This week is the fourth week of the 2024 legislative session, and many more bills were introduced in the Kansas House of Representatives. Here is a look at some of those bills:

House Concurrent Resolution 5023 would amend the Kansas Constitution of the state of Kansas and lowers the minimum age for voting in elections from eighteen to sixteen. If passed by the Kansas Legislature with a supermajority vote, 84 votes in favor in the House, then the voters of Kansas would vote on this constitutional amendment.

House Bill 2607, which relates to agriculture in the state of Kansas, requires applicators of pesticides that are uncertified to be supervised, and requires applicants to file certificates of liability insurance, instead of bonds, letters of credit, or proof of escrow.

House Bill 2608 authorizes the Animal Health Commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to administer the Poultry Disease Control Act.

House Bill 2613 relates to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, most commonly referred to as “DARE.” It would create a position called the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education Educator, establish the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Fund, and provide the funding for this fund by an annual transfer from the State General Fund.

House Bill 2006 relates to the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act by specifying that certain drug offenses do not warrant the forfeiture of property for those particular drug offenses.

House Bill 2600 would establish a grant program to award dollars to qualifying Title 1 schools and provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost.

House Bill 2604 increases the dollar amount for small claims proceedings.

These are a handful of bills introduced, and we will need to see if they will have a scheduled hearing in their committee. Many of these bills may not even have a hearing or make it out of committee.

The House Appropriations heard from the World Cup 2026 delegation on Tuesday morning. The delegation is advocating for $28-32 million for the World Cup that will be in the Kansas City region, both the Missouri and Kansas sides, in 2026. They explained that there are definitely three, possibly four, venues that will have base camps in Kansas. These base camps&nbsp;will generate a great economic impact to the state. They explained that in order for the selection of the World Cup, there needed to be enough hotel rooms within a 250-mile radius of the match, which would involve Lincoln and Ellsworth in House District 109. The Governor has proposed $20 million for the World Cup.

During the past couple of weeks, I have had meetings with both House and Senate leadership regarding the governor’s proposals for the state budget. Many items the governor has included in her budget do not need to be expended with dollars from the Kansas taxpayers. We are still discussing those items and will see if these happen to be funded in the final budget.

The House Appropriations Committee continued its discussions on the budgets for our state agencies and departments this week.

We heard the budget analysis for the Kansas Board of Hearing Aid Examiners, Kansas Lottery, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, and the Kansas Department of Revenue. The budget for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission was interesting due to the selection of the new historic horse racing facility to be opened in Sedgwick County by 2025.

Thursday, we continued our budget discussions with the Abstractor’s Board of Examiners, Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, and the Board of Technical Professions.

Anytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio at <a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me 785-296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov.

Rep. Troy Waymaster is the House Appropriations Committee chairman and representative of the Kansas House 109th District which includes Ellsworth, Lincoln, Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633970422056.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill (File photo)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill (File photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>February 2, 2024 Topeka<h2>Bills Introduced</h2>This week is the fourth week of the 2024 legislative session, and many more bills were introduced in the Kansas House of Representatives. Here is a look at some of those bills:House Concurrent Resolution 5023 would amend the Kansas Constitution of the state of Kansas and lowers the minimum age for voting in elections from eighteen to sixteen. If passed by the Kansas Legislature with a supermajority vote, 84 votes in favor in the House, then the voters of Kansas would vote on this constitutional amendment.House Bill 2607, which relates to agriculture in the state of Kansas, requires applicators of pesticides that are uncertified to be supervised, and requires applicants to file certificates of liability insurance, instead of bonds, letters of credit, or proof of escrow.House Bill 2608 authorizes the Animal Health Commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to administer the Poultry Disease Control Act.House Bill 2613 relates to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, most commonly referred to as “DARE.” It would create a position called the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education Educator, establish the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Fund, and provide the funding for this fund by an annual transfer from the State General Fund.House Bill 2006 relates to the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act by specifying that certain drug offenses do not warrant the forfeiture of property for those particular drug offenses.House Bill 2600 would establish a grant program to award dollars to qualifying Title 1 schools and provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost.House Bill 2604 increases the dollar amount for small claims proceedings.These are a handful of bills introduced, and we will need to see if they will have a scheduled hearing in their committee. Many of these bills may not even have a hearing or make it out of committee.<h2>Appropriations Committee – World Cup</h2>The House Appropriations heard from the World Cup 2026 delegation on Tuesday morning. The delegation is advocating for $28-32 million for the World Cup that will be in the Kansas City region, both the Missouri and Kansas sides, in 2026. They explained that there are definitely three, possibly four, venues that will have base camps in Kansas. These base camps&nbsp;will generate a great economic impact to the state. They explained that in order for the selection of the World Cup, there needed to be enough hotel rooms within a 250-mile radius of the match, which would involve Lincoln and Ellsworth in House District 109. The Governor has proposed $20 million for the World Cup.Discussions on State BudgetDuring the past couple of weeks, I have had meetings with both House and Senate leadership regarding the governor’s proposals for the state budget. Many items the governor has included in her budget do not need to be expended with dollars from the Kansas taxpayers. We are still discussing those items and will see if these happen to be funded in the final budget.The House Appropriations Committee continued its discussions on the budgets for our state agencies and departments this week.We heard the budget analysis for the Kansas Board of Hearing Aid Examiners, Kansas Lottery, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, and the Kansas Department of Revenue. The budget for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission was interesting due to the selection of the new historic horse racing facility to be opened in Sedgwick County by 2025.Thursday, we continued our budget discussions with the Abstractor’s Board of Examiners, Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, and the Board of Technical Professions.<h2>Contact Information</h2>Anytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio at <a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me 785-296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov.Rep. Troy Waymaster is the House Appropriations Committee chairman and representative of the Kansas House 109th District which includes Ellsworth, Lincoln, Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties.&nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Feb. 2 — voting at 16, drug forfeiture law

FINNEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Sunday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 GMC Yukon driven by Julie R. Edwards, 40, Scott City, was northbound&nbsp; at 9835 U.S. Highway 83.

The SUV&nbsp; left the roadway to the right continued northbound in the ditch, returned to the roadway and then left the road to the left and came to a stop in a field facing east.

