By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau “Price is what you pay, value is what you get,” Warren Buffet is fond of saying. That line was running through my head recently as my wife and I were preparing to have some flooring replaced in our kitchen and living room. We had moved all the furniture out of the way and thought we might try to speed the process along, and save a little money, by starting the demolition process ourselves. The floating floor we installed in the kitchen when we first moved in came out without any problem. The linoleum underneath was a different story. Actually, it turned out there were two layers of vinyl covering. After working up a sweat removing a small section of flooring that was atomically bonded to the subfloor, we decided the cost savings weren’t as valuable as we initially thought. We left the rest to the professionals. It’s a good reminder that price is only one side of the equation, and it’s difficult to judge the utility of something by only looking at half the calculation. It’s something I hope everyone keeps in the back of their minds as budget season for cities, counties and school districts is in full swing. In the coming weeks the majority of Kansans are likely to receive letters from at least one of these governing bodies of their intent to raise property taxes. These notices will include the value of your property, the tax you paid in the last year and a variety of other information. The date, time and location of a public hearing on the budget also will be included, and that’s where community members can offer their input on the proposed tax increase. The direct notices are relatively new and add an extra layer of transparency to the usual public notices published in a local newspaper and posted on government websites. Hopefully they’ll function as intended and spur more public feedback on budgets. Whether it’s through people attending the public hearings or having private conversations with county commissioners, city councilors or school board members, more engagement in the process will help ensure the taxes levied match the value of services the community desires. I will note that these conversations should be approached with a degree of caution because the public hearing is toward the end of a months-long process of drafting a budget and setting tax rates. If, for some reason, you’re hoping for a larger tax increase than proposed, you’re going to be out of luck since the maximum mill levy will have already been established. But public pressure can still lower the levy and reduce tax bills if elected officials are persuaded to do so. Officials have to strike a balance between the services the public wants at a price they’re willing to pay. The wants are often well intentioned, even reasonable, but they’re also unlimited. The appetite for tax increases is usually more subdued, at least by the public. When offering your opinion on a budget, keep in mind the other side of the equation. Cutting taxes is popular until it results in service reductions. The same way saving money on a new floor sounds like a good idea until you’re on the ground with a pry bar trying to pull off two layers of linoleum. I have no doubt some are willing to pay that price. I, on the other hand, discovered that getting the lowest bid possible isn’t always the greatest value.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau “Price is what you pay, value is what you get,” Warren Buffet is fond of saying. That line was running through my head recently as my wife and I were preparing to have some flooring replaced in our kitchen and living room. We had moved all the furniture out of the way and thought we might try to speed the process along, and save a little money, by starting the demolition process ourselves. The floating floor we installed in the kitchen when we first moved in came out without any problem. The linoleum underneath was a different story. Actually, it turned out there were two layers of vinyl covering. After working up a sweat removing a small section of flooring that was atomically bonded to the subfloor, we decided the cost savings weren’t as valuable as we initially thought. We left the rest to the professionals. It’s a good reminder that price is only one side of the equation, and it’s difficult to judge the utility of something by only looking at half the calculation. It’s something I hope everyone keeps in the back of their minds as budget season for cities, counties and school districts is in full swing. In the coming weeks the majority of Kansans are likely to receive letters from at least one of these governing bodies of their intent to raise property taxes. These notices will include the value of your property, the tax you paid in the last year and a variety of other information. The date, time and location of a public hearing on the budget also will be included, and that’s where community members can offer their input on the proposed tax increase. The direct notices are relatively new and add an extra layer of transparency to the usual public notices published in a local newspaper and posted on government websites. Hopefully they’ll function as intended and spur more public feedback on budgets. Whether it’s through people attending the public hearings or having private conversations with county commissioners, city councilors or school board members, more engagement in the process will help ensure the taxes levied match the value of services the community desires. I will note that these conversations should be approached with a degree of caution because the public hearing is toward the end of a months-long process of drafting a budget and setting tax rates. If, for some reason, you’re hoping for a larger tax increase than proposed, you’re going to be out of luck since the maximum mill levy will have already been established. But public pressure can still lower the levy and reduce tax bills if elected officials are persuaded to do so. Officials have to strike a balance between the services the public wants at a price they’re willing to pay. The wants are often well intentioned, even reasonable, but they’re also unlimited. The appetite for tax increases is usually more subdued, at least by the public. When offering your opinion on a budget, keep in mind the other side of the equation. Cutting taxes is popular until it results in service reductions. The same way saving money on a new floor sounds like a good idea until you’re on the ground with a pry bar trying to pull off two layers of linoleum. I have no doubt some are willing to pay that price. I, on the other hand, discovered that getting the lowest bid possible isn’t always the greatest value."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Price and value

<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/2022/8/1659369112345.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

The HaysMed Athletic Sports Injury Walk-In Clinic will once again be seeing patients starting Aug. 8.Athletes who get hurt during the week have several options to seek immediate care. The sports injury walk-in clinic is open Monday and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am at the Hays Orthopedic Clinic, 2500 Canterbury Drive.&nbsp; This year there are also expanded time for same or next day appointments.

Dr. Wally Walstrom, board-certified sports medicine physician, is the medical director of the clinic.&nbsp; Dr. Walstrom is full-time at the Hays Orthopedic Clinic and has increased availability to see injured athletes.

“Any injury that raises a concern and a parent or a coach thinks an athlete needs to be evaluated can be seen in the clinic.”&nbsp; Said Walstrom.

The clinic gives injured athletes the opportunity to see a provider without going through an emergency department or waiting to schedule an appointment.&nbsp; All acute injuries including concussions are seen at the clinic.

Digital x-ray services are available at the clinic, and, if needed, the process of getting an MRI can be set in motion.

“It’s a nice option for families to see someone who has the ability and training to manage an athlete’s injury,” stated Walstrom.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Once evaluated we can get you in quickly to see an appropriate Orthopedic Surgeon, if necessary.”&nbsp;

Athletes leave the clinic with a plan of recovery and return to play.&nbsp; The recovery process begins sooner for athletes seen in the clinic.&nbsp; They can be fitted with crutches or knee braces, if necessary, and when they leave, they know what follow up is needed.&nbsp;

For athletes requiring rehabilitation, sports specific programs can immediately be started with the Outpatient Rehab Center located just steps away from the Orthopedic Clinic.

“The Athletic Injury Walk-In Clinic helps take care of the kids in our community,” Walstrom said. “They will start their recovery process faster so they can safely get back to their sport quicker.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659390474784.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedThe HaysMed Athletic Sports Injury Walk-In Clinic will once again be seeing patients starting Aug. 8.Athletes who get hurt during the week have several options to seek immediate care. The sports injury walk-in clinic is open Monday and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am at the Hays Orthopedic Clinic, 2500 Canterbury Drive.&nbsp; This year there are also expanded time for same or next day appointments.Dr. Wally Walstrom, board-certified sports medicine physician, is the medical director of the clinic.&nbsp; Dr. Walstrom is full-time at the Hays Orthopedic Clinic and has increased availability to see injured athletes.“Any injury that raises a concern and a parent or a coach thinks an athlete needs to be evaluated can be seen in the clinic.”&nbsp; Said Walstrom.The clinic gives injured athletes the opportunity to see a provider without going through an emergency department or waiting to schedule an appointment.&nbsp; All acute injuries including concussions are seen at the clinic.Digital x-ray services are available at the clinic, and, if needed, the process of getting an MRI can be set in motion.“It’s a nice option for families to see someone who has the ability and training to manage an athlete’s injury,” stated Walstrom.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Once evaluated we can get you in quickly to see an appropriate Orthopedic Surgeon, if necessary.”&nbsp;Athletes leave the clinic with a plan of recovery and return to play.&nbsp; The recovery process begins sooner for athletes seen in the clinic.&nbsp; They can be fitted with crutches or knee braces, if necessary, and when they leave, they know what follow up is needed.&nbsp;For athletes requiring rehabilitation, sports specific programs can immediately be started with the Outpatient Rehab Center located just steps away from the Orthopedic Clinic.“The Athletic Injury Walk-In Clinic helps take care of the kids in our community,” Walstrom said. “They will start their recovery process faster so they can safely get back to their sport quicker.”Cover image courtesy Pixabay

