75¢ COLBY Wednesday September 17, 2014 Volume 125, Number 145 Serving Thomas County since 1888 10 pages FFREEREE PPRESSRESS Building ideas move ahead Thomas County reviewed a would be disqualified for asking draft of a “request for qualifi- a commissioner a question about cations” for architectural and the project. Berens said that type building services to plan the jail of contact likely would not dis- project at their Monday meeting, qualify a bidder but the commis- although the process still needs sioner should direct the bidder to several steps of approval. the project contact person. The At their Sept. 9 meeting, the commissioners later decided they commissioners decided to pursue want that contact person to be a design-build project model in Commissioner Mike Baughn. which the same contractor both Steele also wanted to know if designs and builds the building. he was prohibited from contact- This requires a public hearing pri- ing potential bidders to encourage or to issuing a request for qualifi- them to participate. cations. “The whole point of this is to Music flourishes into fall The commissioners had several get people to submit their infor- questions about the process for mation and do it through an or- “The President’s Own” County Attorney Kevin Berens, derly process,” Berens said. United States Marine who participated in the meeting by Steele said he did not feel local Band (top) started the telephone, most centering around bidders would get involved unless music season with a what contact county officials can they were encouraged to bid. flourish of brass Sunday, have with bidders. “An elected public official is the under the direction of 1st Commissioner Paul Steele Lt. Ryan Nowlin. Mem- asked Berens whether a bidder See “BUILDING,” Page 2 bers of the brass section (left) stood in front of the band (left) for its section solo during “Semper Fi- Dialogue seeks delis.” Other soloists add- ed a special note to the program as well, includ- ing trumpeter Gunnery Sgt. Brad Weil (below lower violence left) in the Kenny Baker jazz number “Virtuosity” By Sam Dieter there along with members of the and Gunnery Sgt. Sara Colby Free Press coalition and her own group. She Del’Omo, (below) who [email protected] said she plans plan to get ideas sang “Popular.” from people here on what sort of Organizations here devoted to training they want to have. combating domestic violence plan “We kind of want to see what an event in Colby to get ideas the community is interested in,” from citizens on how to solve this Leuenberger said. problem. Joining her will be Ivonn Var- Options Domestic and Sexual gas, an Options advocate based Violence Services and the Kansas in Colby, and Dennis Becking, an Coalition Against Sexual and Do- advocate based in Hays. mestic Violence will hold a “com- Leuenberger said she has munity dialogue” on Thursday, employees from Colby Public MARIAN BALLARD and EVAN Sept. 25. There will be a breakfast Schools, Colby Community Col- BARNUM/Colby Free Press and meet and greet from 8:30 a.m. lege and Thomas County Emer- to 9 a.m., followed by the discus- gency Management Services sion until 11, at the Law Enforce- signed up to attend. She encour- ment Training Center downtown. ages law enforcement officers, Options regularly puts on train- social workers, lawyers and busi- ing to help people handle domestic ness and religious leaders to come violence, said Executive Director to the meeting. Sharon Leuenberger, who will be Sentencing delayed again The sentencing of a former state chants Bank of Colby of $465,100. legislator suspected of defrauding He asked the bank for three loans a Colby bank has been delayed a totaling that amount, saying that second time. he would use the money to buy Trent LeDoux was supposed cattle that would act as collateral to to be sentenced Monday, the for the loans. Instead, he put some Topeka-Capital Journal reported, of the money in his political cam- but the sentencing was moved paign account and used some of it forward. Court records show to pay off previous debts. LeDoux’s attorney Richard Lake Jim Cross, a spokesman for is filing to a continuance because U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom’s he has a surgery scheduled Thurs- office, said after LeDoux pleaded day. The sentencing has been con- guilty that Grissom would ask tinued twice now; it had originally for full restitution to Farmers be set for August. and Merchants. But Grissom had LeDoux pleaded guilty in May planned to ask for the restitution for defrauding Farmers and Mer- at the sentencing. Youths to compete in statewide livestock show Two Colby youths are among those from across When the competition is complete, grand and re- and in 4-H or FFA. Last year, a total of $20,500 went the state,” said President Brian Creager of Emporia. the state