By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Sculptor Pete Felten would probably not come to a party thrown in his own honor, his friends said.

He was a humble man, but did what he wanted every day of his life—create art.

Mick Jilg, fellow Hays artist and friend, said, "He told me several times he lived every day of his life and did exactly what he wanted to do, and very few people can say that."

Felten, 92, of Hays died on Feb. 4 at Hays Medical Center.

Just two days prior, he was honored with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/kansas-creative-arts-and-industries-commission-kcaic/governors-arts-awards/2026-governors-arts-award-recipients/">2026 Kansas Governor's Arts</a>&nbsp;Legacy Award. Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, and Bruce Burkholder,&nbsp;close friend and fellow artist, accepted the award on Felten's behalf.

Meder said that when Felten won the Legacy Award last week, it was for the whole community.

"I truly feel that everyone who lives in Hays and Ellis County feels that Pete is one of theirs. He is ours. He is part of our family. He's my friend. Everybody had a Pete story," Meder said.

Felten carved almost daily, almost until his death, Burkholder said, even in cold temperatures, in his unheated studio.

Felten's father was a businessman in Hays. Felten Middle School was named for Peter Felten Sr., the artist's father.

Pete began carving in 1957 after leaving the&nbsp;U.S. Navy (1952-1956), during which he visited art museums on the East and West Coasts and in Hawaii. He briefly attended an art league school in New York, but Burkholder said Felten was largely self-taught.

His most prominent work includes the 8-foot-tall, 2,000-pound limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper and Dwight Eisenhower that encircle the Kansas Capitol rotunda, installed in 1981.

However, many examples of his art can be seen publicly in Ellis County and across the state.

Ellis County alone contains more than 28 of his limestone sculptures, including well-known figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody. 

His first large commissioned piece was a bust of Buffalo Bill Cody at the Hays Public Library (1961). The “Monarch of the Plains” buffalo sculpture at Fort Hays State Historic Site (completed 1967) stands 8 feet high and 10 feet long on an 8-foot base, starting from a 24-ton stone.&nbsp;

Felten was part of a co-op of artists who created The Arts Cellar at Eighth and Fort in Hays, which eventually became the Hays Arts Council.

"You can go almost anywhere in Hays and find anything that Pete has done," Burkholder said. "It's going to be there forever."

Meder said Felten delved deeply into the story behind each historical figure he carved.

"He was not only one of our community's most interesting citizens, but he was one of our most interested citizens," she said. "He was a lifelong learner. He never tired of learning just a little bit more about this community, tucking away its traditional history and cultural history."

Jilg said Felten could look at a piece of stone and see the carving inside. He had to be fearless because you can't erase a mistake in limestone.

Burkholder said Felten called his carving the suicide method because once you took a piece of stone off, you couldn't put it back.

He was low-tech when compared to today's standards. He never adopted email or social media. He sketched his sculptures on large pieces of cardboard and used them to rough out the sculpture's outlines on the stones.

He knew his tools well, and his body was conditioned for hours of chiseling. Burkholder said he could hear where the rock would split by the way the tools sounded when they struck the stone.

Burkholder credited Felten with saving his life. Burkholder was going through a difficult divorce and had fallen into depression. He said he had taken out razor blades to take his life, but Felten happened to pop by for a visit.&nbsp;

"He said, 'Look, I want you to follow the creative art you've been doing. I don't want to see you like this. I want you to start carving with me.'"

Burkholder carved with Felten for five years, while continuing to pursue his painting.

"To me, Pete is my savior," he said," because I wouldn't be here without that. He was always like a brother to me."

The two had many adventures together, traveling across the country to visit other artists. Burkholder said Felten had a great thirst for knowledge and had a house full of books. He also loved movies and sometimes watched movies while he carved.

Felten would often read to him as they drove on one of their many trips.

Burkholder recalled traveling with Felten and another artist and stopping at a hot spring.&nbsp;

There was another small group of people bathing in the hot spring, and Felten procallimained, "OK, boys, take off your clothes. This is where we're going." The men disrobed and switched places with the other nude bathers.

