Oklahoma City Police have made a second arrest in the New Year's Day shooting that left a Fort Hays State University student-athlete dead.

Destiny Denise Adams, 21, was taken into custody Jan. 18 by the Oklahoma City Police Department on suspicion of accessory to murder after the fact.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Adams acted as the getaway driver from the scene of the shooting that left&nbsp;Daniel Howard, 20, fatally injured and five others with gunshot wounds.

Adams is also accused of washing the clothes of the other man arrested so far in the case —<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/05160483-7329-462a-a0c9-eaf914d6c353"> J'Coal Glover, 30, who was arrested Jan. 7 on suspicion of first-degree murder.</a>

"These efforts demonstrated an attempt to prevent J'Coal from being arrested or punished as a result of this homicide," according to the affidavit.

Howard played two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M before transferring to FHSU in the spring of 2022. Howard, a defensive back, played in all 11 games last season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674492404051.jpeg" alt="Adams / Oklahoma County Detention Center" />
 <figcaption>Adams / Oklahoma County Detention Center</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostOklahoma City Police have made a second arrest in the New Year's Day shooting that left a Fort Hays State University student-athlete dead.Destiny Denise Adams, 21, was taken into custody Jan. 18 by the Oklahoma City Police Department on suspicion of accessory to murder after the fact.According to the probable cause affidavit, Adams acted as the getaway driver from the scene of the shooting that left&nbsp;Daniel Howard, 20, fatally injured and five others with gunshot wounds.Adams is also accused of washing the clothes of the other man arrested so far in the case —<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/05160483-7329-462a-a0c9-eaf914d6c353"> J'Coal Glover, 30, who was arrested Jan. 7 on suspicion of first-degree murder.</a>"These efforts demonstrated an attempt to prevent J'Coal from being arrested or punished as a result of this homicide," according to the affidavit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673372993423.jpeg" alt="Glover / Oklahoma County Detention Center" />
 <figcaption>Glover / Oklahoma County Detention Center</figcaption>
 </figure>Howard played two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M before transferring to FHSU in the spring of 2022. Howard, a defensive back, played in all 11 games last season.

Second arrest made in shooting death of FHSU student-athlete

By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review

     On Saturday morning, more snow was falling upon older snow as I pulled into the icy Phillipsburg Post Office parking area.

     The day was dreary and grayish-white, with the division of sky and earth being barely perceptible against a similarly dreary and grayish-white background, as a light but persistant snow was drifting down.

     Parking next to  the only other vehicle at the post office, a flatbed truck I recognized, I exited my car thinking "this just might get interesting."

     Approaching the entrance to the building, an elderly man stepped out, mail in hand, saying, “Hello Kirby, I’ll hold the door open for you.  My daughter-in-law probably wouldn’t hold it open for you, but I will.”

     Chuckling, I responded “It doesn’t surprise me that you say she wouldn’t.”

     “You know who my daughter-in-law is,” he said more as a statement of fact than as a question.

     “Do you know who I am?” he asked in follow up.

     “Yes I do. Maybe your daughter-in-law will be willing to hold the door open once she sees the value of investing in growth in Phillips County like I do,” I responded.

     “I doubt if that happens.  I know I won’t live to see the value of that growth you’re talking about,” he said.  Pausing a moment and scrunching his face, he added, “I doubt if you’ll see it either.”

     “So is it worth it?” he asked as he turned and walked away without waiting for my answer.

     As I continued on my original mission and got my mail, the elderly man’s question immediately brought to mind my own grandmother, Fern Elder.

     Grandma Fern lived to the ripe old age of 92.  In her “younger” days when her years numbered  around 80, she was planting a tree in her yard in Kirwin.  

     I asked her the usual questions regarding its species and such.  In the course of the conversation she commented that eventually her tree will grow to be tall and strong, and “provide a good shade in the hot Kansas summer sun.”

     Which quickly led my questioning to come around to “how long will it be until it gets that way?”

     “Oh, around 30 years or so,” she said.

     “Thirty years! Is it  worth it?  That  won’t benefit you.  Why are you going to all this trouble?” I said.

     “Kirby,” she answered, “I’m not doing this for myself.  I’m doing this for the next one.”

     The profound nature of her answer quickly ended any debate on the matter, and even made me feel a bit small, although that was certainly not her intent.  It also made me feel proud.  

     The 30 years she spoke of have since come to pass, and when I’m in Kirwin I sometimes go by and look at her tree.  It’s tall and strong, and provides a good shade in the hot Kansas summer sun, for the next one, just as her wise counsel predicted it would.

     Back in the 1870s and '80s and '90s our ancestors  — yours and mine — set the stage for Phillips  County to become one of the economic crown jewels of northwest Kansas.

     Likewise in the '30s, '40s and '50s, there was another major surge of large-scale investment in the future of the county from which we have all, every single one of us, benefited.

     And for those old-timers who invested heavily into the future of Phillips County, you and I were “the next one.”

     Those heady Phillips County boom times in the mid-20th century even set the stage for the business that the family of the now-elderly man from the post office started in the 1960s.  That business continues to prosper to this very day.

     Each generation of the man’s family has since improved upon that business — not because the results of their hard work which they will pass on through “for the next one” is something the older generation will be seeing, but because it is our duty to make sure that those who follow us are placed on solid footing for the future.

     Right now we are at a monumental crossroads in the history of Phillips County, and as a consequence are going through a terrible debate in regard to growth, and whether it is “worth it” or not.

     With a third of one BILLION dollars being invested in Phillips County right now, what is happening out at TAMKO, and Amber Wave, along with the possible addition of hugely significant major industry coat-tailing behind Amber Wave, will affect the future of Phillips County for the next hundred years — just as the work of those who came before us did for us.

     And it is the obligation of every one of us to provide the support needed for that future at this key moment in time, including investing financially in it.

     If not for ourselves, then “for the next one.”

     Now, back to the old man’s question to me at the post office on Saturday — “So is it worth it?”

Phillips County Review editor Kirby Ross was named the top Kansas editorial writer in his circulation class by the Kansas Press Association in 2018 and 2022. The overall editorial pages of the Phillips County Review were named as the best in their class in Kansas by the KPA in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Republished with permission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594071502884.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review On Saturday morning, more snow was falling upon older snow as I pulled into the icy Phillipsburg Post Office parking area. The day was dreary and grayish-white, with the division of sky and earth being barely perceptible against a similarly dreary and grayish-white background, as a light but persistant snow was drifting down. Parking next to the only other vehicle at the post office, a flatbed truck I recognized, I exited my car thinking "this just might get interesting."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Approaching the entrance to the building, an elderly man stepped out, mail in hand, saying, “Hello Kirby, I’ll hold the door open for you. My daughter-in-law probably wouldn’t hold it open for you, but I will.” Chuckling, I responded “It doesn’t surprise me that you say she wouldn’t.” “You know who my daughter-in-law is,” he said more as a statement of fact than as a question. “Yep.” “Do you know who I am?” he asked in follow up. “Yes I do. Maybe your daughter-in-law will be willing to hold the door open once she sees the value of investing in growth in Phillips County like I do,” I responded. “I doubt if that happens. I know I won’t live to see the value of that growth you’re talking about,” he said. Pausing a moment and scrunching his face, he added, “I doubt if you’ll see it either.” “Maybe not,” I said. “So is it worth it?” he asked as he turned and walked away without waiting for my answer.************** As I continued on my original mission and got my mail, the elderly man’s question immediately brought to mind my own grandmother, Fern Elder. Grandma Fern lived to the ripe old age of 92. In her “younger” days when her years numbered around 80, she was planting a tree in her yard in Kirwin. I asked her the usual questions regarding its species and such. In the course of the conversation she commented that eventually her tree will grow to be tall and strong, and “provide a good shade in the hot Kansas summer sun.” Which quickly led my questioning to come around to “how long will it be until it gets that way?” “Oh, around 30 years or so,” she said. “Thirty years! Is it worth it? That won’t benefit you. Why are you going to all this trouble?” I said. “Kirby,” she answered, “I’m not doing this for myself. I’m doing this for the next one.”************** The profound nature of her answer quickly ended any debate on the matter, and even made me feel a bit small, although that was certainly not her intent. It also made me feel proud. The 30 years she spoke of have since come to pass, and when I’m in Kirwin I sometimes go by and look at her tree. It’s tall and strong, and provides a good shade in the hot Kansas summer sun, for the next one, just as her wise counsel predicted it would.************** Back in the 1870s and '80s and '90s our ancestors — yours and mine — set the stage for Phillips County to become one of the economic crown jewels of northwest Kansas. Likewise in the '30s, '40s and '50s, there was another major surge of large-scale investment in the future of the county from which we have all, every single one of us, benefited. And for those old-timers who invested heavily into the future of Phillips County, you and I were “the next one.” Those heady Phillips County boom times in the mid-20th century even set the stage for the business that the family of the now-elderly man from the post office started in the 1960s. That business continues to prosper to this very day. Each generation of the man’s family has since improved upon that business — not because the results of their hard work which they will pass on through “for the next one” is something the older generation will be seeing, but because it is our duty to make sure that those who follow us are placed on solid footing for the future. Right now we are at a monumental crossroads in the history of Phillips County, and as a consequence are going through a terrible debate in regard to growth, and whether it is “worth it” or not. With a third of one BILLION dollars being invested in Phillips County right now, what is happening out at TAMKO, and Amber Wave, along with the possible addition of hugely significant major industry coat-tailing behind Amber Wave, will affect the future of Phillips County for the next hundred years — just as the work of those who came before us did for us. And it is the obligation of every one of us to provide the support needed for that future at this key moment in time, including investing financially in it. If not for ourselves, then “for the next one.” Now, back to the old man’s question to me at the post office on Saturday — “So is it worth it?” My answer? You damn right it is. Phillips County Review editor Kirby Ross was named the top Kansas editorial writer in his circulation class by the Kansas Press Association in 2018 and 2022. The overall editorial pages of the Phillips County Review were named as the best in their class in Kansas by the KPA in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Republished with permission.