EMS transported Edwards to&nbsp;St. Catherine's Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

FINNEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Sunday in Finney County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 GMC Yukon driven by Julie R. Edwards, 40, Scott City, was northbound&nbsp; at 9835 U.S. Highway 83.The SUV&nbsp; left the roadway to the right continued northbound in the ditch, returned to the roadway and then left the road to the left and came to a stop in a field facing east.EMS transported Edwards to&nbsp;St. Catherine's Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after SUV lands in field

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today announced that John Godfrey is the new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the State of Kansas. In his role, he will lead the Kansas Information Security Office (KISO) in developing and implementing information security strategies, including cybersecurity strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Godfrey steps into the role following Jeff Maxon’s&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi9nb3Zlcm5vci1rZWxseS1hcHBvaW50cy1qZWZmLW1heG9uLWFzLWNoaWVmLWluZm9ybWF0aW9uLXRlY2hub2xvZ3ktb2ZmaWNlci8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMjAyLjg5NTU5MzUxIn0.jpeT63Gl10U6xmUxweOO9ZZiIdF6oGy_d_gPaJnM5u0/s/1303161001/br/236457026829-l">appointment</a>&nbsp;to Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) for the State of Kansas in October 2023.&nbsp;

“John Godfrey’s years of experience in information security give him the unique perspective of the challenges we face when providing secure and dependable digital services to Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “I look forward to working with him as he builds on our whole-of-state approach to cybersecurity.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Godfrey comes to the state after serving as the CISO-in-Residence and Founder of LionHeart Cybersecurity Advisors in Kansas City, KS. He also has extensive experience working with several of the State’s Regents universities. He spent more than 10 years with The University of Kansas Medical Center, six of which were as CISO and Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Security. Additionally, Godfrey spent more than five years as a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, and Systems Administrator and Information Security Analyst at Kansas State University.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This is an exciting time to join the KISO and advance the strategies put in place by my predecessor,”&nbsp;John Godfrey said. “Coordination and collaboration are critical to advancing the cybersecurity posture of Kansas, and the KISO has been active in building a statewide cyber community that includes all 105 counties. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of professionals on what’s next for the future of information security.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2021, Godfrey was a member of the Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force where he chaired the Statewide Communication &amp; Collaboration Subcommittee. The Task Force produced a final report to the Governor’s Office that included forty-one recommendations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Godfrey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from American InterContinental University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies and Information Networking and Telecommunications from Fort Hays State University. He has a Master of Science in Information Assurance from Capital Technology University and is currently working on a Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity at Capital Technology University. Additionally, he has multiple licenses and professional certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS), Security+ and Network+ certifications from CompTIA, and several National Security Agency (NSA)/Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) certifications.&nbsp;

Office of Governor Laura KellyTOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today announced that John Godfrey is the new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the State of Kansas. In his role, he will lead the Kansas Information Security Office (KISO) in developing and implementing information security strategies, including cybersecurity strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;Godfrey steps into the role following Jeff Maxon’s&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi9nb3Zlcm5vci1rZWxseS1hcHBvaW50cy1qZWZmLW1heG9uLWFzLWNoaWVmLWluZm9ybWF0aW9uLXRlY2hub2xvZ3ktb2ZmaWNlci8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMjAyLjg5NTU5MzUxIn0.jpeT63Gl10U6xmUxweOO9ZZiIdF6oGy_d_gPaJnM5u0/s/1303161001/br/236457026829-l">appointment</a>&nbsp;to Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) for the State of Kansas in October 2023.&nbsp;“John Godfrey’s years of experience in information security give him the unique perspective of the challenges we face when providing secure and dependable digital services to Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “I look forward to working with him as he builds on our whole-of-state approach to cybersecurity.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Godfrey comes to the state after serving as the CISO-in-Residence and Founder of LionHeart Cybersecurity Advisors in Kansas City, KS. He also has extensive experience working with several of the State’s Regents universities. He spent more than 10 years with The University of Kansas Medical Center, six of which were as CISO and Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Security. Additionally, Godfrey spent more than five years as a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, and Systems Administrator and Information Security Analyst at Kansas State University.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This is an exciting time to join the KISO and advance the strategies put in place by my predecessor,”&nbsp;John Godfrey said. “Coordination and collaboration are critical to advancing the cybersecurity posture of Kansas, and the KISO has been active in building a statewide cyber community that includes all 105 counties. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of professionals on what’s next for the future of information security.”&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2021, Godfrey was a member of the Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force where he chaired the Statewide Communication &amp; Collaboration Subcommittee. The Task Force produced a final report to the Governor’s Office that included forty-one recommendations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Godfrey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from American InterContinental University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies and Information Networking and Telecommunications from Fort Hays State University. He has a Master of Science in Information Assurance from Capital Technology University and is currently working on a Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity at Capital Technology University. Additionally, he has multiple licenses and professional certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS), Security+ and Network+ certifications from CompTIA, and several National Security Agency (NSA)/Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) certifications.&nbsp;

FHSU graduate named state chief information security officer

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

When you envision retirement, positive thoughts likely bubble to the surface. You may be excited to relax, enjoy your freedom, and spend time with loved ones. However, retirement may not be exactly as it is imagined. What do I mean by this?

Erin Martinez, K-State Research and Extension specialist and associate professor of Adult Development and Aging shares her expertise:

“When you have your eyes set on retirement without a plan about how you are going to spend the time, it can be a bit of a shock and can disrupt your life by bringing about emotions about a lack of purpose.” She advises folks to not only have a financial retirement plan but also to think about what they want to accomplish in retirement.

“You don’t have to know exactly what you are going to do day-to-day, but spend time reflecting on what you value and what you want your big priorities in retirement to be,” Martinez said.

Knowing your purpose will help you move through the stages of retirement: honeymoon, disenchantment, reorientation, retirement route, and termination.

While honeymoon refers to newfound freedom, Martinez said feelings of disenchantment can follow if you haven’t found a new purpose. During the reorientation phase, folks find new activities and form a plan for their retirement years along with settling into a new routine.

Termination can refer to ending the retirement plan by going back to work, but more commonly it means that the retiree needs to reduce their involvement due to declining health.

For some, shifting from full-time work to part-time work is a fantastic strategy that allows a person to slowly transition into retirement.

Martinez advises, “Talk with your employer to see if you can step into a part-time role or see what other options there might be even if it has never been done before.”

Looking for volunteer opportunities is another excellent way to find a purpose in retirement. “Volunteer Kansas is a great website to explore when looking for ideas,” Martinez suggests.

Serving others is one way that older adults can keep themselves physically and mentally healthy while maintaining social connections.

“As you shift in retirement, you can go from volunteering at school events to helping out at the senior center. This allows you to make different friends in new spaces,” Martinez said. “Socialization is incredibly important to healthy aging.”

As part of the retirement plan, it is important to communicate with family about your plan so that children and spouses don’t make assumptions about how you are going to spend time.

Sometimes family dynamics struggle in retirement because of uncommunicated plans. If ideas don’t align, friction can occur. Martinez advises couples to talk through their retirement goals and have a clear plan of what they hope to accomplish.

She added: “Mentally preparing for retirement involves a lot of internal processing about what is most meaningful to you and what you want your retirement legacy to be.”

