75¢ COLBY Friday February 21, 2014 Volume 125, Number 30 Serving Thomas County since 1888 10 pages FFREEREE PPRESSRESS Courses to follow career paths By Sam Dieter more likely to stay here long-term. Colby Free Press The board agreed to the new [email protected] agribusiness pathway when it ap- proved course recommendations The Colby School Board ap- at the January meeting. Wieland proved new career-related high was not at this month’s meeting to school courses Monday night. explain the other pathways. A total of four new career-based The career courses the board high school course “pathways” approved last month included 36 were approved for next school individual pathways broken down R.B. HEADLEY and HEATHER ALWIN/Colby Free Press year, one in agribusiness, one in into six areas: environment and Colby High School boys basketball players (above) had pink T-shirts to warm up for their “Pink Zone” games Tuesday night criminal corrections and two in agriculture; business, marketing to raise awareness of cancer and its effects on the community. A silent auction was set up to help 18-year-old Alisa Finley teaching. The district Coordinat- and management; human resourc- (center) cross a few items off her “bucket list;” she has a terminal brain tumor. Colby and Goodland High students joined to ing Council approved the rec- es and services; health sciences; form a circle of support as area cancer survivors were honored (below left) between varsity games. Cotton candy was also ommendations at the end of last industrial, manufacturing and part of “Pink Night” for cancer awareness, and these two youngsters (bottom right) were certainly enjoying the treat. month. engineering systems; arts, com- During the January board meet- munications and information; and ing, Curriculum Director Diana 16 smaller categories. The state Wieland, representing the council, comes up with the pathways, she told the board about pathways. said, and then the high schools de- Friends help senior out The school already had classes cide which ones to teach to. related to agribusiness and power, In other business, the board: By Heather Alwin party, traveling, swimming with structural and technical systems, • Voted to extend Superinten- Colby Free Press dolphins and more. she said. Now it will also teach dent Terrel Harrison’s contract [email protected] Some of the items on her list classes related to agriculture sci- through 2015. The board then are things she can do here, like ences, animal science, biotechnol- went into two closed sessions with A Colby senior is checking learning to shoot a gun. The Colby ogy in agriculture, food products Harrison for a total of 45 minutes items off her “bucket list,” thanks Police Department is planning to and processing systems and plant to discuss nonelected personnel. to help from dozens of community help her check that one off her list. systems. A new teaching pathway, No action was taken at the end of members. This weekend, she’ll check an- Wieland said, would encourage either of the two sessions. Eighteen-year-old Alisa Finley, other one off: tasting every cheese- students to take up teaching in daughter of Robert and Teresa cake flavor at the Cheesecake Fac- Colby, and these teacher might be See “COURSES,” Page 2 Finley, was diagnosed with a brain tory restaurant. tumor in July 2012 after bouts of Originally, doctors thought her nausea and not being able to see illness might be sinus trouble, but well out of her right eye. a CT scan revealed the tumor. Ali- Her tumor is aggressive and sa was quickly sent to Children’s Tower facelift doctors have reached the limit of Hospital in Aurora, Colo., where what they can do. she underwent more diagnostic Now, Alisa has a list of 48 things tests and surgeries. she wants to do while she’s alive During her first surgery, doctors and the community is coming to- removed about 90 percent of the to start in May gether to help. Fund raisers are be- tumor, drained much of the fluid By Heather Alwin cal service from Midwest Energy ing held and volunteers are signing from a cyst on the tumor and in- Colby Free Press Inc. McGreer said the new con- up to make her dreams happen. serted a port in her chest where she [email protected] tract is not “wildly more expen- A kiss from actor Channing Ta- could receive medications instead sive” than the previous one, but tum tops Alisa’s list, followed by Colby’s “spider” water tower that prices will vary based on the indoor sky diving, throwing a big See “SENIOR,” Page 2 will get a facelift, thanks to a market costs of power. $466,322 contract City Council Ordered cleanup of a “motor ve- members