Beginning Wednesday at approximately 8 a.m., Sweeney's Pavement Maintenance will begin work on the asphalt on Wheatland Ave. in Hays, between East 22nd and 25th St. 

The area will be closed to through traffic until further notice and traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed. 

If there are any questions, please call Sweeney's Pavement Maintenance at 785-432-0772 or the Office of Project Management at 785- 628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693945953540.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Wednesday at approximately 8 a.m., Sweeney's Pavement Maintenance will begin work on the asphalt on Wheatland Ave. in Hays, between East 22nd and 25th St. The area will be closed to through traffic until further notice and traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed. If there are any questions, please call Sweeney's Pavement Maintenance at 785-432-0772 or the Office of Project Management at 785- 628-7350.

Wheatland Avenue asphalt project begins Wednesday in Hays

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays Post

Thomas More Prep-Marian will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Al Billinger Fieldhouse in 2026.

The Hays Catholic junior-senior high school received an early anniversary gift last week.

Technicians from Insane Impact—a company out of Des Moines, Iowa, that installs premier LED displays—were in Hays installing a new scoreboard and video board in the historic building.

Thanks to the generosity of Sunrise AgriBusiness Solutions of Hays, fans will be able to enjoy a luxury not afforded many schools the size of TMP.

A 6-by-8-foot digital scoreboard now hangs from the ceiling of the southeast corner of the fieldhouse, directly across the court from a large video board that stretches almost 12 feet wide in the northwest corner.

<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/VCaQDnUUfF0?si=tGr1AT-7Y13n3rx6">See a video of the old scoreboard coming down.</a>

TMP-M Athletic Director James Harris thinks the new additions will have a huge impact for many.

"We have a great home-court advantage because of the unique building and the atmosphere with our outstanding band and amazing student support," Harris said of the "pit." "This is going to be another way to take pride in our school, give support to our advertisers and get the community more involved."

Sunrise founder and CEO Travis Brunner said the $50,000 donation is part of his vow to provide a service that isn’t available in western Kansas.

“TMP hosts a lot of the communities that Sunrise serves,” said Brunner, whose company does business in eight states with Hays as its headquarters.

“The old scoreboards in the fieldhouse were absolutely outdated,” added Brunner, who has three children attending TMP, “and this is an opportunity to not only update those but to feature a lot of those other communities, too.”

The video board will be able to show videos and advertisements and the score and time of games simultaneously.

“This will give us the chance to recognize students more frequently and dynamically,” said Chad Meitner, TMP principal. “We are really excited about this and are so grateful to Sunrise for their donation.”

Meitner said TMP-M chose Insane Impact because of its reputation, and he wasn’t disappointed.

The company usually takes at least a week to install the boards, so technicians faced the challenge of completing the job in a shortened workweek because of Memorial Day.

They also learned early on this would be no ordinary installation because of the unique setting in the fieldhouse.

The technicians said they usually install the digital boards on walls or on steel beams above unfinished ceilings. Since the fieldhouse's ceiling is finished, the boards were raised to the ceiling and hung from support beams above.

The basketball court in the fieldhouse, built in 1951, is surrounded by a cement wall, forming a pit with cement bleachers above.

The installers were pleased when they learned that TMP owned a Genie scissors lift, saving them a lot of time building scaffolding.

Nonetheless, they still made several trips around town to purchase ropes, wenches and even washers that did not come with the shipped product.

“You just never know what issue we might run into,” said Derek Cunningham, assistant project manager for Insane Impact. “So, yeah, I’d say improvising is something we do all the time.”

The video board was shipped in two large crates, and the technicians built it on-site.

Following two full days of pulling and lifting, assembling and discussing —and improvising—Cunningham gave Meitner a crash course on the use of the boards Friday morning before his return trip back to Iowa.

Cunningham said the company would send TMP-M a necessary adapter for the boards, and an Insane Impact technician plans to visit the school this summer.

Meitner said he and other school personnel will make tweaks throughout the summer so that the video board and scoreboard are fully operational at the start of school in August.&nbsp;

TMP plans to form a student media team to operate the board during games and create content.

“Students are very good at media development these days,” Harris said. “They will be able to have an ownership in this and take pride in their work. This will give us a platform to recognize a lot of organizations and accomplishments.”

“We will be able to recognize students and teams and groups more frequently and dynamically,” he said. “On the learning side of it, (Advancement Director) Mason Ruder will work with students on how to display advertising. This is going to be such a win-win situation for all involved.”

The two new boards replace scoreboards that TMP administrators believe were installed in the 1990s. Those had replaced a four-sided board in the middle of the court that most agree hung “way too low.”

Alan Billinger is a former girls’ basketball and softball coach at TMP and the son of the legendary coach for whom the building is named.

A graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy, TMP’s predecessor, Alan Billinger has either played or coached in games in the fieldhouse from the late 1950s until his retirement from coaching in 2012. He even remembers going to practice with his dad long before he donned a St. Joseph Cadets uniform.