Taking time now to understand your goals and purpose for retirement puts you on a rewarding path that allows you to get the most out of this stage of life.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictWhen you envision retirement, positive thoughts likely bubble to the surface. You may be excited to relax, enjoy your freedom, and spend time with loved ones. However, retirement may not be exactly as it is imagined. What do I mean by this?Erin Martinez, K-State Research and Extension specialist and associate professor of Adult Development and Aging shares her expertise:“When you have your eyes set on retirement without a plan about how you are going to spend the time, it can be a bit of a shock and can disrupt your life by bringing about emotions about a lack of purpose.” She advises folks to not only have a financial retirement plan but also to think about what they want to accomplish in retirement.“You don’t have to know exactly what you are going to do day-to-day, but spend time reflecting on what you value and what you want your big priorities in retirement to be,” Martinez said.Knowing your purpose will help you move through the stages of retirement: honeymoon, disenchantment, reorientation, retirement route, and termination.While honeymoon refers to newfound freedom, Martinez said feelings of disenchantment can follow if you haven’t found a new purpose. During the reorientation phase, folks find new activities and form a plan for their retirement years along with settling into a new routine.Termination can refer to ending the retirement plan by going back to work, but more commonly it means that the retiree needs to reduce their involvement due to declining health.For some, shifting from full-time work to part-time work is a fantastic strategy that allows a person to slowly transition into retirement.Martinez advises, “Talk with your employer to see if you can step into a part-time role or see what other options there might be even if it has never been done before.”Looking for volunteer opportunities is another excellent way to find a purpose in retirement. “Volunteer Kansas is a great website to explore when looking for ideas,” Martinez suggests.Serving others is one way that older adults can keep themselves physically and mentally healthy while maintaining social connections.“As you shift in retirement, you can go from volunteering at school events to helping out at the senior center. This allows you to make different friends in new spaces,” Martinez said. “Socialization is incredibly important to healthy aging.”As part of the retirement plan, it is important to communicate with family about your plan so that children and spouses don’t make assumptions about how you are going to spend time.Sometimes family dynamics struggle in retirement because of uncommunicated plans. If ideas don’t align, friction can occur. Martinez advises couples to talk through their retirement goals and have a clear plan of what they hope to accomplish.She added: “Mentally preparing for retirement involves a lot of internal processing about what is most meaningful to you and what you want your retirement legacy to be.”Taking time now to understand your goals and purpose for retirement puts you on a rewarding path that allows you to get the most out of this stage of life.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Plan for retirement today

<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/2024/2/1706906908083.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

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

A couple years ago after catching my last bobcat of the trapping season, I laid it on the pickup tailgate and marveled at the magnificent creature it was. First the eyes, eyes that could probably spot a scurrying mouse at a hundred yards. Then the ears, each tipped with a tiny tuft of fur, they’re wondrous little organs that would probably have heard the same mouse even farther away. I stroked its plush fur and wondered aloud how its creamy-white spotted belly could be so beautiful. I took one of its paws in my hand, paws that seemed much too big for its lanky body. I cradled the paw upside down in my palm, and with my thumb pressed down on the underside of one toe. Out came a curved, talon-shaped claw sharp as a fishhook. When I released the toe it immediately covered itself again with a sheath of skin as if it was not even there. “How does this all work?” I wondered.

Given the “cancel culture” so prevalent in the US today, and the determination by many to completely eradicate God from every facet of our society, I hope today’s column doesn’t cause readers to turn the page without reading. I’m going to make a rather bold statement here, but stick with me… I believe in evolution. Yes, you read correctly, I believe in evolution… I believe in evolution as a process by which all wildlife adapts over years, generations or decades to changes in their environment, but I REFUSE to believe in anything other than God’s Creation as the vehicle by which the creature that lay on the pickup gate before me came to exist!

No matter how mundane or uneventful an outdoor adventure seems, I absolutely never leave nature’s presence without being fascinated by something. Maybe it just doesn’t take much to fascinate me anymore, but my wonderment with Creation starts pretty simply. For example, how does putting a kernel of corn into this stuff we call “soil” with a little water and sunshine cause a plant to grow? And furthermore, how does that seed know to grow a stalk of corn and not a soybean plant, a pigweed or a maple tree for that matter? And then there’s the part where it produces a big ol’ cob full of the exact seeds we started with, covered by several layers of heavy leaves to protect those seed till they ripen. Or how about the vibrant colors around a rooster pheasant’s face, the shimmering green of a mallard drake’s head, the stunning red hues of a male cardinal’s body or even the amazing palate of colors found on the tail of a pesky peacock? Then inversely, how do all the females of those same species end up totally dull and drab so they blend in with their surroundings as they sit on a nest filled with peculiar looking vessels called “eggs” that will hatch, and just like the corn plant, produce young that are exactly like their parents?

How do geese navigate to spots hundreds or even thousands of miles away, and yet find their way back home to nest? How do salmon end up where they were hatched to lay eggs of their own, which - you guessed it – will hatch into little salmon looking just like mom and dad. How do ducklings know how to swim when they are barely dry after hatching and how do hoards of baby turtles know to head straight for the ocean mere minutes after digging themselves free from their sand covered nests?

I’ve barely scratched the surface here, but I’ll tell you how I believe this all happens; it’s all Divinely designed to happen that way! Oh, I’ve heard all the other explanations; how we began as monkeys and “evolved” into humans. I have no doubt our ancestors looked nothing like us, (some people I still wonder about today) but trust me, we still began as humans. Then there’s the theory that life began as some sort of “stew” or “soup” and over a gazillion years “just happened” to develop into all we see today. As my wife would say, “It takes way more faith to believe that than it does to believe in Creation.”

Anyway, I’ve ranted enough for now, but the bottom line is that I believe deeply in evolution as the process by which all life adapts to its changing surroundings, but I believe deeply that all nature was created by God for us to enjoy and manage, and the day I stop believing that way, I’ll sell all my traps, fishing rods and guns and take up knitting, because I won’t deserve to Explore Kansas Outdoors anymore!

