By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

At Fort Hays State University, the power that heats buildings, cools arenas and runs classrooms comes from a mix of wind, diesel and even ice made overnight.

Keith Dreher, director of energy management at FHSU, has worked at the university for almost 35 years, starting in grounds maintenance before becoming director of the energy division. Early in his career, the university wanted to modernize how it controlled the power in its buildings.

"The director of that time asked me whether I'd be interested in doing digital controls for the campus," Dreher said. "They sent me to San Diego to train for a week. I came back, and he showed me a warehouse full of parts and told me to build the system for the campus."

Dreher then replaced what he described as an antiquated HVAC system with a modern building automation system built from the ground up.

In 2003, the department explored ways to offset the university’s peak demand and ultimately chose diesel generators. A decade later, with the help of former FHSU President Ed Hammond, the university took another major step.

"In 2013, we installed wind turbines, and that's really helped us out a bunch in savings. Basically, somewhere around $600,000 a year for the university."

Dreher said the energy division has saved the university more than $11 million to date through the use of wind turbines, diesel generators and building controls housed at the Akers Energy Center.

Dreher said the wind turbines produce about 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, with about 12 million used on campus and the remaining 4 million sent back to Midwest Energy.

"[16 million kilowatt-hours annually] is basically all we are able to take internally," he said. "There are times when the wind is producing more power than the campus can even use, so that excess goes back to the grid."

Dreher said the wind turbines have produced 178 million kilowatt-hours since they were installed.

When wind production is low, Midwest Energy supplies the remaining electricity needed to power FHSU. On average, wind energy provides about 56% of the campus’s electrical use each year.

Diesel generators primarily serve as backup power if the university loses utility during storms, but they are also used to offset peak demand during the summer. Without managing peak demand, the university could face about $500,000 in annual utility penalty charges.

"By doing what we do with the diesel generators and wind turbines, we're able to cut that penalty in half," he said.

Excess wind energy can sometimes lead to financial penalties due to what Dreher described as negative prices in the regional electricity market, resulting from overproduction when there is no demand.

He said if the university is producing too much wind energy, others in the area will likely do the same.

Dreher said sending excess wind energy back to the utility offers no benefit if the university is penalized. As a result, the energy division developed a way to store that energy for later use. It implemented a system to reduce wind turbine output during times of unfavorable market pricing.

"What we had to do was come up with ideas on storage," he said. "A pet project of mine that I had for a number of years that I really wanted to try was ice storage."

An ice-storage cooling system freezes water overnight using wind energy and uses the stored ice to cool buildings. The first system was installed on campus at Gross Memorial Coliseum in 2025.

"There are 12 tanks that are buried partially underground out there. This chiller at night is using wind energy to make ice, and that's what we use to cool the building with during the day," Dreher said.

"We are currently looking at another location on campus," Dreher said.

Dreher said FHSU President Tisa Mason supported the ice storage units and helped push for their implementation. Based on a training case study at Gross Memorial Coliseum, the cooling system is projected to save about $18,000 per year.

With a second building under consideration for an ice-cooling system, Dreher said the main challenge is the amount of space the system would occupy.

"Where do you put these 12 tanks and not create an eyesore for like, the middle of the quad or something. It's got to be tactful about where you're going to place an application like this," he said.

Dreher said buildings could run on ice during the day, significantly lowering peak demand, reducing reliance on diesel generators and saving fuel.

Dreher said the next campus building to receive an ice-cooling system will better demonstrate its full cost-saving potential by replacing existing electricity use at FHSU.

Akers Energy Center supplies steam across campus

Steam is also produced at Akers Energy Center and distributed through pipes across campus for multiple uses. It heats buildings during colder months and provides hot water for showers, sinks and kitchen equipment.

Dreher said most campus buildings rely on the steam plant, except for the newer dorm complexes Victor Village and Tiger Village, which have their own heating and hot water systems.

The large boilers are used during winter when heating demand is higher, while the smaller boiler is used when demand is lower, such as during the summer.

