By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Designs for Hays' and Russell's R9 water pipeline and the wellfield are complete.

Project manager John Braun made the report to the Hays City Commission on Thursday.

Braun also said 115 of 130 easements needed to build the 70-mile pipeline have been acquired.

Assuming Hays and Russell receive final water transfer approval by mid-year, Braun said bid documents would be finalized by year's end, and the project would be advertised. Early in 2027, contracts would be awarded, and construction would start in April 2027, with completion of the project in the summer 2029. "City staff is pleased with the progress and ready to proceed when we get the green light," Braun said.

The city is awaiting the ruling of the Kansas Supreme Court, which heard arguments Dec. 15, in the latest round of legal wrangling between Hays and Russell and WaterPACK, a group of central Kansas irrigators who oppose the water transfer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The arguments went very well," said Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager. "We hope the Supreme Court will give us a positive ruling, and when they do, this will put an end to that challenge."

"I think it was made clear in the testimony," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner, "how long this has taken and what we have done to get here."

The water transfer panel has indicated it will have its hearing as soon as the Supreme Court issues its ruling.&nbsp;

Mason Ruder, mayor, said he received a phone call from Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, last week. Moran said the city's request for funds for the water project was included in the most recent federal funding bill.

"That means the city of Hays will be getting about $11 million toward this project to help offset some of these costs, which is a huge deal. Russell will be getting $1 million for their share. ... We really appreciate Sen. Moran's support in securing those funds," Ruder said.&nbsp;

Chris Smith, property manager, said the walk-in hunting access on the R9 has been very successful, with hunters coming from as far away as Vermont.

"We will continue to be good stewards of the land," he said.&nbsp;

Financial management policy revisions

In other business, commissioners voted to approve recommended revisions to the comprehensive financial management policy.

Kim Rupp, finance director, presented the updates, including setting a $3 million cap on the balance of the budget&nbsp;stabilization reserve fund.

"History has proven the city’s budgeted unreserved fund balance, commission capital reserve and budget stabilization reserve have been sufficient to fund unforeseen emergency needs," Rupp said.

Other minor changes included some clarifying terminology, deleting obsolete sections, providing language for the earlier switch to a Kansas municipal audit and accounting guide audit, minor formatting and edits.

Hays named Community of the Year by Community Playmaker

Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, announced Hays won the national 2025 Community of the Year award from Community Playmaker. Hays competed against 100 towns across the country.

Community Playmaker is a media platform dedicated to empowering civic leaders and providing ideas to make their communities even better.&nbsp; 

"They were looking for impactful initiatives in areas of economic development, community engagement, public safety, arts and culture, environmental stewardship, and creation of inclusive, high-quality environments," Dixon said. "Hays is doing all those things."&nbsp;

🎙Hays water project manager: R9 pipeline, wellfield designs complete

BELOIT – Each semester Fort Hays Tech | North Central awards a member of our staff or faculty with a 212° Award. The purpose of the 212° Award is to recognize individuals who demonstrate superior dedication and the willingness to go that extra degree.

212 degrees is the boiling point of water. Everyone has watched it happen as water goes from still to rumbling when it reaches that threshold. That boiling point is a transformation point.

 Recipients of this award are employees who voluntarily go above and beyond the call of duty and are transformational leaders at the college. These employees demonstrate a positive attitude and commitment to their profession, students, fellow employees, and a loyalty to the mission of Fort Hays Tech | North Central.

The recipient of 2025 Fall 212° Award is Emma Carlin. Carlin is the student account specialist for the college and works on the Beloit campus.

Carlin exemplifies the spirit of the 212° Award. She has been with the college for over four years and during that time she has provided steadfast support in helping both students and staff. Carlin is selfless, dedicated, and dependable and always willing to go above and beyond in order to help others.

"We are blessed to have Emma Carlin on our team, and I am very pleased that she was selected by her peers for this recognition," said Fort Hays Tech | North Central's President Eric Burks.

