By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

You wouldn't think a cell phone and radio could weigh so much.

But for Hays Police Department Deputy Chief Brian Dawson, they carried the weight of being the No. 2 at the department. They carried the weight of responsibility of each call and sacrifice he made in his 25 years on the Hays Police Department.

On Friday, he took his last radio call. He handed in his phone, radio and badge for the final time, retiring from a lifetime of service to his community.

Dawson, 55, came later in life to law enforcement. He joined the police department as a 30-year-old rookie.&nbsp;

As a young man, he dreamed of joining the FBI. At that time, several tracks could lead to a career in the federal agency. He decided he would attempt to join the FBI through the accounting track, so he started as an accounting major at Fort Hays State University.

However, he soon discovered accounting was not for him.

At that time, FHSU did not have a criminal justice major, so he changed his major to broadcast communications with a minor in sociology with an emphasis in criminology.

After graduation, he had the opportunity to spend a summer as a counselor and ski instructor at a boy's summer camp, Camp Caribou in Bangor, Maine.

That gave him some experience working with youth, which would continue to be a theme throughout his career.

He worked in substance abuse prevention in Salina before returning to Hays, where he grew up, to work as a community consultant for the Ellis County Community Partnership, which was housed in the Smoky Hill Foundation.&nbsp;

He worked in drug and alcohol prevention, often working with youth.

He also worked with a state-funded tobacco cessation program and promoted the Red Ribbon Campaign and Great American Smokeout.

"A big part of my job was to get together with community leaders and get some funds and make sure there were alternative things for kids to do other than go have a pasture party or keg party," Dawson said. "And that we had good protective factors in the community."

Dawson, at 30, joined the Hays Police Department as a patrol officer.&nbsp;He described himself as a "late bloomer." When he started, he took a $3 an hour pay cut from his job working for the community partnership.

"That's where everyone starts," he said. ... "Nobody starts out as a detective. Nobody starts off as a captain. You have to start out as an officer and understand the laws and that protect and serve part, and then move up through the ranks through all of the different avenues."

Dawson was promoted after a little more than a year as a patrol officer to a school resource officer, a position he served in for nine and a half years.

Initially, he served all the schools in the school district. Then, a second school resource officer was hired.&nbsp;

Dawson said some officers prefer to work with older youth, but he also liked giving presentations to the elementary-age students.

"I just really liked being in the schools," he said. "I really liked being in the classroom, whether I was doing a presentation on the topic of search and seizure, or I got asked into a married life class. I got asked into the English class when they were reading 'Romeo and Juliet,' so I slipped in what is referred to as the Romeo and Juliet law, which is unlawful voluntary sexual relations."

Unlawful voluntary sexual relations is sex perpetrated by an&nbsp;offender who is 18 years old or younger with a victim who is 14 or 15 years old.

"I told them what their responsibilities were—that at age 10, they could be arrested. At age 14, they could be interviewed without an attorney or parent being present," he said.

He said he tried to help the students see the officer in the uniform is a person too.

"We are here to serve and help them," Dawson said. "They're my boss, and I'm here to help them be successful."

Dawson said he was disappointed when the school resource officer program was disbanded in Hays, but delighted in 2023 when it was resurrected.

He said being an SRO was the best of both worlds.

"I really liked the evening shift," Dawson said. "Otherwise, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon in the middle of July, your boots are melting into asphalt while doing an accident report. All that heavy gear is just not comfortable and not fun.

"I liked night shift. It's a little different clientele and different calls on night shift, even in Hays, compared to doing a stranger danger class with 5-year-olds. I got to bone back up on my DUI skills. I was super fortunate that I got to do all of that."

He became a member of the tactical team. He was first an operator and worked his way up to being a negotiator and assistant team leader.

"It's not like the movies," Dawson said. "You don't hit reset and have a different outfit and a different car next week and a different story. It's real life."

"You feel a sense of pride knowing you were on the team," he said.

Dawson said working on the tactical team involves officers in volatile situations in which people can get hurt or killed.

Being a negotiator takes a totally different mindset, he said. A negotiator is trying to buy time to help things settle down and reach a peaceful conclusion.

