Fort Hays State University’s Math and Computer Science departments will host the 42nd annual Math Relays on Nov.10 in the Memorial Union.&nbsp;

Students in grades nine through 12 will compete in a maximum of six tests throughout the day. The six tests are number sense, trigonometry, algebra, geometry, applications, and calculations with calculators.&nbsp;

Tests can be completed by individual students or by teams of three students.&nbsp;

Roughly 40 schools ranging in size from 1A to 6A are expected to bring more than 500 students to compete.&nbsp;

Multiple awards will be presented. All students take the same tests throughout the day, but when it comes to scoring, they are only scored with students in the same grade. Individual and team winners are recognized in each grade level for each test.&nbsp;

Along with individual awards, each school receives points throughout the day based on how their students perform. The three schools with the most points are given plaques.&nbsp;

Schools are also placed in categories based on their size and receive awards within those categories.&nbsp;

“I just want to thank the FHSU community, especially the staff at the Memorial Union,” said Dr. Bill Weber, associate professor of mathematics. “Five hundred students in the union is a lot, and the patience shown by the staff is much appreciated.”

FHSU Communications&nbsp;Fort Hays State University’s Math and Computer Science departments will host the 42nd annual Math Relays on Nov.10 in the Memorial Union.&nbsp;Students in grades nine through 12 will compete in a maximum of six tests throughout the day. The six tests are number sense, trigonometry, algebra, geometry, applications, and calculations with calculators.&nbsp;Tests can be completed by individual students or by teams of three students.&nbsp;Roughly 40 schools ranging in size from 1A to 6A are expected to bring more than 500 students to compete.&nbsp;Multiple awards will be presented. All students take the same tests throughout the day, but when it comes to scoring, they are only scored with students in the same grade. Individual and team winners are recognized in each grade level for each test.&nbsp;Along with individual awards, each school receives points throughout the day based on how their students perform. The three schools with the most points are given plaques.&nbsp;Schools are also placed in categories based on their size and receive awards within those categories.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666966277862.jpeg" alt="Weber" />
 <figcaption>Weber</figcaption>
 </figure>“I just want to thank the FHSU community, especially the staff at the Memorial Union,” said Dr. Bill Weber, associate professor of mathematics. “Five hundred students in the union is a lot, and the patience shown by the staff is much appreciated.”

High school students to compete in FHSU Math Relays

<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/2022/10/1667239134500.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 DONNA KRUG Cottonwood Extension District

I am excited about the future here in the Cottonwood Extension District. As I have announced my retirement date of February 3, 2023, it is time to begin the search for a new District Director.

The Cottonwood Extension District Executive Board&nbsp;is looking for an energetic person with managerial and leadership skills to fill the District Director position. The Director serves as the administrative leader of budget and fiscal operations as well as personnel management of local staff&nbsp;of seven agents and several support staff.&nbsp;This position will also have programming responsibilities for community vitality.

The Director&nbsp;will lead the development, implementation and evaluation of research-based educational programming to&nbsp;help our communities become a better place for people in the Cottonwood District to live, work, and play.&nbsp;Programming may include: First Impressions; Kansas PRIDE; community health promotion; leadership development; entrepreneurship; grant writing and management; and local food systems.

The primary office is negotiable between Great Bend and Hays. Applications will be accepted through November 15th. A position description and online application is available at:&nbsp;ksre.ksu.edu/jobs&nbsp;If&nbsp;you or someone you know is interested in this position encourage them to apply.

The Cottonwood District has an exciting future with opportunities to become engaged in community partnerships. Come and make a difference alongside us!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666964910087.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By DONNA KRUG Cottonwood Extension DistrictI am excited about the future here in the Cottonwood Extension District. As I have announced my retirement date of February 3, 2023, it is time to begin the search for a new District Director.The Cottonwood Extension District Executive Board&nbsp;is looking for an energetic person with managerial and leadership skills to fill the District Director position. The Director serves as the administrative leader of budget and fiscal operations as well as personnel management of local staff&nbsp;of seven agents and several support staff.&nbsp;This position will also have programming responsibilities for community vitality.The Director&nbsp;will lead the development, implementation and evaluation of research-based educational programming to&nbsp;help our communities become a better place for people in the Cottonwood District to live, work, and play.&nbsp;Programming may include: First Impressions; Kansas PRIDE; community health promotion; leadership development; entrepreneurship; grant writing and management; and local food systems.The primary office is negotiable between Great Bend and Hays. Applications will be accepted through November 15th. A position description and online application is available at:&nbsp;ksre.ksu.edu/jobs&nbsp;If&nbsp;you or someone you know is interested in this position encourage them to apply.The Cottonwood District has an exciting future with opportunities to become engaged in community partnerships. Come and make a difference alongside us!

NWS: Welcome relief from drought could end the work week

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays resident Ed Hammond, the former president of Fort Hays State University, has come out of retirement to run for the state's 111th House District.

"I really love this community, and built a home in Hays after I left FHSU," Hammond, said in a recent interview with Hays Post.&nbsp;

The Democrat is taking on Republican incumbent Rep. Barb Wasinger, also of Hays.

Tuesday: See Hays Post's interview with incumbent state Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays

Hammond, who many years ago served as a city councilman while living in the small town of Douglas Hills, Kentucky, says he wants to serve Hays and Victoria constituents and to "advocate as a statesman, not a politician. ... Somebody has to represent our interests."

He believes Wasinger, seeking her third 2-year term, is not doing that. "I see things that make no sense to me," Hammond said.

He points to his primary three-point platform as examples of what he says Kansans want, and&nbsp;Wasinger hasn't supported.

The three issues -&nbsp; Medicaid expansion, K-12 funding, and Fort Hays State University funding -&nbsp; are also those Hammond says come up most often in his discussions with local residents.

"Kansans, nearly 7 out of 10, support Medicaid expansion. She's voted against it twice and didn't vote at all the third time."

Wasinger has said previously she's not necessarily against the expansion of Medicaid - known as KanCare in Kansas - <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9e69ed56-4e5b-435d-a293-74b9b5112b03">if three criteria are met</a>. They address federal funding of the program, disabled applicants, and employment requirements.

According to Hammond, those criteria have been met.

"There is really no reason not to support it. All three of her conditions have been met, either by the (U.S.) Supreme Court or language in the bill.&nbsp;

"As a result, Hays is being disadvantaged and the whole state of Kansas is being disadvantaged. ... 

"In fact, a K-State University economist who's done extensive studies on this has indicated there would be about a $700 million aid in tax revenue to Kansas if we do it."&nbsp;

HaysMed and First Care Clinic are missing out on a combined $17 million dollars a year, according to Hammond. "That's our local economy that is impacted."

Education funding is the other area of concern for Hammond, both K-12 (the largest portion of the state's budget) and higher education.

He's critical of a last-minute move last session by the state legislature to <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ac75a946-211c-4cf9-a0a9-76ab440e36b8">fund special education</a> - a federal mandate - at a lower level and calls it "a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d9cae41f-b967-4f0f-a3d9-5271a24f6466">shell game</a>," resulting in the loss of teaching positions in Hays USD 489 and Victoria USD 432.

Wasinger disagrees and says there is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/34b6f3b2-0a71-431a-aec7-d561af6e7232">excess funding in special education unencumbered funds</a>.

When it comes to higher ed funding, Hammond says FHSU received a considerably smaller block grant from the state than did Wichita State University, which has just 200 or so more students enrolled than does FHSU.&nbsp;

He feels Wasinger - the vice-chair of the Higher Education Budget Committee - is <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d9cae41f-b967-4f0f-a3d9-5271a24f6466">not adequately advocating for&nbsp; FHSU</a>, the only university in western Kansas and one of the top three employers in Hays.&nbsp;

During door to door campaigning and meet-the candidate events, Hammond is hearing more complaints about rising inflation and its negative effect on most Americans. 

It's become the fourth major point in his campaign platform.&nbsp;

He wants to help combat inflation in Kansas by getting property taxes under control with a return of funding the state Ad Valorem Tax Act. 

Cities and counties received a portion of that state tax but had to reduce their local property taxes by an equal amount. "I believe it needs to be changed and upgraded."&nbsp;

For the first time in many years, the state of Kansas has a large surplus in its budget and a so-called "Rainy Day Fund." It's money that Hammond says could go into the ad valorem fund and buy down the property taxes in Kansas. "They're couldn't be a better time," he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hammond considers himself a good communicator and someone who can work across the aisle with Republican legislators, as well as across the state with eastern Kansas legislators in the more populated areas.