 "Emma is an amazing person and does a fantastic job of thinking of ways to make things work better for our students and our staff. Emma's kind and caring demeanor and her outstanding work ethic are very much appreciated by students and staff. Emma is very deserving of the 212 Award as she consistently goes above and beyond to help people and fulfill the college's mission," Burks said.

Fort Hays Tech | North Central honors staff member with Fall 2025 212° Award

<a target="_blank" href="https://communityplaymaker.com/">Community Playmaker</a>, a media platform dedicated to celebrating and empowering civic leaders, has named&nbsp;Hays, Kansas, as its 2025 Community of the Year. The annual honor recognizes cities, towns, parishes, and counties across the United States for their outstanding commitment to enhancing quality of life through innovative programs, visionary leadership, and community-driven solutions.

The&nbsp;Community of the Year Award&nbsp;highlights impactful initiatives in areas such as economic development, community engagement, public safety, arts and culture, environmental stewardship, and the creation of inclusive, high-quality environments. Finalists are selected for their measurable progress, strong civic partnerships, and clear vision for the future. Hays rose to the top from a competitive field of communities nationwide, including fellow 2025 finalists: Port St. Lucie, Florida and Monessen, Pennsylvania.

“Hays is a powerful example of what happens when a community commits to long-term, balanced growth,” said Ashley Whittaker, editor-in-chief of Community Playmaker. “From protecting scarce water resources to investing in inclusive recreation, education, and public art, Hays shows how thoughtful planning and collaboration can create a place where people of all ages truly want to live, learn, work, and retire.”

Hays, Kansas, demonstrates how Midwestern hospitality can be paired with modern innovation and environmental responsibility. The city has carefully balanced infrastructure growth with a focus on sustainability, ensuring that progress never comes at the expense of its natural resources or quality of life. Its long-standing leadership in water conservation has yielded groundbreaking initiatives that protect limited water supplies while still supporting new development and community amenities.

Hays distinguished itself through several key initiatives and investments, including:

“Hays shows what it looks like when a community invests in every stage of life—from early childhood to retirement—while still protecting the environment and celebrating its culture,” added Whittaker. “Their story is a roadmap for communities that want to grow without losing their sense of place.”

Hays will be featured in upcoming Community Playmaker content highlighting its innovative strategies, partnerships, and long-term impact on residents.

Subscribe to Community Playmaker’s weekly newsletter to learn more about Hays, for updates on the 2026 Community of the Year, and for stories from communities across the United States.

Community playmaker awards Hays 2025 community of the year

Coming up on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with Stacy Campbell, Cottonwood Extension District crop production specialist, about upcoming soil fertility programs and how agriculture producers deal with winter weather.

🎙 Post Podcast: Campbell: Soil fertility; ag producers deal with winter weather

<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

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District It is hard to prepare for extreme winter weather when December was so warm. However, variability is a characteristic of Kansas weather and a drop in temperature with above normal precipitation can create some very stressful conditions for livestock. Animals adapt to colder weather as we go through the fall into winter, but if there is an abrupt change, without acclimation, the stress is compounded.

Many of us are all too aware of the impact wind has on what it takes to keep warm in the winter. Wind speed along with temperature, humidity, and solar radiation have been combined into an animal comfort index that can be used to classify the level of weather-related stress for cattle. 

The K-State Mesonet now provides both current conditions and a 7-day forecast of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/">Animal Comfort Index</a>&nbsp;that producers can use for planning.

During extreme cold, cattle need more energy just to maintain body heat. Windbreaks are a key tool in helping livestock cope with cold stress and reduce the amount of energy, and in effect cost, to maintain weight. 

Some of the best windbreaks are multiple rows of established trees, but they take years to develop and serve a fixed location. 

If building a portable windbreak or a windbreak fence, the most effective for wind protection is 75 to 80% solid to reduce wind speed but prevent snow drifting. An opening of 4 to 6” at the base will promote drying and drainage.Bedding is another tool to help livestock manage cold stress. 

Bedding provides insulation from mud and frozen ground and helps keep cattle clean. Shelter and bedded areas only calves can access will help young calves better cope with the winter weather.

