Two earthquakes were reported moments apart in northwest Kansas early Tuesday morning.

The Kansas Geological Survey said a 3.0-magnitude quake was recorded at 7:54 a.m. Tuesday in southeast Smith County. At 7:59 a.m., a 2.0-magnitude quake was recorded just a few miles away in northeast Osborne County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661260251381.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Two earthquakes were reported moments apart in northwest Kansas early Tuesday morning.The Kansas Geological Survey said a 3.0-magnitude quake was recorded at 7:54 a.m. Tuesday in southeast Smith County. At 7:59 a.m., a 2.0-magnitude quake was recorded just a few miles away in northeast Osborne County.

Two quakes moments apart Tuesday in NW Kansas

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Just like dogs and cats, Hays residents may soon be able to keep non-venomous pet constrictor snakes longer than six feet, if the owner follows city regulations regarding annual pet registrations.&nbsp;

Unlike dogs and cats however, those pet constrictor snakes would also be required to be microchipped for proper identification, if necessary.

Current city code already allows the keeping of non-venomous snakes up to six feet in length, according to Toby Dougherty, city manager.&nbsp;

City Commissioner Reese Barrick asked for the modifications to the animal code. Barrick is executive director of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and a snake supporter.

Barrick asked for a complete review of the animal code which hasn't been updated in several years.

Alligator ownership would be completely eliminated in the update, although current city code allows pet alligators up to 30 inches in length as well as snakes up to 6 feet long.

Barrick said both types of animals will grow bigger than what is specified and the current city policy is essentially "condemning a pet to death."

"Alligators are going to get longer than 30 inches after two years. ... It makes no sense to allow them, period," Barrick said during Thursday night's commission work session.

He said it's the "same thing with constrictor snakes. If you get one that's 2 feet long, it make take 10 years, but it's going to get over 6 feet long.&nbsp;

"You're putting the onus on museums or zoos to take a whole bunch of snakes, or they're all going to get killed."&nbsp;

"If a person wants to keep a snake that is 8 feet long, that's fine, that's their business. But we should know who has snakes that are that big and we should be able to keep track of them should they escape.

"If a person just dumps the snake, we'll know who had it, know where it is, and they have to take responsibility for that."

Barrick said Sternberg Museum now has a large boa constrictor snake that came from La Crosse.

"A person had an 8-foot boa and it is not allowed by city code. So (the city) said 'we're going to come there and kill it unless you can find a place that will take it.' So we at the museum took that snake."&nbsp;

Barrick said a lot of people purchase boa snakes at pet stores "and they're going to get big. I think it's more responsible to keep track of them."

He also noted Sternberg has accepted alligators when the pet owners could no longer keep them.

Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said she has no problem with Reese's suggestion.&nbsp;

"I think it's responsible since we're already allowing up to 6-foot snakes. I don't wanna be out there killing snakes," she said.

"I'm like Indiana Jones when it comes to snakes," said Mayor Mason Ruder, "but I understand where you're coming from. I'm okay knowing somebody has one."

Dougherty told commissioners city animal control officers carry the equipment in their truck to scan microchips and most of the local vets are able to microchip animals, including snakes. "It's pretty ubiquitous technology."

Pet microchips have an expiration date. Barrick said snake owners would be required to keep their pets' microchips updated in order to annually register the animals.&nbsp;

"Snakes might live up to 30 years," he pointed out.

The suggested cost to register a constrictor snake is $5, the same amount the city charges for a&nbsp;neutered or spayed dog or cat. Although recommended, Hays does not require mandatory microchipping of pet dogs or cats.&nbsp;

The other major proposed change to the current animal code would eliminate the fines table and allow the municipal court judge to determine the fine for violation of an ordinance.&nbsp;

Dougherty said that's common practice and in line with how most fine schedules are handed for other city of Hays code violations.&nbsp;

The commission will consider approving the animal code updates at a future meeting.

The proposed modifications to the Hays animal code are available <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08182022-1365">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661206727989.jpeg" alt="The city of Hays is considering allowing residents to keep non-venomous constrictor snakes longer than 6 feet as pets. The snakes would have to be registered annually and be microchipped. (Boa constrictor snake photo by Pixabay)" />
 <figcaption>The city of Hays is considering allowing residents to keep non-venomous constrictor snakes longer than 6 feet as pets. The snakes would have to be registered annually and be microchipped. (Boa constrictor snake photo by Pixabay)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostJust like dogs and cats, Hays residents may soon be able to keep non-venomous pet constrictor snakes longer than six feet, if the owner follows city regulations regarding annual pet registrations.&nbsp;Unlike dogs and cats however, those pet constrictor snakes would also be required to be microchipped for proper identification, if necessary.Current city code already allows the keeping of non-venomous snakes up to six feet in length, according to Toby Dougherty, city manager.&nbsp;City Commissioner Reese Barrick asked for the modifications to the animal code. Barrick is executive director of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and a snake supporter.Barrick asked for a complete review of the animal code which hasn't been updated in several years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661203994186.jpeg" alt="Commissioner Reese Barrick (at right) wants changes in the Hays animal code that would allow pet ownership of constrictor snakes longer than six feet. The update would also disallow alligator ownership. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>Commissioner Reese Barrick (at right) wants changes in the Hays animal code that would allow pet ownership of constrictor snakes longer than six feet. The update would also disallow alligator ownership. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>Alligator ownership would be completely eliminated in the update, although current city code allows pet alligators up to 30 inches in length as well as snakes up to 6 feet long.Barrick said both types of animals will grow bigger than what is specified and the current city policy is essentially "condemning a pet to death."<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Mon Aug 22 2022 17:21:41 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Animal Code Snakes"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H2M30S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/thumbs/TXynvVYX-1920.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/TXynvVYX-AMBVbJQD.mp4"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TXynvVYX-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Animal Code Snakes" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>"Alligators are going to get longer than 30 inches after two years. ... It makes no sense to allow them, period," Barrick said during Thursday night's commission work session.He said it's the "same thing with constrictor snakes. If you get one that's 2 feet long, it make take 10 years, but it's going to get over 6 feet long.&nbsp;"You're putting the onus on museums or zoos to take a whole bunch of snakes, or they're all going to get killed."&nbsp;"If a person wants to keep a snake that is 8 feet long, that's fine, that's their business. But we should know who has snakes that are that big and we should be able to keep track of them should they escape."If a person just dumps the snake, we'll know who had it, know where it is, and they have to take responsibility for that."Barrick said Sternberg Museum now has a large boa constrictor snake that came from La Crosse."A person had an 8-foot boa and it is not allowed by city code. So (the city) said 'we're going to come there and kill it unless you can find a place that will take it.' So we at the museum took that snake."&nbsp;Barrick said a lot of people purchase boa snakes at pet stores "and they're going to get big. I think it's more responsible to keep track of them."He also noted Sternberg has accepted alligators when the pet owners could no longer keep them.Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said she has no problem with Reese's suggestion.&nbsp;"I think it's responsible since we're already allowing up to 6-foot snakes. I don't wanna be out there killing snakes," she said."I'm like Indiana Jones when it comes to snakes," said Mayor Mason Ruder, "but I understand where you're coming from. I'm okay knowing somebody has one."Dougherty told commissioners city animal control officers carry the equipment in their truck to scan microchips and most of the local vets are able to microchip animals, including snakes. "It's pretty ubiquitous technology."Pet microchips have an expiration date. Barrick said snake owners would be required to keep their pets' microchips updated in order to annually register the animals.&nbsp;"Snakes might live up to 30 years," he pointed out.The suggested cost to register a constrictor snake is $5, the same amount the city charges for a&nbsp;neutered or spayed dog or cat. Although recommended, Hays does not require mandatory microchipping of pet dogs or cats.&nbsp;The other major proposed change to the current animal code would eliminate the fines table and allow the municipal court judge to determine the fine for violation of an ordinance.&nbsp;Dougherty said that's common practice and in line with how most fine schedules are handed for other city of Hays code violations.&nbsp;The commission will consider approving the animal code updates at a future meeting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661264878635.jpeg" alt="A portion of the Hays animal code with proposed updates. (City of Hays)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A portion of the Hays animal code with proposed updates. (City of Hays)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The proposed modifications to the Hays animal code are available <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08182022-1365">here</a>.