“That’s quite the building, and it’s great to see upgrades on it,” Billinger said. “What a tremendous donation from Sunrise and Travis Brunner. For someone to come up with that idea itself is amazing. It shows the kind&nbsp;of support the community has for TMP-Marian.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717433067626.jpeg" alt="A new video board and digital scoreboard were installed in Thomas More Prep-Marian’s Al Billinger Fieldhouse last week. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A new video board and digital scoreboard were installed in Thomas More Prep-Marian’s Al Billinger Fieldhouse last week. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays PostThomas More Prep-Marian will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Al Billinger Fieldhouse in 2026.The Hays Catholic junior-senior high school received an early anniversary gift last week.Technicians from Insane Impact—a company out of Des Moines, Iowa, that installs premier LED displays—were in Hays installing a new scoreboard and video board in the historic building.Thanks to the generosity of Sunrise AgriBusiness Solutions of Hays, fans will be able to enjoy a luxury not afforded many schools the size of TMP.A 6-by-8-foot digital scoreboard now hangs from the ceiling of the southeast corner of the fieldhouse, directly across the court from a large video board that stretches almost 12 feet wide in the northwest corner.<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/VCaQDnUUfF0?si=tGr1AT-7Y13n3rx6">See a video of the old scoreboard coming down.</a>TMP-M Athletic Director James Harris thinks the new additions will have a huge impact for many."We have a great home-court advantage because of the unique building and the atmosphere with our outstanding band and amazing student support," Harris said of the "pit." "This is going to be another way to take pride in our school, give support to our advertisers and get the community more involved."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717433160254.jpeg" alt="The scoreboard installers made good use of TMP’s scissors lift from the get-go, maneuvering their way close to the old scoreboards hanging above the cement bleachers. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The scoreboard installers made good use of TMP’s scissors lift from the get-go, maneuvering their way close to the old scoreboards hanging above the cement bleachers. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Sunrise founder and CEO Travis Brunner said the $50,000 donation is part of his vow to provide a service that isn’t available in western Kansas.“TMP hosts a lot of the communities that Sunrise serves,” said Brunner, whose company does business in eight states with Hays as its headquarters.“The old scoreboards in the fieldhouse were absolutely outdated,” added Brunner, who has three children attending TMP, “and this is an opportunity to not only update those but to feature a lot of those other communities, too.”The video board will be able to show videos and advertisements and the score and time of games simultaneously.“This will give us the chance to recognize students more frequently and dynamically,” said Chad Meitner, TMP principal. “We are really excited about this and are so grateful to Sunrise for their donation.”Meitner said TMP-M chose Insane Impact because of its reputation, and he wasn’t disappointed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717433275106.jpeg" alt="Insane Impact technicians built the video board piece by piece. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Insane Impact technicians built the video board piece by piece. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Masters of improvisation</h2>The company usually takes at least a week to install the boards, so technicians faced the challenge of completing the job in a shortened workweek because of Memorial Day.They also learned early on this would be no ordinary installation because of the unique setting in the fieldhouse.The technicians said they usually install the digital boards on walls or on steel beams above unfinished ceilings. Since the fieldhouse's ceiling is finished, the boards were raised to the ceiling and hung from support beams above.The basketball court in the fieldhouse, built in 1951, is surrounded by a cement wall, forming a pit with cement bleachers above.The installers were pleased when they learned that TMP owned a Genie scissors lift, saving them a lot of time building scaffolding.Nonetheless, they still made several trips around town to purchase ropes, wenches and even washers that did not come with the shipped product.“You just never know what issue we might run into,” said Derek Cunningham, assistant project manager for Insane Impact. “So, yeah, I’d say improvising is something we do all the time.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717433323356.jpeg" alt="TMP-M Director of Operations Tom Kisner and Principal Chad Meitner discuss the exact placement of the video board with Insane Impact’s Zach Styles. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>TMP-M Director of Operations Tom Kisner and Principal Chad Meitner discuss the exact placement of the video board with Insane Impact’s Zach Styles. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The video board was shipped in two large crates, and the technicians built it on-site.Following two full days of pulling and lifting, assembling and discussing —and improvising—Cunningham gave Meitner a crash course on the use of the boards Friday morning before his return trip back to Iowa.Cunningham said the company would send TMP-M a necessary adapter for the boards, and an Insane Impact technician plans to visit the school this summer.Meitner said he and other school personnel will make tweaks throughout the summer so that the video board and scoreboard are fully operational at the start of school in August.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717433376355.jpeg" alt="TMP Principal Chad Meitner, left, takes notes during a quick training session on the new boards with Insane Impact’s Derek Cunningham. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>TMP Principal Chad Meitner, left, takes notes during a quick training session on the new boards with Insane Impact’s Derek Cunningham. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More student involvement</h2>TMP plans to form a student media team to operate the board during games and create content.“Students are very good at media development these days,” Harris said. “They will be able to have an ownership in this and take pride in their work. This will give us a platform to recognize a lot of organizations and accomplishments.”Meitner agreed.“We will be able to recognize students and teams and groups more frequently and dynamically,” he said. “On the learning side of it, (Advancement Director) Mason Ruder will work with students on how to display advertising. This is going to be such a win-win situation for all involved.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717433435805.jpeg" alt="The video board, which hangs in the northwest corner of Al Billinger Fieldhouse, can simultaneously display a video and the score and time of a game. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The video board, which hangs in the northwest corner of Al Billinger Fieldhouse, can simultaneously display a video and the score and time of a game. Photos by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Change is part of history</h2>The two new boards replace scoreboards that TMP administrators believe were installed in the 1990s. Those had replaced a four-sided board in the middle of the court that most agree hung “way too low.”Alan Billinger is a former girls’ basketball and softball coach at TMP and the son of the legendary coach for whom the building is named.A graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy, TMP’s predecessor, Alan Billinger has either played or coached in games in the fieldhouse from the late 1950s until his retirement from coaching in 2012. He even remembers going to practice with his dad long before he donned a St. Joseph Cadets uniform.“That’s quite the building, and it’s great to see upgrades on it,” Billinger said. “What a tremendous donation from Sunrise and Travis Brunner. For someone to come up with that idea itself is amazing. It shows the kind&nbsp;of support the community has for TMP-Marian.”

Insane Impact installs new video board at TMP's Al Billinger Fieldhouse

Vap Construction based in Atwood is thrilled to announce a recent addition to its growing company, Teresa Tarman, who joined the team earlier this year in February.

Teresa Tarman, human resource and compliance specialist, brings a wide range of experience to her role. Before joining the construction industry, she spent over 15 years in health care.

“Transitioning from the medical field to construction has presented some challenges, but nothing insurmountable. Fortunately, I’m part of an amazing team that has supported me every step of the way. I’m grateful for the warm welcome and patience extended to me,”&nbsp;Tarman said.

She currently resides in Atwood with her partner, Levi, and likes to spend her free time gardening, watching sports and being outdoors.

“We’re excited to welcome Teresa to our team,” said Linda Young-Vap, corporate vice president. “Her experience and unique background bring a new element that can only add to our continued success. We look forward to a future of growth and development.”

Vap Construction was founded by Jeff and Linda Vap in 2004 as a general contractor offering new construction for homes and commercial properties, as well as remodeling.

The company expanded into post-frame and steel-frame buildings shortly thereafter and is now well-known across its four-state territory.&nbsp; Crews are licensed and insured. 

Learn more about Vap Construction by visiting its website at <a href="http://www.vapconstruction.com">www.vapconstruction.com</a>. You can also find them on social media.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717446907529.jpeg" alt="Teresa Tarman" />
 <figcaption>Teresa Tarman</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedVap Construction based in Atwood is thrilled to announce a recent addition to its growing company, Teresa Tarman, who joined the team earlier this year in February.Teresa Tarman, human resource and compliance specialist, brings a wide range of experience to her role. Before joining the construction industry, she spent over 15 years in health care.“Transitioning from the medical field to construction has presented some challenges, but nothing insurmountable. Fortunately, I’m part of an amazing team that has supported me every step of the way. I’m grateful for the warm welcome and patience extended to me,”&nbsp;Tarman said.She currently resides in Atwood with her partner, Levi, and likes to spend her free time gardening, watching sports and being outdoors.“We’re excited to welcome Teresa to our team,” said Linda Young-Vap, corporate vice president. “Her experience and unique background bring a new element that can only add to our continued success. We look forward to a future of growth and development.”Vap Construction was founded by Jeff and Linda Vap in 2004 as a general contractor offering new construction for homes and commercial properties, as well as remodeling.The company expanded into post-frame and steel-frame buildings shortly thereafter and is now well-known across its four-state territory.&nbsp; Crews are licensed and insured. Learn more about Vap Construction by visiting its website at <a href="http://www.vapconstruction.com">www.vapconstruction.com</a>. You can also find them on social media.

Vap Construction welcomes new team member

HaysMed is excited to welcome Caitlin Gabel, APRN, to Western Kansas Urological Associates. Gabel is well-equipped to handle a range of urological conditions, enhancing the clinic’s commitment to comprehensive care.

Gabel completed her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Purdue University Global, West Lafayette, IN. She joins the highly skilled team at Western Kansas Urological Associates, focusing on patient-centered and minimally invasive care approaches. Patients can book appointments through HaysMed’s online portal or directly at the clinic by calling 785-628-6014, where they can expect high-quality treatment and care.

Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) is a private, not-for-profit, 200+ bed hospital providing the only tertiary-level services in the region. As the premier provider in western Kansas for specialized care, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs including cardiology, orthopedics, cancer, surgery (general, minimally invasive and robotic), ENT, pulmonology, critical care and women’s services. HaysMed is a Level III Trauma Center and a certified Primary Stroke Center.

Other services include rehabilitation, hospice, neonatal, intensive care and diagnostic imaging, as well as a Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center and a Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Center. HaysMed is proud to be one of only 20 U.S. hospitals recognized by Vizient in 2023 as a Top Performer in the Complex Care Medical Center cohort. In 2022, HaysMed was named as one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association. Learn more at haysmed.com.