 Bulls can be overlooked during the winter months; however frostbite of the scrotum can cause anywhere from short-term to permanent damage to sperm production. Windbreaks and bedding are great tools to protect your investment in bulls and their genetics.

Drought has impacted forage availability in parts of the state and may make it harder to find sources of bedding. If needed, unrolling large round bales of good quality feed can do double duty as feed and bedding for a short-term solution. 

Feedlot calves that received bedding (4 lbs. per head per day) during a particularly cold January gained 3.33 lbs. per day compared to 2.25 lbs/day for un-bedded calves. For young or already stressed calves, bedding may minimize negative health impacts from the combined stressors.

When cold stress occurs, feeding cattle late in the day can help cattle cope with night-time temperature declines as the heat of fermentation in the rumen will peak about 6 hours after consumption.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Cold weather and livestock protection

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post Sports

PLAINVILLE – The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys basketball team is headed back
to the Mid-Continent League tournament championship for the first time since
2023, while the TMP girls fell short, losing in the tournament semifinals.

GIRLS: No. 1 Hoxie 54, No. 5 TMP 25

The TMP girls shot just 17 percent from the floor, and Hoxie
used a 14-3 run to close out the first quarter, and they never trailed in a
54-25 loss.

Hoxie’s Evie Schippers scored the game's first seven points
and led all scorers with 26 in the game. She scored eight in the first half and
10 total points in the second quarter.

Down 7-0, the Monarchs answered with seven straight, tying
the game at 7, but the Indians finished the first quarter on a 5-2 run and led
12-9.

The Monarchs were held to just three points, all from the free-throw
line, in the second quarter, while Hoxie outscored TMP 15-3 in the quarter and
built a 27-12 halftime lead.

Hoxie continued to build on its lead in the third quarter,
and with a running clock in the fourth quarter, it secured the 54-25 victory.

TMP’s Raegan Allen finished with eight points, and Bria
Windholz finished with seven points and seven rebounds.

Hoxie will take on Oakley in the championship game on January 31, at 1 p.m in Plainville. Oakley deafeated Trego 48-41.

The TMP boys used a 16-6 run to end the first quarter and begin
the second quarter to secure a 59-45 victory and secure their spot in the MCL tournament
champion game for the first time since 2023.

Ty Schmeidler knocked down a three-pointer to open the game
for TMP. He went on to score a game-high 20 points to lead the way for TMP.

The Monarchs outscored Phillipsburg 21-13 in the second quarter
and had a 34-22 halftime lead.

Phillipsburg closed within three in the third quarter, but
Schmeidler connected on his fifth three-pointer of the game, giving TMP room to
breathe and a 37-33 lead.

The Monarch converted on 9-of-13 from the free line in the
final quarter on their way to the 59-45 win.

They will take on Plainville in the championship game at approximately 2:30 p.m. next Saturday, Jan. 20

The Cardinals were 63-33 winners over the top-seed Plainville.

🏀 TMP boys advance to MCL tournament finals; girls fall short

---------------------------------------------------------

The city of Victoria is implementing its snow route emergency plan effective 5 p.m. Friday until the snow emergency has passed.

The Hays Adoration Chapel will be closed until Monday at noon.

Russell public transportation closed. The Hays Public Library closed. HaysMed:&nbsp;The Center for Health Improvement will operate on a&nbsp;delayed schedule&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday, January 24. The facility will&nbsp;open at 8 a.m.&nbsp; The following events and services are&nbsp;cancelled for Saturday, January 24: • Play Center-closed • 9 a.m. Group fitness class-canceled • 9:30 a.m. water aerobics class-canceled • Family gym/swim-canceled for Saturday and Sunday The Arc Thrift store will not be accepting donations on Saturday due to the weather.&nbsp; Ellis Public Library, closed. Heartland Gymnastics events are canceled for Saturday.

FHSU basketball in Hays games&nbsp;moved up two hours.&nbsp;The women's game will now be at noon, with the men's game to follow at 2 p.m.

