Colby Thursday March 4, 2021 Volume 132, Number 35 Freeree Pressress Serving Thomas County Since 1888 6 Pages F P
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75¢ COLBY Thursday March 4, 2021 Volume 132, Number 35 FREEREE PRESSRESS Serving Thomas County since 1888 6 pages F P Vote to keep old building frowned on By Deitra Wedd out front of a $22 million project.” Colby Free Press In the original plan, a new stor- [email protected] age building was to be installed behind the Justice Center, planned When Thomas County commis- to house the jail, law enforcement, sioners passed a motion Friday to courts and related offices. The two keep a metal building behind the commissioners said replacing the old Law Enforcement Center for storage building would be too ex- storage, they ignored the wishes pensive. of the county’s district judge. “In the last six months to a The motion passed with board year,” Commissioner Flipse re- members Brad Flipse and Brian sponded, “the price of material Luedke approving the motion and for building has doubled. Yeah, Chairman Mike Baughn against. change orders are not good. It’d Baughn then asked District Judge be better if we didn’t have to have Kevin Berens for his opinion. any. But the price of putting up a “I think from the very begin- building has doubled.” Cookie time ning of this project, the contract Baughn said it’s going to cost says that building was going to be them to leave this one up, too. removed,” the judge replied. “We “If you change from our current spent $22 million on a building contract, it’s going to cost you GirlScout cookies are back! It’s a time when the sweets come out and and we’re going to leave trash on with the architect and it’s going to dietsgo away. the front step? I think it’s stupid to cost you with the construction, be- Twoof the seven Colby troops were out over the weekend selling their leave it; it was part of the process cause the plan is already there,” he goodies.Saturday, Cadets 10181 were in the parking lot of Farmers and to remove it from the very begin- said. “It was approved a long time MerchantsBank on West Fourth Street, and Sunday, Cadets 10207 were ning. ago. That building was always go- sellingin front of the Thomas County Office Complex on Range Avenue. “Commission(ers) already ap- ing to be taken out of there. Thewind made for a bit of a chill, and one cadet (above) sought shelter proved the plan, so if you’re going “So why are we changing the withcookies stashed in the back of someone’s car. Flagging down potential to go around changing your mind, car in the middle of the street? It customers(right), a Scout took her turn holding up an advertising banner that’s what causes change orders. doesn’t make sense. Besides, I atthe bank, before picking out the boxes for an order (below). Ultimately, it is your decision, but think the public blowback of this Anew model this year, Toast-yay, a frosted French toast-inspired cookie, I think the community ought to (will be) something we don’t want wasexamined by a curious customer (bottom). “ know that the commission is go- to live with.” Saleswere better than I thought,” said Jackie Norman, leader of the ing to leave an old building sitting troopsin Colby, of Saturday’s sales. “Anything over 100 boxes I consider successful,”she said, adding that the girls sold about 150. Asthe sales will continue through the month, more chances to satisfy yoursweet tooth are coming up. EVANBARNUM/Colby Free Press Art on the Oasis starts on Friday The annual Art on the Oasis year.” show returns to Colby Commu- In addition to area entries, par- nity College on Friday and will ticipating artists come from east- run through the weekend in the ern Colorado, southern Nebraska, Bedker Memorial Complex and Hays, Great Bend, Phillipsburg the Cultural Arts Center gallery. and Garden City. The show features works by high The judge will be Fort Hays school, amateur and professional State University sculpture profes- artists from around the region. sor Tobias Flores. The opening gala will be from 6 “There will be a variety of piec- to 9 p.m. in both buildings on Fri- es that include abstract and non- day, and the show continues from representational, paintings, draw- noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and from ings, sculpture, weaving, metal noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. work, ceramics, photography, and “We’ll have food, music, awards mixed media,” Mahieu said. and opportunities to purchase art,” Admission is free. Masks are re- said art instructor Rebel Mahieu. quired and some will be available “We had more than 400 entries for those who do not have one. For and five high