<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

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 </figure><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

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-x4jb-pMEsg?si=50OqA7MYOln789SV" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom.

🎤Forward Ever: KS Dept. of Commerce Employee of the Year Sara Bloom

What do you call a grumpy cow? (Moo-dy!)

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

What do you call a grumpy cow? (Moo-dy!) Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/21/24

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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

More than anything, Billy wanted to be a cowboy. Taking pity on him, a rancher decided to hire the lad and give him a chance. “This is a lariat,” the rancher said while showing him a rope, “we use it to catch cows.” “I see,” said Billy, trying to seem knowledgeable as he examined the lariat. “And what do you use for bait?”

Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

More than anything, Billy wanted to be a cowboy. Taking pity on him, a rancher decided to hire the lad and give him a chance. “This is a lariat,” the rancher said while showing him a rope, “we use it to catch cows.” “I see,” said Billy, trying to seem knowledgeable as he examined the lariat. “And what do you use for bait?”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/20/24

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

After three executive sessions, Hays USD 489 board members unanimously approved pay raises of varying amounts for teachers, classified personnel and licensed personnel for the 2024-25 school year during their meeting on Monday evening.&nbsp;

Board of Education negotiations with the teachers union - the master collective bargaining agreements - were approved with salary increases for certified employees.

Teachers will see $1,910 added to each cell of the teachers' salary schedule.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Stipends of $650 were added for special education staff.&nbsp;

"It's an occupation that's hard to fill and we wanted to keep people in those positions as well as encourage others to look at it,"&nbsp;Superintendent Ron Wilson said during a Tuesday interview on KAYS Morning Blend. 

A 6% wage increase was approved for classified employees - anyone who is not a certified teacher such as cooks, custodians, and bus drivers.

Licensed classified personnel including social workers, occupational and physical therapists, received a 4.16% salary increase.

Administrators received a 3.5% pay raise.&nbsp;

"We're very, very thankful for our board for doing that for all our employees," Wilson said.&nbsp;

Hiring teachers and other staff has been problematic, he told the board.

"We're starting to feel the impact of teacher vacancies and have to look at it differently and creatively."&nbsp;

He said there are four open teaching positions and no applications.

SEE RELATED STORY: <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f630c147-0841-4e24-9793-27f72560595a">Hays, other Kansas districts seek ways to address teacher shortage</a>

The board also agreed to remove the $50 activity fee for high school and middle school students. 

"We will no longer charge that $50 activity fee. We try to chip away at back-to-school fees for our families.&nbsp; We've done that for the last four years," Wilson said.

Remaining in place are the textbook/material fees of $70 for elementary, $90 for middle school and $95 for high school students.

Also approved was a 5-cent increase in lunch prices for the upcoming year.

"I think anybody who's gone to the grocery store understands food costs have gone up. We really tried to hold the line and our nutrition director Jessica Younker has done a great job of keeping things affordable for families and still providing very healthy and enjoyable meals for our students and staff."

Free breakfast will still be offered for any student who wants it. That program started last year.&nbsp;

In other business, the board heard&nbsp;an update on the school bond construction from Nabholz representatives. The projects are on budget and on schedule. A design change order was accepted for Hays High School.

Board members also approved the 2024-25 board of education calendar, personnel transactions, the contract with Fort Hays State University for use of Lewis Field, and a two-year lease with Hadley Center for Hays Virtual School.&nbsp;