"It's extremely challenging and can be extremely frustrating," he said.

Dawson was promoted to patrol lieutenant in 2010 and to assistant chief in 2011.

He said he felt great satisfaction if he could help someone.

"In this job, you see people at their best and at their worst. As a human being, that's tough. You try to serve and do the best you can in those situations. Training helps."

Responding to deaths was one aspect of the job that caught him off guard as a new patrol officer.&nbsp;

"We've done a number of death notifications, and you never walk away from one of those feeling you knocked that out of the park," he said. "You would like to think they get easier, but they don't. To tell someone they lost their kid, those are challenging.

"Even if it is natural causes, we are the ones that go and check and make sure it's natural causes. We are the ones who have to put hands on the body and remove the body with assistance from the people from the mortuary.

"I hadn't seen a lot of death to that point. I had a kind of sheltered life. It's something you don't think about. I thought, 'Boy, I wish they would have mentioned something more about that in the academy and prepared me for that."

He said police officers see things no one else sees and do things that no one else does.

"There's stress. There's a lot of responsibility. At 5:30, it's not over. It's not over on the weekends. It's not over at night. It's not over on holidays,"&nbsp;Dawson said. "I'm looking forward to getting rid of this phone and this radio and carrying the responsibility.

"There's things that you can't share with your family or your spouse," he said. "There's things you don't want to share with your family. You miss some events with the family."

Despite the sacrifices, he said he has been truly blessed to have great co-workers and a great community to work in.

"You can't make up what you see and get to experience," Dawson said. "It can be challenging at times. But I'm so fortunate because it's such a great community."

Dawson's last day with the police department was Friday. He and his wife are planning to move to Florida, where they will be living closer to Dawson's brother. They plan to enjoy the outdoors and go on some cruises.

Lt. Tim Greenwood's promotion to deputy chief was announced Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/183cca50-ee32-45da-ac3d-12bd10551970">SEE RELATED STORY: New Deputy Chief of Police in Hays announced</a>

Hays deputy police chief retires after 25 years on the force

Community Baby Shower in Hays Saturday celebrates new, expecting parents

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Ellis County Rural Water District #1C public water supply system located in Ellis County. 

The City of Hays is not affected by this advisory.&nbsp;

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:&nbsp;

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking&nbsp;or food preparation or use bottled water.&nbsp;

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.&nbsp;

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.&nbsp;

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.&nbsp;

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The advisory took effect on&nbsp;April 2,&nbsp;2025&nbsp;and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.&nbsp;

KDHE&nbsp;officials issued the advisory because of&nbsp;of a&nbsp;waterline&nbsp;leak&nbsp;resulting in a loss of pressure in the&nbsp;distribution&nbsp;system.  Failure to&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fsdwis.kdhe.ks.gov%2FSDWIS%2FIBS_C_WS_POC_MAINTENANCE.html%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%23/1/01000195f68c72a9-73989d87-d59c-42fb-86a0-90aa36ed05cd-000000/9XEOgRmoQQj05HaZfcs479CT1-KjtfwA0kzaounobF0=399">785-628-2186</a>, or KDHE at 785-296-5514.&nbsp;For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000195f68c72a9-73989d87-d59c-42fb-86a0-90aa36ed05cd-000000/HXGapcTo_cBXsEioDT_Z8-Px55eXBpoCiq4vIQ1u5CY=399">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>&nbsp;

&nbsp;Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil Water Advisory issued for Ellis Co. RWD 1C

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

There will be a water outage for the majority of Ellis County Rural water district 1-C due to a leak that will be repaired on the main 6-inch line. 

The water outage is planned between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.

Water outage planned for Ellis County rural water district 1-C Wednesday

Free grant writing workshops offered by Heartland Community Foundation

Beginning March 31, 2025, the North side of 33rd St between Willow St and Vine St will be closed to through traffic for road replacement. Eastbound traffic in this area allowed only. It is anticipated that this shut down will be until June 2025 or until further notice. There will be no street parking permitted adjacent to the project during construction. The map provided shows the section of 33rd St. that will be under construction.

