kansas – Page 22 – Hays Post Archive

Trego Co. school board president resigns post after arrest

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

WAKEENEY — Arrested on a series of drug-related allegations Thursday afternoon, Trego County USD 208 Board of Education president has resigned his position with the schools.

Reeder was taken into custody at his WaKeeney home, facing charges of possession of marijuana, criminal use of a firearm, and two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. He is scheduled to appear in Trego County District Court at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Reeder also serves as a Trego County appraiser.

A release issued by the school district said Reeder had resigned his post with the board of education, a post he has held since July. The release noted Reeder was not admitting guilt, but that he wanted to avoid becoming a distraction to the business of the school district.

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USD 208 statement:

On Jan. 2, 2014, Trego County USD 208 Board of Education President John Allen Reeder was arrested on drug-related charges. Mr. Reeder was elected President of the BOE in July of 2013 and has been supportive of the district’s anti-drug and alcohol policies. In response to the arrest of Mr. Reeder, Trego County Superintendent Dr. George Griffith state, “I am a firm believer that all members of the school district should be held to the same standards related to their actions, regardless if it is a student, teacher, administrator or even a school board member. Deciding what to do regarding students and staff members is clear because there are policies and rules in place ot provide guidance. Hownever, with a board members being an elected official, the district is limited in the actions it can take.”

Dr. Griffith visited with Mr. Reeder on January 3, 2014, at which time Mr. Reeder and Dr. Griffith agreed that it would be in the best interest of the students if Mr. Reeder resigned his position on the Board of Education immediately. Mr. Reeder wanted the board and members of the community to know that he was not admitting any guilt. His concern was that the charges against him might distract the board of education from its business, which is doing what is in the best interest of the children they serve.

Cold, lack of snow could threaten winter wheat

Posted on January 3, 2014

WICHITA (AP) — The subzero cold being predicted for the Plains next week threatens to damage winter wheat across Nebraska and Kansas in places with little snow cover to protect crops.

Low temperatures of minus 5 to minus 15 are forecast for the region by Monday.

The Maryland-based commodity risk firm MDA Weather Services said some freeze damage is likely to hit about 15 to 20 percent of the Plains wheat belt. The crop is especially vulnerable in much of Nebraska and north-central Kansas where there is little snow on the ground.

Generally, a couple of inches of snow are sufficient to protect winter wheat when temperatures dip as low as minus 4 degrees. But wheat needs at least 4 inches of snow cover to protect it when temperatures get much lower.

Reward offered in theft from dying Kansas woman

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

WICHITA (AP) — Police are looking for a man who was in a silver car near where a Wichita woman was robbed after she died at a fast-food restaurant.

Danielle Zimmerman died Dec. 29 after suffering a brain aneurysm while pulling into a Taco Bell, causing her truck to hit a speaker in the drive-through lane. Someone took her purse, phone and wedding ring before help arrived.

Wichita police said the restaurant’s manager saw a man get out of a silver car and apparently approach Zimmerman’s truck. By the time the manager got outside, the man was pulling out of the parking lot.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Miss Kansas will speak at Farm Bureau’s young leaders conference

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

Kansas Farm Bureau

MANHATTAN — Registration is now open for the 2014 Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Leaders Conference, scheduled for Jan. 24 to 26 in Manhattan.

Highlights include the Collegiate Farm Bureau luncheon; opening keynote by Charlie Arnot of the Center for Food Integrity, followed by a two-part training breakout; a workshop hosted by international cover crop expert Dave Brandt from Ohio’s Walnut Creek Seeds, LLC; and Sunday morning keynote from New Mexico ag leader Matt Rush.

Miss Kansas Theresa Vail will speak at the Jan. 24 luncheon. Vail is a senior at Kansas State University.

For more, visit www.kfb.org.

North-central Kansas Extension field day set for this month

Posted on January 3, 2014

BELLEVILLE – Kansas State Research and Extension will host the North Central Kansas Experiment Field Winter Update from 9:30 to noon Jan. 30 .

The update, to be held at the 4-H Building at the North Central Kansas Free Fairgrounds, will be followed by a complimentary lunch.

The program includes:

• North Central Experiment Field Update – Learn about research underway at the field;

• New Technologies for Crop Diagnostics – Find out the latest on identifying crop challenges in north central Kansas; and

• Water Use by Cover Crop Mixtures – Get research-backed information about water needs of various cover crops that can be grown in the area.

More information is available by contacting K-State Research and Extension agronomist Dallas Peterson at (785) 587-7428 or [email protected].