OPINION: 'So is it worth it?' — the future of Phillips County

A minor earthquake was reported Sunday night in Russell County.

The 2.0-magnitude quake was detected at 8:27 p.m. Sunday in northwest Russell County, the Kansas Geological Survey reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674482215637.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A minor earthquake was reported Sunday night in Russell County.The 2.0-magnitude quake was detected at 8:27 p.m. Sunday in northwest Russell County, the Kansas Geological Survey reported.

Earthquake recorded Sunday night in Russell Co.

Updated 10:30 a.m. Monday&nbsp;to correct Cole's age at the time of the accident. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

STOCKTON — A Stockton man will spend more than three years
in prison for a DUI crash that killed a 16 year-old Plainville girl in 2021. 

Zebulun Thomas Cole, who was 20 at the time of the accident, was sentenced last week in Rooks County
Court to 41 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter while under the
influence of alcohol.

When he pleaded guilty to the charge in November, Cole admitted
to driving under the influence of alcohol on April 29, 2021, and causing a
crash the resulted in the death of 16-year-old Carole Leanne Adamson of
Plainville.

Cole was driving westbound on Kansas 18 west of Plainville at
approximately 9:30 p.m. April 28, 2021, when his pickup hit an SUV that was
disabled on the side of the road. 

The collision caused the SUV to strike and kill Adamson, who
was standing next to it.

An Iowa woman, Maranda Payton-Louise Kuhl, was also injured
in the accident when the SUV hit a Dodge pickup she was standing next to.

Updated 10:30 a.m. Monday&nbsp;to correct Cole's age at the time of the accident. Hays Post apologizes for the error.By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostSTOCKTON — A Stockton man will spend more than three years
in prison for a DUI crash that killed a 16 year-old Plainville girl in 2021. Zebulun Thomas Cole, who was 20 at the time of the accident, was sentenced last week in Rooks County
Court to 41 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter while under the
influence of alcohol.When he pleaded guilty to the charge in November, Cole admitted
to driving under the influence of alcohol on April 29, 2021, and causing a
crash the resulted in the death of 16-year-old Carole Leanne Adamson of
Plainville.Cole was driving westbound on Kansas 18 west of Plainville at
approximately 9:30 p.m. April 28, 2021, when his pickup hit an SUV that was
disabled on the side of the road. The collision caused the SUV to strike and kill Adamson, who
was standing next to it.An Iowa woman, Maranda Payton-Louise Kuhl, was also injured
in the accident when the SUV hit a Dodge pickup she was standing next to.

Stockton man sentenced for fatal DUI accident

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Good, 
old-fashioned detective work. That's how Barton County Sheriff Brian 
Bellendir described the recent arrest on a 42-year-old murder in the 
county. Bellendir shared some more details of the investigation of the 
crime during an appearance on the "County Edition" show on KVGB 1590 
AM/95.5 FM.

"In 1981 and 82, these guys, the original 
investigators, were real close, but they just couldn't quite shove it 
over the edge," he said. "There's been a change in attitudes in how you 
investigate these sorts of things. My guys were able to get some more 
information that helped clear up some stuff."

Bellendir was just a
 senior in high school in January 1980 when Mary Robin Walter was found 
shot in a now-defunct trailer park west of Great Bend. Investigators at 
the time developed a suspect, but the case eventually went cold, and the
 case files remained in a file cabinet as Bellendir began his tenure at 
the sheriff's office.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Det. 
Sgt. Adam Hales was forced out of work for approximately two weeks in 
April 2022. He returned to light duty and asked Bellendir if he could 
reexamine the case.

"I actually chuckled and said, 'Good luck. You
 and every other detective that's ever worked in this office,'" 
Bellendir said. "I've seen this thing come and go since the early 
1980s."

As lead investigator, Hales was joined by detectives David
 Paden, Bryan Volkel, and Alex Lomas, as well as Patrol Sgt. Travis 
Doze. Together, they pieced together the files.

"The biggest problem we ran into, guys would make copies of a 
statement and then, instead of keeping that out of the case, it got 
mixed back in with the case," said Bellendir. "I had one guy in the 
detective division, that's all he did was make a comprehensive - we're 
talking 3-ring binders, four inches thick - that have the documents and 
the interviews, and all the material that is relevant to that case."

Bellendir
 said the department lucked out with no new major cases that might have 
forced the old investigation onto the back burner. Instead, the 
detectives made their case and presented it to the Barton County 
Attorney's Office in October 2022. On Dec. 8, 68-year-old Steven Hanks 
of Burden was arrested without incident on charges of second-degree 
murder.

Investigators held a press conference on the case the 
following day, and Bellendir said, that too, has resulted in more 
details about the case.

"People saw that press release, and we had
 at least two, they weren't witnesses to the crime, but they were 
witnesses that had information about the case," he said. "They had been 
interviewed back in the 1980s, but the interviews either weren't 
recorded or written down, or they were lost over time."

