By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Doctors said Chase Kear would not survive his catastrophic head injury. Today, what doctor's called a miraculous recovery is part of the Catholic Church’s investigation into the canonization of a new saint.

During his sophomore year at Hutchinson Community College, a pole vault attempt sent Chase soaring beyond the landing pit from about 14 feet in the air.

"My legs hit the back edge of the pit, and that whiplashed my head into the ground. I fractured my skull from ear to ear across the front," Chase said. "The next day, they removed portions of my skull to allow my brain to swell, parts that were already essentially dead."

Chase was born in Hays and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, now Holy Family Elementary, before his family relocated to Colwich for better opportunities. His father worked at the K-State Ag Research Center, and his mother taught at St. Mary Catholic School in Ellis.

Chase’s father, Paul Kear, competed in pole vault for a season at Fort Hays State University. When Chase began running track in seventh grade, he also chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and take up pole vaulting himself.

"I started when I was about 12 years old, and I actually took third at state in my senior year of high school," he said.

Chase graduated from Andale High School in 2007 and, after earning a scholarship, enrolled at Hutchinson Community College to study firefighting.

On Oct. 2, 2008, early into his second year of college at age 19, Chase’s life changed forever.

"I remember standing on the runway, bringing all my power and energy down the runway. I jumped off the ground, and the pole just slipped like butter," he said.

Chase described it as the pole overflexing, causing it to react oddly and propel him outward while he was more than a dozen feet in the air.

"I remember the thought going through my head, this could be really good or really bad. I saw the back edge of the pit coming, and I had a split second to determine how much space I had. 'Am I even going to land on the mat?'" he said. "I turned to land on my back, proper form, and then I hit my head. I saw a white flash."

In his final moments of consciousness before blacking out, Chase said he reached up to his head and felt his fractured skull shift.

A helicopter landed on the football field and airlifted him to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. The next day, surgeons removed a third of his skull and about 10% of his frontal lobe.

Chase’s family began praying immediately after the accident. By the next morning, after doctors told them he was not expected to survive, they specifically began praying for the intercession of Fr. Emil Kapaun.

"That was just something our parish did," Paula Kear, Chase's mother, said. "We prayed before Mass for the sick to Fr. Kapaun."

<a href="https://frkapaun.org/about/">Kapaun was a Roman Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain born April 20, 1916 — Holy Thursday — in Pilsen</a>.&nbsp;He risked his life during the Korean War to rescue wounded soldiers and administer the sacraments on the battlefield.

Kapaun died in 1951 after being taken prisoner, where his fellow prisoners of war later credited him with saving countless lives through his leadership and example.

Before long, Chase began improving, surprising medical professionals and leaving them speechless at how he was surviving such a life-threatening injury.

"Two non-Catholic doctors, my surgeon being one of them, used the word miraculous," Chase said. "When two of the doctors who cared for me said they can't explain it, it was a miracle. That's really all I need to know."

After 19 days in the hospital, Chase entered rehabilitation, weakened but determined to recover the abilities he had lost in the accident.

"I couldn't walk... all the things we take for granted, simple things like picking up a fork, putting a bite in your mouth, and how to swallow. I had to relearn everything," he said.

After having a plate placed in his skull in December 2008, he returned to classes online in January 2009, just three months after his near-death experience, before going back to Hutchinson Community College in person the following school year.

A year and a half after his injury, Chase said he felt he had unfinished business in pole vaulting. He returned to the same spot where his life had changed forever and attempted another vault, only this time successfully completing it.

"I had to get back on the horse to prove to myself that I wasn't less the man I was before the injury. I wasn't letting anything hold me back, especially fear," Chase said.

Chase changed his major and ultimately earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2014 before transferring to FHSU that same year. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis in public relations in May 2018.

Before the accident, Chase said faith was part of his life, but afterward it became central to who he is. He added that he attended the Comeau Catholic Campus Center while at FHSU.

"Call it a renewal of spirit. My faith life is very much stronger," he said.

Chase did not return to pole vaulting during the remainder of his school years, but he did coach the sport for one season at Thomas More Prep-Marian while he was a student.

