By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

It’s a challenging question of self-discovery, but those who can answer it tend to live longer, more satisfied lives.

Usually, physical health is the factor that comes to mind when considering life expectancy. However, a positive outlook, specifically, one that gets you out of bed in the morning can extend your life.

In the Okinawan culture, this is known as Ikigai, and it may be worthwhile to take notes from this group as a significant number of them live to see their 100th birthday. But, don’t just take it from lived experience, multiple studies have also discovered the longevity and life purpose connection.

While the relationship is fascinating, you may wonder, “What defines life purpose?”

Life purpose is broad and is defined differently by everyone. However, it generally indicates life aim and goals. One study found common themes of purpose related to:

Evaluating your beliefs and interests can help you find purpose and help you avoid the distractions of daily life. To capitalize on your personal mission, creating a list of goals can remind you about what is important in life, what you have done, and what you aim to accomplish.

In fact, having purpose extends life, but it can also be a coping mechanism that allows you to get through hard times.

Frank Martela, lead author of a recent study says it best, “A life of purpose can energize and give hope even during those moments when the conditions of one’s life leave one unsatisfied.”

Regardless of your personal mission, taking ownership of it can improve life expectancy and help you through trying times. With increased awareness and intention, it also has the potential to boost your performance in each role you take to heart.

I encourage you to develop a personal mission and to make decisions based on it. After all, you only have one life, so literally (and figuratively) make the most of it!

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictDo you know your life purpose?It’s a challenging question of self-discovery, but those who can answer it tend to live longer, more satisfied lives.Usually, physical health is the factor that comes to mind when considering life expectancy. However, a positive outlook, specifically, one that gets you out of bed in the morning can extend your life.In the Okinawan culture, this is known as Ikigai, and it may be worthwhile to take notes from this group as a significant number of them live to see their 100th birthday. But, don’t just take it from lived experience, multiple studies have also discovered the longevity and life purpose connection.While the relationship is fascinating, you may wonder, “What defines life purpose?”Life purpose is broad and is defined differently by everyone. However, it generally indicates life aim and goals. One study found common themes of purpose related to:· Family and relationships· Helping others· Learning· CommunityEvaluating your beliefs and interests can help you find purpose and help you avoid the distractions of daily life. To capitalize on your personal mission, creating a list of goals can remind you about what is important in life, what you have done, and what you aim to accomplish.In fact, having purpose extends life, but it can also be a coping mechanism that allows you to get through hard times.Frank Martela, lead author of a recent study says it best, “A life of purpose can energize and give hope even during those moments when the conditions of one’s life leave one unsatisfied.”Regardless of your personal mission, taking ownership of it can improve life expectancy and help you through trying times. With increased awareness and intention, it also has the potential to boost your performance in each role you take to heart.I encourage you to develop a personal mission and to make decisions based on it. After all, you only have one life, so literally (and figuratively) make the most of it!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.

WINKEL: The longevity and life purpose connection

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733864469225.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

The Ellis County Landfill is announcing that beginning on December 11, the Ellis County Road &amp; Bridge Division will be completing a surface maintenance project on the road to and at the open area east of the transfer station. 

The area will be down to one-lane traffic for portions of the project.

 The expected completion date is Friday, December 13. 

Municipal Waste will remain open, and the gates will be closed at 4:45 p.m. No dumping will be allowed after that time. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579287163220.jpeg" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTYThe Ellis County Landfill is announcing that beginning on December 11, the Ellis County Road &amp; Bridge Division will be completing a surface maintenance project on the road to and at the open area east of the transfer station. The area will be down to one-lane traffic for portions of the project. The expected completion date is Friday, December 13. Municipal Waste will remain open, and the gates will be closed at 4:45 p.m. No dumping will be allowed after that time. Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Landfill at (785) 628-9460. We appreciate your cooperation.&nbsp;

Ellis County Transfer Station road work starts today

Hays High at Liberal Tuesday, Dec. 10 – 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Liberal, Kan. - Liberal High School

Radio: KHAZ (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/1755625"> CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>

The Hays High Indians open WAC play on the road Tuesday in Liberal against the Redskins.

Both Hays teams are coming off appearances in the championship game of the Hays City Shootout on Saturday.

The Indian girls are 2-1 and won the title for the first time since 2001. The boys finished runners-up at 1-2.

Tip-off for the girls' game is set for 6 p.m., and the boys' game will follow on the Indians Sports Network.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt="HHS Listen Live" />
 <figcaption>HHS Listen Live</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High at Liberal Tuesday, Dec. 10 – 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Liberal, Kan. - Liberal High SchoolRadio: KHAZ (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/1755625"> CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>The Hays High Indians open WAC play on the road Tuesday in Liberal against the Redskins.Both Hays teams are coming off appearances in the championship game of the Hays City Shootout on Saturday.The Indian girls are 2-1 and won the title for the first time since 2001. The boys finished runners-up at 1-2.Tip-off for the girls' game is set for 6 p.m., and the boys' game will follow on the Indians Sports Network.

🏀🎥 Hays High opens WAC play in Liberal

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays Police officers took a man into custody on Friday in Hays after he threatened the officers with a knife.

Police were contacted by High Plains Mental Health Center staff at about 9 a.m. on Friday. The staff at High Plains said a 20-year-old man was in crisis and he had become physical with his father, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.

Scheibler said the man left the building but returned and began banging on the door.

When officers arrived on the scene, staff told them the man had a knife, and he said he wanted to "commit suicide by cop," Scheibler said.

When the officers tried to approach the man, he pulled a knife on the officers, Scheibler said.

Initially, the man would not comply with the officers. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to Scheibler.

The man dropped the knife and ran from the scene, Scheibler said.

After a brief foot chase, the man was taken into custody.

He was arrested on charges of domestic battery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

The man was referred for a mental health evaluation and treatment.

The man's name was not released because of his mental health status.

Scheibler praised the officers for their actions to disarm the suspect peacefully.

"I am glad that it worked out OK, and I am grateful for the officer's professionalism," Scheibler said.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays Police officers took a man into custody on Friday in Hays after he threatened the officers with a knife.Police were contacted by High Plains Mental Health Center staff at about 9 a.m. on Friday. The staff at High Plains said a 20-year-old man was in crisis and he had become physical with his father, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.Scheibler said the man left the building but returned and began banging on the door.When officers arrived on the scene, staff told them the man had a knife, and he said he wanted to "commit suicide by cop," Scheibler said.When the officers tried to approach the man, he pulled a knife on the officers, Scheibler said.Initially, the man would not comply with the officers. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to Scheibler.The man dropped the knife and ran from the scene, Scheibler said.After a brief foot chase, the man was taken into custody.He was arrested on charges of domestic battery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;The man was referred for a mental health evaluation and treatment.The man's name was not released because of his mental health status.Scheibler praised the officers for their actions to disarm the suspect peacefully."I am glad that it worked out OK, and I am grateful for the officer's professionalism," Scheibler said.