HaysMed is excited to welcome Caitlin Gabel, APRN, to Western Kansas Urological Associates. Gabel is well-equipped to handle a range of urological conditions, enhancing the clinic’s commitment to comprehensive care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717446229469.jpeg" alt="Caitlin Gabel" />
 <figcaption>Caitlin Gabel</figcaption>
 </figure>Gabel completed her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Purdue University Global, West Lafayette, IN. She joins the highly skilled team at Western Kansas Urological Associates, focusing on patient-centered and minimally invasive care approaches. Patients can book appointments through HaysMed’s online portal or directly at the clinic by calling 785-628-6014, where they can expect high-quality treatment and care.<h2>About HaysMed</h2>Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) is a private, not-for-profit, 200+ bed hospital providing the only tertiary-level services in the region. As the premier provider in western Kansas for specialized care, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs including cardiology, orthopedics, cancer, surgery (general, minimally invasive and robotic), ENT, pulmonology, critical care and women’s services. HaysMed is a Level III Trauma Center and a certified Primary Stroke Center.Other services include rehabilitation, hospice, neonatal, intensive care and diagnostic imaging, as well as a Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center and a Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Center. HaysMed is proud to be one of only 20 U.S. hospitals recognized by Vizient in 2023 as a Top Performer in the Complex Care Medical Center cohort. In 2022, HaysMed was named as one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association. Learn more at haysmed.com.

HaysMed welcomes new provider, Caitlin Gabel, APRN

Several Nex-Tech employees briefly left their jobs across Northwest Kansas on May 30 for an important mission. They presented a check for $1,212 to the Center for Life Experience, 103C E. 27th&nbsp;St. in Hays.

The center is one of the few non-profit organizations in Kansas that offers grief support services for both adults and children.

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and Nex-Tech wanted to “reaffirm its commitment to employee well-being through community support,” said Breanna Blackhart, who works in the firm’s Human Resources Department in Hoxie.

For three weeks in May, Nex-Tech employees could participate in payroll deduction for a designated community agency, Blackhart said. The employees raised $606. The company matched the employees’ contributions.

In addition, employees purchased 68 custom “Mental Health Matters” T-shirts designed by Nex-Tech’s Marketing Department, Blackhart said.

A Nex-Tech employee suggested the Center for Life Experience as the charity to receive the donation as one of seven charities initially considered, Blackhart said. The center has been in operation for 24 years.

The center provides three grief support groups for adults each month, said Laura Allen, executive director. Healing Hearts is for adults who have lost a child of any age, including miscarriages and stillbirths. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month.

Healing After Loss is for those who have suffered an adult loss, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.

Healing After Loss of Suicide is for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month. All the groups meet at the center’s office in Hays.

The center also provides a day-long retreat each spring for children ages 6 through 12 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Trained “buddies” lead the children through special activities designed to help the children discover healthy ways to grieve, Allen said.

"The Center for Life Experience offers a safe space for people to process grief at their own pace, with others who are on a similar&nbsp;journey,” Allen said. “Grief is hard because death is hard. CFLE appreciates Nex-Tech's generous donation. Our mission is a bit easier when we have the support of our community. Thank you, Nex-Tech."

In addition to Blackhart, the Nex-Tech employees making the check presentation were CEO Jimmy Todd of the Lenora office;&nbsp;Josh Otter, communications tech in Phillipsburg; Austin Gabel, software engineer lead in Hays; Jacque Inglsbee from the Human Resources Department in Stockton;&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kodi Garrison, administrative assistant in Hays.

Blackhart said the company recognizes the importance of mental health awareness. “Nex-Tech has prioritized comprehensive support for its employees,” she said. “The company provides free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) assistance, offering access to a suite of mental health tools.

“Blue Cross Blue Shield provides Nex-Tech employees resources to guide them through the process of identifying the right mental health care. Additionally, all employees benefit from telehealth services, including online counseling, and access to the Brown &amp; Brown relief center, ensuring convenient and confidential access to professional support, free of charge,” Blackhart said.

She added that the firm hopes that by publicizing its commitment to the mental health of its employees, Nex-Tech will encourage other businesses to make that support a priority as well.

“Nex-Tech remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate a supportive culture for its employees while actively engaging with and giving back to the community,” Blackhart said. “Through initiatives like these, the company aims to promote dialogue, raise awareness, and effect positive change in the realm of mental health.”

More information about the Center for Life Experience is available by calling (785) 259-6859.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717290719997.jpeg" alt="Officials from Nex-Tech present a check for $1,212 to the Center for Life Experience (CFLE), 103C E. 27th St. in Hays. Pictured are: Back row, Josh Otter, communications tech in Phillipsburg, and Austin Gabel, software engineer lead in Hays. Middle row, Breanna Blackhart, Human Resources Department in Hoxie; Neal Younger, CFLE board member from Munjor; Jacque Inglsbee, Nex-Tech Human Resources Department in Stockton; Kodi Garrison, administrative assistant in Hays; and Jimmy Todd, Nex-Tech CEO in Lenora. Front Row, Linn Ann Huntington, CFLE board member, and Laura Allen, CFLE executive director. (Courtesy Photo)" />
 <figcaption>Officials from Nex-Tech present a check for $1,212 to the Center for Life Experience (CFLE), 103C E. 27th St. in Hays. Pictured are: Back row, Josh Otter, communications tech in Phillipsburg, and Austin Gabel, software engineer lead in Hays. Middle row, Breanna Blackhart, Human Resources Department in Hoxie; Neal Younger, CFLE board member from Munjor; Jacque Inglsbee, Nex-Tech Human Resources Department in Stockton; Kodi Garrison, administrative assistant in Hays; and Jimmy Todd, Nex-Tech CEO in Lenora. Front Row, Linn Ann Huntington, CFLE board member, and Laura Allen, CFLE executive director. (Courtesy Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSeveral Nex-Tech employees briefly left their jobs across Northwest Kansas on May 30 for an important mission. They presented a check for $1,212 to the Center for Life Experience, 103C E. 27th&nbsp;St. in Hays.The center is one of the few non-profit organizations in Kansas that offers grief support services for both adults and children.May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and Nex-Tech wanted to “reaffirm its commitment to employee well-being through community support,” said Breanna Blackhart, who works in the firm’s Human Resources Department in Hoxie.For three weeks in May, Nex-Tech employees could participate in payroll deduction for a designated community agency, Blackhart said. The employees raised $606. The company matched the employees’ contributions.In addition, employees purchased 68 custom “Mental Health Matters” T-shirts designed by Nex-Tech’s Marketing Department, Blackhart said.A Nex-Tech employee suggested the Center for Life Experience as the charity to receive the donation as one of seven charities initially considered, Blackhart said. The center has been in operation for 24 years.The center provides three grief support groups for adults each month, said Laura Allen, executive director. Healing Hearts is for adults who have lost a child of any age, including miscarriages and stillbirths. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month.Healing After Loss is for those who have suffered an adult loss, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.Healing After Loss of Suicide is for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month. All the groups meet at the center’s office in Hays.The center also provides a day-long retreat each spring for children ages 6 through 12 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Trained “buddies” lead the children through special activities designed to help the children discover healthy ways to grieve, Allen said."The Center for Life Experience offers a safe space for people to process grief at their own pace, with others who are on a similar&nbsp;journey,” Allen said. “Grief is hard because death is hard. CFLE appreciates Nex-Tech's generous donation. Our mission is a bit easier when we have the support of our community. Thank you, Nex-Tech."In addition to Blackhart, the Nex-Tech employees making the check presentation were CEO Jimmy Todd of the Lenora office;&nbsp;Josh Otter, communications tech in Phillipsburg; Austin Gabel, software engineer lead in Hays; Jacque Inglsbee from the Human Resources Department in Stockton;&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kodi Garrison, administrative assistant in Hays.Blackhart said the company recognizes the importance of mental health awareness. “Nex-Tech has prioritized comprehensive support for its employees,” she said. “The company provides free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) assistance, offering access to a suite of mental health tools.“Blue Cross Blue Shield provides Nex-Tech employees resources to guide them through the process of identifying the right mental health care. Additionally, all employees benefit from telehealth services, including online counseling, and access to the Brown &amp; Brown relief center, ensuring convenient and confidential access to professional support, free of charge,” Blackhart said.She added that the firm hopes that by publicizing its commitment to the mental health of its employees, Nex-Tech will encourage other businesses to make that support a priority as well.“Nex-Tech remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate a supportive culture for its employees while actively engaging with and giving back to the community,” Blackhart said. “Through initiatives like these, the company aims to promote dialogue, raise awareness, and effect positive change in the realm of mental health.”More information about the Center for Life Experience is available by calling (785) 259-6859.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Nex-Tech gifts Hays charity in support of Mental Health Month

<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/2024/6/1717451766563.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

DECATUR COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting authorities in northwest Kansas with an ongoing investigation of an abduction and holding a hostage that occurred June 1.