During his 28 years serving as FHSU president, Hammond was often in the Topeka statehouse, "putting together interests that would help FHSU and western Kansas. ... I never cared who got credit."

If elected, he hopes to again bring together similar groups.&nbsp;

"My interest is to try to put together the kinds of groups that would be necessary to get something passed that will really help Kansans.&nbsp;

"... I try to operate my private life and my public life differently. In my public life, I'm more interested in what my constituents need and what they want done."&nbsp;

"I've had my career.&nbsp; ... I've got no political agenda to drive. I just want to make sure that Hays and Victoria get the resources that they should get," Hammond said.&nbsp;

Hammond, 78, is married to Mary Hammond, the director of development at Fort Hays State University Foundation.

Barb Wasinger's interview with Hays Post will be published Tuesday.

The election is Tuesday, November 8. Advance voting is underway until November 7 at noon in the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main, Hays.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a0d2b56a-c6d8-4084-92bf-9e40ac0b82bd">RELATED CONTENT: Wasinger vs. Hammond race for 111th District draws growing interest</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1510a55d-7e11-4d07-9cf7-1e9062fdd7cb">RELATED CONTENT: Hays Post / Smoky Hills TV forum from Oct. 5</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667190703684.jpeg" alt="Ed Hammond, D-Hays, is running for the 111th House District of Kansas which includes Hays and Victoria. (Photo and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>Ed Hammond, D-Hays, is running for the 111th House District of Kansas which includes Hays and Victoria. (Photo and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays resident Ed Hammond, the former president of Fort Hays State University, has come out of retirement to run for the state's 111th House District."I really love this community, and built a home in Hays after I left FHSU," Hammond, said in a recent interview with Hays Post.&nbsp;The Democrat is taking on Republican incumbent Rep. Barb Wasinger, also of Hays.Tuesday: See Hays Post's interview with incumbent state Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-HaysHammond, who many years ago served as a city councilman while living in the small town of Douglas Hills, Kentucky, says he wants to serve Hays and Victoria constituents and to "advocate as a statesman, not a politician. ... Somebody has to represent our interests."He believes Wasinger, seeking her third 2-year term, is not doing that. "I see things that make no sense to me," Hammond said.He points to his primary three-point platform as examples of what he says Kansans want, and&nbsp;Wasinger hasn't supported.The three issues -&nbsp; Medicaid expansion, K-12 funding, and Fort Hays State University funding -&nbsp; are also those Hammond says come up most often in his discussions with local residents.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rCBVQERJ-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Hammond" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>"Kansans, nearly 7 out of 10, support Medicaid expansion. She's voted against it twice and didn't vote at all the third time."Wasinger has said previously she's not necessarily against the expansion of Medicaid - known as KanCare in Kansas - <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9e69ed56-4e5b-435d-a293-74b9b5112b03">if three criteria are met</a>. They address federal funding of the program, disabled applicants, and employment requirements.According to Hammond, those criteria have been met."There is really no reason not to support it. All three of her conditions have been met, either by the (U.S.) Supreme Court or language in the bill.&nbsp;"As a result, Hays is being disadvantaged and the whole state of Kansas is being disadvantaged. ... "In fact, a K-State University economist who's done extensive studies on this has indicated there would be about a $700 million aid in tax revenue to Kansas if we do it."&nbsp;HaysMed and First Care Clinic are missing out on a combined $17 million dollars a year, according to Hammond. "That's our local economy that is impacted."Education funding is the other area of concern for Hammond, both K-12 (the largest portion of the state's budget) and higher education.He's critical of a last-minute move last session by the state legislature to <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ac75a946-211c-4cf9-a0a9-76ab440e36b8">fund special education</a> - a federal mandate - at a lower level and calls it "a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d9cae41f-b967-4f0f-a3d9-5271a24f6466">shell game</a>," resulting in the loss of teaching positions in Hays USD 489 and Victoria USD 432.Wasinger disagrees and says there is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/34b6f3b2-0a71-431a-aec7-d561af6e7232">excess funding in special education unencumbered funds</a>.When it comes to higher ed funding, Hammond says FHSU received a considerably smaller block grant from the state than did Wichita State University, which has just 200 or so more students enrolled than does FHSU.&nbsp;He feels Wasinger - the vice-chair of the Higher Education Budget Committee - is <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d9cae41f-b967-4f0f-a3d9-5271a24f6466">not adequately advocating for&nbsp; FHSU</a>, the only university in western Kansas and one of the top three employers in Hays.&nbsp;During door to door campaigning and meet-the candidate events, Hammond is hearing more complaints about rising inflation and its negative effect on most Americans. It's become the fourth major point in his campaign platform.&nbsp;He wants to help combat inflation in Kansas by getting property taxes under control with a return of funding the state Ad Valorem Tax Act. Cities and counties received a portion of that state tax but had to reduce their local property taxes by an equal amount. "I believe it needs to be changed and upgraded."&nbsp;For the first time in many years, the state of Kansas has a large surplus in its budget and a so-called "Rainy Day Fund." It's money that Hammond says could go into the ad valorem fund and buy down the property taxes in Kansas. "They're couldn't be a better time," he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hammond considers himself a good communicator and someone who can work across the aisle with Republican legislators, as well as across the state with eastern Kansas legislators in the more populated areas.During his 28 years serving as FHSU president, Hammond was often in the Topeka statehouse, "putting together interests that would help FHSU and western Kansas. ... I never cared who got credit."If elected, he hopes to again bring together similar groups.&nbsp;"My interest is to try to put together the kinds of groups that would be necessary to get something passed that will really help Kansans.&nbsp;"... I try to operate my private life and my public life differently. In my public life, I'm more interested in what my constituents need and what they want done."&nbsp;"I've had my career.&nbsp; ... I've got no political agenda to drive. I just want to make sure that Hays and Victoria get the resources that they should get," Hammond said.&nbsp;Hammond, 78, is married to Mary Hammond, the director of development at Fort Hays State University Foundation.Barb Wasinger's interview with Hays Post will be published Tuesday.The election is Tuesday, November 8. Advance voting is underway until November 7 at noon in the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main, Hays.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a0d2b56a-c6d8-4084-92bf-9e40ac0b82bd">RELATED CONTENT: Wasinger vs. Hammond race for 111th District draws growing interest</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1510a55d-7e11-4d07-9cf7-1e9062fdd7cb">RELATED CONTENT: Hays Post / Smoky Hills TV forum from Oct. 5</a>

🎥 111th Dist. candidate Hammond: 'Somebody has to represent our interests'

Anna Partida, RN, Special Nursing Services, was recently recognized as a Daisy Award winner at HaysMed.&nbsp; The award is presented to a nurse in deep appreciation of all that they do, who they are, and the incredible meaningful difference that they have made in the lives of so many people. Bowers was nominated by a patient’s family member.&nbsp;

Partida&nbsp;was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed Practice Committee.&nbsp; The Practice Committee consists of nursing staff, supervisors, and directors from HaysMed.&nbsp; Nominations are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and Associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.&nbsp;

“We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in The DAISY Award program,” said Terry Siek, VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides another way for us to do that.”

The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing one of our nurses with this special honor every quarter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To nominate a HaysMed nurse for the DAISY Award online, go to&nbsp;<a href="file://hmcfile_svnt/docs/Nursing/Nursing%20Services/Daisy%20Award/Brochures/www.haysmed.com/daisyaward">www.haysmed.com/daisyaward</a>.&nbsp; If you have questions, you can call 785.623.2365.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666905282087.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedAnna Partida, RN, Special Nursing Services, was recently recognized as a Daisy Award winner at HaysMed.&nbsp; The award is presented to a nurse in deep appreciation of all that they do, who they are, and the incredible meaningful difference that they have made in the lives of so many people. Bowers was nominated by a patient’s family member.&nbsp;Partida&nbsp;was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed Practice Committee.&nbsp; The Practice Committee consists of nursing staff, supervisors, and directors from HaysMed.&nbsp; Nominations are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and Associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.&nbsp;“We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in The DAISY Award program,” said Terry Siek, VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides another way for us to do that.”The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing one of our nurses with this special honor every quarter.&nbsp;&nbsp;To nominate a HaysMed nurse for the DAISY Award online, go to&nbsp;<a href="file://hmcfile_svnt/docs/Nursing/Nursing%20Services/Daisy%20Award/Brochures/www.haysmed.com/daisyaward">www.haysmed.com/daisyaward</a>.&nbsp; If you have questions, you can call 785.623.2365.

