WAKEENEY —&nbsp;On a breezy, Arctic cold Sunday morning, January 29th, Bishop Gerald Vincke, Pastor Charles Steier, Father Francis Coady, Father Basil Torrez, Father Daniel Scheetz, Father Richard Daise, Father Richard Bayuk, Father Norbert Dlabal, and approximately 240 parishioners gathered in Christ the King Parish Center, to begin the Dedication Ceremony of Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney. &nbsp;

The ceremony began with Mary Jo Clevenger, Pastoral Council member, presenting Bishop Vincke with the building plans. &nbsp;The bishop then joyfully announced that the faithful were gathered to participate in this sacred rite with sacred devotion. &nbsp;The procession of all those present began with his words, “We now go to enter the doors of the church.”

The parishioners of Christ the King Church had eagerly awaited this day for the past nine-months, as Masses were temporarily celebrated in the parish center during construction. &nbsp;There was tremendous support for this project with 142 individuals, families and organizations that contributed. &nbsp;The rebuilding of the church began Holy Week of 2022. 

There was a large scope of work in the church that included some much-needed repairs to electrical, new energy efficient LED lighting, new furnace and HVAC, and insulation in the church walls. &nbsp;The church was re-painted and additional stencils were added to the existing stencils: &nbsp;Crown of Christ the King above the Crucifix, Crown of Thorns, Nails forming Cross, Symbols of 4 Evangelists near Ambo and stenciling on columns taken from the altar appointments. &nbsp;The altar area was leveled, porcelain ceramic tile throughout church, new outside doors with one handicap accessible door, new stone Altar, Ambo, Baptismal Font, and Tabernacle pedestal. &nbsp;Other items donated included: &nbsp;processional candles and cross, stationary candles, paschal candle stand, censer stand, holy water bucket, 2 vases, sanctuary light, holy water bowl, twin furnaces sacristy, church sign, and water softener.

Bishop Vincke began his homily by stating, “This Church is really beautiful, but really it is much more beautiful because you are here. &nbsp;You are the Church. &nbsp;You are the temple of God.” &nbsp;He also gave examples that Christ the King Parish was able to be Christ to their community. &nbsp;In the early years of the parish, Bethlehem Lutheran Church allowed the Catholics to celebrate Mass in their Church basement until the Church was built in 1951. &nbsp;In 1968, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church burned in a fire, and Christ the King parish returned their kindness by allowing them to hold their services in the Church basement. &nbsp;

There were many parts of the celebration that were moving, but the blessing of the new stone Altar was undeniably the most sacred of traditions. The Bishop stated the importance of the Altar, “The Altar is sacred, nothing else can happen on the Altar, except the sacrifice of Christ.” &nbsp;Christ made holy the table where the community come to celebrate the Passover. Therefore, the altar is the table for a sacrifice and for a banquet. At this table the priest, representing Christ the Lord, accomplishes what the Lord himself did and what he handed on to his disciples to do in his memory. 

First, the Bishop sprinkled holy water on the altar. &nbsp;Secondly, he poured Holy Chrism on the altar, formed in a cross, then rubbed it into the stone altar. &nbsp;Next, the Bishop went to all of&nbsp;the pillars, making a sign of the cross on each with the Chrism, blessing the walls of the Church. He returned to the Altar, where he placed incense on the altar and Parishioners carried the incense down the aisles to the walls. Next, the altar was draped by Parishioners with the white garment representing baptism. &nbsp;Bishop Vincke blessed the light and gave it to Fr. Charles Steier to light the Altar candles. &nbsp;Finally, the last step in this dedication, Fr. Steier and a Parishioner went forth to light the wall candles. &nbsp;The Church is a sacred place where God’s children enter the doors to become one with God through the Sacraments for eternal life. &nbsp;

Following the Dedication Mass, Fr. Charles Steier had the opportunity to address his parishioners. &nbsp;“Thank you, my brothers and sisters for your tremendous support, without you this would not be possible.”, Father Steier stated. &nbsp;He continued, “In my nine and half years, we did close to $1.8 million in building and fixing, and we only owe $100,000 after this. Thank you for your commitment and generosity. &nbsp;Truly, we are the Church.” &nbsp;Fr. Steier also took the opportunity to thank Father Francis Coady for his work as Liturgical Consultant for the project. &nbsp;In 2016, a new Parish Center (Hall and Offices) and new parking were built. &nbsp;Other projects completed was refurbishing of the stained-glass windows, stations of the cross, statues of the Blessed Mother, St Joseph, Christ the King, and the Corpus on the Cross in 2017, bathroom remodel, and an extensive remodel of the parish rectory in 2018. &nbsp;Roofs on the CCD building, Rectory, Church, and new Parish Center were replaced after a storm in 2017. &nbsp;Bishop Vincke offered his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Fr. Steier, “It takes someone very unique to weather the storms, the ups and downs. &nbsp;It takes someone with courage to persevere. &nbsp;Thank you, Father Charlie, for your vision. &nbsp;Thank you and congratulations.” Fr Charles Steier led and contributed to two other large projects during his Vocation. &nbsp;He was Pastor of St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Ellsworth during the remodeling of the church, which included an added transept and gathering space that connected the church to the parish hall in 1991. &nbsp;Fr. Steier also led the building of the beautiful new Saint Mary, Queen of Angels Church in Russell. &nbsp;It included a parish center, which included 13 classrooms. &nbsp;The Church was dedicated in 2007.

“In all likelihood this probably will be the only dedication Mass you will ever attend. &nbsp;These are rare. &nbsp;This is a special day" shared Bishop Vincke. The parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church agreed. &nbsp;The Dedication was a unique, beautiful experience that will not be forgotten by the young and old who attended. &nbsp;This was truly a labor of love. &nbsp;A celebration. &nbsp;Each left with a grateful heart and a renewal of their Faith. &nbsp;