🎥 City may allow bigger non-venomous snakes as pets; must be microchipped

The government reports US crude production dropped slightly last week but remained above 12 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says US operators produced just over 12.1 million barrels per day in the week through August 12, down 118,000 barrels per day from the week before. EIA reports US crude-oil inventories dropped by 7.1 million barrels from a week earlier. The tally on August 12th was 425 million barrels, or about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline stockpiles were down by 4.6 million barrels, and are about eight percent below the five-year seasonal average Crude imports for the week dropped by 39,000 barrels per day. The four week average reached 6.5 million barrels per day. The government says that's half a percent higher than the same four-weeks a year ago. So far this year, 203 Kansas operators have spudded 916 wells, an increase of 322 wells over the tally at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was scouting 434 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up nearly 50% from a year ago. The rig count in Kansas was up two in the eastern half of the state to to 27 rigs. West of Wichita, the count is down one at 34 rigs.&nbsp; On Friday, drilling was underway on two leases in Ellis County and two in Stafford County, with operators expected to spud a new well soon on a lease in Russell County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down one gas rig to 762 active rigs nationwide. The count in Texas was down three rigs, while New Mexico gained two. Kansas regulators okayed 36 new drilling locations over the last week, 27 in eastern Kansas and nine west of Wichita. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 1,037 new drilling permits statewide so far this year. Barton County was unchanged with 30 new permits so far this year. Ellis County adds two permits, 28 so far this year. Russell County is unchanged at 12 new permits this year, and Stafford County is unchanged at 17 new drilling permits in calendar-year 2022. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 31 newly completed wells across the state during the week through August 18th, with 15 east of Wichita and 16 in Western Kansas. Operators have completed 1,004 new wells statewide so far this year. Barton County added two completions last week, 41 so far this year. The tally in Ellis County is unchanged at 24 completed wells. Russell County is up one at eleven wells. Stafford County gained one to 23 completed wells. Gasoline prices continued to drop. The auto club AAA reports a national average pump price of just over $3.93 per gallon, down six cents a gallon from a week ago, and 59 cents cheaper than a month ago. The average across Kansas is down 83 cents from a month ago, at $3.51 per gallon. &nbsp;(8/22) US natural gas prices have skyrocketed to levels unseen since 2008. Futures last week surged seven percent to their highest closing price since August 1, 2008. US shale producers' inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells dipped by 20 wells last week. The Energy Information Administration says the Permian basin saw a drop of 21 DUCs. Several plays reported increases. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but down compared to last year. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,732 tanker carloads hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week through August 13th. That's up 51 tanker carloads from the week before, but down 5.6% from the same week a year ago. Canadian traffic was up nearly 500 tankers for the week and 8.7% higher than last year at this time. Even though Mexico imports nearly all of its natural gas, the country is hoping to become a major exporter. Bloomberg reports the country's proximity to booming US supplies positions it well to supply American gas to customers in Europe and Asia. They have a total of eight new gas export projects in the planning stages. If their hopes pan out the Latin American newcomer would join a very small club of nations that ship liquefied natural gas abroad, behind only the US, Australia and Qatar in output. Earthstone Energy announced the closing of a deal to buy the New Mexico assets of Titus Oil &amp; Gas for $574 million in cash and about 3.9 million shares of stock. The assets are located in the northern Delaware Basin of the Permian play, and bring Earthstone's production base to nearly 100,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per day. The company plans to deploy an additional drilling rig soon to expand its drilling program.

By JOHN P. TRETBARThe government reports US crude production dropped slightly last week but remained above 12 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says US operators produced just over 12.1 million barrels per day in the week through August 12, down 118,000 barrels per day from the week before. EIA reports US crude-oil inventories dropped by 7.1 million barrels from a week earlier. The tally on August 12th was 425 million barrels, or about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline stockpiles were down by 4.6 million barrels, and are about eight percent below the five-year seasonal average Crude imports for the week dropped by 39,000 barrels per day. The four week average reached 6.5 million barrels per day. The government says that's half a percent higher than the same four-weeks a year ago. So far this year, 203 Kansas operators have spudded 916 wells, an increase of 322 wells over the tally at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was scouting 434 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up nearly 50% from a year ago. The rig count in Kansas was up two in the eastern half of the state to to 27 rigs. West of Wichita, the count is down one at 34 rigs.&nbsp; On Friday, drilling was underway on two leases in Ellis County and two in Stafford County, with operators expected to spud a new well soon on a lease in Russell County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down one gas rig to 762 active rigs nationwide. The count in Texas was down three rigs, while New Mexico gained two. Kansas regulators okayed 36 new drilling locations over the last week, 27 in eastern Kansas and nine west of Wichita. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 1,037 new drilling permits statewide so far this year. Barton County was unchanged with 30 new permits so far this year. Ellis County adds two permits, 28 so far this year. Russell County is unchanged at 12 new permits this year, and Stafford County is unchanged at 17 new drilling permits in calendar-year 2022. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 31 newly completed wells across the state during the week through August 18th, with 15 east of Wichita and 16 in Western Kansas. Operators have completed 1,004 new wells statewide so far this year. Barton County added two completions last week, 41 so far this year. The tally in Ellis County is unchanged at 24 completed wells. Russell County is up one at eleven wells. Stafford County gained one to 23 completed wells. Gasoline prices continued to drop. The auto club AAA reports a national average pump price of just over $3.93 per gallon, down six cents a gallon from a week ago, and 59 cents cheaper than a month ago. The average across Kansas is down 83 cents from a month ago, at $3.51 per gallon. &nbsp;(8/22) US natural gas prices have skyrocketed to levels unseen since 2008. Futures last week surged seven percent to their highest closing price since August 1, 2008. US shale producers' inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells dipped by 20 wells last week. The Energy Information Administration says the Permian basin saw a drop of 21 DUCs. Several plays reported increases. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but down compared to last year. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,732 tanker carloads hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week through August 13th. That's up 51 tanker carloads from the week before, but down 5.6% from the same week a year ago. Canadian traffic was up nearly 500 tankers for the week and 8.7% higher than last year at this time. Even though Mexico imports nearly all of its natural gas, the country is hoping to become a major exporter. Bloomberg reports the country's proximity to booming US supplies positions it well to supply American gas to customers in Europe and Asia. They have a total of eight new gas export projects in the planning stages. If their hopes pan out the Latin American newcomer would join a very small club of nations that ship liquefied natural gas abroad, behind only the US, Australia and Qatar in output. Earthstone Energy announced the closing of a deal to buy the New Mexico assets of Titus Oil &amp; Gas for $574 million in cash and about 3.9 million shares of stock. The assets are located in the northern Delaware Basin of the Permian play, and bring Earthstone's production base to nearly 100,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per day. The company plans to deploy an additional drilling rig soon to expand its drilling program.

News From the Oil Patch: Natural gas prices spike; gasoline prices drop

Operation Christmas Child will have a “Project Leader Workshop” in two locations on Saturday, Sept.10.

The workshop is for anyone in a church or civic organization who is just learning about OCC, is just getting started, or is currently an OCC leader who would like some new, fresh ideas, said Rachel Albin, Northwest Kansas area coordinator.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief ministry headquartered in Boone, N.C. Every year thousands of volunteers pack simple shoebox gifts with small toys, school supplies and hygiene items. These boxes are then collected and shipped to children in more than 100 countries, including some poverty-stricken areas in the U.S.

For many of these children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Inside every box is a pamphlet, printed in the child’s language, telling the child about Jesus and how these gifts represent the love that He has for each child. For many of the children, this is their first time to hear about Jesus also.

The two workshops will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Norton Christian Church, 208 N. Kansas Ave. in Norton and from 2 to 4 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main St. in Hays.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Albin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ralbinmk@yahoo.com">ralbinmk@yahoo.com</a>&nbsp;or (785) 639-1325, with the following information: Workshop location, group’s name, shoebox goal, and who will be attending.

This is “an opportunity to learn more about the impact that Operation Christmas Child has in the world. Time will be spent discussing ideas of how to share the vision to create excitement within your church or organization packing shoeboxes,” Albin said.

“Don’t miss your opportunity to fellowship with others passionate about OCC and learn how you can create kingdom growth through a simple gift.”

