The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70 between Hays and the Colorado border.&nbsp;

The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70 between WaKeeney and the Colorado border. The closure is due to adverse weather conditions, vehicle crashes blocking the roadway, and limited accommodations and truck parking.

Snow and ice are also affecting many secondary roadways in northwest Kansas. Motorists are advised not to use secondary roads to avoid interstate closures.

For the latest information on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/">www.kandrive.org</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed westbound I-70 at Goodland because of winter weather conditions and vehicle crashes in Colorado.

Motorists are advised to buckle up and stay alert for changing road and weather conditions.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has now closed westbound I-70 between Hays and the Colorado border.

Eastbound I-70 also remains closed between WaKeeney and the Colorado border. The closures are due to continued adverse weather conditions, vehicle crashes blocking the roadway and limited accommodations and truck parking.

Motorists should not use secondary roads and highways to avoid the interstate closures.

<p>The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70 between Hays and the Colorado border.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🟢 I-70 is OPEN in both directions between Hays and the KS/CO border.<br><br>Crews are still working to clear and treat the roads. Slow down, use caution and give equipment room to work. Stay updated on conditions at <a href="https://t.co/hFNgAPWzND">https://t.co/hFNgAPWzND</a> or the KanDrive app. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/0BQaQDpEa6">pic.twitter.com/0BQaQDpEa6</a></p>&mdash; NWKansasKDOT (@NWKansasKDOT) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWKansasKDOT/status/1616962050890121222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>--------</p><p>The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70 between WaKeeney and the Colorado border. The closure is due to adverse weather conditions, vehicle crashes blocking the roadway, and limited accommodations and truck parking.</p><p>Snow and ice are also affecting many secondary roadways in northwest Kansas. Motorists are advised not to use secondary roads to avoid interstate closures.</p><p>For the latest information on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/">www.kandrive.org</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674319532391.png" alt="I-70 east of Goodland 10:30 a.m. Saturday-KanDrive" />
                        <figcaption>I-70 east of Goodland 10:30 a.m. Saturday-KanDrive</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>---------</p><p>The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed westbound I-70 at Goodland because of winter weather conditions and vehicle crashes in Colorado.</p><p>Motorists are advised to buckle up and stay alert for changing road and weather conditions.</p><p>For the latest information on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/">www.kandrive.org</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.</p><p>The Kansas Department of Transportation has now closed westbound I-70 between Hays and the Colorado border.</p><p>Eastbound I-70 also remains closed between WaKeeney and the Colorado border. The closures are due to continued adverse weather conditions, vehicle crashes blocking the roadway and limited accommodations and truck parking.</p><p>Motorists should not use secondary roads and highways to avoid the interstate closures.</p><p>For the latest information on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/">www.kandrive.org</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.</p>

I-70 is open in both directions to the Colorado border

Harley Zimmerman won the 132-pound weight class,
Dalton Meyers second at 157 and Elijah McCullough finished third at 113 to help
the Hays High wrestling team to a fourth place finish at the Bob Kuhn Prairie
Classic Saturday at Hays High School. 

Manhattan won the team title with 202.5 points. Junction City
finished second at 181.5. Great Bend finished third with 176.5 then the Indians
fourth with 109 points.

Zimmerman (25-1), who is ranked first at 132 in the Kansas Wrestling
Coaches Association, went 4-0 in the tournament. After winning his first two matches
with falls, Zimmerman defeated Jaxsen Salinas 6-2 in the semifinals then took
out Hoisington’s Josiah Ball 6-2 in the finals.

Meyers (22-9), who’s ranked fifth at 157, went 4-1 in the
tournament. He won his first match by fall then defeated Hoisington’s Teron Kraft
6-4 in the second round. Meyers defeated Isaac Sinks of Manhattan 5-2 in the semifinals
before losing a 5-0 decision to Goodland’s Kyan Ensign in the finals. 

McCullough (25-5), who is ranked sixth at 113, received a
bye in the first round. He defeated Jhadyn Turner 7-2 in the second round
before losing by fall to Salina Central’s Jase Adam in the semifinals.
McCullough bounced back with a 10-1 major decision over Pratt’s Riffey Maddox
then a 2-1 victory over Trego’s Ashton Wynn on the back side of the bracket.

Mason Younger of Ellis finished second at 126. Teammate Jarrett
Mader placed third at 144. 

<p><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Harley Zimmerman won the 132-pound weight class,
Dalton Meyers second at 157 and Elijah McCullough finished third at 113 to help
the Hays High wrestling team to a fourth place finish at the Bob Kuhn Prairie
Classic Saturday at Hays High School. </p><p>Manhattan won the team title with 202.5 points. Junction City
finished second at 181.5. Great Bend finished third with 176.5 then the Indians
fourth with 109 points.</p><p>Zimmerman (25-1), who is ranked first at 132 in the Kansas Wrestling
Coaches Association, went 4-0 in the tournament. After winning his first two matches
with falls, Zimmerman defeated Jaxsen Salinas 6-2 in the semifinals then took
out Hoisington’s Josiah Ball 6-2 in the finals.</p><p>Meyers (22-9), who’s ranked fifth at 157, went 4-1 in the
tournament. He won his first match by fall then defeated Hoisington’s Teron Kraft
6-4 in the second round. Meyers defeated Isaac Sinks of Manhattan 5-2 in the semifinals
before losing a 5-0 decision to Goodland’s Kyan Ensign in the finals. </p><p>McCullough (25-5), who is ranked sixth at 113, received a
bye in the first round. He defeated Jhadyn Turner 7-2 in the second round
before losing by fall to Salina Central’s Jase Adam in the semifinals.
McCullough bounced back with a 10-1 major decision over Pratt’s Riffey Maddox
then a 2-1 victory over Trego’s Ashton Wynn on the back side of the bracket.</p><p>Mason Younger of Ellis finished second at 126. Teammate Jarrett
Mader placed third at 144. </p><h2>106</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Caeleb Hutchinson (Manhattan) 29-3, Fr. over Triston Tomlinson (Great Bend) 21-5, Fr. (Fall 1:42)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Terence Wallace (Haysville Campus) 14-9, So. over Isaiah Peachey (Hugoton) 17-7, Fr. (Fall 4:28)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Grady Lind (Hays ) 20-5, Fr. over Tate Blackwill (Trego Community ) 22-10, So. (Dec 11-8)</li>
                    </ul><h2>113</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Ezekiel Witt (Junction City) 27-1, Jr. over Jase Adam (Salina Central) 23-7, So. (TF-1.5 2:47 (15-0))</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Elijah McCullough (Hays ) 25-5, Jr. over Ashton Wynn (Trego Community ) 24-8, Fr. (Dec 2-1)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Cameron Coonrod (Manhattan) 22-16, Fr. over Maddox Riffey (Pratt) 12-15, Jr. (Fall 2:13)</li>
                    </ul><h2>120</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Carter Krier (Oakley) 6-0, So. over Kaden Sisson (Phillipsburg) 16-1, So. (Fall 2:37)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Sammy Hershberger (Buhler) 20-3, Fr. over Dalton Devin (Manhattan) 16-6, So. (Dec 8-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Isaac Phimvongsa (Salina Central) 11-5, Sr. over Roman Romero (Ulysses) 16-9, So. (Fall 0:58)</li>
                    </ul><h2>126</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Logan Lagerman (Manhattan) 25-4, So. over Mason Younger (Ellis) 25-1, Jr. (SV-1 7-5)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Eastin Redetzke (Hoisington) 7-3, Sr. over Tripp Duvall (Holly) 20-4, So. (For.)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Kaiden Hoffman (Great Bend) 20-10, Jr. over Cyrus Vajnar (Hays ) 16-7, Sr. (Fall 4:07)</li>
                    </ul><h2>132</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Harley Zimmerman (Hays ) 21-1, Jr. over Josiah Ball (Hoisington) 15-3, Jr. (Dec 6-2)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Jameal Agnew (Manhattan) 27-9, Jr. over Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses) 21-8, Fr. (MD 9-1)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Octavio Gonzalez (Goodland) 23-5, Sr. over Abram Owings (Salina Central) 25-10, Fr. (Dec 5-3)</li>
                    </ul><h2>138</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Patrick Foxworth (Junction City) 27-2, Sr. over Braysen Salinas (Ulysses) 21-6, Jr. (Fall 2:58)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Skyler McMullen (Great Bend) 21-6, Sr. over Cruz Hershberger (Buhler) 19-8, So. (Fall 3:41)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Charlie Slothower (Salina Central) 18-13, Jr. over Holden Lind (Hays ) 17-13, Fr. (Dec 4-3)</li>
                    </ul><h2>144</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Jace Schartz (Great Bend) 25-3, So. over Kayden Blake (Junction City) 28-4, Sr. (Dec 7-6)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Jarret Mader (Ellis) 21-4, Sr. over Dawson Hogan (Salina Central) 25-10, Sr. (UTB 4-3)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Braedyn Blasi (Goddard-Eisenhower) 16-8, Jr. over Jaxon Roeder (Buhler) 14-11, Sr. (Fall 2:20)</li>
                    </ul><h2>150</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Taye Wilson (Pratt) 16-2, So. over Cooper Liles (Great Bend) 24-3, Jr. (Dec 5-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Deryk Yott (Hoisington) 26-8, Sr. over Tommy York (Goddard-Eisenhower) 13-5, Jr. (Fall 4:00)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Carsen Meitl (Phillipsburg) 19-8, Jr. over Aaron Samson (Trego Community ) 17-14, Fr. (Dec 8-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>157</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Kyan Ensign (Goodland) 24-5, Sr. over Dalton Meyers (Hays ) 18-6, So. (Dec 5-0)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Adam Mendoza (Hugoton) 24-3, Sr. over Isaac Sinks (Manhattan) 20-14, Jr. (Fall 0:49)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Wyatt Lovell (Pratt) 17-11, So. over Collin McQueen (Junction City) 19-14, Sr. (MD 13-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>165</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Cooper McCloy (Buhler) 21-2, Jr. over Griffin Bohanan (Junction City) 29-2, Jr. (SV-1 4-2)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Teagen Pfeifer (Russell) 24-6, So. over Raul Perez (Pratt) 13-11, So. (Dec 4-0)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Kayden Hudson (Phillipsburg) 22-10, So. over Elias Anguiano (Ulysses) 15-13, Sr. (Dec 3-2)</li>
                    </ul><h2>175</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Adrian Turner (Kapaun) 22-2, Sr. over Matthew Johnson (Great Bend) 21-6, Jr. (Dec 1-0)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Landon Dobson (Manhattan) 16-10, So. over Logan Nabus (Junction City) 28-5, Sr. (MD 12-4)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Kaleb Jaquez (Ulysses) 19-12, Sr. over Brayden Strobel (Russell) 12-6, Sr. (Fall 4:33)</li>
                    </ul><h2>190</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Nathan Fury (Kapaun) 26-2, Sr. over Maverick Spresser (Goodland) 19-5, Sr. (Fall 2:46)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Luke Fischer (Larned) 20-3, Jr. over Trenton Kern (Great Bend) 19-10, Fr. (MD 8-0)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Justin Degollado (Ulysses) 13-4, Sr. over Cooper Bogenhagen (Junction City) 18-7, Jr. (M. For.)</li>
                    </ul><h2>215</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Omari Elias (Kapaun) 24-5, Jr. over Keyven Schroeder (Great Bend) 22-6, Jr. (Fall 2:46)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Jaxon Vikander (Manhattan) 23-7, Sr. over Carter Atteberry (Larned) 19-6, Sr. (Fall 2:38)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Brannon Rageth (Salina Central) 15-12, Jr. over Ivan Jirak (Oakley) 16-11, Jr. (Fall 2:01)</li>
                    </ul><h2>285</h2><h2>1st Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Clayton Frehn (Manhattan) 20-6, Jr. over Cole Gilliland (Hoisington) 19-2, Sr. (Fall 3:53)</li>
                    </ul><h2>3rd Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Nathan Agudzi-Addo (Junction City) 22-11, Sr. over Drake Van Scoyoc (Pratt) 20-7, Sr. (For.)</li>
                    </ul><h2>5th Place Match</h2><ul>
                        <li>Carlos Aguilar (Salina Central) 6-10, Jr. over Will Nichols (Hays ) 8-11, Sr. (Dec 3-1)</li>
                    </ul>

