ELLIS - The Ellis High School 2023 state forensics meet saw our small but mighty team placing 8th out of 27 teams.

Harlie Bittel is the 2A state champion in Humorous Solo and Prose.&nbsp;

Emily Whyte also broke finals and placed 6th in Prose. Whyte's&nbsp;Serious Solo broke semifinals.

Elie Brull and Kinzie Sunley’s Duet also broke semifinals, and Brull broke semis in Poetry, as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684327381908.jpeg" alt="Ellis High School's winning&nbsp; 2023 forensics team. English teacher Savannah Downing, Emily Whyte, Eli Brull, Kinzie Sunley, and Harlie Bittel. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ellis High School's winning&nbsp; 2023 forensics team. English teacher Savannah Downing, Emily Whyte, Eli Brull, Kinzie Sunley, and Harlie Bittel. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedELLIS - The Ellis High School 2023 state forensics meet saw our small but mighty team placing 8th out of 27 teams.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684328885545.jpeg" alt="Harlie Bittel&nbsp; wins the State 2A Humorous Solo and Prose. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Harlie Bittel&nbsp; wins the State 2A Humorous Solo and Prose. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684329306586.jpeg" alt="Bittle with her state medal. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bittle with her state medal. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Harlie Bittel is the 2A state champion in Humorous Solo and Prose.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684329032230.jpeg" alt="Emily Whyte&nbsp;placed 6th in Prose. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Emily Whyte&nbsp;placed 6th in Prose. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Emily Whyte also broke finals and placed 6th in Prose. Whyte's&nbsp;Serious Solo broke semifinals.Elie Brull and Kinzie Sunley’s Duet also broke semifinals, and Brull broke semis in Poetry, as well.

EHS's Bittle is a 2A Forensics state champ

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office is participating in the annual Click It or Ticket campaign May 22-June 4.

Drivers will be met with extra enforcement of both the Kansas Safety Belt Use Act and the Kansas Child Safety Act. The statutes require that all vehicle occupants be appropriately restrained.

"First, I want to thank the drivers that take their safety seriously and buckle up every trip," said Sheriff Scott Braun.

"I also want people to know that in the interest of saving lives, day or night, the Ellis County Sheriff's Office is committed to vigorously ticketing violators of adult seat belt and and child safety laws, as well as other traffic infractions which made the need for occupant restraint so necessary."

The Click It or Ticket campaign focuses on safety education, strong laws, and law enforcement support to save lives.

Seat belts have been proved to be one of the best ways to save a life in a traffic crash, no matter what kind of vehicle you drive.&nbsp;

Yet, many still don't buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to your children and teens who, in turn, will think it is safe to not buckle up.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684329890554.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ECSOThe Ellis County Sheriff's Office is participating in the annual Click It or Ticket campaign May 22-June 4.Drivers will be met with extra enforcement of both the Kansas Safety Belt Use Act and the Kansas Child Safety Act. The statutes require that all vehicle occupants be appropriately restrained."First, I want to thank the drivers that take their safety seriously and buckle up every trip," said Sheriff Scott Braun."I also want people to know that in the interest of saving lives, day or night, the Ellis County Sheriff's Office is committed to vigorously ticketing violators of adult seat belt and and child safety laws, as well as other traffic infractions which made the need for occupant restraint so necessary."The Click It or Ticket campaign focuses on safety education, strong laws, and law enforcement support to save lives.Seat belts have been proved to be one of the best ways to save a life in a traffic crash, no matter what kind of vehicle you drive.&nbsp;Yet, many still don't buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to your children and teens who, in turn, will think it is safe to not buckle up.

Click It or Ticket campaign targets drivers May 22-June 4

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684508893684.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 LAAH TUCKER Natoma American Legion Auxiliary&nbsp;

NATOMA - National Poppy Day, May 25, elevated awareness of disabled veterans who hand craft each red paper poppy. 

Established in 1919, the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary’s Poppy Memorial Flower is the oldest and most widely recognized Auxiliary program. 

Each red crepe paper poppy is hand crafted by a Kansas Disabled Veteran with 100% of all donations providing physical and mental help for disabled, and deserving Kansas Veterans. 

Memorial Day services by the Natoma American Legion Post 109 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 will include poppies for each deceased veteran at four cemetery services: Natoma Catholic, rural, 9:30 a.m.; North Immanuel Lutheran, rural, 10 a.m.; Mt. Herman, Paradise rural, 10:30 a.m.; and Natoma City Cemetery, 11 a.m. 

Flags will be posted on each veteran’s grave at seven cemeteries. 

The Auxiliary will host an open house in the newly restored American Legion Hall with a community dinner at 12 noon.

The Natoma American Legion Auxiliary continue serving veterans, their families, children, youth, and community by volunteering thousands of hours in 22 annual programs and through community projects. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684337467336.jpeg" alt="Members of the Natoma American Legion Auxiliary include&nbsp;Arielle McLarty, Linda Crawford, Shawna Dunlap, Laah Tucker, Jenjer Murphy, Cindy Elliott, Marge Kertz, and Sharon MacConnell. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Members of the Natoma American Legion Auxiliary include&nbsp;Arielle McLarty, Linda Crawford, Shawna Dunlap, Laah Tucker, Jenjer Murphy, Cindy Elliott, Marge Kertz, and Sharon MacConnell. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAAH TUCKER Natoma American Legion Auxiliary&nbsp;NATOMA - National Poppy Day, May 25, elevated awareness of disabled veterans who hand craft each red paper poppy. Established in 1919, the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary’s Poppy Memorial Flower is the oldest and most widely recognized Auxiliary program. Each red crepe paper poppy is hand crafted by a Kansas Disabled Veteran with 100% of all donations providing physical and mental help for disabled, and deserving Kansas Veterans. Memorial Day services by the Natoma American Legion Post 109 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 will include poppies for each deceased veteran at four cemetery services: Natoma Catholic, rural, 9:30 a.m.; North Immanuel Lutheran, rural, 10 a.m.; Mt. Herman, Paradise rural, 10:30 a.m.; and Natoma City Cemetery, 11 a.m. Flags will be posted on each veteran’s grave at seven cemeteries. The Auxiliary will host an open house in the newly restored American Legion Hall with a community dinner at 12 noon.The Natoma American Legion Auxiliary continue serving veterans, their families, children, youth, and community by volunteering thousands of hours in 22 annual programs and through community projects.

National Poppy Day to be celebrated by Natoma American Legion

Happy National Hamburger Month! Wendy’s® is celebrating BIG by bringing fans deals they can bite into and savor all. month. long.

National Hamburger Month Fresh and Beefy Savings

Wendy’s serves up the best square hamburgers in the game, and every hamburger every day is made with fresh, never frozen beef. So, you know we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to give our fans the juiciest deals for National Hamburger Month AND National Hamburger Day on May 28

National Hamburger Month - BOGO $1 Premium Hamburger*: Buy one square, juicy premium hamburger…get another for only $1* when you order in the Wendy’s app! This juicy deal refreshes weekly all month long.