Sara Dunn contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675692126804.jpeg" alt="Bishop Vincke pours Holy Chrism on the altar, forms a Cross and then rubs the chrism into the stone altar. Courtesy photo / Stacie Minson" />
 <figcaption>Bishop Vincke pours Holy Chrism on the altar, forms a Cross and then rubs the chrism into the stone altar. Courtesy photo / Stacie Minson</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEIDI GOFF SubmittedWAKEENEY —&nbsp;On a breezy, Arctic cold Sunday morning, January 29th, Bishop Gerald Vincke, Pastor Charles Steier, Father Francis Coady, Father Basil Torrez, Father Daniel Scheetz, Father Richard Daise, Father Richard Bayuk, Father Norbert Dlabal, and approximately 240 parishioners gathered in Christ the King Parish Center, to begin the Dedication Ceremony of Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney. &nbsp;The ceremony began with Mary Jo Clevenger, Pastoral Council member, presenting Bishop Vincke with the building plans. &nbsp;The bishop then joyfully announced that the faithful were gathered to participate in this sacred rite with sacred devotion. &nbsp;The procession of all those present began with his words, “We now go to enter the doors of the church.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675692180208.jpeg" alt="Bishop Vincke blesses the light. Courtesy photo&nbsp;/ Stacie Minson" />
 <figcaption>Bishop Vincke blesses the light. Courtesy photo&nbsp;/ Stacie Minson</figcaption>
 </figure>The parishioners of Christ the King Church had eagerly awaited this day for the past nine-months, as Masses were temporarily celebrated in the parish center during construction. &nbsp;There was tremendous support for this project with 142 individuals, families and organizations that contributed. &nbsp;The rebuilding of the church began Holy Week of 2022. There was a large scope of work in the church that included some much-needed repairs to electrical, new energy efficient LED lighting, new furnace and HVAC, and insulation in the church walls. &nbsp;The church was re-painted and additional stencils were added to the existing stencils: &nbsp;Crown of Christ the King above the Crucifix, Crown of Thorns, Nails forming Cross, Symbols of 4 Evangelists near Ambo and stenciling on columns taken from the altar appointments. &nbsp;The altar area was leveled, porcelain ceramic tile throughout church, new outside doors with one handicap accessible door, new stone Altar, Ambo, Baptismal Font, and Tabernacle pedestal. &nbsp;Other items donated included: &nbsp;processional candles and cross, stationary candles, paschal candle stand, censer stand, holy water bucket, 2 vases, sanctuary light, holy water bowl, twin furnaces sacristy, church sign, and water softener.Bishop Vincke began his homily by stating, “This Church is really beautiful, but really it is much more beautiful because you are here. &nbsp;You are the Church. &nbsp;You are the temple of God.” &nbsp;He also gave examples that Christ the King Parish was able to be Christ to their community. &nbsp;In the early years of the parish, Bethlehem Lutheran Church allowed the Catholics to celebrate Mass in their Church basement until the Church was built in 1951. &nbsp;In 1968, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church burned in a fire, and Christ the King parish returned their kindness by allowing them to hold their services in the Church basement. &nbsp;There were many parts of the celebration that were moving, but the blessing of the new stone Altar was undeniably the most sacred of traditions. The Bishop stated the importance of the Altar, “The Altar is sacred, nothing else can happen on the Altar, except the sacrifice of Christ.” &nbsp;Christ made holy the table where the community come to celebrate the Passover. Therefore, the altar is the table for a sacrifice and for a banquet. At this table the priest, representing Christ the Lord, accomplishes what the Lord himself did and what he handed on to his disciples to do in his memory. First, the Bishop sprinkled holy water on the altar. &nbsp;Secondly, he poured Holy Chrism on the altar, formed in a cross, then rubbed it into the stone altar. &nbsp;Next, the Bishop went to all of&nbsp;the pillars, making a sign of the cross on each with the Chrism, blessing the walls of the Church. He returned to the Altar, where he placed incense on the altar and Parishioners carried the incense down the aisles to the walls. Next, the altar was draped by Parishioners with the white garment representing baptism. &nbsp;Bishop Vincke blessed the light and gave it to Fr. Charles Steier to light the Altar candles. &nbsp;Finally, the last step in this dedication, Fr. Steier and a Parishioner went forth to light the wall candles. &nbsp;The Church is a sacred place where God’s children enter the doors to become one with God through the Sacraments for eternal life. &nbsp;Following the Dedication Mass, Fr. Charles Steier had the opportunity to address his parishioners. &nbsp;“Thank you, my brothers and sisters for your tremendous support, without you this would not be possible.”, Father Steier stated. &nbsp;He continued, “In my nine and half years, we did close to $1.8 million in building and fixing, and we only owe $100,000 after this. Thank you for your commitment and generosity. &nbsp;Truly, we are the Church.” &nbsp;Fr. Steier also took the opportunity to thank Father Francis Coady for his work as Liturgical Consultant for the project. &nbsp;In 2016, a new Parish Center (Hall and Offices) and new parking were built. &nbsp;Other projects completed was refurbishing of the stained-glass windows, stations of the cross, statues of the Blessed Mother, St Joseph, Christ the King, and the Corpus on the Cross in 2017, bathroom remodel, and an extensive remodel of the parish rectory in 2018. &nbsp;Roofs on the CCD building, Rectory, Church, and new Parish Center were replaced after a storm in 2017. &nbsp;Bishop Vincke offered his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Fr. Steier, “It takes someone very unique to weather the storms, the ups and downs. &nbsp;It takes someone with courage to persevere. &nbsp;Thank you, Father Charlie, for your vision. &nbsp;Thank you and congratulations.” Fr Charles Steier led and contributed to two other large projects during his Vocation. &nbsp;He was Pastor of St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Ellsworth during the remodeling of the church, which included an added transept and gathering space that connected the church to the parish hall in 1991. &nbsp;Fr. Steier also led the building of the beautiful new Saint Mary, Queen of Angels Church in Russell. &nbsp;It included a parish center, which included 13 classrooms. &nbsp;The Church was dedicated in 2007.“In all likelihood this probably will be the only dedication Mass you will ever attend. &nbsp;These are rare. &nbsp;This is a special day" shared Bishop Vincke. The parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church agreed. &nbsp;The Dedication was a unique, beautiful experience that will not be forgotten by the young and old who attended. &nbsp;This was truly a labor of love. &nbsp;A celebration. &nbsp;Each left with a grateful heart and a renewal of their Faith. &nbsp;Sara Dunn contributed to this report.

Christ the King Catholic Church dedicated in WaKeeney

The Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter is looking forward to its 55th &nbsp;anniversary show "It's a Grand Night For Singing" to be presented April 15, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State campus. There will be two shows — 2 and 7 p.m. &nbsp;

The headline quartet for this 55th&nbsp;anniversary show is the Barbershop Society's 2006 International Quartet Champion “Vocal Spectrum” from St. Charles,&nbsp; Mo. — a fan favorite quartet. If you have never attended one of our shows or are one of our faithful fans, this is a “must-see” event.&nbsp;

​The Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter is a nonprofit, charitable, educational organization that promotes singing in schools in central and northwest Kansas. &nbsp;

The Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter also recently made donations to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Fort Hays State University choral music department and Trinity Lutheran Church, where the chapter has rehearsed in the basement for over 35 years. In addition, the chapter donated to the Central States District college quartet contest fund.

​Ad and ticket sales will be starting soon and chorus members will be calling sking for your support again for this 55th&nbsp;anniversary show.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675376384236.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>​SubmittedThe Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter is looking forward to its 55th &nbsp;anniversary show "It's a Grand Night For Singing" to be presented April 15, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State campus. There will be two shows — 2 and 7 p.m. &nbsp;The headline quartet for this 55th&nbsp;anniversary show is the Barbershop Society's 2006 International Quartet Champion “Vocal Spectrum” from St. Charles,&nbsp; Mo. — a fan favorite quartet. If you have never attended one of our shows or are one of our faithful fans, this is a “must-see” event.&nbsp;​The Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter is a nonprofit, charitable, educational organization that promotes singing in schools in central and northwest Kansas. &nbsp;The Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter also recently made donations to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Fort Hays State University choral music department and Trinity Lutheran Church, where the chapter has rehearsed in the basement for over 35 years. In addition, the chapter donated to the Central States District college quartet contest fund.​Ad and ticket sales will be starting soon and chorus members will be calling sking for your support again for this 55th&nbsp;anniversary show.&nbsp;&nbsp;

55th anniversary barbershop show show set for April in Hays

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675714542403.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

4-H offers 40 different project areas for youth to explore and learn! I’d like to highlight a few of them over the next few weeks.

The Foods and Nutrition project is about much more than the cookies, cakes, and pies that you see on display during the fair. The Foods and Nutrition project provides opportunities for youth to learn the basics of measuring, following a recipe, and kitchen safety. As youth advance through the project, they learn about terminology, food safety, food labels/nutrition, and budgeting.&nbsp;We encourage youth to be active participants in planning and preparing meals at home as necessary life skills; it just isn’t feasible to bring a casserole to the fair!

For youth interested in the outdoors, the Wildlife project provides opportunities to learn about wildlife behavior, habitat requirements, how wildlife species fit into nature’s scheme, how they are managed, and how they relate to humans. Youth progress through learning about reptiles and amphibians, about habitat, and about birds through more advanced topics of the importance of insects and flowers, identifying seed shapes, characteristics of mammals, the significance of wetlands, and the effect of humans on&nbsp;wildlife habitat. We have an excellent resource in the Kansas Wetlands Education Center to reinforce these learning opportunities as well as Kansas 4-H events such as the annual Insect Spectacular!

Photography is a project that has changed a bit over the years as the quality of cell phone cameras has dramatically improved. Photography was one of my own favorite projects and I bought my first good camera when I graduated from high school. It was a sad day when Dale Riggs had to tell me that he could no longer repair my trusty Minolta which had captured thousands of photos and&nbsp;was&nbsp;utilized during my journalism course of study! Photography is about much more than&nbsp;hitting the button on your phone to take quality pictures that share a story. The photography project walks youth through the basics of how a camera works, basic composition, and organizing a photo story to learning shutter speeds, the Rule of Thirds, and the differences between normal, wide angle, telephoto, and zoom. Additional 4-H events include annual Shutterbugs workshops for youth to learn, practice, and explore!

I hope this sparks an interest in a youth in your world and gives you more information as you look at 4-H projects showcased during the county fair.

