TREGO COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30a.m. Tuesday in Trego County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Richard E. Hubbard, 72, Hill City, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of the Ogallah exit.

The driver lost control in the rain. The pickup struck the guard rail, traveled up and over the guard rail, rotated towards the west and rolled.

EMS transported Hubbard to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

TREGO COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30a.m. Tuesday in Trego County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Richard E. Hubbard, 72, Hill City, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of the Ogallah exit.The driver lost control in the rain. The pickup struck the guard rail, traveled up and over the guard rail, rotated towards the west and rolled.EMS transported Hubbard to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas man hospitalized in Hays after I-70 accident

Hays Area Children's Center sets preschool open house, fundraiser for Friday

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

It's back-to-school time in Hays as summer starts to wind down and fall events start appearing on the calendar.

Melissa Dixon, executive director of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, has some highlights of the local activities during August.

The up-to-the-minute events calendar is online at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673100607004.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIt's back-to-school time in Hays as summer starts to wind down and fall events start appearing on the calendar.Melissa Dixon, executive director of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, has some highlights of the local activities during August.<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VT6fI6Cq-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Cvb August 2023" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690920306448.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The up-to-the-minute events calendar is online at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

🎥 Hays CVB: Community events during August

LAWRENCE — As a new space race heats up, two researchers from Kansas Geological Survey and their colleagues have proposed a new scientific subfield: planetary geoarchaeology, the study of how cultural and natural processes on Earth’s moon, on Mars, and across the solar system may be altering, preserving or destroying the material record of space exploration.

“Until recently, we might consider the material left behind during the space race of the mid-20th&nbsp;century as relatively safe,” said Justin Holcomb, postdoctoral researcher at Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, and lead author on a&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gea.21966">new paper</a>&nbsp;introducing the concept of planetary geoarchaeology in the journal Geoarchaeology. “However, the material record that currently exists on the moon is rapidly becoming at risk of being destroyed if proper attention isn’t paid during the new space era.”

Since the advent of space exploration, humans have launched more than 6,700 satellites and spacecraft from countries around the globe, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. The United States alone accounts for more than 4,500 civil, commercial, governmental and military satellites.

“We’re trying to draw attention to the preservation, study and documentation of space heritage because I do think there’s a risk to this heritage on the moon,” Holcomb said. 

“The United States is trying to get boots on the moon again, and China is as well. We’ve already had at least four countries accidentally crash into the moon recently. There are a lot of accidental crashes and not a lot of protections right now.”

Holcomb began considering the idea of planetary geoarchaeology during the COVID-19 lockdown. Applying geoarchaeological tools and methods to the movement of people into space and the solar system is a natural extension of the study of human migration on Earth, the focus of the ODYSSEY Archaeological Research Program housed at the KGS and directed by Holcomb’s co-author, Rolfe Mandel, KGS senior scientist and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology.

“Human migration out of Africa may have occurred as early as 150,000 years ago, and space travel represents the latest stage of that journey,” Mandel said. “Although the ODYSSEY program is focused on documenting the earliest evidence of people in the Americas, the next frontier for similar research will be in space.”

How planetary geoarchaeologists will determine whether an item is worth preserving is an open question.

“We feel that all material currently existing on extraterrestrial surfaces is space heritage and worthy of protection,” Holcomb said. “However, some sites, such as the very first footprints on the moon at Tranquility Base or the first lander on Mars, Viking 1, represent the material footprint of a long history of migration.”

Beyond those “firsts,” sifting through the hundreds of thousands of bits of material currently in orbit or strewn across the surfaces of the moon and Mars — what many call “trash” but Holcomb and his colleagues regard as heritage — will require case-by-case decision making.

“We have to make those decisions all the time with archaeological sites today,” Holcomb said. “The moon has such a limited record now that it’s totally possible to protect all of it. Certainly, we need to protect space heritage related to the Apollo missions, but other countries, too, deserve to have their records protected.”

With resources for protecting space heritage limited, Holcomb and his colleagues advocate for developing systems to track materials left in space.

“We should begin tracking our material record as it continues to expand, both to preserve the earliest record but also to keep a check on our impact on extraterrestrial environments,” he said. “It’s our job as anthropologists and archaeologists to bring issues of heritage to the forefront.”

Beyond the moon, Holcomb wants to see planetary geoarchaeology extend to issues related to exploration and migration to Mars. He points to NASA’s Spirit Rover as an example. The rover became stuck in Martian sand in 2008 and now risks being completely covered by encroaching sand dunes.

“As planetary geoarchaeologists, we can predict when the rover will be buried, talk about what will happen when it’s buried and make sure it’s well documented before it’s lost,” he said. “Planetary scientists are rightfully interested in successful missions, but they seldom think about the material left behind. That’s the way we can work with them.”

Holcomb believes geoarchaeologists should be included in future NASA missions to ensure the protection and safety of space heritage. Meanwhile, geoarchaeologists on Earth can lay the foundation for that work, including advocating for laws to protect and preserve space heritage, studying the effects extraterrestrial ecosystems have on items space missions leave behind and conducting international discussions regarding space heritage preservation and protection issues.

As for being part of a space mission himself?