National Hamburger Day – 1¢ Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with Any Purchase*: Fans can celebrate National Hamburger Day with a 1¢ JBC with purchase* when ordering in the Wendy’s app - just what your Memorial weekend road trip needed! This one-time use deal runs from Friday, 5/26 through Thursday, 6/1. Be there and be square.

From breakfast to lunch to dinner, Wendy’s has a deal to satisfy all your cravings:

FREE Crispy Chicken Sandwich with $10 Purchase*: Level up your meal with a FREE Crispy Chicken BLT or Crispy Chicken Sandwich with $10 purchase*. This one-time use deal runs from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21 when you order through the Wendy’s app.

FREE Soft Drink with Any Purchase*: From Monday, May 29 to Sunday, June 4, get your favorite soft drink for free with purchase* with your in-app order! This is a one-time use deal only. Nothing like a mid-day Diet Coke® pick me up.

$2 Off Breakfast Combo*: From the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit to the Bacon, Egg &amp; Swiss Croissant Combo, start your morning off right with $2 off ANY Breakfast Combo in the app*. May we suggest a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit to celebrate National Biscuit Day on Monday, May 29? This eggcellent deal refreshes weekly all month long.

$2 Off Premium Combo*: Score $2 off ANY Premium Combo* when you order through the Wendy’s app. Whether you’re in the mood for the Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Combo or new Ghost Pepper Chicken Ranch Sandwich Combo, we have you covered. This offer refreshes weekly all month long.

Uber Eats**: Did someone say breakfast in bed? From Wednesday, May 10 to Wednesday, May 31, score a Wendy’s BOGO Breakfast Croissant Sandwich* – what better way to start your morning when you don’t even have to leave the house!

But that’s not all! Fans can “Make a Biggie™ Difference” this month when they scan the QR code located on select Wendy’s bags to automatically unlock a $5 donation*** to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® in honor of National Foster Care Month.

All that, and still craving more Wendy's? Catch the “Roastess with the Mostess” now on Cameo.

Happy National Hamburger Month! Wendy’s® is celebrating BIG by bringing fans deals they can bite into and savor all. month. long.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684359318644.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>National Hamburger Month Fresh and Beefy Savings</h2>Wendy’s serves up the best square hamburgers in the game, and every hamburger every day is made with fresh, never frozen beef. So, you know we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to give our fans the juiciest deals for National Hamburger Month AND National Hamburger Day on May 28National Hamburger Month - BOGO $1 Premium Hamburger*: Buy one square, juicy premium hamburger…get another for only $1* when you order in the Wendy’s app! This juicy deal refreshes weekly all month long.National Hamburger Day – 1¢ Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with Any Purchase*: Fans can celebrate National Hamburger Day with a 1¢ JBC with purchase* when ordering in the Wendy’s app - just what your Memorial weekend road trip needed! This one-time use deal runs from Friday, 5/26 through Thursday, 6/1. Be there and be square.<h2>More Mouthwatering May Deals:</h2>From breakfast to lunch to dinner, Wendy’s has a deal to satisfy all your cravings:FREE Crispy Chicken Sandwich with $10 Purchase*: Level up your meal with a FREE Crispy Chicken BLT or Crispy Chicken Sandwich with $10 purchase*. This one-time use deal runs from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21 when you order through the Wendy’s app.FREE Soft Drink with Any Purchase*: From Monday, May 29 to Sunday, June 4, get your favorite soft drink for free with purchase* with your in-app order! This is a one-time use deal only. Nothing like a mid-day Diet Coke® pick me up.$2 Off Breakfast Combo*: From the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit to the Bacon, Egg &amp; Swiss Croissant Combo, start your morning off right with $2 off ANY Breakfast Combo in the app*. May we suggest a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit to celebrate National Biscuit Day on Monday, May 29? This eggcellent deal refreshes weekly all month long.$2 Off Premium Combo*: Score $2 off ANY Premium Combo* when you order through the Wendy’s app. Whether you’re in the mood for the Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Combo or new Ghost Pepper Chicken Ranch Sandwich Combo, we have you covered. This offer refreshes weekly all month long.<h2>Wendy’s Always Delivers:</h2>Uber Eats**: Did someone say breakfast in bed? From Wednesday, May 10 to Wednesday, May 31, score a Wendy’s BOGO Breakfast Croissant Sandwich* – what better way to start your morning when you don’t even have to leave the house!But that’s not all! Fans can “Make a Biggie™ Difference” this month when they scan the QR code located on select Wendy’s bags to automatically unlock a $5 donation*** to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® in honor of National Foster Care Month.All that, and still craving more Wendy's? Catch the “Roastess with the Mostess” now on Cameo.

FHSU’s College of Health and Behavioral Science announces faculty and staff awards

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Fort Hays State University</a>'s Drew Gannon shares ways to take advantage of summer for health.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Warmer weather presents outdoor fitness opportunities" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=6bpcs-1411f2c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Fort Hays State University</a>'s Drew Gannon shares ways to take advantage of summer for health.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Warmer weather presents outdoor fitness opportunities

HaysMed blood drive is Tuesday; win a trip to Seattle 

Roosevelt Elementary School fifth graders were finally able to see their hard work and lessons learned about economics, supply and demand, financial literacy, and spending local come to fruition when they visited AmeriTowne on May 10.

The AmeriTowne experience simulates a small city with the students working and earning paychecks they then spend within their city.

These students have been preparing for this day since January and determined it was worth the wait.  They loved being an adult for a day.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684528751208.jpeg" alt="Roosevelt students ran their own radio station at&nbsp;AmeriTowne. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Roosevelt students ran their own radio station at&nbsp;AmeriTowne. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>USD 489Roosevelt Elementary School fifth graders were finally able to see their hard work and lessons learned about economics, supply and demand, financial literacy, and spending local come to fruition when they visited AmeriTowne on May 10.The AmeriTowne experience simulates a small city with the students working and earning paychecks they then spend within their city.These students have been preparing for this day since January and determined it was worth the wait. They loved being an adult for a day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684528834807.jpeg" alt="Roosevelt students earned and spent a paycheck at AmeriTowne. They had to make transactions at the bank and keep a check register.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Roosevelt students earned and spent a paycheck at AmeriTowne. They had to make transactions at the bank and keep a check register.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684528892957.jpeg" alt="AmeriTowne had its own police force who enforced the laws of AmeriTowne and issued tickets.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>AmeriTowne had its own police force who enforced the laws of AmeriTowne and issued tickets.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684528952474.jpeg" alt="Roosevelt students working in the utility department.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Roosevelt students working in the utility department.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529008107.jpeg" alt="An AmeriTowne postal carrier delivers mail. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>An AmeriTowne postal carrier delivers mail. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529057391.jpeg" alt="A student is treated in the AmeriTowne clinic. Students who visited the clinic had to pay co-pays from their checking accounts.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>A student is treated in the AmeriTowne clinic. Students who visited the clinic had to pay co-pays from their checking accounts.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529109075.jpeg" alt="Students were assigned random symptoms during visits to the AmeriTowne clinic. A student fills out a chart.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Students were assigned random symptoms during visits to the AmeriTowne clinic. A student fills out a chart.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529167542.jpeg" alt="An AmeriTowne utility worker checks a simulated fuse box in one of the city's businesses.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>An AmeriTowne utility worker checks a simulated fuse box in one of the city's businesses.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529218925.jpeg" alt="The AmeriTowne judge, who was elected by her fellow students, hears a case.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>The AmeriTowne judge, who was elected by her fellow students, hears a case.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529276955.jpeg" alt="Students who worked in the snack shop baked and sold cookies to their fellow students and adult volunteers.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Students who worked in the snack shop baked and sold cookies to their fellow students and adult volunteers.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529321607.jpeg" alt="The AmeriTowne volunteer fire department responded to a simulated fire.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>The AmeriTowne volunteer fire department responded to a simulated fire.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529402156.jpeg" alt="Students who were interested in construction build birdhouses.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Students who were interested in construction build birdhouses.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529444140.jpeg" alt="Students film for the TV station.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Students film for the TV station.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529502469.jpeg" alt="The mayor of AmeriTown was elected by the students.&nbsp;Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>The mayor of AmeriTown was elected by the students.&nbsp;Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684529601323.jpeg" alt="Roosevelt fifth-graders visited AmeriTowne on May 10 for a taste of adulthood.&nbsp; Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Roosevelt fifth-graders visited AmeriTowne on May 10 for a taste of adulthood.&nbsp; Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays' Roosevelt fifth-graders get taste of adult life at AmeriTowne

SHERMAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Friday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1972 Harley Davidson driven by Wyatt John Dobler, 28, Burlington, Colorado, was westbound on Old U.S. 24 at County Road 21.&nbsp;

The vehicle left the road while attempting to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle laid over in the north ditch.

EMS transported Dobler to Goodland Regional Medical Center. He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

SHERMAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Friday in Sherman County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1972 Harley Davidson driven by Wyatt John Dobler, 28, Burlington, Colorado, was westbound on Old U.S. 24 at County Road 21.&nbsp;The vehicle left the road while attempting to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle laid over in the north ditch.EMS transported Dobler to Goodland Regional Medical Center. He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Man hospitalized after NW Kansas motorcycle accident

First identified in 2008 as a potential pest of soybeans in the United States, trochanter mealybugs (Pseudococcus sp.) have a wide variety of hosts, including corn, sorghum and alfalfa. While their role as a pest of soybean is still not fully understood, it appears that this mealybug has the potential to be a problem in alfalfa and multiple infestations have been reported in southwest Kansas this season.

Trochanter mealybugs are small (~2mm) unarmored, scale insects. They are flattened, whitish, and wax-covered and feed on plant roots removing fluids from the plant with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Due to their small size and life history, they often go undetected. The motionless mealybugs you see with a dense wax coating are all females; large egg sacs are produced under the wax when mature. The eggs hatch and the immature “crawlers” are how the mealybugs disperse between plants. This stage is difficult to control because they can hide in extremely tight spaces. Males, who do not feed, will often go unnoticed as they are smaller, winged and look nothing like the females.

Mealybugs are also moved readily in irrigation water as the waxy covering on their bodies helps them survive being submerged. These insects tend to move the greatest distances with the help of ants. In fact, increased ant activity in infested fields is often noticed before mealybugs are discovered. The ants are tending the mealybugs to eat the honeydew the bugs excrete and in turn the ants protect them from predators.

Plants infested with these mealybugs typically look like they have a potassium deficiency with yellowed leaf margins, stunted growth, and parts of a field may fail to adequately green up. If fields display these symptoms and they cannot be explained by other factors, plants should be dug up and roots examined for the presence of these insects. Again, the presence of ants may be a clue and often small, sunken trails on the soil surface can be found that ants are using to move mealybugs around the field in.

There are no thresholds or control measures for this pest, and it is important to note that their waxy covering would make mealybugs very hard to control with contact insecticides, even when feeding in exposed locations. Crop rotation may help, but this pest can survive on several crop and weed species. Attempts to control the ants in a field would not eliminate the mealybug population.

The distribution of these mealybugs in Kansas alfalfa is not well understood. If you do find trochanter mealybugs in your fields, please do not hesitate to contact your local extension agent. To see pictures of this pest in Kansas alfalfa fields, simply type mealybugs in alfalfa, ksu into your internet browser box.

Information provided by Anthony Zukoff, Extension Entomologist in Garden City.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>First identified in 2008 as a potential pest of soybeans in the United States, trochanter mealybugs (Pseudococcus sp.) have a wide variety of hosts, including corn, sorghum and alfalfa. While their role as a pest of soybean is still not fully understood, it appears that this mealybug has the potential to be a problem in alfalfa and multiple infestations have been reported in southwest Kansas this season.Trochanter mealybugs are small (~2mm) unarmored, scale insects. They are flattened, whitish, and wax-covered and feed on plant roots removing fluids from the plant with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Due to their small size and life history, they often go undetected. The motionless mealybugs you see with a dense wax coating are all females; large egg sacs are produced under the wax when mature. The eggs hatch and the immature “crawlers” are how the mealybugs disperse between plants. This stage is difficult to control because they can hide in extremely tight spaces. Males, who do not feed, will often go unnoticed as they are smaller, winged and look nothing like the females.Mealybugs are also moved readily in irrigation water as the waxy covering on their bodies helps them survive being submerged. These insects tend to move the greatest distances with the help of ants. In fact, increased ant activity in infested fields is often noticed before mealybugs are discovered. The ants are tending the mealybugs to eat the honeydew the bugs excrete and in turn the ants protect them from predators.Plants infested with these mealybugs typically look like they have a potassium deficiency with yellowed leaf margins, stunted growth, and parts of a field may fail to adequately green up. If fields display these symptoms and they cannot be explained by other factors, plants should be dug up and roots examined for the presence of these insects. Again, the presence of ants may be a clue and often small, sunken trails on the soil surface can be found that ants are using to move mealybugs around the field in.There are no thresholds or control measures for this pest, and it is important to note that their waxy covering would make mealybugs very hard to control with contact insecticides, even when feeding in exposed locations. Crop rotation may help, but this pest can survive on several crop and weed species. Attempts to control the ants in a field would not eliminate the mealybug population.The distribution of these mealybugs in Kansas alfalfa is not well understood. If you do find trochanter mealybugs in your fields, please do not hesitate to contact your local extension agent. To see pictures of this pest in Kansas alfalfa fields, simply type mealybugs in alfalfa, ksu into your internet browser box.Information provided by Anthony Zukoff, Extension Entomologist in Garden City.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Mealybugs active in southwest Kansas

ELLIS - The Ellis High School Journalism/Yearbook students participated in the Kansas Scholastic Press Association's State Journalism Contest at the University of Kansas in Lawrence this past weekend.&nbsp; They brought home some great awards for all their hard work.&nbsp; 