According to Decatur County Sheriff&nbsp; David Wachendorfer, Decatur County Dispatch in Oberlin received a report from a man that he had been kidnapped and had just escaped from his captors.

The victim was located and the incident appears to be valid, according to Wachendorfer. The kidnapping occurred in Oklahoma and the victim was able to escape while passing northwest Kansas. Law enforcement are asking for the public’s assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates.

The vehicle is occupied by a white male about 5-foot-6, bald, with a long brown beard and tattoos on his chest.

The second subject is a black male 5-foot-10, chubby, with a mustache, goatee and face tattoos. The suspects are to be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; Do not approach them.

DECATUR COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting authorities in northwest Kansas with an ongoing investigation of an abduction and holding a hostage that occurred June 1.According to Decatur County Sheriff&nbsp; David Wachendorfer, Decatur County Dispatch in Oberlin received a report from a man that he had been kidnapped and had just escaped from his captors.The victim was located and the incident appears to be valid, according to Wachendorfer. The kidnapping occurred in Oklahoma and the victim was able to escape while passing northwest Kansas. Law enforcement are asking for the public’s assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates.The vehicle is occupied by a white male about 5-foot-6, bald, with a long brown beard and tattoos on his chest.The second subject is a black male 5-foot-10, chubby, with a mustache, goatee and face tattoos. The suspects are to be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; Do not approach them.

KBI assisting with search for suspects in NW Kansas abduction

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Communications

Kansas regulators report 93 new intent-to-drill notices in May, 413 so far this year, compared to 448 through May of last year. Barton County records five new intents, ten so far this year. Ellis County has a new one for a total of three. The Kansas Corporation Commission reports one new intent in Russell County. That's four so far this year. In Stafford County there are six for the year, with two new ones reported in May.

Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 26 new well completions for the week, with one each in Barton, Ellis and Russell counties, out of 12 in western Kansas.

Regulators gave their okay to 40 new drilling locations in Kansas, including one new permit in Russell County, out of 21 west of Wichita. That's 377 new permits so far this year, compared to 529 a year ago at this time.

Oil and gas activity in Kansas lags behind last year, which was nothing to brag about. Drilling activity is down 34% from last year, a year that saw statewide crude production drop to its lowest total on record. The Kansas Rig Count is up 7% from a month ago but down 6% from a year ago. The tally is up two rigs at 19 in the western half of the state.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down one oil rig and up one gas rig for a total of 600 active rigs. The tallies in Oklahoma and New Mexico were each down one. Louisiana was up one.

Domestic commercial crude inventories dropped by 4.2 million barrels a day last week according to the Energy Information Administration. Stockpiles are about four percent below the five-year average, at 454 million barrels.

The government bought another half million barrels of crude oil last week as part of ongoing efforts to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Total strategic reserves topped 618 million barrels back in October of 2021. Following the Ukraine invasion and subsequent Russian sanctions, the government sold off millions of barrels at over $95 a barrel. Now they're buying it back at under $80. The Energy Information Administration reports 369.3 million barrels of total strategic reserves as of May 24, up more than 3.5 million barrels since refill operations resumed in April. That marks a savings of more than $52 million.

The U.S. is a net petroleum exporter, but continues to import more crude oil than we ship out by just under 1.8 million barrels per day. Petroleum product exports tip the balance. Crude imports averaged just under 6.7 million barrels a day last week. Crude exports averaged 4.2 million barrels per day.

A slight increase in crude production in Alaska accounts for the slight increase nationwide. The Energy Information Administration reports total output of 13,122,000 barrels per day, up six thousand barrels from a week ago. Average output and average cumulative output so far this year are each up more than a million barrels a day from a year ago.

The top oil-and-gas regulator in Texas reports a big seasonal drop in February crude production from totals that were already below average. Operators in the Lone Star State pumped 131 million barrels in February, down 16 million barrels a day from January and 700,000 daily barrels lower than a year earlier. Output in January was already below average from severe winter weather. 

Natural gas production was down ten percent from a month earlier, and 4% lower year-over-year.&nbsp;Output in the number three producing state was up in March compared to February, but the daily average, in the longer month, was down two percent. 

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources reports crude oil production reached 1.22 million barrels a day. Natural gas production reached an all-time record, as did the number of producing oil and gas wells in the state.

The United Arab Emirates makes good on recent promises to refocus on natural gas, by purchasing it's first-ever equity stake in a U.S. company. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, is buying a 12% stake in a Texas liquefied natural gas export facility, along with a 20-year supply agreement. The announcement makes no mention of either the price or the Administration's current pause on liquefied natural gas  export permitting. ADNOC also recently announced it's buying part of a gas project in the east-African nation of Mozambique, and a chemical plant in Europe. Abu Dhabi join the U.S. and Saudi Arabia among major oil producers refocusing exploration and marketing toward natural gas. Saudi-Aramco is following through on its announced plans to expand into liquefied natural gas  with the purchase of a huge facility in Australia.&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 CommunicationsKansas regulators report 93 new intent-to-drill notices in May, 413 so far this year, compared to 448 through May of last year. Barton County records five new intents, ten so far this year. Ellis County has a new one for a total of three. The Kansas Corporation Commission reports one new intent in Russell County. That's four so far this year. In Stafford County there are six for the year, with two new ones reported in May.Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 26 new well completions for the week, with one each in Barton, Ellis and Russell counties, out of 12 in western Kansas.Regulators gave their okay to 40 new drilling locations in Kansas, including one new permit in Russell County, out of 21 west of Wichita. That's 377 new permits so far this year, compared to 529 a year ago at this time.Oil and gas activity in Kansas lags behind last year, which was nothing to brag about. Drilling activity is down 34% from last year, a year that saw statewide crude production drop to its lowest total on record. The Kansas Rig Count is up 7% from a month ago but down 6% from a year ago. The tally is up two rigs at 19 in the western half of the state.The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down one oil rig and up one gas rig for a total of 600 active rigs. The tallies in Oklahoma and New Mexico were each down one. Louisiana was up one.Domestic commercial crude inventories dropped by 4.2 million barrels a day last week according to the Energy Information Administration. Stockpiles are about four percent below the five-year average, at 454 million barrels.The government bought another half million barrels of crude oil last week as part of ongoing efforts to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Total strategic reserves topped 618 million barrels back in October of 2021. Following the Ukraine invasion and subsequent Russian sanctions, the government sold off millions of barrels at over $95 a barrel. Now they're buying it back at under $80. The Energy Information Administration reports 369.3 million barrels of total strategic reserves as of May 24, up more than 3.5 million barrels since refill operations resumed in April. That marks a savings of more than $52 million.The U.S. is a net petroleum exporter, but continues to import more crude oil than we ship out by just under 1.8 million barrels per day. Petroleum product exports tip the balance. Crude imports averaged just under 6.7 million barrels a day last week. Crude exports averaged 4.2 million barrels per day.A slight increase in crude production in Alaska accounts for the slight increase nationwide. The Energy Information Administration reports total output of 13,122,000 barrels per day, up six thousand barrels from a week ago. Average output and average cumulative output so far this year are each up more than a million barrels a day from a year ago.The top oil-and-gas regulator in Texas reports a big seasonal drop in February crude production from totals that were already below average. Operators in the Lone Star State pumped 131 million barrels in February, down 16 million barrels a day from January and 700,000 daily barrels lower than a year earlier. Output in January was already below average from severe winter weather. Natural gas production was down ten percent from a month earlier, and 4% lower year-over-year.&nbsp;Output in the number three producing state was up in March compared to February, but the daily average, in the longer month, was down two percent. The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources reports crude oil production reached 1.22 million barrels a day. Natural gas production reached an all-time record, as did the number of producing oil and gas wells in the state.The United Arab Emirates makes good on recent promises to refocus on natural gas, by purchasing it's first-ever equity stake in a U.S. company. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, is buying a 12% stake in a Texas liquefied natural gas export facility, along with a 20-year supply agreement. The announcement makes no mention of either the price or the Administration's current pause on liquefied natural gas export permitting. ADNOC also recently announced it's buying part of a gas project in the east-African nation of Mozambique, and a chemical plant in Europe. Abu Dhabi join the U.S. and Saudi Arabia among major oil producers refocusing exploration and marketing toward natural gas. Saudi-Aramco is following through on its announced plans to expand into liquefied natural gas with the purchase of a huge facility in Australia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News From the Oil Patch: Government saves $52M refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve

LA CROSSE—Some drivers take weeks, months, even years to hit their stride when moving from one team to another. For Seth Bergman, it took one race.

In his return to his family-owned No. 23 machine, following a short stint in the TwoC Racing car, Bergman collected his second American Sprint Car Series National Tour victory of the season Friday night at Rush County Speedway.

After starting the Feature on the outside of the front row, following a second-place Dash effort, Bergman trailed closely behind polesitter Matt Covington in the early stages of the race. Once Covington began catching traffic on Lap 7, Bergman dove to Covington’s inside entering Turn 3, completed the pass, and never looked back.

“What a fantastic night,” Bergman said in Victory Lane. “First night back in our family car, to come out here and get a win, I couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

With all 30 laps going caution-free, maneuvering around slower cars was critical throughout the seven-minute feature. Bergman was one of the only drivers in the field capable of using any lane on the track at any time, which allowed him to build a lead of nearly seven seconds by the time the checkered flag flew–and lap up to sixth place.

“This place was cowboy up tonight,” Bergman said. “I felt like a teenager again. Growing up on the West Coast definitely helped me tonight. I was able to dig back in the toolbox and get the spurs on and go to work. I felt like my biggest concern there once I got going was running out of tear-offs. I felt like I was pulling two or three a lap sometimes.”

Covington’s dominant Dash victory gave him the night’s pole position in the feature, but the 19-time National Tour winner said a lack of versatility in traffic was his downfall.

“I felt like my car was good in clean air, but I didn’t feel as good when I got into dirty air,” Covington said. “It doesn’t take a lot to make these cars go from looking really good to really bad, just subtle changes. We were real close. Bergman was better in traffic, I think. We’ll put that in the notebook and try to get him next time.”

The National Tour was not the only one making its Rush County debut. Many drivers in the field, including the top two, were making their first-ever laps around the 5/16-mile bullring.

“The track stayed fairly narrow,” Covington said. “The kind of dirt it is, even though it looks all wet, you can get your car through it if you’re brave enough and stay in the gas.”

Bergman's move back to his family team allows him to take a more hands-on approach to his racing program.

“Getting back in our family car, I’m able to oversee everything at our house,” Bergman said. “I spend countless hours just overthinking and paying attention to detail and just really trying to build race cars that are capable of coming here and doing that.”

Rounding out the podium in the third spot was 17-year-old Ryder Laplante, who was making just his second start with the National Tour. The young Oklahoma native has bounced between everything from Micro Sprints to 410 Sprint Cars in the early months of the season and said he hopes his quick success with ASCS will snowball into a championship chase in 2025.

“We’re just going to hit as many races as we can here and there,” Laplante said. “Just get prepared for next year, and hopefully, we can hit it full-time.”

Bergman wasn’t the only one able to make passes during the 30-lap feature. Hank Davis, making his debut in the TwoC Racing No. 2C, charged from 11th to fourth, claiming the night’s Hard Charger Award.

Sam Hafertepe Jr., who challenged Covington for second most of the feature, fell back and ended the night fifth – his first top-five finish of the 2024 National Tour season.

UP NEXT: The National Tour will now turn its attention to the second half of this weekend’s Kansas doubleheader, with Dodge City Raceway Park on Saturday, June 1. Tickets will be available at the gate, with live coverage available on&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.mB7pKm66TiXpNF-2B3qCAGf1yDoiKVeaFU4opScCi1x5dEQPJGpAoc493reRvAfgqlv4o9_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9oKd2u9pfUdXZFI4OrBR4UG-2BRsvWFGVE5edc-2FmLQgsKE-2Bjz0bdoYU-2BC7AIOz2hAo8ag71GsdqIL9bo-2B1dLMl9va7vP4hkRtgQkuvHwUvTQ2EYY-2BMjUzR-2Bmt6PmuTLBfbHWN9J-2FJtFkljmINuXxQ69YefwaU8u25P-2B93AO8cqoWM1cIqtZ-2Fq-2BMRwLUiK3toXYm3wFwfTF95GGXw115KVgN-2F1h5sVtoqNO3m-2Brd-2BPLTRQ634ktbEh7ObhZIK2uszPvc4cE3aB2gm0lqqx8WfrAjcHkwFb4wiDLQUn4IcQvxHCnKQBj00raEoTXmaltjAQzO3" target="_blank">DIRTVision</a>&nbsp;for those unable to make it to the track.

RESULTSA Feature 1 (30 Laps): 1. 23-Seth Bergman[2]; 2. 95-Matt Covington[1]; 3. 88R-Ryder Laplante[7]; 4. 2C-Hank Davis[11]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[3]; 6. 10C-Jeremy Campbell[6]; 7. 36-Jason Martin[13]; 8. 10-Landon Britt[15]; 9. 55B-Jordon Mallett[4]; 10. 15D-Andrew Deal[8]; 11. 45X-Kyler Johnson[14]; 12. 2-Brekton Crouch[12]; 13. 16G-Austyn Gossel[9]; 14. 938-Bradley Fezard[20]; 15. 88J-Jeremy Huish[17]; 16. 2J-Zach Blurton[16]; 17. 88-Terry Easum[19]; 18. 88K-Jordan Knight[22]; 19. 57P-Peter Walker[23]; 20. 6G-Bryan Gossel[18]; 21. 1X-Bryant Wiedeman[10]; 22. 91-Michael Day[24]; 23. 71-Brady Baker[5]; 24. 11K-Tyler Knight[21]

