Join Girl Scouts for S'mores Day Saturday in Hays 

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

Crude prices are dropping from six-month lows. 

Friday's (8/2) settlement price for light sweet near-month NYMEX crude was $73.52 per barrel, marking a weekly loss of more than four dollars a barrel. Prices are down ten dollars from the first of July. By midday Monday the benchmark contract in New York was down another half dollar, dipping below $73 for the first time since February.

Kansas Common crude dropped nearly three dollars Friday (8/2), and will start the week at $63.75 per barrel at CHS in McPherson. That's down ten dollars from the first of July and more than seven dollars below the average price last month.

Commercial crude inventories last week dropped by 3.4 million barrels to 433 million according to a report from the Energy Information Administration. Industry reports showed an even larger draw on stockpiles. The weekly inventory report from the government also shows another 700-thousand barrels of crude added to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Total U.S. crude-oil production averaged 13,295,000 barrels per day, down slightly from a week earlier. Output in Alaska dropped by 19-thousand barrels a day, while the lower-48 states remained unchanged for a third week in a row.

U.S. crude imports outpaced exports last week by more than two million barrels a day. But we exported more petroleum products than we imported, by more than four million barrels a day. Crude imports averaged seven million barrels per day last week, up 82,000 daily barrels from a week earlier. The four-week average is nearly six percent higher than a year ago. Crude exports jumped by nearly 800,000 barrels a day from a week ago, to 4.9 million. Four week average exports are up nearly eight percent or 309,000 daily barrels from a year ago.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down three gas rigs for a total of 586 rigs. The count in Texas is down two, while Colorado, Louisiana and Pennsylvania were each down one.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service rose by two rigs in western Kansas for a statewide total of 29 active rigs. The tally is up seven percent from a month ago, but down 26% from last year at this time. In Ellis County last week, operators reached total depth on one lease and drilling continued on Friday on another.

Operators in the Sunflower State completed 18 wells last week, with nine east of Wichita and nine in the western half of the state. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 745 new well completions so far this year, compared to 994 by this time last year.

Kansas regulators approved 21 new drilling locations last week, with 12 in western Kansas, including one in Stafford County. So far this year there are 591 permits for drilling at new locations, compared to 744 a year ago at this time.

The Kansas Geological Society recognized and named five new fields in Kansas.&nbsp; The operator American Warrior, based in Garden City, hit newly-named pay dirt once in Graham County and twice in Thomas County.

The Kansas Corporation Commission reports 139 new intent-to-drill notices in July, 655 so far this year, compared to 817 through July last year. 

The KCC web site shows Barton County with four new intents, 18 thus far this year.&nbsp; Ellis County notches two for the month and seven year-to-date. Russell County adds one for a 2024 total of seven. Stafford County adds one more for a total of nine intents through July.

The question of earthquake prevention returns to the Texas oil patch, with a cluster of felt earthquakes in just the last couple of weeks. Bloomberg reports the state's top oil and gas regulator is investigating wastewater disposal operations northeast of Midland, the unofficial Permian capital. 

This comes after at least five temblors rumbled through the region with a magnitude of four or greater since July 23. The U.S. Geological Survey confirms hundreds of quakes in the area centered around Hermleigh and Camp Springs, Texas, including one of a magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale. 

This marks a step back for the Lone Star State, where the frequency of earthquakes dropped last year for the first time in five years after the Commission cracked down on wastewater disposal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle MediaCrude prices are dropping from six-month lows. Friday's (8/2) settlement price for light sweet near-month NYMEX crude was $73.52 per barrel, marking a weekly loss of more than four dollars a barrel. Prices are down ten dollars from the first of July. By midday Monday the benchmark contract in New York was down another half dollar, dipping below $73 for the first time since February.Kansas Common crude dropped nearly three dollars Friday (8/2), and will start the week at $63.75 per barrel at CHS in McPherson. That's down ten dollars from the first of July and more than seven dollars below the average price last month.Commercial crude inventories last week dropped by 3.4 million barrels to 433 million according to a report from the Energy Information Administration. Industry reports showed an even larger draw on stockpiles. The weekly inventory report from the government also shows another 700-thousand barrels of crude added to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.Total U.S. crude-oil production averaged 13,295,000 barrels per day, down slightly from a week earlier. Output in Alaska dropped by 19-thousand barrels a day, while the lower-48 states remained unchanged for a third week in a row.U.S. crude imports outpaced exports last week by more than two million barrels a day. But we exported more petroleum products than we imported, by more than four million barrels a day. Crude imports averaged seven million barrels per day last week, up 82,000 daily barrels from a week earlier. The four-week average is nearly six percent higher than a year ago. Crude exports jumped by nearly 800,000 barrels a day from a week ago, to 4.9 million. Four week average exports are up nearly eight percent or 309,000 daily barrels from a year ago.The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down three gas rigs for a total of 586 rigs. The count in Texas is down two, while Colorado, Louisiana and Pennsylvania were each down one.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service rose by two rigs in western Kansas for a statewide total of 29 active rigs. The tally is up seven percent from a month ago, but down 26% from last year at this time. In Ellis County last week, operators reached total depth on one lease and drilling continued on Friday on another.Operators in the Sunflower State completed 18 wells last week, with nine east of Wichita and nine in the western half of the state. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 745 new well completions so far this year, compared to 994 by this time last year.Kansas regulators approved 21 new drilling locations last week, with 12 in western Kansas, including one in Stafford County. So far this year there are 591 permits for drilling at new locations, compared to 744 a year ago at this time.The Kansas Geological Society recognized and named five new fields in Kansas.&nbsp; The operator American Warrior, based in Garden City, hit newly-named pay dirt once in Graham County and twice in Thomas County.The Kansas Corporation Commission reports 139 new intent-to-drill notices in July, 655 so far this year, compared to 817 through July last year. The KCC web site shows Barton County with four new intents, 18 thus far this year.&nbsp; Ellis County notches two for the month and seven year-to-date. Russell County adds one for a 2024 total of seven. Stafford County adds one more for a total of nine intents through July.The question of earthquake prevention returns to the Texas oil patch, with a cluster of felt earthquakes in just the last couple of weeks. Bloomberg reports the state's top oil and gas regulator is investigating wastewater disposal operations northeast of Midland, the unofficial Permian capital. This comes after at least five temblors rumbled through the region with a magnitude of four or greater since July 23. The U.S. Geological Survey confirms hundreds of quakes in the area centered around Hermleigh and Camp Springs, Texas, including one of a magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale. This marks a step back for the Lone Star State, where the frequency of earthquakes dropped last year for the first time in five years after the Commission cracked down on wastewater disposal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News From the Oil Patch: Crude prices tumble

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Polls are open today for the August primary election in Kansas.&nbsp;

In Ellis County, the regular polling locations are open until 7 p.m.

Election workers at the Hays Recreation Center polling location said they were expecting a slow day with low turnout.

All advance ballots by mail must be postmarked by election day and received by Friday, August 9

Be sure to check Hays Post for the local results, including a ballot question for residents of Victoria, Ellis, and rural Ellis County about whether to establish a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1d4cd415-10df-4079-8cb1-422ab78bf4cb">county library</a>.

