Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host several drop-in events on Thursday, Dec. 29, and Friday, Dec. 30.

The December WILD program will take place on Thursday the 29 at 10 a.m. This month’s focus will be on falconry.

Falconry is the sport of hunting wild animals in their natural state and habitat using a trained bird of prey. Ellsworth area falconer, Don McKnight, will share how he became involved in falconry, how he cares for and trains his birds, and how to identify different birds of prey.

Weather dependent, he will do a flying demonstration with one of his falcons. Don trains Saker, Peregrine, and Gyrfalcons. WILD is a monthly program for school-aged kids and their families.

The goal is to get off electronics and outside into nature.

Then on Friday, Dec. 30, from 1-4:30 p.m., participants can experience the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math of Winter Water through a variety of hands-on interactive activities.&nbsp;

These free, family-friendly stations will be come-and-go. Dissolve a snowman, craft a spinning snowflake card, learn how to save a bird from an oil spill, and create a unique oil and water droplet painting.

At 3 p.m., a Rube Goldberg device designed by the Ellinwood High School robotics class will release a balloon drop for an early New Year countdown and dance party, complete with sparkling cider.

No registration is required for the free events. For more information, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. More information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671034632986.jpeg" alt="Come to the KWEC for winter break activities and some hands-on fun. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Come to the KWEC for winter break activities and some hands-on fun. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsFort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host several drop-in events on Thursday, Dec. 29, and Friday, Dec. 30.The December WILD program will take place on Thursday the 29 at 10 a.m. This month’s focus will be on falconry.Falconry is the sport of hunting wild animals in their natural state and habitat using a trained bird of prey. Ellsworth area falconer, Don McKnight, will share how he became involved in falconry, how he cares for and trains his birds, and how to identify different birds of prey.Weather dependent, he will do a flying demonstration with one of his falcons. Don trains Saker, Peregrine, and Gyrfalcons. WILD is a monthly program for school-aged kids and their families.The goal is to get off electronics and outside into nature.Then on Friday, Dec. 30, from 1-4:30 p.m., participants can experience the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math of Winter Water through a variety of hands-on interactive activities.&nbsp;These free, family-friendly stations will be come-and-go. Dissolve a snowman, craft a spinning snowflake card, learn how to save a bird from an oil spill, and create a unique oil and water droplet painting.At 3 p.m., a Rube Goldberg device designed by the Ellinwood High School robotics class will release a balloon drop for an early New Year countdown and dance party, complete with sparkling cider.No registration is required for the free events. For more information, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. More information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

KWEC to host several winter break activities

The Respect for Marriage Act provides stronger federal safeguards for married same-sex couples in Kansas. Bipartisan majorities passed it through Congress and President Joe Biden recently signed it into law.&nbsp;

You might think that marriage is a settled debate. However, as recent politics shows, conservatives in the politics industry are prioritizing the culture war beyond just abortion, especially targeting transgender children and gay and lesbian Americans.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In our recent Kansas gubernatorial election, Republicans dedicated entire campaign advertisements to transgender students playing sports, hyping that issue above water, energy, or certain key economic matters.&nbsp;

In October, Republicans promoted a false British tabloid story about supposed taxpayer-funded drag shows in Kansas. On Twitter, Senator Roger Marshall used that story to validate homophobic stereotypes of gay people as sexual predators “grooming” children.&nbsp;

This past summer, conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas urged the court to “reconsider” past rulings that legalized contraception (Griswold), same-sex sexual relations (Lawrence), and same-sex marriage (Obergefell).&nbsp;

How does the RMA fit into this mounting conservative emphasis on LGBT people? And, what does that mean for gay and lesbian Kansans, especially the estimated 4,000 same-sex married couples in Kansas?&nbsp;

The Kansas Constitution contains an unenforceable provision banning same-sex marriage. Much has changed since voters approved this in 2005. Young people, including young Republicans, generally support same-sex marriage in surveys, and no Kansans under roughly age 35 today voted on that ban.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Repealing this marriage ban requires the legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Conservatives realize that most Kansans today support same-sex marriage—roughly 60-ish percent in most surveys since 2017. They know how you would vote on this, so don’t expect conservatives to allow a marriage ban repeal vote anytime soon.&nbsp;

Kansas law also criminalizes sex between consenting same-sex adults, making it a misdemeanor punishable by six months incarceration. The 2003&nbsp;Lawrence&nbsp;decision makes this law unenforceable, but Kansas conservatives have repeatedly refused to repeal the law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The RMA doesn’t address state laws regulating sex, but it does guarantee federal recognition to same-sex marriages. Simplifying things, it also clarifies that the Full Faith and Credit clause of the U.S. Constitution requires that marriages in one state must be recognized in others, including same-sex marriages. Meanwhile, it gives explicit exemptions for religious non-profits that oppose same-sex relationships.&nbsp;

So, what if Thomas prevails on marriage and sex, and Kansas changes no laws?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas government could stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and might try nullifying existing marriage licenses issued here. Thanks to the RMA, though, same-sex couples willing and able to travel could marry in another state and Kansas would have to recognize those marriages. However, it would still be illegal for same-sex spouses to have sex in Kansas.&nbsp;

Most Kansans agree that the ideology of big government conservatism that desires to regulate marriage and sex among two consenting adults is outdated. Conservative politicians are playing to a narrow strain of identity politics on the political right with their positions on these issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That political game comes at the expense of average gay and lesbian Kansans that these positions risk harming. If that’s not you, maybe it's a friend or loved one. That’s not what most Kansans want in 2022, but it’s up to average Kansans to hold politicians accountable on that.&nbsp;

Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575644168170.png" alt="Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Respect for Marriage Act provides stronger federal safeguards for married same-sex couples in Kansas. Bipartisan majorities passed it through Congress and President Joe Biden recently signed it into law.&nbsp;You might think that marriage is a settled debate. However, as recent politics shows, conservatives in the politics industry are prioritizing the culture war beyond just abortion, especially targeting transgender children and gay and lesbian Americans.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In our recent Kansas gubernatorial election, Republicans dedicated entire campaign advertisements to transgender students playing sports, hyping that issue above water, energy, or certain key economic matters.&nbsp;In October, Republicans promoted a false British tabloid story about supposed taxpayer-funded drag shows in Kansas. On Twitter, Senator Roger Marshall used that story to validate homophobic stereotypes of gay people as sexual predators “grooming” children.&nbsp;This past summer, conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas urged the court to “reconsider” past rulings that legalized contraception (Griswold), same-sex sexual relations (Lawrence), and same-sex marriage (Obergefell).&nbsp;How does the RMA fit into this mounting conservative emphasis on LGBT people? And, what does that mean for gay and lesbian Kansans, especially the estimated 4,000 same-sex married couples in Kansas?&nbsp;Let’s start with Kansas law.&nbsp;The Kansas Constitution contains an unenforceable provision banning same-sex marriage. Much has changed since voters approved this in 2005. Young people, including young Republicans, generally support same-sex marriage in surveys, and no Kansans under roughly age 35 today voted on that ban.&nbsp;&nbsp;Repealing this marriage ban requires the legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Conservatives realize that most Kansans today support same-sex marriage—roughly 60-ish percent in most surveys since 2017. They know how you would vote on this, so don’t expect conservatives to allow a marriage ban repeal vote anytime soon.&nbsp;Kansas law also criminalizes sex between consenting same-sex adults, making it a misdemeanor punishable by six months incarceration. The 2003&nbsp;Lawrence&nbsp;decision makes this law unenforceable, but Kansas conservatives have repeatedly refused to repeal the law.&nbsp;&nbsp;The RMA doesn’t address state laws regulating sex, but it does guarantee federal recognition to same-sex marriages. Simplifying things, it also clarifies that the Full Faith and Credit clause of the U.S. Constitution requires that marriages in one state must be recognized in others, including same-sex marriages. Meanwhile, it gives explicit exemptions for religious non-profits that oppose same-sex relationships.&nbsp;So, what if Thomas prevails on marriage and sex, and Kansas changes no laws?&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas government could stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and might try nullifying existing marriage licenses issued here. Thanks to the RMA, though, same-sex couples willing and able to travel could marry in another state and Kansas would have to recognize those marriages. However, it would still be illegal for same-sex spouses to have sex in Kansas.&nbsp;Most Kansans agree that the ideology of big government conservatism that desires to regulate marriage and sex among two consenting adults is outdated. Conservative politicians are playing to a narrow strain of identity politics on the political right with their positions on these issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;That political game comes at the expense of average gay and lesbian Kansans that these positions risk harming. If that’s not you, maybe it's a friend or loved one. That’s not what most Kansans want in 2022, but it’s up to average Kansans to hold politicians accountable on that.&nbsp;Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Respect for Marriage Act and its impact on Kansas 