Taylor Seibel placed 1st in Digital Illustration, Kaydawn Haag placed 2nd in Advertising Design, Macy Eberle placed 3rd in Student Life Photography, Ava Reed placed 6th in Academic Photography, and Addison Kohl placed 6th in Sports Action Photography.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684241357627.jpeg" alt="Sendoff to state for Ellis High School journalism/yearbook students. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sendoff to state for Ellis High School journalism/yearbook students. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedELLIS - The Ellis High School Journalism/Yearbook students participated in the Kansas Scholastic Press Association's State Journalism Contest at the University of Kansas in Lawrence this past weekend.&nbsp; They brought home some great awards for all their hard work.&nbsp; Taylor Seibel placed 1st in Digital Illustration, Kaydawn Haag placed 2nd in Advertising Design, Macy Eberle placed 3rd in Student Life Photography, Ava Reed placed 6th in Academic Photography, and Addison Kohl placed 6th in Sports Action Photography.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684240964300.jpeg" alt="EHS students Macy Eberle, Taylor Seibel, Ava Reed, and Kaydawn Haag. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>EHS students Macy Eberle, Taylor Seibel, Ava Reed, and Kaydawn Haag. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684241103716.jpeg" alt="EHS students Taylor Seibel, Ava Reed, Macy Eberle, and Kaydawn Haag. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>EHS students Taylor Seibel, Ava Reed, Macy Eberle, and Kaydawn Haag. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis HS students are winners in KSPA state journalist contest

By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas District

Monarch butterflies are well known and loved. These butterflies inform our scientific literacy from a young age as we study metamorphosis and their unique relationship with milkweed (their host plant). I always look forward to seeing their beauty each and every season as they migrate north from their overwintering grounds in northern Mexico and fly throughout our region of Central Kansas before returning south later in the year.

The annual monarch census has shown a trend of declines in the monarch butterfly population for many years which is why it is important that we understand how best to provide habitat in our local gardens to help them survive and thrive.

Primary reasons for monarch butterfly decline include the&nbsp;loss of stems of milkweed&nbsp;and the&nbsp;loss of habitat&nbsp;in general due to urbanization and land use changes.&nbsp;Milkweed is the host plant for the monarch butterfly&nbsp;and without it monarch butterflies have no way to reproduce and provide food for their larvae (caterpillars).

It is estimated that&nbsp;an additional 1.8 billion stems of milkweed are needed&nbsp;to conserve our monarch butterflies!

New research is providing some great information on how we can best build our monarch butterfly gardens in our backyards and home landscapes.

Research done at the University of Kentucky has discovered that monarchs will use and thrive in even small gardens that are designed with a few key things in mind.

First, monarchs prefer an easy to find and accessible milkweed plant.&nbsp;When milkweed was planted at the perimeter (edge) of the monarch butterfly garden, research found that it supported 2.5 to 4 times more monarchs.

The image shows an example. The milkweed (m) is planted in clumps on the exterior of the butterfly garden where it is easy to find.&nbsp;Monarchs use visual cues&nbsp;such as leaf shape to locate milkweed and when milkweed is planted on the exterior of the garden it was much more easily found by the butterflies. The nectar plants can be intermixed as desired and planted inside the milkweed.

Isolated milkweed plants are colonized by monarchs much more readily than milkweed that is intermixed with many other types of plants.&nbsp;In fact, it was even better to plant milkweed in individual clumps on the edge of the garden and set them off with mulch.

The research also discovered that monarch butterfly gardens that were placed in an area with open and easy north/south access were more attractive to the butterflies.&nbsp;When possible, plant monarch gardens in a way that allow easy and unobstructed north/south access since this is their natural migration path.

Other monarch butterfly garden components

Don’t forget other key ways to make butterflies feel at home in your garden.

Nectar&nbsp;is the fuel for adult butterflies and every monarch garden should include a variety of nectar producing flowers that bloom throughout the season. The color, as well as the shape, of a flower’s blooms attracts butterflies. While a wide variety of color will attract a greater variety of butterflies, it’s also important to plant your flowers in masses using three or more plants of one variety but remember to keep the milkweed on the perimeter. Here are some examples of plants that can provide nectar.

Water or a ‘puddling’ space&nbsp;is beneficial to monarch butterflies. Provide a “puddling” space by burying a shallow container of sand and keeping it moist. The butterflies will congregate on damp sand to extract needed salts and minerals.

Add a few light-colored stones&nbsp;protected from the wind on which the cold-blooded butterflies can bask in the sun.

Avoid pesticide use.&nbsp;The chemicals that kill undesirable insects will also kill butterflies and their caterpillars.

Deadhead spent blossoms.&nbsp;Not only will this practice encourage more blooms, it also helps control plants that can become invasive by removing seed heads.

To see more lawn and garden information, visit the <a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension Lawn and Garden webpage</a>.

And check out the Salina Post Lawn and Garden page, under the Local tab or <a href="https://salinapost.com/category/garden">click here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684029477177.png" alt="Photos and images courtesy Jason Graves" />
 <figcaption>Photos and images courtesy Jason Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas DistrictMonarch butterflies are well known and loved. These butterflies inform our scientific literacy from a young age as we study metamorphosis and their unique relationship with milkweed (their host plant). I always look forward to seeing their beauty each and every season as they migrate north from their overwintering grounds in northern Mexico and fly throughout our region of Central Kansas before returning south later in the year.The annual monarch census has shown a trend of declines in the monarch butterfly population for many years which is why it is important that we understand how best to provide habitat in our local gardens to help them survive and thrive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684028440215.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Reasons for decline</h2>Primary reasons for monarch butterfly decline include the&nbsp;loss of stems of milkweed&nbsp;and the&nbsp;loss of habitat&nbsp;in general due to urbanization and land use changes.&nbsp;Milkweed is the host plant for the monarch butterfly&nbsp;and without it monarch butterflies have no way to reproduce and provide food for their larvae (caterpillars).It is estimated that&nbsp;an additional 1.8 billion stems of milkweed are needed&nbsp;to conserve our monarch butterflies!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684028608973.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Monarch garden structure</h2>New research is providing some great information on how we can best build our monarch butterfly gardens in our backyards and home landscapes.Research done at the University of Kentucky has discovered that monarchs will use and thrive in even small gardens that are designed with a few key things in mind.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684028730308.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First, monarchs prefer an easy to find and accessible milkweed plant.&nbsp;When milkweed was planted at the perimeter (edge) of the monarch butterfly garden, research found that it supported 2.5 to 4 times more monarchs.The image shows an example. The milkweed (m) is planted in clumps on the exterior of the butterfly garden where it is easy to find.&nbsp;Monarchs use visual cues&nbsp;such as leaf shape to locate milkweed and when milkweed is planted on the exterior of the garden it was much more easily found by the butterflies. The nectar plants can be intermixed as desired and planted inside the milkweed.Isolated milkweed plants are colonized by monarchs much more readily than milkweed that is intermixed with many other types of plants.&nbsp;In fact, it was even better to plant milkweed in individual clumps on the edge of the garden and set them off with mulch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684028882943.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The research also discovered that monarch butterfly gardens that were placed in an area with open and easy north/south access were more attractive to the butterflies.&nbsp;When possible, plant monarch gardens in a way that allow easy and unobstructed north/south access since this is their natural migration path.<h2>Key points:</h2><ol>
 <li>Monarchs will use even very small gardens</li><li>Avoid ‘hiding’ milkweed&nbsp;among other plants</li><li>Plant gardens where there is easy north/south access&nbsp;to incoming butterflies</li><li>Isolated and taller varieties of milkweed plants are preferred&nbsp;by monarch butterflies, set them off with mulch</li><li>Plant milkweeds on exterior of gardens</li><li>Plant several species of milkweed native to our region&nbsp;but avoid using tropical milkweed in Kansas. When native milkweed stops blooming, it is a cue for the monarch to migrate. Since tropical milkweed blooms much later than our native milkweeds it can interfere with the cue monarchs rely on to migrate at the proper time.</li>
 </ol><h2>Other monarch butterfly garden components</h2>Don’t forget other key ways to make butterflies feel at home in your garden.Nectar&nbsp;is the fuel for adult butterflies and every monarch garden should include a variety of nectar producing flowers that bloom throughout the season. The color, as well as the shape, of a flower’s blooms attracts butterflies. While a wide variety of color will attract a greater variety of butterflies, it’s also important to plant your flowers in masses using three or more plants of one variety but remember to keep the milkweed on the perimeter. Here are some examples of plants that can provide nectar.Water or a ‘puddling’ space&nbsp;is beneficial to monarch butterflies. Provide a “puddling” space by burying a shallow container of sand and keeping it moist. The butterflies will congregate on damp sand to extract needed salts and minerals.Add a few light-colored stones&nbsp;protected from the wind on which the cold-blooded butterflies can bask in the sun.Avoid pesticide use.&nbsp;The chemicals that kill undesirable insects will also kill butterflies and their caterpillars.Deadhead spent blossoms.&nbsp;Not only will this practice encourage more blooms, it also helps control plants that can become invasive by removing seed heads.To see more lawn and garden information, visit the <a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension Lawn and Garden webpage</a>.And check out the Salina Post Lawn and Garden page, under the Local tab or <a href="https://salinapost.com/category/garden">click here</a>.