All Kansas state senate and house seats are up for election.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709323737405.png" alt=" File photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption> File photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostPolls are open today for the August primary election in Kansas.&nbsp;In Ellis County, the regular polling locations are open until 7 p.m.Election workers at the Hays Recreation Center polling location said they were expecting a slow day with low turnout.All advance ballots by mail must be postmarked by election day and received by Friday, August 9Be sure to check Hays Post for the local results, including a ballot question for residents of Victoria, Ellis, and rural Ellis County about whether to establish a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1d4cd415-10df-4079-8cb1-422ab78bf4cb">county library</a>.All Kansas state senate and house seats are up for election.&nbsp;

It's primary election day in Kansas; polls open until 7 p.m.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission will consider putting the final
touches on the 2025 budget Tuesday at its first meeting of August.

The commission will consider a final draft budget at the
Aug. 13 meeting.

According to Tuesday’s Aug. 6&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062024-612">meeting agend</a>a,
the budget includes several additions following the July 18 budget
hearing with county department heads.

Among those additions are funding for public works to hire
two additional employees, 48th Street and Vineyard and 270th
Avenue improvements to the road and bridge replacement program and funding for
Rural Opportunity Zone Program and the scholarship program for area high school
students.

In the agenda information provided to the commission, County
Administrator Darin Myers said the mill levy would slightly decrease under the current budget proposal.

In other business, the commission will review updated county
road design and construction standards, approve weight restrictions for several
county bridges and give the go-ahead for an engineering firm to begin negotiations for right-of-way acquisition for the bridge on 370th Avenue over Big
Creek south of Walker.

The county was awarded funding to replace the bridge through
the 2024 Off System Bridge Program from the Kansas Department of
Transportation.

Tuesday’s county commission meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. at
the County Administrative Center at 718 Main St. in Hays.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission will consider putting the final
touches on the 2025 budget Tuesday at its first meeting of August.The commission will consider a final draft budget at the
Aug. 13 meeting.According to Tuesday’s Aug. 6&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062024-612">meeting agend</a>a,
the budget includes several additions following the July 18 budget
hearing with county department heads.Among those additions are funding for public works to hire
two additional employees, 48th Street and Vineyard and 270th
Avenue improvements to the road and bridge replacement program and funding for
Rural Opportunity Zone Program and the scholarship program for area high school
students.In the agenda information provided to the commission, County
Administrator Darin Myers said the mill levy would slightly decrease under the current budget proposal.In other business, the commission will review updated county
road design and construction standards, approve weight restrictions for several
county bridges and give the go-ahead for an engineering firm to begin negotiations for right-of-way acquisition for the bridge on 370th Avenue over Big
Creek south of Walker.The county was awarded funding to replace the bridge through
the 2024 Off System Bridge Program from the Kansas Department of
Transportation.Tuesday’s county commission meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. at
the County Administrative Center at 718 Main St. in Hays.

Ellis County Commission in final stages of 2025 budget work

Correction: A comma was left out of the quote below that made it appear that Bryan Brady was the CFO of HaysMed. Bryan Brady is the vice president of physician practice administration and ancillary services.&nbsp;Michelle M. Beckner is the CFO. <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/about-us/#/administrative-team">See a complete list of the administrative staff HERE</a>.

&nbsp;"I think, in my opinion, the overall consensus is that we need to eliminate the entire administrative hierarchy of the top five with the CFO, Bryan Brady, but at the top of that food chain is Eddie Herrman," he said. By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Several current and former doctors have come forward with criticism of the HaysMed administration.

Former HaysMed Dr. Wallace Michael Curry started a string of social media comments from concerned employees and patients after he shared his criticism of the HaysMed administration and the board for retaining CEO Edward Herrman.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9b9e56ce-abb6-46b3-b2de-6eb1ce011e7a">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed issues statement on financial losses.</a>

Other doctors and staff have joined the discord, saying the hospital is being mismanaged and that it does not have the staff needed to provide quality care.

Four doctors have recently left the hospital, including Dr. Wallace Michael Curry, longtime OBGYNs Drs. Lee Hodny and Joel Fort, and oncologist Dr. Anthony Acursso.

HaysMed has imposed noncompete contracts with its doctors, so if the doctors want to leave, for all intents and purposes, they have to leave the state. All four of the physicians above have left the state.

A physician who did not want his name published said he was considering leaving the hospital due to the lack of leadership from the administration and inadequate staffing.

He said HaysMed is a great hospital, but the current administration is putting making money over patient care and its staff. He said the entire executive staff needed to be fired.

The physician said the administration has slashed his staff in half despite increased cases.&nbsp;

Veteran nurses are leaving because of the poor treatment and pay, he said.

The hospital is staffing wards with caregivers who barely speak English or are right out of school, he said.

As doctors and other medical staff leave the hospital, the doctor said it may not close but will lose its ability to provide key services.

HaysMed is filling gaps with traveling nurses and locum&nbsp;tenens, which are temporary physicians.&nbsp;

He said those temporary staff don't have the same relationship with their patients.

"The HaysMed people who are still here care so much," he said. "This is the public outcry."

&nbsp;A second Hays physician, who did not want his name published, also expressed concern about the hospital's direction.

He said he is also considering leaving the hospital.

"My biggest concern is that we are concentrating on the financial aspects when the care of the patient is not even second. It's third, fourth or fifth, even further down the line," he said.

"I am concerned that they are expecting much more revenue with less and less resources every day," he said.

Treatment that once took a week to schedule is now taking two or three weeks because the hospital has not been able to retain the staff to provide that treatment.

"We are talking about doubling and tripling time they have to wait for very sick and anxious people," he said.

His nursing staff also has been slashed even though his department is seeing more patients. He said nurses with specialized training have been replaced with nurses who do not have that special certification.

"The problem that we are having is when you have a nurse who is not certified and doesn't know our system, they don't know when bad is bad," he said.

"What ends up happening is you hire a nurse from the outside that has half the ability and costs twice the rate," he said.

He said it causes low morale among the permanent certified nurses because they already have issues with their pay, and the hospital is hiring someone for more with half the skills.

After a consultant observed and made recommendations to the hospital, the physicians were reprimanded for referring patients outside HaysMed for procedures despite the delays in treatment in the HaysMed system.

The doctors were also told they had to cut their clinic appointments from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

"As a physician, I'm not going to let the buzzer roll over and say I'm not going to talk about this," he said. "We are going to spend the time that we need, which is going to put us 30 or 45 minutes or an hour behind. [Patients] are reasonably frustrated because they had to wait an hour."

"This is a conversation I have had with multiple other physicians. I think, in my opinion, the overall consensus is that we need to eliminate the entire administrative hierarchy of the top five with the CFO, Bryan Brady, but at the top of that food chain is Eddie Herrman," he said.

The doctor said he has been bringing similar concerns to the administration for years and has been disregarded.

He said he wants to see leadership that is responsive to the medical staff's concerns and will be strong leaders.

"I think if you take care of patients, the financial aspect will take care of its self."

He added, "I can't continue to do what I love and what I think I do best without significant resources, and those resources come in the way of people. It comes in the way of nurses, CNAs, everything—from the people who help shovel the snow on a bad day to our highest administrative sites. We are in really dire, dire circumstances right now."