Albin said empty OCC shoeboxes would be handed out at both workshops. National Collection Week this year will be Nov. 14-21.

More information about the shoebox gift project is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.samaritanspurse.org%2fwhat-we-do%2foperation-christmas-child%2f&amp;c=E,1,5aOC_kMz0XUf9PdWM3YLSNcFZ8d0nfDZy--QnNvxi_-lucIS_kC-ivvs0NFujzvwAp_qlyL7Jk0dJ_2XAhiKXFeRQwbcewhpSDUlZ1DCUq--RJKQtu6o&amp;typo=1">https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582750752139.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseOperation Christmas Child will have a “Project Leader Workshop” in two locations on Saturday, Sept.10.The workshop is for anyone in a church or civic organization who is just learning about OCC, is just getting started, or is currently an OCC leader who would like some new, fresh ideas, said Rachel Albin, Northwest Kansas area coordinator.Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief ministry headquartered in Boone, N.C. Every year thousands of volunteers pack simple shoebox gifts with small toys, school supplies and hygiene items. These boxes are then collected and shipped to children in more than 100 countries, including some poverty-stricken areas in the U.S.For many of these children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Inside every box is a pamphlet, printed in the child’s language, telling the child about Jesus and how these gifts represent the love that He has for each child. For many of the children, this is their first time to hear about Jesus also.The two workshops will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Norton Christian Church, 208 N. Kansas Ave. in Norton and from 2 to 4 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main St. in Hays.Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Albin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ralbinmk@yahoo.com">ralbinmk@yahoo.com</a>&nbsp;or (785) 639-1325, with the following information: Workshop location, group’s name, shoebox goal, and who will be attending.This is “an opportunity to learn more about the impact that Operation Christmas Child has in the world. Time will be spent discussing ideas of how to share the vision to create excitement within your church or organization packing shoeboxes,” Albin said.“Don’t miss your opportunity to fellowship with others passionate about OCC and learn how you can create kingdom growth through a simple gift.”Albin said empty OCC shoeboxes would be handed out at both workshops. National Collection Week this year will be Nov. 14-21.More information about the shoebox gift project is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.samaritanspurse.org%2fwhat-we-do%2foperation-christmas-child%2f&amp;c=E,1,5aOC_kMz0XUf9PdWM3YLSNcFZ8d0nfDZy--QnNvxi_-lucIS_kC-ivvs0NFujzvwAp_qlyL7Jk0dJ_2XAhiKXFeRQwbcewhpSDUlZ1DCUq--RJKQtu6o&amp;typo=1">https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/</a>.

Operation Christmas Child workshops set for Hays, Norton

BUNKER HILL — The Kansas Association of Broadcasters has recognized Smoky Hills PBS for 13 awards, including Non-Metro Station of the Year for the 7th&nbsp;year in a row.

“What an amazing job by our staff to receive 13 awards,” said Betsy Schwien, Smoky Hills PBS general manager. “None of this could have been possible without hard work and dedication by each of our employees. To win the Non-Metro Station of the Year for seven years straight says a lot about our station and the things we are able to accomplish each and every year. I’m so proud of our team and look forward to another successful year.”&nbsp;

Below are the 2022 KAB Non-Metro Awards for Smoky Hills PBS:

2022 Non-Metro Station of the Year&nbsp;

1st&nbsp;Place – Real Ag:&nbsp; The Pandemic Effect – Matthew Campbell

2nd&nbsp;Place – Real Ag:&nbsp; Government Policy – Matthew Campbell

Honorable Mention – A Conversation with Lynn Rogers – Smoky Hills PBS Staff

1st&nbsp;Place – 3-2-1A State Wrestling Recap – Les Kinderknecht

1st Place – Mildred Janzen DAR Award – Matthew Campbell

2nd Place – 3-2-1A State Wrestling Recap – Les Kinderknecht

Honorable Mention – 3-2-1A State Wrestling– Les Kinderknecht

1st Place – Family Fun Day - Matthew Campbell

1st&nbsp;Place – A Conversation with Bob Davis – Les Kinderknecht

1st&nbsp;Place – Doctors on Call – Smoky Hills PBS Staff

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578663876107.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Smoky Hills PBSBUNKER HILL — The Kansas Association of Broadcasters has recognized Smoky Hills PBS for 13 awards, including Non-Metro Station of the Year for the 7th&nbsp;year in a row.“What an amazing job by our staff to receive 13 awards,” said Betsy Schwien, Smoky Hills PBS general manager. “None of this could have been possible without hard work and dedication by each of our employees. To win the Non-Metro Station of the Year for seven years straight says a lot about our station and the things we are able to accomplish each and every year. I’m so proud of our team and look forward to another successful year.”&nbsp;Below are the 2022 KAB Non-Metro Awards for Smoky Hills PBS:2022 Non-Metro Station of the Year&nbsp;Smoky Hills PBSIn-Depth News Reporting1st&nbsp;Place – Real Ag:&nbsp; The Pandemic Effect – Matthew Campbell2nd&nbsp;Place – Real Ag:&nbsp; Government Policy – Matthew CampbellHonorable Mention – A Conversation with Lynn Rogers – Smoky Hills PBS StaffSingle Topic Event Coverage1st&nbsp;Place – 3-2-1A State Wrestling Recap – Les KinderknechtSports Feature1st&nbsp;Place – 3-2-1A State Wrestling Recap – Les KinderknechtStation Promotion Announcement1st Place – Mildred Janzen DAR Award – Matthew Campbell2nd Place – 3-2-1A State Wrestling Recap – Les KinderknechtHonorable Mention – 3-2-1A State Wrestling– Les KinderknechtStation Promotion Campaign1st Place – Family Fun Day - Matthew CampbellSpecial Program1st&nbsp;Place – A Conversation with Bob Davis – Les KinderknechtRecurring Program1st&nbsp;Place – Doctors on Call – Smoky Hills PBS StaffStation Website1st Place - Amanda Smith

Smoky Hills PBS receives 13 KAB awards

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661186210388.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Learn about the history and future of the Arkansas River from someone who has traveled its entire length. 

Former Hays City Manager Hannes Zacharias presents this Humanities Kansas program on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main.&nbsp;

Zacharias embarked on his second solo kayak trip down the Arkansas River following a drop of water 2,060 miles from the Continental Divide in Colorado, on to the Mississippi, and concluding at Venice, LA at the Gulf of Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Zacharias served as Hays city manager for nine years beginning in 1992.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661185371866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Public Library&nbsp;Learn about the history and future of the Arkansas River from someone who has traveled its entire length. Former Hays City Manager Hannes Zacharias presents this Humanities Kansas program on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main.&nbsp;Zacharias embarked on his second solo kayak trip down the Arkansas River following a drop of water 2,060 miles from the Continental Divide in Colorado, on to the Mississippi, and concluding at Venice, LA at the Gulf of Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zacharias served as Hays city manager for nine years beginning in 1992.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former Hays city manager to discuss Arkansas River tour at Hays library

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Area fire crews were called back to a fire north of Hays Monday
after the conditions caused a previous fire to reignite.

According to Ellis County Emergency Manager and Assistant
Fire Chief Lyle Pantle, fire crews responded to the area near the intersection
of Hyacinth Ave. and North County Line Rd. two different times Monday.

Pantle said crews were initially called to the area Sunday where
they were able to extinguish the fire by about 9 p.m. The wind and smoldering
debris likely caused the fire to rekindled Monday morning. Crews responded to
the area at approximately 11:30 a.m. and were on scene until about 1 p.m.

About 30 minutes, later crews were paged back to the area,
according to Pantle, after the property operator noticed a new area had
rekindled.

Pantle said the rekindled area was much larger than the
first area.

Rooks County crews were called in to assist because some of
the area is in Rooks County. 

Crews from both Ellis and Rooks Counties stayed on scene for
several hours to ensure the fire did not reignite. 

Pantle said the fire grew to a total area, including the
previous night and the new area, to approximately 250 acres. No damage to
structures or equipment was found. The area is mainly open range and wheat
stubble.