HaysMed nurse recognized with Daisy Award

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The state of Kansas is underfunding special education, and that is putting more pressure on local special education cooperatives, including the one that serves Hays, to come up with more money to fill the gap.

Kyle Carlin, director of West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, gave a report to the Hays USD 489 school board at its meeting Monday on how the shortfall affects the local cooperative's budget.

The local cooperative includes Hays, Ellis, Victoria, La Crosse and will soon include Russell. The cooperative also covers the private schools in those districts.

Special education is funded with a combination of federal state and local funds. State statute calls for the state to pay 92 percent of the cost of special education beyond what the federal government pays. 

There is no enforcement clause in that statute, so the Kansas Legislature has chosen to underfund special education since 2010, Carlin said.

This year the Legislature funded special education across the state at 70.8 percent of the excess cost of federal funding.

The state would need to spend an additional $155 million to fully fund its special education obligations. That would be an additional $1.5 million annually for the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative — the equivalent of 22 teaching positions in the member districts.

The gap is likely to increase if the trend continues, as the state is increasing funding by about 1 percent per year, but costs are increasing by about 5 percent per year, Carlin said.

The state has been shoring up special education funding with federal COVID relief funds. Those funds will no longer be available for the next fiscal year, Carlin said.

The Kansas Board of Education is recommending to the Legislature a phased approach to fully funding special education. The plan would increase special education funding by $77 million per year for five years.

This would mean $750,000 in additional funds for the local cooperation per year for a total of $11 million by 2028.

Carlin said the cooperative's funding is stable today, but it won't remain so in the coming three years unless the local districts increase their financial contributions.

“It is really important as a state that we get something figured out, because otherwise, it's going to be pretty drastic," Carlin said.

He urged board members to contact local legislators and those running for office and request they support the special education funding increase.

Board President Craig Pallister said the special education funding gap affects all students because it requires local school districts to divert money from their general funds to pay for special education. More funding left in the general fund could mean smaller class sizes or more class offerings, he said.

"We are the advocates for our kids. We need to make sure the state is doing&nbsp; what is good for kids, and they have not been," Pallister said.

Cover photo provided by Pixabay.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe state of Kansas is underfunding special education, and that is putting more pressure on local special education cooperatives, including the one that serves Hays, to come up with more money to fill the gap.Kyle Carlin, director of West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, gave a report to the Hays USD 489 school board at its meeting Monday on how the shortfall affects the local cooperative's budget.The local cooperative includes Hays, Ellis, Victoria, La Crosse and will soon include Russell. The cooperative also covers the private schools in those districts. Special education is funded with a combination of federal state and local funds. State statute calls for the state to pay 92 percent of the cost of special education beyond what the federal government pays. There is no enforcement clause in that statute, so the Kansas Legislature has chosen to underfund special education since 2010, Carlin said. This year the Legislature funded special education across the state at 70.8 percent of the excess cost of federal funding.The state would need to spend an additional $155 million to fully fund its special education obligations. That would be an additional $1.5 million annually for the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative — the equivalent of 22 teaching positions in the member districts. The gap is likely to increase if the trend continues, as the state is increasing funding by about 1 percent per year, but costs are increasing by about 5 percent per year, Carlin said. The state has been shoring up special education funding with federal COVID relief funds. Those funds will no longer be available for the next fiscal year, Carlin said. The Kansas Board of Education is recommending to the Legislature a phased approach to fully funding special education. The plan would increase special education funding by $77 million per year for five years.This would mean $750,000 in additional funds for the local cooperation per year for a total of $11 million by 2028.Carlin said the cooperative's funding is stable today, but it won't remain so in the coming three years unless the local districts increase their financial contributions. “It is really important as a state that we get something figured out, because otherwise, it's going to be pretty drastic," Carlin said. He urged board members to contact local legislators and those running for office and request they support the special education funding increase. Board President Craig Pallister said the special education funding gap affects all students because it requires local school districts to divert money from their general funds to pay for special education. More funding left in the general fund could mean smaller class sizes or more class offerings, he said. "We are the advocates for our kids. We need to make sure the state is doing&nbsp; what is good for kids, and they have not been," Pallister said. Cover photo provided by Pixabay.

Districts expected to pay more if Kansas doesn't close special ed funding gap

COLBY — Four individuals joined the Colby Community College Hall of Fame in 2022. The institution's first three presidents, Dr. Richard Mosier, Dr. James Tangeman, and Dr. Mikel Ary, along with retired rodeo coach Allen Russell, will be honored with a Nov. 5 reception at approximately 6 p.m. after the men's basketball game in the Colby Event Center.

Dr. Mikel Ary In 1988, Ary was hired as CCC's third chief executive officer. At the time of his retirement in 2005, he was one of the longest-tenured college presidents in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I greatly enjoyed my time as president of CCC," he said. "The college had a good group of administrators and a competent faculty and staff who assisted in the success of the institution."

Under his leadership, the college experienced unprecedented enrollment growth that required new facilities across campus. In addition to expanding the south side of the Cultural Arts Center for the band and vocal programs, the Pierre Henry Health Sciences Building opened in 1992, and the 20,000-square-foot Bedker Memorial Complex began housing business and behavioral science courses in 1998. His dedication to academic excellence is recognized at commencement each year with the presentation of the Ary Award to an outstanding student.

Ary feels the college had an advantage over many schools because of the backing from so many entities.&nbsp;

"The college benefited from the progressive attitude of the whole community that gave its support to the functioning and success of the college," he said. "It seemed to me at the time that the community was convinced about the significance of the college to the town and northwest Kansas. In contrast to other institutions where communities took schools somewhat for granted, this positive mindset in Colby contributed further to the idea that CCC was a special place in Kansas for students to attend. "

After spending his formative years in Edwards County, Ary earned a bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University and then obtained his master's and doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. All three degrees are in history. He had stops at two institutions in Oklahoma before arriving in Colby, first as a professor of history at East Central State University and then as vice president of student affairs at Northwestern State University.

Today, Ary stays active in the Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris fellow. He is an avid reader and has enjoyed a lifetime of travel with his wife, Delores. They are parents to two sons, Vic Ary of Owasso, Okla., and Vaughn Ary, and granddaughters, Allison and Sophia live in Alexandria, Va.&nbsp;

Dr. Richard Mosier Mosier was the founding president of the college, serving from 1966 to 1972. He was the youngest college president in Kansas at the time. CCC honors his contributions at commencement each year with the presentation of the Mosier Award, which recognizes a student's academic performance and representation of the institution.&nbsp;

In 2013, he returned to Colby to promote his new book, Against All Odds, a history of CCC's founding that chronicles the institution's early triumphs and struggles. He dedicated the book to the people of Colby and Thomas County, "who, in the tradition of the dream catcher of Indian lore, caught a dream and made it real."

Born on his family's Sheridan County wheat and cattle ranch, Mosier attended a one-room country school near Hoxie and graduated from Sheridan Community High School. He developed leadership skills early, serving as president of the student body and his sophomore and senior classes, as well as president of the school's Future Farmers of America chapter, Sheridan County 4-H Council, and the local Kansas Association for Youth Organization. In his commitments, he also found time for debate, track, football, and the poultry and grain judging teams.

Following his time at CCC, Mosier was president of Claremore Junior College—now Rogers State University—for 24 years. In 1996, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame and, upon retiring, was designated president emeritus at Rogers State.&nbsp;

Mosier holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a master's degree in vocational education from Kansas State University. He received his doctorate from the University of Wyoming. He and his wife Mary still reside in Claremore, where they have both been active in Rotary and are Paul Harris Fellows.

Allen Russell A rodeo coach and agribusiness instructor, Allen Russell began at Colby Community College in 1990 and served until his retirement in 2019.

