STAFFORD COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Ashley N. Jackson, 38, Larned, was eastbound in 900 Block of NE 140th Street.

&nbsp;The SUV struck a deer crossing the roadway from the south ditch.

EMS transported Jackson and a passenger 37-year-old Chaylayne S. Jackson of Larned to the hospital in Larned. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

STAFFORD COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Stafford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Ashley N. Jackson, 38, Larned, was eastbound in 900 Block of NE 140th Street.&nbsp;The SUV struck a deer crossing the roadway from the south ditch.EMS transported Jackson and a passenger 37-year-old Chaylayne S. Jackson of Larned to the hospital in Larned. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 women hospitalized after SUV strikes a deer

<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/2023/5/1683138585248.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

We are hiring CDL Drivers (A or B) with a hazmat endorsement, or ability to acquire one, for our oilfield wireline company.

ELI would also consider helping the right people obtain a CDL license. The job will require rigging for wireline operations.

Benefits include 100% Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance paid by employer, 401K, and a competitive salary.

This position is based out of Hays, Kansas. If interested, please apply within at 1327 Rome Road, Hays, Kansas 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642173081488.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>We are hiring CDL Drivers (A or B) with a hazmat endorsement, or ability to acquire one, for our oilfield wireline company.ELI would also consider helping the right people obtain a CDL license. The job will require rigging for wireline operations.Benefits include 100% Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance paid by employer, 401K, and a competitive salary.This position is based out of Hays, Kansas. If interested, please apply within at 1327 Rome Road, Hays, Kansas 67601.

5 hospitalized after construction zone rear-end crash

At 12:47 p.m., April 30, the City of Russell Fire Department was dispatched to 930 Wisconsin for a report of a fire in the basement of a single-family dwelling.

Crews arriving on scene observed a single-family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the east doorway, basement access side, along with smoke coming out from the attic vents.

Crews were able to make entry through the east door and gain access to the basement. Heavy smoke and flames were reported, and the fire was extinguished.

The fire was brought under control at 1:24 p.m., and crews remained on scene looking for extensions and extinguishing hot sport within the dwelling. The severity of the heat and fire damage was contained to the basement, while smoke damage was present throughout the entire dwelling.

After investigation, the cause of the fire was a malfunctioning water heater located in the basement.&nbsp;

The City of Russell Fire Department would like to thank the Russell Police Department, Tussell Electric Department, Russell Water Department, Russell County Emergency Management, Russell County 911 and Russell County EMS.

Russell Fire DepartmentAt 12:47 p.m., April 30, the City of Russell Fire Department was dispatched to 930 Wisconsin for a report of a fire in the basement of a single-family dwelling.Crews arriving on scene observed a single-family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the east doorway, basement access side, along with smoke coming out from the attic vents.Crews were able to make entry through the east door and gain access to the basement. Heavy smoke and flames were reported, and the fire was extinguished.The fire was brought under control at 1:24 p.m., and crews remained on scene looking for extensions and extinguishing hot sport within the dwelling. The severity of the heat and fire damage was contained to the basement, while smoke damage was present throughout the entire dwelling.After investigation, the cause of the fire was a malfunctioning water heater located in the basement.&nbsp;The City of Russell Fire Department would like to thank the Russell Police Department, Tussell Electric Department, Russell Water Department, Russell County Emergency Management, Russell County 911 and Russell County EMS.

Russell home damaged in fire Sunday

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

KANSAS CITY, Kansas — Mark Erich, Shawna Maloney and their two children set off in good spirits for the first family vacation in a newly acquired recreational vehicle, traveling from Colorado to Alabama via Interstate 70.

In central Kansas before dawn in March 2018, their camper caught the attention of Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Justin Rohr. He whipped his cruiser across the median to head east at high speed to track down the RV bearing temporary Colorado tags. The trooper briefly paced the Erich-Maloney camper in the left lane before sliding to the right and lighting them up on the pretext Erich’s right rear tire touched the white fog line.

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t sleepy,” Rohr told Erich to open the roadside stop. Rohr’s dash camera and an audio feed from troopers on the scene created a vivid record of dialogue and imagery.

Rohr asserted he could see paint on Erich’s hand and claimed to sense the presence of fresh paint or car body putty when he approached the vehicle. Erich and Maloney, as well as two other troopers, said they couldn’t smell anything odd. But Rohr pushed a theory someone had sealed a secret compartment within the RV to hide illegal drugs.

Rohr, who joined the KHP in 2006 with Badge No. 232, was building a case of investigation borne of suspicion. He still lacked cause to order a search of the camper by the drug-sniffing dog waiting in his cruiser’s rear seat. In the interim, he handed Erich a warning for nicking the highway’s white line.

“You guys have a safe trip,” Rohr said. “Drive careful.” The video shows Rohr took a few steps toward the rear of the RV before spinning back to engage Erich again. It’s known as the Kansas Two-Step — a technique taught KHP personnel to signal termination of a routine traffic stop and initiation of a separate effort to elicit information and gain entry to a vehicle to search for contraband.

The officer’s request sounded simple: “Hey, sir, can I ask you more questions?” Erich, who thought the trooper’s inquiry had gone on long enough and was leery of what might transpire next, said he’d prefer not to engage in more conversation.

At that point, Rohr announced he was detaining the family pending a drug-dog assessment and possible deep dive by troopers. He later reported Erich refused KHP access to the RV, but admitted in the deposition that wasn’t true. Erich said he wanted to leave, but wasn’t directly asked about a search.

“I think you might have a false compartment in this vehicle,” Rohr said. He ordered both parents and the children out of the RV into freezing weather. He paraded his police dog around the camper’s exterior before declaring the animal signaled presence of marijuana, cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.

He said the canine’s sensitive nose gave him reasonable suspicion to explore the vehicle’s interior as other cars and trucks continued to zoom past on the interstate.

Kansas troopers on the scene dismantled parts of the RV’s dash, smashed smoke detectors, dumped clothes on the floor, ransacked the refrigerator, damaged the restroom door and towel rack, broke a panel under the shower and disabled the toilet. The law enforcement officers’ search included exploration of external storage bins. They crawled under the vehicle to tap metal panels, peered under the hood and climbed a ladder off the bumper to examine the roof.

They found nothing illegal. No drugs. No guns. No cash.

“I was fearful. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Maloney, who testified she still suffered anxiety from the experience. “I was scared and nervous. I was mad. I was very upset. I felt it was a waste of our time. I don’t feel save driving through Kansas anymore.”

As the sun started rising to the east, Rohr told Maloney and Erich he was sorry for wasting their time.

He didn’t apologize for what Maloney, Erich and other plaintiffs contend was the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/06/aclu-motorists-challenge-roadside-detention-dog-searches-triggered-by-trooper-two-step/">KHP’s practice of violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure</a>. A group of attorneys serving the plaintiffs, including representation by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, named KHP superintendent Herman Jones as defendant in this week’s trial contesting KHP policy on the two-step searches. Plaintiffs seek a court order prohibiting the two-step system crafted to work around motorists’ constitutional protections.

In a brief interview at the federal courthouse, Jones said KHP “made some adjustments” in response to legal objections to the Kansas two-step. He declined to comment on troopers’ abuse of the RV. In a deposition, Rohr said he didn’t recall harming the camper but said he had damaged property in other searches.

Two other plaintiffs in the consolidated case against KHP, Wichita resident Joshua Bosire and Oklahoma City resident Blaine Shaw, already prevailed in jury trials accusing KHP troopers Douglas Schulte and Brandon McMillan of improperly detaining them. Searches of their vehicles failed to uncover evidence of drug trafficking.

On Monday, it was the turn of Erich and Maloney to take the stand and plead their case at the Robert Dole Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.

They’re all contesting KHP’s reliance on the two-step method to question motorists in anticipation of building reasonable suspicion and compelling involuntary searches of suspect vehicles. KHP policy has clashed with a 2016 decision in the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that instructed the Kansas law enforcement agency to cease reliance on unreliable methods of detaining motorists for criminal searches.

In a deposition played for the court, Rohr defended his approach to sorting out who should be placed under a microscope as a possible drug trafficker. He said he relied on extensive training and experience when making subjective determinations, which depended on “more than a hunch.”