Inside FHSU's energy center: Wind, diesel and innovation power campus

Hays High vs Shawnee Heights Friday, Mar. 13 - 3:30 Wichita, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network &nbsp; WATCH HERE - <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3818726">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a> &nbsp;

The Hays High girls make their third ever trip to the state semifinals on Friday as they face Shawnee Heights.

Hays' (24-1) win on Wednesday was just their fifth state tournament win in program history. Shawnee Heights (22-4) trailed after three quarters in their victory over Bonners Springs.&nbsp;

Winner of this game plays for a state title at 4:30 in Koch Arena at Wichita State University. The third place game will be played at 9:30 a.m.&nbsp;

Tip-off for this afternoon is set for 3:30. The Hertz Pregame Show will begin at 3:10 on 96.9 KFIX.&nbsp;

🏀📺 Hays High girls from 5A State semifinals

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Conservation (KDA–DOC) is pleased to announce the availability of cost-share funds to assist landowners affected by the wildfires that burned land in many regions of Kansas in February 2026. 

Wildfires included in this initiative are the recent Ranger Road, Stevens, Tennis, Andrew Lane, and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d70e5ead-1f84-4d90-a7c0-1e32ffa64b6d">Rawlins County</a> wildfires.

On March 6, the State Conservation Commission recommended approval of the Wildfire Recovery Initiative, to provide $151,000 of KDA–DOC financial assistance to landowners in eight counties (Barber, Clark, Comanche, Finney, Meade, Rawlins, Seward and Stevens) for cover crops, temporary watering facilities and temporary electric fence. Landowners can receive up to $5,000 in cost share funding through this initiative.

The signup period for these funds is open now and will end on April 3, 2026. Applications for this wildfire recovery cost share funding must be made through local Conservation Districts. 

Go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2FConservationDistricts%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019cdd53adf6-c5e51a21-df19-4968-8b21-b14cdf607550-000000/10pzfr5sHBgj55NnuaPNyMpwte7cDKXkSW15VykxCNE=448">www.agriculture.ks.gov/ConservationDistricts</a>&nbsp;to find contact information. Eligible applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis until all initiative funds have been allocated.

Projects that have been started but not completed prior to the landowners making application will be eligible for cost share assistance provided they keep receipts and follow KDA–DOC specifications (if necessary). Project eligibility does not guarantee approval by the KDA–DOC.

If you have questions on the Kansas Wildfire Cost Share Initiative, contact KDA–DOC staff: Dave Jones,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:David.Jones@ks.gov">David.Jones@ks.gov</a>, 785-564-6623; or Madison Loder,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Madison.Loder@ks.gov">Madison.Loder@ks.gov</a>, 785-477-2788. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Rawlins County landowners eligible for funds following February wildfires

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC) today announced the results of a multi-county enforcement operation targeting the unlawful sale of alcoholic products disguised as kratom extract “shots” in retail stores across the state.

The action underscores ABC’s commitment to protecting public health and safety, educating consumers, and ensuring businesses comply with Kansas law.

The investigation began in September 2025 following a formal complaint alleging that O.P.M.S. Kratom Extract liquid products—commonly marketed as “shots”—contained alcohol and were being sold without proper licensing.

These products were available in small bottles intended for human consumption and were sold in stores not authorized to sell alcoholic beverages.

ABC enforcement agents initiated a comprehensive investigation, locating the products in multiple Kansas retail locations and purchasing samples of O.P.M.S Black Kratom Extract liquid and O.P.M.S. Gold Kratom Extract liquid.

The products underwent field testing and were submitted to a federal forensic laboratory for chemical analysis. Laboratory results confirmed that the products contained between 15.7% and 16.1% ethanol alcohol, classifying them as alcoholic beverages under Kansas law.

The investigation determined that these unlicensed alcoholic products were being sold primarily in vape shops and similar businesses lacking the required alcoholic beverage licenses.

Working in coordination with county attorneys, ABC agents obtained search warrants for 12 business locations across Kansas, including:

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, ABC agents simultaneously executed the search warrants. A total of 1,006 bottles of the illegal alcoholic products were seized. All 12 businesses were found to be in possession of the unlawful beverages.

Criminal charges will be submitted to the respective county attorney’s offices for review and prosecution.