His road to CCC went through Allen County Community College for nine years as a coach and instructor. He served a short stint at McPherson College before starting his Colby post. In addition to the instructional and coaching responsibilities, he was an academic advisor for agriculture and ag economics majors and served as a division chair for many years.

During his first 15 years in higher education, Russell competed in as many as 60 professional rodeos each year and was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Twice he was a two-time Prairie Circuit qualifier in steer wrestling.&nbsp;

"I started rodeo as a senior in high school and did amateur rodeos until 1985," he said. "I went pro in 1986."

For six years, he was also the director of the Central Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), a region considered one of the largest and most competitive that includes colleges and universities in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.&nbsp;

In 2009, he was recognized with the Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence, an award selected by previous recipients and current CCC students.

The Eureka High School graduate received an associate degree from Fort Scott Community College and a bachelor's degree in agriculture education from Kansas State University, where he was a member of the rodeo team. He went on to earn a master's degree in education from KSU.

Today, Russell is still trying to play golf, he says, and he returned to CCC as a part-time ag business instructor.

"This is my forty-third year of teaching. The people I've worked with, the students and the administrators, have made it fun to come to work. It doesn't feel like a job. I want to thank all of them for that."

When he has time, he visits his son Rocque and his daughter-in-law Krista in Abilene.

Dr. James Tangeman Hired as CCC's dean of instruction in 1969, James Tangeman was named president in 1972 and led the college until 1988.&nbsp;

A graduate of Newton High School, he grew up on a dairy farm before attending Kansas State University. He played basketball and majored in physical education while a member of the Sigma Alpha fraternity. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He completed his tour in South Korea and returned to Fort Riley. During that period, he met his future wife, Sandra, who at the time was a senior at Kansas State.

The newly-married couple moved to Scott City. Tangeman was a math teacher and basketball coach who led the Beavers to a state championship. After three years, they moved to Wichita, where he was a coach, athletic director, and assistant principal. They spent six summers in Laramie, Wyo., as he finished his doctorate before moving to Colby.

Under his leadership at CCC, the institution saw significant changes to accommodate the growing enrollment. Agriculture programs expanded with the addition of the farm located east of town, and the livestock judging teams became a fixture on the national stage. The college pioneered outreach education in northwest Kansas by offering courses to smaller communities through interactive television and face-to-face classes. The Northwest Kansas Cultural Arts Center opened in 1976 as a site that welcomed audiences from the region to enjoy a variety of performances.

Tangeman's influence on employees and students is remembered annually with the Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence, presented to a faculty member who demonstrates dedication and passion for student learning.

He left CCC in 1988 to be the president at Garden City Community College, where he stayed 14 years before retiring. The institution recognized his service with the naming of the Tangeman Sports Complex. As retirement began, Tangeman had a one-year stint as interim president at Seward County Community College. He continued to be involved in many activities and organizations at the local and state levels.

The couple resides in Wichita now and enjoys the arts, reading, and exercising.&nbsp;Throughout retirement, they have had opportunities to see the world.

"We traveled extensively, going on two around-the-world trips, visiting all seven continents, with Antarctica being the most unusual," he said. "Some of our other favorite spots were Africa, Dubai, and Petra."

They have also stayed active in their church, serving meals to the homeless and volunteering on the endowment committee.

"Our life has been blessed all these years," he added. "I very much appreciate this recognition."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666909357084.jpeg" alt="Ary" />
 <figcaption>Ary</figcaption>
 </figure>CCCCOLBY — Four individuals joined the Colby Community College Hall of Fame in 2022. The institution's first three presidents, Dr. Richard Mosier, Dr. James Tangeman, and Dr. Mikel Ary, along with retired rodeo coach Allen Russell, will be honored with a Nov. 5 reception at approximately 6 p.m. after the men's basketball game in the Colby Event Center.Dr. Mikel Ary In 1988, Ary was hired as CCC's third chief executive officer. At the time of his retirement in 2005, he was one of the longest-tenured college presidents in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I greatly enjoyed my time as president of CCC," he said. "The college had a good group of administrators and a competent faculty and staff who assisted in the success of the institution."Under his leadership, the college experienced unprecedented enrollment growth that required new facilities across campus. In addition to expanding the south side of the Cultural Arts Center for the band and vocal programs, the Pierre Henry Health Sciences Building opened in 1992, and the 20,000-square-foot Bedker Memorial Complex began housing business and behavioral science courses in 1998. His dedication to academic excellence is recognized at commencement each year with the presentation of the Ary Award to an outstanding student. Ary feels the college had an advantage over many schools because of the backing from so many entities.&nbsp;"The college benefited from the progressive attitude of the whole community that gave its support to the functioning and success of the college," he said. "It seemed to me at the time that the community was convinced about the significance of the college to the town and northwest Kansas. In contrast to other institutions where communities took schools somewhat for granted, this positive mindset in Colby contributed further to the idea that CCC was a special place in Kansas for students to attend. "After spending his formative years in Edwards County, Ary earned a bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University and then obtained his master's and doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. All three degrees are in history. He had stops at two institutions in Oklahoma before arriving in Colby, first as a professor of history at East Central State University and then as vice president of student affairs at Northwestern State University.Today, Ary stays active in the Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris fellow. He is an avid reader and has enjoyed a lifetime of travel with his wife, Delores. They are parents to two sons, Vic Ary of Owasso, Okla., and Vaughn Ary, and granddaughters, Allison and Sophia live in Alexandria, Va.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666909396754.jpeg" alt="Mosier" />
 <figcaption>Mosier</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Richard Mosier Mosier was the founding president of the college, serving from 1966 to 1972. He was the youngest college president in Kansas at the time. CCC honors his contributions at commencement each year with the presentation of the Mosier Award, which recognizes a student's academic performance and representation of the institution.&nbsp;In 2013, he returned to Colby to promote his new book, Against All Odds, a history of CCC's founding that chronicles the institution's early triumphs and struggles. He dedicated the book to the people of Colby and Thomas County, "who, in the tradition of the dream catcher of Indian lore, caught a dream and made it real."Born on his family's Sheridan County wheat and cattle ranch, Mosier attended a one-room country school near Hoxie and graduated from Sheridan Community High School. He developed leadership skills early, serving as president of the student body and his sophomore and senior classes, as well as president of the school's Future Farmers of America chapter, Sheridan County 4-H Council, and the local Kansas Association for Youth Organization. In his commitments, he also found time for debate, track, football, and the poultry and grain judging teams.Following his time at CCC, Mosier was president of Claremore Junior College—now Rogers State University—for 24 years. In 1996, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame and, upon retiring, was designated president emeritus at Rogers State.&nbsp;Mosier holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a master's degree in vocational education from Kansas State University. He received his doctorate from the University of Wyoming. He and his wife Mary still reside in Claremore, where they have both been active in Rotary and are Paul Harris Fellows.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666909415808.jpeg" alt="Russell" />
 <figcaption>Russell</figcaption>
 </figure>Allen Russell A rodeo coach and agribusiness instructor, Allen Russell began at Colby Community College in 1990 and served until his retirement in 2019.His road to CCC went through Allen County Community College for nine years as a coach and instructor. He served a short stint at McPherson College before starting his Colby post. In addition to the instructional and coaching responsibilities, he was an academic advisor for agriculture and ag economics majors and served as a division chair for many years.During his first 15 years in higher education, Russell competed in as many as 60 professional rodeos each year and was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Twice he was a two-time Prairie Circuit qualifier in steer wrestling.&nbsp;"I started rodeo as a senior in high school and did amateur rodeos until 1985," he said. "I went pro in 1986."For six years, he was also the director of the Central Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), a region considered one of the largest and most competitive that includes colleges and universities in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.&nbsp;In 2009, he was recognized with the Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence, an award selected by previous recipients and current CCC students.The Eureka High School graduate received an associate degree from Fort Scott Community College and a bachelor's degree in agriculture education from Kansas State University, where he was a member of the rodeo team. He went on to earn a master's degree in education from KSU.Today, Russell is still trying to play golf, he says, and he returned to CCC as a part-time ag business instructor."This is my forty-third year of teaching. The people I've worked with, the students and the administrators, have made it fun to come to work. It doesn't feel like a job. I want to thank all of them for that."When he has time, he visits his son Rocque and his daughter-in-law Krista in Abilene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666909434818.jpeg" alt="Tangeman" />
 <figcaption>Tangeman</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. James Tangeman Hired as CCC's dean of instruction in 1969, James Tangeman was named president in 1972 and led the college until 1988.&nbsp;A graduate of Newton High School, he grew up on a dairy farm before attending Kansas State University. He played basketball and majored in physical education while a member of the Sigma Alpha fraternity. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He completed his tour in South Korea and returned to Fort Riley. During that period, he met his future wife, Sandra, who at the time was a senior at Kansas State.The newly-married couple moved to Scott City. Tangeman was a math teacher and basketball coach who led the Beavers to a state championship. After three years, they moved to Wichita, where he was a coach, athletic director, and assistant principal. They spent six summers in Laramie, Wyo., as he finished his doctorate before moving to Colby.Under his leadership at CCC, the institution saw significant changes to accommodate the growing enrollment. Agriculture programs expanded with the addition of the farm located east of town, and the livestock judging teams became a fixture on the national stage. The college pioneered outreach education in northwest Kansas by offering courses to smaller communities through interactive television and face-to-face classes. The Northwest Kansas Cultural Arts Center opened in 1976 as a site that welcomed audiences from the region to enjoy a variety of performances.Tangeman's influence on employees and students is remembered annually with the Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence, presented to a faculty member who demonstrates dedication and passion for student learning.He left CCC in 1988 to be the president at Garden City Community College, where he stayed 14 years before retiring. The institution recognized his service with the naming of the Tangeman Sports Complex. As retirement began, Tangeman had a one-year stint as interim president at Seward County Community College. He continued to be involved in many activities and organizations at the local and state levels.The couple resides in Wichita now and enjoys the arts, reading, and exercising.&nbsp;Throughout retirement, they have had opportunities to see the world."We traveled extensively, going on two around-the-world trips, visiting all seven continents, with Antarctica being the most unusual," he said. "Some of our other favorite spots were Africa, Dubai, and Petra."They have also stayed active in their church, serving meals to the homeless and volunteering on the endowment committee."Our life has been blessed all these years," he added. "I very much appreciate this recognition."