The trooper said he was drawn to out-of-state vehicles, especially from drug production states such as California and Colorado or motorists headed toward high drug consumption cities such as St. Louis and Cleveland. He tuned into individuals who appeared nervous or were pulling trailers with no load. He said it was meaningful when vehicles were doused with air freshener to obscure odor or had interiors littered with fast-food wrappers, which was a sign of guilt among people exceptionally eager to keep moving.

Rohr said he was convinced, at least when his deposition in the suit was taken in 2021, Erich and Maloney were indeed hiding drugs in their RV despite his unsuccessful effort to find evidence of that claim.

“This is a crucial case for our clients, but also for anyone else who travels on Kansas highways,” said Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas. “For too long, the Highway Patrol has run roughshod over the rights of motorists. People should be free to travel through our state without the fear that they will be unlawfully shaken down based simply on the small fact that they are coming from or are going to states that have legalized drug use in some capacity.”

She said Jones hadn’t taken steps to halt KHP’s impermissible reliance on motorists’ travel agenda or state of residence when deciding whether to retain a person for a canine sniff. Plaintiffs contended KHP’s transformation of a traffic stop into a search was an egregious practice that preyed on motorists who didn’t appreciate their constitutional rights and people who understood their rights but thought it risky to drive away, she said.

“At its core, this case is about what it means for police to target certain people for intrusive questioning and suspicionless detention,” Brett said. “To turn something minor, like a traffic violation, into a degrading and lengthy roadside detention or something even worse.”

She said the KHP litigation reflected the public’s desire to push back against misuse of law enforcement authority.

“When we give police the power to conduct pretextual stops, to assume people to be drug traffickers, and to use flimsy justifications to get inside their vehicles to prolong traffic stops, we turn a simple ticket-release scenario into something longer, fraught and complicated,” Brett said.

U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Vratil, who was assigned to preside over the three trials, denied KHP’s motion for summary judgement. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver rejected KHP’s request for qualified immunity from the lawsuits.

In February, a federal court jury founding in favor of Shaw’s claim against Schulte. Shaw was awarded nominal damages when the jury determined Schulte violated Shaw’s rights during a 2017 stop. Shaw and a brother, members of the Osage Nation from Oklahoma City, were on their way to Denver when pulled over near Hays for speeding. Schulte issued the ticket and wished them well before relying on the two-step maneuver to pose additional questions leading to a drug-dog search of their van.

In the second trial, Bosire’s jury determined McMillan violated Bosier’s rights during a traffic stop in 2019. Bosire was awarded punitive and compensatory damages.

Arthur Chalmers, an attorney representing KHP employees in the trials, said troopers sued by Shaw and Bosire leaned on years of training to formulate reasonable suspicion of possible crimes. He said in court documents KHP respected Fourth Amendment rights of motorists. He argued KHP hadn’t infringed on constitutional rights of people to travel from state to state through Kansas.

On Monday, Chalmers declined to offer opening remarks at start of the bench trial aimed at Jones, who serves as the state law enforcement agency’s colonel and superintendent. He is scheduled to retire this summer.

Chalmers did raise objections to showing video of Rohr’s deposition and the admission of RV photographs taken by plaintiffs. He alleged plaintiffs’ lawyers were introducing “inadmissible hearsay” and information lacking relevance to the case. When he objected to testimony by Maloney, the judge sought to deter him.

“I’d like to hear what she has to say,” Vratil said. “So, there’s no need to keep objecting.”

Roots of the case trace to Peter Vasquez, who filed suit against KHP troopers Richard Jimerson and Dax Lewis alleging they lacked reasonable suspicion in 2011 to detain and search his vehicle in Wabaunsee County. Five years later, his case made it to the Court of Appeals’ 10th Circuit in Denver.

Vasquez had been a resident of Colorado and was driving on I-70 through Kansas during the night in a recently acquired older-model car. Vasquez refused to voluntarily allow troopers to search his BMW. Jimerson, suspecting Vasquez was transporting illegal drugs, detained him before calling in a trained drug dog. Subsequent inspection of the vehicle didn’t turn up anything illegal.

Vasquez filed suit against KHP in 2012 alleging violation of search-and-seizure rights. The U.S. District Court in Kansas granted the troopers summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity, concluding Vasquez’ asserted right wasn’t clearly established in law.

“We disagree,” the Court of Appeals said. “We conclude that the officers acted without reasonable suspicion and violated clearly established precedent. In particular, we conclude that the officers impermissibly relied on Vasquez’ status as a resident of Colorado to justify the search of his vehicle.”

KHP and Vasquez settled the case in 2017 after the U.S. Supreme Court declined the state’s request to hear an appeal. Vasquez was paid $67,100 by the state. He told The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/07/03/state-settles-lawsuit-man-detained-under-suspicion-kansas-highway/16538081007/">Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;the conflict exposed KHP’s corrupt practices and lack of respect for constitutional rights.

