Hays couple supports geology program, fundraising campaign at Fort Hays State

HAYS -- Curtis and Renee Longpines’ gift will support three specific funds through the Fort Hays State University Foundation.

The largest part, 60 percent, is designated for scholarships for FHSU’s Geology Field Camp, a course that teaches students a broad range of applied field techniques and procedures at sites such as Colorado’s Dinosaur National Park, the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado and the San Rafael Swell of Utah.

For Curtis Longpine, who earned a bachelor’s in geology from FHSU and is co-owner of DaMar Resources in Hays, an area close to his heart is the Geology Field Camp. He knows how crucial it is to students.

“Field camp is our six-credit, required capstone course,” said Dr. Ken Neuhauser, professor of geosciences and co-director of the field camp. “This is a final exam of four years of book work.”

In the field, students conduct individual and team projects, mapping and collection samples.

The camp is not optional, said Neuhauser, and the cost for the camp is approximately $2,000 for each student, covering tuition, camping fees and equipment, and the Longpines’ gift makes the experience possible.

The Longpines split the remainder of their gift between the President’s Venture Fund and the Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund.

The Venture Fund is used by the FHSU president to present awards, build relationships, entertain, and supplement operational needs. The Longpines wish to augment the funds available to the new president of Fort Hays State University, Dr. Tisa Mason.

The Unrestricted Fund is reserved for what the Foundation and university deem the greatest needs.

To learn more about the FHSU Foundation and the Journey Campaign, visit http://foundation.fhsu.edu/, call 785-628-5620 or email foundation@fhsu.edu.

Newton Presbyterian Manor makes "best nursing home" list

NEWTON – Newton Presbyterian Manor is on the U.S. News and World Report Best Nursing Homes list for 2017-18. The senior living community received the highest score of a five-star rating system to make the list, available at usnews.com/nursinghomes.

The list uses information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the government agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing homes. CMS assigns one to five stars to each community for how well it performs in health inspections, nurse staffing and level of quality care.

Newton returns to the US News and World Report Best Nursing Homes list after a one-year absence. This is the sixth time since 2011 it has made the list.

Survey teams from the state conduct inspections in each community every 12 to 15 months. The surveys cover a checklist of about 180 items such as medication management, food preparation and delivery, proper paperwork, and resident enrichment activities.

In addition to Newton Presbyterian Manor, seven PMMA locations are on the honoree list with five-star ratings: Arkansas City, Emporia, Lawrence, Parsons and Sterling in Kansas, and Farmington and Fulton in Missouri.

Commerce Department accepting Exporter of Year nominations

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2018 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, which is presented to a single Kansas business for excellence in international trade and marketing.

The winner will be announced in June 2018 during Business Appreciation Month.

Nominated companies will be evaluated on the totality of their international efforts. Qualifications include: number or percentage increase in jobs due to international activities; innovations in global marketing; number of countries exported to; effective use of international distributors; long-range international strategies; local commitment; foreign language promotional materials and general promotional activities; trade shows and/or international expositions

“Through this award, we want to honor those businesses that are contributing to our growing Kansas economy by making it big in international markets,” said Interim Kansas Commerce Secretary Nick Jordan.

Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by any other organization or individual. Visit KansasCommerce.gov/Exporter to learn more about the award and to download nomination forms. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m., Jan. 26.

KDOR and KDOT host Kansas Ignition Interlock Conference

The Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Department of Revenue are co-sponsoring the Kansas Ignition Interlock Conference on Nov. 15 to discuss various aspects of the Kansas ignition interlock program for D.U.I. offenders.

The conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Emerald Ballroom of the Capital Plaza Hotel in Topeka.

Based on recent per capita data, Kansas is the second highest state for using ignition interlock devices, trailing only New Mexico. Iowa is ranked number three.

Attendees will learn about the evolution of the ignition interlock device, examine initiatives to regulate its installation, look at the monitoring of vendors and users and help to promote a better understanding of ignition interlocks in Kansas.

Law enforcement officers, probation officers, ignition interlock vendors, prosecutors and professionals from across the interlock spectrum will be attending this first-ever conference.

Cherry Village excels at Walk to End Alzheimer’s

GREAT BEND – Cherry Village Benevolence was recognized recently for two major accomplishments on behalf of the recent Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The long-term-care facility’s 27-member team raised $2,143, which is more than any other team. In addition, Jamie Hatfield, Cherry Village certified nurse’s aide, was a top money raiser; she collected $352.

Cherry Village personnel sold candles, Yoder meat sticks and t-shirts as part of their fundraising efforts.

All proceeds from the Alzheimer’s Walk in Great Bend are earmarked for the Central and Western Kansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said Denise Vann, outreach coordinator.

Local Walk teams raised a total of $14,456, with 21 teams and 194 walkers. Donations on behalf of the Walk are being accepted until Dec. 31.

For more information or to donate to Alzheimer’s education and research, contact Vann by calling 316-267-7333.

Barton Community College offers new Scales Technician program

GREAT BEND – Scales Technician classes will begin Jan. 8 as Barton Community College launches its newest program.

The program is completed in one semester of vigorous training and preparing students for the weights & measures industry upon completion.

Scales are a vital part of agriculture and many other commercial businesses, but installing, maintaining and certifying them is a job easily overlooked by the public. They are used every day for items like grains, fertilizers, feedlots, railroad cars, grocery stores, packing companies, pawn shops and much more. Anywhere money changes hands in some fashion based on weight, commercial scales are used and required to be certified by state statute.

The industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers as many workers begin to retire.

Barton’s Scales Technician Program consists of 25 credit hours in one semester with students in class for extended periods of time. Students focus on a course for one to two weeks, accomplishing the same number of hours put in throughout a traditional semester.

The first-week students cover ‘tech math’, the math basics needed to do the job. From there, students take computer concepts, learn AD and DC electronics, safety and regulations, how to certify both analog and digital scales and finally acquire a class A or B Commercial Driver’s License.

“This is the only program of its kind in the Midwest,” Martin said. “The State of Kansas will recognize this certificate as the training to get your certificate from the state to certify scales. Once working with a company, the state will provide you a license to certify scales.”

Often scale techs live far from headquarters and work alone, so motivation and dedication are crucial factors in this line of work. Hard work is noticed in a growing job market, and government regulations help provide scale technicians with job security.

For more information, please contact Instructor and Coordinator of Agriculture Vic Martin at martinv@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-7207.