After graduating from FHSU in 2018, he worked at Spirit AeroSystems and later earned a degree in structural aircraft assembly from Wichita Area Technical College, now Wichita State University Tech.

"In summary, when it comes to schooling, I have three collegiate degrees, and I'm missing 10% of my brain. All three degrees were achieved post-injury," Chase said.

On Oct. 2, 2021, 13 years after his near-fatal accident, Chase began a new chapter when he married his wife. The couple later welcomed three sons and resides in Colwich.

However, that same week, after 70 years away, Kapaun finally returned home to Kansas.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ce615860-14d4-4772-b63d-54725b0cab5e">On March 4, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported that the remains of Emil Kapaun were positively identified.</a>

When the Korean War began in 1950, Kapaun was deployed to the battlefield, risking his life to help soldiers and bury the dead, all while under the threat of gunfire.

That same year, he chose to remain with wounded soldiers rather than retreat. Captured by Chinese forces, Kapaun was marched to a North Korean prison camp, where he became the spiritual and physical support for fellow prisoners.&nbsp;

In 1951, weakened by pneumonia and a blood clot, he was taken to the camp's "Death House," where he died at age 35. His fellow prisoners credited him with saving countless lives through his leadership and example.

Kapaun was named a “Servant of God,” the first step towards canonization, by the church in 1993. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/23ecf4b8-eb5e-46da-82d6-71fd76942bb2">His remains were returned to Kansas in September 2021 and were laid to rest inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita</a>, three days before Cahse's wedding.

"It was something I always hoped that I'd see, but I didn't know that I ever would. It seemed like such a long shot that he would ever come home," Chase said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c78f7b8d-078e-4ef3-82bf-d2e0a7eb5ca9">In February 2025, Pope Francis officially declared Emil Kapaun “Venerable,” marking the second step in the Catholic Church’s path toward sainthood.</a>

The next step is beatification, when he would be declared “Blessed,” which requires confirmation of a miracle attributed to his intercession. A second verified miracle would then be needed for canonization, after which the pope could formally declare him a saint.

"That'd be a great day," Chase said regarding Kaupan potentially being canonized. "It'd be amazing and indescribable. I don't know how to put it into words."

The Diocese of Wichita is currently providing information to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints regarding two alleged miracles, one of which involves Chase.

While Chase was in rehab, Father John Hotze of Wichita learned of his unexplained recovery and began investigating the case before later submitting it to the dicastery.

Chase had little familiarity with Kapaun before his accident, but was first introduced to him when Kapaun’s brother, Eugene Kapaun, spoke to his eighth-grade religion class.

After the accident, Chase began looking deeper into the life of the man his parish and family were praying to for his intercession.

When surgeons removed portions of Chase’s brain, they also removed areas typically associated with the ability to draw. Below is a picture Chase completed in 57 minutes.

"It's kind of a visual representation of the miracle," Chase said.

Chase said his family has not received any recent updates on the investigation into his case.&nbsp;

The official cause for the Sainthood of Kapaun can be followed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/fatherkapaun">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to its <a href="https://frkapaun.org/">website</a>, you can help with the canonization of Kapaun through prayer and spreading his story.

For anyone facing a life-altering challenge like his, Chase offered this advice: “Keep your faith and keep moving forward, even when you're falling 10 steps back, keep moving forward.”

A miracle: Hays native's survival could be part of priest's sainthood

As residents of western Kansas and frequent shoppers in Hays and the surrounding area, we pride ourselves on high voter participation and orderly, well-run elections. 

Our county clerks, poll workers, and volunteers do their jobs carefully and professionally. That is why national proposals like the so-called “SAVE Act” deserve local attention. 

Ellis, Barton, Russell, Trego, Rush and Rooks counties are all affected by the latest proposal by our local politicians, including our senators and representatives, state and federal.

We are neighbors and we know each other without having to carry formal identification. 

I would bet that Jerry Moran’s wife’s birth certificate does not bear the name Moran. Nor does Barb Wasinger's bear that last name. Nor does Ken Rahjes’s spouse’s birth certificate use anything but her maiden name.&nbsp; You get the gist, right?