“It’s about accountability,” Vasquez said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682429035127.png" alt="&nbsp;Individuals pulled over by the Kansas Highway Patrol for traffic offenses but subjected to drug-dog searches of their vehicles are challenging constitutionality of the agency's "two-step" maneuver to trigger the searches. -KHP photo" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Individuals pulled over by the Kansas Highway Patrol for traffic offenses but subjected to drug-dog searches of their vehicles are challenging constitutionality of the agency's "two-step" maneuver to trigger the searches. -KHP photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>KANSAS CITY, Kansas — Mark Erich, Shawna Maloney and their two children set off in good spirits for the first family vacation in a newly acquired recreational vehicle, traveling from Colorado to Alabama via Interstate 70.In central Kansas before dawn in March 2018, their camper caught the attention of Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Justin Rohr. He whipped his cruiser across the median to head east at high speed to track down the RV bearing temporary Colorado tags. The trooper briefly paced the Erich-Maloney camper in the left lane before sliding to the right and lighting them up on the pretext Erich’s right rear tire touched the white fog line.“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t sleepy,” Rohr told Erich to open the roadside stop. Rohr’s dash camera and an audio feed from troopers on the scene created a vivid record of dialogue and imagery.Rohr asserted he could see paint on Erich’s hand and claimed to sense the presence of fresh paint or car body putty when he approached the vehicle. Erich and Maloney, as well as two other troopers, said they couldn’t smell anything odd. But Rohr pushed a theory someone had sealed a secret compartment within the RV to hide illegal drugs.Rohr, who joined the KHP in 2006 with Badge No. 232, was building a case of investigation borne of suspicion. He still lacked cause to order a search of the camper by the drug-sniffing dog waiting in his cruiser’s rear seat. In the interim, he handed Erich a warning for nicking the highway’s white line.“You guys have a safe trip,” Rohr said. “Drive careful.” The video shows Rohr took a few steps toward the rear of the RV before spinning back to engage Erich again. It’s known as the Kansas Two-Step — a technique taught KHP personnel to signal termination of a routine traffic stop and initiation of a separate effort to elicit information and gain entry to a vehicle to search for contraband.The officer’s request sounded simple: “Hey, sir, can I ask you more questions?” Erich, who thought the trooper’s inquiry had gone on long enough and was leery of what might transpire next, said he’d prefer not to engage in more conversation.At that point, Rohr announced he was detaining the family pending a drug-dog assessment and possible deep dive by troopers. He later reported Erich refused KHP access to the RV, but admitted in the deposition that wasn’t true. Erich said he wanted to leave, but wasn’t directly asked about a search.“I think you might have a false compartment in this vehicle,” Rohr said. He ordered both parents and the children out of the RV into freezing weather. He paraded his police dog around the camper’s exterior before declaring the animal signaled presence of marijuana, cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.He said the canine’s sensitive nose gave him reasonable suspicion to explore the vehicle’s interior as other cars and trucks continued to zoom past on the interstate.Kansas troopers on the scene dismantled parts of the RV’s dash, smashed smoke detectors, dumped clothes on the floor, ransacked the refrigerator, damaged the restroom door and towel rack, broke a panel under the shower and disabled the toilet. The law enforcement officers’ search included exploration of external storage bins. They crawled under the vehicle to tap metal panels, peered under the hood and climbed a ladder off the bumper to examine the roof.They found nothing illegal. No drugs. No guns. No cash.“I was fearful. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Maloney, who testified she still suffered anxiety from the experience. “I was scared and nervous. I was mad. I was very upset. I felt it was a waste of our time. I don’t feel save driving through Kansas anymore.”<h2>Constitutional challenge</h2>As the sun started rising to the east, Rohr told Maloney and Erich he was sorry for wasting their time.He didn’t apologize for what Maloney, Erich and other plaintiffs contend was the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/06/aclu-motorists-challenge-roadside-detention-dog-searches-triggered-by-trooper-two-step/">KHP’s practice of violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure</a>. A group of attorneys serving the plaintiffs, including representation by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, named KHP superintendent Herman Jones as defendant in this week’s trial contesting KHP policy on the two-step searches. Plaintiffs seek a court order prohibiting the two-step system crafted to work around motorists’ constitutional protections.In a brief interview at the federal courthouse, Jones said KHP “made some adjustments” in response to legal objections to the Kansas two-step. He declined to comment on troopers’ abuse of the RV. In a deposition, Rohr said he didn’t recall harming the camper but said he had damaged property in other searches.Two other plaintiffs in the consolidated case against KHP, Wichita resident Joshua Bosire and Oklahoma City resident Blaine Shaw, already prevailed in jury trials accusing KHP troopers Douglas Schulte and Brandon McMillan of improperly detaining them. Searches of their vehicles failed to uncover evidence of drug trafficking.On Monday, it was the turn of Erich and Maloney to take the stand and plead their case at the Robert Dole Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.They’re all contesting KHP’s reliance on the two-step method to question motorists in anticipation of building reasonable suspicion and compelling involuntary searches of suspect vehicles. KHP policy has clashed with a 2016 decision in the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that instructed the Kansas law enforcement agency to cease reliance on unreliable methods of detaining motorists for criminal searches.In a deposition played for the court, Rohr defended his approach to sorting out who should be placed under a microscope as a possible drug trafficker. He said he relied on extensive training and experience when making subjective determinations, which depended on “more than a hunch.”The trooper said he was drawn to out-of-state vehicles, especially from drug production states such as California and Colorado or motorists headed toward high drug consumption cities such as St. Louis and Cleveland. He tuned into individuals who appeared nervous or were pulling trailers with no load. He said it was meaningful when vehicles were doused with air freshener to obscure odor or had interiors littered with fast-food wrappers, which was a sign of guilt among people exceptionally eager to keep moving.Rohr said he was convinced, at least when his deposition in the suit was taken in 2021, Erich and Maloney were indeed hiding drugs in their RV despite his unsuccessful effort to find evidence of that claim.“This is a crucial case for our clients, but also for anyone else who travels on Kansas highways,” said Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas. “For too long, the Highway Patrol has run roughshod over the rights of motorists. People should be free to travel through our state without the fear that they will be unlawfully shaken down based simply on the small fact that they are coming from or are going to states that have legalized drug use in some capacity.”She said Jones hadn’t taken steps to halt KHP’s impermissible reliance on motorists’ travel agenda or state of residence when deciding whether to retain a person for a canine sniff. Plaintiffs contended KHP’s transformation of a traffic stop into a search was an egregious practice that preyed on motorists who didn’t appreciate their constitutional rights and people who understood their rights but thought it risky to drive away, she said.“At its core, this case is about what it means for police to target certain people for intrusive questioning and suspicionless detention,” Brett said. “To turn something minor, like a traffic violation, into a degrading and lengthy roadside detention or something even worse.”She said the KHP litigation reflected the public’s desire to push back against misuse of law enforcement authority.“When we give police the power to conduct pretextual stops, to assume people to be drug traffickers, and to use flimsy justifications to get inside their vehicles to prolong traffic stops, we turn a simple ticket-release scenario into something longer, fraught and complicated,” Brett said.<h2>State’s attorney 0-2, so far</h2>U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Vratil, who was assigned to preside over the three trials, denied KHP’s motion for summary judgement. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver rejected KHP’s request for qualified immunity from the lawsuits.In February, a federal court jury founding in favor of Shaw’s claim against Schulte. Shaw was awarded nominal damages when the jury determined Schulte violated Shaw’s rights during a 2017 stop. Shaw and a brother, members of the Osage Nation from Oklahoma City, were on their way to Denver when pulled over near Hays for speeding. Schulte issued the ticket and wished them well before relying on the two-step maneuver to pose additional questions leading to a drug-dog search of their van.In the second trial, Bosire’s jury determined McMillan violated Bosier’s rights during a traffic stop in 2019. Bosire was awarded punitive and compensatory damages.Arthur Chalmers, an attorney representing KHP employees in the trials, said troopers sued by Shaw and Bosire leaned on years of training to formulate reasonable suspicion of possible crimes. He said in court documents KHP respected Fourth Amendment rights of motorists. He argued KHP hadn’t infringed on constitutional rights of people to travel from state to state through Kansas.On Monday, Chalmers declined to offer opening remarks at start of the bench trial aimed at Jones, who serves as the state law enforcement agency’s colonel and superintendent. He is scheduled to retire this summer.Chalmers did raise objections to showing video of Rohr’s deposition and the admission of RV photographs taken by plaintiffs. He alleged plaintiffs’ lawyers were introducing “inadmissible hearsay” and information lacking relevance to the case. When he objected to testimony by Maloney, the judge sought to deter him.“I’d like to hear what she has to say,” Vratil said. “So, there’s no need to keep objecting.”Roots of the case trace to Peter Vasquez, who filed suit against KHP troopers Richard Jimerson and Dax Lewis alleging they lacked reasonable suspicion in 2011 to detain and search his vehicle in Wabaunsee County. Five years later, his case made it to the Court of Appeals’ 10th Circuit in Denver.Vasquez had been a resident of Colorado and was driving on I-70 through Kansas during the night in a recently acquired older-model car. Vasquez refused to voluntarily allow troopers to search his BMW. Jimerson, suspecting Vasquez was transporting illegal drugs, detained him before calling in a trained drug dog. Subsequent inspection of the vehicle didn’t turn up anything illegal.Vasquez filed suit against KHP in 2012 alleging violation of search-and-seizure rights. The U.S. District Court in Kansas granted the troopers summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity, concluding Vasquez’ asserted right wasn’t clearly established in law.“We disagree,” the Court of Appeals said. “We conclude that the officers acted without reasonable suspicion and violated clearly established precedent. In particular, we conclude that the officers impermissibly relied on Vasquez’ status as a resident of Colorado to justify the search of his vehicle.”KHP and Vasquez settled the case in 2017 after the U.S. Supreme Court declined the state’s request to hear an appeal. Vasquez was paid $67,100 by the state. He told The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/07/03/state-settles-lawsuit-man-detained-under-suspicion-kansas-highway/16538081007/">Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;the conflict exposed KHP’s corrupt practices and lack of respect for constitutional rights.“It’s about accountability,” Vasquez said.

KHP’s ‘two-step’ technique for vehicle searches challenged in court

There will be a county-wide fire emergency training exercise tonight in the 600 block of St. Mary Street in Ellis. This is only training.

There will be a county-wide fire emergency training exercise tonight in the 600 block of St. Mary Street in Ellis. This is only training.

Fire emergency training tonight in Ellis

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

With summer baseball season about to start, the Hays Parks Department is sprucing up portions of Larks Park.

The old fence has been removed and a new one installed, along with a new arched entrance sign, Deputy Assistant City Manager Collin Bielser told the city commission during his monthly progress report.&nbsp;

The project is made possible by the&nbsp;Hays Larks, Heartland Community Foundation, Ron “Gator” and Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, Logan Nelson, and the City of Hays.

In addition to other progress made in the past month by the city of Hays various departments, the parks department has a new male bison calf to care for in the herd at Frontier Park.

