By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could soon assist American consumers in reaching better health.

A recent proposal from the FDA for front-of-package nutrition labeling for food products in the U.S. may make Americans more aware of the foods they consume. 

The additional label will only give information for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. It will also classify foods as low, medium, or high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar to the particular food product.

The full Nutrition Facts label will still be on food packages, Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee shares.

“The goal is to give consumers more information to make informed decisions when purchasing packaged foods,” she said. “For those with certain health conditions, this can make it easier to shop for foods that are good choices for them.”

The Nutrition Facts label, typically located on the back or right side of food can be challenging to understand. However, a simple label on the front of the package will remove confusion regarding the nutritional value of any particular food product.

“It can increase nutrition transparency in an easy-to-read format,” Blakeslee said.

Front-of-package nutrition labeling is already used in many countries, including Canada and Mexico. Currently, in the U.S., food manufacturers can voluntarily add front-of-package labels, called Facts Up Front.

Current federal dietary recommendations advise U.S. consumers to limit their intake of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar to achieve a nutrient-dense diet within calorie limits.

However, only one-third of adults in the U.S. meet the saturated fat dietary guidelines, while over 75% consume more than the recommended sodium intake, and less than half meet the guidelines for added sugar intake.

The FDA’s proposal is only currently in the comment phase. 

However, I encourage you to read nutrition labels on the food products you use regularly. Keeping an eye out for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar is a simple way to better understand what you consume. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions for your personal wellness goals.

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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Winkel, Cottonwood Extension District&nbsp;Family and Community Wellness Agent. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel, Cottonwood Extension District&nbsp;Family and Community Wellness Agent. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could soon assist American consumers in reaching better health.A recent proposal from the FDA for front-of-package nutrition labeling for food products in the U.S. may make Americans more aware of the foods they consume. The additional label will only give information for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. It will also classify foods as low, medium, or high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar to the particular food product.The full Nutrition Facts label will still be on food packages, Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee shares.“The goal is to give consumers more information to make informed decisions when purchasing packaged foods,” she said. “For those with certain health conditions, this can make it easier to shop for foods that are good choices for them.”The Nutrition Facts label, typically located on the back or right side of food can be challenging to understand. However, a simple label on the front of the package will remove confusion regarding the nutritional value of any particular food product.“It can increase nutrition transparency in an easy-to-read format,” Blakeslee said.Front-of-package nutrition labeling is already used in many countries, including Canada and Mexico. Currently, in the U.S., food manufacturers can voluntarily add front-of-package labels, called Facts Up Front.Current federal dietary recommendations advise U.S. consumers to limit their intake of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar to achieve a nutrient-dense diet within calorie limits.However, only one-third of adults in the U.S. meet the saturated fat dietary guidelines, while over 75% consume more than the recommended sodium intake, and less than half meet the guidelines for added sugar intake.The FDA’s proposal is only currently in the comment phase. However, I encourage you to read nutrition labels on the food products you use regularly. Keeping an eye out for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar is a simple way to better understand what you consume. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions for your personal wellness goals.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;

WINKEL: FDA proposes ‘Facts Up Front’ nutrition labels

<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/2025/2/1739573086626.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

GREAT BEND&nbsp; — Barton Community College in Great Bend has named 312 students to the Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester. 

To qualify for this honor, students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.99 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.

Area students making the Dean's List include:

ALBERT Baileigh Drake Benjamin Espinosa&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CLAFLIN Emma Hickel Hunter Klima Marilyn Soeken&nbsp;&nbsp;

CLAY CENTER Chayla Maichel Elaine Sleichter Gage Wilson&nbsp;

ELLINWOOD Justice Batt Bryan Jaske Eva Quintana Schartz Branden Rapp Brittany Simpson&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;GREAT BEND Roselyn Bayona Damian Calzada Brissa Caro Uriel Castruita Jalen Daniels Braya Darnall&nbsp; Jaydon Davis Treyton Dove Zachery Gaddis&nbsp; Adison Galusha Yadhira Gonzalez Emma Grandclair Jaden Hartshorn Lieu Hoang Iris Ibarra&nbsp; Gabriale Jacobs Kamryn Johns Tiffany Lewing David Leyva Ellie Lutt Alessandra Madrid&nbsp; Andrew McQuade Abigail Miller Cody Miller Mohamed Sayedah Mohamed Jorge Pena&nbsp; Dru Penka Johana Perales&nbsp;&nbsp; Nineth Pereyra Zuany Audra Schaffner&nbsp; Gabriel Schaffner Georgia Schwager&nbsp; Cassandra Sexton Kaleigh Sheets&nbsp; &nbsp;

HAYS Lauren Benjamin Kennedy Brown

HOISINGTON Kendall Mason Shamara Mora Lexus Petersilie Deryk Yott&nbsp;

&nbsp;LARNED Zane Burger Jason Crabbs Ayisha Milius Maverick Munden James Seeman Christopher Shadden Carson Shaver Eddie Terhune Cyrus Zayas&nbsp; Shannon Zink&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

MCCRACKEN Carson North

 &nbsp; &nbsp;

NESS CITY Emiliano Araiza-Bejarano Andrea Lopez

OAKLEY Maya Rodriguez&nbsp; 

OSBORNE Stasha Conway 

OTIS Eston Juno

&nbsp; &nbsp; 

PHILLIPSBURG Leyla Karim

RUSSELL Kierra Eck&nbsp; &nbsp;

WAKEENEY Kya O'Banion&nbsp;&nbsp;

WILSON Hadleigh Davis London Love&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603212700151.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BCCGREAT BEND&nbsp; — Barton Community College in Great Bend has named 312 students to the Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester. To qualify for this honor, students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.99 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.Area students making the Dean's List include:ALBERT Baileigh Drake Benjamin Espinosa&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CLAFLIN Emma Hickel Hunter Klima Marilyn Soeken&nbsp;&nbsp; CLAY CENTER Chayla Maichel Elaine Sleichter Gage Wilson&nbsp;ELLINWOOD Justice Batt Bryan Jaske Eva Quintana Schartz Branden Rapp Brittany Simpson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GREAT BEND Roselyn Bayona Damian Calzada Brissa Caro Uriel Castruita Jalen Daniels Braya Darnall&nbsp; Jaydon Davis Treyton Dove Zachery Gaddis&nbsp; Adison Galusha Yadhira Gonzalez Emma Grandclair Jaden Hartshorn Lieu Hoang Iris Ibarra&nbsp; Gabriale Jacobs Kamryn Johns Tiffany Lewing David Leyva Ellie Lutt Alessandra Madrid&nbsp; Andrew McQuade Abigail Miller Cody Miller Mohamed Sayedah Mohamed Jorge Pena&nbsp; Dru Penka Johana Perales&nbsp;&nbsp; Nineth Pereyra Zuany Audra Schaffner&nbsp; Gabriel Schaffner Georgia Schwager&nbsp; Cassandra Sexton Kaleigh Sheets&nbsp; &nbsp;HAYS Lauren Benjamin Kennedy Brown HOISINGTON Kendall Mason Shamara Mora Lexus Petersilie Deryk Yott&nbsp; &nbsp;LARNED Zane Burger Jason Crabbs Ayisha Milius Maverick Munden James Seeman Christopher Shadden Carson Shaver Eddie Terhune Cyrus Zayas&nbsp; Shannon Zink&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;MCCRACKEN Carson North

