TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;announced the launch of a new partnership that will create savings and streamline services for child care providers across Kansas. 

The Kansas Department for Children and Families, Child Care Aware of Kansas, and five community-based organizations, including&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Innovation Center based in Norton,&nbsp;are partnering on the Shared Service Network to streamline administrative costs for providers and free up time for programs to focus on providing high-quality child care.

“For many Kansas kids, quality child care is essential for them to have a solid start to their developmental growth,”&nbsp;said Kelly. “This network will provide child care professionals the resources they need so they can focus on young Kansans in their care.”

By participating in the Shared Services Network, child care providers benefit from services that cost less and are often more efficient than what the programs could do on their own.

 A wide range of services are available to reshape child care, including:

• Group purchasing plans;&nbsp; • Advanced business software to manage enrollment and billing; • Shared administrative staff; &nbsp; • Support for hiring staff and finding substitutes; and&nbsp; • Personalized professional development.

“By working together, child care providers can save money and invest more in key parts of early childhood education, like better pay for their staff, high-quality curriculum, and other supplies needed to operate a child care business,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Laura Howard, Secretary Kansas Department for Children and Families.

The five community-based organizations that have been selected to implement the Shared Services Network will have the responsibility for delivering services to participating child care programs that result in cost savings.

“Shared Services represent an innovative approach to making the business side of child care work,”&nbsp;said Kelly Davydov, executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas. “We have a unique opportunity to realize cost savings for participating child care programs so that they can earn more or reinvest in other aspects of their business, like high-quality curriculum for the young children in their care.”

Shared Services Networks will be provided by the following organizations:

•&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Innovation Center: Serving 29 counties in the Northwest and North Central areas of Kansas.&nbsp;

• Child Care Aware of Kansas: Serving 39 counties in the Southwest and South Central areas of Kansas.&nbsp;

• Community Children’s Center: Serving 16 counties in the Northeast area of Kansas.&nbsp;

• Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas: Serving 17 counties in the Southeast area of Kansas.&nbsp;

• The Family Conservancy: Serving five counties in the Kansas City area.&nbsp;

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3MuY2hpbGRjYXJlYXdhcmUub3JnL3NzLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MTkuODI4MDg5MzEifQ.un5djAeCN50osr-AsOmDnbNDtZyzRU_mu5Se1RtG4No/s/1303161001/br/226197151085-l" target="_blank">Shared Services Network - Child Care Aware</a>.

To learn more about Child Care Aware of Kansas and how you can join us in ensuring access to high-quality child care for all families, visit us at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua3MuY2hpbGRjYXJlYXdhcmUub3JnIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDkxOS44MjgwODkzMSJ9.JxPXQ1B6oq2w0HyYDoZOLazRD8xUDAhhDMpzFvsCT6I/s/1303161001/br/226197151085-l" target="_blank">www.ks.childcareaware.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695152142235.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;announced the launch of a new partnership that will create savings and streamline services for child care providers across Kansas. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, Child Care Aware of Kansas, and five community-based organizations, including&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Innovation Center based in Norton,&nbsp;are partnering on the Shared Service Network to streamline administrative costs for providers and free up time for programs to focus on providing high-quality child care.“For many Kansas kids, quality child care is essential for them to have a solid start to their developmental growth,”&nbsp;said Kelly. “This network will provide child care professionals the resources they need so they can focus on young Kansans in their care.”By participating in the Shared Services Network, child care providers benefit from services that cost less and are often more efficient than what the programs could do on their own. A wide range of services are available to reshape child care, including:• Group purchasing plans;&nbsp; • Advanced business software to manage enrollment and billing; • Shared administrative staff; &nbsp; • Support for hiring staff and finding substitutes; and&nbsp; • Personalized professional development. “By working together, child care providers can save money and invest more in key parts of early childhood education, like better pay for their staff, high-quality curriculum, and other supplies needed to operate a child care business,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Laura Howard, Secretary Kansas Department for Children and Families.The five community-based organizations that have been selected to implement the Shared Services Network will have the responsibility for delivering services to participating child care programs that result in cost savings.“Shared Services represent an innovative approach to making the business side of child care work,”&nbsp;said Kelly Davydov, executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas. “We have a unique opportunity to realize cost savings for participating child care programs so that they can earn more or reinvest in other aspects of their business, like high-quality curriculum for the young children in their care.”Shared Services Networks will be provided by the following organizations:•&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Innovation Center: Serving 29 counties in the Northwest and North Central areas of Kansas.&nbsp; • Child Care Aware of Kansas: Serving 39 counties in the Southwest and South Central areas of Kansas.&nbsp;• Community Children’s Center: Serving 16 counties in the Northeast area of Kansas.&nbsp;• Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas: Serving 17 counties in the Southeast area of Kansas.&nbsp;• The Family Conservancy: Serving five counties in the Kansas City area.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3MuY2hpbGRjYXJlYXdhcmUub3JnL3NzLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MTkuODI4MDg5MzEifQ.un5djAeCN50osr-AsOmDnbNDtZyzRU_mu5Se1RtG4No/s/1303161001/br/226197151085-l" target="_blank">Shared Services Network - Child Care Aware</a>.To learn more about Child Care Aware of Kansas and how you can join us in ensuring access to high-quality child care for all families, visit us at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua3MuY2hpbGRjYXJlYXdhcmUub3JnIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDkxOS44MjgwODkzMSJ9.JxPXQ1B6oq2w0HyYDoZOLazRD8xUDAhhDMpzFvsCT6I/s/1303161001/br/226197151085-l" target="_blank">www.ks.childcareaware.org</a>.

Northwest Kansas Innovation Center part of child care providers Shared Services Network 

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Julie Rider has been executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation for a little more than a year and loves it.

She was first the interim director for six months, coming off the board of directors when Sara Bloom left the position to take a job with the Kansas Department of Commerce. She's been in the position permanently since February.&nbsp;

"I love downtown Hays. That was the reason I was on the board to begin with," Rider said. "It just felt like a great fit, and I love being down there with the businesses."

Rider is a Hays native. Her family was one of the first to settle in Hays in the 1800s, she said, "and I've always been fascinated by the history of Hays."

In her position, Rider stays busy organizing the many programs and fundraisers hosted by the non-profit organization.

With fall almost here, a couple of popular events are returning to downtown Hays.