🤼  Zimmerman wins 132 title, HHS fourth at Bob Kuhn Prairie Classic

City of 
Hays Public Works crews will be removing snow from the downtown area 
from Oak to Fort streets and Seventh to 13th streets, Main Street from Sixth to 16th streets, and West Ninth and 10th
 streets in the 100 and 200 blocks Saturday starting at approximately 10 p.m. 

City crews request that cars be 
removed from these areas to allow the crews the ability to completely 
plow the street and the on-street parking areas.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721067731.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>City of 
Hays Public Works crews will be removing snow from the downtown area 
from Oak to Fort streets and Seventh to 13th streets, Main Street from Sixth to 16th streets, and West Ninth and 10th
 streets in the 100 and 200 blocks Saturday starting at approximately 10 p.m. </p><p>City crews request that cars be 
removed from these areas to allow the crews the ability to completely 
plow the street and the on-street parking areas.</p><p>For more information, call 785-628-7350.</p>

Move your cars: Time for Hays crews to start pushing snow

Streaming Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Executive Realty

<p>Streaming Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Executive Realty</p><p>Game time scheduled for 2:30</p><div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/509141?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH: Hays High girls v. Beloit 

<p>Streaming Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Executive Realty</p><p>Game time scheduled for 2:30</p><div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/509142?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH: Hays High boys v. Colby 

With 2 inches of snow on the ground in Hays at 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is now calling for up to 9 nine inches of accumulation through Saturday.

The snowfall is expected to taper beginning at 7 p.m., the NWS said.

Sunday is expected to be clear, but cold, with a high of 28 degrees. The overnight low Sunday will drop to the single digits.

A chance for more snowfall returns Monday and Tuesday, with a 20 percent to 30 percent chance of additional accumulation.

<i>Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on severe weather and cancellations.</i>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674325070975.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>With 2 inches of snow on the ground in Hays at 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is now calling for up to 9 nine inches of accumulation through Saturday.</p><p>The snowfall is expected to taper beginning at 7 p.m., the NWS said.</p><p>Sunday is expected to be clear, but cold, with a high of 28 degrees. The overnight low Sunday will drop to the single digits.</p><p>A chance for more snowfall returns Monday and Tuesday, with a 20 percent to 30 percent chance of additional accumulation.</p><p><i>Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on severe weather and cancellations.</i></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Snowfall amounts as of 8AM this morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nwsddc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nwsddc</a> <a href="https://t.co/D0yctVCSn4">pic.twitter.com/D0yctVCSn4</a></p>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1616813791894994945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

Winter storm bringing more snowfall than predicted to Hays area

<b>By CRISTINA JANNEY<br></b><i>Hays Post</i>

ELLIS —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prairiebreezelodge.com/">Prairie Breeze Lodge</a> of rural Ellis is expanding its offerings under new ownership.

The lodge, which is south of Old Highway 40 on 160th, has been a destination for hunters since it opened in 2021.

Charlie Carter and his family from South Dakota recently bought the lodge and have made it available for rental on <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/3034288?noDates=true&amp;unitId=3606332">Vrbo</a>.

The 5,000-square-foot lodge has eight bedrooms with accommodations for up to 34 people. Six of the bedrooms have one or two beds. Those rooms share a communal locker room.

The suites have spacious en suite bathrooms with additional bunk beds for families.

Jenette Lewis, manager, said the lodge is heavily booked during the hunting season from September through January. Hunters come from as far away as the east and west coasts with many groups returning year after year.

"I know a lot of people who come out here to hunt and stay with us, they become extended family," said Lewis, who lives on the property.

Some families bring their children and have started marking their growth on a wall of the lodge. Others have joined in with signatures and dates.

Some hunters are already booking for next season. If you are interested in booking for hunting season, you will have to call Lewis directly at 785-491-1292. Those dates are blocked on the Vrbo site.

The lodge has an area where hunters can sight their guns or bows and a locker room off the back door where they can get out of their hunting gear.

Lewis said pets are not allowed in the lodge; however, a project is planned for a new building on the property that would include a dog kennel as well as an area where hunters could clean their animals.

Hunting packages come with a grab-and-go breakfast, sandwich lunch and a full hot meal for dinner.

The lodge does not provide land on which to hunt but regularly works with local outfitter Dan Cross. Hunters can work with other outfitters or hunt on public land.

The lodge has a full kitchen, bar, living room with TV and patio with outdoor seating. It offers Dish and free wifi.&nbsp;Laundry facilities also are available.

Although deer and upland birds have been the primary quarry for most visitors to the lodge, Lewis said she hopes to attract turkey hunters this spring.

Opening the lodge to bookings on Vrbo will allow people to book the lodge for other events. The lodge is booking for $709 per night for the whole building on Vrbo. Those rates may be adjusted in the off-season, Lewis said.

"I think a lot of it will be people who are from the area originally and are trying to gather in a central location," she said.

Lewis said the space would be ideal for a family reunion. She also has booked a wedding ceremony for this spring.

The lodge is on a slight hill, and visitors can look out onto the Kansas prairie for miles in all directions.

"We have beautiful sunrises and sunsets out here, because it is so wide open," she said.

Vrbo customers are not provided with food but have access to the kitchen if they want to make their own meals. Alcohol is allowed at the lodge but must be provided by the guest.

