U.S. Attorney's Office — Kansas District

A Kansas man was sentenced to 480 months in prison for child pornography.

In May 2021, Clinton Wade McElroy, 49, of Ellis pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography after a prior conviction.

 According to court documents, McElroy admitted that between May 2020 and June 2020, he persuaded an 8-year-old child to produce sexually explicit images and send them to him through an online game and various messaging applications.

The FBI and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case. 


This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/psc">www.usdoj.gov/psc</a>. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/psc">www.usdoj.gov/psc</a> and click on the tab "resources."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631828752724.png" alt="McElroy photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>McElroy photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. Attorney's Office — Kansas DistrictA Kansas man was sentenced to 480 months in prison for child pornography.In May 2021, Clinton Wade McElroy, 49, of Ellis pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography after a prior conviction. According to court documents, McElroy admitted that between May 2020 and June 2020, he persuaded an 8-year-old child to produce sexually explicit images and send them to him through an online game and various messaging applications.The FBI and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case. 
<h2>Project Safe Childhood</h2>This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/psc">www.usdoj.gov/psc</a>. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/psc">www.usdoj.gov/psc</a> and click on the tab "resources."&nbsp;

Ellis man sentenced to 480 months for production of child porn

Three sex abuse lawsuits filed against a New Jersey diocese and announced Thursday include claims that defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick abused a young man in the 1980s.

The lawsuit accuses McCarrick of sexual battery against the man, who was in his late teens and early 20s when McCarrick was Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, in central New Jersey. McCarrick went on to become archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in the mid-1980s and then Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, D.C., in 2001. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

McCarrick was defrocked in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused minors, as well as adults. He faces other lawsuits in New Jersey, including one that alleged he sexually abused a teenage boy at a beach house in the 1980s.

In a separate case in Massachusetts, the now-91-year-old McCarrick recently became the only U.S. Catholic cardinal ever to be charged with child sex crimes, and he pleaded not guilty in a court appearance in early September.

The claims announced Thursday were filed as the clock winds down on a two-year window for people to file sex abuse lawsuits regardless of how far back the alleged abuse occurred. New Jersey opened the window in December 2019, in the wake of a landmark grand jury report in neighboring Pennsylvania that detailed abuse by hundreds of clerics against more than a thousand child victims.

An attorney representing McCarrick, who now lives in Missouri, declined comment on the lawsuit Thursday. A spokesperson for the Metuchen diocese didn't immediately comment.

The two other lawsuits announced Thursday name the Metuchen diocese and two other clerics, Father John Butler and Brother Regis Moccia, both of whom worked at high schools operated by the diocese and are both deceased, according to Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

Moccia's name appears on a list of credibly accused clerics previously released by the diocese but Butler's does not, according to Anderson.

The lawsuit against Butler alleges he abused a boy in the late 1990s while Butler was working at St. John Vianney School in Colonia, beginning when the boy was 9. The suit against Moccia, who worked at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen, claims he abused the boy starting when he was 14, in the early 1980s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627579902766.png" alt="Disgraced former Catholic cardinal Theodore McCarrick moved to the St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria, Kansas in 2018. He moved from Northwest Kansas in January 2020 Credit: US Institute of Peace. CC BY NC 20" />
 <figcaption>Disgraced former Catholic cardinal Theodore McCarrick moved to the St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria, Kansas in 2018. He moved from Northwest Kansas in January 2020 Credit: US Institute of Peace. CC BY NC 20</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID PORTER, Associated PressThree sex abuse lawsuits filed against a New Jersey diocese and announced Thursday include claims that defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick abused a young man in the 1980s.The lawsuit accuses McCarrick of sexual battery against the man, who was in his late teens and early 20s when McCarrick was Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, in central New Jersey. McCarrick went on to become archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in the mid-1980s and then Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, D.C., in 2001. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.McCarrick was defrocked in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused minors, as well as adults. He faces other lawsuits in New Jersey, including one that alleged he sexually abused a teenage boy at a beach house in the 1980s.In a separate case in Massachusetts, the now-91-year-old McCarrick recently became the only U.S. Catholic cardinal ever to be charged with child sex crimes, and he pleaded not guilty in a court appearance in early September.The claims announced Thursday were filed as the clock winds down on a two-year window for people to file sex abuse lawsuits regardless of how far back the alleged abuse occurred. New Jersey opened the window in December 2019, in the wake of a landmark grand jury report in neighboring Pennsylvania that detailed abuse by hundreds of clerics against more than a thousand child victims.An attorney representing McCarrick, who now lives in Missouri, declined comment on the lawsuit Thursday. A spokesperson for the Metuchen diocese didn't immediately comment.The two other lawsuits announced Thursday name the Metuchen diocese and two other clerics, Father John Butler and Brother Regis Moccia, both of whom worked at high schools operated by the diocese and are both deceased, according to Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.Moccia's name appears on a list of credibly accused clerics previously released by the diocese but Butler's does not, according to Anderson.The lawsuit against Butler alleges he abused a boy in the late 1990s while Butler was working at St. John Vianney School in Colonia, beginning when the boy was 9. The suit against Moccia, who worked at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen, claims he abused the boy starting when he was 14, in the early 1980s.

Lawsuit: Ex- Cardinal who lived in Ellis Co. abused man in 1980s

As construction progresses on the 
reconstruction of 27th Street from Hall to Fort, the construction zone 
will advance eastward. &nbsp;On Monday, 27th Street will be 
closed between Elm Street and Lincoln. &nbsp;As such, 27th Street Traffic 
will be detoured using Canal, 23rd Street and Pershing Drive. &nbsp;The&nbsp;closure plan and detour are shown on the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/DocumentCenter/View/4329/21-09-20-Detour-for-PSA2" target="_blank">attached map</a> .

The reconstruction of 27th Street from Hall to Fort will progress steadily from west to east through the remainder of the year.

All this information and more can be found on the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/778/27th-St-Project" target="_blank">project webpage at haysusa.com</a> or by contacting the Office of Project Management at 785 628-7350. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631822766654.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysAs construction progresses on the 
reconstruction of 27th Street from Hall to Fort, the construction zone 
will advance eastward. &nbsp;On Monday, 27th Street will be 
closed between Elm Street and Lincoln. &nbsp;As such, 27th Street Traffic 
will be detoured using Canal, 23rd Street and Pershing Drive. &nbsp;The&nbsp;closure plan and detour are shown on the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/DocumentCenter/View/4329/21-09-20-Detour-for-PSA2" target="_blank">attached map</a> .The reconstruction of 27th Street from Hall to Fort will progress steadily from west to east through the remainder of the year.All this information and more can be found on the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/778/27th-St-Project" target="_blank">project webpage at haysusa.com</a> or by contacting the Office of Project Management at 785 628-7350. &nbsp;&nbsp;

27th Street reconstruction heads east next week

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/arrests">Click here for past Hays Police Department arrest logs.</a>

——————————————

Andrea Jon West, 26, was arrested at 10:27 p.m. Sept. 9 in the 200 block of West Fourth on suspicion of domestic battery.