Approximately 15 Ellis County Fire Department 15 personnel reported
to the scene with six fire apparatus. Seven members of the Rooks County Fire
Department staffed four apparatus.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostArea fire crews were called back to a fire north of Hays Monday
after the conditions caused a previous fire to reignite. According to Ellis County Emergency Manager and Assistant
Fire Chief Lyle Pantle, fire crews responded to the area near the intersection
of Hyacinth Ave. and North County Line Rd. two different times Monday.Pantle said crews were initially called to the area Sunday where
they were able to extinguish the fire by about 9 p.m. The wind and smoldering
debris likely caused the fire to rekindled Monday morning. Crews responded to
the area at approximately 11:30 a.m. and were on scene until about 1 p.m.About 30 minutes, later crews were paged back to the area,
according to Pantle, after the property operator noticed a new area had
rekindled.Pantle said the rekindled area was much larger than the
first area.Rooks County crews were called in to assist because some of
the area is in Rooks County. Crews from both Ellis and Rooks Counties stayed on scene for
several hours to ensure the fire did not reignite. Pantle said the fire grew to a total area, including the
previous night and the new area, to approximately 250 acres. No damage to
structures or equipment was found. The area is mainly open range and wheat
stubble.Approximately 15 Ellis County Fire Department 15 personnel reported
to the scene with six fire apparatus. Seven members of the Rooks County Fire
Department staffed four apparatus.

Fire crews called back to fire north of Hays Monday

University of Louisiana Monroe Athletics

MONROE, La. — Mike Hammett has been named the new radio “Voice of the Warhawks,” ULM Athletics Director Scott McDonald and Warhawk Sports Properties General Manager Greg Lynch announced Monday.&nbsp;

Hammett is entering his fifth season with the Warhawk Radio Network in 2022-23 after serving as the radio voice for ULM women’s basketball and baseball and host of the ULM football Tailgate Show. He will handle play-by-play duties for ULM football and men’s basketball while retaining his role with Warhawk baseball. He also will host Hawk Talk with head football coach Terry Bowden, head men’s basketball coach Keith Richard and head baseball coach Michael Federico.&nbsp;

“I’m thrilled to become the next ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” Hammett said. “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to broadcast college athletics at the highest level, and this opportunity achieves that goal. Thank you to Scott McDonald, Greg Lynch and Learfield for allowing me to transition into this role.”&nbsp;

“We’re excited to announce Mike Hammett as the new radio ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” McDonald said. “We’re so fortunate to have someone with Mike’s talent and experience already on our Warhawk Sports Properties’ team. He’s already a familiar voice to our fan base since he’s been calling the ULM baseball and women’s basketball games for the last four years. Mike has earned this opportunity, and we look forward to the smooth transition into his expanded role.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’re excited to elevate Mike into the new role as the new ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” Lynch said. “His extensive knowledge related to college radio broadcasting, coupled with his experience in the Sun Belt Conference, will continue to be a valuable asset to ULM.”&nbsp;

Hammett takes over the football and men’s basketball play-by-play role following Nick White’s move to ESPN+ coverage for football, men’s and women’s basketball and softball.&nbsp;

“I’m forever indebted to Nick White for giving me the opportunity to come to Louisiana four years ago and now trusting me to take over for him as the ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” Hammett said. “Following Nick and the legendary Frank Hoffmann is not an easy task, but I’m excited to take over and put my stamp on ULM radio broadcasts. My goal is to help bring listeners the story of the game and the teams playing, while bringing a high-energy, entertaining call to them wherever they may be listening.”&nbsp;

“Mike has earned this opportunity,” White said. “When I hired him back in 2018, there was no doubt in my mind that he deserved a chance to become the voice of a Division I-FBS program. Having Mike here and in place made my decision to switch to the TV booth that much easier. I am so happy for him, and I know that the Warhawk faithful will be in great hands.”&nbsp;

Hammett’s debut as the “Voice of the Warhawks” will be Sept. 3, when ULM football opens the 2022 season at Texas. He will team with analyst Mike McGee, who enters his fifth season on Warhawk football broadcasts. Tag Rome and Tyler Flemister will share sideline duties while Cory Crowe returns as the network’s engineer.&nbsp;

“My family and I are proud to be in northeast Louisiana and are looking forward to deepening our roots here,” Hammett said. “I can’t wait to hit the air from Austin on Sept. 3.”&nbsp;

Hammett also serves as the Associate Director of Athletic Communications at ULM and is the primary media contact for volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, men’s and women’s golf, men’s basketball, baseball, track and field and beach volleyball.&nbsp;

Before coming to ULM, Hammett was the radio voice of Southwestern Oklahoma State University football and basketball while also working as sports director for Wright Wradio in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He also spent time as the voice of Kansas Wesleyan University football and basketball. He provided play-by-play for select Kansas State University baseball games while working as the sports director for KSAL radio in Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After graduating from Fort Hays State University, he worked for Eagle Radio in Hays for three years, spending time as a play-by-play voice for Hays Larks summer collegiate baseball and high school football, basketball, baseball and softball. He also worked as the sideline reporter for FHSU football broadcasts. He got his start in sports radio while in college at FHSU by broadcasting Marysville High School football games in his hometown of Marysville.&nbsp;

Hammett and his wife Desi have three children: CJ, Emma and Oliver.&nbsp;

<figure>
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 </figure>University of Louisiana Monroe AthleticsMONROE, La. — Mike Hammett has been named the new radio “Voice of the Warhawks,” ULM Athletics Director Scott McDonald and Warhawk Sports Properties General Manager Greg Lynch announced Monday.&nbsp;Hammett is entering his fifth season with the Warhawk Radio Network in 2022-23 after serving as the radio voice for ULM women’s basketball and baseball and host of the ULM football Tailgate Show. He will handle play-by-play duties for ULM football and men’s basketball while retaining his role with Warhawk baseball. He also will host Hawk Talk with head football coach Terry Bowden, head men’s basketball coach Keith Richard and head baseball coach Michael Federico.&nbsp;“I’m thrilled to become the next ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” Hammett said. “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to broadcast college athletics at the highest level, and this opportunity achieves that goal. Thank you to Scott McDonald, Greg Lynch and Learfield for allowing me to transition into this role.”&nbsp;“We’re excited to announce Mike Hammett as the new radio ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” McDonald said. “We’re so fortunate to have someone with Mike’s talent and experience already on our Warhawk Sports Properties’ team. He’s already a familiar voice to our fan base since he’s been calling the ULM baseball and women’s basketball games for the last four years. Mike has earned this opportunity, and we look forward to the smooth transition into his expanded role.” &nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re excited to elevate Mike into the new role as the new ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” Lynch said. “His extensive knowledge related to college radio broadcasting, coupled with his experience in the Sun Belt Conference, will continue to be a valuable asset to ULM.”&nbsp;Hammett takes over the football and men’s basketball play-by-play role following Nick White’s move to ESPN+ coverage for football, men’s and women’s basketball and softball.&nbsp;“I’m forever indebted to Nick White for giving me the opportunity to come to Louisiana four years ago and now trusting me to take over for him as the ‘Voice of the Warhawks,’” Hammett said. “Following Nick and the legendary Frank Hoffmann is not an easy task, but I’m excited to take over and put my stamp on ULM radio broadcasts. My goal is to help bring listeners the story of the game and the teams playing, while bringing a high-energy, entertaining call to them wherever they may be listening.”&nbsp;“Mike has earned this opportunity,” White said. “When I hired him back in 2018, there was no doubt in my mind that he deserved a chance to become the voice of a Division I-FBS program. Having Mike here and in place made my decision to switch to the TV booth that much easier. I am so happy for him, and I know that the Warhawk faithful will be in great hands.”&nbsp;Hammett’s debut as the “Voice of the Warhawks” will be Sept. 3, when ULM football opens the 2022 season at Texas. He will team with analyst Mike McGee, who enters his fifth season on Warhawk football broadcasts. Tag Rome and Tyler Flemister will share sideline duties while Cory Crowe returns as the network’s engineer.&nbsp;“My family and I are proud to be in northeast Louisiana and are looking forward to deepening our roots here,” Hammett said. “I can’t wait to hit the air from Austin on Sept. 3.”&nbsp;Hammett also serves as the Associate Director of Athletic Communications at ULM and is the primary media contact for volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, men’s and women’s golf, men’s basketball, baseball, track and field and beach volleyball.&nbsp;Before coming to ULM, Hammett was the radio voice of Southwestern Oklahoma State University football and basketball while also working as sports director for Wright Wradio in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He also spent time as the voice of Kansas Wesleyan University football and basketball. He provided play-by-play for select Kansas State University baseball games while working as the sports director for KSAL radio in Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;After graduating from Fort Hays State University, he worked for Eagle Radio in Hays for three years, spending time as a play-by-play voice for Hays Larks summer collegiate baseball and high school football, basketball, baseball and softball. He also worked as the sideline reporter for FHSU football broadcasts. He got his start in sports radio while in college at FHSU by broadcasting Marysville High School football games in his hometown of Marysville.&nbsp;Hammett and his wife Desi have three children: CJ, Emma and Oliver.&nbsp;

FHSU grad, former Eagle broadcaster now 'Voice of the Warhawks'

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The 24th annual Youth Outdoor Festival was attended by 219 youth Saturday at the Hays City Sportsman Club.&nbsp;

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 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe 24th annual Youth Outdoor Festival was attended by 219 youth Saturday at the Hays City Sportsman Club.&nbsp;<figure>
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Youth Outdoor Festival 2022 in photos

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about a Hays housing report.

