<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/2023/2/1676049876838.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

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take to the road once again Friday for a key&nbsp;Mid-Continent League matchup with Phillipsburg.

The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Our coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show on 99.5 KHAZ.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/525371">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take to the road once again Friday for a key&nbsp;Mid-Continent League matchup with Phillipsburg.The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.Our coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show on 99.5 KHAZ.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/525371">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/525371?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian v Phillipsburg

The Hays High Indians play host to the Liberal Redskins Friday night in a Western Athletic Conference matchup.

The girls game will tipoff at approximately 6:00 with the boys to follow from Hays High School.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480666">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The Hays High Indians play host to the Liberal Redskins Friday night in a Western Athletic Conference matchup.The girls game will tipoff at approximately 6:00 with the boys to follow from Hays High School.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480666">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480666?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High vs Liberal

Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Pre-Law/Legal Studies at Fort Hays State University Wendy&nbsp;Rohleder-Sook was named&nbsp;a&nbsp;member of the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee.&nbsp;The committee was created by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla&nbsp;Luckert&nbsp;on Dec. 1 to address&nbsp;the&nbsp;issue of lack&nbsp;of attorney representation in rural counties in Kansas.&nbsp;Today, there are counties in Kansas — Wichita and Hodgeman — that have zero attorneys and others that only have one.&nbsp;With her&nbsp;knowledge&nbsp;and experience, Rohleder-Sook will engage&nbsp;with the 35 members of the committee to collaborate on&nbsp;possible&nbsp;solutions&nbsp;to this issue.&nbsp;

“It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to brainstorm and develop possible solutions with an amazing group around the state in the legal profession and other areas,”&nbsp;Rohleder&nbsp;said. “Everyone should have access to legal representation&nbsp;and&nbsp;the opportunity to&nbsp;develop a face-to-face relationship with&nbsp;an&nbsp;attorney.”

The committee members consist of individuals from diverse backgrounds: branches of state government, the legal and business communities, law schools and special interest organizations. Upon the&nbsp;conclusion of the 18-month period, the committee will submit initial recommendations to the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;with efforts to increase legal representation in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676062057695.jpeg" alt="Rohleder-Sook" />
 <figcaption>Rohleder-Sook</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Political ScienceAssistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Pre-Law/Legal Studies at Fort Hays State University Wendy&nbsp;Rohleder-Sook was named&nbsp;a&nbsp;member of the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee.&nbsp;The committee was created by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla&nbsp;Luckert&nbsp;on Dec. 1 to address&nbsp;the&nbsp;issue of lack&nbsp;of attorney representation in rural counties in Kansas.&nbsp;Today, there are counties in Kansas — Wichita and Hodgeman — that have zero attorneys and others that only have one.&nbsp;With her&nbsp;knowledge&nbsp;and experience, Rohleder-Sook will engage&nbsp;with the 35 members of the committee to collaborate on&nbsp;possible&nbsp;solutions&nbsp;to this issue.&nbsp;“It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to brainstorm and develop possible solutions with an amazing group around the state in the legal profession and other areas,”&nbsp;Rohleder&nbsp;said. “Everyone should have access to legal representation&nbsp;and&nbsp;the opportunity to&nbsp;develop a face-to-face relationship with&nbsp;an&nbsp;attorney.”The committee members consist of individuals from diverse backgrounds: branches of state government, the legal and business communities, law schools and special interest organizations. Upon the&nbsp;conclusion of the 18-month period, the committee will submit initial recommendations to the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;with efforts to increase legal representation in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Rohleder-Sook named to Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee

LENORA — Nex-Tech has announced the next phase of fiber expansion will be to Salina area households. This fiber expansion provides Internet accessibility of speeds up to 1 gigabyte, allowing ample bandwidth for running multiple wireless devices (including streaming video) or supporting a work-from-home lifestyle.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Increased Internet speeds provide many benefits to residences and businesses. It allows the transfer of very large files over the Internet, like medical images or multimedia programming. A fiber infrastructure also levels the playing field for small, rural communities to compete with larger, urban areas for business growth, expansion, and economic development.&nbsp;

Starting in March, Nex-Tech will begin the buildout process to several residential neighborhoods in the east and south areas of Salina. The general area includes most areas east of the Smokey Hill River, and parts south of Magnolia, Belmont to Schilling, and southeast of Cloud and Ohio. For detailed areas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Ctc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/VWcJx28tgXWGW7Jt0N31FwP0GVVm64t4WTGj7N3X6VH93q3npV1-WJV7CgJkcW3fJ1Fz93fmcSW3QCkg88x9QJRN8wfjfj7MGPYW4p9YYp8nr5mdW32LbrG2tVTpMW1Y4_Hb4DLNXJW5NY-2P1h_9NlW5RtFCr4NCX7DW3J0FbJ31WhnJW5tFJwK63TyNjW32rtYn31py1bW1ddxZm29klSqW6ydCHQ1P111ZW8tvhj14kLf60W78p8Yl5nSzTbW9d__hX7jPy5SN2jTW0k2F1-xW8Xyqj15kgSFbN7CkTMwT8-v-N9drS8zbkxxTW1Lg_LR6HZwdSN88dk-mR_q1N3nsv1" target="_blank">www.nex-tech.com/salina</a>. This area of fiber expansion is estimated to be complete by the end of 2023.&nbsp;

In addition, Nex-Tech was recently awarded a grant from the Kansas Capital Project Funds Broadband Infrastructure Program to bring fiber to a residential neighborhood north of Salina and an area along Interstate 70 to the north and south in the Hedville area. This area of the fiber expansion will start in 2024.&nbsp;

“Nex-Tech expansion plans are driven in large part by our commitment to making connectivity an integral part of rural America,” says Dustin Schlaefli, Director of Customer Engagement. “That said, it is an expensive proposition, so when we build, it is with an eye to the future. We know that a 10 Mbps connection is no longer enough for the average household and demand will continue to increase as technology advances.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information on Nex-Tech’s fiber expansion in Salina, visit www.nex-tech.com/salina or stop by its store during the Cocoa Crawl on Feb. 17. Nex-Tech’s local store is located at 104 N. Santa Fe, Ste. B, and will be open 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday starting on Feb. 20. Nex-Tech has 15 local employees, so when customers have a question, or need assistance, local assistance will be available.&nbsp;