HaysMed sports injury clinic opens Aug. 8

I first heard about&nbsp;“cultivated&nbsp;or cultured&nbsp;meat”&nbsp;a couple years ago,&nbsp;even though it has been in the research stage for many years.&nbsp;My first&nbsp;thought&nbsp;was that&nbsp;mankind had finally lost its mind completely.&nbsp;In fact, I wrote a column&nbsp;about it&nbsp;back then,&nbsp;and&nbsp;ended&nbsp;that column with the notion that lab-grown meat would never catch-on.&nbsp;Since then,&nbsp;lab-grown meat has in fact more than caught-on, and is being&nbsp;marketed successfully.&nbsp;

Cultured or cultivated meat is made from&nbsp;small amounts of muscle cells taken from living animals, much&nbsp;like a blood sample.&nbsp;Lab technicians&nbsp;add the samples to a bath of nutrients in bioreactors, where they grow actual muscle tissue which the technicians shape into what they call&nbsp;edible&nbsp;“scaffoldings.”&nbsp;Using these&nbsp;“scaffoldings”&nbsp;they can transform those lab-grown cells into steaks, chops,&nbsp;hamburger patties, or chicken nuggets.&nbsp;The&nbsp;industry claims&nbsp;their lab-grown meat&nbsp;cooks and tastes just like actual&nbsp;meat, but with no animal slaughter required.&nbsp;Now I have to admit, burying myself elbow-deep in innards to field dress&nbsp;a deer is not the&nbsp;highlight&nbsp;of my&nbsp;hunt, and I never particularly looked forward to sending a steer&nbsp;to the processing plant. But&nbsp;with the first bite of grilled venison&nbsp;tenderloin or juicy T-bone steak,&nbsp;any and all twinges&nbsp;of apprehension dissolve&nbsp;like my deodorant on a Kansas August afternoon.

I&nbsp;barely&nbsp;understand people wanting to be vegetarian and not eat meat, but I&nbsp;simply&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;wrap my head around&nbsp;someone&nbsp;wanting to enjoy&nbsp;the taste of a grilled rib-eye or chicken breast, but only if it has been grown in a lab. I worked with a&nbsp;guy years ago who was a vegetarian and brought sandwiches in his lunch made from&nbsp;“wham,”&nbsp;a&nbsp;vegetarian&nbsp;ham made from wheat. If you want the taste of ham&nbsp;or other meat, why not eat the real thing?&nbsp;

When I wrote that first article, here was my humorous take on what shopping for lab-grown meat might look like.&nbsp;Maybe I’ll&nbsp;walk into the lobby of&nbsp;a storefront that looks&nbsp;for all-the-world&nbsp;like&nbsp;an out-of-business dry cleaners and&nbsp;announce to the clerk “Hi, I’m here to pick up the 3 pounds of Kansas City strip I ordered 17 years ago.”&nbsp;The clerk will press a button, the racks that used to hold the dry-cleaned clothing will revolve until out&nbsp;pop my steaks, hanging from the rack like&nbsp;a couple old welding gloves.&nbsp;Or maybe I’ll have to don a hospital gown and hairnet and stroll through&nbsp;what looks like&nbsp;the&nbsp;maternity ward at a hospital,&nbsp;where row-after-row of large covered&nbsp;Petri&nbsp;dishes&nbsp;contain growing steaks and chops, all labeled with&nbsp;“birth dates”&nbsp;going back 15 years. I’ll&nbsp;direct the&nbsp;“lab doctor’s”&nbsp;attention&nbsp;to a couple robust looking pork chops and a giant sirloin&nbsp;and head home with my&nbsp;“slaughter-free”&nbsp;meat.&nbsp;

God has programmed genetic information into seeds telling them what they will become. How else do you explain that a soybean seed grows another soybean plant and not&nbsp;an oak tree, etc?&nbsp;But how&nbsp;are&nbsp;muscle tissue samples from a steer&nbsp;coerced into becoming different cuts of beef in a lab?&nbsp;Seems like the rib-eye I order could just as easily grow into&nbsp;rocky mountain&nbsp;oysters.

Look, I get that some folks&nbsp;don’t want to eat meat,&nbsp;but&nbsp;for those of us that do,&nbsp;God never meant for&nbsp;our meat to be grown in a lab.&nbsp;I find it&nbsp;interesting&nbsp;that large swaths of our society&nbsp;today either deny God completely or want nothing to do with Him&nbsp;in their lives, yet are more than happy&nbsp;for someone to play God for them in a&nbsp;lab. Also interesting&nbsp;is&nbsp;how some people&nbsp;vehemently&nbsp;oppose&nbsp;harvesting animals for food, yet have no&nbsp;problem&nbsp;ending the life of an unborn human child …

Continue to Explore&nbsp;Kansas Outdoors!

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>I first heard about&nbsp;“cultivated&nbsp;or cultured&nbsp;meat”&nbsp;a couple years ago,&nbsp;even though it has been in the research stage for many years.&nbsp;My first&nbsp;thought&nbsp;was that&nbsp;mankind had finally lost its mind completely.&nbsp;In fact, I wrote a column&nbsp;about it&nbsp;back then,&nbsp;and&nbsp;ended&nbsp;that column with the notion that lab-grown meat would never catch-on.&nbsp;Since then,&nbsp;lab-grown meat has in fact more than caught-on, and is being&nbsp;marketed successfully.&nbsp;Cultured or cultivated meat is made from&nbsp;small amounts of muscle cells taken from living animals, much&nbsp;like a blood sample.&nbsp;Lab technicians&nbsp;add the samples to a bath of nutrients in bioreactors, where they grow actual muscle tissue which the technicians shape into what they call&nbsp;edible&nbsp;“scaffoldings.”&nbsp;Using these&nbsp;“scaffoldings”&nbsp;they can transform those lab-grown cells into steaks, chops,&nbsp;hamburger patties, or chicken nuggets.&nbsp;The&nbsp;industry claims&nbsp;their lab-grown meat&nbsp;cooks and tastes just like actual&nbsp;meat, but with no animal slaughter required.&nbsp;Now I have to admit, burying myself elbow-deep in innards to field dress&nbsp;a deer is not the&nbsp;highlight&nbsp;of my&nbsp;hunt, and I never particularly looked forward to sending a steer&nbsp;to the processing plant. But&nbsp;with the first bite of grilled venison&nbsp;tenderloin or juicy T-bone steak,&nbsp;any and all twinges&nbsp;of apprehension dissolve&nbsp;like my deodorant on a Kansas August afternoon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>I&nbsp;barely&nbsp;understand people wanting to be vegetarian and not eat meat, but I&nbsp;simply&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;wrap my head around&nbsp;someone&nbsp;wanting to enjoy&nbsp;the taste of a grilled rib-eye or chicken breast, but only if it has been grown in a lab. I worked with a&nbsp;guy years ago who was a vegetarian and brought sandwiches in his lunch made from&nbsp;“wham,”&nbsp;a&nbsp;vegetarian&nbsp;ham made from wheat. If you want the taste of ham&nbsp;or other meat, why not eat the real thing?&nbsp;When I wrote that first article, here was my humorous take on what shopping for lab-grown meat might look like.&nbsp;Maybe I’ll&nbsp;walk into the lobby of&nbsp;a storefront that looks&nbsp;for all-the-world&nbsp;like&nbsp;an out-of-business dry cleaners and&nbsp;announce to the clerk “Hi, I’m here to pick up the 3 pounds of Kansas City strip I ordered 17 years ago.”&nbsp;The clerk will press a button, the racks that used to hold the dry-cleaned clothing will revolve until out&nbsp;pop my steaks, hanging from the rack like&nbsp;a couple old welding gloves.&nbsp;Or maybe I’ll have to don a hospital gown and hairnet and stroll through&nbsp;what looks like&nbsp;the&nbsp;maternity ward at a hospital,&nbsp;where row-after-row of large covered&nbsp;Petri&nbsp;dishes&nbsp;contain growing steaks and chops, all labeled with&nbsp;“birth dates”&nbsp;going back 15 years. I’ll&nbsp;direct the&nbsp;“lab doctor’s”&nbsp;attention&nbsp;to a couple robust looking pork chops and a giant sirloin&nbsp;and head home with my&nbsp;“slaughter-free”&nbsp;meat.&nbsp;God has programmed genetic information into seeds telling them what they will become. How else do you explain that a soybean seed grows another soybean plant and not&nbsp;an oak tree, etc?&nbsp;But how&nbsp;are&nbsp;muscle tissue samples from a steer&nbsp;coerced into becoming different cuts of beef in a lab?&nbsp;Seems like the rib-eye I order could just as easily grow into&nbsp;rocky mountain&nbsp;oysters.Look, I get that some folks&nbsp;don’t want to eat meat,&nbsp;but&nbsp;for those of us that do,&nbsp;God never meant for&nbsp;our meat to be grown in a lab.&nbsp;I find it&nbsp;interesting&nbsp;that large swaths of our society&nbsp;today either deny God completely or want nothing to do with Him&nbsp;in their lives, yet are more than happy&nbsp;for someone to play God for them in a&nbsp;lab. Also interesting&nbsp;is&nbsp;how some people&nbsp;vehemently&nbsp;oppose&nbsp;harvesting animals for food, yet have no&nbsp;problem&nbsp;ending the life of an unborn human child …Continue to Explore&nbsp;Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Makin’ bacon

By Jonathan Zweygardt Hays Post

Ellis County voter turnout was nearly 50% in Tuesday’s
primary election.