Hanks 
remains incarcerated in the Barton County jail awaiting trial. The case 
is scheduled for a review hearing in the Barton County District Court on
 Jan. 26 at 8 a.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670617705007.jpeg" alt="Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir a Dec. 9 press conference." />
 <figcaption>Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir a Dec. 9 press conference.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGood, 
old-fashioned detective work. That's how Barton County Sheriff Brian 
Bellendir described the recent arrest on a 42-year-old murder in the 
county. Bellendir shared some more details of the investigation of the 
crime during an appearance on the "County Edition" show on KVGB 1590 
AM/95.5 FM."In 1981 and 82, these guys, the original 
investigators, were real close, but they just couldn't quite shove it 
over the edge," he said. "There's been a change in attitudes in how you 
investigate these sorts of things. My guys were able to get some more 
information that helped clear up some stuff."Bellendir was just a
 senior in high school in January 1980 when Mary Robin Walter was found 
shot in a now-defunct trailer park west of Great Bend. Investigators at 
the time developed a suspect, but the case eventually went cold, and the
 case files remained in a file cabinet as Bellendir began his tenure at 
the sheriff's office.Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Det. 
Sgt. Adam Hales was forced out of work for approximately two weeks in 
April 2022. He returned to light duty and asked Bellendir if he could 
reexamine the case."I actually chuckled and said, 'Good luck. You
 and every other detective that's ever worked in this office,'" 
Bellendir said. "I've seen this thing come and go since the early 
1980s."As lead investigator, Hales was joined by detectives David
 Paden, Bryan Volkel, and Alex Lomas, as well as Patrol Sgt. Travis 
Doze. Together, they pieced together the files.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670609613326.jpeg" alt="Hanks" />
 <figcaption>Hanks</figcaption>
 </figure>"The biggest problem we ran into, guys would make copies of a 
statement and then, instead of keeping that out of the case, it got 
mixed back in with the case," said Bellendir. "I had one guy in the 
detective division, that's all he did was make a comprehensive - we're 
talking 3-ring binders, four inches thick - that have the documents and 
the interviews, and all the material that is relevant to that case."Bellendir
 said the department lucked out with no new major cases that might have 
forced the old investigation onto the back burner. Instead, the 
detectives made their case and presented it to the Barton County 
Attorney's Office in October 2022. On Dec. 8, 68-year-old Steven Hanks 
of Burden was arrested without incident on charges of second-degree 
murder.Investigators held a press conference on the case the 
following day, and Bellendir said, that too, has resulted in more 
details about the case."People saw that press release, and we had
 at least two, they weren't witnesses to the crime, but they were 
witnesses that had information about the case," he said. "They had been 
interviewed back in the 1980s, but the interviews either weren't 
recorded or written down, or they were lost over time."Hanks 
remains incarcerated in the Barton County jail awaiting trial. The case 
is scheduled for a review hearing in the Barton County District Court on
 Jan. 26 at 8 a.m.

Barton Co. sheriff shares details how detectives cracked cold case

Are you curious about the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence?

Thomas More Prep-Marian is offering a unique enrichment course taught by graduates of Stanford and MIT.

The course is hands-on and&nbsp;project-based. There are two different levels for any area student in sixth through 12th grades. You do not have to be a Hays Catholic School student.&nbsp; The courses are synchronous (meaning live person online) with an in-person proctor and held in TMP-Marian's school building. The courses are only one day a week for nine weeks so that busy students can still work around most of their activities.

The course will not only teach students new skills but provide impressive accomplishments to include on resumes and college/scholarship applications.

There is a cost to take this course, but TMP-Marian does not receive any payments. It is solely to offer an opportunity not always available in western Kansas.

Interested students and families can&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10tFSFzGIWBSQOWfQjdkt4ULjq9RcCBcf/view" target="_blank">click here for more&nbsp;information&nbsp;or to sign up</a>. Minimum enrollment is required. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 27.

News releaseAre you curious about the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence?Thomas More Prep-Marian is offering a unique enrichment course taught by graduates of Stanford and MIT.The course is hands-on and&nbsp;project-based. There are two different levels for any area student in sixth through 12th grades. You do not have to be a Hays Catholic School student.&nbsp; The courses are synchronous (meaning live person online) with an in-person proctor and held in TMP-Marian's school building. The courses are only one day a week for nine weeks so that busy students can still work around most of their activities.The course will not only teach students new skills but provide impressive accomplishments to include on resumes and college/scholarship applications.There is a cost to take this course, but TMP-Marian does not receive any payments. It is solely to offer an opportunity not always available in western Kansas. Interested students and families can&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10tFSFzGIWBSQOWfQjdkt4ULjq9RcCBcf/view" target="_blank">click here for more&nbsp;information&nbsp;or to sign up</a>. Minimum enrollment is required. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 27.

TMP-M hosting AI computer science class; open to all students

Grisell Memorial Hospital is now taking applications for RN, LPN and CNA. RNs will need to have ACLS, PALS and TNCC. Classes will be paid if not already certified.

We have day and night shifts available not only on the Acute Care side, but also ISB. We have night shift and weekend differential.

• BCBS Health and Dental • Vision • Pension • Life • And many more.

Apply online at&nbsp;<a href="https://grisellmemorialhospital.org/">grisellmemorialhospital.org</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:btillitson@grisell.org">btillitson@grisell.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674059180668.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Grisell Memorial Hospital is now taking applications for RN, LPN and CNA. RNs will need to have ACLS, PALS and TNCC. Classes will be paid if not already certified.We have day and night shifts available not only on the Acute Care side, but also ISB. We have night shift and weekend differential.We offer wonderful benefits including:• BCBS Health and Dental • Vision • Pension • Life • And many more.Apply online at&nbsp;<a href="https://grisellmemorialhospital.org/">grisellmemorialhospital.org</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:btillitson@grisell.org">btillitson@grisell.org</a>.

First Science Café of 2023 set for Jan. 30

<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/2023/1/1674240997261.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

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The snow in Hays fell straight down starting Friday night and much of Saturday.&nbsp;

The final total, according to the official report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center, 7 inches of snow yielding 1.13 inches of precipitation.&nbsp;

The storm pushes the amount of moisture measured in January past the 154-average of 0.45 inches by the end of the month.&nbsp;

Hays has received 9 inches total snowfall so far this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674405831262.jpeg" alt="Hays measured a total 7 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday evening. Photos by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays measured a total 7 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday evening. Photos by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe snow in Hays fell straight down starting Friday night and much of Saturday.&nbsp;The final total, according to the official report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center, 7 inches of snow yielding 1.13 inches of precipitation.&nbsp;The storm pushes the amount of moisture measured in January past the 154-average of 0.45 inches by the end of the month.&nbsp;Hays has received 9 inches total snowfall so far this season.

7" of snow in Hays yields 1.13" of much-needed moisture

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly invites jobseekers to participate in the first Virtual Job Fair of 2023, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS. This virtual fair will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, and&nbsp;will highlight employment opportunities within many of the state’s 98 government agencies. There are close to 900 job openings in state government across Kansas.&nbsp;

“Filling our state agencies with talented and skilled employees is increasingly important,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We need to ensure our state agencies have the necessary workforce to advance the programs and services we offer to Kansans.”&nbsp;

Registration is required in order to participate in the event, regardless of previous participation. 

The Virtual Job Fair portal features a Job Seeker Training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers might request to engage in a video interview that day.&nbsp;

“Our agencies are primed and ready to hire top talent to fill open jobs across the state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and&nbsp;Secretary of&nbsp;Commerce David Toland&nbsp;said. “Commerce alone has 30 job opportunities available and we are seeking motivated individuals ready to join our winning team.” 

KANSASWORKS links businesses, jobseekers, educational institutions and training providers to ensure the state’s workforce is equipped to meet industry needs. Workforce development teams are dedicated to providing assistance with the job search process, creating effective resumes, job training, job placement and more.&nbsp;These centers are ready and available to assist&nbsp;anyone looking for employment&nbsp;with the necessary tools to finding&nbsp;good paying occupations.&nbsp;