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 OutdoorsA couple years ago after catching my last bobcat of the trapping season, I laid it on the pickup tailgate and marveled at the magnificent creature it was. First the eyes, eyes that could probably spot a scurrying mouse at a hundred yards. Then the ears, each tipped with a tiny tuft of fur, they’re wondrous little organs that would probably have heard the same mouse even farther away. I stroked its plush fur and wondered aloud how its creamy-white spotted belly could be so beautiful. I took one of its paws in my hand, paws that seemed much too big for its lanky body. I cradled the paw upside down in my palm, and with my thumb pressed down on the underside of one toe. Out came a curved, talon-shaped claw sharp as a fishhook. When I released the toe it immediately covered itself again with a sheath of skin as if it was not even there. “How does this all work?” I wondered.Given the “cancel culture” so prevalent in the US today, and the determination by many to completely eradicate God from every facet of our society, I hope today’s column doesn’t cause readers to turn the page without reading. I’m going to make a rather bold statement here, but stick with me… I believe in evolution. Yes, you read correctly, I believe in evolution… I believe in evolution as a process by which all wildlife adapts over years, generations or decades to changes in their environment, but I REFUSE to believe in anything other than God’s Creation as the vehicle by which the creature that lay on the pickup gate before me came to exist!No matter how mundane or uneventful an outdoor adventure seems, I absolutely never leave nature’s presence without being fascinated by something. Maybe it just doesn’t take much to fascinate me anymore, but my wonderment with Creation starts pretty simply. For example, how does putting a kernel of corn into this stuff we call “soil” with a little water and sunshine cause a plant to grow? And furthermore, how does that seed know to grow a stalk of corn and not a soybean plant, a pigweed or a maple tree for that matter? And then there’s the part where it produces a big ol’ cob full of the exact seeds we started with, covered by several layers of heavy leaves to protect those seed till they ripen. Or how about the vibrant colors around a rooster pheasant’s face, the shimmering green of a mallard drake’s head, the stunning red hues of a male cardinal’s body or even the amazing palate of colors found on the tail of a pesky peacock? Then inversely, how do all the females of those same species end up totally dull and drab so they blend in with their surroundings as they sit on a nest filled with peculiar looking vessels called “eggs” that will hatch, and just like the corn plant, produce young that are exactly like their parents?How do geese navigate to spots hundreds or even thousands of miles away, and yet find their way back home to nest? How do salmon end up where they were hatched to lay eggs of their own, which - you guessed it – will hatch into little salmon looking just like mom and dad. How do ducklings know how to swim when they are barely dry after hatching and how do hoards of baby turtles know to head straight for the ocean mere minutes after digging themselves free from their sand covered nests?I’ve barely scratched the surface here, but I’ll tell you how I believe this all happens; it’s all Divinely designed to happen that way! Oh, I’ve heard all the other explanations; how we began as monkeys and “evolved” into humans. I have no doubt our ancestors looked nothing like us, (some people I still wonder about today) but trust me, we still began as humans. Then there’s the theory that life began as some sort of “stew” or “soup” and over a gazillion years “just happened” to develop into all we see today. As my wife would say, “It takes way more faith to believe that than it does to believe in Creation.”Anyway, I’ve ranted enough for now, but the bottom line is that I believe deeply in evolution as the process by which all life adapts to its changing surroundings, but I believe deeply that all nature was created by God for us to enjoy and manage, and the day I stop believing that way, I’ll sell all my traps, fishing rods and guns and take up knitting, because I won’t deserve to Explore Kansas Outdoors anymore!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Soup, Stew or Creation?

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

FHSU hosts a Times Talk presentation on the Israel-Hamas war and the conduct of fighting that has occurred since the start of the war.

The American Democracy Project presentation on Thursday, at the Forsyth Library, was about the ongoing war in Gaza.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy Peter Tramel brought attention to the conflict by discussing what qualifies as self-defense, collateral damage and terrorism.

Tramel said although he is not a historian or a political scientist, his expertise lies in the field of moral and just war theory.

"I've been watching public discourse about the war in media, I thought it was desperately bad and [people] needed help in understanding what the issues might be," he said.

Before obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at FHSU, Tramel served as a medic and surgical technician in the U.S. Army.

Just war theory is an ambiguous term that can be used to describe someone's position, specialization or commitment to a tradition, Tramel said.

Generally speaking, the tradition is the basis of international law, often applied more assertively to weaker nations through the prosecution of war criminals at the International Criminal Court, Tramel said.

"War companies from the United States, Russia and China won't face international law because there is no mechanism of support that's strong enough," he said.

The just war tradition entails three requirements: a rationale for engaging in conflict, moral objectives and honorable conduct in fighting.

Tramel focuses on behavior during combat and says that ethical warfare involves targeting solely enemy combatants while minimizing harm to noncombatants.

Considering these ethics, the significant challenge in modern warfare is the inherent difficulty of conducting wars without causing harm to those who aren't involved, especially in densely populated areas.

"They're not starting a war in a place like Ellis, they're starting a war in a place like Brooklyn or The Bronx in terms of population density," Tramel said.

Tramel presents a list of alleged flagrant violations of just war traditions and international law in the Gaza conflict that includes:

"If Hamas is reported to be somewhere and you bomb the you know what out of it, whether or not you ended up killing any Hamas, you definitely killed a lot," Tramel said.

"Just peace" refers to any essential measures taken to attain peace, while the "Principles of Discrimination" involve distinguishing enemy combatants and only targeting them, sparing noncombatants from harm.

The death toll for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 27,000 after Hamas's initial assault on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of over 250 individuals, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-war-and-unrest-gaza-strip-israel-rafah-4e9790b31fa842e2838f52407f1aeb81">Associated Press</a>.

Tramel said the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas was inexcusable. He considered having photos from that day in the presentation before deciding not to.

Hamas has since stated that mistakes were made that day, but Tramel said that it was undeniably unjust.

"Mistakes is a pretty offensive word to use for what we saw," he said. "It was a horrible direct targeting of noncombatants and a clear violation of the rules of war."

Following the rules of just war can, to an extent, be impossible, according to Tramel, who said neither side believes the other would treat them justly if given the chance.

As the war in Gaza continues, Tramel said the future and long-term objectives appear uncertain for both Israel and Hamas.

"It's not clear that either side has a reasonable chance of success in what they're doing," he said. "It's not clear that this will make Israel safe, and it's not clear what Hamas will gain from what they do."

To watch previous Times Talk presentations, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FHSULibrary/videos">here</a>.

