By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, Hays, has been closed by the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office.

The fire marshall inspected the motel on July 25 and found fire code violations, according to&nbsp;Lance Feyh, public information manager for the&nbsp;Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Another inspection was conducted on Aug. 7, and many of the same fire code violations were still present,&nbsp;Feyh said.

The fire marshal's office issued a cease-and-desist order to the business.

The Kansas lodging inspection reports for the business showed issues before the fire marshal's order in August.

An inspection on May 15 indicated the business's license had expired.&nbsp;

The report also said the motel was out of compliance in the following areas: •&nbsp;Facility structurally sound with repairs and maintenance to ensure safety • Evacuation, fire and carbon monoxide safety measures maintained •&nbsp;Guest rooms maintained clean and in good repair; toilet room and hand sink requirements met • Guest rooms properly serviced and cleaned, cribs clean •&nbsp;Exterior areas, including playgrounds and storage areas clean and in good repair •&nbsp;Refuse containers maintained; vector control measures implemented, pets •&nbsp;Electrical properly installed and maintained

A complete list of the specific issues can be seen below.

Another lodging inspection was conducted on Oct. 5. The inspector knocked on the doors of four rooms. The report said the person in charge of the motel opened the door to the office and called the owner.

The report said the owner confirmed the motel was closed and said employees were in the process of finding new living quarters.

The Hays Post could not confirm whether any employees are still living in the motel as of this post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730230931407.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Fire Marshall has ordered the Rodeway Inn in Hays closed. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Fire Marshall has ordered the Rodeway Inn in Hays closed. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, Hays, has been closed by the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office.The fire marshall inspected the motel on July 25 and found fire code violations, according to&nbsp;Lance Feyh, public information manager for the&nbsp;Office of the State Fire Marshal.Another inspection was conducted on Aug. 7, and many of the same fire code violations were still present,&nbsp;Feyh said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730231015292.jpeg" alt="The Rodeway Inn was cited for multiple lodging violations, including an expired license in May, according to state records. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Rodeway Inn was cited for multiple lodging violations, including an expired license in May, according to state records. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire marshal's office issued a cease-and-desist order to the business.The Kansas lodging inspection reports for the business showed issues before the fire marshal's order in August.An inspection on May 15 indicated the business's license had expired.&nbsp;The report also said the motel was out of compliance in the following areas: •&nbsp;Facility structurally sound with repairs and maintenance to ensure safety • Evacuation, fire and carbon monoxide safety measures maintained •&nbsp;Guest rooms maintained clean and in good repair; toilet room and hand sink requirements met • Guest rooms properly serviced and cleaned, cribs clean •&nbsp;Exterior areas, including playgrounds and storage areas clean and in good repair •&nbsp;Refuse containers maintained; vector control measures implemented, pets •&nbsp;Electrical properly installed and maintainedA complete list of the specific issues can be seen below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730230037666.png" alt="Screenshot 2024-10-29 at 2.04.52 PM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshot 2024-10-29 at 2.04.52 PM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Another lodging inspection was conducted on Oct. 5. The inspector knocked on the doors of four rooms. The report said the person in charge of the motel opened the door to the office and called the owner.The report said the owner confirmed the motel was closed and said employees were in the process of finding new living quarters.The Hays Post could not confirm whether any employees are still living in the motel as of this post.

Kansas Fire Marshal orders Rodeway Inn in Hays closed

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Wasinger's opponent, Democrat Joseph Lantz of Hays.&nbsp;He did not respond.

Barbara Wasinger Republican, incumbent Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District Hays&nbsp;&nbsp;

What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the
upcoming session?

Currently we are planning on pushing through a property
tax reduction bill and working on school funding to make sure its equitable for
all.

Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session,
if you are elected?

I am working on the Cybersecurity Bill for all three
branches in Kansas and need to make sure Appropriations and Ways and Means
Committees understand the critical need for all Kansans and make it a priority
for the safety of us all.&nbsp; I am also
working on Administrative Rules and Regulations to give Kansas the relief from
overburdensome regulations that cost us all money.

The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last
session. Do you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session?
Where are some areas you believe we could see reform?

Property tax relief such as freezing property taxes for
seniors and giving tax relief to disabled veterans which was vetoed by the
governor last year.

After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs
and Royals to use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an
ongoing effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?

We have given them a very tempting offer and I know many
would love to have them in Kansas.&nbsp; I
believe that Missouri will work to keep them when it gets down to the wire but
at least we tried.

Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some
areas where you believe the legislature will help?

This past session a comprehensive water funding bill was
passed and we need to continue to work on making water available to all in
Kansas in a responsible manner.&nbsp; LEMAs
(Local Enhanced Management Areas) are working and we need to try to get more
created.

Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for
Medicaid Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why
or why not?

There is not a lot of support for Expansion – at a time
we need more workers in Kansas it will take well bodied Kansans out of the job
market and cost the State far more than what it brings to the table.&nbsp; Medicaid was developed for the Elderly,
disabled, pregnant women and children.&nbsp;
Adding more to the rolls will make the IDD waiting lists longer and push
the truly needy into the back of the line for services.&nbsp; We need to fix our state first and provide
better reimbursements for hospitals and drs. to take care of Kansans.

Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding
Kansas public schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see
improvement?

We are funding schools exactly as told to do by the
Kansas Supreme Court.&nbsp; We need to look at
the school finance formula and make sure all students are needs are being
met.&nbsp; Over 60% of the State budget is
spent on schools. 

Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to
support economic growth in western Kansas?

We have an obligation to support communities in their
efforts to provide economic support and we do that with funding mechanisms
now.&nbsp; We have started asking Legislative
Post Audit to look at different programs and discontinue the programs that are
not working and move that money into the ones that are working.