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

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMjAuNzAxNjkzNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2FwcC5wcmVtaWVydmlydHVhbC5jb20vZXZlbnRzL2QwMzJhYTA5LTNiYjctNGRiOS04YTJjLTQwOGQ2ZTg4YWJhOC9zdGF0ZS1vZi1rYW5zYXMtYWdlbmNpZXMtZ292ZXJubWVudC1qb2JzLXZpcnR1YWwtam9iLWZhaXItamFudWFyeS0yNSwtMjAyMyJ9.xciOjsTos76xkYoA7_iRhvEnrEA884Q8jQjC8ABAVRg/s/1303161001/br/153174715324-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to register for the&nbsp;January 25&nbsp;Virtual Job Fair.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668466219278.jpeg" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly invites jobseekers to participate in the first Virtual Job Fair of 2023, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS. This virtual fair will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, and&nbsp;will highlight employment opportunities within many of the state’s 98 government agencies. There are close to 900 job openings in state government across Kansas.&nbsp;“Filling our state agencies with talented and skilled employees is increasingly important,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“We need to ensure our state agencies have the necessary workforce to advance the programs and services we offer to Kansans.”&nbsp;Registration is required in order to participate in the event, regardless of previous participation. The Virtual Job Fair portal features a Job Seeker Training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers might request to engage in a video interview that day.&nbsp;“Our agencies are primed and ready to hire top talent to fill open jobs across the state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and&nbsp;Secretary of&nbsp;Commerce David Toland&nbsp;said. “Commerce alone has 30 job opportunities available and we are seeking motivated individuals ready to join our winning team.” KANSASWORKS links businesses, jobseekers, educational institutions and training providers to ensure the state’s workforce is equipped to meet industry needs. Workforce development teams are dedicated to providing assistance with the job search process, creating effective resumes, job training, job placement and more.&nbsp;These centers are ready and available to assist&nbsp;anyone looking for employment&nbsp;with the necessary tools to finding&nbsp;good paying occupations.&nbsp;Candidates&nbsp;can&nbsp;participate&nbsp;via&nbsp;any digital device.&nbsp;Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMjAuNzAxNjkzNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2FwcC5wcmVtaWVydmlydHVhbC5jb20vZXZlbnRzL2QwMzJhYTA5LTNiYjctNGRiOS04YTJjLTQwOGQ2ZTg4YWJhOC9zdGF0ZS1vZi1rYW5zYXMtYWdlbmNpZXMtZ292ZXJubWVudC1qb2JzLXZpcnR1YWwtam9iLWZhaXItamFudWFyeS0yNSwtMjAyMyJ9.xciOjsTos76xkYoA7_iRhvEnrEA884Q8jQjC8ABAVRg/s/1303161001/br/153174715324-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to register for the&nbsp;January 25&nbsp;Virtual Job Fair.&nbsp;

Virtual job fair for state openings takes place Wednesday

TREGO COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Trego County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by Eric Gregory Grove, 36, Valley Spring, Arkansas, was westbound on Interstate 70 two miles east of U.S. 283.

The driver lost control due to snow-packed and icy road conditions and struck a guardrail.

EMS transported Grove and a passenger Floy Lynelle&nbsp;Cabrera, 52, Valley Spring, Arkansas, to the Trego County Hospital. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

TREGO COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Trego County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by Eric Gregory Grove, 36, Valley Spring, Arkansas, was westbound on Interstate 70 two miles east of U.S. 283.The driver lost control due to snow-packed and icy road conditions and struck a guardrail.EMS transported Grove and a passenger Floy Lynelle&nbsp;Cabrera, 52, Valley Spring, Arkansas, to the Trego County Hospital. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized after crash on snow-packed I-70

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly’s appointment of Judge Rachel L. Pickering of Topeka&nbsp;to serve on the Kansas Court of Appeals&nbsp;was recently unanimously confirmed by the Kansas Senate.&nbsp;The confirmation makes Judge Pickering the first Hispanic Kansan to sit on the Kansas Court of Appeals.&nbsp;

“I am pleased the Kansas Senate confirmed Judge Pickering,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Rachel is a committed public servant as an attorney and judge. Her experience in nearly every area of criminal litigation will provide her with great insight as she serves the Kansas Court of Appeals.”&nbsp;

Prior to being confirmed, Judge Pickering served as District Judge in the Third Judicial District in Shawnee County. She has experience as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. She has also served as Appellate Defender, Public Defender, Assistant District Attorney, and Assistant Solicitor General.&nbsp;

Pickering is active in the legal community locally and nationally. She is currently the District 10 Representative for the National Association of Women Judges and is involved with the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section. She previously served as President of the Women’s Attorney’s Association of Topeka and recently completed a term as President of the Hon. Sam A. Crow American Inn of Court.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pickering has been an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law since 2018 and has coached the law school’s moot court teams. She has also taught various courses in continuing legal education to attorneys and judges about topics including appellate practice and criminal law.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pickering graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2003, earning a certificate in e-commerce and intellectual property, and spent her third year of law school as a visiting student at the University of Kansas School of Law. She earned her B.A. in History from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1994.&nbsp;

Also confirmed by the Kansas Senate were:&nbsp;

The following reappointments were also confirmed:&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660683305182.png" alt="Diana Mendoza" />
 <figcaption>Diana Mendoza</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly’s appointment of Judge Rachel L. Pickering of Topeka&nbsp;to serve on the Kansas Court of Appeals&nbsp;was recently unanimously confirmed by the Kansas Senate.&nbsp;The confirmation makes Judge Pickering the first Hispanic Kansan to sit on the Kansas Court of Appeals.&nbsp;“I am pleased the Kansas Senate confirmed Judge Pickering,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Rachel is a committed public servant as an attorney and judge. Her experience in nearly every area of criminal litigation will provide her with great insight as she serves the Kansas Court of Appeals.”&nbsp;Prior to being confirmed, Judge Pickering served as District Judge in the Third Judicial District in Shawnee County. She has experience as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. She has also served as Appellate Defender, Public Defender, Assistant District Attorney, and Assistant Solicitor General.&nbsp;Pickering is active in the legal community locally and nationally. She is currently the District 10 Representative for the National Association of Women Judges and is involved with the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section. She previously served as President of the Women’s Attorney’s Association of Topeka and recently completed a term as President of the Hon. Sam A. Crow American Inn of Court.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pickering has been an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law since 2018 and has coached the law school’s moot court teams. She has also taught various courses in continuing legal education to attorneys and judges about topics including appellate practice and criminal law.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pickering graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2003, earning a certificate in e-commerce and intellectual property, and spent her third year of law school as a visiting student at the University of Kansas School of Law. She earned her B.A. in History from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1994.&nbsp;Also confirmed by the Kansas Senate were:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Ray Walling, State Librarian&nbsp;</li><li>Blake Benson, Pittsburg, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;</li><li>John B. Dicus, Topeka, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;</li><li>Diana Mendoza, Dodge City public school district, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;</li><li>Anne St. Peter, KU Hospital Authority Board of Directors&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>The following reappointments were also confirmed:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Erica Andrade, State Board of Indigent’s Defense Services&nbsp;</li><li>Dr. Michael Birzer, State Board of Indigent’s Defense Services&nbsp;</li><li>Patricia Hudgins, State Board of Indigent’s Defense Services&nbsp;</li><li>Pete Brungardt, State Lottery Commission&nbsp;</li><li>Dr. Talal Khan, KU Hospital Authority Board of Directors&nbsp;</li><li>Rick Wiley, Public Employee Relations Board&nbsp;</li><li>Steve Bowser, Pooled Money Investment Board&nbsp;</li><li>Harold Schorn, Kansas Human Rights Commission</li>
 </ul>

W. Kansas woman confirmed to Kansas Board of Regents

As I sit here this morning&nbsp;in the warm comfort of my living room&nbsp;watching the snow flakes&nbsp;fall,&nbsp;I’m reminded&nbsp;just&nbsp;how&nbsp;magnificent our Creator is. First the flakes were huge like&nbsp;doily’s&nbsp;and filled the sky. Next thing I knew, they were tiny,&nbsp;scarcely&nbsp;qualifying as snow flakes and&nbsp;barely coming down. Back and forth that cycle went for the rest of the morning.

Show&nbsp;me one person who doesn’t have some&nbsp;sort of love-hate relationship with snow.&nbsp;It

seems as though a person either love it or hates it, and for some of us it depends upon the

day.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;hard to explain how something that makes the landscape&nbsp;suddenly&nbsp;seem so sparkling clean and pure can turn on you in an instant and&nbsp;ruin your day. I was reminded today&nbsp;how much I love to watch snow fall and how beautiful it makes everything it touches, but also how much I hate removing it from my driveway.&nbsp;I’m kind of a purist in that I believe God put it there and I don’t want to shovel it and take away any satisfaction He might get from taking it away himself!&nbsp;Yes, to the traveler, home owner, maintenance man&nbsp;and commuter,&nbsp;snow is&nbsp;often&nbsp;an&nbsp;unwelcome inconvenience. To the outdoorsman, however, snow opens up a whole&nbsp;new world of&nbsp;opportunities.&nbsp;

For the&nbsp;outdoors&nbsp;photographer&nbsp;or painter there is no other canvas that compares to&nbsp;an outdoor scene&nbsp;sporting&nbsp;a&nbsp;fresh&nbsp;snowfall.&nbsp;Suddenly, as if by magic, the mundane becomesmajestic,&nbsp;the drab becomes&nbsp;dynamic and the everyday becomes&nbsp;extraordinary. Outdoor spots&nbsp;we pass&nbsp;daily with no recognition suddenly become&nbsp;scenes&nbsp;from a calendar.&nbsp;Likethe lava lamps of days gone by,&nbsp;the look of the landscape&nbsp;slowly&nbsp;changes from hour to hour with the wind.&nbsp;

Obviously,&nbsp;skiers and snowboarders live for fresh snow. After an overnight snowfall,hills&nbsp;too steep to climb become mere carnival rides beneath their feet. Cross country skiers can, in one day, see country it would take them several days to see on foot without the snow.&nbsp;And let’s not forget the farmers. As a rule of thumb, ten inches of snow equal one inch of rain,&nbsp;and snow supposedly brings with it good nutrients too, so&nbsp;even though we will not be getting&nbsp;any amount near ten inches, every little bit of moisture is welcome, given the dry state of our land.