"Pete taught me just to let it go," Burkholder said. "Don't be afraid of expression that way. It was just the way he was, let your heart and follow your dreams wherever they are, and keep going at it."

Jilg, who has known Felten since the 1960s, said Felten was popular with the younger crowd years ago. He built scaffolding atop his Jeep so he could work on the bison sculpture at Historic Fort Hays.

"If you were one of the cool kids, you rode around in Pete's Jeep," he said. ... "All of the cute girls rode around in Pete's Jeep, so if you wanted to know the cute girls, you had to know Pete Felten," Jilg said, quoting another friend of Felten's.

Jilg said Felten was one of the kindest people you could meet. He was an animal lover and fed many cats at his studio. He had been a force in the humane society.

"I think he liked animals better than people," Jilg said.

Although Felten spent many hours carving alone, Burkholder said he often greeted visitors who stopped by the studio to ask about his work. He was known to stop people on the street and ask to take their picture for reference in a future piece of art.

Felten kept photographs of other artists and their work and would regularly drop by to visit and support them, Jilg said.

"He was an adventure, and he had a very curious mind," Jilg said.

Jilg and Felten met for tea every Tuesday at Augustine's Bakery for 15 years after Jilg's retirement.

"I would learn something every Tuesday," he said. "It was a cheap education. I would buy him a cup of tea, and then I would learn something."

Donations being accepted to establish museum

The Heartland Community Foundation has established a Pete Felten Legacy Fund to support the restoration of his Stone Gallery, 107 1/2 Sixth St., Hays, and workshop into a museum.

Upon his death, his gallery and workshop were willed to Ellis County Historical Society.

Amanda Rupp, director of the Ellis County Historical Society, said the society would hold the property but intends for the Felten Museum to stand as its own nonprofit entity in the future.

If you would like to donate to the Felten Legacy Fund you can do so online at&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n">https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n</a>&nbsp;or mail your gift to PO Box 1673, Hays, KS, 67601. Please note 'Pete Felten Legacy Fund' in the memo or Pete Felten Memorial.

Jilg said the community owes Felten a lot for all the tourism that his art brings to Hays.

Jilg and Burkholder said Felten was paid very little for his public sculptures. Burkholder said he created them because he wanted the people to have something to represent this place.

"That's my life's work from here on out to make sure that Pete is remembered and people can see his work and appreciate it," Jilg said.

A celebration of life for Felten is planned for March at the Stone Gallery. More details will be released on that event soon.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/15976726-4296-4743-95e6-b30f1d0674c6">SEE RELATED STORY: Senator Moran on the passing of artist, sculptor Pete Felten</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/40ea6ebd-3971-4c45-adca-48c0ee276a8d">SEE RELATED STORY: NWester Another Felten buffalo roams in hays museum</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ae68b38-bbdc-449c-ac38-ebec80184f2a">SEE RELATED STORY: Film Crew in Hays to produce "Meet Pete" Felten documentary</a>

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2017/07/24/three-men-share-generations-of-hays-history/">SEE RELATED STORY: Three men share generations of Hays history</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2b536a10-db18-433d-8354-9d7a69999aab">SEE RELATED STORY: Felten train sculpture to have new home at Hays Downtown Pavilion</a>

1993 interview with Pete Felten and Brenda Meder

A legacy carved in stone: Hays community remembers artist Pete Felten

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners will consider approval of the 2026 street maintenance program during their meeting this afternoon.

The total amount of all recommended bids and other in-house projects&nbsp;is $953,479 to be funded out of Special Highway.

Jesse Rohr, public works director, said the bids came in well under budget, allowing the remaining balance of $135,765 to used for additional work or&nbsp; change orders. A contingency fund of $50,000 is also available.&nbsp;

The projects will be done at various times throughout this year.

The complete Feb. 12 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122026-1594">here</a>. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Hays city commissioners to vote on annual street maintenance program 

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.

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

The Hays Public Library has received a $10,000 gift from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.carnegie.org/">Carnegie Corporation of New York</a>, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/hundreds-of-carnegie-libraries-to-receive-10000-gifts-in-celebration-of-united-states-250th-anniversary/">Carnegie Libraries 250</a>, a&nbsp;special&nbsp;initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the&nbsp;roughly 1,280&nbsp;Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States.

Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations.&nbsp;

Construction of the original Hays Public Library was funded by an $8,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation in 1910 and opened on July 22, 1911. It&nbsp;is one of 59 Carnegie Libraries in Kansas built through this historic program.

“As an original Carnegie Library, we are proud to carry on Andrew Carnegie’s legacy more than a century later,” said HPL Director Brandon Hines. “The phrase ‘Let there be light’ is still carved above our entrance, symbolizing his belief that knowledge should be free and open to everyone. It’s a promise that the library will always be a place where anyone can find the access they need to resources, tools, and information that help our community thrive.”

“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.carnegie.org/about/staff/dame-louise-richardson/">Dame Louise Richardson</a>, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”

A committee of HPL staff will determine how best to use the gift.

Patrons are invited to&nbsp;share their Hays Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.carnegielibraries.org/">carnegielibraries.org</a>.

Hays Public Library receives $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York

The first half of the 2026 legislative session is only two weeks away from being complete. On February 19, we will reach Turnaround, which is when most bills need to be passed out of one chamber to be considered in the other chamber. Until this point, most of the heavy legislative work has occurred in committee.

 In the next two weeks, both chambers will be spending longer days on the floor considering all that hard work. The Senate Ways and Means subcommittees finished all our hearings and reported out all agencies last Thursday. This next week will be spent assembling our budget.

SB 299: In the past, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission has met in private. SB 299 changes this by restricting the Kansas Supreme Court and Supreme Court Nominating Commission from adopting a rule that prohibits disclosure of the Commission’s records and making records of the Commission, including the names and cities of residence of people nominated to serve on the Commission, open and subject to disclosure. The bill would continue to allow background checks and sensitive financial information of applicants or nominees for judicial office to be closed from public disclosure by the Commission.

SB 348 will exempt any electric public utility that is a not for profit, wholly owned subsidiary of an electric cooperative public utility from the jurisdiction, regulation, supervision and control of the Kansas Corporation Commission. The bill would also authorize the KCC to investigate any changes to the electric rates, joint rates, tolls, charges and exactions, and classifications and schedules of rates affecting an exempt electric public utility following a petition filed by customers of the exempt electric public utility to investigate such rates.

HB 2331 would amend laws relating to coroner procedures for the disposition of remains by creating a process that would allow a coroner to relinquish custody or dispose of unclaimed cremated remains and specify whether civil liability would arise from such disposition. The bill would make certain provisions for the remains of veterans, establish requirements for continuing education programs for licensed embalmers and funeral directors, authorize the use of the word “crematory” in the names of certain businesses, and create the crime of aggravated criminal desecration.

SB 327 will eliminate the requirement that the Bob Bethell joint committee on Home and Community based services and KanCare oversight committees' January and April meetings be held during the regular legislative session.

I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas.

 Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.

BILLINGER: Senate update Feb. 10

It’s hard to ignore Valentine promotions. 

Box stores dedicate aisles to red and pink candies, stuffed animals, balloons, tableware, and whatnots that end up in the trash or on thrift store shelves. Flower shops count on lovers sending bouquets to sweethearts. Card stores tempt partners with expensive cards declaring true love. 

It’s the February assault on winter-dulled senses, and everyone’s gullible. Heck, I love receiving posies from my husband. But most of all I like remembering grade school Valentine parties.

While adults are vulnerable to this over-promoted holiday, kids truly know how to celebrate. Using construction paper, crayons, and glue, they craft individual mailboxes for friends to fill with corny cards signed in childish scrawl, folded, and tucked into thin, tiny envelopes that don’t meet U.S. mail standards.

Roommother-hosted Halloween and Christmas parties in primary school were the bomb, but Valentine bashes topped every holiday. 

Weeks before the event, I hoarded colored paper, bits of lace or rick-rack, and dug about in drawers seeking hidden glitter or shiny embellishments. The weekend before the big day, I turned my bedroom into a treasure box construction zone. This included sorting shoeboxes to find one that Barbie or Ken had not raced and wrecked. It required a lid I could slit with tiny scissors so friends could insert Valentine cards.