You also can reach Prarie Breeze by email at prairiebreezelodge@gmail.com or follow the lodge on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078818923376">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660754177628.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674145823065.jpeg" alt="Prairie Breeze Lodge, between Ellis and Hays off of Old Highway 40, offers accommodations for up to 34 people. Courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Prairie Breeze Lodge, between Ellis and Hays off of Old Highway 40, offers accommodations for up to 34 people. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By CRISTINA JANNEY<br></b><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>ELLIS —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prairiebreezelodge.com/">Prairie Breeze Lodge</a> of rural Ellis is expanding its offerings under new ownership.</p><p>The lodge, which is south of Old Highway 40 on 160th, has been a destination for hunters since it opened in 2021.</p><p>Charlie Carter and his family from South Dakota recently bought the lodge and have made it available for rental on <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/3034288?noDates=true&amp;unitId=3606332">Vrbo</a>.</p><p>The 5,000-square-foot lodge has eight bedrooms with accommodations for up to 34 people. Six of the bedrooms have one or two beds. Those rooms share a communal locker room.</p><p>The suites have spacious en suite bathrooms with additional bunk beds for families.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674146043543.jpeg" alt="One of Prairie Breeze Lodge's two suites. Each suite has an attached bathroom. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
                        <figcaption>One of Prairie Breeze Lodge's two suites. Each suite has an attached bathroom. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Jenette Lewis, manager, said the lodge is heavily booked during the hunting season from September through January. Hunters come from as far away as the east and west coasts with many groups returning year after year.</p><p>"I know a lot of people who come out here to hunt and stay with us, they become extended family," said Lewis, who lives on the property.</p><p>Some families bring their children and have started marking their growth on a wall of the lodge. Others have joined in with signatures and dates.</p><p>Some hunters are already booking for next season. If you are interested in booking for hunting season, you will have to call Lewis directly at 785-491-1292. Those dates are blocked on the Vrbo site.</p><p>The lodge has an area where hunters can sight their guns or bows and a locker room off the back door where they can get out of their hunting gear.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674147578836.jpeg" alt="Prairie Breeze Lodge has a spacious dining and seating area, which includes a bar. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
                        <figcaption>Prairie Breeze Lodge has a spacious dining and seating area, which includes a bar. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Lewis said pets are not allowed in the lodge; however, a project is planned for a new building on the property that would include a dog kennel as well as an area where hunters could clean their animals.</p><p>Hunting packages come with a grab-and-go breakfast, sandwich lunch and a full hot meal for dinner.</p><p>The lodge does not provide land on which to hunt but regularly works with local outfitter Dan Cross. Hunters can work with other outfitters or hunt on public land.</p><p>The lodge has a full kitchen, bar, living room with TV and patio with outdoor seating. It offers Dish and free wifi.&nbsp;Laundry facilities also are available.</p><p>Although deer and upland birds have been the primary quarry for most visitors to the lodge, Lewis said she hopes to attract turkey hunters this spring.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674148481302.jpeg" alt="Prairie Breeze Lodge has a full kitchen. Hunting packages come with prepared meals. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
                        <figcaption>Prairie Breeze Lodge has a full kitchen. Hunting packages come with prepared meals. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Opening the lodge to bookings on Vrbo will allow people to book the lodge for other events. The lodge is booking for $709 per night for the whole building on Vrbo. Those rates may be adjusted in the off-season, Lewis said.</p><p>"I think a lot of it will be people who are from the area originally and are trying to gather in a central location," she said.</p><p>Lewis said the space would be ideal for a family reunion. She also has booked a wedding ceremony for this spring.</p><p>The lodge is on a slight hill, and visitors can look out onto the Kansas prairie for miles in all directions.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674148536335.jpeg" alt="Prairie Breeze Lodge, in rural Ellis County, has a covered deck with views of the surrounding Kansas prairie. Courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Prairie Breeze Lodge, in rural Ellis County, has a covered deck with views of the surrounding Kansas prairie. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"We have beautiful sunrises and sunsets out here, because it is so wide open," she said.</p><p>Vrbo customers are not provided with food but have access to the kitchen if they want to make their own meals. Alcohol is allowed at the lodge but must be provided by the guest.</p><p>You also can reach Prarie Breeze by email at prairiebreezelodge@gmail.com or follow the lodge on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078818923376">Facebook</a>.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660754177628.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

NWester: Not just for hunters, Prairie Breeze Lodge expands off-season stays

Celebration Community Church has announced it they will serve as a host of <a href="https://www.nighttoshinehays.org/">Night to Shine 2023</a>, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, celebrating people with special needs will be held&nbsp;in-person&nbsp;by host churches around the world simultaneously on Friday, Feb. 10.&nbsp;

"Celebration&nbsp;is excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how cultures embrace people with&nbsp;disabilities&nbsp;and to rally the church worldwide to honor their local community of people with special needs, ensuring they know they are valued and loved," the church said in a news release.

Every&nbsp;guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary&nbsp;event on&nbsp;a&nbsp;red carpet&nbsp;complete with&nbsp;a&nbsp;warm welcome from a&nbsp;friendly&nbsp;crowd&nbsp;and&nbsp;paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including&nbsp;hair and makeup stations,&nbsp;limousine rides,&nbsp;corsages and boutonnieres,&nbsp;a catered&nbsp;dinner, karaoke, prom favors&nbsp;and&nbsp;,&nbsp;a dance floor … all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned&nbsp;king or queen of the prom.

“I’m so excited Night to Shine 2023 will be back in-person! All around the world, individuals with special needs&nbsp;are going to be celebrated like they should be. We’ve been able to adapt over the last couple years but we can’t wait to&nbsp;be&nbsp;back together in person&nbsp;to&nbsp;cheer for every guest as they walk the red carpet, dance the night away with their friends, crown them as a king or queen of the prom and most importantly, tell every single one of them that their life has purpose and they are loved by us and the God of this universe,” said&nbsp;Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Night to Shine launched in 2015 with&nbsp;44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers&nbsp;honoring&nbsp;more than 7,000&nbsp;kings and&nbsp;queens&nbsp;of the prom.&nbsp;In February 2020,&nbsp;721&nbsp;host churches and&nbsp;215,000&nbsp;volunteers came together to celebrate&nbsp;110,000&nbsp;honored guests with special needs.&nbsp;Over the&nbsp;past&nbsp;two years,&nbsp;Night to Shine innovated and endured&nbsp;through the pandemic&nbsp;with the&nbsp;first-ever virtual Night to Shine,&nbsp;celebrating thousands of honored guests&nbsp;through&nbsp;unique adaptations including a complete virtual video experience and&nbsp;socially distanced&nbsp;Shine Thru drive-through events.

Locally, this will be the sixth year of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Night&nbsp;To&nbsp;Shine event in Hays.&nbsp;Over the years, over 600 kings and queens have been crowned and over 12,000 volunteers have taken part. This year’s event is shaping up to be the largest in guest attendance; however, volunteer numbers are&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;low. Organizers are in need of&nbsp;an additional 300 volunteers from Hays and the surrounding communities to set up for this to be a successful event.

For additional information or&nbsp;to sign up to volunteer for&nbsp;the Night to Shine, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nighttoshinehays.org/">nighttoshinehays.org</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674240052715.jpeg" alt="Night to Shine had to be a drive-through event for the last several years due to the pandemic, but it is back in its traditional dance format for 2023. File photo" />
                        <figcaption>Night to Shine had to be a drive-through event for the last several years due to the pandemic, but it is back in its traditional dance format for 2023. File photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>News release</i></p><p>Celebration Community Church has announced it they will serve as a host of <a href="https://www.nighttoshinehays.org/">Night to Shine 2023</a>, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, celebrating people with special needs will be held&nbsp;in-person&nbsp;by host churches around the world simultaneously on Friday, Feb. 10.&nbsp;</p><p>"Celebration&nbsp;is excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how cultures embrace people with&nbsp;disabilities&nbsp;and to rally the church worldwide to honor their local community of people with special needs, ensuring they know they are valued and loved," the church said in a news release.</p><p>Every&nbsp;guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary&nbsp;event on&nbsp;a&nbsp;red carpet&nbsp;complete with&nbsp;a&nbsp;warm welcome from a&nbsp;friendly&nbsp;crowd&nbsp;and&nbsp;paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including&nbsp;hair and makeup stations,&nbsp;limousine rides,&nbsp;corsages and boutonnieres,&nbsp;a catered&nbsp;dinner, karaoke, prom favors&nbsp;and&nbsp;,&nbsp;a dance floor … all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned&nbsp;king or queen of the prom.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674240158129.jpeg" alt="Volunteers cheer on Night to Shine participants in 2022. File photo" />
                        <figcaption>Volunteers cheer on Night to Shine participants in 2022. File photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“I’m so excited Night to Shine 2023 will be back in-person! All around the world, individuals with special needs&nbsp;are going to be celebrated like they should be. We’ve been able to adapt over the last couple years but we can’t wait to&nbsp;be&nbsp;back together in person&nbsp;to&nbsp;cheer for every guest as they walk the red carpet, dance the night away with their friends, crown them as a king or queen of the prom and most importantly, tell every single one of them that their life has purpose and they are loved by us and the God of this universe,” said&nbsp;Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation.</p><p>Night to Shine launched in 2015 with&nbsp;44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers&nbsp;honoring&nbsp;more than 7,000&nbsp;kings and&nbsp;queens&nbsp;of the prom.&nbsp;In February 2020,&nbsp;721&nbsp;host churches and&nbsp;215,000&nbsp;volunteers came together to celebrate&nbsp;110,000&nbsp;honored guests with special needs.&nbsp;Over the&nbsp;past&nbsp;two years,&nbsp;Night to Shine innovated and endured&nbsp;through the pandemic&nbsp;with the&nbsp;first-ever virtual Night to Shine,&nbsp;celebrating thousands of honored guests&nbsp;through&nbsp;unique adaptations including a complete virtual video experience and&nbsp;socially distanced&nbsp;Shine Thru drive-through events.</p><p>Locally, this will be the sixth year of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Night&nbsp;To&nbsp;Shine event in Hays.&nbsp;Over the years, over 600 kings and queens have been crowned and over 12,000 volunteers have taken part. This year’s event is shaping up to be the largest in guest attendance; however, volunteer numbers are&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;low. Organizers are in need of&nbsp;an additional 300 volunteers from Hays and the surrounding communities to set up for this to be a successful event.</p><p>For additional information or&nbsp;to sign up to volunteer for&nbsp;the Night to Shine, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nighttoshinehays.org/">nighttoshinehays.org</a>.</p>