"Wines and Steins" is on Friday. Ticket-holders, limited to 300 people, will stroll to 12 locations throughout downtown. Specialty foods and beverages will be provided at each stop.&nbsp;

There are three new stops on the tour this year. Two of the businesses are new to downtown Hays, Sunflowers and Silos and Kat's Hallmark.

Several local wineries contributed their wines to the fundraiser.&nbsp;

A post-stroll celebration with music will be in the Downtown Pavilion at Union Pacific Park, featuring desserts and a live auction.&nbsp;

VIP and general admission tickets are available <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/event-details/wines-steins-2023-1">online</a> and at the DHDC office.

The annual Farm to Fork five-course dinner is Oct. 19 at the Strand Event Center.&nbsp;

"This is a great night that highlights our downtown Hays market," Rider said.

"We'll have an executive chef team preparing a wonderful meal, with local fall produce and meats from our downtown market vendors."

Rider wouldn't reveal the five-course menu. The chefs like to keep it a closely guarded secret until a few days before the event.&nbsp;

The downtown market operates Saturday mornings into the fall season, this year until Oct. 21.&nbsp;

Proceeds from Farm to Fork will benefit the Downtown Hays Market.&nbsp;

Tickets are available at the DHDC office, 1200 Main, or by calling 785-621-4171.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694722038543.png" alt="Farm to Fork benefits the Downtown Hays Market. Photo courtesy DHDC" />
 <figcaption>Farm to Fork benefits the Downtown Hays Market. Photo courtesy DHDC</figcaption>
 </figure><div>
<iframe title="Downtown Hays Dev. prepares for fall events" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=wqawa-149a062-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By BECKY KISER Hays PostJulie Rider has been executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation for a little more than a year and loves it.She was first the interim director for six months, coming off the board of directors when Sara Bloom left the position to take a job with the Kansas Department of Commerce. She's been in the position permanently since February.&nbsp;"I love downtown Hays. That was the reason I was on the board to begin with," Rider said. "It just felt like a great fit, and I love being down there with the businesses."Rider is a Hays native. Her family was one of the first to settle in Hays in the 1800s, she said, "and I've always been fascinated by the history of Hays."In her position, Rider stays busy organizing the many programs and fundraisers hosted by the non-profit organization.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694720388157.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With fall almost here, a couple of popular events are returning to downtown Hays."Wines and Steins" is on Friday. Ticket-holders, limited to 300 people, will stroll to 12 locations throughout downtown. Specialty foods and beverages will be provided at each stop.&nbsp;There are three new stops on the tour this year. Two of the businesses are new to downtown Hays, Sunflowers and Silos and Kat's Hallmark.Several local wineries contributed their wines to the fundraiser.&nbsp;A post-stroll celebration with music will be in the Downtown Pavilion at Union Pacific Park, featuring desserts and a live auction.&nbsp;VIP and general admission tickets are available <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/event-details/wines-steins-2023-1">online</a> and at the DHDC office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694721348788.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The annual Farm to Fork five-course dinner is Oct. 19 at the Strand Event Center.&nbsp;"This is a great night that highlights our downtown Hays market," Rider said."We'll have an executive chef team preparing a wonderful meal, with local fall produce and meats from our downtown market vendors."Rider wouldn't reveal the five-course menu. The chefs like to keep it a closely guarded secret until a few days before the event.&nbsp;The downtown market operates Saturday mornings into the fall season, this year until Oct. 21.&nbsp;Proceeds from Farm to Fork will benefit the Downtown Hays Market.&nbsp;

Tickets are available at the DHDC office, 1200 Main, or by calling 785-621-4171.&nbsp; &nbsp;

🎙 Downtown Hays group ready for fall events; new director has deep local roots

By LAAH TUCKER Natoma Lions Club

NATOMA — Natoma Lions Club continues a legacy in serving the community with 83 years of volunteer work. 

On Labor Day, members with volunteers served a mid-day cookout in the Natoma park's pavilion built by the Club decades ago.

 K&amp;W hamburgers and Pfortmiller Farm pork burgers were served with proceeds continuing the volunteer efforts in a myriad of programs for the community, state, Nation, and throughout the world. 

For more than 100 years, the International Lions Club has made a difference with the major focus on eyesight, diabetes awareness, and disaster relief. 

Membership is open for people who have a passion to serve others. For more information contact Shawna Dunlap, President.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694190790711.jpeg" alt="Natoma Lions Club Labor Day Sept. 4, 2023. Pictured are David Kertz, Sonya Robison, Marge Kertz, Luella Masters, Corrine Masters, Tessa Dunlap, Tabitha Dunlap,&nbsp;Shawna Dunlap, Callie Dunlap, Gail Griffin, Brad Murphy (Waldo Club), Terry Tucker, and Laah Tucker. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Natoma Lions Club Labor Day Sept. 4, 2023. Pictured are David Kertz, Sonya Robison, Marge Kertz, Luella Masters, Corrine Masters, Tessa Dunlap, Tabitha Dunlap,&nbsp;Shawna Dunlap, Callie Dunlap, Gail Griffin, Brad Murphy (Waldo Club), Terry Tucker, and Laah Tucker. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAAH TUCKER Natoma Lions ClubNATOMA — Natoma Lions Club continues a legacy in serving the community with 83 years of volunteer work. On Labor Day, members with volunteers served a mid-day cookout in the Natoma park's pavilion built by the Club decades ago. K&amp;W hamburgers and Pfortmiller Farm pork burgers were served with proceeds continuing the volunteer efforts in a myriad of programs for the community, state, Nation, and throughout the world. For more than 100 years, the International Lions Club has made a difference with the major focus on eyesight, diabetes awareness, and disaster relief. Membership is open for people who have a passion to serve others. For more information contact Shawna Dunlap, President.&nbsp;

Natoma Lions Club lives the legacy

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in October. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Those celebrating 40 years:&nbsp; • Jesse Solorio, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Ashland&nbsp;

&nbsp;Those celebrating 35 years:&nbsp; • Roberta Bradbury, Accountant II, Perry&nbsp;

Those celebrating 30 years:&nbsp; &nbsp;•&nbsp;Kenneth Stewart, Highway Maintenance Superintendent,&nbsp;Hill City&nbsp;

Those celebrating 25 years:&nbsp; • Lawrence Sage, Applications Developer III, Topeka • Bradley Stephens, Equipment Operator Senior, Holton &nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;Kevin Zimmer, Area Engineer,&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;

Those celebrating 20 years:&nbsp; Dominic Escobar, Printing Service Coordinator, Topeka Bonnie Liscek, IT Project Manager, Lawrence&nbsp;&nbsp; Michael Yohn, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Greensburg