Motorists should use caution and allow more time for travel. The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. For questions, please contact the Project Contractor, Vogts-Parga Construction LLC, at 316-320-6650 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.

North side of 33rd St road closure between Willow St and Vine St

Fort Hays State University will host two distinguished scholars of history for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s 2025 Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Lecture, “Territorial Expansion in Nazi Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th Centuries.”

Between 1939 and 1945, as part of their efforts to eliminate Jews from the European continent, the Nazi dictatorship removed people from the Reich they considered unworthy of being citizens because they did not fit into their vision of the racial “national community.” They forcibly displaced Jews, whom they called “undesirables,” eastward into ghettos where conditions were extremely harsh, simultaneously expanding their borders to create “living space” for “racially pure” Germans.&nbsp; 

In a much different context, the democratic United States expanded its borders westward between the 19th and 20th centuries. To free up land for its growing population, the United States violently removed Indigenous peoples, whom some Americans perceived as incompatible with national and racial ideals.&nbsp; While these two histories are distinct, by discussing them together, we can learn new things about how and why they unfolded.

Join us with two major scholars of these topics in a program designed to illuminate some phenomena common to the persecution histories of those considered “others” in society, as well as what is unique in each of these experiences.

Territorial Expansion in Nazi Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries

Note: This program is free and open to the public, but registration for the on-campus and live-streamed events is required. To register, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0SCYs1MO-2BJ2YL2Y34Bu5516ha0AibfT0oomM5c-2FSwLJl-2F35tcZhrSxvNkpMeDXj0kA-3D-3DFiSy_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOVGO9PgXRvFvydDa-2BMPFF2dW6XjndnvwoW16xlQUdK8lftUDhnfQnhEGs4JNPs8evgO3rJY0OC1FQrdS4R3yckZiy5j7tZvp53IuRrZfvTXpiApO-2B5CYooKKsiv-2F-2FaFnLaTbbFk1g3qg5BBbEtlawH-2FJbBm8eewXj679ZEdd0GRKMvOdaqY0PKwepBl6vpdkw7KhmP3YQkReAWkEK0MTXN5ZLcBdBTU2DSxJR815vFsXnvXFVDf98PnvSZwCDQCAR">https://www.ushmm.org/events/meyerhoff-forthays</a>.

Two representatives from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies will also participate in three days of programming, including classroom visits and other university activities on the FHSU Campus. 

Museum Campus Outreach Program Officer Kierra Crago-Schneider, PhD and Laura Brade, PhD, the Museum’s Rosalyn Unger Director of Campus Outreach Programs,&nbsp;will join Boxer and Westermann for a series of additional lectures and discussions on campus and in the Hays community.

 The FHSU Department of History and Philosophy, FHSU’s Forsyth Library, the Hays Public Library, and the FHSU College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences are sponsors of event programming.&nbsp;

About the Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Annual Lecture Series

The Meyerhoff Lecture Series is a Campus Outreach Program of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The series was endowed by the Meyerhoff family in 1994 to honor excellence in research and foster the dissemination of scholarly work in Holocaust studies. Since 2020, the Meyerhoff Lecture has been held in partnership with a university on its campus as part of the Regional Programming Initiative. 

The mission of the Mandel Center is to ensure the long-term growth and vitality of Holocaust Studies. To do that, it is essential to provide opportunities for new generations of scholars. The vitality and the integrity of Holocaust Studies require openness, independence, and free inquiry so that new ideas are generated and tested through peer review and public debate. 

The opinions of scholars expressed before, during, or after their activities with the Mandel Center do not represent and are not endorsed by the Mandel Center or the Museum.

FHSU Lecture: Territorial expansion efforts in Nazi Europe, U.S. in 19th, 20th centuries

MUNJOR — The Munjor Knights of Columbus will sponsor a fish fry 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 11 at the Munjor school.

For more information, contact Tony Rohr at 785-650-1819

Fish fry April 11 sponsored by Munjor Knights of Columbus

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Corporation Commission wants to remind utility customers that there are two important dates coming up that they should be aware of.&nbsp;

 First, the Cold Weather Rule ends on Monday, March 31. The Cold Weather Rule protects residential customers, served by Kansas Corporation Commission regulated utilities, from disconnection when temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees.