Celebration Community Church to host Night to Shine 2023

YODER — Twenty-two new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on Jan. 13 in a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, the commencement speaker for the ceremony, congratulated the graduates and expressed his deep appreciation for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families. “Every day, brave law enforcement officers, like the ones on stage and in the audience today, make many sacrifices to keep our communities across Kansas safe.”

The son of a law enforcement officer, Marshall shared memories of growing up with a father in law enforcement and how his father taught him to respect and appreciate law and order, and those who uphold the laws of the land. “Without these laws and the officers who enforce these laws, it would never be safe to drive on our roads or leave our homes.”

Under the authority of Executive Director Darin Beck, graduates received certificates attesting to the satisfactory completion of a full-time basic course of instruction and certification as Kansas law enforcement officers from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority.

The following are the graduates of the 303rd basic training class for northwest Kansas departments:

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625261126965.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>KLETC</i>&nbsp;<br></p><p>YODER — Twenty-two new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on Jan. 13 in a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.</p><p>U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, the commencement speaker for the ceremony, congratulated the graduates and expressed his deep appreciation for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families. “Every day, brave law enforcement officers, like the ones on stage and in the audience today, make many sacrifices to keep our communities across Kansas safe.”</p><p>The son of a law enforcement officer, Marshall shared memories of growing up with a father in law enforcement and how his father taught him to respect and appreciate law and order, and those who uphold the laws of the land. “Without these laws and the officers who enforce these laws, it would never be safe to drive on our roads or leave our homes.”</p><p>Under the authority of Executive Director Darin Beck, graduates received certificates attesting to the satisfactory completion of a full-time basic course of instruction and certification as Kansas law enforcement officers from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority.</p><p>The following are the graduates of the 303rd basic training class for northwest Kansas departments:</p><ul>
                        <li>Julie Conklin, Ness County Sheriff's Office</li><li>Gregory Peterson, Ellis Police Department</li>
                    </ul>

Ellis, Ness Co. officers among newest grads of Kan. police academy

<b>By MIKE COURSON<br></b><i>Great Bend Post</i>

GREAT BEND — Many with pets
 treat their furry friends like a child. That relationship extends to 
much larger, wild animals who make their homes in zoos. On Monday, staff
 at Brit Spaugh Zoo in Great Bend suffered their own unexpected loss 
with the death of 10-year-old grizzly, Winnie. Zoo Curator Ashley 
Burdick said the loss hit staff hard.

"We spend more time with 
these guys than we do with our families, so it's definitely like losing a
 pet or even a member of your family if you're that attached to your 
animals, which we are," she said. "This is especially hard because it 
was very unexpected, and it happened really fast."

Staff began to 
suspect something might be wrong on Saturday as Winnie's eating slowed. 
But that's not unusual in the winter when grizzlies in the wild are 
hibernating. On Sunday, staff tried to give Winnie electrolytes and 
something to eat to give him an energy boost. But Monday morning, it was
 too late. Winnie died at some point during the overnight hours.

"You
 can tell when they're off, but animals, especially wild animals, are 
really good at hiding when something's wrong with them," Burdick said. 
"So you don't often know until it's already too late to do anything."

Winnie
 was one of four grizzly bears at the zoo: 30-year-old Max, and Winnie's
 two siblings, Piglet and Pooh. Burdick described Winnie as more laid 
back than the others, though he did have his sassy moments. He was more 
apt just go along with his siblings.

Following a death at the zoo,
 veterinarians perform a necropsy on the animal, which is the equivalent
 of a human autopsy. Preliminary indications are that Winnie died from 
gastric torsion, which is a twisting of the stomach. In Winnie's case, 
the stomach was twisted almost all the way, cutting off blood supply to 
other parts of the digestive system. He was likely unable to eliminate 
waste. 

Beyond that, Winnie appeared to be a healthy grizzly. Wild
 bears in the lower 48 states typically weigh between 400 and 600 
pounds. Burdick said Winnie weighed 650 pounds during his last physical 
in the spring of 2022, likely adding another 50 pounds during the fall 
months. 

Because of his size, veterinarians and staff collected 
samples during the necropsy to be submitted to a laboratory at Kansas 
State University. Also because of his large size, staff will bury Winnie
 locally.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674051152989.jpeg" alt="Brit Spaugh Zoo's 10-year-old grizzly, Winnie, died unexpectedly on Jan. 16." />
                        <figcaption>Brit Spaugh Zoo's 10-year-old grizzly, Winnie, died unexpectedly on Jan. 16.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By MIKE COURSON<br></b><i>Great Bend Post</i></p><p>GREAT BEND — Many with pets
 treat their furry friends like a child. That relationship extends to 
much larger, wild animals who make their homes in zoos. On Monday, staff
 at Brit Spaugh Zoo in Great Bend suffered their own unexpected loss 
with the death of 10-year-old grizzly, Winnie. Zoo Curator Ashley 
Burdick said the loss hit staff hard.</p><p>"We spend more time with 
these guys than we do with our families, so it's definitely like losing a
 pet or even a member of your family if you're that attached to your 
animals, which we are," she said. "This is especially hard because it 
was very unexpected, and it happened really fast."</p><p>Staff began to 
suspect something might be wrong on Saturday as Winnie's eating slowed. 
But that's not unusual in the winter when grizzlies in the wild are 
hibernating. On Sunday, staff tried to give Winnie electrolytes and 
something to eat to give him an energy boost. But Monday morning, it was
 too late. Winnie died at some point during the overnight hours.</p><p>"You
 can tell when they're off, but animals, especially wild animals, are 
really good at hiding when something's wrong with them," Burdick said. 
"So you don't often know until it's already too late to do anything."</p><p>Winnie
 was one of four grizzly bears at the zoo: 30-year-old Max, and Winnie's
 two siblings, Piglet and Pooh. Burdick described Winnie as more laid 
back than the others, though he did have his sassy moments. He was more 
apt just go along with his siblings.</p><p>Following a death at the zoo,
 veterinarians perform a necropsy on the animal, which is the equivalent
 of a human autopsy. Preliminary indications are that Winnie died from 
gastric torsion, which is a twisting of the stomach. In Winnie's case, 
the stomach was twisted almost all the way, cutting off blood supply to 
other parts of the digestive system. He was likely unable to eliminate 
waste. </p><p>Beyond that, Winnie appeared to be a healthy grizzly. Wild
 bears in the lower 48 states typically weigh between 400 and 600 
pounds. Burdick said Winnie weighed 650 pounds during his last physical 
in the spring of 2022, likely adding another 50 pounds during the fall 
months. </p><p>Because of his size, veterinarians and staff collected 
samples during the necropsy to be submitted to a laboratory at Kansas 
State University. Also because of his large size, staff will bury Winnie
 locally.</p>

Death of Great Bend bear highlights zookeeper-animal relationships

<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/2023/1/1674240721065.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a></p>

Three-day weather outlook

<b>By RON WILSON</b><br><i>Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;</i>

That statement from a young woman’s three-year old daughter helped launch a business of producing handmade soaps and other skin care products in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Dixie Pachta is founder and owner of Rose Creek Suds. Her products not only avoid the allergic reactions suffered by her daughter, they provide the wonderful scents and luxurious lather that her customers enjoy. She also supports worthy local causes.&nbsp;

