By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The city of Hays approved financing for three projects to create new businesses and expand others.

Ordinances to authorize issuing industrial revenue bonds for the expansion of Agiliti and Vernie's Trux-N-Equip. were unanimously approved by the city commission during its meeting on Thursday.&nbsp;

Agiliti leases the former Sizewise facility in south Hays and employs about 91 employees. The company plans to purchase the building and expand its campus, completing the $6.5 million project by the end of 2027. About 140 additional jobs will be added over five years at the medical equipment manufacturer.&nbsp;

The bonds, which have no taxpayer commitment, would allow Agiliti to obtain a sales tax exemption for all construction-related purchases and a real property tax abatement for up to 10 years.

The new location of Vernies Trux-N-Equip. is at 48th Street and General Hays, site of the former Hays Livestock sales barn.  &nbsp;

Vernie's&nbsp;is asking for the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for the $2.2-million project, which is nearing completion. No property tax abatement is requested. A community improvement district is also being sought.

Exit 161 construction engineering contract

Bids were sought for construction engineering services for infrastructure construction, including water/sewer main extensions and street/intersection improvements to a city-owned 90-acre greenfield site at Interstate 70, Exit 161. 

Commissioners approved the low bid of $38,632 from Driggs Design Group, PA, with the cost to be funded from general obligation bonds.

"There are some grant dollars involved, and this bond issue comes from debt that is rolling off, so there won't be any impact to property tax dollars," Toby Dougherty, city manager,&nbsp;said.

The infrastructure would serve 11 buildable lots, ranging in size from 2 to 8 acres, for commercial and residential development.

Following a review of its 2025 pool season operation, the Hays Recreation Commission requested a 50% reimbursement for its operating loss, as outlined in the pool services agreement with the city. City commissioners voted to pay $25,501 to the recreation commission from the 2025 General Fund Pool Budget.

Commissioners re-appointed Hays resident Hali Bielser to the CARE Council for a second two-year term.

The 2026 cereal malt beverage city licenses for participating businesses were approved.

Commissioners also heard from Ellis County Cottonwood Extension Agents Monique Koerner, Karissa Frasier and Tamara Roberts about their programs and upcoming projects for 2026.&nbsp;

Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the Chamber in Hays, told the commission the chamber is circulating a petition to Hays residents urging the state Water Transfer Panel to hold the final hearing and approve the transfer application from Hays and Russell.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mayor Sandy Jacobs and Commissioner Alaina Cunningham were absent from the meeting.

 🎙 Hays City Commission approves industrial revenue bonds for two business expansions

Hays High School Academic Booster Club

The Hays High School Academic Booster Club (ABC) awards scholarships to graduating seniors yearly to recognize their academic and extracurricular accomplishments. These students have excelled in the classroom, volunteered in the community, worked part-time, and participated in numerous school activities. ABC scholarships help recipients continue their education by covering college and technical school expenses.

Last year, we awarded $500 scholarships to 19 outstanding students. Many expressed their sincere appreciation for receiving the scholarship from our organization, noting how the funds will help them reach their academic and career goals.

We need your support to continue awarding scholarships to these remarkable students. Please consider sponsoring a full scholarship of $500 or a partial scholarship of $150-$300. Any donation, however, no matter the amount, will be greatly appreciated and make a meaningful difference. 

We hope to award 20 scholarships this year, and your donation will move us one step closer to our $10,000 fundraising goal!

You can donate by mailing a check to the Hays High Academic Booster Club. You can also call the USD 489 Foundation office to donate, but you must specify that you want your donation to go to the Hays High School Academic Booster Club. All donations are tax-deductible. 

If you have any questions, please contact one of the following ABC Officers.

Thank you for supporting Hays High students!

Please mail checks to: Hays High School Attn: Academic Booster Club 2500 E. 13th Street Hays, KS 67601&nbsp;&nbsp;

Invest in education by helping fund local scholarships for Hays' future leaders 

GREAT BEND — Bundle up and bring the whole family for an afternoon of frosty fun and hands-on discovery at our Winter Wonders of the Wetlands Drop-In STEM event at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center on Friday, December 26, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Explore how animals survive and thrive in Kansas wetlands during the coldest months through five exciting activity stations—each one tied to a different STEAM theme.