Nex-Tech has been offering services in Salina since 2005, with a store location since that time. In addition to providing phone, internet and business technology services, the internet expansion will allow Nex-Tech to deliver TV Now service as well, providing a new option for TV service to Salina residents. Nex-Tech currently offers fiber service in nearly 60 communities throughout Kansas and was the first company in the nation to bring fiber to the home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664811194934.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseLENORA — Nex-Tech has announced the next phase of fiber expansion will be to Salina area households. This fiber expansion provides Internet accessibility of speeds up to 1 gigabyte, allowing ample bandwidth for running multiple wireless devices (including streaming video) or supporting a work-from-home lifestyle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Increased Internet speeds provide many benefits to residences and businesses. It allows the transfer of very large files over the Internet, like medical images or multimedia programming. A fiber infrastructure also levels the playing field for small, rural communities to compete with larger, urban areas for business growth, expansion, and economic development.&nbsp;Starting in March, Nex-Tech will begin the buildout process to several residential neighborhoods in the east and south areas of Salina. The general area includes most areas east of the Smokey Hill River, and parts south of Magnolia, Belmont to Schilling, and southeast of Cloud and Ohio. For detailed areas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Ctc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/VWcJx28tgXWGW7Jt0N31FwP0GVVm64t4WTGj7N3X6VH93q3npV1-WJV7CgJkcW3fJ1Fz93fmcSW3QCkg88x9QJRN8wfjfj7MGPYW4p9YYp8nr5mdW32LbrG2tVTpMW1Y4_Hb4DLNXJW5NY-2P1h_9NlW5RtFCr4NCX7DW3J0FbJ31WhnJW5tFJwK63TyNjW32rtYn31py1bW1ddxZm29klSqW6ydCHQ1P111ZW8tvhj14kLf60W78p8Yl5nSzTbW9d__hX7jPy5SN2jTW0k2F1-xW8Xyqj15kgSFbN7CkTMwT8-v-N9drS8zbkxxTW1Lg_LR6HZwdSN88dk-mR_q1N3nsv1" target="_blank">www.nex-tech.com/salina</a>. This area of fiber expansion is estimated to be complete by the end of 2023.&nbsp;In addition, Nex-Tech was recently awarded a grant from the Kansas Capital Project Funds Broadband Infrastructure Program to bring fiber to a residential neighborhood north of Salina and an area along Interstate 70 to the north and south in the Hedville area. This area of the fiber expansion will start in 2024.&nbsp;“Nex-Tech expansion plans are driven in large part by our commitment to making connectivity an integral part of rural America,” says Dustin Schlaefli, Director of Customer Engagement. “That said, it is an expensive proposition, so when we build, it is with an eye to the future. We know that a 10 Mbps connection is no longer enough for the average household and demand will continue to increase as technology advances.”&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information on Nex-Tech’s fiber expansion in Salina, visit www.nex-tech.com/salina or stop by its store during the Cocoa Crawl on Feb. 17. Nex-Tech’s local store is located at 104 N. Santa Fe, Ste. B, and will be open 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday starting on Feb. 20. Nex-Tech has 15 local employees, so when customers have a question, or need assistance, local assistance will be available.&nbsp;Nex-Tech has been offering services in Salina since 2005, with a store location since that time. In addition to providing phone, internet and business technology services, the internet expansion will allow Nex-Tech to deliver TV Now service as well, providing a new option for TV service to Salina residents. Nex-Tech currently offers fiber service in nearly 60 communities throughout Kansas and was the first company in the nation to bring fiber to the home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nex-Tech expanding fiber into Salina market

PAWNEE COUNTY—Officials in Pawnee County were notified Thursday that John Freeman Colt was sentenced in the Federal District Court of Utah to a 21-month term with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

In June of 2021, Colt escaped from the Sexual Predator Treatment program on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested in Wayne County, Utah on Sept. 27, 2021. 

On Aug. 11, 2022, Colt entered a Guilty plea to a single count of Failing to Register under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

He is currently charged under Kansas Law with Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony. Additionally, he is still subject to his civil commitment to the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program. Once he completes his sentence on the federal conviction, arrangements will be made for Colt’s extradition back to Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632850718422.png" alt="Colt after his arrest in Wayne County Utah" />
 <figcaption>Colt after his arrest in Wayne County Utah</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—Officials in Pawnee County were notified Thursday that John Freeman Colt was sentenced in the Federal District Court of Utah to a 21-month term with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625086515798.png" alt="-Colt during his escape from the Larned State Hospital-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>-Colt during his escape from the Larned State Hospital-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>In June of 2021, Colt escaped from the Sexual Predator Treatment program on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested in Wayne County, Utah on Sept. 27, 2021. On Aug. 11, 2022, Colt entered a Guilty plea to a single count of Failing to Register under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.He is currently charged under Kansas Law with Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony. Additionally, he is still subject to his civil commitment to the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program. Once he completes his sentence on the federal conviction, arrangements will be made for Colt’s extradition back to Kansas.

Escapee from Larned State Hospital sentenced on federal charges

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The last six homicides in Hays were linked to domestic violence.

The Hays Police Department and Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services are teaming up to try to help victims of domestic violence get help before it's too late.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e66ef007-3931-4e77-9629-32a708953ee5">RELATED STORY: Man arrested after alleged domestic violence killing in Hays</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/31909cf2-4721-42e3-ab7e-5e2de4392888">RELATED STORY: Hays man faces possible murder charges after wife dies</a>

"Domestic violence continues to be one of the biggest challenges we face," Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said. "The mission of the Hays Police Department is to make people feel safe, and if you don't feel safe in your own home, we can't make you feel safe anywhere else."

Hays had 1oo domestic violence arrests last year.

Lethality programs have been used with much success in other states and other cities in Kansas.

Scheibler said Olathe instituted a program and went from five homicides in a year related to domestic violence to none within five years.

When law enforcement officers respond to a domestic violence report, they ask the victim a list of preset questions to help determine if that person may be in danger of future serious injury or death at the hand of the perpetrator, said Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director.

A state advisory board on domestic violence is suggesting local agencies use the APRAIS model that was developed in Arizona, which includes 18 questions.

Some of the topics include: Have you been a victim of strangulation? Has the violence been escalating? Was physical violence used against you during pregnancy? Were you forced to have sex? Do you believe your partner is capable of killing you?

The responding officer shares the results with the victim and then dials the phone number to connect the victim with a domestic violence advocate. That advocate can discuss safety plans with the victim and other services Options provides.

Victims are not required to accept services.

By the time a domestic violence case has been reported to law enforcement, Scheibler said, violence has occurred in that relationship an average of six times before. Wichita has been using a lethality program and found 92 percent of the victims had never been connected to victims' services before, Sheibler said.

Hecker said, "Just the act of completing a lethality assessment with them increased safety overall for everyone because they were able to connect them with more resources."&nbsp;

Many victims don't know what resources are there. Additionally, the action of an officer dialing and handing a phone to a victim in that moment of crisis helps victims overcome the fear of reaching out, Hecker said.

Hecker and Scheibler said victims often don't realize how much danger they and their children are in.

"Perpetrators are very skilled at minimizing their own behavior and they groom their victims to minimize that behavior as well," Hecker said.

A lethality survey can't predict a homicide, Hecker said, but it can highlight the risk factors.

The victim's answers to the lethality questions can be used in bail hearings or to determine protection from abuse orders. It can't be used at trial or sentencing.

Scheibler said he hopes the surveys will lead to less protection from abuse orders being dropped by the victims.

The infrastructure for the program is already in place, Scheibler said. Officers are already responding to domestic violence calls, and the advocates are already on call 24/7 to answer calls for assistance.

Scheibler said he hopes to have the program in place in Hays fairly soon.

Hecker said the program will bring together advocacy services, law enforcement and the judicial system.&nbsp;

"It is really about building community safety for the victim," Hecker said, "so that people aren't falling through the cracks. We are no longer siloing services. Those services are working together. We are weaving together a tapestry of services that will really support victims all the way through the process."

If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, you can reach an advocate through Options through its&nbsp;text, chat or phone hotlines. Text the word "Hope" to 847411.

The 24-hour phone helpline is 1-800-794-4624. The chat and other information can be accessed on the Options website at&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>.&nbsp;All of the helplines and chats are manned 24/7, 365 days a year. All services are free and confidential.

