May 19&nbsp; – Regionals @ Johnson-Stanton Co.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683232505147.jpeg" alt="Ellis High School track seniors (BR) Dakota Metzler, Alex McGuire, Carson North, Rylan Cass; (FR) Madi Russell, Makenna Kohl, Emily Eck. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ellis High School track seniors (BR) Dakota Metzler, Alex McGuire, Carson North, Rylan Cass; (FR) Madi Russell, Makenna Kohl, Emily Eck. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683232518262.jpeg" alt="Ellis High School track seniors Maverick Gnad and Rex Johnson.&nbsp;Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ellis High School track seniors Maverick Gnad and Rex Johnson.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedRemaining Track Schedule:Today – VictoriaMay 11– MCL @ PhillipsburgMay 19&nbsp; – Regionals @ Johnson-Stanton Co.May 26 and 27 – State @ WSU

Ellis High honors track seniors

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Tyler Dallis explores Native American imagery as well as connections with family and the loss of those connections in their MFA exhibit "Bloodlines."

The exhibit is on display now through May 11 at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on the Fort Hays State University campus.

Dallis' focus is ceramics and photography, although they have created mixed-media sculptures as well.

"Basically, my show is about my family," they said, "about my adoptive family, my biological family and my found family.&nbsp; I decided to call it 'Bloodlines' because of all of these types of experiences I have had with these people in my life. It's almost like a big family tree."

Dallis grew up on a Cherokee Nation reservation in Oklahoma.&nbsp; Indigenous artwork is a big part of their work.&nbsp;

"[I am] trying to take these traditional techniques and trying to build them into contemporary artwork," they said.&nbsp;

"I would like to think when I'm building the pieces, I am actively thinking about the person I'm making it about and braiding these memories into the clay—pushing and pulling—and then when I fire them, it solidifies them into actual reality. It will be less likely to be forgotten."

Dallis has multiple pieces in the exhibit that are ceramic mixed-media bridges, which are symbolic of the connections between people.

"Osiyo," which means hello in Cherokee, is a life-size human figure in native dress. Dallis modeled the figure after himself.

"It is a representation of my spirit," they said, "almost as a spirit guide, guiding me through my life."

The figure is holding a bridge. Dallis made the rungs of that bridge by pressing clay in their hands. The gold rungs symbolize positive events in their life, and the blue rings are negative trauma. There is a continuation of the bridge, which is symbolic of Dallis' future.

"In Bloom" is a wall of photos of Dallis' friends, who Dallis calls their found family.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Psychology research indicates when you receive flowers, your brain releases oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine—all feel-good chemicals.

"I was comparing these people to flowers because, to me, picking a friend is just as hard as finding the perfect flower in the field and calling it your own," they said.

Dallis also created a series of self-portrait photographs called "5,000 Cuts." The series is about an unhealthy relationship. The words of the song by the same name, "Death by a Thousand Cuts," is written on the photographs.

"Broken Memories" is a collection of ceramic plates. The plates are brightly decorated in red paint with the faceless outlines of people depicted on them. All of the plates are broken.

When Dallis was an undergraduate, their father committed suicide. When this happened, they said they felt they lost their adopted family. Their expression of their identity and sexuality widened that fissure with their adoptive family, they said.

"I haven't talked to my family in seven years," they said. "They are all aging and growing, and I'm forgetting what they look like. This is me trying to connect with these people again."

&nbsp;"Escape" is a simple piece. It is a hangman's noose and a toppled stool that Dallis has used to represent their father's suicide. Both items are painted bright red.

"I wanted to talk about the absent other," they said, "and that there are implied things that happen in life. You can see an act happened here even though there is no hint of a figure."

They said red is the most powerful color. It can represent many things, including hunger, love and anger.

"It gives me a feeling of red flags of what to look for in someone who might have suicidal tendencies," they said.

Dallis will graduate with their master's of fine arts in May and hopes to teach art at the college level.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683052386383.jpeg" alt=""Osiyo," which means hello in Cherokee, is a life-size human figure in native dress. The sculpture is a piece in Tyler Dallis' MFA exhibit,&nbsp;"Bloodlines," which is on display now at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on the FHSU campus. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>"Osiyo," which means hello in Cherokee, is a life-size human figure in native dress. The sculpture is a piece in Tyler Dallis' MFA exhibit,&nbsp;"Bloodlines," which is on display now at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on the FHSU campus. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTyler Dallis explores Native American imagery as well as connections with family and the loss of those connections in their MFA exhibit "Bloodlines."The exhibit is on display now through May 11 at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on the Fort Hays State University campus.Dallis' focus is ceramics and photography, although they have created mixed-media sculptures as well."Basically, my show is about my family," they said, "about my adoptive family, my biological family and my found family.&nbsp; I decided to call it 'Bloodlines' because of all of these types of experiences I have had with these people in my life. It's almost like a big family tree."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683052435329.jpeg" alt=""In Bloom" is a wall of photos of artist Tyler Dallis' friends. Dallis calls them found family. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>"In Bloom" is a wall of photos of artist Tyler Dallis' friends. Dallis calls them found family. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Dallis grew up on a Cherokee Nation reservation in Oklahoma.&nbsp; Indigenous artwork is a big part of their work.&nbsp;"[I am] trying to take these traditional techniques and trying to build them into contemporary artwork," they said.&nbsp;"I would like to think when I'm building the pieces, I am actively thinking about the person I'm making it about and braiding these memories into the clay—pushing and pulling—and then when I fire them, it solidifies them into actual reality. It will be less likely to be forgotten."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683052736972.jpeg" alt=""Broken Memories" is a collection of ceramic plates. The images on the plates are symbolic of the artist, Tyler Dallis', family.&nbsp; Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>"Broken Memories" is a collection of ceramic plates. The images on the plates are symbolic of the artist, Tyler Dallis', family.&nbsp; Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Dallis has multiple pieces in the exhibit that are ceramic mixed-media bridges, which are symbolic of the connections between people."Osiyo," which means hello in Cherokee, is a life-size human figure in native dress. Dallis modeled the figure after himself."It is a representation of my spirit," they said, "almost as a spirit guide, guiding me through my life."The figure is holding a bridge. Dallis made the rungs of that bridge by pressing clay in their hands. The gold rungs symbolize positive events in their life, and the blue rings are negative trauma. There is a continuation of the bridge, which is symbolic of Dallis' future."In Bloom" is a wall of photos of Dallis' friends, who Dallis calls their found family.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683052773188.jpeg" alt=""Escape" is a simple piece that is a hangman's noose and a toppled stool that artist Tyler Dallis has used to represent their father's suicide.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>"Escape" is a simple piece that is a hangman's noose and a toppled stool that artist Tyler Dallis has used to represent their father's suicide.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Psychology research indicates when you receive flowers, your brain releases oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine—all feel-good chemicals."I was comparing these people to flowers because, to me, picking a friend is just as hard as finding the perfect flower in the field and calling it your own," they said.Dallis also created a series of self-portrait photographs called "5,000 Cuts." The series is about an unhealthy relationship. The words of the song by the same name, "Death by a Thousand Cuts," is written on the photographs."Broken Memories" is a collection of ceramic plates. The plates are brightly decorated in red paint with the faceless outlines of people depicted on them. All of the plates are broken.When Dallis was an undergraduate, their father committed suicide. When this happened, they said they felt they lost their adopted family. Their expression of their identity and sexuality widened that fissure with their adoptive family, they said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683052896496.jpeg" alt="Sculpture and photographs by FHSU student Tyler Dallis. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sculpture and photographs by FHSU student Tyler Dallis. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"I haven't talked to my family in seven years," they said. "They are all aging and growing, and I'm forgetting what they look like. This is me trying to connect with these people again."&nbsp;"Escape" is a simple piece. It is a hangman's noose and a toppled stool that Dallis has used to represent their father's suicide. Both items are painted bright red."I wanted to talk about the absent other," they said, "and that there are implied things that happen in life. You can see an act happened here even though there is no hint of a figure."They said red is the most powerful color. It can represent many things, including hunger, love and anger."It gives me a feeling of red flags of what to look for in someone who might have suicidal tendencies," they said.Dallis will graduate with their master's of fine arts in May and hopes to teach art at the college level.