“I’ll leave that to other geoarchaeologists,” Holcomb said. “There’s plenty to do down here, but I do hope to see an archaeologist in space before it’s all over.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://news.ku.edu/sites/news.ku.edu/files/images/general/2023_news/july/Holcomb%20-1.png" alt="Justin Holcomb (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Justin Holcomb (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By KU News ServiceLAWRENCE — As a new space race heats up, two researchers from Kansas Geological Survey and their colleagues have proposed a new scientific subfield: planetary geoarchaeology, the study of how cultural and natural processes on Earth’s moon, on Mars, and across the solar system may be altering, preserving or destroying the material record of space exploration.“Until recently, we might consider the material left behind during the space race of the mid-20th&nbsp;century as relatively safe,” said Justin Holcomb, postdoctoral researcher at Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, and lead author on a&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gea.21966">new paper</a>&nbsp;introducing the concept of planetary geoarchaeology in the journal Geoarchaeology. “However, the material record that currently exists on the moon is rapidly becoming at risk of being destroyed if proper attention isn’t paid during the new space era.”Since the advent of space exploration, humans have launched more than 6,700 satellites and spacecraft from countries around the globe, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. The United States alone accounts for more than 4,500 civil, commercial, governmental and military satellites.“We’re trying to draw attention to the preservation, study and documentation of space heritage because I do think there’s a risk to this heritage on the moon,” Holcomb said. “The United States is trying to get boots on the moon again, and China is as well. We’ve already had at least four countries accidentally crash into the moon recently. There are a lot of accidental crashes and not a lot of protections right now.”Holcomb began considering the idea of planetary geoarchaeology during the COVID-19 lockdown. Applying geoarchaeological tools and methods to the movement of people into space and the solar system is a natural extension of the study of human migration on Earth, the focus of the ODYSSEY Archaeological Research Program housed at the KGS and directed by Holcomb’s co-author, Rolfe Mandel, KGS senior scientist and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology.“Human migration out of Africa may have occurred as early as 150,000 years ago, and space travel represents the latest stage of that journey,” Mandel said. “Although the ODYSSEY program is focused on documenting the earliest evidence of people in the Americas, the next frontier for similar research will be in space.”How planetary geoarchaeologists will determine whether an item is worth preserving is an open question.“We feel that all material currently existing on extraterrestrial surfaces is space heritage and worthy of protection,” Holcomb said. “However, some sites, such as the very first footprints on the moon at Tranquility Base or the first lander on Mars, Viking 1, represent the material footprint of a long history of migration.”Beyond those “firsts,” sifting through the hundreds of thousands of bits of material currently in orbit or strewn across the surfaces of the moon and Mars — what many call “trash” but Holcomb and his colleagues regard as heritage — will require case-by-case decision making.“We have to make those decisions all the time with archaeological sites today,” Holcomb said. “The moon has such a limited record now that it’s totally possible to protect all of it. Certainly, we need to protect space heritage related to the Apollo missions, but other countries, too, deserve to have their records protected.”With resources for protecting space heritage limited, Holcomb and his colleagues advocate for developing systems to track materials left in space.“We should begin tracking our material record as it continues to expand, both to preserve the earliest record but also to keep a check on our impact on extraterrestrial environments,” he said. “It’s our job as anthropologists and archaeologists to bring issues of heritage to the forefront.”Beyond the moon, Holcomb wants to see planetary geoarchaeology extend to issues related to exploration and migration to Mars. He points to NASA’s Spirit Rover as an example. The rover became stuck in Martian sand in 2008 and now risks being completely covered by encroaching sand dunes.“As planetary geoarchaeologists, we can predict when the rover will be buried, talk about what will happen when it’s buried and make sure it’s well documented before it’s lost,” he said. “Planetary scientists are rightfully interested in successful missions, but they seldom think about the material left behind. That’s the way we can work with them.”Holcomb believes geoarchaeologists should be included in future NASA missions to ensure the protection and safety of space heritage. Meanwhile, geoarchaeologists on Earth can lay the foundation for that work, including advocating for laws to protect and preserve space heritage, studying the effects extraterrestrial ecosystems have on items space missions leave behind and conducting international discussions regarding space heritage preservation and protection issues.As for being part of a space mission himself?“I’ll leave that to other geoarchaeologists,” Holcomb said. “There’s plenty to do down here, but I do hope to see an archaeologist in space before it’s all over.”

In space race, Kansas researchers propose new scientific subfield of planetary geoarchaeology

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

As Ellis County officials continue to work to transform the
county’s dispatch center into one of the most state-of-the-art in the region, they hope that one
of the next proposed changes goes unnoticed by the public.

The Ellis County Dispatch Center is a joint effort
by the city of Hays and Ellis County. The county owns the equipment, and the
city employs the 14 staff members who work at the emergency
dispatch center.

Ellis County Commissioner Michael Berges said through the
budgeting process Ellis County is preparing to take on those 14 employees during the next three years. 

“That'll be over a million dollars worth of employee benefits
and salaries,” Berges said. “So, we’re working with the city commissioners
(and) the dispatch employees to get that moved forward for January.”

The county has used federal COVID relief funds, both American
Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds to help pay for the significant improvements to the dispatch
center over the last two years.

County Administrator and Fire Chief Darin Myers has helped
to lead the implantation of the new system.

“We've made some pretty significant investments into the
dispatch center to include a new computer-aided dispatch system and records
management system that houses all that data,” Myers said.

Emergency vehicles now have mobile data terminals that allow dispatch to send information directly to those vehicles through the
new interface. They are working to implement all of the new technologies
available through the new system.

Myers said the possibility of a change has been discussed
for several years.

“This has actually been talked about for 10-20 years since
I've been in service,” Myers said. “I started with Hays Fire in 2001, and it was
talked about clear back then what this might look like in the future.”

Myers added with the possible relocation of the Hays
Police Department from 105 W. 12th St. to Main Street, there
will be a lot more room to accommodate the changes.

Berges said it will create a new communications department
with the county.

“It's communications departments. We're adding essentially a
new department. It's not under the sheriff and in the police (or) the sheriff's
department in the jail. It'll be its own department,” Berges said.

As part of the improvements, the county approved the installation
of a new communications tower north of Hays in an area where communication was spotty.

“That was one of the big deficiencies that we saw on that
for county fire was lack of radio communications,” Myers said. 

County officials are also working on a backup dispatch center
that will be used in the event of a disruption in services. Currently, emergency calls are covered by another
county when dispatch is experiencing issues. 

“That way if something ever does happen at one facility, we
have a facility here we don't have to transfer 911 calls or put that burden on
a different county dispatch system,” Myers said.

Myers said they plan to use federal&nbsp;American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase that
equipment. They plan to have a proposal put together later this year. 

Dispatch and the future of the law enforcement are
expected to be topics of discussion at a joint Ellis County and Hays City
Commission meeting later this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618360389918.jpeg" alt="Hays Police Department Dispatch Center. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Hays Police Department Dispatch Center. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostAs Ellis County officials continue to work to transform the
county’s dispatch center into one of the most state-of-the-art in the region, they hope that one
of the next proposed changes goes unnoticed by the public.The Ellis County Dispatch Center is a joint effort
by the city of Hays and Ellis County. The county owns the equipment, and the
city employs the 14 staff members who work at the emergency
dispatch center.Ellis County Commissioner Michael Berges said through the
budgeting process Ellis County is preparing to take on those 14 employees during the next three years. “That'll be over a million dollars worth of employee benefits
and salaries,” Berges said. “So, we’re working with the city commissioners
(and) the dispatch employees to get that moved forward for January.”The county has used federal COVID relief funds, both American
Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds to help pay for the significant improvements to the dispatch
center over the last two years.County Administrator and Fire Chief Darin Myers has helped
to lead the implantation of the new system.“We've made some pretty significant investments into the
dispatch center to include a new computer-aided dispatch system and records
management system that houses all that data,” Myers said.Emergency vehicles now have mobile data terminals that allow dispatch to send information directly to those vehicles through the
new interface. They are working to implement all of the new technologies
available through the new system.Myers said the possibility of a change has been discussed
for several years.“This has actually been talked about for 10-20 years since
I've been in service,” Myers said. “I started with Hays Fire in 2001, and it was
talked about clear back then what this might look like in the future.”Myers added with the possible relocation of the Hays
Police Department from 105 W. 12th St. to Main Street, there
will be a lot more room to accommodate the changes.Berges said it will create a new communications department
with the county.“It's communications departments. We're adding essentially a
new department. It's not under the sheriff and in the police (or) the sheriff's
department in the jail. It'll be its own department,” Berges said.As part of the improvements, the county approved the installation
of a new communications tower north of Hays in an area where communication was spotty.“That was one of the big deficiencies that we saw on that
for county fire was lack of radio communications,” Myers said. County officials are also working on a backup dispatch center
that will be used in the event of a disruption in services. Currently, emergency calls are covered by another
county when dispatch is experiencing issues. “That way if something ever does happen at one facility, we
have a facility here we don't have to transfer 911 calls or put that burden on
a different county dispatch system,” Myers said.Myers said they plan to use federal&nbsp;American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase that
equipment. They plan to have a proposal put together later this year. Dispatch and the future of the law enforcement are
expected to be topics of discussion at a joint Ellis County and Hays City
Commission meeting later this year.