The agency also has a mobile unit that travels throughout its 18-county catchment area in northwest Kansas. Contact Options through one of the means above to learn more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675721493801.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe last six homicides in Hays were linked to domestic violence.The Hays Police Department and Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services are teaming up to try to help victims of domestic violence get help before it's too late.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e66ef007-3931-4e77-9629-32a708953ee5">RELATED STORY: Man arrested after alleged domestic violence killing in Hays</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/31909cf2-4721-42e3-ab7e-5e2de4392888">RELATED STORY: Hays man faces possible murder charges after wife dies</a>"Domestic violence continues to be one of the biggest challenges we face," Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said. "The mission of the Hays Police Department is to make people feel safe, and if you don't feel safe in your own home, we can't make you feel safe anywhere else."Hays had 1oo domestic violence arrests last year.Lethality programs have been used with much success in other states and other cities in Kansas.Scheibler said Olathe instituted a program and went from five homicides in a year related to domestic violence to none within five years.When law enforcement officers respond to a domestic violence report, they ask the victim a list of preset questions to help determine if that person may be in danger of future serious injury or death at the hand of the perpetrator, said Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director.A state advisory board on domestic violence is suggesting local agencies use the APRAIS model that was developed in Arizona, which includes 18 questions.Some of the topics include: Have you been a victim of strangulation? Has the violence been escalating? Was physical violence used against you during pregnancy? Were you forced to have sex? Do you believe your partner is capable of killing you?The responding officer shares the results with the victim and then dials the phone number to connect the victim with a domestic violence advocate. That advocate can discuss safety plans with the victim and other services Options provides.Victims are not required to accept services.By the time a domestic violence case has been reported to law enforcement, Scheibler said, violence has occurred in that relationship an average of six times before. Wichita has been using a lethality program and found 92 percent of the victims had never been connected to victims' services before, Sheibler said.Hecker said, "Just the act of completing a lethality assessment with them increased safety overall for everyone because they were able to connect them with more resources."&nbsp;Many victims don't know what resources are there. Additionally, the action of an officer dialing and handing a phone to a victim in that moment of crisis helps victims overcome the fear of reaching out, Hecker said.Hecker and Scheibler said victims often don't realize how much danger they and their children are in."Perpetrators are very skilled at minimizing their own behavior and they groom their victims to minimize that behavior as well," Hecker said.A lethality survey can't predict a homicide, Hecker said, but it can highlight the risk factors.The victim's answers to the lethality questions can be used in bail hearings or to determine protection from abuse orders. It can't be used at trial or sentencing.Scheibler said he hopes the surveys will lead to less protection from abuse orders being dropped by the victims.The infrastructure for the program is already in place, Scheibler said. Officers are already responding to domestic violence calls, and the advocates are already on call 24/7 to answer calls for assistance.Scheibler said he hopes to have the program in place in Hays fairly soon.Hecker said the program will bring together advocacy services, law enforcement and the judicial system.&nbsp;"It is really about building community safety for the victim," Hecker said, "so that people aren't falling through the cracks. We are no longer siloing services. Those services are working together. We are weaving together a tapestry of services that will really support victims all the way through the process."If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, you can reach an advocate through Options through its&nbsp;text, chat or phone hotlines. Text the word "Hope" to 847411.The 24-hour phone helpline is 1-800-794-4624. The chat and other information can be accessed on the Options website at&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>.&nbsp;All of the helplines and chats are manned 24/7, 365 days a year. All services are free and confidential.The agency also has a mobile unit that travels throughout its 18-county catchment area in northwest Kansas. Contact Options through one of the means above to learn more.Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay

Lethality survey seeks to reduce domestic violence deaths in Hays

TOPEKA — The Ellis&nbsp;County Farm Bureau&nbsp;Association&nbsp;was represented this week in&nbsp;Topeka by several&nbsp;members at&nbsp;the Kansas Farm Bureau&nbsp;Day at the Statehouse annual event. &nbsp;

Those who participated&nbsp;were among the over 200 Farm Bureau members from across the state&nbsp;of Kansas&nbsp;attending the two-day event. &nbsp;The program included workshops, leadership activities and&nbsp;formal&nbsp;address from Gov.&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly.&nbsp;

On the&nbsp;afternoon of the second day, Ellis County Farm Bureau Association members&nbsp;spent&nbsp;time&nbsp;visiting with legislative leaders and touring the Capitol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675958046533.jpeg" alt="Pictured: Laura Haffner, State Women’s Leadership Chairwomen- KFB &amp; Ellis County Board Member; Gracie Jo Stanton, Ellis County Member; Representative Barbara Wasinger; Andy Stanton, Ellis County Member; Eric Dexter, Board Member; Stephanie Eckroat, County Service Coordinator." />
 <figcaption>Pictured: Laura Haffner, State Women’s Leadership Chairwomen- KFB &amp; Ellis County Board Member; Gracie Jo Stanton, Ellis County Member; Representative Barbara Wasinger; Andy Stanton, Ellis County Member; Eric Dexter, Board Member; Stephanie Eckroat, County Service Coordinator.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — The Ellis&nbsp;County Farm Bureau&nbsp;Association&nbsp;was represented this week in&nbsp;Topeka by several&nbsp;members at&nbsp;the Kansas Farm Bureau&nbsp;Day at the Statehouse annual event. &nbsp;Those who participated&nbsp;were among the over 200 Farm Bureau members from across the state&nbsp;of Kansas&nbsp;attending the two-day event. &nbsp;The program included workshops, leadership activities and&nbsp;formal&nbsp;address from Gov.&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly.&nbsp;On the&nbsp;afternoon of the second day, Ellis County Farm Bureau Association members&nbsp;spent&nbsp;time&nbsp;visiting with legislative leaders and touring the Capitol.— Submitted

Ellis County Farm Bureau Association members travel to Topeka

THOMAS COUNTY—A Kansas man with four convictions for driving under the influence has been sentenced to prison for a fatal crash.

This week, the Thomas County District Court sentenced 37-year-old Alan Dible to 13-years and 5 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections for one count of Involuntary Manslaughter While Driving Under the Influence and 12 months in the custody of the Thomas County Sheriff for one count of Driving Under the Influence 4th conviction, according to a statement from the Thomas County Attorney.

The case stems from a fatal accident that occurred on April 9, 2022, in Thomas County.&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1984 GMC Jimmy driven by&nbsp; Dibble backed out of a shop on private property at&nbsp; 1710 S Country Club Drive.

The driver accelerated excessively and began traveling westbound for approximately 132 feet before overturning. One occupant was partially ejected out of the rear window.

EMS transported Dalton M. Ellis, 25, Colby, to Citizen's Medical Center. <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/dalton-ellis/4907629/obit.php?&amp;printable=true">He died at a </a>Colorado hospital three days later, according to his&nbsp;obituary.&nbsp;&nbsp;The occupants of the vehicle were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676027667700.png" alt="Dible-photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>Dible-photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY—A Kansas man with four convictions for driving under the influence has been sentenced to prison for a fatal crash.This week, the Thomas County District Court sentenced 37-year-old Alan Dible to 13-years and 5 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections for one count of Involuntary Manslaughter While Driving Under the Influence and 12 months in the custody of the Thomas County Sheriff for one count of Driving Under the Influence 4th conviction, according to a statement from the Thomas County Attorney.The case stems from a fatal accident that occurred on April 9, 2022, in Thomas County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1984 GMC Jimmy driven by&nbsp; Dibble backed out of a shop on private property at&nbsp; 1710 S Country Club Drive.The driver accelerated excessively and began traveling westbound for approximately 132 feet before overturning. One occupant was partially ejected out of the rear window.EMS transported Dalton M. Ellis, 25, Colby, to Citizen's Medical Center. <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/dalton-ellis/4907629/obit.php?&amp;printable=true">He died at a </a>Colorado hospital three days later, according to his&nbsp;obituary.&nbsp;&nbsp;The occupants of the vehicle were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

NW Kan. man with 4 DUI convictions sentenced for fatal crash

GREAT BEND — Barton Community College has named 256 students to the President’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To qualify for this honor students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.