Hunters and trappers can benefit&nbsp;greatly from a fresh snowfall. Tracks of deer, coyotes, bobcats and other game animals are tough to&nbsp;spot in our&nbsp;often-dry&nbsp;Kansas soil,&nbsp;so&nbsp;trying to learn&nbsp;their&nbsp;movement patterns&nbsp;can rely&nbsp;on being&nbsp;fortunate enough to see the animals themselves. Remember going to dances back-in-the-day when your hand was stamped with a mark that only showed up under a special “black light?”&nbsp;That mark was there the whole time but only became visible when put under the light. Just like the black light, snow suddenly shows tracks of wildlife that have been traveling those same paths for months, but leaving no visible signs.

After a significant&nbsp;snowfall a few years ago, I spent time scouting an area I still had yet to trap. It was a soybean stubble field along the river where my wife harvested&nbsp;her first deer several years before. Besides hordes of deer tracks, I followed 2 sets of bobcat tracks as they meandered&nbsp;back and forth across the field&nbsp;and between several freshly made brush piles.&nbsp;I tracked a coyote for several&nbsp;hundred yards and was able to observe exactly how it related to certain land features. I followed coyote tracks on&nbsp;a frozen drainage ditch and could see where it had stopped to nose around under logs and other attractions. Its tracks showed me&nbsp;cattle&nbsp;trails it had traveled&nbsp;along the steep banks&nbsp;and where it had entered and left the ditch. Closing&nbsp;my eyes, I could&nbsp;almost see&nbsp;these animals as they&nbsp;left the footprints that held&nbsp;my attention.

So, the next time it snows, after you’ve shoveled the driveway, cleaned the walks, swept the deck and cursed the weatherman, grab your camera or walking stick and head for the woods. It will definitely&nbsp;influence your relationship with the “white stuff”&nbsp;as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>As I sit here this morning&nbsp;in the warm comfort of my living room&nbsp;watching the snow flakes&nbsp;fall,&nbsp;I’m reminded&nbsp;just&nbsp;how&nbsp;magnificent our Creator is. First the flakes were huge like&nbsp;doily’s&nbsp;and filled the sky. Next thing I knew, they were tiny,&nbsp;scarcely&nbsp;qualifying as snow flakes and&nbsp;barely coming down. Back and forth that cycle went for the rest of the morning.Show&nbsp;me one person who doesn’t have some&nbsp;sort of love-hate relationship with snow.&nbsp;Itseems as though a person either love it or hates it, and for some of us it depends upon theday.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;hard to explain how something that makes the landscape&nbsp;suddenly&nbsp;seem so sparkling clean and pure can turn on you in an instant and&nbsp;ruin your day. I was reminded today&nbsp;how much I love to watch snow fall and how beautiful it makes everything it touches, but also how much I hate removing it from my driveway.&nbsp;I’m kind of a purist in that I believe God put it there and I don’t want to shovel it and take away any satisfaction He might get from taking it away himself!&nbsp;Yes, to the traveler, home owner, maintenance man&nbsp;and commuter,&nbsp;snow is&nbsp;often&nbsp;an&nbsp;unwelcome inconvenience. To the outdoorsman, however, snow opens up a whole&nbsp;new world of&nbsp;opportunities.&nbsp;For the&nbsp;outdoors&nbsp;photographer&nbsp;or painter there is no other canvas that compares to&nbsp;an outdoor scene&nbsp;sporting&nbsp;a&nbsp;fresh&nbsp;snowfall.&nbsp;Suddenly, as if by magic, the mundane becomesmajestic,&nbsp;the drab becomes&nbsp;dynamic and the everyday becomes&nbsp;extraordinary. Outdoor spots&nbsp;we pass&nbsp;daily with no recognition suddenly become&nbsp;scenes&nbsp;from a calendar.&nbsp;Likethe lava lamps of days gone by,&nbsp;the look of the landscape&nbsp;slowly&nbsp;changes from hour to hour with the wind.&nbsp;Obviously,&nbsp;skiers and snowboarders live for fresh snow. After an overnight snowfall,hills&nbsp;too steep to climb become mere carnival rides beneath their feet. Cross country skiers can, in one day, see country it would take them several days to see on foot without the snow.&nbsp;And let’s not forget the farmers. As a rule of thumb, ten inches of snow equal one inch of rain,&nbsp;and snow supposedly brings with it good nutrients too, so&nbsp;even though we will not be getting&nbsp;any amount near ten inches, every little bit of moisture is welcome, given the dry state of our land.Hunters and trappers can benefit&nbsp;greatly from a fresh snowfall. Tracks of deer, coyotes, bobcats and other game animals are tough to&nbsp;spot in our&nbsp;often-dry&nbsp;Kansas soil,&nbsp;so&nbsp;trying to learn&nbsp;their&nbsp;movement patterns&nbsp;can rely&nbsp;on being&nbsp;fortunate enough to see the animals themselves. Remember going to dances back-in-the-day when your hand was stamped with a mark that only showed up under a special “black light?”&nbsp;That mark was there the whole time but only became visible when put under the light. Just like the black light, snow suddenly shows tracks of wildlife that have been traveling those same paths for months, but leaving no visible signs.After a significant&nbsp;snowfall a few years ago, I spent time scouting an area I still had yet to trap. It was a soybean stubble field along the river where my wife harvested&nbsp;her first deer several years before. Besides hordes of deer tracks, I followed 2 sets of bobcat tracks as they meandered&nbsp;back and forth across the field&nbsp;and between several freshly made brush piles.&nbsp;I tracked a coyote for several&nbsp;hundred yards and was able to observe exactly how it related to certain land features. I followed coyote tracks on&nbsp;a frozen drainage ditch and could see where it had stopped to nose around under logs and other attractions. Its tracks showed me&nbsp;cattle&nbsp;trails it had traveled&nbsp;along the steep banks&nbsp;and where it had entered and left the ditch. Closing&nbsp;my eyes, I could&nbsp;almost see&nbsp;these animals as they&nbsp;left the footprints that held&nbsp;my attention.So, the next time it snows, after you’ve shoveled the driveway, cleaned the walks, swept the deck and cursed the weatherman, grab your camera or walking stick and head for the woods. It will definitely&nbsp;influence your relationship with the “white stuff”&nbsp;as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Snow — love it or hate it

A new state program could bring in $2.4 million for Fort
Hays State University students.

The Kansas Comprehensive Grant has been a long-term, needs-based
financial gift to FHSU students. But a recently announced match could allow the
program to benefit an even greater number of students.

The grant is a state-funded award given to students through
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and awarded based on a
number of criteria but given to those most in need of a helping hand to achieve
the goal of a Bachelor's Degree.

“This program has been introduced recently to our alumni
community through different mailing pieces,” said Carolyn Tatro, FHSU alumni engagement
strategist. “People might have seen it hit their mailboxes, and it was
mentioned in the latest edition of the Roar magazine.”

“The Kansas Comprehensive Grant is a program that's been
around since I started in financial aid in 2010,” said Chantelle Arnold, director
of financial assistance. “It was funded by the Legislature, and recently, they
have added to the program with this new match component.

“It is a dollar-for-dollar match and could potentially give
us $5 million to award to students.”