Michael Henry Haas, 77, was arrested at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 in the 3000 block of Sherman on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Sadie Jo Louise Arnet, 26, was arrested at 9:36 p.m. Sept. 10 in the 300 block of West Eighth on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Melissa Renee Yohn, 38, was arrested at 1:12 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 200 block of West 17th on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew Ellis Bieker, 18, was arrested at 3 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 1000 block of East 13th on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Sabrina Marie Woods, 22, was arrested at 1:23 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 300 block of West Eighth on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Shannon Lee Walker, 33, was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 700 block of East Sixth on suspicion of interference with a law enforcement official.

Jeremiah James Dickman, 44, was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Sept. 11 in the 200 block of West 22nd on suspicion of domestic battery, battery and trespassing.

Contreras Carlos, 42, was arrested at 9:51 p.m. Sept. 11 in the 400 block of West 12th on suspicion of domestic battery.

Lane Allen Fields, 18, was arrested at 2:36 a.m. Sept. 12 in the 1000 block of Fort on suspicion of underage purchase/possession/consumption of alcohol.

Caleb Duane Gerhardt, 20, was arrested at 9 p.m. Sept. 11 in the 1300 block of Canterbury on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possession of a firearm while under the influence.

Jazmine Marie Haynes, 32, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 12 in the 1000 block of East 15th on suspicion of domestic battery and interference with a law enforcement official.

Jesse Lee Lawrence, 32, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Sept. 12 in the 1000 block of East 15th on suspicion interference with a law enforcement official.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/arrests">Click here for past Hays Police Department arrest logs.</a>——————————————Andrea Jon West, 26, was arrested at 10:27 p.m. Sept. 9 in the 200 block of West Fourth on suspicion of domestic battery.Michael Henry Haas, 77, was arrested at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 in the 3000 block of Sherman on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Sadie Jo Louise Arnet, 26, was arrested at 9:36 p.m. Sept. 10 in the 300 block of West Eighth on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Melissa Renee Yohn, 38, was arrested at 1:12 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 200 block of West 17th on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.Matthew Ellis Bieker, 18, was arrested at 3 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 1000 block of East 13th on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Sabrina Marie Woods, 22, was arrested at 1:23 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 300 block of West Eighth on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Shannon Lee Walker, 33, was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Sept. 11 in the 700 block of East Sixth on suspicion of interference with a law enforcement official.Jeremiah James Dickman, 44, was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Sept. 11 in the 200 block of West 22nd on suspicion of domestic battery, battery and trespassing.Contreras Carlos, 42, was arrested at 9:51 p.m. Sept. 11 in the 400 block of West 12th on suspicion of domestic battery.Lane Allen Fields, 18, was arrested at 2:36 a.m. Sept. 12 in the 1000 block of Fort on suspicion of underage purchase/possession/consumption of alcohol.Caleb Duane Gerhardt, 20, was arrested at 9 p.m. Sept. 11 in the 1300 block of Canterbury on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possession of a firearm while under the influence.Jazmine Marie Haynes, 32, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 12 in the 1000 block of East 15th on suspicion of domestic battery and interference with a law enforcement official.Jesse Lee Lawrence, 32, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Sept. 12 in the 1000 block of East 15th on suspicion interference with a law enforcement official.

HPD arrest log, Sept. 9 to 12

<a href="https://www.kha-net.org/DataProductsandServices/STAT/Dashboard/d157638.aspx?type=view">The Kansas Hospital Association on Wednesday</a> announced that new COVID case rates in its northwest Kansas region fell 22 percent over the prior week.

New cases were down 22 percent over the previous week, the KHA reported. Overall, cases throughout Kansas also were down 22 percent.

The KHA reported northwest Kansas has a 43 percent vaccination rate, near even with southeast Kansas for the lowest rate in the state and up 1 percent over the prior week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631817810691.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kha-net.org/DataProductsandServices/STAT/Dashboard/d157638.aspx?type=view">The Kansas Hospital Association on Wednesday</a> announced that new COVID case rates in its northwest Kansas region fell 22 percent over the prior week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631817902177.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>New cases were down 22 percent over the previous week, the KHA reported. Overall, cases throughout Kansas also were down 22 percent.The KHA reported northwest Kansas has a 43 percent vaccination rate, near even with southeast Kansas for the lowest rate in the state and up 1 percent over the prior week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631818042625.png" alt="KHA" />
 <figcaption>KHA</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631291427273.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KHA: New COVID case rates in NW Kan. fall over last week

PAWNEE COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 6:30 a.m. Thursday in Pawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Suburban driven by Sarah Jean Kemp, 28, Nekoma, was eastbound on Kansas 156 four miles west of Larned. 

The Suburban traveled onto the south shoulder and partly into the south ditch. The driver lost control of the vehicle as it traveled out of the ditch, crossed the center line of the highway and into the westbound lane. 

A westbound 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by&nbsp; Melissa Denise&nbsp;Higginbotham, 60, Larned, struck the passenger side of the Suburban.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kemp and&nbsp;Higginbotham were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Beckwith Morturary. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

PAWNEE COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 6:30 a.m. Thursday in Pawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Suburban driven by Sarah Jean Kemp, 28, Nekoma, was eastbound on Kansas 156 four miles west of Larned. The Suburban traveled onto the south shoulder and partly into the south ditch. The driver lost control of the vehicle as it traveled out of the ditch, crossed the center line of the highway and into the westbound lane. A westbound 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by&nbsp; Melissa Denise&nbsp;Higginbotham, 60, Larned, struck the passenger side of the Suburban.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kemp and&nbsp;Higginbotham were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Beckwith Morturary. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

2 Kansas women dead after van, Suburban collide 

<div> <script src="https://embed-833507.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="64fdcb14-5f07-4584-be5a-9ed29847f8fa" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div>Submit your nomination today!

Nations Auction and Elite Realty Teacher of the Month

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Middle School principal Tom Albers shares information about the start of the school year.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Hays Middle School principal Albers pleased with start of the school year" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gpru6-10e001b-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Middle School principal Tom Albers shares information about the start of the school year.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: HMS principal Albers pleased with start of the school year

By DREW GANNON Fort Hays State University

On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, individuals from Hays and surrounding communities gathered at Lewis Field for a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk in memory of the events that occurred 20 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. Over the last several days I have tried to put into words what I experienced at the event.