CENTRAL KANSAS L&G: How to build garden for monarch butterflies

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684508863263.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>

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire - Megan Martinez of Hays has been named to&nbsp;<a href="http://email.readme.readmedia.com/ss/c/EK01aZvwbK530bRKUIS7kH6HS5ErylzSY3_leM65oLs/3w9/MHcfiAR8Tiy6WHsILH1oCg/h0/V6A43nO4J5Ls2xTPEtRn9Sy2p_WkddTiHbu4z3vVSi4" target="_blank">Southern New Hampshire University</a>'s Winter 2023 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

<a href="http://email.readme.readmedia.com/ss/c/EK01aZvwbK530bRKUIS7kH6HS5ErylzSY3_leM65oLs/3w9/MHcfiAR8Tiy6WHsILH1oCg/h1/gicbgHWctlt0y1aLA3_YXZDyZutksJEh2faDjkkz-iM" target="_blank">Southern New Hampshire University</a>&nbsp;(SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with a 90-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults, now serving more than 170,000 learners worldwide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652890565058.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseMANCHESTER, New Hampshire - Megan Martinez of Hays has been named to&nbsp;<a href="http://email.readme.readmedia.com/ss/c/EK01aZvwbK530bRKUIS7kH6HS5ErylzSY3_leM65oLs/3w9/MHcfiAR8Tiy6WHsILH1oCg/h0/V6A43nO4J5Ls2xTPEtRn9Sy2p_WkddTiHbu4z3vVSi4" target="_blank">Southern New Hampshire University</a>'s Winter 2023 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.<a href="http://email.readme.readmedia.com/ss/c/EK01aZvwbK530bRKUIS7kH6HS5ErylzSY3_leM65oLs/3w9/MHcfiAR8Tiy6WHsILH1oCg/h1/gicbgHWctlt0y1aLA3_YXZDyZutksJEh2faDjkkz-iM" target="_blank">Southern New Hampshire University</a>&nbsp;(SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with a 90-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults, now serving more than 170,000 learners worldwide.

Hays' Megan Martinez named to SNHU President's list 

&nbsp;Don't let your athlete miss out on a great week of volleyball camp at the Hays Middle School Clinic Times: Middle School: 1:00-3 :00 p.m. (open to Hays Middle School athletes only) Elementary: 3-4 grade -9:00-10:00 a.m. (open to anyone), 5-6 grade 10:30-12:00 p.m. (open to anyone) Deadline: Please register by June 10th to receive a camp T-shirt. You may register up until the day of camp but will not receive a shirt after June 14th.&nbsp; See the flyer below for more information and registration information.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Don't let your athlete miss out on a great week of volleyball camp at the Hays Middle School Clinic Times: Middle School: 1:00-3 :00 p.m. (open to Hays Middle School athletes only) Elementary: 3-4 grade -9:00-10:00 a.m. (open to anyone), 5-6 grade 10:30-12:00 p.m. (open to anyone) Deadline: Please register by June 10th to receive a camp T-shirt. You may register up until the day of camp but will not receive a shirt after June 14th.&nbsp; See the flyer below for more information and registration information.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
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Ohio man sentenced to prison for role in Dollar General robbery 

In 1971 Hays High junior, Greg Nichols had an incredible long jump of 23 feet, 11 inches, setting the school record.

This year Hays High senior, Keamonie Archie, broke the school's long-jump record that had stood for 52 years, with a jump of 24 feet 7.5 inches. 

Thursday at the regional track meet the two met.

Nichols&nbsp;traveled to Maize from Ellsworth to shake Archie's hand and watch him compete for a chance to go to the state track meet.

Archie earned a trip to the state track meet in multiple events, including long jump.

After some digging through the yearbook archives, a rather blurry image of&nbsp;Nichols jumping was found.

His speed was clearly too quick for the camera.

Nichols&nbsp;is also the former teammate of HHS javelin coach, Fred Joy, HHS Class of 1972.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684525110626.jpeg" alt="Keamonie Archie,&nbsp;Hays High senior, and&nbsp;Greg Nichols, HHS Class of 1972 at the regional track meet Thursday in Maize.&nbsp;Archie this year broke Nichols' 52-year-old record. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Keamonie Archie,&nbsp;Hays High senior, and&nbsp;Greg Nichols, HHS Class of 1972 at the regional track meet Thursday in Maize.&nbsp;Archie this year broke Nichols' 52-year-old record. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>USD 489In 1971 Hays High junior, Greg Nichols had an incredible long jump of 23 feet, 11 inches, setting the school record.This year Hays High senior, Keamonie Archie, broke the school's long-jump record that had stood for 52 years, with a jump of 24 feet 7.5 inches. Thursday at the regional track meet the two met.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684525514184.jpeg" alt="Keamonie Archie, Hays High senior, has set a new school long jump record. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Keamonie Archie, Hays High senior, has set a new school long jump record. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Nichols&nbsp;traveled to Maize from Ellsworth to shake Archie's hand and watch him compete for a chance to go to the state track meet.Archie earned a trip to the state track meet in multiple events, including long jump.After some digging through the yearbook archives, a rather blurry image of&nbsp;Nichols jumping was found.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684525573537.jpeg" alt="Greg Nichols, HHS Class of 1972, held the HHS long jump record for 52 years before it was broken this year by&nbsp;Keamonie Archie, Hays High senior. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Greg Nichols, HHS Class of 1972, held the HHS long jump record for 52 years before it was broken this year by&nbsp;Keamonie Archie, Hays High senior. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>His speed was clearly too quick for the camera.Nichols&nbsp;is also the former teammate of HHS javelin coach, Fred Joy, HHS Class of 1972.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HHS alum meets student who broke his 52-year-old long-jump record

TOPEKA – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9 percent in April. This is unchanged from 2.9 percent in March and an increase from 2.4 percent in April 2022.