See the video below for more recently completed projects within the city.&nbsp;

Updated at 10:35 a.m. May 4, 2023 to correct the name to Ron Nelson, not Ron Johnson, and add donors Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, and Logan Nelson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683127307834.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostWith summer baseball season about to start, the Hays Parks Department is sprucing up portions of Larks Park.The old fence has been removed and a new one installed, along with a new arched entrance sign, Deputy Assistant City Manager Collin Bielser told the city commission during his monthly progress report.&nbsp;The project is made possible by the&nbsp;Hays Larks, Heartland Community Foundation, Ron “Gator” and Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, Logan Nelson, and the City of Hays.In addition to other progress made in the past month by the city of Hays various departments, the parks department has a new male bison calf to care for in the herd at Frontier Park."Waylon" was born April 18.&nbsp;See the video below for more recently completed projects within the city.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GpT9s4tO-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Progress Report" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Updated at 10:35 a.m. May 4, 2023 to correct the name to Ron Nelson, not Ron Johnson, and add donors Lila Nelson, Lyle Herrman, and Logan Nelson.

🎥Hays Progress Report includes new Larks Park fence

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Fundraising is ongoing for the Russell Play Park and plenty of fundraising initiatives are planned for this summer. A local committee in Russell is hoping to raise approximately $1.5 million to replace the outdated playground at Memorial Park with more accessible equipment for individuals with disabilities to enjoy.

Kathy McAdoo is the Executive Director at The Arc of Central Plains, an organization in Hays that brings enrichment and purpose to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McAdoo, who lives in Russell, helped lead the creation of the Arc Park in Hays and is now trying to do the same thing in Russell. "Russell is very committed to accessible play for kids," said McAdoo. "It isn't just for kids. You're an accident away from becoming disabled, or a person breaks a leg and they're in a wheelchair for two or three months. Now they will be able to go watch and get involved in the play because the new surface will allow them to navigate. Mulch and grass aren't quite so easy to navigate." The Russell Play Park committee has organized a couple of dine-out fundraisers, with the restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds. At the end of June, the second lemonade stand challenge will return to benefit the new park enhancements. "A lot of folks would spend the day driving to every lemonade stand," said McAdoo. "We had prizes for the kids. Every kiddo that participated in a stand received a package of prizes, things like a Happy Meal at McDonald's." Last year's lemonade stand challenge was able to collect nearly $10,000 with matching funds. Find out how to donate to the Russell Play Park by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.russellplaypark.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ZIhRYFPDYXmsvE8Q7abw84o0osp9vuMZ69PEF3rZwvuHv1R9lciyomBc">russellplaypark.com</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682962254443.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostFundraising is ongoing for the Russell Play Park and plenty of fundraising initiatives are planned for this summer. A local committee in Russell is hoping to raise approximately $1.5 million to replace the outdated playground at Memorial Park with more accessible equipment for individuals with disabilities to enjoy.Kathy McAdoo is the Executive Director at The Arc of Central Plains, an organization in Hays that brings enrichment and purpose to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McAdoo, who lives in Russell, helped lead the creation of the Arc Park in Hays and is now trying to do the same thing in Russell. "Russell is very committed to accessible play for kids," said McAdoo. "It isn't just for kids. You're an accident away from becoming disabled, or a person breaks a leg and they're in a wheelchair for two or three months. Now they will be able to go watch and get involved in the play because the new surface will allow them to navigate. Mulch and grass aren't quite so easy to navigate." The Russell Play Park committee has organized a couple of dine-out fundraisers, with the restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds. At the end of June, the second lemonade stand challenge will return to benefit the new park enhancements. "A lot of folks would spend the day driving to every lemonade stand," said McAdoo. "We had prizes for the kids. Every kiddo that participated in a stand received a package of prizes, things like a Happy Meal at McDonald's." Last year's lemonade stand challenge was able to collect nearly $10,000 with matching funds. Find out how to donate to the Russell Play Park by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.russellplaypark.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ZIhRYFPDYXmsvE8Q7abw84o0osp9vuMZ69PEF3rZwvuHv1R9lciyomBc">russellplaypark.com</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Fundraising ongoing for new Russell playground equipment

Last
week six area residents were presented with the opportunity to share their business
ideas with a panel of judges at <a href="https://www.growhays.com/">Grow Hays</a>’ Pitch It event.

Six
ideas were presented during the event at BriefSpace, the Grow Hays-operated
co-working space in downtown Hays.

“It
was a great event. It really came off better than I ever would have thought,”
said Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director. “We had some great
participants and some young people with good ideas and good work ethics. And it
was really great to see.”

“The
event was&nbsp;a competition for prospective startups or existing business
owners to present their business idea to three judges and an audience,” according
to a release from Grow Hays. “The six ‘pitches’ consisted of a five-minute oral
presentation followed by three minutes of Q and A similar to a ‘Shark Tank’
presentation.”

Judges
included <a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">Network Kansas</a>’ Christy Preston, <a href="https://www.kansassbdc.net/">Kansas Small Business Development
Center</a>’s Laurie Pieper and Ameriprise Financial Services’ Michael Schaeffer.

“Prizes were funded by the Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship
Series sponsored by <a href="https://schmidtfoundation.net/">Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation </a>and Network
Kansas,” according to Grow Hays.

Initially, two cash prizes were set to be awarded, but during the event, Network Kansas
decided to include a third-place prize of $250.&nbsp;

Taking
first place was Trevor Fischer with his idea for TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting
Arcade. As envisioned, the business would be a location that
includes training support and a space for those interested in learning and
developing arcade fighting game skills.

While
his idea came out on top, Fisher said he only developed it for the event recently.

“I didn't
really know about this until about a month and a half ago, and I kind of had a
vague idea of something, I think, could really have a positive impact in the community, especially for the high school and college-age people,” he said.

Fisher
said arcade fighting games have helped bring him closer to friends and
associates and could be a benefit to others.

“That's
just something I wanted to expand on in the Hays community and give people an
opportunity to get that sense of community and feeling love, improving, and
just grow stronger together,” Fisher said.

And while
the idea took the top prize, launching the concept would require a bit more
work.

“I might need a little bit more for what I'm looking to do, but it's a good start,” Fisher said. “A $1,000 isn't really anything to
scoff at, so here's hoping that one day my idea comes to fruition.”

Taking the second-place prize was another conceptual idea, RanchEd.
Presented by Tanner Werth, the platform would be a system to help ag producers
connect to resources.

Third place was awarded to Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter
Lang with Pressure Pros, an already existing business in Hays.

While the competition was open to the general public, all participants
were high-school to college age.

“That's what's really kind of
cool when you see this stuff, as you've got some young people who are actually
out there doing things,” Williams said. “A couple of guys who had a power washing
business that is out there, doing jobs, power washing fences, or driveways, or
whatever it might be.&nbsp; A lot of them are actually out doing what
they are presenting for

 “It's exciting to
see that as we continue to try and build this culture locally of
entrepreneurship because we feel it's so important. It's really great to see that
there are actually kids and people out there doing things, starting businesses
and serving needs within the community.”

Williams said a culture of entrepreneurship
is vital to maintaining a growing and stable area economy.

“When we
look at our community, and we talk about the economic environment today,
really in a lot of places, we really are not in a position to recruit a company
to our community that's going to employ 200 people,” Williams said. “We just
don't have the people.”

But when
a business grows organically, it will mold to meet a community's needs and take
advantage of resources that are available.

“Entrepreneurship
becomes very important because we need to grow our own and have companies that
can start small, and then grow organically over time and add people
incrementally as opposed to these big one-time hits,” Williams said. “We'd love
to have them, but I just don't know how we would handle these large one-time
hits. Entrepreneurship becomes very important.”

He
added the area is lucky to have resources that create homegrown businesses.

