Taking a look back at 2018

Facilities studies and changes at the top were among the issues making headlines in Concordia in 2018.
Unified School District 333 and Cloud County Health Center each launched efforts to look at facilities needs.
Each of those efforts could result in a bond election on funding for the construction of new facilities and upgrades for existing ones.
The city of Concordia, Cloud County Community College, Cloud County Health Center (CCHC), the Concordia Police Department and the Concordia Chamber of Commerce welcomed new leadership during the year.
CloudCorp is looking for new leadership after executive director Ashley Hutchinson announced she was resigning in October.
The USD 333 board of education met in four separate study sessions to review possible improvement concepts and cost estimates.
Mike Mayo, principal architect with Ebert Mayo Design Group Architects & Planning Consultants, Manhattan, was contracted by the school district in 2017 to provide the school board with concepts for improvements.
The immediate needs of the district identified were the outdated science labs at the Junior-Senior High School, the junior varsity gymnasium, ADA compliance and a large footprint at the Junior-Senior High School building that is difficult to travel through.
Mayo presented the school board with a plan for improvements at a cost of $41.9 million during a study session.
After the school board reassessed its top priority items, Mayo presented a $34.4 million plan.
Discussions by the school board on facilities improvements continue.
CCHC, in conjunction with Salina Regional Health Center, announced it had embarked on a master facility planning process to address the facilities needs.
The first set of meetings took place the week of December 17. The process is expected to conclude in April, 2019.
CCHC hired TreanorHL to develop the master facility plan.
During the fall, the governmental entities, taxing bodies and boards in Cloud County, provided lists of their top priorities for the county to CloudCorp.
A modern medical facility was identified as the top priority by five of the eight lists, and was one of top two priorities on seven of those.
Three possible sites for the construction of a new medical facility will be evaluated, including the current CCHC location.
CCHC administrator  said that the facility will be designed to meet the needs of Cloud County.

July
The Kansas Department of Transportation announced the approved road construction bids including the repair of U.S. 81 bridge #056 located 0.18 miles north of U.S Highway 8/K-9 junction. PCI Roads LLC. Saint Michael Minn., was awarded the bid at the cost of $354,336.50.
The Unified School District #333 board of education approved an eight percent pay raise increase for all classified employees.
The North Central Heartland Chapter hosted the 27th Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet at the American Legion Post 76. The event had 25 live auctions, 15 silent auctions and hundreds of raffle items which raised over $20,000.
Ashley Hutchinson was selected co-chair of “Land in Kansas” which aimed at attracting investment and promoting expansion in Kansas.
Cloud County Community College Renewable Energy Technology program broke ground on its new energy-generation Sun Power Solar Farm. The solar farm, a total of 300 kilowatts of solar panels, began installment near the college's wind turbines.

August
The Marymount Alumni Association donated $30,000 to the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia to go toward the Raise for the Roof project.
The Concordia city commissioners approved a resolution to allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays within the city limits of Concordia. The commission approved this on a vote 4-1 with Mark Matthew voting against it.
Kansas Field Conference visited the Cloud Ceramics facility. Over 40 Kansas state senators and representatives from all across Kansas and personnel from Kansas government agencies toured Cloud Ceramics.
The City of Concordia named Ric Fredrickson the new Chief of the Concordia Police Department. Fredrickson was selected from a pool of 16 applicants after an extensive assessment center interview process and thorough background check. The search committee also received and reviewed feedback from commissioners, city staff and community members to make their decision.
Kansas Senator Elaine Bowers was elected president of the Executive Board of the Women's Legislative network of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

September
Cloud County Community College hosted an Drive Electric Event for the National Drive Electric Week. Four electric vehicles including a Kia Soul, a Nissan Leaf and a Tesla, were available for test ride-and-drives.
A protest petition for Sunday alcohol sales was filed with the Cloud County Clerk's Office. There was a total of 99 signatures petitioning against the city's 4-1 vote for cereal malt beverage and liquor sales on Sundays. The city of Concordia voters will decide in the November 6th general election if Sunday sales will be allowed within the city limits.
The Concordia city commissioners approved the purchase of a new ambulance to replace Medic-5, which blew a head gasket. The city bought a 2017 Ford E350 with a VIO gas engine from Osage Ambulances at the cost of $9,700.
Fall Fest celebrated its 35th Anniversary.

October
ABATE of Kansas Inc. District #9 had its 18th Annual Cloud Cloud County Toy Run on October 6. This annual Toy Run supports Toys for Tots. The parade began at Airport Park and finished at the American Legion and there was a chili feed and an auction following. Gifts and auction proceeds were then distributed to children in Cloud County for Christmas.
Cloud County commissioners approved awarding $25,000 in Get in the Cloud funds for the reopening of Taco Grande at 1421 East Sixth Street in Concordia. Taco Grande first opened in Concordia in 1975 but closed in the 1990s when the franchise folded. Plans are for the restaurant to be operational in the spring of 2019.
Cloud County Community College was ranked the second best community college in Kansas by schools.com. Schools.com ranked CCCC second among 21 community colleges, behind only Independence Community College.
A Salina man fled from the Cloud County Courthouse and was injured in a rollover accident on K-15 following a high-speed chase.
Ashley Hutchinson, CloudCorp executive director, announced her resignation. Hutchinson was hired as executive director in January 2013, and upon resigning she accepted a position with Citizen's National Bank in Concordia.