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717430546465.jpeg" alt="Seth Bergman Winsby Photo by EmilySchwanke" />
 <figcaption>Seth Bergman Winsby Photo by EmilySchwanke</figcaption>
 </figure>LA CROSSE—Some drivers take weeks, months, even years to hit their stride when moving from one team to another. For Seth Bergman, it took one race.In his return to his family-owned No. 23 machine, following a short stint in the TwoC Racing car, Bergman collected his second American Sprint Car Series National Tour victory of the season Friday night at Rush County Speedway.After starting the Feature on the outside of the front row, following a second-place Dash effort, Bergman trailed closely behind polesitter Matt Covington in the early stages of the race. Once Covington began catching traffic on Lap 7, Bergman dove to Covington’s inside entering Turn 3, completed the pass, and never looked back.“What a fantastic night,” Bergman said in Victory Lane. “First night back in our family car, to come out here and get a win, I couldn’t have scripted it any better.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717430606447.jpeg" alt="Bergman Celebration Photo by EmilySchwanke" />
 <figcaption>Bergman Celebration Photo by EmilySchwanke</figcaption>
 </figure>With all 30 laps going caution-free, maneuvering around slower cars was critical throughout the seven-minute feature. Bergman was one of the only drivers in the field capable of using any lane on the track at any time, which allowed him to build a lead of nearly seven seconds by the time the checkered flag flew–and lap up to sixth place.“This place was cowboy up tonight,” Bergman said. “I felt like a teenager again. Growing up on the West Coast definitely helped me tonight. I was able to dig back in the toolbox and get the spurs on and go to work. I felt like my biggest concern there once I got going was running out of tear-offs. I felt like I was pulling two or three a lap sometimes.”Covington’s dominant Dash victory gave him the night’s pole position in the feature, but the 19-time National Tour winner said a lack of versatility in traffic was his downfall.“I felt like my car was good in clean air, but I didn’t feel as good when I got into dirty air,” Covington said. “It doesn’t take a lot to make these cars go from looking really good to really bad, just subtle changes. We were real close. Bergman was better in traffic, I think. We’ll put that in the notebook and try to get him next time.”The National Tour was not the only one making its Rush County debut. Many drivers in the field, including the top two, were making their first-ever laps around the 5/16-mile bullring.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717430666914.jpeg" alt="Podium Photo by Emily Schwanke." />
 <figcaption>Podium Photo by Emily Schwanke.</figcaption>
 </figure>“The track stayed fairly narrow,” Covington said. “The kind of dirt it is, even though it looks all wet, you can get your car through it if you’re brave enough and stay in the gas.”Bergman's move back to his family team allows him to take a more hands-on approach to his racing program.“Getting back in our family car, I’m able to oversee everything at our house,” Bergman said. “I spend countless hours just overthinking and paying attention to detail and just really trying to build race cars that are capable of coming here and doing that.”Rounding out the podium in the third spot was 17-year-old Ryder Laplante, who was making just his second start with the National Tour. The young Oklahoma native has bounced between everything from Micro Sprints to 410 Sprint Cars in the early months of the season and said he hopes his quick success with ASCS will snowball into a championship chase in 2025.“We’re just going to hit as many races as we can here and there,” Laplante said. “Just get prepared for next year, and hopefully, we can hit it full-time.”Bergman wasn’t the only one able to make passes during the 30-lap feature. Hank Davis, making his debut in the TwoC Racing No. 2C, charged from 11th to fourth, claiming the night’s Hard Charger Award.Sam Hafertepe Jr., who challenged Covington for second most of the feature, fell back and ended the night fifth – his first top-five finish of the 2024 National Tour season.UP NEXT: The National Tour will now turn its attention to the second half of this weekend’s Kansas doubleheader, with Dodge City Raceway Park on Saturday, June 1. Tickets will be available at the gate, with live coverage available on&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.mB7pKm66TiXpNF-2B3qCAGf1yDoiKVeaFU4opScCi1x5dEQPJGpAoc493reRvAfgqlv4o9_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9oKd2u9pfUdXZFI4OrBR4UG-2BRsvWFGVE5edc-2FmLQgsKE-2Bjz0bdoYU-2BC7AIOz2hAo8ag71GsdqIL9bo-2B1dLMl9va7vP4hkRtgQkuvHwUvTQ2EYY-2BMjUzR-2Bmt6PmuTLBfbHWN9J-2FJtFkljmINuXxQ69YefwaU8u25P-2B93AO8cqoWM1cIqtZ-2Fq-2BMRwLUiK3toXYm3wFwfTF95GGXw115KVgN-2F1h5sVtoqNO3m-2Brd-2BPLTRQ634ktbEh7ObhZIK2uszPvc4cE3aB2gm0lqqx8WfrAjcHkwFb4wiDLQUn4IcQvxHCnKQBj00raEoTXmaltjAQzO3" target="_blank">DIRTVision</a>&nbsp;for those unable to make it to the track.RESULTSA Feature 1 (30 Laps): 1. 23-Seth Bergman[2]; 2. 95-Matt Covington[1]; 3. 88R-Ryder Laplante[7]; 4. 2C-Hank Davis[11]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[3]; 6. 10C-Jeremy Campbell[6]; 7. 36-Jason Martin[13]; 8. 10-Landon Britt[15]; 9. 55B-Jordon Mallett[4]; 10. 15D-Andrew Deal[8]; 11. 45X-Kyler Johnson[14]; 12. 2-Brekton Crouch[12]; 13. 16G-Austyn Gossel[9]; 14. 938-Bradley Fezard[20]; 15. 88J-Jeremy Huish[17]; 16. 2J-Zach Blurton[16]; 17. 88-Terry Easum[19]; 18. 88K-Jordan Knight[22]; 19. 57P-Peter Walker[23]; 20. 6G-Bryan Gossel[18]; 21. 1X-Bryant Wiedeman[10]; 22. 91-Michael Day[24]; 23. 71-Brady Baker[5]; 24. 11K-Tyler Knight[21]

Bergman wins at Rush County in return to family team

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

John Linn's 35 years in education allowed him to serve in a number of roles and in several schools across Kansas, and all the while, he never lost the competitive fire and desire to be a coach.

When the head girls' basketball coach position at Thomas More-Prep Marian became available, he knew the time was right to return to coaching.

“When this opportunity came around this year, ‘I was like,
you know,’ I really want to get back into coaching again, and what a great
opportunity to do it,” Linn said. “I know most of the girls. I got to have them in the class. I know how competitive they are, so the timing was perfect.”

Linn, who serves as the TMP business teacher, takes over
after the school elected not to retain Rose McFarland after 12 seasons.

After finishing the season with no seniors, Linn says he
will lean on the five seniors who will be a part of the program next year as
they look to increase their numbers. 

“I look forward to them being great leaders for underclassmen
and being those people who continue to build upon the program and maybe
getting more girls excited about coming in and joining our program and building up
those numbers,” Linn said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717440334876.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostJohn Linn's 35 years in education allowed him to serve in a number of roles and in several schools across Kansas, and all the while, he never lost the competitive fire and desire to be a coach.When the head girls' basketball coach position at Thomas More-Prep Marian became available, he knew the time was right to return to coaching.“When this opportunity came around this year, ‘I was like,
you know,’ I really want to get back into coaching again, and what a great
opportunity to do it,” Linn said. “I know most of the girls. I got to have them in the class. I know how competitive they are, so the timing was perfect.”Linn, who serves as the TMP business teacher, takes over
after the school elected not to retain Rose McFarland after 12 seasons.TMP finished 11-12 last season. After finishing the season with no seniors, Linn says he
will lean on the five seniors who will be a part of the program next year as
they look to increase their numbers. “I look forward to them being great leaders for underclassmen
and being those people who continue to build upon the program and maybe
getting more girls excited about coming in and joining our program and building up
those numbers,” Linn said.You can here more from Linn below.<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/1836560880&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-814667509/6-3-2024-john-linn" title="6-3-2024 - John Linn" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">6-3-2024 - John Linn</a></div></div>

🏀 John Linn named TMP-Marian girls basketball coach

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The K-State Ag Research Center in Hays reported .75 inches of rain during the weekend.

Hays is still behind on its precipitation for the year. To date, Hays has received 6.7 inches of precipitation.&nbsp;

By the end of June, the average year-to-date precipitation for Hays will be 11.31 inches, with 3.38 inches anticipated for June.

The Kansas Drought Monitor only shows precipitation amounts through last Tuesday. No precipitation from last week or this weekend is counted in the map that was released Thursday.&nbsp;

It showed Ellis County abnormally dry to being in moderate drought.