Those celebrating 15 years: Kyle Halverson, Chief Geologist, Topeka&nbsp; Michael Letterman, Engineering Technician Senior, Chanute&nbsp;

Those celebrating 10 years:&nbsp; Steven Cross, Professional Civil Engineer II, Blue Mound Shenee Kendall, Equipment Operator Senior, Murdock William Legge, Assistant Road Team Leader, Lawrence&nbsp; Emily Rowe, Administrative Specialist, Hutchinson&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592777344559.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTTOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in October. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those celebrating 40 years:&nbsp; • Jesse Solorio, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Ashland&nbsp; &nbsp;Those celebrating 35 years:&nbsp; • Roberta Bradbury, Accountant II, Perry&nbsp;Those celebrating 30 years:&nbsp; &nbsp;•&nbsp;Kenneth Stewart, Highway Maintenance Superintendent,&nbsp;Hill City&nbsp; Those celebrating 25 years:&nbsp; • Lawrence Sage, Applications Developer III, Topeka • Bradley Stephens, Equipment Operator Senior, Holton &nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;Kevin Zimmer, Area Engineer,&nbsp;Hays&nbsp; Those celebrating 20 years:&nbsp; Dominic Escobar, Printing Service Coordinator, Topeka Bonnie Liscek, IT Project Manager, Lawrence&nbsp;&nbsp; Michael Yohn, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Greensburg Those celebrating 15 years: Kyle Halverson, Chief Geologist, Topeka&nbsp; Michael Letterman, Engineering Technician Senior, Chanute&nbsp; Those celebrating 10 years:&nbsp; Steven Cross, Professional Civil Engineer II, Blue Mound Shenee Kendall, Equipment Operator Senior, Murdock William Legge, Assistant Road Team Leader, Lawrence&nbsp; Emily Rowe, Administrative Specialist, Hutchinson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hays engineer celebrates 30 years with KDOT

MANHATTAN AND HAYS — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/105/" target="_blank">K-State 105 initiative</a>&nbsp;is supporting small business development in northwest Kansas through a collaborative approach that leverages the expertise and small business connections of higher education and statewide and regional partners.

Two universities — Kansas State University and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Fort Hays State University</a>&nbsp;— as well as two K-State 105 partners —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/" target="_blank">NetWork Kansas</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://nwkeici.org/" target="_blank">Innovation Center</a>&nbsp;— are working together to expand the service offerings of the FHSU-led Small Business Development Center in northwest Kansas.

"Our K-State 105 initiative focuses on community engagement that&nbsp;drives&nbsp;economic impact and prosperity for Kansas and our 105 counties,"&nbsp;said Marshall Stewart, K-State senior vice president and chief of staff.&nbsp;"This type of innovative partnership that brings together higher education and economic development organizations across the state is exactly the type of work in which a next-generation land-grant university should engage.

"Through the partnership, K-State 105 is providing NetWork Kansas with funding that will go to resource partners and support entrepreneurship programming and technical assistance for small businesses in all 105 counties. 

"In this instance in northwest Kansas, NetWork Kansas will work with the Innovation Center to enhance the Kansas Small Business Development Center. The FHSU-led Kansas Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, operates as a network of eight regional economic development and business consulting centers that currently serve all 105 counties in the state.

"The businesses and communities of northwest Kansas will benefit greatly from this investment in professional expertise and better access to essential resources the SBDC and the Innovation Center will begin delivering in just a few short months," said Tisa Mason, president of Fort Hays State University. "This initiative will ensure our best business and economic development experts are working every day to advance economic prosperity throughout the High Plains.

"The SBDC and Innovation Center partnership will serve a larger number of clients in northwest Kansas than each organization can serve individually. The partners ultimately expect to serve 432 clients, help start 16 new businesses and conduct 60 capital transactions in fiscal year 2024.

"This new partnership will allow us to collectively deliver more assistance than we have been able to do individually," said Greg Jordan, state director of the SBDC. "Small businesses in western Kansas will reap the benefit of us all working more closely together to help them start, grow and thrive."

"Our shared efforts in the days ahead will contribute significantly to economic prosperity in northwest Kansas," said Scott Sproul, president and CEO of the Innovation Center.

"We congratulate Fort Hays State University, the Kansas Small Business Development Center and the Innovation Center on this impactful advancement and look forward to partnering further on K-State 105," said Erik Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of NetWork Kansas. 

"This initiative will work to integrate the resources on campus, as well as statewide, with Kansas small businesses in a way that will strengthen communities, create jobs and increase capital investment. In addition, intentional engagement will happen in critical-issue areas such as workforce, housing and child care."

The K-State 105 funding that will support this initiative comes from the annual state investment that K-State 105 received for fiscal year 2024. 

K-State 105 is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. 

Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state.



<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695128066168.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsMANHATTAN AND HAYS — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/105/" target="_blank">K-State 105 initiative</a>&nbsp;is supporting small business development in northwest Kansas through a collaborative approach that leverages the expertise and small business connections of higher education and statewide and regional partners. Two universities — Kansas State University and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Fort Hays State University</a>&nbsp;— as well as two K-State 105 partners —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/" target="_blank">NetWork Kansas</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://nwkeici.org/" target="_blank">Innovation Center</a>&nbsp;— are working together to expand the service offerings of the FHSU-led Small Business Development Center in northwest Kansas."Our K-State 105 initiative focuses on community engagement that&nbsp;drives&nbsp;economic impact and prosperity for Kansas and our 105 counties,"&nbsp;said Marshall Stewart, K-State senior vice president and chief of staff.&nbsp;"This type of innovative partnership that brings together higher education and economic development organizations across the state is exactly the type of work in which a next-generation land-grant university should engage."Through the partnership, K-State 105 is providing NetWork Kansas with funding that will go to resource partners and support entrepreneurship programming and technical assistance for small businesses in all 105 counties. "In this instance in northwest Kansas, NetWork Kansas will work with the Innovation Center to enhance the Kansas Small Business Development Center. The FHSU-led Kansas Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, operates as a network of eight regional economic development and business consulting centers that currently serve all 105 counties in the state."The businesses and communities of northwest Kansas will benefit greatly from this investment in professional expertise and better access to essential resources the SBDC and the Innovation Center will begin delivering in just a few short months," said Tisa Mason, president of Fort Hays State University. "This initiative will ensure our best business and economic development experts are working every day to advance economic prosperity throughout the High Plains."The SBDC and Innovation Center partnership will serve a larger number of clients in northwest Kansas than each organization can serve individually. The partners ultimately expect to serve 432 clients, help start 16 new businesses and conduct 60 capital transactions in fiscal year 2024."This new partnership will allow us to collectively deliver more assistance than we have been able to do individually," said Greg Jordan, state director of the SBDC. "Small businesses in western Kansas will reap the benefit of us all working more closely together to help them start, grow and thrive.""Our shared efforts in the days ahead will contribute significantly to economic prosperity in northwest Kansas," said Scott Sproul, president and CEO of the Innovation Center."We congratulate Fort Hays State University, the Kansas Small Business Development Center and the Innovation Center on this impactful advancement and look forward to partnering further on K-State 105," said Erik Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of NetWork Kansas. "This initiative will work to integrate the resources on campus, as well as statewide, with Kansas small businesses in a way that will strengthen communities, create jobs and increase capital investment. In addition, intentional engagement will happen in critical-issue areas such as workforce, housing and child care."The K-State 105 funding that will support this initiative comes from the annual state investment that K-State 105 received for fiscal year 2024. K-State 105 is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state.