If you are interested in learning more about 4-H projects, check out kansas4-h.org in the Projects section!&nbsp;All projects include communications skills, record keeping,&nbsp;career connections,&nbsp;and opportunities for leadership and community service!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the&nbsp;Cottonwood&nbsp;Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call&nbsp;Cottonwood&nbsp;Extension District&nbsp;– Barton&nbsp;Office at&nbsp;620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Project Highlight 2.6.20234-H offers 40 different project areas for youth to explore and learn! I’d like to highlight a few of them over the next few weeks.The Foods and Nutrition project is about much more than the cookies, cakes, and pies that you see on display during the fair. The Foods and Nutrition project provides opportunities for youth to learn the basics of measuring, following a recipe, and kitchen safety. As youth advance through the project, they learn about terminology, food safety, food labels/nutrition, and budgeting.&nbsp;We encourage youth to be active participants in planning and preparing meals at home as necessary life skills; it just isn’t feasible to bring a casserole to the fair!For youth interested in the outdoors, the Wildlife project provides opportunities to learn about wildlife behavior, habitat requirements, how wildlife species fit into nature’s scheme, how they are managed, and how they relate to humans. Youth progress through learning about reptiles and amphibians, about habitat, and about birds through more advanced topics of the importance of insects and flowers, identifying seed shapes, characteristics of mammals, the significance of wetlands, and the effect of humans on&nbsp;wildlife habitat. We have an excellent resource in the Kansas Wetlands Education Center to reinforce these learning opportunities as well as Kansas 4-H events such as the annual Insect Spectacular!Photography is a project that has changed a bit over the years as the quality of cell phone cameras has dramatically improved. Photography was one of my own favorite projects and I bought my first good camera when I graduated from high school. It was a sad day when Dale Riggs had to tell me that he could no longer repair my trusty Minolta which had captured thousands of photos and&nbsp;was&nbsp;utilized during my journalism course of study! Photography is about much more than&nbsp;hitting the button on your phone to take quality pictures that share a story. The photography project walks youth through the basics of how a camera works, basic composition, and organizing a photo story to learning shutter speeds, the Rule of Thirds, and the differences between normal, wide angle, telephoto, and zoom. Additional 4-H events include annual Shutterbugs workshops for youth to learn, practice, and explore!I hope this sparks an interest in a youth in your world and gives you more information as you look at 4-H projects showcased during the county fair.If you are interested in learning more about 4-H projects, check out kansas4-h.org in the Projects section!&nbsp;All projects include communications skills, record keeping,&nbsp;career connections,&nbsp;and opportunities for leadership and community service!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the&nbsp;Cottonwood&nbsp;Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call&nbsp;Cottonwood&nbsp;Extension District&nbsp;– Barton&nbsp;Office at&nbsp;620-793-1910.

BERAN: 4-H project highlights

The TMP-Marian Monarchs are on the road Monday for a Mid-Continent League matchup with Hill City.

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

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

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/521423">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs are on the road Monday for a Mid-Continent League matchup with Hill City.The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.Our coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show on 99.5 KHAZ.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/521423">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/521423?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian v Hill City

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will consider a lease-purchase agreement tonight for HVAC improvements to O'Loughlin and Wilson elementary schools and field turf and lighting for the sports field at Hays High School.

The school board will meet at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The cost for the three projects will be almost $5 million. The cost with interest will be just less than $6.8 million.

The board will consider the purchase of two Bluebird school buses for $255,213 from Kansas Truck through the Kansas School Bus Purchasing Program.

This purchase is part of the school district's five-year transportation plan. $250,000 had been budgeted for the purchases.

The board will consider creating new certified teaching positions for the 2023-24 school year.

The board also will consider approval of a bid from Kansas City Audio Visual for $48,100 for nine Clear Touch Interactive teaching boards and installation at the Early Childhood Complex.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board will consider a lease-purchase agreement tonight for HVAC improvements to O'Loughlin and Wilson elementary schools and field turf and lighting for the sports field at Hays High School.The school board will meet at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.The cost for the three projects will be almost $5 million. The cost with interest will be just less than $6.8 million.<h2>School buses</h2>The board will consider the purchase of two Bluebird school buses for $255,213 from Kansas Truck through the Kansas School Bus Purchasing Program.This purchase is part of the school district's five-year transportation plan. $250,000 had been budgeted for the purchases.<h2>New teachers</h2>The board will consider creating new certified teaching positions for the 2023-24 school year.The board also will consider approval of a bid from Kansas City Audio Visual for $48,100 for nine Clear Touch Interactive teaching boards and installation at the Early Childhood Complex.

Hays USD 489 to consider HVAC projects, bus purchases 

Senator Rick Billinger Newsletter February 6, 2023

Attention Senior Citizens and Disabled Veterans: Property Tax Relief. 

During the 2022 session, there were several changes to tax law. One change is the first step in a property tax freeze for low-income seniors and disabled veterans via a rebate program administered by the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR). 

Applications for property tax relief must be submitted by April 18, 2023, and can found at: <a href="http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf">https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf</a>.

Please note that to qualify for the “freeze” a household annual income must be $50,000 or below, a homeowner must be 65 years or older, and the value of the home cannot be above $350,000. A disabled veteran must be at least 50% disabled. 

Property taxes are still paid to the county and then a homeowner may apply to KDOR for a refund on their increase, resulting in a freeze. In 2023 we will continue to look for solutions for all the reduction in property taxes for all Kansans, including our senior citizens and veterans.

Last week the Republican legislature, announces the second large-scale economic development and job growth project is coming to Kansas. Last year, Panasonic decided to build a battery plant in DeSoto. This week, it was announced that Integra Technologies will build a new secondary factory in Wichita because of an incentive package offered under the APEX bill. According to the Department of Commerce, it is the second largest economic development project in state history with the first being the Panasonic project. The agreement with Integra was approved by the State Finance Council on Thursday. Integra Technologies is the largest U.S. OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) Company providing semiconductor back-end services to companies worldwide. The employee-owned company’s headquarters is in Wichita. 

As part of the release announcing the deal, Senate President Ty Masterson offered support for the deal, noting that it falls under the tenets of the “Better Way: Our Commitment to Kansas” Republican legislative agenda. “APEX exists to promote unique large-scale opportunities as economic and job growth, and there is no better way to do that than having a Kansas company step up and fulfill our commitment to boost the Kansas economy and grow the Kansas workforce. Wichita is increasingly the epicenter of critical global industries, and this exciting megaproject continues that proud tradition.” 

Benefits to the project include $1.8 billion in capital investment, 2,000 high-quality jobs, a boost to an important sector of the Kansas economy and assisting reducing recent risks identified in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. This all with a company headquartered in Kansas. It will also result in the reduction of taxes for all Kansas businesses. 

Under the APEX bill, upon the successful location of an APEX project, the corporate income tax in Kansas will be reduced by 0.5%. As a result of both the Panasonic and Integra projects, the corporate tax rates will drop a total of 1%, which will benefit all corporations in Kansas. 

Last year, the Republican legislature adopted the “APEX Bill” that allows the Department of Commerce to negotiate a megaproject once a year as long as the policy is in place. The APEX stands for Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion and allows for incentives to be offered to attract targeted industries that plan to invest more than $1 billion to the Kansas economy by expansion or relocation of their business anywhere in Kansas.

My office has several dates available for 6th graders through high school to serve as a page. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If your child is interested in being a page for my office the following dates are available:

February 13, 20 or March 6th. Please contact Donna at 785-296-7399 to reserve a date.

I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns.&nbsp; My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.

Rick Billingr, R-Goodland, is the 40th District senator which includes:

* Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins,&nbsp;Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties * Phillips County: Cities: Logan, Long Island, Prairie View, Speed;&nbsp;Townships: Beaver, Belmont, Dayton, Granite, Logan, Long Island, Mound, Plainview, Prairie View,&nbsp;Solomon (part) and Towanda