The Fort Hays State University Foundation has announced that Hays native and FHSU alumnus Thomas Zimmerman has recently joined its staff as a director of development. Zimmerman will primarily focus his fundraising efforts toward FHSU Athletics.

“The Foundation is a pillar at FHSU and has helped the university grow to what it is today. I know there’s more room for growth, and I’m excited to be part of that growth,” said Zimmerman.&nbsp;

Zimmerman graduated from Fort Hays State in 2010 with a management degree. Before joining the Foundation team, he served for several years as the rental/compact construction equipment sales representative for Foley Equipment. Additional experience includes sales, portfolio management, and territory planning. Zimmerman, his wife, Tiffany, and their son, Max, love sports and are proud Tiger fans. He looks forward to sharing his passion for Fort Hays State and Tiger Athletics through this new role.

“We’re excited to welcome Thomas to our development team,” said Jason Williby, FHSU Foundation President, and CEO. “His strong interpersonal skills, driven work ethic, energy, and love for Fort Hays State make him a great asset to our team and Tiger Athletics.”

Established in 1945, the FHSU Foundation is committed to cultivating lasting relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and other organizations that have a passion for Fort Hays State and want to continue its legacy of excellence. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Foundation’s donors impact all facets of university life, and their support continues to translate into success for FHSU students.

To learn more about the Fort Hays State University Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gIYzZ_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2B1g-2BZaVd1ZEd4afahM-2BGxC-2FLyiaYbUkgUXgsTFiDOnQmVZi-2Fyci2il38K78XyI1Xswo2N86k28dtx0dVcoUppIf3xCOYYV7PI9gLCBJIx-2FsJSqaQWaSBA2CRIfrEKtqoxdM-2Fhln0Z-2FQJMZd3uFp4D40pKiRlHN-2FyBy39D0Id0NmoyEFqlH-2BsXNi0SLM6NR1jjCM-2BMxWSH2W3km3MLiAex9HB6hnlRaUcTKAVimlGyHSNobO-2BMS98hVavGwqhCvuEc">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>, call 785-628-5620, or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671145748687.jpeg" alt="Zimmerman" />
 <figcaption>Zimmerman</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU FoundationThe Fort Hays State University Foundation has announced that Hays native and FHSU alumnus Thomas Zimmerman has recently joined its staff as a director of development. Zimmerman will primarily focus his fundraising efforts toward FHSU Athletics.“The Foundation is a pillar at FHSU and has helped the university grow to what it is today. I know there’s more room for growth, and I’m excited to be part of that growth,” said Zimmerman.&nbsp;Zimmerman graduated from Fort Hays State in 2010 with a management degree. Before joining the Foundation team, he served for several years as the rental/compact construction equipment sales representative for Foley Equipment. Additional experience includes sales, portfolio management, and territory planning. Zimmerman, his wife, Tiffany, and their son, Max, love sports and are proud Tiger fans. He looks forward to sharing his passion for Fort Hays State and Tiger Athletics through this new role.“We’re excited to welcome Thomas to our development team,” said Jason Williby, FHSU Foundation President, and CEO. “His strong interpersonal skills, driven work ethic, energy, and love for Fort Hays State make him a great asset to our team and Tiger Athletics.”Established in 1945, the FHSU Foundation is committed to cultivating lasting relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and other organizations that have a passion for Fort Hays State and want to continue its legacy of excellence. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Foundation’s donors impact all facets of university life, and their support continues to translate into success for FHSU students.To learn more about the Fort Hays State University Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gIYzZ_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2B1g-2BZaVd1ZEd4afahM-2BGxC-2FLyiaYbUkgUXgsTFiDOnQmVZi-2Fyci2il38K78XyI1Xswo2N86k28dtx0dVcoUppIf3xCOYYV7PI9gLCBJIx-2FsJSqaQWaSBA2CRIfrEKtqoxdM-2Fhln0Z-2FQJMZd3uFp4D40pKiRlHN-2FyBy39D0Id0NmoyEFqlH-2BsXNi0SLM6NR1jjCM-2BMxWSH2W3km3MLiAex9HB6hnlRaUcTKAVimlGyHSNobO-2BMS98hVavGwqhCvuEc">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>, call 785-628-5620, or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

Hays native joins FHSU Foundation as development director

Three-day weather outlook

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has revised its forecast as a cold air mass makes its way to the central United States later this week.

The high temperature in the Hays area by Thursday is now expected to be as low as 3 below zero, with an overnight low Thursday of 12 below zero possible.

On Monday, the high is expected to be the low-40s, dropping the to mid-20s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wednesday also brings a 40 percent chance of snow, increasing to 70 percent through the night and into Thursday morning. The greatest threat of snow is on the Interstate 70 corridor between Hays and WaKeeney.

In addition to the bitterly cold conditions, the wind is also expected to pick up Thursday, gusting to up to 50 mph and leading to dangerously cold wind chills — as low as 35 degrees below zero.

Check Hays Post or tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations in the case of severe weather.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671394100383.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service in Dodge City has revised its forecast as a cold air mass makes its way to the central United States later this week.The high temperature in the Hays area by Thursday is now expected to be as low as 3 below zero, with an overnight low Thursday of 12 below zero possible.On Monday, the high is expected to be the low-40s, dropping the to mid-20s on Tuesday and Wednesday.Wednesday also brings a 40 percent chance of snow, increasing to 70 percent through the night and into Thursday morning. The greatest threat of snow is on the Interstate 70 corridor between Hays and WaKeeney.In addition to the bitterly cold conditions, the wind is also expected to pick up Thursday, gusting to up to 50 mph and leading to dangerously cold wind chills — as low as 35 degrees below zero.Check Hays Post or tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations in the case of severe weather.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The coldest day for quite some time will be on Thursday seeing an arctic cold spell for much of southwest Kansas starting Wednesday night through Friday morning. Take precautions necessary! <a href="https://t.co/slUh8jlXGn">pic.twitter.com/slUh8jlXGn</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1604498114240737280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

'Coldest day for quite some time': Bitter cold on the way this week

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Virtual School director Oliva Rice shares details about the program.

<div><iframe title="Hays Virtual School celebrates graduates" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=5t25g-133e00c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Virtual School director Oliva Rice shares details about the program.

Hays Virtual Schools celebrate graduates

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

HOISINGTON — For the past two years, the Chevrolet dealership in Hoisington has been
operating as Ehler Chevrolet. Before that, the dealership was known as
Manweiler Chevrolet for 92 years. There were four generations of Manweilers to
own the dealership, with the last being Gene. 
Before Gene retired, he attended a business boot camp in Colorado that discussed
ways to strengthen your business and make it more of a destination. Manweiler
said the course focused on highlighting the history of your company.