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Wasinger's opponent, Democrat Joseph Lantz of Hays.&nbsp;He did not respond.Barbara Wasinger Republican, incumbent Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District Hays&nbsp;&nbsp;What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the
upcoming session?Currently we are planning on pushing through a property
tax reduction bill and working on school funding to make sure its equitable for
all.Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session,
if you are elected?I am working on the Cybersecurity Bill for all three
branches in Kansas and need to make sure Appropriations and Ways and Means
Committees understand the critical need for all Kansans and make it a priority
for the safety of us all.&nbsp; I am also
working on Administrative Rules and Regulations to give Kansas the relief from
overburdensome regulations that cost us all money.The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last
session. Do you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session?
Where are some areas you believe we could see reform?Property tax relief such as freezing property taxes for
seniors and giving tax relief to disabled veterans which was vetoed by the
governor last year.After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs
and Royals to use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an
ongoing effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?We have given them a very tempting offer and I know many
would love to have them in Kansas.&nbsp; I
believe that Missouri will work to keep them when it gets down to the wire but
at least we tried.Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some
areas where you believe the legislature will help?This past session a comprehensive water funding bill was
passed and we need to continue to work on making water available to all in
Kansas in a responsible manner.&nbsp; LEMAs
(Local Enhanced Management Areas) are working and we need to try to get more
created.Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for
Medicaid Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why
or why not?There is not a lot of support for Expansion – at a time
we need more workers in Kansas it will take well bodied Kansans out of the job
market and cost the State far more than what it brings to the table.&nbsp; Medicaid was developed for the Elderly,
disabled, pregnant women and children.&nbsp;
Adding more to the rolls will make the IDD waiting lists longer and push
the truly needy into the back of the line for services.&nbsp; We need to fix our state first and provide
better reimbursements for hospitals and drs. to take care of Kansans.Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding
Kansas public schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see
improvement?We are funding schools exactly as told to do by the
Kansas Supreme Court.&nbsp; We need to look at
the school finance formula and make sure all students are needs are being
met.&nbsp; Over 60% of the State budget is
spent on schools. Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to
support economic growth in western Kansas?We have an obligation to support communities in their
efforts to provide economic support and we do that with funding mechanisms
now.&nbsp; We have started asking Legislative
Post Audit to look at different programs and discontinue the programs that are
not working and move that money into the ones that are working.

Kansas House of Representative District 111: Barbara Wasinger

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Rahjes' opponent, Democrat Ellace Henderson of Phillipsburg. She did not respond.

Ken Rahjes Republican, incumbent Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District Agra

What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the upcoming
session?

I beleive there will be two that should be
the focus:&nbsp; One is taxes and the other
water.&nbsp; We need to continue to work to
reduce the property tax burden on landowners in the state, we must also work
with agricuture, municipalities and industry on water quality and quanity
through the state water plan and develop a comprhensive long term plan for all
Kansans. 

Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session, if you are
elected?

This January one of the biggest priority is
working with all the new elected Representives and senators to build working
releationships and help them through the process of the legislature. I belive
the 2025 session will be alot of learning and listening and many of the heavy
lifts will be in the 2026 session. 

The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last session. Do
you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session? Where are
some areas you believe we could see reform?

Leadership has said this will be one of the
priorities and I am with them. In my opinion we fell a little short on property
tax releif.&nbsp; I am glad that we worked on
eleminating income tax on social security and I am sure there will be many
ideas that will be coming out of the tax committes. 

After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs and Royals to
use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an ongoing
effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?

In the end, I did vote in support of the
professional sports teams exploring the idea of moving to Kansas. In recent
days there has been much speculation on what the end result might be.&nbsp; At this time the legislature is not the chief
negotiator, we set the paramiters for the disussions from the state and we will
have to see. The 110 Distict is split in loyalty to the Kansas City and Denver
professional teams, so it is worth pursing if it helps grow our economy and will
lower peoples tax burden. 

Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some areas where
you believe the legislature will help?

Western Kansas legislators led the way in
securing additonal money for the state water plan and will continue that
leadersip moving forward. We will continue to work with stakeholders to find
that good balance that does not penalize agriculture water users, and work with
our smallest communities and all of us who need good clean drinking water.&nbsp; I beleive we will fund the various programs
that will enhance the lives of each of us as Kansans.

Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for Medicaid
Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why or why
not?

I have not been a supporter of medicaid
expansion.&nbsp; As per every year, the
Governor will make it a priority, but the votes are not there.&nbsp; It is difficult to say I support an expansion
of government without knowing what that fully entails and what the cost would
be to us as taxpayers.I am listening to health care professinals and areas
hospital board members to find other ways to stenthen health care delivery in
the 110th District.&nbsp; I have supported and
did vote in favor of increasing reimbursement rates to our hospitals and would
have done more, but we were thwarted by the federal agency. I also encourage of
federal delegation to continue to work in support of our critical access
hospitals.&nbsp; 

Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding Kansas public
schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see improvement?

The Kansas Legislature is fully funding K-12
public education as laid out in the Kansas Constitution.&nbsp; We all know that SPED or Special Education
funding is not at the prescribed level and this is not all on the State
Legislature.&nbsp; We have increased funding,
albeit not enough to meet all the needs, but this should be led by the federal
government and if they would meet their obligations we would be much closer to
fully funded also. 

Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to support
economic growth in western Kansas?

I don't know if obligation is the correct
word. As a state, we have an obligation to provide an public education to
children and as a legislature our role is to pass a balanced budget. There are
many local foundations and organizations that are supported privately and
publicly to assistst in any number of economic development ventures.&nbsp; Over the last few years we have seen some
good public/private partnership develop innovative programs to help in
strenthing communities, and in our area we have seen great leadership come from
Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;&nbsp; To me, our
obligation is to make good investment choices of hard earned taxpayer dollars
to help in developing a good quality of life for those&nbsp; who chose to make western Kansas home. 