Pachta grew up in the Linn and Washington area. She met and married Andrew who is from Linn. They attended Kansas State University where Dixie studied accounting and Andrew studied animal sciences.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After graduation, they moved to Andrew’s grandparents’ farm near the rural community of Munden, population 96 people. Now, that’s rural. For 10 years, Dixie Pachta worked in tax preparation and now does internal audits for a bank in Belleville.&nbsp;

At Christmas time in 2020, Andrew bought a bar of soap that he thought sounded appealing. “We were disappointed in it,” Dixie said. She remembered her grandmother had made soap at home, so Dixie decided to see if she could make a better soap herself.&nbsp;

“Both of our grandmothers made lard soap for laundry purposes,” Dixie said. “We still have chunks of her laundry soap.” Dixie also knew that several members of her family had issues with sensitive skin.&nbsp;

Dixie Pachta researched the process of making soap by hand and gave it a try. When her three-year old daughter used the soap and found that it didn’t sting her hands like the store products did, Dixie knew she was on the right track. Soon, friends and family members wanted the products, so Dixie started a business venture.&nbsp;

Because they live on Rose Creek, she named the business Rose Creek Suds. Today, Rose Creek Suds produces handmade soaps and other products, such as candles, wax melts, face mists and sugar scrubs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The key base product for many of her soaps is lard, as pioneer women used more than a century ago. “Lard soap is more creamy and it’s especially good for extra sensitive skin,” Dixie said. One of their family members raised hogs as a 4-H project so the Pachtas were able to access lard directly.&nbsp;

“I add various scents and castor oil and coconut oil for more bubbles,” Dixie said. In January 2021, she began taking her products to craft shows. Her products are sold locally and online, and have gone as far away as Florida, Canada, and Australia.&nbsp;

“I love to experiment,” Dixie said. “What can I use to make it smell better or have a smoother lather?” Her Lumberyard soap and scents with cedar, lavender and musk have been really popular with guys.&nbsp;

One day a friend of Dixie’s gave her a supply of glass jars for recycling, but Dixie wasn’t sure what to do with them. Then Dixie learned about her nephew’s friend who was having many challenges.&nbsp;

He was an eighth-grade boy who came to the U.S. from Bulgaria and spoke no English.&nbsp;&nbsp;The boy was in the process of being adopted by a local pastor’s family when he started having a sinus infection – not realizing that the very serious infection was going into his brain.&nbsp;

“His adoption was finalized in adoption court one morning, and by midnight of that day, he was having his brain operated on at Children’s Mercy,” Dixie said. The boy is now recuperating and is getting fitted with a skullcap.&nbsp;

Dixie decided to use those glass jars to make a special product to sell as a fundraiser to help with this young man’s medical expenses. These are candles with a red, white, and blue design, using the scents of Roarin’ Raspberry, Whistlin’ Wicks, and Bloomin’ Blueberry.&nbsp;

The product is called Red, White, and Believin.’ “I’m willing to make special products for other fundraisers too,” Dixie said.&nbsp;

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rosecreeksuds.com/">www.rosecreeksuds.com</a>.&nbsp;

“Mommy, it doesn’t sting!”&nbsp;&nbsp;That comment from her daughter helped this young mother realize that her product was healthy as well as enjoyable. We commend Dixie Pachta for making a difference with Rose Creek Suds.&nbsp;

Her potential success works me into a lather.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674050223164.png" alt="Courtesy K-State Extension" />
                        <figcaption>Courtesy K-State Extension</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By RON WILSON</b><br><i>Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;</i></p><p>“Mommy, it doesn’t sting!”&nbsp;</p><p>That statement from a young woman’s three-year old daughter helped launch a business of producing handmade soaps and other skin care products in rural Kansas.&nbsp;</p><p>Dixie Pachta is founder and owner of Rose Creek Suds. Her products not only avoid the allergic reactions suffered by her daughter, they provide the wonderful scents and luxurious lather that her customers enjoy. She also supports worthy local causes.&nbsp;</p><p>Pachta grew up in the Linn and Washington area. She met and married Andrew who is from Linn. They attended Kansas State University where Dixie studied accounting and Andrew studied animal sciences.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>After graduation, they moved to Andrew’s grandparents’ farm near the rural community of Munden, population 96 people. Now, that’s rural. For 10 years, Dixie Pachta worked in tax preparation and now does internal audits for a bank in Belleville.&nbsp;</p><p>At Christmas time in 2020, Andrew bought a bar of soap that he thought sounded appealing. “We were disappointed in it,” Dixie said. She remembered her grandmother had made soap at home, so Dixie decided to see if she could make a better soap herself.&nbsp;</p><p>“Both of our grandmothers made lard soap for laundry purposes,” Dixie said. “We still have chunks of her laundry soap.” Dixie also knew that several members of her family had issues with sensitive skin.&nbsp;</p><p>Dixie Pachta researched the process of making soap by hand and gave it a try. When her three-year old daughter used the soap and found that it didn’t sting her hands like the store products did, Dixie knew she was on the right track. Soon, friends and family members wanted the products, so Dixie started a business venture.&nbsp;</p><p>Because they live on Rose Creek, she named the business Rose Creek Suds. Today, Rose Creek Suds produces handmade soaps and other products, such as candles, wax melts, face mists and sugar scrubs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The key base product for many of her soaps is lard, as pioneer women used more than a century ago. “Lard soap is more creamy and it’s especially good for extra sensitive skin,” Dixie said. One of their family members raised hogs as a 4-H project so the Pachtas were able to access lard directly.&nbsp;</p><p>“I add various scents and castor oil and coconut oil for more bubbles,” Dixie said. In January 2021, she began taking her products to craft shows. Her products are sold locally and online, and have gone as far away as Florida, Canada, and Australia.&nbsp;</p><p>“I love to experiment,” Dixie said. “What can I use to make it smell better or have a smoother lather?” Her Lumberyard soap and scents with cedar, lavender and musk have been really popular with guys.&nbsp;</p><p>One day a friend of Dixie’s gave her a supply of glass jars for recycling, but Dixie wasn’t sure what to do with them. Then Dixie learned about her nephew’s friend who was having many challenges.&nbsp;</p><p>He was an eighth-grade boy who came to the U.S. from Bulgaria and spoke no English.&nbsp;&nbsp;The boy was in the process of being adopted by a local pastor’s family when he started having a sinus infection – not realizing that the very serious infection was going into his brain.&nbsp;</p><p>“His adoption was finalized in adoption court one morning, and by midnight of that day, he was having his brain operated on at Children’s Mercy,” Dixie said. The boy is now recuperating and is getting fitted with a skullcap.&nbsp;</p><p>Dixie decided to use those glass jars to make a special product to sell as a fundraiser to help with this young man’s medical expenses. These are candles with a red, white, and blue design, using the scents of Roarin’ Raspberry, Whistlin’ Wicks, and Bloomin’ Blueberry.&nbsp;</p><p>The product is called Red, White, and Believin.’ “I’m willing to make special products for other fundraisers too,” Dixie said.&nbsp;</p><p>For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rosecreeksuds.com/">www.rosecreeksuds.com</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>“Mommy, it doesn’t sting!”&nbsp;&nbsp;That comment from her daughter helped this young mother realize that her product was healthy as well as enjoyable. We commend Dixie Pachta for making a difference with Rose Creek Suds.&nbsp;</p><p>Her potential success works me into a lather.&nbsp;</p>

Now That’s Rural:  Dixie Pachta, Rose Creek Suds 

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a winter storm warning for Ellis County, in effect from midnight until 8 p.m. Saturday.

The NWS is calling for snow to begin after 4 a.m. Saturday and continue through the day. There is a chance of 4 to 6 inches of snowfall in the Hays area, with more to the northwest.

Expect roads to be slick, the NWS warned.

Skies will clear Sunday, but there is another chance of snow&nbsp; beginning Monday afternoon and continuing into Tuesday evening.

<i>Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on severe weather and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e6fc163afae0f4d5f5d2e4f">cancellations.</a></i>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674255525173.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a winter storm warning for Ellis County, in effect from midnight until 8 p.m. Saturday.</p><p>The NWS is calling for snow to begin after 4 a.m. Saturday and continue through the day. There is a chance of 4 to 6 inches of snowfall in the Hays area, with more to the northwest.</p><p>Expect roads to be slick, the NWS warned.</p><p>Skies will clear Sunday, but there is another chance of snow&nbsp; beginning Monday afternoon and continuing into Tuesday evening.</p><p><i>Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on severe weather and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e6fc163afae0f4d5f5d2e4f">cancellations.</a></i></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Expect the snow to start to develop late this evening and then overspread much of southwest Kansas during the night. Snow should rap up by late afternoon on Saturday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/wkVYR84skP">pic.twitter.com/wkVYR84skP</a></p>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1616540115400261632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

❄️ NWS: Winter storm warning now in effect for Ellis County

Due to the chance of winter weather impacting the region Saturday, the MCL tournament games scheduled for Saturday have been postponed.