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675701343257.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. speaks at a legislative coffee in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. speaks at a legislative coffee in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Senator Rick Billinger Newsletter February 6, 2023 Attention Senior Citizens and Disabled Veterans: Property Tax Relief. During the 2022 session, there were several changes to tax law. One change is the first step in a property tax freeze for low-income seniors and disabled veterans via a rebate program administered by the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR). Applications for property tax relief must be submitted by April 18, 2023, and can found at: <a href="http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf">https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf</a>. Please note that to qualify for the “freeze” a household annual income must be $50,000 or below, a homeowner must be 65 years or older, and the value of the home cannot be above $350,000. A disabled veteran must be at least 50% disabled. Property taxes are still paid to the county and then a homeowner may apply to KDOR for a refund on their increase, resulting in a freeze. In 2023 we will continue to look for solutions for all the reduction in property taxes for all Kansans, including our senior citizens and veterans.Last week the Republican legislature, announces the second large-scale economic development and job growth project is coming to Kansas. Last year, Panasonic decided to build a battery plant in DeSoto. This week, it was announced that Integra Technologies will build a new secondary factory in Wichita because of an incentive package offered under the APEX bill. According to the Department of Commerce, it is the second largest economic development project in state history with the first being the Panasonic project. The agreement with Integra was approved by the State Finance Council on Thursday. Integra Technologies is the largest U.S. OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) Company providing semiconductor back-end services to companies worldwide. The employee-owned company’s headquarters is in Wichita. As part of the release announcing the deal, Senate President Ty Masterson offered support for the deal, noting that it falls under the tenets of the “Better Way: Our Commitment to Kansas” Republican legislative agenda. “APEX exists to promote unique large-scale opportunities as economic and job growth, and there is no better way to do that than having a Kansas company step up and fulfill our commitment to boost the Kansas economy and grow the Kansas workforce. Wichita is increasingly the epicenter of critical global industries, and this exciting megaproject continues that proud tradition.” Benefits to the project include $1.8 billion in capital investment, 2,000 high-quality jobs, a boost to an important sector of the Kansas economy and assisting reducing recent risks identified in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. This all with a company headquartered in Kansas. It will also result in the reduction of taxes for all Kansas businesses. Under the APEX bill, upon the successful location of an APEX project, the corporate income tax in Kansas will be reduced by 0.5%. As a result of both the Panasonic and Integra projects, the corporate tax rates will drop a total of 1%, which will benefit all corporations in Kansas. Last year, the Republican legislature adopted the “APEX Bill” that allows the Department of Commerce to negotiate a megaproject once a year as long as the policy is in place. The APEX stands for Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion and allows for incentives to be offered to attract targeted industries that plan to invest more than $1 billion to the Kansas economy by expansion or relocation of their business anywhere in Kansas.My office has several dates available for 6th graders through high school to serve as a page. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If your child is interested in being a page for my office the following dates are available:February 13, 20 or March 6th. Please contact Donna at 785-296-7399 to reserve a date.I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns.&nbsp; My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.Rick Billingr, R-Goodland, is the 40th District senator which includes:* Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins,&nbsp;Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties * Phillips County: Cities: Logan, Long Island, Prairie View, Speed;&nbsp;Townships: Beaver, Belmont, Dayton, Granite, Logan, Long Island, Mound, Plainview, Prairie View,&nbsp;Solomon (part) and Towanda

BILLINGER: Senate Update, Feb. 6, 2023

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/04/kansas-supreme-court-examines-clash-over-expanding-hog-facilities-shielding-water-supply/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court
 must arbitrate conflict sparked by a cunning Kansas regulatory maneuver
 to expand concentrated swine feeding operations and the response of an 
environmental organization claiming state regulators embraced legal 
fiction to weaken surface water protections.

The Sierra Club won a lawsuit four years ago in Shawnee County 
District Court challenging farmer Terry Nelson and his partners for 
sidestepping maximum limits on the number of hogs packed into a single 
location near a creek. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment 
had collaborated with the Nelson family to add about 2,400 hog units at a
 farm in Phillips County.

The population surge was accomplished when the Nelsons were allowed 
by KDHE to draw a property line down the middle of an existing hog 
production facility to create two limited liability companies. Approval 
of two permits allowed the Nelson hog operation to surge capacity 
without moving facilities a greater distance from open water.

The Nelsons asked the Kansas Court of Appeals to reverse the district
 court’s decision against him. That led to an appellate ruling declaring
 the Sierra Club didn’t have standing to sue the Nelsons.

Neither side was satisfied with the Court of Appeals’ findings, and 
the Supreme Court heard oral argument Friday with the Sierra Club 
seeking reinstatment of the district court’s decision the KDHE permits 
were unlawful. The Nelsons’ attorney urged the justices to order the 
district court to nullify its previous rulings and summarily dismiss the
 case.

“This is a case about whether the Sierra Club has the right to 
protect the waters of Kansas when an agency fails to enforce the law to 
protect it,” said Sierra Club counsel Tim Laughlin. “Sierra Club would 
not be before this court today if KDHE had done its job. The real issue 
here is the legal fiction that KDHE created.”

It’s a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/25/sierra-club-blows-whistle-on-kdhe-plan-to-reform-hog-cafo-regulations/">complicated narrative involving influential Kansas farm and livestock organizations</a>
 backing Nelson’s attempt to secure KDHE consent for placement of 6,154 
hog units — up from 3,724 — at side-by-side properties owned by separate
 LLCs to avoid deeper setbacks from surface water. The Nelsons 
accomplished this by dividing ownership of a hog facility between 
himself and his relatives. By operating as distinct entities for 
permitting purposes, a 250-foot setback remained in place rather than 
KDHE requiring a 500-foot setback in conjunction with the surge in hogs 
at the location.

“There is not an artiface,” said attorney Clayton Kaiser, 
representing the Nelsons. “We don’t believe that this is some sort of a 
loophole because that presumes there is something we’re trying to get 
around. It’s not.”

The Supreme Court’s seven justices took the case under advisement and planned to issue a decision at a later date.

Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge said she was struck by the Nelson 
family’s ability to expand its Husky Hogs facility through a simple 
division of farm property.

“Basically what’s happened here is, you know, Husky Hogs couldn’t get
 it approved when it was one facility,” Standridge said. “So, it’s kind 
of like taking advantage of a tax loophole — ‘Well, we’ll go around it 
and do it this way. We’ll make two facilities.'”

Justice Caleb Stegall raised procedural questions about why the high 
court was asked to dive into the KDHE permitting debate on the Husky 
Hogs-Prairie Dog Pork operation. The case also involves the family’s 
Rolling Hills Pork-Stillwater Swine operation, which were similarly 
divided to boost concentration of hogs.

Stegall noted the Sierra Club, KDHE and the Nelson family were 
currently engaged in a new lawsuit on propriety of amended confined hog 
permits granted by KDHE, but those revised permits were due to expire 
this spring. The Nelsons’ LLCs initiated the process to obtain new 
permits.

Stegall appeared to find logic in KDHE’s decision to address legal 
questions about the contiguous ownership boundary of the side-by-side 
hog facilities. A narrow sliver of land between the two halves at the 
Nelson properties was transferred to a third party called Nelson Farms 
Inc.

“The fix to the common border was to say, ‘Okay fine. We will deed a 
strip of land that’s not part of either facility,'” Stegall said.

Laughlin, arguing on behalf of the Sierra Club, said both the 
original and modified permits from KDHE allowed for an animal unit 
population at Nelson family hog facilities that exceeded the 3,724-unit 
limit for a 250-foot setback. Laughlin said anything over 3,724 should 
have required a 500-foot setback from water.

It’s uncontested Prairie Dog Pork was within Husky Hogs’ original 
permit boundary. It also was uncontested that once Prairie Dog Pork was 
inserted into that boundary, the number of pigs at the side-by-side 
facilities climbed from 3,704 units to 6,154 units. If a hog producer 
had previously sought a KDHE permit for 6,154 units within 250 feet of 
water surfaces, it would have been denied based on state law 
establishing a 500-foot setback, Laughlin said.

“Whether it’s the original permits or the modified permits, they both
 suffer the same flaw,” Laughlin said. “They’re both cut from the same 
common thread, and that is a manipulation of the setback distances.”

Kaiser said applicable Kansas law and KDHE regulation focused on the 
number of animal units in a facility and the distance between hog waste 
management systems and surface water. He told justices a problem with 
the Sierra Club’s position was state law said nothing about hog facility
 ownership or how many legally separate hog facilities could be carved 
into a piece of agriculture ground.