Colby CC Hall of Fame inducts four into 2022 class

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🏈 WINNERS EVERY WEEK! CERVs Football Matchup

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666983789213.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

LETTER: Barb is the best for Kansas

By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review&nbsp;

PHILLIPSBURG — Not only is criminal history repeating itself in Phillipsburg, it has just managed to circle around and double up right here in Riverless City on Friday night. And, irony of ironies, it happened mere hours after the state’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, made an unannounced private governor’s campaign visit to Phillipsburg. Last week, a major incident involving methamphetamine and a 20-month-old baby transpired in the 1200 block of Cable Road in northwest Phillipsburg. And just over five months ago, a major incident involving guns, a barricaded suspect, a Kansas Highway Patrol SWAT Team, and a Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle unfolded in northeast Phillipsburg.

Now, with history repeating itself and seemingly merging multiple recent past incidents into one brand new one, on the night of Oct. 28 guns, a barricaded suspect, a KHP SWAT Team and two BearCat Armored Vehicles faced off at 1200 Cable Road in northwest Phillipsburg.

1200 Cable Road, Phillipsburg, Kansas In Phillips County, law enforcement parlance that address also generally means Harvest Wood Apartments, the scene of multiple incidents and multiple arrests, including not just the one Friday night, and the one involving the baby the week before that, but many others for past multiple years. The latest incident unfolded at suppertime on Friday, when two Phillips County deputy sheriffs approached the apartment in question in response to a suspicious person report received by Phillips County dispatch. As the deputies attempted to make contact with the man in question, after identified as Russell Scott Hosier, 62, Phillipsburg, they knocked on his door.&nbsp; As soon as they did so, a shotgun blast blew out the front picture window just inches away from them. Reporting “shots fired,” the deputies took cover and called for back up.&nbsp; As that back up began arriving, a perimenter was set up in the area and efforts were initiated to make contact with Hosier, with the only response reportedly being multiple additional shotgun blasts being made through the front window. With their training taking over — meaning do not fire blindly into a structure that has thin walls and neighbors, or has a number of unknowns including the possibility of the presence of innocent hostages with the perpetrator — the sheriff’s officers maintained strict weapons discipline in the heavily populated residential complex, and at no time did they return fire. With the continuous gunfire coming from the apartment, a decision was then made to clear the entire complex of all residents.&nbsp; Once that process began it became a tricky proposition at times with shotgun blasts continuing to come from the residence resulting in law enforcement officers and civilians having to hit the ground. With the hail of gunfire failing to subside, the Kansas Highway Patrol was called in, with it later being reported that “numerous troopers responded.” In addition to local on-duty KHP reinforcements, the KHP SWAT Team from central Kansas as well as two KHP BearCat Armored Vehicles were brought in to support during the dangerous stand off. Regarding the deployment of the BearCats, in the course of the armed standoff in northeast Phillipsburg that just took place in May, the Phillips County Review captured images of the beast of a vehicle and wrote about it as follows --&nbsp; “A battering ram is prominently deployed on the front of the vehicle, and is used for breaching windows and walls as a prelude to inserting the teargas nozzle.&nbsp; This is a 9-ton Lenco BearCat model featuring military spec armor able to take hits from a .50 caliber&nbsp; full metal jacket projectile.&nbsp; Having a top speed of 90mph, in addition to the battering ram and tear gas nozzle it also has multiple gun ports, a rotating roof hatch capable of mounting a heavy machine gun, cameras, spotlights, flood lights, heavy-duty ballistic glass and blast shields.”

With the BearCats on scene and the arrival of the SWAT Team, the special weapons and tactics law enforcement officers made a gradual replacement of the deputies and regular troopers manning the crime scene’s perimeter. With the main command post consisting of the ranking KHP SWAT officer, Sheriff Charlie Radabaugh and Undersheriff Kyle Pinkerton, a decision was made to move one of the BearCats into position to get the suspect’s attention. Crawling forward, it edged clear up to the front wall of the apartment, with the boom/teargas nozzle running through the already obliterated front window and well into -- ten feet or more -- the apartment. That was the attention-getter. Now, during last May’s deployment of the BearCat in Phillipsburg, it was at this juncture industrial strength tear gas was let loose and filled that structure after many hours of unsuccessful telephone communications.&nbsp; In this instance, though, Hosier did not have a telephone.&nbsp; So instead of letting loose and filling the structure with teargas, the BearCat boom dropped a cellphone into it. Hosier picked it up, contact was made, and negotiations began. Finally, Hosier agreed to surrender.&nbsp; Surrounded, and faced with the prospect of fighting off a flood of dedicated highly-trained heavily-armed and heavily-armored law enforcement personnel, at 1:15 a.m. Saturday morning Hosier called it a night and emerged from the apartment. But there was one final intense moment however — when he came through the front door and emerged into the high-intensity spotlights, Hosier was still holding his shotgun. With fingers on triggers and life and death hanging in the balance, a dozen different voices screamed out to him “drop your weapon drop your weapon.”&nbsp;&nbsp; And he dropped it.&nbsp;