“We're
very fortunate in Ellis County,” Williams said. "<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/">Fort Hays State </a>has a lot of
entrepreneurial type of activities ..."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051876709.jpeg" alt="Chris Henderson opens his pitch for DJ service <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067864911624&amp;locale=hi_IN">True2You</a> with a short performance. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Chris Henderson opens his pitch for DJ service <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067864911624&amp;locale=hi_IN">True2You</a> with a short performance. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostLast
week six area residents were presented with the opportunity to share their business
ideas with a panel of judges at <a href="https://www.growhays.com/">Grow Hays</a>’ Pitch It event.Six
ideas were presented during the event at BriefSpace, the Grow Hays-operated
co-working space in downtown Hays.<div><iframe title="Grow Hays Pitch It event generates entrepreneurial ideas" allowtransparency="true" height="150" 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=3gf56-13f9cdc-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315"></iframe></div>“It
was a great event. It really came off better than I ever would have thought,”
said Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director. “We had some great
participants and some young people with good ideas and good work ethics. And it
was really great to see.”“The
event was&nbsp;a competition for prospective startups or existing business
owners to present their business idea to three judges and an audience,” according
to a release from Grow Hays. “The six ‘pitches’ consisted of a five-minute oral
presentation followed by three minutes of Q and A similar to a ‘Shark Tank’
presentation.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051725322.jpeg" alt="Pitch It judges and participants&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It judges and participants&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Judges
included <a href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">Network Kansas</a>’ Christy Preston, <a href="https://www.kansassbdc.net/">Kansas Small Business Development
Center</a>’s Laurie Pieper and Ameriprise Financial Services’ Michael Schaeffer.“Prizes were funded by the Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship
Series sponsored by <a href="https://schmidtfoundation.net/">Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation </a>and Network
Kansas,” according to Grow Hays.Initially, two cash prizes were set to be awarded, but during the event, Network Kansas
decided to include a third-place prize of $250.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051752221.jpeg" alt="Pitch It event winner Trevor Fischer with Grow Hays executive director Doug Willaims (left) and director of business development and special projects James Robben (right).&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It event winner Trevor Fischer with Grow Hays executive director Doug Willaims (left) and director of business development and special projects James Robben (right).&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Taking
first place was Trevor Fischer with his idea for TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting
Arcade. As envisioned, the business would be a location that
includes training support and a space for those interested in learning and
developing arcade fighting game skills.He
was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.While
his idea came out on top, Fisher said he only developed it for the event recently.“I didn't
really know about this until about a month and a half ago, and I kind of had a
vague idea of something, I think, could really have a positive impact in the community, especially for the high school and college-age people,” he said.Fisher
said arcade fighting games have helped bring him closer to friends and
associates and could be a benefit to others.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051814549.jpeg" alt="Pitch It winner Trevor Fischer describes his idea,&nbsp;TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting Arcade, to the judges.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It winner Trevor Fischer describes his idea,&nbsp;TKO, Total Knock Out Fighting Arcade, to the judges.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>“That's
just something I wanted to expand on in the Hays community and give people an
opportunity to get that sense of community and feeling love, improving, and
just grow stronger together,” Fisher said.And while
the idea took the top prize, launching the concept would require a bit more
work.“I might need a little bit more for what I'm looking to do, but it's a good start,” Fisher said. “A $1,000 isn't really anything to
scoff at, so here's hoping that one day my idea comes to fruition.”Taking the second-place prize was another conceptual idea, RanchEd.
Presented by Tanner Werth, the platform would be a system to help ag producers
connect to resources.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051850635.jpeg" alt="Second-place winner Tanner Werth describes his idea, RanchEd.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Second-place winner Tanner Werth describes his idea, RanchEd.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Third place was awarded to Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter
Lang with Pressure Pros, an already existing business in Hays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051838005.jpeg" alt="Third-place winners Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter Lang describe their business idea to expand Pressure Pros.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Third-place winners Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Carter Lang describe their business idea to expand Pressure Pros.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>While the competition was open to the general public, all participants
were high-school to college age.“That's what's really kind of
cool when you see this stuff, as you've got some young people who are actually
out there doing things,” Williams said. “A couple of guys who had a power washing
business that is out there, doing jobs, power washing fences, or driveways, or
whatever it might be.&nbsp; A lot of them are actually out doing what
they are presenting for “It's exciting to
see that as we continue to try and build this culture locally of
entrepreneurship because we feel it's so important. It's really great to see that
there are actually kids and people out there doing things, starting businesses
and serving needs within the community.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051861963.jpeg" alt="Edgar Garcia speaks about his idea, Your Future Leaders.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Edgar Garcia speaks about his idea, Your Future Leaders.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Williams said a culture of entrepreneurship
is vital to maintaining a growing and stable area economy.“When we
look at our community, and we talk about the economic environment today,
really in a lot of places, we really are not in a position to recruit a company
to our community that's going to employ 200 people,” Williams said. “We just
don't have the people.”But when
a business grows organically, it will mold to meet a community's needs and take
advantage of resources that are available.“Entrepreneurship
becomes very important because we need to grow our own and have companies that
can start small, and then grow organically over time and add people
incrementally as opposed to these big one-time hits,” Williams said. “We'd love
to have them, but I just don't know how we would handle these large one-time
hits. Entrepreneurship becomes very important.”He
added the area is lucky to have resources that create homegrown businesses.“We're
very fortunate in Ellis County,” Williams said. "<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/">Fort Hays State </a>has a lot of
entrepreneurial type of activities ..."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051787803.jpeg" alt="Pitch It participants await the judges' decision.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pitch It participants await the judges' decision.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683051886883.jpeg" alt="Evyn Cox describes her idea, Between Us Kids.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Evyn Cox describes her idea, Between Us Kids.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Grow Hays' Pitch It event generates entrepreneurial ideas

The Chamber in Hays has announced the annual Chamber Online Auction sponsored by First Care Clinic is now live for previewing items.

Proceeds from this online auction allow the Chamber to continue to support area businesses and tackle community challenges like access to quality and affordable child care, advocating for initiatives that improve pre-k – 12 school infrastructure, training the local workforce, supporting housing projects and providing leadership opportunities for Ellis County residents.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, bidding was officially live. The auction will remain open until 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. More than 100 items are available for purchase in conjunction with this auction, which are valued at more than $17,500. Examples of items available within this year’s auction include:

• Golfing packages to Smoky Hill Country Club and the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course¶ • Gift certificates to restaurants, including Pheasant Run, McDonald’s, Cancun, Trio Tap Haus, Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana, and Papa Murphy’s • Series 8 Apple Watch compatible with Nex-Tech Wireless service and Mophie Charging Stand • Blackstone Griddle and grilling accessory packages • Four All-Sport General Admission 2023-2024 Season Passes for FHSU • Variety of Bluetooth speakers and a tablet • A massage from the Center for Health Improvement • Preventative HVAC inspection via Glassman Corporation • Party for up to 20 people in the Tiger Lounge at The Insurance Guys • Portrait from Bruce Burkholder and Canvas photograph by Jessi Jacobs • VIP passes to Brews on the Bricks • Special dining experience from the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro &amp; Market with a drink certificate from TreeTop Security to use for drink purchases • Purses, sunglasses, jewelry, gift certificates • Gift baskets full of specialty items, pampering gifts and liquor • Fitness passes to Hays Recreation Center and passes to the Hays Aquatic Park • Electronics, home goods and outdoor gear • The Ambassador Golf Team has also donated several charcuterie boards, one for FHSU and one for Chiefs fans

To access the online auction, visit: <a href="https://hayschamber.cbo.io">https://hayschamber.cbo.io</a>.

Those registering to preview auction items will be requested to enter a credit card number that will be used to purchase any items that are won at the conclusion of the auction.

Taxes on non-gift certificate items and credit card fees do apply.

To register without a credit card for this auction, call 785-628-8201. 

Items must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Friday at Smoky Hill County Club. Anyone not able to pick up items by this time is requested to email hayscc@hayschamber.com to make special arrangements.