Many states have gone to same-day voter registration, so if they want to mandate exact matches in last names, then let us do that at the polls, at least. A utility bill, a driver's license, a credit card or a debit card with a photo makes more sense than a passport, which not everyone has.

The bill would require documentary proof of citizenship at the time of voting. In practice, federal agencies have often treated passports and certain certified birth certificates as the primary acceptable documents. 

Many western Kansas residents do not carry or even have passports, and married women whose legal names differ from their birth certificates face additional hurdles or challenges at the polls.

In our counties, that matters. We have a significant population of married women, retirees, rural residents, and working families who may not have ready access to updated documentation reflecting every name change over a lifetime. 

If even a small number of otherwise eligible voters are delayed, challenged or turned away because paperwork does not perfectly align, that affects neighbors, church members, veterans, teachers, Fort Hays State employees, and small business owners right here at home.

Supporters of stricter proof requirements argue they are addressing non-citizen voting. However, documented cases of non-citizen voting in Kansas have been exceedingly rare. 

Our local election officials already verify eligibility during registration. Why should we add another requirement for additional ID at the polls?&nbsp; Before adding new federal mandates, we should carefully weigh whether the burden placed on lawful voters in western Kansas is justified by evidence.

At the same time, we are seeing state-level proposals that could impose additional identification or documentation requirements.

Again, the practical impact would not be abstract. It would fall on local citizens—particularly elderly residents, women who changed their names decades ago, and rural voters who must travel significant distances to government offices to obtain replacement records.

Regardless of party affiliation, we western Kansas citizens should ask whether new federal or state mandates make it easier or harder for eligible neighbors to cast a ballot. Strong elections are secure—but they are also accessible.

I encourage readers to respectfully contact Congressman Tracey Mann, Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and our state legislators—Representatives Wasinger, Rahjes, Waymaster, and our State Senators Billinger and Blew—and ask how proposed voting changes would affect Ellis County, Russell County, Rush County, Rooks County, Trego County and Rice and Barton County voters specifically.

We deserve clear answers about how these measures would operate in Hays, Russell, Stockton, WaKeeney, Ellsworth and Great Bend and throughout western Kansas.

Our community benefits when lawful participation is protected and confidence in elections is maintained. Both security and access matter. We should insist on policies that preserve both.

—Ron Svaty retired Kansas judge and proud citizen of western Kansas

LETTER: Proposed voting changes could burden western Kansas residents

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

Nearly a year ago, I made a professional leap that surprised a few people: shifting from 4-H Youth Development into the world of Family and Community Wellness. On paper, it may look like an unexpected turn. In practice, it has been a return to my roots.

Before Extension, I spent two decades in banking—years that shaped my passion for financial education, practical skills, and helping people build stability. That experience never left me. It simply waited for the right door to open.

As I settled into this new role, I found myself returning to the business and leadership books that guided me through earlier chapters of my career. Dr. Tim Elmore’s "Habitudes," Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein’s "Change is Good; You Go First," and Spencer Johnson’s classic "Who Moved My Cheese?" have all resurfaced on my desk. 

"Who Moved My Cheese?" in particular, remains a favorite. Its simple story about navigating change still manages to hold up a mirror, reminding me that growth often begins with discomfort.

Extension’s mission across Kansas is, in many ways, about helping people “move their cheese.” Whether it’s leadership development through 4-H, horticulture and livestock resources for producers, or workshops that help families make informed decisions, Extension exists to provide research-based tools that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Family and Community Wellness expands that mission even further—supporting early childhood development, nutrition, aging, and financial well-being. It’s a wide-reaching umbrella, but at its heart is a simple goal: helping Kansans thrive.

The forward to "Who Moved My Cheese?" includes a poem by A.J. Cronin that captures this journey beautifully:

“Life is no straight and easy corridor… But always, if we have faith, A door will open for us… One that will ultimately prove good for us.”

I’m grateful for the door that opened for me. This past year has allowed me to work with college students on budgeting and career readiness, and with adults&nbsp;navigating Medicare, financial planning, and everyday money decisions. Each conversation reinforces why this work matters—especially in rural communities where access to resources can make all the difference.