You can also follow the American Democracy Project of Fort Hays State University on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adpfhsu">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706825701345.jpeg" alt="Peter Tramel, assistant professor of philosophy, giving his presentation, "Self-Defense, Collateral Damage and Terrorism: The War in Gaza" at Fort Hays State University on Thursday. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Peter Tramel, assistant professor of philosophy, giving his presentation, "Self-Defense, Collateral Damage and Terrorism: The War in Gaza" at Fort Hays State University on Thursday. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFHSU hosts a Times Talk presentation on the Israel-Hamas war and the conduct of fighting that has occurred since the start of the war.The American Democracy Project presentation on Thursday, at the Forsyth Library, was about the ongoing war in Gaza.Assistant Professor of Philosophy Peter Tramel brought attention to the conflict by discussing what qualifies as self-defense, collateral damage and terrorism.Tramel said although he is not a historian or a political scientist, his expertise lies in the field of moral and just war theory."I've been watching public discourse about the war in media, I thought it was desperately bad and [people] needed help in understanding what the issues might be," he said.Before obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at FHSU, Tramel served as a medic and surgical technician in the U.S. Army.Just war theory is an ambiguous term that can be used to describe someone's position, specialization or commitment to a tradition, Tramel said.Generally speaking, the tradition is the basis of international law, often applied more assertively to weaker nations through the prosecution of war criminals at the International Criminal Court, Tramel said."War companies from the United States, Russia and China won't face international law because there is no mechanism of support that's strong enough," he said.The just war tradition entails three requirements: a rationale for engaging in conflict, moral objectives and honorable conduct in fighting.Tramel focuses on behavior during combat and says that ethical warfare involves targeting solely enemy combatants while minimizing harm to noncombatants.Considering these ethics, the significant challenge in modern warfare is the inherent difficulty of conducting wars without causing harm to those who aren't involved, especially in densely populated areas."They're not starting a war in a place like Ellis, they're starting a war in a place like Brooklyn or The Bronx in terms of population density," Tramel said.Tramel presents a list of alleged flagrant violations of just war traditions and international law in the Gaza conflict that includes:<ul>
 <li>Both Hamas and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, are ignoring the just peace requirement&nbsp;</li><li>Hamas's terrorist's attack on Oct. 7 is a violation of the Principles of Discrimination and Noncombatant Immunity</li><li>Hamas's strategy of fighting from civilian cover is a violation of the Principle of Discriminations (and the 4th Geneva Convention)</li><li>Israel's "whack-a-mole" rules of engagement in Gaza violates Principles of Necessity and&nbsp; Proportionality Due Care Requirements&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>"If Hamas is reported to be somewhere and you bomb the you know what out of it, whether or not you ended up killing any Hamas, you definitely killed a lot," Tramel said."Just peace" refers to any essential measures taken to attain peace, while the "Principles of Discrimination" involve distinguishing enemy combatants and only targeting them, sparing noncombatants from harm.The death toll for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 27,000 after Hamas's initial assault on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of over 250 individuals, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-war-and-unrest-gaza-strip-israel-rafah-4e9790b31fa842e2838f52407f1aeb81">Associated Press</a>.Tramel said the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas was inexcusable. He considered having photos from that day in the presentation before deciding not to.Hamas has since stated that mistakes were made that day, but Tramel said that it was undeniably unjust."Mistakes is a pretty offensive word to use for what we saw," he said. "It was a horrible direct targeting of noncombatants and a clear violation of the rules of war."Following the rules of just war can, to an extent, be impossible, according to Tramel, who said neither side believes the other would treat them justly if given the chance.As the war in Gaza continues, Tramel said the future and long-term objectives appear uncertain for both Israel and Hamas."It's not clear that either side has a reasonable chance of success in what they're doing," he said. "It's not clear that this will make Israel safe, and it's not clear what Hamas will gain from what they do."To watch previous Times Talk presentations, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FHSULibrary/videos">here</a>.You can also follow the American Democracy Project of Fort Hays State University on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adpfhsu">Facebook</a>.

FHSU professor: Is the war in Gaza defense, collateral damage, terrorism?

Rehearsals began recently for the latest performance on the Hays Community Theatre stage for Ken Ludwig’s&nbsp;Moon Over Buffalo, a play that takes place backstage of a Buffalo, New York theatre in 1953.&nbsp;

The play highlights events of a small repertory company that features a pair of middle-aged married actors who are no longer in the limelight.&nbsp; When events transpire to provide a chance to get back in the public eye, hilarious misunderstandings pile on madcap misadventures, in this valentine to theatre hams everywhere.

Paul English, the show director said, “This has been one of the funniest shows I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of.&nbsp; The physical comedy and the pacing has been one of the challenges that this amazing ensemble of actors has taken on and embraced with such determination and effort.&nbsp; After weeks of rehearsal, we are all still laughing and having such fun.&nbsp; It’s a show that people will really have a great time watching and will laugh all night long!”

The show will be performed on February 14, 16, 17, and 18, 2024 at the HCT venue at 121 E. 8th Street in Hays. A special Valentine’s Day performance on February 14 will include appetizers and desserts for the audience. Tickets for the Valentine show are $25 each. Tickets for the performances on February 16-18 are $10 each. All are available to purchase at HCT’s website -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hctks.com/">www.hctks.com</a>

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - Ticket price - $25 each Includes variety of appetizers and desserts for audience

Friday, February 16, 2024 - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - $10 each

Saturday, February 17, 2024 - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - $10 each

Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. - $10 each

George Hay………………………Jerrett Leiker Charlotte Hay…………………….Dana Stanton Ethel……………………………….Michele English Rosalind Hay&nbsp;……………………..Claire Nickerson Howard……………………………Russell Heitmann Eileen……………………………..Vivian Leiker Paul……………………………….Adam Conkey Richard Maynard………………..Raymond Brent Director…………………………...Paul English Asst Director……………………..Everett Robert

SubmittedRehearsals began recently for the latest performance on the Hays Community Theatre stage for Ken Ludwig’s&nbsp;Moon Over Buffalo, a play that takes place backstage of a Buffalo, New York theatre in 1953.&nbsp;The play highlights events of a small repertory company that features a pair of middle-aged married actors who are no longer in the limelight.&nbsp; When events transpire to provide a chance to get back in the public eye, hilarious misunderstandings pile on madcap misadventures, in this valentine to theatre hams everywhere.Paul English, the show director said, “This has been one of the funniest shows I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of.&nbsp; The physical comedy and the pacing has been one of the challenges that this amazing ensemble of actors has taken on and embraced with such determination and effort.&nbsp; After weeks of rehearsal, we are all still laughing and having such fun.&nbsp; It’s a show that people will really have a great time watching and will laugh all night long!”The show will be performed on February 14, 16, 17, and 18, 2024 at the HCT venue at 121 E. 8th Street in Hays. A special Valentine’s Day performance on February 14 will include appetizers and desserts for the audience. Tickets for the Valentine show are $25 each. Tickets for the performances on February 16-18 are $10 each. All are available to purchase at HCT’s website -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hctks.com/">www.hctks.com</a><h2>Performance Dates and Times</h2>Valentine ShowWednesday, February 14, 2024 - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - Ticket price - $25 each Includes variety of appetizers and desserts for audienceRegular PerformancesFriday, February 16, 2024 - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - $10 eachSaturday, February 17, 2024 - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - $10 eachSunday, February 18, 2024 - 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. - $10 each<h2>Cast List</h2>George Hay………………………Jerrett Leiker Charlotte Hay…………………….Dana Stanton Ethel……………………………….Michele English Rosalind Hay&nbsp;……………………..Claire Nickerson Howard……………………………Russell Heitmann Eileen……………………………..Vivian Leiker Paul……………………………….Adam Conkey Richard Maynard………………..Raymond Brent Director…………………………...Paul English Asst Director……………………..Everett Robert

Hays Community Theatre presents 'Moon Over Buffalo'

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s I-70 asphalt improvement project in Gove County received the 2023 Sheldon G. Hayes Award – the top paving award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

The award was presented this week to the project’s contractor, APAC Kansas, Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, at the NAPA annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

“This award acknowledges what we Kansans have always known; Kansas contractors are second to none,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; “It is the result of exceptional collaboration between Kansas-based industry partners and KDOT who completed the I-70 project with a high degree of skill and attention to detail.”

The Gove County project covered just over 9 miles of I-70 starting 4 miles east of Park and ending at the Trego County line. Nearly 76,000 tons of asphalt was used on the driving lanes and shoulders.

The winner and finalists are determined through a two-year evaluation process. To be eligible, projects must use more than 50,000 tons of asphalt and be selected for a NAPA Quality in Construction Award the previous year. Qualifying projects are then evaluated for smoothness and inspected in person by an independent pavement consultant.

This award is named for a founder of NAPA and the association’s first chairman. It has been presented annually since 1971.