<i>Check HaysPost for an updated schedule.</i>

<p>Due to the chance of winter weather impacting the region Saturday, the MCL tournament games scheduled for Saturday have been postponed.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Due to the weather report for tomorrow, Saturday, 1/21/23 - the MCL Basketball Tournament will be postponed. A definite time and schedule will be announced later today.</p>&mdash; USD 271 Schools (@USD271_Schools) <a href="https://twitter.com/USD271_Schools/status/1616515733193691157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p><i>Check HaysPost for an updated schedule.</i></p>

🏀 Saturday's MCL tournament games postponed

<b>By NATE KING</b><br><i>Salina Post</i>

Kansas First District U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann told Salina Post that he is "rolling up his sleeves" to get to work on reauthorizing the Farm Bill, improving transportation and infrastructure, holding China and the Biden administration accountable, IRS funding, and change of House leadership.

Mann will continue to serve on the House Agriculture Committee again this year. That's important because this is a Farm Bill year.

Dating back to 1933, the Farm Bill was first authorized following the collapse of the commodities market caused by the Great Depression. The Farm Bill brought stability for food and agriculture producers who suffered devastating losses as a result of the Dust Bowl.&nbsp;

"Our current Farm Bill, these are five-year bills, expires Sept. 30 of this year," Mann said. "Getting that right for agriculture and for rural Kansas will be incredibly important. We'll put a lot of effort and focus there. We have been and we'll continue to do that until we get that done."

The Farm Bill is the single largest financial commitment that the U.S. government makes to U.S. food and agriculture producers, providing nutrition assistance, crop subsidies, crop insurance, rural broadband internet deployment and a range of other programs and initiatives.&nbsp;

Mann said that he hopes a legislative hearing on the Farm Bill is scheduled to take place in Kansas.

"I'm optimistic that we'll be able to have a field hearing in our state," Mann said. "That's not a promise, but that's something I'm working towards. We are not going to like the Farm Bill we get if we don't have ag producers input and stakeholder input in it. It's incredibly important to me and we've been meeting with people and listening to folks."

Congressman Mann is a fifth generation Kansan, who was born and raised on his family farm just south of Quinter. He is also the fifth generation to live in the family farmhouse that his great-great-grandfather ordered from Montgomery Ward catalogue in the early 1900s.&nbsp;

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Small Business Committee

Mann will also serve, for the first time, on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mann said he is excited to join this committee because of the direct connection infrastructure has with agriculture.<br>

"Agriculture is the biggest driver of our economy. But you also have to have transportation, roads, bridges rail, to get our ag products out of the fields, out of feed yards and into the market," Mann said. "So ag and transportation kind of go together like that. So I'm really excited."&nbsp;

Mann will also serve on the Small Business Committee.&nbsp; The committee has oversight and authority over the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its programs.

"There are 200,000 small businesses all over the district," Mann said. "This is your auto repair shops, your coffee shops, folks that are servicing oil, oil and gas industry. Our farms are also small businesses as well."&nbsp;

After Republicans gained control of the House and selected a speaker, work began on assigning representatives to committees already formed, and the creation of two new select committees. They are, H. Res. 11: Establishing the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party and&nbsp;H.Res. 12, Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Mann voted in the affirmative on the creation of both committees.&nbsp;

“The committees’ work will investigate the threats to freedom and democracy in America from both foreign and domestic actors – those in our own government and those overseas. Whether it’s the Chinese Communist Party defrauding America or the FBI or DOJ violating Americans’ rights, these committees will get to the bottom of the wrongdoing and make recommendations to Congress on how to address it. House Republicans are keeping our promise to conduct oversight and fight tyranny in all its forms.”

&nbsp;House Republicans, including Mann, voted on Jan. 9 to defund the IRS tens of billions of dollars allocated to the agency over the next decade through the Inflation Reduction Act, and rescind the request for 87,000 new IRS agents.&nbsp;

"I think that is the last thing we need right now,"Mann said. "An overwhelming majority of folks in the Big First District have told me that they don't want to see the IRS hire 87,000 more agents to go out and really harass and go after good, honest, hard working blue collar folks, which is what that legislation would do."

The legislation aimed at defunding the IRS has little support in the Democrat controlled Senate, and is extremely likely to be vetoed by President Biden.&nbsp;

Mann helped put into perspective the number of IRS agents being requested by the Biden administration.&nbsp;

"The Chiefs are in the playoffs right now- Arrowhead Stadium has a capacity of about 80,000 people," Mann said. "Just think about full Arrowhead Stadium this weekend and add about 7000 to that. What we need to do is&nbsp; cut spending, get serious about balancing our budget to deal with this $32 trillion debt that we've racked up."&nbsp;

After voting 14 times to elect a speaker to the house of representatives, Republican Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) finally secured the necessary votes to seize the gavel from long time political rival, Nancy Pelosi (CA-11).

"The biggest political development in Washington, DC is that Nancy Pelosi is no longer the speaker," Mann said. "The Republicans are in the majority in Congress, which means there are good bills that we can put forward."&nbsp;

During the midterms last year, Republican candidates, including Mann, toured Kansas in a tour bus with the words, "Fire Kelly. Fire Pelosi" printed on the side.&nbsp;

From Jan. 17-19 Mann has toured Kansas' first congressional district visiting with Kansans and listening to their thoughts and concerns&nbsp;

"Visiting with Kansans is one of the most important aspects of representing the Big First District in Congress," Mann said. "My team and I make a goal of visiting all 63 counties every year."

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611836622184.jpeg" alt="<b>U.S Congressman Tracey Mann.&nbsp;</b>Photo courtesy U.S. House of Representatives&nbsp;" />
                        <figcaption><b>U.S Congressman Tracey Mann.&nbsp;</b>Photo courtesy U.S. House of Representatives&nbsp;</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By NATE KING</b><br><i>Salina Post</i></p><p>Kansas First District U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann told Salina Post that he is "rolling up his sleeves" to get to work on reauthorizing the Farm Bill, improving transportation and infrastructure, holding China and the Biden administration accountable, IRS funding, and change of House leadership.</p><h2>Farm bill reauthorization</h2><p>Mann will continue to serve on the House Agriculture Committee again this year. That's important because this is a Farm Bill year.</p><p>Dating back to 1933, the Farm Bill was first authorized following the collapse of the commodities market caused by the Great Depression. The Farm Bill brought stability for food and agriculture producers who suffered devastating losses as a result of the Dust Bowl.&nbsp;</p><p>"Our current Farm Bill, these are five-year bills, expires Sept. 30 of this year," Mann said. "Getting that right for agriculture and for rural Kansas will be incredibly important. We'll put a lot of effort and focus there. We have been and we'll continue to do that until we get that done."</p><p>The Farm Bill is the single largest financial commitment that the U.S. government makes to U.S. food and agriculture producers, providing nutrition assistance, crop subsidies, crop insurance, rural broadband internet deployment and a range of other programs and initiatives.&nbsp;</p><p>Mann said that he hopes a legislative hearing on the Farm Bill is scheduled to take place in Kansas.</p><p>"I'm optimistic that we'll be able to have a field hearing in our state," Mann said. "That's not a promise, but that's something I'm working towards. We are not going to like the Farm Bill we get if we don't have ag producers input and stakeholder input in it. It's incredibly important to me and we've been meeting with people and listening to folks."</p><p>Congressman Mann is a fifth generation Kansan, who was born and raised on his family farm just south of Quinter. He is also the fifth generation to live in the family farmhouse that his great-great-grandfather ordered from Montgomery Ward catalogue in the early 1900s.&nbsp;</p><h2>Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Small Business Committee</h2><p>Mann will also serve, for the first time, on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mann said he is excited to join this committee because of the direct connection infrastructure has with agriculture.<br></p><p>"Agriculture is the biggest driver of our economy. But you also have to have transportation, roads, bridges rail, to get our ag products out of the fields, out of feed yards and into the market," Mann said. "So ag and transportation kind of go together like that. So I'm really excited."&nbsp;</p><p>Mann will also serve on the Small Business Committee.&nbsp; The committee has oversight and authority over the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its programs.</p><p>"There are 200,000 small businesses all over the district," Mann said. "This is your auto repair shops, your coffee shops, folks that are servicing oil, oil and gas industry. Our farms are also small businesses as well."&nbsp;</p><h2>Holding China and Biden accountable</h2><p>After Republicans gained control of the House and selected a speaker, work began on assigning representatives to committees already formed, and the creation of two new select committees. They are, H. Res. 11: Establishing the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party and&nbsp;H.Res. 12, Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Mann voted in the affirmative on the creation of both committees.&nbsp;</p><p>“The committees’ work will investigate the threats to freedom and democracy in America from both foreign and domestic actors – those in our own government and those overseas. Whether it’s the Chinese Communist Party defrauding America or the FBI or DOJ violating Americans’ rights, these committees will get to the bottom of the wrongdoing and make recommendations to Congress on how to address it. House Republicans are keeping our promise to conduct oversight and fight tyranny in all its forms.”</p><h2>IRS funding</h2><p>&nbsp;House Republicans, including Mann, voted on Jan. 9 to defund the IRS tens of billions of dollars allocated to the agency over the next decade through the Inflation Reduction Act, and rescind the request for 87,000 new IRS agents.&nbsp;</p><p>"I think that is the last thing we need right now,"Mann said. "An overwhelming majority of folks in the Big First District have told me that they don't want to see the IRS hire 87,000 more agents to go out and really harass and go after good, honest, hard working blue collar folks, which is what that legislation would do."</p><p>The legislation aimed at defunding the IRS has little support in the Democrat controlled Senate, and is extremely likely to be vetoed by President Biden.&nbsp;</p><p>Mann helped put into perspective the number of IRS agents being requested by the Biden administration.&nbsp;</p><p>"The Chiefs are in the playoffs right now- Arrowhead Stadium has a capacity of about 80,000 people," Mann said. "Just think about full Arrowhead Stadium this weekend and add about 7000 to that. What we need to do is&nbsp; cut spending, get serious about balancing our budget to deal with this $32 trillion debt that we've racked up."&nbsp;</p><h2>Nancy who?</h2><p>After voting 14 times to elect a speaker to the house of representatives, Republican Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) finally secured the necessary votes to seize the gavel from long time political rival, Nancy Pelosi (CA-11).</p><p>"The biggest political development in Washington, DC is that Nancy Pelosi is no longer the speaker," Mann said. "The Republicans are in the majority in Congress, which means there are good bills that we can put forward."&nbsp;</p><p>During the midterms last year, Republican candidates, including Mann, toured Kansas in a tour bus with the words, "Fire Kelly. Fire Pelosi" printed on the side.&nbsp;</p><h2>Mann listening tour</h2><p>From Jan. 17-19 Mann has toured Kansas' first congressional district visiting with Kansans and listening to their thoughts and concerns&nbsp;</p><p>"Visiting with Kansans is one of the most important aspects of representing the Big First District in Congress," Mann said. "My team and I make a goal of visiting all 63 counties every year."</p>