Ellis County's jobless rate stayed flat at 2.1 percent compared to March.&nbsp;Trego County's unemployment dropped from 4 percent in March to 3.1 percent in April.

Jewell, Decatur and Lane counties in northwest Kansas also had unemployment rates above 3 percent in April.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 200 from March. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 500 over the month, while government increased by 300.

“April 2023 estimates indicate average nominal hourly earnings for the private sector increased 3.8 percent over the year,” said Labor Economist Nathan Kessler. “Although inflation continues to grow faster than hourly earnings in the private sector, several industries have experienced growth in real wages, most notably manufacturing and leisure and hospitality.”

Since April 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 32,100. This change is due to an increase of 27,800 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,300 government jobs.

Complete Kansas labor market information for April is available here.

The May 2023 Labor Report will be released on Friday, June 16. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684506793676.png" alt="Kansas unemployment map for April. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Kansas unemployment map for April. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9 percent in April. This is unchanged from 2.9 percent in March and an increase from 2.4 percent in April 2022.Ellis County's jobless rate stayed flat at 2.1 percent compared to March.&nbsp;Trego County's unemployment dropped from 4 percent in March to 3.1 percent in April.Jewell, Decatur and Lane counties in northwest Kansas also had unemployment rates above 3 percent in April.Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 200 from March. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 500 over the month, while government increased by 300.“April 2023 estimates indicate average nominal hourly earnings for the private sector increased 3.8 percent over the year,” said Labor Economist Nathan Kessler. “Although inflation continues to grow faster than hourly earnings in the private sector, several industries have experienced growth in real wages, most notably manufacturing and leisure and hospitality.”Since April 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 32,100. This change is due to an increase of 27,800 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,300 government jobs.Complete Kansas labor market information for April is available here.The May 2023 Labor Report will be released on Friday, June 16.

Ellis County jobless rate flat; Trego County rate drops

The Western Kansas Veterans Vintage Bike show, hosted by the Fort Hays DAV Chapter 18, will be held Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hays National Guard Armory, 200 S. Main.

The fundraiser will benefit local veterans, Wreaths Across America, and K9s for Warriors.

Registration starts at 7 a.m. with a $20 entry fee.

Enjoy vintage motorcycles and classic cars, games, vendors, blind auction, music, and the biergarten by Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club.

Sponsored by the Sunflower Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America.

More information is available at oldbikes@yahoo.com or 785-269-7879.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684428976969.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Western Kansas Veterans Vintage Bike show, hosted by the Fort Hays DAV Chapter 18, will be held Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hays National Guard Armory, 200 S. Main.The fundraiser will benefit local veterans, Wreaths Across America, and K9s for Warriors.Admission is $10. Vendors are $10.Registration starts at 7 a.m. with a $20 entry fee.Enjoy vintage motorcycles and classic cars, games, vendors, blind auction, music, and the biergarten by Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club.Sponsored by the Sunflower Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America.More information is available at oldbikes@yahoo.com or 785-269-7879.

Western Kansas Veterans Vintage Bike Show is Saturday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays USD 489 broke ground Thursday on a $21.9M expansion and renovation project for Roosevelt Elementary School.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f5911a80-0122-4fce-91f8-27835e5435c7">The work is part of a $143.5 million bond issue. Roosevelt, which has three classes of each grade, will be expanded to accommodate five classes of each grade.</a>

The school will be able to accommodate 690 students once the renovations are complete.&nbsp;The school also is getting a new media center and a new gym, which will double as a storm shelter.

Construction work will begin next week. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2024.&nbsp;

"This is the beginning of some really big stuff for our district, for our community, but more importantly this is a big step for our students as well as Roosevelt staff," Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson said.

"Two years ago we started something that many people told me, 'Ron, that's impossible. You are never going to get a bond passed and you are never going to get the bond passed you are getting out there,'" he said.

"I said, 'Oh, just watch.' We are going to get it done, and we did," Wilson said.

He said the bond passed because people knew they needed to provide quality facilities for the future of the community, the children and the staff, he said.

"We value what we do here in USD 489," he said. ... "I'm so appreciative to the voters who were committed to the dream to get this started. This is just the first of several big projects that are coming."

School board President Craig Palliser said he has been on a thank-you tour for the last years since the bond passed.

"There are so many people in this town and school district who supported the needs of our kids and our families," he said. "This is a key example of growing Hays.

"One of the biggest thank you's as we move around the district is to the teachers, staff and administration who have been in rooms that were too hot, rooms that were too little and tornado shelters that were creepy.

"Our kids deserve a good place and our teachers deserve a good place to teach. Our parents deserve a good place where their kids are safe every day and they are learning," Pallister said.

David Clingan of Grow Hays, who chaired the community bond committee, said the project was a team effort.

"The team effort says it all about where our values are, how we want to set our children up for success for the future and our teachers," he said. "I'm just really proud of how we've come together."&nbsp;&nbsp;

The entire construction area will be fenced to keep children from wandering into the construction zone, which will be on the north side of the school.

Modular classrooms are being brought in during the construction. The school's older students will use these classrooms.