“Sales of unlawful alcoholic beverages by unlicensed businesses pose a clear risk to consumers and undermine the integrity of Kansas’ regulated marketplace,” said ABC Director Debbi Beavers. “This operation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the public and ensuring that all businesses follow state law.”

ABC encourages consumers to report suspected violations to help protect Kansas communities from unsafe or unlawfully sold products.

Potential violations can be reported at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksrevenue.gov%2Fabcindex.html/1/0101019ce810fdb4-112e0dca-5e76-43b1-940f-c0425d56b406-000000/sIURXLVdwlF0RwPX-J-C7D8sOKRnlw_s1mSSr1tnmJY=448">www.ksrevenue.gov/abcindex.html</a>

ABC operation in Hays allegedly discovers alcoholic beverages sold at unlicensed premises

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Kathleen Cook, Fort Hays State University Director of Academic Success about the Schmidt Foundation Scholarships.

🎥  Forward Ever: FHSU director of Academic Success

Update: A grass fire was reported at 3:42 p.m. on Thursday near a mobile home park.

Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers said the fire near 12th Street and Rome Road, south of Meadow Acres Park at 1500 W. 27th St., was under control by 4:42 p.m.

Myers said the fire burned one acre in an area filled with dense trees, logs, brush and trash that also caught fire.

Myers said embers carried by the wind sparked several small spot fires north of the creek, but the main fire burned on the south side.

Smoke was blown north to 27th Street. Myers said EMS stood by as the smoke moved through the trailer park. Residents were advised to shelter in place.

No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged.

A grass fire broke out Thursday afternoon near a mobile home park in Hays.

The fire started around 3:50 p.m. on 12th Street. Portions of the roadway remain closed as the fire is ongoing as of 4:15 p.m.

The fire is located between 12th Street and Meadow Acres Park at 1500 W. 27th St.

UPDATE: Grass fire reported near mobile home park in Hays

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays Post

Hays residents Jeremy and Tonya Schmeidler are accustomed to splitting up for road basketball games when two of their children play on the same night.&nbsp;

But Wednesday was an exception – one they will never forget.

Because of this year’s new format for scheduling state high school tournaments in Kansas, the Schmeidlers were able to watch their son Ty and daughter Jenna both play at Tony’s Pizza Events Center (TPEC) in Salina on the same day.

While that might not sound all that unusual at first, consider this: The Schmeidler siblings attend different schools of different sizes in different classifications in Hays. Ty is a junior at Class 2A Thomas More Prep-Marian, while Jenna is a sophomore at 5A Hays High.

In the past, each classification had its own separate site for state tourney action. But with the new format, the Schmeidlers were delighted when they learned that TMP-Marian’s boys would be playing its 2 p.m. quarterfinal game at TPEC, with the Hays High girls to follow later that evening in the same location.

“This is the pinnacle of high school basketball,” Jeremy said. “After all those years of driving them to club ball, having both your kids playing at the state high school tournament, representing their schools – and on the same day in the same place – is awesome.”

While Ty’s Monarchs suffered a disappointing loss in their game with St. Marys, Jenna and the Indians pulled off an exciting, 49-46 victory over Wichita’s Kapaun-Mt. Carmel in the last game of the day.

That marked the first win at state in more than 30 years for the HHS girls’ program, back when Indians’ Head Coach Len Melvin was still in high school in Colby.

The victory propelled them into today’s 3:30 p.m. state semifinals at Wichita State University’s Koch Arena. Saturday’s third-place game is set for 9:30 a.m., with the championship game at 4:30 p.m.

The Indians hope to be playing in Saturday’s late afternoon game. But win or lose, Jeremy is confident there will be a strong following for the Indians in the final four.

“The support is phenomenal,” he said. “I think it’s a community thing. Everyone just wants the hometown kids to do well.”

Two families that do get to watch their two favorite players at the same site every game are those of Hays High seniors Kinslee Newell and Annie Humphrey. Kinslee and Annie happen to be first cousins, and both are starters for the Indians.

That makes it easy for their grandparents, Stan and Joyce Newell from Hays, to attend every home game as well as a lot of the road games.