Dr. Curry sent the following comments to the Hays Post from an outside hospital administrator, who he said summed up his concerns.

I just wonder about your CEO and his credentials because some of the policies and attitudes he apparently has strike me as the opposite of what an educated administrator would likely have.

Any administrator should have some knowledge in human relations and should share the attitude that employees are NOT replaceable at any level.

It should be obvious to anyone in rural medicine that physicians are not easy to replace! More than that, any quality employees at any level or position are hard to find, and when we do find them, it is important that we keep them.

Any good CEO and administration would implement a program to make sure that all employees feel valued. This, in turn, should help all employees make their patients feel valued.

This is the approach of an educated and intelligent CEO. Any administrator that tells employees that they can be replaced, should be the one replaced!

Hays Dr. Don Tillman is not employed by HaysMed but said he has been sending letters to the board expressing his concern about the hospital's leadership and direction. His letter can be read on the Hays Post <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0396c2ea-565d-482c-92f7-12bbb547acf7">HERE</a>.

Correction: A comma was left out of the quote below that made it appear that Bryan Brady was the CFO of HaysMed. Bryan Brady is the vice president of physician practice administration and ancillary services.&nbsp;Michelle M. Beckner is the CFO. <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/about-us/#/administrative-team">See a complete list of the administrative staff HERE</a>. &nbsp;"I think, in my opinion, the overall consensus is that we need to eliminate the entire administrative hierarchy of the top five with the CFO, Bryan Brady, but at the top of that food chain is Eddie Herrman," he said. By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSeveral current and former doctors have come forward with criticism of the HaysMed administration.Former HaysMed Dr. Wallace Michael Curry started a string of social media comments from concerned employees and patients after he shared his criticism of the HaysMed administration and the board for retaining CEO Edward Herrman.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9b9e56ce-abb6-46b3-b2de-6eb1ce011e7a">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed issues statement on financial losses.</a>Other doctors and staff have joined the discord, saying the hospital is being mismanaged and that it does not have the staff needed to provide quality care.Four doctors have recently left the hospital, including Dr. Wallace Michael Curry, longtime OBGYNs Drs. Lee Hodny and Joel Fort, and oncologist Dr. Anthony Acursso.HaysMed has imposed noncompete contracts with its doctors, so if the doctors want to leave, for all intents and purposes, they have to leave the state. All four of the physicians above have left the state.A physician who did not want his name published said he was considering leaving the hospital due to the lack of leadership from the administration and inadequate staffing.He said HaysMed is a great hospital, but the current administration is putting making money over patient care and its staff. He said the entire executive staff needed to be fired.The physician said the administration has slashed his staff in half despite increased cases.&nbsp;Veteran nurses are leaving because of the poor treatment and pay, he said.The hospital is staffing wards with caregivers who barely speak English or are right out of school, he said.As doctors and other medical staff leave the hospital, the doctor said it may not close but will lose its ability to provide key services.HaysMed is filling gaps with traveling nurses and locum&nbsp;tenens, which are temporary physicians.&nbsp;He said those temporary staff don't have the same relationship with their patients."The HaysMed people who are still here care so much," he said. "This is the public outcry."&nbsp;A second Hays physician, who did not want his name published, also expressed concern about the hospital's direction.He said he is also considering leaving the hospital."My biggest concern is that we are concentrating on the financial aspects when the care of the patient is not even second. It's third, fourth or fifth, even further down the line," he said."I am concerned that they are expecting much more revenue with less and less resources every day," he said.Treatment that once took a week to schedule is now taking two or three weeks because the hospital has not been able to retain the staff to provide that treatment."We are talking about doubling and tripling time they have to wait for very sick and anxious people," he said.His nursing staff also has been slashed even though his department is seeing more patients. He said nurses with specialized training have been replaced with nurses who do not have that special certification."The problem that we are having is when you have a nurse who is not certified and doesn't know our system, they don't know when bad is bad," he said."What ends up happening is you hire a nurse from the outside that has half the ability and costs twice the rate," he said.He said it causes low morale among the permanent certified nurses because they already have issues with their pay, and the hospital is hiring someone for more with half the skills.After a consultant observed and made recommendations to the hospital, the physicians were reprimanded for referring patients outside HaysMed for procedures despite the delays in treatment in the HaysMed system.The doctors were also told they had to cut their clinic appointments from 30 minutes to 15 minutes."As a physician, I'm not going to let the buzzer roll over and say I'm not going to talk about this," he said. "We are going to spend the time that we need, which is going to put us 30 or 45 minutes or an hour behind. [Patients] are reasonably frustrated because they had to wait an hour.""This is a conversation I have had with multiple other physicians. I think, in my opinion, the overall consensus is that we need to eliminate the entire administrative hierarchy of the top five with the CFO, Bryan Brady, but at the top of that food chain is Eddie Herrman," he said.The doctor said he has been bringing similar concerns to the administration for years and has been disregarded.He said he wants to see leadership that is responsive to the medical staff's concerns and will be strong leaders."I think if you take care of patients, the financial aspect will take care of its self."He added, "I can't continue to do what I love and what I think I do best without significant resources, and those resources come in the way of people. It comes in the way of nurses, CNAs, everything—from the people who help shovel the snow on a bad day to our highest administrative sites. We are in really dire, dire circumstances right now."Dr. Curry sent the following comments to the Hays Post from an outside hospital administrator, who he said summed up his concerns.I just wonder about your CEO and his credentials because some of the policies and attitudes he apparently has strike me as the opposite of what an educated administrator would likely have.Any administrator should have some knowledge in human relations and should share the attitude that employees are NOT replaceable at any level.It should be obvious to anyone in rural medicine that physicians are not easy to replace! More than that, any quality employees at any level or position are hard to find, and when we do find them, it is important that we keep them.Any good CEO and administration would implement a program to make sure that all employees feel valued. This, in turn, should help all employees make their patients feel valued.This is the approach of an educated and intelligent CEO. Any administrator that tells employees that they can be replaced, should be the one replaced!Hays Dr. Don Tillman is not employed by HaysMed but said he has been sending letters to the board expressing his concern about the hospital's leadership and direction. His letter can be read on the Hays Post <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0396c2ea-565d-482c-92f7-12bbb547acf7">HERE</a>.

Doctors share concerns on administration, future of HaysMed

BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills PBS is thrilled to announce a special treat for families attending this year’s Herzogfest celebration in Victoria! Clifford The Big Red Dog will be making a special appearance on Saturday, August 10th, from 9 AM to 11 AM.

This exciting event promises a memorable morning for children and families. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Clifford, take photos with him, and go home with a FREE book and fun craft.

"We are excited to bring Clifford The Big Red Dog to Herzogfest in Victoria," said Haley Gagnon, event coordinator at Smoky Hills PBS. "It's a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, create lasting memories, and enjoy the magic that Clifford brings."

Smoky Hills PBS is dedicated to providing enriching and educational experiences for our community. We invite everyone to join us for this special day and make the most of the fun-filled activities planned for all ages.

For more information, please visit SmokyHillsPBS.org.

· Location: Honey Braun Park - Herzogfest, Victoria, KS

Family Fun Day is an educational and entertaining event that Smoky Hills PBS puts on approximately 4 times a year across Central and Western Kansas. Smoky Hills PBS brings a special PBS character to visit and FREE books and educational gifts are distributed to those children in attendance.

Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in Central and Western Kansas. Smoky Hills PBS is available over the air, on many cable systems, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and Dish Network, HULU + LIVE TV, and YouTube TV. You can also access Smoky Hills PBS via the FREE mobile app for Android and iPhone devices and is also available to stream by clicking here: video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream. More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available at SmokyHillsPBS.org or by calling 1-800-337-4788.

SubmittedBUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills PBS is thrilled to announce a special treat for families attending this year’s Herzogfest celebration in Victoria! Clifford The Big Red Dog will be making a special appearance on Saturday, August 10th, from 9 AM to 11 AM.This exciting event promises a memorable morning for children and families. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Clifford, take photos with him, and go home with a FREE book and fun craft."We are excited to bring Clifford The Big Red Dog to Herzogfest in Victoria," said Haley Gagnon, event coordinator at Smoky Hills PBS. "It's a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, create lasting memories, and enjoy the magic that Clifford brings."Smoky Hills PBS is dedicated to providing enriching and educational experiences for our community. We invite everyone to join us for this special day and make the most of the fun-filled activities planned for all ages.For more information, please visit SmokyHillsPBS.org.Event Details:· Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024· Time: 9 AM to 11 AM· Location: Honey Braun Park - Herzogfest, Victoria, KS· Cost: FreeFamily Fun Day is an educational and entertaining event that Smoky Hills PBS puts on approximately 4 times a year across Central and Western Kansas. Smoky Hills PBS brings a special PBS character to visit and FREE books and educational gifts are distributed to those children in attendance.###Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in Central and Western Kansas. Smoky Hills PBS is available over the air, on many cable systems, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and Dish Network, HULU + LIVE TV, and YouTube TV. You can also access Smoky Hills PBS via the FREE mobile app for Android and iPhone devices and is also available to stream by clicking here: video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream. More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available at SmokyHillsPBS.org or by calling 1-800-337-4788.

Clifford The Big Red Dog Coming to Herzogfest in Victoria

<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/2024/8/1722879899204.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Hays community service officer takes on badger

TOPEKA — The 2024 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station Excellence Award winners were announced Monday.

There were 903 entries this year judged by Mississippi broadcasters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sports Play-by-Play — 1st Place Gerard Wellbrock,&nbsp;FHSU basketball, KJLS-FM

Public Affairs Program — 2nd&nbsp; Place Cristina Janney, Options, KAYS-AM/FM Excellence In Multimedia/Digital Storytelling&nbsp; — Honorable Mention Cristina Janney, Becky Kiser,&nbsp;Hospice Care in NW Kansas, KAYS-AM/FM

Excellence In Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements — 2nd Place Theresa Trapp, Cash Grab, KHAZ-FM

Morning Show - 2nd Place Jeff Leiker, The Morning Blend, KAYS AM/FM

<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db6822f2e70d85f1e6583e62f/files/153d8c1a-b1cb-5712-b061-aa6ce744233f/2024_Station_Awards_Winners.pdf?mc_cid=80ad493739&amp;mc_eid=1848d3c4e0">View Complete List of Winners Here</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://kab.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db6822f2e70d85f1e6583e62f&amp;id=610d25d5ea&amp;e=1848d3c4e0"></a>KAB will recognize this year's winners with a Celestial Celebration at our Station Awards Dinner during the KAB Annual Convention in Wichita, October 21.&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583945824619.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KABTOPEKA — The 2024 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station Excellence Award winners were announced Monday.There were 903 entries this year judged by Mississippi broadcasters.&nbsp;Hays Eagle Media winners are:MEDIUM MARKET RADIO&nbsp;Sports Play-by-Play — 1st Place Gerard Wellbrock,&nbsp;FHSU basketball, KJLS-FMPublic Affairs Program — 2nd&nbsp; Place Cristina Janney, Options, KAYS-AM/FM Excellence In Multimedia/Digital Storytelling&nbsp; — Honorable Mention Cristina Janney, Becky Kiser,&nbsp;Hospice Care in NW Kansas, KAYS-AM/FMExcellence In Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements — 2nd Place Theresa Trapp, Cash Grab, KHAZ-FMMorning Show - 2nd Place Jeff Leiker, The Morning Blend, KAYS AM/FM <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db6822f2e70d85f1e6583e62f/files/153d8c1a-b1cb-5712-b061-aa6ce744233f/2024_Station_Awards_Winners.pdf?mc_cid=80ad493739&amp;mc_eid=1848d3c4e0">View Complete List of Winners Here</a><a target="_blank" href="https://kab.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db6822f2e70d85f1e6583e62f&amp;id=610d25d5ea&amp;e=1848d3c4e0"></a>KAB will recognize this year's winners with a Celestial Celebration at our Station Awards Dinner during the KAB Annual Convention in Wichita, October 21.&nbsp;

Hays Eagle Media wins Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards for 2024

“Sorting out History,” a traveling exhibit designed to encourage discussions about racial stereotypes past and present, will open at the Hays Public Library on August 1. 

The display was made possible through a Humanities Kansas grant and is co-sponsored by the FHSU Department of History and Philosophy, Hays Public Library, and the FHSU College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The display, which runs until Sept. 29, was created by the Kaufman Museum at Bethel College and includes vintage and contemporary objects readily found in thrift stores that include depictions of race and ethnicity.&nbsp;

FHSU history department graduate students are assisting with the exhibit installation.

Through interactives and guided discussions, visitors can consider whether these items should remain in circulation or be “sorted out” from the retail environment.

The “Sorting out History” exhibit can be traced back to 2014 when Humanities Kansas awarded a grant to the Kauffman Museum in North Newton for the development of its exhibition “Sorting out Race,” which used easily accessible thrift store items to explore themes of enduring stereotypes and racial imagery. The exhibit was well-received and has been shown at multiple national locations.

“The exhibit concept was a result of a conversation between the museum staff and a local thrift store owner who was seeing things come into her store that made her wonder if the materials were appropriate to sell in a retail shop or if they should be ‘sorted out’ and removed,” said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of Humanities Kansas.

Thanks to a “United We Stand” grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support opportunities in Kansas, exploring the complexities of American history, Humanities Kansas has created opportunities to consider the legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court Decision, now celebrating its 70th&nbsp;anniversary, through public programs, a national exhibition and the four-stop tour of “Sorting Out Race.”

“The landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education, was brought to the Supreme Court by a group of thoughtful black parents right down the road in Topeka, Kansas,” said Kim Perez, FHSU associate professor of history. “And the court’s decision changed the nation's educational landscape.”

Perez said that Kansans should be proud of this legacy but also consider the obstacles that people of color still face today.

“The ‘Sorting Out Race’ exhibit and the associated speaker series will help Hays residents to discuss these obstacles by examining everyday items you might find in the local thrift store,” she said. “We hope that the people who visit the exhibit will consider the impact that stereotype has on our neighbors.”

The exhibition, Mulvihill pointed out, showcases many items created in the mid-20th&nbsp;century after the 1954 case.

“The Brown v. Board case changed schools but didn’t immediately change attitudes,” Mulvihill said. “Visitors who go to the ‘Sorting Out Race’ exhibition at the Hays Public Library can tour the exhibit and choose for themselves what they would ‘sort out’ and what they wouldn’t.”