Ellis Junior High wrestling at Larned is canceled. The TMP chess tournament scheduled for tomorrow at Kennedy Middle School in Hays has been canceled.

Hays Lions Club Lensmeter processing and training for Saturday has been postponed. A rescheduled date will be announced.&nbsp;

JoAnn Fleharty’s funeral has been postponed. A future date for the service has yet to be determined.

The Hays Adoration Chapel will be closed until Monday at noon. Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays annual meeting canceled.

Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County ReStore closed.

Shiloh Vineyard is moving their Puzzle exchange event to Saturday January 31.

Churches • 9 a.m. Mass at St. Catharine Church in Catherine, canceled. • Gorham Community Church will not hold services this Sunday. • Canceled services for St. Michael's Episcopal Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church in Hays. • The Hays Adoration Chapel will be closed until Monday at noon.

Trinity Lutheran Church at 2700 Fort St., Hays, has canceled its Sunday services this week. ------ Tebo Library closed. St John's Place Community meeting set for this Sunday, January 25, canceled. New date TBD.

Beef and noodle dinner in Boque has been postponed to Sunday, Feb. 1.

St. Mary’s School in Ellis has POSTPONED its Annual School Carnival and Soup Lunch set for Sunday, Jan. 25 to Sunday, Feb. 1st. Please watch their School Facebook page for updates.

For Kansas road conditions, visit <a href="https://www.kandrive.gov/">https://www.kandrive.gov/</a>

Latest cancellations and delays

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Liebenthal public water supply system located in Rush County. The advisory was issued because of an equipment failure resulting in the city being unable to maintain the minimum required chlorine residual. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the City of Liebenthal indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 785-222-6122 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit our webpage:&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/1/0100019bed07170e-f2fd58b8-6cc1-4c4e-bc8b-691522b93c62-000000/B3Km4dpYv9o5tQ6Esmro82nCuMn1l6IlQTRvjZ22Rdk=441">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>.

Boil Water Advisory rescinded for city of Liebenthal

The Wild West Festival announced on Facebook Wednesday that Steel Skarecrow will open for Jackson Dean on Thursday, July 2, during this year's festival.

The festival said on Facebook: Thursday night just got louder!

Joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheJacksonDean?__cft__[0]=AZa9l3cgEV0fFJ6zJAXHfLz-8N06q7Wza-QL8Af7vyLLi_sVmWJY6-D6NmF94zXVa9Cyt2V8xUX5HzMTwtVGnHAd3fbHnCZJclHPllNV-gUkxpUg8gF5jZIpEZ-p4RxAVHI3Qjx-rmLn8vR4M5bM0htj&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Jackson Dean</a>on July 2, please welcome <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SteelSkarecrow1?__cft__[0]=AZa9l3cgEV0fFJ6zJAXHfLz-8N06q7Wza-QL8Af7vyLLi_sVmWJY6-D6NmF94zXVa9Cyt2V8xUX5HzMTwtVGnHAd3fbHnCZJclHPllNV-gUkxpUg8gF5jZIpEZ-p4RxAVHI3Qjx-rmLn8vR4M5bM0htj&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Steel Skarecrow</a> to the Wild West Festival stage! They’ll be kicking things into high gear at 7:30 p.m., right before our headliner takes the mic. Get your boots ready, this is going to be a party!

Wild West Festival announces another act for 2026

NASA’s giant new moon rocket, Artemis II, moved to the launch pad Jan. 17, in preparation for astronauts’ first fly-around the moon in more than half a century. The out-and-back trip could blast off as early as February.

The trip will send astronauts farther than any crew has traveled.  Last spring we visited with the pilot of the mission, Victor Glover.

He was selected as an astronaut in 2013 and most recently served as pilot of the Crew-1 Dragon spacecraft which flew to the International Space Station.  Here is our interview with NASA astronaut Victor Glover.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;&nbsp;Welcome again to "Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times" with a special guest from Houston, astronaut Victor.&nbsp;Thanks for being on our program today.