SubmittedThe Chamber in Hays has announced the annual Chamber Online Auction sponsored by First Care Clinic is now live for previewing items.Proceeds from this online auction allow the Chamber to continue to support area businesses and tackle community challenges like access to quality and affordable child care, advocating for initiatives that improve pre-k – 12 school infrastructure, training the local workforce, supporting housing projects and providing leadership opportunities for Ellis County residents.Beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, bidding was officially live. The auction will remain open until 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. More than 100 items are available for purchase in conjunction with this auction, which are valued at more than $17,500. Examples of items available within this year’s auction include:• Golfing packages to Smoky Hill Country Club and the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course¶ • Gift certificates to restaurants, including Pheasant Run, McDonald’s, Cancun, Trio Tap Haus, Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana, and Papa Murphy’s • Series 8 Apple Watch compatible with Nex-Tech Wireless service and Mophie Charging Stand • Blackstone Griddle and grilling accessory packages • Four All-Sport General Admission 2023-2024 Season Passes for FHSU • Variety of Bluetooth speakers and a tablet • A massage from the Center for Health Improvement • Preventative HVAC inspection via Glassman Corporation • Party for up to 20 people in the Tiger Lounge at The Insurance Guys • Portrait from Bruce Burkholder and Canvas photograph by Jessi Jacobs • VIP passes to Brews on the Bricks • Special dining experience from the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro &amp; Market with a drink certificate from TreeTop Security to use for drink purchases • Purses, sunglasses, jewelry, gift certificates • Gift baskets full of specialty items, pampering gifts and liquor • Fitness passes to Hays Recreation Center and passes to the Hays Aquatic Park • Electronics, home goods and outdoor gear • The Ambassador Golf Team has also donated several charcuterie boards, one for FHSU and one for Chiefs fansTo access the online auction, visit: <a href="https://hayschamber.cbo.io">https://hayschamber.cbo.io</a>.Those registering to preview auction items will be requested to enter a credit card number that will be used to purchase any items that are won at the conclusion of the auction.Taxes on non-gift certificate items and credit card fees do apply.To register without a credit card for this auction, call 785-628-8201. Items must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Friday at Smoky Hill County Club. Anyone not able to pick up items by this time is requested to email hayscc@hayschamber.com to make special arrangements.

Hays Chamber online auction preview goes live

MANHATTAN — Each year Kansas Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture awards scholarships to college students studying in fields that benefit agriculture and rural Kansas. Forty-three recipients were awarded $25,500 in scholarships for the 2023-24 school year.

Over the past decade, the foundation has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships.

“We’re investing in students today to ensure they become tomorrow’s leaders,” says KFB President and Foundation Chair Joe Newland.

Logan Elliott, Cherokee County, was awarded $1,000 for the Frank and Helen Bernasek Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.

Shelby Spreier, Harvey County, was awarded $1,000 for the K-State Agricultural Communications and Journalism Scholarship.

Morgan Barba, Ellis County, is the winner of the $500 Godfrey and Emma Bahr-Miller Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund for students attending a college in Kansas and majoring in a subject related to agriculture.

Caleb Stout, Chase County, was awarded $500 for the DeWitt Ahlerich Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.

Allison Abeldt, Dickinson County, and Renae Kohles, Johnson County, each were awarded $500 from the Lester Crandall Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed fund.

Daniel Johnson, Linn County, was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend technical school from the Michael J. Berntsen Memorial Scholarship.

Six students received scholarships to Kansas technical colleges. They are Cordell Brown, Logan County; Jason Colby, Sherman County; Rosston Eckroat, Ellis County; Jace Goodman, Morris County; Colton Pfannenstiel, Ellis County; and Cole Salmans, Hodgeman County.

Four $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled in Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture and majoring in a subject related to agriculture. They are Patrick Biggs, Shawnee County; Ryleigh Carr, Thomas County; Candace Fry, Ford County; and Elizabeth Sturgis, Cherokee County.

Two $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled at Fort Hays State University. Recipients are Kayler Getz, Gove County; and Kyle Sherwood, Scott County.

Twenty-four recipients received $500 scholarships. These students are attending a Kansas college with a Kansas Farm Bureau Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. Students must be a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter member.

SubmittedMANHATTAN — Each year Kansas Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture awards scholarships to college students studying in fields that benefit agriculture and rural Kansas. Forty-three recipients were awarded $25,500 in scholarships for the 2023-24 school year.Over the past decade, the foundation has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships.“We’re investing in students today to ensure they become tomorrow’s leaders,” says KFB President and Foundation Chair Joe Newland.Logan Elliott, Cherokee County, was awarded $1,000 for the Frank and Helen Bernasek Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.Shelby Spreier, Harvey County, was awarded $1,000 for the K-State Agricultural Communications and Journalism Scholarship.Morgan Barba, Ellis County, is the winner of the $500 Godfrey and Emma Bahr-Miller Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund for students attending a college in Kansas and majoring in a subject related to agriculture.Caleb Stout, Chase County, was awarded $500 for the DeWitt Ahlerich Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed scholarship fund.Allison Abeldt, Dickinson County, and Renae Kohles, Johnson County, each were awarded $500 from the Lester Crandall Memorial Scholarship, a permanent, privately endowed fund.Daniel Johnson, Linn County, was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend technical school from the Michael J. Berntsen Memorial Scholarship.Six students received scholarships to Kansas technical colleges. They are Cordell Brown, Logan County; Jason Colby, Sherman County; Rosston Eckroat, Ellis County; Jace Goodman, Morris County; Colton Pfannenstiel, Ellis County; and Cole Salmans, Hodgeman County.Four $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled in Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture and majoring in a subject related to agriculture. They are Patrick Biggs, Shawnee County; Ryleigh Carr, Thomas County; Candace Fry, Ford County; and Elizabeth Sturgis, Cherokee County.Two $1,000 KFB scholarships were awarded to juniors and seniors enrolled at Fort Hays State University. Recipients are Kayler Getz, Gove County; and Kyle Sherwood, Scott County.Twenty-four recipients received $500 scholarships. These students are attending a Kansas college with a Kansas Farm Bureau Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. Students must be a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter member.Recipients include:Allen Community CollegeEthan Henry, Neosho CountyLeah Riedy, Dickinson CountyBarton Community CollegeKooper Maneth, Barton CountyButler Community CollegeCarissa Dalquest, Morris CountyCalley Stubbs, Wallace CountyColby Community CollegeRylan Hays, Phillips CountyDesiree Littlechild, Trego CountyKeller Metzker, Thomas CountyKirsten Miessler, Stafford CountyJenna Milford, Johnson CountyAllie Seltman, Rush CountyPayton Walk, Greeley CountyEmily Wilms, Lane CountyFort Hays State UniversityLauren Baggs, Sumner CountyPaul Cook, Butler CountyHutchinson Community CollegeLuke Wiens, Marion CountyKansas State UniversityDerek Freel, Ottawa CountyAugust Hulse, Ottawa CountyHayden Lott, Ottawa CountyErin Rose May, Decatur CountyPiper Schlatter, Reno CountyGrace Young, Miami CountyPratt Community CollegeNicole Haase, Ellsworth CountyKarlie Heatherman, Pratt County

Kansas Farm Bureau Foundation awards $25,500 in scholarships

In a packed conference room on the campus of Fort Hays State University, 12 College of Education students were recognized for their commitment to teaching science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) in a rural setting. 

The students are all participants in a National Science Foundation-sponsored program named in honor of Robert Norton Noyce, a technology innovator known as the “Mayor of Silicon Valley” for his contributions to the development of the monolithic integrated circuits or microchips that power modern personal computers.

Students who enroll in the program receive $14,591 annually in financial support from the National Science Foundation. Noyce Scholars also build a professional network by participating in campus activities and attending conferences and workshops off-campus throughout their undergraduate years. The scholarship was designed to help future STEM teachers succeed in small, rural schools.

Brother and sister Emma and Tyler Reif are new Noyce Scholars from Hoisington and transfer students from Barton Community College. Emma credits Barton instructor and STEM champion Charlotte Cates with inspiring her to pursue teaching and the field of mathematics. Originally, she considered teaching at the high school level but now is focused on teaching in a rural middle school where she thinks she can have the most impact. She plans to complete her student teaching capstone experience this fall.

Brother Tyler Reif was inspired by Barton Community College Chemistry professor Amanda Alliband to change his initial focus from history to Chemistry.

“Dr. Alliband and Dr. Arvin Cruz at FHSU are great champions of STEM. They helped me solidify my interest in moving over to chemistry,”Reif said. “I’ve always loved history, but last October, I decided chemistry was where I needed to be.”

Also in attendance at the event were new participants in the most recent Noyce Scholars program-a one year post-baccalaureate program designed to transition those who have earned their bachelor’s degree in a STEM field into a career as secondary STEM teachers in rural schools. This new program, announced during a press conference last fall at Fort Hays State University, provides a stipend of approximately $22,000 to help ease the financial burden of the transition and allow these Noyce Scholars the flexibility to focus on their studies if they wish.

FHSU senior and new Post-Baccalaureate Noyce Scholar, Hannah Burks, grew up in the small rural town of Beloit. Her interest in teaching and living in a small town began at a very young age.