The board also gave its approval of authority for year-end budget transfers by Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business/finance. The fiscal year for the school district ends June 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718812568138.jpeg" alt="Hays USD 489 Board of Education members at their final meeting of the 2023-24 school year. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays USD 489 Board of Education members at their final meeting of the 2023-24 school year. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Hays USD 489 approves employee raises, activity fee removal for 2024-25" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=a9dp5-1647fed-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAfter three executive sessions, Hays USD 489 board members unanimously approved pay raises of varying amounts for teachers, classified personnel and licensed personnel for the 2024-25 school year during their meeting on Monday evening.&nbsp;Board of Education negotiations with the teachers union - the master collective bargaining agreements - were approved with salary increases for certified employees.Teachers will see $1,910 added to each cell of the teachers' salary schedule.&nbsp;&nbsp;Stipends of $650 were added for special education staff.&nbsp;"It's an occupation that's hard to fill and we wanted to keep people in those positions as well as encourage others to look at it,"&nbsp;Superintendent Ron Wilson said during a Tuesday interview on KAYS Morning Blend. A 6% wage increase was approved for classified employees - anyone who is not a certified teacher such as cooks, custodians, and bus drivers.Licensed classified personnel including social workers, occupational and physical therapists, received a 4.16% salary increase.Administrators received a 3.5% pay raise.&nbsp;"We're very, very thankful for our board for doing that for all our employees," Wilson said.&nbsp;Hiring teachers and other staff has been problematic, he told the board."We're starting to feel the impact of teacher vacancies and have to look at it differently and creatively."&nbsp;He said there are four open teaching positions and no applications.SEE RELATED STORY: <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f630c147-0841-4e24-9793-27f72560595a">Hays, other Kansas districts seek ways to address teacher shortage</a><h2>Activity fees and lunch prices</h2>The board also agreed to remove the $50 activity fee for high school and middle school students. "We will no longer charge that $50 activity fee. We try to chip away at back-to-school fees for our families.&nbsp; We've done that for the last four years," Wilson said.Remaining in place are the textbook/material fees of $70 for elementary, $90 for middle school and $95 for high school students.Also approved was a 5-cent increase in lunch prices for the upcoming year."I think anybody who's gone to the grocery store understands food costs have gone up. We really tried to hold the line and our nutrition director Jessica Younker has done a great job of keeping things affordable for families and still providing very healthy and enjoyable meals for our students and staff."Free breakfast will still be offered for any student who wants it. That program started last year.&nbsp;<h2>Other business</h2>In other business, the board heard&nbsp;an update on the school bond construction from Nabholz representatives. The projects are on budget and on schedule. A design change order was accepted for Hays High School.Board members also approved the 2024-25 board of education calendar, personnel transactions, the contract with Fort Hays State University for use of Lewis Field, and a two-year lease with Hadley Center for Hays Virtual School.&nbsp;The board also gave its approval of authority for year-end budget transfers by Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business/finance. The fiscal year for the school district ends June 30.

🎙 Hays USD 489 approves employee raises, activity fee removal for 2024-25  

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

What did the judge say when the skunk walked in the court room? Odor in the court.

What did the judge say when the skunk walked in the court room? Odor in the court.Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/19/24

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Each evening bird lover Tom stood in his backyard, hooting like an owl – and one night, an owl called back to him. For a year, the man and his feathered friend hooted back and forth. Just as he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in interspecies communication, his wife had a chat with her next door neighbor. “My husband spends his nights… calling out to owls,” she said. “That’s odd,” the neighbor replied. “So does my husband.”

Each evening bird lover Tom stood in his backyard, hooting like an owl – and one night, an owl called back to him. For a year, the man and his feathered friend hooted back and forth. Just as he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in interspecies communication, his wife had a chat with her next door neighbor. “My husband spends his nights… calling out to owls,” she said. “That’s odd,” the neighbor replied. “So does my husband.” Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/18/24

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with District 111 Representative Barbara Wasinger.&nbsp;

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VG5fXQSMzgc?si=B-doP6FQ71Io1v0_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with District 111 Representative Barbara Wasinger.&nbsp;

🎤Forward Ever: District 111 Rep. Barbara Wasinger

What kind of key opens a banana?&nbsp; A monkey!

What kind of key opens a banana?&nbsp; A monkey!Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/17/24

It's CDL Night at the RPM races

The Wild West Festival, a 30-year-long annual tradition in the heart of Hays, is issuing a rallying cry to the community for volunteers to help with this year's event. With preparations underway for another memorable festival, the support of volunteers is more crucial than ever to ensure its success.

"As we gear up for another exciting year of the Wild West Festival, we are reaching out to our community for their support in making this event possible," said Jeff Ridgway, president of the Wild West Festival board. "Volunteers play a vital role in every aspect of the festival, from planning and setup to execution and cleanup."

This year, the Wild West Festival has implemented changes to its volunteer structure, making it easier than ever for individuals to get involved and contribute their time and talents. With a variety of roles available, ranging from event setup and logistics to hospitality and entertainment, there is something for everyone to help with.