The National Weather Service forecasts a 20% chance of rain after 1 p.m. today with a high of 87 for Hays.

The weather is forecast to be clear through Friday with chances of rain returning Friday night and into the weekend.

Highs will be in the upper 80s and lower 90s through Friday.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe K-State Ag Research Center in Hays reported .75 inches of rain during the weekend.Hays is still behind on its precipitation for the year. To date, Hays has received 6.7 inches of precipitation.&nbsp;By the end of June, the average year-to-date precipitation for Hays will be 11.31 inches, with 3.38 inches anticipated for June.The Kansas Drought Monitor only shows precipitation amounts through last Tuesday. No precipitation from last week or this weekend is counted in the map that was released Thursday.&nbsp;It showed Ellis County abnormally dry to being in moderate drought.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717429270374.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service forecasts a 20% chance of rain after 1 p.m. today with a high of 87 for Hays.The weather is forecast to be clear through Friday with chances of rain returning Friday night and into the weekend.Highs will be in the upper 80s and lower 90s through Friday.

Hays sees rain during the weekend, but still below precipitation average for year

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Toyota Highlander driven by William R. Thomas, 79, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was eastbound on Interstate 70 approximately 4 miles east of the Wilson-Lucas Kansas 232 exit.&nbsp;

The Toyota rear-ended a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Elizabeth A.&nbsp;Lineberry, 18, Colorado, who slowed due to blowing dust and no visibility.&nbsp; After impact, a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Chantelle H. Meyer, 31, Salina, rear-ended the Ford Focus.

EMS transported&nbsp;Meyer to Salina Regional Health Center and a passenger in the Toyota Karine M. Thomas, 76, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to&nbsp;Ellsworth County Medical Center.

EMS transported a passenger in the Ford Focus Margaret A.&nbsp;Bojorquez, 44,&nbsp; Flippin, Arkansas, to HaysMed.

Lineberry and Thomas were not injured. All five were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Toyota Highlander driven by William R. Thomas, 79, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was eastbound on Interstate 70 approximately 4 miles east of the Wilson-Lucas Kansas 232 exit.&nbsp;The Toyota rear-ended a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Elizabeth A.&nbsp;Lineberry, 18, Colorado, who slowed due to blowing dust and no visibility.&nbsp; After impact, a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Chantelle H. Meyer, 31, Salina, rear-ended the Ford Focus.EMS transported&nbsp;Meyer to Salina Regional Health Center and a passenger in the Toyota Karine M. Thomas, 76, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to&nbsp;Ellsworth County Medical Center.EMS transported a passenger in the Ford Focus Margaret A.&nbsp;Bojorquez, 44,&nbsp; Flippin, Arkansas, to HaysMed.Lineberry and Thomas were not injured. All five were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman hospitalized in Hays after crash in blowing dust

DECATUR COUNTY —Law enforcement agencies along the border between northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska continue actively assisting Decatur County, Oberlin, Kansas, authorities with an ongoing investigation of an abduction and holding a hostage from Oberlin, according to Decatur County Sheriff&nbsp; David Wachendorfer.&nbsp; Early Monday, the sheriff's office reported no new developments in the search.

On Saturday, Decatur County Dispatch in Oberlin received a report from a man that he had been kidnapped and had just escaped from his captors.

Law Enforcement Officers from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and Oberlin Police Department, as well as members of Decatur County EMS and Emergency Management responded to the location.

The victim was located and the incident appears to be valid, according to Wachendorfer. The kidnapping occurred in another jurisdiction and the victim was able to escape while passing through. The sheriff is asking for the public’s assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates.

DECATUR COUNTY —Law enforcement agencies along the border between northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska continue actively assisting Decatur County, Oberlin, Kansas, authorities with an ongoing investigation of an abduction and holding a hostage from Oberlin, according to Decatur County Sheriff&nbsp; David Wachendorfer.&nbsp; Early Monday, the sheriff's office reported no new developments in the search.On Saturday, Decatur County Dispatch in Oberlin received a report from a man that he had been kidnapped and had just escaped from his captors.Law Enforcement Officers from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and Oberlin Police Department, as well as members of Decatur County EMS and Emergency Management responded to the location.The victim was located and the incident appears to be valid, according to Wachendorfer. The kidnapping occurred in another jurisdiction and the victim was able to escape while passing through. The sheriff is asking for the public’s assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates.The vehicle is occupied by a white male about 5-foot-6, bald, with a long brown beard and tattoos on his chest.The second subject is a black male 5-foot-10, chubby, with a mustache, goatee and face tattoos. The suspects are to be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; Do not approach them.

Suspects in NW Kansas abduction still at large

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Elevate your style in downtown Hays with Azalea Avenue Boutique, a new women's clothing store with a range of options.

The boutique, 110 W 11th St., opened its second location since its founding in 2017 on Saturday.

Owner Merry Walt said her journey began at home when she sketched fashion designs and worked with a limited clothing inventory.

"I started this seven years ago with three shirts out of my basement," Walt said. "I was in the middle of quitting an old job when I was like, 'I'm gonna do it.'"

Starting online, the clothing store moved to Quinter before relocating to 117 N. Main St. in WaKeeney.

On June 1, its newest location had a grand opening celebration with the mission to help the women of Hays look their most fashionable.

Walt said what distinguishes Azalea Avenue in the Hays area is its modern clothing style and focus on catering to women in their 30s and 40s.

With a passion for fashion, Walt said she looks to guide women during challenging times and motherhood.

"In the midst of raising children, we forget ourselves and who we are," she said. "You can be a mom, and you can be stylish."

The boutique offers a range of styles, from business casual to summer outfits, everyday wear, and clothing suitable for before and after pregnancy.

Azalea Avenue in Hays features exclusive denim brands not found at its Quinter location or anywhere else in Hays.

The clothing store offers an extensive selection of accessories and apparel, such as dresses, bags, boots, curved tops and bottoms with sizes ranging from small to 3XL.

"Because there's multiple amazing clothing stores downtown, I think it's going to draw more women," Walt said. "I think they're gonna really enjoy a Saturday morning with us."

After its opening week, Azalea Avenue will have special hours and promotions in conjunction with Brew on the Bricks on June 15 and the Wild West Festival from July 3 to 6.

Having helped countless women so far, Walt looks to do the same in Hays with her second of many store locations that have yet to come.

"We're really excited to be in Hays to expand and inspire more women and help them with their fashion," she said.

Walt plans to grow her business with a Salina location by 2025 while establishing a presence in Lawrence, Lenexa, Garden City and beyond.

Between her Hays and WaKeeney stores, Walt said she maintains her managing role with some assistance.

"A little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus," she said.

Walt's Hays location resides in the former building of Brick's Rockin' BBQ. She and her husband discussed expansion a year before its renovation and opening while eating there.