Claflin 
Matthew Donecker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Hannah Redetzke&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Callie Zink&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Grainfield 
Dustin Henry&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Great Bend 
Jaime Arellanes&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Adriana Arras Rodriguez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Dakota Aumiller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Jordan Avila&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Bradley Beck&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Caden Bieker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Sienna Cauley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Jenna Dean&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Ashton Ensley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Brody Feist&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Melyne Fletchall&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Hailey Hicks&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Bryce Hopkins&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Madison Huslig&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Beau Mettlen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Austin Miller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Antony Reyes Pilo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Ashton Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Kayci Stevenson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Brandon Taylor&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Madalyn Toll&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Einar Vargas&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Brady Wharton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Isabelle Willms&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Keeley Wolf&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hays 
Emily Christensen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Tasiah Nunnery&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Kensington 
Brennan Kirchhoff&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Osborne 
Charlie Seifert&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Phillipsburg 
Jacie Roth&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Russell 
Stephan Baldwin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Russell Jesse Schreiner&nbsp;&nbsp;

Scott City 
Ella Rumford&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Misti Wick&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Barton CCGREAT BEND — Barton Community College has named 256 students to the President’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To qualify for this honor students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.Area students included on the list were:Albert 
Thomas Bahr&nbsp;Claflin 
Matthew Donecker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Hannah Redetzke&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Callie Zink&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Ellis 
Lakyn FischerGrainfield 
Dustin Henry&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Great Bend 
Jaime Arellanes&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Adriana Arras Rodriguez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Dakota Aumiller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Jordan Avila&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Bradley Beck&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Caden Bieker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Sienna Cauley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Jenna Dean&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Ashton Ensley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Brody Feist&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Melyne Fletchall&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Hailey Hicks&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Bryce Hopkins&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Madison Huslig&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Beau Mettlen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Austin Miller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Antony Reyes Pilo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Ashton Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Kayci Stevenson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Brandon Taylor&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Madalyn Toll&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Einar Vargas&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Brady Wharton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Isabelle Willms&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Keeley Wolf&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hays 
Emily Christensen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Tasiah Nunnery&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Kensington 
Brennan Kirchhoff&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Osborne 
Charlie Seifert&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Otis 
Chloe SchenkPhillipsburg 
Jacie Roth&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Russell 
Stephan Baldwin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Russell Jesse Schreiner&nbsp;&nbsp;Scott City 
Ella Rumford&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Misti Wick&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;WaKeeney 
Lili Shubert&nbsp;

NW Kansas students earn spot on Barton President's List

LOGAN — The Wichita Children’s Theatre Professional Touring Company will present “The Three Little Kittens” at the Logan School Auditorium on Thursday, March 9, at 9:30 a.m., and “Yankee Doodle” at 1:30 p.m.

The three little kittens have lost their mittens--but they're not just going to sit around and cry about it! These are definitely not your ordinary house cats. Help the kittens find their mittens and save them from their hideous fate — a time out! The kittens all learn many valuable lessons but the most important is to always tell the truth. The Three Little Kittens is a musical comedy adaptation by Kevin M. Reese based on the popular children’s story.

Yankee Doodle is a musical comedy with a broad sweep of big and little deeds accomplished by men and women whose lives have impacted the United States. Yankee Doodle is a rousing salute to the “movers and shakers” which includes famous as well as forgotten figures and events. This patriotic extravaganza glorifying American achievement is told through a sequence of dramatic vignettes from Paul Revere to Charles Lindbergh, from the creation of the ice cream cone to the beginning of mass-produced Valentines, from the inventions of Thomas A. Edison to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Yankee Doodle is a modern classic that will inspire, inform, and entertain young audiences.

The Wichita Children’s Theatre Professional Touring Company performs from September through February in Kansas and Nebraska. The Company is professional in every facet, complete with storybook sets, costumes and props appropriate for each production.

The performances of “The Three Little Kittens” and “Yankee Doodle” in Logan is sponsored by the Hansen Museum and made possible by the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Foundation. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675816436428.jpeg" alt="Wichita Children's Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Wichita Children's Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675816474495.jpeg" alt="Wichita Children's Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Wichita Children's Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseLOGAN — The Wichita Children’s Theatre Professional Touring Company will present “The Three Little Kittens” at the Logan School Auditorium on Thursday, March 9, at 9:30 a.m., and “Yankee Doodle” at 1:30 p.m.The three little kittens have lost their mittens--but they're not just going to sit around and cry about it! These are definitely not your ordinary house cats. Help the kittens find their mittens and save them from their hideous fate — a time out! The kittens all learn many valuable lessons but the most important is to always tell the truth. The Three Little Kittens is a musical comedy adaptation by Kevin M. Reese based on the popular children’s story.Yankee Doodle is a musical comedy with a broad sweep of big and little deeds accomplished by men and women whose lives have impacted the United States. Yankee Doodle is a rousing salute to the “movers and shakers” which includes famous as well as forgotten figures and events. This patriotic extravaganza glorifying American achievement is told through a sequence of dramatic vignettes from Paul Revere to Charles Lindbergh, from the creation of the ice cream cone to the beginning of mass-produced Valentines, from the inventions of Thomas A. Edison to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Yankee Doodle is a modern classic that will inspire, inform, and entertain young audiences.The Wichita Children’s Theatre Professional Touring Company performs from September through February in Kansas and Nebraska. The Company is professional in every facet, complete with storybook sets, costumes and props appropriate for each production.The performances of “The Three Little Kittens” and “Yankee Doodle” in Logan is sponsored by the Hansen Museum and made possible by the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Foundation.

Logan school to host Wichita Children's Theatre performances

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675974959191.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>

Rain doesn’t fall often in Sherman County, Kansas, so farmers like David Leonard have learned how to improve yields by optimizing crop rotations, taking advantage of the moisture that does come and supplementing what Mother Nature doesn’t provide through irrigation. That combination of practice and luck is Leonard’s not-so-secret to winning the top spot in Kansas for irrigated winter wheat in the 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest with an entry of nearly 120 bushels per acre.

Leonard’s operation near Goodland is a diversified operation with a mix of dryland and irrigated acres in addition to a small cow-calf operation. Encouraged by his PlainsGold seed rep, he entered the yield contest for the first time in 2022. His entry came from a field planted to certified seed wheat that followed pinto beans, which provided some moisture profile.&nbsp;

“Our soil will hold about 1.8 inches of moisture per foot,” Leonard said. “So, if we have six feet of subsoil, we have some gas in the tank. We had some of that last year, but we don’t have that this year.”&nbsp;

From planting until harvest, the field only received 6.2 inches of moisture, so Leonard pumped another 10 inches of water to help the wheat crop along. He also furtigated nitrogen through the pivot to further boost yields. The widespread drought conditions last growing season meant it was too dry for even the weeds to grow, so he did not apply any fungicide.&nbsp;

“We didn’t use any fungicide because there was no green bridge to get stripe rust up here from Texas,” Leonard said. “When you’re that dry, you don’t have those issues.”&nbsp;

Closer to harvest, he applied a growth regulator. But, two days later the weather turned very hot, negating the application’s effect.&nbsp;

“It got really hot, so the growth regulator probably wouldn’t have been necessary because the wheat progressed really fast,” Leonard said. “Normally when you get these kinds of yields, the wheat is pretty tall and trying to lean over pretty hard.”&nbsp;

In the end, the plot of Langin yielded 119.57 bushels per acre. Leonard said he might have been even higher, but one of the few rain showers that the crop did receive came during harvest, which lowered test weights slightly.&nbsp;

But the result was an award-winning entry in the National Wheat Yield Contest, and, even more importantly, he sold the whole field for certified seed, so last year’s wheat harvest was a success.&nbsp;

What will this year’s National Wheat Yield Contest bring? That’s largely up to Mother Nature but follow Kansas Wheat to learn more about how Leonard and other Kansas winners selected varieties and took advantage of limited rains to maximize yields.&nbsp;

Producers can also check out Wheat Rx, a partnership between Kansas Wheat and K-State Research and Extension to disseminate the latest research recommendations for high-yielding and high-quality wheat to Kansas wheat farmers. Wheat Rx is a series of Extension publications and other educational outreach designed to address key management areas of hard winter wheat. These publications contain recent data based on novel research funded in part by wheat farmers through the Kansas Wheat check-off.