FHSU student explores Native roots, family in Moss-Thorns exhibit

The United Way of Ellis County is pleased to announce our 6th Annual Golf Tournament four-person scramble&nbsp;and our first at Smoky Hill Country Club on Friday, June 16th, 2023.

This tournament helps us raise funds for our&nbsp;upcoming campaign and our 14 partner agencies. 

The agencies that United Way supports help those that are&nbsp;most vulnerable in the community. From infants to senior citizens, these agencies help thousands of people in&nbsp;Ellis County every year.

We are inviting you to help support the United Way by entering a team or becoming a sponsor. 

There are several sponsorship levels available on our website along with registration for your team. Your business name&nbsp;will get recognition on signage at the event, our Facebook page and website.

To learn more visit www.liveunited.us/golf.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682969853437.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>United Ways of Ellis CountyThe United Way of Ellis County is pleased to announce our 6th Annual Golf Tournament four-person scramble&nbsp;and our first at Smoky Hill Country Club on Friday, June 16th, 2023. This tournament helps us raise funds for our&nbsp;upcoming campaign and our 14 partner agencies. The agencies that United Way supports help those that are&nbsp;most vulnerable in the community. From infants to senior citizens, these agencies help thousands of people in&nbsp;Ellis County every year.We are inviting you to help support the United Way by entering a team or becoming a sponsor. There are several sponsorship levels available on our website along with registration for your team. Your business name&nbsp;will get recognition on signage at the event, our Facebook page and website.To learn more visit www.liveunited.us/golf.

Ellis Co. United Way golf tourney moves to Smoky Hill Country Club on June 16

Kansas Association of Broadcasters 2023 Student Award Winners

First Place Hays High School Visual We Are Tribe Broadcasting Jude Tippy

Second Place Hays High School Visual Hays High Lady Indian Volleyball Eric Lucio

First Place Hays High School Popped Off! Podcast Ep. 7 - The VelociPastor Colin Showalter, Caleb Johnson, Kaden McBride

Best Episodic Entertainment Program:

Second Place Hays High School Lord of the Fries: Episodes 1, 2, and 3 Jude Tippy

:60 Second or less Commerical- PSA or non com donor announcement

Honorable Mention Hays High School Hays High vs. Garden City Football Eric Lucio

SubmittedKansas Association of Broadcasters 2023 Student Award WinnersHAYS HIGH SCHOOL AWARD WINNERSStation Promotion Announcement:First Place Hays High School Visual We Are Tribe Broadcasting Jude TippySecond Place Hays High School Visual Hays High Lady Indian Volleyball Eric LucioBest Podcast:First Place Hays High School Popped Off! Podcast Ep. 7 - The VelociPastor Colin Showalter, Caleb Johnson, Kaden McBrideBest Episodic Entertainment Program:Second Place Hays High School Lord of the Fries: Episodes 1, 2, and 3 Jude Tippy:60 Second or less Commerical- PSA or non com donor announcementHonorable Mention Hays High School Hays High vs. Garden City Football Eric LucioCover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Hays High students win Kansas Association of Broadcasters award

Hays Post, a leading news source in western Kansas, has announced Cristina Janney as its new editor.&nbsp;

Janney, a veteran journalist with&nbsp;almost&nbsp;30 years of experience, will assume the role&nbsp;immediately.&nbsp;

In her new role, Janney will&nbsp;oversee the newsroom and ensure&nbsp;that Hays Post continues to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;high-quality, local journalism to the community.&nbsp;

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of journalists at Hays Post," Janney said. "I look forward to working with the team to continue to provide the residents&nbsp;of&nbsp;our region&nbsp;with the news and information they need to stay informed and engaged."&nbsp;

Janney&nbsp;has&nbsp;bachelor's&nbsp;and master’s degrees&nbsp;in journalism from&nbsp;Kansas State University.&nbsp;She is a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;native and&nbsp;resides&nbsp;in Hays. She has been with Eagle, the parent company of Hays Post,&nbsp;since 2017&nbsp;and has contributed countless articles to the publication, helping to grow the post's&nbsp;audience year&nbsp;after year.&nbsp;

General manager Todd Lynd is excited to see Janney assume the role.&nbsp;

“She has&nbsp;repeatedly proven to have the pulse of&nbsp;central&nbsp;and western Kansas,” Lynd said. “As a veteran newspaper reporter, editor and publisher,&nbsp;we have no doubt Hays Post will continue to be the first choice for news in&nbsp;our region&nbsp;and beyond.”&nbsp;

While at Hays Post,&nbsp;Janney has won&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;writing and photography&nbsp;awards, including&nbsp;second&nbsp;in the Journalist of the Year category in the 2022 Kansas Press Association awards.&nbsp;

Along with writing duties, Janney has also been a featured&nbsp;voice on Eagle radio stations,&nbsp;including 94,3 KAYS, 99.5 KHAZ, 103.3 KJLS,&nbsp;96.9 KFIX&nbsp;and 101.9 KKQY, delivering news reports and in-depth interviews with government and business leaders.&nbsp;

“In all aspects,&nbsp;Cristina&nbsp;has adapted and embraced a multi-media news mindset,” Lynd said. “Her writing and broadcasting skills made her the perfect choice to lead our converged media newsroom,&nbsp;and we are excited to see&nbsp;the development and implementation of news for our loyal readers and listeners.”&nbsp;

Hays PostHays Post, a leading news source in western Kansas, has announced Cristina Janney as its new editor.&nbsp;Janney, a veteran journalist with&nbsp;almost&nbsp;30 years of experience, will assume the role&nbsp;immediately.&nbsp;In her new role, Janney will&nbsp;oversee the newsroom and ensure&nbsp;that Hays Post continues to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;high-quality, local journalism to the community.&nbsp;"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of journalists at Hays Post," Janney said. "I look forward to working with the team to continue to provide the residents&nbsp;of&nbsp;our region&nbsp;with the news and information they need to stay informed and engaged."&nbsp;Janney&nbsp;has&nbsp;bachelor's&nbsp;and master’s degrees&nbsp;in journalism from&nbsp;Kansas State University.&nbsp;She is a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;native and&nbsp;resides&nbsp;in Hays. She has been with Eagle, the parent company of Hays Post,&nbsp;since 2017&nbsp;and has contributed countless articles to the publication, helping to grow the post's&nbsp;audience year&nbsp;after year.&nbsp;General manager Todd Lynd is excited to see Janney assume the role.&nbsp;“She has&nbsp;repeatedly proven to have the pulse of&nbsp;central&nbsp;and western Kansas,” Lynd said. “As a veteran newspaper reporter, editor and publisher,&nbsp;we have no doubt Hays Post will continue to be the first choice for news in&nbsp;our region&nbsp;and beyond.”&nbsp;While at Hays Post,&nbsp;Janney has won&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;writing and photography&nbsp;awards, including&nbsp;second&nbsp;in the Journalist of the Year category in the 2022 Kansas Press Association awards.&nbsp;Along with writing duties, Janney has also been a featured&nbsp;voice on Eagle radio stations,&nbsp;including 94,3 KAYS, 99.5 KHAZ, 103.3 KJLS,&nbsp;96.9 KFIX&nbsp;and 101.9 KKQY, delivering news reports and in-depth interviews with government and business leaders.&nbsp;“In all aspects,&nbsp;Cristina&nbsp;has adapted and embraced a multi-media news mindset,” Lynd said. “Her writing and broadcasting skills made her the perfect choice to lead our converged media newsroom,&nbsp;and we are excited to see&nbsp;the development and implementation of news for our loyal readers and listeners.”&nbsp;

Janney named new editor of Hays Post

STAFFORD COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Ashley N. Jackson, 38, Larned, was eastbound in 900 Block of NE 140th Street.