S – Track Mysteries - Become a wildlife detective. Match mysterious tracks to their wetland animal owners and learn how to read nature’s clues. Create your own winter track mystery scene.

T – Soundscape Station - Can you match the bird call to the right bird? Listen closely and test your skills with real mounts and audio clips from wetland species.

E – Duck Feet Design - Engineer your own duck foot and test it in water to see how well it paddles. Discover how webbed feet help birds move through chilly wetlands.

A – Build a Snowglobe - Get creative and craft your own winter wetland snowglobe to take home—complete with glittery snow and animal scenes.

M – Migration Distance Math - Play our giant Chutes &amp; Ladders-style tarp game to explore how far birds travel to reach Kansas wetlands in winter.

Free admission and fun for all ages. Drop in anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. No registration required.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, on 592 NE K-156 Highway. 

More information can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0ToY5DtrhqW4tcsCTuD3Jv2sbxY4kRVWBngdisOboYoX5L5t_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOvt24xkb7U0plK5YizdrcvL-2FPbriLPeAXbw0Ue1wJzAnTmIN3AY-2BMc8exSj6tt1vyrY4JDngYEhoft2kZwh9GFdOEQFj9p3Q0AjIi5u-2B-2BVT9dH3N4U5QAn-2BKtrzSoyHDY2-2FNUI2-2BCmTV35F7vSYSDrzgrjyZMFmsq0a3FS37REHBEw0mwEa3aht9-2FZnj38kjI-2BVcK0fiG6RCRqu5kZAdXpBR8RRn63FK36hI1zw6U-2FsKfsMNSZAOJMXJn4mP896UO">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center to host Winter Wonders of the Wetlands Drop-in STEM event

STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Once in a while we get asked, “how cold does it have to get to kill insects?” Perhaps it is important to understand why cold temperatures kill insects. 

Insects are unlike mammals and birds because they must generate their own heat (called ectotherms). Insects die when they are exposed to temperatures below the melting point of their body fluids. If they want to survive winter, they must avoid freezing or tolerate freezing. Over time, insects have developed several strategies to survive cold temperatures and none of them involve wearing fleece.

Some insects just move into human structures in the fall and keep warm until spring. A common example are the multicolored Asian lady beetles aggregating on and in houses every year. Even if they are protected inside, they will likely die before spring if they don’t get food and water. Some insects also migrate to warmer climates to avoid freezing. A classic example is monarch butterflies moving from Canada to Mexico every year. Sounds pretty good about now!

A lot of our persistent insects in Kansas have to overwinter outside, and two strategies have evolved to survive extreme conditions: freeze avoidance and freeze tolerance. Freeze-avoidant insects keep body fluids liquid and freeze-tolerant insects can handle the formation of internal ice. Wait a minute, what? I know…either strategy seems impossible.

The main strategy for insects living in the northern hemisphere, where we can have cold temperatures for long periods of time, is freeze avoidance. 

Freeze avoidance can be achieved a few ways. 

Sometimes insects enter a “dry” hibernation by getting rid of all the food and water in their body. That way, ice can’t form inside the body and kill them. Water needs food or dust particles in order to crystallize; water can cool down to -42°C without freezing if particles are absent. Other insects have a super waxy coating on the exoskeleton that protects against ice formation on the body. Amazingly, some freeze-avoidant insects also produce cryoprotectants, such as glycerol and sugar, to reduce the lethal freezing temperature of the body. So yes, cryoprotectants act like the antifreeze in your car. I can’t make this stuff up!

Most insects living in the southern hemisphere, where the climate is more variable, employ freeze tolerance. 

These insects can stand ice formation in the body. Some will actually initiate freezing their body at relatively high temperatures in order to prepare for a longer hibernation. An example of a freeze-tolerant insect is the woolly bear. [Side note: several winter festivals celebrate the woolly bears kinda like Groundhog's Day.]