<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about a Hays housing report.<div><iframe title="Hays housing report to be released soon, discussed at Grow Hays Quarterly Luncheon" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=v69d2-12a232a-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Hays housing report subject of Grow Hays Quarterly Luncheon

The annual Hays Aquatic Park dog swim Saturday brought a full crowd to the park for one last event of the year.

Take a look at some of the four-legged fun in the sun below.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661106161847.jpeg" alt="Photos by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photos by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The annual Hays Aquatic Park dog swim Saturday brought a full crowd to the park for one last event of the year.Take a look at some of the four-legged fun in the sun below.<figure>
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📷 Hays Aquatic Park wraps season with annual dog swim 

The Faculty Member of the Year award was presented to Dr. C.D. Clark, associate professor of physics. Commerce Bank provided a $1,000 stipend for Dr. Clark in recognition of this honor. Dr. Clark has provided exemplary service to the department, college, and university by serving on the university promotion, general education, and commencement committees. He has researched, developed, and shared techniques for effectively delivering a high-quality educational experience for FHSU online learners.&nbsp;

The faculty member of the year is selected from the past year’s recipients of faculty awards for teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service.

The 2021-2022 awards for scholarly activity went to Dr. Gordon Carlson, associate professor of informatics, and Dr. Daniel McClure, assistant professor of history. Outstanding service awards went to Dr. Donnette Noble, Omer G. Voss distinguished associate professor of leadership studies and director of civic learning and engagement, and Dr. C.D. Clark, associate professor in the department of physics. In the area of outstanding teaching, Ms. Linda McHenry, instructor of English, and Dr. Brooke Moore, associate professor of advanced education programs, were recognized.&nbsp;

John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor

Dr. Jeanne Sumrall, instructor, department of geosciences and KAMS, was named the John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor. The award is named after our esteemed former colleague, Dr. John Heinrichs, who was active in all areas of research.

This award recognizes faculty members for their commitment, time, and energy in promoting undergraduate research. All current faculty and unclassified staff members at levels comparable to academic faculty are eligible. The awardee’s home department is provided $500 of budget funding to benefit the recipient.&nbsp;

Dr. Sumrall has shown outstanding support to her students in mentoring them through the undergraduate research process. Her commitment to her students’ growth and learning is evidenced through their letters of support for her nomination. One student wrote: “Not only does Dr. Sumrall care immensely about promoting undergraduate projects for her students, but she also follows through as she engages with us and encourages a lifetime love of research. The commitment, time, and energy that Dr. Sumrall has dedicated for this have changed the life of not just me, but also the lives of countless others.”

President’s Distinguished Scholar Award

Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice, was announced as the 2022 President’s Distinguished Scholar.&nbsp;

Dr. Terry’s research includes gender and crime, juvenile corrections, gender-based violence, and rural criminology. She has published two book chapters, 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, five technical reports, and various other types of publications. Dr. Terry’s resume includes 48 presentations for undergraduate and graduate students. She serves on many department and college committees as well as a variety of community projects and initiatives.&nbsp;

Dr. Terry will receive a $1,500 check at the President’s Distinguished Scholar program later in the academic year.

The President’s Distinguished Scholar Award was first conferred in 1989. The evaluation of each candidate for this honor is based on an analysis of their performance in research and creative activities, service, and instruction categories. Acceptable levels of performance must be demonstrated in service and instruction, with the primary focus of this award on research and creative activities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660757644961.jpeg" alt="Dr. C.D. Clark, Dr. Jeanne Sumrall, Dr. April Terry" />
 <figcaption>Dr. C.D. Clark, Dr. Jeanne Sumrall, Dr. April Terry</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsThe Faculty Member of the Year award was presented to Dr. C.D. Clark, associate professor of physics. Commerce Bank provided a $1,000 stipend for Dr. Clark in recognition of this honor. Dr. Clark has provided exemplary service to the department, college, and university by serving on the university promotion, general education, and commencement committees. He has researched, developed, and shared techniques for effectively delivering a high-quality educational experience for FHSU online learners.&nbsp;The faculty member of the year is selected from the past year’s recipients of faculty awards for teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service.The 2021-2022 awards for scholarly activity went to Dr. Gordon Carlson, associate professor of informatics, and Dr. Daniel McClure, assistant professor of history. Outstanding service awards went to Dr. Donnette Noble, Omer G. Voss distinguished associate professor of leadership studies and director of civic learning and engagement, and Dr. C.D. Clark, associate professor in the department of physics. In the area of outstanding teaching, Ms. Linda McHenry, instructor of English, and Dr. Brooke Moore, associate professor of advanced education programs, were recognized.&nbsp;John Heinrichs Outstanding Research MentorDr. Jeanne Sumrall, instructor, department of geosciences and KAMS, was named the John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor. The award is named after our esteemed former colleague, Dr. John Heinrichs, who was active in all areas of research.This award recognizes faculty members for their commitment, time, and energy in promoting undergraduate research. All current faculty and unclassified staff members at levels comparable to academic faculty are eligible. The awardee’s home department is provided $500 of budget funding to benefit the recipient.&nbsp;Dr. Sumrall has shown outstanding support to her students in mentoring them through the undergraduate research process. Her commitment to her students’ growth and learning is evidenced through their letters of support for her nomination. One student wrote: “Not only does Dr. Sumrall care immensely about promoting undergraduate projects for her students, but she also follows through as she engages with us and encourages a lifetime love of research. The commitment, time, and energy that Dr. Sumrall has dedicated for this have changed the life of not just me, but also the lives of countless others.”President’s Distinguished Scholar AwardDr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice, was announced as the 2022 President’s Distinguished Scholar.&nbsp;Dr. Terry’s research includes gender and crime, juvenile corrections, gender-based violence, and rural criminology. She has published two book chapters, 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, five technical reports, and various other types of publications. Dr. Terry’s resume includes 48 presentations for undergraduate and graduate students. She serves on many department and college committees as well as a variety of community projects and initiatives.&nbsp;Dr. Terry will receive a $1,500 check at the President’s Distinguished Scholar program later in the academic year.The President’s Distinguished Scholar Award was first conferred in 1989. The evaluation of each candidate for this honor is based on an analysis of their performance in research and creative activities, service, and instruction categories. Acceptable levels of performance must be demonstrated in service and instruction, with the primary focus of this award on research and creative activities.

Faculty awards presented at FHSU fall convocation

Ellis Co. Fire Department to host KSFFA fire training

Dr. Wally Curry has recently joined the Western Kansas Urology Associates clinic at HaysMed.&nbsp;

Curry received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He completed his residency in urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City. He is board certified in urology by the American Board of Urology.

Curry is accepting new patients. Call 785-628-6014 for an appointment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660930230392.jpeg" alt="Curry" />
 <figcaption>Curry</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedDr. Wally Curry has recently joined the Western Kansas Urology Associates clinic at HaysMed.&nbsp;Curry received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He completed his residency in urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City. He is board certified in urology by the American Board of Urology.Curry is accepting new patients. Call 785-628-6014 for an appointment.