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Rahjes' opponent, Democrat Ellace Henderson of Phillipsburg. She did not respond.Ken Rahjes Republican, incumbent Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District AgraWhat is the top issue facing the state legislature in the upcoming
session?I beleive there will be two that should be
the focus:&nbsp; One is taxes and the other
water.&nbsp; We need to continue to work to
reduce the property tax burden on landowners in the state, we must also work
with agricuture, municipalities and industry on water quality and quanity
through the state water plan and develop a comprhensive long term plan for all
Kansans. Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session, if you are
elected?This January one of the biggest priority is
working with all the new elected Representives and senators to build working
releationships and help them through the process of the legislature. I belive
the 2025 session will be alot of learning and listening and many of the heavy
lifts will be in the 2026 session. The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last session. Do
you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session? Where are
some areas you believe we could see reform?Leadership has said this will be one of the
priorities and I am with them. In my opinion we fell a little short on property
tax releif.&nbsp; I am glad that we worked on
eleminating income tax on social security and I am sure there will be many
ideas that will be coming out of the tax committes. After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs and Royals to
use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an ongoing
effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?In the end, I did vote in support of the
professional sports teams exploring the idea of moving to Kansas. In recent
days there has been much speculation on what the end result might be.&nbsp; At this time the legislature is not the chief
negotiator, we set the paramiters for the disussions from the state and we will
have to see. The 110 Distict is split in loyalty to the Kansas City and Denver
professional teams, so it is worth pursing if it helps grow our economy and will
lower peoples tax burden. Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some areas where
you believe the legislature will help?Western Kansas legislators led the way in
securing additonal money for the state water plan and will continue that
leadersip moving forward. We will continue to work with stakeholders to find
that good balance that does not penalize agriculture water users, and work with
our smallest communities and all of us who need good clean drinking water.&nbsp; I beleive we will fund the various programs
that will enhance the lives of each of us as Kansans.Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for Medicaid
Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why or why
not?I have not been a supporter of medicaid
expansion.&nbsp; As per every year, the
Governor will make it a priority, but the votes are not there.&nbsp; It is difficult to say I support an expansion
of government without knowing what that fully entails and what the cost would
be to us as taxpayers.I am listening to health care professinals and areas
hospital board members to find other ways to stenthen health care delivery in
the 110th District.&nbsp; I have supported and
did vote in favor of increasing reimbursement rates to our hospitals and would
have done more, but we were thwarted by the federal agency. I also encourage of
federal delegation to continue to work in support of our critical access
hospitals.&nbsp; Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding Kansas public
schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see improvement?The Kansas Legislature is fully funding K-12
public education as laid out in the Kansas Constitution.&nbsp; We all know that SPED or Special Education
funding is not at the prescribed level and this is not all on the State
Legislature.&nbsp; We have increased funding,
albeit not enough to meet all the needs, but this should be led by the federal
government and if they would meet their obligations we would be much closer to
fully funded also. Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to support
economic growth in western Kansas?I don't know if obligation is the correct
word. As a state, we have an obligation to provide an public education to
children and as a legislature our role is to pass a balanced budget. There are
many local foundations and organizations that are supported privately and
publicly to assistst in any number of economic development ventures.&nbsp; Over the last few years we have seen some
good public/private partnership develop innovative programs to help in
strenthing communities, and in our area we have seen great leadership come from
Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;&nbsp; To me, our
obligation is to make good investment choices of hard earned taxpayer dollars
to help in developing a good quality of life for those&nbsp; who chose to make western Kansas home.

Kansas House of Representative District 110: Ken Rahjes

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730316502264.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </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

If you are a Registered Nurse, or you know of a nurse searching for a fulfilling career opportunity, Rawlins County Health Center has a lot to offer!

Our nursing positions offer a 3-day, 12-hour work schedule with overnight stay options. Comprehensive full-time benefits, a $5,000 (pre-tax) sign-on bonus, and student loan forgiveness programs are also being offered to qualifying Registered Nurses.

Rawlins County Health Center is a critical access hospital, part of the Common

Spirit network of hospitals in Northwest Kansas. Rawlins Clinic, Atwood Kansas, is home to primary care and visiting specialty care. Together providing health care for Rawlins County and the surrounding communities since 1950.

Join our passionate and skilled care team. At RCHC you’ll find both professional growth and a supportive, enjoyable work environment. Discover more about this exciting opportunity at www.rchc.us/careers/.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718892432266.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedIf you are a Registered Nurse, or you know of a nurse searching for a fulfilling career opportunity, Rawlins County Health Center has a lot to offer!Our nursing positions offer a 3-day, 12-hour work schedule with overnight stay options. Comprehensive full-time benefits, a $5,000 (pre-tax) sign-on bonus, and student loan forgiveness programs are also being offered to qualifying Registered Nurses.Rawlins County Health Center is a critical access hospital, part of the CommonSpirit network of hospitals in Northwest Kansas. Rawlins Clinic, Atwood Kansas, is home to primary care and visiting specialty care. Together providing health care for Rawlins County and the surrounding communities since 1950.Join our passionate and skilled care team. At RCHC you’ll find both professional growth and a supportive, enjoyable work environment. Discover more about this exciting opportunity at www.rchc.us/careers/.

Overland Park man arrested in Hays for alleged Walmart thefts

A 38-year-old Hays man was arrested on charges of theft from the store where he worked.

Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood said suspect Daniel Lee Hester allegedly stole money from a cash register over time beginning Sept. 21

Hester allegedly stole from Dillons, 515 W. 27th St., where he was employed. He was arrested at his workplace on Oct. 21 and booked into the Ellis County Jail the same day.

Greenwood said Hester allegedly embezzled $6,025, which is classified as a felony.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730297650141.png" alt="Hester photo Ellis Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hester photo Ellis Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA 38-year-old Hays man was arrested on charges of theft from the store where he worked.Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood said suspect Daniel Lee Hester allegedly stole money from a cash register over time beginning Sept. 21Hester allegedly stole from Dillons, 515 W. 27th St., where he was employed. He was arrested at his workplace on Oct. 21 and booked into the Ellis County Jail the same day.Greenwood said Hester allegedly embezzled $6,025, which is classified as a felony.

Hays man arrested for allegedly stealing over $6,000 from Dillons

A grass fire has been reported in the area of mile marker 206 of Interstate 70 near Dorrance.

The fire may result in low visibility and road closures in that area.&nbsp;

Winds were forecast to gust up to 50 mph today, according the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service is reporting high fire danger today for&nbsp;

Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman- Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber coutnies.

Russell and Ellsworth counties are also included.

The lowest relative humidity values will be along and west of U.S. Highway 283, and these areas will have the most favorable environment for wildfires to spread rapidly with the winds.

Blowing dust and lower visibility is also possible this afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Hays PostA grass fire has been reported in the area of mile marker 206 of Interstate 70 near Dorrance.The fire may result in low visibility and road closures in that area.&nbsp;Winds were forecast to gust up to 50 mph today, according the National Weather Service.The National Weather Service is reporting high fire danger today for&nbsp;Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman- Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber coutnies.Russell and Ellsworth counties are also included.The lowest relative humidity values will be along and west of U.S. Highway 283, and these areas will have the most favorable environment for wildfires to spread rapidly with the winds.Blowing dust and lower visibility is also possible this afternoon.According to the National Weather Service, winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Grass fire reported at milemarker 206 on I-70 near Dorrance

Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar, Hays' new destination for delicious food and an urban atmosphere, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new seasonal menu, now featuring steak and lobster options for dinner. Guests can indulge in these culinary delights while enjoying the welcoming ambiance that Breaks is quickly becoming known for.

Conveniently located at 3203 Vine Street, Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar offers a delightful dining experience from Sunday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and Friday to Saturday, from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Reservations can be made by calling (785) 621-2662.

"Our new seasonal menu is designed to elevate the dining experience for both our local regulars and visitors," said Executive Head Chef Shaun Wood at Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar. "Steak and lobster are classic favorites, and we’re excited to bring them to our Friday and Saturday dinner offerings," said Executive Head Chef Andrew Victoria at Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar.

Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar prides itself on crafting a menu that delights every palate, from scrumptious breakfasts to satisfying lunches and weekend dinners. The addition of steak and lobster complements a selection of unique cocktails, fine wines, and champagnes, ensuring that every meal is special.

With a dog-friendly patio and attentive staff, Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar remains committed to creating memorable experiences for all its guests. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a meal with friends, the team at Breaks looks forward to welcoming you.

For more information about Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar and to explore the new seasonal menu, please visit www.breakseatery.com or call (785) 621-2662.

Join us at Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar—where delicious food meets a warm, inviting atmosphere!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729870193835.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedBreaks Eatery &amp; Bar, Hays' new destination for delicious food and an urban atmosphere, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new seasonal menu, now featuring steak and lobster options for dinner. Guests can indulge in these culinary delights while enjoying the welcoming ambiance that Breaks is quickly becoming known for.Conveniently located at 3203 Vine Street, Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar offers a delightful dining experience from Sunday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and Friday to Saturday, from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Reservations can be made by calling (785) 621-2662.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729789071115.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>"Our new seasonal menu is designed to elevate the dining experience for both our local regulars and visitors," said Executive Head Chef Shaun Wood at Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar. "Steak and lobster are classic favorites, and we’re excited to bring them to our Friday and Saturday dinner offerings," said Executive Head Chef Andrew Victoria at Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar.Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar prides itself on crafting a menu that delights every palate, from scrumptious breakfasts to satisfying lunches and weekend dinners. The addition of steak and lobster complements a selection of unique cocktails, fine wines, and champagnes, ensuring that every meal is special.With a dog-friendly patio and attentive staff, Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar remains committed to creating memorable experiences for all its guests. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a meal with friends, the team at Breaks looks forward to welcoming you.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729870240772.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For more information about Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar and to explore the new seasonal menu, please visit www.breakseatery.com or call (785) 621-2662.Join us at Breaks Eatery &amp; Bar—where delicious food meets a warm, inviting atmosphere!

Suspects arrested after fight at NW Kansas hospital

We recently shared advice to help you&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/08/five-ways-keep-scammers-and-hackers-away">safeguard the personal information in your accounts</a>, on your computer, and&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/08/three-ways-protect-personal-info-your-phone">on your phone</a>&nbsp;to protect it from identity theft. But scammers aren’t just after your data. They want your hard-earned cash, too. Here are some common scams to watch out for.

Scammers pretend to be your bank and companies you might know and send messages about a supposedly suspicious transaction. If you reply, they call you and tell an&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/did-you-get-call-or-text-about-suspicious-purchase-amazon-its-scam">elaborate story about fraud using your identity</a>. They promise to help but instead drain your account.

What to do:&nbsp;Don’t click on a link in an unexpected message. If you think the message might be legitimate, contact the company through their official app, website, chat, or customer service phone number. Don’t call back the number that called you or a number someone left in a voicemail or text message.

Scammers reach out to people through social media with “special” opportunities to invest in cryptocurrency. They guarantee big returns with little or no risk. If you take the bait, they direct you to a spoofed site where you think you’re investing. But you’re not. It’s a fake site. After they’ve gotten as much as they think they can get from you, they shut down the bogus website and disappear with your money.

What to do:&nbsp;Don’t believe anyone who&nbsp;guarantees&nbsp;you can earn a lot of money on an investment with&nbsp;little or no risk. All&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/investment-scams">investments have risks</a>&nbsp;so&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/investment-scams#research">research the opportunity</a>&nbsp;before you invest.

Scammers send you a bogus email about renewing a subscription or membership you never signed up for. For example, they might&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/how-recognize-fake-geek-squad-renewal-scam">pretend to be from Geek Squad</a>, Best Buy’s tech support service. The email says they’ll charge you hundreds of dollars to renew your membership unless you call to cancel within 24 hours. If you call (which you should&nbsp;not&nbsp;do) the scammers ask for remote access to your computer, install spyware, and drain money from your bank account.

What to do:&nbsp;If you think the message might be legitimate, contact the company through their official app, website, chat, or customer service phone number.

If you see a scam like these, or any other scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730127907078.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Federal Trade CommissionWe recently shared advice to help you&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/08/five-ways-keep-scammers-and-hackers-away">safeguard the personal information in your accounts</a>, on your computer, and&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/08/three-ways-protect-personal-info-your-phone">on your phone</a>&nbsp;to protect it from identity theft. But scammers aren’t just after your data. They want your hard-earned cash, too. Here are some common scams to watch out for.<h2>Fake Fraud Alerts</h2>Scammers pretend to be your bank and companies you might know and send messages about a supposedly suspicious transaction. If you reply, they call you and tell an&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/did-you-get-call-or-text-about-suspicious-purchase-amazon-its-scam">elaborate story about fraud using your identity</a>. They promise to help but instead drain your account.What to do:&nbsp;Don’t click on a link in an unexpected message. If you think the message might be legitimate, contact the company through their official app, website, chat, or customer service phone number. Don’t call back the number that called you or a number someone left in a voicemail or text message.<h2>Fake Investment Opportunities</h2>Scammers reach out to people through social media with “special” opportunities to invest in cryptocurrency. They guarantee big returns with little or no risk. If you take the bait, they direct you to a spoofed site where you think you’re investing. But you’re not. It’s a fake site. After they’ve gotten as much as they think they can get from you, they shut down the bogus website and disappear with your money.What to do:&nbsp;Don’t believe anyone who&nbsp;guarantees&nbsp;you can earn a lot of money on an investment with&nbsp;little or no risk. All&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/investment-scams">investments have risks</a>&nbsp;so&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/investment-scams#research">research the opportunity</a>&nbsp;before you invest.<h2>Fake Invoices</h2>Scammers send you a bogus email about renewing a subscription or membership you never signed up for. For example, they might&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/how-recognize-fake-geek-squad-renewal-scam">pretend to be from Geek Squad</a>, Best Buy’s tech support service. The email says they’ll charge you hundreds of dollars to renew your membership unless you call to cancel within 24 hours. If you call (which you should&nbsp;not&nbsp;do) the scammers ask for remote access to your computer, install spyware, and drain money from your bank account.What to do:&nbsp;If you think the message might be legitimate, contact the company through their official app, website, chat, or customer service phone number.If you see a scam like these, or any other scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

Three ways scammers try to steal your money

The Ellis County Environmental Services office is announcing that the dirt pile will be closed for the day, Nov. 5

. Municipal Waste and the Construction &amp; Demolition pit are open. 

Please note, there is no dumping after 4:45 p.m. 

Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Landfill at (785) 628-9460. We appreciate your cooperation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579287163220.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis CountyThe Ellis County Environmental Services office is announcing that the dirt pile will be closed for the day, Nov. 5. Municipal Waste and the Construction &amp; Demolition pit are open. Please note, there is no dumping after 4:45 p.m. Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Landfill at (785) 628-9460. We appreciate your cooperation.

Dirt pile closed today at Ellis County Landfill

Business is good in Ellis County, with the local gross domestic product exceeding both the Kansas and national rates, according to Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays.

Williams and Wichita State University experts presented at the annual economic forecast conference Thursday in Hays.

Ellis County's GDP for 2022, the most recent data available, was more than 15%. The National GDP was just above 10%, and the state GDP was 5%.

"It shows that Ellis County has been on a real roll as of late," Williams said. ... "It confirms what we have been seeing for the last several years that our local economy is doing quite well."

Ellis County produces more oil than any other county in Kansas, with more than 2 million gallons produced in 2023. Williams said oil production is on pace for a similar output in 2024.

Oil is important to the Ellis County economy not only because of the revenue produced from the sale of oil but also because money pours into the community from jobs drilling new wells and maintaining existing wells.

Many factors influence the price of oil, both foreign and domestic. During the pandemic, the price of oil declined sharply due to lower demand.

"Oil is always a feast or famine kind of business. That's the nature of it," Williams said. "It's been pretty steady for the last several years."

Although Hays is a retail center, it also greatly benefits from the agricultural production in the surrounding areas.

"While that is another industry that ebbs and flows based on grain prices and cattle prices, for the most part, we have seen pretty good stability in the ag sector," Williams said. "If you look at land prices, which may not be a total indication of how things are in the agriculture business, land prices have been escalating a lot.

"There's a significant demand for land and the prices have risen considerably."

Hays is also a health care center for a significant area of rural northwest Kansas.&nbsp;

HaysMed is the single largest employer in Ellis County.&nbsp;

However, HaysMed has recently operated at a loss.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</a>

"The health care system nationwide is broken," Williams said. "The financial model doesn't work. I read that of the 98 rural hospitals, 80 lost money last year. 

"The reimbursement models are a mess, whether that be insurance providers or Medicare or Medicaid, and of course the ongoing battle in Kansas to pass Medicaid expansion."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/87dfa1c2-653b-462f-9be2-07f13b029fed">HaysMed CEO Edward Herrman appeared with Gov. Laura Kelly in April in Hays to promote Medicaid expansion in Kansas. However, the governor's push to expand Medicaid stalled in the Republican-led Legislature.</a>

"Health care is a tough nut to crack right now, but very important to our local economy," Williams said.

If you combine higher education and K-12 education across the county, more people are employed in the education industry than any other in Ellis County.

Fort Hays State University saw an increase in enrollment this fall but has seen a decline in enrollment during the last five years.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9172c1c3-2172-4e68-85c2-3390c8fd4f4d">SEE RELATED STORY: Fall enrollment in Fort Hays programs marked by growth in several key areas</a>

Higher education across the country is facing a demographic cliff, with fewer young people available to enter programs in the coming years.

Some students choose to forgo the debt of a four-year degree and attend a tech or trade school instead.

Fort Hays Tech | North Central enrollment was up 3.1% this fall. However, the school's enrollment is up 11.5% over five years.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/add9b513-bc58-48bd-9658-f016310bbc4e" target="_blank">The FHSU affiliation agreement</a>&nbsp;allows for a more seamless transition from the tech schools, including Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, to advanced degrees and certifications at FHSU.

One example is the RN to BSN program for nurses.

"I applaud Fort Hays for this merger they have done because it covers all of the bases at this point," Williams said.

He said FHSU continues to be one of the most affordable universities in the region, and the enrollment increase this fall is a good sign.

"I'm confident Fort Hays can do what they need to do," Williams said.

Water continues to be a challenge for Ellis County. The city of Hays bought water rights for the R9 Ranch in Edwards County. Water would be diverted from wells on the ranch to Hays and Russell.&nbsp;

That project has leaped many legal hurdles but is still pending.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c7dd78a9-6785-4137-8502-4046eab09f91">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays, Russell sue Edwards County over R9 project</a>

"That was in 1995, and we still haven't got a drop of water from that ranch as of yet. It continues to be litigated."

"I don't think there will be any doubt of what the outcome will ultimately be. The city of Hays and city of Russell will prevail because it's their land, and they have the right to the water. The law is pretty clear. That doesn't stop people from putting up roadblocks and trying to delay that process. But it will happen."

Williams said he hopes the two cities are close to the end of the process.

Some industries will never be a good fit for Hays because of their significant water usage. However, he said Hays will need more water to increase manufacturing and meet the needs of a growing population.

Workforce still is one of Ellis County and the region's most significant challenges, Williams said. Most of northwest Kansas' unemployment rates were less than 4% as of September.

Williams said Grow Hays has focused on housing initiatives to address the worker shortage.

"If you are going to attract workers and retain workers, you have to have places for them to live," he said, "but I don't anticipate our workforce issues to be resolved anytime soon."

As the population in surrounding rural areas continues to decline, Hays needs to increase its population to maintain its economic viability, Williams said.

"We are a regional hub," Williams said. "People come here to shop. They come here for health care. They come here for entertainment. As that market continues to decrease, we do have to increase our local population in order to keep the same quality of life that we currently have."

The Wichita State real estate expert was very complimentary of what Hays has done to increase housing availability.&nbsp;

Hays has more than 20 housing projects in the works worth almost $300 million.

Williams said the expert said many Kansas communities are trying to emulate Hays' approach to housing.

"That made me feel that we are on the right track," Williams said. "We are doing a lot of positive things. Never enough, but I think we're on the right track.&nbsp;

