By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The city of Hays will consider expanding its Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to include homes and businesses built in 1980 and earlier.&nbsp;

City staff has made the recommendation with the idea that the expansion would help aid redevelopment and reinvestment in those areas.&nbsp;

The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan provides tax rebates to property owners who make improvements that raise the appraised value of residential or commercial properties located within the designated area.&nbsp;

The area was most recently updated in 2017 to reflect the buildout of the city in 1965, an expansion that included properties approximately 50 years old.&nbsp;

"Now that several years have passed since then, the areas with aging properties throughout the city that are located outside the current NRP-eligible area have grown," said Jarrod Kuckelman, Hays management analyst. "An expansion that reflects the buildout of the city of Hays in 1980 could capture many of these residential and commercial properties that would potentially benefit from the NRP."&nbsp;

Current guidelines call for a minimum residential property investment of $25,000 that is then eligible for property tax rebates of 65% for 10 years. Commercial properties require a minimum investment of $50,000, which are eligible for rebates of 95% for 10 years.&nbsp;

According to information presented to the city commission by Kuckelman,&nbsp;72&nbsp;properties have benefited from the program since the 2017 expansion.

The proposed expanded area includes many residential and commercial areas in north Hays that were developed as part of the expansion of the city towards Interstate 70 in the 1970s and '80s, Kuckelman said.

This includes the area of North Vine, which is not eligible for tax increment financing and has many properties that could benefit from the use of revitalization plan. Also included are properties that are not quite 50 years old but will reach that age within the next five to 10 years.

"We're proposing this area because this could potentially preempt having to come back to you multiple times asking for expansions constantly," Kuckelman said.

Kuckelman pointed out several recent projects that have benefited from the current plan, including <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e3b1b1c8-8c2e-44bc-9d11-c0a5be0050cf">Club Liquor</a> at 717 Vine and housing at 211 E. 17th.

By state statute a public hearing must first be held in order to amend the current plan document and expand the area.&nbsp;

A resolution must also be approved by the city, Ellis County, and Hays USD 489, which have been part of an interlocal agreement. It allows all three entities' share of the property taxes to be captured in the rebates.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The NRP works as an incentive, as a rebate, not as an exemption... the city would not be giving up any existing tax revenues," Kuckelman said. "This would only be incremental increases given up to the rebate for 10 years."&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Commissioners agreed to move forward with the plan.

"I think it's changes that make sense to help property owners revitalize their property," said Mason Ruder, commissioner.&nbsp;"Trying to make your house a better place to live is a great investment."

"Giving homeowners the opportunity to do $25,000 worth of work if they can't afford to move, makes total sense to me," agreed Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.&nbsp;

"We all want to grow, but it's actually cheaper for our community if we update instead of expanding out," said Mayor Shaun Musil.&nbsp;

 City staff will meet with USD 489 and Ellis County to determine their support for the expansion.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702333667107.png" alt="The blue area is the proposed expansion of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Hays. The red area is the current program boundary. City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>The blue area is the proposed expansion of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Hays. The red area is the current program boundary. City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe city of Hays will consider expanding its Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to include homes and businesses built in 1980 and earlier.&nbsp;City staff has made the recommendation with the idea that the expansion would help aid redevelopment and reinvestment in those areas.&nbsp;The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan provides tax rebates to property owners who make improvements that raise the appraised value of residential or commercial properties located within the designated area.&nbsp;The area was most recently updated in 2017 to reflect the buildout of the city in 1965, an expansion that included properties approximately 50 years old.&nbsp;"Now that several years have passed since then, the areas with aging properties throughout the city that are located outside the current NRP-eligible area have grown," said Jarrod Kuckelman, Hays management analyst. "An expansion that reflects the buildout of the city of Hays in 1980 could capture many of these residential and commercial properties that would potentially benefit from the NRP."&nbsp;Current guidelines call for a minimum residential property investment of $25,000 that is then eligible for property tax rebates of 65% for 10 years. Commercial properties require a minimum investment of $50,000, which are eligible for rebates of 95% for 10 years.&nbsp;According to information presented to the city commission by Kuckelman,&nbsp;72&nbsp;properties have benefited from the program since the 2017 expansion.The proposed expanded area includes many residential and commercial areas in north Hays that were developed as part of the expansion of the city towards Interstate 70 in the 1970s and '80s, Kuckelman said.This includes the area of North Vine, which is not eligible for tax increment financing and has many properties that could benefit from the use of revitalization plan. Also included are properties that are not quite 50 years old but will reach that age within the next five to 10 years."We're proposing this area because this could potentially preempt having to come back to you multiple times asking for expansions constantly," Kuckelman said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702334298971.png" alt="A completed retail project in the current Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Photos courtesy of City of Hays.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A completed retail project in the current Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Photos courtesy of City of Hays.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702394802181.png" alt="A house was razed and a new duplex built at 211 E. 17th as part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan in Hays. Photos courtesy city of Hays" />
 <figcaption>A house was razed and a new duplex built at 211 E. 17th as part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan in Hays. Photos courtesy city of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>Kuckelman pointed out several recent projects that have benefited from the current plan, including <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e3b1b1c8-8c2e-44bc-9d11-c0a5be0050cf">Club Liquor</a> at 717 Vine and housing at 211 E. 17th.By state statute a public hearing must first be held in order to amend the current plan document and expand the area.&nbsp;A resolution must also be approved by the city, Ellis County, and Hays USD 489, which have been part of an interlocal agreement. It allows all three entities' share of the property taxes to be captured in the rebates.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The NRP works as an incentive, as a rebate, not as an exemption... the city would not be giving up any existing tax revenues," Kuckelman said. "This would only be incremental increases given up to the rebate for 10 years."&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4YegQt2OOWs" title="Neighborhood Revitalization Program expansion" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Commissioners agreed to move forward with the plan."I think it's changes that make sense to help property owners revitalize their property," said Mason Ruder, commissioner.&nbsp;"Trying to make your house a better place to live is a great investment.""Giving homeowners the opportunity to do $25,000 worth of work if they can't afford to move, makes total sense to me," agreed Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.&nbsp;"We all want to grow, but it's actually cheaper for our community if we update instead of expanding out," said Mayor Shaun Musil.&nbsp; City staff will meet with USD 489 and Ellis County to determine their support for the expansion.&nbsp;

🎥 Neighborhood revitalization expansion would add Hays properties built before 1980

<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/2023/12/1702407148050.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

TMP-Marian at Oakley Tuesday, Dec. 12 – 6 p.m. Oakley, Kan. –&nbsp;Oakley High School

Radio: KFIX (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: TMP-Marian Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/840344">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs leave the city of Hays for the first time in 2023-24 as they travel to Oakley to take on the Oakley Plainsmen in the Mid-Continent League road opener.

both the TMP and Oakley girls are 2-2 on the season while both the TMP and Oakley boys are 0-4.

Tipoff of the girls game is set for 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at Oakley High School. Live coverage includes The TMP-Marian Sports Network and Eagle Radio.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575411582384.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-Marian at Oakley Tuesday, Dec. 12 – 6 p.m. Oakley, Kan. –&nbsp;Oakley High SchoolRadio: KFIX (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: TMP-Marian Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/840344">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>The TMP-Marian Monarchs leave the city of Hays for the first time in 2023-24 as they travel to Oakley to take on the Oakley Plainsmen in the Mid-Continent League road opener.both the TMP and Oakley girls are 2-2 on the season while both the TMP and Oakley boys are 0-4.Tipoff of the girls game is set for 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at Oakley High School. Live coverage includes The TMP-Marian Sports Network and Eagle Radio.

🏀🎥 Monarchs travel to Oakley for MCL matchup

NORTON — A portion of Kansas Highway 383 in Norton County has reopened to traffic following completion of a $15.3 million modernization project, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation..