In addition, Monday is the deadline to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP. Applications for the federally funded program must be received by the Kansas Department of Children and Families by 5 p.m. on Monday.&nbsp; Information about the program is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2Fservices%2Fees%2FPages%2FEnergyAssistance.aspx%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010195d3102f2b-30f65b62-192b-4182-962e-28f16fadf9ca-000000/moZZnwYAHHByZaQDKjApdWnTF2MTokg_ETYbB8J865I=398">https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx</a>

When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Monday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. 

Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility's policy. That is why it is important to call now – while regulated utilities are still required to offer the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan.

The KCC urges all customers facing financial difficulties to act now to stay connected. To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140.&nbsp;Utility assistance program information is also posted on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa=https%253A%252F%252Fkcc.ks.gov%252Fpublic-affairs-and-consumer-protection%252Futility-weatherization-related-assistance-programs%253Futm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26c=E%252C1%252CvE_twmaS8t9zcDwjcMo2NFeLHwp2aXyg_bmp0zEqR8JTemQklsbpQOjEho3O48NiOKNKDNkQz1HOXJfuWFnwUZnf_w9wqEcRfTsDLC7H0Q%252C%252C%26typo=1%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010195d3102f2b-30f65b62-192b-4182-962e-28f16fadf9ca-000000/Poigdlp3I5RuBREWjsAPjy1k-lesBx1axE-TTraOQUI=398">KCC’s website.</a>

It is important to note that the KCC does not regulate co-ops or municipal utilities, although many of those utilities also offer a cold weather payment plan. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fkcc.ks.gov%2Fabout-us%2Fjurisdiction%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010195d3102f2b-30f65b62-192b-4182-962e-28f16fadf9ca-000000/3B0Q3JkxB9oj8WfCHvBQ3Rn1FDi_zTa47n1o1rYRW2I=398">http://kcc.ks.gov/about-us/jurisdiction</a>

Cold Weather Rule, LIEAP application period end soon

Miles of Mercy fundraiser to benefit Hays Catholic youth trip

ELLIS COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod shared a beautiful view from his office window on Wednesday.

Trooper Tod has served Troop D covering 18 counties for over twenty years. He would appreciate you following him on his social media page.

Trooper Tod shares beautiful view from his office window

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

It was Conference Committee Week, as it was the last week before First Adjournment. During this week the House of Representatives and Senate vote on bills that have passed out of both chambers. Said bills usually have been amended by at least one of the two chambers and so requires negotiation, but not always, through conference committee to reconcile the resulting different versions of the bill. 

Below I have detailed a sample of five bills from the 65 that were considered.

· First is House Bill (HB) 2040. This bill, which I have described before in this newsletter, extends the deadline for the Kansas Corporation Commission to make decisions on applications by electric utilities for line siting from 120 to 180 days. Only one amendment from the Senate was made, to change the date of effect for the law from publication of the Statute Book to publication of the Kansas Register—which is published earlier than the Statute Book.

· Second is HB 2107. This legislation would establish a two-year statute of limitations for wildfire-related claims against electric public utilities, authorize the recovery of certain damages, limit the recovery of punitive damages from said claims at $5 million, require the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to convene a workshop on wildfire risks and utility mitigation efforts by July 1, 2026, and authorize the KCC to open a general investigation or convene additional workshops to further assess wildfire risk and mitigation in the future. The Senate only made one amendment, extending the statute of limitations for some damages to 10 years.

· Third is HB 2031, which like HB 2040 has already been covered in a previous newsletter. This bill would amend law by making valid driver licenses issued in other states sufficient for acquiring a driving instructor license in Kansas. The Senate only made one amendment to the bill, to change the date of effect from publication of the Statute Book to that of the Kansas Register.