Work on a new high school will begin later this summer.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684441989968.jpeg" alt="Adults center from left&nbsp; Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Chris Sramek; Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson; school board President Craig Pallister; Chrisy Crough, public relations director; Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent; and Roosevelt students, break ground on a $21.9 million Roosevelt expansion on Thursday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Adults center from left&nbsp; Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Chris Sramek; Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson; school board President Craig Pallister; Chrisy Crough, public relations director; Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent; and Roosevelt students, break ground on a $21.9 million Roosevelt expansion on Thursday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays USD 489 broke ground Thursday on a $21.9M expansion and renovation project for Roosevelt Elementary School.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f5911a80-0122-4fce-91f8-27835e5435c7">The work is part of a $143.5 million bond issue. Roosevelt, which has three classes of each grade, will be expanded to accommodate five classes of each grade.</a>The school will be able to accommodate 690 students once the renovations are complete.&nbsp;The school also is getting a new media center and a new gym, which will double as a storm shelter.Construction work will begin next week. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2024.&nbsp;"This is the beginning of some really big stuff for our district, for our community, but more importantly this is a big step for our students as well as Roosevelt staff," Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684442534303.jpeg" alt="Hays USD 498 Superintendent Ron Wilson speaks to the crowd during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Roosevelt school expansion on Thursday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays USD 498 Superintendent Ron Wilson speaks to the crowd during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Roosevelt school expansion on Thursday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"Two years ago we started something that many people told me, 'Ron, that's impossible. You are never going to get a bond passed and you are never going to get the bond passed you are getting out there,'" he said."I said, 'Oh, just watch.' We are going to get it done, and we did," Wilson said.He said the bond passed because people knew they needed to provide quality facilities for the future of the community, the children and the staff, he said."We value what we do here in USD 489," he said. ... "I'm so appreciative to the voters who were committed to the dream to get this started. This is just the first of several big projects that are coming."School board President Craig Palliser said he has been on a thank-you tour for the last years since the bond passed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684442790585.jpeg" alt="Roosevelt students wait to participate in the groundbreaking at their school on Thursday. The construction project will add new classrooms, a gym and a media center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Roosevelt students wait to participate in the groundbreaking at their school on Thursday. The construction project will add new classrooms, a gym and a media center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"There are so many people in this town and school district who supported the needs of our kids and our families," he said. "This is a key example of growing Hays."One of the biggest thank you's as we move around the district is to the teachers, staff and administration who have been in rooms that were too hot, rooms that were too little and tornado shelters that were creepy."Our kids deserve a good place and our teachers deserve a good place to teach. Our parents deserve a good place where their kids are safe every day and they are learning," Pallister said.David Clingan of Grow Hays, who chaired the community bond committee, said the project was a team effort.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684443203853.jpeg" alt="Roosevelt students help break ground on a $21.9 million expansion Thursday at their school. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Roosevelt students help break ground on a $21.9 million expansion Thursday at their school. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"The team effort says it all about where our values are, how we want to set our children up for success for the future and our teachers," he said. "I'm just really proud of how we've come together."&nbsp;&nbsp;The entire construction area will be fenced to keep children from wandering into the construction zone, which will be on the north side of the school.Modular classrooms are being brought in during the construction. The school's older students will use these classrooms.Work on a new high school will begin later this summer.&nbsp;

Ground broken on $21.9M Roosevelt Elementary School expansion in Hays

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A gentle rain fell overnight Thursday in Hays, yielding a much-needed 1.54 inches according to the official report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

Hays previously had just a third of an inch total moisture in May, bringing it to a total of 1.93 inches.

So far for the year, Hays has received 4.98 inches of moisture.

It's still well below the 153-year cumulative average of 7.81 inches of moisture for the year to date - nearly three inches less.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684512778909.jpeg" alt="Chetolah Creek was running with rainwater Friday morning in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Chetolah Creek was running with rainwater Friday morning in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA gentle rain fell overnight Thursday in Hays, yielding a much-needed 1.54 inches according to the official report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.Hays previously had just a third of an inch total moisture in May, bringing it to a total of 1.93 inches.So far for the year, Hays has received 4.98 inches of moisture.It's still well below the 153-year cumulative average of 7.81 inches of moisture for the year to date - nearly three inches less.&nbsp;

1.5" of needed rain falls in Hays 

It may
be something many people are not comfortable discussing, but protestors Tuesday
in Hays and Great Bend were confronted with the realities of the harm caused by
circumcision.

Men and women
from across the country, and members of the organization <a href="https://www.bloodstainedmen.com/">Bloodstained Men</a> donned all white
clothing with large red spots covering their crotch, representing blood from
male genital mutilation, stood at the intersection of 27th and Vine
in Hays in the morning and then at 10th and McKinley in Great Bend
in the afternoon.

“We're on
a two-week tour of Kansas and Nebraska to spread foreskin awareness and prevent
violence against children,” said Bloodstained Men CEO David Atkinson. 

Their
mission: “We do not want future generations to suffer the same act of violence
that was inflicted on us when we were too young to defend ourselves,” he said. 

He pulled no punches when discussing their belief that circumcision has no
place in the modern U.S. medical community.

“The
risk of harmful effect is 100 percent because the foreskin is a valuable part
of the body, and it is destroyed in 100 percent of circumcisions,” Atkinson
said. “I always want to emphasize the fact that it's harmful to amputate part
of the penis. Regardless of how skillfully it is done, and regardless of
whether there are any complications.”

And while
the act is itself may be harmful, he said it can also cause further complications, including
infections and uncontrolled bleeding that can be deadly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics said in a 2018 study mortality from the
procedure is difficult to track due to a lack of sufficient data but in a 10-year
period, about 200 early deaths following circumcision were recorded.

“I don't like to focus on those because then people will
say, ‘Oh, well, I'll just find a competent doctor, and then there won't be any
problem,’” Atkinson said.