Work on the six-mile stretch between the east U.S. Highway 36 junction and Almena began in March and included reconstructing and widening the road into a 24-foot mainline surface with six-foot paved shoulders.

This project was the second phase of reconstruction on 26 miles of K-383 in Norton and Phillips counties. 

Phase I, completed in 2022, consisted of approximately six miles from east of Long Island to the U.S. Highway 183 junction. 

Phase III is the remaining 14 miles from Almena to east of Long Island and is currently scheduled to go to construction in 2026.

Venture Corporation of Great Bend was the primary contractor for the project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634160517975.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTNORTON — A portion of Kansas Highway 383 in Norton County has reopened to traffic following completion of a $15.3 million modernization project, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation..Work on the six-mile stretch between the east U.S. Highway 36 junction and Almena began in March and included reconstructing and widening the road into a 24-foot mainline surface with six-foot paved shoulders.This project was the second phase of reconstruction on 26 miles of K-383 in Norton and Phillips counties. Phase I, completed in 2022, consisted of approximately six miles from east of Long Island to the U.S. Highway 183 junction. Phase III is the remaining 14 miles from Almena to east of Long Island and is currently scheduled to go to construction in 2026.Venture Corporation of Great Bend was the primary contractor for the project.

Kansas Highway 383 in Norton County reopens to traffic after 10-month project

HODGEMAN COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Monday in Hodgeman County.

According to Sheriff Jared Walker,&nbsp;911 received a call of an injury accident in the southeast part of the county. 

Hodgeman County and Edward's County emergency services responded. Two individuals were air lifted to a trauma center for injuries sustained from the accident. One other individual was treated at an area hospital for injuries. 

The sheriff's office released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702391202138.png" alt="Photo Hodgeman Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo Hodgeman Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>HODGEMAN COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Monday in Hodgeman County.According to Sheriff Jared Walker,&nbsp;911 received a call of an injury accident in the southeast part of the county. Hodgeman County and Edward's County emergency services responded. Two individuals were air lifted to a trauma center for injuries sustained from the accident. One other individual was treated at an area hospital for injuries. The sheriff's office released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

2 airlifted to hospital after western Kansas crash

It's the height of the Christmas shopping season and the Hays Police Department is offering holiday safety tips for shoppers, who are often distracted and in a hurry.

"The holiday excitement can be ruined if you become the victim of a crime," said Sgt. David Vilaysing.

"Even though Hays is a very safe community, we have compiled some steps you can take when doing your Christmas shopping to decrease your chances of becoming a victim."

• Before you leave to go shopping, let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. If you are shopping at night, consider going with a friend. • When parking at a store or mall, try to park in a well-lit area. • Limit what you are carrying around the stores or mall by making more than one trip out to your vehicle. • When leaving packages in your vehicle, put them in the trunk or somewhere they will not be seen. &nbsp;• Visible packages are an open invitation for a car burglary, whether your car is locked or not.&nbsp; • Always lock your vehicle. • When making purchases, be careful not to flash large amounts of cash.&nbsp;Using a debit card of a credit card may be a safer way to make purchases. • If you must enter a PIN for your debit card, remember to keep the keypad covered while you enter your PIN. • If you carry a purse, it is better to leave your purse on your shoulder while shopping than leaving it in a shopping cart. • If you must absolutely place the purse in the cart, always keep it zipped or snapped closed and if available, use the child safety belt and snap it through the purse strap. • Never turn your back from the purse in the shopping cart. It only takes a second for someone to grab it and run. • If you carry a wallet, keep it in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket. • Do not carry a large amount of cash. Consider limiting the number of credit cards you have while shopping in case your purse or wallet gets lost or stolen. • When you are leaving a store, have your car keys in your hand so you do not have to hunt for them while standing by your vehicle.

• Watch our for Porch Pirates. Track your online purchases and plan so they do not sit on your front porch for an extended period of time. • Doorbell cameras are a good deterrent but not always enough.

"I'd say in Hays our biggest problem of all these is porch pirates. You need to make sure you have your packages picked up in a timely manner after they're delivered to your house," Vilaysing said.&nbsp;

He also recommends reporting any package theft as soon as possible.

"The sooner the crime's reported, the more likely we are to be able to collect the information we need and follow any potential leads,&nbsp;Vilaysing said. 

Vilaysing said Hays police are often able to solve porch pirate thefts when the alleged thief is local, and there is a video available to share with the public who may be able to help with the identification of the suspect.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702315298098.jpeg" alt="Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIt's the height of the Christmas shopping season and the Hays Police Department is offering holiday safety tips for shoppers, who are often distracted and in a hurry."The holiday excitement can be ruined if you become the victim of a crime," said Sgt. David Vilaysing."Even though Hays is a very safe community, we have compiled some steps you can take when doing your Christmas shopping to decrease your chances of becoming a victim."<h2>Holiday shopping safety tips</h2> • Before you leave to go shopping, let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. If you are shopping at night, consider going with a friend. • When parking at a store or mall, try to park in a well-lit area. • Limit what you are carrying around the stores or mall by making more than one trip out to your vehicle. • When leaving packages in your vehicle, put them in the trunk or somewhere they will not be seen. &nbsp;• Visible packages are an open invitation for a car burglary, whether your car is locked or not.&nbsp; • Always lock your vehicle. • When making purchases, be careful not to flash large amounts of cash.&nbsp;Using a debit card of a credit card may be a safer way to make purchases. • If you must enter a PIN for your debit card, remember to keep the keypad covered while you enter your PIN. • If you carry a purse, it is better to leave your purse on your shoulder while shopping than leaving it in a shopping cart. • If you must absolutely place the purse in the cart, always keep it zipped or snapped closed and if available, use the child safety belt and snap it through the purse strap. • Never turn your back from the purse in the shopping cart. It only takes a second for someone to grab it and run. • If you carry a wallet, keep it in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket. • Do not carry a large amount of cash. Consider limiting the number of credit cards you have while shopping in case your purse or wallet gets lost or stolen. • When you are leaving a store, have your car keys in your hand so you do not have to hunt for them while standing by your vehicle.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_1elk2Z6cDw" title="Porch pirates" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><h2>Porch pirates</h2>• Watch our for Porch Pirates. Track your online purchases and plan so they do not sit on your front porch for an extended period of time. • Doorbell cameras are a good deterrent but not always enough."I'd say in Hays our biggest problem of all these is porch pirates. You need to make sure you have your packages picked up in a timely manner after they're delivered to your house," Vilaysing said.&nbsp;He also recommends reporting any package theft as soon as possible."The sooner the crime's reported, the more likely we are to be able to collect the information we need and follow any potential leads,&nbsp;Vilaysing said. Vilaysing said Hays police are often able to solve porch pirate thefts when the alleged thief is local, and there is a video available to share with the public who may be able to help with the identification of the suspect.&nbsp;

🎥 Holiday shopping safety tips from Hays Police Department 

The Community Foundation of Ellis has exciting news to share. Now until the end of January&nbsp; 2024, donations to the Ellis Food Boxes and Pantry will be matched $1 for $1, up to $20,000&nbsp; by generous donors Lee and Jackie Frickey.

With the growing need of the Ellis Food Boxes &amp; Pantry this opportunity will ensure the local&nbsp; Ellis pantry will remain operating for those in need of a food box. 

Your year-end contribution can make a lasting impact this holiday and in the future. The local pantry has scheduled monthly open pantry dates for those in need. Also, each December, families have the opportunity to sign up for a Christmas food box. Each open pantry provides variety of can goods, paper products, non-perishable items along with frozen meats and fresh fruits and/or vegetables and breads. The Foundation also provides a summer food program for students, “Food4KidsSummer! Food That’s In When School is Out!”

Your donation leads a lasting mark on our community and helps touch the lives of those who are in need. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Alliance Office, 820 Washington 

Street, Ellis, Kansas. Please make checks payable to The Community Foundation of Ellis. 