Check out the latest recommendations at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010IigZ7XBhP_dAsF4-tcYVrrerAGEoRLdp56-gApyAT4oQcfN7z1M2OKPcF_ksyjaQHn5nOrjRvEnN1A-mM1WjIzr3-4LPlyec8hU0QvPBEFYWO_AiphfCa_QupRFQyMd-MNAwVw911UNS_pR6DvceGvRMs1lelv97-DO-aPqBt0=&amp;c=YX82VPywldKL5w0gTpKA_zwdxP2jZ1zoq-GR0o2_-zHV419Z7oF2GQ==&amp;ch=-_J3Pw-f2sYPkeleIuUoxdj8qmnIaD_IBt3rDUizT3nIRHz9rUScag==" target="_blank">kswheat.com/wheatrx</a>.&nbsp;

Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662500196293.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rain doesn’t fall often in Sherman County, Kansas, so farmers like David Leonard have learned how to improve yields by optimizing crop rotations, taking advantage of the moisture that does come and supplementing what Mother Nature doesn’t provide through irrigation. That combination of practice and luck is Leonard’s not-so-secret to winning the top spot in Kansas for irrigated winter wheat in the 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest with an entry of nearly 120 bushels per acre.Leonard’s operation near Goodland is a diversified operation with a mix of dryland and irrigated acres in addition to a small cow-calf operation. Encouraged by his PlainsGold seed rep, he entered the yield contest for the first time in 2022. His entry came from a field planted to certified seed wheat that followed pinto beans, which provided some moisture profile.&nbsp;“Our soil will hold about 1.8 inches of moisture per foot,” Leonard said. “So, if we have six feet of subsoil, we have some gas in the tank. We had some of that last year, but we don’t have that this year.”&nbsp;From planting until harvest, the field only received 6.2 inches of moisture, so Leonard pumped another 10 inches of water to help the wheat crop along. He also furtigated nitrogen through the pivot to further boost yields. The widespread drought conditions last growing season meant it was too dry for even the weeds to grow, so he did not apply any fungicide.&nbsp;“We didn’t use any fungicide because there was no green bridge to get stripe rust up here from Texas,” Leonard said. “When you’re that dry, you don’t have those issues.”&nbsp;Closer to harvest, he applied a growth regulator. But, two days later the weather turned very hot, negating the application’s effect.&nbsp;“It got really hot, so the growth regulator probably wouldn’t have been necessary because the wheat progressed really fast,” Leonard said. “Normally when you get these kinds of yields, the wheat is pretty tall and trying to lean over pretty hard.”&nbsp;In the end, the plot of Langin yielded 119.57 bushels per acre. Leonard said he might have been even higher, but one of the few rain showers that the crop did receive came during harvest, which lowered test weights slightly.&nbsp;But the result was an award-winning entry in the National Wheat Yield Contest, and, even more importantly, he sold the whole field for certified seed, so last year’s wheat harvest was a success.&nbsp;What will this year’s National Wheat Yield Contest bring? That’s largely up to Mother Nature but follow Kansas Wheat to learn more about how Leonard and other Kansas winners selected varieties and took advantage of limited rains to maximize yields.&nbsp;Producers can also check out Wheat Rx, a partnership between Kansas Wheat and K-State Research and Extension to disseminate the latest research recommendations for high-yielding and high-quality wheat to Kansas wheat farmers. Wheat Rx is a series of Extension publications and other educational outreach designed to address key management areas of hard winter wheat. These publications contain recent data based on novel research funded in part by wheat farmers through the Kansas Wheat check-off.Check out the latest recommendations at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010IigZ7XBhP_dAsF4-tcYVrrerAGEoRLdp56-gApyAT4oQcfN7z1M2OKPcF_ksyjaQHn5nOrjRvEnN1A-mM1WjIzr3-4LPlyec8hU0QvPBEFYWO_AiphfCa_QupRFQyMd-MNAwVw911UNS_pR6DvceGvRMs1lelv97-DO-aPqBt0=&amp;c=YX82VPywldKL5w0gTpKA_zwdxP2jZ1zoq-GR0o2_-zHV419Z7oF2GQ==&amp;ch=-_J3Pw-f2sYPkeleIuUoxdj8qmnIaD_IBt3rDUizT3nIRHz9rUScag==" target="_blank">kswheat.com/wheatrx</a>.&nbsp;Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

Wheat Scoop:  David Leonard wins 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest

Rape reports doubled in 2021 to a 10-year high in Ellis County.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler attributed the increase to an increase in women's willingness to report rape.

“Our rape numbers were up in 2021," Scheibler said, "I don’t think that is because more sexual assaults are happening but more people are willing to report those.

“More people are willing to say 'I’m uncomfortable with what happened last night' and make that report."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dd19dca0-288f-48f2-886e-efb0b88f2c82">First in a series</a>

However, advocates say many barriers to reporting sex crimes still exist and rapes largely remain unreported.

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network estimates for every 1,000 rapes, 384&nbsp;are reported to the police, 57 result in an arrest, 11 are referred for prosecution, seven result in a felony conviction, and six result in incarceration. The network correlated data from multiple sources to compile this data on a national basis.

Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, said both societal views on sex crimes and their victims as well as issues within the justice system are barriers to reporting.

“At each point when trust is broken," Hecker said, "that erodes a victim's ability to [help themselves]. They desire help, but they don’t take that step. They give up. They feel hopeless.”

Scheibler and Hecker both said they believed the RAINN statics are likely reflected in Ellis County.

Data on rape reports and arrests are collected by the Kansas Bureau of investigation and can be searched by county.

In 2021, Ellis County had a 22 percent arrest rate. That's lower than the national average, which is about 30 percent.

Scheibler said the police department, whose jurisdiction the majority of the rape cases in Ellis County fall, can't count people who don't come forward. However, Options service numbers are telling.

Options provided 350 sexual assault services in Ellis County in 2020, the most recent date for which complete information is available.

Options tracks the number of services provided, but not individuals. Options estimates each sexual violence survivor will access about 10 services, which would mean about 35 survivors in Ellis County worked with Options in 2020. That compares to nine reports and three arrests in the same year.

Hecker noted a number of counties in northwest Kansas have individuals who are receiving sexual violence recovery services, but the counties are getting no reports and have reported no arrests.

In 2020, Sheridan County reported no incidents and no arrests, but Options provided 51 services in the county.&nbsp;

In the same year, Sherman County had no reported incidents and no arrests, but Options provided 82 services.

Options provided 121 services to individuals in Thomas County. Law enforcement recorded two reports and no arrests.

Hecker said sex crime survivors have many reasons they don't report the crimes against them. However, a lack of accountability for perpetrators and the complexity of the judicial system are factors, she said.

She said they ask themselves if reporting is worth the trauma of carrying the case through the judicial system.

“ 'I’m going to put my family through all of this, and I don’t know if anything is going to come of it. Do I even have it in me? This horrible thing already happened. Do I want to set myself up for another disappointment?' ” Hecker said of victims' questions to themselves.

Hecker said another significant barrier to reporting is shame.

“The perpetrators are very, very good at making the victim feel like this is their fault, particularly in alcohol and drug-facilitated sexual assaults,” Hecker said.

“When people feel shame, they stop acting in their own self-defense."

Joyce Grover,&nbsp;executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, said greater societal forces discourage women from reporting.

“I think what deters is the broader, what we call ‘rape culture.’ The question a victim might first get is ‘What were you doing there?’ or ‘Why were you wearing that?’ " she said.

“That kind of stuff immediately sets the tone of victim blaming. That is still very prevalent,” she said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c910a139-5fb5-4cec-bfce-34fb086d8985">Options developed an art exhibit in an attempt to break the myth that what a victim was wearing contributed to her attack. Survivors from across northwest Kansas provided descriptions of what they were wearing when they were sexually assaulted, and volunteers gathered donated clothing to recreate the outfits.</a>

The #Metoo movement brought forth a flood of women who said they had been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed — but never said anything because they didn’t want to be blamed, Grover said.

“I think we see the tip of the iceberg on sexual assault and sexual crimes,” she said.

Scheibler said his officers are being trained in a trauma-informed approach to deal with sex crime victims and he hoped that will make reporting easier for victims.

“I am hard-pressed to think of a personal [event] that causes more trauma,” Scheibler said. "A lot of times that is a very traumatic event and to share that with someone is very difficult."

Eighty percent of sex crimes are perpetrated by individuals the victims know, which can make reporting all that more difficult, Scheibler said.

"They are acquaintances. They are someone they know. It is a person who lives in the same dorm or goes to the same school or they work at their place of employment," Scheibler said.

