GREAT BEND — Barton Community College has teamed up with the CKP Suicide Prevention Task Force to bring author, actor, and international public speaker Josh Rivedal to the Barton County campus to entertain and educate about the importance of mental health and wellbeing. 

His program, “How to Live Mentally Well and Crush it During Difficult Times,” will be free and open to the public from 7-8:30 p.m. Tue., Oct. 10 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. It will also be live streamed from Barton’s YouTube&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BaCOUGARnKS" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">page</a>.

Barton Community College Mental Health Counselor Jakki Maser said she is excited to bring Josh Rivedal to the community to expand the conversations around mental health and wellness.

“It’s important that people know that wellbeing does not mean being happy all the time or that there won’t be stress, difficult periods, or emotional discomfort,” she said. 

“Mental wellness encompasses all emotions, and we want to bring awareness to the fact that all people struggle and have experiences that are really hard to talk about. Nobody is alone in that. It is by having those hard conversations that we learn how to cope, adapt, connect, and grow from those difficult experiences, and that is what creates resiliency and wellness. In his presentation, Josh inspires and challenges people to do those very things,”&nbsp;Maser said.

According to his <a href="http://www.joshuarivedal.com/">website</a>, Josh Rivedal is the founder and creative director of The i'Mpossible Project.

This organization creates workshops, seminars, curriculum, continuing education, books, and multimedia on suicide prevention and mental health in workplaces, campuses, school districts, communities, professional organizations, and more. A project born out of his own personal struggle with mental health and the loss of his father to suicide, Rivedal creates content that is relatable and that inspires, educates, entertains, and transforms.

Admission is free. Content is recommended for ages 12+. For more information, contact Maser at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:maserj@bartonccc.edu">maserj@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or 620-792-9295.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695758987994.png" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>BCCGREAT BEND — Barton Community College has teamed up with the CKP Suicide Prevention Task Force to bring author, actor, and international public speaker Josh Rivedal to the Barton County campus to entertain and educate about the importance of mental health and wellbeing. His program, “How to Live Mentally Well and Crush it During Difficult Times,” will be free and open to the public from 7-8:30 p.m. Tue., Oct. 10 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. It will also be live streamed from Barton’s YouTube&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BaCOUGARnKS" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">page</a>.Barton Community College Mental Health Counselor Jakki Maser said she is excited to bring Josh Rivedal to the community to expand the conversations around mental health and wellness.“It’s important that people know that wellbeing does not mean being happy all the time or that there won’t be stress, difficult periods, or emotional discomfort,” she said. “Mental wellness encompasses all emotions, and we want to bring awareness to the fact that all people struggle and have experiences that are really hard to talk about. Nobody is alone in that. It is by having those hard conversations that we learn how to cope, adapt, connect, and grow from those difficult experiences, and that is what creates resiliency and wellness. In his presentation, Josh inspires and challenges people to do those very things,”&nbsp;Maser said.According to his <a href="http://www.joshuarivedal.com/">website</a>, Josh Rivedal is the founder and creative director of The i'Mpossible Project. This organization creates workshops, seminars, curriculum, continuing education, books, and multimedia on suicide prevention and mental health in workplaces, campuses, school districts, communities, professional organizations, and more. A project born out of his own personal struggle with mental health and the loss of his father to suicide, Rivedal creates content that is relatable and that inspires, educates, entertains, and transforms.Admission is free. Content is recommended for ages 12+. For more information, contact Maser at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:maserj@bartonccc.edu">maserj@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or 620-792-9295.&nbsp;

Living mentally well in difficult times to be presented at Barton Community College

Once upon a time near a sleepy little town called Inman, in a land far, far away known as Kansas, a legend was born; a legend that would bring this quiet town notoriety for a time those 100 years ago. The legend became that of Sink Hole Sam.

Believe it or not, prior to the 1920s, a string of small freshwater lakes stretched across part of central Kansas, coming within a couple miles of the town of Inman. 

It is reported that people from around the state actually came here to fish in those lakes, and the duck hunting there was said to be so good that hunters would fill wagons with harvested ducks and haul them with teams of horses north to the town of Conway where they would be sent by train to exclusive restaurants in Kansas City. 

Eventually the lakes were drained, leaving Lake Inman, and a few low pockets of water now known as “sinkholes.” Inman Lake remains as the largest natural lake in the state. The biggest of the sinkholes took the astonishing name, "The Big Sinkhole.” Here, a legend was born in the form of a large serpent-like creature that became Sink Hole Sam.

Alright, alright let’s get real here. I suppose that back in the day certain “liquid refreshments” were easily obtained in the back rooms of most hardware stores and from what I hear, tranquil little Inman, KS was an exception. But how many visits to the back room would it take to fabricate stories about freshwater lakes here where some years it's so dry that fire hydrants chase dogs up the street and kids are actually urged to pee in the pool?

Anyway, people speculated that Sam had been living in some prehistoric underground cavern that had somehow filled with water from the sinkhole, allowing him to finally venture forth. 

Evidently no one got close enough to see if the critter should be named Sam or Samantha, but I’ll stay true to the legend and use “Sam.” Two “unidentified” Inman men fishing at the sinkhole first reported seeing Sam. 

Soon after, Inmanites Albert Neufeld and George Regehr spotted him also. Albert sought to save the town by taking pot shots at poor Sam from a nearby bridge (I suspect the bridge was not really all that nearby!) Of course, descriptions of the beast varied according to the audience and the time of day, but Sam ended up being a very large snake-like critter, about fifteen feet long and the diameter of an automobile tire.

Now, everyone likes a good legend, and the discovery of Sam was no exception. The story spread like hot peanut butter! Newspapers caught wind of the tale, (no pun intended) and locals started getting calls from strangers all across the country. 

Today, some residents still recall seeing hundreds of cars parked around the big sinkhole hoping “Sammy” would make a curtain call.

In an attempt to quell speculation about their new prehistoric mascot, (here the legend takes a sharp southern detour) some “great scientific minds” were brought on board in the persons of Ernest Dewey and his assistant Dr. Erasmus P. Quattlebaum. Earnest D. and the Dr. informed Inman that Sam was a “Foopengerkle,” one of a species thought to be the “extinctest” creatures ever to inhabit the Kansas Plains. 

This must be where he became Sam rather than Samantha, because Ernest and Dr. Q. maintained that no female&nbsp;“Foopengerkles” ever existed. Their final report urged caution, since Sam did not seem to realize he was extinct.

Like I said, everyone likes a good legend. Millions of dollars have been spent attempting to disprove the existence of Bigfoot and The Loch Ness Monster. As far as I know, all such attempts have failed, so both creatures must still live, if only in myth. 