"We understand that everyone has busy schedules, which is why we've made it a priority to offer flexible volunteer opportunities that accommodate different time commitments," Ridgway said. "Whether you can spare an hour or dedicate an entire week, there are ways for you to make a meaningful impact and be a part of this community event."

To sign up as a volunteer for the Wild West Festival, interested individuals can visit the event website at wildwestfestival.com, where they will find sign-up forms and more information about available roles and responsibilities.

Event set-up is expected to begin the morning of June 29 and conclude with a clean-up day on July 7.

“The Wild West Festival, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, live entertainment, delicious food vendors, and exciting activities, has been a highlight of the summer season in Hays for years. By volunteering your time and energy, you can play a direct role in preserving this cherished tradition and creating lasting memories for generations to come.”

For more information about volunteering for the Wild West Festival, please visit wildwestfestival.com.

“Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of something special and contribute to the vibrancy and success of our community. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the Wild West and making this year's festival one to remember,” Ridgway said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688232441566.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Wild West Festival, a 30-year-long annual tradition in the heart of Hays, is issuing a rallying cry to the community for volunteers to help with this year's event. With preparations underway for another memorable festival, the support of volunteers is more crucial than ever to ensure its success."As we gear up for another exciting year of the Wild West Festival, we are reaching out to our community for their support in making this event possible," said Jeff Ridgway, president of the Wild West Festival board. "Volunteers play a vital role in every aspect of the festival, from planning and setup to execution and cleanup."This year, the Wild West Festival has implemented changes to its volunteer structure, making it easier than ever for individuals to get involved and contribute their time and talents. With a variety of roles available, ranging from event setup and logistics to hospitality and entertainment, there is something for everyone to help with."We understand that everyone has busy schedules, which is why we've made it a priority to offer flexible volunteer opportunities that accommodate different time commitments," Ridgway said. "Whether you can spare an hour or dedicate an entire week, there are ways for you to make a meaningful impact and be a part of this community event."To sign up as a volunteer for the Wild West Festival, interested individuals can visit the event website at wildwestfestival.com, where they will find sign-up forms and more information about available roles and responsibilities.Event set-up is expected to begin the morning of June 29 and conclude with a clean-up day on July 7.“The Wild West Festival, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, live entertainment, delicious food vendors, and exciting activities, has been a highlight of the summer season in Hays for years. By volunteering your time and energy, you can play a direct role in preserving this cherished tradition and creating lasting memories for generations to come.”For more information about volunteering for the Wild West Festival, please visit wildwestfestival.com.“Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of something special and contribute to the vibrancy and success of our community. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the Wild West and making this year's festival one to remember,” Ridgway said.

Wild West Festival calls for volunteers to ensure success of annual event

Brews on the Bricks 2024 brought the heart of Hays to life with a celebration of craft beer, regional flavors and community spirit Saturday.

Scroll down to see some of the highlights.

Brews on the Bricks 2024 brought the heart of Hays to life with a celebration of craft beer, regional flavors and community spirit Saturday.Scroll down to see some of the highlights.<figure>
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📷 Brew-tiful moments: Brews on the Bricks 2024 in pictures

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

What did the flag say to the pole? Nothing, it just waved.

What do you say to a flag on its birthday? Flappy Birthday

What did the flag say to the pole? Nothing, it just waved.What do you say to a flag on its birthday? Flappy BirthdayJoin fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/14/24

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Where do you learn to make ice cream? Sundae school.&nbsp;

Where do you learn to make ice cream? Sundae school.&nbsp;Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/13/24

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

What do you call a pile of kittens? A meowntain.

What do you call a pile of kittens? A meowntain.Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/12/24

<figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

On this episode of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>, Hays Post reporter Becky Kiser discusses Stripe rust affecting the area winter wheat crop with <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Cottonwood Extension District</a> with agent Stacy Campbell.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Stripe rust affecting area wheat crop" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:600px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=k8pmk-163ae47-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=600" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>, Hays Post reporter Becky Kiser discusses Stripe rust affecting the area winter wheat crop with <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Cottonwood Extension District</a> with agent Stacy Campbell.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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