Wanting to
tell the story of 90-plus years of the family business, Gene began organizing
information for a book. "It was fun to tell the story," said 
Manweiler. "I did it in a way that I'm telling my family, friends and 
people that know me. There are a lot of people involved with this story,
 including past employees. I took what I heard about other employees 
that were there before me. I heard stories from my grandparents and my 
parents. That's what I relied on."

Gene took over ownership from his father in 1987. He then sold the dealership to Micah Ehler in November 2020. 
Manweiler was put in contact with author Gene Stowe, based out of North
Carolina. Stowe helped Manweiler piece together the 101-page book that goes
through the dealership’s history of business changes, sales and service,
marketing and the lives of family and friends that worked at the dealership.

While Stowe wrote the book, "MChevy: The 92-Year Legacy of Manweiler Chevrolet," has Gene’s name on the front, something Manweiler wasn’t expecting. "I
 thought Stowe was going to be the author," said Manweiler. "He said to 
me, 'Gene, you're the one that wrote all the stuff down, I just 
organized it all for you to make it easier reading.' I was kind of 
flabbergasted when I first saw the cover, because we never talked about 
that. I really wanted him to get credit for it." 
A copy of the book can be purchased for $15 on Amazon. Buy the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/MChevy-92-Year-Legacy-Manweiler-Chevrolet/dp/B0BP4L7F1W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y36T8R3OFIR3&amp;keywords=manweiler&amp;qid=1671048591&amp;sprefix=manweile%2Caps%2C121&amp;sr=8-1">HERE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671115989036.jpeg" alt="The cover of "MChevy: The 92-Year Legacy of Manweiler Chevrolet." The book outlines the history of the four-generation dealership in Hoisington." />
 <figcaption>The cover of "MChevy: The 92-Year Legacy of Manweiler Chevrolet." The book outlines the history of the four-generation dealership in Hoisington.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostHOISINGTON — For the past two years, the Chevrolet dealership in Hoisington has been
operating as Ehler Chevrolet. Before that, the dealership was known as
Manweiler Chevrolet for 92 years. There were four generations of Manweilers to
own the dealership, with the last being Gene. 
Before Gene retired, he attended a business boot camp in Colorado that discussed
ways to strengthen your business and make it more of a destination. Manweiler
said the course focused on highlighting the history of your company. Wanting to
tell the story of 90-plus years of the family business, Gene began organizing
information for a book. "It was fun to tell the story," said 
Manweiler. "I did it in a way that I'm telling my family, friends and 
people that know me. There are a lot of people involved with this story,
 including past employees. I took what I heard about other employees 
that were there before me. I heard stories from my grandparents and my 
parents. That's what I relied on."Gene took over ownership from his father in 1987. He then sold the dealership to Micah Ehler in November 2020. 
Manweiler was put in contact with author Gene Stowe, based out of North
Carolina. Stowe helped Manweiler piece together the 101-page book that goes
through the dealership’s history of business changes, sales and service,
marketing and the lives of family and friends that worked at the dealership.
While Stowe wrote the book, "MChevy: The 92-Year Legacy of Manweiler Chevrolet," has Gene’s name on the front, something Manweiler wasn’t expecting. "I
 thought Stowe was going to be the author," said Manweiler. "He said to 
me, 'Gene, you're the one that wrote all the stuff down, I just 
organized it all for you to make it easier reading.' I was kind of 
flabbergasted when I first saw the cover, because we never talked about 
that. I really wanted him to get credit for it." 
A copy of the book can be purchased for $15 on Amazon. Buy the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/MChevy-92-Year-Legacy-Manweiler-Chevrolet/dp/B0BP4L7F1W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y36T8R3OFIR3&amp;keywords=manweiler&amp;qid=1671048591&amp;sprefix=manweile%2Caps%2C121&amp;sr=8-1">HERE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Book captures the legacy of Hoisington car dealership

​LARNED – Cody Thacker was looking for a position that offered the opportunity to support Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, while simultaneously allowing him to become more involved in&nbsp;his&nbsp;community.&nbsp;

His search led him to his new position&nbsp;as&nbsp;PVCH Foundation director.

“This position affords me the&nbsp;opportunity&nbsp;to support our local, community hospital,”&nbsp;said Thacker, a Kansas native.&nbsp;“I have a strong respect for what this hospital means to&nbsp;Larned, Pawnee County and the surrounding area.

“In addition, I am now&nbsp;able to become better acquainted with more of my neighbors in central Kansas.”

As foundation director, Thacker works closely with the&nbsp;nonprofit&nbsp;entity’s board of trustees. They collaborate on community relations, fundraising projects and events, private-donation&nbsp;oversight, endowment management and capital campaigns.

“Gifts to the foundation provide vital philanthropic support to help fund life-saving equipment,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;special PVCH projects&nbsp;and programs that advance quality healthcare in our community,” Thacker said. “This is the foundation’s mission.

“A great example,” he added,&nbsp;“is the foundation’s&nbsp;capital campaign, which raised funds&nbsp;to bring 3D mammography&nbsp;to our hospital. This is the latest and most advanced breast imaging available today, and we have the community to thank for it.”

In the short-term, Thacker&nbsp;is moving forward with foundation projects already in motion.

“I also hope to&nbsp;suggest&nbsp;new ideas for consideration, while making it a priority to connect with individuals and businesses,” he commented. “I am eager to get to know as many community members as I can.

“Looking ahead, I&nbsp;want to work&nbsp;closely&nbsp;with the trustees to carry out&nbsp;the foundation’s mission. In partnership with them and private donors,&nbsp;our goal is&nbsp;to satisfy the long-range healthcare needs of Pawnee County and&nbsp;the&nbsp;surrounding area.”

Thacker grew up just north of&nbsp;Offerle; his parents live on a farm there.&nbsp;He lives in&nbsp;Larned&nbsp;where his&nbsp;twin sister and&nbsp;one&nbsp;brother also reside.

He graduated from Spearville High School in 2010 and is currently studying for his bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing through Fort Hays State University.

​Previous employment includes area field manager&nbsp;at&nbsp;U-Haul International in&nbsp;Larned; sales representative at Midway MFG in Kinsley;&nbsp;clubhouse&nbsp;<a></a>manager at Cimarron Golf Club in Cimarron;&nbsp;and&nbsp;sales representative for Lewis&nbsp;Automotive in Garden City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671222069573.jpeg" alt="Cody Thacker, PVCH Foundation director" />
 <figcaption>Cody Thacker, PVCH Foundation director</figcaption>
 </figure>News release​LARNED – Cody Thacker was looking for a position that offered the opportunity to support Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, while simultaneously allowing him to become more involved in&nbsp;his&nbsp;community.&nbsp;His search led him to his new position&nbsp;as&nbsp;PVCH Foundation director.“This position affords me the&nbsp;opportunity&nbsp;to support our local, community hospital,”&nbsp;said Thacker, a Kansas native.&nbsp;“I have a strong respect for what this hospital means to&nbsp;Larned, Pawnee County and the surrounding area.“In addition, I am now&nbsp;able to become better acquainted with more of my neighbors in central Kansas.”As foundation director, Thacker works closely with the&nbsp;nonprofit&nbsp;entity’s board of trustees. They collaborate on community relations, fundraising projects and events, private-donation&nbsp;oversight, endowment management and capital campaigns.“Gifts to the foundation provide vital philanthropic support to help fund life-saving equipment,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;special PVCH projects&nbsp;and programs that advance quality healthcare in our community,” Thacker said. “This is the foundation’s mission.“A great example,” he added,&nbsp;“is the foundation’s&nbsp;capital campaign, which raised funds&nbsp;to bring 3D mammography&nbsp;to our hospital. This is the latest and most advanced breast imaging available today, and we have the community to thank for it.”In the short-term, Thacker&nbsp;is moving forward with foundation projects already in motion.“I also hope to&nbsp;suggest&nbsp;new ideas for consideration, while making it a priority to connect with individuals and businesses,” he commented. “I am eager to get to know as many community members as I can.“Looking ahead, I&nbsp;want to work&nbsp;closely&nbsp;with the trustees to carry out&nbsp;the foundation’s mission. In partnership with them and private donors,&nbsp;our goal is&nbsp;to satisfy the long-range healthcare needs of Pawnee County and&nbsp;the&nbsp;surrounding area.”Thacker grew up just north of&nbsp;Offerle; his parents live on a farm there.&nbsp;He lives in&nbsp;Larned&nbsp;where his&nbsp;twin sister and&nbsp;one&nbsp;brother also reside.He graduated from Spearville High School in 2010 and is currently studying for his bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing through Fort Hays State University.​Previous employment includes area field manager&nbsp;at&nbsp;U-Haul International in&nbsp;Larned; sales representative at Midway MFG in Kinsley;&nbsp;clubhouse&nbsp;<a></a>manager at Cimarron Golf Club in Cimarron;&nbsp;and&nbsp;sales representative for Lewis&nbsp;Automotive in Garden City.