· Fourth is House Bill 2311. This legislation would alter state law regarding the Department for Children and Families in two different ways. First it would prohibit the agency from requiring potential adoptive parents and potential custodians from affirming government policy regarding sexual gender and identity, if it conflicted with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs. Second it would prohibit the selection, licensure, or appointment of individuals based upon their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual gender and identity. The only amendment made by the Senate was to adjust the date of effect, from publication of the Statute Book to publication of the Kansas Register.

· Last is Senate Bill 42. This bill would establish a web-based system for online verification of motor vehicle insurance, which would serve as the only electronic system used for verifying motor vehicle liability insurance in the state. The bill would also task the Commissioner of Insurance with creating this system and coordinating with motor vehicle insurers to maintain the registry of said&nbsp;insurance files, with some exceptions for insurers with less than 1,000 vehicles covered. The House only amended the bill, as you might guess, on its date of effect, from publication of the Statute Book to the Kansas Register.

Each of these listed bills passed their concurrence votes in the House, and I voted yes on each of them.

One of the 65 bills from the first page that I did not mention was Senate Bill (SB) 125. Originally intended as the trailer budget bill for this session it became the sole budget bill after the contents of House Bill 2007 were added to it. Detailed below is an update on some of the budget items from the bill that were negotiated in conference committee a brief overview of its effect on the state’s finances.

First would be the Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF) line items. The House’s version funded the vast majority, 33, of the usual items in EDIF, from the Mainstreet Program to the Summer Sunflower Program, but the Senate’s did not, which only funded five. During the conference committee the House succeeded in persuading the Senate to accept its positions and save these programs, many of which impact the 109th District.

Second was the State Water Plan Fund (SWPF), which allocates funds to state agencies for the purpose of coordinating efforts at conserving and improving water in Kansas. Here the House and Senate were able to compromise and increase funding to the SWPF by $15 million, and by using maturing treasury bills save State General Fund (SGF) dollars.

 Third was $10 million SGF for special education in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which through maintenance-of-effort requirements will continue indefinitely. Here again the Senate had allocated no funds, but the House was able to persuade the Senate into adding these dollars, thus helping school districts across the state.

Through several rounds of negotiations, the House and Senate were able to produce a state budget to fund the rest of FY 2025, at $10.846 billion SGF, and upcoming FY 2026, at $10.635 billion, while spending $65.5 million SGF less than the Governor’s proposed budget; just as important, the legislature’s budget funds the vital services of the state, from our state hospitals to improving our highways. The budget passed the concurrence vote by 89 in favor to 35 against, with bipartisan support. 

As the carrier of the bill and one of the conferees that drafted it, I voted in favor.

Given this is the last week of session before First Adjournment I figured this is a good time to announce my schedule for coffees during the interim period between now and Veto Session. 

On April 2, a Wednesday, at 9:00 a.m. Senator Tori Arnberger-Blew and I will host a coffee for Ellsworth County at Hattie Jo’s. On April 3, a Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. Senator Elaine Bowers and I will host a coffee at the Cross-Eyed Cricket for Smith County. Later that same day at 2:00 p.m., Senator Bowers and I will host a coffee at the Hideout for Osborne County. 

The week after that on April 8, a Tuesday, at 9 a.m. Senator Bowers and I will host a coffee for Lincoln County at the Feedlot Bar &amp; Grill. The fifth and last coffee will be held later that same day at 11 a.m., again between Senator Bowers and I, at the Southwind Bank for Russell County. I look forward to attending these coffees and answering any questions you may have regarding the 2025 Session.

It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW 10th&nbsp;Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> www.troywaymaster.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, April 1, 2025

&nbsp;FHSU University Communications

For the 18th consecutive year, FHSU has been recognized for its investment in programs that improve the lives of veterans and military personnel, earning the 2025-2026 Military Friendly School designation from militaryfriendly.com.

Institutions earning the&nbsp;Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.

“Every year, we use this survey to evaluate, improve, and better FHSU and the way we take care of our military-connected students,” said Randy Adkins, military admissions advisor of FHSU online military-connected student services.