No matter the overwintering strategy, all insects will eventually die if it gets cold enough. However, the lower lethal temperature is different for each species. Insects can overwinter in any life stage - some are belowground and some aboveground. It gets complicated quickly. And as you can see a lot of insects can withstand very cold temperatures. 

Find out more about how insects survive the winter <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_winter_ecology">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_winter_ecology</a>

Information provided by Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University Extension Entomologists.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at&nbsp;scampbel@ksu.edu&nbsp;or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: How do insects survive the winter?

<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

Hays High at Junction City Friday, Dec. 12 - 6:00 p.m. Hays, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network - <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3281532">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a>

Hays High heads to Junction City for their first road trip of the season.

Girls #6-5A Hays (4-0) has defeated two consecutive state-ranked 6A teams. Junction City (1-1) is the third straight 6A opponent for the Indians.

Boys Hays (3-1) bounced back with a win over Liberal on Tuesday. They take on a Junction City (1-1) team that has a new head coach.

Tip-off for the girls' game is set for 6:00. The Hertz Rent-A-Car Pregame Show beings at 5:40 p.m. on 96.9 KFIX. Video is available at the above link.

🏀🎥 Hays High takes first road test in Junction City

&nbsp;FHSU University Communications

Fort Hays State University marked a historic milestone on Dec. 12 when Jackson Piper became the university’s first graduate of its Officer Candidate School (OCS) program to cross the commencement stage at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Piper, a Kansas City native, joined the Kansas Army National Guard during his sophomore year and enrolled in FHSU’s OCS program shortly after its launch in 2022. Encouraged by then-military science instructor CPT Hannah Byun, he pursued the program as a pathway to becoming an officer while completing his bachelor’s degree at FHSU.

“Jackson is distinguished as the first individual to commission through this program, marking a historic milestone,” said 1LT Michael Mancuso, FHSU’s current OCS program coordinator. “He has completed rigorous training in leadership, tactics, and military operations, preparing him to lead soldiers at the platoon level in both state and federal missions.” Upon commissioning, Piper was selected to serve as a Military Intelligence Officer in the Kansas Army National Guard.

Piper said the opportunity to earn his commission while staying close to home made the decision clear. “I wanted to become an officer when I joined the service,” he said. “The next thing you know, the program is done, and now I’m commissioned.”

Having completed his undergraduate degree in business administration with a concentration in management, Piper now serves in the intelligence office of the 1st 108th Aviation Unit in Topeka, assisting with helicopter operations and background clearance processes. He is exploring career paths with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the military, or the civilian workforce.

Piper described the OCS experience as both “fun but challenging.” 

Phase one—a bootcamp in Salina—was the most demanding, followed by individualized classroom instruction in phase two and a final two-week culminating training event in Alabama for phase three. Balancing academic coursework with OCS responsibilities, he said, was often difficult. “Trying to stay up to speed with OCS training and other classes was a challenge sometimes.”

Still, he credits the program with significant personal and professional growth. “You don’t expect that when you join, but by the end of it, you are a new version of yourself,” Piper said. “You build a community of helping each other out.” He also expressed appreciation for FHSU faculty who supported him throughout his training.

With commencement approaching, Piper is ready for a brief rest. “I honestly wouldn’t mind a spa day,” he joked. “Just a relaxed day. Take a breath. Finally.”

Currently, four students are enrolled in FHSU’s OCS program as it continues to expand leadership opportunities for service members on campus.

For more information about FHSU’s Officer Candidate School, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0SxGv-2Fva5lUgbJxYeXX5hgpP3JRbDkQsQtYmeZQ2dV84dzQP6jSVV9-2BriEZcHRx4dA-3D-3Dcc_c_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOD4TGTUAtDGTh9WwFpNhuirFrVGqtbi6fUlB7FiNrpoNFs8SX9WGG6XrSu-2BJhsChog9uSC2TojYSeh0f9jJj6oyf4ay-2FtfAe-2FaLLORg-2B8EPnSTSjqJDigJLxcj1QZ1oONdasOAZ8dooGscnuLVKnXgmAuMUaxoWX0JISmX28T1utpO0MCQs8kV0EauwuOoU2zPBpUmnrbnI-2BrkDHwWZF7ffpPWFbrUSfbZeT-2FKGkNfg4H0kE1wBUNAvvrYusfKvqC">https://www.fhsu.edu/military/officer-candidate-school</a>, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:military@fhsu.edu">military@fhsu.edu</a>, or call 785-628-4184.