schools participateinformation, call Mahieu at (785) last year and expect as many this 269-7065. Concealed carry bill advances in House By Andy Tsubasa Field that allow high schools to prohibit Associated Press guns on school grounds, accord- Report for America ing to the Kansas Association of School Boards and the Kansas TOPEKA – Kansas House National Education Association, members advanced a bill Wednes- which opposes the bill. day that would lower the legal Rep. Stephen Owens, a Hesston age to carry concealed firearmsRepublican, led the move on the in Kansas from 21 to 18 for those House floor and said his interest who complete a background check stems in part from someone at- and undergo safety training. tempting to abduct his college-age Eighteen, 19-, and 20-year-old daughter at a Wichita gas station Kansans can already carry fire- last year. As a 20-year-old, she arms in the open in Kansas. Pro- wasn’t eligible to carry a con- ponents of lowering the age for cealed gun. concealed carry said that those “It’s that simple: Either they under 21 can serve in the military are adults at 18, or they are not, and are eligible to vote. Oppo- and we need to plan accordingly,” nents countered that those under Owens told the Associated Press. 21 are less mature and more prone “They can serve in our military, to risk-taking they can vote, they can do vari- If passed, the bill would sig- nificantly increase the number ofSee “BILL,” Page 2 university and college students in Kansas eligible to carry concealed firearms on campus. But the legis- lation won’t change current laws Page 2 Colby Free Press Thursday, March 4, 2021 Area/State Weather Concealed carry bill advances Briefly The deadline for Briefly is noon the From “BILL,” Page 1 have concealed carry on our “There’s a sad truth that The bill also would expand day before and for Monday’s paper, campus so that faculty would women are targets, especially as the state’s recognition of con- noon Friday. Items submitted in the ous other things as adults. They feel comfortable not worrying we’re going from our cars into cealed carry permits for out- morning will be set up for the follow- should have the right to protect about what might happen if they our buildings,” Estes said. of-state visitors who carry their ing day. themselves.” give someone a bad grade or Eleven states allow those who own state’s permits. The House rejected amend- you get in a disagreement with are 18 to carry a concealed fire- The bill needs a final vote ments from Democrats that a student, or they don’t want to arm, according to the United before it goes to the Senate for Gem Lions plan chili included banning concealed be hired by us because they see States Concealed Carry Associ- consideration. drive-thru Saturday weapons in the statehouse and because we put on our website ation, one of the largest firearm- The Gem Lions invite everyone to for allowing universities to decide – and we have to – that we are owner groups in the country. Andy Tsubasa Field is a take-out-only chili, the “Covid version” whether to allow concealed car- a concealed carry campus,” Bal- The House Federal and State corps member for the Associ- of a Soup Day, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ry on campuses. lard said. Affairs Committee held a hear- ated Press/Report for America Saturday at the Gem Community Build- Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Law- Rep. Susan Estes, a Wichita ing on the bill, but the chairman Statehouse News Initiative. Re- ing. Net proceeds will go to community rence Democrat and administra- Republican, said she was ha- opted not to hold a vote. State port for America is a nonprofit betterment projects, sight programs and tor at the University of Kansas, rassed by a stalker when she was Rep. Stephen Owens, a Hesston national service program that education. For information, contact said many of her constituents are a college student, leading her to Republican, then offered it as an places journalists in local news- Sandy Johnson at (785) 443-2297. concerned about the proposal. quit her job and her parents to amendment to another bill on rooms to report on undercov- “I would like for us not to move homes. the floor. ered issues. Colby grad to talk about Mars exploration Colby native Sarah Lamm, a former National Weather Service member of the Mars Curiosity Rover Tonight: Showers and pos- Travel quarantine list amended team, will talk about Mars explora- sibly a thunderstorm before 3 tion for the Dr. Max Pickerill Lecture a.m., then a chance of showers. TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of and Madagascar; Czechia, or the Czech Re- department’s Covid website.