As we began to plan for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk, my hope was that we would remember the events that happened on 9/11, to honor the sacrifices made by so many, and that participants would come together in unity just as this country did in 2001.

As I stood in front of the crowd last Saturday, I fought back emotions as I witnessed the love of a community, gathered for a purpose and uniting behind a cause. The emotions continued as we begin to climb stairs and I followed behind a group of firefighters in full gear, climbing 110 flights of stairs in remembrance of the first responders who answered the call and ran into the Twin Towers to save others.

This year, and each of the past 20, my heart aches for those who lost so much on 9/11 — for those who endured pain, for those who lost loved ones, for those who live every day struggling with the emptiness that day left, and for those that have had to deal with the implications and aftermath of 9/11. My heart hurts also for our divided nation struggling to mend its differences that seemed to not matter right after 9/11 as we stood together as Americans.

Perhaps in the heartache of recalling that fateful day lies our answer to take a step forward. As I looked around Saturday morning, I was filled with hope and a remembrance of my own.

I was reminded that we can stand united despite having different beliefs. At the heart of the matter lies a common need to be loved, understood, and recognized.

I was reminded that conversations are a two-way street, and that listening is more important that talking. It’s in the listening we find commonalities.

I was reminded that this country has by no means ever been perfect, rather that we’re more alike than we are different. It’s acts of love that bring us together.

I was reminded of Sept. 12, 2001, when the sun rose and America’s future shined bright. It’s in the moments after tragedy where we find our resolve.

As I looked around at Lewis Field, I said a prayer for those that have endured so much since 9/11, for this community, for our state, and for the United States of America…

May we begin to listen a little more to one another, even if we have different beliefs. May we seek out hope and chase after the hearts of one another, acting in love and making the extra effort to serve others. May we take time to climb more stairs together, or go for walks, to laugh, cry, and remember. May we find the light in dark moments and stand together as neighbors.

I am exponentially grateful to the many individuals that helped make the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk possible. Thank you to our friends at Fort Hays State University, the local fire and police departments, our EMS volunteers, and the different groups, organizations and businesses that advertised the event or helped us out. Thank you to those who came together in unity to remember, honor, and fill us with hope.

Drew Gannon is Fort Hays State University's director of the Tiger Fitness Center and a health and human performance instructor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631738334073.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By DREW GANNON Fort Hays State UniversityOn Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, individuals from Hays and surrounding communities gathered at Lewis Field for a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk in memory of the events that occurred 20 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. Over the last several days I have tried to put into words what I experienced at the event.As we began to plan for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk, my hope was that we would remember the events that happened on 9/11, to honor the sacrifices made by so many, and that participants would come together in unity just as this country did in 2001.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As I stood in front of the crowd last Saturday, I fought back emotions as I witnessed the love of a community, gathered for a purpose and uniting behind a cause. The emotions continued as we begin to climb stairs and I followed behind a group of firefighters in full gear, climbing 110 flights of stairs in remembrance of the first responders who answered the call and ran into the Twin Towers to save others.This year, and each of the past 20, my heart aches for those who lost so much on 9/11 — for those who endured pain, for those who lost loved ones, for those who live every day struggling with the emptiness that day left, and for those that have had to deal with the implications and aftermath of 9/11. My heart hurts also for our divided nation struggling to mend its differences that seemed to not matter right after 9/11 as we stood together as Americans.Perhaps in the heartache of recalling that fateful day lies our answer to take a step forward. As I looked around Saturday morning, I was filled with hope and a remembrance of my own.I was reminded that we can stand united despite having different beliefs. At the heart of the matter lies a common need to be loved, understood, and recognized.I was reminded that conversations are a two-way street, and that listening is more important that talking. It’s in the listening we find commonalities.I was reminded that this country has by no means ever been perfect, rather that we’re more alike than we are different. It’s acts of love that bring us together.I was reminded of Sept. 12, 2001, when the sun rose and America’s future shined bright. It’s in the moments after tragedy where we find our resolve.As I looked around at Lewis Field, I said a prayer for those that have endured so much since 9/11, for this community, for our state, and for the United States of America…May we begin to listen a little more to one another, even if we have different beliefs. May we seek out hope and chase after the hearts of one another, acting in love and making the extra effort to serve others. May we take time to climb more stairs together, or go for walks, to laugh, cry, and remember. May we find the light in dark moments and stand together as neighbors.I am exponentially grateful to the many individuals that helped make the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk possible. Thank you to our friends at Fort Hays State University, the local fire and police departments, our EMS volunteers, and the different groups, organizations and businesses that advertised the event or helped us out. Thank you to those who came together in unity to remember, honor, and fill us with hope.Drew Gannon is Fort Hays State University's director of the Tiger Fitness Center and a health and human performance instructor.

LETTER: 9/11 tribute at Fort Hays State powerful

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

There is just one item on Thursday's short <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09162021-1295">agenda</a> for the Hays city commission work session, and it may merit a long discussion.

Atchison developer Justin Pregont is requesting financial incentives for redevelopment of the former St. Joseph's School and Parish Center,&nbsp;210 W. 13th Street, according to Collin Bielser, asst. city manager.&nbsp;

"The developer is proposing to redevelop the property into a 12-unit multi-family complex that would target moderate income housing," Bielser said.

The project is estimated to cost about $2.2 million.

St. Joseph’s Apartments, LLC, is "requesting financial incentives from the city, including a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) as well as a resolution of support for a Moderate Income Housing Grant (MIHG) from the Kansas Housing Resource&nbsp; Corporation (KHRC).

"Only cities or counties can serve as the applicant for the Moderate Income Housing, so that's why the city has to pass that resolution and then it's all upon the developer to follow through then," Bielser said.

The three-story historic limestone building has been empty for about five years.

 The RHID would capture all eligible incremental property tax revenues within the RHID. Those revenues would be used to reimburse the developer for RHID-eligible expenses, an estimated $1.78 million, on a&nbsp;pay-as-you-go basis for a maximum term of 20 years.

The city would not issue any bonds in connection with the RHID.

St. Joseph School was listed in the National Register of Historic&nbsp;Places, along with St. Joseph Church across the street, in 2008.

Construction on the project would begin early next year if the state grant is received.

Hays-based Paul Wertenberger Construction, Hays, has been selected by the developer as the general contractor.

City commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning request last week from Public Institutional District to Multi-Family District for the property.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qGrXonRTnp0"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThere is just one item on Thursday's short <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09162021-1295">agenda</a> for the Hays city commission work session, and it may merit a long discussion.Atchison developer Justin Pregont is requesting financial incentives for redevelopment of the former St. Joseph's School and Parish Center,&nbsp;210 W. 13th Street, according to Collin Bielser, asst. city manager.&nbsp;"The developer is proposing to redevelop the property into a 12-unit multi-family complex that would target moderate income housing," Bielser said.The project is estimated to cost about $2.2 million.St. Joseph’s Apartments, LLC, is "requesting financial incentives from the city, including a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) as well as a resolution of support for a Moderate Income Housing Grant (MIHG) from the Kansas Housing Resource&nbsp; Corporation (KHRC)."Only cities or counties can serve as the applicant for the Moderate Income Housing, so that's why the city has to pass that resolution and then it's all upon the developer to follow through then," Bielser said.The three-story historic limestone building has been empty for about five years. The RHID would capture all eligible incremental property tax revenues within the RHID. Those revenues would be used to reimburse the developer for RHID-eligible expenses, an estimated $1.78 million, on a&nbsp;pay-as-you-go basis for a maximum term of 20 years.The city would not issue any bonds in connection with the RHID.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631741063112.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph School was listed in the National Register of Historic&nbsp;Places, along with St. Joseph Church across the street, in 2008.Construction on the project would begin early next year if the state grant is received.Hays-based Paul Wertenberger Construction, Hays, has been selected by the developer as the general contractor.City commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning request last week from Public Institutional District to Multi-Family District for the property.&nbsp;

🎥 City commission to review financial incentives requested by St. Joseph redevelopment

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Discussions about a future bond issue for Hays USD 489 on Monday and Tuesday focused on space.

Members of the community bond committee Tuesday viewed examples of other schools that its architect, DLR Group, has built or renovated recently.

They also discussed priorities for Hays schools.

Among some of the priorities listed by the group included adaptable spaces, flexible furniture, maker spaces, group spaces (an auditorium), media labs and learning suites.&nbsp;

Some community members also emphasized the need to create space that can be used by the community during non-school hours.

Much of the discussion Tuesday night revolved around what new or renovated buildings in Hays could look like.

Ian Kilpatrick, DLR K-12 design leader, shared photos from DLR projects in Kansas and across the country.

Kilpatrick said catering to individual variability accounts for 50 percent of student success. The physical environment accounts for 16 percent with 37 percent being attributed to teacher effectiveness.

Diverse spaces are needed for diverse learners, he said.

"I use the analogy that no one wants a house with 11 bedrooms and nothing else," he said. "You want a house with diverse spaces, because no one wants to cook breakfast in a bedroom. Schools are no different.&nbsp;

"We want to make sure they have all the environments whether it's career and tech, whether it's collaborative learning, whether it's that social collision space for our learners and our educators to be supported in their day to day,"&nbsp;Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick said school rooms need to be designed with adequate space and furniture to facilitate their functions.

"Hands-on learning is critical to [students'] learning and their launch into the real world," he said.

This is why some schools are establishing labs where students can create projects, as well as work with technology and robotics.&nbsp;

Other design considerations include sightlines, acoustics, doors and furniture.

Furniture is something every single student touches every day and can be an inexpensive way to adapt spaces, Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick said everyone is a different size and improperly sized seating can affect student learning.

Kilpatrick said if students have a sense of ownership at their school they are more likely to engage in their learning.

"Sense of ownership — we've talked about this at the high school," he said. "How do students have ownership of their space? How can they have pride in their space? How can the community have pride?&nbsp;

"That goes a lot to the diverse environments that we spoke to earlier," he said. "You want to make sure there's a space where every learner feels comfortable and feels engaged and owns that space in a really prideful way."

Kilpatrick said DLR conducts research on student engagement before and after bond projects and has found engagement increased for both students and teachers after new schools were built or schools were renovated.

DLR discussed other schools in the state who have passed bonds in the last 10 years. In the Western Athletic Conference, which Hays is a member, three of the five schools — Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal — have passed bonds in the last 10 years. Great Bend is currently working on a bond. It last passed a bond about 12 years ago.

Below is a list of 5A schools. All of those in red have also passed bonds in the last 10 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631733525981.jpeg" alt="Members of the Hays community bond committee discuss priorities for new or renovated spaces that could be included in a bond issue. Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Hays community bond committee discuss priorities for new or renovated spaces that could be included in a bond issue. Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostDiscussions about a future bond issue for Hays USD 489 on Monday and Tuesday focused on space.Members of the community bond committee Tuesday viewed examples of other schools that its architect, DLR Group, has built or renovated recently.They also discussed priorities for Hays schools.Among some of the priorities listed by the group included adaptable spaces, flexible furniture, maker spaces, group spaces (an auditorium), media labs and learning suites.&nbsp;Some community members also emphasized the need to create space that can be used by the community during non-school hours.Much of the discussion Tuesday night revolved around what new or renovated buildings in Hays could look like.Ian Kilpatrick, DLR K-12 design leader, shared photos from DLR projects in Kansas and across the country.<h2>Recent bond improvements at peer schools</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631727872672.png" alt="Garden City auditorium.&nbsp;Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Garden City auditorium.&nbsp;Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631727954020.png" alt="Dodge City athletic complex.&nbsp;Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Dodge City athletic complex.&nbsp;Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631727993992.png" alt="Dodge City small group workspaces.&nbsp;Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Dodge City small group workspaces.&nbsp;Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Diverse spaces for diverse kids</h2>Kilpatrick said catering to individual variability accounts for 50 percent of student success. The physical environment accounts for 16 percent with 37 percent being attributed to teacher effectiveness.Diverse spaces are needed for diverse learners, he said."I use the analogy that no one wants a house with 11 bedrooms and nothing else," he said. "You want a house with diverse spaces, because no one wants to cook breakfast in a bedroom. Schools are no different.&nbsp;"We want to make sure they have all the environments whether it's career and tech, whether it's collaborative learning, whether it's that social collision space for our learners and our educators to be supported in their day to day,"&nbsp;Kilpatrick said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631729256071.png" alt="Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kilpatrick said school rooms need to be designed with adequate space and furniture to facilitate their functions."Hands-on learning is critical to [students'] learning and their launch into the real world," he said.This is why some schools are establishing labs where students can create projects, as well as work with technology and robotics.&nbsp;Other design considerations include sightlines, acoustics, doors and furniture.Furniture is something every single student touches every day and can be an inexpensive way to adapt spaces, Kilpatrick said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631729950312.png" alt="This is a small group workroom at a school in Baton Rouge. The walls and tabletop in this room are made of whiteboard material and can be written on. Photo courtesy of DLR" />
 <figcaption>This is a small group workroom at a school in Baton Rouge. The walls and tabletop in this room are made of whiteboard material and can be written on. Photo courtesy of DLR</figcaption>
 </figure>Kilpatrick said everyone is a different size and improperly sized seating can affect student learning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631730424730.png" alt="Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kilpatrick said if students have a sense of ownership at their school they are more likely to engage in their learning."Sense of ownership — we've talked about this at the high school," he said. "How do students have ownership of their space? How can they have pride in their space? How can the community have pride?&nbsp;"That goes a lot to the diverse environments that we spoke to earlier," he said. "You want to make sure there's a space where every learner feels comfortable and feels engaged and owns that space in a really prideful way."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631730791100.png" alt="This is a classroom in a Kearney, Neb., middle school that had been padlocked and was no longer in use. Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>This is a classroom in a Kearney, Neb., middle school that had been padlocked and was no longer in use. Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631730908606.png" alt="The renovation of the space cost about $1 million, most of which was spent on an elevator and stairs. Students and teachers like the new space so much they don't want to use their regular classrooms, Ian&nbsp;Kilpatrick, DLR designer, said. Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>The renovation of the space cost about $1 million, most of which was spent on an elevator and stairs. Students and teachers like the new space so much they don't want to use their regular classrooms, Ian&nbsp;Kilpatrick, DLR designer, said. Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631732048531.png" alt="Ottawa High School before renovation. Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Ottawa High School before renovation. Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631732111498.png" alt="Ottawa High School after renovation. The Ottawa bond cost $6 3 million and included a new elementary school, renovations at their high school and security upgrades. Photo courtesy of DLR." />
 <figcaption>Ottawa High School after renovation. The Ottawa bond cost $6 3 million and included a new elementary school, renovations at their high school and security upgrades. Photo courtesy of DLR.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kilpatrick said DLR conducts research on student engagement before and after bond projects and has found engagement increased for both students and teachers after new schools were built or schools were renovated.<h2>Hays falls behind peers</h2>DLR discussed other schools in the state who have passed bonds in the last 10 years. In the Western Athletic Conference, which Hays is a member, three of the five schools — Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal — have passed bonds in the last 10 years. Great Bend is currently working on a bond. It last passed a bond about 12 years ago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631727521457.png" alt="The schools in red have passed bonds in the last 10 years. Great Bend passed a bond about 12 years ago and is working on another bond proposal now." />
 <figcaption>The schools in red have passed bonds in the last 10 years. Great Bend passed a bond about 12 years ago and is working on another bond proposal now.</figcaption>
 </figure>Below is a list of 5A schools. All of those in red have also passed bonds in the last 10 years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631721708743.jpeg" alt="A list of 5A schools. The schools listed in red have passed bond issues in the last 10 years." />
 <figcaption>A list of 5A schools. The schools listed in red have passed bond issues in the last 10 years.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays bond committee gets glimpse of how new, renovated schools could look