“We watch their games on TV if we can’t get to them in person,” Joyce said. “But it’s definitely not like sitting there in person watching them play.”

Junior Morgan Armbruster’s dad never misses a game, either. Dustin Armbruster, Voice of the Indians for Eagle Radio, broadcasts all HHS games – home and away.

The Newells are planning on joining their granddaughters’ parents (Clint and Becky Newell and Mike and Sara Humphrey) and their families this weekend for a couple of days of basketball in Wichita.

Anyone unable to make the trip in person can tune into KFIX FM Radio 96.9 to listen to the Indians’ games or video stream them through Hays Post.

“It’s so exciting. This hasn’t happened in a long time,” Joyce Newell said in reference to the Indians making the final four. “I wouldn’t want to miss it.”

HHS had also qualified for state last year but fell in the quarterfinal round in a three-point heartbreaker.

Not this year. The Indians held off a late rally by Kapaun-Mt. Carmel, and when the final buzzer sounded, this time Hays High was on the winning end of a three-point score. The stands erupted, and students from both Hays schools joined the Indians on the floor.

Coincidentally, there were connections to Hays in some way or another at all five of Wednesday’s games at TPEC.

Here are just a few of those connections:

• Game 1, Centralia girls vs. Quinter.

In the crowd was Hays native Teresa (Herman) Selensky, who now lives in Gove County, and her sons attend school in Quinter. Selensky is a 1985 graduate of TMP-Marian.

• Game 2, TMP-M boys vs. St. Marys.

Loyal Hays High fans showed up early in the day to also support the Monarchs. Some stayed to watch more games throughout the day. Others left to grab a bite to eat or to do a little shopping before returning in time for the finale.

One Hays High student, Alex Loving, even sat in the crowd dressed in a TMP-M shirt, because “my best friend is number 20 (Grant Nehls).”

• Game 3, Little River girls vs. Central Plains.

Any Hays fans watching this game got to see a preview of what to expect the next few years from one of Fort Hays State University’s signees as Little River standout Arika Feldman helped the Redskins dominate rival Central Plains in a 30-point victory.

• Game 4, Rock Creek boys vs. Eudora.

The principal at Rock Creek High School is Sam Pahls, a former girls’ assistant basketball coach at TMP-M. Representing Eudora at that game were former Ellis County residents Bill DeWitt and Stu Moeckel. Pahls' wife Madison played basketball at Fort Hays State University.

DeWitt, a TMP-M graduate who served as principal at his alma mater from 2009-13, is now the principal at Eudora. Moeckel, who grew up in Victoria and later coached there, is superintendent of Eudora USD 491. His wife, Summer, is the daughter of former long-time Hays High Athletic Director Mike Karl.

• Game 5, Hays High girls vs. Kapaun-Mt. Carmel.

The Indians saved the best for last, closing out the long day with a bang.

Fans rooting for Hays High dwarfed Kapaun’s crowd. Some of the loudest were Ty Schmeidler and his TMP-M teammates, who stayed around to support his little sister.

As Jeremy Schmeidler said earlier in this article, something that bears repeating, “I think it’s a community thing. Everyone just wants the hometown kids to do well.”

"Phenomenal” community support for Hays basketball teams

FHSU daily crime log: March 8-14, 2026

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>

How to submit an obituary to the Hays Post

Please email obituaries to haysobits@eaglemedia.com and include your phone number.&nbsp;

Please allow up to 24 hours from the submission of the obituary for it to be posted on the Hays Post.&nbsp;

If you have questions, please contact Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.&nbsp;

If you have an issue outside of business hours or your obit has not been published within 24 hours, please email <a href="mailto:hayspost@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">hayspost@eaglemedia.com</a> or call Cristina Janney, Hays Post editor, at 785-301-2077.&nbsp;

Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

By LINN ANN HUNTINTON Special to Hays Post

Thanks to the financial support of a Hays church, a free laundry service for individuals in Ellis County is going to expand.

Laundry Love was begun by First Call for Help of Ells County in June 2024. Since then, it has provided low-income individuals the ability to wash and dry up to six loads of laundry free of charge once a month.