“Providing these types of opportunities for Kansans is an important way to honor the legacy of the Brown v. Board case.”

To build on the themes of the exhibit, a series of lectures will address racial stereotypes:

• August 27 at 5:30 p.m. (Fox Theatre), reception. At 6:30 p.m., Dr. Alex Red Corn will present "Which Box Should I Check? American Indians, Stereotypes, Imagery, and Educational Systems." Following his discussion, attendees are invited to the Hays Public Library to view the exhibit. The reception is free and open to the public.

•Sept. 12 at 6 p.m., (Hays Public Library): "The Power of Imagery and the Civil Rights Experience" by Ann Dean.

• September 18 at 6 p.m., (Hays Public Library): Unpacking Stereotypes: A Journey Through Mexican American Representation in Thrift Finds and Media” by Dr. Marco Macias.&nbsp;

• Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., (Hays Public Library):&nbsp;Brown v. Board of Education Distance Learning Program.

For more information about the display, visit:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0Qsur1AVycJzW1l7RWh55o64UZQi7fTT62po6QxOZu2omcZ9FqURyeCI7eaIYBfuZyDR4ZsZ4EvO05SxVUvvaU9DTg7H5mWtkIUZyymhb1E4LwDu_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOcLxAAorNtDSCFyN4vPV5spYH1tsl-2BIwE9AhCQCrqKwrQNuioY50wKe-2Flk5bKPrk8-2F27rmdSuuxEtsAjinMY-2FXtlcVHyiLLlGy3OlF30UXWYykbreSl7BTb967eIpMiH52s2uw2PDUxqQrcl2SHpfxAoCLprWzj7QQZZsn8LNVX6ikual7ae-2FTJSAO5uS2ai0fVpkTVfa2qMfeiNpCvmDPuOGvH9syeCjlZTOItamCcqEOSlfhEaGW95rxRJ-2FA2Xx">https://kauffmanmuseum.org/exhibitions/travelingexhibits/sortingoutrace/</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722373684111.jpeg" alt="Trevor Yocum, an FHSU history graduate student from St. Mary’s, assists with setting up the “Sorting Out History” exhibit at the Hays Public Library. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Trevor Yocum, an FHSU history graduate student from St. Mary’s, assists with setting up the “Sorting Out History” exhibit at the Hays Public Library. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By FHSU University Communications“Sorting out History,” a traveling exhibit designed to encourage discussions about racial stereotypes past and present, will open at the Hays Public Library on August 1. The display was made possible through a Humanities Kansas grant and is co-sponsored by the FHSU Department of History and Philosophy, Hays Public Library, and the FHSU College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.The display, which runs until Sept. 29, was created by the Kaufman Museum at Bethel College and includes vintage and contemporary objects readily found in thrift stores that include depictions of race and ethnicity.&nbsp;FHSU history department graduate students are assisting with the exhibit installation.Through interactives and guided discussions, visitors can consider whether these items should remain in circulation or be “sorted out” from the retail environment.The “Sorting out History” exhibit can be traced back to 2014 when Humanities Kansas awarded a grant to the Kauffman Museum in North Newton for the development of its exhibition “Sorting out Race,” which used easily accessible thrift store items to explore themes of enduring stereotypes and racial imagery. The exhibit was well-received and has been shown at multiple national locations.“The exhibit concept was a result of a conversation between the museum staff and a local thrift store owner who was seeing things come into her store that made her wonder if the materials were appropriate to sell in a retail shop or if they should be ‘sorted out’ and removed,” said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of Humanities Kansas.Thanks to a “United We Stand” grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support opportunities in Kansas, exploring the complexities of American history, Humanities Kansas has created opportunities to consider the legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court Decision, now celebrating its 70th&nbsp;anniversary, through public programs, a national exhibition and the four-stop tour of “Sorting Out Race.”“The landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education, was brought to the Supreme Court by a group of thoughtful black parents right down the road in Topeka, Kansas,” said Kim Perez, FHSU associate professor of history. “And the court’s decision changed the nation's educational landscape.”Perez said that Kansans should be proud of this legacy but also consider the obstacles that people of color still face today.“The ‘Sorting Out Race’ exhibit and the associated speaker series will help Hays residents to discuss these obstacles by examining everyday items you might find in the local thrift store,” she said. “We hope that the people who visit the exhibit will consider the impact that stereotype has on our neighbors.”The exhibition, Mulvihill pointed out, showcases many items created in the mid-20th&nbsp;century after the 1954 case.“The Brown v. Board case changed schools but didn’t immediately change attitudes,” Mulvihill said. “Visitors who go to the ‘Sorting Out Race’ exhibition at the Hays Public Library can tour the exhibit and choose for themselves what they would ‘sort out’ and what they wouldn’t.”“Providing these types of opportunities for Kansans is an important way to honor the legacy of the Brown v. Board case.”To build on the themes of the exhibit, a series of lectures will address racial stereotypes:• August 27 at 5:30 p.m. (Fox Theatre), reception. At 6:30 p.m., Dr. Alex Red Corn will present "Which Box Should I Check? American Indians, Stereotypes, Imagery, and Educational Systems." Following his discussion, attendees are invited to the Hays Public Library to view the exhibit. The reception is free and open to the public.•Sept. 12 at 6 p.m., (Hays Public Library): "The Power of Imagery and the Civil Rights Experience" by Ann Dean.• September 18 at 6 p.m., (Hays Public Library): Unpacking Stereotypes: A Journey Through Mexican American Representation in Thrift Finds and Media” by Dr. Marco Macias.&nbsp;• Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., (Hays Public Library):&nbsp;Brown v. Board of Education Distance Learning Program.For more information about the display, visit:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0Qsur1AVycJzW1l7RWh55o64UZQi7fTT62po6QxOZu2omcZ9FqURyeCI7eaIYBfuZyDR4ZsZ4EvO05SxVUvvaU9DTg7H5mWtkIUZyymhb1E4LwDu_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOcLxAAorNtDSCFyN4vPV5spYH1tsl-2BIwE9AhCQCrqKwrQNuioY50wKe-2Flk5bKPrk8-2F27rmdSuuxEtsAjinMY-2FXtlcVHyiLLlGy3OlF30UXWYykbreSl7BTb967eIpMiH52s2uw2PDUxqQrcl2SHpfxAoCLprWzj7QQZZsn8LNVX6ikual7ae-2FTJSAO5uS2ai0fVpkTVfa2qMfeiNpCvmDPuOGvH9syeCjlZTOItamCcqEOSlfhEaGW95rxRJ-2FA2Xx">https://kauffmanmuseum.org/exhibitions/travelingexhibits/sortingoutrace/</a>&nbsp;

Exploring racial imagery: 'Sorting Out History' exhibit comes to Hays

Hays, Kansas proudly announces its official designation as a Purple Heart City. 

This prestigious recognition honors the bravery and sacrifice of the sons and daughters of our community who were awarded the Purpose Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A public ceremony to mark the occasion is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Hays Veterans Memorial Park located near 15th Street and Haney Drive, just off Canterbury Drive. 

City officials, Purple Heart Medal recipients, and veterans from the community will be present. The public is invited to attend.