"Just based on the GDP numbers, our economy is doing very well."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729883363965.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostBusiness is good in Ellis County, with the local gross domestic product exceeding both the Kansas and national rates, according to Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays.Williams and Wichita State University experts presented at the annual economic forecast conference Thursday in Hays.Ellis County's GDP for 2022, the most recent data available, was more than 15%. The National GDP was just above 10%, and the state GDP was 5%."It shows that Ellis County has been on a real roll as of late," Williams said. ... "It confirms what we have been seeing for the last several years that our local economy is doing quite well."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729883264987.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis County produces more oil than any other county in Kansas, with more than 2 million gallons produced in 2023. Williams said oil production is on pace for a similar output in 2024.Oil is important to the Ellis County economy not only because of the revenue produced from the sale of oil but also because money pours into the community from jobs drilling new wells and maintaining existing wells.Many factors influence the price of oil, both foreign and domestic. During the pandemic, the price of oil declined sharply due to lower demand.The price has since rebounded."Oil is always a feast or famine kind of business. That's the nature of it," Williams said. "It's been pretty steady for the last several years."Although Hays is a retail center, it also greatly benefits from the agricultural production in the surrounding areas."While that is another industry that ebbs and flows based on grain prices and cattle prices, for the most part, we have seen pretty good stability in the ag sector," Williams said. "If you look at land prices, which may not be a total indication of how things are in the agriculture business, land prices have been escalating a lot."There's a significant demand for land and the prices have risen considerably."Hays is also a health care center for a significant area of rural northwest Kansas.&nbsp;HaysMed is the single largest employer in Ellis County.&nbsp;However, HaysMed has recently operated at a loss.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</a>"The health care system nationwide is broken," Williams said. "The financial model doesn't work. I read that of the 98 rural hospitals, 80 lost money last year. "The reimbursement models are a mess, whether that be insurance providers or Medicare or Medicaid, and of course the ongoing battle in Kansas to pass Medicaid expansion."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/87dfa1c2-653b-462f-9be2-07f13b029fed">HaysMed CEO Edward Herrman appeared with Gov. Laura Kelly in April in Hays to promote Medicaid expansion in Kansas. However, the governor's push to expand Medicaid stalled in the Republican-led Legislature.</a>"Health care is a tough nut to crack right now, but very important to our local economy," Williams said.If you combine higher education and K-12 education across the county, more people are employed in the education industry than any other in Ellis County.Fort Hays State University saw an increase in enrollment this fall but has seen a decline in enrollment during the last five years.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9172c1c3-2172-4e68-85c2-3390c8fd4f4d">SEE RELATED STORY: Fall enrollment in Fort Hays programs marked by growth in several key areas</a>Higher education across the country is facing a demographic cliff, with fewer young people available to enter programs in the coming years.Some students choose to forgo the debt of a four-year degree and attend a tech or trade school instead.Fort Hays Tech | North Central enrollment was up 3.1% this fall. However, the school's enrollment is up 11.5% over five years.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/add9b513-bc58-48bd-9658-f016310bbc4e" target="_blank">The FHSU affiliation agreement</a>&nbsp;allows for a more seamless transition from the tech schools, including Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, to advanced degrees and certifications at FHSU.One example is the RN to BSN program for nurses."I applaud Fort Hays for this merger they have done because it covers all of the bases at this point," Williams said.He said FHSU continues to be one of the most affordable universities in the region, and the enrollment increase this fall is a good sign."I'm confident Fort Hays can do what they need to do," Williams said.Water continues to be a challenge for Ellis County. The city of Hays bought water rights for the R9 Ranch in Edwards County. Water would be diverted from wells on the ranch to Hays and Russell.&nbsp;That project has leaped many legal hurdles but is still pending.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c7dd78a9-6785-4137-8502-4046eab09f91">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays, Russell sue Edwards County over R9 project</a>"That was in 1995, and we still haven't got a drop of water from that ranch as of yet. It continues to be litigated.""I don't think there will be any doubt of what the outcome will ultimately be. The city of Hays and city of Russell will prevail because it's their land, and they have the right to the water. The law is pretty clear. That doesn't stop people from putting up roadblocks and trying to delay that process. But it will happen."Williams said he hopes the two cities are close to the end of the process.Some industries will never be a good fit for Hays because of their significant water usage. However, he said Hays will need more water to increase manufacturing and meet the needs of a growing population.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729886353565.png" alt="Ellis County unemployment from January 2020 to date." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County unemployment from January 2020 to date.</figcaption>
 </figure>Workforce still is one of Ellis County and the region's most significant challenges, Williams said. Most of northwest Kansas' unemployment rates were less than 4% as of September.Williams said Grow Hays has focused on housing initiatives to address the worker shortage."If you are going to attract workers and retain workers, you have to have places for them to live," he said, "but I don't anticipate our workforce issues to be resolved anytime soon."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729886266755.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As the population in surrounding rural areas continues to decline, Hays needs to increase its population to maintain its economic viability, Williams said."We are a regional hub," Williams said. "People come here to shop. They come here for health care. They come here for entertainment. As that market continues to decrease, we do have to increase our local population in order to keep the same quality of life that we currently have."The Wichita State real estate expert was very complimentary of what Hays has done to increase housing availability.&nbsp;Hays has more than 20 housing projects in the works worth almost $300 million.Williams said the expert said many Kansas communities are trying to emulate Hays' approach to housing."That made me feel that we are on the right track," Williams said. "We are doing a lot of positive things. Never enough, but I think we're on the right track.&nbsp;"Just based on the GDP numbers, our economy is doing very well."

Ellis County economic forecast shows economy outpacing state, nation

24/7 Travel Store is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its Food Bank Fill-Up campaign, raising over $48,000 to support local food banks. Customers, team members, and local communities generously contributed $26,083.84, which was matched by the company to reach a total of $48,188.34.

“We are deeply grateful for the support we received across all our locations,” said Jackie Hynes, Director of Marketing at 24/7 Travel Store. “This campaign truly demonstrated the power of community and the importance of coming together for a common cause. We’re especially proud of the teamwork in Russell, Hays, and Goodland, where communities went above and beyond to achieve the full matching contribution. Our Colby location also showed outstanding community engagement, with their food bank representatives actively connecting with local residents to boost participation. Their efforts went beyond simply asking at the register, embodying the spirit of true community involvement.”

The Hays location contributed $6,550.04 to the St. Joseph Food Pantry, helping local families access the food and resources they need during the holiday season. The team at Hays worked closely with the community, encouraging donations and raising awareness about the impact of food insecurity.

Renee Michaud, St. Joseph Food Pantry Coordinator, shared her gratitude: "On behalf of all the persons we serve, I would like to express our gratitude for the 24/7 September Fill-Up Campaign. The incredible generosity of the Hays community and its 24/7 patrons allowed us to meet the max-match for 2024! The money raised will be so helpful to meet the needs for hunger support in our community throughout the holidays. Thank you again."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730127657975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted24/7 Travel Store is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its Food Bank Fill-Up campaign, raising over $48,000 to support local food banks. Customers, team members, and local communities generously contributed $26,083.84, which was matched by the company to reach a total of $48,188.34.“We are deeply grateful for the support we received across all our locations,” said Jackie Hynes, Director of Marketing at 24/7 Travel Store. “This campaign truly demonstrated the power of community and the importance of coming together for a common cause. We’re especially proud of the teamwork in Russell, Hays, and Goodland, where communities went above and beyond to achieve the full matching contribution. Our Colby location also showed outstanding community engagement, with their food bank representatives actively connecting with local residents to boost participation. Their efforts went beyond simply asking at the register, embodying the spirit of true community involvement.”The Hays location contributed $6,550.04 to the St. Joseph Food Pantry, helping local families access the food and resources they need during the holiday season. The team at Hays worked closely with the community, encouraging donations and raising awareness about the impact of food insecurity.Renee Michaud, St. Joseph Food Pantry Coordinator, shared her gratitude: "On behalf of all the persons we serve, I would like to express our gratitude for the 24/7 September Fill-Up Campaign. The incredible generosity of the Hays community and its 24/7 patrons allowed us to meet the max-match for 2024! The money raised will be so helpful to meet the needs for hunger support in our community throughout the holidays. Thank you again."