U.S. Rep. Mann talks Farm Bill, Biden, China, IRS funding

After a sunny, calm Friday with a high in the mid-40s, another blast of winter weather is expected to arrive in the Hays area overnight and into Saturday.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Ellis County, with counties to the north and west under a winter storm warnings and watches.

With Saturday's high expected to be right at the freezing point, snow could be mixed with freezing rain, which could make travel hazardous.

There is a&nbsp; 40 percent chance the Hays area will receive at least 4 inches of snow, the National Weather Service in Dodge City predicted.

Areas father north and west could receive 8 or more inches of snow, the NWS said.

The skies will clear Sunday, but another chance of snow returns throughout Monday and into Tuesday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674232051459.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>After a sunny, calm Friday with a high in the mid-40s, another blast of winter weather is expected to arrive in the Hays area overnight and into Saturday.</p><p>A winter weather advisory has been issued for Ellis County, with counties to the north and west under a winter storm warnings and watches.</p><p>With Saturday's high expected to be right at the freezing point, snow could be mixed with freezing rain, which could make travel hazardous.</p><p>There is a&nbsp; 40 percent chance the Hays area will receive at least 4 inches of snow, the National Weather Service in Dodge City predicted.</p><p>Areas father north and west could receive 8 or more inches of snow, the NWS said.</p><p>The skies will clear Sunday, but another chance of snow returns throughout Monday and into Tuesday.</p><p><i>Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on severe weather and cancellations.</i></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Snow will spread across the Tri-State Area from southwest to northeast tonight, lasting until Saturday afternoon. Most of the snow will occur after midnight through Saturday morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cowx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cowx</a> <a href="https://t.co/yIRXgO6CsL">pic.twitter.com/yIRXgO6CsL</a></p>&mdash; NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGoodland/status/1616411230553673730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Snow is forecast to develop across the high plains of eastern Colorado this evening, then spread eastward into western Kansas overnight into Saturday. <a href="https://t.co/xvdz9XX413">pic.twitter.com/xvdz9XX413</a></p>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1616391704537628673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: Weekend storm could bring 4+ inches of snow to Hays area

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with I Love My Librarian Award winner, Tara Coleman.</i>

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B6rTu-D93Pc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with I Love My Librarian Award winner, Tara Coleman.</i></p>

🎤 Forward Ever: I Love My Librarian Award winner, KSU's Tara Coleman

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9% in December. This is an increase from 2.8% in November and an increase from 2.8% in December 2021.

Ellis County's jobless rate remained below 2 percent, along with several other northwest Kansas counties. Trego County had the highest unemployment rate in the region at 2.8 percent.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 500 from November. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 1,100 over the month, while government decreased by 600.

“Kansas experienced strong job growth over the year, with the private sector adding 37,900 jobs,” said Labor Economist Nathan Kessler. “Industries that saw robust growth include manufacturing and education and health services, collectively adding 15,900 jobs over the year.”

Since December 2021 Kansas' seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 42,300. This change is due to an increase of 37,900 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,400 government jobs.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674229361588.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9% in December. This is an increase from 2.8% in November and an increase from 2.8% in December 2021.</p><p>Ellis County's jobless rate remained below 2 percent, along with several other northwest Kansas counties. Trego County had the highest unemployment rate in the region at 2.8 percent.</p><p>Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 500 from November. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 1,100 over the month, while government decreased by 600.</p><p>“Kansas experienced strong job growth over the year, with the private sector adding 37,900 jobs,” said Labor Economist Nathan Kessler. “Industries that saw robust growth include manufacturing and education and health services, collectively adding 15,900 jobs over the year.”</p><p>Since December 2021 Kansas' seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 42,300. This change is due to an increase of 37,900 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,400 government jobs.</p>

Ellis County jobless rate remains below 2% in December

The cat is out of the bag. And the ponies, unicorns, and a host of other characters. Wednesday evening, it was announced the first-ever FurryFansago event is coming to the Great Bend Events Center in July. Founder Kristian Rivera always planned for glitz and glam, but the first convention will be much more subtle. After years of thinking about doing a convention locally, it is finally becoming a reality.

"I've always just imagined a place where people can come together and celebrate not only the fandom, but who they are," he said. "This is much more than just a furry fandom. It's an LGBTQ community. It's a celebration of art, designs, and I wanted to bring that to Kansas. I wanted to give people a chance to be a part of something that's not in the big city, something they can do locally."

Wednesday's announcement made statewide headlines. Rivera expected backlash with the announcement but is pleased the event is finally moving forward.

"Public opinion was pretty much about where I thought it would be," he said. "The amount of returns I've gotten from the hidden furry community, the people behind the scenes, they've been sending me emails giving me lots of support. The open, out-loud people who are against the community, I 100 percent expected that. But given the support from the inner community, and even from our community abroad, I'm excited for this."

The 3-day event is scheduled for July 21-23 at the Events Center. A schedule of events is still in the works, though Rivera would like to have a speaker of some sort. A small number of vendors will be present for the event, which Rivera said will be similar to a Comic-Con. Security at the door will check identification, and another security guard will be inside the facility. Costumes are encouraged but not required for the first convention. The idea is expression with the safety of anonymity.

"That's basically the whole idea behind it, the ability for people to create and design their own characters," said Rivera. "Most of the furry community are normal, everyday people. The only difference is they love to come together and draw animals, or celebrate animals in that sense. We're not doing anything weird with the animals, we're not doing anything weird with the suits. It's all just normal people coming together to have a good time and celebrate the furry community."

Rivera is hoping for 20-30 attendees for the inaugural events. Admission tickets are $25 and will soon be available on the group's website.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674221180078.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By MIKE COURSON<br></b><i>Great Bend Post</i></p><p>The cat is out of the bag. And the ponies, unicorns, and a host of other characters. Wednesday evening, it was announced the first-ever FurryFansago event is coming to the Great Bend Events Center in July. Founder Kristian Rivera always planned for glitz and glam, but the first convention will be much more subtle. After years of thinking about doing a convention locally, it is finally becoming a reality.</p><p>"I've always just imagined a place where people can come together and celebrate not only the fandom, but who they are," he said. "This is much more than just a furry fandom. It's an LGBTQ community. It's a celebration of art, designs, and I wanted to bring that to Kansas. I wanted to give people a chance to be a part of something that's not in the big city, something they can do locally."</p><p>Wednesday's announcement made statewide headlines. Rivera expected backlash with the announcement but is pleased the event is finally moving forward.</p><p>"Public opinion was pretty much about where I thought it would be," he said. "The amount of returns I've gotten from the hidden furry community, the people behind the scenes, they've been sending me emails giving me lots of support. The open, out-loud people who are against the community, I 100 percent expected that. But given the support from the inner community, and even from our community abroad, I'm excited for this."</p><p>The 3-day event is scheduled for July 21-23 at the Events Center. A schedule of events is still in the works, though Rivera would like to have a speaker of some sort. A small number of vendors will be present for the event, which Rivera said will be similar to a Comic-Con. Security at the door will check identification, and another security guard will be inside the facility. Costumes are encouraged but not required for the first convention. The idea is expression with the safety of anonymity.</p><p>"That's basically the whole idea behind it, the ability for people to create and design their own characters," said Rivera. "Most of the furry community are normal, everyday people. The only difference is they love to come together and draw animals, or celebrate animals in that sense. We're not doing anything weird with the animals, we're not doing anything weird with the suits. It's all just normal people coming together to have a good time and celebrate the furry community."</p><p>Rivera is hoping for 20-30 attendees for the inaugural events. Admission tickets are $25 and will soon be available on the group's website.</p>

First-ever Kansas Furcon coming to Great Bend in July

Cheerleaders, the full-court press, cheering fans and a gym full of blue and white is not something Argentinean students have experienced.

