Friday, March 28, 2008
Forwarding capability added
I just realized I can add a page element to this blog that would allow readers to forward any of my posts via e-mail to someone else. To do so, just click on the envelope near the bottom right corner of the post.
Latest poll results
The results are in for the two latest poll questions.
In response to the question asking "What is the county's biggest school rivalry in sports," the in-district Linn-Hanover rivalry was considered the biggest taking 45 of the 72 total votes (or 62%). In a distant second was the Washington County-Hanover rivalry with 12 votes and the Washington County-Linn rivalry at 8 votes. I assume the Linn-Hanover rivalry is now the biggest because they both play 8-man football and then obviously meet up in basketball. Of course they also share a district which is always a way to start a rivalry.
In response to the question "What should the future hold for the USD 223 district," there was a more even split of opinion. The majority, 32%, voted to split the district and let the schools do as they wish. This took in 21 of the 64 votes cast. In a close second were 18 votes for leaving the district as it is and in third were 16 votes to consolidate now and merge high schools later as needed. Since anyone can vote in these polls, this probably is not the best gauge of the topic since folks who have no connection to the two schools could place a vote.
Another poll will be posted soon.
In response to the question asking "What is the county's biggest school rivalry in sports," the in-district Linn-Hanover rivalry was considered the biggest taking 45 of the 72 total votes (or 62%). In a distant second was the Washington County-Hanover rivalry with 12 votes and the Washington County-Linn rivalry at 8 votes. I assume the Linn-Hanover rivalry is now the biggest because they both play 8-man football and then obviously meet up in basketball. Of course they also share a district which is always a way to start a rivalry.
In response to the question "What should the future hold for the USD 223 district," there was a more even split of opinion. The majority, 32%, voted to split the district and let the schools do as they wish. This took in 21 of the 64 votes cast. In a close second were 18 votes for leaving the district as it is and in third were 16 votes to consolidate now and merge high schools later as needed. Since anyone can vote in these polls, this probably is not the best gauge of the topic since folks who have no connection to the two schools could place a vote.
Another poll will be posted soon.
No "Day of Silence" at WCHS
I've received a few e-mail forwards questioning whether students at Washington High School will be participating in a "Day of Silence" on Friday, April 25, organized by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network in Kansas, because Washington High School was among a list of schools in Kansas that are supposed to be part of the effort.
The answer is no.
The Washington High School in question is likely the Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas, more commonly known as "KC-Washington." All of the other schools that are listed in the effort are KC Metro and Topeka schools.
Plus, our school is actually Washington "County" High School, but leaving the "County" out is still a common mistake.
WCHS Principal Phil Wilson said he heard of the e-mail rumor being connected to his school, but also agreed that he thought they meant KC-Washington.
The answer is no.
The Washington High School in question is likely the Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas, more commonly known as "KC-Washington." All of the other schools that are listed in the effort are KC Metro and Topeka schools.
Plus, our school is actually Washington "County" High School, but leaving the "County" out is still a common mistake.
WCHS Principal Phil Wilson said he heard of the e-mail rumor being connected to his school, but also agreed that he thought they meant KC-Washington.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Still no commissioner candidates
Why is it that nobody is filing for the open county commissioner seat formerly held by Marcia Funke? Marcia has already announced she will not be running for re-election, yet nobody has signed up. This area covers all of Washington and then the townships north to the state border and then west to Mahaska.
While we have nobody running for this spot (and Gene Helms is the only one to file for his current spot in his Linn/Clifton area district) our neighbors to the east have 11 people running for an open Marshall County Commissioner position and that position only lasts until November's election.
Won't anyone in Washington step up and try to help the county progress into the future?
While we have nobody running for this spot (and Gene Helms is the only one to file for his current spot in his Linn/Clifton area district) our neighbors to the east have 11 people running for an open Marshall County Commissioner position and that position only lasts until November's election.
Won't anyone in Washington step up and try to help the county progress into the future?
Cougar evidence in Kansas
An Associated Press story hit the news today about a mountain lion that was shot in Barber County, Kansas. It appears the landowner didn't know it was illegal to shoot a cougar and has been cooperating with law enforcement.
Here is a Wichita Eagle story:
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/352601.html
I'm just very pleased that this question of whether or not cougars live in Kansas can be put to rest. For years, Kansans have reported seeing the big cats (I've heard of several sightings in Washington County over the years), but the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks plays coy on the topic by saying there has been no firm confirmation and the animals may be escaped pets (if that were the case, every town would have to have a family with pet cougars.)
Of course, many sightings seem to be bogus. I've had strange stories circulate through this office many times and often it is "a hunter who is a friend of a friend has video of one that he saw from his deer stand." Of course it is always hard... impossible... to get a copy of that video. But that doesn't stop me from believing they are here. And I'll pay $100 cash to anyone who can get me a picture of a cougar that can be confirmed to have been photographed in Washington County.
While we're on the topic, feel free to leave a comment on any of your cougar sighting stories.
Here is a Wichita Eagle story:
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/352601.html
I'm just very pleased that this question of whether or not cougars live in Kansas can be put to rest. For years, Kansans have reported seeing the big cats (I've heard of several sightings in Washington County over the years), but the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks plays coy on the topic by saying there has been no firm confirmation and the animals may be escaped pets (if that were the case, every town would have to have a family with pet cougars.)
Of course, many sightings seem to be bogus. I've had strange stories circulate through this office many times and often it is "a hunter who is a friend of a friend has video of one that he saw from his deer stand." Of course it is always hard... impossible... to get a copy of that video. But that doesn't stop me from believing they are here. And I'll pay $100 cash to anyone who can get me a picture of a cougar that can be confirmed to have been photographed in Washington County.
While we're on the topic, feel free to leave a comment on any of your cougar sighting stories.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Clifton-Clyde Tribune for sale
The Clifton-Clyde Tribune, a reinvigorated small town newspaper, is for sale to someone who would like to help give a voice to the news and events in the communities of Clifton, Vining and Clyde. The newspaper has doubled in size over the last year and has drawn plenty of attention for its original news and school sports coverage, including winning several awards.
This would offer a great opportunity to an individual or group who would like to keep information flowing in the Clifton-Clyde area. The newspaper could be generated out of a home and the time commitment would work perfectly for a stay-at-hom mom or a retiree looking for something to do.
The newspaper has been profitable since its purchase on May 1 of last year, but the publisher’s time is stretched too thin to continue to be able to offer a proper local newspaper.
Financials are available for serious inquiries only.
Call publisher Dan Thalmann at 325-2219 days and 348-5768 evenings for more information.
This would offer a great opportunity to an individual or group who would like to keep information flowing in the Clifton-Clyde area. The newspaper could be generated out of a home and the time commitment would work perfectly for a stay-at-hom mom or a retiree looking for something to do.
The newspaper has been profitable since its purchase on May 1 of last year, but the publisher’s time is stretched too thin to continue to be able to offer a proper local newspaper.
Financials are available for serious inquiries only.
Call publisher Dan Thalmann at 325-2219 days and 348-5768 evenings for more information.
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