Hays raises $6,550 for local food bank

The FTC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/lyft_complaint.pdf">is taking action</a>&nbsp;against rideshare operator Lyft for making deceptive earnings claims about how much money drivers could expect to make per hour and how much they could earn in special incentives.

Lyft has agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/lyft_proposed_order.pdf">a proposed settlement</a>&nbsp;that would require its claims about drivers’ pay to be based on typical earnings. In addition, Lyft has agreed to back up with evidence any claims it makes about drivers’ pay, clearly notify drivers about the terms of its “earnings guarantee” offers, and pay a $2.1 million civil penalty.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed the lawsuit and proposed settlement upon notification and referral from the FTC.

“It is illegal to lure workers with misleading claims about how much they will earn on the job,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC will keep using all its tools to hold businesses accountable when they violate the law and exploit American workers.”

The complaint against Lyft alleges that as demand for rideshare services increased in 2021 and 2022, Lyft made numerous false and misleading claims in its advertising and marketing about how much money consumers could make if they chose to drive for Lyft.

Ads for Lyft advertised that drivers around the country could make specific hourly amounts. For example, potential drivers in Atlanta were offered up to $33 an hour, potential drivers in Portland were offered $41 an hour and potential drivers in Los Angeles were offered up to $43 an hour. Lyft failed to disclose that these amounts did not represent the income an average driver could expect to earn, but instead were based on the earnings of the top one-fifth of drivers. The complaint notes that these figures overinflated the actual earnings achieved by most drivers by as much as 30%.

In addition, the complaint notes that the hourly earnings claims Lyft made in its ads included tips paid by passengers, even though many drivers would assume any tips they received would be in addition to an hourly pay figure.

In its advertisements, Lyft also tried to entice drivers by touting “earnings guarantees,” which supposedly guaranteed that drivers would be paid a set amount if they completed a specific number of rides in a certain time. For example, one guarantee promised drivers they would make $975 if they completed 45 rides in a weekend. But these guarantees did not clearly disclose that drivers were only paid the difference between what they actually earned, and Lyft’s advertised guaranteed amount. Drivers complained to the company in large numbers that they believed the amount Lyft guaranteed would be paid as a bonus on top of whatever pay they received for completing the assigned number of rides.

One driver complained to the FTC that: “…This [is] unacceptable and not fair. . . . [Lyft] is misleading their drivers. [Lyft] should pay their driver[s] as stated, it shows I completed the task. As the driver, I expected to be paid for the service I rendered.”

The court complaint notes that Lyft continued to make these deceptive earnings claims even after receiving the FTC’s Notice of Penalty Offenses that put the company on notice that deceptive earnings claims were unlawful.

In addition to requiring the company to pay a $2.1 million civil penalty, the proposed settlement also will prohibit Lyft from making any earnings claim unless they have meaningful evidence to back that claim up. In addition, Lyft will be prohibited from making any claims about hourly earnings that include tips as part of the stated hourly amount. The settlement will also require Lyft to clearly disclose to drivers that, under its earnings guarantees, drivers will receive only the difference between their regular earnings and the guaranteed amount. The settlement also requires Lyft to provide notice to its drivers about the settlement.

Today’s action is part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to protect workers in the gig economy. In 2021, the FTC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/02/amazon-pay-617-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-withheld-some-customer-tips-amazon-flex-drivers">reached a settlement with Amazon</a>&nbsp;returning more than $60 million to Amazon Flex drivers whose tips were illegally withheld. In 2022, the FTC took action against HomeAdvisor for misleading service providers, and the following year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/01/ftc-order-requires-homeadvisor-pay-72-million-stop-deceptively-marketing-its-leads-home-improvement">obtained an order</a>&nbsp;barring false claims and providing millions in redress. This year, the FTC challenged deceptive earnings claims and other unlawful practices by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/07/ftc-takes-action-against-gig-work-company-arise-virtual-solutions-deceiving-consumers-about-pay">Arise</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/ftc-takes-action-against-carecom-deceiving-caregivers-about-wages-availability-jobs-its-site">Care.com</a>, securing conduct relief and more than $15 million for affected workers. The FTC has detailed how its authorities apply in the gig economy in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/09/ftc-crack-down-companies-taking-advantage-gig-workers">Policy Statement on Enforcement Related to Gig Work</a>. &nbsp;

The Commission vote to authorize the staff to refer the complaint to the DOJ and to approve the proposed consent decree was 3-2, with Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson dissenting. Chair Lina M. Khan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-chair-lina-m-khan-joined-commissioner-rebecca-kelly-slaughter-commissioner-alvaro-m-bedoya-lyft-inc">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;joined by Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya. Commissioner Holyoak&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/dissenting-statement-commissioner-melissa-holyoak-matter-lyft-inc">issued a statement</a>. Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-commissioner-andrew-n-ferguson-concurring-part-dissenting-part-matter-lyft-inc">issued a statement</a>. The DOJ filed the complaint and proposed consent decree upon notification and referral from the Commission in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

NOTE:&nbsp;The Commission authorizes the filing of a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Consent decrees have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The staff attorneys on this matter were Evan Rose and Abdiel T. Lewis of the FTC’s Western Region San Francisco.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. &nbsp;The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected/social-media">FTC on social media</a>, read&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts">consumer alerts</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog">business blog</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected">sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts</a>.

