Kansas Klips
NW Kansas community helps round up cattle after semi overturns
THOMAS COUNTY—According to the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, December 14th, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers responded to a report of a semi full of cattle that overturned on Interstate 70 just east of the K184 Brewster exit. Community members volunteered to get the cattle safely off the trailer and rounded up, as some had escaped during the accident.
There were no injuries reported. The sheriff’s office thanked local farmers and ranchers, Swartz Veterinary Hospital, Thomas County EMS, fire crews from Brewster and Colby, Evan Bottini and Evan Miller with the Colby Community College Rodeo Team, the Thomas County Fair Board, and Butch’s Body Shop. (Hays Post)
Kansas Museum is in the running for a top new museum in the U.S.
ATCHISON—The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum was in the final stretch of online voting as one of 16 new museums across the United States nominated for the “Best New Museum” by USD Today’s Reader’s Choice Travel Awards for 2024. The voting ended on Monday, December 25th.
“With thousands of Amelia Earhart fans and admirers casting their vote for us—every day until Christmas—we think the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum can soar to the top spot,” said Mindi Love Pendergraft, the museum’s executive director. The museum is the only one in the Midwest among the 16 nominated museums. (Hays Post)
Hays City Commissioners will get a $10,000.00 annual pay increase starting in January
HAYS—The Hays City Commissioners voted unanimously to give themselves a $10,000.00 yearly pay increase. Their monthly pay will go from $150.00 to $1,000.00. The mayor will receive $1,250.00 a month. Vice Mayor Sandy Jacobs had earlier presented the recommendation for increased compensation, the first time it had been addressed in 20 years. Commissioners said they devote 15 to 35 hours a week to City business. Hays City Commissioners are paid considerably less than their peers in several similarly sized cities and some small towns. “The $63,000.00 budget line item will come from the General Fund, which is funded by sales tax,” said Mayor Shaun Musil. According to City Manager Toby Dougherty, it amounts to 0.0014 percent of the City’s budget. “The governing body is making policy decisions guiding a $40 million budget every year into the future. The city commissions have made good, sound decisions that have led us to have essentially the lowest property taxes outside of Johnson County and have reserves funded,” Dougherty said. “We have to make sure we keep high-quality people on the board… Ithink $12,000.00 is undervalued given the time each and every commissioner has put into the position,” he said. “Hopefully, this will bring diversity by maybe replacing some hours by people who have full-time jobs that have to be away from those jobs, not only for meetings but for other responsibilities the commissioners have,” she said. (Hays Post)
Kansas high school wrestling coach accused of crimes involving children
WABAUNSEE COUNTY—On Monday, December 18th, the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about multiple allegations of offenses against minors. According to a media release, it was requested to come to the USD 329 Wabaunsee County Schools District Offices in Alma. Deputies found 30-year-old Tyler Douglass of Alma waiting for them. Evidence obtained by deputies at the District Office led to the arrest of Douglass, who was taken into custody on requested charges of Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct and Furnishing Alcohol to Minors. Douglas was transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail and later bonded out. “In light of the ongoing investigation, Mr. Douglass has been placed on administrative leave, prioritizing the safety of our students.
We are fully cooperating with law enforcement,” according to USD 329 Superintendent Troy Pitsch. “Regarding the District’s handling of this situation, the decision will be made in the best interest of our students. And any necessary updates will be communicated accordingly.” Douglass has been the Wabaunsee High School wrestling coach since December 2021. (Hays Post)