&nbsp;The SUV struck a deer crossing the roadway from the south ditch.

EMS transported Jackson and a passenger 37-year-old Chaylayne S. Jackson of Larned to the hospital in Larned. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

STAFFORD COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Stafford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Ashley N. Jackson, 38, Larned, was eastbound in 900 Block of NE 140th Street.&nbsp;The SUV struck a deer crossing the roadway from the south ditch.EMS transported Jackson and a passenger 37-year-old Chaylayne S. Jackson of Larned to the hospital in Larned. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 women hospitalized after SUV strikes a deer

<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/2023/5/1683138585248.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

We are hiring CDL Drivers (A or B) with a hazmat endorsement, or ability to acquire one, for our oilfield wireline company.

ELI would also consider helping the right people obtain a CDL license. The job will require rigging for wireline operations.

Benefits include 100% Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance paid by employer, 401K, and a competitive salary.

This position is based out of Hays, Kansas. If interested, please apply within at 1327 Rome Road, Hays, Kansas 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642173081488.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>We are hiring CDL Drivers (A or B) with a hazmat endorsement, or ability to acquire one, for our oilfield wireline company.ELI would also consider helping the right people obtain a CDL license. The job will require rigging for wireline operations.Benefits include 100% Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance paid by employer, 401K, and a competitive salary.This position is based out of Hays, Kansas. If interested, please apply within at 1327 Rome Road, Hays, Kansas 67601.

5 hospitalized after construction zone rear-end crash

At 12:47 p.m., April 30, the City of Russell Fire Department was dispatched to 930 Wisconsin for a report of a fire in the basement of a single-family dwelling.

Crews arriving on scene observed a single-family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the east doorway, basement access side, along with smoke coming out from the attic vents.

Crews were able to make entry through the east door and gain access to the basement. Heavy smoke and flames were reported, and the fire was extinguished.

The fire was brought under control at 1:24 p.m., and crews remained on scene looking for extensions and extinguishing hot sport within the dwelling. The severity of the heat and fire damage was contained to the basement, while smoke damage was present throughout the entire dwelling.

After investigation, the cause of the fire was a malfunctioning water heater located in the basement.&nbsp;

The City of Russell Fire Department would like to thank the Russell Police Department, Tussell Electric Department, Russell Water Department, Russell County Emergency Management, Russell County 911 and Russell County EMS.

Russell Fire DepartmentAt 12:47 p.m., April 30, the City of Russell Fire Department was dispatched to 930 Wisconsin for a report of a fire in the basement of a single-family dwelling.Crews arriving on scene observed a single-family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the east doorway, basement access side, along with smoke coming out from the attic vents.Crews were able to make entry through the east door and gain access to the basement. Heavy smoke and flames were reported, and the fire was extinguished.The fire was brought under control at 1:24 p.m., and crews remained on scene looking for extensions and extinguishing hot sport within the dwelling. The severity of the heat and fire damage was contained to the basement, while smoke damage was present throughout the entire dwelling.After investigation, the cause of the fire was a malfunctioning water heater located in the basement.&nbsp;The City of Russell Fire Department would like to thank the Russell Police Department, Tussell Electric Department, Russell Water Department, Russell County Emergency Management, Russell County 911 and Russell County EMS.

Russell home damaged in fire Sunday

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

KANSAS CITY, Kansas — Mark Erich, Shawna Maloney and their two children set off in good spirits for the first family vacation in a newly acquired recreational vehicle, traveling from Colorado to Alabama via Interstate 70.

In central Kansas before dawn in March 2018, their camper caught the attention of Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Justin Rohr. He whipped his cruiser across the median to head east at high speed to track down the RV bearing temporary Colorado tags. The trooper briefly paced the Erich-Maloney camper in the left lane before sliding to the right and lighting them up on the pretext Erich’s right rear tire touched the white fog line.

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t sleepy,” Rohr told Erich to open the roadside stop. Rohr’s dash camera and an audio feed from troopers on the scene created a vivid record of dialogue and imagery.

Rohr asserted he could see paint on Erich’s hand and claimed to sense the presence of fresh paint or car body putty when he approached the vehicle. Erich and Maloney, as well as two other troopers, said they couldn’t smell anything odd. But Rohr pushed a theory someone had sealed a secret compartment within the RV to hide illegal drugs.

Rohr, who joined the KHP in 2006 with Badge No. 232, was building a case of investigation borne of suspicion. He still lacked cause to order a search of the camper by the drug-sniffing dog waiting in his cruiser’s rear seat. In the interim, he handed Erich a warning for nicking the highway’s white line.

“You guys have a safe trip,” Rohr said. “Drive careful.” The video shows Rohr took a few steps toward the rear of the RV before spinning back to engage Erich again. It’s known as the Kansas Two-Step — a technique taught KHP personnel to signal termination of a routine traffic stop and initiation of a separate effort to elicit information and gain entry to a vehicle to search for contraband.

The officer’s request sounded simple: “Hey, sir, can I ask you more questions?” Erich, who thought the trooper’s inquiry had gone on long enough and was leery of what might transpire next, said he’d prefer not to engage in more conversation.

At that point, Rohr announced he was detaining the family pending a drug-dog assessment and possible deep dive by troopers. He later reported Erich refused KHP access to the RV, but admitted in the deposition that wasn’t true. Erich said he wanted to leave, but wasn’t directly asked about a search.

“I think you might have a false compartment in this vehicle,” Rohr said. He ordered both parents and the children out of the RV into freezing weather. He paraded his police dog around the camper’s exterior before declaring the animal signaled presence of marijuana, cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.

He said the canine’s sensitive nose gave him reasonable suspicion to explore the vehicle’s interior as other cars and trucks continued to zoom past on the interstate.

Kansas troopers on the scene dismantled parts of the RV’s dash, smashed smoke detectors, dumped clothes on the floor, ransacked the refrigerator, damaged the restroom door and towel rack, broke a panel under the shower and disabled the toilet. The law enforcement officers’ search included exploration of external storage bins. They crawled under the vehicle to tap metal panels, peered under the hood and climbed a ladder off the bumper to examine the roof.

They found nothing illegal. No drugs. No guns. No cash.

“I was fearful. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Maloney, who testified she still suffered anxiety from the experience. “I was scared and nervous. I was mad. I was very upset. I felt it was a waste of our time. I don’t feel save driving through Kansas anymore.”

As the sun started rising to the east, Rohr told Maloney and Erich he was sorry for wasting their time.

He didn’t apologize for what Maloney, Erich and other plaintiffs contend was the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/06/aclu-motorists-challenge-roadside-detention-dog-searches-triggered-by-trooper-two-step/">KHP’s practice of violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure</a>. A group of attorneys serving the plaintiffs, including representation by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, named KHP superintendent Herman Jones as defendant in this week’s trial contesting KHP policy on the two-step searches. Plaintiffs seek a court order prohibiting the two-step system crafted to work around motorists’ constitutional protections.

In a brief interview at the federal courthouse, Jones said KHP “made some adjustments” in response to legal objections to the Kansas two-step. He declined to comment on troopers’ abuse of the RV. In a deposition, Rohr said he didn’t recall harming the camper but said he had damaged property in other searches.

Two other plaintiffs in the consolidated case against KHP, Wichita resident Joshua Bosire and Oklahoma City resident Blaine Shaw, already prevailed in jury trials accusing KHP troopers Douglas Schulte and Brandon McMillan of improperly detaining them. Searches of their vehicles failed to uncover evidence of drug trafficking.

On Monday, it was the turn of Erich and Maloney to take the stand and plead their case at the Robert Dole Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.