Sink Hole Sam put Inman on the map and in the news those many years ago, and no one has ever disproven his existence to me. After all, this is America, and stranger things have happened! Like I said, everyone likes a good legend…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Once upon a time near a sleepy little town called Inman, in a land far, far away known as Kansas, a legend was born; a legend that would bring this quiet town notoriety for a time those 100 years ago. The legend became that of Sink Hole Sam.Believe it or not, prior to the 1920s, a string of small freshwater lakes stretched across part of central Kansas, coming within a couple miles of the town of Inman. It is reported that people from around the state actually came here to fish in those lakes, and the duck hunting there was said to be so good that hunters would fill wagons with harvested ducks and haul them with teams of horses north to the town of Conway where they would be sent by train to exclusive restaurants in Kansas City. Eventually the lakes were drained, leaving Lake Inman, and a few low pockets of water now known as “sinkholes.” Inman Lake remains as the largest natural lake in the state. The biggest of the sinkholes took the astonishing name, "The Big Sinkhole.” Here, a legend was born in the form of a large serpent-like creature that became Sink Hole Sam.Alright, alright let’s get real here. I suppose that back in the day certain “liquid refreshments” were easily obtained in the back rooms of most hardware stores and from what I hear, tranquil little Inman, KS was an exception. But how many visits to the back room would it take to fabricate stories about freshwater lakes here where some years it's so dry that fire hydrants chase dogs up the street and kids are actually urged to pee in the pool?Anyway, people speculated that Sam had been living in some prehistoric underground cavern that had somehow filled with water from the sinkhole, allowing him to finally venture forth. Evidently no one got close enough to see if the critter should be named Sam or Samantha, but I’ll stay true to the legend and use “Sam.” Two “unidentified” Inman men fishing at the sinkhole first reported seeing Sam. Soon after, Inmanites Albert Neufeld and George Regehr spotted him also. Albert sought to save the town by taking pot shots at poor Sam from a nearby bridge (I suspect the bridge was not really all that nearby!) Of course, descriptions of the beast varied according to the audience and the time of day, but Sam ended up being a very large snake-like critter, about fifteen feet long and the diameter of an automobile tire.Now, everyone likes a good legend, and the discovery of Sam was no exception. The story spread like hot peanut butter! Newspapers caught wind of the tale, (no pun intended) and locals started getting calls from strangers all across the country. Today, some residents still recall seeing hundreds of cars parked around the big sinkhole hoping “Sammy” would make a curtain call.In an attempt to quell speculation about their new prehistoric mascot, (here the legend takes a sharp southern detour) some “great scientific minds” were brought on board in the persons of Ernest Dewey and his assistant Dr. Erasmus P. Quattlebaum. Earnest D. and the Dr. informed Inman that Sam was a “Foopengerkle,” one of a species thought to be the “extinctest” creatures ever to inhabit the Kansas Plains. This must be where he became Sam rather than Samantha, because Ernest and Dr. Q. maintained that no female&nbsp;“Foopengerkles” ever existed. Their final report urged caution, since Sam did not seem to realize he was extinct.Like I said, everyone likes a good legend. Millions of dollars have been spent attempting to disprove the existence of Bigfoot and The Loch Ness Monster. As far as I know, all such attempts have failed, so both creatures must still live, if only in myth. Sink Hole Sam put Inman on the map and in the news those many years ago, and no one has ever disproven his existence to me. After all, this is America, and stranger things have happened! Like I said, everyone likes a good legend…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: The Legend of Sink Hole Sam

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced two appointments and eight reappointments to the following state boards and council, including two northwest Kansas residents:

Board of Accountancy Purpose: To carry out&nbsp;the laws and administrative regulations governing CPAs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Julie Wondra, McPherson (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Aron Dunn, Valley Center (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Trina Harmon, Wichita&nbsp; &nbsp;

911 Coordinating Council Purpose:&nbsp;To monitor the delivery of 911 services, develop strategies for future enhancements to the 911 system and distribute available grant funds to public safety answering points (PSAP).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jonathan York, Topeka (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott Hilbrink, Colby (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Jeremy Rabb, Topeka (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Eric Harper, Saint Frances&nbsp;&nbsp;

State Board of Technical Professions Purpose: To register and license engineers, architects, surveyors, and landscape architects.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Carisa McMullen, Olathe (reappointment) Doug Louis, Wichita (reappointment) Kimberly Kramer, Manhattan (reappointment) &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594401153901.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced two appointments and eight reappointments to the following state boards and council, including two northwest Kansas residents:Board of Accountancy Purpose: To carry out&nbsp;the laws and administrative regulations governing CPAs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Julie Wondra, McPherson (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Aron Dunn, Valley Center (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Trina Harmon, Wichita&nbsp; &nbsp; 911 Coordinating Council Purpose:&nbsp;To monitor the delivery of 911 services, develop strategies for future enhancements to the 911 system and distribute available grant funds to public safety answering points (PSAP).&nbsp;&nbsp;Jonathan York, Topeka (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott Hilbrink, Colby (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Jeremy Rabb, Topeka (reappointment)&nbsp;&nbsp; Eric Harper, Saint Frances&nbsp;&nbsp; State Board of Technical Professions Purpose: To register and license engineers, architects, surveyors, and landscape architects.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carisa McMullen, Olathe (reappointment) Doug Louis, Wichita (reappointment) Kimberly Kramer, Manhattan (reappointment) &nbsp; &nbsp;

2 northwest Kansas residents appointed to 911 Coordinating Council

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly announced that $18,489,169 in state grants have been awarded to provide services for adult and child crime survivors. Kelly and the bipartisan Legislature increased the state grant funds to sustain Kansas programs that experienced a 40 percent decrease in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Programs in Ellis, Barton, and Scott counties have received the grants.