The Military Friendly program creates civilian opportunities for veterans and is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful opportunities for the military community.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

The 2025-2026 Military Friendly Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIquXVhZdXo37pUmmwwiyqvJOdiyrzo5Wg63Pjv-2B8H5dpuQASr_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfONeRH7-2BDm5ZL8gQPKvjmrMnk8V84RVwgYhxHqqwMLxfzr-2B7VKX1yD57RU7dDBos98IhfCtNQhCyQofxhh9rwtH4XModDR-2BjY5TNb5HYm7p6k0capmURz-2Fir5aWUi-2BW5FaTtbTmCLayXunMc6jVe2UCFo6YXa32i-2FcjmyD9LM4jhmmGYFpLj7gLvO-2BfZ3y0CmSx9JJtFs8LwZAg2psAE1p0tJeEYy50wnEmYOvU7mivqpZfDJ3244XqyLkoXCUX4-2B3">www.militaryfriendly.com</a>.

Military-connected student benefits at FHSU include tuition assistance, Veteran Affairs benefits, Yellow Ribbon and in-state tuition, and scholarships. Students also have access to a Military Success module, specialized career services, and a dedicated military admissions advisor.

Visit the Military-Connected Student Services page for more information:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0SxGv-2Fva5lUgbJxYeXX5hgplSB6izMy2MRZAeywXjzC9tERd_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfONeRH7-2BDm5ZL8gQPKvjmrMnk8V84RVwgYhxHqqwMLxfzr-2B7VKX1yD57RU7dDBos98IhfCtNQhCyQofxhh9rwtH6aEFIGqdNNrvXdba1nMkgCZoomq-2F7E-2FVQQiDX-2BBfTp2uZNZZ9dweRKAgrMIsPw3XoChPu01ViIwdH-2BN5dACLBLfNIRnBP6A5rstiCyJfqvRS5htCgSP6tf2hjy3GiEAUP-2BJ0rBZvUNjzwsW-2FX4V5fto88zg0PtZP-2FbhPkeOztRF">https://www.fhsu.edu/military/</a>.

Fort Hays State earns 2025-26 Military Friendly School designation

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

If you have called or stopped by our Cottonwood Extension offices in Hays or Great Bend, you have spoken to some of the most valuable members of our team!

The agents across the Cottonwood Extension District are blessed to have incredible staff to support and assist in so many ways.

Brenda and Theresa are our office professionals and they manage a multitude of tasks, well beyond answering the phone and greeting those who step through our doors. They help to keep us organized, manage the district finances and website, and occasionally “mom” us when schedules and tasks get overwhelming. In addition, they manage so many tasks for events such as the fairs, Walk Kansas, and much more. We couldn’t function without them!

Jacy is the district-wide program assistant and provides wonderful support from scheduling social media to assisting with programs to general coordination of supplies for those programs. If you happened to see our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood">National Ag Week videos</a>, (Rowdy Ringo on 3.18.2025 and&nbsp;Crosby the Farm Dog on 3.21.2025), Jacy took my crazy idea and made it happen to share two books from local authors with 4-H youth reading. Her fun and “can do” attitude make her a joy with whom to work!

We are also fortunate to have a couple of student assistants from time to time in our offices. Kiera is a Barton Community College student and a Midway-Russell 4-H member and brings a willingness to work and help wherever needed. 

This summer we will have a student summer assistant in each office who assist with copies, fair input, answering the phones, and whatever else is needed. One of our goals is always to expose these students to the larger world of Extension work!

Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend and Hays. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: It takes a team 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

At the age of 15, Sophia Linenberger of Hays received a diagnosis of Ewings sarcoma cancer. She is 21 years old and has been fighting cancer for the past six years.

She was actively taking chemotherapy to treat the tumor in her head, and she just found out that she has new tumors on her pelvic bone, making this her fourth battle with Ewings sarcoma cancer.&nbsp;

The Linenberger family has been in shock, devastated and completely heartbroken. Sophia’s cancer results were not what they hoped for. They find themselves in a state of feeling completely numb. The thought of Sophia’s cancer attacking in a new place is heartbreaking for the entire family.&nbsp;