Thacker named Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation director

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671222995065.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<div> <script src="https://embed-953183.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="6d8af719-b2c7-449f-85bf-dbbff8b3fb90" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div>

🏀 WINNERS EVERY WEEK! CERVs Basketball Matchup

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a&nbsp;seasonally adjusted unemployment rate&nbsp;of 2.8% in November. This was unchanged from 2.8% in October and unchanged from 2.8% in November 2021.

“There was little change in the labor force this month, resulting in the unemployment rate remaining at 2.8%,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “This is also unchanged from last November.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

In northwest Kansas more than a dozen counties reported jobless rates below 2 percent, including Ellis County's 1.7 percent.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 400 from October. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers.&nbsp;Private sector jobs&nbsp;decreased by 1,000 over the month, while government increased by 600.

“Total nonfarm job estimates for Kansas indicate a small decline over the month in November,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “However, due to strong growth in October and gains earlier this year, current estimates are 2.7% higher than last November.”

Since November 2021 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs&nbsp;have increased by 36,700. This change is due to an increase of 34,600 private sector jobs and an increase of 2,100 government jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671297846395.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a&nbsp;seasonally adjusted unemployment rate&nbsp;of 2.8% in November. This was unchanged from 2.8% in October and unchanged from 2.8% in November 2021.“There was little change in the labor force this month, resulting in the unemployment rate remaining at 2.8%,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “This is also unchanged from last November.”&nbsp;&nbsp;In northwest Kansas more than a dozen counties reported jobless rates below 2 percent, including Ellis County's 1.7 percent.Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 400 from October. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers.&nbsp;Private sector jobs&nbsp;decreased by 1,000 over the month, while government increased by 600.“Total nonfarm job estimates for Kansas indicate a small decline over the month in November,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “However, due to strong growth in October and gains earlier this year, current estimates are 2.7% higher than last November.”Since November 2021 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs&nbsp;have increased by 36,700. This change is due to an increase of 34,600 private sector jobs and an increase of 2,100 government jobs.

November jobless rate drops below 2% in Ellis County

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Cottonwood Extension District agent Monique Koerner introduces 4-H Youth Development agent Tamara Robertson.

<div><iframe title="Cottonwood Extension District hires new 4-H Youth Development agent" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ev3ug-133dfc6-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Cottonwood Extension District agent Monique Koerner introduces 4-H Youth Development agent Tamara Robertson.

🎙 Post Podcast: Cottonwood Extension District hires new 4-H Youth Development agent

The Hays High Indians girls and boys basketball teams travel to Wichita Saturday for a matchup with Wichita South.

The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 12 p.m. from Wichita Southeast High School with the boys game to follow.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480673">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The Hays High Indians girls and boys basketball teams travel to Wichita Saturday for a matchup with Wichita South.The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 12 p.m. from Wichita Southeast High School with the boys game to follow.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480673">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/488491?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High vs Wichita South

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Six Fort Hays State University students traveled more than 8,600 miles to participate in person in their graduation ceremony Friday in Hays.

Those virtual students are part of a partnership program with the American University of Phnom Penh in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The partnership was launched in 2016 after the founder of the college visited one of FHSU partnership campuses in China. 

These students, who have earned their degrees in tourism and hospitality management, are the first students in the program to travel in person to Hays to participate in a graduation ceremony. 

All of the students now have dual degrees both from FHSU and their partner university in Cambodia.

"I think it is beneficial to have an American degree. It opens up a door for us to work (in the U.S.) anytime we want," said Woody Rath, graduate. "That is something we highly value.

"It's not just the degree. I think the curriculum is very attractive compared to our typical Cambodian curriculum."

Rath already has a job as a communications officer at a hotel in Cambodia, but he is interested in eventually transferring within that hotel chain to one of the company's properties in the U.S.

Saknitta Sin, graduate, said American degrees are internationally recognized. 

"We can study anywhere and can also use that to apply for a job anywhere," she said.

Sirina Rith, graduate, has already applied for and been accepted to graduate school at the University of Technology, Sidney. She starts classes in February. That program is a combination of virtual and in-person classes.

She is interested in event planning and hopes to bring her knowledge back to Cambodia to plan large-scale events in her home country.

Solk Tylzour's parents own a hotel in Cambodia, and he will be joining the family business now that he has finished his degree. Tylzour said he thinks his American degree will help him stand out in the industry.

The students have all worked in internship programs. Sin just finished a six-month internship working in the food and beverage sector in Cambodia. She learned aspects of French cuisine, cocktails and coffee service. 

During her internship, she served ambassadors from across the globe who were visiting Cambodia for a recent Asian summit. Although she did not meet President Biden, she was able to steal some glances of him and serve members of the U.S. delegation.

Sin, who was honored with the FHSU Outstanding Student Award, said she is interested in traveling and working internationally. However, she said she would like to eventually return to Cambodia and use her skills to improve the hospitality industry in her own country.

She said she hopes to change the tourism industry so travelers can have more positive impacts on the locations they visit.

Being a virtual student had its challenges. There is a 13-hour time difference between Cambodia and the U.S., but the students had to deal with class schedules and assignment deadlines on U.S. time.

Rath said both staff at FHSU and the American University of Phnom Penh helped the students in many aspects of their studies.

"I think there was a lot of collaboration that enhanced our study experience," he said.

Several of the students had studied English since they were young. However, Rath didn't start taking English courses until he was in college. He said he struggled in the first six months of his classes to keep up with the advanced vocabulary.

None of the students, who were all in their early 20s, had ever been to the United States. They traveled three days and two nights to get to Hays, including multiple flights and layovers and a four-hour car trip from Kansas City. 

Sin said she told people on the plane she was going to Kansas, and they didn't know where that was.

"When we saw the farms and houses and decorations, it felt like an American movie. We are in a dream," she said.

Rath said he knew Kansas was a rural farming area. He was surprised to find Hays is a small city. 

"You have very good infrastructure," he said. "I saw a lot of hotels and industrial zones. This is a different landscape for me."

Sin said she was also impressed by the region's use of green energy. She had never seen a wind generator in person.

Rith said she never expected to receive an invitation to receive her diploma in person.

"I was expecting to get the certificate sent in the mail," she said. ... "This is a good opportunity to see my professors who I haven't seen in person because we have always been doing online stuff. It's really great."

The students were also a little shocked by the cold. Although Tylzour researched the weather and packed gloves and a winter coat, he was still taken aback by the cold and sharp wind on Friday.

Rith said she did not expect everyone to be  friendly.

"In Cambodia, everyone goes in a group," she said. "If you don't fit in, you don't fit in. Upon coming here, I'm more comfortable speaking to people because I know they're going to judge me. At the same time, they're very welcoming and very helpful."