“The services&nbsp;that&nbsp;children’s advocacy centers, court-appointed advocates, and domestic violence and sexual assault programs&nbsp;provide&nbsp;are&nbsp;an essential part of&nbsp;survivors&nbsp;getting the justice they deserve,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“These grants ensure communities across Kansas have the resources and services needed to assist crime victims&nbsp;in their time of need.”&nbsp;

The funding comes from state general funds and will go toward counseling, shelters, the statewide language-accessible crisis line, safety planning, advocacy for sexual and domestic violence survivors, and training for community-based direct service providers. &nbsp;

Domestic violence and sexual assault programs provide shelter, advocacy, and safety planning for people who experience domestic violence or sexual assault. These programs also provide services and vital safety-related information to those who call the statewide language-accessible crisis line (888-END-ABUSE: 888-363-2287). &nbsp;&nbsp;

Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused programs that operate within Kansas communities to coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse cases. Funds are used to hire and train staff to conduct child-sensitive forensic interviews of sexual and physical abuse victims, and to provide advocacy services for victims and non-offending caregivers.&nbsp;

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Programs provide training and support to court-appointed citizen volunteers. The volunteers work with the courts and legal and child welfare professionals to obtain permanent and safe placements for children who have been abused and neglected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Area programs that were awarded grant funds include:

2024 SGF for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards&nbsp;

• Ellis County-&nbsp;Options:&nbsp;Domestic &amp; Sexual Violence Services; $545,296

2024 Children’s Advocacy Centers Grant Awards

•&nbsp;Barton County-&nbsp;Family Crisis Center;&nbsp;$159,704 •&nbsp;Scott County-&nbsp;Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center;&nbsp;$398,681 &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603907215006.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Governor TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly announced that $18,489,169 in state grants have been awarded to provide services for adult and child crime survivors. Kelly and the bipartisan Legislature increased the state grant funds to sustain Kansas programs that experienced a 40 percent decrease in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Programs in Ellis, Barton, and Scott counties have received the grants.“The services&nbsp;that&nbsp;children’s advocacy centers, court-appointed advocates, and domestic violence and sexual assault programs&nbsp;provide&nbsp;are&nbsp;an essential part of&nbsp;survivors&nbsp;getting the justice they deserve,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“These grants ensure communities across Kansas have the resources and services needed to assist crime victims&nbsp;in their time of need.”&nbsp;The funding comes from state general funds and will go toward counseling, shelters, the statewide language-accessible crisis line, safety planning, advocacy for sexual and domestic violence survivors, and training for community-based direct service providers. &nbsp;Domestic violence and sexual assault programs provide shelter, advocacy, and safety planning for people who experience domestic violence or sexual assault. These programs also provide services and vital safety-related information to those who call the statewide language-accessible crisis line (888-END-ABUSE: 888-363-2287). &nbsp;&nbsp;Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused programs that operate within Kansas communities to coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse cases. Funds are used to hire and train staff to conduct child-sensitive forensic interviews of sexual and physical abuse victims, and to provide advocacy services for victims and non-offending caregivers.&nbsp;Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Programs provide training and support to court-appointed citizen volunteers. The volunteers work with the courts and legal and child welfare professionals to obtain permanent and safe placements for children who have been abused and neglected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Area programs that were awarded grant funds include:2024 SGF for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards&nbsp;• Ellis County-&nbsp;Options:&nbsp;Domestic &amp; Sexual Violence Services; $545,2962024 Children’s Advocacy Centers Grant Awards•&nbsp;Barton County-&nbsp;Family Crisis Center;&nbsp;$159,704 •&nbsp;Scott County-&nbsp;Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center;&nbsp;$398,681 &nbsp;

Hays Options among state grant awardees for survivors of sexual, domestic violence 

What is polarization, and what can Kansans do about it? More than you might think.

“Polarization” is the tendency for people to identify strongly with their own ideological groups, rejecting anything they associate with their perceived enemies. This makes compromise (and thus governing) difficult, and contributes to paranoia, conspiracy theories, and fake news.

This isn’t “partisanship,” which is the (sometimes overlapping, but still distinct) practice of embracing a specific political party as a way of advancing your political views. Rather, the problem here is “affective polarization,” which is when people tightly associate their racial, religious, regional, gender, social , and other identities alongside their ideological beliefs.

Of course, human beings have always engaged in this kind of political sorting, mostly unintentionally. Everyone knows that Kansas is pretty conservative, but that Lawrence is less conservative than Salina, and so forth. This simply reflects the different people who live in particular places, the ways they express themselves, and how those expressions are absorbed, rejected, and/or passed along to others. It’s an inevitable, historical, almost natural process.

What is new is how, thanks to technological and corporate trends which globalize and centralize public discourse, people associate those organic groupings with very specific ideological packages. Everyone thus gets labeled in an ever-intensifying cultural war: if you’re White and live in Kansas, you must be a church-going Fox News watcher, and therefore believe this idea and oppose that group; but if you’re Black and live in New York City, therefore you’re a secular New York Times-reader and believe this other idea and oppose that other group; etc.

This doesn’t describe everyone, of course. Still, it has become common enough that almost everyone is noticing. Nearly a third of all Americans believe that affective polarization, and the sometimes hateful tribalism it creates, is a bigger problem than any other threat we face.

Most of the social research on polarization shows that the culprits usually blamed for this phenomenon—ideological extremism, increasing diversity, etc.—are actually secondary. The real problem is simply patterns of separation: that is, of working and playing and worshipping in ways where you do not interact with people you disagree with, or simply living in places where you’re not even aware of the variety and debate all around you. Which means the solution to affective polarization is to be found in the specific places we live, work, worship, and play.

Some scholars call this “micro-level pluralism.” We’re not talking about large-scale diversity or educational programs; we’re talking about local institutions which regularly perform ideological outreach (even if they don’t call it that), in a context of locally-earned civic trust.

It may surprise some readers who see Kansas as homogenous place, but actually we score well in this regard. One of the most valuable examples of micro-level pluralism is distinct educational institutions--public and private, religious and secular--woven into the fabric of distinct communities. 

Kansas has a larger number and a greater variety of such institutions per capita than almost any other state. Which means Kansas communities, however much vicious fights between different Republican and Democratic factions seem to dominate the environment, is actually filled with hundreds of small educational and religious groups, motivated by diverse causes, interacting with one another in unnoticed, polarization-reducing ways.