Invest in your community, give where you live. Find out about the Community Foundation of Ellis at www.ellisfoundation.net.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702320796738.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Community Foundation of EllisThe Community Foundation of Ellis has exciting news to share. Now until the end of January&nbsp; 2024, donations to the Ellis Food Boxes and Pantry will be matched $1 for $1, up to $20,000&nbsp; by generous donors Lee and Jackie Frickey.With the growing need of the Ellis Food Boxes &amp; Pantry this opportunity will ensure the local&nbsp; Ellis pantry will remain operating for those in need of a food box. Your year-end contribution can make a lasting impact this holiday and in the future. The local pantry has scheduled monthly open pantry dates for those in need. Also, each December, families have the opportunity to sign up for a Christmas food box. Each open pantry provides variety of can goods, paper products, non-perishable items along with frozen meats and fresh fruits and/or vegetables and breads. The Foundation also provides a summer food program for students, “Food4KidsSummer! Food That’s In When School is Out!”Your donation leads a lasting mark on our community and helps touch the lives of those who are in need. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Alliance Office, 820 Washington Street, Ellis, Kansas. Please make checks payable to The Community Foundation of Ellis. Invest in your community, give where you live. Find out about the Community Foundation of Ellis at www.ellisfoundation.net.

 Community Foundation of Ellis announces donation match

The “Little Town of Bethlehem” nativity at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Vincent will be open for visitors Sunday Dec. 17th,  as well as Saturday Dec. 23, Sunday Dec. 24 and Christmas Day.  All times are 1-5pm.  Appointments can also be made at any other time by calling Carol at 735-9282.

This is the 97th year of the nativity, begun by the parish priest Fr. Callistus Rectenwald in 1927.  Over the years, the nativity has become a worldwide representation of Christmas.  Rocks from all 50 states and 105 countries surround the scene, in particular rocks from the Cave of Lourdes and the Sea of Galilee.  Infant Jesus is from Spain, and Mary, Joseph and the Three Kings are from Germany. A special section of the nativity is dedicated to our veterans who could not be home for Christmas over the years, featuring rocks from Germany, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Wake Island and Christmas Island to name a few. The nativity has had special lighting effects added the last few years - a color changing rock show and a neon blue-lit sky in the background.  Four trickling waterfalls,  animals and shepherds dot the scene surrounding the Bethlehem Inn, and the stable made from a nearby pear tree in 1927.

St. Boniface Catholic Church is located 5.5 miles south of Victoria and two miles east.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702321617784.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe “Little Town of Bethlehem” nativity at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Vincent will be open for visitors Sunday Dec. 17th, as well as Saturday Dec. 23, Sunday Dec. 24 and Christmas Day. All times are 1-5pm. Appointments can also be made at any other time by calling Carol at 735-9282.This is the 97th year of the nativity, begun by the parish priest Fr. Callistus Rectenwald in 1927. Over the years, the nativity has become a worldwide representation of Christmas. Rocks from all 50 states and 105 countries surround the scene, in particular rocks from the Cave of Lourdes and the Sea of Galilee. Infant Jesus is from Spain, and Mary, Joseph and the Three Kings are from Germany. A special section of the nativity is dedicated to our veterans who could not be home for Christmas over the years, featuring rocks from Germany, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Wake Island and Christmas Island to name a few. The nativity has had special lighting effects added the last few years - a color changing rock show and a neon blue-lit sky in the background. Four trickling waterfalls, animals and shepherds dot the scene surrounding the Bethlehem Inn, and the stable made from a nearby pear tree in 1927.St. Boniface Catholic Church is located 5.5 miles south of Victoria and two miles east.

'Little Town of Bethlehem' nativity at St. Boniface Catholic Church opens to visitators

Holiday expenses can creep up on us unexpectedly. Sometimes it’s difficult to think of everything that goes into our holiday. The holidays can put a financial burden even on the savviest of shoppers and savers. But like most things, taking time to plan can help you avoid the stress that comes with overspending. Before you hit the mall or shop for Christmas deals, keep reading to learn how to make a holiday spending plan that works for you.

First, make sure you account for all of your typical expenses so that you don’t come up short on bills or things like rent. Continue your normal budgeting and saving plans as well as paying regular monthly bills. Sometimes companies will offer skip a payment around the holidays. Make sure you understand the terms before agreeing because often times you are still accruing interest which may not be in your best interest.

Next, think about what else you may be spending on in the coming weeks. Are you hosting a party at your home, or traveling to visit family or friends? If so, estimate what those things will cost you. Once you’ve subtracted any expenses from your usual budget, you can think about how much you have to spend on gifts. It’s best to start planning this as early as possible, but will still work if you are just starting. That way you can look at how much you’ll earn between now and the holidays and calculate how much you can save to cover your holiday spending. Being realistic about your budget will help make sure you don’t overspend. Yes, obviously, the gifts may be easy to budget for but there are often unexpected expenses such as travel, food, and entertainment. Think through all your plans for the holidays and what will cost you money before budgeting.

2. Make a list (and check it twice)

With all of the excitement of the holidays, it can be easy to get carried away. Make a list of the gifts you need and cross them off as you go. Check your list several times before you go shopping so that you don’t leave anything off. This is when a personal rule may come in handy. You might set a personal rule for yourself, such as: If something isn’t on your list, don’t buy it. This can get difficult when you see sales and deals pop up—but spending on something you don’t really need can make it difficult to pay for the things you do.

There may be ways to give a meaningful gift at a fraction of the cost as buying something from a store. This may not work for everyone on your list, but here are some low-cost suggestions:

§ Homemade mixes in a mason jar, such as hot chocolate, bean soup, or cookie mixes

§ Your favorite recipes with photos in a custom picture book

4. Decide how you’re going to pay

Are you going to use cash or credit cards to pay for gifts? A helpful rule to set for yourself is to only bring the amount of money you plan to spend. That way you can help yourself stay within your budget because once you spend the money you brought, you’re done. On the other hand, using a credit card can give you more consumer rights if the item is broken when you open the box and doesn’t require you to travel with large amounts of cash. If you do decide to buy your holiday gifts with a credit card, make sure you have a specific plan to pay your credit card bill and have set aside enough in your budget to do so.

Keep an eye on your debit or credit card. You may be using it frequently so make sure you always put it back in the same place. Be very mindful of where it is used and who has had access to it. Safeguard your information.

You also want to keep your receipts for any gift returns. Review your charges on your statement or online frequently as well because it’s easier to resolve any fraudulent charges earlier rather than later.

Just like you wrote down your lists to keep track of what you need to buy, you could also keep track of what you’ve spent. Periodically check to see if you are on track and sticking to your budget. Did you spend more or less than you thought you would on certain items? If you don’t keep track of what you spent, you could end up with an unpleasant credit card bill next month.

Another tip would be to keep your receipts. Review those at the end of the day and make sure you are staying within your budget. Sometimes we think we spend less then when we actually add it up. Using a credit card can also increase spending. Some studies have shown that you are more likely to spend more when using a credit card versus paying with cash.

The holidays can be a very stressful time for some people, planning for the expenses can help relieve some of that stress when the new year rolls around.