<figure>
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 </figure>Federal Trade CommissionThe FTC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/lyft_complaint.pdf">is taking action</a>&nbsp;against rideshare operator Lyft for making deceptive earnings claims about how much money drivers could expect to make per hour and how much they could earn in special incentives.Lyft has agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/lyft_proposed_order.pdf">a proposed settlement</a>&nbsp;that would require its claims about drivers’ pay to be based on typical earnings. In addition, Lyft has agreed to back up with evidence any claims it makes about drivers’ pay, clearly notify drivers about the terms of its “earnings guarantee” offers, and pay a $2.1 million civil penalty.The U.S. Department of Justice filed the lawsuit and proposed settlement upon notification and referral from the FTC.“It is illegal to lure workers with misleading claims about how much they will earn on the job,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC will keep using all its tools to hold businesses accountable when they violate the law and exploit American workers.”The complaint against Lyft alleges that as demand for rideshare services increased in 2021 and 2022, Lyft made numerous false and misleading claims in its advertising and marketing about how much money consumers could make if they chose to drive for Lyft.Ads for Lyft advertised that drivers around the country could make specific hourly amounts. For example, potential drivers in Atlanta were offered up to $33 an hour, potential drivers in Portland were offered $41 an hour and potential drivers in Los Angeles were offered up to $43 an hour. Lyft failed to disclose that these amounts did not represent the income an average driver could expect to earn, but instead were based on the earnings of the top one-fifth of drivers. The complaint notes that these figures overinflated the actual earnings achieved by most drivers by as much as 30%.In addition, the complaint notes that the hourly earnings claims Lyft made in its ads included tips paid by passengers, even though many drivers would assume any tips they received would be in addition to an hourly pay figure.In its advertisements, Lyft also tried to entice drivers by touting “earnings guarantees,” which supposedly guaranteed that drivers would be paid a set amount if they completed a specific number of rides in a certain time. For example, one guarantee promised drivers they would make $975 if they completed 45 rides in a weekend. But these guarantees did not clearly disclose that drivers were only paid the difference between what they actually earned, and Lyft’s advertised guaranteed amount. Drivers complained to the company in large numbers that they believed the amount Lyft guaranteed would be paid as a bonus on top of whatever pay they received for completing the assigned number of rides.One driver complained to the FTC that: “…This [is] unacceptable and not fair. . . . [Lyft] is misleading their drivers. [Lyft] should pay their driver[s] as stated, it shows I completed the task. As the driver, I expected to be paid for the service I rendered.”The court complaint notes that Lyft continued to make these deceptive earnings claims even after receiving the FTC’s Notice of Penalty Offenses that put the company on notice that deceptive earnings claims were unlawful.In addition to requiring the company to pay a $2.1 million civil penalty, the proposed settlement also will prohibit Lyft from making any earnings claim unless they have meaningful evidence to back that claim up. In addition, Lyft will be prohibited from making any claims about hourly earnings that include tips as part of the stated hourly amount. The settlement will also require Lyft to clearly disclose to drivers that, under its earnings guarantees, drivers will receive only the difference between their regular earnings and the guaranteed amount. The settlement also requires Lyft to provide notice to its drivers about the settlement.Today’s action is part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to protect workers in the gig economy. In 2021, the FTC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/02/amazon-pay-617-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-withheld-some-customer-tips-amazon-flex-drivers">reached a settlement with Amazon</a>&nbsp;returning more than $60 million to Amazon Flex drivers whose tips were illegally withheld. In 2022, the FTC took action against HomeAdvisor for misleading service providers, and the following year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/01/ftc-order-requires-homeadvisor-pay-72-million-stop-deceptively-marketing-its-leads-home-improvement">obtained an order</a>&nbsp;barring false claims and providing millions in redress. This year, the FTC challenged deceptive earnings claims and other unlawful practices by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/07/ftc-takes-action-against-gig-work-company-arise-virtual-solutions-deceiving-consumers-about-pay">Arise</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/ftc-takes-action-against-carecom-deceiving-caregivers-about-wages-availability-jobs-its-site">Care.com</a>, securing conduct relief and more than $15 million for affected workers. The FTC has detailed how its authorities apply in the gig economy in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/09/ftc-crack-down-companies-taking-advantage-gig-workers">Policy Statement on Enforcement Related to Gig Work</a>. &nbsp;The Commission vote to authorize the staff to refer the complaint to the DOJ and to approve the proposed consent decree was 3-2, with Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson dissenting. Chair Lina M. Khan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-chair-lina-m-khan-joined-commissioner-rebecca-kelly-slaughter-commissioner-alvaro-m-bedoya-lyft-inc">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;joined by Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya. Commissioner Holyoak&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/dissenting-statement-commissioner-melissa-holyoak-matter-lyft-inc">issued a statement</a>. Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-commissioner-andrew-n-ferguson-concurring-part-dissenting-part-matter-lyft-inc">issued a statement</a>. The DOJ filed the complaint and proposed consent decree upon notification and referral from the Commission in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.NOTE:&nbsp;The Commission authorizes the filing of a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Consent decrees have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.The staff attorneys on this matter were Evan Rose and Abdiel T. Lewis of the FTC’s Western Region San Francisco.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. &nbsp;The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected/social-media">FTC on social media</a>, read&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts">consumer alerts</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog">business blog</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected">sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts</a>.

FTC takes action to stop Lyft from deceiving drivers with misleading earnings claims

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Make plans to attend the Central Kansas Beef Summit on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, from 9:00 am – 3:15 pm. The event will be highlighted by a presentation on managing cold stress in livestock and calving preparedness. This presentation is given by KSU Beef Extension Veterinarian AJ Tarpoff.

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 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictMake plans to attend the Central Kansas Beef Summit on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, from 9:00 am – 3:15 pm. The event will be highlighted by a presentation on managing cold stress in livestock and calving preparedness. This presentation is given by KSU Beef Extension Veterinarian AJ Tarpoff.In addition to Dr. Tarpoff, the program will offer breakout sessions where attendees can pick and choose which topics apply to them. This year’s breakout topics will cover fence law &amp; leases, livestock risk protection insurance, strategies for managing woody encroachment, trees and brush, and feed testing techniques.The day will conclude with a presentation by the staff at the Kansas Agriculture Mediation Services.The summit will be held at the Ellsworth Health &amp; Recreation Center located at 221 West Douglas Ave, Ellsworth KS 67439. This program will be a collaboration among numerous K-State Research and Extension districts and will give producers a better chance to not only hear from industry leaders, but to also take part in conversation with one another.  Make sure to RSVP by November 12th to reserve a meal. The cost to attend is $10 or late registration will be $15 at the door.For more information on the event, or to register, please call Livestock Production Agent Clint Laflin at 785-483-3157 or send him an email at cllaflin@ksu.edu. This event has been generously sponsored by several agribusinesses in collaboration with K-State Research and Extension Districts, Midway, Central KS, Cottonwood, Midway, River Valley, Phillips/Rooks, and Post Rock. We look forward to you joining us!Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.