75¢ COLBY Friday October 3, 2014 Volume 125, Number 155 Serving Thomas County since 1888 10 pages FFREEREE PPRESSRESS Landfill to purchase new loader The landfill will get a new load- needed for something else. But he er soon, at a cost of $275,480 plus said he was open to doing what- finance charges, the county com- ever the commissioners wanted missioners decided at their Tues- done. day meeting. Commissioner Paul Steele said Foley Equipment, which sells it did not make sense to him to Caterpillar products, submitted borrow money elsewhere to have the only bid for the loader and will cash on hand. accept the landfill’s 1995 loader After discussion, the commis- with a trade-in credit of $42,000. sioners voted to accept the Fol- When the bids were opened ey bid and pay $56,000 down, early in the meeting, Landfill Su- thereby lowering the payments to pervisor Larry Jumper asked the around $37,000, below the land- commissioners to give him time fill’s budgeted amount for the to analyze his budget before de- loader. ciding whether to accept the bid. In other business, the commis- He returned later in the meeting sioners Colby spirits on (bon)fire after discussing the costs with Fol- • Discussed a $104,644 check ey salesman Dustin Daniels, say- from the state’s oil and gas tax ing he had only budgeted $38,000 funds. Steele said this is the last per year for the lease payments on year the county will receive the oil the new loader and the proposed and gas funds, which were origi- payment of $53,266 was over his nally designed to be held in a trust budget. He and Daniels offered in case the county’s mineral pro- the commissioners the option to duction decreased dramatically. extend the lease payment by two The funds can now be spent for years, which would increase the other county purposes. interest rate from 2.25 percent to • Estimated $970,949 in annual 2.50 percent, or to make a down sales tax revenue for 2014, over payment on the loader from an un- $100,000 more than the budget budgeted landfill account. expected. Steele said the money Jumper said he preferred the op- would likely be spent on some un- tion of extending the lease for two expected bills received for crimi- years so that he could keep the cash reserve on hand in case it is See “LANDFILL,” Page 2 Cornhusking SAM DIETER/Colby Free Press next weekend Sabryn O’Gara (top) got in Oakley plans to welcome the day with the VIP Corn Cook-Off. the homecoming mood with public and Smoky Hills Public Businesses displaying a Home- the help of a hammer and Television to the Kansas State town Team VIP Corn Cook-Off an old car before the bon- Cornhusking Championships next sticker in their windows are par- fire Thursday night. Football Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11. ticipants who hope you will come players and coaches took The Buffalo Bill Cultural Cen- in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to taste the first swings at the old ter invites everyone to Oakley’s and vote for your favorite. car with a sledgehammer, 43rd annual cornhusking contest Friday afternoon, huskers from but the younger kids (above) and festival. The television station all over the state will be wel- got their turn as well. This will be making a program about comed with a reception beginning morning, Elizabeth Koel (at how Oakley celebrates and shares at 3 p.m. as they get into town and left, above right), Jayla He- the heritage of hand husking each register at the cultural center for lus and Tristen Buchholz year with a contest and festival Saturday’s contest. practiced their waves for the that showcases the town. Kansans of any age can enter Homecoming parade. Colby The festival will kick off down- cheerleaders Jayla Helus town on Center Avenue on Fri- See “CORNHUSKING,” Page 2 (left, at right), Kate Kuper and Jennilee Gray led their classmates in some cheers once the bonfire was lit. Wind blamed for blackout Strong winds apparently broke Director Omar Weber. The wind off tree branches early this morn- must have broken off a branch ing, which took out the power to which blew into the city’s north the north side of Colby. feeder line. The branch tripped a As far as the city can tell, that’s breaker for the substation that line what caused the power to go out feeds at the power plant, killing for 10 or 12 minutes, starting just power for the north side of town Oakley hospital joins network after 3 a.m. said Public Works but leaving it on in the south. By Sam Dieter Hospital. “This agreement promises to bring of other affiliated hospitals visited the board Police concerned Colby Free Press new resources and services to our hospital to of directors, which eventually decided to join [email protected] ensure we continue to meet the health care the network. needs of our community.” Howard described the driving force behind by rash of flag thefts Oakley’s hospital is hoping to get access On Monday the hospital signed an affiliation the decision as “just the turbulent healthcare to more physician services and cut costs on agreement with Englewood, Colorado-based industry.” Joining the network, she said, can Colby Police want help from stand that several other thefts healthcare supplies by joining a network of Centura Health, becoming one of 15 hospitals help the hospital keep costs for healthcare the public solving numerous have taken place which have Kansas and Colorado healthcare providers. in Colorado and Western Kansas in the net- supplies down. Shawna Deal, community re- flag thefts from yards around not been reported. “We are very excited to affiliate with Cen- work. Logan County Hospital is the second lations coordinator for St. Catherine Hospital town. Police are offering a reward tura Health, for the opportunities that will hospital in Kansas to be affiliated with Cen- in Garden City, which is managed by Centura, In the last month, officers for information leading to the be afforded to our patients, organization and tura, after Goodland Regional Medical Center. pointed out that costs for all kinds of supplies have taken seven reports of sto- arrest of those behind the thefts, community,” said Darcy Howard, interim Howard said the agreement was about six are rising in this day and age. len American flags and the flags the amount of which is still be- chief executive officer of the Logan County months in the making. In addition to managing costs, Howard of different colleges from resi- ing negotiated. If you have in- “We were invited to sit at some meetings said the agreement will help the hospital of- dents’ yards across town. Two formation about the thefts, you that Centura put on,” Howard said. “We got to fer a broader range of services. Hospitals in flag poles were stolen along are asked to call the Colby Po- know a little more about them.” with the flags, Chief Ron Al- lice Department at 460-4460. Representatives from the network and heads See “HOSPITAL,” Page 2 exander said, and police under- Page 2 Colby Free Press Friday, October 3, 2014 Area/State Weather Lookin’ 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 good for Monday’s paper is noon Friday. Alzheimer workshop Wednesday at college “Know the 10 Signs,” a workshop presented by the Alzheimer’s As- sociation and sponsored by Citizens Medical Center, will be held at noon and again at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Colby Community college Student Union, Room 106. If you or someone you know is experiencing SAM DIETER memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Early de- Colby Free Press tection of Alzheimer’s disease gives you a chance to begin treatment and Eric Schuette (right) plan for the future. For information call Jeanene Brown at 460-4850. spruced up with some help from his friend Zach Young Group plans dance at American Legion A public dance is planned for 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Colby Ameri- at the jersey auc- can Legion Hall. Ray Gerver will provide music. Everyone welcome. For tion Thursday night information, call Lue Duffey at (785) 269-7057. before Colby High’s yearly homecoming bonfire. Life Chain Sunday at Fourth and Range Join the Thomas County Life Chain from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, as an ecumenical group lines the sidewalks at Fourth and Range in Colby, holding pro-life signs and praying for an end to abortion. Individuals may call Francis and Geri Landry at 460-2258 or 443-3226 to sign up, or e-mail them at [email protected]. Meet at 2 p.m. at the Sacred Heart School gym for instructions and signs. National Weather Service Frost Advisory Tonight: Mostly clear, with a Sign up for Walk to School Day low around 35. Northwest wind Cornhusking next weekend Do you have a grade school student? Make sure they get signed up for 10 to 15 mph becoming north- this year’s national Walk to School Day Wednesday. The Thomas County Coalition hopes to get as many kids at Colby Grade School, Colby Middle west 5 to 10 mph in the evening. From “CORNHUSKING,” Page 1 onstrations: See how fleece is prepared and dyed School and Sacred Heart School at Fike Park at 7:20 a.m.