County preparing to take over dispatch communications center

BELOIT - Students from NCK Tech Beloit’s Welding program took home the silver medal at the National Skills USA welding fabrication competition held in Atlanta, GA, on June 19-23, 2023. 

To qualify for the national contest, students must take first place at their respective state competition held in the spring.

The welding fabrication team consisted of three students that worked cooperatively to complete a project from blueprints using SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW / OFC and PAC welding and cutting processes. 

The team members were Brayden Doughman, Canton, Hunter Teasley, Pratt, and Josh Uhland, Logan.

Skills utilized included oxy-fuel cutting, welding in all positions, mathematics, layout, drilling, finishing, and the ability to adapt to alterations and stresses in the production environment.

In addition to the team events, Evan Claassen, Whitewater, represented Kansas and NCK Tech in the individual welding competition. 

During the competition, participants receive drawings and a set of welding procedure specifications that conform to the latest edition of the American Welding Society standards. At a series of stations, competitors are tested on various aspects of welding, including: measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges, and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes. Welding processes used include, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), shielded metal arc (SMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) on an aluminum project. 

Special thanks to our supporters and business and industry partners that make it possible for our students to compete at the state and national competitions. Technical education is the backbone of the American economy, it provides students with limitless opportunities to put their skills to work. 

All four students were hired immediately upon graduating.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690213192528.jpeg" alt="NCKTech Beloit welding students Brayden Doughman, Hunter Teasley, Josh Uhland. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>NCKTech Beloit welding students Brayden Doughman, Hunter Teasley, Josh Uhland. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NCKTCBELOIT - Students from NCK Tech Beloit’s Welding program took home the silver medal at the National Skills USA welding fabrication competition held in Atlanta, GA, on June 19-23, 2023. To qualify for the national contest, students must take first place at their respective state competition held in the spring.The welding fabrication team consisted of three students that worked cooperatively to complete a project from blueprints using SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW / OFC and PAC welding and cutting processes. The team members were Brayden Doughman, Canton, Hunter Teasley, Pratt, and Josh Uhland, Logan. Skills utilized included oxy-fuel cutting, welding in all positions, mathematics, layout, drilling, finishing, and the ability to adapt to alterations and stresses in the production environment.In addition to the team events, Evan Claassen, Whitewater, represented Kansas and NCK Tech in the individual welding competition. During the competition, participants receive drawings and a set of welding procedure specifications that conform to the latest edition of the American Welding Society standards. At a series of stations, competitors are tested on various aspects of welding, including: measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges, and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes. Welding processes used include, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), shielded metal arc (SMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) on an aluminum project. Claassen placed 11th in the nation.Special thanks to our supporters and business and industry partners that make it possible for our students to compete at the state and national competitions. Technical education is the backbone of the American economy, it provides students with limitless opportunities to put their skills to work. All four students were hired immediately upon graduating.

Logan student on NCKTC team that wins silver medal at national welding competition    

HaysMed, the leading healthcare provider in Hays proudly announces its recent achievement of a three-year term of reaccreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the American College of Radiology (ACR). This recognition underscores HaysMed's commitment to delivering superior patient care and maintaining the highest standards in medical imaging.

MRI, a non-invasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to generate detailed images of internal body parts, plays a crucial role in aiding physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions. 

HaysMed's MRI program has received accreditation at both the hospital MRI and the MRI at the Orthopedic Clinic, ensuring exceptional imaging capabilities for both adult and pediatric patients.

The HaysMed Imaging Department plays a pivotal role in accurately imaging, interpreting images, and diagnosing patients, offering a comprehensive range of services for both adult and pediatric cases. The department is staffed by experienced radiologists and certified, licensed radiology technologists who demonstrate expertise in their respective fields.

The ACR Gold Seal of Accreditation represents the pinnacle of image quality and patient safety standards. 

It is bestowed only upon facilities that meet ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards, following a meticulous peer-review evaluation conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Factors such as image quality, personnel qualifications, equipment adequacy, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are rigorously assessed. The findings are then reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, providing a comprehensive report to support continuous practice improvement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690899034766.jpeg" alt="Front row:&nbsp;Tania Deets, Riana Bates. Back row:&nbsp;Meghan Brown, Amy Feldt, Christy Gillogly, Chad Heslet. Photo by HaysMed" />
 <figcaption>Front row:&nbsp;Tania Deets, Riana Bates. Back row:&nbsp;Meghan Brown, Amy Feldt, Christy Gillogly, Chad Heslet. Photo by HaysMed</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMed&nbsp;HaysMed, the leading healthcare provider in Hays proudly announces its recent achievement of a three-year term of reaccreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the American College of Radiology (ACR). This recognition underscores HaysMed's commitment to delivering superior patient care and maintaining the highest standards in medical imaging.MRI, a non-invasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to generate detailed images of internal body parts, plays a crucial role in aiding physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions. HaysMed's MRI program has received accreditation at both the hospital MRI and the MRI at the Orthopedic Clinic, ensuring exceptional imaging capabilities for both adult and pediatric patients.The HaysMed Imaging Department plays a pivotal role in accurately imaging, interpreting images, and diagnosing patients, offering a comprehensive range of services for both adult and pediatric cases. The department is staffed by experienced radiologists and certified, licensed radiology technologists who demonstrate expertise in their respective fields.The ACR Gold Seal of Accreditation represents the pinnacle of image quality and patient safety standards. It is bestowed only upon facilities that meet ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards, following a meticulous peer-review evaluation conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Factors such as image quality, personnel qualifications, equipment adequacy, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are rigorously assessed. The findings are then reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, providing a comprehensive report to support continuous practice improvement.

HaysMed reaccredited in magnetic resonance imaging from the American College of Radiology 

WAKEENEY - Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc.&nbsp;is pleased to announce they have received a $115,000 tax credit allocation&nbsp;in Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce. 

The available tax credits will be used to enhance fundraising efforts for&nbsp;the "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project."

CSP is a popular program for Kansas nonprofits and public healthcare entities taking on major capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and youth technical training and health care. 

Awarded nonprofits were chosen through a competitive application process. 

State tax credits reduce the total amount of taxes owed to the state. They are a way for taxpayers to substantially reduce the cost of contributing to&nbsp;Trego County through Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation.

These are your tax dollars; let's put them to work at home for the improvements to healthcare in Trego County.

Many of the construction/building items, and improvements are necessary.&nbsp; Some could have been done years ago. They weren't, but will be now.&nbsp; 

Boilers, HVAC, ventilation are all items that even specs have changed on over the years.&nbsp; Technology, security, and patient rooms bring us into this century and prepare us for years to come.&nbsp; 

Making improvements to existing healthcare, also gives us the ability to improve ourselves, and tap into valuable resources.