K-State 105 to expand FHSU-led Small Business Development Center operations in northwest Kansas 

<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/2023/9/1695130896981.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

🎥 Green and Growing: Warm season grasses

Discover the All-Inclusive Beauty and Unbeatable Discounts for 2024 Weddings

Nestled just 7 miles north of Hays, The Midnight Ranch has emerged as the region's premier wedding destination, offering couples the perfect setting for a magical wedding weekend. With its elegant, climate-controlled indoor space, spacious outdoor areas, and a slew of amenities, The Midnight Ranch promises an unforgettable wedding experience.

The Midnight Ranch is more than just a venue; it's a canvas for creating your dream wedding. The main attraction is its elegant, climate-controlled indoor setting, allowing you to design your wedding exactly as you envision it.

For those who dream of an outdoor celebration, The Midnight Ranch has you covered. The large covered porch area comes complete with picnic tables and outdoor music, providing a delightful space for your guests to enjoy.

The Midnight Ranch goes above and beyond with its amenities, including:

For added luxury, consider the Bridal Suite, featuring three queen beds, a leather lounging sofa, table and chairs, a wall fireplace, TV, and a 10-foot makeup bar. The suite includes a walk-in closet, private bathroom, and a walk-in shower. And let's not forget the Groom's Suite!

To sweeten the deal, The Midnight Ranch is offering an exclusive 2024 special. Book and hold your weekend wedding during January, February, or March 2024, and enjoy a remarkable $1000 discount.

Don't miss your chance to make your wedding dreams a reality at The Midnight Ranch. Contact us today to secure your wedding date and embark on a journey to create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

<h2>Discover the All-Inclusive Beauty and Unbeatable Discounts for 2024 Weddings</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694118731611.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Midnight RanchNestled just 7 miles north of Hays, The Midnight Ranch has emerged as the region's premier wedding destination, offering couples the perfect setting for a magical wedding weekend. With its elegant, climate-controlled indoor space, spacious outdoor areas, and a slew of amenities, The Midnight Ranch promises an unforgettable wedding experience.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694118520507.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>An All-Inclusive Dream</h2>The Midnight Ranch is more than just a venue; it's a canvas for creating your dream wedding. The main attraction is its elegant, climate-controlled indoor setting, allowing you to design your wedding exactly as you envision it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694118500136.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Outdoor Bliss Awaits</h2>For those who dream of an outdoor celebration, The Midnight Ranch has you covered. The large covered porch area comes complete with picnic tables and outdoor music, providing a delightful space for your guests to enjoy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694118958513.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Wealth of Amenities</h2>The Midnight Ranch goes above and beyond with its amenities, including:<ul>
 <li>Seating for 500+ Guests: Ensure everyone you love is part of your special day.</li><li>Your Choice of Food and Drinks: Tailor your menu to your taste and preferences.</li><li>Fully Equipped Modern Kitchen: Prepare your feast effortlessly with a well-equipped kitchen featuring a 10-foot island, freezer, fridges, ice machine, large glass cooler, and a 6-burner stove with griddle and 2 ovens. Plus, a bar area to serve your guests.</li><li>Music for Every Moment: Enjoy both indoor and outdoor music to set the perfect mood.</li><li>Elegant Ambiance: The main area boasts 15 exquisite large dimmable chandeliers and a stunning 10-foot wall fireplace, creating a captivating atmosphere. With 6500 square feet of space, it accommodates guests with round and rectangle tables and chairs.</li>
 </ul><h2>Bridal and Groom's Suites</h2>For added luxury, consider the Bridal Suite, featuring three queen beds, a leather lounging sofa, table and chairs, a wall fireplace, TV, and a 10-foot makeup bar. The suite includes a walk-in closet, private bathroom, and a walk-in shower. And let's not forget the Groom's Suite!<h2>Exclusive 2024 Special</h2>To sweeten the deal, The Midnight Ranch is offering an exclusive 2024 special. Book and hold your weekend wedding during January, February, or March 2024, and enjoy a remarkable $1000 discount.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694118663835.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Don't miss your chance to make your wedding dreams a reality at The Midnight Ranch. Contact us today to secure your wedding date and embark on a journey to create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

🎙 Post Podcast: IPI Financial Services helps navigate Medicare enrollments

Walk to End Alzheimer's in Hays Saturday; register now

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Communications

U.S. crude reaches its highest price point since November of 2022. 

WTI was trading over $92 per barrel Tuesday. London Brent was over $95. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson started the week at $81 a barrel, adding half a dollar Friday to reach a ten-month high. 

Kansas regulators okayed 37 new drilling locations last week, 879 so far this year. That's 293 permits behind last year at this time. There are 20 new permits in western Kansas, including five in Ellis County and one in Stafford County.

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported 25 newly-completed wells across the state, including one in Barton County and one in Ellis County. There are fourteen in eastern Kansas and eleven west of Wichita. That's 1,215 well-completions so far this year, which is up 64 wells from the total a year ago.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is unchanged from last week, with 12 active rigs east of Wichita and 24 in the western half of the state. The totals are down 16% from a month ago and down 39% from last year at this time. 

Drilling was underway Friday on one lease in Barton County, three in Ellis County and one in Stafford County.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was nine wells higher (eight gas and two oil). The tally in Texas was up seven rigs while New Mexico was down two.