According to unofficial results Tuesday, 9,467 of the 19,324
registered voters in Ellis County cast a ballot on or before election day for a voter turnout of 48.99%.

The two contested races in Ellis County were among Republicans in the race for county commission with one race to close to call.

In the race for Ellis County Commission District 1 Michael
Berges leads Jim Pfeifer by nine votes – 838 to 829.

The First District represents a portion of Hays and the
northwest part of Ellis County, including the city of Ellis. Current District 1
Commissioner Butch Schlyer elected not to seek re-election.

Nathan Leiker has a 126 vote advantage over Chris McGowne –
758 to 632 – for the top spot in the race for the County Commission District 3
seat.

Randy Marintzer received the third most votes with 323 and
incumbent Joe Leroux was fourth with 284.

The Third District is the largest in land size of the three
county commission districts. It is made up of six townships, which includes the
entire eastern edge of Ellis County and an area north of Hays.

Ellis County Election Officer and Clerk Bobbi Dreiling said Tuesday
there are still some provisional ballots that will have to be counted before
the election results are official. 

“Right now we have less than 150 provisional ballots that we
still have to go through to see if they are either going to be rejected or accepted,”
Dreiling said. 

It will be up to the Ellis County election board to determine
the fate of those ballots.

Dreiling said the election canvass will be at 8 a.m. on
August 15.

There were no democrat candidates to file for either county commission
seat. So barring a successful challenge from an independent candidate in the November
General Election winners of both Republican Primary Elections will take a seat on
the commission next January. 

The 48.99 percent voter turnover is the highest it has been
in several years according to Dreiling.

“In a primary it (voter turnout) normally runs about 20 to
25 percent,” Dreiling said. “So, it’s about a double turnout.”

Voter turnout in the 2020 primary election was 37.9%.

By Jonathan Zweygardt Hays PostEllis County voter turnout was nearly 50% in Tuesday’s
primary election.According to unofficial results Tuesday, 9,467 of the 19,324
registered voters in Ellis County cast a ballot on or before election day for a voter turnout of 48.99%.The two contested races in Ellis County were among Republicans in the race for county commission with one race to close to call.In the race for Ellis County Commission District 1 Michael
Berges leads Jim Pfeifer by nine votes – 838 to 829.The First District represents a portion of Hays and the
northwest part of Ellis County, including the city of Ellis. Current District 1
Commissioner Butch Schlyer elected not to seek re-election.Nathan Leiker has a 126 vote advantage over Chris McGowne –
758 to 632 – for the top spot in the race for the County Commission District 3
seat.Randy Marintzer received the third most votes with 323 and
incumbent Joe Leroux was fourth with 284.The Third District is the largest in land size of the three
county commission districts. It is made up of six townships, which includes the
entire eastern edge of Ellis County and an area north of Hays.Ellis County Election Officer and Clerk Bobbi Dreiling said Tuesday
there are still some provisional ballots that will have to be counted before
the election results are official. “Right now we have less than 150 provisional ballots that we
still have to go through to see if they are either going to be rejected or accepted,”
Dreiling said. It will be up to the Ellis County election board to determine
the fate of those ballots.Dreiling said the election canvass will be at 8 a.m. on
August 15.There were no democrat candidates to file for either county commission
seat. So barring a successful challenge from an independent candidate in the November
General Election winners of both Republican Primary Elections will take a seat on
the commission next January. The 48.99 percent voter turnover is the highest it has been
in several years according to Dreiling.“In a primary it (voter turnout) normally runs about 20 to
25 percent,” Dreiling said. “So, it’s about a double turnout.” Voter turnout in the 2020 primary election was 37.9%.

Ellis County voter turnout highest in years; commission races tight

After nearly a decade empty, the former home of Carlos O’Kelly’s,
4107 Vine, is set to become the new home of the Hays’ Veterans Affairs Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic.

Currently, the clinic in the Hadley Center, 207B E. Seventh,
operates under the direction of the <a href="https://www.va.gov/wichita-health-care/locations/robert-j-dole-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-and-regional-office-center">Robert
J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center</a>
in Wichita.

The center also oversees Dodge City, Hutchinson, Parsons,
Salina and Wichita clinics. According to the Veterans’ Affairs website, they
serve veterans in 59 counties in Kansas and treated more than 30,000 veterans
in 2020, along with more than 350,000 outpatient visits.&nbsp;

“The new location is a larger facility than the one we
currently occupy and provides us with the opportunity to expand the health care
services we offer our veterans in northwestern Kansas,” said Jeff Herndon, Public
Affairs Officer Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, via email. “It also allows
Dole VA to meet current VA patient-centric design guidelines and expands
parking spaces.”

He said work would need to be done to the building to turn
the former restaurant into a clinic.

“Some demolition and construction is required to meet VA
needs and specifications,” Herndon said. 

He said that the work would take under a year to complete.

“Assuming no delays or issues with that process, we
anticipate relocating to the new space in the May-June 2023 timeframe,” Herndon
said.

The new location, along with providing additional space, gives convenient access to patients from outside of Hays as it is near the intersection of Interstate 70 and U.S. 183.

The clinic has occupied its current location since opening
in July 2001 and offers laboratory and pathology services, mental health care,
primary care, a pharmacy and access to a HeltheVet coordinator.

“Relocation has become necessary to ensure we are providing
the best possible services and health care experience to our veterans, who have
earned and deserve it,” Herndon said.

The announcement of the new clinic location comes only months
after the results of a years-long effort to evaluate the VA health care system
were released.

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/15/va-hospitals-closures-new-facilities-plan/">Recommendations
from that report include changes to almost all VA hospitals and clinics, noting
that they have a combined median age of 60 years, according to reporting from
the Washington Post.</a>

However, the effort to implement the complete list of
recommendations stalled after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators announced on
June 27 that they would block the proposal. The group cited concerns the recommendations
negatively impact services in some areas as it would close clinics and realign services
across their footprint.

“The U.S. senators’ move all but ends five years of efforts
to cut back the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/05/26/sweeping-changes-to-vas-medical-facilities-across-america-on-hold-due-to-missing-nominee/" target="_blank">VA footprint across the country,” according to the Kansas Reflector
in June.</a>&nbsp;“Those in on the deal to block the commission could still
change their mind, but for now, the recommendations will not move forward in
the process.”

But efforts to improve the system continue, including a new website
launched last month.

“An improved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.accesstocare.va.gov/">Access
to Care website</a>&nbsp;that now offers a simplified, user-friendly experience
to make it easier for veterans to make informed decisions as they plan their
health care appointments,” according to the VA website.

“VA is listening to veterans, incorporating their feedback
and reviewing access to care across the organization,” said Deputy Under
Secretary for Health Steven Lieberman, “As a national leader in health care
access and transparency, this change in the presentation of Veteran-facing
information ensures veterans receive the world-class care they have earned and
deserve.”

“The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest
integrated health care system, providing care at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1">1,298 health care facilities</a>, including
171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity, serving
9 million enrolled Veterans each year,” according to the Veterans Affairs
website.