 &nbsp; &nbsp;NESS CITY Emiliano Araiza-Bejarano Andrea Lopez OAKLEY Maya Rodriguez&nbsp; 

OSBORNE Stasha Conway 

OTIS Eston Juno

&nbsp; &nbsp; 

PHILLIPSBURG Leyla Karim RUSSELL Kierra Eck&nbsp; &nbsp;WAKEENEY Kya O'Banion&nbsp;&nbsp;WILSON Hadleigh Davis London Love&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays students among those on Barton Community College Dean's List

GREAT BEND — Barton Community College has named 293 students to the President’s List for the fall 2024 semester. 

To qualify for this honor students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.

Area students on the President's List include:

ALBERT Kolton Maneth&nbsp; &nbsp;

CLAFLIN Peyton Ryan Mollie Steiner&nbsp;

CLAY CENTER Audrey Reh&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; COLBY Kamrynn Elling&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

ELLINWOOD Makayla Burton Olivia Herrman Brooklin Morgan Haley Rugan&nbsp; &nbsp;

ELLIS Kaiden Colby Jarret Mader&nbsp;

ELLSWORTH Mitchell Ebihara&nbsp; &nbsp;

GREAT BEND Selena Armstrong Clarissa Bashor Anna Campbell Xavier Carey&nbsp; Kaden Deines Emilee Hall Avah Holden Kadynce Jean Vada Kaiser Emily Kuykendall Breonna Landers Skyler McMullen Esten Moore Macy Nachtigal&nbsp; Rowan Orth-Johnson Alexa Overman Laura Patzner Valeria Piedra Kimberly Reyes Pilo Maleigha Ribordy&nbsp; Charley Sander&nbsp; Cody Wells Karter Wolf

HAYS Justin Esner&nbsp;&nbsp;

HOISINGTON Taelur Barnes&nbsp; Elliott Copp&nbsp; Kiana Grandclair Kevin Patterson&nbsp; &nbsp; KANOPOLIS Kylee Maddox
 LA CROSSE Mariah Werth&nbsp; 

LARNED Cagney Lemuz Deacon Martin Corbyn Nance Danial VanBebber Alexandra Zook-Cochran 

MANKATO Lauren Whelchel 

NORTON David Porter Matthew Rushton

&nbsp; &nbsp; 

OTIS Chloe Schenk 

RUSSELL Kelvie Reeves Madison Sohm 

ST. JOHN Logan Sanders Angel Ibarra

STOCKTON Cecelia Barnard Tierra Yohon&nbsp;

VICTORIA Brooklyn Nowak&nbsp; WILSON Matthew Adams Calli Sheridan&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College, Great Bend" />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College, Great Bend</figcaption>
 </figure>BCCGREAT BEND — Barton Community College has named 293 students to the President’s List for the fall 2024 semester. To qualify for this honor students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.Area students on the President's List include:ALBERT Kolton Maneth&nbsp; &nbsp;CLAFLIN Peyton Ryan Mollie Steiner&nbsp;CLAY CENTER Audrey Reh&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; COLBY Kamrynn Elling&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DORRANCE Brady Mermis&nbsp;ELLINWOOD Makayla Burton Olivia Herrman Brooklin Morgan Haley Rugan&nbsp; &nbsp; ELLIS Kaiden Colby Jarret Mader&nbsp;ELLSWORTH Mitchell Ebihara&nbsp; &nbsp;GREAT BEND Selena Armstrong Clarissa Bashor Anna Campbell Xavier Carey&nbsp; Kaden Deines Emilee Hall Avah Holden Kadynce Jean Vada Kaiser Emily Kuykendall Breonna Landers Skyler McMullen Esten Moore Macy Nachtigal&nbsp; Rowan Orth-Johnson Alexa Overman Laura Patzner Valeria Piedra Kimberly Reyes Pilo Maleigha Ribordy&nbsp; Charley Sander&nbsp; Cody Wells Karter Wolf HAYS Justin Esner&nbsp;&nbsp; HOISINGTON Taelur Barnes&nbsp; Elliott Copp&nbsp; Kiana Grandclair Kevin Patterson&nbsp; &nbsp; KANOPOLIS Kylee Maddox
 LA CROSSE Mariah Werth&nbsp; 

LARNED Cagney Lemuz Deacon Martin Corbyn Nance Danial VanBebber Alexandra Zook-Cochran 

MANKATO Lauren Whelchel 

NORTON David Porter Matthew Rushton

&nbsp; &nbsp; 

OTIS Chloe Schenk 

RUSSELL Kelvie Reeves Madison Sohm 

ST. JOHN Logan Sanders Angel Ibarra STOCKTON Cecelia Barnard Tierra Yohon&nbsp;VICTORIA Brooklyn Nowak&nbsp; WILSON Matthew Adams Calli Sheridan&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Barton Community College President's List includes Ellis County students

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

I’ve always been intrigued, or maybe confused by people who have reptiles for pets. 

Our pets have always been small dogs that had the run of our backyard, but were free to come curl up beside us in our recliners, too. Having a pet that’s slimy, scaley or that carries a shell around on its back, or one that might take my hand off when I try to pet it, has just never registered with me. 

It all reminds me of a story I read a few years back about a guy in a Kansas City suburb who had a pet alligator named Katfish. So, picture this. You’re a law enforcement officer in Kansas City, MO and you show up one morning at a home to evict the tenant, along with his belongings, only to find his “belongings” included a 7-foot alligator.

On this particular morning, law enforcement officers arrived at the home of Sean Casey in southeast Kansas City, Missouri to evict him from the home he was renting, giving him just a short time to gather his possessions. 