They’re all contesting KHP’s reliance on the two-step method to question motorists in anticipation of building reasonable suspicion and compelling involuntary searches of suspect vehicles. KHP policy has clashed with a 2016 decision in the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that instructed the Kansas law enforcement agency to cease reliance on unreliable methods of detaining motorists for criminal searches.

In a deposition played for the court, Rohr defended his approach to sorting out who should be placed under a microscope as a possible drug trafficker. He said he relied on extensive training and experience when making subjective determinations, which depended on “more than a hunch.”

The trooper said he was drawn to out-of-state vehicles, especially from drug production states such as California and Colorado or motorists headed toward high drug consumption cities such as St. Louis and Cleveland. He tuned into individuals who appeared nervous or were pulling trailers with no load. He said it was meaningful when vehicles were doused with air freshener to obscure odor or had interiors littered with fast-food wrappers, which was a sign of guilt among people exceptionally eager to keep moving.

Rohr said he was convinced, at least when his deposition in the suit was taken in 2021, Erich and Maloney were indeed hiding drugs in their RV despite his unsuccessful effort to find evidence of that claim.

“This is a crucial case for our clients, but also for anyone else who travels on Kansas highways,” said Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas. “For too long, the Highway Patrol has run roughshod over the rights of motorists. People should be free to travel through our state without the fear that they will be unlawfully shaken down based simply on the small fact that they are coming from or are going to states that have legalized drug use in some capacity.”

She said Jones hadn’t taken steps to halt KHP’s impermissible reliance on motorists’ travel agenda or state of residence when deciding whether to retain a person for a canine sniff. Plaintiffs contended KHP’s transformation of a traffic stop into a search was an egregious practice that preyed on motorists who didn’t appreciate their constitutional rights and people who understood their rights but thought it risky to drive away, she said.

“At its core, this case is about what it means for police to target certain people for intrusive questioning and suspicionless detention,” Brett said. “To turn something minor, like a traffic violation, into a degrading and lengthy roadside detention or something even worse.”

She said the KHP litigation reflected the public’s desire to push back against misuse of law enforcement authority.

“When we give police the power to conduct pretextual stops, to assume people to be drug traffickers, and to use flimsy justifications to get inside their vehicles to prolong traffic stops, we turn a simple ticket-release scenario into something longer, fraught and complicated,” Brett said.

U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Vratil, who was assigned to preside over the three trials, denied KHP’s motion for summary judgement. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver rejected KHP’s request for qualified immunity from the lawsuits.

In February, a federal court jury founding in favor of Shaw’s claim against Schulte. Shaw was awarded nominal damages when the jury determined Schulte violated Shaw’s rights during a 2017 stop. Shaw and a brother, members of the Osage Nation from Oklahoma City, were on their way to Denver when pulled over near Hays for speeding. Schulte issued the ticket and wished them well before relying on the two-step maneuver to pose additional questions leading to a drug-dog search of their van.

In the second trial, Bosire’s jury determined McMillan violated Bosier’s rights during a traffic stop in 2019. Bosire was awarded punitive and compensatory damages.

Arthur Chalmers, an attorney representing KHP employees in the trials, said troopers sued by Shaw and Bosire leaned on years of training to formulate reasonable suspicion of possible crimes. He said in court documents KHP respected Fourth Amendment rights of motorists. He argued KHP hadn’t infringed on constitutional rights of people to travel from state to state through Kansas.

On Monday, Chalmers declined to offer opening remarks at start of the bench trial aimed at Jones, who serves as the state law enforcement agency’s colonel and superintendent. He is scheduled to retire this summer.

Chalmers did raise objections to showing video of Rohr’s deposition and the admission of RV photographs taken by plaintiffs. He alleged plaintiffs’ lawyers were introducing “inadmissible hearsay” and information lacking relevance to the case. When he objected to testimony by Maloney, the judge sought to deter him.

“I’d like to hear what she has to say,” Vratil said. “So, there’s no need to keep objecting.”

Roots of the case trace to Peter Vasquez, who filed suit against KHP troopers Richard Jimerson and Dax Lewis alleging they lacked reasonable suspicion in 2011 to detain and search his vehicle in Wabaunsee County. Five years later, his case made it to the Court of Appeals’ 10th Circuit in Denver.

Vasquez had been a resident of Colorado and was driving on I-70 through Kansas during the night in a recently acquired older-model car. Vasquez refused to voluntarily allow troopers to search his BMW. Jimerson, suspecting Vasquez was transporting illegal drugs, detained him before calling in a trained drug dog. Subsequent inspection of the vehicle didn’t turn up anything illegal.

Vasquez filed suit against KHP in 2012 alleging violation of search-and-seizure rights. The U.S. District Court in Kansas granted the troopers summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity, concluding Vasquez’ asserted right wasn’t clearly established in law.

“We disagree,” the Court of Appeals said. “We conclude that the officers acted without reasonable suspicion and violated clearly established precedent. In particular, we conclude that the officers impermissibly relied on Vasquez’ status as a resident of Colorado to justify the search of his vehicle.”

KHP and Vasquez settled the case in 2017 after the U.S. Supreme Court declined the state’s request to hear an appeal. Vasquez was paid $67,100 by the state. He told The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/07/03/state-settles-lawsuit-man-detained-under-suspicion-kansas-highway/16538081007/">Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;the conflict exposed KHP’s corrupt practices and lack of respect for constitutional rights.