Scheibler said the system is being improved.

Early in his career, sexual assault victims had to tell the story of their assaults over and over, first to the initial officer, then to a detective, and then to a nurse. Now officials try to limit that to one telling.

Officers receive some training at the academy on dealing with sex crime victims, but stressing compassion and empathy, Scheibler said, is part of a culture of an organization.

Many victims delay reporting sexual crimes, and Scheibler said those delays can mean physical evidence can be lost. However, he said any sexual crime that is reported will be investigated. He encouraged victims to report.

“I think sometimes it’s easier for people to say I’ll keep this inside of me and not make the report and deal with that trauma that way instead," Scheibler said. ...

“It takes a lot of courage to go down there and report that these things have happened,” he said.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sex crime, you can reach an advocate through Options through its&nbsp;text, chat or phone hotlines. Text the word "Hope" to 847411.

The 24-hour phone helpline is 800-794-4624. The chat and other information can be accessed on the Options website at&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>&nbsp;All of the helplines and chats are manned 24/7, 365 days a year. All services are free and confidential.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRape reports doubled in 2021 to a 10-year high in Ellis County.Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler attributed the increase to an increase in women's willingness to report rape.“Our rape numbers were up in 2021," Scheibler said, "I don’t think that is because more sexual assaults are happening but more people are willing to report those.“More people are willing to say 'I’m uncomfortable with what happened last night' and make that report."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dd19dca0-288f-48f2-886e-efb0b88f2c82">First in a series</a><div><iframe title="Reported incidents of rape in Ellis County" aria-label="Grouped Column Chart" id="datawrapper-chart-TFGyB" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/TFGyB/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="421" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var a in e.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();</script></div>However, advocates say many barriers to reporting sex crimes still exist and rapes largely remain unreported.The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network estimates for every 1,000 rapes, 384&nbsp;are reported to the police, 57 result in an arrest, 11 are referred for prosecution, seven result in a felony conviction, and six result in incarceration. The network correlated data from multiple sources to compile this data on a national basis.Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, said both societal views on sex crimes and their victims as well as issues within the justice system are barriers to reporting.“At each point when trust is broken," Hecker said, "that erodes a victim's ability to [help themselves]. They desire help, but they don’t take that step. They give up. They feel hopeless.”Scheibler and Hecker both said they believed the RAINN statics are likely reflected in Ellis County.Data on rape reports and arrests are collected by the Kansas Bureau of investigation and can be searched by county.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674254963823.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In 2021, Ellis County had a 22 percent arrest rate. That's lower than the national average, which is about 30 percent.Scheibler said the police department, whose jurisdiction the majority of the rape cases in Ellis County fall, can't count people who don't come forward. However, Options service numbers are telling.Options provided 350 sexual assault services in Ellis County in 2020, the most recent date for which complete information is available.Options tracks the number of services provided, but not individuals. Options estimates each sexual violence survivor will access about 10 services, which would mean about 35 survivors in Ellis County worked with Options in 2020. That compares to nine reports and three arrests in the same year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674255214144.png" alt="Nationally, about 30 percent of rape cases are cleared by law enforcement. This means the cases have resulted in arrest, charges or cleared by other exceptional means, such as the suspect's death." />
 <figcaption>Nationally, about 30 percent of rape cases are cleared by law enforcement. This means the cases have resulted in arrest, charges or cleared by other exceptional means, such as the suspect's death.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hecker noted a number of counties in northwest Kansas have individuals who are receiving sexual violence recovery services, but the counties are getting no reports and have reported no arrests.In 2020, Sheridan County reported no incidents and no arrests, but Options provided 51 services in the county.&nbsp;In the same year, Sherman County had no reported incidents and no arrests, but Options provided 82 services.Options provided 121 services to individuals in Thomas County. Law enforcement recorded two reports and no arrests.Hecker said sex crime survivors have many reasons they don't report the crimes against them. However, a lack of accountability for perpetrators and the complexity of the judicial system are factors, she said.She said they ask themselves if reporting is worth the trauma of carrying the case through the judicial system.“ 'I’m going to put my family through all of this, and I don’t know if anything is going to come of it. Do I even have it in me? This horrible thing already happened. Do I want to set myself up for another disappointment?' ” Hecker said of victims' questions to themselves.<h2>Shame, blame and the rape culture</h2>Hecker said another significant barrier to reporting is shame.“The perpetrators are very, very good at making the victim feel like this is their fault, particularly in alcohol and drug-facilitated sexual assaults,” Hecker said.“When people feel shame, they stop acting in their own self-defense."Joyce Grover,&nbsp;executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, said greater societal forces discourage women from reporting.“I think what deters is the broader, what we call ‘rape culture.’ The question a victim might first get is ‘What were you doing there?’ or ‘Why were you wearing that?’ " she said.“That kind of stuff immediately sets the tone of victim blaming. That is still very prevalent,” she said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c910a139-5fb5-4cec-bfce-34fb086d8985">Options developed an art exhibit in an attempt to break the myth that what a victim was wearing contributed to her attack. Survivors from across northwest Kansas provided descriptions of what they were wearing when they were sexually assaulted, and volunteers gathered donated clothing to recreate the outfits.</a>The #Metoo movement brought forth a flood of women who said they had been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed — but never said anything because they didn’t want to be blamed, Grover said.“I think we see the tip of the iceberg on sexual assault and sexual crimes,” she said.Scheibler said his officers are being trained in a trauma-informed approach to deal with sex crime victims and he hoped that will make reporting easier for victims.“I am hard-pressed to think of a personal [event] that causes more trauma,” Scheibler said. "A lot of times that is a very traumatic event and to share that with someone is very difficult."Eighty percent of sex crimes are perpetrated by individuals the victims know, which can make reporting all that more difficult, Scheibler said."They are acquaintances. They are someone they know. It is a person who lives in the same dorm or goes to the same school or they work at their place of employment," Scheibler said.Scheibler said the system is being improved.Early in his career, sexual assault victims had to tell the story of their assaults over and over, first to the initial officer, then to a detective, and then to a nurse. Now officials try to limit that to one telling.Officers receive some training at the academy on dealing with sex crime victims, but stressing compassion and empathy, Scheibler said, is part of a culture of an organization.Many victims delay reporting sexual crimes, and Scheibler said those delays can mean physical evidence can be lost. However, he said any sexual crime that is reported will be investigated. He encouraged victims to report.“I think sometimes it’s easier for people to say I’ll keep this inside of me and not make the report and deal with that trauma that way instead," Scheibler said. ...“It takes a lot of courage to go down there and report that these things have happened,” he said.If you or someone you know has been a victim of sex crime, you can reach an advocate through Options through its&nbsp;text, chat or phone hotlines. Text the word "Hope" to 847411.The 24-hour phone helpline is 800-794-4624. The chat and other information can be accessed on the Options website at&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>&nbsp;All of the helplines and chats are manned 24/7, 365 days a year. All services are free and confidential.The agency also has a mobile unit that travels throughout its 18-county catchment area in northwest Kansas. Contact Options through one of the means above to learn more.Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Rape reports increase in Ellis County; majority of victims remain in shadows

A Hays developer will soon be laying foundations for a new apartment complex at Fort and Fourth streets.

Developer Michael Graham came before the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday to request a resolution to support his application for $650,000 in moderate-income housing grants.

Graham applied for the grant funds last fall, but his application was not successful. He said the project will move forward even without the grant funds.

Foundations are set to be laid for the first building in March with completion in six to seven months, Graham said. The second phase, which will include the other two buildings, will be started in May. The whole project should be completed within 16 months, Graham said.

The 33-unit complex will include three, four-story buildings. The buildings will have 11 garages on the ground level. The apartments will sit behind the former Washington school, which has also been remodeled into apartments.