Homecoming week at Fort Hays State University is planned for Monday, Sept. 27, through Saturday, Oct. 2.

With the imminent changing of seasons comes some of Fort Hays State’s favorite autumn activities. The fall semester is well on its way, football games are back in full swing, and FHSU’s 101st Homecoming is right around the corner. After cancelling most Homecoming events in 2020 and pivoting others to virtual platforms, the university is excited to announce that Homecoming 2021 events will all be held in-person.

Check out the packed schedule of Homecoming events where there is something for everyone. Tiger fans should start making plans now as some events require advance registration with a registration deadline of Friday, Sept. 24. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=AzU7JuM9gNoo13mIpsUPJA6MjaWeqoDUbKcvth11PAkQhwgFXWArJhHYmfMmAbS2xBlh_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIemU4SkkP0kI6Ob8Jy3J3nZ0niEt8nyvWXDEOfn7zIxBQ1-2B-2BXdNzbU20kbDRMQCcwYb-2FNPLr9RaWLKvK1HkIMx9Hsq8OyiX6yLMhiVRM5ZlcmWHFCVVmaB8R6ZD6YlnnoFM5QOGrUGvBqpduzKUof5Nu3TSCd4AkDKxSktpBca4-2FXRuch-2FvqRCCbDieWoojYXbRjC5DnF-2BwYdEexWqw68SfvffrWHXKu4xSGRrVCrpfEUU5C-2Bmkl4-2FF3uipKEDAcuAkahXzTN73Q40-2FDQhANv0UFw-3D-3D">www.FHSUHomecoming.com</a>&nbsp;for a full schedule of events, to register for activities, and for any updates or additional information.