SubmittedThe Kansas Department of Transportation’s I-70 asphalt improvement project in Gove County received the 2023 Sheldon G. Hayes Award – the top paving award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.The award was presented this week to the project’s contractor, APAC Kansas, Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, at the NAPA annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.“This award acknowledges what we Kansans have always known; Kansas contractors are second to none,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; “It is the result of exceptional collaboration between Kansas-based industry partners and KDOT who completed the I-70 project with a high degree of skill and attention to detail.”The Gove County project covered just over 9 miles of I-70 starting 4 miles east of Park and ending at the Trego County line. Nearly 76,000 tons of asphalt was used on the driving lanes and shoulders.The winner and finalists are determined through a two-year evaluation process. To be eligible, projects must use more than 50,000 tons of asphalt and be selected for a NAPA Quality in Construction Award the previous year. Qualifying projects are then evaluated for smoothness and inspected in person by an independent pavement consultant.This award is named for a founder of NAPA and the association’s first chairman. It has been presented annually since 1971.

KDOT project in Gove County wins national award

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

Kansas has some of the most permissive gun laws in the country, and last week the state house began debate on a bill that, if passed, would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to further enshrine gun rights in the state constitution.

The proposed amendment would change the language of Section 4 of the Kansas Bill of Rights to include possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components as constitutionally protected rights. It would also add:

The right to keep and bear arms is a natural and fundamental right. This shall not be infringed. Any restriction of such right shall be subject to the strict scrutiny standard.

In 1905, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in Salina v. Blaksley that the current language in Section 4 does not protect an individual right to bear arms. In more recent cases, the Court has also rejected arguments that use Section 4 to challenge state and local statutes regulating firearms.

Should the state constitution be amended, it would only allow the state legislature to regulate firearms if it furthered a “compelling governmental interest” and was narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

Not to mention, federal regulations would still supersede state law — a relationship currently being reinforced as Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act makes its way through the federal court system.

Importantly, this proposed amendment contradicts Kansans’ public opinion on gun regulation.

A vast majority of Kansans support restrictions beyond the state’s current regulations.

In fall 2022, the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University asked Kansans about ten gun regulation policies in their annual Kansas Speaks public opinion survey.

More than 70% of those surveyed favored six of the ten policies: requiring universal background checks; requiring a person to be 21 or older; mandatory three-day waiting period; preventing sales to people who have been reported as dangerous by mental health providers; preventing sales to people who have been convicted of violent

misdemeanors; and allowing family members to ask the court to temporarily remove guns from people at risk of harming themselves or others.

64% of those surveyed favored authorizing law enforcement officers to temporarily remove guns from individuals who pose an immediate threat of harm to self or others.

And more than 50% of those surveyed favored: banning assault-style weapons; banning high-capacity ammunition clips; and having teachers with appropriate training carry guns at school.

Perhaps surprising to some, a majority of the state’s gun owners also favored nine of these ten policies. Banning assault style weapons was the only exception; supported by 45% of gun owners, opposed by 38%, and neither favored nor opposed by 17%. Note: nearly half (49%) of Kansans surveyed had a firearm in their home.

As is often the case, proposed gun laws contradict public opinion on the issue, and Kansas is no exception.

Political science research can help us understand why the state legislature has introduced an amendment that would make it harder to enact extremely popular gun regulations into law.

For nearly two decades, research has shown that energy has ebbed and flowed among pro-regulation groups while pro-gun groups have been able to sustain political activism.

However, new research found that gun policy has become a durable issue of public concern due to the increased mobilization among pro-regulation citizens in recent years; marking a fundamental shift in public engagement on the gun issue.

The disconnect between public opinion and legislative action in Kansas underscores the complex relationship between policy decisions and popular sentiment, especially in a changing political environment.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699489540.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasKansas has some of the most permissive gun laws in the country, and last week the state house began debate on a bill that, if passed, would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to further enshrine gun rights in the state constitution.The proposed amendment would change the language of Section 4 of the Kansas Bill of Rights to include possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components as constitutionally protected rights. It would also add:The right to keep and bear arms is a natural and fundamental right. This shall not be infringed. Any restriction of such right shall be subject to the strict scrutiny standard.In 1905, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in Salina v. Blaksley that the current language in Section 4 does not protect an individual right to bear arms. In more recent cases, the Court has also rejected arguments that use Section 4 to challenge state and local statutes regulating firearms.Should the state constitution be amended, it would only allow the state legislature to regulate firearms if it furthered a “compelling governmental interest” and was narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.Not to mention, federal regulations would still supersede state law — a relationship currently being reinforced as Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act makes its way through the federal court system.Importantly, this proposed amendment contradicts Kansans’ public opinion on gun regulation.A vast majority of Kansans support restrictions beyond the state’s current regulations.In fall 2022, the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University asked Kansans about ten gun regulation policies in their annual Kansas Speaks public opinion survey.More than 70% of those surveyed favored six of the ten policies: requiring universal background checks; requiring a person to be 21 or older; mandatory three-day waiting period; preventing sales to people who have been reported as dangerous by mental health providers; preventing sales to people who have been convicted of violentmisdemeanors; and allowing family members to ask the court to temporarily remove guns from people at risk of harming themselves or others.64% of those surveyed favored authorizing law enforcement officers to temporarily remove guns from individuals who pose an immediate threat of harm to self or others.And more than 50% of those surveyed favored: banning assault-style weapons; banning high-capacity ammunition clips; and having teachers with appropriate training carry guns at school.Perhaps surprising to some, a majority of the state’s gun owners also favored nine of these ten policies. Banning assault style weapons was the only exception; supported by 45% of gun owners, opposed by 38%, and neither favored nor opposed by 17%. Note: nearly half (49%) of Kansans surveyed had a firearm in their home.As is often the case, proposed gun laws contradict public opinion on the issue, and Kansas is no exception.Political science research can help us understand why the state legislature has introduced an amendment that would make it harder to enact extremely popular gun regulations into law.For nearly two decades, research has shown that energy has ebbed and flowed among pro-regulation groups while pro-gun groups have been able to sustain political activism.However, new research found that gun policy has become a durable issue of public concern due to the increased mobilization among pro-regulation citizens in recent years; marking a fundamental shift in public engagement on the gun issue.The disconnect between public opinion and legislative action in Kansas underscores the complex relationship between policy decisions and popular sentiment, especially in a changing political environment.Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Divide between lawmakers and citizens on Kansas gun policy

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706906731384.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>

Colby Community College Honor Rolls announced for Fall '23

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Victoria school district organized a panel Wednesday night to answer questions about a proposal to move its schools to a four-day school week.

The change would allow for more days for teacher professional development, which district officials said they hope will help with teacher recruitment, retention and morale.

Students would attend 10 fewer days per school year, but 30 minutes would be added to each school day with students attending from 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. That would equal about four to five minutes added to each junior high and high school class period.

The proposed school calendar also would have students beginning classes earlier in August and ending later in May.

Officials said they hope the focus on professional development and curriculum alignment would increase student success.

