis County and the properties of the water.

The rural district’s water is “the best match for our water,” Schmidtberger said. “It will blend very well with our water and our existing well field.”

Having water that is similar in makeup to the city well makes it the most cost-effective method of adding to the water supply, he said, as they can blend the water with the well water as it will not need additional treatment.

Once the connection is made, the water from the district will be added to the central reservoir for processing.

More information about the project was published in a city newsletter and can be found here.

Oktoberfest adds second day

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HAYS CVB

Members of the Hays Volga German Society, organizers of the Hays Oktoberfest, have decided to add a second day to the event. The 47th Annual Volga German Oktoberfest will take place Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 in Municipal Park.

The Oktoberfest event committee made the decision to extend the event in order to increase opportunities for participation, for both residents and vendors, who may not have been able to participate on a Friday.

The mission of the Hays Oktoberfest is to celebrate the rich German heritage of Ellis County while generating scholarship money for students of Volga German descent and fundraising for area churches in need.

On Friday, the gates at Municipal Park will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with music by the Joe Dolezal Polka Band at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies and keg tapping will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Other Friday activities include music on the main stage, German food booths, historical displays, a stein-holding competition, and more. Friday vendors are restricted to non-profit organizations that are focused on fundraising.

The NCK Tech Drive Thru will again feature German food made by NCK Tech Culinary Arts students. Menu items available for pick up include bierocks, green bean dumpling soup, and spitzbuben cookies. Patrons can order in advance by calling the main office at NCK Tech at 785-625-2437. Food can be picked up on Friday only at the drive-up window at the NCK Tech building directly across from Municipal Park.

Saturday activities will kick off with an early morning German Market from 7:30 – 11 a.m. in the Downtown Pavilion at 10th and Main. Anyone interested in being a vendor at the German Market can find a vendor form at www.DowntownHays.com on the Downtown Hays Market page under the Events section, or by calling the Downtown Hays Development Corporation at 785-621-4171.

Gates will open at Municipal Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. with activities starting after the 11 a.m. Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade ends. New this year, for-profit businesses and organizations will be allowed to set up on this second day, alongside non-profits.

All Oktoberfest vendors should reserve their spot by registering online at www.haysoktoberfest.com or by calling vendor committee chair Lee Dobratz at 620-803-2258 by September 27.

Family-friendly activities planned for Saturday include a magician, inflatables, German Freeze game, pumpkin roll, and barrel race.

Park gates will close at 4 p.m. to allow time for tailgating before the FHSU Homecoming football game begins at 7 p.m.

Janel Moore, Volga German Society Historian, says it all boils down to “Essen und trinken, tanzen und singen, und haben eine gute zeit,” which translates to, “Eat and drink, dance and sing, and have a good time.” The refrain is printed on this year’s Oktoberfest souvenir mugs and was a statement often made by Moore’s father Larry Werth, one of the original organizers of the event.

For details and updates on the event, check the group’s website at www.haysoktoberfest.com or the Hays Oktoberfest Facebook page.

La Crosse man appointed to Kansas Water Authority

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Hobbs
Governor Laura Kelly last week appointed Jeremiah Hobbs, La Crosse, to the Kansas Water Authority.

“Jeremiah has a long history of experience with water-related issues in our state,” Kelly said. “We are excited to have him join our team. I know he will offer great insight into our water policies.”

The water authority advises the governor, the Legislature and the director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues — including the approval of the Kansas Water Plan and revisions, federal contracts, administration regulations and legislation proposed by the Kansas Water Office.

Hobbs currently serves as the district manager for the Wet Walnut Creek Watershed Joint District number 58. He is also the current vice chair for the State Association of Kansas Watersheds and a member of the Great Bend Prairie Regional Advisory Committee. Hobbs received a Master of Science in School Leadership from Baker University, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and an associate degree in arts from Hutchinson Community College.

Of the 11 Kansas Water Authority members appointed by the governor, six positions were expired or vacant this year. Kelly has already appointed four, including the new chairperson. She has one more appointment to the authority available.

— Office of the Governor

Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science to hold fall information sessions

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High-achieving high school students 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, will host 12 free information sessions across the state, including one at the Manhattan Public Library Auditorium on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. 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 those attending must register in advance. The registration website https://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/.

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.

HAWVER: Kan. should fix mismanaged Reading Roadmap program

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Martin Hawver

Well, here’s a former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback-era program that, after an audit by his successor administration run by Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly, turned out to be a profit center for a private contractor…

It’s the Reading Roadmap program, which no-bid Washington contractor Hysell & Wagner reached into Kansas to milk as much as $2.3 million in 2014 and 2015 from the program.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) last week canceled the contract after an audit of the program’s management, which was started and not finished five years ago, was essentially protected from public review. A later audit this year of the program which helps children learn how to read was the tipping point to cancel the Hysell & Wagner contract.

