Ellis County Conservation District

The Trego, Ellis, and Russell County Conservation Districts will be hosting a Local Working Group (LWG) meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Hays Public Library, 1205 Main Street, Hays, KS 67601. 

This event is open to the public at no cost.

The purpose of this meeting is to make recommendations to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist related to addressing natural resource concerns at local level.

“LWGs are important because they provide recommendations on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation activities and programs. It is critical that the ‘boots on the ground’ have a voice in the process,” said Dan Meyerhoff, executive director for the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.

According to Meyerhoff, the LWG should be diverse and focus on agricultural interests and natural resource issues existing in the community. Membership should include agricultural producers representing the variety of crops, livestock, and poultry raised within the local area; owners of nonindustrial private forest land, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations; and governmental agencies carrying out agricultural and natural resource conservation and activities. 

LWGs also take into account concerns of particular historically underserved groups and individuals including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, socially disadvantaged, and limited resource groups.

To request more information about LWGs, contact the Trego Conservation District or NRCS staff by calling 785-743-2191 Extension 3. Individuals can also request information to participate virtually in the meeting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739899008209.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Conservation District" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Conservation District</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis County Conservation DistrictThe Trego, Ellis, and Russell County Conservation Districts will be hosting a Local Working Group (LWG) meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Hays Public Library, 1205 Main Street, Hays, KS 67601. This event is open to the public at no cost.The purpose of this meeting is to make recommendations to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist related to addressing natural resource concerns at local level.“LWGs are important because they provide recommendations on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation activities and programs. It is critical that the ‘boots on the ground’ have a voice in the process,” said Dan Meyerhoff, executive director for the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.According to Meyerhoff, the LWG should be diverse and focus on agricultural interests and natural resource issues existing in the community. Membership should include agricultural producers representing the variety of crops, livestock, and poultry raised within the local area; owners of nonindustrial private forest land, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations; and governmental agencies carrying out agricultural and natural resource conservation and activities. LWGs also take into account concerns of particular historically underserved groups and individuals including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, socially disadvantaged, and limited resource groups.To request more information about LWGs, contact the Trego Conservation District or NRCS staff by calling 785-743-2191 Extension 3. Individuals can also request information to participate virtually in the meeting.

Ellis County conservation groups to host Local Working Group meeting

RUSSELL — The City’s 2024 Employee and Team of the Year were formally recognized at the February 18, 2025, Council Meeting. The City’s 2024 Department of the Year will be formally recognized at a future meeting. The City’s Employee Recognition Program provides recognition to both teams and individuals who display exceptional performance and make significant contributions toward attaining the City’s goals, objectives and mission. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The 2024 Employee of the Year is Pat Brummett. Pat serves as the City of Russell’s Sanitation Department Lead Worker. His exceptional dedication to his department is evident through his commitment to professionalism and customer service. Pat’s leadership within the Sanitation Department has fostered a culture of appreciation and respect for the profession amongst his peers. Pat also prioritizes customer service understanding the importance of building positive relationships with our customers. Thank you, Pat, for your passion and commitment to our organization!

The 2024 Team of the Year is our Lead Service Line Inventory Team. This team, made up of Megan Koetkemeyer, Travis Flegler, Tyler Cherry, Randy Baker, Isabella Dugan, Lisa Hunter, and Ashley Mai demonstrated excellent collaboration and innovative customer service to assist in the creation, completion, and submission of the EPA required Lead Service Line Inventory. This mandate required the survey of our entire community’s water service line system. This daunting task could not have been accomplished by the required deadline without their collaboration and determination to accomplish the goal. Thank you, Lead Service Line Inventory Team, for your innovative and collaborative spirit!&nbsp;

The 2024 Department of the Year is Water Production. The Water Production Department has faced a tough year of both source and equipment issues. Their ability to continue to provide our community with quality drinking water amidst their hardships demonstrates their dedication to service delivery, our customers and our community. Thank you, Water Production, for your unwavering commitment and dedication!

The employees of the City of Russell are the organization’s greatest asset. Their dedication to public service and this community is a testament to our vision statement. “As a rural city, it is our vision to serve as the County’s regional center. We will continue to be a community that is dedicated to family, friends and neighbors, where generations care for each other. We are One Russell, building a self-reliant future. This is home.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740164224459.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELL — The City’s 2024 Employee and Team of the Year were formally recognized at the February 18, 2025, Council Meeting. The City’s 2024 Department of the Year will be formally recognized at a future meeting. The City’s Employee Recognition Program provides recognition to both teams and individuals who display exceptional performance and make significant contributions toward attaining the City’s goals, objectives and mission. &nbsp;&nbsp;The 2024 Employee of the Year is Pat Brummett. Pat serves as the City of Russell’s Sanitation Department Lead Worker. His exceptional dedication to his department is evident through his commitment to professionalism and customer service. Pat’s leadership within the Sanitation Department has fostered a culture of appreciation and respect for the profession amongst his peers. Pat also prioritizes customer service understanding the importance of building positive relationships with our customers. Thank you, Pat, for your passion and commitment to our organization!The 2024 Team of the Year is our Lead Service Line Inventory Team. This team, made up of Megan Koetkemeyer, Travis Flegler, Tyler Cherry, Randy Baker, Isabella Dugan, Lisa Hunter, and Ashley Mai demonstrated excellent collaboration and innovative customer service to assist in the creation, completion, and submission of the EPA required Lead Service Line Inventory. This mandate required the survey of our entire community’s water service line system. This daunting task could not have been accomplished by the required deadline without their collaboration and determination to accomplish the goal. Thank you, Lead Service Line Inventory Team, for your innovative and collaborative spirit!&nbsp;The 2024 Department of the Year is Water Production. The Water Production Department has faced a tough year of both source and equipment issues. Their ability to continue to provide our community with quality drinking water amidst their hardships demonstrates their dedication to service delivery, our customers and our community. Thank you, Water Production, for your unwavering commitment and dedication!The employees of the City of Russell are the organization’s greatest asset. Their dedication to public service and this community is a testament to our vision statement. “As a rural city, it is our vision to serve as the County’s regional center. We will continue to be a community that is dedicated to family, friends and neighbors, where generations care for each other. We are One Russell, building a self-reliant future. This is home.”

Russell announces employee, team, department of the year

At about 6:56 p.m. Monday, the Hays Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire with smoke showing located at 1725 Haney Drive in Hays.

Upon arrival, fire crews found a detached garage behind the home heavily involved with fire. Crews quickly deployed two 1 ¾-inch handlines to attack the fire.

Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. Crews stayed on the scene, searching for and extinguishing hot spots.

No injuries were reported. An investigation was conducted after the fire to try and determine the cause and origin of the fire. The investigation concluded that the fire was accidental.

The Hays Fire Department, Ellis County Fire Department Company 5, Ellis County EMS, Hays Police Department and Midwest Energy all responded.