Hays police officers disarm man with knife 

A Grow Hays Year in Review luncheon last week highlighted the housing growth in Ellis County last year.

Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, discussed some notable housing additions in the works and other economic indicators during the meeting with local leaders at Brief Space.

Williams said his predictions for housing for 2024 were off.

He estimated Ellis would have 20 single-family home starts, but there were 15. He estimated there would be more than 40 starts for multi-family housing units, but Ellis County had none.

In 2023, Ellis County had 29 single-family home starts, so housing development is down over the prior year.

Williams predicted single-family home prices would remain stable in 2024, depending on the price range. They increased.

Williams once thought a house in Ellis County selling for more than $500,000 would be very rare. However, numerous homes have now sold for more than $1 million.&nbsp;

He also predicted rents would remain stable or slightly rise. Rents have continued to rise, and the rental supply remains very tight, Williams said.

Williams highlighted multiple housing projects that are in the works.

All of the homes in phases one and two of Heart of America Tallgrass, 54 homes, are built and sold.

Six homes are under construction on Wheatland Drive and another six will be started soon.

The majority of the homes have been sold to first-time home buyers, and 16 more have been sold to families new to Hays.

"Once a family buys a home and puts down roots, they're more likely to stay," Williams said. "One of the things this housing development is doing is keeping people here."

Williams expected more Tallgrass buyers to be upsizing or downsizing, but few of the buyers fell into that category.

Thirty-six homes in phase one were limited to a $225,000 maximum sale price, and the next 18 to a $235,000 maximum sale price. Developers bought some homes, but the maximum sale price was only subject to the first sale.

Because the lots are larger, the sale prices for the homes on Wheatland Drive will be above the minimum in the first two phases.

Heart of America is working to develop phase four of the Tallgrass Addition, which includes 21 acres north of the existing development.

The city of Hays has agreed to bond the first three phases of the addition so that the developer can proceed to invest in the fourth phase.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/70507513-a0c4-489b-86c5-f7edf0fdf753">The developer is in the process of rezoning and platting 101 lots in the fourth phase.</a>

A new&nbsp;Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) will be used for the fourth phase.&nbsp;If approved, the district will capture the incremental real property taxes, less the state's 1.5 mills and 20 mill school levy, for up to 25 years.

Williams credited Heart of America as well as the city in making Hays a leader in housing in the state.

Hays developer Michael Graham is planning to build 48 apartments on the site of the former railroad depot parking lot at 10th and Walnut in downtown Hays.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc0fb523-b96d-42bb-b65a-55221db96969">The city has also approved an incentive district for that development.&nbsp;</a>

The district is expected to generate about $1.1 million of revenue during its maximum 25-year term. The revenue would reimburse the developer for an estimated $692,000 in RHID-eligible project costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Construction of the first 24 units in the development will begin this spring.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cf1f167-3d2b-4a78-9fe7-240b64b595ae">The Hays USD 489 school board has also agreed to enter into a contract with Graham&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cf1f167-3d2b-4a78-9fe7-240b64b595ae" target="_blank">to purchase Lincoln Elementary School.&nbsp;</a>The school will close as new elementary school space comes online&nbsp;as part of bond-funded projects.&nbsp;

Graham hopes to renovate the building into 26 to 28 one- and two-bedroom apartments. He also plans to build more housing on the land adjacent to the school.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e533b2e3-4579-4f87-a183-e605e9b45f54">DP Management is seeking a state grant to help finance development of&nbsp;a 136-unit apartment complex in Hays at&nbsp;at Wheatland Avenue and East 22nd Street.</a>

Forty-eight of the one, two and three-bedroom units would be market-rate housing, while 88 units would be low-income housing.

The city has submitted a letter of support for the grant, and the developer is waiting to see if it is approved.

Dan Hess has finished the construction of infrastructure for 12 lots in south Ellis on Maple. Developers have pulled eight permits to construct homes on those lots.

"We are excited to have activity in Ellis, which hasn't had activity in a long time," Williams said. "The school district enrollment shows they haven't had that activity."

Work is being done on the expansion of the Knight's Addition in Victoria.

"We have people who want to be over there, but we just don't have additional lots," Williams said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52b97519-b934-46eb-bdf3-8bd246bf2675">Construction of the&nbsp;Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. is underway and should be completed in 2025.</a>&nbsp;Multiple donors have been given to support the community center, but Williams said Grow Hays is short of the funding needed for the project. It is still seeking donations.

Work just started on the streets. Housing construction could begin as soon as this summer.

Grow Hays had planned 50 patio homes, eight duplexes and six plexes on the corner.

Grow Hays was able to purchase an additional single-family 2-acre lot that faces Canterbury.

Considering the number of multi-family units proposed in Hays, Grow Hays is now proposing a grouping of two-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car garage villas for the additional property.

The homes would be about 1,100 square feet with a shared courtyard and be offered at a lower price point than the patio homes, Williams said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/086b27b6-fc06-490d-91ed-833bbf3e82cd">The MicroFactory, which was completed last March, is still empty.</a>

The MicroFactory, 3000 Ninth in Hays, is meant to be a space manufacturers can rent for a lower-than-market rate as they launch new businesses or product lines.

The $4.5 million, 30,000-square-foot facility was constructed with help from the Kansas Department of Commerce and was supposed to bring new jobs into Hays.

"We're disappointed we haven't got anyone in there yet," Williams said. "We've had a few people we have determined who would not be a good fit that had interest."

It is being marketed locally, regionally and nationally.

Williams compared the MicroFactory to the co-working Brief Space. He said it took awhile for people to understand and buy into the concept.

"This is a kind of co-working space for manufacturers," he said.

Williams said Hays is primarily a white-collar community and needs to grow its manufacturing base.

"I don't know when we say we gotta do something else?" he said. "At this point, we are committed to the people who put up the money for it, both the state and the Schmidt Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation, to try to fulfill the vision of what this facility can be."

"I'm still confident we can get it done. It's just been slow. We were hoping we would open the door, and we'd have all these people flocking in, and it hasn't quite worked like that," Williams said.

Williams said Hays has not done a good job of promoting retail over the last 20 to 25 years.

Retail matters in Hays because the city, Ellis County, and Hays USD 489 all use sales tax as a funding source.

"We are a retail trade center," Williams said. "People come here to shop. When they come here to shop, they eat lunch. They may stay here overnight. That contributes."

He said robust retail is also a quality-of-life issue.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68c83702-3486-4109-b74f-2a7ee851a4fe">The state of Kansas awarded Grow Hays $4.475 million to establish a retail development north of Interstate 70 in Hays.</a>

The proposed development would be on 9.1 acres directly north of Home Depot. Grow Hays intends to develop a 60,000—to 70,000-square-foot shopping center.&nbsp;

Williams said retail development can be challenging because the rents don't match the construction or land costs. This project seeks to remedy some of those issues.

Williams said he hopes Grow Hays can start the retail development in 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667693163285.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Grow Hays year in review: Housing still key to growth" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=u2p5x-1766871-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Grow Hays Year in Review luncheon last week highlighted the housing growth in Ellis County last year.Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, discussed some notable housing additions in the works and other economic indicators during the meeting with local leaders at Brief Space.Williams said his predictions for housing for 2024 were off.He estimated Ellis would have 20 single-family home starts, but there were 15. He estimated there would be more than 40 starts for multi-family housing units, but Ellis County had none.In 2023, Ellis County had 29 single-family home starts, so housing development is down over the prior year.Williams predicted single-family home prices would remain stable in 2024, depending on the price range. They increased.Williams once thought a house in Ellis County selling for more than $500,000 would be very rare. However, numerous homes have now sold for more than $1 million.&nbsp;He also predicted rents would remain stable or slightly rise. Rents have continued to rise, and the rental supply remains very tight, Williams said.Williams highlighted multiple housing projects that are in the works.<h2>Tallgrass Addition</h2>All of the homes in phases one and two of Heart of America Tallgrass, 54 homes, are built and sold.Six homes are under construction on Wheatland Drive and another six will be started soon.The majority of the homes have been sold to first-time home buyers, and 16 more have been sold to families new to Hays."Once a family buys a home and puts down roots, they're more likely to stay," Williams said. "One of the things this housing development is doing is keeping people here."Williams expected more Tallgrass buyers to be upsizing or downsizing, but few of the buyers fell into that category.Thirty-six homes in phase one were limited to a $225,000 maximum sale price, and the next 18 to a $235,000 maximum sale price. Developers bought some homes, but the maximum sale price was only subject to the first sale.Because the lots are larger, the sale prices for the homes on Wheatland Drive will be above the minimum in the first two phases.Heart of America is working to develop phase four of the Tallgrass Addition, which includes 21 acres north of the existing development.The city of Hays has agreed to bond the first three phases of the addition so that the developer can proceed to invest in the fourth phase.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/70507513-a0c4-489b-86c5-f7edf0fdf753">The developer is in the process of rezoning and platting 101 lots in the fourth phase.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733437807491.png" alt="Tallgrass Addition phase four" />
 <figcaption>Tallgrass Addition phase four</figcaption>
 </figure>A new&nbsp;Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) will be used for the fourth phase.&nbsp;If approved, the district will capture the incremental real property taxes, less the state's 1.5 mills and 20 mill school levy, for up to 25 years.Williams credited Heart of America as well as the city in making Hays a leader in housing in the state.<h2>Michael Graham projects</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733439021108.png" alt="20th and Walnut apartments site" />
 <figcaption>20th and Walnut apartments site</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays developer Michael Graham is planning to build 48 apartments on the site of the former railroad depot parking lot at 10th and Walnut in downtown Hays.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc0fb523-b96d-42bb-b65a-55221db96969">The city has also approved an incentive district for that development.&nbsp;</a>The district is expected to generate about $1.1 million of revenue during its maximum 25-year term. The revenue would reimburse the developer for an estimated $692,000 in RHID-eligible project costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.Construction of the first 24 units in the development will begin this spring.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cf1f167-3d2b-4a78-9fe7-240b64b595ae">The Hays USD 489 school board has also agreed to enter into a contract with Graham&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cf1f167-3d2b-4a78-9fe7-240b64b595ae" target="_blank">to purchase Lincoln Elementary School.&nbsp;</a>The school will close as new elementary school space comes online&nbsp;as part of bond-funded projects.&nbsp;Graham hopes to renovate the building into 26 to 28 one- and two-bedroom apartments. He also plans to build more housing on the land adjacent to the school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733437701777.png" alt="Proposed DP Management&nbsp; apartment complex" />
 <figcaption>Proposed DP Management&nbsp; apartment complex</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Victory Village</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e533b2e3-4579-4f87-a183-e605e9b45f54">DP Management is seeking a state grant to help finance development of&nbsp;a 136-unit apartment complex in Hays at&nbsp;at Wheatland Avenue and East 22nd Street.</a>Forty-eight of the one, two and three-bedroom units would be market-rate housing, while 88 units would be low-income housing.The city has submitted a letter of support for the grant, and the developer is waiting to see if it is approved.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440520698.jpeg" alt="Ellis lots" />
 <figcaption>Ellis lots</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ellis development</h2>Dan Hess has finished the construction of infrastructure for 12 lots in south Ellis on Maple. Developers have pulled eight permits to construct homes on those lots."We are excited to have activity in Ellis, which hasn't had activity in a long time," Williams said. "The school district enrollment shows they haven't had that activity."Work is being done on the expansion of the Knight's Addition in Victoria."We have people who want to be over there, but we just don't have additional lots," Williams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440608165.jpeg" alt="Ongoing work on the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ongoing work on the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Grove</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52b97519-b934-46eb-bdf3-8bd246bf2675">Construction of the&nbsp;Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. is underway and should be completed in 2025.</a>&nbsp;Multiple donors have been given to support the community center, but Williams said Grow Hays is short of the funding needed for the project. It is still seeking donations.Work just started on the streets. Housing construction could begin as soon as this summer.Grow Hays had planned 50 patio homes, eight duplexes and six plexes on the corner.Grow Hays was able to purchase an additional single-family 2-acre lot that faces Canterbury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440569777.jpeg" alt="Grove villas" />
 <figcaption>Grove villas</figcaption>
 </figure>Considering the number of multi-family units proposed in Hays, Grow Hays is now proposing a grouping of two-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car garage villas for the additional property.The homes would be about 1,100 square feet with a shared courtyard and be offered at a lower price point than the patio homes, Williams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733439488106.jpeg" alt="MicroFactory in Hays" />
 <figcaption>MicroFactory in Hays</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>MicroFactory</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/086b27b6-fc06-490d-91ed-833bbf3e82cd">The MicroFactory, which was completed last March, is still empty.</a>The MicroFactory, 3000 Ninth in Hays, is meant to be a space manufacturers can rent for a lower-than-market rate as they launch new businesses or product lines.The $4.5 million, 30,000-square-foot facility was constructed with help from the Kansas Department of Commerce and was supposed to bring new jobs into Hays.Williams said it is Grow Hays' sore toe."We're disappointed we haven't got anyone in there yet," Williams said. "We've had a few people we have determined who would not be a good fit that had interest."It is being marketed locally, regionally and nationally.Williams compared the MicroFactory to the co-working Brief Space. He said it took awhile for people to understand and buy into the concept."This is a kind of co-working space for manufacturers," he said.Williams said Hays is primarily a white-collar community and needs to grow its manufacturing base."I don't know when we say we gotta do something else?" he said. "At this point, we are committed to the people who put up the money for it, both the state and the Schmidt Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation, to try to fulfill the vision of what this facility can be.""I'm still confident we can get it done. It's just been slow. We were hoping we would open the door, and we'd have all these people flocking in, and it hasn't quite worked like that," Williams said.<h2>Retail</h2>Williams said Hays has not done a good job of promoting retail over the last 20 to 25 years.Retail matters in Hays because the city, Ellis County, and Hays USD 489 all use sales tax as a funding source."We are a retail trade center," Williams said. "People come here to shop. When they come here to shop, they eat lunch. They may stay here overnight. That contributes."He said robust retail is also a quality-of-life issue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733504474517.jpeg" alt="Proposed site of the Grow Hays shopping center development." />
 <figcaption>Proposed site of the Grow Hays shopping center development.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68c83702-3486-4109-b74f-2a7ee851a4fe">The state of Kansas awarded Grow Hays $4.475 million to establish a retail development north of Interstate 70 in Hays.</a>The proposed development would be on 9.1 acres directly north of Home Depot. Grow Hays intends to develop a 60,000—to 70,000-square-foot shopping center.&nbsp;Williams said retail development can be challenging because the rents don't match the construction or land costs. This project seeks to remedy some of those issues.Williams said he hopes Grow Hays can start the retail development in 2025.

🎙Grow Hays year in review: Housing still key to growth

The VA is launching a new outreach campaign to encourage all eligible Veterans to enroll in VA health care – including approximately 13,900 unenrolled Kansas Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This campaign will include text messages and emails directly to Veterans, public service announcements, paid advertising, and events.

<a>VA is launching this campaign after reports of concerns from Veterans about health issues – including mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide – potentially related to repeated blasts and head trauma (low-level artillery blasts, IEDs, missile launches, heavy fire, and more).</a>&nbsp;Since the first reporting about these concerns, VA researchers have been urgently studying this matter to learn more about the potential health impacts of blast exposure on Veterans.&nbsp;

Veterans enrolled in VA can access specialty screenings and services to address any health issues related to blast exposure.&nbsp;Importantly, Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and other specific locations are eligible for VA health care based on their deployments — they do not need to have any health conditions specifically associated with their service in order to be eligible for care.

While we continue to urgently conduct research into the impacts of blast exposure, VA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration encourage these Veterans – and all eligible Veterans – to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/">apply for VA care today</a>. Veterans who use VA health care have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, VA hospitals are&nbsp;<a href="https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-health-care-outperforms-non-va-care-in-two-independent-nationwide-quality-and-patient-satisfaction-reviews/">dramatically outperforming non-VA hospitals,</a>&nbsp;and VA health care is often&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/">more affordable</a>&nbsp;than non-VA health care for Veterans. Additionally, 92% of&nbsp;Veteran patients currently report trusting VA outpatient health care – an all-time high.&nbsp;

“We take Veteran concerns about repeated blast exposure very seriously, and we are studying this matter urgently to learn more about potential health impacts,” said&nbsp;VA Secretary Denis McDonough.&nbsp;“While we do that, we don’t want Veterans to wait – they should enroll in VA health care today to get full access to primary care, mental health care, regular screenings, specialty care, and more. That’s what this outreach effort is all about: getting Veterans in our care, because Veterans who come to VA are proven to do better.”

“VA aims to be the best, most accessible, and most affordable health system in America for Veterans, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve that care as science and research tells us about new concerns,” said&nbsp;VA&nbsp;Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D.&nbsp;“The more Veterans who enroll, the more we can learn about the impact of blast exposure – and the better care we can ultimately provide those who served.”

Earlier this year, VA made&nbsp;<a href="https://news.va.gov/press-room/veteran-toxins-hazards-serving-eligible-va/">all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards (and meet basic requirements) eligible to enroll directly in VA health care</a>&nbsp;– years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. This included all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are also eligible to enroll. Additionally, Veterans who do not meet any of the above criteria can often still access VA health care by receiving VA disability benefits or based on income.

This new outreach effort is a part of the largest outreach campaign in VA history, which began when President Biden signed the PACT Act into law in 2022 and continues to this day. As a result of this campaign, more than 835,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care (a 37% increase over the previous period); more than 900,000 Veterans have upgraded their priority groups, making them eligible for health care with fewer copays (an all-time record); and more than 4.4 million Veterans and survivors have applied for disability compensation benefits (another all-time record). 

The campaign has been focused on bringing new Veterans to VA by sending millions of texts and emails, hosting thousands of events nationwide, launching new paid advertising campaigns, working with influencers and companies, and more.

Eligible Veterans can enroll today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply-for-health-care-form-10-10ez/introduction">our website</a>&nbsp;or calling 877-222-8387.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606165889596.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe VA is launching a new outreach campaign to encourage all eligible Veterans to enroll in VA health care – including approximately 13,900 unenrolled Kansas Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This campaign will include text messages and emails directly to Veterans, public service announcements, paid advertising, and events.<a>VA is launching this campaign after reports of concerns from Veterans about health issues – including mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide – potentially related to repeated blasts and head trauma (low-level artillery blasts, IEDs, missile launches, heavy fire, and more).</a>&nbsp;Since the first reporting about these concerns, VA researchers have been urgently studying this matter to learn more about the potential health impacts of blast exposure on Veterans.&nbsp;Veterans enrolled in VA can access specialty screenings and services to address any health issues related to blast exposure.&nbsp;Importantly, Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and other specific locations are eligible for VA health care based on their deployments — they do not need to have any health conditions specifically associated with their service in order to be eligible for care.While we continue to urgently conduct research into the impacts of blast exposure, VA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration encourage these Veterans – and all eligible Veterans – to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/">apply for VA care today</a>. Veterans who use VA health care have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, VA hospitals are&nbsp;<a href="https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-health-care-outperforms-non-va-care-in-two-independent-nationwide-quality-and-patient-satisfaction-reviews/">dramatically outperforming non-VA hospitals,</a>&nbsp;and VA health care is often&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/">more affordable</a>&nbsp;than non-VA health care for Veterans. Additionally, 92% of&nbsp;Veteran patients currently report trusting VA outpatient health care – an all-time high.&nbsp;“We take Veteran concerns about repeated blast exposure very seriously, and we are studying this matter urgently to learn more about potential health impacts,” said&nbsp;VA Secretary Denis McDonough.&nbsp;“While we do that, we don’t want Veterans to wait – they should enroll in VA health care today to get full access to primary care, mental health care, regular screenings, specialty care, and more. That’s what this outreach effort is all about: getting Veterans in our care, because Veterans who come to VA are proven to do better.”“VA aims to be the best, most accessible, and most affordable health system in America for Veterans, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve that care as science and research tells us about new concerns,” said&nbsp;VA&nbsp;Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D.&nbsp;“The more Veterans who enroll, the more we can learn about the impact of blast exposure – and the better care we can ultimately provide those who served.”Earlier this year, VA made&nbsp;<a href="https://news.va.gov/press-room/veteran-toxins-hazards-serving-eligible-va/">all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards (and meet basic requirements) eligible to enroll directly in VA health care</a>&nbsp;– years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. This included all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are also eligible to enroll. Additionally, Veterans who do not meet any of the above criteria can often still access VA health care by receiving VA disability benefits or based on income.This new outreach effort is a part of the largest outreach campaign in VA history, which began when President Biden signed the PACT Act into law in 2022 and continues to this day. As a result of this campaign, more than 835,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care (a 37% increase over the previous period); more than 900,000 Veterans have upgraded their priority groups, making them eligible for health care with fewer copays (an all-time record); and more than 4.4 million Veterans and survivors have applied for disability compensation benefits (another all-time record). The campaign has been focused on bringing new Veterans to VA by sending millions of texts and emails, hosting thousands of events nationwide, launching new paid advertising campaigns, working with influencers and companies, and more.Eligible Veterans can enroll today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply-for-health-care-form-10-10ez/introduction">our website</a>&nbsp;or calling 877-222-8387.

VA launches new outreach campaign to enroll Kansas Veterans in health care

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Ron Estes and U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, both Kansas Republicans, will join the caucuses supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency.

Estes, who represents Kansas’ south-central 4th District, is set to be a member of the House Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency, or DOGE, caucus, which has been envisioned as a vehicle for lawmakers to pitch budget cuts.

“DOGE will be another helpful tool to identify waste, fraud and abuse and rein in wasteful spending, ensuring the government serves as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,” Estes said in a Sunday newsletter.

Marshall is set to join the Senate DOGE caucus, chaired by Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who has already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/iowa-senator-pitches-elon-musk-1-trillion-federal-spending-cuts" target="_blank">pitched $1 trillion</a>&nbsp;in spending cuts to the Trump team.

“Enough is enough,” Marshall said in a Friday newsletter. “It’s past time for three letter agencies and unelected D.C. bureaucrats to come down to reality and remember ‘We the People’ sign their checks.”

Republicans from Florida and Texas launched the House DOGE caucus Nov. 19, selecting more than 30 members. Ernst followed with a seven-member Senate caucus.

Estes said he met last week with tech billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to “brainstorm priorities.” Musk and Ramaswamy were Trump’s handpicked allies selected to lead the new department, which doesn’t technically exist without an act of Congress.

“It’ll take hard work,” Estes said, “but I am excited about the prospects of what DOGE can achieve to make government work for the people again.”

Estes called the federal government’s more than $36 trillion debt total “shameful and simply unsustainable.” He said he was glad to join the caucus to participate in addressing bureaucracy, excess regulations, wasteful spending and restructuring of federal agencies.

Peeling back regulations was of particular interest, Estes said. He blamed President Joe Biden’s administration for costly rulemaking and lauded the first Trump administration for cutting old regulations as new ones were added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733665248479.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Ron Estes and U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, both Kansas Republicans, will join the caucuses supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency.Estes, who represents Kansas’ south-central 4th District, is set to be a member of the House Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency, or DOGE, caucus, which has been envisioned as a vehicle for lawmakers to pitch budget cuts.“DOGE will be another helpful tool to identify waste, fraud and abuse and rein in wasteful spending, ensuring the government serves as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,” Estes said in a Sunday newsletter.Marshall is set to join the Senate DOGE caucus, chaired by Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who has already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/iowa-senator-pitches-elon-musk-1-trillion-federal-spending-cuts" target="_blank">pitched $1 trillion</a>&nbsp;in spending cuts to the Trump team.“Enough is enough,” Marshall said in a Friday newsletter. “It’s past time for three letter agencies and unelected D.C. bureaucrats to come down to reality and remember ‘We the People’ sign their checks.”Republicans from Florida and Texas launched the House DOGE caucus Nov. 19, selecting more than 30 members. Ernst followed with a seven-member Senate caucus.Estes said he met last week with tech billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to “brainstorm priorities.” Musk and Ramaswamy were Trump’s handpicked allies selected to lead the new department, which doesn’t technically exist without an act of Congress.“It’ll take hard work,” Estes said, “but I am excited about the prospects of what DOGE can achieve to make government work for the people again.”Estes called the federal government’s more than $36 trillion debt total “shameful and simply unsustainable.” He said he was glad to join the caucus to participate in addressing bureaucracy, excess regulations, wasteful spending and restructuring of federal agencies.Peeling back regulations was of particular interest, Estes said. He blamed President Joe Biden’s administration for costly rulemaking and lauded the first Trump administration for cutting old regulations as new ones were added.

Kansas congressman, senator join Trump DOGE caucuses

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Are you involved in an agricultural operation, and wanting to learn more about current agricultural law and leases, cattle market trends , and Livestock Risk Protection, LRP? Make plans to attend an impactful meeting hosted by Midway and Cottonwood Extension District’s in Ellsworth Kansas on Tuesday, January 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Our keynote speaker is an expert in agricultural law, Roger McEowen, from Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kans. McEowen has taught classes across the United States…and at universities like Iowa State, University of Arkansas and Kansas State University. McEowen will cover topics like leasing arrangement considerations, estate tax planning, and potential changes to agricultural laws stemming from the recent U.S. election.

Dr. Glynn Tonsor, a professor in the Agricultural Economics department at Kansas State University, will provide attendees with a cattle market update. Producers will find this outlook useful as they continue to plan for their financial future.

Other speakers include Hi-Plains Farm Credit, and Dr. Jenny Ifft, the Flinchbaugh Agricultural Policy Chair in the Kansas State Agricultural Economics Department.

Farm Credit will guide attendees through designing a budget and financial planning. Dr. Ifft will present on Livestock Risk Protection, LRP. LRP is a popular risk management tool among producers involved in the feeder cattle market.

The meeting will take place at the Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center at 221 W. Douglas Ave. Ellsworth, Kansas 67439. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is appreciated to gather an accurate count for the provided meal. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with registration and free coffee and doughnuts. Our first speaker will kick off the day at 9:00 a.m.

To register please call or email Alicia Boor at 620-793-1910 or aboor@sku.edu. We look forward to seeing you there for this great meeting!

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682229509.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictAre you involved in an agricultural operation, and wanting to learn more about current agricultural law and leases, cattle market trends , and Livestock Risk Protection, LRP? Make plans to attend an impactful meeting hosted by Midway and Cottonwood Extension District’s in Ellsworth Kansas on Tuesday, January 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Our keynote speaker is an expert in agricultural law, Roger McEowen, from Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kans. McEowen has taught classes across the United States…and at universities like Iowa State, University of Arkansas and Kansas State University. McEowen will cover topics like leasing arrangement considerations, estate tax planning, and potential changes to agricultural laws stemming from the recent U.S. election.Dr. Glynn Tonsor, a professor in the Agricultural Economics department at Kansas State University, will provide attendees with a cattle market update. Producers will find this outlook useful as they continue to plan for their financial future.Other speakers include Hi-Plains Farm Credit, and Dr. Jenny Ifft, the Flinchbaugh Agricultural Policy Chair in the Kansas State Agricultural Economics Department.Farm Credit will guide attendees through designing a budget and financial planning. Dr. Ifft will present on Livestock Risk Protection, LRP. LRP is a popular risk management tool among producers involved in the feeder cattle market.The meeting will take place at the Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center at 221 W. Douglas Ave. Ellsworth, Kansas 67439. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is appreciated to gather an accurate count for the provided meal. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with registration and free coffee and doughnuts. Our first speaker will kick off the day at 9:00 a.m.To register please call or email Alicia Boor at 620-793-1910 or aboor@sku.edu. We look forward to seeing you there for this great meeting!Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: KSU Extension to host financial management meeting

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733784212602.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>

City staff is responding to a break in the City’s water transmission line south of Hays near Countryside Estates and Highway 183.

Due to this line being temporarily out of service for repairs, the amount of water that can be treated is currently limited.

We are asking the public to conserve water usage as much as possible until further notice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1487">https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1487</a>

City of HaysCity staff is responding to a break in the City’s water transmission line south of Hays near Countryside Estates and Highway 183.Due to this line being temporarily out of service for repairs, the amount of water that can be treated is currently limited.We are asking the public to conserve water usage as much as possible until further notice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1487">https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1487</a>

City requests Hays residents to conserve water due to line break

At about 11:55 p.m. on Saturday, the Hays Police Department was alerted to an injury accident at the intersection of 13th and Elm streets in Hays.

 Responding officers discovered two pedestrians had been struck by an eastbound vehicle on 13th Street while they were crossing southbound in the crosswalk, where they had the right of way.

The impact caused the pedestrians to be thrown about 40 feet.

Both individuals were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

The driver received a citation for failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and alcohol was ruled out as a contributing factor in the accident.&nbsp;

Hays Police DepartmentAt about 11:55 p.m. on Saturday, the Hays Police Department was alerted to an injury accident at the intersection of 13th and Elm streets in Hays. Responding officers discovered two pedestrians had been struck by an eastbound vehicle on 13th Street while they were crossing southbound in the crosswalk, where they had the right of way.The impact caused the pedestrians to be thrown about 40 feet.Both individuals were taken to the hospital for medical attention.The driver received a citation for failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and alcohol was ruled out as a contributing factor in the accident.&nbsp;

2 pedestrians struck by vehicle in Hays

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media&nbsp; Crude prices resume their wobbly ways, down two percent Friday, and up two percent on Monday. NYMEX crude dropped a dollar and a dime Friday to settle at $67.20 per barrel, an 80-cent weekly loss. That marks the first time since mid-November, and only the eighth time this year, that the closely-watched futures contract has settled below $68.&nbsp; Prices were two percent higher by lunchtime Monday, with New York crude over $68 and London Brent trading over $72 a barrel.

The weekly Rig Count from Baker Hughes is 589 active drilling rigs, up five oil rigs and two gas rigs. The Texas tally is up five rigs. The breakouts for directional and horizontal wells were up nine rigs between them, &nbsp;with vertical wells dropping by two.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is down one rig in eastern Kansas at ten, and up two rigs west of Wichita at 21. The statewide total of 31 is up three percent from a week ago, but down nearly nine percent from a month ago, and down more than 16 percent from last year. Drilling continued Monday on leases in Stafford and Ellis counties.

Kansas regulators okayed 14 new drilling permits last week, with three in Western Kansas including two in Ellis County. That's 1,085 new drilling locations in Kansas so far this year, down 130 from a year ago at this time.

Independent Oil and Gas Service reports operators completed 32 new wells statewide, with 12 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County. Completions are down 347 wells from a year ago at this time.

Weekly crude production topped 13.5 million barrels a day for only the fifth time. The Energy Information Administration says domestic crude production for the week ending November 29th averaged 13,513,000 barrels per day. Output is just 22,000 barrels a day shy of the record, set in October. Cumulative production this year beats last year by more than five percent, at well over 13.2 million barrels a day.

The dip stick at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve on November 29 showed 391.8 million barrels of crude, up 1.4 million barrels from a week earlier.&nbsp; The reserve is down from about 630 million barrels when President Biden took office. The administration sold millions of barrels of SPR crude at around $95 a barrel two years ago to slow the rise in prices. In the last year, they've bought nearly 40 million barrels at roughly $70 a barrel.

EIA said commercial crude inventories dropped by more than five million barrels to just over 423 million. Stockpiles are about five percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

US crude-oil production retreats from a monthly record set in August, but the annual average is on track for another record. The latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration show September output increased in most of the top-producing states, but a 12% drop in the Gulf of Mexico cut the national average by 157-thousand barrels per day, or 1.2%, down to 13.2 million barrels per day.

EIA says cumulative production through September averaged 13.1 million barrels a day. Weekly tallies from the EIA have been over 13.3 million ever since, and the government forecasts record annual production over 13.2 million barrels per day at the end of the year. The average in Kansas was 76,000 barrels a day in September, but EIA says the average through September is down to 74,000.

The US imports more crude oil than we export, by more than three million barrels a day. Refined product exports top imports by about six million daily barrels.

The Energy Information Administration reports crude imports of 7.3 million barrels a day last week. That's up more than 1.2 million barrels a day from a week earlier and about a quarter million daily barrels short of last year at this time. The four-week average is up five percent over a year ago. US crude exports dropped by about ten percent to 4.2 million barrels a day. That's down more than 400,000 barrels from last week and 100,000 barrels less than a year ago. Four week average crude exports are down about 11 percent compared to a year ago.

The U.S. is ramping up sanctions on the "shadow fleet." &nbsp;The Treasury Department is targeting 35 entities and vessels it said carried illicit petroleum from Iran to foreign markets. The sanctions build on those imposed last month and come in response to Iran's attacks on Israel and its announced nuclear escalations. These sanctions target key sectors of Iran's economy with the aim of denying the government funds for its nuclear and missile programs. The move generally prohibits any U.S. individuals or entities from doing any business with the targets, and freezes any assets being held by the U.S. The government cites shipping reports noting eight of the 21 sanctioned ships are loaded with oil, while another was on its way to a Russian port to lift a cargo.

The winter heating season is underway and United States is well stocked with propane, thanks to a pair of mild winters.&nbsp; EIA says U.S. propane inventories totaled 103 million barrels at the end of the week of October 11, the most since government reporting started in 2015. In the week ending November 1, inventories decreased to slightly more than 100 million barrels, about 11 percent more than the five-year average.

The government says global natural gas markets are well supplied, with prices only slightly higher than last year going into the winter heating season. If weather remains mild this winter as in the past two winters, EIA forecasts similar prices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670507085360.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media&nbsp; Crude prices resume their wobbly ways, down two percent Friday, and up two percent on Monday. NYMEX crude dropped a dollar and a dime Friday to settle at $67.20 per barrel, an 80-cent weekly loss. That marks the first time since mid-November, and only the eighth time this year, that the closely-watched futures contract has settled below $68.&nbsp; Prices were two percent higher by lunchtime Monday, with New York crude over $68 and London Brent trading over $72 a barrel.The weekly Rig Count from Baker Hughes is 589 active drilling rigs, up five oil rigs and two gas rigs. The Texas tally is up five rigs. The breakouts for directional and horizontal wells were up nine rigs between them, &nbsp;with vertical wells dropping by two.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is down one rig in eastern Kansas at ten, and up two rigs west of Wichita at 21. The statewide total of 31 is up three percent from a week ago, but down nearly nine percent from a month ago, and down more than 16 percent from last year. Drilling continued Monday on leases in Stafford and Ellis counties.Kansas regulators okayed 14 new drilling permits last week, with three in Western Kansas including two in Ellis County. That's 1,085 new drilling locations in Kansas so far this year, down 130 from a year ago at this time.Independent Oil and Gas Service reports operators completed 32 new wells statewide, with 12 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County. Completions are down 347 wells from a year ago at this time.Weekly crude production topped 13.5 million barrels a day for only the fifth time. The Energy Information Administration says domestic crude production for the week ending November 29th averaged 13,513,000 barrels per day. Output is just 22,000 barrels a day shy of the record, set in October. Cumulative production this year beats last year by more than five percent, at well over 13.2 million barrels a day.The dip stick at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve on November 29 showed 391.8 million barrels of crude, up 1.4 million barrels from a week earlier.&nbsp; The reserve is down from about 630 million barrels when President Biden took office. The administration sold millions of barrels of SPR crude at around $95 a barrel two years ago to slow the rise in prices. In the last year, they've bought nearly 40 million barrels at roughly $70 a barrel.EIA said commercial crude inventories dropped by more than five million barrels to just over 423 million. Stockpiles are about five percent below the five-year average for this time of year.US crude-oil production retreats from a monthly record set in August, but the annual average is on track for another record. The latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration show September output increased in most of the top-producing states, but a 12% drop in the Gulf of Mexico cut the national average by 157-thousand barrels per day, or 1.2%, down to 13.2 million barrels per day.EIA says cumulative production through September averaged 13.1 million barrels a day. Weekly tallies from the EIA have been over 13.3 million ever since, and the government forecasts record annual production over 13.2 million barrels per day at the end of the year. The average in Kansas was 76,000 barrels a day in September, but EIA says the average through September is down to 74,000.The US imports more crude oil than we export, by more than three million barrels a day. Refined product exports top imports by about six million daily barrels.The Energy Information Administration reports crude imports of 7.3 million barrels a day last week. That's up more than 1.2 million barrels a day from a week earlier and about a quarter million daily barrels short of last year at this time. The four-week average is up five percent over a year ago. US crude exports dropped by about ten percent to 4.2 million barrels a day. That's down more than 400,000 barrels from last week and 100,000 barrels less than a year ago. Four week average crude exports are down about 11 percent compared to a year ago.The U.S. is ramping up sanctions on the "shadow fleet." &nbsp;The Treasury Department is targeting 35 entities and vessels it said carried illicit petroleum from Iran to foreign markets. The sanctions build on those imposed last month and come in response to Iran's attacks on Israel and its announced nuclear escalations. These sanctions target key sectors of Iran's economy with the aim of denying the government funds for its nuclear and missile programs. The move generally prohibits any U.S. individuals or entities from doing any business with the targets, and freezes any assets being held by the U.S. The government cites shipping reports noting eight of the 21 sanctioned ships are loaded with oil, while another was on its way to a Russian port to lift a cargo.The winter heating season is underway and United States is well stocked with propane, thanks to a pair of mild winters.&nbsp; EIA says U.S. propane inventories totaled 103 million barrels at the end of the week of October 11, the most since government reporting started in 2015. In the week ending November 1, inventories decreased to slightly more than 100 million barrels, about 11 percent more than the five-year average.The government says global natural gas markets are well supplied, with prices only slightly higher than last year going into the winter heating season. If weather remains mild this winter as in the past two winters, EIA forecasts similar prices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News From the Oil Patch: Treasury ramps up sanctions on 'shadow fleet'

The city has reported a water leak at 17th and Oak.  Staff is responding

Hays Water DepartmentThe city has reported a water leak at 17th and Oak. Staff is responding<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733774434589.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Water leak has been reported at 17th, Oak

A disturbance outside a Hays bar led to a man being stabbed multiple times. 

The investigation shows that man was stabbed in self-defense after he and another man attacked a 21-year-old man.

The man that was stabbed is expected to recover.

At 2:41 a.m. Sunday, the Hays Police Department received a report of a disturbance in the alley behind Chuck’s Bar, 507 W. Seventh St.

Officers responded to the scene and learned that a 31-year-old male had been stabbed multiple times during an altercation.

The initial investigation indicates that the man was stabbed in self-defense after he and a second man attacked a 21-year-old man. 

During the attack, the 21-year-old victim pulled a knife and stabbed one of the attackers.

The victim was then able to get away from his attackers.

The second attacker also physically attacked another man that had attempted to intervene in the altercation.

The first attacker that was stabbed was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover. 

The second attacker was arrested for aggravated battery and is being held in the Ellis County Jail.

Anyone with any information or video of this disturbance is encouraged to contact the Hays Police Department.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1486" target="_blank">https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1486</a>

Hays Police DepartmentA disturbance outside a Hays bar led to a man being stabbed multiple times. The investigation shows that man was stabbed in self-defense after he and another man attacked a 21-year-old man.The man that was stabbed is expected to recover.At 2:41 a.m. Sunday, the Hays Police Department received a report of a disturbance in the alley behind Chuck’s Bar, 507 W. Seventh St.Officers responded to the scene and learned that a 31-year-old male had been stabbed multiple times during an altercation.The initial investigation indicates that the man was stabbed in self-defense after he and a second man attacked a 21-year-old man. During the attack, the 21-year-old victim pulled a knife and stabbed one of the attackers.The victim was then able to get away from his attackers.The second attacker also physically attacked another man that had attempted to intervene in the altercation.The first attacker that was stabbed was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover. The second attacker was arrested for aggravated battery and is being held in the Ellis County Jail.Anyone with any information or video of this disturbance is encouraged to contact the Hays Police Department.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1486" target="_blank">https://www.haysusa.com//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1486</a>

Suspect stabbed in self-defense at Hays bar; suspect arrested

Enter to win Eagle Radio's Reindeer Radio

By TONY GUERRERO and CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Historic Site conducted Christmas Past at Historic Fort Hays on Friday and Saturday, giving a glimpse into what the Fort would have looked like during holidays in the 1870s.

Attendees were guided through the night with lanterns to enjoy apple cider and cookies while listening to carolers, riding wagons and meeting Father Christmas.

The Hays Arts Council also sponsored its annual Winter Art Walk. The Hays Public Library offered children's crafts. The anchor of the art show was the Five-State Art Photography Exhibit at the Hays Arts Center.

The weekend wrapped up with the Downtown Hays Development Corporation's FrostFest Parade. The parade's theme was Gnome for the Holidays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673217928.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO and CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Fort Hays State Historic Site conducted Christmas Past at Historic Fort Hays on Friday and Saturday, giving a glimpse into what the Fort would have looked like during holidays in the 1870s.Attendees were guided through the night with lanterns to enjoy apple cider and cookies while listening to carolers, riding wagons and meeting Father Christmas.The Hays Arts Council also sponsored its annual Winter Art Walk. The Hays Public Library offered children's crafts. The anchor of the art show was the Five-State Art Photography Exhibit at the Hays Arts Center.The weekend wrapped up with the Downtown Hays Development Corporation's FrostFest Parade. The parade's theme was Gnome for the Holidays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673261563.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673307857.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673354045.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673412131.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673451163.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673490746.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673555098.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673586099.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673613849.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673654018.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733673683333.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690326291.jpeg" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690350073.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690373073.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690398673.jpeg" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690431072.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690470807.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690495022.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690525590.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733690550905.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Photo Gallery: Hays celebrates holiday traditions

LAWRENCE — Michael Jones had been considering retiring from his career as a dentist in Russell for the past four years. He worried about the effect on the community, knowing that Russell Dental Care was the county’s only dental practice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733335861281.png" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>KU News ServiceLAWRENCE — Michael Jones had been considering retiring from his career as a dentist in Russell for the past four years. He worried about the effect on the community, knowing that Russell Dental Care was the county’s only dental practice.“Without a dentist in Russell County, it’s about a half-hour drive to another one. You’d almost have to take a half-day off work just to go to an appointment,” said Jones, longtime owner and manager of Russell Dental Care. “Plus, there’s also the economic impact of a business closing in the community.” &nbsp;Through a community effort involving Russell County organizations and services provided by the RedTire (Redefine your Retirement) program at the University of Kansas, Russell County residents are still receiving local dental services and Jones is enjoying his retirement.&nbsp;RedTire provides valuation services and helps match qualified young professionals with business owners looking to retire at no cost to participants. It’s designed to help prevent the closure of viable small and medium-sized businesses throughout the Midwest and beyond.To address shuttering dental practices, RedTire began a partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry in 2015 to connect its graduates to retiring dentists in the region. &nbsp;“This program serves as an economic development mechanism for sustaining family-owned business opportunities in our region. By matching qualified entrepreneurs with business owners looking to retire, the program helps retain essential services in their communities and keeps jobs local,” said Denton Zeeman, RedTire program director. “For more than 10 years, we’ve been proud to support businesses through their ownership transitions in both in rural Midwest communities and in metropolitan areas across the region.”As a KU School of Business entrepreneurship co-curricular program, RedTire also offers experiential, hands-on learning opportunities to KU students who are hired to help with the assessment and valuation processes.Jones reached out to RedTire in November 2022 after learning about the program from mailing a few years prior. By spring 2023, Zeeman and his team of student analysts had completed a draft assessment, publishing the final valuation to the RedTire website at the end of June.Jones appreciated the financial confidence that RedTire’s assessment services provide for both potential buyers and sellers.“For someone looking to buy a practice, when you have an outside valuation that does as deep of a dive as RedTire, you feel comfortable with your decision,” he said. “You get a clear picture of what’s going on financially.”&nbsp;Two potential buyers for Jones’ practice fell through in the coming months, one in late 2023 and another in March 2024. As word spread in the community about the potential shuttering of Russell Dental Care, a local banker and one of Jones’ patients suggested that the Russell Regional Hospital might be interested in merging the practice into its corporation. A week later, leaders with the hospital and with the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) met to discuss possible solutions to retain their local dental services.The two organizations reached an agreement after a month of collaboration and planning to allow the hospital to manage Jones’ practice with support from a $100,000 grant from the foundation.&nbsp;Angela Muller, RCACF executive director, said the foundation was delighted to play a role in maintaining the local dental services, aligning with its mission to foster a vibrant and thriving Russell County.&nbsp;She said she hopes the solution inspires other community foundations in Kansas, particularly in rural communities, to think creatively about solutions to retain essential services.&nbsp;“We could not have reached this outcome without the collaboration between Dr. Jones, RedTire and Russell Regional Hospital,” she said. “Really this is about people coming together to do good. That’s one of the strengths of rural communities.”Jones’ practice marks the 100th business that RedTire has assisted through an ownership transition, coincidentally during the&nbsp;<a href="https://business.ku.edu/about/history/centennial">School of Business’ 100th academic year</a>. The Russell business is the program’s 34th dentistry practice that has received RedTire support. Within the next six months, the 35th, 36th and 37th dentistry practice transitions are expected to be finalized, with one under contract and the two others in negotiations.RedTire currently is providing support to 69 business owners to preserve businesses in Kansas and the region, many of which can be found at the&nbsp;<a href="https://redtire.ku.edu/">RedTire website</a>.

Local