CORRECTION: The story was updated to reflect the correct highway and the length of time the restaurant was closed. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659374367584.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAfter nearly a decade empty, the former home of Carlos O’Kelly’s,
4107 Vine, is set to become the new home of the Hays’ Veterans Affairs Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic.Currently, the clinic in the Hadley Center, 207B E. Seventh,
operates under the direction of the <a href="https://www.va.gov/wichita-health-care/locations/robert-j-dole-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-and-regional-office-center">Robert
J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center</a>
in Wichita.The center also oversees Dodge City, Hutchinson, Parsons,
Salina and Wichita clinics. According to the Veterans’ Affairs website, they
serve veterans in 59 counties in Kansas and treated more than 30,000 veterans
in 2020, along with more than 350,000 outpatient visits.&nbsp;“The new location is a larger facility than the one we
currently occupy and provides us with the opportunity to expand the health care
services we offer our veterans in northwestern Kansas,” said Jeff Herndon, Public
Affairs Officer Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, via email. “It also allows
Dole VA to meet current VA patient-centric design guidelines and expands
parking spaces.”He said work would need to be done to the building to turn
the former restaurant into a clinic.“Some demolition and construction is required to meet VA
needs and specifications,” Herndon said. He said that the work would take under a year to complete.“Assuming no delays or issues with that process, we
anticipate relocating to the new space in the May-June 2023 timeframe,” Herndon
said.The new location, along with providing additional space, gives convenient access to patients from outside of Hays as it is near the intersection of Interstate 70 and U.S. 183.The clinic has occupied its current location since opening
in July 2001 and offers laboratory and pathology services, mental health care,
primary care, a pharmacy and access to a HeltheVet coordinator.“Relocation has become necessary to ensure we are providing
the best possible services and health care experience to our veterans, who have
earned and deserve it,” Herndon said.The announcement of the new clinic location comes only months
after the results of a years-long effort to evaluate the VA health care system
were released.<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/15/va-hospitals-closures-new-facilities-plan/">Recommendations
from that report include changes to almost all VA hospitals and clinics, noting
that they have a combined median age of 60 years, according to reporting from
the Washington Post.</a> However, the effort to implement the complete list of
recommendations stalled after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators announced on
June 27 that they would block the proposal. The group cited concerns the recommendations
negatively impact services in some areas as it would close clinics and realign services
across their footprint.“The U.S. senators’ move all but ends five years of efforts
to cut back the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/05/26/sweeping-changes-to-vas-medical-facilities-across-america-on-hold-due-to-missing-nominee/" target="_blank">VA footprint across the country,” according to the Kansas Reflector
in June.</a>&nbsp;“Those in on the deal to block the commission could still
change their mind, but for now, the recommendations will not move forward in
the process.”But efforts to improve the system continue, including a new website
launched last month.“An improved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.accesstocare.va.gov/">Access
to Care website</a>&nbsp;that now offers a simplified, user-friendly experience
to make it easier for veterans to make informed decisions as they plan their
health care appointments,” according to the VA website.“VA is listening to veterans, incorporating their feedback
and reviewing access to care across the organization,” said Deputy Under
Secretary for Health Steven Lieberman, “As a national leader in health care
access and transparency, this change in the presentation of Veteran-facing
information ensures veterans receive the world-class care they have earned and
deserve.”“The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest
integrated health care system, providing care at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1">1,298 health care facilities</a>, including
171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity, serving
9 million enrolled Veterans each year,” according to the Veterans Affairs
website.CORRECTION: The story was updated to reflect the correct highway and the length of time the restaurant was closed. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

Former Hays Carlos O'Kelly's gets surprising new tenant

ACCESS Public Transportation is announcing a rate increase beginning Sept. 1.

All city rides will be $3 per one way ride and all county rides will be $5 per one way ride. Tickets purchased before this date can still be used with the rider paying the difference.

ACCESS operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. ACCESS phone lines will be open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week for you to book rides. You can book rides two weeks in advance and are encouraged to do so.

To book a ride or for more information regarding the rate increase, contact ACCESS Transportation at 785-628-1052.

SubmittedACCESS Public Transportation is announcing a rate increase beginning Sept. 1.All city rides will be $3 per one way ride and all county rides will be $5 per one way ride. Tickets purchased before this date can still be used with the rider paying the difference.ACCESS operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. ACCESS phone lines will be open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week for you to book rides. You can book rides two weeks in advance and are encouraged to do so.To book a ride or for more information regarding the rate increase, contact ACCESS Transportation at 785-628-1052.

Access public transportation to raise rates Sept. 1

U.S. District Court judge had ruled in favor of FHSU&nbsp;

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A former female instructor has filed an appeal in a case against Fort Hays State University that alleges age and sex discrimination.

Carolyn Anderson was a temporary instructor in the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at FHSU from 2014 to 2019.

Anderson, 75, applied for a tenure-track position at the university, but a 35-year old male was hired for the position.

Anderson, who recently completed her Ph.D., alleges in her suit she was more qualified than Gyebi Kwarteng, who only had a master's degree at the time and was on track to finish his Ph.D.

She is seeking more than $178,000 in lost wages, $16,500 in health and retirement benefits, $20,000 in moving expenses, $20,000 on loss of value on her home in Hays and $300,000 in punitive damages.

The university in its response said Anderson was never promised a tenure-track position. Her position was eliminated when it hired Kwarteng to the tenure track because the position was no longer needed.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree dismissed the count on age discrimination in February 2021.

On July 1, the court dismissed the second count of sex discrimination.

Crabtree in his memorandum and order said Anderson had not provided enough factual evidence to prove the sex discrimination claim.

Crabtree noted although Kwarteng had fewer qualifications in some areas, he scored higher than Anderson in other areas valued by the hiring committee.

Anderson applied twice for the tenure-track position. In the second round of interviews, she did not make the top four candidates.

The court found "the defendant determined that plaintiff wasn't the best candidate for the position and other candidates were better qualified," according to court records.

On July 26, Anderson filed an appeal of Crabtree's ruling. A hearing in the appeal has yet to be scheduled.

Hays Post contacted both representatives of Fort Hays State University and Anderson's attorney. Both parties declined to comment on the case at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659382890712.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>U.S. District Court judge had ruled in favor of FHSU&nbsp;</h2>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA former female instructor has filed an appeal in a case against Fort Hays State University that alleges age and sex discrimination.Carolyn Anderson was a temporary instructor in the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at FHSU from 2014 to 2019.Anderson, 75, applied for a tenure-track position at the university, but a 35-year old male was hired for the position.Anderson, who recently completed her Ph.D., alleges in her suit she was more qualified than Gyebi Kwarteng, who only had a master's degree at the time and was on track to finish his Ph.D.She is seeking more than $178,000 in lost wages, $16,500 in health and retirement benefits, $20,000 in moving expenses, $20,000 on loss of value on her home in Hays and $300,000 in punitive damages.The university in its response said Anderson was never promised a tenure-track position. Her position was eliminated when it hired Kwarteng to the tenure track because the position was no longer needed.U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree dismissed the count on age discrimination in February 2021.On July 1, the court dismissed the second count of sex discrimination.Crabtree in his memorandum and order said Anderson had not provided enough factual evidence to prove the sex discrimination claim.Crabtree noted although Kwarteng had fewer qualifications in some areas, he scored higher than Anderson in other areas valued by the hiring committee.Anderson applied twice for the tenure-track position. In the second round of interviews, she did not make the top four candidates. The court found "the defendant determined that plaintiff wasn't the best candidate for the position and other candidates were better qualified," according to court records. On July 26, Anderson filed an appeal of Crabtree's ruling. A hearing in the appeal has yet to be scheduled.Hays Post contacted both representatives of Fort Hays State University and Anderson's attorney. Both parties declined to comment on the case at this time.

Former female FHSU instructor appeals ruling in discrimination case

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays is has long been known for its beautiful red brick streets in the downtown area and the older parts of town.

But when it comes to repairs on those streets, the city somehow got into the routine of using concrete for the work, according to Toby Dougherty, city manager.

"Either a utility or us (the city) would cut into the bricks to fix a water line or a phone line, an electrical line, and then just put it back with concrete rather than bricks," Dougherty said. "So that's why when you drive around the older parts of town you'll sometimes you'll see a brick street with kind of an illogical concrete line running across it or parallel to it over towards the curb.

"Concrete was used because it's cheaper and easier, but it kind of destroys the character of the brick streets."&nbsp;

Public Works employees recently completed a street repair in the 1100 block of Oak where a water line had been replaced.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This time they used bricks — 3,000 red bricks.

"It's pretty easy to maintain but it is more expensive to construct," Dougherty explained, "because you're actually building two streets. You build a concrete street and then you put some sand over that and you lay your bricks down.

"But that's also why they last so long. It's kind of a tradeoff. You have a high investment cost but you get a long-lasting product. 

"Some of the bricks on downtown Hays streets are 80-plus years old and still functioning fine."

More accolades are ahead for the North Vine Street Corridor roundabout project in Hays, Assistant City Manager Collin Bielser told city commissioners Thursday during his monthly progress report.&nbsp;

The project will be recognized at the American Concrete Institution Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards Gala on Oct. 24 in Dallas. The contractor was Smoky Hill Construction, Salina.