After preparing a suitable carton, the real work began. Mom helped when necessary, but she believed children should design their own projects. This led to wildly creative corners and messy edges in finished products. Until I grew up, I never understood why some friends' containers sported sharp folds and perfect lines.

Covering rectangular containers in red or pink paper was just the beginning. 

After completing that task, serious fun began. I spent hours snipping scores of embellishments: hearts, lips, discombobulated Cupids, and fluffy clouds. Possibilities were limited only by my imagination. At that age, I’d never heard of white space, so I applied matching and unmatching cutouts everywhere I could glob glue.

After morphing a semi-battered shoe box into a gaudy treasure box, I let it dry. Then came the discriminating work of picking out perfect Valentines for each friend from cellophane wrapped dime store packages Mom let me splurge my allowance on. This task required discernment to avoid giving too friendly of messages to cootie-infected boys.

In those days, kids didn’t learn to write their names until kindergarten, so my handwriting resembled chicken scratches in first and second grade. It took a more than awhile and serious finger cramps to sign those annual missives to classmates.

Carrying home my ostentatious container filled with tiny white envelopes highlighted each elementary school Valentine Day. Some kids added suckers or candy hearts to their card. 

I sprawled on my bed, opening each one, admiring clever drawings, figuring out funny sayings, and deciphering classmates crooked lettering. More than once, I fell asleep surrounded by sweet dream-generating loot.

My husband could save himself some money by sending me a dorky, handmade Valentine this year. Maybe I’ll look for a shoebox and shiny embellishments so it’s a real trip down memory lane.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Valentines the way it should be

<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

Inflation and trade instability has placed pressure on the pocketbooks for Kansans, and tax relief continues to be a major topic of discussion in the legislature. In this session alone a number of ideas for advancing tax relief have been proposed. At the same time the legislature has taken several meaningful steps in reducing the tax burden for Kansans over the past four years. 

Detailed below are three of the most recent tax relief successes and three new ideas for reducing taxes further:

· The first tax relief success was the elimination of the State Food Sales Tax, accomplished through House Bill (HB) 2106 during the 2022 session. This legislation eliminated the 6.5% sales tax for nonprepared food items, which costs Kansans $525 million annually.

· Second was the expansion of the property tax exemption, done through HB 2239 in the 2022 session. This bill expanded the property tax exemption value from $20,000 to $75,000, eliminating $115 million annually in state taxes on Kansans.

· Third was the 1.5 point reduction of the state’s education mill levy, enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 35 in the 2025 session. This tax, used for several state property funds, cost Kansans $81 million annually.

The first of the new tax relief ideas being considered in the legislature this session is the creation of a Property Tax Deferral Program. This program would delay payment of property taxes on primary residences for Kansans until said properties are transferred, sold, or the owner passes away.

Second is the further reduction of statewide mill levies on properties, in proportion to property valuation increases. This method would eliminate the potential for increasing property tax burden on Kansans.

A third idea is to establish a property tax voter referendum mechanism at the local government level. This proposition would enable voters, either at the municipal or county level, to vote on recalling property tax increases proposed by their respective local governments.

House Appropriations (HAPP) was very busy last week as it worked thirty-six agency budgets, heard one bill, and held an informational briefing on a new business attraction in Kansas.

On Monday, seven agency budgets were worked. Those were the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Board of Indigents Defense Services, Adjutant General’s Department, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment—Environment.

Tuesday the committee received an informational briefing on Gilley’s, a new entertainment venue in Park City, which appears to be seeing positive growth. HAPP also held a hearing on HB 2513, Claims against the State, and worked on four agency budgets: Office of Information &amp; Technology Services, Kansas Racing &amp; Gaming Commission, Department of Administration, and the Department of Transportation.

Wednesday saw the committee work nine agency budgets. Those were the Department of Commerce, Legislature, Legislative Coordinating Council, Legislative Research Department, Office of Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Division of Post Audit, Judicial Council, Judicial Branch, and the Attorney General.

On Thursday HAPP worked eleven budgets. These were the Kansas Highway Patrol, Department of Corrections System, Abstracters’ Board of Examiners, the State Treasurer, the Governor, Department of Insurance, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, and Wichita State University.