The students were scheduled to tour Hays Friday afternoon, including a visit to the Sternberg Museum.&nbsp; Soklida Heng, graduate, also planned on making other stops in the U.S. during her trip, including New York City, Los Angeles and Nevada.

Phil Whittcorn with FHSU global affairs said the American University of Phnom Penh has about 40 more students moving through the computer science program. Now COVID restrictions have eased, FHSU would like more of the partnership students to travel to Hays not just for graduation but for short-term study abroad experiences.

FHSU is launching a similar partnership program in Malaysia in fall of 2023. The program will begin with business, informatics and communication studies.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671230866399.jpeg" alt="FHSU tourism and hospitality management graduates Soklida Heng, Leanghauy Yeang, Saknitta "Jane" Sin, Sok Tylzour, Woody Rath, and Sirina Rith traveled from Cambodia to accept their diplomas in person on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>FHSU tourism and hospitality management graduates Soklida Heng, Leanghauy Yeang, Saknitta "Jane" Sin, Sok Tylzour, Woody Rath, and Sirina Rith traveled from Cambodia to accept their diplomas in person on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSix Fort Hays State University students traveled more than 8,600 miles to participate in person in their graduation ceremony Friday in Hays.Those virtual students are part of a partnership program with the American University of Phnom Penh in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The partnership was launched in 2016 after the founder of the college visited one of FHSU partnership campuses in China. These students, who have earned their degrees in tourism and hospitality management, are the first students in the program to travel in person to Hays to participate in a graduation ceremony. All of the students now have dual degrees both from FHSU and their partner university in Cambodia. "I think it is beneficial to have an American degree. It opens up a door for us to work (in the U.S.) anytime we want," said Woody Rath, graduate. "That is something we highly value."It's not just the degree. I think the curriculum is very attractive compared to our typical Cambodian curriculum."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671231331455.jpeg" alt="Saknitta "Jane" Sin of Cambodia was honored with the Outstanding International Student Award. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Saknitta "Jane" Sin of Cambodia was honored with the Outstanding International Student Award. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Rath already has a job as a communications officer at a hotel in Cambodia, but he is interested in eventually transferring within that hotel chain to one of the company's properties in the U.S. Saknitta Sin, graduate, said American degrees are internationally recognized. "We can study anywhere and can also use that to apply for a job anywhere," she said.Sirina Rith, graduate, has already applied for and been accepted to graduate school at the University of Technology, Sidney. She starts classes in February. That program is a combination of virtual and in-person classes.She is interested in event planning and hopes to bring her knowledge back to Cambodia to plan large-scale events in her home country. Solk Tylzour's parents own a hotel in Cambodia, and he will be joining the family business now that he has finished his degree. Tylzour said he thinks his American degree will help him stand out in the industry.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671231541040.jpeg" alt="Sirina Rith will begin graduate school in Sidney, Australia, in February. She is a graduate of the FHSU Tourism and Hospitality Management program. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Sirina Rith will begin graduate school in Sidney, Australia, in February. She is a graduate of the FHSU Tourism and Hospitality Management program. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>The students have all worked in internship programs. Sin just finished a six-month internship working in the food and beverage sector in Cambodia. She learned aspects of French cuisine, cocktails and coffee service. During her internship, she served ambassadors from across the globe who were visiting Cambodia for a recent Asian summit. Although she did not meet President Biden, she was able to steal some glances of him and serve members of the U.S. delegation.Sin, who was honored with the FHSU Outstanding Student Award, said she is interested in traveling and working internationally. However, she said she would like to eventually return to Cambodia and use her skills to improve the hospitality industry in her own country.She said she hopes to change the tourism industry so travelers can have more positive impacts on the locations they visit. Being a virtual student had its challenges. There is a 13-hour time difference between Cambodia and the U.S., but the students had to deal with class schedules and assignment deadlines on U.S. time. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671231793799.jpeg" alt="Soklida Heng, FHSU graduate, introduces herself during a reception for a group of virtual students from Cambodia. She traveled from Cambodia with family members to receive her diploma in person Friday in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Soklida Heng, FHSU graduate, introduces herself during a reception for a group of virtual students from Cambodia. She traveled from Cambodia with family members to receive her diploma in person Friday in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Rath said both staff at FHSU and the American University of Phnom Penh helped the students in many aspects of their studies."I think there was a lot of collaboration that enhanced our study experience," he said. Several of the students had studied English since they were young. However, Rath didn't start taking English courses until he was in college. He said he struggled in the first six months of his classes to keep up with the advanced vocabulary.None of the students, who were all in their early 20s, had ever been to the United States. They traveled three days and two nights to get to Hays, including multiple flights and layovers and a four-hour car trip from Kansas City. Sin said she told people on the plane she was going to Kansas, and they didn't know where that was. She said being in Kansas seemed unreal."When we saw the farms and houses and decorations, it felt like an American movie. We are in a dream," she said.Rath said he knew Kansas was a rural farming area. He was surprised to find Hays is a small city. "You have very good infrastructure," he said. "I saw a lot of hotels and industrial zones. This is a different landscape for me."Sin said she was also impressed by the region's use of green energy. She had never seen a wind generator in person.Rith said she never expected to receive an invitation to receive her diploma in person."I was expecting to get the certificate sent in the mail," she said. ... "This is a good opportunity to see my professors who I haven't seen in person because we have always been doing online stuff. It's really great." The students were also a little shocked by the cold. Although Tylzour researched the weather and packed gloves and a winter coat, he was still taken aback by the cold and sharp wind on Friday.Rith said she did not expect everyone to be friendly."In Cambodia, everyone goes in a group," she said. "If you don't fit in, you don't fit in. Upon coming here, I'm more comfortable speaking to people because I know they're going to judge me. At the same time, they're very welcoming and very helpful." The students were scheduled to tour Hays Friday afternoon, including a visit to the Sternberg Museum.&nbsp; Soklida Heng, graduate, also planned on making other stops in the U.S. during her trip, including New York City, Los Angeles and Nevada. Phil Whittcorn with FHSU global affairs said the American University of Phnom Penh has about 40 more students moving through the computer science program. Now COVID restrictions have eased, FHSU would like more of the partnership students to travel to Hays not just for graduation but for short-term study abroad experiences. FHSU is launching a similar partnership program in Malaysia in fall of 2023. The program will begin with business, informatics and communication studies.

Cambodian students travel to Hays to participate in FHSU graduation

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Curtis Wolf 
and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) continue to pile up 
accolades. Just a few weeks after KWEC received international 
recognition for its efforts to promote nature and the conservation of 
natural resources, Wolf was given a Fort Hays State University Faculty 
Outstanding Service Award. FHSU Dean of the Werth College of Science, 
Technology, and Mathematics Grady Dixon handed Wolf the award and called
 it well-deserved.

"This year was kind of challenging for him for a
 number of reasons," Dixon said. "He had some turnover in staff, then he
 had some shortages for an extended period. He was not willing to let 
that derail his programs that people have come to expect. He really 
stepped in and covered a lot of roles that he's not expected to 
normally. And he didn't complain about it. It was noticed by other 
people in his staff, and they really appreciated it, and I really 
appreciated it."

Wolf and KWEC staff have maintained a high level 
of programming at the facility even as Cheyenne Bottoms endures a 
drought. The center adapted with activities like the treasure hunt for 
old World War II shells, and changing the popular turtle races to minnow
 races at local events.

"If you've visited the Wetlands Center 
recently, you may have noticed there is no water to be seen in Cheyenne 
Bottoms," Dixon said. "That just adds a level of difficulty to 
everything he does. Again, he's always a great advocate. He hasn't let 
that slow him down. He's still happy to give you a tour and tell you all
 about it. 