The Hays Fire Department would like to remind everyone to check smoke and CO alarms to make sure they are functioning correctly.

Please contact the Hays Fire Department if you are interested in the smoke alarm program. You can also find more information at our website <a href="http://www.haysusa.com">www.haysusa.com</a>.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Hays Fire DepartmentAt about 6:56 p.m. Monday, the Hays Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire with smoke showing located at 1725 Haney Drive in Hays.Upon arrival, fire crews found a detached garage behind the home heavily involved with fire. Crews quickly deployed two 1 ¾-inch handlines to attack the fire.Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. Crews stayed on the scene, searching for and extinguishing hot spots.No injuries were reported. An investigation was conducted after the fire to try and determine the cause and origin of the fire. The investigation concluded that the fire was accidental.The Hays Fire Department, Ellis County Fire Department Company 5, Ellis County EMS, Hays Police Department and Midwest Energy all responded.The Hays Fire Department would like to remind everyone to check smoke and CO alarms to make sure they are functioning correctly.Please contact the Hays Fire Department if you are interested in the smoke alarm program. You can also find more information at our website <a href="http://www.haysusa.com">www.haysusa.com</a>.&nbsp;

Structure fire in east Hays Monday night

<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/2025/2/1740493746443.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

Hays High at Dodge City Tuesday, Feb. 25th – 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Hays, Kan. - Hays High School

Radio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network WILL BE POSTED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE GAME&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2219647">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>

Hays High resumes Western Athletic Conference as they visit Dodge City for their final road trip of the regular season.

Live video is not available due to streaming restrictions at Dodge City High School. Video will be posted following the contest.

The Hays girls can claim the conference title with a victory.

Tip-off for the girls game is 6:oo p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network with the boys game to follow.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High at Dodge City Tuesday, Feb. 25th – 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Hays, Kan. - Hays High SchoolRadio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network WILL BE POSTED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE GAME&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2219647">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>Hays High resumes Western Athletic Conference as they visit Dodge City for their final road trip of the regular season.Live video is not available due to streaming restrictions at Dodge City High School. Video will be posted following the contest.The Hays girls can claim the conference title with a victory.Tip-off for the girls game is 6:oo p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network with the boys game to follow.&nbsp;

🏀🎧AUDIO ONLY: Hays travels to Dodge City

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

Multi-million dollar profit margins at the Department of Energy (DOE) appear to be coming to an end. 

For the first time since April, DOE did not add crude to the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) last week. The department announced shortly before the presidential election that it had spent the fund appropriated&nbsp; by Congress to recoup some of the crude oil sold from the SPR three years ago to tame prices.

Strategic reserves currently stand at just over 395 million barrels. That's down about 200 million barrels from three years ago, but up 36 million barrels in the last year. DOE replaced barrels sold&nbsp; three years ago&nbsp; for $90 to $95 a barrel with barrels bought for $70 to $75 per barrel. The U.S. Treasury gained upwards of $540 million in savings by selling high and buying low.

The government reported a build in U.S. commercial crude stockpiles of nearly five million barrels to just over 432 million as of February 14. That's the fourth weekly increase in a row, totaling 20 million barrels over four weeks. The Energy Information Administration says inventories are about three percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

The U.S. imports more crude than we export by nearly 1.5 million barrels a day. Petroleum products exports lead imports by more than five million. 

The Energy Information Administration reports crude imports last week dropped by half a million daily barrels from the week before, to 5.8 million barrels per day.

Independent Oil and Gas service reports 24 newly-completed wells for the week ending February 20. That's 192 so far this year, which is up from 114 a year ago. Operators last week completed two wells in Barton County and one in Stafford County. Kansas regulators okayed 20 new drilling locations for a total of 101 new drilling permits so far this year. There are three new permits in Western Kansas including one in Stafford County.

U.S. crude production inched up last week to 13,497,000 barrels per day. That's up 3,000 barrels a day from a week ago, 197,000 barrels higher than a year ago, and the ninth best week ever.&nbsp; Cumulative production so far this year is up nearly three percent from a year ago.

Baker Hughes reports a spike in oil exploration, with horizontal drilling up six rigs. There are 488 active oil rigs nationwide, up seven rigs from a week ago. The total of 592 active rigs reflects an increase of five rigs in Oklahoma, while New Mexico and Utah each dropped by one rig.&nbsp; The weekly tally for gas drilling was down two rigs.

The latest Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is down 20% from a week ago with 12 active rigs. Three of those are in eastern Kansas, which drops by four rigs. Nine are west of Wichita, which is up one. The tally is down nearly 30 percent from a month ago and nearly 43 percent from a year ago.

The Kansas Geological Society sent a letter to members this week indicating they've discovered some long-running bookkeeping irregularities, including unbilled invoices, unpaid bills, and unreported tax garnishments. The announcement dated Monday notes what it calls a "reduction in staff," after "appropriate disciplinary action" was taken, but did not include any names or dollar amounts. The open letter suggests they've seen no evidence of illegal activity as of yet, but says the board brought in an accounting firm to rebuild and reconcile the books.

Forbes magazine now calls Diamondback Energy "...the biggest independent kid on the Permian block." Diamondback was already huge when it announced this week that it's buying Double Eagle's 40,000 net acres and &nbsp;27 million barrels a day in current production. The deal is worth more than four billion dollars in cash and stock. One analyst points out that after three years of furious deal-making, this deal leaves few remaining opportunities for big mergers and acquisitions in the Permian Basin.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle MediaMulti-million dollar profit margins at the Department of Energy (DOE) appear to be coming to an end. For the first time since April, DOE did not add crude to the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) last week. The department announced shortly before the presidential election that it had spent the fund appropriated&nbsp; by Congress to recoup some of the crude oil sold from the SPR three years ago to tame prices.Strategic reserves currently stand at just over 395 million barrels. That's down about 200 million barrels from three years ago, but up 36 million barrels in the last year. DOE replaced barrels sold&nbsp; three years ago&nbsp; for $90 to $95 a barrel with barrels bought for $70 to $75 per barrel. The U.S. Treasury gained upwards of $540 million in savings by selling high and buying low.The government reported a build in U.S. commercial crude stockpiles of nearly five million barrels to just over 432 million as of February 14. That's the fourth weekly increase in a row, totaling 20 million barrels over four weeks. The Energy Information Administration says inventories are about three percent below the five-year average for this time of year.The U.S. imports more crude than we export by nearly 1.5 million barrels a day. Petroleum products exports lead imports by more than five million. The Energy Information Administration reports crude imports last week dropped by half a million daily barrels from the week before, to 5.8 million barrels per day.Independent Oil and Gas service reports 24 newly-completed wells for the week ending February 20. That's 192 so far this year, which is up from 114 a year ago. Operators last week completed two wells in Barton County and one in Stafford County. Kansas regulators okayed 20 new drilling locations for a total of 101 new drilling permits so far this year. There are three new permits in Western Kansas including one in Stafford County.U.S. crude production inched up last week to 13,497,000 barrels per day. That's up 3,000 barrels a day from a week ago, 197,000 barrels higher than a year ago, and the ninth best week ever.&nbsp; Cumulative production so far this year is up nearly three percent from a year ago.Baker Hughes reports a spike in oil exploration, with horizontal drilling up six rigs. There are 488 active oil rigs nationwide, up seven rigs from a week ago. The total of 592 active rigs reflects an increase of five rigs in Oklahoma, while New Mexico and Utah each dropped by one rig.&nbsp; The weekly tally for gas drilling was down two rigs.The latest Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is down 20% from a week ago with 12 active rigs. Three of those are in eastern Kansas, which drops by four rigs. Nine are west of Wichita, which is up one. The tally is down nearly 30 percent from a month ago and nearly 43 percent from a year ago.The Kansas Geological Society sent a letter to members this week indicating they've discovered some long-running bookkeeping irregularities, including unbilled invoices, unpaid bills, and unreported tax garnishments. The announcement dated Monday notes what it calls a "reduction in staff," after "appropriate disciplinary action" was taken, but did not include any names or dollar amounts. The open letter suggests they've seen no evidence of illegal activity as of yet, but says the board brought in an accounting firm to rebuild and reconcile the books.Forbes magazine now calls Diamondback Energy "...the biggest independent kid on the Permian block." Diamondback was already huge when it announced this week that it's buying Double Eagle's 40,000 net acres and &nbsp;27 million barrels a day in current production. The deal is worth more than four billion dollars in cash and stock. One analyst points out that after three years of furious deal-making, this deal leaves few remaining opportunities for big mergers and acquisitions in the Permian Basin.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: SPR refills trickle down