Friday finished the week with five agency budgets. Those were the University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas State University, Kansas State University—Veterinary Medical Center, and Kansas State University—Extension Systems &amp; Agricultural Research Programs.

Last week the Kansas House of Representatives worked four bills on the House Floor. 

Detailed below are three of those bills. 

First is HB 2471, which would designate a portion of Kansas Highway I-35 as the “Deputy Sam Smith Memorial Highway”, in honor of the aforementioned law enforcement officer who passed away in 2010. 

Second is HB 2515. This bill would create new regulations for virtual currency kiosk operators in Kansas, like limits on transaction amounts, and task state law enforcement agencies with reporting on the industry to the State Bank Commissioner. 

Last is HB 2416, which would establish immunity for motorsports venues from civil nuisance suits by property owners who have acquired adjacent property, or improved it after the motorsport venue was established.

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&nbsp;10th Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Feb. 10

A Hays man was found guilty of second-degree murder Friday in the death of his&nbsp;5-month-old son.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b82bb20e-49b1-41cf-bf36-fb0b29acf58a">Emergency personnel were dispatched at 12:15 p.m. on April 2, 2024, to Room 206 at the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine St., responding to a report</a> that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/fernando-leon">Fernando Leon III</a>, an infant, was not breathing.

Abraham Duran Leon of Hays, Fernando's father,&nbsp;was also present in the motel room.

Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham said drug paraphernalia was found in the hotel room. A toxicology report found methamphetamine in both Leon's and his son's bodies.

The coroner's report cited methamphetamine intoxication as the cause of the child's death.

Cunningham said further investigation revealed that&nbsp;Fernando&nbsp;had been left swaddled in a heavy blanket in a car seat on a bed near a heater set at 80 degrees for 12 and a half hours alone, Cunningham said.

Abraham Leon was alternately charged with first-degree murder with the underlying felony charge of aggravated endangering a child and first-degree murder with the underlying felony of possession of methamphetamine in the case. A jury found him not guilty on both of those charges.

Leon's criminal history is a level A, the highest level. Cunningham said the second-degree murder is a level 2 person felony, and Leon is facing a sentence of almost 39 years in prison.

Leon will qualify for two years of credit toward his sentence for time served, plus up to a 15% reduction for good-time credit, which would bring his time served with the Kansas Department of Corrections to about 31 years, with no eligibility for parole, Cunningham said.

Ironically, Leon would have qualified for parole after 25 years had he been found guilty of first-degree murder, Cunningham said.

Sentencing has yet to be set in this case.

Hays man charged in death of infant son guilty of second-degree murder

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is excited to announce the appointment of Brian Kitchen as manager of treasury services.

 Appointed to provide planning, management, and strategic direction for Sunflower’s treasury management services, Kitchen will oversee cash management, corporate credit, debt issuance and borrowing, and debt compliance and administration. He will also serve as a steward of Sunflower’s financial resources, advising management on financial matters through oversight of accounts payable and payroll functions, maintaining creditor relationships, and assisting with the planning and implementation of new borrowing initiatives.

Kitchen brings more than 14 years of experience working closely with financial institutions and regulatory agencies. He has extensive experience collaborating with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Reserve Bank, providing guidance and regulatory correspondence to banking partners. Throughout his career, he reviewed policies and procedures for internal and regulatory compliance and ensured adherence to all regulatory guidelines. In addition, he has evaluated organizations’ financial condition, operational and lending functions, and risk management practices; conducted meetings with executive management; presented examination findings to boards of directors; and prepared formal written reports of examination.

A native of Hays Kan., Kitchen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Fort Hays State University. Brian and his wife, Allison, reside in Hays with their children, Beckett, Bentley, and Bennett.

About Sunflower—Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a regional wholesale power supplier operating a system of solar, wind, natural gas, and coal-based generating plants and approximately 2,400 miles of electric transmission infrastructure. The focus of Sunflower’s 450+ workforce is delivering reliable energy at the lowest possible cost to its seven members who serve electric consumers living in central and western Kansas. Visit Sunflower’s website at sunflower.net.

