By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays chief of police spoke to a Senate committee on Wednesday in Topeka, voicing support for legislation that provides assistance to police departments in navigating the death of an officer.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb445/">Senate Bill 445</a> would add a provision that, upon request of a Kansas law enforcement agency, the Kansas Highway Patrol superintendent and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation director would provide temporary personnel and other assistance to support funeral services for officers killed in the line of duty.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler addressed the Senate Committee on Transportation on Wednesday, representing the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, the Kansas Sheriff Association and the Kansas Peace Officers Association.

Scheibler said a line-of-duty death is devastating, yet the agency must immediately manage complex ceremonies and continue maintaining public safety.

He refers to the killing of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dad498b8-5493-4a23-9cc1-5faf59fd11a3">Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann</a>, who died Sept. 28, 2025. He was the first officer in the department’s history to be killed in the line of duty.

"Our department was grieving, and our responsibility to honor Scott, care for his family, support our personnel and continue to serve the public quickly became overwhelming," Scheibler said.

Kansas Line of Duty Death Coordinator and Director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Advisory Committee Doug Woods also voiced support for the bill.

Woods said Kansas saw significant loss in 2025 with the additional deaths of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/864c86dc-8386-4c4f-8080-802f3b27bcd2">Phillips County Undersheriff Brandon Gaede</a>, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/805c7852-0c70-4bcb-a842-1e6657491422">Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming</a> and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ead6c32-a2f8-4201-a0b7-83778d8db753">Kansas City Police Officer Hunter Simoncic</a>.

All four officers died between June and September.

"This was a pretty terrible summer," KBI director Tony Mattivi said at the hearing. "One of the many things we learned this summer is the diversity when it comes to law enforcement agencies in Kansas. Some don't need much help, but there are others who need a great deal of help."

Woods said the KHP and KBI are well-equipped to assist other agencies.

Mattivi said he is concerned future directors and successors might not continue the practice, and supports making it a formal obligation.

During these tragedies, the Kansas line-of-duty funeral assistance team supported law enforcement with funeral services, parking control, temporary staffing, honor guard details and peer counseling.

Scheibler said the line-of-duty death team coordinated plans to bring Scott home from Wichita, where he died, and organized the candlelight vigil and graveside services.

"I was impressed by their professionalism, attention to detail and especially their patience with me," Scheibler said. "I personally witnessed their compassion as they worked closely with Scott's wife... ensuring her wishes were honored."

Scheibler said the team also assigned a dedicated family liaison to the Heimann family.&nbsp;The KBI provided more than 700 hours of peer support to the Hays Police Department alone.

Scheibler read a letter from Beth Heimann, Scott's wife, about the assistance provided by KHP and the KBI

"They did not simply show up in my darkest hour. They stayed, walked beside me through shock, grief, logistics and survival. They treated me not as a case, but as a person, wife and mother whose life has been shattered. Their compassion, professionalism and humanity are the reasons I'm standing today."

The committee passed the bill without objection.

Hays Police Chief backs bill to formalize funeral assistance for fallen officers

FHSU daily crime log: Feb. 8-14, 2026

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

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

How to submit an obituary to the Hays Post

Please email obituaries to haysobits@eaglemedia.com.

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

In conjunction with Heartland Credit Union, Hays 489 Foundation for Education is proud to announce&nbsp;that Hays High School teachers, Luke Lundmark and Jeana Dinkel are the recipients of the Inspire 489&nbsp;Award, which includes prize money of $1,000 for each, given by Heartland Credit Union. 

These&nbsp;individuals exemplify inspiration, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the&nbsp;lives of the students they teach.

The Inspire 489 Award recognizes those who go above and beyond to uplift others through service,&nbsp;innovation, and dedication. Luke and Jeana were nominated for this award for their outstanding&nbsp;contributions and passion for inspiring positive changes in every student every day here at USD 489.

Hays 489 Foundation for Education President, Chrisy Crough, said “Without question Luke&nbsp;and Jeana are worthy of receiving this award. Both are doing more than just teaching our students.&nbsp;They inspire with purpose and are changing lives through learning.”

“It’s an honor to partner with the USD 489 Hays Foundation for Education to recognize educators like&nbsp;Luke and Jeana, whose passion and dedication make a lasting impact on students every day,” said&nbsp;Dan Springer, Heartland Credit Union President and CEO. “Congratulations on this well‑deserved&nbsp;honor and thank you both for the contributions you make to the lives of students in USD 489.”

Nominations for the next round of Inspire 489 Awards is currently open. 

For more information about&nbsp;the Inspire 489 Award, and to nominate a USD 489 staff member, visit <a href="https://www.usd489.com/page/foundation">usd489.com</a> and click on USD&nbsp;489 Foundation.