Weekly crude production is within a few wildcat strikes of the all-time record. U.S. operators pumped 12.92 million barrels per day in the week through September 8. That's an increase of more than 100,000 barrels per day. This marks only the 11th time operators have topped 12.9 million barrels per day.

U.S. crude inventories increased by four million barrels last week but remain at 15-month lows. The government's weekly tally of over 420 million barrels marks the first increase in U.S. stockpiles in five weeks. But the total is the lowest since June 24, 2022, and is two percent below the five-year seasonal average.

EIA reports U.S. crude imports increased 812,000 barrels per day to an average of 7.6 million barrels per day last week. The four-week average is 13% higher than a year ago. 

Kansas production outpaces last year, according to the latest data from the Kansas Geological Survey. Total statewide output in May reached 11.6 million barrels, or 77,138 barrels per day. That's up 627 barrels per day from a year ago. 

Output in Barton County averaged 4,117 barrels per day. Ellis County pumped 6,025 barrels per day. Russell County was over 3,700 barrels per day. Each marked a slight increase year over year. Stafford County dropped to 2,484 barrels per day, down from a year ago by 63 barrels per day.

North Dakota improved crude production to 1,180,611 barrels per day in July, up more than 14-thousand barrels per day over updated June totals. 

The Department of Mineral Resources said operators managed the best gas-capture rate ever at 96%. They also raised natural-gas production to another all-time high. The state has come a long way from a decade ago, when that stretch of the oil patch was visible from space because of natural gas flaring. In 2014, regulators established 74% as the first of several annual goals for increasing natural gas capture. 

Last week the North Dakota Petroleum Council, a trade association, pointed to advances in technology, improved coordination, and the build-out of new gas infrastructure, for the dramatic turnaround in flaring and venting statistics.&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 CommunicationsU.S. crude reaches its highest price point since November of 2022. WTI was trading over $92 per barrel Tuesday. London Brent was over $95. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson started the week at $81 a barrel, adding half a dollar Friday to reach a ten-month high. Kansas regulators okayed 37 new drilling locations last week, 879 so far this year. That's 293 permits behind last year at this time. There are 20 new permits in western Kansas, including five in Ellis County and one in Stafford County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported 25 newly-completed wells across the state, including one in Barton County and one in Ellis County. There are fourteen in eastern Kansas and eleven west of Wichita. That's 1,215 well-completions so far this year, which is up 64 wells from the total a year ago.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is unchanged from last week, with 12 active rigs east of Wichita and 24 in the western half of the state. The totals are down 16% from a month ago and down 39% from last year at this time. Drilling was underway Friday on one lease in Barton County, three in Ellis County and one in Stafford County.The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was nine wells higher (eight gas and two oil). The tally in Texas was up seven rigs while New Mexico was down two.Weekly crude production is within a few wildcat strikes of the all-time record. U.S. operators pumped 12.92 million barrels per day in the week through September 8. That's an increase of more than 100,000 barrels per day. This marks only the 11th time operators have topped 12.9 million barrels per day.U.S. crude inventories increased by four million barrels last week but remain at 15-month lows. The government's weekly tally of over 420 million barrels marks the first increase in U.S. stockpiles in five weeks. But the total is the lowest since June 24, 2022, and is two percent below the five-year seasonal average.EIA reports U.S. crude imports increased 812,000 barrels per day to an average of 7.6 million barrels per day last week. The four-week average is 13% higher than a year ago. Kansas production outpaces last year, according to the latest data from the Kansas Geological Survey. Total statewide output in May reached 11.6 million barrels, or 77,138 barrels per day. That's up 627 barrels per day from a year ago. Output in Barton County averaged 4,117 barrels per day. Ellis County pumped 6,025 barrels per day. Russell County was over 3,700 barrels per day. Each marked a slight increase year over year. Stafford County dropped to 2,484 barrels per day, down from a year ago by 63 barrels per day.North Dakota improved crude production to 1,180,611 barrels per day in July, up more than 14-thousand barrels per day over updated June totals. The Department of Mineral Resources said operators managed the best gas-capture rate ever at 96%. They also raised natural-gas production to another all-time high. The state has come a long way from a decade ago, when that stretch of the oil patch was visible from space because of natural gas flaring. In 2014, regulators established 74% as the first of several annual goals for increasing natural gas capture. Last week the North Dakota Petroleum Council, a trade association, pointed to advances in technology, improved coordination, and the build-out of new gas infrastructure, for the dramatic turnaround in flaring and venting statistics.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: U.S. approaches production record

More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. 59 percent were of children who were prepubescent. 8 percent were of infants or toddlers.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Russ Tuttle of the Stop Trafficking Project&nbsp;spoke to an adult audience Sunday night at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Hays. Tuttle will be giving age-appropriate presentations to youth in the public and Catholic schools in Ellis County this week.

Kids feel fear and shame, Tuttle said, and that's why they don't tell.

Child sex crimes, sex abuse material and domestic minor sex trafficking are increasing in Kansas. 2021 was the worst year on record for online sex abuse, he said.

There was a three-fold increase of self-generated images of children 7 to 10, he said. That is children taking their clothes off and sending naked pictures.

"At the Stop Trafficking Project, it is our vision is to end domestic minor sex trafficking before it starts," he said, " by disrupting the exploration of vulnerability. ...

"My heart is that a student will never need to be rescued by law enforcement," Tuttle said. "Our heart is that a student will never need to be examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner. 

"Our heart is that a student will never experience such severe trauma that they now require a lifetime of housing and public assistance and trauma-informed therapy. Our heart is to function on the very front end of this crisis."

After a student assembly in another community, a sixth-grade girl came up to Tuttle with tears in her eyes and showed him the bruises on her neck where her eighth-grade boyfriend had choked her out while having sex the day before.

The boy, who had started watching porn when he was in the second grade, thought this was normal. He had recorded the act on a cell phone. Within 24 hours of the act, that eighth-grade boy had been approached by 37 adult men who were trying to figure out how to pay the eighth-grade boy to sexually assault that sixth-grade girl.

The United States far outpaces every other country in the world in its porn usage, according to Pornhub. The United States consumes more than double the next country on the list, which is the United Kingdom.

The average age of exposure to porn is between 8 and 11, Tuttle said. Eighty-four percent of porn is viewed through a cell phone, according to Pornhub. Even if your child doesn't have a cell phone, they have a friend who does, Tuttle said.&nbsp;

One of the pervasive ideas about sex trafficking is that young kids are being snatched off the street by a person in a scary vehicle. Tuttle said that is very rare and is a very narrow view of what trafficking can be.