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Holiday expenses can creep up on us unexpectedly. Sometimes it’s difficult to think of everything that goes into our holiday. The holidays can put a financial burden even on the savviest of shoppers and savers. But like most things, taking time to plan can help you avoid the stress that comes with overspending. Before you hit the mall or shop for Christmas deals, keep reading to learn how to make a holiday spending plan that works for you.1. Set a budgetFirst, make sure you account for all of your typical expenses so that you don’t come up short on bills or things like rent. Continue your normal budgeting and saving plans as well as paying regular monthly bills. Sometimes companies will offer skip a payment around the holidays. Make sure you understand the terms before agreeing because often times you are still accruing interest which may not be in your best interest.Next, think about what else you may be spending on in the coming weeks. Are you hosting a party at your home, or traveling to visit family or friends? If so, estimate what those things will cost you. Once you’ve subtracted any expenses from your usual budget, you can think about how much you have to spend on gifts. It’s best to start planning this as early as possible, but will still work if you are just starting. That way you can look at how much you’ll earn between now and the holidays and calculate how much you can save to cover your holiday spending. Being realistic about your budget will help make sure you don’t overspend. Yes, obviously, the gifts may be easy to budget for but there are often unexpected expenses such as travel, food, and entertainment. Think through all your plans for the holidays and what will cost you money before budgeting.2. Make a list (and check it twice)With all of the excitement of the holidays, it can be easy to get carried away. Make a list of the gifts you need and cross them off as you go. Check your list several times before you go shopping so that you don’t leave anything off. This is when a personal rule may come in handy. You might set a personal rule for yourself, such as: If something isn’t on your list, don’t buy it. This can get difficult when you see sales and deals pop up—but spending on something you don’t really need can make it difficult to pay for the things you do.3. Get creativeThere may be ways to give a meaningful gift at a fraction of the cost as buying something from a store. This may not work for everyone on your list, but here are some low-cost suggestions:§ Homemade mixes in a mason jar, such as hot chocolate, bean soup, or cookie mixes§ Your favorite recipes with photos in a custom picture book4. Decide how you’re going to payAre you going to use cash or credit cards to pay for gifts? A helpful rule to set for yourself is to only bring the amount of money you plan to spend. That way you can help yourself stay within your budget because once you spend the money you brought, you’re done. On the other hand, using a credit card can give you more consumer rights if the item is broken when you open the box and doesn’t require you to travel with large amounts of cash. If you do decide to buy your holiday gifts with a credit card, make sure you have a specific plan to pay your credit card bill and have set aside enough in your budget to do so.Keep an eye on your debit or credit card. You may be using it frequently so make sure you always put it back in the same place. Be very mindful of where it is used and who has had access to it. Safeguard your information.You also want to keep your receipts for any gift returns. Review your charges on your statement or online frequently as well because it’s easier to resolve any fraudulent charges earlier rather than later.5. Track your holiday spendingJust like you wrote down your lists to keep track of what you need to buy, you could also keep track of what you’ve spent. Periodically check to see if you are on track and sticking to your budget. Did you spend more or less than you thought you would on certain items? If you don’t keep track of what you spent, you could end up with an unpleasant credit card bill next month.Another tip would be to keep your receipts. Review those at the end of the day and make sure you are staying within your budget. Sometimes we think we spend less then when we actually add it up. Using a credit card can also increase spending. Some studies have shown that you are more likely to spend more when using a credit card versus paying with cash.The holidays can be a very stressful time for some people, planning for the expenses can help relieve some of that stress when the new year rolls around.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.eduK-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

KOERNER: Tips on holiday spending

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702322767785.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Communications

The fourth quarter of 2023 will reflect mergers and acquisitions in the Permian Basin worth more than $120 BILLION. Occidental Petroleum has agreed to buy CrownRock in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $12 BILLION, the latest in a string of giant fossil fuel takeovers in the Permian. The deal is expected to increase Occidental's Permian production by 170,000 barrels per day.

The government says U.S. crude production dropped from last week's record by more than 100-thousand barrels per day. Output for the week through December 1st averaged 13,131,000 barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration. That's up more than a million barrels per day from the same week a year ago.

U.S. crude-oil producers had their best month ever in September at 13,236,000 barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says that's an increase of 1.7% from the month before, and a more than seven percent increase from a year ago.

Production in Kansas rose a little over one percent to 2.2 million barrels, or more than 75,000 barrels per day in September. Energy Information Administration now ranks the Sunflower State 12th among crude-producing states. The top five are Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado and Oklahoma. The next five include Alaska, California, Wyoming, Utah and Louisiana.

The Energy Information Administration reports domestic crude-oil inventories dropped by nearly five million barrels to 455,000 barrels as of December 1. That's about 26 million barrels more than the stockpile report a year ago.

The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows 626 active drilling rigs nationwide. New Mexico was down four rigs on the week. Louisiana was up three. Texas was up two rigs.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is down slightly from a week ago. There are 15 active rigs in eastern Kansas, and 22 rigs west of Wichita. Both tallies are down one from a week ago. Drilling was underway or about to start on two leases in Russell County on Friday.

Kansas regulators okayed ten permits for drilling at new locations last week, including one in Russell County out three in western Kansas. So far this year we've seen 1,215 new drilling permits, compared to 1,556 permits by the time last year.

Operators completed 39 wells across Kansas last week, with 21 in western Kansas, including one well in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 1,628 completed wells so far this year, or 117 more than last year at this time.

The Energy Information Administration reports domestic crude imports rose by 1.7 million barrels per day to average 7.5 million. Over the last four weeks, imports averaged more than six percent higher than a year ago.

Annual state income in New Mexico has swelled by nearly half over the last three years, driven by exploding output in the part of the Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico.&nbsp; When the government convenes in January they'll decide how to spend an extra $3.5 billion dollars, according to a new government estimate announced on Monday.

A U.S. government report suggests that Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion is nearly complete and could go online by early next year. They plan to increase capacity by 300,000 barrels per day, moving heavy crude from landlocked Alberta Province to the Pacific Coast. The pipeline was acquired by the Canadian government in hopes of boosting Canadian crude prices after a long string of legal and logistical setbacks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle CommunicationsThe fourth quarter of 2023 will reflect mergers and acquisitions in the Permian Basin worth more than $120 BILLION. Occidental Petroleum has agreed to buy CrownRock in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $12 BILLION, the latest in a string of giant fossil fuel takeovers in the Permian. The deal is expected to increase Occidental's Permian production by 170,000 barrels per day.The government says U.S. crude production dropped from last week's record by more than 100-thousand barrels per day. Output for the week through December 1st averaged 13,131,000 barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration. That's up more than a million barrels per day from the same week a year ago.U.S. crude-oil producers had their best month ever in September at 13,236,000 barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says that's an increase of 1.7% from the month before, and a more than seven percent increase from a year ago.Production in Kansas rose a little over one percent to 2.2 million barrels, or more than 75,000 barrels per day in September. Energy Information Administration now ranks the Sunflower State 12th among crude-producing states. The top five are Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado and Oklahoma. The next five include Alaska, California, Wyoming, Utah and Louisiana.The Energy Information Administration reports domestic crude-oil inventories dropped by nearly five million barrels to 455,000 barrels as of December 1. That's about 26 million barrels more than the stockpile report a year ago.The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows 626 active drilling rigs nationwide. New Mexico was down four rigs on the week. Louisiana was up three. Texas was up two rigs.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is down slightly from a week ago. There are 15 active rigs in eastern Kansas, and 22 rigs west of Wichita. Both tallies are down one from a week ago. Drilling was underway or about to start on two leases in Russell County on Friday.Kansas regulators okayed ten permits for drilling at new locations last week, including one in Russell County out three in western Kansas. So far this year we've seen 1,215 new drilling permits, compared to 1,556 permits by the time last year.Operators completed 39 wells across Kansas last week, with 21 in western Kansas, including one well in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 1,628 completed wells so far this year, or 117 more than last year at this time.The Energy Information Administration reports domestic crude imports rose by 1.7 million barrels per day to average 7.5 million. Over the last four weeks, imports averaged more than six percent higher than a year ago.Annual state income in New Mexico has swelled by nearly half over the last three years, driven by exploding output in the part of the Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico.&nbsp; When the government convenes in January they'll decide how to spend an extra $3.5 billion dollars, according to a new government estimate announced on Monday.A U.S. government report suggests that Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion is nearly complete and could go online by early next year. They plan to increase capacity by 300,000 barrels per day, moving heavy crude from landlocked Alberta Province to the Pacific Coast. The pipeline was acquired by the Canadian government in hopes of boosting Canadian crude prices after a long string of legal and logistical setbacks.