That free service has been provided at the 27th&nbsp;&amp; Hall St. Laundromat, 507 W. 27th, on the third Thursday of every month from 4 to 6 p.m. That service will continue. But funding from Hays First United Methodist Church will provide an additional night on the first Thursday of each month, starting April 2 at a second location. That new location will be 8th&nbsp;Street Laundry Services, 225 E. Eighth St. The times will remain the same, from 4 to 6 pm., with the last load ending at 5:30 p.m.

According to information provided by First Call, in 2025 the Laundry Love program served 204 individuals, with 435 loads of laundry washed and dried completely free at the 27th&nbsp;and Hall location.

The Rev. Dr. Susan Murithi, senior pastor at Hays First United Methodist, said the fact that the program is so well used was a deciding factor in the church’s decision to sponsor the program at both laundromats for 2026.

Macey Pfeifer, First Call’s executive director, said that Sunflower Bank was the sponsor the past two years.

“We are so grateful to Sunflower Bank for bringing this opportunity to us in 2024. They sponsored us for 2024 and 2025 with their original donation of $3,500. First United Methodist’s sponsorship is $1,500 for the year for each location,” Pfeifer said.

First Call’s staff and volunteers will continue running the program at the 27th&nbsp;and Hall location, while volunteers from the church’s Missions and Community Engagement Committee will run the service at the Eighth Street location.

Laundry Love has a contract with Earth Breeze laundry detergent, which will provide boxes of the detergent sheets free of charge. Pfeifer said First Call will also have liquid laundry detergent available, along with fabric softener and dryer sheets. These will all be provided for free at both locations.

Pastor Murithi said the church recently revised its Mission Statement to focus more on 'serving and healing within our community.'

“Whenever we see brokenness or an area needing healing in the community, the congregation is great about stepping up. We try to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

She said Greg Daughhetee, a member of the Missions and Community Engagement Committee, was the one who first heard about Laundry Love and took the idea of sponsoring the program to the committee.

Sherri Brown, chair of the committee, said the group suggested adding a downtown laundromat since many individuals lack the transportation to access the facility at 27th&nbsp;and Hall.

Pfeifer with First Call said she thought the idea was a good one.&nbsp;“Opening this location and having it on an additional day will give households the chance to utilize both nights and wash their clothes twice a month rather than once.”&nbsp;

Murithi said any time First United Methodist Church looks at sponsoring a new project, the members look at several questions: What project represents the greatest need? Do we have an adequate budget? Do we have sufficient people to do this project?

She said the church took up a special collection on Christmas Eve and decided to put all of the money collected toward community service. One of those community service projects was Laundry Love.

Murithi said her goal as a pastor is to have each member of the congregation find some type of outreach project that they can get involved with—whether it’s women knitting prayer shawls to give to people who are grieving; to the church members who help prepare and serve the hot meals once a week for the drive-thru Feeding Hays ministry; to those who volunteer overnight at The Hearth, the cold weather shelter run by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance; to the young people who go shopping each Christmas for Angel Tree gifts for underprivileged children.

Murithi has been the pastor at Hays First United Methodist for about 1½ years. She said of all the churches she has served during her 20-year ministry, “this is one of the most passionate churches about outreach into the community.”

Pfeifer said,&nbsp;“Laundry Love is a wonderful program to have in our community. If you're not blessed enough to own your own machines, it can be quite expensive to wash your clothes every few days or even once a week. The cost adds up. We love that we have businesses/organizations/churches that are willing to be sponsors so this program can remain.

“Every month we have individuals thank us many times throughout the night for offering the program. It really puts into perspective how much you can take for granted. Future goals of Laundry Love would to be to get the word out more and make sure everyone in the community is aware that this is something that is offered.”

Pfeifer said that any organization or church interested in sponsoring Laundry Love in the future may contact her at 785-623-2800.

Church’s support helps expand free laundry service in Hays

The United Way of Ellis County is celebrating another successful Dueling Pianos event, made possible by the incredible generosity of our community.

The February 8 fundraiser, held at the Unrein Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds, delivered an evening packed with music, friendly competition, and enthusiastic crowd participation.