With the nation deeply divided, Kansas obviously can’t—and doesn’t—escape affective polarization entirely. But so long as Kansas recognizes the value of, and works to preserve, these and many other kinds of small and distinct local institutions, our civic divides will likely remain less deep, and more negotiable, than you might believe.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>What is polarization, and what can Kansans do about it? More than you might think.“Polarization” is the tendency for people to identify strongly with their own ideological groups, rejecting anything they associate with their perceived enemies. This makes compromise (and thus governing) difficult, and contributes to paranoia, conspiracy theories, and fake news.This isn’t “partisanship,” which is the (sometimes overlapping, but still distinct) practice of embracing a specific political party as a way of advancing your political views. Rather, the problem here is “affective polarization,” which is when people tightly associate their racial, religious, regional, gender, social , and other identities alongside their ideological beliefs.Of course, human beings have always engaged in this kind of political sorting, mostly unintentionally. Everyone knows that Kansas is pretty conservative, but that Lawrence is less conservative than Salina, and so forth. This simply reflects the different people who live in particular places, the ways they express themselves, and how those expressions are absorbed, rejected, and/or passed along to others. It’s an inevitable, historical, almost natural process.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>What is new is how, thanks to technological and corporate trends which globalize and centralize public discourse, people associate those organic groupings with very specific ideological packages. Everyone thus gets labeled in an ever-intensifying cultural war: if you’re White and live in Kansas, you must be a church-going Fox News watcher, and therefore believe this idea and oppose that group; but if you’re Black and live in New York City, therefore you’re a secular New York Times-reader and believe this other idea and oppose that other group; etc.This doesn’t describe everyone, of course. Still, it has become common enough that almost everyone is noticing. Nearly a third of all Americans believe that affective polarization, and the sometimes hateful tribalism it creates, is a bigger problem than any other threat we face.Most of the social research on polarization shows that the culprits usually blamed for this phenomenon—ideological extremism, increasing diversity, etc.—are actually secondary. The real problem is simply patterns of separation: that is, of working and playing and worshipping in ways where you do not interact with people you disagree with, or simply living in places where you’re not even aware of the variety and debate all around you. Which means the solution to affective polarization is to be found in the specific places we live, work, worship, and play.Some scholars call this “micro-level pluralism.” We’re not talking about large-scale diversity or educational programs; we’re talking about local institutions which regularly perform ideological outreach (even if they don’t call it that), in a context of locally-earned civic trust.It may surprise some readers who see Kansas as homogenous place, but actually we score well in this regard. One of the most valuable examples of micro-level pluralism is distinct educational institutions--public and private, religious and secular--woven into the fabric of distinct communities. Kansas has a larger number and a greater variety of such institutions per capita than almost any other state. Which means Kansas communities, however much vicious fights between different Republican and Democratic factions seem to dominate the environment, is actually filled with hundreds of small educational and religious groups, motivated by diverse causes, interacting with one another in unnoticed, polarization-reducing ways.With the nation deeply divided, Kansas obviously can’t—and doesn’t—escape affective polarization entirely. But so long as Kansas recognizes the value of, and works to preserve, these and many other kinds of small and distinct local institutions, our civic divides will likely remain less deep, and more negotiable, than you might believe.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Defining, defeating, polarization in Kansas

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694183710222.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Hays student named to President's List at Southern New Hampshire University

RUSSELL - Russell calls for a mandatory reduction in water usage.Big Creek is one of the city’s two water sources. Big Creek has stopped flowing over the low head dam immediately downstream from the city’s intake structure, a benchmark for moving to Stage 2 Water Warning.

The following mandatory water conservation measures for use of potable water from the City’s municipal water supply system are in place until the water warning is terminated:

1. Waste of water is prohibited. This includes permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch, or other surface drain and also failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing; and,

2. No outdoor watering for residential or public grounds for gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, water gardens, plants, parks, golf courses, and playing fields is prohibited except for one day per calendar week, which shall be for each user be that property’s sanitation pickup day as designated by the city. Water on such days is permitted only before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. If a customer has multiple sanitation pick-up days in a week, then outdoor water shall be permitted on only the first sanitation pickup day of the week for such a customer; and,

3. Filling or refilling residential above and/or below-ground swimming pools is prohibited; and,

4. Washing of motor vehicles, boats, and trailers on a commercial or industrial property is prohibited except for commercial or industrial vehicles used in the operation of such business and as an ordinary and common practice to operate such business and except for the washing of vehicles at commercial truck and/or car washes; and,

5. Washing of the exterior of any building or structure on any grounds is prohibited; and,

6. Industrial and commercial users shall not water their lawns or non-commercial trees, shrubs, and plants. Trees, shrubs, and plats held for sale by commercial and retail sellers may be watered; and,

7. Industrial users of water are required to reduce their consumption to an amount equivalent to 85% of the average use for the prior five&nbsp; years for the month in question.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Stage 2 Water Emergency shall not restrict the use of city effluent water.

If you have any questions, please contact the city clerk’s office at 785-483-6311.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667324157171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of RussellRUSSELL - Russell calls for a mandatory reduction in water usage.Big Creek is one of the city’s two water sources. Big Creek has stopped flowing over the low head dam immediately downstream from the city’s intake structure, a benchmark for moving to Stage 2 Water Warning.The following mandatory water conservation measures for use of potable water from the City’s municipal water supply system are in place until the water warning is terminated:1. Waste of water is prohibited. This includes permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch, or other surface drain and also failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing; and,2. No outdoor watering for residential or public grounds for gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, water gardens, plants, parks, golf courses, and playing fields is prohibited except for one day per calendar week, which shall be for each user be that property’s sanitation pickup day as designated by the city. Water on such days is permitted only before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. If a customer has multiple sanitation pick-up days in a week, then outdoor water shall be permitted on only the first sanitation pickup day of the week for such a customer; and,3. Filling or refilling residential above and/or below-ground swimming pools is prohibited; and,4. Washing of motor vehicles, boats, and trailers on a commercial or industrial property is prohibited except for commercial or industrial vehicles used in the operation of such business and as an ordinary and common practice to operate such business and except for the washing of vehicles at commercial truck and/or car washes; and,5. Washing of the exterior of any building or structure on any grounds is prohibited; and,6. Industrial and commercial users shall not water their lawns or non-commercial trees, shrubs, and plants. Trees, shrubs, and plats held for sale by commercial and retail sellers may be watered; and,7. Industrial users of water are required to reduce their consumption to an amount equivalent to 85% of the average use for the prior five&nbsp; years for the month in question.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Stage 2 Water Emergency shall not restrict the use of city effluent water.If you have any questions, please contact the city clerk’s office at 785-483-6311.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russell issues Stage 2 water warning, mandatory reduction in water use

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd489.com/" target="_blank">USD 489 Virtual School</a> lead instructor Sondra Hickert discusses the start of the school year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="USD 489 Virtual School year begins" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:450px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ywspv-149ea23-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd489.com/" target="_blank">USD 489 Virtual School</a> lead instructor Sondra Hickert discusses the start of the school year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: USD 489 Virtual School year begins

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place Aug. 23 in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District Three — Northwest&nbsp;

Ellis –&nbsp;255-26 KA-7104-01 – K-255, from the beginning of route north to I-70/K-255 junction, milling and overlay, 1.2 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $414,150.60.&nbsp;

Graham –&nbsp;283-33 KA-7105-01 – U.S. 283, from 2.7 miles north of the Graham/Trego county line north to the U.S. 24/U.S. 283 junction, sealing, 13.7 miles, Dustrol Inc., Towanda, Kansas, $2,160,215.17.&nbsp;