According to the 1939 “Reveille,” FHSU’s longtime yearbook, the university’s first official Homecoming was celebrated on Thanksgiving Day in 1920 – back when the college was known as&nbsp;Fort Hays Kansas State Normal School. Since then, Homecoming events have evolved, but the values and pride for the university have remained the same.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631640424717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsHomecoming week at Fort Hays State University is planned for Monday, Sept. 27, through Saturday, Oct. 2.With the imminent changing of seasons comes some of Fort Hays State’s favorite autumn activities. The fall semester is well on its way, football games are back in full swing, and FHSU’s 101st Homecoming is right around the corner. After cancelling most Homecoming events in 2020 and pivoting others to virtual platforms, the university is excited to announce that Homecoming 2021 events will all be held in-person. Check out the packed schedule of Homecoming events where there is something for everyone. Tiger fans should start making plans now as some events require advance registration with a registration deadline of Friday, Sept. 24. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=AzU7JuM9gNoo13mIpsUPJA6MjaWeqoDUbKcvth11PAkQhwgFXWArJhHYmfMmAbS2xBlh_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIemU4SkkP0kI6Ob8Jy3J3nZ0niEt8nyvWXDEOfn7zIxBQ1-2B-2BXdNzbU20kbDRMQCcwYb-2FNPLr9RaWLKvK1HkIMx9Hsq8OyiX6yLMhiVRM5ZlcmWHFCVVmaB8R6ZD6YlnnoFM5QOGrUGvBqpduzKUof5Nu3TSCd4AkDKxSktpBca4-2FXRuch-2FvqRCCbDieWoojYXbRjC5DnF-2BwYdEexWqw68SfvffrWHXKu4xSGRrVCrpfEUU5C-2Bmkl4-2FF3uipKEDAcuAkahXzTN73Q40-2FDQhANv0UFw-3D-3D">www.FHSUHomecoming.com</a>&nbsp;for a full schedule of events, to register for activities, and for any updates or additional information.Monday, Sept. 27<ul>
 <li>Homecoming royalty meet and greet (Memorial Union north patio) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.</li>
 </ul>Tuesday, Sept. 28<ul>
 <li>Amazing Race around FHSU and Hays (in-person and online) – Clues will be shared via Student Engagement social media.</li>
 </ul> Wednesday, Sept. 29<ul>
 <li>Make Your Own Pennant with Forsyth Library (both on-campus and online students)</li>
 </ul>Thursday, Sept. 30<ul>
 <li>Homecoming Golf Tournament (Smoky Hill Country Club) – Registration closed; wait list for additional participants/teams</li><li>Coach’s Corner (Smoky Hill Country Club) – Lunch with Tiger football coach Chris Brown – Noon (Registration deadline Sept. 24)</li><li>Tiger bonfire (Robbins Center) – Food trucks open at 7 p.m., bonfire and pep rally at 7:30</li>
 </ul>Friday, Oct. 1<ul>
 <li>Homecoming registration (Robbins Center lobby) – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.</li><li>Ribbon cutting for Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success – 9 a.m.</li><li>Oktoberfest (Municipal Park) – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – The Volga German Society Oktoberfest celebration of German Russians in Ellis County. Oktoberfest includes activities, musical entertainment, and booths offering crafts, food, and beverages.</li><li>Campus walking tour (Memorial Union Sunset Atrium) – 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.</li><li>Half Century Club Luncheon and Induction (Memorial Union) – 11 a.m. social and noon luncheon – Induction of classes of 1970 and 1971 – (Registration deadline Sept. 24)</li><li>Class reunion campus/Hays bus tour (Memorial Union Sunset Atrium) – 2:30 p.m.</li><li>Alumni and Friends Awards Banquet (Memorial Union) – 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. banquet – (Registration deadline Sept. 24)</li>
 </ul>Saturday, Oct. 2<ul>
 <li>Homecoming registration (Memorial Union Sunset Atrium) – 8 to 11 a.m.</li><li>Breakfast with the President (Memorial Union) – 8:30 a.m. (Registration deadline Sept. 24)</li><li>Class of 1961 &amp; 1960 Reunion Breakfast (Memorial Union) – 8:30 a.m. (Registration deadline Sept. 24)</li><li>Class of 1971 &amp; 1970 Reunion Breakfast (Memorial Union) – 8:30 a.m. (Registration deadline Sept. 24)</li><li>FHSU Homecoming parade (Main Street) – 11 a.m.</li><li>Oktoberfest (Municipal Park) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – The German celebration continues with a second day of activities and vendor booths.</li><li>FHSU vs University of Nebraska-Kearney football game – 6:30 p.m. pre-game ceremonies and 7 p.m. game kickoff (Lewis Field Stadium)</li>
 </ul>According to the 1939 “Reveille,” FHSU’s longtime yearbook, the university’s first official Homecoming was celebrated on Thanksgiving Day in 1920 – back when the college was known as&nbsp;Fort Hays Kansas State Normal School. Since then, Homecoming events have evolved, but the values and pride for the university have remained the same.

Fort Hays State announces lineup of Homecoming 2021 events

ELLIS — On Monday, the Ellis USD 388 Board of Education approved a change in the district's COVID-19 mitigation strategy after nearly a quarter of students in the combined junior/senior high school were quarantined last week.

The concern with the old policy boiled down to the length — 10 days — of a quarantine when a student is deemed a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.

Over 40 students, including football team members, were quarantined last week in the district.

"That ended up putting a big impact on us this last week because we ended up getting a couple of positive student cases that were on an activities team, and then we got another case positive on that team," said Superintendent Corey Burton.

With three cases in the one group, he said the Ellis County Health Services Department&nbsp;quarantines the whole group.

"That ended up having a huge impact on us," Burton said. "Those three cases ended up putting over 40 kids, about 45 kids, in&nbsp;quarantine for the week. And that is a lot of missed class time."

He said the much larger Hays district was also seeing the same impact and implemented the suggested plan from the health department earlier in the day Monday.

The new plan is designed to help lessen the impact of the number of students in quarantine at any given time while continuing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

In essence, the new plan implements stronger mitigation strategies based upon the number of active cases in the district, with mask mandates and quarantine policy becoming more strict should case numbers increase.

But it also implements the ability for students that are deemed close contacts to return to school if masks are worn, and the district monitors for symptoms or the students receive a negative COVID-19 test after day five of the&nbsp;quarantine.

The new policy would be enacted district-wide, with Burton saying implementing the procedures by building would create a system that was incredibly difficult to track compared to the policy in place last year.

"Keeping track of all this is already a nightmare," Burton said. "The more caveats we're going to put to this, the more difficult it is to try to keep track of."

Burton also told the board that setting different policies for vaccinated and unvaccinated students would add significantly more tracking.

The district learned that a vaccinated student had tested positive earlier in the day, with contact tracing set to begin.

"We could say a vaccinated student doesn't need to wear a mask," Burton said. "But it will create another layer of things that we have to keep track of, and I'm telling you, we have our first case of a vaccinated student that has tested positive that we will be close contact tracing."

Vaccinated or not, Burton said mask protection only works to stop large amounts of quarantine if both parties are masked up.&nbsp;

But the potential of district-wide mask mandates was not readily accepted by the board, with almost an hour's worth of discussion before the measure would be voted on.

One of the most discussed aspects of the proposed plan was the lack of consideration for vaccination status.

"To me that just, again, let's say we get to that seven active cases and it's a district-wide mask mandate, I sure would like it to be an option for our teachers to not be in a mask, or our vaccinated kids, that are fully vaccinated for them not to be in a mask," said board member&nbsp;Jared Schiel.

"We could do that," Burton said. "By what Jason (Kennedy, director, Ellis County Health Services) said he would recommend we not, but we could do that."

Last year, board member&nbsp;Cindy Hertel noted that the district was highly successful in stopping transmission through wearing masks and social distancing measures.

"I hate wearing masks, but we were really successful last year before the vaccine ever came into existence," she said. "So I would rather say somebody had to wear a mask."

She also noted the mask would help protect those that choose not to get vaccinated.

"We can't say you have to get a vaccine, but the mask is something that you don't have to put in your body if you don't believe in that," Hertel said. "But I know it is not easy to do either."

Board member&nbsp;Marty Hollern&nbsp;shared concern with a different policy for vaccinated and unvaccinated.

"I don't want to identify kids, you're vaccinated, you're not vaccinated," he said. "I have concerns," later noting vaccinated and unvaccinated can spread the virus.

"I think we need to treat them the same if they are going to mask up,"&nbsp;Hollern&nbsp;said.

But it's not just the students that would be affected.

Schiel&nbsp;noted that the policy will also affect teachers and might cause consternation.

"If you're a teacher and you got vaccinated because you didn't want to worry about wearing a mask teaching, we're telling you now that you have got to wear a mask because we are not going to treat your vaccination status any differently," he said.

While the plan would potentially bring masks back into the schools to help stop the high number of students from being quarantined, another critical component is testing.