News From the Oil Patch: Fourth quarter Permian mergers top $120 billion

By CRISTINA JANNEY HaysPost

The Hays USD 489 school board will consider two projects to improve security at the district's elementary schools.

The board members will consider an $148,998 project to install a new electronic secure door access control locks system provided by Nex-Tech.

The system would be on a network, and a lock downs could be initiated remotely.

BOE will consider approval of security cameras that will be installed in the new Roosevelt addition.

The board members also will discuss purchasing security cameras for the addition at Roosevelt Elementary School. The bid from Nex-Tech is $39,000.

The board members will consider approval of $495,278 to complete phase two of the O'Loughlin Elementary School HVAC renovation project in the summer 2024.

The board also will consider adjusting wages for after-school care workers, crossing guards and lunchroom supervisors to $12.91 per hour and the after-school care director wage to $13.91 per hour.

By CRISTINA JANNEY HaysPostThe Hays USD 489 school board will consider two projects to improve security at the district's elementary schools.The board members will consider an $148,998 project to install a new electronic secure door access control locks system provided by Nex-Tech.The system would be on a network, and a lock downs could be initiated remotely.BOE will consider approval of security cameras that will be installed in the new Roosevelt addition.The board members also will discuss purchasing security cameras for the addition at Roosevelt Elementary School. The bid from Nex-Tech is $39,000.The board members will consider approval of $495,278 to complete phase two of the O'Loughlin Elementary School HVAC renovation project in the summer 2024.The board also will consider adjusting wages for after-school care workers, crossing guards and lunchroom supervisors to $12.91 per hour and the after-school care director wage to $13.91 per hour.

Hays USD 489 school board to consider security improvements

Veterans in northwest Kansas will now have easier access to VA’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Hays with its relocation to 4107 Vine St., just north of Interstate 70.

The community is invited to attend the grand opening at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the new location. Senator Jerry Moran and Representative Tracey Mann are scheduled to deliver remarks during the official ceremony, as well as leaders from the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the VA Heartland Network.

A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the entrance, and facility tours will be provided by staff until 1 p.m.

The Hays CBOC is one of five associated with Wichita’s Dole VA Medical Center. The CBOC in Hays was first opened in September 1999 and has served veterans continuously since. In summer 2022, it was announced the facility would move to its new location to provide more space for additional services, as well as easier access to those traveling from outside the area.

The new location provides more square footage, three additional exam rooms, dedicated space for group therapy and mental health care, and it meets updated telecommunications requirements for digital security and safeguarding veterans' health information. The clinic offers primary care, laboratory and pathology services, pharmacy and telehealth services.

“We are pleased we’ve been able to expand and improve our clinic for veterans in this part of the state,” said Michael Payne, Dole VA Medical Center director. “The new location will provide much better access to those traveling from outside the area, and with the additional space and improved layout, we’ll be able to enhance the care experience our Veterans receive.”

SubmittedVeterans in northwest Kansas will now have easier access to VA’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Hays with its relocation to 4107 Vine St., just north of Interstate 70.The community is invited to attend the grand opening at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the new location. Senator Jerry Moran and Representative Tracey Mann are scheduled to deliver remarks during the official ceremony, as well as leaders from the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the VA Heartland Network.A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the entrance, and facility tours will be provided by staff until 1 p.m.The Hays CBOC is one of five associated with Wichita’s Dole VA Medical Center. The CBOC in Hays was first opened in September 1999 and has served veterans continuously since. In summer 2022, it was announced the facility would move to its new location to provide more space for additional services, as well as easier access to those traveling from outside the area.The new location provides more square footage, three additional exam rooms, dedicated space for group therapy and mental health care, and it meets updated telecommunications requirements for digital security and safeguarding veterans' health information. The clinic offers primary care, laboratory and pathology services, pharmacy and telehealth services.“We are pleased we’ve been able to expand and improve our clinic for veterans in this part of the state,” said Michael Payne, Dole VA Medical Center director. “The new location will provide much better access to those traveling from outside the area, and with the additional space and improved layout, we’ll be able to enhance the care experience our Veterans receive.”

VA ready to open Hays clinic at new location

Avery Smith Chief of Police, Ellis Police Department

On Nov. 16, the Ellis Police Department was made aware of a possible rape that occurred within the city limits of Ellis. An officer with the Wamego Police Department relayed information to the Ellis Police Department concerning a juvenile that disclosed allegations of multiple instances of being sexually assaulted.

Officers worked diligently to set up a forensic interview with the victim. After receiving a copy of the forensic interview’s recording, Ellis Police Department Officers interviewed a suspect, Caleb Wertenberger, 31, of Ellis. After the completion of the interview, Wertenberger was arrested and transported to the Ellis County Jail, where he is being held on requested charges of four counts of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent liberties with a child, aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, and felony interference with law enforcement.

On Monday, Wertenberger had his bond set at $500,000. Wertenberger is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The victim, now a survivor, will not have their name released. No further details will be released at this time, as investigation is still ongoing.

The Ellis Police Department would like to thank the Wamego Police Department and the Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center in Manhattan, for their assistance with this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702335740547.png" alt=" Wertenberger-photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption> Wertenberger-photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Avery Smith Chief of Police, Ellis Police DepartmentOn Nov. 16, the Ellis Police Department was made aware of a possible rape that occurred within the city limits of Ellis. An officer with the Wamego Police Department relayed information to the Ellis Police Department concerning a juvenile that disclosed allegations of multiple instances of being sexually assaulted.Officers worked diligently to set up a forensic interview with the victim. After receiving a copy of the forensic interview’s recording, Ellis Police Department Officers interviewed a suspect, Caleb Wertenberger, 31, of Ellis. After the completion of the interview, Wertenberger was arrested and transported to the Ellis County Jail, where he is being held on requested charges of four counts of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent liberties with a child, aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, and felony interference with law enforcement.On Monday, Wertenberger had his bond set at $500,000. Wertenberger is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The victim, now a survivor, will not have their name released. No further details will be released at this time, as investigation is still ongoing.The Ellis Police Department would like to thank the Wamego Police Department and the Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center in Manhattan, for their assistance with this case.

Ellis resident arrested on suspicion of rape

Are you interested in being a judge for county fair? 

The Northwest 4-H Advisory is excited to offer a 4-H Judges' Training on Monday, January 15 at the Western Kansas Research and Extension Center Auditorium in Hays. 

Please register here by January 3 - <a href="https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d8cZPUfrrxhYoK?fbclid=IwAR3Bfc187F_-CZem7T-mWDn916jG9tYLmuVxb67soMNt0Php0i-7ZTgs5FU" target="_blank">https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d8cZPUfrrxhYoK</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702316052564.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SUBMITTEDAre you interested in being a judge for county fair? The Northwest 4-H Advisory is excited to offer a 4-H Judges' Training on Monday, January 15 at the Western Kansas Research and Extension Center Auditorium in Hays. Please register here by January 3 - <a href="https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d8cZPUfrrxhYoK?fbclid=IwAR3Bfc187F_-CZem7T-mWDn916jG9tYLmuVxb67soMNt0Php0i-7ZTgs5FU" target="_blank">https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d8cZPUfrrxhYoK</a>

NW Kansas 4-H county fair judges sought; training Jan. 15 in Hays

By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/kansasnewsservice">Kansas News Service</a>

JOHNSON CITY, KAN.&nbsp;— For Lindsee Wilson, a 2005 Fort Hays State University graduate, it started with a Facebook post. A man named Gary Gray was looking for an organ donor: a healthy person willing to give up a piece of their liver to save his life. He had a rare autoimmune disease and needed a transplant, but he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-04-25/kansas-liver-transplant-organ-midwest-health-disparities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">might’ve died before he qualified</a>&nbsp;for a liver from the national waiting list.