One hundred percent of sex trafficking today is coming through digital devices, almost all of them cell phones, he said.

The initial contact and grooming usually come through an app that has some kind of chat function, he said.

Tuttle said the youngest child he's encountered who was on Tinder, which is an adult hook-up app, was in the second grade. Seventeen adult men, who all knew she was in second grade, had asked her to take off her clothes and send them naked pictures of herself.

An eighth-grade boy in Missouri convinced 80 girls in junior high to take naked pictures of themselves. He created an app and was selling the pictures to adult men for $25 each. His goal was to sell the girls in person. That ring was disrupted before those in-person interactions happened.

"... people online want to harm kids' brains and their minds, so they can later harm them in person," Tuttle said.

All the crimes of sex trafficking come down to three words — exploration of vulnerability, Tuttle said.

"This is the loneliest generation that has ever lived on planet Earth," he said, "yet they are the most connected."

Kids can find out on social media they didn't get invited to the party and what other kids are saying about them. Depression is skyrocketing among youth, Tuttle said.

"Perverts, predators and pimps love this," Tuttle said. "When in the process of grooming if a kid is lonely, isolated and depressed and wondering in life if they are even important, they pounce on that."

They are extremely kind or extremely controlling, he said.

"We don't let these people in our homes, but we don't know what our kids are doing online or we don't know how to know what our kids are doing online or we say, 'not my kids,'" Tuttle said.

The perverts, predators and pimps start by casing children online. Tuttle showed a video from a woman who had been lured into sex trafficking when she was a child. She met the predator through an online book club.

"Then the grooming started, because he found her weaknesses," Tuttle said.&nbsp;

"What I hear all the time from kids is 'He's so nice. She's so nice. They're so nice,'" Tuttle said.&nbsp;

More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. Fifty-nine percent were of children who were prepubescent. Eight percent were of infants or toddlers, Tuttle said.

&nbsp;Two sixth-grade girls independently of each other came to Tuttle after a school assembly and said they were engaging in online sex during school hours on school-issued Macbooks. Both girls said they had plans to meet these "boys" that weekend in-person. They were actually all adult male registered sex offenders.

"We ended it before it started," Tuttle said.

"If we go into schools and tell the truth about this to kids, when we appeal to the hero in kids in a space that is very near and dear to them, it's amazing to watch them step up."

Predators infiltrate any number of apps and groom children. Tuttle mentioned Snapchat, Blender and TikTok.

You can find a list of 100 problematic apps through the Stop Trafficking Project app, which is available for download for free for Apple and Android devices.

People upload images to Blender and others rank them as hot or not hot. Two 12-year-old girls at the same school uploaded naked images to the app. One was ranked as "hot," but within 30 minutes she was being body-shamed and exploited online. She was suicidal.

 The second girl was ranked as"not hot." She was also suicidal.

"This is where kids live. We better figure it out," Tuttle said.

Tuttle said TikTok was the worst app on the market in terms of child safety.&nbsp;

"This is where they are learning how to die by suicide," he said. "This is learning the latest self-harming techniques such as cutting and burning. This is where they are learning dangerous diet fads to lessen the pain of the seductions they are facing online."

Seven-year-old Jessy had no technology of her own. Her mother set a timer for 15 minutes and allowed her to get online on her phone. In that short time, a grown man who said he was her age, tried to get Jesse to take a picture of herself with her shirt off and send it to him.&nbsp;

Her father was a law enforcement officer. He ended the chat before his daughter sent the image the man requested.

When Tuttle does presentations for young children, he shares with them to not keep secrets and to go to a trusted adult and ask for "screen help," if they encounter something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Predators will lie about their age and send fake photos. They appeal to a child's fantasy of love.

A ninth-grade boy told Tuttle that a "smokin' hot" woman sent him naked photos and asked him to send her naked photos of himself. He sent pictures and videos. Within an hour he had multiple messages that if he didn't pay $1,000, they were going to make him famous on the Internet.

The boy stole his dad's credit card and paid $18,000 before his disclosure. Tuttle said if that happens to your child, never pay. The photos are going to be circulated anyway.