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/sam-zeff">SAM ZEFF</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-02-24/if-trumps-layoffs-hit-the-kansas-city-fbi-office-job-cuts-are-only-going-to-make-us-less-safe">KCUR</a>

President Trump’s pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, has been confirmed — prompting fears of possible layoffs in the bureau. Some local officials worry that a diminished FBI presence in Kansas and Missouri could harm local law enforcement.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office has more than a hundred agents (the actual number is classified) but chances are you’ve never seen one. Unlike the police, they aren’t driving around in marked vehicles with lights on top. But they are there working on cases and assisting local police.

“We depend on them, and they depend on us to make America safe. There is no question of that,” Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said.

As sweeping layoffs are announced at federal agencies under the new Trump administration, former FBI agents and top law enforcement officials worry about what will happen to the 56 field offices around the country, including Kansas City’s.

The Bureau has already&nbsp;<a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/30/politics/senior-fbi-leaders-demoted-wray" target="_blank">fired or forced six top officials to retire</a>. The administration has also gone on a binge firing federal probationary employees — something that would have a huge impact on the FBI. The F.B.I. Agents Association says 10% of the workforce is still in their probationary period.

Department of Justice leadership also demanded a list of all employeeswho participated in January 6th investigations, prompting fear that those FBI employees would be targeted for firing. That would certainly include veteran agents assigned to Kansas City.

“My concern is, if we lose the institutional knowledge that those individuals have in their jobs through this process of eliminating federal employees, it's only going to make us less safe,” said former Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office has investigators spread across Kansas and western Missouri in eight offices called resident agencies. These small offices — often just two agents — work especially closely with local law enforcement.

Grissom was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama and served from 2010 to 2016. He is now in private practice. He says even losing a few agents could be a big problem. An agent may be working 15 to 20 cases at a time. Many of those investigations involve intense coordination between FBI agents and local law enforcement.

“(Local agencies) are the eyes and ears on the ground,” Grissom told KCUR.

That includes counterterrorism, even in Kansas and Missouri.

“The counterterrorism problem is not just a national problem, but it's also a local problem,” said retired FBI agent Greg Vecchi, who now runs a security consulting firm in Olathe.

The local field office runs several task forces that include local and state law enforcement. The most important, Vecchi said, is the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“The FBI has got to be able to have relationships with the various jurisdictions when and where the actual attacks are planned,” he said.

That was the case in 2018 when resident agents in Garden City, Kansas, worked with police and sheriff’s deputies to stop a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/595163065/mosque-bombing-plot-rattles-immigrants-in-kansas-meat-triangle" target="_blank">plot to bomb a mosque and apartment complex</a>&nbsp;to kill Somali immigrants.

“During my time as the U.S. attorney, we had two acts, I should say, potential acts of terrorism that the FBI was intimately involved in,” Grissom said. One stopped a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/31/436414417/wichita-man-sentenced-to-20-years-in-airport-bomb-plot" target="_blank">suicide car bombing at the Wichita airport&nbsp;</a>in December 2013 the other stopped another suicide car bombing in 2015&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763544037/kansas-soldier-charged-with-teaching-bomb-making-to-far-right-extremists" target="_blank">targeting Fort Riley</a>, home to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

In addition, the Kansas City office runs the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Safe Streets Task Force, which targets gangs and drug cartels.

The office also provides training to local police and sheriff’s departments. Vecchi said when he ran the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, his agents would often train local police on interrogation.

“That is a huge benefit to law enforcement,” he said. The office also offers training to local SWAT teams.

All of that, plus access to the FBI’s Washington lab and the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory in Kansas City all comes at no additional cost to local governments or police departments.

Vecchi believes if local field agents are fired, those working in administration will be reassigned to the street. But if the cuts go deeper, that’s a huge problem. If there are mass layoffs or firings, Vecchi said, “It's going to absolutely cripple” training and investigating counterterrorism.

Roberson, who was police chief in Prairie Village before being elected sheriff, said any cuts at the Kansas City Field Office will damage local law enforcement.

“There is great leadership that could be lost in that organization that you can't just go out and reinvent and just pick that up off the street,” Roberson said.

Patel is also now in line to take over another agency in jeopardy — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-director-kash-patel-atf-justice-department-e57250b2ac883af1c2fa7b4bf46ad876" target="_blank">according to the Associated Press</a>.

Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison from Springfield has filed a bill to abolish the agency. On social media, Burlison has said the ATF "consistently violates Second Amendment rights" and claims its functions are duplicative.

“The state of Missouri has all of the agencies that we need to regulate everything that the ATF does,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/13/missouri-congressman-burlison-wants-to-get-rid-of-atf-calls-social-security-a-forced-pension/" target="_blank">he told MissouriNet in December</a>.

Rep. Mark Alford, who represents much of suburban Kansas City and mid-Missouri, has joined as a co-sponsor.

"Proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Eric Burlison's bill, H.R. 221 — ABOLISH THE ATF!" he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089595940547/search/?q=abolish%20atf" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>.

The ATF investigates gun crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-08/a-missouri-county-wont-work-with-the-atf-claiming-the-federal-agency-is-unconstitutional" target="_blank">regulates federal firearms dealers</a>. It also looks into arsons, including an arson at the Waldo Heights apartments on 81st Street and Holmes in 2021 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260238435.html" target="_blank">one at Stonegate Meadows apartments</a>&nbsp;in 2022 that injured 15 people, including nine children.