“My dad was a very busy as a teacher, administrator, and coach, but he always found time to walk me to school every day. I’ll never forget this experience, and it kind of showed me how great life can be in a small town,” Hannah said. In June, Hannah plans to marry a fellow FHSU alumnus currently teaching in rural Ellsworth County. She is thankful for the stipend that she and her future husband will put toward the wedding and getting started on their lives together.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682706277407.jpeg" alt="FHSU 2023 National Science Foundation&nbsp;Robert Noyce Scholars. Photo by FHSU&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>FHSU 2023 National Science Foundation&nbsp;Robert Noyce Scholars. Photo by FHSU&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsIn a packed conference room on the campus of Fort Hays State University, 12 College of Education students were recognized for their commitment to teaching science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) in a rural setting. The students are all participants in a National Science Foundation-sponsored program named in honor of Robert Norton Noyce, a technology innovator known as the “Mayor of Silicon Valley” for his contributions to the development of the monolithic integrated circuits or microchips that power modern personal computers.Students who enroll in the program receive $14,591 annually in financial support from the National Science Foundation. Noyce Scholars also build a professional network by participating in campus activities and attending conferences and workshops off-campus throughout their undergraduate years. The scholarship was designed to help future STEM teachers succeed in small, rural schools.Brother and sister Emma and Tyler Reif are new Noyce Scholars from Hoisington and transfer students from Barton Community College. Emma credits Barton instructor and STEM champion Charlotte Cates with inspiring her to pursue teaching and the field of mathematics. Originally, she considered teaching at the high school level but now is focused on teaching in a rural middle school where she thinks she can have the most impact. She plans to complete her student teaching capstone experience this fall.Brother Tyler Reif was inspired by Barton Community College Chemistry professor Amanda Alliband to change his initial focus from history to Chemistry.“Dr. Alliband and Dr. Arvin Cruz at FHSU are great champions of STEM. They helped me solidify my interest in moving over to chemistry,”Reif said. “I’ve always loved history, but last October, I decided chemistry was where I needed to be.”Also in attendance at the event were new participants in the most recent Noyce Scholars program-a one year post-baccalaureate program designed to transition those who have earned their bachelor’s degree in a STEM field into a career as secondary STEM teachers in rural schools. This new program, announced during a press conference last fall at Fort Hays State University, provides a stipend of approximately $22,000 to help ease the financial burden of the transition and allow these Noyce Scholars the flexibility to focus on their studies if they wish.FHSU senior and new Post-Baccalaureate Noyce Scholar, Hannah Burks, grew up in the small rural town of Beloit. Her interest in teaching and living in a small town began at a very young age.“My dad was a very busy as a teacher, administrator, and coach, but he always found time to walk me to school every day. I’ll never forget this experience, and it kind of showed me how great life can be in a small town,” Hannah said. In June, Hannah plans to marry a fellow FHSU alumnus currently teaching in rural Ellsworth County. She is thankful for the stipend that she and her future husband will put toward the wedding and getting started on their lives together.The List of 2023 FHSU Noyce Scholars<ul>
 <li>Sarah Abernathy, Oberlin</li><li>Hannah Burks, Jewell</li><li>Haylee Hafenstein, Wamego</li><li>Alexis Heckel, Garden City</li><li>Mollie Houtz, Elkhart</li><li>Tyler Reif, Hoisington</li><li>Lili Shubert, WaKeeney</li><li>Kobi Shubert, WaKeeney</li><li>Victor Salazar, Dodge City</li><li>Erika Litson, Centennial, CO</li><li>Elizabeth Peterson, Lyons</li><li>Gabrielle Hammer, Wallace</li>
 </ul>

Area students among 2023 National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Scholars 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683050141395.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>

First
Care Clinic is excited to report that the construction on the corner of 13th
and Main, the site of their new Express Care Clinic and Pharmacy, remains
on schedule. 

The project is expected to be completed next month.&nbsp;

Dr.
Christine Fisher, the Medical Director at First Care Clinic, has been leading
the efforts to assemble a staff that will provide acute medical care.&nbsp;

“Our
goal in Express Care is to give patients high quality, same-day health care
that works best in their schedule. We have exceptional providers who are ready
to meet patient needs.” Fisher said.

Cammi
Williby and Tiffany DeWitt will anchor the Express Care team.&nbsp; 

These two
providers have extensive acute care experience and are passionate about
providing their patients a high level of care.&nbsp;

Both providers are already
seeing patients at the 105 W. 13th St. location Monday through Friday
from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“When
construction is completed on the corner, Express Care won’t miss a beat,"&nbsp;said Eric Flax, CEO of First Care Clinic. " They will be seeing patients at their permanent location.&nbsp; The pharmacy
will open shortly after with an anticipated date of late summer.”&nbsp;

“We have surveyed our patients, visited with members of our
community and toured other clinics in Kansas to come up with what we feel is a
very good model," he continued.&nbsp; "We know people are busy, and their time is
important.&nbsp; By providing a self-scheduling option, you can pick your
appointment time and skip the line.” 

They offer same-day and next-day availability at Express Care, he said.

To schedule an
appointment, visit their website at<a href="http://www.firstcareclinic.com">&nbsp;firstcareclinic.com</a> or call (785)
621-4990.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682964960264.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First
Care Clinic is excited to report that the construction on the corner of 13th
and Main, the site of their new Express Care Clinic and Pharmacy, remains
on schedule. The project is expected to be completed next month.&nbsp;Dr.
Christine Fisher, the Medical Director at First Care Clinic, has been leading
the efforts to assemble a staff that will provide acute medical care.&nbsp;“Our
goal in Express Care is to give patients high quality, same-day health care
that works best in their schedule. We have exceptional providers who are ready
to meet patient needs.” Fisher said.Cammi
Williby and Tiffany DeWitt will anchor the Express Care team.&nbsp; These two
providers have extensive acute care experience and are passionate about
providing their patients a high level of care.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682965801666.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Both providers are already
seeing patients at the 105 W. 13th St. location Monday through Friday
from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.“When
construction is completed on the corner, Express Care won’t miss a beat,"&nbsp;said Eric Flax, CEO of First Care Clinic. " They will be seeing patients at their permanent location.&nbsp; The pharmacy
will open shortly after with an anticipated date of late summer.”&nbsp;“We have surveyed our patients, visited with members of our
community and toured other clinics in Kansas to come up with what we feel is a
very good model," he continued.&nbsp; "We know people are busy, and their time is
important.&nbsp; By providing a self-scheduling option, you can pick your
appointment time and skip the line.” They offer same-day and next-day availability at Express Care, he said.To schedule an
appointment, visit their website at<a href="http://www.firstcareclinic.com">&nbsp;firstcareclinic.com</a> or call (785)
621-4990.

Midwest Energy to discuss new demand rates in WaKeeney

Hays will soon be home to another traffic roundabout.

In addition to the four located in the north Vine Street corridor, a fifth roundabout will be built at 27th and Canterbury Drive on the east side of town.

Backed-up traffic at the intersection's four-way stop has long been an inconvenience, especially during peak driving hours before 8 a.m., when employee shifts change at Hays Medical Center, and in the afternoons when classes let out at Hays High School.

City Commissioner Shaun Musil suggested a mini-roundabout back in 2018 but the commission took no action then.

Now, with a new high school to be built on east 13th and the current high school to be remodeled as the middle school, studies show traffic on Canterbury Drive will increase.&nbsp;

There is also more housing development underway and projected for the area east of 22nd and Canterbury, adding to the number of regular drivers on Canterbury.&nbsp;

Musil asked that the roundabout idea be reviewed again.

Engineers for Hays USD&nbsp;489 have conducted a traffic impact study predicting a 10% increase in traffic at 27th and Canterbury and an increase in wait times/queue lengths of 25%.

The study concludes that a roundabout at 27th and Canterbury&nbsp;would improve traffic flow by reducing delays at the intersection.&nbsp;

Commissioners also heard more about a "lane diet" for the Canterbury corridor -&nbsp;reducing Canterbury from four lanes to three lanes along between 13th and 27th - and how it would enhance optimal operation of the traffic light at the 22nd Street intersection.&nbsp;

"The lane diet allows for the proper function of the light at 22nd by allowing simultaneous protected left turns&nbsp;from Canterbury to both eastbound and westbound 22nd Street, and it would not change&nbsp;the configuration at 13th Street other than better align the northbound lane across the&nbsp;intersection,"&nbsp; explained John Braun, city project manager.