Businesses and individuals subject to Kansas income tax are eligible to receive a tax credit through this program. 

Donors giving at least $250 to&nbsp;Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc. "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project"&nbsp;may qualify for a&nbsp;(70%/50%)&nbsp;tax credit. For example, a donor making a $1,000 gift receives a&nbsp;($700/$500)&nbsp;tax credit when they file their state taxes, making the net cost to the donor only&nbsp;($300/$500).

“CSP amplifies the mission of awarded community service organizations and their projects by encouraging donations through the benefit of state tax credits,” said Kayla Savage, director of the Community Development Division. 

“When you donate to an awarded CSP project, you have the opportunity to support a project and receive a state tax credit to reduce your taxable income.”

If you or your business are interested in donating to Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc. "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project," please reach out to Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc., 236 N. 6th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672 or call 785-743-2070.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690388420935.jpeg" alt="Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedWAKEENEY - Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc.&nbsp;is pleased to announce they have received a $115,000 tax credit allocation&nbsp;in Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The available tax credits will be used to enhance fundraising efforts for&nbsp;the "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project."CSP is a popular program for Kansas nonprofits and public healthcare entities taking on major capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and youth technical training and health care. Awarded nonprofits were chosen through a competitive application process. State tax credits reduce the total amount of taxes owed to the state. They are a way for taxpayers to substantially reduce the cost of contributing to&nbsp;Trego County through Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation.These are your tax dollars; let's put them to work at home for the improvements to healthcare in Trego County.Many of the construction/building items, and improvements are necessary.&nbsp; Some could have been done years ago. They weren't, but will be now.&nbsp; Boilers, HVAC, ventilation are all items that even specs have changed on over the years.&nbsp; Technology, security, and patient rooms bring us into this century and prepare us for years to come.&nbsp; Making improvements to existing healthcare, also gives us the ability to improve ourselves, and tap into valuable resources.Businesses and individuals subject to Kansas income tax are eligible to receive a tax credit through this program. Donors giving at least $250 to&nbsp;Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc. "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project"&nbsp;may qualify for a&nbsp;(70%/50%)&nbsp;tax credit. For example, a donor making a $1,000 gift receives a&nbsp;($700/$500)&nbsp;tax credit when they file their state taxes, making the net cost to the donor only&nbsp;($300/$500).“CSP amplifies the mission of awarded community service organizations and their projects by encouraging donations through the benefit of state tax credits,” said Kayla Savage, director of the Community Development Division. “When you donate to an awarded CSP project, you have the opportunity to support a project and receive a state tax credit to reduce your taxable income.”If you or your business are interested in donating to Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc. "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project," please reach out to Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc., 236 N. 6th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672 or call 785-743-2070.&nbsp;

WaKeeney hospital renovation project eligible for state tax credit donations 

<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/2023/8/1690910684377.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

🎥 Green and Growing: Strawberries

The Graham County Fair continues tonight and Wednesday with more of the Jayhawker Roundup Rodeo.&nbsp;

Muttin' bustin' starts at 6 p.m. The rodeo will start at 8 p.m. followed by D Bar's Wittle Buckers and Bull Fighting. Jimmy Dee will provide live music at 10 p.m.

Kids' games and a mechanical bull will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

A free barbecue will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday with more rodeo to follow.

Music will be 3 X 7 at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

See the flyer below for a complete schedule. You also can follow the fair on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083138720862&amp;mibextid=LQQJ4d">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

Photos and video by Joe Lohmeyer/Hays Post

<div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4u8N-UDstug" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Hays PostThe Graham County Fair continues tonight and Wednesday with more of the Jayhawker Roundup Rodeo.&nbsp;Muttin' bustin' starts at 6 p.m. The rodeo will start at 8 p.m. followed by D Bar's Wittle Buckers and Bull Fighting. Jimmy Dee will provide live music at 10 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690908173506.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kids' games and a mechanical bull will be from 6 to 8 p.m.A free barbecue will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday with more rodeo to follow.Music will be 3 X 7 at 10 p.m. Wednesday.See the flyer below for a complete schedule. You also can follow the fair on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083138720862&amp;mibextid=LQQJ4d">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
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 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O35Ipgyb3OE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><figure>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690908399745.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>Photos and video by Joe Lohmeyer/Hays Post

🎥 Graham County Fair in photos; more fun tonight, Wednesday

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., asked for a quick update and tour Friday afternoon of the growth at the <a href="https://www.firstcareclinic.com/">First Care Clinic</a> in downtown Hays since he was last there.

That was more than a year ago, and there's been a lot of growth since then.

CEO Eric Flax and key staff members talked about the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/863220a0-e21e-4501-80bb-42e5802e82b5">newly opened Express Care</a> in its home at 1301 Main St. and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/db133474-6b2a-4bb4-96aa-175a62bbb50e">new pharmacy</a> expected to open within a couple of months.

The pharmacy will offer medication at reduced costs for the uninsured and underinsured under the federal <a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa">340B drug pricing program</a>, Flax said.

"There's just a handful of us who are working to figure out how we ensure that 340B remains a valuable tool for health care providers and their patients," Moran said. "Community health centers have been a valuable part of that opportunity to utilize that 340B program to make things better for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, particularly prescriptions.&nbsp;

"Today it's much more likely that you get a prescription than you get surgery."

"That's a significant component of the cost of the caring for people and people who are caring for themselves," Moran said.&nbsp;

One year ago, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5c81a17f-33b4-44a3-9a8c-bffca3c81b37">First Care Clinic acquired the Hess Clinic</a>, 1923 E. 22nd St., after the retirement of Dr. Katrina Hess.

The main clinic, 105 E. 13th, continues to hire more providers as its patient load grows.

An announcement was made last week of the hiring of another dentist, Hays native Lucas Walker who is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry.

First Care is the only clinic in the area that houses family medical care, mental health services and general dentistry, all in one location.

"The more services we can offer at one point of care, the more likely the patients are to get treated," said Dr. Christina Fisher, medical director. "It keeps them out of the emergency room."

"Community health centers can help us reduce costs," Moran said. "Not only provide health care for people who need care but also change the health care system in ways that are more efficient."