approved at their meet- hicle nuisance” at 750 N. Franklin ing Tuesday. Ave. on property owned by Wheat Utility Service Co. Inc., based Lippelmann. City Building Of- in Atlanta, will begin the eight- ficial Terry Overton reported the week maintenance project in May. six vehicles located on the prop- Residents should not experience erty are not operational and do not any interruptions or changes in have current tags, violating the service during the project, said city’s code against junked motor city Public Works Director Omar vehicles parked on private prop- Weber. erty. The council’s order gives Renovations and repairs will in- Lippelmann 10 days to appeal the clude pressure-washing the exte- decision or fix the problem. rior, repairing rust spots, painting Heard a report from McGreer inside and out, cleaning the inte- that the police department is look- rior with an abrasive blast, install- ing for a new officer after one re- ing an overflow screen and replac- signed and that he is organizing ing a roof vent and interior ladder. pool staff for the summer. The proposal had been pre- Discussed the popularity of the sented to the council members at city’s walking trail. Mayor Gary a previous meeting, but perfor- Adrian said the trail was “full” mance bond language had to be when he visited it Saturday. Mc- added into the contract by state Greer said he plans to discuss law, said City Manager Tyson restrooms for the trail at a fu- McGreer. The bond requirements ture meeting. The city budgeted raised the price of the contract, $50,000 for the project this year said McGreer, but were required but a re-design could change the because of its size. costs, he said. Snowy roads blamed for semi rollover In other business, the council: Received a little over $39,000 Approved a contract for electri- from the Thomas County Coali- Two Colorado men were hurt Thursday headed west on the freeway in a 2013 Freight- Ayers and his partner, Rodney G. Achen, tion to pay for a consultant to help morning when their semi-trailer rig rolled after liner at 9:14 a.m. He apparently lost control on 52, Lakewood, Colo., who were both wearing the city develop a master plan for trying to pass a snow plow on a snowpacked the freshly-packed snow while trying to pass a seat belts, were taken to Gove County Hospi- walking and biking trails. Mc- section of Interstate 70. Kansas Department of Transportation plow a tal, where they were examined and transferred. Greer said that money should pay The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that mile west of Quinter. The semi rolled off the Hospital staff would not say where they had for almost all of the study’s cost. Robert S. Ayers, 54, of Morrison, Colo., was north side of the road and hit a fence. been sent. BUILD YOUR HOME FASTER & STRONGER WITH WARDCRAFT! Pella windows, Moen faucets, 2x6 construction, Spider Fiber blown insulation & 18 cabinet choices STANDARD. Custom build. SHOW HOME OPEN HOUSE: Clay Center III Springfield II Brighton III Alexandria I ACROSS FROM BEST WESTERN 1610 MAIN ST SCOTT CITY FRI FEB 28th 10-4 & 6-8PM SAT MARCH 1st 10-4 Over 5,250 homes FREE 116 Page Catalog! Wardcraft Homes built since 1971 Channel Like us on Facebook 1-888-927-3272 www.wardcraft.com Page 2 Colby Free Press Friday, February 21, 2014 Area/State Weather Colby pharmacist to move Briefly Pharmacist Mike Larmer is leav- prescriptions and administering immuni- The deadline for Briefly is noon the day before. The deadline for Mon- ing Colby for “greener” pastures, a job zations. day’s paper is noon Friday. working for Walgreens in Garden City. Smith said Larmer enjoyed interacting Larmer started working at Palace Drug with customers and liked to keep track School Carnival coming on Sunday Store in 1987, straight out of pharmacy of them personally. Larmer’s decision to The Sacred Heart School Carnival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. school, and has worked with owners leave “was a surprise for us,” he said. Sunday at the school. Come enjoy games, food and a drawing. For infor- Randy and Linda Smith ever since. A store Facebook post says “We wish mation, call Laura Schwarz at 460-2813. Although the store is looking for a re- him lots of luck and all the best in his placement, Smith said there will be no endeavors in Garden City. We will miss changes to the services they offer their Mike Larmer you!” Church invites everyone to sing hymns clients, since Smith will continue filling If you like the old hymns, make plans to enjoy an evening of nothing but hymn singing at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Berean Bible Fellowship Church.