Victor Glover:&nbsp;Thanks, Gary, great to be here. Thanks for&nbsp;having me.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;&nbsp;You know, one of the things I know that we talk about on this program is leadership. You have walked in space four times. I believe you've been on the space station. You've lived up there for a while. What puts you in position?

Victor Glover:&nbsp;You know, from a leadership, from a career standpoint, to be in the astronaut program, I love talking about leadership.&nbsp;I love the subject and, well, I think a part of it would be following having a bunch of great leaders to work with and look up to. 

Initially, when you're put into a leadership position, you can freestyle it, or you can mimic what you've seen. So I would say some great leaders do imitate. 

I worked for some amazing people. My squadron commanders, I worked for John McCain for almost a year. Charlie Bolden, who ran NASA, but he was a Marine Corps general when I worked for him the first time, and so I think that's a big part of it, having some really amazing leaders to look up to in the beginning.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;Were there some key moments in your career that kind of turned you towards being an astronaut?

Victor Glover:&nbsp;Key moments? Wow. I was in college, tutoring for a program, and loved working with kids, teaching engineering, and felt like I really had found my calling. I was considering the military and teaching at the time.

So my boss in that program, thinking she was going to help, really set the hook for being an educator, had me meet the executive director of this program.

I went up to the University of California office, and I walk in his office, and there's a constellation of our solar system and a rocket. And he sees me, leans back in his chair, he takes his glasses off and sets it on a book.

I shake his hand, and sit down, and he taps on that book. And he says, you see that right there? That's how I live my dreams of space exploration and flying. And he says, You have a chance to go fly in the Navy. Go do it, and if anything else, it'll make you a better educator. 

That conversation, which was that quick, really turned my thinking. I've always loved education and the impact we can have on young people, but that really helped me get comfortable with the idea of going and starting this Navy journey, which, you know, lots of other decisions on the way, but that was the big one, whether or not to leave college and go be an educator or to go serve in the military.

Gary Shorman: In our story, you talk to students about that. I'm sure you make those choices, make those things that can change your life. You've done that.

You had a chance to be at the space station, walk in space. Let's talk a little bit about that. What did it feel like to step outside the spaceship and just go shooting? I see space right there that has to be a breathtaking experience.

Victor Glover:&nbsp;That is it? It is breathtaking because you don't know what it's going to feel like when you first get out there. The advice I received that really just kept repeating in my head was, "Keep your world small."

 One of my classmates said to me, and so I just focused on right what was in front of my face, my hands and the handrail, where I'm going next. And so it took me about three hours before I felt like, OK.

I kind of got the hang of this. I'm going to start looking around and maybe taking some pictures. Actually, on my first spacewalk, I did not take a single picture. There were no selfies to be taken on. it, but it was busy. 

I'll tell you, that's what it is. You're busy. When you're outside, there's a lot to be done, and it all requires intense focus. 

I&nbsp;wrestled in college, and I think space walking has a lot in common with wrestling, even though it may be physical in a different way. It's very physical. It's very three-dimensional.

Your success requires you to integrate the three dimensions and to think about what's coming next. And that's very true in wrestling and space walks. It's so challenging. It's busy physically and mentally.

But most importantly, you're working with a team. And that team, Mike Hopkins, who had been out on a spacewalk before, and led our first one, the first one I went on, and also the ground team, they all helped to make that possible. 

But that first moment when you look out, and you can see that for real, there are just no words to describe it. We train in a pool where you can see the bottom of the pool. When you look out, and it's 250 miles straight down, you go, "Wow! this is amazing and special. But also, what am I doing?"

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;Letting go to actually float would have to be one of those experiences that you can think about, and I can say, "Boy, that'd be hard to do." But letting go when you're out there, and you see that space out there, that's amazing. What did it feel like when you were named to be on the Artemis mission?

Victor Glover:&nbsp;Ah, wow. It's interesting, because people ask about the excitement, and excitement is a part of it. But the professionals who do what I do, understand the risks associated with this.

There's a lot of software, a lot of pieces and parts to this, hardware, lots of people. This is made all over the country, in all 50 states of the Union, and then also parts overseas. 