This year’s event raised an impressive $17,000, exceeding last year’s total and further strengthening United Way’s ability to serve Ellis County.

 Funds raised will support 13 local partner agencies that provide essential programs in education, financial stability, and health.

Guests enjoyed dinner, drinks, and high-energy musical entertainment while giving back to a cause that impacts neighbors across the county.

United Way extends heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees. Your continued support makes it possible to invest in local programs that improve lives and build a stronger, more resilient community.

Community turns out for United Way’s Dueling Pianos fundraiser

WICHITA — Harsh winter weather&nbsp;impacted&nbsp;many communities in February, disrupting blood drive collections&nbsp;and scheduled&nbsp;donation routines.&nbsp;With spring just around the corner, all who are eligible are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood&nbsp;or platelets&nbsp;during&nbsp;Red Cross Month&nbsp;this March.&nbsp;

The Red Cross will perform free A1C testing on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made March 1-31 (one result per calendar year).&nbsp;Plus, those who come to give&nbsp;March 1-31, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email.&nbsp;Details can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy7Gu4yAQheGngQ4LxhjGBcVt_BrRAOPYWghZsBLt268S3fY7588BMFntJAfj_Wy8dxrkEXbImpZ1txw1Z2cJd4JoZ9Jk3OKiPINbo0baZ1pd5Jsx2WhtAJfEwupxZv5z_lWVzsJ9KL96XNa4e6_6jo8yfQZZwnFdzyHmHwGbgO39fk-dc-ptjFhay1PrdwFbaYmKOlrlJ91ZwMYvflxDwFapp2M6rlpk5XyS6lyYBqszhy_cfkHMP2BnbVD2cNC_8WzjElYz3Qt_j1NqVY6rM9dPjIgL-QWUWzEpq6NTq0VQs-Xsl-Q9YpKvAP8DAAD__-3MZHg">RedCrossBlood.org/March</a>.&nbsp;

March is Red Cross Month; blood donations needed

VICTORIA — The Victoria Knights of Columbus will hold their second Lenten fish fry on Friday, March 13,&nbsp; beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Victoria VFW Hall.

Victoria Lenten Fish Friday is Friday in Knights of Columbus Hall

&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

TMP-Marian Sports Booster Club presents 'Dueling Pianos' fundraiser March 28

The Thursday, May 12 Hays City Commission meeting has been canceled

Hays City Commission meeting this week is canceled

WICHITA — The American Red Cross urges donors to help the national blood&nbsp;supply recover from a severe blood shortage and empower their health by making an appointment&nbsp;to give blood or platelets in March.

 As a thank-you for helping save lives, successful donations will&nbsp;receive free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, in March (one result per&nbsp;calendar year).

New Red Cross data reveals 1 in 5 blood donors have elevated A1C levels — a sign that prediabetes&nbsp;and diabetes are prevalent among adults in generally good health.&nbsp;

The findings are based on the first year of free A1C screening offered by the Red Cross, which provided results to more than 920,000 blood&nbsp;donors nationwide over three testing periods in 2025.

&nbsp;Among donors with elevated A1C&nbsp;levels, 80% had readings indicating prediabetes — a condition that can often be reversed through lifestyle&nbsp;changes such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.

“Too many people still face gaps in access to preventive care, and the Red Cross is proud to help close&nbsp;them by giving our 2.5 million blood and platelet donors easy access to essential health information, like&nbsp;their blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, Red Cross medical director. “By giving blood and&nbsp;downloading our Blood Donor App, individuals can be informed and empowered to better&nbsp;manage and advocate for their health.”

The A1C test does not require fasting and provides an average blood sugar level over the past&nbsp;three months.

&nbsp;Visit <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED&nbsp;CROSS to schedule your March donation appointment.

&nbsp;All who come to give blood, platelets or&nbsp;plasma March 1-31, 2026, will also receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email.&nbsp;See <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/march.html">RedCrossBlood.org/March</a> for details.

Donating blood in March is part of Red Cross Month, a national campaign that encourages people to&nbsp;deliver support when help can’t wait by also making a financial donation, volunteering or taking a&nbsp;lifesaving skills class.