November
Community Foundation of Cloud County approved the Dane Hansen Match Grant Initiative.
Bryan Bombardier ran for the 107th District seat as the Libertarian Party candidate. Bombardier, a 1997 graduate of CHS and a business owner of Panther Pharmacy in downtown Concordia, lost the election to Republican candidate Susan Concannon.
Concordia voters approved the sale of cereal malt beverage and liquor on Sundays within the Concordia city limits. The question on Sunday sales was passed 813-761 by voters.
The Concordia city commissioners approved the purchase and installment of a family water slide for the Concordia Municipal Swimming Pool. The total cost of the eight-foot slide, concrete work, plumbing, electrical and fencing is $89,700.
Multiple changes were made to the animal control ordinance and the city commissioners approved.
The United School District 333 held their first board meeting for the discussion of the facilities plans with an estimated $41.9 million in renovations and build-ons.

December
Cloud County board of commissioners approved the 2019 contract with Pawnee Mental Health Services. The contract called for a .768 mills for services, with an approximate payment of $87,290.
Cloud County Community College and Fort Hays State University signed an Memorandum of understanding to update transfer agreements. The agreement was signed by Cloud County president Dr. Adrian Douglas and Fort Hays State president Dr. Tisa Mason. The agreement facilitates the seamless transfer of students from Cloud County to Fort Hays State and supports 19 academic articulation agreements.
The United School District 333 board members met again to discuss the facilities plans and lowered the projected total improvement costs to $34.4 million.
Cloud County Health Center announced the hiring of TreanorHI Health Studio to develop a master facility plan. CCHC was opened in 1951 and has made two previous attempts to get voter approval for the construction of a new facility. December marked the official launch of the master facility plan and CCHC plans to finish this process by April 2019.
Christmas kindness spreads throughout the community. Bridgette Blochlinger stunned the community with her generous heart during the holiday season. Bridgette donated all of her birthday presents to a family in-need so the children would have presents to open on Christmas.