They’d never met before. But Wilson, a 41-year-old speech language pathologist living in Southwestern Kansas, noticed that they had the same blood type. And they were both musicians. She was a classically trained singer. Gray, now 64 and living in Olathe, played the banjo.

“There were just enough things that I was like, oh yeah, I would be a good candidate,” Wilson said.

At some point, she learned that Gray and his wife had a teenage daughter — around the same age Wilson was when she lost her father.

“That … really made me feel like this is something I should do,” she said. “I could change things to make it so that their daughter got the opportunities that I didn’t get.”

Wilson set out to become one of a small but growing number of Americans who have donated part of their liver to someone in need.

The vast majority of liver transplants involve organs from deceased donors, but there aren’t nearly enough of them to make a transplant attainable for everyone suffering from end-stage liver disease. While over 9,000 liver transplants now take place in the U.S. each year, more than 1,500 people are removed from the liver waiting list because they either die or become too sick to successfully undergo surgery.

Turning to living donors can help reduce the number of Americans who die from liver disease. Medical experts acknowledge that it also involves navigating extra risks and thorny ethical questions — especially as more hospitals, including the University of Kansas Health System, work toward offering the procedure.

Wilson knew that by volunteering to give up part of her liver, she would be assuming significant risks. Becoming a living liver donor is safer than it used to be, but it’s still much riskier than donating a kidney.

“It’s an order of magnitude higher in the technical aspects as well as the complexity,” said Dr. Timothy Schmitt, director of transplant at the KU Health System. “The risk for the donor is probably 10- to 15-fold higher for a major complication than it is for a kidney donor.”

Humans have two kidneys, but only one liver. In living donor liver transplantation, surgeons remove one piece of the donor’s liver along with its blood supply. The remaining piece then regenerates to most of its initial size.

The surgery also requires removing a donor’s gallbladder, which can require some dietary changes in the immediate aftermath.

But Dr. Clay King, director of transplant and a cardiac transplant surgeon at the KU Health System, said physical and dietary restrictions end six weeks after donation. Barring complications, the long-term side effects are minimal.

“The liver can go on and function just as well as if they never had a hepatectomy at all,” he said. “The only outward sign that they’ve had the operation is the scar.”

Once Wilson got serious about becoming a donor, she traveled to Pennsylvania for a long day of evaluations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where the transplant would eventually take place. She spoke with surgeons, nurses, social workers, donor advocates, pharmacists and psychiatrists.

“I’m not an emotional person,” she said, “but by the end of the day, I was so emotionally drained.”

In addition to evaluating whether she was medically fit to donate, her transplant team also considered her motivations and whether she was psychologically fit to take on the surgery and recovery process.

Ean Pokryfky, a transplant social worker at Cleveland Clinic, said a psychosocial evaluation is essential to protecting donors and ensuring they understand the risks involved. The transplant team considers things like mental health, finances and history of substance use.

Evaluators must also confirm that someone isn’t donating for the wrong reasons — perhaps due to familial pressure or a belief that it would repair a broken relationship — and prepare them for the reality that not all transplants are successful. Despite the donor’s best efforts, the recipient may still die.

“I tell my donors, your motivation to do this is just as important as being a medical match,” Pokryfky said. “If you are not motivated or you’re being pressured, you are not a match.”

Donors are allowed to back out — discreetly — at any point in the process.

But Pokryfky said most donors he meets have a clear and compelling purpose for donating: saving a loved one’s life, or contributing to the greater good. When he follows up with them after surgery, few have regrets.

“One of the questions we ask them at the one-year follow up is, ‘Are you happy with your decision?’” he said. “Almost every single one says yes.”

Bioethics experts say those kinds of safeguards are essential, and need concerted attention, given a push within the transplant community to increase the number of living donor liver transplants.

“This is a very prominent issue right now in the field,” said Elisa Gordon, a professor of surgery and biomedical ethics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “In living donation, people are putting themselves at risk. The key issue is ensuring that the benefits to the donor and recipient outweigh the risks to both of them.”

The American Society of Transplantation recently held a conference to discuss the barriers to expanding living donor liver transplantation more broadly. Gordon and other participants&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ctr.14955" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">identified concerns</a>, including around potential financial costs to donors.

A donor’s medical expenses are typically covered by the organ recipient’s insurance, but donation can still be a financial burden. Donors must take several weeks off of work, often unpaid, and might have to take additional time off if they experience complications.&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajt.14055" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One study</a>&nbsp;found 37% of donors reported dealing with out-of-pocket medical costs that were not covered by insurance, and 75% encountered extra expenses including travel and lost wages.

That can create economic barriers to living donation and contribute to racial disparities in organ transplantation rates.

“There are tremendous inequities in terms of people getting access to living donor liver and kidney transplantation,” Gordon said.

“It’s not just once you’re arriving at the transplant center,” she added. “It could very well be that the policies that shape food deserts and transportation and all these social determinants of health end up making it hard for people to get a transplant.”

She said that while living donation is one important way to increase liver transplant rates, she’d also like to see increased attention to other tactics, including ongoing public education to encourage more people to sign up to donate their organs after they die.

When Wilson and Gray underwent surgery in Pennsylvania last winter, they didn’t have the option of undergoing the surgery locally. That could soon change — the University of Kansas Health System is in the process of creating a living donor liver transplantation program.

It comes after a federal policy change made it significantly harder for Kansans like Gray to qualify for a liver transplant through the traditional route, through the national waiting list for deceased donor organs. In 2020, the federal contractor that manages that waiting list began sending organs farther from where they were donated — a move that prioritized sicker patients, but disadvantaged others living in largely poorer and more rural states.

Analysis this year by the Markup and the Washington Post revealed that the change resulted in a&nbsp;<a href="https://themarkup.org/organ-failure/2023/03/21/poorer-states-suffer-under-new-organ-donation-rules-as-livers-go-to-waste" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">37.5% drop</a>&nbsp;in liver transplants in Kansas between 2019 and 2021, despite an increase in liver transplants nationally over that time period.

Amid public outcry over the change and other scandals, Congress and the Biden administration recently passed a bipartisan effort to improve transparency and accountability within the organ transplantation system, but changes could take time.

And, Schmitt at the KU Health System said, the scarcity of deceased donor livers will likely persist.

“As our population gets older, larger and more diabetic, the quality of donors goes down,” he said. “Living donor liver transplantation is just one of the many things we’re trying to do to increase the number of transplants.”

Wilson hadn't considered donating an organ before she heard about Gray. A quirk of his condition was that he wasn’t scoring high on the metrics used to prioritize patients for livers from the national waitlist, even as he descended into acute sickness and began hallucinating.

“The biggest thing for me was that he needed a live liver donor, and not everyone is in a place where they can do that,” she said. “If I had children, there was no way that I would have been in a place to do this.”

But she said she can’t separate her decision to go through with it from a traumatic experience she had nearly two decades ago. She said that event — a life-threatening assault — continues to shape her decisions and drive to give back.

“When I realized that I was going to survive that, I knew at some point I would have an opportunity to pay it forward,” she said. “Not only did I survive and did I thrive, but now I also have the opportunity to help someone else live.”

Less than a year after donation, Wilson said she feels almost entirely recovered.

In some ways, she even feels like she’s doing better than before surgery. Transplant experts find that many donors report feeling healthier after donation due to diet and other lifestyle changes they make during recovery.

Five months after surgery, Wilson, a longtime competitive runner, ran a four-mile race.

“When I was done, I was like, ‘Man, I could have done the eight-mile,’” she said.

A few months later, she ran a half-marathon. And signed up for a second one. She liked the challenge of getting back into shape.