“It’s about accountability,” Vasquez said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682429035127.png" alt="&nbsp;Individuals pulled over by the Kansas Highway Patrol for traffic offenses but subjected to drug-dog searches of their vehicles are challenging constitutionality of the agency's "two-step" maneuver to trigger the searches. -KHP photo" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Individuals pulled over by the Kansas Highway Patrol for traffic offenses but subjected to drug-dog searches of their vehicles are challenging constitutionality of the agency's "two-step" maneuver to trigger the searches. -KHP photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>KANSAS CITY, Kansas — Mark Erich, Shawna Maloney and their two children set off in good spirits for the first family vacation in a newly acquired recreational vehicle, traveling from Colorado to Alabama via Interstate 70.In central Kansas before dawn in March 2018, their camper caught the attention of Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Justin Rohr. He whipped his cruiser across the median to head east at high speed to track down the RV bearing temporary Colorado tags. The trooper briefly paced the Erich-Maloney camper in the left lane before sliding to the right and lighting them up on the pretext Erich’s right rear tire touched the white fog line.“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t sleepy,” Rohr told Erich to open the roadside stop. Rohr’s dash camera and an audio feed from troopers on the scene created a vivid record of dialogue and imagery.Rohr asserted he could see paint on Erich’s hand and claimed to sense the presence of fresh paint or car body putty when he approached the vehicle. Erich and Maloney, as well as two other troopers, said they couldn’t smell anything odd. But Rohr pushed a theory someone had sealed a secret compartment within the RV to hide illegal drugs.Rohr, who joined the KHP in 2006 with Badge No. 232, was building a case of investigation borne of suspicion. He still lacked cause to order a search of the camper by the drug-sniffing dog waiting in his cruiser’s rear seat. In the interim, he handed Erich a warning for nicking the highway’s white line.“You guys have a safe trip,” Rohr said. “Drive careful.” The video shows Rohr took a few steps toward the rear of the RV before spinning back to engage Erich again. It’s known as the Kansas Two-Step — a technique taught KHP personnel to signal termination of a routine traffic stop and initiation of a separate effort to elicit information and gain entry to a vehicle to search for contraband.The officer’s request sounded simple: “Hey, sir, can I ask you more questions?” Erich, who thought the trooper’s inquiry had gone on long enough and was leery of what might transpire next, said he’d prefer not to engage in more conversation.At that point, Rohr announced he was detaining the family pending a drug-dog assessment and possible deep dive by troopers. He later reported Erich refused KHP access to the RV, but admitted in the deposition that wasn’t true. Erich said he wanted to leave, but wasn’t directly asked about a search.“I think you might have a false compartment in this vehicle,” Rohr said. He ordered both parents and the children out of the RV into freezing weather. He paraded his police dog around the camper’s exterior before declaring the animal signaled presence of marijuana, cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.He said the canine’s sensitive nose gave him reasonable suspicion to explore the vehicle’s interior as other cars and trucks continued to zoom past on the interstate.Kansas troopers on the scene dismantled parts of the RV’s dash, smashed smoke detectors, dumped clothes on the floor, ransacked the refrigerator, damaged the restroom door and towel rack, broke a panel under the shower and disabled the toilet. The law enforcement officers’ search included exploration of external storage bins. They crawled under the vehicle to tap metal panels, peered under the hood and climbed a ladder off the bumper to examine the roof.They found nothing illegal. No drugs. No guns. No cash.“I was fearful. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Maloney, who testified she still suffered anxiety from the experience. “I was scared and nervous. I was mad. I was very upset. I felt it was a waste of our time. I don’t feel save driving through Kansas anymore.”<h2>Constitutional challenge</h2>As the sun started rising to the east, Rohr told Maloney and Erich he was sorry for wasting their time.He didn’t apologize for what Maloney, Erich and other plaintiffs contend was the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/06/aclu-motorists-challenge-roadside-detention-dog-searches-triggered-by-trooper-two-step/">KHP’s practice of violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure</a>. A group of attorneys serving the plaintiffs, including representation by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, named KHP superintendent Herman Jones as defendant in this week’s trial contesting KHP policy on the two-step searches. Plaintiffs seek a court order prohibiting the two-step system crafted to work around motorists’ constitutional protections.In a brief interview at the federal courthouse, Jones said KHP “made some adjustments” in response to legal objections to the Kansas two-step. He declined to comment on troopers’ abuse of the RV. In a deposition, Rohr said he didn’t recall harming the camper but said he had damaged property in other searches.Two other plaintiffs in the consolidated case against KHP, Wichita resident Joshua Bosire and Oklahoma City resident Blaine Shaw, already prevailed in jury trials accusing KHP troopers Douglas Schulte and Brandon McMillan of improperly detaining them. Searches of their vehicles failed to uncover evidence of drug trafficking.On Monday, it was the turn of Erich and Maloney to take the stand and plead their case at the Robert Dole Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.They’re all contesting KHP’s reliance on the two-step method to question motorists in anticipation of building reasonable suspicion and compelling involuntary searches of suspect vehicles. KHP policy has clashed with a 2016 decision in the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that instructed the Kansas law enforcement agency to cease reliance on unreliable methods of detaining motorists for criminal searches.In a deposition played for the court, Rohr defended his approach to sorting out who should be placed under a microscope as a possible drug trafficker. He said he relied on extensive training and experience when making subjective determinations, which depended on “more than a hunch.”The trooper said he was drawn to out-of-state vehicles, especially from drug production states such as California and Colorado or motorists headed toward high drug consumption cities such as St. Louis and Cleveland. He tuned into individuals who appeared nervous or were pulling trailers with no load. He said it was meaningful when vehicles were doused with air freshener to obscure odor or had interiors littered with fast-food wrappers, which was a sign of guilt among people exceptionally eager to keep moving.Rohr said he was convinced, at least when his deposition in the suit was taken in 2021, Erich and Maloney were indeed hiding drugs in their RV despite his unsuccessful effort to find evidence of that claim.“This is a crucial case for our clients, but also for anyone else who travels on Kansas highways,” said Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas. “For too long, the Highway Patrol has run roughshod over the rights of motorists. People should be free to travel through our state without the fear that they will be unlawfully shaken down based simply on the small fact that they are coming from or are going to states that have legalized drug use in some capacity.”She said Jones hadn’t taken steps to halt KHP’s impermissible reliance on motorists’ travel agenda or state of residence when deciding whether to retain a person for a canine sniff. Plaintiffs contended KHP’s transformation of a traffic stop into a search was an egregious practice that preyed on motorists who didn’t appreciate their constitutional rights and people who understood their rights but thought it risky to drive away, she said.“At its core, this case is about what it means for police to target certain people for intrusive questioning and suspicionless detention,” Brett said. “To turn something minor, like a traffic violation, into a degrading and lengthy roadside detention or something even worse.”She said the KHP litigation reflected the public’s desire to push back against misuse of law enforcement authority.“When we give police the power to conduct pretextual stops, to assume people to be drug traffickers, and to use flimsy justifications to get inside their vehicles to prolong traffic stops, we turn a simple ticket-release scenario into something longer, fraught and complicated,” Brett said.<h2>State’s attorney 0-2, so far</h2>U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Vratil, who was assigned to preside over the three trials, denied KHP’s motion for summary judgement. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver rejected KHP’s request for qualified immunity from the lawsuits.In February, a federal court jury founding in favor of Shaw’s claim against Schulte. Shaw was awarded nominal damages when the jury determined Schulte violated Shaw’s rights during a 2017 stop. Shaw and a brother, members of the Osage Nation from Oklahoma City, were on their way to Denver when pulled over near Hays for speeding. Schulte issued the ticket and wished them well before relying on the two-step maneuver to pose additional questions leading to a drug-dog search of their van.In the second trial, Bosire’s jury determined McMillan violated Bosier’s rights during a traffic stop in 2019. Bosire was awarded punitive and compensatory damages.Arthur Chalmers, an attorney representing KHP employees in the trials, said troopers sued by Shaw and Bosire leaned on years of training to formulate reasonable suspicion of possible crimes. He said in court documents KHP respected Fourth Amendment rights of motorists. He argued KHP hadn’t infringed on constitutional rights of people to travel from state to state through Kansas.On Monday, Chalmers declined to offer opening remarks at start of the bench trial aimed at Jones, who serves as the state law enforcement agency’s colonel and superintendent. He is scheduled to retire this summer.Chalmers did raise objections to showing video of Rohr’s deposition and the admission of RV photographs taken by plaintiffs. He alleged plaintiffs’ lawyers were introducing “inadmissible hearsay” and information lacking relevance to the case. When he objected to testimony by Maloney, the judge sought to deter him.“I’d like to hear what she has to say,” Vratil said. “So, there’s no need to keep objecting.”Roots of the case trace to Peter Vasquez, who filed suit against KHP troopers Richard Jimerson and Dax Lewis alleging they lacked reasonable suspicion in 2011 to detain and search his vehicle in Wabaunsee County. Five years later, his case made it to the Court of Appeals’ 10th Circuit in Denver.Vasquez had been a resident of Colorado and was driving on I-70 through Kansas during the night in a recently acquired older-model car. Vasquez refused to voluntarily allow troopers to search his BMW. Jimerson, suspecting Vasquez was transporting illegal drugs, detained him before calling in a trained drug dog. Subsequent inspection of the vehicle didn’t turn up anything illegal.Vasquez filed suit against KHP in 2012 alleging violation of search-and-seizure rights. The U.S. District Court in Kansas granted the troopers summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity, concluding Vasquez’ asserted right wasn’t clearly established in law.“We disagree,” the Court of Appeals said. “We conclude that the officers acted without reasonable suspicion and violated clearly established precedent. In particular, we conclude that the officers impermissibly relied on Vasquez’ status as a resident of Colorado to justify the search of his vehicle.”KHP and Vasquez settled the case in 2017 after the U.S. Supreme Court declined the state’s request to hear an appeal. Vasquez was paid $67,100 by the state. He told The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/07/03/state-settles-lawsuit-man-detained-under-suspicion-kansas-highway/16538081007/">Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;the conflict exposed KHP’s corrupt practices and lack of respect for constitutional rights.“It’s about accountability,” Vasquez said.