Hays 489 Foundation for Education announces winners of Inspire 489 Award

FHSU University Communications

A free virtual online open house will be hosted by Fort Hays State University on Tuesday,&nbsp;March 10, 4:30-6 p.m. CDT for area families and adult learners.&nbsp;

The event is open to&nbsp;any prospective student, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Parents with&nbsp;college-bound students&nbsp;who want to learn more about admissions, financial aid, and next steps. • Working adults or parents considering returning to school or upskilling. • • Community members exploring flexible online degree options

This is a&nbsp;virtual, drop-in event, allowing participants to join at their convenience. Attendees can:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Connect directly with faculty and university staff. • Get help with&nbsp;applications and FAFSA. • Learn about&nbsp;scholarship opportunities and prize drawings&nbsp;available to participants

Check out the event website to learn more:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/online/open-house/">https://www.fhsu.edu/online/open-house/</a>.

Free FHSU Online Open House for Hays area families, adult learners

By TISA MASON FHSU president

In the quiet hours before the Kansas sun touches the horizon, Gabrielle Davis is already immersed in her studies. It’s 5 a.m., and while most of the neighborhood is still asleep, Gabrielle is navigating the complex anatomy and pharmacology content she must master in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 

Across the state line in Arapahoe, Nebraska, Janine Van Niekerk, serving as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in a rural nursing home,&nbsp;is balancing a similarly delicate act.

Janine and Gabrielle are pioneers. As members of the inaugural BSN hybrid (combined on-campus and online) program cohort at Fort Hays State University, they represent a shift in nursing education—one built for people with a deep connection to their hometowns and families, coupled with a purposeful commitment to ensure their rural communities have access to highly trained, compassionate nursing care.

For both women, nursing is a profound calling rooted in an ethic of care. 

Gabrielle, an LPN at the HaysMed walk-in clinic, represents the deep roots of Kansas healthcare. A third-generation nurse, she was inspired by her grandmother, mother, and an uncle, a physician. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a nurse,” Gabrielle says. “Especially watching my mom. She is the nurse that I aspire to be.”

Gabrielle’s resilience was forged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While still in high school, she completed her courses via Zoom and then worked until 10 p.m. at a nursing home in Atwood to help cover staffing shortages. She continues to work there one weekend a month because of the deep bond she shares with the residents. “I don’t want to give up my residents,” she says. “A lot of them I call grandparents. They consider me their grandchild.”

This same dedication drives Janine Van Niekerk. Originally from South Africa, the 45-year-old mother of six now lives in a rural area of Nebraska. 

For her, the FHSU hybrid program provided a way forward that seemed almost tailored to her life. She began her general education courses while still living abroad and was moved by the university's support during her transition back to the States. “Everyone was so helpful in helping me register, so patient in going through my credits,” Janine recalls. “I knew FHSU was the right choice.”

The stories of Janine and Gabrielle are individual threads in a much larger tapestry. Fort Hays State University serves as a primary engine for the Kansas nursing workforce with a simple priority: getting nurses to rural Kansas. The university doesn’t just graduate students; it delivers them where the need is most acute.

Currently, approximately 70% of FHSU BSN graduates and more than 90% of family nurse practitioners go straight to work in rural communities. With 80% of total nursing graduates staying in Kansas, FHSU is a proven, high-yield investment in our state’s future. 

Beyond the classroom, FHSU serves as a regional hub for healthcare excellence, providing guaranteed&nbsp;admission to Kansas community college students and serving as a vital training ground for HaysMed, EagleMed, and 25 critical access hospitals.

The hybrid BSN program is the latest tool in this mission, combining the convenience of online learning with the rigor of on-campus clinical clusters. For Janine, whose husband travels for work, this flexibility is a necessity. “For me, time is vital,” she says. “The hybrid gives me more flexibility with my schedule and everything I’m responsible for.”

Janine’s passion is fueled by a desire to rectify disparities she sees in rural healthcare. “I’m very disappointed in the healthcare system, the more I learn, especially in rural areas,” she explains, noting the high costs of basic lab tests and clinic fees. “Ultimately, what I’ve decided now to do is look into being a legal nurse consultant, so that I can help rectify the wrongs that are so very evident in healthcare.”

Gabrielle similarly integrates her clinical training into the margins of a busy life, studying between serving patients and after shifts. She finds a spiritual anchor in her daily routine. “Before I go to work, I pray about my day,” she says. “I pray for good patient outcomes. I pray that all my patients are safe and healthy. That helps me, or else I get very burned out.”

As the first BSN cohort to navigate this hybrid path, Janine and Gabrielle are doing more than just earning a degree; they are helping FHSU refine the program for future generations. 

Gabrielle is already looking toward the finish line in May 2027 with plans to eventually teach. “It opens up a whole new universe of opportunities,” she says. “We are helping them (the FHSU Hybrid BSN Program) figure out their trials and errors for the future of the program.”

For Tanya Smith, BSN Coordinator and Professor of Nursing, the pride in her first Hybrid BSN cohort is apparent.

“The students are very dedicated to the program and have shown resilience despite growth challenges along the way,” she said. “Each student has had becoming a BSN-prepared RN as a personal goal.”