New provider joins staff of Western Kansas Urology Associates

RUSSELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Sunday in Russell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 International semi driven by Ramandeep  Singh, 32, Indianapolis, IN., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Dorrance exit.&nbsp;

Due to driver inattention, the semi entered the median. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle reentered the roadway, traveled into the north ditch, came back onto the roadway and rolled over on its side.

EMS transported&nbsp; Singh to the hospital in Russell. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

RUSSELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Sunday in Russell County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 International semi driven by Ramandeep Singh, 32, Indianapolis, IN., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Dorrance exit.&nbsp;Due to driver inattention, the semi entered the median. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle reentered the roadway, traveled into the north ditch, came back onto the roadway and rolled over on its side.EMS transported&nbsp; Singh to the hospital in Russell. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after semi overturns on I-70

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

🎙Post Podcast: Return to school marks good opportunity to check fire prevention equipment

Fort Hays State University and NCK Technical College begin their fall semesters Monday; the other many schools in Hays started classes last week.

With those changes comes an increase in local traffic and the Hays Police Department (HPD) is urging drivers to be cautious.

The most important thing you can do, according to&nbsp;Lt. Brandon Wright, is to just
slow down and give yourself extra time.

"People are going to be going to new places and figuring out their routes, and figure out their timelines every morning.

"Traffic is going to be more congested than it's been all summer as we get back into the groove what the school year is like," Wright said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Drivers should be extra vigilant around schools, he added.

"Kids are unpredictable. They're not always watching and they can be bouncing around and popping out from behind cars."&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wright said police officers will prioritize watching and enforcing school zones, where speeding ticket fines are automatically doubled.

He also reminds drivers they must stop in both directions when coming up to a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. A stop sign is also ususally extended from the bus.&nbsp;

"You must stay stopped until the red lights are off and the bus resumes motion."

Fines for "school bus drive bys" are even more expensive.

The first offense will cost violators $315 plus court costs and increase substantially with subsequent violations.

"We've all seen those internet clips of horrible accidents that happen as a kid comes running around a school bus and is blind to the traffic until they pop out. So be careful around the buses."

Drivers also need to watch out for kids coming out of alleys and from between parked cars.&nbsp;

Don't double park, stop in the middle of the street or to be in a no parking zone when dropping off or picking up children at schools. "It contributes to blocking vision and is more dangerous for your children."

To avoid the congested areas, Wright suggests dropping off children in a familiar neighborhood close to their school and having them use the school crosswalks to cross a busy street.

Youngsters walking to school or riding their bikes or scooters should be use the same route each day and have a plan for notifying an adult where they'll be after school.

"You should talk to them about traffic safety and tell them especially to watch alleys and driveway accesses.

"Kids often, especially on bikes, go flying down sidewalks and you just never know when a car is going to pull out of a driveway. You should also be thinking about that as a driver."

According to Wright, bicycles and scooters may be ridden on sidewalks in Hays, except in the downtown business area. Riders should wear a helmet.&nbsp;

Wright also encouraged drivers to stay off their phones when around school zones and school buses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661059297099.jpeg" alt="(Photo by Pixabay)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo by Pixabay)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostFort Hays State University and NCK Technical College begin their fall semesters Monday; the other many schools in Hays started classes last week.With those changes comes an increase in local traffic and the Hays Police Department (HPD) is urging drivers to be cautious.The most important thing you can do, according to&nbsp;Lt. Brandon Wright, is to just
slow down and give yourself extra time."People are going to be going to new places and figuring out their routes, and figure out their timelines every morning."Traffic is going to be more congested than it's been all summer as we get back into the groove what the school year is like," Wright said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Drivers should be extra vigilant around schools, he added."Kids are unpredictable. They're not always watching and they can be bouncing around and popping out from behind cars."&nbsp; &nbsp;<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Sun Aug 21 2022 00:28:10 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="School Traffic"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M40S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/thumbs/IWCHSioS-960.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/IWCHSioS-pBJeDI6y.mp4"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IWCHSioS-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="School Traffic" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>Wright said police officers will prioritize watching and enforcing school zones, where speeding ticket fines are automatically doubled.He also reminds drivers they must stop in both directions when coming up to a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. A stop sign is also ususally extended from the bus.&nbsp;"You must stay stopped until the red lights are off and the bus resumes motion."Fines for "school bus drive bys" are even more expensive.The first offense will cost violators $315 plus court costs and increase substantially with subsequent violations."We've all seen those internet clips of horrible accidents that happen as a kid comes running around a school bus and is blind to the traffic until they pop out. So be careful around the buses."Drivers also need to watch out for kids coming out of alleys and from between parked cars.&nbsp;Don't double park, stop in the middle of the street or to be in a no parking zone when dropping off or picking up children at schools. "It contributes to blocking vision and is more dangerous for your children."To avoid the congested areas, Wright suggests dropping off children in a familiar neighborhood close to their school and having them use the school crosswalks to cross a busy street.Youngsters walking to school or riding their bikes or scooters should be use the same route each day and have a plan for notifying an adult where they'll be after school."You should talk to them about traffic safety and tell them especially to watch alleys and driveway accesses."Kids often, especially on bikes, go flying down sidewalks and you just never know when a car is going to pull out of a driveway. You should also be thinking about that as a driver."According to Wright, bicycles and scooters may be ridden on sidewalks in Hays, except in the downtown business area. Riders should wear a helmet.&nbsp;Wright also encouraged drivers to stay off their phones when around school zones and school buses.

🎥 All schools in session Monday; Hays PD urges driver vigilance

How will the residents of Kansas’ “Big First” get along with Lawrence?&nbsp;&nbsp;This is only one of many questions posted by Kansas’ new Congressional district map.

The Big First is Kansas’ rural, western and central district that stretches to Colorado. In this year’s map, Lawrence is “scooped” out of the Second and placed into the Big First by an eastward appendage that resembles an arm or a hook.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plaintiffs&nbsp;&nbsp;challenged the map and District Court judge Bill Klapper ruled for the plaintiffs, but the Kansas Supreme Court reversed and their decision—and the map—are final.&nbsp;

The Big First is one of America’s “reddest” (most Republican) districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, 60 percent of Douglas County’s voters preferred President Biden over Donald Trump, and a crushing 81.5 percent voted “No” on this summer’s proposed, anti-abortion constitutional referendum.&nbsp;&nbsp;For its new neighbors, Lawrence is really going to keep things interesting.&nbsp;

Will incumbent Tracey Mann schedule town hall meetings in Lawrence?&nbsp;&nbsp;Expect many in this open and inclusive community to take Mann to task for his rhetoric about immigrants and immigration, which many will find offensive.&nbsp;&nbsp;If there are no meetings scheduled locally, Lawrence residents can travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, will Mann fight for federal funding for KU?&nbsp;&nbsp;Right now, that job seems to fall to Rep. Sharice Davids in the House, but none of the main campus lies in her district, plus she faces a tough challenger and a new district this fall.

Electorally, Lawrence’s Democratic supermajority cannot overcome the Republican advantage in the Big First.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet the community’s population of politically active people have other options.&nbsp;&nbsp;They may start fundraising, recruiting, and base-building in the rest of the district.&nbsp;&nbsp;As my colleague Alex Middlewood pointed out a few weeks ago in her column, Kansas has several statehouse and other races that go unopposed, and many of those are Republican districts in Western Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;That region has not always been so one-sided.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the early 2000s, popular incumbents like state senator Janis Lee, state representatives Josh Svaty and Eber Phelps, and State Treasurer Dennis McKinney insured that Democrat were represented west of Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;The formidable fundraising and organizing power of Lawrence combined with KU’s vast alumni network might be just the tickets to start recruiting, funding, and training new candidates for state and local office, for example from the growing immigrant communities of that region, which currently have little to no representation and notoriously lower voter turnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another college town, Manhattan has been in the district since 2012—adding Lawrence will change the Big First’s character still further.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Changes are coming to the other districts, too.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most of Wyandotte county is moved from the Kansas-City area Third District, into the Second with Topeka, but not Lawrence, creating a strangely-shaped district which will be substantially more urban than the one to which Rep. Jake LaTurner is accustomed to representing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Several counties in the Flint Hills region were then moved from the Big First into the Second.&nbsp;&nbsp;All in all, hundreds of thousands more voters were moved from district to district than would have been necessary simply to comply with the 2020 U.S. Census, with only Wichita’s Fourth District remaining largely unchanged.