Sophia’s sister, Holly, created a GoFundMe to help her family with cancer expenses.&nbsp;Sophia receives her cancer treatment four hours away from her home and her family has been traveling there very frequently for the past six years. With Sophia’s new tumors recently being discovered, her family will be traveling even more due to chemotherapy treatment and radiation appointments, causing extra travel expenses, meal expenses, etc. The ultimate goal would be to receive enough money to purchase a dependable vehicle.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://gofund.me/f2e69622">https://gofund.me/f2e69622</a>&nbsp;You may also donate via Venmo: Jenny-Linenberger

Stan, Jenny, Sophia, and Holly want to sincerely thank the Hays Community for their continued prayers and support.&nbsp;

The Linenberger family would be truly grateful for any donations to help. Each donation helps more than you will ever know.&nbsp;

Community update on Sophia Linenberger

Hays Police Department arrest log: March 23-29, 2025

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A Hays man was arrested March 26 after allegedly punching a woman in the face.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said 48-year-old Timothy Michael Weatherbie allegedly struck a woman in the alley behind 20O block West Seventh Street.

According to witnesses, the incident happened after a verbal argument between the two subjects.

The woman sustained a laceration to her lip and potential bruising but declined medical treatment. According to Scheibler, the victim did not know Weatherbie.

Weatherbie&nbsp;was arrested on a battery charge.

Hays man arrested for alleged battery on woman

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang dropped a perfect bunt to score Oliver Dunn in the 11th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday.

Pinch-runner Dunn advanced from second base on Garett Mitchell’s groundout off Sam Long (0-2). Joey Ortiz walked. Turang, who was 0 for 5 for the game, laid down a bunt in front of the plate and raced to first as Dunn scored.

Jared Koenig (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless 11th.

Jackson Chourio doubled off Royals reliever Carlos Estévez in the bottom of the 10th and drove in Turang to tie the game at 2.

Chourio crushed a 85-mph changeup from starter Cole Ragan in the first inning for his first home run of the season. Cavan Biggio tied the game with an RBI single in the second off Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta. After that, it was a pitcher’s duel.

Peralta allowed just two hits, struck out eight and tied his career high with eight innings.

Ragan allowed one run over five innings, struck out 10 and walked two. It was his sixth career start with 10 strikeouts.

With Royals pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert on second in the 10th, Michael Massey lined a hit off the glove of first baseman Jake Bauers that scored Tolbert. Kansas City’s 2-1 lead was brief.

The Brewers were 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. The Royals were 2 for 8.

Royals: After a day off Thursday, RHP Seth Lugo (0-0, 5.40 ERA) takes on the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

⚾ Turang's bunt drives in winning run in the 11th, Brewers beat the Royals 

🎥 Redeem Designs Plays of the Week TMP vs Ellinwood Softball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seven years ago, when a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">2026 World Cup</a>, rifts created by tariffs — yes, back then, too! — and a proposed border wall were glossed over because of the neighbors’ longstanding political and economic alliances.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/71e70169ac9343839436613b7d8dbb31">“The unity of the three nations″</a>&nbsp;was the overriding theme articulated by Carlos Cordeiro, then-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. “A powerful message,” he called it.

Well, here we are now, with the soccer showcase arriving in North America in about 15 months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;back in office — inciting trade wars between the neighbors, not to mention across the globe, by levying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-97819f94e424c0e7bba2812e09a721a7">tariffs</a>&nbsp;that come, then go, then return,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">with more promised</a>, including what the Republican calls “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariff-trade-deficit-4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126">reciprocal tariffs</a>&nbsp;” starting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-tariffs-liberation-day-import-taxes-118d73f50e5133ef3d9598aed6661a6c">Wednesday</a>.

It’s hard to know how, exactly, the current geopolitical fissures, made all the more stark every time Trump or those in his administration talk provocatively about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">making Canada the 51st state</a>, might affect the World Cup, its organization and coordination, fans’ travel plans and more.

“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fifa-world-cup-task-force-dba6def9a56cd1c48be592e1725d4a6a">Trump’s take</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/INDwnNAkTLI?si=fHBRHnggEextYnIZ" target="_blank">an Oval Office appearance with FIFA President Gianni Infantino</a>&nbsp;last month. “Tension’s a good thing.”

Will the world come to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics?