“[It was] a little annoying, but fun,” she said. “There’s also a level of it that’s kind of interesting, and then you look at things differently. Because now I’m looking at what my body can do and how amazing it is that your body can do these things.”

It hasn’t all been easy. She had to be particularly careful, in the early days, to not be too active; that could increase her risk of getting a hernia. It took longer than she expected to get her abdominal muscles back. She still occasionally feels a bit of referred pain.

But she thinks the benefits far outweigh the costs.

“You’re giving up such a small portion of your day-to-day life for such a huge gain in the long run — and I’m not talking about Gary. I’m talking about for myself,” she said.

“To really understand the value of life, and how precious it is, and how we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.”

People of all ages and medical backgrounds can register to donate their organs after they die. You can remove or change your registration at any point.

Kansas residents can&nbsp;<a href="https://donatelifeks.com/join/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">register as an organ donor online</a>&nbsp;or in-person at the DMV. Residents of other states can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">locate their state registry here</a>. Experts recommend also sharing your decision to be an organ donor with your family.

To learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/process/living-donation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">becoming a living organ donor</a>, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://transplantliving.org/living-donation/being-a-living-donor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">United Network for Organ Sharing’s website</a>&nbsp;or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/about/search-membership/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nearest transplant hospital</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701895719112.png" alt="Amid a critical shortage of deceased donor livers, Lindsee Wilson donated part of her liver to a man she'd never met before. (Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service)" />
 <figcaption>Amid a critical shortage of deceased donor livers, Lindsee Wilson donated part of her liver to a man she'd never met before. (Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/kansasnewsservice">Kansas News Service</a>JOHNSON CITY, KAN.&nbsp;— For Lindsee Wilson, a 2005 Fort Hays State University graduate, it started with a Facebook post. A man named Gary Gray was looking for an organ donor: a healthy person willing to give up a piece of their liver to save his life. He had a rare autoimmune disease and needed a transplant, but he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-04-25/kansas-liver-transplant-organ-midwest-health-disparities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">might’ve died before he qualified</a>&nbsp;for a liver from the national waiting list.They’d never met before. But Wilson, a 41-year-old speech language pathologist living in Southwestern Kansas, noticed that they had the same blood type. And they were both musicians. She was a classically trained singer. Gray, now 64 and living in Olathe, played the banjo.“There were just enough things that I was like, oh yeah, I would be a good candidate,” Wilson said.At some point, she learned that Gray and his wife had a teenage daughter — around the same age Wilson was when she lost her father.“That … really made me feel like this is something I should do,” she said. “I could change things to make it so that their daughter got the opportunities that I didn’t get.”Wilson set out to become one of a small but growing number of Americans who have donated part of their liver to someone in need.The vast majority of liver transplants involve organs from deceased donors, but there aren’t nearly enough of them to make a transplant attainable for everyone suffering from end-stage liver disease. While over 9,000 liver transplants now take place in the U.S. each year, more than 1,500 people are removed from the liver waiting list because they either die or become too sick to successfully undergo surgery.Turning to living donors can help reduce the number of Americans who die from liver disease. Medical experts acknowledge that it also involves navigating extra risks and thorny ethical questions — especially as more hospitals, including the University of Kansas Health System, work toward offering the procedure.<h2>Risks</h2>Wilson knew that by volunteering to give up part of her liver, she would be assuming significant risks. Becoming a living liver donor is safer than it used to be, but it’s still much riskier than donating a kidney.“It’s an order of magnitude higher in the technical aspects as well as the complexity,” said Dr. Timothy Schmitt, director of transplant at the KU Health System. “The risk for the donor is probably 10- to 15-fold higher for a major complication than it is for a kidney donor.”Humans have two kidneys, but only one liver. In living donor liver transplantation, surgeons remove one piece of the donor’s liver along with its blood supply. The remaining piece then regenerates to most of its initial size.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701895776776.png" alt="Gary Gray's doctors told him to search for a living liver donor because it could have taken him years to qualify for a deceased donor liver from the national waiting list. (Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service)" />
 <figcaption>Gary Gray's doctors told him to search for a living liver donor because it could have taken him years to qualify for a deceased donor liver from the national waiting list. (Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>The surgery also requires removing a donor’s gallbladder, which can require some dietary changes in the immediate aftermath.But Dr. Clay King, director of transplant and a cardiac transplant surgeon at the KU Health System, said physical and dietary restrictions end six weeks after donation. Barring complications, the long-term side effects are minimal.“The liver can go on and function just as well as if they never had a hepatectomy at all,” he said. “The only outward sign that they’ve had the operation is the scar.”<h2>Evaluation</h2>Once Wilson got serious about becoming a donor, she traveled to Pennsylvania for a long day of evaluations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where the transplant would eventually take place. She spoke with surgeons, nurses, social workers, donor advocates, pharmacists and psychiatrists.“I’m not an emotional person,” she said, “but by the end of the day, I was so emotionally drained.”In addition to evaluating whether she was medically fit to donate, her transplant team also considered her motivations and whether she was psychologically fit to take on the surgery and recovery process.Ean Pokryfky, a transplant social worker at Cleveland Clinic, said a psychosocial evaluation is essential to protecting donors and ensuring they understand the risks involved. The transplant team considers things like mental health, finances and history of substance use.Evaluators must also confirm that someone isn’t donating for the wrong reasons — perhaps due to familial pressure or a belief that it would repair a broken relationship — and prepare them for the reality that not all transplants are successful. Despite the donor’s best efforts, the recipient may still die.“I tell my donors, your motivation to do this is just as important as being a medical match,” Pokryfky said. “If you are not motivated or you’re being pressured, you are not a match.”Donors are allowed to back out — discreetly — at any point in the process.But Pokryfky said most donors he meets have a clear and compelling purpose for donating: saving a loved one’s life, or contributing to the greater good. When he follows up with them after surgery, few have regrets.“One of the questions we ask them at the one-year follow up is, ‘Are you happy with your decision?’” he said. “Almost every single one says yes.”<h2>Ethics and inequities</h2>Bioethics experts say those kinds of safeguards are essential, and need concerted attention, given a push within the transplant community to increase the number of living donor liver transplants.“This is a very prominent issue right now in the field,” said Elisa Gordon, a professor of surgery and biomedical ethics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “In living donation, people are putting themselves at risk. The key issue is ensuring that the benefits to the donor and recipient outweigh the risks to both of them.”The American Society of Transplantation recently held a conference to discuss the barriers to expanding living donor liver transplantation more broadly. Gordon and other participants&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ctr.14955" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">identified concerns</a>, including around potential financial costs to donors.A donor’s medical expenses are typically covered by the organ recipient’s insurance, but donation can still be a financial burden. Donors must take several weeks off of work, often unpaid, and might have to take additional time off if they experience complications.&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajt.14055" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One study</a>&nbsp;found 37% of donors reported dealing with out-of-pocket medical costs that were not covered by insurance, and 75% encountered extra expenses including travel and lost wages.That can create economic barriers to living donation and contribute to racial disparities in organ transplantation rates.“There are tremendous inequities in terms of people getting access to living donor liver and kidney transplantation,” Gordon said.“It’s not just once you’re arriving at the transplant center,” she added. “It could very well be that the policies that shape food deserts and transportation and all these social determinants of health end up making it hard for people to get a transplant.”She said that while living donation is one important way to increase liver transplant rates, she’d also like to see increased attention to other tactics, including ongoing public education to encourage more people to sign up to donate their organs after they die.<h2>Living donation in Kansas</h2>When Wilson and Gray underwent surgery in Pennsylvania last winter, they didn’t have the option of undergoing the surgery locally. That could soon change — the University of Kansas Health System is in the process of creating a living donor liver transplantation program.It comes after a federal policy change made it significantly harder for Kansans like Gray to qualify for a liver transplant through the traditional route, through the national waiting list for deceased donor organs. In 2020, the federal contractor that manages that waiting list began sending organs farther from where they were donated — a move that prioritized sicker patients, but disadvantaged others living in largely poorer and more rural states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701895828778.png" alt="Wilson holds a certificate of appreciation from her transplant team. (Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service)" />
 <figcaption>Wilson holds a certificate of appreciation from her transplant team. (Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>Analysis this year by the Markup and the Washington Post revealed that the change resulted in a&nbsp;<a href="https://themarkup.org/organ-failure/2023/03/21/poorer-states-suffer-under-new-organ-donation-rules-as-livers-go-to-waste" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">37.5% drop</a>&nbsp;in liver transplants in Kansas between 2019 and 2021, despite an increase in liver transplants nationally over that time period.Amid public outcry over the change and other scandals, Congress and the Biden administration recently passed a bipartisan effort to improve transparency and accountability within the organ transplantation system, but changes could take time.And, Schmitt at the KU Health System said, the scarcity of deceased donor livers will likely persist.“As our population gets older, larger and more diabetic, the quality of donors goes down,” he said. “Living donor liver transplantation is just one of the many things we’re trying to do to increase the number of transplants.”<h2>A reason to donate</h2>Wilson hadn't considered donating an organ before she heard about Gray. A quirk of his condition was that he wasn’t scoring high on the metrics used to prioritize patients for livers from the national waitlist, even as he descended into acute sickness and began hallucinating.“The biggest thing for me was that he needed a live liver donor, and not everyone is in a place where they can do that,” she said. “If I had children, there was no way that I would have been in a place to do this.”But she said she can’t separate her decision to go through with it from a traumatic experience she had nearly two decades ago. She said that event — a life-threatening assault — continues to shape her decisions and drive to give back.“When I realized that I was going to survive that, I knew at some point I would have an opportunity to pay it forward,” she said. “Not only did I survive and did I thrive, but now I also have the opportunity to help someone else live.”<h2>Recovery</h2>Less than a year after donation, Wilson said she feels almost entirely recovered.In some ways, she even feels like she’s doing better than before surgery. Transplant experts find that many donors report feeling healthier after donation due to diet and other lifestyle changes they make during recovery.Five months after surgery, Wilson, a longtime competitive runner, ran a four-mile race.“When I was done, I was like, ‘Man, I could have done the eight-mile,’” she said.A few months later, she ran a half-marathon. And signed up for a second one. She liked the challenge of getting back into shape.“[It was] a little annoying, but fun,” she said. “There’s also a level of it that’s kind of interesting, and then you look at things differently. Because now I’m looking at what my body can do and how amazing it is that your body can do these things.”It hasn’t all been easy. She had to be particularly careful, in the early days, to not be too active; that could increase her risk of getting a hernia. It took longer than she expected to get her abdominal muscles back. She still occasionally feels a bit of referred pain.But she thinks the benefits far outweigh the costs.“You’re giving up such a small portion of your day-to-day life for such a huge gain in the long run — and I’m not talking about Gary. I’m talking about for myself,” she said.“To really understand the value of life, and how precious it is, and how we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.”<h2>How to become an organ donor</h2>People of all ages and medical backgrounds can register to donate their organs after they die. You can remove or change your registration at any point.Kansas residents can&nbsp;<a href="https://donatelifeks.com/join/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">register as an organ donor online</a>&nbsp;or in-person at the DMV. Residents of other states can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">locate their state registry here</a>. Experts recommend also sharing your decision to be an organ donor with your family.To learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/process/living-donation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">becoming a living organ donor</a>, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://transplantliving.org/living-donation/being-a-living-donor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">United Network for Organ Sharing’s website</a>&nbsp;or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/about/search-membership/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nearest transplant hospital</a>.