They soon found his possessions included three python snakes, several domesticated dogs and cats, a rabbit named “Dinner” and a 7-foot alligator affectionately called “Katfish”, found lounging in a hot tub behind the house. 

The officers had to enlist the help of animal control officers and the owner of a local exotic wildlife rescue group called Monkey Island. It took five men to remove the gator, and after a lengthy rodeo, Katfish was finally extracted from the hot tub and exiled to Monkey Island.

Casey told officers he got Katfish when he was only 15 to 18 inches long, and now four years later he was 7 feet long and weighed 200 ponds. 

Casey insisted “Gators are not big and ferocious like people think. Katfish doesn’t seem to know he’s an alligator and thinks he’s a dog. He likes to come out and play and sit on my lap. Sometimes he gets kinda’ smelly but he wags his tail when I come home.” Casey said “I tell people I have an alligator that can’t swim and is afraid of the dark and thunderstorms.” Casey told them he fed Katfish chicken nuggets, steak, deer and fish.

I personally think Casey was being really naïve. 

I have to think ol’ Katfish made secret nightly soirees out into the 'hood for snacks. I’ll bet if you only knew, that neighborhood became devoid of most anything else on four legs but Katfish, and was possibly missing a few occupants on two legs as well. 

Parts of Kansas City have a whitetail deer problem and that would have been a novel “natural” solution. Since Kansas deer have never seen the likes of a gator before, ol’ Katfish could probably waltz right up to grazing whitetails, wish them a good evening and invite them for dinner…his dinner, that is. 

It looked like the house where they all lived was very near a pond and not far from the Little Blue River, so after dinner a short waddle to either body of water would allow him to dispose of any remains and no one would have been the wiser (at least for awhile.) 

Katfish must have had a special “Don’t Eat Us” contract with the rest of the pets and the rabbit named Dinner and with Casey, too, for that matter. After all, if Casey were to disappear, who would have paid the electric bill to keep his hot tub warm? 

Casey told reporters he had made Katfish a ramp to get himself in and out of the hot tub and the house, so after his late-night banquet he could just drag his fat and sassy carcass back up the ramp, plop back into his comfy warm hot tub sanctuary and life would be good. He’d be livin’ the dream!

Alligators are illegal to possess in Kansas City, so Katfish remained at Monkey Island. Casey said he would fight to get Katfish back, but animal control told him “That’s not going to happen.”&nbsp;

When asked about Katfish’s new living situation, the owner of Monkey Island told reporters his sanctuary was full because he had to “rescue” two more alligators in the previous couple months. Explaining that rescued alligators need separate pens, he quipped “You can’t just put these guys together, they’d be fighting like dinosaurs.” 

Wait, I thought Casey said “gators are not big and ferocious like people think.”

…I say, isn’t there a Tony Lama factory somewhere close??? 

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors I’ve always been intrigued, or maybe confused by people who have reptiles for pets. Our pets have always been small dogs that had the run of our backyard, but were free to come curl up beside us in our recliners, too. Having a pet that’s slimy, scaley or that carries a shell around on its back, or one that might take my hand off when I try to pet it, has just never registered with me. It all reminds me of a story I read a few years back about a guy in a Kansas City suburb who had a pet alligator named Katfish. So, picture this. You’re a law enforcement officer in Kansas City, MO and you show up one morning at a home to evict the tenant, along with his belongings, only to find his “belongings” included a 7-foot alligator.On this particular morning, law enforcement officers arrived at the home of Sean Casey in southeast Kansas City, Missouri to evict him from the home he was renting, giving him just a short time to gather his possessions. They soon found his possessions included three python snakes, several domesticated dogs and cats, a rabbit named “Dinner” and a 7-foot alligator affectionately called “Katfish”, found lounging in a hot tub behind the house. The officers had to enlist the help of animal control officers and the owner of a local exotic wildlife rescue group called Monkey Island. It took five men to remove the gator, and after a lengthy rodeo, Katfish was finally extracted from the hot tub and exiled to Monkey Island.Casey told officers he got Katfish when he was only 15 to 18 inches long, and now four years later he was 7 feet long and weighed 200 ponds. Casey insisted “Gators are not big and ferocious like people think. Katfish doesn’t seem to know he’s an alligator and thinks he’s a dog. He likes to come out and play and sit on my lap. Sometimes he gets kinda’ smelly but he wags his tail when I come home.” Casey said “I tell people I have an alligator that can’t swim and is afraid of the dark and thunderstorms.” Casey told them he fed Katfish chicken nuggets, steak, deer and fish.I personally think Casey was being really naïve. I have to think ol’ Katfish made secret nightly soirees out into the 'hood for snacks. I’ll bet if you only knew, that neighborhood became devoid of most anything else on four legs but Katfish, and was possibly missing a few occupants on two legs as well. Parts of Kansas City have a whitetail deer problem and that would have been a novel “natural” solution. Since Kansas deer have never seen the likes of a gator before, ol’ Katfish could probably waltz right up to grazing whitetails, wish them a good evening and invite them for dinner…his dinner, that is. It looked like the house where they all lived was very near a pond and not far from the Little Blue River, so after dinner a short waddle to either body of water would allow him to dispose of any remains and no one would have been the wiser (at least for awhile.) Katfish must have had a special “Don’t Eat Us” contract with the rest of the pets and the rabbit named Dinner and with Casey, too, for that matter. After all, if Casey were to disappear, who would have paid the electric bill to keep his hot tub warm? Casey told reporters he had made Katfish a ramp to get himself in and out of the hot tub and the house, so after his late-night banquet he could just drag his fat and sassy carcass back up the ramp, plop back into his comfy warm hot tub sanctuary and life would be good. He’d be livin’ the dream!Alligators are illegal to possess in Kansas City, so Katfish remained at Monkey Island. Casey said he would fight to get Katfish back, but animal control told him “That’s not going to happen.”&nbsp;When asked about Katfish’s new living situation, the owner of Monkey Island told reporters his sanctuary was full because he had to “rescue” two more alligators in the previous couple months. Explaining that rescued alligators need separate pens, he quipped “You can’t just put these guys together, they’d be fighting like dinosaurs.” Wait, I thought Casey said “gators are not big and ferocious like people think.”…I say, isn’t there a Tony Lama factory somewhere close??? Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Katfish the (canine) Gator

Hays Community Theatre plans to take audience members on a hilarious journey through the heartland of family memories when it presents the comedy, “Leaving Iowa,” on Feb. 21-23.

Billed as a toast to the undying dedication to the classic family road trip, the comedy will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. Eighth Street.

The critically acclaimed play by Tim Clue and Spike Manton focuses on Don Browning, a middle-aged writer who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present day to Don’s memories of the annual vacations of his childhood.&nbsp;

"I think audience members will be able to relate to the frustrating and hilarious situations in which Don finds himself, as well as the crazy characters he meets along the way," said director Bill Gasper. "It also has several touching moments as Don reminisces about his father while expressing a few regrets about his past relationship with him."

The play features a cast of 10, five of whom play family members, while the other five members play multiple roles depicting the various people the family meets on their journey. Portraying family members are Jerrett Leiker, Javier Alonzo, Pamela Grizzell, Brooke Leiker and Carter Stephenson. Taking on the multiple character roles are Arron Hardin, Jessica Hamner, Linda Becker, Adam Conkey and Gene Stramel.

“We have a very talented cast who is doing a great job with this play,” Gasper said. “Principal characters are challenged playing old and young versions of themselves, while the multi-role actors have been asked to create multiple distinct characters.”

Gasper said the staging of the play is somewhat unique as it will take place down the center of the theater with audience members seated on both sides. In scenes in which the family is driving, the car is situated on an elevated area at one end, while all other scenes will take place on the floor.

“This is the first time I’ve directed anything like this,” Gasper said. “I saw this done in a production of the show and felt it would be perfect for this particular venue. I think the audience will really enjoy the close proximity of the actors.”

General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at <a href="http://www.hctks.com">www.hctks.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739571563857.png" alt="“Leaving Iowa,” a comedy about family vacations will be presented on Feb. 21-23 at Hays Community Theatre, l121 W. Eighth. Cast members are: Front – Gene Stramel, Arron Hardin, Jerrett Leiker, Linda Becker, Jessica Hamner, Adam Conkey. Back – Brooke Leiker, Javier Alonzo, Pam Grizzell, Carter Stephenson." />
 <figcaption>“Leaving Iowa,” a comedy about family vacations will be presented on Feb. 21-23 at Hays Community Theatre, l121 W. Eighth. Cast members are: Front – Gene Stramel, Arron Hardin, Jerrett Leiker, Linda Becker, Jessica Hamner, Adam Conkey. Back – Brooke Leiker, Javier Alonzo, Pam Grizzell, Carter Stephenson.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Community TheatreHays Community Theatre plans to take audience members on a hilarious journey through the heartland of family memories when it presents the comedy, “Leaving Iowa,” on Feb. 21-23.Billed as a toast to the undying dedication to the classic family road trip, the comedy will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. Eighth Street.The critically acclaimed play by Tim Clue and Spike Manton focuses on Don Browning, a middle-aged writer who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present day to Don’s memories of the annual vacations of his childhood.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739571684756.png" alt="With his car in the shop, Don (Jerrett Leiker) stops off at the local hotel, where he is greeted by an inebriated patron (Jessica Hamner) and a hotel clerk (Gene Stramel) with a mysterious injury, the cause of which is revealed during the show." />
 <figcaption>With his car in the shop, Don (Jerrett Leiker) stops off at the local hotel, where he is greeted by an inebriated patron (Jessica Hamner) and a hotel clerk (Gene Stramel) with a mysterious injury, the cause of which is revealed during the show.</figcaption>
 </figure>"I think audience members will be able to relate to the frustrating and hilarious situations in which Don finds himself, as well as the crazy characters he meets along the way," said director Bill Gasper. "It also has several touching moments as Don reminisces about his father while expressing a few regrets about his past relationship with him."The play features a cast of 10, five of whom play family members, while the other five members play multiple roles depicting the various people the family meets on their journey. Portraying family members are Jerrett Leiker, Javier Alonzo, Pamela Grizzell, Brooke Leiker and Carter Stephenson. Taking on the multiple character roles are Arron Hardin, Jessica Hamner, Linda Becker, Adam Conkey and Gene Stramel.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739571710154.png" alt="While traveling, Don (Jerrett Leiker) meets up with friend and college professor Jack Singer (Adam Conkey), who describes his thoughts about today’s youth." />
 <figcaption>While traveling, Don (Jerrett Leiker) meets up with friend and college professor Jack Singer (Adam Conkey), who describes his thoughts about today’s youth.</figcaption>
 </figure>“We have a very talented cast who is doing a great job with this play,” Gasper said. “Principal characters are challenged playing old and young versions of themselves, while the multi-role actors have been asked to create multiple distinct characters.”Gasper said the staging of the play is somewhat unique as it will take place down the center of the theater with audience members seated on both sides. In scenes in which the family is driving, the car is situated on an elevated area at one end, while all other scenes will take place on the floor.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739571740677.png" alt="When the car’s starter finally gives out, Don (Jerrett Leiker) visits with mechanics Fred and Jamie (Arron Hardin and Linda Becker), the latter of which performs some interesting celebrity impressions." />
 <figcaption>When the car’s starter finally gives out, Don (Jerrett Leiker) visits with mechanics Fred and Jamie (Arron Hardin and Linda Becker), the latter of which performs some interesting celebrity impressions.</figcaption>
 </figure>“This is the first time I’ve directed anything like this,” Gasper said. “I saw this done in a production of the show and felt it would be perfect for this particular venue. I think the audience will really enjoy the close proximity of the actors.”General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at <a href="http://www.hctks.com">www.hctks.com</a>.

Hays Community Theatre to present comedy, ‘Leaving Iowa,’ on Feb. 21-23

<a href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/conquest-of-mexico-chronicles-complex-history-of-spanish-contact-with-new-world">KU News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — The “Conquest of Mexico” is both a misnomer and an oversimplified depiction of history, according to John Schwaller.

“People think there was a plucky group of Spanish swashbucklers who defeated an empire of millions of natives,” said Schwaller, a research adjunct in Latin American studies and history at the University of Kansas and a Hays native.

His new book titled&nbsp;<a href="https://upcolorado.com/inst-meso-studies/item/6653-beyond-cortes-and-montezuma">“Beyond Cortés and Montezuma: The Conquest of Mexico Revisited”</a>&nbsp;was written to set the record straight. The multiauthor effort gathers a diverse collection of scholars from the U.S., Mexico and Europe to examine both European and Nahuatl works, revealing the complex narrative of Spanish contact&nbsp;with the New World and the ensuing conflict, negotiation and cooperation. The book is published by the University Press of Colorado.

Co-edited by Schwaller and Vitus Huber of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, the book revolves around Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of Montezuma’s Aztec Empire and brought portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century.

This account is part of what scholars now term the “new conquest history.”

“It’s where we stop, step back and look at the other aspects of this story. Let’s look at the guys in the trenches. Let’s look at the participation of the natives. Let’s look at these larger cultural issues. How does that inform our understanding of what went on?” Schwaller said.

Even the word “conquest” is a loaded term.

“My chapter, which is the summary in the book, explores the various monikers. My colleague, Vitus, was strongly in favor of calling it ‘Conquista’ — keep it in scare quotes and call it that because of what the Spaniards did,” he said. “I personally prefer calling it the Spanish Invasion of 1519. We have to put the date on it since there were other Spanish invasions, especially in the 19th century.”

Schwaller said he hopes the book “wakes people up to the fact the myths they learned back in fourth or fifth grade by and large aren’t true.”

For instance, he cites a celebrated (albeit apocryphal) moment in which Cortés rebels against Diego Velázquez,&nbsp;the governor of Cuba. To ensure there is no dissension among his own troops, Cortés burns their ships.

“Except it didn’t quite happen that way,” Schwaller said.

“These ships were probably built in Cuba. They’d been in the water for over two years, which means they had only about 6-8 months left before they would have to be keelhauled and essentially rebuilt. That’s because the tropical waters just destroy the timbers due to all the little beasties that live in it. So they grounded all the ships. They took everything important: the sails, the rope, the nails, the cannons — anything made of metal — and they saved it. The rest was just timber, so they burned it.”

“Beyond Cortés” is based on a series of symposia that Schwaller organized at four different conferences. One of these, the International Congress of Americanists slated to meet in Paris in 2020, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to online. This same group of scholars in the U.S., Mexico and Europe became the book’s contributors.

How did these legendary events of 500 years ago shape the world of today?

“Well, obviously they speak Spanish in Mexico,” said Schwaller, a native of Hays.

“But we must understand that the colonial enterprise the Spaniards launched was built upon the labor of native peoples. There were just never enough Spaniards to get everything done that they wanted to get done. Also, Spaniards didn’t cross the Atlantic in order to go to Mexico to raise pigs. They wanted to become filthy, stinking rich. So they provided a ‘land of opportunity,’ if you will. And the colonial regime which Cortés and the others established was very much built upon the exploitation of native labor and local resources.”

Schwaller returned to Kansas to join KU’s faculty in 2021 after a lengthy career in academia that included serving as president of State University of New York at Potsdam. His past books include “Stations of the Cross in Colonial Mexico: The Via crucis en mexicano by Fray Agustin de Vetancurt and the Spread of a Devotion,” “The Fifteenth Month: Aztec History in the Rituals of Panquetzaliztli” and “The First Letter from New Spain: The Lost Petition of Cortés and His Company, June 20, 1519.”

“My work started with studies of the Catholic Church, and then I learned the Aztec language as a graduate student and started really focusing on language documents,” Schwaller said.

“When you put it all into a blender, what comes out is this nexus of religion, religious practice, language and culture that defines my research.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739548008023.jpeg" alt="John Schwaller is a Hays native and a research adjunct in Latin American studies and history at the University of Kansas. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>John Schwaller is a Hays native and a research adjunct in Latin American studies and history at the University of Kansas. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/conquest-of-mexico-chronicles-complex-history-of-spanish-contact-with-new-world">KU News Service</a> LAWRENCE — The “Conquest of Mexico” is both a misnomer and an oversimplified depiction of history, according to John Schwaller.“People think there was a plucky group of Spanish swashbucklers who defeated an empire of millions of natives,” said Schwaller, a research adjunct in Latin American studies and history at the University of Kansas and a Hays native.“That’s not exactly accurate.”His new book titled&nbsp;<a href="https://upcolorado.com/inst-meso-studies/item/6653-beyond-cortes-and-montezuma">“Beyond Cortés and Montezuma: The Conquest of Mexico Revisited”</a>&nbsp;was written to set the record straight. The multiauthor effort gathers a diverse collection of scholars from the U.S., Mexico and Europe to examine both European and Nahuatl works, revealing the complex narrative of Spanish contact&nbsp;with the New World and the ensuing conflict, negotiation and cooperation. The book is published by the University Press of Colorado.Co-edited by Schwaller and Vitus Huber of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, the book revolves around Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of Montezuma’s Aztec Empire and brought portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century.This account is part of what scholars now term the “new conquest history.”“It’s where we stop, step back and look at the other aspects of this story. Let’s look at the guys in the trenches. Let’s look at the participation of the natives. Let’s look at these larger cultural issues. How does that inform our understanding of what went on?” Schwaller said.Even the word “conquest” is a loaded term.<figure>
 <img src="https://news-archive-assets.ku.edu/data/a0/76/01jm01nh63r2gqqzxchwp1xtqr.jpg" alt="Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>“My chapter, which is the summary in the book, explores the various monikers. My colleague, Vitus, was strongly in favor of calling it ‘Conquista’ — keep it in scare quotes and call it that because of what the Spaniards did,” he said. “I personally prefer calling it the Spanish Invasion of 1519. We have to put the date on it since there were other Spanish invasions, especially in the 19th century.”Schwaller said he hopes the book “wakes people up to the fact the myths they learned back in fourth or fifth grade by and large aren’t true.”For instance, he cites a celebrated (albeit apocryphal) moment in which Cortés rebels against Diego Velázquez,&nbsp;the governor of Cuba. To ensure there is no dissension among his own troops, Cortés burns their ships.“Except it didn’t quite happen that way,” Schwaller said.“These ships were probably built in Cuba. They’d been in the water for over two years, which means they had only about 6-8 months left before they would have to be keelhauled and essentially rebuilt. That’s because the tropical waters just destroy the timbers due to all the little beasties that live in it. So they grounded all the ships. They took everything important: the sails, the rope, the nails, the cannons — anything made of metal — and they saved it. The rest was just timber, so they burned it.”“Beyond Cortés” is based on a series of symposia that Schwaller organized at four different conferences. One of these, the International Congress of Americanists slated to meet in Paris in 2020, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to online. This same group of scholars in the U.S., Mexico and Europe became the book’s contributors.How did these legendary events of 500 years ago shape the world of today?“Well, obviously they speak Spanish in Mexico,” said Schwaller, a native of Hays.“But we must understand that the colonial enterprise the Spaniards launched was built upon the labor of native peoples. There were just never enough Spaniards to get everything done that they wanted to get done. Also, Spaniards didn’t cross the Atlantic in order to go to Mexico to raise pigs. They wanted to become filthy, stinking rich. So they provided a ‘land of opportunity,’ if you will. And the colonial regime which Cortés and the others established was very much built upon the exploitation of native labor and local resources.”Schwaller returned to Kansas to join KU’s faculty in 2021 after a lengthy career in academia that included serving as president of State University of New York at Potsdam. His past books include “Stations of the Cross in Colonial Mexico: The Via crucis en mexicano by Fray Agustin de Vetancurt and the Spread of a Devotion,” “The Fifteenth Month: Aztec History in the Rituals of Panquetzaliztli” and “The First Letter from New Spain: The Lost Petition of Cortés and His Company, June 20, 1519.”“My work started with studies of the Catholic Church, and then I learned the Aztec language as a graduate student and started really focusing on language documents,” Schwaller said.“When you put it all into a blender, what comes out is this nexus of religion, religious practice, language and culture that defines my research.”

Book by Hays native, KU research adjunct addresses complex history of Spanish contact with New World

Two Hays Middle School students have been selected to help represent the Kansas soccer team for the <a href="https://odpinterregionalshowcase.com/">Olympic Development Program</a> (ODP) interregional in Memphis, Tennessee this weekend, Feb. 15-17.

Jack Schumacher and Mason Shadley are in the eighth grade at HMS.

Only 18 students are selected from Kansas for the ODP all-star team.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669832494371.jpg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted Two Hays Middle School students have been selected to help represent the Kansas soccer team for the <a href="https://odpinterregionalshowcase.com/">Olympic Development Program</a> (ODP) interregional in Memphis, Tennessee this weekend, Feb. 15-17.Jack Schumacher and Mason Shadley are in the eighth grade at HMS.Only 18 students are selected from Kansas for the ODP all-star team.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739461731489.png" alt="Kansas Olympic Developmental Program roster,&nbsp;ODP Interregional Showcase" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Olympic Developmental Program roster,&nbsp;ODP Interregional Showcase</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;-

Two Hays 8th graders participating in Olympic Development Program for soccer

By MICHAEL SMITH Insight Kansas

As I write, the Kansas House Committee on Judiciary is about to hear <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/hb2348_00_0000.pdf">HB 2348</a>, which would eliminate tenure at higher education institutions governed by the State of Kansas. The bill emerged from a legal dispute between certain faculty members and administrators at Emporia State, yet its consequences would reverberate far beyond that.

Ending academic tenure would lead to a brain drain, with high-achieving professors leaving for other states or private universities that still recognize tenure, potentially costing Kansas hundreds of millions of dollars in grants, gifts, and other external funding. 

No institution would be immune, but the University of Kansas (including KU Medical Center) and K-State would be particularly hard hit. This is exactly why attempts to abolish tenure have been <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/27/texas-university-faculty-tenure-ban-fails/">rejected by conservative Republicans in Texas.</a>

Many believe that tenured professors cannot be fired, but this is false. University policies make clear the expectations held toward faculty, who can be dismissed for breaking the law, violating university policy, or chronic low performance regardless of tenure. Tenured faculty cannot be dismissed without cause, but procedures can and do exist to remove them for cause, and these are indeed used when necessary.

Another common misconception is that tenured faculty cannot be laid off in the event of a university downsizing. This is also false. 

University policy manuals make clear the procedures for suspending or terminating programs. If necessary, faculty whose employment is connected to eliminated programs can be dismissed, even if they have tenure. Granted, these procedures typically call for tenured faculty to be reassigned to other courses or programs rather than being dismissed, if possible. But, if no option for reassignment is feasible, tenured faculty can and have been dismissed despite good work performance, when their programs are ended. 

An excellent case in point <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/05/14/missouri-western-cuts-quarter-faculty-along-programs-history-and-more">happened a few years ago at Missouri Western State University</a>. In 2020, Missouri Western’s administrators were forced to make painful, even devastating budget cuts in response to declines in both enrollments and state support. Throughout the process, administrators communicated with faculty, students, and the community about the criteria being used to make these tough decisions. They partnered with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in order to insure that the core values of academic freedom and shared governance were upheld throughout the process.

If tenure does not grant absolute job security, then why do we have it? <a href="https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure">The answer</a> is this: under no circumstances are tenured professors to be removed from their jobs due to the arbitrary decisions of administrators, or pressure from politicians.

As an example, consider <a href="https://www.thefire.org/news/amy-wax-academic-freedoms-canary-coal-mine">University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax</a>, who supports President Trump and has outspoken, conservative views on race and gender. Penn administrators have tried to fire Wax, but they have been blocked by tenure. Even the efforts they have made to sanction Wax without firing her have been opposed by nonpartisan free speech groups such as Freedom and Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), who have fought for Wax and her tenure just as they would for any professor being targeted due to their controversial, outspoken viewpoints, be they left, right, or center.

Tenure protects academic freedom. It does not confer a lifetime job. In today’s divided political climate, it is just as vital as ever to uphold tenure and the principles of academic freedom, shared governance, and free inquiry that it protects.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700168795368.png" alt="Michael Smith. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL SMITH Insight KansasAs I write, the Kansas House Committee on Judiciary is about to hear <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/hb2348_00_0000.pdf">HB 2348</a>, which would eliminate tenure at higher education institutions governed by the State of Kansas. The bill emerged from a legal dispute between certain faculty members and administrators at Emporia State, yet its consequences would reverberate far beyond that.Ending academic tenure would lead to a brain drain, with high-achieving professors leaving for other states or private universities that still recognize tenure, potentially costing Kansas hundreds of millions of dollars in grants, gifts, and other external funding. No institution would be immune, but the University of Kansas (including KU Medical Center) and K-State would be particularly hard hit. This is exactly why attempts to abolish tenure have been <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/27/texas-university-faculty-tenure-ban-fails/">rejected by conservative Republicans in Texas.</a>Many believe that tenured professors cannot be fired, but this is false. University policies make clear the expectations held toward faculty, who can be dismissed for breaking the law, violating university policy, or chronic low performance regardless of tenure. Tenured faculty cannot be dismissed without cause, but procedures can and do exist to remove them for cause, and these are indeed used when necessary.Another common misconception is that tenured faculty cannot be laid off in the event of a university downsizing. This is also false. University policy manuals make clear the procedures for suspending or terminating programs. If necessary, faculty whose employment is connected to eliminated programs can be dismissed, even if they have tenure. Granted, these procedures typically call for tenured faculty to be reassigned to other courses or programs rather than being dismissed, if possible. But, if no option for reassignment is feasible, tenured faculty can and have been dismissed despite good work performance, when their programs are ended. An excellent case in point <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/05/14/missouri-western-cuts-quarter-faculty-along-programs-history-and-more">happened a few years ago at Missouri Western State University</a>. In 2020, Missouri Western’s administrators were forced to make painful, even devastating budget cuts in response to declines in both enrollments and state support. Throughout the process, administrators communicated with faculty, students, and the community about the criteria being used to make these tough decisions. They partnered with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in order to insure that the core values of academic freedom and shared governance were upheld throughout the process.If tenure does not grant absolute job security, then why do we have it? <a href="https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure">The answer</a> is this: under no circumstances are tenured professors to be removed from their jobs due to the arbitrary decisions of administrators, or pressure from politicians. As an example, consider <a href="https://www.thefire.org/news/amy-wax-academic-freedoms-canary-coal-mine">University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax</a>, who supports President Trump and has outspoken, conservative views on race and gender. Penn administrators have tried to fire Wax, but they have been blocked by tenure. Even the efforts they have made to sanction Wax without firing her have been opposed by nonpartisan free speech groups such as Freedom and Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), who have fought for Wax and her tenure just as they would for any professor being targeted due to their controversial, outspoken viewpoints, be they left, right, or center.Tenure protects academic freedom. It does not confer a lifetime job. In today’s divided political climate, it is just as vital as ever to uphold tenure and the principles of academic freedom, shared governance, and free inquiry that it protects.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Tenure protects academic freedom

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739466044443.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>

HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF Feb 17 – 21, 2025

THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

--Feb. 17 • NO SCHOOL – FACULTY RETREAT

--Feb. 18 • Communion Services w/ Deacon Dave today &amp; Thursday – the priests are on retreat this week. • Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00 p.m. by appointment. • Students can bring change to put in your class Baby Bottle for the Diocese Baby Bottle Drive this week and next week.

--Feb. 19 • Spirit Day. • The Ellis County Historical Society will visit 1A today to show the students artifacts. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 4th grade this afternoon. • Joyful Noise for 5th grade at 2:45 p.m. • Happy Birthday to Justin Brown, PK4, Cecilia Marintzer, 1A, &amp; Elliott Basgall, 5A.

--Feb. 20 • 4th grade will attend H.A.C. “Call of the Wild” at Beach Schmidt at 9:30 a.m. 5th grade will attend “Call of the Wild” as well at 12:45 p.m. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th grade this afternoon. • Next Monday is Spring Picture Day and students have free dress. • Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00 p.m. by appointment. • Happy Birthday to Wyatt Werth, PK4, Laker Kuntzsch, 2A, and Fr. Nick. • Greetings to Colby Schmidt, 2B, Brody Brady, KA, Mrs. Judy Flax, Library Para, Mrs. Toni Whitmer, Office Manager, and Mrs. Kat Hadley, Counselor, who will celebrate birthdays this weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737555085782.png" alt="Holy Family Elementary School, Hays. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Holy Family Elementary School, Hays. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedHOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF Feb 17 – 21, 2025THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!MONDAY--Feb. 17 • NO SCHOOL – FACULTY RETREATTUESDAY--Feb. 18 • Communion Services w/ Deacon Dave today &amp; Thursday – the priests are on retreat this week. • Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00 p.m. by appointment. • Students can bring change to put in your class Baby Bottle for the Diocese Baby Bottle Drive this week and next week.WEDNESDAY--Feb. 19 • Spirit Day. • The Ellis County Historical Society will visit 1A today to show the students artifacts. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 4th grade this afternoon. • Joyful Noise for 5th grade at 2:45 p.m. • Happy Birthday to Justin Brown, PK4, Cecilia Marintzer, 1A, &amp; Elliott Basgall, 5A.THURSDAY--Feb. 20 • 4th grade will attend H.A.C. “Call of the Wild” at Beach Schmidt at 9:30 a.m. 5th grade will attend “Call of the Wild” as well at 12:45 p.m. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th grade this afternoon. • Next Monday is Spring Picture Day and students have free dress. • Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00-6:00 p.m. by appointment. • Happy Birthday to Wyatt Werth, PK4, Laker Kuntzsch, 2A, and Fr. Nick. • Greetings to Colby Schmidt, 2B, Brody Brady, KA, Mrs. Judy Flax, Library Para, Mrs. Toni Whitmer, Office Manager, and Mrs. Kat Hadley, Counselor, who will celebrate birthdays this weekend.FRIDAY--Feb. 21 • NO SCHOOL

Holy Family Elementary School notes, Feb. 17-21

Hays commission updated on R9 Ranch work; water project awaiting transfer panel hearing

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739370398348.png" alt="KSRE Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>KSRE Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted

Free prenatal education program offered in February, March

The Hays Public Library is inviting all ages to participate in a reading challenge, Book Mania!

This reading challenge will be set up like a basketball tournament with each level having four brackets to complete. It’s designed to encourage kids to read a variety of books that match their reading level, and this year the tournament will be expanded to include adults.

Bracket play will begin on February 24th and end on March 31st. Participants will read books in their recommended reading level bracket and vote for their favorite. The four brackets do not have to be completed in order. Each bracket that is completed will be turned in as one raffle entry.

The reading level divisions are Toddler-Pre-K, Kindergarten-2nd Grade (picture or chapter books), 3rd-5th Grade, 6th-8th Grade, 9th-12th Grade, and Adult. The library collaborated with teachers to include books that students are encouraged to read.

After the March 31st deadline to turn in all brackets, participants will vote on the overall champion book for their reading level and receive another raffle entry. Voting will be done on April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, at the Hays Public Library.

A Championship Celebration will be held on April 4th. The celebration will include games and snacks. A raffle winner will be drawn for each division. You do not have to be present to win the division prizes.

The books and brackets for adults will be on the main floor. Materials for the youth divisions will be displayed on the 2nd floor. The brackets also indicate which books can be accessed through the library’s digital resources. Information will be available at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/bookmania/">hayslibrary.org/bookmania</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739377546689.png" alt="Hays Public Library" />
 <figcaption>Hays Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>HPLThe Hays Public Library is inviting all ages to participate in a reading challenge, Book Mania!This reading challenge will be set up like a basketball tournament with each level having four brackets to complete. It’s designed to encourage kids to read a variety of books that match their reading level, and this year the tournament will be expanded to include adults.Bracket play will begin on February 24th and end on March 31st. Participants will read books in their recommended reading level bracket and vote for their favorite. The four brackets do not have to be completed in order. Each bracket that is completed will be turned in as one raffle entry.The reading level divisions are Toddler-Pre-K, Kindergarten-2nd Grade (picture or chapter books), 3rd-5th Grade, 6th-8th Grade, 9th-12th Grade, and Adult. The library collaborated with teachers to include books that students are encouraged to read.After the March 31st deadline to turn in all brackets, participants will vote on the overall champion book for their reading level and receive another raffle entry. Voting will be done on April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, at the Hays Public Library.A Championship Celebration will be held on April 4th. The celebration will include games and snacks. A raffle winner will be drawn for each division. You do not have to be present to win the division prizes.The books and brackets for adults will be on the main floor. Materials for the youth divisions will be displayed on the 2nd floor. The brackets also indicate which books can be accessed through the library’s digital resources. Information will be available at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/bookmania/">hayslibrary.org/bookmania</a>.

Hays Public Library Hosts Book Mania tourney for all ages

By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;

A Kansas State University weed specialist says farmers should be on the lookout for early-emergence of a troublesome weed that competes with farm crops for nutrients, water and light.

Sarah Lancaster said kochia is among the first summer annual weeds to emerge in the spring. 

In 2024, kochia was found as early as Feb. 7, following a snowstorm in late January, and temperatures that hit the 50s and 60s in early February – conditions that were very similar to what much of Kansas experienced this year, as well.

“Early-emerging kochia seedlings use the limited spring soil moisture in dryland production fields,” said Lancaster, noting that good control of the first dense flush of kochia is essential for obtaining a good crop yield later in the season.

Lancaster said that kochia seedlings emerge in dense populations, which makes adequate herbicide coverage difficult. In addition, glyphosate-resistant kochia is prevalent across western Kansas.

“For these reasons, it is important to apply pre-emergence herbicides in late winter or early spring to control kochia before it emerges,” Lancaster said.

According to Lancaster, an herbicide program needs two components in order to successfully manage kochia:

· A very soluble and effective herbicide that can be incorporated with very little precipitation, such as dicamba.

· A herbicide that has longer residual activity, which will require perhaps ¾ inches or more precipitation for adequate incorporation, such as atrazine.

“Precipitation events during late winter are often too small to activate longer-lasting residual herbicides, but dicamba may control kochia for 4-6 weeks until atrazine is incorporated,” Lancaster said.

For those reasons, the best time to apply herbicides is generally January through the first week of March, according to Lancaster.

Other herbicides with good pre-emergence kochia activity include mesotrione, metribuzin, saflufenacil (Sharpen) and sulfentrazone. Lancaster urges farmers and herbicide applicators to check product labels for crop-specific planting intervals.

More information on controlling kochia and many other weeds is available in a recently released publication from the K-State Research and Extension bookstore, Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland and Noncropland. 

Farmers can also get information at local extension offices in Kansas.

Brand names appearing in this article are used for identification purposes only and are not intended to indicate endorsement of any particular product.

Submitted by Stacy Campbell

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739287786436.png" alt="Kochia that&nbsp;exhibits red colored stems. Found on a disturbed site along a&nbsp;gravel road. Riley County, Kansas. Photo by P. Allen Casey, USDA-NRCS" />
 <figcaption>Kochia that&nbsp;exhibits red colored stems. Found on a disturbed site along a&nbsp;gravel road. Riley County, Kansas. Photo by P. Allen Casey, USDA-NRCS</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension&nbsp; A Kansas State University weed specialist says farmers should be on the lookout for early-emergence of a troublesome weed that competes with farm crops for nutrients, water and light.Sarah Lancaster said kochia is among the first summer annual weeds to emerge in the spring. In 2024, kochia was found as early as Feb. 7, following a snowstorm in late January, and temperatures that hit the 50s and 60s in early February – conditions that were very similar to what much of Kansas experienced this year, as well.“Early-emerging kochia seedlings use the limited spring soil moisture in dryland production fields,” said Lancaster, noting that good control of the first dense flush of kochia is essential for obtaining a good crop yield later in the season.Lancaster said that kochia seedlings emerge in dense populations, which makes adequate herbicide coverage difficult. In addition, glyphosate-resistant kochia is prevalent across western Kansas.“For these reasons, it is important to apply pre-emergence herbicides in late winter or early spring to control kochia before it emerges,” Lancaster said.According to Lancaster, an herbicide program needs two components in order to successfully manage kochia:· A very soluble and effective herbicide that can be incorporated with very little precipitation, such as dicamba.· A herbicide that has longer residual activity, which will require perhaps ¾ inches or more precipitation for adequate incorporation, such as atrazine.“Precipitation events during late winter are often too small to activate longer-lasting residual herbicides, but dicamba may control kochia for 4-6 weeks until atrazine is incorporated,” Lancaster said.For those reasons, the best time to apply herbicides is generally January through the first week of March, according to Lancaster.Other herbicides with good pre-emergence kochia activity include mesotrione, metribuzin, saflufenacil (Sharpen) and sulfentrazone. Lancaster urges farmers and herbicide applicators to check product labels for crop-specific planting intervals.More information on controlling kochia and many other weeds is available in a recently released publication from the K-State Research and Extension bookstore, Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland and Noncropland. Farmers can also get information at local extension offices in Kansas.Brand names appearing in this article are used for identification purposes only and are not intended to indicate endorsement of any particular product.Submitted by Stacy CampbellStacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

K-State weed specialist shares tips on controlling early-emerging kochia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739465962718.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>

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Friday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Ford Explorer driven by Michael L.&nbsp;Berkgren, 54, Oakley, was eastbound on Interstate 70 near the Sylvan Grove exit.

The SUV traveled over a slick spot while snow was blowing across the highway. The vehicle entered the median, struck a drain grate, went airborne, rolled and came to rest on its top in the median.

EMS transported&nbsp;Berkgren and a passenger Chelsey&nbsp; Schiltz, 39, Oakley, to Hays Medical Center.&nbsp; Berkgren was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Friday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Ford Explorer driven by Michael L.&nbsp;Berkgren, 54, Oakley, was eastbound on Interstate 70 near the Sylvan Grove exit.The SUV traveled over a slick spot while snow was blowing across the highway. The vehicle entered the median, struck a drain grate, went airborne, rolled and came to rest on its top in the median.EMS transported&nbsp;Berkgren and a passenger Chelsey&nbsp; Schiltz, 39, Oakley, to Hays Medical Center.&nbsp; Berkgren was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized in Hays after violent SUV rollover accident

Hays High vs Liberal Friday, Feb. 14th – 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 <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2174621">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High vs Liberal Friday, Feb. 14th – 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 <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2174621">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>Hays High returns to the hardwood Friday night for a key WAC showdown with the Liberal Redskins.Tip-off for the girls game is 6:oo p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network with the boys game to follow.&nbsp;

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