According to the FHSU website, to be eligible for the grant,
students must be a full-time Kansas degree-seeking undergraduate resident who
demonstrates a certain need based on the Expected Family Contribution from
FAFSA. 

“The way that the legislature set this up is great because
now we have a little skin in the game,” said Dennis King, FHSU associate vice president of student affairs. “When
you think about it, whenever you can double your money by making a donation and
help students, it’s a wonderful thing.”

He said the support from alumni has an impact on current students
that extends to the entire university and the community.

“That obviously impacts enrollment, that enrollment impacts
the quality of education in a classroom and the community itself,” King said. “It
helps graduation rates. It helps people find jobs and network afterward. So,
this is a win-win from beginning to end.”

The program, he said, also helps support FHSU’s overall strategy
of increasing enrollment as a way to keep tuition lower than other regional institutions,
including offering in-state tuition rates to students in states across the Midwest.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/475b65bd-792a-4358-90c6-5ddca6325034">“We just
did a big initiative last year to reach out to the surrounding 13 states as
well,” King said. “And so, this is great timing as far as just a complement to
that program.”</a>

To get the full benefit of the match program, the university
needs to raise the full amount possible in donations.

“That's the challenge for all
of us out there, as far as stepping up to make sure that we can match that,”
King said.

“If we
can raise $2.4 million, we can get $2.4 million, and we get $5 million to give
back to students, which is a huge chunk,” Arnold said. “It's also going to our
most needy students, so they should be also getting some federal funds.

“It
would be our hope that we could spread these funds around to get to the most
amount of students and hopefully get at least their tuition paid and possibly
part of their housing paid so that they can come and not have such a burden to
get to Fort Hays and finish their education.”

And unlike
many financial assistance programs, this grant is available to more than just incoming
first-year students.

“Unfortunately,
a lot of our continuing students don't have a lot of opportunities for grants,”
Arnold said. “And so this is a grant that you can get as a junior or a senior
if you share the need, and you get your paperwork done, and we have the funding
available, then you stand a really good chance of being awarded this grant.”

<a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate/">To donate to
the match programs, visit foundation.fhsu.edu/donate and designate the gift to
the “Kansas Comprehensive Grant Match Fund.”</a>

A check can also be mailed to the foundation at P.O. Box
1060, Hays, KS 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601517004349.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostA new state program could bring in $2.4 million for Fort
Hays State University students.The Kansas Comprehensive Grant has been a long-term, needs-based
financial gift to FHSU students. But a recently announced match could allow the
program to benefit an even greater number of students.The grant is a state-funded award given to students through
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and awarded based on a
number of criteria but given to those most in need of a helping hand to achieve
the goal of a Bachelor's Degree.“This program has been introduced recently to our alumni
community through different mailing pieces,” said Carolyn Tatro, FHSU alumni engagement
strategist. “People might have seen it hit their mailboxes, and it was
mentioned in the latest edition of the Roar magazine.”<div><iframe title="Kan. grant match helps FHSU students in need" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qmmpe-136b64c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>“The Kansas Comprehensive Grant is a program that's been
around since I started in financial aid in 2010,” said Chantelle Arnold, director
of financial assistance. “It was funded by the Legislature, and recently, they
have added to the program with this new match component.“It is a dollar-for-dollar match and could potentially give
us $5 million to award to students.”According to the FHSU website, to be eligible for the grant,
students must be a full-time Kansas degree-seeking undergraduate resident who
demonstrates a certain need based on the Expected Family Contribution from
FAFSA. “The way that the legislature set this up is great because
now we have a little skin in the game,” said Dennis King, FHSU associate vice president of student affairs. “When
you think about it, whenever you can double your money by making a donation and
help students, it’s a wonderful thing.”He said the support from alumni has an impact on current students
that extends to the entire university and the community.“That obviously impacts enrollment, that enrollment impacts
the quality of education in a classroom and the community itself,” King said. “It
helps graduation rates. It helps people find jobs and network afterward. So,
this is a win-win from beginning to end.”The program, he said, also helps support FHSU’s overall strategy
of increasing enrollment as a way to keep tuition lower than other regional institutions,
including offering in-state tuition rates to students in states across the Midwest.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/475b65bd-792a-4358-90c6-5ddca6325034">“We just
did a big initiative last year to reach out to the surrounding 13 states as
well,” King said. “And so, this is great timing as far as just a complement to
that program.”</a>To get the full benefit of the match program, the university
needs to raise the full amount possible in donations.“That's the challenge for all
of us out there, as far as stepping up to make sure that we can match that,”
King said.“If we
can raise $2.4 million, we can get $2.4 million, and we get $5 million to give
back to students, which is a huge chunk,” Arnold said. “It's also going to our
most needy students, so they should be also getting some federal funds.“It
would be our hope that we could spread these funds around to get to the most
amount of students and hopefully get at least their tuition paid and possibly
part of their housing paid so that they can come and not have such a burden to
get to Fort Hays and finish their education.”And unlike
many financial assistance programs, this grant is available to more than just incoming
first-year students.“Unfortunately,
a lot of our continuing students don't have a lot of opportunities for grants,”
Arnold said. “And so this is a grant that you can get as a junior or a senior
if you share the need, and you get your paperwork done, and we have the funding
available, then you stand a really good chance of being awarded this grant.”<a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate/">To donate to
the match programs, visit foundation.fhsu.edu/donate and designate the gift to
the “Kansas Comprehensive Grant Match Fund.”</a> A check can also be mailed to the foundation at P.O. Box
1060, Hays, KS 67601.

🎙 Kansas grant match helps Fort Hays State students in need

COLBY, Kan. — After serving a year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota in 2022, Colby Community College alumna Adrianne Schaunaman returned to Kansas this month to begin her new post as coach of the equestrian team.

She replaced Shanda Mattix, who coached since 2007. Mattix will co-coach during the spring semester and continue teaching a full load as director of the equine program.

Schaunaman attended CCC from 2017 to 2020 and earned degrees in equine science, horse production and management, and art. The Aberdeen, S.D., native was a member of the equestrian team for three years, two seasons on the rodeo team, and a year on the livestock judging squad.&nbsp;During those years, she was also a student worker in the horse unit at the college farm.

After her time at CCC, she attended the University of Minnesota-Crookston, graduating in 2021 with a degree in equine science and equine business management. At UMC, she was active with the equestrian team, showing on the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and NCAA teams.

As Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Schaunaman was an ambassador of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and professional rodeo in South Dakota. Her preparation for Miss Rodeo America included riding different horses in competitions across the country in a similar format used by the IHSA.

Before her term as Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Schaunaman was a colt trainer for Janssen Performance Horses, a cutting horse operation in Rush City, Minn. She also worked as a veterinary assistant at Northern Plains Animal Health in Aberdeen, S.D.

"I am excited to share my passion, knowledge, and diverse experience with a great group of riders," Schaunaman said.

Though she is a coach, she has not given up riding.

"I am excited to get back in the show pen myself. I ride reining horses, soon reined cow horses, and run barrels. I love western fashion and being involved in rodeo production."

With Schaunaman's background, her orientation as a new employee is progressing faster than most.

"It's been a seamless transition as she has a strong history with the equestrian team," said Mattix. "She has a lot of unique experience to bring back to CCC. I'm thankful she made the move to return to Colby and am excited for what's to come!"

Mattix serves as the agriculture division chair that oversees the team, among others. The hiring of Schaunaman marks the final piece of a transition to separate coaching from faculty positions.