Sunflower’s member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Norton; The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Scott City, Kansas. Southern Pioneer Electric Company is also a member of Sunflower.

Sunflower appoints new manager of treasury services

Every February, the Ellis County Commission recognizes county employees who reach five years of service. The Kansas Association of Counties also honors employees celebrating eight years with the county. The following is a list of those employees:

5 Years with Ellis County Jeremiah Brown (EMS) Lori Dreiling (IT) Lucas Everett (Fire) Sharon Honeyman (Deeds) Matthew Meagher (EMS) Wade Park (Sheriff’s Office) Michael Purvis (Sheriff’s Office) Jordan Silva (Public Works) Logan Unrein (Fire) Dustin Barnes (Sheriff’s Office) Lacey Woods (Treasury) Brandon Zimmerman (Fire)

10 Years with Ellis County Merrie Boucher (Treasurer) Monte Boydston (Fire) Shaun Burd (Fire) Eric Haas (Fire) Dennis Johnson (Public Works) Ronald Julian (Fire) John Kisner (Fire) Dylan Kuhn (Fire) Dustin Mattheyer (Fire) Charles McGinnis (Public Works) Darin Myers (Fire) Amanda Shannon (Treasury)" Eric Schmidt (Fire) Janet Schmidt (HR)

15 Years with Ellis County Brian Schmidt (Public Works)

20 Years with Ellis County Wesley James (Fire) Dustin Vine (Fire)

30 Years with Ellis County Dustin Shubert (EMS)

40 Years with Ellis County Kevin Bieker (Fire)

8 Year KAC Awards Mike Fields (EMS) Mike Freeman (Public Works) Jason Gerstner (Public Works) Kaiden Grieve (Public Works) Rosa Reese (Sheriff’s Office) Vern Ruder (Treasury) Ron Wiesner (Public Works)

16 Year KAC Awards David Fitzhugh (EMS)

24 Year KAC Awards Carla Hearld (Health), Randy Newton (Sheriff’s Office), Eugene Rupp (Appraiser)

32 Year KAC Awards Michaela Dreiling (Noxious Weed Jamie Summers (EMS)

44 Year KAC Awards Melvin Kinderknecht (Public Works)

Ellis County recognizes years of work with employee service awards

&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

HaysMed will host the Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat on Saturday, March 28, 2026, offering a compassionate, supportive one-day program for children coping with the loss of a loved one. The retreat will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bob &amp; Pat Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Drive in Hays.

The Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat provides a safe and confidential environment where children can learn healthy ways to understand and navigate grief. Participants will take part in hands-on activities, guided discussions, and meaningful projects designed specifically for their emotional and developmental needs.

“HaysMed is committed to caring for the whole person, and that includes supporting families and children through difficult emotional experiences,” said Sarah Dreiling, HaysMed director of clinical care. “Programs like the Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat help ensure that no child has to navigate grief alone.”

Throughout the day, trained volunteers will guide children through activities that honor the memory of their loved one, encourage healthy expression, and foster connection with peers who have gone through similar experiences. Each participant will be paired with a dedicated adult buddy for support and encouragement.

Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost for children to attend.

Participation is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 20 children. Forms must be submitted by March 1, 2026. Families interested in registering may contact the HaysMed Hospice Department, which can provide all registration details by phone or mail an application upon request.

For more information or to register, contact: Phone: 785-623-6200 Email: mjordan1@haysmed.com

HaysMed hosts Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat March 28 for children experiencing grief

Rose Garden to host Valentine's Day Buffet on Saturday

Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services&nbsp;

The Ellis County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence at Fort Hays State University invite the community to attend Surviving the I-70 Rapist: A Story of Strength and Healing on April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Beach Schmidt Auditorium on the FHSU campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening’s main speaker, Stacie Edgett-Minson, is a survivor of the serial sexual assaults committed by the individual known as the I-70 Rapist. In a powerful and rare public presentation, Edgett-Minson will share her journey of survival and healing, including how her faith, alongside the support of dedicated investigators and prosecutors, helped her reclaim a sense of strength and hope after trauma.