First Care Clinic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit federally qualified community health center providing health care services for people of all ages, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. It provides services on a sliding-fee scale to those who qualify.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690817923093.jpeg" alt="First Care CEO Eric Flax shows a dental procedure room to U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. The community health center just hired another dentist, Hays native Lucas Walker, a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. Photos and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>First Care CEO Eric Flax shows a dental procedure room to U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. The community health center just hired another dentist, Hays native Lucas Walker, a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. Photos and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostU.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., asked for a quick update and tour Friday afternoon of the growth at the <a href="https://www.firstcareclinic.com/">First Care Clinic</a> in downtown Hays since he was last there.That was more than a year ago, and there's been a lot of growth since then.CEO Eric Flax and key staff members talked about the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/863220a0-e21e-4501-80bb-42e5802e82b5">newly opened Express Care</a> in its home at 1301 Main St. and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/db133474-6b2a-4bb4-96aa-175a62bbb50e">new pharmacy</a> expected to open within a couple of months.The pharmacy will offer medication at reduced costs for the uninsured and underinsured under the federal <a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa">340B drug pricing program</a>, Flax said."There's just a handful of us who are working to figure out how we ensure that 340B remains a valuable tool for health care providers and their patients," Moran said. "Community health centers have been a valuable part of that opportunity to utilize that 340B program to make things better for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, particularly prescriptions.&nbsp;"Today it's much more likely that you get a prescription than you get surgery."Flax agreed."That's a significant component of the cost of the caring for people and people who are caring for themselves," Moran said.&nbsp;One year ago, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5c81a17f-33b4-44a3-9a8c-bffca3c81b37">First Care Clinic acquired the Hess Clinic</a>, 1923 E. 22nd St., after the retirement of Dr. Katrina Hess.The main clinic, 105 E. 13th, continues to hire more providers as its patient load grows.An announcement was made last week of the hiring of another dentist, Hays native Lucas Walker who is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry.First Care is the only clinic in the area that houses family medical care, mental health services and general dentistry, all in one location.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690836630024.jpeg" alt="First Care Clinic Medical Director Dr. Christine Fisher talks with&nbsp; U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran who met with clinic staff Friday in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>First Care Clinic Medical Director Dr. Christine Fisher talks with&nbsp; U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran who met with clinic staff Friday in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"The more services we can offer at one point of care, the more likely the patients are to get treated," said Dr. Christina Fisher, medical director. "It keeps them out of the emergency room.""Community health centers can help us reduce costs," Moran said. "Not only provide health care for people who need care but also change the health care system in ways that are more efficient."First Care Clinic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit federally qualified community health center providing health care services for people of all ages, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. It provides services on a sliding-fee scale to those who qualify.

Sen. Moran tours new First Care Express Clinic in Hays 

By JULIE DEBES Kansas Wheat

This is day 16, the final day of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

The Kansas wheat harvest is finally drawing to a close with 95 percent of wheat harvest complete, according to the official statistics provided by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in its crop progress report for the week ending July 30, 2023. That is still well behind last year’s 100 percent completion at this time and the five-year average of nearly 99 percent.

Ahead of the weekend, the last remaining farmers in the harvest field were cutting down toward the Oklahoma border, primarily so they could report numbers to crop insurance, according to Lawson Hemberger, MKC senior location manager of rail terminals who is based out of the Sumner County Terminal in Milan. Hemberger oversees both of MKC’s current terminal elevators as well as the one under construction near Sterling. The terminal in Milan covers Sumner County, southwest of Wichita, and into neighboring Harper and Cowley counties.

The terminal took in its first loads of wheat around June 8. While that makes the length of harvest very long in total, Hemberger noted the majority of acres were harvested by the Fourth of July. The area caught five to six inches of rain that week, forcing farmers out of the field and starting a cycle of every-other-day rain delays, increasing weed pressure and falling test weights.

“This is definitely the first year I’ve seen a wheat harvest go darn near two months long,” he said.

Hemberger noted the area was pretty decent on moisture compared to other areas of Kansas as the wheat came out of dormancy. The wheat was up and looking pretty average, but then the area went all the way to early May before finally catching rain.

Hemberger estimated abandonment ranged from 10 to 15 percent. Some of those planted acres were abandoned before harvest so farmers could plant a second crop, others were zeroed out during harvest when some producers could send the combine down and back once in the field and not even fill up a coffee can.

He noted he was holding his breath when the rains arrived — calling it the do-or-die moment — but the wheat was at the exact right stage to fill the kernels that it put on. Test weights were excellent during the first few weeks of harvest, right at 60 to 60.5 pounds per bushel.

Yields were widespread from five bushels per acre — primarily where crop insurance would not release acres ahead of harvest — up to 48 bushels per acre. For the early part of harvest ahead of the holiday, Hemberger estimated most farmers averaged about 20 bushels per acre.

Protein was exceptional — even higher than last year’s drought-stressed crop — with Hemberger estimating 80 percent of wheat coming in was at 13 percent protein or higher. He noted for wheat report readers that the protein levels are mostly locked in once the wheat matures, meaning the protein values do not drop significantly like test weight.

The Sumner County Terminal has four different pits, allowing MKC to set up a really good segregation plan. Hemberger explained that most of the time they have four to five protein breaks — so trying to separate every percentage point (10 percent, 11 percent, etc.). This year, the crop came in so much higher with protein content that they had to adjust that segregation plan every other day to continue separating the highest protein wheat. He noted they are putting higher protein wheat — 14 and higher — into long-term storage, stashing it away for another time when good protein wheat may not be as readily available as this year’s crop.

Hemberger reported the most consistently reported top wheat variety this year was AgriPro’s Bob Dole, which was developed by K-State. He noted producers also highlighted Larry, also developed at K-State, and Paradise from Polansky Seed, as varieties that performed well in the area this year.

After the big rains around July 4, however, the rain kept coming. As a result, damage has substantially increased on those tail-end acres and test weights dropped off and at the end of harvest were down to 56 to 57 pounds per bushel. Weeds were a whole other debacle as producers struggled to control late-season emergence options in order to harvest. Crop insurance ended up zeroing out some fields due to crabgrass that came in after pigweed was sprayed.

Even with the frustrating end of harvest, Hemberger reported this year’s harvest was better than expected.

“We figured we got about 60 to 65 percent compared to a normal year,” Hemberger said. “Looking back at where we were going into May, we didn’t think we would have a crop at all.”

Despite the challenges the rain caused for the wheat, the ample moisture means the fall crops are looking really good, even with the long period of triple-digit weather that is threatening the crop at a critical growth period. Hemberger noted a rain at the end of last week of 1.5 to 3 inches could not have come at a better time.

Now the challenge is to turn house quickly at the terminal to make space for those fall crops. Most of the wheat will be sent to local mills. The MKC terminal does have two train loaders, but with such a short crop, there is not a strong export market out of Kansas this year. Still, he noted they will load a few trains that were contracted back this spring.

Overall, this wheat harvest will be one for the record books, although not in the way that producers would prefer, according to Justin Gilpin, Kansas Wheat CEO. As of its last estimate, USDA predicted Kansas wheat production will total 208 million bushels on 6.5 million acres, the smallest crop since 1966.

Breaking down that overall number, however, average yields for 2023 are currently estimated at 32 bushels per acre compared to 19.5 bushels per acre in 1966. That gain is directly attributable to the improvement in available wheat genetics, recommended farming practices and decades of on-farm knowledge.

“What shouldn’t be lost in everything that’s going on is the gains that have been made through genetics to try and keep a disaster from being more of a disaster,” Gilpin said. “The 2023 wheat crop had more than its share of twists and turns, but overall, we’ve come a long way. Every year is a little bit different, but 2023 is probably going to be one of those years that does stand out for a long time on charts, and not just due to the overall challenges this crop faced. Combined with the market volatility and unprecedented geopolitical events — everything that is occurring simultaneously within the wheat market right now is pretty incredible.”