"With full-time coaches in place for the equestrian, livestock judging, and rodeo teams, there's an opportunity to grow in the competition arena, strengthen their position of academic success, and recruit more students to CCC," Mattix said. "It's an exciting time for the agriculture division as we expand in a lot of ways to better serve our students."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674252137677.jpeg" alt="Schaunaman" />
 <figcaption>Schaunaman</figcaption>
 </figure>CCCCOLBY, Kan. — After serving a year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota in 2022, Colby Community College alumna Adrianne Schaunaman returned to Kansas this month to begin her new post as coach of the equestrian team.She replaced Shanda Mattix, who coached since 2007. Mattix will co-coach during the spring semester and continue teaching a full load as director of the equine program.Schaunaman attended CCC from 2017 to 2020 and earned degrees in equine science, horse production and management, and art. The Aberdeen, S.D., native was a member of the equestrian team for three years, two seasons on the rodeo team, and a year on the livestock judging squad.&nbsp;During those years, she was also a student worker in the horse unit at the college farm.After her time at CCC, she attended the University of Minnesota-Crookston, graduating in 2021 with a degree in equine science and equine business management. At UMC, she was active with the equestrian team, showing on the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and NCAA teams.As Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Schaunaman was an ambassador of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and professional rodeo in South Dakota. Her preparation for Miss Rodeo America included riding different horses in competitions across the country in a similar format used by the IHSA.Before her term as Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Schaunaman was a colt trainer for Janssen Performance Horses, a cutting horse operation in Rush City, Minn. She also worked as a veterinary assistant at Northern Plains Animal Health in Aberdeen, S.D."I am excited to share my passion, knowledge, and diverse experience with a great group of riders," Schaunaman said.Though she is a coach, she has not given up riding."I am excited to get back in the show pen myself. I ride reining horses, soon reined cow horses, and run barrels. I love western fashion and being involved in rodeo production."With Schaunaman's background, her orientation as a new employee is progressing faster than most."It's been a seamless transition as she has a strong history with the equestrian team," said Mattix. "She has a lot of unique experience to bring back to CCC. I'm thankful she made the move to return to Colby and am excited for what's to come!"Mattix serves as the agriculture division chair that oversees the team, among others. The hiring of Schaunaman marks the final piece of a transition to separate coaching from faculty positions."With full-time coaches in place for the equestrian, livestock judging, and rodeo teams, there's an opportunity to grow in the competition arena, strengthen their position of academic success, and recruit more students to CCC," Mattix said. "It's an exciting time for the agriculture division as we expand in a lot of ways to better serve our students."

Former Rodeo Miss South Dakota takes reins of CCC equestrian team

​While some&nbsp;folks negatively refer to Kansas as&nbsp;Flyover Country, I&nbsp;consider&nbsp;the term&nbsp;as one of our state’s best descriptors. 

Because of our location and the presence of&nbsp;features such as Cheyenne Bottoms&nbsp;and Quivira Marsh,&nbsp;the migratory bird&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Flyway&nbsp;crosses&nbsp;right&nbsp;overKansas.&nbsp;

Due to&nbsp;this, we&nbsp;see and hear&nbsp;massive migrations each spring and fall that few experience. As a bonus, geese and ducks that nest in Canada&nbsp;fly&nbsp;this far south in the winter&nbsp;before&nbsp;stopping&nbsp;on our lakes&nbsp;and reservoirs to feed and fuel the rest of their&nbsp;journey. Making it a double bonus, bald eagles that also&nbsp;reproduce&nbsp;in the North Country, follow those&nbsp;honking, quacking&nbsp;flocks&nbsp;to&nbsp;hunt&nbsp;weaker,&nbsp;slower&nbsp;members.&nbsp;Growing&nbsp;populations&nbsp;made&nbsp;this a banner year for&nbsp;fans of our national bird.

Kansas Birding&nbsp;on Facebook&nbsp;shared&nbsp;recently completed Christmas Bird Counts (CBC)&nbsp;that&nbsp;documented at least 100 eagles at Kirwin Reservoir. Nearby Webster Lake CBC reported at least 125 bald eagles&nbsp;following&nbsp;Canada goose, snow goose, and duck flocks this winter. If you want to nature watch, it’s worth a&nbsp;drive&nbsp;to view&nbsp;thousands of&nbsp;geese on the water as well as&nbsp;the&nbsp;hundreds&nbsp;circling&nbsp;and landing in&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;farm fields.&nbsp;Park safely, crank up the heat,&nbsp;roll&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;window,&nbsp;and&nbsp;listen to&nbsp;them&nbsp;gabble and honk.&nbsp;

​Once&nbsp;you get&nbsp;close enough to the lake to watch massive rafts of water fowl,&nbsp;grab binoculars, spotting scopes, or telescopic lenses to look for accompanying bald eagles. In the past, seeing&nbsp;more than&nbsp;a&nbsp;couple&nbsp;thrilled&nbsp;a birder’s heart, but this year,&nbsp;lucky viewers&nbsp;might see&nbsp;a&nbsp;score&nbsp;or two&nbsp;sitting on ice,&nbsp;picking at&nbsp;remnants of goose&nbsp;or&nbsp;duck&nbsp;or fish, preening to keep feathers in prime condition, or resting between feasts.&nbsp;

​On a recent trip to Webster, we first spied several bald eagles perched high in trees lining the north shore camping and boating areas. With&nbsp;distinctive&nbsp;heads and hooked beaks&nbsp;turned to&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on thousands of waterfowl on the lake, they&nbsp;searched&nbsp;for&nbsp;those&nbsp;weak&nbsp;birds&nbsp;that&nbsp;provide a quick protein boost.&nbsp;

​We&nbsp;then&nbsp;stopped&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;high vantage point that&nbsp;gave&nbsp;an open view of&nbsp;much of&nbsp;the ice-covered&nbsp;water. Once I zoomed in with my telescopic lens&nbsp;to&nbsp;scan&nbsp;the area, I’d see anywhere from 5 to 10 eagles situated not far from each&nbsp;group&nbsp;of hundreds if not thousands of&nbsp;waterfowl.&nbsp;

​Later, we&nbsp;investigated&nbsp;the campground/cove areas,&nbsp;pulling&nbsp;into one&nbsp;where we promptly spotted&nbsp;more&nbsp;eagles&nbsp;watching from&nbsp;trees near water.&nbsp;We found a parking&nbsp;spot&nbsp;that offered a&nbsp;distant&nbsp;view of&nbsp;a&nbsp;semi-protected cove&nbsp;and&nbsp;counted&nbsp;39&nbsp;eagles&nbsp;in&nbsp;that spot.&nbsp;Once again,&nbsp;they pecked at&nbsp;scraps, preened,&nbsp;and&nbsp;snoozed&nbsp;while&nbsp;a couple of&nbsp;lazy ones&nbsp;sneaked close enough&nbsp;to&nbsp;raise a fuss over&nbsp;a fellow&nbsp;eagle’s food cache.

​While eagles&nbsp;have&nbsp;historically followed&nbsp;migrating waterfowl&nbsp;across Kansas&nbsp;during fall and winter, this year’s bird count&nbsp;suggests&nbsp;that conservation efforts have boosted their recovery. It also makes&nbsp;Flyover Country&nbsp;sound&nbsp;so much&nbsp;more intriguing than the original&nbsp;disparaging remark&nbsp;intended.

Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674228972077.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORIN​While some&nbsp;folks negatively refer to Kansas as&nbsp;Flyover Country, I&nbsp;consider&nbsp;the term&nbsp;as one of our state’s best descriptors. Because of our location and the presence of&nbsp;features such as Cheyenne Bottoms&nbsp;and Quivira Marsh,&nbsp;the migratory bird&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Flyway&nbsp;crosses&nbsp;right&nbsp;overKansas.&nbsp;Due to&nbsp;this, we&nbsp;see and hear&nbsp;massive migrations each spring and fall that few experience. As a bonus, geese and ducks that nest in Canada&nbsp;fly&nbsp;this far south in the winter&nbsp;before&nbsp;stopping&nbsp;on our lakes&nbsp;and reservoirs to feed and fuel the rest of their&nbsp;journey. Making it a double bonus, bald eagles that also&nbsp;reproduce&nbsp;in the North Country, follow those&nbsp;honking, quacking&nbsp;flocks&nbsp;to&nbsp;hunt&nbsp;weaker,&nbsp;slower&nbsp;members.&nbsp;Growing&nbsp;populations&nbsp;made&nbsp;this a banner year for&nbsp;fans of our national bird.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PmXnldNV-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Eagle Flyover Country" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Kansas Birding&nbsp;on Facebook&nbsp;shared&nbsp;recently completed Christmas Bird Counts (CBC)&nbsp;that&nbsp;documented at least 100 eagles at Kirwin Reservoir. Nearby Webster Lake CBC reported at least 125 bald eagles&nbsp;following&nbsp;Canada goose, snow goose, and duck flocks this winter. If you want to nature watch, it’s worth a&nbsp;drive&nbsp;to view&nbsp;thousands of&nbsp;geese on the water as well as&nbsp;the&nbsp;hundreds&nbsp;circling&nbsp;and landing in&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;farm fields.&nbsp;Park safely, crank up the heat,&nbsp;roll&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;window,&nbsp;and&nbsp;listen to&nbsp;them&nbsp;gabble and honk.&nbsp;​Once&nbsp;you get&nbsp;close enough to the lake to watch massive rafts of water fowl,&nbsp;grab binoculars, spotting scopes, or telescopic lenses to look for accompanying bald eagles. In the past, seeing&nbsp;more than&nbsp;a&nbsp;couple&nbsp;thrilled&nbsp;a birder’s heart, but this year,&nbsp;lucky viewers&nbsp;might see&nbsp;a&nbsp;score&nbsp;or two&nbsp;sitting on ice,&nbsp;picking at&nbsp;remnants of goose&nbsp;or&nbsp;duck&nbsp;or fish, preening to keep feathers in prime condition, or resting between feasts.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>​On a recent trip to Webster, we first spied several bald eagles perched high in trees lining the north shore camping and boating areas. With&nbsp;distinctive&nbsp;heads and hooked beaks&nbsp;turned to&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on thousands of waterfowl on the lake, they&nbsp;searched&nbsp;for&nbsp;those&nbsp;weak&nbsp;birds&nbsp;that&nbsp;provide a quick protein boost.&nbsp;​We&nbsp;then&nbsp;stopped&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;high vantage point that&nbsp;gave&nbsp;an open view of&nbsp;much of&nbsp;the ice-covered&nbsp;water. Once I zoomed in with my telescopic lens&nbsp;to&nbsp;scan&nbsp;the area, I’d see anywhere from 5 to 10 eagles situated not far from each&nbsp;group&nbsp;of hundreds if not thousands of&nbsp;waterfowl.&nbsp;​Later, we&nbsp;investigated&nbsp;the campground/cove areas,&nbsp;pulling&nbsp;into one&nbsp;where we promptly spotted&nbsp;more&nbsp;eagles&nbsp;watching from&nbsp;trees near water.&nbsp;We found a parking&nbsp;spot&nbsp;that offered a&nbsp;distant&nbsp;view of&nbsp;a&nbsp;semi-protected cove&nbsp;and&nbsp;counted&nbsp;39&nbsp;eagles&nbsp;in&nbsp;that spot.&nbsp;Once again,&nbsp;they pecked at&nbsp;scraps, preened,&nbsp;and&nbsp;snoozed&nbsp;while&nbsp;a couple of&nbsp;lazy ones&nbsp;sneaked close enough&nbsp;to&nbsp;raise a fuss over&nbsp;a fellow&nbsp;eagle’s food cache.​While eagles&nbsp;have&nbsp;historically followed&nbsp;migrating waterfowl&nbsp;across Kansas&nbsp;during fall and winter, this year’s bird count&nbsp;suggests&nbsp;that conservation efforts have boosted their recovery. It also makes&nbsp;Flyover Country&nbsp;sound&nbsp;so much&nbsp;more intriguing than the original&nbsp;disparaging remark&nbsp;intended.Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

MADORIN: Bald eagles in Flyover Country

Consistent with conservative wishes when it comes to K-12 education, the 2023 “A Better Way” legislative agenda Kansas Republicans released a few days ago leans toward support for school choice Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).

Any significant upside here is that the legislative process provides plenty of time for the public to voice their own goals for public school improvement.&nbsp;

ESA legislation likely to be introduced in 2023 would allow parents to draw down individual per student state funding to use at a private school or for other educational expenses such as tutoring, transportation or extra-curricular services.&nbsp;

Can providing Kansas taxpayer dollars to parents to spend on their child’s learning be the magic bullet for education or do ESAs drain the Kansas school system of needed resources and nullify the intent of state and federal law?

Kansas already offers a wide array of school choice options for parents—traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies and homeschooling.&nbsp;

Open enrollment, which will go into effect in the 2024-25 school year,&nbsp;will permit any Kansas student to transfer schools based on the receiving school’s capacity.

An ESA is not a 529 education savings account plan, in Kansas called Learning Quest, where parents/anyone can invest their own dollars toward a child’s education.&nbsp; Funds accrued in a 529&nbsp;account can be withdrawn tax-free if used to pay for college or other qualified education expenses including private schools.

The proposed ESA program is similar to voucher programs which originally allowed states to convert the amount of tax dollars going to support a child in public school to vouchers handed directly to parents for use at approved private schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The first voucher programs emerged in Southern states, during the 1950s shortly after American schools were desegregated. These vouchers were found unconstitutional by the U. S. Supreme Court in part because of selective-admission private school policies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A resurgence in conservatism and voucher popularity began around 2000 and 15 states now have some form of revised voucher plans often called ESAs. These states’ laws are not uniform. Some limit recipients to high need students.&nbsp; Others allow funds for select learning services beyond private school tuition.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent successful lawsuits&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tennessee, South Carolina and&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;blocked the diversion of millions of taxpayer dollars from public schools to private school vouchers.

The Education Law Center Public Funds Public Schools tracks challenges to ESAs and found a recently filed New Hampshirelawsuit revealed Amazon as the largest ESA beneficiary in 2021, receiving 18% of funds released to parents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>Consistent with conservative wishes when it comes to K-12 education, the 2023 “A Better Way” legislative agenda Kansas Republicans released a few days ago leans toward support for school choice Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).Any significant upside here is that the legislative process provides plenty of time for the public to voice their own goals for public school improvement.&nbsp;ESA legislation likely to be introduced in 2023 would allow parents to draw down individual per student state funding to use at a private school or for other educational expenses such as tutoring, transportation or extra-curricular services.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Can providing Kansas taxpayer dollars to parents to spend on their child’s learning be the magic bullet for education or do ESAs drain the Kansas school system of needed resources and nullify the intent of state and federal law?Kansas already offers a wide array of school choice options for parents—traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies and homeschooling.&nbsp;Open enrollment, which will go into effect in the 2024-25 school year,&nbsp;will permit any Kansas student to transfer schools based on the receiving school’s capacity.An ESA is not a 529 education savings account plan, in Kansas called Learning Quest, where parents/anyone can invest their own dollars toward a child’s education.&nbsp; Funds accrued in a 529&nbsp;account can be withdrawn tax-free if used to pay for college or other qualified education expenses including private schools.The proposed ESA program is similar to voucher programs which originally allowed states to convert the amount of tax dollars going to support a child in public school to vouchers handed directly to parents for use at approved private schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;The first voucher programs emerged in Southern states, during the 1950s shortly after American schools were desegregated. These vouchers were found unconstitutional by the U. S. Supreme Court in part because of selective-admission private school policies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A resurgence in conservatism and voucher popularity began around 2000 and 15 states now have some form of revised voucher plans often called ESAs. These states’ laws are not uniform. Some limit recipients to high need students.&nbsp; Others allow funds for select learning services beyond private school tuition.&nbsp;&nbsp;Recent successful lawsuits&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tennessee, South Carolina and&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;blocked the diversion of millions of taxpayer dollars from public schools to private school vouchers.The Education Law Center Public Funds Public Schools tracks challenges to ESAs and found a recently filed New Hampshirelawsuit revealed Amazon as the largest ESA beneficiary in 2021, receiving 18% of funds released to parents.ESA supporters point to West Virginia, Florida and Arizona as examples where ESAs contribute to student success, but verification is difficult to determine because it is often based on short-term, non-scientific data collection.There is an enormous difference between parents’ right to choose education for their own children and parents having power to decide where distribution of taxpayer dollars will go.In Kansas, ESAs may be less about the opportunity for school choice than about shifting taxpayer education dollars to corporate entities and selective-admission private schools.There are other, better ways to fix problem schools.&nbsp;Whether it’s rural, suburban or city schools, anytime taxpayer money goes out-the-door to private enterprise, schools lose resources and the American ideal of free public education for all is diminished. &nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

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