Finally, the Third District now combines three rural counties, all of Johnson County, and the southernmost portion of Kansas City, changing its character and setting up a showdown between incumbent Sharice Davids and her challenger, Republican Amanda Adkins.

Redistricting has consequences that go far beyond the partisan balance between Democrats and Republicans.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the next few election cycles, Kansans will learn just how far these can go.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>How will the residents of Kansas’ “Big First” get along with Lawrence?&nbsp;&nbsp;This is only one of many questions posted by Kansas’ new Congressional district map.The Big First is Kansas’ rural, western and central district that stretches to Colorado. In this year’s map, Lawrence is “scooped” out of the Second and placed into the Big First by an eastward appendage that resembles an arm or a hook.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plaintiffs&nbsp;&nbsp;challenged the map and District Court judge Bill Klapper ruled for the plaintiffs, but the Kansas Supreme Court reversed and their decision—and the map—are final.&nbsp;The Big First is one of America’s “reddest” (most Republican) districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, 60 percent of Douglas County’s voters preferred President Biden over Donald Trump, and a crushing 81.5 percent voted “No” on this summer’s proposed, anti-abortion constitutional referendum.&nbsp;&nbsp;For its new neighbors, Lawrence is really going to keep things interesting.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Will incumbent Tracey Mann schedule town hall meetings in Lawrence?&nbsp;&nbsp;Expect many in this open and inclusive community to take Mann to task for his rhetoric about immigrants and immigration, which many will find offensive.&nbsp;&nbsp;If there are no meetings scheduled locally, Lawrence residents can travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, will Mann fight for federal funding for KU?&nbsp;&nbsp;Right now, that job seems to fall to Rep. Sharice Davids in the House, but none of the main campus lies in her district, plus she faces a tough challenger and a new district this fall.Electorally, Lawrence’s Democratic supermajority cannot overcome the Republican advantage in the Big First.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet the community’s population of politically active people have other options.&nbsp;&nbsp;They may start fundraising, recruiting, and base-building in the rest of the district.&nbsp;&nbsp;As my colleague Alex Middlewood pointed out a few weeks ago in her column, Kansas has several statehouse and other races that go unopposed, and many of those are Republican districts in Western Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;That region has not always been so one-sided.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the early 2000s, popular incumbents like state senator Janis Lee, state representatives Josh Svaty and Eber Phelps, and State Treasurer Dennis McKinney insured that Democrat were represented west of Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;The formidable fundraising and organizing power of Lawrence combined with KU’s vast alumni network might be just the tickets to start recruiting, funding, and training new candidates for state and local office, for example from the growing immigrant communities of that region, which currently have little to no representation and notoriously lower voter turnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another college town, Manhattan has been in the district since 2012—adding Lawrence will change the Big First’s character still further.&nbsp;&nbsp;Changes are coming to the other districts, too.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most of Wyandotte county is moved from the Kansas-City area Third District, into the Second with Topeka, but not Lawrence, creating a strangely-shaped district which will be substantially more urban than the one to which Rep. Jake LaTurner is accustomed to representing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Several counties in the Flint Hills region were then moved from the Big First into the Second.&nbsp;&nbsp;All in all, hundreds of thousands more voters were moved from district to district than would have been necessary simply to comply with the 2020 U.S. Census, with only Wichita’s Fourth District remaining largely unchanged.Finally, the Third District now combines three rural counties, all of Johnson County, and the southernmost portion of Kansas City, changing its character and setting up a showdown between incumbent Sharice Davids and her challenger, Republican Amanda Adkins.Redistricting has consequences that go far beyond the partisan balance between Democrats and Republicans.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the next few election cycles, Kansans will learn just how far these can go.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Redistricting means big changes for Kansans

 🎥 Green & Growing: Water-smart landscaping

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660929195677.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>

During a hot, dry spell a few years back, a&nbsp;friend&nbsp;told me she’d&nbsp;been hearing the call of a&nbsp;“rain crow” and asked&nbsp;me&nbsp;if I knew what kind of bird&nbsp;it was. She also said she had been seeing “sundogs” in the evening and that they were&nbsp;both&nbsp;supposedly predictors of rain. Now I remember&nbsp;someone’s grandpa talking about a rain crow&nbsp;when I was a kid, or storm crow as he called it, and I knew absolutely zero about sundogs, but&nbsp;given their supposed rain prediction powers,&nbsp;I&nbsp;delved deeper.&nbsp;

I found numerous references to a “rain crow” and all seemed&nbsp;to agree that it was in&nbsp;fact a Yellow- Billed Cuckoo. Few, however wanted to stick their neck out concerning its rain prediction ability; one website tossed around the figure of 3 days from&nbsp;first hearing one until rain. Sundogs on the other hand, were quite a popular subject, and are ice crystals high in the atmosphere&nbsp;that, when sunlight shines through&nbsp;them cangive the illusion of a second or third sun on each side of the actual sun.&nbsp;I’ve&nbsp;seen sun dogs a couple times over the years in the winter. But once again, however,&nbsp;sundogs ties to predicting rain&nbsp;were sparse.&nbsp;

My search turned up so many&nbsp;proverbs and&nbsp;“old&nbsp;wives’&nbsp;tales” concerning rain that I decided to&nbsp;enlist the help of Ross Jansen, Meteorologist at KWCH TV channel 12, and play an Exploring Kansas Outdoors version of Myth Busters. I read several rain-prediction fables&nbsp;to Ross over the phone and got his take on each.&nbsp;Concerning sundogs, Ross said&nbsp;there is some correct science in tying sundogs to rain, in that the same ice crystals that cause them have the ability to form&nbsp;clouds containing rain. But as far as&nbsp;them predicting rain, Ross was hesitant to agree to that.&nbsp;

Next,&nbsp;I asked him about a ring around the moon predicting rain, and again he&nbsp;said that a ring around the moon indeed meant there was moisture at some level, but&nbsp;said it was so high up that the chance of it finding its way to us in the form of rain was nil. “Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning”&nbsp;is another&nbsp;widely quoted proverb about rain. Since weather patterns typically move across the country from west to east, the gist of the explanation is that a red morning sky means we are seeing sunlight through a weather system yet to come, while a red&nbsp;evening sky means we are seeing a weather system moving away from us. Ross said he&nbsp;has indeed noticed that morning thunderstorms&nbsp;often bring with them a red morning sky, and that there was again some correct science accompanying the tale. But also like the previous two fables, he felt it&nbsp;was a stretch&nbsp;to say that they actually predicted&nbsp;rain. We agreed to call these&nbsp;three myths SEMI-BUSTED.

Another proverb I found read&nbsp;“When grass is dry at night, look for rain before the light; when grass is dry at morning light, look for rain before the night.” This one uses the&nbsp;presence or&nbsp;absence of dew at certain times to predict rain. 

Ross says that the presence or absence of dew depends solely on night time temperatures and dew point temperatures and&nbsp;saw&nbsp;no link&nbsp;between them and a prediction for rain. We&nbsp;declared&nbsp;this one BUSTED. The next was an Indian proverb that says “If the moon is red, of rain she speaks.”&nbsp;Ross said&nbsp;a red moon is red only&nbsp;because of smoke or dust; again BUSTED.&nbsp;

Next,&nbsp;I asked him about something&nbsp;I’ve always&nbsp;thought to be a rain predictor, that being the fact that birds fly lower and congregate on power lines just before a storm because the lower air pressure preceding a storm makes it tough for them to attain lift and fly. He debunked that also by&nbsp;telling me that when air pressure is low, the air as a whole actually rises;&nbsp;BUSTED again.

I could literally spend the next month cussing and discussing all the&nbsp;old-time&nbsp;weather fables and proverbs I found while writing this piece. To those of you who&nbsp;put&nbsp;stock in any of the rain predictors I cast doubt upon, I’m sorry to have rained on your parade (yes,&nbsp;pun intended) even though I’m certain some&nbsp;hold true some of the time. Ross even&nbsp;told me&nbsp;that his mom swears by an old tale that says&nbsp;it will rain 100 days after a fog; she even keeps track of it on her calendar. Maybe that&nbsp;will win me back some points and make you feel better again about your favorite weather tales knowing that the weather guy’s&nbsp;mom even believes&nbsp;some of&nbsp;them! 