who entered 1,733 head of animals for the serve champion steers, hogs, lambs and goats will to 12 exhibitors. The scholarship program is funded Separate from the selection of species champions, 82nd annual Kansas Junior Livestock Show. sell during the Auction of Champions at 7 p.m. next primarily through private contributions and income a showmanship contest will be held. The top show- Makayla Hoffman will exhibit a steer and two Monday. The public is welcome and encouraged to generated by the Beefeaters Barbecue prior to the man in both the junior and senior divisions of each heifers in categories for market steer, Angus breed- support the event by bidding on livestock. In many sale. Tickets to the barbecue, which will begin at species will receive a silver belt buckle. Prizes also ing heifer and beef showmanship, while Cassie cases, exhibitors of the winning animals use the 5:30 p.m., are $65 and can be purchased at the door Wells entered two meat goats in meat goat, commer- money to help pay for college educations and buy that evening or in advance by calling Betsy Ander- See “LIVESTOCK,” Page 2 cial doe kid and goat showmanship. next year’s livestock. son at (316) 706-9750. Seven hundred sixty 4-H and FFA members from Before to the auction, the show will present schol- “(The show) is a great chance for our livestock- 90 counties will compete Saturday through Monday arships ranging from $750 to $2,500 to exhibitors producing youth to participate at a higher level of at the Kansas Pavilions in Wichita. who have excelled in school, in community service competition and interact with others from throughout Page 2 Colby Free Press Wednesday, September 17, 2014 Area/State Weather Briefly The deadline for Briefly is noon the day before. Items submitted in the morning will be set up for the following day, space available. The deadline for Monday’s paper is noon Friday. Orchestra starts, looking for players The Pride of the Prairie Orchestra has started rehearsals. Everyone interested in playing is invited to rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Colby Community College band room, in the Cultural Arts Center. For questions, call Mary Shoaff, (785) 462-2159, or Janet Hopson, (785) 462-5102. National Weather Service Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Pets ready for adoption after midnight. Partly cloudy, at animal clinic with a low around 61. Southeast Looking for a pet? Colby Animal wind 5 to 10 mph. Clinic has three little black kittens Thursday: Sunny, with a high available for adoption. Lost or strayed near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph Tuning up to play animals are often brought to the clinic. increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the Call or stop by 810 E. Fourth St. All ani- afternoon. MARIAN BALLARD/Colby Free Press mals have current shots, and costs are Thursday Night: Mostly Every performance involves a lot of backstage minimal. For questions, call 460-8621. clear, with a low around 63. work, as the Marine Band and it’s support crew can South wind around 15 mph. testify. Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Higgs (above) checked Friday: A 30 percent chance the sound system before the show Sunday, just Retired teachers to of showers and thunderstorms, one of the steps necessary for getting ready. meet for lunch, program mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sun- Meanwhile, band members (right) warmed up on The Northwest Prairie Winds retired ny, with a high near 86. Breezy, their instruments before the show. teachers will meet for lunch at noon with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, Tuesday at Beyond the Mug, 365 N. with gusts as high as 35 mph. Franklin, moving to the Prairie Museum Friday Night: A 50 percent of Art and History for a program after chance of showers and thun- Youths to compete in livestock show lunch. All retired teachers are welcome, derstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a along with family or friends. For infor- low around 61. From “LIVESTOCK,” Page 1 be consigned. Sale proceeds will go toward level livestock judging contest early in the mation or a reservation, contact Penny Saturday: Mostly sunny, with the foundation’s Youth in Agriculture schol- season. Arnoldy at (785) 460-6944 or at par- a high near 80. will be awarded for second through fifth arships. The show is sponsored by the Kansas [email protected]. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, place in each division. The Mid-America Classic Collegiate Livestock Association, Kansas State Uni- with a low around 56. The Kansas Livestock Foundation will Livestock Judging Contest also will be held versity and the Agri-Business Council of Divorce recovery class Sunday: Sunny, with a high sponsor a club calf show and sale Saturday.