Millions of U.S. adults are living with undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, which are often&nbsp;preventable and in many cases, reversible. These conditions often develop silently, though if untreated,&nbsp;they can lead to serious health complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

Early detection isn’t just good for long-term health — it’s also a warning for people’s wallets.

An American Diabetes Association study found that, while people with prediabetes typically incur a few&nbsp;hundred dollars in additional medical costs each year, those with blood sugar levels that have progressed&nbsp;to the diabetic range could face several thousand dollars more in annual expenses — as much as 25&nbsp;times higher.

How to Find Out Your A1C from the Red Cross

After making a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation in March, donors can access their&nbsp;A1C result within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal&nbsp;at RedCrossBlood.org. Anyone with an elevated A1C level is encouraged to consult their health care&nbsp;provider.

In addition, donors can access and track their blood pressure, hemoglobin, pulse and body temperature,&nbsp;which are taken during each donation’s mini-physical to ensure they’re healthy enough to give.

How Blood Donation Can Help Bridge Health Care Gaps

As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is uniquely positioned to help bridge existing health&nbsp;care gaps by providing blood donors with critical health insights. Through the Red Cross Blood Donor&nbsp;App and online donor portal, donors can track their results and share them with their health care&nbsp;provider.

These efforts are part of the broader Red Cross mission, which has supported the health of communities&nbsp;for 145 years. 

Today in Kansas, this work includes installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods at high&nbsp;risk for home fires, providing basic health and mental health services to disaster survivors, and supporting the well-being of military families, veterans and their caregivers.

Q: Why is the Red Cross testing blood, platelet and plasma donors’ A1C levels?

A: The Red Cross values the health and well-being of blood donors. By providing this vital health insight,&nbsp;the Red Cross is helping to bridge existing care gaps and empower donors to take an important&nbsp;step toward preventative care and lifesaving intervention.

Q: Should I fast to receive the A1C test on my blood donation?

A: No, the A1C test does not require individuals to fast. This is noteworthy because eating a nutritious&nbsp;meal prior to blood donation is important.

Q: Can I donate blood if I have prediabetes or diabetes?

A: People with prediabetes or diabetes are generally eligible to donate blood, platelets and plasma if they&nbsp;are feeling well on the day of their donation. In most situations, the type of medication donors take to&nbsp;manage their diabetes does not disqualify them from donating blood.

Q: Can I donate blood while taking GLP-1 medication?

A: In most situations, the type of medication you take to manage your diabetes or insulin&nbsp;resistance won't disqualify you from donating blood. Whether you take insulin injections like Apidra or&nbsp;Humalog, an injected diabetes medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro, or oral medications like metformin,&nbsp;you are still eligible to donate if you are feeling well on the day of your donation.

Red Cross offers free A1C testing; 1 in 5 donors prediabetic, diabetic 

Tree removal demonstration set for March 18

The City of Hays will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on March 9th and continue through May 11th. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion. 

Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for longer periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can impact water quality, such as high temperatures or reduced usage of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual.

The Hays Fire Department is conducting their annual testing of hydrants at the same time to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly.If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact the Water Resources Department at 785-628-7380.

City of Hays chlorine conversion begins today

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

The Babysitting Clinic Curriculum is designed to help middle school and teenaged youth (10-18 yrs.) learn what it takes to be a responsible, caring, trustworthy, competent, capable, and safe babysitter for infants through school age children.

The participants will learn the basic information on how to be a competent, responsible, and caring babysitter. They will also develop “life skills” such as caring for and managing resources, decision-making, and communication. Each activity notes at least one life skill and uses the experiential learning or “hands-on learning to reinforce it.” 

Based on the discussions your teens have during the class, you may find they are learning other skills. That is great! The more skills they use and practice, the better.

Teens learn about the ages and stages of child growth and development, safety, food and nutrition, how to handle emergencies, appropriate activities to implement with children, and the business of babysitting.

We also partner with Ellis County EMS to provide CPR and First Aid training. The participants will be certified in CPR and First Aid upon completion of the class. Participants will also receive an information notebook, activity bag, and first aid kits.

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