“Should we have some sort of special rules that apply to swine 
facilities versus every other type of real property issue that can arise
 in a state?” he said. “The answer is: ‘No.' ”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652720047067.png" alt="Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/04/kansas-supreme-court-examines-clash-over-expanding-hog-facilities-shielding-water-supply/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court
 must arbitrate conflict sparked by a cunning Kansas regulatory maneuver
 to expand concentrated swine feeding operations and the response of an 
environmental organization claiming state regulators embraced legal 
fiction to weaken surface water protections.The Sierra Club won a lawsuit four years ago in Shawnee County 
District Court challenging farmer Terry Nelson and his partners for 
sidestepping maximum limits on the number of hogs packed into a single 
location near a creek. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment 
had collaborated with the Nelson family to add about 2,400 hog units at a
 farm in Phillips County.The population surge was accomplished when the Nelsons were allowed 
by KDHE to draw a property line down the middle of an existing hog 
production facility to create two limited liability companies. Approval 
of two permits allowed the Nelson hog operation to surge capacity 
without moving facilities a greater distance from open water.The Nelsons asked the Kansas Court of Appeals to reverse the district
 court’s decision against him. That led to an appellate ruling declaring
 the Sierra Club didn’t have standing to sue the Nelsons.Neither side was satisfied with the Court of Appeals’ findings, and 
the Supreme Court heard oral argument Friday with the Sierra Club 
seeking reinstatment of the district court’s decision the KDHE permits 
were unlawful. The Nelsons’ attorney urged the justices to order the 
district court to nullify its previous rulings and summarily dismiss the
 case.<h2>A ‘legal fiction’</h2>“This is a case about whether the Sierra Club has the right to 
protect the waters of Kansas when an agency fails to enforce the law to 
protect it,” said Sierra Club counsel Tim Laughlin. “Sierra Club would 
not be before this court today if KDHE had done its job. The real issue 
here is the legal fiction that KDHE created.”It’s a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/25/sierra-club-blows-whistle-on-kdhe-plan-to-reform-hog-cafo-regulations/">complicated narrative involving influential Kansas farm and livestock organizations</a>
 backing Nelson’s attempt to secure KDHE consent for placement of 6,154 
hog units — up from 3,724 — at side-by-side properties owned by separate
 LLCs to avoid deeper setbacks from surface water. The Nelsons 
accomplished this by dividing ownership of a hog facility between 
himself and his relatives. By operating as distinct entities for 
permitting purposes, a 250-foot setback remained in place rather than 
KDHE requiring a 500-foot setback in conjunction with the surge in hogs 
at the location.“There is not an artiface,” said attorney Clayton Kaiser, 
representing the Nelsons. “We don’t believe that this is some sort of a 
loophole because that presumes there is something we’re trying to get 
around. It’s not.”The Supreme Court’s seven justices took the case under advisement and planned to issue a decision at a later date.Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge said she was struck by the Nelson 
family’s ability to expand its Husky Hogs facility through a simple 
division of farm property.“Basically what’s happened here is, you know, Husky Hogs couldn’t get
 it approved when it was one facility,” Standridge said. “So, it’s kind 
of like taking advantage of a tax loophole — ‘Well, we’ll go around it 
and do it this way. We’ll make two facilities.'”Justice Caleb Stegall raised procedural questions about why the high 
court was asked to dive into the KDHE permitting debate on the Husky 
Hogs-Prairie Dog Pork operation. The case also involves the family’s 
Rolling Hills Pork-Stillwater Swine operation, which were similarly 
divided to boost concentration of hogs.Stegall noted the Sierra Club, KDHE and the Nelson family were 
currently engaged in a new lawsuit on propriety of amended confined hog 
permits granted by KDHE, but those revised permits were due to expire 
this spring. The Nelsons’ LLCs initiated the process to obtain new 
permits.Stegall appeared to find logic in KDHE’s decision to address legal 
questions about the contiguous ownership boundary of the side-by-side 
hog facilities. A narrow sliver of land between the two halves at the 
Nelson properties was transferred to a third party called Nelson Farms 
Inc.“The fix to the common border was to say, ‘Okay fine. We will deed a 
strip of land that’s not part of either facility,'” Stegall said.<h2>Why special rules?</h2>Laughlin, arguing on behalf of the Sierra Club, said both the 
original and modified permits from KDHE allowed for an animal unit 
population at Nelson family hog facilities that exceeded the 3,724-unit 
limit for a 250-foot setback. Laughlin said anything over 3,724 should 
have required a 500-foot setback from water.It’s uncontested Prairie Dog Pork was within Husky Hogs’ original 
permit boundary. It also was uncontested that once Prairie Dog Pork was 
inserted into that boundary, the number of pigs at the side-by-side 
facilities climbed from 3,704 units to 6,154 units. If a hog producer 
had previously sought a KDHE permit for 6,154 units within 250 feet of 
water surfaces, it would have been denied based on state law 
establishing a 500-foot setback, Laughlin said.“Whether it’s the original permits or the modified permits, they both
 suffer the same flaw,” Laughlin said. “They’re both cut from the same 
common thread, and that is a manipulation of the setback distances.”Kaiser said applicable Kansas law and KDHE regulation focused on the 
number of animal units in a facility and the distance between hog waste 
management systems and surface water. He told justices a problem with 
the Sierra Club’s position was state law said nothing about hog facility
 ownership or how many legally separate hog facilities could be carved 
into a piece of agriculture ground.“Should we have some sort of special rules that apply to swine 
facilities versus every other type of real property issue that can arise
 in a state?” he said. “The answer is: ‘No.' ”

NW Kansas hog operation focus of Supreme Court water case

Warmer temperatures will continue to begin the work week, although the National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting a slight cooldown as the week progresses.

The high Monday is expected to reach the mid-50s, followed by 47 on Tuesday and 53 on Wednesday.

Wednesday night, blustery conditions are expected to return, with the high Thursday and Friday expected to reach the low-40s.

The NWS is predicting dry conditions, with no precipitation expected in the long-range forecast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675695975716.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Warmer temperatures will continue to begin the work week, although the National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting a slight cooldown as the week progresses.The high Monday is expected to reach the mid-50s, followed by 47 on Tuesday and 53 on Wednesday.Wednesday night, blustery conditions are expected to return, with the high Thursday and Friday expected to reach the low-40s.The NWS is predicting dry conditions, with no precipitation expected in the long-range forecast.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Cooler Temperatures will return to southwest Kansas the last half of the work week. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/NyzgYarBJB">pic.twitter.com/NyzgYarBJB</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1622596626614452225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: Dry conditions expected to continue through the week

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Just four weeks into the 2023 Kansas legislative session, a lot of bills have been introduced in Topeka that will likely not get any traction or they may change.&nbsp;

Other bills involve situations that remain at the forefront of lawmakers' constituents' concerns.

Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, is serving her third two-year term as the 111th District state representative.&nbsp;

She chairs the Legislative Modernization Committee and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations. Wasinger is in her fifth year of the Higher Education Budget Committee and also serves on the Taxation Committee and the interim Joint Committee on Information Technology.

"After going through every agency and department in the capitol, we've come to realize we can't really do much to modernize our work until we take care of IT," she said.&nbsp;

There are "big contracts coming up for the state," according to Wasinger.

In his eighth year, Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist., also is also serving on the Higher Education Budget Committee for a fifth year, as well on as Appropriations. He again chairs the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. New for him this year is appointment to the Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist., has been a senator since 2017 and was in the Kansas House before that. Billinger chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee which primarily deals with the state budget.&nbsp; Although he serves on some interim committees, during the session it's the only committee he serves.&nbsp;

Committee assignments were just handed out Friday for Congressional leaders. In his third year as a U.S. Senator for Kansas, Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, will serve on two new committees this year, Homeland Security and Government Affairs.&nbsp;

"We'll be looking at border security and national security," said his Garden City district director, Rebecca Swender. "The senator has a great concern how open our southern border is."

Marshall will continue on the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and on Budget.&nbsp;

Wasinger pointed out to the crowd at Saturday's Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee at the Hays Public Library, that the three state legislators all chair committees.&nbsp;

"We have a voice ... and we make sure we advocate for rural Kansas and our area out here... We do have some pull. We do have the ability to get things on the table."&nbsp;

The first question of all three state legislators was about expanding mental health care facilities in northwest Kansas for juveniles. 

The week before, the trio had attended the&nbsp; ribbon cutting for <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/871103cd-28bc-4251-9282-c72cfc0d29df">Camber Children's Mental Health for its new youth acute and residential mental health treatment facility in Hays,</a>&nbsp;"unbelievably necessary for our area," said Wasinger, "but we do need to spend more for more relief for all of us in western Kansas."

House Bill 2033 would&nbsp;change the criteria used to refer and admit juveniles to a juvenile crisis intervention center such as Camber.

"I do support any type intervention that we can do to change these lives," said Billinger. "For western Kansas kids to have to go all the way to Kansas City for mental health is ridiculous."

Rahjes cautioned the bill may change but "I think you'll find all of us are advocates for whatever we can do for western Kansas. ... I get constituent calls all the time saying they only place they can go is Leavenworth. That's not right, putting a young person in a jail cell because that's the best we have."&nbsp;

Swender was asked about feedback from Kansas farmers to Sen. Marshall in this federal farm bill year.

In last week's first Senate ag committee hearing for the farm bill, Marshall raised a couple concerns, said Swender, including foreign investment of farm land and U.S. corn not being sold to Mexico.&nbsp;

"We're [also] definitely going to be looking at crop insurance, and CRP and the number and price of acres."

Marshall plans a farm bill tour similar to what he did five years ago to meet with farmers and agricultural producers across Kansas.&nbsp;

Questions quickly turned to talk of taxes.

At least one senate bill is proposing to exempt all social security benefits from Kansas income tax.

"We've been trying to do this for a long, long, time," Billinger said. He believes it's important now because of record inflation. "It's putting a real strain on our senior citizens.

"This past year, home appraisals went up about 25 percent. ... People who worked their whole lives, ... we're gonna tax them out of their homes.