With the suspect taken into custody, he is now held in the Phillips County Jail on multiple felony counts and a $70,000 cash bond. One mystery of the siege yet remains, however, and days later still has law enforcement scratching their heads — during the May barricade incident in northeast Phillipsburg once they moved in and secured the building police officers found a three-legged dog on the premises. Fast forward to last Friday night/Saturday morning in northwest Phillipsburg.&nbsp; Hosier surrenders, and officers move in and secure the premises.&nbsp;&nbsp; And what do they find? A three-legged dog. Arrest reports and charges are mere allegations and in no way constitute evidence of a crime.&nbsp; All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless convicted in a court of law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667172627511.png" alt="Photos courtesy Phillips County Review" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Phillips County Review</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review&nbsp;PHILLIPSBURG — Not only is criminal history repeating itself in Phillipsburg, it has just managed to circle around and double up right here in Riverless City on Friday night. And, irony of ironies, it happened mere hours after the state’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, made an unannounced private governor’s campaign visit to Phillipsburg. Last week, a major incident involving methamphetamine and a 20-month-old baby transpired in the 1200 block of Cable Road in northwest Phillipsburg. And just over five months ago, a major incident involving guns, a barricaded suspect, a Kansas Highway Patrol SWAT Team, and a Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle unfolded in northeast Phillipsburg. Now, with history repeating itself and seemingly merging multiple recent past incidents into one brand new one, on the night of Oct. 28 guns, a barricaded suspect, a KHP SWAT Team and two BearCat Armored Vehicles faced off at 1200 Cable Road in northwest Phillipsburg.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667172979142.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>1200 Cable Road, Phillipsburg, Kansas In Phillips County, law enforcement parlance that address also generally means Harvest Wood Apartments, the scene of multiple incidents and multiple arrests, including not just the one Friday night, and the one involving the baby the week before that, but many others for past multiple years. The latest incident unfolded at suppertime on Friday, when two Phillips County deputy sheriffs approached the apartment in question in response to a suspicious person report received by Phillips County dispatch. As the deputies attempted to make contact with the man in question, after identified as Russell Scott Hosier, 62, Phillipsburg, they knocked on his door.&nbsp; As soon as they did so, a shotgun blast blew out the front picture window just inches away from them. Reporting “shots fired,” the deputies took cover and called for back up.&nbsp; As that back up began arriving, a perimenter was set up in the area and efforts were initiated to make contact with Hosier, with the only response reportedly being multiple additional shotgun blasts being made through the front window. With their training taking over — meaning do not fire blindly into a structure that has thin walls and neighbors, or has a number of unknowns including the possibility of the presence of innocent hostages with the perpetrator — the sheriff’s officers maintained strict weapons discipline in the heavily populated residential complex, and at no time did they return fire. With the continuous gunfire coming from the apartment, a decision was then made to clear the entire complex of all residents.&nbsp; Once that process began it became a tricky proposition at times with shotgun blasts continuing to come from the residence resulting in law enforcement officers and civilians having to hit the ground. With the hail of gunfire failing to subside, the Kansas Highway Patrol was called in, with it later being reported that “numerous troopers responded.” In addition to local on-duty KHP reinforcements, the KHP SWAT Team from central Kansas as well as two KHP BearCat Armored Vehicles were brought in to support during the dangerous stand off. Regarding the deployment of the BearCats, in the course of the armed standoff in northeast Phillipsburg that just took place in May, the Phillips County Review captured images of the beast of a vehicle and wrote about it as follows --&nbsp; “A battering ram is prominently deployed on the front of the vehicle, and is used for breaching windows and walls as a prelude to inserting the teargas nozzle.&nbsp; This is a 9-ton Lenco BearCat model featuring military spec armor able to take hits from a .50 caliber&nbsp; full metal jacket projectile.&nbsp; Having a top speed of 90mph, in addition to the battering ram and tear gas nozzle it also has multiple gun ports, a rotating roof hatch capable of mounting a heavy machine gun, cameras, spotlights, flood lights, heavy-duty ballistic glass and blast shields.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667173031648.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With the BearCats on scene and the arrival of the SWAT Team, the special weapons and tactics law enforcement officers made a gradual replacement of the deputies and regular troopers manning the crime scene’s perimeter. With the main command post consisting of the ranking KHP SWAT officer, Sheriff Charlie Radabaugh and Undersheriff Kyle Pinkerton, a decision was made to move one of the BearCats into position to get the suspect’s attention. Crawling forward, it edged clear up to the front wall of the apartment, with the boom/teargas nozzle running through the already obliterated front window and well into -- ten feet or more -- the apartment. That was the attention-getter. Now, during last May’s deployment of the BearCat in Phillipsburg, it was at this juncture industrial strength tear gas was let loose and filled that structure after many hours of unsuccessful telephone communications.&nbsp; In this instance, though, Hosier did not have a telephone.&nbsp; So instead of letting loose and filling the structure with teargas, the BearCat boom dropped a cellphone into it. Hosier picked it up, contact was made, and negotiations began. Finally, Hosier agreed to surrender.&nbsp; Surrounded, and faced with the prospect of fighting off a flood of dedicated highly-trained heavily-armed and heavily-armored law enforcement personnel, at 1:15 a.m. Saturday morning Hosier called it a night and emerged from the apartment. But there was one final intense moment however — when he came through the front door and emerged into the high-intensity spotlights, Hosier was still holding his shotgun. With fingers on triggers and life and death hanging in the balance, a dozen different voices screamed out to him “drop your weapon drop your weapon.”&nbsp;&nbsp; And he dropped it.&nbsp; With the suspect taken into custody, he is now held in the Phillips County Jail on multiple felony counts and a $70,000 cash bond. One mystery of the siege yet remains, however, and days later still has law enforcement scratching their heads — during the May barricade incident in northeast Phillipsburg once they moved in and secured the building police officers found a three-legged dog on the premises. Fast forward to last Friday night/Saturday morning in northwest Phillipsburg.&nbsp; Hosier surrenders, and officers move in and secure the premises.&nbsp;&nbsp; And what do they find? A three-legged dog. Arrest reports and charges are mere allegations and in no way constitute evidence of a crime.&nbsp; All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless convicted in a court of law.

'Life and death in the balance': Phillips Co. standoff detailed

Two women have brought their passions for literacy to a growing&nbsp; Fort Hays State University program, which is helping people of all ages enhance their reading and language skills.

The <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> offers free reading tutoring and English as a second language classes both in person and online across the state of Kansas.

Sarah Broman Miller, FHSU assistant professor and reading specialist, said 67 percent of Americans are functionally illiterate, which means they can't read at an eighth-grade level.

This means many people can't fill out job applications or read the news and discern what is fake news and what is not, she said. It's not because people aren't intelligent, it's because they lack the reading skills, she said.

Broman Miller created the literacy program about three years ago. It has grown from a handful of participants to 65 students with both children and adults receiving services.

"I was getting a lot of calls from superintendents, from teachers, from parents who were requesting reading services for their children and out in rural Kansas, we just don't have those services," Broman Miller said.

If a family had to go into a city to receive similar services, it would cost them $70 to $100 a week. The FHSU program is free.

About 15 students receive tutoring at the United Methodist Campus Ministries center. Some receive tutoring in person in their own communities and others receive tutoring online.

Broman Miller's dream to bring more literacy services to rural Kansas would not have been possible without donations from the <a href="https://195-ks.ourlodgepage.com/">Hays Masonic Lodge No. 195</a>. Christopher Neeley is the master of the local lodge, and his aunt has a special interest in helping individuals with learning disabilities.

Brenda Marsh has severe dyslexia. She was 40 before she was tested and learned she had the disorder.

Growing up, she was placed in special education classes with severely developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed children. Children in these classes had birth defects, Down syndrome, banged their heads, yelled and ran around the room.

"I felt this is not me, but this is the best of what I am worth," she said.

&nbsp;She added "My self-esteem was very, very low. I wouldn't let anyone get close enough to me to let them know."

Marsh was never able to receive meaningful help for her dyslexia and still struggles with reading. She often has to ask someone to read texts for her. 

However, she persevered. After she finished school, she found a job selling glasses. She learned to adapt and eventually worked her way into the corporate world.

"It was very crippling for me over the course of my life, because until I got into management, I was making minimum wage," she said.

When she learned through her nephew the Masons were going to support the literacy program in Hays, she and her husband gave generously to the program through the Masonic Temple.

Brenda and her husband, John, Thursday night attended a Halloween fun night for the program. She was all smiles as she watched the children,&nbsp; dressed in their costumes, play games.

"I see these kids and they are running around, and there's so many of them, and they don't have a care in the world," she said. "That's what you need to make every child feel."

She said she sees a different future for the children in the program.

"They've come a long way is all I can say," she said, "No one knew what to do with me. They know what to do with these children."

Broman Miller said the tutoring is instruction beyond what students have access to at school. The help is one on one.

In addition to learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, children coming from low-income homes may struggle with literacy skills because of a lack of access to experiences like vacations and museum trips that help build vocabulary, Broman Miller said.

The average low-income child is exposed to 30 million fewer words by the time he or she enters kindergarten than children who come from middle-class and upper-class homes, Broman Miller said.

"People might think that's not a big deal, but it is a big deal," Broman Miller said. "Hearing that language and being spoken to — those all set the stage for reading."

Broman Miller said whole families use the English as a second language program. Although the program is working with a number of Spanish-speaking families, an FHSU student from West Africa and a refugee from Ukraine living in Topeka are also in the program.