The district has access to some rapid testing, Burton said, with results coming in as little as 15 minutes.

Results from the more accurate PCR testing, like currently used in local clinics, comes in around 24 hours.

With either, a negative test would end a close contact quarantine after day five with the new plan.

Although the tests will be available, Burton warned the amount of time needed to do full-scale testing could be problematic.

"If we get to the point that we have to start testing a lot of people, we would have to staff up more," Burton said.

Either test would be accepted in the new plan after the mandatory five-day quarantine.

Funding for tests will come from grants under the test-to-know program.

"So if somebody wants to know and we need to know ... we will have the ability to test them," Burton said.

While masks, testing and quarantines were all considered, Burton said the ultimate goal is keeping children in classrooms as much as possible.

"The key is, we need kids in school," he said. "We would rather have them in the building, and there are things we can do to keep them in our building. ... I think that is a positive for the education of our kids."

"The big thing is we have to avoid a situation like we had last week," Schiel said.&nbsp;

Burton said last year there were several examples in the district of students required to complete a quarantine several times due to being close to a positive case.

"It's hard on any kid to get quarantined," Burton said. "You miss 20-30 days of school that's hard."&nbsp;

Before the board voted on the measure, he reminded the board, the policy could be changed at any time, but as written, would apply through the end of the academic year.

The board passed the measure 6-1, with Hollern voting against.

Schiel and Hertel, along with board members Brian Shannon,&nbsp;Dean Gottschalk, Randy Honas and DJ Fischer, voted in favor of the policy.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jRo0iI07E08" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostELLIS — On Monday, the Ellis USD 388 Board of Education approved a change in the district's COVID-19 mitigation strategy after nearly a quarter of students in the combined junior/senior high school were quarantined last week.The concern with the old policy boiled down to the length — 10 days — of a quarantine when a student is deemed a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.Over 40 students, including football team members, were quarantined last week in the district.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631305133592.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"That ended up putting a big impact on us this last week because we ended up getting a couple of positive student cases that were on an activities team, and then we got another case positive on that team," said Superintendent Corey Burton.With three cases in the one group, he said the Ellis County Health Services Department&nbsp;quarantines the whole group."That ended up having a huge impact on us," Burton said. "Those three cases ended up putting over 40 kids, about 45 kids, in&nbsp;quarantine for the week. And that is a lot of missed class time."He said the much larger Hays district was also seeing the same impact and implemented the suggested plan from the health department earlier in the day Monday.The new plan is designed to help lessen the impact of the number of students in quarantine at any given time while continuing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631652469266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In essence, the new plan implements stronger mitigation strategies based upon the number of active cases in the district, with mask mandates and quarantine policy becoming more strict should case numbers increase.But it also implements the ability for students that are deemed close contacts to return to school if masks are worn, and the district monitors for symptoms or the students receive a negative COVID-19 test after day five of the&nbsp;quarantine.The new policy would be enacted district-wide, with Burton saying implementing the procedures by building would create a system that was incredibly difficult to track compared to the policy in place last year."Keeping track of all this is already a nightmare," Burton said. "The more caveats we're going to put to this, the more difficult it is to try to keep track of."Burton also told the board that setting different policies for vaccinated and unvaccinated students would add significantly more tracking.The district learned that a vaccinated student had tested positive earlier in the day, with contact tracing set to begin."We could say a vaccinated student doesn't need to wear a mask," Burton said. "But it will create another layer of things that we have to keep track of, and I'm telling you, we have our first case of a vaccinated student that has tested positive that we will be close contact tracing."Vaccinated or not, Burton said mask protection only works to stop large amounts of quarantine if both parties are masked up.&nbsp;But the potential of district-wide mask mandates was not readily accepted by the board, with almost an hour's worth of discussion before the measure would be voted on.One of the most discussed aspects of the proposed plan was the lack of consideration for vaccination status."To me that just, again, let's say we get to that seven active cases and it's a district-wide mask mandate, I sure would like it to be an option for our teachers to not be in a mask, or our vaccinated kids, that are fully vaccinated for them not to be in a mask," said board member&nbsp;Jared Schiel."We could do that," Burton said. "By what Jason (Kennedy, director, Ellis County Health Services) said he would recommend we not, but we could do that."Last year, board member&nbsp;Cindy Hertel noted that the district was highly successful in stopping transmission through wearing masks and social distancing measures."I hate wearing masks, but we were really successful last year before the vaccine ever came into existence," she said. "So I would rather say somebody had to wear a mask."She also noted the mask would help protect those that choose not to get vaccinated."We can't say you have to get a vaccine, but the mask is something that you don't have to put in your body if you don't believe in that," Hertel said. "But I know it is not easy to do either."Board member&nbsp;Marty Hollern&nbsp;shared concern with a different policy for vaccinated and unvaccinated."I don't want to identify kids, you're vaccinated, you're not vaccinated," he said. "I have concerns," later noting vaccinated and unvaccinated can spread the virus."I think we need to treat them the same if they are going to mask up,"&nbsp;Hollern&nbsp;said.But it's not just the students that would be affected.Schiel&nbsp;noted that the policy will also affect teachers and might cause consternation."If you're a teacher and you got vaccinated because you didn't want to worry about wearing a mask teaching, we're telling you now that you have got to wear a mask because we are not going to treat your vaccination status any differently," he said.While the plan would potentially bring masks back into the schools to help stop the high number of students from being quarantined, another critical component is testing.The district has access to some rapid testing, Burton said, with results coming in as little as 15 minutes.Results from the more accurate PCR testing, like currently used in local clinics, comes in around 24 hours.With either, a negative test would end a close contact quarantine after day five with the new plan.Although the tests will be available, Burton warned the amount of time needed to do full-scale testing could be problematic."If we get to the point that we have to start testing a lot of people, we would have to staff up more," Burton said.Either test would be accepted in the new plan after the mandatory five-day quarantine.Funding for tests will come from grants under the test-to-know program."So if somebody wants to know and we need to know ... we will have the ability to test them," Burton said.While masks, testing and quarantines were all considered, Burton said the ultimate goal is keeping children in classrooms as much as possible."The key is, we need kids in school," he said. "We would rather have them in the building, and there are things we can do to keep them in our building. ... I think that is a positive for the education of our kids.""The big thing is we have to avoid a situation like we had last week," Schiel said.&nbsp;Burton said last year there were several examples in the district of students required to complete a quarantine several times due to being close to a positive case."It's hard on any kid to get quarantined," Burton said. "You miss 20-30 days of school that's hard."&nbsp;Before the board voted on the measure, he reminded the board, the policy could be changed at any time, but as written, would apply through the end of the academic year.The board passed the measure 6-1, with Hollern voting against.Schiel and Hertel, along with board members Brian Shannon,&nbsp;Dean Gottschalk, Randy Honas and DJ Fischer, voted in favor of the policy.