At the end of the day, what’s most important to me is helping our communities not just survive, but truly thrive. I’m thankful for the small part I get to play in that ongoing journey.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: A different perspective

<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

Join us in honoring the Thomas More Prep-Marian FFA chapter.

FFA Week will be celebrated&nbsp;Feb. 22-28.

What kind of margarita are you? contest winner

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

I recently agreed to see if a skunk needed evicted from beneath a friend’s empty home that is for sale. She said she was in the house the other day and it smelled terribly “skunky” inside, making her think one might be living under the porch. 

My glasses have transition lenses that turn really dark in the sunlight, so as I blindly peered into the darkness beneath the porch, I wondered aloud how bad the situation might turn if I suddenly came face-to-face (and hopefully not face-to-butt) with the resident skunk.

I’ve had some interesting adventures involving skunks in traps, the worst of which led to a drive home in my underwear so I didn’t totally contaminate the inside of my truck. 

Looking back, I can call them interesting now, but at the time my descriptions were slightly different. Skunks are fairly laid-back critters, and if caught in an enclosed trap or in a cage trap covered with a tarp, can often be carted away in the trap and unceremoniously dumped somewhere without incident.

Some years ago, as a new trapper I caught one in a large cage trap set for bobcats, possibly a first for both me and the skunk. 

As I slowly approached the cage, the silly thing ran to the back and began an acrobatics display fit for a circus. First up one side, across the back by its front claws then down the other side it went, twirling like a little black and white ballerina. With great effort and a long stick, I got the cage door propped open, then turned and ran, 'cause I knew Pepe’ would be charging the open door for his freedom. At a safe distance I turned to watch, and there it still hung like Spiderman on the inside of the cage.

 My next plan involved rushing the cage, arms flailing and shouting at the top of my lungs, hoping to scare the critter out the open front door. It didn’t take me long to see how this would turn disastrous and the maneuver was called off in mid-charge.

 I had other traps to check, so I opted to leave for awhile, then just stop on my way back through and reset the trap after Pepe’ had vamoosed. A half hour later I found it still in the trap, curled up in a fuzzy little black and white ball in the back corner of the cage. I finally just left and the thing vanished sometime overnight.

Another encounter took place just a short distance from town where I had a large skunk caught in a foothold coyote trap. Despite most people’s thinking, foothold traps usually cause a critter no more than a sore foot for awhile, but this skunk appeared to be stone cold dead. I stood and marveled at its beautiful silky fur as it rippled in the wind, and tried to figure what had caused its demise. It had the trap completely covered so I needed to push it aside to remove it. 

Both the skunk and the trap were going to stink already, and not anxious to drive home again in my stocking feet or underwear, I found a nice sturdy stick to roll it out of the way. I don’t know who was most surprised, the sleeping skunk when I poked it with the stick or me when it suddenly jumped to its feet! This encounter did not end in disaster (for me) but it gave new meaning to the old cliché’ “Things are not always as they seem.”

I’ve never understood how the term “skunked” came to mean basically getting nothing, as in getting “skunked” on a fishing trip. They are amazing little creatures that are very good at doing what God created them to do. Their fur is soft and silky; their essence is prized by trappers and the perfume industry and they’re actually fun to watch as they waddle along. But if you ever get “skunked” by messing with one, I guarantee you’ll get way more than nothing! 

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Skunks I have met

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Russell celebrated the near completion of the Flintwood Senior Housing project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

Russell Mayor Jim Cross began the ceremony with introductions before attendees toured two of the housing units. He said the project was made possible through a partnership between the city, the county and Housing Opportunities Inc.

"It seemed like it was taking forever. Still not totally done because the weather was a culprit for us, but this project is just the beginning," Cross said.

The senior housing development includes 24 duplex units for residents 55 and older, along with a shared community space available for rent. Callie Miller, executive director of Housing Opportunities, said Flintwood is intended to provide safe and affordable housing for future residents.

"All of our units are wheelchair accessible, so they have wider doorways and hallways," Miller said.

The units are at 326 S. Main St.,&nbsp;facing each other with parking spaces between them.