Learn more about Gilpin’s perspectives on this year’s harvest, supply-and-demand factors across wheat classes, end-use quality, international market influences and more in the latest episode of the “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001IWM8VLBC0qICfIjJkUmKTJa95zUxiq6RWEMfAaMhOKUOsF8WGVfvOWcrlc5SP7ZpcQxXI137SA99AhfBowPXtFt2XQ1r_nkRNTFRSbtAgPyNFLxxh8qAGyZWWCc-Ha5fAmD-TQHAEpiwY0wSMJof9A==&amp;c=Iw5qEmXb85Zdw-UFd0OgiCXMmYx39OuMWRGDS23g0kNZsDVltbpzqQ==&amp;ch=WJB4N_PwO5bKKZsRY5UTg_Lk7tFDnYG5UIIuAu3YHt64cIoEdfRGuw==" target="_blank">wheatsonyourmind.com</a>.

The 2023 Harvest Reports were brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690890009072.png" alt="Kansas Wheat" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Wheat</figcaption>
 </figure>By JULIE DEBES Kansas Wheat This is day 16, the final day of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.The Kansas wheat harvest is finally drawing to a close with 95 percent of wheat harvest complete, according to the official statistics provided by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in its crop progress report for the week ending July 30, 2023. That is still well behind last year’s 100 percent completion at this time and the five-year average of nearly 99 percent.Ahead of the weekend, the last remaining farmers in the harvest field were cutting down toward the Oklahoma border, primarily so they could report numbers to crop insurance, according to Lawson Hemberger, MKC senior location manager of rail terminals who is based out of the Sumner County Terminal in Milan. Hemberger oversees both of MKC’s current terminal elevators as well as the one under construction near Sterling. The terminal in Milan covers Sumner County, southwest of Wichita, and into neighboring Harper and Cowley counties.The terminal took in its first loads of wheat around June 8. While that makes the length of harvest very long in total, Hemberger noted the majority of acres were harvested by the Fourth of July. The area caught five to six inches of rain that week, forcing farmers out of the field and starting a cycle of every-other-day rain delays, increasing weed pressure and falling test weights.“This is definitely the first year I’ve seen a wheat harvest go darn near two months long,” he said.Hemberger noted the area was pretty decent on moisture compared to other areas of Kansas as the wheat came out of dormancy. The wheat was up and looking pretty average, but then the area went all the way to early May before finally catching rain.Hemberger estimated abandonment ranged from 10 to 15 percent. Some of those planted acres were abandoned before harvest so farmers could plant a second crop, others were zeroed out during harvest when some producers could send the combine down and back once in the field and not even fill up a coffee can.He noted he was holding his breath when the rains arrived — calling it the do-or-die moment — but the wheat was at the exact right stage to fill the kernels that it put on. Test weights were excellent during the first few weeks of harvest, right at 60 to 60.5 pounds per bushel.Yields were widespread from five bushels per acre — primarily where crop insurance would not release acres ahead of harvest — up to 48 bushels per acre. For the early part of harvest ahead of the holiday, Hemberger estimated most farmers averaged about 20 bushels per acre.Protein was exceptional — even higher than last year’s drought-stressed crop — with Hemberger estimating 80 percent of wheat coming in was at 13 percent protein or higher. He noted for wheat report readers that the protein levels are mostly locked in once the wheat matures, meaning the protein values do not drop significantly like test weight.The Sumner County Terminal has four different pits, allowing MKC to set up a really good segregation plan. Hemberger explained that most of the time they have four to five protein breaks — so trying to separate every percentage point (10 percent, 11 percent, etc.). This year, the crop came in so much higher with protein content that they had to adjust that segregation plan every other day to continue separating the highest protein wheat. He noted they are putting higher protein wheat — 14 and higher — into long-term storage, stashing it away for another time when good protein wheat may not be as readily available as this year’s crop.Hemberger reported the most consistently reported top wheat variety this year was AgriPro’s Bob Dole, which was developed by K-State. He noted producers also highlighted Larry, also developed at K-State, and Paradise from Polansky Seed, as varieties that performed well in the area this year.After the big rains around July 4, however, the rain kept coming. As a result, damage has substantially increased on those tail-end acres and test weights dropped off and at the end of harvest were down to 56 to 57 pounds per bushel. Weeds were a whole other debacle as producers struggled to control late-season emergence options in order to harvest. Crop insurance ended up zeroing out some fields due to crabgrass that came in after pigweed was sprayed.Even with the frustrating end of harvest, Hemberger reported this year’s harvest was better than expected.“We figured we got about 60 to 65 percent compared to a normal year,” Hemberger said. “Looking back at where we were going into May, we didn’t think we would have a crop at all.”Despite the challenges the rain caused for the wheat, the ample moisture means the fall crops are looking really good, even with the long period of triple-digit weather that is threatening the crop at a critical growth period. Hemberger noted a rain at the end of last week of 1.5 to 3 inches could not have come at a better time.Now the challenge is to turn house quickly at the terminal to make space for those fall crops. Most of the wheat will be sent to local mills. The MKC terminal does have two train loaders, but with such a short crop, there is not a strong export market out of Kansas this year. Still, he noted they will load a few trains that were contracted back this spring.Overall, this wheat harvest will be one for the record books, although not in the way that producers would prefer, according to Justin Gilpin, Kansas Wheat CEO. As of its last estimate, USDA predicted Kansas wheat production will total 208 million bushels on 6.5 million acres, the smallest crop since 1966.Breaking down that overall number, however, average yields for 2023 are currently estimated at 32 bushels per acre compared to 19.5 bushels per acre in 1966. That gain is directly attributable to the improvement in available wheat genetics, recommended farming practices and decades of on-farm knowledge.“What shouldn’t be lost in everything that’s going on is the gains that have been made through genetics to try and keep a disaster from being more of a disaster,” Gilpin said. “The 2023 wheat crop had more than its share of twists and turns, but overall, we’ve come a long way. Every year is a little bit different, but 2023 is probably going to be one of those years that does stand out for a long time on charts, and not just due to the overall challenges this crop faced. Combined with the market volatility and unprecedented geopolitical events — everything that is occurring simultaneously within the wheat market right now is pretty incredible.”Learn more about Gilpin’s perspectives on this year’s harvest, supply-and-demand factors across wheat classes, end-use quality, international market influences and more in the latest episode of the “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001IWM8VLBC0qICfIjJkUmKTJa95zUxiq6RWEMfAaMhOKUOsF8WGVfvOWcrlc5SP7ZpcQxXI137SA99AhfBowPXtFt2XQ1r_nkRNTFRSbtAgPyNFLxxh8qAGyZWWCc-Ha5fAmD-TQHAEpiwY0wSMJof9A==&amp;c=Iw5qEmXb85Zdw-UFd0OgiCXMmYx39OuMWRGDS23g0kNZsDVltbpzqQ==&amp;ch=WJB4N_PwO5bKKZsRY5UTg_Lk7tFDnYG5UIIuAu3YHt64cIoEdfRGuw==" target="_blank">wheatsonyourmind.com</a>.The 2023 Harvest Reports were brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

KANSAS WHEAT: Final report after 2-month harvest and 95% completion

Sixth annual event to bring people from around the U.S. to Lake Wilson for a weekend filled with live music, festive atmosphere and scenic views

RUSSELL
COUNTY—Once again, Bluegrass music will fill the air at Wilson Lake during the
sixth-annual Lovegrass Music Festival.