"We are not arguing with kids. We are arguing with their fantasy," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695063779015.jpeg" alt="Russ Tuttle&nbsp; of the Stop Trafficking Project spoke at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center Sunday in Hays. Photos by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Russ Tuttle&nbsp; of the Stop Trafficking Project spoke at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center Sunday in Hays. Photos by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. 59 percent were of children who were prepubescent. 8 percent were of infants or toddlers.</h2>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRuss Tuttle of the Stop Trafficking Project&nbsp;spoke to an adult audience Sunday night at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Hays. Tuttle will be giving age-appropriate presentations to youth in the public and Catholic schools in Ellis County this week.Kids feel fear and shame, Tuttle said, and that's why they don't tell.Child sex crimes, sex abuse material and domestic minor sex trafficking are increasing in Kansas. 2021 was the worst year on record for online sex abuse, he said.There was a three-fold increase of self-generated images of children 7 to 10, he said. That is children taking their clothes off and sending naked pictures."At the Stop Trafficking Project, it is our vision is to end domestic minor sex trafficking before it starts," he said, " by disrupting the exploration of vulnerability. ..."My heart is that a student will never need to be rescued by law enforcement," Tuttle said. "Our heart is that a student will never need to be examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner. "Our heart is that a student will never experience such severe trauma that they now require a lifetime of housing and public assistance and trauma-informed therapy. Our heart is to function on the very front end of this crisis."After a student assembly in another community, a sixth-grade girl came up to Tuttle with tears in her eyes and showed him the bruises on her neck where her eighth-grade boyfriend had choked her out while having sex the day before.The boy, who had started watching porn when he was in the second grade, thought this was normal. He had recorded the act on a cell phone. Within 24 hours of the act, that eighth-grade boy had been approached by 37 adult men who were trying to figure out how to pay the eighth-grade boy to sexually assault that sixth-grade girl."That's sex trafficking," Tuttle said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695056730023.jpeg" alt="The United States is the top viewer of porn in the world, according to Pornhub." />
 <figcaption>The United States is the top viewer of porn in the world, according to Pornhub.</figcaption>
 </figure>The United States far outpaces every other country in the world in its porn usage, according to Pornhub. The United States consumes more than double the next country on the list, which is the United Kingdom.The average age of exposure to porn is between 8 and 11, Tuttle said. Eighty-four percent of porn is viewed through a cell phone, according to Pornhub. Even if your child doesn't have a cell phone, they have a friend who does, Tuttle said.&nbsp;One of the pervasive ideas about sex trafficking is that young kids are being snatched off the street by a person in a scary vehicle. Tuttle said that is very rare and is a very narrow view of what trafficking can be.One hundred percent of sex trafficking today is coming through digital devices, almost all of them cell phones, he said.The initial contact and grooming usually come through an app that has some kind of chat function, he said.Tuttle said the youngest child he's encountered who was on Tinder, which is an adult hook-up app, was in the second grade. Seventeen adult men, who all knew she was in second grade, had asked her to take off her clothes and send them naked pictures of herself.An eighth-grade boy in Missouri convinced 80 girls in junior high to take naked pictures of themselves. He created an app and was selling the pictures to adult men for $25 each. His goal was to sell the girls in person. That ring was disrupted before those in-person interactions happened."... people online want to harm kids' brains and their minds, so they can later harm them in person," Tuttle said.All the crimes of sex trafficking come down to three words — exploration of vulnerability, Tuttle said."This is the loneliest generation that has ever lived on planet Earth," he said, "yet they are the most connected."Kids can find out on social media they didn't get invited to the party and what other kids are saying about them. Depression is skyrocketing among youth, Tuttle said."Perverts, predators and pimps love this," Tuttle said. "When in the process of grooming if a kid is lonely, isolated and depressed and wondering in life if they are even important, they pounce on that."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066147581.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066496572.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066624469.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066624469.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure>They are extremely kind or extremely controlling, he said."We don't let these people in our homes, but we don't know what our kids are doing online or we don't know how to know what our kids are doing online or we say, 'not my kids,'" Tuttle said.The perverts, predators and pimps start by casing children online. Tuttle showed a video from a woman who had been lured into sex trafficking when she was a child. She met the predator through an online book club."Then the grooming started, because he found her weaknesses," Tuttle said.&nbsp;"What I hear all the time from kids is 'He's so nice. She's so nice. They're so nice,'" Tuttle said.&nbsp;More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. Fifty-nine percent were of children who were prepubescent. Eight percent were of infants or toddlers, Tuttle said.&nbsp;Two sixth-grade girls independently of each other came to Tuttle after a school assembly and said they were engaging in online sex during school hours on school-issued Macbooks. Both girls said they had plans to meet these "boys" that weekend in-person. They were actually all adult male registered sex offenders."We ended it before it started," Tuttle said."If we go into schools and tell the truth about this to kids, when we appeal to the hero in kids in a space that is very near and dear to them, it's amazing to watch them step up."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695068015938.jpeg" alt="Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking." />
 <figcaption>Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695068046590.jpeg" alt="Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking." />
 <figcaption>Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking.</figcaption>
 </figure>Predators infiltrate any number of apps and groom children. Tuttle mentioned Snapchat, Blender and TikTok.You can find a list of 100 problematic apps through the Stop Trafficking Project app, which is available for download for free for Apple and Android devices.People upload images to Blender and others rank them as hot or not hot. Two 12-year-old girls at the same school uploaded naked images to the app. One was ranked as "hot," but within 30 minutes she was being body-shamed and exploited online. She was suicidal. The second girl was ranked as"not hot." She was also suicidal."This is where kids live. We better figure it out," Tuttle said.Tuttle said TikTok was the worst app on the market in terms of child safety.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695068284754.jpeg" alt="Talking point for adults with children on safety online from Russ Tuttle." />
 <figcaption>Talking point for adults with children on safety online from Russ Tuttle.</figcaption>
 </figure>"This is where they are learning how to die by suicide," he said. "This is learning the latest self-harming techniques such as cutting and burning. This is where they are learning dangerous diet fads to lessen the pain of the seductions they are facing online."Seven-year-old Jessy had no technology of her own. Her mother set a timer for 15 minutes and allowed her to get online on her phone. In that short time, a grown man who said he was her age, tried to get Jesse to take a picture of herself with her shirt off and send it to him.&nbsp;He said it would be their secret.Her father was a law enforcement officer. He ended the chat before his daughter sent the image the man requested.When Tuttle does presentations for young children, he shares with them to not keep secrets and to go to a trusted adult and ask for "screen help," if they encounter something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.Predators will lie about their age and send fake photos. They appeal to a child's fantasy of love.A ninth-grade boy told Tuttle that a "smokin' hot" woman sent him naked photos and asked him to send her naked photos of himself. He sent pictures and videos. Within an hour he had multiple messages that if he didn't pay $1,000, they were going to make him famous on the Internet.The boy stole his dad's credit card and paid $18,000 before his disclosure. Tuttle said if that happens to your child, never pay. The photos are going to be circulated anyway."We are not arguing with kids. We are arguing with their fantasy," he said.

Speaker: Children are cell phone chat away from predators, perverts, pimps

Jana’s Campaign, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to preventing gender and relationship violence, is excited to share their annual fundraising event, Empty Place at the Table gala, is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays. Join Jana’s Campaign for their annual community gathering that unites supporters and friends as they commemorate 15 years of dedicated work in honor of Jana Lynne Mackey.

&nbsp;Throughout the night Jana’s Campaign will reflect on their achievements in constructing a safer and more compassionate world. In honor of Mackey and the countless survivors of gender-based violence, Jana’s Campaign’s mission is to deliver engaging, evidence-based educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

This year's gala promises a unique blend of in-person experiences and the excitement of live online streaming for those who cannot attend in-person.&nbsp;

Ticket holders will receive comprehensive event details about attending or participating virtually, including bidding on items online. The evening will feature a vibrant cocktail hour, a delicious dinner, live entertainment, a raffle, and both silent and live auctions. Businesses from the local community and across the state have generously donated items and experiences to support this event.

Jana’s Campaign is proud to celebrate its impact on nearly 90,000 students from 652 middle and high schools across ten states.

Kaiti Blackburn, executive director of Jana’s Campaign, shared, “Empty Place at the Table grows year after year, thanks to the incredible support from the Hays community and beyond. With this backing, we are able to empower tens of thousands of preteens, teens, and young adults, as well as citizens, working diligently to prevent violent and unhealthy relationship behaviors before they take root.”

&nbsp;Join Jana’s Campaign for a memorable evening, as they illuminate a pathway of change and continue to make a profound impact, not only in the Hays community, but also in communities across the nation. To purchase tickets and learn more about this event, please visit <a href="https://www.janascampaign.org/">www.janascampaign.org</a>.