And it all has to work flawlessly the first time for the duration of the mission. 

So we understand the risk. And so I would say the overriding feeling was, first of all shocked, because I didn't expect to be on this mission, so I was a little shocked. But then also, I know focus isn't a feeling, but the seriousness, that's my overriding feeling, was the seriousness of this. 

This means a lot for our country, for our agency, for our Artemis Accords, international partners, and it's risky. My family is going to have to go on this journey with&nbsp;me. We have a lot to get done in the next couple of years. And so, yeah, profundity, if it's a if that's an emotion, it was profundity.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;If you look at 50 years since we've had a mission like this, and you'll be the first one to head to the moon, there's more to it than just circling the moon, though. Tell us a little bit more about the long-term plans for the Artemis mission.

Victor Glover:&nbsp;Artemis is our generation's deep-space exploration program. It's not just the Moon Program. We're going to make sure this Orion capsule is safe for humans to fly, so that we can fly it to eventually dock to a lunar lander.

That will get us to the surface of the moon, or to a gateway space station that's orbiting the moon. Both of those things are going to enable future technologies and future techniques and future teams to go beyond the moon on to Mars.

And continue to understand, maybe, how the Earth looked in its past, or where we may be headed in the future, if we don't take better care of our planet. 

So the Artemis program is a big campaign. The moon is just one destination, and that's our mission. Our mission is to do the free return trajectory around the moon, but really to test out Orion as one big step on this journey that's going to eventually get humans to Mars.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;Orion is your spaceship, and you'll be the pilot of that as you approach the moon and circle the moon. What are you going to be looking for?

Victor Glover:&nbsp;Oh, wow. So there's a potential. The region of the moon, what we would call the Western Hemisphere, looking at it from Earth on the far side. That part has not been completely seen by human eyes, and I just learned that recently.

So the fact that there's a potential for us to see something that's never been seen before, that's amazing. 

But no matter what, even if it's completely dark, to look out the window of the spacecraft and to look at the moon in the foreground, and then see the Earth in the background, in the distance, a quarter of a million miles away, with my crewmates, Reed, Cristina, and Jeremy. I don't know what that's going to feel like, but I'm looking forward to that. That's going to be amazing.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;I hope you send us pictures back, Victor.&nbsp; I know you're short on time because you have a lot of people and you have a lot of training to do. That has to be intense training, because there are so many moving parts, as you say, that intensity, that focus it takes. How many hours a day do you train?

Victor Glover:&nbsp;So we will start training next month, and I imagine it's going to be chock full. I think they're going to schedule our days full. And you know, while some of it will be technical training, some of it will be continuing to engage the public, like we are now.

But also, we will be engaging the team that's developing the hardware or building hardware and software, and thanking them for their hard work and letting them know how much we count on their technical expertise. And so they're going to keep us busy. Gary, you can be best believe we'll have some full days until launch.

Gary Shorman:&nbsp;I can't wait to see how this all develops. Look forward to it, and maybe again later on, once you're back, get a chance to follow up on that. But Victor, thanks for being on our program.

🎥 Forward Ever: Astronaut Victor Glover discusses Artemis II mission to moon

BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Smoky Hills PBS has received a&nbsp;stabilization grant&nbsp;from the&nbsp;Public Media Bridge Fund, providing critical financial support following the loss of federal funding last year, which&nbsp;resulted in a nearly 52% reduction in its operating budget.&nbsp; This grant will help ensure continued service to rural communities in central and western Kansas.

Smoky Hills PBS is one of 115 public media stations nationwide to receive funding through this initiative. The grants were awarded to stations facing the greatest financial challenges, particularly those serving&nbsp;rural and underserved areas. For many of these communities, local public media stations are the&nbsp;only source of local news, educational programming, and community storytelling.

“For many of the communities we serve, Smoky Hills PBS is more than a television station - we’re a connection point,” said Betsy Schwien, general manager of Smoky Hills PBS. “This funding helps us continue showing up for our viewers with reliable service, local stories, and educational programming that reflects and supports rural Kansas.”