Scheduled
Aug. 10 through 12, the event brings people from across the U.S. together to
celebrate and enjoy traditional music, nature and camaraderie formed around the
truly American art form. 

Located in
the Hill Creek area, near the Lake Wilson Marina, executive director Aimee
Riegel said six headline acts will be featured Friday and Saturday, along with
a band performing on the water Saturday.

The
event kicks off Thursday with a social event, with an open mic at 6 p.m. and a
jam session at 9:30 p.m.

“If you
play an instrument, bring it out,” Riegel said. “We'd like to do some pickin’
and grinnin’.”

Friday
and Saturday morning will then feature educational workshops.

Friday
night’s concert will feature Arkansas-based Arkansauce. Front Porch
and John Depew with Andrew Morris will begin at 5 p.m.

Arkansauce
“came out last year for the first time, and they were a crowd favorite,” Riegel
said.

Saturday
afternoon Old Fangled will perform from a pontoon in a nearby cove below the
festival grounds.

The
night’s concert will feature Emporia-based Fireside Collective with the Whisky
Mash Band and Weda Skirts as openers, starting at 5 p.m. as well.

Together
the bands will represent the spectrum of the Bluegrass style.

“We have
anything from a kind of more of like a progressive type Bluegrass, where they
get a little bit more into the instrumental type jamming to harmony singing,”
Riegel said.

The
event is free to attend, but registration is requested through the Lovegrass
website, <a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">lovegrassmusicfestival.com.</a> A full schedule of events is also available.

And
support for the non-profit is appreciated, Riegel said.

“If you
feel like you would want to give a certain amount for your ticket, you can do
that online,” she said. “That keeps us sustainable.”

Registration
also helps the organization collect demographic information that assists with
procuring grant funding.

With the
music-filled weekend, Riegel said she hopes to provide further access to live
music in the area.

“That's
why we do this,” she said. “We want to let everyone access live music,
especially in rural areas.”

Strengthening
the northwest Kansas economy is also important to the organization.

While
the weekend is the keynote event, Riegel said planning, fundraisers and other
concerts happen throughout the year.

“Each
year, we have to start fresh,” she said. “Our fundraising efforts start now for
next year's events.”

“And any
money that we make during this festival will go toward next year and future events.”

Funds
are supplemented by a volunteer workforce.

“I think
right now we have around 40 to 50 volunteers to help us out,” Riegel said. “We
give them free breakfast every morning, kind of a fun family-type event there.
And some other free perks like camping for free in our primitive camping areas.”

<a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">Signup information can also be
found on the Lovegrass website.</a>

“We have
people of all ages, all different cultures,” Riegel said.&nbsp; "It is super fun.
We just have this really great vibe and family feel.”

“We love
people who want to come out and lend a hand and join our Lovegrass crew. It
takes an army to put something on like this, especially for setup and teardown…
but it's all worth it in the long run. It's such fun, and we really appreciate
those that lend a hand to us.”

<h2>Sixth annual event to bring people from around the U.S. to Lake Wilson for a weekend filled with live music, festive atmosphere and scenic views</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690561948116.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Sixth annual Lovegrass Music Festival to bring people from around the U.S. to Lake Wilson for a weekend filled with live music, festive atmosphere and scenic views" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qtrzb-1468d85-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostRUSSELL
COUNTY—Once again, Bluegrass music will fill the air at Wilson Lake during the
sixth-annual Lovegrass Music Festival.Scheduled
Aug. 10 through 12, the event brings people from across the U.S. together to
celebrate and enjoy traditional music, nature and camaraderie formed around the
truly American art form. Located in
the Hill Creek area, near the Lake Wilson Marina, executive director Aimee
Riegel said six headline acts will be featured Friday and Saturday, along with
a band performing on the water Saturday.The
event kicks off Thursday with a social event, with an open mic at 6 p.m. and a
jam session at 9:30 p.m.“If you
play an instrument, bring it out,” Riegel said. “We'd like to do some pickin’
and grinnin’.”Friday
and Saturday morning will then feature educational workshops.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flovegrassmusicfestival%2Fvideos%2F692507852716298%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Friday
night’s concert will feature Arkansas-based Arkansauce. Front Porch
and John Depew with Andrew Morris will begin at 5 p.m.Arkansauce
“came out last year for the first time, and they were a crowd favorite,” Riegel
said.Saturday
afternoon Old Fangled will perform from a pontoon in a nearby cove below the
festival grounds.The
night’s concert will feature Emporia-based Fireside Collective with the Whisky
Mash Band and Weda Skirts as openers, starting at 5 p.m. as well.Together
the bands will represent the spectrum of the Bluegrass style.“We have
anything from a kind of more of like a progressive type Bluegrass, where they
get a little bit more into the instrumental type jamming to harmony singing,”
Riegel said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690562206290.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The
event is free to attend, but registration is requested through the Lovegrass
website, <a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">lovegrassmusicfestival.com.</a> A full schedule of events is also available.And
support for the non-profit is appreciated, Riegel said.“If you
feel like you would want to give a certain amount for your ticket, you can do
that online,” she said. “That keeps us sustainable.”Registration
also helps the organization collect demographic information that assists with
procuring grant funding.With the
music-filled weekend, Riegel said she hopes to provide further access to live
music in the area.“That's
why we do this,” she said. “We want to let everyone access live music,
especially in rural areas.”Strengthening
the northwest Kansas economy is also important to the organization.While
the weekend is the keynote event, Riegel said planning, fundraisers and other
concerts happen throughout the year.“Each
year, we have to start fresh,” she said. “Our fundraising efforts start now for
next year's events.”“And any
money that we make during this festival will go toward next year and future events.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690562291420.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Funds
are supplemented by a volunteer workforce.“I think
right now we have around 40 to 50 volunteers to help us out,” Riegel said. “We
give them free breakfast every morning, kind of a fun family-type event there.
And some other free perks like camping for free in our primitive camping areas.”<a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">Signup information can also be
found on the Lovegrass website.</a>“We have
people of all ages, all different cultures,” Riegel said.&nbsp; "It is super fun.
We just have this really great vibe and family feel.”“We love
people who want to come out and lend a hand and join our Lovegrass crew. It
takes an army to put something on like this, especially for setup and teardown…
but it's all worth it in the long run. It's such fun, and we really appreciate
those that lend a hand to us.”

🎙 Bluegrass fans to gather for Lovegrass Music Festival Aug. 10-12

August 1 signifies the kickoff for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) as well as August as National Breastfeeding Month. 

Each year the United States Breastfeeding Committee requests a Congressional Proclamation to declare August as National Breastfeeding Month in the United States. 

In 2021, the USBC piloted a toolkit that individuals could use to urge their governor to proclaim August as "Breastfeeding Month" in their state or territory. Kansas has joined the list! Governor Kelly signed the proclamation for Kansas on July 29, 2023. The theme this year is “This is Our Why.”

National Breastfeeding Month 2023 Weekly Observances •Week 1 (August 1-7): World Breastfeeding Week Theme: Enabling&nbsp;Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents •Week 2 (August 8-14): Indigenous Milk Medicine Week Theme: From the Stars to a Sustainable Future •Week 3 (August 15-21): Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week Theme: Telling Our Stories, Elevating Our Voices! •Week 4 (August 25-31): Black Breastfeeding Week Theme: We Outside!: Celebrating Connection &amp; Our Communities •New Week 5 (September 5-11): Semana de La Lactancia Latina Theme: to be announced.

Most of us have heard about how breastfeeding positively affects the health of infants and toddlers. Breastfeeding also positively impacts families financially as well as the environment. 

However, many have not heard about the positive impacts on a mother’s health. Women who breastfeed their children lower their risk of breast cancer. According to an epidemiological study published in the The Lancet, breastfeeding is dose specific. For every 12 months of breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer goes down by 4.3%. This can be for one child or a combination of children. 

Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes as reported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 

Finally, studies also show that breastfeeding can help lower the risk of osteoporosis and stroke.

 That is a lot of health benefits that make for healthier women and society. And those are only the physical health benefits. There are also social-emotional benefits as well that help with bonding and parenting.

Just because a woman wants to breastfeed though doesn’t mean that she has the support to do so. While breastfeeding is natural, it isn’t always easy. 

The World Breastfeeding Week campaign this year focuses on “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents.” Workplace challenges remain the most common reason for women to never start breastfeeding or stop breastfeeding earlier then recommended.

Join us to celebrate mothers and work to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and human milk feeding for the 13th annual National Breastfeeding Month. 

In Hays and Ellis County, La Leche League of the Western Plains, the Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition, and Cottonwood Extension District will display the traveling photography exhibit “In My Mother’s Arms” during the Hays Arts Council Summer Art Walk from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on August 25, 2023 at 601 Main Street. 

The traveling photography exhibit’s goal is to normalize breastfeeding. 

<a href="https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/">https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/</a> <a href="https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/">https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html</a>

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>August 1 signifies the kickoff for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) as well as August as National Breastfeeding Month. Each year the United States Breastfeeding Committee requests a Congressional Proclamation to declare August as National Breastfeeding Month in the United States. In 2021, the USBC piloted a toolkit that individuals could use to urge their governor to proclaim August as "Breastfeeding Month" in their state or territory. Kansas has joined the list! Governor Kelly signed the proclamation for Kansas on July 29, 2023. The theme this year is “This is Our Why.”National Breastfeeding Month 2023 Weekly Observances •Week 1 (August 1-7): World Breastfeeding Week Theme: Enabling&nbsp;Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents •Week 2 (August 8-14): Indigenous Milk Medicine Week Theme: From the Stars to a Sustainable Future •Week 3 (August 15-21): Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week Theme: Telling Our Stories, Elevating Our Voices! •Week 4 (August 25-31): Black Breastfeeding Week Theme: We Outside!: Celebrating Connection &amp; Our Communities •New Week 5 (September 5-11): Semana de La Lactancia Latina Theme: to be announced.Most of us have heard about how breastfeeding positively affects the health of infants and toddlers. Breastfeeding also positively impacts families financially as well as the environment. However, many have not heard about the positive impacts on a mother’s health. Women who breastfeed their children lower their risk of breast cancer. According to an epidemiological study published in the The Lancet, breastfeeding is dose specific. For every 12 months of breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer goes down by 4.3%. This can be for one child or a combination of children. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes as reported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Finally, studies also show that breastfeeding can help lower the risk of osteoporosis and stroke. That is a lot of health benefits that make for healthier women and society. And those are only the physical health benefits. There are also social-emotional benefits as well that help with bonding and parenting.Just because a woman wants to breastfeed though doesn’t mean that she has the support to do so. While breastfeeding is natural, it isn’t always easy. The World Breastfeeding Week campaign this year focuses on “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents.” Workplace challenges remain the most common reason for women to never start breastfeeding or stop breastfeeding earlier then recommended.Join us to celebrate mothers and work to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and human milk feeding for the 13th annual National Breastfeeding Month. In Hays and Ellis County, La Leche League of the Western Plains, the Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition, and Cottonwood Extension District will display the traveling photography exhibit “In My Mother’s Arms” during the Hays Arts Council Summer Art Walk from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on August 25, 2023 at 601 Main Street. The traveling photography exhibit’s goal is to normalize breastfeeding. <a href="https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/">https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/</a> <a href="https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/">https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html</a>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. You may reach her at&nbsp; 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: World Breastfeeding Month/Week

Celebrate with the Hays Public Library Foundation! The Foundation is hosting the 3rd&nbsp;Annual Wine &amp; Cheese Fundraiser on September 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hays Public Library.

The event will begin with a wine and cheese social hour, followed by a fascinating, inspiring, and fun presentation from Kansas Sampler Foundation Executive Director Marci Penner. The evening also will include a raffle and silent auction.

The Hays Public Library Foundation was established in 2001 to&nbsp;serve as a source for funding emergent and unexpected needs and events associated with the library. 

In the past the Foundation has contributed to the purchase of the bookmobile and to the 2021 library remodel. 

The library currently is working on plans to update the basement which houses most of the adult collection. 

More information about the Foundation and ways to contribute is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/foundation" target="_blank">hayslibrary.org/foundation</a>.

&nbsp;Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased at the library or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/event" target="_blank">hayslibrary.org/event</a>. There are a limited number of tickets. Businesses interested in sponsoring the event or providing items for the silent auction or raffle are encouraged to contact Callie Kolacny at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ckolacny@hayslibrary.org">ckolacny@hayslibrary.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656794847755.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HPLCelebrate with the Hays Public Library Foundation! The Foundation is hosting the 3rd&nbsp;Annual Wine &amp; Cheese Fundraiser on September 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hays Public Library.The event will begin with a wine and cheese social hour, followed by a fascinating, inspiring, and fun presentation from Kansas Sampler Foundation Executive Director Marci Penner. The evening also will include a raffle and silent auction.The Hays Public Library Foundation was established in 2001 to&nbsp;serve as a source for funding emergent and unexpected needs and events associated with the library. In the past the Foundation has contributed to the purchase of the bookmobile and to the 2021 library remodel. The library currently is working on plans to update the basement which houses most of the adult collection. More information about the Foundation and ways to contribute is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/foundation" target="_blank">hayslibrary.org/foundation</a>.&nbsp;Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased at the library or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/event" target="_blank">hayslibrary.org/event</a>. There are a limited number of tickets. Businesses interested in sponsoring the event or providing items for the silent auction or raffle are encouraged to contact Callie Kolacny at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ckolacny@hayslibrary.org">ckolacny@hayslibrary.org</a>.You can find out more about this and other library programs online at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/" target="_blank">hayslibrary.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling 785-625-9014.

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