Following a 45-minute discussion Thursday and at an previous work session , commissioners unanimously voted to approve the roundabout at 27th and Canterbury as well as the restriping of Canterbury from four lanes to three lanes.&nbsp;

"I'm very much in favor of the traffic roundabout at 27th and Canterbury," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner. She also favored the lane diet.

Vice-Mayor Musil also favored the roundabout but is a little concerned a reduction to three lanes may back up traffic south of the 22nd Street intersection.

"It is just paint, though, and later if we find three's not working the way we thought, we can repaint it back to four lanes," Musil pointed out.

Lane reductions from a four-lane road to a three-lane road were installed along 13th Street in 2013 and Hall Street in 2016 and have proven benefits, according to Braun.

Cost of the lane re-striping is estimated at approximately $70,000 and would be done by a contractor.

The roundabout reconfiguration will start this summer after school is out and be done in-house. Total cost of the project is estimated at $90,000.

"With our discussion about Canterbury, I hope the community will grant us patience and give it a try," said Commissioner Alaina Cunningham.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682897368211.jpeg" alt="The city of Hays will begin installing a traffic roundabout at 27th and Canterbury this summer to accommodate increased traffic from the new high school project just east of 13th and Canterbury. City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>The city of Hays will begin installing a traffic roundabout at 27th and Canterbury this summer to accommodate increased traffic from the new high school project just east of 13th and Canterbury. City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays will soon be home to another traffic roundabout.In addition to the four located in the north Vine Street corridor, a fifth roundabout will be built at 27th and Canterbury Drive on the east side of town.Backed-up traffic at the intersection's four-way stop has long been an inconvenience, especially during peak driving hours before 8 a.m., when employee shifts change at Hays Medical Center, and in the afternoons when classes let out at Hays High School.City Commissioner Shaun Musil suggested a mini-roundabout back in 2018 but the commission took no action then.Now, with a new high school to be built on east 13th and the current high school to be remodeled as the middle school, studies show traffic on Canterbury Drive will increase.&nbsp;There is also more housing development underway and projected for the area east of 22nd and Canterbury, adding to the number of regular drivers on Canterbury.&nbsp;Musil asked that the roundabout idea be reviewed again.Engineers for Hays USD&nbsp;489 have conducted a traffic impact study predicting a 10% increase in traffic at 27th and Canterbury and an increase in wait times/queue lengths of 25%.The study concludes that a roundabout at 27th and Canterbury&nbsp;would improve traffic flow by reducing delays at the intersection.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682900874868.jpeg" alt="The Canterbury corridor from 27th to 13th will be restriped from four lanes to three lanes. City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>The Canterbury corridor from 27th to 13th will be restriped from four lanes to three lanes. City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>Commissioners also heard more about a "lane diet" for the Canterbury corridor -&nbsp;reducing Canterbury from four lanes to three lanes along between 13th and 27th - and how it would enhance optimal operation of the traffic light at the 22nd Street intersection.&nbsp;"The lane diet allows for the proper function of the light at 22nd by allowing simultaneous protected left turns&nbsp;from Canterbury to both eastbound and westbound 22nd Street, and it would not change&nbsp;the configuration at 13th Street other than better align the northbound lane across the&nbsp;intersection,"&nbsp; explained John Braun, city project manager.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lnsqQ5N9-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="27th And Canterbury" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Following a 45-minute discussion Thursday and at an previous work session , commissioners unanimously voted to approve the roundabout at 27th and Canterbury as well as the restriping of Canterbury from four lanes to three lanes.&nbsp;"I'm very much in favor of the traffic roundabout at 27th and Canterbury," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner. She also favored the lane diet.Vice-Mayor Musil also favored the roundabout but is a little concerned a reduction to three lanes may back up traffic south of the 22nd Street intersection."It is just paint, though, and later if we find three's not working the way we thought, we can repaint it back to four lanes," Musil pointed out.Lane reductions from a four-lane road to a three-lane road were installed along 13th Street in 2013 and Hall Street in 2016 and have proven benefits, according to Braun.Cost of the lane re-striping is estimated at approximately $70,000 and would be done by a contractor.The roundabout reconfiguration will start this summer after school is out and be done in-house. Total cost of the project is estimated at $90,000."With our discussion about Canterbury, I hope the community will grant us patience and give it a try," said Commissioner Alaina Cunningham.

🎥Hays to install another roundabout, reduce Canterbury traffic lanes  

Eagle Radio-Hays and Hull Broadcasting concluded Cash Grab by selecting a grand prize winner of $1,000 Monday morning.

During the month of April the five radio stations gave away $50 forty times. Each entry for those contests doubled as an entry for the grand prize.

Zearl Zeigler was the name drawn out of the 9,132 total entries.

Cash Grab was made possible by Viaero Wireless, Shone Fumigation and Pest Control in Smith Center, Brogdan GMC, Leitner Buildings and EnerSys.

Each of the stations also selected an organization to play for. The station with the most winners donated the most money. 101.9 The Bull tallied the most winners with 16 and they selected The Hays Striders to play for.

Eagle Radio-Hays and Hull Broadcasting concluded Cash Grab by selecting a grand prize winner of $1,000 Monday morning.During the month of April the five radio stations gave away $50 forty times. Each entry for those contests doubled as an entry for the grand prize.Zearl Zeigler was the name drawn out of the 9,132 total entries.Cash Grab was made possible by Viaero Wireless, Shone Fumigation and Pest Control in Smith Center, Brogdan GMC, Leitner Buildings and EnerSys.Each of the stations also selected an organization to play for. The station with the most winners donated the most money. 101.9 The Bull tallied the most winners with 16 and they selected The Hays Striders to play for.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682954810922.png" alt="Sprin (8) (1).png" />
 <figcaption>Sprin (8) (1).png</figcaption>
 </figure>

💰 Cash Grab draws $1,000 Winner

Rolling Hills Zoo welcomed its two millionth visitor through the gates early Sunday afternoon, as Ryan VanZant, the zoo’s executive director, shared the exciting news with Richard Craft, an unsuspecting Fort Hays State student.

Joining him for a visit to the zoo were his girlfriend, Karah Strecker; mother, Rose Marie Craft; sister, Rachel Hale and 2-year-old niece, Grace Lynn Hale. Since Craft’s family lives in Newton, they decided to meet at Rolling Hills Zoo on Sunday “just to get out and enjoy a nice spring day,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683035471347.jpeg" alt="Richard Craft, second from right, was Rolling Hills Zoo's two millionth visitor.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Richard Craft, second from right, was Rolling Hills Zoo's two millionth visitor.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>Rolling Hills ZooRolling Hills Zoo welcomed its two millionth visitor through the gates early Sunday afternoon, as Ryan VanZant, the zoo’s executive director, shared the exciting news with Richard Craft, an unsuspecting Fort Hays State student.Joining him for a visit to the zoo were his girlfriend, Karah Strecker; mother, Rose Marie Craft; sister, Rachel Hale and 2-year-old niece, Grace Lynn Hale. Since Craft’s family lives in Newton, they decided to meet at Rolling Hills Zoo on Sunday “just to get out and enjoy a nice spring day,” he said.Not a newcomer to Rolling Hills Zoo, this is actually Craft’s third visit to the zoo, as he told zoo officials “I just really enjoy looking at all of the animals. They are pretty cool.”Craft also loves the zoo’s new Pride of the Prairie exhibit and seeing the lions. And then of course there is the ice cream served at the Overlook Restaurant, another one of his favorite things at the zoo.As the zoo’s two millionth visitor, Craft received a gift basket valued at more than $575, including a Rolling Hills Zoo family membership, a $200 RHZ gift certificate, and a private golf cart tour of the zoo.“Thank you! I am beyond lucky to be the two millionth guest,” Craft said, once he had a chance to soak in this unexpected, but very pleasant surprise.Rolling Hills Zoo will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in October 2024, at which time it will be on its way to the 2.5 millionth visitor.

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