There is another restroom facility now in Seven Hills Optimist Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, also home to the new ARC Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It sits west of the splash pad and was paid for by the ARC Park group and has additional handicap accessible features," Bielser said. "Dirt work and a sidewalk installation will be done by the city before it's open to the public."

Bielser has other highlights of the past month's projects and events in various city departments in the video below.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659368203610.jpeg" alt="Hays Public Works employees used 3,000 bricks to replace the concrete street repair previously made in the 1100 block of Oak Street. Although more expensive than concrete, the bricks age better. Some bricks on downtown Hays streets are more than 80 years old. (City of Hays)" />
 <figcaption>Hays Public Works employees used 3,000 bricks to replace the concrete street repair previously made in the 1100 block of Oak Street. Although more expensive than concrete, the bricks age better. Some bricks on downtown Hays streets are more than 80 years old. (City of Hays)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays is has long been known for its beautiful red brick streets in the downtown area and the older parts of town.But when it comes to repairs on those streets, the city somehow got into the routine of using concrete for the work, according to Toby Dougherty, city manager."Either a utility or us (the city) would cut into the bricks to fix a water line or a phone line, an electrical line, and then just put it back with concrete rather than bricks," Dougherty said. "So that's why when you drive around the older parts of town you'll sometimes you'll see a brick street with kind of an illogical concrete line running across it or parallel to it over towards the curb."Concrete was used because it's cheaper and easier, but it kind of destroys the character of the brick streets."&nbsp;That precedent has changed.Public Works employees recently completed a street repair in the 1100 block of Oak where a water line had been replaced.&nbsp;&nbsp;This time they used bricks — 3,000 red bricks."It's pretty easy to maintain but it is more expensive to construct," Dougherty explained, "because you're actually building two streets. You build a concrete street and then you put some sand over that and you lay your bricks down."But that's also why they last so long. It's kind of a tradeoff. You have a high investment cost but you get a long-lasting product. "Some of the bricks on downtown Hays streets are 80-plus years old and still functioning fine."More accolades are ahead for the North Vine Street Corridor roundabout project in Hays, Assistant City Manager Collin Bielser told city commissioners Thursday during his monthly progress report.&nbsp;The project will be recognized at the American Concrete Institution Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards Gala on Oct. 24 in Dallas. The contractor was Smoky Hill Construction, Salina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659368659098.jpeg" alt="A second restroom has been added to&nbsp;Seven Hills Optimist Park, next to the new ARC Park. (City of Hays)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A second restroom has been added to&nbsp;Seven Hills Optimist Park, next to the new ARC Park. (City of Hays)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>There is another restroom facility now in Seven Hills Optimist Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, also home to the new ARC Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;"It sits west of the splash pad and was paid for by the ARC Park group and has additional handicap accessible features," Bielser said. "Dirt work and a sidewalk installation will be done by the city before it's open to the public."Bielser has other highlights of the past month's projects and events in various city departments in the video below.&nbsp;<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Mon Aug 01 2022 09:25:30 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="July Progress Report"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H7M9S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/thumbs/j7cHiCws-1920.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/j7cHiCws-AMBVbJQD.mp4"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/j7cHiCws-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="July Progress Report" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>

🎥 City: Hays brick streets are costly but last 80+ years

Fort Hays State University presented its inaugural Tiger Gear on Friday Community Partner of the Year award to Sunflower Bank. Tiger Gear on Friday is a celebration of the innovative, determined, and caring people that make Tiger Nation unique. TGOF is a partnership involving several on-campus organizations, businesses, and community organizations in the Hays community.

“The TGOF, Community Partner Program, is a great example of the support this community shows for FHSU,” said Brittney Squire, outreach services specialist for the Forsyth Library at FHSU and co-chair of the TGOF Community Outreach Committee. “Sunflower Bank has embodied the Tiger Spirit we hope for with our partners, and we are thrilled to recognize them as our Partner of the Year.”&nbsp;

FHSU created the TGOF Community Partner of the Year award to celebrate an organization in the Hays community that goes above and beyond to share its Tiger pride. The contest launched in January 2022 and ended in June 2022. To earn consideration for the award, TGOF Community Partners were asked to demonstrate their Tiger spirit in any or all of the following four ways:

Sunflower Bank joined the TGOF community partner program in 2016, shortly after the program’s initial launch. Visitors and bank customers can’t miss the infectious Tiger Pride on display every Friday in both of the bank’s offices.

“We are proud to partner with Tiger Gear on Friday and show our Tiger Spirit. We think it’s another great reason to choose Sunflower Bank,” said Chrissy Stacken, senior branch manager, and AVP for Sunflower Bank. ”The tie between FHSU and the Hays community is incredibly important to us, as over 90% of Sunflower Bank’s staff in our region is either an FHSU alumnus or a current student.”

As the 2022 TGOF Partner of the Year, Sunflower Bank will receive several benefits:

For more information on the Tiger Gear on Friday program and to learn how your organization can become a TGOF Community Partner, go to <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tgof/">fhsu.edu/tgof</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659107898246.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsFort Hays State University presented its inaugural Tiger Gear on Friday Community Partner of the Year award to Sunflower Bank. Tiger Gear on Friday is a celebration of the innovative, determined, and caring people that make Tiger Nation unique. TGOF is a partnership involving several on-campus organizations, businesses, and community organizations in the Hays community.“The TGOF, Community Partner Program, is a great example of the support this community shows for FHSU,” said Brittney Squire, outreach services specialist for the Forsyth Library at FHSU and co-chair of the TGOF Community Outreach Committee. “Sunflower Bank has embodied the Tiger Spirit we hope for with our partners, and we are thrilled to recognize them as our Partner of the Year.”&nbsp;FHSU created the TGOF Community Partner of the Year award to celebrate an organization in the Hays community that goes above and beyond to share its Tiger pride. The contest launched in January 2022 and ended in June 2022. To earn consideration for the award, TGOF Community Partners were asked to demonstrate their Tiger spirit in any or all of the following four ways:<ul>
 <li>Producing or sharing TGOF-related social media content</li><li>Encouraging employees to get “caught” wearing FHSU Tiger gear at work and in the community by members of the TGOF community outreach subcommittee</li><li>Ordering FHSU branded apparel for their employees from the Victor E. Apparel &amp; Gift Company</li><li>Sharing the ways the organization “Tigerized” their workspaces</li>
 </ul>Sunflower Bank joined the TGOF community partner program in 2016, shortly after the program’s initial launch. Visitors and bank customers can’t miss the infectious Tiger Pride on display every Friday in both of the bank’s offices.“We are proud to partner with Tiger Gear on Friday and show our Tiger Spirit. We think it’s another great reason to choose Sunflower Bank,” said Chrissy Stacken, senior branch manager, and AVP for Sunflower Bank. ”The tie between FHSU and the Hays community is incredibly important to us, as over 90% of Sunflower Bank’s staff in our region is either an FHSU alumnus or a current student.”As the 2022 TGOF Partner of the Year, Sunflower Bank will receive several benefits:<ul>
 <li>A special feature on FHSU social media pages&nbsp;</li><li>An invitation to host a Chamber Chat event at the location of their choice, sponsored by the TGOF Steering Committee at FHSU</li><li>Complimentary registration and a prime location at the Back to School Picnic on the FHSU Quad on August 22, 2022.</li><li>Free Tiger Football tickets (up to 20) for the employees to attend the first home game and special on-field recognition during the game.&nbsp;</li><li>A free photo shoot with Victor E. mascot at the location of their choice</li>
 </ul>For more information on the Tiger Gear on Friday program and to learn how your organization can become a TGOF Community Partner, go to <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/tgof/">fhsu.edu/tgof</a>.