"But it just makes things a little more challenging, 
so we've been really appreciative of his efforts. We try to give out 
that award every year to somebody within our college for going above and
 beyond, or sometimes it's for years of great service. He definitely 
checks both of those boxes."

FHSU honors outstanding faculty or 
staff each semester in the area of teaching, scholarship, and service. 
Wolf, the KWEC director, was recognized for going above and beyond this 
year, including his efforts to chair a search committee to hire a 
collections manager at the FHSU Sternbern Museum of Natural History in 
Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671131124828.jpeg" alt="KWEC Director Curtis Wolf and FHSU Dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics Grady Dixon." />
 <figcaption>KWEC Director Curtis Wolf and FHSU Dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics Grady Dixon.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — Curtis Wolf 
and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) continue to pile up 
accolades. Just a few weeks after KWEC received international 
recognition for its efforts to promote nature and the conservation of 
natural resources, Wolf was given a Fort Hays State University Faculty 
Outstanding Service Award. FHSU Dean of the Werth College of Science, 
Technology, and Mathematics Grady Dixon handed Wolf the award and called
 it well-deserved."This year was kind of challenging for him for a
 number of reasons," Dixon said. "He had some turnover in staff, then he
 had some shortages for an extended period. He was not willing to let 
that derail his programs that people have come to expect. He really 
stepped in and covered a lot of roles that he's not expected to 
normally. And he didn't complain about it. It was noticed by other 
people in his staff, and they really appreciated it, and I really 
appreciated it."Wolf and KWEC staff have maintained a high level 
of programming at the facility even as Cheyenne Bottoms endures a 
drought. The center adapted with activities like the treasure hunt for 
old World War II shells, and changing the popular turtle races to minnow
 races at local events."If you've visited the Wetlands Center 
recently, you may have noticed there is no water to be seen in Cheyenne 
Bottoms," Dixon said. "That just adds a level of difficulty to 
everything he does. Again, he's always a great advocate. He hasn't let 
that slow him down. He's still happy to give you a tour and tell you all
 about it. "But it just makes things a little more challenging, 
so we've been really appreciative of his efforts. We try to give out 
that award every year to somebody within our college for going above and
 beyond, or sometimes it's for years of great service. He definitely 
checks both of those boxes."FHSU honors outstanding faculty or 
staff each semester in the area of teaching, scholarship, and service. 
Wolf, the KWEC director, was recognized for going above and beyond this 
year, including his efforts to chair a search committee to hire a 
collections manager at the FHSU Sternbern Museum of Natural History in 
Hays.

KWEC's Wolf recognized with FHSU Outstanding Service Award

Logan Glaze stood in a shed on the Johnson Ranch as the wind whistled through the eaves of a barn on a recent December day. 

It was another red flag warning day with winds forecast to gust 60 mph. 

Days like this are difficult for ranchers like Glaze, whose house near the corner of U.S. 183 and Homestead Road burned to the ground on Dec. 15, 2021, in the Four County Fire.

Glaze was on his employers' homestead in a valley about a half mile away when the fire started racing across the prairie. His wife, Kacey, and two children — Sage, 5, and Rhett, 2 — were barely able to escape flames before the wildfire took their home and everything in it.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5b816284-349a-4002-b92c-082d727d3727">RELATED: Third-generation rancher gives up ag; financial effects of Four County Fire may last years</a>

“I tried to head to the house but flames and smoke were over the road. I called Kacey and told her to get out—&nbsp;leave. About the time they left the house, that’s when the flames started getting close," he said.

Stacy Campbell, K-State Extension agent from Hays, captured the fire on a trail camera. The camera also recorded the temperatures as the fire burned through the area.

“I didn’t know if the house was OK," Glaze said. "It was creeping down here to this farmstead. I got in the loader tractor and kept scooping dirt on the fire to keep it out of our hay stacks and keep it out of this yard.”

Glaze's employer, Dennis Johnson, loaded his elderly mother in a car with his wife to evacuate. The fire came yards from burning both his and his mother's 100-year-old home. The family has been on that homestead since 1897.

Although the homes were saved, 2,000 acres of Johnson's land burned.

“The fire was just so big," Johnson said, "the resources were overtaxed and of course that wind — the wind was so strong."

Johnson had to euthanize a bull and sell two other cattle that were badly burned. Some ranchers were hit harder, losing hundreds of cattle — most of their herds — to the blaze.

A year later, ranchers are still trying to recover from the fire. Homes and barns are still in the process of being rebuilt.&nbsp; Ten homes and 16 other structures were destroyed just in Ellis County. Miles of fence were destroyed and some has still yet to be replaced.

Two people died as a result of the fire. 36-year-old Derrick Kelley's remains were found near his burned vehicle. An 84-year-old rancher, Richard Shimanek, who lived near the city of Leoti, was injured while trying to save his home and died later in a Denver hospital.

About 164,000 acres of grassland burned in Ellis, Russell, Rooks and Osborne counties. The windstorm and wildfires caused more than $2.3 million in damages.

Several years of good rains had resulted in heavy growth of vegetation —or fuel as it is known to the fire service. Winds up to 100 mph and a high fuel load meant the fire burned faster and hotter than a typical Kansas wildfire.

"If you look closely right where that fire burned, especially when that first wave of fire went through where the wind was blowing so hard,” Johnson said. “Those agronomy people said that the land was scoured.”

 Drought has significantly slowed the regrowth of the grass in pastures, which has meant the farmers who did not lose cattle in the fire still had to cull their herds. 

According to K-State research, in a year with average to above-average rainfall, ranchers could expect about 50 percent of the grasses to come back in the first year after a wildfire, said Stacy Campbell, K-State Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Hays.

The next year, the next 50 percent would be expected to come back, he said.

“I was talking to one rancher, and he thought it was more like 30 percent,” Campbell said of the pasture regrowth this year.

Johnson was only able to graze his cattle on the burned pastures for about two weeks. Those same cattle normally would have been on that grass all summer.

“As dry as it has been all year, I would expect next year to be short also,” he said. “We’ve had to cull cows. We’ve had to sell a third of the cows this year.”

In the short term, ranchers have the proceeds from the cattle they were forced to sell, but those cattle will not be producing new calves for next year.

“We’re going to be impacted by this for several years,” he said, “regardless of how much it rains. There is no way of knowing what next year will bring as far as the weather."

Ground cover whether on crop or grassland helps protect the soil from wind and rain erosion. That was wiped away by the fire, Johnson said.

"The other thing I have noticed is that the wildlife is just not there the way it was,” he said. “The small animals all in that area I am sure would have all perished. There was no way they could escape from it.”

Not only did Johnson have to feed his herd during the summer and fall, but the ranch also had about half as much hay as it normally would going into the winter.

“We’re going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel come spring. We’ll have enough feed to get through the winter, but there won’t be much carryover," Glaze said.

Beth Christian, High Plains Mental Health therapist and outpatient supervisor in the Osborne office, said the fire and drought have been added stressors to the normal burdens of being a farm family.

“One of the things about being a farmer is that there is very little that you control in that industry,” she said. “You can’t control the weather. You can’t control the markets. A lot of your decision-making is based on 'I hope this is going to be what it looks like in a month or two from now.' 'I hope it's going to rain.' " 

The anniversary of the fire may be additionally problematic for those who were affected, Christian said.

“They may not be able to name why they’re feeling that way until the date of the event occurs. Then they look back and realize I was starting to think about that when I didn’t realize it. Sometimes our bodies will react to the trauma before our brains connect the dots of that it is because of this year's event,” she said.

When the wind blows, many like Johnson and Glaze still feel the trauma from fire.

“I still wake up at night when I hear that wind blowing,” Johnson said during a recent red flag warning. “We’ve had that the last two or three nights. I wake up, and that wind is blowing. That is stressful.”