The firm says that contracting issues were fixed, that the program is running well and that it is providing the services it contracted to perform. But DCF is apparently not convinced.

Look for the issue to wind up in a court somewhere, but it’s just money at stake there, and the bigger issue for Kansans is the program itself.

Whatever the reason for the no-bid contract and whatever the reason for short-stopping that early audit that saw misuse of funds, the program of assisting generally poor Kansas schoolchildren to learn how to read is a great idea. Not sure Brownback thought it up himself, or where it came from, but any program that assists children to learn to read and to help their families learn how to encourage that reading is a good investment.

Simply, Kansas prospers the smarter its residents are. That reading assistance, which was carried out before and after school and at summer camps and by meeting with the generally poor families of those children (administered by Hysell & Wagner), is the right thing to do.

It’s a social issue, of course, government assisting parents in raising their children, but those children are the future of the state and the better their basic skills—even just reading which most of us don’t think about much—prepares those kids for better performance in school and better jobs when they leave school and better skills to help their children learn to read and prosper.

The contract hassle may divert lawmakers next session from the program itself, and that would be a mistake. Children and Families is going to make sure that the more than 30 school districts and a handful of social service agencies get the money appropriated for them last session, so the Reading Roadmap programs will continue under local management. That’s good.

But the preservation of the program gets a little complicated for lawmakers this winter.

Why is this educational undertaking financed with federal funds which are part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program that is aimed at providing needed food assistance for those families? DCF Secretary Laura Howard likes the program, sees its merit, but wonders why it is financed from the pot that ensures that mostly children, the poor and disabled are able to buy food. It’s a stretch, isn’t it?

Seems more like a program that ought to be operated by the Department of Education? Sure, but then, the TANF money is federal money, and the Department of Education doesn’t get that money and would have to find the cash from somewhere else…which likely means it would need a bigger appropriation from next year’s state budget.

Reading Roadmap? A good program with some management issues but essentially free for the state.

Wonder which way this is going to go? We’ll see when the election-year Legislature opens in January…

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

Hoxie’s 2019 Main Street Art Walk to feature more than 20 artists

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By KARL PRATT
Main Street Arts Council

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council, based in Hoxie, invites all area art enthusiasts to the annual “Main Street Art Walk” scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Hoxie.

Enjoy an evening of art, food, fresh air and fun as you make your way through Main Street viewing the artworks of more than 20 area artists.

New this year, a raffle drawing for three great prizes will be held in conjunction with the evening’s event. Those interested can pick up a map at the check-in table (to be located on the corner of Equity Bank), visit all artists and acquire his/her signature, then drop off the map (with participant name and contact information) at The Living Room, 721 Main St. for a chance to win. Prizes include a $35 gift card to The Elephant Bistro & Bar, a Patron-level membership with the Main Street Arts Council, and an art supplies gift basket.

A silent auction featuring donated works from the participating artists will be set up and available for bidding from 5 to 7:45 p.m. at The Living Room. Funds raised help support area student scholarships to study the arts and music.

Food vendors, including Mama Deb’s Cookin’, Christie’s and Dustin & Kylie Bell’s BBQ will be set up throughout the evening.

Artists participating this year with their designated business host location include Kay Azzara, The Elephant; Sally Cameron, First State Bank; Bonnie Cameron and Abby Killingsworth, Community Impact Center/Hoxie Rec; Jackie Campbell and Jessica Campbell, Eland Law Office; Jana Getz, Hoxie State Insurance; Charlie Hein and Shirley Popp, Farm Bureau; Diane Pratt, Helaina Heskett, Hilde Heskett, Brylie Lindeman, Taegen Lindeman, Bailynn Moser, and Adleigh Ziegler, The Living Room; Terence Koehn, The Sheridan Sentinel; Michelle Morris, Cressler Creations; Kenzie Nondorf and Emma Weiner, Oscar’s; Karl Pratt, Pratt Real Estate; Bonnie Stasser, Equity Bank; Alvin Wildeman, Jennifer’s Cuts; and Thomas Zimmerman and Rodney Zimmerman, The Hoxie Times.

All MSAC programming is made possible through the financial support of paid members, donations, and grants. To support MSAC in its endeavor to promote the arts, encourage creativity, serve the Arts community, and act as an advocate for the Arts, consider paid membership. Varying levels are available for both individuals and businesses, each offering a multitude of benefits and advertising premiums in acknowledgment of support.

Visit www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/join-us for more information and to join today.

News From the Oil Patch, Aug. 19

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By JOHN P. TRETBAR

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $45 per barrel after gaining 25 cents a barrel on Friday. Cash crude on the Nymex closed at $54.82 per barrel Friday.

Independent Oil & Gas Service reports a ten percent increase in the weekly Kansas rig count. There are nine active rigs in the eastern half of the state, down two for the week, and 25 west of Wichita, an increase of five rigs. Operators are about to spud new wells on two leases in Barton County, one in Ellis County and one in Russell County.