FHSU announces 2022 TGOF Community Partner of the Year

Volatility continues to rule the crude marketplace, with benchmark prices gaining $2 Friday only to drop $5 on Monday. Friday's settlement price in New York for light sweet crude for September delivery was up more than $2 at $98.62 per barrel. By lunchtime Monday the benchmark contract on the Nymex was down more than $5, trading a few cents above $93 a barrel. London Brent was also nearly four percent lower, dropping below $100 a barrel for the first time in more than two weeks. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell to $4.21, down 14 cents since last week. The auto club AAA says prices in Kansas are 22 cents lower than last week, with a statewide average pump price of just over $3.83. Most stations in Hays were selling regular for $3.99 while prices in Great Bend were down to $3.79. Kansas producers spudded 805 wells in the first seven months of the year, up from 505 last year at this time. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is currently scouting 435 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up more than 60% from a year ago. There were 32 active drilling rigs in Western Kansas last week, which is up one from the week before. Operators were about to spud a new well in Barton County. The Rig Count in Kansas shows 25 active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is unchanged.&nbsp; Baker Hughes reported 767 active oil-and-gas drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of six oil rigs and two seeking natural gas. The count in Texas was up six rigs over last week. Oklahoma and New Mexico were each up one. Kansas regulators approved 34 new drilling locations across the state last week, 11 of them east of Wichita and 23 in Western Kansas, including one in Butler County, one in Ellis County, and two in Stafford County. There are 944 new drilling permits so far this year statewide, compared to 559 at the end of July last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 33 newly-completed wells across Kansas, with 11 east of Wichita and 22 in the western half of the state. That's 908 new well-completions so far this year, compared to 427 last year at this time. Operators last week completed one new well in Barton County, one in Ellis County, and two in Stafford County. The government reported a slight dip in crude production in May, the latest monthly numbers available. The Energy Information Administration reports US output dropped to 359.4 million barrels in May, down half a percent from April but up more than two percent May of 2021. Kansas output also dipped slightly to 76,728 barrels per day, down nine tenths of a percent over the month before, and 7.6% higher than a year earlier. EIA reports reports US crude-oil production increased by 198,000 barrels per day last week to over 12.1 million barrels per day. Output is more than a million barrels per day higher than last year at this time. The government reports crude imports averaged 6.2 million barrels per day last week, down 400,000 barrels per day from the week before. The average over the last four weeks is 1.9% higher than for the same four-week period last year. The Energy Information Administration reports US crude inventories as of July 22nd dropped to 422.1 million barrels, a decrease of 4.5 million barrels from the previous week. Gasoline stockpiles dropped by 3.3 million barrels, and are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year. The world's largest oilfield service company is gearing up for growth. Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller told analysts that market fundamentals support multi-year growth in the patch. According to a statement the company is banking on improving business outside its North American base. According to a new report in the Houston Chronicle, US oil companies are increasing their financial support for Democratic candidates, especially those with a more moderate approach to climate change. According to the nonprofit group Open Secrets, about 29% of the industry's direct political contributions since 2018 went to Democrats, compared to 21% during the 2018 election cycle and 15% in 2016. The vast majority of political contributions still go to the GOP. Oil and gas producer Hess Corp expects to add a fourth drilling rig in the Bakken shale of North Dakota next month. Reuters called this a sign that operators are inching towards greater output increases amid high prices. Four North Dakota men are accused of stealing more than $2.4 million worth of crude oil over a period of more than a year. Court documents accuse them of skimming oil from trucks they were offloading, by manipulating transfer pumps and other equipment. Prosecutors say they stored the purloined crude and later sold it. According to the Bismarck Tribune, the alleged ringleader told investigators that skimming oil is a common, and easy practice, and that, in his words, everybody does it. China makes its first significant offshore shale oil discovery. China's state-owned exploration company CNOOC [["SEE nook"]] announced a new discovery well in an area of the South China Sea believed to be the home of more than 8.7 BILLION barrels of crude. The company said fracking the new wildcat well increased output from 125 barrels to nearly 10,000 barrels per day. State media called that production total commercial. Oil-by-rail traffic was down slightly last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,038 tanker carloads rolling the rails hauling petroleum and petroleum products during the week through July 23rd. That's down 137 carloads from the week before, and nearly five percent below the tally a year ago. Canadian traffic was down 704 tanker carloads for the week, but up about three percent year-over-year.

By JOHN P. TRETBARVolatility continues to rule the crude marketplace, with benchmark prices gaining $2 Friday only to drop $5 on Monday. Friday's settlement price in New York for light sweet crude for September delivery was up more than $2 at $98.62 per barrel. By lunchtime Monday the benchmark contract on the Nymex was down more than $5, trading a few cents above $93 a barrel. London Brent was also nearly four percent lower, dropping below $100 a barrel for the first time in more than two weeks. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell to $4.21, down 14 cents since last week. The auto club AAA says prices in Kansas are 22 cents lower than last week, with a statewide average pump price of just over $3.83. Most stations in Hays were selling regular for $3.99 while prices in Great Bend were down to $3.79. Kansas producers spudded 805 wells in the first seven months of the year, up from 505 last year at this time. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service is currently scouting 435 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up more than 60% from a year ago. There were 32 active drilling rigs in Western Kansas last week, which is up one from the week before. Operators were about to spud a new well in Barton County. The Rig Count in Kansas shows 25 active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is unchanged.&nbsp; Baker Hughes reported 767 active oil-and-gas drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of six oil rigs and two seeking natural gas. The count in Texas was up six rigs over last week. Oklahoma and New Mexico were each up one. Kansas regulators approved 34 new drilling locations across the state last week, 11 of them east of Wichita and 23 in Western Kansas, including one in Butler County, one in Ellis County, and two in Stafford County. There are 944 new drilling permits so far this year statewide, compared to 559 at the end of July last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 33 newly-completed wells across Kansas, with 11 east of Wichita and 22 in the western half of the state. That's 908 new well-completions so far this year, compared to 427 last year at this time. Operators last week completed one new well in Barton County, one in Ellis County, and two in Stafford County. The government reported a slight dip in crude production in May, the latest monthly numbers available. The Energy Information Administration reports US output dropped to 359.4 million barrels in May, down half a percent from April but up more than two percent May of 2021. Kansas output also dipped slightly to 76,728 barrels per day, down nine tenths of a percent over the month before, and 7.6% higher than a year earlier. EIA reports reports US crude-oil production increased by 198,000 barrels per day last week to over 12.1 million barrels per day. Output is more than a million barrels per day higher than last year at this time. The government reports crude imports averaged 6.2 million barrels per day last week, down 400,000 barrels per day from the week before. The average over the last four weeks is 1.9% higher than for the same four-week period last year. The Energy Information Administration reports US crude inventories as of July 22nd dropped to 422.1 million barrels, a decrease of 4.5 million barrels from the previous week. Gasoline stockpiles dropped by 3.3 million barrels, and are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year. The world's largest oilfield service company is gearing up for growth. Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller told analysts that market fundamentals support multi-year growth in the patch. According to a statement the company is banking on improving business outside its North American base. According to a new report in the Houston Chronicle, US oil companies are increasing their financial support for Democratic candidates, especially those with a more moderate approach to climate change. According to the nonprofit group Open Secrets, about 29% of the industry's direct political contributions since 2018 went to Democrats, compared to 21% during the 2018 election cycle and 15% in 2016. The vast majority of political contributions still go to the GOP. Oil and gas producer Hess Corp expects to add a fourth drilling rig in the Bakken shale of North Dakota next month. Reuters called this a sign that operators are inching towards greater output increases amid high prices. Four North Dakota men are accused of stealing more than $2.4 million worth of crude oil over a period of more than a year. Court documents accuse them of skimming oil from trucks they were offloading, by manipulating transfer pumps and other equipment. Prosecutors say they stored the purloined crude and later sold it. According to the Bismarck Tribune, the alleged ringleader told investigators that skimming oil is a common, and easy practice, and that, in his words, everybody does it. China makes its first significant offshore shale oil discovery. China's state-owned exploration company CNOOC [["SEE nook"]] announced a new discovery well in an area of the South China Sea believed to be the home of more than 8.7 BILLION barrels of crude. The company said fracking the new wildcat well increased output from 125 barrels to nearly 10,000 barrels per day. State media called that production total commercial. Oil-by-rail traffic was down slightly last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,038 tanker carloads rolling the rails hauling petroleum and petroleum products during the week through July 23rd. That's down 137 carloads from the week before, and nearly five percent below the tally a year ago. Canadian traffic was down 704 tanker carloads for the week, but up about three percent year-over-year.

News From the Oil Patch: Crude prices down; gas prices lower

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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>

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Commerce Parkway in Hays will be closed to through traffic for pavement repairs at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. 

Work should be complete and the road back open to traffic by 8 a.m. Wednesday. 

City of HaysBeginning at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Commerce Parkway in Hays will be closed to through traffic for pavement repairs at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. Work should be complete and the road back open to traffic by 8 a.m. Wednesday. For more information, call 785-628-7350.

Commerce closed at railroad crossing Tuesday in Hays

<a href="https://dsnwk.e3applicants.com/careers">Click HERE to apply.</a>

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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://dsnwk.e3applicants.com/careers">Click HERE to apply.</a>

Another RHID approved for more housing in Hays 

Tickets are still available for this year's Tiger Auction and Dinner on August 20th at the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility.