The Purple Heart City designation was a combined effort of the Hays Veterans Service Organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Marine League, Vietnam Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses.

This Purple Heart City designation demonstrates our community’s commitment to acknowledging and appreciating the profound sacrifices made by our military heroes. 

Signs announcing the designation will be posted alongside six different roads entering Hays. 

By becoming a Purple Heart City, Hays joins a distinguished group of communities nationwide dedicated to honoring Purple Heart Medal recipients.

WHEREAS, the City of Hays, founded in 1867, was named after Fort Hays (originally named Fort Fletcher), which was in turn named for Alexander Hays, a Union General killed during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hays has a long military history and proud tradition of supporting the military and its veteran population; and

WHEREAS, the Purple Heart Medal was the first award made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded in combat or have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms being killed in action against a declared enemy of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Hays has a large veteran population with many of its veterans being Purple Heart recipients; and

WHEREAS, we appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedom and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the support they have earned;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SHAUN MUSIL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HAYS, KANSAS, on behalf of the Hays City Commission, do hereby recognize Hays, Kansas, as a Purple Heart City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698788281705.jpeg" alt="Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedHays, Kansas proudly announces its official designation as a Purple Heart City. This prestigious recognition honors the bravery and sacrifice of the sons and daughters of our community who were awarded the Purpose Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.A public ceremony to mark the occasion is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Hays Veterans Memorial Park located near 15th Street and Haney Drive, just off Canterbury Drive. City officials, Purple Heart Medal recipients, and veterans from the community will be present. The public is invited to attend.The Purple Heart City designation was a combined effort of the Hays Veterans Service Organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Marine League, Vietnam Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses.This Purple Heart City designation demonstrates our community’s commitment to acknowledging and appreciating the profound sacrifices made by our military heroes. Signs announcing the designation will be posted alongside six different roads entering Hays. By becoming a Purple Heart City, Hays joins a distinguished group of communities nationwide dedicated to honoring Purple Heart Medal recipients.PROCLAMATION:To the People of Hays, Greetings.WHEREAS, the City of Hays, founded in 1867, was named after Fort Hays (originally named Fort Fletcher), which was in turn named for Alexander Hays, a Union General killed during the Civil War; andWHEREAS, the City of Hays has a long military history and proud tradition of supporting the military and its veteran population; andWHEREAS, the Purple Heart Medal was the first award made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded in combat or have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms being killed in action against a declared enemy of the United States of America; andWHEREAS, Hays has a large veteran population with many of its veterans being Purple Heart recipients; andWHEREAS, we appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedom and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the support they have earned;NOW, THEREFORE, I, SHAUN MUSIL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HAYS, KANSAS, on behalf of the Hays City Commission, do hereby recognize Hays, Kansas, as a Purple Heart City.

Public invited to Hays' 'Purple Heart City' designation ceremony Wednesday

Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital announces new service

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

If you’re the average American, you spend most of the day at work, and finding time to achieve any personal goals can seem daunting. In your “free time,” you may have kids to take care of, dinner to put on the table, or countless chores to get done. At the end of the day, you might not have much energy left to work on yourself.

One of your personal goals may be related to improving health and getting active, and as you already know, this is difficult to achieve amid a busy life. So, what if you took a different approach?

What if you could fit physical activity into your workday without sacrificing hours of your free time?

Here are a few nontraditional tips to sneak in physical activity throughout the workday:

· One simple approach is to adjust your commute. Instead of driving, try bicycling. Those who regularly bicycle to work have a substantially lower risk of heart disease and obesity.

· Take advantage of webinars and virtual meetings. Since your office door is likely closed in such meetings, you won’t look goofy marching in place, stretching, or using a pair of dumbbells.

· Invest in a walking pad that the whole office can utilize. A walking pad is a small treadmill that is suitable for a standing desk. Slowly walk while you work instead of sitting. This can make a tremendous difference in your activity level!

· Get moving over your lunch break. One of my favorite ways to move more throughout the day is to walk for 20- 30 minutes at noon. This little brain break gets blood flowing and energizes me throughout the afternoon. To save time over my lunch, I prep leftovers or a simple meal the evening before. If walking isn’t for you, a short resistance workout with bands, dumbbells, or body weight is another option!

· Walking meetings are an alternative way to brainstorm topics. In fact, studies show that walking engages parts of the brain that allow you to be innovative! So, next time you meet with a coworker, try walking and talking out the details.

A workplace that encourages healthy behaviors will help you achieve your wellness goals. Plus, it also has the potential to boost the prosperity of the business you work for. Studies show that health-oriented workplaces see increased productivity rates, lower healthcare costs, and reduced staff turnover.

Simple habits like sharing healthy foods or regular walking meetings can tremendously impact physical fitness and overall health. I encourage you to build a culture of wellness in the workplace by making a few small changes to your day. You might just be surprised by the results you see.

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. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictIf you’re the average American, you spend most of the day at work, and finding time to achieve any personal goals can seem daunting. In your “free time,” you may have kids to take care of, dinner to put on the table, or countless chores to get done. At the end of the day, you might not have much energy left to work on yourself.One of your personal goals may be related to improving health and getting active, and as you already know, this is difficult to achieve amid a busy life. So, what if you took a different approach?What if you could fit physical activity into your workday without sacrificing hours of your free time?Here are a few nontraditional tips to sneak in physical activity throughout the workday:· One simple approach is to adjust your commute. Instead of driving, try bicycling. Those who regularly bicycle to work have a substantially lower risk of heart disease and obesity.· Take advantage of webinars and virtual meetings. Since your office door is likely closed in such meetings, you won’t look goofy marching in place, stretching, or using a pair of dumbbells.· Invest in a walking pad that the whole office can utilize. A walking pad is a small treadmill that is suitable for a standing desk. Slowly walk while you work instead of sitting. This can make a tremendous difference in your activity level!· Get moving over your lunch break. One of my favorite ways to move more throughout the day is to walk for 20- 30 minutes at noon. This little brain break gets blood flowing and energizes me throughout the afternoon. To save time over my lunch, I prep leftovers or a simple meal the evening before. If walking isn’t for you, a short resistance workout with bands, dumbbells, or body weight is another option!· Walking meetings are an alternative way to brainstorm topics. In fact, studies show that walking engages parts of the brain that allow you to be innovative! So, next time you meet with a coworker, try walking and talking out the details.A workplace that encourages healthy behaviors will help you achieve your wellness goals. Plus, it also has the potential to boost the prosperity of the business you work for. Studies show that health-oriented workplaces see increased productivity rates, lower healthcare costs, and reduced staff turnover.Simple habits like sharing healthy foods or regular walking meetings can tremendously impact physical fitness and overall health. I encourage you to build a culture of wellness in the workplace by making a few small changes to your day. You might just be surprised by the results you see.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. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

WINKEL: Multitasking to mindfulness

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722816594008.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

WICHITA – The Hays Larks entered Saturday’s NBC World Series title
game having never won a championship in six prior tries, but they finally broke
through, rallying from down three early to beat the defending champion Hutchinson Monarchs 7-3 Saturday at Eck Stadium in Wichita.

After a scoreless first inning, Hutchinson broke onto the
scoreboard first, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning for a
3-0 lead. 