Phillips –&nbsp;74-C 5130-01 - Phillips County, all major collectors, minor collectors and local roads west of U.S. 183, signing, 156 miles, KOMO Construction LLC / DBA A&amp;H Co., $481,817.00.&nbsp;

The following projects were also approved from the July 19, 2023, letting.&nbsp;

Rawlins&nbsp;- 77 C 5134-01 - Major collector routes, east of K-25 in Rawlins County, signing, 121.9 miles, Signs Up LTD Haren’s Trees and Critters, Webster City, Iowa, $498,471.48&nbsp;

Wichita ‑&nbsp;25‑102 KA‑6444‑01 ‑ K‑25, from 0.03 mile north of K‑96 to I Street, pavement reconstruction, 0.1 mile, Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc., La Crosse, Kansas, $472,692.02.&nbsp;

Hodgeman ‑&nbsp;156‑42 KA‑7003‑01 ‑ K‑156, from the Finney/Hodgeman county line, east to Road 214, sealing, 14.6 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $689,668.00.&nbsp;

Scott ‑&nbsp;95‑86 KA‑6996‑01 ‑ K‑95, from the U.S. 83/K‑95 south junction north to the U.S 83/K‑95 north junction, sealing, 6.6 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $383,363.69.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694096612198.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>KDOT TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place Aug. 23 in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.Approved bids include:District Three — Northwest&nbsp;Ellis –&nbsp;255-26 KA-7104-01 – K-255, from the beginning of route north to I-70/K-255 junction, milling and overlay, 1.2 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $414,150.60.&nbsp;Graham –&nbsp;283-33 KA-7105-01 – U.S. 283, from 2.7 miles north of the Graham/Trego county line north to the U.S. 24/U.S. 283 junction, sealing, 13.7 miles, Dustrol Inc., Towanda, Kansas, $2,160,215.17.&nbsp;Phillips –&nbsp;74-C 5130-01 - Phillips County, all major collectors, minor collectors and local roads west of U.S. 183, signing, 156 miles, KOMO Construction LLC / DBA A&amp;H Co., $481,817.00.&nbsp;The following projects were also approved from the July 19, 2023, letting.&nbsp;Rawlins&nbsp;- 77 C 5134-01 - Major collector routes, east of K-25 in Rawlins County, signing, 121.9 miles, Signs Up LTD Haren’s Trees and Critters, Webster City, Iowa, $498,471.48&nbsp;Wichita ‑&nbsp;25‑102 KA‑6444‑01 ‑ K‑25, from 0.03 mile north of K‑96 to I Street, pavement reconstruction, 0.1 mile, Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc., La Crosse, Kansas, $472,692.02.&nbsp;Hodgeman ‑&nbsp;156‑42 KA‑7003‑01 ‑ K‑156, from the Finney/Hodgeman county line, east to Road 214, sealing, 14.6 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $689,668.00.&nbsp;Scott ‑&nbsp;95‑86 KA‑6996‑01 ‑ K‑95, from the U.S. 83/K‑95 south junction north to the U.S 83/K‑95 north junction, sealing, 6.6 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $383,363.69.&nbsp;

KDOT announces approved August bids in northwest Kansas

I recently had a conversation with a retired farmer, and he commented that his fields seem to have more runoff and water erosion then he’s ever seen in the past 40 years he farmed the ground. He went on to say that this climate change thing everyone is talking about might be the cause of getting these heavier rainfall events that the soil just can’t absorb. 

Not wanting to offend my friend I half-heartly agreed with him even though I knew there was more to the story. What wasn’t mentioned during the conversation was that his current tenant, like he did for the last forty years, is using a very intense tillage system with long periods of fallow. My suspicion is this likely is the main contributing factor to the runoff and erosion issue.

Soil water infiltration is influenced by several things. Different soil types can make a big difference. Water will move more quickly through a sandy soil, where there are large pore spaces, than in a clay soil where pore spaces can be very small, especially in degraded soil that has no structure or aggregation. On the other hand, clay soil tends to shrink and crack when they dry, which allows a direct conduit for water to enter the soils. 

But how the soil is managed also plays a big role in how much water infiltrates into the soil.

Keeping the soil covered, either with crop residue from the previous crop, or with a crop canopy helps with infiltration by reducing the direct impact of the raindrop. 

If the raindrop hits the soil directly it tends to dislodge and break down soil particles which leads to the soil surface crusting and seals it off, which doesn’t allow any additional water to soak in. If there is something to intercept the rain drop, like residue or canopy, this will slow the rain drop down and reduce the force of the impact to the soil surface. This allows more water to enter the soil before it begins to runoff. Keeping the soil covered also helps with evaporation losses, which in our part of the world is a huge water loss.

Having stable soil aggregates also plays a key role in water infiltration. A soil aggregate is basically a bunch of individual soil particles of sand, silt and clay being held together by what I call biological glues. These glues are produced and secreted by soil microbes that live in the soil. These microbes rely on a living plant for their livelihood, so when a field is fallowed for a long period of time microbial life in the soil is significantly decreased. 

Excessive tillage can also be detrimental to beneficial soil microbes. If it doesn’t just kill them outright it will certainly destroy the habitat that they live in.

Soils with good aggregate stability, provide bunches of pore space for water to enter and be held in the soil. Kind of like the difference one jar filled with gravel and another one filled with&nbsp;clay. The jar that has the gravel will hold a lot more water because the larger and more abundant pore spaces.

So how do we increase infiltration rates? The short answer is to reduce tillage and shorten fallow periods the extent that the climate will allow.

 I understand this is a hard sell in western Kansas on dryland cropping systems, and even more so when we are in the middle of a prolonged drought. But if the weather and weed pressure allows an opportunity to shorten up the fallow period by slipping a cash or cover crop in the rotation, or if a tillage pass or two could be eliminated, it would certainly increase the opportunity to capture more water in the soil.

For more information about this or other soil health practices you can contact me at dale.younker@ks.usda.gov or any local NRCS office.