Why 1 FHSU grad became a liver donor — and what she gained in the process

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for talent to take part in the final Virtual Statewide Job Fair of the year, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.

“The thousands of jobs being created in our state require thousands of Kansans to fill them,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“There is a growing number of opportunities in core industries for all levels of experience, and our workforce centers are committed to helping Kansans take the next step in their professional journeys.”

The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLnByZW1pZXJ2aXJ0dWFsLmNvbS9ldmVudHMvMGZjMDQ0ODAtNmRjZC00ZjQ5LThkMjEtZGZjY2NhMTQzNTYwL2thbnNhc3dvcmtzLXZpcnR1YWwtc3RhdGV3aWRlLWpvYi1mYWlyLWRlY2VtYmVyLTEzLC0yMDIzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwNi44NjY5NjUyMSJ9.9CJYnPxAEFhLo3v6DDVdxSot0u6LRGFLZeceiLEjq_E/s/1303179659/br/232379268015-l">here</a>.

About&nbsp;KANSASWORKS:KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services&nbsp;KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.gd7ozvh-O73BT2LFBV3Hfp8RbiyGcMjibZyTZBRkUoY/s/1303179659/br/232379268015-l">KANSASWORKS.com.</a>&nbsp;State employment opportunities can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYWRtaW4ua3MuZ292L3NlcnZpY2VzL3N0YXRlLWVtcGxveW1lbnQtY2VudGVyLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDYuODY2OTY1MjEifQ.YprnDWkkIP4VV0dpGapVQ8-onlTp18__iPPrtk5zfqM/s/1303179659/br/232379268015-l">jobs.ks.gov</a>.

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5TWXrJO3b3qLJa9ieHzydq1eJNWfc7-AJ-GW80r08s8/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Area Development Magazine’s</a>&nbsp;prestigious&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.K9Y9Tb0NsjacA1MsAu_7H-njrBFCuqNGN6ODZXi3nmY/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Gold Shovel award</a>&nbsp;in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.dNNQWTpQT0szY4qD2n2LvtDSg1A0HrY6qDhbvmHjyjk/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Site Selection Magazine</a>.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for talent to take part in the final Virtual Statewide Job Fair of the year, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.“The thousands of jobs being created in our state require thousands of Kansans to fill them,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“There is a growing number of opportunities in core industries for all levels of experience, and our workforce centers are committed to helping Kansans take the next step in their professional journeys.”The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLnByZW1pZXJ2aXJ0dWFsLmNvbS9ldmVudHMvMGZjMDQ0ODAtNmRjZC00ZjQ5LThkMjEtZGZjY2NhMTQzNTYwL2thbnNhc3dvcmtzLXZpcnR1YWwtc3RhdGV3aWRlLWpvYi1mYWlyLWRlY2VtYmVyLTEzLC0yMDIzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwNi44NjY5NjUyMSJ9.9CJYnPxAEFhLo3v6DDVdxSot0u6LRGFLZeceiLEjq_E/s/1303179659/br/232379268015-l">here</a>.About&nbsp;KANSASWORKS:KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services&nbsp;KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.gd7ozvh-O73BT2LFBV3Hfp8RbiyGcMjibZyTZBRkUoY/s/1303179659/br/232379268015-l">KANSASWORKS.com.</a>&nbsp;State employment opportunities can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYWRtaW4ua3MuZ292L3NlcnZpY2VzL3N0YXRlLWVtcGxveW1lbnQtY2VudGVyLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDYuODY2OTY1MjEifQ.YprnDWkkIP4VV0dpGapVQ8-onlTp18__iPPrtk5zfqM/s/1303179659/br/232379268015-l">jobs.ks.gov</a>.About the Kansas Department of Commerce:As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5TWXrJO3b3qLJa9ieHzydq1eJNWfc7-AJ-GW80r08s8/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Area Development Magazine’s</a>&nbsp;prestigious&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.K9Y9Tb0NsjacA1MsAu_7H-njrBFCuqNGN6ODZXi3nmY/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Gold Shovel award</a>&nbsp;in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.dNNQWTpQT0szY4qD2n2LvtDSg1A0HrY6qDhbvmHjyjk/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Site Selection Magazine</a>.

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