Dr. Lauren Mack and her Plainville clinic cared for animals that were injured in the fire. She has seen the effects on her own staff and the ranchers she works with daily. She said the fire affected everyone in the Plainville community, just on a different scale. 

“I can tell you everyone is really antsy when the wind is up and it's dry and we’re in a high fire warning. We all look at each other and go, ‘We’re going to do it again?’ " she said.

“We weren’t that far from losing Plainville. That was the things that went through a lot of our minds. There is no rule saying you can’t take a town or take a whole community. I think it should make everyone a little antsy."

Christian encouraged friends and family of survivors of the fires to look for signs that loved ones may be isolating or getting out of their normal routines. 

“Do a little more diligence on checking on them. Say, 'Hey, lets get together.' 'Do you have time for coffee?' 'Do you have plans for supper?' Try to make sure people aren’t isolating—they're trying to avoid situations or places that might remind them of that event. 

“We want to help people make new memories on that date so it's not always looking back on that date as a scary terrifying thing,” she said.

It’s never to late to seek help, she said.

“This is a grief process people are going through, and there is no timeline on that,” Christian said. “A year or two or three out from that event, it’s never wrong to reach out for help. It’s never too late to get some support.”

High Plains Mental Health has therapists on staff who have farming backgrounds and who have been trained in assisting agriculture workers. Telemedicine means farmers and ranchers can schedule phone or Zoom appointments and don't have to come into one of the High Plains' offices for treatment.

High Plains has a 24/7 crisis hotline, (800) 432-0333, people can call anytime to speak to a therapist. 988 is the new national crisis helpline. You don’t have to be suicidal to call one of these lines. You can also text the crisis line at 741741.

High Plains provides a sliding-fee scale for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.

Farmers and ranchers can also find assistance online at <a href="https://www.kansasagstress.org/">Kansas Ag Stress Resources</a>.

The Johnsons and Glazes said they feel fortunate the fire didn't rob them of more.

“We were fortunate,” Johnson said. “It could have been a lot worse. Had the wind been coming from a slightly different angle, we would have lost everything.”

“As it was, we lost a lot of stuff, but we can come back from it. We should be able to come back from it in a couple of years,” he said. 

The fire happened right before Christmas, but Logan said so many people donated gifts for the kids they didn't know the difference. Rhett was too young to understand anything beyond his family lost their house. Sage understood more.

“They’re excited to get a new house,” Glaze said.

“It’s been tough at times,” Glaze said. “We still have to take care of the daily stuff, plus we have to figure out how are we going to rebuild and who are we going to get, just all of those decisions to make.”

In addition to local donations through GoFundMe accounts, the Kansas Livestock Foundation raised and distributed $2 million in fire relief.

Without the donations, Glaze said, getting through the fire would have been tougher.

“I’m thankful for all of the help that we had—everybody that came out and helped and supported us through all the donations," he said. "It was just unbelievable.

“We lost the house, and that set us back a couple of years, but the good thing is that everybody was OK."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670956212219.jpeg" alt="Logan Glaze's family is still working to rebuild their home near the intersection of U.S. 183 and Homestead a year after the Four County Fire burned the home and 2,000 acres of the surrounding grassland. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Logan Glaze's family is still working to rebuild their home near the intersection of U.S. 183 and Homestead a year after the Four County Fire burned the home and 2,000 acres of the surrounding grassland. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostLogan Glaze stood in a shed on the Johnson Ranch as the wind whistled through the eaves of a barn on a recent December day. It was another red flag warning day with winds forecast to gust 60 mph. Days like this are difficult for ranchers like Glaze, whose house near the corner of U.S. 183 and Homestead Road burned to the ground on Dec. 15, 2021, in the Four County Fire.Glaze was on his employers' homestead in a valley about a half mile away when the fire started racing across the prairie. His wife, Kacey, and two children — Sage, 5, and Rhett, 2 — were barely able to escape flames before the wildfire took their home and everything in it.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5b816284-349a-4002-b92c-082d727d3727">RELATED: Third-generation rancher gives up ag; financial effects of Four County Fire may last years</a>“I tried to head to the house but flames and smoke were over the road. I called Kacey and told her to get out—&nbsp;leave. About the time they left the house, that’s when the flames started getting close," he said.Stacy Campbell, K-State Extension agent from Hays, captured the fire on a trail camera. The camera also recorded the temperatures as the fire burned through the area. <div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aFXzqumN-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Dec 2021 Fire" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>