“The idea that you would just do away with that agency for political partisanship reasons only I think is incredibly shortsighted by the congressmen,” Grissom told KCUR. “I'm really surprised that Congressman Alford would take that position.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740494555747.png" alt="The Kansas City FBI office in Kansas City north has 300 employees and covers all of Kansas and western Missouri. Photo by Sam Zeff/KCUR" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas City FBI office in Kansas City north has 300 employees and covers all of Kansas and western Missouri. Photo by Sam Zeff/KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/sam-zeff">SAM ZEFF</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-02-24/if-trumps-layoffs-hit-the-kansas-city-fbi-office-job-cuts-are-only-going-to-make-us-less-safe">KCUR</a><h2>President Trump’s pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, has been confirmed — prompting fears of possible layoffs in the bureau. Some local officials worry that a diminished FBI presence in Kansas and Missouri could harm local law enforcement.</h2>The FBI Kansas City Field Office has more than a hundred agents (the actual number is classified) but chances are you’ve never seen one. Unlike the police, they aren’t driving around in marked vehicles with lights on top. But they are there working on cases and assisting local police.“We depend on them, and they depend on us to make America safe. There is no question of that,” Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said.As sweeping layoffs are announced at federal agencies under the new Trump administration, former FBI agents and top law enforcement officials worry about what will happen to the 56 field offices around the country, including Kansas City’s.The Bureau has already&nbsp;<a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/30/politics/senior-fbi-leaders-demoted-wray" target="_blank">fired or forced six top officials to retire</a>. The administration has also gone on a binge firing federal probationary employees — something that would have a huge impact on the FBI. The F.B.I. Agents Association says 10% of the workforce is still in their probationary period.Department of Justice leadership also demanded a list of all employeeswho participated in January 6th investigations, prompting fear that those FBI employees would be targeted for firing. That would certainly include veteran agents assigned to Kansas City.“My concern is, if we lose the institutional knowledge that those individuals have in their jobs through this process of eliminating federal employees, it's only going to make us less safe,” said former Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.<h2>Why have FBI field offices?</h2>The FBI Kansas City Field Office has investigators spread across Kansas and western Missouri in eight offices called resident agencies. These small offices — often just two agents — work especially closely with local law enforcement.Grissom was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama and served from 2010 to 2016. He is now in private practice. He says even losing a few agents could be a big problem. An agent may be working 15 to 20 cases at a time. Many of those investigations involve intense coordination between FBI agents and local law enforcement.“(Local agencies) are the eyes and ears on the ground,” Grissom told KCUR.That includes counterterrorism, even in Kansas and Missouri.“The counterterrorism problem is not just a national problem, but it's also a local problem,” said retired FBI agent Greg Vecchi, who now runs a security consulting firm in Olathe.The local field office runs several task forces that include local and state law enforcement. The most important, Vecchi said, is the Joint Terrorism Task Force.“The FBI has got to be able to have relationships with the various jurisdictions when and where the actual attacks are planned,” he said.That was the case in 2018 when resident agents in Garden City, Kansas, worked with police and sheriff’s deputies to stop a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/595163065/mosque-bombing-plot-rattles-immigrants-in-kansas-meat-triangle" target="_blank">plot to bomb a mosque and apartment complex</a>&nbsp;to kill Somali immigrants.“During my time as the U.S. attorney, we had two acts, I should say, potential acts of terrorism that the FBI was intimately involved in,” Grissom said. One stopped a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/31/436414417/wichita-man-sentenced-to-20-years-in-airport-bomb-plot" target="_blank">suicide car bombing at the Wichita airport&nbsp;</a>in December 2013 the other stopped another suicide car bombing in 2015&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763544037/kansas-soldier-charged-with-teaching-bomb-making-to-far-right-extremists" target="_blank">targeting Fort Riley</a>, home to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.In addition, the Kansas City office runs the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Safe Streets Task Force, which targets gangs and drug cartels.The office also provides training to local police and sheriff’s departments. Vecchi said when he ran the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, his agents would often train local police on interrogation.“That is a huge benefit to law enforcement,” he said. The office also offers training to local SWAT teams.All of that, plus access to the FBI’s Washington lab and the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory in Kansas City all comes at no additional cost to local governments or police departments.Vecchi believes if local field agents are fired, those working in administration will be reassigned to the street. But if the cuts go deeper, that’s a huge problem. If there are mass layoffs or firings, Vecchi said, “It's going to absolutely cripple” training and investigating counterterrorism.Roberson, who was police chief in Prairie Village before being elected sheriff, said any cuts at the Kansas City Field Office will damage local law enforcement.“There is great leadership that could be lost in that organization that you can't just go out and reinvent and just pick that up off the street,” Roberson said.<h2>The ATF also at risk</h2>Patel is also now in line to take over another agency in jeopardy — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-director-kash-patel-atf-justice-department-e57250b2ac883af1c2fa7b4bf46ad876" target="_blank">according to the Associated Press</a>.Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison from Springfield has filed a bill to abolish the agency. On social media, Burlison has said the ATF "consistently violates Second Amendment rights" and claims its functions are duplicative.“The state of Missouri has all of the agencies that we need to regulate everything that the ATF does,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/13/missouri-congressman-burlison-wants-to-get-rid-of-atf-calls-social-security-a-forced-pension/" target="_blank">he told MissouriNet in December</a>.Rep. Mark Alford, who represents much of suburban Kansas City and mid-Missouri, has joined as a co-sponsor."Proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Eric Burlison's bill, H.R. 221 — ABOLISH THE ATF!" he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089595940547/search/?q=abolish%20atf" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>.The ATF investigates gun crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-08/a-missouri-county-wont-work-with-the-atf-claiming-the-federal-agency-is-unconstitutional" target="_blank">regulates federal firearms dealers</a>. It also looks into arsons, including an arson at the Waldo Heights apartments on 81st Street and Holmes in 2021 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260238435.html" target="_blank">one at Stonegate Meadows apartments</a>&nbsp;in 2022 that injured 15 people, including nine children.“The idea that you would just do away with that agency for political partisanship reasons only I think is incredibly shortsighted by the congressmen,” Grissom told KCUR. “I'm really surprised that Congressman Alford would take that position.”

If Trump's layoffs hit the Kansas City FBI office, job cuts are 'only going to make us less safe'

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Freshly made, crispy and golden, Pecking Order is bringing a new take on fried chicken with a bold new identity to Hays.

Pecking Order, 2401 Vine St., opens Wednesday under the direction of Chef Austin Petz and the team from his other establishment, Verdant Bistro.

"We needed to come in and create a whole new identity. I find that extremely important when doing restaurants," Petz said. "This is a whole new management and whole new ball game at the end of the day."

Petz emphasized a new era for the establishment as he takes it under his wing with a complete interior and menu transformation.

The interior has been reimagined, moving from the previous bright pink and green color scheme to a fresh, modern design that better reflects the new brand.

Petz said he is bringing to Pecking Order a menu expansion to include high-quality ingredients and chef-curated recipes.

"All of our chicken sandwiches are going to be really great, but what is going to stand out very differently than all the others is going to be our Pecking chicken roll," he said.

The Pecking chicken roll is a chicken tender in a hot dog bun that Petz said is more affordable for customers.

Other menu items include classic chicken sandwiches, Pecking chicken sandwiches, fancy chicken sandwiches, jumbo nuggets, wings and drumsticks. Spice options range from mild to extra hot.

Other plans for Pecking Orders include 50-cent wing deals, limited-time offers to keep things fresh, student discounts and an in-store kiosk for quicker service.

Petz said preparing to open Pecking Orders has been challenging, with delays due to weather conditions and tight budgeting. With the numerous changes, he hopes to change how customers approach the chicken joint.

"I hear tremendously that there's not a lot of parking here and that's absolutely true. What we're trying to do is push people more towards carry out, delivery and take out," Petz said.

Petz is striving to distinguish Pecking Order from past ownership and Kluckin' Chicken but acknowledges the contributions of Jacob Proffitt.

"I want to give him a lot of credit. He's been a great guy through this entire process, and he's done a lot for this community," he said.

In addition to Pecking Order and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Verdant.Bistro">Verdant Bistro</a>, Petz also owns <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565800494586">Tiger Station</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555862908901">Shirley’s German To Go</a>, which he acquired in a package deal.

Kluckin’ Chicken closed on Jan. 1 due to financial struggles, declining customer interest and branding challenges, prompting a complete rebrand that Petz aims to establish as a standout in Hays.

Pecking Order is open&nbsp;from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.&nbsp;

You can order online at Pecking Order's <a href="https://peckingorderchicken.square.site/">website </a>and follow the restaurant on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572178404623">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740086569785.jpeg" alt="Seating and interior of Pecking Order in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Seating and interior of Pecking Order in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFreshly made, crispy and golden, Pecking Order is bringing a new take on fried chicken with a bold new identity to Hays.Pecking Order, 2401 Vine St., opens Wednesday under the direction of Chef Austin Petz and the team from his other establishment, Verdant Bistro."We needed to come in and create a whole new identity. I find that extremely important when doing restaurants," Petz said. "This is a whole new management and whole new ball game at the end of the day."Petz emphasized a new era for the establishment as he takes it under his wing with a complete interior and menu transformation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740086599196.jpeg" alt="The front counter of Pecking Order in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The front counter of Pecking Order in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The interior has been reimagined, moving from the previous bright pink and green color scheme to a fresh, modern design that better reflects the new brand.Petz said he is bringing to Pecking Order a menu expansion to include high-quality ingredients and chef-curated recipes."All of our chicken sandwiches are going to be really great, but what is going to stand out very differently than all the others is going to be our Pecking chicken roll," he said.The Pecking chicken roll is a chicken tender in a hot dog bun that Petz said is more affordable for customers.Other menu items include classic chicken sandwiches, Pecking chicken sandwiches, fancy chicken sandwiches, jumbo nuggets, wings and drumsticks. Spice options range from mild to extra hot.Other plans for Pecking Orders include 50-cent wing deals, limited-time offers to keep things fresh, student discounts and an in-store kiosk for quicker service.Petz said preparing to open Pecking Orders has been challenging, with delays due to weather conditions and tight budgeting. With the numerous changes, he hopes to change how customers approach the chicken joint."I hear tremendously that there's not a lot of parking here and that's absolutely true. What we're trying to do is push people more towards carry out, delivery and take out," Petz said.Petz is striving to distinguish Pecking Order from past ownership and Kluckin' Chicken but acknowledges the contributions of Jacob Proffitt."I want to give him a lot of credit. He's been a great guy through this entire process, and he's done a lot for this community," he said.In addition to Pecking Order and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Verdant.Bistro">Verdant Bistro</a>, Petz also owns <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565800494586">Tiger Station</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555862908901">Shirley’s German To Go</a>, which he acquired in a package deal.Kluckin’ Chicken closed on Jan. 1 due to financial struggles, declining customer interest and branding challenges, prompting a complete rebrand that Petz aims to establish as a standout in Hays.Pecking Order is open&nbsp;from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.&nbsp;You can order online at Pecking Order's <a href="https://peckingorderchicken.square.site/">website </a>and follow the restaurant on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572178404623">Facebook</a>.

Pecking Order brings chef-driven fried chicken to Hays

TOPEKA — A documentary about a local central Kansas attraction received a 2nd place award in the recently announced Festival of Media Arts competition. 

The Garden of Eden, located in Lucas earned this prestigious award in the short form documentary category. 

The awards were announced by the Broadcast Education Association (Washington, DC) for projects completed in 2024. The BEA Festival is the preeminent international media competition focused on student and faculty creative endeavors. Over 1,700 submissions were entered in 60 different categories ranging from audio, video, interactive multimedia, news, scriptwriting and sports. 

Ryan Schuckman, a graduate of Hays High School and a junior in the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University created the documentary by researching the project, shooting the rough footage, obtaining supplemental historical images, editing the footage and mixing the final audio/video piece.&nbsp;He also arranged and conducted the interview with Ericka Nelson, the Cultural Resources Director for the Garden of Eden.

The documentary has been featured on Smoky Hills PBS, Bunker Hill, Tiger Media Network and various other social media sites. 

The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) is an international academic media organization promoting excellence in media production and career advancement for educators, students and professionals. The BEA is devoted to multimedia research and teaching, and retains the historical purpose to prepare college students interested in telecommunications and electronic mass media for careers in radio and television.&nbsp;

Links: <a href="https://beaweb.org/festival/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-student-win.pdf">https://beaweb.org/festival/wp-ontent/uploads/2025/02/2025-student-win.pdf</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORGRlYFpL_o">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORGRlYFpL_o</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://beaweb.org/wp">https://beaweb.org/wp</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740072510439.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Discover KSTOPEKA — A documentary about a local central Kansas attraction received a 2nd place award in the recently announced Festival of Media Arts competition. The Garden of Eden, located in Lucas earned this prestigious award in the short form documentary category. The awards were announced by the Broadcast Education Association (Washington, DC) for projects completed in 2024. The BEA Festival is the preeminent international media competition focused on student and faculty creative endeavors. Over 1,700 submissions were entered in 60 different categories ranging from audio, video, interactive multimedia, news, scriptwriting and sports. Ryan Schuckman, a graduate of Hays High School and a junior in the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University created the documentary by researching the project, shooting the rough footage, obtaining supplemental historical images, editing the footage and mixing the final audio/video piece.&nbsp;He also arranged and conducted the interview with Ericka Nelson, the Cultural Resources Director for the Garden of Eden.The documentary has been featured on Smoky Hills PBS, Bunker Hill, Tiger Media Network and various other social media sites. The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) is an international academic media organization promoting excellence in media production and career advancement for educators, students and professionals. The BEA is devoted to multimedia research and teaching, and retains the historical purpose to prepare college students interested in telecommunications and electronic mass media for careers in radio and television.&nbsp;Links: <a href="https://beaweb.org/festival/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-student-win.pdf">https://beaweb.org/festival/wp-ontent/uploads/2025/02/2025-student-win.pdf</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORGRlYFpL_o">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORGRlYFpL_o</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://beaweb.org/wp">https://beaweb.org/wp</a>

National award for FHSU student for Garden of Eden documentary

Ellis County has been hosting annual Severe Weather/Storm Spotter Preparedness Presentations for staff and the general public to attend and it is that time of year again.

The National Weather Service in Dodge City will be putting on the presentations at the Ellis County Emergency Services Building, located at 1105 E. 22nd St., Hays, KS 67601, in the basement training/EOC room. 

The presentations will be on Thursday, March 6. There will be two times available for personnel and the public to attend. The first presentation will begin at 3 p.m. with the next beginning at 6 p.m.

There is no registration necessary and those interested need only report to the above location prior to either start time. The presentations will be approximately one hour in length and cover the basics of Kansas weather. These preparedness talks are great for the seasoned storm chaser and those who are new to Kansas weather. Please consider attending if the weather has ever interested you!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740163356856.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis County has been hosting annual Severe Weather/Storm Spotter Preparedness Presentations for staff and the general public to attend and it is that time of year again.The National Weather Service in Dodge City will be putting on the presentations at the Ellis County Emergency Services Building, located at 1105 E. 22nd St., Hays, KS 67601, in the basement training/EOC room. The presentations will be on Thursday, March 6. There will be two times available for personnel and the public to attend. The first presentation will begin at 3 p.m. with the next beginning at 6 p.m.There is no registration necessary and those interested need only report to the above location prior to either start time. The presentations will be approximately one hour in length and cover the basics of Kansas weather. These preparedness talks are great for the seasoned storm chaser and those who are new to Kansas weather. Please consider attending if the weather has ever interested you!

Ellis County hosts storm spotting training for March 6

Sixteen students, eight faculty members, and three administrators from Fort Hays State University traveled to Manhattan for the 23rd annual Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Symposium, held on January 17-19. This event, led by the University of Kansas Medical Center, aims to prepare and inspire promising students for careers in bioscience.

FHSU participants, along with those of nine other institutions in Kansas and Oklahoma, presented their research through oral and poster presentations over the course of the event. 

The following faculty and students from FHSU participated in the event:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colson Browning – Salina&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Hannah Nimmo – Wolfe&nbsp;City, Texas

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Griffin Davies – Holton &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Braden Allphin – Topeka

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kelly Chen – Wichita &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Claire Shippy – Hays &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Yue Fan – China &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hazel Frans – Overland Park &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cadee Haugsness – Topeka

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kwesi Taylor – Ghana

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gregory Smith – Bellingham, Washington &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Louisa Acquah – Ghana

KAMS Alumni and current FHSU biology major Hazel Frans was one of ten presenters selected for the Award of Excellence at the 2025 K-INBRE Symposium for her poster entitled “Impact of CRISPR-induced mutations on Arabidopsis thaliana gene APETALA3 sites AP3-3 and AP3-5.” Held at the InterContinental Hotel in Kansas City, Frans’s poster was judged on appearance, content, oral presentation, and relevance.

"Attending my first K-INBRE Symposium was an incredible experience,” Frans said. “I had the opportunity to connect with talented scientists from Kansas and Oklahoma, explore career paths through the Undergraduate Career Panel, and engage in insightful discussions on biomedical research. Presenting my work during the poster sessions was exciting, and the highlight of the conference was receiving an Award of Excellence for my presentation."

K-INBRE&nbsp;is a multi-disciplinary network designed to inspire undergraduates to pursue careers in biomedical research, enhance research capacity through faculty development and retention, and expand the biomedical research infrastructure connecting several academic institutions. More information about the program can be found at <a href="https://www.k-inbre.org/">www.k-inbre.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740068360955.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State biology student Hazel Frans presenting her research at the 23rd annual K-INBRE Symposium. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State biology student Hazel Frans presenting her research at the 23rd annual K-INBRE Symposium. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsSixteen students, eight faculty members, and three administrators from Fort Hays State University traveled to Manhattan for the 23rd annual Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Symposium, held on January 17-19. This event, led by the University of Kansas Medical Center, aims to prepare and inspire promising students for careers in bioscience.FHSU participants, along with those of nine other institutions in Kansas and Oklahoma, presented their research through oral and poster presentations over the course of the event. The following faculty and students from FHSU participated in the event:Dr. Maggi Braasch-Turi&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colson Browning – Salina&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Hannah Nimmo – Wolfe&nbsp;City, TexasDr. James Balthazor&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Griffin Davies – Holton &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Braden Allphin – TopekaDr. Tara Phelps-Durr&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kelly Chen – Wichita &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Claire Shippy – Hays &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Yue Fan – China &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hazel Frans – Overland Park &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cadee Haugsness – TopekaDr. Ifelayo Adefuye&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kwesi Taylor – GhanaDr. Michael Gruenstaeudl&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gregory Smith – Bellingham, Washington &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Louisa Acquah – GhanaKAMS Alumni and current FHSU biology major Hazel Frans was one of ten presenters selected for the Award of Excellence at the 2025 K-INBRE Symposium for her poster entitled “Impact of CRISPR-induced mutations on Arabidopsis thaliana gene APETALA3 sites AP3-3 and AP3-5.” Held at the InterContinental Hotel in Kansas City, Frans’s poster was judged on appearance, content, oral presentation, and relevance."Attending my first K-INBRE Symposium was an incredible experience,” Frans said. “I had the opportunity to connect with talented scientists from Kansas and Oklahoma, explore career paths through the Undergraduate Career Panel, and engage in insightful discussions on biomedical research. Presenting my work during the poster sessions was exciting, and the highlight of the conference was receiving an Award of Excellence for my presentation."About K-INBRE:K-INBRE&nbsp;is a multi-disciplinary network designed to inspire undergraduates to pursue careers in biomedical research, enhance research capacity through faculty development and retention, and expand the biomedical research infrastructure connecting several academic institutions. More information about the program can be found at <a href="https://www.k-inbre.org/">www.k-inbre.org</a>.

FHSU student recognized for outstanding research at biomedical symposium

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740406935181.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>

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Cottonwood Extension District had hoped to provide the Babysitting 101 earlier this year but due to the weather and illness, it was postponed. 

March 10 is the new date. It is an in-service day for USD 489 students. We understand this won’t work for everyone, but hopefully we will be able to provide more of these throughout the year to reach all area youth.

The Babysitting 101 Curriculum is designed to help middle school and teenaged youth (11-15 years old) learn what it takes to be a responsible, caring, trustworthy, competent, capable, and safe babysitter for children toddler through school age.

They will also develop “life skills” such as caring, managing resources, decision-making and communication. Each activity notes at least one life skill and uses the experiential learning or “hands-on learning to reinforce it.” Based on the discussions your teens have during the class, you may find they are learning other skills. That is great! The more skills they use and practice, the better.

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

Michelle Beran, Cottonwood Extension District 4-H Youth Development Agent, will be the instructor for the class. She has many years experience teaching this class in Great Bend. We are excited to welcome her to the Hays office.

The cost is $10 for supplies and snacks. Please call the office to register your child or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.edu. Limited spots available.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739889456856.jpeg" alt="Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictCottonwood Extension District had hoped to provide the Babysitting 101 earlier this year but due to the weather and illness, it was postponed. March 10 is the new date. It is an in-service day for USD 489 students. We understand this won’t work for everyone, but hopefully we will be able to provide more of these throughout the year to reach all area youth.The Babysitting 101 Curriculum is designed to help middle school and teenaged youth (11-15 years old) learn what it takes to be a responsible, caring, trustworthy, competent, capable, and safe babysitter for children toddler through school age.They will also develop “life skills” such as caring, managing resources, decision-making and communication. Each activity notes at least one life skill and uses the experiential learning or “hands-on learning to reinforce it.” Based on the discussions your teens have during the class, you may find they are learning other skills. That is great! The more skills they use and practice, the better.Teens learn about the ages and stages of child growth and development, safety, food and nutrition, how to handle emergencies, appropriate activities to implement with children, and the business of babysitting.Michelle Beran, Cottonwood Extension District 4-H Youth Development Agent, will be the instructor for the class. She has many years experience teaching this class in Great Bend. We are excited to welcome her to the Hays office.The cost is $10 for supplies and snacks. Please call the office to register your child or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.edu. Limited spots available.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. You may reach her at:785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: Babysitting 101 rescheduled for March 10

KDHE TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Kensington public water supply system located in Smith County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on February 24 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-476-2668, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000195391f70a1-2008741f-b9cb-4e0f-8132-4a1601316293-000000/vM9kG_7dX_3oduKQgfQyPh6TtB7ZLxgpCcQON5F7k14=393">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

KDHE TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Kensington public water supply system located in Smith County.Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:<ul>
 <li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.</li><li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on February 24 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-476-2668, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000195391f70a1-2008741f-b9cb-4e0f-8132-4a1601316293-000000/vM9kG_7dX_3oduKQgfQyPh6TtB7ZLxgpCcQON5F7k14=393">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Kensington, Smith County

Ellis County Jail bookings: Feb. 16-22, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Feb. 16-22, 2025

An event coming in March will celebrate inclusion with dance.

Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is a vibrant dance recital in Hays.

The free event, which will take place on March 2 at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University, begins with raffle sales at 4 p.m. and ends with the show at 5 p.m.

DSNWK, Styles Dance Centre and two high school students are leading the event to raise funds and awareness for individuals with disabilities.

Hays High School senior Allison Dreiling and Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Macara Rohr have long participated in Dancing Together and are now choreographing and planning the event.

"Music is such a good thing for individuals with disabilities, and it just reaches a different part of their brain. They all love it so much," Dreiling said.

"Getting to see their faces is so much fun," Rohr said. "Getting to be more a part of it was a big thing for me."

Dancing Together includes a raffle with donated baskets from local businesses and community members. Proceeds benefit DSNWK's Spring Fling, an annual gathering for individuals with disabilities across 18 counties.

Raffle prizes include coolers, sneakers and gift cards. Tickets are priced at $1 each, $5 for six and $20 for 25.

Styles Dance Centre owner Alyssa DeChant said the event originated from a Fort Hays State University leadership class. It has since grown into an annual tradition and is Rohr's chosen class project with assistance from Dreiling.

"It really is inspiring. It's truly my favorite show of our season," DeChant said.

The Dancing Together event has been in the works since December and brings together participants ages 5 to 60 as they prepare to take the stage for their big performance.

Alison Krier of DSNWK said their clients were excited when they learned about the practice. They asked about it daily until they arrived at the center to rehearse in large and small groups.

"They have a blast when they get here. They're very excited," Krier said. "They enjoy meeting all of the different partners that they get assigned with, being able to have a fun day out of classes and day services."

Steve Keil, DSNWK's development director, enjoys watching connections form between the dancers and the individuals his organization serves.

"Inclusion is a real possibility. Inclusion is part of how we should be as a community and society," Keil said.

You can follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dsnwk">DSNWK </a>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stylesdancecentre">Styles Dance Centre</a> on Facebook.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066284241.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants at rehearsal at the Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Courtesy Photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants at rehearsal at the Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Courtesy Photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostAn event coming in March will celebrate inclusion with dance.Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is a vibrant dance recital in Hays.The free event, which will take place on March 2 at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University, begins with raffle sales at 4 p.m. and ends with the show at 5 p.m.DSNWK, Styles Dance Centre and two high school students are leading the event to raise funds and awareness for individuals with disabilities.Hays High School senior Allison Dreiling and Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Macara Rohr have long participated in Dancing Together and are now choreographing and planning the event."Music is such a good thing for individuals with disabilities, and it just reaches a different part of their brain. They all love it so much," Dreiling said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066387362.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for&nbsp;Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for&nbsp;Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066430674.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"Getting to see their faces is so much fun," Rohr said. "Getting to be more a part of it was a big thing for me."Dancing Together includes a raffle with donated baskets from local businesses and community members. Proceeds benefit DSNWK's Spring Fling, an annual gathering for individuals with disabilities across 18 counties.Raffle prizes include coolers, sneakers and gift cards. Tickets are priced at $1 each, $5 for six and $20 for 25.Styles Dance Centre owner Alyssa DeChant said the event originated from a Fort Hays State University leadership class. It has since grown into an annual tradition and is Rohr's chosen class project with assistance from Dreiling."It really is inspiring. It's truly my favorite show of our season," DeChant said.The Dancing Together event has been in the works since December and brings together participants ages 5 to 60 as they prepare to take the stage for their big performance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066473719.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066574376.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Alison Krier of DSNWK said their clients were excited when they learned about the practice. They asked about it daily until they arrived at the center to rehearse in large and small groups."They have a blast when they get here. They're very excited," Krier said. "They enjoy meeting all of the different partners that they get assigned with, being able to have a fun day out of classes and day services."Steve Keil, DSNWK's development director, enjoys watching connections form between the dancers and the individuals his organization serves."Inclusion is a real possibility. Inclusion is part of how we should be as a community and society," Keil said.You can follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dsnwk">DSNWK </a>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stylesdancecentre">Styles Dance Centre</a> on Facebook.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066643347.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740066680000.jpeg" alt="Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas participants rehearsing at Styles Dance Centre in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

Dancing Together for DSNWK set for March 2 in Hays

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will host an open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, to provide information on the upcoming closure of K-23 in Sheridan County.

The event will be held at the Hoxie Community Center, 820 Main Street, in Hoxie. 

Attendees may stop in at their convenience during the event to review project details and detour information. KDOT and project staff will also be available for questions. No formal presentation will be given.

The closure is scheduled to begin Monday, March 31, and is necessary for the modernization of six miles of K-23 between County Road 70 (CR-406) and Walnut Avenue in Hoxie. 

KDOT expects to reopen the highway in the fall and fully complete the project in early 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739902891919.jpeg" alt="Kansas Department of Transportation" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Department of Transportation</figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTNORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will host an open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, to provide information on the upcoming closure of K-23 in Sheridan County.The event will be held at the Hoxie Community Center, 820 Main Street, in Hoxie. Attendees may stop in at their convenience during the event to review project details and detour information. KDOT and project staff will also be available for questions. No formal presentation will be given.The closure is scheduled to begin Monday, March 31, and is necessary for the modernization of six miles of K-23 between County Road 70 (CR-406) and Walnut Avenue in Hoxie. KDOT expects to reopen the highway in the fall and fully complete the project in early 2026.

KDOT to hold open house for K-23 closure 

THOMAS COUNTY —Law enforcement in northwest Kansas are investigating a suspect&nbsp;

Just after 1:30p.m. Sunday, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office initiated a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle reported out of Sheridan County, according to a media release. The pursuit proceeded through various areas of Thomas County before ultimately ending in a field after a prolonged 5-hour negotiation with the suspect.

Thanks to the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, the situation concluded safely with the suspect taken into custody without incident. We are pleased to report there were no injuries to law enforcement officers or the suspect during the operation.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the suspect or possible charges.

The Thomas County Sheriff thanked the Kansas Highway Patrol. Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support, Sheridan County Sheriff's Office, Decatur County Sheriff's Office, Rawlins County Sheriff's Office Thomas County EMS, the&nbsp;Colby Dispatch and the staff at McCarty Dairy for their invaluable assistance, providing useful equipment during the operation that contributed to a safe and successful resolution during the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740395480937.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY —Law enforcement in northwest Kansas are investigating a suspect&nbsp;Just after 1:30p.m. Sunday, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office initiated a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle reported out of Sheridan County, according to a media release. The pursuit proceeded through various areas of Thomas County before ultimately ending in a field after a prolonged 5-hour negotiation with the suspect.Thanks to the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, the situation concluded safely with the suspect taken into custody without incident. We are pleased to report there were no injuries to law enforcement officers or the suspect during the operation.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the suspect or possible charges.The Thomas County Sheriff thanked the Kansas Highway Patrol. Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support, Sheridan County Sheriff's Office, Decatur County Sheriff's Office, Rawlins County Sheriff's Office Thomas County EMS, the&nbsp;Colby Dispatch and the staff at McCarty Dairy for their invaluable assistance, providing useful equipment during the operation that contributed to a safe and successful resolution during the incident.

5-hour standoff: Stolen vehicle suspect jailed in NW Kansas

BriefSpace is located at 219 W. 10th, Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739898727085.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Grow Hays BriefSpace is located at 219 W. 10th, Hays.

Housing update to be presented by Grow Hays at March 11 lunch

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Changing the diet is hard. Some of us get into a routine of choosing the same foods at the grocery store, ordering “the regular,” and making our go-to meals. Most of the time, this is not a bad thing. It creates less stress and less food waste.

However, sometimes we wish to change our dietary preferences. This may be to cope with health conditions, aim for weight loss, or prevent illness. If you have ever tried to change your eating patterns, you know it can be challenging.

But what if you could make changes to reframe how you eat, not what you eat, to find success?

Simply put, the American way of eating is not always conducive to achieving health goals. Cultural norms like skipping meals, snacking, and mindless eating make it challenging to fuel up properly. So, here are a few ways to reframe how you eat to help you meet your nutrition goals.

 Since childhood, you have likely heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although it may not be more significant than other meals, a high protein breakfast can help you achieve your goals by balancing blood sugar and fueling your day.

When we fuel the tank before the race, we aren’t running on fumes the entire day. However, undereating at the beginning of the day can cause overindulgence in the evening. Contrarily, having your largest meal of the day at breakfast instead of dinner can improve metabolism, digestion, and sleep. Overall, eating breakfast regularly can reduce extreme evening hunger, sugar cravings, and late-night grazing.

Instead, aim to have complete, fulfilling meals that can provide sustainable energy. Balanced meals with fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats are shown to be&nbsp;satiating, and eating enough at mealtimes can reduce unplanned snacking. Often times snacking adds unaccounted calories and includes processed, convenience foods.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Winkel" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel</figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictChanging the diet is hard. Some of us get into a routine of choosing the same foods at the grocery store, ordering “the regular,” and making our go-to meals. Most of the time, this is not a bad thing. It creates less stress and less food waste.However, sometimes we wish to change our dietary preferences. This may be to cope with health conditions, aim for weight loss, or prevent illness. If you have ever tried to change your eating patterns, you know it can be challenging.But what if you could make changes to reframe how you eat, not what you eat, to find success?Simply put, the American way of eating is not always conducive to achieving health goals. Cultural norms like skipping meals, snacking, and mindless eating make it challenging to fuel up properly. So, here are a few ways to reframe how you eat to help you meet your nutrition goals.First, breakfast like a champion. Since childhood, you have likely heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although it may not be more significant than other meals, a high protein breakfast can help you achieve your goals by balancing blood sugar and fueling your day.When we fuel the tank before the race, we aren’t running on fumes the entire day. However, undereating at the beginning of the day can cause overindulgence in the evening. Contrarily, having your largest meal of the day at breakfast instead of dinner can improve metabolism, digestion, and sleep. Overall, eating breakfast regularly can reduce extreme evening hunger, sugar cravings, and late-night grazing.Next, don’t skimp on meals.Instead, aim to have complete, fulfilling meals that can provide sustainable energy. Balanced meals with fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats are shown to be&nbsp;satiating, and eating enough at mealtimes can reduce unplanned snacking. Often times snacking adds unaccounted calories and includes processed, convenience foods.Finally, be fully present as you eat. Mindful eating can help you to enjoy your food and prevent overeating. By engaging all your senses as you eat, you slow down and improve digestion. You are also more conscious of hunger cues and can better distinguish between physical and emotional hunger.The human brain is incapable of multitasking, so eliminating screen time during meals is essential. This allows us to tune into the body’s hunger and fullness cues and to create a healthier relationship with food.Improving your eating style, like adding more vegetables, reducing processed foods, or drinking more water, is challenging. Plus, trying to make changes overnight can feel impossible. So, consider creating better mealtime habits first because how you eat can make it easier to adjust what you eat.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.&nbsp;