Given that the U.S. also is preparing to welcome the world for FIFA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-prize-money-real-madrid-0cdee232b9a3670c77b62cd7dc3b53cb">Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;in June, golf’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryder-cup-pay-pga-tour-europe-e287158b848e8d447302df31da36a79a">Ryder Cup</a>&nbsp;in September and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43833244a74643b3a1fd0b2787c2e38d">Los Angeles Olympics</a>&nbsp;in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come?

And, taking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-tourists-german-canadian-detention-immigration-408cd27338e8065268fabc835f8b0c34">Trump’s border and visa policies</a>&nbsp;into account, will the world be able to?

Alan Rothenberg, who ran the 1994 World Cup and successfully oversaw the bid to host the 1999 Women’s World Cup as then-president of U.S. Soccer, thinks the answers to those questions are “Yes.” Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cups, in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-260baf7eaa624cf4b39e9ec988ba9114">Russia in 2018</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-business-discrimination-ee9a8b506525341927b02c97cb19993d">Qatar in 2022</a>, he noted those still attracted attendance totals above 3 million apiece.

“People love the United States around the world — frankly, we wouldn’t have the immigration issue that we’re dealing with if that weren’t the case — so a lot of this is government-to-government,” Rothenberg said. “A passionate soccer fan is not going to be held up by that.”

He doesn’t think one of the host nations would drop out of the World Cup, say, or that other countries might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-olympics-boycott-9ba0aad38e01013bd0f40ce554317caf">boycott</a>, as happened at the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

“More than anything, they’ll see it as an opportunity for, perhaps, rapprochement, rather than escalating the tensions,” Rothenberg said.

“Besides, from an organizing standpoint, if either Canada or Mexico withdrew” from the World Cup, he said, “the U.S. would pick up the games in a heartbeat.”

Spectators booing the U.S. national anthem

Still, as the White House stance on tariffs and Russia’s war in Ukraine have put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-russia-war-putin-zelenskyy-europe-7940f9c5828fc46431928bc073170bc2">Europe on edge</a>, and relations with other countries have become fraught, it might not be a surprise if soccer stadiums for the U.S. games at the World Cup offer the same sort of anti-American sentiment heard when spectators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-anthem-booed-montreal-hockey-9265bda34c95a1ed0ca2e1f90e7da1b1">in Canada booed “The Star-Spangled Banner”</a>&nbsp;during hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

FIFA, soccer’s governing body, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment, but Infantino has never hidden his admiration for Trump, which he often demonstrates via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFCCe0sIRF8/?igsh=MXN1OGZ0ZDhkbGU3OQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">social media</a>. They have met at least five times since the U.S. election in November.

Last week, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ioc-olympics-president-election-coventry-coe-samaranch-762f3442ff2a01be9e822cd017b89a59">Kirsty Coventry</a>&nbsp;was elected president of the International Olympic Committee — becoming the first woman in that position — she was asked how she would work with Trump and what she would tell athletes about traveling to the U.S. for the next Games.

“I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men, in high positions since I was 20 years old,” Coventry said with a chuckle, “and first and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on. And my firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports. He will want these Games to be significant. He will want them to be a success.”

Referring to concerns about whether the administration might deny some athletes visas, she added: “We will not waver from our values … of solidarity in ensuring that every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.”

The overriding assumption among those involved in the Olympics is that Trump will assure the 2028 Games are a success.

As U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-sports-8a89eac6ffd68f3e809cda0ec01ce4ac">Gene Sykes</a>&nbsp;put it: “I can’t speak for him, but I think he’s the kind of person who probably believes that having these go very, very well is a reflection of his leadership.”

Will Trump’s tariffs and other policies affect soccer’s World Cup?

“The most likely outcome is that Trump’s nonsense won’t have an impact,” said Smith College professor Andrew Zimbalist, an expert on the economics of sports.

“My guess is that if relations between Canada and the U.S. deteriorate to the point that there are travel restrictions and spending restrictions,” Zimbalist said, “Trump would — just like he’s making exceptions all the time on his tariffs policies — make an exception for a month or six weeks.”

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