Jana’s Campaign is a Hays-based national education and violence prevention organization with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence. In honor of the late Jana Mackey, a 25-year old law student at the University of Kansas who lost her life to violence perpetrated by an ex-boyfriend in 2008, and other victims and survivors of gender and relationship violence, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578075822734.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedJana’s Campaign, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to preventing gender and relationship violence, is excited to share their annual fundraising event, Empty Place at the Table gala, is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays. Join Jana’s Campaign for their annual community gathering that unites supporters and friends as they commemorate 15 years of dedicated work in honor of Jana Lynne Mackey.&nbsp;Throughout the night Jana’s Campaign will reflect on their achievements in constructing a safer and more compassionate world. In honor of Mackey and the countless survivors of gender-based violence, Jana’s Campaign’s mission is to deliver engaging, evidence-based educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694794607663.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This year's gala promises a unique blend of in-person experiences and the excitement of live online streaming for those who cannot attend in-person.&nbsp;Ticket holders will receive comprehensive event details about attending or participating virtually, including bidding on items online. The evening will feature a vibrant cocktail hour, a delicious dinner, live entertainment, a raffle, and both silent and live auctions. Businesses from the local community and across the state have generously donated items and experiences to support this event.Jana’s Campaign is proud to celebrate its impact on nearly 90,000 students from 652 middle and high schools across ten states.Kaiti Blackburn, executive director of Jana’s Campaign, shared, “Empty Place at the Table grows year after year, thanks to the incredible support from the Hays community and beyond. With this backing, we are able to empower tens of thousands of preteens, teens, and young adults, as well as citizens, working diligently to prevent violent and unhealthy relationship behaviors before they take root.”&nbsp;Join Jana’s Campaign for a memorable evening, as they illuminate a pathway of change and continue to make a profound impact, not only in the Hays community, but also in communities across the nation. To purchase tickets and learn more about this event, please visit <a href="https://www.janascampaign.org/">www.janascampaign.org</a>.Jana’s Campaign is a Hays-based national education and violence prevention organization with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence. In honor of the late Jana Mackey, a 25-year old law student at the University of Kansas who lost her life to violence perpetrated by an ex-boyfriend in 2008, and other victims and survivors of gender and relationship violence, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.&nbsp;

15 years of impact: Jana’s Campaign presents annual Empty Place at the Table gala 

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas offers one-on-one, non-biased counseling and assistance to individuals and families either getting ready to sign up for Medicare, or those who already have Medicare.

Medicare Open Enrollment is from October 15-December 7. During this time period you can:

· Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. · Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. · Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. · Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. · Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage. · Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. · Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan. · Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

Volunteer counselors receive training on Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and other health insurance issues that concern Kansans. The Senior Health Insurance counselors are not affiliated with the insurance industry. 

If you are new to Medicare or have questions about Medicare or Medicare-related issues, the Senior Health Insurance counselors at the Cottonwood Extension office are taking one-on-one appointments for October. Call 620-793-1910 to learn more.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687379885179.png" alt="Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas offers one-on-one, non-biased counseling and assistance to individuals and families either getting ready to sign up for Medicare, or those who already have Medicare.Medicare Open EnrollmentMedicare Open Enrollment is from October 15-December 7. During this time period you can:· Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. · Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. · Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. · Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. · Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage. · Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. · Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan. · Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely. Volunteer counselors receive training on Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and other health insurance issues that concern Kansans. The Senior Health Insurance counselors are not affiliated with the insurance industry. If you are new to Medicare or have questions about Medicare or Medicare-related issues, the Senior Health Insurance counselors at the Cottonwood Extension office are taking one-on-one appointments for October. Call 620-793-1910 to learn more.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Extension available for Medicare open enrollment counseling

EVANSTON, IL — Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation&nbsp; announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists, including Hays High School student Addison Otte, in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Addison is the daughter of Adam and Gabrielle Otte.&nbsp;

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. 

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. 

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. 

The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695055842479.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NMSC EVANSTON, IL — Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation&nbsp; announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists, including Hays High School student Addison Otte, in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.Addison is the daughter of Adam and Gabrielle Otte.&nbsp;These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Hays High School senior named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695056008514.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>

GRAHAM COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Monday in Graham County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Avlaanche driven by Timothy James Cameron, 63, Hill City, was southbound on Fourth Street/U.S. 283 in Hill City.&nbsp; 

The driver made left turn onto U.S. 24 and struck a pedestrian identified as Nathan Phillip Schmidt, 46, Hill City, in the crosswalk.

EMS transported Schmidt to the Graham County Hospital. Cameron was properly restrained and not injured, according to the KHP.

GRAHAM COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Monday in Graham County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Avlaanche driven by Timothy James Cameron, 63, Hill City, was southbound on Fourth Street/U.S. 283 in Hill City.&nbsp; The driver made left turn onto U.S. 24 and struck a pedestrian identified as Nathan Phillip Schmidt, 46, Hill City, in the crosswalk.EMS transported Schmidt to the Graham County Hospital. Cameron was properly restrained and not injured, according to the KHP.

NW Kan. man hospitalized after struck in crosswalk

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;

Hays Post reporter Becky Kiser discusses Dale Carnegie training with <a href="https://hayschamber.com/" target="_blank">Hays Chamber </a>president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber brings Dale Carnegie training to area" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=a6kwb-14ab404-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;

Hays Post reporter Becky Kiser discusses Dale Carnegie training with <a href="https://hayschamber.com/" target="_blank">Hays Chamber </a>president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber brings Dale Carnegie training to area

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/arrests">Click here for past Hays Police Department arrest logs.</a>

-------------------------------------------------

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666041529157.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/arrests">Click here for past Hays Police Department arrest logs.</a>-------------------------------------------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695057405749.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695057455311.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695057531849.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666041529157.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Police Department arrest log, Sept. 3-9, 2023

LOGAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Sunday in Logan County.

LOGAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Sunday in Logan County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Silverado driven by Baylee K.&nbsp;Wolkensdorfer, 16, Scott City, was westbound on Bison Road at County Road 290.The driver attempted to avoid a divot in the middle of the road. The pickup left the roadway to the left and rolled an undetermined number of times.EMS transported Wolkensdorfer to the Scott County Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.One other juvenile was present in the vehicle; juvenile record protected data.&nbsp;

Local