Ellis school board approves escalating COVID mitigation plan 

Midland Marketing is proud to support projects in the communities they serve. Last week, it showed
when they presented Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) and Hays artist Dennis Schiel
with a $20,000 donation to benefit the Brush the Brick Mural Movement; $10,000 directly from Midland
Marketing and $10,000 from a CoBank grant. 


The mural movement in Downtown Hays is moving quickly. The first mural on the S&amp;W Supply
Warehouse, 311 E. 8th Street, has already been completed by Schiel. A second mural honoring the
Native Americans of the area is has begun on the State Glass building, 421 Main Street. Artist Matthew
Miller is painting it.


The project has plans to paint a mural on the Midland Marketing General Office, 201 E. 8th Street, in the
summer of 2022. The mural will be a cooperative project with opportunities for the community to
participate in its creation.


"We are very excited to work with the artists on their ideas for the General office," Anna Luna with
Midland Marketing said.


Brush the Bricks is an effort by multiple organizations to transform buildings in Downtown Hays into
spectacular, world-class artwork that invigorates tourism and community pride. The murals that are
currently done or in progress pay tribute to the history of Hays and its heritage.


If you would like to find more information or how to donate, visit the Brush the Brick's Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/brushthebricks, or website, www.downtownhays.com/brushthebricks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631741171081.jpeg" alt="Justin Townley and Logan Schlegel with JDR Painting Services, prime the Midland Marketing General Office, 201 E. 8th Street, in preparation for a cooperative mural to be started in the summer of 2022. The project will allow community members to be active in its creation." />
 <figcaption>Justin Townley and Logan Schlegel with JDR Painting Services, prime the Midland Marketing General Office, 201 E. 8th Street, in preparation for a cooperative mural to be started in the summer of 2022. The project will allow community members to be active in its creation.</figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseMidlandMarketing_9.15.21Midland Marketing is proud to support projects in the communities they serve. Last week, it showed
when they presented Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) and Hays artist Dennis Schiel
with a $20,000 donation to benefit the Brush the Brick Mural Movement; $10,000 directly from Midland
Marketing and $10,000 from a CoBank grant. 
The mural movement in Downtown Hays is moving quickly. The first mural on the S&amp;W Supply
Warehouse, 311 E. 8th Street, has already been completed by Schiel. A second mural honoring the
Native Americans of the area is has begun on the State Glass building, 421 Main Street. Artist Matthew
Miller is painting it.
The project has plans to paint a mural on the Midland Marketing General Office, 201 E. 8th Street, in the
summer of 2022. The mural will be a cooperative project with opportunities for the community to
participate in its creation.
"We are very excited to work with the artists on their ideas for the General office," Anna Luna with
Midland Marketing said.
Brush the Bricks is an effort by multiple organizations to transform buildings in Downtown Hays into
spectacular, world-class artwork that invigorates tourism and community pride. The murals that are
currently done or in progress pay tribute to the history of Hays and its heritage.
If you would like to find more information or how to donate, visit the Brush the Brick's Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/brushthebricks, or website, www.downtownhays.com/brushthebricks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631741236382.jpeg" alt="From left to right: Kevin Royer, Midland Marketing general manager, Brian Staab, Midland Marketing board president, Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays Development Corporation Executive Director, Tom Benoit, Midland Marketing board member, and Dennis Schiel, Hays artist. Midland Marketing recently donated $20,000 to the Brush the Bricks Mural Movement in Downtown Hays." />
 <figcaption>From left to right: Kevin Royer, Midland Marketing general manager, Brian Staab, Midland Marketing board president, Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays Development Corporation Executive Director, Tom Benoit, Midland Marketing board member, and Dennis Schiel, Hays artist. Midland Marketing recently donated $20,000 to the Brush the Bricks Mural Movement in Downtown Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Midland Marketing donates $20K to downtown Hays mural project

During the "You Drink. You Drive. You Lose." campaign just completed, the Hays Police Department conducted overtime saturation patrols to aggressively enforce Kansas impaired driving laws. 

During the campaign, officers made nine impaired driving arrests and wrote two speeding citations, and 48 other citations and arrests. Thirty-eight vehicle stops were made during the campaign, Sgt. Phillip Gage said in a news release. &nbsp;

"You can count on this department to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws all through the year. We will continue to do so because, while the "You Drink. You Drive. You Lose." campaign may be over, we are always committed to enforcing impaired driving and other traffic laws," Gage said.

The traffic enforcement campaign is supported by a federal grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631744837057.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Police DepartmentDuring the "You Drink. You Drive. You Lose." campaign just completed, the Hays Police Department conducted overtime saturation patrols to aggressively enforce Kansas impaired driving laws. During the campaign, officers made nine impaired driving arrests and wrote two speeding citations, and 48 other citations and arrests. Thirty-eight vehicle stops were made during the campaign, Sgt. Phillip Gage said in a news release. &nbsp;"You can count on this department to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws all through the year. We will continue to do so because, while the "You Drink. You Drive. You Lose." campaign may be over, we are always committed to enforcing impaired driving and other traffic laws," Gage said.The traffic enforcement campaign is supported by a federal grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Drunk driving HPD patrol stops 9 impaired drivers with 48 other citations, arrests

Click <a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=direct&amp;utm_campaign=hayspost_obituary_category">HERE</a> for the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Hays Post is honored to publish full obituaries at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592402847947.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Click <a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=direct&amp;utm_campaign=hayspost_obituary_category">HERE</a> for the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.Hays Post is honored to publish full obituaries at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>.

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DECATUR COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Wednesday in Decatur County.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp;Wahlmeier, Joaquin L. Wahlmeier, 17, Clayton, was&nbsp; eastbound on Kansas Highway 9 eighteen miles west of U.S. Highway 283

The pickup left the roadway into the south ditch. The pickup reentered the roadway and the driver overcorrected. The pickup traveled into the south ditch again, struck a culvert and rolled.

EMS transported Wahlmeier to the Norton County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

DECATUR COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Wednesday in Decatur County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp;Wahlmeier, Joaquin L. Wahlmeier, 17, Clayton, was&nbsp; eastbound on Kansas Highway 9 eighteen miles west of U.S. Highway 283The pickup left the roadway into the south ditch. The pickup reentered the roadway and the driver overcorrected. The pickup traveled into the south ditch again, struck a culvert and rolled.EMS transported Wahlmeier to the Norton County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

NW Kan. teen hospitalized after pickup rollover accident

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