Housing Opportunities is a nonprofit organization that primarily serves seniors. Miller said at the time of the ceremony, nine units remained available.

While a regular unit features a standard duplex layout with a storm shelter in the garage, the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant units include lower-pile carpet, lowered countertops and cabinets, and lower light switches.

The bathroom also includes an ADA-compliant shower, with the entire space functioning as a storm shelter.

"Housing Opportunites Inc will be the property manager for this. We will handle all the applications, tenants and maintenance," Miller said.

Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, and Reid Petty, representing Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, also attended the event.

"Flintwood represents something deeply important, the ability for seniors to remain in the community," Bowers said. "I strongly believe that in rural Kansas, housing stability projects like this one protect not only our lives, but our livelihoods, and it must remain a priority."

Waymaster said the project was also made possible by $1.5 million in infrastructure funding from unused American Rescue Plan Act dollars that were reallocated.

"Housing has been one of the overwhelming concerns when we're talking about economic development, especially in rural parts of the state," Waymaster said.

Reid said Moran extended his congratulations to Russell on the achievement.

The development marks Housing Opportunities' 20th project across seven counties. Cross said he hopes to see more housing developments for all Russell residents, from younger adults to seniors.

You can learn more about Housing Opportunities on its <a href="https://www.housingopportunities.net/">website</a>.

Russell celebrates arrival of Flintwood Senior Housing project

<a href="https://news.ku.edu/">KU News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — Nearly 9,600 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the fall 2025 semester.&nbsp;

The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts &amp; Sciences and in the schools of Architecture &amp; Design, Business, Education &amp; Human Sciences, Engineering, Health Professions, Journalism &amp; Mass Communications, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Professional Studies and Social Welfare.

Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.

<a target="_blank" href="https://news.ku.edu/university-kansas-fall-2025-honor-roll-kansas-students-0">Students from Kansas are listed online, sorted by county, then city</a>. A list of all KU students on the fall 2025 honor roll is also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/university-of-kansas-announces-fall-2025-honor-roll">available</a>. Please reach out to KU News Service if you need assistance compiling names of students from your coverage area.

KU announces fall 2025 honor roll

Julia Wagner is a Gorham native and 2016 graduate of Victoria High School who earned a bachelor's degree in biology (Summa cum laude) in 2020 and a master's degree in biological sciences in 2022 from Fort Hays State University.

While at FHSU, she competed in track and field in shot put and hammer throw, and received multiple academic honors, including four dean's list recognitions, four all-academic honors award and four Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards.&nbsp;

She graduated in December with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Saint Mary through the Stefani Physical Therapy Program and has accepted a full-time position at Rebound Physical Therapy in Topeka.

Gorham native graduates with physical therapy doctorate

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

A bill currently before the Kansas House would ban required diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) courses at the state’s public colleges and universities. Supporters argue that institutions should offer “more diverse academic opportunities that are not against a student’s political, religious, moral or ethical beliefs.” On its face, this claim appears to champion intellectual openness. In practice, however, it misunderstands the purpose of higher education and deprives students of the rigorous learning environment that universities are designed to provide.

Higher education is not meant to function as an echo chamber for students’ pre-existing worldviews. Its central mission has always been to expand knowledge, foster critical thinking, and encourage engagement with complexity. College is one of the few structured environments where young adults can test their assumptions, encounter unfamiliar perspectives, and engage in reflection supported by research rather than insulated by comfort. Shielding students from ideas that challenge their beliefs undermines this mission entirely.

This understanding of higher education’s mission traces directly to our country’s founding. Several Founders explicitly argued that a democratic society requires citizens capable of reasoning through complex ideas. Thomas Jefferson, for example, maintained that education must cultivate critical thinkers who can meaningfully participate in civic life. He warned that democratic freedom depends on an informed, analytically capable public.

This civic purpose is not only a long-standing academic principle—it aligns with public sentiment in Kansas. According to the 2025 Kansas Speaks survey, 55.8% of Kansans believe the primary goal of higher education is to create an educated citizenry, while only 34.1% say workforce development should be the dominant aim. These findings affirm that Kansans value universities as institutions that cultivate analytical citizens capable of democratic engagement, not as ideological safe havens designed to avoid friction with personal beliefs.