But Larks starter Nolan Wilson was able to limit the damage
to just three runs in the inning, stranding two and then he worked out of trouble again
in the fourth before handing the ball to Aidn Schmidgall, the first of five relievers on the day
for Hays.

Schmidgall, Matt Sapakoff, Adrian Najar, Dalton Campbell and
Garrett Hicks combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two
hits, holding Hutchinson to just three total runs and allowing the Larks to
slowly chip away at the deficit.

Down 3-0 through two innings, the Larks scored a run in the
top of the third inning on a Kaleb Duncan sacrifice fly. Making it 3-1 Hutchinson.

The Larks scored another run in the fifth inning, when Duncan
singled home Trent Baker making it 3-2 Monarchs.

In the eighth inning Wilbert Espinal, who had struggled in
the tournament, broke out of a 5-for-23 slump with his first of two ground-rule
doubles tying the game at three and then the next hitter Tabor Stokes singled home Espinal putting Hays up 4-3.

After a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth for Hutchinson the Larks took
advantage of three straight walks to start the ninth inning and scored a run on
a fielder’s choice and then Espinal doubled in two more putting Hays up 7-3.

Dalton Campbell earned the win, retiring the final out of
the seventh and the first man in the eighth inning.

He then turned the game over the Garrett Hicks who recorded
the five-out save and lifted the Larks to the 7-3 victory on the programs first
NBC World Series title.

Espinal drove in three runs for Hays. He, Baker and Gruell
each collected a pair of hits for the Larks.

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnbcbaseball%2Fposts%2Fpfbid035ypnUVcLSiSCvwDorDxVyFgHaaeC7Yx17eZg3wqFUeCtFfSdAA88JU64Hd7TgPYul&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="634" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostWICHITA – The Hays Larks entered Saturday’s NBC World Series title
game having never won a championship in six prior tries, but they finally broke
through, rallying from down three early to beat the defending champion Hutchinson Monarchs 7-3 Saturday at Eck Stadium in Wichita.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1888864587&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/8-4-2024-frank-leo" title="8-4-2024 - Frank Leo" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">8-4-2024 - Frank Leo</a></div></div>After a scoreless first inning, Hutchinson broke onto the
scoreboard first, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning for a
3-0 lead. But Larks starter Nolan Wilson was able to limit the damage
to just three runs in the inning, stranding two and then he worked out of trouble again
in the fourth before handing the ball to Aidn Schmidgall, the first of five relievers on the day
for Hays.Schmidgall, Matt Sapakoff, Adrian Najar, Dalton Campbell and
Garrett Hicks combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two
hits, holding Hutchinson to just three total runs and allowing the Larks to
slowly chip away at the deficit.Down 3-0 through two innings, the Larks scored a run in the
top of the third inning on a Kaleb Duncan sacrifice fly. Making it 3-1 Hutchinson.The Larks scored another run in the fifth inning, when Duncan
singled home Trent Baker making it 3-2 Monarchs.In the eighth inning Wilbert Espinal, who had struggled in
the tournament, broke out of a 5-for-23 slump with his first of two ground-rule
doubles tying the game at three and then the next hitter Tabor Stokes singled home Espinal putting Hays up 4-3.After a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth for Hutchinson the Larks took
advantage of three straight walks to start the ninth inning and scored a run on
a fielder’s choice and then Espinal doubled in two more putting Hays up 7-3.Dalton Campbell earned the win, retiring the final out of
the seventh and the first man in the eighth inning.He then turned the game over the Garrett Hicks who recorded
the five-out save and lifted the Larks to the 7-3 victory on the programs first
NBC World Series title.Espinal drove in three runs for Hays. He, Baker and Gruell
each collected a pair of hits for the Larks.Hays finishes the season 34-8.

⚾🎧Larks claim first NBC World Series championship with win over Hutchinson Monarchs

By LARISSA BUNGO Senior Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

Did you get a message on social from an “artist” asking to pay you for permission to paint your photo? It’s a scam. They don’t want to pay you — they want to take your money.

Young adults report this scam begins with a direct message on social media from someone who says they like your photo and want to&nbsp;pay&nbsp;you thousands of dollars to use it. Next, they’ll send you a check. They’ll tell you to deposit it, take some money out to send to the artist for supplies, and keep the rest. They may promise to reimburse any money you send back. (But they never will because it's a scam.)

While the check may look real and the funds may initially show up in your bank account, the check’s fake. By the time the bank realizes it, you’ll be out the money you sent the scammer and owe the bank any money you withdrew.

How do you spot this scam?&nbsp;Here’s the takeaway: If someone you don’t know sends you a&nbsp;check&nbsp;and asks you to send money back to them or to someone else, it’s a scam.&nbsp;It’s best to only deposit checks from people you know and trust.

Learn more about how to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-fake-check-scams">spot fake check scams</a>.

If you spot a scam, report it at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. And if you think you’ve paid a scammer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed#Paid">here's what to do</a>.

By LARISSA BUNGO Senior Attorney, Federal Trade CommissionDid you get a message on social from an “artist” asking to pay you for permission to paint your photo? It’s a scam. They don’t want to pay you — they want to take your money.Young adults report this scam begins with a direct message on social media from someone who says they like your photo and want to&nbsp;pay&nbsp;you thousands of dollars to use it. Next, they’ll send you a check. They’ll tell you to deposit it, take some money out to send to the artist for supplies, and keep the rest. They may promise to reimburse any money you send back. (But they never will because it's a scam.)While the check may look real and the funds may initially show up in your bank account, the check’s fake. By the time the bank realizes it, you’ll be out the money you sent the scammer and owe the bank any money you withdrew.How do you spot this scam?&nbsp;Here’s the takeaway: If someone you don’t know sends you a&nbsp;check&nbsp;and asks you to send money back to them or to someone else, it’s a scam.&nbsp;It’s best to only deposit checks from people you know and trust.Learn more about how to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-fake-check-scams">spot fake check scams</a>.If you spot a scam, report it at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. And if you think you’ve paid a scammer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed#Paid">here's what to do</a>.

Scammers target young adults on social media with fake check scam

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

With all the political upheaval right now, and with candidates’ policies from both sides being tossed around like so much manure from the spreader, I just can’t seem to get past some of the more liberal ideas. One that particularly vexes me is the substitution of “politically correct” pronouns in place of words and phrases that have been used for generations, like “mom and dad,” many of which are even Biblical.

I’ve decided I better brush up on my “gender neutral” writing skills, and look at me, I couldn’t make it through the first paragraph without possibly offending someone. I really should have used the pronouns “human who carried and birthed me” and “human who provided the other half of the equation” in place of “mom and dad.” I’m concerned a restaurant “MENu” will soon become “a list of possible dishes for purchase,” Men at Work” signs will have to read “Male of the Human Species attempting to earn a living while leaning on a shovel.” And if you’re looking for an investment or to open a small business, my money would go into a sign company, as there are probably countless bathroom doors across this land in need of new signage.