"The number one concern for me is property tax. It's not grocery or any other tax. If we can do away with our state income tax on social security or the pension, I think that's a good way to help them so they can stay in their homes.&nbsp;

"I do support it and have ever since I've [been in the legislature.]"

Billinger thinks this may be the year it happens.

"We're getting some momentum. I feel pretty comfortable that is one that will happen this year."

Billinger also supports a back to school tax holiday.

Rahjes agrees to a back to school tax holiday, but it's complicated.

"Part of this is because of what Missouri did [implementing a back to school tax holiday.] ... Kansans crossed the border to shop in Missouri."

But "it's not just a school tax holiday," Wasinger said. "You know everyone is going to be allowed to buy things. That's what they've seen in Missouri."&nbsp;

She also doesn't want corporations and businesses to be allowed to buy huge amounts of computer hardware and software, for example, and be eligible for the back to school tax holiday.

Rahjes points to the huge amount of shopping - for everything - that is now done online.

"In the discussions I've been in with this on the sidelines, while this is good, this is about 20 years too late."

He says the bill should include internet sales.

"So many people do all this online - from pencils to shoes to whatever.

"That's one thing that is continuing to grow, is the tax that we're collecting from online [purchases.] It exploded during COVID."

Rahjes was reluctant to predict whether a back to school sales tax holiday would happen this year.&nbsp;

"I think there's going to be a lot of discussion of how to do that break and then to be sure we don't use fuzzy math.&nbsp;

He thinks some version of the proposal will work but added that there are a lot of other sales tax exemptions under consideration.

Rahjes was critical of how last year's tax bill was passed.

"No tax bills were passed until the end. Twenty-nine different pieces in the tax bill. Absolutely crazy.

"I'm hoping with new leadership now in the House this year that we don't do what we did last year."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675670874807.jpeg" alt="Rep. Barb Wasinger, Hays, Rep. Ken Rahjes, Agra, Sen. Rick Billinger, Goodland, and Rebecca Swender, Garden City district director for U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, answer questions from the audience at the Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee. The series kicked off Saturday morning at the Hays Public Library with sponsors Midwest Energy and the Hays Daily News. (Pictures and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Barb Wasinger, Hays, Rep. Ken Rahjes, Agra, Sen. Rick Billinger, Goodland, and Rebecca Swender, Garden City district director for U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, answer questions from the audience at the Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee. The series kicked off Saturday morning at the Hays Public Library with sponsors Midwest Energy and the Hays Daily News. (Pictures and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostJust four weeks into the 2023 Kansas legislative session, a lot of bills have been introduced in Topeka that will likely not get any traction or they may change.&nbsp;Other bills involve situations that remain at the forefront of lawmakers' constituents' concerns.Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, is serving her third two-year term as the 111th District state representative.&nbsp;She chairs the Legislative Modernization Committee and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations. Wasinger is in her fifth year of the Higher Education Budget Committee and also serves on the Taxation Committee and the interim Joint Committee on Information Technology."After going through every agency and department in the capitol, we've come to realize we can't really do much to modernize our work until we take care of IT," she said.&nbsp;There are "big contracts coming up for the state," according to Wasinger.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675682618820.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger and Rep. Ken Rahjes visit attendees at Saturday's first Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger and Rep. Ken Rahjes visit attendees at Saturday's first Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>In his eighth year, Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist., also is also serving on the Higher Education Budget Committee for a fifth year, as well on as Appropriations. He again chairs the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. New for him this year is appointment to the Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist., has been a senator since 2017 and was in the Kansas House before that. Billinger chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee which primarily deals with the state budget.&nbsp; Although he serves on some interim committees, during the session it's the only committee he serves.&nbsp;Committee assignments were just handed out Friday for Congressional leaders. In his third year as a U.S. Senator for Kansas, Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, will serve on two new committees this year, Homeland Security and Government Affairs.&nbsp;"We'll be looking at border security and national security," said his Garden City district director, Rebecca Swender. "The senator has a great concern how open our southern border is."Marshall will continue on the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and on Budget.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675682693576.jpeg" alt="Hays Rep. Barb Wasinger visits with constituents at the Hays Public Library Saturday. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays Rep. Barb Wasinger visits with constituents at the Hays Public Library Saturday. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Wasinger pointed out to the crowd at Saturday's Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee at the Hays Public Library, that the three state legislators all chair committees.&nbsp;"We have a voice ... and we make sure we advocate for rural Kansas and our area out here... We do have some pull. We do have the ability to get things on the table."&nbsp;The first question of all three state legislators was about expanding mental health care facilities in northwest Kansas for juveniles. The week before, the trio had attended the&nbsp; ribbon cutting for <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/871103cd-28bc-4251-9282-c72cfc0d29df">Camber Children's Mental Health for its new youth acute and residential mental health treatment facility in Hays,</a>&nbsp;"unbelievably necessary for our area," said Wasinger, "but we do need to spend more for more relief for all of us in western Kansas."House Bill 2033 would&nbsp;change the criteria used to refer and admit juveniles to a juvenile crisis intervention center such as Camber."I do support any type intervention that we can do to change these lives," said Billinger. "For western Kansas kids to have to go all the way to Kansas City for mental health is ridiculous."Rahjes cautioned the bill may change but "I think you'll find all of us are advocates for whatever we can do for western Kansas. ... I get constituent calls all the time saying they only place they can go is Leavenworth. That's not right, putting a young person in a jail cell because that's the best we have."&nbsp;Swender was asked about feedback from Kansas farmers to Sen. Marshall in this federal farm bill year.In last week's first Senate ag committee hearing for the farm bill, Marshall raised a couple concerns, said Swender, including foreign investment of farm land and U.S. corn not being sold to Mexico.&nbsp;"We're [also] definitely going to be looking at crop insurance, and CRP and the number and price of acres."Marshall plans a farm bill tour similar to what he did five years ago to meet with farmers and agricultural producers across Kansas.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lS6YCQsF-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Soc Sec Taxes" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Questions quickly turned to talk of taxes.At least one senate bill is proposing to exempt all social security benefits from Kansas income tax."We've been trying to do this for a long, long, time," Billinger said. He believes it's important now because of record inflation. "It's putting a real strain on our senior citizens."This past year, home appraisals went up about 25 percent. ... People who worked their whole lives, ... we're gonna tax them out of their homes."The number one concern for me is property tax. It's not grocery or any other tax. If we can do away with our state income tax on social security or the pension, I think that's a good way to help them so they can stay in their homes.&nbsp;"I do support it and have ever since I've [been in the legislature.]"Billinger thinks this may be the year it happens."We're getting some momentum. I feel pretty comfortable that is one that will happen this year."Billinger also supports a back to school tax holiday.Rahjes agrees to a back to school tax holiday, but it's complicated."Part of this is because of what Missouri did [implementing a back to school tax holiday.] ... Kansans crossed the border to shop in Missouri."But "it's not just a school tax holiday," Wasinger said. "You know everyone is going to be allowed to buy things. That's what they've seen in Missouri."&nbsp;She also doesn't want corporations and businesses to be allowed to buy huge amounts of computer hardware and software, for example, and be eligible for the back to school tax holiday.Rahjes points to the huge amount of shopping - for everything - that is now done online."In the discussions I've been in with this on the sidelines, while this is good, this is about 20 years too late."He says the bill should include internet sales."So many people do all this online - from pencils to shoes to whatever."That's one thing that is continuing to grow, is the tax that we're collecting from online [purchases.] It exploded during COVID."Rahjes was reluctant to predict whether a back to school sales tax holiday would happen this year.&nbsp;"I think there's going to be a lot of discussion of how to do that break and then to be sure we don't use fuzzy math.&nbsp;He thinks some version of the proposal will work but added that there are a lot of other sales tax exemptions under consideration.Rahjes was critical of how last year's tax bill was passed."No tax bills were passed until the end. Twenty-nine different pieces in the tax bill. Absolutely crazy."I'm hoping with new leadership now in the House this year that we don't do what we did last year."

🎥Tax holidays and spending dominate discussion at Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee 

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

RUSSELL — Eighteen years
 ago, three New York firefighters were killed on a day that would come 
to be known as "Black Sunday." Trapped on the top floor of an apartment 
building, those three firefighters and several more were forced to jump.
 One of those firefighters, Joseph DiBernardo, was able to use a rope to
 save himself and another firefighter, though both were critically 
injured.

After recovering, DiBernardo and other survivors 
initiated a campaign to ensure all FDNY firefighters were issued safety 
ropes. That campaign turned into a memorial foundation to provide safety
 gear to firefighters all around the nation. Russell Fire Chief Dylan 
Riedel said his department recently received $11,830 for the purchase of
 26 life safety systems. 