FHSU celebrates first Officer Candidate School graduate at December commencement 

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks to Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, about the upcoming legislative session. Rahjes represents the 110th district, which includes portions of Ellis County.

🎙 Forward Ever: Ken Rahjes, KS. Rep. 110th District

Congratulations to Reindeer Radio week four winner,&nbsp;Stan Linenberger of Hays.

This week's feature sponsor is POPT! Gourmet Popcorn. Stan won a $250 gift card to use in their store!

94.3 FM / 1400 AM KAYS invites you to listen to Reindeer Radio and win! Each day Monday through Thursday we will give out a code word. Enter that word right here for your chance to win. The code word changes daily.

Next week's sponsor is Brogden Automotive of Hays.

Week 4 Reindeer Radio winner announced; play with KAYS, Hays Post

It was unusually warm in Hays Thursday, so warm that a new record high temperature was set for Dec. 11.

According to the K-State Agricultural Research Center, the temperature reached 76 degrees yesterday.

That surpasses the previous record high of 69 set in 1921 and 1924.

One year ago on Dec. 11, the daytime high was a more moderate 54 degrees.&nbsp;

Cooler temperatures are expected&nbsp;for the weekend. The three-day forecast calls for highs in the 40s, falling to 35 degrees on Sunday.&nbsp;

Record high temperature for Dec. 11 in Hays 

Congratulations to Amber Weigel of Hays, winner of the week 2 A&amp;A Coors-Yuengling Yuletide giveaway on 101.9 The Bull. 

 Amber wins a Yuengling Lager Light 99 Field and Stream Cooler and $25 gift cards to Cervs, Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant, Doghouse Liquor, Thirstys Brew Pub and Grill and Kaiser Liquor, all of Hays.

Get registered for next week's A&amp;A Coors-Yuengling Yuletide giveaway Monday at 7:35 a.m.&nbsp;

Week 2 A&A Coors-Yuengling Yuletide giveaway winner announced

&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

The Hays High School Chamber Singers are asking you to bring nonperishable food items or cash to their holiday concert on Monday at the HHS performing arts center.

The donations will benefit the students' Holiday Help Project.

Students soliciting food donations; bring items to Hays High Chamber Singers concert Monday

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/c3hays?__cft__[0]=AZaMpMNvM4hYyTcLoTpQdTAUrxg35SK-Mj8l-rSDkwbUUz-cFU_4bfmc1TB49Pq5knF8l6Yp_u-QfNBqfaxN5QJoiquQx5v2JIufjWIqgzfgbq2n0Te6J3KX7hH8qaSW6duj_MQAq4cyl0qb9tEd4gJ7QRlIquS_qZ6QHI7yMePSZA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Celebration Community Church</a>&nbsp;invites you to view Celebration Community Church’s first Christmas light show at 5790 230th Ave., Hays.

The display will be programmed to run in 30-minute intervals each day, with the exception of a few Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. from now until Christmas.

 To enjoy the choreographed music, tune your FM radio to 98.5. In addition, the church invites you to its Christmas Eve services at 1, 2:30 or 4 p.m.

Celebration Community Church in Hays offers free light display

Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County is seeking donations during this giving season to support affordable housing projects in Ellis County.

Funds donated to the Ellis County chapter stay in Ellis County.

You can send donations to Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County at PO Box 444, Hays, KS 67601.

Also, come by the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 2707 Broadway in Hays and shop. All proceeds also help those in need of a nice place to live and flourish.

The ReStore is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday.

Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County seeks donations to provide affordable housing

Healing Hearts Grief Support Group

The Healing Hearts Grief Support Group will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Drive. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Please use the south entrance.

Healing Hearts is a grief support group for adults who have lost a loved one of any age.