Baker Hughes reported 935 active rotary rigs for the week nationwide. An increase of six oil rigs was offset by declines in horizontal, gas and miscellaneous rigs. Texas and West Virginia were down four rigs each. Oklahoma was down one.

Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 55 newly-completed wells across the state last week, 28 in eastern Kansas and 27 west of Wichita. Operators have completed 924 wells statewide so far this year. There were two new completions in Barton County and one in Ellis County. All three were dry holes.

Regulators authorized 22 permits for drilling at new locations across Kansas last week, eight east of Wichita and 14 in Western Kansas and 608 so far this year. There’s one new permit on file in Ellis County.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said domestic crude inventories increased by 1.6 million barrels. Stockpiles are now about three percent above the five-year season average at 440.5 million [[“440 point five million”]] barrels.

The government reported the second-best weekly production total ever. For the week ending August 9, U.S. producers pumped 12,333,000 barrels per day of crude oil. That’s an increase of 80,000 barrels per day over the week before and just 45,000 barrels per day shy of the record set during the last week in May.

Once among the largest landholders in western Canada’s oil sands region, Wichita-based Koch Industries has sold off leases and abandoned licenses there. The Kansas company joins a stream of foreign companies exiting the formation, according to reporting by the Financial Post. Koch struck an agreement to sell its land in the region to Calgary-based Cavalier Energy, in a transaction that occurred in June.

Regulators in Texas reported a significant drop in crude oil and condensate production for the month of May. According to the Railroad Commission of Texas, May production totaled over 116 million barrels, which is down 9.5 million barrels from the month before and down 13.5 million barrels from May of last year.

Operators in North Dakota, the number-two oil producing state in the country, pumped a new all-time record in June, 1.42 million barrels per day. The state’s Department of Mineral Resources reports North Dakota also set a record for the most producing wells, at 15,741.

Western Kingfisher County Oklahoma continued to shake nearly two weeks after an oil and gas operator stopped trying to complete wells at one of its locations. According to the Daily Oklahoman, an ongoing swarm of earthquakes impacted an area about 8 miles west of the county seat. Dozens of seismic events were observed in the general area since completion efforts ended July 24. The events have varied in strength, from as little as one on the Richter scale to as large as a 3.5 magnitude event observed a week ago. The swarm included a 3.6-magnitude event that is believed to be the largest temblor ever associated with hydraulic fracturing.

A County Assessor in Oklahoma is going to court to collect an additional $273 million in property taxes from seven energy producers. The court cases stem from crude stored in tank farms at Cushing. The companies are claiming a tax break under what’s called the “Freeport exemption,” which protects crude oil from state property taxes if it’s just passing through Oklahoma as interstate commerce. The county is asserting the crude in question was bought and sold in Oklahoma, according to the Stillwater News Press.

Car stolen in Hays on Monday recovered after brief chase

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A Chevy Impala reported stolen at 12:19 p.m. Monday from the 400 block of East 16th was recovered hours after reported to police after a brief chase in Hays.

Around 2 p.m., the Hays Police Department received a report of a vehicle and suspect matching the description from the alleged theft near the Fort Hays State University campus.

Police made contact with the suspect and, after a brief chase, he struck a curb near the intersection of 21st and Elm and was apprehended without incident.

The suspect was later identified by HPD as Christopher Lee Jamison, 31, Hays.

Jamison was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, and felony fleeing and eluding.

HPD said additional charges may be pending and all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

CORRECTED 6:30 p.m. Monday to reflect the correct block from which the vehicle was allegedly stolen.

Ellis County Commission to discuss proposal for new public works building

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

At Monday’s meeting, the Ellis County Commission will discuss a proposal for a new building for the public works shop.

The county commission will meet at 5 p.m. at the Ellis County Administrative Center.

The current public works shop at 1195 280th Ave. was constructed in the 1960s and has not had any significant upgrades since.

During the 2018 commission retreat, commissioners identified upgraded facilities for public works as a high priority for future capital planning, according to the report in the commissioners’ agenda packet.

The county initially considered building a new metal building at the 280th Avenue location. A revised price for that project is estimated at $1.4 million. That includes converting the existing shop into cold storage.

However, the county has recently leased to purchase land adjacent to the landfill. All of the land that county plans to purchase is not needed to expand the landfill. Staff is proposing relocating the Public Works Department to 240th Avenue adjacent to the landfill. This would allow the Solid Waste and Public Works departments to work more closely.

The county could sell the existing public works property instead of subdividing the property it is purchasing adjacent to the landfill.

The county administrator is seeking the commissioners’ opinions as to whether they approve of the new direction for the public works project.

The county will also consider a transfer of funds to the Capital Equipment Reserve Fund.

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