And the great outdoors will not be immune to the new gender-neutral verbiage either, as every species on this earth comes with both sexes, if that’s still a thing. Some species won’t be affected much, as we usually don’t categorize them as one particular sex or the other when referring to them. For instance, fish are usually just fish, coyotes are usually just coyotes, bears are usually just bears, etc. References to some wildlife though will have to become gender-neutral. When referring to deer, elk and moose, bucks and bulls will have to be called “representatives of the species that grow antlers in the summer, lose them in winter and are tasty when made into summer sausage, jerky and tenderloins.” Does and cows will need to be referred to as “representatives of the species that grow no antlers, and often taste even better than the representatives that grow and lose antlers.” Neither will the terms “hen” and “rooster” be allowed when referring to pheasants. Roosters will possibly be known as “brightly-colored representative of the species that grow long tail feathers and taste yummy with a side of ranch.” Hens might be “dingy-colored representatives of the species that raise the young and are never spoken of when shot by mistake.” Although peacocks are rarely spoken of by gender, they are in fact peacocks and peahens. That won’t work for sure, so male peacocks will become known as “representatives of the species that grow big beautiful tailfeathers and roost above your car at night, making the expected mess.” Peahens will become “drab colored representatives of the species that raise the young and roost at night where they will also make the same mess on your car below.”

Now, I know these new gender-neutral animal and wildlife descriptions can get quite wordy, but anything to be politically correct and stay abreast of the new “woke “generation, and all you who know me know I’m all about political correctness. By the way, “woke” now means “alert to injustice in society, especially racism,” and no longer has anything to do with the old-fashioned description of getting up in the morning, when I’m the crankiest…Continue to 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 OutdoorsWith all the political upheaval right now, and with candidates’ policies from both sides being tossed around like so much manure from the spreader, I just can’t seem to get past some of the more liberal ideas. One that particularly vexes me is the substitution of “politically correct” pronouns in place of words and phrases that have been used for generations, like “mom and dad,” many of which are even Biblical.I’ve decided I better brush up on my “gender neutral” writing skills, and look at me, I couldn’t make it through the first paragraph without possibly offending someone. I really should have used the pronouns “human who carried and birthed me” and “human who provided the other half of the equation” in place of “mom and dad.” I’m concerned a restaurant “MENu” will soon become “a list of possible dishes for purchase,” Men at Work” signs will have to read “Male of the Human Species attempting to earn a living while leaning on a shovel.” And if you’re looking for an investment or to open a small business, my money would go into a sign company, as there are probably countless bathroom doors across this land in need of new signage.And the great outdoors will not be immune to the new gender-neutral verbiage either, as every species on this earth comes with both sexes, if that’s still a thing. Some species won’t be affected much, as we usually don’t categorize them as one particular sex or the other when referring to them. For instance, fish are usually just fish, coyotes are usually just coyotes, bears are usually just bears, etc. References to some wildlife though will have to become gender-neutral. When referring to deer, elk and moose, bucks and bulls will have to be called “representatives of the species that grow antlers in the summer, lose them in winter and are tasty when made into summer sausage, jerky and tenderloins.” Does and cows will need to be referred to as “representatives of the species that grow no antlers, and often taste even better than the representatives that grow and lose antlers.” Neither will the terms “hen” and “rooster” be allowed when referring to pheasants. Roosters will possibly be known as “brightly-colored representative of the species that grow long tail feathers and taste yummy with a side of ranch.” Hens might be “dingy-colored representatives of the species that raise the young and are never spoken of when shot by mistake.” Although peacocks are rarely spoken of by gender, they are in fact peacocks and peahens. That won’t work for sure, so male peacocks will become known as “representatives of the species that grow big beautiful tailfeathers and roost above your car at night, making the expected mess.” Peahens will become “drab colored representatives of the species that raise the young and roost at night where they will also make the same mess on your car below.”Now, I know these new gender-neutral animal and wildlife descriptions can get quite wordy, but anything to be politically correct and stay abreast of the new “woke “generation, and all you who know me know I’m all about political correctness. By the way, “woke” now means “alert to injustice in society, especially racism,” and no longer has anything to do with the old-fashioned description of getting up in the morning, when I’m the crankiest…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Gender neutrality in the great outdoors

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Splash into Prevention Awareness, a youth event spotlighting substance use and mental health resources, will be at the Hays Aquatic Park Thursday.&nbsp;

Hosted by Living Independently in Northwest Kansas, eight facilities will be at Hays Aquatic Park, 300 Main St., to introduce local services and offer an evening of swimming, games, and prizes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629659486759.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostSplash into Prevention Awareness, a youth event spotlighting substance use and mental health resources, will be at the Hays Aquatic Park Thursday.&nbsp;Hosted by Living Independently in Northwest Kansas, eight facilities will be at Hays Aquatic Park, 300 Main St., to introduce local services and offer an evening of swimming, games, and prizes.Alisha Hammerschmidt, lead substance abuse counselor at LINK, said a youth committee of various agencies was formed to address prevention efforts."All of them come to these quarterly meetings where we brainstorm ways to provide prevention in the area," she said. "We wanted to raise community awareness for Ellis County and educate everybody on substance use and mental health."From 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., enjoy live music, food, and games such as booth blackout bingo. Attendees are encouraged to visit and learn about the following organizations at their tables.<ol>
 <li>LINK Inc.</li><li>Heartland RADAC</li><li>High Plains Mental Health</li><li>Fort Hays State University</li><li>Chamber Children's Mental Health</li><li>Smoky Hill Foundation</li><li>Counseling Connections</li><li>Oxford</li>
 </ol>"Those facilities will have tools from their programs, prevention materials and educational materials available,"&nbsp;Hammerschmidt said.LINK will be the primary organization providing prevention materials, recognizing the need for substance abuse prevention at an earlier age. The nonprofit serves clients 13 years and older.The event is free for anyone interested in learning about community resources, but raffle tickets are available for $5 for 10 tickets, $10 for 25 tickets and $20 for 55 tickets. Prizes include a speaker, TV, AirPods and gift baskets.Other games and activities at Splash into Prevention will focus on teaching skills while ensuring a fun evening, complete with a DJ setup."We have a game geared around healthy communication because communication is important in preventing mental health and substance use. You have to be able to speak about what's going on inside,"&nbsp;Hammerschmidt said.Another goal of Splash into Prevention Awareness is to show the community that fun can be had without drugs and alcohol.LINK Chief Executive Officer Angie Zimmerman said the fun night includes various community members, including law enforcement."Police officers will be there showing that they can have fun, are approachable and are for the community," she said.Zimmerman said booth information can be a valuable future resource, even if not immediately needed, as attendees can recall what they learned from their visit.Splash into Prevention is the first of many events to raise awareness and gather feedback from the area."This is a kickoff, we are going to do more things and at this event, we want to get information on what the community would like to see," Zimmerman said.LINK is a disability agency that assists people with basic at-home tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, organization and self-care, to live independently.Additional services LINK provides include the Community Action Public Policy Change Agents and the Kansas Telecommunication Access Program.You can make donations to LINK and its efforts by contacting Angie Zimmerman at&nbsp;angiez@linkinc.org.You can find more information on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkinc.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEYoDFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVfwrd5ofkZyW3V15cKTxFfBtg-uOby8pzMbL467QuPRHrfurbh7p-HxxQ_aem_388fjk7JsNKH7Yh5R_XRug">website </a>and follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/linkincwesternks/">Facebook</a>.

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