The meeting is a snack potluck, but “the most important item to bring is yourself,” said Dr. Kate McGonigal, the group’s facilitator. McGonigal teaches in the Sociology Department at Fort Hays State University.

“This meeting is about getting through the holidays after the loss of someone close to you,” McGonigal said. “The holidays are so difficult when we are missing our loved ones. As always, all are welcome.”&nbsp;

Healing Hearts Grief Support Group plans meeting

The 16th annual Community Christmas Dinner will be held on Christmas Day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VFW in&nbsp;Hays, located at 22nd &amp; Vine.&nbsp;

The meal will consist of roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, a dinner roll, dessert, and&nbsp;is free of charge. 

Donations received will be used to cover expenses and any extra will be given to area organizations that serve and assist residents, in an effort to 'give back' all that has been given.&nbsp;

The Community Christmas Dinner began with the vision to bring the community together for a Christmas meal, and to return to the true reason for the season - the remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas can quickly become overshadowed by the busyness that tends to arise with the holiday season, and focus loss regarding the true meaning. 

The Community Christmas Dinner offers a time to refocus on the birth of Christ, provides the opportunity for community members to serve/be served, and simply enjoy each other's company. Though Jesus is celebrated all are welcome regardless of personal beliefs.

&nbsp;Service also extends beyond the walls of the VFW through the delivery of meals to those who are homebound.&nbsp;The Community Christmas Dinner stands upon the scripture that “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8), and has continued to be an example of this kind of love throughout the years.

Volunteer opportunities will be available on Christmas Day prior to the meal, during the meal, and after. Some of the opportunities include decorating, directing traffic, preparing to-go boxes for delivery, filling drinks, clearing tables, delivering meals, washing dishes, cleaning after the event, and other miscellaneous tasks that arise.&nbsp;

Desserts for the meal are provided by community members, and these remain needed at this time.&nbsp;

For anyone who is homebound and would like a meal delivered, or if wishing to volunteer, provide desserts, or make a donation, please use the following contact information: 785-625-5528 through December 18 and 785-675-1344 December 19 - December 24 or&nbsp;

email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com">communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com</a>

<a href="mailto:communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com"></a>Thank you to the VFW, New Life Center, and Northwestern Printers,&nbsp; as well as all the volunteers who help make this celebration possible.&nbsp; &nbsp;

All invited to Community Christmas Dinner at Hays VFW; volunteers sought

WICHITA — The American Red Cross urges people to make an appointment to give blood now to keep the blood supply steady over the busy holiday season. Be there for patients in need this winter.

All who come to give Dec. 8-18, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. Those who come to give later in the month, Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

Types O positive, O negative and B negative blood donors are especially needed now and in the coming weeks.

December is National Month of Giving, and your Red Cross blood donation can bring hope and healing. Create a new holiday tradition and help spread comfort and support lifesaving care. When the unexpected happens, it’s the blood products already on the shelves that matter.

Redefine the meaning of a gift bag; give something that means something and schedule a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy01uwyAQxfHTwA4Lhq_MgkU2uUY0ZsaJVVukYNXq7atE3f7e-3OBSw02aSkupwjRIaB-FpQMGGlZasrkffU5ArlZJOdkKYteS0KfcQ6ULx7C3bm6gHUW_KyCHSvL1_ptdlo36cNErlgj15jNHnpP03vQW3kex2sof1VwU3A7z3PqwrW3MeatNZ5afyi46V14JdNlExpiVi4fuP-D8leHCa3XvTzpd7zaOFSwQo9NPseptl2Po4vs79iiXzhJMpxCNKEiGFrQmZl4Fo4XKwvpnwJ_AQAA__8I1Ffz">RedCrossBlood.org</a>&nbsp;or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

See&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy83u2yAQBPCngRsWLB8OBw65-DWiNbuOUXFJATXq21eJ_sf5zQwluGWng-Rk1uDBmwhRngk0Zs2wZ3egXdGxN4GB1niQWTVaWVKIdo27w_VmwT2MyQdoo8HuwulRiH-VP-rCUrkP5SnH7Cn7VV2u97B8ClnTOedrCHsXsAnY3u_30plyb2PstTVaWn8K2Kj9xsnqS59YXwK2ZznmWM55VXkxFVSdK-NgVSh94fEDwt5NDFFb2dOJ_8arjSmcZnxW_g6X3C45Zme-Pmcd7UGBg6LgvHI5gsIjGrUj7Uz-pvlA-TfB_wAAAP__9bVjNw">RedCrossBlood.org/gifts</a>&nbsp;for details on both offers and visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszLtuwyAUBuCngY0IDhf7DAwZ6gdopapbxOUQoxolBTdV375y1PX7L9nDnIx0nLyanAWrEJCvXqlpMlI5BG2jkQWNcgVtnDEhFZS8eod6wmjCNGswF6VSAakk6MiMHDXTZ_0SLdSN-hA2J0w2JzuJZnp3pyPgm1_3_T6YPjNYGCzjHhKN01qv6x7qdkq3xmDplKg-iMHy8v792t7w48fxRrkG0WmjMEjU7J9w-QemzwodSs27X8PvuN_GzoykcN3oWTyu-dg7UTvGEnXJjpzIzlhhEoIIBZWIIUfKdpZUAn94-AsAAP__Mwpcog">this link</a>&nbsp;to download and share photos of this all-new shirt.

Area blood donations needed to keep supply steady over busy holiday season

Karen Thomason is retiring from Hays Area Children's Center after 37 years.

 Her retirement celebration here at is at Hays Area Children's Center, 94 Lewis Drive, Friday, December 12, 3-7 p.m.

Thomason to retire after 37 years at Hays Area Children's Center; reception Friday

McKenna Youth Center Open House Dec. 14 with Shopapalooza, free movie

KANSAS&nbsp; CITY —Two suspects&nbsp; have been charged in connection to a pursuit that occurred on December 7, according to the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff.

Aron Creedon, 33, Edwardsville, is being held on no bond on felony charges of Aggravated Fleeing a Detention/Stop.

Kevin Garrett Jr., 28,&nbsp; Lansing, is being held on a $5,000 bond&nbsp; on charges of Aggravated Fleeing a Detention/Stop (A Misdemeanor). The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Two Kansas men charged in connection with a police pursuit

WASHINGTON (AP) —A West Virginia National Guard member who was shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-dc-c5785dd8920d2d1ac7d71fab769faf5f">last month in the nation’s capital</a>&nbsp;is being transitioned from hospital acute care to in-patient rehabilitation, a doctor said Friday.

Staff. Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was airlifted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center with a critical gunshot wound to the head on Nov. 26.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-victims-west-virginia-washington-b070b093743b016ce32005f800087873">Wolfe and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom</a>&nbsp;were ambushed as they patrolled a subway station three blocks from the White House.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-white-house-afghan-national-138fbe6872d7ac30b20973783b39002c">Beckstrom died</a>&nbsp;the next day.

Wolfe has “made extraordinary progress” and can stand with assistance, Dr. Jeffrey Mai, a MedStar neurosurgeon, said in a news release. Wolfe’s family chose not to disclose the location of his rehabilitation.

Beckstrom was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-national-guard-shooting-funeral-1f30c4b99f71f2f5b2c8b2fcd5bf688">buried in a private funeral</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lakanwal-national-guard-shooting-suspect-afghan-5e5e9567d95a5d0ef806b714bb3ee3b7">29-year-old Afghan national</a>&nbsp;who was also shot during the confrontation, has been charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

Wounded National Guard member continues to improve

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats released a selection of photos from the estate of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;on Friday, including some of Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and the former Prince Andrew.

<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fq3vn18ltfd83re8ggtle/AHYB3CbERvyT38o_vHllVx4?dl=0&amp;e=1&amp;rlkey=tz5pq4zr9i6nofkpi2g7l5vne&amp;st=rxoz19hb">Click here to see</a> all the photo

The dozens of photos initially released by Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee were a small part of more than 95,000 they received from the estate of Epstein, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">died in a New York jail cell</a>&nbsp;in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The photos released Friday were separate from the case files that the Department of Justice is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-sex-trafficking-case-records-justice-department-016bbded12959c90d1679e15aa273b60">under compulsion to release</a>, but anticipation is growing as the Trump administration faces a deadline next week to produce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-release-justice-department-32cbc21a6ae8189dccd00455dc83d2be">the Epstein files</a>&nbsp;that have been the source of conspiracy theories and speculation for years.

The photos were released without captions or context and included a black-and-white image of Trump alongside six women whose faces were blacked out.

The president said he hadn’t seen the photos from Epstein’s estate released Friday, but they were “no big deal.”

Trump said Epstein was “all over Palm Beach” and had “photos with everybody.”

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, did not say whether any of the women in the photos was a victim of abuse, but he added, “Our commitment from day one has been to redact any photo, any information that could lead to any sort of harm to any of the victims.”

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson accused Democrats of “selectively releasing cherry-picked photos with random redactions to try and create a false narrative" and called it part of a “Democrat hoax against President Trump.”

Many of the photos have already circulated in the public. Democrats pledged to continue to release photos in the days and weeks ahead, as they look to pressure Trump over his Republican administration’s earlier refusal to release documents in the Epstein probe. Garcia said his staff had looked through about a quarter of the images it had received from Epstein’s estate, which included photos that were sent to him or that he had in his possession.

“Donald Trump right now needs to release the files to the American public so that the truth can come out and we can actually get some sense of justice for the survivors,” Garcia added.

He initially released 19 photos Friday morning, then roughly 70 more photos later Friday, including one of Epstein taking a bath, a photo of him with a swollen lip, photos of his home and a photo of him posing with a book about the scandal.

Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">once a close friend</a>&nbsp;of Epstein, has said he parted ways with him long before he faced the sex trafficking charges. Clinton, too, has minimized his relationship with Epstein, acknowledging that he traveled on Epstein’s private jet but saying through a spokesperson that he had no knowledge of the late financier’s crimes. Clinton also has never been accused of misconduct by Epstein’s known victims. However, Republicans on the House committee are pushing him and Hillary Clinton to testify in their investigation.

Rep. James Comer, the GOP chair of the House Oversight Committee, threatened late Friday to begin contempt of Congress proceedings against the Clintons if they don't appear next week or reschedule depositions in January.

A spokesperson for the Republican-controlled committee also said that nothing in the documents the committee has received shows “any wrongdoing” by Trump.

Andrew&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-charles-epstein-chinese-spy-91c4bec9a5cf3de8fcb16f9c1fe52e60">lost his royal titles and privileges</a>&nbsp;this year amid new revelations of his ties to Epstein, though he has denied wrongdoing.

The photo release also included images of the right-wing political operative Steve Bannon, billionaires Richard Branson and Bill Gates, filmmaker Woody Allen, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and law professor Alan Dershowitz. The men have denied any wrongdoing in their associations with Epstein, who kept many high-profile figures in his circle of friends.

Amid an earlier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-summers-harvard-jeffrey-epstein-bebad1142f859c15467ed010c08ea6fa">release of emails between Summers and Epstein</a>, Summers stepped away from his teaching position at Harvard University and faced other fallout to his standing in academic circles.

Allen has faced allegations from his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, of molesting her as a child. He has denied the allegations.

Some lawmakers, however, believe that other high-powered figures could be implicated in Epstein’s abuse if the full case files from the Justice Department are released.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who was instrumental in passing a bill to require the public release of the files, said it was a good sign that the Department of Justice has sought to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-sex-trafficking-case-records-justice-department-016bbded12959c90d1679e15aa273b60">grand jury material released from several courts</a>.

“The grand jury material is just a small fraction of what the DOJ needs to release, because the FBI and DOJ probably has evidence that they chose not to take to the grand jury because the evidence they’re in possession of would implicate other people, not Epstein or Maxwell,” he said.

See the photos:  Trump says release of more Epstein photos is ‘no big deal'

JOHNSON COUNTY —The Johnson County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a stabbing which ultimately ended in an officer-involved shooting on Friday, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. One person died.

The Johnson County Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigations Team is taking over the investigation, with the lead agency as the Olathe Police Department.

Just before 11 a.m. on Friday, law enforcement received a call reporting a stabbing at the Panasonic facility at 103rd and Astra Parkway in De Soto. 

Deputies arrived on scene shortly after and located one victim with multiple stab wounds. The deputies located the suspect and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Deputies performed life-saving efforts on the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased by MED-ACT at 11:25 a.m.

MED-ACT transported one victim with stab wounds in critical condition to the hospital.

Johnson County Park Police also responded to the incident. No deputies or officers were injured.

JOHNSON COUNTY—There was a large law enforcement presence in the area of the Panasonic battery plant near 103rd and Astra Parkway in DeSoto, according to a statement from the&nbsp;Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

"The situation is contained and there is no active threat to the public. There will be a law enforcement presence in the area for an extended time," the sheriff's office reported.&nbsp; The plant opened in July.

Check the&nbsp; Post for additional details as they become available.

Sheriff: One dead after officer-shooting at Kansas battery plant 

BARTON COUNTY—A Kansas man is facing multiple allegations after a wild chase across Great Bend.

Just after 10:30p.m. Thursday&nbsp;a deputy with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a 1992 Oldsmobile passenger car in the 1500 block of Morphy in the city of Great Bend, according to a media release.

The vehicle had been observed speeding and running stop signs. When the deputy activated their emergency equipment, the vehicle shut off its headlights and attempted to flee from the officer. 

Near the intersection of 18th and Hubbard, a deputy sheriff attempted to stop the vehicle by means of legal intervention, the vehicle spun out but was able to regain control and continued to flee. 

At least two more attempts at lawful invention were made without success. The vehicle was reaching speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour, blacked out, never leaving the city of Great Bend. 

 Sheriff’s deputies were authorized to use whatever force necessary to stop the vehicle due to the danger to the public. The driver zigzagged across the city of Great Bend several times and at one point nearly struck the Great Bend police officer who was attempting to deploy stop sticks. 

Near the intersection of 18th and Baker, lawful intervention was attempted by a deputy and the vehicle again spun out, this time losing the right rear tire, wheel, and hub assembly. 

 Despite only having three wheels on the vehicle, the vehicle continued to flee southbound on Kansas Street and attempted to get back on Main Street at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Main. 

The driver struck a fire hydrant at that intersection causing the vehicle rollover one time into a building on the west side of Main Street. 

The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Trenton Berens of Russell was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.&nbsp; Great Bend Fire and EMS were called to evaluate Berens, and it was found he had no serious injuries. 

During the chase the vehicle traveled through numerous yards and striking stop signs and property as he fled.

  The Sheriff’s office K9 Rem alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle while at the scene.

&nbsp;Berens was booked into the Barton County jail on requested charges of felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer,  aggravated assault (non-LEO), driving while suspended, numerous charges of criminal damage to property, as well as approximately 14 other traffic violations.

 Berens also had an outstanding warrant from Russell County for violation of a stalking order. Berens has previous history of fleeing from law enforcement officers and given the disregard for the safety of others, the Barton County Attorney was contacted, and the Sheriff’s Office requested a higher bond be set. A District Court Judge authorized a bond in the amount of $250,000.

At least two Barton County Sheriff’s office patrol cars received moderate damage during the pursuit. The Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Great Bend Police Department as well as Great Bend fire and EMS.

Kansas man jailed after chase in his car with only 3 wheels

LONDON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/king-charles-iii">King Charles III</a>&nbsp;said Friday that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year because of early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor’s orders.

Charles, 77, revealed the information in a recorded message broadcast on British television as part of a campaign to encourage people to take advantage of screening that can detect cancer in its early stages when it is easiest to treat.

“Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” the king said.

“I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment,’' he added.

The recorded message gave Charles the opportunity to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-cancer-54f27cc73f383bd7b69e93ceddd9d538">reflect on his experiences</a>&nbsp;in the 22 months since he announced he would undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.

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