"In the event a firefighter would be 
trapped on a second floor, and in the event there wouldn't be a ladder 
readily available, they hook to a window seal and attach to the 
firefighter's bunker gear," Riedel said. "They're able to lower 
themselves down out of the window within probably 30 seconds of setup."

Central
 Kansas is not exactly a hub of high-rise buildings, but Riedel said the
 systems will still be useful on most calls in the city. "Most of the 
houses in Russell are 2-story houses," he said. "A pretty good area of 
our response area is multiple-story houses."

Russell Fire 
currently employs 21 firefighters. The purchase of 26 life safety 
systems allows Riedel to outfit each of his current firefighters, plus 
any new hires in the future.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675531627642.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostRUSSELL — Eighteen years
 ago, three New York firefighters were killed on a day that would come 
to be known as "Black Sunday." Trapped on the top floor of an apartment 
building, those three firefighters and several more were forced to jump.
 One of those firefighters, Joseph DiBernardo, was able to use a rope to
 save himself and another firefighter, though both were critically 
injured.After recovering, DiBernardo and other survivors 
initiated a campaign to ensure all FDNY firefighters were issued safety 
ropes. That campaign turned into a memorial foundation to provide safety
 gear to firefighters all around the nation. Russell Fire Chief Dylan 
Riedel said his department recently received $11,830 for the purchase of
 26 life safety systems. "In the event a firefighter would be 
trapped on a second floor, and in the event there wouldn't be a ladder 
readily available, they hook to a window seal and attach to the 
firefighter's bunker gear," Riedel said. "They're able to lower 
themselves down out of the window within probably 30 seconds of setup."Central
 Kansas is not exactly a hub of high-rise buildings, but Riedel said the
 systems will still be useful on most calls in the city. "Most of the 
houses in Russell are 2-story houses," he said. "A pretty good area of 
our response area is multiple-story houses."Russell Fire 
currently employs 21 firefighters. The purchase of 26 life safety 
systems allows Riedel to outfit each of his current firefighters, plus 
any new hires in the future.

Russell Fire Dept. purchases life safety systems with grant

Following is the incident log provided by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office for Jan. 29 through Feb. 4. There were a total of 195 incidents reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600444921352.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the incident log provided by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office for Jan. 29 through Feb. 4. There were a total of 195 incidents reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675704393223.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675704430606.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675704443358.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675704455923.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675704468637.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675704487289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. Sheriff Incident Log, Jan. 29-Feb. 4

Fort Hays State University will host the&nbsp;Teacher Exploration &amp; Employment Fair&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday, Feb. 13, from&nbsp;9 to 11:30 a.m.,&nbsp;on the second floor of the Memorial Union.

More than 60 employers will be on campus to&nbsp;visit with anyone interested in teaching or other professional opportunities in K-12 education.&nbsp;Members of the Hays&nbsp;community, alumni and&nbsp;students&nbsp;are&nbsp;welcome to attend.&nbsp;This includes&nbsp;experienced teachers, Transition to Teaching candidates, and students seeking their first career position.

FHSU is also partnering with other institutions on the Virtual Education Interview Day on Thursday, March 2. The event will be hosted in Handshake from 1 to 4 p.m. Use this link to learn more or register for the fair:&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/3YouRrP">http://bit.ly/3YouRrP</a>

There is no cost to participate in&nbsp;either of these events. Contact FHSU Career Services at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:careers@fhsu.edu">careers@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or (785) 628-4260 for more information.

News releaseFort Hays State University will host the&nbsp;Teacher Exploration &amp; Employment Fair&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday, Feb. 13, from&nbsp;9 to 11:30 a.m.,&nbsp;on the second floor of the Memorial Union.More than 60 employers will be on campus to&nbsp;visit with anyone interested in teaching or other professional opportunities in K-12 education.&nbsp;Members of the Hays&nbsp;community, alumni and&nbsp;students&nbsp;are&nbsp;welcome to attend.&nbsp;This includes&nbsp;experienced teachers, Transition to Teaching candidates, and students seeking their first career position.FHSU is also partnering with other institutions on the Virtual Education Interview Day on Thursday, March 2. The event will be hosted in Handshake from 1 to 4 p.m. Use this link to learn more or register for the fair:&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/3YouRrP">http://bit.ly/3YouRrP</a>There is no cost to participate in&nbsp;either of these events. Contact FHSU Career Services at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:careers@fhsu.edu">careers@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or (785) 628-4260 for more information.

FHSU will host teacher exploration and employment fair

<div> <script src="https://embed-957763.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="f8888d7b-17f9-4bce-af00-08a5a135fb18" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div>

Turn-Key Properties Rent-Free Sweepstakes

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675440954989.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>

Have you ever wondered what it was like to have a vision impairment, hearing impairment or not be able to smell or feel something? These are things that happen naturally as we age, yet few of us think about this until we are older. What if you could temporarily experience this to help understand what it is like to be an older person. We have a K-State program that can help us do just that. Gray for a Day is a simulation experience that utilizes an empathic approach to educate individuals on the age-related sensory and functional challenges that some older adults might face.

Recently, I had the opportunity to shadow Donna Krug, District 
Director and Family Consumer Science Agent, while she conducted the 
simulation with a high school class in Great Bend. The class was very 
engaged, asked questions, and were good sports while using the props to 
see what it “feels like” as we age. There are several objectives we hope
 to accomplish by presenting this program. The first is to understand 
how the senses and functional abilities can decline with age. We also 
hope to personally experience age-related sensory and functional decline
 with the simulations. By understanding the influence of sensory and 
functional decline on daily life, the hope is to encourage one to 
develop the skills necessary to effectively interact with someone who 
may be experiencing age-related sensory and functional declines. 
Finally, we hope to impart understanding that by taking steps to improve
 or maintain your health now that this will contribute to sensory and 
functional well-being in the future.

These activities work great 
with people of all ages. It can spark great conversations between old 
and young people alike. Please call or email if you are interested in 
Gray for A Day presentation for your class or organization.

Monique
 Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State 
Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 
785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Have you ever wondered what it was like to have a vision impairment, hearing impairment or not be able to smell or feel something? These are things that happen naturally as we age, yet few of us think about this until we are older. What if you could temporarily experience this to help understand what it is like to be an older person. We have a K-State program that can help us do just that. Gray for a Day is a simulation experience that utilizes an empathic approach to educate individuals on the age-related sensory and functional challenges that some older adults might face.Recently, I had the opportunity to shadow Donna Krug, District 
Director and Family Consumer Science Agent, while she conducted the 
simulation with a high school class in Great Bend. The class was very 
engaged, asked questions, and were good sports while using the props to 
see what it “feels like” as we age. There are several objectives we hope
 to accomplish by presenting this program. The first is to understand 
how the senses and functional abilities can decline with age. We also 
hope to personally experience age-related sensory and functional decline
 with the simulations. By understanding the influence of sensory and 
functional decline on daily life, the hope is to encourage one to 
develop the skills necessary to effectively interact with someone who 
may be experiencing age-related sensory and functional declines. 
Finally, we hope to impart understanding that by taking steps to improve
 or maintain your health now that this will contribute to sensory and 
functional well-being in the future.These activities work great 
with people of all ages. It can spark great conversations between old 
and young people alike. Please call or email if you are interested in 
Gray for A Day presentation for your class or organization.Monique
 Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State 
Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 
785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.&nbsp;

KOERNER: What does it feel like to age?

Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging

Kansans at least 55 years old, who are looking for employment, qualify to participate in the
Older Kansans Employment Program, provided through the Northwest Kansas Area
Agency on Aging. This program is funded by the Kansas Legislature through the
Kansas Department of Commerce.

Older adults who have been out of the workforce for a while and need assistance updating a
resume, managing online applications, and improving their interview skills are perfect for the
OKEP program.


OKEP is designed to provide skills assessments, resume preparation, counseling, basic
computer and online application training, referrals, and job development and mentoring
services. Job Seekers will attend an initial appointment with an Employment Specialist in a
one-on-one setting. An assessment of needs and skills will be completed. After that the job
seeking process begins, from an updated resume to a successful interview, and finally, the
achievement of landing a job.


For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact NWKAAA at (800) 432-7422 or
(785) 628-8204.