One and two-bedroom apartments will be available. Three of the apartments will be ADA-accessible, but there will not be an elevator because the lower level garages will be in the flood zone, Graham said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5153d050-fbbe-49aa-b5d8-1515d371bb15">The Hays City Commission approved a Rural Housing Incentive District for the project in August.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675875250792.jpeg" alt="Conceptual image of new apartments at Fort and Fourth streets in Hays. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>Conceptual image of new apartments at Fort and Fourth streets in Hays. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Hays developer will soon be laying foundations for a new apartment complex at Fort and Fourth streets.Developer Michael Graham came before the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday to request a resolution to support his application for $650,000 in moderate-income housing grants.Graham applied for the grant funds last fall, but his application was not successful. He said the project will move forward even without the grant funds.Foundations are set to be laid for the first building in March with completion in six to seven months, Graham said. The second phase, which will include the other two buildings, will be started in May. The whole project should be completed within 16 months, Graham said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675874752220.png" alt="Design layout for new apartments at Fourth and Fort streets. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Design layout for new apartments at Fourth and Fort streets. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>The 33-unit complex will include three, four-story buildings. The buildings will have 11 garages on the ground level. The apartments will sit behind the former Washington school, which has also been remodeled into apartments.One and two-bedroom apartments will be available. Three of the apartments will be ADA-accessible, but there will not be an elevator because the lower level garages will be in the flood zone, Graham said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5153d050-fbbe-49aa-b5d8-1515d371bb15">The Hays City Commission approved a Rural Housing Incentive District for the project in August.</a>

Work to begin on Fort, Fourth apartments in Hays

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/09/house-bill-calls-for-western-kansas-to-create-plans-to-save-the-ogallala-aquifer/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — For half a century, 
groundwater managers in western Kansas have been charged with slowing 
the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer.

Fifty years later, parts of the aquifer are nearing crisis, and legislators want action.

“We’re here today so that we don’t 
become what the Colorado River Valley or Central California looks like,”
 said Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, who chairs the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/26/water-debate-will-return-to-kansas-legislature-amid-staggering-drought/">House Water Committee</a>.

Legislators on the committee are considering <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2279/">a bill</a>
 introduced by the committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, 
that would require groundwater management districts to report 
information on their spending to the Legislature each year. And it would
 require that GMDs make a plan to conserve the aquifer.

Vaughn, who is from Overland Park, said she was trying to thread the needle between state and local control.

“Either all GMDs need to start 
working in the right direction, or the state is going to have to get 
involved, which is what most people want to avoid,” she said after a 
committee hearing on the bill Thursday.

Kansans began pumping water from the 
Ogallala Aquifer, the country’s largest underground water source, in 
droves following World War II, transforming the arid western part of the
 state into an agricultural powerhouse. Less than 100 years later, the 
water is running out.

Parts of the aquifer have just 10 or 20 years of water left.

Kansas has known about the decline of
 the Ogallala for decades. But amid a staggering drought, the issue is 
getting renewed attention from the Legislature, Gov. Laura Kelly and 
water regulators.

The Kansas Water Authority <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/15/its-time-to-deal-with-this-kansas-water-authority-wants-to-save-ogallala-aquifer/">recommended the state change its de facto policy</a> of draining the aquifer for short-term economic gain. Kelly has supported fully funding the aquifer and <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/16/kansas-gov-laura-kelly-pledges-focus-on-water-waiting-for-a-miracle-is-not-an-option/">pledged shortly after winning reelection</a> in November that “protecting our water supply will remain a top priority in Topeka over the next four years.”

And members of the House Water Committee are looking for legislative solutions.&nbsp;

Members on Thursday heard testimony 
from the state’s leading agricultural groups, the GMDs and scientists on
 Vaughn’s bill. Almost all of them supported the legislation, meant to 
bring more transparency and urgency to the GMDs.

It was a stark contrast compared to last year, when a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">comprehensive water reform bill was gutted in committee</a>
 following, sponsors suspected, intervention by the agricultural groups.
 The legislator who proposed the amendment gutting that bill then left 
to become president of the Kansas Farm Bureau.

On Thursday, agricultural groups made suggestions for some tweaks but said they largely supported the legislation.

Aaron Popelka, a lobbyist for the 
Kansas Livestock Association, said the group had concerns some GMDs 
weren’t doing enough to encourage conservation. That, he worried, would 
increase the likelihood of state mandates —&nbsp;something his organization 
hopes to avoid.

“We think this bill strikes a good balance, providing some carrot, if you will, for the locals to get involved,” Popelka said.

And two of the three groundwater management districts that sit on the Ogallala Aquifer supported the efforts.

Shannon Kenyon runs GMD 4 in 
northwest Kansas, which is the only GMD so far to have a “local enhanced
 management area,” a conservation plan requiring irrigators to cut back 
on their pumping, across the whole district.&nbsp;

“GMD 4 did it and will continue to do
 it to extend the usable life of the Ogallala Aquifer and to support the
 economic, rural, local prosperity of western Kansas,” Kenyon said.

The bill’s chief opponent was <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/21/officials-plan-to-truck-6000-gallons-of-water-from-missouri-river-across-kansas/">Groundwater Management District 3</a> in southwest Kansas, which has some of the largest aquifer declines, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.&nbsp;

GMD 3’s director, Mark Rude, acknowledged irrigators are consuming the aquifer.&nbsp;

“No shock —&nbsp;it was planned that way,” Rude said, referring to decades of state policy that favored draining the aquifer.

Minnix, the committee chairman, said members would likely vote next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673980777719.png" alt="A center-pivot irrigation system sits idle near Colby in December. Lawmakers are considering a bill they hope will spur local efforts to conserve groundwater in parched western Kansas. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A center-pivot irrigation system sits idle near Colby in December. Lawmakers are considering a bill they hope will spur local efforts to conserve groundwater in parched western Kansas. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/09/house-bill-calls-for-western-kansas-to-create-plans-to-save-the-ogallala-aquifer/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — For half a century, 
groundwater managers in western Kansas have been charged with slowing 
the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer.Fifty years later, parts of the aquifer are nearing crisis, and legislators want action.“We’re here today so that we don’t 
become what the Colorado River Valley or Central California looks like,”
 said Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, who chairs the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/26/water-debate-will-return-to-kansas-legislature-amid-staggering-drought/">House Water Committee</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673980876806.jpeg" alt="Minnix / Kansas Legislature" />
 <figcaption>Minnix / Kansas Legislature</figcaption>
 </figure>Legislators on the committee are considering <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2279/">a bill</a>
 introduced by the committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, 
that would require groundwater management districts to report 
information on their spending to the Legislature each year. And it would
 require that GMDs make a plan to conserve the aquifer.Vaughn, who is from Overland Park, said she was trying to thread the needle between state and local control.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675972527498.jpeg" alt="Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park, attends a Future Caucus event in January. She is sponsoring legislation meant to spur local efforts to conserve groundwater in western Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park, attends a Future Caucus event in January. She is sponsoring legislation meant to spur local efforts to conserve groundwater in western Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Either all GMDs need to start 
working in the right direction, or the state is going to have to get 
involved, which is what most people want to avoid,” she said after a 
committee hearing on the bill Thursday.Kansans began pumping water from the 
Ogallala Aquifer, the country’s largest underground water source, in 
droves following World War II, transforming the arid western part of the
 state into an agricultural powerhouse. Less than 100 years later, the 
water is running out.Parts of the aquifer have just 10 or 20 years of water left.Kansas has known about the decline of
 the Ogallala for decades. But amid a staggering drought, the issue is 
getting renewed attention from the Legislature, Gov. Laura Kelly and 
water regulators.The Kansas Water Authority <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/15/its-time-to-deal-with-this-kansas-water-authority-wants-to-save-ogallala-aquifer/">recommended the state change its de facto policy</a> of draining the aquifer for short-term economic gain. Kelly has supported fully funding the aquifer and <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/16/kansas-gov-laura-kelly-pledges-focus-on-water-waiting-for-a-miracle-is-not-an-option/">pledged shortly after winning reelection</a> in November that “protecting our water supply will remain a top priority in Topeka over the next four years.”And members of the House Water Committee are looking for legislative solutions.&nbsp;Members on Thursday heard testimony 
from the state’s leading agricultural groups, the GMDs and scientists on
 Vaughn’s bill. Almost all of them supported the legislation, meant to 
bring more transparency and urgency to the GMDs.It was a stark contrast compared to last year, when a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">comprehensive water reform bill was gutted in committee</a>
 following, sponsors suspected, intervention by the agricultural groups.
 The legislator who proposed the amendment gutting that bill then left 
to become president of the Kansas Farm Bureau.On Thursday, agricultural groups made suggestions for some tweaks but said they largely supported the legislation.Aaron Popelka, a lobbyist for the 
Kansas Livestock Association, said the group had concerns some GMDs 
weren’t doing enough to encourage conservation. That, he worried, would 
increase the likelihood of state mandates —&nbsp;something his organization 
hopes to avoid.“We think this bill strikes a good balance, providing some carrot, if you will, for the locals to get involved,” Popelka said.And two of the three groundwater management districts that sit on the Ogallala Aquifer supported the efforts.Shannon Kenyon runs GMD 4 in 
northwest Kansas, which is the only GMD so far to have a “local enhanced
 management area,” a conservation plan requiring irrigators to cut back 
on their pumping, across the whole district.&nbsp;“GMD 4 did it and will continue to do
 it to extend the usable life of the Ogallala Aquifer and to support the
 economic, rural, local prosperity of western Kansas,” Kenyon said.The bill’s chief opponent was <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/21/officials-plan-to-truck-6000-gallons-of-water-from-missouri-river-across-kansas/">Groundwater Management District 3</a> in southwest Kansas, which has some of the largest aquifer declines, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.&nbsp;GMD 3’s director, Mark Rude, acknowledged irrigators are consuming the aquifer.&nbsp;“No shock —&nbsp;it was planned that way,” Rude said, referring to decades of state policy that favored draining the aquifer.Minnix, the committee chairman, said members would likely vote next week.