One of the families who is receiving tutoring at the center has only been in the United States for five weeks, Broman Miller said. She said the family will receive help learning both spoken Engish and reading.

"They have children who are elementary school age, and they all need help," Broman Miller said. "That's why we decided to focus on educating the whole family because we know when you educate the whole family, you're going to have much better results. ..."

FHSU teacher education students complete 18-hour practicums with the program. They learn to give assessments and tutor students.

"The teacher ed students — they get to see first hand what good instruction looks like and [how] to use good, structured literacy principles as they're teaching," Broman Miller said. "They're learning all of these things to be good reading teachers while they are here using the software and working with children in the field."

Brandy Ontiveros, FHSU senior from Stratton, Colo., is working with a boy, whose family recently came to the United States from Mexico. Ontiveros, who is bilingual, is helping the boy with his English language, as well as his reading skills.

"I've been able to help him learn new vocabulary, learn the sounds that the letters make, learn about the names of the letters in English and start his foundations of English," she said. 

Jessica Espinoza, FHSU senior from Denver, is doing an internship this semester and said she is giving assessments that her mentor teacher has never heard of. 

Espinoza said she struggled with reading when she was in school, and working with children in the program has meant a lot to her. 

"I had amazing teachers who always helped me before school during school and after school, so I always want to be someone to help students with reading so they can be successful just as my teachers were with me," she said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/28c40ef4-b87f-4fa5-b46d-06d1dae64859">The Masonic Lodge funds helped purchase Reading Horizons software, which takes a multi-sensory approach to help children with learning difficulties to be better readers.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/86a62c66-0241-40cd-b3f9-df81420f4ce0">After seeing the initial success of the program and software, the Masonic Lodge and Marshes have signed on to be continuing supporters of the literacy program.</a>

As the program grows, the program is still accepting donations through the FHSU Foundation. Please note funds should be directed to the FHSU Language and Literacy Program. Volunteers are also accepted.

The Kansas Department of Corrections recently approved an agreement with the program to offer tutoring to women at the Topeka Correctional Facility. Those women read on average at about a fourth-grade level, Broman Miller said. 

Broman Miller is also working with the Department of Corrections to identify the incarcerated women's children who may need reading tutoring. Volunteers will be tutoring women at the prison online, and her FHSU students will tutor the women's children.

"My cup is absolutely overflowing with this," Broman Miller said. "When we started we had maybe five or six people who came. Within six weeks since we opened here at this location, when my husband and I joined forces between the campus center and here, it's like someone turned on the fire hose.

"I get parents asking all the time for free tutoring for their children and the agreement with the Department of Corrections — it's fantastic. I know there are so many more people we can reach. It's just getting the word out there."

If you are interested in learning more about the program or wish to sign up for services, visit <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read">https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read</a>. You can also show up for services without registration.

The on-campus program works with kindergarten through 12th-grade students from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the United Methodist Campus Ministries center, 507 Elm, Hays. English language classes are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thursday nights the program offers a family-style meal for all participants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660754177628.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666989635253.jpeg" alt="A woman and child look at books during the <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> Halloween fun night Thursday at the United Methodist Campus Ministries building. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>A woman and child look at books during the <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> Halloween fun night Thursday at the United Methodist Campus Ministries building. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTwo women have brought their passions for literacy to a growing&nbsp; Fort Hays State University program, which is helping people of all ages enhance their reading and language skills.The <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> offers free reading tutoring and English as a second language classes both in person and online across the state of Kansas.Sarah Broman Miller, FHSU assistant professor and reading specialist, said 67 percent of Americans are functionally illiterate, which means they can't read at an eighth-grade level.This means many people can't fill out job applications or read the news and discern what is fake news and what is not, she said. It's not because people aren't intelligent, it's because they lack the reading skills, she said.Broman Miller created the literacy program about three years ago. It has grown from a handful of participants to 65 students with both children and adults receiving services."I was getting a lot of calls from superintendents, from teachers, from parents who were requesting reading services for their children and out in rural Kansas, we just don't have those services," Broman Miller said.If a family had to go into a city to receive similar services, it would cost them $70 to $100 a week. The FHSU program is free.About 15 students receive tutoring at the United Methodist Campus Ministries center. Some receive tutoring in person in their own communities and others receive tutoring online.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666990381085.jpeg" alt="A child rolls a pumpkin at the <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> Halloween fun night Thursday at the United Methodist Campus Ministries building. The program tries to incorporate entire families into the language program. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>A child rolls a pumpkin at the <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> Halloween fun night Thursday at the United Methodist Campus Ministries building. The program tries to incorporate entire families into the language program. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Dyslexia leads to donations</h2>Broman Miller's dream to bring more literacy services to rural Kansas would not have been possible without donations from the <a href="https://195-ks.ourlodgepage.com/">Hays Masonic Lodge No. 195</a>. Christopher Neeley is the master of the local lodge, and his aunt has a special interest in helping individuals with learning disabilities.Brenda Marsh has severe dyslexia. She was 40 before she was tested and learned she had the disorder.Growing up, she was placed in special education classes with severely developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed children. Children in these classes had birth defects, Down syndrome, banged their heads, yelled and ran around the room. "I felt this is not me, but this is the best of what I am worth," she said. &nbsp;She added "My self-esteem was very, very low. I wouldn't let anyone get close enough to me to let them know." Marsh was never able to receive meaningful help for her dyslexia and still struggles with reading. She often has to ask someone to read texts for her. However, she persevered. After she finished school, she found a job selling glasses. She learned to adapt and eventually worked her way into the corporate world."It was very crippling for me over the course of my life, because until I got into management, I was making minimum wage," she said. When she learned through her nephew the Masons were going to support the literacy program in Hays, she and her husband gave generously to the program through the Masonic Temple.Brenda and her husband, John, Thursday night attended a Halloween fun night for the program. She was all smiles as she watched the children,&nbsp; dressed in their costumes, play games."I see these kids and they are running around, and there's so many of them, and they don't have a care in the world," she said. "That's what you need to make every child feel."She said she sees a different future for the children in the program."They've come a long way is all I can say," she said, "No one knew what to do with me. They know what to do with these children."Broman Miller said the tutoring is instruction beyond what students have access to at school. The help is one on one. In addition to learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, children coming from low-income homes may struggle with literacy skills because of a lack of access to experiences like vacations and museum trips that help build vocabulary, Broman Miller said. The average low-income child is exposed to 30 million fewer words by the time he or she enters kindergarten than children who come from middle-class and upper-class homes, Broman Miller said."People might think that's not a big deal, but it is a big deal," Broman Miller said. "Hearing that language and being spoken to — those all set the stage for reading."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666990630251.jpeg" alt="A child tries to bite a doughnut on a string during <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> Halloween fun night Thursday at the United Methodist Campus Ministries building. The program offers free K-12 reading and language tutoring for children. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>A child tries to bite a doughnut on a string during <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read/">FHSU Language and Literacy Institute</a> Halloween fun night Thursday at the United Methodist Campus Ministries building. The program offers free K-12 reading and language tutoring for children. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Families learn English together</h2>Broman Miller said whole families use the English as a second language program. Although the program is working with a number of Spanish-speaking families, an FHSU student from West Africa and a refugee from Ukraine living in Topeka are also in the program. One of the families who is receiving tutoring at the center has only been in the United States for five weeks, Broman Miller said. She said the family will receive help learning both spoken Engish and reading. "They have children who are elementary school age, and they all need help," Broman Miller said. "That's why we decided to focus on educating the whole family because we know when you educate the whole family, you're going to have much better results. ..."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666991101023.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Future teachers learn to teach</h2>FHSU teacher education students complete 18-hour practicums with the program. They learn to give assessments and tutor students."The teacher ed students — they get to see first hand what good instruction looks like and [how] to use good, structured literacy principles as they're teaching," Broman Miller said. "They're learning all of these things to be good reading teachers while they are here using the software and working with children in the field." Brandy Ontiveros, FHSU senior from Stratton, Colo., is working with a boy, whose family recently came to the United States from Mexico. Ontiveros, who is bilingual, is helping the boy with his English language, as well as his reading skills."I've been able to help him learn new vocabulary, learn the sounds that the letters make, learn about the names of the letters in English and start his foundations of English," she said. Jessica Espinoza, FHSU senior from Denver, is doing an internship this semester and said she is giving assessments that her mentor teacher has never heard of. Espinoza said she struggled with reading when she was in school, and working with children in the program has meant a lot to her. "I had amazing teachers who always helped me before school during school and after school, so I always want to be someone to help students with reading so they can be successful just as my teachers were with me," she said.<h2>Continuing to grow</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/28c40ef4-b87f-4fa5-b46d-06d1dae64859">The Masonic Lodge funds helped purchase Reading Horizons software, which takes a multi-sensory approach to help children with learning difficulties to be better readers.</a> <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/86a62c66-0241-40cd-b3f9-df81420f4ce0">After seeing the initial success of the program and software, the Masonic Lodge and Marshes have signed on to be continuing supporters of the literacy program.</a>As the program grows, the program is still accepting donations through the FHSU Foundation. Please note funds should be directed to the FHSU Language and Literacy Program. Volunteers are also accepted.The Kansas Department of Corrections recently approved an agreement with the program to offer tutoring to women at the Topeka Correctional Facility. Those women read on average at about a fourth-grade level, Broman Miller said. Broman Miller is also working with the Department of Corrections to identify the incarcerated women's children who may need reading tutoring. Volunteers will be tutoring women at the prison online, and her FHSU students will tutor the women's children."My cup is absolutely overflowing with this," Broman Miller said. "When we started we had maybe five or six people who came. Within six weeks since we opened here at this location, when my husband and I joined forces between the campus center and here, it's like someone turned on the fire hose."I get parents asking all the time for free tutoring for their children and the agreement with the Department of Corrections — it's fantastic. I know there are so many more people we can reach. It's just getting the word out there." If you are interested in learning more about the program or wish to sign up for services, visit <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read">https://www.fhsu.edu/tiger-read</a>. You can also show up for services without registration. The on-campus program works with kindergarten through 12th-grade students from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the United Methodist Campus Ministries center, 507 Elm, Hays. English language classes are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thursday nights the program offers a family-style meal for all participants.