Courses addressing race, gender, culture, and inequality play a crucial role in this intellectual development. They draw on decades of peer-reviewed research in political science, sociology, psychology, history, and education. Despite false reports to the contrary, DEI courses do not require students to adopt a particular political ideology; rather, they teach students how systems, data, and lived experiences intersect to produce real-world outcomes. Students are free to&nbsp;disagree with the interpretations presented, but disagreement is most meaningful when it emerges from informed engagement rather than avoidance.

Kansans also signal broad support for the underlying value of diversity in public life. The 2025 Kansas Speaks data show that 59.8% agree that Kansas government becomes stronger when elected officials are more diverse, compared with only 8.2% who disagree. This belief—that diversity enhances institutional strength—undermines the notion that engaging with difference is inherently divisive or ideological. If diversity strengthens government, it follows that young adults benefit from learning how to navigate, understand, and appreciate diverse perspectives before they enter civic and professional life.

The legislators’ concern—that students should not be confronted with material that challenges their beliefs—reflects a fundamental misconception about what universities are for. Higher education does not exist to affirm; it exists to question. It does not exist to soothe; it exists to stimulate growth. Students will carry their political, religious, and ethical commitments with them throughout their education, but the university’s role is to equip them with the analytical tools to understand those commitments in a broader context.

The Founders made clear that democratic governance requires citizens who are able to confront rather than avoid difficult questions. Jefferson and Adams both argued that education must develop citizens prepared for the moral and political complexities of republican life—not individuals shielded from discomfort. Their belief was that democratic institutions survive only when the populace can wrestle with complexity and evaluate competing claims.

Kansas should be investing in opportunities that broaden students’ horizons, not narrowing them. Intellectual diversity is not achieved by restricting academic content; it is achieved by engaging with it fully, especially when it invites discomfort.

Insight Kansas: Higher education should challenge students, not shield them

The City of Hays is reminding residents that pet registrations for 2026 are currently open.

Per city ordinance, all dogs, cats, and non-venomous constrictor snakes exceeding six feet in length must be licensed annually.

To complete the registration, owners of dogs and cats must provide a current rabies vaccination record.

Owners of qualifying constrictor snakes are required to provide proof of microchipping.

“A pet tag is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lost or missing animal returns home,” said Community Service Officer Nikki Hausler. “When an officer or a citizen finds a pet wearing a city license, it allows us to quickly identify the owner and facilitate a safe reunion, often avoiding a trip to the shelter.”

The 2026 licensing fees are $5 for spayed or neutered dogs and cats, while the fee for unaltered pets is $25.

Constrictor snakes exceeding six feet may be registered for $5.

Additionally, owners of breeds classified by ordinance as dangerous, including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, or Pit Bull mixes, must pay a $50 registration fee in addition to the standard licensing costs.

Residents have until March 1 to register pets currently in their possession before late fees are applied.

Unregistered pets will incur a penalty of $10 per month or partial month past the deadline, with a maximum late fee of $50.

“We’ve worked to make this process as efficient as possible for our residents,” said City Clerk Jami Briet. “The registration can be completed quickly at City Hall, and our staff is ready to assist owners in getting their 2026 tags handled before the March deadline.”

Licenses can be obtained in person at the City Clerk’s Office, 1507 Main St.

The office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, residents may contact the City Clerk’s Office at (785) 628-7300 or visit <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/">HaysUSA.com</a>.

City of Hays pet registration deadline approaching

The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle On-Line Auction at Hays Post.

&nbsp;If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save.

 Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value. 

The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!

Eagle Radio Auction live now!

BUNKER HILL — The tradition continues as Smoky Hills PBS will provide live coverage of the 2026 Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Class 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships. 

The event is begins at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27 through the semi-finals, and continues Sat., Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.&nbsp;at Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State University, Hays.

Smoky Hills PBS will once again showcase both boys' and girls' competitions, continuing a long-standing commitment to local sports and its tradition of bringing live broadcast coverage of high school sports to viewers across central and western Kansas.