Azalea Avenue Boutique in Hays is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and its WaKeeney location is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

You can join Azalea Avenue Boutique's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/166039954053365">VIP group</a> or follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/azaleaavenueclothing/">store </a>on Facebook.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716918569830.jpeg" alt="The front of Azalea Avenue Boutique in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The front of Azalea Avenue Boutique in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostElevate your style in downtown Hays with Azalea Avenue Boutique, a new women's clothing store with a range of options.The boutique, 110 W 11th St., opened its second location since its founding in 2017 on Saturday.Owner Merry Walt said her journey began at home when she sketched fashion designs and worked with a limited clothing inventory."I started this seven years ago with three shirts out of my basement," Walt said. "I was in the middle of quitting an old job when I was like, 'I'm gonna do it.'"Starting online, the clothing store moved to Quinter before relocating to 117 N. Main St. in WaKeeney.On June 1, its newest location had a grand opening celebration with the mission to help the women of Hays look their most fashionable.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717182831465.jpeg" alt="Clothing racks and entrance space to Azalea Avenue's Hays location. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Clothing racks and entrance space to Azalea Avenue's Hays location. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Walt said what distinguishes Azalea Avenue in the Hays area is its modern clothing style and focus on catering to women in their 30s and 40s.With a passion for fashion, Walt said she looks to guide women during challenging times and motherhood."In the midst of raising children, we forget ourselves and who we are," she said. "You can be a mom, and you can be stylish."The boutique offers a range of styles, from business casual to summer outfits, everyday wear, and clothing suitable for before and after pregnancy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717182898468.jpeg" alt="Azalea Avenue's sales floor at its Hays location with cookies and water for customers. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Azalea Avenue's sales floor at its Hays location with cookies and water for customers. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717182800767.jpeg" alt="Clothing racks and shelves for bottoms at Azalea Avenue's Hays location. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Clothing racks and shelves for bottoms at Azalea Avenue's Hays location. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Azalea Avenue in Hays features exclusive denim brands not found at its Quinter location or anywhere else in Hays.The clothing store offers an extensive selection of accessories and apparel, such as dresses, bags, boots, curved tops and bottoms with sizes ranging from small to 3XL."Because there's multiple amazing clothing stores downtown, I think it's going to draw more women," Walt said. "I think they're gonna really enjoy a Saturday morning with us."After its opening week, Azalea Avenue will have special hours and promotions in conjunction with Brew on the Bricks on June 15 and the Wild West Festival from July 3 to 6.Having helped countless women so far, Walt looks to do the same in Hays with her second of many store locations that have yet to come."We're really excited to be in Hays to expand and inspire more women and help them with their fashion," she said.Walt plans to grow her business with a Salina location by 2025 while establishing a presence in Lawrence, Lenexa, Garden City and beyond.Between her Hays and WaKeeney stores, Walt said she maintains her managing role with some assistance."A little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus," she said.Walt's Hays location resides in the former building of Brick's Rockin' BBQ. She and her husband discussed expansion a year before its renovation and opening while eating there.Azalea Avenue Boutique in Hays is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and its WaKeeney location is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.You can join Azalea Avenue Boutique's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/166039954053365">VIP group</a> or follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/azaleaavenueclothing/">store </a>on Facebook.

Adorn yourself at Azalea Avenue Boutique's new Hays location

The filing deadline for the fall elections is noon Monday, June 3 at the Ellis County Clerk’s office, Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.

Below is a list of offices that will be on the Aug. 6 primary
ballot:

These positions must be filed with the Secretary of State’s office:

• United States House of Representatives,
1st District • State Senate, 40th
District • State Representative, 110th
&amp; 111th Districts • District Court Judge, 23rd
District, 1st &amp; 2nd Divisions

These positions must be filed with the Ellis County Clerk’s office at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main St., Hays:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

• Ellis City Council – three positions
(November election only) • Ellis County Commissioner, 2nd
&amp; 3rd &nbsp;District&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Ellis County Treasurer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Ellis County Register of Deeds • Ellis County Sheriff • Ellis County Clerk • Ellis County Attorney&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Township Trustee in Big Creek
Township • Township Trustee in Buckeye
Township • Township Trustee in Freedom
Township • Township Trustee in Herzog
Township • Township Treasurer in Big Creek
Township • Township Treasurer in Buckeye Township • Township Treasurer in Freedom Township • Township Treasurer in Herzog Township&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

One precinct committeeman in
each precinct&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

One precinct committeewoman in
each precinct&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The last day to register to vote in the primary is July 16. 

Last day to change your party
affiliation is June 3rd at noon.


Unaffiliated voters can declare a party up to and including Election Day.

Early voting begins July 22 and will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.

The last day to early vote is noon
on Aug. 5 at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.

The last day to request an advance mail ballot is July 30.

If you have moved or changed
your name, you will need to fill out a new voter registration. You can do this
online or at the Ellis County Clerk’s office at the Ellis County Administrative Center. Voters may
go to VoterView at <a href="https://www.ksvotes.org/">www.voteks.org</a> to check
their registration status.

Ellis County ClerkThe filing deadline for the fall elections is noon Monday, June 3 at the Ellis County Clerk’s office, Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.Below is a list of offices that will be on the Aug. 6 primary
ballot:These positions must be filed with the Secretary of State’s office:• United States House of Representatives,
1st District • State Senate, 40th
District • State Representative, 110th
&amp; 111th Districts • District Court Judge, 23rd
District, 1st &amp; 2nd DivisionsThese positions must be filed with the Ellis County Clerk’s office at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main St., Hays:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;• Ellis City Council – three positions
(November election only) • Ellis County Commissioner, 2nd
&amp; 3rd &nbsp;District&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Ellis County Treasurer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Ellis County Register of Deeds • Ellis County Sheriff • Ellis County Clerk • Ellis County Attorney&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Township positions• Township Trustee in Big Creek
Township • Township Trustee in Buckeye
Township • Township Trustee in Freedom
Township • Township Trustee in Herzog
Township • Township Treasurer in Big Creek
Township • Township Treasurer in Buckeye Township • Township Treasurer in Freedom Township • Township Treasurer in Herzog Township&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One precinct committeeman in
each precinct&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One precinct committeewoman in
each precinct&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The last day to register to vote in the primary is July 16. Last day to change your party
affiliation is June 3rd at noon.
Unaffiliated voters can declare a party up to and including Election Day.Early voting begins July 22 and will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.The last day to early vote is noon
on Aug. 5 at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.The last day to request an advance mail ballot is July 30.If you have moved or changed
your name, you will need to fill out a new voter registration. You can do this
online or at the Ellis County Clerk’s office at the Ellis County Administrative Center. Voters may
go to VoterView at <a href="https://www.ksvotes.org/">www.voteks.org</a> to check
their registration status.

Filing deadline for fall elections today; see list of positions up for election

College tuition is going up in Kansas on all public university campuses. Operating costs are escalating, and higher education is faced with new Department of Labor overtime rules, a volatile employment market, and inflation—unfortunately, we experience that in many of the things we purchase on a regular basis.

Earlier this month, Kansas’ six public universities presented their proposed tuition and fee schedule for 2024-25 to the Kansas Board of Regents. Fort Hays State University, which has a long history of commitment to affordability, stood out from the rest with a proposed 6 percent increase. Before casting dispersions on the university for what many see as a big jump, it is important to know the rest of the story. A fuller story that was not reported in the media.

• Annual tuition for a full-time student at Fort Hays State would be $5,924, almost half the national average for public universities

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>College tuition is going up in Kansas on all public university campuses. Operating costs are escalating, and higher education is faced with new Department of Labor overtime rules, a volatile employment market, and inflation—unfortunately, we experience that in many of the things we purchase on a regular basis.Earlier this month, Kansas’ six public universities presented their proposed tuition and fee schedule for 2024-25 to the Kansas Board of Regents. Fort Hays State University, which has a long history of commitment to affordability, stood out from the rest with a proposed 6 percent increase. Before casting dispersions on the university for what many see as a big jump, it is important to know the rest of the story. A fuller story that was not reported in the media.• Annual tuition for a full-time student at Fort Hays State would be $5,924, almost half the national average for public universities• The proposed tuition at Fort Hays, even with the 6 percent increase, is still 35 percent less than the Kansas average for public universities• In preparing the tuition proposal, the university looked at market trends and institutional needs believed essential to maintaining the balance between affordability and quality, long the hallmarks of a Fort Hays State education.A commitment to accessibility and excellence guide Fort Hays State University leadership in important decisions concerning the cost of a university education. The tuition proposal presented to the Kansas Board of Regents will allow the university to continue its commitment to offering the best value in higher education in Kansas, something we all can support.— Janis K. Lee, retired Kansas state senator

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