NWester: Woman with dyslexia, FHSU professor share passion for literacy

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/igivecatholic?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVix4rEM5Kn-5pvlDcc0PM5bkqbtI9Qj5rYOHs4IVICujfrMSblXUF2qLSLcVJLvKVKkLL42BnN937i-LjGbf-EPWchIRFxDQUejtDJCIRzlTMI_b2oiK3xqCnDm0CPh1A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#iGiveCatholic</a>
 is a Giving Day for the faithful across the nation (and the globe) to 
come together and raise as many charitable dollars as possible for 
Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries in participating 
arch/dioceses.

This year, because of the generosity of the Robert E. &amp; Patricia 
A. Schmidt Foundation, any new donation made to the Hays Catholic 
Schools will be matched up to $100,000. 

"We are incredibly grateful for this match, and it has provided a 
great deal of HOPE to our schools, which is Holy Family Elementery's 
virtue for this school year. The school theme of SOAR came from the 
virtue of HOPE," the school system said in a news release. "We ask that you consider donating to this year's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/igivecatholic?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVix4rEM5Kn-5pvlDcc0PM5bkqbtI9Qj5rYOHs4IVICujfrMSblXUF2qLSLcVJLvKVKkLL42BnN937i-LjGbf-EPWchIRFxDQUejtDJCIRzlTMI_b2oiK3xqCnDm0CPh1A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#iGiveCatholic</a> on November 29th and help the Hays Catholic School's SOAR to new heights in 2023, with early giving starting on November 14th."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666901698177.png" alt="TMP-M photo" />
 <figcaption>TMP-M photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-M<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/igivecatholic?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVix4rEM5Kn-5pvlDcc0PM5bkqbtI9Qj5rYOHs4IVICujfrMSblXUF2qLSLcVJLvKVKkLL42BnN937i-LjGbf-EPWchIRFxDQUejtDJCIRzlTMI_b2oiK3xqCnDm0CPh1A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#iGiveCatholic</a>
 is a Giving Day for the faithful across the nation (and the globe) to 
come together and raise as many charitable dollars as possible for 
Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries in participating 
arch/dioceses.This year, because of the generosity of the Robert E. &amp; Patricia 
A. Schmidt Foundation, any new donation made to the Hays Catholic 
Schools will be matched up to $100,000. "We are incredibly grateful for this match, and it has provided a 
great deal of HOPE to our schools, which is Holy Family Elementery's 
virtue for this school year. The school theme of SOAR came from the 
virtue of HOPE," the school system said in a news release. "We ask that you consider donating to this year's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/igivecatholic?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVix4rEM5Kn-5pvlDcc0PM5bkqbtI9Qj5rYOHs4IVICujfrMSblXUF2qLSLcVJLvKVKkLL42BnN937i-LjGbf-EPWchIRFxDQUejtDJCIRzlTMI_b2oiK3xqCnDm0CPh1A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#iGiveCatholic</a> on November 29th and help the Hays Catholic School's SOAR to new heights in 2023, with early giving starting on November 14th."

Schmidt Foundation grant bolsters #GiveCatholic campaign

RUSSELL — Randy Baker has been appointed the City's Water Utility Director effective Oct. 15. &nbsp;Baker has worked for the City of Russell since January 1999 in the Water Distribution Department as a maintenance worker, lead worker for water distribution and the wastewater system, and, most recently, as Water Distribution and Waste Water Superintendent.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666734512295.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>City of Russell RUSSELL — Randy Baker has been appointed the City's Water Utility Director effective Oct. 15. &nbsp;Baker has worked for the City of Russell since January 1999 in the Water Distribution Department as a maintenance worker, lead worker for water distribution and the wastewater system, and, most recently, as Water Distribution and Waste Water Superintendent.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666734252950.jpeg" alt="Randy Baker (Photo courtesy City of Russell)" />
 <figcaption>Randy Baker (Photo courtesy City of Russell)</figcaption>
 </figure>Baker and his team produce over 300 million gallons of potable water each year for more than 2,400 customers by managing two water sources, maintaining thirty miles of raw water transmission line, and water at two water plants. &nbsp;The finished water goes to the city's two above-ground water towers, and from the towers, the water gets to customers through 63 miles of water distribution lines. &nbsp;In addition, Baker's department oversees the city's wastewater collection and treatment system. &nbsp;Russell's wastewater system is one of the largest lagoon systems in Kansas, treating more than 373 million gallons of wastewater annually. &nbsp;The city uses a significant portion of the treated wastewater to irrigate city parks and the municipal golf course. &nbsp;The Waste Water Lagoon system and Plant A are undergoing major rehabilitation projects that will update equipment and keep the facilities useful for another twenty years. &nbsp;"Under Randy's leadership and his comprehensive knowledge of the water and wastewater systems, the utility will continue providing high-quality community services with the highest degree of excellence and professionalism," said City Manager Jon Quinday. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666735141724.jpeg" alt="Dave Sturgeon&nbsp;(Photo courtesy City of Russell)" />
 <figcaption>Dave Sturgeon&nbsp;(Photo courtesy City of Russell)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dave Sturgeon has been appointed the city's Electric Utility Director effective Dec. 1, when Duane Banks retires after 32 years of service to the community. &nbsp;Sturgeon has worked for the City of Russell since 2012 in the Electric Department as a power plant operator, lead mechanic, and, most recently, as Electric Production Superintendent. "Dave's knowledge of public power, the challenges facing the electric industry, and his familiarity with the community and the city's electric utility made him stand out from the Kansas, Texas, and California applicants pool,"&nbsp;Quinday said.Sturgeon and his team of electric linemen, power plant operators, and mechanics provide service to more than 3,400 customers in a 50-square-mile service area with 146 miles of 3-phase primary and 5,875 power poles and manage two power plants capable of generating 26 megawatts of electricity. The city was able to generate its own electricity during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, while other communities faced rolling blackouts.&nbsp;"Dave will lead a dedicated team of skilled electric linemen, power plant operators, and mechanics that will continue the utility’s work to improve system reliability and customer communication," Quinday said. &nbsp;The city council authorized the electric utility to rebuild the electric distribution system to improve resilience and reliability. The project will begin with the East Residential circuits when materials arrive. Due to supply issues, some critical items are 52 weeks out. Engineering, design, materials acquisition, and construction to complete the distribution system's rebuild is an eight to 10-year project.

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