</div>“I didn’t know if the house was OK," Glaze said. "It was creeping down here to this farmstead. I got in the loader tractor and kept scooping dirt on the fire to keep it out of our hay stacks and keep it out of this yard.”Glaze's employer, Dennis Johnson, loaded his elderly mother in a car with his wife to evacuate. The fire came yards from burning both his and his mother's 100-year-old home. The family has been on that homestead since 1897.Although the homes were saved, 2,000 acres of Johnson's land burned.“The fire was just so big," Johnson said, "the resources were overtaxed and of course that wind — the wind was so strong."Johnson had to euthanize a bull and sell two other cattle that were badly burned. Some ranchers were hit harder, losing hundreds of cattle — most of their herds — to the blaze.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670958931345.jpeg" alt="Trees were still smoldering in northeast Ellis County on Dec. 16, 2021. Fire crews continued to fight the blaze for a total of three days. Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Trees were still smoldering in northeast Ellis County on Dec. 16, 2021. Fire crews continued to fight the blaze for a total of three days. Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Scoured earth</h2>A year later, ranchers are still trying to recover from the fire. Homes and barns are still in the process of being rebuilt.&nbsp; Ten homes and 16 other structures were destroyed just in Ellis County. Miles of fence were destroyed and some has still yet to be replaced.Two people died as a result of the fire. 36-year-old Derrick Kelley's remains were found near his burned vehicle. An 84-year-old rancher, Richard Shimanek, who lived near the city of Leoti, was injured while trying to save his home and died later in a Denver hospital. About 164,000 acres of grassland burned in Ellis, Russell, Rooks and Osborne counties. The windstorm and wildfires caused more than $2.3 million in damages. Several years of good rains had resulted in heavy growth of vegetation —or fuel as it is known to the fire service. Winds up to 100 mph and a high fuel load meant the fire burned faster and hotter than a typical Kansas wildfire."If you look closely right where that fire burned, especially when that first wave of fire went through where the wind was blowing so hard,” Johnson said. “Those agronomy people said that the land was scoured.” Drought has significantly slowed the regrowth of the grass in pastures, which has meant the farmers who did not lose cattle in the fire still had to cull their herds. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670959396381.jpeg" alt="You can still see patches of bare ground on the land that burned last year. Drought has slowed the recovery of the grasslands, which may not fully recover for three or more years, according to K-State Extension agents. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>You can still see patches of bare ground on the land that burned last year. Drought has slowed the recovery of the grasslands, which may not fully recover for three or more years, according to K-State Extension agents. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>According to K-State research, in a year with average to above-average rainfall, ranchers could expect about 50 percent of the grasses to come back in the first year after a wildfire, said Stacy Campbell, K-State Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Hays.The next year, the next 50 percent would be expected to come back, he said.“I was talking to one rancher, and he thought it was more like 30 percent,” Campbell said of the pasture regrowth this year. <h2>Recovery still years away</h2>Johnson was only able to graze his cattle on the burned pastures for about two weeks. Those same cattle normally would have been on that grass all summer.“As dry as it has been all year, I would expect next year to be short also,” he said. “We’ve had to cull cows. We’ve had to sell a third of the cows this year.”In the short term, ranchers have the proceeds from the cattle they were forced to sell, but those cattle will not be producing new calves for next year. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670959689943.jpeg" alt="The Four County fire burned 2,000 acres of Dennis Johnson's land. Miles of fence were destroyed and had to be replaced. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>The Four County fire burned 2,000 acres of Dennis Johnson's land. Miles of fence were destroyed and had to be replaced. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>“We’re going to be impacted by this for several years,” he said, “regardless of how much it rains. There is no way of knowing what next year will bring as far as the weather."Ground cover whether on crop or grassland helps protect the soil from wind and rain erosion. That was wiped away by the fire, Johnson said."The other thing I have noticed is that the wildlife is just not there the way it was,” he said. “The small animals all in that area I am sure would have all perished. There was no way they could escape from it.”Not only did Johnson have to feed his herd during the summer and fall, but the ranch also had about half as much hay as it normally would going into the winter.“We’re going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel come spring. We’ll have enough feed to get through the winter, but there won’t be much carryover," Glaze said.<h2>Still on alert</h2>Beth Christian, High Plains Mental Health therapist and outpatient supervisor in the Osborne office, said the fire and drought have been added stressors to the normal burdens of being a farm family.“One of the things about being a farmer is that there is very little that you control in that industry,” she said. “You can’t control the weather. You can’t control the markets. A lot of your decision-making is based on 'I hope this is going to be what it looks like in a month or two from now.' 'I hope it's going to rain.' " <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670960240835.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>The anniversary of the fire may be additionally problematic for those who were affected, Christian said.“They may not be able to name why they’re feeling that way until the date of the event occurs. Then they look back and realize I was starting to think about that when I didn’t realize it. Sometimes our bodies will react to the trauma before our brains connect the dots of that it is because of this year's event,” she said.When the wind blows, many like Johnson and Glaze still feel the trauma from fire.“I still wake up at night when I hear that wind blowing,” Johnson said during a recent red flag warning. “We’ve had that the last two or three nights. I wake up, and that wind is blowing. That is stressful.”Dr. Lauren Mack and her Plainville clinic cared for animals that were injured in the fire. She has seen the effects on her own staff and the ranchers she works with daily. She said the fire affected everyone in the Plainville community, just on a different scale. “I can tell you everyone is really antsy when the wind is up and it's dry and we’re in a high fire warning. We all look at each other and go, ‘We’re going to do it again?’ " she said. “We weren’t that far from losing Plainville. That was the things that went through a lot of our minds. There is no rule saying you can’t take a town or take a whole community. I think it should make everyone a little antsy."<h2>Never too late to ask for help</h2>Christian encouraged friends and family of survivors of the fires to look for signs that loved ones may be isolating or getting out of their normal routines. “Do a little more diligence on checking on them. Say, 'Hey, lets get together.' 'Do you have time for coffee?' 'Do you have plans for supper?' Try to make sure people aren’t isolating—they're trying to avoid situations or places that might remind them of that event. “We want to help people make new memories on that date so it's not always looking back on that date as a scary terrifying thing,” she said.It’s never to late to seek help, she said.“This is a grief process people are going through, and there is no timeline on that,” Christian said. “A year or two or three out from that event, it’s never wrong to reach out for help. It’s never too late to get some support.”High Plains Mental Health has therapists on staff who have farming backgrounds and who have been trained in assisting agriculture workers. Telemedicine means farmers and ranchers can schedule phone or Zoom appointments and don't have to come into one of the High Plains' offices for treatment.High Plains has a 24/7 crisis hotline, (800) 432-0333, people can call anytime to speak to a therapist. 988 is the new national crisis helpline. You don’t have to be suicidal to call one of these lines. You can also text the crisis line at 741741.High Plains provides a sliding-fee scale for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.Farmers and ranchers can also find assistance online at <a href="https://www.kansasagstress.org/">Kansas Ag Stress Resources</a>.<h2>'We were fortunate'</h2>The Johnsons and Glazes said they feel fortunate the fire didn't rob them of more. “We were fortunate,” Johnson said. “It could have been a lot worse. Had the wind been coming from a slightly different angle, we would have lost everything.”“As it was, we lost a lot of stuff, but we can come back from it. We should be able to come back from it in a couple of years,” he said. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671051106408.jpeg" alt="Logan Glaze, whose family lost their home in the Four County Fire, said the recovery after the fire has been difficult, but they are thankful for all the donations they received after the fire. Courtesy photo. " />
 <figcaption>Logan Glaze, whose family lost their home in the Four County Fire, said the recovery after the fire has been difficult, but they are thankful for all the donations they received after the fire. Courtesy photo. </figcaption>
 </figure>The fire happened right before Christmas, but Logan said so many people donated gifts for the kids they didn't know the difference. Rhett was too young to understand anything beyond his family lost their house. Sage understood more. “They’re excited to get a new house,” Glaze said.“It’s been tough at times,” Glaze said. “We still have to take care of the daily stuff, plus we have to figure out how are we going to rebuild and who are we going to get, just all of those decisions to make.”In addition to local donations through GoFundMe accounts, the Kansas Livestock Foundation raised and distributed $2 million in fire relief. Without the donations, Glaze said, getting through the fire would have been tougher.“I’m thankful for all of the help that we had—everybody that came out and helped and supported us through all the donations," he said. "It was just unbelievable.“We lost the house, and that set us back a couple of years, but the good thing is that everybody was OK."

🎥 Drought doubles disaster as Four County ranchers struggle to recover year after wildfire

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671222737355.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;Community Vitality Specialist, Nancy Daniels, is offering grant writing courses next year. &nbsp;The grant writing course consists of two,&nbsp;3-hour online live sessions. &nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;Community Vitality Specialist, Nancy Daniels, is offering grant writing courses next year. &nbsp;The grant writing course consists of two,&nbsp;3-hour online live sessions. &nbsp;There will be time for interaction with other participants which allows for writers to pick up tips and be energized by their peers. &nbsp;The course can be taken by people who have never written a grant or those who have a lot of experience but want a new look at the way they do things. &nbsp;The online course is adapted from a face to face training with proven results. More than 1,700 Kansans were trained over four&nbsp;y<a></a>ears and found confidence resulting in at least $25 million of successful grants for playgrounds, park improvements, walking trails, building restoration, leadership programs, arts, programming, festivals and other community infrastructure.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670949358768.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Participants are encouraged to bring the grants or grant ideas to share. &nbsp;The format of the class allows a writer to formulate their grant ideas into a grant proposal, if they are ready.&nbsp;&nbsp;Classes are recorded for later reference or classes missed.Some topics you will learn include: sources of data for community needs, where to find grants, elements of a great grant proposal, and practicing the grant elements of problem, outcome, activity, evaluation,&nbsp;and budget.&nbsp;Event Dates:February 7&nbsp;and&nbsp;9, 2023Schedule: This online course is two synchronous classes from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. &nbsp;Class materials are open from February 1-March 2, 2023. &nbsp;March 28&nbsp;and&nbsp;30, 2023Schedule: This online course is two synchronous classes from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. &nbsp;Class materials are open from March 21-April 23, 2023. &nbsp;April 28 and 30, 2023Schedule: This online course is two synchronous classes from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. &nbsp;Class materials are open from April 11-May 11, 2023. &nbsp;Fee is $60 and is non-refundable.For more information, please contact: Nancy Daniels&nbsp;at 785-410-6352You can enroll&nbsp;and pay&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enrole.com/ksu/jsp/course.jsp?courseId=GRANTWRITING&amp;categoryId=ROOT">HERE</a>.Please join me, since&nbsp;I plan on taking&nbsp;advantage of this great opportunity. &nbsp;I have written a couple of grants in the past but am always looking for ways to improve my skills. &nbsp;I also have a couple of ideas&nbsp;about programming for&nbsp;the Cottonwood District&nbsp;that would require grant funding. &nbsp;I’m excited about the future and utilizing grant money to make our community a healthier place to live and raise children!Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with 
K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her 
at: 785-628-9430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:moniquek@ksu.edu">moniquek@ksu.edu</a>

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