Every match will be broadcast live, co-hosted by Eagle Radio's Mike Holliday. You can find&nbsp;3-2-1A and Hays High School state wrestling results on <a href="https://hayspost.com/">Hays Post</a>.&nbsp;

A rebroadcast of the championship finals will air on&nbsp;Sunday, March 1&nbsp;at noon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Our production crew and our many volunteers take great pride in delivering live, reliable coverage of this championship every year," said Les Kinderknecht, senior producer/director at Smoky Hills PBS. "Covering the 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships is about celebrating the athletes, the schools, and the communities that support them."

3-2-1A state wrestling championships to air live on Smoky Hills PBS

Get your tickets today and then join us&nbsp;as we kick off the Hays Concert Series with a special Lovegrass Music Festival Fundraiser on Saturday, March 14 at the Hays Community Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.list-manage.com/RcpvPPY0b4A?e=ad2f5727f7&amp;c2id=464001e5eac1dfb0bc25eb093087c2fd">https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/benefit</a>

This special night will feature two incredible bands who are not only entertaining but also special to Lovegrass —&nbsp;80 Proof Alice&nbsp;and&nbsp;Rudy and the Lost Boys&nbsp;— plus a silent auction, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres, all in support of Lovegrass Music Festival.

Your attendance helps us raise funds for our upcoming summer concert series, continue our mission of bringing bluegrass arts to rural Kansas, and support our capstone Lovegrass Music Festival this August.&nbsp;

Doors at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. at the&nbsp; Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. 8th, Hays. Suggested donation is $25.

Come enjoy great music, support the arts, and help keep bluegrass thriving in Kansas. We can’t wait to see you there!

Lovegrass Concert Series fundraiser is March 14 in Hays; tickets now available online 

This month’s Science Café presentation, “AI for Advancing Research Across Diverse Disciplines,” is sponsored by FHSU’s Science and Mathematics Education Institute (SMEI) and will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at The Venue in Thirsty’s Brew Pub &amp; Grill, 2704 Vine.

Dr. Anas Hourani, FHSU Associate Professor of Computer Science in the Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, will provide an overview of how artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are transforming research across diverse disciplines by enabling knowledge extraction from large-scale data.

Please note, while drinks will be available for purchase, no food will be served&nbsp;during Science Café.

Science Café presentations are free and open to the public. Questions can be directed to Cari Rohleder at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cbrohleder@fhsu.edu">cbrohleder@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4743 or by visiting:

<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqgHG-2B9GDc8KXBqj4fLXNv8t-2BV6Hb4Q5M0d-2FSyU8hjsQrSc6LVzLLvmFtB9JY8b1rMg-3D-3DI8e2_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOxhHfie4Psr7PgSLQuwklupqp6-2Bhxxpc08UdaGL7sxv8fcxRSUu4Oi8fMbn7NlB3xF2IVmdUY0rkyJEMwMnz-2BKSGQGMdt0NrU5sqrW-2BrUn39-2B7lX0fgeFEdloM2R-2FhDWQ7RuK85zg2QmPOUmYRoNb2lnw4sIKHCvntK4Eon0Yd0-2FVuaLhx23DMcs7mizek9UY5rDXOQsq8phghkThfnMdZa-2B1GZ1UVXL0RrEqAMv7E23OCuZRncxaF9kkUJP2rIIN">www.facebook.com/FHSUScienceCafe</a>

FHSU’s upcoming Science Café set for Monday, Feb. 23

&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

VICTORIA - Victoria Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fries, Fridays, February 27, March 13, and March 27 beginning at 5:00 pm at the Victoria VFW Hall.

Victoria K of C Lenten fish fries start Feb. 27

Please save the date for "Vessel of Survival," an MFA thesis exhibition by Jonah Simmons, presented in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree at Fort Hays State University.

The exhibition features sculptural ceramic works that explore themes of endurance, vulnerability, and material transformation, drawing from personal narrative as well as broader social and cultural frameworks.

Exhibition:&nbsp;Vessel of Survival Artist:&nbsp;Jonah Simmons, MFA Candidate (Ceramics) Dates:&nbsp;July 14–17 Reception:&nbsp;Friday, July 17, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Location:&nbsp;Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, Fort Hays State University

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements