This week the Senate debated SB514, the 2025 budget for over six hours. There were many amendments offered on the Senate bill with few being accepted. This is the first step in finalizing the budget for 2025. The House will pass their budget this week after which a conference committee will work out differences between the two chambers bills. The legislature has the constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget every session. The bill adjusts total state expenditures in fiscal year 2024 to $25.3B including $9.9B State General Fund (SGF). In this fiscal year 2025 the bill included expenditures totaling $25.1B, including $10.2B SGF.

Included in the fiscal year 2025 budget are some of the following:

*The budget would allocate $75M for the University of Kansas Medical Center to consolidate its cancer research at one facility in Kansas. Currently, the university carries out its cancer research in fifteen buildings at three different campus sites in the Kansas City area. The $75M from the state for this new research center will be matched by donations. The total cost of this project will be approximately $550M to $600M.

*The budget contains funding for a 5% statewide pay increases to help state employees. This does not include Kansas legislators.

*Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. This increase allocates $78.7M to increase Medicaid outpatient reimbursement rates to help raise Kansas Medicaid base rates, which currently stands at 27% of the average commercial rate at all Kansas hospitals.

*The budget includes funding for the KBI of $6.9M that will fund eight new special agents, five forensic scientists, and replacement of the laboratory information system, which is used to process evidence. The information system is more than twenty years old. The Senate’s version for the KBI budget also includes $1.8M to create a children’s victim tax force in southeast Kansas to address internet crimes against children. This task force supports a task force in northeast Kansas in Topeka and western Kansas in Garden City. The budget adds millions of additional dollars to the KBI budget to fight the fentanyl crisis.

*The budget includes $15M for one time funding of childcare sustainability and workforce grants for existing childcare providers. 

*Includes $25M for a state match for Kansas State University ag innovation initiative which stems from the schools $280M initiative on global food and agriculture research and teaching.

*$15.4M will go to Fort Hays State University to expand their nursing program.

*Includes $20M to the Board of Regents to address deferred maintenance for university buildings.

*The budget will include the Kansas children’s cabinet funding for $5M to provide a public private partnership.

*There is also funding for the highway patrol to buy a new airplane, $7.8M.

*Small town infrastructure grants of $10M to provide technical support for drinking water and sewer system upgrades in small towns with population under 1,000.

*There is $28M for World Cup activities for security and transportation. The budget includes funding for the proposed Heartland Flyer passenger rail service for $5M.

*Funding for the Kansas Highway Patrol to construct a $20M new firing range and dispatch facility in Salina.

*Language was added for bonding authority totaling $377.6M to rebuild the Hutchinson Correction Facility and $40.2M for a new health building at the Topeka correctional facility.

I would like to congratulate the cities of Hays and Russell in receiving a infrastructure grant.

It has been an honor to represent the 40th Senate District of Kansas. I have been asked if I plan to run for reelection. Yes, I do plan to file for reelection for the 40th Senate district. I feel there are many issues I can still work on to make a better Kansas.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is senator of the 40th District which includes:

* Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins,&nbsp;Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace Counties * Phillips County: Cities: Logan, Long Island, Prairie View, Speed;&nbsp;Townships: Beaver, Belmont, Dayton, Granite, Logan, Long Island, Mound, Plainview, Prairie View,&nbsp;Solomon (part) and Towanda

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675701343257.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka March 17, 2024This week the Senate debated SB514, the 2025 budget for over six hours. There were many amendments offered on the Senate bill with few being accepted. This is the first step in finalizing the budget for 2025. The House will pass their budget this week after which a conference committee will work out differences between the two chambers bills. The legislature has the constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget every session. The bill adjusts total state expenditures in fiscal year 2024 to $25.3B including $9.9B State General Fund (SGF). In this fiscal year 2025 the bill included expenditures totaling $25.1B, including $10.2B SGF.Included in the fiscal year 2025 budget are some of the following: *The budget would allocate $75M for the University of Kansas Medical Center to consolidate its cancer research at one facility in Kansas. Currently, the university carries out its cancer research in fifteen buildings at three different campus sites in the Kansas City area. The $75M from the state for this new research center will be matched by donations. The total cost of this project will be approximately $550M to $600M. *The budget contains funding for a 5% statewide pay increases to help state employees. This does not include Kansas legislators. *Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. This increase allocates $78.7M to increase Medicaid outpatient reimbursement rates to help raise Kansas Medicaid base rates, which currently stands at 27% of the average commercial rate at all Kansas hospitals. *The budget includes funding for the KBI of $6.9M that will fund eight new special agents, five forensic scientists, and replacement of the laboratory information system, which is used to process evidence. The information system is more than twenty years old. The Senate’s version for the KBI budget also includes $1.8M to create a children’s victim tax force in southeast Kansas to address internet crimes against children. This task force supports a task force in northeast Kansas in Topeka and western Kansas in Garden City. The budget adds millions of additional dollars to the KBI budget to fight the fentanyl crisis. *The budget includes $15M for one time funding of childcare sustainability and workforce grants for existing childcare providers. *Includes $25M for a state match for Kansas State University ag innovation initiative which stems from the schools $280M initiative on global food and agriculture research and teaching. *$15.4M will go to Fort Hays State University to expand their nursing program. *Includes $20M to the Board of Regents to address deferred maintenance for university buildings. *The budget will include the Kansas children’s cabinet funding for $5M to provide a public private partnership. *There is also funding for the highway patrol to buy a new airplane, $7.8M. *Small town infrastructure grants of $10M to provide technical support for drinking water and sewer system upgrades in small towns with population under 1,000. *There is $28M for World Cup activities for security and transportation. The budget includes funding for the proposed Heartland Flyer passenger rail service for $5M. *Funding for the Kansas Highway Patrol to construct a $20M new firing range and dispatch facility in Salina. *Language was added for bonding authority totaling $377.6M to rebuild the Hutchinson Correction Facility and $40.2M for a new health building at the Topeka correctional facility.I would like to congratulate the cities of Hays and Russell in receiving a infrastructure grant.It has been an honor to represent the 40th Senate District of Kansas. I have been asked if I plan to run for reelection. Yes, I do plan to file for reelection for the 40th Senate district. I feel there are many issues I can still work on to make a better Kansas.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is senator of the 40th District which includes:* Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins,&nbsp;Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace Counties * Phillips County: Cities: Logan, Long Island, Prairie View, Speed;&nbsp;Townships: Beaver, Belmont, Dayton, Granite, Logan, Long Island, Mound, Plainview, Prairie View,&nbsp;Solomon (part) and Towanda

BILLINGER: Senate Update March 17; Senate passes budget bill

<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/2024/3/1710709841381.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 Colby Community College Endowment Foundation is hosting "60's Delight: A Milestone Night Comedy Show and Benefit Auction" on Saturday, April 13. Activities will be held at Four Mile Field, one-half mile east of Frahm Farmland Headquarters.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with a buffet dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Comedian, teacher, and author&nbsp;<a href="https://chrisvoth.com/" target="_blank">Chris Voth</a>&nbsp;takes the stage at 7:30, and a limited live auction will follow.

60's Delight, which celebrates the college's 60th&nbsp;anniversary this year, is the Foundation's major fundraiser in 2024. Proceeds fund endowed scholarships that assist students pursuing their goals at CCC. The Foundation plans to return to its traditional auction in the spring of 2025.

"Get ready for laughter, great food, and unforgettable moments for a fantastic cause," said Institutional Advancement Director Melissa Rickford.

Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight. For more information or to RSVP by April 5, contact the Foundation at 460-4682.

SubmittedThe Colby Community College Endowment Foundation is hosting "60's Delight: A Milestone Night Comedy Show and Benefit Auction" on Saturday, April 13. Activities will be held at Four Mile Field, one-half mile east of Frahm Farmland Headquarters.Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with a buffet dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Comedian, teacher, and author&nbsp;<a href="https://chrisvoth.com/" target="_blank">Chris Voth</a>&nbsp;takes the stage at 7:30, and a limited live auction will follow.60's Delight, which celebrates the college's 60th&nbsp;anniversary this year, is the Foundation's major fundraiser in 2024. Proceeds fund endowed scholarships that assist students pursuing their goals at CCC. The Foundation plans to return to its traditional auction in the spring of 2025."Get ready for laughter, great food, and unforgettable moments for a fantastic cause," said Institutional Advancement Director Melissa Rickford.Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight. For more information or to RSVP by April 5, contact the Foundation at 460-4682.

CCC Endowment Fundraiser set for April 13

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Communications

Kansas crude prices are down slightly after reaching their peak for the month last week.&nbsp; 

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $71.25 per barrel after dropping 25 cents Friday. That's up a dollar from the first of the month and more than $11 dollars higher that at the first of the year. The near-month contract for light sweet crude on the Nymex settled Friday over $81 per barrel for the second day in a row, and only the second time this year. Prices were up two percent by lunchtime Monday. Nymex crude was trading over $82 a barrel and London Brent was over $86.

The latest lease sale announced by the government under the Inflation Reduction Act will include parcels in northwestern Kansas. According to the announcement from the Bureau of Land Management, this sale includes 18 parcels in New Mexico and eight in Cheyenne County, Kansas. The 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input will close April 10, with the sale scheduled to follow on June 13.

Statewide well completions so far this year are running about half of the pace set last year. But the weekly report from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service shows more completions than in any week since before the pandemic. Operators completed 62 wells across Kansas in the week through March 14, the most since January of 2019.&nbsp; Out of 62 wells completed last week, just eight were dry holes. The last time operators filed that many completion reports, five years ago, the percentage of dry holes was much greater, 20 dry holes out of the 66 newly completed wells reported.

Kansas regulators okayed 15 new drilling locations last week, including one new permit in Barton County. That's 173 drilling permits so far this year, compared to 254 by this time last year.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rose by seven rigs from a week earlier. The count in Louisiana was up five rigs, Texas was up three and New Mexico was up one. Oklahoma was down one rig. 

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service notes 18 active rigs in western Kansas, which is up three for the week. Drilling was underway or about to start on leases in Barton and Stafford counties.

U.S. operators exported a record 1.9 million barrels of propane per day in December. That's the largest such tally since 1973, when the government started keeping track. The Energy Information Administration reports the spike in exports stems mainly from the huge price spread between the U.S. Gulf Coast and from East Asia, the biggest spread in ten years.&nbsp; During the second half of last year, Saudi propane exports to Asia fell by 22%, while U.S. exports to Asia grew six percent.

Crude exports set a record last year, up 13% from the previous record set the year before. The government says exports for the year averaged over four million barrels per day.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration says U.S. sales abroad have increased in every year since the ban on most exports was lifted in 2015.&nbsp; The new report from Energy Information Administration suggests record-high production is supporting the spike in exports. Many U.S. refineries are optimized to run heavy, sour crude, while much of the output here in the U.S. is light, sweet crude. The report suggests this creates export incentives.

The government says both crude imports and exports dropped last week.

U.S. crude oil imports averaged 5.5 million barrels per day last week, a decline of 1.7 million barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged about 6.4 million barrels per day. That's 183,000 barrels or nearly three percent higher than the same four-week average last year.

Crude-oil exports dropped last week by nearly 1.5 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says operators shipped out of country 3,147,000 barrels per day in the week through March 8. The four-week average for crude exports drops to 4.3 million barrels per day, down about six percent from the four-week average a year ago.

Output from the U.S. oil patch slid back from recent record highs but remained above 13 million barrels per day for a seventh straight week. U.S. crude production dropped last week by more than 100,000 barrels per day from the week before, to 13,132,000 barrels per day. Current output beats the same week a year ago by 888,000 barrels per day. Average production over the last four weeks reached 13,225,000 barrels per day, which is up eight percent from a year ago.

Domestic crude inventories dropped by 1.5 million barrels last week. The Energy Information Administration reports stockpiles of 447 million barrels as of March 8.&nbsp; EIA said inventories are about three percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle CommunicationsKansas crude prices are down slightly after reaching their peak for the month last week.&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $71.25 per barrel after dropping 25 cents Friday. That's up a dollar from the first of the month and more than $11 dollars higher that at the first of the year. The near-month contract for light sweet crude on the Nymex settled Friday over $81 per barrel for the second day in a row, and only the second time this year. Prices were up two percent by lunchtime Monday. Nymex crude was trading over $82 a barrel and London Brent was over $86.The latest lease sale announced by the government under the Inflation Reduction Act will include parcels in northwestern Kansas. According to the announcement from the Bureau of Land Management, this sale includes 18 parcels in New Mexico and eight in Cheyenne County, Kansas. The 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input will close April 10, with the sale scheduled to follow on June 13. Statewide well completions so far this year are running about half of the pace set last year. But the weekly report from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service shows more completions than in any week since before the pandemic. Operators completed 62 wells across Kansas in the week through March 14, the most since January of 2019.&nbsp; Out of 62 wells completed last week, just eight were dry holes. The last time operators filed that many completion reports, five years ago, the percentage of dry holes was much greater, 20 dry holes out of the 66 newly completed wells reported.Kansas regulators okayed 15 new drilling locations last week, including one new permit in Barton County. That's 173 drilling permits so far this year, compared to 254 by this time last year.The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rose by seven rigs from a week earlier. The count in Louisiana was up five rigs, Texas was up three and New Mexico was up one. Oklahoma was down one rig. The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service notes 18 active rigs in western Kansas, which is up three for the week. Drilling was underway or about to start on leases in Barton and Stafford counties.U.S. operators exported a record 1.9 million barrels of propane per day in December. That's the largest such tally since 1973, when the government started keeping track. The Energy Information Administration reports the spike in exports stems mainly from the huge price spread between the U.S. Gulf Coast and from East Asia, the biggest spread in ten years.&nbsp; During the second half of last year, Saudi propane exports to Asia fell by 22%, while U.S. exports to Asia grew six percent.Crude exports set a record last year, up 13% from the previous record set the year before. The government says exports for the year averaged over four million barrels per day.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration says U.S. sales abroad have increased in every year since the ban on most exports was lifted in 2015.&nbsp; The new report from Energy Information Administration suggests record-high production is supporting the spike in exports. Many U.S. refineries are optimized to run heavy, sour crude, while much of the output here in the U.S. is light, sweet crude. The report suggests this creates export incentives.The government says both crude imports and exports dropped last week.U.S. crude oil imports averaged 5.5 million barrels per day last week, a decline of 1.7 million barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged about 6.4 million barrels per day. That's 183,000 barrels or nearly three percent higher than the same four-week average last year.Crude-oil exports dropped last week by nearly 1.5 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says operators shipped out of country 3,147,000 barrels per day in the week through March 8. The four-week average for crude exports drops to 4.3 million barrels per day, down about six percent from the four-week average a year ago.Output from the U.S. oil patch slid back from recent record highs but remained above 13 million barrels per day for a seventh straight week. U.S. crude production dropped last week by more than 100,000 barrels per day from the week before, to 13,132,000 barrels per day. Current output beats the same week a year ago by 888,000 barrels per day. Average production over the last four weeks reached 13,225,000 barrels per day, which is up eight percent from a year ago.Domestic crude inventories dropped by 1.5 million barrels last week. The Energy Information Administration reports stockpiles of 447 million barrels as of March 8.&nbsp; EIA said inventories are about three percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

News from the Oil Patch: Crude exports set new record

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The governor and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle promised to reduce wait times for thousands of the state’s most vulnerable residents in need of health care.

But current funding proposals fall millions short of the amount needed to shrink the list of Kansans waiting for crucial state disabilities services.

Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, pointed to earlier statements from Republican leadership in the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/07/medicaid-expansion-continues-to-be-tied-to-disability-waitlist-in-legislative-debate/">announcing their commitment</a>&nbsp;to mitigating a problem 20 years in the making.

“That’s an incredible promise to make to people with disabilities who are suffering on the waiting list,” Nichols said. “Thus far, that version of the budget has not fulfilled that promise — nowhere close.”

Kansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities are eligible for Medicaid-funded support waivers that cover a variety of needed services, such as in-home care. Wait times can last more than 10 years, and more and more Kansans have been added to the slow-moving lists. The wait list for intellectual and developmental disabilities services is at 5,279 people, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kdads.ks.gov/docs/librariesprovider17/ltss/hcbs/waivers/participation-reports/2024/waiver-program-participation-report-2.15.24.pdf?sfvrsn=377fb6c3_3">February data</a>. The physical disability wait list is around 2,382 Kansans.

The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, which has characterized the wait times as “from bad to worse to utterly out of control” recommends reducing the waitlists by 20% in fiscal year 2025. To do so, lawmakers would need to fund 1,100 slots on the I/DD waiver and 500 slots on the PD waiver.

While the budget is far from being finalized, Senate lawmakers approved a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/14/kansas-senate-cobbles-25b-budget-with-funds-for-border-security-world-cup-legislative-pay-raises/">state spending blueprint</a>&nbsp;Thursday that allocates $23 million to solve&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/17/typical-lip-service-as-medicaid-waitlists-grow-kansas-parents-see-no-path-forward/">long waiting lists for disability services</a>, dovetailing with Gov. Laura Kelly’s $23 million fiscal year 2025 budget recommendation for the lists. The funding would create an estimated 250 slots on both the I/DD and PD waiting lists.

If enrollment trends continue along the same lines as last year, when 561 new people enrolled in the intellectual disability wait list, the current recommendation wouldn’t be enough to stop the lists from growing — let alone reducing the number of people waiting for services.

“The waiting list is going to get worse, wait times are going to get longer under that,” Nichols said. “I’m hopeful that the legislators will realize that and add more money in the budget, which they can do at any point during the process.”

The Kansas Reflector previously examined how these long wait times hurt thousands of disabled Kansans and their families through&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/17/typical-lip-service-as-medicaid-waitlists-grow-kansas-parents-see-no-path-forward/">a series of stories</a>.&nbsp; At the time,&nbsp;House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson said they were “laser focused on eliminating Medicaid waiting lists to ensure the truly needy get the services they so desperately need.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710788337050.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The governor and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle promised to reduce wait times for thousands of the state’s most vulnerable residents in need of health care.But current funding proposals fall millions short of the amount needed to shrink the list of Kansans waiting for crucial state disabilities services.Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, pointed to earlier statements from Republican leadership in the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/07/medicaid-expansion-continues-to-be-tied-to-disability-waitlist-in-legislative-debate/">announcing their commitment</a>&nbsp;to mitigating a problem 20 years in the making.“That’s an incredible promise to make to people with disabilities who are suffering on the waiting list,” Nichols said. “Thus far, that version of the budget has not fulfilled that promise — nowhere close.”Kansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities are eligible for Medicaid-funded support waivers that cover a variety of needed services, such as in-home care. Wait times can last more than 10 years, and more and more Kansans have been added to the slow-moving lists. The wait list for intellectual and developmental disabilities services is at 5,279 people, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kdads.ks.gov/docs/librariesprovider17/ltss/hcbs/waivers/participation-reports/2024/waiver-program-participation-report-2.15.24.pdf?sfvrsn=377fb6c3_3">February data</a>. The physical disability wait list is around 2,382 Kansans.The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, which has characterized the wait times as “from bad to worse to utterly out of control” recommends reducing the waitlists by 20% in fiscal year 2025. To do so, lawmakers would need to fund 1,100 slots on the I/DD waiver and 500 slots on the PD waiver.While the budget is far from being finalized, Senate lawmakers approved a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/14/kansas-senate-cobbles-25b-budget-with-funds-for-border-security-world-cup-legislative-pay-raises/">state spending blueprint</a>&nbsp;Thursday that allocates $23 million to solve&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/17/typical-lip-service-as-medicaid-waitlists-grow-kansas-parents-see-no-path-forward/">long waiting lists for disability services</a>, dovetailing with Gov. Laura Kelly’s $23 million fiscal year 2025 budget recommendation for the lists. The funding would create an estimated 250 slots on both the I/DD and PD waiting lists.If enrollment trends continue along the same lines as last year, when 561 new people enrolled in the intellectual disability wait list, the current recommendation wouldn’t be enough to stop the lists from growing — let alone reducing the number of people waiting for services.“The waiting list is going to get worse, wait times are going to get longer under that,” Nichols said. “I’m hopeful that the legislators will realize that and add more money in the budget, which they can do at any point during the process.”The Kansas Reflector previously examined how these long wait times hurt thousands of disabled Kansans and their families through&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/17/typical-lip-service-as-medicaid-waitlists-grow-kansas-parents-see-no-path-forward/">a series of stories</a>.&nbsp; At the time,&nbsp;House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson said they were “laser focused on eliminating Medicaid waiting lists to ensure the truly needy get the services they so desperately need.”

State budget blueprint leaves out Kansans who need state disability services

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office responded to 214 incidents March 10-16, 2024, according to the activity report.

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 </figure>ECSOThe Ellis County Sheriff's Office responded to 214 incidents March 10-16, 2024, according to the activity report.<figure>
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Ellis County Sheriff activity report, March 10-16, 2024

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Ellis County Jail bookings, March 11-18, 2024

Fort Hays State University has named 1,646 students to the Deans’ Honor Roll for the fall 2023 semester.

The Deans’ Honor Roll includes undergraduate students only. To be eligible, students must have completed 12 or more credit hours and earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.60 for the semester. Full-time on-campus and FHSU Virtual College students are eligible.

The list does not include students who requested privacy. If a Hays address was given by the student as their primary home address, and no other hometown was designated, the student will be listed as a Hays student. Students are listed by county, city, and zip code.

Below are the Ellis County/Hays residents. <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/news/2024/03/fort-hays-state-university-releases-fall-2023-deans-honor-roll#gsc.tab=0">Click here for a full list.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710774576708.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By FHSU University CommunicationsFort Hays State University has named 1,646 students to the Deans’ Honor Roll for the fall 2023 semester.The Deans’ Honor Roll includes undergraduate students only. To be eligible, students must have completed 12 or more credit hours and earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.60 for the semester. Full-time on-campus and FHSU Virtual College students are eligible.The list does not include students who requested privacy. If a Hays address was given by the student as their primary home address, and no other hometown was designated, the student will be listed as a Hays student. Students are listed by county, city, and zip code.Below are the Ellis County/Hays residents. <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/news/2024/03/fort-hays-state-university-releases-fall-2023-deans-honor-roll#gsc.tab=0">Click here for a full list.</a>ELLISEllis (67601):Ryan FunaiEllis (67637):Macee AltmanClara CrawfordDaniel EckEmily EckGrace EckZachary EckTrinity KohlrusHaley SchmidtHays (67601):Cheyanne AdkinsSabrina AdkinsSierra AdkinsKyleigh AllenSophia AllenBraden AllphinJasmin Alvarado-MartinezSarah ArcherAnthony ArialLevi AushermanMichaela AustinLeah AyersSamuel AyersJulianna BaalmannRylie BaileyKayla Baumgartner&nbsp; Ivonne Barron-GomezWhitney BefortHarrison BensoudaAnna BerntsonSadie BiedenbenderRachel BirdStephen BlombergIsaac BohrerRachel BombaJessica BondEmma BorellWilliam BradleySam BrandtRylee BrettonBlaque BrinKaydee BrinHayden BrownMillicent BrownRhyann BrownMatteson BrownellAnna BrullElla BrummerKristine BuchholzZoe BuffingtonRylee BurdMicah BurkEaston BurtonAudrey CalebMalachi CarderHunter CarpenterMadelyn CarpenterJoanna Carrillo-MaldonadoLaurel CatesKayley ChartierSelene Chavez SaucedoRubi ChavezSaucedoChloe ChesneyLanden ClarkKendra ClaryElizabeth ClinganSpencer CoffmanJulian CokerGarrett ColeKeegan CraigAustin CramerHaley CranwellKatie CrawfordMaja CrawfordCara CriswellKira CrowJaycee CunninghamEvan DealyMariah DechantRyan DeiteringMarcell DelyBrooke DenningTim DeserDacia DevineyKallyn DeWittMontserrat DiazVanessa DiazMatthew DiercksJayme DietzAnnaka DigmannAndrea DinkelKenlie DinkelTyson DinkelKiley DoonanTaylor DreesElle DreilingMegan EarneyRylee EbertTiera EbyLevi EckEva ElderEmma ElliottLynsie ErbertNathan ErbertBrian EscobedoCade EvansYue FanHalie FeikertElizabeth FenderAlicia FeyerhermGrace FitzgeraldCarlee FlaxErin FlickingerLandon ForbesGracen FriessCallum FrogsonAlexa FryChance FuhrmanKrystal FulsaasStephen GabelAvalon GarlandSophia GarrisonMichael GarvertLiam GatschetBailasaan GhunaimIsabelle GibsonNoah GibsonAbigail GiesenEmily GoetzLucas Gonzalez RamirezMicah GoodmanAshlynn GoodwinJadyn GottschalkMary GreenwoodSydney GrindalAnthony GuerreroJuan Guzman-DuranLane HaldersonKatie HaleAshlyn HammerschmidtAbigail HeimermanCheryl HensleyAshton HernandezErnesto HernandezChristal Herrera AraizaAllison HillebrandSamuel HonasEmma HooverKaylee HornSokly HourKaitlyn HowlandMadelynn HullBrooke HylandConnor JacobsKelynn JacobsNathan JaegerSierra JellisonBreckyn JensenAvery JonesMegan JonesBjarni JonssonBrandon KarlinBrandon KennemerRiley KershnerLexi KinderknechtHannah KitzmannEthan KlausmeyerJaiden KoerperichAlaina KolbeckJacob KolbeckKate KupzykNyima LamaJason LambMacey LambYun LanGrace LangCallie LedfordTristan LegleiterNathan LeikerAlexis LemonsKinsey LindnerCameron LindseyKaitlin LindstromMcKenzie LinenbergerKale LinkHalle LohmeyerDayton LongJonathan LoweJessica LueddersAlexis LundahlShaden MahnkenYesenia MaldonadoKiana MartinLucy MartinMackenzy MartinMalea MartinezSokhna Khady MBACKENdeye Anta MbayeMcKena McBrideGrace McCordJessica McGuireQuinton McGuireBaylee McKennaLane McKennaBritnee McKinneyDawson McNealElizabeth MeersFiorella MendezAcevedoLuciana MendozaVargasAimee MerrillAlese MeyerFaith MolitorNikolette MorrisseyHope MuellerCorey MusilJordin MyersLincoln MyersMaggie NechAmy NguyenPeyton NiernbergerCarter NormandinSkyler ObergNoah ObornyJacob OlsonAshton OttleyHannah OverbeyFranklin OwensBenjamin PahlsEmma PalmerAspen PatrickMayan PazSeth PerrettRegan PerryRaven PetersonDemitria PfeiferJanessa PfeiferKiana PfeiferDanee PhillipsAlyssa PierceDrayton PletcherTori PoeGrace PopeCarter PopejoyRebekah PorterHaylee PriceMegan PriorEmily ReddingIsaac ReedMallory ReifRose ReillyCaden RiatRyan RichmeierMolly RickeEli RohrKarlyn RohrMadison RohrEmily RossBryson RuppGarret RymerMichelle SackElijah SalmansChristian SanchezAnders Teigland SandstøSummar SchaeferBraden ScheppBenjamin SchlatterBriar SchlosserAiden SchmidtDevin SchmidtbergerSuzanna SchneiderRyan SchuckmanEmily SchulteJoshua SchulteKatie SchulzBrenna SchwienHannah SeilerJaelynne SeirerHannah SelleKai ShafferJosie ShepardKyle SherwoodClaire ShippyMorgan ShorbAllison ShubertJackson SinselAustin SmithBrandon SmithJessie SmithKylah SmithAndressa SoaresAddison SpeierMacey SpeierMargaret SpenoConnor StaabRylee StahlMadison StantonEllie StearnsMcKynlee SteckleinInes Adria SteemanSeren SumayaChase SummersKaitlyn SuppesIbby SwordsCade ThomasAbigail ThorntonSarah TiffanyMaysyn TippyDrake Van ScoyocMegan VanceBrooklyn VasquezSamantha VesperAshley VilaysingIvan VillalbaMorgan VossElla VothMonica VrbasMadelyn WaddellLauren WagnerIvy WalkerSydney WalkerCasey WeiselGarrett WellbrockSavanna WellbrockShane WerthKale WheelerKynslee WhiteJaysa WichersTravis WiermanIan WillRyan WillDaniel WilliamsMegan WimanMaggie WindholzLa Aries WinzerlingLacey WiseChloe WoodsDalton WrightSoe (Eleanora) YadanarPerla ZamoranoAva ZergerAshlyn ZimmerPeyton ZimmermanSamantha ZimmermanRachael Zogleman&nbsp;&nbsp;Victoria (67671):&nbsp;&nbsp;Kacy DinkelLevi HuserMelany HuserKrista IveyElena JohnsonEmma PfannenstielDustin RajewskiMorgan Staab

Fort Hays State University releases fall 2023 Deans’ Honor Roll

<a>Residents affected by recent severe weather in Ellis County should contact the Kansas Department of Insurance if they have an issue with an insurance claim, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said today. The Department has been in contact with local authorities in Ellis County and urges residents affected by the storm to contact the Department if they need assistance.&nbsp;</a>

“Severe weather in Kansas often means storm damage and insurance claims,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “If you have any questions about your insurance coverage after the storm or have an issue with an insurance claim in the coming weeks, please contact the Department.”&nbsp;

If you or someone you know is having trouble with an insurance claim, please contact the Kansas Department of Insurance’s Consumer Assistance Division toll-free at 1-800-432-2484, by email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kdoi.complaints@ks,gov">kdoi.complaints@ks,gov</a>&nbsp;or visit the Department online at&nbsp;<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/">insurance.kansas.gov</a>&nbsp;for any claims-related questions or concerns.&nbsp;

Kansas Department of Insurance<a>Residents affected by recent severe weather in Ellis County should contact the Kansas Department of Insurance if they have an issue with an insurance claim, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said today. The Department has been in contact with local authorities in Ellis County and urges residents affected by the storm to contact the Department if they need assistance.&nbsp;</a>“Severe weather in Kansas often means storm damage and insurance claims,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “If you have any questions about your insurance coverage after the storm or have an issue with an insurance claim in the coming weeks, please contact the Department.”&nbsp;If you or someone you know is having trouble with an insurance claim, please contact the Kansas Department of Insurance’s Consumer Assistance Division toll-free at 1-800-432-2484, by email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kdoi.complaints@ks,gov">kdoi.complaints@ks,gov</a>&nbsp;or visit the Department online at&nbsp;<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/">insurance.kansas.gov</a>&nbsp;for any claims-related questions or concerns.&nbsp;

Kan. Insurance Commissioner releases statement on Ellis Co. storm damage

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Rural Ellis County voters may get a chance to decide if they
want their tax dollars to stay local in support of a local library system, instead
of the current model that sends funds to other libraries in the region.

The Ellis County Commission will consider a resolution this
week presented by Hays Public Library Director Brandon Hines, calling for the
creation of a county library in Ellis County.

According to Hines, the Hays Public Library Board of
Directors approved the resolution on March 6. He presented the county
commission with information about the resolution last week.

Ellis County does not have a county public library and instead is a part of the Central Kansas Library System, which is based out of
Great Bend.

Hines said the Kansas Regional Library System was established in the 1960s. It collects taxes from residents who live in rural areas outside of the city limits, where city libraries already exist. There are seven
different regional library systems in Kansas. 

Both the Hays Public Library and the Ellis Public Library
were already established and are members of the regional library system but are
funded by taxpayers within the city limits of their respective cities.

The Central Kansas Regional Library System consists of 17 counties and serves 54 public
libraries and 32 school districts. 

The taxes collected from rural Ellis County residents are first sent to
the&nbsp;Central Kansas Regional Library System System and then distributed throughout the region. 

The region stretches from Phillipsburg County to Republic
County along the northern state line, south to Salina, and back west to Rush and
Pawnee County to the south.

Hines said in the areas outside of the city limits of Hays
and Ellis, there is a tax of a little more than 1.5 mills that is collected for
the library system. That accounts for about $300,000 per year.

They estimated that in 2020, Ellis County received about $103,000 in return, for a net loss of nearly $200,000. Ellis
County sent $293,000 to the system in 2023 and will send about $298,000
in 2024.

Hines said while the Hays Public Library Board has been
working for years on a way to reduce the disparity and is calling for the
creation of the new county library and taxing district, both Ellis and Hays
Public Libraries benefit from the system. 

“The Ellis Public Library receives automation and processing
and consulting from the regional library system,” Hines said. “So, if you get
on their computers at the library, or if you have the link to their catalogue,
they're the ones who maintain their catalog, it's a real service, it's a real
value to that library.”

Ellis also receives funding from the regional system.
According to Hines, Ellis received $12,700 this year. 

Hines said the Hays Public Library does not take advantage
of all of the services that are offered through the regional system because they do not believe it would be in the best interest of local library
patrons. 

“We don't want them to have to manage our system, and we
have many professionals in our system and we're very good at what we do,” Hines
said. “We feel it'd be a real disservice to hand that off to another entity.”

The Hays Public Library will get $87,000 in funding this
year from the regional library system, but Hines said that will be reduced to
$57,000 by 2027.

Both the Hays USD 489 and Ellis USD 388 are also members of
the library system and receive some benefits and funding. 

Hines said they estimate the gap between the amount of tax
revenue that Ellis County continues to send to the system and the amount of
funds returned will continue to widen.

He said the numbers also show that the Hays Public Library is
a large percentage of the overall circulation in the system.

Hines said over the 1.2 million items in the 17 counties the
Hays Public Library is responsible for almost 30%. He also said in 2022 $200,000
in physical items were circulated by the Hays Public Library.

Outside of the city of Hays, there are about 600
Victoria residents who have a Hays Public Library card and all of their taxes
are going to the library system. Another 700 Hays Public Library cardholders live in
Ellis, according to Hines.

Hines said, “The regional library system, again, we opted to
be members back in the 1960s. I don't believe if this county or the Hays Public
Library, we're given the option today we would even consider entering into this
deal.”

But he said it is a complicated process that comes with
extra regulations and statutes.

Among those are the creation of a two-year double taxation
put in place, a quarter mill, that has to be established before the county can
even petition to withdraw from the regional library system.

The State Library Board could overrule the vote by county
taxpayers saying the move would create “manifest harm” to the district.

The board could also require the library to turn over any
materials or systems purchased by the state or the system. That could include
everything dating back to the 1960’s. Although he does not believe that will happen.

Hines said the creation of the county library would not just
be selecting the Hays Public Library, or any other library. The county would
have to create a library.

“To be excluded from the regional library system, you have
got to create an actual library. You've got to establish it through a vote. You
have to levy a tax. You have to have a board,” Hines said. “So, it does take a
full actual library board and actual entity. You can't simply say yeah, this
is a great deal for us to contract with the existing libraries.”

Hines said their recommendation instead would be that the
county contract the Hays Public Library to serve as the county library, if
approved by voters. 

“You still have to offer the services, and what's happening
now is the Hays Public Library already is offering the services,” Hines said. “We
are serving the rural Ellis County area (and) we are serving Victoria and we'd
absolutely continue to do that.”

If approved by the voters, the commission would appoint a
library board and then the board would establish the library mill levy. They
would also be required to create and pass an annual budget. 

That county library board could then contract the Hays
Public Library to serve in the role of county public library.

Hines said even more complicated is how the Hays Public
Library is funded. He says they would not opt in to a part of the proposed taxing
district. 

“The Hays Public Library, even though our vision is that
this would be very good for the taxpayers of Ellis County (and) could benefit
the Hays Public Library, we can't figure out a scenario where the Hays Public
Library is actually a member of this taxing district.”

Currently in the City of Hays, six mills are distributed to
the Hays Public Library, from the general fund tax collection. 

Hines said the Hays Public Library would not ask county taxpayers
to fill that six mill void and the library would have to cut a large portion of
the services it offers if it took a reduction in funding. 

They instead would be in favor of being contracted by the county.

Hines also said they believe the city of Ellis would benefit
from opting into the county taxing district.

Ellis funds its library through a four mill tax
and an additional three-quarters mill, according to Hines. He said they believe
this move could lead to a reduction in taxes for both Ellis and rural Ellis
County voters.

“At the same time, the revenue would go up for the actual
library,” Hines said. “So, an increase in funding for libraries, the tax dollars
stay local and we can see tax rates fall for the entire county.”

Hines said the Hays Public Library would remain a member of
the Central Kansas Library System and it would still benefit from the Central Kansas Library System .

Both Ellis County Commissioners Neal Younger and Michael
Berges said many rural residents may not know that their tax money is going out
of county for the Central Kansas Library System .

“If you live in Victoria, that library tax is not coming to
the Hays library or the Ellis library, it's going first to CKLS and great band,”
Berges said. “Everybody that lives in those rural areas, the county areas, the
true county areas of Ellis, that 1.5 (mill) is going to Great Bend for all intents
and purposes first, and then they're supposed to allocate it back to our to our
libraries for the services.”

Hines said he has met with both the Ellis City Council and
Ellis City Library Board, and they are planning on having a joint meeting.

At the end of last week’s discussion, the commission plans
to bring forward a resolution this week that would put the ballot measure to a
vote for residents of rural Ellis County, Victoria and potentially Ellis to decide.


Berges said he supports the idea of going to the voters with
the resolution. 

“I think we can ask the county residents to participate and
decide again, where their library dollars are actually going,” Berges said. “I
don't know if we can stand here and tell the residents of Ellis what they can
do. They have to kind of make that decision on their own on whether they want
to be a part of the county library system and give up the Central Kansas Library System  or continue to be
their own and have the city fund it.”

The ballot question could be put to voters in August during
the primary election. 

The commission will consider the resolution this week.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostRural Ellis County voters may get a chance to decide if they
want their tax dollars to stay local in support of a local library system, instead
of the current model that sends funds to other libraries in the region.The Ellis County Commission will consider a resolution this
week presented by Hays Public Library Director Brandon Hines, calling for the
creation of a county library in Ellis County.According to Hines, the Hays Public Library Board of
Directors approved the resolution on March 6. He presented the county
commission with information about the resolution last week.Ellis County does not have a county public library and instead is a part of the Central Kansas Library System, which is based out of
Great Bend.Hines said the Kansas Regional Library System was established in the 1960s. It collects taxes from residents who live in rural areas outside of the city limits, where city libraries already exist. There are seven
different regional library systems in Kansas. Both the Hays Public Library and the Ellis Public Library
were already established and are members of the regional library system but are
funded by taxpayers within the city limits of their respective cities.The Central Kansas Regional Library System consists of 17 counties and serves 54 public
libraries and 32 school districts. The taxes collected from rural Ellis County residents are first sent to
the&nbsp;Central Kansas Regional Library System System and then distributed throughout the region. The region stretches from Phillipsburg County to Republic
County along the northern state line, south to Salina, and back west to Rush and
Pawnee County to the south.Hines said in the areas outside of the city limits of Hays
and Ellis, there is a tax of a little more than 1.5 mills that is collected for
the library system. That accounts for about $300,000 per year.They estimated that in 2020, Ellis County received about $103,000 in return, for a net loss of nearly $200,000. Ellis
County sent $293,000 to the system in 2023 and will send about $298,000
in 2024.Hines said while the Hays Public Library Board has been
working for years on a way to reduce the disparity and is calling for the
creation of the new county library and taxing district, both Ellis and Hays
Public Libraries benefit from the system. “The Ellis Public Library receives automation and processing
and consulting from the regional library system,” Hines said. “So, if you get
on their computers at the library, or if you have the link to their catalogue,
they're the ones who maintain their catalog, it's a real service, it's a real
value to that library.”Ellis also receives funding from the regional system.
According to Hines, Ellis received $12,700 this year. Hines said the Hays Public Library does not take advantage
of all of the services that are offered through the regional system because they do not believe it would be in the best interest of local library
patrons. “We don't want them to have to manage our system, and we
have many professionals in our system and we're very good at what we do,” Hines
said. “We feel it'd be a real disservice to hand that off to another entity.”The Hays Public Library will get $87,000 in funding this
year from the regional library system, but Hines said that will be reduced to
$57,000 by 2027.Both the Hays USD 489 and Ellis USD 388 are also members of
the library system and receive some benefits and funding. Hines said they estimate the gap between the amount of tax
revenue that Ellis County continues to send to the system and the amount of
funds returned will continue to widen.He said the numbers also show that the Hays Public Library is
a large percentage of the overall circulation in the system.Hines said over the 1.2 million items in the 17 counties the
Hays Public Library is responsible for almost 30%. He also said in 2022 $200,000
in physical items were circulated by the Hays Public Library.Outside of the city of Hays, there are about 600
Victoria residents who have a Hays Public Library card and all of their taxes
are going to the library system. Another 700 Hays Public Library cardholders live in
Ellis, according to Hines.Hines said, “The regional library system, again, we opted to
be members back in the 1960s. I don't believe if this county or the Hays Public
Library, we're given the option today we would even consider entering into this
deal.”But he said it is a complicated process that comes with
extra regulations and statutes.Among those are the creation of a two-year double taxation
put in place, a quarter mill, that has to be established before the county can
even petition to withdraw from the regional library system.The State Library Board could overrule the vote by county
taxpayers saying the move would create “manifest harm” to the district.The board could also require the library to turn over any
materials or systems purchased by the state or the system. That could include
everything dating back to the 1960’s. Although he does not believe that will happen.Hines said the creation of the county library would not just
be selecting the Hays Public Library, or any other library. The county would
have to create a library.“To be excluded from the regional library system, you have
got to create an actual library. You've got to establish it through a vote. You
have to levy a tax. You have to have a board,” Hines said. “So, it does take a
full actual library board and actual entity. You can't simply say yeah, this
is a great deal for us to contract with the existing libraries.”Hines said their recommendation instead would be that the
county contract the Hays Public Library to serve as the county library, if
approved by voters. “You still have to offer the services, and what's happening
now is the Hays Public Library already is offering the services,” Hines said. “We
are serving the rural Ellis County area (and) we are serving Victoria and we'd
absolutely continue to do that.”If approved by the voters, the commission would appoint a
library board and then the board would establish the library mill levy. They
would also be required to create and pass an annual budget. That county library board could then contract the Hays
Public Library to serve in the role of county public library.Hines said even more complicated is how the Hays Public
Library is funded. He says they would not opt in to a part of the proposed taxing
district. “The Hays Public Library, even though our vision is that
this would be very good for the taxpayers of Ellis County (and) could benefit
the Hays Public Library, we can't figure out a scenario where the Hays Public
Library is actually a member of this taxing district.”Currently in the City of Hays, six mills are distributed to
the Hays Public Library, from the general fund tax collection. Hines said the Hays Public Library would not ask county taxpayers
to fill that six mill void and the library would have to cut a large portion of
the services it offers if it took a reduction in funding. They instead would be in favor of being contracted by the county.Hines also said they believe the city of Ellis would benefit
from opting into the county taxing district.Ellis funds its library through a four mill tax
and an additional three-quarters mill, according to Hines. He said they believe
this move could lead to a reduction in taxes for both Ellis and rural Ellis
County voters.“At the same time, the revenue would go up for the actual
library,” Hines said. “So, an increase in funding for libraries, the tax dollars
stay local and we can see tax rates fall for the entire county.”Hines said the Hays Public Library would remain a member of
the Central Kansas Library System and it would still benefit from the Central Kansas Library System .Both Ellis County Commissioners Neal Younger and Michael
Berges said many rural residents may not know that their tax money is going out
of county for the Central Kansas Library System .“If you live in Victoria, that library tax is not coming to
the Hays library or the Ellis library, it's going first to CKLS and great band,”
Berges said. “Everybody that lives in those rural areas, the county areas, the
true county areas of Ellis, that 1.5 (mill) is going to Great Bend for all intents
and purposes first, and then they're supposed to allocate it back to our to our
libraries for the services.”Hines said he has met with both the Ellis City Council and
Ellis City Library Board, and they are planning on having a joint meeting.At the end of last week’s discussion, the commission plans
to bring forward a resolution this week that would put the ballot measure to a
vote for residents of rural Ellis County, Victoria and potentially Ellis to decide.
Berges said he supports the idea of going to the voters with
the resolution. “I think we can ask the county residents to participate and
decide again, where their library dollars are actually going,” Berges said. “I
don't know if we can stand here and tell the residents of Ellis what they can
do. They have to kind of make that decision on their own on whether they want
to be a part of the county library system and give up the Central Kansas Library System or continue to be
their own and have the city fund it.”The ballot question could be put to voters in August during
the primary election. The commission will consider the resolution this week.

Ellis County Commission considers creation of county library; thousands going out of county now

A bridge replacement project will close a portion of U.S. 281 in Smith County starting Monday, April 1.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will replace the bridge over Lindley Creek, located 0.13 mile west of the Smith/Osborne County line near Portis. During construction, U.S. 281 will be closed to traffic at the bridge. Motorists should follow the signed detour using U.S. 281, U.S. 24, K-181 and U.S. 36.

KDOT expects the project to be completed by the end of October, conditions permitting.

L&amp;M Contractors of Great Bend is the primary contractor for the approximately $1.9 million project. For more information, contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6200 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:daniel.moore@ks.gov">daniel.moore@ks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701368603184.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTA bridge replacement project will close a portion of U.S. 281 in Smith County starting Monday, April 1.The Kansas Department of Transportation will replace the bridge over Lindley Creek, located 0.13 mile west of the Smith/Osborne County line near Portis. During construction, U.S. 281 will be closed to traffic at the bridge. Motorists should follow the signed detour using U.S. 281, U.S. 24, K-181 and U.S. 36.KDOT expects the project to be completed by the end of October, conditions permitting.L&amp;M Contractors of Great Bend is the primary contractor for the approximately $1.9 million project. For more information, contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6200 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:daniel.moore@ks.gov">daniel.moore@ks.gov</a>.

Bridge replacement to close U.S. 281 in Smith County

Russell is on the verge of a major overhaul to its electric distribution system as the city gears up to launch a comprehensive reconstruction project. The project, led by the city electric department in collaboration with KMEA/Midstates and RMA Engineering, aims to bolster the reliability and efficiency of the local power infrastructure. The first construction phase is contracted to IES Electric, Holdredge, Nebraska. 

This comprehensive reconstruction project includes rebuilding more than twelve electric distribution circuits.

Originally authorized by the city council in February 2022, the electric distribution rebuild project is set to commence with the first phase: the East Residential 1 and 2 circuits, which cover State Street to Wichita

Avenue and N. Fossil Street to Copeland Street. This initial phase, expected to span up to twelve months, will encompass the replacement of power poles, power lines, and transformers within the designated areas.

Following the completion of the East Residential circuits, the project will transition to the next phase, which will be North Residential 1 and 2 circuits, followed by additional circuits each year until completion.

The City of Russell has secured significant funding for the forthcoming project phases. A federal BRIC grant of $2,039,000 has been awarded for the North Residential 1 and 2 portion, complemented by an additional $339,000 allocation from the State of Kansas’ Build Kansas Fund.

IES will diligently mobilize resources throughout the project to ensure timely execution and minimal disruption to residents. Short power outages may be necessary during specific tasks, but advanced notice will be provided to affected customers. Notices will be distributed via door hangers and the city's Notify Me system, offering a 24-hour lead time for planned outages.

Residents can stay informed about project developments and outage schedules by signing up for the Notify Me system at www.russellcity.org. For inquiries regarding the electric distribution rebuild project, please get in touch with Dave Sturgeon, Electric Utility Director, at 785.483.7112.

This initiative underscores the Russell City Council’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and providing a dependable power supply for its residents. With the collaborative efforts of the city electric department, KMEA/Midstates, RMA engineering, and IES, the project is poised to achieve its objectives efficiently and effectively.

City of RussellRussell is on the verge of a major overhaul to its electric distribution system as the city gears up to launch a comprehensive reconstruction project. The project, led by the city electric department in collaboration with KMEA/Midstates and RMA Engineering, aims to bolster the reliability and efficiency of the local power infrastructure. The first construction phase is contracted to IES Electric, Holdredge, Nebraska. This comprehensive reconstruction project includes rebuilding more than twelve electric distribution circuits.Originally authorized by the city council in February 2022, the electric distribution rebuild project is set to commence with the first phase: the East Residential 1 and 2 circuits, which cover State Street to WichitaAvenue and N. Fossil Street to Copeland Street. This initial phase, expected to span up to twelve months, will encompass the replacement of power poles, power lines, and transformers within the designated areas.Following the completion of the East Residential circuits, the project will transition to the next phase, which will be North Residential 1 and 2 circuits, followed by additional circuits each year until completion.The City of Russell has secured significant funding for the forthcoming project phases. A federal BRIC grant of $2,039,000 has been awarded for the North Residential 1 and 2 portion, complemented by an additional $339,000 allocation from the State of Kansas’ Build Kansas Fund.IES will diligently mobilize resources throughout the project to ensure timely execution and minimal disruption to residents. Short power outages may be necessary during specific tasks, but advanced notice will be provided to affected customers. Notices will be distributed via door hangers and the city's Notify Me system, offering a 24-hour lead time for planned outages.Residents can stay informed about project developments and outage schedules by signing up for the Notify Me system at www.russellcity.org. For inquiries regarding the electric distribution rebuild project, please get in touch with Dave Sturgeon, Electric Utility Director, at 785.483.7112.This initiative underscores the Russell City Council’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and providing a dependable power supply for its residents. With the collaborative efforts of the city electric department, KMEA/Midstates, RMA engineering, and IES, the project is poised to achieve its objectives efficiently and effectively.

Russell to overhaul electric system

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Many people, for a variety of reasons, such as arthritis or other painful conditions, don’t participate in regular physical activity, despite the health benefits it would offer.

The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease program was developed to help people with or without arthritis form walking groups whose goals are safety and success. The program’s three major objectives are to provide participants with

· Education about successful physical activity for people with arthritis

· Opportunity to begin and develop an ongoing aerobic fitness program

Walk with Ease’s information and strategies are based on research and tested programs in exercise science, behavior change, and arthritis management.

Groups meet for 6 weeks, three times per week. Each session lasts about one hour. The length of each session depends on how long your group decides to walk. At the start, some people may only be able to walk 5 to 15 minutes, but the program will help you gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of walking, three times a week. The program can be modified to meet the interests and needs of participants, who walk at their own pace.

Each session begins with a brief discussion of a topic important to successful walking or arthritis management. After the discussion the group will warm up, stretch, walk, cool down, and stretch one las time. Walking with a group is fun and groups often spend additional time socializing.

The Walk with Ease program is designed for people with arthritis- young and old, male and female, fit and not-so-fit. It is also suitable for people without arthritis who would like to begin a regular walking program to gain the benefits of regular aerobic exercise.

If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can probably participate successfully, and the program can be modified to meet your needs.

If you want to participate but have concerns about your health, consult your health care practitioner before you begin.

To participate in the course, you complete and return an application. Please contact the Cottonwood Extension Office at 785-628-9430 or email moniquek@ksu.edu or you can stop by the office at 601 Main St. to fill out the application. The cost is $15 to participate. You receive a book with the class. Classes will meet most Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 1:30pm at Hays Recreation Center gyms. Classes begin April 3, 2024 and end on May 17, 2024.

Walk with Ease is running concurrently with Walk Kansas and can be a great way to start shifting your habits! You can participate in one program or both programs.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522176561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictMany people, for a variety of reasons, such as arthritis or other painful conditions, don’t participate in regular physical activity, despite the health benefits it would offer.The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease program was developed to help people with or without arthritis form walking groups whose goals are safety and success. The program’s three major objectives are to provide participants with· Education about successful physical activity for people with arthritis· Education about arthritis management· Opportunity to begin and develop an ongoing aerobic fitness programWalk with Ease’s information and strategies are based on research and tested programs in exercise science, behavior change, and arthritis management.How does it work?Groups meet for 6 weeks, three times per week. Each session lasts about one hour. The length of each session depends on how long your group decides to walk. At the start, some people may only be able to walk 5 to 15 minutes, but the program will help you gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of walking, three times a week. The program can be modified to meet the interests and needs of participants, who walk at their own pace.Each session begins with a brief discussion of a topic important to successful walking or arthritis management. After the discussion the group will warm up, stretch, walk, cool down, and stretch one las time. Walking with a group is fun and groups often spend additional time socializing.Who can participate?The Walk with Ease program is designed for people with arthritis- young and old, male and female, fit and not-so-fit. It is also suitable for people without arthritis who would like to begin a regular walking program to gain the benefits of regular aerobic exercise.If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can probably participate successfully, and the program can be modified to meet your needs.If you want to participate but have concerns about your health, consult your health care practitioner before you begin.How do I register?To participate in the course, you complete and return an application. Please contact the Cottonwood Extension Office at 785-628-9430 or email moniquek@ksu.edu or you can stop by the office at 601 Main St. to fill out the application. The cost is $15 to participate. You receive a book with the class. Classes will meet most Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 1:30pm at Hays Recreation Center gyms. Classes begin April 3, 2024 and end on May 17, 2024.Walk with Ease is running concurrently with Walk Kansas and can be a great way to start shifting your habits! You can participate in one program or both programs.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: Walk with ease

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

I used to get really excited about this time each year at the thought of spring turkey season; not so much anymore. I still hunt them, and I still get excited at the possibility of matching wits with a lovesick ole’ gobbler, but I guess I don’t enjoy bumbling and fumbling around in the dark as much anymore, trying to find that spot I had prepared to sit, or trying to navigate the fields and woods in the dark on older, more unstable legs than the ones that used to carry me along.

I’m not a real seasoned turkey hunter, but I have learned a thing or two, mostly by mistake, about the pursuit of Kansas gobblers. A tried-and-true way of putting yourself on turkeys at first light is to be set up to call them as they leave the roost in the morning. You need to be close, but not too close and you need to be able to get there without being seen or heard by the still-roosted birds. More than once I’ve set up in the morning where I saw birds late the night before and assumed I knew where they roosted, only to be scared spitless the next morning when a big tom gobbled much too near to me in the dark. My error was in not knowing for certain where they roosted and assuming I could come close enough. So, if calling birds as they leave the roost in the morning is your game, either stick around long enough the night before or come back after dark and do some coyote howls or owl hoots to know for sure where they are.

Also, shoot a couple shells through your shotgun to make certain you know where it hits and how the shot pattern looks. I’ve always been told to aim at the featherless part of their throat just below the head; that puts pellets above and below that point and will quickly kill the bird. Also invest in tick treated clothing or buy some good tick repellent spray to spray your outer clothing.

Another thing I’ve learned is not to give up too easily on birds you might spook. Once spooked, you will probably not get a shot at those birds anymore that day where you happen to spook them, but quietly leave and get set up somewhere ahead of them and the game is still on. A few years ago I built a blind out of brush the landowner had cut at the end of a field a couple hundred yards from where I knew a small group of turkeys was roosting. What I hadn’t planned for was the couple lone jakes roosting by themselves just a short distance from my blind.

After they had “called my bluff,” and the group I knew about had shunned me too, I set up again along a creek just around the corner of the same wooded pasture and started calling. The two jakes that had busted me came running enthusiastically and probably would have run over me had I not shot the first one.

Despite what the pros might say, turkey calling does not have to be flawless. Yes, it’s good to know enough that your calls are not screaming bad things about a gobbler’s mother, but in my opinion it’s much more important to be in the right spot and to be well camouflaged, quiet and still.

The 2024 spring turkey season in Kansas runs from April 1 - 16 for youth/disabled hunters, from April 8 - 16 for archery only, and the resident firearms season from April 17 – May 31; that’s a long season. In my mind there is no excuse not to buy a spring turkey permit for $32.50 and hit the woods. If you’re new to turkey hunting, attend a seminar or find an experienced hunter to take you along and experience that sickness known as spring wild turkey hunting as you Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsI used to get really excited about this time each year at the thought of spring turkey season; not so much anymore. I still hunt them, and I still get excited at the possibility of matching wits with a lovesick ole’ gobbler, but I guess I don’t enjoy bumbling and fumbling around in the dark as much anymore, trying to find that spot I had prepared to sit, or trying to navigate the fields and woods in the dark on older, more unstable legs than the ones that used to carry me along.I’m not a real seasoned turkey hunter, but I have learned a thing or two, mostly by mistake, about the pursuit of Kansas gobblers. A tried-and-true way of putting yourself on turkeys at first light is to be set up to call them as they leave the roost in the morning. You need to be close, but not too close and you need to be able to get there without being seen or heard by the still-roosted birds. More than once I’ve set up in the morning where I saw birds late the night before and assumed I knew where they roosted, only to be scared spitless the next morning when a big tom gobbled much too near to me in the dark. My error was in not knowing for certain where they roosted and assuming I could come close enough. So, if calling birds as they leave the roost in the morning is your game, either stick around long enough the night before or come back after dark and do some coyote howls or owl hoots to know for sure where they are.Also, shoot a couple shells through your shotgun to make certain you know where it hits and how the shot pattern looks. I’ve always been told to aim at the featherless part of their throat just below the head; that puts pellets above and below that point and will quickly kill the bird. Also invest in tick treated clothing or buy some good tick repellent spray to spray your outer clothing.Another thing I’ve learned is not to give up too easily on birds you might spook. Once spooked, you will probably not get a shot at those birds anymore that day where you happen to spook them, but quietly leave and get set up somewhere ahead of them and the game is still on. A few years ago I built a blind out of brush the landowner had cut at the end of a field a couple hundred yards from where I knew a small group of turkeys was roosting. What I hadn’t planned for was the couple lone jakes roosting by themselves just a short distance from my blind.After they had “called my bluff,” and the group I knew about had shunned me too, I set up again along a creek just around the corner of the same wooded pasture and started calling. The two jakes that had busted me came running enthusiastically and probably would have run over me had I not shot the first one.Despite what the pros might say, turkey calling does not have to be flawless. Yes, it’s good to know enough that your calls are not screaming bad things about a gobbler’s mother, but in my opinion it’s much more important to be in the right spot and to be well camouflaged, quiet and still.The 2024 spring turkey season in Kansas runs from April 1 - 16 for youth/disabled hunters, from April 8 - 16 for archery only, and the resident firearms season from April 17 – May 31; that’s a long season. In my mind there is no excuse not to buy a spring turkey permit for $32.50 and hit the woods. If you’re new to turkey hunting, attend a seminar or find an experienced hunter to take you along and experience that sickness known as spring wild turkey hunting as you Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

GILLILAND: Spring turkey hunting sickness

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays Post

It seemed like a dream come true when it finally reached completion in March 1999, although museum directors will tell you that a museum is never done.

Fort Hays State University began talking about bringing worldwide acclaim to Hays when it acquired an abandoned health club for $1 in a 1991 sheriff’s auction with plans to move the university’s museum across town.

Ed Hammond, who was just finishing his fourth year as FHSU president, had the dream of turning that domed building into a space for a museum of natural history. And so began nearly a decade of fundraising and planning.

Numerous Hays area businesses, along with individual donors, got behind the $11.5 million project that combined two smaller museums on campus (Sternberg Memorial Museum and Museum of the High Plains) to form the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in a 100,000-square-foot building at 3000 Sternberg Drive.

The buildup ramped up in 1998 when Hammond announced a March 1999 opening date, and from the get-go, the new Sternberg Museum proved it is here to stay.

Just two years after its opening, Sternberg made a huge splash with its first big exhibit – and undoubtedly its largest in museum history – when it brought to town the world-famous A T. rex Named Sue, the largest, most extensive and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossils ever found.

In two months time, more than 100,000 visitors came to Sternberg to see Sue, the traveling exhibit that now is a permanent exhibit in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Sternberg has also had numerous prestigious traveling exhibits over the years. But the museum’s opening day—and A T. rex Named Sue—might be the most talked about even decades later.

The much-anticipated opening of the museum had survived an 11-inch snowstorm the night before, and the doors opened to the public on Saturday, March 13, 1999.

Brad Penka, visitors services manager, is one of a handful of employees who have been at the museum’s current location since its opening.

In anticipation of an excessive amount of visitors for the opening weekend, complimentary tickets were given out for each hour in an effort to control the amount of visitors for each hour.

Even with all the preparation for large crowds, Penka said the snowstorm actually had a silver lining.

“In looking back, it was a blessing it snowed that night before,” Penka said. “We were shoulder to shoulder here that first weekend, even with the snow keeping a lot of people away. I’m not sure if we could have handled anymore, so the snow was almost a blessing.”

About a thousand of the 4,500 tickets given out were not redeemed that weekend because of the snow, and there have been many a silver linings over the years for the museum.

Sternberg survived slow-down times during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sternberg celebrated its millionth visitor in 2020, and in what seemed like no time at all, museum staff realized it needed to be planning Sternberg’s 25th anniversary.

So on Friday, they celebrated with the theme of “25 years of Discovery Under the Dome.”

There was the usual ribbon cutting by the Chamber in Hays in the morning and later in the day there were remarks from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a native of nearby Plainville, and Ed Hammond and Tisa Mason, FHSU presidents then and now.

In between, there were tours of Sternberg collections in the lower level of the museum, ones that are not open for display to the general public, and talks on the Sternberg family.

More than 700 people visited the museum on Friday alone, bringing back memories of that opening weekend.

For Hammond and others who were present 25 years ago, it was definitely a trip down memory lane, and reminiscing was the theme of the day.

Hammond said he had a dream of making Sternberg a major tourist attraction that could have a multi-million dollar impact on the region.

“People thought I was absolutely crazy,” Hammond said back then. “They told me that there was no way it could happen.”

People from all 50 states and numerous countries have visited the museum since 1999, and the popular summer camps for high school students annually have international participants.

The museum is named after George F. Sternberg, one member of a famous family of fossil hunters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710636971878.jpeg" alt="Sternberg Museum of Natural History" />
 <figcaption>Sternberg Museum of Natural History</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708110719636.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays PostIt seemed like a dream come true when it finally reached completion in March 1999, although museum directors will tell you that a museum is never done.Fort Hays State University began talking about bringing worldwide acclaim to Hays when it acquired an abandoned health club for $1 in a 1991 sheriff’s auction with plans to move the university’s museum across town.Ed Hammond, who was just finishing his fourth year as FHSU president, had the dream of turning that domed building into a space for a museum of natural history. And so began nearly a decade of fundraising and planning.Numerous Hays area businesses, along with individual donors, got behind the $11.5 million project that combined two smaller museums on campus (Sternberg Memorial Museum and Museum of the High Plains) to form the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in a 100,000-square-foot building at 3000 Sternberg Drive.The buildup ramped up in 1998 when Hammond announced a March 1999 opening date, and from the get-go, the new Sternberg Museum proved it is here to stay.Just two years after its opening, Sternberg made a huge splash with its first big exhibit – and undoubtedly its largest in museum history – when it brought to town the world-famous A T. rex Named Sue, the largest, most extensive and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossils ever found.In two months time, more than 100,000 visitors came to Sternberg to see Sue, the traveling exhibit that now is a permanent exhibit in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710639120561.jpeg" alt="Tickets for the opening day of Sternberg Museum on March 13, 1999 were scheduled by one-hour time slots. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Tickets for the opening day of Sternberg Museum on March 13, 1999 were scheduled by one-hour time slots. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Sternberg has also had numerous prestigious traveling exhibits over the years. But the museum’s opening day—and A T. rex Named Sue—might be the most talked about even decades later.The much-anticipated opening of the museum had survived an 11-inch snowstorm the night before, and the doors opened to the public on Saturday, March 13, 1999.Brad Penka, visitors services manager, is one of a handful of employees who have been at the museum’s current location since its opening.In anticipation of an excessive amount of visitors for the opening weekend, complimentary tickets were given out for each hour in an effort to control the amount of visitors for each hour.Even with all the preparation for large crowds, Penka said the snowstorm actually had a silver lining.“In looking back, it was a blessing it snowed that night before,” Penka said. “We were shoulder to shoulder here that first weekend, even with the snow keeping a lot of people away. I’m not sure if we could have handled anymore, so the snow was almost a blessing.”About a thousand of the 4,500 tickets given out were not redeemed that weekend because of the snow, and there have been many a silver linings over the years for the museum.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710639239495.jpeg" alt="A cake with a dome on top was made for the museum’s 25th anniversary. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A cake with a dome on top was made for the museum’s 25th anniversary. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Sternberg survived slow-down times during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America and the COVID-19 pandemic.Sternberg celebrated its millionth visitor in 2020, and in what seemed like no time at all, museum staff realized it needed to be planning Sternberg’s 25th anniversary.So on Friday, they celebrated with the theme of “25 years of Discovery Under the Dome.”There was the usual ribbon cutting by the Chamber in Hays in the morning and later in the day there were remarks from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a native of nearby Plainville, and Ed Hammond and Tisa Mason, FHSU presidents then and now.In between, there were tours of Sternberg collections in the lower level of the museum, ones that are not open for display to the general public, and talks on the Sternberg family.More than 700 people visited the museum on Friday alone, bringing back memories of that opening weekend.For Hammond and others who were present 25 years ago, it was definitely a trip down memory lane, and reminiscing was the theme of the day.Hammond said he had a dream of making Sternberg a major tourist attraction that could have a multi-million dollar impact on the region.“People thought I was absolutely crazy,” Hammond said back then. “They told me that there was no way it could happen.”It did happen.People from all 50 states and numerous countries have visited the museum since 1999, and the popular summer camps for high school students annually have international participants.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710639335179.jpeg" alt="A short bio on George F. Sternberg, after whom Sternberg Museum was named, was on display during the anniversary celebration. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Pot" />
 <figcaption>A short bio on George F. Sternberg, after whom Sternberg Museum was named, was on display during the anniversary celebration. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Pot</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Sternberg legacy lives on</h2>The museum is named after George F. Sternberg, one member of a famous family of fossil hunters.The former Sternberg Memorial Museum on campus featured mostly Kansas-based fossils from the Cretaceous period. Dinosaurs were added to the new museum to give visitors a sense of slipping back in time as they walk across a bridge and into the prehistoric area with the dinosaurs.Following in the footsteps of pioneer fossil hunter Charles H. Sternberg were his three sons, including George F., best known for collecting the world-famous Fish-Within-A-Fish in Gove County.George F. discovered his first unusual fossil at the age of 9 and devoted his life to fossil hunting and collecting. He was eventually hired by Fort Hays State to manage a museum and now has some of his fossils displayed in museums around the world.Besides serving as a major visitors’ attraction, the mission of Sternberg Museum includes research and education.Several areas in the museum are named after major donors, including the Seibel Lobby and the Engel Education Center. The building itself was named Beach Hall in honor of Ross and Marianna Beach, local philanthropists who donated $1 million to the project early on.The museum features a life-sized display of George F. uncovering the Fish-Within-A-Fish and hundreds of other historical exhibits, both permanent and temporary.One of the favorites for visitors young and old alike is a two-story mezzanine-type structure with models of life-sized dinosaurs inhabiting the second floor. The diorama includes a 40-foot long roaring, robotic Tyranosaurus rex. It got its name because of its size – rex means king in Latin, and this dinosaur was king of the tyrant lizards.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710639456877.jpeg" alt="Youngsters were especially enamored with dinosaurs during the time of Sternberg Museum’s opening. Hays brothers Drew and Reid O’Brien even chose Pteranodons for the name of their local youth soccer teams in the spring of 1999 – and took their team photos at the museum. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Youngsters were especially enamored with dinosaurs during the time of Sternberg Museum’s opening. Hays brothers Drew and Reid O’Brien even chose Pteranodons for the name of their local youth soccer teams in the spring of 1999 – and took their team photos at the museum. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Memories galore</h2>A milestone celebration is never held without a lot of “remember whens …”Mason Ruder remembers walking to the museum from his home on nearby Metro Lane and visiting Sternberg two or three times a week as a youngster.Ruder and other youngsters at the time could reel off the name of every dinosaur and flying reptile in the museum’s diorama.“Oh yeah, I could name them all,” Ruder said with a laugh, “and I could pronounce them correctly, too.”Now the father of four young children of his own, Ruder and his wife, Tori, have a family membership to Sternberg and often take their two young daughters, 5-year-old Ryleigh and 3-year-old Isabelle, to the museum. He is looking forward to his 1-month-old twin sons Matthew and Wyatt accompanying him someday soon.“Our girls love it, and I’m sure the boys will, too,” Ruder said. “We utilize that family pass in a lot of different places. It’s great.”Yearly memberships to Sternberg Museum also include free admission to numerous reciprocal museums around the country that are members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.Greg and Cami Liggett, both employees of the museum when it opened, still talk about the buzz surrounding the museum moving across town to the dome. Greg was assistant director and Cami was education director at the time.The Liggetts moved from Hays in 2006 when Greg was summoned to open the Gateway Science Museum in Chico, Calif. They moved to Billings, Mont., in 2012 and now work for the Bureau of Land Management. But they still say their time in Hays and at Sternberg was a slice of life they will always fondly remember.“When I tell people about that part of my life, I say we didn’t know that it couldn’t be done, so we just did it,” Cami said.“We had such a good group of people where everybody threw their heart into that project,” Greg said. “It was a heady time back then, something we’ll never forget.”Many others will never forget Greg Liggett’s idea of placing items in a time capsule to be opened years down the road.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710639540643.jpeg" alt="Sternberg Museum Director Reese Barrick, left, explains the history of the time capsule, whose contents were collected more than 25 years ago. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sternberg Museum Director Reese Barrick, left, explains the history of the time capsule, whose contents were collected more than 25 years ago. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Opening the time capsule</h2>Some people anticipated the opening of that time capsule placed inside T. rex almost as much as the museum’s opening day. After all, 25 years is a long time to wait for just about anything.A woman standing in line Friday talked of how she had documentation saying the time capsule, created in 1995 with a deadline of March 1996, would be opened in 2020.Reese Barrick, in his 15th year as director of the museum, wasn’t around Hays for the start of that particular project. And the world was in shut-down mode in 2020 because of the pandemic.Since the time capsule had been placed in the leg of the T. rex as he was being built, Barrick might never have even known about it if he hadn’t been told. But he said he was told often by phone calls from people asking when it would be opened.Barrick thought the museum’s 25th-anniversary celebration would be a good time to unveil its contents.The time capsule ended up being a large mail bag from the Hays post office, and people crowded around the tables Friday as Barrick pulled out about 100 envelopes and boxes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710639672178.jpeg" alt="Youngsters were especially enamored with dinosaurs during the time of Sternberg Museum’s opening. Hays brothers Drew and Reid O’Brien even chose Pteranodons for the name of their local youth soccer teams in the spring of 1999 – and took their team photos at the museum. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Youngsters were especially enamored with dinosaurs during the time of Sternberg Museum’s opening. Hays brothers Drew and Reid O’Brien even chose Pteranodons for the name of their local youth soccer teams in the spring of 1999 – and took their team photos at the museum. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Some folks opened their treasures on the spot. Others like Susan Nickerson kept them sealed for family members to open.Nickerson, who now lives in Grand Island, Neb., drove to Hays while visiting her mother in Ellsworth to claim the contents placed in the time capsule by her children, who were 8 and 6 years old at the time.Hays residents Joe and Patty Curry stood on the bridge connecting the second floor to the diorama, laughing while pulling things out of their envelope.One of the Curry’ items was a January 1996 newspaper article from Patty’s hometown that talked about the Great American Cattle Drive with 200 longhorn cattle coming down the main street of Oberlin. Another was the window sticker from the couple’s new 1995 Grand Prix. The sticker price back then was $20,106.Hays native Jason Ball shared with those around him some family photos that his parents had placed in the time capsule. He smiled as he unfolded a picture of a dinosaur he had colored as a 6-year-old.A lot of people were smiling as they made their way down the stairs to the lobby for refreshments that featured a cake decorated with a dome on top.Folks stayed around afterward, obviously enjoying reminiscing with some people they might not have seen in 25 years.It was a good day. It’s been a good 25 years.“What happens at Fort Hays State University in large part affects what happens in western Kansas,” said Sen. Moran, who also was present on opening day in 1999. “I’m here to say thank you to past leaders, present leaders and future leaders” of Fort Hays State for bringing prominence to the entire region surrounding Hays.President Mason congratulated Sternberg employees on their “incredible success story” and wished them luck for the next 25 years.When that date for the 50th anniversary rolls around in 2049, some of those who were present at the 1999 opening will no longer be here on this earth.Just like now, the names of the museum director and the university president will have changed.But the legacy of the Sternbergs – and Hammond’s dream come true – will live on indefinitely.

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