Northwest Kansas Area Agency on AgingKansans at least 55 years old, who are looking for employment, qualify to participate in the
Older Kansans Employment Program, provided through the Northwest Kansas Area
Agency on Aging. This program is funded by the Kansas Legislature through the
Kansas Department of Commerce.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675292407194.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Older adults who have been out of the workforce for a while and need assistance updating a
resume, managing online applications, and improving their interview skills are perfect for the
OKEP program.
OKEP is designed to provide skills assessments, resume preparation, counseling, basic
computer and online application training, referrals, and job development and mentoring
services. Job Seekers will attend an initial appointment with an Employment Specialist in a
one-on-one setting. An assessment of needs and skills will be completed. After that the job
seeking process begins, from an updated resume to a successful interview, and finally, the
achievement of landing a job.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact NWKAAA at (800) 432-7422 or
(785) 628-8204.

Program offers assistance to older Kansans looking for work

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about grant funding.

<div><iframe title="Grow Hays director discusses grant funding" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=hx824-137f438-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about grant funding.

🎙 Post Podcast: Grow Hays director discusses grant funding

During their annual meeting
Monday, the Ellis County Historical Society’s board of directors and trustees
heard an update from executive director Amanda Rupp.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9db863ca-00f4-4ff7-8415-b86fbecf070e?fbclid=IwAR1oWo8muLdncz0GcxZOHBefjkBzpQrp-HkjxfzByNe43NEPGBEI7ghbdxU">After officaly taking the reigns of the
society last summer, </a>Rupp said the staff and volunteers had made significant
strides in an ongoing effort to reorganize the society’s collection and
increase community involvement.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9828fea-e8ae-4cb0-8cdf-fe1760f225e0">And with the accomplishments of
the last year setting an overall positive tone for the future of the society</a>,
she provided some exciting initiatives the society has planned for 2023 as they
settle back into their recently renovated office space on the lower floor of
the former Presbyterian Church on their campus at Seventh and Main that serves
as the society’s main facility.

“It was
nice to be back home,” Rupp said. “It's nice to have (Curator Adam Conkey) and
I working on the same premises.”

C<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4b82c3c2-8654-43f3-b842-f85a8deace1b">reating an updated office space is just the first step in restoring the entire
facility to fill its mission.</a>

“At that
meeting, we got to unveil our plans for the phase two of that project that was
just to get us back home to kind of make a suitable space for people to visit,”
Rupp said.

She said
phase two is more significant in scope and will solidify the entire building to
allow continuing efforts to open the museum to the public.

“These
are not the flashy and inspiring things that people want to jump on board and
support,” Rupp said. “But these are the things that need support, and it's
probably – out of the three phases that we have going – to be the biggest
ticket part of the project.”

In phase
two, she said they would add an ADA-accessible ramp to the church's south side,
allowing access to the archives and office spaces. They also will turn a storage space near the office into a curator lab that will enable the society to
process artifacts. A new ADA-compliant bathroom also is scheduled to be created
from two smaller existing bathrooms.

The
effort also will work to restore the exterior of the church building and
replace the building’s HVAC system.

“It will
take care of the humidity problem and any issues that we have there with
artifacts,” Rupp said.

The HVAC
system replacement can be split as the current system is comprised of four units
but will cost over $600,000. She projects with the mason work, phase two
will top $850,000.

In an
effort to show their own support for the project, Rupp said the board,
reflecting the desire of the community to save the building, has already donated
over $30,000 to the effort.

“They
all decided that they're going to be all behind it, 100 percent,” she said. 

A ramp
purchase with funds from the Heartland Community Foundation that adds accessibility
to the adjacent stone church, Rupp said, also is scheduled to be installed
soon.

With the
plan outlined, she said details can be finalized while fundraising is ongoing.

“We are
in the planning stages, but we have our preliminary drawing set for the
construction part,” Rupp said. “We have the contractors ready to go for the
outside stonework. So that's all in place, just waiting our turn in the
rotation when they come back there.”

As
efforts continue on the main campus, Rupp also said work is ongoing to give the
society storage space and a satellite campus in Victoria in the former rest
home, now known as St. John’s Place.

“We are
still working on that,” Rupp said. “When it goes silent, a little bit people
assume or get a little nervous, but we are still working on that with the (Victoria
Community Coalition.) So hopefully, we will have that ready to go, and we can
then move some of our artifacts because part of that building will be storage.”

At the meeting, she announced a
gift to the society had been made that would help that project move forward.

Philanthropist
Don Bickle gave $50,000 to the society for the project, Rupp said.

“I had
been visiting with him about how the museum started and their mission back then,”
she said.“After many years of doing other things, we have earned his
support once again.”

<div><iframe title="Remodel, expansion plans discussed during Ellis County Historical Society annual meeting" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=c5ym8-137f4f0-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445922079.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp discusses future plans for the society and museum during their annual meeting." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp discusses future plans for the society and museum during their annual meeting.</figcaption>
 </figure>By James Bell Hays PostDuring their annual meeting
Monday, the Ellis County Historical Society’s board of directors and trustees
heard an update from executive director Amanda Rupp.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9db863ca-00f4-4ff7-8415-b86fbecf070e?fbclid=IwAR1oWo8muLdncz0GcxZOHBefjkBzpQrp-HkjxfzByNe43NEPGBEI7ghbdxU">After officaly taking the reigns of the
society last summer, </a>Rupp said the staff and volunteers had made significant
strides in an ongoing effort to reorganize the society’s collection and
increase community involvement.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9828fea-e8ae-4cb0-8cdf-fe1760f225e0">And with the accomplishments of
the last year setting an overall positive tone for the future of the society</a>,
she provided some exciting initiatives the society has planned for 2023 as they
settle back into their recently renovated office space on the lower floor of
the former Presbyterian Church on their campus at Seventh and Main that serves
as the society’s main facility.“It was
nice to be back home,” Rupp said. “It's nice to have (Curator Adam Conkey) and
I working on the same premises.”C<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4b82c3c2-8654-43f3-b842-f85a8deace1b">reating an updated office space is just the first step in restoring the entire
facility to fill its mission.</a>“At that
meeting, we got to unveil our plans for the phase two of that project that was
just to get us back home to kind of make a suitable space for people to visit,”
Rupp said.She said
phase two is more significant in scope and will solidify the entire building to
allow continuing efforts to open the museum to the public.“These
are not the flashy and inspiring things that people want to jump on board and
support,” Rupp said. “But these are the things that need support, and it's
probably – out of the three phases that we have going – to be the biggest
ticket part of the project.”In phase
two, she said they would add an ADA-accessible ramp to the church's south side,
allowing access to the archives and office spaces. They also will turn a storage space near the office into a curator lab that will enable the society to
process artifacts. A new ADA-compliant bathroom also is scheduled to be created
from two smaller existing bathrooms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445895494.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society leadership listens to executive director Amanda Rupp share an update on the previous year." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society leadership listens to executive director Amanda Rupp share an update on the previous year.</figcaption>
 </figure>The
effort also will work to restore the exterior of the church building and
replace the building’s HVAC system.“It will
take care of the humidity problem and any issues that we have there with
artifacts,” Rupp said.The HVAC
system replacement can be split as the current system is comprised of four units
but will cost over $600,000. She projects with the mason work, phase two
will top $850,000.In an
effort to show their own support for the project, Rupp said the board,
reflecting the desire of the community to save the building, has already donated
over $30,000 to the effort.“They
all decided that they're going to be all behind it, 100 percent,” she said. A ramp
purchase with funds from the Heartland Community Foundation that adds accessibility
to the adjacent stone church, Rupp said, also is scheduled to be installed
soon.With the
plan outlined, she said details can be finalized while fundraising is ongoing.“We are
in the planning stages, but we have our preliminary drawing set for the
construction part,” Rupp said. “We have the contractors ready to go for the
outside stonework. So that's all in place, just waiting our turn in the
rotation when they come back there.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445911503.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The
satellite</h2>As
efforts continue on the main campus, Rupp also said work is ongoing to give the
society storage space and a satellite campus in Victoria in the former rest
home, now known as St. John’s Place.“We are
still working on that,” Rupp said. “When it goes silent, a little bit people
assume or get a little nervous, but we are still working on that with the (Victoria
Community Coalition.) So hopefully, we will have that ready to go, and we can
then move some of our artifacts because part of that building will be storage.”At the meeting, she announced a
gift to the society had been made that would help that project move forward.Philanthropist
Don Bickle gave $50,000 to the society for the project, Rupp said.“I had
been visiting with him about how the museum started and their mission back then,”
she said.“After many years of doing other things, we have earned his
support once again.”Once the
storage space there has been secured, she said opening a gallery space would
fall into place quickly.“I would
say within a year, we could get in there and open it,” Rupp said.

Local