Dale Younker is a&nbsp;soil health specialist at the&nbsp;Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628525048992.jpeg" alt="Dale Younker&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Dale Younker&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>I recently had a conversation with a retired farmer, and he commented that his fields seem to have more runoff and water erosion then he’s ever seen in the past 40 years he farmed the ground. He went on to say that this climate change thing everyone is talking about might be the cause of getting these heavier rainfall events that the soil just can’t absorb. Not wanting to offend my friend I half-heartly agreed with him even though I knew there was more to the story. What wasn’t mentioned during the conversation was that his current tenant, like he did for the last forty years, is using a very intense tillage system with long periods of fallow. My suspicion is this likely is the main contributing factor to the runoff and erosion issue.Soil water infiltration is influenced by several things. Different soil types can make a big difference. Water will move more quickly through a sandy soil, where there are large pore spaces, than in a clay soil where pore spaces can be very small, especially in degraded soil that has no structure or aggregation. On the other hand, clay soil tends to shrink and crack when they dry, which allows a direct conduit for water to enter the soils. But how the soil is managed also plays a big role in how much water infiltrates into the soil.Keeping the soil covered, either with crop residue from the previous crop, or with a crop canopy helps with infiltration by reducing the direct impact of the raindrop. If the raindrop hits the soil directly it tends to dislodge and break down soil particles which leads to the soil surface crusting and seals it off, which doesn’t allow any additional water to soak in. If there is something to intercept the rain drop, like residue or canopy, this will slow the rain drop down and reduce the force of the impact to the soil surface. This allows more water to enter the soil before it begins to runoff. Keeping the soil covered also helps with evaporation losses, which in our part of the world is a huge water loss.Having stable soil aggregates also plays a key role in water infiltration. A soil aggregate is basically a bunch of individual soil particles of sand, silt and clay being held together by what I call biological glues. These glues are produced and secreted by soil microbes that live in the soil. These microbes rely on a living plant for their livelihood, so when a field is fallowed for a long period of time microbial life in the soil is significantly decreased. Excessive tillage can also be detrimental to beneficial soil microbes. If it doesn’t just kill them outright it will certainly destroy the habitat that they live in.Soils with good aggregate stability, provide bunches of pore space for water to enter and be held in the soil. Kind of like the difference one jar filled with gravel and another one filled with&nbsp;clay. The jar that has the gravel will hold a lot more water because the larger and more abundant pore spaces.So how do we increase infiltration rates? The short answer is to reduce tillage and shorten fallow periods the extent that the climate will allow. I understand this is a hard sell in western Kansas on dryland cropping systems, and even more so when we are in the middle of a prolonged drought. But if the weather and weed pressure allows an opportunity to shorten up the fallow period by slipping a cash or cover crop in the rotation, or if a tillage pass or two could be eliminated, it would certainly increase the opportunity to capture more water in the soil.For more information about this or other soil health practices you can contact me at dale.younker@ks.usda.gov or any local NRCS office.Dale Younker is a&nbsp;soil health specialist at the&nbsp;Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.

YOUNKER: Increasing water infiltration rates on our soils

Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. seated Richard Jennison as one of its 12 directors on August 16. Jennison succeeds Paul Seib as a Sunflower board representative for Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Dighton. Seib recently retired after serving 44 years on the Sunflower Board of Directors.

Each of Sunflower’s six member cooperatives—Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Victory Electric Cooperative, Western Cooperative Electric, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, and Prairie Land Electric Cooperative—has two representatives elected by local distribution cooperative members. Sunflower’s board meets monthly to strategize on the current and future operation of Sunflower and the best approaches to continue providing its members with reliable wholesale energy at the lowest possible cost.

Jennison has been a member of the Lane-Scott Board of Trustees for 41 years, serving as president for 14 years and vice president for 25 years.

“Paul left some large shoes to fill, and I am honored to have been chosen to succeed him,” Jennison said. A lifelong resident of rural Healy in Lane County, he graduated from Healy High School and Kansas State University.

Jennison and his wife, Diana, have three children.

About Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, established in 1957, is a regional wholesale generation and transmission supplier dedicated to serving its members by providing reliable power at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business and cooperative practices.

Sunflower’s member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Inc., Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc., Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc., Norton; The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, Inc., WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., Scott City, Kan. Southern Pioneer Electric Company, Ulysses, is also a member of Sunflower.

For more information, visit sunflower.net.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694011734795.jpeg" alt="Richard Jennison (Courtesy Sunflower Electric)" />
 <figcaption>Richard Jennison (Courtesy Sunflower Electric)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sunflower ElectricHays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. seated Richard Jennison as one of its 12 directors on August 16. Jennison succeeds Paul Seib as a Sunflower board representative for Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Dighton. Seib recently retired after serving 44 years on the Sunflower Board of Directors.Each of Sunflower’s six member cooperatives—Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Victory Electric Cooperative, Western Cooperative Electric, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, and Prairie Land Electric Cooperative—has two representatives elected by local distribution cooperative members. Sunflower’s board meets monthly to strategize on the current and future operation of Sunflower and the best approaches to continue providing its members with reliable wholesale energy at the lowest possible cost.Jennison has been a member of the Lane-Scott Board of Trustees for 41 years, serving as president for 14 years and vice president for 25 years.“Paul left some large shoes to fill, and I am honored to have been chosen to succeed him,” Jennison said. A lifelong resident of rural Healy in Lane County, he graduated from Healy High School and Kansas State University.Jennison and his wife, Diana, have three children.About Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, established in 1957, is a regional wholesale generation and transmission supplier dedicated to serving its members by providing reliable power at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business and cooperative practices.Sunflower’s member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Inc., Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc., Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc., Norton; The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, Inc., WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., Scott City, Kan. Southern Pioneer Electric Company, Ulysses, is also a member of Sunflower. For more information, visit sunflower.net.

Richard Jennison new to Sunflower Electric Power Corp. board of directors

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

Oakley Gun, Coin and Knife show set for Sept. 16-17

WICHITA - Wichita State University conferred 469 degrees to 438 students in summer 2023.&nbsp;Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude. 

At the undergraduate level, there were 220 degrees and certificates conferred. At the graduate level, there were 249 degrees and certificates conferred.&nbsp;And of those earning a bachelor's degree, 57 were cum laude, 41 were magna cum laude, and eight summa cum laude. 

Blake Roth, Hays, received a doctor of philosophy degree in communication sciences and disorders.

<figure>
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 </figure>WSUWICHITA - Wichita State University conferred 469 degrees to 438 students in summer 2023.&nbsp;Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude. At the undergraduate level, there were 220 degrees and certificates conferred. At the graduate level, there were 249 degrees and certificates conferred.&nbsp;And of those earning a bachelor's degree, 57 were cum laude, 41 were magna cum laude, and eight summa cum laude. Blake Roth, Hays, received a doctor of philosophy degree in communication sciences and disorders.

Blake Roth of Hays earns doctorate degree from Wichita State University

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take the road for the first time Friday to take on the Ellis Railroaders.