When asked why the district is considering the change, elementary school teacher Brooklyn Pfeifer said the proposal is an attempt to increase all school success and better meet the requirements of state accreditation.

Superintendent Kimberly Woolf said in a prior interview with the Hays Post the district is only receiving about two applications per open position. The district has increased base pay for teachers to $40,000. However, it still struggles to keep pace with pay at larger school districts, including Hays.

"We are approaching a teacher shortage crisis," Erin Braun, Victoria interventionist, said.

She said four-day school weeks can be very attractive for young people or young parents who are trying to find work-life balance.

Teachers would be using some of the Mondays students are not in class for professional development. The new school calendar would double the number of hours the teachers have for professional development from 24.6 hours to 51.4 hours.

Jeanna Wellbrock, parent and school board member,&nbsp;said this time could be used for teachers to align their curriculum.

Christie Sander, counselor, teacher and Victoria Education Association president, said she would be able to have IEP and collaborative meetings on those Mondays instead of trying to juggle them during school days.

Representatives of schools who have four-day school weeks joined the meeting by Zoom and said four-day weeks allowed for more family time, better work-life balance and increased morale among teachers and staff.

Someone asked if the teachers would be paid more since the district would be adding more professional development time to their schedules. Sander said she did not know. However, that could be a bargaining point during teacher negotiations.

Community members expressed concerns students would be spending less time in the classroom under the new plan. However, the teachers on the panel emphasized students would still be attending school the same amount of minutes per year under the proposal.

Another concern expressed at the meeting Wednesday as well as in responses to a survey of parents was child care on Mondays students would not be in school.

Panel members, including parent Sabina Hoffman, who works for Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, said the district does not have an answer to that problem.

She said state grants are available for organizations or individuals who wish to open child care facilities. Additional child care could be offered through the school or partnerships in the community.

"For us, it's not finding day care. It's what it is going to cost the family," a father said. "We have three kids at 60 bucks a day. That's 240 bucks a month. That is more of a concern than trying to find someone to watch the kids."

Another parent said finding child care once a week for a school-age child is more difficult than finding child care every day through the summer. A community member said it's financially difficult for child care providers to keep spots open for school-age children who would attend once a week as opposed to a toddler who they would care for every day.

Anne Coon, a teacher from Cheylin, which has a four-day school week, said she has employed high school students who are not involved in sports as babysitters on days she had in-service.

Another parent expressed concern children would not be able to access free or reduced-cost meals on the Mondays school would not be in session.

Panel members said church food banks would be willing to help struggling families.&nbsp;

The panel was asked what benefits the elementary students would see from a four-day week. Coon said her children, including her daughter who has Down syndrome, were much more rested after a three-day weekend.

Brooklyn&nbsp;Pfeifer, Victoria Elementary School teacher, said her curriculum would remain the same if the district went to a four-day school week.

The panel was asked how the change would affect special education students. Coon said her daughter as well as other special education students have done well with the four-day week schedule.&nbsp;

Erin Braun, Victoria interventionist, said the requirements of individual education plans (IEPs) for special education students would remain the same under the new schedule.&nbsp;

A parent expressed concern students would experience learning loss over a three-day weekend.

Braun said her research indicates students who attend small, rural schools experienced no learning loss because of the shortened school week.

"Some schools have not seen a jump [in student success], but some have," Braun said later in the meeting.

Wellbrock said research indicates students experience more learning loss during extended summer vacations. The proposed schedule would slightly shorten the summer vacation.

The panelists were asked if the four-day school week would save the district money. District officials believe it will not save the district money. Victoria does not bus students, which is the primary savings that other rural districts have seen in going to a four-day school week.

The panel was asked if the cost of after-school care would decrease because the students would be attending fewer hours. Sander said she anticipated the cost of after-school care would decrease.

The panel said preschool would remain the same at four days, and the district would continue to offer full and half-day preschool.

Panel members were all asked about their stand on the proposal as the meeting concluded. All of the panelists said they were neutral on the issue.

The Victoria school board has not made any decisions on the four-day school week. It reviews its school calendar every year. The board has not approved a calendar for the 2024-25 school year and has not made clear if a four-day school week calendar would be considered for the coming school year or in the future.

Another survey will be going out to parents and guardians soon on the proposal.

"No one is saying that we have to do this," Wellbrock said. "If we didn't look at this and do our due diligence and research it, I think we would be doing an injustice to our students and our teachers.