“Choosing to share such a deeply personal experience takes tremendous courage,” said Anniston Weber, community engagement and sexual violence response coordinator at Options. “Stacie’s story is not only one of survival, but of resilience and perseverance. Hearing directly from her reminds our community why believing and supporting survivors matters.”

Edgett-Minson will be joined by Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett, and former Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent Mark Kendrick, both of whom were directly involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case. Their participation offers insight into how collaborative, survivor-centered responses can lead to accountability and justice.

Following the presentation, a panel of local professionals will be available to answer questions about sexual assault response and survivor services in Ellis County. Panelists will include representatives from Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Hays Medical Center, the Hays Police Department, and the Ellis County Attorney’s Office.

“This event is an opportunity for our community to learn, reflect, and strengthen local response efforts,” said Jennifer Hecker, executive director at Options. “By bringing together survivors, advocates, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, we reinforce that healing looks different for everyone, and that survivors deserve support at every step.”

Content Notice: This event includes discussion of sexual violence and may be emotionally difficult for some attendees. Support resources will be available during and after the presentation, and community members are encouraged to care for their well-being when choosing to attend.

Organizers emphasize that the event is grounded in hope, healing, and community responsibility, and encourage anyone interested in understanding survivor experiences and local resources to attend.

For more information, please contact Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services at 785-625-4202.

Surviving the I-70 Rapist: Options to host speakers April 6

How the humanities shape understanding of race, justice, civic responsibility

Seventeen students, twelve faculty members, and two administrators from Fort Hays State University traveled to Overland Park for the 24th annual Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Symposium, held on January 16-18. This event, led by the University of Kansas Medical Center, and funded through the National Institute of Health (NIH), aims to prepare and inspire promising students for careers in bioscience.

FHSU participants presented their research through oral and poster presentations over the course of the event. Four students received awards including:

Hazel Frans (Overland Park), an oral presentation award winner in Dr. Tara Phelps-Durr’s research group, Department of Biological Sciences. Title: Impact of one nucleotide on organ enumeration and phyllotaxy in Arabidopsis thaliana

Maggie Peterson, (Lebanon) in Dr. Eric Gillock’s research group, Department of Biological Sciences. Title: Analysis of Essential Oils Inhibiting Growth of Gram-Positive, Gram-Negative, and Fungal Pathogens&nbsp;

Jeyun Park (Seoul Korea) in Dr. Masa Watanabe’s research group, Academy of Mathematics and Science Program and Department of Chemistry. Title: Exploring Ancestral Enzymes through Sequence Reconstruction and Stability Prediction

Cody Pfaff, (Leonardville) in Dr. Eric Gillock’s research group, Department of Biological Sciences. Title: A&nbsp;Bacillus Pumilus&nbsp;Isolate with Promising Antimycobacterial Properties&nbsp;

K-INBRE is a multi-disciplinary network designed to inspire undergraduates to pursue careers in biomedical research, enhance research capacity through faculty development and retention, and expand the biomedical research infrastructure connecting several academic institutions. More information about the program can be found at www.k-inbre.org.

FHSU students recognized for research at 24th annual K-INBRE Symposium

On Feb. 15, the WPAA will present Magicians Pomeroy and Lamb at 3 p.m. at Oakley High School. &nbsp;

The Conjurors invite guests to the world of the impossible - a place where limitations have yet to be created and amazing memories are waiting to be made. From captivating stories, incredible magic, large illusions, and breathtaking demonstrations of mind control, this show guarantees an adventure that will amaze all ages.

Admission to this show is with a WPAA season ticket or an individual program ticket which may be purchased at the door. Thank you to the area sponsors especially the Logan County Community Foundation, Dane G Hansen Foundation. Sponsored in part by the state of Kansas through the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

My earliest memories are being on and around a stage. I was mesmerized by every aspect and element of performing. Every show is a journey filled with magic, wonder, enchantment and story telling.

Magic allows us to experience the impossible. Together we will create moments and memories that will be remembered long after the lights dim and the curtains close.

Magicians Pomeroy, Lamb set for Oakley High School

Lions provide usable eyeglasses to Children and Adults throughout the World.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, we will be sorting used eyeglasses, determining their prescriptions and PREPARING THEM FOR MISSION TRIPS.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements