By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fort Hays State University is launching two new interdisciplinary degree programs to prepare students for careers in crime investigation and leadership roles within faith-based nonprofits.

FHSU will be offering a new Bachelor of Science in Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education and Community Engagement.

The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved both programs, and they will be offered in person and online this fall.

Financial forensics and fraud investigation program

Jessica Heronemus-Claiborn, an accounting lecturer at FHSU, said the financial forensics and fraud investigation program was developed in response to student interest and workforce demand.

The program combines accounting and criminal justice, with an emphasis on fraud examination rather than traditional forensic accounting.

"You need a very deep understanding of accounting to do fraud examination, which is multidisciplinary. It happens in management, law enforcement, attorneys, accountants and social workers. ...&nbsp; Fraud is in so many fields, so we opted to go in that direction," Heronemus said.

Each year, students switch between accounting and criminal justice because neither major fully aligns with their career goals. Others pursue a double major to bridge the gap, but doing so can extend the time required to earn a degree and increase their course load.

Heronemus said the idea dates back about 20 years but has been delayed several times.&nbsp;It was approved in February following a collaboration between the accounting and criminal justice faculty.

"The whole idea behind the multi-disciplinary program was not to take the same pie, being that group of students, and just divide it into more pieces, but to actually grow the pie and offer students something they're not currently being offered," she said.

The program includes about 24 to 27 hours of free electives within the 120-hour degree. Students will learn how to investigate employee theft, consumer fraud, corporate fraud and insurance fraud, as well as evidence handling and fraud prevention.

The only two new courses being offered in the program are financial statement fraud and interview and interrogation techniques.

"Half the degree is really housed [at the FHSU Criminal Justice Department]. It's a footprint between two departments, which is really unique in academia. Fort Hays has been really good at innovations," Heronemus said.

Heronemus said the program prepares students for careers with agencies such as the KBI, FBI, IRS, FDIC and Homeland Security, as well as roles as prosecutors and cybersecurity investigators.

"There's not another institution in Kansas that offers this. There are very few institutions nationally that offer it," Heronemus said.

The criminal justice program already provides internships and partnerships that allow students to gain experience with law enforcement agencies. Heronemus said the new program aims to offer similar opportunities.

She added that letters of support for the program came from state-level law enforcement and prosecutors. She said there is a nationwide need for financial forensics and fraud investigators, including professionals who can help prevent fraud before it occurs.

"Fraud can be tricky. You have to learn how to think like a criminal," Heronemus said. "People with these degrees go into organizations and help build systems that are resilient to prevent fraud from happening in the first place."

Religious education and community engagement program

FHSU philosophy assistant professor Samuel Byer said the religious education and community engagement program was created to address a gap identified through the Kansas Board of Regents and student interest.&nbsp;

The program is designed to be interdisciplinary and career-focused, combining religious and philosophical studies with coursework in leadership, sociology, nonprofit management, grant writing and marketing.

"Since our [philosophy] faculty, just as a matter of luck, happens to have several people who focus on religion of various sorts, we thought we could put something together in this area," Byer said.

He emphasized the program is not a religious studies degree and does not prepare students to become pastors or priests. Instead, it is designed for practical roles in churches and religious nonprofits, including religious education, youth work, administration and community outreach.

"It's like non-denominational religious work," Byer said.

Byer said philosophy faculty already have expertise in several areas of religion, but need to incorporate other skills required for supporting roles within religious organizations.

This is where Bryer said the program draws on other departments across campus to offer courses, including sociology classes that examine how nonprofits operate and receive funding from the state and federal levels.

"That's not anything I know, but there are two courses that teach how to navigate nonprofits and how they function," he said. "We have other possible sociology courses that are focused on grant writing. ... Those courses would help an individual be equipped to do that."

The program also includes marketing electives, which Byer said can help organizations with advertising and social media.

"Again, in philosophy, we are not equipped to train students how to do that, but the marketing department is entirely focused on that. They have several courses that would be good for it," he said.

Students will complete 27 credit hours of required courses and 39 total major core hours, with flexible electives based on their career interests. Byer said the program is open to students of all faith traditions, though current coursework is somewhat geared toward a Christian background due to regional demand.

Byer said there is a need for professionals in these roles within churches and nonprofits. He said demand is expected to grow based on data and conversations with religious leaders.

"What they told us was they have this issue where if, for example, the youth minister at this church leaves, they fear that it's going to take a long time to get somebody to do this position," Bryer said. "There's a need for this labor, but there is a  shortage of individuals who are both qualified and willing to do it."

Depending on their location, students will complete a required internship with a local organization, as the course is also offered online.

Byer said the ideal student for the program is someone passionate about serving their faith community.

"We're excited to try this, and we're open to continuing to find ways to improve it for students and for the communities that they'll be serving," he said.

FHSU to offer degrees in fraud investigation, religious education this fall

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Monday's high temperature in Hays tied a record for the date.

The mercury reached to 85 degrees yesterday, tying the high of 85 degrees for March 9 set back in 1989.

The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/325dedcd-fadf-4104-9546-cfc9d2165a42">three-day weather forecast for Hays</a> is calling for temperatures to be about 15 degrees cooler today and even cooler on Wednesday as a cold front moves through, then back up into the low 70s on Thursday.&nbsp;

Monday's temperature in Hays ties record high 

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By LOREN MILLER and RAFAEL GARCIA <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/2026/03/applied-learning-musical-instrument-repair-certificate.html">Kansas State University</a>

MANHATTAN — The next&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansashistory.gov/kansapedia/charlie-parker/12163">Charlie Parker</a>&nbsp;could be in Scott City and we might never know it, if that child's saxophone fails them and makes them think they're not a great musician.

An aspiring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/2026/02/governor-kelly-celebrates-joe-walsh-other-kansas-artists-at-governors-arts-awards/">Joe Walsh</a>&nbsp;could be shredding guitar over in Cimarron, but no one will hear that music student if their bridge needs an adjustment but they instead put down the guitar for good. We might never have another "Dust in the Wind" if tomorrow’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/kansas-robby-steinhardt-remembered">Robby Steinhardt</a>&nbsp;doesn’t have a good violin to pick up.

There's no shortage of talented musicians who have come from Kansas schools, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/about/faculty-staff/cook/">Joshua Cook</a>, instructor of instrument repair at Kansas State University.

But like many other community challenges, rural Kansas schools often lack access to convenient, affordable repair options when musical instruments break, leading to student frustration and potential abandonment of music altogether."

If you hand a fifth grader a trombone and the slide doesn’t move well, it’s going to feel like more work and more effort," Cook said. "They’ll think they’re the problem when really it’s the instrument. And when kids get frustrated, they’re more likely to quit or do something else.

"If we can make sure their instruments are functioning properly, we can help retain more students in band programs and help create the next generation of great Kansas musicians.

"A new program and certificate at K-State is putting working, well-maintained instruments right into rural Kansas students' hands — all while also equipping K-State's future music teachers to handle most basic repairs themselves when they begin teaching in Kansas schools.

Instrument repair becomes Applied Learning Experience for K-State students

What began as a small independent study has quickly grown into a thriving program that blends applied learning with meaningful community service.

For years, Cook had worked with music programs and bands — including the university's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/band/ensembles/marchingband/">Pride of K-State Wildcat Land Marching Band</a>&nbsp;— across eastern Kansas to repair and maintain instruments. Eventually,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/band/">K-State Bands</a>&nbsp;director Frank Tracz figured they were working with Cook so often that they may as well hire him full-time.

Around that same time, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/band/about/facilities/">Tracz Family Band Hall</a>&nbsp;was finishing construction, and since the beginning of planning for the hall, Tracz had insisted on creating a space for a cutting-edge, fully-outfitted repair room.

Thanks to the generosity of Gib and Brenda Compton, Tracz’ vision was realized through the Compton Repair Room — a repair facility for the K-State Bands program that is outfitted with the newest, highest-quality tooling and equipment in the industry.

Cook — who joined K-State's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/">School of Music, Theater, and Dance</a>&nbsp;full-time in August 2023 — initially used the space to teach instrument repair to a handful of students while managing repairs for the university’s band program.

As interest surged and resources remained limited, Cook partnered with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/about/faculty-staff/worcester/">Ben Worcester</a>, academic advisor in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://artsci.k-state.edu/">College of Arts and Sciences</a>, to explore ways to support more students.

The two explored funding through the inaugural round of grants from K-State's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/leadership/applied-learning/">Applied Learning Experiences program</a>, which funded faculty and staff to develop initiatives that support, expand, deepen and scale authentic experiential learning opportunities across the institution.

"Ben found the opportunity, and we started brainstorming how to build a program that truly worked," Cook said. "We combined our experience, wrote the curriculum, and figured out what it would take to launch it."

Throughout summer 2025, Cook and Worcester developed a curriculum for a certificate program. They outlined how grant funding could be used to expand equipment and instructional capacity.By the end of the summer, their proposal won approval, and the 12-credit hour&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/academics/minors/bandinstrumentrepair.html">instrument repair certificate</a>&nbsp;was officially launched, alongside a 15-credit minor option for music educators.

With new tools and a structured curriculum in place for the fall semester, enrollment quickly exceeded expectations, and the workshop classes have had to put students on waitlists.

"The grant transformed this from a one-person shop into a learning space for students," Cook said. "I had what I needed to do the job, but now we have what we need to teach."

Bringing musical instrument repair to Kansas communities

The program’s impact extends well beyond campus.

Through the School of Music, Theater, and Dance's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/about/sawin-arts-extension/">Sawin Arts Extension outreach program</a>, Cook has been able to take students to communities the state like Hays and Scott City to apply their learned instrument repair skills where they can most make a difference.

"Through that support from some very generous donors, I can travel to rural schools, fix what I can and bring my students along," Cook said. "Not every band room will have all these tools and equipment, so this gives students a chance to learn what they can do with just a toolbox and a backpack.

"At Bandtober, a marching band festival at Riley County High School, Cook’s students provided free horn repairs for schools unable to afford them. In 2024, one student repaired three instruments. With support from K-State's Applied Learning Experiences program, four students repaired 10 instruments in 2025.

Students also partnered with the Manhattan Optimist Club to repair 12 donated instruments for local youth and worked alongside Band of Angels, a charity that provides instruments to Kansas students.

Over the past two years, K-State students have collaborated with the organization to repair more than 30 instruments.

"We are using what we learn to serve the community, and that is something I am passionate about. We want to use our skills to do good," Cook said.

One of the students contributing to that impact is junior Chase Wassom, a music performance major who joined the repair program in early 2023.

"We get to give back to the community and help lay a foundation that will benefit music education for years," Wassom said.

For Wassom, the program has been transformative both academically and personally."I get to do something that truly interests me, with great tools and an instructor who shows me the right way to do things," he said. "This program has made a huge difference for me. I am not sure I would still be a student without it."

Wassom plans to pursue a career in instrument repair after graduation while continuing to perform. He has already attracted interest from companies impressed by the skills he has developed through the program.

Although not all students in the class plan to teach music, many of them do, and the workshop equips them with the skills necessary to make most basic instrument repairs and maintenance.

"Repair costs have skyrocketed since I started," Cook said. "Back in the day, a trumpet cleaning might have been $65. Now some shops charge $100. Schools that are barely making ends meet can’t always afford that.

"If these future educators know how to handle basic maintenance, they can care for their students and community better, Cook said.

"There are instruments sitting in closets all over rural Kansas — kids who tried band and quit," Cook said. "If those instruments can be donated, fixed up and put in the hands of younger musicians, that’s a real difference we can make for our state."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bringing musical instrument repair to Hays, rural Kansas communities

OSBORNE, Kan. — The Osborne County Community Foundation (OCCF) is proud to announce the creation of the Tools for the Future Fund, a new endowed fund established to support students pursuing technical and skilled trades education while strengthening the long-term workforce and economy of north-central Kansas.

The fund was launched with an initial $10,000 grant from the foundation of Kansas Gas Service’s parent company, ONE Gas. This foundational gift allows OCCF to begin building the endowment, so it can provide sustainable support for students for generations to come.

The Tools for the Future Fund is designed to benefit students from USD 392 and USD 272 who have started or plan to pursue postsecondary technical education. Eligible programs include specific technical and career-focused programs at Fort Hays Tech and Colby Community College. A key goal of the fund is to encourage students to return to the area to work, build careers, or start businesses, helping address workforce needs in rural communities.

Grants from the Tools for the Future Fund will be awarded through a competitive grant process, ensuring funding supports students with clear educational goals and a commitment to applying their skills locally.

“Technical education plays a critical role in rural communities,” said Mindy Miller, director of the Osborne County Community Foundation. “By establishing this as an endowed fund, we are investing not just in today’s students, but in the future strength of our local workforce. We are grateful to ONE Gas for their leadership gift that helped make this fund possible.”

“Supporting the Tools for the Future Fund is an investment in our neighbors and the future of our communities,” said Lisa Holleron, vice president of Operations at Kansas Gas Service. “Many students in our region have the talent and drive to pursue technical careers, and this fund helps remove financial barriers while opening pathways to meaningful, local opportunities. We’re proud to play a part in helping students build their skills close to home, because when they succeed, our communities and our workforce grow stronger too.”

While the initial grant allowed the fund to be established, OCCF is actively seeking donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to help grow the endowment. Donations to the Tools for the Future Fund are tax-deductible, and additional contributions will accelerate the fund’s ability to begin awarding grants and expand its long-term impact.

Those interested in contributing to the Tools for the Future Fund or learning more about how to support technical education opportunities are encouraged to contact OCCF at 785-221-4823 or visit <a href="http://www.osborneccf.org">www.osborneccf.org</a>

Osborne County Community Foundation announces new tools for future fun

WICHITA — The American Red Cross urges donors to help the national blood&nbsp;supply recover from a severe blood shortage and empower their health by making an appointment&nbsp;to give blood or platelets in March.

 As a thank-you for helping save lives, successful donations will&nbsp;receive free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, in March (one result per&nbsp;calendar year).

New Red Cross data reveals 1 in 5 blood donors have elevated A1C levels — a sign that prediabetes&nbsp;and diabetes are prevalent among adults in generally good health.&nbsp;

The findings are based on the first year of free A1C screening offered by the Red Cross, which provided results to more than 920,000 blood&nbsp;donors nationwide over three testing periods in 2025.

&nbsp;Among donors with elevated A1C&nbsp;levels, 80% had readings indicating prediabetes — a condition that can often be reversed through lifestyle&nbsp;changes such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.

“Too many people still face gaps in access to preventive care, and the Red Cross is proud to help close&nbsp;them by giving our 2.5 million blood and platelet donors easy access to essential health information, like&nbsp;their blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, Red Cross medical director. “By giving blood and&nbsp;downloading our Blood Donor App, individuals can be informed and empowered to better&nbsp;manage and advocate for their health.”

The A1C test does not require fasting and provides an average blood sugar level over the past&nbsp;three months.

&nbsp;Visit <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED&nbsp;CROSS to schedule your March donation appointment.

&nbsp;All who come to give blood, platelets or&nbsp;plasma March 1-31, 2026, will also receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email.&nbsp;See <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/march.html">RedCrossBlood.org/March</a> for details.

Donating blood in March is part of Red Cross Month, a national campaign that encourages people to&nbsp;deliver support when help can’t wait by also making a financial donation, volunteering or taking a&nbsp;lifesaving skills class.

Millions of U.S. adults are living with undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, which are often&nbsp;preventable and in many cases, reversible. These conditions often develop silently, though if untreated,&nbsp;they can lead to serious health complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

Early detection isn’t just good for long-term health — it’s also a warning for people’s wallets.

An American Diabetes Association study found that, while people with prediabetes typically incur a few&nbsp;hundred dollars in additional medical costs each year, those with blood sugar levels that have progressed&nbsp;to the diabetic range could face several thousand dollars more in annual expenses — as much as 25&nbsp;times higher.

How to Find Out Your A1C from the Red Cross

After making a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation in March, donors can access their&nbsp;A1C result within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal&nbsp;at RedCrossBlood.org. Anyone with an elevated A1C level is encouraged to consult their health care&nbsp;provider.

In addition, donors can access and track their blood pressure, hemoglobin, pulse and body temperature,&nbsp;which are taken during each donation’s mini-physical to ensure they’re healthy enough to give.

How Blood Donation Can Help Bridge Health Care Gaps

As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is uniquely positioned to help bridge existing health&nbsp;care gaps by providing blood donors with critical health insights. Through the Red Cross Blood Donor&nbsp;App and online donor portal, donors can track their results and share them with their health care&nbsp;provider.

These efforts are part of the broader Red Cross mission, which has supported the health of communities&nbsp;for 145 years. 

Today in Kansas, this work includes installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods at high&nbsp;risk for home fires, providing basic health and mental health services to disaster survivors, and supporting the well-being of military families, veterans and their caregivers.

Q: Why is the Red Cross testing blood, platelet and plasma donors’ A1C levels?

A: The Red Cross values the health and well-being of blood donors. By providing this vital health insight,&nbsp;the Red Cross is helping to bridge existing care gaps and empower donors to take an important&nbsp;step toward preventative care and lifesaving intervention.

Q: Should I fast to receive the A1C test on my blood donation?

A: No, the A1C test does not require individuals to fast. This is noteworthy because eating a nutritious&nbsp;meal prior to blood donation is important.

Q: Can I donate blood if I have prediabetes or diabetes?

A: People with prediabetes or diabetes are generally eligible to donate blood, platelets and plasma if they&nbsp;are feeling well on the day of their donation. In most situations, the type of medication donors take to&nbsp;manage their diabetes does not disqualify them from donating blood.

Q: Can I donate blood while taking GLP-1 medication?

A: In most situations, the type of medication you take to manage your diabetes or insulin&nbsp;resistance won't disqualify you from donating blood. Whether you take insulin injections like Apidra or&nbsp;Humalog, an injected diabetes medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro, or oral medications like metformin,&nbsp;you are still eligible to donate if you are feeling well on the day of your donation.

Red Cross offers free A1C testing; 1 in 5 donors prediabetic, diabetic 

<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

The Ellis County Commission will consider the final draft of a community improvement district for Stonewood Estates North Addition during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

A community improvement district is a designated area where property owners agree to pay additional taxes or fees to fund road improvements. Subdivision roads in Ellis County are normally not maintained by the county.

The petition includes an estimate of $95 per lot, per month, based on a 10-year tax-exempt bond, for the initial improvements and maintenance.

If approved, homeowners can begin to gather signatures to move forward with an improvement district.

Commissioners will receive an update on a $50,000 Local Environmental Protection Program septic grant. The program has expanded eligibility requirements for households seeking financial assistance to repair or replace failing septic systems.

• Discuss a proposal for a trial tire amnesty day at the county landfill in June. • Consider appointing a new member to the Joint Planning Commission to fill a vacancy • Ellis County Historical Society update&nbsp; • CASA of the High Plains update • Consider approving the 2025 annual noxious weed eradication progress report and the 2026 noxious weed management plan

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-735">here</a>.

Ellis County Commission to consider improvement district for Stonewood Estates North Addition

On Feb. 16, Ellis City Council passed Ordinance 1504, permitting the use of Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycles in the city of Ellis. 

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GMFzfPs2f/">In this post</a>, you will find the ordinance's full text, a quick breakdown of what is and isn't allowed by this ordinance and other regulations that were included in the ordinance.

• Operation of electric scooters and electric bicycles on any street, highway, sidewalk, or roadway and on designated bicycle and multi-use paths within the city of Ellis.

• Operators younger than 16 must wear helmets when operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle.

• Operators must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and operate in a safe manner that does not endanger others or property. Operators must also issue an audible signal before overtaking pedestrians on sidewalks.

• When operating on a roadway and traveling slower than traffic, riders must travel as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.

• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be operated on streets with a speed limit of 40 mph or greater.

• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle between dusk or 9 p.m. (whichever is earlier) and sunrise, even if equipped with a headlight or reflectors.

• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle at speeds greater than 20 mph.

• Carrying more persons than the electric scooter or electric bicycle was designed for.

• Attaching yourself or your electric scooter or electric bicycle to another moving vehicle.

• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be parked in a manner that blocks pedestrian travel or creates a traffic hazard.

• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be parked in areas such as bus stops, loading zones, handicapped parking spaces, curb ramps, driveways, parking spaces, traffic lanes or building entrances.

Our community members are encouraged to review the full text of the ordinance accompanying this post. The goal of this ordinance is to allow electric scooters and electric bicycles to be used while promoting safe operation for riders, pedestrians and motorists alike. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these regulations before riding. Parents are also encouraged to review these rules with their children.

The Ellis Police Department’s top priority will always be the safety of children and our community, and that priority applies to this ordinance as well. Our approach will be education before enforcement. 

If you'd prefer to have a physical copy of this ordinance to keep for yourself instead of having to refer back to this post, please stop into the city offices at 815 Jefferson St., and we will make a copy of the ordinance for you. 

Ellis Police Department highlights new ordinance for electric scooters, bikes

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will consider bids for property north of the Felten Elementary School.

The  7.23 acres were appraised at $630,000. Bids were due to the school district by March 4.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/909a410b-bf64-406d-a98b-01417d221495">The school board approved the sale of the land at its Dec. 15 meeting.</a>

The board reserved the right to reject any bids.

The board will also consider approving language updates to administrators' and directors' contracts and extensions to those contracts.

Superintendent Ron Wilson will give an update on the O'Loughlin Elementary School construction project.

Hays USD 489 board to discuss land sale

Ellis County Jail bookings: March 1-7, 2026

&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

Tree removal demonstration set for March 18

The City of Hays will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on March 9th and continue through May 11th. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion. 

Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for longer periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can impact water quality, such as high temperatures or reduced usage of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual.

The Hays Fire Department is conducting their annual testing of hydrants at the same time to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly.If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact the Water Resources Department at 785-628-7380.

City of Hays chlorine conversion begins today

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

The Babysitting Clinic Curriculum is designed to help middle school and teenaged youth (10-18 yrs.) learn what it takes to be a responsible, caring, trustworthy, competent, capable, and safe babysitter for infants through school age children.

The participants will learn the basic information on how to be a competent, responsible, and caring babysitter. They will also develop “life skills” such as caring for and managing resources, decision-making, and communication. Each activity notes at least one life skill and uses the experiential learning or “hands-on learning to reinforce it.” 

Based on the discussions your teens have during the class, you may find they are learning other skills. That is great! The more skills they use and practice, the better.

Teens learn about the ages and stages of child growth and development, safety, food and nutrition, how to handle emergencies, appropriate activities to implement with children, and the business of babysitting.

We also partner with Ellis County EMS to provide CPR and First Aid training. The participants will be certified in CPR and First Aid upon completion of the class. Participants will also receive an information notebook, activity bag, and first aid kits.

Location: Cottonwood Extension District, 601 Main St. Hays, KS

The cost is $50 for babysitting supplies, meal, and CPR/First Aid Certification. You can register online at: <a href="https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Lij5HiDjR4Q0dM">https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Lij5HiDjR4Q0dM</a>

Class size is limited to 15. The deadline to register is March 12, 2026. Please call the office if you have any questions.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: Prepare for role of babysitter at Cottonwood Extension clinic

FHSU University Communications&nbsp;

GREAT BEND — Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) will host a variety of free daily hands-on activities each afternoon of Spring Break, March 16-20, providing a chance for people to get out and explore the diversity of the wetlands.

A different activity will take place from 1-4 p.m. each day. The event is informal, come-and-go, and no registration is required. Activities are geared toward school-aged children. After enjoying the hands-on activities, visitors can check out the center’s interactive exhibit hall, classroom with live animals, 16-minute video about Cheyenne Bottoms, and walk the nature trail. They can also grab a map and take a self-guided tour of the wetlands.

Monday, March 16 – All About That Bass

Get ready for a fintastic fishy adventure! Students will discover how awesome fish features, like cool mouths, speedy tails, and wiggly body shapes, help them survive and thrive. Then it’s time to get crafty and create their very own paper fish with fun adaptations of their choice.

Tuesday, March 17 – Terrariums To Go

Ever want to have your own pocket-sized world? Well, now you can. Learn what goes into creating a perfect habitat for living creatures, and put it into practice by making your very own terrarium to take home and enjoy your own little world.

Wednesday, March 18 – Bioluminescent Beetles: Fantastic Fireflies

Fireflies, lightning bugs, glowworms, blinkies, moon bugs, golden sparklers, marsh flickers; no matter what you call them, these bioluminescent beetles have a unique way of capturing our attention. Flash on over to learn more about these insects. We will learn about how and why they glow at night and craft a paper lantern inspired by fireflies for you to take home with you.

Thursday, March 19 – Cheyenne Bottoms Buffet&nbsp;

As many as 41 species of shorebirds migrate to Cheyenne Bottoms each year. With so many migrants, you might be wondering how all of these birds find enough food to eat.&nbsp;Migrate out to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center to learn about microhabitats as well as how these shorebirds eat.&nbsp;In addition, we will be making a flapping bird for you to take home.

Friday, March 20 – A Wild Introduction to Field Journaling

Did you know some of history’s most groundbreaking ideas, expeditions, and discoveries began in the pages of a field journal? Such as Charles Darwin's sketches from the Galapagos Islands and Lewis and Clark's charts from their expedition. So, let’s get started on your very own field journal. Together, you will learn tricks and tips to not only draw your observations but also write about and understand what they mean. Afterwards, we will put your skills to the test with a walk through our very own KWEC trail.

Can't join us in person or want a teaser of the activity? At 10 a.m. each day, tune in to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0d6l0qajQc2cNPx9eB-2BHhpm5IMZ-2B8g1sy0eqGIkhgPELV8VeFlGkoKFvhBqsB6fHoA-3D-3DR9bt_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfO6ME-2BMd-2FBoxlb3lCwFaJfE6IOBtuQ2h5h0k-2Fn60B0dBy5L1xpsH6WiPySQkzcTJHJjYJFDosaEsYaS0nXHb4DaYA2iBOf6cDjAEHZmA-2B0dGDJJ4YcJcOwzWPq0-2BTDSAEUHoPHZQRTKD2Jy-2B5mKGB3rlMTq2LR4yWBqDzOQG5D4VawnBHt2IwTEg72ILrjt8Vst3gTaqUrHLlN2-2By-2BFLt-2B6-2B-2FCySRN4YFJKa6s1y0gdfKhLxC8eC15ye5B5Ajg0wjQ">https://www.facebook.com/wetlandscenter</a>&nbsp;for a chance to meet the staff member presenting that day and a story that fits the theme of the afternoon activity.

KWEC is located at Cheyenne Bottoms, 10 miles northeast of Great Bend, on K-156 Highway. For more information, call 877-243-9268 or visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqiohrCVEzT-2Bu22yVklcaqOvmZGt05-2BeOL3r-2Flc3NH2OV7rO5_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfO6ME-2BMd-2FBoxlb3lCwFaJfE6IOBtuQ2h5h0k-2Fn60B0dBy5L1xpsH6WiPySQkzcTJHJjYJFDosaEsYaS0nXHb4DaXHdGcAyXWeLnPAZIoj6SavGEGAyE-2BfnujAqTEanhiR9FAnTKxWiWbxD3DBoMf8y9Y0F35UzD82IURDz4tKwwM-2BABb3LG5eq-2FAzWOidK1zsK2JMrzEISe1-2FrehOgcJZAlmyhjp0VOqBOuMlB7sxuDiTKz6S0ZXrDdd-2BIsnn1evWG">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

Spring break activities at FHSU Kansas Wetlands Education Center   

This month's presentation, "Eco Acoustics: Harmonizing Humans and Nature," is sponsored by Fort Hays State University's Science and Mathematics Education Institute (SMEI) and will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, at The Venue in Thirsty's Brew Pub &amp; Grill, 2704 Vine.

Luke Helker, assistant professor and percussion assistant director of bands at Fort Hays State University, will present a lecture-recital of works for percussion and electronics that engage with sonification and acoustic ecology to demonstrate different relationships between humans and the natural world. 

With this recital, audiences will be exposed to sounds unheard of or unimaginable, with the hope that the natural world will be amplified like never before.

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