"We owe them to ask questions and look at things outside of the box."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706890655349.jpeg" alt="A panel including teachers, students and a school board member answered questions Wednesday about a proposed four-day school week for Victoria USD 432. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A panel including teachers, students and a school board member answered questions Wednesday about a proposed four-day school week for Victoria USD 432. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Victoria school district organized a panel Wednesday night to answer questions about a proposal to move its schools to a four-day school week.The change would allow for more days for teacher professional development, which district officials said they hope will help with teacher recruitment, retention and morale.Students would attend 10 fewer days per school year, but 30 minutes would be added to each school day with students attending from 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. That would equal about four to five minutes added to each junior high and high school class period.The proposed school calendar also would have students beginning classes earlier in August and ending later in May.Officials said they hope the focus on professional development and curriculum alignment would increase student success.When asked why the district is considering the change, elementary school teacher Brooklyn Pfeifer said the proposal is an attempt to increase all school success and better meet the requirements of state accreditation.Superintendent Kimberly Woolf said in a prior interview with the Hays Post the district is only receiving about two applications per open position. The district has increased base pay for teachers to $40,000. However, it still struggles to keep pace with pay at larger school districts, including Hays."We are approaching a teacher shortage crisis," Erin Braun, Victoria interventionist, said.She said four-day school weeks can be very attractive for young people or young parents who are trying to find work-life balance.Teachers would be using some of the Mondays students are not in class for professional development. The new school calendar would double the number of hours the teachers have for professional development from 24.6 hours to 51.4 hours.Jeanna Wellbrock, parent and school board member,&nbsp;said this time could be used for teachers to align their curriculum.Christie Sander, counselor, teacher and Victoria Education Association president, said she would be able to have IEP and collaborative meetings on those Mondays instead of trying to juggle them during school days.Representatives of schools who have four-day school weeks joined the meeting by Zoom and said four-day weeks allowed for more family time, better work-life balance and increased morale among teachers and staff.Someone asked if the teachers would be paid more since the district would be adding more professional development time to their schedules. Sander said she did not know. However, that could be a bargaining point during teacher negotiations.Community members expressed concerns students would be spending less time in the classroom under the new plan. However, the teachers on the panel emphasized students would still be attending school the same amount of minutes per year under the proposal.Another concern expressed at the meeting Wednesday as well as in responses to a survey of parents was child care on Mondays students would not be in school.Panel members, including parent Sabina Hoffman, who works for Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, said the district does not have an answer to that problem.She said state grants are available for organizations or individuals who wish to open child care facilities. Additional child care could be offered through the school or partnerships in the community.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706890840130.jpeg" alt="Parents and community members filled the Victoria Elementary School cafeteria Wednesday night for a panel discussion on a proposal for a four-day school week for the district. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Parents and community members filled the Victoria Elementary School cafeteria Wednesday night for a panel discussion on a proposal for a four-day school week for the district. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"For us, it's not finding day care. It's what it is going to cost the family," a father said. "We have three kids at 60 bucks a day. That's 240 bucks a month. That is more of a concern than trying to find someone to watch the kids."Another parent said finding child care once a week for a school-age child is more difficult than finding child care every day through the summer. A community member said it's financially difficult for child care providers to keep spots open for school-age children who would attend once a week as opposed to a toddler who they would care for every day.Anne Coon, a teacher from Cheylin, which has a four-day school week, said she has employed high school students who are not involved in sports as babysitters on days she had in-service.Another parent expressed concern children would not be able to access free or reduced-cost meals on the Mondays school would not be in session.Panel members said church food banks would be willing to help struggling families.&nbsp;The panel was asked what benefits the elementary students would see from a four-day week. Coon said her children, including her daughter who has Down syndrome, were much more rested after a three-day weekend.Brooklyn&nbsp;Pfeifer, Victoria Elementary School teacher, said her curriculum would remain the same if the district went to a four-day school week.The panel was asked how the change would affect special education students. Coon said her daughter as well as other special education students have done well with the four-day week schedule.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706891563182.jpeg" alt="Christie&nbsp;Sander, counselor, teacher and Victoria Education Association president, addresses community members Wednesday during a panel discussion on a proposed four-day school week for Victoria USD 432. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Christie&nbsp;Sander, counselor, teacher and Victoria Education Association president, addresses community members Wednesday during a panel discussion on a proposed four-day school week for Victoria USD 432. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Erin Braun, Victoria interventionist, said the requirements of individual education plans (IEPs) for special education students would remain the same under the new schedule.&nbsp;A parent expressed concern students would experience learning loss over a three-day weekend.Braun said her research indicates students who attend small, rural schools experienced no learning loss because of the shortened school week."Some schools have not seen a jump [in student success], but some have," Braun said later in the meeting.Wellbrock said research indicates students experience more learning loss during extended summer vacations. The proposed schedule would slightly shorten the summer vacation.The panelists were asked if the four-day school week would save the district money. District officials believe it will not save the district money. Victoria does not bus students, which is the primary savings that other rural districts have seen in going to a four-day school week.The panel was asked if the cost of after-school care would decrease because the students would be attending fewer hours. Sander said she anticipated the cost of after-school care would decrease.The panel said preschool would remain the same at four days, and the district would continue to offer full and half-day preschool.Panel members were all asked about their stand on the proposal as the meeting concluded. All of the panelists said they were neutral on the issue.The Victoria school board has not made any decisions on the four-day school week. It reviews its school calendar every year. The board has not approved a calendar for the 2024-25 school year and has not made clear if a four-day school week calendar would be considered for the coming school year or in the future.Another survey will be going out to parents and guardians soon on the proposal."No one is saying that we have to do this," Wellbrock said. "If we didn't look at this and do our due diligence and research it, I think we would be doing an injustice to our students and our teachers."We owe them to ask questions and look at things outside of the box."

Child care, learning loss key concerns expressed at Victoria 4-day school week meeting

The United Way of Ellis County, a nonprofit organization that supports local agencies and programs that improve the quality of life in Ellis County, is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its board of directors. The board members are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, financial management, and community impact of the organization.

They join the existing board members, who are:

"We are excited to welcome our new board members, who bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives to our organization," said Jennifer Harmon, president of the board. "They share our passion for making a positive impact in our community and advancing our mission of uniting people and resources to improve lives in Ellis County."

The United Way of Ellis County works to address the most pressing needs of the community, such as education, health, and income. Through its annual campaign, the organization raises funds to support fourteen local partner agencies that provide vital programs and services to more than 20,000 people in Ellis County. The organization also coordinates volunteer opportunities, community initiatives, and advocacy efforts to create positive change in the community.

For more information about the United Way of Ellis County, visit www.liveunited.us or call (785) 628-8281.

SubmittedThe United Way of Ellis County, a nonprofit organization that supports local agencies and programs that improve the quality of life in Ellis County, is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its board of directors. The board members are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, financial management, and community impact of the organization.The new board members are:<ul>
 <li>Mandy Giess, Heartland Credit Union – Secretary</li><li>Kim Reel, Ellis County Health Department</li><li>Aaron Ladd, Commerce Bank</li><li>Dustin Schlaefli, Nex-Tech</li><li>Shelbi Wiles, Sunflower Electric</li>
 </ul>They join the existing board members, who are:<ul>
 <li>Jennifer Harmon, Adams Brown – President&nbsp;</li><li>Jaden Richardson, Bank of Hays – Vice President&nbsp;</li><li>Ryan Scheck, Adams Brown – Treasurer&nbsp;</li><li>Amy Schaffer, Fort Hays – Past President&nbsp;</li><li>Erin Giebler, City of Hays&nbsp;</li><li>Cindy Strube, Midwest Energy&nbsp;</li><li>Sarah Dreiling, HaysMed&nbsp;</li><li>Becky Kiser, Eagle Radio</li>
 </ul>"We are excited to welcome our new board members, who bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives to our organization," said Jennifer Harmon, president of the board. "They share our passion for making a positive impact in our community and advancing our mission of uniting people and resources to improve lives in Ellis County."The United Way of Ellis County works to address the most pressing needs of the community, such as education, health, and income. Through its annual campaign, the organization raises funds to support fourteen local partner agencies that provide vital programs and services to more than 20,000 people in Ellis County. The organization also coordinates volunteer opportunities, community initiatives, and advocacy efforts to create positive change in the community.For more information about the United Way of Ellis County, visit www.liveunited.us or call (785) 628-8281.

United Way of Ellis County announces new board members

GOVE COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Friday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Chevy Colorado driven by Michael L.&nbsp;Decker, 61, Independence, Missouri, was eastbound on&nbsp;Interstate 70 approximately three miles west of Quinter.

The pickup rear-ended a 2019 Ford F250 driven by Angela D. Williams, 57,&nbsp;Florissant, Missouri, who was traveling slow due to the rain and reduced visibility. After impact, the Ford traveled south through the ditch and into a field.

EMS transported&nbsp;Decker and Williams to the Gove County Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706962344159.png" alt="Rain on I-70 as seen on the KanDrive camera late Friday" />
 <figcaption>Rain on I-70 as seen on the KanDrive camera late Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>GOVE COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Friday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Chevy Colorado driven by Michael L.&nbsp;Decker, 61, Independence, Missouri, was eastbound on&nbsp;Interstate 70 approximately three miles west of Quinter.The pickup rear-ended a 2019 Ford F250 driven by Angela D. Williams, 57,&nbsp;Florissant, Missouri, who was traveling slow due to the rain and reduced visibility. After impact, the Ford traveled south through the ditch and into a field.EMS transported&nbsp;Decker and Williams to the Gove County Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

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