3i Show sponsor awards area scholarship recipients

Posted on January 3, 2014

DODGE CITY — Western Kansas Manufacturers Association, sponsor of the 3i SHOW, recently announced its 2013-14 scholarship recipients, a list that includes northwest Kansas students.

Among the recipients were:

• Lauren Pallister, a Hays High School graduate, was awarded a $500 scholarship at Barton Community College

• Isaac Dreiling, a Victoria High School graduate, was awarded a $500 scholarship at Northwest Kansas Technical College

• Braden Splichal, a Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, was awarded a $700 scholarship at Fort Hays State University

• Jennifer Ochs, a Jetmore High School graduate, was awarded a $700 scholarship at Kansas State University

• Ethan Long, a Saint John High School graduate, was awarded a $700 scholarship at the University of Kansas

• Tate Bartlett, a Minneola High School graduate, was awarded a $500 scholarship at Dodge City Community College

• Martha Rangel, a Liberal High School graduate, was awarded a $500 scholarship at Seward County Community College/ATS

Scholarships still are available at Colby Community College, Garden City Community College and NCK Tech. Scholarships are funded by the annual 3i SHOW belt buckle sales. Buckles for the 2014 3i SHOW in Dodge City are available. Visit www.3ishow.com/3i/merchandise.htm for more information.

Submitted by the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association

Commission OKs raises, renews lease with NCK Tech (VIDEO)

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Hays City Commission held two meetings Thursday night, the first a makeup of the canceled Dec. 26 meeting. In that meeting, the commission approved a resolution adopting the 2014 job classification and pay plan which includes a 1-percent increase in salaries for all city employees, union and non-union members:

Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno said through the budget process, earlier in the year, the commission had budgeted for the increase and all of the salaries but two are paid for out of the general fund, with the total increase of $80,000. The other two salaries are paid for through the levy fund.

The commission also the approved mayoral appointments of Dawne Leiker and Patricia Levy to the Sister Cities Advisory Board.

At the regularly scheduled work session meeting, Eric Burks, president of North Central Kansas Technical College, presented the commission with the annual report of the Big Creek Technical Training Center at 101 Main.

The city and NCK Tech have a five-year lease agreement for the building, set to expire in May. City staff and the college both recommended approving a two-year extension of the lease with a requirement that if either party decides to not renew the lease, they must give 12 months notice. The current agreement allows for six months.

With the current lease agreement, NCK Tech uses the facility for free, but it is responsible for maintenance, they must hire five full-time employees and they have to construct projects for the city every other year.

“I think this has been a great win-win situation for both of us, not only for Hays but the surrounding communities,” Commissioner Ron Mellick said.

Students already have completed a podium for the city commission chamber, and they are currently working with Nick Willis, stormwater/water conservation superintendent, on water conservation projects in a number of city building.

The commission approved sending the action to the next regular meeting, scheduled for Jan. 9.

An amendment to the city’s parking regulations also will be on the agenda for the next regular commission meeting after the commission heard a report from I.D. Creech, director of public works.

During the creation of the current comprehensive plan, parking has been labeled as an issue that needs to be addressed. Creech said city parking regulations tend to require more parking stalls than needed. Requirements are calculated on square footage rather than an occupancy number, he said.

Creech said the city should change the wording in the parking regulations to allow for an alternative method of calculating parking needs.

Creech said this would not be automatic. There would be an application process and documentation would have to be provided to the zoning administrator.

Libertarians have two candidates for Kansas governor

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

WICHITA (AP) — The Libertarian party will pick its candidate for governor at the party’s convention in Wichita on April 26.

About 150 registered Libertarians will choose between Keen Umbehr and Tresa McAlhaney. Because Libertarians are not considered a major party in Kansas, they are prohibited from picking their candidate by ballot in a primary election in August.

Some Libertarians say having a primary election like Democrats and Republicans would improve their candidate’s chances for a good showing during the general election in November.

The Kansas City Star reported a political party in Kansas must get 5 percent of the vote in a governor’s race to be considered a major party. In 2010, the Libertarian candidate for governor got 2.6 percent of the vote.

HPD activity log, Jan. 2

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

The Hays Police Department conducted nine traffic stops and received six animal calls Thursday, Jan. 2, according to the HPD activity log.