KHP’s ‘two-step’ technique for vehicle searches challenged in court

There will be a county-wide fire emergency training exercise tonight in the 600 block of St. Mary Street in Ellis. This is only training.

There will be a county-wide fire emergency training exercise tonight in the 600 block of St. Mary Street in Ellis. This is only training.

Fire emergency training tonight in Ellis

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

With summer baseball season about to start, the Hays Parks Department is sprucing up portions of Larks Park.

The old fence has been removed and a new one installed, along with a new arched entrance sign, Deputy Assistant City Manager Collin Bielser told the city commission during his monthly progress report.&nbsp;

The project is made possible by the&nbsp;Hays Larks, Heartland Community Foundation, Ron “Gator” and Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, Logan Nelson, and the City of Hays.

In addition to other progress made in the past month by the city of Hays various departments, the parks department has a new male bison calf to care for in the herd at Frontier Park.

See the video below for more recently completed projects within the city.&nbsp;

Updated at 10:35 a.m. May 4, 2023 to correct the name to Ron Nelson, not Ron Johnson, and add donors Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, and Logan Nelson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683127307834.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostWith summer baseball season about to start, the Hays Parks Department is sprucing up portions of Larks Park.The old fence has been removed and a new one installed, along with a new arched entrance sign, Deputy Assistant City Manager Collin Bielser told the city commission during his monthly progress report.&nbsp;The project is made possible by the&nbsp;Hays Larks, Heartland Community Foundation, Ron “Gator” and Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, Logan Nelson, and the City of Hays.In addition to other progress made in the past month by the city of Hays various departments, the parks department has a new male bison calf to care for in the herd at Frontier Park."Waylon" was born April 18.&nbsp;See the video below for more recently completed projects within the city.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GpT9s4tO-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Progress Report" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Updated at 10:35 a.m. May 4, 2023 to correct the name to Ron Nelson, not Ron Johnson, and add donors Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, and Logan Nelson.

🎥Hays Progress Report includes new Larks Park fence

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Fundraising is ongoing for the Russell Play Park and plenty of fundraising initiatives are planned for this summer. A local committee in Russell is hoping to raise approximately $1.5 million to replace the outdated playground at Memorial Park with more accessible equipment for individuals with disabilities to enjoy.

Kathy McAdoo is the Executive Director at The Arc of Central Plains, an organization in Hays that brings enrichment and purpose to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McAdoo, who lives in Russell, helped lead the creation of the Arc Park in Hays and is now trying to do the same thing in Russell. "Russell is very committed to accessible play for kids," said McAdoo. "It isn't just for kids. You're an accident away from becoming disabled, or a person breaks a leg and they're in a wheelchair for two or three months. Now they will be able to go watch and get involved in the play because the new surface will allow them to navigate. Mulch and grass aren't quite so easy to navigate." The Russell Play Park committee has organized a couple of dine-out fundraisers, with the restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds. At the end of June, the second lemonade stand challenge will return to benefit the new park enhancements. "A lot of folks would spend the day driving to every lemonade stand," said McAdoo. "We had prizes for the kids. Every kiddo that participated in a stand received a package of prizes, things like a Happy Meal at McDonald's." Last year's lemonade stand challenge was able to collect nearly $10,000 with matching funds. Find out how to donate to the Russell Play Park by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.russellplaypark.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ZIhRYFPDYXmsvE8Q7abw84o0osp9vuMZ69PEF3rZwvuHv1R9lciyomBc">russellplaypark.com</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682962254443.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostFundraising is ongoing for the Russell Play Park and plenty of fundraising initiatives are planned for this summer. A local committee in Russell is hoping to raise approximately $1.5 million to replace the outdated playground at Memorial Park with more accessible equipment for individuals with disabilities to enjoy.Kathy McAdoo is the Executive Director at The Arc of Central Plains, an organization in Hays that brings enrichment and purpose to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McAdoo, who lives in Russell, helped lead the creation of the Arc Park in Hays and is now trying to do the same thing in Russell. "Russell is very committed to accessible play for kids," said McAdoo. "It isn't just for kids. You're an accident away from becoming disabled, or a person breaks a leg and they're in a wheelchair for two or three months. Now they will be able to go watch and get involved in the play because the new surface will allow them to navigate. Mulch and grass aren't quite so easy to navigate." The Russell Play Park committee has organized a couple of dine-out fundraisers, with the restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds. At the end of June, the second lemonade stand challenge will return to benefit the new park enhancements. "A lot of folks would spend the day driving to every lemonade stand," said McAdoo. "We had prizes for the kids. Every kiddo that participated in a stand received a package of prizes, things like a Happy Meal at McDonald's." Last year's lemonade stand challenge was able to collect nearly $10,000 with matching funds. Find out how to donate to the Russell Play Park by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.russellplaypark.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ZIhRYFPDYXmsvE8Q7abw84o0osp9vuMZ69PEF3rZwvuHv1R9lciyomBc">russellplaypark.com</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Fundraising ongoing for new Russell playground equipment

Last
week six area residents were presented with the opportunity to share their business
ideas with a panel of judges at <a href="https://www.growhays.com/">Grow Hays</a>’ Pitch It event.

Six
ideas were presented during the event at BriefSpace, the Grow Hays-operated
co-working space in downtown Hays.

“It
was a great event. It really came off better than I ever would have thought,”
said Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director. “We had some great
participants and some young people with good ideas and good work ethics. And it
was really great to see.”

“The
event was&nbsp;a competition for prospective startups or existing business
owners to present their business idea to three judges and an audience,” according
to a release from Grow Hays. “The six ‘pitches’ consisted of a five-minute oral
presentation followed by three minutes of Q and A similar to a ‘Shark Tank’
presentation.”

Judges
included <a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">Network Kansas</a>’ Christy Preston, <a href="https://www.kansassbdc.net/">Kansas Small Business Development
Center</a>’s Laurie Pieper and Ameriprise Financial Services’ Michael Schaeffer.

“Prizes were funded by the Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship
Series sponsored by <a href="https://schmidtfoundation.net/">Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation </a>and Network
Kansas,” according to Grow Hays.

Initially, two cash prizes were set to be awarded, but during the event, Network Kansas
decided to include a third-place prize of $250.&nbsp;

Taking
first place was Trevor Fischer with his idea for TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting
Arcade. As envisioned, the business would be a location that
includes training support and a space for those interested in learning and
developing arcade fighting game skills.

While
his idea came out on top, Fisher said he only developed it for the event recently.

“I didn't
really know about this until about a month and a half ago, and I kind of had a
vague idea of something, I think, could really have a positive impact in the community, especially for the high school and college-age people,” he said.

Fisher
said arcade fighting games have helped bring him closer to friends and
associates and could be a benefit to others.

“That's
just something I wanted to expand on in the Hays community and give people an
opportunity to get that sense of community and feeling love, improving, and
just grow stronger together,” Fisher said.

And while
the idea took the top prize, launching the concept would require a bit more
work.

“I might need a little bit more for what I'm looking to do, but it's a good start,” Fisher said. “A $1,000 isn't really anything to
scoff at, so here's hoping that one day my idea comes to fruition.”

Taking the second-place prize was another conceptual idea, RanchEd.
Presented by Tanner Werth, the platform would be a system to help ag producers
connect to resources.

Third place was awarded to Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter
Lang with Pressure Pros, an already existing business in Hays.

While the competition was open to the general public, all participants
were high-school to college age.

“That's what's really kind of
cool when you see this stuff, as you've got some young people who are actually
out there doing things,” Williams said. “A couple of guys who had a power washing
business that is out there, doing jobs, power washing fences, or driveways, or
whatever it might be.&nbsp; A lot of them are actually out doing what
they are presenting for

 “It's exciting to
see that as we continue to try and build this culture locally of
entrepreneurship because we feel it's so important. It's really great to see that
there are actually kids and people out there doing things, starting businesses
and serving needs within the community.”