House bill calls for western Kansas to create plans to save Ogallala Aquifer

Fort Hays State University recently hosted a forum on global affairs and civic engagement at the college and guested explained how the university is attempting to improve those opportunities.

"As I think everyone is aware, education is in a unique spot now, and we have to collaborate more. We have to find new partnerships and new pathways to move forward," said Haley Williams, FHSU Global Affairs operations director.

About a year ago, the global affairs office was reorganized, Williams said. That office in the past had focused on global partnerships.

"Our challenge was to begin thinking bigger and broader," she said, "on how we bring global opportunities to everyone that intersects with Fort Hays. It's not just about partnerships. It's about 'How I am developing as a globally engaged citizen here.' "

Luciana Mendoza of Paraguay is a student in international business and economics and works in the Office of Global Affairs.

Mendoza said becoming a global citizen is more than just learning another language.

"The word that comes to me is expansion," she said. "I would say it's expanding your thoughts, your mindset, your perspective on how other people live, on how other cultures think and really bringing yourself into other the shoes of these people."

She encourages Americans to take opportunities here to create opportunities for people in other countries even if they can't travel abroad.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623104185951.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFort Hays State University recently hosted a forum on global affairs and civic engagement at the college and guested explained how the university is attempting to improve those opportunities."As I think everyone is aware, education is in a unique spot now, and we have to collaborate more. We have to find new partnerships and new pathways to move forward," said Haley Williams, FHSU Global Affairs operations director.About a year ago, the global affairs office was reorganized, Williams said. That office in the past had focused on global partnerships.<div><iframe title="FHSU seeks to create global citizens with focus on sustainability" 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=u6haw-1386877-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>"Our challenge was to begin thinking bigger and broader," she said, "on how we bring global opportunities to everyone that intersects with Fort Hays. It's not just about partnerships. It's about 'How I am developing as a globally engaged citizen here.' "Luciana Mendoza of Paraguay is a student in international business and economics and works in the Office of Global Affairs.Mendoza said becoming a global citizen is more than just learning another language."The word that comes to me is expansion," she said. "I would say it's expanding your thoughts, your mindset, your perspective on how other people live, on how other cultures think and really bringing yourself into other the shoes of these people."She encourages Americans to take opportunities here to create opportunities for people in other countries even if they can't travel abroad."We are global citizens," she said. "We are citizens of the world."Ryan Stanley, FHSU student body president, studied abroad."The world is so much bigger than your circle," he said. "Primarily [being a global citizen] is having the ability to step out of your circle."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a3736bdf-8ec8-459f-b046-066abe5b8d87">Brittney Squire, Forsyth Library Outreach Specialist, said the recently launched&nbsp;Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator at FHSU will give students opportunities for internships.&nbsp;</a>She talked about other opportunities for civic engagement.In celebration of Global Engagement Day, FHSU took a small group to the Wetlands Education Center, where they built birdhouses for the center.The university also offers Experiential Learning Innovation Grants for faculty, which are used to encourage faculty to offer hands-on learning. In the past year, the program had a record of 12 grants awarded.&nbsp;In the fall, the university will be host to a Community-Engaged Teaching, Research and Service conference.The American Democracy Project is a student-led program that allows students to engage in politics on campus.The university also offers two certificates that are linked to community engagement. They include a community-engaged art certificate through the art department and a rural studies certificate that is offered through the history department. The university also will be launching a global scholar program.The Campus Community Collaborative is in its third year, Squire said. It's a 10-member group that is dedicated to strengthening partnerships between the campus and the community.Jeni McRay, assistant provost, said the university is trying to implement sustained involvement in global learning. She said the college is trying to create opportunities for FHSU students and faculty to go abroad and for international faculty and students to come to FHSU.Todd Moore, chairman of the department of geosciences, is also the chairman of the FHSU sustainability task force.&nbsp;He said the task force is going to focus on three main areas—curriculum, engagement and institution.&nbsp;The university already offers a sustainability certificate."The goal is to expose students to the many dimensions of sustainability and empower them with the knowledge and skills that will be required to join the workforce and address the many global problems we have," Moore said.Student organizations are being encouraged to get involved in the local community and contribute to that community.The university is working on a project called the Five Rooms Project. Each room or area will address one of the five Es of sustainability, Moore said.The five Es of sustainability are: • Economy • Ecogoloy • Equity • Education • EvaluationThe people involved in each of these areas will be tasked with brainstorming actionable goals that the university will work toward in the upcoming year.&nbsp;"Hopefully, this will just be a stepping stone, and we will grow that program and include more rooms," he said.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20e78b28-c53b-4be2-8ea1-6a2f0512f5d1">Forty-four FHSU students representing 10 countries and multiple degree programs competed in the first sustainability-themed entrepreneurial competition, the EPI²C Challenge, during the fall semester.</a>Mendoza was part of a team that created a business called&nbsp;UPpreciate, which focused on upcycled student residence hall room furnishings. That business plan won second place in the competition.She and another team member were among 20 teams selected from 500 entries to pitch the&nbsp;UPpreciate plan in a national competition in Chicago.Williams said Mendoza is already an experienced global citizen, but this opportunity has even further expanded her reach."In Global Affairs our heartbeat really is to take Fort Hays to the world and bring the world to Fort Hays," she said.Williams said more than 40 countries are represented at the university. The university's newest global partners are in Cambodia and Senegal."Even if you never have a chance to travel aboard, the world is right here at Fort Hays," she said. "So find an international student or faculty member or crossborder faculty and interact with them. That alone is a learning opportunity."Students may soon have an online way to go global. The university is working on a virtual global internship program, Williams said during an interview for the Hays Post Podcast. An example of this might be a student working with a nonprofit in a Third World country.McRay said everyone on campus can find ways to connect. The university needs to continue to make faculty and students aware of those opportunities, she said."We need to make sure we are cultivating local, national, regional and international partnerships," she said, "and we are continually partnering with other people to figure out ways we can serve."

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