·&nbsp; Expenses related to Transmitter repairs and maintenance to ensure reliable access to Smoky Hills PBS across a large rural coverage area.

·&nbsp; Programming costs that allow the station to continue offering trusted PBS content and locally relevant programs.

·&nbsp; Equipment upgrades of productions, helping maintain a high-quality coverage of local events, public affairs, and community-focused programming.

These investments will help stabilize operations and strengthen the station’s ability to serve viewers today while preparing for the future.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of the Public Media Bridge Fund,” said Helen Hands, Smoky Hills PBS board member. “This grant is a significant step forward for Smoky Hills PBS, but our work isn’t finished here. The continued support of our viewers is what will help keep Smoky Hills PBS strong for generations to come.”

The Public Media Bridge Fund is a strategic philanthropic initiative of Public Media Company (PMC), a nonpartisan nonprofit organization. For more than 20 years, PMC has helped local public and independent media organizations expand their service and impact, strengthen their communities, and secure their long-term sustainability.

Funds from the Public Media Bridge Fund are intended to stabilize operations and preserve essential services for stations navigating unprecedented financial disruption, allowing them to remain a trusted, local presence for the communities they serve.

For more information about Smoky Hills PBS and how you can support its mission, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://smokyhillspbs.org/">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>, call 1-800-337-4788, or follow the station on social media (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmokyHillsPBS">@SmokyHillsPBS</a>).

Smoky Hills PBS receives essential grant from Public Media Bridge Fund

BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills PBS is proud to announce the award of a generous grant from the Beach Family Foundation, providing vital support for educational initiatives, local storytelling, and expanded digital access across central and western Kansas.

The grant will directly support several key Smoky Hills PBS programs and services, including the PBS KIDS Writers Contest, the Share A Story early literacy summer program, locally produced content, and the Smoky Hills PBS mobile app.

“These funds will have a meaningful and immediate impact on the families and communities we serve,” said Betsy Schwien, Smoky Hills PBS general manager. “Support from the Beach Family Foundation helps ensure that children have access to educational opportunities, local stories continue to be told, and viewers across our large coverage area can connect with Smoky Hills PBS wherever they are.”

Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas, providing free, accessible programming that educates, informs, and inspires viewers of all ages. Educational outreach programs like the PBS KIDS Writers Contest and Share A Story encourage creativity, literacy, and a lifelong love of learning, while local productions highlight the people, history, and culture of the region.

The Beach Family Foundation’s investment also supports Smoky Hills PBS’s digital platforms, including its mobile app, helping ensure audiences can access trusted public media content on their preferred devices.

Beach Family Foundation awards grant to support Smoky Hills PBS

Phillipsburg Chamber and Main Street

PHILLIPSBURG — Phillipsburg Chamber and Main Street invites you to the Winter Bluegrass Bash Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Huck Boyd Center in Phillipsburg.

It's a perfect Valentine's date night. Enjoy appetizers and a cash bar at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the bluegrass concert starts with Breanne Stone and 80 Proof Alice.&nbsp;

Tickets: • $30 per person or $50 per couple • After Feb. 1: $40 per person or $60 per couple

Visit the Phillipsburg Chamber and Main Street <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/748250354445972">Facebook page</a> for more info or call Phillips County CVB at 785-543-2321.

Phillipsburg Winter Bluegrass Bash tickets available now

&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

In its commitment to supporting the mental well-being of students from pre-kindergarten through college, the FHSU Department of Advanced Education Program will present the Olliff Family Educational Symposium on Thursday, Feb. 5. This virtual event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The symposium will feature a keynote address by Will Stutterheim, M.S., LCP, from the Department of Psychology at FHSU. 

Titled “Fields of Stress: The Hidden Mental Health Burden on America’s Agricultural Heartland,” the presentation will focus on a critical, yet often overlooked challenge – the mental well-being of those within the agricultural community. Given the vital role agriculture plays in western Kansas, this session will provide essential insights for educators and mental health professionals supporting individuals from farming and ranching backgrounds.