Leadership
Amy Lange, following the retirement of Larry Uri, took over as the Concordia city manager on January 1.
Lange formerly served as the vice president for administrative services at Cloud County Community College.
Cloud County Community College welcomed two new presidents early this year.
Dr. Mark Smith was hired to replace Dr. Danette Toone in December, 2017.
Smith started at the college on February 1, but resigned after 34 days because of unforeseen personal family and medical concerns.
Dr. Adrian Douglas, who was one of the three finalists for the job when Smith was hired, was extended an offer to become the eighth president. She started on May 9.
Garnas was appointed the CCHC administrator by the CCHC board of trustees and the Salina Regional Health Center administrative team in January.
Previously the Sedwick County (Colo.) Health Center hospital administrator, Garnas began in April.
Lieutenant Ric Fredrickson was hired as the new Concordia police chief in August.
Bruce Johnson earlier resigned from the position.
Fredrickson has been with the department since 1998 in various roles. He also worked for the Cloud County Sheriff's Department from 1991-1998.
Annie Bergmann was hired as the new executive director of the Concordia Chamber of Commerce in August.
Bergmann, who has a diverse professional background with years of experience in the public and private sectors, started on September 4.
CloudCorp is in the process of finding a new executive director after Hutchinson announced her resignation.
Hutchinson joined CloudCorp in January, 2013 as the interim executive director. She replaced Kirk Lowell, who resigned after 19 years.
During the annual CloudCorp stockholders meeting in March, 2013, Hutchinson was officially named the executive director.
Other events making headlines throughout the year include:
January
David Garnas, the chief executive officer of the Sedgwick County (Colo.) Health Center for the past 17 years, was hired as the new administrator at Cloud County Health Center. Garnas filled a position that had been vacant since Cherri Waites stepped down as president of operations in August, 2017.
Sam Sacco was elected mayor of Concordia by the city commission. He took over for Chuck Lambertz. Mark Matthew and Keaton Snavely were sworn in as newly elected city commissioners.
Dr. Jim Anderson, M.D., a rheumatologist in Kansas City, became the 15th visiting specialist providing services at Cloud County Health Center. Dr. Anderson also has clinics in Abilene and Russell which he visits each month.
Cloud County Tourism director Susie Haver was named the recipient of the 2017 Marian D. Cook Legacy Award. The award was presented to Haver during the Charles and Marian Cook Lecture Series event in February. As tourism director, Haver promotes the historical, artistic and cultural treasures in the area.
The Concordia city commission approved a contract with Mason Corporation for the purchase and installation of a large slide at the Concordia Municipal Swimming Pool. The slide is the first phase of the planned pool enhancements being funded by a $2 fee on he city utility bills. Cost of the slide was $54,000.
February
The Concordia city commission, and city manager Amy Lange, scheduled a Neighborhood Listening Tour. Commissioners and Lange were to be present at each event for an informal conversation with community members about the quality of life in Concordia now, and what can be done to prepare for the next generation.
Cloud County Community College hosted a public reception for new president Dr. Mark Smith. The seventh president of the college, Smith's tenure began on February 1. He came to Cloud County from Temple (Texas) College where he was the vice president for education.
The Concordia city commission passed a noise ordinance that establishes fines for loud noise offenses between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Loud noise is described as plainly audible from across the real property boundary line of its source.
Concordia High School seniors Zach Strait and Blake Leiszler recorded top four finishers in the Class 4A state tournament in Salina. Strait, competing in the 120-pound class, placed third at state for the second time in three years. He finished the season 25-3. Leiszler finished fourth in the 126-pound class.  He was 29-6 on the season.
The Cloud County Community College wrestling team had six wrestlers compete in the NJCAA Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa in the first year of the program.
March
The resignation of Cloud County Community College president Dr. Mark Smith was approved by the board of trustees. Smith took over as president of the college on February 1. He stated in a letter to the board that he was requesting to resign due to some unforeseen personal family and medical concerns that had arisen.
The Concordia city commission discussed Sunday alcohol sales during a regular meeting. Commissioners were presented the pros and cons of allowing Sunday sales within the city limits.
The hiring of Rebekah Helget as the special education director for the Learning Cooperative of North Central Kansas was approved by the Unified School District 333 board of education. Helget replaces Audrey Pingel, who announced her retirement the previous month.
The Cloud County board of commissioners passed a resolution extending a countywide burn ban. The burn ban had been implemented because of the extremely dry conditions in the county.
CloudCorp executive director Ashley Hutchinson reported to the Concordia city commission that  Cloud County had been named as a Opportunity Zone in the state of Kansas. Opportunity Zones are a new economic development tool enacted by the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 designed to encourage long-term investments in low-income and rural communities.
Concordia mayor Sam Sacco announced his intention to challenge incumbent Susan Concannon for the Republican nomination for the 107th District seat in the Kansas House of Representatives.
Dr. Adrian Douglas was hired at the new Cloud County Community College president. Douglas was one of three finalists for the job after Dr. Danette Toone retired. Dr. Mark Smith was hired for the position, but submitted his resignation earlier in the month.
April
Temperatures on Easter topped out at 32 degrees, well below the average of 60. The low temperature was 19 degrees, and the average is 36. According to Matt Wolters, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Topeka, was for below average temperatures throughout the month of April.
The Unified School District 333 board of education accepted the resignation of Concordia Junior-Senior High School principal Bryce Wachs. Wachs, who had worked in the district for 10 years, had accepted the job of superintendent of schools for Fort Larned USD 495.
The CHS Trap Shooting Club began its inaugural season. The club is coached by Tod Robinson, Dan Haist, Matt Farmer, John Boden and Cody Russell. There were 42 students signed up to participate.
Concordia Technologies, LLC marked its first year in operation with an open house and a Concordia Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. Concordia Technologies opened in February, 2017 with under 30 employees. There were 66 employees at the time of the open house.
Cloud County Community College dedicated the Dunning-Hamel indoor baseball and softball training facility. The college received $100,000 gifts from Jim and Jill Dunning and Zach Hamel for the construction of the 5,250 square-foot facility. There were 212 donations made during the fundraising effort.
May
Buildings at two residences in Cloud County were damaged when tornadoes touched down on May 1. Damage was done at the homes of Tom Richard, 1232 Hawk Rd. and Boyd Watford, 690 110th Rd. Three tornadoes were confirmed in Cloud County by storm spotters, and there were power poles damaged along U.S. Highway 81.
Awards were presented during the annual Concordia Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Cloud County Fairgrounds. Roy Applequist, Jay T. Reynolds and Cass Reynolds, Concordia Technologies, LLC, were presented the Business People of the Year Award for brining manufacturing jobs to Concordia.
A retirement reception was held for North Central Kansas CASA Inc. executive director Carol Miller. Miller worked as the executive director since the time NCK CASA was established in 1994.
The Cloud County Community College men's track and field team placed third in the NJCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in El Dorado. Sophomore Thobile Mosito placed first in the 5,000-meter  run and 10,000-meter run. The Cloud County women placed sixth in the meet.
A performance by Jake Gill kicked off the 2018 Concert Series at the Broadway Plaza.
June
Orphan Train Rider descendents gathered in Concordia for the 16th Annual Orphan Train Rider Celebration. There was three days of activities on June 1-3.
The Concordia city commission approved an ordinance allowing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within a designated section of downtown during Fall Fest.
Concordia Police Chief Bruce Johnson submitted his resignation, which was accepted by the city. Johnson had served as police chief since 2013.
Concordia Police Officer Mark Henry was killed in a multi-vehicle accident in Ottawa County. Henry had been a officer with the Concordia Police Department since 2012. A Salina man, Calvin Stewart, was arrested at the scene of the accident and charged with second degree murder and pedestrian under the influence.
The National Weather Service Office in Topeka issued a heat advisory for Cloud and surrounding counties. Temperatures were expected to climb to around 105 degrees with heat indices of 100-109.