But he said doctors are a significant contributor to the
ongoing practice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356119478.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostIt may
be something many people are not comfortable discussing, but protestors Tuesday
in Hays and Great Bend were confronted with the realities of the harm caused by
circumcision.Men and women
from across the country, and members of the organization <a href="https://www.bloodstainedmen.com/">Bloodstained Men</a> donned all white
clothing with large red spots covering their crotch, representing blood from
male genital mutilation, stood at the intersection of 27th and Vine
in Hays in the morning and then at 10th and McKinley in Great Bend
in the afternoon.“We're on
a two-week tour of Kansas and Nebraska to spread foreskin awareness and prevent
violence against children,” said Bloodstained Men CEO David Atkinson. Their
mission: “We do not want future generations to suffer the same act of violence
that was inflicted on us when we were too young to defend ourselves,” he said. He pulled no punches when discussing their belief that circumcision has no
place in the modern U.S. medical community.“The
risk of harmful effect is 100 percent because the foreskin is a valuable part
of the body, and it is destroyed in 100 percent of circumcisions,” Atkinson
said. “I always want to emphasize the fact that it's harmful to amputate part
of the penis. Regardless of how skillfully it is done, and regardless of
whether there are any complications.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356207512.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>And while
the act is itself may be harmful, he said it can also cause further complications, including
infections and uncontrolled bleeding that can be deadly.The American Academy of Pediatrics said in a 2018 study mortality from the
procedure is difficult to track due to a lack of sufficient data but in a 10-year
period, about 200 early deaths following circumcision were recorded.“I don't like to focus on those because then people will
say, ‘Oh, well, I'll just find a competent doctor, and then there won't be any
problem,’” Atkinson said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356167639.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>But he said doctors are a significant contributor to the
ongoing practice.“There's ignorance and denial,”
Atkinson said. “Because there are still people who just have no idea, [and are]
totally ignorant about the structure and function of the human foreskin. And
that includes a lot of American doctors who are still doing this, who never
learned about the structure and function of the foreskin because their medical
school professors didn't have a foreskin.”“Their textbooks were written
by people who don't have foreskin and therefore don't have diagrams of the
intact penis,” he continued. “They themselves don't have foreskins. They've never
encountered someone in their personal lives who has spoken to them about it.
And so, there are a lot of doctors who are totally ignorant about this, as well
as parents who unfortunately trust that doctors have their best interests, and
the doctors are educated.”He said ignorance also leads to denial in the American medical
community of the lack of need for the procedure.“They don't want to
acknowledge that they've been harming our baby boys for 100 years,” Atkinson
said. “If they were to come out and say actually, this is harmful, and we
shouldn't be doing it, which is something that most other country’s medical
associations have done… they would open themselves up to huge liability on an unimaginable
scale for malpractice for torturing babies for no reason and harming their
penises.”“It's easier for them just to
try to keep doing it and pretend that nothing's wrong.”Hospital finances are also a
factor, he said.“There's a financial
incentive in a lot of medical hospitals and clinics because, in the U.S., we
have this health care system that's based on profit payment per procedure,”
Atkinson said. “And, so the more penises they cut, the more money they make, or
the insurance companies will make.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356428627.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Numerous studies show that
while doctors generally perpetuate the procedure, social factors, including the
circumcision of the father, is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8654051/">a primary factor
in the decision to circumcise a child.</a>“There's also denial among
men, who don't want to admit that part of their penis is missing and that their
penis has been damaged for no reason,” Atkinson said. “Because no man wants to
think that his penis is not as good as it could possibly be.”“And so, when we stand out
here with signs saying sexual mutilation, then a lot of guys, their first
reaction will be to say, ‘Oh, no, there's nothing wrong with my penis, and
everything's fine.’ And in order for them to continue thinking that the easiest
thing is to pass along that same injury to their son because if they had an
intact son, and they had to change his diapers every day, they would be
constantly reminded, look, there's something on this penis that I don't have.”"It's a difficult situation."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356253207.jpeg" alt="An area resident discusses the religious implications of Bloodstained Men's message. Some religions, like Judaism, practice circumcision as a&nbsp; part of their cultural tradition. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>An area resident discusses the religious implications of Bloodstained Men's message. Some religions, like Judaism, practice circumcision as a&nbsp; part of their cultural tradition. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>While the practice is
commonplace in the U.S., he noted that much of the world, including European
and Asian countries, has abandoned the procedure as routine long ago.“The
foreskin is a normal, healthy, valuable part of the human penis,” Atkinson said.
“And the European medical community has condemned American doctors for
tampering with the genitals of perfectly healthy babies.”“We're
here to warn the American people that their children are in danger in hospitals
around the country shortly after birth, and that… we encourage them to educate
themselves, so they have they have the information and the confidence to
protect their children, from people who would amputate parts of their penises.”In 2010, the <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/43/12/728/189948/Circumcision?redirectedFrom=fulltext">AAP
noted that about 80 percent of men</a> in the U.S. ages 14-59 were circumcised.
Another 2014 study found about 80.5 percent of American men were also.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684354729763.png" alt="A chart showing global circumcision rates from the University of Sydney in 2016, based on U.S. CIA data for men aged 15-64." />
 <figcaption>A chart showing global circumcision rates from the University of Sydney in 2016, based on U.S. CIA data for men aged 15-64.</figcaption>
 </figure>That rate was matched, or higher, in some countries, including
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Israel.However, most European countries have rates well less than 20
percent, with several reporting circumcision rates less than 10 percent.Other countries, like Australia and New Zealand, have rates
somewhere in between, but the percentage continues to decline as the practice has
faced increased scrutiny and has fallen out of favor in recent decades.Within the U.S., states also have a wide variety of
circumcision rates, with significantly lower rates in the West and South,
according to CDC data released in 2010. The Midwest has the highest rate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684354669187.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>And while generally, over the last few decades, the rate of
circumcision in the U.S. is down, it should be recognized as another procedure that people abandon
as medicine evolves, Atkinson said.“In the
U.S., just a couple of generations ago, doctors were inserting probes into the
corner of children's eyelids to tear away the frontal lobe of the brain, and
they were claiming that there were some medical reasons to do this, and now we
know it's all total nonsense,” he said. “And the same thing with foreskin
amputation.”"It's a barbaric human rights violation."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356558128.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The
first step of the foreskin amputation is inserting this blunt metal probe into
the penis between the foreskin and the glands, the head of the penis, and
tearing away at this connective tissue, Atkinson said. And that practice by
itself can be harmful.“In the
newborn baby, and even in young children, the foreskin is not easily
retractable,” he said. “It's fused to the head of the penis, similar to a kitten's
eyelid. This membrane gradually breaks down over several years.”“And
there's been a lot of misinformation about the retraction of the foreskin in
the American medical community as well because there's been this idea that you
need to retract the foreskin and wash underneath because it might get dirty,”
he continued. “But if you retract the foreskin before it becomes naturally
retractable, then you have an open wound. And then that wound can get infected.
And then you go to the doctor, and they say, ‘Oh, this is why we chose to
circumcise because I look at all these infections.’”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356301908.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>While the
AAP and CDC have recommended the practice in the past, the last guidance issued
by the AAP and shared by the CDC has expired.“There's a lot of inaccurate reporting we still see about this issue with
regards to the AAP because people do a quick search on the internet, and
they'll say, ‘Oh, look at the recommendation that the benefits outweigh the
risks,’” Atkinson said. “But they don't realize the AAP has no current
statement on this issue. They have not, for the past six years, had any
statement on this issue.”But many organizations continue sharing potential benefits of the procedure, even as they note the uncertainty attributed to it.<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/circumcision/about/pac-20393550">The Mayo Clinic lists reasons for the procedure as:</a><ul>
 <li>Easier hygiene.&nbsp;Circumcision makes it simpler to wash the penis. However, boys with uncircumcised penises can be taught to wash regularly beneath the foreskin.</li><li>Decreased risk of urinary tract infections.&nbsp;The risk of urinary tract infections in males is low, but these infections are more common in uncircumcised males. Severe infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later.</li><li>Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections.&nbsp;Circumcised men might have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Still, safe sexual practices remain essential.</li><li>Prevention of penile problems.&nbsp;Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis can be difficult or impossible to retract (phimosis). This can lead to inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis.</li><li>Decreased risk of penile cancer.&nbsp;Although cancer of the penis is rare, it's less common in circumcised men. In addition, cervical cancer is less common in the female sexual partners of circumcised men.</li>
 </ul>They conclude with, "The risks of not being circumcised, however, are not only rare, but avoidable with proper care of the penis."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356344187.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Ultimately,
Bloodstained Men and similar organizations hope as the conversation becomes
normalized, more doctors will understand the lack of benefit in the practice, but
most importantly, they hope parents will step up and become advocates for their children.“It's a
human rights issue,” Atkinson said. “And it's an issue of violence against
children. So, if you're trying to decide whether to have part of your son’s
penis amputated, the experts to which you should look for advice are the human
rights activist, not the doctors, because doctors aren't experts in human
rights. Doctors are perpetrators in this case. You might as well ask the fox if
you should lock the doors to the chicken coop.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356058807.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>