Will Stutterheim is an instructor at FHSU with more than 20 years of experience in mental health therapy and education. Having grown up on a multi-generational farm in northwest Kansas, Stutterheim brings a deeply personal perspective to his clinical expertise. After 13 years as a therapist in the rural farming community of Phillipsburg, he specializes in helping families navigate the unique stressors of agricultural life.

His presentation will focus on agriculture, stress, and mental health, as well as skills and strategies to support individuals struggling with their mental health.

Registration is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0ZpfNdjkVHLvPZyvGz2cNpY3nlYvkJIBR07h8FDQEdTmZnWy_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOqq9UCDR9oz8qLOLS-2Fr-2Bz5dQeVrtHtUaiHUIafhjAdlgkG-2FGXK0oOIJHxe8IFkbvimXlSLYAoBdl-2FnCjh-2BVWk-2BvDr5dkcHT7BoXDe-2BlKWvw1BTZdZ5LYkBbCXrqJBLyMaMGE-2FkkacNZhi4YPmCF6lnM4vfWeZ23CbEqvCQBWDbEFf9SrfFwJ2gpnTt8xBAJGEYY3k7ECF0QNHLTxwm25iFzCGz-2Bgkgfrx4qLhdoJV31wXIO2clW5Pp0ylTwHqroDl">https://forms.gle/Qe6p7egzEmfbYtxj7</a>

The Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants two days prior to the symposium.

Hidden mental health burden on America’s agricultural heartland topic at FHSU Feb. 5

Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at&nbsp;

Unite Free Shelves (iInside The Gamers Guild) 200 E. 8th&nbsp;Street, Hays, on Tue., Jan. 27 from&nbsp;7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.

Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m.&nbsp;

To be eligible for commodities, your household’s total monthly income must be below:

$2,413&nbsp; &nbsp;Household of one $3,261&nbsp; &nbsp;Household of two $4,109&nbsp; Household of three $4,957&nbsp;Household of four $5,805&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of five $6,653&nbsp; Household of six $7,501&nbsp; &nbsp;Household of seven $8,349&nbsp;Household of eight *Add&nbsp;$848&nbsp;for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution are anticipated to be applesauce, black beans, tomato soup, vegetable soup, frozen strawberries, garbanzo beans, dehydrated potatoes, raisins, peanut butter, pasta, and Great Northern beans.

Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader, with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Government surplus commodities distribution in Hays Jan. 27

Cold weather won’t cool the savings in Downtown Hays this week. The Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale returns Thursday through Saturday,&nbsp;January 22–24, inviting shoppers to explore warm, welcoming storefronts filled with special discounts and end-of-season deals.

Downtown retailers will offer sidewalk-sale-style pricing inside their shops, featuring seasonal markdowns on winter apparel, home décor, books, gifts, and unique one-of-a-kind items. The sale provides an opportunity to shop local while discovering new favorites throughout the district.

“This event is a fun way for businesses to beat the winter blues and welcome the community in with deals that are as cool as the temps,” said&nbsp;Lee Ann June, executive director of The Bricks in Downtown Hays.

The Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale supports local retailers during the winter season and encourages residents to shop small while enjoying the charm of Downtown Hays. Hours vary by business, and shoppers are encouraged to check with individual stores for details.

For a list of participating businesses and updates throughout the sale, follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHays">@DowntownHays</a>&nbsp;on social media.

Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale brings hot deals to Downtown Hays

USD 489 Kindergarten info meeting set for February 

Kansas Department for Children and Families

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). The application period runs from&nbsp;Tuesday, Jan. 20, through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

LIEAP provides a one-time per year benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating costs, whether the home is heated with electricity, natural gas, propane, or other home heating fuels. In 2025, more than 43,000 Kansas households received an average benefit of about $680.

“LIEAP plays a critical role in helping Kansas families remain safe and warm through the state’s often harsh winter months,”&nbsp;said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.

The federal government shutdown in late 2025 delayed the distribution of LIEAP funding to states for the 2026 season, which in turn delayed DCF’s planning efforts and the start of the 2026 application period.

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