Williams said a culture of entrepreneurship
is vital to maintaining a growing and stable area economy.

“When we
look at our community, and we talk about the economic environment today,
really in a lot of places, we really are not in a position to recruit a company
to our community that's going to employ 200 people,” Williams said. “We just
don't have the people.”

But when
a business grows organically, it will mold to meet a community's needs and take
advantage of resources that are available.

“Entrepreneurship
becomes very important because we need to grow our own and have companies that
can start small, and then grow organically over time and add people
incrementally as opposed to these big one-time hits,” Williams said. “We'd love
to have them, but I just don't know how we would handle these large one-time
hits. Entrepreneurship becomes very important.”

He
added the area is lucky to have resources that create homegrown businesses.

“We're
very fortunate in Ellis County,” Williams said. "<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/">Fort Hays State </a>has a lot of
entrepreneurial type of activities ..."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051876709.jpeg" alt="Chris Henderson opens his pitch for DJ service <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067864911624&amp;locale=hi_IN">True2You</a> with a short performance. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Chris Henderson opens his pitch for DJ service <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067864911624&amp;locale=hi_IN">True2You</a> with a short performance. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostLast
week six area residents were presented with the opportunity to share their business
ideas with a panel of judges at <a href="https://www.growhays.com/">Grow Hays</a>’ Pitch It event.Six
ideas were presented during the event at BriefSpace, the Grow Hays-operated
co-working space in downtown Hays.<div><iframe title="Grow Hays Pitch It event generates entrepreneurial ideas" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3gf56-13f9cdc-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315"></iframe></div>“It
was a great event. It really came off better than I ever would have thought,”
said Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director. “We had some great
participants and some young people with good ideas and good work ethics. And it
was really great to see.”“The
event was&nbsp;a competition for prospective startups or existing business
owners to present their business idea to three judges and an audience,” according
to a release from Grow Hays. “The six ‘pitches’ consisted of a five-minute oral
presentation followed by three minutes of Q and A similar to a ‘Shark Tank’
presentation.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051725322.jpeg" alt="Pitch It judges and participants&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It judges and participants&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Judges
included <a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">Network Kansas</a>’ Christy Preston, <a href="https://www.kansassbdc.net/">Kansas Small Business Development
Center</a>’s Laurie Pieper and Ameriprise Financial Services’ Michael Schaeffer.“Prizes were funded by the Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship
Series sponsored by <a href="https://schmidtfoundation.net/">Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation </a>and Network
Kansas,” according to Grow Hays.Initially, two cash prizes were set to be awarded, but during the event, Network Kansas
decided to include a third-place prize of $250.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051752221.jpeg" alt="Pitch It event winner Trevor Fischer with Grow Hays executive director Doug Willaims (left) and director of business development and special projects James Robben (right).&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It event winner Trevor Fischer with Grow Hays executive director Doug Willaims (left) and director of business development and special projects James Robben (right).&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Taking
first place was Trevor Fischer with his idea for TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting
Arcade. As envisioned, the business would be a location that
includes training support and a space for those interested in learning and
developing arcade fighting game skills.He
was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.While
his idea came out on top, Fisher said he only developed it for the event recently.“I didn't
really know about this until about a month and a half ago, and I kind of had a
vague idea of something, I think, could really have a positive impact in the community, especially for the high school and college-age people,” he said.Fisher
said arcade fighting games have helped bring him closer to friends and
associates and could be a benefit to others.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051814549.jpeg" alt="Pitch It winner Trevor Fischer describes his idea,&nbsp;TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting Arcade, to the judges.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It winner Trevor Fischer describes his idea,&nbsp;TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting Arcade, to the judges.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>“That's
just something I wanted to expand on in the Hays community and give people an
opportunity to get that sense of community and feeling love, improving, and
just grow stronger together,” Fisher said.And while
the idea took the top prize, launching the concept would require a bit more
work.“I might need a little bit more for what I'm looking to do, but it's a good start,” Fisher said. “A $1,000 isn't really anything to
scoff at, so here's hoping that one day my idea comes to fruition.”Taking the second-place prize was another conceptual idea, RanchEd.
Presented by Tanner Werth, the platform would be a system to help ag producers
connect to resources.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051850635.jpeg" alt="Second-place winner Tanner Werth describes his idea, RanchEd.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Second-place winner Tanner Werth describes his idea, RanchEd.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Third place was awarded to Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter
Lang with Pressure Pros, an already existing business in Hays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051838005.jpeg" alt="Third-place winners Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter Lang describe their business idea to expand Pressure Pros.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Third-place winners Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter Lang describe their business idea to expand Pressure Pros.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>While the competition was open to the general public, all participants
were high-school to college age.“That's what's really kind of
cool when you see this stuff, as you've got some young people who are actually
out there doing things,” Williams said. “A couple of guys who had a power washing
business that is out there, doing jobs, power washing fences, or driveways, or
whatever it might be.&nbsp; A lot of them are actually out doing what
they are presenting for “It's exciting to
see that as we continue to try and build this culture locally of
entrepreneurship because we feel it's so important. It's really great to see that
there are actually kids and people out there doing things, starting businesses
and serving needs within the community.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051861963.jpeg" alt="Edgar Garcia speaks about his idea, Your Future Leaders.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Edgar Garcia speaks about his idea, Your Future Leaders.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Williams said a culture of entrepreneurship
is vital to maintaining a growing and stable area economy.“When we
look at our community, and we talk about the economic environment today,
really in a lot of places, we really are not in a position to recruit a company
to our community that's going to employ 200 people,” Williams said. “We just
don't have the people.”But when
a business grows organically, it will mold to meet a community's needs and take
advantage of resources that are available.“Entrepreneurship
becomes very important because we need to grow our own and have companies that
can start small, and then grow organically over time and add people
incrementally as opposed to these big one-time hits,” Williams said. “We'd love
to have them, but I just don't know how we would handle these large one-time
hits. Entrepreneurship becomes very important.”He
added the area is lucky to have resources that create homegrown businesses.“We're
very fortunate in Ellis County,” Williams said. "<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/">Fort Hays State </a>has a lot of
entrepreneurial type of activities ..."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051787803.jpeg" alt="Pitch It participants await the judges' decision.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It participants await the judges' decision.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051886883.jpeg" alt="Evyn Cox describes her idea, Between Us Kids.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Evyn Cox describes her idea, Between Us Kids.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Grow Hays' Pitch It event generates entrepreneurial ideas

The Chamber in Hays has announced the annual Chamber Online Auction sponsored by First Care Clinic is now live for previewing items.

Proceeds from this online auction allow the Chamber to continue to support area businesses and tackle community challenges like access to quality and affordable child care, advocating for initiatives that improve pre-k – 12 school infrastructure, training the local workforce, supporting housing projects and providing leadership opportunities for Ellis County residents.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, bidding was officially live. The auction will remain open until 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. More than 100 items are available for purchase in conjunction with this auction, which are valued at more than $17,500. Examples of items available within this year’s auction include:

• Golfing packages to Smoky Hill Country Club and the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course¶ • Gift certificates to restaurants, including Pheasant Run, McDonald’s, Cancun, Trio Tap Haus, Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana, and Papa Murphy’s • Series 8 Apple Watch compatible with Nex-Tech Wireless service and Mophie Charging Stand • Blackstone Griddle and grilling accessory packages • Four All-Sport General Admission 2023-2024 Season Passes for FHSU • Variety of Bluetooth speakers and a tablet • A massage from the Center for Health Improvement • Preventative HVAC inspection via Glassman Corporation • Party for up to 20 people in the Tiger Lounge at The Insurance Guys • Portrait from Bruce Burkholder and Canvas photograph by Jessi Jacobs • VIP passes to Brews on the Bricks • Special dining experience from the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro &amp; Market with a drink certificate from TreeTop Security to use for drink purchases • Purses, sunglasses, jewelry, gift certificates • Gift baskets full of specialty items, pampering gifts and liquor • Fitness passes to Hays Recreation Center and passes to the Hays Aquatic Park • Electronics, home goods and outdoor gear • The Ambassador Golf Team has also donated several charcuterie boards, one for FHSU and one for Chiefs fans

To access the online auction, visit: <a href="https://hayschamber.cbo.io">https://hayschamber.cbo.io</a>.