Welfare check, 1300 block Schwaller, 2:27 a.m.
Suspicious activity, 2500 block Vine, 3:52 a.m.
Assist, 100 block West 19th, 7:37 a.m.
Animal at large, 1600 block West 28th, 9:01 a.m.
Civil transport, Larned, 9:09 a.m.
Found/lost property, 700 Main, 9:29 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 2700 block Hickory, 9:59 a.m.
Animal at large, 2500 block General Custer, 1:54 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 2700 block Vine, 2:25 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 3700 block Vine, 3:53 p.m.
Traffic/driving complaint, 2500 block Sherman, 5:30 a.m.
Animal at large, 1500 block Old U.S. Highway 40 Bypass, 5:41 p.m.
Theft, 3400 block Vine, 9:40 a.m.
Forgery, 4300 block Vine, Dec. 12
Forgery, 2900 block Broadway,. Dec. 13

Kansas to get $10.8M Medicaid bonus from feds

Posted on January 3, 2014

KHI News Service

TOPEKA — Kansas will get $10.8 million in additional Medicaid money from the federal government as a bonus for enrolling more children from low-income homes in state-federal health insurance programs.

The award was announced today by officials at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. It is part of more than $307 million in bonuses to be paid out to 23 states.

State officials said they had not yet received the money but had been informed by CMS of the award.

“This bonus is a result of Kansas’ ongoing and strong efforts to identify and enroll eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) health coverage,” said Miranda Steele, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the state’s lead Medicaid agency. “This would not be possible without the diligence and commitment from the state and many other organizations across Kansas who work directly with families to make sure they’re aware of our services.”

Steele said Kansas received the bonus because its enrollment of children exceeded a baseline number determined by the federal government in 2007. The state has qualified for a bonus in each of the past five years with sums ranging from about $1.2 million for fiscal 2009 to more than $12 million in fiscal 2012, according to federal reports.

About 200,000 children currently are covered by the state’s Medicaid and CHIP programs.

Topeka considers water purification upgrades

Posted on January 3, 2014

TOPEKA (AP) — Topeka officials are talking about making improvements to the city’s water purification process after struggling to comply with strict new guidelines.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported water in Topeka itself is still in compliance. But three suppliers that receive water from the city recently received notice from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that their levels of haloacetic acids were higher than the state allows. Haloacetic acids are byproducts created from chlorine water filtration.

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified the possibility that some people who drink water containing high levels of the acids over several decades could have an increased risk of cancer.

City officials indicated in a news release that they had seen the problem coming and are considering options.

Eugene Sansom

Posted on January 3, 2014

LOGAN — Edmond resident Eugene Sansom died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Logan Manor in Logan at the age of 84. He was a farmer.

Eugene was born May 5, 1929, in Edmond, the son of Clyde and Carrie (Patterson) Sansom.

He was united in marriage to Miriam J. Paulsen on July 15, 1951, in Phillipsburg. She survives.
Other survivors include a son, Rodney of Densmore; three daughters, Linda Becker of Lenora, Pat Smith of Logan and Pam Glick of Superior, Colo.; a sister, Lois Archer of Logan; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Alta Griffin; and a granddaughter, Carrie Sansom.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the former Edmond United Methodist Church in Edmond with Pastor Lynn Linde officiating. Burial will follow in the Edmond Cemetery, Edmond.

Mr. Sansom will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Logan Funeral Home in Logan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Logan Manor, Hospice Services Inc. or Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

Logan Funeral Home, 102 E. Church Street, Logan, KS 67646 is in charge of arrangements.

Red Cross: Make a resolution to donate blood regularly

Posted on January 3, 2014January 3, 2014

WICHITA — With a new year come many resolutions to form good habits and achieve personal goals. The American Red Cross encourages those who are eligible to resolve to help patients in need through regular blood donations.

Donated blood can give patients in need more time with loved ones. Blood can be used to treat cancer patients, trauma victims, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, sickle cell disease patients and more. In fact, about every two seconds a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

As winter continues, donations are especially needed, with many donors unable to give due to inclement weather and seasonal illnesses. Make an appointment to donate blood and partake in a lifesaving resolution by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (800) RED CROSS.

Upcoming northwest Kansas blood donation opportunities:

Decatur County
Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 202 S. Topeka Ave. in Jennings.
Jan. 29 from 12-6 p.m. at Gateway, 1 Morgan Drive in Oberlin.

Ellis County
Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hays Medical Center, 2200 Canterbury in Hays.
Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.
Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 208 E. Eighth St. in Hays.

Osborne County
Jan. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Natoma Community Center, 709 N. Second St. in Natoma.

Russell County
Jan. 30 from 12-6 p.m. at Fossil Creek Inn & Suites, 1430 S. Fossil in Russell
Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 332 N. Main St. in Lucas.

Sherman County
Jan. 28 from 12-6 p.m. at Methodist Church, 12th and Sherman in Goodland.

For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org.