FHSU’s Hybrid pathway has been the route to achieving this goal.

“The students have expressed many thanks to the Department of Nursing for creating this learning path for the BSN degree,” Tanya shared. “As we continue to grow the Hybrid BSN cohort, we are excited to partner with community hospitals across the state to ensure students are receiving clinical experiences close to home.”

The journey of these program pioneers reflects the heart of the FHSU mission. Through grit and a commitment to innovation, they are preparing to meet their communities' healthcare needs with expertise and empathy. Their progress is a testament to the power of a program designed&nbsp;with people, place, and purpose at its core.

Heart of a Tiger: Profiles of two pioneers from FHSU’s first Hybrid Nursing Cohort

<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

McIntyre Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air Launches “Kindness Heats the Heart” Valentine’s Contest to Give Away Free Furnace!

This Valentine’s season, McIntyre Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air is proving that kindness truly warms more than just homes.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, this local, family-owned business is launching a special community contest called “Kindness Heats the Heart,” giving one deserving family a brand-new furnace and full installation—completely free.

Beginning today and running through the end of February, residents within Ellis County and a 50-mile radius can visit HaysPost.com, Contest Page, to nominate a family in need. The selected recipient will receive a new furnace to help ensure their home stays warm during one of the most challenging times of the year.

Owners Mike McIntyre and Joslyn Brungardt have served the surrounding area for more than 25 years, building a reputation not only for quality service but for quiet generosity.

“Mike and Joslyn are the kind of people who give without asking for recognition,” said a Hays resident. “They’ve spent years supporting local families and organizations behind the scenes.”

This giveaway reflects the heart of their business and their deep connection to the community they serve.

“For many families, winter heating costs and unexpected furnace repairs can be overwhelming,” said Mike McIntyre. “We want to help relieve that burden for someone who truly needs it.”

As a proud Lennox partner, McIntyre Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air is honored to provide not only reliable equipment but also peace of mind to a family facing hardship.

The “Kindness Heats the Heart” campaign celebrates more than just Valentine’s Day—it highlights the power of community, compassion, and local businesses stepping up when it matters most.

Residents are encouraged to nominate a deserving family by visiting HaysPost.com, Contest Page, starting Friday, Jan. 13. Nominations will remain open through the end of February.

In a season centered on love, McIntyre Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air is reminding the community that sometimes, the greatest gifts come in the form of warmth, care, and genuine kindness.

Nominate a deserving family to receive a brand new furnace, courtesy of McIntyre Plumbing Heating &amp; Air

Wild West Festival rounds out entertainment for 2026 event

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 

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

The Hays Area Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Agenda items include a public hearing for proposed&nbsp;Unified Development Code changes to reduce sideyard setbacks for&nbsp;carports.&nbsp;Under current regulations, carports must meet accessory structure side and rear setbacks of five feet.

Commissioners will also conduct the annual comprehensive plan review.

The complete agenda is available<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02162026-1595"> here</a>.&nbsp;

Hays Area Planning Commission to conduct public hearing on setbacks for carports

Northcentral and Northwest Extension Districts and counties of K-State Research and Extension again will be hosting an online agronomy series, “Crop Talk”,&nbsp; which will highlight several topics important to crop producers. These will be on Tuesdays through March 10, and each session will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. CST.

In the northcentral and northwest agronomy-focused areas, the meetings will feature presentations and comments by K-State Research and Extension faculty to enhance management strategies utilized by crop producers.

Planned topics of discussion include Available Soil Water at Planting and Related Management; Wheat conditions and Breeding efforts on Mosaic Viruses; Fungicide Applications in Corn and Sorghum, and Insects to watch for in the Field.

There will also be time for questions between Kansas crop producers and extension specialists at each of the sessions.

Register online by searching for “<a href="https://www.wkrec.org/events/croptalk/">KSU Crop Talk webinars</a>” or call your local Extension Office. Once you register, a link to the online sessions will be emailed to you.

CCA credits have been applied for with 1 credit for each session.

KSU Crop Talk webinar series returns for producers

Western Plains Arts Association COLBY —&nbsp;&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association’s January 25th show was postponed because of weather and is now rescheduled for&nbsp;Sunday, February 22.

Jeff Davidson will have his public performance at the Quinter High School Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. Davidson is bringing the history of the Santa Fe Trail to life through song, stories and pictures. Admission will be by WPAA season ticket or at the door.

There will be a school presentation in the Quinter High School Auditorium on Monday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. and then another at noon at the Oakley High School Auditorium for Oakley Elementary. School performances are free to all who attend.

Thanks again to our area sponsors, especially the Gove County Community Foundation and the Dane G Hansen Foundation. Additionally, it is sponsored in part by the state of Kansas through the Kansas Arts&nbsp; Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

RESCHEDULED: Jeff Davidson brings Santa Fe Trail history to life through song, stories, pictures

&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

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