Ten students from Argentina's&nbsp;Nuestra Senora de los Nieves are visiting Thomas More Prep-Marian now through Feb. 7 to learn about American culture.

Violeta Gallucci, 17,&nbsp;said attending a recent TMP home basketball game has been one of the highlights of her visit thus far.

She has studied English throughout her school career. She said she loves the language and has always wanted to visit the United States.

"I feel like it's a beautiful experience and it will make me grow in my independence," she said. "Being able to live with a family from here is a great opportunity that I didn't want to miss."

Argentinean students play sports, but it is usually part of a club.

"It's like the movies," she said. "Back home, they don't have cheerleaders or games or basketball.

"It was great sitting with the other students. Everyone was cheering. They chose a theme and followed it," she said. "It was a great atmosphere."

Senior Trinidad Vera Ferreiro said attending the basketball game was "super fun."

"They take it really seriously," she said. "They want their team to win."

The students are a part of a larger group of 94 students who are visiting various states in the U.S. during what is their summer break.

"With these students bringing a fresh spark to the school, it's a little bit more exciting around TMP-Marian this month," TMP Principal Chad Meitner said.

The students are being accompanied by a chaperone from Argentina and are staying with host families in Hays.

"It's not just a blessing for the school, but for all of the other kids who get to interact with that person when they come here," Meitner said. "They come here and bring that worldview, the different culture."&nbsp;

The school day is different in the U.S. than in Argentina. In Argentina, students stay in the same class and the teachers move from class to class.

Tomas Delmonte, 17, said he enjoys being able to move between classes because it has allowed him to meet more people.

Delmonte has finished his senior year in Argentina and will be studying music at a university beginning in March. He has been sitting in with the TMP band but said the written music is different than what he is used to at home.

He plays the upright base and piano, so he's had to adjust to a musical group that is mostly wind instruments. However, he said he has enjoyed being a part of the TMP music classes.

The students said they were enjoying spending time with their host families, but they have had to adjust to cultural differences.

When Delmonte first met his host family he hugged them and kissed them on the cheek, which is the custom in Argentina.

"They were like, 'Oh, what are you doing?' " he said. "In Argentina, even if you don't know someone you kiss them on the cheek. Here? No, you handshake."

Delmonte said he was also struck by the differences in food.

"In Argentina, all day long we eat homemade food," he said.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674057515713.jpeg" alt="Ten Argentinean students from&nbsp;Nuestra Senora de los Nieves are visiting Thomas More Prep-Marian now through Feb. 7. Photo by&nbsp;Chelsie Niehaus" />
                        <figcaption>Ten Argentinean students from&nbsp;Nuestra Senora de los Nieves are visiting Thomas More Prep-Marian now through Feb. 7. Photo by&nbsp;Chelsie Niehaus</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Thomas More Prep Marian welcomes Argentinian students" 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/?from=embed&i=r35tw-1365217-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p><b>By CRISTINA JANNEY<br></b><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Cheerleaders, the full-court press, cheering fans and a gym full of blue and white is not something Argentinean students have experienced.</p><p>Ten students from Argentina's&nbsp;Nuestra Senora de los Nieves are visiting Thomas More Prep-Marian now through Feb. 7 to learn about American culture.</p><p>Violeta Gallucci, 17,&nbsp;said attending a recent TMP home basketball game has been one of the highlights of her visit thus far.</p><p>She has studied English throughout her school career. She said she loves the language and has always wanted to visit the United States.</p><p>"I feel like it's a beautiful experience and it will make me grow in my independence," she said. "Being able to live with a family from here is a great opportunity that I didn't want to miss."</p><p>Argentinean students play sports, but it is usually part of a club.</p><p>"It's like the movies," she said. "Back home, they don't have cheerleaders or games or basketball.</p><p>"It was great sitting with the other students. Everyone was cheering. They chose a theme and followed it," she said. "It was a great atmosphere."</p><p>Senior Trinidad Vera Ferreiro said attending the basketball game was "super fun."</p><p>"They take it really seriously," she said. "They want their team to win."</p><p>The students are a part of a larger group of 94 students who are visiting various states in the U.S. during what is their summer break.</p><p>"With these students bringing a fresh spark to the school, it's a little bit more exciting around TMP-Marian this month," TMP Principal Chad Meitner said.</p><p>The students are being accompanied by a chaperone from Argentina and are staying with host families in Hays.</p><p>"It's not just a blessing for the school, but for all of the other kids who get to interact with that person when they come here," Meitner said. "They come here and bring that worldview, the different culture."&nbsp;</p><p>The school day is different in the U.S. than in Argentina. In Argentina, students stay in the same class and the teachers move from class to class.</p><p>Tomas Delmonte, 17, said he enjoys being able to move between classes because it has allowed him to meet more people.</p><p>Delmonte has finished his senior year in Argentina and will be studying music at a university beginning in March. He has been sitting in with the TMP band but said the written music is different than what he is used to at home.</p><p>He plays the upright base and piano, so he's had to adjust to a musical group that is mostly wind instruments. However, he said he has enjoyed being a part of the TMP music classes.</p><p>The students said they were enjoying spending time with their host families, but they have had to adjust to cultural differences.</p><p>When Delmonte first met his host family he hugged them and kissed them on the cheek, which is the custom in Argentina.</p><p>"They were like, 'Oh, what are you doing?' " he said. "In Argentina, even if you don't know someone you kiss them on the cheek. Here? No, you handshake."</p><p>Delmonte said he was also struck by the differences in food.</p><p>"In Argentina, all day long we eat homemade food," he said.&nbsp;</p><p>In Argentina, they eat a lot of meat and pasta.&nbsp;Delmonte tried to order gnocchi, which is like a small dumpling-like pasta, and no one knew what it was.</p><p>He said he was very surprised by the number of drinks available in the U.S.</p><p>"You have Coke, but 10 different types of Coke," he said. "In Argentina, we have regular Coke and Diet Coke. You have many flavors of all things, and I want to try all."</p><p>It's summer in the southern hemisphere, so coming to Kansas in January was a big weather change. Some of the students had never seen snow before last week.</p><p>The Argentinean students are from Beunos Aires, which has a metro population of 15 million people.</p><p>They described Hays as quiet, cozy and welcoming.</p><p>"I thought I was not going to like Hays,"&nbsp;Delmonte said, "but I'm really loving it. Comparing Hays to Buenos Aires, it's really calm and quiet.</p><p>"You can walk. I find another person walking like me sometimes. In Argentina the streets are, all day, full of people. ... In Argentina, it's too much noise — too much people. Here, it's perfect."</p><p>Gallucci said the American teens told her there's not much to do in Hays.</p><p>"I feel like there's a lot to do. You have bowling. You have mini-golf. You have beautiful sunsets. There are a lot of things that are super nice, and I didn't expect that."</p><p>The students explained they don't often see sunsets because buildings block them in the city.</p><p>Ferreiro also said she thought Hays was very peaceful.&nbsp;</p><p>"It's a really good contrast to my daily life," she said. "I feel so peaceful. I get to be in silence."</p><p>In Hays, everything is so close, Ferreiro said. In Argentina, most teens don't have cars. Having vehicles gives American teens more freedom, she said.</p><p>Meitner said he thought the students learning what they have in common can be very powerful.</p><p>"Our teenagers get caught up in their social circles or their activities at this small school here in Kansas, but there is a big world out there," Meitner said. </p><p>"For them to get a little bit more awareness about all the different people and things that are out there is a form of education that is really cool."</p><p>Gallucci said she wants to leave her American peers with the understanding the Argentinean people are friendly.&nbsp;</p><p>"We are common people," she said. "We are the same. It doesn't matter if you live in a big city or a small town. We are all the same even speaking different languages. I truly value them opening up."</p><p>Ferreiro said she wanted to tell Americans that Argentinean people have a big passion for their country.</p><p>"We really respect our community," she said. "People think we are small compared to the United States, but we are really big in heart."</p>