Website for auction information and to purchase tickets:&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/feature/fhsutigerauction?path=general" target="_blank">https://fhsuathletics.com/feature/fhsutigerauction?path=general</a>

Can also call 785-628-4050 to purchase tickets

Tickets cost $100 per person and include bid number, buffet dinner, and drinks

Tables of 12 can be purchased for either $1,200 which gets you 12 bid numbers or $1,500 which gets you 12 bid numbers, mentioned as a Table Sponsor in the Auction Catalog, and 2 General Admission All-Sport tickets for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.

Please purchase your Tiger Auction tickets by Friday, August 12th

Location: Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility Date: Saturday, August 20th Schedule 4:00pm Doors Open 5:00pm Dinner served 6:30pm Live Auction Starts 7:30pm Premium Table #1 closes 8:30pm Premium Table #2 closes

There will be an online auction for those who can’t make the in-person auction starting on Monday, August 15th&nbsp;and ending on Wednesday, August 17th.

For the in-person auction, there will be around 250 items up for grabs overall with 80-85 items as part of the live oral auction. The auction will pause for Item #40 again this year where FHSU Athletics will be accepting cash donations for the new Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex project at Lewis Field. With two matching $100,000 gifts already, this year’s Item #40 goal is $400,000. &nbsp;

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to Assistant Athletic Director Matt Cook by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mjcook8@fhsu.edu" target="_blank">mjcook8@fhsu.edu</a>.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659368444192.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>Tickets are still available for this year's Tiger Auction and Dinner on August 20th at the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility.Website for auction information and to purchase tickets:&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/feature/fhsutigerauction?path=general" target="_blank">https://fhsuathletics.com/feature/fhsutigerauction?path=general</a>Can also call 785-628-4050 to purchase ticketsTickets cost $100 per person and include bid number, buffet dinner, and drinksTables of 12 can be purchased for either $1,200 which gets you 12 bid numbers or $1,500 which gets you 12 bid numbers, mentioned as a Table Sponsor in the Auction Catalog, and 2 General Admission All-Sport tickets for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.Please purchase your Tiger Auction tickets by Friday, August 12thLocation: Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility Date: Saturday, August 20th Schedule 4:00pm Doors Open 5:00pm Dinner served 6:30pm Live Auction Starts 7:30pm Premium Table #1 closes 8:30pm Premium Table #2 closesThere will be an online auction for those who can’t make the in-person auction starting on Monday, August 15th&nbsp;and ending on Wednesday, August 17th.For the in-person auction, there will be around 250 items up for grabs overall with 80-85 items as part of the live oral auction. The auction will pause for Item #40 again this year where FHSU Athletics will be accepting cash donations for the new Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex project at Lewis Field. With two matching $100,000 gifts already, this year’s Item #40 goal is $400,000. &nbsp;For any questions or concerns, please reach out to Assistant Athletic Director Matt Cook by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mjcook8@fhsu.edu" target="_blank">mjcook8@fhsu.edu</a>.

Tickets still available for 13th annual Tiger Auction and Dinner

For the most updated list of community events, check the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">website</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643752861736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of Hays<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659365622693.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For the most updated list of community events, check the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">website</a>.&nbsp;

CVB: August happenings in Hays

The mercury is expected to rise again across western Kansas, with near triple-digit temperatures predicted through the week.

The National Weather Service in Dodge City projects highs between 95 and 103 degrees through next weekend, with Tuesday expected to be the warmest day.

The only slight chance for precipitation is Wednesday night, when there is a 20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659364178629.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The mercury is expected to rise again across western Kansas, with near triple-digit temperatures predicted through the week.The National Weather Service in Dodge City projects highs between 95 and 103 degrees through next weekend, with Tuesday expected to be the warmest day.The only slight chance for precipitation is Wednesday night, when there is a 20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A warming trend can be expected the first half of the work week across southwest Kansas. Highs of +100 possible Tuesday and Wednesday east of Highway 283. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/TMnBPUKG0a">pic.twitter.com/TMnBPUKG0a</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1553933850954256386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

Hot temperatures, clear skies in western Kan. this week

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the new behavior health/suicide hotline at 988.

High Plains Mental Health Center's emergency after-hours telephone number is 1-800-432-0333.

Suicide rates among farmers in Kansas are up to seven times higher than state rates.

Members of a panel on Thursday said high stress among farmers combined with a reluctance of individuals to seek professional help has led to a mental health crisis.

Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture were in Hays Thursday to talk to local farmers and listen to the panel, which was assembled by High Plains Mental Health Center. 

Attendees included Joseph Palm, regional director, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; Kimberly Nelson, regional administrator of Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration; Nancy Rios, regional administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration; Nickolas Clasen, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; and Christy Davis, Kansas state director of USDA Rural Development.

Kansas' suicide rate is higher than the national average. It increased 65 percent between 2001 and 2020, said Dania Zolk, section director of injury and violence prevention at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans ages 10 to 34. Suicide in 2020 cost the state $5.7 billion in medical expenses and work loss.

The highest rates are among white males. The suicide rates for rural and frontier counties were 58 percent higher than the state rate.

Duane Keller grew up on a farm in Trego County. He and his wife lost their home and all of his belonging in the Four Counties Fire in December. 

Nine hundred acres of farm ground and 50,000 bushels of corn also burned while the couple was visiting Kansas City.

The couple had built the home 40 years ago with the help of their children. 

"We got a call from our daughter, and she said you're home's gone," Keller said with a crack in his voice. 

"On the way home, I told my wife, 'Look in the back seat of the pickup.' She said there is nothing back there except a couple of bags. I said, 'Well, that's all we got.'"

He said it is therapeutic to talk about the loss and each time he tells the story, it gets easier. 

"Out of tragedy, I think comes opportunities," he said. "I think our family's stronger. I think our son and daughter appreciate us a lot more, and we appreciate what we had. 

"I tell people, on a happy side, how many people at 74 years of age get to build a brand new home and put all new crap in it," he said with a smile, "and the insurance company is going to pay for it."

&nbsp;The damage from the fire lingered. Initially, the wind blew away much of the topsoil from the barren land.&nbsp; The ash from the fire damaged the fertility of the soil. Keller planted and lost two rounds of crops on the burnt ground. A third planting of milo is finally growing.

Keller said farming has always been stressful.

"How many of you would check the markets in the afternoon and you've lost $200,000, but you still eat supper that night? You still move on," he said. "Or you go in to buy fertilizer and it's up four times what it was the year before, but you still write the check."

Brenda Seaman is a licensed clinical social worker at High Plains Mental Center but also comes from a multi-generation farm family.

"As has been said, we deal with things that are not in our control — commodity prices, input prices, weather, government policies that change. We are used to that," she said.

"What I have seen in recent years is a dwindling of resources that help us be resilient. What I mean by that is our communities, our connectedness and our growing isolation."

Many farmers are working additional jobs off the farm and rural populations are shrinking as farms consolidate. 

"There's no time to gather in those informal settings that we used to do, drink a cup of coffee at the local elevator or co-op and talk about the mutual stressors and mutual joys," she said.

She added, "Isolation in my view together with the difficult financial time can create despair hopelessness and a loss of shared purpose. When you are doing a really tough job, that's a big deal."

Farms used to be operated by multiple generations of a family — grandfathers, uncles, fathers and children.

"The weight of this now can be on the farmer alone," Seaman said, "because it is no longer financially viable sometimes to hand that farm down, so kids are working off the farm."

&nbsp;Jessie Wyrill, who lives on a farm in Phillips County, said separating work from home life is impossible on a farm.

Wyrill, holding back tears, talked about the heartbreak of losing a cow and her calf during birthing.

"Imagine moments like that building up day after day," she said. "Tomorrow it might be a bolt that breaks on the bailor and keeps them from finishing before supper and they lose out on spending time with their family. Then the guilt comes."

Wyrill, who is on the Phillips County Hospital Board, said wait times for mental health care are a barrier to many rural Americans. These wait times can be anywhere from two weeks to eight months.

"How is someone who is struggling expected to wait that long to get help and how do they feel if they are just put on the back burner," she said.

Farmers, who are subject to the needs of their livestock or the whims of the weather, can't commit to appointments set far in advance, she said.