You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; &nbsp;You can also listen to the Monarchs all season long on 99.5 KHAZ or online&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">HERE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take the road for the first time Friday to take on the Ellis Railroaders.You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/595453?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe>
</div>&nbsp; &nbsp;You can also listen to the Monarchs all season long on 99.5 KHAZ or online&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">HERE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈🎥 WATCH LIVE - Thomas More Prep-Marian at Ellis

The Hays High Indians are at home for the first time this season as they host the WAC rivals the Great Bend Panthers Friday at Lewis Field.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/595460">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.&nbsp; &nbsp;

You can also listen to the Indians all season long on 96.9 KFIX or online&nbsp;<a href="https://kfix.com/">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Hays High Indians are at home for the first time this season as they host the WAC rivals the Great Bend Panthers Friday at Lewis Field.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/595460">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.&nbsp; &nbsp;Kickoff set for 7 p.m.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/595460?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>You can also listen to the Indians all season long on 96.9 KFIX or online&nbsp;<a href="https://kfix.com/">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High Indians v Great Bend

The annual Frontier Open Disc Golf Tournament is today and Saturday at Frontier Park in Hays.

This is the 39th-annual tournament and the 40th year for the course at Frontier Park.

Hays is celebrating 90 years that Frontier Park has been designated for public use.

The tournament has about 180 competitors for the two-day event. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680189056313.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The annual Frontier Open Disc Golf Tournament is today and Saturday at Frontier Park in Hays.This is the 39th-annual tournament and the 40th year for the course at Frontier Park.Hays is celebrating 90 years that Frontier Park has been designated for public use.The tournament has about 180 competitors for the two-day event.

39th-annual disc golf tournament continues today in Hays

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

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

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 </figure>All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/arrests">Click here for past Hays Police Department arrest logs.</a>-------------------------------------------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694194447993.jpeg" alt="" />
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Hays Police Dept. arrest log, Aug. 27-Sept. 1

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with The Stop Trafficking Project founder Russ Tuttle.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694191437562.png" alt="" />
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 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Po4l1F14GTs?si=bHoTmPvWOyfJM5SY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with The Stop Trafficking Project founder Russ Tuttle.&nbsp;

🎤 Forward Ever: Stop Trafficking Project founder Russ Tuttle

The winner of the Keystone Light UTV is Perry Riebel from Russell.

The winner was drawn live at halftime of the Fort Hays State University football game Thursday night.

Riebel&nbsp;registered on June 21 at Fossil Station Convenience Store in Russell.  Perry outlasted 27 total finalists to be the LAST name pulled out of the bucket to win a beautiful Keystone Light UTV.

The Keystone Light UTV Giveaway was the summer promotion presented by A &amp; A Coors, Miller, Boulevard, and Keystone Light, Advantage Glass Plus, Hays Post and the Eagle Media Center in Hays.&nbsp;

There were 14 on-location broadcasts throughout the months of June, July, August and September.

From the 14 on-location broadcasts, there were 27 finalists selected. The average number of entries from each on-location broadcast was about 200.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694187620543.jpeg" alt="Coors representatives&nbsp;Corey Leiker,&nbsp;Brian Schmidt and&nbsp;Jimmy Smith with the Keystone UTV winner&nbsp;&nbsp;Perry Riebel from Russell (second from the left) Thursday night at the Fort Hays State University football game. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Coors representatives&nbsp;Corey Leiker,&nbsp;Brian Schmidt and&nbsp;Jimmy Smith with the Keystone UTV winner&nbsp;&nbsp;Perry Riebel from Russell (second from the left) Thursday night at the Fort Hays State University football game. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostThe winner of the Keystone Light UTV is Perry Riebel from Russell.The winner was drawn live at halftime of the Fort Hays State University football game Thursday night.Riebel&nbsp;registered on June 21 at Fossil Station Convenience Store in Russell. Perry outlasted 27 total finalists to be the LAST name pulled out of the bucket to win a beautiful Keystone Light UTV.The Keystone Light UTV Giveaway was the summer promotion presented by A &amp; A Coors, Miller, Boulevard, and Keystone Light, Advantage Glass Plus, Hays Post and the Eagle Media Center in Hays.&nbsp;There were 14 on-location broadcasts throughout the months of June, July, August and September.From the 14 on-location broadcasts, there were 27 finalists selected. The average number of entries from each on-location broadcast was about 200.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694188346585.jpeg" alt="Eagle programmer Mike Holiday announces the next person eliminated during the Keystone UTV drawing as the three remaining finalists look on. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Eagle programmer Mike Holiday announces the next person eliminated during the Keystone UTV drawing as the three remaining finalists look on. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694188602070.jpeg" alt="All the UTV finalists as they wait for the final drawing to begin Thursday night at the FHSU football game.&nbsp;Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>All the UTV finalists as they wait for the final drawing to begin Thursday night at the FHSU football game.&nbsp;Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
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Keystone UTV winner chosen at Thursday's FHSU game

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Kayla Taylor was 33 weeks pregnant when she lost her son, Mason, two years ago in June 2021.

"We went to a scheduled ultrasound, and he didn't have a heartbeat," she said.

His umbilical cord had become knotted, and he died in utero. She said she had good support through the delivery of the baby, but no community support existed after she and her husband left the hospital.

She finally found comfort in an organization in Nebraska.

The lack of services in Western Kansas for grieving families inspired her to found Mason's Mourning Light Foundation, which assists families who face infertility or the loss of a child from conception through infancy.

"We support women who've had miscarriages, especially early miscarriages," she said. "A lot of time, people don't have any support. It's just a day off of work. It's something they have to completely internalize."

The group sends comfort packages to families. These items are hand-selected to meet the family's needs. If the child who died has older siblings, the basket will include age-appropriate care items for those children. The group also has a father-to-father support system.

Mason's Mourning Light will assist with the funding of memorial items. This could include a memory bear, a registered star in the child's name, an urn or a headstone.

Taylor and her husband had necklace charms made from Mason's footprints—something that Taylor continues to wear and cherish.

Taylor said as the group grows, she would like to be able to help families with medical bills and funeral expenses.

"So as you're working through this grief, you're not having all of these logistical things that make it harder," Taylor said.

The foundation does not offer grief support groups. The Center for Life Experience in Hays already has a grief support group for people who have lost children of all ages. She said she did not want to duplicate services that already existed.

Healing Hearts&nbsp;meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the&nbsp;Center for Life Experience, 103 C East 27th, Hays. You can learn about this group on the <a href="https://www.cflehope.org/">Center for Life Experience website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterforLifeExperienceinc">Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;

Once you've lost a child, you are not as you were before, Taylor said.

"It's like you say goodbye to your life and start over," she said.&nbsp;

Taylor said she and her husband had good support from their friends and family as well as their employers, but she still felt lonely.

"It still felt like we were the only ones who had ever experienced this," she said. "That was one of my goals—to show people that, unfortunately, it is way more common. I wanted to help people through that."

About one in four families have lost a child, Taylor said.

"That number may seem really far even though it's a really big percentage," she said. "But when you put a name—a kid's name or a mom's name or a dad's name to that 1 in 4, you really do get that sense of community. You get that this is not just you or just them. It is everywhere."

She said she wanted people to have a place where they could talk about their children. When she went back to work, her co-workers who had children avoided her. They were afraid of hurting her.

Taylor has two other children, a 4-year-old and Mason's younger sibling, who just turned 1.

Her most recent pregnancy was filled with anxiety, especially when she had to have sonograms. If the baby wasn't moving, she was filled with dread that the baby had suffered the same fate as Mason. Knowing other families who have lost children helped her, she said.

Taylor and her family continue to memorialize Mason. On what would have been Mason's first birthday, her family made comfort boxes and donated them to HaysMed for families dealing with stillbirths.

"I don't think there is an amount of time that doesn't make it hard," she said. "I think if I was 90, it would still hurt."

Taylor offered advice for family and friends who may be offering comfort to a father or mother who is grieving the loss of a child.

She said actions speak louder than words.

"We got a lot of 'Let me know what you need,'" she said. "When you're grieving, you have no idea what you need. You just feel horrible."

She suggested talking about the child and helping the parents keep the child's memory alive.

"A nurse came in when I was in the hospital. I was looking at pictures of Mason. The funeral home had already taken him. She asked to look at baby pictures. That made such a huge difference because she cared about my baby," she said.

You can learn more about Mason's Mourning Light through its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091628208016">Facebook page</a>. The foundation can also be reached by phone at 785-365-9380 or by email at&nbsp;masonsmourninglight@gmail.com.

A form to request a comfort package is pinned to the top of the foundation's Facebook page. The foundation will be serving all of western Kansas—anyone who lives west of Salina. You can request a package for yourself or someone else.

The foundation will have a Hays Chamber ribbon cutting at noon Oct. 12 at the Hays Welcome Center.

The organization will accept monetary donations or you can choose an item from its Amazon wish list for its comfort packages at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693944710623.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostKayla Taylor was 33 weeks pregnant when she lost her son, Mason, two years ago in June 2021."We went to a scheduled ultrasound, and he didn't have a heartbeat," she said.His umbilical cord had become knotted, and he died in utero. She said she had good support through the delivery of the baby, but no community support existed after she and her husband left the hospital.She finally found comfort in an organization in Nebraska.The lack of services in Western Kansas for grieving families inspired her to found Mason's Mourning Light Foundation, which assists families who face infertility or the loss of a child from conception through infancy."We support women who've had miscarriages, especially early miscarriages," she said. "A lot of time, people don't have any support. It's just a day off of work. It's something they have to completely internalize."The group sends comfort packages to families. These items are hand-selected to meet the family's needs. If the child who died has older siblings, the basket will include age-appropriate care items for those children. The group also has a father-to-father support system.Mason's Mourning Light will assist with the funding of memorial items. This could include a memory bear, a registered star in the child's name, an urn or a headstone.Taylor and her husband had necklace charms made from Mason's footprints—something that Taylor continues to wear and cherish.Taylor said as the group grows, she would like to be able to help families with medical bills and funeral expenses."So as you're working through this grief, you're not having all of these logistical things that make it harder," Taylor said.The foundation does not offer grief support groups. The Center for Life Experience in Hays already has a grief support group for people who have lost children of all ages. She said she did not want to duplicate services that already existed.Healing Hearts&nbsp;meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the&nbsp;Center for Life Experience, 103 C East 27th, Hays. You can learn about this group on the <a href="https://www.cflehope.org/">Center for Life Experience website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterforLifeExperienceinc">Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;Once you've lost a child, you are not as you were before, Taylor said."It's like you say goodbye to your life and start over," she said.&nbsp;Taylor said she and her husband had good support from their friends and family as well as their employers, but she still felt lonely."It still felt like we were the only ones who had ever experienced this," she said. "That was one of my goals—to show people that, unfortunately, it is way more common. I wanted to help people through that."About one in four families have lost a child, Taylor said."That number may seem really far even though it's a really big percentage," she said. "But when you put a name—a kid's name or a mom's name or a dad's name to that 1 in 4, you really do get that sense of community. You get that this is not just you or just them. It is everywhere."She said she wanted people to have a place where they could talk about their children. When she went back to work, her co-workers who had children avoided her. They were afraid of hurting her.Taylor has two other children, a 4-year-old and Mason's younger sibling, who just turned 1.Her most recent pregnancy was filled with anxiety, especially when she had to have sonograms. If the baby wasn't moving, she was filled with dread that the baby had suffered the same fate as Mason. Knowing other families who have lost children helped her, she said.Taylor and her family continue to memorialize Mason. On what would have been Mason's first birthday, her family made comfort boxes and donated them to HaysMed for families dealing with stillbirths."I don't think there is an amount of time that doesn't make it hard," she said. "I think if I was 90, it would still hurt."Taylor offered advice for family and friends who may be offering comfort to a father or mother who is grieving the loss of a child.She said actions speak louder than words."We got a lot of 'Let me know what you need,'" she said. "When you're grieving, you have no idea what you need. You just feel horrible."She suggested talking about the child and helping the parents keep the child's memory alive."A nurse came in when I was in the hospital. I was looking at pictures of Mason. The funeral home had already taken him. She asked to look at baby pictures. That made such a huge difference because she cared about my baby," she said.You can learn more about Mason's Mourning Light through its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091628208016">Facebook page</a>. The foundation can also be reached by phone at 785-365-9380 or by email at&nbsp;masonsmourninglight@gmail.com.A form to request a comfort package is pinned to the top of the foundation's Facebook page. The foundation will be serving all of western Kansas—anyone who lives west of Salina. You can request a package for yourself or someone else.The foundation will have a Hays Chamber ribbon cutting at noon Oct. 12 at the Hays Welcome Center.The organization will accept monetary donations or you can choose an item from its Amazon wish list for its comfort packages at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693944677573.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>The organization also will have a Bowling Bingo fundraiser from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Centennial Lanes in Hays. The event will feature a silent auction, cash bar, prizes, a photo booth and bowling bingo contest.Instead of a bingo number like B4, you might bowl with your left hand or bowl a split.Individual tickets are $35. Corporate sponsors are $300.Checks can be mailed to the foundation at 4320 Vine St., Unit 80, PMB 323,&nbsp; Hays, KS 67601."We want families to be able to live a happy, healthy life while still missing one of their kids or sometimes multiple kids," she said.Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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