Kansas Klips

Herndon man discovers rare coin Our Readers!

HERNDON — Jerry “Jake” Sattler made an intriguing discovery recently while salvaging some Call 425-6354 World War II-era fans for refurbishing. Sattler, a Herndon native, has been self-employed for the last 20 years and does restoration work on a variety of items. As he moved a box out of the way, what appeared to be a piece of metal fell to the ground. Sattler picked it up and put it in his pocket, believing it was a button. Upon closer inspection later, he realized it was a gold dollar coin, dated 1863. Gold coin denominations were first minted in 1849, and only for a period of 50 years. Production slowed during the Civil War, and 1863 was the first year to drop from a mintage of more than one million to 6,200, making the coin Sattler found particularly rare. The coin Sattler found is only 15 millimeters wide and smaller than a dime. It was produced only by the Philadelphia mint and is known by collectors as the “Large head Indian Princess” design. The coin was minted several years before Rawlins County was explored or settled by non-native inhabitants. (Rawlins County Square Deal)

Hill City activity bus gets stuck in Oberlin

OBERLIN — After the Oberlin Invitational Track Meet on May 4, the Hill City activities bus got stuck in the roadway at an Oberlin intersection. The bus, a large 50-passenger over-the-road model, got hung up making the turn at a corner, and it took a lot of “man and machine” to free the bus, after an hour and a half of working at it. At one time, the bus driver said he thought about half of the people in Oberlin were down there trying to help get the bus off of that hump. Several people in the area opened their homes and bathrooms for the Hill City athletes. Most of the 28 students on the bus ended up walking to Subway to eat. Plans were being made to send another bus from Hill City to get the kids. Finally a large truck with a winch was able to free the bus. (The Oberlin Herald)

Chicken farmer dedicated to heritage breeds

LINDSBORG — When Matt Hemmer was a kid, he would help his dad with the cattle on their family farm in North Dakota. But when Hemmer turned 11, his dad sold the land and moved to Kansas to start a business. Now more than four decades later, Hemmer is back on the land, raising chickens, sheep and some cattle, including Wagyu, at Smoky Buttes Ranch. But his farm in Lindsborg is different from the one Hemmer grew up on, as he is now committed to preserving heritage breeds of chicken. He also is helping a Scottish breed of sheep flourish. All his chickens and sheep are endangered species. Hemmer is meticulous in his record-keeping, labeling each egg that he incubates and updating data continually. By doing stringent inventory control, he is able to ensure each breed’s longevity and strength. Hemmer sells his chicks nationwide, which helps to keep each of his breeds from going extinct. (Salina Journal)

Atwood woman gets first IVL treatment in Nebraska

ATWOOD — Pauline Micek of Atwood considers herself fortunate to be the first person to undergo a Shockwave Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) in Nebraska. It was administered at Great Plains Health in North Platte, the only hospital in Nebraska to offer this technology. People who battle heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease, as they grow older and their disease progresses, plaque in the arteries evolves into calcium deposits which can narrow the artery. Physicians often use stents to open an artery, but there are risks. The new Shockwave IVL allows physicians to fracture the problematic calcium so that the artery can be safely opened, offering a low-risk option to patients and minimizes trauma, while optimizing outcomes and simplifying procedures. (Rawlins Square Deal)

Twins graduate from Salina Tech in the same field of study

SALINA — Rarely do a pair of twins find that they share similar interests, let alone want to pursue the same field of study in higher education. Recently Beronica and Marcelle Cruz walked the stage to each receive an associate of applied science degree in electrical technology from Salina Tech. Marcelle said the two were deciding between electrical and HVAC education, and both chose the electrical route because it seemed more interesting and helpful. “We’re trying to go into a field that girls don’t naturally go into,” Marcelle said. Learning in the same field had its advantages, as the two were able to help each other while preparing for tests and assignments. Marcelle is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree through Kansas State, and she hopes to achieve a master electrician’s license and become an electrical manager. (Salina Journal)

Freddy’s breaks ground on new restaurant prototype

SALINA — A Kansas staple will be opening a new kind of restaurant in Salina soon after officially breaking ground last week. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers is planning to open a drive-thru and walk-up only location, the first of its kind for the company. There will be no indoor seating as the restaurant is geared toward the mobile guest. There will also be a patio of around 40 seats for customers who want to walk up to the restaurant and enjoy outdoor dining. Like many other projects in Kansas and around the country, construction has been a difficult thing to do with costs of supplies growing significantly and because of the demand during the pandemic. (Salina Journal)

Kansas college president accused of muting free speech fired

LAWRENCE — The embattled president of Haskell Indian Nations University has been fired following an internal investigation into complaints that he violated the free speech rights of faculty and students. Ronald Graham, who began his presidency in May 2020, was dismissed Friday after the Bureau of Indian Education sent a team to the Lawrence campus last month to do an administrative review, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. Graham, an Army veteran, said in a statement that he took an oath to protect the U.S. Constitution. “I have been accused of violating a student’s 1st Amendment rights and now those of the faculty. I would never do this intentionally or otherwise. I love our flag and this country and fought to protect it,” Graham said. The Faculty Senate unanimously declared last month it had no confidence in Graham, alleging he had shown disdain for the free speech rights of students and faculty and a disregard for academic freedom. The editor of Haskell’s student newspaper, Jared Nelly, sued after Graham sent a directive to him detailing what he could report and write about in the paper. Graham rescinded that order in January. (Lawrence Journal-World)