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>During a hot, dry spell a few years back, a&nbsp;friend&nbsp;told me she’d&nbsp;been hearing the call of a&nbsp;“rain crow” and asked&nbsp;me&nbsp;if I knew what kind of bird&nbsp;it was. She also said she had been seeing “sundogs” in the evening and that they were&nbsp;both&nbsp;supposedly predictors of rain. Now I remember&nbsp;someone’s grandpa talking about a rain crow&nbsp;when I was a kid, or storm crow as he called it, and I knew absolutely zero about sundogs, but&nbsp;given their supposed rain prediction powers,&nbsp;I&nbsp;delved deeper.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660764702066.jpg" alt="Sundog / Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Sundog / Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>I found numerous references to a “rain crow” and all seemed&nbsp;to agree that it was in&nbsp;fact a Yellow- Billed Cuckoo. Few, however wanted to stick their neck out concerning its rain prediction ability; one website tossed around the figure of 3 days from&nbsp;first hearing one until rain. Sundogs on the other hand, were quite a popular subject, and are ice crystals high in the atmosphere&nbsp;that, when sunlight shines through&nbsp;them cangive the illusion of a second or third sun on each side of the actual sun.&nbsp;I’ve&nbsp;seen sun dogs a couple times over the years in the winter. But once again, however,&nbsp;sundogs ties to predicting rain&nbsp;were sparse.&nbsp;My search turned up so many&nbsp;proverbs and&nbsp;“old&nbsp;wives’&nbsp;tales” concerning rain that I decided to&nbsp;enlist the help of Ross Jansen, Meteorologist at KWCH TV channel 12, and play an Exploring Kansas Outdoors version of Myth Busters. I read several rain-prediction fables&nbsp;to Ross over the phone and got his take on each.&nbsp;Concerning sundogs, Ross said&nbsp;there is some correct science in tying sundogs to rain, in that the same ice crystals that cause them have the ability to form&nbsp;clouds containing rain. But as far as&nbsp;them predicting rain, Ross was hesitant to agree to that.&nbsp;Next,&nbsp;I asked him about a ring around the moon predicting rain, and again he&nbsp;said that a ring around the moon indeed meant there was moisture at some level, but&nbsp;said it was so high up that the chance of it finding its way to us in the form of rain was nil. “Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning”&nbsp;is another&nbsp;widely quoted proverb about rain. Since weather patterns typically move across the country from west to east, the gist of the explanation is that a red morning sky means we are seeing sunlight through a weather system yet to come, while a red&nbsp;evening sky means we are seeing a weather system moving away from us. Ross said he&nbsp;has indeed noticed that morning thunderstorms&nbsp;often bring with them a red morning sky, and that there was again some correct science accompanying the tale. But also like the previous two fables, he felt it&nbsp;was a stretch&nbsp;to say that they actually predicted&nbsp;rain. We agreed to call these&nbsp;three myths SEMI-BUSTED.Another proverb I found read&nbsp;“When grass is dry at night, look for rain before the light; when grass is dry at morning light, look for rain before the night.” This one uses the&nbsp;presence or&nbsp;absence of dew at certain times to predict rain. Ross says that the presence or absence of dew depends solely on night time temperatures and dew point temperatures and&nbsp;saw&nbsp;no link&nbsp;between them and a prediction for rain. We&nbsp;declared&nbsp;this one BUSTED. The next was an Indian proverb that says “If the moon is red, of rain she speaks.”&nbsp;Ross said&nbsp;a red moon is red only&nbsp;because of smoke or dust; again BUSTED.&nbsp;Next,&nbsp;I asked him about something&nbsp;I’ve always&nbsp;thought to be a rain predictor, that being the fact that birds fly lower and congregate on power lines just before a storm because the lower air pressure preceding a storm makes it tough for them to attain lift and fly. He debunked that also by&nbsp;telling me that when air pressure is low, the air as a whole actually rises;&nbsp;BUSTED again.I could literally spend the next month cussing and discussing all the&nbsp;old-time&nbsp;weather fables and proverbs I found while writing this piece. To those of you who&nbsp;put&nbsp;stock in any of the rain predictors I cast doubt upon, I’m sorry to have rained on your parade (yes,&nbsp;pun intended) even though I’m certain some&nbsp;hold true some of the time. Ross even&nbsp;told me&nbsp;that his mom swears by an old tale that says&nbsp;it will rain 100 days after a fog; she even keeps track of it on her calendar. Maybe that&nbsp;will win me back some points and make you feel better again about your favorite weather tales knowing that the weather guy’s&nbsp;mom even believes&nbsp;some of&nbsp;them! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Of rain crows and sundogs

Crystal Hammerschmidt has been named the new arts services coordinator for Salina Arts &amp; Humanities.

Raised
 in Smolan, Hammerschmidt most recently lived and worked in Hays, where 
she recently completed her Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and
 sculpture at Fort Hays State University. She also lived in Lawrence for
 12 years and was involved in projects with the Lawrence Arts Center, 
Lawrence Public Schools, the Douglas County Food Policy Council, and 
managed a local screen printing shop.

“I strongly believe
 access for all to the arts within our community is vital to the 
development of artists and community members of all ages. I am fortunate
 to be a product of a rich arts community between Lindsborg and Salina. I
 look forward to a chance to help strengthen rich cultural experiences 
throughout Salina,” said Hammerschmidt.

Her artistic practice is currently about objects in nature and how 
they relate to one another. As a mixed media artist-printmaker, she 
combines relief cuts, lithography, etching, silkscreen, cast metals, and
 fabric. 

“I have always enjoyed studying science, and I find the 
natural world to be a curious and magical place, ripe for exploring,” 
she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660670796463.png" alt="Crystal Hammerschmidt /&nbsp;Photo courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Crystal Hammerschmidt /&nbsp;Photo courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Arts &amp; HumanitiesCrystal Hammerschmidt has been named the new arts services coordinator for Salina Arts &amp; Humanities.Raised
 in Smolan, Hammerschmidt most recently lived and worked in Hays, where 
she recently completed her Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and
 sculpture at Fort Hays State University. She also lived in Lawrence for
 12 years and was involved in projects with the Lawrence Arts Center, 
Lawrence Public Schools, the Douglas County Food Policy Council, and 
managed a local screen printing shop.“I strongly believe
 access for all to the arts within our community is vital to the 
development of artists and community members of all ages. I am fortunate
 to be a product of a rich arts community between Lindsborg and Salina. I
 look forward to a chance to help strengthen rich cultural experiences 
throughout Salina,” said Hammerschmidt.Her artistic practice is currently about objects in nature and how 
they relate to one another. As a mixed media artist-printmaker, she 
combines relief cuts, lithography, etching, silkscreen, cast metals, and
 fabric. “I have always enjoyed studying science, and I find the 
natural world to be a curious and magical place, ripe for exploring,” 
she said.This past June, Hammerschmidt participated in an 
international project in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, Germany, with a team of 
artists, former Fort Hays State faculty, and students. There they built a
 cupola furnace for smelting iron. The furnace will be the center 
performance of an international cast iron festival in 2024 in Saalfeld, 
Thuringia. “This opportunity took place at the crossroads of 
industry, art, and community and has given me a unique perspective on 
how to approach large-scale projects. I’m excited to apply this process 
to the public art projects here in Salina,” Hammerschmidt said.“Crystal
 will be a great addition to the Arts &amp; Humanities team,” said Brad 
Anderson, Salina Arts &amp; Humanities executive director. “Her strong 
arts practice and familiarity with central Kansas will allow her to get a
 jump-start in connecting with the community.”For Salina Arts 
&amp; Humanities, Hammerschmidt will oversee the Smoky Hill River 
Festival’s juried art show, demo artists, outdoor Art Installations, and
 the Art Patron Program. She also will serve as the primary liaison to 
the Community Art &amp; Design Program and its advisory committee and 
will serve as a regional public art and visual arts resource.To reach Hammerschmidt, contact Salina Arts &amp; Humanities at 785-309-5770 or at <a href="mailto:crystal.hammerschmidt@salina.org">crystal.hammerschmidt@salina.org</a>. Explore her artistic practice at <a href="http://www.diamondzendirt.com/">www.diamondzendirt.com/</a>.

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