This coupled with a desire for privacy makes telehealth a more viable option for many farmers, Wyrill said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659120294939.jpeg" alt="Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration and High Plains Mental Health Center talk with farmers on a farm southwest of Hays, which is owned by Dylan Bryant, center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration and High Plains Mental Health Center talk with farmers on a farm southwest of Hays, which is owned by Dylan Bryant, center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the new behavior health/suicide hotline at 988.High Plains Mental Health Center's emergency after-hours telephone number is 1-800-432-0333. By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSuicide rates among farmers in Kansas are up to seven times higher than state rates.Members of a panel on Thursday said high stress among farmers combined with a reluctance of individuals to seek professional help has led to a mental health crisis.Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture were in Hays Thursday to talk to local farmers and listen to the panel, which was assembled by High Plains Mental Health Center. Attendees included Joseph Palm, regional director, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; Kimberly Nelson, regional administrator of Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration; Nancy Rios, regional administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration; Nickolas Clasen, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; and Christy Davis, Kansas state director of USDA Rural Development.<h2>Suicide by the numbers in Kansas</h2>Kansas' suicide rate is higher than the national average. It increased 65 percent between 2001 and 2020, said Dania Zolk, section director of injury and violence prevention at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans ages 10 to 34. Suicide in 2020 cost the state $5.7 billion in medical expenses and work loss.The highest rates are among white males. The suicide rates for rural and frontier counties were 58 percent higher than the state rate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659121560317.jpeg" alt="Duane Keller, left, speaks will Walt Hill, director of High Plains Mental Health Center, during a panel Thursday on ag and mental health. Keller lost his home and his farm burned during the Four Counties Fire in December. Photo by Cristina Janney " />
 <figcaption>Duane Keller, left, speaks will Walt Hill, director of High Plains Mental Health Center, during a panel Thursday on ag and mental health. Keller lost his home and his farm burned during the Four Counties Fire in December. Photo by Cristina Janney </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Recovery after the 4-Counties Fire</h2>Duane Keller grew up on a farm in Trego County. He and his wife lost their home and all of his belonging in the Four Counties Fire in December. Nine hundred acres of farm ground and 50,000 bushels of corn also burned while the couple was visiting Kansas City.The couple had built the home 40 years ago with the help of their children. "We got a call from our daughter, and she said you're home's gone," Keller said with a crack in his voice. "On the way home, I told my wife, 'Look in the back seat of the pickup.' She said there is nothing back there except a couple of bags. I said, 'Well, that's all we got.'"He said it is therapeutic to talk about the loss and each time he tells the story, it gets easier. "Out of tragedy, I think comes opportunities," he said. "I think our family's stronger. I think our son and daughter appreciate us a lot more, and we appreciate what we had. "I tell people, on a happy side, how many people at 74 years of age get to build a brand new home and put all new crap in it," he said with a smile, "and the insurance company is going to pay for it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659122582012.jpeg" alt="Mental Health and agriculture panel presented Thursday in Hays. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Mental Health and agriculture panel presented Thursday in Hays. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The damage from the fire lingered. Initially, the wind blew away much of the topsoil from the barren land.&nbsp; The ash from the fire damaged the fertility of the soil. Keller planted and lost two rounds of crops on the burnt ground. A third planting of milo is finally growing. Keller said farming has always been stressful."How many of you would check the markets in the afternoon and you've lost $200,000, but you still eat supper that night? You still move on," he said. "Or you go in to buy fertilizer and it's up four times what it was the year before, but you still write the check."<h2>Isolation pervasive for farm families</h2>Brenda Seaman is a licensed clinical social worker at High Plains Mental Center but also comes from a multi-generation farm family."As has been said, we deal with things that are not in our control — commodity prices, input prices, weather, government policies that change. We are used to that," she said."What I have seen in recent years is a dwindling of resources that help us be resilient. What I mean by that is our communities, our connectedness and our growing isolation."Many farmers are working additional jobs off the farm and rural populations are shrinking as farms consolidate. "There's no time to gather in those informal settings that we used to do, drink a cup of coffee at the local elevator or co-op and talk about the mutual stressors and mutual joys," she said. She added, "Isolation in my view together with the difficult financial time can create despair hopelessness and a loss of shared purpose. When you are doing a really tough job, that's a big deal."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123479655.jpeg" alt="Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Farms used to be operated by multiple generations of a family — grandfathers, uncles, fathers and children."The weight of this now can be on the farmer alone," Seaman said, "because it is no longer financially viable sometimes to hand that farm down, so kids are working off the farm."<h2>Heartbreak of farm life</h2>&nbsp;Jessie Wyrill, who lives on a farm in Phillips County, said separating work from home life is impossible on a farm.Wyrill, holding back tears, talked about the heartbreak of losing a cow and her calf during birthing. "Imagine moments like that building up day after day," she said. "Tomorrow it might be a bolt that breaks on the bailor and keeps them from finishing before supper and they lose out on spending time with their family. Then the guilt comes."Wyrill, who is on the Phillips County Hospital Board, said wait times for mental health care are a barrier to many rural Americans. These wait times can be anywhere from two weeks to eight months."How is someone who is struggling expected to wait that long to get help and how do they feel if they are just put on the back burner," she said.<h2>Need for telehealth, broadband expansion</h2>Farmers, who are subject to the needs of their livestock or the whims of the weather, can't commit to appointments set far in advance, she said.This coupled with a desire for privacy makes telehealth a more viable option for many farmers, Wyrill said.Panel members said high-speed internet is still lacking for many rural families. If you happen to be next to a fiber optic line and can access service with that provider, access is good.However, panel members gave examples of families who couldn't access internet access when the fiber optic cable was as close as across the road from their homes. One company wanted to lay fiber across a farmer's land but refused to give him internet access because the farmer was not in their coverage area.The panel members said expanding broadband is essential in expanding telehealth services to rural communities, but business models and regulations are getting in the way of access. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659122876270.jpeg" alt="Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic, urges the expansion of integrated health care to include mental health care. She along with Angel Romero Jr, hemp farmer, left, and veterinarian Lauren Mack, right, sat on a panel on ag and mental health on Thursday in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic, urges the expansion of integrated health care to include mental health care. She along with Angel Romero Jr, hemp farmer, left, and veterinarian Lauren Mack, right, sat on a panel on ag and mental health on Thursday in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic in Hays, promoted the use of the integrated health approach that is used at First Care. All First Care patients are screened for both physical and mental health needs when they are seen for appointments."People don't like to come back and talk about I'm depressed. I have suicidal thoughts," she said. "But if this is just part of the visit — it's included in your visit — they will stay for that. We can do those suicide interventions."The clinic hired a psychiatric telehealth nurse practitioner for medication management."If there is a hole in medical school teaching and nurse practitioner teaching, it is revolving around behavioral health and behavioral health medication management. Very, very poor teaching, unfortunately," she said.<h2>'Weight of legends'</h2>Lauren Mack, is a veterinarian with The Animal Hospital, which has locations in Plainville and Phillipsburg. She works daily with farmers and ranchers.She talked about the "weight of legends" in farm families. "When you stand chute side. The legend is grandpa. ... Sometimes it was great-grandpa or it was the neighbor down the road. You not only have an obligation to your family to keep farming but to the whole region and your children. The list becomes vast."That weight is paired with a lack of secession planning and substance abuse, she said. She said she sees many psychiatric issues and damaged marriages.Mack added later the ranchers she works with tend to be very isolated, which she said she thought also contributed to mental health issues."If you have ever spent all day working by yourself, you have a lot of time to convince yourself of all the things you have done wrong and all of the things that are going wrong and there is a lot of time to get to a place you shouldn't," she said.She said she has had ranchers break down into tears with her, but she said it took asking questions and reaching out as a friend to get someone to talk about their struggles.<h2>Addressing needs, looking for solutions </h2>Alicia Boor, Cottonwood Extension District agent, said her agency is trying to get as many people as possible training in Question, Pursue and Refer, which is also known as QPR. This one-hour training helps lay people learn techniques to deal with mental health emergencies. "Most farmers don't want to admit that they are struggling, but they will move mountains to save their buddy," she said.Andrew Brown, commissioner of Behavioral Health Services for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the governor dedicated $1.5 million in her budget this year for suicide prevention.On July 16, the new 988 mental health/suicide hotline launched. It will work much like 911. The majority of the calls to the line will be answered by workers in Kansas.Kansas is also working to open crisis centers, as well as mobile crisis units, Brown said.KDHE has applied for a grant from the Centers for Disease Control for mental health programs among youth in agriculture in frontier communities in Kansas, Zolck with KDHE said. Cover photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post

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