Those registering to preview auction items will be requested to enter a credit card number that will be used to purchase any items that are won at the conclusion of the auction.

Taxes on non-gift certificate items and credit card fees do apply.

To register without a credit card for this auction, call 785-628-8201. 

Items must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Friday at Smoky Hill County Club. Anyone not able to pick up items by this time is requested to email hayscc@hayschamber.com to make special arrangements.

SubmittedThe Chamber in Hays has announced the annual Chamber Online Auction sponsored by First Care Clinic is now live for previewing items.Proceeds from this online auction allow the Chamber to continue to support area businesses and tackle community challenges like access to quality and affordable child care, advocating for initiatives that improve pre-k – 12 school infrastructure, training the local workforce, supporting housing projects and providing leadership opportunities for Ellis County residents.Beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, bidding was officially live. The auction will remain open until 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. More than 100 items are available for purchase in conjunction with this auction, which are valued at more than $17,500. Examples of items available within this year’s auction include:• Golfing packages to Smoky Hill Country Club and the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course¶ • Gift certificates to restaurants, including Pheasant Run, McDonald’s, Cancun, Trio Tap Haus, Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana, and Papa Murphy’s • Series 8 Apple Watch compatible with Nex-Tech Wireless service and Mophie Charging Stand • Blackstone Griddle and grilling accessory packages • Four All-Sport General Admission 2023-2024 Season Passes for FHSU • Variety of Bluetooth speakers and a tablet • A massage from the Center for Health Improvement • Preventative HVAC inspection via Glassman Corporation • Party for up to 20 people in the Tiger Lounge at The Insurance Guys • Portrait from Bruce Burkholder and Canvas photograph by Jessi Jacobs • VIP passes to Brews on the Bricks • Special dining experience from the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro &amp; Market with a drink certificate from TreeTop Security to use for drink purchases • Purses, sunglasses, jewelry, gift certificates • Gift baskets full of specialty items, pampering gifts and liquor • Fitness passes to Hays Recreation Center and passes to the Hays Aquatic Park • Electronics, home goods and outdoor gear • The Ambassador Golf Team has also donated several charcuterie boards, one for FHSU and one for Chiefs fansTo access the online auction, visit: <a href="https://hayschamber.cbo.io">https://hayschamber.cbo.io</a>.Those registering to preview auction items will be requested to enter a credit card number that will be used to purchase any items that are won at the conclusion of the auction.Taxes on non-gift certificate items and credit card fees do apply.To register without a credit card for this auction, call 785-628-8201. Items must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Friday at Smoky Hill County Club. Anyone not able to pick up items by this time is requested to email hayscc@hayschamber.com to make special arrangements.

Hays Chamber online auction preview goes live

MANHATTAN — Each year Kansas Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture awards scholarships to college students studying in fields that benefit agriculture and rural Kansas. Forty-three recipients were awarded $25,500 in scholarships for the 2023-24 school year.

Over the past decade, the foundation has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships.

“We’re investing in students today to ensure they become tomorrow’s leaders,” says KFB President and Foundation Chair Joe Newland.

Logan Elliott, Cherokee County, was awarded $1,000 for the Frank and Helen Bernasek Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.

Shelby Spreier, Harvey County, was awarded $1,000 for the K-State Agricultural Communications and Journalism Scholarship.

Morgan Barba, Ellis County, is the winner of the $500 Godfrey and Emma Bahr-Miller Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund for students attending a college in Kansas and majoring in a subject related to agriculture.

Caleb Stout, Chase County, was awarded $500 for the DeWitt Ahlerich Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.

Allison Abeldt, Dickinson County, and Renae Kohles, Johnson County, each were awarded $500 from the Lester Crandall Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed fund.

Daniel Johnson, Linn County, was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend technical school from the Michael J. Berntsen Memorial Scholarship.

Six students received scholarships to Kansas technical colleges. They are Cordell Brown, Logan County; Jason Colby, Sherman County; Rosston Eckroat, Ellis County; Jace Goodman, Morris County; Colton Pfannenstiel, Ellis County; and Cole Salmans, Hodgeman County.

Four $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled in Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture and majoring in a subject related to agriculture. They are Patrick Biggs, Shawnee County; Ryleigh Carr, Thomas County; Candace Fry, Ford County; and Elizabeth Sturgis, Cherokee County.

Two $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled at Fort Hays State University. Recipients are Kayler Getz, Gove County; and Kyle Sherwood, Scott County.

Twenty-four recipients received $500 scholarships. These students are attending a Kansas college with a Kansas Farm Bureau Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. Students must be a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter member.

SubmittedMANHATTAN — Each year Kansas Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture awards scholarships to college students studying in fields that benefit agriculture and rural Kansas. Forty-three recipients were awarded $25,500 in scholarships for the 2023-24 school year.Over the past decade, the foundation has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships.“We’re investing in students today to ensure they become tomorrow’s leaders,” says KFB President and Foundation Chair Joe Newland.Logan Elliott, Cherokee County, was awarded $1,000 for the Frank and Helen Bernasek Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.Shelby Spreier, Harvey County, was awarded $1,000 for the K-State Agricultural Communications and Journalism Scholarship.Morgan Barba, Ellis County, is the winner of the $500 Godfrey and Emma Bahr-Miller Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund for students attending a college in Kansas and majoring in a subject related to agriculture.Caleb Stout, Chase County, was awarded $500 for the DeWitt Ahlerich Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.Allison Abeldt, Dickinson County, and Renae Kohles, Johnson County, each were awarded $500 from the Lester Crandall Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed fund.Daniel Johnson, Linn County, was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend technical school from the Michael J. Berntsen Memorial Scholarship.Six students received scholarships to Kansas technical colleges. They are Cordell Brown, Logan County; Jason Colby, Sherman County; Rosston Eckroat, Ellis County; Jace Goodman, Morris County; Colton Pfannenstiel, Ellis County; and Cole Salmans, Hodgeman County.Four $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled in Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture and majoring in a subject related to agriculture. They are Patrick Biggs, Shawnee County; Ryleigh Carr, Thomas County; Candace Fry, Ford County; and Elizabeth Sturgis, Cherokee County.Two $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled at Fort Hays State University. Recipients are Kayler Getz, Gove County; and Kyle Sherwood, Scott County.Twenty-four recipients received $500 scholarships. These students are attending a Kansas college with a Kansas Farm Bureau Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. Students must be a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter member.Recipients include:Allen Community CollegeEthan Henry, Neosho CountyLeah Riedy, Dickinson CountyBarton Community CollegeKooper Maneth, Barton CountyButler Community CollegeCarissa Dalquest, Morris CountyCalley Stubbs, Wallace CountyColby Community CollegeRylan Hays, Phillips CountyDesiree Littlechild, Trego CountyKeller Metzker, Thomas CountyKirsten Miessler, Stafford CountyJenna Milford, Johnson CountyAllie Seltman, Rush CountyPayton Walk, Greeley CountyEmily Wilms, Lane CountyFort Hays State UniversityLauren Baggs, Sumner CountyPaul Cook, Butler CountyHutchinson Community CollegeLuke Wiens, Marion CountyKansas State UniversityDerek Freel, Ottawa CountyAugust Hulse, Ottawa CountyHayden Lott, Ottawa CountyErin Rose May, Decatur CountyPiper Schlatter, Reno CountyGrace Young, Miami CountyPratt Community CollegeNicole Haase, Ellsworth CountyKarlie Heatherman, Pratt County

Local